Native Voter - 2004

ELECTION PROTECTION PROJECT

The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) and the DC Native American Bar Association (NABA DC) are coordinating a national effort to place election daypoll-watchers throughout Indian Country, both on reservations and in urban Indian communities.

The primary goal of the Native Vote 2004: ElectionProtection Project is to recruit and train local and Native attorneys, law students, and volunteers who are from, or are sensitive to, Indian Country to help develop election law expertise and infrastructure within our communities. We will be working with the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights (LCCR) to provide non-partisan training, and non-partisan election day poll watching deployment to Native communities in the following states: Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, NorthDakota, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon,Washington, and Wisconsin.

If you would like more information, or would like to volunteer to be trained to work in a Native community for election day, please contact your state's NativeVote Election Protection coordinator.

NATIONAL - Heather Dawn Thompson,
heather@heatherthompson.org (202) 258-3767.
ALASKA - Natalie Landreth,
natalielandreth@hotmail.com (907) 257-0501
ARIZONA - Jonodev Osceola Chaudhuri,
jchaudhuri@swlaw.com (602) 382.6336
COLORADO - Jennifer Harvey,
Jharvey@hollandhart.com (303) 295-8244
MICHIGAN - Valeri Biro,
vjbiro@comcast.net (313) 268 8414
MINNESOTA - Judy Hanks,
nativepr@paulbunyan.net (218) 444-6686
MONTANA - Tim Coulter,
mt@indianlaw.org (406) 449-2006
NORTH DAKOTA - Wenona Singel,
wsingel@hotmail.com (701) 777-2262
NEW MEXICO - Heather Whiteman Runs Him,
hwhitemanrunshim@abqsonosky.com (505) 247-0147
NEVADA - TBA
OKLAHOMA - Dana Jim,
danajim@yahoo.com (405) 878-8989
OREGON - Cyndi Starke,
cjs@karnopp.com (541) 382-3011
WASHINGTON - Gabe Galanda,
ggalanda@wkg.com (206) 628-2780
WISCONSIN - Brian Pierson,
bpierson@vonbriesen.com (414) 287-1221

Alyssa Burhans, Organizing Director: Native American Voters NV
Contact: AK, AZ, OK, NM, SDIATP
Action/National Voice 2105 1st Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55404
Direct Line: (612) 879-7510
Cell: (612) 860-3300
Fax: (612) 870-4846
alyssa@nationalvoice.orgwww.nationalvoice.org

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.

One Year Today!

August 30th marks the first anniversary for Native Unity. Annie Nordbo of Native Celebs and I conferred on finding a place for Native Americans to read and learn about issues that directly affect them.

She researched the Net and found Blogger as a place to start a column and put it into place for me, for which I’m deeply grateful as my computer skills are very limited. I suffer from dyslexia which makes it difficult for me to comprehend “computerese”.

One of my reasons for creating Native Unity is based on Mohawk roots from my mother’s Canadian side of the family which go all the way back to the Revolutionary War – the Cryslers were Tories who hooked up with Chief Joseph Brant.

Another is my dedication to Native American cultures as a “continuing education” factor. Although I have a BA degree in Journalism from CSU-Sacramento, my original major was in Cultural Anthropology. Had the family remained in Sacramento, I would have aimed for a Masters degree in Native American Studies.

So far, 161 articles have been posted on the Native Unity site consisting of an array of topics ranging from Archeology to the Zia sun symbol. The viewers for the column reached 7761 today. Most of my rewritten material comes from three sources: The Internet, and two Arizona newspapers - The Arizona Republic and Yuma Daily Sun plus from people who send in articles and opinions

Here is the list of contributors to the column, so far, in alphabetical Order. I’m most grateful for their input.

