Soltstice Brings To Mind Wonder Of Creation

Dorreen Yellow Bird Grand Forks Herald
Published Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Dorreen Yellow Bird is a reporter and columnist. Her columns appear Wednesdays and Saturdays on the opinion pages of the Herald.

There are points in times that are gifts from the Creator.

One of those times is Thursday, Dec. 21 - the longest night of the year. It's when we're covered with a blanket of darkness for healing and warmth. On the opposite side of the Earth's revolution is the longest day - June 22. It's a time when the heavens provide insight.

On each of these points in the calendar, many American Indian people hold ceremonies that bring insight, teaching and healing.

Perhaps it's these teachings that cause me never to cover my second-story bedroom window with curtains or blinds. In the winter, when it's still dark, my internal clock wakes me. In the summer, I'm awakened by dawn's touch on my face - like a mother wakening her sleeping child.

Waking to the light of the sun has become habit for me and seems to set the pace of the day.

It is a habit I developed some 10 years ago, when I made a journey through a fasting ceremony on the summer solstice. I relive that summer ceremony for my relatives and friends.

My journey began with two spiritual leaders and my brother helping me. They chose a spot for the fast on an outcropping of rock with patches of prairie grass. The area lay above an arm of Lake Sakakawea - an isolated, quiet place.

I have to smile myself when I think how afraid I was that first time. My cousin-brothers, who live in the area, said not to fast there alone. It's haunted by the spirits of men killed in battle, they told me.

After preparation, the group left me several miles from where they camped. They would keep watch while I prayed those two days and night.

The daytime was the easy part, with hunger and thirst my only discomfort. The sun sets the rules for this ceremony, and that day, it played games with small puffs of dark clouds - one minute there and the next minute behind a cloud dropping rain to tease my thirst.

Beyond the scattered clouds, the sky was an endless blue. As my eyes moved back to the clouds for something to anchor, a large hand-like cloud moved across the sky, shifting and changing. Between the prayers and contemplating the heavens, I spent the day.

I, however, became too comfortable with day because the sun stayed so long. It wasn't until it began to sink in the west, with streaks of fiery red and orange still on the horizon, that I realized it would soon be dark, and I was alone.

The mosquitoes had no mercy. They hummed in my ears and landed on my eyelids.

Finally, the moon began Her journey across the sky. I told my brother that I wasn't aware the moon crossed so evenly through the sky. He laughed at me, and I thought, “Well, who stays up all night and stares at the night sky?”

Then when the moon left the night sky, it was so dark that I had to strain my eyes to see the prayer flags right next to me. I could hear strange rustling in the grass and felt the wind brush across my shoulders and toss my hair. At one time, perhaps the darkest part of the night, I heard drum songs.

I sat there staring into the night - trying to concentrate, trying to open my mind - when the prairie grass caught my eye. The grass was silver and glowing. It was all around me. This strange glowing color was the first rays of dawn.

From that first light, I could see the roundness of the Earth and feel Her slow roll. I realized I wasn't even a speck in this huge universe; the sun, stars and the planets were alive. The Earth, my Mother, was turning. I was insignificant and small among the creatures around me. My problems were nothing.

Before the dawn broke the magic of the silver, glowing prairie grass, a bird - the first bird - started to sing quite loud. In a few minutes, another sang until the birds were a symphony of sound as the sun's golden glow moved into the sky. It was like an orchestra of light and bird sounds.

When the birds stopped singing for a minute, I would call out, “sing to me, sing to me,” and they would respond.

As the sun came full into the sky, my group came for me, I felt a lightheartedness and awe as I made my way down to the camp. It was as though I stood above the Earth and saw the universe.

It is this winter solstice that renews the feelings of awe and splendor each year.

TO SUBMIT an ARTICLE or OPINION PIECE to the Native Unity Digest, e-mail 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.

Visit Vietnam Vet. Larry Mitchell at http://www.potawatomivet.com and click on his blog at the site.

SAG Discriminates Against Women and Minorities

This is a comment pertaining to an August 03, 2005 article in Native Unity, ‘Native Actor Seeks Support For SAG Resolution’ which was submitted by Christine Yazzi. The resolution was created by a Native American SAG member, Mark Reed.

Screen Actors Guild in Wrongful Termination/ Discrimination LawsuitsMillions of Dollars Paid by Screen Actors Guild Members to Minorities in Settlements and Legal Fees to O’Melveny & Myers Law Firm

December 1, 2006 -Hollywood--Eric Amdursky & Catherine B. Hagen, partners in O'Melveny & Myers LLP have represented the Screen Actors Guild for the past several years in discrimination lawsuits against SAG. Amdursky represents SAG in a series of wrongful termination/discrimination cases. He also represented Time Warner Entertainment Company and several affiliates in a class action brought by television writers over the age of 40 alleging industry-wide age discrimination against all of them. SAG, an affiliate of the AFL-CIO has settled all of the wrongful termination and racial discrimination cases by its minority employees.

Three of which where settled in recent months except one. SAG’s officials on its website have vowed to fight allegations that it says are baseless against, Dr. Patricia Heisser Metoyer, former affirmative action director. SAG’s record of dismissing minority staff members is significant.

SAG an affiliate of the AFL-CIO, who gave Ruby and Ossie Davis the SAG Lifetime Acheivement Award, prides itself on a long history of affirmative action and diversity, has settled seven discrimination lawsuits by minority employees since 2001.

Valerie Quetel, an African-American who worked as a benefits administrator and recruiter in the SAG's human resources department, alleged a "pattern and practice" of discrimination by SAG. Quetel filed suit in L.A. Superior Court alleging 22 causes of action. Quetel, was a 12-year employee of SAG, filed a wrongful termination-racial discrimination lawsuit. This case was settled by SAG.

In 2001, Peter Nguyen, Asian-American, an associate in the affirmative action department worked for Heisser Metoyer, filed a wrongful termination suit that has since been settled. Terms were kept confidential, as were the terms of a settlement in a wrongful termination suit filed by former employee Ray McCoy Daniel Jr., an African-American.

Another wrongful termination and discrimination case filed by former SAG executive Thomas Baiz, a Mexican-American was settled by SAG. SAG also fired Mexican-American employee, Hector Chavez. Chavez was the associate national director of human resources, was terminated following six months on the job. His case was settled as well.Deborah Geter, an African-American, SAG employee for 20 years, was in charge of monitoring and enforcing SAG’s Taft-Hartley waivers, which brought in $1 million a year to the union.

The waivers allow producers to use nonunion actors under certain conditions, and Geter would collect the financial penalty for the use of the nonunion talent. This case settled by SAG.Former secretary Kelley Langford, African-American sued SAG. SAG settled the lawsuits with Langford.

In November 2003, Heisser Metoyer's lawsuit, filed in L.A. Superior Court, was moved to U.S. District Court, Central District of California, where George W. Bush appointed federal judge, John Walters threw out about half her claims on technical grounds. Her case is currently on appeal in the U.S. District Court of Appeal Ninth District.

Heisser Metoyer sued SAG, alleging that she was forced out over her complaints about the SAG's falsified statistics on the racial makeup of the staff. The action also named the top two SAG execs at the time, John McGuire and Leonard Chassman. . McGuire is currently” a senior adviser” to SAG and Chassman retired with a substantial retirement package.

Eugenia Hicks, Heisser Metoyer’s attorney said in an L.A. Business Journal article says that Heisser Metoyer, on the job for little more than a year, ended up in the bad graces of other SAG officials when she reported to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that the union was exaggerating the number of minorities on its 270-person staff.

"When she got in there she actually started doing something and she stepped on some toes. Some people didn't like that," Hicks said. "They decided to retaliate and they did it with a vengeance."

SAG has countersued Heisser Metoyer, and O'Melveny & Myers joined its original firm in the suits, Geffner & Bush. The suits, brought by Heisser Metoyer, have been litigated by Eric Amdursky and Catherine B. Hagen, among other O’Melveny & Myers attorneys, hearing is set for February 16, 2006 before Superior Court Judge David Minning, for additional attorney’s fees. Heisser Metoyer pursued in house discrimination allegations along with her opposition to affirmative action budget cuts.

There were no minorities among the 30 top SAG execs. The suit alleged that the dismissal came in retaliation. In the suit, she accused SAG's then-human resources director at the time, Linda Shick, of calling her a “black bitch” and alleged that there had been a continuing deterioration in the workplace environment at SAG, with minority employees staging a letter-writing campaign to the board that accused Shick and associates of repeated breaches of confidentiality.

Shick and Kathy Nirschl, the No. 2 exec in SAG's human resources department in 2001, departed their posts later, with SAG saying they had left for other job opportunities
In addition to firing Nguyen in March, 2001 McGuire and Chassman also dismissed Celine Bae, Asian-American employee from the affirmative action department, and placed its then-chief for three years , Heisser Metoyer, who until then received many industry commendations, on leave during the same week, firing her on May 31, 2001.

SAG later hired David White, African-American, formerly of O’Melveny and Myers as Senior Legal Counsel, who consistently throughout the last years, declined comment on all of the suits and execs refused to disclose any details about the cases to the national executive committee, which is composed of national board members. During that same period

“The suits are yet another complication embroiling the union, which has historically been beset by internal and external battles and [racial] strife.”

By not speaking publicly, SAG has kept the discrimination lawsuits in the background.

Posted by Anonymous to Native Unity at 12/26/2006 11:32:31 AM

TO SUBMIT an ARTICLE or OPINION PIECE to the Native Unity Digest, e-mail 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.

Visit Vietnam Vet. Larry Mitchell at http://www.potawatomivet.com and click on his blog at the site.

Remember Wounded Knee!

