_ __ _____ __ _ __ ___ ____ _ __ ___ ' ) / / ') / / ) ' ) ) / ) / ' ) ) / ) / / / / / / /--/ / / / ___ / / / / ___ (_(_/ (__/ ( / (_ / (_ (___/ '__/_ / (_ (___/ ' ____ _ , ___ _ , ___ / ' ) / / ) ' ) / / ' VOLUME 13, ISSUE 048 / /-< / /--/ /-- __/_ / ) (___/ / ( (___, WOTANGING IKCHE - Lakota - Common News Wotanging Ikche and Native American News Copyright c. 1996-2005 nanews.org Aboriginal/AmerIndian Perspective about the First Nations of Turtle Island November 26, 2005 Western Cherokee Nvdadegwa/Trading Moon Passamaquoddy Kelotonuhket/Freezing Moon Mohawk Kentenhko:wa/Moon of Much Poverty Lakota waniyeto wi/Moon when Winter Begins +-------------------------------------------------------+ | 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 s ch mA mL tL squee Lux -- Okanogan -- News from 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; Frostys AmerIndian Mailing List; UUCP Mail 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: + -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- + ======================== "Lewis and Clark were the beginning of our end. After them it was disease and famine and death." "Our ancestors opened our homeland to them; they went into their winter stores at risk to their own people to help these people who were here at a very bad time, in winter, too late to gather any foods. They would have died." __ Peggy Disney, Member of the Chinook Tribal Council +- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -+ | 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 Sister! We will be going to the home of my wife's parents over the holidays to give thanks for all the good things our lives have been blessed with, but we will not be celebrating the lie that has become "Thanksgiving". http://www.eatel.net/~wahya/thksgvg.html The Story of "Thanksgiving" From chapter 17 of the book Where White Men Fear to Tread, by Russell Means "When we met with the Wampanoag people, they told us that in researching the history of Thanksgiving, they had confirmed the oral history passed down through their generations. Most Americans know that Massasoit, chief of the Wampanoag had welcomed the so-called Pilgrim Fathers - and the seldom mentioned Pilgrim Mothers - to the shores where his people had lived for millennia. The Wampanoag taught the European colonists how to live in our hemisphere by showing them what wild foods they could gather, how, where, and what crops to plant, and how to harvest, dry, and preserve them. The Wampanoag now wanted to remind white America of what had happened after Massasoit's death. He was succeeded by his son, Metacomet, whom the colonist called "King" Philip. In 1617-1676, to show "gratitude" for what Massasoit's people had done for their fathers and grandfathers, the Pilgrims manufactured an incident as a pretext to justify disarming the Wampanoags. The whites went after the Wampanoag with guns, swords, cannons, and torches. Most, including Metacomet, were butchered. His wife and son were sold into slavery in the West Indies. His body was hideously drawn and quartered. For twenty-five years afterward Matacomet's skull was displayed on a pike above the whites' village. The real legacy of the Pilgrim Fathers is treachery. Americans today believe that Thanksgiving celebrates a bountiful harvest, but that is not so. By 1970, the Wampanoag had turned up a copy of a Thanksgiving proclamation made by the governor to the colony. The text revealed the ugly truth: After a colonial militia had returned from murdering the men, women, and children of an Indian village, the governor proclaimed a holiday and feast to give thanks for the massacre. He also encouraged other colonies to do likewise - in other words, every autumn after the crops are in, go kill Indians and celebrate your murders with a feast. In November 1970, their decendants returned to Plymouth to publisize the true story of Thanksgiving and, along with about two hundred other Indians from around the country, to observe a national day of Indian mourning." ---- Let me add that every year since 1970, the Wampanoag, along with many hundreds of Indians and Indian supporters from across the country, gather at Plymouth on Thanksgiving day to protest the lies and teach the American people the truth about our National "Christian" holiday. And it will continue every year until the truth about the colonies at Plymouth become common knowledge. -------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.nativecircle.com/mlm.html Mistakes, Lies & Misconceptions about American Indian people The Thanksgiving Myth Let me begin by stating that thousands of years before the 'official' Thanksgiving Day was proclaimed by Governor Winthrop of the Massachussetts Bay Colony in 1637, North American Indigenous people across the continent had celebrated seasons of Thanksgiving. 'Thanksgiving' is a very ancient concept to American Indian nations. The big problem with the American Thanksgiving holiday is its false association with American Indian people. The infamous 'Indians and pilgrims' myth. It is good to celebrate Thanksgiving, to be thankful for your blessings. It is not good to distort history, to falsely portray the origin of this holiday and lie about the truth of its actual inception. Here are some accurate historical facts about the true origin of this American holiday that may interest you ......................................... 'Thanksgiving' did not begin as a great loving relationship between the pilgrims and the Wampanoag, Pequot and Narragansett people. In fact, in October of 1621 when the pilgrim survivors of their first winter in Turtle Island sat down to share the first unofficial 'Thanksgiving' meal, the Indians who were there were not even invited! There was no turkey, squash, cranberry sauce or pumpkin pie. A few days before this alleged feast took place, a company of 'pilgrims' led by Miles Standish actively sought the head of a local Indian chief, and an 11 foot high wall was erected around the entire Plymouth settlement for the very purpose of keeping Indians out! Officially, the holiday we know as 'Thanksgiving' actually came into existence in the year 1637. Governor Winthrop of the Massachussetts Bay Colony proclaimed this first official day of Thanksgiving and feasting to celebrate the return of the colony's men who had arrived safely from what is now Mystic, Connecticut. They had gone there to participate in the massacre of over 700 Pequot men, women and children, and Mr. Winthrop decided to dedicate an official day of thanksgiving complete with a feast to 'give thanks' for their great 'victory'.... As hard as it may be to conceive, this is the actual origin of our current Thanksgiving Day holiday. Many American Indian people these days do not observe this holiday, for obvious reasons. I see nothing wrong with gathering with family to give thanks to our Creator for our blessings and sharing a meal. I do, however, hope that Americans as a whole will one day acknowledge the true origin of this holiday, and remember the pain, loss, and agony of the Indigenous people who suffered at the hands of the so-called 'pilgrims'. It is my hope that children's plays about 'the first Thanksgiving', complete with Indians and pilgrims chumming at the dinner table, will someday be a thing of the past. Why perpetuate a lie? Let us face the truths of the past, and give thanks that we are learning to love one another for the rich human diversity we share. (Written by John Two-Hawks) ********************** PLEASE READ THIS! ********************** Every year this newsletter has listed groups and agencies that are really assisting our nations make it through the hard winter and helping them celebrate the holidays. Please get contact names, addresses, phone numbers and other information (especially target help group) to me as soon as possible. =========== THE FOLLOWING NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE PROVIDING =========== =========== WINTER AND HOLIDAY RELIEF FOR OUR REALATIVES =========== Subject: Minnesotan Relief Trip to New Orleans Dear Friends, As some of you know, I have family in New Orleans who lost their homes and one of our family members perished during hurricane Katrina. I've been working on hurricane relief in coalition with some very fine people since the hurricane hit. These folks, Mission from Minnesota, have planned a trip to take a group of folks down to work during Thanksgiving week with a progressive Black church to help folks down there clean up salvageable homes and do heirloom recovery in those homes that cannot be saved (so at least the families will recover photos and other important items). In light of FEMA's announcement today that they will no longer pay for hotels for something like 53,000 families starting December 1st, leaving these families to fend for themselves for housing, this trip becomes all the more important. About 30 people have signed up to take all or a portion of this 10 day trip. However, some of them are evacuees from New Orleans who are living here now. They are low on funds. We also have a 26 foot panel truck making the trip and we need to fill it up. Believe it or not, the thing people need most is FOOD, especially fresh produce. Toiletries and baby supplies are also needed. If you can help with funds or goods or think you might be interested in going on the trip yourself, please go to http://www.missionfromminnesota.org to get a list of goods needed and drop off sites, to donate online or to learn about the trip. The need is great and anything you can do is very appreciated. My sincere thanks, Michelle Gross -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Date: Tue, 22 Nov 2005 09:13:37 -0600 From: "Karen Cooper" Subj: Holiday Assistance For those that do not know, for the past few years our NAGS Troop 389 has helped Hawks in the Wind Family, CNEAL and Walk of Faith Ministy collect clothing, household items, and toys for those in need especially within the native communities. The items help those in other native communities as well as our own here in AL. Last year we expanded outside of the AL, GA, TN areas to include communities in OK and SD. A trucking company and driver helped in the project. We do not have that option this December so we are hunting another company/driver to help with this project. Additionally we are projecting needing some 2900 + holiday presents for children of all ages for this December 2005. Last year we collected some 900+ items which were delivered locally as well as OK/SD. Toys, items for teens, blankets for elderly, bibles (New Standard), coats and sweaters are strongly recommended. We ask that clothing--especially children's be placed into boxes and labeled on outside. If clothing is used, please only send that which is gently used and make sure that it has been washed, dryed and folded before placing into the labeled boxes. Additionally this year, we are collecting sleeping bags, tents, bedding (blankets/pillows /sheets), and baby formula. Good working used or even new appliances are also needed (stoves, washers, dryers, microwaves, televisions, VCR, freezers, and refrigerators). We are looking for two commerical trucks w/ drivers that will volunteer time/transportation to this effort as well as the two trailers we currently have to go with items to go to MOWA Choctaws in AL, Houma Nation and Lower Choctaws in LA, and the group in Marble City (CNO). Our first focus will be in the southern states and we can always pick up these the northern areas next year. If you know a trucker that would like to volunteer to help, let us know, we are saying that we will be able to use them. Projected delivery dates are December 17th for MOWA Choctaw (AL) and Gulfport/Hattisburg/Bay St Louis areas; , December 10th for the Houma nations/Lower Choctaw (LA), and December 10th and 17th for CNO/Marble City. We had hoped for a December 3rd delivery date to MOWA/Choctaw and Alabamas in Livingston, but time is running short so going for the December 10 and 17th dates only. Monetary donations can be made to either troop, NATIVE, or Hawks in the Wind Food Pantry who has also been very supportive with food items. The checks/MO can be sent to my address and I will get to appropriate treasurer for that group. My mailing address is 30 Scurlock Road, Dora AL 35062. All are non-profit organizations, just make sure that you place Holiday Drive 2005 or service project in the memo space. If you want the money to go for something specific like repair materials, let us know. Lowe's, Home Depot, Walmart, and other department store gift cards will be accepted this year to help with the relief effort. Monies collected so far have purchased baby care items primarily--formula that does not not need water is very expensive to purchase. Nuppa Ku has decided to taking on his own holiday effort as a special project. He is asking his neices and nephews to consider buying a present for a child for the holidays as a way to help Santa and the elves not have to work so hard. Additionally Nuppa has talked TJ and I into giving coats to those in need instead of purchasing presents for the teenagers in our lives this year. He says that the older ones will understand. I sure hope so. If you would like to donate items for this service project, please contact one of us. Nuppa Ku's phone line is 205-648-7670. Our home number is 205-648-8975. My cell is 205-527-4234. Or you can email me directly at kcooper@uabmc.edu Dohiyi Ani Oginalii , , Gary Smith (*,*) wotanging@bellsouth.net P. O. Box 672168 (`-') gars@nanews.org Marietta, GA 30006, U.S.A. ===w=w=== http://www.nanews.org ----------- News of the people featured in this issue ----------- - Reinstate Contempt Order - YELLOW BIRD: Against Norton Indian Humor makes me smile - Appeals court leaves - GIAGO: Ignore History Trust accounting to Interior and risk repeating it - Plaintiff in Indian Trust Case - JODI RAVE: Author vows to fight on embodied the Human Adventure - JODI RAVE: - MILLOY: 'Redskins' Both sides agree on latest ruling Mascot of Indian Genocide - Norton Pleads Ignorance - Maya Indians near Cancun need Aid Again and Again - Colombian Police clashed - US against Cultural Diversity Treaty with Indigenous People - U.S. getting a taste - Mapuche fights to Remove Benetton of its own Medicine from Homeland - Judicial activism - `Seizure' suffered raised on Oneida Nation Case at `Haudenosaunee Conference' - Fight over development - Yellowknives Dene threatens Canyon's Past reach Snap Lake deal - Uintas' Ute status debated - Lawyer Blasts mine Firm - Help for Hungry Explorers bid to extend Injunction now a Painful Irony - Disappeared Aboriginal Women - Raising consciousness not forgotten of Indigenous Issues - Native Prisoner - Connecticut Supreme Court -- Help needed with NAPN eyes Sovereign Immunity - History: Carlisle Indian School - Native American Health Care - Verse: Hawaiian Book of Days seen as Lacking - Rustywire: First Thanksgiving - Uranium Screenings - Del "Abe" Jones Poem: required for Compensation Semper Fidelis - Suquamish hope to find - American Indian Young Adult Novel Science in Healing Methods - San Francisco's - Virginia Tribes American Indian Film Festival may boycott '07 Events - Program enhances - Group fights violence Cultural and Academic Learning against Tribal Women - Raising consciousness - Home loans for American Indian Vets of Indigenous Issues - GIAGO: Is one Religion - Quiet Life ideal really superior to another for nine People, one Dog --------- "RE: Reinstate Contempt Order Against Norton" --------- Date: Tuesday, November 15, 2005 11:59 pm From: Bill McAllister Subj: Reinstate Contempt Order Against Norton FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: INDIAN PLAINTIFFS: REINSTATE CONTEMPT ORDER AGAINST NORTON WASHINGTON -- Today, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia vacated an accounting injunction entered by U.S. District Court Judge Royce C. Lamberth, principally because it found that the injunction was a product of the contempt proceeding that resulted in citations against Interior Secretary Gale Norton for, among other things, failing to initiate the accounting ordered on December 21, 1999. The civil contempt order was vacated because the Court of Appeals previously had concluded that it did not provide civil sanctions, coercive or compensatory. Now that the Court of Appeals has found that the accounting injunction was issued as a product of the contempt proceeding, plaintiffs plan to ask the Court of Appeals to reinstate the contempt order because the accounting injunction meets the standard of a coercive remedy. "Specifically, the decision today recognizes that the accounting injunction was entered as a direct result of the civil contempt proceeding held by Judge Lamberth and it suggests that the accounting injunction was fashioned as a coercive remedy for Interior's failure to discharge its accounting duties declared by the District Court on December 21, 1999 and affirmed by the Court of Appeals on February 23, 2001," said Dennis M. Gingold, lead counsel for the Indian plaintiffs. Accordingly, plaintiffs believe that the order that cites Secretary Norton for civil contempt should be reinstated forthwith and that the accounting injunction is a valid exercise of the District Court's authority to enforce its orders under U.S. Supreme Court rulings. Bill McAllister Spokesman for Cobell Litigation Team --------- "RE: Appeals court leaves Trust accounting to Interior" --------- Date: Wed, 16 Nov 2005 09:02:14 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="FOX WILL GUARD HENHOUSE" http://www.indianz.com/News/2005/011309.asp Appeals court leaves trust accounting to Interior November 16, 2005 A federal appeals court blocked a broad historical accounting of the Indian trust on Tuesday, citing the failure of Congress to spell out the federal government's fiduciary obligations. In a unanimous decision, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals threw out the accounting that had ordered by U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth. A three-judge panel said the effort would have cost too much money and taken too much time given the current state of appropriations in which Indian programs aren't fully funded. "If the appropriations pattern should continue and the government's current $12-$13 billion estimate proves correct, an accounting of the sort ordered by the district court would not be finished for about two hundred years, generations beyond the lifetimes of all now living beneficiaries," Judge Stephen F. Williams wrote in the 16-page opinion. The court noted that both the plaintiffs in the Cobell v. Norton lawsuit and attorneys for Interior Secretary Gale Norton agreed the broad accounting would be impossible -- albeit for different reasons. The plaintiffs believe the lack of accurate records means the accounting won't ever be complete while the government cites limited resources and has adopted a restrictive view of its trust responsibilities. But since Congress failed to speak to the issue, the court said the Interior Department can proceed with its $335 million accounting project. "Thus neither congressional language nor common law trust principles (once translated to this context) establish a definitive balance between exactitude and cost," Williams wrote. "This being so, the district court owed substantial deference to Interior's plan." The Bush administration claimed the ruling as a victory for its trust reform efforts. "It is gratifying that our detailed and comprehensive plan to conduct a statutorily-mandated historical accounting has been underscored by today's decision," Secretary Norton said in a statement. The plaintiffs, in their own statement, said they would seek to reinstate a contempt citation against Norton. Dennis Gingold, the lead attorney, said yesterday's decision "recognizes that the accounting injunction was entered as a direct result of the civil contempt proceeding" that Lamberth held after Interior failed to start the accounting nearly two years after being ordered to do so. The decision came as key members of Congress introduced legislation aimed at settling the nine-year-old case. Rep. Richard Pombo (R- California) and Rep. Nick Rahall (D-West Virginia) of the House Resources Committee said the Cobell lawsuit has proven that trust records haven't been handled properly and that a full accounting hasn't been provided. "My intent in this process is to craft a bipartisan settlement that is full, fair and final," said Pombo, the chairman of the committee. "I will continue to work with Chairman Pombo and Indian account holders to bring fair compensation to those individuals wronged in the past and to ensure the integrity of the system for the future," said Rahall, the top Democrat. Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona) and Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-North Dakota) of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee previously introduced similar legislation to resolve the dispute. They held a hearing in July but ran into opposition to certain provisions by the plaintiffs, tribal leaders and the Bush administration. McCain, the committee's chairman, has subsequently said the administration has failed to detail its concerns with the bill, suggesting that official were waiting on favorable rulings from the appeals court. He also said the plaintiffs were objecting to the settlement provisions. The House and Senate versions leave out the settlement amount. The plaintiffs have called for a $27.5 billion settlement but Interior claims the amount owed is far, far less, possibly in the low millions. When the accounting project is completed, it would presumably show any mistakes in Indian trust fund. The D.C. Circuit yesterday said the plaintiffs could "challenges to the correctness of specific account balances" sometime in the future. Copyright c. 2000-2005 Indianz.Com. --------- "RE: Plaintiff in Indian Trust Case vows to fight on" --------- Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2005 08:38:05 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="COBELL WILL CONTINUE THE FIGHT FOR RIGHT" http://www.casperstartribune.net//ed36e7228ef0b8f9872570bf00269986.txt Plaintiff in Indian trust case vows to fight on By JENNIFER TALHELM Associated Press writer November 21, 2005 WASHINGTON - An appellate court decision last week that slapped down an order for a detailed tally of money owed to American Indians will not stop the Indian effort to recover billions in lost money, the lead plaintiff in the case says. "The government is not off the hook," said Elouise Cobell, a Blackfeet Indian who accuses the government of cheating Indians out of billions of dollars in royalties owed them for resources taken from their lands since 1887. The Interior Department still has to account for the money - just not in the way the District Court ordered, Cobell said in an interview with The Associated Press. "We'll fight on until we get that," Cobell said. "Or, if they admit the truth, that they can't do an accounting, then we'll take it from there." On Tuesday, a panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled that U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth's order to do a detailed historical accounting was unreasonable and an abuse of discretion. Such an accounting could cost up to $13 billion and take two centuries, the court said. Interior Secretary Gale Norton declared victory, saying the appeals court validated the government's less-detailed plan to account for the estimated $13 billion it has handled in trust for the Indians for more than 100 years. Lawyers for the plaintiffs say the case now returns to District Court over the question of how - or whether - to do the accounting. But exasperation with the case is growing in Congress. Some lawmakers said this week's decision underscores the need to end the court fight, which has dragged on for nearly a decade. "I think it's incumbent on Congress to come up with a fair settlement that is not only fair to the individual Indians involved but the taxpayer," said House Resources Committee Chairman Richard Pombo, R-Calif. Pombo and Rep. Nick Rahall of West Virginia, the committee's senior Democrat, filed a bill Tuesday to settle the case. Their bill is a companion to one in the Senate sponsored by Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., Neither bill specifies a settlement amount. "It's in everyone's best interest to get this settled as quickly as we can," Pombo said. Although Cobell and her attorneys say they plan to keep fighting, the plaintiffs offered to settle earlier this year for $27.5 billion. McCain has said that amount is too high. The Indian plaintiffs say the government has mismanaged oil, gas, grazing and other royalties it has held in trust for individual Indians under an 1887 law. In 1994, Congress agreed and ordered the Interior Department to account for the money. But the plaintiffs now argue the government has so badly mishandled the trust and the records that an accurate accounting would be impossible. A spokesman for the Justice Department said he wouldn't speculate what is going to happen next in the case. Interior Department spokesman Dan DuBray also declined comment. Cobell blamed the government for dragging out the case. "Shame on Gale Norton," Cobell said. "She's a trustee to over 500,000 who need this accounting desperately. If the government can't do the accounting, she should tell the truth. That's what this is all about." Copyright c. 1995-2005 Lee Enterprises, a subsidiary of Lee Enterprises, Incorporated --------- "RE: JODI RAVE: Both sides agree on latest ruling" --------- Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2005 08:38:05 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="TRUST RULING" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.helenair.com/articles/2005/11/21/montana/a07112105_02.txt Both sides agree on latest ruling in Indian landowner case By JODI RAVE - The Missoulian November 21, 2005 Interior Secretary pleased with order giving government more leverage to square accounts A federal appeals court last week gave the Interior Department greater leverage to complete an historical accounting a record of the account balances for tens of thousands American Indian landowners. Interior Secretary Gale Norton said she was "pleased" with the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals decision. "It is gratifying that our detailed and comprehensive plan to conduct a statutorily-managed historical accounting had been underscored," she said in a written statement. The ruling comes in the wake of several previous court orders and congressional mandates requiring the Interior Department to get more than a half-million Indian landowner accounts in order. It also reverses a lower court's "reissued injunction" from February, in which a judge told the Interior Department how to do an historical accounting. (U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth's original order was made in September 2003.) The appeals court said Lamberth shouldn't have relied on the old record because too much had changed in 17 months. "Instead of deferring to Interior's judgment about how best to execute the historical accounting, the district court set out in great detail how Interior must go about its job," wrote Judge Stephen Williams. "Under these circumstances, the district court abused its discretion by reissuing the injunction." This was one of the few court rulings in which both sides agreed. "We weren't surprised," said Dennis Gingold, attorney for Indian landowners. "But we weren't particularly worried either. We never wanted the injunction in the first place." The Nov. 18 appeals court ruling still requires an historical accounting. But it also gives the Interior Department approval to use accounting methods previously discredited by Indian landowners. "We all know they can't do an historical accounting from 1887 forward," said Elouise Cobell of Browning, Mont. "But they're telling judges they can do other types of accounting." The department has been engaged in statistical sampling to prove it can account for billions of dollars said to be missing from a half-million land-based money accounts belonging to Indian people. The sampling method is being used because the department can't do transaction-by-transaction accounting because of missing records and corrupted computer data. "Interior's decision to use statistical sampling seems especially reasonable in light of information submitted to the district court after it issued the injunction," wrote Williams. Interior officials have been under fire since 1994, when Congress passed legislation requiring the department to live up to its financial responsibility in managing the trust funds, or Individual Indian Money accounts. When the department failed to act, Cobell filed suit in 1996. Today Norton stands as the defendant in the largest class-action lawsuit ever filed against the U.S. government. The case is nearing its 10th year of litigation. It has since become a battle of numbers spanning 118 years. That's when the federal government appointed itself to oversee all money transactions from land-based accounts belonging to Indian landowners. Indians earned cash from grazing leases and mineral payments; the department estimates $13 billion has passed through the accounts since 1887. But Cobell's attorneys have said the government has done such a poor job managing the accounts that an historical accounting is now impossible. "It is not disputed that the government failed to be a diligent trustee," wrote Williams in last Tuesday's ruling. "In the two decades leading up to plaintiffs' ... lawsuit, report after report excoriated the government's management of the IIM (Individual Indian Monies) trust funds." Meanwhile, the Interior Department has been trying to convince the courts that it has the accounting fiasco under control. One of the reasons the appeals court reversed the lower court's accounting order last week had to do with cost. Before Lamberth issued his detailed accounting order, the Interior Department estimated its cost for a five-year period at $335 million. They said Lamberth's plan would raise their costs upwards of $13 billion, making accounting costs higher than the value of the accounts. Also, Congress had set spending limits on the historical accounting. At the current rate of appropriations, noted Williams, the accounting "would not be finished for about 200 years." Lamberth previously had spurned the department's call for statistical sampling. "Because the district court's ban on statistical sampling reflected no deference to defendant's expertise or to their judgment regarding the allocation of scarce resources, the district court abused its discretion by including that provision in the injunction," wrote Williams. Cobell said the lawsuit against the department "could be over tomorrow," if only Norton would admit her accounting experts can't do an historical accounting. Their next legal motion will argue that point. Within the next 45 days, they will ask the court to rule that an historical accounting is legally impossible because of the department's faulty information technology systems. On Sept. 19, the Interior Department released a "progress" report lauding its efforts to provide an historical accounting and for protecting computer account information. "Interior's accounting experts have uncovered no evidence of fraud or widespread systematic error in the U.S. government's handling of the Individual Indian Monies accounts, and the few errors that have been found are generally small in monetary value," wrote Norton in the report. Additionally, no evidence exists to show that "historical records have been altered or that hackers have tampered with electronic records." Yet a government test of the computer security systems proved otherwise. On Oct. 20, Lamberth ordered an Internet shutdown of the Interior Department's computer systems used for trust fund transactions. Interior officials asked the appeals court to hold off on the order and were granted the request. Additionally, a Sept. 6 memo from the Interior Office of Inspector General, said a testing of department information technology systems, including the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Surface Mining, Minerals Management Service, Office of Special Trustee and the Bureau of Land Management departments that handle Indian trust fund transactions showed significant problems. Inspector General Earl Devaney said internal computer systems checks allowed hackers "to masquerade as authorized users, roam around in the internal networks of some of the most sensitive of DOI systems, and most recently actually manipulate data." But Interior officials have failed to acknowledge the findings. "The department and bureaus have, to date, expended considerable time and energy debating our findings, challenging our methodology, and impugning the credentials and integrity of our staff and contractors," wrote Devaney. Similar complaints have been consistently made, but "no one's ever listened to us," said Gingold. The recent appeals court ruling will allow the Cobell lawyers to pursue enforcement of a federal regulation that states federal agencies and department's information technology systems must be proven secure. "Unless systems are deemed to be trustworthy, none of the information in those systems and none of the reports based on the information can be used in a federal court," said Gingold. Copyright c. 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. Copyright c. Helena Independent Record; a division of Lee Enterprises. --------- "RE: Norton Pleads Ignorance Again and Again" --------- Date: Monday, November 21, 2005 04:35 pm From: Indian Trust ListServ Subj: Cobell v. Norton - Norton Pleads Ignorance Again and Again Ducks Responsibility For Poor Computer Security Mailing List: Indian Trust ListServ WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 - Faced with yet another scathing report giving her a failing grading for Interior Department computer security, Interior Secretary Gale Norton has informed the White House that she does not understand what is adequate security and continues to evade her fiduciary responsibility to 500,000 individual Indians. In a new filing in the long-running Cobell v. Norton lawsuit over the government's admitted malfeasance in its management of the Individual Indian Trust, Norton disclosed that she is fighting the Inspector General of her own department over the "poor" grade he gave her because of her refusal to protect critical trust data from malicious hackers. The Indian Trust consists of 11 million acres of land, oil & gas, timber, coal, precious metals and other minerals and natural resources valued in the hundreds of billions of dollars. The government's failure to safeguard computer files containing individual trust data of 500,000 Native Americans is a focus of the Cobell lawsuit. In an annual report dated Oct. 6, Interior Inspector General Earl E. Devaney warned Norton that she and her department are in violation of the Federal Information Security Management Act. FISMA requires Norton to ensure that computer systems are trustworthy and to protect critical data, including electronic trust records from unauthorized manipulation and misappropriation. The absence of trustworthy computer systems and the degrading integrity of trust data are major issues in the 10-year old Indian trust lawsuit. Despite knowing misrepresentations and false testimony to the U.S. District Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals by Norton, Associate Deputy Secretary James Cason and Chief Information Officer W. Hord Tipton that trust data is adequately protected, the Inspector General has confirmed anew the accuracy of Judge Royce C. Lamberth's findings that the Secretary has failed to protect the electronic trust records. "This is just the most recent report that proves Secretary Norton is unfit to be a trustee for Individual Indians and that she is utterly incapable of discharging the trust duties that the government owes to Indian people," Elouise Cobell of Browning, Montana, the lead plaintiff in the lawsuit, said with disgust today. In an Oct. 14 letter to Bush Budget Director Joshua B. Bolton, Norton confessed that the Inspector General's findings are "supported" by federal law and administration policies, yet she refused to commit to fixing the broken systems because she has already wasted $100 million dollars on the computer fixes. She has nothing to show for the computer expenditures except that this task is beyond her capabilities, the plaintiffs say. The IG's report comes after Devaney testified in the Cobell case that Interior's computer security is so bad that it gets failing grades. Citing Devaney's findings and recommendation to disconnect insecure computer systems from the Internet, Judge Lamberth recently entered an order directing Norton to cut her insecure computer systems from the Internet. The department has obtained a temporary stay from the Court of Appeals until these issues are briefed on the merits. A public version of the IG's report and Secretary Norton's appeal to the Office of Management and Budget are available at www.indiantrust.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ To view the latest information concerning this case, go to www.indiantrust.com --------- "RE: US against Cultural Diversity Treaty" --------- Date: Tuesday, November 15, 2005 11:19 pm From: Peter Webster Subj: US against Cultural Diversity Treaty Mailing List: Rez_Life Mailing List: CERTAIN Home Mailing List: CERTAIN Talk CONDI RICE TO UNESCO: KILL THE CULTURAL DIVERSITY TREATY The battle between culture and commerce is about to go public in a new confrontation pitting the Bush Administration and governments throughout the world. This blog has been slipped documents that show how U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is working aggresively behind the scenes to undermine and scuttle a new UNESCO convention on the protection and promotion of the diversity of cultural expression. Hammered out by governments with input from artists and cultural delegations worldwide over years of discussion and negotiation, the agreement seeks, in the words of British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, "to increase the range of cultural choices available to people and promote the free flow of ideas and information." To the Busheviks, that is a bad thing. A letter by Rice, circulated to Ministers by the US Ambassador in Denmark is seeking to "postpone action on this convention until we have had more time to address its serious flaws." And why? The rationale is blatant: to protect US economic interests, to secure the hegemony of the entertainment industry. Condi writes in black and white: "Due to its extraordinary reach and and the ambiguity of of its language, the convention, IF adopted, COULD (emphasis mine) be misread to impair rights under existing trade agreements and derail progress towards global trade liberalization at the WTO." In short, global trade - read US economic domination - must be allowed to trump measures protecting the world's cultural diversity. There is also a veiled threat by the US to leave UNESCO again if Washington doesn't get its way (after only rejoining the organization two years ago.) Rice concludes in a letter to the ministers involved with the new convention: "I urge you to get involved and work with us to assure that the convention does not undo all the good work we have done together at UNESCO." Translation from the diplomateese: 'Our way or the highway--do as we say or else!' "Rushing the convention through this year's General Assembly will hurt UNESCO's image," says a statement accompaning her "Dear Mr. Minister" letter filled with euphemisms and evasive language . This is hardball masquerading as softball. There are threats lurking behind all the convoluted language. A cultural activist who is privy to all the internal discussion writes: "They even threatened Iceland that the States would reconsider the American Keflavik Air-Base if Iceland voted for the Convention. Now they threaten to leave UNESCO again after only 2 years." JACK STRAW TO CONDI: EUROPE BACKS UNESCO Significantly, the British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, often an American toady, wrote back November 1 in his capacity as President of the Council of the European Union "and on behalf of the Member States" rejecting the fears raised by Secretary of State Rice. His "Dear secretary" letter says boldly he "does not agree." "The convention does not authorize any action contravening internationally recognized human rights and cannot be used to justify such actions," he writes to contradict one of the worries the Secretary of States's raises. This conflict represents a serious split between the US and European positions. The US stance is outraging artists organizations and all the people who have worked so hard, and so long to come up with a draft document to strenghen cultural protections that all of Europe and other countries could support. They painsakingly did it--and now the US wants to kill it. I asked the Danish singer and cultural leader Pia Raug to explain what's going on here. WHAT IS AT STAKE "As far as Condi's letter and argument is concerned - in my view it is a very feeble attempt to circumvent the real reason: that the US government would fight hard to keep its global monopoly of the entertainment industry in the hands of the few US Majors. "In the connection with the UNESCO Convention it is an empty euphemism. The real reason why they pleaded for more time for discussion was that it would leave the administration time to force more countries into bi- lateral trade agreements (like they have done with some nations during the last year). To wait until the next UNESCO General Conference would mean that many more countries would not be able to sign it - because it would violate the bi-lateral trade agreements. Notice that WTO and trade is constantly mentioned alongside the human rights. "(UNESCO chief) Matsua's initial starting point 2 years ago was that a possible convention should be based upon the article 19 of the Human Rights Declaration - stating that freedom of speech is not only to have the freedom to say and express whatever you want - but also to have an equal public access to express your views - religious, political and artistic alike. "This Convention - if ratified by at least 30 countries out of the 151 who voted for the text - would be at least some kind of a safeguard against big American companies bringing countries (like Denmark for instance) to WTO-trials, TRIPS-tribunals etc. for being uncompetitive because we have very effective regulations and provide state subsidies for film making. It is am way to keep competition away from a global market starving for REAL film- making - feature as well as documentary. "Hunger for knowledge of REAL things goes hand in hand with your quest to get REAL news to the American people. As long as Administration, corporate business and trade ideology can succeed in keeping people ignorant of what happens in the real world they may be able to keep their world monopoly and control the world market. Does it sound disturbingly close to the reasons for waging a war in Iraq? Control over the global oil-market? "Condi writes that UNESCO will lose credibility if the Convention was adopted. What happened in actual fact was a humiliation of dimensions, when US insisted on having all their 28 proposals for alteration of the final text voted upon - one by one. "All 28 were voted down. One by one! True diplomacy would have understood this beforehand and not insisted. The rest of the world gave the States a serious blow to ITS credibility." Peter Webster peterweb@bendnet.com http://disturbingthecomfortable.blogspot.com/ --------- "RE: U.S. getting a taste of its own Medicine" --------- Date: Fri, 18 Nov 2005 08:18:34 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="ANDEAN TRIBES RESPOND TO TRADE NEGOTIATIONS" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/rssstory.mpl/business/3469052 U.S. getting a taste of its own medicine Andean states bargain to protect traditional therapy By MARK DRAJEM Bloomberg News November 17, 2005 Colombia, Ecuador and Peru are turning the tables on U.S. trade negotiators accustomed to winning tough safeguards for drug patents by demanding similar protection for traditional therapies made from roots and leaves. The rules against what these nations call the piracy of traditional knowledge will be one of the most contentious issues during trade talks this week and next in Washington, Ecuadorian trade minister Jorge Illingworth and other officials say. The demands threaten to create problems for drug makers, such as Merck Co. and Pfizer, as they seek to patent new medicines, and to derail President Bush's two-year effort to reach a trade agreement with the Andean nations. "It's the law of unintended consequences," said Michael Gollin, founder of Public Interest Intellectual Property Advisors, which provides free legal counsel to poor countries. For years the U.S. has pushed these nations to strengthen their patent rules, he said, "and now the countries are learning to use these to their own advantage." The Andean nations want "minor" protections for their native plants and the ways they are used, such as a rule requiring companies to inform indigenous tribes of any patent applications based on traditional knowledge and negotiate payment, according to Carlos Correa, a