Kristy Alberti – Native Voter
Lori Anderson-Finwall – Political Activist
Jean Bedell-Mashkikinabinais – Writer/Political Activist
Alyssa Burhans – Native Voice
Carmela Confesor –Political Activist
Marinell Degraffen- Political Activist
Larry Faulkner – Writer/Author
Emil Guillermo – Writer/Radio Commentator
Ken Hughes – Political Writer/Satirist
Liaison – Eric Schweig’s Spokesperson
Georgina Lightning – Actor/Producer
Deborah Littlewing-Moore – Film Producer
Larry Mitchell – Author/Potawatomi Tracks
Native American Producers Alliance
Annie Nordbo – Producer/ Native Celebs
Grace Olrun – Cup’ik Warrior Productions
Roscoe Pond – Writer/Radio Commentator
Neil and Nancy Scott - Friends
Melody-Little Wolf-Sheline – Actor/Model
Ann Van Wert – Writer/Poet
Crystal Wabnum - Native Voter

My first two columns featured the Native American Indian Commandments and my idea of the meaning of Native Unity which I think are well worth repeating today.

Sunday, August 31, 2003

The Meaning O 'Native Unity'!
To understand the concept of “Native Unity”, one has to know the meaning of unity. My dictionary describes “unity” as 1. The state or fact of being one. 2. Something that is wholly united and complete within itself. 3. A state or quality of general accord and mutual understanding, harmony, agreement. 4. The harmonious agreement of parts or elements into one united whole.

Not any easy thing to accomplish when it comes to solidifying the Native American population in the U.S. There are more than 320 Federally Recognized Tribes in the in this country, alone. Each tribe has its own customs and culture, encompassing some 2,475,956 members (4,119.301 people of mixed-race) according to the 2000 census.But unification among the Native Peoples can be accomplished. In fact, it has to be done if we are to see the “People” make any impact upon the social, economic and political structure in this country.

We, here, on the Native Unity blog can help to make a difference, one step at a time. Many thanks to Annie, Native Celebs, founder of this blog site and her dedicated support to the well-being and welfare of the American Indian.Hopefully, the blogs, (thoughts, opinions and ideas of the writer) that appear on this site will promote the theory of Native Unity. Keep in mind the old saying, “United we stand – Divided we fall.”

Saturday, August 30, 2003

I think the best way to begin the "Native Unity" Network is by featuring the ten American Indian Commandments: Sacred Instructions Given By The Creator To Native People At The Time Of Creation:

Treat the Earth and all that dwell upon it with respect.
Remain close to the Great Spirit.
Show great respect for your fellow beings.
Work together for the benefit of all Mankind.
Give assistance and kindness wherever needed.
Do what you know to be right.
Look after the well being of mind and body.
Dedicate a share of your efforts to the greater good.
Be truthful and honest at all times.
Take full responsibility for your actions.

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.

Exhibit To Be Featured At Pow-Wow!

Hello everyone,"Natives in Hollywood: How far have we come? Exhibit"will be brought down to the 36th Annual SouthernCalifornia Indian Center Pow-wow August 27, 28, 29, 2004.

I wasn't planning on it but I was asked to bring the exhibit down. From what I hear many people, actors, artists and local news organizations will be on hand. So, if you are around the Orange County area in Costa Mesa please stop by my Exhibit booth and say hello.

I've received great feedback from Natives who came through the Exhibit. Many were re-acquainted with their favorite Native films. Others didn't know there were Native films out there that are available to see. Thanks for coming!

My AIAward winner for Best Picture "Nate and the Colonel" is now on DVD and video....Check out my website for places to buy and Rent....Yes! Plus, I will be on FOX 11 News Sunday August 29, 2004 at 9 am to talk about my Exhibit "Native in Hollywood: How far have we come?"

Remember: My Exhibit will be at The 36th Annual Southern California Indian Center Pow-wow in CostaMesa, CA August 27, 28, 29, 2004. Roscoe Pond

http://www.nativeroscoe.com/

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.

