Indian Graves Dug Up For Border Fence

By Tim Gaynor.
ALI JEGK, Arizona (Reuters) - Members of a traditional Indian nation spanning the Arizona-Mexico border are complaining that work to put up a new barrier to secure the border has desecrated an ancient burial ground.

The U.S. Border Patrol is building a 75-mile (120-km) vehicle barrier across the Tohono O'odham nation lands next to Mexico's Sonora state, in a bid to stop drug and human traffickers driving across from Mexico in trucks and cars.

The barrier is made of closely set steel posts sunk in concrete, and is being built in close consultation with tribal authorities. It replaces a rusted, barbed wire fence that stretched across the vast, cactus-strewn tract of desert where the tribe has lived for generations.

The tribal government said on Friday that "human burials" dating from the 12th century were found at two sites during preparatory work on the footings for the fence, and say the discovery was handled correctly according to protocols developed with the U.S. government.

But members of five traditional families who say they are directly descended from the dead, complained that their removal is a desecration of a site they hold sacred.

"It is a place where our ancestors have slept for many, many years, and someone just dug them out of their graves and put them in little bags in storage," said Ofelia Rivas, a traditionalist who lives in the tiny, cactus-ringed village of Ali Jegk, Arizona, just yards (meters) from the Mexican border.

The Tohono O'odham nation, whose name means "Desert People," reaches up to Casa Grande in the north, a few miles (kilometers) south of the state capital, Phoenix, and stretches across the international line into Mexico, where some members live in nine scattered communities.

The tribal government said in a news release that the areas in which the human remains were found were among 11 archeological sites identified by the tribe that lie in the path of the barrier. The tribe gave no date for the discovery, although Rivas said it was in May.

Rivas told Reuters she expected further discoveries of hallowed remains in coming months: "This is just the beginning. There will be many more sites."

Preparing For Reburial
The Tohono O'odham are one of only a few American Indian tribes that have never been relocated from their ancestral lands. Members share traditional beliefs centered on the natural world and many speak the tribal language.

Tribal authorities support the vehicle barrier, which they say is needed to stop smugglers from Mexico, who frequently duel with the Border Patrol in high-speed chases on back roads and dump tonnes of trash including clothing and water bottles.

The tribal government said the excavation at the burial sites had been carried out in full compliance with arrangements set out in a memorandum of understanding with federal authorities.

"A detailed investigation into the handling of the remains has been completed and it has been determined that the U.S. Border Patrol, tribal monitors, and the archeological team all followed set procedures."

It said that Tohono O'odham monitors are present at all sites where digging for the fence is underway, and added that tribal religious leaders are called in to conduct ceremonies whenever remains are located.

The remains have been placed in safe storage on the Tohono O'odham nation, and will be reburied at a ceremony later this year, the statement said. It gave no date for the reburial.

But some tribal elders, whose families have lived for generations in the parched area where the remains were discovered southwest of Tucson, are calling for their immediate release for reburial.

"They didn't ask us when they took them away, and they are our people," elder Julia Acunia said, speaking through an interpreter, as she wept softly.

"Now they want to come home."

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Experts: Divine Strake 'Mushroom Cloud' Could Have Sickened Many

By KEN RITTER
Associated Press Writer
June 28th, 2007

LAS VEGAS (AP) - A non-nuclear explosive test planned by the government could have spread lethal radioactive particles across the Nevada desert and beyond had it not been canceled, experts testified Wednesday.

"A new generation of 'downwinders' would have been created, with cancers and birth defects," said Robert Hager, a Reno lawyer who summoned witnesses to try to drive a stake through any future plans for the "Divine Strake" test at the Nevada Test Site 85 miles northwest of Las Vegas.

The explosion of a 700-ton fuel oil and fertilizer bomb was proposed to gather data about penetrating underground bunkers that produce and store weapons of mass destruction. But the prospect of a mushroom cloud in the desert prompted a lawsuit and intense opposition in Utah and Nevada, where critics feared it would scatter decades-old radioactive material from previous Cold War-era tests.

The Defense Threat Reduction Agency canceled the test in February.

Justice Department lawyers urged U.S. District Judge Lloyd George not to hold Wednesday's hearing, arguing the cancellation made the issue moot.

"DTRA has no plans to conduct either the Divine Strake experiment or any tests using open-air explosive detonations at the (Nevada Test Site)," government lawyers Caroline Blanco and Sara Culley declared in documents filed in the case.

