"From Wakan Tanka, the Great Spirit, there came a great unifying
life force that flowed in and through all things -- the flowers of the
plains, blowing winds, rocks, trees, birds, animals -- and was the same
force that had been breathed into the first man. Thus all things were
kindred, and were brought together by the same Great Mystery.
"Kinship with all creatures of the earth, sky and water was a real
and active principle. In the animal and bird world there existed a
brotherly feeling that kept the Lakota safe among them. And so close
did some of the Lakotas come to their feathered and furred friends that
in true brotherhood they spoke a common tongue.
"The animals had rights -- the right of man's protection, the right
to live, the right to multiply, the right to freedom, and the right to
man's indebtedness -- and in recognition of these rights the Lakota
never enslaved an animal and spared all life that was not needed for
food and clothing.
"This concept of life and its relations was humanizing and gave to
the Lakota an abiding love. It filled his being with the joy and mystery
of living; it gave him reverence for all life; it made a place for all
things in the scheme of existence with equal importance to all.
"The Lakota could despise no creature, for all were of one blood,
made by the same hand, and filled with the essence of the Great Mystery.
In spirit, the Lakota were humble and meek. 'Blessed are the meek, for
they shall inherit the earth' -- this was true for the Lakota, and from
the earth they inherited secrets long since forgotten. Their religion
was sane, natural, and human."
__ 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!
I will quote a brother incarcerated in Attica, New York Prison. His name
is RedStar, and his story was in Volume II, Number 1, 1994 of "The Four
Directions" (Snowbird Publishing Company, P.O.Box 729, Tellico Plains, TN)
"Before the whiteman came to my land, we had no laws, or they _claim_
we had no laws, but actually what they were saying is that they would not
respect the natural social laws we already had worked out and instilled
within ourselves."
"I knew not to steal, fight and hurt people of my land and Nation."
If there is one word that best describes the way of being of Native
Americans it is "respect." If there is one word almost completely NOT
understood by non-Indians it is "respect". Not the "yes, sir" stuff, though
that is also important, but real respect for all beings and all others. You
don't see Indians throw garbage on the ground at powwows and other social
gatherings. You don't see Indians gutting a forest of 100 year old trees.
Respect.
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
----------- News of the people featured in this issue ----------
Part A: FidoNet, Usenet and e-mail Part B: NATCHAT and NATIVE-L lists
- Wandering Ends for Souls - Onondaga Nations Banishes Three Law
- Coalition of Nitassinan Violators
- Daishowa Boycott Update - Native Marrow Donors Needed
- Liberal Party - N.A. Online Project
- March for Leonard
- Poetry: Sky Song (Dog)
- Verse: Hawai'ian Book of Days
- Conferences and Powwows - offline
------------------ clip here for news feature -- 8< ------------
--------- "RE: Wandering Ends for Souls" ---------
Date: Jun-28-94 15:00:42
From: Saitmonte (saitmonte@f59.n147.z1.fidonet.org)
Subj: Wandering Ends for Souls
FidoNet Indian Affairs Conference
ARAPAHO TRIBE BURIES BONES
By David Lonstreath - Associated Press Writer
CONCHO, OKLAHOMA - An aging white Cadillac hearse sits on the
Cheyenne-Arapaho reservation next a ceremonial tepee, contrasting sharply
against an early morning sky.
The remains of eight Arapaho Indians await burial and an end to
wandering for the souls tribal elders say have been forced to wander the
Earth for 130 years.
Arapaho tribal elder and "Medicine Wheel Keeper" Virgil Franklin looks
on as others busy themselves with grave preparation and other duties.
He speaks softly of the Indian Repatriation Act.
"We knew they had some of our people up there," he said.
Franklin is speaking of the Smithsonian Institution. He goes on to tell
of the trip to Washington, D.C. and the remains of eight Arapaho Indians
kept by the museum.
He describes the remains as eight skulls.