When A 'Feel Good' Story Goes 'Bad'

Here is the ”feel good” story - Wednesday, Aug 18th

‘Native’ Goes Basketball!
Or is it the other way around – ‘Basketball Goes ‘Native’?
Anyway, the first professional all-Native American Basketball Team – “Native America” - has been formed and is based in Albuquerque under the directorship of William Stephan “Spider’ Ledesma who has been touring the country in his search for 12 players as the core group for the team.

This is the American Basketball Association’s 24th Expansion team which is to make its last stop of the recruiting tour in Phoenix on Saturday the 21st of August.

Hopefully when the upcoming season begins you will see 6 foot-four, nineteen year old Kenny Dobbs, Jr. of Choctaw and Spanish descent in action on the court. Dobbs was the shooting guard for Peoria (AZ) Accelerated High School.

He told Arizona Republic reporter, Mikaela Crank,“I am so excited because this opportunity has fueled my dreams and passion for basketball. I know I will make the team. God gave me this talent and I plan to use it to my ability.” Right now, Kenny works full time as a mail courier, goes to church on Sundays and is love with the girl he plans to marry. He works out at LA Fitness in Glendale.

The season begins in November and goes through April. Native America will travel around the western part of the US to play other teams.

It went “bad” Saturday, August 21st,

Questions Arise About Canceled Basketball Tryout Camps
by Bob Young
The Arizona Republic

“A series of seven tryout camps for Native American basketball players scheduled to form a professional Native
America National Team have been cancelled including one planned for today in Phoenix.

“Organizers say that players who paid $200 in advance to take part in the camps won’t receive a refund. Instead they must travel to Albuquerque for a three-day tryout October 3-6, paying their travel and lodging expenses.

“Kenny Dobbs, Jr. is one of the more than 40 Native American basketball players who paid in advance, and one of the seven who paid for the Phoenix tryout.”

William Stephan “Spider” Ledesma, 40, is of Mission and Mexican Indian ancestry from Picayune, Miss. The CEO of the Native America National Team said Friday (Aug 20th) that the Phoenix tryout fell through because the Indian casinos wouldn’t pay a $6,000 sponsorship fee. Ledesma never stated what Indian casinos were involved, but his press conference in Albuquerque on June 14th was held at the Isleta Casino & Resort.

When Dobbs complained about having to pay to travel to Albuquerque for the tryouts, Ledesma was not sympathetic. His response,“I’m the professional.”

From Mike Hall, News:Bulletin Associate Sports Editor, "Ledesma who says he has extensive professional basketball experience in Europe also has stated he played one year of junior college basketball in California before going to the University of Idaho in 1984-85. He said he never returned to college ball and instead played six years in Mexico before continuing his career in Europe. His biography said he led the Los Angeles Clippers in rebounding in 1987 preseason play. "

Ledesma can be reached at(601)799-1880 or E-mail: NativeAmericaABA@aol.com.

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.

Kerry And Native Issues

Kerry’s swing across Northern Arizona gave Native American supporters hope that their lives could be uplifted and their voice could be heard in the White House. He said he would appoint an aide as a Native American liaison to the White House if elected.

Earlier at closing events of the five-day annual Inter-tribal Ceremonial in Gallup, New Mexico, Kerry told a crowd of 1,000, “It is a sad fact that we are spending more on federal prisoners health than on the health of Native Americans.’

Following a meeting on his leased campaign train with Arizona governor, Janet Napolitano and a group of Native American tribal leaders Kerry pledged he would giver higher respect to tribal sovereignty and devote greater funding to Indian health, education and other needs of Native Americans.

Later, Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley said he has faith that Kerry will keep his promises, “more so than the next guy.”

In a typical election, 80 to 85 percent of Arizona tribal members have voted in favor of the Democratic Party but that loyalty is showing signs of deteriorating. Kerry wants to be certain that loyalty is there for him on November 2nd as it was for Napolitano in 2002.


