From gars@speakeasy.org Thu Sep 23 23:01:26 2004 Date: Tue, 21 Sep 2004 15:54:09 -0700 From: Gary Night Owl To: Internet Recipients of Wotanging Ikche Subject: Wotanging Ikche--nanews12.039 _ __ _____ __ _ __ ___ ____ _ __ ___ ' ) / / ') / / ) ' ) ) / ) / ' ) ) / ) / / / / / / /--/ / / / ___ / / / / ___ (_(_/ (__/ ( / (_ / (_ (___/ '__/_ / (_ (___/ ' ____ _ , ___ _ , ___ / ' ) / / ) ' ) / / ' VOLUME 12, ISSUE 039 / /-< / /--/ /-- __/_ / ) (___/ / ( (___, WOTANGING IKCHE - Lakota - Common News Wotanging Ikche and Native American News Copyright c. 1996-2004 nanews.org Aboriginal/AmerIndian Perspective about the First Nations of Turtle Island September 25, 2004 Abenaki Skamonkas/corn maker moon Mvskogee Otowoskucee/little chestnut 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 speak a Native American language not listed above, please send us your words for "News of the People." We'd rather take up this whole page saving these few words of our hundreds of nations than present a nice clean banner in the language of the occupation forces who came here determined to replace our words with their own. 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; NDNAIM, RezLife and Sovereign Nations Mailing Lists; UUCP email; UUCP email 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: + -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- + ======================== "And here's the ultimate hypocrisy: Those same Department of Justice officials who have been chasing Martha Stewart, Ken Lay and Dennis Kozlowski are defending a level of financial malfeasance and fraud that is unheard of in the history of this country." __ Elouise Cobell, Blackfeet Nation ... refering to the Indian Trust Fund Case +- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -+ | 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! This week's editorial appeared to be a gift. All I had to do was craft it around news of the week, which was one vicious, bitter and racist remark after another. All I had to do would be to cherry pick the most anti-Indian and hang them out there for all to see. Tom Coburn who is running for Senate set the tone by informing the Cherokee constituency they were not "real Indians". That's one hell of a stupid thing to say in Oklahoma, especially if every vote might be the one that elects or defeats you. I can only hope my CNO and UKB relatives will send this bigot back into the dark recesses he crawled out of. Then there is the evidence to support suspicions that South Dakota was diluting the Indian vote with their redrawn districts. My surprise was and is non-existent. South Dakota Republicans are openly bitter about the Indian vote denying them a seat in the last election. I can only hope my Lakota/Nakota/Dakota relatives will grant them even more denied congressional seats. There is more, but there is also far less. My gift turned an ugly shade of red - a respected Lakota journalist, Tim Giago, labeled some eastern tribes as Afro-American wannabes. Actually, the brush he used painted a very wide swath of racial disdain. How disappointing and sickening it is to see a native journalist join the pack of barking, racist hate mongers. Louis Gray responded to Giago's racially divisive and insensitive harangue in the September 16 issue of Native American Times better than anything I might write: Mr. Gray's closing comments say it all: We can't embrace the practices of those who oppress us to seek change. We only become the oppressors. Such shameful examples of racial insensitivity only set us back. Native Americans are already in the back of the bus, we don't need to be taking two steps back in our path to civil rights for all. If we want Indian people to be accepted, we need to be accepting of all people. We cannot have it both ways and we shouldn't want to. Thank you Louis Gray. Dohiyi Ani Oginalii , , Gary Smith (*,*) 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 ---------- - Cobell: A Trust Issue - Making Tribes Stronger - Appeals Court blocks release - Museum comes Face to Face of Contempt Reports with its Biggest Faux - U.S. seeks Looser Rules - Indian Art of Storytelling on Debt to Indians seeps into Boardroom - Bush Administration - Yellow Bird: challenges Trust Fund ruling Ribbons express support for Troops - We are not - CYFN Membership Extinct Scientific Curiosities to include N.W.T. First Nations - Cherokee Potters - Fort Yukon looks to Gas revive Ancient Tradition for future Heat, Power - Court rules State - Canada wants Abuse Victim diluted Native American Vote to return Settlement - Indian Hospital faces criticism - Healing Programs in limbo - Lewis and Clark as Cash runs out re-enactors asked to leave - Thousands of Colombian - Ride retraces fallen Warrior's Indians March History - Guatemalans unmask Discrimination - Tribes are able to co-manage - Lawyer: Tribe lacks authority the Bison Range 'over White People' - GOP Candidate says - BIA Police Chief at Crow Agency Cherokees aren't Real Indians gets D.C. Job - Woman who sued Coburn goes Public - Judge says misconduct - Editorial: Racial Profiling Law occurred in Peltier Case needs Sharp Teeth - Native Prisoner - Jumanos face Battle in quest -- Letter from the Iron House #4 for Official Status - Rustywire: - Winnemem Wintu Tribe goes to War Navajo Sheep Camp Heros for Sacred Sites - Verse: Hawaiian Book of Days - Non-recognized VA. Tribes - Starkey Poem: Its Easy welcome NMAI opening - Upcoming Events --------- "RE: Cobell: A Trust Issue" --------- Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 08:48:32 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="COBELL: TRUST" http://www.abqtrib.com/~04/091404_opinions_indian.shtml A trust issue The Bush administration has not treated us justly when it comes to accounting for Indians' money COMMENTARY By Elouise Cobell September 14, 2004 Imagine a bank that took your money on a regular basis, never gave you a statement, had no idea how much was supposed to be in your account and argued it has no responsibility to return your money to you or provide you any information about your money. Now imagine that same financial institution destroying the documents, lying in sworn statements and in court, and routinely defying court orders. It doesn't take a lawyer to understand federal and state regulators would be padlocking the door to that bank and walking the bank's managers off to jail. Well, there is such an institution, and it behaves exactly this way. But it's not a bank. It's the U.S. government. The only difference here is the managers are never held to account for their theft and fraud. Since 1887, the government has been taking proceeds from land owned by individual American Indians, including oil and gas, forestry, minerals and other leasing in which resources are extracted from Indian land. That money is supposed to be held in trust and paid to the American Indian beneficiaries on a timely basis. But the money is gone, and the government refuses to account for it - despite court orders that say they must. These are not mere allegations. These are facts. We've proven them in court in the individual Indian trust case. Although the government has lost four separate times at trial, it still refuses to do the right thing. Instead, officials have been slapped with repeated contempt citations and other court sanctions, including shutting down the Department of Interior's Web site because it left the trust account open to tampering. Since it can't win, it has decided to delay the inevitable - a full accounting of Indian money. Earlier this month, Department of the Interior Secretary Gale Norton told a National Public Radio reporter in Albuquerque the funds in the individual Indian trust accounts are "generally accounted for." That is a lie. After more than eight years of litigation, not a single individual Indian beneficiary has ever received an accounting. Not one! Norton's own experts have estimated that up to $40 billion is owed to the individual trust beneficiaries. Our experts believe the actual number is considerably higher. In this age of corporate accountability, the individual Indian trust case is a financial scandal that makes Enron or Worldcom look like shoplifting. And here's the ultimate hypocrisy: Those same Department of Justice officials who have been chasing Martha Stewart, Ken Lay and Dennis Kozlowski are defending a level of financial malfeasance and fraud that is unheard of in the history of this country. It is a travesty made worse because many of the victims are among the poorest citizens in this great and prosperous nation. Tragically, more and more of my fellow beneficiaries die without ever seeing justice done. After a century of mismanagement that continues today - mismanagement that has annually robbed hundreds of millions of dollars from these individuals and their families - what has the Bush administration done? After losing each and every issue on the merits, it has waged a war of attrition and has employed scorched-earth litigation tactics that would make a tobacco company blush. Tens of millions of dollars in taxpayers' money are spent every year defending the indefensible, as this administration tries to "run out the clock," until our resources are exhausted and our will is broken. At the urging of our Democratic and Republican friends in Congress - including Rep. Rick Renzi, an Arizona Republican who represents part of the Navajo Reservation - we have been in mediation with the Bush administration for more than seven months. I can report we came to the table with detailed proposals regarding settlement. Yet after five months, the government has, to date, failed to even put forth a single proposal of its own. Not one. Or even accept, reject or make a counteroffer to ours. If Bush is serious about resolving this case, he sure doesn't act like it. The individual Indian trust case is not just about "historic" wrongs. The abuse continues today, and will continue tomorrow if it isn't resolved. It is not a case about reparations, apologies or entitlement programs. The U.S. government does not have to appropriate additional funds to reach a fair and just settlement. They already have the money. They must. They took it from us. As New Mexicans head to the polls in November, there are many issues that will drive their decision to vote. But it is becoming increasingly clear the New Mexico vote will be critical in deciding our next president. I ask you to consider this question: Which candidate will pledge to achieve a fair and just resolution to the individual Indian trust litigation that affects so many of New Mexico's poorest citizens? I do not have a crystal ball to tell me that a new administration will bring a fair and just resolution after more than 100 years of abuse. But I can tell you George Bush and Gale Norton are not the least bit interested in justice for American Indians. It comes down to the type of country we want to be. I hope all New Mexicans will find it in their hearts to vote for justice. ---- Cobell is a banker and a member of the Blackfeet Tribe of Montana. She and four other plaintiffs filed the pending individual Indian trust case against the government in June 1996. Copyright c. 2004 The Albuquerque Tribune. --------- "RE: Appeals Court blocks release of Contempt Reports" --------- Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 08:48:32 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="JUDGE LAMBERTH UPHELD" http://www.indianz.com/News/2004/004238.asp Appeals court blocks release of contempt reports September 15, 2004 A federal appeals court on Tuesday refused to take the federal judge overseeing the Indian trust fund off a contentious contempt proceeding involving dozens of government officials and attorneys. In a unanimous opinion, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals said there was no reason to suggest that Judge Royce Lamberth acted improperly in his handling of the landmark Cobell case. Nor has he shown an "appearance of partiality" in the ongoing contempt matter, the court concluded. Those seeking Lamberth's recusal "have not shown a 'clear and indisputable right' to the extraordinary relief they request," wrote Judge Douglas Ginsburg for the majority. But in a victory to a group including former Interior secretary Bruce Babbitt, his former chief of staff Anne Shields and a slew of past and present Department of Justice attorneys, the court blocked the release of potentially damaging reports that had been prepared for the contempt proceedings. Alan Balaran, who resigned as the special master in the case earlier this year, was going to submit the reports to Lamberth for further action. The court, however, said Balaran, a Washington, D.C., attorney, developed the reports by relying on communications that occurred outside the normal channels of the litigation. These ex parte contacts with government and third-party sources were cited as evidence of his potential bias against the officials he was investigating. "Because Special Master Balaran had ex parte contacts that may have given him personal knowledge of disputed evidentiary facts relevant to the contempt proceedings, those proceedings should never have been referred to him," the appeals court said. The decision to suppress the reports does little to resolve the underlying dispute, though. The court yesterday noted that the contempt proceedings are still "pending" before Lamberth, who could take them up at any time. At issue is whether the officials destroyed trust documents against court orders. The plaintiffs in the case, led by Elouise Cobell, a banker from the Blackfeet Nation of Montana, had named 37 people at Interior and Justice whom they said disobeyed the court. Attorneys for Interior Secretary Gale Norton admit the information, in the form of e-mails traded among government attorneys, was erased. "[I]t was a mistake not to retain newly created backup tapes," they wrote back in April 2002. But they had argued that no one should be punished for the incident because it occurred during the Clinton administration. And, they added, no one can bring the missing data back. Earl E. Devaney, Inspector General for the Interior Department, conducted his own investigation into the matter but couldn't find anyone to blame either. He noted that Babbitt, Shield and Justice attorneys "who were "were in the middle of this" refused to cooperate. "So long as these persons remain silent, important questions concerning their actions and decisions remain unanswered," he wrote in an August 2002 report. The ruling yesterday comes at the D.C. Circuit Court takes on another contentious aspect of the Cobell case. A panel of three judges is holding oral arguments at 2 p.m. today regarding the state of information technology security at the Interior Department and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Lamberth imposed a preliminary injunction barring the agencies from reconnecting their computer systems to the Internet without adequate security protections. Balaran, through an investigation, had discovered that hackers could break into the trust fund without a trace. Norton's attorneys argue that Lamberth has exceeded his jurisdiction. In addition to removing the injunction, they are seeking to end the Cobell case entirely, citing efforts to improve the delivery of services to individual Indians and tribal governments. Copyright c. 2000-2004 Indianz.Com. --------- "RE: U.S. seeks Looser Rules on Debt to Indians" --------- Date: Thu, 16 Sep 2004 08:54:13 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="DoI WIGGLES AGAIN" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-4497787,00.html U.S. Seeks Looser Rules on Debt to Indians By HOPE YEN Associated Press Writer September 16, 2004 WASHINGTON (AP) - Government lawyers asked a federal appeals court Wednesday to throw out a judge's order that the Interior Department follow strict guidelines in accounting for billions of dollars American Indians claim they are owed, saying the requirements are too burdensome. At issue is a September 2003 order from U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth that sets a September 2007 deadline to account for the money and forbids use of statistical technique known as "sampling." That poses a problem for the department, which has said that a more comprehensive accounting plan would take 10 years and cost billions. "We have a good plan. Millions of dollars have been spent. Yet there was no review and the district court dismissed it out of hand," Mark Stern, a lawyer representing the Interior Department, told the three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Elliott Levitas, a lawyer representing the American Indians, said the guidelines are critical to ensure an accurate accounting of the money they say is owed. "This court should affirm unless it finds the district court's order is clearly erroneous," he said. The class-action suit, filed in 1996 on behalf of more than 300,000 American Indians, alleges that for over a century the government mismanaged, misplaced or stole billions of dollars in oil, gas, timber and grazing royalties that the department by law and treaty was assigned to manage on the Indians' behalf. The government has acknowledged major problems with the trust fund. The Interior Department has spent more than $600 million since 1996 to comply with instructions from both Congress and Lamberth, but accounting problems persisted because records are so scattered. The Interior Department repeatedly has wrangled with Lamberth, who once found Interior Secretary Gale Norton in contempt for failing to follow his orders in the case. An appeals panel later threw out the contempt finding. Interior officials contend Lamberth had no authority to issue his 2003 order, saying there was no evidence of "unreasonable delay" by Interior officials who had planned to provide a full accounting by 2008 at a cost of $335 million with use of statistical sampling. At one point, after Stern complained that Lamberth had no basis for his order, Judge David Tatel asked if Stern was suggesting bias or other improper personal behavior. "Are you asking we dismiss because of behavior of the district judge?" Tatel asked, to which Stern responded no. "Because it sounds like you were saying that to me." Judge David Sentelle, meanwhile, seemed to suggest the three-judge panel would find that Lamberth had authority to issue the order, but that certain provisions might be struck down as too restrictive. "If we hold the court had authority to impose a structural injunction, what points would you find worrisome?" Sentelle asked repeatedly. "What parts are obviously and genuinely too intrusive on an agency's right?" Stern insisted that the entire order should be thrown out, but cited in part provisions relating to statistical sampling and independent monitoring of the department's accounting. Guardian Unlimited Copyright c. 2004 Guardian Newspapers Limited. --------- "RE: Bush Administration challenges Trust Fund ruling" --------- Date: Fri, 17 Sep 2004 09:14:08 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="... MORE WIGGLE" http://www.indianz.com/News/2004/004261.asp Bush administration challenges trust fund ruling September 16, 2004 A panel of federal judges pressed a Bush administration lawyer on Wednesday to explain why they should allow the Interior Department to carry out trust reform absent court oversight. Mark Stern, a Department of Justice lawyer representing Secretary Gale Norton, sought to raise doubts about a court order requiring an historical accounting of billions in Indian trust funds and an overhaul of the trust system. He charged that U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth has "transformed" the eight-year-old case beyond its original intent. "This case cannot be a review of all historical failings," Stern told three judges of the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. But the panel was openly skeptical of Norton's defense on two fronts. First, on a controversial appropriations rider that put a one-year halt to the accounting, and second, on the impact of Lamberth's structural injunction, which is also on hold. Stern argued that the rider, adopted at the last minute a year ago to give Congress more time to act, was actually designed to give the courts more time. All three judges - David S. Tatel, David B. Sentelle and Stephen F. Williams - scoffed at this notion, with Williams saying it "totally baffles me." Sentelle went further and called the measure "constitutionally suspect" because it purports to tell the courts what to do in an ongoing case. Stern told him the language changed the underlying trust relationship in a way the courts must respect. "In that context, it's extraordinary," Sentelle responded. In essence, the rider says "the Indians are no longer beneficiaries," he observed. Sentelle and Tatel also hammered Stern on the injunction, pushing him to explain exactly what was wrong with it. Stern said Lamberth overstepped his jurisdiction by telling the department what to do on a day-to-day basis. The judges suggested that certain provisions of the injunction, such as providing a list of tribal laws that may be applicable to the trust, weren't as bad as the government has characterized. Sentelle said the reason Lamberth imposed so many requirements was simple. "They are because the department ... over the term of decades did not do what it was supposed to do," he told Stern. But Stern said the language in the order showed that Lamberth has already made up his mind about the trust, including how to conduct the accounting. "In the end, I'm going to say we object to everything," he argued. "You want us to order this case dismissed," Tatel said at another point. Although they had only allotted 20 minutes for the government's part of the hearing, the judges lobbed questions at Stern for nearly an hour in the packed courtroom. They seemed exhausted by the time they got to the plaintiffs, who were represented by Elliot Levitas, a former U.S. Congressman. Levitas attacked the rider as "egregiously unconstitutional" because it affects rights already affirmed by the courts. "The right to an accounting is abrogated," he said. "That is a taking of a very valuable property right." The judges raised their own concerns about the structural injunction with Levitas. They questioned whether allowing the court unfettered access to department documents or barring the use of statistical sampling "interfered" with the Interior Department's management of the trust. Tatel also noted that Lamberth required compliance with a host of fiduciary duties but didn't make a finding that the department has violated any of them. Sentelle suggested the injunction goes too far in certain aspects. Levitas responded that Lamberth was within his right to impose reform on the government. "This is a trust case," he said. The judges gave no indication when they would rule on the matter. The rider expires on December 31 and Stern said he wasn't aware if new language was being considered by lawmakers. The House passed a version of the Interior appropriations bill that made no mention of the case but the Senate has not yet acted on its version. It is possible the Bush administration may revive the issue before the end of the year. Associate Deputy Secretary Jim Cason attended the hearing yesterday. Two of the judges on the panel, Sentelle and Williams, were responsible for the February 2001 ruling that upheld the first part of the Cobell case: the right to an accounting. Sentelle wrote the opinion and at times sparred with Stern over the exact wording and meaning. Copyright c. 2000-2004 Indianz.Com. --------- "RE: We are not Extinct Scientific Curiosities" --------- Date: Thu, 16 Sep 2004 08:54:13 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="MEDIA DISRESPECT" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.prweb.com/releases/2004/9/prwebxml158117.php Tennessee Native Americans Forced to Contend with Media Images of Ancestral Remains - "We Are Not Extinct Scientific Curiosities." September 15, 2004 This open letter to the media addresses the photographic and video exhibition of Native American human skeletal remains. Based upon the traditional spiritual beliefs of the Cherokee and other Southeastern Native people, openly viewing the skeletal remains of our deceased ancestors is considered a sacrilegious act. Seeing their remains in the newspaper or on television forces us, and everyone, to look upon our native ancestors in a very undignified and disrespectful manner. This violates the traditional Native American religious belief system. ---- Nashville, TN (PRWEB) September 15, 2004 -- An open letter to editors and station managers: We, the Native American people of the State of Tennessee, have been forced to contend with disturbing photographic images of newly discovered Native American skeletal remains distributed by various media sources for generations now. We find this public display of the bones of our Native ancestors extremely insensitive, highly offensive, and immoral. To us, the photographic portrayal of Native skeletal remains is the equivalent of intentionally publishing or broadcasting pornographic images in your newspaper or through your television station to the public. Despite our efforts at pleading with the various media outlets not to portray the bones of our dead in such a way, it persists, without much care for how living Native Americans feel about these issues. We therefore appeal to your management and staff to honor our feelings in regard to the public portrayal of Native American skeletal remains . We ask that you not publish this type of photograph or video imagery. It seems as though careful attention is always given to other racial and ethnic groups in reporting deaths and the sometime gruesome circumstances that often surround these events. We ask that you please observe the same courteous behavior toward the Native American people of Tennessee. Most recently, on August 7, 2004, our local newspaper, the "Tennessean," published an article by staff writer Andy Humbles regarding the discovery of seven Native American skulls in Wilson County, Tennessee. Although the article was professionally written, the color photograph of the skulls at the top of the article was not appropriate, and was considered in very poor taste by Tennessee's Native American community. On August 19, 2004, the CBS television affiliate in Nashville, Tennessee aired video footage of recently discovered Native American human remains. Here again, we were forced to violate our religious tenets by having these disturbing images thrust on us by the local media. Based on the traditional spiritual beliefs of the Cherokee and other Southeastern Native people, openly viewing the skeletal remains of our deceased ancestors is considered a sacrilegious act. Seeing their remains in the newspaper or on television forces us, and everyone, to look upon them in a very undignified and disrespectful manner, which violates our traditional religious belief system. Therefore, as Native American people, with a vested interest in the well being of our ancestors and their living descendants, we politely ask that you refrain from allowing these offensive images from being published or broadcast throughout the region by your specific media outlet. Native American people, deceased or living, were and are still, first and foremost, human beings, deserving of equality and respect, just as any other group. By allowing these remains to be viewed by your audience, you encourage society to disrespect and misunderstand our ancient culture. We are not extinct scientific curiosities as portrayed by the local media. We simply ask that your management and staff please honor our feelings toward these issues by instituting a policy of no photographic or video images of Native American skeletal remains in your newspaper or television news broadcasts. The Native American people of Tennessee are open to discussing these issues with our state's media representatives. Please feel free to contact me personally so that we may establish a dialogue. Your comments, questions, and concerns are welcome. Sincerely, Patrick Cummins, President Alliance for Native American Indian Rights of Tennessee, Inc. P.O. Box 825 Hermitage, Tennessee 37076 (615) 874-1435 E-mail: pbctsalagi@aol.com Web: www.anairtn.org Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this press release are solely those of the officers, board members, and membership of the Alliance for Native American Indian Rights of Tennessee, Inc., and its supporters. It is not the intent of the Alliance to speak on behalf of any other individual or organization. If you or your organization supports the Alliance's position on this issue, we encourage and welcome your letters of endorsement. # # # Copyright c. 1997-2004, PR Web. All Rights Reserved. --------- "RE: Cherokee Potters revive Ancient Tradition" --------- Date: Mon, 20 Sep 2004 08:17:11 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="TRADITIONAL POTTERY REVIVAL" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.citizen-times.com//wncbusiness/61832.shtml Cover Story: Cherokee potters revive ancient tradition; Ancestral designs may create new market for crafts in tourist area By Dale Neal, Staff Reporter September 19, 2004 CHEROKEE - It warms Joel Queen's heart when he sees the pots he's shaped by hand glowing bright orange or strawberry red in the open fire. After the first firing, Queen will stuff the pot with corncobs and turn them into the flame for a smoky seal inside. It's not a very efficient method. Queen, an experienced potter of 20 years, will lose three or four pots in the fierce heat for every one he pulls intact from the coals. The payoff is a thin-walled, waterproof pot stamped with geometric designs in a nearly lost technique that's 2,000 years old. Queen, 35, an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians and a founding member of the Cherokee Potters Guild, has helped preserve his tribe's pottery tradition and cut a new path for profits from heritage tourism in Cherokee. The smoky orange pots Queen and others pull from the fire can fetch hundreds of dollars compared to only a few dollars for the heavy black ceramics Cherokee crafters have fashioned for the past century for the tourist trade on the Qualla Boundary. In turn, these crafters hope Cherokee could reshape its image as a Santa Fe-like destination for fashionable fine arts instead of cheap tourist trinkets made in Taiwan. "Everything old is new again," observed Dan Keith Ray of The Institute at Biltmore. "They are rediscovering a technology that's hundreds of years old," said Ray, who formerly headed the American Craft Council in New York and had a key role in establishing HandMade in America, the Asheville-based arts and crafts advocacy group. "If they are able to perfect a whole new pottery that people haven't seen before, there will be serious collectors and production craft buyers who will be interested," Ray said. Proud pottery tradition Pottery has long contained the essence of Cherokee heritage. "We are the oldest tribe still producing our own work in our homeland," Queen said. Archaeologists agree ceramics were born on the East coast of the United States about 4,500 years ago. Indians of the Southern Appalachians have the oldest tradition of pottery, stretching back nearly 3,000 years, even longer than the Pueblo potters of the Southwest United States, according to Barbara Duncan, education director of the Museum of the Cherokee Indian. Long before Cherokee traded for cast-iron pots from white settlers in the 1700s, they had cooked in waterproofed pots with rounded bottoms set in the coals. But later, with the introduction of cast-iron stoves, the round-bottom clay pots became impractical, Duncan said. Over the years, fewer potters passed on the ancient technique of firing a pot into a waterproof vessel. In the 20th century, Cherokee potters began making "blackware," a heavier black clay pottery borrowed from the Catawba Indians. The smaller, shiny pots appealed to the tourists visiting the new Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the 