I want to thank those of you who have responded to the call for support for
the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma in their quest to regain
posession of the Fort Reno lands. Hundreds of responses have arrived at my
computer and each one has been forwarded by mail to the C&A Tribes in
Oklahoma.
These letters of support from the international internet community have had
a powerful impact on the Tribes in reaffirming their resolve and commitment
to reclaim the Fort Reno lands. Many of these letters have been shared with
the entire Tribal membership through their publication in the Cheyenne-
Arapaho Bulletin.
I have been in contact with the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes and it appears
that the internet petition is having some impact in Washington D.C. as
well. A downsizing of the Department of Agriculture's, Experimental Station
at Fort Reno has begun. This would be the necessary first step in declaring
the lands surplus and returning them to the Tribes. This action, however,
has caused an increase in resistance to the Fort Reno transfer from the
United States Congressional delegation from Oklahoma. U. S. Senator Nickols
and U. S. Representative Lucas have raised the level of their opposition to
the return of Fort Reno by renewing Congressional funding for the DOA
Experimental Station. Congressman Lucas and Oklahoma Govenor Keating have
shown where their true sympathies lie by publicly supporting the proposed
construction of a monument to George Custer at the Washita Battlefield
historic site in western Oklahoma. On November 27, 1868, the Washita
Battlefield was the site of the massacre of Cheyenne women, children and men.
The stage is set for a behind the scenes political "tug of war" over the
Fort Reno lands. It now becomes more important than ever for us to let
President Clinton know that it is time to "Return Fort Reno" to the Cheyenne
and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma. The President can make this a reality with a
signature on an executive order. These letters are having an impact in
Washington and they will ultimately tip the balance in favor of the Cheyenne
and Arapaho Tribes. I ask you all, once again, to send your letters of
support to the White House. Please do it today. It will make a difference.
Sincerely,
Joseph Thompson
Following is the text of the Fort Reno form letter. Please remember to
sign it and Cc to <cheyarap@mind.net>.
Please Copy and Paste the Following
---------------------------------------------------------------
The Honorable William J. Clinton
The President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. President,
I strongly support the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma in their
efforts to regain possession of the Fort Reno lands through an Executive
order.
Sincerely,
(Place your name here)
----------------------------------------------------------------
End Copy and Paste
HOW TO REGISTER YOUR SUPPORT
To e-mail this letter of support to the President, please follow these steps:
1. Type your name into the space provided in the above letter of support.
2. "Copy" and "paste" this letter of support into your e-mail program as a
"new message" (Please copy only the material between the dotted lines
above.
3. Add any additional words of support or leave as is.
4. Write in the subject "Return Fort Reno"
5. Write in the President's e-mail address which is:
6. Please include the following e-mail address as a "Cc". This will help
us gauge the volume of support letters going to the White House.
7. "Send" the message to the President.
If you would like more background information on the Cheyenne Arapaho/Fort
Reno Petition, visit the "First Nations/First People Issues" Website at:
http://www.sover.net/~jsd/firstnations.html
Joseph Thompson
thompson@mind.net