At lease three from the Sand Creek massacre show head wounds - "massive
head wounds," a woman adds.
Later, inside the teepee, Franklin and other Arapaho elders begin the
ceremony and offer prayers for the souls of the dead.
They, like other native cultures, believe that the soul is doomed to
wander until as Franklin describes, "all flesh and bone is buried."
Outside, the eight freshly dug graves are marked with tiny placards.
Only one bears a name: Wauk-a-bet. The according to Smithsonian catalog
cards translates to Medicine Bear.
As for the others, only skulls were returned. The whereabouts of the
remainder of the bodies are unknown.
As two Arapaho men kneel and pray outside the teepee, a yellow hawk
circles slowly directly overhead, catching the updrafts as the day heats up.
The yellow hawk then disappears into the clouds in the thermal
updrafts.
Inside, tribal elders transfer the remains to small, wooden coffins for
burial. Each soon will be placed in the grave as prayers and songs are
called out.
"We are the same as anybody else," says tribal elder Archie Hoffman.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
=-=-=- [CyberZone]: WE ARE STILL BURYING THE DEAD FROM THE INDIAN WARS!
--- VFIDO 6.20.00 Gamma Candidate 5
Origin: -=} CyberZone {=- (1:147/59)
--------- "RE: Daishowa Boycott Update" ---------
Date: Jul-02-94 10:42:28
From: Fred Towner (fred.towner@f73.n134.z1.fidonet.org)
Subj: Daishowa Boycott Update
FidoNet Indian Affairs Conference
Lubicon Lake Indian Nation
Little Buffalo Lake, AB
403-629-3945
FAX: 403-629-3939
Mailing address:
3536 - 106 Street
Edmonton, AB T6J 1A4
403-436-5652
FAX: 403-437-0719
April 28, 1994
Friends of the Lubicon Toronto launched a national boycott of
Daishowa products on November 28, 1991. To date the following
organizations support the boycott:
CANADA
The Assembly of First Nations
The Native Women's Association of Canada
The National Association of Japanese Canadians
Chiefs of Ontario
Indian Association of Alberta
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
The Action Canada Network
The David Suzuki Foundation
Chinese Canadian National Council
United Farmworkers of America
The Native Canadian Centre of Toronto
The Canadian Alliance in Solidarity with Native People (CASNP)
Leonard Peltier Canadian Defense Committee
Aboriginal Urban Alliance
The Toronto Branch of the United Nations Human Rights Committee
Greenpeace
Environment Probe
Western Canada Wilderness Committee
Valhalla Society
Alberta Environmental Alliance
Calgary Labour Council
Calgary Rainforest Action Group
Calgary Committee Against Racism
Missionary Oblates
Northern Lights (Calgary)
Ottawa-Carleton OPIRG
Indigenous Peoples International (Montreal)
The Turtle Island Support Group
Toronto Environmental Alliance
Toronto Tools for Peace
Toronto Socialist Feminist Action
Hospital for Sick Children's Multicultural Initiative Committee
Environmental Concerns Group - Hospital for Sick Children (Toronto)
The University of Toronto Student Christian Movement
ANC - Mandela Support Coalition
ACT for Disarmament
The El Salvador Information Office
The Unit on Public Responsibility of the Anglican Church of Canada
Christian Resource - Self Help
The Jewish Women's Committee Against the Occupation of the Gaza and
the West Strip
INTERNATIONAL
The Wilderness Action Group (Australia)
The Working Circle for North American Indians (AKIN) (Austria)
The Austrian Society for Endangered Peoples
Co-ordinated Indigenous Affairs Working Group (KWIA) (Belgium)
Catholic Action for Native Americans (Britain)
Survival for Tribal Peoples (Britain)
The German Green Party
Greenpeace (Germany)
The Association for the Support of North American Indians (Germany)
BUND (Germany)
The Society for Endangered Peoples (Germany)
The Big Mountain Action Group (Germany -- BMAG is co-ordinating
Lubicon support in Europe, involving organizations in countries
such as France, England, Luxembourg, Austria, Sweden, Norway,
Italy, Poland and Czechoslovakia)
The Munich Society for Endangered Peoples (Germany)
The Institute for Applied Ecology, Action and Anthropology (INFOE)
(Germany)
Friends of the Earth Japan
The Japan Tropical Forest Network (JATAN)
The National Christian Council in Japan (NCC-J)
Iwerliewen (Luxembourg)
Incomindios (Switzerland)
Native Forest Network (Montana USA)
FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF COMPANIES PARTICIPATING IN THE BOYCOTT OF
DAISHOWA PRODUCTS. When you shop at these establishments, it would
be good to let them know that one of the reasons you continue to shop
there is their support of the Daishowa boycott.