"We think it should be completely over," Blanco said Wednesday.

But Hager pleaded with the judge to order the government to provide notice and an opportunity for public hearings if a similar test is resurrected.

Hager also sought the recovery from the government of $400,000 in attorney and legal fees he claims were racked up forcing DTRA to pull the plug on the Divine Strake experiment.

He said the government first postponed the test and later canceled it only after his clients, the Western Shoshone tribe members and others in Nevada and Utah, filed a lawsuit and found fatal flaws in the environmental impact reports.

The judge, who has heard months of arguments since the blast was initially scheduled for June 2006, did not make immediate rulings on those requests. He gave both sides several weeks to file briefs before he decides.

But he agreed to hear the experts Hager brought to Las Vegas to testify that the government failed to adequately study possible health effects of the blast.

Plutonium expert Michael Ketterer, a chemistry and biochemistry professor at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, testified that government soil samples found "no doubt" there was radioactive contamination at the blast site.

Diane Stearns, a Northern Arizona University biochemist and uranium expert, faulted a December 2006 draft environmental report on the proposed blast for failing to answer what she called the "obvious" question.

"The public wants to know: What are the health risks from the fallout?" she said on the witness stand. "We know this radioactivity is carcinogenic. We know it can cause cancer."

Government officials a year ago downplayed surface contamination, and then said they didn't expect the blast would disturb fallout left from the 100 aboveground and 828 underground nuclear weapons tests conducted at the test site from 1951 to 1992.

Thousands of people who lived near the test site - called downwinders - were exposed to cancer-causing radiation from the weapons tests.

Ketterer said Wednesday that plastic shovel sampling for a December 2006 environmental study was so "abbreviated and hasty" he could not tell how much plutonium there was on the surface around the Divine Strake site.

"They didn't test enough so that a report could be provided to represent the danger?" the judge asked.

"Yes, your honor," Ketterer replied.

"The report as far as you're concerned was inadequate?"

"Yes."

Over the image of a huge crater left from a July 1962 nuclear test dubbed "Sedan," Richard Miller, a researcher, author and former federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration compliance agent, testified that for many years radioactive fallout from Nevada traveled across the U.S.

Miller compared the 10,000-foot dust plume that officials said would have been generated by the Divine Strake blast with a dust cloud kicked up by the 104-kiloton Sedan test, which was detonated at a shallow 600 feet below ground.

Miller also offered charts showing widespread and random radioactivity deposits around the nation after nuclear tests in the past, and called it impossible to predict where microscopic particles cast so high in the atmosphere would settle.

"A debris cloud can be scavenged by a thunderstorm and 99 percent of the material can come to Earth within an hour," Miller said. But he said measurements also found radioactive clouds wafted north to Canada, west to California or east as far as Maine.

Hager noted that the government had predicted dust churned up by the Divine Strake test would settle within about 50 miles - or near the boundary of the Nevada Test Site.

The blast was to have been 280 times larger than the bomb that destroyed the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City in 1995.

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Oilsands Boom Creates Uneasy Wealth In North

Submitted by Ann VanWert
By Dianne Meili
Sweetgrass Writer
FORT MCMURRAY

Sticky bitumen - once used only for waterproofing his ancestors' canoes - has brought affluence to Chief Jim Boucher's Fort McKay First Nation, located 65 km north of Fort McMurray.

Houses boast wooden decks, attractive siding and landscaped yards. The elders' centre features a stately stone fireplace and the elementary school playground is dominated by a deluxe, multi-coloured playground installation.

A well-appointed business centre highlights the band office, named after late chief Dorothy McDonald, famous for her "David and Goliath" tenacity in pressing charges against oilsands giant Suncor in 1982. The company was fined $50,000 for violating the federal fisheries act with its emissions.

Boucher, who also heads up the Athabasca Tribal council comprised of northeastern Alberta's five first nations: Athabasca Chipewyan, Chipewyan Prairie, Fort McKay, Fort McMurray, and Mikisew Cree, constantly fields health and environmental concerns but takes a pragmatic view of development that has changed the north.

"Demand for oil from this region will continue," Boucher said, despite environmental concerns. "This is the only place in the world where oil resources are produced in a stable area.

"Each and every person up here has their own level of optimism. I'm advocating for environmental improvements, and in some cases, we have seen response. For example, Suncor has successfully reduced sulphur emissions by 80 per cent, and Syncrude by 60 per cent.

