From gars@speakeasy.org Wed Dec 24 15:44:13 2003 Date: Tue, 23 Dec 2003 15:00:03 -0800 From: Gary Night Owl To: Internet Recipients of Wotanging Ikche Subject: Wotanging Ikche--nanews11.052 _ __ _____ __ _ __ ___ ____ _ __ ___ ' ) / / ') / / ) ' ) ) / ) / ' ) ) / ) / / / / / / /--/ / / / ___ / / / / ___ (_(_/ (__/ ( / (_ / (_ (___/ '__/_ / (_ (___/ ' ____ _ , ___ _ , ___ / ' ) / / ) ' ) / / ' VOLUME 11, ISSUE 052 / /-< / /--/ /-- __/_ / ) (___/ / ( (___, WOTANGING IKCHE - Lakota - Common News Wotanging Ikche and Native American News Copyright c. 1996-2003 nanews.org Aboriginal/AmerIndian Perspective about the First Nations of Turtle Island December 27, 2003 Western Cherokee Vskihyi/snow moon Mvskogee rvfo-rakko/big winter moon +-------------------------------------------------------+ | Much more happens in Indian Country than is reported | | in this weekly newsletter. For daily updates & events | | go to http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm | +-------------------------------------------------------+ Otapi'sin Atsinikiisinaakssin -- Blackfeet -- News for All the People Ni-mah-mi-kwa-zoo-min -- Ojibwe -- We Are Talking About Ourselves Aunchemokauhettittea -- Naragansett -- Let Us Share News Kanoheda Aniyvwiya -- Cherokee -- Journal of the People O Es'te Opunvk'vmucvse -- Creek -- People's New News O o O Acimowin -- Plains Cree -- Story or Account O o O Tlaixmatiliztli -- Nahuatl -- News O o o o o O Agnutmaqan -- Listuguj Mi'kmaq -- News O o O Sho-da-ku-ye -- Teehahnahmah -- Talking Birchbark O o O Un Chota -- Susquehannic Seneca -- The People Speak O Ha-Sah-Sliltha -- Ditidaht Nation -- News of the People Ximopanolti tehuatzin, inin Mexika tlahtolli -- Nahuatl -- For you we offer these words It-hah-pe-hah Ah-num pah-le -- Chickasaw -- Together We Are Talking Dineh jii' adah' ho'nil'e'gii ba' ha' neh -- Navajo Nation -- What's Happening among The People News Okla Humma Holisso Nowat Anya -- Choctaw -- People(s) Red Newspaper Hi'a chu ah gaa -- Pima -- The stories or the talk of the People Native American News -- Language of the Occupation Forces ==>If you want your Nation represented in the banner of this newsletter<== email gars@nanews.org with the equivalent of "News of the People" in your tribal language along with the english translation <================<<<< >>>>================> This newsletter is produced in straight ASCII text for greatest portability across platforms. Read it with a fixed-pitch font, such as Courier, Monaco, FixedSys or CG Times. Proportional fonts will be difficult to read. <================<<<< >>>>================> This issue contains articles from www.owlstar.com; www.indianz.com; www.pechanga.net; News and Information Distribution, Chiapas95-English, Native American Poetry, Rez_LIfe and ndn-aim Mailing Lists; UUCP email; Newsgroup: alt.native IMPORTANT!! ----------- In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, all material appearing in this newsletter is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for educational purposes. <================<<<< >>>>================> This newsletter is a way of keeping the brothers and sisters who share our Spirit informed about current events within the lives of those who walk the Red Road. ++ It may be subscribed to via email by sending a request from your own internet addressable account to gars@speakeasy.org ++ It is archived at http://www.nanews.org <================<<<< >>>>================> +-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --+ + -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- + | As historian Patricia Nelson | | Once a language is lost, it is | | Limerick summarized in "The | | gone forever | | Legacy of Conquest: The Unbroken | | * Of the 300 original Native | | Past of the American West... | | languages in North America, | | "Set the blood quantum at | | only 175 exist today. | | one-quarter, hold to it as a | | * 125 of these are no longer | | rigid definition of Indians, | | learned by children. | | let intermarriage proceed as | | * 55 are spoken by 1 to 6 elders;| | it had for centuries, and | | when they die, their language | | eventually Indians will be | | will disappear. | | defined out of existence." | | * Without action, only 20 | | "When that happens, the federal | | languages will survive the next| | government will be freed of | | 50 years. | | its persistent 'Indian problem.'"| | Source: Indigenous Language | +-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --+ | Institute | |http://www.indigenous-language.org| This issue's Elder Quote: + -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- + ======================== "Taku Shanskan is familiar with my spirit and when I die I will go with him. Then I will be with my forefathers. If this is not in the heaven of the white man I shall be satisfied. He is my father. The Wakan Tanka of the white man has overcome him. But I shall remain true to him." "Shadows are long and dark before me. I shall soon lie down to rise no more. While my spirit is with my body the smoke of my breath shall be towards the Sun for he knows all things and knows that I am still true to him." __Chief Red Cloud (Makhpiya-Luta), Oglala (in his farewell address to the Lakota people on July 4, 1903) +- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -+ | Indian Pledge of Allegiance | The Indian Pledge of Alleg- | | iance was first presented | I pledge allegiance to my Tribe,| on 2 December '93 during the | to the democratic principles | opening address of the Nat- | of the Republic | ional Congress of American | and to the individual freedoms | Indian Tribal-States Relat- | borrowed from the Iroquois and | ions Panel in Reno, NV. NCAI | Choctaw Confederacies, | plans distribution of the | as incorporated in the United | Indian Pledge to all Indian | States Constitution, | Nations. | so that my forefathers | | shall not have died in vain | Walk in Beauty! Night Owl +- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -+ +- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -+ | Journey | In the summer and early fall | The Bloodline | of 1998 the Treaty Unity Riders | | rode a thousand miles on horse- | For all that live and live by law | back, carrying a staff and | We Stand, we Call, We Ride | praying each step of the way. | For All that fear and fear by sight | | We Hear, we Listen, we Ride | These prayers were offered for | For all that pray and pray by strength| each of us, and that the Unity | We Feel, we Move, we Ride | of all Peoples might happen. | For all that die and die by greed | | We Hurt, we Cry, we Ride | Tatanka Cante forwarded this | For all that birth and birth by right | poem on behalf of all the Unity | We Smile, we Hold, we Ride | Riders that we might stop and | For all that need and need by heart | ask if the next words we say, the | We Came, we Went, we Rode. | next act we make is for the good | | of the People or is it from ego | Treaty Unity Riders | for self. +- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -+ O'siyo Brothers and Sisters! Next time you see an ad with a smiling Ronald McDonald extolling the generosity of McDonalds and their charitable Ronald McDonald Houses you need to understand something. They are a wonderful, charity that provides parents with a sick child a way to be close to that child in times of medical trauma that is both close to the child's treatment and allows the parent to live in a respectful manner, regardless of their respective income. Further, this charity grants scholarships to minority children, so the gifted child is not left behind in the education ... and they are specifically involved in aiding minority children with these marvelous scholorships ... unless that child is Native American or Native Alaskan. McDonalds "reason" is that they must priortize their dollars. This apparently means Blacks, Asians and Hispanics represent a better return on their charity dollars than Natives. ---- I now quote my wife, Janet, from her post in the Rez_Life Mailing List: They "must prioritize their dollars" indeed. Well, I have to prioritize mine, too. McDonalds has been this family's default stop en route to remote pow wows for meals and restroom/coffee breaks. Its where we stop for chicken and sausage biscuits for our pre-prison visit tailgate party. Over the past few years, they've benefitted from quite a few of our dollars. I know several of our vendor/dancer/drummer friends have been hitting them regularly, too. I'm developing quite an "enemies" list already. It sure would be useful to identify Indian-friendly chains (food, gas, general merchandise). It's one thing to know who to NOT spend money with. It's another thing entirely to be able to take positive action, rewarding those we know support our goals with our business. As has been pointed out to me in other quarters -- we are a very small demographic block, and many of us are limited in how much we can spend in any case, but most of these big chainsare greedy enough to not want to lose even our business to one of their competitors. ---- Read the lead story in this issue and learn why that warm glow you feel as you eat a Big Mac has nothing to do with your purchase going toward some Rez kid's future. It's just gas and heartburn. The heartache at being left out is just another bonus for the first people of Turtle Island to choke down. Want that to be Super Sized Mr. and Mrs. AmerIndian? Dohiyi Ani Oginalii , , Gary Smith Night Owl (*,*) gars@speakeasy.org P. O. Box 672168 (`-') gars@nanews.org Marietta, GA 30008, U.S.A. ===w=w=== http://www.nanews.org ----------- News of the people featured in this issue ---------- - McDonalds Charity excludes Natives - YELLOW BIRD: Who is really Indian? - Shooting range near Bear Butte - Isleta Pueblo rejects still on Long-Time Tribe Members - Western Shoshone - Survival of Tribes at Stake Payments challenged - Cherokee Man called - Do Native Vets One who makes a difference know about Housing Programs? - UN Blueprint for Rights in Mexico - Tribe purchases Massacre Site - New Indian Affairs Minister - Rule voided allowing Snowmobiles - Province mulls changes in Yellowstone to Blockade Legislation - Chief Old Person - Klein, Cabinet speaks out to protect the Front meet Aboriginal Leaders - No end in sight - Lawyers square off to Indian Accounting Problem in Chediski Fire Case - Anti-sovereignty Group - South Dakota Prisons names National Director show improvement - THE WHISPER: - John Graham Governor Henry, Tribes, One Nation gets visit from MP Bagnell - SHAUN T. KOH: - Graham blames FBI Family feud percolates for Murder of Aquash - Rocky Boy Voters - Native Prisoner asked to change constitution -- Native Traditions - Traditionals win planned for Halfway House Southern Ute Council Seats - A Hundred Years Ago - BIA wants Shinnecocks - Rustywire: La la la loving You to wait a Decade - Verse: Hawaiian Book of Days - Lumbee Recognition vote - Poem: Up on Red Lake Road delayed until February - Hopi Chairman: - Hopis could reverse course, We have a Language Crisis OK Gaming - Lakota Language Bowl - Two Navajo businesses open talk of the Tournament --------- "RE: McDonalds Charity excludes Natives" --------- Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2003 18:07:35 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="MCDONALDS EXCLUDING NATIVES" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.nativetimes.com/index.asp?action=displayarticle&article_id=3416 McDonalds charity excludes Native Americans/Alaska Natives Old myths about gaming and BIA education grants maybe keeping Indians out ANCHORAGE AK Sam Lewin December 19, 2003 One of the largest charities in the country specifically offers scholarships to just about every major minority group in the country except Native Americans. In defending the decision, officials at the Ronald McDonald House Charities said they offer assistance to those children who are a priority. John Smelcer is an Ahtna Athabaskan Indian and Tribal Grants Administrator in Anchorage, Alaska. His daughter, Zora, is a sophomore in high school. In September, father and daughter were waiting for an order of cheeseburgers at an Anchorage McDonalds and Smelcer, reading information about Ronald McDonald House Charities, noticed that the organization offers race-specific scholarships to African American, Asian American and Hispanic American students. The charity's literature stated they" offer scholarships to students from disadvantaged communities who face limited access to education and career opportunities." Smelcer wondered why Native Americans are not included in the list. According to recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the median income of the average American Indian home is only $26,000, compared to $37,000 for African Americans. Only 2.1% of Native American high school students attend college. So Smelcer began to write letters to the charity, quoting figures like the one above, and asking for a change in policy. "American Indian income is 30-40% less than the U.S. average," stated one correspondence." Your policy, while not illegal, is entirely unethical. To award scholarships to three of the four national, protected minority groups, to purposely discriminate against one group (possibly on the basis of misinformation and personal prejudice) is unethical." Several months later, Smelcer finally received several responses from the charity. Both spelled his name wrong. Ronald McDonald House Charities Director Susan Kerr said the exclusion of Native American children was not a mistake. "We, just like lots of folks these days, must prioritize our dollars available for grants and programs," Kerr wrote."At this time, the chapters participating in the scholarship programs feel we have the scholarships that fit the majority of their constituents' needs now." Kerr said Native students are welcome to apply for grants under a "general scholarship". She did not return a phone call from the Native American Times seeking comment. "We must prioritize how we spend the dollars we have for scholarships," wrote Ronald McDonald House Charities official Debbie Stone." When we look at the data related to need for assistance nationally, Native Americans do appear on the list. However, students of African American, Hispanic and Asian heritage still need a tremendous level of assistance." Smelcer said the whole situation has left him frustrated and wondering if the myth that"all Indian students go to college for free" has permeated the charity's management. He is also disappointed for Zora, who hopes to someday become a doctor. "I'm just a father and looking for chances to get a scholarship for my daughter. It angered me that her favorite restaurant her whole life would not give her a chance." Native American Times is Copyright c. 2003 Oklahoma Indian Times, Inc. --------- "RE: Shooting range near Bear Butte still on" --------- Date: Tue, 16 Dec 2003 08:16:42 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="SACRED BEAR BUTTE" http://www.indianz.com/News/ http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/~/news01.txt Judge asked to dismiss shooting range suit By Carson Walker, Associated Press Writer December 16, 2003 SIOUX FALLS - Lawyers for the head of South Dakota's tourism department and the city of Sturgis and its economic development arm want a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed over a proposed shooting range near Sturgis. A lawyer for John Calvin, the former secretary of the Department of Tourism and State Development, filed a motion in federal court in Rapid City last week to dismiss the case on grounds it is moot. Because federal money is no longer involved in the project, there is no foundation for the lawsuit to continue, Jeff Hallem, assistant attorney general, wrote. "There is no existing case or controversy between plaintiffs and defendant Calvin," he argued. The lawsuit is one of two filed after former Gov. Bill Janklow approved $825,000 in federal Community Development Block Grant money to the city of Sturgis to help pay for a $900,000 shooting range. It was filed by seven Sturgis residents who were upset that federal CDBG money was tapped for the project. After the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development questioned income figures used to support the project, Gov. Mike Rounds returned $313,800 of HUD money that had already been spent and canceled the rest of the grant. Sturgis City Council has since repaid the state after Sturgis Industrial Expansion Corp. took out a bank loan to cover the cost, according to documents filed in federal court that show how that money was repaid. Donald Knudsen of Rapid City, the lawyer for the city of Sturgis and development corporation, said Monday he will also file a motion to dismiss his clients from the case. "Without the federal funding, many of the laws that are the basis for the federal suit no longer apply," he said Monday. After that, Jim Leach, the lawyer for people bringing the lawsuit, will be able to respond. Then, U.S. District Judge Karen Schreier will have a hearing or make a decision. Another pending lawsuit claims that noise from the range would interrupt American Indian religious ceremonies. Opponents say the range would be too close to Bear Butte, where they say Indians have come to pray for thousands of years. Seven tribes and a local group have sued to stop it. Developers told Schreier last month they planned to try to find enough private money to build the shooting range. That means the lawsuit brought by the Indian tribes is still alive. It is not tied to the recent filings in the other case, Leach said. "This is only the federal money part of it," he said. Copyright c. 2003 the Rapid City Journal. --------- "RE: Western Shoshone Payments challenged" --------- Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2003 08:16:42 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="LAND GRAB" http://www.indiancountry.com/?1071587139 Western Shoshone payments challenged December 16, 2003 by: Ryan Slattery / Correspondent / Indian Country Today CRESCENT VALLEY, Nev. - The Western Shoshone have found an ally in U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva to join their near half-century long land battle with the federal government. The Arizona congressman is taking the Department of Interior to task asking some hard-line questions and requesting bundles of documents related to land and treaty rights directly connected with the current distribution bill which considers one-time payments to the tribe. In a four-page letter, dated Nov. 17 and addressed to Interior Secretary Gale Norton, Grijalva, D-Ariz. asked the department to cite the law the government used to take title to Western Shoshone land, called for the release of reports justifying the agency's recent treatment of the tribe and demanded information regarding any meetings or communications the agency has had with special interests eyeing the land for potential energy development. Although Grijalva said the letter isn't meant to be accusatory or demanding in nature its tone is quite clear. He wants everything laid out on the table so Congress can make an informed decision on H.R. 884, better known as the "Western Shoshone Distribution Bill." Grijalva said he hopes at least to get some "factual answers" to all the questions he raises in his letter. "The process wasn't as democratic as it should have been," Grijalva said. "There has not been a full disclosure of the facts." Passage of the bill would settle a long simmering land claims case and award $145 million to Western Shoshone members as reparations for the federal government's taking of their ancestral land. It's estimated that tribal members would receive approximately $30,000 apiece. Grijalva pointed out in his letter that at 24 million acres the payment equates to roughly "15 cents an acre." But tribal members remain divided over whether to accept a one-time payment from the government or continue seeking ownership of the land. Carrie and Mary Dann are standing firm in their beliefs and fighting to keep control of their homeland. Citing the 1863 Treaty of Ruby Valley a faction of the tribe has filed a federal lawsuit and continues to seek title to a swath of land - more than 60 million acres - that stretches across the Great Basin area most of which is in Nevada. "The Western Shoshone never agreed to sell their land," said Julie Fishel, a spokeswoman for the tribal defense project. Among Grijalva's many concerns he started his letter by questioning how the U.S. ended tribal ownership of the land saying that "gradual encroachment is not a legally valid method of taking or extinguishing title and the Western Shoshone have never sold, ceded or in any manner transferred title." He went on to question whether the Interior ever made a seriously effort to negotiate with tribal leaders to resolve the matter and later asked the agency to explain its conflicting testimony before both Congressional and Senate committees. Grijalva claimed that officials told a senate committee in 2002 that the Treaty was in "full force" with the exception of a section regarding land boundaries, but then 10 months later told the House Resources Committee that "there was a question as to whether the Treaty ever recognized land rights." The Arizona congressman also asked for documents justifying why the Bureau of Land Management continues aerial surveillance of Western Shoshone ranchers and asked the agency to provide details on all livestock seizures and raids that occurred on tribal lands. A little over a year ago the BLM confiscated 227 cattle belonging to the Danns and followed that with the horse roundup in February that the sisters claim led to the deaths of 47 mares and foals at Fish Creek Ranch. The BLM said the Danns have been illegally grazing cattle and horses on the range for more than 30 years and owe the government $3 million in grazing fees. Fishel said the Grijalva letter helps shine a spotlight on an issue many classify as just a "range war" between the Dann-led Western Shoshone and the federal government but the ties, she said, run much deeper. Fishel said she hopes other members of Congress back Grijalva and seek the truth which she believes will show a "cozy relationship between federal agencies and corporations." "Are there deals being cut," Fishel asked. "People are beginning to look at the Department of Interior for answers." To that, Grijalva called for the release of all material and communications the department has had with third party "industries, individuals or companies" with investments or business development plans within the Ruby Valley treaty area especially those involved with interests in mining, energy, water or nuclear. Ironically, the same week of Grijalva's letter, the Interior Department and BLM held a scoping meeting in Las Vegas to discuss alternative energy on public lands in preparation of putting together an Environment Impact Statement. It was one of five such meetings scattered throughout the west. At the meeting Nevada was identified as having many of the best places to tap into geothermal activity. Officials also pointed out that more than half of the 62 applications being considered for construction of wind farms on federal land are for sites within the state and many fall within the disputed Ruby Valley area. Rebecca Watson, the Interior's assistant secretary for Land and Minerals Management told the few in attendance that, "Nevada sits at an energy crossroads" and that the state will "definitely have a role to play in our nation's alternative energy policy." Copyright c. 2003 Indian Country Today. --------- "RE: Do Native Vets know about Housing Programs?" --------- Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2003 18:07:35 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="NATIVE VET BENEFIT" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.nativetimes.com/index.asp?action=displayarticle&article_id=3417 Do Native vets know about housing programs? Agency seeks to spread word WASHINGTON DC Sam Lewin December 20, 2003 Indian housing officials want to remind Native American veterans about various ways that exist to help them achieve the American Dream of owning a home. A series of programs and grants have been available since Veterans Day. "There are special legal, cultural and other circumstances involved when making loans to residents living on tribal lands, therefore, housing programs that accommodate the unique needs of Native Americans are quite valuable," said Gary L. Gordon, the Executive Director of the National American Indian Housing Council (NAIHC). "We're pleased that the [Veterans Administration] is working to assist tribes with providing housing to Native American veterans, who for generations, have shown their dedication to protecting our country." According to the VA, about 200,000 Native Americans have served in the military and compared to other populations, Native Americans have the highest percentage of veterans. "Native American veterans have made a significant contribution to our nation's military services. We are very interested in seeing that those veterans on tribal lands who have fallen on hard times get an opportunity to benefit from the services this program offers," said Peter Doughtery, Director of the VA's Homeless Veteran's Program Office. According to the General Accounting Office, a total of 189 home loans were made to Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, while just 38 loans were made to Native Americans through the Native American Veterans Direct Home Loan Program. The VA Secretary responded to the report by saying it is "strongly committed to providing its benefits to all eligible veterans including Native Americans." The report also said some tribal housing employees were unaware of VA programs. Currently, the VA conducts outreach to Native Americans by attending housing conferences and by distributing promotional materials. "NAIHC has looked into the underutilized programs and it appears that tribes have not taken advantage of the funding that is being offered through VA programs. We'd like to see the VA market their programs more aggressively to tribal governments so more Native veterans are aware of them and they are better utilized. NAIHC and the VA encourage tribes to apply for these funds and use them to provide homes for our veterans," said Gordon. "Native veterans, much like the rest of Indian country, have immediate housing needs - we have people living in substandard housing that is inadequate for the coming winter weather, housing that is overcrowded and simply not good enough for veterans - who willingly risk their lives to serve our country. The VA is trying to help our veterans and NAIHC applauds their efforts and hopes that Congress will recognize the need to take care of the First Americans, for whom they have a trust responsibility to care for." Native American Times is Copyright c. 2003 Oklahoma Indian Times, Inc. --------- "RE: Tribe purchases Massacre Site" --------- Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2003 08:41:55 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="SAND CREEK" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm Tribe purchases massacre site Native Times CONCHO OK - 12/17/2003 - After almost 140 years, the Cheyenne Arapaho Tribes will soon finally be able to let their ancestors rest in peace. The Sand Creek Massacre remains one of the ugliest chapters in the United State's treatment of its Native peoples. According to historical records, on November 29, 1864, Colonel John M. Chivington led approximately 700 U.S. volunteer soldiers to a village of about 500 Cheyenne and Arapaho people camped along the banks of Big Sandy Creek in southeastern Colorado. Although the Cheyenne and Arapaho people believed they were under the protection of the U.S. Army, Chivington's troops attacked and killed about 150 people, mainly women, children, and the elderly. Most of the men, under the impression the tribe would not be harmed, were away at the time. The massacre was subsequently condemned following three federal investigations. For years the site sat, a tempting target for vandals and artifact robbers. In November of 2000, President Clinton signed into law the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site, allowing for the C&A to partner with the National Park Service and purchase the property. The two sides will share fire and police protection. Native American Times is Copyright c. 2003 Oklahoma Indian Times, Inc. --------- "RE: Rule voided allowing Snowmobiles in Yellowstone" --------- Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2003 08:41:55 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="BISON" http://www.indianz.com/News/ http://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/17/politics/17PARK.html Judge Voids New Rule Allowing Snowmobiles in Yellowstone By FELICITY BARRINGER December 17, 2003 WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 - On the eve of the winter snowmobile season in Yellowstone National Park, a federal district judge on Tuesday evening struck down the Bush administration's regulations permitting more than 950 snowmobiles a day in the park. The judge, Emmet G. Sullivan, said the Clinton administration's decision to phase out snowmobile use in that sweeping landscape of canyons, geysers and jagged horizons had been arbitrarily reversed. The ruling, while not unexpected, throws a new element of confusion into an annual ritual of snowmobiles converging at the park's four gates for the opening day of winter park touring. With the latest rule invalidated, an earlier regulation holding the maximum number of machines to 493 in Yellowstone and 50 in nearby Grand Teton National Park and the road connecting the two goes into effect, a park spokeswoman said. Next winter, she said, a full ban goes into effect if Judge Sullivan's ruling stands. The ruling bristled with sharp characterizations of the Bush administration's actions. "The gap between the decision made in 2001, and the decision made in 2003 is stark," Judge Sullivan wrote. "In 2001, the rule-making process culminated in a finding that snowmobiling so adversely impacted the wildlife and resources of the parks that all snowmobile use must be halted." Judge Sullivan continued, "A scant three years later, the rule-making process culminated in the conclusion that nearly 1,000 snowmobiles will be allowed to enter the park each day." The ruling included a footnote saying that "there is evidence in the record that there isn't an explanation for this change," and that the revised environmental impact statement "was completely politically driven and result oriented." Judge Sullivan sent the relevant National Park Service decisions back for reconsideration. Interior Secretary Gale A. Norton reacted to the judge's ruling by defending the Bush administration's decision, saying in a prepared statement that improvements in snowmobile technology and careful limitations had balanced the need for public enjoyment with that of resource conservation. "The added Park Service restrictions of best-available technology and allowing a limited number of snowmobiles is a responsible approach and avoids a complete ban," Ms. Norton said. The ruling was embraced by the environmental groups that sued to overturn the Bush administration snowmobile rule. The groups wanted to retain the snowmobile ban issued in 2000, which would have gone into effect over three years, with the final ban being instituted this winter. "Yellowstone is where our country first said, `This is what our national parks mean to us.' " said Denis P. Galvin, a former deputy director of the National Park Service, in a statement released in collaboration with the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, which, along with the Fund for Animals, appealed the ruling. "This ruling reaffirms that fundamental purpose." But for men like Bill Howell of West Yellowstone, a co-owner of Yellowstone Arctic Cats and for three decades a snowmobiler and tour guide, the ruling was simply another blow to the tourist business that sustains the small town. Speaking of the local economy, he said, "For the last few years it's been a downward spiral, because of this issue." He agreed that the moribund national economy might be part of the problem, but then said, "The majority of it, I'm positive, is because of confusion over whether the park is open or closed." Six of the more than 50 motels in the area, close to the most-used Yellowstone entrance, went out of business in the past year, he said. The federal lawyers defending the reversal of the snowmobile ban had urged Judge Sullivan to delay action until a final rule was issued. He agreed, and the government issued the rule on Thursday, six days before the start of the winter season. Judge Sullivan reacted testily on Monday when a lawyer for the Snowmobile Association suggested that it was unfair to act so close to the start of business for the snowmobile-dependent towns around the park. The Interior Department in 2000 went ahead with the unusual general ban on snowmobiles, partly out of concern about the health of park rangers who had to wear gas masks to alleviate the snowmobile exhaust. There was also concern about the studies that showed the accommodations made for snowmobilers hurt Yellowstone wildlife. One study showed that in the wake of the grooming of 180 miles of park roads to accommodate snowmobilers, the distribution of bison in the park "changed drastically" apparently as they chose to use the easily traversed paths rather than other routes that took them through deep snow. However, the easily traversed paths also made it easier for them to reach the park's edges and stray onto nearby ranches. Copyright c. 2003 The New York Times Company. --------- "RE: Chief Old Person speaks out to protect the Front" --------- Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2003 08:20:47 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="PROTECTING RESOURCES" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.goldentrianglenews.com/~/glacier_reporter/news3.txt Chief Old Person speaks out to protect the Front from drilling December 18, 2003 Ranchers, wilderness outfitters and Blackfeet tribal members sat side by side with hunters, anglers and other conservation-minded individuals in a packed house in Choteau recently for Montana Wildlife Federation's (MWF) Public Symposium on the Rocky Mountain Front: A Wildlife Paradise. A crowded room of more than 150 people discussed the Rocky Mountain Front at the Choteau Country Club on