"Praise, flattery, exaggerated manners and fine, high-sounding words
were no part of Lakota politeness. Excessive manners were put down as
insincere, and the constant talker was considered rude and thoughtless.
Conversation was never begun at once, or in a hurried manner.
"No one was quick with a question, no matter how important, and no one
was pressed for an answer. A pause giving time for thought was the
truly courteous way of beginning and conducting a conversation."
__ Chief Luther Standing Bear, Teton
+- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -+
| Indian Pledge of Allegiance | The Indian Pledge of Alleg-
| | iance was first presented
| I pledge allegiance to my Tribe,| on 2 December '93 during the
| to the democratic principles | opening address of the Nat-
| of the Republic | ional Congress of American
| and to the individual freedoms | Indian Tribal-States Relat-
| borrowed from the Iroquois and | ions Panel in Reno, NV. NCAI
| Choctaw Confederacies, | plans distribution of the
| as incorporated in the United | Indian Pledge to all Indian
| States Constitution, | Nations.
| so that my forefathers |
| shall not have died in vain | Walk in Beauty! Night Owl
+- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -+
O'siyo Brothers and Sisters!
Much of this issue is devoted to the plight of Mohawk at Oka-Kanesatake,
and Hawai'i Natives seeking redress for stolen lands. Look also at the
Cree and Innu as Canada proceeds with a dam project that will drive the
final death blow to their way of life.
What happens to these brothers and sisters will have a direct impact
on each of us and those who follow. Any time the circle is broken anywhere
by anyone or any people all suffer. Pray for just solutions. Do what you
can to help those who struggle in these wars.
If you do not care for yourself, care for the seven generations before
and the seven generations to follow.
Mitakuye Oyasin! Night Owl
, ,
(*,*) Gary Night Owl gars%owlstar.UUCP@mathcs.emory.edu
(`-') P. O. Box 672168 gars@genie.geis.com
===w=w=== Marietta, GA 30067, U.S.A. gars@netcom.com
------------------ clip here for news feature -- 8< -----------
--------- "RE: Moratorium Support" ---------
Date: Wed, 25 May 1994 22:04:21 GMT
From: kibby@news.unr.edu (Larry Kibby)
Subj: Moratorium Support
Newsgroup: alt.native
MORATORIUM SUPPORT
Granted, Mining operations provide a source of income, not only for the
private sector, but provides a stable revenue for local and state
governments, there is no question in view of those facts that have been
provided.
The 1872 Mining Law however has outlived its time, no longer should the
1872 Mining Law be given any legal recognition and a change in the
Mining policy should be advocated now.
Ownership of land by foreign governments will have a direct impact on all
efforts to preserve and protect the ceremonial and burial grounds of all
Native American Indian people and will have the same sort of impact on
non-Indian efforts to preserve and protect their heritage.
A Moratorium against all Mining Patents, should be put into place
immediately, in order to prohibit the selling of any further land to foreign
governments.
Reasons for a Moratorium are:
(1) All Native American Indian Tribes need to be guaranteed their constit-
utional rights, in order to complete their inventory of those lands having
a religious and cultural value of importance to their past and future.
(2) Non-Indian organizations need to be guaranteed their constitutional
rights to complete their inventory of those lands having a value of
importance to America's Heritage.
(3) The U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management does need
ample time to enhance their inventory of the lands in order to promote the
safe-guarding of the Cultural Resources of the Native American Indian and
America's Heritage.
(4) The Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service, does need ample time
to enhance their inventory of the lands in order to promote the safe-
guarding of the Cultural Resources of the Native American Indian and
America's Heritage.
(5) The Department of Fish and Wildlife, does need ample time to enhance
their inventory regarding the lands in order to safe-guard migration
routes and water sources.
(6) Archaeologist and Anthropologist need to enhance their constitutional
right to assist in the effort of preserving and protecting all of America's
past, present and future, to be made so that future generations will have
a wisdom, knowledge and understanding of times gone by, that were wiped-out
by modern progress.
This Moratorium should in no way contain any language that should halt or
hinder on-going Mining Operations, but be made clear, to prohibit the
selling of any further land to foreign governments and to enhance the
preservation and protection of all America's Great Heritage.
--------- "RE: Prime Minister Says Quebec Should Remain" ---------
Date: May-25-94 15:09:00
From: Frosty Deere (frosty.deere@f502.n167.z1.fidonet.org)
Subj: Prime Minister Says Quebec Should Remain
FidoNet Indian Affairs Conference
TU THANH HA
GAZETTE OTTAWA BUREAU
OTTAWA - If Quebec wants to ensure the integrity of its territory, Prime
Minister Jean Chr tien said yesterday, it should remain in Canada.
Chr tien made his comments as the House of Commons convened for the first
time since Indian Affairs Minister Ron Irwin created a furor by saying that
Quebec aboriginals can separate, too, if the province leaves Canada.