"In other areas, we need improvements. I will continue to push for upgraded technology to reduce environmental impact," Boucher insisted.

Elder Fred MacDonald, like the chief, knows affluence from industry comes at a great cost to the land. His home overlooks the once-mighty Athabasca River, jokingly referred to by residents as "the ditch", and on this April day the water level is especially low - sand banks break through the river's surface.

MacDonald and his wife Margaret do not discount ancestral prophecy and corresponding signs in nature that indicate the land may not be able to support life much longer.Margaret's grandfather, Adam Boucher, once sat with her on the steep riverbank and shared his vision for the future.

"He said he saw me walking across the river - the water was so low. He told me 'the air is filled with smoke so that I can hardly see you'."

The river's water is a major component in the Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAG-D) technology required to pump bitumen out of wells. "That river is up and down. Sometimes it's low, sometimes it's high," said Boucher. Elder McDonald thinks the river is sick."I'd have to be very hungry before I'd eat fish from that river," he said. "The fish don't even look the same anymore -they've lost their colour.

"I can still see in my mind how good this river was. The ice on it used to freeze solid and you could look through it like a window. Now it's kind of like slush - the ice has weakened.

"Sometimes we just shut the windows in summer, the smell in the air is so bad," said Margaret.

Health concerns are an issue for Boucher and he has backed local Doctor John O'Connor, who has spoken out about his observance of what he claims is a disproportionately high incidence of colon, liver, blood and bile-duct cancers in northeastern residents.

The doctor is only repeating concerns First Nations people have had for years, Boucher said. "I don't think the tests being done (for contaminants) on organs of animals, for example, are accurate," Boucher explained. "We need a more concerted effort. Scientists have to conduct full health assessments to determine what is causing these diseases."

Social problems, and the ever-growing use of drugs amongst youth, are another issue It's a reflection of the new generation we have. There are all kinds of recreation opportunities for them but they can't be forced to join in sports activities or get out into the natural world.
Our council has worked hard to keep communication lines open. We have an open general meeting every three months to deal with specific issues."

Growth Outpaces Checks and Balances
In the first two months of 2007, energy producers licenced 4,837 wells - 82 wells per day in northern Alberta.

This kind of development has prompted stakeholders like the Northwest Territories First Nations to call for a halt to further development in Alberta's oilsands, saying the massive industrial growth is hurting their land, water and people.

As the second round of province-wide oilsands consultations draws to a close, Alberta Wilderness Association's (AWA) has also advised a moratorium be placed on oilsands activities, for new protected areas in oilsands regions and for an overarching provincial land and resources management plan that effectively addresses cumulative impacts.

"The development of Alberta's oilsands has outpaced government policy and planning," said AWA conservation specialist Joyce Hildebrand.

"By the time recommendations are proposed or new policies or legislation are put in place, it may well be too late for wilderness and wildlife, not to mention human health and community well-being," she added.

But in the short term, prosperity reigns in Boucher's community. Each band member is awarded substantial payouts from profits brought in by the Fort McKay Group of Companies owned and managed by the band. Other funds benefit residents through initiatives like the community beautification program and investments made for the future.

Savvy marketing of services - the band showcased the seven companies that serve a number of corporate clients in oilsands, pipeline, forestry and public sectors in a May trade show - will ensure business keeps booming for Fort McKay First Nation.

Canada's Oilsands Going Nuclear
by Guillaume Lavallee
Tue Jun 26, 3:34 AM
ETAgence France-Presse

FORT MCMURRAY, Canada (AFP) - Petroleum companies are eyeing nuclear power to feed burgeoning oil production in Canada's oil patch, pitting ecologists against ecologists unable to agree on its climate change impact.

Squeezing one barrel of oil from the Athabasca, Peace River and Cold Lake Oil Sands in western Canada requires twice as much energy as pumping it from a conventional well, according to the industry, or three times as much energy, say environmentalists. While crude is pumped from the ground, oil sands must be mined and bitumen separated from the sand and water, upgraded and refined.

At a estimated 173 billion barrels, Canada’s oil sands rank second behind Saudi Arabia in petroleum reserves. Since 2000, skyrocketing crude prices and improved extraction technology have persuaded several foreign companies to invest billions in projects relying on copious amounts of natural gas to power machinery.

But with wide fluctuations in natural gas prices and pressure from the government and environmentalists to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, some petroleum companies are contemplating switching to cleaner and stable nuclear energy to fuel the oil sands boom.

