July 12,1991
Western Shoshone National Council
P.O. Box 140068
Duckwater, Nevada 89314-0068
Ph: (702) 863-0227
FAX (702) 863-0301
The Western Shoshone Nation issues an urgent call for action and
support to defend our homelands from unlawful U.S. government actions.
We will give 24 hours notice requesting your presence in Cresent
Valley, NV to protect the rights and prevent the removal of the
Dann Band's livestock, which is their sole means of livelihood. The
Dann Band has lived a self-sufficient life for generations and are
now confronted with the destruction of their self-sustaining
culture and ways of life, through the U.S. government's seizure of
their livestock.
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is attempting to cover up
and avoid the important legal issues of land title, which is the
basis for the Dann Band's resistance in the current situation, and
shift the focus to livestock grazing issues that became an issue
after generations of the Danns had grazed livestock on the same
land.
During the final court hearing in the seventeen year battle with the
U.S. BLM, the Danns rejected the concept of individual aboriginal
title and once again advocated Tribal title on behalf of the
Western Shoshone Nation. In so doing, they jeopardized their
personal livelihood as individuals, to defend the Western Shoshone
as a nation. The Danns believe that Western Shoshone Tribal rights
must not be allowed to be broken down to individual rights by the
U.S. government.
The Western Shoshone Nation views the U.S. government action as an
act of genocide and is filing a formal complaint in the Federal
Court under the Proxmire Act.
Now is the time for all Western Shoshone people and our supporters
to stand up and defend the Western Shoshone Nation. This is not an
attack solely upon the livelihood of the Danns, but upon all
Western Shoshone. Our land is being environmentally destroyed by
the U.S. for nuclear testing, strip mining, water exploration, and
military land grants. These activities affect the health, well-being
and culture of our people while giving very little, if anything,
in return.
The land which the Dann Band uses is surrounded by mining claims
for the massive exploitation of gold. If we are to survive as a
people, we must act now. IF WE DO NOTHING, WE ARE JOINING WITH THE
U.S. GOVERNMENT IN OUR OWN DESTRUCTION.
We are asking for the Western Shoshone people and our supporters to
help us in the defense of our homelands:
1) The initial action will consist of letter writing and network
organizing.
2) We are also seeking volunteers to come to Cresent Valley to
watch for BLM activity.
3) We are organizing for a 24-hour notification and mobilization to
Cresent Valley to participate in a peaceful non-violent action at
the Dann Ranch when exact information about the BLM action is known.
The Western Shoshone National Council (WSNC) office in Duckwater,
NV is the central headquarters for this action. All assistance will
be coordinated with the WSNC office. Ian Zabarte is coordinating
this action. If you can assist, contact the WSNC office:
1.) By phone- (702) 863-0227
2.) By FAX- (702) 863-0301
3.) By writing us at the above address.
In preparing to participate, please come self-sufficient and bring
your own food, WATER, and camping equipment. All participants
should comply with the rules established by the WSNC prohibiting
the use of any form of drugs or alcohol and the use of firearms.
Financial contributions can be sent to the WSNC and are desperately
needed. Other desperately needed items include dry food goods,
camping equipment, office equipment, supplies, services, etc. If
you are unable to travel to Cresent Valley, you can help by calling
and writing to the following public officials.
Julian Burger Senator Daniel K. Inouye
Center for Human Rights Chairman, Select Committee
Palais de Nation on Indian Affairs
CH-1211, Geneva 10 722 Senate Hart Bldg.
Switzerland Washington, D.C. 20510
Ph: (202) 224-3934
FAX: (202) 224-6747
Bureau of Land Management
Nevada State Office
850 Harvard Way
Reno, NV 89520 ...And your State's Congressional Representatives
Demand that the U.S. government stop its attacks against the
Western Shoshone people and investigate the injustices perpetrated
against the Western Shoshone Nation.
With our sincere thanks,
The Western Shoshone National Council
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Michele Lord * Walk in Peace with
(milo@scicom.alphacdc.com) * our Mother Earth
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