"As long as Quebec stays part of Canada, no one can change Quebec's borders
without the assent of Quebec," Chr tien said. "It's the best protection
Quebec could ever have."
The opposition Bloc Queb cois charged that Chr tien was making "a
veiled threat" but could not get the prime minister to elaborate.
Asked by the Bloc and the Reform Party, Chr tien mostly ducked the issue,
sticking to his public policy of avoiding constitutional debate.
But when asked about the right of Quebec to self-determination, Chr tien
said it depended on the clarity of an eventual referendum question. Bloc
leader Lucien Bouchard said that meant Chr tien wanted to give himself a way
out, should Quebecers end up voting yes to separation. "I see Mr. Chretien
wants to keep a margin of manoeuvre in case he won't respect the will of
Quebecers," said Bouchard.The man who started the latest flare-up, is Irwin,
said yesterday that he would not take back his comments. But he declined to
discuss the issue, when asked by reporters, and tried to stick to his
party's line that voters want to hear about job-creation, not constitution.
Reform leader Preston Manning complained that the federal government's
unwillingness to debate the constitution creates a "national-unity vacuum"
at a time when Quebecers might be ready to elect a sovereignist government.
A Parti Quebecqois victory this fall would lead to a spring referendum on
separation. Manning suggested that aboriginals themselves could hold a
referendum to decide whether to stay in a sovereign Quebec. "That's a
democratic way of trying to settle those kinds of issues.", he told
reporters.
But that would be unacceptable for sovereignists, who argue that, by
signing the l975 James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement, the province's
Inuit and Cree nations have extinguished their territorial claims.
"The natives of Quebec don't have a right of self-determination. It
doesn't belong to them," Bouchard said.
--- SLMAIL v3.0 (#1349)
Origin: Igloo Station (514) 632-5556 (1:167/502)
------- "RE: Oka-Kanesatake: Old Wounds Resurface" -------
Date: Mon, 30 May 1994 18:22:39 GMT
From: 3200AEMO@vm1.ulaval.ca (EMOND)
Subj: Oka-Kanesatake: old wounds resurface
Newsgroup: soc.culture.native
OKA-KANESATAKE: AN OLD CONFLICT RESURFACE IN CANADA
by Andre Emond
Laval University
Quebec, Canada
<E-Mail 3200aemo@vm1.ulaval.ca>
Thursday, May the 27th, some Mohawks, belonging to the Kanesatake
community, began alteration works in order to enlarge a too small, and
already filled, mohawk's cemetery.
For those who don't remember, or simply never knew, this cemetery
was the focal point of the 1990 Oka-Kanesatake crisis. At that time,
Mohawks fought to stop trees cutting on the burial land. The cutting
was to add nine holes to an adjoining golf course. The army was called
in, put an end to the standoff between warriors and policemen, without
anyone being shot, and everybody returned home. But the fight succeeded,
in one sense, seeing that the trees are still there. And Golf players
had to be content with their existing nine holes golf course.
The cemetery borders a road leading to the same golf course. Today's
works are destroying this road and encroach upon lands on the opposite
side. Ironically, they imply cutting trees.
Needless to say, governmental authorities are not happy.
After the 1990 crisis, people were supposed to negotiate a settlement.
Very little has been done since, surely because the conflict is much
more than a fight for a small parcel of land in and around the cemetery.
In reality, Mohawks' claim includes all what was known long ago as the
Seigniory of the Lake of Two Mountains, a large domain of about four
hundred square miles near Montreal. It is a populated area where you
can find Montreal's biggest airport.
The seigniory was created by successive grants from the King of France,
in 1717, 1718, 1733 and 1735. These grants purported to convey, to the
ecclesiastics of the Seminary of St. Sulpice, land forming part of the
seigniory, with a full proprietary title, but on the condition that
they should take care of a certain mission they had founded among the
Indians in the neighbourhood (Algonquin and Iroquois Indians). The
mission was first situated on a mountain that is now part of Montreal.
Because alcohol was too easily available, it has been moved away in
1717. Oka-Kanesatake had been the final destination. Consequently, the
seigniory was not, properly speaking, ancestral land to the Indians
inhabiting the mission.
The Mohawks contended, and still do, that they possessed proprietary
rights, or, at least, rights of occupation; an assertion that had been
contested by the Seminary.
This controversy concerning the title to the seigniory had existed for
upwards of a century, before the Privy Council, which was the highest
court in the British Empire, decided that the ecclesiastics, and not
the Indians, were the true owners. This decision has been published in
1912 under the name Corinthe v. Seminary of St. Sulpice.
Despite Privy Council's ruling, the Mohawk community continued to claim
the territory. Their voices , however, didn't carry very far.