"We ‘re looking to cut our power needs and eventually turn to another source, and nuclear energy as a possible alternative”, according to Michael Borrell, president of Total Canada, a subsidiary of French oil firm Total SA.

Some ecologists acknowledge nuclear power is without emissions versus burning fossil fuels. But others see inherent "risks" in sparking up nuclear reactors, raise security issues, and lament disposing of radioactive waste

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Little Elk Remembers

by Ken Hughes
Little Elk and his pony sat on the crest of the hill over looking the river and watched as the white man carved long swathes in mother earth's skin, He was ruining the Buffalo grass along the banks of the river.

Little Elk didn't understand, the Shoshone had never desecrated Mother Earth like that, why did this white man hate Mother Earth so much that he would mutilate her in this manor? Little Elk watched until his heart grew heavy and he could no longer bear to look at such a thing. He swung onto his pony, he would return to camp and ask one of the elders why the white man was being so cruel.

The tribes Medicine Man, Red Feather was also concerned the white men may be practicing some bad medicine to put fear in the Shoshone and make them move further onto the bad place across the big river where the flat rocky land that makes smoke come out of the ground. A place where there's no game except snakes and lizards.

It was decided to hold a tribal meeting so everyone could discuss the white man coming to their valley and doing bad things to everything they held sacred. Little Elk was the first to speak, he told of the white men carving long slashes in Mother Earth's skin. He told of how the white man was treating his ponies not riding them and making them pull the large knife that cut into Mother Earth.

Little Elk was sad to have to tell such a story to all the members of the tribe, he would rather have kept it to himself and not burdened others with what he saw. Little Elk sat down very sad.

The discussion went on for hours, each person who saw something the white men was doing that went against Shoshone tradition was given the opportunity to speak. Many sad stories were told that evening, what could they do the white man was like a rabid coyote, too elusive to be caught and too dangerous to challenge.

The tribe knew the white man would breed and make more white children like the coyotes breed and makes more cubs. It was decided they would hold a dance condemning the white man. That's what the Shoshones do when they have no answers, they dance their problems away.

The white man hears the commotion the dancing creates and load their rifles expecting the Shoshones to retaliate like white men would had he been so offended.

The years have passed and Little Elk has become Old Elk but the memories of that day on the ridge stay with him as though it was yesterday. He's seen much of what the white man calls progress.

What he doesn't see are the deer antelope and buffalo once so plentiful feeding in the open spaces that are now fenced in farmed and called the Reservation.

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Judge Rules In Favor Of Nome's Rock Creek Mine - Nova Gold

By Diana Haecker
June 14, 2007
Nome Nugget

A U.S. district court judge ruled last Friday to dismiss the lawsuit of the Bering Strait Citizens for Responsible Resource Development, Jana Varrati and Sue Steinacher against the Army Corps of Engineers over the issuance of a wetlands permit for Alaska Gold Company's Rock Creek gold mine.

Citing mostly economic reasons, after a hearing last Thursday, US District Court Judge Ralph Beistline denied the plaintiff's motion for a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction to stop all construction at the mine site. Beistline also dismissed the entire case, concluding "the permit in question was properly issued."

The plaintiffs contested the legality of a 404 wetlands permit issued in August 2006, saying that it was issued in violation of the Clean Water Act and the National Environmental Policy Act. The lawsuit was the second filing of the same claim. A first suit brought against the Corps in October 2006 resulted in the Corps' retracting the permit for internal review in December. The permit was modified and reinstated in March 2007. The plaintiffs then filed the second lawsuit.

Beistline's ruling came after a hearing on Thursday, June 6, when three government lawyers from the Department of Law defended the primary defendant, the Army Corps of Engineers. Nova Gold Resources Inc. intervened in the lawsuit bringing two lawyers to testify in Beistline’s courtroom.

In his ruling, Judge Beistline wrote ,”It appears that before bringing this venture, Alaska Gold Company went to a great lengths to publicize its intentions and to obtain the support of the local community, two Native organizations, as well as state and federal agencies.

Beistline concluded, “ As a result, there is considerable public support for this project and a realistic hope for an economic boon to the community.”

For background information on this story – see below.