Submitted by Jeanne Bedell-mashkikinabinais

It’s for remembrance of December 29, 1890. Please pray for our riders this year or the youth riders who ride each year at this time to remember their ancestors. The weather is frigid this year. We need to teach all our future generations of the truths of this Lakota nation and all the atrocities that have happened to all our indigenous nations.

Although Sitting Bull lived 116 years ago, he is not a forgotten grandfather or great, great uncle. We must not forget the Hunkpapa and the Siha Sapa who also met their fate at Wounded Knee Creek. I especially want to thank Ron McNeil (His Horse Is Thunder) who has been an itancan for the youth riders and have brought them safely to Pine Ridge to 200 miles south to Wounded Knee Creek.

I can attest that this is a most difficult ride and journey for the riders, and all the people who come together at this time to make this possible. In the Spirit of Grandpa I am thankful to be able to watch them, 150 horses strong, come down that hill to Wounded Knee Creek. Mitakuye Oyasin

WOUNDED KNEE AND THE MOON OF POPPING TREES: First The Slaughter, Then The Sanitized History!
By special permission to New Trend from the author.
By Tim Giago (Nanwica Kciji)
Notes from Indian Country

While Americans agonize over the contents of the Iraq Study Group and weigh the options of extricating its soldiers from the middle of a civil war, the people of the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota will gather on a lonely hill overlooking the demolished village of Wounded Knee. (Wounded Knee was destroyed during the occupation of the American Indian Movement in 1973 and was never rebuilt to commemorate and grieve the massacre of their ancestors.

It was after a night so cold that the Lakota called it "The Moon of the Popping Trees" because as the winter winds whistled through the hills and gullies at Wounded Knee Creek on that morning of December 29, 1890, one could
hear the twigs snapping in the frigid air.

When a soldier of George Armstrong Custer's former troop the 7th Cavalry tried to wrest a hidden rifle from a deaf Lakota warrior after all of the other weapons had already been confiscated from Sitanka's (Big Foot) band of Lakota people, the deafening report of that single shot caused pandemonium amongst the soldiers and they opened up with their Hotchkiss machine guns upon the unarmed men, women and children.

Thus began an action the government called a "battle" and the Lakota people called a "massacre." The Lakota people say that only 50 people of the original 350 followers of Sitanka survived that morning of slaughter. One of the survivors, a Lakota woman, was treated by the Indian physician Dr. Charles Eastman at a make-shift hospital set up in a church in the village of Pine Ridge.

Before she died of her wounds she told about how she had concealed herself in a clump of bushes. As she hid there she saw two terrified little girls running past. She grabbed them and pulled them into the bushes. She put her hands over their mouths to keep them quiet but a mounted soldier spotted them. He fired a bullet into the head of one girl and them calmly reloaded his rifle and fired into the head of the other girl. He then fired into the body of the Lakota woman.

She feigned death and although badly wounded, lived long enough to relate her terrible ordeal to Dr. Eastman. She said that as she lay there pretending to be dead, the soldier leaned down from his horse, used his rifle to lift up her dress in order to see her private parts, and then he snickered and rode off.

As the shooting subsided, units of the 7th Cavalry rode off toward White Clay Creek near Pine Ridge Village on a search and destroy mission. When they rode onto the grounds of Holy Rosary Indian Mission, my Grandmother Sophie, a student at the mission school, and the other Lakota children, were forced by the Jesuit priests to feed and water their horses. My grandmother never forgot that terrible day and she often talked about how the soldiers were laughing and bragging about their great victory. She recalled one soldier saying, "Remember the Little Big Horn."

The Massacre at Wounded Knee was called the last great battle between the United States and the Indians. The true version of the events of that day were polished and sanitized for the consumption of most Americans.

Twenty-three soldiers of the 7th Cavalry were awarded this Nation's highest honor, The Medal of Honor, for the murder of nearly 300 innocent and unarmed men, women and children. Although 25 soldiers died that day, historians believe that most of them died from friendly fire when they were caught in the crossfire of the Hotchkiss guns.

Many Lakota have tried in vain to have those medals revoked without success .Before they died, the Lakota warriors fought the soldiers with their bare hands as they shouted to the women and children, "Inyanka po, inyanka po (Run, run)."

The elderly men, unable to fight back, fell on their knees and sang their death songs. The screams and the cries of the
women and
children hung in the air like a heavy fog.

When I was a young boy I lived at Wounded Knee. Of course by then the name of the village had been changed to Brennan to honor a Bureau of Indian Affairs superintendent, but all of the Lakota knew why the name was changed.
Because although the government tried various ways to conceal the truth, the Lakota people never forgot and they always referred to the hallowed grounds as Wounded Knee and they continued to come to the mass grave to pray even though it was roundly discouraged by the government.

As a child I walked along the banks of Wounded Knee Creek and I often had an uneasy feeling; it was as if I could hear the cries of little children. Whenever I visited the trading post where my father worked I would listen to the elders as they sat on the benches in front of the store and spoke in whispered voices as they pointed at the hills and gullies. Never did I read about that horrible day in the history books used at the mission school I attended.

Two ironies still haunt me. Six days after the bloody massacre the editor of the Aberdeen (S.D.) Saturday Pioneer/EM wrote in his editorial, "The Pioneer has before declared that our only safety depends upon the total extermination of the Indians. Having wronged them for centuries, we had better, in order to protect our civilizations, follow it up by one more wrong and wipe these untamed and untamable creatures from the face of the earth."

The author of that editorial was L. Frank Baum, who later went on to write that famous children's book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. In calling for genocide against my grandmother and the rest of the Lakota people, he placed the final punctuation upon a day that will forever live in
infamy amongst the Lakota.

And finally, as the dead and dying lay in the makeshift hospital in the Episcopal Church in Pine Ridge Village, Dr. Eastman paused to read the sign above the entrance that read, "Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Men."

Deb McIntyre, Director
South Dakota Peace & Justice Center
PO Box 116
Sioux Falls, SD 57101
605-743-5647

TO SUBMIT an ARTICLE or OPINION PIECE to the Native Unity Digest, e-mail 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.

Visit Vietnam Vet. Larry Mitchell at http://www.potawatomivet.com and click on his blog at the site.

Merry Christmas - Happy Hanukah - Feliz Navidad - Kwanzaa Greetings - Joyeux Noel

An Almost Christmas Message
Submitted by Gaye Hummel

Just up the road from my home is a field, with two horses in it. From a distance, each looks like every other horse. but if you stop your car, or are walking by, you will notice something quite amazing. Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home for him.

This alone is amazing.

If nearby and listening, you will hear the sound of a bell. Looking around for the source of the sound, you will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field. Attached to her halter is a small bell. It lets her blind friend know where she is, so he can follow her.

As you stand and watch these two friends, you'll see how she is always checking on him, and that he will listen for her bell and then slowly walk to where she is, trusting that she will not lead him astray.

When she returns to the shelter of the barn each evening, she stops occasionally and looks back, making sure `her friend isn't too far behind to hear the bell.

Like the owners of these two horses, the world does not throw us away just because we are not perfect or because we have problems or challenges.

They watch over us and even bring others into our lives to help us when we are in need.

Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by the little ringing bell in our lives Other times we are the guide horse, helping others see.

Good friends are like this ...... You don't always see them, but you know they are always there.

"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."

Listen for my bell. And I will listen for yours!

NAJA RECEIVES $10,000 GIFT
GMAC AIDS IN NAJA'S SCHOLARSHIP FUND

VERMILLION, S.D._The Native American Journalists Association has received a $10,000 donation from GMAC Financial Services for NAJA's scholarship fund, money to aid the organization in its long-range plan to recruit more Native people into news careers.

"NAJA awarded close to $40,000 to 13 students this year, and the interest in journalism continues to grow among Native youth," NAJA President Mike Kellogg (Navajo) said.

"We're excited that companies like GMAC see the potential in Native college students and their pursuit of an education, which we all know is the greatest equalizer in today's society."

Part of GMAC's gift will be spent this year, and NAJA will send the 2006 scholarship recipients $500 for books purchased in the fall semester. The checks will be mailed directly to the students' schools this month. The remaining gift from GMAC will be placed in NAJA's scholarship fund.

GMAC has developed a community outreach program aimed at increasing financial literacy called SmartEdge by GMAC. SmartEdge focuses on how to establish good credit, manage a budget and evaluate vehicle financing options. The GMAC SmartEdge Book Allowance program extends GMAC's commitment to education by assisting students with the cost of college textbooks.

"GMAC believes education is a key component of building stronger communities across the United States," said Barbara Stokel, executive vice president, GMAC North American Operations. "The SmartEdge Book Allowance was created to complement our SmartEdge financial literacy program, and is a way to encourage recipients to maintain healthy personal finances, while encouraging higher education."

NAJA would like to honor the 2006 scholarship recipients who received $500 to $5,000:
Charla Bear (Athabaskan), University of California, Berkeley
Brittany Boomer (Oglala Lakota), South Dakota State University
Alison Bowman (Mohican), University of Wisconsin, Madison
Travis Coleman (Ponca), University of South Dakota
Mikaela Crank (Navajo), Arizona State University
Russel Daniels (Navajo/Ho-Chunk/Nooch), University of Montana
William Henry (Cherokee), University of Oklahoma
Mary Hudetz (Crow), University of Montana
Justus Hyatt (Choctaw), University of Washington
Bryan Kills Crow (Standing Rock Sioux), Northland Community & Technical College
Jasa Santos (Salish), University of Montana
Terria Smith (Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla), Humbolt State University
Jacquelyne Taurianen (Chippewa), University of Michigan

GMAC's gift is part of NAJA's strategic plan to raise the scholarship funding to $50,000 in the next five years. Other parts of NAJA's long-range plan include strengthening programs and expanding operations.

