Miwok Membership Rolls Opened For Casino

To build a $100 million casino, the Ione Band of Miwok Indian membership rolls were opened by the regional Bureau of Indian Affairs officials to add hundreds of people to the membership list. Among the new members were several BIA employees and dozens of their relatives.

The regional BIA officials opened the membership against the traditional leader’s wishes to include members from two other bands in the area. Federal officials then oversaw an August 2002 election that swapped the old leadership for a pro-casino group which includes some BIA officials themselves.

Before the BIA officials became involved, The Ione Band had about 70 members living on land some 40 miles southeast of Sacramento in the rolling hills of one of California’s wine districts. Now, the band membership has swelled to 535. None of the new members is related to the original 70.

Amy Dutschke, a member of another American Indian group whose family has roots in the Ione area, was the BIA’s acting regional director in June, 2002 when she authorized the Ione’s Band’s last leadership election.

Now, Dutschke and 68 of her relatives are on the tribe’s official list of registered voters, which include an uncle and a niece who also work for Indian Affairs. The election produced five new tribal leaders, four of whom are related to Dutschke.

The election was overseen by Indian Affairs employee Carol Rogers-Davis, whom the BIA named chairman of the elections board. Davis, now, has three relatives on the tribal roll.

Opposition members are challenging Dutschke’s standing within the tribe stating that her association with the Ione Band is based on the information that a second cousin of Dutschke was once allowed to live on the Ione Band’s property because his sister was married to the tribal chief at the time.

The tribe is now potentially eligible for millions of dollars in federal benefits. Its new leaders have been given $1.9 million from the state’s Tribal Revenue Sharing Trust Fund in which tribes with casinos contribute to non-gaming tribes. The money is being used to offer members emergency assistance with housing, health care and energy bills.

Four congressmen have called for an investigation though federal officials have declined to intervene. The Department of Interior’s inspector general also declined to investigate telling the complaining congressmen who have called for that investigation that it was an internal tribal matter.

The Ione Band is seeking permission to acquire 208 acres in Plymouth, California to build a 2,000 slot machine casino which is estimated to bring in $185 million a year to the tribe. Permission has to come from the Department of the Interior Secretary Gale Norton and California Gov. Arnold Schwarszenegger.

This article has been edited from a February 23rd AP Story bylined Don Thompson.


Native Unity - A place for Native American Peoples to solidify their tribes to make a positive impact on the cultural, social, economic and political fabric of American society and a place for non-Natives to better understand the ways of the American Indian.

Outkast Performance at Grammys Perpetuates Stereotypes Of Indians

Letter to Native Unity
Submitted by Lori Anderson-Finwall

The Outkast performance of their song “Hey Ya” at this year’s Grammy Awards perpetuates the stereotype of American Indians. It perpetuates the perception that religious beliefs, ceremonies, song of prayer and healing are for entertainment and set decoration.

Mennonite sociologists state “perhaps it would be better to speak of the powerful and powerless then the professional and nonprofessional” (Flannery, 2002; Kraybill, 1982). It can be a knotty issue to recognize, name, and criticize informal and subtle domination and control (Flannery, 2002). Power differential in American entertainment and media leads me to a discussion of Authority. Power is differentiated by its use without the consent of others, authority implies an acceptance of the reason for and the use of power (Flannery, 2002).

At no time to my knowledge did the members of the band Outkast seek that advice and permission of Native American elders to use Native American symbols and beliefs in such a garish manner. They abused their power as entertainers. Hiding behind the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution is not an excuse for an abuse of power.

I do see it as an opportunity to educate others. Knowingly passing up a teachable moment on the reality of racism is an act of complicity with racism. The Hmong have a saying that one word speaks louder then thunder. We here in America have the power of one word. The power of one word in the United States is stronger then it's power in many other nations across the world. It is the power to write letters, to advocate for an end to racial legal, educational, medical and mental health disparities in the State of South Dakota and in the United States as a whole.

The reality of a few letters from individuals in Germany, Singapore, and Australia to the legislators and governor of South Dakota a week ago demonstrated to them that they can no longer hide their racist legal, educational and child welfare system by virtue of their remote location. They (South Dakota legislators) are nervous and they should be.

"In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends. " Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968)
Where are the other voices?
Lori Anderson-Finwall


Native Unity - A place for Native American Peoples to solidify their tribes to make a positive impact on the cultural, social, economic and political fabric of American society and a place for non-Natives to better understand the ways of the American Indian.

S. Dakota Legislature On Move Against Natives

submitted by Lori Anderson-Finwall

Potentially damaging bills in S. Dakota legislature almost pass
Law would have prevented or slowed Indian land acquisition

PIERRE SD
Ruth Steinberger 2/16/2004

Two bills recently before the South Dakota legislature passed under the wire without being noticed although both potentially contained very serious language to limit or prevent tribes from having land placed into trust by the Department of the Interior.
HB 1296 and 1297 prevented private or public land, respectively, from being acquired by the federal government without the agreement of local governments.

The debate was contentious. Proponents argued that the federal government is encroaching on the states and currently owns 50% of land in the US. Opponents argued a number of issues, including the constitutionality of the limitations. Ultimately HB 1296 was tabled. Prime sponsor, Larry Rhoden (R-Union Center) said, “The states are loosing their sovereignty one acre at a time.”