'Warm Fuzzies' With Cyanide?
Native Unity: Tuesday, September 19, 2006
NOME NUGGET - Editorial September 14th edition
Submitted by a Concerned Citizen

It's amazing how folks will confuse public relations with news. There are a few folks in Nome who have said that the Nome Nugget has been too negative about the proposed use of cyanide at the Rock Creek Mine site. Cyanide is just another industrial chemical according to the NovaGold folks.

Well shuckiedarn! How can we candy coat cyanide? It's a deadly poison! How can we in all honesty accept the propaganda about the benefits of cyanide in our community? We'll get a good look at it this fall when they propose to park two container vans of the industrial strength cyanide out near Nome-Beltz High School at Satellite Field.

Folks who are proponents of cyanide leaching for gold extraction say that they will monitor the tailings and nothing bad will happen. They will monitor the tailings piles for several years. The joke is that they might even hire the same folks to monitor the cyanide tailings who were monitoring the BP oil pipeline.

Some proponents of cyanide leaching say that the folks who find scientific flaws in the proposed techniques are using biased science. That's a desperate excuse. Science is not biased. Science is factual; it is truth and laws. It is how we utilize scientific knowledge that is important. Will the future generations of Nomeites thank us for our economic concerns or will they scorn our scientific ignorance?

Cyanide leaching allows 13 percent more gold recovery. NovaGold claims that the mine would not make money if they didn't utilize cyanide. One wonders how much money they would save if they didn't have to purchase cyanide and didn't have to pay for monitoring a mountainous tailings pile for 30 years?

Please understand that there are critical decisions to be made and the Nugget is not about to candy coat the truth. This paper is not a public relations publication. The news is not always good. We can't dish out the feel good, warm fuzzies when we are dealing with cyanide. —N.L.M.—

Minority Farmers Protest Discrimination
Submitted by Monica Davis
By Richard Duke
The Pine Bluff Commercial Staff
Tuesday, June 19, 2007

In the office of the Farm Service Agency in downtown Pine Bluff, a sign hangs on a wall that says, “A helping hand to family farms.” To some in the office Monday, it felt more like a slap in the face.

Eight black farmers sat in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s office in the federal building at Pine Bluff Monday as part of a demonstration seeking a meeting in Washington, D.C., with USDA officials.

Citing racism, prejudice and bias in a number of USDA offices around the state, Fernando Burkett, executive director of the Black Farmers and Agriculturists Association (BFAA), led the participating farmers in a peaceful demonstration that culminated with a telephone call to state offices in Little Rock.

While waiting on a phone call back from an official in Washington, Burkett said that a future demonstration could be held with members from other chapters.

“Highlighting the problem now will hopefully bring about change in the future,” he said. At 4 p.m., Burkett received a phone call from Carolyn Cooksey, the deputy USDA administrator over loans, and, after she reviews materials sent by Burkett, a face-to-face meeting may be set to address the group’s issues.

Black farmers contended in a class action lawsuit filed in the late 1990s that they were routinely denied loans because of their race. The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia approved a settlement and the USDA and black farmers entered into a consent degree.

As part of a settlement agreement, the USDA agreed to allow farmers to obtain a $50,000 settlement in instances where it could be determined that discrimination had occurred

A number of farmers have since contended they were excluded from the settlement.

Burkett cited what he contended was an internal memo which allegedly made the rounds in a USDA office in Arkansas that used several derogatory terms for African

The memo, a “mock” application for employment, included offensive material concerning racial stereotypes. Burkett said the memo did not originate in Pine Bluff and he came in contact with it after a USDA employee sent it to him.

Burkett said that while the memo is more overt in racial tones, the group is more concerned with the prejudice demonstrated in response to loan applications and services to black farmers. He said black farmers have been able to document repeated instances in the past 12 years that reflect discrimination from the USDA.

Previous meetings with U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor, as well as U.S. Rep. Mike Ross, have not accomplished much, Burkett said, adding the group is still waiting to hear from Gov. Mike Beebe.

“We keep addressing these issues over and over again,” he said. “There are problems in (the Pine Bluff) office, and there are problems around the state and the nation.”

Burkett said the agency has had a history of discrimination involving many administrators and employees, but he pointed out that many who work for the agency are not prejudiced.

While members of the non-profit organization met with the secretary of agriculture in 2004, Burkett said the black farmers must address the same issues with the federal officials again.