1930s. Potters kept the traditional geometric designs that had once been slapped onto the clay with paddles, but instead potters began to incise these into the handmade bowls and vessels. Queen, who has been shaping pottery since the age of 15, had heard stories by the fireplace growing up about handmade pots once used for cooking. He had seen the broken shards pulled out of plowed cornfields. He had tried his hand at firing the traditional pots, but they kept shattering. Reclaiming the past In 2002, a grant from the North Carolina Arts Council allowed the museum to bring in Tamara Beane, an expert in indigenous pottery, as well as archaeologists from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Working with local potters, they wanted to replicate the stamped pots in the museum collection. The Cherokee Potters Guild grew out of those workshops as 15 potters, including Queen and Bernadine George, finally pieced together the technique of firing the stamped pots. "Now I see the old pieces in the museum and I say to myself, `Oh, I can do that!'" said George, president of the Potters Guild. "I love the challenge of sitting down and re-creating an old-style pot. I keep conquering the challenges, one step at a time." The ancient method of making thin-walled pots went against all the instincts of the potters after decades of making the heavier Catawba- influenced vessels, Queen said. The potters have yet to discover how their forebears were able to build and waterproof large cauldrons that are mentioned in historical records. It might takes days of heating the fire before a huge pot could be safely put into the coals. Queen and the others are eager to try. Preserving the past of the pottery was the first step. Educating their market was the next step. The Cherokee Preservation Foundation provided two grants totaling $35, 000 for potters to train others, establish a college-level course at Western Carolina University and to travel to major shows and festivals around the country. Proceeds from the Harrah's Cherokee Casino have provided the tribe with jobs for any enrolled member as well as funds to send young people to college. Money has also been set aside for the Cherokee Preservation Foundation to protect the tribal heritage and develop the local economy. "This tribe is really on the cusp of something wonderful," said Susan Jenkins, executive director of the Cherokee Preservation Foundation, which has awarded 155 grants worth $7 million since 2002. Like many others, Jenkins sees crafts as another economic avenue beyond the gambling at the casino. "Now is the time to look long-term," Jenkins said. "I think people want to come here and have a Cherokee experience and stay for three or four days. We have the Museum of the Cherokee Indian, `Unto These Hills' (outdoor drama) and the Oconaluftee Indian Village, but we need to find ways to roll that into one experience." Looking for the authentic The success of authentic Cherokee crafts, along with other traditional arts across Western North Carolina, will play a role in the region's recent designation as the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area. The 25 western counties will be eligible for $1 million in federal funds each year for the next 10 years to protect and promote the area's cultural, historical and natural resources. Queen, for one, hopes the tribe's craft reputation can move beyond the cheap mass-produced trinkets that have been sold for decades in Cherokee's downtown. "It may take us 50 years to break that cycle so an artist can make it here in Cherokee and not have to compete with some of the junk sold here," he said. For the craft-conscious visitors looking for the authentic, they need look no further than the Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual, across the street from the Museum of the Cherokee Indian. Here at the nation's oldest native American craft co-op, each item sold comes with a certificate from the U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs. Vicki Ledford, Qualla's general manager, can wander around the displays and point out the characteristics of the hand-woven baskets from river cane or white oak. She also recognizes the individual stamp of the crafter, from Amanda Crowe's hand-carved bears to the late Lottie Stamper's double- weave baskets to George's pottery. "I just bought two of Joel's stamped pots today," Ledford said. Sales are up 7 percent from last year as more visitors are searching out the authentic crafts. Authenticity is the key for heritage tourism to succeed in Cherokee as well as the rest of Western North Carolina, Ray said. -"People find out about the fake stuff, but the more sophisticated the consumer becomes, you can give them what is true," Ray said. "It's no doubt that Cherokee will be one of the hubs in the Heritage Region." Contact Neal at 232-5970 or DNeal@CITIZEN- TIMES.com Copyright c. Asheville Citizen-Times. --------- "RE: Court rules State diluted Native American Vote" --------- Date: Thu, 16 Sep 2004 08:54:13 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="SD REDISTRICTING CHEATED INDIAN VOTE" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.kotatv.com/localnews/story.asp?ID=19756 Federal Court Rules State Diluted Native American Vote Associated Press and Shad Olson September 15, 2004 The South Dakota Legislature unlawfully diluted the voting strength of American Indians when it redrew legislative district boundaries in 2001, according to U-S District Judge Karen Schreier. Siding with four Indian voters in a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union, the judge has ordered the state to reconsider Legislative Districts 26 and 27 -- which include the Pine Ridge and Rosebud Indian reservations. The state attorney general's office had argued that the South Dakota Legislature did not violate federal law when it approved boundaries for those districts. A-C-L-U lawyers had asked Schreier to rule that three factors indicating vote dilution exist in the redistricting plan. The lawsuit was lodged shortly after the Legislature redrew the boundaries of South Dakota's 35 legislative districts to take into account population changes in the 2000 census. A-C-L-U lawyers argued that state lawmakers violated federal laws by weakening Indians' voting strength. Schreier agreed that the redistricting plan illegally weakened Indians' voting strength when it placed a supermajority of Indians in District 27 - - resulting in denial of equal political opportunities for Indians in Districts 26 and 27. Copyright c. 2004 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. Copyright c. 2004 KOTA, Rapid City, SD. --------- "RE: Indian Hospital faces criticism" --------- Date: Thu, 16 Sep 2004 08:54:13 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="IHS HOSPITAL BLASTED" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2004/09/16/news/local/news04.txt Indian hospital faces criticism By Jomay Steen, Journal Staff Writer September 15, 2004 RAPID CITY - Rapid City's American Indian community blasted Sioux San Hospital administrators, the Aberdeen Area Tribal Chairmen's Health Board and Aberdeen Area Indian Health Service officials about dwindling services at the Rapid City Indian hospital. A 25-page budget packet and agenda for a Sioux San update and budget session on Tuesday in Rapid City were largely ignored as Sioux San clients questioned Aberdeen-area and local health administrators about lost representation on health boards, referrals to outside health agencies and generally lackluster care for the 13,000 Indians who live in Rapid City. About 200 people packed the Sheridan Room of the Best Western Ramkota Hotel to shower questions on Nancy Davis, deputy director of Indian Health Service in Aberdeen; Rick Sorensen, associate area director at IHS in Aberdeen; Carole Anne Heart, executive director of Aberdeen Area Tribal Chairmen's Health Board; Ray Grandbois, Sioux San Hospital's acting CEO; and Dr. Valerie Parker, clinical director. The administrative panel weathered the onslaught of criticism and anger by community members generated from years of frustration at what they said was Sioux San's denial of treatment, administrative incompetence and shrinking health system. "We've ignored Sioux San, we acknowledge that," Sorensen said. "It should not have been allowed to happen. If there's blame, I think the responsibility rests with IHS." But Davis announced that candidates for the position of chief executive officer would need to meet stringent qualifications and have a strong business background. "The applicant who has met these factors will manage a multimillion- dollar business in taking care of your health. These are the kinds of things the community has indicated they wanted in their CEO," Davis said. Powerful advocates from the three major reservations and South Dakota's congressional delegation wanted the hospital to succeed, officials said. South Dakota's congressional members also sent representatives to the Tuesday meeting to listen to the concerns of the people. Grandbois said some immediate and initial changes at the hospital would include a culture room for families for ceremonies and prayers, a community advocate who would help clients go through the referral process, education documentation included with prescriptions, and changes to the switchboard to make it easier to talk to a person rather than automated voice mail. But the biggest issue was the hospital's lack of money, Grandbois said. Woefully under-funded at $4 million a year, the hospital would generate that amount of expense with only seven new people diagnosed with cancer, he said. "We receive only 48 percent of the amount of the money needed to run the hospital," Grandbois said. Showing an IHS appropriations chart, Grandbois said federal prison inmates received $3,803 per capita compared to Sioux San's $1,914. Joe Valandra, an enrolled Rosebud tribal member, said he wanted more local control of choosing the hospital's CEO and advocated for a bigger budget. "We don't have enough money - tell us something we don't know," Valandra said. "Give us an administrator that hasn't been (fired) from every job they've ever held." Stella Iron Cloud said the community would have to start lobbying for bigger budgets locally and at the national level. A woman from the audience wanted Sioux San and IHS moved from the Department of Interior into another department. "I'm sick and tired of competing with prairie dogs for funding," she said. Marie Randall, 84, of Wanblee, advised community members to stop bickering and start helping each other. "Those people who are here, work with them," she said. "Tell them what your needs are. They all believe in pencil and paper. Write about it. These are things that need to be heard. Don't sit back and feel sorry for yourself." Randall said three tribal presidents stood up for Rapid City to create changes and worked for the Indian community. The community shouldn't squander that relationship. "I live 100 miles from a hospital. You have the privilege to go to the Sioux San and Rapid City Regional. These are the things you have to understand and work toward," Randall said. Sorensen said he was optimistic about the Sept. 30 meeting, where he hopes to catch people up on the budget, discuss contract health and listen to community input. "We're going to work real hard with the community to win back their trust," he said. Contact Jomay Steen at 394-8418 or jomay.steen@rapidcityjournal.com Copyright c. 2004 The Rapid City Journal. --------- "RE: Lewis and Clark re-enactors asked to leave" --------- Date: Thu, 16 Sep 2004 08:54:13 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="OLD WOUNDS OPENED" http://www.mitchellrepublic.com/ Group led by man from Pine Ridge Reservation will ask Lewis and Clark re-enactors to leave By SETH TUPPER, The Daily Republic September 15, 2004 CHAMBERLAIN - An American Indian man said Tuesday that he is planning "an action of the Lakota people" against a group of Lewis and Clark re-enactors this weekend at Chamberlain. Alex White Plume, 53, an Oglala Lakota from the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, said an untold number of people will travel to Chamberlain on Friday evening or Saturday morning. They plan to ask the re-enactors to turn their boats around and go home. "They're just opening up all the old wounds that we're still trying to heal from," White Plume said. "They should have been a little bit more courteous and asked us about what they are doing, and maybe they could have joined in the healing effort. Instead, they're just coming through and bragging about what they did 200 years ago." The group of about 20 re-enactors - known as the Discovery Expedition of St. Charles, Mo. - is using replica boats to retrace the entire Lewis and Clark waterway route of 1803-1806. They are scheduled to dock their boats in Chamberlain today through Monday. The city is planning a community grill-out with the re-enactors Thursday evening, but no specific activities are planned Saturday. Larry McClain, executive director of the Discovery Expedition, said he had heard rumors about a possible "protest." He said his organization has been trying unsuccessfully to contact White Plume. McClain declined to say whether the re-enactors would consider ending the expedition, because nobody had asked them to do so. "We've had incredibly positive experiences with Native Americans starting in Monticello all they way out," McClain said. "We're kind of a platform for education on a lot of issues. We obviously would like to help them have a voice and a platform for education." McClain said he had not made any plans for security at Chamberlain, because he did not know enough about White Plume's intentions. Brule County Sheriff Darrell Miller said he had no knowledge of the protesters' plans, but he planned to meet with Chamberlain Police Chief Joe Hutmacher to discuss the issue. "I suppose everybody has a right to protest, as long as there's no violence," Miller said. White Plume stressed that the event will not be a "protest." He prefers the word "action," because he expects the re-enactors to cooperate with his request. When asked if he was prepared to use force, White Plume was ambiguous. "I'm going up there with one peaceful purpose, and that's to stop them," he said. "We may even capture their boats - who knows?" he added with a laugh. "I just want to sit down and talk to them. I've got some things to say to them." White Plume and four other men will conduct a planning meeting from 10 a. m. to 5 p.m. Friday at Kiza Park, located three miles north of Manderson. A flier announcing the meeting states that "We, the descendants of the free Lakota, will make a stand to tell the world about the 1851 & 1868 Ft. Laramie Treaties & how America fails to abide by its own laws." The Ft. Laramie Treaty of 1868 designated 60 million acres, including all the land west of the Missouri River in present-day South Dakota, as the Great Sioux Reservation. Another portion of the treaty encouraged Indians to become farmers. White Plume is well acquainted with that aspect of the document, because he drew national attention in recent years with his attempts to grow hemp as a cash crop. Federal Drug Enforcement agents confiscated his crops in 2000 and 2001, but supporters have continued to harvest the wild hemp that grows near his home. Copyright c. 2004 The Daily Republic/Mitchell, South Dakota. --------- "RE: Ride retraces fallen Warrior's History" --------- Date: Mon, 20 Sep 2004 08:17:11 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="THIN MILK REMEMBERED" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.rapidcityjournal.com//news/local/news03.txt Ride retraces fallen warrior's history By Jomay Steen, Journal Staff Writer September 19, 2004 RED SHIRT VILLAGE - A riderless appaloosa will represent a fallen Brule warrior at a memorial and ceremony on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Brothers Victor Swallow and John Swallow Jr., their cousin, the Rev. Robert Two Bulls, and the Red Shirt community elders will host a memorial ride, ceremony and feast for a man who died after the Wounded Knee Massacre in the winter of 1890. "This is our history," Victor Swallow said. "We want it to be known." The inaugural Thin Milk Memorial Ride will begin at 10 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 26, at the picnic grounds at Red Shirt Village. A free meal will be served at noon. All riders and the public are welcome to participate, Swallow said. It commemorates the story of Brule warriors who had ridden out from the Stronghold, a rugged canyon area east of Red Shirt Village, to steal food and horses from the Daly Ranch. The band was surprised when the ranch hands returned early from checking cattle. According to John Swallow Jr., a gunfight ensued, and one of the warriors was mortally wounded. The dying Brule's name was Ansapi Bleza - Thin Milk. "Nobody should be forgotten," Victor Swallow said Wednesday. At the Sept. 26 event, spectators can watch the riders retrace the route from opposite sides of the canyon. Sam Two Bulls of Oglala will conduct a Lakota ceremony to commemorate the Brule's death and passage into the spirit world. Rev. Two Bulls will accompany the riders as they retrace Thin Milk's last route up Cedar Creek Canyon to the site where the Brule's remains were discovered. The riders will circle, dismount and Rev. Two Bulls will conduct a prayer with the riders in the canyon, Swallow said. From the table above, a man will call Thin Milk's name three times at the edge of the canyon. A marker detailing Thin Milk's death will be unveiled on the canyon's edge, and a short program will follow that includes speakers. "I would like to get across the idea that we're putting this on because we're a proud people," Victor Swallow said. History buff Tom Norman, 77, of Rockerville plans to be one of the faces in the crowd. Norman read a July 19 story about Thin Milk in the Rapid City Journal with interest. According to the Swallow brothers' account, the Brule Indian is the only known casualty of those who sought refuge in the Stronghold during the Wounded Knee era. Norman's side of the tale matched their story. He heard versions of this story told by his grandmother, Tillie. She lived on the ranch at the mouth of Battle Creek with her second husband, Jack Daly, Norman said. He also said it wasn't some cowboy's bullet that hit the Brule man. "My Grandma Tillie is the one who shot him," Norman said. Norman said his grandmother shot the Brule man with a Sharps .45 rifle as he reached down to open the corral gate where a remuda of horses were kept. Jack Daly and his crew of ranch hands had been out rounding up cattle but had run short of provisions. They returned to the ranch and surprised the Indian raiding party. The heavily armed cowboys began shooting. Tillie Daly's shot knocked the Brule from his horse. The other Brule men turned back and picked up their fallen companion, leaving behind his horse, Norman said. Norman said Jack Daly was a cattle driver who had fallen in love with the place on Battle Creek, west of the present day Red Shirt Table. On Daly's last cattle drive north from Texas, he brought 500 head of his own cows with a herd and left them at the ranch. Two hired hands were left to herd cattle while he drove the main herd on to Montana. He returned to the Black Hills and married Tillie. They, with her children, Joe and Zelma Norman, began ranching along Battle Creek. Norman said that, according to family accounts, the Brules were riding pinto horses when they arrived at the ranch. He said Tillie Daly claimed Thin Milk's horse after his companions took the wounded man to safety. "She rode that pinto until the day it died," Norman said. Copyright c. 2004 The Rapid City Journal. --------- "RE: Tribes are able to co-manage the Bison Range" --------- Date: Thu, 16 Sep 2004 08:54:13 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="BISON MANAGEMENT" http://www.leaderadvertiser.com/articles/2004/09/15/news/news01.txt Tribes say they are able to co-manage the Bison Range By Cristina Aguilar for the Leader September 15, 2004 For centuries Native Americans managed the bison ranges before the arrival of Europeans and they are now ready to take back the responsibility of being the stewards of the lands as their ancestors did. The Confederated Salish Kootenai Tribe (CSKT) and the United States Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials presented to the public a question and answer session this week to solidify public understanding of the controversial proposal. Under the proposal, the tribes would take responsibility for activities in five categories- management, biological programs, habitat management, fire programs and maintenance and visitor services. Head of Natural Resources for the CSKT Clayton Matt says the responsibility for the management of the Bison Range should have no effect on non-tribal members who may own private property near the range. "The implementation and execution of this AFA will not have an effect on private owners," said Matt, (who is a distant relation to Tribal Chairman Fred Matt). "There will be no surprises. We have managed our resources to the best of our ability for centuries and will continue to do so." Matt said the refuge manager, Steve Kallin of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, would retain final responsibility and authority for directing and controlling the operation of the National Bison Range. "Kallin clearly has a lot of experience with FWP," said Matt. "We have met a few times and it will be that relationship building that will make this plan successful. The process of gaining stewardship of the Bison Range is part of the self-governing policies that have been in place for many years. "We have been practicing self-governing for thousands of years," said Matt. "We have for centuries had leaders who have always kept the best interest of the people, both present and future, and the Tribes and USFWP have come to an agreement to implement and fit right into that." Questions raised at the first meeting in Polson last week addressed current jobs and the price of the program. "The AFA clearly explains options employees have," said Matt. "They will have their own decision to make with regard to how that will go. No one will be laid off and the AFA says nothing about people losing their jobs." People at the Polson meeting were confused that the issues regarding costs of the program were not cleared up, although some supported the program. Peter Pelissier of Yellow Bay said it was a poor job in having a presentation on funding the program with no hard numbers involved in the AFA. Rick Coleman, assistant regional director for refuges for the Fish and Wildlife Service, answered most questions about funding. "The agency has estimated costs and calculated those number but they are not yet available to the public or the Confederated Salish and Kootenai. The original thrust for the national movement for the preservation of the buffalo began with the American Bison Society in 1905. In 1907, attention was centered on lands within the Flathead Indian Reservation in Montana because they were about to be opened and offered for sale. The National Bison Range was established in 1908 at the request of President Theodore Roosevelt and was created by an act of Congress. Tribal member Jerry Brown wrapped up the true purpose of the AFA in his comments to the FWP and CSKT. "The USFWP knows the tribes are just as good as they are in managing the lands," said Brown. "We are just as competent. Right now the tribe contracts $328 million on an annual basis and that's nothing to sneeze at. We've had many non-Indians work for the tribe for years. Our people are higher qualified than those they have at the USFWP and they know it. For once we are getting our dignity back. We've played this game so long we've lost sight of the fact that no one really owns this land; we are the stewards of the land and always have been. This step we are taking forward will only bring more cultural pride to our children. It will keep our stories of buffalo hunts alive." Copyright c. 2002 Lake Country Leader Advertiser/Polson, MT. --------- "RE: GOP Candidate says Cherokees aren't Real Indians" --------- Date: Fri, 17 Sep 2004 09:14:08 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="RACIST CANDIDATE" http://www.indianz.com/News/2004/004263.asp GOP candidate says Cherokees aren't real Indians September 17, 2004 A conservative Republican in a highly competitive race with a Cherokee Nation tribal member is coming under fire for claiming that Cherokees "aren't Indians" and for suggesting that tribal sovereignty is a "joke." Tom Coburn, a former Congressman who won the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate over rivals who had the backing of party leaders, told a town hall meeting in Altus, Oklahoma, recently that the Cherokee Nation wants to enroll more members in order to receive more federal funds. He questioned the legitimacy of the tribe's heritage and said "the average Cherokee [blood] quantum is 1/512." "Alright, listen, I know the tribal issues," he said on August 21. "I was a congressman where most of the Indians are in this state. The problem is, most of them aren't Indians." Coburn went on to criticize attempts by several Oklahoma tribes to assert environmental authority over their lands. He then blasted opponent Rep. Brad Carson (D), a Cherokee member, for sponsoring a bill that would prevent land owned by Cherokee and other citizens of the Five Civilized Nations from falling out of trust. "I mean this is a joke," Coburn told the audience. "It is one thing for us to keep our obligations to recognize Native Americans, but it's a totally different thing for us to allow a primitive agreement with the Native Americans to undermine Oklahoma's future and that's what they're talking about doing and it's big money." The remarks largely went unnoticed until the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, which is making a big push on behalf of Carson, began circulating them. Previously, only Coburn's characterization of the race against Carson as "the battle of good versus evil," also made at the Altus meeting, ended up in the mainstream press. But now, tribal leaders who are firing back at Coburn for his "divisive" comments. Even though some are registered Republicans, they say they aren't going to support him. "I'm a Republican and it is hard to understand why Tom Coburn takes pride in dividing Oklahoma and ridiculing people," said Chad Smith, principal chief of the Cherokee Nation. "If you disagree with him, you are evil. There's no discussion, no room for understanding." "I've been a Republican all my life and Tom Coburn is an embarrassment to the Republican party," added Bill Johnson, a tribal council member. The battle between Coburn and Carson is a significant one for several reasons. Carson would be the only Native American in the Senate since Republican Ben Nighthorse Campbell, a member of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe of Montana, is retiring. The outcome of the race also will help determine which party controls the Senate. Democrats and Republicans are hoping to pick up seats in order to shift the balance of power in what is now a one-member Republican majority. Polls currently show the two candidates neck-and-neck. A television poll released this week put Carson in the lead but only by two points. Nearly one in five voters was undecided. The Senate seat up for grabs is being vacated by Republican Don Nickels, who is retiring. Smith has said in the past that the Cherokee Nation does not endorse candidates for public office. But he has actively encouraged tribal members to vote. The tribe counts more than 200,000 members. Former principal chief Wilma Mankiller is supporting Democratic candidates, including the presidential ticket of Sens. John Kerry and John Edwards. She characterized Coburn as a radical who is out of touch with America. "Tom Coburn's extremist views on the basic rights of women and outrageous views of tribal citizens and their governments are shocking and simply too far out of the mainstream for him to serve as our United States Senator," she said. Carson won his party's nomination in July with 80 percent of the vote. He was elected twice to the U.S. House, serving the 2nd Congressional district, which has the highest percentage of Native Americans anywhere in the country. Copyright c. 2000-2004 Indianz.Com. --------- "RE: Woman who sued Coburn goes Public" --------- Date: Fri, 17 Sep 2004 09:14:08 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="ANTI-CHEROKEE CANDIDATE HAS OWN ISSUES" http://www.indianz.com/News/ http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A27269-2004Sep16.html Woman Who Sued Coburn Goes Public She Calls GOP Candidate's Remarks on Case 'Not True' By Lois Romano Washington Post Staff Writer September 17, 2004 TULSA, Sept. 16 - A woman who claimed in a lawsuit 13 years ago that the Republican Senate candidate here, a family physician, sterilized her without her consent came forward Thursday to stand by her story, throwing one of the most competitive Senate races in the country into further turmoil. Her voice shaking at times, Angela Plummer said that while Tom Coburn saved her life during a 1990 surgery to remove a fallopian tube in which a fetus had lodged, she was "stunned" to learn that he had also removed her remaining good tube. "Dr. Tom Coburn sterilized me without my consent - verbal or written - and I know he's stating that he got oral consent. That is not true," Plummer said at a news conference. "I'm not up here to smear him. I'm up here because I wanted to have more children, and he took that away from me." Coburn is embroiled in a tight race with Rep. Brad Carson (D), and the conservative Muskogee doctor has accused Democrats of leaking the story to "trash" his character. Plummer said Thursday that she had not spoken to anyone with partisan interests but came forward after she had read the initial article about the sterilization on Salon.com earlier in the week. The race is considered one the most critical in the country as both parties fight for control of the U.S. Senate. A spokesman for Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) said Thursday that the senator was scheduled to visit Oklahoma to campaign for Coburn on Friday. Vice President Cheney is due here next week on Coburn's behalf. The story has dominated the local news this week, with national Democrats jumping into the fray. Polls show the race is a dead heat. Plummer's lawsuit was dismissed and reinstated in a statute-of- limitations squabble but never went to trial. Coburn and Plummer, then 20, agree that she contacted the doctor with an ectopic pregnancy - when a fetus lodges in a fallopian tube. Both also agree that by the time he operated, she was bleeding to death. On Wednesday, Coburn said that he removed the other tube because the patient had asked him to do so several times previously and because her mother had also requested that it be done that night. (Plummer confirmed that her mother had done so, in an interview with the Tulsa World.) Coburn's campaign released a statement Thursday from a nurse who stated that Plummer had "begged" him to remove the other tube. Plummer, now 34 and the mother of two children born before her troubled pregnancy, said that she did not learn what he had done until weeks later when she went for a checkup. "[We] went into a room by ourselves. He said, 'By the way, I tied your tubes. But do not tell anyone, because I will get in trouble.' " Copyright c. 2004 The Washington Post Company. --------- "RE: Editorial: Racial Profiling Law needs Sharp Teeth" --------- Date: Sun, 19 Sep 2004 17:55:23 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="INDIANS HARASSED" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.nativetimes.com/~article&article_id=5123 Editorial: Racial profiling law needs sharp teeth Indians harassed in numerous ways TULSA OK Louis Gray September 17, 2004 When Amnesty International