Many Issues Came In This Weekend

Tribal chairman declares state of emergency over increase in youth suicide attempts

Journal staff | Posted: Wednesday, December 9, 2009 8:00 pm | (0) Comments

PINE RIDGE -- Oglala Sioux Chairman Theresa Two Bulls will declare a suicide state of emergency for the Pine Ridge Reservation during a news conference at 1 p.m. Thursday.

Two Bulls and the OST Sweet Grass Project, a suicide prevention and awareness program, are making the declaration in response to a recent increase in youth suicides and suicide attempts on the reservation. The event will be held in the OST Health Administration Department in the old Indian Health Service Hospital on Highway 18.

http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/news/article_d6eed4c6-e51f-11de-b982-001cc4c03286.html



Tamra Brennan

Founder/Director

NDN News

www.NDNnews.com

www.protectsacredsites.org

www.protectbearbutte.com



NDN News is a grassroots organization which acts as an information hub and resource for many issues in Indian Country. We are dedicated to providing information featuring headline stories, on-going issues, action alerts, and upcoming events.



PROTECT BEAR BUTTE!!!!!!!!

Our Sacred Ground is NOT Your Playground!



"Our sacred lands are all that remain keeping us connected to our place on Mother Earth, to our spirituality, our heritage and our lands; what’s left of them. If they take it all away, what will remain except a vague memory of a past so forgotten?" ......excerpt from One Nation, One Land, One People by Tamra Brennan, 2006
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U.S. Will Settle Indian Lawsuit for $3.4 Billion

For more Info go to: www.indiantrust.com
The federal government announced on Tuesday that it intends to pay $3.4 billion to settle claims that it has mismanaged the revenue in American Indian trust funds, potentially ending one of the largest and most complicated class-action lawsuits ever brought against the United States.

The tentative agreement, reached late Monday, would resolve a 13-year-old lawsuit over hundreds of thousands of land trust accounts that date to the 19th century. Specialists in federal tribal law described the lawsuit as one of the most important in the history of legal disputes involving the government’s treatment of American Indians.

President Obama hailed the agreement as an “important step towards a sincere reconciliation” between the federal government and American Indians, many of whom, he said, considered the protracted lawsuit a “stain” on the nation.

As a presidential candidate, Mr. Obama said, “I pledged my commitment to resolving this issue, and I am proud that my administration has taken this step today.”

For the agreement to become final, Congress must enact legislation and the federal courts must then sign off on it. Administration officials said they hoped those two steps would be completed in the next few months.

The dispute arises from a system dating to 1887, when Congress divided many tribal lands into parcels — most from 40 to 160 acres — and assigned them to individual Indians while selling off remaining lands.

The Interior Department now manages about 56 million acres of Indian trust land scattered across the country, with the heaviest concentration in Western states. The government handles leases on the land for mining, livestock grazing, timber harvesting and drilling for oil and gas. It then distributes the revenue raised by those leases to the American Indians. In the 2009 fiscal year, it collected about $298 million for more than 384,000 individual Indian accounts.

The lawsuit accuses the federal government of mismanaging that money. As a result, the value of the trusts has been unclear, and the Indians contend that they are owed far more than what they have been paid.

Under the settlement, the government would pay $1.4 billion to compensate the Indians for their claims of historical accounting irregularities and any accusation that federal officials mismanaged the administration of the land itself over the years.

Each member of the class would receive a check for $1,000, and the rest of the money would be distributed according to the land owned. In addition, legal fees, to be determined by a judge, would be paid from that fund.

Philip Frickey, a law professor at the University of California, Berkeley, who specializes in federal Indian law, said that of all the Indian land claims and other lawsuits over the past generation, the trust case had been a “blockbuster” because it is national in scope, involves a large amount of money, and has been long-running.

The lawsuit spanned three presidencies and engendered seven trials covering 192 trial days, generated 22 published judicial opinions, and went before a federal appeals court 10 times.

Over its course, the federal judge originally assigned to the case, Royce C. Lamberth, put contempt orders on two secretaries of the interior over their handling of the lawsuit. In 2006, after the Bush administration complained of bias, a federal appeals court removed Judge Lamberth from the case.

Judge James Robertson has handled it since, and he pushed both parties to negotiate — including brokering a last-minute deal over an undisclosed problem that nearly derailed the settlement late Monday, said David J. Hayes, the Interior Department deputy secretary.

Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. on Tuesday characterized the case as “intense, and sometimes difficult.”

“The United States could have continued to litigate this case, at great expense to the taxpayers,” Mr. Holder said. “It could have let all of these claims linger, and could even have let the problem of fractionated land continue to grow with each generation. But with this settlement, we are erasing these past liabilities and getting on track to eliminate them going forward.”

The settlement also seeks to resolve an ever-growing headache of the trust system that contributed to the government’s problems — especially in the pre-computer era — in keeping track of the allotments: the original owners, most of whom died without leaving wills, have many heirs, which has “fractionalized” the ownership interests.

For example, one 40-acre parcel today has 439 owners, most of whom receive less than $1 a year in income from it, Mr. Haynes said. The parcel is valued at about $20,000, but it costs the government more than $40,000 a year to administer those trusts.

In an effort to resolve such problems — and prevent them from worsening in subsequent generations — the settlement would establish a $2 billion fund to buy fractional interests in land from anyone willing to sell. The program would seek to consolidate ownership in parcels of land for the tribes, while reducing the Interior Department’s work in keeping track of the trusts.

“This is an historic, positive development for Indian country,” said Ken Salazar, the Interior Department secretary, “and a major step on the road to reconciliation following years of acrimonious litigation between trust beneficiaries and the United States.”

Over the years, the plaintiffs have contended that they were owed tens of billions of dollars, while the government has at times taken the position that it owed them little or nothing.

Elouise Cobell, the lead plaintiff who filed the class-action lawsuit in 1996, said she believed that the Indians were owed more, but that it was better to reach an agreement that could help impoverished trust holders than to spend more years in court. She said she had originally expected the litigation to last only two or three years.

“We are compelled to settle by the sobering realization that our class grows smaller each day as our elders die and are forever prevented from receiving just compensation,“ Ms. Cobell said.

Robert Clinton, an Arizona State University law professor who specializes in federal Indian law, said the settlement alone would not resolve the trust problem because many of the heirs who own tiny interests in parcels may not be willing to sell them.

Still, the settlement will provide an incentive for such owners to sell: the Interior Department will set aside up to 5 percent of the value of the land interests for a scholarship fund to help Indians attend college or vocational school.

Report page:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/us/09tribes.html?_r=1&th&emc=th

www.indiantrust.com

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Buffalo Field Campaign
Yellowstone Bison
Update from the Field
December 10, 2009

Buffalo Field Campaign receives the overwhelming majority of our funding through small contributions from people like you. Please consider making a year-end contribution in support of our important work for the buffalo.

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In this issue:
* Update from the Field
* Buffalo Battle: Cast Your Vote to Keep it Going!
* Good News: Horse Butte Public Lands Grazing Allotments Closed!
* Take Action: Quarantined Buffalo Need Our Help
* HOPE for the Buffalo: Enter Essay Contest
* Last Words
* Kill Tally
* Important Links

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* Update from the Field
Frosty bull bison. BFC file photo courtesey of supporter Kim Kaiser.