Even before 1990, the canadian government acknowledged that there was
a political problem. It tried, probably not very vigorously, to reach
an agreement. The 1990 crisis was like an awakening call. Federal
representatives are now in the process of buying lands, from non-Indian
residents of Kanesatake, to be in a position to create a reserve.
That isn't good enough, from Jerry Peltier's point of view. Mr. Peltier
is chief of the band Council. He wants to negotiate, yes, but solely on
the basis of the whole ancient seigniory title.
I suppose that the current events may be seen as a way to break the
stalemate, to create a precedent. If it is simply a way to make progress,
it is a very risky one. Quebec officials, who are responsible for law
enforcement, say that they will have to react, by force if necessary, to
stop what is considered, among non-Indians, as illegal acts.
The present conditions open the door to violence. Lets hope that
negotiations prevail.
------- "RE: Oka-Kanesatake Updates" -------
Date: 94/05/27 21:57
From: Art Horovitch (a.horovitch@genie.geis.com) <Invisible Band>
Subj: Oka-Kanesatake Updates
GE Electronic Mail
Update on Kahnesatake
---------------------
May 25: Chief Gerry Peltier of the Kahnesatake Mohawks says work is
proceeding to clear land on the Oka golf course to enlarge the Native
cemetery. The land is claimed by the Mohawks as part of Kahnesatake.
May 26: (morning) Mohawks begin tearing up one lane of the road leading into
the golf course with construction equipment. One lane (of the divided road)
is left for access to the course. Chief Peltier claims the town council of
Oka was notified in 1988 that the Mohawks would need to expand their
cemetery, and requested meetings with the town council to discuss the issue.
No response was forthcoming from the town. Mayor Jean Ouellet of Oka
launches a formal complaint with the Surete de Quebec regarding the damage
done to the road which was almost encircling the cemetery as it proceeded
onto the golf course.
Chief Peltier declares that a 260 square mile area around Kahnesatake is
being claimed by the Mohawks as their traditional land. This encompasses a
major international airport, and many bedroom communities of Montreal.
May26 (afternoon): In my discussion with a traditional member of the
community, it is indicated that Chief Peltier does not have the support of
a large number of people in the community. In fact a petition to have him
removed from the post had been circulated last year and it had close to 400
signatures out of the approximately 900 adults in the community. It is
suggested that this confrontation is not necessary and it would make more
sense to build a new cemetery elsewhere in the community. Peltier's move is
seen by the traditional people as a move to get more money out of Ottawa for
the band council.
May 27: French newspapers in Montreal condemn the actions of the Mohawks.
One headlines : "The trench gets deeper", a reference to the fact that the
Mohawks are tearing up the road to the golf course, and also an allegation
to the trenches built by the Warriors in the Pines during the 1990 crisis.
Chief Peltier says he will not negotiate with a federal mediator appointed
by Indian Affairs Minister Ron Irwin until the federal government sends the
money to the band council that had been promised earlier for housing, and
which had been cut off last fall.
The Surete de Quebec say they cannot intervene in the dispute, even
though a complaint had been lodged by the mayor. They are referring the
complaint to the Solicitor General's office.
A CBC radio phone-in program asks the question, "Are you in favor of
what the Mohawks are doing?" Guests are a town councillor from Oka and Chief
Peltier. About 80% of the callers agree with the actions of the Mohawks
and many say it long past due to have an equitable settlement for the
Mohawks.
Date: 94/05/30 18:38
May 30, 1994
Kahnesatake Update
------------------
Work has resumed on clearing land to expand the Mohawk cemetery, land which
the town of Oka claims the Mohawks have no right to. Premier Daniel Johnson
of Quebec has said the law will be applied equally across the province
including Oka. In response, Chief Gerry Peltier was quoted on CBC radio as
saying, "He can talk about the law, but this is the reality in Kahnesatake:
No one working on the clearing is armed, but that can be changed very
quickly. Force will be met with force." Peltier continued, "We are not
going to meet with the federal mediator, because we know what he is going to
say already. His mandate is to satisfy the claims of the town of Oka and the
claims of the non-aboriginal population of Quebec." The federal mediator,
Michel Robert has called a news conference for this afternoon. Late news
indicates he has called on all parties to settle the dispute over the
cemetery and access to the golf course peacefully, then the government can
get onto the more important issues of housing, land claims and self
government. Quebec minister of Native Affairs, Christos Sirros has also
called a news conference for this afternoon. He has order the police to
restore order at Oka but he says they will not go in with guns blazing.
Date: 94/06/01 08:01
May 31 .