released its report on the state of Racial Profiling in America, it detailed many abuses and the need for change. Native Americans are not listed because no one is tracking the abuses. Oklahoma has a racial profiling law, but it is among the weakest versions ever created. That is not the fault of law author State Senator Maxine Horner from Tulsa. Her original bill called for stiff fines for offending peace keepers and record keeping. Law enforcement officials, while assuring us that racial profiling doesn't even exist in their jurisdictions, lobbied state officials to delete any language which forces officers to note which race the arrested person belongs to. They claim the fines would keep good people from joining the force and the record keeping would be too costly and burdensome. Policemen simply can't be troubled to check a box. Oklahoma has not educated the public on how to file a complaint. Last year in the mandated annual report showed less than 10 people filed complaints and none resulted in prosecution. At a hearing in Tulsa last September, Amnesty International came to Tulsa and asked local residents to participate and share their stories. Indian people stepped forward and nearly three-dozen witnesses came prepared to tell their stories of racial profiling. They came from all over the state. They were prepared to tell stories of police manning roadblocks stopping every person leaving a pow wow. They staked out roads leading to Green Corn Dances, even searching the vehicles of Mekkos (Native Holy Men) and their families. Officers harassed people based not only on the color of their skin, but their culture and their religion. In South Dakota, officers can stop Indians with the "dangling object" law. Any feather or other Indian-related item can be grounds for complete and intrusive searches. Indian drivers with tribal license plates make easy targets for racially insensitive cops looking to harass a Native American. Some suggest it is the unwritten policy of police departments to stop all cars sporting a tribal tag. The ACLU is setting up offices in Minnesota between three reservations to investigate widespread racial profiling of Native Americans. The incarceration rate for Native Americans is grossly out of proportion with that of the general population. Everyone agrees that whenever a policeman stops an Indian on the road it needs to be documented. The argument that it would be too expensive is silly at best and wrong in reality. One police chief said it would cost nothing. Even if it did, are the police lobbyists suggesting that just because it cost money to track offenses it shouldn't be done? Clearly, Native Americans occupy the bottom rung of every serious socio- economic indicator including violence; it stands to reason racially profiling of Indians is going to extremely high. If that is the case, law enforcement needs to remedy this miscarriage of justice. Native American Times is Copyright c. 2004 Oklahoma Indian Times, Inc. --------- "RE: Jumanos face Battle in quest for Official Status" --------- Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2004 08:14:09 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="JUMANO APACHE" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.sanangelostandardtimes.com//0,1897,SAST_4943_3178206,00.html Jumanos face battle in quest for official tribal status September 13, 2004 REDFORD, Texas - A leader in an effort to round up the Jumano Apache people for federal government recognition as an Indian tribe says it could bring economic benefits to the West Texas residents, who suffer from poverty and neglect. However, proving that the Jumanos are a distinct subgroup of the Apache will not be easy because they disappeared from historical records around 1700. "There really isn't any question that the group existed," Robert Mallouf, director of the Center for Big Bend Studies at Sul Ross State University in Alpine, told the San Antonio Express-News in Monday's editions. "It's a matter of being able to trace them through time. "If they can't show continuity from the early historical period into the present, then it may be difficult to get federal recognition," said Mallouf. "But I am not saying it's impossible." A Jumano Apache tribe, if recognized by the U.S. Department of Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs, would be headquartered in Redford where it would be self-governed, possibly attracting federal funds and development projects. "Hopefully, it will help us overcome what we've had to live with for 150 years as Americans," Jumano leader Enrique Madrid said in an interview at his home. "As Americans, we are just poor. We need a better state of being." Redford has no schools. Children from the trailers and old adobe and cinder block homes clustered near Big Bend Ranch State Park. go to school in Presidio, 15 miles away along the Mexican border. In Presidio County, unemployment is 22 percent and median income is half the state average, with the closest hospital in Alpine, 100 miles to the north. "This is one of the poorest places in the United States and one of the most mistreated," said Madrid, 56. "We need a Marshall Plan after the war on drugs. The government defeated us. Now they need to build us up." In 1997, a U.S. Marine on a drug-interdiction training patrol shot and killed a young U.S. citizen tending goats in Redford. The Jumanos, with 386 registered members so far, want their own school. County Judge Jerry Agan said he wasn't aware of the Jumano group's goals. "It's kind of strange the way they are trying to do it because they haven't asked for our support on it at all," he said. "It just seems kind of far-fetched to me." The Spanish mentioned the Jumanos in expedition records from the late 1500s, before Texas existed. But according to some scholars, the Jumanos were absorbed by Apaches who were pushed into the area mainly by the Comanches during the second half of the 17th century. "We want our identity back," said another Jumano leader, 64-year-old Gabriel Carrasco. "And later on, if we are recognized, establish some jobs for the people. We are going to build a culture center as soon as we have money or a grant to do it." Information from: San Antonio Express-News Copyright c. 2004 The San Angelo Standard-Times, an E.W. Scripps newspaper. --------- "RE: Winnemem Wintu Tribe goes to War for Sacred Sites" --------- Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2004 08:14:09 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="WINNEMAN WINTU" http://www.indianz.com/News/ http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/14/national/14tribe.html?adxnnl=1 At War Against Dam, Tribe Turns to Old Ways By DEAN E. MURPHY September 14, 2004 SHASTA LAKE, Calif., Sept. 13 - The enemy stands 602 feet tall and weighs 15 million tons. But Mark Franco said he was unafraid. His face painted with black stripes and his head crowned with eagle feathers, the 49-year- old Mr. Franco was at war for the first time in his life. "We were led here through prayer," he said, his chest bare except for ceremonial necklaces and an abalone shell positioned over his heart. "This is what we need to do." The dull thud of a wooden drum half-buried in the soft earth signaled the call to dance, as Mr. Franco and seven other members of the Winnemem Wintu Indian tribe circled a small pit fire. Sunday night was the opening of a four-day ceremony that had not been performed by the Winnemem since 1887. Known as the Hu'p Chonas, the ritual of dancing and fasting on acorn water signals that the Winnemem are at war, though this is not a battle fought with traditional weaponry against a traditional adversary. The Winnemem are summoning their spiritual masters against a force that they know as "the concrete barrier," the 59-year-old Shasta Dam, one of California's biggest. The federal Bureau of Reclamation, in its pressing mission to quench California's seemingly insatiable thirst, would like to raise the dam by as much as 18 1/2 feet. The enlargement of Shasta Lake, the state's largest reservoir, which sustains the farms and people of the Central Valley, is part of a statewide plan to increase storage capacity in at least five locations and to manage some salmon populations better. But the Winnemem, a band of only about 125 members, say enough is enough. After the dam was built in the 1930's and 40's, the water behind it swallowed their villages and ancestral homelands along the McCloud River, which is one of several tributaries that feed the reservoir and, the Winnemem say, has sustained them and many other Wintu Indians for a thousand years. "We are here to face the dam, to face the enemy," said Mr. Franco's wife, Caleen Sisk-Franco, the tribe's spiritual leader and chief, who sang a soulful prayer for her warriors over burning manzanita branches on a grassy slope near the dam. "This is not against the people." During the dam's construction, the Winnemem exhumed the corpses of 183 members from a doomed graveyard and watched as their homes were knocked down. Now, if the dam grows even taller, tribal leaders say, about 20 sacred sites, including a burial ground of 17 additional Winnemem and a rock where Winnemem girls pray as part of a puberty ritual, will be lost to the reservoir. "This is too much to ask of a people," Ms. Sisk-Franco said. One of the dancers, Gary Hayward Slaughter Mulcahy, who owns a coffee shop near Sacramento, said losing just one sacred site broke a circle of connection among all of them, making it hard for the Winnemem to practice their religion. Like many of the 100 or so people who gathered here, some of them Indians from neighboring tribes, the 50-year-old Mr. Mulcahy complained about generations of mistreatment at the hands of white settlers, with the Shasta Dam only the freshest of many wounds. As he prepared for the ceremony, tuning the oak drum by twisting a series of metal screws, he wore a T-shirt depicting armed Indians and bearing the inscription "Homeland Security: Fighting Terrorism Since 1492." "If they go under the water," he said of the tribe's sacred sites, "it will be like somebody just came in and bulldozed the church down." The federal government, which built the dam and reservoir as part of the Central Valley Project, has considered enlarging Shasta Lake since 1980. The Bureau of Reclamation only recently set aside a proposal that would have added 200 feet to the top of the dam. Under the proposal now being developed with the state, construction of a 6 1/2- or 18 1/2-foot addition would begin sometime after 2010, with important environmental reviews starting next spring. "We are still conducting feasibility studies on doing this," said Jeffrey S. McCracken, a spokesman for the Bureau of Reclamation. "Some groups are very concerned about what impacts it will have on cultural resources." In addition to the Winnemem, some property owners in the area, including the Hearst family, have been among those upset about the proposal, Mr. McCracken said. A number of fishing and environmental groups, like California Trout, have also challenged the proposed project. But a report released last month by the Bureau of Reclamation found that raising the Shasta Dam "is highly cost-efficient compared to developing other new water sources." The report also listed among its findings that the taller dam would not "result in major impacts to existing flow conditions or other resources of the McCloud River." Members of the Winnemem have been attending hearings about the proposed expansion in recent months, but they are at a disadvantage because the tribe is not formally recognized under federal law. In calling her warriors to dance, Ms. Sisk-Franco said she was seeking intervention from the spirit world on federal recognition as well. Like the dam, recognition is an intensely political issue. "It gives you some standing and gives you some rights," she said. Ms. Sisk-Franco, dressed in her ceremonial whites, sat Monday on a folding chair a few yards from the dancers as several women sang songs that "came down" to her from the spirit world. "Just now, a song came down, and it was like the osprey came flying by and it brought that song in," she said after reciting the words into a tape recorder. "They are flying up there with the Creator; they are the ones that take the message up." The Winnemem consider themselves a patient people. The last time the war dance was performed, 117 years ago, they were rallying against the construction of a fish hatchery on the McCloud. Nothing happened for many years after that. But one day, a huge rush of water washed the hatchery away, Ms. Sisk-Franco said. The site is now somewhere beneath Shasta Lake. Copyright c. 2004 The New York Times Company. --------- "RE: Non-recognized VA. Tribes welcome NMAI opening" --------- Date: Fri, 17 Sep 2004 09:14:08 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="VIRGINIA TRIBES" http://www.indianz.com/News/ http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A24650-2004Sep15.html A Monument to Survival Tribes greet the National Museum of the American Indian with pride -- and a sense of proprietorship By Carol Morello Washington Post Staff Writer September 16, 2004 PAMUNKEY RESERVATION, Va. - The Native Americans who live on the Pamunkey Indian Reservation welcome visitors, but do not go out of their way to court them. An easily overlooked sign on a two-lane road halfway between Richmond and Williamsburg points the way 10 miles down a twisting lane. About 85 people live in brick ramblers and two-story frame houses tucked among woodlands and farm fields. The 1,200-acre reservation holds only a few hints of the Pamunkeys' illustrious past. A modest stone monument at the entrance commemorates their most famous ancestor, Pocahontas. Images of her legendary father, Chief Powhatan, adorn markers outside a small museum. His burial mound lies beyond the railroad tracks. About 5,000 people, mostly schoolchildren on field trips, visit annually. Now, this tiny, low-key tribe is about to get more attention in a day than it used to attract in a year. The Pamunkey are among the first of 24 tribes chosen from around the hemisphere to be featured in the exhibit halls of the Smithsonian's new National Museum of the American Indian. For a section called "Our Lives," illustrating contemporary communities, curators have videotaped Pamunkey digging clay for pottery, milking eggs from shad and boating down the Pamunkey River. Like other tribes in Virginia and Maryland, the Pamunkey are thrilled that, at last, a museum dedicated to Native American history and culture has been built on the Mall. "We're very flattered and honored that we were selected," said William P. Miles, an administrator for the Department of Housing and Urban Development and chief of the tribe. "We all got a strong sense that they wanted to tell our story the way we wanted it told. We're anxious to see how they put it together." Across the Washington region, Native Americans are anticipating that the museum's opening on Tuesday will be a milestone. They are descendants of the indigenous people who had the first contact with the English colonists who established a satellite settlement in North America at Jamestown in 1607. But today, many of them believe that their history has been all but forgotten, reduced to little more than a caricature. The museum opens at a time when Native Americans in both states have been waging unsuccessful campaigns for government recognition. Six of Virginia's eight tribes are seeking federal recognition, which would make them eligible for various benefits, but their efforts have been blocked by lawmakers who fear it could lead to casino gambling as it has in some states. Maryland's half-dozen tribes have been repeatedly rebuffed for state recognition, denying them access to some scholarships, health benefits and business contracts. With these battles as a backdrop, the National Museum of the American Indian, with its sinuous architecture and soaring atrium sited on the country's most ceremonial ground, strikes many as a long-overdue recognition of their existence and contributions. "We're very supportive of the museum," said Karenne Wood, a Monacan storyteller who heads the Virginia Council on Indians and has worked for the museum compiling research about the tribes in Maryland and Virginia. "The museum has taken a proactive stance in working with native communities and making sure the native voice is heard. It's very exciting. For so long, educational material presented that Indians were a thing of the past, and if they exist at all they're still wearing feathers and living in teepees. The museum helps dispel that notion. It really showcases the fact we're still here. The overall message is, we survived the past 400 years, and we're still a viable and contemporary people. We're adapting, but we're keeping our traditions." Acutely aware that the museum is in the back yard of their ancestral homelands, many area tribe members say it gives them a strong sense of proprietorship. "I'm extremely proud of it being here," said Kenneth Branham, chief of the Monacan Nation. "I wouldn't feel the same way if it were in Arizona." Together with the state's Department of Historical Resources, Virginia's tribes plan to hold a reception to welcome other tribes to Washington for the opening. The event will be at the Cannon Office Building on Monday. Native American protocol dictates that when Indians come to your country, you are there to greet them," said Ken Adams, chief of the Upper Mattaponi. "This is a very significant event. Indians from all over the country will be there. It's probably the biggest thing for Indians that ever happened in Washington, and we want to be a part of it." They have been a part of it from the beginning. While the museum was on the drawing boards, researchers sought out indigenous people and solicited their ideas. "During a four-year consultation process, we went all around Indian country," said Thomas Sweeney, a spokesman for the National Museum of the American Indian. "That's what makes the museum special." As a result of their input, the main entrance to the museum faces east. Many of the Native American communities in the region oriented their dwellings to the east to face the rising sun. In another bow to area tribes, the major open space in the museum has been called the Potomac, a word in the Algonquin language for a place where goods are brought. Museum officials recognize that the museum is on a former wetland traversed by tribes from both Maryland and Virginia. "This is the beginning of the story. This is where America's history begins," Sweeney said. "For the local tribes, there is a great pride in it being here. In some ways, they are the host tribes." The collaboration is also evident outside, on the museum's grounds, where four stones called Cardinal Direction Markers are placed as a metaphor for the hemisphere's original inhabitants. The stone near the eastern entrance was dug up and trucked to Washington from Sugarloaf Mountain in Western Maryland. The other stones were selected by tribes in Hawaii, Canada and Chile. After the stones were laid, Sewell Fitzhugh of Maryland's Nause-Waiwash band was invited to chant a prayer at the dedication. The open-arm approach is refreshing - and in sharp contrast to the perception among many Native Americans that the part they played in the region's history is overlooked, except in November. "It's been very welcoming," said Fitzhugh, chief of the Nause-Waiwash. "In the state of Maryland, we're like turkeys. They want us when it's Thanksgiving. And the rest of the year, they'd like us to just go away. Without recognition, we constantly have to fight for our identity, fight for our culture, fight for our people. It's a constant battle to be counted for who you are." Hopes are high that the museum could herald a new era for Native Americans. "With the blessing of the stones, they show they're not going to play these games about whether you're officially recognized or not," Fitzhugh said. For many, the museum is an intensely personal experience. Warren Cook, assistant chief of the Pamunkey and the son of a former chief, has donated dozens of family photographs. Fitzhugh hopes to hear tape recordings made in the 1920s, when Smithsonian researchers taped his grandmother and other members of the tribe just before a new road was built. Branham is looking forward to driving four hours to Washington with his grandchildren to squire them around the museum. He visited during the ceremony with the directional stones this summer, and pronounced himself "blown away" by the architecture. "I think all Indians will be proud of it," he said. "We're especially happy and proud the Pamunkey will be represented. I've been in close contact with the chiefs, and I haven't heard the first person say, 'Why them?' " Some of the Pamunkey, however, pondered that very question when Smithsonian researchers first approached them four years ago with a proposal to feature them. "I was surprised they thought of us," said Cook, who served on a tribal committee to help with the museum planning. "We're so small. But there's a lot of history here." The Pamunkey were once the most powerful tribe in the Powhatan Confederacy, an alliance of 32 tribes under the great Pamunkey chief Powhatan. Their treaties with the English crown date to 1646 and 1677. To this day, the tribe's chief, whose Indian name is Swift Water, dons his deerskin and headdress to present venison or turkey to the governor of Virginia every Thanksgiving. From the tribe's perspective, the ceremony continues its treaty with the state and solidifies its sovereignty. What most intrigued the Smithsonian researchers was the way the Pamunkey maintain age-old traditions against the onslaught of modernity. Today, the reservation is a bedroom community, with most of its residents working at jobs an hour away in Richmond or Williamsburg. But many of their customs date back generations. The tribe is governed by the chief and a tribal council of seven men. No women can run. Elections are held every four years. The men vote with kernels of corn in favor of a candidate, or butter beans signifying rejection. Disputes between neighbors are settled by the tribal council, with no appeal. Joyce Krisvold, a retired nurse, runs the tribal pottery school, using the same designs as their ancestors. Jeff Brown, a construction worker, digs up the pottery clay on the banks of the Pamunkey River. Smithsonian researchers made several trips to the reservation to make videos and take photos. The exhibit focuses on the river, which they photographed in every season as Pamunkey worked and played around its waters. "They were interested in our lives," said Bob Gray, a maintenance superintendent for the Air National Guard who also worked on the museum committee. "They wanted to know how we are today, and how we got to be that way." Adams, whose Upper Mattaponi tribe is just up the road from the Pamunkey Reservation, believes the museum's display of their lives will generate more interest in all Virginia's Indian tribes. The Jamestown 2007 commemoration of the colony's founding 400 years ago is also on the horizon. With Native Americans accustomed to having to fight to be heard, he said, it feels as if their time has finally come. "For so many years we were hunkered down in a survival mode," he said. "For 250 years, they tried to obliterate our culture. Now they're building a monument to us. It's just amazing." Copyright c. 2004 The Washington Post Company. --------- "RE: Making Tribes Stronger" --------- Date: Sun, 19 Sep 2004 08:59:43 EDT From: MJLaBurt@aol.com Subj: Making tribes stronger Mailing List: Sovereign Nations NDNAIM http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36%7E171%7E2407385,00.html Making tribes stronger September 19, 2004 Tribal Sovereignty: Tribes' rights to self-governance are constantly under siege by governments, corporations and individuals. Buttressing tribal sovereignty through the law is one of NARF's principal activities. Federal Recognition of Tribal Status: Tribes that are recognized by the federal government receive both protection and benefits from the federal government. Many tribes today are not recognized by the federal government, however. NARF works to secure for the tribes federal recognition. Protection of Indian Lands: NARF is always involved with cases involving Indians' rights to ancestral lands, many of which hold valuable resources sought after by corporations. Water Rights: Especially in the arid West, governments, corporations, farmers and others are always searching for water, and sometimes Indians' water rights are infringed upon. NARF toils to maintain Indian water rights. Hunting and Fishing: These rights often are under challenge by state and other laws, and NARF fights for Indians' rights to pursue game as they traditionally have done. Religious freedom and Cultural Rights: From Indians' use of peyote in the Native American Church to what happens to the remains of tribal ancestors, NARF fights those forces - governments, archeologists, and others - that infringe upon tribal rights to worship or live in a traditional manner. Education: NARF works closely with tribes to improve education for Indian students. - Douglas Brown Copyright c. 2004 Denver Post. --------- "RE: Museum comes Face to Face with its Biggest Faux" --------- Date: Sun, 19 Sep 2004 17:55:23 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="NO STEREOTYPES" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.washingtonpost.com//A30501-2004Sep17.html In Tonto, the Museum Comes Face to Face With Its Biggest Faux By Hank Stuever Washington Post Staff Writer Saturday, September 18, 2004; Page C01 Bobby (angry that his stepsister Cindy is wearing his Indian costume): I'm gonna scalp her. I'm the real Little Owl! Alice, the housekeeper: Oh, I think she makes a heap pretty squaw. - From a 1969 episode of "The Brady Bunch" One problem facing the National Museum of the American Indian is that there's too much "Brady Bunch" in most of us. Whether in backyard forts or on trips to the Grand Canyon, the Brady family had a pretty strong case, as do many Americans, of what academic circles have dubbed "the Tonto Syndrome." Centuries of exaggerated, romanticized media imagery have created an Indian of the mind. Bad accents, bad jokes: Americans still revel in war whoops and feathers. Tonto - that faithful, if verbally stilted, companion to TV's Lone Ranger - is who stands between the new museum's vision of itself and everyone else. He is one of countless make-believe natives who are both icons of pop and a pernicious stereotype. The faux Indian dates from Plains Indians' successful (if culturally disastrous) showbiz debut with Buffalo Bill in the 19th century. He is with us even up to the performance of "Hey Ya!" by hip-hop megastars OutKast at this year's Grammy Awards. (The band wore face paint and cheesy feathered headdresses. Indian rights groups complained, noting parallels to minstrelsy. And got nowhere.) Everything you think you know about Indians? It's probably wrong. But is it so wrong that it won't be in the museum at all? When Mr. and Mrs. Air-'n'-Space and their kids walk through its hallowed entry, they bring to the Indian Museum a few centuries' worth of red-man baggage. (They might even be wearing Redskins jerseys.) But the museum, in giving them a heavy dose of authenticity, doesn't include a place to unpack all those heap-big stereotypes - the residue of racism that has so transfixed contemporary Indian artists, cultural historians and ironic observers of outdated pop. What the museum serves is an altogether new flavor of tourist Kool-Aid, redefining concepts of history, cosmology, spirituality and diversity. It is so broad and so complicated that visitors almost can't be blamed for asking, in ignorance or sentimentality, where Tonto went. "We have consistently thought about that question, all along," says Bruce Bernstein, the museum's assistant director for cultural resources. Bernstein and others hope the sheer beauty and tone of the place will dispel the inaccurate mythology, jokes and war whoops that visitors grew up with. That basically includes anyone who watched TV or had a social studies class in the 20th century. "You walk in on the northwest corner and into what I hope people will agree is a gorgeous building," Bernstein says. "And they won't be saying, 'Wait, now where are the tepees?' or 'I don't see the noble savage standing around; what does this have to do with native people?' We're trying to call all that into question with what we do show." Therefore, no funny stuff. No campy "Indian" extras of Westerns, nor wooden cigar-store Indians, nor Sitting Bull comedy kitsch. There will be no display of suction-cup toy arrows, no headdresses made in Taiwan. No tepee-shaped motels or Route 66 curios, and no sexy depictions of buckskin-bikini-clad maidens, nor Land o' Lakes butter princesses. Sorry, die-hard Redskins fans: Your long struggle to justify the NFL franchise's name isn't a welcome discussion here. Same for the "tomahawk chop" of the Atlanta Braves, or the Cleveland Indians' cartoony Chief Wahoo, or any of a panoply of outdated team mascots and their war-painted fans. There is no Disney afoot. (Nix the 1990s-style "Pocahontas," and also "Peter Pan's" Tiger Lily and the Lost Boys.) No gift-shop tom-toms with rubber skins. No Thanksgiving pageants with the clumsy gesturing, the corn cobs, the loincloths. No Hallmark depictions of a "vanishing people." No guy on horseback shedding a glycerin tear at the sight of litter and pollution. No Village People. No "how." No new-age medicine men who populate the Santa Fe spa scene. Thus far, just a few references to casino culture. None of the Indian art typically seen in the dentist offices of Phoenix. No "Little Big Man," nor any Kevin Costner-style Hollywood guilt (which, to many Indians, is no better than the Hollywood exploitation that preceded it). No Ethel Merman singing Irving Berlin's "I'm an Indian Too" from "Annie Get Your Gun": Just like Rising Moon, Falling Pants, Running Nose Like those Indians, I'm an Indian, too. A Siou-ouuu-oux, a Sioux Let go, the Indian Museum implicitly tells us. That stuff - though very much a hot topic and desperately interesting to those seeking to understand the effective marginalizing of native culture in the modern age - isn't here. But should it be? Has the Smithsonian - obsessive-compulsive hoarder of everything American - amassed a collection of Indian kitsch somewhere, anything akin to George Gustav Heye's collection of authentic Indian artifacts in the 19th and early 20th century? Yes, at some future point, Bernstein says, the Indian Museum will figure out how examples of negative Indian stereotypes fit in with the theme and vision of the place. Bernstein points out that the Smithsonian and other museums have been attuned all along to showing the artistic and cultural uses of inaccuracies and issues of race. The NMAI approaches it tentatively for now - Santa Clara (N.M.) Pueblo potter Tammy Garcia has a piece in the Indian Museum called "Love and Luggage" that depicts a relationship between an Indian man and a blond, white woman. "Who Stole the Tee Pee?," a 2000 exhibit at the Smithsonian's Heye Center in New York, examined Indian stereotypes from dozens of native perspectives, and the results were both clever and chilling. "The problem with the predominate Indian stereotypes are that they totally ignore the diversity, the modernity of native people," says Kathleen Ash-Milby, curator and co-director of the gallery at the American Indian Community House in New York. That said, Ash-Milby thinks stereotypes are a fascinating and key element to the overall American Indian narrative. When she was a graduate student at the University of New Mexico in the early 1990s, Ash-Milby did thesis work on the perennially iconic, cliche image of Indianness - the war bonnet. Emanating from Plains cultures, the bonnet took on outsize significance and became misunderstood, misused. It helped turn "Indian" into a Halloween costume. "I think it's important that the