While the Bush campaign has formulated a number of policies on Native American issues, Bush has not followed through with any specifics which was pretty well came out at the Native American Journalism Unity convention recently held in San Francisco. (I wonder if the President has figured out, yet, the meaning of ‘tribal sovereignty’?)

Dallas Massey, chairman of the White Mountain Apache Tribe said cutbacks in funding to the Indian Heath Service the BIA has left the tribe subsidizing many operations that are the responsibility of the federal government. The 11 member Tribal Council has unanimously endorsed Kerry whose plan for Native Americans includes greater collaboration between the federal government and nominally sovereign Indian tribes, improvement in health care, housing and education and higher funding for maintenance of roads on reservations.

The Bush re-election campaign Web site does not display a Native American category, and its few comments on that topic are mainly a complaint about the cost of Kerry’s proposals. The president said last week that his major accomplishment to Native Americans was to devote $1.1 billion since 2001 in repairing Indian schools.

Both political parties are beginning to realize the value of the Native Vote, so now it is up to the Native People to go to the polls on November 2nd and cast their ballot. The outcome of this vital election just may be in the palm of your hand. Native Unity equals Native Power, so “fire up”, get registered and get out the vote on election day.

This story has been edited – in part - from an article appearing in The Arizona Republic on ‘Kerry in Arizona’ bylined Jon Kamman and Mark Shaffer.

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.

NATIVE VOTER ANNOUNCEMENTS

VOTER EMPOWERMENT - OVERSEAS VOTING REGISTRATION – WOMEN’S CAMPAIGN SCHOOL TRAINING

Native Vote 2004
Voter Empowerment Training Session!!
Norbert Hill Center N7210 Seminary Road Oneida, WI 54155

On August 21-22 the National Congress of American Indians, partnered with National Voice, hosts a one-day intensive voter training session in Oneida, Wisconsin. The curriculum will be focused on Native American outreach and be geared to those individuals who are active organizers within tribal communities. This marks the sixth Training Session in the historic Native Vote Voter Training Series and our first Training in Wisconsin!

These trainings are for those who have an interest in:
Field operations,
Data management
Graphic design
Motivating tribal members to vote!

This voter empowerment project will need appropriate funding; we encourage those in attendance to have a budget allotment from their tribes, specifically for Native Vote projects. The trainings will lay out the exact needs for organizational budget capacities. We are asking that each tribe send at least three dedicated individuals to implement the work plan in tribal communities. Food will be served; we look forward to seeing you there!!!

This training will cover efforts from voter registration drives up until Election Day GOTV.

Space is limited all attendees must RSVP with the NCAI office.

For more information please contact Cherie Ike or Gyasi Ross at NCAI (202) 466-7767.

Native Vote RSVP Information

Name of Participant:

Tribe:

Tribal Leader that recommended attendance:

Previous Participation in Voter Work:
Please return completed form to NCAI
@ Fax number: (202) 466-7797
Or by e-mail c_ike@ncai.org

OVERSEAS VOTER REGISTRATION

First online Overseas Voter Registration and AbsenteeBallot Request system!This registration and ballot request is for theupcoming Federal Election on November 2, 2004 only.Overseas Vote 2004 is being released state by state.You vote in the state where you last lived. To begin, click here:https://www.overseasvote2004.com/index.cfm

WOMEN'S CAMPAIGN SCHOOL

The Women’s Campaign School Training at Yale will be held at the University of Idaho, September 23-25th

The mission of The Women’s Campaign School at Yale University is to prepare women to be candidates for public office and/or senior level campaign staff members. The Women’s Campaign School strives to impart knowledge of contemporary political campaigning and to teach women the skills required to implement a successful political campaign. WCS is non-profit, nonpartisan,
non-issue and inclusive of women from the entire spectrum of political interests. www.wcsyale.org/index.html

Alyssa BurhansOrganizing Director: Native American Voters
NV Contact: AK, AZ, OK, NM, SDIATP Action/National Voice2105 1st Avenue SouthMinneapolis, MN 55404Direct Line: (612) 879-7510
Cell: (612) 860-3300Fax: (612) 870-4846

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.