Buenos Aires-based consultant to those nations. U.S. and Andean negotiators began talks in Washington Monday and are seeking to wrap up before Thanksgiving Day. "Existing rules protect things that are made in labs, not things taken from the wild or cultivated over generations," said Renee Marlin-Bennett, chairwoman of the Global Intellectual Property Project at American University in Washington. The proposed changes would "redirect the rules to rectify some of the embedded imbalance" between rich and poor, she said. Copyright c. 2005 Houston Chronicle. --------- "RE: Judicial activism raised on Oneida Nation Case" --------- Date: Wed, 16 Nov 2005 09:02:14 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="NEW JUSTICES=NEW JUST US" http://www.indianz.com/News/ http://www.syracuse.com//news-1/1132134319242141.xml Rulings change with justices Oneida nation lawyer points out differences in land claim decisions by Supreme Court. November 16, 2005 By Glenn Coin Staff writer The Oneida Indian Nation won a landmark land claim victory before the U.S. Supreme Court in 1985. The nation lost a major land case this year at the Supreme Court. The key difference: four new justices. "Whether or not you agree with decisions in the Oneida land claim, you have to acknowledge that the results of the two cases are very difficult, if not impossible, to harmonize," one of the Oneidas' lawyers, William Taylor, said Tuesday night at Hamilton College. "The only thing that has really changed in 20 years is the composition of the court." Taylor noted that only one of the five justices who supported the 5-4 Oneida land claim decision in 1985 is still on the court Sandra Day O'Connor. The court said then that the Oneidas had a right to pursue their claim, and upheld damages against Madison and Oneida counties for rent due the Oneidas. In March, however, the Supreme Court ruled 8-1 that the Oneidas had waited too long to try to regain land in Sherrill and could not claim sovereignty over it. Taylor gave a lecture titled "Legal Issues in the Native-American Land Claim Cases" to about 70 people Tuesday night. His was the last lecture of the semester in the college's "The Responsibilities of a Superpower" series. Taylor, whose wife graduated from Kirkland College in the late 1970s before it merged with Hamilton, was introduced by philosophy professor Bob Simon. Simon said the two Oneida Indian cases illustrate one of the important points in his Philosophy of Law class. "One of the issues we talk about is whether there is such a thing as the law," Simon said, "or whether judges simply find material in the law that supports their own politics." Judges involved in both Oneida decisions hinted at the latter conclusion, Taylor said. In the Sherrill case decided this year, Justice John Paul Stevens criticized his colleagues for overstepping their bounds and making decisions that should be left to Congress. In the 1985 case, notes taken by Justice Harry Blackmun show that fellow Justice William Rehnquist wanted to render a decision against the Oneidas "by hook or by crook," Taylor said. Taylor noted the majority in 1985 said the long passage of time since the Oneidas lost their land did not bar them from pursuing their claim. In the March decision, the court said the opposite: the Oneidas had waited too long. Taylor said Sherrill didn't even argue the passage of time argument in its legal papers filed with the Supreme Court. "Who is the judicial activist here?" Taylor asked. "Is it five justices (in 1985) who ruled that the Oneidas have the right to seek rent? Is it the eight justices in the Sherrill case who decided a case based on arguments not even briefed by the lawyers? Or is it Justice Stevens?" Copyright c. 2005 The Post-Standard. Used with permission. --------- "RE: Fight over development threatens Canyon's Past" --------- Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2005 08:38:05 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="ANCIENT TREASURES THREATENED http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/breakingnews/112105utah Fight over development, public access could threaten canyon's ancient treasures PAUL FOY The Associated Press November 21, 2005 SALT LAKE CITY - A remote Utah canyon that long concealed a string of ancient Indian settlements holds another surprise: The rancher who sold it kept the mineral rights and says he may use them. Waldo Wilcox, who for nearly 50 years kept the ancient Fremont Indian sites remarkably well preserved, said he kept the mineral rights because Utah wouldn't pay what he thought his 4,200-acre ranch was worth. Wilcox wanted $4 million but got $2.5 million for the ranch in remote Range Creek Canyon. The 75-year-old rancher said that before he opens the canyon to any oil- and-gas development, he would offer the mineral rights to the state - for a price. In the documentary "Secrets of the Lost Canyon," which airs locally Monday, Wilcox bitterly recalled negotiating with the state. "If Range Creek don't mean that much to them, I'm going to get every dime I can," he said. Competing interests have fought over Wilcox's family ranch since word got out that he planned to sell. Hunters want Utah to unlock the gates of Range Creek Canyon to unrestricted public access, opening an area described as controlling access to 75,000 acres of prime hunting ground on government land. University of Utah archaeologists worry about looting in a pristine canyon that holds everything from arrow shafts to half-buried village sites. Scientific American magazine described it as one of the most important discoveries of 2004. Fremont Indians lived in the region as hunters and farmers until about 800 years ago, when they largely disappeared from the area. But they left signs of their lives there, including detailed art and symbols on the canyon walls and stores of grains high in the cliffs. Tribes including the Utes, the Skull Valley band of Goshute and the Pauite have claimed to be descended from the Fremont. Archeologists at the University of Utah have been surveying some 2,000 sites in the canyon area and want them protected. Wilcox also fears public access would ruin Range Creek Canyon. But he says he's not above letting an oil company set up a drill rig in the canyon, in compensation for the state's lowball offer. State officials, meanwhile, are keeping Range Creek patrolled while the debate over broader public access goes on. Visitors are currently allowed in by government permit, but snowbound mountain passes keep the ranch inaccessible for up to seven months each year. On the Net: http://www.kued.org/productions/secretsofthelostcanyon Copyright c. 2005 Tucson Citizen. --------- "RE: Uintas' Ute status debated" --------- Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2005 08:38:05 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="REMOVED MEMBERS SUE" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,635162932,00.html Uintas' Ute status debated Descendants suing to have court restore their place within tribe By Deborah Bulkeley Deseret Morning News November 21, 2005 FORT DUCHESNE - Maxine Natchees looks out over an open field where the tribal council used to meet outdoors under the willow trees. Today, the Ute tribal chairwoman remembers a vote she witnessed as a child. At the time, Natchees had no idea that legal wrangling over that vote would continue for more than half a century. The vote was one in which Natchees says the so-called mixed-blood Uintas terminated their Ute tribal status. Congress approved the 1954 Ute Partition Act, which disenfranchised some 490 tribal members. Today, some 665 plaintiffs are suing to regain their tribal status - in some cases relinquished while they were children or before they were born. The lawsuit, filed, Nov. 4, 2002, in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., claims the terminated Uintas were cheated out of their allotted share of tribal assets and claims the vote Natchees remembers wasn't legitimate. The U.S. Justice Department has filed a motion to dismiss the suit, which has been under advisement for more than two years. The motion claims the suit is a repeat of previous failed litigation, and that the statute of limitations expired more than 40 years ago. "They are trying to rehash decisions made years ago. . . . There have been over 24 federal suits filed on the Ute Partition Act," said William R. McConkie, attorney for the Office of the Solicitor. "I think every argument raised (in the suit) has already been raised." Plaintiffs' attorney Dennis Chappabitty claims the suit raises new questions about events leading up to the termination, and that the statute of limitations doesn't apply. He says he has proof of a conspiracy "to strip the Uintas of their identity and valuable lands, water and minerals." The partition created two classes of Utes - the terminated "mixed-blood," who were defined as less than one-half Native American, and the "full-blood" Utes who kept their tribal status. The lawsuit calls the termination a "grotesque experimental and genocidal federal policy," which plaintiffs claim was orchestrated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and two other bands of Utes, the Uncompahgre and White River. Oranna Felter, a lead plaintiff and a terminated Uinta, claims that, despite the act's language, there is only one class of Uinta Utes. "We are part of the Uintas that wasn't terminated," she said. "When this case is won, we will take the "mixed-blood" off, and be who we are . . . 'Uinta Band of Ute Indians.' " But Natchees says the suit isn't any different from others that have been filed in the past. "The ideal would be for them to accept the fact that they were terminated," Natchees said. "It was their choice . . . the federal government went along." She added that the repeated litigation is draining funds from the tribe that would be better spent elsewhere. "Every time we have to appear in court, it costs money," Natchees said. "That money could be spent on other purposes - education, housing." Chappabitty, however, contends the federal government is presenting a false picture of what really happened. He claims the government violated a federally approved tribal constitution, which he says gave legal assurances that no one band could affect, negate or diminish the rights of any of the other bands. "We haven't found any clear and convincing evidence that the Uinta band voted to terminate themselves," he said. "That's been a fiction." As a result of the termination, the Ute Distribution Corp. (UDC) was formed to manage the nontangible assets allocated to the mixed-blood Uintas. Each person was given 10 shares. Many of the plaintiffs were children at the time. They say they were swindled out of their shares during tough economic times. The shares, they say, weren't supposed to be negotiable. Today, the shares' value is spurred by oil and gas revenue, said Pala Nelson, a member of the UDC board of directors. Nelson declined to release the value of a UDC share today, saying only that "it changes so dramatically as you watch the price of oil and gas." Chappabitty said the lawsuit is asking for either $10,000 or $3 million per plaintiff, depending on how the court characterizes the claims, and reinstatement of tribal status. Plaintiff Oranna Felter was 11 years old at the time of the partition, along with about one-third of all terminated Utes who were children, according to the plaintiffs. Felter says she was a young adult when her mother died, leaving five shares of her late younger sister's UDC stock. Felter said a local judge ordered that the shares be auctioned off. "My little sister's UDC stock should have never had to be 'sold' to pay 'bills.' " Felter said. "I didn't know what the laws were . . . they did." But to Felter, the issue is more than just money. It's about her identity as a Native American. "When they terminated us, they said, 'You're no longer Indian, you're white,' " she said. "They don't recognize our kids as being able to be enrolled (as Utes) or recognized. "Our own tribe treated us really bad, shunning us," she said. "Whenever we would go to sun dances they'd say you're terminated and you don't belong here." Chappabitty claims that 850 of the shares are owned by the Ute tribe, and that just under half the shareholders are non-Indian, something he claims goes against the intent of Congress. Nelson says including original mixed-blood shareholders, their heirs and the Ute tribe, the corporation is an "over 50 percent Indian company." She says she understands the frustration of those who sold their stocks early on, but said the the stocks included a warning not to sell them. "People have a right to sell their shares," she said. "At the time when they first started to sell, there was no oil and gas revenue." Copies of the shares provided by both plaintiffs and UDC stated that until Aug. 27, 1964, members of the Ute Indian Tribe had to be given "a prior and proper offer" before a sale to a non-Ute could be valid. It also warned that the stock should not be sold because its future value couldn't be determined. Chappabitty said the shares were never meant to be sold, and said the earliest version included "a stamped black and white notice that any sale, transfer, etc. is null and void. . . . "They very well knew they could come in and take advantage of poverty- stricken, uneducated . . . Indians," he said. Plaintiff Alvin Denver, 66, was terminated, and says he's not surprised the case has been pending for so long, even as the number of terminated Utes declines. He says only about one-fourth of the terminated Uintas are still alive. "Our issue is what is called a back-burner issue, according to the government," he said. "They divided families by doing this . . . now you've got haves and have nots. You've got a lot of jealousy. "We don't got long to go." E-mail: dbulkeley@desnews.com Copyright c. 2005 Deseret News Publishing Company. --------- "RE: Help for Hungry Explorers now a Painful Irony" --------- Date: Fri, 18 Nov 2005 08:18:34 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="CHINOOK" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/chinook18m.html?syndication=rss Help for hungry explorers now a painful irony November 18, 2005 By Lynda V. Mapes Seattle Times staff reporter STATION CAMP, Pacific County - They were the kings of the Lower Columbia River, controlling a vast network of intertribal trade since before the time of the pyramids. When the Lewis and Clark expedition arrived in November 1805, it was the Chinook tribes that greeted them. The Indians were sharp traders, disgusted with the expedition's meager offerings, and quite comfortable commanding the terms of any deal. Some 200 years later, it was a construction crew that encountered the Chinook once more. Crews were rerouting a section of Highway 101 last January to make room for a park commemorating Station Camp - the explorers' westernmost encampment - when they inadvertently dug up remains of the Chinooks' middle village. The Chinooks' oral tradition told them the village was there, but archaeologists had assured them the river had washed it away long ago. Not true. Unearthed since have been remains of plank houses and some 10,000 artifacts, including a trove of trade goods documenting some of the earliest contact with non-Indians. In September, the intact remains of 10 ancestors of the Chinook people were disturbed. Most construction work has stopped while the Chinooks and government consider what to do next, including a redesign of the project. For some Chinooks, commemoration of the Lewis and Clark expedition and construction of the park are painful. "Lewis and Clark were the beginning of our end. After them it was disease and famine and death," said Peggy Disney, a member of the Chinook Tribal Council. "Our ancestors opened our homeland to them; they went into their winter stores at risk to their own people to help these people who were here at a very bad time, in winter, too late to gather any foods. They would have died." Gary Johnson, chairman of the Chinook Nation, can point to places at the construction site where he believes many more burials lie. "It was one, then two, then six, and now it's 10, and very clearly there are more. So we are just not sure what the tribe is going to do at this point," Johnson said. Park Superintendent Chip Jenkins says he seeks not a quick solution, but the right one. Station Camp is part of the newest national park, 12 sites along 40 miles of the coast, including the mouth of the Columbia. The finds at Station Camp enable what was once a Lewis and Clark park to be a one-of-a-kind interpretive center, showcasing the culture of the Chinooks and documenting the early fur trade they commanded, Jenkins said. Among the artifacts found are trade beads manufactured in Hungary and Czechoslovakia. Gunflints from flint-lock muskets, and musket balls. Metal objects that were probably nails traded off of ships, and iron projectile points. Fragments of mirror glass, Chinese exports and European porcelain. A fragment of coral from the Hawaiian Islands. To David Nicandri, the Station Camp story is full of irony. Nicandri, director of the Washington State Historical Society, is negotiating for completion of the park with a group that has been pushed to near invisibility. The Chinooks still are not recognized as a tribe by the federal government. The Clinton administration granted them tribal recognition in January 2001. But as the Bush administration took office, it immediately reversed the decision. It argued the Chinooks had too long a gap in their history, beginning in about 1880, in which they did not act as a tribe. It was a decision that, to the Chinooks, added insult to the injury of contact with the early explorers. That first contact marked the beginning of a period of devastating disease and diaspora, conditions that created the gap for which the Bush administration found fault with the Chinooks. The Chinooks, who number some 2,400 members worldwide, hope for federal recognition either by presidential proclamation or through an act of Congress. For now, the Chinook Nation is headquartered in a dilapidated former schoolhouse in Chinook, a command center for its fight with a government that dispatched the Lewis and Clark expedition, the explorers rescued by the tribe 200 years ago. Lynda V. Mapes: 206-464-2736 or lmapes@seattletimes.com Copyright c. 2005 The Seattle Times Company. --------- "RE: Raising consciousness of Indigenous Issues" --------- Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2005 08:38:05 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="INDIAN AWARENESS" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.dailylobo.com//Consciousness.Of.Indigenous.Issues-1111735.shtml Raising consciousness of indigenous issues By Sunnie Redhouse Daily Lobo November 21, 2005 Native American Studies at UNM recognized issues facing indigenous people throughout the world Friday. "It was a chance to bring in indigenous people to share issues such as the struggle for land, education and the struggle against globalization," said Gregory Cajete, director of Native American Studies. "This is a rise of indigenous consciousness." The talk was part of a three-day event that took place on campus. The last event, Peacemaking in a World of Conflict, summed up key topics in previous panels and discussed resolutions that would eventually be presented to the United Nations. David Lujan, director of American Friends Service Committee-New Mexico, said the symposium is an opportunity for indigenous people to share issues facing their communities. "It's a time to look forward to the next decade of indigenous people," he said. "We wanted to stress the importance of relations to each other and creating relationships with each other." No students attended the symposium, but participants came from all over the world, including Colombia, Peru, Panama, Hawaii, Alaska, South America and Central America. Issues concerning many indigenous people in the United States included rights to land and water. Shannon Rivers, of the Akimel O'otham people from Arizona, said the issues discussed are essential to the declaration presented to the United Nations. The U.N. General Assembly declared Jan. 1 the beginning of the Second International Decade of the World's Indigenous Peoples. The focus of the declaration is to strengthen international cooperation for solving problems indigenous people have within their communities, according to a U. N. General Assembly report. Problems and possible solutions were made by participants and panelists at the symposium. They will be compiled and presented to the United Nations. A specific date was not given for the presentation. The document will be forwarded to participants in the symposium, communities affected and other national governments and international institutions. "One of the biggest issues we have is with our land rights and our water rights," Rivers said. "Now that we know we have these issues in our communities, we have to take it to an international and national level." With the help of translators, many panelists who spoke only Spanish were able to share issues about their communities. One visitor included Mino Eusebio Castro of Peru. He said communication with peers and the government is an important aspect in getting indigenous people's concerns heard. "We have to be able to communicate equal to equal," he said. "We shouldn't have to ask for the right of the earth. It is ours. We inherited it." Eusebio Castro spoke about the difference in governments he called horizontal government and vertical government. The horizontal government, he said, is one that includes civilians in its talks. The vertical government excludes and alienates civilians. "We still have a lot of work to do," he said. "We are visualizing what the future will look like. Our spirituality is where our culture comes from and where we get the strength to move on." Cajete gave credit to the American Friends Service Committee and other organizations in putting together the event. Copyright c. 2004 Daily Lobo, University of New Mexico. --------- "RE: Connecticut Supreme Court eyes Sovereign Immunity" --------- Date: Tue, 15 Nov 2005 08:49:27 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="ANOTHER ATTACK ON TRIBAL SOVEREIGNTY" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.thewesterlysun.com/articles/2005/11/14/news/news3.txt CONN. SUPREME COURT EYES SOVEREIGNTY; WITH REVIEW FOCUSING ON EASTERN PEQUOTS By The Associated Press - and Sun Staff November 14, 2005 HARTFORD - The Connecticut Supreme Court has agreed to review sovereign immunity, the longstanding doctrine that protects Indian tribes from lawsuits and provides other forms of independence from state and federal statutes. John Williams, a lawyer for Bradley W. Beecher, who has sought to sue the Mohegan Tribe, says the time is right to review the issue because some tribes, such as the Mohegans, are operating enormously profitable casinos. The Mohegans own and operate the Mohegan Sun casino in Uncasville. "Indian tribes have become so hugely commercial, they are acting like a business," Williams said. "For that reason the courts are increasingly wondering what they are." But a lawyer who represents tribes in New England says a tribe's finances have nothing to do with sovereignty. "The framers of the Constitution acknowledged back in 1787 that Indian tribes were the same as a foreign country," said Douglas Luckerman, who works with the Narragansett Indian Tribe based in Charlestown, and the Wampanoag tribe, which is based in Massachusetts but also has a number of Rhode Island members. Chief Justice John Marshall in the 1830s found that tribes have limited sovereignty as "domestic dependent nations," he said. "To understand sovereign immunity is no different than to understand what happens when a diplomat comes to the United States and racks up a bunch of parking tickets," Luckerman said. "The state can't haul that diplomat into court." Charles Bunnell, a spokesman for the Mohegans, said the tribe welcomes the Supreme Court case. "We are confident we will prevail," he said. The state Supreme Court will review five cases involving sovereign immunity. Four involve investors and the Historic Eastern Pequots, a state-recognized tribe in North Stonington that insists it cannot be sued because federal and state statutes do not apply on sovereign land. The tribe's investors include Donald Trump and J.D. DeMatteo of Burlington. The Easterns - merged from the Eastern Pequots and Paucatuck Eastern Peequots into one tribe by the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs when it granted the group recognition - have also had their federal recognition denied by the BIA after the state, backed by the towns of North Stonington, Preston and Ledyard, filed an appeal The other case central to the Supreme Court review is the dispute between Beecher, a former state police lieutenant, and the Mohegans, who are also a federally recognized tribe. The tribe last year successfully sued Beecher, blocking him from publicly disclosing information he learned about tribal business when he worked as an investigator for the tribe's gaming commission. A Superior Court judge has dismissed a counter lawsuit filed by Beecher earlier this year. Copyright c. 2005 The Westerly Sun. --------- "RE: Native American Health Care seen as Lacking" --------- Date: Wed, 16 Nov 2005 09:02:14 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="HEALTH CARE LACKING" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.baltimoresun.com/nov16,1,2430715.story?track=rss Native American health care seen as lacking By Kim Hart November 16, 2005 Getting sick is risky business for American Indians living in Maryland. At least, that's the way it seems to Theodore Lindamood, a Cherokee living in Somerset County, which the descendents of half a dozen tribes still call home. He sees no signs of the prosperous American Indian communities that once dotted Maryland's rural landscape. Instead, he sees people who are too poor, sick or uninformed to find the health care they need. "If you're native, doctors don't know you exist," said Lindamood, 49. "When you go to a clinic, it's like they don't even see you. You're invisible." He's never been to a dentist, and until this year he thought a complete physical meant taking his temperature and blood pressure. His injured back sends painful spasms down his legs, dizzy spells knock him off his feet, and he sometimes can't remember what happened only days ago. Recently he discovered a lump in his testicle that he's afraid might be a sign of cancer. State officials and community health experts agree that many of the 40, 000 American Indians in Maryland have a hard time finding adequate health care. There's not enough data about American Indian health issues or funds to address them. Many American Indians are intimidated by the paperwork required to get help, and those who do seek health attention often feel unwelcome in doctor's offices. "Because they are such a small group, Indians are often overlooked when it comes to addressing minority health issues," said Carlessia Hussein, who directs the Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities, which the General Assembly established last year. Their numbers may be small, making up only 0.7 percent of Maryland's population in 2003 according to the U.S. Census, but studies show that American Indians have more health problems than many other minority groups. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Native American adults are more likely than their white and black counterparts to be overweight, diabetic, smokers and moderate to heavy drinkers. They are also more likely to have dental problems, heart disease and hearing loss. Their mortality rates from tuberculosis, chronic liver disease and suicide are higher than those of other minority groups. The lack of preventive care available in Maryland's American Indian communities is perhaps the largest problem, said Claudia R. Baquet, director of the Center for Health Disparities at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Because there is such little data on American Indians in Maryland, she's found that many local health care professionals don't know what to look for when treating them. That makes many patients feel misunderstood by providers, she said. Since Maryland does not officially recognize any of the state's tribes, they are not eligible for direct federal funding. Native Americans with Maryland roots, such as the Susquehannock, Cherokee and Piscataway-Conoy, have settled in pockets on the Eastern Shore, but more than half of the state's American Indian population lives near Baltimore and Washington. Many have moved from other states and belong to tribes that already receive federal funding, such as the Sioux and Creek tribes. But Indian Health Services, the federal agency charged with providing health care to recognized tribes, only operates clinics near reservations that are hundreds of miles west of Maryland. "About 90 percent of the people who come here have never even seen a reservation," said Crystal Godwin, a case worker at Lifelines Foundation, a nonprofit clinic that provides referral services to American Indians. About a third of the 17,000 Native Americans living in the Baltimore area are Lumbees, who migrated from North Carolina several decades ago. Helen Heckwolf is one of them, and she is trying to reinvigorate the Baltimore American Indian Center. She remembers when it was a thriving organization that provided support to Baltimore's American Indian population, but the center has lost funds in recent years. "We are just barely keeping the lights on," she said. "My dream is to have a center here to make sure that when people come to our doors they feel comfortable instead of powerless." Kim Hart writes for the Capital News Service. Copyright c. 2005 by The Baltimore Sun. --------- "RE: Uranium Screenings required for Compensation" --------- Date: Mon, 20 Nov 2005 08:42:04 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="ONE MORE WAY TO SCREW THE MINERS" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.daily-times.com//511190307/1001/NEWS01 Uranium screenings required for compensation to miners By Ryan Hall The Daily Times November 19, 2005 SHIPROCK - Vernon Henderson, 62, of Shiprock, recently sat in one of the rooms in the Indian Health Services Hospital here and waited while Dr. Bruce Struminger instructed him to breathe deeply while he listened to Henderson's lungs through a stethoscope. Henderson was a uranium miner from 1959-1962 in Colorado, he told Struminger. Uranium miners and millers, many of whom were Native Americans, were often exposed to radiation while working in mines in Utah, New Mexico, Colorado and Arizona between 1942-1971. Recently, Henderson has had some health problems, most noticeably weakness in his arms. "I can't lift," he said. Struminger told Henderson it was unlikely that exposure to radiation was causing the difficulties, but advised the former miner he should be checked out for respiratory problems, a common health issue for those exposed to uranium. Like many miners, Henderson took a job in the underground mines when he was young. The workers wore little protective clothing because they did not know the health risks associated with uranium and radiation exposure. "No (the miners) never knew (the dangers of uranium). That was when I was young. I just started working," Henderson said. After the doctor fnished listening to his lungs, Henderson was taken to a downstairs room in the hospital where his finger was pricked and his blood was checked in an arterial blood gas test, which shows the amount of oxygen in Henderson's blood. "It's phenomenally painful," Struminger said of the test. "But, it does give us a very accurate reading of how much oxygen and carbon dioxide is in the blood. It tells you whether someone's lungs are working." The test was originally developed for coal miners to diagnose a disease known as Black Lung, according to Struminger. Once his blood was tested, Henderson was moved to a pulmonary breath- test station. A machine was set up to read how much air Henderson could expel from his lungs, and how quickly he could do it. Henderson was placed in front of the machine and given a tube to breath in. At the same time she was explaining how to do the test, Shirley Wilson a respiratory therapist, was placing a pinching device on Henderson's nostril so that all of the air would enter and leave through his mouth. After several attempts, Henderson gave a long breath that satisfied the conditions set by the machine for a valid test. Struminger said the results showed Henderson had an obstruction of some kind in his respiratory system. "It's just hard for these guys to do (the test)," Struminger said, noting the patients' ages and degree of respiratory illness can make it difficult to give a valid reading. The final test was an X-ray of Henderson's chest, which may help doctors determine the obstruction. Henderson was at the hospital in hopes of qualifying for a United States Department of Justice compensation program for former uranium miners and millers. If his results meet or exceed the standards set by Congress, Henderson could receive a payment of up to $150,000. Struminger said he sees between 8 and 12 patients hoping to qualify for compensation every Tuesday during the hospital's uranium clinic. "Most of the people who come here are looking to get compensated," Struminger said, noting that in some cases, a CAT Scan is also performed in order to detect silicosis, which is a scarring of the inside of the lungs as a result of breathing in quartz during mining. Copyright c. 2005 Farmington Daily Times, a Gannett Co., Inc. newspaper. --------- "RE: Suquamish hope to find Science in Healing Methods" --------- Date: Sat, 19 Nov 2005 08:24:19 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="SUQUAMISH HEALING" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.northkitsapherald.com/id=537621&more= Tribe, UW hope to find science in healing methods - North Kitsap Herald By Tiffany Royal November 19, 2005 SUQUAMISH - For thousands of years, Native Americans have believed that their culturally-based traditional methods of healing have helped them live healthier lifestyles. While the Suquamish Tribe practices this belief by participating in an annual canoe journey, such remedies have yet to be scientifically proven. But, in partnership with the University of Washington, the tribe hopes to show, through clinical studies, that its ancestral ways can help troubled Native Americans. For the next three years, the tribe and UW will sponsor a project called "Healing of the Canoe," in which the two groups will work together to gather information from the tribe about its culturally-based traditions. Instead of university research staff shouldering all the studies, both parties will work together under the guidance and oversight of the tribe. Earlier this year, the National Institute of Health awarded the University of Washington a $1.4 million grant for the project, with the Suquamish Tribe as a subcontractor of the funding. The goals of the three-year project are to plan a community-based intervention or prevention program rooted in tribal values and traditions; put the plan into action within the Suquamish community; and evaluate the program to see if it is helpful in promoting wellness while reducing health problems for the Suquamish people. The first year will be primarily be spent gathering information from the community through interviews, focus groups and meetings, as well as allowing UW staff to establish a relationship with the tribe, identify community health issues, strengths, resources and traditions and values. Years two and three will be spent testing, evaluating and documenting the developed curriculum. The tribal canoe journey is the metaphor for the project, as it is an event that some Suquamish members have participated in and found to be helpful in getting their lives back on track after certain life struggles. It teaches members traditional protocol and helps members learn about themselves physically and spiritually and how to lead a clean and sober lifestyle. "It's been very healing for our people," said Chuck Wagner, the tribe's lead administrator for the behavioral health portion of the tribe's wellness program. The tribe uses the canoe journey as a part of its cultural teachings, particularly educating the youth how to respect themselves, their elders and their ancestry. However, these practices and their results have never been proven to scientifically work. "It's worked for tens of thousands of years but no one ever wrote it down," he said. A similar curriculum has been developed already with the Seattle Indian Health Board, working with Natives Americans from different tribes and in an urban setting. But the Suquamish project is a first of its kind as it will focus solely on the people within Port Madison Reservation and the canoe journey lifestyle, plus allow tribal members to have a strong voice in the project. It's also introducing a new way of how academia studies tribal culture. Historically, when academic institutions have tried gathering researching from tribes, the relationships between the two parties were not been positive. In some cases, conventional research methods have not respected the native way of doing things, said Lisa Thomas, the project's co- investigator and a research scientist with UW's Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute. With the Suquamish Tribe, the relationship is expected to be different and much more positive, as the tribe will have just as much input on the project as the research staff. In fact, most of the project's staff will be hired from within the tribe. Thomas will be working with Suquamish tribal member Robin Sigo and Coast Salish and Kanaka Maoli member C. Truth Griffeth. The staff is currently seeking a youth tribal member, age 16-23, to fill the youth peer educator position. In the end, Thomas hopes the research from the Port Madison Reservation project will be able to be applied to other tribal groups around the country. "(We hope to develop) a model of a project and a process that other tribal communities can use to partner with universities to do research that is community-based and culturally grounded and is respectful of the community's values and traditions," she said. The project's principal investigator, Dennis Donovan, said the entire process will be a learning experience for all parties involved. "We hope (it will) be a two-way process of learning and sharing," he said. Copyright c. 2005 North Kitsap Herald. --------- "RE: Virginia Tribes may boycott '07 Events" --------- Date: Fri, 18 Nov 2005 08:18:34 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="JAMESTOWN ANNIVERSARY WITHOUT TRIBES" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.dailypress.com/nov18,0,6878891.story?coll=dp-widget-business Tribes may boycott '07 events Indians seek federal recognition of their role in Jamestown's history. BY VICTOR REKLAITIS 223-5682 November 18, 2005 WILLIAMSBURG - Several Virginia Indian tribes could pull out from the Jamestown 2007 commemoration, if they aren't given federal recognition. Reggie Tupponce Jr., president of a group of six tribes called the Virginia Indian Tribal Alliance for Life, said he hopes that no tribes will refuse to participate, but it's "a distinct possibility." "It's irony in that we're being asked to be a part of (Jamestown 2007) as the first contact tribes, but we haven't gotten that acknowledgement of being the first contact tribes," he said Thursday in Williamsburg. Virginia tribes were the first to greet the settlers at Jamestown in 1607 and are credited with helping them survive. Hundreds of Indian tribes are recognized by the federal government, but none are in Virginia. Federal recognition opens the door to benefits such as health care, education and housing money. However, Virginia Indians have said they are more interested in simply being officially recognized by the culture that has changed and overshadowed theirs for four centuries. Tupponce's group represents the Upper Mattaponi, Chickahominy, Eastern Chickahominy, Rappahannock, Monacan and Nansemond. It will hold a news conference Wednesday about federal recognition and Jamestown 2007. The conference will take place in Richmond after an annual Indian tax tribute ceremony. In the ceremony marking a 1677 treaty, two tribes that are not part of the Virginia Indian Tribal Alliance for Life - the Mattaponi and Pamunkey - typically present deer, turkey or fish to the governor as payment for their reservations. Tupponce said there are a range of opinions within his group about boycotting the 2007 commemoration; some Virginia Indians want to participate no matter what. Officials at Jamestown 2007 had little comment on the matter Thursday. "We haven't seen the release, and we haven't heard anything that would cause us to think that plans for Indian participation might be disrupted," said Kevin Crossett, a Jamestown 2007 spokesman. Copyright c. Hampton Roads Daily Press. --------- "RE: Group fights violence against Tribal Women" --------- Date: Tue, 15 Nov 2005 08:49:27 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="VICTIM FIGHTS BACK" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.newsok.com/xml/rss/1676995/ Group fights violence against tribal women By Judy Gibbs Robinson The Oklahoman November 14, 2005 Pauline Musgrove will never forget the night her first husband beat her and choked her for more than an hour before police arrived -- and carted her off to jail in handcuffs. Teenager tackles root of violence Charged with assault and battery because she fought back, Musgrove sat in a Tulsa County jail cell overnight with a broken pelvis and fractured vertebra while her uninjured husband, still in a rage back at the house, destroyed all her belongings. Although the charge was later dropped by a judge who apologized to Musgrove and scolded her former husband, she will never forget. The memory keeps her passionate about her work as director of Spirits of Hope, a statewide coalition of groups fighting domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking in Oklahoma Indian Country. With violence against Indian women approaching epidemic levels, their work keeps growing. "People don't want to know these things are happening, but a lot of women out there are being abused," said Musgrove, who is Cherokee. The statistics are daunting: Indian woman are 2.5 times more likely to be victims of domestic violence than any other race or ethnic group; 3.5 times more likely to be victims of sexual assault; twice as likely to be stalked, according to the National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence Against Women. "Violence against women has reached epidemic proportions in many Indian communities," said Tex Hall, outgoing president of the National Congress of American Indians in an Oct. 31 speech in Tulsa. Oklahoma-specific numbers are not available but probably are comparable, said Sarah Deer, a staff attorney for the Tribal Law and Policy Institute in West Hollywood, Calif. She was instrumental in organizing Spirits of Hope while employed by the Office of Violence Against Women in the U.S. Justice Department. "Those statistics seem accurate to people who are manning the hot lines, opening the shelter doors and talking to women who need legal counsel," Deer said. In September alone, Spirits of Hope processed 32 applications from battered Oklahoma women seeking legal assistance -- in most cases, a court order forbidding the batterer to have any contact with the victim, said Gail Jelinek, Musgrove's assistant. While drugs, alcohol, mental illness and other social problems contribute to those grim statistics, advocates say a checkerboard of police and court systems in Indian Country makes things worse. First comes the question of jurisdiction. In criminal cases on Indian land, race of the criminal, race of the victim, nature of the crime and status of the land where the crime occurred all can affect who investigates and prosecutes. "The tribes have no jurisdiction over non-natives. Therefore, if you are non-native, you can batter in Indian Country and if the federal government won't take the case, the batterer will go free," said Kelly Stoner, director of the Native American Legal Research Center at Oklahoma City University School of Law. Unless a tribe has its own law enforcement, investigating crime in Indian Country falls to the FBI, which is not organized as a first-line responder, said Edward Snow, assistant U.S. attorney for Oklahoma's Northern District. And tribal law enforcement -- including that provided by the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs -- is simply inadequate given the scale of the domestic violence problem, Snow said. "Their budget is stretched so thin, they can't enforce everything like we expect our local police to," he said. Sometimes cases fall through the cracks as prosecutors and law enforcement hash out jurisdiction questions, Deer said. More often, Indian women feel hopeless and helpless and simply fail to report, Snow said. "I don't think they feel the programs do much for them. They've really been treated rather poorly and this distrust is rather high, especially in a rural community," Snow said. Of the 300 or so criminal cases on Indian land filed last year by his office, no more than 15 were cases of violence against women, said Snow, who serves