_ __ _____ __ _ __ ___ ____ _ __ ___ ' ) / / ') / / ) ' ) ) / ) / ' ) ) / ) / / / / / / /--/ / / / ___ / / / / ___ (_(_/ (__/ ( / (_ / (_ (___/ '__/_ / (_ (___/ ' ____ _ , ___ _ , ___ / ' ) / / ) ' ) / / ' VOLUME 14, ISSUE 052 / /-< / /--/ /-- __/_ / ) (___/ / ( (___, WOTANGING IKCHE - Lakota - Common News Wotanging Ikche and Native American News Copyright c. 1996-2006 nanews.org Aboriginal/AmerIndian Perspective about the First Nations of Turtle Island December 30, 2006 Passmamquoddy punam/frost fish moon Mvskogee rvfo-rakko/big winter moon Eastern Cherokee nvda gutiha/snow moon +-------------------------------------------------------+ | Much more happens in Indian Country than is reported | | in this weekly newsletter. For daily updates & events | | go to http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm | +-------------------------------------------------------+ Otapi'sin Atsinikiisinaakssin -- Blackfeet -- News for All the People Ni-mah-mi-kwa-zoo-min -- Ojibwe -- We Are Talking About Ourselves Aunchemokauhettittea -- Naragansett -- Let Us Share News Kanoheda Aniyvwiya -- Cherokee -- Journal of the People O Es'te Opunvk'vmucvse -- Creek -- People's New News O o O Acimowin -- Plains Cree -- Story or Account O o O Tlaixmatiliztli -- Nahuatl -- News O o o o o O Agnutmaqan -- Listuguj Mi'kmaq -- News O o O Sho-da-ku-ye -- Teehahnahmah -- Talking Birchbark O o O Un Chota -- Susquehannic Seneca -- The People Speak O Ha-Sah-Sliltha -- Ditidaht Nation -- News of the People Ximopanolti tehuatzin, inin Mexika tlahtolli -- Nahuatl -- For you we offer these words It-hah-pe-hah Ah-num pah-le -- Chickasaw -- Together We Are Talking Dineh jii' adah' ho'nil'e'gii ba' ha' neh -- Navajo Nation -- What's Happening among The People News Okla Humma Holisso Nowat Anya -- Choctaw -- People(s) Red Newspaper Hi'a chu ah gaa -- Pima -- The stories or the talk of the People 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; www.indiancountrytoday.com; Mailing Lists: Frostys AmerIndian, Chiapas95-En and Native American Poetry; 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 Quote: + -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- + =================== "We have sat and watched them pass here to get gold out and have said nothing... My friends, when I went to Washington I went into your money-house and I had some young men with me, but none of them took any money out of that house while I was with them. At the same time, when your Great Father's people come into my country, they go into my money-house (the Black Hills) and take money out." __ Mawatani Hanska - Long Mandan +- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -+ | Indian Pledge of Allegiance | The Indian Pledge of Alleg- | | iance was first presented | I pledge allegiance to my Tribe,| on 2 December '93 during the | to the democratic principles | opening address of the Nat- | of the Republic | ional Congress of American | and to the individual freedoms | Indian Tribal-States Relat- | borrowed from the Iroquois and | ions Panel in Reno, NV. NCAI | Choctaw Confederacies, | plans distribution of the | as incorporated in the United | Indian Pledge to all Indian | States Constitution, | Nations. | so that my forefathers | | shall not have died in vain | Walk in Beauty! Night Owl +- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -+ +- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -+ | Journey | In the summer and early fall | The Bloodline | of 1998 the Treaty Unity Riders | | rode a thousand miles on horse- | For all that live and live by law | back, carrying a staff and | We Stand, we Call, We Ride | praying each step of the way. | For All that fear and fear by sight | | We Hear, we Listen, we Ride | These prayers were offered for | For all that pray and pray by strength| each of us, and that the Unity | We Feel, we Move, we Ride | of all Peoples might happen. | For all that die and die by greed | | We Hurt, we Cry, we Ride | Tatanka Cante forwarded this | For all that birth and birth by right | poem on behalf of all the Unity | We Smile, we Hold, we Ride | Riders that we might stop and | For all that need and need by heart | ask if the next words we say, the | We Came, we Went, we Rode. | next act we make is for the good | | of the People or is it from ego | Treaty Unity Riders | for self. +- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -+ O'siyo Brothers and Sisters For any form of care giving or care oversight to function, the first criteria that must be met is a clear understanding of those entrusted to that care and oversight. Indian child welfare is no exception to this simple requirement, but since inception of the Indian Child Welfare Act, the system has been rife with mismanagement stemming in a large part from a lack of understanding of the needs of Indian children. The lead and second articles in this issue provide a view of just how inept the system is. In the first, a child may have taken the suicide route after being shuffled through multiple homes and cultures. He never got a chance to be an Indian child. This is not the first such child; he is only the most recent of thousands. Sadly, he will likely not be the last. Throughout our many nations, sending loved ones on their Spirit Journey is as embedded in our way of being as is singing, dancing and praying. There is a wake, a dressing ceremony or some other way to honor these relatives who have shed their earthly robes and prepare them for their next place of being. This honoring also provides needed closure for those who mourn their passing. Yet, in the second article we learn a judge has denied the two brothers of this child the right to attend the funeral. This tells me the judge is either ignorant of our ways or arrogant or both. This is just one scene being played out in Indian country where the dominant culture presumes to determine the best way to care for children who are not of their culture. The picture is no prettier at the state level - at least not in Georgia. A few years back a welfare worker, who is herself of native blood, showed up at a festival and literally begged Indian families to make themselves available to provide foster care for Indian children the state was farming out to homes without any regard to the path followed in those homes. My wife and I were delighted such an opportunity had presented itself. We, along with several others, signed up and were assured the state welfare office would follow-up soon. In fact, we received a screening call shortly thereafter to determine if we were truly interested. There was a second, ostensibly to set up a visit. We never got another call. Further, when we called we were brushed off with first one excuse, then another. We were beyond frustration and finally quit calling about a month or six weeks later. We never got a chance to provide a needed Indian home to an Indian child that has probably joined the ranks of "lost birds." Nor were children ever sent to any of the other homes who had eagerly volunteered. A recent search for Indian children needing homes in Georgia turned up the curious finding that there seemed to be no Indian child in need. We'd like to think this is because all the Indian children in Georgia enjoy healthy, happy and intact homes. It seems unlikely, though, that Indians would escape the problems and perils that endanger families in all the other cultures in the country. Of course this is the same state where NPR deems it unnecessary to air Native broadcasting because "there are no Indians in Georgia." It is the same state where, until the Indians who unquestionably DO live in Georgia stood up and demanded a voice, that pow wows were regarded as "inappropriate" activities in state parks. My guess is that Indian children are simply identified as white, black or hispanic, just as we all were in Georgia after the removal, and those needing fostering are sent to families that at best are ignorant of their Native traditions, and at worst may be ashamed or hostile to them. Indian Child Welfare is doomed to failure and the children entrusted to it are doomed to lost lives as long as such disregard continues. All the hand-wringing in the world cannot hope to replace simple understanding and compassion borne from knowledge. 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 ----------- Editorial Section: - JODI RAVE: Tournament shines light . Indian Child Welfare on Native Athletes - Washington Teen's Death - YELLOW BIRD: Solstice brings called a failure of ICWA to mind wonder of Creation - Indian Siblings - GIAGO: can't go to Funeral Christmas and Lakota traditions - Assessing the Supreme Court - HARJO: 2006 Mantle of Shame Awards - Parties in Klallam Landfill - The Sober Racism Lawsuit Settle of Mel Gibson's Apocalypto - Cherokee Freedmen win round - JOHN ROSS: Year End Article - Navajo Soldier loses Arm - Zapatistas denounce in explosion in Iraq repression in Oaxaxa - National Bison Range, - B.C. Natives win right Ranchers defend Tribe to hunt at Night - Oneidas, U.S. say - Native leader asks PM don't let claim die not to shuffle Minister - Voting Rights Case settled - Troubled Waters in South Dakota - Historic Settlement - Ariz Attorney General: for School Abuse Victims Tobacco taxes off-rez only - Judge urges PM to apologize - Katrina Evacuees to First Nations in Danger of losing Homes - Siksika, A4 Bar Farm Operations - Navajo Nation: Joint Venture Shirley to Dayish: Butt out - Native Prisoner - Domestic Violence -- Jail shortfalls continues to be a problem anger Tribal Leaders - Lumbee Tribe must restart - Rustywire: push for Recognition Tazhii', the Turkey and Chee - Tribal review period shortened - Verse: Hawaiian Book of Days - Cobell honored for work - Del "Abe" Jones Poem: on Indian Trust Fund Case The Warrior's Holiday - Runner inspires others - Lee Goins Poem: to 'Honor our Ancestors' Christmas Eve They Took Jesus Away - Native tourney seeks NCAA's OK --------- "RE: Washington Teen's Death called a failure of ICWA" --------- Date: Mon, 18 Dec 2006 08:29:08 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="ANOTHER LOST CHILD" http://www.indianz.com/News/ http://www.spokesmanreview.com/tools/story_pf.asp?ID=164773 Indian youth's death ends a troubled life Service today Benjamin Shors and Kevin Graman Staff writers December 16, 2006 VALLEY, Wash. - Even in death, the fate of Robley "Bobby" Carr Jr., remains unclear. This afternoon, in a small memorial at an evangelical church near this Stevens County town, Bobby's friends and family will gather to remember a teenage foster child and his traumatic life. After that, it's uncertain where the body of the 15-year-old will be interred. Bobby's foster father, Steve Horton, said he is unsure whether the boy will be buried near his hometown, or hundreds of miles away on an Indian reservation in Western Washington. The death last weekend of the teenager was a tragic coda to a child dependency case that dragged on for more than a decade as the state's Division of Child and Family Services and two small Native American tribes struggled to resolve where and with whom Bobby and his siblings should live. A descendant of the Nooksack Tribe in Western Washington, as well as Alaska's Hoonah Indians, the Carr children fell under a 1978 federal law designed to safeguard native children and keep intact their tribal heritage. But that law and its interpretation by social workers led to confusion, a string of court hearings, and tragedy, critics say. In 2003, the state and federal governments agreed to pay the Carr children $5 million after they were repeatedly beaten at a foster home on the Nooksack Indian reservation near Bellingham, Wash. Under the terms of the settlement, the children's money is managed by a professional trustee, with yearly payments. For Bobby, those payments would have continued until 2044 in case his abuse prevented him from holding employment, according to Allen Ressler, a Seattle attorney who represented the children. "To some extent, the Indian Child Welfare Act was used as an excuse for the failures on the part of the state to supervise the placements," said Ressler. "You had essentially two different entities saying, 'You're responsible.' 'No, you're responsible.' We felt, 'Hey, you're both responsible.' " The teenager's death remains under investigation. The Stevens County coroner is awaiting the results of a toxicology report. Horton, a 65-year-old divorced foster father, lives on Social Security disability income because he hurt his back in an on-the-job accident. Horton said his painkillers, which include the narcotic methadone, were kept in a locked case, as is required of foster parents. "I don't know if he got into my pills somehow or got something from somebody else," Horton said during an interview at his small cabin in rural Stevens County. "It is the worst thing I've ever been through." One child, many cultures Within a year of his birth in 1991, Bobby was removed from his parents' care amid concerns of substance abuse and domestic violence. In the next five years, Bobby and his three siblings - now 16, 13 and 11 - shuttled through more than a dozen foster homes. At each step, state social workers were required to consider the Indian Child Welfare Act. Designed to give tribes jurisdiction over their own children, the federal law attempts to meet two crucial hurdles: Remove children from dangerous families yet help them maintain cultural ties. Because of a dearth of Indian foster homes, state social workers must frequently place Native American children with non-Indian families. Those placements can result in a loss of Native American culture and a profound sense of isolation, according to a 1998 study. "There's a lost sense of identity (with the Indian foster children), not knowing where they fit," said Nancy Dufraine, Indian Child Welfare Manager for the state's Children's Administration. While Native Americans constitute only 2 percent of the state's population, they accounted for 17 percent of all child fatalities in Washington last year, according to a report by the state's ombudsman for children and families. Even top state officials don't know how many native children are in tribal placements. Under the federal law, tribes can choose to take jurisdiction over a dependent child or allow the state's child welfare system to care for them. But individual tribes are not required to tell the state how many children are in their foster care programs. "Some tribes will share the data, and some tribes will not," Dufraine said. "They want to be able to protect their constituents and their members." The Carr children's travails highlighted a litany of troubles plaguing native children in Washington's child welfare system. "This case is an example of any problem you care to name that DCFS has," said Rebecca Coufal, an attorney for the children's father. "Let's just say that if it could go wrong, it did go wrong. Over and over again." Bureaucratic battles In 2000, under a joint decision by the Nooksacks and the state agency, the children were placed in the home of a tribal councilwoman near Bellingham. According to court documents filed in the 2003 lawsuit, the state failed to review the safety of the home or conduct a criminal background check on the home's residents - one of whom had a previous assault conviction. Communication between the state and the Nooksack tribe broke down. School officials were accused of ignoring bruises on the children. The children "were beaten and tortured on an almost daily basis," according to the lawsuit. "No child should have to go through what they have gone through," Horton said. The youngest of the children, then 5 years old, lost three-quarters of his intestine after a teenager in the home repeatedly kicked him in the stomach. One of the girls had to be admitted to a psychiatric hospital. "I'm just crazed about the kind of foster homes they had these kids in," said a government employee, who asked not to be identified because supervisors had not approved the conversation. In the winter of 2000, the children moved into the home of Sharon and Vance Peterson, a Spokane County District Court judge. At the Petersons, the children had advocates and caring foster parents, said Ressler, the children's attorney. The Petersons "hold a special place in my heart," Ressler said. "I hold them in high esteem." But Bobby Carr continued to struggle. His "extreme sibling aggression and defiant behavior" led to a brief psychiatric stay and more foster homes, according to records obtained by The Spokesman-Review. In September 2001, Bobby moved in with foster parents Steve and Carol Horton, who lived in a log cabin near Waitts Lake in Stevens County. The couple was granted guardianship of the boy. "When we took him, we didn't know anything about what went on across the mountains," Horton said. Life in Stevens County From the start, the boy was a challenge. Sometimes he would spend hours crying for his mother, and at other times he would fly into violent rage. Horton wondered what could have happened to make him so angry. "I know Steve loved Bobby," said Sandy Peterson, Bobby's former foster mother. "Steve did miracles with Bobby, but Bobby was unhappy because he wanted a mom." In 2004, the Hortons' marriage ended in divorce. "Bobby took it bad," Horton said. "He called Carol 'mom' - except to her face. After she left, he was a wreck." Even after the settlement, disputes continued. Last spring, the Hoonah Indian Association filed a motion to modify the children's guardianship, arguing that the "minimal contact" between the children and their tribe had "adversely affected" them. In 2005, Bobby visited his tribal relatives in Alaska, where his sister lived in foster care. A state social worker accompanied Bobby. "When he came back from Alaska, he knew everything," Horton said. But in recent months, Bobby's attitude gradually improved, Horton said. The teenager was earning better grades and participating in football at Valley Elementary and Middle School. Even so, Horton remained concerned. Horton said Bobby took anti-depressants to help his mood. "He was depressed without question," Horton said. "He never talked about committing suicide." On the day before he died, Bobby and his foster father worked together making improvements on Horton's property. They worked until dark and then ate, and the teenager played video games, Horton said. Then they watched a movie and went to bed about 1 a.m. "We had a good day," Horton said Bobby told him. In the morning, Horton went into the boy's room to ask him to go to town. He found the boy dead with his German shepherd-Rottweiler mix puppy by his side. "He was a good kid," Horton said. "He was on the honor roll. He was coming around. But he still had anger deep inside and a lot of pain." Copyright c. 2006 Idaho Spokesman-Review. --------- "RE: Indian Siblings can't go to Funeral" --------- Date: Thu, 21 Dec 2006 08:49:15 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="INDIAN BROTHERS CANNOT ATTEND FUNERAL" http://www.indianz.com/News/ http://www.spokesmanreview.com/tools/story_pf.asp?ID=165260 Indian siblings can't go to funeral Judge won't allow foster kids to go unprepared to Alaska Kevin Graman Staff writer December 20, 2006 A Spokane County Juvenile Court judge denied a tribe's motion to allow two Native American foster children in Spokane to attend the funeral in Alaska of their brother, who died this month in foster care. The ruling is the latest chapter in a child dependency case that began in 1992, involving four siblings of Indian ancestry who were abused while in foster care on the Nooksack Reservation in northwestern Washington. The children are descended from the Nooksack Tribe and the Hoonah Tribe in Alaska, where the body of 15-year-old Robley "Bobby" Carr Jr. will be buried. Bobby Carr died Dec. 9 in his rural Stevens County home. The Stevens County coroner is awaiting a toxicology report before determining what caused the boy's death. In ruling against the Hoonah Tribe on Tuesday, court Commissioner Paul Bastine expressed dismay that after more than a decade, the parties in the Carr case remain at odds. "You're asking the court to make a decision that you all should have made a long time ago," said Bastine. In 2003, the state and federal governments agreed to pay the Carr children $5 million after they were repeatedly abused at a foster home on the Nooksack Reservation in 2000. The money is held for the children in trust. Although the children have lived in foster homes in the Spokane area for the past six years, the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 entitles the tribes to maintain a relationship with them. After the death of their brother, the children's Hoonah relatives asked the court to allow the two Carr children in the foster care of Vance and Sandy Peterson, of Spokane, to be allowed to travel to the Hoonah island, where their 16-year-old sister lives in the care of her great uncle. The Petersons opposed the trip, citing a therapist's declaration that it would be detrimental to the mental health of the 13-year-old girl and 11- year-old boy. They said, however, that the relatives were welcome to visit the children in Spokane. Though the tribe is entitled to have a relationship with the children, "this is not the time" to send them to Alaska, said Bastine, a retired judge who heard the case Tuesday after other county judges recused themselves because of their acquaintance with Vance Peterson, who is a Spokane County District Court judge. "I'm not prepared to allow these children to go to Alaska without appropriate preparation," Bastine said in denying the motion. Present at Tuesday's hearing were the children's maternal grandmother and great uncle from Alaska; their biological father; a caseworker from the state Division of Child and Family Services; a representative of the Hoonah Tribe; and various attorneys. "You got to get your act together," Bastine told them all, citing the Division of Child and Family Services in particular. Copyright c. 2006, The Spokesman-Review. --------- "RE: Assessing the Supreme Court" --------- Date: Fri, 22 Dec 2006 08:33:39 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="REVIEW OF SUPREME COURT" http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096414215 Assessing the Supreme Court by: Jerry Reynolds / Indian Country Today December 22, 2006 WASHINGTON - A U.S. Supreme Court considered anti-Indian by the balance of opinion in Indian country didn't improve its standing with these critics in 2006, but worth noting is that it didn't render decisions against Indian interests so much as it allowed lower court decisions to stand. And it took on one case, to be argued in January, concerning federal impact aid funding to schools that serve Indian students. It can't be considered a true surprise when the Supreme Court refuses to consider lower court decisions, because it seldom revisits such cases on so-called certiorari review (the Latin refers to making a decision more certain through a final look from a higher court). But given the high stakes for Indian country, feelings toward the court were bitter indeed last May, when it returned the dreaded words "cert denied" on Seneca land claims, and then on a Cayuga land claims case that had approached a third decade in litigation. By its inaction, the Supreme Court sealed the defeat of Cayuga land claims in upstate New York, primarily by reason of the tribe's purported long inaction on its claims. In effect, the high court found nothing to argue with in the finding that favoring the Cayuga claims now would disrupt other interests, despite the strong view of Indian country at large that the Cayuga claim was undermined and complicated by breaches of federal and treaty law. A number of prominent Indian attorneys took the view that a towering injustice had been committed in the lower courts; and Cayuga leader Clint Halftown issued a statement contending the tribe never should have trusted the U.S. legal system. Some foes of the hard-fought Cayuga claim took the decision as precedent for the termination of all land claims among the reviving Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy tribes, a cause taken up by some among New York state's congressional delegation and filed for lower court action, though not acted upon by Congress. Come what may, the Supreme Court appeared to be settling on the view of its conservative wing that the Constitution, as well as offering legal rights, also raises certain thresholds to citizens with damages and takings claims against state governments - and then extending that view to tribes. No less an authority than Kevin Gover, former assistant secretary for Indian Affairs at the Interior Department, has advised tribes against turning to the Supreme Court as a protector as they have in times past. Another decision of "cert denied" left intact a lower court ruling that all Rhode Island laws can be enforced on Narragansett Tribe dominions, based on a "unique relationship" between the state and the tribe. At stake was the tribe's authority to operate a smoke shop without license (that is, tax-free) from the state. Likewise on a "cert denied" appeal, the Delaware of Oklahoma were not heard by the court on a claim to Pennsylvania land for casino purposes; the Pechanga in California were permitted to police their own enrollment; tribal authority over Indians who are not citizens of a tribe was left intact; and the BIA retained its ability to take land into trust for tribes. A handful of other cases with consequence for Indian country are "cert pending," meaning they may or may not be accepted by the Supreme Court for review. The impact aid case, slated for January, is that rare example of "cert granted" - in Zuni Public School District, et al. v. Department of Education, et al., the high court could clear up an issue that has aggravated tribes for years. Federal impact aid funds are paid to school districts based on the presence of federal lands; it makes up for the lack of tax income from those lands. The funds are pooled and doled out again for all school uses within the district; tribes have long argued that because the funds are available due to the presence of their trust lands within school districts, they should receive the federal impact aid funds. That is at least one difficult issue the court is prepared to tackle. The lengthy detail on these and other cases can be found at the Native American Rights Fund Tribal Supreme Court Project Web site, www.narf.org/cases/supctproj.html. Copyright c. 1998 - 2006 Indian Country Today. All Rights Reserved. --------- "RE: Parties in Klallam Landfill Lawsuit Settle" --------- Date: Fri, 22 Dec 2006 08:33:39 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="TRIBE TO RECEIVE $2.75M" http://www.indianz.com/News/ http://www.kitsapsun.com/bsun/local/article/ 0%2C2403%2CBSUN_19088_5226446%2C00.html Parties in Klallam Landfill Lawsuit Settle for $2.75M The county and Waste Management were sued over claims that the tribe's land was contaminated. By TRAVIS BAKER, tbaker@kitsapsun.com December 20, 2006 Kitsap County on Monday announced the settlement of a lawsuit brought against the county and Waste Management of Washington Inc. by the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe over claims that contamination has migrated from the old Hansville dump onto adjacent tribal land. It will cost the two defendants $2.75 million, which will be put in a trust account "for the benefit of the tribe." The agreement still needs the approval of the Bureau of Indian Affairs and of Waste Management, the county said in a news release. It said the county and the company are expected to share in providing the money, but it did not say in what proportion. In its own news release, the tribe said the money compensates it "for loss of use of over 300 acres of land that has been sampled and documented as contaminated by the landfill ... and will be subject to restrictions on use and occupancy for at least a generation and probably much longer. "According to Kitsap County's Hazardous Sites listing, the landfill is teeming with high levels of halogenated organic compounds, metals and solvents," the tribal release said. The eastern boundary of the tribe's reservation abuts the old landfill, which is located on 72 acres of county land 4 1/2 miles south of Hansville. The landfill is on 17.3 of those acres. The landfill operated from 1962 to 1990. Since then, the county said in a news release, "the county has been working with (the state Department of Ecology), the health district, the tribe and other parties to clean up the landfill." The county and Waste Management dispute the tribe's claims that the land has been contaminated by pollutants from the landfill, but "they have agreed to resolve the dispute and address their respective concerns and obligations so a Cleanup Action Plan can be developed," the county news release said. The remedy agreed upon is to lessen the contamination "at or migrating from" the dump, while controls will be imposed on the reservation to keep people away from the surface and groundwater in the area in question. According to the county, Tribal Chairman Ron Charles said, "Based on (six years of) studies, we have concluded that the settlement agreement provides for a reasonable resolution of the issues involved with the landfill. We look forward to continuing to work with the county, Waste Management and our neighbors to make sure that the landfill does not threaten human health or the natural environment." The money will be used by the tribe to pay down loans relating to 390 acres of land purchased from the Department of Natural Resources to help replace the land contaminated by the Hansville dump, Charles said. That land will be used for forestry and replanted as necessary, he said. Copyright c. 2006 Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA. --------- "RE: Cherokee Freedmen win round" --------- Date: Thu, 21 Dec 2006 08:49:15 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="CNO MOTION TO DISMISS DENIED" http://www.pechanga.net/ http://www.newsok.com/article/2988297/ Cherokee freedmen win round December 20, 2006 TAHLEQUAH - A Cherokee Nation motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed by freedmen was denied by a U.S. District Court. Cherokee freedmen filed a lawsuit against the United States claiming U.S. officials breached their fiduciary duty by failing to endorse a treaty and the 13th Amendment, which outlawed slavery. They said this happened when the they were denied the right to vote in the Cherokee Nation's 2003 election for principal chief and an amendment to the Cherokee Constitution. Cherokee officials filed a motion to dismiss the suit and that action was dismissed Tuesday in the District of Columbia. Jon Velie, an attorney for the freedmen, said the ruling also permits the freedmen, who are descendants of slaves who were adopted into the tribe, to add the Cherokee Nation and Principal Chief Chad Smith to the lawsuit. Copyright c. 2006 News 9/The Oklahoman - Produced by NewsOK.com. --------- "RE: Navajo Soldier loses Arm in explosion in Iraq" --------- Date: Mon, 18 Dec 2006 08:29:08 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="NAVAJO SOLDIER LOSES ARN, NOT HEART" http://www.indianz.com/News/ http://www.daily-times.com/news/ci_4858630 Army specialist loses his arm, but not his spirit By Cory Frolik The Daily Times December 18, 2006 WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. - Alroy Billiman and his family are adjusting to his loss of an arm. It won't be easy for the 27-year-old Billiman, his wife and their 1-year-old daughter, but all three are taking it in stride, say family members. The average person, said Alroy's sister, Lorencita Billiman, 30, might be devastated after losing a limb. She reasoned that depression from the loss of certain functions and the incessant pain could be too much for some. But Alroy is different, she said. He refuses to concede to adversity. Alroy, an Army specialist with the Army Reserve First Battalion 133 Infantry, was helping the Iowa National Guard transport supplies from Jordan to Iraq on Nov. 9, when a bomb exploded beneath his Humvee. Alroy's account of the explosion is a chilling one. "I felt the pain the minute the explosion hit. The Humvee lifted off the ground and then fell back down. It was all black smoke," Alroy said. Alroy, who was driving, says he crawled into the back where the gunner and other passengers were. A large amount of blood inside the vehicle alarmed passengers and everyone wanted out. Alroy says he tried to open the door only to realize he didn't have an arm to open it. The explosion nearly killed the young man, according to a release from the Navajo Nation. He survived but his right arm from the elbow down had to be amputated and his right leg was badly injured. Alroy was treated at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center near Ramstein, Germany. About a month ago, he was taken to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., where he underwent two operations. After spending about two weeks receiving treatment, he was moved to the Naval Medical Center in San Diego, Calif., where he will receive rehabilitation in coming months. Depending on how quickly he heals, Alroy could spend some six or more months in rehabilitation, Lorencita said. He still has much physical therapy, counseling and adjusting ahead of him. Alroy will get a prosthetic arm and learn how to use it. The prosthetic arm works when muscles in the shoulder are tensed. On Tuesday morning, Alroy underwent more surgery to combat an infection that resulted from his wounds. Family members who flew to California to be at his side and saw him during this period say he was in no way down on himself despite needing so much medical attention. Facing a life without one arm, Alroy remains upbeat. He says he sees nothing to be gained from a negative attitude. From his wife's temporary home at the Fisher House, a "home away for home" for military families whose loved ones are in the hospital, Alroy gave every reassurance that things will be fine. "I'm still the same. This is just another challenge for me," he said. A recent conversation he had with his brother persuaded Alroy that this incident was all part of God's plan and that he wasn't so unfortunate after all. "Maybe God saw a baby being born that needed an arm. He knew I was strong enough to go without it so he took it," he said. His positive attitude has not gone unnoticed. "He surprised and reassured the whole family by being strong and not wallowing in self-pity," said Lorie Lee, Alroy's niece and media production specialist for the Navajo Nation's Office of Broadcast Services. "From the very (moment) he was stabilized, he has been really positive about what's ahead of him in terms of rehabilitation and therapy." A photograph taken just minutes after the explosion shows Alroy giving the camera a one-armed thumbs up. Alroy, an excited speaker on the phone, has an upbeat manner that even his injury could not darken. He is experiencing the most difficulty in making the minor modifications "He gets frustrated," Lorencita said, "when he can't hold his daughter in a loving way." Alroy says he looks forward to moving back to the Four Corners area and ranching again, but he wonders whether he will be able to fish, hunt and do everything he did before. He also wishes to return to college and perhaps work in oil field construction, as he did previously. Lorencita worries the stress may be taking its toll on Alroy's wife, Katara, 23. "She was already trying to raise the baby on her own and now this. It is going to be a long haul," Lorencita said in a phone interview from her father's home in Window Rock, Ariz. Katara was a student at San Juan College majoring in medical administrative assistance. She was in her microcomputer application class when she the call came informing her of Alroy's injuries. But she says that life will return to normal after a few setbacks. She says, "I have to make a few adjustments. I'm now trying to take care of an infant and my husband, two people who depend on me the most." Alroy was expected to be discharged from the hospital Friday. He will live in a two-bedroom home on the Naval base as he undergoes therapy and treatment. He says he looks forward to getting out and seeing San Diego. He will be happy to say farewell to the hospital beds, he added. Cory Frolik: cfrolik@daily-times.com Copyright c, 2006 Farmington Daily Times, MediaNews Group, Inc. --------- "RE: National Bison Range, Ranchers defend Tribe" --------- Date: Fri, 22 Dec 2006 08:33:39 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="POLITICS NOT MISMANAGEMENT BEHIND FISH AND WILDLIFE ACTIONS" http://www.pechanga.net/ http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2006/12/22/news/local/news02.txt National Bison Range / Ranchers defend tribe By VINCE DEVLIN of the Missoulian December 22, 2006 RONAN - From a Jeep, and out of about 50 head of bison in one pasture, rancher Bernard Hakes points out the 3-year-old heifer and three yearlings he purchased from the National Bison Range a week ago - bison that an opponent of tribal involvement at the refuge claimed had not been fed for a number of days. "When I got them, they were fat and sassy," Hakes says. "That story that the tribes were not feeding them was B.S." Hakes and another longtime volunteer at the annual bison roundup, Polson architect Paul Bishop, have come forward the week after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service abruptly ended its agreement with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes for shared management of the National Bison Range. Neither Hakes nor Bishop are tribal members, but they don't think CSKT was given a fair shake at the refuge. "I quite frankly don't give a damn who runs the Bison Range, but if Fish and Wildlife is going to take it over for a reason, let's let it be the truth," Hakes says. "I could bitch about the tribes over other things and spend a couple of hours. But when it comes to the Bison Range, there's been no neglect, and the proof is in the animal." Bishop says he feels National Bison Range project manager Steve Kallin "has purposefully created an environment of distrust, animosity and misinformation. The FWS, under his direction, has sought to try the tribes in the court of public opinion, while doing everything in their power to sabotage the co-management relationship behind the scenes." Kallin was not available for comment Thursday, but deputy project leader Bill West vigorously defended him. "He's one of the finest humans, and administrators, I've ever seen," West says of Kallin. "In 26 years, I've never worked for anyone more honorable. I'd follow Steve Kallin anywhere." Bishop, meantime, called for Kallin to be reassigned and another administrator to be brought in "who can oversee a fair and balanced assessment of the tribes' capabilities." Bishop says that while his exposure to the Bison Range is limited to two to three days a year when he volunteers at the roundup, he thinks it provides a good window into the work the tribes have done there since the co-management plan went into effect in the fall of 2005. "I have, from the beginning, felt that the way FWS conducted the roundup had serious problems," Bishop wrote in a letter published Thursday in the weekly Valley Journal. "It was always heavy on the 'cowboy' and it seemed the welfare of the bison extended only to their most basic physical needs." Bishop, whose family has volunteered at the roundup for more than 20 years and who himself has been involved for more than 10, says that over time the bison became more savvy to the methods of FWS riders. "The only FWS response was to run the animals harder, getting them even more stressed and worn out," Bishop says. "The common method, once all the 'easy' animals had been chased in by riders, was to retire the horses and bring out a FWS Jeep. The driver would then chase the remaining stubborn bison, horn blaring, until they submitted." It sometimes involved ramming the bison with the front bumper, Bishop says, and in 2004 - the last year FWS had sole control of the roundup - an adult bison was rammed from behind, its leg was broken, and it had to be killed. But when the tribes came on board, that changed, Bishop says. "The tribes' first roundup was a huge success, which was completed in two days with time to spare," Bishops says. "I know it sounds odd, but I believe the animals noticed a difference, too," he says. "They were clearly much calmer and less stressed. The riders did a fantastic job of handling the animals with care and everyone else followed suit. The bison were processed through with a level of compassion and patience that was definitely lacking in the old FWS cowboy days." Bishop says his jaw dropped when Kallin glossed over the success of the roundup afterward. "I am not sure why he won't tell you this," Bishop says he told the roundup staff after Kallin left, "but that was the best roundup in the last 10 years, maybe ever." West says the Fish and Wildlife Service has always praised the tribes' work at the annual roundup, and it was other areas over the course of the past year where work was done less than satisfactorily or not performed - much of which was documented in a critical (and controversial) performance report. "The big elephant on the table that never gets talked about is that the tribes want the land back," West says. "But whether the tribes can run a national wildlife refuge the right way is the only thing on the negotiating table." He credited FWS biologist Lee Jones with discontinuing use of a Jeep to herd bison into corrals, as well as developing the system that allows roundup workers to pass a wand over implanted computer chips in the scale area to get information on each animal, without driving them into a squeeze chute. And, he says, she's also responsible for the use of hydraulic squeeze chutes at the roundup that are easier on the animals that are directed there than the old chutes were. "That's who Lee Jones is," West says. "The best thing to happen to bison here in a while. Paul gives credit to the tribes for things that had more to do with Lee." But Bishop says the biologist was "particularly agitated" at the roundup. "She snapped at several tribal staff members and I heard her say several times, 'That's not my job' or 'Talk to the tribes,' " Bishop says. "I don't want to over-dramatize the events, but I do need to clearly stress that the level of condescending and insulting behavior by several FWS staff toward the tribal staff was very obvious." West says the tribes made it clear from the beginning that "they wanted credit for the jobs they did, and didn't want us to do their jobs." The tribes, he adds, do deserve credit in other areas at the roundup. "They added a new dimension, showing how if you're patient with the most stubborn critters, you can actually walk them into the corrals," West says. "We tried their method, and it took an hour, but it worked. It was a positive thing that had never been tried before." Hakes says he employs similar tactics on his ranch, using what he calls "Judas cows" to move the bison where he needs to. "I've got three pet cows I feed out of a bucket, and I'll use them to lead in the other buffalo," Hakes says. "Buffalo lead better than they drive." The Fish and Wildlife Service, he says, is simply protecting its turf from the tribes, who had been in negotiations with the Department of Interior to take over full control of management at the Bison Range when the plug was pulled on the Annual Funding Agreement that allowed for the co-management plan. "There's no reason (CSKT) can't run it as good as anybody else," Hakes says. "I realize I'm endangering my working relationship with the Bison Range, but fair is fair." "To me, they can run it better," Bishop says. "Just the last two years at the roundup, how things have changed, proves that. If the tribes are as bad as the Fish and Wildlife Service says they are, why don't they stand back and let them fail on their own?" Copyright c. 2006 Missoulian, a division of Lee Enterprises. --------- "RE: Oneidas, U.S. say don't let claim die" --------- Date: Mon, 18 Dec 2006 08:29:08 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="ONEIDA LAND CLAIM" http://www.pechanga.net/ http://www.syracuse.com/news/poststandard/index.ssf?