NAJA would also like to thank the following companies, organizations and individuals for their generous contributions to our scholarship fund:
Tom Arviso, Mary Bowannie, CNN,
Coney Island Hot Wieners, Inc.,
DaimlerChrysler Corp. Fund,
James M. Cox Foundation,
Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community,
Samuel I. Newhouse Foundation,
The New York Times,
The Washington Post,
and all those who donate and buy items during the annual silent auction at the convention.

For more information about NAJA's scholarship program, go to http://www.naja.com/programs/students/scholarships/.
Deadline for the 2007 scholarship applications is April 1

GMAC is a global, financial services company that operates in approximately 40 countries, in auto finance, residential mortgage, insurance and commercial finance businesses.

With more than $300 billion in assets, it generated $2.4 billion in net income in 2005, on revenue of $19.2 billion.SmartEdge by GMAC program information is available online at www.SmartEdgebyGMAC.com.

The site hosts video seminars, online tutorials and program workbooks-all available for free download.

The Native American Journalists Association was created in 1984 by a group of Native American journalists who wanted to find ways to nurture and develop Native communications. Individuals agreed that an association was needed to reinvigorate the Native media, address the widespread barriers and challenges facing Native journalists, and build on the strengths of Native communications.

NAJA - Raising the next generation of storytellers.

TO SUBMIT an ARTICLE or OPINION PIECE to the Native Unity Digest, e-mail 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.

Visit Vietnam Vet. Larry Mitchell at http://www.potawatomivet.com and click on his blog at the site.

DOE Plans New Complex For Storing Nuclear Weaons

DOE Plans New Complex For Storing Nuclear Weapons.
Submitted by the Western Shoshone Defense Project

From: Nevada Desert Experience News
Sent: Thursday, December 07, 2006 5:00 PM
Subject: Say NO to New Nuclear Weapons! Send a Message NOW!

Dear Friend of Nevada Desert Experience,

As you may know, the Department of Energy recently released a plan for "Complex 2030," a vast and comprehensive program to overhaul and "improve" the United States' nuclear arsenal over the next 24 years.

The DOE wants to:
a.. Consolidate the entire US plutonium stock in one location.

b.. Systematically rebuild every single weapon in the US arsenal.
Building the new facilities alone is projected to cost more than 150 billion dollars, according to the General Accounting Office.

Complex 2030, dubbed "Bombplex 2030" by nuclear abolitionists, represents a serious threat to national and international peace and security.
a.. The plutonium consolidation plan means moving plutonium on our freeways and highways, and through our cities and towns. The potential for some sort of accident or deliberate terrorist targeting of these convoys makes this an unacceptable risk. Additionally, one central facility with all the US's plutonium is far too dangerous: a natural disaster, an accident caused by human error, or an intentional act of sabotage at the facility would spell disaster for millions of people instantly.

b.. Rebuilding the US arsenal is the wrong thing to do. We need to work to rid the world of nuclear weapons, not spend time and money designing and building new ones. This reconfiguration of US nuclear facilities will dramatically increase nuclear weapons-making capabilities. If the United States is to try to stop North Korea, Iran, and other countries from developing nuclear weapons, it must also halt its own weapons development.

c.. Although this plan has been presented as rebuilding weapons rather than building new ones, it is in violation of a number of key anti-nuclear proliferation treaties. The United States needs to act in support of these treaties, many of which were hard-won victories that required years of effort.

d.. Complex 2030 is a terrible use of 150 billion dollars. With a crumbling school system, a looming health care crisis, and increasing poverty in the United States, and a world that is filled with unmet basic needs for food, water, shelter, and sanitation, spending such an enormous amount of money on weapons of mass destruction is unconscionable.

What can you do to help?
a.. The Department of Energy is legally obligated to take public comments until January 17, 2007. Click below to open a page (provided by our friends at the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation) from which you can email the DOE directly. (If the link doesn't work, please copy and paste the following address into your browser: http://capwiz.com/wagingpeace/issues/alert/?alertid=9181121&queueid=967575771)

b.. Consider writing a letter to the editor of your local newspaper, or submitting an op-ed piece. Many people are unaware of Complex 2030, and this lack of public information is being used to try to accelerate the process. Don't let this program go through in secret!

c.. Written Comments can be addressed to:
Theodore A. Wyka
Complex 2030 SEIS Document Manager
Office of Transformation
U.S. Department of Energy, NA-10.1
1000 Independence Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20585
Printable Comment Postcard (PDF)

Nevada Desert Experience
1420 W. Barlett Avenue
Las Vegas, Nevada 89106
(702) 646-4814
www.nevadadesertexperience.org

CONGRESS BANS NEW DRILLING LEASES ON ROCKY MOUNTAIN FRONT
Great Falls Tribune
By MARY CLARE JALONICK/Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) A permanent ban on oil, gas and mineral exploration
along Montana's Rocky Mountain Front was included in a last-minute
package of tax breaks and other legislation that cleared Congress early
Saturday and is headed to President Bush for his signature.

"We finally got it done, we finally protected the Rocky Mountain Front
forever," said Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., who added the provision to the
larger tax package in the final days of the Senate session.

The drilling provision would make permanent a 1997 moratorium on Rocky
Mountain Front exploration and make retiring existing leases easier.

Drilling on the Front has been debated passionately in Montana , for
decades. Stretching about 100 miles in a part of west-central Montana
where the mountains rise dramatically from the plains, the Front is home
to an array of wildlife and is known for solitude.
Montana's congressional delegation is split on the ban. Republican Rep. Denny Rehberg, Montana's only member of the House, opposes the ban and called it "foolhardy" when the larger tax bill was introduced Thursday. Hae says drilling is needed at a time when theUnited States is struggling to meet its energy needs.

But on Friday, Rehberg voted for the larger bill, which includes $38
billion in tax breaks for businesses, higher education costs and school
teachers, plus credits for alternative energy initiatives.

Rehberg expressed frustration after the vote that there was no
opportunity for debate on the drilling ban. He said he voted for a
procedural maneuver that would have sent the legislation back to
committee, but then voted in favor of the final legislation because
taxpayers don't deserve to be punished just because a rider was attached
to a bill that puts more money in folks' pockets.?

Republican Sen. Conrad Burns, defeated by Democrat Jon Tester in
November, supported the ban. Earlier this year he added to a spending
bill a similar provision banning exploration, but Republicans decided
not to consider any spending legislation before year's end.

The drilling ban that cleared Congress on Saturday would give oil and
gas companies a tax break if they sell their Front leases to nonprofit
groups. That break would be equal to 25 percent of the capital received
by the seller.

According to Baucus’ office, that would apply to 60 current leases on
the Front.

Two energy companies agreed earlier this year to sell and donate the
Front mineral leases they hold. Supporters of the ban have said a
permanent solution enacted by Congress would help make those deals
final.

President Bush is expected to sign the bill into law in the next few
weeks.

WARNING: Due to Presidential Executive Orders, the National Security
Agency may have read this email without warning, warrant, or notice.
They may do this without any judicial or legislative oversight.

TO SUBMIT an ARTICLE or OPINION PIECE to the Native Unity Digest, e-mail 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.

Visit Vietnam Vet. Larry Mitchell at http://www.potawatomivet.com and click on his blog at the site.

Native Roscoe 'Sounds Off' - Apocalypto Is Good Entertainment

Everybody it seems is jumping on the band wagon to bash Mel Gibson. Why should Native and Indigenous peoples be any different? Well, they aren't because it is common in this day and age to laugh at a Movie Star, Oscar winner and World renowned Filmmaker who publicly falls from grace. I believe Mel Gibson's drunk driving arrest and tirade was the best thing to happen to him because he is an alcoholic.

People like to bring these celebrities down especially if it is 'thee' Mel Gibson. But, don't throw those stones too fast. In Native country our friends and family members are no different when it comes to alcohol. Whites, Blacks, Hispanics, Gays and even Women are the targets of Native drunken hate tirades. The difference between Mel Gibson and many Natives is that they don't get help and continue to abuse the world around them.

I want to be a different Native and support Mel Gibson as a filmmaker who stands by his artistic vision. Also, I stand behind him as a man who is fighting the "bottle." It cannot be easy as your every move is criticized publicly via the Internet. His battle it seems is day to day, not to pick up that "bottle." Today he is sober. I'm rooting for you Mel.

I saw "Apocalypto" here in Los Angeles at the huge Cinerama Dome and was transfixed. It was a visually stunning film shot by a cinematographer who won an Oscar for capturing "Dances with Wolves" 1990. I did not go to watch a PBS documentary about the Mayan Civilization. I went to see how Gibson was going to entertain me and boy he did. I was on the edge of my seat throughout the whole movie.

The storyline was simple. A young man "Jaguar Paw" (Rudy Youngblood) is forced to survive by the "sheer will to live" within the jungle from which he was born. It was a great "foot chase" movie and I was rooting for "Jaguar Paw" after a spear pierced his body, an arrow stabs his chest, quicksand and the sad death of his beloved father who taught him to live through fear to survive.

Yes, there is violence, blood, gore, beating hearts ripped from bodies and heads rolling down stone steps. "Jaguar Paw" witnessed all of this and was destined to become a human sacrifice to a civilization that was killing them-selves from within. There is prophecy, pestilence and plagues set against the back drop of awesome pyramids, beautiful costumes and a lush green jungle. There is a reason for death and blood. It looked like real life as struggle. It was one man's fight to save his family and live on.

People go to movies, watch TV's "CSI" and play violent video games to see all the gore because they like it. Many horror flicks show hacking of bodies for no apparent reason. The "Saw" movies I think are more violent toward human beings than "Apocalypto" will ever be. The violence argument against Mel Gibson is something I am not buying at all because he went on a drunken tirade last summer.

