Issues & News 01/ 04/ 2010

ubject: wants you to take action on "Native American Gravesite Desecration and Absence Of Protection For Historical And Sacred Sites."!

Cori has just read and signed the petition: Native American Gravesite Desecration and Absence Of Protection For Historical And Sacred Sites.

You can view this petition at: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/tell-a-friend/6262422

Message from Cori:
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Hi, I signed the petition "Native American Gravesite Desecration and Absence Of Protection For Historical And Sacred Sites.". I'm asking you to sign this petition to help us reach our goal of 1,000 signatures. I care deeply about this cause, and I hope you will support our efforts.

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ThePetitionSite.com provides tools and empowers individuals to make a difference and effect positive change through online activism. Get connected with the causes you care about, take action to make the world a better place, and start your own petition athttp://www.ThePetitionSite.com!

ThePetitionSite.com is powered by Care2, the largest and most trusted information and action site for people who care to make a difference in their lives and the world.www.care2.com

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International Media Advisory
Tuesday January 5, 2010 1:00 am PST

British Columbia Olympics to Face Civil Disruptions by Survivors of Canadian Indian Residential schools -
Government Given Deadline for Return of Bodies

Vancouver - The group representing survivors of Indian residential schools on Canada's west coast announced today that it will hold civil disobedience actions and disruptions during the February 2010 Olympics near Vancouver if the Canadian government and mainline churches have not announced a timetable for the repatriation of the remains of the thousands of children who died in these schools.

The Friends and Relatives of the Disappeared (FRD), which held high-profile protests and occupations of churches in Vancouver and Toronto during 2007 and 2008 and compelled the Canadian government to issue an apology for the residential schools in July, 2008, has given Canada and the Roman Catholic, Anglican and United Church of Canada until February 15, 2010 to announce when and how they will return for a proper burial the remains of Indian children who died under their care.

As part of this deadline, the FRD has also demanded that the government and churches make public the names of those responsible for the deaths of these children, and indicate by what judicial mechanism the guilty or the responsible institutions will face trial.

Nearly half of the 150,000 children who attended Canadian Indian residential schools died as a result of conditions in the schools. (Globe and Mail, April 24, 2007) In April, 2008, the FRD released to the media and police a list of twenty eight mass graves near former Indian residential schools where many of the children are alleged to be buried.

"We will halt church and government operations during the Olympics if that's what it takes to get the bodies of our relatives back" said Carol Martin, a Nishga native woman and FRD spokesperson.

"The world has to know that our people are still dying from the genocide Canada and the churches inflicted on us. We've waited long enough for justice."
For more information contact the FRD at:
hiddenfromhistory@ yahoo.ca or 250-753-3345 (Canada)
And see the website: www.hiddenfromhistory.org

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California Conference on American Indian Education

We invite you to attend the 33rd Annual California Conference on American Indian Education, March 25-27, 2010, at the Santa Clara Marriott Hotel in Santa Clara, CA. The conference theme is “Saving our Language – Saving our Culture.” The conference will showcase 33 years of success and growth of American Indian education in California and the impact the American Indian Education Centers have had in American Indian communities. The deadline for early bird registration is January 21. Additional information is available at our website: www.cieda.org

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CherokeeLink Newsletter
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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=1/5/2010

AOL - 1/5/2010 Newsletter
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Osiyo,

Happy New Year! The temperature throughout the Cherokee Nation has dropped and we are expected to have a very cold week. Be sure to check out the winter weather preparedness at http://emergencymanagement.cherokee.org.

Also, check out facts on health care reform athttp://www.cherokee.org/Docs/Services/Health/health_care_reform_QA_revised_public_version.pdf.

The Cherokee Nation is also accepting nominations for the Cherokee Nation Cancer Service Award for more information visit http://cancer.cherokee.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=%2bC1PLlMEY64%3d&tabid=2592&mid=4681. Deadline for submissions is January 15.