as a liaison between his office and northern Oklahoma tribes. Even when tribes have clear jurisdiction, investigate and prosecute a batterer or rapist in their own courts, current law ties their hands. Their sentencing authority is limited to one year imprisonment and a fine of $5,000. Indian advocates wanted to change that this year in legislation extending the Violence Against Women Act of 1994. The version now before a congressional conference committee includes, for the first time, a section recognizing the magnitude of the problem in Indian Country and earmarking for tribes 10 percent of all federal funding for domestic violence programs. It does not give tribal courts greater sentencing authority, Deer said. Copyright c. 2005 The Oklahoman/News 9, Produced by NewsOK.com. --------- "RE: Home loans for American Indian Vets" --------- Date: Mon, 20 Nov 2005 08:42:04 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="HERSETH BILL PASSED" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.aberdeennews.com/mld/aberdeennews/news/13212378.htm House adopts Herseth bill on home loans for American Indian vets Associated Press November 19, 2005 SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - A bill that has passed the U.S. House contains a provision from Rep. Stephanie Herseth, D-S.D., to make permanent a program that increases home loan opportunities for American Indian veterans, Herseth said in a release. The Department of Veterans Affairs' Native American Home Loan program directs home loans to eligible Indian veterans who want to buy, build or improve a home on tribal trust lands, she said. Herseth's bill, which has 17 co-sponsors, was folded into a larger measure. It passed the House unanimously on Nov. 10 and was sent to the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs. Herseth said her bill to extend the pilot program until 2008 passed last year and that this year's bill would make it permanent. "Native Americans are proud and patriotic Americans who serve their country in high numbers, and once they return from their service, they should have every opportunity to purchase and own a home," she said. "Now, at a time in our nation's history when we are asking men and women in our Armed Forces for greater sacrifices, we must make sure we keep our promises to veterans, and honor their service." Rep. John Boozman, R-Ariz., and chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs subcommittee on economic opportunity, said he is grateful to Herseth "for her hard work on this bill and willingness to cooperate in a bipartisan manner on behalf of Native American veterans." The pilot program started in 1992. Since then, the VA has made 443 direct loans to Indian veterans, including 20 from South Dakota, Herseth said. The VA direct loans are generally limited to either the cost of the home or $80,000, depending on which is less. Copyright c. 2005 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. Copyright c. 2005 Aberdeen American News. All Rights Reserved. --------- "RE: GIAGO: Is one Religion really superior to another" --------- Date: Tue, 15 Nov 2005 08:49:27 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="GIAGO: FORCED PATH" http://www.nativetimes.com/index.asp?action=displayarticle&article_id=7237 Notes from Indian Country Is one religion really superior to another? Tim Giago (Nanwica Kciji) Copyright c. 2005, Native American Journalists Foundation, Inc. November 14, 2005 I sometimes wonder if this Nation is moving forward or stumbling backward. The actions of the Kansas Board of Education would suggest the latter. By a vote of 6 to 4 the board chose to adopt new science standards that are the most far-reaching in this country challenging Darwin's theory of evolution in the classroom. According to an article in the New York Times, "The standards move beyond the broad mandate for critical analysis of evolution that four other states have established in recent years, by recommending that schools teach specific points that doubters of evolution use to undermine its primacy in science education." Among the most controversial changes was a redefinition of science itself, so that it would not be explicitly limited to natural explanations. Conversely, all eight members up for re-election to the Pennsylvania school board, a board that had been sued for introducing the teaching of intelligent design as an alternative to evolution in biology class, were kicked out of office by a slate of challengers opposed to the ID policy. The verdict on the Pennsylvania school board should be handed down in early January. If the ID policy is defeated in court the new school board could refuse to pursue an appeal. Many believe the challengers will simply withdraw the policy. Suppose the decision of the Kansas Board of Education becomes a reality? I would think that this would open the door on both ends of the spectrum. For instance, if creationism is to be taken literally there should be many questions asked of this theory also. As an example, when God created Adam and Eve were they created white, black, red, brown or yellow? If they were created white then how did they evolve into the different colors? Isn't that evolution? Several months ago I wrote on this same subject. I asked at that time to identify which creation theory would be accepted. There are many major religions in the world, some with much larger numbers than those calling themselves Christians, and they also have their theories of creation. Which theory of creationism should be accepted or should students study all of the different points of view? News commentator Bill O'Reilly says that 85 percent of Americans are Christians and therefore majority rules. There was a time not so long ago when the American Indian was in the majority. The difference was that the Indian people did not try to force their religious beliefs upon the new comers. The immigrants from Europe believed that since the Indians were not Christians, they were therefore heathens to be converted to Christianity. As the new settlers grew in numbers that soon overwhelmed the indigenous population, they not only forced their religion upon the Indians, they outlawed the religious practices of the indigenous people. Shaman and holy men were oftentimes imprisoned and more often than not, executed. I attended a Catholic Indian mission on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. We did not have a choice of whether we could study Darwin's theory of evolution or the creationism theory of the Holy Bible. We were indoctrinated into the creationism theory without question. For me at least, it killed any interest I would have had in studying science. Not because I was totally converted to Catholicism, but because I was never given the opportunity to seek out a different perspective from a scientific point of view. As the color of America changes and the different hues become predominant, this growth will also bring about a new face to the religious beliefs of those other than Christians. If things change so drastically that the races of color then become the majority and their religious beliefs are not those of the Christians, would the Christian minority allow them to push their religious theories into their classrooms? Frankly, in the old days when saying Merry Christmas to someone went unnoticed, I never really thought of it as a religious expression. In fact, excuse my ignorance, but I never really thought of "Christ" in Christmas. To me it was just an expression of the season. It wasn't until several years ago when I heard a clamor to "put Christ back into Christmas" that I ever gave it any serious thought. To me, if a Muslim greeted me in a manner traditional to them, or a Buddhist or Hindu or Jew, I would not take offense. If the greetings were in keeping with one of their religious holidays I would accept that greeting without question or offense. America is evolving into a nation of many races and many religions. There are indigenous religions dating back tens of thousands of years that are still alive and practiced amongst the indigenous people. The people of the Muslim faith are rapidly growing in numbers, as are those who practice a faith other than Christianity. So if we, as Americans, are to be held to a strict code of do's and don't by a faith that is now in the majority, what happens when it is in the minority? And you should not doubt for a single minute that this is not a possibility. Americans cannot continue to force institutions of public education to promote any single faith because if and when that situation is reversed they certainly would not want to become the victims of a more powerful and numerically superior religion. Now is the time to start looking 50 years down the road not when it is too late to do otherwise. In order to move forward America must go back to the beginning and look at what it says in the U. S. Constitution about separation of Church and State. But it must also confess and admit its suppression of the religious beliefs of those who did not practice Christianity. In other words, America must become all-inclusive and knock down this ideology of superiority that seems once more to be rearing its ugly head. --- Tim Giago is the president of the Native American Journalists Foundation, Inc., and the publisher of Indian Education Today Magazine. He can be reached at najournalists@rushmore.com or by writing him at 2050 W. Main St., Suite 5, Rapid City, SD. Native American Times. Copyright c. 2005 All Rights Reserved. --------- "RE: YELLOW BIRD: Indian Humor makes me smile" --------- Date: Tue, 15 Nov 2005 08:49:27 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="YELLOW BIRD: INDIAN HUMOR" http://www.grandforks.com/mld/grandforks/news/columnists/13169100.htm DORREEN YELLOW BIRD COLUMN: Indian humor makes me smile November 15, 2005 Storytelling on reservations comes from tales specially flavored with a different kind of humor. It is called Indian humor because it is culturally different in many ways.I thought about this Monday as big, white snowflakes drifted down across the black slats that cover the Herald's second-story windows. The first snowfall meant the beginning of story time for us. I used to ask my grandmother (I'm sure in a whiny voice, too), "Why can't you tell us stories any time?" "Because," she would say in a firm voice, "summer is the time to work in the garden, hunt or tend to chores." Folks on the reservation lived a difficult culture and way. In our lives today, we get fresh vegetables from farmers' markets. Some Indian people have lost their taste for gamy venison, and when we sew clothes or make blankets, we do it as a hobby and craft, not a necessity. Storytelling has an advantage over television and computers because it provides for a special kind of interpersonal relationship. Children's tales were different than adult stories in those days. My grandmother repeated tales about the coyote, ducks, crows, creatures with special powers, spirits and so on. We knew the stories by heart and listened to them over and over again. Those stories that my grandmother told us were about how we should live our lives. When you cheat or lie (like the coyote in the tale), you end up on the wrong end of the stick, so to speak, she would tell us. She was a good storyteller among the adults, too. It was a popular entertainment during her time. When I was a child, I remember hiding under the table (at least, I thought I was hiding) to listen to the adult stories. I didn't understand some of the Sahnish (Arikara) words or,for that matter, the meaning of some of the English words either. But from under the table, "us kids" would laugh when the adults laughed, even though we sometimes didn't know why the story was funny. In addition to my grandmother, I had two other grandparents, Rueben Ducket and Mary Little Sioux, who were exceptional storytellers, too. When they came to visit, people gathered, and they would talk and tell stories late into the night. Even though some of the stories were graphic or even off-color, there was different way about the telling. It certainly wasn't the tactics of television comedians. Human nature is funny and these storytellers made good use of it. As I grew, "us kids" learned this kind of humor. Many summer evenings, we would gather around on the porch steps or sit on the ground by the ball field and tell funny stories, and laugh until we couldn't laugh any more. Teasing was part of those times. In age, I was in the middle of my brothers and cousin-brothers and was teased mercilessly. Forever after that, teasing was funny, even if I was the butt of the tease. I remember fondly those days when my humor was budding. As I was thinking about Indian humor, I realized it is different than the humor of our non-Native peers. At times when I've been in a non-Native group, something a little risque' or "slapstick" would be funny to me and nobody else would laugh. My laughter grew from the sense of humor I learned those early days. When I attended Indian boarding school in South Dakota and Kansas, there was a little different flavor to our humor there, too. We developed our own words and expressions that we found extremely funny, while our dorm matrons would look at us with deadpan faces. Friends from those days will remember some of the terms, but when they say them out loud today, they seem awkward in conversation. At the time, it was our special language and our way of expressing humor. After marriage, I moved into the young adult circles in Oklahoma, Arizona, Oregon and Washington, D.C. Some of that humor carried over. When I look back on those days, I remember how much humor and laughter was incorporated into our daily lives. I lived in a time before "political correctness," so I certainly appreciate the importance of sensitivity in humor. When you are on the receiving end of bigotry or racism, seeing the humor in it takes the edge off. Indian humor is a subject of articles because it is somewhat different from mainstream humor. That difference is something I enjoy. So, participating in ceremonies or Native gatherings - especially where there are adults who remember this kind of humor - helps bring balance and harmony to my life and relieves stress. For Native people, those stories were a way to cope, to feel a part of the people. And, as my uncle Wesley Plenty Chief told us in ceremony, laughing is a gift from the Creator. ---- Dorreen Yellow Bird's column appears Tuesday and Saturday. Reach her at (701) 780-1228 or dyellowbird@gfherald.com Copyright c. 2005 Grand Forks Herald/Grand Forks, ND. --------- "RE: GIAGO: Ignore History and risk repeating it" --------- Date: Fri, 18 Nov 2005 08:18:34 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="GIAGO: RISK REPEATING HISTORY" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.billingsgazette.com//build/opinion/40-guest-op.inc Guest opinion: Ignore history and run risk of repeating it By TIM GIAGO November 18, 2005 The suicide rate for American Indians and Alaska Natives ages 15 to 24 is three times the nation's average, according to federal health officials. An Associated Press story quotes "experts" that see "poverty, alcohol abuse and domestic violence as factors in the high suicide rate. But the article adds, rather lamely, "but the problem has not been studied extensively." Has not been studied extensively? Why not? Suicide among teenage Indian boys and girls has been three times the national average for many years. One reservation in the Southwest had eight teenage suicides in one year. Another Indian reservation on the Northern Plains had a near epidemic of teenage suicides just a few years ago. Look beyond 'usual suspects' One can look at all of the usual suspects, such as "poverty, alcohol abuse and domestic violence," and study them to death, but these are only a small factor in the cause of suicide among young Indian men and women. A recent action by a Senate committee to increase resources for suicide prevention on Indian reservations is an action that should have happened 20 years ago. Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., who authored the bill said, "What's happening out there is devastating." Sen. Dorgan said that in an ideal world every reservation would have a mental-health professional, but Congress has so far been reluctant to provide a significant increase in funds for Indian health care. Not only has Congress been reluctant to increase funds for Indian health, it has been arbitrarily decreasing them. Indian Health Service hospitals across America have been cutting back on health care nearly every budget year. The saying, "don't get sick after June," is well known to the Indian people of America. Since the annual health care budget runs from January to December, it is common knowledge among health care workers that their budgets hardly ever stretch past June. And so for the final six months of any budget year, funding to the Indian hospitals is at best tenuous, but most often precarious. Losing in Congress Incidentally, Sen. Dorgan offered an amendment on the Senate floor to add $1 billion to Indian health care this June, but the Republican Senate voted it down. I hope all of those sudden Indian Republicans are taking notes. And yet this same Senate can authorize nearly $1 billion per week for Iraq. Hardly seems fair. The average life expectancy of a modern American Indian is nearly half that of a non-Indian. Infancy deaths are twice as high as for the rest of America's population. Diabetes has turned into the major killer of American Indians. And heart disease is fast becoming one of the major threats to the life of the Indian people. One-hundred years ago, neither of these killer diseases was prevalent amongst American Indians. In fact, they were practically unknown. Federal health experts say that for every completed suicide amongst Indian teenagers there are 13 attempts. And I am sure that most Indian health officials truly appreciate any extra funds that can be added to the Indian Health Service, but like all problems, money alone will not solve them. Tribal involvement Tribal governments must get more involved with the welfare of their children. During every election on every reservation in America the candidates always bring up the children and the elderly. "The children are our greatest resource for the future," they bellow, and "our elders are the fountain of our wisdom," they muse, and yet when they get elected to office, these are the first of their people that they shove to the back of the budget. The more than 100 years of boarding schools that attempted to destroy the culture, traditions, economy and spirituality of a people are just as much to blame for the condition of the Indian people today as slavery was to the black people of America. The scars run deep and too often the modern Indian educators and health-care givers totally overlook these more than 100 years of near destruction. We are often much too prone to forget that history plays an important role in who we are today. History ignored is history that will be repeated, and if the manifestations of the mental anguish that causes so many of our Indian teenagers to commit suicide can be traced to the bleak history of their ancestors, it must become a part of the solution. ----- Tim Giago, an Oglala Lakota, is president of the Native American Journalists Foundation Inc. Reach him via e-mail at najournalists@rushmore.com Copyright c. The Billings Gazette, a division of Lee Enterprises. --------- "RE: JODI RAVE: Author embodied the Human Adventure" --------- Date: Mon, 20 Nov 2005 08:42:04 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="JODI RAVE: VINE DELORIA" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.billingsgazette.com//build/state/70-ntbk.inc Reporter's Notebook: Author, Indian activist embodied the human adventure Jodi Rave REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK November 20, 2005 A traditional healer on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota reminded my family that death can inspire both sorrow and hope. Our family would lose a loved one, the medicine man said. But he reminded us: We are not humans on a spiritual adventure but spirits on a human adventure. No spirit lived that human adventure more fully than Vine Deloria Jr., who died at 6:30 a.m. Nov. 13 in a Colorado hospital. Phones began to ring and e-mails started circulating that Sunday: A warrior of the Northern Plains had fallen, a warrior whose deeds have resonated far beyond the Great Lakota Nation. The 72-year-old Deloria - humorist, author, activist, philosopher, historian, theologian - was weakened by failing health during the last month of his life. Deloria's human adventure began in Martin, S.D., where he was born near the Pine Ridge Reservation. The Marine went on to earn theology and law degrees. His early work advocating for Indians began in 1964, when he agreed to lead the National Congress of American Indians as its executive director. His work at the helm of NCAI helped build the foundation for tribal self-determination, one of the most significant federal policies of the 20th century that continues to guide tribal self-governance. Deloria continued to establish himself as one of the leading voices for Indian people, writing more than 20 books of indigenous thought. His lifetime work has cast him as one of the 20th century's leading intellectuals. Additionally, he has played prominent roles in founding some of the most significant organizations in Indian Country, including the Native American Rights Fund and the National Museum of the American Indian. A citizen of the Standing Rock Sioux, who straddle North Dakota and South Dakota, Deloria established his genius with an uncanny ability to decipher complex issues relative to indigenous peoples, providing clarity and reason that allowed for a complete understanding of contemporary Indian America. The publication of his seminal first book, "Custer Died for Your Sins," in 1969 rooted him as the country's most influential voice for Indian peoples. His prolific range of writing covered expansive issues, including federal Indian policy, scientific discovery and traditional knowledge. While Deloria's books have been read around the world, the Creator blessed many of us with his presence in the classroom. Deloria spent more than two decades teaching at the University of Arizona and the University of Colorado in Boulder. While a journalism student in Colorado, I took every possible course Deloria taught. I ended up graduating from the journalism school with an emphasis in history. I've saved every note from his classes, carrying them from state to state. I've always known there would be a time to rediscover them. I've also saved recordings from several lectures. As a teacher, Deloria's wit and sardonic humor never waned. At least once during a course, he liked to tell students if he hadn't yet insulted their race, creed, religion or beliefs, give him time - he'd get to it. Despite an often gruff nature, a smile always surfaced. Several times throughout the course of his teachings, he would toss around ideas that intrigued him, encouraging us to explore them further, to question authority, to rock the world. I've heard him lament how books often failed to reflect reality, particularly science books. "You can't trust academia," he said. The award-winning author influenced my own writing career. He was steadfast in his belief that historical context be provided to explain the current political, social and economic fate of Indian peoples. Newspapers have become my venue to illuminate these topics. One of the last times I reported an event with Deloria, he was the guest speaker at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He spoke of a book he was writing about traditional healers - our medicine men. A family friend said the book is complete and will be published. I expect it to be one of his most inspirational works. The title he picked at the time was "The World We Used To Live In." The book gave him the chance to explore how Indian people once commonly existed in both a physical and spiritual world. He told the story of a man who had a vision from the Elk Nation. In those days, you just couldn't say you had a vision, Deloria said. You had to prove it. The man proved his vision to his tribal community by singing an elk song. Then he walked across mud. Instead of footprints, the ground was imprinted with elk hooves. It's fitting that one of Deloria's last books will pay tribute to powerful medicine men. Indeed, his own life has been a testament to his connection between the physical and spiritual worlds. A family prophecy, beginning with the Yankton Sioux medicine man Saswe, marked four generations of the Deloria family as spiritual leaders. Vine Deloria represents the last generation of that human adventure. Jodi Rave covers American Indian issues for Lee Enterprises. She can be reached at (406) 523-5299 or jodi.rave@lee.net. Copyright c. The Billings Gazette, a division of Lee Enterprises. --------- "RE: MILLOY: 'Redskins' Mascot of Indian Genocide" --------- Date: Thu, 17 Nov 2005 08:54:16 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="MILLOY: MASCOTS DISRESPECT ALL" http://www.indianz.com/News/ http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn//2005/11/13/AR2005111301335.html Indian Mascots Disrespect Us All By Courtland Milloy November 14, 2005 Today's football game features the top-ranked Whiteys against the second- place Darkies, who got tarred and feathered the last time the two teams faced off. The Whiteys and the Darkies entered the imaginary league amid complaints that such names were inappropriate and offensive, but owners and fans alike insist the monikers are terms of endearment -- no different than, say, the Redskins. "Whitey means all-powerful, superior, masters of the game," one fan said. "It has nothing to do with racism, slavery or bilking American Indians out of Manhattan for $24 worth of beads." Fans for the opposing team are just as adamant. "Darkie means having melanin, which protects your skin from the sun and lets you work longer on the field," one said. "There is nothing derogatory about it. Back in the day, people would rub a darkie's head for good luck. They wouldn't do that unless they admired them for their magical powers." The most die-hard Redskins fans no doubt understand. To them, making a mascot out of a people that were nearly exterminated on their homeland is the ultimate show of respect. Makes all the schizophrenic sense in the world. Orin Starn, an anthropologist at Duke University and author of "Ishi's Brain: In Search of America's Last 'Wild' Indian," puts it this way: "From very early on, there is this dual desire to either kill or remove them [American Indians] to make way for the United States -- and, on the other hand, to romanticize them, to admire them, to be like them." The latter occurring only after the Indians die, of course. At the turn of the 20th century, Starn noted, when the demise of the Native American appeared all but imminent, the Indian began to be seen as "a noble, primitive man in touch with nature, a master of the arts of hunting and fishing." In 1933, George Preston Marshall coined the name "Redskins" for his football team "out of respect for American Indian heritage," as he put it at the time. And to this day, Dan Snyder, the current owner, maintains that the name means "tradition" and "competitiveness" and "honor." Banning demeaning imagery is not about principle, but whether the oppressed group can muster enough protesters to affect the profit margin. Never mind that the word is a slur -- used as "redskinned devils" in a novel published in 1871, "every greasy redskin" in the Rocky Mountain News in 1890 and "the most treacherous red skins" in the Denver Daily News that same year. To better understand the adverse effects of using Native American imagery in sports, see the short documentary "If the Name Has to Go ..." by Quiet Coyote Productions. The film includes efforts by Native American students at the University of North Dakota, home of the Fighting Sioux, to get a new mascot. "At first, I thought the name an honor. Then I came to realize that it's just a trophy," said Al White, an Iroquois and a student at the university. "I had one friend who took his 4-year-old son to basketball games, and the boy would ask him, 'Dad, why are they saying those things about us?' "The boy knew he was a Sioux, and the opposing fans were saying things like 'Sioux [expletive]' and '[Expletive] the Sioux,' and his dad couldn't explain it. So rather than allowing his son to be debased, they stopped going to basketball games." Native Americans argue that there would be an outcry if other, more politically powerful groups of people felt similarly slandered and denigrated. So let's get on with today's fantasy game and find out. In this classic matchup, the Whiteys have a quarterback who thinks fast on his feet and is very smart when it comes to analyzing the gestalt of the game. Or so the TV commentators say. The Darkies, to their credit, have a quarterback who is strong and, boy, he runs faster than a water bug on crack. And here come the mascots. For the Whiteys: a giant saltine cracker. For the Darkies: a watermelon rolling on 20-inch rims. Offensive? Not as long as such newspaper headlines as "Redskins Get Skinned Alive" are upsetting only because the team lost. E-mail:milloyc@washpost.com Copyright c. 1996-2005 The Washington Post Company. --------- "RE: Maya Indians near Cancun need Aid" --------- Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2005 08:38:05 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="STORM AID NEEDED" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.azstarnet.com/news/103348 Maya Indians near Cancun need aid, too REUTERS Tucson, Arizona November 20, 2005 NARANJAL, Mexico - While Mexico sweats to repair storm damage to Cancun's luxury hotels and beaches, Maya Indians nearby have been left to fend for themselves as a lake of floodwater the color of black tea swallows their homes. A rickety raised path built over the putrid water from old wood and cinder blocks is the only way in and out of the tiny farming hamlet of Naranjal, deep in the tropical forest inland from Cancun, since Hurricane Wilma tore through last month. A dozen homes are flooded, some to thigh level, and the debris-filled lake - 300 feet wide and stretching for several miles - is growing as rainy weather continues. Their drinking wells contaminated and the stagnant water causing fever and rashes, residents are scrabbling to shift their tiny village, house by house, to higher ground. "We thought the problem was over but it's getting worse. Instead of receding, the water is advancing a little bit every day. Basically, it's swallowing us up," said village councilor Gregorio Tun Cupul in front of his waterlogged home. While repair efforts focus on Cancun, which is losing millions of dollars a day as hotels stand empty, Naranjal's 125 inhabitants are going hungry after Wilma flattened the maize and bean crops and killed off the honey and charcoal businesses that were the main source of cash. Locals are skeptical that help promised by the government will materialize. Copyright c. 2005 azstarnet. --------- "RE: Colombian Police clashed with Indigenous People" --------- Date: Tue, 15 Nov 2005 08:49:27 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="COLOMBIAN OPPRESSION" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://kutv.com/topstories/local_story_318182906.html Colombian Police Clashed With Indigenous People November 14, 2005 Colombian police clashed with hundreds of indigenous protesters on Monday, two days after demonstrators seized three more farming estates as part of a campaign to reclaim what they say are their ancestral lands. Officials say 14 farms are now occupied by indigenous people in southwest Colombia. Indigenous leaders vowed over the weekend to occupy the farms for as long as it takes for the government to provide them with more arable land and to implement a nationwide programme of reform to make more lands available to poor farmers. Sporadic clashes between indigenous activists and riot police have already left one dead and dozens wounded in the past week at the flash point Jaibo farm in Caloto, about 310 kilometres (194 miles) southwest of Colombia's capital, Bogota. Indigenous leaders said they are prepared for further violence to accomplish their aims. Gerardo Jumi, a leader from the Embera tribe, agreed with government calls for negotiations to end the dispute, but said the government's insistence that the activists first leave the farms they seized as a condition for talks is unacceptable to the protesters. Hundreds of indigenous people are taking part in the protests, armed with machetes, slingshots and wooden sticks. They argue the government has gone back on promises to give them more reservation land to feed their growing populations, which has forced them to take action. Hardline President Alvaro Uribe's administration has rejected talks unless the activists leave the farms, setting the stage for a potential showdown. Indigenous groups successfully used forced occupations in the 1980s and 1990s to increase their land holdings, especially in southern Colombia where they argued more land was needed to feed their growing populations. But in recent years the government has opposed these efforts, saying that if Indians believe they have a right to the land, they should seek it through proper legal channels. There are 94 legally recognised indigenous tribes (often called 'indios' or Indians) in Colombia, totalling 800-thousand people or about two percent of the population. Hundreds of thousands of hectares (acres) have been designated as Indian reservations. Copyright c. 2005 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved. --------- "RE: Mapuche fights to Remove Benetton from Homeland" --------- Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2005 08:38:05 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="MAPUCHE" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000086&sid=aE.5_2HHdVqA Mapuche Tribe Fights to Remove Benetton From Homeland (Update1) November 21, 2005 (Bloomberg) - Benetton Group SpA, the Italian apparel maker whose advertising celebrates diversity, is being accused by Argentina's Mapuche Indians of trying to bury the tribe's heritage. Benetton, the largest landowner in Patagonia, a barren, windswept region that spans Argentina and Chile, said this month it will set aside 75 square kilometers (30 square miles) for the Indians. The Mapuches, who number about 40,000, claim the government stole the land from them in the 19th century. "We don't want or need Benetton's donation," Rosa Chiquichano, a lawmaker in Patagonia's Chubut province and a descendant of the indigenous Mapuche and Tehuelche population, said in an interview from Esquel, Argentina. "We want a restitution of our land. We want reparation for the land that was taken away from us." The dispute pits the survivors of Indian tribes whose lands were seized by the government in 1878 against a company whose advertising conveys a commitment to social issues and racial equality. Campaigns to publicize the United Colors of Benetton brand included images of condoms of different colors and a white baby nursing at a black woman's breast. Benetton, which obtains 20 percent of its wool from sheep grazing on the land in Patagonia, says the Mapuches are utilizing the company's name to grab attention in a long-standing dispute that extends beyond its lands. "The Benetton name has been effectively used to bring attention to the issue of the land and its indigenous people in Argentina," said Federico Sartor, the company's spokesman in Ponzano Veneto, Italy. "Benetton has little to do with this issue. We've never expropriated land from anyone." Spanish Conquerors The tribe, estimated at about 1.5 million by 15th century Spanish conquerors, was defeated in the Desert Campaign of 1878, in which Argentina's army cleared land for agriculture and livestock, according to a history published by the Universidad de Chile. War Minister Julio A. Roca, who later became president of Argentina, led the government troops. The Mapuches have been impoverished and nomadic rural workers since, eking a living from agriculture and cattle. Most of Patagonia is covered by arid plains that are suitable only for sheep grazing. In some areas, land near river valleys is used for fruit cultivation, while the scenery, streams and lakes of the Andes Mountains and their foothills in the west of the region draw millions of tourists each year. Cable News Network founder Ted Turner and Douglas Tompkins, the founder of The North Face Inc. apparel company, both own property in Patagonia. Indian Claims The seeds of the current dispute date to 1991, when Luciano Benetton bought the land from Compania Tierras del Sud Argentino SA, becoming one of the biggest landowners in Argentina. The company raises 16,000 head of cattle and 280,000 sheep. It produces 1.3 million kilograms (2.9 million pounds) of wool annually. Last year, Benetton was Argentina's largest wool producer. Benetton, which owns 900,000 hectares (2.2 million acres) through holding company Edizione Holding SpA, became a focus for Indian claims in 2002 after the company won a lawsuit to evict an unemployed Mapuche couple that settled on 385 hectares of Benetton land to raise goats and grow vegetables. Police enforcing the judgment tore down the couple's house and confiscated their oxen and plough. The eviction drew attention in Europe in July 2004, when the Italian press published a letter in which Adolfo Perez Esquivel, a 1980 Nobel Peace Prize winner for his defense of human rights in Argentina, accused Benetton Chief Executive Luciano Benetton of having the "same mentality as the conquistadors." Initial Offer Rejected Benetton made an overture to the Mapuches, offering Esquivel 2,500 hectares of land in Patagonia two days before a Nov. 8, 2004, meeting of Nobel laureates in Rome. Esquivel turned it down, saying he couldn't assume responsibility for land that belonged to the Mapuches. This month, Benetton raised the offer to 7,500 hectares, or 0.7 percent of the company's total holdings, a donation that it plans to make in January, channeled through the Chubut provincial government. "The gift is a symbolic gesture of social responsibility," the company said in a Nov. 16 statement. "Benetton's best gesture would be to let us work in our plot of land instead of coming up with all these gifts," Rosa Nahuelquir, the wife in the evicted couple, said in an interview. "That's what we need. That's where our hope and our work is." Benetton set up a Web site, http://www.benettontalk.com , this month to discuss issues raised in the dispute. The site says the company has made several goodwill gestures toward the indigenous communities. In 1997, the company invested $800,000 to set up a museum of Mapuche history in the village of Leleque in Chubut. Nahuelquir criticized the museum initiative, saying the Benetton family "knows nothing of our culture. They do those things for publicity and to defend the company from its bad neighbor attitude." To contact the reporter on this story: Daniel Helft at dhelft@bloomberg.net Last Updated: November 21, 2005 07:47 EST Copyright c. 2005 Bloomberg L.P. All rights reserved. --------- "RE: `Seizure' suffered at `Haudenosaunee Conference'" --------- Date: Monday, November 21, 2005 04:44 pm From: frostyca2000 Subj: "SEIZURE" SUFFERED AT "HAUDENOSAUNEE CONFERENCE" AT SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY Mailing List: Frostys AmerIndian "SEIZURE" SUFFERED AT "HAUDENOSAUNEE CONFERENCE" AT SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY MNN. Nov. 19, 2005. The conference, "Haudenosaunee Under Siege", was about the acceptance of the supremacy of colonial "federal Indian law". The majority attending were traditionalists who adhere to Haudenosaunee law. The fire within them was not given a voice. It was like a Jay Leno or Conan O'Brien television late night show format. Instead of discussing issues and passing them back and forth between the people, speakers sat on chairs in the middle of the stage. Robert Porter, the MC, sat at a desk to the right. The only people who spoke were those on the speakers' list. Most of them were tribal or band councilors ? people who had accepted to act according to colonial law instead of our own constitution, Kaianereh'ko:wa. Serious issues facing Haudenosaunee society were ignored. The buzz in the audience was, "Federal Indian law is killing us. We'll never go along with it". Good governance, exercising our rights and powers, how our law protects the people and the environment were shunted aside. We hoped a comparison would be made between Haudenosaunee law and colonial law. But it was not to be. Many came screaming out of the auditorium half way through the meeting, "Robert Porter, we came, we saw and we left empty-handed and empty-headed!", they said as they scrambled out door. They jumped in their cars and drove to the "Sing" in nearby Onondaga and had a great time. The first speaker was Jim "Finder's Fee" Ransom, of the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe. He talked about skenneh (peace). It was a smoke and mirrors `Cirque du Soleil' performance. Ransom said, "We have become media driven and price driven" (Speak for yourself!) Of course, he didn't admit how much he'd been lining his own pockets by taking money from casinos. His job is to make it look like the people were in favor of land claims settlements in exchange for a few casinos for someone. "We have to survive for the next 500 years" (We hope this boring conference doesn't go on for that long). "It's the loss of culture and language." (Which he doesn't speak. He can't lose what he doesn't have). "What's the crisis of the day?" Ransom asked, as he looked at himself. "We have the biggest IGA in the country on our territory" (owned and operated by white people). He said nothing about how he himself had been facilitating the use of our territories as tax havens for non-natives. A written question was sent up on why Ransom, a member of the school board, allowed the Salmon River school to pull the Mohawk thanksgiving address. Also, why is he allowing a few to use the rights of the people to enrich themselves in the name of "Indian sovereignty". Since when has putting a brown face on the white system amounted to respect for Indigenous rights? Rob Porter had asked people who had questions to write them on cards and send them up to him. Ransom's ravings incited hundreds of questions. A huge pile collected on Rob Porter's desk. He never answered, not a one! There was no heckling from the audience as there might have been with a presentation of bull shit in white society. We are still traditionalists. We listen and wait our turn to speak. Rob knew this about our culture. So he never left us an opening. That's how we got controlled. Ransom said that land claims achieved better relationships in the community!! Yes, now everybody wants to sue him for lying to them. What happened to accountability? He said the referendum favoring the land claim was the highest ever, if you call 700 out of 15,000 people a majority. Relations with federal, state and local governments have never been worse. They are all working with him to kill us off and take everything we have. In what was taken as a subliminal threat, Ransom also extolled the work of the 19 police forces keeping an eye on our people. He said he wants to deal with other (brain dead) leaders who are like him (A very telling remark). Said a bystander, "There are 3 remedies for what these traitors have done to us ? impeachment, banishment from this and all other territories, and eviction without ever being able to come back". Rob Porter announced that Syracuse University is going to give out fully paid scholarships to Haudenosaunee people. So he can train more sell-outs in his Governance Program! I am not sending my grandkids there. The next speaker was Brian "32 Acres" Patterson, of Oneida. "Segole" he greeted. He speaks with a heavy Indian accent. But watch out when he gets mad, he can sound just like a regular New Yorker. Then he told some stories about his childhood long long ago and how he got his nick name. He bragged, "We can now go to Albany with a hard face and mill around with all those (crooked) politicians. We can hold our heads up high, (when we hang out with those low brow racketeers), that's how important we are now". "But it's time now to stay home and deal with our own people" (if there are any left). Brian, our question is why did you agree to pay taxes to the white man and then say that this is the model for the rest of us, you fink? We need to know what threats are coming our way. Patterson began to sound like he was ready to throw in the towel. (Don't, Brian. The Mohawks are still here. You don't have our permission to do that. Listen to your older brothers.) Next was Chief Angie "Where's my finder's fee?" Barnes of Akwesasne council on the Canadian side. She was apparently good in sports in high school. She said she is interested in traditional ways, but she dropped the ball. Instead of turning to her own people she stumbled across the poor Toltecs of Mexico and mangled whatever info she could find about them. We don't know how she did her research, but some pages were missing. According to her, the Toltecs have 4 basic principles: (1) be impeccable with words; (2) don't make assumptions; (4) try