One episode doesn't define him as a man or as an artist. This is what I say to all those angry historians, native journalists, bloggers and native newspapers in general. I nominate you all for ESPN's "Whine of the week." Wah, wah, Waaaahhhh! Please stop.

If you feel so angry about historical accuracy then go and make your own movie about the real Mayan culture. Write a screenplay, get a camera package, editing software
and create something that speaks to who you are as Native or Indigenous or Mayan. I'm sick and tired of your whining. That's all Natives do. Stop it. Do something about it. A lot of us Natives are here in Hollywood trying to change things, trying to make it, trying to show the world that we are here. Come join us if you will.

The great film Director Frank Capra of the 1930's once said that he made films to entertain, to get the public to take their minds off of their everyday problems. There was a Depression going on and the last thing Capra wanted to do was preach. He entertained and I believe Mel Gibson is trying to do the exact same thing.

"Apocalypto" is entertainment and a good one at that. But, in this overly sensitive politically correct world Gibson just can't win. No one can really. I for one think he made a wonderful thrill ride in that Cinerama Dome theatre. And isn't that how it is supposed to be?

As a filmmaker Mel Gibson will continue to flourish. I'm glad to say that he is a visionary who stands behind his artistic integrity. Other directors would never take the chances Gibson does and he will be remembered for it. One last thing, if you disagree with Gibson on any level then don't go to see his movies. It's that plain and simple. And by all means, do not sit back and whine and whine and whine about it. That isn't doing anybody any good. Get over it!

From Hollywood,
Roscoe Pond
Screen Actors Guild member 00516939

WHAT DO THE WORDS 'ANI KONI' MEAN? ARE THEY POLISH OR NATIVE AMERICAN?

Here's an idea: What do the words of "Ani Koni" mean? It's a Mohawk or Huron song I learned in Kindergarten. In Québec, you can't find a French person under 50 who doesn't know "Ani Koni", but I'm not sure if I remember the meaning.

I seem to remember it being a lullaby.To hear the song I'm referring to, click here http://www.gojotv.com/anikoni.wav

Thank-you for your work with this blog.
Posted by GoJoTV to Native Unity at 11/26/2006 04:36:07

From Johan Robitaille -
Thank for the precious memory. I sure remember the song, though I have never known its meaning...

PS... the wave link for the song Ani Koni did not worked when I tried, wish it did, because I'm not sure I still remember the words correctly, it's been such a long time since I heard it...

Again... Thank you / Merci...!!!!!!
Posted by Johan Robitaille to Native Unity at 12/19/2006 09:22:51 AM

According to my research on the Internet one article states that “Ani Koni” are words in the Polish version of the Holy Quran - (Koran). There are several listings in the Polish language which is a far cry from the Mohawk or Huron languages. I found no other references to the words – Bobbie

FISH TESTING REVEALS HIGH MERCURY LEVELS IN WILD HORSE RESERVOIR
Wednesday, December 13th, 2006
Submitted by the Western Shoshone Defense Project

PUBLIC HEALTH, SPORTSMEN AND NATIVE GROUPS CALL FOR INVESTIGATION

RENO, NV - Public health, sportsmen, native, and conservation
organizations are calling on the State Division of Health to investigate
the need for fish consumption advisories for mercury in Wild Horse
Reservoir and other reservoirs, lakes and streams in northern Nevada.

Recent analysis by the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) of several fish
samples collected from Wild Horse Reservoir found mercury concentration at levels that present a public health risk, particularly to children and pregnant women. Mercury is a powerful neurotoxin which can cause developmental problems such as delayed onset of walking, talking and delays and deficits in learning.

"As one of the oldest, organized fishing organizations in Nevada, the
Ormsby Sportsmen Group encourages Nevada's state agencies do a better
job of monitoring of mercury levels in Nevada's fish and wildlife. We
all want future generations to be able to enjoy hunting, fishing, and
other outdoor recreation in this beautiful state," said Bob McCulloch of
the Ormsby Sportsmen Group.

Water-bodies in northern Nevada, such as Wild Horse Reservoir are
particularly at risk from mercury contamination because they are located
downwind from numerous gold mining operations. According to the EPA,
northern Nevada gold mines release over 4,600 pounds of mercury into the
air each year - about 18 times the amount of mercury released by the
average coal-fired power plant. These mines are responsible for fully
25% of all U.S. mercury air emissions west of Texas.

Scientists have reported high mercury levels in fish and in waterfowl
downwind of these mines in southeast Idaho and in Utah. Yet, very little
monitoring has been done to determine the extent of mercury
contamination in fish and waterfowl in northern Nevada.

"Mercury is particularly troublesome because it "bio-accumulates" or
increases in concentrations as it moves up the food chain," said Betty
Razor of the Nevada Nurses Association. "Thus, large predatory fish tend
to have higher concentrations of mercury. Because of our science-based
practice, nurses understand the connection between the environment,
human health and disease"*

"We're concerned because the mercury levels in these fish are roughly
twice the level that triggers a fish consumption advisory in Idaho,"
said Dan Randolph of Great Basin Mine Watch. "Given the high mercury
concentrations in these little perch, we're concerned that the bass will
have even higher concentrations. The State needs to test all the fish
species in these high risk areas because Nevada families and tourists
need to where there's a health risk."

"Protection of the land, air and water is very important to us. These
are still Shoshone lands and these companies are operating in this
manner without our consent," said Larson Bill, Western Shoshone Defense
Project Community Organizer. "They need to stop and be honest about the
hazards they are creating for our communities."

The state recently enacted mercury regulations for gold mines. However,
the regulations have been highly controversial because they do not
include a cap on mercury air emissions, and several gold mines have
dramatically increased their emissions in recent years.

The letter to the Nevada Division of Health can be downloaded at:
_http://www.earthworksaction.org/publications.cfm?pubID=214_*

TO SUBMIT an ARTICLE or OPINION PIECE to the Native Unity Digest, e-mail 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.

Visit Vietnam Vet. Larry Mitchell at http://www.potawatomivet.com and click on his blog at the site.

Navajo Elders Blockade Power Plant Site

Submitted by Western Shoshone Defense Project

By Brenda Norrell
December 14, 2006
BURNHAM, NEW MEXICO, USA - Elderly Navajo women and their children formed a blockade, built a fire and camped at the site of a proposed power plant on tribal land in northwest New Mexico. The blockade of traditional Navajos halted site work in a region that is already toxic with air and water pollution from power plants, oil and gas wells and scattered radioactive tailings from the Cold War.

Now facing the threat of arrest by tribal police at the blockade, Navajo elderly, including one medicine man, said they are willing to go to jail to protect their land and way of life.

Most of the elderly are already ill from living in an area where power plants have released 100 tons of coal combustion waste that is blowing in the wind. One of the Navajo elderly resisters is in a wheelchair and another has severe asthma.

For the second night on Wednesday night, Dec. 13, Navajo resisters camped in the cold at the site.

"I have said 'No' over and over again and you keep coming over!" said Nenanezah elder Alice Gilmore, who holds the grazing permit for the area of the proposed Desert Rock Power Plant. The Navajo Nation and Sithe Global LLC plan to build the power plant, which would be the third power plant in the Farmington/Bloomfield area.

Confronting Sithe and Navajo DPA employees, Gilmore was adamant that she has not given permission for the power plant on her land. Navajo elders from Burnham, Sanostee and Nenanezah chapter, all taking a bold action to fight the tribal government and corporate aggression, joined Gilmore at the blockade.

"We're fed up with them," said Sarah J. White, president of the Doodá Desert Rock Committee. "The grandmas and the grandpas are being walked over by these monsters and they're being denied information. We're standing our ground now."

White said Navajos at the barricade need everything in the way of food, firewood and supplies. "We need everything from A to Z," White said.

The blockade was formed just 10 days after Navajo Nation elected leaders gathered with representatives from 14 countries and formulated a global ban on uranium mining on Native lands. The power plant blockade also comes as Navajo Nation leaders are fighting in the federal Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to protect San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff, Ariz., from the desecration of snowmaking from recycled wastewater for tourism.

The mountain is sacred to 13 area Indian tribes. However, both Navajo President Joe Shirley, Jr., and the Navajo Nation Council support the construction of the Desert Rock Power Plant and accompanying coalmine, which Navajos say would add more pollution to the air, land and water, already saturated with disease-causing toxins.

The Navajo Nation tribal government has attempted to censor the voices of Navajos speaking out against the Desert Rock power plant in New Mexico and the use of aquifer water for coal mining by Peabody Coal on the western side of the Navajo Nation in Arizona.

The proposed site of the new Desert Rock power plant is in the Four Corners Region, targeted since the 1970s as a national sacrifice area for energy production. It is also the sacred region of Dinetah, the place of origin of Navajos. However, the air is so polluted in the region of Dinetah near Bloomfield that persons with asthma and respirator diseases find it difficult to breathe.

Further, Navajos say while they struggle with respiratory diseases, cancer and the death of their loved ones in this region, many Navajos must also haul water and live without electricity, since the power plants on Navajo land primarily provide electricity for non-Indians.

The Navajo blockade comes as O'odham in Sonora, Mexico, challenge a secret plan by the government of Mexico, with the knowledge of the US EPA, to create a hazardous waste dump near the sacred site of Quitovac where O'odham hold ceremonies. The Navajo blockade coincides with an action by Pima on Gila River tribal land in Arizona to halt expansion of a hazardous dumpsite.

At the same time, Yaqui in Sonora, Mexico, gathered to prohibit the use of banned pesticides in agricultural fields, now resulting in cancer and deaths.