Liquor Control Board of Ontario
Calgary Co-Op
Safeway (Alberta)
The Body Shop (National)
Cultures Fresh Food Restaurants (National)
Ho-Lee-Chow Fast Food Restaurants (Ontario)
Knechtels Warehouse Foods (Steinburg -- Ontario)
YWCA (Toronto)
NOW Magazine (Toronto)
Mr. C's Donuts (Toronto)
Pizza Pizza (Ontario)
Country Style Donuts (Toronto head office, national company)
Earth Harvest Co-Op (Calgary)
Bellamere Farm Market (Hamilton, Ontario)
The Water Sports Store Ltd. (Toronto)
Bootlegger (National)
A&W Restaurants (National)
Cowboy Chuck's (Toronto)
Kentucky Fried Chicken (National)
The Added Touch (Ontario)
Cumberland Terrace (Toronto)
Maison Du Fromage (Toronto)
The Hudson's Bay Centre Merchants' Association (Ontario -- Bramalea
Corporation)
Hospital For Sick Children (Toronto)
Cruickshank's Inc. (Toronto)
Bowring (National) (including the Canadianna Shoppe)
Woolworth Canada Inc. (which owns and operates Kinney Canada,
Woolworth, Northern Reflections, Northern Traditions, Northern
Getaway, Lady Footlocker, Casuals, Footlocker, Champs Sports,
Randy River, Ashbrooks, Reflexions, Woolco, Karuba, Canary
Island, Fredelle, Willow Ridge, Silk and Satin, The Best of
Times)
Roots (National)
Club Monaco
Holt Renfrew (National)
FOLLOWING ARE COMPANIES WHO HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS USING DAISHOWA
PAPER PRODUCTS AND HAVE STILL NOT AGREED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE
BOYCOTT. For those wanting to support the Lubicon boycott of
Daishowa products, if you do business at any of these establishments,
it is suggested that you let them know you object to their continued
use of Daishowa products and request that they use an alternate
supplier.
Mill Woods Pizza (Edmonton)
Food For Less (Edmonton) (owned by Safeway)
McGavin's Bakery (Alberta)
YWCA -- West end (Edmonton)
Lee Gardens, 317 Woodvale Road, West, Edmonton, 450-8888
College Copy Shop (Edmonton)
Natural Bread Store (Calgary)
Peter's Drive-In (Calgary)
Company's Coming Bakery/Cafe (Ontario/Alberta)
various Best Western Hotels (National)
Italian Bakery (Victoria, British Columbia)
Sunnyside Nursery (Calgary)
University of Calgary Bookstore
Inns of Banff Park hotel (purchasing agent Ms. Ledger)
Riders' Habit (Toronto)
Ronald's Printers (Ed. Tel phone books)
Rapid Paper (Edmonton)
Please let the Lubicon office know of any establishments that you
identify and ask for a written statement from any establishment
agreeing to stop using Daishowa products.