stereotypes are addressed at some point, " she says. Ash-Milby, who is Navajo, found herself having to explain to her son's preschool teacher - who was originally from Ecuador - why it wasn't appropriate to sing "Ten Little Indians" in class (and do the "woo-woo-woo" war cry at the end of the song). "I know she didn't mean harm by it," she says. "But I had to tell her that . . . if my son were to sing this song in front of his family, it would hurt their feelings." Robert Schmidt, a writer in Los Angeles who started his own Indian- themed comic book ("Peace Party") several years ago and has been an ardent compiler of examples of negative stereotypes, says he thinks it's "useful for [the NMAI] to send a positive message and their approach implicitly contradicts stereotypes, but at some point I'd hope [the museum] would explicitly contradict stereotypes." Since 1998, Schmidt has clipped and posted examples on his Web site (www.bluecorncomics.com) of past and current Indian stereotypes - everything from the choice moment of a "Brady Bunch" rerun quoted earlier, to longer, more harmful instances of politicians and otherwise gallant-seeming intellectuals partaking in both subtle and overt digs at Indian cultures. Some of it is so baffling, so trivializing, that you laugh more out of exasperation than remorse. Even some American Indians find it hard to let go of Tonto et al. "You know, it's disappointing for native people, too," Ash-Milby says, "to find out that these stereotypes aren't true." Some of them anyhow - like the heroic Indian guide, the nobility, the spirituality. Even when it was wildly inaccurate, it was at least an acknowledgment of existence, something minorities were never used to seeing in most popular culture. "People want to believe these romantic notions, which are prevalent and longstanding. Our people grew up with mass media, too," she says, and that meant they saw the same kind of faux-Indian and, taking what they could get, identified with him. "Pop culture has a very strong influence." In a stand-up concert taped earlier this year in San Francisco and currently airing on Showtime, the comedian Dave Chappelle performs a shtick in which he claims to have met a Navajo man in a Wal-Mart in New Mexico. "You know who I feel sorry for," Chappelle says, "is Indians. They get dogged openly, because everyone thinks they're all dead." He continues the bit: To make sure his new friend, "Running Coyote," is an Indian, he says, he throws a gum wrapper on the floor, waiting for Running Coyote (an alcoholic, he jokes) to shed a single tear, like the public service anti-litter ad in the early 1970s. Calling himself "Black Feet," Chappelle imagines a riff of accompanying Running Coyote to a marijuana peace-pipe ritual. It goes on and on, dragging out almost every Indian stereotype of the last 100 years. (And making use of the implicit contract all minority comedians have with the mores of pop culture: Anything goes, but it's okay, because I'm black.) What's instructive here is how heartily the racially mixed audience laughs. Are these the same people coming to the Indian Museum? Ostensibly yes, in an America that hasn't stopped dogging Tonto. Copyright c. 2004 The Washington Post Company. --------- "RE: Indian Art of Storytelling seeps into Boardroom" --------- Date: Mon, 20 Sep 2004 08:17:11 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="CORPORATE STORYTELLING" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.usatoday.com//2004-09-19-storytell_x.htm Indian art of storytelling seeps into boardroom By Del Jones, USA TODAY September 19, 2004 WASHINGTON - As a child, retired Citgo CEO David Tippeconnic sat on the porch of his Oklahoma farmhouse and listened to the stories of his Comanche elders. Tippeconnic, 64, recalls a lesson handed down to his grandfather, to his father and then to himself that he says can be summarized: "Don't trust a red-faced white man." In business, Tippeconnic has interacted primarily with white men. But he's interpreted the boyhood lesson to mean that he should avoid dealing with anyone, of any race, who angers easily, and that he should maintain his cool. It has served him well. He climbed the ladder at Phillips Petroleum, then served as CEO of Midwestern energy company UNO-VEN from 1995 to 1997, when it was bought by Citgo. He was Citgo's CEO until 2000. Companies in their never-rest quest for the hot strategy have inadvertently backed into the art of Indian storytelling. While trying everything from Six Sigma to Zen, they never seemed interested in anything Native American, a culture that does not condone greed and is closer to socialism than capitalism. Or, as Indian mystery author Tony Hillerman says, "How do the Navajo tell a witch? They look for somebody who has more than he needs." That's a rather alien attitude to Wall Street. But Indian storytelling is catching on, whether companies realize it or not. They don't call it Indian storytelling, just storytelling or leader-led development, but the similarities are hard to ignore. Corporate stories are told by graying boardroom chiefs to intimate groups of up-and-comers. Companies that use it, such as 3M, Ford Motor, General Electric and Barclays, have found it the most effective way to transfer certain knowledge to the next generation. Companies think they invented knowledge management, but it's something Indians have known for thousands of years, says Wilma Mankiller, ex-chief of the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma. Dave Anderson of the Lac Courte Oreilles Lake Superior Band of Ojibwa, founder of the Famous Dave's chain of 100 barbecue restaurants in 24 states and now head of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, says the best leaders pass down personal legends to instill values. In 1996, when there were a dozen Famous Dave's restaurants in Minnesota and Wisconsin, Anderson suspected a shipment of ribs didn't meet standards. So he drove to each of his restaurants, went in the freezer and weighed and measured each rib. People might not remember what's in the employee handbook, Anderson says, but everyone who hears that story knows how important quality is to the company. There may be other business lessons to mine from Indians. Long before companies discovered situational leadership, Indians had a "red" leader for times of war and a "white" leader for peacetime, says Kyle Smith, a Cherokee with an MBA from the University of Rochester. He worked a decade for energy firm Amerada Hess before becoming president of consulting firm RedWind Group, which specializes in highly unionized, bureaucratic and regulated organizations. Houston-based RedWind has 10 on staff; half are Indian. Modern teaching method These days, knowledge is usually stored as data by the terabyte. Still, face-to-face storytelling is the best way to transfer a lot of know-how, says Doug Ready, president of the International Consortium for Executive Development Research, who has studied 45 companies and discusses non- Indian storytelling in an article, "How to Grow Great Leaders," to be published in the Harvard Business Review 3M introduced storytelling three years ago to two dozen rising executives and found it so effective that 140 received storytelling lessons this year, says Cindy Johnson, manager of the 3M leadership development institute. "We call it leaders teaching leaders," she says. 3M finds that information passed along in story form is better remembered by rising executives and is more satisfying to older leaders doing the teaching. Indians figured that out long before 3M invented Post-it notes. The Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, which opens in Washington on Tuesday, is a tribute to storytelling. Stories are so important to Indians, they are entwined with art, music, dance and prayer. One exhibit points out that Indian ballgames are re-enactments of good-vs. -evil stories. Director Rick West, a lawyer and a citizen of the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes, stood in the museum's main theater last week and said it was built to resemble a clearing in the woods under the night sky, the perfect storytelling venue. The stage's curtain, not yet installed, will feature the Raven, the trickster character that stars in so many Indian stories. Another exhibit describes bird dancing, in which women mimic the movement of birds as they hop while singing stories that are metaphors for life. Shareholders might not be bird hopping at their next annual meeting, but when CEOs speak to up-and-coming executives, they deliver stories that have been rehearsed for months and are intended to strike an emotional chord with the future chiefs of business. "This is not some stump speech," Ready says. "It's from the heart." Done right, he says, stories "are so powerful, you can hear a pin drop." Effective stories must be delivered one on one or to a small group, he says, and they must be told by top chiefs who have earned respect. Stories can't be off the cuff. They must be planned to make a point, reveal personal tales of success - or, better yet, failure - and be full of drama and ethical intersections. Effective storytellers don't have to be good speakers. They need only be honest. The best stories often show the underbelly of leadership and force future executives to question whether they really want the responsibility. In an MIT Sloan Management Review article, Ready refers to a story told by Royal Bank of Canada Vice Chairman James Rager. Ready's article said Rager took five or six weeks to hone a story about a time he had to lay off workers but couldn't tell them why because the company was involved in secret acquisition talks. In his storytelling, Rager admitted to the younger executives that he had conflicting emotions. On one hand, there was the exhilaration of doing the deal. On the other hand, there was the trauma of firing dedicated colleagues. Royal Bank declined to comment. Business leaders are getting rid of PowerPoint presentations in favor of storytelling, Smith says. "How can you evoke an emotion with a bullet point?" There is an obvious clash between the cultures of Native Americans and business, Mankiller says. But they have found a common denominator: Knowledge is valuable, and those who fail to pass it along are dooming others to repeat mistakes. Culture clash Learning is ingrained in Indian culture, Tippeconnic says. He says his father, John Tippeconnic, born in 1901, was the first Native American to earn a college degree. John Tippeconnic became principal at an all-Indian school in Farmington, N.M. His son, the future CEO, attended that school and went on to earn a chemical engineering degree from Oklahoma State University and an advanced management program degree from Harvard. Now, as Native Americans succeed in gaming and look to diversify into other industries, such as broadband and energy, the challenge is to get them to be more accepting of the ways of business, says Tippeconnic, chairman of Cherokee Nation Enterprises. In the language of the Tuscarora, the word for leadership is gustowah, which means, "We speak through them." That sounds respectful, but Indian stories commonly poke fun at chiefs, says Marty de Montano, author of published Indian stories and manager of the resource center at the National Museum of the American Indian. In one of the best-known Indian stories, a greedy chief keeps the sun and moon in a box for himself until the Raven tricks him and releases the light for the masses. Indian stories seem too ancient to apply to modern business. They teach values, but author Hillerman says there is a wide canyon between Indian beliefs and anything resembling capitalism. Hillerman has an Indian friend who was a successful bull rider. One day he quit riding because, Hillerman says, he felt he was being selfish for winning too much. Bird dancing may make its way into the boardroom long before that attitude does. "Frankly, none of the tribes are competitive," says Hillerman, whose next book, Skeleton Man,is due out in November. But, Tippeconnic says, he grew up surrounded by competitive sports, and Comanches are known for standing up and fighting. Indian business is on the verge of a boom that will be "the economic driving force in Oklahoma" in one or two decades, he says. LaDonna Harris, a Comanche and wife of former Oklahoma senator Fred Harris, acknowledges the conflict between Indian and business culture, but she says it is "workable." Indian values of modesty and generosity should be seen as assets to business, Harris says. "We can't be individual capitalists, but we can be collective capitalists," she says. Harris, who, like Tippeconnic, sits on a board that's trying to help Indians use casino profit to branch into other industries, recalls an Oneida Nation story about a village of animals making an important decision. They fail to include the wolf, a strategy that backfires and creates a lesson in diversity, Harris says. Indian stories sometimes tell of women who take Indian men down a notch when they begin feeling overly important. That may be the next lesson of the Indians as all women assume an important role in business, she says. Copyright c. 2004 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc. --------- "RE: Yellow Bird: Ribbons express support for Troops" --------- Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 08:48:32 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="YELLOW BIRD: TROOPS, NOT WAR" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.grandforks.com//dorreen_yellow_bird/9657199.htm DORREEN YELLOW BIRD COLUMN: Yellow ribbons express support for troops, not war September 14, 2004 Are the yellow ribbon stickers that are being sold for use on cars and trucks really needed to support our military? I started to paste one of them on my car because of course I support all my relatives, friends and other brave men and women in the military. Then I thought, who does not support our troops? After all, they are our friends and part of our community. So why the yellow ribbon campaign? We are in a complicated time in our history. We went to war with Osama bin Laden and his terrorists. We didn't stop bin Laden. He's still there giving orders and filling his country and surrounding countries with hate. We were, however, like the alpha wolf - and with one enemy and problem seemingly addressed, we turned, teeth bared, to look for the next attacker. There in the alpha's yellow-eyed sight was our old enemy, Saddam Hussein. It was understandable. We had just been blindsided. So get Hussein before he gets us, we thought - and the wolf jumped into the fray without much support of the rest of the "pack," meaning the world. I realize that our basic instincts to protect were flaming and raw. I remember the attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon Sept. 11. That attack pitched our fears to the highest level. I was driving to work at the Herald that day when the radio broke into regular programming for the terrible news. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. As soon as I got to the office, I headed for the newsroom and the television. There on the screen, the unbelievable was being played out. Inside I could feel a sickening squirm in my stomach: Would attack planes come to North Dakota next? I held my breath and stared at the screen as the towers came down in a huge cloud of white; flurries of white papers dancing over the crashing debris. Where do you hide in Armageddon? I wondered. I realized I was hundreds of miles away from New York and Washington, D. C., yet the fear that the terrorists had instilled in us was real to me. The nation scrambled to stand upright and launched an attack against the criminals. That is a natural reaction. That done, off we went into another country, taking with us thousands of our National Guard and military people and putting them in harm's way - this time, with little support from the rest of the world. When we found no weapons but only Saddam Hussein hiding in a hole, and when the war continued to take its toll on our military, a growing group of people said stop - war isn't always the answer. But they didn't put blame on the troops or our military. I doubt if anyone would say that we don't support the men and women who put their lives at risk every day. We have lost over a thousand men and women to date. Native nations have a lot at stake. We have a large percentage of men and women fighting in Iraq; we support them and honor them when they come home. But that doesn't mean we support war. It is the war and those who make the leadership decisions that need to be carefully thought through. War should be turned to only after we have exhausted every peaceful means, turned over every stone and tried everything possible to find another way to end the fighting. With that done and only with that done, war would be an answer. Thanks for the yellow ribbon, which rallies support for our troops - and I will stick a yellow ribbon on my car. But I need to say that my support for our TROOPS goes without saying. ------ Yellow Bird writes columns Tuesdays and Saturdays. Reach her by phone at 780-1228 or (800) 477-6572, extension 228, or by e-mail at dyellowbird@gfherald.com. Copyright c. 2004 Grand Forks Herald/Grand Forks, ND. --------- "RE: CYFN Membership to include N.W.T. First Nations" --------- Date: Thu, 16 Sep 2004 08:54:13 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="CYFN INCLUDES NWT NATIONS" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://north.cbc.ca//View?filename=sep15gwichcyfn15092004 CYFN to expand membership to include N.W.T. First Nations September 15, 2004 WHITEHORSE - Yukon's main aboriginal political organization has decided to accept four Gwich'in First Nations from the Northwest Territories as members of their Council of Yukon First Nations. A resolution accepting Aklavik, Fort McPherson, Inuvik and Tsiigehtchic was passed late Wednesday. Both Gwich'in and Yukon First Nation leaders say joining forces will strengthen their hand on a number of issues. It will give the Northwest Territory chiefs more say over their land claim settlement lands in the Yukon. Both sides argued that a joint front will give First Nations a lot of control over the development of oil and gas in the North. Some chiefs expressed caution during the debate on accepting the new members. The chief of the Tr'ondek Hwech'in first nation in Dawson City said he had questions. Darren Taylor says one of the main jobs of the Council of Yukon First Nations is to see through the settlement of all land claims in the Yukon. "I know CYFN or CYI [Council of Yukon Indians] at that time was put into place to advance Yukon First Nation concerns and issues, particularly getting 14 final agreements throughout the Yukon territory," he says. "So there's still a mandate agreement that has not been met yet." There were others who wondered about accepting members from outside the territory when three Yukon First Nations - White River, the Kaska, and Kwanlin Dun of Whitehorse - who are not yet on the council. There was no word on how the leaders settled issues like how much money the new members would be expected to contribute and other issues about the day-to-day running of the Council. Copyright c. 2004 CBC. --------- "RE: Fort Yukon looks to Gas for future Heat, Power" --------- Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2004 08:14:09 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="YUKON COAL BED METHANE" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.adn.com/front/story/5544658p-5479453c.html Fort Yukon looks to gas for future heat, power COAL BED METHANE: Project to pencil out possibilities for village. By JOEL GAY Anchorage Daily News September 13, 2004 A thick, black coal seam deep beneath Fort Yukon may eventually provide the Gwich'in Athabascan community with light, heat and power, without the mess caused by mines and smelly burners. Coal bed methane, the gas that has raised a stink in the Matanuska- Susitna Borough, could be a boon to remote villages, state and federal officials say, and Fort Yukon is the test site. If enough methane is found and it can be pumped economically, they see the town kicking its million- dollar dependence on diesel. And if the village of 575 can make the switch to clean-burning gas, so might other remote Alaska communities near the state's vast coal resources. "I look at this as bridge technology to the future," said Jim Clough of the state Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys, a potential source of cheap power for regions saddled with some of the highest electricity and heating costs in the United States. But as in Mat-Su, Homer and other areas where coal bed methane production is proposed, the rosy prospects are tempered by local concern. "Yeah, I'm excited about it," said Adlai Alexander, chief of the Fort Yukon tribe. "It's the environment I'm worried about. It's got to be environmentally safe to the land and water. We live right alongside one of the biggest rivers on earth. We live off that river." Alaska is rich in coal, the result of ancient forests, ferns and grasslands gradually transforming into underground fields of blackened carbon. The state sits atop 5.5 trillion tons of it - half the United States' resources and one-fifth of the world's total, according to federal estimates. The state hasn't benefited much from its tremendous reserves, however. While the first coal mine opened in Alaska in the 1800s, the combined value of all the coal sold since then reaches barely $1 billion. Sand and gravel, in contrast, have earned almost three times that amount. But Clough and other geologists believe the methane gas in Alaska's coal basins may prove a much more valuable resource. Trapped in coal seam cracks and fissures, the gas is found relatively close to the surface and comes out of the ground virtually ready to burn. Historically, methane has been the bane of underground coal miners, an odorless but highly explosive gas. It was methane that prompted miners to take canaries into the shafts as living gas alarms. More recently, the energy industry has embraced coal bed methane. Wells are operating throughout the country and contribute 8 percent of the nation's natural gas supply, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Almost all the methane ends up in utility pipelines, mixed with natural gas from conventional, deep-shaft wells. That's what Evergreen Resources Inc. envisions in Mat-Su. It would pump coal bed methane from a web of shallow wells into the pipeline that rings Cook Inlet and warms homes from Wasilla to the Kenai Peninsula. The Fort Yukon project is completely different, said Brent Sheets of the U.S. Department of Energy in Fairbanks. The gas would stay in the village - a first in Alaska and probably in the country, he said. Fort Yukon is a tidy, 150-year-old former trading post on the north bank of the Yukon River, where the river meets the Arctic Circle. Summer temperatures have hit 97 degrees, but the winter is long and deep, with regular cold snaps down to minus 50. Though locals say U.S. Rep. Don Young doesn't show up often, he keeps a home there. The town has only about 50 cars, and many residents heat their homes with wood. But like virtually every rural Alaska village, Fort Yukon is addicted to oil. It imports 620,000 gallons of diesel fuel and heating oil a year, barged from Fairbanks. More than half the fuel is burned to generate electricity, including for a power-hungry Air Force radar station. Even at the 2003 wholesale price paid by the local electrical utility, the diesel bill for Fort Yukon was nearly $1 million. Prices have jumped substantially since then. The idea of powering remote communities with coal bed methane has floated around Alaska for years, Sheets said, but the economic feasibility has been questionable. That's changing as the industry develops. New technologies could make remote projects possible. Fort Yukon was selected as the first site of a multiyear, multicommunity pilot project because previous drilling showed that coal underlies the entire village, Sheets said. Now the big questions are how much gas the coal contains, and how much it will cost to produce. Three federal agencies, plus the state and the University of Alaska Fairbanks, are collaborating on the study. This summer, they barged in a Bureau of Land Management drill rig and in August began drilling. Working around the clock, crews drilled to almost 2,300 feet to collect coal samples. Testing this fall should determine the gas content. UAF economists this winter will sift through the project's expenses, from drilling to testing the coal, developing wells and converting the village to burn natural gas, to see whether gas can economically replace diesel. If the project looks feasible, Fort Yukon will have to fund the rest of the work, which will be substantial. Wells would be the most expensive component - up to $500,000 each, said the state's Clough. And it could take 10 or more to provide enough gas, even for a village as small as Fort Yukon. "That's the thing with coal bed methane," he said. Though the fuel is free once you tap it, the upfront costs are high. Once the wells were in, the gas could be piped to the village electric utility plant. Converting oil-fired generators to gas would be a minor expense, Clough said. Similarly, large residential furnaces and even gasoline-burning vehicles can be converted to natural gas inexpensively with different carburetors. The methane could be compressed and pumped into tanks, much as propane is used in many communities. Building a pipeline to serve homes would be a major expense, Clough said. The economic study should determine whether it will be cost-effective. But even if coal bed methane pencils out to be a better bet than diesel, the same environmental concerns raised elsewhere could torpedo the Fort Yukon plan. They revolve mostly around water. In most deep coal beds, the methane is suspended in water, and it separates into free gas only as the water is pumped to the surface. The water can be extremely salty, and during the early stages of production it comes up in large quantities, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Some landowners in the Lower 48 say methane production has caused water wells to dry up and fouled streams with heavy doses of salt. Some complain that natural gas released by the drilling has seeped into basements and polluted springs and rivers. It's too early to know the quality of the water drawn out of the Fort Yukon well and what would be done with it, Sheets said. The state could require that it be reinjected into the wells rather than allowed to run off. Even now, however, some people in Fort Yukon are questioning the environmental effects of drilling and gas production, Mayor Vicki Thomas said. While some people in town support the idea, others are watching closely. "There's a lot of interest," Thomas said. "They worry about the water - is it going to affect our water table?" Tribal chief Alexander, who works at the village health clinic, has heard similar concerns. People are asking, "What if it seeps out into the Yukon?" he said. "If we're not safe, it'll kill all our fish off." Down at Trader Dan's Yukon Outpost, which sells gasoline, pop and sundries, owner Dan Teague said he and other people think the idea of providing the village with natural gas is admirable but unlikely. "It'd be nice if they could find something here. It'd help us a lot financially. But the general consensus here is that it's a pipe dream," Teague said. "We've been hearing this stuff for years now." It may take a year before project sponsors will know whether the village gas plan is a pipe dream or not, Sheets said. But information gleaned from Fort Yukon should be applicable to dozens of villages in similar straits and may extend to mines, military sites and other remote facilities. And even if Fort Yukon doesn't pan out, Sheets said, the project will continue to tap coal veins around the state in coming years, perhaps under Wainwright, Chignik, Unalakleet and McGrath, using the equipment and expertise from this summer's work. "The main thrust of this activity is to provide an alternative to diesel and present that information to let the community decide if this is the route they want to go," Sheets said. But no one plans to force any changes, he said. "It's all the community's choice and decision." Daily News reporter Joel Gay can be reached at jgay@adn.com or at 257-4310. Copyright c. 2004 The Anchorage Daily News. --------- "RE: Canada wants Abuse Victim to return Settlement" --------- Date: Fri, 17 Sep 2004 09:14:08 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="VICTIMIZING THE VICTIM" http://www.indianz.com/News/ http://winnipeg.cbc.ca//View?filename=mb_merrick20040916 Feds ask residential-school survivor to return compensation September 16, 2004 WINNIPEG - The lawyer for an 88-year-old residential-school survivor is "extremely frustrated" after learning the federal government wants to take back compensation money awarded to his client. Flora Merrick of the Long Plain First Nation attended the residential school at Portage la Prairie for 10 years when she was a girl. When she was 15, the school refused to let her attend her mother's funeral, so she ran away. After she was brought back to the school, Merrick was strapped. An adjudicator awarded Merrick $1,500 in compensation - but the federal government says the school was justified in punishing Merrick for running away, so it wants the money back. "It makes me wonder," says Dennis Troniak, Merrick's lawyer. "The pettiness involved, really, the harshness of it... why can't we allow this elderly lady to get this modest amount? "We see the spin the government gives to the media, to the public, about how fair they are, how reasonable they are, how they want to deal with the claimants, the residential school survivors, in a better way outside the court system, without being in an adversarial situation," he says. "Then they go and do something like this, which I think flies in the face of everything they've been saying." Merrick is appealing to try to keep the settlement money. Copyright c. 2004 CBC. --------- "RE: Healing Programs in limbo as Cash runs out" --------- Date: Mon, 20 Sep 2004 08:17:11 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="HEALING PROGRAMS" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://north.cbc.ca//View?filename=0917abhealingSept172004 Healing programs in limbo as cash runs out September 17, 2004 WHITEHORSE - The executive director of the Aboriginal Healing Foundation says the federal government needs to continue funding the people they help. The foundation provides money to groups like CAIRS, or the Centre for Adults in Residential Schools. Mike Degagne says the federal government should have another program ready for when the foundation runs out of money in January. "Most projects depend on us solely for their funding and their survival, so when our funding runs out I'm afraid good, well-developed community projects that are on the go out there will no longer be able to continue." The Yukon's member of Parliament, Larry Bagnell, says the government is currently reviewing the foundation's work. He says he's encouraged the government to develop a strategy for after the foundation closes. The Aboriginal Healing Foundation received $350 million five years ago. It's spent that money on about 1,500 projects. Copyright c. 2004 CBC. --------- "RE: Thousands of Colombian Indians March" --------- Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2004 20:01:30 EDT From: MJLaBurt@aol.com Subj: Thousands of Colombian Indians March Mailing List: NDNAIM http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/politics/9663319.htm?1c Thousands of Colombian Indians March OSWALDO PAEZ Associated Press September 14, 2004 SANTANDER DE QUILICHAO, Colombia - More than 35,000 Colombian Indians marched in a violence-wracked region Tuesday to protest attacks against Indians and a free-trade pact pursued by the United States - forming a column that coiled over the rolling, green countryside. Wearing