Bush's 'Michael Moore Moment' At Journalistic Unity

by
Emil Guillermo, Special to SF Gate

Washington, DC -- President Bush is for "acting affirmatively," though he's not exactly for affirmative action.

For me, this revelation was the highlight of last week's Unity, the convention of more than 6,000 minority journalists that takes place every three to five years.

Normally a marketplace for underrepresented minorities trying to break down barriers in mostly white media organizations, this third convention was an eye opener because of the president's statements during his appearance there.

If ever there was an occasion on which Bush could have demonstrated his leadership ability, a gathering of minority journalists was it. Most of them weren't there to "cover the speech." They wanted to hear what their president had to say, person to person, and see how he envisioned solutions to the problems of working in a field rife with discrimination.

Journalists, after all, are people, too.

Bush's opening stump speech was filled with boilerplate stuff we've heard before, including his race rhetoric about how his administration challenges "the soft bigotry of low expectations."
A great poetic phrase, but what does it mean?

"If you lower the bar, guess what happens? You get lousy results," said Bush, who uses the phrase to demonstrate how he believes in raising standards of excellence among minorities in the public schools.

Sounds good. But when Bush went off script and began to take questions, the president had what I call a Michael Moore moment. Actually, he had several of them.

Instead of hearing hard answers to tough questions, we listened to misstatements and soft mush, all pointing to a general inadequacy in the man seen as the leader of the free world.

The first moment came when Mark Trahant of the Native American Journalists Association (NAJA) asked him, "What do you think tribal sovereignty means in the 21st century, and how do we resolve conflicts between tribes and the federal and the state governments?"

Said the president, "Tribal sovereignty means that -- it's sovereign. You're a -- you've been given sovereignty, and you're viewed as a sovereign entity. And, therefore, the relationship between the federal government and tribes is one between sovereign entities."

This was the president talking. He wasn't kidding. Some in the audience laughed. I wanted to cry. Shall we start a Leave No President Behind campaign?

Later, when I talked to NAJA President Patty Talahongva, she wondered why Bush didn't just talk honestly about real sovereignty issues that have an impact on Native Americans.

"The biggest issue in Indian country is the Individual Indian Money trust account," said Talahongva, referring to a scandal that involves the failure of the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs to keep track of Indian families owed money for lands leased to the government -- funds amounting to billions of dollars. "It's bigger than any corporate scandal," she added. "It starts from the top. If the leader doesn't say, 'Fix this,' no one down the chain does."

But the most revealing moment during Bush's appearance came when the subject turned to affirmative action and legacy; the latter word refers to what is essentially affirmative action for whites: They gain admission to an elite school because their parents are alums.
Bush is a Yale legacy.

"Well, in my case, I had to knock on a lot of doors to follow in the old man's footsteps," said Bush, prompting some laughter from the audience. The president was caught red handed, and his recovery was pathetic. "No, look," Bush said, "if what you're saying is, is there going to be special treatment for people -- in other words, we're going to give a special exception for certain people in a system that's supposed to be fair, I agree I don't think there ought to be."

So, he was asked, should colleges get rid of the legacy system, Bush's ticket to Yale?
"Well, I think so, yes," he said in a surprising moment of candor. "I think it ought to be based upon merit."

Did he realize what he was saying? It was like admitting he would have been lucky to get into North Texas State. The panel of reporters working the event then pressed him: Is he for affirmative action? The president said he is for diversity but that he is against quotas. He just couldn't bear to say he is for affirmative action. Or against it.

"I support colleges affirmatively taking action to get more minorities in their school," said Bush.
Was he dodging? Was he being flip? Or did he mean it? Without a prompter, Bush was far too revealing for comfort.