At the proposed new Desert Rock power plant site in New Mexico, Navajo residents confronted the Diné Power Authority/Sithe Global on Dec. 12, after discovering that water drilling was carried out without the knowledge and notification of local Navajo residents.

Members of the Doodá Desert Rock committee gathered to support Gilmore's opposition and asked Sithe/DPA to disclose drilling permits that allowed drilling activity to occur. However, no permits were provided.

The residents refused to leave after the Navajo Nation Police attempted to give access to DPA/Sithe Global, claiming that permits for the Desert Rock project are not for public disclosure.

The Burnham residents barricaded the roads to disallow traffic into the Desert Rock
site and Navajos remained at the blockade. Members of Diné CARE/Doodá Desert Rock Committee met Dec. 13, at the Shiprock tribal courthouse to get answers about drilling permits.

Navajo residents said a tribal police lieutenant denied Gilmore and other residents access to view the permits. Navajo residents are asking for a copy of the categorical exclusion,
which would allow the drilling activities to commence, and copies of the Clean Water Act Sections 401, 402 and 404, that would prove compliance with regulatory requirements have been met.

"There are major disturbance taking place and according to the Clean Air Act, these permits are a pre-requisite for drilling activity," Navajo residents said in a public statement.

Further, Navajos say tribal boundary lines were redrawn to accommodate the power plant corporation. The proposed area is home to extended families, but arbitrarily drawn
political boundaries by the Navajo Nation and company representatives have the families separated into the three chapters: Burnham, Sanostee, and Nenahnezad.

Navajo residents said the boundary defining Burnham and Nenahnezad was moved to the south for the benefit of DPA/Sithe within the past two years.

Elouise Brown of Sanostee said, "The local residents are not protesters but are resisters. Who would be happy if a well is being dug in their backyard especially when it is done in secrecy? So, how can those residents be considered protesters when they are simply standing up for their rights to have clean air, water, and environment."

Burnham, Sanostee and Nenanezah residents are not waiting for remedy; many have set up camp at the proposed site and are refusing to move until they get the needed documents.

Navajos said this incident follows accusations made against Sithe/DPA about environmental injustices, EPA's proposed issuance of prevention of significant deterioration (PSD) permit Air Quality Permit for Desert Rock Energy Facility and the creation of Navajo Nation Energy Policies without public input.

For more information on the Navajo blockade:
Lori Goodman
Dine' CARE
PH: (970) 259-0199
FAX: (970) 259-2300
kiyaani@frontier.net
dinecare.org

DAYISH VISITS DESERT ROCK RESISTERS
Submitted by Eleanore Fanire, Mojave Downwinders

By Kathy Helms
Dine Bureau
WINDOW ROCK -- Drillers on their way Tuesday to the proposed future site
of the Desert Rock Energy Facility encountered a slight problem. Grandma
blocking the roadway.

On Wednesday, Grandma was back. On Thursday, back again.

And like a "tree planted by the water," Grandma will not be moved.

At least, not before Monday anyway, when the grandmas, grandpas, children
and grandchildren that make up the grassroots groups Dooda Desert Rock and
Dine Care have asked to meet with Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr. at
2 p.m. at their campsite to discuss concerns.

Chief among those: Their voice is not being heard.

Vice President Frank Dayish Jr. met Thursday with Dine Power Authority
and BHP Billiton, owners of Navajo Mine which will supply coal for the 1,500
megawatt mine-to-mouth coal-fired plant.

He also visited Desert Rock resisters who have set up camp at a BHP
access road to the site.

Maxine Etter of the Vice President's Office said Dayish told DPA and BHP
representatives, "I don't want this to turn into another Grandma Thomas
issue, because people listen to Grandma Thomas."

"He told them, taking the high road is the best approach."

Grandma Marjorie Thomas of Chinle and others concerned about elderly
abuse recently marched into Window Rock to voice their complaints, only to
find nobody home.

Etter said she spoke with Grandma Thomas on Wednesday to let her know
that the Vice President's Office had not been aware that she was coming.

On the day of Grandma's visit, Dayish was in the Farmington area trying
to help the family of a young soldier who had been injured in Iraq. Etter
said she expressed a message to Grandma on behalf of the Vice President.

"Had we known that you were going to come by, we would have definitely
been here, because we have always reached out to help you and support you
with your fund-raising efforts and your walks."

Etter said Dayish also stressed to DPA, "This is a situation that can't
get escalated, that we need to be culturally sensitive. No matter how you
look at the situation, there are going to be some people who say this is
elderly abuse.

He said, "We're not going to have another Grandma Thomas situation.
There's not going to be any elderly abuse under my watch in New Mexico."

Etter was deeply moved when she got her first look at the resisters'
camp. One thing, at the entrance where we met the police escort, gave her "a
sad, strange feeling."

"There was an American flag that was hung upside-down. I know what that
means. It's a distress signal," she said.

"When we got out there, they had a small fire going and just a little bit
of wood, and a small white tent." Etter said she saw more women than men
present.

"We saw Lucy Willie standing there in the road, along with Sarah White.
It was kind of sad to me. It was a little overwhelming.

"Lucy was standing there in the middle of the dirt road with a long stick
in her hand, like a sheepherding stick. Just standing there.

"The conditions were kind of sparse and it was kind of cold, a little bit
windy. And they were standing there in the middle of the road, taking their
stand. I was like, 'Oh, wow.'

Etter said the Vice President went over to the group, started talking to
them in Navajo, and expressed his clan. "They started talking about their
concerns and he just listened," she said.

"They were talking about how this has been their homestead and this land
has been in their family for generations. They talked about who was born
here, who was buried there, and that their umbilical cords were buried in
the ground, those kinds of things."

Etter said they told Dayish, "This might just look like rocks and hills
and dirt to you, but these are sacred sites to us."

The message was: "We feel like as local people, we're not being heard,"
according to Etter.

She said Dooda Desert Rock President Sarah White expressed her concerns
about the plant possibly adding to global warming and what impact it would
have to their water, "because we know that things get filtered down into the
water and how it's going to affect our health and future generations."

White told them, "We're concerned that we're exchanging our land for
progress and also for money. ... We're not here to cause harm or to hurt
anyone. We want to be listened to."

Dayish requested full removal of the equipment and that it be stored for
now to defuse the situation and make sure everybody's safe and comfortable.

"He implored the help of BHP, DPA and Sithe to all come together to have
open dialogue and really listen to the people and make sure that their
freedom of speech would be honored," Etter said.

The vice president can see all aspects of the situation. "He sees the
business side and the potential it could be. He told them we have about
three weeks left (before leaving office). He urged them to continue to ask
for accountability from the new leadership.

"Grandma Lucy Willie started crying. She just hugged him and said,
'Thank you, my son, for coming out and checking on us.' And the Vice
President said (in Navajo), 'We want peace from today on. We're here to
listen to you.'

It was a good meeting, Etter said. "We came away from it feeling like,
'OK, this is not totally resolved, but it's a good start and it needs to
continue.' "

Dayish told representatives of DPA, BHP, and Sithe Global, "It's better
to be proactive than reactive."

He told them they can't even begin to address all the technical issues
they're talking about until they address the human side, Etter said.

"We need to be culturally sensitive to the people and listen to them,"
Dayish said.

TO SUBMIT an ARTICLE or OPINION PIECE to the Native Unity Digest, e-mail 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.

Visit Vietnam Vet. Larry Mitchell at http://www.potawatomivet.com and click on his blog at the site.

Feds Plan To Redo Weapon Sites

Submitted by Eleanore Fanire, Mohave Downwinders
By Launce Rake
Las Vegas Sun
The federal government went to Las Vegas last month to discuss its proposed top-to-bottom makeover of the nation's nuclear weapons system, an archipelago of research and production sites across two-thirds of the country.

One of the proposed changes could result in plutonium being manufactured at Nevada Test Site, 65 miles northwest of Las Vegas. The Test Site is one of the eight sites in the national research and production system.

The 1,400-square-mile Test Site has been home to 40 years of above- and below-ground nuclear explosions and other nuclear weapons research. The Energy Department's National Nuclear Security Administration wants to modernize and ensure the reliability of the nation's stockpile of nuclear weapons, consolidate operations and reduce the number of warheads in the national stockpile.

The proposal, which could cost billions of dollars, is intended to result in a safer and more reliable system that is cheaper to run.

One element of the proposal calls for a new manufacturing site for plutonium, the explosive metal at the heart of nuclear weapons. Nevada Test Site is one of five sites considered for the new consolidated plutonium center. The department closed its former manufacturing site, the Rocky Flats Plant outside Denver, in 1989.

Among the benefits of using the Test Site is its relative isolation and existing security systems.

Opposition came from former leaders of some of the affected sites and from public-policy advocacy groups. The Union of Concerned Scientists urged people to raise concerns about the proposed changes to the nuclear weapons infrastructure at a government meeting on the environmental issues held Tuesday at Cashman Center, 850 Las Vegas Blvd. North. Sessions were held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Robert Nelson, a senior scientist with the group, said the nuclear weapons in the stockpile of about 10,000 warheads are already reliable, negating the need for much of the proposed effort.

"The core nuclear warhead components the Energy Department wants to redesign and replace are already determined by the nuclear weapons labs themselves to be essentially 100 percent reliable," Nelson said. "The misplaced obsession with warhead reliability and the rationale for continuing to maintain thousands of nuclear weapons on high alert are part of an outdated U.S. nuclear weapons policy."

In a statement later released the group, which has opposed other weapons-related proposals from the Bush administration, quoted former administrators criticizing the proposed changes.