traditional black bowler hats and ponchos or T-shirts and jeans, the Indians gathered in this village in the Cauca Valley of southwestern Colombia and began walking to Cali, Colombia's third-largest city, 30 miles to the north. "We are demonstrating against the war and attacks against our people's human rights, no matter where they come from," Luis Evelis Andrade, president of the National Indigenous Organization of Colombia, told The Associated Press. Colombia's war, now in its 40th year, pits the military and a handful of outlawed right-wing paramilitary groups against two leftist rebel armies. Civilians, including the nation's 800,000 Indians who live in the Andes Mountains and jungles, are often caught in the middle, and pay a price in blood. Some 3,500 people, most of them civilians, are killed every year. Thousands more are kidnapped. The National Indigenous Organization of Colombia says 57 Indians have been killed and 4,500 forced from their homes in the conflict this year. Andrade said more than 40,000 Indians were participating in the march, saying he believed it was the largest gathering of Colombia's indigenous people in the country's history. Police put the number of marchers Tuesday at 35,000. Special "indigenous guards" were tasked with keeping the march orderly. Government security forces also stood along the march route, which ran alongside the Pan American Highway, to keep order and prevent rebels or paramilitaries from attacking. The Pan American Highway is a vital transportation corridor, running from southern Argentina to Alaska, except for a jungle-covered stretch along the Colombian-Panamanian border. Warned by President Alvaro Uribe not to block any roads, Indian leaders said the march would be peaceful and allow traffic to pass. Gen. Jorge Daniel Castro, chief of the Colombian National Police, said anyone blocking the highways would be arrested. The Indians are also protesting a free-trade agreement being negotiated between the United States and Colombia, a pact they fear will hurt them economically and diminish their sovereignty as Indian nations. Most of the marchers are members of the Paez and Guambiana tribes. Indians, speaking some 65 dialects, account for 2 percent of Colombia's 40 million inhabitants. --- AP reporter Juan Pablo Toro contributed to this story from Bogota. Copyright c. 2004 Kansas City Star. --------- "RE: Guatemalans unmask Discrimination" --------- Date: Sun, 19 Sep 2004 09:33:38 EDT From: MJLaBurt@aol.com Subj: Guatemalans unmask discrimination Mailing List: NDNAIM Sovereign Nations http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/world/2802860 Sept 18, 2004 Guatemalans unmask discrimination Nation confronts long-held bias against the Maya By CATHERINE ELTON Chronicle Foreign Service GUATEMALA CITY, GUATEMALA - Maria Tuyuc was on the third stair heading into a popular bar in an upscale Guatemala City neighborhood when she knew there was going to be trouble. The bouncer was talking to one of Tuyuc's colleagues, but he was looking at her. "My friend said there was a problem and we couldn't go in. I asked him if we couldn't go in, or if I couldn't go in," recalls Tuyuc, who was the only Maya Indian in the group. "Then the bouncer who had spoken to my colleague came over to me and said this bar isn't made for people like you, especially not dressed like that. It was so humiliating," she says. "I went out the parking lot and cried." Tuyuc's colorfully-woven, traditional Mayan clothing that the bouncer commented on has made Guatemala known around the world. The government often uses depictions of women dressed like Tuyuc to sell its image abroad and attract tourism dollars. But back at home in Guatemala, the Maya who represent roughly half of the country's population get no such respect. Speaking out What happened to Tuyuc is not uncommon. But what is more of a novelty, observers say, is the fact that she reported the incident, that the press covered it amply, and that, after some prodding, prosecutors are investigating it. On other fronts, the government is studying the possibility of upping punishment for crimes of discrimination. Observers say these are just some of the signs that eight years after a peace accord ended Guatemala's brutal armed conflict =E2=80=94 whose wrath the Maya most keenly suffered =E2=80=94 the long-postponed issue of discrimination may finally be making its way onto the national agenda. "There has been a very heartening change in the public's sense of what is right. Things are changing very fast in Guatemala. Churches, the state, the media, everyone knows this issue has to be dealt with," says Tani Adams, the executive director of the private Guatemalan Center for Mesoamerican Research. The think tank is directing a campaign on diversity that includes a multimedia exhibition on intercultural relations. Dealing with this issue, however, will be no small task. Discrimination dates back to the Spanish conquest and is so much a part of culture and society that it is not only acceptable but even invisible to non- indigenous and indigenous people alike. 'De facto apartheid' During Guatemala's 36-year civil war, the vast majority of the 200,000 people who were killed or who disappeared were Maya Indians. A United Nations-backed truth commission concluded that the military's scorched- earth campaigns to root out suspected leftist rebels amounted to genocide against the Maya. Ricardo Cajas, of the national commission on discrimination, contends that there is de facto apartheid in Guatemala. "Apartheid is when you are separated from opportunities, it isn't necessary to create boundaries to have apartheid," Cajas said, adding that "there are two Guatemalas, not one." According to the World Bank, Guatemala has the second-greatest income disparity between rich and poor in Latin America, behind Brazil. U.N. statistics show that seven out of 10 Guatemalans who live in extreme poverty are indigenous. Guatemala's Vice President Eduardo Stein says that this administration is "dead serious" about addressing this issue. "We are moving towards creating joint efforts with indigenous organizations to develop public policy ... for overcoming discrimination and exclusion," he said. While many indigenous activists say they have found an ally in Stein, some worry that some of President Oscar Berger's initiatives are simply repeating old patterns of discrimination. "In his campaign Oscar Berger said he was going to include more indigenous people in his Cabinet, but there are only two," says indigenous activist Jorge Morales. "And afterwards Berger presents a whole group of young indigenous people in traditional dress who he has working in the presidential palace. But they are secretaries and receptionists. They are there in the palace as decoration, for a folkloric touch." Teaching diversity While people involved agree the government should set the tone, they also say that the process requires deep introspection on the part of all Guatemalans. Perhaps the boldest attempt at this is an interactive, multi-media exhibition on inter-cultural relations and discrimination that was created by the Mesoamerican research center. The show's recent inauguration in Guatemala City was treated as a national event, with broad support from business and the media. Roderick Boils, 17, one of thousands of visitors to the show, said it made him realize that sometimes one can discriminate against people without even being aware of it. "One doesn't always greet an indigenous person the same way he greets a nonindigenous person," he said after touring the show with his class from one of Guatemala's most elite private schools. "It seems like a small detail, but it carries much weight." Copyright c. 2004 Houston Chronicle. --------- "RE: Lawyer: Tribe lacks authority 'over White People'" --------- Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 08:48:32 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="SCAM ARTIST" http://www.indianz.com/News/ http://www.bismarcktribune.com/articles/2004/09/15/news/local/nws01.txt Complaint is filed against charity By DEENA WINTER, Bismarck Tribune September 15, 2004 The attorney general's office has served an administrative complaint on a Bismarck charity for attempting to evade the state Gaming Division's efforts to obtain documents as it investigates irregularities in the charity's quarterly tax return. Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem said a review of IQ Fund's June tax return revealed "certain red flags," and routine efforts to verify the information on the return "were hindered by the IQ Fund's failure to respond to our requests for information." The IQ Fund is an education charity that operates charitable gaming out of Smoky's Tavern and Steakhouse in West Fargo. It began its life as Bear Soldier Industries, which attempted to rehabilitate a housing development in McLaughlin, S.D. The charity's evolution and legal problems were detailed in a Aug. 15 Tribune story. Stenehjem said an investigator repeatedly attempted to obtain bank account information from the charity and its president, Gary Minard, of Bismarck, but was unsuccessful. On Sept. 7, a Burleigh County search warrant was issued for IQ Fund's gaming account bank records. "Records already produced under the search warrant show account inconsistencies amounting to more than $66,500," Stenehjem said. The charity was supposed to have $66,500 in two bank accounts, but their account balances indicate the accounts have less than $300. "Something's happened to the cash that was in both those accounts," said the director of the attorney general's Gaming Division, Keith Lauer. An attorney for Minard says his client is the target of a witchhunt, and that he has been unable to provide the documents in part because he's out of state, and because another state agency has some of the records. Stenehjem said the administrative complaint was to be served on an IQ Fund employee Monday. The terms of the gaming license require organizations to provide any gaming documentation the Gaming Division requests, and the penalty for failing to comply is suspension or revocation of the gaming license, or fines. The charity will have 20 days to respond, and if they don't respond their gaming license will be revoked, Stenehjem said. IQ Fund can request an administrative hearing to determine whether state gaming laws were violated. Lauer said this is the first time he recalls such a complaint being filed against a charity for refusing to turn over documents. This isn't the first time discrepancies have been found on a charitable organization's tax return, but "usually they're only too happy to open their books," to investigators, Stenehjem said. Stenehjem said there may be a legitimate reason for the discrepancies, but he is suspicious because the charity keeps promising to deliver answers and documents and then failing to deliver. "What we're getting is a runaround," he said, "and I treat that very seriously." He said when his office began asking questions about the irregularities, the gaming manager who filed the tax return quit her job. The Gaming Division has not been able to reach Minard. "We don't know how to get a hold of him ourselves," Stenehjem said. "He's on the lam." Lauer said there are discrepancies in the pulltab profits, bingo payouts and "21" deposits, and the organization reported spending about $28,000 more than they're allowed to spend on expenses. When the charity was operating on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation as Bear Soldier Industries (and then later renamed Pinto Spirit Development), it was convicted in tribal court of fraudulently obtaining financing for a housing development. On Aug. 18, a tribal judge ordered Minard held in jail until he accounts for how he spent $722,000 in loans, and the Burleigh County Sheriff's Department has been looking for Minard for weeks. Minard tried to get a district judge to nullify the tribal judge's order and order the sheriff's department to cease its efforts to detain him, but the judge refused. Minard's attorney, Jeff Grell of Minneapolis, said Minard is appealing that decision to the North Dakota Supreme Court, because he said the tribe has no jurisdiction over Minard. "I have no idea why the sheriff's office is even involved in this," Grell said. "Indian court has no relationship to the state court system. - I guess if somebody from Libya showed up with a court judgment the Burleigh County sheriff would enforce that too." He accused tribal judge B.J. Jones of "running roughshod" over Minard, the sheriff of wrongly enforcing a civil contempt order, and the attorney general of trying to score political points on the reservation. He said in order to have the tribal court judgment recognized outside the reservation, it must be filed and debated in district court. "They won't file the judgment because they know it will fail," he said. He said Minard is being treated like a criminal, when all that has happened is a tribal judge with no jurisdiction "over white people" issued a civil contempt order. "He's never even been accused of a crime," he said. "That's the real injustice of it all." Minard was in Minnesota when a deputy came looking for him, Grell said, and he'll likely remain out of state for now. Minard and his wife own a house in Bismarck. Grell said part of the reason Minard can't turn over documents to the Gaming Division is that he's out of state, and another state agency that handles unemployment claims has some of the documents. "Gary can't come back and meet with anybody until this issue is resolved with the tribe," he said. He said negative publicity and the search by the sheriff's department has caused Minard to lose employees, lose investors and face additional scrutiny by state regulators. "If he survives this from a business standpoint it'll be a miracle," he said. He said Minard owes him "a lot of money," but he's continuing to represent him because he believes Minard has suffered a "horrible" injustice. "Gary doesn't have the resources left to fight anything," he said. He said people refuse to listen to his version of a complicated business transaction. "It's apparently too complicated for people to really understand and it's just easier to make Gary Minard look like a bad guy," he said. "I have never seen anything so bizarre as the stuff that has gone on out there in North Dakota." Copyright c. 2004 Bismarck Tribune. --------- "RE: BIA Police Chief at Crow Agency gets D.C. Job" --------- Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 08:48:32 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="BIA LAW ENFORCEMENT PROMOTION" http://www.billingsgazette.com//2004/09/15/build/state/30-cruzan.inc BIA police chief at Crow Agency gets D.C. job Associated Press September 15, 2004 CROW AGENCY (AP) - The police chief with the Bureau of Indian Affairs on the Crow Reservation has accepted a position in Washington, D.C. Darren Cruzan plans to report to Washington sometime in October for his new post as program manager of the Uniformed Division with BIA Law Enforcement. He will report to the director of BIA Law Enforcement, Walt Lamar. Cruzan said he is eager to work with Lamar because Lamar is shifting the emphasis of law enforcement back to the police officers who do the day-to- day work. Cruzan, an enrolled member of the Miami Tribe, will oversee operations of more than 350 BIA uniformed officers nationwide. Matthew Pryor, special agent in charge of the BIA district that covers Montana, said that because Cruzan has worked his way up through the ranks, he will be a "stellar representative" for officers. He expects Cruzan to work to standardize all aspects of officers' work "from uniforms to procedures." "Darren has that knowledge and that capacity to support Mr. Lamar," Pryor said. "He's a shining example of what BIA law enforcement is and what we're going to be. Just him being up there, supporting us some more, we're going to move forward." Cruzan has been working on the Crow Reservation since April 2002. He originally had a temporary, 30-day assignment, but fell in love with the location and the department. He said he gladly accepted the permanent position. Before working in Montana, Cruzan attended the BIA Police Academy in New Mexico and stayed for another four years to teach self-defense. He was promoted to criminal investigator near Portland, Ore., before moving to the Crow Reservation. He said his work on the Crow Reservation has been the best experience of his career. He said he has enjoyed the close working relationship with the Crow tribal leadership. The relationships Cruzan has developed are the types that all agencies want, Pryor said. "Darren's done a fantastic job out there," Pryor said. "His rapport and his interaction with the tribe - the administration and the community - has given us a rapport, a relationship that is indicative of what every other agency would like to have." During Cruzan's tenure, the department sent all officers to basic training, started enforcing tribal traffic codes and contracted with the organization WeTip, so that residents on the reservation had a way to anonymously report information about crimes. Cruzan reports that drunken-driving fatalities on the reservation decreased from 11 in 2002 to one in 2003. He said his department and officers have received awards for their dedication to curbing DUI fatalities. He and his officers have also worked to improve the community's perception of the Police Department. He said surveys show the community has seen improvement in services. Cruzan was the first BIA administrator to survey Crow Reservation residents' perceptions of law enforcement. Gazette reporter Becky Shay contributed to this story. Copyright c. 2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved. Copyright c. 2004 The Billings Gazette, a division of Lee Enterprises. --------- "RE: Judge says misconduct occurred in Peltier Case" --------- Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2004 08:14:09 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="FBI DOCUMENTS" http://www.indianz.com/News/ http://www.rapidcityjournal.com//news/state/top/state01.txt Attorney: Release Peltier documents By Carolyn Thompson, Associated Press Writer September 13, 2004 BUFFALO, N.Y. - An attorney for imprisoned American Indian activist Leonard Peltier accused the government Monday of withholding documents in the case to cover up its own misconduct 30 years ago. Michael Kuzma asked a federal judge to order the release of all documents from the FBI's Buffalo field office as part of the larger effort to free Peltier, 60, who is serving life for the killing of two FBI agents during a 1975 standoff on South Dakota's Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Earlier this year, the FBI released 797 of the 812 pages compiled by Buffalo investigators but withheld 15 pages, citing national security and foreign relations concerns. Department of Justice attorney Preeya Noronha told U.S. District Judge William Skretny the Freedom of Information Act, under which the documents were released, provided for such exemptions. Kuzma said the government's explanation for the exemptions was too vague. "Making these broad statements, invoking 9-11, to shield this 30-year- old material is outrageous," he said. Saying the government mishandled the investigation early on, Kuzma charged the true purpose of fighting the documents' release was "to shield further misconduct from the public spotlight." Peltier was convicted in 1977 of killing Ronald Williams and Jack Coler during the reservation standoff and was sentenced to consecutive life sentences at Leavenworth, Kan. He denies he was responsible. Supporters claim Peltier was unfairly targeted because of his political activism. The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver took the government to task over the case while denying Peltier a parole hearing in November. "Much of the government's behavior at the Pine Ridge Reservation and in its prosecution of Mr. Peltier is to be condemned," the ruling said. "The government withheld evidence. It intimidated witnesses. These facts are not disputed." Noting "what appears to be the clearly established government misconduct," Skretny said he may opt to privately review the withheld documents in deciding whether to order their release. "I can't just rubber stamp the claim that the exemption applies here," Skretny said. Noronha said the FBI has acted in good faith in handling the numerous requests for documents related to Peltier. The Buffalo material is among tens of thousands of pages generated by FBI field offices nationwide and being sought by Peltier supporters seeking to have his conviction overturned. The already released documents outline agents' work as they checked with informants, including sources within the Seneca Indian Nation in western New York, and followed up on suspected Peltier sightings before his arrest. The withheld pages, Kuzma said, may be "the kind of things that would help in an attempt to secure a new trial." Skretny did not immediately rule on the request. Copyright c. 2004 The Rapid City Journal. --------- "RE: Native Prisoner" --------- Date: Tue, 21 Sep 2004 05:33:12 -0400 From: Janet Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - Part 1 http://www.nanews.org, issue 12.036 Part 2 can be found in the Wotanging Ikche archive, http://www.nanews.org, issue 12.037 Part 3 can be found in the Wotanging Ikche archive, http://www.nanews.org, issue 12.038 Part 4: Letter from the Iron House Date: Mon, 20 Sep 2004 09:15:00 -0700 From: "Art Durand" Subj: Letter from the Iron House > To: "Janet Smith" "Gary Smith" Hey folks, Here is the latest prison note. Hope you find it useful. Letter from the Iron House 09-13-04: ---- Hey Big Bro, just got your letter dated 9-01-04, am hoping all is well with you and Miki. Things here are much the same. Hey, I was really diggin' Cowboy Dahni. That was a good show. I've heard some of Alligator's stuff before, I just can't remember where. That was a good article you sent, it's exactly what I feel. I have a thing they can't capture, take, possess or dominate and that's the thing that bothers them the most. Misery loves company. I don't want to kick it. (Smiley face) They can have that all to themselves. They go home thinkin' about me. They spend their day thinkin' of me. I just don't care enough of them to allow them to ruin my day. I can go anywhere and be and feel secure. I can be happy all the time. They can't. They have to hide to go to work. They have to hide when they leave work. They have to shop at night. They can't enjoy a base-ball game because they fear being noticed by one of their bad deeds. All they have is the small community they made for themselves and they have to keep their heads on a swivel like ground squirrels. Behind these walls is the only place they have some authority, a false sense of power. And they use it in hopes of making themselves feel good somehow. So they see us indians with long hair and they take it as an attack on their authority. This grooming standard is just a means to give them another sense of authority, of which they truly lack, and they reduce themselves to doing idiotic things, stupid things that make them look foolish, and for what reason?? I was in Corcoran from 92-95. It was just bad, that was the beginning, it's like that everywhere now, it's where the grooming standard started from. In Calipatria the crips have half their butt cheeks hanging out the back of their pants. In Calipatria the c/o's used to walk up behind them and pull their pants up giving them major wedgies. The guys talked to the administration about the c/o's disrespecting them. The administration just said "So what?". The disrespecting continued so the guys rushed the program office and beat up a few c/o's and sargents, a sargent died. Every one of the blacks that had long braided hair that looked like a crip was sent to the ad-seg then eventually to Corcoran. Everyone knows that after a bus ride to the Corcoran site you have a guaranteed ass kickin' comin'. It was really bad for the blacks who came from Calipatria. They got beat up real good like, and the c/o's ripped and yanked the braids off of most of them and cut half the braids off the others. After the hair thing and after some c/o's squealed on the gladiator fights some of them promoted, the C.D.C., with the help of Pete Wilson put a media blackout on prisons. It's still in place. The media can get into the White House, the state capitol, military bases, but not into California prisons and the media has never challenged that. So any information the public gets on prisons, is what the prisons put out. It's like they poke the puppy until the puppy nips a finger, then they tell the story of how they were just admiring pretty flowers and for no apparent reason this big vicious dog attacked them without warning. So, because of our exchange of letters and your speakings on the radio we are starting to see a bit of retaliation in the works right now. But that's alright. Gives us more reason to stay strong. Oh, here's a new one. A lady from the pit river rez called here to find out how to donate beads and medicines here. She talked to A.W. Cohen. He told her how to do it and the procedures, so she did just like he said and the beads got here. The R&R (receiving and release) sargant said we aren't allowed glass beads and wants to send the donation back. Now, all indians know seed beads are glass! They don't make seed beads in plastic. The sargent just wants to make his own rules. So we have to explain in really slow English to these guys. It's just silly here sometimes. These guys never seek information about indians, they have our spiritual advisor here, they don't ask and they dont listen to him either. Information is there for them, they choose not to listen. By the way, we got a bigger audience for your show, folks are listening. Well, big bro, I will let you go for now, say hi to Miki. Til next time, take real good care. Hoka-Hey, Ni Koda, Neville. --------- "RE: Rustywire: Navajo Sheep Camp Heros" --------- Date: Sat, 7 Feb 2004 12:44:54 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="RUSTYWIRE: CAMP" http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Nook/1574/grow/camp.html Navajo Sheep Camp Heros by Johnny Rustywire My cousins, by the Navajo way are my brothers, there we were Michael, Silas, Stewy, Marvin and myself. It was July and we were sitting at sheep camp on the mountain. Grandpa left us while he went to go down to the trading post. We slept outside in one of those big old white Army wall tents tied between four pine trees. We had been out herding sheep, this was our time to get together for the summer. We all lived different places and loved to stay at the sheep camp on the mountain above Toadlena. We had gone exploring everywhere and in our adventures watched the sheep as they wandered around the trees and scrub oak in the area. At nightfall we lit the kerosene lamps and because we were too lazy to cook we had sardines and crackers. Grandma, in Navajo our Shimasani had 24 cans on the shelf and now there were none. We talked about girls, school and what we were gonna do in the morning, when we heard the sheep making a bleeting sound as if they were frightened. They moved about, you could hear the tinkling of the small bells on the lambs and the movement of their feet in the corral. The corral was South of us, about a 200 feet, the ground was flat and it was built with the pine trees acting as fence posts. We looked outside it was dark, there was no moon. Michael, at fifteen, was the oldest, he said you go check the sheep, go on, check 'em. We looked at each other wondering who he was talking to. No one moved, but we could hear the sheep stirring. You see sheep are the livelihood of the old folks, they each have a name, my grandma could give you the life story of everyone of those sheep. They were strangers to me but she knew them well. You can't lose one she would know it, all the way down the mountain she knew where her sheep were. So we had to go and check them to make sure they were safe. Marvin and Stewy were brothers from Fort Defiance, we told them you guys go, you are "city boys". The looked at us with wide eyes. No way, you guys go. We found a flashlight and took a few steps that way and threw rocks, yelling at whoever was out there. It could have been a Skinwalker, Navajo werewolves, they sometimes come around looking for "city boys" to take. We finally went to grandpa's little house and got the guns, there was a 12 guage shotgun, a 30-30 rifle, a 30.06 rifle, and two twenty two caliber pistols. Michael told Silas not to get crazy cuz he like just to shoot around for the heck of it and he might shoot one of us. We walked out behind him after we loaded up going carefully outside. Silas said let's go over there and see, I think's it a bear, it will take the sheep, we have to do something. Stewart the youngest at 11, stopped a few steps from the wall tent, he would go no further. None of us would go any further. We started to yell around in the dark, throwing more rocks, still there was noise. Michael finally told us to line up like cavalry soldiers but we were the Indians, the good guys. Silas screamed out that we were gonna start shooting if the bear or Skin walker did not leave. We could tell it was West of the corrals from the breaking branches on the ground. It was so dark, we aimed in the general direction, yelling out one more time, No response so we started shooting. We lit up the forest, I know we woke up people all over the mountain wondering what the heck was going on at our sheep camp. We stopped after emptying a box of ammunition and it was quiet. We stood there till morning, waiting for early morning light. You are afraid to move, to stir because a wounded bear will charge you if he hears you. As the twilight began to become day we strained to see what manner of beast or monster we had killed. There is a story that is told around fires at night about a night like this by Two Grey Hills some time ago. Some people say they had heard noises and after a while shot into the night. They heard a yelp from a wounded animal, hit in the leg they say. The next day it was heard that a man from the area had a wound in his leg, he was known after that as wolfman by the community because he was considered a Skinwalker. It looked like they would be talking about our Skinwalker. They would tell our story and make songs about us around these campfires. Slowly the night started to disappear. We finally went to go see our beast. It was in the scrub oak, there was blood. We had shot it. We were afraid of what we would find and all stopped at the edge of the bushes. It was hard to see. Mike and Silas led the way, we followed. Oh, what a sight. It couldn't be, we had killed it. Grandpa's cow was dead. We went from heros to cow slayers. The only song we would hear was grandpa yelling at us as we ran away and him chasing us. Copyright c. 1999, Johnny Rustywire, all rights reserved. --------- "RE: Verse: Hawaiian Book of Days" --------- Date: Sat, 18 Sep 2004 21:46:09 -1000 From: Debbie Sanders Subj: Book of Days A HAWAI`I BOOK OF DAYS, week of September 20-26 KEPAKEMAPA September Mahoe Hope 20 The world seen from the eye of `aeko, the eagle, is a vast and wondrous place. 21 Our hopes and dreams inter-weave in the intricate patterns of love, aloha. 22 For every loving soul, life brings beauty and joy. 23 This life is but a brief moment in my existence. 24 Fly with me to the high aerie of dreams. 25 Take time to hear the voices of children. 