Fred, VE6XX
--- GoldED 2.42.G0615+
Origin: The Messhall BBS * Calgary, AB * 403-286-7545 (1:134/73)
--------- "RE: Coalition of Nitassinan" ---------
Date: 94/07/06 19:08
From: Art Horovitch (Brave Star)<Invisible Band>(a.horovitch@genie.geis.com)
Subj:
GE Electronic Mail
Coalition Pour Nitassinan
182 de l"Eglise
Mani-Utenam, Nitassinan
Canada
G4R 4K2
Tel 418-927-2234
Fax 418-927-2102
Dated June 29, 1994
Hello
We are writing you in the name of the Coalition of nitassinan and the
families who decided to stand up to Hydro Quebec and occupy our Land to
block the construction of the Sainte Marguerite III (SM111) hydro project.
May May 29, we established a camp on the access road leading to the SM111
construction site.
The Coalition for Nitassinan is composed of 700 Innu from different
communities who have come together in order to maintain their traditional
hunting and fishing practices. The SM-111 project will flood vast areas of
our Land, Nitassinan, and Hydro Quebec is planning the diversion of the
Carheil and aux Pekans rivers in the future; two important tributaries of
the Moisie River. This will provoke negative impacts on the salmon of that
river and on our fishing practices.
On June 13 and 14, our members behind the barricade on kilometre 24 of
the SM-111 access road were all arrested by the Surete du Quebec, including
Viviane Moichel, 8 1/2 months pregnant, her children, Jeanenette Pilot, her
brother Gilbert, Andy Canape, Ken M<ioch, Sophie Vollant, Rachel Desterres
and Marc Volant and their children. Roland Vollant was also arrested on
June 10 at his home in Mani-Utenam.
A number of our elders were also arrested, including Phillippe Thomas,
81 years of age, Marianne Thomas, 68, Philomene Mckenzie ,68, Edouard
Vollant, 58, and Georgette Miochel, 56. While defending our Land is not a
criminal activity, white courts will open their preliminary hearing on
September 8 in order top criminalise our peaceful actions.
The Coalition for Nitassinan receives no government or Band Council
funding. We are asking you to help share the financial burden of our fight
against SM-111 and our court costs. By wanting to stop this project, we
especially want to protect our environment and our way of life, both under
threat from devastating development practices on our Land, Nitassinan. All
contributions will be greatly appreciate.
In Peace and Friendship
Sylvestre Rock for the Coalition for Nitassinan
--------- "RE: Liberal Party" ---------
Date: Jul-02-94 10:36:24
From: Fred Towner (fred.towner@f73.n134.z1.fidonet.org)
Subj: Liberal Party
FidoNet Indian Affairs Conference
Lubicon Lake Indian Nation
Little Buffalo Lake, AB
403-629-3945
FAX: 403-629-3939
Mailing address:
3536 - 106 Street
Edmonton, AB T6J 1A4
403-436-5652
FAX: 403-437-0719
May 21, 1994
On May 13, 14 and 15 the Liberal Party of Canada met in Convention
and, among other things, passed a resolution calling upon the Liberal
Government of Canada to settle Lubicon land rights. Reportedly the
Lubicons are the only Indian Band in Canada specifically mentioned in
resolutions passed during the Liberal Party Convention.
Attached for your information is a copy of the resolution which urges
the Liberal Government of Canada to settle Lubicon land rights.
Settlement of Lubicon land rights is the subject of point 5 of the
Liberal Party resolution regarding the handling of aboriginal land
claims.
Also attached is a copy of a newspaper article on a speech made to
the Liberal Party Convention by Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien
and an earlier letter which he sent to a Lubicon supporter prior to
his election. In his speech Prime Minister Chretien warned the
Convention about "what happens when a government loses touch and
forgets its commitments to Canadians". His letter talks about a
"swift resolution of all claims...(with)...the Lubicon claim...a
priority".
The Liberal Party resolution is a timely reminder for the Liberal
Government of the commitments people expect it to keep.