Tracy Labin, Seneca/ Mohawk, is Senior Staff Attorney for Native American Rights Fund (NARF). Labin noted that the hearings on HB 1296 were controversial and added, “Only one time was there a question of transfer to tribes and the question was not answered. This was the only reference to tribes in the hour-long debate on the bill. Primarily, the opponents were concerned about the government stepping in to say you cannot sell your land to another entity.”

No representatives from any tribe were present at the hearings.
In testimony, the potential impact on tribes was called one of the ‘unintended consequences.’ In addition to tribal interests, the federal government acquires land for the military, the forest service and the Bureau of Land Management.
Tracy Labin explained that the potential impact to tribes, had this legislation passed, is unclear.

Section 465 of the Indian Reorganization Act, originally passed in 1934, authorized the Secretary of the Interior to acquire land to place in trust for tribes. Labin said, “Tribes could be implicated in this scenario [created by HB 1296 and 1297].”
Currently, the authority of the Department of the Interior to take land into trust for the benefit of tribes is being challenged by the State of South Dakota in a case involving the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe. NARF is representing the Lower Brule Tribe.

Referencing the Lower Brule case, Labin said, “The Attorney General’s office is arguing that Section 465 is an unconstitutional delegation of congressional authority. They are trying to invalidate the authority of the Secretary of the Interior to take land into trust for tribes altogether.” Labin was asked whether HB 1296 could be a way to legislatively limit the authority granted to the Secretary of the Interior to place land into trust for tribes because the courts have thus far not provided the solution the state is seeking.

Labin said, “This case involves tribal land in the state of South Dakota and the state of South Dakota is attacking the ability to take land into trust for tribes. The state is very clear that it doesn’t want land in trust for Indian tribes and I think the suit [against the Lower Brule decision] demonstrates that.” She noted that often state, counties and local governments are very proactive in filing opposition to acquisition of land for tribes. HB 1296 and HB 1297 could be a mechanism for stopping land acquisition for tribes altogether.

Labin explained Section 465. She said, “The Indian Reorganization Act was passed to reverse the effects of allotment. Over 90 million acres of tribal land was lost during the period of allotment, which spanned from 1887 until 1934. This provision was aimed specifically at reacquiring land for Indians and Indian tribes, giving the Secretary of Interior authority to take land into trust.” This does, in fact, include purchasing land and placing it into trust for Indian tribes.

Labin said that although the federal government does not normally buy land to take into federal trust for tribes, this bill preventing the sale of land by private individuals to the federal government, without the consent of local government or the state legislature, could effectively prevent the federal government from acquiring land for tribes. When asked, Labin said, “If the acquisition was for the purpose of an Indian trust acquisition, than it could prevent that.”

She noted that once a decision places a piece of land into federal trust, it is not actually placed in trust for 30 days, giving local and state government a 30 day opportunity to file suit. If they do so the land is not placed in trust until the resolution of that suit.

Proponents of HB 1296 would have ensured that any appeal by the state would actually be decided by the state itself, a convenient solution for restricting tribal acquisition of land.



Native Unity - A place for Native American Peoples to solidify their tribes to make a positive impact on the cultural, social, economic and political fabric of American society and a place for non-Natives to better understand the ways of the American Indian.

Pastoral Letter Urges Forgivenesss But Offers No Apology!

The letter read by priests of the Phoenix Diocese last Sunday from the new Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted preached hope, reconciliation and forgiveness following the conviction of retired Bishop Thomas J. O’Brien after he was found guilty, last week, of leaving the scene of a fatal hit and run accident that claimed the life of pedestrian Jim L. Reed, a Navajo from Tuba City, Arizona.

The Navajos Nation is asking for an apology from the Church that so far has not come forth. Bishop O’Brien is to be sentenced on March 26th and faces up to 45 months in prison.

Olmsted’s letter reminded the parishioners O’Brien would face “further profound effects” that would “compound the grief” in coming weeks.

“Facing this crisis with hope it what the Father is asking us to do, now,” the letter read. “The events should not be use to create more cynicism but rather strengthen believer’s faith.”

Before his sermon at SS Simon and Jude Cathedral, Monsignor Michael O’Grady read the Bishop’s letter to set the tone for Mass. O’Grady did not refer directly to O’Brien but his sermon described general difficulties with forgiveness.

“Forgiveness is not an easy thing,” the Monsignor said. ”Many of us have lived thorough periods in our own lives where we gagged on forgiveness but people can learn to forgive when they embrace a higher power.”

For some of the faithful, the “forgiveness task” was natural while others still have questions about O’Brien’s
relationship to a child sex-abuse scandal which raged last summer as well as the hit and run accident which occurred last June when O‘Brien was under pressure to resign from the Diocese.

The letter asked the faithful to continue praying for
O’Brien and Jim Reed’s family but there was no apology to anyone!

This article has been edited from the February 22nd edition of The Arizona Republic bylined Emily Bittner.

For more information, please refer to the story below headlined ‘Navajos Want Apology From Phoenix Diocese’.


Native Unity - A place for Native American Peoples to solidify their tribes to make a positive impact on the cultural, social, economic and political fabric of American society and a place for non-Natives to better understand the ways of the American Indian.

