And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: Sun, 11 Apr 1999 15:27:49 EDT
Subject: the island -- have you seen this?
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Protest encampment continues to grow
4-9-99
By PATRICK BAKER Capital Journal Staff
The protest encampment on La Framboise Island in Pierre continues to
grow as tribal riders approach and an international peace keeping team
pitches a tent.
Three members of Christian Peacemaker Teams based out of Chicago have
joined the camp which is protesting the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe,
Lower Brule Sioux Tribe and State of South Dakota Wildlife Restoration
Act passed by Congress last October.
Two groups of horseback riders from the Cheyenne River and Lower Brule
Sioux tribes are expected to join the camp today.
Representatives of the camp claim the transfer of thousands of acres of
land along the Missouri River from federal control to the state and two
tribes is a violation of treaty rights.
Director of the South Dakota Peace and Justice Center Gene Koster said,
"(Protest representatives) asked if the Peace and Justice Center could
bring in neutral, third party human rights observers."
CPT is a program supported by denominations including the Church of the
Brethren, Friends United Meeting, General Conference Mennonite Church
and the Mennonite Church. According to CPT literature, the group is
"committed to faith-based nonviolent alternatives in situations where
lethal conflict is an immediate reality or is supported by public
policy." They also have teams stationed in Hebron in the West Bank area
of Jordan, in Chiapas, Mexico, and in Richmond, Va.
One of the three CPT members at the camp, Rick Polhemus said they have
witnessed the highly spiritual nature of the camp. He said he saw
potential protesters turned away when camp leaders determined they were
not serious about maintaining a peaceful and spiritual outlook on the
protest.
Lisa Martens, from the CPT office in Chicago, said of the organization
sending a team, "It's because the leaders were worried about being
kicked off of the island and that violence might occur."
Edgar Bear Runner, Oglala Sioux Tribe and a camp spokesman, said the
camp has been concerned with some passers-by who have heckled the group.
Oglala Tribal President Harold Salway said there had been reported
threats against the protesters.
Koster said, "There's potential for conflict there."
But Bill Grode, Federal Bureau of Investigation regional office in Rapid
City, said he does not expect any kind of violent conflict. He said
officials from the Oglala Sioux Tribe contacted the FBI when the protest
first began on March 22 with a sign-carrying march from the Federal
Building in Pierre to the Capitol. He said their concern was political,
however, not related to security.
"They said they were going to protest and they said they were going to
be peaceful," Grode said. "Basically, we're not getting any complaints
or expecting any."
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued a two-week special use permit to
the campers when Col. Robert Volz, Omaha District, visited the camp. One
of the district's public affairs officers said Salway called and asked
for an extension which was granted.
Robert Quiver, Lakota Student Alliance and protester, said the camp did
not need permission to camp on La Framboise Island which is normally off
limits to campers.
"We didn't ask for any permission, nor did we sign (the special use
permit)," Quiver said. "Basically, this is treaty land. This was
designated to be returned to the tribes anyway. It's nothing negative,
it's just logic."
Quiver said the camp is expecting as many as 40 riders to arrive today.
A press release from Karen Ducheneaux, leader of the Cheyenne River
Sioux Tribe's Future Generation Riders, said an all-night vigil will
take place upon arrival to be followed by activities on Saturday.
Activities meant to reaffirm Lakota heritage include dancing, a prayer
to the morning star, feasting and ceremonies.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Tsonkwadiyonrat (We are ONE Spirit)
Unenh onhwa' Awayaton
http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