Things have been quiet here in the Hebgan Basin for the last week. Frigid temperatures (several times dropping below -30) and bone-chilling winds have put volunteers in a 'huddle-to-stay-warm' mode. Bison seem to be content with the large open areas of grass available to them inside Yellowstone National Park that would typically be concealed under several feet of snow at this time of year. Deep freezes are slowly but very steadily turning the serene waters of Hebgan Lake into its icy winter counterpart. The howls and wails of the freezing water body are heard echoing through the valley, quite a haunting sound indeed. The lack of snow maintains the availability of grass on higher grounds, keeping our shaggy bison friends safe in their summer range, away from the dangers of the hunt zone. We can't help but miss their presence in the field on our daily patrols. The contrast of wanting to be with the bison on the landscape and wanting the bison to be safe leaves us feeling ambivalent on these cold days, but the bison will come as they always have and we will be here as we always are to help tell their story.

From the Field,
Peet

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* Buffalo Battle: Cast Your Vote to Keep it Going!

We hope you were able to tune in to Planet Green last Saturday for the premier of Buffalo Battle, a new documentary-style TV program about the Yellowstone bison population and the work of Buffalo Field Campaign. We have received a lot of positive feedback, as well as some constructive criticism, and we thank you so much for your input. We'd love to hear more from you, and so would Planet Green. You can help make Buffalo Battle a series by visiting Planet Green to vote for Buffalo Battleand give your comments to the station. So far, Buffalo Battle is gaining the most votes from viewers, and this could mean that Planet Green will decide to go for a series, which will help spread the word to save these herds.

A lot of you have also asked for DVDs of the program, but at the moment they are not available. As soon as they are, we will be sure to let folks know how to get them. Buffalo Battle will continue to be shown on Planet Green, so check your local listings for show times and encourage your friends and family to tune in, and vote today forBuffalo Battle to continue!

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* Good News: Horse Butte Public Lands Grazing Allotments Closed!

Wild buffalo on Horse Butte last April. BFC file photo.

We have excellent news to share with you: Gallatin National Forest recently made the decision to close the public lands cattle grazing allotments on Horse Butte. The allotments have been vacant and unused for several years, but vacancy status leaves an open door for cattle to return. Now that they are closed, this helps permanently protect Horse Butte from the destructive presence of cattle, and will help efforts to open Horse Butte to wild bison year round.

We encourage everyone to please send a big thank you to Gallatin National Forest Superintendent Mary Erickson for making this landmark decision. Let her know that these are the positive steps the Forest Service should take to provide year-round habitat for America's last wild bison population. This decision will also help protect habitat for all the wild creatures that inhabit Horse Butte, including grizzly bears, wolves, western toads and the purple monkey flower.

Email Superintendent Erickson with a message of thanks and encouragement at mcerickson@fs.fed.us

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* Take Action: Quarantined Buffalo Need Our Help

Young bison held prisoner in government quarantine study. BFC file photo.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) is poised to hand over to billionaire Ted Turner 74 Yellowstone bison that were captured as calves from Yellowstone National Park, setting a negative precedent of commercializing wild bison that are protected for the benefit and enjoyment of all people. We need your help to put pressure on decision-makers to give these Yellowstone bison a chance to remain as public wildlife on lands available to all people. Please visit last week's Update from the Field for more detail and information about contacting decision-makers. Many thanks to everyone who has been making their voice heard for these captive buffalo. Read this fantastic piece by BFC Board Member Ken Cole, which gives a great overview of the current quarantine situation.

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* HOPE for the Buffalo ~ Enter Essay Contest

Many of us have enjoyed Endangered Species Chocolates, as well as the contributions they make to help Earth's vanishing plants and animals. They currently have a program called It's Time for HOPE, encouraging people who care to dream and realize those dreams ... for the animals that are all too quickly leaving us, because of us. Endangered Species Chocolate's It's Time for HOPE program is welcoming 500-word essays about the thing that gives you hope. Hope can be wild buffalo roaming free, pressing on against all odds. If your essay is chosen, the organization of your choice will be given $5,000. We are hopeful that you will choose BFC, and, it's a great way to get the buffalo's story out there. Enter your buffalo HOPE essay today and see below for a beautiful example.

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* Last Words

"In the nightmare, I'm on the north side of the Madison River, just west of Yellowstone National Park. A thick, gray fog obscures everything but the ground at my feet. My heart sinks as I hear the sound of high powered rifles and the pounding of heavy hooves in the distance. Suddenly, a massive bull buffalo charges from the mist and pins me against a pine tree. I'm not hurt, but am stuck between his horns and the tree. I'm helpless as the slaughter approaches, hearing and feeling the earth shake as many buffalo are killed and fall to the ground. I awake in a pool of sweat and realize that I was dreaming. Slowly, too, I realize that I am safe and warm in the lodge at the Buffalo Field Campaign. I can hear the soft breathing and occasional snores of the other volunteers sleeping around me. In reality, the senseless slaughter of the buffalo continues, but my hope lies in these volunteers. They come from all over the world, old and young alike, to answer the call for help.

Soon we will rise and head into the field, into the offices, into the schools, the courtrooms, the street rallies, anywhere that we can advocate and educate about how important these last wild American buffalo truly are. Some can only come for a weekend, others have devoted their lives, but all who have been blessed to be in the presence of wild buffalo are changed by the experience. For every volunteer who comes to Yellowstone to brave the cold and bear witness to this harsh injustice there are thousands more who work and support from afar. I am hopeful because I can see that together we are making progress. Slow, painful and bittersweet at times, but progress nonetheless. With the stubborn persistence of buffalo headed into a winter storm, our numbers grow, our collective voice becomes louder. I can feel it now, like a huge wave growing in the ocean, we are poised. Wide awake, our dream of the return of wild buffalo and justice for the native cultures that cherished them begins to take form. Together, with dedication, hard work, and a boundless hope, we will make this dream reality."

~ By Pete Leusch, BFC Board Member.

This is Pete's powerful HOPE essay submission (see above). Submit yours for the buffalo, too!


Do you have submissions for Last Words? Send them tobfc-media@wildrockies.org. Thank you all for the poems, songs and stories you have been sending; you'll see them here!

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* Kill Tally

AMERICAN BISON ELIMINATED from the last wild population in the U.S.
2009-2010 Total: 1

2009-2010 Slaughter: 0
2009-2010 Hunt: 1
2009-2010 Quarantine: 0
2009-2010 Shot by Agents: 0
2009-2010 Highway Mortality: 0

2008-2009 Total: 22
2007-2008 Total: 1,631
Total Since 2000: 3,703*
*includes lethal government action, quarantine, hunts, highway mortalities

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Media & Outreach
Buffalo Field Campaign
P.O. Box 957
West Yellowstone, MT 59758
406-646-0070
bfc-media@wildrockies.org
http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org

BFC is the only group working in the field every day
in defense of the last wild buffalo population in the U.S.

KEEP BFC ON THE FRONTLINES WITH A TAX DEDUCTIBLE CONTRIBUTION TODAY

Join Buffalo Field Campaign -- It's Free!

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ROAM FREE!

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Fw: [Mohican-7] A New Exhibit at Ellis Island Tells the Story of the

Posted by: "billy.richardson"billy.richardson@ rogers.com

Sun Dec 6, 2009 12:03 pm (PST)




----- Original Message -----
From: Wenona Gardner
To: Mohican-7@yahoogrou ps.com
Sent: Sunday, December 06, 2009 9:17 AM
Subject: [Mohican-7] A New Exhibit at Ellis Island Tells the Story of the Lenape, the People Who Were There First

Posted December 6th, 2009 by Bob Janiskee

This NPS photo shows some artifacts included in the Lenape exhibit now on display at the Ellis Island Museum.

