And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
>Date: Sat, 5 Dec 1998 17:00:07 -0800 (PST)
>From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>Subject: President's Commission on Race
>To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>X-Comment: Nevada Indian Environmental Coalition
>
>
>Thought you all might be interested in this news report regarding the Prez
>Council on Race.
>
>
>From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>Subject: News
>
>Clinton Report on Race Says Indians Suffer Most
> Report Not the First to Point at Dismal Record
>
> By Louis Gray of the Oklahoma Indian Times
>
> According to a presidential report �One America: Initiative on Race, �
> Native Americans suffer from racism more than any other group.
Economic
> and physical abuse are just some of the examples listed in the report.
>Others are the highest instances of suicide, lowest life expectancy,
highest
>levels of infant mortality, and highest unemployment rate. In
Oklahoma
>the unemployment rate is 38%, and the national rate is 49%. The report
>paints a grim picture of the life and times of the American
Indian. The
>report created by President Bill Clinton and is referred to as the
>commission on race relations. It was born out of the racial divide
present
>in the United States.
> While the report spoke on conditions in this country in the last year, a
> similar report sought to determine the status of human rights among
>Indian people. This report would be heard by the United Nations and would
>have far ranging political ramifications.
>
> Ann Marshall, full-blood Muskogee, while working for the Oklahoma State
> Human Rights Commission, worked with the Creek Nation and the
>International Human Rights Commission on the United Nations report.
Hearings
>were held in Okmulgee, Oklahoma to gather testimony on the Indian
condition
>in America. Marshall told The Oklahoma Indian Times the
> international report was lobbied against by the U.S. delegation for
> political reasons. It showed a trend of broken promises and despite
>treaty agreements, Native Americans live in abject poverty far below any
>other racial group. Like the recent president report the statistics on
>Indian people are of a crisis level and would not be tolerated by the
larger
>ethnic groups in this country.
>
> During that time in (1994), China, Sudan and Cuba were trying to achieve
> favored trading status with America. U.S. officials have tried to
>encourage these nations to improve human rights among their own citizens.
A
>negative report about America's treatment of their poorest citizens
would
>not allow the United States to take the moral high ground.
>
> Led by Geraldine Ferraro, the American delegation threatened African
> nations to vote against the U.S. report or be listed as enemies of the
> United States. In the end only the Sudan, China and Cuba voted to
accept
> the report.
>
> Marshall is now the Associate General Secretary, for the United Methodist
> Church headquartered in New York City, N.Y. She was in Tulsa recently
> for a conference and spoke about to the Oklahoma Indian Times about
> human rights from her perspective.
>
> Marshall said the "pendulum has swung back to racial practices of the
> 1950's and 60's." She said race relations improved under certain
>leadership. Marshall served under former Gov. George Nigh, "a lot of
>progress was made," under his administration.
>
> She said at the time there was "pockets of tension" in the state where
> Indians were the focal point, which included the Kaw Nation and Ponca
> City, OK. At the time, the north central tribe of Oklahoma was trying to
> build and buy homes within the city limits of Ponca City. Needing their
> approval, the Kaw Nation was unable to gain that permit and race was
> thought to be the issue. Ponca City said the homes would bring down
> property values, the Kaws said it had the right to build those homes.
>
> The problem was never resolved and it points to the problems of race
> relations in Oklahoma. Marshall said while the state tried to find a
> common ground there was no give on the part of city officials.
>
> Another example was with the Oklahoma State Corrections Department and
> their policy of not allowing Indian inmates to wear their hair long.
> Marshall said it has been proven that inmates who have long hair and
> practice cultural ceremonies are less likely to become repeat offenders.
>Accordingly, those Indians who avoided cultural activities cycled back
>into prison at much higher rates. Marshall said it was another case of
one
>culture not understanding another.
>
> Marshall said education is the key to achieving racial harmony.
Educating
> all races about different cultures promotes cultural understanding,
and
> getting a good education.
>
> On the current commission for Oklahoma Human Rights, is Deyo
> Paddyaker, a Commanche Indian from Oklahoma City who shares
> Marshall's solution on achieving racial harmony. He said young Indians
> need access to a good education to improve their lot in life. He also
>suggests non-Indians watch the Sherman Alexi film "Smoke Signals" for
>them to gain a better understanding about what it feels like to be an
>Indian.
>
> He suggests tribes should do like the Idaho Nez Perce and make school
> fun. They allow the students to work with tribal horses as an incentive
to
>attend and excel in school. And it worked.
>
> Another commissioner Louise Painter, Cherokee, said "I think Native
> Americans are treated very well in Oklahoma."
>
> "I don't recall any discrimination in my life, well of flagrant
> discrimination," Painter said. Both Paddyaker and Painter are Gov.
Frank
> Keating appointees.
>
> The presidential report recommends more educational and health
> opportunities for tribes. It also points to Clinton's budget request for
> $180 million in additional funds to prop up justice systems in Indian
> country. They also applaud the president for reaching out to Native
>Americans and recognizing the government-to-government relationship
>sought by tribes.
>
> The commission on race relations was chaired by Tulsan John Hope
> Franklin. Many Indian groups criticize the commission because there was
> not one Native American on the board. The recommendations will be used
> by congress and the president in developing legislation in dealing
with
> race relations in America.
><---- End Forwarded Message ---->
>
><<<< To remove your name from this list send a message to
"[EMAIL PROTECTED]" with the message "unsubscribe triballaw" >>>>
>
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is
distributed without profit or payment
...http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Tsonkwadiyonrat (We are ONE Spirit)
Unenh onhwa' Awayaton
http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/
`"` `"` `"` `"` `"` `"`