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

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***Cherokee Nation News***
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Cherokee Nation Employee Receives Environmental Award: 12/31/2009 3:21:00 PM
(C) Cherokee Nation
Nancy John, director of Cherokee Nation Environmental Programs, was honored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with the Jan Stevens Award for EPA Excellence.
http://www.cherokee.org/news.aspx?id=3085

Jr. Miss Cherokee Named Student of the Year by OCIE: 12/31/2009 11:09:00 AM
(C) Cherokee Nation
Ashley Miller,16, of Stilwell, was recently honored as the Student of the Year by the Oklahoma Council for Indian Education for her work representing the Cherokee Nation as a goodwill ambassador. Miller currently holds the title of Jr. Miss Cherokee.
http://www.cherokee.org/news.aspx?id=3084

Cherokee Nation Offers Healthy Housing Workshop: 12/31/2009 11:01:00 AM
(C) Cherokee Nation
If your work takes you into private homes to provide care, inspections or other services, including health education, you may want to attend a special two-day workshop being sponsored by the Cherokee Nation in January. The Essentials of Healthy Housing practitioner course will be held Jan. 26 – 27, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Cherokee Nation tribal complex south of Tahlequah.

http://www.cherokee.org/news.aspx?id=3083

Cherokee Nation Hosting Weight Loss Challenge: 12/31/2009 10:57:00 AM
(C) Cherokee Nation
Are you ready to get into better shape after all the holiday parties have ended? Do you need some motivation to get you started? The Cherokee Nation will be sponsoring a 12-week weight loss challenge beginning Monday, Jan. 11, at the Male Seminary Recreation Center in Tahlequah.
http://www.cherokee.org/news.aspx?id=3082

Cherokee National Youth Choir Releases New CD: 12/31/2009 10:45:00 AM
(C) Cherokee Nation
The award-winning Cherokee National Youth Choir announces the release of its latest music CD, “Learning as We Sing,” a project intended to both entertain and teach language skills.
http://www.cherokee.org/news.aspx?id=3081

National Park Service Awards $150,000 Grant To Cherokee Nation: 12/30/2009
(C) Cherokee Nation
More than 139 years after its construction, the Cherokee National Capitol still stands and operates as a symbolic landmark for the Cherokee people. Now, through a unique grant sponsored by the National Park Service, Cherokee Nation has received $150,000 to help preserve the 1870-built Capitol for future generations. The building is Cherokee Nation’s only National Historic Landmark.
http://www.cherokee.org/news.aspx?id=3080

Cherokee Nation Offers Child Care Business Funding: 12/28/2009 3:52:00 PM
(C) Cherokee Nation
If you have considered starting a new business as a child care provider or are interested in expanding your existing child care business, the Cherokee Nation may be able to help.
http://www.cherokee.org/news.aspx?id=3079

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**** Other Links of Interest ****
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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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Nine hundred Cherokee men died in the War Between the States 'Civil War', and countless women and children. The Cherokee Nation suffered more per capita that any state during the war, and were involved in the conflict as a foreign ally.

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Klamath Justice Coalition Halts Logging on Karuk Sacred Sites
by Dan Bacher, Indymedia, North Coast
Wednesday Dec 16th, 2009 11:11 AM

This morning the Klamath Justice Coalition used a human blockade of 15 people to defend Karuk sacred sites from logging activities. The action took place near Orleans, CA within the Six Rivers National Forest and halted work on the Orleans Community Fuels Reduction Plan. “The OCFR is actually the Orleans Culture and Forest Reduction plan,” said Leaf Hillman, a Karuk Ceremonial Leader in Orleans. Below are the press releases from the Klamath Justice Coalition and the Karuk Tribe.
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PRESS RELEASE - Klamath Justice Coalition
For Immediate Release: December 16, 2009
For more information: Leaf Hillman, Karuk Indian 530-627-3710

ORLEANS RESIDENTS MOVE TO HALT FOREST SERVICE PLANS TO DESTROY SACRED SITES
Forest Supervisor Tyrone Kelly Breaks Promises and Federal Law

Orleans, CA – This morning the Klamath Justice Coalition used a human blockade to defend Karuk sacred sites from logging activities. The action took place near Orleans, CA within the Six Rivers National Forest and halted work on the Orleans Community Fuels Reduction Plan.