A new exhibit at Ellis Island National Monument draws attention to a seldom-noted fact. When Henry Hudson discovered New York Harbor 400 years ago last September 11, Native Americans were already there. They were the Lenape, aka Lenni Lenape (“the true people”). The Lenape homeland included not only the area now occupied by New York City, but also a large territory that extended between the Delaware and lower Hudson Rivers and included all of New Jersey as well as parts of New York, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.

The Lenape (pronounced Leh-NAH-pay) fared well for a while after European contact, profiting from the fur trade, but the ensuing centuries saw their fortunes take a bad turn. Crowded out by settlers and ravaged by infectious diseases, the depredations of hostile tribes, and other calamities, the Lenape saw their numbers dwindle and their once-large territory whittled to tatters by treaties. Finally, most of the remaining Lenape were gathered up and removed to the Oklahoma Territory in the late 1860s. Today, most Lenape descendants live in Oklahoma, but there are also scattered populations in Wisconsin, Kansas, Ontario, and in the Middle Atlantic states where the traditional homeland lay.

“Lenape: Ellis Island’s First Inhabitants” is the title of the new exhibit telling the story of “the Lenape people’s experiences from their earliest known presence in the area, through their fateful encounter with Henry Hudson, past their removal from their ancestral homeland to their present-day communities in Oklahoma and Wisconsin.”

The exhibit integrates a variety of materials, including prehistoric artifacts, antique books, maps, archival photographs, traditional Lenape clothing and crafts, ceremonial objects, illustrations, paintings and dioramas, bronze sculptures, and documentary films, that create a historical narrative. These materials are combined with quotations on a wide variety of subjects by traditional Lenape.
The museum staff at Ellis Island worked tirelessly with exhibit curator David M. Oestreicher, Ph.D, using the content generated by him to design and develop the exhibit. Their contributions in this area also included the graphic design for the exhibition as well as editing of the text provided for length and accessibility and incorporating suggestions from one of the Delaware tribes, the Stockbridge- Munsee Community.

They also worked with Oestreicher and curatorial consultant Karen Frederic to reorganize the exhibition to fit within the galleries and have a coherent thematic structure. Museum staffers assisted in the selection of artifacts, developed two interactive computer kiosks that will enable visitors to access supplemental content, located additional images to illustrate text, and installed the exhibit.

“Lenape: Ellis Island’s First Inhabitants” can be viewed through January 10 in the third floor galleries of the Ellis Island Museum, which is located in the refurbished Main Building.

Source:
http://www.national parkstraveler. com/2009/ 12/new-exhibit- ellis-island- tells-story- lenape-people- who-were- there-first5035

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Herseth Sandlin questions tribal land auction

Click on the link or Copy and Paste the address into your internet browser window.
http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/news/article_c986ba0a-e65b-11de-8f70-001cc4c03286.html

- james.swan@mdu.com

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Cherokee Phoenix Weekly Newsletter
http://www.cherokeephoenix.org/74/newsletter.aspx

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Taseko Request to Remove Nalaine Morin from the Panel

Hi you guys and ladies,

All of you should make a comment about this, Taseko Mines(prosperity mine) is going to use every dirty trick they can to railroad their way into our country.


Alice M. William
Tom & Alice

www.protectfishlake.ca check this site out, YOU CAN POST YOUR COMMENTS TO THE EA PANEL REGISTRY ON THIS WEB SITE email: prosperity.review@ceaa-acee.gc.ca
concerning the Fish Lake (Teztan^ Biny)area, and the newspaper to send comments to about the injustice of it all.


For people interested in helping us to broadcasting the news, Taseko Ltd. is trying its best to dig a big open pit mine in our country, which will pollute the last few remaining lakes, rivers, and creeks in our Province.
This area is situated close to the Coast Mountains, which covers some beautiful mountains, natural water, wetlands, and will disturb grizzly, California Big Horn sheep, Mountain goat, mountain Hoary marmots, and all indigenous wild life that call this country home. We are trying our best to protect our wonderful land, and the Taseko Ltd.( Prosperity) is bound and determined to take it and pollute it, in-spite of the fact that we are mired in pollutants and global warming as it is.
Sent: December 9, 2009 9:42 AM
Subject: Prosperity Registry Check - Wednesday, December 9, 2009 -- Taseko Request to Remove Nalaine Morin from the Panel


Good Morning,


Interesting development – Taseko has formally requested that Nalaine Morin be removed from the Panel based on an alleged “bias” in favour of First Nations’ interests demonstrated in her work with the Tahltan (see the specific comments referenced by Taseko in its letter to the Panel.


Ms. Morin has refused to leave the Panel voluntarily. The remaining two members are now considering whether to order her off the Panel. Taseko has until Dec 22 to make its submissions, the deadline for public comment will be December 18, 2009. The Panel has suspended all work on the EA until the matter is resolved.


Cynically speaking, I would say this is a strategic move by Taseko – it has a shot of having Ms. Morin removed from the Panel, and proceeding with the two remaining(more predictable) members, but failing that it will publicly taint the Panel with an appearance of First Nations’ bias. I expect the Williams Lake Tribune will be all over this, & TNG should be prepared with a response/position.


Letter to the Panel regarding Panel member N. Morin (English only)


Response to the Dec 4th, 2009 letter regarding Panel member N. Morin (English only)

Cheers,
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Help Re-Open D-Q University Face Book Page Updates
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=wall&ref=mf&gid=56072718370

Name: Help Re-Open D-Q University

Category:Common Interest - Beliefs & Causes

Description:This is a Group Made Up of Community Leaders & Organizations that are Committed to Re-Open D-Q University, By Rebuilding DQ-University's Integrity & Creditability.

D-Q University is California's One & Only Inter-Tribal University. It is Very Important that We Work Together With Our Number One Goal Being To Re-Open D-Q University. We Must Regain Our School's WASC Accreditation. This Can Be Done By Creating a Strong Core Curriculum to Decolonize & Empower Our Student Body.
By Making Our Campus a DRUG Free, Safe, And Welcoming Environment for Every And All INDIGENOUS Peoples, Through Sharing Arts & Traditions to The World.

As The Indigenous People of Turtle Island We are Rich with Culture and Traditions, We Have Much to Share with Each Other and The World. The Times of Our People Being Divided Must Come to an End. Re-Opening DQ-University will Allow for All to Unify as One, as Brothers and Sisters. Education is The Key to Our Future, The Key to Our Survival.

THE OFFICIAL NAME OF THE INSTITUTION IS D-Q UNIVERSITY. THE COLLEGE DERIVES IT'S NAME FROM TWO IMPORTANT FIGURES FROM NATIVE HISTORY. THE "D" STANDS FOR THE NAME OF THE GREAT PEACEMAKER WHO INSPIRED THE FOUNDING OF THE IROQUOIS CONFEDERACY; THE FULL NAME SYMBOLIZED BY THE "D" IS USED ONLY IN RELIGIOUS CONTEXT. THE "Q" REPRESENTS QUETZALCOATL, AN AZTEC PROPHET, WHO SYMBOLIZES THE PRINCIPLES OF WISDOM AND SELF-DISCIPLINE.

History of D-Q University and Surround Area.