“There are specific differences with the treatment of large farms owned by white people, and we just want this documented and brought to the attention of the proper authorities,” he said

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Tribes: Eagle Delisting 'Violates Trust Responsibility'

By Kathy Helms, Staff Writer
Dine Bueau, Gallup Independent
WINDOW ROCK -- The Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, consisting of 20 tribal governments, has come out in opposition to the proposed delisting of the desert-nesting bald eagle in Arizona, saying it would violate the federal government's trust responsibility and the quality of life of Indian peoples.

The National Congress of American Indians, the oldest and largest national organization of American Indian and Alaska Native tribal governments, passed a standing resolution in Albuquerque in November 2003, stating that tribal governments have not only the inherent and sovereign right but also the obligation to ensure the successful protection and recovery of these sacred birds among tribal lands.

The Inter Tribal Council recently passed its own resolution against the U.S. Fish & Wildlife's proposed delisting rule for the bald eagle. A final rule is expected by the end of this month.

Only 43 pairs of desert-nesting bald eagles now survive in Arizona. "Interestingly, 20 of those breeding pairs are on tribal lands. So that's almost half of the known population, and the tribes haven't been extensively consulted," said Leigh Kuwanwisiwma, director of the Hopi Cultural Preservation Office. The Hopi Tribe is a member of the Inter Tribal Council..

"Right now, there's a general, unilateral decision nationwide that once it's delisted, then the states will take over. The state of Arizona has already done what they call 'Assessment and Management Strategy.' But when you go into that document, there isn't much about how the state of Arizona proposes to interact with the tribes.

"So there are a number of reasons the Hopi Tribe will oppose the delisting -- some for political reasons and some for biological reasons," he said.

The Inter Tribal Council said the bald eagles in Arizona have a specia cultural and religious significance to all of the state's tribes, and their protection and continued survival is of the utmost importance.

"The desert nesting bald eagle is a necessary part of an irreplaceable role in the cultural and traditional ceremonies since time immemorial," the Council said.

"The tribes in Arizona are opposed to the overall delisting of the bald eagle and its removal from the protections afforded by the Endangered Species Act."

Removal of Arizona's tiny bald eagle population from the protections conferred by the Endangered Species Act would remove habitat protections fo the species, the Council said, thereby threatening the quality of the water in the few remaining desert rivers and also threatening stream flows, the integrity of the nest trees and vegetation adjacent to the rivers.

There is only one area currently remaining in Arizona that is habitat --the Verde River, particularly around Camp Verde, Kuwanwisiwma said.

"I think the contention right now with the delisting is really narrowed down to the state of Arizona and what the statistics and data, based on the U.S. Fish & Wildlife's own research, are telling us," he said.

"The Hopi position is that we are asking the U.S. Fish & Wildlife to maintain the status quo, or an exemption for the state of Arizona. But the only basis for an exemption is whether or not the bald eagle in Arizona is a distinct or separate species from the general population of bald eagles, and the Fish & Wildlife is saying it is not -- the birds in Arizona are the same nationwide," Kuwanwisiwma said.

Under the Endangered Species Act, the law states that any "threatened or endangered" decision has to be science- or biologically based.

"What the tribes are trying to say is, 'We haven't, first of all, been consulted to the extent we would like. And secondly, if we were consulted in the research, I think we probably could have contributed to the scientifi finding in terms of traditional practices, for example."

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service said the best available scientific and commercial data indicate that the bald eagle has recovered. The eagle population in the lower 48 states has increased from approximately 487 active nests in 1963, to an estimated 7,066 breeding pairs today.

The National Congress of American Indians said efforts to restore and protect bald and golden eagle populations on tribal lands is of critical importance to American Indian and Alaska Native peoples and their heritage.

In 2003, NCAI requested that federal agencies vested with the responsibility of overseeing and managing such efforts provide funds and appropriations directly to tribal governments to support restoration and recovery efforts.

NCAI also endorsed the non-profit American Eagle Foundation headquartered in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., which has been involved in the care, recovery and protection of bald and golden eagles since it was organized in1985.

The Foundation established an American Eagle Fund to help preserve andprotect eagles and their habitats for the future. It also has sought partnerships with tribes to establish 'American Eagle Heritage Exhibits' to house bald and golden eagles which have been determined non-releasable due to injury.

TO SUBMIT an ARTICLE, OPINION PIECE, COMMENTS to the Native Unity Digest, e-mail bobbieo@digitaldune.net.

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NAJA ALERTS, POTPOURRI - Every Tuesday when available.