Forest Service contractors were greeted by activists before day break at Orleans Mountain Lookout Road which leads to one of the units in dispute. Crews turned back without involving law enforcement.

“This morning’s small but important victory marks the beginning of our campaign to defend Karuk sacred sites and protect the health of our forests,” said Orleans local Chook- Chook Hillman.

This logging operation was intended to be part of a larger fuels reduction program developed by the US Forest Service with community buy-in. However, in the end the Forest Service betrayed the local community once again.

According to the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the project, the stated Purpose and Need for the Orleans Community Fuel Reduction and Forest Health Project (OCFR) is to manage forest stands to reduce fuels accumulations and improve forest health around the community of Orleans, while enhancing cultural values associated with the Panamnik World Renewal Ceremonial District.

“The OCFR is actually the Orleans Culture and Forest Reduction plan,” said Hillman.

Originally, Forest Supervisor Tryone Kelly engaged with community members on a collaborative process to develop a fuels reduction plan that would protect sacred areas, reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire, and protect sensitive stands of hardwoods. However, in practice it looks like another timber harvest that disregards the concerns of the community.

“We are shocked that the Forest Service thinks that it can get away with lying to our community. We want fuels reduction, but we will not accept the destruction of Karuk sacred sites or a timber sale disguised as a fuels reduction plan,” added Annelia Hillman.

This is not the first time that Kelly has shown a particular insensitivity to Tribal cultural issues. Last year he oversaw the bull dozing of a Tribal member’s that was on land disputed to be Indian Trust Land. The act not only destroyed a home, but destroyed a nearby archeological site and a contemporary dance ground.

Again during last years’ wildfires, Kelly directed the construction of firebreaks and use of heavy equipment that destroyed sections of “medicine man trails” and high country alters used during annual World Renewal Ceremonies. Representatives from the Karuk Tribe urged Kelley to build the breaks in areas that were less sensitive but the concerns with ignored. “Its like Kelly is hell bent to destroy our sacred areas one step at a time.” Said Hillman.

The Klamath Justice Coalition is not new to direct action as a tactic to force change. The group has staged direct actions in Scotland, Omaha, NE, Portland, OR, and Sacramento, CA, and Salt Lake City, Utah focused on the removal of Klamath Dams.

Who we are:

The Klamath Justice Coalition is an ad hoc group of Klamath Basin Residents from all walks of life. We are Indians, non-natives, mothers, fathers, workers, hippies, youth, and elders. Our goal is to ensure that the cultures and ecosystems of Klamath Communities are protected and enhanced.

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Karuk Tribe
P R E S S R E L E A S E
For Immediate Release: December 16, 2009
For more information:
Craig Tucker, Spokesman, Karuk Tribe, cell 916-207-8294

US FOREST SERVICE LOGGING PROJECT THREATENS SACRED SITES
Forest Supervisor Tyrone Kelley Ignores Local Community, Tribal Leaders, and his own Proposed Plan

Orleans, CA – Six Rivers National Forest Supervisor Tyrone Kelley has directed his crews to begin logging with heavy equipment in areas sacred to the Karuk Tribe in violation of his own proposed fuels reduction plan.

“We participated in good faith in the Forest Service’s collaborative process. Although we were assured that our sacred areas would be protected and our values respected and enhanced, it’s clear now that these were hollow promises. Furthermore, the actions directed by Kelly are in violation of federal law,” said Bill Tripp, Eco-cultural Resources Specialist for the Karuk Tribe.