CBC radio in Montreal conducted an interview with Debbie Etienne, a long-
time resident of Kahnesatake and a traditionalist. It was apparent from the
interview that the deep divisions between the traditionalists and the
elected Band Council have started to come out into the open, under the
pressure of a possible confrontation with the police. While Etienne agrees
that the cemetery has to be expanded, she is not in favor of the
confrontational methods adopted by Chief Peltier. She also suggests that a
different area be found where a new cemetery could be built, one which does
not necessitate cutting down so many trees. She says there has been
virtually no consultation with the community on the issue. Chief Peltier
has broken Mohawk law (the Great Law of Peace) by not listening to many
people in the community. Etienne also claims that there has been clear-
cutting of the pine trees, something which Peltier denies. Etienne feels
that everything that they fought for in 1990 is being thrown away. One of
the most powerful argument the Mohawks made at that time was that the Pines
were sacred because they had been planted by previous generations some 90-
100 years ago, and they were against the golf course expansion which would
have meant cutting the trees.
A fact not widely known is that Chief Peltier himself is not
Mohawk, but Ojibway. If a confrontation becomes violent, as it did in 1990,
he can leave, as did most of the band council in the last crisis. This would
leave the entire community to contend with the results of the confrontation.
Etienne asked, "If the SQ comes in again, is Mr. Peltier going to be on
the front line? I doubt it."
June 1.
Public Security minister Robert Middlemiss says that the police are taking
a low key approach to the problem. They are observing the activities in the
Pines, have identified a number of the individuals involved in the clearing
and have served summons for those people to appear in court in July. The
police say they are applying the law, but in a common sense way.
The situation appears quiet today. Native Affairs Minister Christos
Sirros says. "We want to solve the Oka crisis of 1994 by negotiation, not
have a repeat of 1990.) The tone of news reports today indicate that the
confrontational aspect of the crisis may be coming to an end.
--------- "RE: Mohawks Protest Against Casino Plans" ---------
Date: May-25-94 13:58:00
From: Frosty Deere (frosty.deere@f502.n167.z1.fidonet.org)
Subj: Mohawks Protest Against Casino Plans
FidoNet Indian Affairs Conference
ANDY RIGA, THE GAZETTE
Kahnawake residents came out on to their doorsteps yesterday to watch 50
Mohawk traditionalists march through the streets denouncing plans to build
a casino on the reserve.
Beating drums, chanting and honking car horns, the protesters had a clear
message: legalized gambling would devastate their people and chip away at
treaty rights.
"Living off others' hard luck is not the Indian way," proclaimed one of
the demonstrators' handmade cardboard placards.
Other placards said a casino would be a magnet for organized crime, drugs
and prostitution. The Kahnawake Mohawk Council and Grand Casinos Inc., a
U.S. casino operator and developer, are spearheading the move to build a $
154 million casino on the South Shore reserve. Residents will probably vote
on the issue during band council elections on July 2, a council member said
yesterday.
Reaction from onlookers during yesterday's protest was divided. "The only
thing a casino would bring to the community is trouble," Ranatharas Deer, a
69-year-old retired iron worker, said as he took a break from mowing his
lawn.
A casino, he said, would boost crime and only fill the baskets of a few
powerful people. But at least one of Deer's neighbors an unemployed iron
worker in his 40s sees the proposed gaming house as a boon. "The way I look
at it, if it creates jobs, it's a good thing," said the man, who wouldn't
give his name. The man, sitting on a boulder outside his home, said after
almost four years of unemployment, he can't afford to shut the door on a
well paying casino job.
"If the casino goes ahead, I'll apply to help build it and to work in it."
The demonstration was organized by the Mohawk Traditional Council, an
unelected group that is against the cigarette trade, alcohol consumption and
the elected band council.
A casino would bring crime and intensify social ills in Kahnawake, protest
organizer Stuart Myiow Jr. said during the demonstration.
"We'd have to be crazy to want to bring that right into the heart of our
people," Myiow said, charging that the elected band council is being
opportunistic by using jobs as a lure to attract support.
"You dangle the dollar in front of everybody and they're going to jump at
it." A study by a consulting firm hired by Grand Casino Inc. said a gaming
house would create 1,600 construction jobs and 2,000 full-time jobs.
Myiow said the elected band council supports the casino because it's
paving the way for self-government, which would reduce the amount
of government money the reserve gets. The casino would replace that cash he
said.
The province must approve a casino, Myiow said, but by getting such
permission from Quebec, the Mohawks could also be jeopardizing their treaty
rights.
Davis Rice, the Kahnawake band-council member in charge of the casino
proposal, said some of those opposed to the casino are simply fearful of
change.
"Cutbacks (to government funding of Kahnawake) are imminent and we're
trying to protect ourselves," Rice said.
He said the casino would bring good jobs, which would help offset some
of the community's social problems and "generate income residents can be
proud of."
The band council has been open throughout the process and will live with
the decision residents make in July, Rice said.
He said plans for the casino including the site, lay- out and a breakdown
of where profits would go will be unveiled in about two weeks. Later,
probably in mid-June, both sides will square off in a public debate.