* * * * *
Attachment #1: Excerpt from "Priority Resolutions" passed at the
Liberal Party of Canada convention, May 13-15, 1994
5. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Liberal Party of Canada urges
the Government of Canada to resolve the Lubicon Cree Land and
Compensation Claim as a top priority within a mutually
acceptable time-frame or, if necessary, by the independent
claims commission referred to in the 1992 Priority Resolution
on Treaties and Claims and the 1993 Aboriginal Platform.
* * * * *
Attachment #2: The Edmonton Journal, Monday, May 16, 1994
CHRETIEN ENDS LIBERAL LOVE-IN WITH WARNING
Don't get complacent, he says
Joan Bryden
Southam News for The Journal
Ottawa
Prime Minister Jean Chretien wrapped up a three-day Liberal love-in
Sunday, warning party members that complacency is the biggest threat
facing the fledgling government.
"My dear friends, we must not become complacent. We must continue to
work every day to earn the trust, to earn the respect, to earn the
confidence of Canadians." Chretien told about 2,000 Grits after
winning a ringing endorsement from 91.2 per cent of the rank-and-
file.
"We must never, never take the people for granted."
Chretien reminded delegates that the previous Tory government was
reduced to a humiliating two seats last October and warned that the
same thing could happen to Liberals.
"Every day in the House of Commons, I look across the floor and I see
in the corner there the two Tories -- two nice persons but very
lonely, two very lonely reminders of what happens when a government
loses touch and forgets its commitment to Canadians".
Chretien lauded delegates for approving dozens of policy resolutions,
which he called proof that "we can be both the governing party and
the party of new ideas".
But the resolutions were mainly on motherhood or reaffirmations of
existing government policy -- a reflection of delegates' zeal to
present a united front.
Only one sparked any real debate -- a proposal to recognize same-sex
marriages -- and it was soundly defeated.
All other potentially controversial resolutions were watered down in
behind-the-scenes negotiations among provincial delegations and
passed at the plenary session with virtually no debate.
For instance, a resolution calling for national education standards
was diluted, at the behest of Quebec delegates, to avoid giving
separatists any ammunition to use in the upcoming Quebec election
about Ottawa trying to intrude on provincial jurisdiction. In the
end, delegates agreed simply that Ottawa should urge the provinces to
develop national standards.
The tone of the convention was so resolutely upbeat and uncritical
that even some Liberals were privately concerned that it appeared
contrived.
Chretien echoed the feeling, joking he was glad he didn't get 10-per-
cent endorsement.
"I would have been disappointed if they had all voted for me. I
would have said there was something fishy about it."
* * * * *
Attachment #3: May 27, 1993, letter from Jean Chretien to Friends of
the Lubicon Toronto
Dear Group Members:
Thank you for your letter regarding the final report of the Lubicon
Settlement Commission of Review.
The Liberal Party understands your concern. For more than fifty
years, the Lubicon have struggled to secure a permanent land base --
and the means to preserve their way of life. Unfortunately,
negotiations between the Lubicon and the federal government have been
suspended since 1989. We believe that the government has reneged on
its fiduciary responsibility to the Lubicon People.
Time is wasting. Innumerable studies and reports have been prepared
over past years, and they have only served to slow progress in the
negotiations for a land and resource base. It is time for action.
As a start, we believe the government should proceed with
recommendation number five of the Settlement Commission report to
hold all royalties in trust and withhold leases and permits on
traditional Lubicon lands -- unless approved by the Lubicon.
Moreover, future negotiations should reflect the intent of
recommendation number eight, asserting that the extinguishment of
Aboriginal rights must not be a condition for a settlement -- a
position consistent with Liberal policy.
Ethel Blondin-Andrew, Liberal Critic for Aboriginal Affairs, has
urged the government to renew negotiations with the Lubicon and
resolve this issue, once and for all. While it is doubtful whether
the current government possesses the will to do so, you can be
assured that Liberals will continue to press the Conservatives to
respond to the recommendations of the Settlement Commission and
resume negotiations.