When the subject turned to the war, it got only worse. He said he had a new name for it.
"We actually misnamed the war on terror," Bush said. "It ought to be 'the struggle against ideological extremists who do not believe in free societies and who happen to use terror as a weapon to try to shake the conscience of the free world.'"

I felt for the president. I think he felt he was connecting intellectually.
But, in his candor, he just seemed to be unraveling. His merit, or lack thereof, was exposed.
Originally, I went to hear him speak because I wanted to determine whether he could address problems I consider essential to the minority community, whether he would utter answers you don't hear anywhere else, because the questions are never asked.

I didn't even go to Kerry's speech the previous day at Unity, because I saw his performance at the Democratic convention. My vote isn't going to be based on what he says. This race is Bush's to lose. I wanted to be the guy in a crowd of minority journalists who would give the president a fair hearing.

I think I did. I wanted and expected a leader. Instead, I heard a man who is more confused than ever on the topic of race.

Emil Guillermo is a radio and TV commentator and the author of "Amok: Essays from an Asian-American Perspective," winner of an American Book Award. E-mail: emil@amok.com
www.sfgate.com/columnists/guillermo



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.

Politicos Court Native Vote!

As John Kerry met with tribal leaders in Arizona last Sunday, the word is out that the relatively small and historically overlooked Native American vote is worth fighting for as both political parties see it as a vital key in this year’s presidential election.

Arizona, along with New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Oklahoma and the two Dakotas, is being targeted as a swing state in the forthcoming election.

For the first time ever, Republicans are producing campaign literature in Navajo. Something the Democratic Party has been doing for several years, according to party spokeswoman, Sarah Rosen.

Governor Janet Napolitano threw a special bash at the Democratic National Convention for Native Americans which was paid for by some 10 separate sponsors. Two members of the Tohono O’odham Nation were showcased when they sang the national anthem in their traditional language.

Rick Renzi, R-Ariz, Congressional District 1 made a deep impression on Navajo voters when he set up the first-ever
tour for members of the House Financial Service Committee last spring to view housing conditions on Native American land.

“I visited Kaibito on the Navajo Reservation and saw three children, their stomach distended with dysentery, living with their grandmother in a mud hut. How can I call myself a congressman and not do something about this?”

Since then, Renzi has played a major role in sending about $100 million to the reservation primarily for hospitals and roads and has opened up offices on the Navajo and Apache Reservations.

Arizona’s more that 300,000 Native Americans living on and off 22 reservations comprise about 5.7 percent of the state’s population. Estimates are that the voting group typically amounts to some 2 percent of the voting turnout in the state.

National pollster John Zogby says that Kerry’s “crisscrossing the states and making a special effort to meet with Native American tribal leaders” underscores how tight this presidential election race it. “It’s saying that any group, regardless of the size, that can move a few thousand votes can move a state.”

Sue Walitsky, Kerry’s communications director in Arizona, said 80 to 85 percent of the Native American vote traditionally goes to the Democrats, but no single group will put Kerry over the top. “The key for us is that they all have got to get out the vote” She added that important issues, among them the availability of quality health care and education are areas where the Bush administration has fallen short.

Robert Howard, vice chairman of the San Carlos Apache Tribe said his tribe is endorsing a number of Republican candidates, but President Bush will not be one of them.

In my opinion, the choice for the individual Native voter in selecting WHO will get your vote in any election should be based on YOUR own perception of what EACH candidate CAN DO FOR YOU, YOUR FAMILY and YOUR COMMUNITY. Keep in mind, in a GENERAL election you can cross party lines and vote for the candidate of YOUR choice. If you are a registered Democrat you can vote for a Republican, vice versa. I do it all the time.

This story has been edited from several stories appearing in The Arizona Republic bylined Billy House, Jon Kamman, Mark Shaffer and Judy Nichols

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.