For Thousands of Years The region Surrounding Davis, where D-Q University is Located, was the home of Wintun Peoples (Poowin and Patwin). Later, the area became known as Laguna de Santos Calle under a Mexican Land Grant. In 1868 Davisville was founded and named after a local farmer, Jerome C. Davis. The "ville" was removed in 1907, and the name officially changed in 1917 when the city was incorporated. D-Q University is Located on 643 acres on the site of a FORMER ARMY COMMUNICATIONS RELAY STATION. Prior to 1951, when the Communication station was built, the site was used for Agriculture. The Army Constructed Several buildings in the Center of the Land.

In 1970, the Army Vacated the Site which then became FEDERAL SURPLUS PROPERTY PLACED UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION AND WELFARE. At this Time a Number of Native Americans and Chicanos ESTABLISHED A CLAIM ON THE SITE WITH THE INTENT OF FORMING A SCHOOL CONTROLLED BY INDIGENOUS PEOPLES. AFTER LENGTHY NEGOTIATIONS, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AWARDED D-Q UNIVERSITY TITLE TO THE LAND IN 1971, UNDER PROVISIONS OF THE FEDERAL SURPLUS PROPERTY LAWS. Native Peoples Gained The FIRST AND ONLY INDIGENOUS-CONTROLLED INSTITUTION OF HIGHER LEARNING LOCATED OUT SIDE A RESERVATION IN JULY 1971, WHEN D-Q UNIVERSITY OPENED IT'S DOORS FOR THE FIRST CLASSES. IT ALSO REPRESENTED THE FIRST TIME THAT THE DIVERSE GROUPS OF NATIVE RACES ON THE AMERICAN CONTINENT SUCCESSFULLY WORKED TOGETHER ON A PROJECT, DESPITE VAST LANGUAGE BARRIERS, GEOGRAPHICAL DIFFERENCES AND OUTSIDE PRESSURES. ON NOVEMBER 4, 1978, D-Q UNIVERSITY BECAME INDIAN-CONTROLLED. THE CAMPUS PROPERTY CONTINUED TO REMAIN IN TRUST UNTIL APRIL 2, 2001 WHEN THE PROPERTY WAS TURNED OVER TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES. PAST ACTIVITIES AT D-Q UNIVERSITY

D-Q UNIVERSITY HAS HOSTED DELEGATIONS AND VISITING SCHOLARS FROM SEVERAL INDIAN NATIONS, AS WELL AS FROM CANADA, EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST, AFRICA, AND ASIA. IN ADDITION, THE COLLEGE HAS HOSTED ACTIVITIES SUCH AS CALIFORNIA INDIAN BIG NEWS, CULTURAL DAY'S, SPIRITUAL UNITY CONFERENCES, YOUTH AND ELDER GATHERINGS, STUDENT ORGANIZATIONAL MEETINGS SUCH AS AMERICAN INDIAN YOUTH LEADERSHIP CONFERENCES AND STATEWIDE M.E.Ch.A CONFERENCES, POWWOWS, CEREMONIES, FESTIVALS, CONCERTS, THE AMERICAN INDIAN 5OO-MILE MARATHON, AND OTHER EVENTS. D-Q UNIVERSITY HAS GRADUATED MANY NATIVE AMERICANS, CHICANOS AND STUDENTS FROM VARIOUS ETHNIC GROUPS, WHO HAVE GONE ON TO HIGHER ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE PUBLIC, PRIVATE, AND TRIBAL SECTORS. THE COLLEGE HAS ALSO SPONSORED TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAMS, COURSES, SEMINARS, CONFERENCES, AND SPECIALIZED OFFERINGS. THE COLLEGE HAS HOSTED CALIFORNIA INDIAN ASSOCIATION WORKSHOPS, CONFERENCES ON INDIAN AND CHICANO EDUCATION AND HISTORY INCLUDING "CALIFORNIA INDIANS AND THE MISSION SYSTEM," AND SEMINARS ON IMPLEMENTING LITERACY PROGRAMS.

LOCATION OF D-Q UNIVERSITY:
D-Q UNIVERSITY IS LOCATED ON COUNTRY ROAD 31, SEVERAL MILES WEST OF THE CITY OF DAVIS, AND 5 MILES EAST OF WINTERS, CALIFORNIA, IN RURAL YOLO COUNTY. DAVIS IS LOCATED 14 MILES WEST OF SACRAMENTO AND 72 MILES NORTH-EAST OF SAN FRANCISCO. THE SACRAMENTO METROPOLITAN AIRPORT IS APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES DRIVING DISTANCE FROM DAVIS.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccoVAHgaL8k

Professor Brightman is the founder and National President of United Native Americans, Inc. a non-profit Indian organization formed in 1968,
He established and coordinated the FIRST Native American Studies Program in the United States at UC Berkeley in 1969, and has since taught at the University of California in San Diego, Sacramento State University, Contra Costa College in San Pablo, California & DQ-University Near Davis California.



Native American College Students reveal: The Truth behind Native American Gaming Investment in education.

Category: News and Politics
Press Contacts:

Lisa Gray-Garcia, POOR Magazine, (510) 435-7500 (415) 863-6306

Quanah Brightman, United Native Americans Inc , (510) 672-7187

Amanda Smiles, POOR Magazine: (415) 863-6306, 808-987-7239 (cell)

For Immediate Release:

Propositions 94-97, Native American College Students reveal: The Truth behind Native American Gaming Investment in education.

Native College Students demand support for their University in return for endorsements of Prop 95-97 from Native Gaming billionaires.

What: Rally/Press Conference to demand real investments in education, health, and land from CNIEGA and The State of California for all Native Peoples.

When: February 1st, 2008 1pm

Where: Speakers at the Capitol Steps and protest at CNIGA Headquarters 1515 L St. Suite 1080 Sacramento, CA 95814

Co-sponsored by: The Indigenous Peoples Media Project of POOR Magazine/PoorNewsNetwork, The United Native Americans (U.N.A)

Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "A mind is a terrible thing to waste." Education is a right of all people. That's what the majority of politician's like to say. But when California's only Tribal College and the nations first indigenous controlled university, D-Q University (DQU), was shut down in 2004, thousands of Native American's lost that right.

February 5th ballot legislation, Propositions 94, 95, 96, and 97, if passed, would allow four of California's largest gaming tribes to add 17,000 new slot machines to their casinos and generate approximately $1.5 billion a year in new revenue. According to the propositions, up to 25% of this revenue would be shared with the State and the remainder would be spent according to the gaming tribes digression. California is expecting to reap more than $9 billion in revenue in two decades if the propositions are passed and CNIGA has promised every non-gaming tribe $1.1 million a year in assistance. In an industry that brings approximately $7 billion in revenue in California a year, however, this assistance is petty change and the gaming tribes can certainly afford to offer DQU financial support.

D-Q University, located on 640 acres of land outside of Davis, opened as the nation's first indigenous controlled higher learning institution outside a reservation in 1970. The school has not only become an important gathering place for Indian cultural days, spiritual unity conferences, youth and elder gatherings, Powwows, ceremonies, and festivals, it has also become many native students only accessible and affordable option for higher learning. DQU's curriculum is centered on empowering indigenous people and educating a generation of youth to look at, analyze, and solve the problems facing native peoples today, learning to live off the land. Tribal education equals tribal sovereignty.

In 2004 DQU closed it's doors after losing it's accreditation and spiraling into financial turmoil. Students, who were unaware of the school's closure until after they arrived on campus at the beginning of the term, formed an occupation with the faculty and have occupied the land ever since, demanding the school's reopening.