We support the swift resolution of all claims, and consider the
Lubicon claim to be a priority. As Leader of the Opposition, I
appreciate the time you have taken to write and bring your views to
my attention.
Sincerely, Jean Chretien
Enclosed for your information are selected letters sent to Canadian
politicians regarding the continuing Lubicon tragedy.
* * * * *
Attachment #1: April 14, 1994, letter from Iwerliewen in Luxembourg
to Prime Minister Jean Chretien and Indian Affairs Minister Ron Irwin
Dear Prime Minister Chretien,
Dear Minister Irwin,
The Luxembourg based support group for indigenous people "Iwerliewen
fir bedreete Volleker" (Society for endangered people) has been
following the ongoing tragedy of the Lubicon Indians in Alberta for
several years, during which the previous government did not try to
implement a fair and equitable solution, but undermined the life
basis of the Lubicon Indian Nation and promoted divisions among its
members with the purpose of an eventual extinction of this community.
At the beginning of this year, many people in Luxembourg had the
opportunity to see for two weeks in the hall of the Luxembourg city
theater the exhibition of G rard Pleynet on the fading world of the
Lubicon Cree with striking picture about their land invaded by oil
companies and about the people, threatened by social disintegration.
Before the federal elections in October 1993, you made the pledge to
consider seriously the recommendations of the independent Lubicon
Settlement Commission for a solution to the long-standing injustice
to the Lubicon people. Now that you are in office, we urge you to
take without any delay the necessary steps for the implementation of
the key proposals. On the international stage, this abject situation
has thrown a bad image on Canada, concerning the respect of human
rights and of indigenous people. This concern is shared by many
people in Luxembourg, who have expressed their support for the
Lubicon Indians in the enclosed petition.
We have just learned that another attempt to dismember the Lubicon
society by separate agreements with certain families has succeeded.
We hope that by quick action you will be able to turn off the final
blow to the Lubicons as a society. The Woodland Band will represent
forever the symbol of an artificial and abominate creation as a
result of government power abuse.
Yours sincerely,
Nick Clesen, Coordinator of the Lubicon exhibition, member of the
Luxembourg Parliament
Andre Rollinger, President, Iwerliewen
* * * * *
Attachment #2: April 29, 1994, letter from Alva Cox, Cos Cob,
Connecticut, USA, to Ron Irwin
Dear Minister Irwin:
Your letter of April 20, 1994, in which you indicate that resolution
of the long-standing land claim of the Lubicon Lake Nation is one of
your top priorities, was most encouraging. It is heartening to know
of your confidence "that a solution acceptable to the Lubicon Lake
First Nation and the people of Canada can be found."
Since I wrote my letter to the Right Honorable Jean Chretien I have
learned of the attempt to create a new band and split one of the
Lubicon elders from his roots. Edward Laboucan has been one of the
stalwarts in the fight to settle the Lubicon land claim all his life.
It would be tragic to deny him his birthright after years of effort.
(Some of the pictures I sent to the Honorable Prime Minister were of
Edward and his family.) I sincerely hope that you are not a party to
this new effort to split the Lubicon community and that you will not
approve it.
Please don't let the Lubicon Nation down once more. You are so
right: "...it is now time to conclude old business and to move on to
other issues of importance". For the Lubicons this means a
settlement based on justice, a settlement that will enable them to
develop a viable economy and a stable community life once more.
Fifty five years is much to long to wait!
Sincerely, Alva Cox, Jr., President, Synesthetics, Inc.
* * * * *
Attachment #3: April 27, 1994, letter from Survival International,
London, England, to Prime Minister Chretien
Dear Prime Minister:
Survival International views with grave concern the continuing delay
on the part of the federal government in enacting a fair and just
settlement of the continuing Lubicon tragedy.
