National Congress of American Indians, Resolution
Alice McCombs (amccombs@mail.wiscnet.net)
Thu, 9 Nov 1995 00:45:32 -0600
> Date: Wed, 8 Nov 1995 17:50:49 -0500 (EST)
> From: shane jimerfield <shanej@indirect.com>
> To: Multiple recipients of list <seac+announce@ecosys.drdr.virginia.edu>
> Subject: National Congress of American Indians, Resolution
> X-Comment: SEACnet General Announcement List
>
> National
> Congress of
> American
> Indians
>
> 7 November 1995
>
>
> To Whom It May Concern:
>
> On behalf of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), the oldest,
> largest, and most representative Native American advocacy organization in
> the United States, I am writing to certify the passage of the enclosed
> resolution. This resolution opposing a congressional exemption for telescope
> construction and further desecration of Dzil Ncha Si An (Mount Graham) in
> Arizona was adopted at the 1995 Annual Convention of the National Congress
> of American Indians, held in San Diego, California, on October 29 - November
> 3, 1995.
>
> As the Apache Survival Coalition is in urgent need of this resolution before
> such an exemption can be inserted into a pending bill, we have attached this
> letter. The formalized and official resolution will be available the week of
> November 13, 1995. If you have any questions concerning this resolution
> please do not hesitate to contact me or Brian Stockes of our NCAI staff at
> (202) 466-7767.
>
>
> Sincerely,
> signed by...
> JoAnne K. Chase
> Executive Director
> END
> ______________________________________________________________________
> RESOLUTION #95-005-LG/HRC-
>
> Title: Resolution Opposing A Congressional Exemption For Telescope
> Construction and Further Desecration of Dzil Ncha Si AN (Mount Graham) in
> Arizona.
>
>
> Whereas, we, the members of the National Congress of American Indians
> of the United States, invoking the divine blessings of the Creator upon our
> efforts and purposes, in order to preserve for ourselves and our descendents
> rights under Indian treaties and agreements with the United States, and all
> other rights and benefits to which we are entitled under the laws and
> Constitution of the United States, to enlighten the public toward a better
> understanding of the Indian people, to preserve Indian cultural values, and
> otherwise promote the welfare of the Indian people, do hereby establish and
> submit the following resolution;
>
> Whereas, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) is the oldest
> and largest national organization comprised of representatives of and
> advocates for national, regional, and local Tribal concerns: and
>
> Whereas, the health, safety, welfare, education, economic and
> employment opportunity, and preservation of cultural and natural resources
> are primary goals and objectives of NCAI; and
>
> Whereas, the San Carlos Apache Tribe is a federally recognized tribe
> located within the exterior boundaries of the San Carlos Apache Reservation,
> San Carlos, Arizona, and has been a long standing member of NCAI; and
>
> Whereas, Dzil ncha si an (Mount Graham) in Arizona is the cultural
> source of spiritual guidance, sacred geography for the Apache people, and a
> path by which prayers travel to the heavens, and Dzil ncha si an is
> presently being desecrated by the cutting of ancient forest and the
> installation of telescopes sponsored by the University of Arizona; and
>
> Whereas, fifteen Apache spiritual leaders and medicine men and women
> signed a petition opposing this desecration; and the San Carlos Apache
> Tribal Council has voted four times to oppose the telescope project; and
> documents in the University of Arizona archives confirm the sanctity of this
> land; and previous NCAI resolutions (e.g. Resolution DC-93-12) which
> continue to remain in effect support the San Carlos Apache people; and
>
> Whereas, the Ninth Circuit Court ruling enjoined the University of
> Arizona from any further construction or destruction on Dzil ncha si an
> until proper federally mandated laws and regulations have been followed;
>
> Now Therefore Be It Resolved, that NCAI opposes the introduction of any
> rider or special legislation in the Congress to exempt the telescope project
> or any related activities from the American Religious Freedom Act, the
> National Historic Preservation Act, or any other law; and supports the San
> Carlos Apache request for complete and appropriate federal permit review,
> and, as previously requested, removal of all telescopes from Dzil ncha si an.
>
> Certification
>
> The forgoing resolution was adopted as the 1995 Annual Convention on
> the National Congress of American Indians, held at the Town & Country Hotel
> in San Diego, California, on October 29-November 3, 1995 with a quorum
present.
>
>
> ______________________________________
> President
>
> ATTEST:
>
>
> _______________________________
> Recording Secretary
> Shane
> **************** Not to Resist is to Collaborate *******************
>
For Mother Earth. . .
Alice McCombs
P.O. Box 573
Shawano, WI 54166
"People have the power to redeem the work of fools."
Patti Smith
PEACE