Dani Tippmann ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) wrote:
Please help to get the word out about the Miami of Indiana. We need everyone who understands the wrongs that the United States has accomplished against Indian nations to help right this wrong. Simply writing to Senator Inouye may not seem like much, but it could make him aware of how many people are willing to help the Miami of Indiana right a wrong and be acknowledged as a federally recognized tribe once again. We need to get his attention and the best way is for each of us to write a letter to him as soon as possible. Thanks, Dani Today's editorial: Dear Sen. Inouye: Please help Miami The Indianapolis Star http://www.indystar.com/article.php?editmiami24.html,opinion August 24, 2002 "Our position is: Hoosiers should take up pen or PC and help a noble cause. For example: To the Honorable Daniel Inouye, 722 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington D.C., 20510-1102 Dear Sen. Inouye, Normally, we Hoosiers write to our own senators when we need to get things done. Dick Lugar and Evan Bayh are good men with a lot of expertise on a lot of issues. But on one topic close to our heart -- tribal recognition for the Miami Nation of Indiana -- we need your help, too. As chair of the Committee on Indian Affairs, you have the knowledge and authority to persuade Congress that it's time to right a terrible wrong. As a long-time champion of the rights of Hawaii's native people, you have the compassion to take up this battle. The Miami Nation, which was granted tribal status in an 1854 treaty, is based in Peru north of Indianapolis. As you probably know, they and their Woodland ancestors are the main reason we are called "land of the Indians." In all the years that have passed since President Franklin Pierce signed the treaty, the Miami have never ceased to operate as a tribe in the traditional sense. Nor has the treaty ever been revoked by Congress. We believe the Miami is the only Native American tribe that can make those claims and yet is not recognized as a tribe by the U.S. Department of Interior. The issue is in your hands because last spring the Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal of a lower court ruling, which upheld the Department of Interior's rescinding of the Miami's tribal status in 1897. Despite eventually admitting that decision was based on a flawed interpretation of law, the department has refused to reverse itself. The folks there say it's too late because the tribe is too dispersed. Actually, the tribe is 2,400 strong in Indiana and becoming politically stronger every day. It still holds tribal meetings, it has a chief and a headquarters. Its people make arts and crafts and participate in festivals. Sens. Lugar and Bayh have been sympathetic to the Miami over the years, but recently said they're afraid the tribe might open a casino. And we have way too many of those already. For that reason, the Miami have endorsed legislation that would actually give up their federal gaming rights. They want tribal status so desperately they are willing to follow different rules from other sovereign tribes. That tells you how important this is to them. It's important to all Hoosiers. We're already planning for our 1816 bicentennial so we've been talking a lot about our history and the role the Miami played in it. That, in a nutshell, is why we'd be so grateful if, when Congress returns from summer recess, you'd help the Miami get their tribal status restored. Sincerely yours, The people of the great state of Indiana" Visit and show your support for the Grass Roots Oyate http://members.tripod.com/GrassRootsOyate Clemency for Leonard Peltier. Sign the Petition. http://petitiononline.com/Release/petition.html ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: [email protected] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?b1ddNB.b2HgmN Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