Over the past three years, the Orleans Ranger District in the Six Rivers National Forest has held a series of stakeholder meetings allegedly designed to work with the Orleans community to develop a fuels reduction plan that both Native and non-native community members could accept. After dozens of meetings and an appeal of Kelley’s original plan, tribal members, as well as non-native local residents, thought that a consensus had been reached. However, when logging began, community members realized immediately that Kelley had reneged on his promises and violated the law by implementing a plan inconsistent with his own Environmental Impact Statement.

At issue is the insufficient analysis related to use of heavy logging equipment in areas deemed sacred by the Karuk Tribe, divergence from measures designed to protect, promote, enhance and restore stands of ecological sensitive hardwoods, failure to protect large diameter trees[c1] , and a failure to make good on a commitment for multi-party monitoring during the fuels reduction operations.

According to the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the project, the stated Purpose and Need for the Orleans Community Fuel Reduction and Forest Health Project (OCFR) is to manage forest stands to reduce fuels accumulations and improve forest health around the community of Orleans, while enhancing cultural values associated with the Panamnik World Renewal Ceremonial District. Current logging operations are inconsistent with the FEIS and therefore violates the National Environmental Policy act. The Forest Service also proceeded without required consultations with the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO).

“The actual work on the ground will do the opposite of the stated goals. OCFR in all actuality has begun to compromise the integrity of spiritual values associated with the Panamnik World Renewal District,” said Tripp.

The areas being debated represent 914 acres to be mechanically harvested. The USFS awarded the contract to Timber Products for nearly $1 million dollars.

The Tribe is demanding that the Forest Service halt all logging operations until these issues can be resolved and sacred sites protected.

Leaf Hillman is a Karuk Ceremonial Leader in Orleans who contends that this represents the latest in a series of bad decisions by Kelley that have served to denigrate Karuk Cultural areas. According to Hillman, “Tyrone Kelley has no respect for this community or native cultures. The Tribe and local community members worked hard to develop a fuels reduction plan that meets the needs of both the community and the Forest Service. Kelley’s actions are not only an act of bad faith, they are an act of cultural genocide. We will not sit idly by while he destroys the ecological integrity of these forests and the Karuk Tribe’s sacred areas, we will defend our homeland.”
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© 2000–2010 San Francisco Bay Area Independent Media Center

Native Rights News is making this material available in accordance with Indymedia's published policy which states: "Unless otherwise stated by the author, all content is free for non-commercial reuse, reprint, and rebroadcast, on the net and elsewhere."
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Native Rights News (NRN) is published by the Alliance for Indigenous Rights, a nonprofit corporation owned and operated by Temple Beit Shem Tov as part of its Social Justice Ministry.

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Posted By Perry Chesnut, Editor NRN to Native Rights News at 1/05/2010 09:01:00 PM


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Native Americans join bone marrow drive to help Cazenovia teen
By Sarah Moses - January 05, 2010

Nedrow, NY -- More than 70 people, 53 of them Native American, joined the national bone marrow registry today at the Onondaga Nation Arena in hopes of finding a match for Cazenovia teen, Taylor Matt.
Matt, 17, suffers from leukemia and needs a bone marrow transplant, but finding a match has been difficult because Matt is one-quarter Native American.

Matt's best chance for finding a match would come from a person with Native American ancestry, said Paula Miller, of the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, who organizes local bone marrow drives.

"The most important thing is that we are getting the right population here today to join the registry," Miller said.

It is very difficult for Native Americans to find matches because there are so few Native Americans donors registered, Miller said.

"There are only 80,000 donors listed as being Native Americans on the registry," she said. This is a little more than one percent of the seven million donors currently on the registry.

Because of the lack of donors, Native American patients have only a 40 percent chance of finding a transplant match on the registry, whereas white patients have an 80 to 90 percent chance of finding a match, Miller said.

When a patient is multiracial, like Matt, that percent drops to lower than 40 percent.