Navajos Want Apology From Phoenix Diocese!

Now that Bishop Thomas J. O’Brien has been convicted in the felony death of Navajo Jim L. Reed in Phoenix, residents of Tuba City want to see the Bishop get a just sentence for leaving the scene of the fatal-hit and run accident last June.

In the nine months since the accident and throughout the trial that ended with the February 17th guilty verdict, some Navajos feel slighted the Catholic Church has not offered an apology to the community. Diocese officials state they donated $5,000 to an account for Reed and sent three top officials to attend Reed’s funeral.

A March 26th sentencing date has been set for the Bishop.
According to an article, bylined Betty Reid, in the February 19th issue of The Arizona Republic, whether Bishop O’Brien gets probation or is sentenced up to 45 months in prison will depend heavily on pre-sentence reports that can include: A detailed account of the crime; Any previous offenses by the defendant; Personal statements from the defendant, crime victims or interested parties; A life history of the defendant; Evaluation of alcohol and drug use (Reed was declared “legally” drunk at the time of his death and it was hinted that O’Brien may have been imbibing the sacramental wine prior to the accident); A financial statement for the defendant; An overall evaluation of the defendant and a sentencing recommendation.

Ross Smallcanyon, a Catholic at one of the few parishes in Navajo country said the diocese needs to make amends. Smallcanyon recommends O’Brien be dispatched to the Catholic Church in Page where he could work with Navajo families who need help in filling out government forms.

“I don’t think O’Brien should conduct services. I don’t think the people would accept it, maybe later.” He added he would not abandon his Catholic faith

“I was hurt, at first, when I heard on the radio about the verdict,”Smallcanyon added, "I talked to my daughter in Phoenix and she told me the bishop showed no emotion on his face (when the verdict was read). I felt like he was not regretful, At least say ’I’m sorry’. Navajos are very forgiving."

Tuba City resident Dee Wilson is one Navajo who is not so forgiving. She has one punishment in mind for the Bishop that would be served in Navajo country. “He can pick up empty beer cans. The jails here don’t have enough space but I’m sure the Navajo Nation would provide one for him.” She strongly recommends O’Brien spend his time in the Tuba City jail.

“Jim Reed was a Navajo from this area, and a lot of our people, who commit offenses outside the Nation, spend time in country jails or big cities where they are caught.”

Wilson feels the Tuba City community, along with the rest of the Navajo nation, has social issues and if O’Brien were ordered to spend time in a Navajo jail, it might highlight many of the challenges facing the community.

The Reed family hired attorney Robert Ramirez of the Phoenix firm of Miranda, Ramirez and Associates who said his clients want the maximum sentence of 45 months for O’Brien.
“Yes, the verdict is what we wanted. How could anyone from our side think otherwise,”said Lillie Reed, Jim’s sister,

“Neither the verdict nor sending three church officials to the funeral is satisfying without an apology from the diocese or O’Brien. No one has said, ’I’m sorry’ in the sense they accepted fault,” Ramirez concluded.

- 30 -

At the time of the fatal accident Bishop O’Brien was under a great deal of public scrutiny and pressure to resign as head of the Phoenix diocese as a result of the nationwide“Pedophile Priest” scandal which included incidents occurring within the Phoenix diocese. BHO

Native Unity - A place for Native American Peoples to solidify their tribes to make a positive impact on the cultural, social, economic and political fabric of American society and a place for non-Natives to better understand the ways of the American Indian.

Elder's Meditation Of The Day

"Laughter is a necessity in life that does not cost much, and the Old Ones say that one of the greatest healing powers in our life is the ability to laugh."
-
-Larry P. Aitken, CHIPPEWA

Laughter is a good stress eliminator. Laughter causes healing powers to be distributed through our bodies. Laughter helps heal relationships that are having problems. Laughter can change other people. Laughter can heal the sick. Laughter is spiritual. One of the greatest gifts among Indian people has been our ability to laugh. Humor is natural to Indian people. Sometimes the only thing left to do is laugh.
Great Spirit, allow me to laugh when times get tough.


Native Unity - A place for Native American Peoples to solidify their tribes to make a positive impact on the cultural, social, economic and political fabric of American society and a place for non-Natives to better understand the ways of the American Indian.

Apology From Boulder City Manager

Boulder city manager says he's sorry following sweat lodge raid. Apology comes after meeting with American Indian Movement

Submitted by Lori Anderson-Finwall

BOULDER CO
Sam Lewin 1/26/2004

An official apology has been handed down in the case of an Indian sweat lodge that was closed down on New Year’s eve. The apology came after a meeting between a Colorado chapter of the American Indian Movement and the Boulder officials.

As the Native American Times reported last week, Boulder police and sheriff's officers say they stopped the ceremony because the man conducting the event, Lakota spiritual leader Robert Cross, did not have a permit to use Boulder Open Space land on Valmont Butte. Cross and Boulder officials later confirmed that he did in fact have the right to use the land. A sheriff’s department spokesman said they were not aware at the time that Cross, who had performed similar ceremonies at the same location, had permission.

"He may have permission, but he needs to get clarification,” Sheriff’s Sgt. George Dunphy told the Rocky Mountain News after the incident happened. "The officers probably thought it was a drunken party."