your best. She forgot what (3) was. It could have been tell the truth or do your home work. Thank goodness there weren't (5)! Barnes said she has been under siege for 500 years. (These seizures are getting contagious. Actually, we are under siege by the fraudulent tribal and band council governments). "We've done the right thing and things could have been better", she said (Don't strain yourself, Angie). Barnes mentioned she was delayed because the bridge out of Akwesasne was closed down due to 5 border guards badgering, belittling and bothering a young 115-pound Mohawk girl. They became terrified of her, especially when her grandmother showed up. She gave them a backhand glance and they fled like cockroaches. Imagine if 10 of us women showed up we could have gotten rid of 50 of them! Barnes was told about this incident at her Alouette party and asked for a full report. "I am going to do something about this", she said. Randy "Who never got a finder's fee" Phillips, Oneida, was next. We wondered if this guy was colonized yet. Then he said he would send the government to the traditional council for treaty making as if any of us wants to sign anything away. Remember, don't send your kids to this program to be turned into federal Indian law idiots! R. Donald Maracle, Mohawk, talked about trying to get the Supreme Court of Canada to hear a case dealing with garbage dumps contaminating the water and the environment. He described how the Canadian court system dealt with the case by refusing to hear it, giving bureaucrats carte blanche to interpret the law any way they want. Justice for them but not for us! This is what our participation in the colonial system boils down to. Those who appeal to the colonial system in good faith get shunned and ignored. For the $35 conference fee, each attendee got a white T-shirt with a clenched FU fist on the back. We women had our own little conference and decided we will never allow Rob Porter and the University of Syracuse to abuse us ever again. Let's give the final word to John Cree of Kanehsatake. "No matter how much money you make, Jim Ransom, it will never solve your problem. Selling cigarettes is a way for our people to make a little money to feed our families. You open the door to taxation and control by outsiders. It's none of your business. Get it?" At this point, Ransom recoiled in his seat. By the end of the conference most of the disappointed audience had left. There were angry caucuses in the hall. People were just plain tired of having their intelligence insulted. Rumor has it that those many that fell asleep in their chairs and stayed on to the bitter end had a chance to see Rob being given an award ? something only a mother would do. We are left with the question, when is there going to be a "real" Haudenosaunee conference? Kahentinetha Horn MNN Mohawk Nation News kahentinetha2@yahoo.com --------- "RE: Yellowknives Dene reach Snap Lake deal" --------- Date: Tue, 15 Nov 2005 08:49:27 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="SNAP LAKE IMPACT AGREEMENT" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.cbc.ca/north/story/debeer-yellow-14112005.html?ref=rss Yellowknives Dene reach Snap Lake deal CBC News November 14, 2005 The Yellowknives Dene First Nation has reached an impact benefit agreement with the diamond giant De Beers over its Snap Lake mine. The agreement, signed Monday afternoon in Ndilo, a community on the outskirts of Yellowknife, includes provisions for jobs, business opportunities, training and development. It also outlines financial compensation to the First Nation for loss of use of its traditional territory. There was no immediate word on how much money the band would receive. "Our negotiation team has worked very hard over the past three years, and we are now satisfied that we have reached a final agreement that will benefit the Yellowknives Dene First Nation through employment, training and business opportunities for the life of this mine at Snap Lake," Yellowknives Chief Peter Liske was quoted as saying in a DeBeers news release. "It's a good agreement." The Snap Lake mine will employ 500 people during full production, and will produce 1.5 million carats per year. It is the first completely underground diamond mine in Canada and will be De Beers' first mine outside of Africa. The mine is scheduled to open in the third quarter of 2007, with full production being achieved in 2008. A formal signing ceremony involving the community is scheduled to take place in Dettah on New Year's Day. Copyright c. CBC 2005. --------- "RE: Lawyer Blasts mine Firm bid to extend Injunction" --------- Date: Tue, 15 Nov 2005 08:49:27 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="MINING COMPANY ON TRADITIONAL LANDS" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://news.yahoo.com/s/cpress/20051114/ca_pr_on_na/mine_protest_1 Lawyer blasts mine firm bid to extend injunction against B.C. natives STEVE MERTL November 14, 2005 VANCOUVER (CP) - The lawyer for a group of northern B.C. aboriginals says a mining company's attempt to extend an injunction against a road blockade is an "invidious and draconian weapon" used to criminalize opposition to resource development. Members of the Tahltan First Nation opposed a bid Monday by Fortune Minerals Ltd. of London, Ont., to extend an injunction granted in September against opponents of the company's plans for a coal mine on their traditional territory. The injunction was set to expire Tuesday but Fortune lawyer Rosanne Kyle said preliminary drilling and environmental testing was not completed before winter set in because of delays in removing the blockade. The RCMP arrested 15 people, most of them tribal elders, on Sept. 16 for defying the injunction two weeks after it was issued. "They really only had about two weeks of clear weather to do the drilling," Kyle told Justice Robert Bauman of B.C. Supreme Court. Kyle said drilling can be wrapped up next spring but that opponents of the project have said publicly they intend to resume the blockade. But lawyer Cameron Ward, acting for the protesters, urged Bauman to dismiss the extension application, saying it was "tantamount to an abuse of this court's process." Such injunctions are "an invidious and draconian weapon (used) by big business to visit criminal sanctions on people," said Ward. He noted that after obtaining the civil injunction, Fortune missed the deadline to file the required statement of claim detailing the damage caused by the protest. Ward, who has represented environmental protesters since the mass arrests at Clayoquot Sound in 1993, said companies almost never follow up once they've succeeded in getting the courts to force police to arrest protesters. Fortune is using the civil courts to make "ad hoc criminal law" that prevents people from asserting their rights, said Ward. Kyle argued Fortune has the support of the local band councils, the native-owned Tahltan Resource Development Corp., and the Tahltan Central Council. The blockaders represent a small minority mainly belonging to one family branch of Tahltan people, members of the Iskut band, who claim title to the Klappan Mountain area where the mine would be located, she said. But Ward noted the Tahltan Central Council is not a governing body and that there are widespread divisions among the Tahltan people - 2,000 to 5, 000 people depending on whose estimates are used - about how development should proceed on their traditional territory. The band council office was occupied for several months this year. "This is, in short, a political issue, not an issue of civil litigation, " Ward said. The injunction extension should be adjourned until the province holds meaningful consultations with the Tahltan First Nation, he said. Listening to the arguments, Bauman noted the hearing was not about the mining project or opposition to it, but concerned the company's legal right to use a public road. The territory of the Tahltan Nation covers approximately 150,000 square kilometres in northwestern British Columbia and the Yukon, an area rich in wildlife and natural resources. Besides Fortune, Shell Canada Ltd. tried to begin preliminary work on a project to extract coal gas from deposits there and several other companies have exploration permits in the region. Opponents say resource development would defile the sacred headwaters of the Stikine, Skeena and Nass Rivers. Kyle noted the area is not pristine. Fortune and its predecessors have spent $70 million exploring it and the 41 test holes the company was drilling were in an area "that's already like Swiss cheese." Copyright c. 2005 Canadian Press. Copyright c. 2005 Yahoo! Inc. All Rights Reserved. --------- "RE: Disappeared Aboriginal Women not forgotten" --------- Date: Thu, 17 Nov 2005 08:54:16 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="POLICE, GOVERNMENT MUST CHANGE ATTITUDES" http://www.pechanga.net/ http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096411905 Disappeared aboriginal women not forgotten November 14, 2005 by: Matt Ross / Indian Country Today Pressure exerted on Canadian government, police to change attitudes OTTAWA - More than three months have elapsed since Gwenda Yuzicappi last saw her 19-year-old daughter, Amber Redman, who disappeared in rural Saskatchewan. Particularly troubling is how there are no further leads in the case following this presumed abduction. "Of the people they've interviewed, 102 days later I'm still exactly where I was from day one," said Yuzicappi. She presented her story during an Oct. 24 press conference on Parliament Hill in commemoration of the one-year anniversary of "Stolen Sisters: Discrimination and Violence against Indigenous Women in Canada," a report released by Amnesty International. Held in conjunction with the Native Women's Association of Canada, the event brought attention to the disproportionate number of First Nations women who have been abducted while "Stolen Sisters" highlights how these severe felonies have not been deemed a priority by numerous police forces. Amnesty International's involvement with this crisis demonstrates that this is a case of human rights violations. NWAC President Beverley Jacobs acknowledged that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police has made strides recently in bridging the cultural and historical gaps between Native populations and law enforcement. However, she said she thinks the disappearance of aboriginal women is not taken seriously by those sworn to uphold the law. "When it comes to all of Canada and different jurisdictions, the provincial police are not affiliated with the RCMP: so what we're saying is to develop a national policing strategy for all police so there aren't jurisdiction problems when an aboriginal woman goes missing," Jacobs said. "Stolen Sisters" charges how police agencies nationwide, combined with public apathy, have led to racist behavior, directly or inadvertently. In comparing investigations to the disappearances of women from other races, the report stated how indigenous Canadian women are not treated fairly and are at a higher risk of becoming victims. Though no official statistics have been kept, the number of missing and murdered First Nations women is estimated at 500 over the past 30 years. Public inquiries have determined one of the reasons behind these targeted murders is how aboriginal women are perceived as members of society. Craig Benjamin of Amnesty International said aboriginal women are specifically chosen to be victims of abductions and sex-related crimes because the perpetrators believe they can escape justice; and because police want to avoid the delicate issue of racism, race-based statistics are not gathered. "Social attitudes within the white population, part of which is the lack of regard to [aboriginal women's] worth and humanity, we see time and again a factor against the action towards indigenous women and there's almost an acceptance [of this]," said Benjamin. When Redman disappeared in Fort Qu'Appelle, Saskatchewan, on July 15, she was only separated from her party for a short time. Clues revealed by her mother, including the fact that Redman's purse remained in the car in which she arrived, indicate she was hastily taken. Yuzicappi remembers her daughter as having "a beautiful personality and very humorous ... she is a beautiful Dakota woman." Although Redman's last known whereabouts - a local bar - might lead to some assumptions, her mother quickly dispelled any notion that this abduction was forthcoming. "There's that myth with respect to First Nations women [that they do] drugs, or they drink, or are prostitutes; but I find that unacceptable," Yuzicappi said during a phone interview. "My daughter was not a prostitute. And yes, she liked to have fun with her friends." NWAC believes the estimate of 500 disappearances is in fact too low. Jacobs said the first priority is to trace any patterns regarding missing women by poring through police records, and eventually create a biography of those killed by interviewing family members. "We want to ensure these women are treated as human beings and that they have come from somewhere, and not how the media have portrayed these stereotypes," said Jacobs. Jacobs doesn't buy into the excuse that stereotypes of aboriginal women should be any reason to dismiss missing person reports that have been filed. "If family members know they've been gone and they want to report them missing, why isn't there an all-out call as they do for non-aboriginal women?" One of the 12 proposals by "Stolen Sisters" includes "expanding programs which provide advocates to assist Indigenous people in their contacts with police and with courts." Other funds to be received by NWAC will be directed at social services to coordinate these efforts. "This is a human rights abuse that can only be corrected with a coordinated plan of action within the range that assures all levels of government [and agencies] are going to take action," Benjamin said. "[Police action] can't take place in a vacuum and without reform of police policy, it's going to be very hard for these programs to succeed." While Amnesty International, NWAC and other aboriginal groups look forward to changes in Canadian values and practices, Gwenda Yuzicappi has returned to Saskatchewan in anticipation of the day her daughter comes home. "We are all mothers, parents; and no matter what our background is, we are all human beings. Please don't forget about my daughter, Amber Redman." Copyright c. 1998-2005 Indian Country Today. All Rights Reserved. --------- "RE: Native Prisoner" --------- Date: Monday, November 21, 2005 8:21 PM From: Janet Smith [owlstar@bellsouth.net] Subj: NA News Item -- - - - - - - -- - - - - - - I got a request this week from Kim Foltz, who established and singlehandedly manages the Native American Prisoner Network. She's asking for a volunteer to help handle some of the work associated with keeping that network going. What some of you familiar with this service for Indian prisoners seeking pen pals may not realize is that Kim recently experienced a long and serious illness. She's better now, but between the time she lost due to illness and her current adjustment to a move and new job, she's gotten behind handling mail. What she'd like is a volunteer to help by sending information packets to inmates seeking to be included on the web site. Please write to Kim at khoward@napn.us if you're interested. If you'd like to see the Native American Prisoner Network's site, go to http://www.napn.us --------- "RE: History: Carlisle Indian School" --------- Date: Saturday, November 05, 2005 07:21 pm From: Barbara Landis Subj: September 30, 1892 INDIAN HELPER, Carlisle Indian School. [Editorial Note: These reprints are being included in this newsletter so that you might know the mind of those who ran institutions like Carlisle.] THE INDIAN HELPER ~%^%~ A WEEKLY LETTER FROM THE Indian Industrial School, Carlisle, Pa. =============================================== VOL. VIII. FRIDAY, September 30, 1892 NUMBER 3 =============================================== PURPOSE. ----- ONLY after the dark wet days Do we fully rejoice in the sun's bright rays. Sweeter the crust tastes after the fast. Than the sated gourmand's finest repast. The faintest cheer sounds never amiss To the actor who once has heard a hiss. And one who has dwelt with his grief alone. Hears all the music in friendship's tone. So, better and better I comprehend How sorrow every would be our friend. --------------- AN INDIAN TEACHES THE WHITE MAN PUNCTUALITY. ------ The story is told of one Mathias Splitlog, chief of the Wyandottes, who lives in Kansas, and being known to possess about a million dollars worth of property, is called the wealthiest Indian in America. Although over seventy years of age, and unable to read or write, he is a keen businessman. By his shrewdness and ability he has acquired large tracts of land in Kansas and Missouri, houses and lots in Kansas City, and has money invested in a number of paying enterprises. The white men to whom he gave a $20,000 lesson in punctuality had persuaded him to sell them a certain tract of land for $140,000 and were to pay him the money at ten o'clock at a bank in Kansas City. On the appointed morning, a few minutes before the hour named, the old Indian entered the bank and took a seat with his eyes fixed on a clock. The capitalists had not appeared when the hands of the clock reached the hour. As it began to strike the old Indian rose to his feet, and at the last stroke of the clock he promptly walked out of the building. On the street, less than a block away, he met the men who were to buy his land hurrying toward the bank. They begged him to return with them, but he refused, saying that if they still wished to deal with him he would meet them at ten o'clock o the following day at the same place. This time both the white men and the Indian were promptly on hand; but when the former offered old Mathias the price agreed upon for the land, he told them that while $140,000 was yesterday's price, today's price was $160,000; and to these terms they finally were compelled to accede. ------------------- CIGAR AND PIPE NOT SO DANGEROUS AS A CIGARETTE. ----- A leading chemist says: There are five ingredients in every cigarette, each one of which is calculated to destroy human life. First there is the oil of the tobacco. Next, the oil in the imported paper, which is nearly as destructive. Third, the arsenic introduced to make the paper burn white and add a peculiar flavor. Fourth, the saltpetre put in the tobacco to prevent it from moulding, and finally, the *opium* that is sprayed on the tobacco to give it the insidious influence which it possesses over the brain. Can you wonder that the animal life of a young man is killed? In the cigar or pipe we have but *one* poison, - nicotine, - but it is not inhaled. If the Indians could only KNOW this they would put a stop to their little boys taking into their lungs this terrible cigarette poison which brings disease. It is because of cigarette smoking that we see so many Indian young men thin and weak and hollow-eyed and consumptive. Our Carlisle boys when they go home, if they MUST go, could do a great work among the little boys in the tribe by discouraging their smoking cigarettes. It is not half so bad for them to smoke a pipe, and that is bad enough and should be discouraged, too. ------------------------------------------ (*Continued on the Fourth Page.*) ================================================================ (p. 2) The Indian Helper. ----------------------------- PRINTED EVERY FRIDAY, -AT THE- INDIAN INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL, CARLISLE, PA. BY INDIAN BOYS. --> THE INDIAN HELPER is PRINTED by Indian boys, but EDITED by The-Man-on-the-band-stand, who is NOT an Indian. ----------------------------- Price: - 10 cents a year. ============================== Address INDIAN HELPER, Carlisle, Pa. Miss M. Burgess, Manager. ============================== Entered in the P.O. at Carlisle as second class mail matter. ============================== The INDIAN HELPER is paid for in advance, so do not hesitate to take the paper from the Post Office, for fear a bill will be presented. ============================= The *American Volunteer* has entered our exchange list and we count it as the best printed paper in the town of Carlisle. ---------- We hear that Frank Aveline has returned to New York City and is working at his trade, after a few months absence in the west. ---------- Willie Morgan is on the Pawnee Agency police force. Frank West is doing well, and Abram Platt is still sticking at his carpenter trade there. ---------- It is said that Benajah Miles was the champion sign talker when he was here. We do not hear anything from him since he went home, through signs or any other medium. ---------- We learn with regret that Samuel Gruett who went home this summer was ill when it came time to return to the school in the Fall. He went to work on his father's farm with so much energy that he broke down. ---------- A card from our good friend Mrs. Platt, who so frequently favors us with something from her pen over the signature of A-te-ka, (Pawnee name of affection for Grandma) asks that her HELPER be sent to Oberlin, O., which means that she will be there for an indefinite time. ---------- When a young Indian man or woman steps up to you and addresses you in good English, having all the manners of a cultivated person, and you having known the same young man or woman but a few years ago when he or she came direct from camp, was dressed in Indian clothing, and could speak no English, you can't help feeling amazed at the wonderful transformation. Country life with its opportunities for INDIVIDUAL training does it every time. ------------------------------------------ For THE RED MAN, an 8-page periodical containing a summary to all Indian news and selections from the best writers upon the subject, address RED MAN, Carlisle, Pa. Terms, fifty cents a year for twelve numbers. The same premium is given for ONE subscription and accompanying extra for postage as is offered for five names for the HELPER. The Fair. The Fair is a good place to observe the mental calibre of people. Those who stand around gaping to see how they can spend the few cents that are burning holes in their pockets, and care nothing for the real purposes of the Fair, have small weak brains. If one wants to buy candy or something substantial to eat, the best way is to buy it and then hurry away to look at something of more importance. The Man-on-the-band-stand was pleased to see some of our boys and girls in Machinery Hall examining the engine and the threshers and washing-machines and other inventions. Many also studied intelligently the productions of the Cumberland County farms, and the chickens and horses and cattle, and the works of art and industry in the main building, but a few boys and girls of weak intellects hung the greater part of the time around the Merry-go-round waiting for a chance to spend five cents. They ought to have been ashamed of themselves, but we can but excuse them because they are mere children in minds, although big in bodies, some of them. What should we go to a Fair for? Yes, to have a good time, but most of all we should go to see new inventions, the products of industry, the works of art, and examine and think about and compare and learn. If we do not go for this purpose, we make a mistake. ---------- The social given by the Y.M.C.A. in the gymnasium last Thursday evening was a success in every particular. Edward Marsden, our Alaskan friend who is staying with us until after the Chicago trip, took a conspicuous part. Chauncey Yellow Robe welcomed the guests on the part of the association. The spacious hall was decorated with Japanese lanterns and flags. Refreshments of ice-cream, cake and lemonade was a part of the treat, and all retired having enjoyed a full and pleasant evening. ---------- Rev. E.G. Wilson, for 24 years missionary among the Indians and for several years Principal for the Shingwauk and Wawanosh Homes at Sault Ste. Marie, Canada, has resigned said Principalship to engage in mission work among the settlers of the Fraser River country, British Columbia, 2300 miles distant from his present home. ---------- We have word from quite a number who wish to enter the "Four Prize" contest. It may not take a very long list to win the prize. The regulations governing the contest being printed in full on the last page, this is a good paper to keep. Let big and little, old and young, ALL help to enlarge our subscription list. ---------- To the interested worker, it matters not HOW MUCH HE IS DRIVEN. The more he is obliged to do the better he thrives under it. When we are not INTERESTED and don't care, that is the time the driving does us harm and that is the time to shut up shop and go home. ---------- Mark Evarts has gone home to Pawnee, I.T., expecting to return to the East. =================================================== (p. 3) MAKE something! DO something! BE something! The above is the quintessence of Captain's talk on Saturday night. Francis Marceau has entered the printing-office. Several hard rains recently have brightened up the parade. Visitors are numerous this week, on account of the Fair. Miss Seabrook took a business trip to Philadelphia on Wednesday. Miss Hilton of Carlisle and her friend Mrs. Gable, of York, were among the callers this week. Fred A. Wilson, one of the new pupils from Detroit, Minn., is attending Dickinson Preparatory. John G. Morrison is already making this little engine speak for the elbow grease that he is expending on its brasses and shiny parts. Equal to grasshoppers: Sixty-four of our boys struck a 24 acre field of corn at the lower farm last Saturday and in 2 hours and 41 minutes had it all cut and shocked. Miss Booth visited the school on Tuesday, having a cheerful word to offer here and there to those who remember her as one of us. She is now teaching at the Hampton Normal Institute, Va. Two or three of the printers have *sweeping* down to a science. They can get more dirt out of a large room with less dust and fuss than the average office boy or house girl in the country. The circle of King's Daughters known as "The Wayside Gleaners" have elected the following officers for this year: President, Leila Cornelius; Vice President, Celicia Wheelock' Secretary, Vista Gray; Treasurer, Spyna Devereaux; Mrs. Dixon has been chosen as leader of the circle. The Embryo Debating Society, composed of the younger boys of our school, has elected officers as follows: President, Clark Gregg; Vice President, Joseph Martinez; Secretary, Frank Shively' Treasurer, John G. Ground; Reporter, Perry Kennerly: Marshal, Luke Peqouongay. Two of the small ponies in the world, drawing one of the smallest wagons we ever saw and in which was seated a huge man, created quite an excitement among our boys and girls on Saturday, as they drove through the grounds. Irene wanted her papa to buy her just such a little team at once. The clouds on Monday morning early started on a race, and some people thought before the race was finished there would be nothing much left on the earth hereabouts. Save the rattling of blinds, swaying of tin roofs, dancing of balcony chairs and roaring of chimneys, thereby shattering sensitive nerves, there was no damage done, however. Mr. H.A. McCandless, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was a guest of Mrs. Given's for a few days this week. On Monday evening and informal social was given in his honor by Miss Moore, and on Tuesday, Miss Moore, Miss Eva Sage and Mr. McCandless visited the battle field of Gettysburg. All went to the Fair on Wednesday. Answer to last week's riddle: Railroads. Miss Kate Sage left for Atlanta, Sunday evening. Three thousand school children in line marching through the streets of Carlisle on Battalion brought up the rear of the line with its stately tread and precise military move, the whole town was pleased and gave them a friendly cheer. Robert Matthews is finding things at home exactly as his friends here said he would. Not being able to get work he is already using money he had laid up, but instead of lying around idly, however, he is working in the shoe-shop at the Agency school for his board, and means to strike out in the States soon to hunt for work. William H. Carefell, our one-armed boy, is authorized agent to receive HELPER and *Red Man* subscriptions. He also sells "Stiya," the story of a returned Pueblo girl, and Photographs. He gets a commission and hopes to do quite a little business and wide awake and we trust many will favor him with orders. The item last week giving the names of the newly elected officers of the Girls' Endeavor Society should have read What-so-ever Circle officers. The Endeavor Society Officers are Miss Rosa Bourassa, President; Miss Belinda Archiquette, Vice President; Miss Daisy Dixon, Secretary; Miss Minnie Yandall, Corresponding Secretary; Miss Ida Warren, Treasurer; Miss Julia Dorris, Marshal and Miss Burgess, Critic. Messrs. Henderson Dunkle, Frederick Genrich and John Bragunier of Delphi, Indiana, all old soldiers who came East to take part in the G.A.R. celebration in Washington, called on their way to Gettysburg to pay a visit to their soldier friend, Capt. Pratt. Mr. Dunkle, known among his comrades as the Senator, was a printer in his younger days, and stepping to the case set up a line or two, showing our Indian boys that he still remembers the boxes and can hold the stick as well and better than they. The first exhibition of the year was given last Friday night and was marked by a lively time all through. We have heard better speaking from the platform at other exhibitions but it was a good one for the beginning, and rarely have we had a more enjoyable entertainment, taking into consideration the music furnished by the band and the variety of the programme. The parts of the programme deserving special mention are: The essay by Leon Williamson and read by Asher Parker; a solo by Edward Marsden; a very thoughtfully written essay on the "U.S. Ship Baltimore" by Daniel Varner; a quartette by Messrs Abraham, St. Cyr, Wheelock and James, and a piano and cornet selection by Miss Moore and Dennison Wheelock. At the close, Miss Rankin gave selection "No Halfway Doin's," which brought out a cheer of applause which exceeded anything we have had for many a day. She was obliged to respond again, and again the applause was most hearty. It takes Miss Rankin to wake us up. =================================================== (p. 4) FOUR PRIZES. ------ 1. TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS. 2. TEN DOLLARS. 3. FIVE DOLLARS. 4. A GOOD PERCENTAGE. We can afford to furnish our little paper for the small sum of ten cents a year only by maintaining a large circulation. We therefore make the following liberal offer, trusting there will be many to respond. The person sending us the largest number of subscriptions before the 1st day of January, 1893, will received TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS in cash. The person sending the next highest list, will receive Ten Dollars. The persons sending the third highest list, will receive Five Dollars. The ten highest below the third list shall be rewarded by a return of ten per cent of the receipts. Or, to make it plain to the little folks, for every dollar sent to us we will send back ten cents. This holds good only to persons sending the ten highest lists after the third or Five Dollar list. Rules Governing the "Four Prize" Content. Subscriptions may be forwarded to us at any time. A careful account with the contestant will be kept and the number of subscriptions credited on the receipt of each letter. The year's subscription each subscriber will begin at the time the list is received. The money must in every instance accompany the names, and may be sent in any form most convenient to the sender, 2-cent postage stamps for amounts under a dollar being as acceptable as anything. The names and addresses must be plainly written, and the name and address of the sender with the words "Contest Letter" must be written across the upper left hand corner of the first page of every letter containing a list, as follows: "Contest Letter" Sent by ......................... ...................... Date ............................ This letter contains........subscriptions (giving the number of subscriptions.) If this is not seen on the upper left hand corner of a letter we will consider it as regular mail matter. WE prefer as many names as possible from one Post Office, but will accept any address within the United States and Canada. Subscriptions must be NEW. Those who have once taken the HELPER, however, and regarded as NEW. If your list be a long one arrange it alphabetically. To all those who enter the contest, the regular "Standing Offer" for premiums does not hold good. To all others it remains the same. Sample copies for distribution will be sent free to any person wishing to engage in the contest. We shall be glad to answer any question in reference to the contest if a two-cent stamp accompany the request. The names of the persons sending the twenty-five highest lists with the number of subscribers each secures, will be published in the first INDIAN HELPER printed after the 1st day of January, 1893. Address INDIAN HELPER, Carlisle, Pa. ============= COMMISSIONER MORGAN TO VISIT GENOA. ------------- Preparations are being made to receive Gen. T.J. Morgan, Commissioner of Indian Affairs together with the senate Indian committee composed of fifteen members, next Tuesday, Sept. 27th. An entertainment will be given, by the Indian children, in the evening, in the new auditorium. Short addresses will be given by the senators. The school will be open for inspection from 4 to 6 o'clock p.m. The large school room will be filled with samples of work done in the school rooms and in all of the shops. An invitation is extended to all, and no better opportunity could be had to visit the school and see the work done by the Indians. Remember the invitation is free to all. -*Pipe of Peace,* published at the Genoa, Nebr., Indian School. =============== Anagrams from an Aged Friend. Transform the letters in the following sentences into single words: 1. 'Tis ye govern. 2. Ten teapots. 3. East cherry. 4. Nay I repeat it. 5. Got as a clue. -------------- A Riddle Learned by Capt. Pratt when he was a boy. Who is the shoe maker makes shoes without leather, With all the four elements joined together. He has fire and water and earth and air, And each of his customers takes two pair? -------------- ANSWER TO LAST WEEK'S ANAGRAMS: 1. Patience; 2. Telegraphs; 3. Miniature; 4. Magistrate; 5. Pedagogues. ================================================= Transcribed from the original by Barbara Landis-- http://www.carlisleindianschool.org There is a discussion page and blog linked among the menu options on the web pages. ================================================== -- Barbara C. Landis PO Box 1451, Carlisle PA 17013 Carlisle Indian School Research Pages http://www.epix.net/~landis Tel: 717.418.2158 (cell) --------- "RE: Verse: Hawaiian Book of Days" --------- Date: Monday, 14 November 2005 01:39 am From: Debbie Sanders Subj: Book of Days A HAWAI`I BOOK OF DAYS, week of November 20-November 26 NOWEMAPA November Welehu 20 The fairy terns are pale ghosts against the night sky. 21 The haunting call of the pueo invokes the spirit of the wind. 22 The full moon is rosy with the glow of the setting sun, and the clouds surrounding it are royal purple. 23 Heed well the cycles of your life. 24 Let your dreams be a source of inspiration. 25 Be grateful for the ancestors who helped shape your life. 26 In every conversation, it is important to learn to listen. (c) Copyright 1991 by D. F. Sanders Me ke aloha i ka nani, ... Moe'uhanekeanuenue (With love and beauty, ... Rainbow Dream) --------- "RE: Rustywire: First Thanksgiving" --------- Date: Thu, 3 Nov 2005 08:22:37 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="RUSTYWIRE: TURKEY" http://www.rustywire.com/starship/turkey.html First Thanksgiving by Johnny Rustywire The sound of silversmiths working in a sweatshop making Indian jewelry brought together young kids from different reservations. Each day was filled with work turning out rings, bracelets and squash blossoms. They lived together at work singing Indian songs from their work benches, and during breaks played basketball outside and in time shared more than their time there but also when the day was done, time with one another. When you are far from home, a long ways from the rez, you seek out others like you, it doesn't matter their tribe, just that they are natives and share a kinship in the way they were raised and like many people like to laugh and play ball together. Three of them were newly married less than a year and lived just not too far from one another. Turkey day was coming and so they decided to get together to celebrate Thanksgiving. It was small affair, just three couples they were a mixed up group, far from their own reservations. In the midst of them were a Omaha, Hope, Ute, Navajo and Sioux all far from home married less than a year. Their apartments were small in this college town and so they decided to have their first Thanksgiving together. David and Gretchen were just married that summer, she was a little taller than he was, she stood 5'10" and he was 5'8". It was the time of clogs; those shoes that had thick soles some were an inch others grew to 8 inches or so. David worked the silver and Gretchen buffed the jewelry. When they came to work, she was taller, but one day he walked in and stood her same height. Looking down he had those cloy shoes an inch or two added. A few days later Gretchen came in and she had on the same size shoes. On the following payday, David was seen walking around with shoes that were three inches high and so he stood taller than she did. Well, Gretchen came in with shoes that made her taller still. A week later, the boss came in and wondered why all the silversmiths were standing not too far from the door to the shop. He was told we are just waiting for a little bit for David and Gretchen. They came in and stood there with stilts on, their shoes had soles 6-inch soles and they had a hard time walking. There were thirty of us there and we all laughed at them and they did not say a thing but went to work. It was the Sioux girl, Gretchen who got to cook the turkey for us. Curtis and Maxine had just had a little girl, Marie. Curtis was easy going he came from Macy, Nebraska, Omaha country and his wife was from Second Mesa. He was a good silversmith, his work was clean and he neat. I learned a lot about patience from him. He never got mad but took any problems out on the basketball court, he was quick and agile and a good ball player. We spent a lot of lunches outside playing ball with the chintzy hoop we used. There is a lot to be said for Indian basketball, it is a game that tests skill, stamina, endurance, teamwork and is having a good time. All the things that seem to bother you float away in the wind when you play ball and life in the city is bearable afterwards. Sometimes the group would get together and sing, Bobo, a Crow brought a base drum and we learned to make drumsticks and sing those old pow wow songs and every once in a while a 49er to stir things up. My first born was on the way and so when Turkey day came my wife, Merl was in the hospital my son born the day before, so I made the salad and told Curtis when I got downstairs that Merl was at the hospital, but he already knew, Maxine had already visited her there seeing the baby boy we had. I went in and we waited for David and it got toward noon. They finally got there and we were hungry.The table was ready, and everything was layed out. Gretchen brought in the turkey and set it down. Maxine helped her and got a knife to carve it. It looked really good, the juices were just on the skin, it made it look moist and you could smell it. Ah, nothing like turkey at Thanksgiving. She put it on the table and we said a simple prayer and then Curtis cut the turkey. He reached over and picked up the knife and began to cut it like they show in Betty Crocker's CookBook along the bottom of the breast. He was having a hard time, it wouldn't cut. He tried to cut it but it wouldn't cut. He looked at Gretchen, who sat there quietly watching him. He peeled the skin back and said, I think this bird is still frozen. Gretchen said I put it in the oven three hours ago and it should be done. Maxine said, did you thaw last night all the way. Gretchen said, I didn't you had to do that. Being so far from home and not having really cooked before she was still learning. We laughed a good one and she started to cry, but we told her it was ok. We called all over town and found one restaurant that was open and so we had chicken for Thanksgiving, but it was good one and when we see each other every once in a while we laugh about it. This was our turkey day. Copyright c. 1999, Johnny Rustywire, all rights reserved. --------- "RE: Del "Abe" Jones Poem: Semper Fidelis" --------- Date: Tuesday, November 08, 2005 02:37 am From: Del "Abe" Jones [abeabe@att.net] Subj: Semper Fidelis Marine Birthday - November 10 Semper Fidelis On the tenth day of November In Seventeen seventy-five Two Battalions were formed And the Marine Corps came alive. The Continental Congress Had passed a resolution For a landing force for the fleet A new Navy Institution. Since that day so long ago Through all conflicts of our Nation They've fueled stories and folklore And stirred the imagination. They're usually the first to go The "spearhead" of the fight Some who heard they were coming Have turned tail and took flight. They've offered up, gave their All And that continues to this day Standing tall, marching forth To show others, Freedom's way. Del "Abe" Jones 11-07-2005 --------- "RE: American Indian Young Adult Novel" --------- Date: Thu, 17 Nov 2005 08:54:16 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="AWARD WINNING NOVEL" http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/11/prweb310317.htm American Indian Young Adult Novel, Grand Canyon Rescue, Wins Another Book Award November 15, 2005 American Indian author Devon Mihesuah's young adult novel, Grand Canyon Rescue, has won the Arizona Writers' Association Children's Book of the Year. It previously won the Oklahoma Writers' Federation Best Young Adult Novel of the Year and was finalist for the Oklahoma Book Award. Grand Canyon Rescue is an outdoor adventure story of peril and courage that takes place in the Kaibab Forest on the Grand Canyon's North Rim. Baldwin City, KS (PRWEB) November 15, 2005 - American Indian author Devon Mihesuah's, Grand Canyon Rescue, has won the Arizona Writers' Association Children's Book of the Year. The adventure story of peril and courage that takes place in the Kaibab Forest on the Grand Canyon's North Rim has already won the Oklahoma Writers' Federation Best Young Adult Novel and was finalist for the Oklahoma Book Award. Devon Mihesuah, is Oklahoma Choctaw and the Cora Lee Beers Price Teaching Professor in International Cultural Understanding in the Center for Indigenous Nations Studies at the University of Kansas. She is author of a dozen non-fiction scholarly works and fiction stories that deal with American Indian empowerment and decolonization. She also serves as Editor of the international journal of indigenous studies, the American Indian Quarterly. "The heroine, Tuli Black Wolf, is a positive role model who Native youth can emulate," Mihesuah says. "Her mother Virginia is a nationally-known tracker and Tuli has learned about being prepared for outdoor emergencies from her. In this novel, Tuli learns about winter survival the hard way." Grand Canyon Rescue has a strong message for outdoor enthusiasts who venture into the wilderness without adequate preparation. Tuli must use her search and rescue skills to save lost hunters after an unexpected snowstorm on the Grand Canyon's North Rim. When her famous search and rescue tracker mother is called to help locate missing hunters on the rim, Tuli is allowed to go with her on the dangerous search. Although Tuli is assigned to set up camp and care for the tracking dogs, one evening while accompanying her mom on a quick search the two are separated by a rainstorm. Now alone in the great forest and in a potentially dangerous situation, Tuli must decide if she will stay put like her mother taught her to do if she became lost, or if she will utilize her knowledge of tracking and survival to embark on a hunt to find the lost men. The answer comes easy the next morning when she discovers the hunters' tracks. She locates the lost hunters, but one becomes seriously ill and they find themselves in an early snowstorm. In order to save them Tuli must embark on another trek through deep snow to find the base camp. "The men Tuli finds were not prepared for the early snow," Mihesuah says. "This is not an unrealistic situation. My husband was turkey hunting on the rim last November and his group ran into the same problem. The snow fell so quickly they didn't have time to hook up the trailer. The snow piled higher than the truck bumper so he had to leave our r.v. for two weeks until the snow melted a bit. His group got off the rim, but he is an experienced hunter and even if the truck couldn't get out, he had adequate clothes, food and fuel. The men in this story are not so prepared." "Tuli Black Wolf is a terrific