"It's difficult to match people because what we're basically trying to do is match your genetic human finger print with someone else's," Miller said.

The markers used in matching are inherited and patients are most likely to match someone of their own race or ethnicity. This becomes more difficult when a person is multiracial, Miller said.

In the past five weeks, Be the Match Registry has held six donor drives across Central New York and registered more than 500 people.

Priscilla Cronin, 17, a junior at the Big Picture high school in LaFayette, helped organize the two drives on the Onondaga Nation.

"I think everyone should sign up for it," Cronin said. "I think it's important because there are Native Americans out there that need it. You never know, you could be the match and all it takes is a few minutes to register."

To be a donor, volunteers must be between 18 and 60 and have no history of heart disease, cancer, diabetes or HIV. The collection kit is performed by swabbing four spots on the inside of the cheek. It takes 3 to 6 weeks to test and process the cell samples.

"There is a lot of myths about donating bone marrow," Miller said. "It's not as painful or horrible as the media portrays it."

Eighty percent of the donors can give their bone marrow through a non-surgical out-patient procedure. The donor's blood is removed through a needle in one arm and passed through a machine that separates out the blood-forming cells. The remaining blood is returned to the donor through the other arm. This takes about 4 to 6 hours. The other twenty percent of the time a surgery is performed with a needle through the hip and into the marrow.

The next bone marrow drive will be at 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday at On Point for College job fair at Onondaga Community College. For more information, visitwww.marrow.org.

http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2010/01/post_137.html
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Teresa Anahuy
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FirstPeoplesNews

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Update and info regarding Christie’s Auction of Skull

I spoke with Emily Fisher from Christie’s Auction House’s Client Services Department this morning. I inquired if they have investigated or confirmed the origin of this skull with an anthropologist, to determine if it was Native American. She stated that Christies was provided with complete documentation to prove the skull is not of Native American decent. Apparently Edward T Owen who is documented to have originally been in possession of the skull, had a journal or documentation of its original origin, that has been provided to Christie’s.

When I first began the discussion with her, she responded “the ballot box,” in which I corrected her and said, no the human skull that was made into a ballot box! Even if this skull is not Native, it is appalling and very disrespectful. I asked her about this, and her response was it is a historical piece and has a lot of value especially since it came from the Skull and Bones Society. She refused to acknowledge this was someone’s remains and a human skull. She stated she would document the concern and forward it to the legal department.

In the state of New York, it is legal to sell human remains as per State laws. Each state has its own applicable laws.

It is illegal to traffic human remains if they are Native American as per code 18 USC Sec 1170(a), in which you can not sell Native American remains for profit.

Also reported it to head of NAGPRA and Unit Chief of Indian Country, Special Crimes Division. However, if this is not Native remains and it is legal in NY, there is nothing further that can be done from a legal stand point.

I know previous allegations that this society was in possession of Geronimo’s skull have been made over the years, and it maybe true, not positive. Christie’s documentation is stating this skull is from 1872 era, Geronimo died in 1909.

Either way, its disgusting trafficking human remains. If folks want to contact Christie’s, here is the info for the person I spoke with:
Christie’s Auction House, Emily Fisher 212-636-2000

If you missed the original article “Skull linked to secret Yale society to be sold,” it can be found athttp://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34709352/ns/us_news-life/


Tamra Brennan

Founder/Director

NDN News

www.NDNnews.com

www.protectsacredsites.org

www.protectbearbutte.com

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Thank You, Quarantine, Schweitzer Responds, Buffalo Battle Airs Again
Buffalo Field Campaign
Yellowstone Bison
Update from the Field
January 6, 2010

Buffalo Field Campaign relies on donations from people like you to fund our work to protect the bison. Please contribute today to keep us strong in the field and on the policy front!

