March 26, 1994
San Rafael, CA
Shelley Davis
Special to the Times
(Reprinted with Permission)
San Rafael, Calif. - An International panel of Indigenous peoples found
Vernon and Clyde Bellecourt guilty of subversion of the American Indian
Movement, and Clyde Bellecourt guilty of the use, sale and/or
distribution of drugs and/or alcohol to American Indian people at the
Tribunal of the Autonomous Chapters of the American Indian Movement,
March 27, 1994.
The panel recessed the Tribunal until September when the
Tribunal will reconvene in Minneapolis at the Bellecourts' invitations,
according to the statement released by the panel. The Bellecourt
sentences have been deferred until that time in which the Tribunal is
complete.
Clyde and Vernon, co-directors of the National American Indian
Movement, Inc, were found guilty of Subversion of the American Indian
Mvoement (AIM), its principles and activities.
After hearing the oral testimony of about one dozen witnesses,
and after receiving documentation, the panel was convinced the
Bellecourts were guilty of the "deliberate and/or reckless undermining
of a legitimate source of authority and decision making; which includes
deliberate and/or reckless efforts to divide and/or discredit those
dedicated to the liberation of the American Indian peoples," as defined
as subversion in the Bellecourts indictments.
Clyde Bellecourt was found guilty of the Use, sale and/or
distribution of drugs and alcohol to American Indian people, according
to the panel statement.
The statement said, "Testimony with enough effect has been
presented to this panel that we have no doubt that Clyde Bellecourt has
used, sold and continues the distribution of drugs and alcohol to the
American Indian people." It also states the panel found he "has
distributed the drugs and alcohol to persons regardless of their youth
in a direct and gross misuse of their trust."
"We unamimously believe that this behavior is abusive, ongoing
and reprehensible. How can we expect our children to grow up continuing
this genocidal model," the panel stated.
Those two charges were then closed for any further discussion to
the Tribunal. Only one other charge was presented to the panel of the
original seven charges against the Bellecourts.
The statement claimed that video tape, testimony and documents
provided showed an "insidious pattern" which the panel stated is of such
significant consequence they requested the assistance of an
internationally recognized body which is capable of providing
independent collaborating evidence to the allegations in Charge Four.
Charge Four against the Bellecourts is "Espionage against Indigenous
Nations."
The panel consisted of Don Grinde, a member of AIM since the
1970's; Dian Million, Athabascan, member of AIM since 1973; Regina
Brave, Lakota, longtime member of AIM; Sharon Venne, Cree from Canada
and not a member of Autonomous AIM or N-AIM; and Joe Locust, Cherokee,
logtime member of AIM and presiding elder of the panel.
The prosecution included Russell Means, Lakota, logntime
activist, assisted by JoAnn Wilkerson, Cherokee; and prosecution
assistant Bob Robideau, Anishinabe; Ward Churchill, Cherokee descendant;
and Glenn Morris, Shawnee.
The panel included that Clyde Bellecourt accepted the
jurisdiction of the Tribunal after he had asked to particpate in the
presence of the Pipe. In the message he delivered to the "California
Gathering", Bellecourt conveyed that it is fitting such a gathering be
held in Minneapolis and all complaints by those who have participated in
the Movement be heard and considered by all those assembled at "this"
time (during the 27th Anniversary at Fort Snelling). The Tribunal Panel
accepted the invitation.
When Clyde Bellecourt came into the Tribunal with supporters and
representatives from Minneapolis, he suggested that the participants and
observers form a circle. After the circle was formed, the Minneapolis
representatives said they were sent with a Pipe.
The Pipe for the Tribunal, which had been cermonially prepared
by longtime activist George Martin, had already been loaded and was on
the table ready for those testifying.
"Your honors, one of the reasons for this Tribunal is because
of the disruptve tactics of the accused," said Means. "And this a
perfect example of disruptive tactics, Bogarting their way in here
telling us how to pray and how to be Indians."
"I resent the disrespect they have shown for the Tribunal and
for these pipes here," Means added. "This tribunal has been called for
exactly this tactic.
Joe Locust alloed the Minneapolis delegation to continue in
their ceremony and asked those not wishing to participate to leave the
room.
"We should not use the Pipe as divisive instrument," said
Robideau. "You are disrespecting the Pipe that you have brought here
today by misusing it."
Robideau walked over to Bill Means, Lakota, and asked, "Is this
right, Bill?" as he pointed to the Minneapolis Pipe.
Bill Means did not answer, but rather dropped his head and
averted his eyes.
After opening statements by Russell Means and Clyde Bellecourt,
the Tribunal began. When Tribunal finished his statement, saying that
he did not come to participate in the "mock Tribunal", the delegation
loaded up their ceremonial items and left the building.
Means called Bellecourt's statement "nothing more than
dysfunctional Indian rhetoric."
The Minneapolis delegation re-entered the building, but after
the panel acknowledged Bellecourt was not sent as a defender for his
brother Vernon, the delegation left the Tribunal completely. Vernon
Bellecourt has stated on numerous occasions that he did not recognize
the Tribunal.
As he was leaving, Clyde said the Tribunal was worse than a
kangaroo court because kangaroos could do a better job.
The Tribunal was conducted at the Dominican College in San
Rafael, California on March 26 and 27, with national and international
representatives present. It will reconvene in Minneapolis in early
September.