It isn't that the money isn't available among California's Native American tribes to support the school. Billions of dollars are generated every year from gaming and casino revenues and gaming tribes are at liberty to decide how this money is used. California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA), which monitors and represents gaming tribes, asserts that Indian tribes are using gaming revenue to build houses, schools, and fund health care and education for their people, but when it comes to funding California's only Tribal College, CNIGA refuses to persuade the gaming tribes to donate money.

"The question we have as students and former students is why? For my people, the Lakota people, if someone is at your house you offer them a glass of water or something to eat. No one goes hungry in our tribe," says Quanah Brightman, vice president of the United Native Americans (U.N.A.) and former DQU student. "The only way for indigenous people to become a sovereign nation is for Indian gaming abroad to start giving money to other communities. To become one nation."

DQU students are demanding an agreement from gaming tribes to fund DQU annually to help ensure the school will have sufficient funding to operate.Students are also asking that the tribes have one or more of their staff or board help in the rebuilding of DQU's infrastructure and restoring the school's integrity. If these demands are met than DQU and it's students agree to endorse Propositions 94-97, which would represent thousands of native students, scholars, and families.

DQU's long term goal is to reopen the school as a 4 year university so it can have it's accreditation reinstated and become eligible to receive federal financial aid.

"We need money for new computers, to rebuild our dorms and building, and to pay for qualified teachers. No one with a B.A. or M.A. is going to teach for free," says Brightman, "We have money to built jails but no money for schools!"

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Call to Unity: N.M. works to fix tax snafu with tribal vets
State works to fix tax snafu with tribal vets
By Alysa Landry - Dec. 11, 2009
SHIPROCK - Thousands of American Indian veterans will receive long-overdue reimbursements of tax dollars unlawfully withheld from their military paychecks following an announcement Thursday that the application process has begun.

An estimated 9,000 American Indian veterans live in the state, and those who can prove state income tax was unjustly withheld from their military paychecks can collect a piece of the settlement fund.

Checks should begin arriving by early next year, Rick Homans, secretary for the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department, told a group of veterans Thursday in Shiprock. The application process was streamlined, and Homans personally accepted applications from veterans who had all the correct paperwork.

"Anywhere we can make the process easier and simpler, we'll do it," he said. "From the time you submit the application, it should take up to 90 days before the settlement check comes."

Veterans crowded inside the lobby at the Shiprock Chapter House to witness the kick-off of the Native American Veterans' Income Tax Settlement Fund. Most of the veterans wore ball caps, jackets or patches identifying them by the branch of the military in which they served.

The fund, into which state legislators dropped $1 million, was created last year to reimburse veterans whose primary addresses were on tribal land during the time of their military service and whose military income was unjustly taxed by the state. Once the fund is depleted, lawmakers will need to vote to appropriate more money.

The $1 million appropriation, sponsored by Sen. Lynda Lovejoy, comes as the state faces its biggest budget crisis in history, Homans said.

That the funding exists to jumpstart the settlement, which is expected to total close to $2 million, is a testament to how the Legislature feels about veterans, he said.

"Individuals who honorably served the country in active military duty, you deserve our praise," Homans said. "I want to make sure that any project like this where people feel they have been grieved (gets funded)... This is the beginning of the process of hopefully healing the wound. Our role is to roll out the red carpet for you."

Howard Harvey, 64, was one of the first veterans in line for the application process. He carried a bundle of military documents in a folder tucked under his arm.

"I have no idea how much taxes were taken out," he said. "It's been a long wait, a long process."

Harvey served in the Army in Vietnam from 1968-1971. If he qualifies for a payment, it will be from income more than four decades old.

"I did not realize at the time that I had to fill out forms," he said. "I just went into the service and didn't think about the politics until a few people came forward and said there was something here, that the government had done something wrong."

Applications are filed with the state Department of Veterans' Services. The federal Department of Defense is assisting by providing documents necessary to prove income and taxes, Homans said. Veterans seeking settlement dollars will not have to go through the tribal government.

State Rep. Ray Begaye, D-Shiprock, also helped propel the bill and appropriation forward. He said Thursday the credit goes to veterans who researched the laws and lobbied support of a settlement.

"It's a huge relief," Begaye said of the settlement, which Gov. Bill Richardson signed into law last year. "I think we're seeing justice. I think we're seeing the Legislature at work."

Taxes likely were withheld because of an omission in paperwork. The Taxation and Revenue Department failed to provide instructions for income tax withholding or documents to declare exemption, an omission that affected American Indian veterans serving between 1977 and 2004.

Federal law was amended in 1976 to require the Department of Defense to withhold state income taxes from military pay. New Mexico entered into the agreement in July 1977, but American Indians who live on tribal lands are exempt.

The state developed an exemption certificate in 2002 and a year later provided employers with instructions for W-4 forms. However, a three-year statute of limitations prohibited veterans from filing for refunds.

Although tax officials believe veterans serving prior to 1977 were not unjustly taxed, they invited anyone who suspects they qualify for a payment to fill out an application.

"We're not making any judgments," Homans said. "Anyone with a claim who fills out an application, if the data from the Department of Defense backs it up, you get a settlement check."

For more information or for an application, visit www.dvs.state.nm.us and click on the link for the Native American Veterans' Income Tax Settlement

http://www.daily-times.com/farmington-news/ci_13974413?source=rss.
-----

I know this is still not covering our Veterans who were wrongly taxed starting in 1940. This may be a start, or they may never honor them at all. It's a work in motion. Please do all you can to help our Veterans prior to service in 1961 to get back the illegal taxes withheld while they were serving this country.
Thank you to all our Veterans & many blessings to all.
Teresa Anahuy

New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department Secretary Rick Houmas:

Joseph Montoya Building
1100 South St. Francis Drive
Santa Fe NM 87504-0630
Office of the Secretary (505)827-0341
FAX (505)827-0331
DWI Legal (505)827-9807
Legal Services (505)827-0730
Tax Information and Policy (505)827-0908
Tax Analysis/Research and Statistics (505)827-0693

-----

Senator Lynda Lovejoy: lynda.lovejoy@nmlegis.gov.

Capital Address:
State Capitol
490 Old Sante Fe Trail
Santa Fe NM 875030001
(505) 986-4310 (phone)
(505) 986-4280 (fax)

District Address:
PO Box 705
Crownpoint NM 873130705
(505) 352-0967 (phone)

-----

New Mexico Department of Veteran Services (NMDVS):

Secretary Veterans Service Commission, John M. Garcia: johnm.garcia@state.nm.us.
P.O. Box 2324
Santa Fe, NM
87504-2324
Ph# (505) 827-6300
Fax# (505) 827-6372

Cabinet Secretary, New Mexico Department of Veterans' Services
U.S. Army Veteran
NM Dept. of Veterans' Services
Bataan Memorial Bldg.
407 Galisteo St., Room 142
Santa Fe, NM 87504

Cabinet Secretary's Public Information Officer, Ray Seva: ray.seva@state.nm.us.