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In this issue:
* Thank You Buffalo Friends!
* Update from the Field
* TAKE ACTION! Comment on FWP Bison Quarantine Proposal
* Great Work! Your Messages Get Response from Governor Schweitzer
* Buffalo Battle Showing Again Tonight & Thursday, Jan. 7
* Ski & Ski Boot Donations Needed
* Last Words
* Kill Tally
* Important Links

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* Thank You Buffalo Friends!

Bull bison in blizzard. BFC file photo courtesy of supporter K. Kaiser.

Out here on the Yellowstone boundary, bearing witness to the harsh government treatment of America's only continuously wild population of bison, it can sometimes seem as if we are alone in our struggle to stop the slaughter. Your actions remind us that we are not.

Your response to our year-end funding plea has been incredible. Thanks to your donations we have exceeded the $75,000 goal necessary for us to qualify for the Earth Friends Challenge Grant. Donations, merchandise orders, and letters of encouragement continue to pour into our mailbox from all corners of the country and the the world. Your support literally makes our work for the bison possible, and we can not express enough how much it means to us. THANK YOU!

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* Update from the Field

Happy New Year to all of our buffalo friends! It has been a good start to the new decade for the buffalo; things have remained quiet in the field and, save for the one bull bison killed on Horse Butte, Montana's bison "hunt" has been uneventful thus far.

After an unseasonably dry beginning, the snow has finally started falling in earnest. Over the course of the last two days we've gotten nearly two feet! While breathtakingly beautiful, the snow definitely brings challenges, especially when it falls all at once. We are spending lots of timeplowing and shoveling around our headquarters. Our snow plow is really old, but it's holding up and helping to clear paths so our two barely-working patrol vehicles can make it down the driveway to transport volunteers into the field. Patrols must now ski or snowshoe to get around, or risk being immediately exhausted by post-holing through the deep cold powder. Our supply of skis has been used well over the last thirteen seasons in the field, which means a lot of wear and tear and wanting for working equipment.

The snow may also inspire the buffalo to migrate to lower elevation lands, so we are keeping close watch along Yellowstone's boundary throughout the buffalo's migration corridors.

We are constantly reminded of how very lucky we are to keep company with buffalo, elk, moose, eagles, ravens, coyotes, fox and many other of the Yellowstone ecosystem's amazing creatures. Last week, during a trek into Yellowstone, patrols were blessed with a rare and remarkable experience: they came across the fresh carcass of an old bull elk that had just been taken by wolves. Patrols were able to spot one of the wolves before it quickly retreated into the willows. The tracks surrounding the elk offered a rare, storied gift of the dramatic life-and-death dance, so rich in Nature's poetry of expression. Wolf song has also been heard from the cabin, which is a thrill of mystery to everyone. We are so blessed to live among these wonderful, wild creatures and give thanks every day for their continued existence.

While the field has been quiet for the buffalo, there's been a small flurry of activity on the policy front, so please read on and take action for wild buffalo! Buffalo Battle will also air again on Planet Green late tonight and tomorrow, so check your local listings and invite your friends to watch with you.

Here's to hoping that 2010 is a good year and the beginning of a great decade for the buffalo, and you, our extended buffalo family.

Roam Free!
~Stephany

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* TAKE ACTION! Comment on FWP Bison Quarantine Proposal

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) has released a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) on the translocation of quarantined Yellowstone bison and is seeking your input through January 12, 2010.

FWP's preferred alternative outlines the agency's intention to hand over 74 Yellowstone bison to billionaire Ted Turner, setting the dangerous precedent of commercializing public bison. BFC has strongly opposed quarantine, alternatively advocating for wild bison to be naturally restored on their historic range via protected habitat and migration corridors. That said, it is important that bison advocates try to help these quarantined Yellowstone buffalo get out of captivity and be released onto public and/or tribal lands, as was the stated goal of the Quarantine Feasibility Study.

Learn more and TAKE ACTION NOW!