Saturday, Dec. 6. Despite some other issue differences, the group spoke as one, saying do not drill the rocky mountain front. Panel discussions explored energy development, travel planning and values of the Front and its future. Perhaps the most powerful speaker at the meeting was Blackfeet Chief Earl Old Person who enraptured listeners with tales of his elders, joking with the crowd and calling for unity if the trend to develop goes forward. "This is not going to come to an end; we'll find some solution. This is so dangerous that we don't know what will happen tomorrow. It is important that you, as leaders, carry the message so that others are protected." You could hear a pin drop when the revered leader continued, "While it's here, we need to do the things that we can to protect what makes it real." A lifelong Republican, Karl Rappold's ranch borders the Front and the wilderness, and he has changed his view about this president and his party's Energy Bill; as he said on Tom Brokaw's Nightly News this past Wednesday, he stated at the Symposium, "My grandfather came to the Mountain Front in 1882, and for 121 years it has done nothing but provide for my family. It's my turn to stand up for the Front. Its fresh air, clean water and hard grass produces the best beef cattle in the world. I want to keep it for my children, not as a gas slope." Well known hunter and outdoor writer for conservation periodicals such as Sports Afield, Outside and Audubon magazine, plus his own books, Ted Kerasote, spoke to the heart of values when he said, "Anyone who values the Front should work as hard as possible to put another administration in power." Speakers throughout the day lauded the values, fearing that those values could quickly become degraded if energy and travel planning doesn't proceed with caution. The Rocky Mountain Front is a fish and wildlife paradise. This striking landscape, the source for four major river drainages, six if you include that portion north of Highway 2, supports the largest herd of bighorn sheep in the U.S., a fact only slightly more significant than that is it also includes the nation's second largest free-roaming elk herd that migrates from deep wilderness haunts of the Bob Marshall Complex to the plains to survive the winter. "The Front is the only area remaining where the grizzly bear migrates to the Great Plains," world-recognized bear biologist Mike Madel of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks said as he impressed the audience with his slides. "Mountain goats, wolverines, swift fox, wolves add to the list of game and non-game birds and mammals; 290 species or more, live here." Madel boasts of wildlife value unique to the Front. "All species present here when Lewis and Clark passed by remain here with the exception of the American Bison." Starting in 1913, hunters, business owners, hikers, outfitters and multi-generational landowners worked together to protect this "American Serengeti" as the Front is often referred to. Leases to drill for the minimal natural gas reserves proved the most contentious. A standing ovation greeted the initial speaker of the day, one-time Lewis and Clark National Forest Supervisor Gloria Flora, who in 1997 while she was in that position placed the Rocky Mountain Front off- limits to Natural Gas Leases for 10 years. If the BLM approves drilling, her authority to conserve the significant values of this area from effects of drilling would be curtailed. Flora found it interesting that "The Energy Bill and Executive Orders and all statements by the Administration stress expediting the permitting and exploration process, but nowhere did I hear that mitigation, monitoring by the administration, compliance nor reclamation be expedited. Oh no! It's just getting permits out the door that is where we are now focused." Present administration and Congressional priorities clearly want to set a precedent as documented by statements made by Tom DeLay and relayed by Flora. "Congress and industry know that if they can get in there (circumventing environmental protection to drill the Front), they can get in anywhere." Copyright c. 2003 Golden Triangle Newspapers. --------- "RE: No end in sight to Indian Accounting Problem" --------- Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2003 08:20:47 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="NORTON LIES/COBELL STRENGTH" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.billingsgazette.com/~/build/state/35-accounts-bia.inc No end in sight to Indian accounting problem, officials say By TED MONOSON Gazette Washington Bureau December 19, 2003 WASHINGTON - Montana Blackfoot Indian Elouise Cobell has no plans to retreat in her dispute with the Interior Department over billions of dollars she says the federal government owes her and other American Indians. Despite a flood of legal and congressional action on the issue this year, American Indians are not close to receiving the money that they are owed. Cobell and Interior Department officials say they are committed to resolving the issue without court action in 2004, but the two sides have so far been unable to reach an agreement that appeals to both. Bureau of Indian Affairs spokesman Dan DuBray said Interior Secretary Gale Norton would like to settle the issue. Following a 44-day trial, U.S. District Court Judge Royce Lamberth ruled on Sept. 25 that Interior Department officials must provide a full account of the money Indians are owed. Department officials had proposed a statistical analysis of many Indian's accounts. The full accounting would take years to complete, according to Cobell's lawyers and Interior Department officials. Lawmakers responded to Lamberth's ruling by including a provision in the Interior Department's 2004 spending bill that delayed implementation of the decision for a year and prevented Interior Department officials from being held in contempt of court. Cobell and her lawyers say the provision is unconstitutional because Congress is interfering in a court case where a final decision has been reached. They have filed a motion to have the court nullify the provision. House Resources Committee Chairman Richard Pombo, R-Calif., plans to work with the Interior Department officials during the next year, but he was angered by the provision. "This is the wrong way to settle this problem," Pombo said on the floor of the House. "I appreciate that this is only good for a year and it is a cooling-off period as some of my colleagues have said. ... The only way we can solve this problem is to sit down and consult, negotiate, and ultimately lead to a settlement." Pombo and a number of other Republicans, including Rep. Denny Rehberg, R-Mont., voted against the Interior Department spending bill because the provision was included in it. The House passed the bill by a vote 216 to 205 on Oct. 30 and the Senate passed it by a vote of 87 to 2 on Nov. 3. President Bush signed it into law on Nov. 10. Since the Dawes Act became law in 1887, the Interior Department has managed revenue generated from Indian-owned lands and there is widespread agreement that Indians have not received billions of dollars that they are owed. The underpayments were caused by the Interior Department's inability to keep track of the account holders or to maintain adequate records. Congress passed legislation in 1994 that required the department to account for all the money in the fund and fix the accounting and payment process. In 1996, Cobell filed a lawsuit demanding a full accounting of the fund. Lamberth first ordered the department to provide a full accounting of how much the Indians are owed in 1999. That year he held President Clinton's Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt and Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin in contempt of court because of their departments' failure to produce documents. In 2002, Lamberth held Norton in contempt for her failure to comply with earlier court orders. In 2003 an appeal court overturned Lamberth's holding Norton in contempt. Copyright c. The Billings Gazette, a division of Lee Enterprises. --------- "RE: Anti-sovereignty Group names National Director" --------- Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2003 08:41:55 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="ONE NATION" http://www.indianz.com/News/archives/003067.asp Anti-sovereignty group names national director Thursday, December 18, 2003 A woman who heads the United Property Owners, a notorious anti-tribal sovereignty group, has just been named the national director of One Nation. Barbara Lindsay says One Nation, based in Oklahoma, is not racist. "I'm one eighth Western Cherokee and my ancestors walked the Trail of Tears," she said in an interview with The Native American Times. "We want to have a good relationship with the tribes. Our differences are with some of the tribal leaders who behave irresponsibly." United Property Owners got its start in Washington as UPOW. In the 1970s, UPOW led a massive fight against the fishing rights of several tribes. UPOW members often reacted violently when tribal members tried to exercise their treaty guarantees. One Nation was formed in Oklahoma by leaders of the petroleum industry who also worked with Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) to kill a bill that would prevent lands owned by members of the Five Civilized Nations from falling out of trust and restricted status. Copyright c. 2000-2003 Indianz.Com. --------- "RE: THE WHISPER: Governor Henry, Tribes, One Nation" --------- Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2003 08:20:47 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="ONE NATION" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.nativetimes.com/~article_id=3408 The Whisper The Indian Gossip Column December 19, 2003 Governor Brad Henry had to show the state the tribes were not going to run over him, but still he wants to be their friend. That is some kind of high wire act. He is seeking tribal leaders to find out ways to work together on issues of mutual interest. That logically would be a Class III compact. But, it could mean almost anything else. Henry is way off if he believes any good leader is excited about paying more for cigarettes taxes once the state raises those levies. Raising the tobacco tax will be first on the upcoming legislative agenda. Unless..... The thing is, the economy is improving. What if there is no need to raise tobacco taxes? Well the One Nation boys will not have any of that and will no doult find a way to annoy the tribes. We are at war. ---- Its a little disconcerning that the One Nation people put their pointed heads together and hired Barbara Lindsay from Washington State to lead their racist organization. Although she claims to be part Cherokee, she is heading the more racially aggressive group in the country. Her hiring says a couple of things. They are still raising money and apparently they are getting it from new places. Multiple offices and hiring high priced operatives is not the sign of a sinking ship. Hating Indians is a serious game in Washington State. It is a bareknuckled earbitting experienced. Confrontation between the races is played out with lead pipe cruelty. The battle over fishing is just that; a battle over culture vs fisherman. The tribes in Washington State are just as aggressive. They fought the most oppresive Indian fighter in modern hisotry in U.S. Sen. Slade Gorton. They beat him several years ago in a upset of monumental proporations. This is the land of Lindsay. She knows how to upset and fight the natives. There needs to be an on-going public relations campaign to thwart and battle the money of One Nation. They have resources and the dragon lady from Washington State to set back modern gains made by tribes. Native American Times is Copyright c. 2003 Oklahoma Indian Times, Inc. --------- "RE: SHAUN T. KOH: Family feud percolates" --------- Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2003 08:41:55 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="ONEIDA" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.coshoctontribune.com/~/20031218/opinion/58975.html By SHAUN T. KOH Tribune City Editor December 18, 2003 Danielle Patterson figured the day would come when her home would become a pile of rubble. Over the years she had made repairs to the mobile home to keep up with changing safety standards on the Oneida Nation reservation in upstate New York. She had fought legal battles to keep her home. She was accused of battling members of the tribal police and resisting their attempts to inspect her home. And to add insult to injury, she was arrested on charges of assaulting tribal police and taken 300 miles to Cambria County, Pa. to be held pending trial in a tribal court. Patterson was the first Oneida to be held in Pa. under this arrangement since the Nation has no jail. Patterson was taken to another state because New York law prevents a municipality from serving as a jail for a sovereign nation such as the Oneidas. Ultimately, Patterson pleaded guilty to charges that were reduced to misdemeanors; her home was condemned and demolished in October 2002 as a safety hazard. It mattered little that Oneida Chief Ray Halbritter, a 1990 Harvard University law graduate, is a first cousin. Quite the opposite. Patterson, and her sisters, including grammy-award singer Joanne Shenandoah, oppose Halbritter's leadership. They contend the demolition is a means to punish opponents even though the homes may not be a safety hazard. Halbritter was not elected in the traditional tribal way and the federal government, they say, recognize Halbritter only because he is a college graduate. Halbritter responds by saying he is only improving the lives of Oneida Indians and the safety inspection are all part of a program to upgrade the safety and living standards of Nation residents. Halbritter has built an economic powerhouse in this community between the cities of Syracuse and Albany along the New York Thruway. The Oneidas have various enterprises including tobacco and gas sales, along with a thriving casino resort. Halbritter's Oneidas are not the only Indian Nation to have found this sort of fame and fortune. In Dec. 2002, a pair of TIME magazine reports suggested the wealth of Indian enterprises around the country was going to a select group of people including wealthy non-Indian financiers. The media attention and controversy has made the Oneidas more sensitive and they have sought to control the flow of news. When I arrived in Oneida as a newspaper editor, I was asked to meet with the Nation's communication staff who then embarked on laying out the law. One area newspaper was accused of failing to follow the demands of the Oneida leadership. The Syracuse Post-Standard was accused of being biased in their reporting, and the Oneidas banned the newspaper's staff from Oneida land, and pulled all advertising they had in the newspaper. While there may be no reservations in Ohio, Native Americans are very much a part of Ohio's culture and heritage and so we should have more than just a cursory interest. The Oneida situation is not unique. Across the country, the old and the new in Indian Nations is having a face-off. But the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs charged with overseeing the 55. 7 million acres of tribal land and disbursing federal funding is itself mired in controversy. This week, a visit to the bureau's Web site found a notice that said: "The BIA Web site as well as the BIA mail servers have been made temporarily unavailable due to the Cobell Litigation. Please continue to check from time to time. We have no estimate on when authorization will be given to reactivate these sites." The time to leave things be is past. An effective federal administration and strong leadership is needed to coordinate tribal affairs. This family feud threatens to boil over and affect much more than it already has. skoh@nncogannett.com Copyright c. 2003 Coshocton Tribune. All rights reserved. --------- "RE: Rocky Boy Voters asked to change constitution" --------- Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2003 08:20:47 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="DUAL ENROLLMENT, JUDGE APPOINTMENTS...." http://www.havredailynews.com/~/rockyboy.txt Rocky Boy voters asked to change constitution By Jerome Tharaud/Havre Daily News/jtharaud@havredailynews.com December 18, 2003 Rocky Boy voters will decide next month whether to approve proposed changes to the tribe's constitution and bylaws, including provisions for tougher penalties for criminals and the appointment of tribal judges, who are now elected. The special secretarial election at Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation will be Jan. 6. Tribal members, who were notified about the election by mail, had until Wednesday to register to vote. About 370 people registered, slightly less than the 389 who registered for last year's secreterial election, said James Montes, field officer for the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs at Rocky Boy. The BIA office is administering the election. Montes said most of the proposed changes on this year's ballot went before the voters in March of 2002. The results of that election were thrown out at the request of the Chippewa Cree tribal council after a group of about 100 tribal members belonging to a group called the Grassroots People marched to protest the election. The group opposed a "dual enrollment" amendment on the ballot, which said tribal members enrolled at another reservation in the United States or Canada would lose their enrollment at Rocky Boy if they didn't discontinue the second enrollment. Grassroots People also said Montes did not notify all eligible voters of the election by mail as required by law. The protesters said the majority of Rocky Boy residents are enrolled in reservations in Canada, and that those people would have voted against the amendment, which passed 123-52, if they had known about the election. At that time Montes said he didn't follow the requirement to send a notice of the election by mail to all tribal members because his list of members was outdated. Instead, he spread word of the election through local media and by posting letters at about 10 sites on the reservation. This year voters were notified by mail, he said Monday. That means that as long as there is no protest filed in tribal or federal court, the election will go on. The dual enrollment amendment will not be on the ballot on Jan. 6. The first amendment on the ballot would move the tribal council primaries, now held in June, to October, reducing the lame-duck period for tribal council members from six months to one month. Montes said the tribal council wants to shorten the lame-duck period so council members who don't make it through the primaries don't stay in office for six months before they're replaced. The second amendment on the ballot would increase the maximum penalty for misdemeanor convictions in tribal court from six months in prison and a fine of $500 to a year in prison and a fine of $5,000. Tribal council member Jonathan Windy Boy said Tuesday the amendment would bring tribal law in line with the maximum penalty tribes can impose under federal law. He said the amendment would hopefully deter crime. The third proposed change would prohibit tribal members who have been convicted of a felony in federal or state court from running for tribal office within five years of the end of their sentence. It also would apply to people who have been convicted of the use, possession or sale of illegal drugs in state, tribal or federal court. The tribal constitution now only restricts people who have been convicted of a "felony involving dishonesty" in state or federal court or of a misdemeanor involving "dishonesty or bribery in handling tribal affairs" in tribal court from being a candidate within five years after the completion of a sentence. It does not include a drug provision. The fourth change would delete a provision from the constitution that revokes tribal membership if a person has been away from the reservation for 10 years without coming before the tribal council to apply for an extension of his or her membership. "To us, at least some of us, when you become a member of a tribe - a federally recognized tribe - you should always be a member of a federally recognized tribe no matter what," said tribal council chairman Alvin Windy Boy Sr. Montes said the tribe has not enforced the provision since 1958. "It created a lot of hard feelings," he said. The fifth proposed amendment, the only one that did not go before the voters last year, would enable the tribal council to appoint the chief tribal judge and two associate judges. Those judges are now elected to four-year terms. The amendment also would give the council the authority to appoint a chief appellate court judge, who would appoint an unspecified number of appellate panel judges. Chief Judge Gilbert Belgarde said Monday that an informal appellate court was established by the tribal court in 1989, but the tribal council officially formed the appellate court in February. The chief appellate court judge position is vacant at this time, he said. The amendment does not specify how long the appointed judges would serve. The council would negotiate contracts with the judges. The proposed amendment would require the judges to have "extensive tribal judicial experience and be in good standing to preside over the tribal court and tribal appellate court." Jonathan Windy Boy said the amendment would mean more qualified judges in tribal court. "Right now there aren't any specific qualifications," he said. "It all goes back to the protection of the people and making sure that the judgment process is fair." Belgarde said the amendment would threaten the balance of power in tribal government. "I think they really opened up a can of legal worms and Pandora's Box" for the council members, Belgarde said. He said some people could see it as an effort by the council to control tribal government, and that it could prompt them to call for other changes like term limits for the tribal council and the tribal chair. "Too much power should not be concentrated in the business committee," he said, referring to the official name of the tribal council. Alvin Windy Boy said the items on the ballot came more from the people than the council. "These are certainly concerns of the community," he said. "It's not necessarily a tribal council initiative. It's going to be decided by the people." Belgarde said he doesn't think the tribal council would appoint him judge if the amendment passed. "I wouldn't even be a shoeshiner," he said. Federal law says that secretarial elections, which amend the Chippewa Cree Tribe constitution adopted in 1935, must be administered by the BIA, Montes said. Secretarial elections are relatively rare, he said. The only year in which Rocky Boy voters passed proposed changes to the tribe's constitution and bylaws was in 1972. That election included, among other things, eliminating voting districts on the reservation in favor of an at-large system of voting. Another election was held in 1978, but the proposed amendments did not pass, he said. A secretarial election can be held if two-thirds of the tribe's eligible voters sign a petition or if the tribal council passes a resolution, Montes said. The council passed a resolution in July calling for this election. The election will be held in the old Stone Child College gym on Jan. 6 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Absentee ballots must be postmarked no later than Jan. 6. Copyright c. 2003 Havre Daily News. --------- "RE: Traditionals win Southern Ute Council Seats" --------- Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2003 18:07:35 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="SOUTHERN UTE VOTE" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.durangoherald.com/~/news/03/news031221_2.htm Newton, Frost win Tribal Council seats By Jim Greenhill Herald Staff Writer December 21, 2003 IGNACIO The makeup of the Southern Ute Tribal Council changed in a run- off election Friday. A political newcomer won the most votes. A tribal member active in tribal politics for years made a comeback. And two incumbents lost their seats. Gone are Dewitte J. Baker and James M. "Mike" Olguin. Taking their places are Jim R. Newton Jr. and Clement J. Frost. Newton is a photographer for the tribal newspaper, The Southern Ute Drum. He has not previously held elected office. Frost has a storied history with the tribe that includes three years as tribal chairman and more than 20 years on the council, which now guides a tribe with more than $1.5 billion in assets. The run-off results are subject to the verification of ballots on Monday, said Bertha C. Box, acting chairperson of the election board. But a Friday evening count gave Newton 224 votes, Frost 184 votes, Baker 104 votes, and Olguin 99 votes. The two top vote-getters in the run-off take seats on the Tribal Council. None of the candidates were present for the hand count of votes in a classroom at the SunUte Community Center. But the winners are both Sun dancers who will bring traditional culture and medicine back to the council, said Byron Frost, Clement Frost's brother. "They'll bring back what we're losing through the financial planning," Frost said. "Everybody's thinking about money; they're not thinking about culture. If these two come back, they'll bring that medicine back in." Frost commended everyone who ran. He said running for elected office is stressful and demonstrates a commitment to the community. "I applaud them all for stepping up and trying to take a chance of helping the people," he said. Smiling, Newton's father stood silently at a doorway and accepted congratulatory handshakes from some of the more than 30 people mostly tribal members who watched the count. He declined comment on his son's victory. Tribal members voted from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The count took one hour and 10 minutes. It is a simple process performed in public. Officer Scott Webster, with the Southern Ute Tribal Police, undid the three locks on top of the wood and glass ballot box, each having a different key. A brass plaque on top of the box notes that it was a December 1981 gift to the tribe from Frank E. "Sam"Maynes, the long- standing tribal attorney. Webster removed the ballots one by one and handed them to Mary Inez Cloud, an election board member seated at the front of the room. Each tribal member was allowed two votes. Cloud read aloud the names of the candidates they chose. Box placed a chalk mark on a board at the front of the room by a candidate's name each time they received a vote. The audience, which included children, sat in silence, eyes intent on the tally on the board. Newton and Frost were front runners from the start. At the end of the count, there was a pause as Webster opened the absentee ballots and placed them in the box, as required by the tribe's code. Then those votes, too, were counted. There are almost 1,400 tribal members. Of those, 785 are registered to vote, Box said. In the run-off, 284 people voted in person and 32 cast absentee ballots, for a total of 316 voting tribal members. Reach Staff Writer Jim Greenhill at jim@durangoherald.com . Copyright c. 2003 the Durango Herald. All rights reserved. --------- "RE: BIA wants Shinnecocks to wait a Decade" --------- Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2003 08:41:55 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="RECOGNITION" http://www.indianz.com/News/ http://www.indyeastend.com/detail.asp?cat=news&article=1691 Shinnecock Nation To Receive Federal Recognition? By Michael Colello December 17, 2003 In this latest ruling in the ongoing legal battle over a proposed Shinnecock casino, Federal Justice Thomas C. Platt warned he may "order" the U.S. to be named as a party in the lawsuit against the tribe. "The court believes it necessary at this juncture ... that the United States of America may be a necessary party," Platt wrote. "Even if defendants are eventually successful at trial, they may still have to apply for a gaming license from the federal government." Platt also restated his lifting of the 18-month stay of litigation, while upholding the preliminary injunction preventing the Shinnecock from continuing work on the casino, for which land was cleared on the tribe's 79-acre West Woods parcel, in Hampton Bays. Platt's order follows last Thursday's pre-trial conference where the Justice reportedly reprimanded lawyers from State Attorney Elliot Spitzer's office and Southampton Town for failing to produce documents relative to the case to the court and tribal attorneys Christopher Lunding and George Stankevich -- who furnished more than 5500 pages of documents. According to Deputy Town Attorney Eileen Powers, the town is working to bring a detailed, coherent, and recognizable presentation of documents, some hundreds of years old by the next court date, next Monday. Powers disputed the merit of the tribe's submission last Thursday. "They didn't turn over anything but their [Bureau of Indian Affairs] application, which involved making one phone call to the BIA attorneys in Colorado," Powers said. "The obtaining of those documents took more effort for town and state attorneys." Judge Platt's written memorandum and order -- made in light of a letter by the BIA, indicating that it would be unable to determine the tribe's pending federal application for federal recognition before the 18-month stay expires -- upheld the preliminary injunction halting the tribe from further construction of a casino on its Newtown Road property. Casino opponents said though the U.S. Attorney General may welcome the opportunity to join the court proceedings, Platt has already been told he has no authority to grant the Indian Nation federal recognition. "Frankly, I think it's a good thing for us, said Assemblyman Fred Thiele. "We've seen the opinion of the U.S. Attorney. I see them as our ally in this litigation, not our opponent. I don't see how having the U.S. Attorney's Office in this helps them or hurts us." Shinnecock: A Sovereign Nation? Last month, the judge announced that he would hold a non-jury trial sometime in early 2004 to decide whether or not the tribe can build and operate a casino -- which has confounded casino opponents who insist that only the BIA or Congressional action can grant the federal recognition necessary for such a move. Platt also recommended the appointment of a special magistrate to negotiate a possible settlement. The lawsuit was brought by the state and town last summer after the tribe began clearing land on its Hampton Bays West Woods property without securing the necessary town permits. The tribe, which is recognized by the State of New York but not the federal government, has long insisted it is a sovereign nation and requires no such permission to construct a gambling facility on its Hampton Bays property. During last Thursday's conference, Platt lambasted the state for recognizing the tribe, but refusing to address the casino issue. According to a press release from the tribe, "the court warned the state that it faces a `big hurdle' in trying to deny the tribe's existence and aboriginal rights" which the state allegedly affirmed in the 18th and 19th Centuries. Platt issued a memorandum last September, stating that the District Court had been granted "final authority" to decide the tribe's federal status. "The Court of Appeals clearly indicated that they thought 18 months was ample time within which the BIA could and should make its initial determination," he wrote. "If they do not, this court intends to do so." The judge would be required to consider whether the Shinnecock are a sovereign nation, something he has previously hinted at. The judge maintains he would also be required to rule on the tribe's federal standing. No Native American tribe has yet opened a casino without federal recognition. A letter from the Department of the Interior and signed by the U.S. Department of Justice to the tribe last month said that, with nine other tribes ahead of the Shinnecock, approval could take as long as a decade. A preceding letter from the U.S. Justice Department issued last October concurred, disputing Platt's 18-month deadline. "The Shinnecock petition, however, is at the very start of the process and petitioners should not be permitted to leapfrog over the numerous other groups that have been waiting patiently in line before them," it said. The tribe has been aggressively pursuing casino plans, in either Westwoods or an alternate location further upIsland, ostensibly to combat the crushing poverty on their Southampton reservation, located adjacent to Southampton Village. To do so, the Shinnecock must first obtain federal recognition, and then enter into a gaming compact with the state. Copyright c. 2002 East Hampton Independent News Co. --------- "RE: Lumbee Recognition vote delayed until February" --------- Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2003 08:41:55 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="LUMBEE RECOGNITION" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.herald-sun.com/state/6-426000.html Vote on full recognition for Lumbees won't come until February The Associated Press December 17, 2003 CHARLOTTE, N.C. - A bill that would give full federal recognition to the Lumbee tribe will not come before the full Senate until February at the earliest, a spokesman for Sen. Elizabeth Dole said. Dole spokesman Brian Nick said Dole, the bill's sponsor, had hoped the Senate would give unanimous consent, eliminating the need for a vote on the Senate floor, but senators objected. "Unanimous consent didn't happen," Nick said. "We're moving along in the normal process for any bill." A senator may request unanimous consent on the floor to set aside a specified rule of procedure to expedite proceedings. If any senator objects, the request is rejected. Nick said Dole, a Republican, and other proponents of the bill, her first proposal for federal legislation, are prepared for "a tough fight for sure" after the Senate convenes again at the end of January. Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., also supports the bill. The Robeson County-based Lumbees have asked Congress to extend the full benefits of tribal recognition to them for more than a century. They are the nation's largest unrecognized tribe, with about 55,000 members. In 1956, Congress passed legislation recognizing the Lumbees but simultaneously refused them benefits such as access to the federally funded Indian Health Service, citing concerns that giving benefits to such a large tribe could harm smaller ones. Since then, the tribe has campaigned for full recognition. Arlinda Locklear, a Washington, D.C., lawyer who represents the tribe and is also a member, said she is still optimistic. "We're going to try and get it up onto the floor as soon as possible," she said. Copyright c. 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. Copyright c. 2003 The Durham Herald Company. --------- "RE: Hopis could reverse course, OK Gaming" --------- Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2003 20:12:08 -0700 From: "Chris Milda (_Akimel O`odham_)" Subj: Hopis could reverse course, OK gaming (Fwd) >To: gars@speakeasy.org Mailing List: News and Information Distribution http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/1217sexraid.html Hopis could reverse course, OK gaming Billy House and John Stearns The Arizona Republic Dec. 17, 2003 12:00 AM The Hopi Tribe of northern Arizona, facing a major economic hit with the likely 2006 shutdown of the Mohave Generating Station, could reverse years of gambling opposition and try to cover its losses with a casino. But that would be up to the Hopi people to decide. The 12,000-member tribe historically has opposed gambling, rejecting the idea in a 1995 referendum for political, cultural and religious reasons. But a special gambling task force has recommended that tribal gambling be re-examined. The task force was appointed earlier this year by the Tribal Council to examine gambling benefits and opportunities after Arizonans' passage last year of Proposition 202. The panel says a Hopi casino in Winslow would be the best option. "This should not be interpreted as a decision by the Hopi Tribe to open a casino," emphasized spokesman John MacDonald. The council approved the gambling information campaign on the heels of the task force recommendation and in the face of potentially losing $7 million each year, 35 percent of its annual operating revenues, if the Mohave plant in Laughlin, Nev., shuts down. After the campaign, a tribalwide referendum on whether gambling should occur is likely by late July, tribal officials say. "I think they're approaching it in the correct way in educating the people and allowing the people to make the decision," said David LaSarte, executive director of the Arizona Indian Gaming Association. He wouldn't predict a result. "I don't think anybody who isn't Hopi really understands the attitudes of that community toward gaming . . . or what their needs or challenges are," LaSarte said. The Hopi rely heavily on coal royalties tied to the Mohave plant, which will probably shut down at least temporarily by 2006 because it has been ordered to install air pollution reduction equipment. A task force report projects that a Hopi-owned casino at Winslow, together with a Hopi-run hotel, could produce net annual profit of $8 million to $9 million, drawing visitors from Interstate 40 and other local tourist attractions. The nearest casinos, in Payson, Pinetop and Camp Verde, are all more than 50 miles away. Proposition 202 allowed the expansion of Indian gambling, including more slot machines statewide and the introduction of Nevada-style blackjack, while giving the state a piece of the roughly $1 billion a year in tribal gambling revenues. The state expects to realize about $89 million to $102 million annually by 2005. The tribal-state agreement, or compact, crafted under Proposition 202 allows gambling tribes to add machines with transfers from non-gambling tribes via leases or sales. The Hopi have rights to 900 slots and three casinos under the compact. The tribe would have to sign the compact before opening a casino or transferring its slots. It's the only tribe out of 22 that has not signed the compact, said Christa Severns, spokeswoman for the state Department of Gaming. Fifteen tribes operate 22 casinos and 11,243 machines in the state. The compact allows 16,150 within five years. The Hopi gambling task force outlined three alternatives the tribe could consider: * Transfer its operational rights to all or a portion of its 900 machines to another tribe. * A Hopi-owned casino. * Or a combination of both. But the report calls a Hopi-owned casino "the only option that will allow the tribe to maximize the economic value of its gaming assets." A machine transfer "is not in the best interest of the Hopi Tribe" because fees offered by the metropolitan-area gambling tribes "is far below what the Hopi economic analysis shows to be a fair-market price and is therefore not economically beneficial to the tribe," the report says. The task force also said a Hopi gaming enterprise would employ hundreds of Hopi. "Gaming has been an economic engine for a lot of tribes throughout the country, and it's hard to ignore that fact," MacDonald said. While the tribe passed on gambling in 1995, Hopi leaders say circumstances have changed since then, especially in light of the factors surrounding the power plant that threaten the Hopi economy. Like many other tribes, the Hopi have significant government service needs, including housing, education, law enforcement and health care. "We need to educate them about the facts and figures and then it's up to them to decide whether we should go into gaming or not," said Tribal Council representative King Honani. --------- "RE: Two Navajo businesses open" --------- Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2003 08:16:42 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="DEVELOPMENT FOCUS" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.gallupindependent.com/12-16-03twonavajobusinesse.html Two Navajo businesses open ahead of tribe's new focus on development Pamela G. Dempsey Dine' Bureau December 16, 2003 WINDOW ROCK - In an effort to increase economic development on the Navajo Nation, tribal leaders are exploring new ways to keep a larger portion of employee income on the reservation as well as increase new revenues to the Dine' treasury. Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr., will be proposing his $500 million bond issue to the Navajo Nation Council in late January while the Council's committees are looking at ways to generate revenue. In the meantime, the Navajo-owned small business is doing what it has always done: generate revenues so residents can spend more of their income on the reservation. Two businesses, Jumbo Automotive in Chinle and AZ Copy Solutions in Tuba City, have found a way to do just that amid higher start-up costs and longer wait times. In a perfect world, starting a business on the Navajo Nation would take 16 months, said Patrick Sandoval, chief of staff for the President-Vice President's Office. Off the reservation, it takes six to eight weeks. Emerson Jumbo, owner of Jumbo Automotive, started the paperwork for his business in 2000, a dream he had since high-school. After following around the paper trail, Jumbo opened his doors in June. "It took a lot of driving for me to go to places to talk to people," Jumbo said. "I followed around the paperwork until it was done." The 6,000 square-foot facility was built by Jumbo and his family - a modular, steel building on a concrete floor he poured himself- and offers both automotive parts and service. Although it would have been easier to open his business in an off- reservation town, Jumbo said the lack of competition in his own home town prompted him to open it in Chinle. "It was worth my time," Jumbo said. "(I'm not) a stranger to this town." The auto shop has landed government service contracts and works with the schools in the area. Although its centralized location makes it the sole business within two hours driving distance that provides full auto service, Jumbo said he carries some parts cheaper than businesses in border towns. "It's been non-stop since we opened our doors," he said. AZ Copy Solutions can make the same claim. Started in 2000 from an office in their home, Brianne Paddock, along with her husband, Chris, said the payoffs to owning their own business made their efforts worth it. "It's a 24-seven deal," Paddock said. "(But we) like being able to make our own decisions, such as when we want to leave the office." The all-in-one graphics design, printing, fax, and copy service serves customers both locally and regionally. Less than a year after they started, the Paddocks were able to lease an office space from one of their customers. Their recent approval for a business site lease of their own will allow the Paddocks to expand their business to include internet access, one-hour photo developing, and wide-format printing. "We love giving service to the community that's needed," Paddock said. Both businesses have dreams of going across the reservation one to open a chain of parts stores and the other, office supplies. Both employee local residents. And while both owners like not having to work for somebody else Jumbo jokes his wife is the boss owning their own business, they say, does come with its share of responsibility. "Because of the remoteness of the area, housing is very scarce," said Harry Claw, manager of Jumbo Automotive. "Therefore, trying to get employees is very competitive." Financial responsibilities, too, is every business owners business. "The hardest thing is, not so much being a minority, but that business credit goes up and down with the business," Paddock said. Sandoval said Shirley's $500 million bond issue will bring in several businesses, the effects of which include an increase in housing, more infrastructure, and more local services something small businesses need but cannot afford alone. For hopeful small-business owners, Jumbo offered this piece of advice: "There's no such thing as can't," he said. "Set your heart to it and make time." Copyright c. 2003 the Gallup Independent. --------- "RE: YELLOW BIRD: Who is really Indian?" --------- Date: Tue, 16 Dec 2003 08:16:42 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="YELLOW BIRD: INDIAN HEART" http://www.grandforks.com/mld/grandforksherald/news/opinion/7501141.htm DORREEN YELLOW BIRD COLUMN: Indians' 'heart' matters more than their blood Who is Indian? Who is really Indian? As nations of Native people become more and more part of non-Native communities, questions are being asked about how much Indian blood is left in us and when are we really considered Native Americans. If you are 1/4 Arikara and 3/4 white, for example, are you Indian or white? The question is a nagging one. In the past few months, I've heard from several people who wrote or called, asking how to be a part of Native communities. Each said he or she is part Indian. A man who once worked with Indian people as a health provider said he didn't want to overstep his boundaries, so he always told Native people he was "part Indian." An elder asked him, "What part of you is Indian?" In the following weeks and months, he said, the elder persisted, asking him if it was his foot, the left ear - what part? It is what you perceive inside you, the elder finally told him. That's makes you Indian - all Indian. Yesterday a woman called me to tell me her father was French and Winnebago. Her mother was "pure Norwegian." The woman is in her middle 60s, so she lived in a time when being Indian wasn't popular. When her father died, her mother did not want to talk about his heritage, nor did she want the woman to speak about her father's Indian heritage to others. It was something to be ashamed of, she learned. That has been a sore point for this woman for many years, she told me. When I was an administrator in Salem, Ore., three young women came to me about their relationship with the tribe. They were adopted. They found out when their records were opened that they were Indian and white. One of the girls, who was blond, had a certificate that indicated she could be enrolled in one of the local tribes. She cried during most of the second visit. She came to me because I worked for the tribe and she wanted me to help her find out about her Indian heritage. I was puzzled at first. Why would someone have such an emotional reaction when they found out they were Native American? I learn it was as if a part of her body - perhaps her soul - was missing. Now that she knew where it was, it was important that her people acknowledge her. She wasn't there for health or other benefits. I doubt if she even knew what was available to her. It was making visible something that for a long time was just an outline, foggy and incomplete. Those who are "part Indian" suffer on reservations, too. If they favor their non-Native side of the family (light skin or blond hair), they might be treated as outsiders. Some of them may have lived on reservations all their lives and have a good understanding of the culture, but their color can make them feel alien. True full bloods on a reservation are rare, at least in the sense of only one tribe. Historically, tribes borrowed or perhaps enticed men, women and children from other tribes to live with or become part of their tribe. Sakakawea is a good example; the Shoshone guide of Lewis and Clark had lived among the Hidatsa. After a few generations, such "immigrants" become part of that tribe and forget their ancestry. I remember the old people sitting around talking. They were good about keeping history intact in those days. They told of Sitting Bull, who had two Arikara wives. Few outside the group believed it until the documents showed that the elders had been right. These women's children went on with their lives thinking they were "pure" Arikara. That mixing of Indian or tribal blood was common. Unfortunately, there are those who look for a connection to a tribe and have used it for personal benefit. They might use their a long-forgotten ancestry as an opportunity to take part in some Native American program - programs developed to help Native people become more acclimated to non- Indian society; programs that offer higher-education assistance, for example. I have to smile when I think of some people I have met in my travels who, at first, didn't acknowledge their Indianness. Then years later, I found them teaching Indian people about their own culture. Hmm, I'd think as I sat listening to their newly researched knowledge of Native Americans. Yet what the elder said is true: It is what is inside you. If you feel and understand the cultural values of Native people or a certain tribe, than the spirit of your ancestor must live somewhere inside you. There are times in my life when that is hard to remember. When someone who is a newcomer assumes a major role in a ceremony, for instance, my hackles go up and I want to see them as outsider because it seems they are taking over some of the culture. It is difficult for me at times. In the end, I must remember "we are all related" - Mitakuye Oyasin. ---- Yellow Bird writes columns Tuesday and Saturday. Reach her at 780-1228, (800) 477-6572 ext. 228 or dyellowbird@gfherald.com. Copyright c. 2003 Grand Forks Herald/Grand Forks, ND. --------- "RE: Isleta Pueblo rejects Long-Time Tribe Members" --------- Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2003 08:16:42 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="BLOOD QUANTUM" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.thenewmexicochannel.com/news/2710135/detail.html Isleta Pueblo Rejects Long-Time Tribe Members 50 Percent Isleta Blood Needed To Stay In Tribe December 16, 2003 Dozens of people who spent their whole lives thinking they were members of the Isleta Pueblo are finding out they are not. It's a story Action 7 News was first to break Monday night. People on the Pueblo have been getting letters telling them they have to have 50 percent Isleta blood to be part of the tribe. About three-dozen people met at a popular Albuquerque restaurant on Tuesday night for a brain storming session. Many of them found out that the tribe they thought they were a part of is no longer claiming them. "I am here to fight for the rights of my father and his family," said tribal member Gregg Analla. "We're taking our own brothers and kicking them out of the tribe. It just doesn't make any sense." Lupita Abeita, 78, says she was born and raised on Isleta Pueblo. "We feel bad because we lived there all our lives," she said. "We were born there." "It's like a stab in the back really, especially for my mom and my uncle," Abeita's daughter Juana Jiron said. There is a meeting of the tribal leaders on Thursday, and these folks plan on showing up to discuss the matter with them. The letters they received say that people can challenge them if they fill out a family tree proving their heritage. But Abeita says she was a baby when her parents died, so filling out her family tree will be difficult. Action 7 News contacted the governor of Isleta again but for a second time, he did not return our calls. Copyright c. 2003 by TheNewMexicoChannel.com. All rights reserved. --------- "RE: Survival of Tribes at Stake" --------- Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2003 18:07:35 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="BLOOD QUANTUM=LAST BOTTLE" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.newsday.com/~story?coll=ny-homepage-right-area Survival of Tribes at Stake By Andrew Metz Staff Correspondent December 21, 2003 Indian Township, Maine - One in an occasional series on American Indians in the 21st century. The Nicholases are buried here. So are the Stevens and the Danas. The Soctomahs and the Socobasins. The bloodlines of these families and a few more touch nearly every soul on this reservation at the rim of America, year after year perpetuating the people known as Passamaquoddy. For these American Indians of Maine, the tombstones on the banks of Big Lake are landmarks of their identity, reminders of who they are and where they come from. Yet when Jodi Socobasin stands in this graveyard on Peter Dana Point, sandy blond hair raked by the wind, blue eyes watering from the cold, her foothold on the ancestral ground is shaky. "My grandparents are buried here. All my family is here," the 27-year- old srteacher's aide said on a recent day. "I know I am Passamaquoddy, but it is so difficult to be here, to feel that I am, but not get the recognition." The product of an interracial marriage - her mother is Indian, her father is white - she can't prove her blood is at least one-quarter Passamaquoddy and so under tribal rules is barred from membership. She works at the tribe's school, but has to live off the reservation because she's not entitled to housing. "Gimme a moose and I'll skin it," she expels in frustration. "I can hunt and fish. I am involved with the kids, the community, the basket making. I don't know any other side of me than the Passamaquoddy side. It's all I have." Like many Americans of Indian lineage, Socobasin is a cast-off of an ethnic calculus that equates blood with authenticity. To visit her netherworld here in the raw Maine timberland, where centuries of intermingling have imparted Catholic convictions and a northeast brogue, is to enter some of the most sensitive terrain in Indian country. As the nation's complexion is blurring, the Passamaquoddy and most tribes are struggling to maintain their distinctiveness, using a 19th century U.S. blood policy to regulate modern Indian identity. In this crucible of history and race, it's often not enough to have aboriginal heritage or speak a native language, live on a reservation or adhere to Indian ways. "It is like a pedigree. We don't do this with any other group in the country," said Jeff Corntassel, a professor at the University of Victoria in British Columbia who has written extensively on the topic. "It is a really easy way of assessing someone's identity without going into someone's identity, without going into the real indicators of what it is to be Indian." Reconfiguring themselves out of the embers of oppression, native people face a burden of proof at every level of life, from the assignment of blood levels to newborns to the battles by nearly extinguished tribes, such as Long Island's Shinnecock, to win federal recognition - the turnkey to entitlements and casino gambling. Indeed, sharing gaming profits and federal funding has sparked bitter disputes coast to coast: Tribes have manipulated membership rules to oust rival factions; bodies have been exhumed to prove ancestry. But in many places and certainly here in Indian Township, where casinos don't exist and checks from a land claim settlement have dwindled to about $200 per person annually, the debate is ultimately about the direction and the hue of the future. "If we leave the system the way it is now, when I'm 70, there aren't going to be many of us around," said Joseph Socobasin, 31, Jodi's uncle and lieutenant governor of the reservation of about 800. "There won't be enough Passamaquoddy blood left." The blood quantum rules used by the majority of Indian tribes arose out of U.S. pressure in the 1930s to abandon traditional governance and adopt American-style constitutions. The regulations, most commonly at a minimum of one-quarter blood level, are based on census rolls created by the federal government in the late 19th century when it was forcing assimilation and breaking up tribal land. U.S. agents estimated blood concentrations usually on nothing more than appearances or even hair samples and rub tests - where a subject's chest was rubbed to determine the degree of redness. Many Indians insisted they were mixed race because full bloods were considered incompetent to manage land; others resisted being registered at all. "It is meaningless," said C. Matthew Snipp, a prominent Indian demographer and visiting professor at Harvard University. "They are a notoriously sloppy set of records with a lot of slippage that have become the benchmark." To this day, the United States uses the blood measurements in its myriad interactions in Indian life, from eligibility for federally subsidized health care and housing to the right to market native crafts and collect eagle feathers. In general, the government requires proof of at least one- quarter overall Indian blood or membership in one of the 562 federally recognized tribes. The Bureau of Indian Affairs even issues wallet-size identification cards that list blood breakdowns in intricate fractions. "They count you down to the last corpuscle," said Eva Marie Garroutte, a sociologist at Boston College and author of a new book, "Real Indians: Identity and the Survival of Native America." "It is a crude tool, but at the same time suited to the needs of a bureaucratically ordered society where Indian identity is tied to a whole range of very valuable resources ... You've got to have a way to know who has a legitimate claim." A glance at the most recent U.S. census figures hints at the complexity of the problem. Overall, 2.4-million people reported American Indian as their sole race and listed one tribal affiliation, a dramatic gain from a decade ago. But another 1.7 million said they were Indian and at least one other race and tied to one or more tribes. And with more Americans embracing native heritage, demographers estimate there may be as many as 10 million people with Indian backgrounds. In Indian Township, a smattering of low budget houses off a backcountry road, the growing multiethnic makeup means every year around eight new children don't meet the blood requirements - a phenomenon Denise Polches, the tribal clerk and keeper of the census records, calls "bleeding out." A few years back, Polches analyzed the tribal rolls and found only one full blood Passamaquoddy under 18. Today, there are none, and around half the population is at the one-quarter level, according to her records. "My daughter is one-quarter Passamaquoddy and if she marries her current boyfriend, who is a non-tribal member, my grandchildren won't be members," she said. "It is really hard." At the tribal office complex on a recent night, the families lining up to apply for federal assistance sensed the teetering of their tribe and the crush of competing concerns. "It is not that I have a cold heart, but we hardly have enough money to support the people that are already here," said Keith Levesque, 20, who has a French Canadian thread woven with his Passamaqoddy. Next to him, Jillian Stevens, 19, cradled her 15-month-old daughter Gabriella - considered one-eighth Passamaquoddy - and bemoaned the rules that have denied her child tribal health care. "This is where I grew up. My daughter looks more native than a lot of babies do," said Stevens, half white, and one-quarter Penobscot and one- quarter Passamaqouddy. "If something ever happened to me, my daughter couldn't live here." The tribe of 3,300, which spans two reservations on Maine's eastern coast, has been using blood quantum since it gained federal recognition in 1975. A referendum to change the rules failed two decades ago, but there is now momentum to relax the standards to at least count other Indian blood, especially of related tribes from the Wabanaki Confederacy. Eventually, some here also hope to phase out blood quantum altogether. "We may have used it as a measuring stick for our people, but it doesn't work anymore," said John Stevens, a councilman and former reservation governor and past state commissioner of Indian Affairs. "There's now blue-eyed Indians, blond Indians, blacks. And there's nothing wrong with that," said Stevens, a spry 70, and one of the most respected members of the tribe. "It's the way you're brought up. It's in your heart." As sovereign nations, tribes determine their own membership rules, and some never adopted the blood system or have done away with it. The Cherokee, for instance, use lineal descent from a 19th century roll. The Iroquois, such as Seneca and Onondaga nations in New York, use matrilineal rules that grant membership through an enrolled mother. And with more communities being divided by blood - it has gotten so bad on the Flathead reservation in Montana a support group for split families has started - tribes around the country are revisiting their policies. So far, though, blood quantum continues to be the fulcrum between a growing population and cultural oblivion. "We treat blood quantum as if it matters in a qualitative manner to who we are," said Angela Gonzales, a Cornell University expert in identity and the influence of gaming. "But we attract so many new-agers and wannabes and people looking to either personally profit or financially profit that it makes perfect sense why blood quantum becomes the line in the sand." The regulations have also been used by ruling factions to hoard profits and disenroll citizens or prevent legitimate new ones, according to lawyers for Indians in several states. There are high-stakes fights among members of the Redding Rancheria Indian community in northern California, the Las Vegas Paiute and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux of Minnesota, operators of one of the most profitable casinos in the country. "When people throw folks out, it is about greed. It's not about identity," said Michael Stuhff, a Las Vegas attorney who represents dozens of disenrolled Indians in Nevada and California, where one of his clients has exhumed her mother and grandmother to try to get back into her tribe. In Maine, voters this fall rejected a bid by the Passamaquoddy to open a casino, sparing the tribe, at least, the complication of gaming money. As it's been since settlers began mixing with natives known as Passamaquoddy, "the people who spear Pollock," the debate here remains about keeping family lines like Maggie Nicholas' alive. Nicholases have been tribal governors and lieutenant governors, police chiefs and game wardens. Maggie Nicholas, 37, is a do-it-all at the tribal office, on the phones and in the filing cabinets. Two of her daughters are on the rolls, but a third whom she had with an Indian from a related tribe is not. And this has pained the family, even as the puzzling ways of blood have come back around. Nicholas' new grandson was just registered on the tribal rolls as one- quarter Passamaquoddy, the sum of his mother's one-eighth and his father's three-fourths blood levels. "It is all so confusing," Nicholas said, gesturing to her daughter on a couch in their prefab house. "She has black hair. She has dark eyes. She is more Indian than my other two girls. It's crazy." Copyright c. 2003 Newsday, Inc. --------- "RE: Cherokee Man called One who makes a difference" --------- Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2003 08:16:42 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="POJOAQUE SUCCESS" http://www.indianz.com/News/ http://www.sfnewmexican.com/print.asp?ArticleID=37236 Jim Pierce: a Part of the Pojoaque Pueblo Family By MARISSA STONE | The New Mexican Wednesday, December 17, 2003 Jim Pierce is the CFO of Tribal Programs in Pojoaque. Pierce is also the Senior Advisor of Community Development. - Erin Galletta | The New Mexican The Oklahoma native has long been concerned with American Indian issues. Jim Pierce -- who works in community development for the Pueblo of Pojoaque -- believes Indians have come a long way in self-governance. "I think over time, people will begin to understand the tribes are just trying to make it," the 52-year-old said. A native of Tulsa, Okla., Pierce is part Cherokee, but since he has worked with the Pueblo of Pojoaque for seven years, he sometimes feels like part of the family, Pierce said. After college, he worked for several accounting firms as a certified public accountant. In the 1970s, he began working at a retail clothing chain in Albuquerque and then for the state Department of Taxation and Revenue as a tax auditor. "I was always good in math," Pierce said. After working for the state, Pierce was a fiscal officer for the All Indian Pueblo Council between 1978 and 1985. The council is a consortium of the 19 Pueblo Indian tribes of New Mexico. Pierce was also the chief executive officer of the Council of Energy Resource Tribes, where he worked with a consortium of North American tribes that included 48 in the U.S. and four in Canada. What sets Pojoaque apart from other tribes is its stability, Pierce said. Other tribes change governors every year. Through his work with the Council of Energy Resource Tribes, Pierce became acquainted with Pojoaque's Gov. Jacob Viarrial. "Since the governor (Viarrial) is successful, he has created a lot of opportunities for tribal members." Pierce began working for the pueblo in 1996 when Viarrial offered him a job. Working with tribes individually had been a dream of Pierce's. As chief financial officer of the tribe's community development division, Pierce has obtained several grants to support new programs in Pojoaque. His next undertaking is a 4,000-square-foot state-of-the-art senior center. "They (seniors) deserve the best," Pierce said. Other programs Pierce has developed include the pueblo's Wellness Center, Boys and Girls Club, Computer Training Center, a housing development and a new program where each tribal household will have a computer. Through that initiative, tribal members will be able to communicate with each other and be informed of tribal news, Pierce said. Just as tribal members check their mailboxes each day, they will become accustomed to checking information on their computers, he said. Sharing information can become a great strength, he said. That way, departments in the pueblo will not be segregated from each other or from the community. "I like working on development for Indian tribes because I want to see them succeed," he said. He particularly enjoys instituting programs for seniors, the youth and health initiatives. What Pierce likes about the Pueblo of Pojoaque is that leaders want to include surrounding communities in their projects. Through the tribe's computer training center, local residents can become computer savvy, creating a more skilled job pool, Pierce said. Pierce also admires Pojoaque's tribal government's open-mindedness. "They want to become a self-supporting government -- they are not relying so much on the federal or any other government." In the 1980's, the tribe had only three or four community programs, Pierce said. It now has 30 or 40. Other Indian tribes have called Pierce to find out how he obtained various grants. "You have to create a positive image of the tribe to get any funding," he said. Success in previous projects makes people trust what you can do, he said. The federal Department of Housing and Urban Development has used the tribe's Wellness Center as a model of a quality project. A picture of the center, along with developments of two other U.S. tribes, were placed on a 2003 Community Development Block Grant application booklet issued by the federal agency. The pueblo also has received several certificates of excellence for many of its community projects, Pierce said. And it's obvious to anyone driving around the pueblo how far the tribe has come in a short period of time. Once a tribe has a revenue stream -- such as a casino, manufacturing plant or other business -- it can become self sufficient, Pierce said. But that also seems to have a lot to do with the leadership of the tribe and whether or not they are willing to try new things. "Your creative juices can flow here," Pierce said. "You can go to the tribal council with an idea and they say, 'what do you think Jim?' " Pierce, who likes to complete his projects within a year, said the tribe's good reputation keeps contractors coming back. Pierce, who constantly reads and conducts research, has other dreams to fulfill. He wants to become an author. The focus of the book would probably be "the trials and tribulations in Indian country, on development barriers." The main misconception about Indian tribes is that they live off the government, Pierce said. "We have to write a proposal every year for (funding) for every program we get." Even when Pierce isn't working, he's brainstorming about new programs for the pueblo, he said. He hopes to work for the pueblo for a long time to come. Pierce received his undergraduate degree at the University of Tulsa and a master's degree in finance from Webster University. Pierce is rooted in the pueblo. That's where he met his wife, Candi Quintana Pierce, who formerly worked in the tribe's administration office. Candi Pierce is now a full-time homemaker who cares for the couple's children, Nick, 18, Brandon, 16, Christopher, 13 and Remengton, 6. Marissa Stone can be reached at mstone@sfnewmexican.com. Content c. 2003 The