Tomorrow - National Voice Call Date

NATIONAL VOICE NON-PROFIT LEGAL CALL DATE:
Tuesday, August 10, 2004TIME: 1:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time
2:00 Eastern Daylight TimeDial-in Number: 1-661-705-2000 Access Code: 54386

Join National Voice for a conference call with lawyer Holly Schadler on legal issues related to non profit organizations engaged in election and civic participation work. Holly will give a brief overview presentation followed by Q & A.

In addition to the upcoming conference call, we have attached a memo by B. Holly Schadler, entitled, "Participation in Coalition Efforts by501(c)(3) Organizations." This memo addresses questions about cooperationbetween 501(c)(3) organizations which are prohibited from doing any partisan activity and other entities, 501(c)(4) or 527organizations, that are allowedto conduct partisan activity. We hope this information can help guide you in your work in the upcoming months.

(The attachment has not been added but anyone interested in receiving the information can contact Crystal at her address below. – bobbie)

Feel free to share this invitation with others you think would beinterested, although we appreciate RSVP's to confirm the number of lines we need to have available. If you have questions that you'd like Holly to address, need to RSVP, or need more information - email Crystal Wabnum at crystal@nationalvoice.org

National Voice is a coalition of nonprofit and community groups working to
maximize public participation in our nation's democratic process. A key activity of National Voice is helping local groups incorporate voter education and registration activities into their work.(www.nationalvoice.org)

Crystal Wabnum,Organizer: Native American VotersNational Voice/IATP2105
First Avenue SouthMinneapolis, MN 55404
Tel:612612.879.7531 - Fax:612.870.4846
crystal@nationalvoice.orgwww.
nationalvoice.org www.november2.org


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.

Burial Sites Not For Development

By Jean Bedell-Bailey
In an article printed on the front page of the Lakota Journal July 23-30, the article read “Burial mounds distributed at development site”. I am appalled at big money developers who still encroach on our burial sites around the country with such disrespect.

If our oppressors are not still taking thousand acres from the Shoshone people, then they are wanting to cement over our burial sites or put a golf course. I believe we, as Native nations, are the endangered species along with the American eagle who other non- Indians assume is no longer endangered.

Maybe the reason is some high corporate interest in lowering and controlling eagle habitats, so other species needed on the consumer food change can survive. The thing is, we, are not a valued commodity and we, as Native people, need to rally together across this nation against people who wish to destroy our grandfathers and grandmothers resting places. What if we as Native people were to build a condominium complex over one of their burial sites?

Please call South Dakota senator Daschle or write your congressman to put a stop to developers on the north bay of Lake Albert in Hamlin County, South Dakota and other sites like the stronghold in the Badlands. Please call the States Attorney Justin Hyde of Hamlin County.

According to this current situation at this proposed development site, even the South Dakota historical society in South Dakota informed the developers that the site contained burial mounds.

According to the article (Ernestine Chasing Hawk and Waylon Pretends Eagle, Lakota Journal Staff writers): “The developer was told not to develop the site, but he walked right into it himself and did it anyways,” said Mike Fosha, an archaeologist with the South Dakota State Historical Society.

After putting a stop to the using of an old mission cemetery being advertised as a tourist attraction on a reservation, I was really saddened to know people and even some of our people need to know that “The resting place of our grandfathers and grandmothers represents who we are as Indian people. Their resting place is our self-identity and a representation that we as Native people exist and we’re the real caretakers of this turtle island before open non-native expansion began, it is a sacred place”.

What we need to do is to form a signature list against developing this area and request the federal government or the State of South Dakota to preserve this area or let the Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux tribe manage the area. Another possibility is for carbon data testing of the burial site, which would validate this area as a burial site.
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.

A Tribute To Will Sampson

Legendary Muscogee (Creek) actor Will Sampson [One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest] will be honored by the Native American and Hollywood film communities when the American Indian Film Institute presents Tribute to Will Sampson Dinner & Auction, August 7, 2004 at the Autry National Center - Museum of the American West ,4700 Western Heritage Way in Los Angeles.