Comments are due January 12, 2010. For those who can travel, FWP will hold a public meeting on this issue Thursday, January 7, at 6pm at their Region 3 office in Bozeman, Montana, 1400 S. 19th Avenue. Comments will also be accepted at this meeting. Hope to see you there!

Alternatively, you may mail your comments to:
Bison Translocation
Wildlife Division
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
P.O. Box 200701
Helena, MT 59620-0701
Email: QFBison@mt.gov

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* Great Work! Your Messages Get Response from Governor Schweitzer

In December, while giving a speech to the Montana Stockgrowers Association, Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer proudly said: "No governor in Montana history has sent more bison to slaughter than this governor."

You all were terrific in letting him know right away that Montana and Yellowstone's shameful slaughter and mistreatment of America's last wild bison population is nothing to brag about, but indeed a disgrace to the nation and the world. In fact, he received so many letters from bison advocates, he had his staff draft a response, which many of you have shared with us. If you haven't seen it,you can read it here.

Granted, his letter is a sorry political spin that attempts to sugar coat the truth of the thousands of bison killed, harmed and harassed under Schweitzer's rule as Governor. He tries to claim that bison are left alone during the harsh winter months, but that is totally untrue because in lieu of hazing, bison are now hunted when they cross Montana's borders, and sometimes the hazing continues during the hunt. And you have seen what the war zone approach to hazing in May looks like, with calves suffering broken legs and being separated from mothers, adults being injured, and Montana's landscapes being robbed of the presence of bison. We all know from first-hand experience and BFC's documentation that wild buffalo still "enjoy" no tolerance in Montana, even on Horse Butte where cattle are never present. Ironically, Schweitzer's letter also sites the quarantine project and how disease-free bison will be sent "to conservation herds," yet Schweitzer himself encouraged private interest Ted Turner to apply for the quarantined buffalo, so he is responsible for trying to privatize America's wildlife.

The point is, you put the pressure on Schweitzer's administration, and they responded. GREAT WORK! Please continue to keep the pressure on, and if you are not from Montana, let Schweitzer know that you will not come to Montana unless it is to help the buffalo or until they roam free again.

Governor Brian Schweitzer
Office of the Governor
Montana State Capitol Building
P.O. Box 200801
Helena, MT 59620-0801
Phone: 1-406-444-3111
Fax: 1-406-444 5529
Email: governor@mt.gov

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* Buffalo Battle Airs Again Tonight & Thursday, Jan. 7

Tune in because it's on again! Late tonight and on Thursday, January 7th, Discovery's Planet Green will once again air Buffalo Battle. This Planet Green program, produced by Matthew Testa, tells the continuing story about the plight of the Yellowstone bison population and work of Buffalo Field Campaign. Buffalo Battle has been getting tremendously positive feedback, so Planet Green is giving the public more viewing opportunities. The more viewers they get, the more likely it is they'll want to make a series and this will certainly help tell the world about what is happening to the last wild buffalo. Please check your local listings for showtimes and invite your friends and colleagues to watch Buffalo Battle with you late tonight and again on Thursday, January 7th. For more information visit Planet Green.

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* Ski & Ski Boot Donations Needed

Winter has arrived in earnest, and has delivered several feet of snow in a very short amount of time! Skiing and snowshoeing is a must now, and our supply of skis and ski boots are old and quickly reaching the point of disrepair, which is preventing some folks from getting out into the field. If you can help us with skis (three pins are great) or ski boots (three pin and large sizes especially), please contact our gear coordinator, Lobo, atgear@buffalofieldcampaign.org. BFC is always in need of certain items, so please check our Wish List for items you may be able to help us with. All donations -in-kind and monetary- are tax-deductible and very much appreciated. Thank You!!

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* Last Words

"Power concedes nothing without demand"

~ Written in 1857 by Frederick Douglas (1818-1895)


Do you have submissions for Last Words? Send them tobfc-media@wildrockies.org. Thank you all for the poems, songs, quotes 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!