--- SLMAIL v3.0 (#1349)
Origin: Igloo Station (514) 632-5556 (1:167/502)
-------- "RE: Hawai'i Informational Booklet" ---------
Date: Sun May 29, 1994 at 11:25 EDT
From: PANTHER [Panther] (panther@genie.geis.com)
Subj: Hawai'i Informational Booklet
GE Electronic Mail
HAWAI'I
INFORMATIONAL By Scott Crawford
BOOKLET Authorized Reproduction
Aloha Kakou Na Po'e Honua,
The door has been opened for all the people of Hawai'i to unite in
freedom, prosperity and peace and choose a new path for our future.
This informational booklet has been prepared for all the inhabitants of
Hawai'i to better understand the truth of the relationship between Hawaii
and the United States of America under International Law. It is up to
each of us to learn about our rights and responsibilities so we can know
the full range of choices now before the People of Hawai'i.
President Clinton signed US Public Law 103-150, the "Hawaii Apology
Bill," on November 23, 1993, placing the people of Hawai'i in an
unprecedented position to choose the future of our own political status.
This law clearly concedes that the overthrow of Queen Lilioukalani and
the lawful, internationally recognized Hawaiian Government was an "act or
war," illegal under international law at that time, and a Constitutional
level breach of US domestic law.
US Public Law 103-150 directly recognizes the "inherent sovereignty of
the Native Hawaiian people."
Black's Law Dictionary (Sixth Edition) defines an "inherent" right as,
"One which abides in a person and is not given from something or someone
outside itself. A right which a person has because he is a person."
Sovereign: A person, body, or state in which independent and supreme
authority is vested.
Black's defines "Sovereignty" thus: The supreme, absolute, and
uncontrollable power by which any independent state is governed; supreme
political authority; the supreme will; paramount control of the
constitution and frame of government and its administration; the
self-sufficient source of political power, from which all specific
political powers are derived; the international independence of a state,
combined with the right and power of regulating its internal affairs
without foreign dictation; also a political society, or state, which is
sovereign and independent.
The power to do everything in a state without accountability,--to make
laws, to execute and to apply them, to impose and collect taxes and levy
contributions, to make war or peace, to form treaties of alliance or of
commerce with foreign nations and the like.
Sovereignty in government is that public authority which directs or
orders what is to be done by each member associated in relation to the
end of the association. It is the supreme power by which any citizen is
governed and is the person or body of persons in the state to whom there
is politically no superior. The necessary existence of the state and
that right and power which necessarily follow is "sovereignty." By
"sovereignty" in its largest sense is meant supreme, absolute,
uncontrollable power, the absolute right to govern. The word which itself
comes nearest to being the definition of "sovereignty" is will or
volition as applied to political affairs.
Sovereign People: The political body, consisting of the entire number of
citizens and qualified electors, who, in their collective capacity,
possess the powers of sovereignty and exercise them through their chosen
representatives.
As the Public Law states: "the indigenous Hawaiian people never directly
relinquished their claims to their inherent sovereignty as a people or
over their national lands to the United States, either through their
monarchy or through a plebiscite or referendum." This covers both the
overthrow and the statehood vote. According to the President and the
United States Congress, Hawaiian people still have sovereignty in Hawaii.
Consequently, all the political actions and successors to the initial
illegal act -- the Republic of Hawaii, the annexation, the Territorial
Government, the Hawaiian Homestead Act, the statehood vote, and the
current State government including the Office of Hawaiian Affairs -- all
have no legitimacy in law and no right to exercise authority over the
land and people of Hawai'i.
By signing the Apology Bill, the American Congress and President have
opened the door to independence. Only the people of Hawai'i can make the
choice to go through that door.
To secure that right and ensure that the door of sovereignty is not
closed again, the Ohana (Family) Council issued a Proclamation Restoring
the Independence of the Sovereign Nation State of Hawai'i at 'Iolani
Palace on January 16, 1994. Required public notice appeared on the front
page of the Honolulu Advertiser the following day, on the hundred and
first anniversary of the overthrow, giving legal legitimacy to the
proclamation. The effect of this action is to secure the full right to
independence.
For the many inhabitants of Hawai'i who do not trace their ancestry to
Hawai'i, but who now call these islands home, the proclamation clearly
opens the way for an inclusive nation state. The proclamation states:
"The Independent and Sovereign Nation State of Hawai'i will establish
procedures for according citizenship by means of naturalization to all
people who are habitual residents of Hawaii..." and also states that:
"We, the Kanaka Maoli, fully support and subscribe to all of the Rights
of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We will honor and
uphold these rights for our people and for all people." All the people
of Hawai'i, regardless of ancestry, have a right and responsibility to
participate in the birth of the new Hawaiian Nation, and are protected
under the laws of the nation.