26 A symphony of birds sings together in the trees just before sunset. (c) Copyright 1991 by D. F. Sanders Me ke aloha i ka nani, ... Moe'uhanekeanuenue (With love and beauty, ... Rainbow Dream) --------- "RE: Starkey Poem: Its Easy" --------- Date: Sun, 12 Sep 2004 01:10:12 -0000 From: "James Starkey" Subj: Its Easy Mailing List: RezLife to not hold hate when you hold all the cards, Its simple to find solace in your mainicured yards, White privelege, mainain the status quo, Its easy to hold on when your hold is all you know, But for us, those of us who smell like shit, Back of the bus, just cant find a place to fit, It harder to feel you get or got a fair deal, and easier to justify stealing your next meal. James Starkey --------- "RE: Upcoming Events" --------- Date: Mon, 20 Sep 2004 15:39:14 -0700 From: Gary Smith (gars@speakeasy.org) Subj: Upcoming Events =+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+= EVENTS ARE FEATURED IN ODD NUMBERED ISSUES ONLY =+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+= Events are too numerous to list for the entire year and are updated periodically. =================================== Euharlee Native American Festival Osborne Park, Downtown Euharlee, GA Special Tribute to ALL veterans. ALL VETERANS INVITED!!! October 22 - 24, 2004 Grand Entry Sat 12 Noon Sun 1 PM Hosted by Native American Honor Guard & Warrior Society Host Drum: Buffalo Heart Guest Drum: Aracoma Lightning Head Man: Jerry Smith Head Lady: Ellen Rasco Emcee: Gary Smith AD: Tommy Smith No Drugs, Alcohol or bad attitudes. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs. Info: Joey Pierce 404 377 4950 or Sam Hinson 770 546 7191 or Jerry Lang 256 492 5217 =================================== Andersons-web.com http://andersons-web.com/native_events.htm Updated July 21, 2004 September 25 -26, 2004: Walmea Pow Wow by the Native American Foundation Waimea Ball Park, Big Island, Hawaii. For more information e-mail: waimeapowwow@yahoo.com October 2 -3, 2004: 30th Annual American Indian Association Pow Wow Thomas Square, Honolulu, Hawaii. For more information call Dan at 808-734-5171 or e-mail: Nativewinds1152@aol.com October 4, 2004: 5th Annual Native American Flute & Storytelling Concert at the Center for Hawaiian Studies, University of Hawaii-Manoa Campus, Hawaii. For more information call Native Winds at 808-734-8018 or e-mail: Nativewinds1152@aol.com October 9 -10, 2004: 6th Annual Kauai Pow Wow Kapa 'a Beach Park Hawaii. For more information check the web page: kauaipowwow.com October 22 - 24, 2004: Euharlee Native America Festival in Osborne Park, Downtown Euharlee, Georgia. For more information call Joey Pierce 404-377-4950, Sam Hinson 770-546-7191 or Jerry Lang 256-492-5217. November 4 - 7, 2004: 5th Annual Stone Mountain Pow Wow and Indian Festival at Stone Mountain Park, Highway 78 East, Atlanta, Georgia. For more information contact Linda Whittington lwhittington@stonemountainpark.com January 14 -16, 2005: The 1st Annual Tennessee American Indian WinterFest & Powwow by NAIA in Shelbyville, Tennessee at the Calsonic Indoor Arena. For more information visit the web site at: http://tennesseewinterfestpowwow.gem-of-r.com You can e-mail: tuhaniesa@charter.net July 6 - 9, 2005: National Powwow 13 Vermillion County Fairgrounds Danville, Illinois. See the web site at: http://www.nationalpowwow.com A word of advice, no matter how hard we try, mistakes happen! Please try to get in contact with the event staff and verify the important information before leaving for it. ========================================================================= Crazy Crow Trading Post Updated July 21, 2004 http://www.crazycrow.com/events_nativeamerican/ NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN POWWOW CALENDAR This Native American Indian powwow calendar and related events listing is brought to you as a courtesy of Crazy Crow Trading Post to help keep you up-to-date on the latest powwows & events. We will do our best to validate the accuracy of the information provided, including checking links to web sites, but cannot be responsible for inaccuracies. Check with the contact names and website links of powwow event sponsors for the latest info. S E P T E M B E R 2 0 0 4 September 24-26: Fort Crevecoeur Anual Fall Rendezvous Location: Fort Crevecoeur Park, Creve Coeur, IL 61610 Contact: Ross Bohanon, phone: 309-694-6673, email: ftcrevecoeur@insightbb.com September 24-25: Pioneer Days Fall Folk-life Festival & Historic Encampment Location: The Historic Daniel Boone Home, 1868 Hwy F, Defiance, MO 63341 Event Detail: 9am - 6pm. See web site. Contact: Pam Jenson, phone: 636-798-2005, email: PJensen@lindenwood.edu September 24-26: Lewis & Clark Trading Days Location: Ellis Porter / Riverside Park, Event Detail: Sponsored by the Lewis & Clark BiCentennial Task Force, City of Jefferson. As a tribute to the Corps of Discovery, we seek to bring alive the lifestyle of the voyagers, artisans, merchants, trappers, hunters and Indians who broached the Missouri River wilderness. Contact: Bryan Norman, phone: 573-634-6486, email: lewisandclarkjc@aol.com September 24-26: Walk Back in Time Location: Audrain Historical Society, 501 Muldrow St., Mexico, Mo 65265 Event Detail: This unique SIX-part reverse timeline is held on the grounds of the Historical Society, surrounding our 1857 Graceland Mansion: 1940s WWII/1840s Cowboys/1860s Civil War/1830s Mt Men/ 1770s Colonial/Native Am. Village. Saturday 3pm seeback-to-back WWII/ Civil War battles plus Sunday 3pm Gun Fight at the OK Corral. Saturday night special Candle Light Tours for the public of the mansion & camps. Saturday 9pm till ?? jam session & singalong around the Council Fire Bring your instrument. For good photos of 2003 Walk Back in Time go to: http://members.sockets.net/~mofurco/Audrain/hs.htm or www.talking-bear.com/walkback04.htm Contact: Dana Keller, phone: 573-581-3910, email: info@audrain.org Event Website Sep 24-26: Duck Creek Muzzleloaders Fall Rendezvous Location: Club Range, Elk City, KS 67344 Event Detail: The club has a new range so call or e-mail for directions. We supply some wood and water. Contact: Arlyn Hare, phone: 620-633-5252, email: duckcreekmuzzleloaders@yahoo.com September 24-26: Heritage Days Rendezvous Location: Banks County Recreational Area, Homer, GA, 30547 Event Detail: The email on web site is wrong, new one is littleturtle50@aol.com. We are going to have early setup if anyone needs to come early, just please let us know a head of time. Contact: Charlene Floyd, phone: 912-964-7477, email: Littleturtle50@aol.com Sep 24-Oct 3: 28th Eastern Primitive Rendezvous Location: State Rt 376, McConnelsville, OH 43756 Event Detail: See website for information. Contact: Booshway: George Appel, phone: 724-632-3200 September 25-26: 25th Annual Heritage Days on the Goshen Trail Location: Lewis & Clark Community College, Rt 67 and 111, Godfrey, IL Event Detail: 1700-1840 event. Participation by invitation only. Applications must be received by July 1, 2004. Contact phone: 618-465-7338 September 30-October 3: Big Island Rendezvous & Festival Location: Bancroft Bay City Park, Albert Lea, MN 56007 Event Detail: Minnesota's largest fur trade and early America reenactment. Over 1,000 costumed participants and 300 camps. Cajun music, food, dance, blackpowder shoot, showers, firewood, water on site. Workshops and demonstrations. Education Days (October 2-3, 2003) over 4,000 students. Please write of registration application or call if questions. See web site Contact: Perry Vining, phone: 800-658-2526, email: bigisland@albertlea.org O C T O B E R 2 0 0 4 September 30-October 3: Big Island Rendezvous & Festival Location: Bancroft Bay City Park, Albert Lea, MN 56007 Event Detail: Minnesota's largest fur trade and early America reenactment. Over 1,000 costumed participants and 300 camps. Cajun music, food, dance, blackpowder shoot, showers, firewood, water on site. Workshops and demonstrations. Education Days (October 2-3, 2003) over 4,000 students. Please write of registration application or call if questions. See web site Contact: Perry Vining, phone: 800-658-2526, email: bigisland@albertlea.org October 1-3: 2nd Annual End of the Road Rendezvous Location: 1.5 miles out of town on Hwy. 21, Ely, MN 55731 Event Detail: 10 am to 6 pm Friday and Saturday, 10 am - 3:30 pm Sunday. Friday is our School Day, expect students to get Priority Attention. Open to the Public: FREE Admission!!! A Living History Event re-enacting the days of the Fur Trade. Come see Indians, Traders, Voyageurs, Trappers and others as they actually lived. Essential life-skills demonstrated- see how you would fare. Demonstrations, Contests, Food Stands, Free Parking. Fun and learning for the entire family. Contact: Karen Weed, phone: 218-365-4138 October 1-3: Trappers of the Starved Rock Annual Rendezvous and Shoot Location: Sioux Passage Park on the Missouri River, North St. Louis County, MO Contact: Terry McCarty, phone: 636-928-4885, email: tmccarty@mail.win.org October 8-10: Free Trappers of Illinois Fall Rendezvous Location: Rellke Pumpkin Farm, Granite City, IL Event Detail: Pre-1840 Dress. No Shooting. Contact: Short Horse, phone: 618-624-8159, email: wolfpac@norcom2000.com October 8-10: Harvest Moon Rendezvous Location: Infirmary Mound Park, Granville, OH, 43023 Event Detail: Trail shoot Sat., Blanket shoot Sun. Pre 1840 dress required Contact: Randy Wolf, phone: 740-328-4566, email: rpwolf@infinet.com October 15-16: Renegade Freetrappers Fall Rendezvous Location: Club Range, South Coffeyville, OK 74072 Contact: Lynn "Chief" Overlin, phone: 620-325-3668, email: renegade_freetrapper@yahoo.com October 15-17: Old Pueblo Muzzleloaders 2004 "Spirit Wind" Rendezvous Location: Calabasas Camp, Exit 12 & I-19, 54 miles So. of Tucson, AZ Contact: Ed, phone: 520-298-8633, email: jschaff2@peoplepc.com October 16-24: Wild Winds Buffalo Preserve 6th Annual Fall Rendezvous Location: Wild Winds Buffalo Preserve, 6975 N Ray St, Fremont, IL 46737 Contact: Larry & Amy Jones, phone: 260-495-0137, email: wildwindsbuffalo@aol.com October 16-17: Pinnacle Mountain Rendezvous Location: Pinnacle Mt. State Park, Highway 300, Roland, AR, 72135 Event Detail: Living history festival featuring Native American and Mountain Man villages, Pioneer settlement, Children's Village, period dress, entertainment, canoe and horseback rides, food vendors and General Store. Contact: Hallie Simmins, phone: 501-868-4919, email: ksimmins333@comcast.net October 22-24: Prairie Longrifles 25th Annual Rendezvous Location: Mulberry Campground, Kanopolis State Park, 33 miles from Salina, KS Event Detail: All matches round ball, open sighes, loading from the pouch, flint or percussion. Pistol & rifle matches, knife & hawk, plus novelty matches. Period clothing encouraged. Free supper Sat. night for registered shooters and their families. NMLRA rules apply. Mountain run, team shoot & Last Man Standing. Kid's events. Traders: $15 table fee or door prize donation of equal value. Contact: Mike Hulteen, phone: 785-823-2671, email: dbleaglex3@sbcglobal.net October 23-24: Gathering of the Waters Rendezvous Location: Bank of the Mississippi, Historic Grafton, IL Event Detail: The event will be held in historic Grafton, IL and include the canoe trip from Kampsville to Grafton, Black Powder Shoot with Knife and Hawk Throw, Traditional Bow Shoot, Marquette and Joliet Landing Reenactment, Primitive Camp, Crafts and Food Vendors, & Period Traders. Contact: Maurice Musgrave, phone: 618-372-3998, email: sharon@mysticbuffalo.com N O V E M B E R 2 0 0 4 Nov 12-14: 2004 Dripping Springs Rendezvous Location: Drippings Springs State Park, Okmulgee, Oklahoma 74447 Event Detail: Pre-1840 rules apply to all - trade goods included. No vehicles in camp - 1 hour unload time. Firewood & water available on site; Period dress required for Primitive camp and traders row; Modern camping with water and electric hookup available. Hot showers available. Camp fee $10, Traders fee $35 if pre-regestered by mail.(Pre registered by Oct. 15,2003). Camp fee $15.00, Traders fee $45 at gate. Trade Blanket 3'x4' included with camp fee. Modern camp fee as set by State Park. Dutch-oven cook-off & pot luck dinner on Saturday evening Prizes awarded at dinner (Trader Bucks). Competition fee of $5 per camper. Includes all events. Primitive firearms and archery, hawk & knife, fire starting. Competitions are aggregate - No Walk in competitors. Contact: Joe aka Ridge Pole, phone: 918-756-2840, email: TrapRJoe@aol.com Nov 12-14: 20th Annual Yolla Bolly Rendezvous Location: Red Bluff, CA 96080 Event Detail: Pre-registration Only (1st 400 Shooters); Traders: Limited Space in Primitive - Tin Teepees limited - Be In Touch! Contact: Frank Herrmann, phone: 530-527-4895, email: fkherrmann@jps.net November 19-21: Thanksgiving-n-da-Woods Rendezvous Location: Near Clyde, KS More Information Coming Soon. Nov 19-21: Three Rivers Rendezvous Location: Southeast Kansas, 3/4 mile north of Peru, KS 67360 Event Detail: Three River's is a non-profit club with only one goal in mind having fun and living back in time of the days of mountain men, traders, trappers and craftsmen of the 1840s. We are located just north of Peru, Kansas on 60 acres, so watch for the signs on Hwy. 166 at Peru, Kansas. Our activities include: black powder shoots, flintlocks and side hammer (rifle and pistol), shotguns, long bows, hawk and knife throws, primitive and semi-modern camping, outdoor cooking, fire starting with flint, wood provided, fire-side chats, singing or just plain old tall tells, games and learning for kids and grown-ups. Contact: Ron Paslay, phone: 620-725-3371, email: drifter@hit.net ========================================================================== Aboriginal Multi-Media Society Updated July 21, 2004 Aboriginal Community Events Listing http://www.ammsa.com/ammsaevents.html SEPTEMBER September 24 - 26, 2004 Last Chance Community Powwow Helena, Montana (406) 439-5631 OCTOBER Oct. 1st. 2004 Powwow Cruise David Underwood : 1- 877-369-2232 www.powwowcruise.com October 4 - 6, 2004 Third Gathering for Aboriginal Health Our Journey - Past, Present and Future We invite you to attend a conference on emerging issues in aboriginal community health. Session topics include engaging our youth, diabetes, women's health, HIV/Aids, traditional practices, emotional and mental health, and much more. Info: Karen Massicotte at 403-208-4944 Email: karen@eventconnectioninc.com October 5 - 8, 2004 11th Annual National Conference and AGM Gathering our Resources CANDO Fredericton, New Brunswick Phone: (780) 990-0303 Or Toll Free : 1 - 800 - 463 - 9300 Email: cando@edo.ca Web site: www.edo.ca October 8 - 10, 2004 6th Annual Northern Lights Casino Thanksgiving Pow Wow Prince Albert Communiplex Prince Albert, Saskatchewan Additional Information Contact: 1-306-764-4777 Email: paul.lomheim@siga.sk.ca Website: www.siga.sk.ca/NorthernLights (This man Paul would like a copy sent to him) October 12 - 14, 2004 Skills For Building Stronger Families Training Conference East Toronto, Ontario 1.888.483.5437 October 16 - 17, 2004 Wahta Mohawks 4th Annual Traditional Powwow 2004 Iroquois Cranberry Growers, Hwy #400 Bill: (705) 756 - 2354 Oct. 19-22, 2004 EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES: First Nations Education Training Conference Winnipeg, MB (204) 896-3449 Oct 19 - 22, 2004 EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES: Health Board Training Conference Winnipeg, MB (204) 896-3449 October 20 - 22, 2004 20th Annual Ontario Native Education Councelling Association Conference Water Tower Inn, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario Roxanne Manitowabi (705) 692-2999 October 22 - 24, 2004 Euharlee Native American Festival Special Tribute to ALL veterans. Hosted by Native American Honor Guard & Warrior Society Osborne Park, Downtown Euharlee, Georgia Info: Joey Pierce (404) 377-4950 or Sam Hinson (770) 546-7191 or Jerry Lang (256) 492-5217 NOVEMBER November 4 - 5, 2004 6th Annual InSight Aboriginal Land And Resource Management Forum Vancouver, BC 1-888-777-1707 November 5-7th 2004 GREAT SALT WATER POW-WOW Onslow County Fairgrounds- American Legion Building located in Jacksonville, NC Next to the National Guard Armory (home of Camp Lejeune and New River Military Bases) Black Lodge, Cedartree, Eastern Bull are host drums. NC has the largest American Indian population east of the Mississippi. School Day is November 5 starting at 9:00 am until 2:00 pm. For vendor info: 252-354-5905 and/or e-mail teresa@teresamorris.com www.coastalcarolinaindians.com November 5 - 7, 2004 4th Annual Spirit of The North Celebration Shooting Star Casino & Event Center Mahnomen, Minnesota Special Hotel Rate - Call (800) 453-STAR All Craft Vendors Welcome Info.: (218) 846-0957 November 8-10, 2004 NAHO Second National Conference and Health Information Fair Winnipeg, Manitoba Contact: (819) 779-4610 DECEMBER December 31, 2004 & January 1, 2005 New Years Pow Wow Leech Lake Tribal College Cass Lake, Minnesota 1 (800) 442-3642 (218) 335-7400 2005 January 14,15,16, 2005 1st Annual Tennessee American Indian WinterFest & Powwow Sponsored by the Native American Indian Association of Tennessee (NAIA) Location: Calsonic Indoor Arena Shelbyville, Tennessee Contest including Drum Contest Concert Equine Presentation Contact: Barbara Burch: tuhaniesa@charter.net Web-site: tennesseewinterfestpowwow Sept 23 - 26, 2005 Gathering of the Good Minds A Celebration of First Nations Arts and Wisdom FREE ADMISSION London, Ontario Contact: Dan & Mary (519) 659-4682 Email: dsmoke@uwo.ca ========================================================================== Whispering Winds Updated July 21, 2004 A Magazine of American Indian Crafts*Material Culture*Powwow http://www.whisperingwind.com/ SEPTEMBER 2004 24-26 Porterville Powwow, hosted by the Tule River Band of Yokuts. Porterville Fairgrounds, Porterville CA. Info: Wendi Correa @ 559-791-9271 or wcorrea@ovcdc.com 24-26 Indian Agency Committee Pow-Wow. Bishop Paiute Reservation, Bishop, CA. Info: ontusulane@aol.com 25-26 Waimea Powwow. Waimea Ball park, Big Island of Hawaii. Info: waimeapowwow@yahoo.com 25-26 11th Annual Hart Powwow. Los Angeles County largest Powwow! Wm.S.Hart Park, Newhall, CA. Info: Marylina at 661/255-9295 or e-mail rayandlina@sbcglobal.net or http://www.hart-friends.org/event_pages/powwow.html OCTOBER 2004 2 12th Annual Nemki Frienship Powwow. Rotollo Middle School, Batavia, IL. Info: (815)667-4976 or (630)879-0117. 2-3 30th Annual American Indian Association Powwow. Thomas Square, Honolulu, HI. Info: (808) 734-5171 or nativewinds1152@aol.com 2-3 3rd Annual Lenapehauken Powwow "Honoring our Children". Fort Whaley Campground / Rt 50 Whaleyville, Md (12 miles west of Ocean City, Md). Info: www.lenapehauken.org or call either 410-651-1612 or 410-742-4480 9-10 6th Annual Kauai Powwow. Dapa'a Beach Park, Hawaii. Info: kauaipowwow.com 9-10 DRUMS ON THE POCOMOKE". Cypress Park, Pocomoke, MD RAIN OR SHINE. Info: Gail Fox 1-757-331-2188 midnightstar002@msn.com; Diane Baldwin 1-757-824-3060 firewolf@intercom.net; Trudy Smack 1-302-732-9350 pokey9350@aol.com 16 Sky Wapskineh Coming Out Dance. Oakcrest Church, Family Life Center, Okalhoam City, OK. Info: 632-5227 or swapskineh@gbronline.com 16-17 11th Annual Land of Falling Waters Traditional Powwow. Jackson, MI. Info: 269/381-6409 15-17 Cherokee's Of Alabama 3rd Fall Harvest Indian Festival. National Armory Building, Arab, AL. . Info: Autumnmoon (256) 778-7031, E-Mail bautumnmoon10@hotmail.com. Red Hawk (256)931-4001 E-Mail redhawk1947@yahoo.com. 22-24 Euharlee Native American Festival. Osborne Park, Downtown Euharlee, GA. Info: Joey Pierce 404 377 4950 or Sam Hinson 770 546 7191 or Jerry Lang 256 492 5217 NOVEMBER 2004 5-7 Powwow. Fairgrounds, Fredericksburg, VA. Info: 1-800-678-4748. 11 (Thursday) 2nd Annual George Mason University Veteran's Day Powwow. Dewberry Hall, Johnson Center, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA. All Vendors, Dancers, and Drums Welcome and Encouraged! Info: Meg Nicholas at (703) 244-5530 or mnichola@gmu.edu 11-12 Great American Indian Exposition. Richmond Showplace, Richmond, VA. Info: (804) 225-8877 12-14 Tullahoma Intertribal Powwow. South Jackson Civic Center grounds, Tullahoma, TN. Info: Jerry Laney (229)787-5180 www.NativeWayProductions.com or email nativeway@mindspring.com 13 4th Annual Cherokee Youth Center Pow Wow. Cherokee Youth Center, Cherokee, NC. Info: Helen (828) 497-3119, email: singerdad@GONmail.com 13-14 5th Annual Clearfield Veterans Day Powwow. Clearfield Middle School Clearfield, PA. Info: (724) 693-0549 13-14 First Annual Mt. San Jacinto College Eagle Pow Wow, hosted by the students of the Native Nations Club. San Jacinto, California. Info: Paula (909) 487-6752, ext. 1598 or email collegementor67@hotmail.com. 20 7th Annual White Star Gourd Dance Society Gourd Dance & Social. Clermont Lions Club, Clermont, IN. Info: (812) 327-6875. 25-28 25th Annual Chambers Farm Thanksgiving Pow Wow. Fort McCoy, Florida. \ chambersfarm.org or contact Michael @ 513-423-8866/ext103. JANUARY 2005 15 Morning Star Celebration, A Benefit Powoww for St Labre Indian School. John Carroll School, Bel Air, MD. Info: 410-838-8333 x2002. Vendors call 410-885-2800 15-16 1st Annual Tennessee American Indian WinterFest & Powwow. Shelbyville, TN, Calsonic Indoor Arena. Info: Barbara Burch @tuhaniesa@charter.net Web-site: http://tennesseewinterfestpowwow.gem-of-r.com/ MARCH 2005 4-6 M.T.S.U. American Indian Festival. Info: Georgia Dennis at powwow@mtsu.edu or www.mtsu.edu/~powwow or call 615-898-5645 or fax615-904-8263 4-6 24th Annual Powwow sponsored by The Strong Hearts native Society. Ft Yuma Quechan Reservation, Winterhaven, CA. Info: (760) 572-0222. 11-13 9th Annual Apache Gold Casino Resort Powwow. Glove, AZ. Info: 1-800-APACHE8 ext. 3248 APRIL 2005 1-3 23rd Annual Chambers Farm Spring Pow Wow. Fort McCoy, Florida. Southeast U.S. largest free pow wow. Website: chambersfarm.org or contact Michael@ 513-423-8866/ext103. JUNE 2005 18-19 Plains Indian Museum Powwow. Buffalo Bill Historical Center, Cody, WY. www.bbhc.org/events JULY 2005 6-9 National Powwow 13. Vermillion County Fairgrounds, Danville, IL. www.nationalpowwow.com =================================== Char-Koosta 2004 Powwow Calendar. Updated July 21, 2004 Official News of the Flathead Reservation. http://www.charkoosta.com/pow.html OCT. 22, 23 and 24 Euharlee Native American Festival Osborne Park, Euharlee, GA 404/377-4950, 770/546-7191, 256/492-5217 Let us announce your Powwow. Please include a phone number or functioning e-mail address for confirmation purposes Copyright c. 2003 Char-Koosta News. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//- 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: Gary Smith, M J LaBurt, James Starkey, Art Durand, Johnnie Rustywire, Janet Smith, Debbie Sanders --//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//- _ __ __ _ / | / /___ _/ /_(_) __ __ / |/ / __ \ __/ / | / / _ \ / /| / /_/ / /_/ /| |/ / __/ /_/ |_/\__,_/\__/_/ |___/\___/ ______ _ / ____/____ ___ __________(_)___ ____ _____ / / / ___/ __ \/ ___/ ___/ / __ \/ __ \/ ___/ / /___/ / / /_/ /__ /__ / / / / / /_/ /__ / \____/_/ \____/____/____/_/_/ /_/\__, /____/ Volume 12, Issue 039 /____/ September 25, 2004 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: Crossings" --------- Date: Mon, 20 Sep 2004 08:10:52 -0600 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="CROSSINGS" September 14, 2004 Monroe Lee Oxendine Maxton Monroe Lee Oxendine, 67, died Sept. 12, 2004, at Autum Care of Raeford Nursing Home. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Oxendine family cemetery. Oxendine was born May 5, 1937, in Robeson County. He was the son of the late Luther and Annie Mae S. Oxendine. He was a former Insurance salesman with American National and attended Antioch Missionary Baptist Church. Surviving are his wife, Evelyn Locklear Oxendine of the home; four sons, Danny Lee Oxendine of the home, Randy James Oxendine of Laurinburg and Johnny Lee Oxendine and Jeffery Lee Oxendine, both of Maxton; a daughter, Annie Pearl Norton of Maxton; three sisters, Evelyn Soles of Laurel Hill, Mary Frances Blue and Nellie Mae Bullard, both of Maxton; and 10 grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 tonight at Antioch Baptist Church. Richard Boles Funeral Service is serving the family. September 18, 2004 Vernie Mae Hunt Locklear Lumberton Vernie Mae Hunt Locklear, 89, of Lumberton, died Sept. 14, 2004, in Raleigh. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Revels Funeral Home Chapel in Lumberton, the Revs. Grady Hunt and John L. Locklear Jr. officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Olive Baptist Church Cemetery. Locklear was born Sept. 5, 1915, in Lumberton. She was the daughter of the late Lloyd and Fearby Hunt. She was educated at Pembroke Indian Normal School and was a teacher in the Robeson County Public Schools for more than 40 years. She also served as a hostess with Revels Funeral Home in Lumberton. She was preceded in death by her husband, Parker Locklear, and her brother, William Lloyd Hunt. Surviving are her daughter, Gloria Ann Westbrook; a sister, Tessie Lee Hunt; two granddaughters, Terri Leigh Reidy and Sherri Mae Capps; three great-grandchildren, Kyle Shaw, Kaleigh Reidy and Corey Reidy; and two nephews, Lloyd M. Locklear and William Lloyd Hunt Jr. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 tonight at Revels Funeral Home in Lumberton and other times at the home of Lloyd M. Locklear, 2906 Olive Drive, Lumberton. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Wake County, 1300 St. Mary's St., Fourth Floor, Raleigh, NC 27605. September 20, 2004 Halbert Locklear Maxton Halbert Locklear, 71, of 4061 Missouri Road, died Sept. 18, 2004, at Southeastern Regional Medical Center. The funeral will be at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at Prospect United Methodist Church in Maxton, the Revs. Kenneth Locklear, Bill James Locklear, James H. Woods, Steve Locklear and Donald Bullard officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery. Surviving are three sons, Greg Locklear of Lumberton, and Brent Locklear and Robby Locklear, both of Maxton; two daughters, Abby L. Hunt of Maxton, and Velecia Bullard of Pembroke; three brothers, Erbert Locklear of Sexton, Ala., and Crawley Locklear amd Maurice Locklear, both of Maxton; four sisters, Loria Locklear, Luvenia Locklear, Sadie Faircloth and Evelyn Locklear, all of Maxton; and 15 grandchildren. The family will receive friends tonight from 7 to 9 at Prospect United Methodist Church. Copyright c. 2004 The Robesonian, Lumberton, NC. -=-=-=- September 19, 2004 Halbert Locklear MAXTON - Halbert Locklear, 71, of 4061 Missouri Road, died Saturday, Sept. 18, 2004, in Southeastern Regional Medical Center in Lumberton. Services: Funeral, 3:30 p.m. Tuesday in Prospect United Methodist Church. Burial in church cemetery. Thompson's Funeral Home of Pembroke. Visitation: 7 to 9 tonight at the church. Survived by: Sons, Greg, Brent and Robby; daughters, Abby Hunt and Velecia Bullard; brothers, Erbert, Crawley and Maurice; sisters, Sadie Faircloth, Loria, Luvenia and Evelyn; and 15 grandchildren. Copyright c. 2004 The Fayetteville (N.C.) Observer. -=-=-=- September 15, 2004 Nettie Saunooke Crowe Cherokee - Nettie Saunooke Crowe, 91, of the Qualla community, passed away Monday, Sept. 13, 2004, at her residence. A native and lifelong resident of the Cherokee area, Mrs. Crowe was a former local business owner, a member of the Eastern Star and a member of Cherokee United Methodist Church. She was a generous supporter of many charities, including the fight against diabetes. She was the daughter of the late William Thomas and Minnie Bradley Saunooke and was preceded in death by her late husband, Sevier Crowe and her daughter, Marlema Crowe. Survivors include her sister, Melitia S. Sneed of Cherokee and numerous nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at the Cherokee United Methodist Church with the Rev. Steve Phillippi officiating. Interment will be at the Campground Cemetery in Qualla. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Moody Funeral Home in Sylva. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Cherokee Davita Dialysis Center, 53 Echota Church Road, Cherokee, NC 28719, Cherokee United Methodist Church, Highway 19, Cherokee, NC 28719 or the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 2680, North Canton, OH 44720. An online memorial and guest registry is avail bale at www.pemoody.com. September 20, 2004 James Edward Arch Cherokee - James Edward Arch, 49, of the Paint Town Community, died unexpectedly Thursday, Sept. 16, 2004, in Edgefield, S.C. A native of Swain County, he was a carpenter and a graduate of Cherokee High School. Surviving are his mother, Alice Mae Arch of Cherokee; sons, David Ethan Arch, James William Arch, Travis P. Crowe and Dirk Welch, all of Cherokee, and Logan Gravier of Sylva; daughter, Becky Young of Cherokee; brother, Robert Bruce Arch of Cherokee; sisters, Marie Arch and Irene Bradley, both of Cherokee; granddaughters, Aidan Crowe and Charmin and Tikisha Welch; grandson, Collin Crowe; nieces, Chassi and Kira Smith, Monika Sneed and Candy Arch; nephews, Dylan Saunooke, Brandon Sneed, Justin Arch, Tom Bradley, Preston Arch and Jason Saunooke; great niece, Tiera Sneed; great nephew, Dominic Ean Arch. The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at Cherokee Church of God. The Rev. George Polecat and Jim Parks will officiate. Burial will be in the Arch Family Cemetery. The body was taken to the church at 4 p.m. Sunday to receive friends and await the service. Melton-Riddle Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Allison Paula Shinkman Cherokee - Allison Paula Vanelle Roberts Shinkman, 38, formerly of Cherokee, died Friday, Sept. 17, 2004, at her residence in Russellville, Tenn. A native of Cherokee, she was the daughter of Hughie Roberts and stepmother, Kitty, of Cherokee, and the late Hazel Welch McQueen, who died in 2000. She attended Bible Aires Baptist Church in Morristown, Tenn. She had lived a good Christian life and loved everyone. In addition to her father, she is survived by her husband, Warren Shinkman of Manchester, Ky.; two daughters, Tamera Shinkman and Candice Shinkman, both of Cherokee; one son, Nathanael Shinkman of Cherokee; stepfather, David McQueen of Cherokee; one sister, Judy Hornbuckle of Cherokee; and brother, Eddie Roberts of Cherokee; and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday in the chapel of Crisp Funeral Home. Chaplain Isaac Welch Jr. will officiate. Burial will be in the Welch Family Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Copyright c. 2004 Asheville Citizen-Times. -=-=-=- September 15, 2004 Nupa Yates Littleghost Nupa Yates Littleghost, 26 of Minneapolis, Minnesota formerly of St. Michael, ND died on Sunday, September 12, 2004 at his home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Michael's Catholic Church, Devils Lake. Fr. Paul Ruge will celebrate the Mass and burial will be in St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery. A Wake will be held at St. Michael's Recreation Center on Thursday, September 16, 2004 beginning at 5:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 8:00 p.m. The procession and final run in Nupa's memory will leave the Spirit Lake Casino and Resort Parking Lot (far northeast corner) at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday. Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake, ND is in charge of arrangements. Copyright c. 2004 Devils Lake Daily Journal. -=-=-=- September 16, 2004 Gilbert White Owl MANDAREE - Gilbert White Owl, 51, Mandaree, died Sept. 14, 2004, at a Bismarck hospital. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, at Mandaree High School Gym. Burial will be at Independence Congregational Cemetery, Mandaree. He is survived by his wife, Josephine; one son, Gordon White Owl, Mandaree; two daughters, Crystal White Owl and Loretta White Owl, both of Mandaree; two grandchildren; and a half-sister, Laverne Stands Alone, New Town. Fulkerson Funeral Home, Watford City. Copyright c. 2004 Bismarck Tribune. =-=-=-=- Welcome to the Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe/Dakota Nation Sota Iya Ye Yapi On-Line, News from the Lake Traverse Reservation Volume 35, Issue 38 Wednesday, September 22, 2004 Funeral Mass for Sr. Irene DeMarrias scheduled Monday Funeral Mass for Sr. Irene Marcella DeMarrais, S.D.S., 88, formerly of Sisseton, was scheduled this Monday morning, September 20, 2004, at St. Peter's Catholic Church, Sisseton, with the Rev. Fr. Walter Butor, O.M.I. celebrant. Organists were Bill Nelson and Sr. Aurelia, and Teresa Arbach served as song leader. Active pallbearers were Ron Owen, Alvis Robertson, Francis Eagle, Tim Peters, Stacey Wanna, Michael Patenoude, Alfred Sarnowski, and Neil Grime. Honorary pallbearers were Bernice Johnson, Clarice Stone, Delphine Wanna, Marie Crawford, Pearl Wilson, Celine Buckanaga, Irene Nelson, Lois Smith, Lydia Thompson, Bernice Hopkins, Dr. and Mrs. Fernando Zambrano, Sr. Patrice Colletti, S.D.S., and Sr. Marion Etzel, S.D.S., all of Sr. Irene's relatives and friends, and the Salvatorian Sister's. Burial is at the Benedict Cemetery, rural Sisseton. Wake services were held Saturday and Sunday at St. Catherine's Hall. The Cahill Funeral Chapel, Inc. was in charge of arrangements. Irene Marcella DeMarrais was born on December 24, 1915 in Veblen, South Dakota to John DeMarrais and Ella Hill-Wanna. She attended Veblen Day School, Immaculate Conception, and Marty Catholic Indian School. She entered the Congregation on August 3, 1936 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and was invested August 12, 1937, taking the religious name Kathryn. She made her first Vows August 13, 1938 and Final Vows August 13, 1944, both in Milwaukee. Sister Irene took courses at Cardinal Stritch College in Milwaukee, completing courses in Psychological Institute; teaching the mentally handicapped. Sister Irene received a BS degree in Education from Alverno College in Milwaukee and a certificate in religious education from Mundelein College in Chicago, Illinois. In 1977, she received a Clinical Pastoral Education certificate from St. Joseph's Hospital in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In her early years of her ministry, Sister Irene taught in elementary schools in South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. In 1976 Sister Irene was given the 1976 Archbishop John Ireland Distinguished Service Award from the Office of Urban Affairs of the archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. In 1979, Sister Irene retired to care for her aged mother in Sisseton, SD. She started the Johnson O'Malley Pre-school, where she served for ten years. Sister Irene completed an associate degree in Indian Studies from Sisseton Wahpeton Community College. One of Sister Irene's great joys since 1979 was to attend the National Tekakwitha Conference where she could join in the celebrations, Pow-Wows, and especially the Native dances. She loved life and especially life with her own people. Sister Irene was a prayerful and faithful Sister. Sister Irene was a member of St. Catherine's Catholic Church where she belonged to the Kateri Circle and conference, and Ladies Aid. In August of 2001, Sister Irene returned to Milwaukee to The Salvatorian Sisters Residence to retire for the second time. In April 2004, Sister Irene moved to the skilled care facility on St. Anne's Salvatorian Campus. Sister Irene died peacefully on September 16, 2004 at age 88. Sr. Irene is survived by five sisters - Clara Eagle, Lillian Owen and Teresa Peters of Waubay, Bernice Patenoude of Chicago, Illinois, and Peggy Grime of Pueblo, Colorado; many nieces and nephews; and Sisters of The Divine Savior. Sr. Irene was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, Sylvester; two sisters Catherine and Florence; half brother, Walter and half sister, Joyce. Copyright c. 1999-2003 by C. D. Floro/Earth and Sky Enterprises. -=-=-=- September 19, 2004 Myrna Charger Eagle Butte - Myrna Charger, 57, of Eagle Butte died Thursday, Sept. 16, 2004, at the Rapid City Regional Hospital. Arrangements are pending with Oster Funeral Home of Mobridge. Copyright c. 2004 Aberdeen American News. -=-=-=- September 14, 2004 James Benedict Shoulder Blade II LAME DEER, Mont. - James Benedict Shoulder Blade II, Nahkoheo'emoko'eha "Bear Sole,"17, Lame Deer, died Thursday, Sept. 9, 2004, near Lame Deer. Survivors include his parents, Windelyn and Bernadette Shoulder Blade, Lame Deer; three brothers, J.R. Shoulder Blade, Timothy Shoulder Blade and Scott Shoulder Blade; three sisters, Vanessa Shoulder Blade, Renessa Shoulder Blade and Contessa Shoulder Blade; grandparents, Sadie Henry, Fern Shoulder Blade, Christine Lays Bad, Vicki Wounded and Helen Hiwalker. A wake will be held at 7 p.m. today at the Pentecostal Church in Lame Deer. Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 15, at the Boys and Girls Club in Lame Deer. Burial will be at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, S.D. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Forsyth is in charge of the arrangements. Pauline Pawnee Leggins KYLE - Pauline Pawnee Leggins, 68, Kyle, died Saturday, Sept. 11, 2004, at Martin Hospital. Survivors include four sons, Archie Red Owl, Ronald Red Owl, Joseph Red Owl and David Red Owl, all of Kyle; three daughters, Rita Red Owl and Tanya Pawnee Leggins, both of Kyle, and Kim Red Owl, Batesland; numerous grandchildren; three brothers, Francis Montileaux, Lawrence Montileaux and Moses Montileaux, all of Kyle; and three sisters, Mabel Rosales, Theresa Mendoza, and Sheralda Montileaux, all of Kyle. A two-night wake begins at 1 p.m. today at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Kyle. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 16, at the church, with the Rev. Cordelia Red Owl officiating. Burial will be at St. Barnabas Episcopal Cemetery. Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge is in charge of arrangements. September 15, 2004 Rev. Emerson Spider Sr. PORCUPINE - The Rev. Emerson Spider Sr., 83, Porcupine, died Sunday, Sept. 12, 2004, at Martin Hospital. Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth Swallow, Porcupine; three daughters, Verola Spider, Buelah White Crane and Vina Andrews, all of Porcupine; one son, Emerson Spider Jr., Porcupine; one sister, Geneva Richards, Porcupine; and numerous grandchildren. A three-night wake will begin at 11 a.m. today at the Spider-Richards residence. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, at Native American Church/Spider Residence in Porcupine, with the Rev. Aloysius Weasel Bear officiating. Burial will be at Native American Church Cemetery in Porcupine. Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge is in charge of arrangements. September 16, 2004 Franklin Crow Good Voice SIOUX FALLS - Franklin Crow Good Voice, 74, Sioux Falls and formerly of White River, died Monday, Sept. 13, 2004, at Good Samaritan Center in Sioux Falls. Visitation will begin at 4 p.m. today, with wake services beginning at 8 p.m., at Swift Bear Community Hall in White River. Services will be at 1 p. m. Friday, Sept. 17, at the community hall. Burial will be at St. Ignatius Cemetery in rural White River. Mason Funeral Home of Winner is in charge of arrangements. September 18, 2004 Tre-John Wade Bad Heart Bull OGLALA - Tre-John Wade Bad Heart Bull, infant, Oglala, died Thursday, Sept. 16, 2004, in Oglala. Survivors include his parents, Elgin and Ruby Bad Heart Bull, Oglala. Arrangements are pending with Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge. September 19, 2004 Rockne LeCompte EAGLE BUTTE - Rockne LeCompte, 51, Eagle Butte, died Friday, Sept. 17, 2004, at Methodist Hospital in Omaha, Neb. Arrangements are pending with Oster Funeral Home in Mobridge. Copyright c. 2004 the Rapid City Journal. -=-=-=- September 14, 2004 Willard 'Will' Price Sr. Willard "Will" Price Sr., a traditional Ute dancer who lived all his life in Ignacio, died Saturday, Sept. 11, 2004, at his home in Ignacio. He was 56. Mr. Price was born on April 4, 1948, in Ignacio, the son of Burton and Margaret Price. He was adopted while in third grade by Gerald and Dorothy Cox. He lived his entire life in Ignacio. He married Glenda Price in Durango on March 16, 1966. Mr. Price served in the Army Reserves. Mr. Price enjoyed racing stock cars. He survived a motorcycle accident in 2000, and made a full recovery. He still enjoyed riding his Harley- Davidson. Mr. Price also enjoyed hunting and fishing. "He enjoyed his family and encouraged his grandchildren to finish what they started and never quit," said his wife. He is survived by his wife, Glenda, of Ignacio; his sons Willard Price Jr., of Towaoc, Ronald Price, of Ignacio, and Toby Price, of Rapid City, S. D.; his daughters Wilinda Goodtracks, of Ignacio, and Wilandra Price, of Ignacio; his sisters Roberta Garcia, of Albuquerque, and Ruth Valdez, of Albuquerque; 20 grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. A rosary will be said at 6 p.m. today at St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Ignacio. A wake will be held after the rosary at the Price home, 212 Howe Drive, in Ignacio. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Ignatius. The Monsignor Daniel Huber will officiate. Burial will follow at Ignacio West Cemetery. Copyright c. 2004 Durango Herald. -=-=-=- September 15, 2004 Ivy Lys Dameron TAHLEQUAH - Services for Ivy Lys Dameron will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2004, at Saint Brigid Catholic Church, with Father Ken Iheanacho leading the mass. Interment will follow in Tahlequah City Cemetery, under the direction of Reed-Culver Funeral Home of Tahlequah. Ivy Lys (Lehman) Dameron was born April 22, 1927, in Fredrick, Md., to Laurence and Ivy (Dent) Lehman. She passed from this life Saturday, Sept. 11, 2004, in Tahlequah at the age of 77 years. Ivy was first a wife and mother, but the community of Tahlequah will remember her for other accomplishments. She earned her bachelor of science in education in 1948, when women were still a minority in the work place. She chose to stay home with her children and supported her husband's teaching and acting careers. She taught her children the love of creativity, to seek knowledge, to believe in themselves and to be confident in their choices; to challenge limitations and to love life, each other, God and all of God's children. Ivy was loving, faithful, creative and optimistic; she was absolutely fearless and met each of life's challenges head on. Ivy was a doting and faithful daughter, a role model and confidant to her eight siblings. She was an author, poet, playwright, artist and sculptor. She was a columnist for the Tahlequah Daily Press for 15 years. Each week thousands of readers would turn first to the Sunday edition to read "Smoke Signals." It was a column rich in descriptive details of the community and family life that touched the lives of many Cherokee County families. Ivy was involved in many organizations, clubs and activities. Among those include, The Tale Bears Writers Group, The Fortnightly Study Club, We Care Cancer Support Group, Tahlequah Community Playhouse and Take Off Pounds Sensibly. Ivy enjoyed singing in operas while in her prime, she wrote many poems and plays, including the play "Shades of Death" which won Best Play of the Year for the 1991-'92 season. She loved to cook, hated housework, liked to take walks, drink coffee with her friends and share luncheons with her lady friends at the newest restaurants and then let the rest of us know how it was. Ivy leaves all who knew her enriched by her memory. She will truly be missed. Ivy was preceded in death by her son, John Starr Dameron, age 6. Survivors include her loving husband John Dameron of the home; her daughters, Gigi Westfall of Claremore, Fleur May and husband Kerry of Stafford, Va., and Valerie Rakes and husband Randy of Atlanta, Ga.; her sons, John Dameron Jr. of Anadarko and Paul Dameron and wife Robin of Tishomingo; three sisters, Barbra Ayames, Dianne Barrette and Jackie Davidson; five brothers, Lowell Lehman, Stretch Head, Larry Lehman, Lyle Lehman and Leslie Lehman; grandchildren, Michael Sean May, Kristy Michelle May, Katherine Dianne May, John Alexander Westfall, Jenna Westfall Scott, Matthew Randolf Rakes, Joel Starr Dameron, Samantha Dameron, Danielle Darie Dameron, Stephanie Jacqueline Dameron and Timothy Caleb Dameron; seven great-grandchildren, Elizabeth, Samantha, Mollie, Zachariah, Cheyene, Chloe and Jonna; and many friends, neighbors and loved ones. Reed-Culver Funeral Home, 117 W. Delaware, 456-2551. September 20, 2004 Mae Elizabeth Glenn-Coe TAHLEQUAH - Services for Mae Elizabeth Glenn-Coe, 88, will be held at 10 a.m., Monday Sept. 20, 2004, at the Hart Funeral Home Chapel, with Brother Jack Carner officiating. Interment will follow at the Tahlequah City Cemetery under the direction of Hart Funeral Home. Serving as pallbearers will be her grandsons, Sean Smith, Bobby McAlpine Jr., Michael McAlpine, Keith Glenn, Donnie Carroll and Jimmy Stovall. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Ed Glenn, Jim Glenn and Andy Glenn. Mae Elizabeth Glenn-Coe was born in Welling, to James Arthur and Gracie (Shaw) Landrum on May 5, 1916, and passed from this life on Sept. 17, 2004, in Tahlequah. Mae attended Ochelata School. Upon finishing school, she married her first husband, Alfred Glenn, on July 25, 1933, in Fort Gibson. To this loving union five children were born James, Donald, Pat, Joel and Phyllis. Later, Mae met and married Ira Coe in Reno, Nev., in 1962 and made their home in California. In 1972, she returned to the Tahlequah area, where she remained until her passing. Mae was very talented with needlework and made beautiful quilts and crocheted pieces. Mae also loved to spend time in the kitchen, where she prepared special meals for her family. In her spare time, she loved making flower arrangements and working crossword puzzles. But most of all, Mae loved the time she spent with her children, grandchildren, and great- and great, great-grandchildren. One of the many legacies Mae left her family was her devotion to God, and the power of prayer, which she exercised daily. Mae is preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Alfred Glenn; and her second husband Ira Coe; her son, Joel Anthony Glenn in 1977; one sister, Gracia Mae Landrum -Stockton; and two half-sisters, Violet Lorene Landrum and Lorene Landrum. Mae is survived by her four children, James Alfred Glenn and wife Pat of Hanford, Calif., Donald Glenn and wife Ivia of Tahlequah, Pat and husband Bobby McAlpine of Tahlequah, Phyllis Ilene Glenn Axt and husband, Rodney P. of Broken Arrow; brother-in-law, Don Stockton of Fort Gibson; 13 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and 15 great, great-grandchildren; as well as a host of friends and loved ones. Hart Funeral Home, 1506 N. Grand, 456-8823. Wilburn "Mean" Eugene McLemore TAHLEQUAH - Funeral services for Wilburn McLemore, 48, of Tahlequah will be held 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 20, 2004, at the Cedar Tree Tabernacle at Briggs. Officiating will Be Rev. Dale Wilson with Daniel McLemore assisting. Serving as pallbearers will be Johnson Wacoche, Billy Wayne Wacoche, Robert Leon Wacoche, Larry Mouse, Stacy Wacoche, and Joe Tom Mouse. Honorary pall bearers are Andrew Bird, Leo Bird, Leon Bird, Sam McLemore, Tracy Wacoche, Timothy D. Wells, and Billy Gene Blackfox. Interment will follow in the Cedar Tree Cemetery under the care of Green Country Funeral Home. Wilburn was born Sept. 15, 1955, in Tahlequah the son of Rev. Sam and Mary Mayes McLemore. He died on Sept 13, 2004, in Tahlequah. Wilburn received Christ at the age of 10 at Fairfield Baptist Church in Stilwell. He was a graduate of Sequoyah High School in Tahlequah. He loved to play ball - football, baseball, and basketball - and liked track. He also enjoyed camping and swimming. Predeceasing him are his parents; two sisters, Kathy Kanatobe and Peggy Perry; a stepsister, Patricia McAlvain; and two brothers, Jimmy and Benny McLemore. Surviving him are two sisters, Christine Mouse and her husband Tony of Moodys, and Margie Wacoche and her husband Watie of Tahlequah; three brothers, Daniel McLemore and his wife Lucy of Durant, Sanders McLemore Jr. of Tahlequah, and Billy "Stony" McLemore, also of Tahlequah; a stepbrother, Wayne Gray and his wife Winona of Watts; stepmother Joan McLemore of Stilwell; aunt Christine Davis and her husband Virgil; uncle Taylor McLemore of California; a special friend and cousin, Jeanna Hendricks; several nieces, nephews, other relatives, and a host of friends. Green Country Funeral Home, 203 S. Commercial Road, 458-5055. Erryl Lee Potts TAHLEQUAH - Services for Erryl Lee Potts, 60, of Tahlequah, will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 20, 2004, at the Hart Funeral Home Chapel, with Kenneth Adams officiating. Interment will follow at Tahlequah City Cemetery under the direction of Hart Funeral Home. Serving as pallbearers will be Albert Shade, Webb Grayson, Tim Grayson, David Boyd and Tom Maloney, Tom Dunavin. Honorary pallbearers will be Pete Vann, Richard Fields, Jesse Grayson, Curt Sewell, Freddie Ferrell, Gene Ferrell, Jim Buckhorn, Bill Fields, Ron Austin, Bonnie Austin, Clint Adams, Buddy McCarty, John Ruff, Terry Birdtail, Jeremiah Birdtail, Bill Bowers and all members of the Cherokee Cornstalk Society. Erryl Lee Potts was born the only son of Ernest and Dixon (Spencer) Potts on Feb. 10, 1944, in Tahlequah, and passed from this life on Sept. 15, 2004, in Tulsa. Lee attended school in Tahlequah and later obtained his graphic arts degree from Oklahoma State University in Okmulgee. He taught for a time at OSU, but enjoyed the designing. He went to work for Sun Oil Company then later for Phillip, Knight, Walsh and Associates in Tulsa and retired in 1998. Lee married the love of his life, Anita L. Heter in Tahlequah on Sept. 25, 1965. To this union their only son Gavin was born. When he wasn't designing, Lee loved to study the Cherokee language and it's mechanics. He loved to spend time with his friends at the Cherokee Cornstalk Society, shooting bow and arrow, and enjoying the day. But the time spent with his wife, son and family was what truly made him happy. He will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved him. Lee is preceded in death by his parents, his grandparents, and several aunts and uncles. Lee is survived by his wife of 38 years, Anita, of the home; one son, Gavin and wife Carla Potts of Tahlequah; and two grandchildren, Devin Potts, and Amber Potts both of Tahlequah; as well as a host of friends and loves ones. Hart Funeral Home, 1506 N. Grand, 456-8823. Copyright c. 2004 Tahlequah Daily Press. -=-=-=- September 16, 2004 Priscilla Ruth Canaday Priscilla Ruth Canaday. 85, of Pawnee, died Tuesday, September 14, 2004 in Pawnee. Services will be held at 2 p.m., Friday at the Poteet Funeral Chapel in Pawnee. The Revs. Lynn Eaves and Duane Pratt will officiate. Interment will be at the South Indian Cemetery in Pawnee under the direction of Poteet Funeral Home. She was born on February 3, 1919 in Pawnee to St. Elmo Jim and Susie Bearchief. She grew up south of Pawnee and graduated from Glencoe High School. She then attended Nurses Training for a short time. On August 3, 1955 she married Ernest Canaday in El Dorado, Kan. He preceded her in death on January 3, 1980. She has been a long-time resident of Pawnee, and was affiliated with the Pawnee Indian Baptist Church. Besides her husband, Ernest, she was preceded in death by her parents; an infant sister; two brothers, James Arthur Jim and Enoch Jim; and her youngest son, James LeRoy Jim. She is survived by four children: Lucy Henry Norris, Stillwater, Frank Henry, Muskogee, Sue Casey, Pawnee, and St. Elmo Wilde, Pawnee; 15 grandchildren, including J.D. Goad and wife, Amy, of Stillwater, Ray Goad and wife, Brenda, of Pawnee, Jana Webster and husband, Jason, of Poteau and Jena Howell and husband, Kent, of Brownsville, Tenn.; 43 great- grandchildren; and several great-great-grandchildren, other relatives, and friends. Copyright c. 2004 Stillwater NewsPress/Stillwater, OK. -=-=-=- September 15, 2004 Quanita Davis Former Seminole County resident Quanita Davis, 81, died Sunday, Sept. 12, at a Lawton hospital. Wake service was 7 p.m. Tuesday at Rock Springs Baptist Church, Sasakwa. Service will be 2 p.m. today at Rock Springs Baptist Church with Houston Tiger officiating. Burial will be at Rock Springs Cemetery under the direction of Pickard- Swearingen Funeral Home of Konawa. Copyright c. 1997-2004 The Shawnee News-Star. -=-=-=- September 19, 2004 Virgil 'Wolf' Orange CACHE - Funeral for Virgil "Wolf" Orange, 67, will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Kononia Mennonite Indian Church, Clinton, with the Rev. Lawrence Hart officiating. A prayer service will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Comanche Nation Funeral Home with the Rev. Nick Tahchawwickah officiating. Mr. Orange died Friday, Sept. 17, 2004, at his home. Burial with military honors will be in Indian Cemetery. He was born July 22, 1937, to Frank and Esther Heap-of-Birds Orange. He was a boilerman on the USS Essex from 1955 to October 1961. After leaving the U.S. Navy, he returned to Clinton and later moved to Lawton to work with Goodwill Industries. He was a member of the Cheyenne Tribe of Oklahoma. Survivors include two sisters: Theresa Connywerdy, Lawton; and Norene Milligan, Clinton; a niece, Pam Atauvich, Cache; and many other relatives and friends. Friends may call from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Copyright c. 2004 The Lawton Constitution. -=-=-=- September 14, 2004 Matthew Berryhill Funeral services for Wewoka fourth grader Matthew Kyle (Hvtke) Berryhill are scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday at Wetumka Indian Baptist Church. Rev. Fred Lindsey will officiate. Burial will follow in Wetumka Indian Baptist Church Cemetery under the direction of Williamson Funeral Home. Berryhill died Saturday, Sept. 11, 2004, in an Oklahoma City hospital at the age of 10. He was born March 25, 1994, in Ada, to Sheila Faye Berryhill) Remis. He attended Wewoka elementary school and enjoyed school and sports. He loved riding his bike and spending time with his family and friends, as well as attending church and all kinds of music. He is survived by his mother, Shelia Remis and stepfather David Williams, Wewoka; sisters, Lacie Williams, Wewoka, and Kimberly Remis, Henryetta; brothers, Austin Williams, Wewoka, and Shawn Remis, Henryetta; and grandparents, Chubby and Shirley Berryhill, Wetumka. Pallbearers will include Gene Berryhill, David Williams, David Lindsey, Tommy Remis, Sam Remis Jr., and Shawn Remis. Edith Coody Funeral services for lifelong Konawa resident Edith Coody will be 2 p.m. on Monday at Rock Springs Baptist Church with Jimpsey and Tim Harjo officiating. Interment will be at Vamoosa Cemetery under the direction of PickardSwearingen Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be Harold Cully, George Tiger III, Brandon Cully, Buddy Lindsey, Grant Cully, and Sam Tiger. There will be a wake service at 8 p.m. on Sunday at the Rock Springs Baptist Church. Coody died Sept. 17, 2004 at a hospital in Ada. She was born to Sam and Eunice (Bear) Cully on Nov.9, 1930. She married Roger Coody on Sept. 18, 1965 and had been a homemaker. Coody was a member of the Motezoma Baptist Church. Her parents, husband, sons, Thurman Carpitcher and Frankie Cully, and sister Lana Cully all preceded her in death. She is survived by sons, R.D. Coody and Stanley Coody both of Konawa; daughter Nema Coody of Konawa; three sisters, Mary L. Tiger, Joyce Cully, both of Konawa and Leona Chosa of N.M.; and six grandchildren. The Seminole Producer/Copyright c. 1999-2004 Arizona Newspapers Assn. -=-=-=- September 14, 2004 Roy Jerome Belin Visitation for Roy Jerome Belin, 14, of Mescalero will be from 1-5 p.m. today at LaGrone Funeral Chapel. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, with burial to follow at the Mescalero Cemetery. Mr. Belin died Monday, Sept. 13, 2004, at his home. He was born July 20, 1990, in Ruidoso. He had lived in Mescalero all of his life. He was in the eighth grade in Tularosa and had attended Ruidoso schools until the seventh grade. He was involved in wrestling and football. Survivors include his mother, Sandra Balatche; his father, Charles Belin; a brother, Joseph Allard; sisters Merilee Garcia, Sandee Balatche and Kristen Belin; his grandfather, Issac Morgan; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Arrangements are under the direction of LaGrone Funeral Chapel of Ruidoso. Marcus Pena Jr. A funeral Mass for Marcus Pena Jr., 53, of Mescalero, was at Joseph's Mission at Mescalero on Monday, with burial following at the Mescalero Cemetery. Mr. Pena died Thursday, Sept. 9, 2004, in Ruidoso. He was born Nov. 6, 1950, in Mescalero. He had lived there all of his life. He was a cowboy at Cow Camp No. 1 and a lift operator at Ski Apache. He was a member of St. Joseph's Mission. Survivors include his children Ray Dean Tissnolthtos, Marlene Bruggink, Rachel Botella, Mark Evans, Therlene Pena, Swain Pena, and Amanda Begay; sisters and brothers Juan Pena, Evagelina Apache, Delilah Shortman, Jennie Pena, Esther Pena, Reno Pena, Regina Pena and Leoma Baca; 38 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; and 23 nieces and nephews. Arrangements are under the direction of LaGrone Funeral Chapel of Ruidoso. Copyright c. 2004 Ruidoso News, a Gannett Co., Inc. newspaper. -=-=-=- September 15, 2004 Ernest Chiquito Ojo Encino March 3, 1953-Sept. 12, 2004 Ernest Chiquito, 51, a resident of Ojo Encino, passed from this life on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2004, at Swedish Medical Center in Englewood, Colo. Ernest was born March 3, 1953, in Pueblo Pintado, the son of Tom T. Chiquito and Juanita (Morgan) Chiquito. Arrangements are pending with Cope Memorial Chapel of Farmington, 404 W. Arrington St., (505) 327-5142. Copyright c. 2004 Farmington Daily Times, a Gannett Co., Inc. newspaper. -=-=-=- September 14, 2004 Wilford Lee Tom Jr. GALLUP - Funeral services for Wilford Lee Tom Jr., 33, were 10 a.m. today at Cope Memorial. Pastor Scott Tafoya officiated. Burial was at Sunset Cemetery in Gallup. Tom Jr. died in Gallup. He was born May 3, 1971, in Gallup into the Salt People Clan for the Red Running into the Water People Clan. Tom Jr. was employed at Furr's restaurant and was a volunteer firefighter. He is survived by his wife, Marietta Tom; son, Wilford Lee Tom Jr. III, Gallup; daughters, Krystal Tom, Ashley Tom, Angel Tom, Amanda Tom and Brandy Tom, all of Gallup; brother, Wilbert Tom, Gallup; sisters, Karen Joe, Sharon Samuels, Geraldine Bennett all of Gallup; grandparents Pearl Tom and Rita Dick. Tom Jr. was preceded in death by Agnes Long, Billie Long, Caroline Hunt, Warren Yazzie, Ruben Tom, Leonard Hunt, Jolinda Long and Joey Long. Pallbearers will be Michael Charley, Phillip Garcia, Roland Bernal, Lewis Becenti, George Tom and Charles Kilburn. The family will receive relatives and friends at the Tse-Yes-Toh Chapter. Cope Memorial has charge of arrangements. David M. Coonsis ZUNI - A traditional wake for David M. Coonsis, 69, will be held in Zuni tonight, Sept. 14, at the Coweyuka residence H15A. Burial will be in Zuni Vanderwagen Cemetery. Visitation will be at Coweyuka's residence. Coonsis died Sept. 11 in Fort Bayard Nursing Home in Silver City, N.M. He was born Dec. 2, 1934, in Zuni . Coonsis attended Zuni Christian Reform School and Rehoboth High School. He worked at FedMart in Window Rock as a store manager. He was also employed at California Supermarket in Gallup and Unified District Schools at Window Rock. Survivors include son, Michael D. Coonsis, Crystal, N.M.; daughter, Faralie Coonsis, Crystal; mother Winifred Coweyuka, Zuni; sisters, Lolita Milane and Jeanette Dewesee, both of Zuni; and three grandchildren. Coonsis was preceded in death by brothers, Juan and Enos Coonsis. Pallbearers will be Military Honor Guard and Coonsis grandchildren. The family will receive relatives and friends at the Milane residence and the Coweyoka residence. Frank Nez Begay WHITEROCK, N.M. - Graveside services for Frank Nez Begay, 80, were 11 a.m. today at Indian Creek Gravesite. Albert Juan officiated. Begay died Sept. 10 in Crownpoint. He was born Feb. 27, 1924, in Standing Rock, N.M. into the Red House People Clan for the Sleeping Rock People Clan. Begay completed the eighth grade in Crownpoint. He was a World War II Navy veteran who earned the Good Conduct Medal, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon and the Victory in the Pacific Medal. He worked for the railroad for nearly 30 years. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Largo; daughters, Nancy Begay; parents Bittoney Begay and Mary Manuelito; brothers, Ned Nez Begay and Jake Nez Begay; sisters, Rita Barley, Bessie Smith and Jaunita Billy; and numerous grandchildren. Begay was preceded in death by Bessie Smith. The family will receive relatives and friends at Lolita Nez Begay's residence at Indian Creek in Whiterock. Cope Memorial has charge of arrangements. Ernest Benally, Sr. TOHATCHI - Services for Ernest Anthony Benally Sr., will be held at in 10 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 15 at the St. Mary's Mission Catholic Church Tohatchi. Burial will follow in the Naschitti Cemetery. Benally died Sept. 10 in Albuquerque. He was born March 20, 1941 in Tohatchi into the Zuni Red Streak Clan for the One Who Walks Around People Clan. Benally worked for NECA until he retired in 2002. He also worked for NTUA and he was a silversmith. His hobbies included traveling. Survivors include his son Ernest Anthony Benally, Jr.; daughter Ernestine A. Johnson; sisters JoAnn Benally and Elaine Benally and two grandchildren. Benally was preceded in death by his parents Minnie and Anthony Benally; brothers Raymond and Larry Benally and sister Della Benally. Pallbearers will be family members and friends. The family will receive relatives and friends at Naschitti Chapter House. Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements. September 17, 2004 Arnold T. Bradley KAYENTA - Graveside services for Arnold T. Bradley, 90, will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 18, at the family home, one-quarter mile north of Kayenta Trading Post. Bradley died in Dennehotso, Ariz., with his wife Agnes Parrish Bradley. He was born July 8, 1914, in Lukachukai into the Honeycomb People Clan for the Red Running into the Water People Clan. Bradley attended Isabel Mission School and Chinle and Fort Wingate High Schools. He served in the U.S. Marines, worked for the Navajo Army Depot, the BIA, Kayenta Unified School District and the Navajo Nation as a firefighter, carpenter and heavy equipment operator. Survivors include his sons Raymond N. Bradley, Phillip A. Bradley and Anslem E. Bradley; daughters Evangeline Wilkinson, Margaret Sisco and Patricia Cly, all of Kayenta, Bernice Holiday of Tuba City, Dee McKerry and Pherfelia Johnson, both of Window Rock, 34 grandchildren and 38 great- grandchildren. Bradley was preceded in death by his son Leonard L. Bradley and daughter Katherine R. Redhouse. Pallbearers will be Arnold's grandsons. The family will receive relatives and friends at the Bradley residence, north of Kayenta Trading Post. Agnes Bradley KAYENTA - Graveside services for Agnes Parrish Bradley, 86, will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 18, at the family home, one-quarter mile north of Kayenta Trading Post. Agnes died in Dennehotso, along with her husband Arnold T. Bradley. She was born Dec. 18, 1919 into the Bitter Water People Clan for the Reed People Clan. She attended Kayenta, Tuba City and Fort Wingate high schools. Survivors include his sons Raymond N. Bradley, Phillip A. Bradley and Anslem E. Bradley; daughters Evangeline Wilkinson, Margaret Sisco and Patricia Cly, all of Kayenta, Bernice Holiday of Tuba City, Dee McKerry and Pherfelia Johnson, both of Window Rock; sister, Delphine Salt; 34 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren. Bradley was preceded in death by his son Leonard L. Bradley and daughter Katherine R. Redhouse. Pallbearers will be Arnold and Agnes' grandsons. The family will receive relatives and friends at the Bradley residence, north of Kayenta Trading Post. Tiffany Stewart KAYENTA - Graveside services for Tiffany Leah Stewart, 21, will be 10 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 18 at the Bradley family home, one-quarter mile north of the Kayenta Trading Post. September 18, 2004 Flora Raymond HEART BUTTE, N.M. - Services for Flora D. Raymond will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 20 at the Solid Rock Gospel Church. Pastor Johnny Platero will officiate. Burial will follow in the Crownpoint Comminity Cemetery. Raymond died Sept. 14, in Crownpoint. She was born July 4, 1925 in Pueblo Pintado, N.m. into the Salt People Clan for the Mexican People Clan. Raymond was a lifetime resident of Heart Butte. Her hobbies included cooking dinners for special occasions, working on vehicles and helping out in the community. Survivors include her husband, William Raymond and adopted sons: Calvin Chee, Dixon Chee, Harry L. Raymond and Michael Raymond. Pallbearers will be Dixon Chee, Harry Raymond, Michael Raymond, Roy Cayaditto Jr., and Mikkah Cayaditto. The family will receive frinds and relatives at the Littlewater Chapter House after services. Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Anna Martinez TOHATCHI - Services for Anna Martinez, 92, will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 21 at the Tohatchi Baptist Church. Jim Bostic will officiate. Burial will be in the Tohatchi Cemetery after services. Martinez died Sept. 15 in Tohatchi. She was born Dec. 20, 1911 in Red Valley, Ariz., into the Red House People Clan for the Mexican People Clan. Martinez was a homemaker and rug weaver and she enjoyed arts and crafts. She was preceded in death by her father, Moeial Ake Martinez. Pallbearers will be Vaugh Benally, Davin Benally, Lyle Benally, Norman Benally, Jr., and Levon Benally, Jr. The family will receive relatives and friends at the Tohatchi Baptist Church following services. Tse Bonito Mortuary is in charge of arrangements Ella Upshaw MANUELITO - Services for Ella S. Upshaw, 103, will be 10 a.m., Monday, Sept. 20 at Rollie Mortuary Palm Chapel. Burial will follow at private family land in Tse De Tah Canyon. Upshaw died Sept. 16. She was born March 10, 1901 in Manuelito into the Bitter Water People Clan for the Zui Edge Water People Clan/Corn People Clan. Upshaw was a famous rug weaver. Her rugs are on display at the Smithsonian. She was also a sheep rancher. Survivors include her daughters France Brown of High Point, N.C., Louise Jim of Shiprock, Bertha Chischilly and Annie Johnson, both of Manuelito; 30 grandchildren, 68 great-grandchildren, 25 great-great grandchildren and 15 great-great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents Juan Miguel and Yenebah Miguel; daughter, Juanita Smith-Peterman; brothers Sam Charlie and Juan Tsosie. Pallbearers will be Delbert Brown, Myron Chischilly, Dennis Hughes, Floyd Jim and Kenny Kempton. Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Rex Yazzie MANY FARMS - Services for Rex Yazzie, 72, will be at 1 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 20 at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Many Farms. Burial will follow on family land in Many Farms. Yazzie died Sept. Sept. 16 in Flagstaff. She was born Feb. 21 in Many Farms into the Red Streak People Clan for the Towering House People Clan. Yazzie was a lifetime resident of Many Farms. He was a farmer and rancher. He enjoyed outdoor life and traditional activities. His hobbies included rodeo. He was employed by the Santa Fe Railroad and Neilson Construction when he was young. Survivors include his son David Yazzie of Many Farms; daughters, Aurelia Lewis, Agnes Yazzie and Bernice Tsosie, all of Chinle, Lucinda Williams and Rose Ann Yazzie, both of Many Farms; sister Mary C. Keyannie of Many Farms, 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his mother, Asdaanlgai John and stepfather Frank John and a son, Howard Yazzie. Pallbearers will be David Yazzie, Lawrence Keyannie, Dennis Begay, James Chee, Norman Claw and Amos John Jr. Silver Creek Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Copyright c. 2004 the Gallup Independent. -=-=-=- September 16, 2004 Joann Adele (Osife) Brooks. Joann Adele (Osife) Brooks. On September, 10, 2004 Joann Adele began her eternal journey toward everlasting peace and harmony. Joann was born and raised in the village of Upper Santan on the Gila River Indian Community. During her childhood years, and as a young adult, she was active in the Presbyterian Church and Sunday School programs. She actively participated in many youth group activities. As a young woman, Joann made her home in Phoenix, AZ where she was dedicated to her career of helping people working as a Nurse Assistant at St. Joseph's Medical Center. During her later years Joann lovingly chose to devote her time to her family, home and her passion for travel. She is preceded in death by five brothers, two sisters, and her beloved grandson, Willie Maurice. Joann is survived by her loving Husband, Russ Brooks, of Phoenix, AZ; her son, Willis Haskie III of Phoenix; her daughter, Cheryl A. Joaquin of G.R.I.C; 7 granddaughters, 6 great grandchildren and two sisters. She will sadly missed by her family and the countless friends whose lives she touched here and on her travels. A visitation will be held on Friday September 17, 2004 from 6-8:00 PM at Meldrum Mortuary, 52 N. Macdonald St. in Mesa. Wake Services will be held on Saturday September 18, 2004 at 6:00 PM at District 4 Service Center on the Stotonic Gila River Indian Community. Interment will be held on Sunday September 19, 2004 at 6:00 AM at the Upper Santan Gila River Indian Community Cemetery. For additional information, please visit www.meldrummortuary.com Copyright c. 2004 The Arizona Republic. -=-=-=- September 17, 2004 Jathan Jake Burnette Jathan Jake Burnette "Shi-Boy" of Whiteriver, went to Heaven Sept. 10, 2004. He was born June 21, 1989 in Whiteriver. He was a freshman at East Fork Lutheran School. He loved riding ATV's and also enjoyed hunting and playing football. Jathan is survived by parents, Cyndy Harvey and Marty Gatewood; grandfather George Harvey; godparents Marie and Laben Burnette; Aunts Georgina Cromwell, Marie Burnette, Sherry Harvey, Brenda Lee, Georgia Harvey and many cousins, relatives and friends. A wake was held at his home Wednesday, Sept. 15 and funeral services were Thursday, Sept. 16 at the Open Bible Lutheran Church in Whiteriver, with Pastor Dan Rautenberg officiating. Interment was at Whiteriver Cemetery. With respect to Jathan, an escort of friends on ATV's escorted his body home, to the church and to the cemetery. His parents would like to recognize all those who have who have prayed for and showed love, kindness and support to Jathan during his battle with cancer. Silver Creek Chapel Mortuary of Whiteriver handled the arrangements. Copyright c. 2004 White Mountain Independent. -=-=-=- September 19, 2004 Irene Mable Sagataw Mancilla - Irene Mable Sagataw Mancilla, 65, was born to Levi and Helen Sagataw on Jan. 2, 1939. She was born and raised on the Hannahville Indian Reservation and was a proud member of the Potawatomi and Ottawa Indian tribes. Irene attended Bark River Harris and graduated from Holy Name High School in Escanaba, Mich. She attended Haskell Institute at Lawrence, Kan. and community college at Los Angeles. Irene then relocated to Los Angeles, where she met and married Tony Mancilla. Throughout their 38 years of marriage they raised five children, Lisa Smartt (Rob), Deborah Jackson (Brad), Tony Mancilla, III, Monica Mohammad Amin (Amin), and Nancy Edmo (Wes). Irene enjoyed sewing a great deal. She also enjoyed watching Pow- Wows, taking walks early in the morning and family birthdays and getting her family together for the holidays. Irene was a parishioner of St. Paul's Catholic Church in Nampa. In addition to her children, she is survived by six brothers, Lawrence, Joseph Michael, Phillip W., Levi E., Donald and Vaughn; three sisters, Rose Gill, Betty Williams and Florence Silver; 13 grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by both her parents, three brothers, Harvey, Ken and Faron, and one sister, Geneva. Copyright c. 2004 Pocatella Idaho State Journal. -=-=-=- September 17, 2004 Louis Chavez Jr. FORT WASHAKIE - Funeral services for former Wyoming resident Louis Chavez Jr., 54, of Denver, will be conducted at 2 p.m. today, Sept. 17, at the Shoshone Episcopal Mission by Tommy Means. Burial will follow in Sacajawea Cemetery in Fort Washakie. He died Sept. 15, 2004, at St. Joseph's Hospital in Denver. Born Dec. 3, 1949, in Fort Washakie, he was the son of Louis and Velma (St. Clair) Chavez; graduated from Lander Valley High School; and received computer certification from a technical school in California. On June 16, 1973, he married Victoria Davenport in Las Vegas. The couple moved to Denver from Los Angeles in 1980 and he was an ATM repairman for National Cash Register in Denver for 27 years. He was planning to retire this year. In his earlier years, he enjoyed camping, hunting, riding horses, and anything to do with the great outdoors. He liked to fish in his later years and was an avid fan of the Denver Broncos. Survivors include his wife of 31 years of Denver; four children, Tina Louise Chavez of Denver, Christopher Louis Chavez of Long Island, N.Y., and Jeffrey Joseph and Emma Louisa Chavez, both of Denver; and four siblings, Rita Phillips and her husband, Dennis Chavez and his wife, Doreen Chavez, and Orval St. Clair, all of Fort Washakie. He was preceded in death by his father; a brother, Erno Chavez; and grandparents, Wallace and Winnie St. Clair and Juanita and Thomas Cashen. The family would appreciate memorials to the American Cancer Society, in care of Hudson's Funeral Home, 680 Mount Hope Drive, Lander, WY 82520. September 19, 2004 Louis Chavez Jr. FORT WASHAKIE - Funeral services for former Wyoming resident Louis Chavez Jr., 54, of Denver, will be conducted at 2 p.m. today, Sept. 17, at the Shoshone Episcopal Mission by Tommy Means. Burial will follow in Sacajawea Cemetery in Fort Washakie. He died Sept. 15, 2004, at St. Joseph's Hospital in Denver. Born Dec. 3, 1949, in Fort Washakie, he was the son of Louis and Velma (St. Clair) Chavez; graduated from Lander Valley High School; and received computer certification from a technical school in California. On June 16, 1973, he married Victoria Davenport in Las Vegas. The couple moved to Denver from Los Angeles in 1980 and he was an ATM repairman for National Cash Register in Denver for 27 years. He was planning to retire this year. In his earlier years, he enjoyed camping, hunting, riding horses, and anything to do with the great outdoors. He liked to fish in his later years and was an avid fan of the Denver Broncos. Survivors include his wife of 31 years of Denver; four children, Tina Louise Chavez of Denver, Christopher Louis Chavez of Long Island, N.Y., and Jeffrey Joseph and Emma Louisa Chavez, both of Denver; and four siblings, Rita Phillips and her husband, Dennis Chavez and his wife, Doreen Chavez, and Orval St. Clair, all of Fort Washakie. He was preceded in death by his father; a brother, Erno Chavez; and grandparents, Wallace and Winnie St. Clair and Juanita and Thomas Cashen. The family would appreciate memorials to the American Cancer Society, in care of Hudson's Funeral Home, 680 Mount Hope Drive, Lander, WY 82520. Copyright c. 2004 Casper Star-Tribune published by Lee Publications, Inc., a subsidiary of Lee Enterprises, Incorporated. -=-=-=- Golden Triangle On-Line Obituaries The following obituaries appeared in the Cut Bank Pioneer Press, Shelby Promoter, Valierian or Glacier Reporter this week. September 15, 2004 Iona C. Salois Iona "Big Eyes" C. Salois, 72, passed away Sunday, Sept. 12, 2004, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center of natural causes. A wake was held at the Eagle Shield Center in Browning with a Rosary Service as well. Funeral Mass was held today (Thursday) at the Little Flower Catholic Church in Browning. Burial followed in Schildt Cemetery. Pondera Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Salois was born Sept. 1, 1932 to James and Irene (Racine) Salois in Browning. She was a homemaker and had lived in East Glacier, Browning, and Fisher Flatt. She enjoyed family gatherings and picnics, old time music, "Archie" comic books, puzzle books, and making crafts. She is survived by her sisters, Elaine Spang of Lame Deer, Jewel Gilham and Merle Salois both of Browning; brothers, Verlin Salois of East Glacier and Gerald "Timber" Salois of Woodland, Wash.; a special nephew, Jim McNeely, and many other nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death were her parents; a sister, Winnie Salois; brothers, Galen Salois and Eldon "Buzzy" Salois. A memorial has been established. Thomas No Runner Thomas No Runner, 68, of Browning died Monday, Sept. 13, 2004 of heart failure at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. A wake is from now until Friday evening at Glacier Community Center with the Rosary service at 7 p.m. at the Center. Funeral Mass will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at Little Flower Catholic Church in Browning. Burial will follow in St. Michael's Cemetery in Browning near his parents. Pondera Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. He was born Nov. 11, 1935 to Joseph and Ann (Night Gunn) No Runner in Browning. Thomas attended school in Browning until the 11th grade. He liked all sports, basketball, football, and baseball. During his rodeo days he was a bareback rider and bull rider. Thomas enjoyed Indian dancing and drumming in his younger years. He married Joyce Strike With A Gun in 1954 in Browning. To this union was born Thomas and Joseph and a foster son, Daniel Guardipee. They later divorced. From 1973-1974 he went to school at Indian Action to be an electrician. He worked in construction, on the railroad, in the oilfields in the 70s, and for some time at the pencil factory. Thomas started dating Evelyn Little Dog in 1979 and married her in January 1995 in Cut Bank. He coached the boxing club in Browning from 1971-1978. No Runner was well known for his arts and crafts and was internationally known for his Indian dolls and tepees. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn No Runner of Browning; step-daughters, Forrestina (Pat Sr.) Calf Boss Ribs of Heart Butte, Karrine (Karl) Mad Plume and Bonita (Isias) Murillo both of Browning; sons, Thomas (Marsha) No Runner Jr. and Joseph (Marge) No Runner both of Browning; foster son, Daniel Guardipee of Browning; step-son, Carl (Brenda) Spotted Bear of Browning; 19 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Copyright c. 2004 Golden Triangle Newspapers. -=-=-=- September 9, 2004 Leo P. 'Sam' Hammer, Jr. RONAN - Leo P. "Sam" Hammer, Jr., 62, went to join the ancestors on Thursday at St. Luke Hospital in Ronan. A member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribe, Sam was born April 20, 1942 in St. Ignatius to Angelis Finley and Leo Hammer, Sr. Sam was orphaned at a young age and raised in Ronan by a kind and understanding woman, Elizabeth Yatelamee Hammer. A dedicated veteran of Vietnam, Sam enlisted at 17 with the U.S. Marine Corps and served two terms in Vietnam/Indochina Theatre. Upon his return he settled into raising his family with wife Joanne Weaselhead whom he had met in 1967. They made their home in Ronan, Fresno, Calif., Missoula and Evaro before returning to Ronan. Sam was trained in heavy equipment operation in Fresno and auto mechanics in Missoula. He worked for the Missoula Housing Authority and later for the Tribe before becoming disabled from a motorcycle accident. Always an optimist, Sam kept up his hobbies of working on cars, huckleberry picking, building things, hunting and fishing and spending time with his kids and grandkids. He always had a smile and loved his dogs. Secretly, though, he just wished he would hit a Keno jackpot more often and he enjoyed talking to the neighbor about the in and outs of the neighborhood. He was preceded in death by his son David, who died as a toddler; his parents; brothers Lloyd Hammer, Roger Vanderburg and Bobby Hammer; sister Victoria Hammer, and niece Roberta Fairbanks. Survivors include his wife Joanne of Ronan; his children, Michael, Brenda and Renae; his grandchildren, Shawn, David, Roberta, Erik Hammer; his siblings, Dennis Hammer, Tony Hammer, Pascal Hammer, John Hammer, Eneas Hammer, Katherine (Hubert) Fairbanks, Helen Hammer and Annie Hammer, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral services with military honors were held Monday in the Longhouse. Copyright c. 2002 Lake Country Leader Advertiser/Polson, MT. -=-=-=- September 15, 2004 Ervin James Four Bear BROCKTON - Fort Kipp native Ervin James Four Bear, 75, who worked for the BIA Road Department for more than 29 years until retiring, died Monday at a Poplar hospital. A wake service is 7 p.m. Friday at Brockton Cultural Center. His funeral is 10 a.m. Saturday at the Center, with burial in Fort Kipp Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Survivors include his wife, Pearl Four Bear of Brockton; sons Myron Four Bear of Brockton and Dennis Four Bear of Wolf Point; daughters Kathleen Lambert, Irene Evenson and Theresa Four Bear, all of Brockton; a brother, Raymond Four Bear of Brockton; 17 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by a son, Kevin James Four Bear; two grandchildren and one great-grandson. Iona C. 'Big Eyes' Salois EAST GLACIER - Iona C. "Big Eyes" Salois, 72, a housewife, died of natural causes Sunday at a Kalispell hospital. A wake is in progress at the Eagle Shield Center in Browning, with rosary at 7 this evening. Funeral Mass is 11 a.m. Thursday at Little Flower Catholic Church, with burial in Schildt Cemetery. Pondera Funeral Home of Conrad is in charge of arrangements. She is survived by sisters Elaine Spang of Lame Deer and Jewel Gilham and Merle Salois of Browning; and brothers Verlin Salois of East Glacier and Gerald "Timber" Salois of Woodland, Wash. She is also survived by a special nephew, Jim McNeely; and many other nieces and nephews. Iona was born Sept. 1, 1932, to James and Irene (Racine) Salois, in Browning. She was a homemaker and had lived in East Glacier, Browning, and Fisher Flatt. Iona enjoyed family gatherings and picnics, old time music, "Archie" comic books, puzzle books and making crafts. She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Winnie Salois; and brothers Galen Salois and Eldon "Buzzy" Salois. A memorial has been established. September 17, 2004 Alden George 'Jiggs' Bird BROWNING - Alden George "Jiggs" Bird, 75, an Army veteran and ranch hand, died after a short illness Wednesday at a Browning hospital. Rosary is 7 p.m. Monday at Glacier Homes Community Center in Browning. Funeral Mass is 1 p.m. Tuesday at Little Flower Catholic Church. Pondera Funeral Home of Conrad is in charge of arrangements. Survivors include two nephews and one niece. Thomas No Runner BROWNING - Thomas No Runner, 68, of Browning, died of heart failure Monday at a Kalispell hospital. Rosary is 7 this evening at Glacier Community Center in Browning. Funeral Mass is 11 a.m. Saturday at Little Flower Catholic Church, with burial in St. Michael's Cemetery. Pondera Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Survivors include his wife, Evelyn No Runner of Browning; sons Thomas No Runner Jr., Joseph No Runner and Daniel Guardipee, all of Browning; stepdaughters Forrestina Calf Boss Ribs of Heart Butte and Karrine Mad Plume and Bonita Murillo of Browning; a stepson, Carl Spotted Bear of Browning; 19 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. September 20, 2004 Gilbert James Has The Eagle Jr. FORT BELKNAP - Gilbert James Has The Eagle Jr., 33, of Fort Belknap, a B.I.A. firefighter, died Saturday in Fort Belknap. His wake begins 7 p.m. today at the Red Whip Center in Fort Belknap. Funeral Mass is 11 a.m. Tuesday at the center, with burial in the Buckman Family Cemetery at Wild Horse Butte. Edwards Funeral Home of Chinook is handling arrangements. Survivors include his mother and stepfather, Mary Lou Long Knife and Davis Long Knife, both of Fort Belknap; a daughter, Devonna Has The Eagle of Fort Belknap; a son Damani Has The Eagle of Fort Belknap; sisters Marcella Has The Eagle and Brenda Messerly, both of Fort Belknap and Crystal Max of Sisseton, S.D.; and a brother, Ronnie Has The Eagle of Lodge Pole. He was preceded in death by his father, Gilbert Has The Eagle Sr. The cause of death was self-inflicted asphyxiation. Copyright c. 2004 Great Falls Tribune, a division of Lee Enterprises. -=-=-=- September 18, 2004 Dorothy Soolook, 63 Anchorage Anchorage resident Dorothy Ann Elasanga Soolook, 63, died of natural causes Sept. 6, 2004, at Alaska Native Medical Center. A visitation was held in Anchorage at Evergreen Memorial Chapel, with additional services and burial in Teller. Ms. Soolook was born Feb. 17, 1941, in Little Diomede. She was raised in Teller, was a longtime Nome resident and lived in Seattle for short time before moving to Anchorage. Ms. Soolook was a homemaker and child-care provider. She was a member of Holy Family Cathedral, where she regularly attended Thursday meetings. Ms. Soolook enjoyed knitting, puzzles and bingo. She loved children, especially babies. Her family wrote, "Her smile and kindness will always be missed." Survivors include her son, David Soolook Jr. of Teller; grandchildren throughout Alaska, including Frank Soolook of Bethel, Thomas James Iyahuk of Houston, Wesley Soolook of Anchorage, and Blaire Okpealuk of Wales; sister, Mary Moyer of Anchorage; nieces, Nancy Ahkinga and Martha Soolook of Anchorage, Bernadette Ayahuk of Palmer, Marie Soolook of Wales, Rosalie Soolook of Nome, Anita Soolook and AnnMargaret Soolook of Diomede, and Bernadette Iyahuk of Palmer; nephews, Dennis Soolook, Robert Soolook, Edward Soolook, Patrick Soolook, Henry Soolook and Thomas Soolook, all of Diomede, Mike and Anthony Soolook of Anchorage, and Tommy Soolook of Marshall; cousins, Alice Soolook, Theresa Soolook, Phyllis Trufant, Lincoln Milligrock, Alfred Milligrock, Mesonga Atkinson, Chris Johnson, Tamerlane Johnson, Sylvia Eningowak, Darlene Odom, Martha Dides and many others; longtime companion, Ray Aluvak of Anchorage; and friend, Ivar Ahkinga of Anchorage. She was preceded in death by a sister. Arrangements are with Evergreen Memorial Chapel. September 20, 2004 Gilbert Has The Eagle Jr. FORT BELKNAP AGENCY - Gilbert James Has The Eagle Jr., 33, whose Indian name was TATANKA HE' HOKSHINA, Buffalo Horn Boy, died Saturday, Sept. 18, 2004. A wake service will begin this evening at 7 p.m. in the Red Whip Center. A funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the Red Whip Center, with burial following in the Buckman Family Cemetery at Wild Horse Butte. Gilbert was born on Feb. 1, 1971, to Gilbert Has The Eagle Sr. and Mary Lou Buckman at Fort Belknap Agency. He was raised in the Lodge Pole and the Fort Belknap-Harlem area. He attended school at Harlem, Wahpeton, N.D., Chemewa, Ore., and Flandreau, S.D. Gilbert was a wildland firefighter for many years. An accomplished artist, he has paintings throughout the area and in Sisseton, S.D. Gilbert married Misty Begay in Sisseton, S.D. The marriage ended in divorce, and Gilbert returned to the Fort Belknap-Harlem area to live. He met ShaRae Frost and shared his life with her for a time. They had a daughter, Devonna Has The Eagle. Later Gilbert met Valerie Striker, and they had a son, Damani Has The Eagle was born. He was preceded in death by his father, Gilbert Has The Eagle Sr.; paternal grandparents, Zeke and Victoria Has The Eagle of Lodge Pole; and paternal grandfather, Martin Buckman Sr. of Fort Belknap. Survivors include his son, Damani Has The Eagle; daughter, Devonna Has The Eagle; stepdaughter, Mystic Striker; mother, Mary Lou (Buckman) LongKnife; stepfather, Davis Long Knife, all of Fort Belknap; sisters, Marcella Has The Eagle and Brenda (Lionel) Messerly, all of Fort Belknap, and Crystal (Travis) Max of Sisseton, S.D.; brother, Ronnie Has The Eagle of Lodge Pole; numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements are by Edwards Funeral Home of Chinook. Copyright c. 2004 Havre Daily News. -=-=-=- September 14, 2004 Daniel Clayton Folletti Haines resident Daniel Clayton Folletti, 20, died Sept. 2, 2004, in a Seattle hospital from injuries sustained in a car accident in Haines. He was born July 15, 1984, to Fred and Sue Folletti. Daniel was an Eagle Wolf Kaagwaanton. He graduated from Haines High School in 2002. He attended community college in Medford, Ore., while living there with his partner, Joslin McCleary, and his son, Clayton Alec Folletti. Daniel was a Chilkat dancer since the age of 7, helped in his family's business, worked at the Alaskan and Proud Market during high school and most recently worked for Stickler Construction. His family said that he loved the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing. He was popular with young people and adults alike. He is survived by his newborn son; his partner; father and mother; grandmothers Jean Clayton and Norma Folletti; brother David Folletti; sisters Mary Folletti and Shelly Fehling; and numerous uncles, aunts and cousins. A celebration of his life was held at the Karl Ward Gymnasium at Haines High School on Sept. 6, where more than 500 mourners attended. Copyright c. 1997-2004 Juneau Empire/Morris Communications Corporation. -=-=-=- September 14, 2004 Shirley Mae Lotteridge (Hess) LOTTERIDGE (Hess) Shirley Mae - As the result of a lengthy battle with diabetes, at the St. Joseph's Hospital, Hamilton on Monday, September 13, 2004, age 64 years; beloved wife of Glen Hess; cherished mother of Brian Silversmith (Loretta) of Ohsweken, Lyle Silversmith, Graham (Buck) Silversmith (Maureen) of Olcott, New York, Rick (Rat) Silversmith (Kathy), Tracey Silversmith (Kirby) of Ohsweken, Nichole Hess (Kenny) of Brantford; daughter-in-law Ruth of Olcott, New York; grandmother of Jamie, Dale Jr., Paulie, Richie, Lehander, Graham Jr., Cody, Kirstie, Kenny, Robert, Heather, Ashanti, Karissa, Austin, Cole and Dylan; great-grandmother to Ethan and godmother to Brandon; survived by sister Karen (Larry) Gervais of Timmins, Ronnie of Michigan; also survived by brothers-in-law, sisters- in-law, and numerous nieces and nephews, and by mother-in-law Phyllis Hess; predeceased by son Dale Silversmith, mother Mildred Atkins, father Gordon Williams, brother Harry Williams, and grandmother Elizabeth Johns; dear friend of Pauline, and Maynard Powless. The family will honour her life with visitation at her home, #514 Seneca Road, Six Nations, after 7 p. m. Tuesday where Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, September 16, 2004 at 1 p. m. Cremation to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Iroquois Lodge, Ohsweken would be appreciated by the family. Arrangements by STYRES FUNERAL HOME, Ohsweken. Copyright c. 2004 The Halifax Herald Limited. -=-=-=- September 18, 2004 Pamela Ann Favel Regina, SK FAVEL - On Tuesday, September 14, 2004, PAMELA ANN FAVEL, late of Regina, SK passed away at the age of 44 years. Predeceased by her father, Randall Daniels; Pamela is survived by her mother, Lillian Favel-Daniels; special friend, George Grund; sons, Ryan and Terrance Daniels; sister, Lyn (Dave Stephenson) Daniels; brothers, Greg (Denise) Favel, Randy (Ilona) Daniels, Rory Daniels and Sheldon Daniels; special aunt, Lily; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral Service will be held on Sunday, September 19, 2004 at 1:00 P.M. in the Kawacatoose First Nation School Gymnasium with Elders, officiating. Interment to follow in the Kawacatoose First Nation North Cemetery. A Wake will be held on Saturday, September 18, 2004 at 3:00 P.M. in the Gymnasium. Arrangements entrusted to VICTORIA AVENUE FUNERAL HOME 761-2727 Copyright c. 2000-2004 Regina Leader Post Group Inc. -=-=-=- September 15, 2004 Andrew Archie Small Legs "Naapyoohkiyoo" (Old Man Bear) ANDREW ARCHIE SMALL LEGS `NAAPYOOHKIYOO' (OLD MAN BEAR) passed away suddenly September 9, 2004 in Lethbridge AB. He was predeceased by the late Bernadette Small Legs (McDonald) who he shared life time memories with. The late James (Dusty) Small Legs, late Conrad (Hoss) Small Legs, and Faye (tweedy) Small Legs. He will be sadly missed by his Children Clayton (Pam) Small Legs, Noreen (Rusty) Wells. Numerous grandchildren, great - grand children, all relatives and friends. Andrew had many accomplishments he worked for the Peigan Band Special Constable, Johnson Sawmill, Westcastle Correction (Bush Camp), Peigan Group Home, Peigan Carpenter and Ranching, his last days spent was helping inmates at Bowden Institute as an Elder advisor. He shared his life experience with his children, grand children and close family of the hardships in life that will develop ones path of life and individuality. Andrew had a strong belief in the Blackfoot tradition way of life. A tribute will be held at the Piikani Community Hall on Wednesday September 15, 2004 at 1:00pm and gathering of family and friends at Clayton Small Legs Residence on Tuesday, September 14, 2004. September 16, 2004 Angela Carmen Rabbit ANGELA CARMEN RABBIT, beloved daughter of Andrew and Micheline Rabbit, passed away suddenly on September 10th, 2004 near Lavern, Blood Reserve at the age of 12 years. Left to mourn her passing are parents; Andrew & Micheline. Brothers; Scotty, Quinton (Kirsten), Randis(Krista), Andre, Christopher, Andrew Jr. and Shay. Sisters; Wanda (Leonard), Andrea (Raymond), Vanessa and Celina. Grandparents; Michael White Eagle of Siksika and Roberta Iron Shirt of Peigan. As a family we had hoped to witness and be a part of her journey through life instead with heavy heart and great sorrow we look back over the years and remember why so many people loved her. Angela had the confidence and esteem of someone far beyond her youth if she was not on the phone talking to family and friends she was surrounded by them. She relished moments with her little cousins as she snatched them up as soon as they came in the door and very soon they were involved in an activity organized by her. Although Angela was with us for only 12 years she lived her life to the fullest. Angela received all of her education on the Blood Reserve, starting her early years up to Grade 4 at Lavern Elementary and continuing from there to Kainai Middle School. Her energy and zest for life blossomed as she delved into athletics. Having been a player with the Kainai Little Chiefs at 8 years of age the transition from ice to field was easy. For two years she played with the school soccer team, proving herself quite capable . Angela felt it was time to pursue other interests as she embarked into the world of music. Family, gospel and music brought her to the stage many times as she sang her heart out in front of audiences locally and into the United States. Angela was especially elated with the opportunity to perform for the elders at the Kainai Continuing Care Centre under the direction of Olivia Tailfeathers. Most recently she purchased an organ in an effort to improve her skills and be able to play at family gatherings. The best part of all this was singing along side her mother. Angela strived to succeed at all she endeavored to do. Getting to school was at the top of her list. Last school year her accomplishments included 100% attendance. Angela touched the hearts of many and will be greatly missed by her Nieces & Nephews; Lacey, Kursey, Kathy, Kirby, Scotty Jr. Cassius, and Deyton. Uncles; Curtis (Carla), Joseph (Monica), Michael (Lorraine), Robert (Hope Ann), Homer (Donna), Bruce (Trina), Wayne (Ann), and Ross. Aunties; Brenda (Robert), Michelle (Brian), LeeAnn (Bradley) and Staycie. Many other extended family too numerous to mention but certainly very special to her and our family. A Wake Service will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Blood Reserve on Thursday, Sept 16th from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. and continue all night at the Senator Gladstone Hall, Blood Reserve. The Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Blood Reserve on Friday, September 17th, 2004 at 1:00 p.m. Interment to follow in the Family Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Salmon Funeral Home, Cardston, AB, 653-3844. Copyright c. 2004 Alberta Newspaper Group, Inc./Lethbridge Herald.