AIM promptly blasted the situation.

“The peaceful ceremony, which had been authorized to be held on Boulder Open Space land for years, was set upon by nearly a dozen police units, including two vehicles with attack dogs from the K-9 Corps. The police were unwilling to discuss the conditions by which the ceremony was taking place, they abused and disrespected Indian elders, children, and the spiritual leader conducting the ceremony.

Boulder's explanation that the incident was the result of a ‘misunderstanding’ is inadequate and demeaning to the Indian people who were humiliated by the experience,” said AIM in a statement. “We have called for an immediate meeting with Boulder City and County officials to receive an accounting for the unjustified behavior of the police. AIM also will present a list of remedies to the Boulder officials to address the New Year's Eve incident, and to prevent future disruptions from occurring. AIM has also requested that the Colorado Attorney General investigate this incident to determine if the police engaged in civil rights violations against the Indian participants.”

Those demands are on hold following the meeting between the group members and Boulder City Manager Frank Bruno. In fact, AIM was able to generate more than an apology: Bruno has agreed to let the city pick up the tab for any out-of-pocket expenses sweatlodge members may have incurred and open a dialogue with local American Indian leaders over cultural issues.

The officers involved also may be disciplined.



Native Unity - A place for Native American Peoples to solidify their tribes to make a positive impact on the cultural, social, economic and political fabric of American society and a place for non-Natives to better understand the ways of the American Indian.

Censorship On Native Unity

Someone or some group is censoring the material that is appearing on the Native Unity Blogsite. The censorship first showed up on the Google Search site a few days ago where "Native Unity" was featured with the headline of the article on the controversy between Native Groups and CBS/Grammy over the Outkast music group for their "Hey Ya" performance on the awards show. I appreciate the patronage from Google. It sends a great many visitors to the Native Unity blogsite.

One day the placement was there, the next day it was gone with just the title "Native Unity" appearing on the Google site. The whole sequence reappeared yesterday with a story about "Tribal Casino Money Aiding Arizona School Districts" . Now, today the whole thing has disappeared, again, with not even the Native Unity title block appearing on the Google site. .

If someone doesn't like the Grammy controversy or Indian gaming, please have the intestional fortitude to confront me to my face, rather than going behind my back to have the material deleted. My name and e-mail address are visible on the blogsite.

It also isn't like I'm making money on this site. Maybe someone is, but it sure isn't me. I do this for nothing and the opportunity to try to promote Native Unity throughout the various tribes in our country.

A little honesty and integrity would be great appreciated for the reasons why the censorship is taking place with this column.

Bobbie Hart O'Neill
bobbieo@digitaldune.net


Native Unity - A place for Native American Peoples to solidify their tribes to make a positive impact on the cultural, social, economic and political fabric of American society and a place for non-Natives to better understand the ways of the American Indian.

Tribal Casinos Aid Arizona School Districts

When you plunk coins into a slot machine at tribal casinos in Arizona, a fair percentage of that money will eventually find it’s way to school districts where a reading coach can spend a few more hours a day helping children learn to write sentences, allow students to retake course they failed on computers, let teachers get bonus checks and plan for new programs.

Shelia Morago, new executive director of the Arizona Gaming Association, can see the fruits of her labor as a result of her role as a key player in getting statewide tribes to support Proposition 202 in 2002 which expanded Indian gaming allowing tribes to offer La Vegas style blackjack and add more slot machines. In return, casinos now send a percentage of money from gaming machines to the state Department of Education, four times a year.

Arizona tribes have made three payments totaling about $9.15 million. The money goes to all public schools, including charter schools and juvenile correction centers. For every $100 clinked into a tribal slot machine, 1 to 8 dollars goes to the state. Each tribe pays a different percentage using a very complex formula based on the amount of money each tribe makes for the year.

Half of the money may go to raising teacher salaries or reducing classroom size while the other half may be used in school dropout prevention or to improve instruction with additional reading classes.

Totals for the State’s largest school districts:
Mesa Unified – $703,791.
Tucson Unified - $590,236.
Peoria Unified - $349,084.
Paradise Valley Unified - $337,759
Gilbert Unified - $322,580
Deer Valley Unified - $283,184
Chandler Unified - $254,999
Washington elementary - $234,271.
Phoenix Union - $221,949.

District business officials will decide how to use the money when they write their spring budgets for the net school year.

This story has been edited from the February 9th issue of The Arizona Republic bylined Sarah Anchors.


Native Unity - A place for Native American Peoples to solidify their tribes to make a positive impact on the cultural, social, economic and political fabric of American society and a place for non-Natives to better understand the ways of the American Indian.

'Dream Job' For Native Woman

Shelia Morago, the new executive director of the Arizona Gaming Association, calls her new position her “dream job”.Having grown up on the Gila River Reservation, Morago has seen the advantages and advancements that Indian casino gambling has brought her tribe from houses with running water to new medical centers.

Her gaming –industry experience includes work as marketing and public relations director of Gila River Casinos and public relations director for the National Indian Gaming Association in Washington, D.C.

She played a key role in 2002 getting statewide tribes to support proposition 202 which expanded Arizona Indian gambling. While she feels comfortable with the stability of Arizona Indian gaming, Morago is aware that there is always going to be someone out there to either get what you have or to do one better.

