Marchers who were employees of the tribe were fired and some of them have
their pensions tied up so funds are not accessible. Many are managing on
donations of food and clothing, some of which is coming from other tribes.
Other Oneida are concerned about them but fear speaking out publicly because
they are intimidated by Halbritter' and fear losing their tribal rights.
The root of this problem, according to Wolf clan mother Maisie Shenendoah,
lies in Mr. Halbritter's unwillingness to listen to the people. He has made
many decisions unilaterally including some that place the Oneida land claims
at risk. Maisie Shenendoah was the clan mother who first appointed Mr.
Halbritter as the Wolf clan representative many years ago and his appointment
was subsequently sanctioned by the Haudenosuanee Grand Council at Onondaga.
He and two other appointed leaders represented the Oneida. The other two
representatives passed on, leaving Mr. Halbritter in a leadership position.
As clan mother, Maisie Shenendoah followed traditional practice and warned
Mr. Halbritter three times that he was not living up to the expectations of
his people. She then removed him from his leadership role. This was
recognized by the Grand Council. It was not, however, recognized by the
Federal and New York State governments who continue to deal with Mr.
Halbritter.
On February 13, 1996 the Center for Constitutional Rights assisted these
Oneida in bringing a suit against the federal government for not recognizing
the Oneida's traditional method of self-goverment. The injunction reads in
part: The traditional Oneida leaders file a suit in District Federal Court in
Syracuse NY seeking an injunction ordering the Department of the Interior to
recognize the removal of Mr. Halbritter as leader of the Oneida Nation.
A hearing is scheduled for June 17, 1996 at the District Federal Court
building on Clinton Street in Syracuse NY at 10 o'clock am. Supporters who
are able to attend are requested to wear purple ribbons so that the court
will recognize the numbers of people concerned. Perhaps the wearing of
purple ribbons that day in other areas might help to create more awareness of
this situation. Letters to President Clinton, Governor George Pataki, and
BIA officials would be beneficial.
May I remind people that in the Fort Laramie treaty of 1868 between the U.S.
government and the Sioux-Brule, Oglala, Miniconjou, Yankton, Hunkpapa,
Blackfeet, Cuthead, Two Kettle, Sans Arcs, Santee and Arapahoe, Article 12
clearly states that no treaty for the subsequent cessation of any land shall
be valid unless signed by at least three fourths of the adult males occupying
or interested in the same... In the 1882-3 Treaty with the Sioux, this
provision was totally ignored, the treaty was signed by people who were not
the appropriate representives and the Sioux lost enormous amounts of their
land including their venerated Black Hills. The Supreme Court has ruled that
the U.S owes a monumental payment for this land which the Sioux peoples have
not accepted because the "land is not for sale" but which would add
considerably to our national debt if they did.
Donations of food, clothing, and household goods are also needed by those
Oneidas who have been fired from their tribal jobs and who have remained
unemployed for over a year. Items may be sent to Oneidas for Democracy c/o
Maisie Shenendoah; Box 9; Indian Territory; Oneida NY 13421
Sken:nen kenhak,
Sandy
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Comments from NativeNet listowner, Gary Trujillo (gst@gnosys.svle.ma.us):
Stories of this sort seem to be becoming a common theme on this list, from
New York to Minnesota to Michigan. But these incidents are not confined
to the United States. On Monday evening's nightly news broadcast from the
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation ("The World at Six"), there was a report
that what sound like similar conflicts are taking place all across Canada.
Apparently, there are many who are calling into question the "Chief and
Council" system, brought into being under the Indian Act, and formalized
in the 1930s and 40s. The report mentioned that some bands are returning
to an older more traditional system in which each family is represented,
rather than having a hierarchical kind of European-style government. (The
report profiled the Dahl (sp?) Band in Kenora, Ontario, where they said
the Chief and his staff has been locked out of their offices for some time.
The Department of Indian Affairs, however, has not intervened in favor of
either government, saying that they have to work matters out by themselves.)
Perhaps someone who is more familiar with the details or the general pattern
of these situations could make reports on how things are playing out.