Ph:(866) 433-8387
-----
(con't)
Dan McCormack
Administrative Services Director

Alan Martinez
State Benefits Director; Acting Deputy Secretary

Carlos Beserra
Constituent Services Director

Danelle Jimenez
Executive Administrative Assistant
to Secretary Garcia

Rebecca Tapia
Administrative Support
State Benefits Division

Agnes C. Cardenas, Director

-----

National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs (NASDVA):
An Organization Chartered by Congress and/or Recognized by VA for Claim Representation

National Headquarters Address
Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs
30 W. Mifflin Street
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 266-1311
(608) 264-7616 fax
john.scocos@dva.state.wi.us
www.nasdva.net


President of NASDVA, Executive Director of Veterans Affairs, Terry Schow:
president@nasdva.net.
Utah Department of Veterans Affairs
550 Foothill Blvd. #202
Salt Lake City, UT 84108
(801) 326-2372
Fax (801) 326-2369


Sr. V.P., Linda Schwartz: seniorvp@nasdva.net.


Jr. V.P. Patrick Palmersheim: juniorvp@nasdva.net.


District V.P. South West, Joey Strickland: director@azdvs.gov.
DIRECTOR, ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' SERVICES
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR
3839 NORTH THIRD STREET, SUITE 200
PHOENIX AZ, 85012

ph: (602) 255-3373

fax: (602) 255-1038

-----


National Native American Veterans Association, Inc.
3903 County Road 382
San Antonio, TX 78253
Email : National Office


NNAVA Chairman, Jim Cates at jdsetac@yahoo.com.


National Vice Chairperson
Blackhawk Fornelli.

-----

If anyone knows of more contacts to help see this thru,
please let us know!
Teresa Anahuy
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Legislative committee hears recommendations on problems near Whiteclay

By NANCY HICKS / Lincoln Journal Star

What can Nebraska do?

Some suggestions from Friday's hearing:

* Create buffer zone where liquor cannot be sold, thus closing all the beer outlets in Whiteclay.

* Limit alcohol sales to one store.

* Limit hours of sale of alcohol in Whiteclay.

* Have a full-time law enforcement officer in Whiteclay.

* Use state alcohol tax revenue from Whiteclay (about $122,500 last fiscal year) to help build a detox center or a homeless shelter.

* Create a safe house for children whose parents are drinking or using drugs.

* Help create day labor programs, perhaps a recycling center, to provide jobs for street people in Whiteclay.

* Establish agreement between Nebraska and the reservation to help eliminate the liability problems and pay the costs when the reservation ambulance goes into Whiteclay for an emergency.

* Work with South Dakota to reimburse households for alcohol-related accidents and deaths.

It's time for Nebraska state government to stop talking and do something to help curb the alcohol-related problems stemming from Whiteclay, state senators were told Friday.

That's Whiteclay, Neb., where last year 395,302 gallons of beer (the equivalent of 175,690 cases of beer) were sold, primarily to Oglala Sioux from the nearby Indian reservation in South Dakota where alcohol sales are prohibited.

Twenty people from the Oglala Sioux Pine Ridge reservation and Whiteclay told Nebraska senators about Whiteclay-related problems and gave their recommendations during a public hearing Friday afternoon conducted through a video link between Chadron State College and the Capitol.

More than 90 percent of the arrests on the reservation are alcohol-related, tribal leaders told members of the General Affairs and the Judiciary Committee.

And several people described the alcohol-related family problems, including numerous children removed from their homes because their parents were drunk.

In one case, a mother was so drunk she couldn't give her children's names.

Another mother didn't know the name of the man in bed with her and her child, according to Judge Sonia Weston, youth and family court judge at Pine Ridge.

Whiteclay is often cited with having a population of 14. The four liquor stores there, two miles from the reservation town of Pine Ridge, only make problems worse, senators were told.

"They are making a profit out of the people's misery," said Terri White Eyes.

"Whiteclay may be a town, but you don't see any citizens. You don't see a school. But you sure see a lot of beer cans."

Sen. LeRoy Louden of Ellsworth, who represents the area, repeatedly asked what the tribal police were doing about bootleggers who bring alcohol onto the reservation for sale illegally and about the fact that alcohol is also sold to tribal members in other Nebraska and South Dakota towns.

His questions prompted several people to emphasize that Friday's hearing was about Whiteclay.

It's time to stop pointing fingers and time to focus on Whiteclay, said Tribal Council President Theresa Two Bulls.

"Our people are dying," said Lydia Bear Killer, a member of the Tribal Council.

"This problems is yours. You are not picking up any of the costs," she said. "You need to find solutions."

Bruce BonFleur, who runs a used clothing store in Whiteclay, described the health and safety problems in a community with no public restroom and numerous homeless people who urinate and defecate in the street.

"The street people of Whiteclay deserve better," BonFleur said.

"This is a larger issue than closing down a couple of liquor stores," Louden said as the hearing ended.

Whiteclay has been the bull's-eye for a much larger problem, he said.

Any solution will require cooperation among South Dakota, Nebraska, the federal government and the tribal council, he said.

Reach Nancy Hicks at 473-7250 ornhicks@journalstar.com.

http://journalstar.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_c933deec-e6ca-11de-a758-001cc4c03286.html


Tamra Brennan

Founder/Director

NDN News

www.NDNnews.com

www.protectsacredsites.org

www.protectbearbutte.com



NDN News is a grassroots organization which acts as an information hub and resource for many issues in Indian Country. We are dedicated to providing information featuring headline stories, on-going issues, action alerts, and upcoming events.



PROTECT BEAR BUTTE!!!!!!!!

Our Sacred Ground is NOT Your Playground!



"Our sacred lands are all that remain keeping us connected to our place on Mother Earth, to our spirituality, our heritage and our lands; what’s left of them. If they take it all away, what will remain except a vague memory of a past so forgotten?" ......excerpt from One Nation, One Land, One People by Tamra Brennan, 2006
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NDN News Crow Creek 12/11 ~ Few updates and video
Hello everyone!

In case you missed Robyn Carneen’s Blog talk Radio Show NAMAPAHH, regarding the Crow Creek Land Seizure, it is archived at the following link:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/namapahh_radio/2009/12/12/12-11-09crowcreekrezsdcan-doorg-ericklein-rideforl

The interview was with Chairman Brandon Sazue from Crow Creek Sioux Tribe, Mo Brings Plenty, Eric Klein founder of Can-Do and myself.

Robyn has taken Mo’s interview and incorporated it into a U-tube video. Mo had very eloquent and powerful statements regarding the broken treaties and as an activist, he did an awesome job making a very clear statement!

Watch the Utube video at the following link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SX4dRElA_jQ&feature=player_embedded

Big thanks again to Robyn for putting on this show to help spread the word!

Also, if you have not had a chance to sign our online petition, please take a moment to sign athttp://www.petitiononline.com/CrowCrek/petition.html . We are currently at 658 sigs now, lets get to 1000 by midnight folks!

The prayer ceremony at Crow Creek went well yesterday, about 20 people, folks came all the way from Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate, the far North East side of South Dakota.

Thank you all for your support for Crow Creek, Sioux Land is NOT for sale!



Tamra Brennan
Founder/Director

NDN News

www.NDNnews.com

www.protectsacredsites.org

www.protectbearbutte.com



NDN News is a grassroots organization which acts as an information hub and resource for many issues in Indian Country. We are dedicated to providing information featuring headline stories, on-going issues, action alerts, and upcoming events.



PROTECT BEAR BUTTE!!!!!!!!

Our Sacred Ground is NOT Your Playground!