She intends to keep a close eye on Arizona and the Nation’s Capitol for moves that could erode an industry by helping tribes close some of the massive gap between their economic, social, educational and health needs and revenue to pay for it.

Jacob Coin, an Arizona Hopi, executive director of the California Nations Gaming Association in Sacramento and was the Arizona Indian Gaming Association’s first director, said Morago’s experience will benefit Arizona gaming. “Her familiarity with Washington’s ‘big players’ is critical. Even though tribal-state relations tend to receive the most attention, Indian gaming in any form and any environment is still deeply rooted in federal law and federal policy. Morago understands the issues.”

Morago added,“While gambling has been good to Arizona Indians and many other U.S. tribes, it’s not the answer to all of their needs. Tribes must stay politically active, including in the next presidential election, not just when Indian-specific issues like Proposition 202 arise.

She understands as long as there are people who don’t like Indian gambling or people who want to expand gambling in the state to race tracks with slot machines, Indian gaming is in jeopardy. With 202 in place, Morago stresses while the big battle is over, “we certainly have not won the war.”

This article has been edited from the February 2nd issue of “The Arizona Republic”, bylined John Stearns.

Next: Indian Casino Money Goes To Help Arizonans.

CBS Apologizes for Outkast Performance

This is the head from a story which appeared on the Net today from "The Hartford Courant". I am awaiting permission from them to post the entire story.

BTW - Does anyone out there know how I can get the Native Unity mission statement and statistics back on the right hand side of the site. Everytime I try to link it, I get blocked out. I have also tried to contact Blogger about the omissions
but the message is returned.

Thank you, the computer klutz - bobbieo@digitaldune.net

Lori Anderson-Finwall Speaks Out On Racism

To Members of the Black Voter Network, Congress of Racial Equality, and The NAACP,

I am a Wasicu (white) woman in her 40's. I did not see Outkast on the Grammy awards but I heard about them, from a Native American friends. I saw Outkasts pictures on the internet and heard their song. We are very up set by their “Hey Ya” song, the set and the costumes they wore for the Grammies.

The Lakota people of Pine Ridge South Dakota live in squalor many live on commodities and hand outs from the United States government. Jobs with a living wage are not exist. Lakota men, woman and children are frequently beaten in alleys in communities across the state of South Dakota. Native children are victims of racial hatred and violence on the playgrounds and classrooms. Outkast was able to sing that song because of the work of others for civil rights in the South. No one comes to the aid of the Lakota and other Native Americans as they did the African American community during Civil rights marches.

Civil rights has not come to the Native American especially the Lakota of South Dakota. If you go to this web page you will find a list of Lakota who have been murdered in South Dakota their killers have not been brought to justice. Their souls cry from the grave for truth to be spoken in the South Dakota. Many Lakota women who gave birth in the 60's at Indian health services hospitals were sterilized without their consent. The Lakota people do not know the life of freedom that you and I live. They know a life in woven in fear. A fear so deep many are not aware how it guides their lives. The Lakota are also fighting to ensure their voting rights. Voting Issues

To see symbolic parts of Native American culture used in such a garish manner on the Grammy Awards causes additional pain to a people whose have little left except their cultural identity. Even their cultural Identity has been beaten out of many of their elders at the Indian boarding schools. They struggle to bring it back, to teach it to their children, to give their children pride in their Great Lakota Nation.

While I do not know the meaning of words of Native American PowWow songs. I do know when I hear them drumming and the repeated refrain of Hey Ya Ha Haa Ya. I feel resonating deep in my soul a cry to God. A cry for help, a cry for strength, a cry for guidance, a cry for Peace, a cry for respect.

While I do not personally believe that the Outkast band meant to behave in a racist manner toward the Native American community. I do believe that they should respond to it for their actions. But before they respond please help educate them about the Native American culture and the issues. I have put together some web pages that may help you in this process. Reach out and educate the members of Outkast!

One of the Outkast members said on their outkast.com web site "talent does what it can, genius does what it must." Perhaps it was genius that made them mistakenly insult that Lakota and other Native American people, a genius that is calling them and all of you to join the voices of others crying for civil rights for the Lakota. Join the voices crying for an end to racism for the Lakota and other Native Americans.

Please learn about issues before anyone speaks-out for and hopefully with the Lakota and other Native Americans.

Mitakuye Oyas'in, is the core of their spritual beliefs in Lakota, it means we are all related. We are all a part of the trees, rocks, air, sun and stars. But most of all we of all cultures are related.

Mitakuye Oyas'in
Lori Anderson-Finwall
St Paul MN
Member of Students and Teachers Against Racism

http://www.racismagainstindians.org/ Students and Teachers Against Racism
http://www.aics.org/war.html Declaration of War Against Exploiters of Lakota Spirituality
http://www.nativeradio.com/ Native Radio on this web page go to radio tab click on native streaming. There you will find different types of Native American music.
http://www.malakota.com/contents.html David Little Elk Native American musician and Lakota language
http://www.petitiononline.com/2outkast/petition.html
"Petition Against Native American Stereotypes at the 2004 GRAMMYS"

CBS/Grammy Boycott

Submitted by Jean bedell-mashkikinabinais

We are starting a boycott against the Grammy's and the stereotypical performance. Please send letters to bottom addresses voicing opinion and a public apology by CBS. - Jean

Feb. 9, 2004, San Francisco
Contact: 415-867-8101

The Native American Cultural Center (NACC) in San
Francisco announced a boycott today of organizations
connected with the racist portrayal of American
Indians on the 2004 Grammy telecast.