role model," says Mihesuah. "This young woman is not only trying to find her identity as a tribal person, she also finds that adults don't have all the answers. Boys can learn from this story and so can adults who have forgotten what it means to be a child who knows that he or she can handle responsibility, but is not given the opportunity to prove him or herself. Tuli has always tried to live up to her mother's high expectations, but she surpasses them and doesn't even realize it." Grand Canyon Rescue is the first in an adventure series involving Tuli. Mihesuah has almost completed the second novel in the series, Bad Luck at Big Bend, and the third, Glacier Fire! Copies of Grand Canyon Rescue can be purchased through Booklocker.com. Copyright c. 1997-2005, PRWeb(TM). All Rights Reserved. --------- "RE: San Francisco's American Indian Film Festival" --------- Date: Thu, 17 Nov 2005 08:54:16 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="FILM FESTIVAL AWARD WINNERS" http://www.sfgate.com//DDGITFP1K81.DTL&feed=rss.entertainment 'Johnny Tootall,' 'Trudell,' 'Hank Williams First Nation' take Indian festival awards Delfin Vigil, Chronicle Staff Writer November 17, 2005 When the 30th edition of San Francisco's American Indian Film Festival ended last week, it evoked emotions as mixed as the many tribes it focuses on. "It was uplifting, but there was also anger along with joy, sadness and most importantly, pride," said Michael Smith, president and founder of the festival, which moved to San Francisco in 1977 after two years in Seattle. Smith, who is of Sioux descent, has watched the film festival grow from a handful of 16mm submissions to the more than 1,000 glimpses of American Indian life captured on lenses across the country and delivered to his office this year. But something is still missing. "The hope is to soon have a nationally televised American Indian films award show," said Smith. "Every ethnic group in the country has their own awards show except our people. We want to see that change." In the meantime, there was much to celebrate at the American Indian Motion Picture Awards Show that Smith hosted at the Palace of Fine Arts, where about 1,000 people gathered on Saturday. Among the winners: Best film went to "Johnny Tootall," directed by Shirley Cheechoo, about a confused Bosnian War veteran returning home to face the new battle of becoming chief of the band. Aaron James Sorensen won the best director award for his film "Hank Williams First Nation," a contemporary look at life on a remote reservation in the north of Canada. The sleeper of the festival may have been "Trudell," which took the best documentary feature award. Directed by Heather Rae, the festival opener was a biography of John Trudell, an Indian poet and musician who was one of the leaders of the 1969 takeover of Alcatraz. It was a perfect opener, according to Smith, because "Trudell is a lightning rod of energy that inspires Indian people to take charge and stand up against injustice." E-mail Delfin Vigil at dvigil@sfchronicle.com Copyright c. 2005 San Francisco Chronicle. --------- "RE: Program enhances Cultural and Academic Learning" --------- Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2005 08:38:05 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="TULE RIVER PROGRAM" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.fresnobee.com/local/sv/story/11506882p-12244450c.html After classes end Unique Tule River Indian Reservation program enhances cultural and academic learning for youngsters. By Susie Pakoua Vang / The Fresno Bee November 21, 2005 PORTERVILLE - Sixteen-year-old Adam Christman held his head low as he wailed a traditional American Indian prayer song. Sister Teresa Christman, 12, harmonized with Adam as they serenaded a group of wide-eyed youngsters in an after-school program Wednesday evening at the Tule River Indian Study Center. When the siblings had finished their performance and nodded shyly at the applause, they returned to their seats and worked diligently on math homework with others in small study groups. Adam and Teresa are among 40 children from the Tule River Indian Reservation who are enrolled at the study center, a unique after-school program that reinforces and enhances cultural and academic learning. Monday through Thursday, the tribal children from the Porterville, Ducor and Springville areas are picked up at their schools after classes end. They spend about two hours each evening working with accredited teachers on homework assignments, get a snack and have computers available. John Focke, program director of the center, said the study center is unique because of its small student-teacher ratio. While California schools are struggling to put no more than 20 students in classes, the after-school program offers tutoring sessions where one accredited teacher works with six students. "They are highly dedicated and qualified teachers," Focke said. "They have the ability to take these students where they're unable to take themselves." Tribal administrator Dave Nenna said small classes are important because students are less hesitant to ask for help. The smaller you keep it, the more effective it is," Nenna said. "When a teacher is able to ... give that individualized attention, then I think there's more of a bond established between the student and the teacher." Students not only learn at their own speed, but the familiar Native American paintings and artifacts that line the wall also make the center more inviting to students, Focke said. "When students are more comfortable, it makes them feel confident," he said. Nenna said the after-school program started when reservation leaders noticed that students were dropping out of high school. So five years ago, administrators allotted an unspecified amount of the revenue from the reservation's Eagle Mountain Casino to spearhead the center. Focke said the study center used to offer a ratio of three students per teacher, but limited funding reduced the staff in October to about seven teachers. Nenna said providing services such as the after-school program boils down to funding. "We'd love to help every single one of them, but we're limited on space and we're limited on teachers and funding," he said. The accredited teachers are paid about $25 per hour and only work with six students for a few hours each week. Nenna said the tribe hopes to bring the student-teacher ratio back to 3-1. The tribe is in the middle of applying for a program that utilizes state and federal funds to support a variety of temporary services to Indian families. Nenna said he hopes the program can eventually expand to include children outside the tribe. Focke said that the recent staff cutbacks haven't affected the program's popularity. Fifteen Tule River tribal students are on the waiting list. Students in the after-school program who have more than three unexcused absences may lose their spot. Focke said parents like the program because it keeps kids away from illegal activities, such as drugs and underage drinking. "You don't have to worry about them running all over until their parents get home," he said. The program also focuses on reaching out to younger students. About 75% of the children are in elementary school, and the remaining participants are at the middle and high school levels. Focke said studies show that if students are reading at or above grade level by the time they are in the third grade, they have a greater chance at academic success. "We're giving them the fundamentals of how to learn," such as how to take notes and where to sit in class, he said. Focke said the reservation has seen more students graduate in the past few years. He hopes that the program will continue to help more students like Adam and Teresa. In between calculating algebra problems Wednesday, Adam said that if he wasn't at the after-school program, he would probably be hanging with buddies or listening to music. "This is the only place where I can do homework," he said. Adam said he received bad grades last year, but since he joined the after-school program this year, he's passing and getting an A in at least one class. The curly-haired Porterville High School junior said he wants to be a recording engineer and make music, a dream he hopes to accomplish with the help of the center. Adam said he's hopeful because the center has already given him the confidence to be proud of his culture, especially when kids jokingly call him a "native" at school. "I tell them, 'Yeah, I'm a Native,'" Adam said. "That's where I come from. That's my culture." The reporter can be reached at svang@fresnobee.com or (559) 622-2409. Copyright c. 2005, The Fresno Bee. --------- "RE: Raising consciousness of Indigenous Issues" --------- Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2005 08:38:05 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="INDIAN AWARENESS" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.dailylobo.com//Consciousness.Of.Indigenous.Issues-1111735.shtml Raising consciousness of indigenous issues By Sunnie Redhouse Daily Lobo November 21, 2005 Native American Studies at UNM recognized issues facing indigenous people throughout the world Friday. "It was a chance to bring in indigenous people to share issues such as the struggle for land, education and the struggle against globalization," said Gregory Cajete, director of Native American Studies. "This is a rise of indigenous consciousness." The talk was part of a three-day event that took place on campus. The last event, Peacemaking in a World of Conflict, summed up key topics in previous panels and discussed resolutions that would eventually be presented to the United Nations. David Lujan, director of American Friends Service Committee-New Mexico, said the symposium is an opportunity for indigenous people to share issues facing their communities. "It's a time to look forward to the next decade of indigenous people," he said. "We wanted to stress the importance of relations to each other and creating relationships with each other." No students attended the symposium, but participants came from all over the world, including Colombia, Peru, Panama, Hawaii, Alaska, South America and Central America. Issues concerning many indigenous people in the United States included rights to land and water. Shannon Rivers, of the Akimel O'otham people from Arizona, said the issues discussed are essential to the declaration presented to the United Nations. The U.N. General Assembly declared Jan. 1 the beginning of the Second International Decade of the World's Indigenous Peoples. The focus of the declaration is to strengthen international cooperation for solving problems indigenous people have within their communities, according to a U. N. General Assembly report. Problems and possible solutions were made by participants and panelists at the symposium. They will be compiled and presented to the United Nations. A specific date was not given for the presentation. The document will be forwarded to participants in the symposium, communities affected and other national governments and international institutions. "One of the biggest issues we have is with our land rights and our water rights," Rivers said. "Now that we know we have these issues in our communities, we have to take it to an international and national level." With the help of translators, many panelists who spoke only Spanish were able to share issues about their communities. One visitor included Mino Eusebio Castro of Peru. He said communication with peers and the government is an important aspect in getting indigenous people's concerns heard. "We have to be able to communicate equal to equal," he said. "We shouldn't have to ask for the right of the earth. It is ours. We inherited it." Eusebio Castro spoke about the difference in governments he called horizontal government and vertical government. The horizontal government, he said, is one that includes civilians in its talks. The vertical government excludes and alienates civilians. "We still have a lot of work to do," he said. "We are visualizing what the future will look like. Our spirituality is where our culture comes from and where we get the strength to move on." Cajete gave credit to the American Friends Service Committee and other organizations in putting together the event. Copyright c. 2004 Daily Lobo, University of New Mexico. --------- "RE: Quiet Life ideal for nine People, one Dog" --------- Date: Mon, 20 Nov 2005 08:42:04 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="TEACHING UTE" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.sltrib.com/ci_3235800?rss Quiet life ideal for nine people, one dog in Bonanza By Greg Lavine The Salt Lake Tribune November 20, 2005 FORT DUCHESNE - All through the school day, Venita Taveapont drops little phrases in her native Ute language. If someone raises a hand, the Uintah River High School teacher might say "tah," which translates to "go ahead." Should a student at the Fort Duchesne charter school say something inappropriate, Taveapont could come back with "kahchuhmyup," which loosely means "don't say that." Some of her students from the Uintah and Ouray Reservation recognize such phrases. But those without Ute-speaking parents will often ask what the words mean, then acquire an addition to their vocabulary. Taveapont came by the language naturally, growing up in the 1950s among her extended Ute-speaking family. She didn't learn English until she started going to school. For any number of reasons, today's Ute children learn English first, then maybe pick up bits of their ancestors' language at home. It's Taveapont's mission to make sure the Ute language is never silenced. Such efforts to revive the tribe's native language are among the ways Uintah County is exploring its past as well as its future. On the other side of the county, a third-generation family of ranchers is working to preserve their dying way of life. And once again, it's boom time in the county as drilling companies sink wells deep beneath the rocky terrain in search of the organic material that over millions of years has transformed into oil. Taveapont considers herself lucky to have learned her native tongue in the small community of White-rocks, in western Uintah County, from her grandparents. "It's very important," she says, "because how we learn language is to be exposed to it at an early age." In the 1970s, she watched the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development create policies that blocked the passage of Ute tradition from generation to generation. While she grew up in a home with an array of relatives, each HUD house could only have a mother, father and children. Grandparents and other relatives went to other homes. "They really ripped up our language learning and cultural learning," Taveapont says. "We didn't have our natural language teachers." While HUD since has changed these policies, Ute youth today are immersed more than ever in English, thanks to the onslaught of cable TV, popular music, movies and video games. Out of about 3,500 enrolled members of the reservation, about 320 can speak fluently, and most of them are 40 and older. As the oldest speakers pass on, a bit of Ute culture dies with them. Progress has been slow, in part because of resistance from tribal elders who remember being punished for speaking Ute at boarding schools. Elders didn't make recordings, or write down their language, in part because the government would know what they were saying. "They said, 'the white person has taken everything away from us,' " Taveapont says as she takes off her rose-tinted glasses to wipe away a tear. " 'We don't want them to take our language away too.' " Taveapont has helped convince elders that writing down their language, along with videotaping, will help preserve it for future generations of Utes. Various elders are helping Taveapont create a Ute dictionary as well as a unified grammar structure. While the 60 Uintah River High students who take three years of Ute is a start, more tribe members must begin to "nooahpahguh" - speak Ute. "What they don't realize is that if they don't use it," Taveapont says, "it's not going to last forever." Copyright c. 2005, The Salt Lake Tribune. --------- "RE: Upcoming Events" --------- Date: Mon November 21, 2005 15:33:54 -0700 From: Gary Smith (gars@speakeasy.org) Subj: Upcoming Events =+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+= EVENTS ARE FEATURED IN ODD NUMBERED ISSUES ONLY =+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+= ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//- Notice of Copyright Clearance by Contributors: The following have granted permission for their original articles to be reposted in order to help mend the Sacred Hoop: Gary Smith, Bill McAllister, Indian Trust ListServ, Peter Webster, Frosty Deere, Kahentinetha Horn, Barbara Landis, Janet Smith, Johnny Rustywire, Debbie Sanders, Del "Abe" Jones --//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//- _ __ __ _ / | / /___ _/ /_(_) __ __ / |/ / __ \ __/ / | / / _ \ / /| / /_/ / /_/ /| |/ / __/ /_/ |_/\__,_/\__/_/ |___/\___/ ______ _ / ____/____ ___ __________(_)___ ____ _____ / / / ___/ __ \/ ___/ ___/ / __ \/ __ \/ ___/ / /___/ / / /_/ /__ /__ / / / / / /_/ /__ / \____/_/ \____/____/____/_/_/ /_/\__, /____/ Volume 13, Issue 048 /____/ November 26, 2005 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: Harriet M. Alicea" --------- Date: Wed, 16 Nov 2005 09:02:14 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="HARRIET M. ALICEA" http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com//511160455/1212/GPGnews Harriet M. Alicea November 16, 2005 Harriet M. Alicea, 73, Oneida, went peacefully to be with the Lord Monday afternoon Nov. 14, 2005, at a local hospital. She was born Sept. 24, 1932, in Green Bay to the late George and Hilda (Doxtator) Skenandore. On Dec. 31, 1952, she married Rafael Alicea. Harriet was employed by the Seymour School District as a Native American Student Advocate for many years. She also served as a local Pastor at the Oneida United Methodist Church following her retirement. Harriet also enjoyed gardening and fishing as well as spending time with her family. Survivors include her children and grandchildren, Glory (Dean) LaFlex, Green Bay, and their children, Justin (Natalie) Battershield, Jason Battershield, Mattanah and Kayla LaFlex; Rafael G. Alicea, Green Bay and his children, Ryan, Ashlee, and Alex; Juan (Glynis) Alicea, Seymour, and their children, Maria, Antonio, and Jose; Ana (Ricardo) Balbuena, Green Bay; Hilda (Michael) Wisneski, Green Bay and their children, Brandon, Sara, and Cody; Tonya (Leon) Boucher, Green Bay, and their children, Eric and Bryan. Harriet is further survived by her sister, Karen Skenandore; her brother, Phillip (Dorothy) Skenandore; her sister-in-law, Betty Skenandore; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 52 years, Rafael, on Feb. 22, 2005. Harriet was further preceded in death by her brother, Anthony Skenandore Sr., and her sister and brother-in-law, Irene (Royalton) Cornelius. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday (TODAY) at the RYAN FUNERAL HOME, 305 N. Tenth St., De Pere, with the Oneida Hymn Singers at 6:30 p.m. and a church prayer service at 7 p.m. led by Rev. Julio Alavardo. Visitation will continue after 10 a.m. Thursday at Meadowbrook Church 701 Hillcrest Heights, Green Bay, until the time of service at 11 a.m. with Pastor Mark Klaisner officiating. Burial to follow at the Oneida United Methodist Church Cemetery. Please go to www.ryanfh.com to express online condolences to the family. The family requests instead of floral and plant donations memorials are preferred to the HARRIET ALICEA SCHOLARSHIP FUND C/O Oneida United Methodist Church N6037 Cty. Rd. E, De Pere, Wi. 54115. Copyright c. 2005 Green Bay Press-Gazette, a Gannett Company. --------- "RE: Donna Waiter" --------- Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2005 08:38:05 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="DONNA WAITER" http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096411951 Boston elder passe November 21, 2005 by: Gale Courey Toensing / Indian Country Today Community raises funds for funeral expenses BOSTON - The Native American Indian Center of Boston is seeking donations to help pay for the funeral of a beloved community member who passed recently. Donna Waiter, 69, was enrolled in the White Earth Chippewa Tribe under her maiden name of Donna Lorraisen. She succumbed to complications of diabetes on Nov. 8. Waiter is survived by a daughter, Edie; a granddaughter, Alexandria; and two great-grandchildren. Her son, Michael Little Wolf, died about five years ago. Waiter moved to Chicago from the White Earth reservation in Minnesota, got married and moved to Boston in the early 1950s. She had a series of jobs in Boston, including as an executive housekeeper at Quality Inn, an employee at a movie theater and a cook at a Greek restaurant. Waiter was a longtime community member in the Forest Hills area of Boston and was closely associated with the North American Indian Center of Boston, beginning as a volunteer during the center's formative years in the early 1970s. She used the center's transportation and health services, and her children used its employment and training services. She was involved with and well-known in the American Indian community in Boston, said Barbara Namias, director of NAICOB's Community Health Program. "Everybody at NAICOB knew her. Donna was always laughing. She was positive. She used to love to go to flea markets and sell at flea markets. She would brighten up the place. If somebody was down, she'd tell some jokes or some stories from the old days and brighten up everybody's spirits. I miss her smile. I miss her laugh," Namias said. Community members and NAICOB friends are working to raise more than $5, 000 to cover the family's funeral expenses because Waiter died without any savings or life insurance, Namias said. Some money is already pledged. The White Earth Reservation will donate $200 and NAICOB will contribute $100. Checks can be made out to Alexandria Waiter and mailed to Native American Center of Boston, attn: Barbara Namias, 105 S. Huntington Ave., Jamaica Plain, MA 02130. Copyright c. 1998-2005 Indian Country Today. All Rights Reserved. --------- "RE: Talmadge Davis" --------- Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2005 08:38:05 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="TALMADGE DAVIS" http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096411952 Award-winning artist dies at 43 by: Patti Jo King November 21, 2005 TAHLEQUAH, Okla. - Talmadge Davis, an award-winning artist whose paintings evoked powerful emotions and a deep appreciation for his artwork, passed away Nov. 3 after suffering a massive heart attack. He was 43 years old. Born in Oklahoma to Robert (Bob) Lee and Patricia L. (Horton) Davis on May 30, 1962 in McAlester, Okla., he spent his childhood in Crowder, Eufaula, and Tahlequah, Okla. After high school in Kerrville, Texas, Davis' service in the U.S. Army from 1982 - '87 included a stint in Germany with the Special Forces. After relocating to Tahlequah he actively pursued his passion for art, and began painting full time in 1998. Since 2000, after winning a number of first place and Best in Show prizes, his paintings were exhibited as a part of the annual art show at Cherokee Heritage Center. The driving force behind his art was the preservation of Cherokee culture and ancient history. Although he never formally studied art, Davis was given the title "Master Artist" by the Five Civilized Tribes Museum. He was also the recipient of many art show awards throughout the country, including Tulsa Indian Festival; Wichita Indian Market; Southwest Classic Art Show; and a multiple winner for Best in Category and Peoples' Choice at the Cherokee Heritage Center. In addition, he was awarded the Cherokee Medal of Honor for raising awareness about Cherokee National heritage in the mainstream. At the 29th annual Trail of Tears Art Show in 2000, Davis took home the People's Choice Award as well as the Best of Division Award for his painting entitled "Walkabout - A Warrior's Spirit." He also received an honorable mention for his work entitled, "How Far Must We Walk before We're Home." In 2002, at a showing of more than 300 works of fine art, Davis took the Grand Award at the 31st Annual Trail of Tears Art Show for his stunning painting, "The Headdress." The Bank of Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Arts Council, the show's sponsors, awarded him $1,500 in prize money for the piece. Davis always used real people as models for his work, and found inspiration for at least one of his award winners in a Vietnam War veteran. "Billy Walkabout is a full-blood Cherokee who was the most decorated Native American in the Vietnam War," explained Davis. "His story speaks to generations of history among Cherokee warriors." Davis also used Cherokee culture and art to break down barriers. He summed up his work this way: "When I paint, I'm not trying to tell people a story; I want them to see the people. Once you get to know someone, you don't see skin color anymore. People are visual. If they see something that's culturally correct it'll stick in their minds a lot better. What I'm trying to do is reintroduce an ancient culture and heritage, pre- Columbus," he said. "We had a rich heritage long before the Trail of Tears, but we've forgotten what we used to be. I try to emphasize our tradition and who we were, not who we turned out to be." In his work, Davis utilized traditional Cherokee images to create an understanding of where the Cherokee people once were in order to help them understand where they are now. "We need to have pride in our past to have faith in our future," he often said. Copyright c. 1998-2005 Indian Country Today. All Rights Reserved --------- "RE: Freddie Knife" --------- Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2005 08:38:05 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="FREDDIE KNIFE" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2005/11/21/news/local/news02.txt Friends remember Freddie Knife By Kevin Woster, Journal Staff Writer November 21, 2005 Somewhere out on the sprawling Cheyenne River Indian Reservation this week, young boys and young girls will gather under rusted metal basketball hoops to fire up a tribute to Freddie Knife. Most will do so unwittingly, of course, hardly aware as they sink a three-pointer or double-clutch in the air on a reverse lay-up that a 65- year-old man who died Friday at Rapid City Regional Hospital lives on in the very muscle of the game they love. Freddie Knife will most commonly be remembered as the silky smooth, 6- foot-2-inch forward of inestimable potential who led the Cheyenne Agency Braves to the 1959 state Class A basketball title in Huron, then descended into what some might label the obscure failure of isolation and alcohol. There is truth in that, but those who knew him best say it hardly tells the real story of Freddie Knife. "I try to overlook all that other stuff," said 81-year-old Gus Kolb, who coached Knife and his Braves to the 1959 title and maintained a close relationship over the years. "He was such a nice, quiet guy. There were so many outside influences for Freddie. Some of them thought it was cute to give him a bottle and try to drown his sorrows." But none of those influences or their obvious effects could change the soft-spoken, gentle man who Freddie Knife was at heart, Kolb said Sunday from his home in Mission, Texas. Nor could they diminish the impact Knife had on American Indian basketball and the spirit of reservation people. With a mesmerizing combination of uncanny instinct and unsurpassed physical skill, Knife did more than help his team win a state title. He elevated basketball on the reservation from a simple exercise in sport to an elegant, cultural art form introducing ballet-like moves that are still being imitated, with varying degrees of success, today. "He did things with a basketball that I'd never seen before," Kolb said. "He had so many different, tricky moves. Nobody'd seen those moves before. And it seemed like every night he came up with a new one." Knife was a shy, slender freshman when Kolb moved from a coaching job at Ree Heights out to the collection of school buildings and a "cracker-box" gym at the Cheyenne Agency along the Missouri River west of Gettysburg. The gym was so small that Kolb arranged to use the gymnasiums in Gettysburg and even Mobridge for most of the Braves home games. Those moves gave up a substantial home-court advantage, but Kolb didn't believe it was fair to bring teams into a packed gym with a less-than- regulation-sized court. And it didn't matter anyway, he said, because the Braves soon developed a loyal following willing to travel long distances to watch their team play. "We'd go to Mobridge or Gettysburg, and the Indian people would be lining up outside, waiting for the doors to open," Kolb said. "It really was an enormous following." The team finished third in the state in 1958. And in 1959, Knife was the most gifted of an unusually talented starting five that included Eugene Red Bird, Robert Mandan, Melvin Bagola and Chester Condon. "I had five really good ballplayers. They were all about 6-1 or 6-2. They could all shoot and handle the ball. And they were all team players," Kolb said. "We played a zone press that nobody knew anything about, and it really fouled teams up. Any of my starters could score. And they all did." But none scored with the artistry of Freddie Knife, nor could they quite match him in the way he captured the hearts of fans. That showed in the second-round state B game against Plankinton, after the Braves built a big enough lead for Kolb to pull his starters. "We never liked to run up the score on anybody. My boys understood that," he said. But when one of the reserves fouled out, Kolb had to send a starter back in. And the fans began to chant for Freddie Knife. "They just loved Freddie. And they wanted to see him play," Kolb said. "The whole arena was yelling for him the opposing side and everybody. It was fantastic and unbelievable." It was also too good to last. Knife's junior year was his last with the Braves. He turned 20 that summer, passing the age limit set by the state to participate in high-school sports. Kolb said Knife returned to school for a time the next fall but soon left to travel with a touring Indian basketball team. "I wanted him to stay there and get his education, but he got paid to play. He went with the money," Kolb said. "They toured all over the states." Knife traveled with that team and also played for a number of years with former Braves' teammates in Indian tournaments in South Dakota and other states. Keeler Condon, a freshman for the Braves during the 1959 title run, also played with Knife on the independent squad. Condon, now a 64-year-old tribal councilman for Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, remembers how Knife taught him to always pay attention on the court. "You had to be very careful, because he always knew where you were and could pass the ball without looking," Condon said. "We were on a fast break once, and I was making a bee line down the floor, and he bounced a pass off my head. We all laughed about that. And it taught me, you better keep your eye on Freddie." Condon did that as much as he could over the years. The teammates remained friends and would often get together and remember the good times of the past. "He sure liked to reminisce. He'd always brag me up to my boys and relatives," Condon said. "He'd say, `Hey, I always wanted to rebound, but you never missed a shot.' We had some laughs, all right." After his active basketball days, Knife would still show up on ragged basketball courts throughout the reservation to shoot with teenagers. And he was a frequent visitor at high-school games, where players almost always knew that the great player was in the stands. Condon said Knife could have played for any college team. But that wasn't the path his life was to take. "If he'd had more help, maybe he could have graduated and played somewhere," Condon said. "The main thing was back then, there just didn't seem to be any money. With more of a chance, I think a lot of our ballplayers could have made it at college." Instead, Knife remained on the reservation and slipped into a far-less- known or inspirational existence. He worked day jobs as a common laborer, lived with a brother in a modest house on family land, drank too much and showed up in Faith typically on foot when he had some money to spend. Knife never married, never had a family and never fulfilled the potential that many expected of him. Even so, he will be remembered for what he did accomplish, Condon said. "They're saying already, `Well, we lost our legend,'" he said. Friends, family and those who simply knew of the legend will gather in formal services this week for Freddie Knife as the reservation says goodbye. "We'll have a wake for him," Condon said. "People will get up and reminisce about Freddie." But those services won't end the observance of this legend's life, imperfect as it was. That celebration will continue across the reservation - on dirt and tile, concrete and wood - whenever young players loft ball- shaped joy at the elevated hoop where Freddie Knife's spirit will live forever. Contact Kevin Woster at 394-8413 or kevin.woster@rapidcityjournal.com Copyright c. 2005 Rapid City Journal. --------- "RE: Crossings" --------- Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2005 08:17:31 -0600 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="CROSSINGS" November 15, 2005 William George Faircloth Lumberton William "Bill" George Faircloth, 75, of 530 Linwood Ave., died Nov. 12, 2005, on Old Whiteville Road. The funeral will be 3 p.m. Tuesday at Floyd Memorial Chapel, the Rev. Ron Page officiating. Burial will follow in Floyd Memory Gardens. Faircloth was a member of the Burnt Island Hunting Club and was an avid hunter and fisherman. Surviving are his wife, Gladys Faircloth of the home; two sons, Jim C. Faircloth and his wife, Sarah, and Gary E. Faircloth, all of Lumberton; three daughters, Billie Jo Driggers and her husband, P.C., Denise F. Bellamy and her husband, Troy, and Terri L. Carter and her husband, Timmy, all of Lumberton; a brother, Carlos "Pete" Faircloth of Sunset Beach; two sisters, Hazel Ellis of Chester, S.C., and Virginia Bullins of Wilmington; 14 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and two special friends, Robert Sell and Raymond Hamilton. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 tonight at Floyd Mortuary and Crematory in Lumberton. November 17, 2005 Herman Lee Lowery Lumberton Herman Lee Lowery, 63, of 252 Beam Road, died Nov. 12, 2005, at Southeastern Regional Medical Center. The funeral will be 3 p.m. Wednesday at Tabernacle Baptist Church, the Revs. Henry W. Oxendine, Josh Oxendine and Waylon Anderson officiating. Burial will follow at the Oxendine Cemetery on Oak Grove Church Road. He was born in Robeson County on Feb. 26, 1942, a son of the late Joe and Ossiree Jacobs Lowery. He was a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church. Surviving are his wife, Barbara Ann Lowery of the home; two sons, Danny Lowery and his wife, Gina, of Bowie, Md,. and John Paul Lowery and his wife, Tara Locklear, of Lumberton; two daughters, Robin Lowery and her husband, Johnny, and Barbara Jacobs, and her husband, Jimmy, all of Lumberton; two brothers, James Jacobs of Fairmont and Charles Lowery of Lumberton; six sisters, Lois Oxendine, Betty Joyce Oxendine, Helen Oxendine, Deloris Dimery, Linda R. Clark, all of Lumberton and Doris Hunt of Fairmont; five grandchildren, Brent Oxendine, Mandi Hunt, Sheyanne Lowery, Helena Cummings and Riley Lowery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 tonight at Revels Funeral Home in Lumberton. Quilina Miranda Locklear Maxton Quilina Miranda Locklear, 33, of 719 Onnie Joe Road, died Nov. 11, 2005, at Southeastern Regional Medical Center. The funeral will be 3 p.m. Wednesday at Prospect United Methodist Church in Maxton, the Revs. Dr. Kenneth Locklear, Carlos N. Arce and Terry Hunt officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery. Surviving are her husband, Dale Lamar Locklear of Maxton; a daughter, Faye Alejandrina Locklear of Maxton; a son, Master William Miranda of Maxton; her father, Juventino Miranda Gaspar of Red Springs; her mother, Alejandrina Cabrera Macadonio of Mexico City; two sisters, Paula Miranda Cabrera and Maria Miranda Cabera, both of Red Springs; and two brothers, Marcos Miranda Cabrera and Moises Miranda Cabrera, both of Red Springs. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 tonight at Thompson's Funeral Home in Pembroke. Barbara Locklear Lee Lumberton Barbara Locklear Lee, 56, of 170 Cline St., died Nov. 15, 2005, at her home. The funeral will be 4 p.m. Thursday at Benson Chapel Baptist Church, the Rev. Prather Sampson officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery. She was preceded in death by her parents, Wilbert and Margie Locklear. Surviving are her husband, Robert E. Lee of the home; two sons, Jamie Locklear of the home and Heath Locklear of Pembroke; a daughter, Amy Hunt of Lumberton; three sisters, Doris Oxendine and Eleise Oxendine, both of Fairmont, and Judy Jacobs of Rowland; five grandchildren, Brittany, Jessica, Dakota, Trenton and Christopher. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 tonight at Floyd Funeral Services in Fairmont and other times at the home at 170 Cline St., Lumberton. Copyright c. 2005 The Robesonian, Lumberton, NC. -=-=-=- November 15, 2005 Ronald Locklear LAURINBURG - Ronald Locklear, 50, of Laurinburg, died Saturday, Nov. 12, 2005, in his home. Mr. Locklear was a mechanic. Services: Funeral, 1 p.m. Wednesday in Richard Boles Funeral Service chapel in Laurinburg. Burial in Wright's Creek Baptist Church cemetery in Cheraw, S.C. Visitation: 6 to 8 tonight at the funeral home. Survived by: Son, Andrew; mother, Thelma; brothers, J.D. and Glenn; sisters, Anna Thompson and Gean; and a grandchild. Quilina M. Locklear MAXTON - Mrs. Quilina Miranda Locklear, 33, of 719 Onnie Joe Road, died Friday, Nov. 11, 2005, in Southeastern Regional Medical Center in Lumberton. Services: Funeral, 3 p.m. Wednesday in Prospect United Methodist Church. Burial in church cemetery. Visitation: 7 to 9 tonight at Thompson's Funeral Home in Pembroke. Survived by: Husband, Dale; son, William; daughter, Faye; father, Juventino Gaspar; mother, Alejandrina Macedonio; brothers, Marcos Cabrera and Moises Cabrera; and sisters, Paula Cabrera and Maria Cabrera. Herman L. Lowery LUMBERTON - Herman Lee Lowery, 63, of 253 Beam Road, died Saturday, Nov. 12, 2005, in Southeastern Regional Medical Center. Services: Funeral, 3 p.m. Wednesday in Tabernacle Baptist Church. Burial in Oxendine Cemetery. Revels Funeral Home of Lumberton. Survived by: Wife, Barbara; sons, Danny and John; daughters, Barbara Jacobs and Robin; brothers, James Jacobs and Charles; sisters, Lois Oxendine, Betty Oxendine, Helen Oxendine, Deloris Dimery, Linda Clark and Doris Hunt; and five grandchildren. November 21, 2005 Christian E. Oxendine PEMBROKE - Miss Christian Elizabeth Oxendine, infant daughter of James and Shanda Oxendine, of 103 Britton Farm Road, died Saturday, Nov. 19, 2005, in Duke University Medical Center in Durham. Services: Funeral, 2:30 p.m. Tuesday in Mount Airy Baptist Church. Burial in Oxendine Cemetery. Locklear & Son Funeral Home of Pembroke. Survived by: Brothers, Jacoda Jones and J.R. Copyright c. 2005 The Fayetteville (N.C.) Observer. -=-=-=- November 17, 2005 Jeffrey Baron Owle Cherokee - Jeffrey Baron Owle, 44, formerly of Cherokee, died Sunday, Nov. 13 2005, in York, S.C. A Native of Swain County, he was the son of Evanell Frady Owle of York and Mac Owle of Cherokee. In addition to his parents he is survived by two sons, Brandon Lee Owle of RockHill, S.C., Charles D. Owle of Lexington, N.C.; brother, Keith Owle of York; four grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and special cousins. The funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Thursday at Bethabara Baptist Church with the Revs. Charles Ray Ball and Mitchell Smiley officiating. Burial will be in Birdtown Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Crisp Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. November 21, 2005 Wesley Powell Cherokee - Our beloved Wesley, husband, father, grandfather and great- grandfather, has taken the journey to be with the Lord. Born March 31, 1940, he was a native and lifelong resident of Jackson County. Wesley worked for White Shield/Barclay for 23 years and was currently teaching the Cherokee language at Smokey Mountain Elementary School and a community class at American Legion Post 143. He also did a lot of work with Bo Taylor at Cherokee Indian Museum. He served in the Army National Guard for seven years during the Vietnam War and was an active member of American Legion Steve Youngdeer Post 143. Wesley was preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin "Possum" Powell and Marjorie Wallace and belated wife, Annie Queen Powell. Surviving are his wife of six years, Anna Powell; son, Adam Powell of the home; daughter, Doris Arch and her husband, Roger, of Cherokee; sister, Dorothy Powell Swimmer of Cherokee; grandchildren, Andy, LeChay, Kayla and Joseph Arch; great-grandchildren, Braylon Arch, Donnavin Groenewold, Judiah and Priest Littlejohn; several nieces and nephews; and also children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren that he has taken into the home and heart; the daughter's mother, Margret Reed of Cherokee. The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at Macedonia Baptist Church, of which he was a member, with the Revs. Bo Parris, Jonathan Revis and Wayne Carson officiating. Burial will be in Powell Family Cemetery with full military rites by Steve Youngdeer Post 143, of which he was a member. The body was taken to the church at 4 p.m. Sunday to receive friends and await the service hour. Melton-Riddle Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Copyright c. 2005 Asheville Citizen-Times. -=-=-=- November 15, 2005 Sidney William Jones Sidney William Jones, of Cass Lake, died on Friday, Nov. 11, 2005, at his home. A funeral was held at 2 p.m. Monday at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Cass Lake with the Rev. George Ross officiating. A wake began at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Veteran's Memorial Building in Cass Lake and continued until the time of service Monday at the church. Burial was in the family cemetery. The Cease Family Funeral Home in Cass Lake assisted the family with arrangements. November 16, 2005 Eliza Kay (Defoe) Kingbird Eliza Kay (Defoe) Kingbird, 50, of Red Lake, MN, died Monday, November 14, 2005 in Red Lake, MN at her home. Arrangements are pending with the Cease Family Funeral Home of Bemidji. Funeral services will be 10:00 am Saturday, November 19, 2005 at St. Mary's Mission Catholic church with Father Pat Sullivan officiating. A wake will begin at 11:00 am Thursday, November 17, 2005 at the Red Lake Center in Red Lake, MN and continue until the time of the service. Interment will be at the St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Red Lake, MN under the direction of the Cease Family Funeral Home of Bemidji. She was born on September 12, 1955, in Red Lake, MN, the daughter of Benedict Beaulieu Sr. and Priscilla Defoe. She was raised and educated in Red Lake, MN. She was a homemaker, devoted her time to raising her kids, along with a granddaughter Megan Defoe, and a grandson Tyrone Schoenborn. She married Milton Kingbird on August 13, 2002 in Red Lake, MN. She enjoyed spending time with her family, going to the casino, and visiting her many friends. She is survived by her husband, Milton Kingbird of Red Lake, MN; Mother, Priscilla Defoe of Red Lake, MN; Son, Keith Defoe of Red Lake, MN; Daughters, Deanna Defoe of Red Lake, MN; Leah Defoe of Red Lake, MN; Brothers, Keith (Jackie) Defoe of Red Lake, MN; Patrick (Lisa) Defoe Sr. of Red Lake, MN; Michael Defoe Sr. of Minneapolis, MN; Sheldon Defoe Sr. of Red Lake, MN; Sisters, Kathy Defoe of Red Lake, MN; Melvina (Frank) Defoe of Red Lake, MN; Stepfather, Melvin Weise; 4 Grandsons and 1 Granddaughter, numerous nieces, and nephews. She was preceded in death by: her grandparents, her father Benedict Beaulieu Sr., sister Sandra Holstein, brothers Rodney Defoe, David Defoe, Richard Defoe, Daniel Defoe, and Benedict Beaulieu Jr. Casketbearers will be: Keith W. Defoe, Patrick Defoe Sr., Sheldon Defoe Sr., Michael Defoe Sr., Mitch C. Kingbird, Richard Defoe Jr., Bryan T. Beaulieu, Michael S. Beaulieu, Michael F. Beaulieu, and Billy Jack Schoenborn. Honorary Casketbearers will be: Mary Ellen Cook, Mary Omen-Cook, Alberta Senogles, Kathy Chaboyea, Karen McNeal-Ramirez, Rita Lussier, Darlene "Wooda" Needham, LaRayne Kingbird, Rosalee Hill, Ramona Lussier, Rosalee Jourdain, Diane Morrison, Shirley Jourdain, Darlene Jourdain, Cheri Goodwin, Connie Defoe, Angela (Randy) Johnson, Kari Lynn Cook, Barbara Beaulieu, Pamela Beaulieu, Kelly Lee Defoe, and Emily Parkhurst, Melba Roy and Eddie Cook. Ardelle "Katie" Tikanye Ardelle "Katie" Tikanye, 45 of Bemidji, formerly of Redby, MN died Tuesday, November 15, 2005 at the Fairview University Medical Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. Funeral services will be 1:00 pm Saturday, November 19, 2005 