"What is the urgency for spending large amounts of money for a new production complex without evidence of degradation in the nuclear explosive package?" said Bob Peurifoy, former vice president and director of weapons development at Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico.

John Duncan, retired Sandia senior manager, echoed the concerns.

"My knowledge of science and over 40 years of experience tells me you can't do what the DOE says it is going to do," Duncan said. "The old DOE realized that quality, speed of manufacturing and cost were trade-offs. You can do two but the third will be sacrificed. The new DOE thinks better, faster, cheaper is possible. The labs know better, but no one has the courage to speak up."

Thomas D'Agostino, deputy administrator for defense programs for the National Nuclear Security Administration, said in April that the Test Site and its seven sister sites "routinely conduct operations with substantial quantities of plutonium, or highly enriched uranium, or both. As such these are some of the most sensitive facilities in the United States."

The other candidate sites are outside Amarillo, Texas; Los Alamos, N.M; Oak Ridge, Tenn.; and Aiken, S.C.

Launce Rake can be reached at 259-4127 or at lrake@lasvegassun.com.

DTRA (DEFENSE THREAT REDUCTION AGENCY) KEEP YOUR PROMISE
Opinion – The Spectrun, St. George. Utah
December 10th, 2006
Submitted by Eleanore Fanire, Mohave Downwinders

Glowing orange clouds drifting across the desert sky, deformed lambs and cattle, unexplained visits from men in black suits carrying geiger counters and increased cases of severe illness and death are vivid memories of the '50s and early '60s for many Southern Utahns.

It was during this time, from 1951 to July 1962, that at least 100 atomic bombs were detonated above ground at the Nevada Test Site, 70 miles west of St. George, with approximately 23 of those explosions larger than the one that leveled Hiroshima.

No one in Utah, Nevada, Arizona, and other western states were ever told these tests would subject them to radioactive fallout. Only a little blue book was offered assuring everyone that there was no need to worry and all was well.

Those memories are not just "dust in the wind," which is also what proved to be not so harmless. Tens of thousands of people have died from exposure to radiation particles from those tests dispersed through the jet stream - downwind.

While Southern Utah is still positioned down from the Nevada Test Site, which is the planned location for a non-nuclear explosion called Divine Strake, it is not out of questions for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency. This branch from the Pentagon promised to explain the explosion slated sometime after Feb. 1 with public meetings for mid-December.

That time is fast approaching and patience is wearing thin with residents who are no stranger to broken promises and blatant falsehoods from the federal government. Southern Utahns will not easily be placated with excuses and attempts to stall their involvement in the decision that may or may not lead to the testing of weapons of mass destruction nearby that have caused their demise of loved ones and livelihoods in the past.

If the DTRA is so steadfast in its belief that radioactive material will not escape the blast, then why not make good on the promise to share that information? Southern Utahns, and the entire western United States for that matter, deserve to be met face-to-face with hard evidence and answers, particularly about why, when - and if - Divine Strake is going to be detonated.

Conjuring up nightmarish memories from decades ago are still as vivid as ever. Southern Utah is not willing to relive that history. Hold the promised meetings. DTRA, keep your word. Better yet, cancel the testing altogether.

JOIN THE WEST' S MOST INFLUENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS MAGAZINE
Submitted by NAJA
High Country News, "for people who care about the West," is looking for energetic editorial interns. Published in Paonia, Colo., High Country News is a nonprofit every-other-week news magazine covering communities and the environment in the American West.

According to Newsweek, "High Country News is a must for anyone following land use issues west of the 100th meridian."

Every year, High Country News offers three internship sessions, beginning in January, May and September. Interns are a key part of our editorial staff; aside from a few minor tasks such as sorting the mail, interns write intensively for four months. Interns write the majority of HCN's short news briefs.

After gaining some experience, interns also write more in-depth 750- to 900-word stories. We do have money to send each intern out into the field at least once to do some on-the-ground reporting for those stories. We provide free room and board and a stipend of $500 per month.

Qualifications for internships include strong communication skills, initiative, background in the West and environmental issues, and a sense of humor. We especially encourage Native American, Hispanic and other minority applicants. For more information and application deadlines, see http://www.hcn.org/about/interns.jsp.

TO SUBMIT an ARTICLE or OPINION PIECE to the Native Unity Digest, e-mail 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.

Visit Vietnam Vet. Larry Mitchell at http://www.potawatomivet.com and click on his blog at the site.

Report Card - American Indians In Film & TV

American Indians in Film & TV
Mark S. Reed, American Indians in Film and TV

Good morning Ladies and Gentlemen, this report and the grades earned by the four major networks are based on information provided by them. The report focuses only on primetime scripted programs from fall of 2005 to fall of 2006. It grades the networks in all categories, on numbers on where they are as of this date. Given that we are in our seventh year of diversity, the American Indian remains the invisible American.

In 2004 American Indians announced a new approach to diversity, “Diversity – by – Design --- Not Diversity – on – Demand”. Through our working partnerships with the networks we are creating new and exciting outreach and training programs. We are creating a solid foundation for future growth and employment. We are looking at the future with optimism for our young and developing professionals.

American Indians remain invisible in primetime TV. There was a combined average employment of 8,000 guest staring roles, 400 recurring roles and 1,000 regular roles cast by the four networks. It is appalling that only one recurring and two guest staring roles were filled by an American Indian. Fox Entertainment cast John Hensley as “Matt McNamara” on nip/tuck, Steve Reevis and Kalani Queypo guest stared on the Fox show “Bones”. To quote Jerry Jacobsen of Fox, “American Indians have become a moving force in the economy and politics and we are aware of that. Our goal is for our products to reflect the world and we can’t do that with out them”. Jerry Jocobsen and the Fox team are beginning to have a progressive outlook that includes American Indians.

ABC, CBS, and NBC have failed to hire any American Indian actors.

After seven years all four networks have failed to hire any writers or directors that happen to be American Indian. The real change that needs to take place is in the hiring practices at the networks. It is obvious there is still a active Romantic Discrimination of the American Indian. This needs to change.

In our 2005 report we stated our image needed an overhaul. In order for this to take place it would take a commitment from the entire industry. That the Writers Guild of America, Directors Guild of America and the Screen Actors Guild would need to actively organize and recruit American Indian talent. They need to create progressive outreach programs and actively promote their members to the networks and where need be, enforce their contracts.

We met with the DGA, WGA West, PGA and the Screen Actors Guild. Here is a brief summary of those meetings;

DGA: The DGA supplied a minority report of the top Forty Prime Time Series Directors. These forty shows created 767 episodes of which Caucasian directors directed 93% of them. Not one American Indian director. In fact there are just over 14,000 members and there are only 11 self identified American Indian directors.

I did get the genuine feeling from the meeting they are not happy with the lack of diversity in the hiring of directors and they are committed to change. In fact they have working relationships with ABC, NBC and HBO to increase diversity in directors.

The DGA needs to create an aggressive recruitment and training program for American Indian directors.

WGA WEST: The WGA West failed to supply a diversity report. After Zara Buggs Taylor retired they hired Sonya Augustine to head up the diversity department. The second in command Danny Slu retired. Both Zara and Danny were strong advocates for diversity and a great loss for the membership. Miss Augustine fulfilled just under 11 months of here two year contract. This position at the Writers Guild has yet to be filled. Is this guild committed to diversity? Ricardo Montelban once said “if it’s not on the page – it’s not on the stage”. Our writers are the single most important element in the creative process. It was said that there are only 40 self identified American Indian writers in the WGA west.

The WGA west needs to create an aggressive recruitment and training program for American Indian writers.

PGA: In a telephone conversation it was reported they do not track minority membership. So they do not generate a minority report. They do have a minority workshop that has been quite successful. They failed to send a report on this workshop, so I have no further comment.

SAG: I am a proud member of this guild. I am devastated by the guilds response to the invisibility of the American Indian and our repeated request for action to be taken on our behalf.

Four years ago the American Indian community presented a resolution to the national membership. This resolution called for the creation of a national committee for American Indians. It was passed with a unanimous vote; it went on as an advisory motion to the national board. That same year the American Indian sub-committee was silenced. For the next couple of years the resolution was sent to committee after committee. Finally a presentation was allowed at a national board meeting. This sparked a fierce political debate. The resolution was sent back to the president’s committee for a recommendation.

After the board meeting I received a number of calls from national board members describing the actions of others to be mean spirited. They offered an apology.

The presidents committee rejected the need for an American Indian committee and recommended to the national board to reject the resolution. This action violated SAG’s constitution. A motion requesting a role call vote on the resolution was presented at the next national membership meeting. This was passed with a unanimous vote. This advisory motion has still not been addressed by the national board.

Last month in a meeting with the president, first vice president and staff we asked the question, “In the last four years how many producers have you met with to enforce our contract, to portray the American scene”. Reply was, “not one”. If our guild is not enforcing our contracts and denying us a voice, then what are American Indian actors paying for?

It has come to our attention that contact information for American Indian actors provided by the guild to casting directors is useless. It is the responsibility of the actor to update his or her contact information or use a franchised agent of the guild. The agent sends a contract to the guild with the information triggering an update. In a recent review of the data provided to casting directors, it was found to be 70% incorrect. This percentage is based on actors with franchised agents.

In a recent statement made by our president, “I am devastated that a black woman who is doing an incredible job would be replaced by a white man”. Does our president see the world as black and white? I further question why the Screen Actors Guild continues to reject our request to speak on our own behalf. Is there a racist under current towards American Indians?

We have requested a petition to overturn the national board vote. If anyone would like to help circulate the petition contact our office at (818) 353-8777. The signatures have to be guild members who are paid up and of good standing. Once the petition is complete, the resolution will be sent to the national membership. I have full confidence in our fellow actors to pass this resolution allowing us our God given right to speak on our own behalf.