The Offense occurred during hip-hop band Outkast's performance at
the end of the show. Outkast dancers dressed as
racist stereotypes of American Indians emerged from a
fake tepee set on stage and then proceeded to bump and
grind in feather headdresses, fringe skirts, and
braided wigs. The USC band later joined the others
onstage dressed in 'war paint' and feather
headdresses. Many audience members including recording
stars were seen laughing at the display.

"It was the most disgusting set of racial stereotypes
aimed at American Indians that I have ever seen on
TV," said Sean Freitas, a board member of NACC. "It
was on par with white people dancing sexually in black
face, or yarmulkes, or the vestments of the Catholic
Church. I am shocked and outraged."

In a prepared statement, NACC Chair Andrew Brother Elk
called on CBS, which broadcast the show, to issue a
formal apology to the nation. "It is time for those
in the entertainment industry to realize that racial
stereotypes in the media feed social and political
disrespect towards the victims of this behavior.
American Indians do not deserve such victimization,
nor does any racial group."

Brother Elk has also lodged a formal complaint with
the Federal Communications Commission, which recently
caused a stir for its investigation of the bared
breast incident at the Super Bowl. "I consider racist
TV programming far more dangerous, because it demeans
an entire racial group. It sends a message to school
children and all citizens that it is acceptable to
insult racial groups and to commercialize their
culture in the name of entertainment."

He noted that CBS had instituted a 5 second delay to prevent any
embarrassing behavior by Grammy performers, and had
apparently found nothing wrong with the 5 minute
Outkast performance. "Besides being racially
insulting the entire number was just plain tacky," he said.
NACC is calling for a nationwide boycott of CBS,
Outkast's label Arista Records, and the Recording
Academy which sponsors the Grammys. NACC is also
encouraging artists, parents, and citizens to send
complaints to the sponsoring organizations. "We
encourage all people who have been victims of
stereotyping in the media to respond, for what affects
one group affects us all as a civilized society,"
Freitas said.

Complaint info:

Please contact the following organizations and express
your outrage:

The Grammys losangeles@grammy.com=20
The FCC fccinfo@fcc.gov
Arista Records arista.help@bmg.com=20
CBS wvlee@cbs.com

A sample statement, short and sweet, but feel free to
use your own words and examples from your own cultural
perspective:

I was disgusted and offended by the racist routine
Outkast performed on the 2004 Grammys. I intend to
never watch CBS and the Grammys again, nor buy another
Arista recording. I will encourage my friends to do
the same. I am also contacting the FCC.

Racism At The 'Grammys'

Submitted by Jean bedell-mashkikinabinais

Pass this on! Our Native American nations are networking in preventing this sort of thing from happening. Through education to the media, schools, organizations and the general public we can rid stereotyping (a form of racism).

Seen At The Grammys:

It was the most despicable, stereotypical show I have seen. This band doing the “Hey Ya” song dressed up like supposedly Indians and the scantily clad girls were wearing green fringe outfits with green plastic feathers. Thing about this scene is it is by another oppressed group that was doing it!
(“Outkast” Georgia-born, Black rap duo: Andre – Andre Benjamin and Big Boi – Antoine Patton who first met at Atlanta’s Tri-City High School)

Tell me, I know people on the outside of our Indian Nations and far away from our reservations is saying get over it, but do they know we have developed organizations to get rid of these stereotypes, and racism. Does this population of people know that our people are still getting murdered? We deserve more respect than this. They had even a fake tipi on stage with smoke coming from it and a Black key board player with a wapaha on (headdress). These were sacred to our people, and so are woman.

Before the house lights came on, they even played some type of Indian drum music and sounded like, I thought, were going to honor Indians or something until they showed this group performing this song in a very disrespectful, stereotypical way. I hope that Native organizations and production media groups continue in trying to rid this type of racism, and educate other groups about our traditions, culture in a more respectful way.
mashkikinabinais

Next – Racism at the Grammys – Part 2.
An open letter to Andre Benjamin from Lori Anderson-Finwall

Michael Lacapa - A Man With A Gift

Here is a story from the pages of The Arizona Republic that tells the world what Native Unity is all about. ‘Artist helps Native American kids express pride in their world’. What can be more positive than this?

Michael Lacapa, of Apache, Hopi and Tewa descent tells, writes, and illustrates children’s stories that not only
capture the imagination of Native American children but their parents as well, Lacapa, born at the Phoenix Indian Hospital, has spent much of his life in and around Whiteriver on the Fort Apache Reservation so he knows the world of his audience.

At Cradleboard Elementary School in Whiteriver, principal Barbara Nolan says,“he has a wonderful way of relating stories and instilling pride in the children. He gives them the understanding that they can be successful in the outside world and still maintain their identity. They can hear Michaels’ stories a million times and still love them.”

Lacapa designed the colorful floors in the school’s entance and cafeteria using a Hopi-inspired pattern because he believes a sense of the environment can contribute to the student’s sense of pride.