It is now six months since your government took office, yet there has
been little meaningful action since then. This is particularly
disappointing as before the elections your party promised to bring
this 50-year old saga of broken promises and betrayed trust to an
equitable close. Likewise, in his meeting at Little Buffalo on
February 18th, at which a Survival International representative was
present, Ron Irwin seemed to display a similar intention.
We urge you once again to bring this sad and shabby affair to a swift
and fair close by entering into negotiations immediately with the
Lubicon people based on their settlement proposals.
Yours sincerely,
Stephen Corry, Director General, Survival International
Fred, VE6XX
--- GoldED 2.42.G0615+
Origin: The Messhall BBS * Calgary, AB * 403-286-7545 (1:134/73)
--------- "RE: March for Leonard" ---------
Date: Jun-27-94 22:23:00
From: Bridget Hardwick (bridget.hardwick@f212.n105.z1.fidonet.org)
Subj: March for Leonard
FidoNet Indian Affairs Conference
The following article was in the sunday edition of The Oregonian.
Protesters march for Peltier
About 50 people gather in Portland to call for the release of the American
Indian convicted of killing two FBI agents in 1975
By Sabrina Jones of the Oregonian staff
Leonard Peltier has been described as the "American Nelson Mandella." Over
the years, supporters of both men have protested their lengthy
incarceration.
While the South African leader is free, however, the American Indian
activist still lives in a jail cell.
About 50 protesters gathered Saturday afternoon in Portland to show support
for Peltier, an American Indian activist convicted of killing two FBI agents
in a 1975 shootout at Wounded Knee, SD. Peltier, who was convicted in 1977,
maintains his innocence.
The supporters marched from the Burnside Bridge to the Federal Building on
Southwest Third Avenue as part of the Leonard Peltier Freedom Weekend being
held in Washington, DC.
The 1975 shootout left two agents and one American Indian dead. Although
two other men were acquitted of the FBI killings, Peltier, a leader of the
American Indian Movement during the mid-'70s, was convicted and given two
life sentences.
Now he is trying to get his freedom.
"I could not believe this could happen in America," said Cindy Siddell as
she passed out petitions urging President Clinton to grant Peltier executive
clemency. Siddell, organizer of the Portland march, founded the Leonard
Peltier
Support Group after viewing a documentary by actor-producer Robert Redford.
"He's there for wrongful reasons," said Jim Ls Pointe, a member of the
Rosebud Sioux Tribe and chairman of the Portland chapter of AIM. "Leonard
wants the signatures and the phone calls; people don't profit from his time
in prison."
Cars honked as the support group members and individuals marched over the
Burnside Bridge. Downtown at the Saturday Market, protesters with banners
and signs advocating Peltier's release intermingled with afternoon shoppers.
"Nelson Mandela, Now Leonard Peltier-Freedom," read a sign carried by two
members of one group.
"I was very young when it happened," one protestor, who wanted to be
identified only as "Karen," said of the Peltier case. "It needs to be
re-examined."
The march, led by drummers singing the AIM son, made periodic stops. At one
stop along the waterfront the drummers burned sacred sweetgrass to send up
prayers to the sky.
"We have to sacrifice for our brother who has sacrificed 18 years," one
drummer said. "We are letting our brother Leonard know that we are with
him."
I find it quite interesting that nothing was mentioned prior to this
happening this weekend in Portland and most people I know who are following
his case didn't even know about it. I also find it interesting that the
media gave any mention at all as they seemed to focus their attention this
weekend to the gay Stonewall event. I'm not against that believe me but it
just goes to show that more needs to be done to bring this into the lime
light of the media again to get more people organized for this very
important issue also. Maybe the two groups should unite with a mutual
support march.
Later
--- Blue Wave/RA v2.12 [NR]
Origin: NorthWestern Genealogy BBS-Tualatin, OR (503)692-0927 (1:105/212)
--------- "RE: Poetry: Sky Song (Dog)" ---------
Date: 17 Apr 94 09:23:58 GMT
From: otter@manido.alphai.org (Turtle Heart)
Subj: Sky Song (Dog)
Newsgroup: alt.native
I have taken stones
and gone walking in the clouds
I have taken dreams
and gone singing to the sky
Tobacco Indian, Ahnishinabeg
Turtle Heart otter@manido.alphai.org
scicom!manido!otter
The Oxen is slow, but the earth is patience.
