This is a message of sadness and hope for the next generation and for those
of us here in this world.
The Tree Peace planted on the CSU, Chico campus by Tom Porter and local
California Indian Elders in 1989 has been damaged by vandals. The incident
occured during the weekend prior to "Columbus" day. Campus police have been
unwilling and unable to locate the people responsible, but we feel it was due
in part to our recent uotspoken actions regarding Leonard and Indiginous
peoples' day.
We have been fighting a long battle here against rascism and harrassment and
seem no closer to the peace that our Tree signified.
We have invited Chief Jake Swamp of the Mohawk Nation to come here December
11, 1992 at 1130 for a condolence ceremony. He will arrive that day as will
representatives from other CSU campuses and local Elders and tribal groups.
We are pressing the campus administration to meet with Jake and local people
to try an ease our pain and our burden. Thus far they have not responded.
I am asking for your prayers of support for us and for those who will be
travelling long distances to join us. I am also asking for you to join us if
you can, either in person, through prayer or ceremony in your home nations,
or through letters of support. The words of our old ones need to be stated
through out the so-called hallowed halls of academia. I ask also that you
look into the situation in your own communities where Indian people are being
harrassed and stand up for our rights and welfare.
I realize that this is a lengthy, late message, and hope that I can be
forgiven for taking your time. It's just that at times we are so alone here
and the link-up across the nation via this computer seems to be where my wife,
our students and few colleagues from other nations can feel at home.
We are fighting to save our heritage for our children, we fight for our
mountains (Shasta and Graham), and we fight for the release of our relations
held in display cases by the anthropolgy department.
Join us,
May the Hoop be mended for all Nations,
Mark Franco - San Carlos Apache
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MARK FRANCO, CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, CHICO
MFRANCO@OAVAX.CSUCHICO.EDU