His love of art led his parents to urge him to prepare for a “real job” so he first earned a degree in art education from ASU – Arizona State University. Then, he taught art at two Phoenix area high schools and also Cradleboard Elementary. “My first degree as for my parents”, he says. “My second degree from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff - in painting and printmaking – was for me.

While at NAU, Flagstaff–based Northland Publishing asked him to illustrate The Mouse Couple, a Hopi folktale retold by Edward Malotki. It was Northland’s and Lacapa’s first picture book.

The experience gave him the courage to leave academia and devote more time to his own art while working a 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. job as a courier.

“I’ve been a man of good fortune,” he says. “I’ve had good opportunities, I’ve made good friends and I’ve been able to give a voice to all the stories I heard as a child”.

Artist/Illustrator Michael Lacapa’s Books For Kids

The Good Rainbow Road ( University of Arizona Press) written by Simon J. Ortiz. Just released.

The Valley Of No Return (Breakfast Serials) written by John Tomerlin. Available only as a serialization.

Spider Spins A Story: Fourteen Legends From Native America
(Northland/Rising Moon), edited by Jill Max, illustrated by Michael Lacapa and other artists.

The Magic Hummingbird (Kiva Publishing) collected and translated by Ekkehart Malotki.

Less Than Half, More Than Whole (Storytellers Publishing) written with Kathleen Lacapa, Michael’s wife.

Antelope Woman (Storytellers Publishing).

The Mouse Couple (Northland Publishing), written by Ekkehart Malotki.

For books by and about NATIVE AMERICANS visit the University of Arizona Press - http://www.uapress.arizona.edu.

This story was edited from The Arizona Republic’s January 7th edition, bylined Connie Midey.

Dam, Dam Bureaucrats!

Submitted by Neil and Nancy Scott

This bit of whimsy first came across my desk several years and on seeing it again I decided to pass to on to you Native Unity viewers. I’m certain most of you can relate to the “dam” situation. It is an actual letter sent to a man named Ryan DeVries by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, State of Michigan. This guy's response is hilarious. BHO

SUBJECT: DEQ File No.97-59-0023; T11N; R10W, Sec. 20; Montcalm County
Dear Mr. DeVries:

It has come to the attention of the Department of Environmental
Quality that there has been recent unauthorized activity on the above
referenced parcel of property. You have been certified as the legal landowner
and/or contractor who did the following unauthorized activity: Construction
and maintenance of two wood debris dams across the outlet stream of Spring
Pond.

A permit must be issued prior to the start of this type of
activity. A review of the Department's files shows that no permits
have been issued. Therefore, the Department has determined that this
activity is in violation of Part 301, Inland Lakes and Streams, of the Natural
Resource and Environmental Protection Act, Act 451 of the Public Acts
of 1994, being sections 324.30101 to 324.30113 of the Michigan Compiled
Laws, annotated.

The Department has been informed that one or both of the dams
partially failed during a recent rain event, causing debris and flooding at
downstream locations. We find that dams of this nature are inherently
hazardous and cannot be permitted. The Department therefore orders you
to cease and desist all activities at this location, and to restore the
stream to a free-flow condition by removing all wood and brush forming
the dams from the stream channel.

All restoration work shall be completed no later than January 31,
2003.

Please notify this office when the restoration has been completed so
that a follow-up site inspection may be scheduled by our staff. Failure to
comply with this request or any further unauthorized activity on the
site may result in this case being referred for elevated enforcement
action.

We anticipate and would appreciate your full cooperation in this
matter. Please feel free to contact me at this office if you have any
questions.
Sincerely,
David L. Price District Representative and Water Management Division


** Here is the actual response sent back by Mr. DeVries: **

Re: DEQ File No. 97-59-0023; T11N; R10W, > Sec. 20; Montcalm County.

Dear Mr. Price,
Your certified letter dated 12/17/02 has been handed to me to
respond to. I am the legal landowner but not the Contractor at 2088 Dagget,
Pierson, Michigan. A couple of beavers are in the (State unauthorized)
process of constructing and maintaining two wood "debris" dams across the outlet
stream of my Spring Pond.

While I did not pay for, authorize, nor supervise their dam project, I think they would be highly offended that you call their skillful use of natures building materials "debris." I
would like to challenge your department to attempt to emulate their
dam project any time and/or any place you choose. I believe I can safely
state there is no way you could ever match their dam skills, their dam resourcefulness, their dam ingenuity, their dam persistence, their dam determination and/or their dam work ethic.

As to your request, I do not think the beavers are aware that they
must first fill out a dam permit prior to the start of this type of dam
activity. My first dam question to you is: (1) Are you trying to
discriminate against my Spring Pond Beavers, or (2) do you require all
beavers throughout this State to conform to said dam request? If you
are not discriminating against these particular beavers, through the
Freedom of Information Act, I request completed copies of all those other
applicable beaver dam permits that have been issued.

Perhaps we will see if there really is a dam violation of Part 301, Inland Lakes and
Streams, of the Natural Resource and Environmental Protection Act, Act 451 of
the Public Acts of 1994, being sections 324.30101 to 324.30113 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, annotated.