"Our sacred lands are all that remain keeping us connected to our place on Mother Earth, to our spirituality, our heritage and our lands; what’s left of them. If they take it all away, what will remain except a vague memory of a past so forgotten?" ......excerpt from One Nation, One Land, One People by Tamra Brennan, 2006
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[American Petroleum Institute] API is coordinating a series of "Energy Citizen" rallies... we are asking all API members to get involved... recent opinion research... conducted for API demonstrates that our messages... work extremely well and are very persuasive with the general public and policy influentials... our member company... commitment to provide significant attendance - is essential to achieving the participation level... API will provide the up-front resources to ensure logistical issues do not become a problem... Please treat this information as sensitive... we don’t want critics to know our game plan.

Jack N. Gerard
President & CEO
American Petroleum Institute
(E-mail from Jack Gerard to API members leaked to Greenpeace in August this year and subsequently released by us to the media.)


Oil and coal special interests have spent millions this year to protect their dirty energy by lobbying our leaders and dishonest tricks to maintain the status quo on taking action for our planet.





5 days left for world leaders to
strike a deal in Copenhagen for
our climate - please support us
to keep the pressure on.
-


As I write, leaders from around the world are gathering at the United Nations Copenhagen climate summit with the aim of preventing the direst global warming threats.

Greenpeace is in Copenhagen too - we’re there to counter the influence and deceit spread by groups like the American Petroleum Institute, the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity and their backers - oil and coal giants like ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips and Allegheny Energy.

Please make a generous gift today to enable Greenpeace to stand against corporate interests that aim to destroy our environment only to grow their profit.

Polluters are set on continuing to make record profits while destroying our planet through:

Pushing for expanded oil development in the Alaskan National Refuge-- threatening one of our last pristine environments and countless rare species of wildlife.
Mountain-top removal for coal in West Virginia -- wiping away some of America’s most beautiful vistas while polluting rivers and threatening local communities.
Devastation of the Canadian Boreal forests to reach tar sands -- the dirtiest and most damaging way to get oil out of the ground and a major source of air and water pollution.
Demanding billions of our tax dollars -- in order to subsidize their pipe dreams of burying carbon dioxide in the earth and our oceans.
Greenpeace activists have spent this year protesting government inaction to fight global warming: hanging off the face of Mt. Rushmore and blocking API’s headquarters, scaling the Houses of Parliament in Canada and England and holding the largest protest against global warming in US history.

Why take such measures? Because the stakes are so high. Because history teaches us we will only move forward when people are prepared to stand up and put their lives on the line - and of course, because API and their political allies threaten to take us down a road of runaway global warming.

Greenpeace doesn’t solicit funding from corporations or governments so that we can stand independently and call for real change.

Let’s make sure that Jack Gerard knows that corporate-funded fake citizen outrage is no match for real activism. Please donate today.

For the planet,
Lisa Finaldi
Campaigns Director

P.S. Please consider becoming a monthly supporter today, that way we can guarantee our campaigns resources the whole year long. Click here to become a monthly donor today. Thank you in advance.

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Cherokee National Youth Choir Christmas Music
CherokeeLink Newsletter
**************************
For The HTML Format of the Newsletter:
(Having Problems With The Links? Try this version instead.) http://www.cherokee.org/home.aspx?section=newsletter&Date=12/14/2009

AOL - 12/14/2009 Newsletter
------------------------------------------------------------
Osiyo,

There are just a couple of reminders this week in CherokeeLink.

The Cherokee Nation is accepting nominations for this years Cherokee Nation 3rd Annual Cancer Summit Service Award. Recognizing individuals or organizations for their contributions promoting cancer control in the Cherokee Nation. Visit http://cancer.cherokee.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=%2bC1PLlMEY64%3d&tabid=2592&mid=4681.

As you get ready for the upcoming holiday, check outhttp://choir.cherokee.org.. Here you can find the Cherokee National Youth Choir singing Christmas songs and purchase their latest CD.

Wado! (Thank you)
Cherokee Nation
P.O.Box 948
Tahlequah, OK 74465
918 453-5000
communications@cherokee.org

------------------------------------------------------------
**************************
***Cherokee Nation News***
**************************
Cherokee Nation purchases Sallisaw property: 12/11/2009
(C) Cherokee Nation
Cherokee Nation officials closed today on the purchase of the recently shuttered Blue Ribbon Downs in Sallisaw. The Choctaw Nation, which purchased the facility in 2003, discontinued operations last month at the end of its fall live racing meet citing financial reasons surrounding the struggling track.
http://www.cherokee.org/news.aspx?id=3065

Cherokee Nation Hosts Entrepreneurship Day for Area Students: 12/9/2009 10:53:00 AM
(C) Cherokee Nation
The Cherokee Nation recently held an Entrepreneurship Day competition at the Place Where They Play for students from area high schools. Several students from Sequoyah Schools, Keys High School and Tahlequah High School attended the event.
http://www.cherokee.org/news.aspx?id=3063

Cherokee Nation Contributes $145K to area Boys and Girls Clubs: 12/9/2009
(C) Cherokee Nation
The Cherokee Nation recently contributed $145,000 to Boys and Girls Club of America, an organization dedicated to helping young people across the U.S. reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens.
http://www.cherokee.org/news.aspx?id=3064

Cherokee Nation Makes $22K Contribution to CASA of Cherokee Country: 12/8/2009
(C) Cherokee Nation
The Cherokee Nation recently made a contribution of $22,000 to Court Appointed Special Advocates of Cherokee Country to support daily operations of the Tahlequah-based non-profit.
http://www.cherokee.org/news.aspx?id=3062

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*********************************
**** Other Links of Interest ****
*********************************
Games - http://www.cherokee.org/home.aspx?section=culture&culture=games

Community Calendar - http://www.cherokee.org/home.aspx?section=calendar
RSS Feed - http://rss.cherokee.org
Podcasts - http://podcasts.cherokee.org
E-Cards - http://ecards.cherokee.org
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**** Cultural Tidbits ****
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1802: Thomas Jefferson signs Georgia Compact in support of Indian removal.

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Crow creek Prayers.
I want to thank each and everyone who was at the prayer ceremony at Crow Creek. and to all who are involved in this effort.I dug out my "Pipe", I haven't used it since my last Sun Dance, (about 6-years ago) it still had Sun Dance tobacco in it. It felt really good, I wont let the creator down. I think this incident is bigger then us, and is a beginning of the end for Native (Tribe) land.(as we know it) We must stand strong and together in this issue. this will effect all native peoples of all tribes. We cant let this continue, its like a cancer spreading through "Indian country" We cant wait for someone else to fix this we really need every-ones help. I want to encourage everyone to keep up with whats going on your reservations in regards to Tribal land. Look at your children! What are you doing to protect them? will they have anything left to pass down to your Great Grand Children? Our Forefathers Died and sacrificed everything they had, so that their Peoples, Culture and The Indian way of Life would continue. Are you doing your part? to ensure the Future of our People? Remember "United We Stand or Divided We Fall"......If we start losing our land? who's fault will it be? ....Think about it for a awhile. Mitakuye Oyasin. "ALL OUR RELITIVES".



Dont forget We are a "Nation" of Sioux Tribes....We need to Stand togather.

James Swan (Magaska)
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Our Brother's Keeper. Indians In White America 1970 Interview With Lehman Brightman
Our Brother's Keeper. Indians In White America 1970 Interview With Lehman Brightman-National President of United Native Americans.

http://www.zshare.net/audio/69903114aebc1c9e/

Make Sure To Download This File ASAP. The Above Link Is Only Good For 7 Day's.
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Gang Violence Grows on an Indian Reservation
By ERIK ECKHOLM
Published: December 13, 2009
PINE RIDGE, S.D. — Richard Wilson has been a pallbearer for at least five of his “homeboys” in the North Side Tre Tre Gangster Crips, a Sioux imitation of a notorious Denver gang.