In years passed the media present has not covered the Romantic Discrimination of the American Indian. I ask each and every one of you to do a story on the Invisible American – The American Indian. All of you have the power of the press to shine the light on this modern day discrimination. Help change the negative image the entertainment industry created on America’s first people, The American Indian.

Network Grades:

FOX Entertainment;
Actors – D
Fox is the only network to have a recurring role filed by an American Indian.
Writers – F
Directors – F
Program Development – F
Procurement – FI
Entertainment Executives – C
Fox has shown a continued commitment in their outreach and training of future executives. The hiring of Jerry Jacobsen has significantly increased their outreach to Indian country. The entire Fox diversity team is committed to the increased visibility of American Indians in executive positions.

Network Commitment to Diversity -- B
Fox in the last year has increased its outreach and training programs. Fox has created partnerships with Indian organizations to increase their ability to include American Indians in their products. These efforts have given us a optimistic out look for the first time in years. We thank you.

ABC;
Actors – F
Writers –F
Directors – F
Program Development – F
Procurement – FI
Entertainment Executives – D
ABC continues its commitment to identify and train American Indians for key positions. The next step is placement.

Network Commitment to Diversity – B
ABC has been a leader in their commitment to diversity. They have increased their outreach and training programs for American Indians. The results of these efforts will be seen in the future. ABC has also created optimism for our future in the entertainment industry. We thank you.

CBS;
Actors – F
Writers – F
Directors – F
Program Development – F
Procurement – FI
Entertainment Executives – D
CBS has shown a continued effort to train and hire American Indian professionals. CBS would benefit by hiring an American Indian to help in their diversity efforts.

Network Commitment to Diversity – D
CBS has shown a strong desire to change the invisibility of the American Indian. They have also expressed the desire to increase outreach and training programs for American Indians. We look forward in our working partnership to effect change for American Indian talent.

NBC;
Actors – F
Writer –F
Directors – F
Program Development – F
Procurement – FI
Entertainment Executives – D
NBC this year has started an outreach program to the colleges that have American Indian students. They want to open the door for careers at NBC. NBC would also benefit by having an American Indian on their diversity team. The benefits would include a deeper understanding for the American Indian community and how to include Indians on their team.

Network Commitment to Diversity – C
NBC has shown a strong commitment for change. They are in the process of increasing their outreach and training programs for American Indians. We look forward to our working partnership to effect positive change.

The American Indian remains Americas Invisible American in today’s media. We are looking forward with optimism. The networks all acknowledge this exclusion and have expressed a desire to correct the invisibility of the American Indian.

This concludes our report.
Thank you ladies and gentlemen.
Mark S. Reed
National Rep. for American Indians in Film & TV
Grand Coalition

TO SUBMIT an ARTICLE or OPINION PIECE to the Native Unity Digest, e-mail 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.

Visit Vietnam Vet. Larry Mitchell at http://www.potawatomivet.com and click on his blog at the site.

Mad Mel And The Maya

Submitted by Jeanne Bedell
by EARL SHORRIS
Shorris is the founder and chairman of the advisory board of the Clemente Course in the Humanities, a college level course in the humanities of people living in poverty

On the Yucatán peninsula, where many of the Maya of Mexico live, there is an often-told story about people like Mel Gibson, whose bloody movie in the Yucatecan Maya language, Apocalypto, was released December 8. I first heard the story from Miguel Angel May May, a tall man among the Maya, handsome, now in his 40s, with a touch of gray in his hair. He speaks Yucatecan Maya so eloquently that when young people who have begun to lose their language and culture first hear him, they shed tears for what has been and what can be in the Yucatán.

May May tells the story with the kind of rage and pride that Gibson tried to portray with his Scottish heroes in Braveheart and postapocalyptic picaros in Mad Max: "A Maya, of the middle class, like me," May May said, "went into a Ford dealership here in Mérida. He intended to buy a new pickup truck. He was well dressed, but clearly Maya. The dealer offered him ten pesos to wash a truck."

It is a common experience for people of color in a white world. The Yucatán is not entirely a white world, yet the Maya suffer the most severe prejudice of any large ethnic group in Mexico. In the language of prejudice in Mexico, the Maya are said to be people with big heads and no brains, too short, too dark and with a strange, laughable Spanish accent. Gibson accepted the stereotype and embellished it.

To grasp what a racist act Gibson has committed in the making of his new film, it is necessary to understand the world of the Maya as it exists today. Perhaps realizing what has been done to the Maya in the film, Gibson has been seeking allies among Latinos and American Indians. He even went so far as to tell Time magazine, "The fear mongering we depict in this film reminds me a little of President Bush and his guys."

In fact, Gibson stepped into a delicate cultural situation and may have shattered much of what has been built by indigenous people, historians and linguists in recent years. Ethnic prejudice is as harsh in the Yucatán as anywhere in the Americas.

I have seen it played out in the Maya villages as well as in the cities and on the beaches. When the Clemente Course, which educates indigenous people as well as the poor in seven countries, taught its first class in the Maya language and humanities in the small village of San Antonio Sihó, the students told me that when they took the bus to Mérida (a journey of more than fifty miles) they were afraid to speak Maya, because people would think them stupid Indians (Mayeros).

After two years of study, José Chim Kú, the student leader of the class, said, "Now, when I ride on the bus, I speak only Maya." It took two years for the faculty, including May May, to effect the change, for the Maya have internalized their recent history. And l ike all people who live in the violent mirror of racial and ethnic hatred, they suffer for their suffering. It is the bitterest irony of colonialism.

In the film Apocalypto, which Gibson claims will make the Maya language "cool again," there are many major roles. The lead is a lithe, handsome young man, a dancer from Oklahoma named Rudy Youngblood. He has indigenous ancestors, but he is not Maya, and like most of the other featured players he is not a professional actor. None of the four other major parts went to Maya either.

According to Gibson, they are played by people from the United States, and the other featured players are either from Mexico City or Oaxaca. Yet every word spoken in the film is in Yucatecan Maya, a difficult language to learn or even to mimic, because it is both tonal and accented.

It is not as if Gibson had few Mayeros to choose from. There are more than a million Maya in Mexico, and more than 100,000 of them are monolingual Yucatecan Maya speakers. Yet Gibson chose not one Maya for a featured role.

In so doing, he has made a film that reinforces the prejudice against the Maya, who have defended their cultural autonomy as fiercely as any people on earth. Twice they repulsed the Spaniard Francisco de Montejo, before he occupied part of the peninsula in 1527. They continued to fight pitched battles against European cultural and political dominance until the end of the Caste War in the early twentieth century.

And even now militant organizations deep in the jungles of the state of Quintana Roo practice ancient rituals and resist Occidental cultural and political hegemony, including the Gregorian calendar. But the people have never been attacked by Hollywood.

Like the owners of the resort hotels that line the beautiful beaches of Cancún and Cozumel, Mel Gibson cast no Maya to work on his project, except in the most minor roles.
Maya nationalists think the hotels and tourist packages that use the word "Maya" or "Mayaland" (a translation of Mayab) should pay for what they appropriate for their own use. The Maya patrimony, they say, is neither gold nor silver nor vast stretches of rich farmland; they have only their history, their culture, themselves.

Like the hotel owners who bring strangers to the Yucatán to do everything but labor in the laundries and maintain the grounds, Gibson has brought in strangers to take the good parts from the Maya. He said in an interview that he chose people who "looked like you imagined they should," but I have seen photographs of Rudy Youngblood, and he does not look like any Maya I ever saw. One can only ascribe the choice of Youngblood and the other non-Maya to stereotypes that Gibson has adopted.

In casting and producing the film Gibson reinforced a colonialist concept of indigenous people that has long existed in Mexico. Ancient Maya culture was extraordinary, as the rest of the world now recognizes. The Maya invented one of the few original systems of phonetic writing (we are familiar with the Chinese system and the one that culminated in Latin script).

They worked with the concept of zero long before it was known in Europe. They were superb astronomers. Their art and architecture are now known and studied throughout the world. It is also true that they were warriors and that they engaged in human sacrifice, although not on the grand scale of the Mexica.

Their ability to manage large-scale military and civic works was impressive. Maya literature has a long and grand history, from the ancient words incised in stone through the Pop Wuj (Popol Vuh) and the postinvasion books of Chilam Balam to the eighteenth-century poems ("Kay Nicte"--Flower Song--and others) to contempo rary works, including brilliant poetry by Briceida Cuevas Cob in Yucatecan Maya and Humberto Ak'abal in Ki'che and Miguel Angel May May's delightful fables.

Culture doesn't sell tickets. Violence does. Gibson has made what he calls "a chase movie." As we saw his Scot disemboweled and his Jesus battered into bloody meat, we will now see a young Maya running through the jungle to escape having his still beating heart torn from his chest. The social philosophy of Jesus found no place in Gibson's Passion of the Christ, and the glory of Maya culture cannot be featured in a "chase movie." "Blood! More blood!" Gibson shouted during the filming.

According to the Maya calendar, the world will end in 2012, but there have already been four creations in the Maya vision of the cosmos, and there is no reason to think they do not expect another.

For the title of his movie Gibson chose a Greek word related to the ideas in the Book of Revelation: apocalypse. Gibson has tried to sell the movie as an allegory, using the fall of Maya civilization to limn the war in Iraq. But it is not about Iraq, and the end of the Maya classic period took place many centuries before the period Gibson chose for his film.

The only profound meaning one can take away from the film is that there is an intimate connection between racism and violence. The message of the production is that the Maya are unacceptable people; we do not want to look at them as they are now, and we despise them for what they were then.