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Red Lake with Rev. Pat Sullivan officiating. A wake will be held at the Redby Center on Thursday, November 17, 2005 afternoon and go until the time of service on Saturday. Interment will be at the St. Mary's Church Cemetery in Red Lake under the direction of the Cease Family Funeral Home of Bemidji. She was born November 28, 1959 in Redby, MN the daughter of McKinley and Marcella Auginash, Sr. She attended St. Mary's Mission School in Red Lake, Red Lake Elementary School, Red Lake High School, Flandreau Indian School and Metropolitan Community College in Minneapolis, MN. On February 14, 1998 she married Jonathan Tikanye in Redby, MN and they resided in Bemidji, MN. She loved spending time with her grandchildren, daughter Jana, mother, family and friends and going to casinos. She loved to cook and was known for her fry bread. She was a homemaker, grandmother and loving wife. She is survived by her husband of Bemidji; Daughter: Jana of Bemidji; 3 grandchildren of Bemidji; Mother: Marcella Auginash of Redby; 3 brothers: Darrell (Corrine) Auginash of Bemidji; McKinley (Phyllis) Auginash, Jr. of Redby; Fred (Bridget) Auginash of Redby; 4 sisters: Roxanne (Darrell) Johnson of Redby; Mary (Tom) Charnoski of Redby; Trudy (Darryl) Kingbird of Redby; Susan Auginash of Duluth; And several nieces and nephews She was preceded in death by father and maternal and paternal grandparents. Honorary Casketbearers will be RoseAnn Cournoyer, Bridget Auginash, Jill Donnell, Tanya Auginash, Linda Benson, Ruth Auginash, Rhonda Wipf, Sharon Cook and alternates Tamera Charnoski, Darilyn Johnson, Jessica Johnson and Brooke Auginash. Active Casketbearers will be Jared M. Johnson, Harrison Juarez, Frederick Auginash, Andrew Auginash, Tom Charnoski, Jr., Chad Auginash, Kevin Cook and Mitchell J. Johnson and alternates Travis Juarez, Robin Auginash and Ryan Auginash. Copyright c. 2005 Red Lake Net News. -=-=-=- November 9, 2005 William L. "Les" McDougall William L. "Les" McDougall, 72, of rural Rochert, died Oct. 20 at his home under Hospice care. William Lester McDougall was born March 20, 1933 in Detroit Lakes to George and Dorothy (Schooler) McDougall. He was raised and educated in Detroit Lakes. Les served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. Following his discharge from the Army he returned to Detroit Lakes. During his working life he had been a carpenter in the building trades. Les is survived by his daughter, Natalie (Eugene Jr. "Bugger") McArthur of Ogema; one brother, Douglas (Carol) McDougall of Detroit Lakes; three grandchildren: Nathan Greenlaw of Minneapolis, Melissa Greenlaw of New York, Raimy (Erin) Rhodes of Detroit Lakes; three greatgrandchildren: Hannah Rhodes, Jackson Rhodes, and Stella Rhodes. He was preceded in death by one brother, Duane McDougall. The funeral service was Oct. 22 at the David-Donehower Funeral Home in Detroit Lakes. Interment: Egeland Cemetery in rural Detroit Lakes. Arrangements: David-Donehower Funeral Home of Detroit Lakes. David Michael Croud David Michael Croud passed away on Oct. 18 at St. Mary's Hospital Hospice with his family by his side. He was born on May 22, 1976 and was a member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe. David attended Fond du Lac Ojibwe School and finished high school at the Area Learning Center. David enjoyed music, reading, doing artwork and spending time with family and friends. He is survived by his mother Sylvia Croud, children: Elliot Croud, River Croud, David Croud Jr. and Natasha Croud; their mother Laura Morrison; brother, James (Kim) Croud; sister Janina Croud; nephews, Daniel Buckanaga, and Justin Croud and niece, Sheree Croud. David faced many difficulties in life and did his best to overcome those obstacles. He will be greatly missed by his family and "friends and remembered for his good heart, easy going manner and sense of humor. The funeral service was held on Oct. 22 at the St. Edward's Episcopal Church in Duluth. A private family interment will be in White Earth at a later date. Arrangements: Handevidt Funeral & Cremation Service of Cloquet. Joan Lucille (Goodman) Ovaldson Joan Lucille (Goodman) Ovaldson, 51, of Mahnomen, Oct. 24 at Mahnomen Health Center. Joan was born Dec. 11, 1953, in White Earth, to Joseph and Esther (Ahbedaush) Goodman. She grew up on the Iron Range, where she attended school. Joan also attended school at Pine Point. Joan moved to Minneapolis, where she was very involved with AIM; and in 1993, moved to Detroit Lakes. She moved to Mahnomen area and began working at the casino in 1998. On July 19, 2002, Joan was united in marriage to Earl Ovaldson. They made their home in Mahnomen. Recently, Joan's health forced her to retire. She loved spending time with her grandchildren, playing Yahtzee with her husband, Earl, spending time at the casino, visiting with friends and relatives, and living happily `til the Great Spirit called her name. Joan is survived by her beloved husband, Earl, of Mahnomen; mother, Esther Goodman, of Mahnomen; mother-in-law, Ruby Ovaldson, of Mahnomen; children: Aaron Goodman (Liz), of Twin Valley, Shy Basswood (Heather Heinonen), of Detroit Lakes, Michelle (Goodman) Walker (Otha), of Fargo, and Vanessa Goodman, of Mahnomen; 13 grandchildren: Shyenne Basswood Jr., Isaac Basswood, Shyla Basswood, Tayon Walker, Tyreak Walker, Tanisha Walker, Trishelle Walker, Tibas Walker, Aaron Goodman, Eric Goodman, Andrea Johnson, James Johnson, and Levi Johnson; brothers, Joseph Goodman Jr. (Barbara), of Hinckley, Michael Goodman (Shannon) of Mahnomen; sisters, Char (Ahbedaush) Lee (Errol Ovaldson), of Mahnomen, and Mary Lou Hernandez, of Washington; aunts including, Susie Butcher, of White Earth and Frances "Goodman" Anderson, Park Rapids; uncles including, Melvin Goodman and Steven Goodman; nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her father, Joseph Goodman; brother, Bobby Goodman; sister, Shelley Brown; aunts, Margaret Hanks and Mary Jane Goodman; uncles, Benjamin Goodman and Clifford Goodman. Funeral services were Oct. 28 at White Earth Assemblies of God Church. Interment: Calvary Cemetery in White Earth. Arrangements: Mattson Funeral Home of Mahnomen. Kenneth L. Conklin Kenneth L. Conklin, 55, of Detroit Lakes, died Nov. 1 at St. Mary's Regional Health Center in Detroit Lakes. Kenneth LeRoy "Big Bear" Conklin Sr. was born April 23, 1950 in White Earth to Raymond and Doris M. (Big Bear) Conklin. He grew up in Osage and Park Rapids, where he attended school. Kenneth graduated from Renton, Washington High School and attended two years of college at the Dunwoody Institute while living in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. He moved back to Washington State; returned to Minneapolis in 1993 and moved to Ponsford in 1994. Kenneth was united in marriage with Debra Basswood in 1999 at Ponsford and they resided in Detroit Lakes until the time of his death. Kenneth is survived by his wife Debra Conklin of Detroit Lakes; four daughters: Donna Conklin of Seattle, Lisa Basswood of Rice Lake, Jessica Heinonen, Jackie Conklin, both of Detroit Lakes; five sons: Lee Fairbanks of Bemidji, Ken "Junker" Fairbanks, Perry Heinonen and his wife Tracy, Robert Conklin, all of Detroit Lakes, Raymond Conklin of Kent, Wash.; four sisters: Nancy Big Bear of Fargo, Linda Leonhardt and her husband Fred of Ponsford, Verna fuller of Kent, Lorraine "Susie" Stewart of Detroit Lakes; five brothers: Richard Bartness of Kent, Gilbert Stewart of Detroit Lakes, Charlie Stewart, Gary Stewart, both of Fargo, Russell Conklin of Tacoma, Wash.; and 21 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Marilyn Conklin; his first wife, Bonnie Fairbanks. Kenneth loved fishing, teasing and joking with his friends, racing, and mechanic work. The funeral service was Nov. 5 at the old Pine Point School with Pastors Keith Barberg and Barry Schoder officiating. Interment: Linnell Cemetery, rural Osage. Arrangements: The David-Donehower Funeral Home of Detroit Lakes. Tony Blaeser Tony Blaeser, 93, Mahnomen, died Oct. 31 at the Mahnomen Health Center Hospital. Anthony Peter Blaeser, the son of Bernard J. and Katherine (Retterauth) Blaeser, was born May 8, 1912, on a farm southeast of Mahnomen. He attended the Ahman country school where he skipped three grades in those early years of education. After moving into town, he graduated from Mahnomen High School with the class of 1931. Tony played basketball and football during high school and continued to play basketball on the American Legion team for many years where he earned the nickname, Push `Em Up Tony. In the late 1930s, Tony opened the Push `Em Up Tony's bar which was located north of the Red Apple Cafe' on Main Street in Mahnomen. He later moved to San Francisco, where he worked as a long shore man. Tony entered the U.S. Army in 1941, and served his country as a mess sergeant during WWII while stationed in New Guinea and Australia. Upon his discharge, he returned to Mahnomen and was employed at various jobs in the area for several years before purchasing a dump truck and working in road construction in the 1950s. In 1952, he and Marlene Antell were united in marriage at Crookston. The couple made their home in Mahnomen part of the year and during the summer months they lived in and around Bozeman and Billings, Mont., where he was employed at Asphalt Paving Company. Tony later worked for Ness Construction in Mahnomen. He began managing the Municipal Liquor Store in Mahnomen in the mid 1960s, retiring in 1973. During these years, while they raised their family, Tony was active in the Isaacson-Bjorge Post #31 of the American Legion and the local Rod and Gun Club. After Marlene died on March 1, 1998, Tony continued to live in their home until he entered the Mahnomen Health Center Nursing Home in January of 2004. Tony had a zest for life. He enjoyed fishing in both summer and winter, loved to dance and in the farm years, even called square dances a few times. He recited poetry and had an amazing repertoire of songs, stories and jokes. He was an avid vegetable gardener and a well known area cook who was in charge of food for many public events over the years. He enjoyed cards throughout his life, had weekly poker games with a group of friends for many years, and continued to play daily cribbage matches almost until his death. He is survived by his son, Robert (Lenor), Eden Prairie, Minn.; two daughters, Kimberly (Leonard Wardzala) Blaeser, Burlington, Wis., and Gail (Armando) Acevedo, Petaluma, Calif.; his grandchildren, Jason, Joshua, Gavin, Amber, Robert, Sylvia, Armando, Sandra, Artie and Krista; nine great grandchildren. Preceding him in death were his parents, his wife, Marlene and nine brothers and sisters. Funeral services were held Nov. 4 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Mahnomen with Fr. Rick Lambert as celebrant. Arrangements entrusted to Anderson Funeral Home of Mahnomen. In Memory In loving Memory of Hallie Dvorak 1932 to 2005 It's been 2 1/2 months since you left me without even having a chance to say goodbye. But I am very happy to have spent 45 years with you. I loved you, even though we had our ups and downs. I shall never forget you. You are missed by everyone that knew you, even the little ones around here ask about you. I am praying for you and our son, Tony. I miss you Hallie a lot, but I know you are with our Lord and Tony. Sadly missed by your wife, Philomene In Loving Memory of Tony Dvorack 1960 to 1999 Tony, my son, it's been 6 years now since you've been gone. My tears are still coming. You have left me with a lot of memories, tears for joy and tears for sorrow. I miss you so much Tony. I pray for you and your dad, Hallie every night. I can't see you or your dad in person, but I look at your pictures all the time, which brings me happiness each and every day just to see you and your daddy's smiling faces. Rest in peace, Tony, I love and miss you very much. From your mother, Philomene Copyright c. 2005 Anishinaabeg Today, White Earth, MN. -=-=-=- November 17, 2005 Ardelle "Katie" Tikanye Ardelle "Katie" Tikanye, 45, of Bemidji, formerly of Redby, died on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2005, at Fairview University Medical Center in Minneapolis. A funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Red Lake with the Rev. Pat Sullivan officiating. A wake will be held this afternoon at the Redby Center and will continue until the time of service on Saturday at the church. Burial will be in St. Mary's Church Cemetery in Red Lake. Cease Family Funeral Home in Bemidji assisted the family with arrangements. Eliza Kay Kingbird Eliza Kay (Defoe) Kingbird, 50, of Red Lake, died Monday, Nov. 14, 2005, at her home. A funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary's Mission Catholic Church with the Rev. Pat Sullivan officiating. A wake will begin at 11 a.m. today at the Red Lake Center in Red Lake and will continue until the time of the service on Saturday. Burial will be in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Red Lake. Cease Family Funeral Home in Bemidji assisted the family with arrangements. Copyright c. 2005 The Pioneer/Bemidji, MN. -=-=-=- November 15, 2005 Steve Charging Eagle Steve Charging Eagle, 83, Red Scaffold, S.D. died Nov. 12, 2005, at his home. Services will be held at 10 a.m. MST Saturday, Nov. 19, at the Red Scaffold Community Center. Burial will be at the United Church of Christ Cemetery, Cherry Creek, S.D. Further arrangements are pending with Oster Funeral Home, Mobridge, S.D. November 17, 2005 Rocky High Bear Rocky High Bear, 21, Eagle Butte, S.D., died Nov. 13, 2005, at the University of Colorado Hospital due to injuries received from a house fire Sept. 14, in Eagle Butte. Services will be held at 11 a.m. MST Monday, Nov. 21, at the H.V. Johnston Cultural Center, Eagle Butte. Burial will be in the United Church of Christ Cemetery, Cherry Creek, S.D. Further arrangements are pending with Oster Funeral Home, Mobridge, S.D. November 20, 2005 Fred Knife Fred Knife, 65, Red Scaffold, S.D. died Nov, 17, 2005, at Rapid City Regional Hospital. Arrangements are pending with Oster Funeral Home, Mobridge, S.D. Copyright c. 2005 Bismarck Tribune. -=-=-=- November 16, 2005 Steve Charging Eagle reaped honors By Jo Hall Steve Charging Eagle of Red Scaffold, whose native name was Tasunke Luta or Red Horse, won honors in his younger years as a bronc rider and a steer wrestler at rodeos. He was inducted into the Indian Hall of Fame in 1981. He began dancing when he was about 40 years old, dancing all three styles before finally becoming an accomplished traditional dancer. He won the AAIAA five-state champion title, and won numerous times at the United Tribes Powwow, at that time the finale of the season. He won the title for Men's Traditional at the World's Assembly of first Nations in Regina Beach, Saskatchewan, Canada. His last powwow was at the Oglala Nation Powwow where he placed first. Steve and his wife Lorraine were honored by the Black Hills Powwow and Rapid City declared a Steve and Lorraine Charging Eagle Day. In 1995, Steve had the title of South Dakota Living Treasure Award bestowed on him. The Cheyenne River also designated a Steve Charging Eagle Day. Steve's health began to fail in July this year. After numerous trips to doctors, his family received the news on Sept. 20 that he had lung cancer. Despite the valiant efforts of doctors, his family and healers, he could not beat the battle against the fast-moving cancer. He lost the battle at 3 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2005, at the age of 83, dying peacefully in his sleep. Although his spirit was strong to the end, his physical body could not sustain it. Steve was born Jan. 26, 1922, to Richard Charging Eagle and Rosa Walking Hunter in Cherry Creek. His mother died before he was a year old and following her death, his twin brothers both died. When he was 15, his father died, leaving him with only his Uncle Tom Charging Eagle. When his uncle died, he was on his own. He gave up rodeoing when he had acquired too many injuries. He married Ruth Little Star and they had a daughter, Beatrice. Ruth died and then he met Loraine Makes Trouble. From this union five children were born, Richard, Geraldine, Stephanie, Valarie and Tom. It was said he and Lorraine lived life as one until her death in March 2002. They were educators, role models, and had a very strong faith all through their 53 years together. They taught their children and grandchildren the Lakota language, traditional life, and encouraged them to get their education. They saw education as the only way to survive in today's world. Steve left behind his children, Beatrice, Richard, Geraldine, Stephanie and Valarie; sisters, Drucilla Widow and Eunice Little Thunder; 14 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and to great-great-grandchildren in his immediate family. He had five generations not only from his immediate family but also from his closest relatives, the Phelps. He had many hunka children and grandchildren, some of whom kept in close touch with him on a daily basis. He met in the Spirit World his first wife, Lorraine, son Tom and younger sister, Rose Thunder Hoop. The funeral for Steve will be 10 a.m. MT on Saturday, Nov. 19, at the Red Scaffold Community Center. The Rev. Leslie Bobtail Bear, the Rev. Simon Looking Elk, the Rev. Gerald Yellow Hawk, the Rev. Norman Blue Coat and Deacon Ted Knife Sr. will officiate. Traditional services will be conducted by John Around Him and Jerome LeBeau. Special music will be provided by Bobbi Rae Sage, Jackie Bird, Steve Emery, and all gospel singers and musicians who wish to join them. Casketbearers are Jr. LaPlante, Joe Lafferty, Eagle Hunter, Dino Holy Eagle, Ted Phelps Jr., Mel Lone Hill, Danny Seaboy and Chico Her Many Horses. Honorary bearers were CRST Tribal Council, Red Scaffold Elderly members, Sen. Tom Daschle, Eagle Butte Elderly members and all Steve's other many friends and relatives. Burial will be Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. MT, at the United Church of Christ Cemetery in Cherry Creek under the direction of Oster Funeral Home of Mobridge. There will be two all night wake services starting at 6 p.m. MT on Thursday and Friday at the Red Scaffold Community Center. Walter Woods' deed could fill books By Jo Hall Walter A. Woods, who made his home in Eagle Butte, not only served his country and community in so many different ways, he was involved in many other activities. It is small wonder that his native name was Itancan Ku or Comes Back As A Leader. His accomplishments could fill books. He was proud of his military service. From 1942 to 1945, Walter was in the U.S. Navy, stationed on the USS Coral and YMS, minesweeper, patrolling the North Atlantic. He was in the U.S. Army, 1947-1966, stationed in Japan, Korea (Inchon), Italy, Germany and France until he retired July 1, 1966. From 1966 to 1972, he was in the Army Reserves. Among his many military decorations were the National Defense Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Good Conduct Medal, Bronze with four Loops, Sharp Shooter Certificate, Motor Vehicle Driver Badge, Korean Service Medal with four Campaign Stars, U.S. Service Medal, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Korea, 1950 and 1951, Army Occupation Medal, Japan Occupation Medal and American Theatre of North Atlantic Operations Medal. Walter's military education included a field radio repair course, Army Signal School, Military Law, Artillery School, Electrical Fundamentals and Radio Theory, Procedures and Security. In 2005, Walter was awarded a 50 Year Service Certificate by National Ham Radio Operators. In 2000, he was given the Jefferson Award for Outstanding Public Service to the Community and the American Institute for Public Service. The American Indian Higher Education Consortium by Cheyenne River Community College also gave him recognition, among other honors from others. Walter had been a ham radio operator since 1953 and operated in Hawaii, Italy and throughout the U.S. while in the military, and was associated with the Mobridge Ham Radio operators. For the past 20 years he collected clothing, toilet articles, books, magazine and playing cards for veterans at the local VA Hospital in Sturgis. From 1971 to 1980, Walter maintained television translators, rebroadcasting ABC, CBS and NBC for Eagle Butte and outlying areas. Among his special activities, he was on the Data, Safety and Monitoring Board, Walking Forward Program, Spirit of Eagles, Native Cancer Information, Resource Center and Learning Exchange (CIRCLE) Board, Mayo Clinic, Rochester in 2001, Native American Research Center Board of Pine Grove, Colo., Prostate Cancer Advocate, Associate Judge 1979 to 1995 for CRST, Rosebud, Lower Brule and Ft. Thompson, and Associate Judge and chief Magistrate for the BIA, Winnebago, Omaha and Yankton Sioux. In 1975 to 1976, he was an organizer for the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Sewing Factory employing 12 women; was a District Councilman, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe chairman, developed Fox Ridge Water System to provide water from the Oahe Reservoir to Eagle Butte, a member of the committee to organize the Eagle Butte Airport; assistant to the executive director of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Housing, and Housing Inspection Specialist for the tribe through the U.S. Office of Economic Opportunity. Because of his wife's and his own health problem, Walter had a special interest in cancer. He died Friday, Nov. 4, 2005, at his home in Eagle Butte at the age of 81. The son of Harry F.C. Woods and Molly (White Eyes) Woods, Walter was born Sept. 5, 1924, at the old Cheyenne Agency, now beneath the waters of the Oahe Reservoir. He was a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Oohenumpa Band. He attended Cheyenne-Eagle Butte High School, and in 1959 earned his GED at age 35. He attended Si Tanka College in Eagle Butte, Cheyenne River Community College, Dakota Plains Legal Service, Inc., earning certificates of completion for Child Abuse, Neglect and Teenage, Suicide Training; and the Pierre Rural Health Education Center. He studied advanced criminal law, Indian programs on Indian lands, Basic Emergency Medical Technician Course, Taxation and Indian affairs, Veterans Service Officer training, Family and Child Welfare Law, and Housing specialist training at Columbia University, New York City. Beulah Anne Barnes became his wife on June 1, 1951. After a marriage of almost 50 years, she died of breast cancer in 1999. Survivors are Rowlinda Stone M.D. Woods of Eagle Butte; his children, Robert D. and Carmen Woods Sr. of Okreek, Kathleen M. and Harold Tiger of Eagle Butte, Molly Woods de Jauregui and Regino Jauregui of Riverside, Calif., Shari L. and Jayme Mestes, Tracy L. and Dave Ouellette, Mark A. and Theresa Woods, and Nick D. Woods, all of Eagle Butte; 18 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren; a brother-in-law, Paul R. and Sherry Stone of San Antonio, Texas; and a niece, Judy Barnes. In addition to his wife, Beulah Anne, he was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Molly Woods; his biological father, Joseph Cloud Eagle; one daughter, Victoria Anne Matthews; two sisters, Caroline Pretty Bear and Victoria Woods; two brothers, Fredrick Cloud Eagle and Louis Cloud Eagle; one half brother, Harry Woods Jr.; and two half sisters, Alma Woods and Victoria Woods. The funeral for Walter was Thursday, Nov. 10, at the H.V. Johnston Cultural Center in Eagle Butte with Fr. Jeffry Barnes of St. John's Episcopal Church officiating. Bucky Means conducted traditional services. Military honors were provided by the Cheyenne River Lakota Akicita. Casketbearers were Robert Woods Sr., Mark Woods, Nick Woods, Harold Tiger, Jayme Mestes, Dave Ouellette, Robert Woods Jr., David Woods Sr., Robert Tiger, Adam Tiger, Elliot Tiger, Steven Mestes, Chris Woods and Branden Woods. Burial was in the afternoon in the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis under the direction of Oster Funeral Home of Mobridge. All veterans, groups and organizations in which Walter was involved, friends and relative were considered honorary bearers. Prior to the funeral, family and friends gathered at the four-mile junction on Wednesday to follow in procession to the Cultural Center for an all night wake service, which also included traditional services by Bucky Means. The family requested that memorials be directed to the Walter A. Woods Memorial Fund, Native American Cancer research, 3022 South Nova Road, Pine Grove, Colo. 80470. Quentin LeCompte was 'big spirit' By Jo Hall A talent for laughter and to make people laugh, thereby touching many lives, prompted Quentin Carl LeCompte's friends and relatives to say, "He was a big spirit from the beginning." But Quentin's short life ended abruptly on Monday, Nov. 7, 2005, in Dupree when he entered the Spirit World in a shooting mishap. He was 17 years old. The Cheyenne Eagle Butte student was born Jan. 30, 1988, in Rapid City to Monte LeCompte and Cathy Jeffries. He lived in Rapid City in his early years, moving to Eagle Butte to attend high school. He leaves his father, Monte LeCompte of Eagle Butte; his mother, Catherine Jeffries of Rapid City; two brothers, Kelly Clown of Dupree and Dominic LeCompte of Eagle Butte; one sister, Sage Jeffries of Rapid City; his very special friend, Lisa "Babes" Frasier; three nephews and one niece; two "awesome" grandmothers, Verna LeCompte and Corrine Janis, both of Eagle Butte; and many aunts, uncles and cousins. His grandfathers, Frank Jeffries and Quentin LeCompte, his uncles Rocky and Floyd LeCompte, all from Cheyenne River, preceded him in death. Funeral services for Quentin were Saturday, Nov. 12, at the H.V. Johnston Cultural Center in Eagle Butte. Father Jeffry Barnes and Mother Marion Rectenwald officiated. Special music was by Chug Garreaux and Gabriel Uses The Knife. Drum groups were Jamie Ducheneaux and Wakinyan Maza. Casketbearers were Eric Red Dog, Thane Jeffries, Louden Garreaux, Shotay Fast Horse, Dustin Long, Wacy Long, Hoksila White Mountain and Dustin Brown. Honorary bearers were the Jeffries family, LeCompte family, Birkland family, Jade Keckler, Dominic LeCompte, Derek Marshall, Kelly Clown, Charlotte and Greg LeBeau, Chris Brave Heart, Huntner Vincenti, Gary Cudmore Jr., Dawn LaPlante, Sage Jeffries, Lisa "Babes" Frasier, Austin Jeffries, Garreaux family, Mike and Brenda Claymore, Theresa Loften family, Ty Traversie and all Quentin's other friends and relatives. Burial was in the Mossman Cemetery in rural Ridgeview under the direction of Oster Funeral Home of Mobridge. Family and friends gathered at the four-mile junction on Friday to follow in procession to the cultural center for an all night wake service. Four Star woman dies By Jo Hall Ellen Keva Sitting Dog Eagle's native name was Wicakpi Topa Win, which translates to Four Star Woman, and according to family and friends she was just that. After Keva and her husband raised seven children, she took in six adopted daughters and four adopted sons. In her later years, she adopted her nephew John Rae Sitting Dog's two daughters, Cora Mae and Johna Rae Sitting Dog. She often helped people in their time of need and always had a smile to share. Her children and grandchildren were dearly beloved by her and she always had time for them. Watching her granddaughters dance at pow wows was a highlight for her and she was very protective of them. "She loved them with all her heart," her friends said. Keva had earned an Associate in Science degree in college. After her marriage she worked as a cook at the Little Eagle Nutrition Center and held various other jobs. Keva died Saturday, Oct. 29, 2005, at Mobridge Regional Hospital in Mobridge at the age of 70. She was born Aug. 7, 1935, to Robert and Martha (Fire Cloud) Sitting Dog in Little Eagle, where she grew up and attended Little Eagle Day school. She later attended the Fort Yates (N.D.) Community High School and then college in Fort Yates where she earned her degree. Keva married Hobart Eagle of Fort Thompson, where she lived for several years caring for the children and her husband. She then returned to Little Eagle, which was home to her for the remainder of her life. She had been very active in her younger years and was never too old to run. Survivors are two daughters, Cora Mae Sitting Dog of Little Eagle and Johna Rae Sitting Dog of Redfield; six adopted daughters, Nupa, Sandy, Candy, Carol and Cindy, all of Fort Thompson, and Patty Pipe of Montana; four adopted sons, Avery Thompson and Edgar Loudner Jr. of Fort Thompson, Calvin Grindstone and Anthony Little Dog of Little Eagle; four adopted brothers, John Morsette of Montana, Allen Flying Bye and Terry Flying Bye, both of Little Eagle, and Georgie Elmer; six adopted sisters, Ina Flying Bye, Dawn Standing Crow, Della Uses Arrow and Phyllis White, all of Little Eagle, and Kristene Howard of Wakpala; and a very special sister-in-law, Rose Morsette of Montana. Also surviving are three special grandchildren, LaShayne Chasing Hawk, Mast Wi Sitting Dog and Waniya Ki Waloke, and many other grandchildren, nieces and nephews; her grandson who sat by her side while she was hospitalized in Bismarck, N.D., Marcel Taken Alive, and her very special friend, Evelyn Uses Arrow of Little Eagle. Funeral services for Keva were Monday, Nov. 7, at the Blue Gym in Little Eagle. The Rev. Danny Westerlund, Leslie Bobtail Bear, Mrs. Dianna Covey and Mrs. Joann Conroy officiated. Lay readers were Patty Deadmen, Gayle Henry, Bea Skinner, Marjorie Hawk and Joe Peacock. Flower bearers were Sitting Dog grandchildren. Jerry Good House and Sylvan Brown sang special music. Casketbearers were Robert Sitting Dog Sr., Walter Sitting Dog, Mark Sitting Dog, Fred Sitting Dog Jr., Myron Sitting Dog, Wilmer Sitting Dog Jr., Christian Sitting Dog, Rico Marques, Russel Has Horns, Rodney Iron Hawk, Moreno Waloke, Jared Pipe, Stanley Moran and Eddie Moran. All Keva's friends and relatives were considered honorary and special honorary bearers. Burial was in the Elk Horn Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. An all night wake service began Sunday evening. Aloysius Martinez rites Friday By Jo Hall The funeral for Aloysius Anthony Martinez, 75, of Rapid City will be 10 a.m. CT on Friday, Nov. 18, at the Youth Activity Center in Cannonball, N.D. Brother George Maufort and Canon John Floberg will officiate. Marlin Hunt, Whipple Family, American Horse Family and Kim Cournoyer will provide special music. Casketbearers will be Nevada Berger, Donnie Hatzenbeler, Matt Martinez, Chad Martinez, Leon D. Martinez, Billy White Eagle, Patrick Warren, Gillard White, Alan Jamerson and Michael Martinez. Honorary bearers will be Doug Archambault, Everett Poor Thunder, Charlie White family, Joe and Darlene family, Larry and Darlene Froelich and Fern Froelich. Burial will be at 1 p.m. CT on Friday at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery near Mandan, N.D., under the direction of Oster Funeral Home of Mobridge. Wild Horse Tokala Intertribal Color Guard will provide military honors. Taps will be played by Kim Cournoyer. An all night wake service will begin at 7 p.m. CT at the Youth Activity Center on Thursday. Family and friends will gather at the funeral home at 3:30 p.m. Thursday to follow in procession to Cannonball for the wake. Aloysius died Thursday, Nov. 10, 2005, at the Rapid City Regional Hospital. He was born May 10, 1930, in Manderson, S.D., to Richard and Julia (Bad Horse) Martinez. Surviving are two daughters, Anetha and Doug Wilkinson and family of McLaughlin, and Andrea and Greg Talese and family of Phoenix, Ariz.; one son, Lambert and Ricki Martinez of Riverton, Wyo.; two brothers, Leon F. Red Hail and Matthew Martinez, both of Cannonball; four sisters, Roselyn Martinez and Anna Martinez, both of Cannonball, Margaret Correa of Fort Yates, N.D., and Charlotte and Woodrow Star of Pendleton, Ore.; and one uncle, Soloman and Irma White Eagle of McLaughlin. Aloysius' parents, five sisters, Luella Martinez, Melissa Cournoyer, Charity Martinez, Rachel and Stella Foster, and three brothers, Richard Martinez Jr., Ellsworth Martinez and John Foster, preceded him in death. Copyright c. 2005 Mobridge Tribune. -=-=-=- November 15, 2005 Steve Charging Eagle Red Scaffold - Funeral for Steve Charging Eagle, 83, of Red Scaffold, will be 10 a.m. on Saturday at the Red Scaffold Community Center. Burial at 2 p.m., MT on Saturday at the United Church of Christ Cemetery in Cherry Creek, under the direction of Oster Funeral Home of Mobridge. Mr. Charging Eagle died at his home on Nov. 12, 2005. November 17, 2005 Rocky High Bear Eagle Butte - Funeral for Rocky High Bear, age 21, of Eagle Butte at 11 a.m. on Monday at the Cultural Center in Eagle Butte, S.D. Burial will be in the United Church of Christ Cemetery in Cherry Creek, S.D., under direction of Oster Funeral Home of Mobridge, S.D. Rocky passed away on Nov. 13, 2005, at the University of Colorado Hospital. Copyright c. 2005 Aberdeen American News. -=-=-=- Welcome to the Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe/Dakota Nation Sota Iya Ye Yapi On-Line, News from the Lake Traverse Reservation Volume 36, Issue 47 Wednesday, November 23, 2005 Funeral services held last week for James Halbert Funeral services for James Clarence Halbert, Sr., 65, of Veblen, SD, were held last Friday morning, November 18, 2005, at the Tribal community center in Agency Village, SD, with the Rev. Fr. Walter Butor, O.M.I. celebrant. Musicians were Mary Beth Kirk, Kathie Konsor, and Kirk and Marnie Snaza. Active pallbearers were Gary, Mark, Henry, and Larry Halbert, Jr., Brian and Rick Cooper, Shane Guy, and Roger Nebrida. Honorary pallbearers were all of James's family and friends. There was an all night wake service on Thursday, at the Tribal community center. Interment is at St. Matthew's Catholic Cemetery in rural Veblen, SD. The Cahill Funeral Chapel of Sisseton, SD, was in charge of the arrangements. James was born on March 16, 1940 to Henry and Alvina (Donnell) Halbert in Sisseton, SD. He grew up and attended school near Pierre, SD and Custer, SD. After his education, James moved to St. Paul, MN where he worked at a construction business. While working construction in St. Paul, James met his first wife, Esther McCoy. The couple had three children together. They moved to Salem, OR where James also worked in construction. James returned to Veblen and Summit, SD where he was involved in farming and construction. He was married to Rosita Cabil on March 2, 2000 at Cebu, Philippines. He was currently living in Veblen, SD and still working in the construction industry. James enjoyed motorcycles and was currently working on a vintage Harley. James liked to hunt pheasants and he loved to dance. James passed away on November 15, 2005 near Sisseton due to injuries from a one vehicle accident. James is survived by his wife, Rose Halbert of Veblen, SD; three children, Lynn and Richard Halbert-DuBois of Summit, SD, James Halbert, Jr. of Littleton, CO, and Ed and Tasinagiwin Halbert of Sisseton, SD; two sisters, Elaine and Ralph Parsons of Veblen, SD, and Doris and Dan Cooper of Sisseton, SD; two brothers, Richard and Sue Halbert of Veblen, SD, and Larry and Debbie Halbert of Browns Valley, SD; three step-children, Rodel Nebrida of Cebu, Philippines, Roger Nebrida of Anaheim, CA, and Anne Nebrida of Cebu, Philippines; eight grandchildren; four step- grandchildren; and two great grandchildren, and three adopted daughters, Dawn Burley, Lisa Gonsalves, and Sheila Branson. James was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Alvina, and one brother, Leroy. Peever woman dies in house fire Lillian Erickson, 84, was found dead in her home at Peever last Friday morning, November 18th, victim of an apparent accidental fire. According to Peever firefighters, the woman appeared to have died from smoke inhalation. "We've narrowed it down a little, and we've determined it was an accidental fire, not intentional," said State Fire Marshal Al Christie. Cause of the fire remains under investigation. Erickson and her late husband were well-known in the community. They owned and operated the town's only cafe for 17 years until selling it to Char Jarman in 1977. "She still came up every day for coffee," said Char. "She was very dear to all of us and it's terrible what happened to her." Copyright c. 1999-2003 by C. D. Floro/Earth and Sky Enterprises. -=-=-=- November 15, 2005 Steve Charging Eagle RED SCAFFOLD - Steve Charging Eagle, Tasunka Luta, "Red Horse," 83, Red Scaffold, died Saturday, Nov. 12, 2005, at his home. Two-night wake services begin at 6 p.m. MST Thursday at Red Scaffold Community Center. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, at the center, with the Rev. Leslie Bobtail Bear, the Rev. Simon Looking Elk, the Rev. Gerald Yellow Hawk and the Rev. Norman Blue Coat officiating. Burial will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, at United Church of Christ Cemetery in Cherry Creek. Oster Funeral Home in Mobridge is in charge of arrangements. Donald G. Cottier Sr. WANBLEE - Donald G. Cottier Sr., 65, Wanblee, died Friday, Nov. 11, 2005, at Rapid City Regional Hospital He served in the U.S. Navy. Survivors include his wife, Gloria Cottier, Wanblee; four sons, Donald Cottier Jr., Pine Ridge, James Means and Timothy Twiss both of Rapid City, and Jonathan Twiss, Omaha, Neb.; three daughters, Barb Twiss and Latasha Twiss, both of Rapid City, and Roberta Twiss, Martin; his mother, Evelyn Brewer, Rapid City; two brothers, Alden Brewer Sr. and Edwin Brewer, both of Rockyford; six sisters, Carol Wright, Donna Bradford, Myrna Bradford, Ellen Brewer and Cecelia White, all of Rapid City, and Rose Larose, Las Vegas; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Two-night wake services begin at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16, at Crazy Horse School in Wanblee. Services will be at 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 18, at the school, with the Rev. Rob Kroll officiating. Burial will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis. Sioux Funeral Home in Pine Ridge is in charge of arrangements. Aloysius Martinez RAPID CITY - Aloysius Martinez, 75, Rapid City, died Thursday, Nov. 10, 2005, at Rapid City Regional Hospital. He served in the U.S. Army. One-night wake services will begin at 7 p.m. CST Thursday, Nov. 17, at Youth Activity Center in Cannonball, N.D. Family and friends will gather at 3:30 p.m. Thursday at Oster Funeral Home to follow in procession. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 18, at the center in Cannonball, with George Maufort and John Floberg officiating. Burial will be at 1 p.m. Friday at North Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Mandan, N.D. November 16, 2005 John L. Swallow Jr. RED SHIRT TABLE - John L. Swallow Jr., 69, Red Shirt Table, died Monday, Nov. 14, 2005, at Fort Meade Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Sturgis. He served in the U.S. Army. Survivors include his wife, Susanna Swallow, Rapid City; three sons, John Swallow III, Daniel Swallow and Gene Swallow, all of Red Shirt Table; seven daughters, Vina Holiday, Elizabeth Swallow, Antoinette Fast Wolf, Mary Knudson and Cindy Lakota, all of Red Shirt Table, Erin Riley, Missoula, Mont., and Carolina Goldtooth, Farmington, N.M.; two brothers, Victor Swallow, Rapid City, and Larry Giroux, Aberdeen; one sister, Margaret Dyer, Red Shirt Table; and 12 grandchildren. Visitation will begin at 8 a.m. Friday, Nov. 18, at the Red Shirt School gym. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the school gym, with the Rev. Robert Two Bulls officiating. Burial will be at Seventh-day Adventist Cemetery in Red Shirt Table. Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge is in charge of arrangements. November 17, 2005 Rocky High Bear EAGLE BUTTE - Rocky High Bear, 21, Eagle Butte, died Sunday, Nov. 13, 2005, at University of Colorado Hospital as a result of injuries received in a house fire on Sept. 14 in Eagle Butte. An all-night wake service will begin at 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20, at H.V. Johnston Cultural Center in Eagle Butte. Family and friends will gather at the four-mile junction at 4:30 p.m. Sunday to follow in procession. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 21, at the cultural center, with the Rev. Jeffry Barnes and Deacon Dora Bruguier officiating. Burial will be at United Church of Christ Cemetery in Cherry Creek. Oster Funeral Home of Mobridge is in charge of arrangements. November 18, 2005 Theodore E. Randall Sr. NORFOLK, Neb. - Theodore E. Randall Sr., 63, Norfolk, died Monday, Nov. 14, 2005, in Stanton. He served in the U.S. Army. Survivors include his wife, Linda Randall, Norfolk; nine sons, Rodney Randall, Wanblee, S.D., Theodore Randall Jr., Lincoln, and Philip Randall, Cody Randall, Arlen Mesteth, Myron Mesteth, Myrle Mesteth, Mike Mesteth and Howard Mesteth, all of Norfolk; four daughters, Kathleen Randall, Melinda Mesteth and Sheila Mesteth, all of Norfolk, and Christine Randall, Mesa, Ariz.; two brothers, Lawrence Randall, Wanblee, and Terry Randall Sr. , Sunnyville, Calif.; one sister, Great "Cathy" Schmidt, Englewood, Ohio; 56 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. A one-night wake will begin at noon Sunday, Nov. 20, at Crazy Horse School in Wanblee. Services will be at 9 a.m. Monday, Nov. 21, at the school, with John Around Him officiating. Burial will be at 2:30 p.m. Monday at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, S.D. Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, S.D., is in charge of arrangements. November 20, 2005 Fernando Black Feather PINE RIDGE - Fernando Black Feather, 33, Pine Ridge, died Friday, Nov. 18, 2005, at Rapid City Regional Hospital. Arrangements are pending with Sioux Funeral Home in Pine Ridge. Fred Knife RED SCAFFOLD - Fred Knife, 65, Red Scaffold, died Friday, Nov. 18, 2005, at Rapid City Regional Hospital. Arrangements are pending with Oster Funeral Home in Mobridge. Copyright c. 2005 The Rapid City Journal. -=-=-=- November 12, 2005 In Loving Memory... Renane E. Payer Ali Winnebago, NE - Renane E. Payer Ali, 55, of Winnebago died Wednesday, October 19, 2005, at a Sioux City hospital following a lengthy illness. Services were held at the Ho-Chunk Community Center in Winnebago with Sara Lee "Cupcake" Suarez officiating. Burial was in the Winnebago Cemetery. Arrangements were under the direction of Winnebago Wake & Burial Program. Aennae waqs born January 24, 1950, in Winnebago. She graduated from Winnebago Public School in 1969. She graduated from vocational school in Fresno, California in 1973. She was a life-long resident of Winnebago except when she attended school in Fresno from 1971 to 1973. She was employed as a police dispatcher for 34 years with the Winnebago Police Department. Survivors includ a sister and her husband, Robin and Tim Luther and their son, Tilman of Black River Falls, Wis,; three brothers. Larry and his wife Charlottes, Roger and Barkley Payer, all of Winnebago; many nieces, great-nieces and great-nephews. Pallbearers were; Carl Martinez, Vern Smith, Sheriff Chuck Obermeyer, Tim Luther, Rich Greenwald, Ron Galloway, Rick Huffman and Greg Bass, Jr. With Loving Thoughts and Prayers of Barry Blackhawk (Ma Xi Ska Ga) The children of Barry Blackhawk would ike to thank all the friends and relatives who helped in our father's transition to the Spirit World. Special thanks to Barry's sisters and Carmelia who were always by his side during his last months when we could not be there. Than you to the Native American Church, the Winnebago Reformed Church, and John Whitecloud for carrying out our father's last wishes. Thank you to the Winnebago Wake and Burial Program. Thank you to all his relatives and friends who made donations of food, money, cards, and also those who helped with cooking, cleaning and serving. May Mauna bless each and every on of you! The children of Barry Blackhawk In Loving Memory of Louis A. Snow Jr. December 23, 1943-November 4, 2005 Don't Cry for Him... He is not dead, so don't Cry for Him His soul is free for eternity He is watching over us Remember all the things He did All the good ones And the bad ones For his time on Earth Is through... Just remember the he Always loved us He didn't mean to cause anyone shame Or disgrace Nor did he want to see those Tears fall from our faces He doesn't want us To cry for him Just be happy now he's Free For God has welcomed him With opened arms With His love and without Anymore harm So think of him In a different light Where nothing is wrong And everything Is right So smile for him And say until we meet again On that very blessed Day!0 I Love You Brother Rest In Peace Your Sis, Tiara Copyright c. 2005 Winnebago Indian News - Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska. -=-=-=- November 15, 2005 Mary Box Chavez A lifelong resident of La Plata County, Mary Box Chavez, 89, died at her home in Ignacio on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2005. She was born in Ignacio to Jacob and Bertha Box on Dec. 16, 1915. Mrs. Chavez spent most of her life in Bayfield and was a member of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe. She was an active farm wife. She married Ollie S. Chavez in Albuquerque on Jan. 14, 1947. He died shortly after their 50th anniversary in 1997. Her family said he was always on her mind after that. Mrs. Chavez was active in the ministry of her church. She translated the Bible to Ute for Wycliffe Bible Translators and was often on the radio or recording on vinyl for that ministry. Mrs. Chavez had also created a DVD for her ministry. Mrs. Chavez often had home-sales jobs, like selling Studio Girl cosmetics or fabric from swatches. "She was the owner of probably the most famous Indian car," said her daughter Marjorie Borst. "She hit horses, cows, dogs, skunk and deer. When her driver's license was taken away, she said, 'they clipped my wings.'" Her daughter also said her mother "was very determined and inspirational because she never faltered despite setbacks. She was very happy, always laughing and telling jokes. She coined the phrase, "Just call me Gigglebox.'" In addition to her husband, Mrs. Chavez also was preceded in death by her daughter, Lucinda Chavez; son Phillip Box; and granddaughter Lucinda Rael. She is survived by her daughters, Elsie Calabaza of Albuquerque and Phyllis Escalanti and Marjorie Borst, both of Bayfield; brothers, David Box of Denver and Edward Box Sr. of Asheville, N.C.; 11 grandchildren; and numerous great- and great-great-grandchildren. Visitation will take place at Hood Mortuary from 3 to 8 p.m. today, Nov. 15, 2005. A funeral will be held at Ignacio Baptist Church Maranatha at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2005. The Rev. Kelly Winlock will officiate. The family is accepting floral arrangements, or memorial contributions may be sent to Hospice of Mercy, 3801 N. Main Ave., Durango, CO 81301. Copyright c. 2005 Durango Herald. -=-=-=- Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Obituaries Brian Keith Joplin November 6, 1972 - October 4, 2005 Aviation Machinest Mate Second Class Brian Keith Joplin, 32, a former Hugo resident, passed away October 4, 2005, when he fell from a helicopter enroute to Kuwait. He was born November 6, 1972, in Talihina. He attended Hugo High School and Grant High School. He enlisted in the Navy in 1992 for Aviation Machinest Mate School, graduating in January 1993. He then reported to HM-15 in Alameda, California, for his first assignment. During that tour he met and married Belinda. He was motivated to fly leaving HM- 15 in 1996 for Aircrew Candidate School and assigned to VR-59 in Dallas, Texas. After graduating NACCS in July 1996, he went through training in Norfolk on MH-53Es in 1998 then was assigned to HM-15 Corpus Christi, Texas, in May 1999 where he'd been ever since. Brian may be remembered as the helicopter mechanic that worked on the B-25 aircraft that was left at the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi after the April South Texas Shootout at the Naval Air Station. The aircraft needed engine repairs before it could fly again. Brian had a personal interest in the bomber because his grandfather, Eugene Bo Wilson, had flown on it during World War II. He was admired and respected because he always put others before himself. He took time to teach his fellow mechs how to be better, he taught his fellow crewmen to be sharper and safer, and most of all, he taught his fellow sailors how to care for one another. That is the lasting legacy of AD2 (AW/NAC) Brian Joplin. He is a hero to his squadron, his Navy, and his country. He was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Sue Burris; a sister, Kelly Collins; and his grandfather, Eugene Bo Wilson. Survivors include his wife, Belinda, and daughters, Alicia and Tori Joplin, of Corpus Christi; his father, Larry Joplin of Amarillo, Texas; sisters, Cheri Joplin of Amarillo and Gail Joplin of Hugo; and brothers, Larry Gene Joplin of Amarillo and Michael Marzek of Hugo. Vernon Kidd February 17, 1919 - October 3, 2005 Vernon Kidd, 86, passed away October 3, 2005. He was born February 17, 1919, in Coalgate, Oklahoma, to Monroe Millard and Josephine Pocahontas Thurlow Kidd, an original enrollee. For the past 40 years or so, he operated Vernon's Air Conditioning Service. In addition, he retired in 1982 from the Jim Hamilton Correctional Center, where he was an air conditioning instructor. He served in both World War II and the Korean War and was a 32nd degree Mason. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Frances Beth; an older brother, Rufus McKenzie; his twin brother, Venson Kidd; a stepson, Danny Lacy; and a granddaughter, Hannah Grace Koehn. Survivors include Frances Beth's children, Robin Hood Lacy and wife, Betty, of Stillwater; Mary Lacy Beets and husband, Charles, of Ada; and Danny's widow, Billie Sue, of McAlester; stepdaughter, Jeannette Owen of Fort Smith, Arkansas, and husband, Robert, of Oklahoma City; stepson, Anthony Wyatt and wife, Cary, of Ponca City; daughter, Julie Kidd Koehn and husband, Gregg, of Oklahoma City; son, Randall Vernon Kidd of Poteau; brother, Clinton Kidd of Buffalo Grove, Illinois; his wife of 33 years, Pat Ryburn Kidd of the home; 19 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Clarence C. Space July 11, 1932 - October 18, 2005 Clarence C. Space, 73, of Wanette passed away October 18, 2005, at his residence. He was born July 11, 1932, in Lucien, Oklahoma. He was the oldest child of four born to Frank and Estella Thornbrue Space. Clarence grew up in the Moore area. At age 20 he entered the U.S. Army and served his country during the Korean Conflict. After his honorable discharge in 1954 he returned to the Oklahoma City area where he worked for the Armour Food Processing Plant. He later worked for the state and then over the years he worked for several different counties in Oklahoma. He also worked at J.H. Holland and was a Wanette school bus driver. In 1973 the family moved to Wanette where they still live today. His true love in life was to farm and ranch. He raised cattle and loved working with and training horses. He was a member of the New Horizons Fellowship Church in Wanette and will be remembered as a wonderful husband, loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Randall "Randy" Carl Space; one grandson, Michael Bell; and two brothers, Earnest Space and Harold Space. Survivors include his wife, Evaline Space; children, Crystal Boland and husband Keith of Wanette, Kathy Bell and husband Keith of Apache, Claudia Smith and husband Lynn of Elgin and Janice Wilson and husband Steve of Wellston; one sister, Mary C. Tasier; nine grandchildren, Amanda and Russ Roach, Megan Bell, Hannah Space, Chelsea Space, Sage Space, Kylie Space, Ben Boland, Sayre Wilson and Sandy Boland; and one great-grandson, Hayden Roach. Williston L. Taylor April 15, 1935 - October 4, 2005 Williston L. Taylor, 70, of Antlers passed away on October 4, 2005, in Antlers. He was born April 15, 1935, in Rufe to Julius and Mary Frazier Taylor. He had lived in Antlers for the past 48 years. Williston was a member of the Faith Baptist Church in Antlers. He was retired from the Oklahoma State Highway Department after working there for 25 years. Williston enjoyed hunting and fishing. He loved taking care of his grandkids and meeting with friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Edgar Taylor, Raymond Taylor, and Ernest Taylor. Survivors include his loving wife of 48 years, Janet Taylor of the home; son, Robert J. Taylor Sr. and wife Robin of Antlers; daughter, Regina Tedder of Antlers; grandchildren, Robert, Tim, Taylor, Jayden, and Jacob; sisters, Melvina Washington of Hayward, California, Juanita Caudill of San Diego, California, Nadine Smith of Ada, Virginia Tafoya of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Liz Osage of Dallas, Texas; many other nieces and nephews, other relatives and a host of friends. Claud Raymond Wilson October 31, 1932 - October 8, 2005 Claud Raymond Wilson, 72, passed away October 8, 2005. He was born October 31, 1932, in Unger, Oklahoma, to Claud and Deta Wade Wilson. He went to school in Boswell where he excelled in basketball and baseball. He traveled all over the USA, doing a variety of jobs including fruit harvester, truck driver, pipe liner and sawmill worker. Claud, also known as "Legs," was a loving husband, father and grandfather. His parents and his wife, Rosa Lee Wilson, preceded him in death. Survivors include three sons, Scott, Keith, and Johnny Wilson, all of California; two daughters, Debbie Collins of Hugo and Janet Lee Scaff of Fort Towson; one sister, Jo Jackson of Leonard, Texas; one brother, Robert Wilson of Lindsey; three grandchildren, Christopher Collins of Hugo, Beau Scaff and Charles Scaff, both of Fort Towson. Copyright c. 2000-2005 Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma All Rights Reserved. -=-=-=- November 16, 2005 Edith Violet Roberts Edith Violet Roberts, former resident of Ponca City, died Monday, Nov. 14, 2005, at Whispering Pines Nursing Home in Norman. She was 49. A prayer service will be held tonight at 7 p.m. at the Ponca Indian Cultural Center. The traditional funeral feast will be noon on Thursday, Nov. 17, at the Ponca Indian Cultural Center followed by the funeral at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Francine Biggoose, pastor of Ponca Indian United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will follow at the Ponca Tribal Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel. Edith Violet Roberts was born June 10, 1956, in Ponca City, the daughter of Abraham Conklin and Ida Mae Waters Conklin. She grew up in Ponca City prior to moving to Oklahoma City in 1965 where she attended schools. Edith enjoyed drinking coffee and watching "Little House on the Prairie." She is survived by two children, Teresa Roberts and Ismael Roberts, both of Norman; one sister, Nadine Ellis of Norman; two brothers, Roscoe Conklin of Norman and Abraham Conklin Jr. of Midwest City; and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, two sisters and one brother. Casket bearers will be Aaron Ellis, Johnsey Hamilton, Oliver Cook, Darren Radtke and Ismael Roberts. Copyright c. 1998-2005 The Ponca City News. -=-=-=- November 17, 2005 Sara-Grace "Gracey" Tehlia McIntire Sara-Grace "Gracey" Tehila McIntire, infant daughter of Ninah E. Byington and Paul J. McIntire Jr., died Saturday, Nov. 12, in the Jane Phillips Medical Center. A prayer service will be held 10 a.m. today in the New Hope Indian Methodist Church of Dewey with the Rev. Roger Scott officiating and the Rev. Tim Byington assisting. Service will be 10 a.m. Friday in the Kickapoo Friends Center Church in McLoud with the Rev. Brad Wood officiating and the Rev. Tim Byington assisting. Committal prayers and burial will be directed in the Jameson Cemetery near McLoud by The Arnold Moore Funeral Service, Bartlesville. Copyright c. 1997-2005 The Shawnee News-Star. -=-=-=- November 17, 2005 Cary Whitecrow Cary D. "Gabby" Whitecrow of Miami died Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2005, at St. John's Regional Medical Center in Joplin, Mo. He was 57. Whitecrow, also known as Gary Hemphill, was born Feb. 18, 1948, in Miami to Mayo and Lucille (Garrett) Whitecrow. He lived in Massachusetts and Texas for several years before returning to Miami in 1990. He was a veteran of the Army, serving during the Vietnam War. He worked for the Federal Aviation Administration and later owned his own construction business. He was a member of the Tri-State Faith Center in Cardin. He married Charlotte Armstrong on Dec. 5, 1995. She survives, of the home. Additional survivors include two daughters, Carrie Von Schritz, of the home, and Kristi Reeder of Flower Mound, Texas; two sons, Mark Hemphill of Miami and Jay Hemphill of Lawton; two brothers, Sid Whitecrow of Chickasha and Jay Whitecrow of Wyandotte; six sisters, Joyce Perry and Sally Whitecrow, both of Miami, Linda Whitecrow-Owens and Kathy Whitecrow, both of Commerce, Zona Pease of California and Debbie Ingram. He was preceded in death by his parents. Services will be 2 p.m. Friday at Tri-State Faith Center in Cardin with the Rev. Charles Clevenger officiating. Burial will be at G.A.R. Cemetery in Miami. Pallbearers will be his nephews. Native American rites will be conducted by J.R. Mathews. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. today at Paul Thomas Funeral Home in Miami. Copyright c. 2005 The Miami News-Record. -=-=-=- November 17, 2005 Carolyn Jean Wildcat-Haynes Funeral for Carolyn Jean Wildcat-Haynes, 43, Norman, is pending with Comanche Nation Funeral Home. She died Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2005. November 18, 2005 Joshua Jerald Ware APACHE - Funeral for Sgt. Joshua Jerald Ware, 20, Apache, is pending with Comanche Nation Funeral Home. Sgt. Ware was killed in Iraq on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2005. November 19, 2005 Elizabeth June Ster Codopony APACHE - Funeral for Elizabeth June Ster Codopony, 58, Apache, will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Comanche Community Center, Apache, with the Rev. George Daingkau and the Rev. Amon Harjo officiating. Prayer service will be at 7 p.m. Sunday at Comanche Nation Funeral Home. Mrs. Codopony died Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2005, at a Lawton hospital. Burial will be at Cache Creek Cemetery, west of Apache. She was born Feb. 6, 1947, in Lawton to Max Silverhorn Sr. and Verita Joyce Auchiah. She was given the Indian name, "Salsama." She grew up in Stecker and attended Apache High School and Cameron University. She married Voris Codopony on Oct. 18, 1996, in Lawton. She was a member of the Kiowa Tribe and the Kiowa War Mothers and the Kiowa Black Leggings Society. She was the granddaughter of Haungooah and Hattie Taugoon, Thomas Auchiah and Lizzie Catt. She was a fifth-generation descendant of Chief Santana White Bear. Survivors include her husband; two sons and a daughter-in-law: Isaiah Silverhorn Codopony and Joseph Lozano III and Roxana; a daughter and son- in-law, Shonday Lisette and Daniel Jenks, Fort Campbell, Ky.; five brothers: Charles Silverhorn and Allen Silverhorn, both of Anadarko; Thomas "Tweet" Silverhorn Sr., Fort Cobb; James Silverhorn, Medicine Park; Marcus Silverhorn, Seattle; three sisters: Maxine Silverhorn Polite, Livingston, Texas; Marlene Silverhorn Catterson, Crawfordsville, Ind.; and Carla Silverhorn, Oklahoma City; a special sister, Velma Ruth Eisenberger, Kayeata, Ariz.; and a granddaughter, Ashley Rose Milacek, Carnegie. She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Max Jr.; and her grandparents. Copyright c. 2005 The Lawton Constitution. -=-=-=- November 15, 2005 John Harris Yazzie Jr. Kayenta, Ariz. Jan. 23, 1943 - Nov. 11, 2005 John Harris Yazzie Jr., 62, of Kayenta, Ariz., passed away Friday, Nov. 11, 2005, of natural causes at Winslow Campus of Care. He was born Jan. 23, 1943, in Tuba City, Ariz. to John Yazzie and Lois Benally. He was born for Tacheeni Clan and to the Water Reed Clan. John was a lawyer and had worked as an Indian Law Consultant specializing in Navajo law from 1968 to 1973. He also worked for DNA Legal Aid Services as an Advocate and worked with Louis Denetsosie on an adoption case that went to the U.S. Supreme Court concerning wrongful termination of parental rights involving the Laguna Tribal Courts. John is preceded in death by his natural father, John Yazzie. He is survived by his wife, Lula Babbitt and sons, Vernall and Trevor Yazzie; June Birdsong and son, Malcolm Yazzie; Annie Walker and sons, Vincent and John Yazzie; stepsons, Brian Tagaban and Keith Tagaban; step- daughter, Meryl Yazzie; two grandchildren; mother, Lois Benally and step- father, Ned Benally; brothers, Ned Benally Jr., Lawson Benally, Tommy Benally; sisters, Mavis Benally and Yvonne Benally. Funeral services will be at 9 a.m. today, Wednesday, Nov. 16, at Kayenta Bible Church in Kayenta. A reception will follow at Lawson Benally's residence in Kayenta. Interment will be at 3:30 p.m. at the Flagstaff Citizen Cemetery with a reception following at 5 p.m. at the Flagstaff Mission to the Navajo's in Flagstaff. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to www. keyahhozhonitours.com/johnyazziefuneral.html. Arrangements are with Desert Memorial Funeral Home, (928) 283-6805. November 18, 2005 Bobby Jumbo Bitsilly Sr. Toadlena Sept. 3, 1927 - Nov. 15, 2005 Bobby Jumbo Bitsilly Sr., 78, of Toadlena, died Nov. 15, 2005, at Northern Navajo Medical Center in Shiprock. He was born Sept. 3, 1927, in Gray Mesa. He loved the outdoors and loved all the animals. He will be remembered as a rancher. He spent the majority of his working life in housing construction. He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends. Bobby is survived by his sons, Robert Jumbo Bitsilly II, Albert Bitsilly, Dennis Bitsilly, Edison Bitsilly, Mark Bitsilly and Bobby Bitsilly Jr.; daughters, Miriam Simms,Sarah Thomas and Brenda Reyes; brother, Wilbert Bitsilly; sister, Betty Yazzie; 50 grandchildren and 42 great- grandchildren. A celebration of Bobby Bitsilly's life will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, at the Lighthouse United Pentecostal Church in Newcomb, with the Rev. Ernest Peshlakai and the Rev. Robertson Jackson officiating. He will be laid to rest at the Community Cemetery in Toadlena. Arrangements are with Cope Memorial Kirtland Chapel, 458 CR 6100 in Kirtland, (505) 598-9636. Copyright c. 2005 Farmington Daily Times, a Gannett Co., Inc. newspaper. -=-=-=- November 15, 2005 Violet Etsitty CHINLE - Funeral services for Violet Helena Etsitty, 92, were at 10 a.m. this morning, Nov. 15 at the Chinle Catholic Church. Father Clayton Killburn will officiate. Interment will follow in the Chinle community cemetery. Etsitty died Nov. 10 in Chinle. She was born June 13, 1913 in Chinle into the Water Flows Together People Clan. Etsitty graduated from Fort Wingate High School. She retired from thr BIA following 30 years of service. Etsitty was a member of the Catholic church; enjoyed attending song and dances, traveling and spending time with her grandchildren. Survivors include her sons, Larry J. Etsitty of Steamboat, Freddie Etsitty of Chinle; daughters, Geraldine Clark of Teetso, Elfrieda J. Tsosie of Chinle, Karolyn Etsitty of Phoenix; 24 grandchildren, 35 great- grandchildren and eight great-great grandchildren. Etsitty was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd Ken Etsitty; son, Gerald V. Etsitty; sisters, Margaret Talliwood, Zonnie Tsosie; and brother, Whitesinger Begay. Pallbearers will be Larry Kenneth Etsitty, Garrett Leighton Etsitty, Dudley B. Clar, Vincent Lewis, Danny Tsosie and Harrison Begay. The family will receive relatives and friends at the Chinle Catholic Hall following services. Tse Bonito Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Kenneth L. Bedonnie MANY FARMS - Funeral Mass for Kenneth Lewis Badonnie, 55, will be 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 16 at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church. Sister Christa McGill, S.B.S will officiate. Bedonnie died Nov. 10 in Chinle. He was born June 23, 1950 in Ganado into the Water Edge People Clan for the Tangle People Clan. Survivors include his son, Jerry Yazzie of Shiprock; mother, Nellie Rose Badoni; brothers, Ervin Bedonie of Many Farms, Ricky Bedonie of Page; sisters, Rosita A. Sorrell, Carmelita A. Deswood, Bernita A. Woody, all of Many Farms; grandparents, Douglas Chee and Nellie Nelson Crosby; and three grandchildren. Bedonnie was preceded in death by his father, Kee Badoni; brothers, Lorenzo Badonie and Virgil Bedonie. Tse Bonito Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. November 16, 2005 Franklin Yazzie GALLUP - Funeral services for Franklin Harold Yazzie, 71, will be 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 17 at Rollie Mortuary. John Gonzales will officiate. Interment will follow on family land. Yazzie died Nov. 12 in Gallup. He was born April 29, 1934 in Deer Springs into the Mexican People Clan for the Towering House People Clan. Visitation will be on Thursday, Nov. 17 at 9 a.m. at Rollie Mortuary. Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Yazzie; daughters, Ophelia June Juan of Winterhaven, Calif., Janet Largo of Shiprock, Debi A. Nez of Albuquerque, Harriett Stroud of Tahlequah, Okla., Carmelita Jean Yazzie, Felicia Elizabeth Yazzie both of Gallup; sons, Harry Tso, Jr. of Window Rock, Ron Tso of Chinle, Ramon Yazzie, Sr. of Window Rock; 23 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Dezmond Juan, Cameron Nez, Christopher Nez, Morgan Nez, Darren Stroud, Byron Tso, Hola Tso, Jaron Tso and Weston Tso. Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Billson Eddie TWO WELLS - Funeral services for Billson Eddie, 30, will be 10 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 17 at Cope Memorial Chapel. Terrance Calvin will officiate. Burial will follow in the Gallup City Cemetery. Eddie died Nov. 13 in Albuquerque. He was born Aug. 29, 1975 in Zuni into the Bitter Water People Clan for the Towering House People Clan. Survivors include his parents, Edison and Irene Eddie of Vanderwagen; brother, Delbert Eddie of Gallup; sisters, Sharlene Eddie of Albuquerque, Colleen Benally of Two Wells, Kayleen Yazzie of Smooth Mountain, Cheryle Pedroza of Chihuahua, Mexico; grandparents, Mr. and Mrs.Ted S. Eddie, and Mr. and Mrs. Sam Ben, all of Two Wells. Pallbearers will be Orlando Eddie, Armondo Eddie, Fernando Eddie, Anthony Sanchez, Samuel Ben and Elias Sanchez. Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements. November 17, 2005 Christian Descheenie CHINLE - Funeral services for Christian Christopher Descheenie, 11, will be 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 18 at the Chinle Christian Center. Pastor Artie Aragon will officiate. Interment will follow in Chinle. Descheenie died Nov. 13 in Chinle. He was born June 17, 1994 in Phoenix, Ariz. into the Towering House People Clan for the Cliff Dwellers People Clan. Descheenie was a 5th grader in Chinle at the time of his death. Survivors include his mother, Bertha Gorman of Chinle; father, Christopher Descheenie; stepmother, Charlotte Descheenie of Chinle; brothers, Charles Gorman, Taylor Gorman, Sheridan Gorman, Noah Descheenie, Mahlon Descheenie, all of Chinle; sisters, Krystal Eriacho of Phoenix, Tiffany Gorman of Chinle; grandparents, Jessie Gorman, Benjamin Descheenie, Edward Begay, all of Chinle. Gorman was preceded in death by his brother, Eric Gorman. Pallbearers will be Arron Francis, Taylor Gorman, Sheridan Gorman, Danny Felix, Stan Burbank and Fabian Jones. Compassion Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Go to www. compassionmortuary.com to send condolences. Henry Jones MANUELITO - Funeral services for Henry B. Jones, 69, will be 10 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 18 at Cope Memorial, Gallup. Pastor Terry Goodin will officiate. Interment will follow in the Gallup City Cemetery. Jones died Nov. 11 in Holbrook. He was born Nov. 4, 1937 in Fort Defiance into the Black Streak Wood People Clan for the Bitter Water People Clan. Jones attended school in Fort Defiance and attended a Bible college. He was a railroad worker, rancher, silversmith, and acted in "Halleluah Trail" and "Ace in the Hole". Jones also enjoyed traveling the U.S. Survivors inlcude his son, Leon E. Jones of Fort Wingate; daughters, Gloria Etsitty of Tsayatoh, Marjorie Jones-Spencer of Red Rock, Marguerita Joe of Jones Ranch, Darlene Tso of Ontario, Oregon, Henrietta Jones of S.C. , Stephanie Jones of Gallup; brothers, Buck Jones of Manuelito; sister, Martha Duboise of Manuelito; 29 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Jones was preceded in death by his mother, Elizabeth Anderson; father, John Bahe; brothers, Miller Bahe, Billy Bahe, Max Bahe, Paul Bahe, Joe Bahe; sisters, Louise Chee, Pauline Begay, Mary Duboise and one grandson. Pallbearers will be Anthony Spencer, Jr., Myron "Andy" Joe, Tyson Payaso, Jaython Payaso, Anthony Spencer, Sr., and Marvin Tso. The family will receieve relatives and friends at the Manuelito Chapter House following services. Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Franklin Yazzie GALLUP - Funeral services for Franklin Harold Yazzie, 71, were this morning Nov. 17 at 10 a.m. at Rollie Mortuary. John Gonzales officiated. Interment followed on family land. Yazzie died Nov. 12 in Gallup. He was born April 29, 1934 in Deer Springs into the Mexican People Clan for the Towering House People Clan. Visitation was this morning, Nov. 17 at 9 a.m. at Rollie Mortuary. Survivors include his daughters, Ophelia June Juan of Winterhaven, Calif. Janet Largo of Shiprock, Debi A. Nez of Albuquerque, Harriett Stroud of Tahlequah, Okla., Carmelita Jean Yazzie, Felicia Elizabeth Yazzie both of Gallup; sons, Harry Tso, Jr. of Window Rock, Ron Tso of Chinle, Ramon Yazzie, Sr. of Window Rock; 23 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Yazzie was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Yazzie. Pallbearers were Dezmond Juan, Cameron Nez, Christopher Nez, Morgan Nez, Darren Stroud, Byron Tso, Hola Tso, Jaron Tso and Weston Tso. Rollie Mortuary had charge of arrangements. Gene Gaddy Sr. WIDE RUINS - Funeral services for Gene Gaddy, Sr., 69, will be 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 17 at St. Anne's Catholic Church. Brother John Hostream will officiate. Burial will follow in the Wide Ruins Cemetery. Gaddy, Sr. died Nov. 11 in Fort Defiance. He was born June 6, 1936 in Wide Ruins into the Towering House People Clan for the Bitter Water People Clan. Survivors include his wife, Mary C. Yazzie of Hunters Point; sons, Gene Gaddy, Jr. of Phoenix, Andy Gaddy of Show Low; brothers, George Kee of Tuba City, Charles Kee of Mesa, Ariz.; sisters, Mary Johnson, Marie Billy, Rose Bonnie, Elsie Morgan all of Wide Ruins, Bessie George of Klagetoh; and seven grandchildren. Gaddy, Sr. was preceded in death by his parents, Matthew and Annie Gaddy; son, Eugene Gaddy. Pallbearers will be George Kee, Harrison Billy, Benjamin Johnson, Kenneth Billy, Vernon Littlesinger and Jackie June. The family will receive relatives and friends at the Wide Ruins Chapter House following services. Tse Bonito Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Maxine Quahi FLAGSTAFF - Funeral services for Maxine Quahi, 78, will be 9 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19 at Greer's Mortuary, Winslow. Rev. Joe Perry will officiate. Interment will follow in the Desert View Cemetery. Quahi died Nov. 14 in Flagstaff. He was born March 2, 1927 in Dilkon, Ariz. Quahi was a member of the Dilkon Chapter. She was a Harvey Girl and an advocate for seniors rights. Survivors include her son, Herbert Quahi; daughters, Kathryn Quahi, Barbara Ahern, Debra Quahi; brothers, Chee Keams, Willie Keams; sisters, Effie Nezzie, Moretta Bahe, Betty Chee; 10 grandchildren and two great- grandchildren. Quahi was preceded in death by her husband, Preston Quahi; daughter, Patricia Quahi; parents, Hosteen Tso and Alice K. Gishie. Pallbearers will be Ray K. Dan, Jonathan Manygoats, Sammie Keams, Jonathan Leonard, Robert Peaches and Michael McGahey. Irene I. Warner MARIANO LAKE - Funeral services for Irene I. Warner, 77, will be 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19 at Rollie Mortuary. Interment will follow in Rehoboth Cemetery. Warner died Nov. 15 in Albuquerque. She was born Dec. 1, 1927 in Rehoboth for the Black Streak Wood People Clan. Survivors inlcude her daughters, Violet Henry of Rehoboth, Delores Tapaha of Mariano Lake; son, David Warner of Mariano Lake; sister Marie Arviso of Crownpoint; 18 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. Warner was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence Warner; father, Jake Peshlakai; mother, Mary Peshlakai; sister, Alice Gonzales; brothers, Charlie Peshlakai and Wayne Peshlakai. Pallbearers will be Marshall Arviso, Russell Bennett, Jeff Davis, Brian Gruber, Trever Henry and Vernon D. Warner. Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. November 18, 2005 Rev. Roy Nells Sr. TEESTO - Funeral services for Rev. Roy B. Nells, Sr., 75, will be 9 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19 at the Cedar Springs Church of Nazarene. Herman Nells will officiate. Interment will follow on a family plot in Teesto. Rev. Nells, Sr. died Nov. 16 in Teesto. He was born Aug. 16, 1930 in Seba Dalkai, Ariz. Survivors include his wife, Irene C. Nells; sons, John R. Nells, Albert B. Nells, Roy Nells, Jr., Herman Nells, Julius Nells, Vincent B. Nells, Jerry Nells; daughters, Rosebelle Acothley, Rena M. Vaughn; father, John B. Nells; 28 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Ronald Furcap, Jonathan Nells, Gabriel Nells, Jefferson Paddock, Reuben Nells, Thomas Nells, Jerry Nells and Myron Paddock. November 19, 2005 Raymond B. Begay REHOBOTH - Funeral services for Raymond Bob Begay, 58, will be 10 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 21 at Rollie Mortuary. Begay died Nov. 16 in Albuquerque. He was born April 14, 1947 in Rehoboth into the Water Flows Together People Clan for the Meadow People Clan. Begay was raised by his grandmother and farmed and ranched in the Pinedale area. He graduated from Gallup High School in 1967. Begay served in the US Marine Corps during Vietnam and received the Purple Heart. He returned to Gallup and met his wife and was employed with Kerr McGee Mines. Begay was a horseman who participated in rodeo and enjoyed watching television, traveling, supporting his children in academics and rodeo. Survivors include his daughters, Falisha Begay, Shannette Begay, both of Rehoboth; sons, Shawn B. Begay of Pinedale, Tristin Begay of Rehoboth; sisters, Bessie Begay of Pinedale, Marie Joe of Lukachukai; and three grandchildren. Begay was preceded in death by his wife, Stella F. Begay; father, Robert Bob Begay; mother, Katherine Kay Gray; and brother, Tsosie Charleston. Pallbearers will be Shawn B. Begay, Roger Bradley, Ernest Brown, Olin Charleston, Olson Charleston and Raymond Francis. Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Gabrielle Tsosie NAVAJO, N.M. - Services for Gabrielle Tsosie, 19, will be at 10 a.m., Monday, Nov. 21 at Our Lady of Blessed Sacrament in Fort Defiance. Fr. Meldon Hickey, OFM will officiate. Burial will follow at the Fort Defiance Community Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to services. Tsosie died Nov. 14 in Navajo. She was born in June 12, 1986 in Fort Defiance into the Bitter Water People Clan for the Towering House People Clan. Gabrielle was in the 12th grade and during the summer she worked as a zookeeper, child care provider and secretary. Her hobbies included watching wrestly and being with her brothers and sisters. Survivors include her parents, Fitzpatrick Roanhorse, Sr., and Belind Segay, both of Navajo aned her father, Benjamin Tsosie; brothers Darren Tsosie, Donovan Tsosie, Dion Segay, Brandon Tsosie, Fitzpatrick Roanhorse, Jr., Joshua Roanhorse, all of Navajo; sisters, Fiona Tsosie, Jessica Tsosie and Patricia Roanhorse, all of Navajo; grandparents, Susie Segay and Ella Tsosie, both of Navajo. Tsosie was preceded in death by her grandfather, Milton Segay Sr. Pallbearers will be Herman Nez, Irving Nez, Wilbert Thomas, Myron Tsinnijinnie, Darren Tsosie and Fitzpatrick D. Roanhorse, Sr. Ethel Kee KLAGETOH, Ariz. - Services for Ethel Kee, 73, will be at 10 a.m., Monday, Nov. 21 at Klagetoh St. Anne Mission. Burial will follow in Klagetoh. Kee was born Sept. 4, 1932. Survivors include her husband, Leo Kee; sons, Larry Kee, Eddie Kee, Ricky Kee, Leon Kee, Edray Kee, Alex Kee and Earl Kee; daughters, Ester Kee, Diane Kee, Maria Kee; brothers, Eugene Antonio; sisters, Rina Yazzie and Lilly Calvin, 29 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren. Tse Bonito Mortuary in in charge of arrangements. Mary Begay CRYSTAL, N.M. - Services for Mary Tsosie Begay, 84, will be at 10 a.m., Monday, Nov. 21 at St. Michael's Catholic Church. Fr. Gilbert Schneider will officiate. Burial will follow in family land in Crystal. Viewing will be one hour before services. A rosary will be recited on Sunday, Nov. 20 at 5:30 at St. Bernard Parish. Begay died Nov. 17 in Fort Defiance. She was born Oct. 10, 1921 in Wheatfields into the Red Bottom People Clan for the Black Sheep People Clan. Begay was a traditional crystal style rug weaver. Survivors include her son Nelson Begay, daughter Priscilla M. Begay, Granddaughters Rosalie Begay and Theodora Begay and grandson Fran W. Fransico. Pallbearers will be Lyle R. Fransico, Bernon A. Begay, Michael R. Sage, Brian K. Sage, Fitzgerald Cadman and George Begaye. The family will receive friends and relatives at the Crystal Chapter House following services. Tse Bonito Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. November 21, 2005 Jimmie K. Chee GREASEWOOD SPRINGS - Funeral services for Jimmie K. Chee, 67, will be 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 22 at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church. Interment will follow in Greasewood Springs. Chee died Nov. 17 in Greasewood Springs. He was born May 16, 1938 in Greasewood Springs into the One Walks Around People Clan for the Honey Combed Rock People Clan. Chee graduated from Snowflake High School in 1959. He was employed with the BIA land operations as a range management technician. He was an announcer on KDJI radio station in Holbrook. Chee also was an NTUA dispatcher, brand inspector, Navajo tribal ranger, and security for PNM Mine and a chapter official for 12 years. Survivors inlcude his son, Norman K. Chee; daughters, Andrea Guiterrez, Garnette Harrison, Rebecca K. Chee; mother, Madeline Kinlicheenie, sisters, Charlotte K. Chee, Ann Spencer; five grandchildren and two great- grandchildren. Chee was preceded in death by his father, Carl Kinlicheenie. The family will receive relatives and friends at the Greasewood Chapter following services. Tse Bonito Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Shush Yellowhorse GALLUP - Funeral services are pending for Shush Yellowhorse, 73. Yellowhorse was born Sept. 6, 1932. Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Copyright c. 2005 the Gallup Independent. -=-=-=- November 15, 2005 Agnes Yazzie Agnes Nidebah Yazzie, 83, of Flagstaff, died Friday, Nov. 11, 2005, in Scottsdale. She was born for Redhouse Clan and born into Bigwater Clan on July 22, 1922, in Greasewood, Ariz., to Tah "Tom Lee" Yazzie and Hanibah Manygoats Yazzie. Ms. Yazzie has lived in Flagstaff for the past 44 years. She worked at N. A.U. custodial department for more than 10 years before her retirement. She was a member of the Native American Church. Survivors include her daughter Ernestine Y. and Kenneth Lee Sr. of Flagstaff; her brother Jimmie Lee, of Greasewood; sisters, Laverne (Tony) Beyal, Jane (Hoskie) Begay of Greasewood, and Bessie (Ramon) Charley of Flagstaff; and three grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Hanibah and Tom Yazzie; sisters Louise Lee, Marie Charley and Helen Lowman; brother Harry Lee Sr.; and a great granddaughter. Rosary will be today, Tuesday, at 7 p.m. at the Norvel Owens Mortuary Chapel, with funeral Mass to be Wednesday at 10 a.m. at St. Pius X Catholic Church. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery. Donations can be made to the Arizona State Credit Union under Agnes Yazzie. Norvel Owens Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. November 18, 2005 John Yazzie Jr. John H. Yazzie Jr., 72, of Kayenta, died Friday, Nov. 11, 2005, in Winslow. Mr. Yazzie was born Jan. 22, 1943, in Tuba City. He was the Reed clan born for Red Running in the Water clan. Mr. Yazzie was a retired lawyer. He was a wrestler at Northern Arizona University. He also wrestled for Flagstaff High School and played football. He graduated in 1962. As a lawyer, he helped many people. Mr. Yazzie is survived by his wife, Lula Yazzie; his sons, John Yazzie III, Vincent Yazzie, Malcolm Yazzie, Vernall Yazzie, Trevor Yazzie; stepdaughter Merlina Yazzie; stepsons Brian Tagaban and Keesto Tagaban; sisters Mavis Benally and Yovaughn Benally; brothers Lawson Benally Sr., Tommy Benally and Ned Benally Jr.; four grandchildren; and extended family in Navajo. Services were Wednesday at Kayenta Bible Church. Burial was in Citizens Cemetery in Flagstaff. Arrangements are by Desert Memorial Mortuary. Roy Nells Rev. Roy B. Nells, Sr., 75, died Thursday, Nov. 16, 2005, in Teesto. The Rev. Nells was born Aug. 16, 1930, in Seba Dalkai. He was a devoted and loving family man and minister who enjoyed raising his livestock. He is survived by his wife, Irene C. Nells; sons John R. (Juanita) Nells of Teesto, Albert B. (MaryLou) Nells of Flagstaff, Roy (Lorraine) Nells Jr. of Nazlini, Herman (Cynthia) Nells of Ramah, N.M., Julius (Gloria) Nells of Albuquerque, N.M., Vincent (Erma) B. Nells of Hard Rock and Jerry Nells of Teesto; daughters Rosebelle (Melvin) Acothley of Tuba City and Rena M. Vaugh of Teesto; 28 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be Saturday at 9 a.m. at Cedar Springs Church of the Nazarene. Herman Nells is officiating. Interment will follow in the family plot in Teesto. Arrangements are by Greer's Mortuary of Winslow. November 19, 2005 Haskie Yazzie Haskie Yazzie, 78, of Blackfalls, died Monday, Nov. 14, 2005, en route to Flagstaff Medical Center, following a long battle with diabetes. Mr. Yazzie was born Dec. 1, 1927, at Blackfalls area to Sallie Lee. Mr. Yazzie retired from Peabody Coal Company in June of 1992 after working for 15 years. He has also worked at Wupatki National Park Service, Grand Canyon National Park, Union Pacific and Santa Fe Railroad, in the bean fields north of Flagstaff from 1946-1950 under Arthur Brandis, Charlie and Violet and for different ranchers around the Flagstaff area. Mr. Yazzie is survived by his wife Della Begay Yazzie; sons Dennis Yazzie, Milton Yazzie and Ervin James Yazzie, all of Blackfalls, Bruce Yazzie and Kenneth Yazzie of Albuquerque, N.M.; daughter Carolyn McCabe of Flagstaff; 10 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Mr. Yazzie was preceded in death by his mother Sallie Lee; stepfather Emmett Lee; and brother Virgil Tso. Graveside services will be today at 10 a.m. (MST) at Blackfalls Cemetery. Memorial account number 9916187504 has been set up at Wells Fargo. Arrangements are by Desert Memorial Funeral Home in Tuba City. Copyright c. 2000-2005 Arizona Daily Sun. -=-=-=- November 18, 2005 Janice L. Perez `Dani' Janice L. Perez "Dani", 46, passed away on Friday, November 11, 2005 in Salinas, California. She was born in Phoenix, Arizona on August 3, 1958. She was a homemaker and a big Dallas Cowboy fan. Janice was a lovely person who was loved by all who met her and she will be deeply missed. Janice is survived by her husband, Francisco Perez, Jr., of Salinas, Calif.; and family, Deborah Hayes, Laura and Curtis Thomas, Mildred Soto, Lydia Soto, Ashley Hart, Lisa, Boston, Benicio Esquerra, Delores Perez; all the Perez family from Salinas, California; and nephews, Rafael Hayes, Jr., Carlos Hayes, and Josiah Marquez. She was preceded in death by her father, Pete R. Hayes; and mother, Lillian T. Hayes. Funeral services will be at West Cocopah Indian Reservation on Tuesday, November 22, 2005 at 5 p.m. November 19, 2005 Emorie Montague O'Brien Emorie Montague O'Brien left us to be with our Lord on November 15, 2005. She was born September 22, 1916 on the Ft. Yuma Indian Reservation. She was 89 years old. Emorie was a homemaker, loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She also found time to serve on the Quechan Tribal Council for many years. She had served as the President of the Indian Health Service hospital board and was the first Avon lady on the reservation. Her favorite pastime was playing the slots at Paradise Casinos. Emorie is survived by her daughters, Constance (George) Amador, Mary (Doyle) O'Brien, and Carlotta (Julio) Sestiaga, all of Ft. Yuma Reservation; thirty-two grandchildren; eighty-one great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband, Albert O'Brien, Sr.; sons, Albert, Jr., Charles and David O'Brien; daughters, Miriam and Muriel O'Brien; parents, Joseph and Alice Montague; brothers, Henry, Sr., James, and Joseph Montague; and sister, Alice Tatro. Mass will be at St. Thomas Indian Mission on Monday, November 21, 2005 at 4:30 p.m. with Father Monahan officiating. Tribal rites to follow on the Ft. Yuma Indian Reservation. Cremation will be 5 a.m. Tuesday, November 22, 2005. Pallbearers will be her grandsons. Honorary pallbearers are her brothers and son-in-laws. Our Beloved Mama will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts. Copyright c. 2005 The Yuma Sun, Sun Freedom Newspapers of Southwestern Arizona. -=-=-=- November 15, 2005 Michael P. Day Michael P. Day, age 72, and a lifelong resident of the Swi-nomish Reservation passed away on Sunday, November 13, 2005. Michael was born on August 10, 1933 in La Conner to Au-gust and Martha (Charles) Day, Sr. As a young man he joined the Army. During his life he farmed, logged and fished for a living. Michael liked to carve. He enjoyed nature while on his walks. Walking is an activity that he enjoyed most. Although Michael had no children of his own he was very close with his numerous nieces and nephews whom he loved. He was loved by his entire family and will be greatly missed. He is survived by: many nieces and nephews, as well as great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and all his brothers and sisters. Prayer services will be held at the Swinomish Social Services Building on Wednesday, No-vember 16, 2005 at 7:00 PM. Funeral services will also be held at the Swinomish Social Services Building on Thursday, November 17, 2005 at 10:00 AM with burial at the Swinom-ish Cemetery to follow. Share your many memories of Michael by signing his register book online at www.kernfune-ralhome.com. Arrangements are under the care of Kern Funeral Home, Mount Vernon. Copyright c. 2005 Skagit Valley Herald/Mount Vernon, Wa. -=-=-=- November 16, 2005 Collette Caroline Lee "Hotin-sqeeo" WHITE SWAN - Collette Caroline Lee "Hotin-sqeeo", 37, of White Swan, Washington went to the Creator on Monday October 17, 2005 at her home. Collette was born September 5, 1968 to Ambrose Jack and Sonya Hollow in Seattle, Washington. She was a member of the Colville Confederated Tribe. At the time of her death, Collette was pursuing her master's degree. Collette loved to travel, having gone to Italy, Hawaii (twice), Key West, Long Island, Ground Zero, to name a few. She enjoyed picking huckleberries, digging roots and being in the mountains. Collette did beadwork and sewing. She sewed her children's regalia and put her love into every stitch. Collette made her own jingle dresses and she and her children participated in Pow Wows throughout the country. Collette is survived by her companion, George Lee; son, Lance Hollow; daughter, Hantela Hollow; grandparents, Antone and June Hollow; uncle, Walt Hollow and his wife Lynn; aunt, Kitty; sisters, Janice Jackson and Brenda Jack; brothers Andrew and Irving Jack; and cousins, Jodi, Todd, Craig, Maleela, Benjamin, Nataya, and Becky. She was preceded in death by parents, Ambrose Jack and Sonya Hollow, her brother, Martin Koinzan, and her grandmother, Maude Hollow. Dressing services were held Wednesday afternoon October 19, 2005 at the Toppenish Creek Longhouse. Funeral services were held Thursday morning October 20th, with concluding services and burial in the Toppenish Creek Cemetery at White Swan. November 18, 2005 Angel Jesus Sanchez WAPATO - Angel Jesus Sanchez, infant son of Raynaldo and Nina (Vargas) Sanchez, Sr. of Wapato died at birth on Saturday November 12, 2005 at Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital. Although our son has gone on to be with our Lord and Savior and play with the Angels, we will always keep him in our hearts and love him. He will be greatly missed by his parents, Raynaldo and Nina Sanchez, Sr. ; sister, Angelica Joy Sanchez; grandparents, Jose and Rosa Sanchez; grandmother, Mary Vargas and great grandparents, Alfredo and Annie Vargas all of Wapato, WA. Angel was preceded in death by his brother, Raynaldo Jose Sanchez, Jr., his uncle, Robert M. Vargas and his grandfather, Alfredo Vargas. Funeral services will be held 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 19, 2005 at Merritt Funeral Home in Wapato. Concluding services and burial will follow in the Reservation Community Memorial Park west of Wapato. Copyright c. 2005 Yakima Herald-Republic/Yakima, WA. -=-=-=- November 15, 2005 Kimberly Ann Evening FORT HALL - Kimberly Ann Evening, 38, passed away at home on November 4, 2005. She was born to Darrell Evening and Virginia Jane Duran on September 29, 1967, in Helena, Montana. Kimberly was Shoshone Bannock/Arapahoe but was an enrolled member of the Shoshone Bannock Tribes. She grew up on the Wind River Indian Reservation, Wyoming until her late teens. She then moved to the Fort Hall Indian Reservation residing with her grandmother Inez Evening and step-grandfather, Daniel Evening. She graduated from Blackfoot High School. She married Carlos Lopez, January 14, 1987 (later divorced). To this marriage were born Shantell Lee Lopez and Darrell Anthony Lopez. Kimberly attended Idaho State University and had prior employment with the Indian Health Service in the Contract Health Department. She enjoyed reading, watching movies, and bowling with her son. She is survived by her children; a long-time companion; Robert Sloss, Fort Hall, her brother; Clifford Duran, Wyoming; maternal aunts and uncles of Arapahoe, Wyoming; Joyce Duran, Lorraine Duran, Delmer Duran, Michael G. Duran, Claude Duran; paternal grandfather; Jonah Mink, Fort Hall; Paternal uncle and aunts; Ricky Evening, Wade Evening, Manny Evening, Inga Evening, Stephanita Vallely, Lela Evening Teton, all of Fort Hall, and numerous relatives in Idaho and Wyoming. Preceding her in death are her parents; paternal grandparents; Ernest & Inez Evening; maternal grandparents Steve and Ida Mae Duran; an uncle Clifford (Choff) Evening, and aunt Suzanne (Punkie) Evening Diggie. Relatives and friends gathered for Native traditional visitation at her residence on South Bannock Road, Fort Hall, at noon, Sunday, November 6, 2005. A church service was at 10 a.m., Monday, November 7th, at the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church on Mission Road, Fort Hall. Immediately following she will be taken to Joyce Duran's residence in Arapahoe, Wyoming until burial service at 10 a.m., Wednesday, November 9, 2005. All funeral arrangements are under the direction of the family. Copyright c. 2005 Sho-Ban News. All rights reserved. -=-=-=- November 21, 2005 Nohndasoxgee 'Nohnda' Tillman ETHETE - Traditional Indian Funeral Services for Ethete resident Nohnasoxgee "Nohnda" Tillman, 22, will be conducted at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22, in Blue Sky Hall in Ethete. Interment will be in Whiteplume Family Cemetery in Ethete. Evening service and wake will begin at 7 p.m. today, Nov. 21, at the Shawn and Claire Ware residence, No. 57 Shipton Lane. He died Nov. 19, 2005, in Ethete, of injuries received in an automobile accident. Born Feb. 25, 1983, in Ponca City, Okla., he was the son of Antoinette (Standsblack) and Franklin Tillman; and was raised and educated in Oklahoma, Kansas, Montana and Wyoming. At the time of his death, he was working on his general education degree and planned to continue his education in a technical field. He loved to draw, and work on his car; and enjoyed watching videos, visiting with his family and friends, telling jokes and teasing others. Survivors include his parents; his companion, Mickeal Washakie; stepson, Mark; sister, Sharel Tillman of Fort Washakie; two brothers and their wives, Eddie Tillman of Casper and Travis Shakespeare of Ethete; several other family members; his grandparents, Marjory Tillman, Leona Buckman, Elva and Clayton Running Crane, Marion Buckman, Beatrice Buckman, Bennie, Lee and Leland Tillman, all of the Wind River Reservation, Parish Williams of Ponca City and Georgetta and Slick Revere of Lawrence, Kan.; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by several relatives; and his grandparents, Laura (Shoulder Blade) and John Buckman, Frankie Tillman, Phyllis Tillman, Marilyn and Clarence Standsblack, Frank Tillman, Betty Addison, Adriene and Ruban Tillman and Edward and Alfred Buckman. Wind Dancer Funeral Home of Fort Washakie is in charge of arrangements. Copyright c. 2005 Casper Star-Tribune published by Lee Publications, Inc., a subsidiary of Lee Enterprises, Incorporated. -=-=-=- November 15, 2005 Luella Mae Wiegand Weston HARDIN - Luella Mae Wiegand Weston, 93, of Hardin, formerly Billings, passed away Saturday, Nov. 12, 2005, at Heritage Acres in Hardin. The daughter of Albert P. And Catherine Wiegand, Luella was born July 8, 1912, at the family home near Dodson. At the age of 14, she went to Flandreau, S.D., where she attended and graduated from Flandreau Indian School. An enrolled member of the Assiniboine Tribe, she worked as a boarding school matron for the BIA in Wahpeton, N.D., Pierre, S.D., and Flandreau, S.D. While working in Wahpeton, she met Donald Arthur Weston. They were married at White Earth, Minn., in 1940. Luella was a member of the Eastern Star, NARF and AARP. She also enjoyed Shrine activities with her husband. Luella loved to cook and enjoyed embroidery, crocheting and raising flowers. Survivors include her daughter, Donna Jean Weston Hall of Hardin; grandson Chad Thomas Hall of Sequim, Wash.; and her sister, Rosie Stuart of Harlem. Her husband Don preceded her in death Jan. 3, 1992. Also preceding her in death are brothers and sisters, James H. Wiegand, Laura Wiegand, Catherine Wiegand Warren, Elmer Wiegand, Nellie Wiegand, Audrey Wiegand Snelson, Boyd Burtch and Laura Burtch. Prayer services will be 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15, at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16, at the mortuary, with interment in Mountview Cemetery. Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary has charge of arrangements. Copyright c. 2005 The Billings Gazette, a division of Lee Enterprises. -=-=-=- November 17, 2005 Luella Mae Wiegand Weston Luella Mae Wiegand Weston, 93, of Hardin, formerly of Billings, died Saturday, Nov. 12, 2005, at Heritage Acres in Hardin. The daughter of Albert P. And Catherine Wiegand, she was born July 8, 1912, at the family home near Dodson. At the age of 14 she went to Flandreau, S.D., and graduated from Flandreau Indian School. An enrolled member of the Assiniboine Tribe, she worked as a boarding school matron for the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs in Wahpeton, N.D., Pierre, S.D., and Flandreau, S.D. She married Donald Arthur Weston at White Earth, Minn., in 1940. Mrs. Weston was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, the Native American Rights Fund and the American Association of Retired Persons. She took part in Shrine activities with her husband. Survivors include a daughter, Donna Jean Weston Hall of Hardin; a grandson; and a sister, Rosie Stuart of Harlem. Prayer services were held Nov. 15 at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary. Funeral services were on Nov. 16 with interment in Mountview Cemetery. Copyright c. 2005 The Billings Outpost. -=-=-=- Golden Triangle On-Line Obituaries The following obituaries appeared in the Cut Bank Pioneer Press, Shelby Promoter, Valierian or Glacier Reporter this week. November 16, 2005 Marjorie `Margie' Bird Juneau Marjorie `Margie' Bird Juneau, 86, a cook for Browning Public Schools, died Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2005 at Blackfeet Community Hospital of natural causes. The wake was held at the Old Eagle Shields, where the rosary was recited Friday, Nov. 11. Funeral services were held Saturday, Nov. 12, at the Old Eagle Shields. Visitation and services were held in conjunction with Mildred `Bobbie' Bird Kipp, her sister who passed away Nov. 8. Cremation followed the services. Whitted Funeral Chapel was in charge of arrangements. Margie was born Sept. 20, 1919, to Sampson and Margaret (Burgess) Bird on the Two Medicine Bird Ranch. She grew up on the Blackfeet Reservation and attended school at Chemawa in Salem, Ore., and Browning. Margie's Blackfeet name was Juniper Woman. She and Edmond `Snackery' Juneau were married Nov. 9, 1940. Margie was a cook at Browning Public Schools for 28 years where, during that time, she fed nearly every person on the Blackfeet Reservation. She was also counselor, confidante and friend to students and coworkers. Margie loved the sport of basketball, having played for the 1932 Chemawa Indians basketball team. She was an active member of the Browning Indians Booster Club, where she and her friends sold popsicles during home games to support every Browning sports team. She could be found sitting in her special seat in the Browning gym, yelling at the refs, as she attended every home basketball game as long as she was able. Later in life, she watched, studied and argued about the NBA and WNBA. Margie was always surrounded by her grandchildren, and she loved visiting them, telling them about their family history and providing advice. She was very proud of all of them and did not miss a chance to brag about them to all who would listen. Margie was a member of the Catholic Church. Margie and her sister, Bobbie, passed away within 24 hours of each other, so they will be sharing their final farewells together. She is survived by her children, Ed (Sharon) Juneau of Garland, Texas, Jerry (Lyle) Glatzmaier, Stan (Carol) Juneau, Bob Juneau, Sam (Melinda) Juneau, Dennis (Wilma) Juneau and Wayne Juneau, all of Browning. She is also survived by her sister, Theo Bird Stone; 28 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. Margie was preceded in death by her husband, Edmond; son, Mike Juneau; sisters, Ernestine Ketcher and Mildred Kipp; and brothers, Sam Bird, William `Snuffy' Bird and Charlie Bird. Condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.whittedfuneralchapel. com/ Mildred `Bobbie' Bird Kipp Mildred `Bobbie' Bird Kipp, 88, a Browning area rancher, died Tuesday, Nov. 8 at Blackfeet Community Hospital of natural causes. The wake was held at the Old Eagle Shields with the rosary Friday, Nov. 11. Funeral services were held Saturday, Nov. 12, at the Old Eagle Shields. Visitation and services were in conjunction with Marjorie `Margie' Bird Juneau, her sister who passed away Nov. 9. Cremation followed the services. Whitted Funeral Chapel was in charge of arrangements. Bobbie was born Nov. 1, 1917, to Sampson and Margaret (Burgess) Bird on the Two Medicine Bird Ranch. She grew up on the Blackfeet Reservation and attended school at Chemawa in Salem, Ore. She and Murray McCluskey were married in September of 1945 at East Glacier Park. Bobbie was a rancher for many years and also worked for security at Browning Public Schools. She loved watching the Browning Indian basketball teams and traveled many miles to cheer on the teams. She also enjoyed watching her grandchildren compete in a variety of sports, especially boxing. Bobbie was a member of the Catholic Church. Bobbie and her sister, Margie, loved to travel together, often hitting all the good garage sales they could find. They sat together at basketball games and cheered on the Browning Indians. Bobbie especially enjoyed having her grandchildren around and she gave them lots of love and guidance. Bobbie and her sister, Margie, passed away within 24 hours of each other, so they will be sharing their final farewells together. She is survived by her children, Marjorie Klein and Rusty Monroe, Murna and Leland Thomas, Murlyn McCluskey and Nat Fox, all of Browning, Murton and Verna McCluskey of Great Falls, and Martin Kipp of California. She is also survived by her sisters, Theo Bird Stone and Marjorie Bird Juneau; nine grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and three great-great- grandchildren. Bobbie was preceded in death by her husband, Murray; sister, Ernestine Ketcher; and brothers, Sam Bird, William `Snuffy' Bird and Charlie Bird. Condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.whittedfuneralchapel.com/ Melvina `Chinky' (Sai Akii `Feather Woman') Geffre Melvina "Chinky" (Sai Akii "Feather Woman") Geffre, 72, of Aberdeen, S.D. passed away Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2005 at Avera St. Luke's Hospital, Aberdeen. Mass of Christian Burial for Chinky was held Monday, Nov. 14, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Aberdeen. Father James W. Zimmer was the celebrant with her brother, Deacon Melvin Rutherford, assisting. Burial followed at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery with Schriver's Memorial Mortuary and Crematory in charge of arrangements. A liturgical wake service was held Sunday at the mortuary. With the custom of Chinky's heritage, the Blackfeet Nation, the wake continued all night at Schriver's Memorial Fellowship Center. Melvina was born June 27, 1933, with the given name of Sai Akii (Feather Woman) to James and Rosie (Sure Chief) Rutherford in Birch Creek. Sai Akii moved to Flandreau, S.D., when she started the seventh grade at Flandreau Indian Boarding School. After she graduated from high school, she attended Haskell Indian College in Lawrence, Kan., and graduated with an associate's degree. She moved to Aberdeen where she was employed by the federal government with the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Melvina married Melvin Geffre at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Aberdeen on Feb. 16, 1956. After 37 years with the federal government, Chinky retired in 1990. She received a proclamation from Governor George Mickelson and from President George H. Bush for her years of dedicated service. Chinky enjoyed crafts, beadwork, bowling, golf, cooking, baking and most of all praying. She volunteered her time at Avera St. Luke's, making interiors for infant caskets. She enjoyed having family gatherings at their Mina Lake home. She adored her grandchildren. She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, where she lectored for many years. She was a member of Sacred Heart Altar Society, NARFE and the Blackfeet Tribe of Montana. Grateful for having shared her life are Melvin, her husband for 50 years of Aberdeen; her children, James (Peggy) Geffre, Kathleen (Robin) Sombke, Carol Johnson, Warren (Pam) Geffre and Darren (Dara) Geffre, all of Aberdeen, and Keith (Carmel) Geffre of Mina; 15 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; her siblings, Joseph Rutherford of Browning, Marisha (Curtis) Ball of Salem, Ore., Melvin (Geri) Rutherford of Browning and Tom Grant of Heart Butte. Preceding Melvina in death are her parents; four brothers; three sister; and one great-grandson. Copyright c. 2005 Golden Triangle Newspapers. -=-=-=- November 16, 2005 Louise R. Finley ARLEE - Louise R. Finley, 81, died Monday morning, Nov. 14, 2005, at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula. Traditional wake and funeral services are pending with Foster & Durgeloh of St. Ignatius. Copyright c. 2002 Lake Country Leader Advertiser/Polson, MT. -=-=-=- November 15, 2005 Joseph Lewis Bauer WOLF POINT - Army veteran and former BIA road department worker, Joseph Lewis Bauer, 75, of Wolf Point, who enjoyed rodeos, fishing and reading, died of natural causes Sunday at Trinity Hospital in Wolf Point. Visitation begins 4 p.m. Wednesday at Poplar Cultural Center, with a prayer service at 7 p.m. His funeral is 1 p.m. Thursday the center, with burial in Brockton Riverview Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel is handling arrangements and condolences may be sent to the family at csmc@nemontel.net or www.stevensonandsons.com. Survivors include a daughter; Brenda Bauer of Wolf Point; a stepdaughter, Darla Belgarde of Brockton; sons Byron Bauer and Bruce Bauer of Wolf Point; a sister, Ernestine Baker of Wolf Point; a brother, John Bauer of Havre; five grandchildren and a special companion; Florence Eagleman of Poplar. He was preceded in death by sons Bryon, T.J. and Ronnie; and a daughter, Cora Lee. November 16, 2005 Eugene Gayle Racine BROWNING - Eugene Gayle Racine, 50, a ranch hand, died Saturday at a Browning hospital. The coroner has not determined the cause of death. Funeral Mass is 2 p.m. today at Little Flower Parish, with burial in Willow Creek Cemetery. Whitted Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Survivors, all of Browning, include a daughter, Mikki Leona Racine; a son, Casey Earl Racine; his parents, Aloysius and Leona Racine; sisters Denise Racine, Lisa Wells and Eva Racine; brothers Alvin Racine, Art Racine and Allen Wayne Racine; and a granddaughter. He was preceded in death by children Michelle Rae Racine and Gayle Robert Racine. November 17, 2005 Ione Carol Wells BROWNING - Ione Carol Wells, 40, a substitute teacher who had also worked as a laborer and firefighter, died Sunday at her home in Browning. The coroner has not determined the cause of death. Her funeral is 11 a.m. today at the Apistoobooke Methodist Church in Heart Butte, with burial in St. Anne's Cemetery. Whitted Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Survivors include children Marvin Heavy Runner Jr., Carmelia Heavy Runner, Viola Heavy Runner and Kevin Heavy Runner, all of Browning; brothers Eugene "Spud" Wells and Jimmy Wells of Heart Butte; sisters Winona Listner of Hobema, Alberta, Dian Eagle of South Dakota, Rhoda Wells of Browning, Liega "Peanuts" McGray of Polson and Florence of Shelby; and two grandchildren. She was preceded in death by an infant son. November 18, 2005 Joy Shields WOLF POINT - Joy Shields, 71, of Wolf Point, a retired tribal health worker who enjoyed traveling and music, died of natural causes Tuesday in Bismarck, N.D. Visitation is from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point. Funeral services are 1 p.m. Saturday at Blue Sky Ministry with inurnment in Greenwood Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at csmc@nemontel.net or www.stevensonandsons.com She is survived by a son, Larry Connor of California; daughters Sabrina Kurokawa of Wolf Point, and Danette Baker of California; sisters, June Stafne, Rozann Shields, Shirley Redstone, Sherry Poitra and Sandy Azure of Wolf Point; brothers, Caleb Shields, of Poplar, and Stony Ankertell, of Wolf Point; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Copyright c. 2005 Great Falls Tribune, a division of Lee Enterprises. -=-=-=- Char-Koosta News - The official publication of the Flathead Indian Nation October 2005 Deborah Lester NORMAN, Okla. - Deborah Ann Lester (McDonald) died here on Oct. 23, 2005. Debbie came into this world on January 23, 1951, in Honolulu, HI, to Betty Jean (McDonald) and Cecil Wesley Lester. She was a fifth-generation McDonald here in the Mission Valley, descended from Angus McDonald and his Nez Perce wife Catherine. She was a member of the Salish and Kootenai Tribes and as also proud of her Nez Perce heritage, which included the Eagle of the Light clan: Chiefs Looking Glass and White Bird. She was raised by her grandmother, Lydia McDonald and her uncle, "Boots" Donald McDonald, in St. Ignatius. She attended the Ursuline Convent School and St. Ignatius High School. Debbie was married to Ron Tonasket, but later divorced; she and Ron had two daughters. She was preceded in death by her grandparents; her parents; her younger sister, Dawn Marie "Dawnie" Adams; and an unborn son lost in an auto accident. She leaves behind her daughters, Michelle "Punkie" Tonasket (Joel), her grandsons, Randy, Brett and Bryce Heppler, all of Anaconda and her granddaughter; daughter, Trisha Datillo and two granddaughters, all of Littleton, Colo., her sister, Laurie Jean McDonald, Charlo; nieces and nephews, Chelsea Chavira and Michael Delducco of southern Calif.; Hayley Jean Chavira, Charlo; and Dawnie's son, Marcus Gray, of Missoula; her aunt, Gladys McDonald Disney, Polson; uncles, Thomas "Satch" McDonald, St. Ignatius and Wyman (Thelma) McDonald, Ronan; three half-sisters and a half-brother from Kentucky; as well as a large extended family. A memorial service was held in the Longhouse in St. Ignatius. Gloria Smith RONAN - Gloria Gail Dumontier Smith, 67, died on Oct. 14, 2005, in Missoula. An enrolled member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Gail was born on Oct. 6, 1938, in St. Ignatius, to Harold and Louise (McDonald) Dumontier. Raised and educated in St. Ignatius, she attended St. Ignatius public schools before going to Flandreau Indian School. In fact, her life was dedicated to helping children, whether it was her own family or kids just needing a mentor. Gail went on to receive her AA in Early Childhood Development from Weber State and worked with kids for more than 25 years for Headstart (15 years), at Kicking Horse Job Corps and Second Circle. She enjoyed dancing, gossiping and stock cars races in her earlier years. Later she enjoyed collecting knickknacks, bears and wind chimes and photography. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, grandson Micah Hoskinson, niece Paullette O'Neill-Courville, and nephew Joey Dumontier, as well as many other family members from both the Dumontier and McDonald families. Survivors include her children and their spouses, Bret Lynn and Sissy Roske (El Paso, TX), Chazz and Kristy Smith (Missoula), and Lou Anne and Jon Hoskinson (Evaro); foster son Ronnie Davis (Cut Bank, MT); grandchildren Launita Lynn "Nita" Dumont (Dublin Gulch), Brittney, Sierra and Dakota Roske (El Paso), Daron Leigh Whitedirt, James and Joshua Hoskinson (all of Evaro), and Christian Smith (Missoula); great- grandchildren Shonko and Jedi; brothers Reg "Speed" (Mert) Dumontier (Lake Havasue, AZ), Bud Dumontier (Ronan), and Jim Dumontier (St. Ignatius;) sisters Sally Mitchell and Deedo Dumontier (both of St. Ignatius), and Debby (Wayne Colman) Courville (Pablo); and a large extended family of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. A wake began on Oct. 14 in the Longhouse in St. Ignatius with a prayer service being held on Oct. 16. Funeral services were held on Oct. 17 the Longhouse. Interment followed in Snyelmn Sntmtmne. Geneva White RONAN - Geneva M. "Tootsie" White died on Oct. 10, 2005, at her home near here. A member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Tootsie was born in St. Ignatius on June 6, 1952, to Alex and Doris (Stinger) White and spent her early years on the reservation. As with many things in life, her parents' marriage didn't work out and her mother remarried to Art Brueggeman, an iron worker. After her graduation from high school, Tootsie met and married Ernie Beavers. They returned to the Ronan area and started a family. Tootsie worked as a housekeeper professionally. Eventually, Tootsie and Ernie parted ways and she attended SKC. Tootsie had many interests in life but watching pro football and "Days of Our Lives" had to be the most fondly remembered. She was preceded in death by a sister, Judy Ann, who died in infancy; her father, Alex White, in 1989; her mother, Doris, in 1994; her father, Art Brueggeman, in 2005; and two brothers, Leo and Danny Brueggeman, who died in 2004. Survivors include her companion, Tim Diers; her kids, Jason Beavers (Missoula), Ernie A. Beavers (Shelby), Luanna Beavers (Hot Springs), Danny Beavers (Ronan), Tony Beavers (Shelby) and Josephine Coffey (Pablo); 11 grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Jule Kenmille (Pablo), Debby (Tony) Adams (Pablo), Mary (Ray) Goudette (Spokane), Margaret Arneson (Polson), Melanie (Bill) Buckless (Polson), Anna Turney (Spokane), Art Brueggeman Jr. (Ronan), Doug (Jean) White (Texas), Leonard White (Monroe, WA), Mike (Jackie) Brueggeman (Spokane), and Paul (Sue) Brueggeman (Polson); an uncle, Mickey Stinger (WA); and a large extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins and people who called her mom. A traditional wake was held at the Ronan Indian Senior Citizens Center. Mass was celebrated on Oct. 13 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ronan. Interment followed at the Ronan Cemetery. Copyright c. 2005 Char-Koosta News. -=-=-=- November 15, 2005 Rosalie Gebeau ARLEE - Rosalie Ann Gebeau, 23, of Rocky Boy died at her family home in Arlee on Friday, Nov. 11, 2005. A wake service began at the family home on Sunday and moved to the Arlee Community Center on Monday evening. A rosary was recited Monday evening in the Arlee Community Center with the closing services beginning at 10 a.m. today. Mass was to be celebrated at 11 a.m. today in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Arlee with the burial following at the Plante Family Cemetery. A member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribe, she was born in Missoula on Dec. 18, 1981, to Sherry Gebeau and Francis Plante, Sr. She was raised in Arlee and attended grade school in Arlee and high school at Two Eagle. Following her schooling, she started her family. She enjoyed being a mother and wife, being around her family, beading and driving around. She was preceded in death by her mother, Sherry Gebeau; uncle, Wendell "Dino" Smith; grandparents, Francis "Zok" Plante and Rose A. Felix, Robert "Sonny" and Rosalie Pierre Gebeau, and Bing Ahenakew Sr.; brothers, Francis "Fran" Plante and Merle Ahenakew; sister, Vena Ahenakew; and godson, Jason Pickering Jr. Survivors include her husband, Jason Ahenakew, and children, Kaylee Paige and Francis Vincent, all of the family home at Rocky Boy; father, Francis "Boge" Plante Sr. of Arlee; sisters, Melody (Jason Pickering) Plante and Carla (Matt Linsebigler) Plante of St. Ignatius, Jeanette (Clem) Lafley and Amy Plante; brother, Joseph (Neddie) Plante; stepsister, Jessica Plante, all of Arlee; aunts, Janet (Mike Charlo) Gebeau of Arlee, Dorothy Blyton of Missoula and Anita (Richard) George of Wapato, Wash.; uncles, James "Swig" Plante, Daryl Gebeau and Paul "Cha" Felix of Arlee; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends; and a large extended family including her husband's family from Rocky Boy that she was close to. November 18, 2005 Violet Allison St. Marks BOX ELDER - Violet Allison St. Marks, 41, of Box Elder died Wednesday Nov. 16, 2005, at her residence due to liver failure. Her wake service began Thursday and continues through today at the Rocky Boy Catholic Church. Her funeral service will be 11 a.m. Saturday at the Rocky Boy Catholic Church with the Rev. Pete Guthneck officiating. Burial will follow at the Rocky Boy Cemetery. Violet was born Oct. 16, 1964, in Havre to Peter and Alice (Morsette) St. Marks Sr. She was raised and educated in Rocky Boy, graduating from Rocky Boy High School in 1982. After high school, Violet moved to Minnesota to attend college. She was married in Minnesota and later divorced. She then moved to Eugene, Ore., and raised her children. Violet enjoyed raising her children and attending all of their school activities. Violet moved back home to Rocky Boy to be near her family in August. Violet enjoyed playing bingo, the poker machines, reading and visiting with her family and friends. Her greatest joy was when she would play and spend time with her grandchildren. Violet was a very outgoing person who liked to laugh and have a good time. She always had a smile on her face. She was preceded in death by her father, Peter St. Marks Sr. in 1987; and brothers, Peter St. Marks Jr. in 1972, John Darrel Little Soldier in 1984 and Johnny Ironmaker in 1986. Survivors include her children, Stephanie and Jennifer St. Marks of Rocky Boy, Ruben Perdomo, Rosada Perdomo, Nadia Perdomo and Santana Perdomo, all of Farmington, Minn.; mother, Alice Gardipee of Rocky Boy; sisters, Carma St. Marks of Eugene, Ore., Dixie St. Marks of Rocky Boy, Dorothy Vargas of Billings, Cheryl St. Marks of Rocky Boy, Summer St. Marks of Fort Hall, Idaho, Jackie Ironmaker of Havre, Ona Ironmaker of Great Falls and Kay Azure of Havre; brothers, William St. Marks of Billings, Joey St. Marks of Fort Hall, Idaho, Davey Ironmaker of Great Falls, Robert Ironmaker of Fort Belknap, James Ironmaker Jr. of Elmo and Lewis Ironmaker of Great Falls; special aunts, Retha Chandler, Violet Oats and Rose Bernard all of Rocky Boy; four grandchildren; and many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. Arrangements have been entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home. Copyright c. 2005 Havre Daily News. -=-=-=- November 15, 2005 Ronald Lorenzo, 52 Kenai Lifelong Kenai resident and Alaska Native Ronald D. "Ron" Lorenzo, 52, died Nov. 11, 2005, at a residence in Kenai. A funeral will be at 1 p.m., with a viewing from noon to 1 p.m., Thursday at Peninsula Memorial Chapel. Burial will be after the service at the Holy Assumption Russian Orthodox Cemetery in Kenai. The Rev. Thomas Andrew will officiate. A gathering of family and friends will follow at Tyotkas, formerly the Old Towne Restaurant. Mr. Lorenzo was born June 18, 1953, in Anchorage and was raised in Kenai. He loved the wilderness and was proud of his Native culture and traditions. He enjoyed clam digging, hunting and fishing. Mr. Lorenzo was a member of the Kenaitze Indian Tribe, Kenai Native Association and CIRI. Family wrote: "Though we didn't get to spend much time with him, his family loved him very much, through the good times and the bad. He will be missed by his family and friends." He is survived by Janice Lorenzo, the mother of his children; son, Victor Lorenzo; daughter, Amber Lorenzo; and his mother, Eva Lorenzo, all of Kenai; brother and sister-in-law, Paul and Angela Lorenzo of Nikiski; sister and brother-in-law, Marie and Michael Juliussen of Kenai; brothers, Sam and Greg Lorenzo of Kenai; sisters, Violet Kroto of Tyonek and Betty Ke'tah of Ketchikan; aunt, Fiocla Wilson of Kenai; nephews and nieces, Anthony, Karina, Donna, Aaliyah, Marvin, Allen, Ted, Sharlene, Joann, Laura, Vide and Hayden; and many aunts, cousins and other relatives. Memorial donations may be sent to the funeral home to help with funeral expenses. November 18, 2005 Eva Henry, 85 Anchorage Eva K. Henry, 85, died peacefully Nov. 16, 2005, at Alaska Medical Native Center with her family by her side. A visitation will be at 2 p.m. today at Cook Inlet Funeral Home & Crematory, 5520 Lake Otis Parkway, Suite 105. A funeral will be later in Selawik. She was born Jan. 25, 1920, in Selawik. A homemaker, she was a member and very involved in her church in Selawik before moving to Anchorage in 2002. She is survived by her children, Mack Henry, Herman Henry and Tillie Carr; and Ralph Stalker, who was like one of her children; grandchildren, Georgianna Cleveland, Eva Joy, Henry and Shawn Welch; great-grandsons, Gabriel Cleveland and Brandon Cleveland; and best friends, Emma Norton, Mary and Delbert Mithchel. Arrangements are with Cook Inlet Funeral Home & Crematory. T.J. Kochuten, infant Unalaska T.J. Sole Knute Kochuten, infant child of Savanna Kochuten and Turi Lu Maugatai, died Sept. 11, 2005, at home of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. In the Orthodox tradition, his family kept vigil over T.J. until he was buried Sept. 15. His family wrote: "A Russian Orthodox service was held at his mother's home on Nirvana Hill, followed by carrying his casket down the ravine behind their dwelling up the hill to the graveyard where his tiny body was laid to rest. Lovely voices drifted in the Aleutian wind harmonizing the age old tune, 'Amazing Grace.' " T.J. was born April 14, 2005, at Alaska Native Medical Center. Family wrote: "His long anticipated arrival brought joy to us all ... T. J. was loved so much ... There are not words to describe his absence." He is survived by his mother, Savanna Kochuten, Unalaska; father, Turi Lu Maugatai, Samoa; brother, Gabriel Kochuten, Unalaska; 'Nana,' Augie Kochuten, Unalaska; grandfather, Victor Kochuten, Washington; uncles, Joseph Von Helmholtz Weber, Peter Weber, Daniel Weber, Eric Weber, Richard Kochuten and Raymond Kochuten; aunts, Delores Kochuten, Lillian Bear, Cynthia Weber, Anne Marie Morris, Connie Kochuten, Tina Davis, Shannon Weber, Eaueta Leafa, Alicia Kochuten, Zara Kochuten, Vanessa Maugatai and Trenae Iaulaualo; uncles, Yuma and Raima McWilliams, Feleti Maugatai, Percy Maugatai, Tatsuro McWilliams and Face Iaulualo; great-grandmother, Lusila Leafa; grandparents, Pesi and Oliva Maugatai; great-grandmother, Carol Weber; grandfather, Knute Anderson; and cousins, Alanna Kochuten, Mia Tsuki, Mika McWilliams, Stefan and Brendan Iaulualo, Nadine and Renee Kochuten, Raylene and Chantae Kochuten, Axel and Janet Bear. Copyright c. 2005 The Anchorage Daily News. -=-=-=- November 15, 2005 Ronald D. 'Ron' Lorenzo Lifelong Kenai resident and Alaska Native Ronald D. "Ron" Lorenzo died Friday, Nov. 11, 2005, in Kenai. He was 52. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17, at Peninsula Memorial Chapel in Kenai. A viewing will be held one hour prior to services at the funeral home. Burial will follow at the Holy Assumption Russian Orthodox Cemetery in Kenai. Father Thomas Andrew will officiate. A gathering of family and friends will follow at Tyotkas at the former Old Town Restaurant. Mr. Lorenzo was born June 18, 1953, in Anchorage and was raised in Kenai. He loved the wilderness and was proud of his Native culture and traditions. He enjoyed clam digging, hunting and fishing. Mr. Lorenzo was a member of the Kenaitze Indian Tribe, Kenai Native Association and Cook Inlet Region Inc. "Though we didn't get to spend much time with him, his family loved him very much, through the good times and the bad. He will be missed by his family and friends," his family said. He is survived by Janice Lorenzo of Kenai, the mother of his children; son, Victor Lorenzo of Kenai; daughter, Amber Lorenzo of Kenai; mother, Eva Lorenzo of Kenai; brother and sister-in-law, Paul and Angela Lorenzo of Nikiski; sister and brother-in-law, Marie and Michael Juliussen of Kenai; brothers, Sam and Greg Lorenzo of Kenai; sisters, Violet Kroto of Tyonek and Betty Ke'tah of Ketchikan; aunt, Fiocla Wilson of Kenai; nephews and nieces, Anthony, Karina, Donna, Aaliyah, Marvin, Allen, Ted, Sharlene, Joann, Laura, Vide and Hayden; and many other aunts, cousins and relatives. Memorial donations may be made sent to the funeral home to help with expenses. Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel. Copyright c. 2005 Peninsula Clarion Division of Morris Communications, Kenai, AK. -=-=-=- November 15, 2005 David Mark Bomberry BOMBERRY David Mark - Age 47. Sylvia, Bossy, Carolyn, Nancy and Ron anounce the passing of their baby brother, peacefully at the Hamilton General Hospital on Saturday, November 12, 2005. David leaves behind his five children, Bernadette, Jenny, Levi, Jared and Cindy and his six grandchildren; predeceased by his parents Nancy (Cusick) Bomberry (Tuscarora, U. S. A.) and Albert Bomberry (Six Nations, Ontario); will be sadly missed by extended family members Kevin, Yvonne, Mags, Kyle, Crissy and many aunts, uncles and cousins. The family will receive friends at the DODSWORTH & BROWN FUNERAL HOME, King Street East at Wellington, (905) 522-2496 on Tuesday (today) from 1 p. m. Funeral service to celebrate David's life will be held in the Funeral Home Chapel on Tuesday, November 15, 2005 at 3 p. m. Cremation with inurnment at Tuscarora Indian Reservation, U. S. A. at a later date. Donations in memory of David to the Victims of Violent Crimes would be greatly appreciated. Copyright c. 2005 Brantford Expositor. -=-=-=- November 15, 2005 Iona Sangwais SANGWAIS, IONA - with family at her side Iona peacefully began her journey home to the Creator on Nov. 12, 2005. Iona leaves behind her children Jefferey (Lesley) Sangwais, Marlon (Chelsea) Sangwais, Kirby Sangwais, Delilah (Albert) Hleboff, Alicia, Alanna and Emile Dubois Jr. their father Emile Dubois Sr.; her mother Alice Sangwais; stepfather Larry Morris; sisters Eunice (Ed) Martin, Delia Gagnon, Ernesta Still, Bonnie Goodwin; brothers Ian (Heather) Sangwais, Darren (Leona) Sangwais, Lorne (Heidi) Sangwais and Marlon Sangwais; grandchildren Damon, Xavier, Keagan, Marcus and Serena; numerous uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews. Iona was predeceased by her father Ernest Sangwais; a brother Lorne; sisters Debbie Desjarlais and Nadine Cappo; a niece Lanette Sangwais; aunts Shirley Shavetail and Elizabeth Nemethi; grandparents of Sakimay First Nation. The Traditional Wake will be held in the Sakimay Complex on Tuesday, Nov. 15 at 4:00 p.m. with services at 7:00 p.m. A Traditional Feast will be held at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, Nov. 16 with funeral service to follow at 2:00 p.m. in the Sakimay Complex. Interment in the Sakimay Cemetery. The family would like to thank the staff at the Regina General Hospital. Arrangements entrusted to Tubman Cremation and Funeral Services 1-800-667-8962. November 17, 2005 Elmer Pelletier PELLETIER - ELMER JOSEPH Elmer Joseph Pelletier (MaistchakanisCoyote) of Okanese First Nation, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, November 15, 2005 with his family at his side. Elmer was born on May 16, 1942 in Lestock, SK. He was predeceased by his parents, Victoria (1991) and Mike (1987) Pelletier, his sister Mary (1969), son Cory (2002) and adopted mom Amy Stonechild (2004). He is survived by his loving wife Marie-Anne Day WalkerPelletier and children Kelly (Sissy), Colleen, Carolyn (Shane), Robert (Paulette), Ilona, Sherwin. Elmer was devoted to his grandchildren: Nicole, Miranda, Kerry, Kayla, Jesse, Jade, Keenen, Lance, Cody, Brandi, MacKenzie, Greg, Mariah and Michael and his great-grandsons Ethan and Aiden. Elmer is also survived by his brothers, Isador (Joan) and family, Alfred (Alice) and family, Tony (Fran) and family, Michael (Delores) and family, Charlie (Leslie); his brothers-in-law, Phil Auger, Ernest Morin; his adopted family, Faye, Patti, Joanne, Dale, Corey, Ricky, Clarence and his special friends Leroy Walker and Mervin Elliott. Elmer worked since he was 15 years old and valued his commitment and dedication to his work. He worked as a crane operator at Wheat City Metals and at IPSCO for twenty-three years. Elmer enjoyed helping out on Okanese First Nation with road-grading and backhoe. Elmer was always a friendly face with willing hands ready to help. A traditional wake will be held on Friday, November 18, 2005 at 4:00 p.m. at the Okanese Community Centre. The Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, November 19, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. at the Okanese Community Centre. Interment at Starblanket Cemetery. An on-line book of condolence may be signed at www.speersfuneralchapel.com Arrangements entrusted to Speers Funeral Chapel 522-3232. Joan Margaret Pratt PRATT - It is with great sadness that we announce on Tuesday, November 15, 2005 Joan Margaret (nee Blind) of the Gordon First Nation passed away peacefully with her family by her side. She is predeceased by her husband Peter Pratt, her sons Gregory and Keith Pratt, her parents John and Ethel Blind, brothers, Sidney, Ernie, and John R, Dix Blind, sisters Violet, Irene and Millie. She will be sadly missed by her loving sister Pearl, her children; Wayne (Geraldine), Verne (Diane), Gary, Brian (Shelley), Tom (Melissa), Dennis (Val), Beverly (Mark), Clayton Sr. and her grandchildren; Gerald, Marla, Wally, Tanya, Leah, Tiffy, Shelley, Crystal, Heather, Verne Jr., Greg, Marcel, Timmy, Tammy, Tristen, Tallon, Treyton, Raymond, Amanda, Raevon, Sapphire, Darian, Amanda, Craig, David, Jesse, Janine and Jordan. Joan's special grandchildren who she raised as her own children, Amber, Christopher, Clayton and Travis. She has numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews who loved her more than just an auntie, Etheline Blind, Sharon Clarke, sister-in-law Bernadette, Melissa and Wanda. Joan was loved by everyone who came to know her, she made everyone feel welcome. She was kind and very generous when it came to others, she put everyone before herself, that's one of the reasons why she was a wonderful mother to all. Her home was a gathering place for a cup of coffee and good conversation. She will never be forgotten by all who knew and loved her. Prayers will be held on Thursday, November 17, 2005 at 7:00 P.M. in the Chapel of Lee Funeral Home, 3101 Dewdney Ave., Regina, Sask. The Wake will be held on Friday, November 18, 2005 commencing at 4:00 P.M. in the Gordon Gym, Gordon First Nation. The Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, November 19, 2005 at 2:00 P.M. in the Gordon Gym, burial to follow in St. Luke's Cemetery. Arrangements are in the care of Lee Funeral Home 757-8645. Copyright c. 2000-2005 Regina Leader Post Group Inc. -=-=-=- November 15, 2005 Daniel North Peigan "First Runner Warrior " Matoomstokitsisii July 6, 1924 - November 11, 2005 "We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord." (2 Corinthians 5: 8) DANIEL NORTH PEIGAN, husband of the late Bessie (Big Swan) North Peigan and our beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather passed from this present life to life forever more in the presence of the Lord . He left us a legacy of faith, honour and courage, strength and humility and unconditional love. He leaves behind his children: Rod (Faye) , Daniel (Nancy) Sandra, Eric (Lee), Irene (Roy) Kennedy, Manfred, David, Herta, Avril (Stanley) Grier, Dorothy (Greg) Bedard, adopted children, Sonya Bratz, Kevin North Peigan, Dianna North Peigan, Mel (Heather) Mullen and special ministry friends, Jay & Joan Swallow. Dan cherished his 29 grandchildren (13 grandsons, 18 grand daughters) 20 great grandsons and 19 great grand daughters and 5 great great grandsons and 5 great great granddaughters. Dad's is also leaving his siblings: sister Ruth Goodrider, brothers Ernest North Peigan and James North Peigan, and many nieces & nephews & relatives and friends in Piikani, Kainai, Siksika, Blackfeet Nation in Browning, Montana, Hobbema. He also leaves his adopted family, the First Rider family in Kainai. He was predeceased by his wife, Bessie (Big Swan) North Peigan in 1991, infant children Patricia, Edward, daughters Muriel Joyce, Amelia Diane; his parents, Victor & Nora (One Owl) North Peigan, sisters:Agnes Wolf Tail, May English, Mary Jane Born , Edith Van Loon, Dorothy Yellowhorn, Rose Knowlton and the North Peigan brothers: Fred, Mark, Robert, John, We invite you to Piikani on Monday and Tuesday, November 14 and 15, 2005 (Prayer Service from 7-8 p.m. each evening) at the Church on the Rock where family and friends of our father can pay tribute to him and be with his family. A Memorial Celebration will be held at Church on the Rock on Wednesday, November 16, 2005 at 1:00 PM with a feast following the service. Interment in the Brocket Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Edens Funeral Home, Pincher Creek 627-3131. November 18, 2005 Darcy James Many Shots (Wolf Child) Born on March 28, 1976, passed away suddenly in Lethbridge on Monday, November 14, 2005 at the age of 29 years. DARCY JAMES MANY SHOTS (WOLF CHILD), at the age of 29 years beloved son the late Louis Many Shots and Rita (Wolf Child) Many Shots. The Wake Service will be held at ST. MARY'S IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH on Thursday, November 17, 2005 at 7:00 P.M. with Reverend Pawel Andrasz O. M.I. officiating. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at ST. MARY'S IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH on Friday, November 18, 2005 at 11:00 A.M. with Reverend Pawel Andrasz O.M.I. Celebrant. Interment will follow at the Blood Band Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Cornerstone Funeral Home and Crematorium 381-7777. November 20, 2005 Melody Jolane Scout/Chiefmoon "Natsikapoysamiaki" (Two Medicine Woman) "Do you see what I see? A STAR, a brightly shining star is born tonight with a heart as big as the sky." MELODY JOLANE SCOUT/CHIEFMOON "Natsikapoysamiaki" (Two Medicine Woman), also affectionately known as "High Cook" and "Tweety Bird" by her family was softly called home by Our Creator on Sunday, November 13, 2005. Besides her loving husband, Lionel Irwin Crow Spreads His Wings, Melody will be forever cherished and fondly remembered by her darling daughter Taylor Dare Angel Crow and dear son Dakota Sage Irwin Crow; adopted children Simone and Danny; Godchildren Nitasha, Stormee, and Charity; her loving parents Rosetta and Jordan Chief Moon Sr.; her cherished siblings - sisters Lenora (Horace), Kim, Arlene, Lori Bennett; brothers Kristian (Daphne), Simon, and Jeff Westphal; her precious nieces and nephews - Chantal (Justin), Nitasha (Nick), Stormee, Thorne, Tyne, Cash, Tuff, Benji, Kristen, Kayla, Kris Jr., Danika, Montana, Bethany, Simone, Danny, and Tyreece, J.T., Nate, and Nikesha. Also remembered by "Chief Moon" aunts and uncles: John (Mildred), Ed (Delma), Gus (Myrna), Daniel (Priscilla), Kieth (Karen), Virginia (Tony), and Bertha Chief Moon; "Scout" aunts and uncles: Ken (Theresa), Martin (Alma), Victoria (Ronnie), Freda, Ben (Audrey), Levern (Ann). Roseann (Justin), and Charlie Scout; Aunt Athena and Uncle Two Crow. Melody Jolane is also survived by numerous cousins and extended families. She was predeceased by her maternal grandparents Ben & Sarah Scout and her paternal grandparents Dan and Philomena Chief Moon. On August 23, 1971 Our Creator blessed us immeasurably with the birth of our beautiful pink bundle of joy - Melody Jolane. For 34 years we were privileged to share our life, love, laughter, joys, and sorrows with our beautiful Angel. In her childhood years into adulthood, M.J. always showed caring and sensitivity to whomever she could help. Melody showed compassion towards her family and friends... even towards the stray dogs in Levern townsite. She would go to the extent to get food for them. Jolane attended elementary schools at Cardston and Levern then went on to High School at Kainai High and St. Mary's in Lethbridge. She furthered her educational pursuits and attended Lethbridge Community College in the Criminal Justice Program and worked with the Lethbridge City Police. She attended Kainai Studies Program at Red Crow College. Melody was presently attending the University of Lethbridge at the time of her calling. In July 2005, Two Medicine Woman fulfilled her vow and completed her fourth year with the Chief Moon Piercing Sundancers. She was so happy and ecstatic. But her greatest accomplishments were her simple acts of kindness, caring, sharing and compassion towards whomever she could with whatever she had. Melody left us with a legacy of authenticity and love. Words cannot fully express our loss at this time. Melody was such a beautiful loving and caring mother and her priorities were always first and foremost to her children. Melody was greatly loved and respected by her family and friends and in-laws - Crow Spreads His Wings, First Chargers, and Small Face families of the Blood Tribe and the Kootnay families from the Nakoda Nation. The Wake Service will be held at the Senator Gladstone Hall, Blood Reserve on Sunday, November 20th, from 7:00 p.m. until Midnight. The Funeral Service will be celebrated at the Senator Gladstone Hall, Blood Reserve on Monday, November 21st at 11:00 a.m. Interment in the Pioneer Cemetery, Blood Reserve. Arrangements entrusted to Salmon Funeral Home, Cardston, AB 653-3844. Copyright c. 2005 Alberta Newspaper Group, Inc./Lethbridge Herald.