/ base/news-0/1166436032139290.xml&coll=1 Oneidas, U.S. say don't let claim die By Glenn Coin Staff writer December 18, 2006 The Oneida Indian land claim should not be dismissed, and the Oneidas should be paid at least $500,000 for land illegally taken from them 200 years ago, the Oneidas and federal government argue in new court papers. The U.S. government and the three tribes of Oneidas filed papers last week in federal court seeking to keep alive the Oneida Indian land claim, filed in 1974. A federal appeals court last year tossed out a similar claim by the Cayuga Indians, saying the two Cayuga tribes had waited too long. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld that ruling. After the Cayuga case, the state and Madison and Oneida counties asked a judge to dismiss the Oneida claim for the same reasons that doomed the Cayuga claim. The Oneida tribes and the federal Department of Justice argue in last week's filings, however, that the Cayuga decision was wrong. They also argue that the Oneida claim is different from the Cayuga case and should not be dismissed. The lawyer for the counties, David Schraver, disagrees. "We think the Cayuga case should be dispositive of the Oneida land claim as well, and that there are not legally significant differences," Schraver said. Justice department lawyers also backtracked from their position earlier this year that the Cayuga appeals court decision spelled an end to all New York Indian claims. Federal lawyers last week put forth a new argument: Even if the claims are denied because of the passage of time, the Oneidas still deserve compensation for the low prices they were paid at the time of the land sales in the 18th and 19th centuries. That would be about $500,000 from 1795 to 1827, when the state bought the bulk of Oneida land, according to the tribes' lawyers. The value of the land claim, which sprawls across 250,000 acres in Madison and Oneida counties, had been estimated at $1 billion. Tribes and the federal government argue that the Oneida claim has important differences from the Cayuga claim. For example, lawyers argue that the Oneidas tried for at least 130 years to persuade the government that their land had been illegally sold to the state of New York. The 1790 Trade and Intercourse Act prohibited states from buying Indian land without the consent of the federal government. Even if a judge dismisses the Oneida claim on the same grounds as the Cayuga claim, the federal government argues, the Oneidas should at least be reimbursed for the deflated prices the state paid for the land. According to the tribes, the state paid between one-twelfth and one- third of the actual market value of Oneida land. "The state intentionally violated federal law when it bought Oneida land . . . for only a fraction of its value by using threats, lies, liquor and other exploitation," lawyers for the tribes say. There are three Oneida tribes: one each in New York, Wisconsin and Ontario. Lawyers for the tribes say the state helped balance its budget by purchasing land from the Oneidas at cut-rate prices and selling it at a large profit. In any event, lawyers argue, the case should not be dismissed until more evidence is presented that the Oneidas had fought since at least 1840 to get their land back. The state and counties have until Jan. 23 to reply. A hearing on the case is scheduled for Feb. 2 in Albany before U.S. District Judge Lawrence Kahn. Copyright c. 2006 The Post-Standard. Used with permission. Copyright c. 2006 Syracuse Online, LLC. All Rights Reserved. --------- "RE: Voting Rights Case settled in South Dakota" --------- Date: Tue, 19 Dec 2006 08:44:58 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="MARTIN ORDERED TO REDRAW LINES" http://www.pechanga.net/ http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096414203 Voting rights case settled in South Dakota by: David Melmer / Indian Country Today December 18, 2006 PIERRE, S.D. - Martin city officials have orders from the U.S. District Court to redraw city council lines that will correct voting rights violations against the American Indian voting population. American Indians make up 45 percent of the city's population but, because of the current redistricting plan, are allegedly unable to elect candidates of their choice to city offices. A lawsuit, Cottier v. City of Martin, was originally filed in 2002 against the town of Martin with the intent of correcting the redistricting plan adopted that year. The plan, according to the plaintiffs, diluted the American Indian voting strength. "This ruling will enable Indian voters to enjoy the right that many other South Dakotas take for granted: the right to have a say in their local government. The decision also benefits everyone by promoting fairness and a more democratic city government," said Bryan Sells, staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union's Voting Rights Project. District Judge Karen Schreier ruled in her original decision that the city of Martin did not violate one of the three factors, known as "Gingles" factors after a U.S. Supreme Court decision, needed to prove a voting rights violation. These factors are the baseline indicators of voter discrimination. The ruling was appealed to the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals, which remanded the case back to the lower court after concluding that the district court erred in its findings about the three Gingles factors. In 2002, the city of Martin passed an ordinance to redraw the district boundaries that was challenged by the ACLU, which claimed the ordinance was malapportioned and that it fragmented the American Indian vote. The city admitted the error and a new ordinance was drawn that improved the malapportionment but continued to violate paragraph two, which deals with dilution or fragmentation. Schreier, in her opinion, wrote that the city council was informed by the state's attorney general's office that the ordinance diluted the American Indian vote and, as stated during the trial, the council's comment was: "We don't know what we are going to do about it." Therefore, Schreier ruled that the city was aware of the violation when it adopted the ordinance. Schreier relied heavily on a recent case that was ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, Boneshirt v. Nelson. Schreier also heard that case and ruled for the plaintiffs, which was affirmed by the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals. The state of South Dakota asked that the case be reviewed. Boneshirt dealt with a state redistricting plan that packed one district with American Indian voters, instead of splitting two districts to give the American Indian voters a chance to elect preferred candidates in two districts. The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals relied on and quoted from Cottier as well. Cottier was sent down to the district court in 2005 and the final ruling was released on Dec. 6. Schreier agreed with the appellate judges in their conclusion that South Dakota was a state that perpetrated racial discrimination, especially in voting rights. "The court finds that Indians continue to suffer the effects of discrimination, including lower levels of income and education. Additionally, the court finds that Indians in Martin suffer from depressed levels of political activity," Schreier wrote. The defendants claimed that because some American Indians had been elected to city office in the past it did not practice racial discrimination. Schreier found that since 1981 only seven American Indian candidates were elected to office, and one or two of those were not a preferred candidate. "As a result, the court finds that Indians are rarely elected to the Martin City Council," Schreier wrote. The courts have to rely on Senate factors that determine whether discrimination occurred during political campaigns. Schreier noted that in the state of South Dakota, overt racial appeals or comments have occurred. During the 1998 gubernatorial race, the state's largest newspaper, the Sioux Falls Argus Leader, printed the headline: "Hunhoff picks Indian woman as running mate." Bernie Hunhoff, candidate for governor, chose Elsie Meeks, Oglala, to run for the office of lieutenant governor. In 2002 the local Martin newspaper ran advertisements suggesting voter fraud by American Indians, even though there was no evidence of fraud. In the 2002 primary and general elections in Bennett County, in which Martin is located, rumors were spread that if an American Indian were elected to the county commission land would be placed into trust status and taken off the tax rolls. Bennett County is located next to the Pine Ridge Reservation and is considered part of the reservation. One of the nine tribal districts is partially located in Bennett County and the city of Martin. A 2003 exit poll found that 100 percent of the American Indians who voted in Ward 1 voted for their preferred candidate, who lost the election. In Ward 3, the American Indian-preferred candidate also lost despite an 86 percent vote from American Indians. The court found, as a result of this poll, that racially polarized voting occurs in the city of Martin. Schreier wrote that the American Indian population in Martin suffers from the effects of past discrimination, which includes lower levels of income, education, home ownership, automobile ownership and standard of living. The court has given the city of Martin the chance to redraw the districts, which will then be reviewed by the court. The city has until Jan. 5, 2007, to file the remedial proposals. The entire review process is to take no longer than 30 days. The American Civil Liberties Union submitted, in 2002, three possible proposals for redistricting the city; the city rejected all of them. At trial it was not determined if the city council ever reviewed the proposals with any degree of detail. The case is Cottier v. Nelson 02-5021-KES, filed in U.S. District Court, District of South Dakota Western Division. It can be found online at www.aclu.org/votingrights/minority/27624lgl20061206.html. Copyright c. 1998 - 2006 Indian Country Today. All Rights Reserved. --------- "RE: Ariz Attorney General: Tobacco taxes off-rez only" --------- Date: Sun, 24 Dec 2006 10:45:20 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="STATE CAN'T COLLECT NEW ON-REZ SALES TAXES" http://www.pechanga.net/ http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/related/161682.php attorney general's shocker Tobacco taxes off-reservation only By Howard Fischer Capitol Media Services Tucson, Arizona December 23, 2006 PHOENIX - Arizona can't collect two new taxes on cigarettes totaling 82 cents a pack if the purchases are made at reservation stores, Attorney General Terry Goddard said Friday. In a formal legal opinion, Goddard said Proposition 203, approved by voters last month, was worded in a way that means only off-reservation sales are subject to the new 80-cent tax designed to raise money for early childhood development programs. Similarly, Goddard said a separate 2-cent tax, approved as part of Proposition 201 to police new restrictions on smoking in public places, also is written to apply solely to off-reservation sales. He said there is a legal way to apply both levies to sales made at Indian smoke shops, just as was done in 1994 when the tax was hiked by 40 cents, and again in 2002 when an additional 60 cents was tacked on. But that wasn't done here in either case, he said. Friday's opinion does more than undermine the $150 million a year that backers of Proposition 203 hoped to raise each year for early childhood development programs and the $5 million for smoking enforcement. It also creates an $8.20-a-carton disparity between on-reservation and off-reservation prices that may be enough to convince some smokers who now get their smokes locally to instead make the drive and stock up. Goddard's decision surprised Nadine Mathis Basha, the Chandler resident who put Proposition 203 together. She said it was always assumed that the new tax, approved by voters last month, would apply to all sales throughout the state. Basha, the former president of the state Board of Education, said she hopes tribes will "voluntarily add tax" and then turn the proceeds over to the state - and eventually over to a new board created to award grants for various programs around the state. She said that makes sense because Proposition 203 is written so that tribal members can benefit from the health and education programs the tax is supposed to fund. Tribes are free to impose their own sales taxes where state levies do not apply. They purchase special red-colored tax stamps through tobacco distributors to mark products sold on reservations to non-Indians. But in the past they have earmarked the proceeds for their own programs rather than giving them to the state. Goddard said there is no requirement for tribes to levy a new tax or, if they do, there's no restriction on how to spend the money. At the heart of the issue is the language of the ballot measures. Dan Zemke, spokesman for the state Department of Revenue, said the 1994 and 2002 tax hikes were written as "a tax on the consumer that was pre- collected through the purchase of the tax stamp by the distributor." And the distributors have to purchase those stamps when the cigarettes first come into the state. But Goddard said both Proposition 203 and 201 impose what in essence is a transaction-privilege tax - one that is the obligation of the retailer to pay. And he said federal law generally precludes the state from taxing reservation transactions, even if the buyers are not Indians. Most of the proceeds from the 1994 tax pay for health care programs for those who earned too much money to qualify for free health care but earned less than the federal poverty level. The 2002 levy was designed to help fund emergency health services. Both those tax increases, while written to apply to reservation sales, also included an opt-out provision: Tribes could impose their own taxes to offset the new state tax. Most tribes adopted that provision, keeping the revenues for themselves. local angle The Tohono O'odham Nation raised taxes to match the 82-cent increase imposed by Propositions 201 and 203. Copyright c. 2006 Arizona Daily Star. --------- "RE: Katrina Evacuees in Danger of losing Homes" --------- Date: Sun, 24 Dec 2006 10:45:20 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="JUDGE DEMANDS ANSWERS" http://www.katv.com/news/stories/1206/382211.html Hurricane Katrina Evacuees in Danger of Losing Their Arkansas Homes Posted By: Talisa Austin December 21, 2006 9:45pm Hurricane Katrina Relief Agencies Met at State Capitol Judge Demands Answers on Katrina Housing Nationwide Appeals Decision In Landmark Katrina Insurance Land Grab After Katrina Leaves Out Many Property Owners Little Rock - Members of a Native American Tribe, who were among the first Hurricane Katrina evacuees to arrive in Little Rock, are about to see their Arkansas homes demolished if something isn't done soon to stop it. The tribe of about 30 from Slidell, Louisiana says it's as if they've been hit by a second hurricane all over again. They worked in Arkansas for a year to pool together money to buy six buildings to be moved to their new land in Little Rock. Now they found out the city is about to bulldoze their dreams away. (Elwin Warhorse, Tribal Chief)"Sigh this is the house we had already picked out to put the handicap and one of our senior citizens in." The boarded up buildings may not look like much, but for Chief Warhorse and her tribe say they are a new beginning. They bought the homes with the understanding they would be moved. His week the Katrina evacuees found out the Little Rock housing authority plans to turn their homes into rubble to make way for a federal revitalization project. (Elwin Warhorse, Tribal Chief) "All we've had survive the storm is each other. We all knew we lost our home. Nothing we could do about that. So it was find a new start and new beginning and new home and we thought we did. So it's heart breaking. It really is because we did everything you're supposed to do. We worked hard." The man they bought the homes from was awarded a city contract to salvage what he could, but the city says he didn't follow the rules. (David Woessner, Little Rock Housing Authority)"The timeline was exceeded. Monies were not paid. We have to move forward. So we issued a cease and desist. We tells him his contract is done. We no longer need him on our property. We have to move forward." The demolition is expected to begin next week and all the tribe is asking for is more time. Time to move these houses they paid for to the property they've purchased. (Warhorse)"We are caught between somebody need this property to do some new development and the time it takes to removed the houses from here." Chief warhorse is now pleading for someone to step forward to help her tribe salvage the homes before it's too late. (Warhorse)"Somewhere people are going to have to understand the Katrina thing didn't just stop a year later. It's still there. We're not home. We don't want nothing for nothing. But someone has to cooperate with us. These homes could be our home." The contractor who sold the homes to the tribes says he is still working on finding them a place to live. Copyright c. 2006 KATV, LLC. --------- "RE: Navajo Nation: Shirley to Dayish: Butt out" --------- Date: Sun, 24 Dec 2006 10:45:20 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="NAVAJO PRESIDENT TELLS VP TO QUIT INTERFERING IN DESERT ROCK" http://www.gallupindependent.com/2006/dec/122306kh_dayishbuttout.html Shirley to Dayish: Butt out President orders his VP to quit interfering in Desert Rock affair By Kathy Helms Dine' Bureau December 23, 2006 WINDOW ROCK - Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr. has directed Vice President Frank Dayish Jr. to "curtail any and all efforts to intervene" in the Desert Rock resistance movement. "By the authority vested in me as President of the Navajo Nation and pursuant to 1 N.N.C. (Section) 203(C) and 2 N.N.C. (Section) 1005(B), I write to inform you that I am personally addressing matters related to the Desert Rock Energy Project situation. "I am working closely with the Navajo Department of Justice and representatives of Din Power Authority," Shirley said in a Dec. 19 memorandum to Dayish and copied to Attorney General Louis Denetsosie. "To avoid conflicting and inconsistent messages from the Office of the President/Vice President, I hereby direct that you curtail any and all efforts to intervene on this matter," Shirley told Dayish. Citing Section 1005(D), Shirley said that only in the absence of the President shall the Vice President exercise the powers and execute the duties of the President and the Navajo Nation. "Because I am personally addressing this issue, your intervention on this matter is unnecessary and contrary to the laws of the Navajo Nation." Shirley spent two-and-a-half hours Monday at the Desert Rock base camp listening to resisters' concerns and trying to explain the Navajo Nation's position in support of the now-$3 billion project. The president said the Desert Rock project has been discussed for years and was supported by the Navajo Nation Council last summer with a 66-7 vote to grant a lease and sub-lease. The project will provide three years of temporary construction jobs for an estimated 1,000 Navajo construction workers. "I will continue to work on this to try to help my people. I have a heart for my people," Shirley said. Dayish backers Following the Dec. 18 meeting, Elouise Brown, president of the Dooda Desert Rock Committee, faxed a letter Dec. 21 to Steven Begay, general manager of Din Power Authority, asking that Dayish be allowed to remain the DPA liaison to work with the committee. "Our elders are respectfully requesting that Vice President Frank Dayish be appointed the Din Power Authority liaison to work with the Dooda Desert Rock Committee on behalf of DPA board and staff," Brown said. "We realize that Mr. Dayish's term as Vice President of the Navajo Nation will end in a few weeks, but since he is from this area and is still an elected official, we prefer to work with him at this time and until further notice. "We request DPA assign Mr. Dayish to work with us and have him assigned to this position indefinitely, and that could go beyond Jan 9 (the day after inauguration)." Brown thanked Begay on behalf of the Din elders "who are exercising their freedom of speech and their rights in this free country to stand up for what they think and feel is the right thing to do." The Northern Navajo Agency met Friday morning before the council special session to discuss the Desert Rock resistance movement and forced relocation of resisters' base camp by Navajo Nation Police. Poorly handled Upper Fruitland Delegate LoRenzo Bates, who is a member of the Northern Agency, said Friday, "My first and foremost concern is the fact that the Navajo Nation took the action that it did. As far as I'm concerned, it was not entirely necessary in the manner that they handled it. "I understand that the president was out there and he basically said that because the council approved this, their concerns were of no importance. That's the perception I got from his address to the people out there." Bates said two things really disturbed him. "One is, yes, the council did pass. Right now, the way he's passing it on to the people, the blame is now on the council for what's going on out there ... because the council approved it, it's going forward. "But the President has got to realize, he also has some responsibility. He signed the legislation. "So if we're going to point fingers at who did what, then he's got to stand up and take some responsibility for his actions," Bate said. "I take issue with the statements that are being made toward the 20th Council on their actions." Bates second concern, he said, is "folks have to remember that that coal that is underground is going to be mined, no matter what. Whether it's to DPA/Sithe, APS or XYZ coal company, it's going to get mined because BHP has a lease on that area." "Their interest is in just selling that coal to whoever." Bates said people also need to remember that the primary purpose of the proposed power plant was to create jobs, and for the Navajo Nation to own a percentage of the power plant. "I am still of the position that 25 percent still is not near enough," he said. Thursday's relocation could have been handled in a more diplomatic manner, on both sides, Bates said. "The folks out there have a right to do what they're doing. The Nation has a responsibility to its own people. "I told Sithe when they came to my committee (Ethics & Rules), that if things were not handled accordingly, in a diplomatic manner, that when itgets into the arena of the environmental folks, they have more money, more power." He said Sithe has crossed that line at this point. "Right now, with what has happened, it would not surprise me one bit if all those special interest groups will come in and support what is going on." He said all parties need to sit down, talk it out, and get those issues resolved, rather than what's taking place now. "If it had gotten any worse than what did happen out there, it would look like a Third World tactic. Fortunately for all parties, it didn't get to that point," Bates said. Copyright c. 2006 the Gallup Independent. --------- "RE: Domestic Violence continues to be a problem" --------- Date: Fri, 22 Dec 2006 08:33:39 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN INDIAN COUNTRY" http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096414221 Domestic violence continues to be a problem for Native communities by: David Melmer / Indian Country Today December 22, 2006 RAPID CITY, S.D. - There are no accurate statistics that could punctuate the impact domestic violence creates in Indian country, and many programs that fight domestic violence shy away from citing statistics because they can be misleading. Information used by the National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence Against Women claims that one out of every three American Indian women will be raped; that six out of 10 will be physically assaulted; and that nine out of 10 rapes or assaults against American Indian women are committed by non-Indian assailants. No statistics are in available for 2006. In the past, the U.S. Justice Department has been the prosecuting agency domestic violence cases ; but prosecution would not always occur. Tribal courts were restricted in sentencing guidelines; therefore, if the perpetrator was prosecuted in tribal court, he may not have received an appropriate sentence. On Jan. 5, 2006, President Bush signed the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act of 2005 into law. This latest reauthorization strengthened the position of American Indian women by allowing tribes to exercise their sovereign authority in response to violent crimes. The reauthorization was the result of hard work by anti-domestic violence programs from across the nation, and when passed and signed became cause for celebration. When prosecuted and convicted in tribal courts, the sentencing of batterers has been extended beyond a term of one year and a $5,000 fine. The original act, written in 1994, included American Indian nations but did not address many of the complicated issues involved with tribal governments. The 2005 reauthorization covers many such issues. The Oglala Sioux Tribe on the Pine Ridge Reservation has one of the strongest criminal codes for violent crimes in Indian country. That code was the result of years of work by the organizers of the Rapid City-based Sacred Circle, a domestic violence shelter and program that is a project of Cangleska Inc. on Pine Ridge. The code is now being used as a basis for other tribal codes across the nation. The year 2006 saw the growth of programs, workshops and legal services from Sacred Circle and Cangleska. The effects can be seen in the awareness and change in men's attitudes toward violence, and is most noticeable in families where women and men have dedicated themselves to learning about violence through workshops and court-ordered treatment programs. This past year on Pine Ridge, Indian country's role model program, operated by Cangleska, moved a few steps forward to better serve women and families. A new shelter, scheduled for completion in early spring, will house more than twice the number as the old shelter. Karen Artichoker, co-manager of Cangleska, said she believed that domestic violence on the reservation can be eliminated, because cultural values are at the heart of the education programs offered by Cangleska and other programs around the country. In 2006, Artichoker received the national 21st Century Women's Award, given by the organization eWomen. Artichoker was among 21 women across the nation who received the award, which touts the accomplishments of women who make a difference in society and in people's lives. The Cangleska programs count men as integral to the elimination of violence against women. In these weekly re-education programs, men discuss their feelings about violence and what personal issues they need to work on to prevent them from committing acts of violence. The men in the workshops either grew up with violence, or at some time in their lives witnessed violence against a relative or an acquaintance. While they say that violence surrounds them in their daily lives, they are working to acquire a mindset that does not allow them to participate in violence. The men's program at Cangleska is facilitated by Foster Cournoyer, Yankton Nakota, who has a history of committing domestic abuse. He listens to the men and uses traditional, cultural beliefs to help the men work through their problems and understand that violence is not traditional. The program is designed to allow the men to attend on their own, even after they have completed the required 24 weeks of re-education. For 10 days in the late summer, men attend a camp in which they work hard, interact with horses and the natural surroundings, and have time to talk about their issues with violence. This program is growing, and in 2006 had one of the largest groups. This past year was a banner year for people and organizations who work to eradicate violence against women, and in Indian country the growth of programs and shelters is increasing. But, as Artichoker said, someday it will be eliminated. The opening of the Stronghold legal services office in Rapid City added an important dimension to the anti-violence movement. Any woman who declares herself to be a victim of domestic violence is offered assistance. Stronghold's staff attorney will work with women to fill out any legal papers necessary and will appear with them in court. Many times the women have issues with housing, income and the custody of her children; the legal service will assist with those issues. This service is funded in part by a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice. Grants and donations are essential to continue the work performed by anti-domestic violence programs and each year there is a struggle for financing. In 2006, Cangleska received federal and foundation grants and low-interest loans that allowed them to construct the new facility. Artichoker is dedicated to the statement: ''Children have a right to grow up here. All we are trying to do is help rebuild a nation.'' Copyright c. 1998 - 2006 Indian Country Today. All Rights Reserved. --------- "RE: Lumbee Tribe must restart push for Recognition" --------- Date: Mon, 18 Dec 2006 08:29:08 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="LUMBEE RECOGNITION" http://www.robesonian.com/articles/2006/12/18/news/news/story07.txt Lumbee Tribe must restart push for tribal recognition By Mark Locklear - Staff writer December 18, 2006 PEMBROKE - Lumbee leaders say they will have to redouble efforts to get passage of the federal recognition bill now that the legislation is stalled yet again in Congress. But the sudden illness of Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson of South Dakota could further complicate the process when the bill is reintroduced next year. Councilman Garth Locklear, chairman of the tribe's Federal Recognition Committee, told the Tribal Council on Thursday that the possible loss of Johnson, who is in critical condition after suffering a brain hemorrhage Wednesday, could cost the Democrats control in the Senate. If Johnson were to die or resign, a Republican governor would name his replacement. Getting the Senate to approve recognition has been a problem, even though North Carolina's two Republican senators, Elizabeth Dole and Richard Burr, support it. The bill did make it out of a Senate committee last month, but never made it to the floor for a vote. The bill is expected to move along faster in the House. "Johnson makes a lot difference with our federal recognition," Locklear said. "If the Senate switches back to Republican, the one that is scheduled to be the leader will not - we don't think - allow our bill out of committee." The Lumbees have sought recognition for more than 100 years. "It's all politics," Locklear said after the meeting. "But if we can keep the Senate - because we've got enough support in the House - we will be in great shape." The federal government recognized the Lumbees in 1956 but withheld the benefits given to other federally recognized tribes. Recognition could bring the tribe between $77 million and $100 million a year. In other business, the council approved an across-the-board $250 Christmas bonus for all tribal staff. Council members balked at an earlier request to give the tribe's 55 employees bonuses that ranged from $250 to $750. Several people attending Thursday's meeting said employees were well paid and didn't need the extra money. "You need to go into the rest homes and help the sick," Retha Freeman said during the public comment period. "You need to start thinking about the elderly. They are the ones that worked hard to get us where we are." The council voted unanimously against a Finance Committee recommendation that each council member get a $715 Christmas bonus. In other business, the council approved the Finance Committee's plan to spend $2.7 million in carry-over funds. The breakdown shows $400,000 being used for community centers; $700,000 for Arrow Point subdivision infrastructure; $100,000 for the In-house Section 184 program; $1 million for new home construction; $200,000 for air-condition units at Red Hill and Hawkeye Sands apartments; $200,000 for a new Boys and Girls Club in Hoke County; and $100,000 for a community building in District 2. In other action, the council: - Welcomed new council member Laura Sampson, who was sworn in Thursday night. Sampson won the special election race in District 3 and replaces the late David Carter. - Tabled a decision to recall the tribe's three representatives who serve on the N.C. Commission of Indian Affairs. - Agreed to reopen the search for a site housing manager at Hawkeye Sands Apartments in Hoke County because the position was not advertised. Tony Hunt, former Supreme Court justice, has held the position since mid- November. Councilman Danita Locklear reminded the council that the tribe requires former appointees to wait two years before seeking employment with the tribe. Copyright c. 2006 The Robesonian. --------- "RE: Tribal review period shortened" --------- Date: Wed, 20 Dec 2006 08:52:19 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="ARCHAEOLOGICAL REVIEW PERIOD CHANGED TO 30 DAYS" http://www.pechanga.net/ http://www.heraldnet.com/stories/06/12/19/100loc_b1tribes001.cfm Tribal review period shortened Tribes now have 30 days to respond to the county when archaeological features are discovered during construction. By Krista J. Kapralos Herald Writer December 19, 2006 EVERETT - A change in a county code that Snohomish County officials say is a "housekeeping amendment" could be a harbinger of a future shift in the county's policies toward Indian tribes, county planners said. The Snohomish County Council voted last week to create a 30-day deadline for the tribes to respond when archaeological features are found in the course of development. The county was once home to countless Indian villages and encampments. Many of those villages, and the bones of the people who inhabited them, are now buried in the ground. Tribal leaders have sparred with the state and developers in the past to preserve ancient remains discovered in the course of construction. Under the county's old code, the tribes were allowed to take as long as they wished to advise the county when remains or artifacts were found. "We used to just send them a report and then wait for them to respond," said Karen Watkins, principal planner for Snohomish County's planning department. "It would hold permits up." Stillaguamish tribal chairman Shawn Yannity said he's concerned that 30 days isn't enough for his tribe to review the permits. "For a small tribe like us, we only have one person reviewing permits," he said. "Those permits are coming from state agencies, county, city agencies. That's a lot of permits that come across our desk, and with just having one person reviewing them, 30 days is kind of short." He said he would have preferred 60 days, but is optimistic that the county will work with the tribes. "It's going to be a working process, so it might take some time," he said. "That's the nice thing about codes: they can always be amended." Stillaguamish, Sauk-Suiattle and Tulalip tribal leaders wrote letters to the county and appeared before the council to argue for more influence over artifacts, burial grounds and other and sacred spots that are sprinkled throughout the region. The Sauk Suiattle tribe asked that the county expand the code that regulates what is currently termed "archaeological and historic resources" to include "native Indian burial grounds and culturally significant sites, " Watkins said. The county didn't add the terms the tribe requested because county officials wanted input from all the local tribes, Watkins said. The county is undergoing a development code update that could take several years. "This is one piece of that," she said. "We don't have a schedule for when different pieces will go forward." Spokesmen for the Sauk Suiattle and Tulalip tribes could not be reached for comment. The Sauk Suiattle, Stillaguamish and Tulalip tribes were among those that were party to the Treaty of Point Elliott in 1855, which surrendered land that makes up about a fifth of what is now Washington to the federal government. Those tribes are now working together in a legal suit known as the Habitat Claim to assert sovereignty over land and resources they say are integral to their culture. The request from Sauk Suiattle to expand the definition of "archaeological and historic resources" is part of a tribal concern that is bigger than the "housekeeping" the council hoped to conduct in last week's vote, Watkins said. Reporter Krista J. Kapralos: 425-339-3422 or kkapralos@heraldnet.com. Copyright c. 2006 Everette, WA Herald. --------- "RE: Cobell honored for work on Indian Trust Fund Case" --------- Date: Wed, 20 Dec 2006 08:52:19 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="COBELL RECEIVES AARP IMPACT AWARD" http://www.indianz.com/News/2006/017454.asp Cobell honored for work on Indian trust fund case December 19, 2006 Amid stars in the entertainment, media and political world, Elouise Cobell was honored on Monday for her efforts to bring accountability to the Indian trust. At a ceremony in New York City, Cobell was hailed by AARP Magazine as one the 10 people who make the world a better place. She is the first Native American to win the Impact Award from the largest circulation magazine in the world. "I'm representing so many people that have been fighting for justice," Cobell, a member of the Blackfeet Nation of Montana, said in an interview. "I'll never forget that." As the lead plaintiff in the Indian trust fund lawsuit, Cobell secured an accounting for billions of dollars and uncovered federal mismanagement dating back more than a century. "In light of the wrongs of the past, the passion of Elouise helps ensure the bright future and restored dignity of Native Americans," said Paula Zahn, the CNN anchor who hosted the event. Coming 10 years into the case, Cobell hopes the accolades bring more public awareness to the struggles faced by Indian account holders across the nation. Many have gone without knowing how much their land is worth or what their natural resources are producing. "I think it's accomplishing the task of spreading the word to many people that have never heard of our class action lawsuit," she said. Cobell also hopes the heightened interest will lead to a speedy resolution. She's headed to Washington, D.C., for a hearing on Wednesday before Judge James Robertson, who was just assigned to the case. "I'm looking forward that he will be ruling expeditiously, and that he understands that the government has consistently stalled our case," Cobell said of the judge. Dennis Gingold, one of the lead attorneys, said Robertson called the hearing on his own accord, not on any request by the plaintiffs or the government. Gingold cited language in a recent court ruling that called on both parties to "work with the new judge to resolve this case expeditiously and fairly." The 2:30pm hearing will be the first since Judge Royce Lamberth was removed from the case after 10 years on the job. The Bush administration attacked his rulings as overly biased against the Interior Department, which was labeled "the last pathetic outpost of the indifference and anglocentrism we thought we had left behind" in one pivotal opinion. At the ceremony in New York, Gingold expressed confidence that Robertson, a Clinton appointee, will be a fair judge. But he noted that the plaintiffs filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court yesterday to seek the reinstatement of Lamberth, a Reagan nominee. Beyond the courtroom, Cobell met with Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-North Dakota), the new chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, and said he has pledged to introduce legislation