New Mexican, Inc. --------- "RE: UN Blueprint for Rights in Mexico" --------- Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2003 08:09:14 -0600 (CST) From: owner-chiapas95-english@eco.utexas.edu (Chiapas95-english) Subj: En;CSM,UN Blueprint for Rights in Mexico,Dec 17 Mailing List: Chiapas95-English This message is forwarded to you by the editors of the Chiapas95 newslists. To contact the editors or to submit material for posting send to: . From: "Dana" Christian Science Monitor from the December 17, 2003 edition Blueprint for Rights in Mexico Mexico long has needed to do something about its entrenched culture of violence and human rights abuses. Its president, Vicente Fox, deserves credit for requesting United Nations expertise with those problems just after he took office in 2000. His was an extraordinary request, as no government has asked the UN for such help before. And now that the UN has issued a report addressing Mexico's issues, Mr. Fox's task will be to actually implement the UN's broad recommendations. The eight-month study, whose authors included top Mexican human rights activists and academics, was released last week and recommends an overhaul of the Constitution - one that puts the value of human rights at its foundation. Much of Mexico's problem in the human rights area lies with a Napoleonic criminal-justice system that assumes guilt before innocence, the experts say. The UN report recommends strategies for eliminating the official use of torture, and ways to ensure the basic rights of the accused, such as the concept of the presumption of innocence. The report also says Mexico should keep its military out of its criminal-justice system, including drug investigations. And the report calls for a more open investigation into the killings of more than 300 women in Ciudad Jua'rez over the past 10 years. The 1994 Zapatista rebellion in Mexico's Chiapas state was an uprising against Mexico's indifference to its indigenous peoples, and the report says recent reforms to help them aren't enough. The Mexican government still hasn't fully implemented a 1996 peace accord with the Mayan- descended peasants in that southern region, and that discussion needs to be re-opened. Fox came into office in a historic election that ended the grip of the long-ruling and corrupt International Revolutionary Party, or the PRI. Among his campaign promises were improvements in human rights - including the rights of indigenous people - and Mexico's economy. He's been criticized lately for more talk than action on both counts. The UN plan gives Fox a solid blueprint for delivering on those promises. If he carries out its recommendations, that should slowly but surely strengthen Mexico's democracy. -- To subscribe to this list send a message containing the words subscribe chiapas95 (or chiapas95-lite, or chiapas95-english, or chiapas95-espanol) to majordomo@eco.utexas.edu. Previous messages are available from http://www.eco.utexas.edu/faculty/Cleaver/chiapas95.html or gopher to Texas, University of Texas at Austin, Department of Economics, Mailing Lists. --------- "RE: New Indian Affairs Minister" --------- Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2003 08:41:55 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="ANDY MITCHELL" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.canoe.ca/~/CANOE-wire.Native-Mystery-Minister.html New Indian Affairs minister an unknown entity as native file gets focus OTTAWA (CP) - Andy who? December 17, 2003 That's the question many native people are asking after the appointment last week of new Indian Affairs Minister Andy Mitchell. The Ontario MP for Parry Sound-Muskoka is a bit of a mystery man shouldering high expectations for change. Prime Minister Paul Martin has signalled he wants to lift native living standards out of what critics have called Canada's Third World shame. Housing, education and job creation are expected to be top priorities. Some aboriginals are concerned about Martin's choice of a relative unknown to handle what's supposed to be a top-priority file. "I have no idea who this man is," said one veteran watcher of aboriginal politics who didn't wish to be named. "This guy was a member of cabinet? How did we miss him?" Others see it differently. "Somebody with no baggage may be good," said Russell Diabo, a Mohawk from Kahnawake south of Montreal. Diabo helped craft the first Liberal Red Book of election promises in 1993 before publicly burning it in disgust three years later. The platform promised action for native people on everything from health services to land claims and education. Ten years later, little progress has been made and much damage was recently done under the heavy hand of former Indian Affairs minister Robert Nault, Diabo said. Martin himself said federal-native relations had been "poisoned" by Nault's failed bid to brusquely impose new electoral and fiscal codes on more than 600 reserves. Mitchell, just after replacing Nault, said he'll take a more collaborative approach with a focus on native self-government. But who is he? The former bank manager, first federally elected in 1993, entered then- prime minister Jean Chretien's inner circle in 1997. Mitchell had just doggedly fought off a challenge by retired Gen. Lewis MacKenzie, the highest-profile Tory candidate in the 1997 election after then-Conservative leader Jean Charest. He was rewarded with a junior cabinet post as secretary of state for parks, where he toiled in relative obscurity. He became junior minister for rural and northern Ontario development in 1999, another low-profile post that garnered relatively few headlines. Mitchell was not immediately available to discuss what his top priorities will be. But Mario Lague, a spokesman for Martin, said Mitchell will lead a major charge to clean up Canada's act on aboriginal issues. "The last few years have seen a lot of polarization in our relations with native people," Lague said. "And the idea was to have a fresh start." Martin had seen Mitchell around the cabinet table for the last six years and was impressed, Lague said. Mitchell's work as a champion of rural causes has touched on native issues, and he has seven First Nations in his riding, Lague said. Other signals of Martin's commitment include a new cabinet committee on aboriginal affairs, which he will lead, and a new aboriginal secretariat in the Privy Council Office. "There's a clear commitment that we will consult (First Nations) in a much more rigorous way." Mitchell, a graduate of Carleton University and a married father of three, gets rave reviews from at least one source. James Plewak, chief executive officer for the West Region Tribal Council in Manitoba, says Mitchell left a lasting impression as minister for parks. Plewak was working for the Keeseekoowenin First Nation, about 300 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg, when Mitchell helped set up a forum in 1998 to hear native concerns. The gesture helped heal years of "antagonistic" relations stemming from a land claim in the Riding Mountain National Park that was only resolved in 1994, Plewak said. "We had no faith in Robert Nault to address our issues," Plewak said in an interview. "We're glad that somebody like Andy Mitchell -- who we know is sincere in trying to address First Nation issues -- is minister." Copyright c. 2003, CANOE, a division of Netgraphe Inc. --------- "RE: Province mulls changes to Blockade Legislation" --------- Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2003 08:16:42 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="FIRST NATION CONSULTATION" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.canada.com/~b2b303de8185&disp=e&end Province mulls changes to blockade legislation Kelly Cryderman Calgary Herald December 16, 2003 The government will look at possible amendments to its legislation intended to stop illegal blockades of northern worksites, which created controversy this month when it was introduced without consultation with First Nations. Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Minister Pearl Calahasen did not give any indication Monday of what the amendments might be. She said Justice Minister Dave Hancock will be meeting with Sustainable Resource Development Minister Mike Cardinal in the new year. "There was an indication to look at further amendments if there was a need to do so," Calahasen said. "Both Mike Cardinal and Dave Hancock will be working through with the chiefs on this one." Premier Ralph Klein, Cardinal, Hancock, Calahasen and two other ministers met with a group of Treaty 8 leaders in Calgary Monday to assure them that the government will clarify matters as it relates to the new legislation, the Public Lands Act. Calahasen said the government has committed to more consultations with First Nations, and to clarify police powers under the legislation and uses for Crown lands. "They need to know what it means, what kind of roles do the police have, " Calahasen said. Earlier this month, the premier apologized in the legislature for not fully consulting First Nations on the act. Bill 49, which passed this month, gives police the authority to act quickly to stop attempts to blockade access to Crown land. Calahasen said the government wants to prevent another situation where First Nations are not consulted on proposed legislation. Copyright c. 2003 Calgary Herald. --------- "RE: Klein, Cabinet meet Aboriginal Leaders" --------- Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2003 08:16:42 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="LAND ACCESS LAW" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.canada.com/~81f4-54d233e31658&disp=e&end Klein, cabinet colleagues meet aboriginal leaders over Alta. land access law BILL GRAVELAND December 15, 2003 CALGARY (CP) - The Alberta government is opening the door for possible amendments to legislation that has been upsetting aboriginal groups regarding access to public lands. Bill 49, the Public Lands Amendment Act, seeks to prevent members of the public from blocking or otherwise obstructing access by a commercial user who is legally entitled to have access. "If there are areas to be amended to make clear that Bill 49 has no intention to restrict First Nations traditional use of land, then we'll deal with that," said Dave Hancock, Alberta's justice minister. "From our perspective it was not intended to do that and it doesn't do that but if it needs clarity, clarity will be worked out," he said following a meeting with Treaty 8 chiefs in Calgary. Alberta Premier Ralph Klein, who attended the meeting, apologized to aboriginal leaders late last month for introducing legislation to crack down on those who charge oil companies fees to work on Crown lands that are traditional hunting grounds. He said the Tory government had not thoroughly consulted Alberta's aboriginal leaders on the legislation prior to bringing it forward for approval. "You can always do things differently. We'll learn from this experience. The important thing is we're sitting down and talking about Bill 49 and more broadly, the whole consultation process," said Hancock, who said further talks with native leaders will occur sometime in the new year. Archie Cyprien, Grand Chief of Treaty 8, was satisfied with the tone of the meeting but stopped short of promising there would be no blockades or protests in the future. "We agreed that we will notify each other before anything heats up in our respective governing structures," he said. Cyprien said a part of the law that needs clarity is aboriginal access to traditional territory. "Right now we're interpreting that we need approval to the ministry to access in terms of berry picking, gathering, hunting and fishing and trapping," he said. To uphold the law, the Alberta government will grant authority to police to remove or seize blockade materials - be it equipment, vehicles or other obstructions. The ongoing dispute, mainly in the Lesser Slave Lake area in northern Alberta, centres on aboriginal demands for some form of benefit from oilfield work on traditional hunting grounds. "We want to develop our communities in the future so we are self-reliant and self-sufficient and not having to rely on the industry or governments for our development," said Cyprien. "We see as an opportunity our participating in the development of and accessing resources in terms of jobs and contract," he said. Contractors said the bands are interpreting court decisions as entitling them to first refusal on contract work on the land, or a share of the profits from the companies involved. "There is no exclusive right for use of those lands and any member of the public who has authorized use has a right to access without paying a fee," said Hancock, adding that part of the legislation will remain. Copyright c. 2003 The Canadian Press. --------- "RE: Lawyers square off in Chediski Fire Case" --------- Date: Sat, 20 Dec 2003 15:47:43 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="CHEDISKI SUIT" http://www.pechanga.net/ http://www.paysonroundup.com/section/localnews/story/13669 Lawyers square off in Chediski Fire case By Jim Keyworth, Roundup staff reporter Friday, December 19, 2003 Lawyers for Valinda Jo Elliott and the White Mountain Apache Tribe are squaring off over jurisdiction on tribal lands. At issue is the civil case filed by the tribe against the woman who started the Chediski portion of the Rodeo-Chediski fire. The White Mountain Apache Tribal Court heard arguments Wednesday to dismiss charges against Elliott. Defense attorney Kevin O'Grady argued that federal law stripped away tribal jurisdiction over non-tribal members on reservation land. Tribal attorney George Hesse countered that the White Mountain Apache Tribe has jurisdiction over all lands on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation and that tribal members and non-tribal members alike must abide by tribal laws while on those lands. After hearing the arguments, Judge Durango Fall promised to issue a ruling within a few days. Elliott, who ignited the Chediski Fire when she lit a signal fire after becoming lost on the Fort Apache Reservation, was served with papers in the civil action in June, 2002. The action charges the 33-year-old with leaving an unattended fire and other wrongs. When the fire merged with the Rodeo Fire, the resulting inferno became the largest fire in Arizona history. Before it was contained, the Rodeo-Chediski Fire ravaged 470,000 acres and destroyed 467 homes -- including 200 in Heber-Overgaard -- and narrowly missed Show Low, Forest Lakes and other communities. The total cost of battling the blaze was at least $43 million, with another $28 million in damages. The fire cost the tribe millions of dollars through the devastation of prime timber, natural resources and wildlife. If Elliott is found liable, the tribe could be awarded restitution for those losses. Payson attorney Tim Grier, who owns a business in Forest Lakes, one of the communities impacted by the fire, doubts that the tribe will ever collect. "She's probably going to be judgment proof," Grier said. "If they have a multi-million dollar lawsuit against her, it doesn't do them much good if she doesn't have any money ... It's probably more symbolic than anything else." Copyright c. 2003 The Payson Roundup. --------- "RE: South Dakota Prisons show improvement" --------- Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2003 08:16:42 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="CONDITIONS SOME IMPROVED" http://www.indiancountry.com/?1071588683 South Dakota prisons show improvement December 16, 2003 by: David Melmer / Indian Country Today PIERRE, S.D. - The South Dakota Department of Corrections reported it has made some improvements in conditions for American Indian prisoners, but advocates assert that more must be done. For years prison conditions and treatment of American Indian inmates has been a major complaint by family members and advocates while changes were slow in coming. Culture, religion and racial issues are at the forefront of the complaints of mistreatment by prison guards and administrators. The Secretary of the Department of Corrections, Tim Reisch, reported to the State-Tribal Relations committee of the state legislature that changes have been made and some inmates can now attend funerals of immediate family members and some objects previously prohibited can now be held by inmates in their cells. Tribal liaisons will be located on every reservation to filter through complaints and questions and language classes are available at some of the states facilities. Although several prisons now are including culturally-specific programs including the Red Road for alcohol and drug abuse training, the training does not occur in the early stages of incarceration, but in the latter stages, Reisch said. The Department of Corrections added Lakota language classes to the State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls, and pow wows were extended from four to 10 hours at two facilities and practice times for drums and dancers were also increased. The main state prison in Sioux Falls still has rigid restrictions, but the explanation was that prisoners there are a greater flight risk than at other locations. South Dakota, as state studies and information from the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights shows a disproportionate number of American Indians incarcerated in state facilities. That does not include the federal prisons, which also have more American Indians according to the population percentage than non-Indians. Community advocates claim that early parole, or parole on time will help to lessen the pressure on prisons. South Dakota added 728 beds to its system and by 2010 there will again be three inmates to a cell, Reisch said. He said that the success indicators for not returning to prison are a job and housing. "If the person is living in a mission the chances of success are significantly lower. Under the old system of parole we would have more people in prison, studies tell us," Reisch said. "We need to know how to put more Native Americans on the work force. There is also a disparity in staff training between the juvenile and the adult side. We need on-going training and some are not getting cultural sensitivity training." For many family members the Department of Corrections has been untouchable and almost unwilling to make changes that would result in proper rehabilitation and spiritual well being of an American Indian inmate. "We are glad for your willingness to make changes. We are here to listen to concerns from people and you, the DOC as well," said Sen. J.E. "Jim" Putnam, R-Wagner. "We commend you for your willingness to make changes and we are seeing some movement," he said. But not all concerns of the past have been addressed. Rep. Tom Van Norman, D-Eagle Butte, a Lakota, asked about the administrative segregation practices, which include more American Indians than non- Indians. "We do have guidelines, but I don't know the actual percentages of people by race," said Bob Dooley, warden at the Springfield facility. Reisch said he discovered that administrative segregation was used at a higher than normal basis than other states in the Sioux Falls facility, but that adjustments had been made. "If the perception is true, then we need to do something about it," said Stan Adelstein, chairman of the committee. Community members attended the State-Tribal Relations Committee hearing, but were not allowed to address the officials from DOC and presented their cases after they had been dismissed by Chairman Adelstein. The DOC officials will be called back to the committee in January to address other issues and meet with the public. "I am receiving letters saying there are changes," said Marletta Pechega, Lakota, Rapid City. I turned to you for changes and you didn't let me down," she told the committee. Marletta lost a nephew to suicide in prison. She has testified before state committees on prison reform and is an advocate for prison inmates. "You made them [the inmates] visible. They request an ombudsman on the outside, someone they feel comfortable talking to." She said the pow wows at the Sioux Falls facility are still lonesome without the families. Also personal property goes missing and when guards search personal items they often times drop eagle feathers on the ground. She said there were a lot of good guards, but if there were a way to track the write-ups of inmates and identify those guards who should not be there it would be helpful. Twyla Brown Turney lost her son to prison suicide two years ago and still feels the pain. "I still expect him to call." It was two weeks after her son Bill was found dead in his cell that she received a letter postmarked to her, written long before his death. The prison did not mail it to her. It indicated his intent. She said she had no idea he was suicidal. The committee asked the DOC officials to submit reports on numbers and percentages of American Indians that are sent to administrative segregation and for what reasons. They also want to see other data on various issues within the state prisons for men, women and youth. The next meeting of the State Tribal Relations Committee will be during the next session of the legislature on Jan. 14 and 15. Copyright c. 2003 Indian Country Today. --------- "RE: John Graham gets visit from MP Bagnell" --------- Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2003 08:16:42 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="ANNA MAE AQUASH" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://north.cbc.ca/~grahambagn15122003&disp=e&end Accused murderer gets visit from MP December 15, 2003 WHITEHORSE - Yukon MP Larry Bagnell has met with accused murderer John Graham. Graham is one of Bagnell's constituents, and the MP says he'll offer the man support in that capacity Graham is being held in custody in Vancouver, awaiting extradition to the U.S. to face charges in connection with the death of Anna Mae Aquash. The American government wants to try him for the murder of Aquash, a Canadian-born aboriginal political activist, almost 30 years ago. At the time Graham and Aquash were living in the United States, supporting the American Indian Movement. American authorities believe Graham took part in her murder because of suspicion she was an FBI informant. FROM DEC. 8, 2003: Client not guilty, says Graham's lawyer He was arrested in Vancouver several weeks ago. Bagnell visited Graham in jail there Thursday. He says the former Haines Junction man is understandably worried. Bagnell says he's comfortable showing support for an accused murderer. "Well in Canada you're innocent until proven guilty and whether my constituents are in trouble or not, I'm their member of Parliament, I support them," he says. "But I certainly don't support the things they do that are wrong, but they're still my constituents and I'll be there for them." Bagnell says he wants make sure Graham's extradition hearing is done fairly. He says it does not take much evidence to extradite someone to the United States, but once they are sent south, it's difficult to get them back. Others have also taken up Graham's cause. Amnesty International says it's concerned he's not being treated justly. Copyright c. 2002 CBC. All Rights Reserved. --------- "RE: Graham blames FBI for Murder of Aquash" --------- Date: Sat, 20 Dec 2003 21:36:31 -0800 (PST) From: Carter Camp Subj: Native Blames FBI for Murder of Aquash Mailing List: ndn-aim Georgia Straight article, published December 18, 2003 by Charlie Smith A Vancouver Native man has claimed that he is being framed for the execution-style murder of Canadian Native activist Anna Mae Aquash in South Dakota in 1975. In an exclusive interview with the Georgia Straight in the North Fraser Pretrial Centre, John Graham, 48, said he believes the FBI played a major role in "orchestrating" Aquash's death, which has been the subject of books, magazine articles, and a National Film Board documentary. Earlier this month, Vancouver police arrested Graham on a provisional warrant for the murder of Aquash, a Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq whose body was found curled in a fetal position in a ravine in 1976. The U.S. is seeking Graham's extradition to face a first-degree murder charge in South Dakota along with his alleged accomplice, Arlo Looking Cloud. Aquash was an influential activist with the American Indian Movement, which sided with Native traditionalists in a sometimes bloody three-year war against the FBI and the official tribal government on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Graham said he travelled to South Dakota after Native traditionalists on the reservation issued an urgent appeal to deal with drive-by shootings and fire bombings. "The FBI orchestrated a civil war on the Pine Ridge reservation in the early '70s," Graham said. "The orchestrated a civil war between traditional Lakota people, who said no to selling their lands, and the then puppet tribal chairman, who put together a band of goons that literally terrorized, murdered, anybody that opposed them." Graham said that in the mid-1990s, a U.S. law-enforcement official visited him in the Yukon and offered him immunity if he would testify that American Indian Movement leaders instructed him to murder Aquash. Graham also claimed that the official told him that Aquash was kidnapped, raped, and murdered. "I said, 'I've done nothing, and I'll repeat it again: I've done nothing to get immunity for, so I can't take this offer,' " Graham said. "He says, 'You don't cooperate with us...and you're going to take all of those charges yourself.' I said, 'Well, if that's what you're going to do, I guess that's what you're going to do.' " North Fraser Pretrial Centre officials permitted the Straight to visit Graham for an hour on December 15 but refused to allow a reporter to bring a tape recorder, camera, pen, or paper into the jail (see story on page 14). All quotes in this story came from the Straight's subsequent telephone interview with Graham, which was conducted on December 16. Graham claimed he will never get a fair trial in South Dakota because of the depth of racism against Natives in the state. He also claimed that the United States does not respect the rule of law. In addition, he alleged that some South Dakota law-enforcement officials and high-ranking politicians want to silence American Indian Movement activists, including Leonard Peltier, who spoke out against the theft of billions of dollars of natural resources from the sprawling Pine Ridge reservation. "The reason I say I fear for my life if I go down there is because I've been involved with AIM," Graham said. The U.S. Attorney in South Dakota, James McMahon, refused to comment on any evidence against Graham or his claim that he will never get a fair trial in the state. "I'll save my comments for the courtroom," McMahon told the Straight. Graham said those accusing him of murder have never spoken to him to hear his side of the story. He said he never believed that Aquash was an informant and he never would have agreed to execute her. He emphasized that he admired Aquash and Leonard Peltier as leaders, though he didn't think very much of other top AIM officials. He also denied that he and Looking Cloud kidnapped Aquash; instead, he claimed that Aquash asked him to escort her from Denver to South Dakota because she was "very, very scared" that the FBI was hunting her. He said that during the trip, Aquash told him about her fears that an FBI informant in their group had murdered a young Indian woman. According to Graham, Aquash said the young woman approached AIM to file rape charges against a high-ranking South Dakota politician. "She had been babysitting for him when she was a kid," Graham claimed that Aquash told him. Aquash was at the AIM standoff with police at Wounded Knee, South Dakota, in 1973, which resulted in two deaths. Graham claimed that during the trip back to South Dakota in 1975, Aquash told him that an FBI agent named David Price had threatened she would be dead within six months if she didn't cooperate with an investigation into the shootout at Oglala in 1975. Peltier was eventually convicted and sentenced to two life terms in prison in connection with the Oglala incident, which resulted in the death of two FBI agents and a Native man. During Peltier's trial, Price denied he had issued any threats against Aquash. After a farmer discovered Aquash's body in the ravine in 1976, Price attended the scene. He did not identify the body, which was initially described as Jane Doe. Her hands were chopped off and sent to Washington, D.C., for fingerprint analysis. The original autopsy concluded that this anonymous Native woman died of frostbite. After fingerprint analysis concluded it was Aquash, her corpse was exhumed and a second pathologist concluded that she died of a gunshot wound to the head. Graham claimed that he has become the "scapegoat" in Aquash's murder, which would never have been discovered had it not been for the second autopsy. He said he fears he will be killed if he is extradited to the U.S. "I have feelings that I might not live to see trial," he said. Graham also claimed that his situation has many parallels with Peltier's, who was extradited from Canada in 1976 on the basis of a false affidavit. "This whole thing is like a rerun of the Peltier extradition back in '76, where they used a mentally unstable woman, Myrtle Poor Bear, to sign affidavits that she totally recanted after Leonard was extradited," he said. In 2000, the Globe and Mail reported that Poor Bear testified at a special nonjudicial Toronto hearing that she agreed to implicate Peltier in the shootings. She said this came after enduring months of harassment from the FBI. The Globe and Mail also quoted Poor Bear saying she was shown autopsy photographs of Aquash, which were hung on the wall of a hotel room. "They said that's how I was going to end up if I didn't cooperate with them," Poor Bear said at the time. Graham claimed that Looking Cloud, a homeless man in Denver before he was arrested, only implicated him in the Aquash murder after being interrogated repeatedly by police. Graham described Looking Cloud as "mentally ill" and a "career criminal". Canadian Federal Justice Department spokesperson Patrick Charette told the Straight that the U.S. has 60 days to provide Canada with supporting documentation to justify Graham's extradition. Under Canada's extradition process, the federal government has 30 days after this deadline to decide if it should go through a judicial process in B.C. Supreme Court. After an extradition hearing, the judge would rule if there was sufficient evidence to order Graham committed to extradition pending the decision of new Justice Minister Irwin Cotler. Cotler, an international human-rights expert, has previously served as counsel to several prominent prisoners of conscience, including Nelson Mandela in South Africa, Andrei Sakharov in the former USSR, and Jacobo Timmerman in Argentina. Maclean's magazine once dubbed Cotler, on leave as a McGill University law professor, as "Counsel for the Oppressed". Graham told the Straight he hopes Cotler keeps "an open mind and open heart" if it ever comes time to examine his file. "Hear all the facts--not the rumours, not the speculation--but the facts surrounding this case," Graham said. He added that he hopes Cotler will examine how the FBI handled the whole autopsy after Aquash's body was discovered. And Graham said he also hopes that Cotler doesn't forget the FBI's tactics in the "illegal extradition" of Peltier. ---- MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN INDIAN COUNTRY: SUPPORT THE NDN-AIM-FUND! SEND YOUR DONATIONS TO: P.O. BOX 1334 RAPID CITY S.D. 57709 FREE LEONARD PELTIER !!!!!!!! --------- "RE: Native Prisoner" --------- Date: Mon, Dec 22 2003 19:18:40 -0700 From: Janet Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - -- Native Traditions planned for Halfway House http://www.news-miner.com/Stories/0,1413,113~26794~1834768,00.html Native traditions planned for minimum-security halfway house By Associated Press JUNEAU December 16, 2003 Alaska Native groups are converting a Southeast logging camp into a minimum-security justice center based on Tlingit traditions. Bob Loescher, a consultant for the Hoonah Indian Association, a partner in the project, said the justice center will be more like a halfway house than a prison. "This will be a low-security facility that will be involved in the counseling of people for drug and alcohol rehabilitation, job training, family reorientation and getting these people back on the road to a successful life," said Loescher, a former CEO for Sealaska, the Juneau- based regional Native corporation for Southeast Alaska. The center, scheduled to open in Hoonah in the spring, has federal grants totaling $2.15 million and 5 acres of land donated by Sealaska. But it doesn't have a commitment from the state to send prisoners there. The idea for the center came from the late Hoonah elder, Richard Dalton Sr., and Juneau's Alaska Native Brotherhood Camp 2. It is named Teeykat.aa Cultural Justice Spirit Camp and Healing Center, using Dalton's Tlingit name. ANB Camp 2 President Andy Ebona said the plan is to use Native language, arts, crafts and other aspects of the culture to create a healing environment for people coming out of prison. The ANB chapter ran similar but smaller, culture-based programs at the state prison in Juneau and at a nearby halfway house that serves state inmates. The halfway house operator, the nonprofit Gastineau Human Services, is expected to run the Hoonah justice center once it opens, said GHS Executive Director Greg Pease. Justice center organizers hope to reach an agreement with the state Corrections Department, which runs Alaska's prison system and contracts with halfway houses and other treatment programs. Department Deputy Commissioner Portia Parker said the department is interested in the program but not in providing financial support. "We've explained to them our situation, that we'd be happy to work with them, but that there's no funding available for the state to be able to pay for this," she said. Parker also said the spirit camp would need to pass state scrutiny for security and other standards before it could receive inmates. The justice center will be based at the former Whitestone logging camp on Sealaska property next to the land the corporation donated. The camp was chosen because of its location and facilities, including an administration building, laundry, dining hall-kitchen and bunkhouses, Ebona said. "That really fit our needs pretty well," he said. Loescher said he's heard Hoonah residents' concerns about bringing convicted criminals into the community. "We've assured them that the people that are being brought over there are misdemeanor offenders and people who are not necessarily felons. And that the people who come there will be in their last six months to a year of their service in the corrections institutions of the state," he said. Loescher said Hoonah residents will be among the people served by the camp. They also will be among the 41 workers expected to find year-round employment at the facility. Ebona said the center will open in March or April with 20 offenders, eventually expanding to 60. While it will target Alaska Natives, it will be open to all, he said. He said the center has enough grant money to run for a year, maybe more, and can take people from substance-abuse and other programs not directly tied to the state prison system. But he said the goal is to contract with the prisons. "The thought was to use it as a way of not only teaching the traditional rehabilitation programs such as substance abuse counseling and training, but intermingle a lot of the Tlingit tribal traditional healing programs, which would include language, which would include arts and crafts, which would include values, which would include oratory, which would include subsistence activities and the like," Ebona said. The U.S. Department of Justice is providing startup funding, including a $1 million first-year operating grant and two construction grants totaling $1.15 million. U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens helped secure the grants, Ebona said. The federal grants are being channeled through the Hoonah Indian Association, the federally recognized tribal entity for the Chichagof Island town of about 870 residents. Copyright c. 1999-2003 Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Inc. --------- "RE: A Hundred Years Ago" --------- Date: Fri, 12 Dec 2003 23:12:25 -0500 From: Barbara Landis Subj: December 5, 1890 INDIAN HELPER, Carlisle Indian School. [Editorial Note: These reprints are being included in this newsletter so that you might know the mind of those who ran institutions like Carlisle.] THE INDIAN HELPER ~%^%~ A WEEKLY LETTER FROM THE Carlisle Indian Industrial School To Boys and Girls. ================================================ VOL. VI. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5 1890 NUMBER 14 ================================================ "WHAT DO YOU KNOW?" ------------ YOU who imagine you are so wise Will please stand up in a row, And I'll give you a little exercise To learn how much you know. No doubt you'll all be very glad Our presidents to name. Or to tell the number we have had, Or the states from which they came. And next please answer without delay-- For this is an easy one -- How many states we have today From Maine to Oregon. 'Twould almost seem beyond belief If one of you should say You do not know how many teeth You still retain today. You're now dismissed but ere you go Here's a memory gem for you: "It sometimes happens we do not know As much as we think we do." ============== A BOY WHO RECOMMENDED HIMSELF. ----------- John Brent was trimming the hedge and the "snip-snap" of his shears was a pleasing sound to his ears. In the rear of him stretched a wide, smoothly-kept lawn in the center of which stood his residence, a handsome, massive, modern structure, which had cost him not less than ninety thousand dollars. The owner of it was the man who, in shabby attire was trimming his hedge. "A close, stingy old skinflint, I'll warrant," some boy is ready to say. No, he wasn't. He trimmed his own hedge for recreation, as he was a man of sedentary habits. Hiss shabby clothes were his working clothes, while those which he wore on other occasions were both neat and expensive. Indeed, he was very particular even about what are known as the minor appointments of dress. Instead of being stingy he was exceedingly liberal. He was always contributing to benevolent enterprises and helping deserving people, often when they had not asked for his help. Just below the hedge was the public sidewalk, and two boys stopped opposite to where he was at work on one side of the hedge, and they were on the other. "Hello, Fred! That's a very handsome tennis racquet," one of them said. "You paid about seven dollars for it, didn't you?" "Only six, Charlie," was the reply. "Your old one is in prime order yet. What will you take for it?" "I sold it to Willie Robbins for one dollar and a half." replied Fred. "Well, now, that was silly,' declared Charlie. "I'd have given you three dollars for it." "You are too late," replied Fred, "I have promised it to Willie." "Oh, you have only promised it to him, eh? And he's simply promised to pay for it, I suppose? I'll give you three dollars cash for it." "I can't do it, Charlie." "You can if you want to. A dollar and a half more isn't to be sneezed at." "Of course not," admitted Fred; "and I'd like to have it, only I promised the racquet to Willie." "But you are not bound to keep your promise. You are at liberty to take more for it. Tell him I offered you another time as much and that will settle it." "No, Charlie," gravely replied the other boy, "that will not settle it, - neither will Willie nor with me. I cannot disappoint him. A bargain is a bargain. The racquet is his, even if it hasn't been delivered." "Oh! let him have it,' retorted Charlie, angrily. "Fred Frenton, I will not say that you are a chump, but I'll predict that you'll never make a successful business man. You are too punctilious." John Brent overheard the conversation and he had stepped to a gap in the hedge in order to get a look at the boy who had such a high regard for his word. "That lad has a good face, and is made of the right kind of stuff," was the millionaire's mental comment. "He places a proper value upon his integrity, and he will succeed in business because he is punctilious." ------------------------------------------------------ (Continued on the Fourth Page.) =================================== (page 2) The Indian Helper. ----------------------------- PRINTED EVERY FRIDAY, AT THE INDIAN INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL, CARLISLE, PA. BY THE INDIAN PRINTER BOYS. --> THE INDIAN HELPER is PRINTED by Indian boys, but EDITED by The-Man-on-the-band-stand, who is NOT an Indian. ----------------------------- Price: - 10 cents a year. ============================== Address INDIAN HELPER, Carlisle, Pa. Miss M. Burgess, Manager. ============================== Entered in the P.O. at Carlisle as second class mail matter. ============================== The INDIAN HELPER is paid for in advance, so do not hesitate to take the paper from the Post Office, for fear a bill will be presented. ============================= George Thomas has a Government position, at Crow Agency, Montana, and sends ten cents for the "weekly letter" from Carlisle. --------- A letter from Moses King says he arrived at Haskell Institute, Kansas, in good shape, is working in the carpenter-shop and is contented. --------- The hostile Indians are called Rosebuds. Perhaps, that is to make the soldiers more active in gathering them in. -[Philadelphia *Bulletin*. --------- The Orphan's News, Salina, I.T, published by the Cherokee Orphan Asylum is a neat little paper nearly the size of the HELPER and sprightly in its reading matter. --------- "Your poetical selections are very helpful to young people and for grown-up folks, too, and your weekly issue is always welcomed by my little boy." SUBSCRIBER. --------- Wonder who WILL get that dollar for the story! If you hand it in by December 22, that will do; or, if the story is done now, hand it to Miss Burgess or Mr. Given at any time. --------- A short letter from George Means, now at Pine Ridge Agency, Dak., dated Thanksgiving day, says nothing about the troubles there. We have an idea that the troubles are mostly newspaper talk. --------- Bertha Nason is secretary of the Sunday School, at home, in Grand Rapids, Minn. and is much interested in church work. They are about building anew church. She speaks very earnestly of he dangers and temptations a young girl must meet in that country an the hard fight she has had to be a "decent girl." --------- Superintendent Backus started Tuesday for Haskell Institute, Lawrence, Kansas, where he goes, as was formerly stated in these columns to inspect the government buildings in company with Commissioner Morgan, whom he meets there, with a view to adopting their plans in building here next season. He will be absent for several weeks and perhaps visit the Indian Territory before returning home. -[Pipe of Peace, Genoa, Nebr. A letter from Solomon Chandler, now at Anadarko, Indian Territory speaks plainly about the condition of the Indians there. He seems to think that the order from the Department not to allow the Indians to employ white labor is doing them an injury. They have done very little farming for a year. In his own words, he says "I do not think that is helping the Indians in the right way, and quarrelling with them about their country, it just keeps us in hot water all the time. We do not know whether to go ahead and make farms or not. They say one day they are going to cut the country up and say another way again and so we do not know what to do. They have done the Indians a great wrong by not letting them have the white labor. They have been doing well until last summer, which is enough to make any one discourage." --------- The Messiah craze among the Indians may have been sprung upon those poor ignorant people by white men who are after their lands, or their money, or who want a war with the Indians so that they can rush into battle, kill them an thus win renown. What a shame and an outrage it is! What is the real reason for it all? Ignorance on the part of the Indians nothing else. Our boys and girls who have learned to read and reason, know better than to be led into trouble in that fashion. Thousands, perhaps of your people will suffer and many be killed before they get their eyes open. Dear boys and girls, if you were there you could not help them. Be content that you are where you can get the education that will save you from such a fearful mistake in the future. --------- A very pleasant letter from Mrs. Dr. Miller has been received in which she wishes to be remembered to all her friends at the school. She says, "I shall always be interested in the welfare of the boys and girls there, and in the great work Captain and his faithful co-workers are doing." Mrs. Miller is thinking some of going among the Yakima's, in Washington, in the Spring. --------- "I have just received notice that my subscription to the INDIAN HELPER has expired and I hasten to send the wherewithal for its renewal. I can work Calculus and Thermodynamics, Trigonometry and Mechanics, but I sometimes get stuck on your enigmas. I quite look forward each week to the arrival of your bright and wholly original little paper." -C.G.A. --------- Don't keep from writing a story because you are afraid you can't spell all the words right. No matter about that. The M.O.T.B.S. will understand and he will make the words right before he prints it. --------- Cleaver Warden, who lives at Darlington, Indian Territory, wishes to thank an unknown friend who kindly sent him a package of newspapers. --------- Mr. A.W.B., Jr., f Helena, steps to the front with a neat little list of subscribers for the HELPER for which we return thanks. --------- Don't keep from writing a story because you are afraid you can't spell all the words right. No matter about that. The M.O.T.B.S. will understand and he will make the words right before he prints it. --------- The marching of the small boys, Sunday evening, as they passed out of chapel was extra good. ======================================== (page 3) What fun! Snow at last. Get out your sled. But keep dry feet. Jack has a new sled. Nearly ready for Christmas? How many have read, the President's message? Every thoughtful boy or girl will if not already. Mrs. Ashton, of Philadelphia, visited the school on Monday. The sleet of Wednesday made a splendid foundation for sleighing. Miss Campbell has received the regular appointment of dining room matron. Breathe through your nose these days and you will not be so likely to get the sore throat. A few taps of the large chapel bell is enough to announce the close of school, study-hour or a meeting. If it is cold enough for an overcoat it is cold enough to wear it buttoned. Remember the chest is the weakest part. Stacy Matlack who received a broken leg at the football game on the college athletic grounds is getting along well but he thinks time moves slowly. Miss Clarke is teaching temporarily in No. 11 while Miss Luckenbach, formerly teacher of the room has been called to do clerical work in Captain's office. The board walks were so slippery on Wednesday that many a fall-down was the result of trying to walk on them. But then it made lots of fun and nobody was hurt. Miss Ely was pleased to hear Wednesday afternoon that her sister who left for Mound City, Kansas, on Thursday night of last week, arrived home safely after twenty-four hours delay on the way. The promotions in school have made some hearts glad and some sad. The Man-on-the-band-stand is pleased to see pupils sorry to leave their old teachers, but when they know it is for their own good they should not be silly about it. The Boston Symphony Club concert, Friday night was somewhat classical for the majority of our pupils who attended, to fully appreciate. "We like the good old tunes," said one of the advanced boys. Part of the Company visited our school the next day and two of the best violinists brought their instruments and gave the whole school a musical treat. Snow, but no sleighing. The story on first page is well worth reading. Where are you going to spend the Christmas holidays? There are not many pleasanter places than right here. Word comes from Pine Ridge Agency that Thomas B. Bull, is married. Don't forget that the HELPER for a year will make a nice little Christmas present. Mr. Campbell is Chairman of the Christmas committee. That means he is to be Santa Claus' right-hand man. Katie Grindrod and Eva Johnson spent Thanksgiving day at Millersville, with Cecilia Londrosh and Clara Faber. The storm-doors are again in winter quarters, and at their old game of making the fronts of houses look ugly. Plank walks are down for the winter, and we are glad to have them if they are poor miserable excuses for something to tread upon. Richard Davis led the meeting Sunday evening. His earnest, thoughtful words will long lived in the memories of those who heard him. Don't think you must write a great LONG story to get the prize. Tell something about your life at home that our little white readers will be interested in. Save your pennies for the King's Daughter's Fair to come off soon. There will be pretty things and useful things and good things to eat, and all home made. No letters have yet been received from Santa Claus. The Genoa school is ahead of Carlisle. They have already heard from the venerable old gentleman, but we know we are all right. Messrs George Vaux, and Bartlett of Philadelphia, visited the school on Tuesday and Wednesday. Mr. Bartlett is superintendent of the Friends' school, 16th and Race. Both gentlemen seemed much interested in all they saw. Yes, the boys have their skates out. Such small things as ash heaps, loose boards, raised up boards, open boards in the walks and bit spikes and nails and stones and sticks, are nothing. Over the ice, and over the snow with face aglow away they go. We have had a visit from Richard and Nannie Davis with their two precious babies. They came from their home in Chester County, on Friday. (Doesn't that sound just right - an Indian having a HOME right here in Pennsylvania?) Every body loved the babies at first sight. Richenda Davis and Mary Davis are their names. While here Mr. Choate took their photograph and we all want one, of course if it is good. Nannie was the picture of health and happiness. Richard was just getting over a severe cold. Their dairy work called them back early Monday morning, but we hope they may come again sometimes. ========================================= (Continued from First Page.) ---------------------------------------- Two months later, John Brent advertised for a clerk in his factory, and there were at least a dozen applicants. I can simply take your names and residences this morning." he said. "I'll make inquiries about you, and notify the one whom I conclude to select." Three boys gave their names and residences. "What is your name?" he asked as he glanced at the fourth boy. "Fred Frenton," was the reply. John Brent remembered the name of the boy. He looked at him keenly, a pleasing smile crossing his face. "You may stay," he said. "I've been suited sooner than I expected to be," he added, looking at the other boys and dismissing them with a wave of his hand. "Why did you take me?" asked Fred, in surprise. "Why were inquiries not necessary in my case? You do not know me." "I know you better than you think I do," John Brent said with a significant smile. "But I offered no recommendations," suggested Fred. "My boy, it wasn't necessary," replied John Brent. "I heard you recommend yourself." But as he felt disposed to enlighten Fred, he told him about the conversation he had overheard. Now, boys, this is a true story, and there is a moral in it. You are more frequently observed and heard and overheard than you are aware of. Your elders have a habit of making an estimate of our mental and moral worth. You cannot keep late hours, lounge on the corners, visit low places of amusement, smoke cigarettes, and chaff boys who are better than you are, without older people making a note fo your bad habits. How much more forcibly and creditably pure speech, good breeding, honest purposes, and parental respect would speak in your behalf! - *Golden Days.* ========= The appropriations for Indian schools have increased from $20,000 in 1876 to nearly $2,000,000 for this year. If it had stopped but one small Indian war it is a fine investment, and there is no reason to believe that it has not stopped many an outbreak. A man in his senses and with open eyes does not butt his head against a locomotive no matter how angry he may be, and the training of the schools have opened the eyes and cleared the senses of many an angry savage disposed to butting against civilization's irresistible advance. ========= A good character, good habits, and iron industry are impregnable to the assaults of all the ill luck ever dreamed of. 400,000 CHRISTMAS TREES. ----- In the town of Orland, at the mouth of the Penobscot, in Maine, a Rockland firm have a large crew of men employed in cutting fir trees, and expect to ship 400,000 to the metropolis between now and the middle of December. The firm pays about half a cent a tree for the privilege of cutting the firs, and all the expenses except for freighting, are small. The trees range from five to thirty feet in height, but the greatest demand is for those measuring between five and eight feet. The bushiest and most symmetrical trees bring the best prices and those are found in abundance along the edges of the woods. There are enough young fir trees along the Penobscot River to supply the world with Christmas evergreens for centuries to come. ========= Enigma. I am made of 18 letters. My 3, 2, 4, 10, 11 is the time we should sleep. My 13, 12, 7, 6 is one thing we learn to do in school. My 5, 1, 16, 11, 12 is what our boys will do soon at the creek if it keeps cold. My 18, 8, 9 is a small carpet. My 15, 17, 14, 11 is one's hand doubled up. My whole is something to happen soon which we are looking forward to with pleasure. --------- ANSWER TO LAST WEEK'S ENIGMA: Horseback riding. ========= At the Carlisle Indian school, is published monthly an eight-page quarto of standard size, called THE RED MAN, the mechanical part of which is done entirely by Indian boys. This paper is valuable as a summary of information on Indian matters, and contains writings by Indian pupils, and local incidents of the school. Terms: Fifty cents a year, in advance. For 1, 2, and 3 subscribers for THE RED MAN we give the same premium in Standing Offer for the HELPER. Address, THE RED MAN, Carlisle, PA. ============================= STANDING OFFER: - For FIVE new subscribers to the INDIAN HELPER, we will give the person sending them a photographic group of the 17 Carlisle Indian Printer boys, on a card 4 1/2 X 6 1/2 inches, worth 20 cents when sold by itself. Name and tribe of each boy given. (Persons wishing the above premium will please enclose a 1-cent stamp to pay postage.) For TEN, Two PHOTOGRAPHS, one showing a group of Pueblos as they arrived in wild dress, and another of the same pupils three years after, or, for the same number of names we give two photographs showing still more marked contrast between a Navajoe as he arrived in native dress, and as he now looks, worth 20 cents a piece. The new combination picture showing all our buildings and band-stand, (boudoir) will also be given for TEN subscribers. (Persons wishing the above premiums will please enclose a 2-cent stamp to pay postage.) For FIFTEEN, we offer a GROUP of the whole school on 9x14 inch card. Faces show distinctly, worth sixty cents. For FIFTEEN, the new combination picture 8x10 showing all our buildings. (Persons wishing the above premium will please send 6 cents to pay postage.) For TWO Subscribers and a One-cent stamp, we send the printed copy of the Apache contrast. For ONE Subscriber and a Two-cent stamp we will send the printed copy of Pueblo contrast. Persons sending clubs must send all the names at once. ======================================== Transcribed from the original by Barbara Landis-- http://www.carlisleindianschool.org --------- "RE: Rustywire: La la la loving You" --------- Date: Tue, Jun 24 2003 09:09 AM Subj: La la la loving you From: rustywire@yahoo.com (john rustywire) Newsgroup: alt.native I can hear the music now as the song starts. I think we all know that certain songs when we hear them take us back through time as it were to a better place. A time of innocence, yearning and love, all in a moment once you hear it... The strings of a violen start slowly and I hear the words..."Guys come to you with lines that aren't true and you pass them by..." I am standing in our old wooden house just finishing washing my face and hands from the wash basin, and my hair is combed. I favored wearing a simple shirts and clean blue levis. A mirror hanging up on the wall above the wash basin brought out the best in me. I remember thinking I looked pretty good for a rez boy from this out of the way place, Toadlena. KWYK radio out of Farmington was playing on the transistor radio... "I don't wear a diamond ring...I don't even know a song to sing...." I was in our old house, I closed my eyes and danced slowly around the wooden floor and I was out past the screen door. The old sheep dog laying there by the door watched me cooly as I danced across the yeard and easily jumped the fence and headed through the juniper trees. "let me try, I don't even wear a diamond ring...la,la, la, loving you...." She was back from the Mormon placement program, she looked polished, a long black haired beauty who got off the bus from Brigham City, she lived down the road....she was fair and she struck me when I first saw her...so she is from here...mmmm, time to get to know this one....what was her name... "listen to me....la la la la loving you....come on and take my hand...." We got to know each other from checking the mail, she walked up there to the trading post for her parents and I just happened to be standing there each time she came up. We started to talk. She was here just for the summer and I was a plain rez boy, but this was my time and my place. I had helped her family with hauling hay and water, and her mother invited me to eat with them. "You will see the things I said are true....the way I am say them to you...listen to me...la..la..la..la..la..loving you" Their place was simple, but we area all like that, some had no electricity or running water...we were country bumpkins...and I knew her family. Some would call this place poor, but we were all that way there. I had nothing to offer but myself and it was good enough. I knew where she came from and though I was not like the white boys she had known from Utah....she was a Navajo Girl...she gave me life and brought some things I had never known to this out of the way place. Her roots were from this land, this home, the hogan, and sagebrush and though she tried to forget it, in time these things returned and she was mine... "All I know these things are true....I love you...I never saw a girl I needed in this world...you are the one for me, let me hold you in my arms.." This was the time when we had walked to distant mesas, watched the stars go by and saw the new dawn. We stood next to each other, and with a shy look, she came close to me...there was an aura about her, and I was a part of it...we stood there on a dusty plain, in sand, with sagebrush moving softly in the breeze and danced to this song...there was nothing like it...she was my everything....taking my breath and life and my heart forever, so it is with such things... The song ends and I am back driving down the highway, my mirror shows my face a little older and far from that time and place. It was a short journey, a sense of life and feelings remembered for a time and so I go on down the road....wishing her well where ever she maybe... --------- "RE: Verse: Hawaiian Book of Days" --------- Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2003 13:52:27 -1000 From: Debbie Sanders Subj: Hawaiian Book of Days A HAWAI`I BOOK OF DAYS, week of December 22-28 KEKEMAPA (December) (Makalii) 22 Cherish my hopes and dreams, Beloved, and I will cherish yours. 23 Pursue happiness; capture it now, and never let it go. 24 Sleep passes a mist of forgetfulness over our sorrows. 25 In peace I go forth to greet each day. 26 Snow clothes the fiery heart of the volcano. 27 Hold fast to friends, for they are the greatest of treasures. 28 May all your days be remembered in gladness. (c) Copyright 1991 by D. F. Sanders Me ke aloha i ka nani, ... Moe'uhanekeanuenue (With love and beauty, ... Rainbow Dream) --------- "RE: Rustywire Poem: Up on Red Lake Road" --------- Date: Tue, 02 Dec 2003 19:56:20 -0000 From: rustywire Subj: Up on Red Lake Road Mailing List: N A Poetry Up on Red Lake Road It was winter time and the rez roads were pretty wet Muddy and slippery, one of them was Red Lake Road Two Navajo cops were working swing shift They worked the area around Fort Defiance It was snowing, cold and wet, and they wore Heavy coats the large green filled down type A little girl called from the store and told the dispatcher There is a friend of mine I am worried about He hasn't been to school for a few days His parents drink, and he lives up Red Lake Road Can someone go up there and check on him His name is Engelbert, he's about 8 The call was logged in and the dispatcher said If someone gets a chance, go up there and take a look The radio crackled, "If you want to get stuck, go on up there" One of the officers said the road was too bad, too muddy The kind if you go in you will have to work out What is the call about? A Welfare check, a friend of hers from school Didn't come for a couple of days, the parents She said they like to drink, but nothing else Is he hurt? No. Well if she calls back ask her for a little more than that The shift went on and cold snow fell The lumbering white police panels moved around slow The day was done and they went home. Swing shift starts at 3 in the afternoon It was about 6 when she called again, Can someone go up and check on my friend He lives on Red Lake Road, He didn't come to school. How old are you little girl? About 9 Is something wrong with him? No, he just hasn't been to school, he likes school lunch They have nothing to eat at home, so he is always there Can someone go and check on him, his name is Engelbert. The dispatcher told her she would have one of the officers If they had a chance go on up there. She put it out to the three officers on duty If you get a chance one of guys check on him, Ok? The night wore on it was cold and wet, December it was The pinons were heavy with snow and the wind was blowing The red clay of Red Lake was slippery stuff It was sticky and the road when it got wet became mud Rutted and broken up, it was a rough ride even when dry No one liked to go up there, only a few people stayed there Way up North, more toward Navajo than Fort At 9 o'clock there was a stiff breeze the wind picked up Eugene Atcitty was working when the phone call came in It was the little girl, Has anyone gone to Red Lake Road Where are you calling from? From the Seven to Eleven store in Fort. Where do you live? Blue Canyon, up Blue Canyon The dispatcher calculated the distance. You walked two miles to make this call through the snow? Yes, I want someone to check on my friend, Engelbert. The radio crackled and it was the dispatcher The little girl called again about the boy on Red Lake Road She told me she walked 2 miles to make the call Where is she now? At the Seven to Eleven Store. I am headed that way. Two units pulled in and the girl was wet and cold She said, let' s go up there right now to Engelbert's. What about you, where to you live? On the way to there, but I have to show you where he lives And so the two four-wheel drive units headed out There lights lit up the falling snow. Officer Atcitty was a Vietnam Vet and knew the area He was from Fort Defiance, the other one was from Navajo, he was Frank Henry a big boned tall guy. He followed because he know one of them would get stuck The headed out those three to where the pavement ended Red Lake Road disappeared into the snow field The went off road and started to slide, going off road Taking the hillside through the pinons going North The little girl said Engelbert was her friend She looked out for him cuz he was small when he got on the bus He was just a little rez kid who lived in a hogan They went on and she said it is there, the place was dark The pulled up to a pair of hogans and no one was home Officer Henry got out and went to the door and it was padlocked He could see the other one was slightly ajar and went over there Atcitty was right behind him, there were no tracks in the snow It was a wasted trip, Engelbert was not there, no one was They knocked and no one answered they pushed open the door And there they saw him, tied up and wearing only his shorts No fire in the wood stove, it was cold and dark in there They went to him, and felt him and he was cold but alive He was tied up he said so he wouldn't run away The flashlights cast a bright light on him and this what they saw He was little boy lying on a cot tied by a rope to a post His hands were bound and he was nearly naked The room was cold enough they could see their breaths like clouds He had burns on his arms and legs, from cigarettes His arm was broken and he was near dead, pale and ashen The cradled him in their arms and took him to the unit They left one unit behind and headed out EMTs met them on the way and away they went Fort Defiance Indian Hospital, way past midnight They all waited to see how he would be and he just layed there If she had not called and had not kept bothering them he would be gone But she wouldn't give up on her friend Engelbert Those two big men went for smoke standing outside If you looked closely you could see the tears in their eyes Engelbert came around and this is what he said I tried to be a good boy, my uncle didn't want me I tried to eat what they gave me but it was old and cold I got sick and they wanted to go to town. The went for the wine, the night lights My mother and her boyfriend they left me My uncle tied me up so I wouldn't run away He said he would be back and he went away That was two days ago. I want my Mom. I want my Mom That was all he said That is the way it happened I was there that night And when Christmas comes His face haunts me still No matter what some people do to their kids Even in the worst way the children they say I want my Mom I want my Mom rustywire --------- "RE: Hopi Chairman: We have a Language Crisis" --------- Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2003 08:41:55 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="HOPI/STREET HOPI/ENGLISH" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.gallupindependent.com/12-17-03hopichairmanwehave.html Hopi Chairman: We have a language crisis Kathy Helms, Staff Writer December 17, 2003 KYKOTSMOVI - The Hopi Tribe is faced by a language crisis, yet during a meeting last week the tribal council tabled a resolution which would have established standards for teaching Hopi in public schools. The resolution is expected to resurface during council's next session. Hopi Chairman Wayne Taylor Jr. told council members that a 1997 indigenous language survey showed that before the Europeans came to America, there were more than 300 indigenous languages, yet in 1997, only 170 remained. Of those, only 125 were spoken by middle-age adults. Taylor said the survey predicted that 50 languages would disappear by the year 2000, "and that probably did come to pass." "We have a language crisis," Taylor told the council. "If we do nothing, we're helping this prediction come to fruition." Dawa Taylor, education and community outreach coordinator for the Hopilavayi Program, Leigh Kuwanwisiwma, director of the Hopi Cultural Preservation Office, and Noreen Sakiestewa, education director, underwent intensive questioning about the language program by council. Among the information council wanted to know: Who is going to determine what is taught to students off-reservation; who is going to have control of the information going out; who will be teaching the Hopi language to the students; have the elders and retired teachers from the Hopi villages been asked to participate; and will the language class be mandatory? "This resolution is pretty straightforward," Kuwanwisiwma said after the meeting. "It directs the Education Department and the Cultural Preservation Office to work toward establishing Hopi language teaching standards. What that means is if the council passes the resolution, it will work toward our own teaching standards that the teachers who will be identified to teach Hopi language will actually have to pass. "It deals with generally a pre- and post-testing mechanism. It will also allow us to move forward on actually holding pretty rigorous training here locally for those individuals who want to take what we now have developed as a Hopi teaching curriculum." Last Wednesday night, the Tuba City School Board formally approved the Hopi language initiative. But even if the Hopi Tribal Council approves a resolution establishing teaching standards, someone has to come up with the estimated $50,000-$60,000 for a certified teacher and teaching assistant. "It could very well, for a full year, cost as much as $100,000 just to have this class in place with all of the operating support that we need," Kuwanwisiwma said. But it's a small price to pay, he feels. English first language "Over the past few decades we've become a primarily English-speaking culture. In 1998 when we did our survey on fluency, we found that 80 percent of the Hopi homes primarily spoke English as their first language. Even my home is affected," he said. Kuwanwisiwma said the survey also found that Hopis aged 60 and over are 100 percent fluent in the Hopi language. "But you analyze the data and you find that the 60 and over [age bracket] comprise just a small percentile of the total population. And then it begins to drastically go down percentilewise." While people ages 40 to 50 were approximately 60 percent fluent, those aged 30 to 40 dropped to nearly 30 percent fluency, meaning that 70 percent of the Hopi people can't speak their own language, he said. "When you get down to the 20 to 30 age group, there's nothing there. Those people have lost even cognition ability. And from 20 on down is a big, big chunk of the population. Statistically, this is why I have had to tell our own people that we have reached a crisis level. How long and if we will ever reverse this trend remains to be seen," Kuwanwisiwma said. "This is why it's so critical that the tribal council continue to support this history of trying to bring back our language. It's going to be a long, tough road ahead, I can guarantee people that." Hopi starts at home One female council member present at Thursday's meeting told the group, "I have to say I am neglectful in teaching my daughter [our language], and she reminds me every day. And I am responsible. I can speak Hopi. I can understand it. I accept that it is my fault that my grandchildren are having to learn Hopi through this program." To those who raised fears that information about Hopi culture would be taught in the classroom, she said, "It's too late. There are whole books out there about our ceremonies." Kuwanwisiwma reassured council members that the Cultural Preservation Office asserts its control over anything it negotiates contractually with outside interests, and that everything from field notes to videotapes are turned over to the tribe and housed in the Cultural Preservation Office, thus protecting proprietary information. Dawa Taylor told the council, "It takes three generations to lose a language completely. I think we're in the second phase." Taylor said his office had contacted the elderly and retired Hopi teachers and that they had expressed an interest in the language program, but that they were only interested in helping with the program part time at the village level, rather than in a full-time school environment. 