Llahtakunah atipayninwanqa, tihsimuyuta kuyuchisunchismi.
Con el poder de los pueblos moveremos el mundo.
With the power of the people we will move the world.

TO SUBMIT an ARTICLE or OPINION PIECE to the Native Unity Digest, e-mail 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.

Visit Vietnam Vet. Larry Mitchell at http://www.potawatomivet.com and click on his blog at the site.

Piece Of Mandan History For Sale!

Submitted by Ann VanWert
By TONY SPILDE, Bismarck Tribune
The bell clanged, and Lewis Shaw walked out the door of Mandan Drug and onto Main Street.

Even though he wore a hat, the low angle of the morning sun still found his eyes, so he squinted as he looked across the street to where the Lions were getting ready to sell Christmas trees in the park.

It was Tuesday morning, and Shaw had just heard some news. It caught him off guard, but he took it in stride. At 86, he'd learned to deftly parry life's little developments.

But, still.

Shaw waved to his friend, Dick Baron, then mingled outside the drugstore a minute. He contemplated the news and pondered on another change in the landscape of his beloved hometown. One of the great downtown holdouts had been Mandan Drug. The store opened in 1883 and had been in continuous operation since. Shaw lived above the drugstore in the 1930s and remembered sitting at the soda fountain downstairs.

Seventy years later, he still goes to Mandan Drug nearly every morning. Although his taste has long since migrated from milkshakes to coffee, Shaw loves getting together with friends at the old-fashioned soda fountain and lunch counter.

On Tuesday, he heard the store was up for sale. He heard right, the owners say, but they expect there will be little change for most customers.

Rusty and Debbie Kruger, who bought Mandan Drug in 1982 and reintroduced the soda fountain there four years later, are in the process of selling the landmark.

"It's taken me this past year to get to the point where I'm accepting the idea of retirement,"Rusty Kruger said. "This is all new to me. Coming here every morning is just part of my routine. But it's time."

Kruger agreed earlier this month to sell the pharmacy portion of the business to Thrifty White Drug. Following the Krugers' last day at Mandan Drug on Dec. 22, all patient records will be automatically transferred to the Thrifty White pharmacy, located at 511 First St. NW.

Although the store has sold prescription drugs since day one, it's perhaps better known now for its soda fountain, lunch counter and Lindy Sue's Candies. Rusty Kruger introduced the soda fountain - which had been absent from the store since the 1950s - in 1986, and his wife started making chocolates and other treats two years later.

Mandan Drug has been featured in Good Housekeeping, Midwest Living and American Cowboy magazines, as well as in local media. The Krugers are in negotiations with a young Bismarck couple who want to purchase the store, but a deal has not officially been struck. The asking price is $240,000 for the building and the business, including the candy inventory, equipment, supplies and recipes, as well as all trademark names. Trademarks include the Lewis & Clark, Sacagawea and Custer candy bars.

Debbie Kruger said the Bismarck couple wants to keep the look and feel of the store the same. That would suit regulars, such as Shaw.

"This is the only place for me," Shaw said. "They're always well prepared."

The Krugers plan to stay in Mandan and will revisit Mandan Drug often.

Mandan Drug was founded in 1883 by J.R. Clark, and has been in its present location at 316 W. Main St. since shortly thereafter. The Krugers bought it in 1982 from James and Inez Hanson, who had owned and operated the drugstore since 1964.

Rusty Kruger is a Mandan native. He met his future wife at a pharmacy in Pasadena, Calif., where both of them worked. Debbie Kruger fell in love with North Dakota on visits back here, and on one trip they saw Mandan Drug was for sale. They bought it, and the love affair continued. They hope to pass that feeling on, and definitely hope Mandan can keep one of its longtime businesses open.

"We want the candy business and lunch counter to continue thriving and for the building to remain a hub of business activity in downtown Mandan," Rusty Kruger said. "Mandan is a good town."

Anyone interested in the business should call Rusty Kruger at 663-5900.

And although the Krugers are ready for a slightly slower pace, they won't be relaxing completely. Rusty Kruger is already developing plans for renovation of another retail property at 718 W. Main for a gallery of art and collectibles. As with Mandan Drug, he is working with artist Bill Reynolds, of Washburn, to create a unique look for that building.

DECLARATION OF THE INDIGENOUS WORLD URANIUM SUMMMIT
Window Rock, Navajo Nation, USA
December 2, 2006
Submitted by the Western Shoshone Defense Proect

We, the Peoples gathered at the Indigenous World Uranium Summit, at this critical time of intensifying nuclear threats to Mother Earth and all life, demand a worldwide ban on uranium mining, processing, enrichment, fuel use, and weapons testing and deployment, and nuclear waste dumping on Native Lands.

Past, present and future generations of Indigenous Peoples have been disproportionately affected by the international nuclear weapons and power industry. The nuclear fuel chain poisons our people, land, air and waters and threatens our very existence and our future generations.

Nuclear power is not a solution to global warming. Uranium mining, nuclear energy development and international agreements (e.g., the recent U.S.-India nuclear cooperation treaty) that foster the nuclear fuel chain violate our basic human rights and fundamental natural laws of Mother Earth, endangering our traditional cultures and spiritual well-being.

We reaffirm the Declaration of the World Uranium Hearing in Salzburg, Austria, in 1992, that “uranium and other radioactive minerals must remain in their natural location.” Further, we stand in solidarity with the Navajo Nation for enacting the Diné Natural Resources Protection Act of 2005, which bans uranium mining and processing and is based on the Fundamental Laws of the Dine. And we dedicate ourselves to a nuclear-free future.

Indigenous Peoples are connected spiritually and culturally to our Mother, the Earth. Accordingly, we endorse and encourage development of renewable energy sources that sustain — not destroy — Indigenous lands and the Earth’s ecosystems.

In tribute to our ancestors, we continue centuries of resistance against colonialism. We recognize the work, courage, dedication and sacrifice of those individuals from Indigenous Nations and from Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, India, Japan, the United States, and Vanuatu, who participated in the Summit.

We further recognize the invaluable work of those who were honored at the Nuclear-Free Future Awards ceremony on December 1, 2006. And we will continue to support activists worldwide in their nonviolent efforts to stop uranium development.

We are determined to share the knowledge we have gained at this Summit with the world. In the weeks and months ahead, we will summarize and disseminate the testimonies, traditional Indigenous knowledge, and medical and scientific evidence that justify a worldwide ban on uranium development.

We will enunciate specific plans of action at the tribal, local, national and international levels to support Native resistance to the nuclear fuel chain. And we will pursue legal and political redress for all past, current and future impacts of the nuclear fuel chain on Indigenous Peoples and their resources.

FEDERAL COURT SIDES WITH NATIVE VOTERS IN SOUTH DAKOTA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 6, 2006

CONTACT: Erica Pelletreau, ACLU National, (212) 519-7829 or media@aclu.org
Bryan Sells, ACLU Voting Rights Project (404) 523-2721 x 219

PIERRE, SD - The American Civil Liberties Union today applauded a federal district court decision in favor of Native American voters in Martin, South Dakota. The decision, which was released late yesterday, orders city officials to redraw city council district lines to correct violations of the Voting Rights Act that prevented Native Americans from having an equal opportunity to participate in the political process and elect representatives of their choice.

"Yesterday's decision vindicates the long, hard struggle for Native American voting rights in the City of Martin," said Bryan Sells, a staff attorney with the ACLU Voting Rights Project and lead counsel in the case. "This ruling will enable Indian voters to enjoy the right that many other South Dakotans take for granted; the right to have a say in their local government. The decision also benefits everyone by promoting fairness and a more democratic city government."

The ACLU brought the lawsuit in April 2002 on behalf of two Native American voters who say the redistricting plan adopted by the city that year had the purpose and effect of diluting Native American voting strength. Native Americans made up approximately 45 percent of the city's population but would have been unable to elect any candidates of their choice to the city council because the redistricting plan ensured that white voters controlled all three city council wards.

The ACLU offered three alternative redistricting plans that experts agreed would have given Native Americans an opportunity equal to that of white voters to elect their preferred candidates. The district court initially ruled in the city's favor in March 2005. The Indian plaintiffs appealed, and on May 5, 2006, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the lower court's decision, sending the case back to the district court.

Yesterday's decision not only ordered a "full and complete remedy" for the plaintiffs, but also affirmed many of the factual claims of voting discrimination that Indian voters had alleged in their original lawsuit, including the fact that the city's 2002 redistricting plan unlawfully dilutes Native American voting strength. According to the findings of the federal court:

"There is a long, elaborate history of discrimination against Indians in South Dakota in matters relating to voting in South Dakota." (p. 11)

"Indians in Martin continue to suffer the effects of past discrimination, including lower levels of income, education, home ownership, automobile ownership, and standard of living." (p. 15)

"Martin city officials have taken intentional steps to thwart Indian voters from exercising political influence." (p. 16)

[T]here is a persistent and unacceptable level of racially polarized voting in the City of Martin." (p. 19)

"One of the most remarkable things about this opinion is the court's finding that a city official intentionally discriminated against Native Americans," said Sells. "This finding serves as a somber reminder that racial discrimination in the voting process still exists in South Dakota, and we should all be thankful that the Voting Rights Act is here to guard against it."

Since 1999, the ACLU has brought seven voting rights lawsuits in federal court on behalf of Native American voters in South Dakota. To date, every one of these cases has been resolved in favor of the plaintiffs

Today's decision is available online at: www.aclu.org/votingrights/minority/27624lgl20061206.html

TO SUBMIT an ARTICLE or OPINION PIECE to the Native Unity Digest, e-mail 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.

Visit Vietnam Vet. Larry Mitchell at http://www.potawatomivet.com and click on his blog at the site.