--------- "RE: Verse: Hawai'ian Book of Days" ---------
Date: 94/07/03 18:24
From: Kepola (dfsanders@genie.geis.com) <Invisible Band>
Subj: A HAWAI'IAN BOOK OF DAYS, week of July 3-9.
GE Electronic Mail
A HAWAI'IAN BOOK OF DAYS, week of July 10-16.
IULAI
(July)
(Hinaiaeleele)
10
My flute echoes the cry of the wind.
11
The mantis pauses for a moment in its journey to bless those
it encounters.
12
Night passes a veil of introspection over the land.
13
To welcome the future, you must first release the burdens of
the past.
14
It is in the quiet hours of the evening that we can most
nearly know our true selves.
15
The rainbow, ke anuenue, illuminates the land in beauty.
16
A waterfall plummets down the face of the cliffs, na pali,
to be reborn in mist far below.
(c) Copyright 1991 by D. F. Sanders
Me ke aloha i ka nani, ... Moe'uhanekeanuenue
(With love and beauty, ... Rainbow Dream)
--------- "RE: Conferences and Powwows - offline" ---------
Date: Thu, 7 July 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=
What's _The Spike?_ It's a regularly published newsletter (10/year)
publicizing powwows in the Eastern part of the U.S. and Canada. Editor
Jimmy Boy Dial has definite opinions about what a powwow ought and ought
not to be. You may not always agree with him, but his ranking system
at least lets you know what to expect. Too bad there aren't
similar newsletters for other areas of the continent! Subscription
is $25/year U.S., and $27US on Postal Money Order in Canada. Send
Name, address, and subscription funds to The Spike, P.O. Box 368,
Milltown, NJ 08850.
Good/Top events recommended by The Spike!
July 9-10 3rd Annual Narrangansett Intertribal Powwow and
Health Fair, Westerly, Rhode Island
Info: 401-364-1100
July 9-10 4th Annual Echoes of a Proud Nation Pow-Wow
Kahnawake Reserve, Canada
Info: 514-632-8667
July 12-14 Pequis Powwow "94", Pequis Indian Reserve, Manitoba
Info: 204-645-2359
July 16-17 Seneca Nation's Keeper of the Western Door Powwow
Salamanca, NY
Info: 716-945-4971
July 16-17 8th Annual Weengushk (Sweetgrass) Celebration Powwow
Walpole Island, Canada
Info: 519-627-2737
July 15-17 Tut's Mountain Indian Festival and Powwow
Clayton, GA
Info: 404-735-6275
- - - - - - - - - -
And from _News From Indian Country_
July 7-10
8th Black Hills, Rapid City, SD
Info: 605-341-0925
32nd Kansas City
Info: 816-421-7618
Prairie Island, Prairie Island
Info: 800-222-7077
Taos Pueblo, Taos Pueblo, NM
Info: 505-758-1028
Narragansett, Westerly, RI
Info: 401-364-1100
-------------
July 14-17
7th International Brotherhood Days
Porcupine, SD
Info: 703-250-4161
Hiawagha, Ironwood, MI
Info: 906-932-1122
21st Honor the Earth, Hayward, WI
Info: 715-634-8924
Return to Beaver Creek, Belvidere, NJ
Info: 908-475-3872
32nd Flandreau Santee, Flandreau, SD
Info: 605-997-3891
24th Lone Feather Council, Colorado Springs, CO
Info: 719-475-8896
2nd Monacan Indian (July 16 only)
Big Island, VA
Info: 804-929-6911
Send notices of forthcoming powwows, conferences and gatherings to:
jans@genie.geis.com
gars@netcom.com