Skip to next paragraph



Matthew Williams for The New York Times
THE PALLBEARER Richard Wilson, left, has carried the coffins of five gang members from Pine Ridge, S.D. At right, his half-brother, Richard Lame.


Matthew Williams for The New York Times
THE ADVOCATE Michael Little Boy Jr., 30, said he was able to avoid the temptations of gang life growing up and now promotes native traditions in an effort to keep young Indians from joining gangs.


Matthew Williams for The New York Times
THE EX-CONVICT Scars from a former inmate's suicide attempt. Young Indians face high rates of suicide and joblessness on the reservation.


Matthew Williams for The New York Times
A burned-out trailer is tagged with gang signs.


The New York Times
One 15-year-old member was mauled by rivals. A 17-year-old shot himself; another, on a cocaine binge and firing wildly, was shot by the police. One died in a drunken car wreck, and another, a founder of the gang named Gaylord, was stabbed to death at 27.

“We all got drunk after Gaylord’s burial, and I started rapping,” said Mr. Wilson, who, at 24, is practically a gang elder. “But I teared up and couldn’t finish.”

Mr. Wilson is one of 5,000 young men from the Oglala Sioux tribe involved with at least 39 gangs on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. The gangs are being blamed for an increase in vandalism, theft, violence and fear that is altering the texture of life here and in other parts of American Indian territory.

This stunning land of crumpled prairie, horse pastures turned tawny in the autumn and sunflower farms is marred by an astonishing number of roadside crosses and gang tags sprayed on houses, stores and abandoned buildings, giving rural Indian communities an inner-city look.

Groups like Wild Boyz, TBZ, Nomads and Indian Mafia draw children from broken, alcohol-ravaged homes, like Mr. Wilson’s, offering brotherhood, an identity drawn from urban gangsta rap and self-protection.

Some groups have more than a hundred members, others just a couple of dozen. Compared with their urban models, they are more likely to fight rivals, usually over some minor slight, with fists or clubs than with semiautomatic pistols.

Mr. Wilson, an unemployed school dropout who lives with assorted siblings and partners in his mother’s ramshackle house, without running water, displayed a scar on his nose and one over his eye. “It’s just like living in a ghetto,” he said. “Someone’s getting beat up every other night.”

The Justice Department distinguishes the home-grown gangs on reservations from the organized drug gangs of urban areas, calling them part of an overall juvenile crime problem in Indian country that is abetted by eroding law enforcement, a paucity of juvenile programs and a suicide rate for Indian youth that is more than three times the national average.

If they lack the reach of the larger gangs after which they style themselves, the Indian gangs have emerged as one more destructive force in some of the country’s poorest and most neglected places.

While many crimes go unreported, the police on the Pine Ridge reservation have documented thousands of gang-related thefts, assaults — including sexual assaults — and rising property crime over the last three years, along with four murders. Residents are increasingly fearful that their homes will be burglarized or vandalized. Car windows are routinely smashed out.

“Tenants are calling in and saying ‘I’m scared,’ ” Paul Iron Cloud, executive officer of the Oglala Sioux (Lakota) Housing Authority, told the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs in July at a special hearing on the increase of gang activity.

“It seems that every day we’re getting more violence,” Mr. Iron Cloud said.

Perhaps unique to reservations, rivals sometimes pelt one other with cans of food from the federal commodity program, a practice called “commod-squadding.”

As federal grants to Pine Ridge have declined over the last decade, the tribal police force has shrunk by more than half, with only 12 to 20 officers per shift patrolling an area the size of Rhode Island, said John Mousseau, chairman of the tribe’s judiciary committee.

Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. has proposed large increases in money for the police, courts and juvenile programs, and for fighting rampant domestic and sexual violence on reservations.

Christopher M. Grant, who used to head a police antigang unit in Rapid City, S.D., and is now a consultant on gangs to several tribes and federal agencies, has noted the “marked increase in gang activity, particularly on reservations in the Midwest, the Northwest and the Southwest” over the last five to seven years.

The Navajo Nation in Arizona, for example, has identified 225 gang units, up from 75 in 1997.

One group that reaches across reservations in Minnesota, called the Native Mob, is more like the street gangs seen in cities, with hierarchical leadership and involvement in drug and weapons trafficking, Mr. Grant said.

Many of the gangs in Pine Ridge, like the Tre Tre Crips, were started by tribal members who encountered them in prison or while living off the reservation; others have taken their names and colors from movies and records.

Even as they seek to bolster policing, Pine Ridge leaders see their best long-term hope for fighting gangs in cultural revival.

“We’re trying to give an identity back to our youth,” said Melvyn Young Bear, the tribe’s appointed cultural liaison. “They’re into the subculture of African-Americans and Latinos. But they are Lakota, and they have a lot to be proud of.”

Mr. Young Bear, 42, is charged with promoting Lakota rituals, including drumming, chanting and sun dances. He noted that some Head Start programs were now conducted entirely in Lakota.

Michael Little Boy Jr., 30, of the village of Evergreen, said he had initially been tempted by gang life, but with rituals and purifying sweat lodges, “I was able to turn myself around.” He is emerging as a tribal spiritual leader, working with youth groups to promote native traditions.

Mr. Grant said a survey of young men in South Dakota reservations found that the approach might be helping.

Mr. Wilson, the 24-year-old gang member, said he regretted not learning the Sioux language when he was young and now wondered about his own future.

“I still get drunk and hang with my homeboys, but not like I used to,” he said.

His car, its windows shattered, sits outside his house, so he cannot get to the G.E.D. class he says he would like to attend. His goal is to run a recording studio where his younger half-brother, Richard Lame, 18, could make rap songs. Mr. Lame is finishing high school and says he wants to go to college.

But he admits that he still joined 30 or so homeboys in town to party any chance he got — “for the rush, the thrill.” As he spoke, he was dressed in the dark colors of his set, the Black Wall Street Boyz; his tiny bedroom was decorated with movie posters of Al Pacino as the megalomaniacal drug dealer Tony Montana in “Scarface,” and he wore a black bandanna.

He pulled out a thick sheaf of his rap lyrics and gave an impromptu performance.

Ever since birth

I been waitin’ for death ...

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/14/us/14gangs.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all



Tamra Brennan

Founder/Director

NDN News

www.NDNnews.com

www.protectsacredsites.org

www.protectbearbutte.com



NDN News is a grassroots organization which acts as an information hub and resource for many issues in Indian Country. We are dedicated to providing information featuring headline stories, on-going issues, action alerts, and upcoming events.



PROTECT BEAR BUTTE!!!!!!!!

Our Sacred Ground is NOT Your Playground!



"Our sacred lands are all that remain keeping us connected to our place on Mother Earth, to our spirituality, our heritage and our lands; what’s left of them. If they take it all away, what will remain except a vague memory of a past so forgotten?" ......excerpt from One Nation, One Land, One People by Tamra Brennan, 2006
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Dennis Banks

Hey everyone,

Recently Dennis Banks got in an accident out in the bush at home in Leech Lake. He is recuperating in a nearby hospital, and doing well. His vehicle wasn't so fortunate, and he is in need of a new van. Anyone that can help, it would be greatly appreciated!

Miigwetch,
Sue in L.A. (Sue Maralit)