I have several concerns. My first concern is; aren't the beavers
entitled to legal representation? The Spring Pond Beavers are
financially destitute and are unable to pay for said representation -- so the
State will have to provide them with a dam lawyer. The Department's dam
concern that either one or both of the dams failed during a recent rain event,
causing flooding, is proof that this is a natural occurrence, which
the Department is required to protect. In other words, we should leave the
Spring Pond Beavers alone rather than harassing them and calling their
dam names. If you want the stream "restored" to a dam free-flow
condition please contact the beavers -- but if you are going to arrest them,
they obviously did not pay any attention to your dam letter, they being
unable to read English.

In my humble opinion, the Spring Pond Beavers have a right to
build their unauthorized dams as long as the sky is blue, the grass is green
and water flows downstream. They have more dam rights than I do to live
and enjoy Spring Pond. If the Department of Natural Resources and
Environmental Protection lives up to its name, it should protect the
natural resources (Beavers) and the environment (Beavers' Dams).

So, as far as the beavers and I are concerned, this dam case can be
referred for more elevated enforcement action right now. Why wait
until 1/31/2003? The Spring Pond Beavers may be under the dam ice then and
there will be no way for you or your dam staff to contact/harass
them then.

In conclusion, I would like to bring to your attention to a real
environmental quality (health) problem in the area. It is the bears!
Bears are actually defecating in our woods. I definitely believe you
should be persecuting the defecating bears and leave the beavers
alone.

If you are going to investigate the beaver dam, watch your step! (The
bears are not careful where they dump!)

Being unable to comply with your dam request, and being unable to
contact you on your dam answering machine, I am sending this response to your
dam office.

THANK YOU.

RYAN DEVRIES & THE DAM BEAVERS

Anti-War Song

Submitted by a VietNam vet.

The sad days of the Iraq War – no Iraqi Weapons of Mass Destruction, no link between al Qaeda and Saddam, yet 80% of the people who watch Fox believe that there were WMDs and a link between Saddam and bin Laden. The same percentage believe there were Iraqis on the tragic 911 flights. Lie enough and you get people to start to believe the lies after awhile. You put enough fear in people and this country will be like the Joseph McCarthy era.

Soldiers dying for nothing, just like in Vietnam, and then their caskets are hidden from the public. That ole Vietnam sorrow revisited for those families here at home. The Iraq War should be called “Vietnam on crack”. Things are falling apart. American GI suicide rates are up. Female GI’s in Iraq are reporting rapes by fellow soldiers. GIs who are turning down big reenlistment bonuses are trying to get out. They see Syria and Lebanon in the eyes of the “neo-cons”.

Then, the top leader (the #1 terrorist in the world) is giving speeches in front of military crowds, and with our troops dying in Iraq every day, he is trying to cut Veteran’s benefits behind their backs, so his buddies can get huge tax cuts and Halliburton can get billion dollar no-bid contracts.

For a while there, those wounded (seven thousand) in Iraq were paying for their meals at Walter Reed Hospital, till it came to the attention of the spineless press. Get disabled in Iraq and you are screwed in more ways than one.

I support the troops in Iraq. I say bring then all home, now, instead of one by one in body bags. I watch all this from a distance and I know what those troops will go through. They come under attack everyday in Iraq . . . even in Vietnam we didn’t come under attack every day.

Can you imagine what that will do to these troops when they came back home. On my great links pages, I have sites on PTSD with information on how to file claims at the VA. Those troops have the option to seek help early on . . . which is something that wasn’t available for Vietnam Veterans . . . many of us had to suffer years without any kind of help.

-30 -

Elk Hunting - Indian Style

Submitted by Useless-Knowledge columnist Ken Hughes

The Shoshone have always been known for their unique hunting skills, I doubt anyone ever envisioned Elk hunting, Leo and Woody Teton style.

Leo and Woody Teton are brothers, they’re Cowboys and Cattle Ranchers, Leo is the father of the young college girl, Randal Teton who posed as Sacagawea for the new Gold Dollar issued by the U. S. Mint a few years ago. They live on the Fort Hall Shoshone Reservation in Southeastern Idaho. I point out the above to explain these aren’t your average Cowboys, they are intelligent accomplished men. When you read their story you may wonder about their smarts.

Woody is riding his favorite horse Geronimo up a canyon looking for stray cattle when he spots a large Bull Elk. Woody and Geronimo head for the ranch at top speed to find his Brother Leo. All Woody can see is Elk steaks for the winter, a couple of pairs of beaded gloves and maybe a new Buckskin Jacket never mind this Elk out weighs him by several hundred pounds and probably isn’t interested in what Woody wants.

The Brothers return to the hillside where Woody had seen the Elk and sure enough it was still there grazing near the creek. Leo has his rifle with him he takes careful aim and pulls the trigger. Damn, he only wounds the Elk. Not wanting to waste any additional ammunition they decide Woody would rope the Elk and Leo would cut its throat, ( I wonder who came up with that plan?) The operation was a success. The Men are enjoying their steaks. It’s too early to know if Woody will get his gloves and jacket.

I know this sounds like a tall tale. Things like this don’t happen any more. Fortunately, Gary Yokoyama, a neighbor who went along on the hunt had a camera with him and was able to document the whole operation on film. The story is on file at The Morning News, Blackfoot Idaho.