Despite the fact that international and United States domestic laws
clearly indicate that Hawai'i is illegally a part of the United States,
for some people thinking of Hawai'i as an independent nation, may still
seem a "radical" proposal.
But let us consider a few relevant facts:
Hawai'i was the last state to join the union, and so could most easily be
the first to leave. ("Last star on, first star off," as they say). Many
people who live in Hawai'i today remember a day not too long ago when
Hawai'i was not a state, and can imagine a day when it is no longer a
state.
Hawai'i is obviously separate from the rest of the United States
geographically, and is in fact the most isolated land mass in the world.
Therefore it makes sense that Hawai'i be its own nation. Many countries
of the world have less land mass and/or population than Hawai'i, and have
smaller economies.
Thirty-five or more new nations have gained their independence in the
last two years, moving from colonial integration with an independent
nation to full independent status. Many nations of the world, including
those that had treaties with Hawai'i before America illegally invaded and
overthrew the government, and those that have only recently emerged into
independence themselves, would be likely to recognize Hawai'i
diplomatically and offer various forms of aid - financial, technical, and
political - for the transition to independence.
Now that international and US domestic law clearly present the
opportunity for full independence, the natural question is, Why be
independent? How would we benefit?
Ultimately, the bottom line is: who makes the final decisions about our
lives here in Hawai'i? Right now the final say rests in Washington DC,
half way around the world, with people who are unlikely to think of our
best interest as the most important factor in their policies. We must
ask ourselves, are we capable of making better decisions about our lives
than politicians in Washington, DC?
It is quite obvious that the existing illegal system is not working well
in terms of real meaningful values, such as our quality of life and the
sustainability of our environment. Discontent with the government is at
an all time high, and a feeling of being out of control of the decisions
which affect us is rampant, both at a state and federal level. If we
keep going in the same direction, we'll certainly end up where we're
headed, which would be most unfortunate.
Our society, here in Hawai'i and globally, is not living in anywhere near
a sustainable manner, and an evolution of values and visions is essential
for the quality of our future. So we are in for a change, and we must be
ready to create a positive change, before the environmental and economic
circumstances force us into a more drastic negative one. We must
collectively empower a form of government that works in a real way, with
man's laws in deep alignment with the natural and spiritual laws that are
the basis for our very existence.
"Independence" means more than just political independence. It includes
economic and material independence as well. Right now, we are a very
"dependent society," depending on outside sources, primarily the United
States, to meet most of our basic needs. For example, we import
three-quarters of our food, and even more of our energy. All of this
dependence creates a situation in which we are subject to the control of
outside forces, so we lack self-reliance and suffer from great
vulnerability. We must become more independent in many ways to ensure
the future stability and security of our land and people.
For Hawaiians in our homeland, one way to look at independence is having
our roots planted firmly in the soil, rather than being in a plant pot
that can be moved from place to place, like the native American
reservations and the nation within a nation model of sovereignty.
Once one shifts perspectives from US domestic law to international law,
the range of options becomes much more broad. The opportunity exists to
evolve quickly in a positive direction with independent political
status. Do we have the will to take that opportunity?
How we develop, how we move through the transition toward sovereignty,
and how Hawai'i's future self-governance unfolds, depends on how educated
and involved each one of us becomes.
If there is any place in the world capable of evolving politically,
economically, culturally, and spiritually in a smooth and peaceful
transition toward a truly equitable and sustainable future, it is
Hawaii. In the process, we could set an example for the entire world.
We must remember, the wisdom of the ancestors of this land is essential
for our success. With aloha, we can do it.
CONTACT: Scott Crawford scott.crawford@tdp.org
The Daily Planet BBS
+1 808-572-4857
-------- "RE: HAWAI'I: Legal History" ---------
Date: 30 May 1994 03:21:28 GMT
From: cy717@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Jai Maharaj)
Subj: HAWAI'I: Legal History
Newsgroup: soc.culture.native
This is a one-page legal history of Hawaiian independence since the
apology bill.
Hawai'i
Independent and Sovereign Nation State
Legal History
----------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Public Law 103-15
Legislative History
Senate Joint Resolution 19 - "The Apology Bill"
Senate Reports: #103-125
(Select Committee on Indian Affairs)
Congressional Record, Vol. 139 (1993)
Considered and Passed Senate - October 27, 1993
Considered and Passed House - November 15, 1993
Signed by President Clinton, November 23, 1993
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Legal Opinion and Testimony of Professor Francis Anthony Boyle
Public Speech at Mabel Smyth Auditorium, Honolulu
December 28, 1993
"The United States government has now officially conceded that it
illegally invaded and occupied the Kingdom of Hawai'i, and for this
reason the native people of Hawai'i would be entitled to a restoration of
their independent status as a sovereign nation state..."