'Street' Hopi One debate over the curriculum is whether the school language program will be geared toward colloquial Hopi or formal Hopi. "I guess many of us today talk a very common street Hopi that is pretty universal," Kuwanwisiwma said. One councilman made reference to the teaching of "formal Hopi," which includes words that are ritual or ceremonial in nature. But the style of talking also qualifies as formal. "Today, you can sense the difference," Kuwanwisiwma said. "Particularly the younger generation Hopi who are fluent talk pretty fast, whereas if you listen to my mother or our older people, they talk very deliberately, they talk in a style that is representative of their lifestyle. It's slower, whereas to the modern Hopi, it's this rush-rush world, so we tend to talk like that." The councilman from Moencopi, Danny Humetewa, stated that it's come to the point where we go into the kiva and we use our language in there, but sadly, many of the younger people are losing so much of that setting because they can't understand what the songs are, what the cultural instructions are. They don't have the ability to grasp the full meaning of what's going on because they can't speak it," he said. Noreen Sakiestewa of the Education Department obtained her Ph.D. from Northern Arizona University after doing her dissertation on the concept of a language immersion program. Setting a language standard, she said, would merely allow those teaching the Hopi language to become certified. "All of our teachers have to be certified," she said. Also, the Hopi class would count as a foreign language credit students now must have to graduate. "If the Hopi classes are going to be introduced into the school system, the keyword is immersion," Kuwanwisiwma said. For preschoolers and kindergartners, according to Sakiestewa, immersion means that only Hopi would be spoken in the classroom, and the words used at that level would be "kid language," not anything of cultural significance. One council member told the group: "f they can come out of high school with just a conversational language, that would be satisfactory." Copyright c. 2003 the Gallup Independent. --------- "RE: Lakota Language Bowl talk of the Tournament" --------- Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2003 08:20:47 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="HAND GAMES" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/~/top/news01.txt Lakota Language Bowl talk of the tournament By Jomay Steen, Journal Staff Writer December 19, 2003 RAPID CITY - Fast hands and a solid background in Lakota were all it took to power Cheyenne Eagle Butte into the second round of the Lakota Language Bowl on Thursday. The Language Bowl is among activities that are part of the Lakota Nation Invitational basketball tournament taking place this week at Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. The Hand Game Tournament starts at 10 a.m. today in Rushmore Hall, and finals for the championship round will be in the arena. Knowledge Bowl contestants meet from 9 a.m. to noon in the Blue, Gold and Red rooms for the preliminaries. Quiz Bowl finals are from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. The final round of Lakota Language Bowl begins at 10 a.m. in the Alpine Room, and a student dance begins at 9 p.m. in Rushmore Hall South. During Thursday's Language Bowl, Ashley Chasing Hawk's quick flick of the buzzer rang her team to an 18-0 finish. With Tammy Granudos, Lisa Aungie, Duane Curley and Kyle Brown backing up the Cheyenne Eagle Butte junior, Chasing Hawk reeled off a tongue-tripping set of words in a room filled with competitors from most of South Dakota's American Indian reservations. "Our strategy is `Try to hit the buzzer fast,'" Granudos said. Chasing Hawk gladly obliged, and the team advanced to its next round of sentences and phrases. "I tend to get overly excited when I'm competing," Chasing Hawk said. Lakota-language coach Iris Dupris was confident about how well her team would perform. "I think everyone knows we're the competition," she said. The five contestants, seated at tables, faced a panel of judges. An announcer said the category and the word that would be translated into Lakota. Team members would push buzzers to get the first chance to say the word. If the word was mispronounced or incorrect, the competitors had 10 seconds to answer. Correct answers scored a point, and the game went on to the next word. Categories included four directions, Lakota values, stages of life - the seven sacred rites, ceremonial vocabulary, domestic animals and insects. Duane Curley, 17, although proficient, is not fluent in Lakota. The LNI Language Bowl and others like it help keep it in their school's curriculum and in the mainstream. "This is what these contests are for, to keep the language alive," Curley said. His family - aunts, uncles and older generations - are fluent speakers, and it's something that the Cheyenne Eagle Butte senior strives for. "I practice on it, and it's something I hope to be. It would be cool to learn to speak the original language," he said. Cool under pressure, Kyle Brown, 15, loves the competition of the bowl and the edginess of the time limits. "Just competing, it's interesting," he said. Even if other team members buzz in to translate a word, they often huddle for a quick conference. "We want to make sure the words agree," Brown said. The Eagle Butte freshman can be found in the crowd while other teams compete, too. Sometimes in the back and sometimes in the front row, he's soaking up the sounds, words and phrases. "You can silently answer the questions, and you can learn a lot by watching the others." Brown and Curley have never been discouraged from learning their ancestral language. In Granudos' household, however, her grandfather encouraged only English. "My grandpa believed if we talked Indian, we'd be hurt or hit," she said. Once forbidden by schools, now the formerly underground language is taught in daily classes, plays a part in popular movies and is the basis of a tournament. On Thursday, Granudos advanced in that tournament using a language her grandfather wasn't allowed to speak. Contact Jomay Steen at 394-8418 or jomay.steen@rapidcityjournal.com Copyright c. 2003 The Rapid City Journal. --------- "RE: Upcoming Events" --------- Date: Mon, 22 Dec 2003 15:39:14 -0700 From: Gary Smith (gars@speakeasy.org) Subj: Upcoming Events =+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+= EVENTS ARE FEATURED IN ODD NUMBERED ISSUES ONLY =+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+= ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//- Notice of Copyright Clearance by Contributors: The following have granted permission for their original articles to be reposted in order to help mend the Sacred Hoop: Chris Milda, Dana Aldea, Carter Camp, Gary Smith, Barbara Landis, Janet Smith, Johnny Rustywire, Debbie Sanders --//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//- _ __ __ _ / | / /___ _/ /_(_) __ __ / |/ / __ \ __/ / | / / _ \ / /| / /_/ / /_/ /| |/ / __/ /_/ |_/\__,_/\__/_/ |___/\___/ ______ _ / ____/____ ___ __________(_)___ ____ _____ / / / ___/ __ \/ ___/ ___/ / __ \/ __ \/ ___/ / /___/ / / /_/ /__ /__ / / / / / /_/ /__ / \____/_/ \____/____/____/_/_/ /_/\__, /____/ Volume 11, Issue 052 /____/ December 27, 2003 Native Crossings (c) is a separately emailed suppliment to Wotanging Ikche (c) Native American News (c) dedicated to the memory of those in Indian Country who have begun their spirit journeys It may be subscribed to via email by sending a request from your own internet addressable account to gars@speakeasy.org <================<<<< >>>>================> This newsletter is produced in straight ASCII text for greatest portability across platforms. Read it with a fixed-pitch font, such as Courier, Monaco, FixedSys or CG Times. Proportional fonts will be difficult to read. <================<<<< >>>>================> IMPORTANT!! ----------- In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, all material appearing in this newsletter is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for educational purposes. <================<<<< >>>>================> --------- "RE: Vernon Evan" --------- Date: Sat, 20 Dec 2003 15:47:43 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="VERNON EVAN" http://www.adn.com/obituaries/ Vernon Evan, 81 Marshall Lifelong Alaskan Vernon Norman "Ctertaq and Apaaliq" Evan, 81, died Dec. 12, 2003, at his home in Marshall, surrounded by family. He was born May 22, 1922, in Pilot Station to Evan Azzen and Mary Kinzy. He married his wife, Irene, on Sept. 10, 1946. He took in his stepchildren, Alvin Owletuck Sr., the late Frank Owletuck, and Agnes Boliver. Mr. Evan and his wife had one son, Gabe, and adopted a daughter, Grace. Vernon attended school up to third grade in Holy Cross and obtained his education from his elders and life experiences. Although he came from a poor background, he became rich with life by living a subsistence lifestyle and sharing what he had. In his younger years, he worked in canneries, on the railroads and steamboats, cooked at the school and commercial fished. He was a private in the Alaska Territorial Guard and was honorably discharged from the National Guard. Mr. Evan had a passion for Eskimo dancing, which he learned from his elders, and which he taught his grandchildren and the community. He was well known throughout the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta for his dancing. He also volunteered his time to teach hunting, trapping, fishing and other skills. He and his wife went to the University of Alaska Fairbanks as part of the Elders in Residence program. Every August, he went fishing for the school to supply them with food for the winter. Vernon and Irene loved to go to fish camp every summer. He also enjoyed hunting, trapping and spring camp. He took his granddaughters and other women to pick berries. He always lived life to the fullest. He took care of his wife to the very end, even though he was getting weak. He cared tremendously for the well being of others, made sure they were provided for and made everyone who came to Marshall feel at home -- from teachers to Sen. Ted Stevens, and many others. His classroom was the country, subsistence was his way of life, and family was his No. 1 priority. Mr. Evan was preceded in death by Frank Owletuck, David Kinzy, Dora Shorty, Marvin Boliver and Arthur and Michael Owletuck. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Irene; son, Gabe; sisters, Katherine Hart and Flora George; brother, Jimmy Tony Jr.; stepchildren, Alvin Owletuck Sr. and Agnes Boliver, adopted daughter, Grace Hoeldt; granddaughters, Mona Evan, Flora Evan and Debra Duny; several great- grandchildren and many other relatives and friends. Copyright c. 2003 The Anchorage Daily News. --------- "RE: Crossings" --------- Date: Mon, 22 Dec 2003 08:10:52 -0600 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="CROSSINGS" December 16, 2003 James W. Bullard Jr. MAXTON - James Walter Bullard Jr., 20, of 196 Sumpter Circle, died Thursday, Dec. 11, 2003, in Southeastern Regional Medical Center in Lumberton. The funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. today in Heritage Funeral Home chapel in Red Springs by the Revs. Luke Jacobs and Floyd Goins. Burial will be in the Bullard family cemetery. Mr. Bullard is survived by his father, James Black of Red Springs; his mother, Tammy Beeler of Raeford; two brothers, Derrick Bullard and Timothy Beeler, both of Raeford; a sister, Tammy R. Beeler of Raeford; his maternal grandfather, William Bullard of Maxton; and his maternal grandmother, Betty Bullard of Pembroke. Bernice Oxendine LUMBERTON - Bernice Oxendine, 69, of 554 Dallas Road, died Sunday, Dec. 14, 2003, in Southeastern Regional Medical Center. The funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Revels Funeral Home chapel in Lumberton by the Revs. Bobby Burns and Kenny Mitchell. Burial will be in Oxendine Cemetery. Mr. Oxendine is survived by a brother, Harvey D. Oxendine of Virginia; and a sister, Velma Ball of the home. The family will receive friends tonight from 7 to 9 at the funeral home. December 17, 2003 Wade Deese PEMBROKE - Wade Deese, 24, of 42 Nova Drive, died Sunday, Dec. 14, 2003, in his home. The funeral will be conducted at 2:30 p.m. Thursday in St. Anna Free Will Baptist Church by the Revs. Tucker Dial and Tommie Haggins. Burial will be in the Deese family cemetery. Mr. Deese is survived by a son, Jamie W. Lowery of Fairmont; his mother, Pauline Dial of Pembroke; three brothers, Eartle R. Deese, Hubert R. Deese and Raymond Deese, all of Pembroke; and two sisters, Regina McMillan and Linda D. Camarillo, both of Pembroke. The family will receive friends tonight from 7 to 9 at Thompson's Funeral Home in Pembroke. December 20, 2003 James Jones LUMBERTON - James "Jack" Jones, 84, of 2161 Oak Grove Church Road, died Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2003, in UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill. The funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday in Hoke County Holiness Church by the Revs. Truman Chavis, Wallace Locklear and Ronald Bryant. Burial will be in Prospect United Methodist Church cemetery. Mr. Jones is survived by six sons, Gilbert Jones of Raeford, Leon Jones, Kenny R. Locklear and Robert L. Lockelar, all of Red Springs, and Ernest L. Jones and Eugene Jones, both of Kernersivlle; two daughters, Pearlene Oxendine of Lumberton and Priscilla Jones of Laurinburg; five brothers, James C. Jones, Wadis Jones and Teddy Jones, all of Pembroke, Merlyn Jones of Raeford and Bradford Jones of Red Springs; three sisters, Everlee Jones of Red Springs, Edna Bowers of Maxton and Armendy Blue of Hope Mills; 29 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends tonight from 7 to 9 at Heritage Funeral Home in Red Springs. Veruna Scott PEMBROKE - Mrs. Veruna Scott, 80, of 71 Buddy Road, died Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2003, in Southeastern Regional Medical Center. The funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday in Antioch Baptist Church in Rowland by the Revs. Waymon Oxendine, Ricky Deese and Edward Brooks. Burial will be in Benson Chapel in Rowland. Mrs. Scott is survived by two sons, James Earl of the home and Randolph Scott Jr. of Pembroke; five daughters, Virginia Locklear of Pembroke, Brenda Chatterton of Thomasville, Lucy Wilson of Denton and Margaret Lowry and Linda F. Scott, both of Lumberton; a brother, Horace Oxendine of Charlotte; four sisters, Ruby M. Locklear of Laurinburg, Gertrude Hunt and Beulah Hunt, both of Rowland, and Cassie M. Locklear of Maxton; 23 grandchildren; and 46 great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends tonight from 7 to 9 at Revels Funeral Home in Pembroke. Copyright c. 2003 The Fayetteville (N.C.) Observer. -=-=-=- December 17, 2003 Albert Bradley Cherokee - Albert Freeman Bradley, 80, of the Yellowhill community of Cherokee, died Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2003, at his residence. A native of Cherokee, he was the son of the late Amos and Sarah Powell Bradley. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran, having served in World War II and the Korean War. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Hilde Bradley; daughter, Teresa McCoy and husband, John, of Cherokee; two sons, Donald Bradley and wife, Melissa, of Danville, Va., and Jimmy Bradley and wife, Sarah, of Cherokee; six grandchildren, Christopher McCoy, Doug McCoy, A.J. Bradley, Mike Bradley, John Bradley and Meredith Bradley; sister, Amy Thompson of Cherokee; and brother, Jack Bradley of Cherokee. The graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Bradley Family Cemetery on Bunches Creek. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Crisp Funeral Home in Bryson City. December 18, 2003 Joyce Huskey Cherokee - Joyce Lynne Huskey, 40, of 32 Hundred Acre Tract, Cherokee, died Monday, Dec. 15, 2003, at her residence. A native of Swain County, she was the daughter of the late John Huskey Jr. and Lillie Mae Bowers Huskey. She is survived by two brothers, Darryl Huskey Jr. of Cherokee and Johnny Huskey of Cherokee and a nephew, Justin Huskey. The funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday in the chapel of Crisp Funeral Home, Bryson City, with the Rev. James "Bo" Parris officiating. Burial will be in Swain Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home December 19, 2003 Jimmie Cooper Cherokee - Jimmie Sherrill Cooper, 82, of Olivet Church Road, Cherokee, died Thursday, Dec. 18, 2003, in Harris Regional Hospital in Sylva. Crisp Funeral Home, Bryson City, will announce the arrangements. Bruce Entwistle Maggie Valley - Bruce Walter Entwistle, 71, of 235 Blackberry Lane, Maggie Valley, died Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2003. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Wells Funeral Home in Waynesville is in charge of the arrangements. Copyright c. 2003 Asheville Citizen-Times. -=-=-=- December 15, 2003 Evelyn Benjamin Evelyn Benjamin, 63, of Onamia, died Saturday, Dec. 13, 2003, at The Pierz Villa in Pierz. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 17, at the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Community Center on the Mille Lacs Reservation with Lee Staples officiating. Burial will be in Vineland Cemetery on the reservation. Arrangements are with the Shelley Funeral Chapel of Onamia. A full obituary will appear in next week's Messenger. Copyright c. 2003 Mille Lacs Messenger/Isle, MN. -=-=-=- December 17, 2003 Dolly Ardell (Isaacson) Aho Dolly Ardell (Isaacson) Aho, 62, of Cloquet, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2003 at her home after a courageous battle with cancer and complications from several recent surgeries. She was born May 3, 1941 in Superior to Theodore and Ailie (Nyman) Isaacson. She married Allen Aho on January 21, 1961. She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Mavis Hoile, Betty Levine, and Shirley Davis; and her brother, Theodore 'Ted' Isaacson, Jr. Dolly is survived by her husband, Allen; her sisters, Gloria (Glen) Olson of Sturgeon Lake, Judy Diver, Peggy DeFoe, and Ruby (Gene) Reynolds, all of Cloquet, and Bonnie (George) Houle of Wrenshall; her brothers, Doug and Tom Isaacson, both of Cloquet, and John (LuAnn) Isaacson of Thomson; 36 nephews and nieces and many great-nephews and nieces. SERVICE:11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 19, 2003 in Northland Funeral Home, 801 14th St. in Cloquet. The family will receive friends one hour prior to services. A time of lunch and fellowship will follow in the Fireside Room of the funeral home. Inurnment will be in Maple Grove Cemetery Columbarium. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. Luke's Hospice or the American Cancer Society. Arrangements entrusted to Northland Funeral Home. December 20, 2003 Alma Caribou Alma Caribou, 85, of Grand Portage, died Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2003 at the North Shore Care Center in Grand Marais. SERVICE:A traditional Native American Service will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 22, 2003 in the Grand Portage Community Center. Arrangements by Cavallin Funeral Home. Copyright c. 2003 Duluth News Tribune. -=-=-=- December 19, 2003 Dawn Snow WINNEBAGO, Neb. - Dawn "Binky" Snow, 30, of Winnebago died Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2003, at a Sioux City hospital following a brief illness. Services will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Blackhawk Community Gymnasium in Winnebago, with Mr. Matthew Cleveland Jr. officiating. Burial will be in Winnebago Tribal Cemetery. Visitation will begin today and continue until service Saturday at the community gymnasium. Arrangements are under the direction of the Winnebago Wake and Burial Program. Binky was born Jan. 2, 1973, in Winnebago. She attended grade school and high school at Winnebago Public School, graduating in May 1991. She attended Haskell Indian Junior College in Lawrence, Kan. in 1993. She was a lifelong resident of Winnebago and was employed with WinnaVegas Casino and Bingo enterprise for eight years. She was a member of the Native American Church. She was an all-around athlete in volleyball, basketball, track, softball and bowling. She was named to the 1988 All-State volleyball team and the 1989 All-State basketball team. She is survived by her son, Andrew Cloud Eagle; a brother, Timothy Snow of St. Paul, Minn.; her parents, Donald and Vickie Snow of Winnebago; a grandmother, Lois Cleveland of Winnebago; and two nieces and two nephews. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, Steven Walker; and paternal grandparents, Louis and Edna Snow Sr. Pallbearers will be Greg "Quince" Bass Jr., Joshua Chamberlain, Conrad Robinson, Vernon Smith, Avery Blackhawk, Shawn Lewis, Buffalo Bass and Scott Aldrich Sr. Honorary pallbearers will be Shelly Smith, Darla Wingett, Diane Swanson, Patricia Ward-Sheridan, Alana Smith, Jo Bailey, Connie Gettman and Carmen Snow. Copyright c. 2003 Sioux City Journal. -=-=-=- December 20, 2003 Michelle White Tail WHITE SHIELD - Michelle White Tail, 34, White Shield, died Dec. 18, 2003, in Garrison. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Ralph Wells Memorial Complex, White Shield. Further arrangements are pending with Thompson Funeral Home, Garrison. Hermine Shell Track Hermine M. Shell Track, 82, Mobridge, S.D., formerly of Cannon Ball, passed away Dec. 18, 2003, at a Mobridge care center. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Youth Activity Center, Cannon Ball, with the Rev. Curtis Elk officiating. Burial will be in Big Lake Cemetery, Cannon Ball. Visitation will be held from 1 to 9 p.m. Monday at Perry Funeral Home, Mandan, with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue two hours before the service at the Youth Activity Center. Hermine was born June 28, 1921, at Cannon Ball, to Tom and Louise (Good Crow) Mentz. She was raised and educated in Cannon Ball and Bismarck. Hermine worked as a Home Extension Aide, where she made home visitations. She enjoyed making star quilts, dried foods, jellies and jams. She loved to drive her car, travel and attend powwows. Hermine is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Marlene and Wayne Curtis, Butte, Mont.; four sons and three daughters-in-law, Mark and Linda Brown, Wichita, Kan., Glenn and Marcella Yellow Hammer, Fort Yates, Earlwin and Georgina Yellow Hammer Sr., Cannon Ball, and Darrell Yellow Hammer, Cannon Ball; 11 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Virgil Yellow Hammer; her husband, Charles Shell Track Sr.; one sister, Melda Elk; one brother, Basil Mentz; and several infant siblings. Copyright c. 2003 Bismarck Tribune. -=-=-=- December 17, 2003 Casey Blue Bird BATESLAND - Casey Blue Bird, 81, Batesland, died Monday, Dec. 15, 2003, at Pine Ridge Hospital. He served in the U.S. Army in World War II. Survivors include three daughters, Sharon Two Crow, Bernadine Blue Bird and Debbie Blue Bird, all of Batesland; one brother, Ben Conquering Bear, Porcupine; one sister, Theresa Feather Earring, Rapid City; 13 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren. A two-night wake will begin at 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, at Batesland School gym. Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 23, at the school gym, with the Rev. Cordelia Red Owl officiating. Burial will be at St. Andrew's Episcopal Cemetery in Wakpamni Lake. Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge is in charge of arrangements. James Pettigrew PINE RIDGE - James Pettigrew, 36, Pine Ridge, died Friday, Dec. 12, 2003, in Wounded Knee. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army. Survivors include his wife, Martha Pettigrew, Wounded Knee; one daughter, Brittany Pettigrew, Wounded Knee; one son, Michael Pettigrew, Wounded Knee; three brothers, John Pettigrew, Michael Pettigrew and Jason Pettigrew, all of Wounded Knee; and three sisters, Michelle Pettigrew, Rapid City, Susan Pettigrew, Pine Ridge, and Sandra Pettigrew, Wounded Knee. A one-night wake will begin at 2 p.m. today at Billy Mills Hall in Pine Ridge. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 18, at Billy Mills Hall, with the Rev. Bill Pauly officiating. Burial will be at Holy Rosary Mission Catholic Cemetery in Pine Ridge. Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge is in charge of arrangements. Alexander P. Waters KYLE - Alexander P. Waters, 60, Kyle, died Monday, Dec. 15, 2003, at Rapid City Regional Hospital. Survivors include one sister, Darlene Cross, Kyle. A two-night wake will begin at 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18, at Mediator Episcopal Church in Kyle. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, at the church, with the Rev. Cordelia Red Owl officiating. Mr. Donald Cross and Mr. Michael Cross will officiate over traditional Lakota services. Burial will be at the Cross Family Plot in Kyle. Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge is in charge of arrangements. December 18, 2003 Lucy Edith Eagle Hawk IDEAL - Lucy Edith Eagle Hawk, Ideal, died Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2003, at Winner Regional Healthcare Center. Survivors include one brother, Moses Eagle Star Sr., Bull Creek; four sons, Clarence Eagle Hawk, Daniel Eagle Hawk and Burton Eagle Hawk, all of Winner, and John Eagle Hawk, Ideal; and many grandchildren and great- grandchildren. A wake will begin at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 19, at Winner Ideal Community Hall. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, at Winner Ideal Community Hall. Burial will be at Holy Spirit Cemetery in Ideal. Mason Funeral Home of Winner is in charge of arrangements. December 19, 2003 Analyce Moves Camp-LeDeaux WANBLEE - Analyce Moves Camp-LeDeaux was stillborn Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2003, at Pine Ridge Hospital. Survivors include her parents, Dustin LeDeaux and Sylvia Moves Camp, both of Wanblee; her maternal grandparents, Richard and Arvella Moves Camp, Wanblee; her paternal grandmother, Missy LeDeaux, Pierre; and her maternal great-grandmother, Esther Moves Camp, Wanblee. A one-night wake will begin at 1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 22, at Crazy Horse School in Wanblee. Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 23, at the school, with the Rev. Gerald Bush officiating. Burial will be at the Moves Camp family plot in Wanblee. Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge is in charge of arrangements. Darwin Curtis Cook EAGLE BUTTE - Darwin Curtis Cook, 53, Eagle Butte, died Thursday, Dec. 11, 2003, at IHS Hospital in Eagle Butte. An all-night wake will begin at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, at H.V. Johnston Cultural Center in Eagle Butte. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 22, at the cultural center, with the Rev. Jeffrey Barnes, the Rev. Norman Blue Coat, Deacon Dora Bruguier, Deacon Earl Red Bird and Deacon Ted Knife officiating. Burial will be at Wakinyan Maza Tiospaye Cemetery in Iron Lightning. Oster Funeral Home of Mobridge is in charge of arrangements December 20, 2003 Fredrick Anthony Brown BULLHEAD - Fredrick Anthony Brown, 42, Bullhead, died Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2003, near Bullhead. An all-night wake will begin at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 26, at St. Aloysious Catholic Church in Bullhead. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 27, at the church, with the Rev. Kerry Prendiville and the Rev. Tony Grossenburg officiating. Burial will be at the church cemetery. Traditional Lakota burial services will be conducted by Jerald Kills Pretty Enemy, Allen Flying By, Richard Brown, James One Feather, Donavon Brown and Charles Kills Pretty Enemy. Oster Funeral Home of Mobridge is in charge of arrangements. December 21, 2003 Todd Fast Horse RED SHIRT - Todd Fast Horse, 56, Red Shirt, died Friday, Dec. 19, 2003, at Rapid City Regional Hospital. Arrangements pending with Sioux Funeral Home in Pine Ridge. Jerilyn Ward PINE RIDGE - Jerilyn Ward, 38, Pine Ridge, died Saturday, Dec. 20, 2003, at Rapid City Regional Hospital. Survivors include her husband, Philip Ward, Pine Ridge. Arrangements pending with Sioux Funeral Home in Pine Ridge. Copyright c. 2003 the Rapid City Journal. -=-=-=- December 18, 2003 Jean Thompson Baker TAHLEQUAH - Services for Jean Thompson Baker, 74, of Park Hill, will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, Dec. 19, 2003, at the First United Methodist Church, with the Rev. John Price officiating. Interment will follow at the Tahlequah City Cemetery under the direction of Hart Funeral Home. Jean Thompson Baker was born to Thomas Fox and Dorothy Jean (Fudge) Thompson on Jan. 2, 1929, in Claremore, and passed from this life on Dec. 16, 2003, in Tulsa. Jean was principal at Owen School in Park Hill, and was later employed by the Oklahoma State Department of Education until her retirement in the early 1980s. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Tahlequah, as well as the Daughter's of the American Revolution and the Order of the Eastern Star. Jean was actively involved with the Tahlequah Senior Citizens Center and enjoyed her time spent there working on ceramics with her friends. Jean was an avid reader who also spent time researching and working on Native American genealogy. She always enjoyed her time with her friends and family and will be dearly missed by them. Jean was preceded in death by her parents; one daughter, Wynona Baker Pheasant; and a granddaughter, Jean Ann Pheasant. She is survived by her three daughters, Mary Shaw and husband Dr. B. Frank Shaw of Broken Arrow, Waleah Baker Turner and husband Dr. James R. Turner of Broken Arrow, and Noma L. Rolland of Tahlequah; four grandchildren, Natalie Shaw, Bryan J. Turner and Alexandra Turner, all of Broken Arrow, and Christina Marie Rolland of Tahlequah; one brother, Jim Thompson of Muskogee; and one sister, Jody Thompson McCrary of Tahlequah; as well as many other friends and loved ones. Hart Funeral Home, 1506 N. Grand, 456-8823. Sammie LaRue Smith TAHLEQUAH - Graveside services for Sammie LaRue Smith, 76, of Tahlequah, will be held Thursday, Dec. 18, at 2 p.m., at Mt. Zion Cemetery, with the Rev. Paul Etter officiating. Pallbearers will be Terry Reed, Justin White, Ken Sohns, Ray Sohns and Jimmy Dodd. Services are under the direction of Reed-Culver Funeral Home of Tahlequah. Sammie was born to Milo and Susie (Guinn) Adkisson on Dec. 31, 1926, and passed away Sunday, Dec. 14, 2003, at Hastings Hospital, with her family beside her. She was a lifelong resident of Tahlequah. Sammie graduated from Tahlequah High School and later attended Northeastern State University. She married William Smith on Nov. 7, 1973. She worked many places before her career with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, where she worked for 17 years. After the BIA, Sammie worked for Cherokee County offices until she retired in 1990. She loved spending time with her family, playing bingo, reading, visiting with friends and fishing. She loved meeting new people and never met a stranger. Sammie is preceded in death by her parents Milo and Susie Adkisson, and one grandson, Billy M. Pennington Jr. She is survived by her husband of 30 years, William Smith of the home; two sons, Bill Pennington and his wife Helen of Tahlequah and Mike Mayfield of Farmington, N.M.; two daughters, Sue Truitt and her husband Harv of Tahlequah and Jan Dodd and her husband Jimmy of Stilwell; 11 grandchildren, Danny Truitt and friend Diane Lowe of Sallisaw, Pamela Keys and friend Timmy Bryan of Tahlequah, Jimmy Truitt and Deanne of Park Hill, Gina Dunn and Billy of Tahlequah, Tracy Wiley and Cliff of Fort Gibson, Stevie Pennington of Illinois, Amy Reese and Shaun of Durant, Pete Chuculate and Rissa of Oklahoma, and Courtney and Shelby Dodd of Stilwell, Kyle Mayfield of New Mexico. She also leaves behind 18 great-grandchildren, Melissa Wheeler, Danny Jr. and Amanda Truitt, Jesse and Christy Keys, Jennifer, Nick, Andrew, Sam and Annie Truitt, David and Sarah Powell, Johnathan and Jeffery Dunn, Chrissa and Trista Wiley, Austin and Tyler Reese; and two great grandchildren, Maycee Wheeler and Alexus Morris, as well as a host of friends and loved ones. Reed-Culver Funeral Home, 117 W. Delaware, 456-2551. Copyright c. 2003 Tahlequah Daily Press. -=-=-=- December 16, 2003 John Lewis Hill John Lewis Hill, longtime Ponca City resident, died Sunday, Dec. 14, 2003, at the Ponca City Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. He was 100. A graveside service will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery with the Rev. Kenneth Armstrong, rector of Grace Episcopal Church, officiating, assisted by Richard Robinson, deacon of St. Mary's Catholic Church. Members of Ponca Lodge 83 AF&AM will provide the Masonic Rite. Arrangements are under the direction of the Trout Funeral Home. John was born June 23, 1903, on the Chickasaw Indian Reservation near Tuttle to Harvey William and Clarrisa Rickerd Hill. On May 11, 1924, John and Ada Mae Osborn were married in Okfuskee County. They made their first home near Castle. They had one daughter, Velma Louise Hill Tapp. The couple moved to Osage County in 1929 and into Ponca City in the late 1940s. Mrs. Hill died July 21, 1985. John provided for his family by doing numerous jobs over the years such as farming, working at Perry hatchery, as a machinist for Nickles Machine and, his favorite, painting houses. He was a 33rd degree Mason and had attended several churches in the Ponca City area. Surviving are his grandson, Larry Tapp and his wife Faith of Ponca City; a great-grandson, Scott Tapp of Gainesville, Texas; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his daughter and a grandson. Memorials may be made to the Shriner's Burn Hospital, in care of Ponca Lodge 83, AF&AM, 1220 W. Grand, Ponca City, Okla. 74601. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Tuesday from 6 to 7 p.m. Copyright c. 1998-2003 The Ponca City News. -=-=-=- December 21, 2003 Stephen Shane Frame Funeral for Stephen Shane Frame, 28, Lawton, will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Hunting Horse Methodist Church, Lawton, with the Rev. Margaret Battiest officiating. Mr. Frame died Friday, Dec. 19, 2003, in Lawton. Burial will be at Mt. Scott KCA Cemetery under direction of Comanche Nation Funeral Home. A prayer service will be at 7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home chapel. He was born March 10, 1975, in Lawton to Julie L. Frame. He attended school at MacArthur High School. He was a member of Hunting Horse Methodist Church and the Kiowa tribe. Survivors include his mother and stepfather, Julie and Robert Macias, El Paso; three sisters: Breezy Waysepappy, Lawton; Chanda and Kristie Jade Arriaga, both of El Paso; his grandparents, Carol and Orville Frame, Lawton; four aunts; and many nieces and nephews. Edgar L. Cerday ARCHER CITY, Texas - Funeral for former Lawton resident Edgar L. Cerday, 78, Archer City, Texas, will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Comanche Reform Church with the Rev. Charles Spencer officiating. Mr. Cerday died Thursday, Dec. 18, 2003, in Wichita Falls, Texas. Burial will be at Highland Cemetery under direction of Comanche Nation Funeral Home. A prayer service will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home chapel. He was born July 7, 1925, in Lawton to Dave and Herlinda Stoneman Cerday. He attended school in Walters and Tularoso, N.M. He enlisted in the Navy in 1943 in Lawton. He was an aviation machinist's mate second class and served in San Diego, NAS Norman, HedRon FitAirwing Two, AR and OU Espiritu Santo. He was discharged from the Navy in 1945 and enlisted in the Air Force, where he served until his retirement in 1965. He received GCMDL with Silver Loop So G-11, Hq 3750 M&S Gp; SAEMR SO G-169, Hq AAC, AFOUA SO GB-295. He married Margaret Stikes on June 1, 1975, in Anchorage, Alaska. He was a member of the Comanche Tribe and a veteran on the Comanche War Memorial. Survivors include his wife; a son, Eddie Cerday; two daughters: Gloria Murphy and Linda Bock; six sisters: Carol Archer, Naomi Harrington, Bertie Cope, Phoebe Moyer, Marie Cox, Maryetta Sheldrew; 12 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. Copyright c. 2003 The Lawton Constitution. -=-=-=- December 18, 2003 Flora Deere Funeral services for lifelong Seminole County resident, Flora "Abuskee" Deere of Cromwell are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20 at the Greenleaf Baptist Church in Okemah with Revs. Billy Coon and Houston Tiger officiating under the direction of the Stout-Phillips Funeral Home of Wewoka. Wake services will be held at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19, at the Stout- Phillips Funeral Home Chapel. She will be moved to the church at 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 20. Interment will be at the Deere family cemetery in Cromwell. Deere died Tuesday, Dec. 16, at the age of 76 at her home. She was born July 31, 1927, to Jessie and Maud (Harjo) Deere and lived in the Cromwell area all her life. She was baptized by C.D. Harjo and has been an active member of the Greenleaf Baptist Church of Okemah. Deere had been a Women's Leader of the church since 1982 and also served as treasurer. She is preceded in death by her parents, Jessie and Maud Deere; two sisters, Lora Mae Deere and Cora Deere; and one brother, Chebon Deere. Deere is survived by one brother, Judson Deere of Okmulgee; three sisters, Linda Deere Ponkilla of Shawnee, Hanna Deere of Cromwell and Shirley Deere Johnson of Okemah; many nieces and nephews; and a host of relatives and friends. Pallbearers will be the Brotherhood. December 19, 2003 Minnie Harjo Funeral services for Seminole County resident, Minnie B. Harjo of Konawa are scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday Dec. 23 at High Springs Indian Baptist Church in Konawa. Wake service is set for 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 22 at the Pickard- Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel in Maud. Interment will follow at the High Springs Indian Cemetery under the direction of Pickard-Swearingen Funeral home of Maud. Harjo died Friday, Dec. 19, 2003, at the age of 89 after a long struggle with illness. She was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother and will be missed by all. She was a mother, not only to her children, but also to their friends. She was an active Women's Leader at High Springs Indian Baptist Church in Konawa until she became ill. One of the wonderful things that could be said about Harjo, is that she loved, cared and raised five grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her mother, Annie Chupco; husband, Albert; and one daughter, Sereda Sanchez. She is survived by three children, Joe Harjo of Shawnee, Elsie Cully and Steve Harjo, both of Konawa; 10 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; three greatgreat grandchildren; two sisters, Betty Love of Talihina and Ida Martin of Maud; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Pall bearers will be Frankie Sanchez, Christopher Sanchez, Ronnie A. Harjo, Harold Cully, A.J. Foster and Carlos Montoya. Alternates will be Cordell Tebe and Phoenix Bills. Honorary pallbearers will be Kenneth Larney, Adam Foster, Harris Cully, Bobby Bills, Noe Sanchez and Dale Padilla. The Seminole Producer/Copyright c. 1999-2000 Arizona Newspapers Assn. -=-=-=- December 19, 2003 Dick Jim Gallegos July 15, 1926 - Dec. 17, 2003 Dick Jim, 77, of Gallegos, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2003, at San Juan Regional Medical Center in Farmington, from a lengthy illness. He was born July 15, 1926, in Upper Fruitland, to Little Curley Jim and Daisy Simpson. He was of the Ta'neeszahnii clan, born for Bit'ahnii clan. His maternal grandparents were Hooghan La'ni' and paternal grandparents were Tl'a'a'sh chi''i'. Dick attended school up to third grade only. He lived in this area all his life. He was a rancher and had a love for horses and cows. He married Bessie Jim in 1954 at Chaco Plant. He is survived by his sons, Wilson Jim, Francis Jim and fiance' Tina Blackie, Harrison Jim, Edison Jim and fiance' Arlinda Mute, Irvin Jim, Wilfred Jim, Calvin Jim, Casey Jim, Alfred Jim, and Melvin Jim; daughters, Ruth Clah and husband Chester of Ojo Amarillo, Eve Canuto and husband Leonard of Bloomfield, Lucy Sylvester and husband Tracy of Nageezi, Mary Jo Jim of Majove, Ariz., Pricilla Jim, Cecilia Jim Chavez, and Bernice Strait; step-daughters, Susie Whitey and Clarence Toya of California, and Annie Ignacio of Albuquerque; sister, Mary Willie of Upper Fruitland; brother, John Jim of Gallegos; 53 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Bessie Jim; daughters, Evelyn Harvey and Mary Jim; step-son, Larry Whitey; brother, Roy Whitey; and nephew, Raymond Whitey. Services will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 20, 2003, at Cope Memorial Chapel of Farmington with Pauline Platero officiating. Burial will be at St. Luke's in Carson. Pallbearers are Wilson Jim, Francis Jim, Harrison Jim, Wilfred Jim, Edison Jim, and Jeremy Russell. Alternate is Charles Clah. Honorary pallbearers are Ruth Clah and family, Francis Jim and Tina Blackie, Harrison Jim, Edison Jim and Arlinda Mute, Eve Canuto and family, Lucy Sylvester and family, Mary Jo Jim, and Wilson Jim and family. Arrangements are entrusted to Cope Memorial Chapel of Farmington, 404 W. Arrington St., (505) 327-5142. Pauline C. Henderson Ojo Encino April 15, 1924 - Dec. 14, 2003 Pauline C. Henderson, 79, of Ojo Encino, passed from this life on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2003. Mrs. Henderson was born April 15, 1924, in Pueblo Pintado, the daughter of Moreano Castillo and Ya-na-bah. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 20, 2003, at God's Mighty Warrior Church in Tinian, with Pastor Bobby Arviso officiating. Burial will follow at the family cemetery in Pueblo Pintado. Arrangements are under the direction of Cope Memorial Chapel of Aztec, 405 S. Main St., (505) 334-9332. Dorothy Mae Aronilth Shiprock July 6, 1919 - Dec. 15, 2003 Dorothy Mae Aronilth, 84, of Shiprock, passed away Monday, Dec. 15, 2003, at Valley Inn Nursing Home in Mancos, Colo. Dorothy was born July 6, 1919, in Two Grey Hills. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., today, Friday, Dec. 19, 2003, at the Dine' Baptist Church in Waterflow with Pastor Curtis Harvey officiating. Burial will be at Shiprock Community Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Chapel of Memories Funeral Home in Kirtland, (505) 598-9636. December 22, 2003 Mary B. Pioche Lake Valley Sept. 6, 1926 - Dec. 22, 2003 Mary P. Pioche, 77, of Lake Valley, died Monday, Dec. 22, 2003, in Farmington. She was born Sept. 6, 1926, to John and Helen Begay in Bisti. She was of the Ute Clan and born for the Bitter Water Clan. She worked for the Union Pacific Railroad, BIA, Navajo Nation and was the world's best rug weaver, greatest and loving mother, grandmother, aunt, and was a rancher, raising cattle, horses and sheep. She is survived by her children, Lucy P. Garcia of Ft. Wingate, Bessie P. Goaloose of Farmington, Herman Pioche of Page, Ariz., Herbert J. Pioche of Lake Valley, Nick J. Pioche of Lake Valley, Rick Pioche of Lake Valley, Dennis Pioche of Aztec, and Gilbert Roger of Lake Valley; sisters, Mable Begay of Whiterock and Sally Hickson of Parker, Colo.; grandchildren, Roxanne Garcia, Nicole L. Garcia, Tyrone L. Pioche, Christopher Pioche, Antonio Pioche, Lance Goaloose, Caysee L. Goaloose, Amber M. Stevens and Ramond Pioche; and great-grandchildren, Triston Pioche, Ashley Pioche, Coven Stevens and Kaylin Stevens. She was preceded in death by four children, Daniel Pioche, Bobby Pioche, Rose Pioche and Rita Pioche; and one grandchild, Debbie Garcia. Services will be held at 9 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2003, at All Saints Episcopal Church in Farmington, with the Rev. Karol Tookey officiating. Burial will be at the family cemetery in Lake Valley. Pallbearers will be Tyrone Pioche, Jameson Stevens, Nick Pioche, Herbert J. Pioche, Herman Pioche, and Zane Epaloose. Honorary pallbearers are Kay Ascroft, Mary C. Benally, Don Wharton, Kim and Art Alsup, Elmer Lincoln, Andrew Simpson, Charleen Benally, Nancy Yazzie, Juanita Pioche, Dr. Mark Bevan and the Four Corners Dialysis Unit staff, Davita staff and San Juan Regional Medical Center Acute Unit. Copyright c. 2003 Farmington Daily Times, a Gannett Co., Inc. newspaper. -=-=-=- December 16, 2003 Garrell Davis TSAILE, Ariz. - Services for Garrell Davis, 33, will be 10 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 17 at Tsaile Community Church. Harold Noble will officiate. Burial will follow at Lukachukai Community Cemetery. Davis died Dec. 10 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was born Aug. 25, 1970 in Gallup into Zuni-Water Edge People Clan for the Coyote Pass People Clan. Davis attended Liberty Christian Indian School, Round Rock, Ariz., junior high school, Tsaile and high school in Salt Lake City. He was employed at Indian Walk in center of Salt Lake City, as an accountant clerk for intake clients. Survivors include his mother, Elsie Lee; brothers, Darrell Davis, Raymond Davis, Harold Davis Jr., Jason Lee and Jamison Lee; and sisters, Ninabah Davis and Miltina Tsosie. Davis was preceded in death by his father, Harold Davis Sr.; and grandparents, Charlie Chee Ben and Ida B. Harvey; Nada Davis and Mary B. Davis. Pallbearers will be Darrell Davis, Raymond Davis, Harold Davis Jr., Rapheal Davis, Uriah Davis and Ryan Tso. The family will receive friends and relatives after the burial services at Louise Moses's residence. Lukachukai, Ariz. Tse Bonito Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Rosie Jarvison MEXICAN SPRINGS - Services for Rosie Jarvison, 60, will be 10 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 17 at Rollie Mortuary Palm Chapel. Pastor Sherman Nungester will officiate. Burial will follow at the private family cemetery, Coyote Canyon. Jarvison died Dec. 12 in Gallup. She was born June 1, 1943 in Brimhall into the Folded Arms People Clan for the Red Running into the Water People Clan. Survivors include her brother, Ben Jarvison of China Springs; and sister, Mary J. Watchman of Brimhall. Jarvison was preceded in death by her parents, Annie Jarvison and Peter James; and brothers, Alfred Jarvison and Frank Jarvison. Pallbearers will be Allen Barney, Chris Jarvison, Fred Jarvison, Hubert Jarvison, Brian Raton, and Theodore Watchman. Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Dennis Irving CRYSTAL - Services for Dennis Irving, 89, were 10 a.m., today at St. Michaels Catholic Church. Burial followed at Fort Defiance Veterans Cemetery. Irving died Dec. 12 in Gallup. He was born March 15, 1914 in Naschitti into the One Who Walks Around People Clan for the Edgewater People Clan. Irving attended St. Michaels Indian School, Fort Wingate Vocational School and Santa Fe Indian School. He was employed with Fort Defiance Boarding School; the railroad in Barstow, Calif.; Crystal Boarding School; and Navajo Forest Product Industries as a security guard. Survivors include his sons, James Jay Irving and Paul Irving; daughters, Marie Long, Virginia Jumbo and Denise Stewart; brothers, Sam Mose and Franklin Mose both of Crystal; sisters, Ruth Jim of Gallup, Victoria Joyle of Phoenix and Rita Mose of Crystal; 18 grandchildren; and two grandchildren. Irving was preceded in death by his wife, Blanche Taylor Irving; Parents, John Mose and Man with White Pants Daughter; daughters, Ida Irving; brother, Tom Irving; and sisters, Sarah Denetclaw and Ella Denetclaw. Pallbearers were Calvin Cardy, Paul Irving, Merlin Irving, James Jay Irving, Steve Mose and Ray Tsosie. Tse Bonito Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. December 17, 2003 Gilbert Tolino Sr. ALBUQUERQUE - Services for Gilbert Tolino Sr., 61, will be 10 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 18 at First United Methodist Church, Gallup. Pastor Neil Forester and Rev. Jimmy Etsitty both will officiate. Burial will follow at Tohatchi Community Cemetery. Tolino Sr. died Dec. 12 in Albuquerque. He was born Dec. 10, 1942 in Coyote Canyon into the Bitter Water People Clan for the Folded Arms People Clan. Tolino Sr. graduated from Wingate High School in 1962 and attended Haskell Indian Junior College, where he obtained carpentry skills. He served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany. He was employed with Gallup Indian Medical Center, as a driver/interpreter. Survivors include his wife, Sadie A. Tolino of Albuquerque; sons, Gilbert Tolino Jr. of Albuquerque and Delvin Tolino of Chinle, Ariz.; daughter, Gerilyn Tolino of Albuquerque; mother, Isabell Tolino of Coyote Canyon; brothers, Albert Tolino of Crownpoint, Eugene Tolino of Gallup and Rick Tolino of Red Rock; sisters, Coleen Tolino of Rehoboth, Darlene Smith of Iyanbito, Florina Keeto of Naschitti, Mildred Dial and Marie Leander both of Albuquerque; and two grandchildren. Tolino Sr. was preceded in death by his father, Tom Tsosie Tolino; and grandfather, Bah Silversmith. Pallbearers will be Gilbert Tolino Jr., Delvin Tolino, Jonathan Tolino, Albert Tolino, Eugene Tolino and Rick Tolino. The family will receive friends and relatives after the burial services at Coyote Canyon Chapter House. Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Johnny Kenny Curtis Jr. FORT DEFIANCE, Ariz. - Graveside services for Johnny Curtis Jr., 38, will be 10 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 18 at family plot, Kinlichee, Ariz. Father Will McCue will officiate. Curtis Jr. died Dec. 13 in Phoenix. He was born April 10, 1965 in Cross Canyon into the Towering House People Clan for the Near the Water People Clan. Curtis Jr. graduated from Window Rock High School and attended trade school in electronics. He was employed as a BIA Forestry firefighter. His hobbies included hiking, traveling and arts & crafts. Survivors include his parents, Bessie and Johnny Curtis Sr.; brothers, Fernando Curtis of Phoenix, Leroy, Jefferson and Carlton Curtis of Fort Defiance; sisters, Nancy Curtis of Tse Yo Tah and Barbara Curtis of Kinlichee, Ariz.; and grandparents, Molly and Jim Yazzie, Glen Bah Curtis and Ford Kee. Pallbearers will be Jefferson Curtis, Leroy Curtis, Daniel Murphy, Robert Yazzie, Harvey Yazzie and Harry Yazzie. The family will receive friends and relatives after the burial services at Kinlichee Chapter House. Tse Bonito Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Denzil Duane Eskeets GALLUP - Services for Denzil Eskeets, infant, will be announced at a later date. Eskeets died Dec. 14 in Gallup. He was born Sept. 17 in Gallup into the Towering House People Clan for the Red Running into the Water People Clan. Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. December 19, 2003 Joe Johnson Jr. STANDING ROCK - Services for Joe Johnson Jr., 52, will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, at First Baptist Church. Pastor Neil Forester will officiate. Burial will follow at Crownpoint Community Cemetery. Johnson Jr. died Dec. 15 in Standing Rock. He was born Nov. 17, 1951, in Standing Rock into the Salt People Clan for the Towering House People Clan. Johnson Jr. graduated from Crownpoint High School in 1972. He served in the U.S. Army. His hobbies included kachina carving, watching videos and reading. Survivors include his daughters, Shawnmarie Johnson of Flagstaff, Ariz.; parents, Joe Paul and Sarah Arviso Johnson of Standing Rock; brothers, Jackson Johnson of Rehoboth, Larry Johnson and Jerry Johnson both of Standing Rock; sisters, Rena J. Wood Canoncito and Lucinda J. Lee of Albuquerque; grandparents, Eleanor Arviso and Mary Johnson both of Crownpoint; and one grandchild. Johnson Jr. was preceded in death by his daughter, Lisa Marie; sister, Genevieve; brother, Bobby; and grandfathers, Billy Arviso and John Johnson. Pallbearers will be Ricky Begay, David Johnson, Fredrick Smith, Elmer Johnson, Phillip Smith and Jackson Johnson. The family will receive friends and relatives after the burial services at Nahodishgish Chapter House. Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements. John Leman Sr. FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - Services for John Leman Sr., 73, will be 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Lower Greasewood, Ariz. Raymond Pooley will officiate. Burial will follow on family land in Lower Greasewood. Leman Sr. was born Jan. 1, 1930, in Lower Greasewood into the Honey Comb Rock People Clan for the Towering House People Clan. He was a veteran of the Korean War. Survivors include his wife, Alta Reid Leman; son, John Leman Jr.; daughters, Janice Wilson and Janet Hood; brother, Eugene Leman; sisters, Clara Pooley, Mary Day and Ethel Leman; six grandchildren; and two great- grandchildren. Leman Sr. was preceded in death by his parents, Florence and Tachinee Begay Leman; Leroy Leman; and brothers, Paul Lowman Sr., Harry Lowman Sr., Clarence Leman, Richard Leman. Pallbearers will be John Leman Jr., Vincent John Hood, Spencer Wilson, Bruce Lowman, Alex Lowman and Harry Hood. The family will receive friends and relatives after the burial services at Lower Greasewood Chapter House. Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Janice Ann Johnson NAVAJO, N.M. - Services for Janice Johnson, 46, will be 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 19, at St. Mary, Tohatchi. John Mittiestad will officiate. Burial will follow at Lone Pine, Mexican Springs. Johnson died Dec. 14 in Fort Defiance, Ariz. She was born April 29, 1957, in Fort Defiance into the Red Running into the Water People Clan for the Salt People Clan. Johnson attended TVI, Albuquerque. His hobbies included beadwork, NAC, pow-wows, bingo, traveling and arts and crafts. Survivors include his parents, Ned K. Johnson Sr. of Navajo, N.M.; brothers, Ned K. Johnson Jr. of Crownpoint and Everett Johnson Jr. of Navajo; sisters, Geneva Johnson of Albuquerque, Judith Chischilly, Katherine Upshaw and Nedra Johnson all of Navajo; and grandparents, Ahanabah Etsitty, Jim Etsitty of Mexican Springs, Lilly and Tom Johnson of Dalton Pass. Johnson was preceded in death by his mother, Ellen; and grandparent, Ahanabah and Jim Etsitty. Pallbearers will be Ned Johnson Jr., Everett Johnson Sr., Everett Johnson Jr., Elmer Johnson, Leslie Upshaw and Donald Norton. Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements. December 22, 2003 Effie S. Lewis TSA YA TOH - Services for Effie Lewis, 69, will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 23, at Grace Baptist Church, Mentmore. Christian Watchman will officiate. Lewis died Dec. 17 in Tsa Ya Toh. She was born Aug. 14, 1934, in Tsa Ya Toh into the Black Streak People Clan for the Towering House People Clan. Lewis was a self-employed silversmith, rugweaver, rancher and member of the NAC, medicine woman. Survivors include her mother, Rose Spencer Smith; brothers, Arthur, Guy and Pete Sr.; and sisters, Priscilla Long, Ella Peters and Florence Baldwin. Lewis was preceded in death by her husband, Charlie Lewis; father, Albert Smith; brothers, Deeroy and Wilbert Smith; and sisters, Ruby and Maxine Smith. Pallbearers will be Eric Baldwin, Tom Begay, Guy Smith Sr., Dan O'Kee, Samual O'Kee and Allen O'Kee. The family will receive friends and relatives after the burial services at Tsa Ya Toh Chapter House. Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Larry Nez COTTONWOOD, Ariz. - Services for Larry Nez, 44, will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 22, at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church. Father Blain will officiate. Burial will follow at Black Mountain Community Cemetery. Nez died in Gallup. He was born Feb. 14, 1959, in Ganado, Ariz., into the Tse nji kinni People Clan for the Tohdichiiny People Clan. Nez attended Cottonwood Day School and Chinle High School. He was employed with various construction companies in road and maintenance construction and a member of the NAC. Survivors include his sons, McGerald Nez and Wilkerson Begay; daughters, Valerita Nez, Larietta Nez and Lucinda Nez; parents, Helen Francis and John Nez; brothers, Roger Nez, Steven Jon Nez, David Peter Nez and James Badonie; and sisters, Ellen T. Yazzie, Irene E. Nez, Louise E. Todacheeny, Rose E. Francis and Sally E. Kee. Nez was preceded in death by his grandparents, Din Tsosi and Bah Tsosie. Pallbearers will be Roger Nez, Steven Jon Nez, David P. Nez, James Badonie, Gilbert Tso and Clifford Keams. The family will receive friends and relatives after the burial services at Cottonwood Chapter House. Tse Bonito Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Dade Morgan WOODSPRINGS, Ariz. - Graveside services for Dade Morgan were 10 a.m. today in Ganado, Ariz. Father Flann officiated. Morgan was born into the Bitter Water People Clan for the Edge of the Water People Clan. Morgan was a rugweaver, storyteller, medicine woman and homemaker. Her hobbies included cooking, sheepherding and Navajo stick games. Survivors include her son, Jimmy Morgan; daughters, Helen Watchman of Cross Canyon, Ariz., Mary L. Smith of Seattle, Rose Jumbo, Martha George, Ruby Morgan all of Woodsprings; sisters, Mae Curley and Ilene Chico of Kinlichee, Ariz.; 34 grandchildren; 75 great-grandchildren; and 16 great- great grandchildren. Morgan was preceded in death by her husband, Kee Morgan; sons, Leo and Michael Morgan; daughter, Margaret Morgan; parents, Jim Morgan and Ason Todich'ii'ni; brother, Francis Morgan and sister, Yitn'nibah Morgan. Pallbearers were Peterson Morgan, Shane J. George, Lambert C. Watchman, Edison Morgan, Mike Morgan and George Morgan. Helen E. Kanyid GALLUP - Services for Helen Kanyid, 80, were 10 a.m. today at Sacred Heart Cathedral. Father James Walker officiated. Burial followed at Sunset Memorial Park. Kanyid died Dec. 19 in Gallup. She was born Jan. 3, 1923, in Brogan, Ore. Kanyid was employed with the BIA, Chuska Boarding School. Survivors include her brother, Louis Kanyid of Huntington, Ore.; and sisters, Carol DeBlieck of Boise, Idaho, Ann Kanyid of Tillamook, Ore., Ethel Nelson of Seattle. Kanyid was preceded in death by her parents, Lydia and Joseph Kanyid; and sister, Rose Filatz . Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Jacob Yazzie THOREAU - Services for Jacob Yazzie, 70, will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 23, at Thoreau Church of God, Thoreau. Florence Barker will officiate. Burial will follow in Thoreau. Yazzie was born May 15, 1933, in Rehoboth into the Saline Water People Clan for the Black Streak of the Forest People Clan. Yazzie was employed with the Fort Wingate Army Depot; Frances Stanley, Co.; Merlen Burns JF Quimby Febco Mine; Santa Fe Railroad and Rock Mountain Mine. Survivors include his wife, Bessie S. Yazzie; sister, Lorena Boyd; 50 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Yazzie was preceded in death by his parents, Tulley Yazzie and Yanabah Yazzie Begaye; brothers, Howard Yazzie and Lee Tully Yazzie; and sister, Jeanette Yazzie. Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Copyright c. 2003 the Gallup Independent. -=-=-=- December 19, 2003 LaFale Emmett Washakie FORT WASHAKIE - Traditional Indian funeral services for LaFale Emmett Washakie, 57, will be conducted at 2 p.m. today, Dec. 20, in Rocky Mountain Hall in Fort Washakie by Harrison Shoyo Jr. Interment will be in Sacajawea Cemetery. He died Dec. 14, 2003, in Hardin, Mont. Born Sept. 19, 1947, in Fort Washakie, he was the son of Isaac and Daisey (Perry) Washakie; attended school there and Chilico, Okla., Indian School; and lived most of his life on the Wind River Indian Reservation, before moving to Hardin. He was a rancher and enjoyed leatherwork; working with horses; rodeo; and being with family and friends. Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth Sandra Tillman of Fort Washakie; brother, Oren Washakie of Fort Hall, Idaho; two sisters, Lucille Washakie of Ogden, Utah, and Judith Chippewa of Fort Hall; two stepsons, Nathan Tillman and Willis Shavehead, both of Fort Washakie; two daughters, Collette Tillman and Tubita Shavehead, both of Fort Washakie; five aunts; four uncles; two grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, June and Abby Washakie; three brothers, Leonard, Cecil and Eugene Washakie; and grandparents, Dewey Washakie Sr. and Marie Chavez. Wind Dancer Funeral Home of Fort Washakie is in charge of arrangements. December 22, 2003 Philomena Mae Lujan ST. STEPHENS - Funeral services for Casper and Wind River Indian Reservation resident Philomena Mae Lujan, 73, will be conducted at 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 22, in St. Stephens Catholic Church. Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. today, Dec. 21, at Davis Funeral Home of Riverton. A wake will follow in Eagle Hall in St. Stephens. A resident of Casper since February, she died Dec. 15, 2003, at Central Wyoming Hospice's Cara Lou Chapman Home here. Born March 25, 1930, in Arapahoe, she was the daughter of Gregory Dean Blackburn and Syrene Black; and attended St. Stephens School and Flandreau, S.D., Indian School. She lived in the Arapahoe and Riverton areas for 50 years and Casper for 23 years. In 1963, she married Tony E. Lujan in Casper. The couple later divorced. A homemaker and custodian, she was a volunteer for the Salvation Army and Head Start. She was a member of the Roman Catholic faith, she attended non- denominational services at Life Care Center of Casper; read the Bible; and participated in Native American ceremonies. Her interests included basketball; reading; all family functions; singing, dancing, and playing the piano; movies; and crafts. Survivors include her former husband of Colorado; two sons, Gregory D. Sanchez of Richland, Wash., and Paul Mark Lujan of Fort Washakie; four adopted sons, Mike and Steve McNaughton, both of Casper, and Lyle Quiver and Eddie Quiver Jr.; six daughters, Frieda Blackburn, Frances A. Robinson, Brenda D. Lujan Farris of Casper, Paula L. Lujan Hernandez, Antoina C. Lujan Antelope and Sharon M. Lujan; four adopted daughters, Joella, Brenda, Lila and Darlene Quiver; 27 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; brother, John Blackburn; three adopted brothers, Burton Hutchinson of Ethete and Mervin and Lyle Black; two sisters, Lucille Headley, and LaVerne White of Ethete; adopted sister, Agnes Ortiz; an aunt; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents; four siblings, Mary Elsie Arthur, Louise Lujan, Loretta Headley and Richie Black; longtime companion, Edlore Quiver Sr.; and two children, Sherette Blackburn and Maria Sanchez. Memorials may be made to Central Wyoming Hospice Program, Cara Lou Chapman Home, 319 S. Wilson, Casper, WY 82601. Copyright c. 2003 Casper Star-Tribune published by Lee Publications, Inc., a subsidiary of Lee Enterprises, Incorporated. -=-=-=- December 17, 2003 David O. Little Head WOLF POINT - David O. Little Head, 52, of Wolf Point, passed away Dec. 15, 2003, in Bismarck, N.D. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the United Dakota Presbyterian Church. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel is in charge. December 21, 2003 Bill Bigheadman ASHLAND - Bill Bigheadman, 86, died Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2003, at Crow- Northern Cheyenne Nursing Home in Crow Agency. Wake service is at 7 p.m. Monday at St. Labre Catholic Church near Ashland. Funeral service is at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the church. Burial is in St. Labre Cemetery. Rausch Funeral Home is in charge. Copyright c. The Billings Gazette, a division of Lee Enterprises. -=-=-=- Golden Triangle On-Line Obituaries The following obituaries appeared in the Cut Bank Pioneer Press, Shelby Promoter, Valierian or Glacier Reporter this week. December 18, 2003 Henry George 'Wayne' Evans Jr. Henry George "Wayne" Evans Jr., 66, of Heart Butte, a laborer, died of natural causes Thursday, Dec. 11, 2003 at a Great Falls hospital. His funeral was 12 noon Tuesday, Dec. 16 at St. Anne's Catholic Church, with burial in Evans Cemetery at Badger Creek. Day Funeral Home is handling arrangements. He was born in Browning and raised in Badger Creek. He graduated from Flandreau Indian School in 1957 and graduated from Haskell Junior Indian College in Lawrence, Kan., and graduated from UK. He worked as a carpenter in New York City helping build the World Trade Center, also as a truck driver, police officer and for TWIP. He enjoyed arts, crafts and reading. He loved his home at Badger Creek and enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren. He had many friends and everyone was always welcome at his home. Survivors include a daughter, Frances Evans of Heart Butte; sons Henry "Hank" Evans III, Hiram "Jones" Evans and Virgil Calf Boss Ribs; sisters Carmelita Evans Black Crow, Mary Evans and Annie Evans; brothers LeRoy "Sarge" Evans and Patrick Evans; and eight grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Jordan Evans. Justin Lee Frank Justin Lee Frank arrived Sunday, Dec. 7, at Providence St. Peter's Hospital, without opening his eyes to this world. Born there to his mother, Marie Frank of Olympia, in serene peace, he brought forth a fully formed handsomeness, featuring chubby cheeks and thick black hair, which he now carries to his long journey in the spirit world. Justin Lee was welcomed with love and preciously held by his mother Marie and his large loving family of grandparents, great grandparents, aunts and uncles from the Franks Landing Indian community and the Puyallup, Nisqually and Blackfeet tribal nations on the arrival for his first goodbyes. Justin's return to the Spirit World was celebrated at private graveside services for him and his large extended family and their close friends among the several tribal communities Wednesday, Dec. 10, at Leschi Indian Cemetery, Washington. His resting place was in the warmth and company of those placed for his great grandmother, Norma McCloud Frank, Aunt Maureen, Cousin QaBaQuod and great great grandparents Angeline and Willie Frank Sr., all of whom preceded him in death. A farewell dinner was served following the graveside services. The baby Justin Lee Frank is survived by his mother, Marie; her parents, Toni Lynn and Tobin James "Sugar" Frank; and his uncle, Tobin Joseph W. Weatherwax Frank; all of the family home in Olympia; another uncle, Chauncey Birdtail Frank of Harlem; great grandparents Joseph and Charlotte Weatherwax of Browning; Mary Miles Frank of Tacoma, Washington; Billy Frank Jr. of Olympia; and numerous cousins and great aunts and great uncles. Funeral arrangements were provided by Mills and Mills Funeral Directors of Olympia. Dylan Pease Dylan Marcus Pease, 13, of Browning, died Monday, Dec. 15, 2003 at a Browning hospital of respiratory complications. Funeral services are Friday, Dec. 19 at 2 p.m. at the Calvary Assembly of God with burial at After Buffalo Cemetery. Pease was born in Billing on Oct. 10, 1990 and was raised in Billings and Browning. He attended KW Bergen and Vina Chattin Schools in Browning. He enjoyed listening to music, singing, going to movies and playing with his cousins. He loved attention from everyone around him. He is survived by his parents Debra Upham of Browning and Greg Pease of Billings, sisters Leslie Drapeau of Omaha, Neb. and Janell Tsosie of Browning, brothers Sundance Ants of Billings and Dee Salois of Billings, grandparents Elizabeth Wells and William Upham both of Browning and Myron Pease and Katherine Harris both of Billings. Roy Johnson Roy Stanley Johnson, 59, of Dupuyer, died Sunday, Dec. 14, 2003 in a motor vehicle accident northwest of Dupuyer. Funeral mass will be Friday, Dec. 19 at 11 a.m. at St. Anne's Catholic Church in Heart Butte. The Pondera Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. He was born in Browning on May 26, 1944 to Frank and Lizibeth (Hall) Johnson. He graduated from Valier High School in 1963. Johnson served in the United States Army from 1965 to 1967. His military service included 13 months in Korea during the Vietnam War. He married Shirley Songrat in 1968 and they had two children, Laurie Ann and Brian Neil. They later divorced. On July 13, 1984, he married Janet Tresch and they had four sons, Jason Ross, Andrew David, Marvin Francis and Paul Stanley. Throughout his life he worked for a number of ranches, the BIA, the Blackfoot Tribe, and on his own ranch near Swift Dam. Roy and Janet owned and operated the North Trails Trading Post in Dupuyer. His many loves included hunting, roping, riding and breaking horses, working cows, leatherwork and artwork. Roy performed at many community dances where he sang and played his guitar, fiddle and mandolin. He loved most of all spending time with his family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Janet of Dupuyer, his daughter Laurie (Francis) Boy of Heart Butte, his sons Brian Johnson of Conrad, Jason (Amanda) Johnson of Fayetteville, N.C., Andrew, Marvin and Paul all of Dupuyer, his parents Frank and Liz Johnson of Dupuyer, his sister, Francyn (Jay) Hardman of Birch Creek, six grandchildren, Katlyn, Frances and Frank Boy, Travis, Brianna and Whitney Johnson, his aunts Marie and Mary and numerous cousins. He was preceded in death by his Aunt Ruth, his Aunt Dorothy and her family. Copyright c. 2003 Golden Triangle Newspapers. -=-=-=- December 18, 2003 Diane Rose Russette ROCKY BOY - Diane Rose Russette, 39, of Rocky Boy, who attended business college and loved beading, cooking and making quilts for her family, died of kidney failure Tuesday at a Great Falls hospital. Her wake is in progress at the Rocky Boy Lutheran Church. Rosary was 7 p. m. Wednesday. Funeral service is 10 a.m. today at the church with burial in the Russette Family Cemetery. Holland and Bonine Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Survivors include her parents Calvin and Carol (Caplette) Russette; children Heather Oats and Jamison Russette; and sisters Linda Oats and Kellie Bacon, all of Rocky Boy. December 21, 2003 Anthony 'Lil Butch' Arrow Top Knot BROWNING - Anthony "Lil Butch" Arrow Top Knot, 17, of Browning, an 11th- grade student, died of stab wounds Dec. 13 at a Seattle hospital. His rosary service is 7 p.m. this evening at Starr School Gym. His funeral is 1 p.m. Monday at the gym, with burial in Willow Creek Cemetery. Day Funeral Home of Cut Bank is handling arrangements. Survivors include his father, Butch Arrow Top of Browning and his mother, Donna Found A Gun of Portland; sisters Renee Marceau and Jacinda Old Chief, both of Browning; brothers Chris Arrow Top Knot, Orland Arrow Top Knot, Adrain Arrow Top Knot, Clifton DeRoche, Justin DeRoche, Jay Old Chief and Jeremy Found A Gun; and his grandparents Clara Found A Gun and Pat Kennedy. Copyright c. 2003 Great Falls Tribune, a division of Lee Enterprises. -=-=-=- December 16, 2003 Michael 'Teddy Bear' Stanger POLSON - Michael "Teddy Bear" George Stanger died in an auto accident Sunday, Dec. 14, 2003, near Ronan. Mike was born on Dec. 14, 1963, in Polson to Francis Stanger and Martina Quequesuh Stanger. He graduated in 1983 from Polson High School. Later on he went to school and obtained his commercial driver's license to become a truck driver. Among his many hobbies, he loved stock-car racing, short drives, motorbike riding, going into the woods, powwows (he was a security guard at all of the Fourth of July powwows), visiting and telling stories, hunting, country and western music, and TV wrestling. He liked to go to St. Regis on an occasional ride because it made him feel real good to change country. His two boys were the love of his life. He especially loved his nephews Donald and Frank Jr. and his niece Beverly Miller. He also had a special love for numerous other family members. He was very close to his brother Frank and his sister Amelia Stanger Iukes. He had a special place in his Spirit for his sister-in-law Darla. And he never forgot his older brothers either. His work included post and poling, Christmas treeing and cutting firewood. He worked for Smith Construction, did farm work around the Flathead Valley, was an MIF firefighter at the Hungry Horse Ranger Station and worked for Tribal Maintenance. He was last working for the Salish and Kootenai Housing Authority with the lawn maintenance crew. He liked to brag that "I did it all!" Simple things made him happy. A special note: "This house will never go hungry." Survivors include his father Francis Stanger and wife Tiny of Lonepine; brother Frank Stanger, his wife Darla and their children Donald, Frank Jr. and Beverly, all of Polson; sister Amelia Iukes of Washington; brothers Francis Auld of Elmo, Adrian Mahseelah of Arlee and Adrian McKee (Ronnie Stanger) of Polson; and his two boys, William and Mikel Stanger of Pablo. He was married to Geraldine Gardipe (his "Amy") and was engaged to his future wife, Cheryl Gardipe, both of Pablo. His mother-in-law is Margaret Gardipe. He is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles and cousins - too many to name. Pallbearers will be Dan Gardipe, Charles Gardipe, Wes Carpenter, Vernon "Hungry" Christopher, Gale Hendrickx, Chris Carpenter and P.J. Finley. Honorary pallbearers will be Archy Carpenter, Scotty Gardipe, Robert Little Boy, Arnold Little Boy, John Hendrickx, Vanessa and Tasha Baker, Vic Matt, Joe Butler, Robert Two Teeth, George Mitchell and Steve Iukes Jr. He was preceded in death by his mother Martina Quequesuh Stanger, daughter Tina Stanger, brother Isaac Adams, brother Billy Stanger, brother Bobby Morigeau, and numerous aunts, uncles, nephews and nieces. The wake began Monday evening at the Mission Long House in St. Ignatius, where a rosary service will be held at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16. Wake closing will begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday followed by Mass at the St. Ignatius Catholic Mission at 11 a.m. Burial will be at the old Polson Cemetery. Foster & Durgeloh Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. December 17, 2003 Thomas Basil Malatare RONAN - Thomas Basil Malatare, 36, went to join the Ancestors on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2003, from injuries received in an auto accident. He was born May 28, 1967, in St. Ignatius, to Louise Andrew and Tom Malatare. Thomas was a member of the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes and enjoyed traveling the pow-wow trail, dancing, singing and visiting old and new friends, playing pool and being with his mother. Thomas was a happy and loveable person who enjoyed life and was loved by all his family. He will also be remembered for being the Chief mascot for the Ronan Chiefs. He was preceded in death by his parents Tom Malatare and his mother Louise Andrew who passed away in the same accident; a sister, Mary Malatare; nephews Murry Malatare and Barney Finley; grandparents Mary StandingRock and Abraham Malatare and Ann Mary and Basil LeftHand. Survivors include his adopted dad, Phillip Paul; son Jonathan Basil Malatare and stepdaughter Anista'ia Tatsuma; siblings Doug Malatare and Rose Villa of Browning, Louie Malatare of Yakima, Wash., Dianne Andrew of Billings, Carolyn Madplume of Heart Butte, Pierre Malatare of Ronan, Harriett Malatare of Pablo, Paul Malatare of Arlee and brother Larry Old Horn; as well as a large and extended family of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends in Missoula. A wake began Tuesday at the family home in Woodcock near Ronan with the rosary being recited at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17, at the Longhouse in St. Ignatius. Traditional funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Longhouse. Interment will be at the Jocko Cemetery. Louise 'Sister' Andrew RONAN - Louise "Sister" Andrew, 58, went to join the Ancestors on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2003, from injuries received in an auto accident. Born July 2, 1945, in Dixon, to Ann Mary Finley and Paul Andrew. She was raised and educated at the Ursulines in St. Ignatius and in Helena. Sister was a member of the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes and had worked for them as a homemaker, as well picking fruit in Hamilton when she was younger. She also had been one of the Missoulian paper delivery people and had most recently been working at JORE. She enjoyed camping at pow-wow, drumming, singing and playing stickgame. She also loved bingo and keno and most recently Super Nintendo which she would play with grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends whom she loved so much. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Tom Malatare; a daughter, Mary Malatare; and her son, Thomas Basil Malatare who passed in the same accident; grandsons Barney Finley and Edward and Albert MadPlume; sisters Annie SmallSalmon, Rose Chalwain and Mary Sherwood; brother John Woodcock; stepbrother Sam LeftHand; and stepsister Corky LeftHand. Survivors include daughters Dianna Andrew, Carolyn MadPlume, Harriett Malatare; sons Pierre Malatare and Paul Malatare; stepchildren Louie and Doug Malatare and Rose Villa; adopted children, Charlie Woods, Floyd "Tinyman" HeavyRunner; brothers Peter Andrew and Frank Andrew; stepbrothers Nick, Basil Jr., August and Vic Lefthand; sisters Susan Dowdall and Pooyah Lefthand; stepsisters Theresa LeftHand, Sarah Buffton, Ruby Lefthand, Amelia Clairmont; an aunt Louise Finley; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; as well as a large and extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends; and Lovey. A wake began Tuesday at the family home in Woodcock near Ronan with the rosary being recited at 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Longhouse in St. Ignatius. Traditional funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Longhouse. Interment will be at the Jocko Cemetery. Copyright c. 2003 Missoulian, a division of Lee Enterprises. -=-=-=- December 16, 2003 MARY DENNY ROCKY BOY - Mary A. Denny, 82, a full blood Chippewa from Turtle Mountain, N.D., died Sunday, Dec. 14, 2003, at a Great Falls hospital of natural causes. A wake service began at 4 p.m. Monday at the Rocky Boy Lutheran Church. A funeral service was scheduled for 10 a.m. today at the Rocky Boy Lutheran Church with the Rev. Pete Guthneck officiating. Burial was to be held at the Rocky Boy Cemetery. Mary was born on Oct. 31, 1922, in Denseth, N.D., to Joseph and Mary Rose (Peltier) Skinner. She was raised and educated in Denseth. She met Jim Chandler and the couple was married in 1937. They made their home at Rocky Boy. Jim died and she later met Walter Denny and they were married in 1948. They remained in Rocky Boy. Mary worked in Portland, Ore., during World War II as a welder in the ship yards. Mary enjoyed many things, such as beading, powwows, bingo and playing stick games. She most of all loved her grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Mary Rose (Peltier) Skinner; husband, Jim Chandler; second husband, Walter Denny; granddaughter, Shirlin Woods; and grandson, Randy Jay Chandler Sr. Survivors include her sons, Alfred (Retha) Chandler and Alex Denny, both of Rocky Boy; daughters, Shirley (Tony) Woods and Shelia Bennette, both of Great Falls, Eunice Parrish of North Carolina and Ona Lee Denny Billy of Great Falls; 14 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren. Arrangements are under the direction of Holland and Bonine Funeral Home. Copyright c. 2003 Havre Daily News. -=-=-=- December 20, 2003 Peter Calugan, 78 Anchorage Longtime Alaska resident Peter Calugan, 78, died Dec. 17, 2003, at his home in Anchorage. A visitation will be at noon, with a memorial service at 1 p.m. today at Witzleben Funeral Home 1707 S. Bragaw St. The Rev. Roger Holmberg will officiate. He will be buried in Sand Point. Mr. Calugan was born June 7, 1925, in Unga on the Aleutian Chain. He was raised in Unga and started fishing at the age of 5. This was the start of a lifelong career as a commercial fisherman. On Aug. 18, 1959, he married his wife, Pauline. Together they raised three boys. In 1956, the family moved to Sand Point, where he continued fishing. His family said: "Peter was a successful fisherman and had no plans to retire. He enjoyed visiting with fellow fisherman and spending time with his family. "Peter Calugan was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He will be greatly missed by all of his family and friends throughout Alaska. He enjoyed teaching his grandchildren the ins and outs of commercial fishing. His presence on the boat will be missed by all." Mr. Calugan was preceded in death by his sister Isabelle Anderson. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Pauline Calugan; stepsons and their wives, Lawrence and Betty Calugan, Carl and Laura Calugan, all of Anchorage, and Arnold Calugan of Hawaii; 10 grandchildren and two great- grandchildren; siblings and their spouses, Pauline and Norman Rupert of Klamath Falls, Ore., and Alexander and Eugenia Calugan of Anchorage; and many other relatives. Witzleben Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. William Akers, 56 Anchorage Lifelong Alaskan William H. Akers, 56, died Dec. 16, 2003, of cancer at his family's home in Anchorage. Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m., with a Mass at 2 p.m. Monday at Holy Family Cathedral. Pallbearers will be Chuck Akers, Tim Akers, Russell Akers, Mike Akers and Joe "Sonny" Venus. Burial and a reception will be July 3 in Emmonak. Mr. Akers was born Jan. 1, 1947, in Trap Line, north of the Kuskokwim River. He lived in McGrath from 1947 to 1948, Cordova from 1948 to 1955, Marshall from 1956 to 1960, Chuloonawick from 1960 to 1978 and in Emmonak since 1978. He graduated from high school and attended Haskell Junior College. Mr. Akers was a fish processor and fisherman in Chuloonawick since 1970. He was affiliated with the Catholic Church. Mr. Akers was elected to the Alaska House of Representatives in 1976 and served in the legislature for two sessions in 1977 and 1978. Mr. Akers' family wrote: "Billy Akers was fun to be with. His word was gold, whether it was given as a member of the state Legislature or as a friend in his everyday life. You could count on Bill, you could count on his word. He was dedicated to raising his 'kids' in the Yukon Delta." Mr. Akers is survived by his girlfriend, Angela Kamkoff; brothers, Charles Akers, Tim Akers, Russell Akers and Michael Akers; daughters, Debra Onalik and her husband, Frank Noatak Sr., Naomi Akers and her fiance, Andrew Sunio, and Bambi Akers and her son, Thomas Akers; grandchildren, Shannon Frank Jr., Nettie Noatak, Logan Sunio, Kayce Akers and Arnold Echo; nieces, Karrie Friday of Anchorage and Katherine Nilson of Portland, Ore. Arrangements by Kehl's Forest Lawn Mortuary. December 21, 2003 Rosie Rabideau, 53 Anchorage Anchorage resident Rosie Marie Rabideau, 53, died Dec. 18, 2003, at a local assisted living home after a short fight with cancer. A celebration of her life is set for 3 p.m. today at 7514 E. 17th Ave. Viewing will be at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, 825 S. Klevin St., with services beginning at 2:30 p.m. Pallbearers will include Brian Vaughan, Richard Claunch, Max Rabideau, Ricky Claunch, Jim Hickel and Ray Labs. Ms. Rabideau was born Sept. 15, 1950, in Scammon Bay to Donald Teeluk and Martha Teeluk. She lived most of her life in Anchorage. Ms. Rabideau loved to visit her mother, ride the bus and talk with friends about life. Her hobbies were crocheting, doing crossword puzzles, berry picking, fishing, cooking, and learning about her traditional Yu'pik culture. She also loved camping. Ms. Rabideau graduated from Copper Valley High School in 1969. In 1984, she was married to Larry Hust, and they had a daughter in 1987. They later divorced, but maintained an amicable relationship, her family said. She married Max Rabideau about a couple years ago, and they also divorced. Ms. Rabideau was a member of Holy Family Cathedral. Her family wrote: "All will miss her radiant smile, unforgettable laugh and loving personality." She was preceded in death by her parents. Ms. Rabideau is survived by her daughter, Tasha Hust of Bakersfield, Calif.; sisters, Ursula Claunch of Anchorage, Angie Hickel of Kenai and Pauline Labs of Anchorage; and nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends. Arrangements were by Witzleben's Bragaw Chapel. Copyright c. 2003 The Anchorage Daily News. -=-=-=- December 16, 2003 Thomas Young Sr. Thomas Young Sr., 97, died Dec. 12 at SEARHC-Mt. Edgecumbe Hospital. A memorial Panikhida will be held at 6:30 p.m. today at St. Michael's Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Sitka. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17, at Sitka Memorial Park, and after the graveside service, a ceremony and luncheon will be held at the ANB Hall in Sitka. He was born on Apr. 15, 1906, in Klukwan, to Kindagein John Shorty and Sa.aaxw Frances Shorty. His Tlingit name was Kaajeetguxeex. He was a Raven Gaanaxteidi, Shungukeidi yado and Chookaneidi yadi. He originated from the Xixch Hit, or Frog House, in Klukwan and was the caretaker of the Salmon Hole House, the IshKa Hit. Later in life, he was adopted in the Luknax.adi by Annie Joseph. In 1918, he attended the Sitka Trading School, which later became Sheldon Jackson. Although he only formally completed the third grade, he learned to read charts and a compass at the age of nine. But he had a difficult time speaking English. He passed the Navy navigation tests during World War II while serving as a merchant mariner on an LST between Sitka and Kodiak. He became a navigator and commercial fisherman, fishing on his father's boat, the Necker Bay, and the Perseverance with Tom Sanders. In 1936, he bought the Helen H and fished it until retiring. He also owned a trolling boat, the Donna Joy. He was a lifelong member of the Alaska Native Brotherhood Camp 1 and the St. Gabriel and St. Michael Brotherhoods. He was also a shareholder of Sealaska and Shee Atika corporations. On Nov. 26, 1935, he married Charlotte Littlefield, the daughter of John and Annie Littlefield, at St. Michael's Cathedral. Married nearly 50 years, the couple had eight children. They also adopted Stan Filler, Russell James, Ed Mercer and Alla Kan to his extended family. In 1931, he, his brother John Young Jr. and their fathers, David Young, John Young Sr. and Charles Young Sr., built the Little Iceberg House, which was the Chookaneidi Tribal House in Sitka. He and his family shared a love for the Russian Orthodox Church. He did much of the finish carpentry with his own hands, including candle stands, altar doors, crosses, choir stands, shelves and tables. Most of his craftsmanship was made in the memory of loved ones who had passed away before him. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frances Shorty Young and John Young Sr.; wife, Charlotte Young; children, Lester Young, Pearl Widmark Dick and Henry Young; brothers, John Shorty and John A. Young Jr. (who was lost at sea); and sisters, Maude Jimmy, Agnes Price and Mary Young Paul. Along with the spouses and families of his children, he is survived by his nephews, Harry (Irene) Jimmy, Thomas Katzeek and Smith Katzeek and their families; nieces, Ruth Kaska and Trudy Wolfe and her family; and sister-in-law, Jessie Young and her children. Copyright c. 1999-2003 Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Inc. -=-=-=- December 17, 2003 Bernard Kapay KAPAY - Bernard (Bernie) Leslie Kapay passed away on Monday, December 15, 2003 at 4:55 PM with his family by his side, at the age of 69 years. Bernie was predeceased by his parents John and Hilda (Kinequon) Kapay on the Day Star First Nation; brothers and sisters Steven Kapay, Norman (Joyce) Kapay, Clifford Kapay, Pearl Kapay and Shirley Kapay. Leaving to cherish memories of Bernie are his best friend and companion Joan Buffalo; children Albert Scott (Frances), Judy Geddes (Glen), Richard, Karen (Dave) Bird, Vivian Pratt and Eugene, stepchildren; Eleanor, Rhonda (George), Arlene (John), Clayton (Theresa), and Shelly (Daniel); brother George (Bev) Kapay; sister Rachel (Glen) Buffalo, sister-in-law Shirley Kaypay, numerous nieces, nephews. Bernie had eleven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren as well as a large extended family. He was a great support to many people and communities. The Funeral will be held Friday, December 19, 2003 at 1:00 PM in the Day Star First Nation Band Hall, Rev. Arthur Anderson and Elders, officiating with burial to follow in the St. Peter"s Cemetery. The Wake will be held on Thursday, December 18, 2003 at 4:00 PM in the Day Star First Nation Band Hall. Arrangements are in the care of LEE FUNERAL HOME 757-8645. December 19, 2003 Leslie Prettyshield GODIN - On Wednesday, December 17, 2003, Mary Eveline Godin (nee Wapemoose), Cowessess First Nation, Sask., beloved wife of Norman Godin, died at the age of 62 years. The funeral service will be held in the Cowessess Old School Gym, Cowesses First Nation, Sask., on Saturday, December 20, 2003, at 2:00 p.m., elders officiating. Interment in the Wapemoose Cemetery. A wake will be held in the old school gym Friday evening. Predeceased by her parents Joseph (Shinaby) and Edna Wapemoose, brother Nick Wapemoose, one grandson George Ewenin, and three granddaughters; Joannie and Jessica Wapemoose and Jewel Ewenin. Mary is survived by her husband Norman Godin, Wawota, Sask., and her family: Debbie (Owen Delorme) Wapemoose, Cowessess First Nation, Sask.; Edna Wapemoose; Ronnie Ewenin and Jean (Fred) Cheekinew, all of Regina, Sask., twenty one grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren, one brother Jubilee Wapemoose, Cowessess First Nation, Sask., sisters: Flora Kinistino (Ernie), Kahkewistahaw, First Nation, Sask and Agnes Brown (Bob), Edmonton, Ab. as well as her nieces, nephews and cousins. Tubman Cremation & Funeral Services, 1-800-667-8962. December 22, 2003 Tasheena Rae-Ann Bear BEAR - Tasheena Rae-Ann. On December 20th 2003 Tasheena Rae-Ann Bear #19 (Iskwa Iskwew-"Budding Woman") received her call by the Creator to begin her journey to the Spirit World. She leaves to celebrate her life by all those whose lives she touched. Tasheena born March 25, 1983 was raised, nurtured and loved by her grandparents Andy Farkas and Eileen Farkas, her mother Heather, her Aunts Shelley (Patrick) of Martensville, Donna (Lindsay) of Pilot Butte, her Uncles John (Kelly) of Ochapowace, Rob (Shannon) of Fort Quappelle, Winston (Ann) of Chacachas, Ron (Elaine) Farkas of Moosmin and Darrell (Joan) Farkas of Okotoks, AB. "...my daughter, sister, niece all in one" "My love for Tasheena, it was great." She is survived by her siblings Nova Lee, Anthony, Robert and Kianna who she loved dearly. As well Tasheena will be missed by all her cousins who she was very proud of. Tasheena also leaves to mourn many aunts, uncles and special friends. Tasheena was an avid and competitive sports enthusiast, participating in fastball, basketball, volleyball and hockey winning numerous medals and awards. Tasheena embraced her First Nation Heritage which was exemplified by her participation in pow wows, cultural gathering, hunting and fishing. She enjoyed Scrabble and Kaiser which she took very seriously. Tasheena's family relinquishes her spirit freely to her spirit family including her maternal great grandparents Marlowe Kenny and Margaret Bear and paternal grandparents Andrew and Elizabeth Farkas. A traditional wake will be held December 23, 2003 at the Kakisheway School, Ochapowacs First Nation commencing at 4:00 p.m. The traditional feast will take place December 24, 2003 at 11:00 a.m. with a traditional funeral service to follow at the Kakisheway School. Interment will take place at the East Ochapowace Cemetery. Arrangements in care of ASSURANCE FUNERAL SERVICES, Weyburn, SK. Toll Free 1-866-822-5252 Tamara Kolodziejski. The Farkas and Bear Family would like to thank everyone for all the prayers and support shown through the difficult time. Meegwatch "Across the years I will walk you in deep green forests, on shores of sand and when our time on earth is through in heaven too you will hold my hand" Copyright c. 2000-2003 Regina Leader Post Group Inc. -=-=-=- December 17, 2003 Jason Young Pine-Weasel Head Our Creator has called home his beloved son MR. JASON BRADLEY YOUNG PINE-WEASEL HEAD - SIKAPIOHKITOPI of the Blood Reserve on Saturday, December 13, 2003 at the age of 29 years. Jason was born on August 9, 1974 to his loving parents Valentina Young Pine and Charlie (Rhonda) Weasel Head. He is the loving father of (his pride and joys) - Latrell, Kobe and Jaleel. He is also survived by special friend and companion, Stacey (Ty, Taylor, Kirby) First Rider; brothers & sisters - Lydia First Rider, Irene (Paul), Charles, Kendall, Robert and Roberta Young Pine, Cody (Allison), Darcy, Sharlee and Keston Weasel Head; nephews - Dustin, Dalton, Zachary; nieces - Mariah, Anesia, Kenzie, Kaitlyn and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, relatives and friends. Jason was predeceased by his maternal grandparents - Raymond & Kathleen Young Pine and paternal grandparents - Charlie & Irene Weasel Head numerous other relatives, special friend - Ben Calf Robe. Jason attended his elementary years in Edmonton, AB and then attended Kainai Jr. & Sr. High on the Blood Reserve and graduated in 1993. He completed the 2nd Year Physical Education Program and received certificates for Levels I and II Theory (Basketball Coach) at Medicine Hat College in 1996 and then attended Red Crow Community College to further his education in 1997. Jason gained extensive experience working with: Blood Tribe Youth Ranch, Sik-Ooh-Kotoki Friendship Society, Kainai Community Corrections, Alberta Future Leaders Program, Blood Tribe Emergency Services, and St. Mary's Kainai High. He was accepted at Lakehead University - Thunder Bay, Ontario for Fall 2004 into the Nursing Program. Jason was a very caring, respectful and fun natured person. His smile and laughter always brightened our day, especially the way he teased each and every one of us a certain way. Jason always went out of his way to help others in any way he can, only to receive gratification knowing he's made their day a little easier. In 1995, Jason decided to make that important move to connect with our Lord Jesus Christ by making his Cursillo on the Blood Reserve. Jason's world revolved around his children, he loved to spend as much time as he could to bring them swimming, to the movie, to the park, and most importantly just to spend quality time with them. Jason's all time favorite sport was basketball, where War Party began. He also played with Medicine Hat Rattlers, St. Mary's Braves/Warriors. He played slo-pitch with the MC Sluggers, Stitch Rippers and the Dust Devils; football with St. Mary's Eagles/Warrior's. But most of all, Jason loved music; his dream was to play the guitar and sing for everyone. He used music to help him get through and understand life's challenges and wanted to be just like Allan Jackson. Jason will be sadly missed. He touched many hearts during his short time here on earth. His memory will live on forever in our hearts. A Candlelight Service will be held on Tuesday, December 16, 2003 at 4:00 P.M. A Wake Service will be held at ST. MARY'S IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH, Blood Reserve, on Thursday, December 18, 2003 from 7:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M. continuing at the Young Pine residence with Reverend Les Kwiatkowski O.M.I. officiating. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at ST. MARY'S IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH, Blood Reserve on Friday, December 19, 2003 at 1:00 P.M. with Reverend Les Kwiatkowski O.M.I. Celebrant. Cornerstone Funeral Home and Crematorium, 381-7777. December 19, 2003 Roy Tallow Sr. (Poonookastamihk) (June 02, 1940 - December 12, 2003) MR. ROY TALLOW SR., beloved husband of Mrs. Pauline Tallow of the Blood Reserve passed away peacefully at the Calgary Foothills Hospital after a lengthy illness on Friday, December 12, 2003 at the age of 63 years. Besides his devoted wife of 38 years, he is survived by five sons: Roy Jr. (Mariam) and their children, Lee Chief Moon, Myles, Annabel and Tyson; Randall and his son, Dustin; Ronald (Verna) and their children, Rustin, Ray and Ricky; youngest son Rudy and Richard Red Crow and his wife Glenda and children, Richie, Charles and Tye. Granddaughters, Lacey Heavy Runner and great grandson, Kenydon; Carlyn Heavy Runner and great grandson, Drayden. Special adopted son Al Black Water. Special nephew and niece Delbert and Sherri Crow Chief. His sister Joan (Joe) White Man Left and adopted sister, Adeline Singer. His brothers-in-laws and sisters-in-laws, Charles (Betty) Crow Chief, Mae (Pete Knife) Tallow, Leonard (Bernice) Old Shoes, Bernard (Rita) Tall Man, Andrew (Margaret) Weasel Fat, Stanley White Feathers, Fanny Weasel Fat, Marlene Heavy Shields and Florence Red Crow. Special cousins Alva Eli and Hazel Eagle Bear and close friends Rodney and Yvonne Big Crow of the Tssu T'ina Nation and his spiritual brother Gilbert and Barbara Crow Chief. First cousin, Chris Strangling Wolf and his wife Susan of the Siksika Nation. A large extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, all of the Blood Reserve, Siksika Nation and Tsuu T'ina Nation too numerous to mention but not forgotten. And his spiritual brothers and sisters of the Horn Society (Black Horse Society) and Bull Horn Cultural Society. He was predeceased by his parents Mark and Helen (Cochrane) Tallow brother, sisters, and brothers-in-laws: Cecil Tallow, Josephine and Wallace Oka, Andrew Allred and Dinah Red Crow, Louis and Rosaline Crow Chief, Morris and Queenie Shouting, and Della Crow Chief and a brother Nathan who passed away in infancy. Step-father, Henry Cochrane numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was raised in the Old Agency area with his parents. After the passing of his dad, he spent a lot of time with his close uncles and aunts Earl and Alice Willows and Bill and Lily Scout and their families in the Fish Creek community of the Blood Reserve. Along with his close cousin Hugh they enjoyed playing tricks, getting into mischief and generally giving their sisters a hard time. He attended St. Paul's Residential School and left at a young age to work at various farm and ranch jobs throughout southern Alberta. He spent a number of years working in the United States. On his return he worked as a carpenter for Kainai Industries and as a contractor for Blood Housing Authority, he later worked as a security guard at Blood Tribe Agricultural Project (BTAP) and retired due to his illness. Roy loved the outdoors always hunting, fishing and horseback riding. Spending time with his family was another passion, whether watching his sons play hockey or other sports, horseback riding or just playing games or horsing around, he was always there for his children. He was a gifted and talented artist, making traditional crafts and jewelry, some proudly displayed at his home. He was a member of the Horn Society for six years and Bullhorn Cultural Society. As the last paternal uncle, he will be greatly missed by all his nieces and nephews who loved him dearly. They all felt cherished and loved by his acts of kindness, warmth, and generosity. He loved to tease and share a good joke or funny story. His illness did not prevent him from attending family activities and gatherings. The Wake service will be held at ST. PAUL'S ANGLICAN CHURCH on Friday, December 19, 2003 from 7:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M. with Archdeacon Sidney Black officiating. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 20, 2003 at the ST. PAUL'S ANGLICAN CHURCH at 11:00 A.M. with Archdeacon Sidney Black officiating. Interment to follow at the St. Paul's Cemetery. Cornerstone Funeral Home and Crematorium, 381-7777. Copyright c. 2000 Alberta Newspaper Group, Inc./Lethbridge Herald.