The event is a fund-raiser for AIFI's Will Sampson Documentary Film Project, announced last November at the 28th annual American Indian Film Festival in San Francisco. The Tribute to Will Sampson Dinner & Auction starts at 6 p.m., inside the museum's plaza. Advance tickets are available by calling the American Indian Film Institute at 415.554.0525, and through their website at www.aifisf.com.

AIFI offers five different ticket levels: the Diamond [The White Buffalo Table] is available for $25,000; the Platinum [The Cuckoo's Nest Table] at $10,000; the Gold [The Josey Wales Table] for $7,500; the Silver [The Vega$ Table] at $5,000 and the Bronze [The Fishhawk Table] is available for $2,500. Premiums and gift commemoratives will be offered to Table Sponsors; contact AIFI for details.

Individual tickets are also available: the Diamond Ticket for $2,500; the PlatinumTicket at $1,000; the Gold Ticket is $750; the Silver Ticket at $500 and the Bronze Ticket is available for $250.A Tribute to Will Sampson Dinner & Auction includes a gourmet dinner from acclaimed caterer Cheers, plus silent and live auctions featuring Will Sampson and movie memorabilia, Indian art, jewelry, and sculpture..

By special arrangement, an exclusive screening of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, winner of five Academy Awards, will be shown at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, August 6 in the museum's Wells Fargo Theatre. Admission: Suggested Donation of $15.00.

Sampson's humanizing portrayal of Chief Bromden in Ken Kesey's popular story broke new ground for Natives in film, and launched a legend in Indian country. "Will's legacy is the path he cleared for non-stereotypical roles for Native peoples," said Michael Smith, founder and president of the American Indian Film Institute, of which Sampson was a founding board member.

"His photograph hangs prominently in my office,” Smith said. “Each day he reminds me that there remains much work ahead to clear the world of misconceptions and misrepresentations of Native Americans in film. Will's life challenged the status quo. We are proud to begin the process of making this documentary film."

Son, Tim Sampson, an actor/stuntman/writer who resurrected his father's role in Gary Sinise's Steppenwolf Theatre production of Cuckoo's Nest, says the film will ensure that Will's legacy endures. "I'm very honored and very happy that so many people are coming out to honor and remember such a great man as my dad," Sampson says. "We all have a connection through him, as a Native man we could all look up to and relate to.”

Tim Sampson and Norma Sampson Bible, Will's only surviving sibling, are part of the gala's Honorary Dinner Committee and are joined by One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest co-producer Saul Zaentz and co-star Christopher Lloyd.

Other participants will include native actors Wes Studi and Henry Kingi; Peter Fonda, Sam Elliott, Peter Coyote, Paul Newman; prominent tribal leaders, including Principal Chief A.D. Ellis of Sampson's Muscogee (Creek) Nation; Anthony Pico, Chairman of the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians; Maurice Lyons, Chairman, Morongo Band of Mission Indians; Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians; Chairman Dean Mike, Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma; Chairwoman Phoebe O'Dell; and Karen Rudolph, CAO, Rudolph & Sletten.

Where are "The Murph and Nurse Rachet"?

For more sponsorship opportunities and general information, or to donate items for AIFI's silent auction, please call AIFI. American Indian Film Institute, AIFI333 Valencia St. Suite 322, San Francisco, CA 94103tel : 415.554.0525 / fax: 415.554.0542/ www.aifisf.com / aifisf@yahoo.com

To benefit the AIFI Tribute to Will Sampson Documentary Film Fund. The American Indian Film Institute is a non-profit media arts center created to foster understanding of the culture, traditions and issues of contemporary Native Americans. AIFI isfederally recognized non-profit with 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt status. Federal Identification Number is 95.3646346.

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