"...what I am suggesting is that you not ask the permission of the
United States Congress to declare independence, but rather you exercise
your right of self-determination, that has been afforded to you, the
Hawaiian people, by the United Nations Charter, in particular Article 1,
paragraph 2..."
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Keli'ikui Brown & Francis A. Boyle draft Proclamation for
Kanaka Maoli, December 29, 30, 31, 1993
----------------------------------------------------------------------
January 16, 1994, 'Ohana Council and other groups march from the Falls of
Clyde to Iolani Palace, an Historic Day for all Kanaka Maoli... At
approximately 12:00 noon, 'Ohana Makua and Master of Ceremonies Iaukea
Bright publicly reads the Proclamation, and announces the 'Aha Kupuna
(Council of Elders) as the Provisional Government of the Independent and
Sovereign Nation State of Hawai'i.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Public Notice appears on the front page of the Honolulu
Advertiser, January 17, 1994:
"GROUP DECLARES HAWAIIAN INDEPENDENCE"
----------------------------------------------------------------------
*** Please Distribute Freely ***
For more information, please write to: hawaii.nation@tdp.org
%:%:%:%:%:%:%:%:%:%:%:%:%:%:%:%:%:%:%:%:%:%:%:%:%:%:%
Posted in this forum by Jai Maharaj, Vedic Astrologer
-=Om Shanti=-
-- |_|_|_|_|
jai maharaj |_| |_| mantra corporation
jyotishi, vedic astrologer |_|_ _|_| +1 808 948 4357
jaimaharaj@mcimail.com | | | | | vedic prediction sciences
-------- "RE: HAWAI'I: The Governor's View" ---------
Date: 29 May 1994 21:10:36 GMT
From: cy717@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Jai Maharaj)
Subj: HAWAI'I: The Governor's View
Newsgroup: soc.culture.native
The Governor's View, Righting a Wrong
Reprinted by permission of Honolulu Magazine, January 1993 issue
What was taken away 100 years ago when Queen Lili'uokalani was
overthrown was more than our lands, it was our spiritual and cultural
touchstone. Governor John Waihee ...
RIGHTING A WRONG
The overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy under Queen Lili'uokalani in
1893 was a hostile act, an armed takeover of a legitimate government that
was an established member of the community of nations. It was an
aggressive act against a native people who were organized as a national
government and recognized by the United States of America.
More important, it was a tragic act of convenience for political and
economic reasons by parties who did not weigh the full and long-term
implications of their actions for the island nation as a whole or for the
succeeding generations.
Our challenge is to advocate the rightful restoration of sovereignty
to the Hawaiian people and, in the process, redefine it for the 21st
century and the multicultural community in which we live today. The
anniversary of the over- throw focuses attention on the question of
self-determination, but provides no easy answers on how to restore it or
the form that it should take.
For Hawaiians, there are four elements that must be in place before
sovereignty can be restored; political recognition, compensation for the
overthrow, the establishment of a land base, and the formation of a
government.
Political Recognition
Sovereignty cannot be achieved without federal recognition of
Hawaiians as a native people, without the explicit acknowledgment of the
involvement of the U.S. in the overthrow, and without acceptance of its
responsibility for those actions. Unfortunately, under the last two
Republican administrations, we were pushed farther away from that
political recognition than ever before.
According to the Bush administration, Hawaiians are not a native
people but a racial class, and any program that is built around
preferential treatment of Hawaiians as a racial class is
unconstitutional. That would include any housing, health,education, or
job training programs for Hawaiians. A rescission message from Bush cut
congressional appropriation for the Hawaiian Homelands.
With, however, the inauguration of president-elect Clinton, we are
anticipating a more sensitive and sympathetic ear in Washington, and we
look forward to working very closely with the new administration on
behalf of the Hawaiian community.
Compensation and Land Base
Over the last five years, we have been involved in cleaning up our
own house, as we fully address out trust responsibilities and settle our
debts under the Hawaiian Homelands and the public land trusts. We have
also continued to encourage the federal governments to fulfill its own
trust responsibilities.
Until sovereignty is achieved, it is the state's responsibility to
continue to put these trusts in order and prepare for a more orderly
transfer than when they were transferred from the federal government in
1959.
Formation of Government
On the specific form that a Hawaiian government will take, it will
be up to Native Hawaiians to make the fundamental determination. Who
among the various Hawaiian groups (or a representative composite body)
will have future responsibility for the trusts under sovereignty is not
clearly known yet. What is clear is the long-overdue need to right
wrongs, and allow Hawaiians to make that determination themselves.
Underlying all of this is one of the most profound values that
Hawaiians hold: the concept of "aloha 'aina."
It involves two separate ideas; Aloha, which includes the notion of
people living together in harmony and reciprocity. In other words,
both sides. The second idea is embodied in the word "'aina," which means
more than just the land, but the land that nurtures us. It is a
spiritual/cultural belief that Hawaiians have a life-sustaining
relationship with the land.
