Thank you for your participation in the e-mail petition to "Stop the
Monument to Custer at Washita". At times, we, as individuals, are asked to
contribute our names and our words to the support of an effort such as
this. It is tempting to think, "How can I make a difference? I'm just one
person." To each one of you who stood up to be counted in this fight
against the proposed Custer Monument at Washita, I want you to know that
you have made a difference.
In less than two weeks, the "Stop the Custer Monument" petition generated
more than 400 letters of protest. Many powerful and sincere words were
conveyed to the Governor from around the country and from around the world.
These letters have had an impact at Governor Keating's office in Oklahoma
City. The Governor's office has finally contacted the Cheyenne and Arapaho
Tribes in Concho, Oklahoma. The Tribes have been informed that the
committee in charge of the initial planning of the park at Washita has been
disbanded and that a new committee will be formed. This new committee will
include representatives of the Cheyenne Tribe. Since this invitation to be
included in the planning process for the Washita Historic Site has
satisfied the Tribes original request, the petition to Governor Keating
will no longer be pursued. Rest assured, however, that events will be
followed closely. Any further action by the state of Oklahoma to honor the
atrocities committed by Custer will be met by further resistance.
The following letter is from Robert Tabor of the 30th Business Committee of
the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma.
Dear friends,
Thank you for your support for the Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribes of
Oklahoma in our fight against the Custer Monument at Washita. The
Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribes would like to thank everyone who sent
e-mail to Governor Keating's office. It has changed the direction
of the Oklahoma politicians' views, somewhat. Our primary focus
remains the return of the lands at Fort Reno and we will not lose sight
of that. Once again, we thank all of our supporters, both on and off
the internet.
Respectfully,
Robert Tabor, Treasurer
The 30th Business Committee
Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma
FORT RENO UPDATE
The petition to persuade President Clinton to return the Fort Reno lands to
the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes through an executive order continues now
with even greater urgency. The Oklahoma politicians have demonstrated their
obstructive intent through their ill-concieved plan to move the National
Agricultural Water Quality Laboratory from Durant, Oklahoma to Fort Reno.
Please consider the following:
The National Agricultural Water Quality Lab Director, Robert Williams, is
quoted in the March 29, 1996 Daily Oklahoman as saying, "This move came at
us out of the blue. It will take some adjustment for us to figure out just
what will be going on." The move of the Water Quality Lab from Durant to
Fort Reno involves the relocation of 26 families to the town of El Reno
where comparable housing is as much as $20,000 more expensive. The El Reno
City Manager is quoted as saying, "Housing is pretty tight in El Reno. I've
been looking for a place to lease since I got here (in January) and haven't
found one."
Why would the hardships of this move be imposed upon the families of the
Lab's staff members and why would the expense of the move be imposed upon
the American taxpayer without even discussing the pros and cons of the move
with the Lab's Director? This sudden move makes no sense unless you
consider it as a frantic effort by Rep. Lucas, Sen. Don Nickles, and Gov.
Keating to block the return of Fort Reno to the Cheyenne and Arapaho
Tribes.
You are asked once again to stand up and be counted. Your words will make a
difference. If you haven't written to President Clinton about Fort Reno,
please do so. If you have please do so again. Please forward this message
to people who will support this effort.
Sincerely,
Joseph Thompson
thompson@mind.net
THE FORT RENO PETITION
Dear Friends of the Native American Community,
The Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma seek your support on an issue
which is now of critical importance to our people. We are seeking the
return of tribal lands which were taken by the United States government in
1883. These lands were originally taken for the purpose of building a
military fort for the protection of the Cheyenne and Arapaho people. In
1908, the War Department declared the lands surplus. It is our contention
that the lands should have reverted back to the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes
at that time. Over the past 67 years, we have exhausted all of the judicial
and legislative remedies available, to no avail. We now seek the return of
our land through an Executive order from the President of the United
States. The Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma need you to voice your
support at this critical juncture. We ask that you send the following
e-mail to the White House expressing your strong support for the Cheyenne
and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma in our efforts to regain possession of the
Fort Reno lands through an Executive order. (Details on how and what to
send to the White House will be found below.)
Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma
>>> -------> start copy and paste <--------<<<
---------------------------------------------------------------
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.) "Copy" and "paste" in the subject "Return Fort Reno"
5.) "Copy" and "paste" in the President's e-mail address which is:
6.) Please include a Cc to <cheyarap@mind.net>
7.) "Send" the message to the President.
8.) "Forward" a copy of this entire message to all of your friends. (Use
the "Forward" function in your e-mail program.) Be sure subject heading
reads, "Return Fort Reno (Forward)"
For further information regarding the Fort Reno issue, please visit the
First Nations Web Site:
Nvwhtohiyada...
First Nations/First Peoples Issues (4 Star Magellan site)
http://www.pobox.com/~jsd/firstnations.html