to settle the case once Congress goes back to work in January. "I just hope we can get the other senators on board with us," she said. Cobell hasn't had a chance to meet with Rep. Nick Rahall (D-West Virginia), the new chairman of the House Resources Committee, but said she has spoken with staff members. Rahall co-sponsored settlement legislation but didn't include the case on his recently-released agenda for the 110th Congress. Besides Cobell, the other Impact Award winners included actor/director Robert DeNiro, actress Marlo Thomas and Shirley Ann Jackson, the president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute who was the first African American woman to earn a doctorate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Copyright c. 2000-2006 Indianz.Com. --------- "RE: Runner inspires others to 'Honor our Ancestors'" --------- Date: Thu, 21 Dec 2006 08:49:15 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="RUNNER LEADS BY EXAMPLE" http://nativetimes.com/index.asp?action=displayarticle&article_id=8466 Marathon Runner inspires others to "Honor our Ancestors" by getting in shape for 2007! Liz Gray December 20, 2006 Michelle Conroy is not one to let opposition get in her way. She has taught aerobics, kickboxing and self-defense with a little personal training on the side. Her first marathon was a 10K (6.2 mile), her recent ones have been 51K (31 miles). Most of us get tired just sitting in the car on a 31-mile trip - She runs it even though she has scoliosis and the orthopedic surgeon recommends she stop running all together. But her opinion is different. "Instead, I prefer to approach it as, `I think I'll do a marathon today!'" said Conroy Conroy was born and raised in Oklahoma. She's Arapaho, Sioux & Wichita. Her mom is Joyce (Warden) Martinez (Arapaho) and her dad is Walter J Conroy, (Sioux & Wichita tribes). She has one daughter, Jennifer who graduated from El Reno High School this past May. As of today, she has completed eight marathons, and 2 ultramarathons, most recently the Dallas White Rock marathon on Dec 10, 2006. She has often said "I'm running from diabetes because of the prevalence of the disease among the native populations." Seminole Chief Kelly Haney has even asked to quote her on that. She started writing stories about her running adventures because she said she wanted to share with all her friends the funny and trying experiences she has had and how she always ends up laughing about it. "Most importantly, I just want people to know that anything is possible with determination, and that we need to start honoring our ancestors by taking better care of our health and wellbeing," said Conroy. "They shouldn't have suffered the Battles of Sand Creek, Wounded Knee, Little Big Horn or Trail of Tears so that this Native population would be so consumed by ill health." Below Is an account of Michelle Conroy's Ultra-Marathon in Hot Springs, South Dakota. By Michelle Conroy Hi all, I'd just like to share with you the details of my special weekend. The 2nd Annual Lean Horse Hundred/Half Hundred and 50K Ultra-Marathon was held in Hot Springs, South Dakota, along the scenic George S. Mickelson Trail, in the glorious Black Hills. I guess I'll start from the moment of my obsession about this whole thing... In July, my daughter and I took a quick mini vacation to South Dakota for a family gathering. While there, we stayed a night in Hot Springs, SD and upon collapsing in our hotel room after much sightseeing, I was looking through the visitor guide and came across an article on the 2005 inaugural lean horse ultra-marathon. It mentioned that there were other distances of 50 miles and a 50K (31 miles) if 100 miles isn't one's cup of tea, so to speak. I finished the article thinking how awesome it must be to say, I ran 100 miles, or 50 miles, or even some other mega-marathon distance! After that, my thoughts became fixated on an ultra-marathon, I figured when we got back to Oklahoma, the daily grind would replace the visions of ultra-marathon runs dancing in my head. That didn't happen... I'd wake up in the middle of the night thinking, I can do 31 miles! I even found myself searching for ultra-marathon information online. I've done six marathons already, and the thought of adding five more miles on to that kinda seemed overwhelming, but then I started looking at the extra five miles as a warm up to 26.2 miles.... So, on the last day to register, I signed up to torture myself in another state, 14 hours away, to do my first ultra-marathon run. I honestly had no clue what I was getting into. Armed with curiosity and the determination that I can do this; I took off Thursday evening for the long drive to South Dakota, with running shoes, clothes and ballcap in hand. Upon arrival, just in time to attend a mandatory meeting for participants, on Friday afternoon @ 3 p.m. at the Hot Springs Chamber office, I go in and pick up my registration number and info and go to the auditorium where the meeting was taking place, in time to raise my hand when one of the race coordinators asked if this was anyone's first ultra. There were about six of us, I think, who raised our hands, out of an estimated 150 people who had registered to run either a 50K, 50 miles or 100 miles. I sat there as they talked about the course, starting times, shuttle rides back into town, etc., thinking, I'm totally out of my element... this whole crowd is extreme and I'm like a baby taking my first steps to a 50K. We met at five a.m Saturday morning for roll call and load onto buses to be taken to the starting point on the George S Mickelson Trail. It's rainy, cold, foggy and about 50 degrees. Loading onto the bus, I see that others have fanny packs with extra water bottles, food supplements, sunglasses, gloves, light jackets, etc., Unprepared for this weather, I was expecting 70's and 80's, I get on the bus with just one water bottle and an extra t- shirt... hahaha!! I'm sitting there eating my granola bar listening to the chit chat going on around me by these extreme athletes talking about doing iron man triathlons, other 100 mile runs in Maine, Texas, California, Wisconsin, etc. It hadn't dawned on me that I should feel out of place or intimidated, guess I wasn't fully awake yet! After a 20 minute ride, we arrive at the starting point. People are drinking coffee, getting prepared for the run by stretching, layering clothing, eating, packing extra food, saying goodbye to their families etc. It's still raining lightly and it's cold, and I almost think... what have I gotten myself into?! I'm starting to shiver at this point and almost start to have doubts, yet I'm still caught up in the awe of these people; these extreme runners. It's six o'clock, and starting time. Off we go!!! Right off I see a lone deer in a field eating grass. Along the way people are passing each other saying "good luck", "see you at the finish", "where are you from", or "is this your first ultra?" Soon, the clouds try to clear and let a little bit of early morning sun through, and I realize left my sunglasses at the motel room! Within a few minutes the clouds thicken up and continue with a heavier rain than when we started. After a while, the trail starts to get a little muddy but who cares - I'm in this elite group of runners!! As it turned out, I didn't need my sunglasses at all - it stayed cloudy and rainy all day. I certainly needed that other shirt though, as I was totally soaked and freezing by mile five! At this point, I'm still caught up in the excitement of running with these people; some were doing the 50K, others 50 miles and the rest were doing 100 miles...wow!!! I can't complain about the conditions of being wet and cold because all these other people feel the same way I do and they may be going on all day and even into Sunday! How dare I complain!! Next thing I know, I'm thinking about my Sioux ancestors who may have been traveling along the same area- in search of buffalo, food, a place to camp for the winter, or maybe even safety. I think about what it must've been like for them, and I thought, what must they think to look down on this generation and see how diabetes, obesity, heart disease and idleness have consumed so many Indian people. My thoughts turned to my Grandpa Conroy and how I missed him so much, and I hoped that I was doing something that would make him and those that have passed- on proud, and that they were smiling down on me. I catch myself just reveling in the awesome breathtaking scenic views along the way... It was just so awesomely spectacular - almost to the point of (sounding corny), being spiritual. It was at this point where you know there is a God and He is why! A serene, meditative mood came over me and I found myself running and praying; praying that no matter what, I'll always be able to run or walk, praying for those that will never challenge their limits and know the calmness, satisfaction and serenity I was feeling, praying for all things that have been created and the beauty around me. I almost started crying; I wondered if I was, but couldn't tell because of the rain and sweat running down my face... I was so thankful for the opportunity to be alive, accepting a challenge of my endurance and physical ability. I ran with some awesome people along the way, who congratulated me for my efforts at attempting my first ultra-marathon, and amazed some of them when I told them that according to a couple of doctors, I wasn't supposed to be running because of my scoliosis. I got invited to other ultra-marathons, and met one of the race coordinators. She invited me back next year, and even asked me for some input on a weekly show she's getting ready to do in South Dakota. At two o'clock in the afternoon, I was nearing the 50K finish, in all my exhausted, shivering, cold, wet, freezing, starving, thankful, proud glory!!! Unfortunately, I didn't have a camera and I don't think my descriptions can do the trail justice, but, I am going back next year... with a camera, and the determination to do the 50 mile, heck I might even try the hundred! The final results of the 50K, list 32 finishers: 21 men and 11 women, with times ranging from 4:19:20 to 8:48:08, I finished at 8:10:30. The 50 mile run results showed 40 finishers: 24 men and 16 women, with times ranging from 7:59:20 to 16:23:30 and lastly, the 100 mile run results show 51 finisher: 43 men and 8 women, with times of 17:38:30 to 29:31:00. Native American Times. Copyright c. 2005 All Rights Reserved. --------- "RE: Native tourney seeks NCAA's OK" --------- Date: Wed, 20 Dec 2006 08:52:19 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="NCAA SANCTION WOULD ATTRACT SCOUTS" http://billingsgazette.net/articles/2006/12/20/news/state/65-basketball.txt Native tourney seeks NCAA's OK By JODI RAVE Missoulian December 20, 2006 MISSOULA - Only 51 American Indian athletes made top-tier college basketball teams in 2004-05, compared with 3,709 white players and 4,968 blacks, according to an NCAA race and ethnicity report. But Native American Basketball Invitational co-founders aim to change those figures by bringing NCAA recruiters to the fifth annual NABI high school basketball tournament. The 2007 tournament is July 8-14 in Phoenix. The NABI office will begin accepting registration applications on Jan. 2. "The NCAA certification would blow the glass ceiling off rez ball," said Gina Marie Mabry, director and co-founder of NABI. "The kids are going to be getting exposure to Division I and II scouts and coaches. There's no excuse now. We have all this talent." If the NCAA grants certification, it will make the Phoenix games the first all-American Indian tournament with such status. The barrier has been an NCAA rule that says teams competing in any summer NCAA event must be from the state in which they compete. The NCAA also doesn't allow more than three players on a team from another state. The NCAA is working with NABI to change the rules before the July tournament. The upcoming tournament will enable students to compete for athletic scholarships. In the past two years, the NABI Foundation has given out $25,000 to assist students in college. Thirty NABI players have been recruited and received scholarships to play college basketball. "We are using basketball as a tool to encourage Native youth to pursue higher education," said Mark West, a player program vice president for the Phoenix Suns and NABI co-founder. "Their exceptional talent and passion for the game makes them prime candidates for scholarship opportunities, but due to the demographics of most reservations, they do not always get to show off their talents to college recruiters." Each year, the tournament invites American Indian high school basketball players from across the United States to compete during nearly one week of scheduled games. The 2007 championship games will be at the U.S. Airways Center on July 14. Sixty-four teams competed this year. Eighty teams will compete in 2007. "We need more players at the NCAA Division I," said Jermaine Chee, a Haskell Indian Nations basketball player who played in his first NABI tournament at age 19. "It will be great to see all these Division I coaches going to NABI and looking at the Native American players." Copyright c. The Billings Gazette, a division of Lee Enterprises. --------- "RE: Tournament shines light on Native Athletes" --------- Date: Wed, 20 Dec 2006 08:52:19 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="JODI RAVE: NATIVE AMERICAN BASKETBALL INVITATIONAL" http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2006/12/20/jodirave/rave39.txt Basketball tournament shines light on Native athletes By JODI RAVE of the Missoulian December 20, 2006 Jermaine Chee, a Haskell Indian Nations basketball player, competed against Northern Arizona University in December during a rare game in which a tribal college basketball team played a Division I school. Chee wants to continue his hoops career when he graduates from Haskell, preferably scoring points for Arizona State University in Tempe. "Hopefully, I make the team," said the hoopster from Pinon, Ariz. The opportunities for Natives to play for a Division I school, however, are almost as rare as the chance to play against one. Only 51 Native male and female athletes made top-tier college basketball teams in 2004-05, compared with 3,709 white players and 4,968 blacks, according to an NCAA race and ethnicity report. But Native American Basketball Invitational co-founders aim to change those figures by bringing NCAA recruiters to the fifth annual NABI high school basketball tournament. This year's tournament is July 8-14 in Phoenix. The NABI office will begin accepting registration applications on Jan. 2. "The NCAA certification would blow the glass ceiling off rez ball," said Gina Marie Mabry, director and co-founder of NABI. "The kids are going to be getting exposure to Division I and II scouts and coaches. There's no excuse now. We have all this talent." If the NCAA grants certification, it will make the Phoenix games the first all-Native American tournament with such status. The barrier so far has been an NCAA demographic rule that says teams competing in any summer NCAA event must be from the state in which they compete. Also, the NCAA currently doesn't allow more than three players on a team from another state. "That rule alone was hindering our ability to ever become an NCAA tournament," Mabry said. The NCAA is working with NABI to change the rules before the July tournament. The tournament will enable students to compete for athletic scholarships. In the past two years, the NABI Foundation has given out $25,000 to assist students in college. And 30 NABI players have been recruited and received scholarships to play basketball at schools throughout the United States. "We are using basketball as a tool to encourage Native youth to pursue higher education," said Mark West, a player program vice president for the Phoenix Suns and NABI co-founder. "Their exceptional talent and passion for the game makes them prime candidates for scholarship opportunities, but due to the demographics of most reservations, they do not always get to show off their talents to college recruiters." Each year, the tournament invites Native high school basketball players from across the United States to compete during nearly one week of scheduled games. The 2007 championship games will be at the US Airways Center on July 14. Sixty-four teams competed in 2006. Eighty teams will be competing in 2007. "We need more players at the NCAA Division I," said Chee, who played in his first NABI tournament at age 19. "It will be great to see all these Division I coaches going to NABI and looking at the Native American players." Reporter Jodi Rave can be reached at 1-800-366-7186 or at jodi.rave@lee.net. Copyright c. 2006 Missoulian, a division of Lee Enterprises. --------- "RE: Solstice brings to mind wonder of Creation" --------- Date: Wed, 20 Dec 2006 08:52:19 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="YELLOW BIRD: SOLSTICE" http://www.grandforksherald.com/articles/index.cfm?id=21071& section=columnists&columnist=Dorreen%20Yellow%20Bird&freebie_check& CFID=11181014&CFTOKEN=81651846&jsessionid=883024e23b77681d7657 Solstice brings to mind wonder of creation Dorreen Yellow Bird Grand Forks Herald December 20, 2006 There are points in times that are gifts from the Creator. One of those times is Thursday, Dec. 21 - the longest night of the year. It's when we're covered with a blanket of darkness for healing and warmth. On the opposite side of the Earth's revolution is the longest day - June 22. It's a time when the heavens provide insight. On each of these points in the calendar, many American Indian people hold ceremonies that bring insight, teaching and healing. Perhaps it's these teachings that cause me never to cover my second- story bedroom window with curtains or blinds. In the winter, when it's still dark, my internal clock wakes me. In the summer, I'm awakened by dawn's touch on my face - like a mother wakening her sleeping child. Waking to the light of the sun has become habit for me and seems to set the pace of the day. It is a habit I developed some 10 years ago, when I made a journey through a fasting ceremony on the summer solstice. I relive that summer ceremony for my relatives and friends. My journey began with two spiritual leaders and my brother helping me. They chose a spot for the fast on an outcropping of rock with patches of prairie grass. The area lay above an arm of Lake Sakakawea - an isolated, quiet place. I have to smile myself when I think how afraid I was that first time. My cousin-brothers, who live in the area, said not to fast there alone. It's haunted by the spirits of men killed in battle, they told me. After preparation, the group left me several miles from where they camped. They would keep watch while I prayed those two days and night. The daytime was the easy part, with hunger and thirst my only discomfort. The sun sets the rules for this ceremony, and that day, it played games with small puffs of dark clouds - one minute there and the next minute behind a cloud dropping rain to tease my thirst. Beyond the scattered clouds, the sky was an endless blue. As my eyes moved back to the clouds for something to anchor, a large hand-like cloud moved across the sky, shifting and changing. Between the prayers and contemplating the heavens, I spent the day. I, however, became too comfortable with day because the sun stayed so long. It wasn't until it began to sink in the west, with streaks of fiery red and orange still on the horizon, that I realized it would soon be dark, and I was alone. The mosquitoes had no mercy. They hummed in my ears and landed on my eyelids. Finally, the moon began Her journey across the sky. I told my brother that I wasn't aware the moon crossed so evenly through the sky. He laughed at me, and I thought, "Well, who stays up all night and stares at the night sky?" Then when the moon left the night sky, it was so dark that I had to strain my eyes to see the prayer flags right next to me. I could hear strange rustling in the grass and felt the wind brush across my shoulders and toss my hair. At one time, perhaps the darkest part of the night, I heard drum songs. I sat there staring into the night - trying to concentrate, trying to open my mind - when the prairie grass caught my eye. The grass was silver and glowing. It was all around me. This strange glowing color was the first rays of dawn. From that first light, I could see the roundness of the Earth and feel Her slow roll. I realized I wasn't even a speck in this huge universe; the sun, stars and the planets were alive. The Earth, my Mother, was turning. I was insignificant and small among the creatures around me. My problems were nothing. Before the dawn broke the magic of the silver, glowing prairie grass, a bird - the first bird - started to sing quite loud. In a few minutes, another sang until the birds were a symphony of sound as the sun's golden glow moved into the sky. It was like an orchestra of light and bird sounds. When the birds stopped singing for a minute, I would call out, "sing to me, sing to me," and they would respond. As the sun came full into the sky, my group came for me, I felt a lightheartedness and awe as I made my way down to the camp. It was as though I stood above the Earth and saw the universe. It is this winter solstice that renews the feelings of awe and splendor each year. ---- Dorreen Yellow Bird is a reporter and columnist. Her columns appear Wednesdays and Saturdays on the opinion pages of the Herald. Reach her at (701) 780-1228 or dyellowbird@gfherald.com Copyright c. 2006 Grand Forks Herald, Forum Communications Co., Fargo ND. --------- "RE: GIAGO: Christmas and Lakota traditions" --------- Date: Tue, 26 Dec 2006 08:32:04 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="GIAGO: CHRISTMAS MEMORIES" http://www.indianz.com/News/2006/017471.asp Tim Giago: Christmas and Lakota traditions December 25, 2006 Lloyd Little Wolf and Aloysius Day Boy were sitting on the steps in front of Red Cloud Hall about two weeks before Christmas. Red Cloud Hall was the main building on the boys' side of Holy Rosary Indian Mission on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. The front of Red Cloud Hall faced south so that even on those cold December days the freezing wind from the North was blocked and the winter sun still gave off enough heat to keep us warm. As I approached the two boys they stopped talking to see who it was and when they saw me they started to talk again. They were speaking in their Native Lakota language and the Catholic priests had outlawed the language at the mission school and anyone caught speaking Lakota would be severely beaten. One day Basil Brave Heart was caught speaking Lakota and Father Edwards, the school principal, made us all line up in company ranks and watch as he forced Basil to bite down on a large rubber band. He then stretched the rubber band as far as he could and then let it snap back into Basil's face. The mission school was a boarding school located out in the country four miles north of Pine Ridge Village. We lived, attended classes, worked, ate and slept at the school nine months out of the year. It was a part of the grand experimental proclamation to "Kill the Indian, Save the Child" that was so popular in America for nearly 100 years. I usually hung out with Little Wolf, Day Boy and the Garnette brothers, Frosty and Heavy. We were one of those mission cliques that formed around friends as a way to survive. We had others join our clique on and off over the years, but the original five of us formed the backbone of the group. Day Boy's nickname was "Chief" and he was discussing words he heard in church that morning in a song called "Away in the Manger." He was telling Little Wolf about the song and in Lakota he was saying "nata skuya," which means "sweet head." In the Lakota language everything is taken literally. If you ask a Lakota speaker to say "tree" in Lakota the speaker might have a difficult time of it because he would want to know what kind of tree you wanted him to describe. Every tree has its own description. And so Day Boy and Little Wolf were trying to figure out how a baby could have a "sweet head." It was a real puzzler to us. We knew all about Christmas and the baby Jesus from our Catechism classes. In fact, all of us were altar boys and learned much of the Catholic Mass in Latin. Yeah sure, they could try to pound Latin words into our young heads, but rap us on the head for speaking our own language. There were certain portions of the Christian teachings that were easy for the Lakota people (and the people of other Indian nations) to accept because they followed closely some of the traditional spiritual practices handed down through the ages to the Indian people. For example gift giving was an ancient practice of the Lakota. In the old days when one visited friends or relatives, they took along a small gift. The gift might be a pound of coffee (pejuta sapa or black medicine) or a bag of tobacco (canli). There were days of gift giving to celebrate an important event in the family or to signal the end of a time of mourning for the loss of a loved one. These occasions are still held amongst the Lakota and they are called "giveaways." A family will spend an entire year preparing gifts. The family handcrafts many of the gifts, but as the modern times dictate, good portions of the gifts are now purchased at the local Wal-Mart. But the tradition survives. When the day of the "giveaway" came friends, neighbors and relatives gathered at the home of the gift givers and had a meal and as their names were called they went to the gift givers, embraced them and accepted their gifts. It is a Lakota tradition that outdates Christmas by centuries. Not all of us accepted the religion of the settlers, but the special holidays that we perceived to be a continuation of our own traditions fit easily into our way of life. Many years ago (1975) I spent Christmas Eve with Agnes Yellow Boy and her family at the impoverished community of Calico on the Pine Ridge Reservation. When we were kids at the mission school we were as cruel as kids the world over and we called Calico "Dog Patch" from the Lil' Abner comic strip. These days we bite our tongues when we think of our cruelty. Agnes was near death that Christmas Eve. She had a small tree set up in the corner of her tiny cabin and her children surrounded her. She was very poor and she was dying, but before I left her that night she asked me to lean down so she could speak directly into my ear and she said, "Anpetu ke waste' (The day is good). And in English she said, "This is one of the happiest days for me and my family because Christmas is a day when we exchange gifts, put up pretty lights, and go way back to the traditions that still live in our hearts." My boyhood friends, Day Boy and Little Wolf have passed away (The average life span on the reservation is about 46). I spoke with "Heavy" Garnette today and we hope to get together with "Frosty" this Christmas Day. Maybe we will speak about the "sweet head" of baby Jesus. And so it really doesn't matter if one is Lakota or Irish; Christmas will always bring back special memories. -- McClatchy News Service in Washington, DC distributes Tim Giago's weekly column. He can be reached at P.O. Box 9244, Rapid City, SD 57709 or at najournalists@rushmore.com. Giago was also the founder and former editor and publisher of the Lakota Times and Indian Country Today newspapers and the founder and first president of the Native American Journalists Association. He was a Nieman Fellow at Harvard in the class of 1990 - 1991. Clear Light Books of Santa Fe, NM (harmon@clearlightbooks.com) published his latest book, "Children Left Behind." Copyright c. 2000-2006 Indianz.Com. --------- "RE: HARJO: 2006 Mantle of Shame Awards" --------- Date: Sun, 24 Dec 2006 10:45:20 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="HARJO: SHAME AWARDS" http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096414231 Harjo: 2006 Mantle of Shame Awards by: Suzan Shown Harjo / Indian Country Today December 22, 2006 It's time to review the year for the shameful and shameless, with a warning: there aren't a lot of yuks this year. The Mantle of Shame Awards are the written version of collections of stereotypical stuff I once kept on a fireplace mantle to represent the worst that society had to offer. With appreciation to all who nominated noxious things, persons, ideas and activities, here are the winners of the Mantle of Shame Awards for 2006 (not necessarily in order of shamefulness): You and me - For not doing all we can do to relieve poverty and suffering, reduce energy consumption and heal Mother Earth and all her children. U.S. and us - For not doing all we can do to assure the future of Native peoples and cultures. Meth carriers and other violent offenders - For infecting and enslaving Native peoples with this new plague. For jeopardizing Indian people, territory and rights with this invasion. For every Indian or non-Indian bully - pusher, profiteer, druggie, boozer or enabler - who causes the physical or emotional abuse of a child, elder or woman in Indian country or communities. Legal-fiction writers - Those judges, lawyers, politicians, reporters and others who invent laws, histories and loopholes to allow people, businesses and governments to take, keep or sell stolen Indian lands, waters, resources, ancestors, rights and reputations. Defilers - Those scientists, grave robbers, vandals, vacationers and others who defile, desecrate, commodify and disrespect sacred places and ancestors. The morons and money-grubbers who stole the Morongo Rock, defaced the petroglyphs, robbed Spirit Cave and are "developing" burial and ceremonial grounds at Bear Butte, Hickory Ground, Little Cedar Mountain, Medicine Lake, Mount Graham, Mount Shasta, Ocmulgee Old Fields, Quechan Indian Pass, San Francisco Peaks, Snoqualmie Falls, Wakarusa Wetlands and many others. And policy-makers who won't establish a cause of action to protect Native American sacred places. Deniers - All decadent gamers who deny the existence and effects of the following: Global warming and climate change that are threatening the world. Subjugation and inhumane treatment of any people. The Holocaust, during which the Nazis killed one-third of the Jewish people. Janjaweed militias who are systematically murdering and raping black people in Darfur, Sudan. The invasive nightmare that drove myriad Native peoples to extinction and left us to deal with today's open wounds, injustices and white-gloved racism. Department of Energy - For failing to complete the containment facility at the Hanford Nuclear Site in Washington and allowing radioactive waste to come within 12 miles of the Columbia River. The unfinished container is intended to hold two tanks of 53 million gallons of waste, which is seeping into land and groundwater, threatening people and resources of the entire Northwest. Congratulations to the Yakama Nation for utilizing the U. S. - Yakama Treaty of 1855 to force environmental protection and restoration of the entire site. Team Abramoff - For all the reasons they swept the 2005 Awards: taking Native nations' monies, undermining Indian rights, insulting their tribal clients and greasing their pals' palms. For the comedy stylings of responses by Jack Abramoff, Michael Scanlon and Ralph Reed to court complaints filed by the Tigua and Alabama and Coushatta tribes, wherein the three K Street stooges claim they did not conspire to injure Indians or take their money. This award also goes to their faithful Indian companions and scouts who cashed in on the Team's tribal "moolah." Ex-Reps. DeLay, Foley, Ney et al. - For their special contributions to the Republicans losing and Democrats winning the leadership of Congress. But, wait. They don't deserve all the credit. Vital roles were played by ex-Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, ex-White House staffers, ex-Interior officials, ex-FEMA Director Michael Brown, ex-marksman Vice President Cheney and the excellent adventure in Iraq. Senate Republican leaders - For failing to act on most funding bills passed by the House, even though they had sufficient time before the midterm elections and in the lame-duck sessions. "Indian-fighters" - Those who fight Indians to avoid accounting for Indian trust monies; to undo Indian preference; to keep from hiring Indians; to diminish Indian programs; to cut Indian services; to wipe out Indian budgets; and to prevent the elevation of Indian jurisdiction, authority, structure, people or power in any branch of federal, tribal, state or local government. "Indigena-fighters" - For all those who are suppressing, disappearing and killing indigenous peoples in Oaxaca, Mexico, and targeting the communicators who are documenting it. Respect for Zapotec Filmmaker Damian Lopez-Castillo, who showed footage at the Native American Film and Video Festival in New York City on Nov. 30 and said, "We know there are murders - we've filmed them." He praised the indigenous women who took over a public station in Oaxaca, broadcast the first news from the communities and encouraged the indigenous communicators to document what was happening. "Indigenous-fighters" - The African Union, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United States and all others who had a hand in the late- November maneuver to delay the United Nations' adoption of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which is long overdue for passage. "Indian Fight Club" - Those who fight living Indian peoples over fictional "Indian" sports references - such as the University of North Dakota, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the Washington professional football club - and who fight Native peoples in courts and Congress in order to keep "honoring" us with their disparaging names, imagery and behaviors. "Indian giver" - The University of Utah, which begged the Ute peoples to let them keep their "Ute" sports references, then reneged on its promise of scholarships for Ute students. Retro Dartmouth Review - For its full front-page "cartoon" of a scalp- waving "Indian on warpath." For its relentless effort to bring back the good old days of Dartmouth College's "Indians" sports references, which it dropped over 30 years ago. Kudos to the Native Americans at Dartmouth (Go NADs) for withstanding indignities with dignity and to those administrators and faculty members who backed them. Director/actor Mel Gibson - For demeaning Mayans ("Apocalypto"), Jews ("Jews are responsible for all of the wars in the world") and women ("Sugar Tits"). For substituting stereotypes, fictions and his own alcoholic dementia for the known history, culture and reputation of past and present Mayan people. For Disney and "Mad Mel" using the Cabazon pow wow and Chickasaw casino as backdrops of support for this anti-Maya movie. Potty Mouth Hall of Famers - Sen. George ("Macaca") Allen (who also double-crossed Virginia tribes on federal recognition). Author Ann ("Godless") Coulter. Actor/comedian Michael ("I'm not a racist") Richards. Sen. Conrad (I heart DC) Burns. Comedians Larry the ("Skank") Cable Guy and Drew (I love "Chief Wahoo") Carey. One Nation United's anti-Indian lobbyists and supporters. For reminding us that bigotry isn't below the surface, but sometimes doesn't win enough votes, laughs or games to carry the day. Actor Russell Means - For going to the Supreme Court to undermine the jurisdiction of Navajo Nation, because it charged him with beating his wife and her Navajo father, a disabled World War II veteran (Means lost). And for mocking the sovereign prerogative of Cherokee Nation, Keetoowah Band and Muscogee (Creek) Nation to determine their citizenry when they disputed author Ward Churchill's claims that he was Cherokee and Creek. -- Suzan Shown Harjo, Cheyenne and Hodulgee Muscogee, is president of the Morning Star Institute in Washington, D.C., a nd a columnist for Indian Country Today. Copyright c. 1998 - 2006 Indian Country Today. All Rights Reserved. --------- "RE: The Sober Racism of Mel Gibson's Apocalypto" --------- Date: Wednesday, December 20, 2006 01:56 pm From: Chiapas95-english Subj: En;The Sober Racism of Mel Gibson's Apocalypto,Dec 17 Mailing List: Chiapas95-En This message is forwarded to you by the editors of the Chiapas95 newslists. To contact the editors or to submit material for posting send to: . Date: Tue, 19 Dec 2006 17:31:06 +1100 From: "Muller, Andrew" Published on Sunday, December 17, 2006 by CommonDreams.org The Sober Racism of Mel Gibson's Apocalypto by Liza Grandia December 17, 2006 Film critics appear split on how to handle Mel Gibson's newest production, Apocalypto. A few refuse to patronize the film in symbolic protest of Gibson's drunken rants over the summer. Others suggest we should temporarily suspend judgment about Gibson's anti-Semitism and judge this action film on its own merits. Remarkably, none of the critics seem to be asking whether Mel Gibson has produced a film any less racist than his summer tirades about Jews. Hollywood seems willing to admonish Gibson for certain kinds of bigotry, while oddly excusing other kinds of racism - especially if targeted at poor, brown, and indigenous peoples. As a cultural anthropologist who has worked for thirteen years among different Maya peoples of Mesoamerica and who speaks the Q'eqchi' Maya language fluently, I found Apocalypto to be deeply racist. The Maya in the film bore no resemblance to the hardworking farmers, teachers, lawyers, doctors, businessmen and women of Maya descent that I know personally and consider among my closest friends. I fear the repercussions Apocalypto will have on contemporary Maya people who continue to struggle for survival and political governments under discriminatory governments that consider them stupid, backward, and uncivilized for wanting to maintain their customs and language. Gibson's slanderous film reinforces the same stereotypes that have facilitated the genocide of Maya peoples and the plunder of their lands starting with the Spanish invasion of 1492 and continuing through the Guatemalan civil war to the present. Rather than quibble about Apocalypto's many historical and archaeological inaccuracies as other academic critics have done, I focus here on four racist messages the film sends to audiences: 1. Native Americans are all interchangeable. Many critics have offered facile praise to Gibson for having filmed his bloody epic in a contemporary Maya language and employed various Native American actors. Gibson has boasted to the press how relatively cheap it was to make the film because he had pay so little to these actors and his Mexican crew. To me, these actors didn't look or sound Maya at all. Their Yucatec diction was terrible and lacked the real lyric cadence of Maya languages. If someone exploited local labor to make a cheap film about gang-violence in Brooklyn and employed heavily-accented Australian and British actors, would critics still praise it as "authentic" simply because the actors are speaking English? 2. Mesoamerican cultures are all the same. While keeping some of the archaeological details accurate for "authenticity," Gibson then jumbles together mass Aztec sacrifices with Maya rituals, as if they were the same. Certainly at the height of classic Maya civilization, the ruling classes made occasional human sacrifices to their gods, but nothing on the Holocaust-level scale that Gibson portrays in Apocalypto with fields of rotting, decapitated corpses that his hero, Jaguar Paw stumbles across as he attempts to escape his own execution in the city. With the advice of archaeologist Richard Hansen, Gibson seems to have researched anything the Maya might have done badly over a thousand year history and crammed it all into a few horrific days. How would the gringos look if we made a film that lumped together within one week the torture at the Abu Ghraib and Guatanamo prisons, the Tuskegee experiments, KKK lynchings, the battle at Wounded Knee, Japanese internment camps, the Trail of Tears, the Salem witch hunts, Texas death row executions, the Rodney King police beatings, the slaughter upon the Gettysburg battlefield, and the nuclear bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki - and made this look like a definitive statement on U.S. culture? 3. Indigenous people should remain noble savages, since attempts to build cities and more complex political organization will bring their inevitable demise. Gibson purportedly wanted to make a statement about the decay of empires in this film. However, the only clear message I could take away was that indigenous people should have remained friendly forest hunter-gatherers and never have attempted to build their own civilization. Ignoring the fact by the time of the Spanish invasion, all Maya peoples had been either urbanized or sedentary agriculturalists for hundreds of years and maintained complex trade networks, Gibson nevertheless depicts his hero's tribe as crude but happy rainforest peoples living in isolation, blissfully ignorant of the corrupt cities neighboring them. He contrasts these noble forest savages with evil city dwellers such as slave traders, despotic politicians, psychotic priests, and sadistic head-hunters all living amidst rotting sewage, filth, disease, and general misery. Real Maya cities were places with sophisticated water and sanitation systems, great libraries, and extraordinary artwork and architecture. If Gibson wanted to make a statement about the consequences of environmental destruction, as he has claimed to the press, why not produce a film about corporate excesses at Love Canal or Three Mile Island instead of mucking up the historical reputation of the ancient Maya? 4. The Spanish arrive as if to save the Maya from themselves. After enduring two hours of horrific violence, in the last minutes of the film, we witness the miraculous rescue of the film's hero Jaguar Paw from his stalkers by the appearance of Spanish galleons off the coast. This short, final scene shows dour Spaniards approaching the mainland in boats bearing Christian crosses across still water. After forcing his audience to endure two hours of horrific violence, Gibson uses this placid scene allow the movie-goer a sigh of relief in the hopes that these European Civilizers have arrived to make order out of the Maya mayhem. By ending his film there, Gibson ignores the far greater genocide to befall the Maya. In fact, within a hundred years of conquest, the Spanish were responsible for killing between 90 and 95 percent of the Maya population through disease, warfare, starvation, and enslavement. To stereotype and slander ancient Maya civilization and to imply that the impending holocaust of Maya peoples by the Spanish is a "new beginning" shows how truly racist Gibson really is-whether drunk or sober. Liza Grandia is a cultural anthropologist who has worked with Maya peoples in Guatemala and Belize since 1993 and who speaks Q'eqchi' Maya fluently. She is currently a postdoctoral fellow at Yale University, writing a book called "Unsettling" about the repeated land dispossessions and enclosures of the Q'eqchi'. ### Common Dreams NewsCenter (http://www.commondreams.org/) A non-profit news service providing breaking news & views for the progressive community. -- To subscribe to this list send a message containing the words subscribe chiapas95 (or chiapas95-lite, or chiapas95-english, or chiapas95-espanol) to majordomo@eco.utexas.edu. Previous messages are available from http://www.eco.utexas.edu/faculty/Cleaver/chiapas95.html or gopher to Texas, University of Texas at Austin, Department of Economics, Mailing Lists. --------- "RE: JOHN ROSS: Year End Article" --------- Date: Sunday, December 24, 2006 03:54 pm From: Chiapas95-english Subj: En;John Ross Year End Article,Dec 23 Mailing List: Chiapas95-En This message is forwarded to you by the editors of the Chiapas95 newslists. To contact the editors or to submit material for posting send to: . ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Sat, 23 Dec 2006 22:33:33 -0600 (CST) From: blancanegro Another Year is Possible! Flashlights in the Tunnel of Hate By JOHN ROSS To purloin a bit of Brecht, this is indeed a dark age. The war grinds on like an unbending migraine. While the vultures chow down on the bones of Iraq, Bush grows more surly with each new massacre and the democrats, despite their constituents' disgust with this carnage that brought the party pyrrhic victory in November, vote up fresh billions to feed the American murder machine. Meanness rules this bleak Christmas - Homeland Security's Dia de Guadalupe raids on western meatpacking plants decimated whole families just as the ice storms blew in from the Arctic. 92 homeless Americans have died on the streets of Seattle so far this year. Deck the Halls with their frozen corpses. I have retreated home to Mexico. While I've been on the road, the new regime here crafted cruel repression, crushing the Oaxaca Commune and shipping hundreds of political prisoners to prisons in the north just as in the days of Porfirian dictatorship. Calderon seems determined to govern the nation on television with the military in the street, a depressing prospect. My back aches from hauling too many books around, the Willie Loman of the Zapatista Army of National Liberation. My marriage blew up in Istanbul. Sometimes it feels like I am deep in the bowels of the drainage tunnels that twist and turn beneath Nogales Sonora and Nogales Arizona where, they say, it is so pitch black that the Migra and the migrantes brush past each other in the dark - popular legend has it that the Mexicans have intuitive built-in flashlights that enables them to elude capture down there. I thought of that tunnel often as I crawled up the left coast of North America all the way to Vancouver BC hawking my "making another world possibles" and a highly subversive chapbook "Bomba!" and trying to listen hard to what my mostly young audiences had to tell me instead of talking all the time, my own private "Other Campaign." Like "La Otra", the idea is (I think) to weave the little resistances down below into a tapestry of defiance right here inside the belly of the beast. As Marcos once instructed us in the first months of the rebellion "haces el Zapatismo donde vives", that is, be a Zapatista where you are. It has taken a decade for this interpretation of Zapatismo to take root. The solidarity movement used to send their old shoes to Chiapas and host delegations of victimized Indians. Now it confronts power locally, working on a nucleus of issues that bring together new constituencies in a very Zapatista way. The carpeted lecture hall at Cal State Los Angeles is packed. Up on the hill above East L.A., Cal State is where the Chicano student movement was cradled in the late 1960s and successive generations have kept the flame alive - I often meet young people who have heard me speak there in Chiapas or on the barricades in Mexico City. Tonight the talk is fixated on the stealing of the Mexican election, the listeners hungrily digesting every arcane detail. They become particularly animated when I speak of the civil insurrection led by Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador in the wake of the July 2nd fraud and how, along with popular upsurge in Oaxaca and the on-going rebellion in Chiapas, the beans of a new Mexican revolution are boiling on the stove. 1810! 1910! 2010! Amidst the fervor, one young woman meekly raises her hand and, Rodney King-like, asks why we all can't just get along? The room erupts in chants of "No Justice! No Peace!" Cal State activists joined forces with Mexican farmers and Anglo anarchists in the struggle to keep South Central Farm from being bulldozed by "Mexican" mayor Antonio Villaraigoza to make way for a mammoth Wal-Mart warehouse. The farm, covering several city blocks in a warehouse zone of the megalopolis, fed hundreds of poor immigrant families with its bounty. Those who worked the land grew the crops of their home countries: yucca and nopal, fragrant cilantro and epizote, braided rows of maize grown from pure Zapatista organic seed smuggled in from the highlands of Chiapas, still uncontaminated by transgenic mutilation. South Central was, in fact, a kind of Zapatista street piece, an autonomous space run collectively by and for the community, a way of getting off the mal gobierno's grid and, in the end, the mal gobierno had to snuff out this anarchist germ that had dug its way into the stomach wall of the belly of the beast. The defenders of South Central stood strong on the land confronting the bulldozers for days until the robo cops dragged them off, cut down the trees, paved over the fields, and imprisoned the property. Jordan C., a transplant from Tupelo Mississippi who caught the Zapatista bug at Humboldt State and helped organize the U.C. Santa Barbara compas on the line, blames the eviction on tactical errors - the L.A. anarchists got up too late to stop the bulldozers. What would Rachel Corrie have said? Santa Barbara is a peculiar point of illumination in this terrible darkness. UCSB is an unlikely Chicano Mecca - MECHA was founded there in 1975 and the papers of Oscar Zeta Acosta, the Brown Buffalo, who vanished into thin air at a crucial moment in the awakening of Aztlan consciousness, are housed at the University. Being Zapatistas where they are, the Santa Barbarians take on immigration rights issues in one of the wealthiest enclaves in the California firmament where the only good Mexican slaves in the kitchen. Roberto Hernandez, who is writing his thesis on indigenous Mexico's migration north, grew up right on the border down Dairy Mart road in San Ysidro and once organized volley ball games over the rusting border wall. "I have to be near a border" he confesses, "no place else feels right." Up in Fresno, I speak at an anarchist cafe' over on the west side. Anarchos and Chicano activists chop vegetables together and talk about being Zapatistas where they live. Last spring, the anarchists and the Chicanos joined with church groups and labor unions to put together the May 1st march for immigration reform. 20,000 took to the streets of this Central Valley agribiz nexus, the largest political demonstration in recent memory. The myriad and massive marches all over the U.S. that day also celebrated the 120th anniversary of the first May 1st in Chicago led by other immigrant workers - many of them anarchists too - for the eight hour day. At a forum up at CSU Fresno before a hundred or so activistas of all stripes and hues, we hashed over the resistance to electoral fraud in Mexico and what that translates to north of the Rio Bravo where Bushwa stole two straight presidential elections with barely a whimper from the citizenry. The debate zeroed in on taking it to the streets. "I have waited for this meeting for 25 years," rejoiced Dr. Manuel Figueroa with whom I shared the podium. Seeking out common ground on local issues characterizes the new Zapatismo I encountered in California and the Northwest in the autumn of 2006. At Humboldt State University in far northern California, I spoke on the "coyuntura" (the coming together) of revolutionary forces down south in Mexico. The next night, Accion Zapatistas was part of a coalition that sponsored a Dialogue on Racism. Angela Davis was next up at the mic to denounce the prison-industrial complex. At Evergreen up in Olympia Washington - Rachel Corrie U. - folksinger- activist Jim Page opened the session with his ballad to the school's most lamented dropout, "I'd Rather Be Dancing", and there wasn't a dry eye in the house. Peter Bohmer's class on movement building which draws deeply from the Zapatista experience was gearing up for a public meeting on homelessness that night - the Olympia City Council recently passed an ordinance making it a crime to loiter on the sidewalk. After class, Evergreen activists invited myself and Cecilia Santiago, a Zapatista activista from Chiapas with whom I kept crossing paths as we brought our mutual visions of Zapatismo to the Pacific Northwest, to hear what the kids inside a state juvenile prison had to say. Be a Zapatista on the inside. The resistance in Oaxaca was raging as I traveled the left coast this fall and in many locales, Oaxaca was a local issue. Oaxacans, first the Mixtecos and then the Zapotecos and Triquis, are the most peripatetic of indigenous migrant workers, having long ago established communities in the San Joaquin Valley and as far north as the vineyards of Sonoma and Napa, following the fruit-tramp trail into Oregon and Washington and political exile in British Columbia. Now they are in New York City and Nome Alaska. The Oaxacans have their own newspapers and radio stations that broadcast in their mother tongues. They are organized farm labor unions and marching for immigration rights and when the shit hit the fan back home, they were a lightning rod for local action. The uprising and repression in Oaxaca brought together Mexican nationals, undocumented workers, Chicano movement people, and the Zapatista solidarity network. Each Sunday in San Francisco's Mission District where the Caracol de la Mision is headquartered at the perpetually-buzzing Cafe' Boheme, Oaxacan painters Calixto Robles and Arnaldo Garcia unfurled their banners and posters at Plaza Sandino i.e. the Bart Plaza on 24th. "Oaxaca Vive! La Lucha Sigue!" The murder of Indymedia journalist Brad Will on the barricades October 27th just outside Oaxaca city, brought the anarchists on board. Adrian Zanini had Brad's picture up on the big screen when I spoke at New College that night within an hour of the killing and 50 supporters showed up at a City Hall wake the next day. By Tuesday, hundreds were marching on the Mexican consulate, which had been daubed blood red by unseen hands for the occasion. Protests were staged outside Mexican diplomatic sites in over 30 cities - in New York. consular officials had 11 of Brad's comrades busted when they locked down at the front door. Demonstrators marched for weeks from San Diego to Vancouver. Up in Portland, the protest at the consulate was led by companeros from Juxlahuaca in the Mixteca, delegates from the Organization of Oaxacan Indigenous Communities in Oregon (OCIMO) who demanded, among other items, the dropping of charges against two anarchists who had been busted the previous week at the Mexican offices. The anarchists had gathered the night before the demo at the IWW Liberty Hall to commemorate the 91st anniversary of the execution of that fearless old wobbly Joe Hill - a band called General Strike supplied the tunes - and the march was slated to leave Pioneer Square, a venue that that troublemaking troubadour often played. But the Portland police quickly descended on the milling swarm handing out warnings that Pioneer Square was not a free speech area. In an aberrant display of solidarity, the warnings were issued on red paper edged in black, anarchist colors. Nonetheless, the Oaxacans - the anarchist Ricardo Flores Magon murdered at Leavenworth prison in 1924, was a native son - were not to be shushed and jumped up on the nearest balustrade to tell their story in no uncertain terms. Oaxaca Oaxaca No Es Cuartel! Fuera El Ejercito de El!" (Oaxaca is not a barracks. The army must leave.) Oaxaca was a live wire issue on the other side of the other border up in Vancouver, a city where Mexican political exiles have taken refuge - the daughter of Gloria Arenas, an imprisoned leader of a Guerrero-based guerilla band lives in Vancouver and the corrupt chieftain of the Mexican miners union is said to be in hiding there - and because it is an exile community coming from many distinct left skews, the fracture lines are seismic. There are two Other Campaigns, one spurred by Marxist-Leninist- -Maoist-Stalinists from Mexico City's National Autonomous University. The other Other is a loosely coiled amalgam of anarchists but the two Others have come together around Oaxaca, protesting frequently at the local consulate - such actions have been galvanized by the arrival of Mixtec activist-poet Raul Gatica. "As long as we are moving together, there are no quarrels," observes a friend codenamed Demapaz who was one of the first Mexican activists to win asylum in this damp town. Demapaz is leading a delegation of First Nation peoples to the Zapatista "Intergalactica" set for the end of December in Oventik to mark the 13th anniversary of the rebellion. The map of resistance is being redrawn up and down the left coast. I spoke in Portland on the eve of the first northwest regional SDS conclave since that acronym was resurrected. The Green Scare anti-enviro terror attacks of the Bush regime and invariably the war were on the top of the agenda. There is a new Brown Beret brigade down in heroic Watsonville where the first Mexican field hands migrated in the 1870s, and the new Black Panther Party chaired by Fred Hampton Jr. is moving in Oakland. While the handles are on the retro tick, they do signify de facto recognition of what came before that is sometimes difficult for younger activists to acknowledge. Be a Zapatista no matter how old you are. The darkness of the hollow days swaddles a haunted USA with fear and loathing, the meanness encapsulated in the death rattle that emanates from Fox News. Stuck in the gleaming snowdrifts up in northern Washington that had whited out four straight presentations, I punched the remote and paused to study the Weather Channel. The forecast was for continued shit storms broken up by scattered clearings. Yes, the light is dim at the end of the tunnel of hate but it is definitely down there. Keep on keeping on - another year is possible! John Ross's ZAPATISTAS! Making Another World Possible--Chronicles of Resistance 2000-2006 is just out from Nation Books. Ross will travel the left coast this fall with the new volume and a hot-off-the-press chapbook of poetry Bomba!--all suggestions of venues will be cheerfully entertained--write johnross@igc.org -- To subscribe to this list send a message containing the words subscribe chiapas95 (or chiapas95-lite, or chiapas95-english, or chiapas95-espanol) to majordomo@eco.utexas.edu. Previous messages are available from http://www.eco.utexas.edu/faculty/Cleaver/chiapas95.html or gopher to Texas, University of Texas at Austin, Department of Economics, Mailing Lists. --------- "RE: Zapatistas denounce repression in Oaxaxa" --------- Date: Sunday, December 24, 2006 03:55 pm From: Chiapas95-english Subj: En;Universal,Zapatistas denounce repression in Oaxaca,Dec 24 Mailing List: Chiapas95-En This message is forwarded to you by the editors of the Chiapas95 newslists. To contact the editors or to submit material for posting send to: . Date: Sun, 24 Dec 2006 14:39:14 +0100 From: "Dana Aldea" Zapatistas denounce repression in Oaxaca Wire services / El Universal Domingo 24 de diciembre de 2006 http://www.mexiconews.com.mx/22627.html Thousands of the iconic rebels demonstrate their support for protesters in Oaxaca City. OVENTIC, Chis. - About 5,000 Zapatista rebels, many in black ski masks, gathered in this village in southern Mexico to show their support for protesters in historic Oaxaca City who are trying to oust the state governor. The meeting on Friday signals a strengthening of ties between the Zapatistas, who staged an armed uprising in the state of Chiapas in 1994, and the Oaxaca protesters, who took over the center of their city for five months this year, building barricades and chasing out police. The Zapatistas fight in the name of indigenous rights and socialism while the Oaxaca protesters accuse their state gov. Ulises Ruiz of corruption and thuggery. Zapatista Comandante Hortensia, an indigenous woman bearing a black ski mask, said the Mexican government uses repression against the Oaxaca protesters. "In Oaxaca, women have been tortured, sexually abused and imprisoned," she said. More than 4,000 federal police stormed Oaxaca City in late October to push the protesters out of the city center. The police clashed with protesters throughout November, arresting more than 200 people. By late November, the police had removed most of the barricades and restored a semblance of order. The arrests largely took the sting out of the protests, which had left nine dead, scared tourists away and shattered the local economy. However, protesters have continued to demonstrate and on Friday, about 1,500 marched through the center of Oaxaca City. Noticeably absent from the Zapatista meeting was Subcomandante Marcos, their most high profile leader. Marcos left the Zapatista stronghold on Jan. 1 and has been touring round Mexico trying to create a national leftist movement. -- To subscribe to this list send a message containing the words subscribe chiapas95 (or chiapas95-lite, or chiapas95-english, or chiapas95-espanol) to majordomo@eco.utexas.edu. Previous messages are available from http://www.eco.utexas.edu/faculty/Cleaver/chiapas95.html or gopher to Texas, University of Texas at Austin, Department of Economics, Mailing Lists. --------- "RE: B.C. Natives win right to hunt at Night" --------- Date: Friday, December 22, 2006 07:49 pm From: frostyca2000 Subj: B.C. natives win right to hunt at night Mailing List: Frostys AmerIndian B.C. natives win right to hunt at night Supreme Court ruling: Dissenters argue that public safety put at risk Janice Tibbetts CanWest News Service December 22, 2006 OTTAWA - A B.C. aboriginal band won the right to hunt at night in a divided Supreme Court of Canada ruling yesterday that included a rebuke from the dissenting judges that public safety should not take a backseat to treaty rights. The majority of judges concluded that British Columbia's blanket ban on night hunting is overly broad because the practice isn't necessarily dangerous. "The ramifications of this decision will be felt right across Canada," predicted Stewart Phillip, grand chief of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs. The decision overturned the conviction of two Vancouver Island aboriginals who belong to the Tsartlip First Nation, Ivan Morris and Carl Olsen, who were caught a decade ago in a sting operation. They had lost their case every step of the way, but they convinced the Supreme Court majority they should be able to hunt with rifles in the dark, with the aid of a lamp, because their ancestors had engaged in the practice using torches and bows and arrows. "British Columbia is a very large province, and it cannot plausibly be said that a night hunt with illumination is unsafe everywhere and in all circumstances," said the majority decision, co-authored by justices Marie Deschamps and Rosalie Abella. "It applies without exception to the whole province, including the most northern regions where hours of daylight are limited in the winter months and populated areas are few and far between." The ruling said treaty rights must be adapted to modern times and that "hunting with a rifle and ammunition is the current form of an evolving right whose origins were hunting with a bow and arrow." The minority judgment, penned by Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin and Justice Morris Fish, countered that courts have consistently found that night hunting "inherently involves an unacceptable and elevated risk to the public." They argued that the 1852 treaty in question was never intended to permit a practice that is dangerous. Also, aboriginals could still be charged with dangerous hunting under B.C.'s Wildlife Act, but it would be up to the Crown to prove that the activity in question was unsafe. The ruling invites the province of British Columbia to develop a new law that imposes restrictions on night hunting rather than a sweeping ban. While hunting laws fall under provincial jurisdiction, there is a general prohibition across Canada, with few exceptions, on hunting after dark. In British Columbia, the ban extends from an hour after sunset to an hour before sunrise. A spokeswoman for the province said it was too early to comment on whether British Columbia intends to redraft its wildlife law. The two victorious hunters, with aboriginal leaders at their side, held a news conference yesterday to laud the Supreme Court ruling. "The decision not only upholds our treaty rights, it protects our traditional way of life," said Mr. Olsen. The ruling is the second significant victory this month for aboriginals, who two weeks ago won the right to cut trees on Crown land for domestic use. The federal government and five provinces - Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick - intervened in the appeal to side with British Columbia. On top of the 14 B.C. bands covered by the treaties in question (the Douglas treaties), the ruling could be used as leverage by other bands across the province and the rest of Canada who say they should be able to hunt because of treaties signed with their ancestors. "The decision is broadly enough articulated in terms of the obligation on the part of the province to respect to the treaty rights that I'm sure there will be many First Nations in British Columbia and across Canada that will argue the decision should impact them," said Louise Mandell, the lawyer for Mr. Morris and Mr. Olsen. The decision, however, does not apply to non-natives, who remain subject to the provincial ban. High-powered, modern-day rifles make hunting much more hazardous today, the minority said. "The dangers of hunting at night have been amplified with the development of modern weaponry," wrote Justices McLachlin and Fish. "A right to hunt is not transformed into a right to hunt in an unsafe manner by disregarding unforeseen dangers or new risks." The executive director of the B.C. Wildlife Federation, Paul Adams, denounced the ruling as "ludicrous." The Tsartlip First Nation is located on a densely populated penisula on Vancouver Island, where night hunting would pose a threat to human safety because lighting does not permit hunters to see beyond their target, Mr. Adams said. --------- "RE: Native leader asks PM not to shuffle Minister" --------- Date: Friday, December 22, 2006 07:50 pm From: frostyca2000 Subj: Native leader asks PM not to shuffle minister Mailing List: Frostys AmerIndian Native leader asks PM not to shuffle minister BILL CURRY Globe and Mail December 22, 2006 OTTAWA - Canada's largest native organization is urging the Prime Minister to leave Indian Affairs alone as rumours of a looming cabinet shuffle circulate on Parliament Hill. Assembly of First Nations national chief Phil Fontaine told The Globe and Mail in an interview he would be annoyed at having to deal with a fifth Indian Affairs minister in less than four years. There have been recent reports that Prime Minister Stephen Harper will replace Rona Ambrose at Environment with Jim Prentice, the Indian Affairs Minister. Mr. Prentice currently chairs the influential cabinet committee on government operations. Mr. Fontaine said that Mr. Prentice's years of experience working on native land claims make him perfectly suited to stay put. "We want some consistency and some continuity and shuffling Minister Prentice out of the ministry would in our view not be a good decision," he said, noting that the department's deputy ministers have also changed frequently. New Indian Affairs ministers often take several months to grasp the many complex and sensitive files, said Mr. Fontaine, but Mr. Prentice was already familiar with the issues. "His experience is an important consideration here. One of the biggest challenges is land claims, and there's no one in the country, at least in terms of elected officials, who knows the land-claims file as well as Mr. Prentice," he said. Mr. Fontaine has not often had kind words for Conservatives, whom he has attacked for not implementing last year's $5-billion Kelowna plan for aboriginals. Generally, Mr. Fontaine said, he supports Mr. Prentice's moves to have the Canadian Human Rights Act and divorce and property laws apply on reserves. However, he expressed concern that public debate on the measures paints native leaders in an undeserved negative light. "What concerns me here, and I'm not accusing Mr. Prentice of engaging in this, is this 'blame the victim' approach," he said. The main reason for poverty on reserves is not corruption or a lack of accountability, he said, but rather a decade-long freeze in federal spending in spite of population and inflation growth. The AFN also wants land-claim talks accelerated so that more native communities have financial control of natural resources in their traditional lands. --------- "RE: Troubled Waters" --------- Date: Tuesday, December 19, 2006 07:25 pm From: frostyca2000 Subj: Troubled Waters Mailing List: Frostys AmerIndian TROUBLED WATERS The Crees of Northern Quebec are divided over the province's plan to divert the Rupert River to meet energy demands, reports RHEAL SEGUIN. The natives will get millions of dollars from the deal, but they'll lose a piece of history - and the project will sacrifice one of the world's last great untouched rivers RHEAL SEGUIN QUEBEC - The Rupert River roars across Northern Quebec's wilderness with a force so mighty it could fill an Olympic-size pool in two seconds. Soon, a portion of this majestic river with its spectacular rapids will be sacrificed to meet the demand for more energy. One of the world's last great untouched rivers will be diverted into new or existing hydroelectric turbines. Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced yesterday he had approved the diversion, part of Hydro-Que'bec's $4-billion expansion of the James Bay complex and the largest hydroelectric project undertaken in the province in a decade. Scheduled for completion by 2014, it would flood 600 square kilometres of wilderness and involve building four dams, 75 dikes and a three-kilometre tunnel. A majority of the 14,000 Crees of Northern Quebec have endorsed the project, which is expected to create more than 5,500 jobs and give them millions of dollars, including a portion of new electricity sales. But it was a painful decision made by the self-proclaimed custodians of the vast region who remain torn by the environmental price being paid. "This project is too important for first nations, the province of Quebec and for Canada," Mr. Harper said in the Saguenay region of Quebec. "As our economy grows, so too must out supply of clean renewable energy." Bill Namagoose was raised on the Rupert River, which rises in Lake Mistassini, Quebec's largest natural lake, and flows 600 kilometres west into Rupert Bay on James Bay. He spent 20 years fighting to preserve rivers in Northern Quebec from the province's insatiable thirst for more energy and profits. He was part of the Crees' successful battle to stop the $13-billion Great Whale River hydroelectric project in the mid-1990s. Yet as executive director of the Grand Council of the Crees, which represents the Crees of eastern James Bay and southern Hudson Bay, he reluctantly recommended that the Rupert River be diverted. "I spent a lot of my life fighting to save rivers," Mr. Namagoose said in an interview. "Yet at the end of the day, I end up losing my own river. It's difficult, very difficult. I lost friends. I'm losing my river. That is why it really hurts me to see these people opposed to this painful concession that we have already made." The project would involve diverting the headwaters of the Rupert River - on whose banks was built the oldest trading post of the Hudson's Bay Company - north to the Eastmain River and into the La Grande hydroelectric watershed. Some flooding has already begun. The sight of treetops poking above water serves as a reminder of what took place with the construction of the original James Bay project in the 1970s and the flooding of 12,000 square kilometres of land. The James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement was signed in 1975 by the Crees, the province and the federal government with little consideration given to traditional native trap lines, fishing rights or protecting the environment. "We had the largest project in our backyard and people here were living in Third World conditions," Mr. Namagoose said. Under the terms of the James Bay agreement, the Crees had unwittingly given their consent to two other major projects. The most controversial one was the Great Whale Project, which would have flooded 3,000 square kilometres of land had it not been stopped by an international public-relations campaign. Hydro-Que'bec was forced to accept that despite the agreement, no new major project could be undertaken in Northern Quebec without the approval of the native populations. The other project involved the Nottaway, Broadback and Rupert Rivers - - known as the NBR complex - and would have flooded more than 7,000 square kilometres. But in February of 2002, Cree leaders and the Quebec government signed a new deal called the Paix des braves (literally translated as the Peace of the Braves) that reversed some of the provisions in the James Bay agreement. The government renounced its right to build the NBR complex, in exchange for the Rupert River diversion. The 50-year Paix des braves agreement includes a financial package that gave $69-million to the Crees during the first two years and another $70-million a year until 2052. A revenue-sharing provision for the first time gave the Crees a portion of the profits generated by the sale of electricity from the new project. "There is no deal like this in Canada or North America," Mr. Namagoose said. At least 15 per cent of annual revenues is to be reinvested in stocks and bonds to ensure that by 2052, when the agreement ends, future generations of Crees will continue to benefit. The Crees are calling the Rupert project "a new era of openness and co-operation with Quebec." The project is being driven by a new reality in Cree communities where the protection of traditional lands no longer excludes development when it can be mutually beneficial. However, divisions still run deep in the three Cree communities of Nemaska, Chisasibi and Waskaganish, where about one-quarter of the population opposed the project in a recent vote. Last month, the Cree/Quebec environmental and social impact review committee unanimously recommended that the project be accepted. So has the federal Environmental Assessment Agency that included two Cree members on the panel. Mr. Harper concurred yesterday. "There are 5,000 pages of studies that cost tens of millions of dollars. In keeping with the spirit of the Paix des braves, the Crees have been involved in the process from the very beginning. No other project has been so carefully monitored and studied," said Hydro- Que'bec spokeswoman Sylvain The'berge. Nonetheless, environmental groups mounted a last-ditch effort to stop the project, saying the diversion endangers the Rupert River trout species, among the biggest in the world. They fear the flooding will raise mercury levels in the water; mercury contamination of the soil is common in northern areas, which received much of the fallout from southern industries. Mercury contamination in other hydroelectric reservoirs in Quebec on La Grande River has already forced native communities there to reduce their fish intake, a key source of protein in their diet, said Daniel Green, a scientific adviser for the Sierra Club of Canada. This has boosted the levels of diabetes in Cree communities, Mr. Green said. The river is also popular with whitewater canoers and canoe campers. Nicolas Boisvert, who heads the environmental group Re've'rence Rupert, says the project "threatens one of the last great virgin rivers of the Earth." But with few financial means and without the support of the Grand Council of the Crees, his group has been unsuccessful in mounting the type of campaign that stopped the Great Whale from being built. When completed, the new hydroelectric plant would be the 12th largest such plant in Quebec, adding a capacity of 843 megawatts a day to the province's power grid. Quebeckers consume an average of 30,000 megawatts of electricity a day, Ms. The'berge said. --------- "RE: Historic Settlement for School Abuse Victims" --------- Date: Mon, 18 Dec 2006 08:29:08 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL ABUSE SETTLEMENT" http://www.pechanga.net/ http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename= thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1166224211440 Historic settlement for school abuse victims After a decade of dispute, thousands of former students of Canada's aboriginal residential school system win compensation in class-action suit December 16, 2006 TORONTO (CP) - What's been dubbed the largest and most complicated class-action settlement in Canadian history has been settled in favour of the thousands of abused former students of Canada's controversial aboriginal residential school system. The decade-old dispute with the federal government largely came to an end yesterday after judges in six provinces and the Yukon gave the settlement their stamp of approval, leaving Nunavut and the Northwest Territories as the only jurisdictions left to approve the deal. "I think that people are very happy that the courts have unanimously endorsed the settlement as fair and reasonable," said Jon Faulds, an Alberta lawyer who's part of a national consortium of lawyers representing the victims. "It's the first time in Canadian history that so many courts have been involved in the approval of a class-action settlement. It's an enormous challenge and I think, apart from anything else, it should be hats off to the courts for having found a way to make this work." While there are about 10,500 individual cases currently before the courts and some 3,000 more in a government alternative dispute resolution program, there's an estimated 80,000 people in total who are entitled to benefits. The settlement includes a "common experience" payment of, on average, $24,000 which will be available to all former students who were ripped away from their families and sent to various institutions across the country. The estimated 12,000 to 20,000 people who suffered physical and sexual abuse will be eligible for an additional $5,000 to $275,000 each and could get even more if they can show a loss of income. While all the judges approved the basic provisions of the settlement, some identified a variety of "administrative wrinkles" that will need to be ironed out before the cash begins to flow. "They are mostly about making sure the court has adequate powers to supervise the settlement as it's being implemented," Faulds said. "The courts want to make sure that adequate resources are devoted to the process to make sure that all of the claims are processed very quickly." As with any class action lawsuit, there's a two-month window for parties to appeal the court judgment. Toronto lawyer Craig Brown, however, said none are expected in this case. "We believe that compensation for the wrongs committed in the Indian residential school system will start to flow in the middle of next year," Brown said. "And that's great, great news for everybody." Brown said judges in the territories need a bit more time to write up their decisions because of the traveling they're required to do in their daily work. They're likely to complete their judgments over the holidays and submit them to the court in early January. The deal also includes $125 million for the aboriginal healing fund, $60 million for a truth and reconciliation process to document the history and legacy of government-run Indian residential schools and $20 million for commemorative projects. The most controversial aspect of the settlement is an estimated $100 million set aside for legal fees. When all is said and done, it's expected the federal government will have forked over as much as $5 billion in restitution. Copyright c. 2006 Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. All rights reserved. --------- "RE: Judge urges PM to apologize to First Nations" --------- Date: Monday, December 18, 2006 07:00 pm From: frostyca2000 Subj: Top B.C. judge urges PM to apologize to first nations Mailing List: Frostys AmerIndian Top B.C. judge urges PM to apologize to first nations Ian Mulgrew Vancouver Sun December 18, 2006 B.