That is why the overthrow was and continues to be so traumatic to
Hawaiians. What was taken away 100years ago was more than our lands, it
was our spiritual and cultural touchstone. And so it is important for
Hawaiians to re-establish that relationship.
Having said that, I am also concerned that, in the process of
establishing self-determination for Hawaiians, we do not tear apart the
multicultural fabric of our contemporary Hawaiian society. All of our
citizens, including Hawaiians, have prospered because of the rights and
opportunities afforded every American under our Constitution. In fact,
we owe the very existence of the pluralistic community in which we pride
ourselves today to that Cons- titution. It might also add that any
constitutional form of government created by Hawaiians today would be
heavily indebted to the American experience of 1776.
In 1893, the U.S. Constitution failed to protect the rights of
Hawaiians and their monarchy. But under that same constitution, we have
an opportunity to right that wrong. It is an action that should and must
be taken -- for Hawaiians and for all of us.
%:%:%:%:%:%:%:%:%:%:%:%:%:%:%:%:%
Posted in this forum by Jai Maharaj, Vedic Astrologer
-=Om Shanti=-
-- |_|_|_|_|
jai maharaj |_| |_| mantra corporation
jyotishi, vedic astrologer |_|_ _|_| +1 808 948 4357
jaimaharaj@mcimail.com | | | | | vedic prediction sciences
------- "RE: Verse: Hawai'i Book of Days" -------
Date: Sun May 29, 1994 17:53 EDT
From: Kepola (dfsanders@genie.geis.com) <Invisible Band>
Subj: A HAWAI'IAN BOOK OF DAYS, week of June 5-11.
GE Electronic Mail
A HAWAI'IAN BOOK OF DAYS, week of June 5-11.
IUNE
(June)
(Kaaona)
5
To the youthful heart, the whole world is filled with wonder.
6
The fragrance of summer blossoms pervades my dreams.
7
Waste nothing -- use every gift the land gives you.
8
Swim with the dolphins, and learn the magic of their world.
9
The earth drinks the blessing of the summer rain.
10
Sorrow abides not in this place.
11
Turn every hardship into a triumph.
(c) Copyright 1991 by D. F. Sanders
Me ke aloha i ka nani, ... Moe'uhanekeanuenue
(With love and beauty, ... Rainbow Dream)
--------- "RE: Poetry: Water's Heart" ---------
Date: Sun, 29 May 94 21:27:39 GMT
From: turtle@aicap.s21.com (Turtle Heart)
Subj: Water's Heart
Newsgroup: alt.native
Stretched like long legs
dancing in the sun's light
but so quietly
her face is hidden
by the shadows of what we have forgotten
Crickets sing
in a cave filled with crystals
like silver in the moonlight
like the red coal in a small hot fire
the path between them
has an opening
a message is there where you dream
in the place where you are dreaming
when you are there
Tobacco Indian
Turtle Heart turtle@aicap.s21.com
American Indian Computer Art Project BBS 619-374-2100
Land of Kaw-ii-su ancestor: Land of Light
--------- "RE: Conferences and Powwows - offline" ---------
Date: Thu, 2 June 94 08:00 -0500
From: Janet Smith (Evening Star) <Invisible Band> (jans@genie.geis.com)
Subj: Upcoming conferences and powwows not previously posted
to Mailing Lists NATCHAT or NATIVE-L
GE Electronic Mail
=Powwows=
June 8-12 Chief Kemper's Annual Smoky Mountain National
American Indian Powwow, Sevierville, TN
Info: 800-826-2401, 615-453-5900
June 10-12 3rd Annual Mississauga First Nations Celebration
Erindale Park, Mississauga, Ontario
Info: 519-751-0040
June 11-12 Nanticoke/Lenni-Lenape Annual Powwow & Festival
Salem, NJ
Info: 609-455-6910
June 16-19 Rebirth of the Traditional Spiritual Gatherings
Pembroke, NC
Info: 910-521-4178 - Spotted Turtle
June 17-19 1st Annual "To Honor Our Fathers" Powwow
East Bethany, NY
Info: 716-343-5986
June 17-20 NAIA Powwow, Memphis, TN
Info: 901-276-4751
June 18 Virginia Indian Heritage Festival
Jamestown Settlement, Williamsburg, VA
Info: 804-229-1607
June 18-19 17th Annual Lansing Indian Center Inter-Tribal
Powwow, Lansing, MI
Info: 517-487-5409
June 18-19 33rd Annual Sarnia Reserve Powwow
Sarnia Reserve, Ontario
Info: 519-332-1831
Send notices of forthcoming powwows, conferences and gatherings to:
jans@genie.geis.com
gars@netcom.com
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ all items below this line have already been distributed by our
brother, Gary Trujillo, via the NATIVE-L or NATCHAT mailing lists.