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Donald Brenner has called on Prime Minister Stephen Harper to apologize to first nations for the abuses of the Indian residential school system. In a departure from the other decisions handed down by seven provincial superior courts Friday approving Ottawa's $4-billion residential school pact, Justice Brenner went a step further - a giant step further. "Although I am making no order and I am issuing no directions, I would respectfully request counsel for Canada to ask that the Prime Minister give consideration to issuing a full and unequivocal apology on behalf of the people of Canada in the House of Commons," the chief judge said. "Clearly by committing to these settlement negotiations and by entering into the Settlement Agreement and the ongoing process, Canada has recognized its past failures with respect to the Indian Residential Schools. However, based on what I heard during these hearings and in other residential school litigation, I believe that such an apology would be extremely positive and would assist the objective of all parties in achieving the goal of a national reconciliation." Brenner also suggested Ottawa consider making an appropriate statement at the opening of the truth and reconciliation commission that is part of the complex settlement package unveiled a year ago in November. "While this is ultimately for Canada and the Commission to decide, I would suggest that such a statement delivered in the early stages of the Commission's hearings would do much to emphasize both Canada's recognition of the extent of the failure of past policy as well as Canada's desire to achieve a national reconciliation with the Aboriginal People of Canada," he said. Brenner is one of nine judges across the country who were asked to review and sanction the federal government's offer to thousands of native people who attended residential schools run mainly by Christian church denominations before they were closed in 1996. The two territorial courts will issue their ruling on the agreement early in the new year. Brenner conducted five days of hearings, the most of any judge, and he elicited a litany of abuse and tragedy that obviously moved him. Peter Grant, a lawyer involved in the class-action suit, thought Brenner's recommendation for an apology hugely significant. "It's a powerful judgment and a good day for survivors," he said. "That [call for an apology] is unique. A court normally doesn't do that. I work for individual survivors and communities and the question that has been raised with me again and again and again has been - why does Canada not apologize to us when they have apologized for the Japanese internment and the Chinese head tax? You know, there's no real answer to that. "I think it's extremely powerful that you have the chief justice of one of the provincial superior courts saying look, 'I can't order an apology, but please take this seriously.' What that does goes to showing that he recognized, he heard what these people have to say." B.C. has the largest number of residential school attendees (14,911) among the estimated 75,000 or so still alive. Brenner heard from more than 80 survivors and many others filed written submissions to him. "While each had an individual story to tell," he wrote, "there were also common shared themes that ran through many of the submissions: being taken from home, often forcibly, at an early age; having their language and culture banned; and being prevented from even communicating with their siblings at the same school. They described poor or inadequate food, harsh corporal punishment and instances of physical and sexual abuse." Most did not recover fully from the damage. Under the complex agreement, ex-students get $10,000 for any one year, or part of a year, that they spent at a residential school, and $3,000 for each subsequent portion of a year. Those who suffered sexual or physical abuse - and there are many of them - are offered additional compensation ranging from $5,000 to $275,000. Those who don't like it, though, are free to opt out and pursue individual claims against the government and the churches. In spite of its strengths, however, Brenner said it is imperative that administrative deficiencies in the settlement be fixed. Many survivors can't prove their attendance at a residential school because Ottawa or the churches have lost records. Not surprisingly, the survivors - who should each receive on average about $24,000 - do not have a high level of confidence in the federal government's ability to fairly or properly deal with them. Brenner and his colleagues want an autonomous supervisor or board overseeing the plan, reporting back ultimately to the courts. "In saying this I am not critical of the efforts of the parties, including Canada, to date in this case," Brenner said. "However, what is readily apparent to everyone in this case is the necessity to avoid yet another exercise in failed paternalism, real or perceived." And Brenner emphasized that money is not enough. Former Liberal minister Jane Stewart read a statement of regret in the House of Commons several years ago, but the survivors told Brenner that wasn't good enough. The Leadership Council of B.C. - a coalition of the executive of the Assembly of First Nations (BC Region), the First Nations Summit and the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs - said "a formal and unequivocal apology from the Prime Minister of Canada to the Aboriginal People of Canada must be an integral part of this settlement. It is further submitted that in order to work toward achieving true resolution, the form of apology should include a request for forgiveness." At his October hearings, Brenner seemed hung up on the fact he did not have the power to order such an apology. "Even if the court had such power, an apology offered pursuant to an order of the court would be of doubtful value; its underlying compulsion would destroy its effectiveness," he said. But he changed his mind after he "received many eloquent and passionate submissions from objectors seeking a suitable recognition by Canada of the inordinate suffering of the Aboriginal peoples caused by the Indian Residential School experience and expressing the hope that they could receive a full apology from the leader of Canada's government." I say it was a courageous decision. "There is an important cultural component to this," he explained in his judgment. "Aboriginal Justice Systems almost always stress reconciliation. Aboriginal Justice Systems also usually stress the need to restore harmony and peace to a community. Leaving parties dissatisfied or with feelings of inadequacy or lack of completion does not restore community harmony or peace. For aboriginal students of residential schools and their families, an apology will acknowledge the wrong suffered by them and validate their struggle for compensation and redress." He's absolutely right. Let's hope the prime minister hears him. imulgrew@png.canwest.com Copyright c. The Vancouver Sun 2006 --------- "RE: Siksika, A4 Bar Farm Operations Joint Venture" --------- Date: Wednesday, December 20, 2006 05:20 pm From: frostyca2000 Subj: Attention Business Editors: Mailing List: Frostys AmerIndian Attention Business Editors: Hybrid Fuels Inc. Signs Joint-Venture Agreement VERNON, BC, Dec. 19 /CNW/ - Hybrid Fuels, Inc. (OTCBB: HRID) today announced that a formal agreement has been signed between its wholly- owned subsidiary Hybrid Fuels (Canada) Inc. and the A4 Bar Cattle Company Ltd., covering the equal-share joint venture between the two companies, known as the 'Siksika A4 Bar Farm Operations Project.' The site of the project is located approximately 60 miles east of Calgary, Alberta, Canada on the land of the Siksika First Nations. "The joint venture operating agreement is the most significant achievement for Hybrid Fuels to date," said Douglas Dickie, President and CEO of Hybrid Fuels Inc.. The Project will initially consist of the construction of two (2) facilities each utilizing Hybrid Fuels' proprietary technology together with the industry expertise and cattle provided by A4 Bar Cattle Company Ltd.. "The Siksika A4 Bar Farm Operations Project will provide innovative and alternative approaches to economic and community development on First Nations lands. The Project is positioned with a multi-disciplinary team of professionals with solid corporate expertise combined with years of hands- on technical and management experience," added Dickie. "We fully expect to expand this type of project to include other First Nations across Canada and the United States." The two (2) facilities are designed to produce a combined daily volume of up to 3,300 litres of ethanol, generate up to 2 megawatts of power, finish up to 2,400 head of cattle annually, and provide up to 10 full time jobs. The internal hydroponics barley grass growing system is designed to produce a 12-pound ration of grass per head of cattle per day. "We believe that the demand for our products positions this joint venture for profitability and delivers significant value to Hybrid Fuels shareholders," concluded Dickie. About Hybrid Fuels Inc: Hybrid Fuels Inc has developed a unique farm-scale system that integrates the production of wet ethanol with cattle feeding operations. Their model encompasses environmental sensitivity toward development of alternative fuels and electricity, high-quality beef and waste management. Their commercial facility design includes insulated steel-construction buildings, a hydroponics barley-grass growing system, and an energy-producing minimal-emission gasifier which incinerates all barn waste and manure. The energy-balanced ethanol production process also generates a high protein brewers' mash, supplemented by barley grass, creating a top-quality cattle feed. The cattle, raised within stringent atmosphere-controlled and humane conditions, are free of added hormones and antibiotics. This Press Release contains forward-looking statements based on current expectations that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and the actual results and future events could differ materially from manages they transport juvenile and adult prisoners to BIA jails on the Cheyenne River reservation an hour and a half away, or at the Standing Rock reservation, four hours away. That's raised concerns on Lower Brule and other reservations about what some call the already meager BIA police force - a handful of officers serving any given tribe - being stretched too thin. Jandreau and other critics say the officers spend too much time transporting criminals and too little time policing the reservation. Some days, there are no officers patrolling the streets, and that's a big concern at a time when methamphetamine use has surged, causing an upswing in a range of crimes, from thefts to drug dealing. It's a complicated problem. The BIA has yet to certify the new Lower Brule detention facility, able to accommodate as many as 72 prisoners, so it can be staffed and put in operation. It was supposed to be open in September. The new target date is April. A delay in the installation of phone lines and the need to replace some railings were reasons given for the delay in certification, Jandreau says. But he thinks the length of time it is taking to get the jail up and running illustrates a larger issue, that a BIA strapped for cash is trying to diminish its trust obligations to tribes to provide law enforcement and corrections programs, and in the process is pitting tribes against each other as it shuffles money for those programs among them. "It's not right. I won't be a party to it," Jandreau says. Money diverted What it actually reflects, according to Guillermo Rivera, associate director of corrections for the BIA Office of Justice Services, is the fact the BIA thinks larger regional jails are more cost-effective than smaller ones scattered throughout Indian Country, and left to run corrections programs itself, this is how the BIA is going to do it. Jandreau suggests the BIA is dragging its feet on opening the Lower Brule facility because $1.2 million of $1.5 million allocated to run Lower Brule corrections programs this year was diverted on a one-time basis to BIA detention programs at Turtle Mountain, Fort Totten and Standing Rock in North Dakota. "If we had $1.5 million, that should have been immediately available. Something smells," Jandreau says. "That's the dispute right there," according to Rivera. "They believe the money is theirs. "That's my decision," he says of the reallocation of funds. "That's within the purview of my position." The money sent to North Dakota was needed to keep those jails operating, and if it wasn't spent, it would have been recaptured by the federal government at the end of the fiscal year and would not have benefited any Indian corrections efforts, he says. Rivera says he regularly urges tribes to take on the responsibility of operating detention centers and to contract with the BIA. Then, "I don't touch the money." A detention center can be a revenue generator for a tribe, Rivera says, and the new Lower Brule building "could be a perfect example of what a regional facility could be. If the tribe was running it, they could charge other tribes and the BIA to house inmates." But Jandreau, who has served as Lower Brule's chairman for 27 years, has long experience with BIA funding holdbacks and shortfalls. It's not a track record that inspires confidence. "Why not contract and run it ourselves? It could be an option," he says. "But if you don't have a solidified base of capital to operate that program, you're only building in an opportunity to fail." Scattered jails Tribal tension with the BIA over jails arose, according to Rivera, because "we went on a building spree to build these jails all over Indian Country. We did not look at the problems created." Many house no more than 15 inmates, and "it takes 10 to 12 people to run them. It's not cost-effective," he says. "You have one tribe" with a detention facility, "and 20 miles away, there's another reservation with another one. They all want to run their own programs. "To me, you can scream all the sovereignty you want. Tell me how you're going to make it cost-effective," Rivera says. Such a hard focus on the bottom line ignores the necessity of having nearby detention centers for many tribes, says Lester Thompson Jr. He's chairman of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe and is incensed about the closure of the detention center there. Because the tribe is in litigation with the BIA, Rivera says, he won't comment about Crow Creek. But Thompson says without the ability to hold prisoners at either Crow Creek or nearby Lower Brule, the handful of BIA police officers at Crow Creek are forced into a "catch-and-release" situation where criminals are arrested but not held and become increasingly disdainful of law enforcement. "I've got a growing methamphetamine problem in this area," Thompson says, "and without a holding facility, it hampers the ability to deal with it." He says he has been given a multitude of reasons why the BIA jail at Crow Creek was closed. He thinks they simply amount to the fact "BIA corrections doesn't want to be in the jail business anymore. But they still want the funding that comes with it." Overcrowding cited He also suggests large regional jails are overcrowded and understaffed. A 2005 report from the University of North Dakota Tribal Judicial Institute supports that. It points out that in 2003, 70 detention facilities were in operation throughout Indian Country with a capacity of 2,222. But nearly half those inmates, 43 percent, were held in the 10 largest jails. "If that's what's in store for us, I need to put a stop to this now," Thompson says. Rivera came to the BIA from the Federal Bureau of Prisons two years ago. In that time, the approximately $58 million budget to run all BIA corrections programs largely has been held flat because Congress has difficulty passing appropriations bills in a timely manner and is forced to fund federal programs at existing levels with continuing budget resolutions, he says. It did so this year, passing a continuing resolution effective through February after it was unable to adopt a comprehensive 2007 budget before it adjourned in December. That sets up BIA corrections programs for falling incrementally behind growing needs, Rivera acknowledges. Walt Lamar, retired for the past two years, was formerly the director of BIA Law Enforcement Services. He states the funding problem more bluntly. "The BIA is having to shut facilities down. Even some of the new facilities, there's not enough money to staff them," he says. Reach Peter Harriman at 575-3615. Copyright c. 2006 Argus Leader. --------- "RE: Rustywire: Tazhii', the Turkey and Chee" --------- Date: Wed, 18 Apr 2006 08:10:07 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="RUSTYWIRE: TURKEY AND CHEE" http://www.rustywire.com/newones/tazhii.html Tazhii', the Turkey and Chee, a Navajo Boy...by Johnny Rustywire Tahzii' Tahzii' Tahzii "Why does he keep saying that?" Nahgebah (Nah-gee-bah) said, looking at her 5-year-old nephew, Chee. "Tahzii', Tahzii', Tahzii" he said again. He is worried about Thanksgiving, about not having a Tahzii' (Turkey) for Thanksgiving Dinner. "Tahzii, Tahzii', Tahzii" Chee said, his small round eyes looking out the window, down Frisco street, the Southside of Flagstaff, his parents had moved into a small apartment behind the Manhattan Club, a hard luck bar that was across the alley. The light reflected all kinds of colors of the broken wine and beer bottles that lined the alleyway separating their place from the back door of the bar. "We won't need a Tahzii' Sharlene said,"We can cook him!" pointing at Chee, who looked at her quickly with large eyes and she laughed at him. "Don't say that!" Nahgebah said. The little boy with curios eyes had been looking out the window and watched the world from this spot. He saw men and women standing out there with brown paper bags, drinking Roma wine, cheap liquor. They were out there all the time, some standing, and some staggering as they walked around falling down, some dirty and dressed in rags. Some just layed out there until the police came and picked them up. His mother told him, not to talk to them, not to look at them, don't take anything from them even if they want to give you a candy bar she said. He didn't speak to them; he would just look and then run inside. Some he saw all the time. It was a strange world, far different than Shiprock where they had lived. His mother was off working somewhere and her sisters were watching him. They were teenagers and they were mean to him, Nahgebah and Sharlene. They were in high school raised there in town and thought living on the Navajo reservation was uncivilized, they were "Town Navajos"; much better than those who came from the Gap, Grand Falls, Dennehotso, Cow Springs and Shiprock and a host of other places they didn't want to know about or cared for. "Tahzii', where is the Tahzii'? " he would say over and over. The two girls got tired of him saying it. Chee could see Che' (Grandfather) the old man somewhere way out there where he lived in Dinetah. Chee could run around there and no one cared, but here he was copped up like a chicken all day. Chee remembered he saw some tahzii's in a pen at his Che's and they were always around. Che' told him that they were there to help them those tazhii's. long ago there was a boy who was poor and left his home to make his way in the world and he left his home near Two Gray Hills and went to Dibensa, the mountain and when he left he was followed by a tahzii', a companion who kept him company during his time there This tazhii' taught the Mountain Boy to walk in a circle to find his way sometimes, making th e circle a little bit bigger each day starting from a place he knew and then going out a little further each time. They were put there to help the Dine', the Navajo people, like his family long ago. The Mountain Boy was alone and poor dressed in rags, and the tazhii' walked in a circle and the boy followed and each day this happened the Mountain Boy learned something new. In doing this the Mountain Boy found out about other people and places and how they lived. His Che' told him that when you caught a tazhii' that sometimes they have things hidden in their wings and when you caught one and held it up you could see a rainbow in their wings. This boy from long ago carried the bird and learned some things from it; it was a special bird, a friend to him. It was a long story and Chee used to dream about that Tahzii'. Che' told him that it was put there to help Navajos, his people, Tsinalbiiltnii, Mountain People Clan and that it was here a long time and that is why Che' kept them. During this time, Keshmish Yazhi- Little Christmas the tazhii' would be fixed up and they would gather as a family, and he would see his cousins, his brothers in the Navajo way of speaking and they would play and run around all over the place. Chee could see that these people outside his window were different from the ones he had known, they were there and then they were gone.They carried on with the bottles they were drinking, breaking them on the ground as they finished them. Chee would look at them and seeing the broken bottles, the small pieces of glass and wonder if these were the special jewels he had heard the Twin Heroes had gathered for gifts to their father. They glistened under the lights of the bar, all colors, red, blue, green, brown and clear. He sometimes picked them up and held them in his hand, they were pretty, but his mother told him they were glass and could cut him. Chee's father was gone, working in California for the Southern Pacific railroad laying tracks. He would be back to pick them up and they would be going with him to live on a railroad car. He had seen his cousins at Belmont on a railroad car; it was place that rolled around on wheels. He wondered how would be to live on such a thing. His father left to work and to find a railroad car for them to live in. It was his father's people that came from Two Gray Hills and he missed seeing them and only knew the place from when he heard people talk about it, he didn't know where it really was, except it was long ways off. Chee waited by the door and watched the outside world go by, sometimes when his mother went home they went to Chacon's store on Frisco street, he was kind Nakai man who gave him a penny candy when he went in. They would go and stand in line next door and get relief, commodity food with other people. He saw the kids there, some were like him, others he tried to talk to but they couldn't understand him, he was told these were Nakai, a different people who spoke in another way. It was that day, he heard it on the radio, KCLS, and the announcer said Thanksgiving was here. Chee looked around and his aunts were getting dressed to go to Indian Mission for some kind of show, somewhere, but he didn't know where it was. His mother's sisters, Nahgebah and Sharlene told him to go to sleep and then left him behind. When he woke he was all alone and he began to cry to be by himself. Why had they left him behind? He looked outside and wished his mother was home but she didn't come when he called. He stood by the window and cried. There was this one old man who came around and he would drink out there everyday, staggering around and drank with different people. Chee would watch him sometimes and see him walk funny, sometimes the old man would try to talk to him; he talked Dine Bizaad, the Navajo language. He spoke like his mother. His aunts would hide when they saw him come by, standing out there, they called him "Chili Man", because when he got mad and started shouting his head would turn all red. It was him who was outside and heard the boy, Chee crying. He came to the window and said, "What is wrong?" in Navajo. Chee talked better Navajo than Beligana (English) and said his mother was gone and his aunts had left him alone and he cried out loud for his mother. The Glahnees (Winos) in the alley just looked at him and said, poor boy, but continued to drink and just looked at him every once in a while. In those days people didn't want to get involved with such things, they kept to themselves, it was the rough part of town, and so the little boy cried and called out for his mother for along time and no one came. It grew dark, and he kept calling for her and for his Che' and the turkey he wanted. In the light of the bar across the way, he could see that someone was coming, carrying a bag and some cooked food. It was the one they called Chili Man, he was carrying a gunnysack and he reached in through the screen door and opened it. The boy's eyes were swollen from crying and he could see that Chili Man came into the place. He reached in the bag and gave the boy some Kneel Down Bread and Sweet Corn Cake. It was traditional food and he liked the taste. He could see the old man go into the kitchen and do some things, he was not sure what he was doing, so he just watched. The old man turned around and he had a plate full of food and it was turkey, with dressing and gravy and some sweet potatoes. The little boy sat at the table and the old man fed him a little at a time, by the spoonful. He talked to him and sang him a song his mother used to sing to him. He made him laugh as he told him some stories about Tazhii' and the mountain boy, like he remembered Che' telling him. The old man had a strong laugh and was easy to talk to, but something inside him made him wonder why his aunts hid when they saw him around. It was as if he knew them somehow. It was then that Sharlene and Nahgebah came home and saw the old man sitting at the table with Chee the little boy. One got a broom and the other a stick and they told him to get out. It was then that the old man stood up and started to talk to them, scolding them for leaving the little boy alone, that his mother was working and they had left his Shi'Nali' all alone. The girls yelled at him and started hitting him with the broom and told him to get out, "Get Out Chili Man, Get Out!" they said. He left and ran out the door running down the alley into the night. Later when his mother got home after working all day, he told her what happened even though his aunts had said not to say anything about it. Chee told his mother what happened. She listened carefully to him when he said, they called him Chili Man, and as he said his name, his mother asked him to say what they called him again, and he said Chili Man. She sat there for while and looked away out the window and there were tears in her eyes as she looked outside. She sat him down and Chee asked his mother, "What's wrong Shima?" She looked at him and said, that man, the one they called "Chili Man" is my father. He is your Che' (Grandfather) too. Chee sat there and smiled at his mother and said, I wished for my Che' to come and get me and he did, he did. He heard me and came. He made me laugh Shima. She sat there and told him about the old man, and how he couldn't live in the city and had no place on Dinetah (Navajoland) to go to, that he had lost his parents long ago and lived anywhere he was. The little boy told her that he knew the story of Mountain Boy and Tazhii' and had told him about the way things were back then in the Navajo Way. After a while, the two, Chee and his mother went out into the streets under the lights of the honkytonks went from place to place and found him standing outside the Rose Tree and brought him home. Chili Man stayed with them and gave up the life he led before and that is how it was way it happened that Chili Man found his way back home one Thanksgiving back then in Kinlani (Flagstaff as they called it back then in the Navajo way of saying things). So it goes sometimes with little boys named Chee. Copyright c. 1999, Johnny Rustywire, all rights reserved. --------- "RE: Verse: Hawaiian Book of Days" --------- Date: Sun, 24 Dec 2006 11:21:46 -1000 From: Debbie Sanders Subj: Hawaiian Book of Days A HAWAI`I BOOK OF DAYS, week of December 25-31 December was the time when the trailing plants died and the Kona wind from the south prevailed. KEKEMAPA December 25 In peace I go forth to greet each day. 26 Snow clothes the fiery heart of the volcano. 27 Hold fast to friends, for they are the greatest of treasures. 28 May all your days be remembered in gladness. 29 The stars tonight are bright-etched in magic. 30 Sleep soundly when the year has run its course, for you will awake to new life. 31 Greet the dawn of the new year with flowers, song, and dance by the ocean, where all life begins. (c) Copyright 1991 by D. F. Sander Me ke aloha i ka nani, ... Moe'uhanekeanuenue (With love and beauty, ... Rainbow Dream) --------- "RE: Del "Abe" Jones Poem: The Warrior's Holiday" --------- Date: Monday, November 20, 2006 01:54 pm From: Del "Abe" Jones Subj: THE WARRIOR'S HOLIDAY THE WARRIOR'S HOLIDAY The holidays are upon us And Christmas is drawing near But for far too many Families There won't be a "Happy New Year". Their loved ones are off at War In some far-off foreign land Some of them are gone forever Not at all, what they had planned. Many of them, "weekend Warriors" Who planned Serving in their hometown Some promised one Tour of Duty But sent for one more "turn-a-round". There are numbers to toss about But to those Families just, that "One" As they Pray for a safe return And the day that War is done. They all go and do their Duty Find a special Camaraderie Which only those in Battle know Becoming part of their Family. But, it really isn't quite the same Especially, on that Christmas Day They think of loved ones back at home Who send Prayers and Love their way. Another New Year is coming soon Another one we'll be at War And one more Holiday Season That won't be like it was before. Especially if you're a lucky one Who doesn't live with that haunting fear Think of all those who Sacrifice And hope it will be better next year. If you know a Service Family With either Blue or a Gold Star Take a moment to thank them Show them how grateful that you are. When you see a Military Uniform Proudly coming toward your way Give a Salute, say, "Thank you!" For the price they have to pay. As we Celebrate these Holidays Shared with Friends and Family Remember those who went to War So we all can have our Liberty. Let us hope for an end to War So that each and every day We can rejoice and celebrate The Warrior's Holiday. Del "Abe" Jones 11.20.06 Another great piece of work which needs to be shared. View and listen to, "He's Coming Home" at http://www.trenna.com/army.html --------- "RE: Lee Goins Poem: Christmas Eve They Took Jesus Away" --------- Date: Friday, December 22, 2006 09:01 am From: cherokee2proud [cherokee2proud@yahoo.com] Subj: The Christmas Eve They Took Jesus Away Mailing List: N. A. Poetry The Christmas Eve They Took Jesus Away The trade of a carpenter, artisan's hand Fashioned a manger he wanted to stand In a place in the village where it could be seen On a hill over-looking the town, meager by any means He was old and quite frail, but he craved out of wood The beautiful manger scene that would be stood In a schoolyard on a hillside over-looking the town And some folks went along to help place it around Each figure was grand, with a hand-painted face Pure portraits of their adoration and grace The figure of Jesus, in bed of sweet hay Lay sleeping in peace til they took him away The croche stood for days and the town was in awe Of the beautiful manger in view of them all Up on a hillside by day it was clear And at night with his lights, he would make it appear Then a towns-person claimed that it had to come down No signs of religion on public school grounds A Nativity scene's not appropriate today You will have to dismantle and take it away A few went to help him, but up on the hill The winds brought in signs of the first winter chill Bluster, icy, and wind driven hail Too hard for an old man, so aged and pale But he ordered the others to go back home And he lifted the Christ Child with strength of his own He wrapped it in blankets and carefully laid The figure of Christ he was taking away He knelt down beside the wood manger and prayed The Kings and Shepherd boys would have to stay For the storm had grown wicked, and of the display The best he could do was to take Jesus away Through tears he stepped off the public school grounds And descended to the square in the middle of town Where the town folk assembled to gaze at a star And the beautiful Croche on a hillside afar The skies had cleared up and star showered beams On a now empty manger's Nativity scene A miracle happened there in the skies And the old man looked upward with faith in his eyes The people remarked to the old man that night That the laws made in heaven were their only light They told him to take the sweet baby and place Him back into the manger, in his holy space But the figure was gone and no one could conceive Of what happened to Jesus on that Christmas Eve He was there in my wagon, in just such a way Now somebody's taken my Jesus away Look up on the hillside ! Another had gone The one who complained was now placing him on The manger of wood that was destined to stay Christmas Eve when they'd taken sweet Jesus away The star shines in glory upon a pure face A hand whittled figure with hand painted grace Blessed is the artisan, blessed his skill And the one who placed Jesus back up on that hill Lee Goins Copyright c. 2001 revised 2006 --------- "RE: Upcoming Events" --------- Date: Mon January 1, 2007 12:00:11 -0700 From: Gary Smith (gars@speakeasy.org) Subj: Upcoming Events =+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+= EVENTS ARE FEATURED IN ODD NUMBERED ISSUES ONLY =+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+= ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --//--//--//--//--//--____/____/____/_/_/ /_/\__, /____/ Volume 14,Issue 052 /____/ December 25, 2006 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@nanews.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: John C. Mohawk" --------- Date: Sat, 23 Dec 2006 11:27:34 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="JOHN C. MOHAWK" http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096414237 John C. Mohawk by: Editors Report / Indian Country Today December 22, 2006 John C. Mohawk, Ph.D., of Buffalo and the Seneca's Cattaraugus Territory, died Dec. 10, 2006, in his home in Buffalo. He was 61. Mohawk was a beloved and highly respected associate professor of American studies in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University at Buffalo and a distinguished author, editor, conflict negotiator and champion of the rights of indigenous peoples. A member of the Turtle Clan of the Seneca Nation of Indians, Mohawk was widely recognized as a leading scholar of Seneca culture and history. He also was an expert in Native American economic development and cultural survival who emphasized the relationship between the treatment of indigenous groups and the state of the earth's environment. A member of the UB faculty since 1987, he was co-director of the Native American Studies Program in the UB Center for the Americas from 1999 to 2002. The center evolved back into the Department of American Studies, which he chaired from 2002 -'03. Colleagues praised Mohawk as "a truly remarkable man" and say he will be sorely missed, not only for his scholarship and teaching, but for his legendary optimistic demeanor and the consideration and kindness he demonstrated toward others. Among Mohawk's 20 books are "Exiled in the Land of the Free: Democracy, Indian Nations and the U.S. Constitution," co-authored with Oren Lyons; "The Red Buffalo"; and most recently, "Utopian Legacies: A History of Conquest and Oppression in the Western World." He was contributing editor for "A Basic Call to Consciousness," which in 1978 was taken by the Six Nations Iroquois Confederacy to a conference in Geneva, Switzerland, in an effort to establish international law standards for the rights of indigenous peoples. He also introduced the use of computer technology, images and music into the telling of the history of indigenous peoples through a multimedia CD- ROM project on American Indian history, "Treacherous Conquests: Chronicles of Race Conflicts in Modernity." A graduate of Hartwick College, Mohawk received a master's degree in American studies in 1989 and a doctorate in 1994, both from UB. He received an honorary doctor of humane letters degree from Hartwick in 1992. He was a founding board member of the Seventh Generation Fund and the Indian Law Resource Center, and in 1981 served as a negotiator from the Haudenosaunee Confederacy in helping resolve the Mohawk Nation's crisis at Racquette Point in Akwesasne. He also represented the Haudenosaunee in negotiations to end conflicts in Colombia and Iran. Mohawk also was an active member of the Seneca Nation's Salamanca Lease Committee and helped to negotiate the settlement that became the 1988 Salamanca Settlement Act. Mohawk served on the Seneca Nation Planning Commission and its investment committee, and was member of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy Grand Council. From 1967 - '83, Mohawk served as editor of Akwesasne Notes: a Journal for Native and Natural Peoples, known for the past 26 years as "the voice of indigenous peoples." The work of Akwesasne Notes during his editorial tenure was of signal importance to the movement of Indian people seeking human and civil rights. Mohawk's intellectual leadership, grounded in a strong traditional longhouse base, provided the Native discussion with clear parameters on which to build. From 1987 - '95 Mohawk served as founding editor of Daybreak, a national magazine that focuses on Native American and indigenous topics. In more recent years, he turned his attention to the worldwide environmental crisis, as well as to the health issues of Native Americans. He wrote and lectured widely on these subjects and contributed essays to many books and journals on Indian culture, including Native Americas Journal. For decades - long before the genesis of the World Trade Organization and the North American Free Trade Association it spawned - he spoke out on the crisis of globalization and against the homogenization of indigenous cultures and maximum commodity accumulation. Mohawk also became a proponent of the international "slow foods" movement, which promotes the reintroduction of slowly digested, often ancient, foods as a means of fighting heart and circulatory disease, tooth decay, obesity and especially diabetes, which is rampant in many Native communities. To this end, he founded and directed the Iroquois White Corn Project and the Pinewoods Cafe, located on the Cattaraugus Territory. These projects promote and sell Iroquois white corn products and foods to revitalize indigenous agriculture and to reintroduce the traditional Iroquois diet and to support contemporary indigenous farmers. Because of his involvement in this movement, he was invited in 2002 to present the keynote talk at the 34th annual commencement of the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center and School of Medicine. Mohawk was the husband of the late Yvonne Dion-Buffalo, Ph.D., and is survived by his children, Taronwe Mohawk of Green Bay, Wis.; Forrest; Charlene Brooks; and Lisa Marie Spivak. Funeral services were held Dec. 16 at the Wentland Funeral Home (North Collins, N.Y.) and at the Newtown Longhouse, Cattaraugus Territory. Copyright c. 1998 - 2006 Indian Country Today. All Rights Reserved. --------- "RE: Crossings" --------- Date: Mon, 25 Dec 2006 08:57:13 -0600 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="CROSSINGS" December 22, 2006 Woodrow Locklear Lumberton Woodrow Locklear, 82, of Lumberton, died Dec. 19, 2006, at Southeastern Regional Medical Center after a brief stay. The funeral will be 1 p.m. Friday at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Locklear was born April 10, 1924, in Robeson County, a son of the late John Bunyan and Downie C. Locklear. He retired from the city of Lumberton. Locklear was a member of Mt. Moriah Baptist Church for 60 years and a Sunday school teacher for 50 years. The family said: "He was surrounded by his family as he went home to be with the Lord. Mr. Locklear had been ill for five and a half years." He was preceded in death by a twin brother, Ozro Locklear; another brother, Frank Ertle Locklear; and a sister, Eva Mae Locklear. Surviving are his wife of 57 years, Ruth Ellen Locklear of the home; a daughter, Ruth Doris Dennis and her husband, Frank Dennis, of Cary; a beloved grandson, Andrew Locklear Dennis of Cary; two granddaughters, Penny Locklear and Fran Jacobs, both of Pembroke; and three sisters, Myrtle Woodell, Gertrude Dial and Mable Barnes, all of Pembroke. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 tonight at Revels Funeral Home in Lumberton. Brian Kevin Lowery Raeford Brian Kevin Lowery, 37, formerly of Aberdeen, died Dec. 17, 2006, in Broward County, Fla. The funeral will be 2 p.m. Friday at Boles Funeral Home Chapel in Southern Pines, Kevin Garner officiating. Burial will follow at 4 p.m. at Prospect United Methodist Church Cemetery in Maxton. Surviving are his parents, Mallory Ransom and Betty Lowery-Ransom of Raeford; three brothers, Bruce Kodger of Hattiesburg, Miss., Jason Ransom of Aberdeen and Stephen Ransom of Virgina Beach, Va.; and two sisters, Tammy Simmons of Raeford and Tina Ransom Avant of Leland. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 tonight at Boles Funeral Home in Southern Pines. Copyright c. 2006 The Robesonian, Lumberton, NC. -=-=-=- December 21, 2006 Ronald L. Jacobs PEMBROKE - Ronald Luther Jacobs, 68, of 1552 Tracy Sampson Road, died Monday, Dec. 18, 2006. Services: Funeral, 2 p.m. Friday in Revels Funeral Home chapel in Pembroke. Burial in Jacobs family cemetery. Visitation, 7 to 9 tonight at the funeral home. Survived by: Wife, Mellow; sons, Ronnie, Jimmy, Jerry, Timothy and Kennith; daughters, Rosa Cummings, Rose Locklear and Bonnie Wynn; brother, George; sisters, France Demery and Loise Brewer; 21 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. December 22, 2006 Woodrow E. Lowry PEMBROKE - Woodrow Earl Lowry, 75, of 927 Old Main Road, died Thursday, Dec. 21, 2006, in his home. Services: Funeral, 2 p.m. Saturday in Revels Funeral Home in Pembroke. Burial in Lumbee Memorial Gardens in Lumberton. Visitation, 7 to 9 tonight at the funeral home. Survived by: Wife, Frances; daughters, Lisa Faye, Teresa Camphouse and Nancy; sister, Emma Deese; and four grandchildren. Woodrow Locklear LUMBERTON - Woodrow Locklear, 82, of Lumberton, died Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2006, in Southeastern Regional Medical Center. Services: Funeral, 1 p.m. today, in Mount Moriah Baptist Church. Burial in church cemetery. Survived by: Wife, Ruth; daughter, Ruth Dennis; and sisters, Mable Barnes, Gertrude Dail and Myrtle. Revels Funeral Home of Lumberton. December 24, 2006 Klyne Lowry Jr. PEMBROKE - Klyne Lowry Jr., 57, of 134 Burleigh Ave., died Friday, Dec. 22, 2006, in Southeastern Regional Medical Center in Lumberton. Services: Graveside, 2 p.m. Tuesday in Lowry family cemetery in Pembroke. Survived by: Daughter, April Mondou; son, Paul; mother, Evelyn; father, Klyne; sisters, Janice Brunkow, Shelia Locklear and Renee Grooms; brothers, Martin Bullard, Kenneth Locklear, Autry, Jeffery and Ronnie; and seven grandchildren. Revels Fuenral Home of Pembroke. December 25, 2006 Donnie Locklear SHANNON - Donnie Locklear, 58, of 2874 Covington Farm Road, died Friday, Dec. 22, 2006, in Southeastern Regional Medical Center in Lumberton. Services: Funeral, 2 p.m. Tuesday in Locklear & Son Funeral Home chapel in Pembroke. Burial in Oxendine Cemetery. Visitation: 7 to 9 tonight at the funeral home. Survived by: Wife, Victoria; sons, Ron and Micheal; daughters, Rhonda, Robin and Kristy; brothers, Randall Hammonds, Leon and Mickey; sisters, Linda Carter, Kay Roberts, Tina Clark and Arlene; and four grandchildren. Henry Chavis SHANNON - Henry "Junior" Chavis, 58, of 9127 Rennert Road, died Friday, Dec. 22, 2006, in Southeastern Regional Medical Center in Lumberton. Services: Funeral, 2 p.m. Wednesday in Praise & Worship Center in Red Springs. Burial in Chavis family cemetery. Visitation: 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Boles Funeral Home in Red Springs. Survived by: Wife, Eunice; daughters Anita Locklear, Annette Jones and Teresa Barton; mother, Janie; brothers, Harlie, Carlie, Ernest, Ronald, Thurman and Albert; sisters, Shelby Locklear, Eyvonnie Pevia, Ann Emanuel, Lora McMillian, Frances Locklear, Lillie Oxendine, Sharon Locklear and Bonnie Scott; and four grandchildren. Copyright c. 2006 The Fayetteville (N.C.) Observer. -=-=-=- December 22, 2006 Kenneth Michael George Cherokee - Kenneth Michael George, 34, of the Yellowhill community, died Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2006, at his residence. The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Aquoni Baptist Church, of which he was a member. The Rev. Ed Kilgore and Ray Kinsland will officiate. Burial will be at Screamer Family Cemetery. The body will be taken back to the church at 4 p.m. Friday by Crisp Funeral Home. December 24, 2006 Johnny Edward Bryson Cherokee - Johnny Edward Bryson, 71, of Wrights Creek Road, Cherokee, died Friday, Dec. 22, 2006, at Mission Hospitals, Memorial Campus, after a period of declining health. A native and lifelong resident of Jackson County, he was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend to all who knew him. He loved the Lord. He was a selfemployed mason and carpenter, a member of Jarrett Memorial Baptist Church, and a U.S. Army veteran. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Billy Ray Bryson and Carl Bryson. Surviving are his wife of 36 years, Mildred Conner Bryson; three daughters, Eva Jean Hyatt of Canton, Patricia Lewis of Georgia and Vicky Fox of Raleigh; five sons, John Bryson of Tuckasegee, Steve Bryson of Beltsville, Md., Justin Jumper of Cherokee, Christopher Farmer of Killeen, Texas, and Robert Jumper of Clyde; two sisters, Frances West and Florence Arwood, both of Sylva; three brothers, Charles Bryson, Ed Bryson and Cecil Bryson, all of High Point; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. The funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Melton-Riddle Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Eddie Stillwell officiating. Burial will be in Hooper Cemetery, Speedwell. The family will receive friends two hours prior to the service at the funeral home. Copyright c. 2006 Asheville Citizen-Times. -=-=-=- December 20, 2006 Stephanie Jack Stephanie D. Jack, 22, of Lac du Flambeau, died as a result of injuries sustained in a car accident Dec. 14, 2006, in Lac du Flambeau. Funeral services were held Monday at the multi-purpose building in Lac du Flambeau. Pastor Rick Hunt officiated. Burial took place at Memorial Cemetery in Lac du Flambeau. December 22, 2006 Renee Anna Maulson Renee Anna Maulson, 14 months, passed away unexpectedly Sunday, Dec. 17, 2006, in Arizona. Copyright c. 2003-05, Lakeland Printing Co., Inc./Minocqua, WI. -=-=-=- December 19, 2006 Michael David Applebee Michael David Applebee, 48 of Red Lake , MN died Saturday, December 16, 2006 in Cass Lake. Funeral Services will be 1:00 pm, Thursday, December 21, 2006 at the Little Rock Center in Red Lake , MN with Rev. Bob Kelly officiating. A wake will begin Tuesday afternoon and go until the time of service on Thursday. The Cease Family Funeral Home of Bemidji assisted the family with arrangements. He was born June 7, 1958 in Red Lake , MN the son of Thomas and Melvina (Morrison) Applebee. He loved children and music. He is survived by mother: Melvina Applebee of Red Lake; 3 sisters: Debra Applebee of Minneapolis; Lorie Applebee of Red Lake; Linda Applebee of Red Lake; 2 brothers: Gary Applebee of Red Lake; Donald Applebee of Red Lake; Daughter: Mikelene Applebee of Ft. Toten , ND; 2 grandsons: James Flores-Demo and Michael Demo, Jr. He was preceded in death by father, son Michael Demo, Sr., daughter Lisa Marie Demo and brothers Brandon and Ronald. Honorary Casketbearers will be Michael Demo, Jr., Mikelene Applebee, James Flores-Demo, Raymond Smith and all his nieces and nephews. Active Casketbearers will be Gary Applebee, Charles Szmiot II, Damon Applebee, Donald Applebee, Butch Starr and Jorge Castillo. December 21, 2006 Paul Edward Gibbs Paul Edward Gibbs, 59, of Battle River, MN died Saturday, December 16, 2006 in Minneapolis, MN. Traditional Funeral Services will be 10:00 am, Friday, December 22, 2006 at the Redby Community Center in Redby, MN with Spiritual Leaders Tommy J. Stillday and Anna Gibbs officiating. Awake will begin on Wednesday, December 20, 2006 at the Redby Community Center in Bemidji and continue until the time of the service. Interment will be at the Fox Point Cemetery in Redby, MN under the direction of the Cease Family Funeral Home of Bemidji. He was born on December 8, 1947, in Red Lake, MN the son of Robert Gibbs Jr, and Mary Louise (Gurneau) Gibbs. He lived in Red Lake until 1959, when he moved with his family to the Twin Cities where he has lived ever since. He married Joyce Benali in Minneapolis in 1979. Together they had a son. He enjoyed pow-wows and attending traditional ceremonies. He was a talented artist. He liked to spend his time with old friends. He is survived by: Stepmother, Anna Carol (Greenleaf) Gibbs of Red Lake, MN; Son, Kee "Ashkee" Gibbs-Becenti of St. Paul, MN; Brothers, Harlan (Crow-walking Eaglehawk) Gibbs of Duluth, Burton Dean (Terri) Gibbs of Minneapolis, Leslie (Renee) Gibbs of Duluth, Mike (Cher) Defoe of Wyoming, MN. Patrick (Lisa) Defoe of Red Lake, MN, John (Ruth) Atkinson of Walker, MN, Robert Gibbs III of Ponemah, MN, Ramsey Gibbs of Ponemah, MN, Delmar (Maxwell) Gibbs of Red Lake, MN; Sisters, Anita Gibbs of Battle River, MN, Roberta (Kevin) Major of Canada, Renola Maxwell Gibbs of Red Lake, MN. Ramona McKay of Ft. Totten, North Dakota; Uncles, Raymond Gurneau. Roger Gurneau; Many Nephews, Nieces, and Cousins. He was preceded in death by: his parents, brothers Richard Lee "Ticker" Defoe of Red Lake, MN, Jerome "Sonny" McKay of Ft. Totten, ND, Paternal Grandparents Robert and Elizabeth (Kingbird) Gibbs, Maternal Grandparents Felix and Margaret Gurneau, and his niece Amber Bowen. Active Casketbearers will be: Leslie Gibbs, Pat Defoe, Mike Defoe, Johnny Atkinson, Burton "Dee" Gibbs, Richard Gibbs, Alternate: Oliver Gibbs Honorary Casketbearers will be: Harlan Gibbs, Oliver Johnson, O. James Gibbs, Clifford Howard, Archie King, Lawrence Cloud, Ervin Greenleaf, Al Greenleaf, Robert Gibbs III, and Ramsey Gibbs. December 22, 2006 Johnson Loud Hereditary Chief of the Red Lake Nation Bear Clan Johnson Loud, 84, of Redby , MN died Thursday, December 21, 2006 at the MeritCare Hospital in Fargo , ND . Funeral Services will be 11:00 am, Wednesday, December 27, 2006 at the St. Antipas Episcopal Church in Redby, MN with Rev. George Ross and Rev. I. Doyle Turner officiating. A visitation will be from 3:00pm until 8:00pm, with a prayer service at 7:00pm, on Tuesday, December 26, 2006 at the Cease Family Funeral Home in Bemidji . Interment will be at the St. Antipas Episcopal Cemetery in Redby , MN under the direction of the Cease Family Funeral Home of Bemidji. He was born on July 25, 1922, in Redby, MN the son of Jacob and Catherine (Ricebird) Loud. He was raised and educated in Redby. At the age of 16 he was working as a sawyer for the Red Lake Saw Mill in Redby. He married Clemence Colonahaski in Cass Lake, MN . When he was 17 he enlisted in the US Navy and served in World War II. After being honorably discharged he returned to his job at the sawmill. He later went on to work for the Red Lake PHS Hospital as a Housekeeping Supervisor. He retired in 1983 at the age of 62. He worked for the Red Lake Nation for 48 years including his time in the service. After retiring, he and his wife traveled coast to coast. He was a member of the St. Antipas Episcopal Church and served as their treasurer. He loved to get together with his buddies for lunch at the ENP in the Humanities Building . He enjoyed the outdoors, watching sports, and western movies. He was always busy working around the house and on cars. He loved reading, fishing, and spending time with his family. He is survived by: Daughters, Elaine (Jerry) Andersen of Alameda, CA; Eileen Johnson of Redby, MN; Evelyn McKenzie of Redby, MN; Sons, Johnson Loud Jr. of Prescott, WI; James (Theresa) Loud of Mahnomen, MN; Michael (Jeanette) Loud of Minneapolis, MN; Bruce Loud of Redby, MN; Ron (Leah) Loud of Fridley, MN; 26 Grandchildren, and 35 Great-Grandchildren; Many Nieces, and Nephews. He was preceded in death by: his Wife Clemence, his parents, Brothers Basil StandingCloud, William Loud, Clarence Loud, Sisters Sarah Head, Cecilia Brown, and two infant Sisters, Son Jackie Lee Loud, Grandson Fred Bedeau Jr, and Son-in-law William "Nick" McKenzie. Active Casketbearers will be: Bill McKenzie, Pete McKenzie, Michael Johnson, Carson Schoenborn, Tim Schoenborn, DuWayne Andersen, Jerry "Jay" Andersen, William Bedeau, Virgil Brown, Gilbert Juarez, and Sheldon Brown. Honorary Casketbearers will be: August "Knotty" King, Donald "Wheat" Graves, Pete Graves, Maurice "Jocko" Thunder, Vernon Clark, Pat Brown, Clarence "Bunny" Brown, Lawrence Lajeunesse, Aloyisius "Wishy" Thunder, Dave Loud, Jerry Loud, and Dan Needham. December 23, 2006 Donald O'Keefe Donald Robert O'Keefe, 51, of Duluth died Thursday, December 21, 2006 at St. Mary's Hospital in Duluth . Traditional Funeral Services will be 10:00 am, Tuesday, December 26, 2006 at the Red Lake Community Center in Red Lake, MN with Spiritual Leader Anna Gibbs officiating. A wake will begin on Sunday, December 24, 2006 at the Red Lake Community Center and continue until the time of the services. Interment will be at the West End Cemetery in Red Lake, MN under the direction of the Cease Family Funeral Home of Bemidji. He was born on March 5, 1955 in Superior , Wisconsin , the son of Donald and Lorraine (White) O'Keefe and is a Lac Courte O'Reilles band member. He was raised and educated in Superior. After he completed high school, he attended college in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, before working for the Federal Aviation Administration for a number of years. He then traveled around the country for a few years before returning to Wisconsin. He attended the Wisconsin Technical Institute and received a degree in auto mechanics. He was a self-employed mechanic in Duluth for several years. He loved traditional Anishinaabe crafts including painting, pipe carving, and jewelry making. He cared deeply for Mother Earth and enjoyed the outdoors. He loved his family and spending time with them. He is survived by: Son, Jessi May-O'Keefe of Red Lake, MN; Daughter, Sally L. May-O'Keefe of Red Lake, MN; Step-son, Robert D. May of Red Lake, MN; Step-Daughter Christin May of Red Lake, MN; Brothers, Dennis O'Keefe of Albuquerque, NM; David O'Keefe of Superior, Wisconsin; Duane O'Keefe of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Sister, Denise (David) Ranta of Superior , Wisconsin; 4 Grandchildren, 9 Step-Grandchildren, Numerous Nieces and Nephews. He was preceded in death by: his parents, brothers Daniel O'Keefe, and Dale O'Keefe. Active Casketbearers will be: Vernon May, Robert May, Charles May, Matthew White Sr., Ronald Day, Antonio Garcia, Dillon May, Alternates: Lee Neadeau and Sam White. Honorary Casketbearers will be: David Ranta, Casey Ranta, Jim Rawn, John Rawn, Jerry Fineday, Victoria White, Christin May, and Charla Geionety. Memorials are preferred. Copyright c. 2006 Red Lake Net News. -=-=-=- December 20, 2006 Francis Edward LaFave Francis Edward LaFave, "A-si-ni-wi-gi-web," 64, of Sawyer passed away Thursday, Dec. 14, 2006, at his home. He was born Aug. 25, 1942, in Cloquet on the Fond du Lac Reservation to Edward and Irene (Petite) LaFave. Francis worked as a heavy equipment operator in construction for most of his life. He was a member of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and was a member of the Sawyer Big Drum Ceremony. He enjoyed attending other Big Drum Ceremonies throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin and Canada. Francis enjoyed raising horses and making hay for them and operating his tractor. He loved his four rottweiler dogs and also going out for dinner, watching sports and going to basketball games and football games. Francis was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Daniel LaFave; and two sisters, Bonnie Kentala and Rose LaFave. He is survived by one son, Edward (Rachel) LaFave of Cloquet; two daughters, Lisa Northrup of Sawyer and Lori (Terry Lightfeather) Northrup of Duluth; one brother, Arthur LaFave of Carlton; one sister, Edna LaFave of Knoxville, Iowa; three grandchildren, Edward LaFave Jr., Jordan Northrup and Annika Shabaiash; a very special companion, Beth Trettel of Cloquet; a special friend, Joyce LaPorte of Sawyer; the mother of his children, Juanita (LaFave) Fineday of Sawyer; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. Visitation was held Sunday, Dec. 17, beginning at 4 p.m. at the Sawyer Center, with Spiritual Leader Lee Staples conducing a service at 6 p.m. The visitation continued through the night until the traditional Native American funeral Monday, Dec. 18, at 10 a.m., also at the Sawyer Center, followed by burial service in the Sawyer Cemetery. The family has selected Nelson Funeral Care of Cloquet to assist them with arrangements. See their online guest book at www.legacy.com. Copyright c. 1998-2006 The Pine Journal, Cloquet, MN - Multi-Media Interactive. -=-=-=- December 21, 2006 Paul Edward Gibbs, 59 Paul Edward Gibbs, 59, of Battle River, MN died Saturday, December 16, 2006 in Minneapolis, MN. Traditional Funeral Services will be 10:00 am, Friday, December 22, 2006 at the Redby Community Center in Redby, MN with Spiritual Leaders Tommy J. Stillday and Anna Gibbs officiating. A wake will begin on Wednesday, December 20, 2006 at the Redby Community Center in Redby and continues until the time of the service. Interment will be at the Fox Point Cemetery in Redby, MN under the direction of the Cease Family Funeral Home of Bemidji. December 24, 2006 Johnson Loud, 84 Johnson Loud, 84, of Redby, hereditary chief of the Red Lake Nation-Bear Clan, died on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2006, at MeritCare Hospital in Fargo. A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at St. Antipas Episcopal Church in Redby with the Rev. George Ross and the Rev. I. Doyle Turner officiating. A visitation will be held from 3-8 p.m. on Tuesday at the Cease Family Funeral Home of Bemidji with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Burial will be in the St. Antipas Episcopal Cemetery in Redby. Donald Robert O'Keefe, 51 Donald Robert O'Keefe, 51, of Duluth, Minn., died on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2006, at St. Mary's Hospital in Duluth. Traditional funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday at the Red Lake Community Center in Red Lake with Spiritual Leader Anna Gibbs officiating. A wake will begin today at the Red Lake Community Center and continue until the time of the services. Burial will be in the West End Cemetery in Red Lake under the direction of the Cease Family Funeral Home of Bemidji. Copyright c. 2006 The Pioneer/Bemidji, MN. -=-=-=- December 22, 2006 Roger D. Payer SOUTH SIOUX CITY - Roger Dale Payer, 59, of South Sioux City died Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2006, at a Sioux City hospital following a lengthy illness. Services will be 2 p.m. today at the Ho-Chunk Center in Winnebago, Neb. Burial will be in Winnebago Tribal Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh Funeral Home in Winnebago. Mr. Payer was born Sept. 24, 1947, in Winnebago. He attended Winnebago Public School and graduated from Flandreau Indian School in 1967. He graduated from the Universal Trades School in Omaha in 1968. He served in the U.S. Army from Feb. 13, 1970 to Dec. 15, 1972. He lived in Winnebago and South Sioux City. He was employed with the Winnebago Tribal facilities and Winna-Vegas Casino. Survivors include his brothers, Larry and Charlotte Payer and Barkley Payer, all of Winnebago; a sister, Robin and Tim Luther of Black River Falls, Wis.; a nephew, Gayland Rave Jr.; nieces, Gayle, Lisa, Lori, Taunia, Teresa and Sandra; special friends, Dawn Miller and her family and Jackie Littlegeorge and her family; and many grandnieces, grandnephews and a great-grandnephew. He was preceded in death by his father, Stacey Payer Jr.; his mother, Betty Payer; sisters, Rennae, Ali and Karen Rave; and a niece, Carrie Youngthunder. Copyright c. 2006 Sioux City Journal. -=-=-=- December 20, 2006 Ann Bordeaux Ann Marie Bordeaux, 36, Bismarck, died Dec. 16, 2006, at Fort Yates. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 21, at Jones Hall, Mission, S.D., with the Rev. John Spruhan officiating. A wake service begins at 7 p.m. today, at Jones Hall, Mission. Ann was born Dec. 14, 1970, in Oklahoma City. She grew up on the Rosebud Reservation and attended grade school and high school at Todd County Elementary and High School. She attended classes at Sinte Gleska University and received her GED in 1989. She later transferred to the University of South Dakota and majored in Psychology. Ann and her daughter, Vanessa, moved to Bismarck, to live with her mother, Shirley A. Bordeaux in 2002. She attended classes at United Tribes Technical College (UTTC) and was working as a legal assistant for UTTC attorney, Tom Disselhorst. Ann's interests ranged from forensics psychology to the ethical treatment of animals. She was passionate about her job and keeping her dogs and cats healthy. She had a special bond with animals, especially her schnauzer, Gipsi. Ann's health began to deteriorate in the late 1990's. She survived several joint replacement surgeries for her jaw; a long bout with non Hodgkin's Lymphoma; and chronic, debilitating pain. She tried so hard to live a normal life. She is survived by her mother, Shirley A. Bordeaux, Bismarck; one daughter, Vanessa McDaniel, Bismarck; and special friends and relatives, Marilyn Crovatin and Dorothy Ferris, both of Mission, and Tillie Black Bear, St. Francis, S.D. Ann was preceded in death by her grandparents, Mike and Catherine Bordeaux, Mission. Perry Funeral Home, Mandan. December 22, 2006 Kobe Primeaux Kobe O. Primeaux, 3-week-old son of Jovan and Gabrielle Primeaux, Aberdeen, S.D., died Dec. 18, 2006, at Sioux Valley Hospital, Sioux Falls, S.D. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 23, at St. Elizabeth's Episcopal Church, Wakpala, S.D. Further arrangements are pending with Oster Funeral Home, Mobridge, S.D. Albert Whitebull Albert Whitebull, 70, Kenel, S.D., died Dec. 19, 2006, at IHSHospital, Fort Yates, of natural causes. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 23, at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, Kenel. Further arrangements are pending with Kesling Funeral Home, Mobridge, S.D. Copyright c. 2006 Bismark Tribune. -=-=-=- December 21, 2006 Martha Fast Eagle Funeral services for Martha Fast Eagle, 20 of Eagle Butte, SD, will be Thursday, December 21 at 2:00 p.m. at the Blue Gym in Little Eagle, SD. Harvey Schmeichel and Rev. Norman Blue Coat and the Standing Rock Lay Ministers officiating. Burial will be in the Elk Horn Congregational Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. An all night wake service will be held Wednesday evening beginning at 6:00 p.m. Martha passed away December 14, 2006 at St. Alexius Medical Center in Bismarck, North Dakota. Martha Fast Eagle was born June 1, 1986 at Pine Ridge, South Dakota to Carl Fast Eagle Sr. and Delores Yellow Horse. She spent her childhood in Pine Ridge and Little Eagle, SD. She attended school at Pine Ridge and Crow Creek. For the last two years Martha has made her home in Eagle Butte, SD. Martha enjoyed doing beadwork and sewing. She also liked to help organize dances for the youth, flea markets and other community activities. She is survived by her mother Delores Yellow Horse of Pine Ridge, SD, daughter, Precious Annaliese Cook of Eagle Butte, SD, brothers, Carl Fast Eagle Jr. of Pine Ridge, SD and Lyndell Pleets of Ft. Yates, SD, sisters, Heather Garreau of Eagle Butte, SD, Autumn Fast Eagle and Susan Fast Eagle both of Pine Ridge, SD, grandparents Howard and Roberta White of Oglala, SD, and special grandmother, Victoria Fire Thunder of Manderson, SD. She was preceded in death by her father. Special music will be by the American Horse Family. Casketbearers will be William, Nelson, Maurice and Chaske Little Bear, Mason White, Jason Weasel, Mason Has Horns and Norman Red Legs. Honorary Casketbearers will be Precious Cook, Christina Little Brave, Rosebud White Plume, Wambli Red Cloud, Stacey Red Cloud, Canely Red Cloud, Mabel Cheyenne, Desiree Rowland, Delora Kills Enemy At Night, Alton Long Soldier, Howard & Roberta White, Alyce Morrison, Ashley Morrison, Sweet Pea Little Dog, Creighton Howe, JoBeth Heminger, Zuni Cook, Khalid Garreau, Joy Means, Chenoa Steele, Unci Vicki Fire Thunder, Miranda Thunder Horse, Jennifer Fire Thunder, Jessie Walters Dee Has Horns, Lerose White, Waubay Roan Eagle, Salvanus Lame Jr., Mandy Hollow Horn. Copyright c. 2006 Missouri Dakota Publishing, Inc. & The Eagle Butte News. -=-=-=- December 20, 2006 Emmett White Temple worked in education By Jo Hall Emmett White Temple of Bullhead went on to earn a masters degree in Education Administration from Pennsylvania State University in 1976, then came back to work for the BIA for 30 years in the education field. He had an impressive history. He played baseball in his younger years and was selected to train in Florida for pitching in the major league games. In his spare time he enjoyed playing horseshoe and was a consistent winner playing in tournaments. Emmett played basketball while in elementary, Fort Yates and McIntosh high schools, Northern State College and in independent tournaments with the Bullhead Aces and for recreation with his children. He was a roper and participated in many of the local rodeos as a team roper, calf roper, and breakaway roper. Emmett's busy life ended when he entered the Spirit World at his residence in Bullhead on Nov. 28, 2006, at the age of 66. He was born in Bullhead on Sept. 26, 1940, to Gilbert and Marie (Antelope) White Temple, joining a brother, Allen White Temple and two sisters, Eunice White Temple Gipp and Virginia White Temple. He attended elementary school at the Bullhead Day School, and middle and high school in Fort Yates and McIntosh High School where he graduated in 1959. After his graduation, he attended Northern State College in Aberdeen for two years and played basketball for the Northern State Wolves for one season. He worked at the Fort Yates School while he attended the University of North Dakota Teacher Corp. program. Completing the program, he graduated from UND with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and a teaching degree in 1972. He applied and was accepted in a graduate program at Pennsylvania State University in March 1976. On Jan. 23, 1960, Emmett married Lillian E. Good Iron. They had seven children, Rosa White Temple, now of Blaine, Minn., Emmett "Suke" (wife Cheryl) White Temple Jr. of Fort Yates, Sam (Patricia) White Temple of Lapwaii, Idaho, Mary (Tim) Stead Sr. of Sioux Falls, Loren White Temple, Althea White Temple and Melissa White Temple, all of Fort Yates. They have 15 grandchildren, Nicolette "Nikki," Dominique, Rondina, and G. Brannon Cavanaugh, Katie and Michael White Temple, Skyler, Samantha, Ethan and Maxine White Temple, Jennifer White Temple, Waniyatu "Tutu" White Temper, Solomon, Talon, and Mya Garter; three great grandchildren, Jamison and Josephine Wolf Leader, ad Olivia Cavanaugh. While working for the BIA, he worked as a clerk for the Roads Department, teacher in Fort Yates, principal at Fort Yates and Rock Creek Day School, Area Education Director in Minneapolis, Minn., and Bureau Education superintendent in Fort Yates when he retired June 11, 1999. He especially enjoyed basketball and rodeo. He also participated in the Big Foot Ride to Wounded Knee in the late 1980s. After retirement, Emmett and Lillian enjoyed living at their residence southeast of Rock Creek, where they raised horses and enjoyed going to the casinos. He is survived by his wife Lillian, their seven children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; two uncles, Benjamin and Ambrose Antelope; sisters, Eunice and Virginia, and granddaughter, Jennifer White Temple. Funeral services were held Friday, Dec. 1, at the Rock Creek School gym. Burial was the next day in the White Temple Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. Tim Stead Sr., Roy Yellow Hawk, Beatrice Skinner and Standing Rock lay ministers officiated. Gladys Hawk was organist. Ethan White Temple was staff carrier, Alston Yellow Earrings was the rider, and Douglas White Bull Sr. was eulogist. Casketbearers were Michael White Temple, Skyler White Temple, Lyle Antelope, Albert Gipp Jr., Randy White Bull, Loren White Temple, Keith Good Iron, Doug Crow Ghost, Emmett White Temple Jr., Same White Temple and Daren Pleets. All Emmett's former co-workers and friends were honorary bearers. Funeral tomorrow for Martha Fast Eagle By Jo Hall The funeral for Martha Fast Eagle, 20, of Eagle Butte will be Thursday, Dec. 21, 2 p.m. at the Blue Gym in Little Eagle. Harvey Schmeichel, the Rev. Norman Blue Coat and Standing Rock lay ministers will officiate. Burial will be in the Elk Horn Congregational Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. An all night wake service will be held tonight (Wednesday) beginning at 6 p.m. Martha died Thursday, Dec. 14, 2006, at St. Alexius Medical Center in Bismarck, N.D. She was born June 1, 1986, in Pine Ridge to Carl Fast Eagle Sr. and Delores Yellow Horse. She spent her childhood in Pine Ridge and Little Eagle, and attended school in Pine Ridge and Crow Creek. For the last two years Martha has made her home in Eagle Butte. She enjoyed doing beadwork and sewing, liked to help organize dances for the youth, go to flea markets, and to take part in many community activities. Survivors are her mother, Delores Yellow Horse of Pine Ridge; daughter, Precious Annaliese Cook of Eagle Butte; brothers, Carl Fast Eagle Jr. of Pine Ridge, and Lyndell Pleets of Fort Yates, N.D.; sisters, Heather Garreau of Eagle Butte, Autumn Fast Eagle and Susan Fast Eagle, both of Pine Ridge; grandparents, Howard and Roberta White of Oglala; and special grandmother, Victoria Fire Thunder of Manderson. Her father preceded her in death. Special music at the funeral will be provided by the American Horse Family. Casketbearers are William, Nelson, Maurice and Chaske Little Bear, Mason White, Jason Weasel, Mason Has Horns and Norman Red Legs. Honorary bearers are Precious Cook, Christina Little Brave, Rosebud White Plume, Wambli Red Cloud, Stacey Red Cloud, Canely Red Cloud, Mabel Cheyenne, Desiree Rowland, Delora Kills Enemy At Night, Alton Long Soldier, Howard and Roberta White, Alyce Morrison, Ashley Morrison, Sweet Pea Little Dog, Creighton Howe, JoBeth Heminger, Zuni Cook, Khalid Garreau, Joy Means, Chenoa Steele, Unci Vicki Fire Thunder, Miranda Thunder Horse, Jennifer Fire Thunder, Jessie Walters, Dee Has Horns and Lerose White. Copyright c. 2006 Mobridge Tribune. -=-=-=- December 20, 2006 Albert White Bull Kenel - Albert White Bull, 70, of Kenel died Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2006, at I.H.S. Hospital in Fort Yates, N.D. The arrangements are pending with Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. December 21, 2006 Albert Whitebull Kenel - Funeral services for Albert Whitebull, 70, of Kenel will be Saturday, Dec. 23, 11 a.m. at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Kenel. Visitation will be Friday 6 p.m. until midnight at the church, with a 7 p.m. rosary. Burial will be in the church cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home, Mobridge. Mr. Whitebull died Dec. 19 at the IHS Hospital in Fort Yates, N.D., due to natural causes. December 22, 2006 Kobe Primeaux Aberdeen - Funeral for Kobe Primeaux, three-week-old son of Jovan and Gabrielle Primeaux of Aberdeen, is at 10 a.m. Saturday at the St. Elizabeth's Episcopal Church in Wakpala. Burial in the church cemetery under the direction of Oster Funeral Home of Mobridge. There will be an all-night wake service starting at 7 p.m. at the Wakpala Community Center on Friday. Kobe passed away on Dec. 18, 2006. in Sioux Falls, S.D. Copyright c. 2006 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 37, Issue 52 Wednesday, December 27, 2006 Funeral services for Rosalie Owen Funeral services for Rosalie D. Owen, 79, of Waubay, SD were held last Saturday morning, December 23, 2006 at the Enemy Swim Cultural Center with the Rev. Charles Chan, Rev. Les Campbell, and Clyde Kampeska Lay Reader officiating. Active pallbearers were Owen and John Rondell, Tony and Edwin James Barker, and Ronald and Kenneth Fayant, and Chaske Hill. Honorary pallbearers were the staff of the Bethesda Nursing Home, and all of Rosalie's friends and family. Pianist was Billy Kohl. Interment ias in the St. James Episcopal Cemetery, Enemy Swim, SD. There was an all-night wake on Friday at the Cultural Center. The Cahill Funeral Chapel of Sisseton, SD was in charge of arrangements. Rosalie D. Barker was born on March 31, 1927 at Sisseton, SD to Hazen and Kaziah (Flute) Barker. She attended grade school in Pipestone, MN and graduated from High School in Flandreau in 1945. After her education Rosalie was employed as a nanny in Minneapolis, MN while attending school. She was married to Ivan "Dick" Owen in 1949 in Wheaton, MN. The couple lived in the Enemy Swim area where Rosalie and Ivan raised their family. In 1983 Rosalie started cooking for the Enemy Swim Day School and later cooked for the Enemy Swim Elderly. Rosalie liked to sew, garden, play Bingo, she loved to read and play Scrabble, and she also helped care for a number of children in families that needed help. She left for the Spirit World peacefully on December 20, 2006 at the Bethesda Nursing Home in Webster, SD. Rosalie is survived by eight children - Marie Owen of Chamberlain, Lois Kampeska of Waubay, Wanda Shepherd of Watertown, Russell Owen of Watertown, Brenda Uses Arrow of Sisseton, Warren Owen of Sioux Falls, Janet Campbell of Watertown, and Mitchell Owen of Cedar Rapids, IA; two sisters - Doris Robertson and Naomi Parker of Sisseton; one brother Ed Williams of Sisseton; 23 grandchildren; and 25 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one son Sheldon, one daughter Wanita, four grandsons Tracy, Daniel, Sean, and Allan, one great- grandson Daniel, two brothers Ed, and John, and two sisters Martha and Ruth. Funeral held for Shawn Rouillard, 31 Funeral services for Shawn Walter Rouillard, 31, of Waubay, SD, were held on Saturday afternoon, December 23, 2006 at St. James' Episcopal Church, Enemy Swim, SD, with the Rev. Charles Chan and Rev. Les Campbell officiating. Pianist was Billy Kohl. Active pallbearers were Chris Rouillard, David Seaboy, Vernon Rouillard Jr., Danny Johnson Sr., Brett Rencountre, and Delbert Hopkins Jr. Honorary Pallbearers were all the Brotherhood of St. Andrew Members & Associates. Interment is at the St. James' Episcopal Cemetery. There will be an all-night wake service held on Friday, at St. James' Guild Hall. The Cahill Funeral Chapel of Sisseton, was in charge of arrangements. Shawn was born on February 7, 1975 in Pipestone, Minnesota to Raymond and Gale (Seaboy) Rouillard. During his high school years he worked as a janitor in the school. He was a football player and student manager of the basketball team. He graduated from Waubay High School in 1993. After high school he was trained as a meat cutter at Coyne's Meat Market in Webster. He later worked at Oak Valley Farms for several years, and he later worked at Dakota Sioux Casino until his health began to fail. He lived in Watertown from January, 2004 until September, 2006. He was a member of St. James' Episcopal Church where he served as an acolyte for many years. He enjoyed fishing, playing cards, board games and going for walks. Shawn passed away at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton on December 21, 2006. Shawn is survived by his parents, Raymond and Gale Rouillard of Waubay; one sister, Janel and husband, Danny Johnson Sr. of Summit; one niece Amber Johnson and one nephew Danny Johnson Jr. of Summit; and a number of aunts, uncles and cousins, and his paternal grandmothers, Angela and Alvin Lee of Waubay, and Verna Rouillard of Enemy Swim. Shawn was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Lincoln Rouillard and maternal grandparents, Clifford and Edna Renville. Copyright c. 1999-2003 by C. D. Floro/Earth and Sky Enterprises. -=-=-=- December 19, 2006 Martha Fast Horse EAGLE BUTTE - Martha Fast Horse, 20, Eagle Butte, died Thursday, Dec. 14, 2006, at St. Alexius Medical Center in Bismarck, N.D. Survivors include her mother, Delores Yellow Horse, Pine Ridge; one daughter, Precious Annaliese Cook, Eagle Butte; two brothers, Carl Fast Eagle Jr., Pine Ridge, and Lyndell Pleets, Fort Yates, N.D.; and three sisters, Heather Garreau, Eagle Butte, and Autumn Fast Eagle and Susan Fast Eagle, both of Pine Ridge. An all-night wake service will begin at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20, at Blue Gym in Little Eagle. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 21, at the gym, with Harvey Schmeichel, the Rev. Norman Blue Coat and the Standing Rock lay ministers officiating. Burial will be at Elk Horn Congregational Cemetery. Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge is in charge of arrangements. Olive Makes Good ALLEN - Olive Makes Good, 89, Allen, died Friday, Dec. 15, 2006, at Bennett County Health Care Center in Martin. Survivors include three sons, the Rev. Daniel Makes Good, Antoine Makes Good and Joseph Makes Good, all of Allen; one daughter, Irene Fast Wolf, Allen; one sister Ruby Whirlwind Horse, Allen; 16 grandchildren; 26 great- grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren. A one-night wake will begin at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20, at American Horse School in Allen. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 21, at the school, with the Rev. Rhoda Mesteth officiating. Burial will be at Inestimable Gift Episcopal Cemetery in Allen. Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge is in charge of arrangements. December 21, 2006 Jayne Black Tail Deer-Begay OGLALA - Jayne Black Tail Deer-Begay, 46, Oglala, died Saturday, Dec. 16, 2006, in Flagstaff, Ariz. Survivors include her husband, Jimmy Begay, Flagstaff; two sons, Scott Black Tail Deer, Flagstaff, and Calvin Looks Twice, Manderson; two daughters, Adrienne Black Tail Deer and Juanita Black Tail Deer, both of Flagstaff; her mother, Jessie Bear Robe, Oglala; eight sisters, Alva Looks Twice, Manderson, Florence Black Tail Deer, Calico, Celane Black Tail Deer, Yankton, and Elizabeth Morrison, Melissa Blacksmith, Lenora Blacksmith, Karen Blacksmith and Julie Blacksmith, all of Oglala; and six brothers, Moses Black Tail Deer, Rapid City, James Black Tail Deer, Yankton, and Stanley Blacksmith, Pete Blacksmith Jr., Delayne Blacksmith and Robert Blacksmith, all of Oglala. A one-night wake will begin at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22, at Brother Rene Catholic Hall in Oglala. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 23, at the hall, with the Rev. Tom O'Neil officiating. Burial will be at St. Agnes Catholic Cemetery in Manderson. Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge is in charge of arrangements. Lori A. Dixon-Little Bear ALLIANCE, Neb. - Lori A. Dixon-Little Bear, 49, Alliance, died Monday, Dec. 18, 2006, in Alliance. Survivors include her husband, Percy Little Bear, Alliance; one son, Joseph Dixon, Alliance; her mother, Pearl Dixon, Pine Ridge, S.D.; two daughters, Natasha Fay, Cheyenne, Wyo., and Tamara Dixon, Pine Ridge; six sisters, Kathleen Dixon, Rushville, Rose Dixon, Susan Shangreaux and Carol O'Rourke-Crazy Thunder, all of Pine Ridge, Colleen Cottier, Sturgis, S.D., and Roberta Crazy Thunder, Rapid City, S.D.; and 15 grandchildren. A one-night wake vigil will begin at 3 p.m. today at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pine Ridge. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 22, at the church, with the Rev. Steve Sanford officiating. Burial will be at White Wolf Family Cemetery, Mission Flat, Pine Ridge. Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge is in charge of arrangements. Dora No Neck-Under Baggage KYLE - Dora No Neck-Under Baggage, 89, Kyle, died Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2006, at Bennett County Health Care Center in Martin. Survivors include two sons, Vernal Brown Bull and Reginald No Neck, both of Kyle; three daughters, Twila Hopkins, Adele Brown Bull and Karen Coyle, all of Kyle; three adopted daughters, Amy Poor Bear and Cordelia Whiting, both of Kyle, and Charlotte Poor Thunder, Rapid City; one brother, Leroy Apple, Fort Meade; 36 grandchildren; 87 great-grandchildren; and 20 great- great-grandchildren. A two-night wake will begin at 1 p.m. today at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Kyle. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 23, at the church, with the Rev. Cordelia Red Owl officiating. Burial will be at St. Barnabas Episcopal Cemetery in Kyle. Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge is in charge of arrangements. Valerie K. Prairie Chicken-Brewer PEMBROKE, N.C. - Valerie K. Prairie Chicken-Brewer, 47, Pembroke, died Monday, Dec. 18, 2006, in Lumberton. Survivors include her husband, David Brewer, Pembroke; two sons, Warren D. Giego and James Lawrence, both of Pine Ridge, S.D.; two daughters, Lindsey Eschamilla, Sioux Falls, S.D., and Courtney Lawrence, Pine Ridge; her parents, Christine Wheeler, Pine Ridge, and Kenneth Prairie Chicken, Rapid City, S.D.; and one sister, Eldonna Prairie Chicken, Denver. A one-night wake will begin at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22, at Makasan Presbyterian Church in Oglala. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 23, at the church, with the Rev. Asa Wilson, the Rev. Larry Peterson and Elder Madeline Terry officiating. Burial will be at Makasan Presbyterian Cemetery in Oglala. Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge is in charge of arrangements. Albert Whitebull KENEL - Albert Whitebull, 70, Kenel, died Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2006, at IHS Hospital in Fort Yates, N.D. Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to midnight Friday, Dec. 22, with a 7 p.m. rosary, at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Kenel. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 23, at the church. Burial will be at the church cemetery. Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge is in charge of arrangements. December 22, 2006 Gilford Noisy Hawk LITTLE EAGLE - Gilford Noisy Hawk, 75, Little Eagle, died Thursday, Dec. 21, 2006, at St. Mary's Hospital in Pierre. Arrangements are pending with Oster Funeral Home of Mobridge. Kobe Oliver Primeaux ABERDEEN - Kobe Oliver Primeaux, 3-week-old son of Jovan and Gabrielle Primeaux of Aberdeen, died Monday, Dec. 18, 2006, at Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls. An all-night wake service will begin at 7 p.m. today at Wakpala Community Center. Family and friends will gather at 4 p.m. today at Oster Funeral Home in Mobridge to follow in procession. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 23, at St. Elizabeth's Episcopal Church in Wakpala, with the Rev. Troy Notz and the Standing Rock lay ministers officiating. Burial will be at the church cemetery. December 23, 2006 William D. "Kurt" Andrews WANBLEE - William D. "Kurt" Andrews, 48, Wanblee, died Friday, Dec. 22, 2006, at his home. Survivors include his wife, Crissencia Andrews, Wanblee; 16 children; three brothers, Bernie Andrews, Las Vegas, David Andrews, Eagle Butte, and Chris Andrews, Rapid City; and two sisters, Gretchen Andrews, Bonesteel, and Pamela Andrews, Rapid City. Arrangements are pending with Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge. William "Billy" Beane PINE RIDGE - William "Billy" Beane, 74, Pine Ridge, died Friday, Dec. 22, 2006, at his home. Arrangements are pending with Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge. Philip Red Owl BATESLAND - Philip Red Owl, 50, Batesland, died Friday, Dec. 22, 2006, at his home. Arrangements are pending with Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge. Copyright c. 2006 The Rapid City Journal. -=-=-=- December 19, 2006 Ruby Jean (Tiger) Delodge Ada resident Ruby Jean (Tiger) Delodge, 53, died Sunday, Dec. 17, in Ada. She was born Oct. 6, 1953, in Pawnee to Henry and Dorthy (Kaseca) Tiger. Ruby lived in the Tecumseh area for many years and had lived in Ada for the past eight years. She was a graduate of Chillicco Indian School. Ruby worked as a nurse's aid for Ballard and Home Health Care. She was a member of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe. Ruby enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. Preceding her in death were her parents; one sister, Nora Waller; one brother, Henry Tiger; and one aunt, Ruth Kaseca. Survivors include three daughters and one son-in-law, Erin and Jimmy Coody of Ada, Cheyenne Delodge and Ciara Delodge, both of the home; four sons and two daughters-in-law, Wayne Delodge of Tulsa, Ezra and Jasmine Delodge of Marland, Okla., Dwight and Deanna Delodge of Ada and Raymond Delodge of Ponca City; sister, Francis Blanchard of Norman; three brothers, Sherman Tiger of Little Axe, Raymond Tiger of Oklahoma City and Eugene Strickland of Seattle, Wash.; 10 grandchildren, Kayley Reece Tah-Delodge, Ezrah Tah-Delodge, Larissa Delodge, Denise Gonzalez, Ashlynn Delodge, Brendan Delodge, Genesis Delodge, Ava Delodge, Lena Ruby Delodge and Jared Coody. Wake service will be th is evening at the Absentee Shawnee Community Center. Graveside service will be 9 a.m. Wednesday at the Kaseca Family Cemetery. To share memories, or to sign a guest book on-line, go to www.cooperfuneral.com. Copyright c. 1997-2006 The Shawnee News-Star. -=-=-=- December 22, 2006 Margaret Bear Cody Funeral for Margaret Bear Cody, 97, Lawton, will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Comanche Nation Funeral Home Chapel. Mrs. Cody died at home Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2006. Burial will be in Mt. Scott KCA Cemetery under the direction of Comanche Nation Funeral Home. She was born on Aug. 29, 1909, in Lawton, to John Bert Bear Sr. and Amy Laura "Hone Ah Me Dau." She grew up in the Meers and Mt. Scott area and attended school at Lincoln Elementary, Fort Sill Indian School and Central High School. She was married to John Wesley Bosin. After Bosin's death, she married Authur Guoladdle. When Guoladdle died, she married Scott Cody, whom she was married to for 50 years. She belonged to the Mt. Scott Kiowa United Methodist Church, WSCS, Church of Latter-Day Saints and Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma. She enjoyed cooking, sewing, knitting, volunteering for church work, gardening and taking care of her grandchildren. She was the oldest living member of the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma. She was the great-granddaughter of Chief Tohausan. She was fluent in the Kiowa language and encouraged her family to follow in tribal traditions. Her grandmother, Doye-Tone, gave her the Kiowa name of "Yee-A-Hol," meaning "Kills Two." She is survived by: one son, William Guoladdle, Hobart; two daughters: Mona Goingkeen and Doris M. Horse, Lawton; a granddaughter: Debra Ella Goingkeen; her caretaker; 30 grandchildren; 82 great-grandchildren; and 68 great-great-grandchildren; and numerous family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her husbands; her parents; paternal grandparents: William and Henrietta Bear; maternal grandparents: Bau-tigh and Doye-Tone; three sisters: Alice Newsom, Amy Tonemah and Gertrude Tiger; two brothers: William Bill Bear and John Bert Bear; four sons: Jackie Bosin, Clearance Guoladdle, Arthur Guoladdle Jr. and Clifford L. Guoladdle; and one daughter: Leota J. Sadongie. Visitation will be from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. today. Prayer service will be at 7 p.m. today at the Comanche Nation Funeral Home Chapel. Titus Paul 'Taw-Kop't' Taptto Funeral for Titus Paul "Taw-Kop't" Taptto, 48, Lawton, will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Faith Bible Church. Mr. Taptto died Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2006, in Lawton. Burial will be in the Saddle Moutain KCA Intertribal Cemetery under direction of Comanche Nation Funeral Home. He was born on July 14, 1958, in Lawton, to William and Pearl Aunko Taptto. He was given the Kiowa name "Taw-Kop't," which means Saddle Mountain. He was raised in Lawton and attended Washington Elementary and Wilson Elementary schools, where he was an active baseball and football player. He graduated in 1978 from Lawton High School. He attended Chilocco Security Training and went to work for the Comanche Nation as a security guard. He moved to Ponca City for a short time and worked at the Thorn Apple Valley meat packing plant before working at Wal-Mart as an overnight stocker. He played Kiowa hymns on the flute and sang Kiowa songs and he was an avid OU fan. He was a member of the Kiowa Tribe and attended the Korean Full Gospel Assembly of God Church. Survivors include sisters and brothers-in-law: Portia Marie Jones, Okmulgee, Della Jo and Oliver Blackstar, Ponca City, Sharon Faith Taptto, Tulsa, and Linda Kay and Larry Hankins of Owasso; brothers and sisters-in- law: Hollis Layden and Geneva Taptto, Walters, Woody Forrest and Linda Taptto, Albuquerque, N.M., David Lee Taptto, Albuquerque, and Peter John and Sophia Taptto, Lawton; two uncles: Perry Aunko and Tim Aunko, both of Tulsa; an aunt: Ina Parker Miller, Fort Cobb; and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; four brothers, including Ellis Gene Taptto; and a sister: Mary Patricia "Pat" Love. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. John Baptist Church food pantry program, 1504 SW Roosevelt, Lawton 73507 A prayer service will be at 7 p.m. today at Faith Bible Church. Copyright c. 2006 The Lawton Constitution. -=-=-=- December 24, 2006 Elizabeth Abeyta Rohrscheib ABEYTA ROHRSCHEIB - Elizabeth Nah-glee-eh-bah Abeyta Rohrscheib, 51, noted Navajo Sculptor. Elizabeth Abeyta, a sculptor whose work won top awards at the Navajo Craftsman exhibition at the Museum of Northern Arizona, first-place awards for sculpture at the Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial, at the Indian Market in Santa Fe, was featured in Jerry and Lois Jacka's award-winning Beyond Tradition, and whose work is represented in various museums and private collections, died Sunday, December 17, 2006 in Baltimore, MD, after a prolonged illness. Elizabeth attended the Institute for American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, the Navajo Community College in Tsalee, AZ, and received a scholarship to the San Francisco Art Institute, where she studied under Richard Shaw. She grew up under the tutelage of her well-known Navajo artist father, Narciso, Ha-so-de, Abeyta. Elizabeth's clay sculpture was an intimate expression of her Navajo Heritage. Her sculptures were considered magical, without the boundaries of traditional Native American Culture. At the same time she created and explored the cultural mythology of Native Americans. She was best known for her flowing Navajo women, with elaborate ornamentation, and her naughty versions of Koshari's. Elizabeth's passion for life and art were contagious; everyone who knew her was captivated by her enthusiasm, creativity, personal beauty, and laughter. Born in Gallup, NM, April 6, 1955, Elizabeth was the daughter of Sylvia Ann Shipley Abeyta. Her maternal grandmothers were Alice Howland and Eleanor Brownell, the first two presidents of the Santa Fe Opera, and early supporters of the arts in New Mexico. Her father, Ha-so-de, studied under Dorothy Dunn Cramer at the Santa Fe Indian School in the 1930s. Elizabeth is survived by her daughter, Alexandra Rohrschieb; her son, Adrian Quintana; her sisters, Pablita Abeyta, Benita Cooper, and Alice Seely; and her brother, Tony Abeyta and Tom Warder. She is also survived by a niece, Jovanna Jishi; a brother, Dallas Dominguez; and a grandchild, Leslie Quintana. She was preceded in death by her sister, Rose Mary Dominguez; her parents; and her nephew, Lee Jishi. A Memorial Service will be held for Elizabeth Abeyta at 1:00 p.m., January 6, 2007, at the Olive Rush Quaker Meeting House in Santa Fe, NM. Copyright c. 1997 - 2006 Albuquerque Journal: Albuquerque, New Mexico. -=-=-=- December 21, 2006 Davis Benally Red Valley, Ariz. Oct. 24, 1966 - Dec. 20, 2006 Davis Benally, 40, of Red Valley, Ariz., died Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2006, at Northern Navajo Medical Center in Shiprock. He was born Oct. 24, 1966, in Monticello, Utah. Funeral services are pending with Desert View Funeral Home of Shiprock, U.S. Hwy. 491, (505) 368-4607. Junior Whitehorse Ismay, Colo. May 12, 1964 - Dec. 15, 2006 Junior Whitehorse, 42, of Ismay, Colo., died Friday, Dec. 15, 2006, in Montezuma Creek, Utah. He was born May 12, 1964, in Ismay. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. today, Thursday, Dec. 21, at the Church of God in Hovenweep, Utah. Burial will follow at the family cemetery in McElmo Canyon, Utah. Arrangements are with Desert View Funeral Home of Shiprock, U.S. Hwy. 491, (505) 368-4607. December 22, 2006 Leander Blackie Nageezi July 26, 1958 - Dec. 20, 2006 Leander Blackie, 48, of Nageezi, passed from this life Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2006. Leander was born July 26, 1958, in Otis, to Joe and Betty Blackie. He was very outgoing and friendly. Leander worked in construction and most of his life worked in the oil field. He was very well known by many oil field workers. Leander will be greatly missed by his family and many friends. He was preceded in death by his mother and his sister, Joann Rodriquez. Leander is survived by his sons, Niko Yazzie and Isaiah Tsosie; daughter, Jolesa Blackie; brothers, Samuel, Leonard, Leroy and Leon Blackie; sister, Jolene Blackie; special aunt, Anna Werito; and special cousin, George Werito. Services will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 23, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Lybrook. He will then be laid to rest at the church cemetery. Leander is in the care of Cope Memorial Chapel, 404 W. Arrington St. in Farmington, (505) 327-5142. December 23, 2006 Leander Blackie Nageezi July 26, 1958 - Dec. 20, 2006 Leander Blackie, 48, of, died Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2006. He was born July 26, 1958, in Otis, to Joe and Betty Blackie. Services will be 10 a.m. today, Saturday, Dec. 23, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Lybrook. He will then be laid to rest at the church cemetery. Arrangements are with Cope Memorial Chapel, 404 W. Arrington St. in Farmington, (505) 327-5142. Fannie Frazier Begay Shiprock March 20, 1936 - Dec. 20, 2006 Fannie Frazier Begay, 70, of Mitten Rock, died Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2006, at Northern Navajo Medical Center in Shiprock. She was born March 20, 1936, in Mitten Rock. Funeral services are pending for Mrs. Begay with Desert View Funeral Home of Shiprock, U.S. Highway 491, north, (505) 368-4607. December 24, 2006 Davis Benally Oaksprings, Ariz. Oct. 25, 1966 - Dec. 20, 2006 Davis "Boo-Hee" Benally, 40, of Oaksprings, Ariz., passed away Dec. 20, 2006, at the Northern Navajo Medical Center in Shiprock. He was born Oct. 25, 1966, at Monticello, Utah, to the late Wilson P. Benally Sr., of Oaksprings, and Josephine Yazzie of Sweetwater, Ariz. Davis was well known for his carpentry work. He taught his brothers, nephews and in-laws the skills he had. He also was known for his jokes, smile and kindness. We will all remember him in our special ways. He loved to play guitar and sing country-gospel songs. He also adored writing his own songs. He was a member of the Horse Look-Out Full Gospel Church of Oaksprings, and always fixed things around the church including the exterior walls. He was determined to start-up the Sunday services at the church. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He is preceded in death by his father, Wilson P. Benally Sr. He is survived by his wife, RoseMary A. Benally; sons, Romero D. and Gabriel Benally, and Lance Begay; daughters, Davida and Davina Benally; step- daughter, Angel Atene; mother, Josephine Yazzie; grandmother, Etta Yazzie of Sweetwater; sisters, Rose S., Marlene B., Irene A., Roselyn A., Phyllis S., Pandora K., Lenora B., and Carol C.; brothers, Thomas B., Wilson Jr., Cedric M., Marvin B., Jason B., and Jameson B.; and numerous nieces and nephews. Davis is in the care of Desert View Funeral Home of Shiprock, Highway 491, (505) 368-4607. Copyright c. 2006 Farmington Daily Times, a MediaNews Group Newspaper. -=-=-=- December 19, 2006 Cecelia Lowe GALLUP - Services for Cecelia Lowe, 62, will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20 at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Chinle, Ariz. Father Blane Grein, OFM will officiate. Burial will be at the family land in Chinle. Lowe died Dec. 16 in Albuquerque. She was born May 27, 1944 in Ganado into the Tangle People Clan for the Coyote Pass People Clan. Lowe enjoyed reading, playing basketball, traveling, telling jokes, knitting, helping friends and family and most of all, playing Bingo. Survivors include sons, Michael LaPointe of Phoenix and Thomas LaPointe of Lexington, Ky.; daughters, Michelle LaPointe of Sacramento, Calif. and Cathleen ;owe of Silver City, N.M.; sisters, Judy Attson of Phoenix and Evangeline Hartstock of Chinle and one grandchild. Lowe was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas Attson and Bessie Carol; brothers, Elmer Attson, Francis Attson, Michael Attson and Egbert Attson, Sr.; sister, Rosemary Attson. Pallbearers will be Gregory Shorty, Jr., Alfred Attson, Steven Attson, Michael LaPointe, Marvin Attson and Edward Chah. Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Ernestine Francisco KLAGETOH, Ariz - Services for Ernestine Shanae Francisco, 9, will be at 10 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 21 at St. Johns Cathoic Church in Houck, Ariz. Father Cormac will officiate. Burial will follow in Lupton at the father's family plot. Francisco died Dec. 14 in Phoenix. She was born May 22, 1997 in Fort Defiance into the Water's Edge People Clan for the Black Streak of the Forest People Clan. Francisco attended Lupton Head Start, Sanders Elementary and Amy Houston Academy in Phoenix. She enjoyed social activities, traveling, riding horses and going to school. Survivors include her parents Andreana Denetso and Calbert Francisco; brothers Kenyon Francisco and DeAndre Thomas; sister Calcee Francisco; grandparents Emma and Johnson Denetso and Laura and Ernest Francisco. She was preceded in death by her grandparent Ernest Francisco; great- grandparents Nellie J. Yazzie and Lillie Redhouse. Pallbearers will be Sgt. Andrea Denetso, Harold Clark, Joshua Roan, Sherman Yazzie, Fernanco Yazzie and Boyd Francisco. Tse Bonito Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Milton Yazzie WOOD SPRINGS, Ariz. - Services for Milton Lee Yazzie, 48, will be 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 21 at All Saints Hall Catholic Church in Ganado. Burial will be in Kinlichee Community Cemetery. Yazzie was born July 4, 1958 in Ganado into the Black Streak Forest People Clan for the Water Edge People Clan. Yazzie graduated from high school and went to college for two years in Price, Utah. He was self-employed as an auto mechanic. Survivors include his son, Hamiliton Lee Yazzie of Hunterspoint; daughter, Melody Rose Yazzie of Hunterspoint; father, Johnnie Lee Yazzie of Woodsprings, Ariz.; brothers, Lester Lee Yazzie of Kinlichee and Jackson Lee Yazzie of Calif.; sisters, Vickie Nez of Woodsprings, Sylvia Yazzie of Price, Utah.; Hazel Wilson and Arlinda Yazzie both of Woodsprings; five grandchildren. Yazzie was preceded in his death by his wife, Virginia Rose Yazzie of Hunterspoint; mother, Mae J. Yazzie of Woodsprings. The family will receive relatives and friends at Kinlichee Chapter House after services. Tse Bonito Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Chee Keams WINSLOW, Ariz. - Services for Chee Keams, 84, will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 21 at Dilkon Nazarene Church. Dean Bahe will officiate. Burial will follow at the family plot in Dilkon. Keams died Dec. 17 in Winslow. He was born Jan. 7, 1922 in Dilkon. Survivors include his sons Sammy Keams, Ferris Keams, both of Cedar Springs, Ariz.; daughters, Bonnie Yearly, Isabell Krans, both of Gallup, Darlene Loretto of Albuquerque, Cynthia Sandoval of Thoreau, Carenda Robinson of Tampa, Fla., Virginia Moore of Crystal, N.M., and Nyana Leonard of Cedar Springs, Ariz.; brother, Willie Keams of Dilkon; sister Merreta Keams of Leupp, Effie Nezzie of Dilkon, and Betty Yazzie of Winslow; and 20 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents Hosteen and Alice Tso. Pallbearers will be John Yearley, Phillip Loretto, Bob Robinson, Steven Krans, Marvin Sandoval and Jonathan Leonard. December 20, 2006 Ben Jose RAMAH - Services for Ben T. Jose, 84, will be 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 22 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Ramah. Burial will follow at the family plot in Ramah. Jose died Dec. 17 in Ramah. He was born Dec. 21, 1921 in Ramah into the Bitter Water People Clan for the Towering House People Clan. Jose was employed as a bus driver for 13 years, worker for Santa Fe Railroad for 10 years and also was a rancher. He enjoyed watching John Wayne movies, basketball games, hunting, rodeos as a stock contractor and helping with traditional ceremonies. Survivors include sons, Walter Jose, Robert Jose, Leonard Jose and Stanley Jose, all of Ramah; daughter, Irene Jose of Ramah; 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Jose was preceded in death by his wife, Katherine; father, Jake Jose; mother, Juanita; brothers, Thomas Jose and Juan Jose. Pallbearers will be Tyren Jose, Tysen Jose, Stanley Jose, Leonard Jose, Al Yazzie and Ted Jose. The family will receive relatives and friends at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Ramah after services. Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Elaine Begaye REDROCK - Services for Elaine Begaye, 40, will be 10 a.m. today, Dec. 20 at Cope Memorial Chapel. Sister Terry Goodin will officiate. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Park in Gallup. Begaye died Dec. 15 in Gallup. She was born June 14, 1966 in Gallup into the Towering House People Clan for the Red Rnning into the Water People Clan. Begaye attended Wingate Elementary, Wingate High School and got his GED from UNM-Gallup. He enjoyed singing, writing poems, playing basketball, baseball, fishing, country dances, running, cooking, going to basketball games and spending time with family and friends. Survivors include sons, Raynaldo Jefferson and Raymondo Jefferson, both of Gallup; daughters, Tiffanie Reyes and Starla Begaye, both of Gallup; mother, Mary D. Begay of Redrock; brothers, Anson Yazzie of Breadsprings, Ernest Joe of Gallup and Jimmy Dil of Mentmore; sisters, Annie Yazzie, Linda Yazzie, Betty Joe and Alice Joe, all of Redrock, Ella Dil of Gallup and Rita Manuelito of Iyanbito; and two grandchildren. Begaye was preceded in death by her father, Tom C. Begay and her brother, Sammy Jones. Pallbearers will be Raynaldo Jefferson, Leonard Joe, Manuel Yazzie, Cortez Randles, Lupe Garcia and Larry Joe. The family will receive relatives and friends at Red Rock Chapter after services. Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements. December 21, 2006 Wallace Bitsie MEXICAN SPRINGS - Services for Wallace J. Bitsie, 70, will be 9 a.m. Friday, Dec. 22 at the the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Gallup. Lee Yazzie will officiate. Burial will follow at the Lone Pine Cemetery in Mexican Springs. Bitsie died Dec. 16 in Gallup. He was born March 10, 1936 in Mexican Springs into the Salt People Clan for the Red Running Into Water People Clan. Bitsie attended elementary school in Mexican Springs and Albuquerque Indian School. He was a welder and ranch handyman at various sheep camps. He served on the Navy U.S.S. O'Bannon for 6 years and he was a member of the Mexican Springs Veteran's Organization. He enjoyed telling jokes and being with his grandchildren. Survivors include mother, Roselyn Bitsie of Mexican Springs; brothers, Tommy Bitsie of Mexican Springs and Thurmond Bitsie, Sr. of Tohatchi; sisters, Kathy Jim of Mexican Springs and Elizabeth Spencer of Indian Wells, Ariz. Bitsie was preceded in death by his father, Thomas Bitsie; his sister, Ruthie Becenti and his brother, Kenneth Bitsie, Sr. Pallbearers will be Kendrick T. Jim, Arnall A. Jim, Adam A. Jim, Donovan Gilmore, Daniel Bitsie and Wilfred Becenti. The family will receive relatives and friends at the Mexican Springs Chapter House after services. Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Jay "Bo" Smith CHINLE - Services for Jay Edward "Bo" Smith, 40, at 11 a.m., Friday, Dec. 22 at The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints Church in Chinle. Bishop James Higgs will officiate. Private disposition will follow at the family plot. Smith died Dec. 17 in Gallup. He was born June 29, 1966 in Fort Defiance into the Water's Edge People Clan for the Mexican People Clan. Smith went to school in Chinle and Huntington, Utah. He worked various construction jobs in Phoenix, Albuquerque and was a residential aid at the Chinle Valley School. His hobbies included traveling, volleyball, baseball, fishing and caring for his nephews and nieces. Survivors include his mother, Dorothy L. Smith of Chinle; brothers, John Smith Jr., of Flagstaff, Julius E. Smith, Toney Shirley, both of Chinle; sisters, Jayme Platero of Window Rock, Joyce Smith, Joanne White, both of Chinle, Julia E. Smith of Manuelito. He was preceded in death by his father Johnnie E. Smith and his grandparents Herman and Mae Attson and Eli and Susie Smith. Pallbearers will be John Smith Jr., Julius E. Smith, Rodney Begay, Spencer O. White, Jonah Yazzie, Aaron Logan and Marcus Tullie. The family will receive relatives and friends at Sunnyside House #18, in Chinle following services. Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. December 23, 2006 Ella Mike BREADSPRINGS - Services for Ella Mike, 73, will be announced at a later date. Mike died Dec. 22 in Gallup. He was born Dec. 15, 1933 in Breadsprings into the Red Running Into the Water People Clan for the Towering House People Clan. Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Copyright c. 2006 the Gallup Independent. -=-=-=- December 21, 2006 Frances Sallie Manuel December 6, 1912-December 16, 2006 We announce, with heavy spirits, the departure of a profound legend that was the heart of our family. She was born in the village of Ko:m Wawhai in 1912, then relocated to S-koksonagk (Many Pack-Rats) in 1913, to reside with her grandparents. Following the death of her grandmother, Frances and her grandfather moved to Santa Rosa Ranch in 1927. She married Jose Manuel on May 6, 1930 and moved to San Pedro Village in 1981, years after her husband had died and her children had grown. She lived her life as a humble traditional Papago Indian, and left a legacy of Papago Himdag (traditional life) through her efforts to preserve that way of life given to us by God. Frances made cultural preservation her life's work by sharing her well-known talents of basket weaving, doll making, traditional foods expertise, traditional singing, storytelling and mentoring. She was also an expert of the desert environment and medicinal plants. Frances served with the American Friends Services Committee and the Association for Papago Affairs in the 1950s, served as a board member of the Tucson Indian Center and co-founded the Desert Indian Dancers in the 1960s. She was a collaborating singer on the recording of "An Anthology of Papago Traditional Music," that was produced on vinyl in 1972. Frances was a renowned artist who was a myriad award winner for her basket-weaving. She has conducted countless speeches, demonstrations, workshops and presentations of basket-weaving, Papago dance and music, and traditional cooking within the community and around the nation. In May 2001 she appeared on the PBS segment of "Scientific American Frontiers," in the episode of "The Desert's Perfect Food." Frances has worked with the Tohono O'odham Youth Council and Tohono O'odham Community Action. She has earned many awards, some of which include the Distinguished Tohono O'odham Basket Weaver in 1991, the Arizona Living Treasure-Keeper of the Desert Treasure in 1997, and the YWCA Women on the Move Award in 2004. Frances co-authored "Desert Indian Woman - Storeis and Dreams," along with her close friend Deborah Neff. The book was one of the Southwest Books of the Year in 2001. She was a friend and Hu'ul (grandmother) to all who knew her. In the 1950s, she formed a special bond with Tom Bahti through his efforts in promoting Papago basketry and becam Hu'ul to his son, Mark Bahti. She is survived by her daughters, Juanita Fendenheim, Mildred Antone, Florence Lopez, Linda Sanchez and F. Christianne Manuel, along with many grand, great-grand and great-great-grandchildren. Frances was preceded in death by her husband, Jose Manuel; son, Floyd Manuel; grandchildren, Lucius and John Antone, and Celena Marie Harvey. Viewing will be held at ADAIR FUNERAL CHAPEL on Friday, December 22, 2006 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., with the wake proceeding in San Pedro Village at 3:30 p.m. with Mass at 5:00 p.m., and burial in S-koksonagk (Many Pack-Rats) at 8:00 a.m. December 22, 2006 Daniel Juan Daniel Juan May 5, 1930 - December 20, 2006 75, departed peacefully among his family on December 20, 2006. He went to be with the Lord in the great round up above. He is survived by his children, Mary D. Juan, Cecelia A. Francisco, Michael Juan, Vivian (Richard) Saunders, Nicholas Juan, Sylvester (Deanna) Juan; sisters, Matilda S. Juan and Elaine T. Lopez; numerous friends, nieces and nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great- grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Marie Juan; brothers, Emando, Alex, Raymond and James. Funeral Services Saturday, December 23, 2006, 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Family visitation at Juan Residence in New Fields, Chukut Kuk District, Tohono O'odham Nation, 4:30 p.m. Cowboy Horseback escort from home residence to St. Michael's Church, 5:00 p.m. Mass followed by all night wake service. Burial on Sunday, December 24, 2006 leave at 6:30 a.m. for Buenos Aires Cemetery. Copyright c. 2006 Tucson Citizen. -=-=-=- December 22, 2006 Dion Gibson Aday Jr. Dion Gibson Aday Jr. of Whiteriver went home to be with the Lord Tuesday Dec. 12, 2006 in Phoenix. He was born Nov. 28, 2006 in Whiteriver. Dion is survived by his father, Dion Aday Sr.; mother, Verbena Aday; grandparents, Leroy and Ruthena Henry, Gibson and Diane Aday, Martha Beach, Bernice Caddo; great-grandmother, Fannie Cruz; uncles, Adam Henry Sr., Jermiah Henry, Jimi Aday; aunts, Alta Machuse, Sina Aday; and many cousins and relatives. His body will be brought home for a two-night awake at his parent's home in Cibecue (South Lumber Dr. No. 138) Wednesday, Dec. 20 at 10 a.m. A funeral service will be conducted Friday, Dec. 22 at 10 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Cibecue with President David Bonito officiating. Interment will be at the Sunside Cemetery in Cibecue. Silver Creek Mortuary of Whiteriver handled the arrangements. Annie P. Cooley Annie P. Cooley went home to be with the Lord Dec. 16, 2006 in Show Low. Annie is survived by son, McKinney Cooley of Cibecue; daughters, Marlena C. Larzelere of Cedar Creek, Goldie Munoz of Topeka, Kan.; step-daughter, Lucinda C. Rope of Bylas; nephews, Felix Pinal, Lincoln Sanchez, Calvert Sanchez, Ira Sanchez, Harley Janeway; nieces, Audrey P. Ivins, Maggie Smith, Idabell Lavender, Rhodesia Harvey; many grandkids, great grandkids, relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by husband, Charles Cooley; daughter, Constance C. Rogers; sister, Flora P. Janeway; step-daughter, Lucy C. Burnette of Canyon Day. Annie's body will be brought back to her residence in Cibecue for a one- night awake Friday, Dec. 22 at 10 a.m. A home service will be Saturday, Dec. 23 at 1 p.m. at the family home with Harley Janeway officiating. Interment will be at the Sunnyside Cemetery in Cibecue. Silver Creek Chapel Mortuary of Whiteriver handled the arrangements. Renee Anna Maulson Renee Anna Maulson "Piglet" went home to be with the Lord Dec. 17, 2006 in Phoenix. She was born Oct. 16, 2005 in Show Low. Renee is survived by her parents, Christopher and Nadia; grandparents, Michael and Paschalita Fish, Matthew and Lee Kane, Anna Marie Maulson, Roland "Charles" Summers. She was preceded in death by Alex D. Maulson Jr. and K. Lorene Thomas. A one night wake will be held at her grandparent's house in Diamond Creek Saturday, Dec. 23 at 10 a.m. Funeral services will be Sunday, Dec. 24 at 7:30 a.m. at the St. Francis Catholic Church in Whiteriver with Father Ed officiating. Interment will be at Lac du Flambeau Memorial Cemetery in Wisconsin. Silver Creek Chapel Mortuary of Whiteriver handled the arrangements. Derreck Wayne Bahe Derreck Wayne Bahe, 27, of Whiteriver, died Dec. 15, 2006. He was born Nov. 1, 1979 in Phoenix. Derreck loved being with his family. He was the greatest chef at family barbeques and an Italian food lover. He enjoyed watching sports, especially Arizona Wildcats. He continued his love of football by coaching the Alchesay J.V. football team for two years in 2001-2002. He was a great coach to the co-ed team - D.C.Ballers (his daughters team) He was a true Michael Jordan fanatic. He is survived by his wife, Tina G. Bahe; one daughter, Diamond Rae- Vaughn; and one son, D'Amoni Carmine. He is also survived his mother, Joyce Bahe; two brothers, Bryan Bahe and Craig Bahe; two sisters, Charla Bahe and Carmela Bahe. His father Leonard Bahe preceded him in death. A two night wake was set to begin at 10 a.m. Thursday Dec. 21. Funeral services will be held Saturday, Dec. 23 at 10 a.m. in the Aday Memorial Hall. He will be laid to rest in the Morning Dove Cemetery in Cedar Creek. Owens Mortuary of Show Low handled the arrangements. For those who have special memories and would like to send private condolences or sign an online guest book visit website www.owensmortuary. com. Katherine Irene Tortice Katherine Irene Tortice of McNary, went home to be with the Lord Dec. 13 in McNary. She was born March 21, 1990 in Whiteriver. Katherine is survived by parents, Lucky Tortice Sr. and Roberta Tortice; brothers, Roberto Tortice, Alberto Tortice, Gabriel Tortice, Lucky Tortice Jr., Paul Tortice; sisters, Daisy Tortice, Tanya Tortice; grandparents: Sally Pilcher, Floyd Pilcher Bobby Quintero Sr.; uncles: Tex Tortice Sr., Alexander Tortice Sr., Bobby Quintero Jr., Lex Tortice Sr.; aunts: Abigail Wilson, Eula Mae Dazen; five nieces and four nephews. Katherine was preceded in death by her sister, Andrianna Rose Tortice. A two night wake will start Thursday, Dec. 21 starting at 10 a.m. at her residence in McNary. Funeral services will be held Saturday, Dec. 23 at 1 p.m. at McNary Gymnasium in McNary, Arizona with Pastor June Bush officiating. Interment will be at Ponderosa Pine Cemetery in McNary. Silver Creek Chapel Mortuary of Whiteriver handled the arrangements. Copyright c. 2006 White Mountain Independent. -=-=-=- December 21, 2006 Amelia Upchego Collins, age 62 19.DEC.06 1944 ~ 2006 Our loving sister, Amelia Upchego Collins, age 62, passed away December 9, 2006 at the Beachwood Point Nursing Home, Beachwood, Ohio. She was born August 21, 1944, in Ft. Duchesne, to Henry Upchego and Elaine Wanzitz. Grandparents, Gregory Wanzitz, Mary Woods Ankerpont, Joe Warwise Upchego, and Wilahemina Wilson Williams. She graduated from Stewart Indian School, Carson, Nevada, attended Haskell College in Kansas, and then left to Cleveland, Ohio where she lived the rest of her life. She married Clarence Collins. She was a homemaker, and was cherished immensely by her relations in the Uintah Basin. In her youthful years she attended the LDS church in Bridgeland where she participated in numerous religious activities. Survivors are sisters and brothers, Cynthia Bates, Watonga, OK; Florence Wanzitz, Ft. Duchesne; Ansel Chegup, Salt Lake City; Angelita Chegup, Neola; and Feron (Jolene) Wyasket, Arcadia; nieces and nephews, Waylan Lee Upchego, Melvin Bates Jr.; Leslie Bates, Tara Amboh, Sally Amboh, Spring A. Clemente, Kandra Amboh, Danny Wyasket, Soraya W. Reyes, LaToya Wyasket, Blossom Wyasket, Tellie Wyasket, Theodore Wyasket Jr., Dotsy Wyasket, Shilo Wyasket and LaMonda Wyasket; great nieces and nephews, China Limon; Joshua Amboh-Cesspooch, Kaidon Clemente, Angelise Clemente, Shantal Cesspooch, Andon Reed, Nicholes Sinoben, Aliza Sinoben, Jayda Reyes, Ann Marie Reyes, and Drazen Gardner. First cousins, Benjamin Murray, Anthony Arrum, Loya Arrum, Ann Jolynn Pargeets, Darlene Murray, and Gregory Murray. She was preceded in death by husband, Clarence Collins, parents, Henry Upchego, Elaine Wanzitz; brothers, Theron Wyasket, Theodore Wyasket, and Ernest Gardner; cousins, Gerald MountainLion, Arthur Mountain Lion, Venoy Wyasket, Iran Wyasket, and Virginia McCurdy. Funeral services held 10:00 a.m., Friday, December 15, at the Hullinger Mortuary. Burial in the Myton Cemetery. Copyright c. 2006 Uintah Basin Standard/Roosevelt, UT. -=-=-=- December 20, 2006 Fern Begay Simnasho resident Fern Queahpama Begay died Dec. 11, 2006, at Mountain View Hospital at the age of 69. Mrs. Begay was born May 23, 1937, in Simnasho to parents Hartman and Edith (Quinn) Queahpama. On Dec. 5, 1964, she married Tom Begay Sr. in Warm Springs. She was a lifetime resident of Warm Springs and an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. She was a member of the Lincoln Powwow Committee and the election board. Her special interests included doing beadwork, reading, attending powwows and rodeos, and watching sports events. Survivors include her sons, Anson Begay of Simnasho, Tom Begay Jr. of Warm Springs; brother, Calvin Queahpama of Simnasho; sisters, Norene Greene of Simnasho, Anna Clements of Warm Springs, Nancy Tailfeathers of Simnasho, Grace and Queahpama of Warm Springs. She was preceded in death by her husband, children Roman and Rowena, and a brother. A dressing ceremony was held Dec. 13, at the Simnasho Longhouse, followed by an overnight service. Burial was Dec. 14, at the Simnasho Cemetery. Arrangements were under the direction of Bel-Air Colonial Funeral Home in Madras. Copyright c. 2001-2006 Madras Pioneer, Eagle Newspapers Inc./Madras, OR. -=-=-=- December 20, 2006 Isaiah Isaac Hernandez TOPPENISH - Isaiah Isaac Hernandez, 18, of Toppenish, Washington died Sunday morning, December 17, 2006. Isaiah was born September 6, 1988 at Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital to Richard and Francine (Ozuna) Hernandez. He really enjoyed listening to music, eating at McDonald's and at taco stands. Isaiah also enjoyed watching movies and writing. Isaiah is survived by his parents, Richard and Francine Hernandez; sister, Sofia F. Hernandez; daughter, Alizaiah (Ali) Isabella Hernandez; his nephew, Anthony Alexander Juarez; grandparents, Alexander Vasquez Hernandez of Kent, WA, Rose Barnick of Yakima, WA, and Isaac and Frances Ozuna of Union Gap, WA. Other relatives include the Ozuna Family, Hernandez Family, Morales Family, Jaime Family, Gutierrez Family, Garcia Family, Escobar Family, Moses Family, Walsh Family, Compo Family, Castillo Family, Saiz Family, Rodarte Family, Piel Family, Valdez Family, Puyette Family, Johnson Family, and Vasquez Family. Isaiah is also survived by his elders, Gladys Miller George, and Betty Bruce Gould; and many, many friends. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Alfonso and Maria Mata of Wapato, WA, his uncle Alex Hernandez of Wapato, WA and his great grandmother Esther Puyette Johnson. Dressing services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday (today), December 20th at Merritt Funeral Home in Wapato, WA, with viewing to follow. Following the viewing, he will be transported to Saint Peter Claver Catholic Church for a Mass of Christian Burial at 2:00 p.m. Following the Mass, he will be transported to the Toppenish Creek Longhouse for overnight services. Thursday morning, December 21st at 8:00 a.m., the procession will leave the longhouse for burial in the Reservation Community Memorial Park west of Wapato. Merritt Funeral Home has been asked to care for the arrangements. December 23, 2006 Ralph Paul Logie TOPPENISH - Ralph Paul Logie, 41, left us December 22, 2006. He was born May 3, 1965 at the Tacoma St. Joseph Hospital in Tacoma, WA. A blessing to both his father Daniel Logie (Beverly Logie) and his loving mother Ladine Wesley Albert (Kipp Albert). He survived by his loving companion Marcelene Onepennee with two children, Mildred (Glen) Jones and Albert Onepennee; four brothers, Adrian Jackson Sr., Daniel Joseph Logie, Fred Logie, and Mike Peterson; nephews include Adrian Jackson Jr., Cecil Jackson, Randal Jackson, Calvin Jackson, Leander Peterson, and Darien Logie; nieces; Karen Jackson, Kimberly Jackson, Josephine Jackson, Deshawna Logie, demitria Logie, and Dorian Logie; a loving special grandson, Mylo Jones in which he loved so dearly; step brothers include Johnny (Michelle) Teo and Stanley (Pebbles) Teo; step sisters, Monica Teo, Carrie Teo, and Carmen Teo. Other relatives include his aunts, uncles, and cousins, Tucelia (Ray) James, Mina Azure, Lavina (Willard) Cloud, Susie (Carl) Sutterlict, Audrey Cloe, Henry Logie, Alvin James, Debbie James, Kathy James, Evelyn Charley James, Arthur Cloud, Walter Cloud, Jackie Cloud, Willa Cloud, Martha Cloud, Brenda Cloud, Leila Cloud, Alberta Lillie, Penny Jim, Geraldine Jim, Diretha Jim, Mary Ann Jim, Frank Sutterlict, Cheryl Azure, Juanita Azure, Jo Jo Sutterlict, Stephanie Sutterlict, Veronica Wesley, Connie Wesley, Sherman Wesley, Dominica Wesley, Janene Welsey, Vanessa Wesley, Loren Welsey, Elwood Wesley, Annie Wesley, Jaclyn Wesely. His close friends Lloyd Wheeler, Wilson Sweowat, Ron Arquette, and Jack Murry, and many other friends. Along with the rest of our extended family, friends, and relatives; including his adopted family from the bingo halls that he cared so dearly of. He graduated from the Yakama Tribal School. He spent most of his life fishing both sport and commercial. He loved spending time with all his friends, he had friends wherever he went. He enjoyed shooting pool, playing slots, and bingo. He was recently employed at Yakama Legends Casino, where he also enjoyed the people and his work. He was truly a man of great spirits, one to always make you feel good with his laugh and fun crazy humor. We are thankful for the time we've had with him and send thanks to all the friends, family, and generous hospital support. It goes to show how he was truly loved by all. Dressing services were held at the Colonial Funeral Home then to be taken to the Toppenish Long House for one night services. Burial will take place early morning, December 23, 2006 at the 1910 Shaker Church Cemetery. Copyright c. 2006 Yakima Herald-Republic/Yakima, WA. -=-=-=- December 21, 2006 Arlinda Faye Nappo FORT HALL - Arlinda Faye Nappo, 40, passed away Dec. 15, 2006, in Colorado. Traditional Native American viewing was at the Edward and Bessie Nappo residence on Bronco Road on Dec. 20. She will also have services before taking her to burial in Sandhill Cemetery on Siler Road, which will be Dec. 21. All funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Nappo family. December 22, 2006 Arlinda Faye Nappo FORT HALL - Arlinda Faye Nappo, 40, passed away Dec. 15, 2006, in Colorado. Traditional Native American viewing was at the Edward and Bessie Nappo residence on Bronco Road on Dec. 20. She will also have services before taking her to burial in Sandhill Cemetery on Siler Road, which will be Dec. 21. All funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Nappo family. December 23, 2006 Earl Morse Dan FORT HALL - Earl Morse Dan, 36, passed away Sunday, December 17, 2006, at his home. Earl has been at the Mission Church since Friday, December 22, at 10 a.m. A traditional burial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, December 23, 2006, at the Cedars Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Colonial Funeral Home, 2005 S. 4th Ave., Pocatello. Online condolences may be sent to www.colonial-funeralhome.com. Copyright c. 2006 Pocatella Idaho State Journal. -=-=-=- December 19, 2006 Arlinda Faye Nappo FORT HALL - Arlinda Faye (Wendy) Nappo, 40, passed away Dec. 15, 2006, in Colorado. Traditional Native American viewing will be at the Edward and Bessie Nappo residence on Bronco Road on Dec. 20. Burial will be Thursday, Dec. 21 at the Sand Hill Cemetery on Siler Road. All funeral arrangements are under the care of the Nappo family. - Spokane, Wash., Coeur d'Alene, Idaho and the Inland Northwest Copyright c. 2006, The Spokesman-Review. -=-=-=- December 24, 2006 Roland Dean Shoyo FT. WASHAKIE - Traditional Indian funeral services for Roland Dean Shoyo, 29, will be conducted at noon Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2006, at Rocky Mountain Hall with Harrison Shoyo Jr. and Arlan Shoyo officiating. Interment will be in Sacajawea Cemetery. Evening services will be conducted at 5 p.m. on Monday at Rocky Mountain Hall with a wake to follow at the family residence, #2 S. Fork Rd., Ft. Washakie. He died Thursday, Dec. 21, 2006, following an automobile accident. He was born Dec. 22, 1976, in Lander, the son of Dean L. Shoyo and Donna Wadda Shoyo. He was a lifelong resident of the Wind River Indian Reservation, attending schools in Ft. Washakie and Flandreau Indian School in South Dakota. He worked as a laborer in construction. He enjoyed the outdoors, being in the mountains, hunting, fishing, hiking, listening to music, and spending time with his family and friends. Survivors include daughter, Jordon Shoyo; son, Reshaun Shoyo; sister, Michelle Shoyo; brothers, Kenneth L. Shoyo Sr. and Justin and Jared Panzatanga; grandmothers, Gloria Phillips, Lena Aaron, Rose Braman, Mattie Meeks, Mary Wagon, Wilma J. Swallow and Rosa Niedo; grandfathers, Chester Pingree Sr., William Wagon and Bobby Joe Goggles; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents, Harrison and Anna Pingree Shoyo Sr., Edward Wadda, Homer Phillips, John and Laura Tyler, Suzette and Roger Wagon, Arvilla Crispin and Ben Shoyo; aunts, Marilyn Shoyo Roberts and Nancy Wadda Large; and uncles, Roland Gene Shoyo and LeRoy Mills. Services are under the direction of Wind Dancer Funeral Home. Copyright c. 2006 Casper Star-Tribune published by Lee Publications, Inc., a subsidiary of Lee Enterprises, Incorporated. -=-=-=- December 19, 2006 Gordon Wayne Tobacco BATON ROUGE, La. - Gordon Wayne Tobacco, 62, of Baton Rouge, formerly of St. Xavier, Mont., passed away Dec. 11, 2006. He was born Feb. 6, 1944, in Crow Agency, a son of Bernard and Esther Plenty Hawk Tobacco Walks. His grandparents, Robert and Maggie Yellowtail, raised him. He grew up in the St. Xavier area and received his education in St. Xavier and Hardin, Mont., before graduating from high school in Oklahoma. He later attended the John O'Connell Trade School in California. He worked as a ranch hand in the Soap Creek area, later in the Seattle area as an air conditioning technician, before moving to Louisiana in 2000. Wayne served as a Marine in the Vietnam Conflict, receiving his honorable discharge in 1970. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal with device, Vietnam Service Medal and the Rifle Marksmanship badge. He was a member of the Catholic Church, Greasy Mouth Clan and was a child of the Whistling Water Clan. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, rodeo, arrow throwing and playing basketball, however, he was best known for his sense of humor. His parents; brothers, Joe Tobacco, Brian, Everett, Aaron and Curtis Knows the Ground; and sisters, Bernadine Tobacco, Louanna Harjo and Lois Chavez, preceded Wayne in death. Survivors include his daughters, Caroline (Pete) Big Hair and Farrah (Avery) Pretty on Top of Crow Agency; sons, Everett (Kim) Walks of Hardin and Gordon (Lucinda) Tobacco, Jr. of Crow Agency; sisters, Anita Iron, Brenda He Does It, Janice and Wilma Stewart, Helen Old Coyote, Theda and Arnetta Walks; brothers, Manford, Leland, Ira and Conrad Walks, Kenneth Knows the Ground, Mitchell Iron, Larry (Pearl) and Dana Tobacco; 18 grandchildren; his aunts, Laura He Does It, Anita Morin, Alice Mae Tobacco and Carol Ann White Clay; his uncles, Arthur Plenty Hawk, Anthony, Frederick, Marshall and Ira Left Hand; as well as his extended family including the Left Hand, Plenty Hawk, Blaine, Bull Tail, Tobacco, Smart Enemy, Pickett, Real Bird, Bad Bear, Anderson, Old Coyote, Jefferson, Hunts the Arrow, Sees the Ground, Little Owl, Medicine Crow and Bull Chief families. Rosary will be celebrated 4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20, in the Bullis Funeral Chapel. Funeral Mass will be celebrated 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 21, in the Bullis Funeral Chapel. Interment with military honors will follow in the Hardin Fairview Cemetery. Bullis Mortuary of Hardin has been entrusted with the arrangements. December 20, 2006 Martha Sun Goes Slow Beaumont PRYOR - At the age of 79, Martha Sun Goes Slow Beaumont passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, at Billings Health and Rehabilitation on Monday, Dec. 18, 2006. Baolupeechish (Finds Good Things) was born on Dec. 11, 1927, the daughter of Stephen and Mae (LaForge) Sun Goes Slow in Crow Agency. She was a member of the Greasy Mouth Clan and a child of the Piegan Clan. Martha grew up in Lodge Grass, where she attended school. She was a descendent of Enemy Hunter, Shakes Her Shield, Sun Goes Slow and Old Tom LaForge. At a young age, Martha was baptized into the Roman Catholic faith and also traditional religion. Martha was united in marriage to Philip Beaumont, Sr. Together, they made their home in Lodge Grass, Crow Agency and finally in Pryor, and enjoyed 61 years of marriage. Martha took great pride and joy in her family and encouraged all to live a good spiritual life, acquire a formal education, and practice the Crow Indian teachings and way of life as she was taught by her parents. Martha was taught the art of beadwork by her mother and grandmother and made fine beaded clothing for her family to wear for Crow cultural activities and parades. She was particularly skilled in making elk tooth dresses. Her beaded artwork will be family heirlooms for years to come. Survivors include her children, Philip, Jr. (Vivian), Dennis (Agnes), Ronald (Marcia), Neal, Sr., Stephen (Patty) Beaumont, Jolene (Richard) Whiteclay; adopted and raised as her own children, Edwina, Shawna, J.C. Sr. Beaumont, Dr. Charlene James Duguid; sisters, Sarah Sings Good Stewart, Angeline (Norman) Whiteman, Rosie (Earl) Bear Crane; brother Harlan Sun Goes Slow. Martha was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great- grandmother, aunt, sister and, at times, she was a refuge to her many relatives, family and friends. Extended families include the Birdinground, Takes The Horse, LaForge, Redwolf, Littlenest and Sun Goes Slow families. We regret that we have not specifically listed all of our large extended family and ask that you bear with us during our time of loss. Our mother has gone on to be with Jesus, but her faith and trust in our Lord and Savior will be our guiding light to some day see her again. Visitation for Martha will be from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20, with vigil services at 6 p.m. at Dahl Funeral Chapel, 10 Yellowstone Ave. in Billings. Funeral Mass will be 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 21, in Lodge Grass at Our Lady of Loretto. Rite of Committal will be in the Lodge Grass Cemetery. Alice Risingsun BUSBY - Alice Risingsun, 53, of Busby, passed away Dec. 16, 2006, in Billings. Taa'evana'hane "Killsnight" was born June 26, 1953, in Busby, a daughter of William and Helen Hoops Risingsun. She received her early education in Busby and graduated from high school in Renton, Wash. Alice married Michael Willard, Sr. in 1971 and the couple later divorced. She continued her education in Toledo, Ohio, where she received her license in Practical Nursing. She retuned to Busby in 1976 to begin her nursing career, working Indian Health Service in Lame Deer, and numerous health facilities throughout the United States. She loved to bead, read Indian romance novels, to participate in hand games and enjoyed bingo and casinos. However, she most enjoyed her family and her special grandchild, Marika. Her parents; brother Ray Risingsun; sisters Agnes Risingsun, Lorena Mae Morning, May Hoops and Irmajean Williamson; and a nephew, Larry Risingsun, preceded Alice in death. Survivors include her daughter, Shannon (Robert) Cunningham; her son, Michael (Renita) Willard; her sisters, Florene (Kenneth) Taylor, Ethelene Killsnight, Carol (John) Bullinsight, Darlene (Duane) Bixby, Audrey (Oliver) Haugen, Margo Real Bird, Danetta (Blaine) Fallsdown, Jeane Strange Owl and Loretha Ginsell; brothers, Irvin Risingsun, Dan Rondeau, Logan, Tex and Billford Curley; 19 grandchildren; three great- grandchildren; her aunt, Edna Seminole; her uncle, Ralph Red Fox; a special daughter-in-law, Peggy Risingsun, whom she took as a daughter; as well as her extended family, including the Curley, Russell, Hoops, Morning, Real Bird and Risingsun families. Our family is large; if we have missed you, please accept our apology. Traditional wake services will be held 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20, in the Busby White River Cheyenne Mennonite Church. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 21, in the church. Interment will follow in the Busby Cemetery. Bullis Mortuary of Hardin has been entrusted with the arrangements. Rudolph "Rudy" Kenneth Yellowtail GARRYOWEN - Rudolph "Rudy" Kenneth Yellowtail was born in Los Angeles, April 15, 1958, to Bruce Yellowtail and Thelma Striker Yellowtail. He was a faithful Sundancer for many years and given his Indian name of Child of the Sun Dance by Pius Real Bird, his Clan uncle. He crossed over to the other side camp at the Crow-Northern Cheyenne Indian Health Service Hospital, Dec. 18, 2006, following a courageous battle with cancer. Rudy was one of a very few Crow tribal members who received a liver transplant in Los Angeles, and survived for one year and two months. Child of the Sun Dance "Iishkishee Bakada" was raised by his grand parents, Thomas and Suzie Walking Bear Yellowtail, and was keenly aware of the Sun Dance way. He observed the teachings of the renowned Shoshone Sun Dance Chief John Trujillo. He was a member of the Whistling Water Clan and a Child of the Big Lodge Clan. He received his education at Wyola and St. Labre schools. In Missoula, Rudy was admitted to the Smoke Jumpers School in 1988, where he served with great distinction. He later took classes at Little Big Horn College, Fort Belknap Community College and Glendale Community College where he completed his certificate as a substance abuse counselor. He worked in this field until moving back to Montana. Rudy married Faith LaForge and Majel, a daughter, was born. Later, he married Waleen Bear and daughter Taylor was born. Taylor presented Rudy with three grandchildren. Seeing his grandchildren gave Rudy a true purpose in life. His parents; brothers, Joey and Cheiney Yellowtail; uncles Thomas R. Glenn, Louie Stiffarm; cousin Sherman Jones; nephew Lance Bird In Ground; and niece Hannah Martin preceded Rudy in death. Survivors include his adopted son, Roy Caufield; brothers, Dwayne (Renee), Merlin, Thomas (Amy) and Jamie. Yellow Tail, John Mark (Nancy) and A. J. Stiffarm, Alan (Gayle) and Bernie Cliff, Kenny Wyles, Steve Yapunchich, David (Valerie) Small, Tracy and Frank Jackson, sisters, Jackie (Leonard, Jr.) Hare, Ann (Don) Martin, Carrie (Jose) Medina, Denise (Carlos) Medina, Linda (Bob) Andrews, Valerie Jackson, Leslie (Paul) Kabotie .Survived by Uncles Alfred Striker, Ed Filesteel, Ben Striker, John Matthew (Jackie) Stiffarm, James "Bobsy" (Cheryl) Stiffarm, Joe (Gloria) Medicine Crow, Ronald Stewart; his aunts? Winona Plenty Hoops, Connie Jackson, Virjama Wyles, Caroline Houston, Christine Yellow Tail, Louella Johnson, Cecelia Ryan, Ramona (Albert) Cliff, Helen Bell, Lenore Stiffarm, Faye Filesteel; numerous nieces and nephews who all held a special place in his heart; his special mentors, James Trosper, John Pretty On Top, Leonard Bends, Natalie Real Bird; his aunt, Lenore Stiffarm. Extended families include Walking Bear, Moccasin, Old Coyote, Hogan, One Goose from Crow, Left Hand from Canada, Washakie from Wyoming and Grandma Warrior's Descendants from Fort Belknap. He is also survived by special Sun Dance family members, including Marina (Chris) Weatherly, Pierre (Connie) Chesnelle, Jesse (Amy) Jaure, Nick (Rosa) Maricich and many more too numerous to mention. Special thanks to the hospice staff: Dr. James and Cindi Upchurch, Clevia Jones, Mrs. Liz Reece; hospital staff: Dr. Rob Byron and Dr. David Mark; nurses: Anne Horseman, Heather Bear Cloud and Mary, as well as all of the other special hospital staff who are too numerous to name, but were overwhelmingly generous and kind. A very special thank you to the University of Southern California Hospital for the spectacular care given to Rudy during his liver transplant and the undying hope for his best well-being. A generous thank you to the staff at the Thunder Child Treatment Center for giving Rudy a chance in his recovery. A special thank you to Henry Small. He was thankful to his nieces and nephews who surrounded him in his final moments of this life with a rousing rendition of Rudolph The Red-nosed Reindeer. Rudy was eager to join his ancestors and asked that no tears be shed for him. The family honored this request. Aho. Wake services will be held 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 21, in the Lodge Grass City Hall. Traditional funeral services will be held 11 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22, in the Lodge Grass Catholic Church Gymnasium. Interment will follow in the Lodge Grass Cemetery. Bullis Mortuary of Hardin has been entrusted with the arrangements. December 21, 2006 Barbara Bessie Bird Hat Smart Weasel ~ Uuttaawagehche Barbara Bessie Bird Hat, 52, passed away Dec. 19, 2006, at St. Vincent Healthcare in Billings. She was born Oct. 28, 1954, in Lovell, Wyo., the daughter of Earl Fred and Mary Mae (Big Day) Bird Hat. She grew up in Pryor, St. Xavier and Hardin. She was a CNA at Crow Hospital at age 15. She attended Lodge Grass High School and went on to Southwestern Indian Polytechnic in Albuquerque, N.M. Barbara owned and managed a music store in San Antonio, Texas, and also worked for Cheyenne Enterprises in Albuquerque. She attended a tribal community college in Canada for about a year. Barbara was on the Dean's List and received her Business Certificate from Little Big Horn College. She worked at the Tribal Administration/Records Department in Crow Agency. Barbara loved music and was a talented musician, playing bass guitar and drums at church. She took pleasure in singing Indian songs and Crow hymns. Health and fitness were important to her and she was a competitive runner. She also enjoyed watching movies with her sons. Barbara is survived by her children, Timothius Mountain Sheep IV and Bo Zacharia Pretty On Top; grandchildren, Bob, Nico, Ryjel and expected grandson, Jonah; brothers, Earl and Tim Bird Hat and Olin Red Star; sisters, Alee Bird Hat, Dixie Yellow Tail, Linda Three Persons, Evelyn and Freida Bird Hat, Elizabeth (Reuben) Stewart, Donna (Gavin) Jefferson, Mary (Mike) Long Roach, Geraldine (Dewey) Schenderline and Sandy Medicine Horse; nieces and nephews, Janet, Chester and Darrell Turnsplenty, Cherly Polacek, Mariam, Abby, Jo Jo Stewart, Phillip, Josiah, Eric and Mat Bird Hat, Lana and San Stands, Misty and Heidi Amyotte, Harmony Deputee, Vanessa Leider, Curtis, Lana, Eva, Chelsea and Aaliyah Jenaya, Victoria Yellowtail, Brooke Yvonne, Gary Marlin Stevenson; adopted mothers, Caroline Morrison; grandpa, Phillip Beaumont, grandma, Elizabeth Smart Enemy; aunties, Nadine, the Bird Hat sisters; uncles, Chester Bird Hat, Haywood (Mary Lou) Big Day; adopted sisters and special friends, Anita Stewart, Francine Amyotte, Delmyrna Yarlott, Jodeen Big Hair, Paulette Not Afraid, Sharon Rides Horse; adopted brothers, Darrel Three Persons of Standoff, Alberta, Canada. Extended families include Bird Hat, Smart Enemy, Big Day, Chief Stick, Rides Horse, Little Owl, Bell Rock, Woodtick, Plainfeather, Beaumont, Chief Goes Out, Iron Makers, Three Persons, Not Afraid and Bullinsight, Black Eagles. We apologize for any names that we may have forgotten. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 23, at Pryor Elementary School. Interment will be in Big Day Family Plot in Pryor. Arrangements are in the care of Dahl Funeral & Cremation Service. December 22, 2006 Charlyn M. Rogers CHARLO - Charlyn M. Rogers, 72, of Charlo, died Thursday, Dec. 21, 2006, at her home, of natural causes. Grogan Funeral Home, Polson, will announce arrangements. December 23, 2006 Alfretta Russell BUSBY - Alfretta Russell, 46, of Busby died Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2006, of injuries sustained in an auto accident near Busby. Esevone'hoene'e "Buffalo Comes Out Woman" was born Sept. 23, 1960, in Crow Agency, a daughter of Clifford Russell, Sr. and Virginia Kingfisher. She was adopted and raised by Alberta Fisher. She received her education in Busby and later attained her GED. Alfretta married Fred Walker III and the couple later divorced. She married Azmi Disi in 1994 in Billings and the couple made their home in Billings. She loved her granddaughter, Lyric Lei, and would often baby-sit and take her for long walks and rides every day. She was a member of the Mennonite Church, Native American Church and the Chief's Society. She enjoyed reading mystery novels, camping, gardening, cooking, baking and cleaning homes. Her grandparents, Alice and John Russell Sr.; father, Clifford Russell, Sr.; daughter, Mandy Russell; son, Fred Walker IV; brother, Ivan Russell; uncles, Eugene and John Russell; and aunts Agnes and Elsie Russell preceded Alfretta in death. Survivors include her mother, Virginia Russell; her daughters, Tuesday (Lee J.) Big Back and Tiffany Russell; adopted daughters, Cassy Russell and Keri Brady; adopted son, Cliff Jon Russell; sisters Estelle (Ben) Armentrout, Maria (Hank) Big Fire and Joyce Three Fingers; brothers, Melvin (Sandy) Miller and Clifford (Rosita) Russell Jr.; her adopted parents, Alberta (Burton) Fisher; her grandchildren, Reanna, Winden, Skyla, Lyric and Amanda; adopted sisters, Jennifer Red Fox and Tamara Weasel Bear; adopted brothers, Orin and William Red Fox; special friends, Jerry Nava and family, Lupe Perez, Jr. and family and Rennie Whiteman and family; special companions, Charles Walker, Jr. and Bernard Big Eagle; and her special nieces, Ivoree and Angel Russell; a special grandnephew who shared her birthday, Steven Christian Spotted Wolf; a special granddaughter, Ronnie Jean Big Back; as well as her extended family, including the Risingsun, Big Back, Rock Roads, Little Wolf, Little Sun, Kingfisher, Medicine Bull, Kaline, American Horse, Two Moons, Kills on Top, Little Bear, Strange Owl, Knows His Gun, Russell, Good Luck and Bad Warrior families. Our family is large, if we have missed you, please accept our apology. Traditional wake services will be held 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 26, in the Busby White River Cheyenne Church. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday in the Church. Interment will follow in the Russell "Strong Hold" Family Cemetery. Bullis Mortuary of Hardin has been entrusted with the arrangements. December 25, 2006 Gardner, Gus (Raven) Gus H. Gardner (Raven), 60, of Billings passed away Dec. 23, 2006, following a short illness. Gus was born in Billings on Dec. 28, 1945, to Frank Gardner and Edith Turning Bear. He grew up in the Pryor area and attended school at Edgar and at the St. Labre Mission and later received his GED. Gus was raised in the Crow and Sioux tradition. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and riding horses as well as numerous other sports. Gus participated in many sundances. He was given the right to be a ceremonial chief to the sweat lodge, and built many sweat lodges. As a boy, Gus enjoyed bull riding, jockeying; he excelled as a golden gloves boxer and trained many winning boxers. Gus met Carol Taniguchi in 1970; they reunited in 2003 and married shortly after and made their home in Billings. He was a good husband, father, and he will be greatly missed. Throughout the years he was often employed by his adopted brother, Tony Blackmore of the Double Spear Ranch. He enjoyed taking the guests out horsebacking, camping, and showing them the wonderful sights of the Pryor Mountains. He was also employed by the J & H Fencing, Exit 437, and his last job was with Ron Flom Fencing and Snow Removal. He was preceded in death by his parents: Frank Gardner and Edith Turning Bear; one son, Adrian Garcia; three sisters: Francis, Ruth Williamina, and Neolla; three brothers: Buster Gardner, Theodore Gardner, and Levi Turning Bear; two nephews: Nathan Old Dwarf and Gaylord Gardner. He is survived by his wife, Carol, of Billings; mother-in-law, Mary Taniguchi, of Billings; four daughters: Gusena (Keven) Howe, of Hardin, Sunday Rae Gardner, of Belgrade, Jackie (Geofredo) Little Bird, Hardin, and Faith Justice of Aberdeen, S.D.; four sons: Geronimo Gardner, of Butte, James Gardner, of Wyoming, Steve French and Mineo Taniguchi, of Billings; sisters-in-law: Alice (Chuck) Carroll, and Ruth Fitzpatrick, of Billings; Mary (Randy) Frederiksen of Iowa; 18 grandchildren; five great- grandchildren; adopted mother, Pricilla Gardner of Crow Agency; adopted dad, Pie Glen of Pryor; adopted sister, Alice May LaForge; brothers: Tony (Heidi) Blackmore of Pryor, Tommy (Donna) Gardner of Crow Agency, William (Christina) Gardner of Pryor, Thomas (Alice) Lionshows, Birdie and Lenall Lionshows, all of Lodge Grass; sister: Jenni Turning Bear of South Dakota; nephews: Brandon Old Dwarf and Shannon (Desirae) Old Dwarf and Yolonda (Tig) Knows Ground; numerous nieces and nephews too many to name; extended families Gardner, Old Dward, Lionshows, Turning Bear and Stops. We apologize if we forgot anyone for he had such a large family and so many friends. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 29, at Smith Downtown Chapel, 925 S. 27th St., Billings. Burial will be at Double Spear Ranch, Pryor. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 26. Memorials can be sent to: Carol Gardner, P.O. Box 31983 Billings, MT 59107. Copyright c. 2006 The Billings Gazette, a division of Lee Enterprises. -=-=-=- December 21, 2006 Martha Sun Goes Slow Beaumont Martha Sun Goes Slow Beaumont, 79, skilled in making elk tooth dresses and other beaded artwork, died Monday, Dec. 18, 2006, at Billings Health and Rehabilitation. Baolupeechish (Finds Good Things) was born Dec. 11, 1927, the daughter of Stephen and Mae (LaForge) Sun Goes Slow in Crow Agency. She grew up in Lodge Grass, where she attended school. She was a member of the Greasy Mouth Clan and a child of the Piegan Clan. She was a descendant of Enemy Hunter, Shakes Her Shield, Sun Goes Slow and Old Tom LaForge. At a young age, she was baptized into the Roman Catholic faith and also practiced traditional religion. She married Philip Beaumont Sr., and they made their home over 61 years of marriage in Lodge Grass, Crow Agency and finally in Pryor. Mrs. Beaumont was taught the art of beadwork by her mother and grandmother and made beaded clothing for her family to wear for Crow cultural activities and parades. She was particularly skilled in making elk tooth dresses. Survivors include children, Philip Jr., Dennis, Ronald, Neal Sr., Stephen Beaumont and Jolene Whiteclay; those adopted and raised as her own children, Edwina, Shawna, J.C. Sr. Beaumont and Dr. Charlene James Duguid; sisters, Sarah Sings Good Stewart, Angeline Whiteman and Rosie Bear Crane; and a brother, Harlan Sun Goes Slow. Extended families include the Birdinground, Takes The Horse, LaForge, Redwolf, Littlenest and Sun Goes Slow families. Visitation was on Dec. 20 with Vigil Services at Dahl Funeral Chapel. Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 21, in Lodge Grass at Our Lady of Loretto. Rite of Committal will be in Lodge Grass Cemetery. Copyright c. 2006 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. December 20, 2006 Clinton Crosby Clinton Beau Crosby, 25, a fire fighter and laborer died Monday, Dec. 11, 2006 in Browning of undetermined causes. Funeral services were held Monday at Browning Evangelistic Church. Burial followed in Willow Creek cemetery. Pondera Funeral Home handled the arrangements. He liked being around friends and family, basketball and football. He is survived by his father Otis Crosby; brother Christopher Crosby; and a sister Stephanie Blackman; nephews, Steven Gallineaux, Sgt. Michael Gallineaux, Timothy David Andrew; nieces, Ashley Blackman, Winona Andrew, Gina Andrew and Tasha Andrew; and his many uncles, aunts, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his mother Winona Crosby; a brother Thomas Crosby; and grandparents Tom and Martha Gallineaux. Debbie LaPointe Marceau Debbie LaPointe Marceau of Tacoma, Wash., died of complications from a long battle with cancer. Her funeral was Thursday, Nov. 30, in Tacoma, Wash. She is survived by her husband Alan Marceau; son Craig Marceau; and her daughters Cocolena Marceau, Nancy Marceau and Rolena Marceau. She was preceded in death by her parents, Bernard and Donna LaPointe, and son, Rylan Marceau. Her honorary pallbearers were Liz Sherman, Marla Augare, Doreen (Toots) Momberg, Rhonda Mountain Chief, Terry Pepion, Melanie Croff and Henry Wagner. Copyright c. 2006 Golden Triangle Newspapers. -=-=-=- December 21, 2006 Erma Mae Otto (Panchot) Erma Mae Otto (Panchot), 74, Pablo, died at home Saturday. She was born May 14, 1932, at St. Ignatius and attended Dixon schools. Erma traveled to the Philippines in 1949 when her father Harry Panchot was sent to build Voice of America broadcast stations. She also traveled to Greece and Europe and then returned to graduate from Ronan High School in 1950. Erma attended Spokane's Kinman Business University and received a one- year business accounting degree. In May 1953, she joined the Air Force and was assigned to San Antonio and to Scott AFB, Ill. She went to the Missoula Vocational Technical Center to become a Licensed Practical Nurse on Nov. 27, 1981. While nursing in Portland, she met her Ronan High School sweetheart Kenneth Otto. They wed in October 1990. After his retirement from Freightliner, they purchased a Pablo home. Erma Otto was a member of the Tribal Warrior Society and the Polson VFW Ladies Auxiliary. She loved nursing, camping and fishing, gambling, and puttering. She is survived by Aunt Winogene Cheery; brother Maurice Panchot; brother-in-law Alf Salway; numerous cousins; three children, James Wilkinson of Salem, Ore., David Wilkinson of Sacramento, Calif., and Diane Milligan of Denver, Iowa, and by three grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Faye Panchot; sister Mary Alice Salway, and grandparents Maurice and Hattie Hastings. Private services will be held Thursday, Dec. 21, at the Grogan Funeral Home in Polson. She will be buried with full military honors in the Polson Cemetery on March 13, 2007, at 10 a.m. December 21, 2006 Frederick H. Decker ST. IGNATIUS - Frederick H. "Freddie" Decker, the only son of Fred B. and Mary (McClure) Decker, was born Feb. 12, 1917, and died of natural causes Saturday morning, Dec. 16, 2006, at the family home. Freddie was a proud member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and was the oldest living tribal war veteran. He graduated from Thompson Falls High School in 1938. He lettered in athletics, was student body president and a well-known baseball player, and participated in numerous high school clubs. Prior to joining the Army in 1942, Freddie worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps in heavy equipment operations. During World War II, Freddie was in the Army Aviation Engineers. He served in Tunisia, Naples- Foggia, Rome-Arno and southern France. He built airstrips and dismantled land mines. Freddie was honorably discharged on Aug. 28, 1945. After the war, he married Alma Eileen Swaney in 1948. Freddie and Eileen had three children: Denise, Daniel and Mary Jean. Freddie and Eileen also cared for Maureen (Kelly) Swaney, Colleen (EO) Swaney, James (KittyKat) Swaney, Doug Swaney and Beverly Swaney. Freddie had a variety of work experiences. He worked for the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs Roads Division and Kicking Horse Job Corps as a heavy equipment instructor. Most of his work was with heavy equipment and road construction with the BIA, from which he retired at Juneau, Alaska, in 1980. Freddie was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing as often as he could and the mountains of the Flathead Indian Reservation, especially the Jocko where at age 17 he helped construct the "Decker Cabin" at the Shovel Camp of the North Fork of the Jocko River. He was complimented in 1980 in the Southeast Empire newspaper of Juneau as an "expert equipment operator working in such exotic places as Crooked Creek, the upper KusKoKwim River and Chignik on the Alaska Peninsula, where he constructed suspension bridges and boardwalks." Freddie was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Dorothy Decker Dupuis, Ann Decker Dupuis and Zelda Decker Morigeau; and James (KittyKat) Swaney. Freddie is survived by his wife of 58 years, Eileen, at the family home in St. Ignatius; his children, Denise and Gary Morigeau, Mary Jean Decker, and Daniel and Cher Decker, all of St. Ignatius; 15 grandchildren, James Steele, Jr., Rick Steele, Matt Steele, Bill Steele, Dan Decker, Shawn Decker, Josh Decker, Amber Walks Over Ice, Amanda Decker, Wyatt Decker, Shaniya Decker, Victoria Decker, Pauline Never Misses A Shot, Dustin Decker and Dylan Decker; and 17 great-grandchildren. A funeral Mass was celebrated Dec. 19 at the St. Ignatius Catholic Church. Burial was in the Decker Family Cemetery. Foster & Durgeloh Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Copyright c. 2002 Lake Country Leader Advertiser/Polson, MT. -=-=-=- December 20, 2006 Anthony James "AJ" Follette POPLAR - Anthony James "AJ" Follette, 20, of Poplar, who enjoyed basketball, playing cards and spending time with family and friends, died Friday at a Poplar hospital. The cause of death is under investigation. His funeral is noon today at the Poplar Cultural Center with burial following in Fort Kipp Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel is handling arrangements. Survivors include his parents, Darrell and Ida Follette of Poplar; maternal grandmother Arlene Buckles of Texas; honorary parents who raised AJ, Jackie and Nate Follette of Helena; grandparents Carmelita Lambert of Poplar, Dennis and Flora Follette of Helena, and Lydia and Ceya Long Hair of Fort Kipp; brothers Dominique Buckles of Fort Kipp, Darrell Jr. and Neal Follette of Poplar; sister, Chelle Follette of Poplar. December 24, 2006 Christian, Mildred Mary HAYS - Mildred Mary (Mount) Christian, 92, of Hays, whose Indian name, Nee-Ah-Na-Itha, means "Whirling Women," a cook at Hays Head Start, died of cancer Thursday at her home. Her wake begins 5 p.m. Monday at Mission Recreation Center, with a rosary at 7 p.m. Funeral Mass is 11 a.m. Tuesday at the center with burial in Mission Cemetery. Ed-wards Funeral Home of Chinook is handling arrangements. Survivors include daughters Gertrude Werk, Christabell Main, Nicki Kirkaldie and Dorothy Hawley, all of Hays, Frances Rus-sette and Wilma Morsette, both of Rocky Boy, and Christine Oppelt of Great Falls; sons Frank Mann Jr. of Torrance, Calif., and Donald Mann of Hays; sisters Caroline Brown of Harlem and Barbara Long Knife and Monie Messerly, both of Hays; 42 grandchildren, 75 great-grandchildren and 18 great-great- grandchildren. She was preceded in death by daughters Madeliva Russette and Mabel Mann, and sons Norman Christian and David Mann. Copyright c. 2006 Great Falls Tribune, a division of Lee Enterprises. -=-=-=- December 24, 2006 Mike A. Finley POLSON - Mike A. Finley, 56, of Polson, died peacefully in his sleep Friday, Dec. 22, 2006. Born in St. Ignatius on June 29, 1950, to Antoine and Susan (Hewankorn) Finley, he was raised in Dayton Creek and Polson. Mike worked at the Dupuis Mill as the greenchain boss until the mill closed. He was also a skilled auto mechanic and electrician. Most recently he worked at Tribal Maintenance. He loved to hunt and was one of the best providers to many people, shooting 17 bucks in one fall with a .22 single shot. He was known for his adaptability when needed during the hunt. An avid stickgame player, he had most recently won the big tournament at Kwataqnuk. He also enjoyed shooting pool with his nieces and nephews, and spending time with his grandchildren, Audrey, Mariam, Tobias, Aiden, Tabitha, Ezekiel "E.J." and Francois' kids. He also loved his Harley and the martial arts as well as playing video games with the grandchildren. He will be remembered as a kind and generous man who would share anything he had with whomever needed it. He is survived by his brothers, Vernon (Elaine) of Polson and Barney (Frances) of Ronan; sisters Myrna of Great Falls and Naida of Polson; his children, Tricia, Jocelyn, Annie and Francois; his mom Cecile; as well as his grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, uncles and aunties. A wake began Saturday at the Elmo Community Center with services following. Burial will be at the Dayton Cemetery on Sunday, Dec. 24. Pallbearers are Donny Prindel, Harlan Mathias, Tom Duran, Jerry Hewankorn, Oskie Lefthand and Ray Finley Jr. Cross Bearer is Harry Hewankorn and honorary bearers are Jerry McClure, Bud Mathias, Virgil Mathias, Reuben Mathias and his many other relatives and friends. Copyright c. 2006 Missoulian, a division of Lee Enterprises. -=-=-=- Char-Koosta News - The official publication of the Flathead Indian Nation December 2006 Lorraine Peterson Carter MISSOULA - Lorraine Peterson Carter passed away Saturday, December 9, 2006 at St. Patrick's Hospital in Missoula. A member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribe, Lorraine was born April 28, 1934 to her father Lyle Peterson and her mother Bernice Bisson Peterson Sias. She was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband Bob Carter and her three children, Cherie (Daniel Smith) Austin, Debbie Troyan and Greg (Elizabeth) Brown. Also surviving are her brothers Lorin (Lori) Peterson and Corky (Cynthia) Sias and Corky's five children; her stepfather Jim (Kelly) Sias and her sister Terry Sias Edmo and Terry's three children. Lorraine had five grandchildren, Sean and Kyle Austin, Larry and Tammy Troyan, Billy Brown and one great-grandson Ashton Glatz. Additionally surviving are one nephew Wayne Peterson, his three children, nieces Missy (Darwin) Hensley and her five children, Kathy Peterson and numerous cousins. Lorraine left Montana to attend college in California and received her BA in Cultural Anthropology. She married, raised her children, retired and returned home to Montana in 2000 with her husband, Bob. She enjoyed traveling and was fortunate to have visited many places around the world. Some of her favorite pastimes were hunting for huckleberries in any form, playing with all the children and Margaritas. A memorial dinner was held Tuesday December 12, 2006 at the Tribal Senior Center in Ronan. Graveside service was held Thursday December 14, 2006 at the Ronan Cemetery. Lorraine will be greatly missed by all those who had the pleasure of her company, her wit and her quick smile. Fern Geraldine Matt Hitchcock MISSOULA - Fern Geraldine Matt Hitchcock, 82, passed away suddenly Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2006, at St. Patrick Hospital of natural causes. Fern was born Sept. 29, 1924, in Ronan to Louis J. and Hazel N. Pratt Matt. She was raised in the Arlee area. She was a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. She married Leonard Hitchcock on Sept. 10, 1945. They raised four children and two granddaughters, Michelle and Tammy, in their 45 years together. They lived in the Valley Creek and Clearwater areas and finally settled in Missoula. Fern was devoted to her family. In her early years, she and her family would camp up the Jocko through the week of the Fourth of July. Fern loved to garden. Her flowers and vegetables adorned her yard. She canned and made jams and jellies yearly. She always made time to sit down and visit over a cup of coffee. She will be truly missed. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Leonard; a son, Lenny; a sister, Angela; and her bothers, Jerry, John, Joe, Bud, Bob and Wendal. Survivors include her daughter, Leona and her husband Richard Larson of Frenchtown; two sons, Albert and his wife Julie Hitchcock of Arlee and Ray and wife Jan of Arlee. Also surviving are 10 grandkids, Michelle, Tammy, Kelly, Kyle, Lisa and husband Mark, Brian, DeRae, William, Josh and Jeff; 12 great-grandchildren, Kail, Jaren, Dylan, Cierra, Kaitlyn, Zach, Royce, Jake, Allison, Taylor, Brittlynn, Aubrey and Caden; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held from 3-7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11, at Livingston, Malletta and Geraghty Funeral Home with a vigil service to follow at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home with burial to follow at the Jocko Catholic Cemetery. A gathering of family and friends will be held at the Arlee Community Center following the burial. Copyright c. 2006 Char-Koosta News. -=-=-=- December 19, 2006 Lloyd Blatchford, 54 Anchorage Lloyd Anthony Blatchford, 54, died peacefully Dec. 11, 2006, of cancer at Alaska Native Medical Center. His family was at his bedside. The family honored his wish to be cremated. A graveside service and potluck will be held in the spring. Mr. Blatchford was born Nov. 24, 1952, in Sitka, and lived in Seward for most of his youth. There he enjoyed spending time with his friends. He graduated from Seward High School in 1971. Fellow basketball team members and fans will remember the spark and spirit that he contributed to the team during his high school years. He attended college in Sitka for one year and was drafted into the Army in 1972. He was honorably discharged in 1974 as an E-4. Mr. Blatchford lived in Alaska except for his military service. He worked on the trans-Alaska oil pipeline in the mid 1970s through Laborer's Local 341 and retired in 2004 from Local 341. Family wrote: "Lloyd liked to fish, watch basketball, read and hike. He enjoyed attending the UAA Seawolves basketball games until his illness. During the past five years he spent most of his time helping raise his wife's adopted grandchildren, K.C. and Gemma, who will deeply miss his presence. "Lloyd was well-loved by his family, relatives, friends and neighbors, and they will dearly miss him. Lloyd always accepted people the way they were." Survivors include his wife, Rosie; mother and father, Daisy and Percy; brother, Brian; niece, Taylor; step-daughter, Liberty; stepson, Marcus, and family; sister-in-law, Marnee; aunts and uncles, Cecelia Balch, Jay and Chris Holmberg, Sidney and Dawn Blatchford, Doc and Carol Blatchford, Art and Mae Brandon, Gene and Mabel Blatchford, Jack and Peggy Blatchford, Lena Blatchford, Marge Gagnon and Dolly Peters; and many cousins and friends in Alaska and the Lower 48. Mr. Blatchford was preceded in death by his son, Gabriel. Memorial contributions may be sent to St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 2222 E. Tudor Road, Anchorage 99507. Arrangements were with Witzleben Family Funeral Homes. Copyright c. 2006 The Anchorage Daily News. -=-=-=- December 20, 2006 Jenny "JB" Elizabeth Jack Former Juneau resident Jenny "JB" Elizabeth Jack died Dec. 16, 2006, in Angoon. She was 31. She was born Oct. 23, 1975, in Barrow. She graduated from Angoon High School in 1993. She worked mostly administrative or clerical jobs with many companies including Kootznoowoo Inc., Chatham School District and The Learning Connection. She also did a lot of volunteer work and enjoyed baby-sitting for other people. She enjoyed walking the beach (day or night); gathering subsistence foods (mainly cockles and gumboots); cooking, baking and cleaning; reading novels; drinking coffee and reading the paper in the morning; eating spicy foods; growing plants; collecting knickknacks; watching old videos and listening to oldies music. According to her family, she was happiest when she was with her son, niece and nephews. She was very considerate of others and was also happiest when she was able to give to others just see them smile. She was preceded in death in 2002 by her brother, Walter Jack Jr. She is survived by her son, Preston Norman Nelson; parents, Walter and Martha Jack Sr.; sister, Doreen Cole and her husband, Shawn; sister, Edna Jack; brother, Stuart Jack; grandparents, Frank and Beth Jack, of Angoon, and Noah and Mollie Itta, of Barrow; niece, Naomi George; nephews, Jeremiah Jack, Nathaniel Cole, Shawn Cole, Brayden Briggs and Payton Cole; and many uncles, aunts and cousins. A memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. today at the Thunder Valley Church of God in Juneau. A memorial service will also be held at 7 p.m. Thursday in Angoon at the Angoon Alaska Native Brotherhood Hall, followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m. Friday. Copyright c. 1997-2006 Juneau Empire/Morris Communications Corporation. -=-=-=- December 19, 2006 Rodrique Cappo CAPPO - On December 17, 2006 William (Billy) Rodrique Cappo started his journey to the Spirit World. Born January 7, 1942, Billy is predeceased by his parents Maurice & Evelyn (nee Stonechild) Cappo. Brother: Joey, Sisters: Karen, Shirley Delorme and Clara Mantee. Father-in-Law: James (Jim) Ironeagle, Son-in- Law: Leslie (Chotty) Stevenson and Cowboy "Bro " Lonnie Poitras. Billy is survived by his children: Yvette (Lindsay) Pasqua, Lorne (Liana) Cappo, Kamao (Cora) Cappo, Berva (Todd) Cappo, Todd (Candice) Cappo, William Cappo Jr., Simone Cappo and their mother Olive Ironeagle. Melanie Keepness, Jamie (Trent) Keepness and their mother Joyce Keepness. Adopted Sons: Phil (Bev) Auger and Peter (Ivy) Nippi. Brother: Tom (Mildred) Cappo, Sisters: Norma Cappo, Marie Lerat and Dianne Toto. 30 Grandchildren, 12 Great-Grandchildren and numerous relatives and friends. A Traditional wake will commence at 4:00 pm on Wednesday December 20, 2006 at the Muscowpetung Education Center, Muscowpetung First Nation. Traditional Funeral services will begin at 11:00 am on Thursday December 21, 2006 Muscowpetung Education Center, Elders officiating. Funeral service entrusted to Tubman Funeral Home. December 20, 2006 Norman Crowe CROWE, NORMAN MICHEAL October 16, 1962 - December 15, 2006 On December 15th, 2006, Norman Crowe passed away peacefully at Abbotsford, BC. Norman will be remembered by his father Noel (Bossy) Crowe, Jr. (Kathy Keewatin); brothers Raymond Crowe, Delbert Crowe, Gerald Crowe (Barb); sisters Kathleen Crowe, Heather Crowe, Noela CroweSalazar (Hector), Irma Ironchild and many other loving and caring relatives. Norman was predeceased by his mother Norma Crowe (nee Adams), brothers Steven Crowe and grandparents Paul Adams, Bertha Adams (nee Anaquod), Seraphine Crowe (nee Dubois) and Noel Crowe Sr. The life and memory of Norman will be honoured at Piapot First Nation Community Center with a wake commencing at 5:00 pm, December 21st, followed by a traditional funeral at 11:00 am, December 22nd. Piapot First Nation Elders officiating. As the Creator takes Norman home, we wish him peace and happiness. December 23, 2006 Delbert LePlante LAPLANTE, DELBERT GLEN - "TOM", by everyone who knew him, passed away December 21, 2006, at the age of 46 years. Predeceased by father Raymond, Delbert is survived and will be sadly missed by his mother Anne, siblings Catharina (Sam), Merv (Gloria), Myrna, Bryan, Reg (Lyla), Dennis (Reema), Brenda (Clayton), Linda and Debbie; children Ramona, Eric, Chanelle and Jayden; granddaughter Leetalorraine, as well as many relatives and friends. Tom was born October 13, 1960 in Wynyard and attended school at Edgebrook, Kandahar and Wynyard. He lived a simple life and was a hardworking man with an easy going and down to earth nature. Tom was dedicated to his animals and he loved the land and farm life. His cattle and working on 'The Ranch' were what he enjoyed most. He worked extensively during the winter months operating heavy equipment in Saskatchewan, Alberta, and northern British Columbia. His humble qualities and offbeat sense of humor will be greatly missed by all those close to him. The traditional wake will be held at 4:00 pm Saturday, December 23, 2006 at Kawacatoose First Nation Gym. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 am Sunday, December 24, 2006 at Kawacatoose First Nation Gym. Burial to follow at Kawacatoose South Cemetery. Funeral arrangements in care of Mourning Glory Funeral Services, Saskatoon. The traditional wake will be held at 4:00 pm Saturday, December 23, 2006 at Kawacatoose First Nation Gym. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 am Sunday, December 24, 2006 at Kawacatoose First Nation Gym. Burial to follow at Kawacatoose South Cemetery. Funeral arrangements in care of Mourning Glory Funeral Services, Saskatoon. Roseanna Shopa ROSEANNA SHOPA - 1927-2006 Roseanna passed away at Central Butte Regency Hospital on December 21st, 2006 after a lengthy illness. Prayer Service will take place on Wednesday, December 27th, 2006 at 3:00 P.M. in Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane. Funeral Service will be held at St. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church north of Valjean, Sask., on Thursday, December 28th, 2006 at 1:30 p. m. Fr. Yurij Lazurko will officiate and interment will follow in the church cemetery. Memorials in memory of Roseanna to the Central Butte Health Care Foundation, Box 40 Central Butte, Sk, S0H 0T0 or Moose Jaw Health Foundation, 455 Fairford St. E. Moose Jaw, Sk, S6H 1H3 would be appreciated by the family. Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane, Calvin Gammel, Funeral Director. 693-4550. www.moosejawfuneralhome.com Copyright c. 2000-2006 Regina Leader Post Group Inc. edicated to his animals and he loved the land and farm life. His cattle and working on 'The Ranch' were what he enjoyed most. He worked extensively during the winter months operating heavy equipment in Saskatchewan, Alberta, and northern British Columbia. His humble qualities and offbeat sense of humor will be greatly missed by all those close to him. The traditional wake will be held at 4:00 pm Saturday, December 23, 2006 at Kawacatoose First Nation Gym. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 am Sunday, December 24, 2006 at Kawacatoose First Nation Gym. Burial to follow at Kawacatoose South Cemetery. Funeral arrangements in care of Mourning Glory Funeral Services, Saskatoon. The traditional wake will be held at 4:00 pm Saturday, December 23, 2006 at Kawacatoose First Nation Gym. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 am Sunday, December 24, 2006 at Kawacatoose First Nation Gym. Burial to follow at Kawacatoose South Cemetery. Funeral arrangements in care of Mourning Glory Funeral Services, Saskatoon. Roseanna Shopa ROSEANNA SHOPA - 1927-2006 Roseanna passed away at Central Butte Regency Hospital on December 21st, 2006 after a lengthy illness. Prayer Service will take place on Wednesday, December 27th, 2006 at 3:00 P.M. in Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane. Funeral Service will be held at St. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church north of Valjean, Sask., on Thursday, December 28th, 2006 at 1:30 p. m. Fr. Yurij Lazurko will officiate and interment will follow in the church cemetery. Memorials in memory of Roseanna to the Central Butte Health Care Foundation, Box 40 Central Butte, Sk, S0H 0T0 or Moose Jaw Health Foundation, 455 Fairford St. E. Moose Jaw, Sk, S6H 1H3 would be appreciated by the family. Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane, Calvin Gammel, Funeral Director. 693-4550. www.moosejawfuneralhome.com Copyright c. 2000-2006 Regina Leader Post Group Inc.