June 21st Set For National Prayer Day For Native Sacred Places

Submitted by the Western Shoshone Defense Project
Washington, DC (6/18/07)—Observances and ceremonies will be held across the country on June 21 to mark the 2007 National Day of Prayer to Protect Native American Sacred Places.

Some of the gatherings highlighted in this release are educational forums, not religious ceremonies, and are open to the general public. Others are ceremonial and may be conducted in private. In addition to those listed below, there will be commemorations and prayers offered at sacred places that are under threat at this time.

Among the endangered places listed in the pages of this statement are sacred places that are being desecrated and damaged now, such as Hickory Ground in Alabama; San Francisco Peaks in Arizona; and Wakarusa Wetlands in Kansas.

There are other holy places which are being threatened with injury or destruction: Bear Butte in South Dakota; Little Creek Mountain in Tennessee; the Medicine Lake Highlands in northern California; Ocmulgee Old Fields in Georgia; the Petroglyphs in New Mexico; Snoqualmie Falls in Washington.

“Native and non-Native people nationwide are gathering to honor sacred places, with a special emphasis on those that are endangered by actions that can be avoided,” said Suzan Shown Harjo (Cheyenne & Hodulgee Muscogee). She is President of The Morning Star Institute, which organizes the National Prayer Days.

This will be the fifth National Day of Prayer for Sacred Places. The observance in Washington, D.C., will be held on the United States Capitol Grounds, on the West Front Grassy Area (see details under the Washington, D.C. listing below).

The first National Prayer Day was conducted on June 20, 2003, on the U.S. Capitol West Lawn and nationwide to emphasize the need for Congress to enact a cause of action to protect Native sacred places. That need still exists.

“Many Native American sacred places are being damaged because Native nations do not have equal access under the First Amendment to defend them,” said Ms. Harjo. “All other people in the United States have the First Amendment to protect their churches. Only traditional Native Americans cannot get into the courthouse through the Freedom of Religion Clauses. That simply must change as a matter of fairness and equity.”

In 1988, the Supreme Court told Congress it had to enact a statutory right of action, if it wanted to protect Native sacred places. “Nineteen years have passed without Congress creating that door to the courthouse for Native Americans,” said Ms. Harjo, “and some of these places cannot withstand many more years of legal and physical onslaughts.

“Native and non-Native people are gathering, again, to call on anyone who will listen to help protect these national treasures and to do something about this national disgrace that threatens them.”

Letter From Kentucky Farmer To Congress
Submitted by Monica Davis
June 19, 2007
Honorable Members of the Judiciary Committee:
I wish you greetings from Kentucky. I am a black farmer. My land has been illegally taken from me by the USDA and the Farm Service Administration, on the basis of a series of alleged loans, which I never received. I am 80 years old and my farm has been in my family for more than 100 years until it was sold in an illegal auction, by the Farm Services Administration.

My situation is NOT unique. I write this letter on behalf of thousands of black, white, Hispanic, Native American, Asian and women farmers who are in a similar situation. Due to problems/corruption within the Farm Services Administration, including forgery of loan documents (this problem has been documented through testimony of the Secretary of Agriculture), my farm and the farms of many middle class farmers have been stolen and sold on the basis of non-existent debts.

Many people who are unfamiliar with the situation, can not believe that this can happen in the United States of America. I am here as a living example that it does happen and has happened, not only to myself, but also to thousands of other farmers across the nation.

My claim in the Pigford Black Farm Settlement was denied because of this non-existent debt. To date, I have not been able to get the FSA to prove, via documents in their possession, which were signed by me, that this debt ever existed.

FSA has basically told me to go fly a kite when I have asked for signed documentation of this alleged debt. They have never provided me an accurate accounting of the debt, payments or signed checks. They also ignored statements from their very own office, statements going back as far as 1986. They have illegally sold land that they had no legal lien on; they never proved there was a legal debt on, or lien against. In short, they have violated numerous laws, including the Fair Credit Act, as well as various sections of US Code.

We are in support of H.R. 558, the "African American Farmers Relief Act" of 2007, and H.R. 899, "Pigford Claim Remedy Act" of 2007. In the course of testimony presented on Thursday, June 21st, please consider my case, and the cases of thousands of middle class farmers. Those of us who have been ground under by the mighty juggernaut of the Farm Service Administration want our day in open court, to prove our case, to prove that we are honest, hardworking American citizens, not the deadbeats that FSA wants to paint us as.

We humbly ask that you open an investigation into procedures, practices and policies of the Farm Services Administration. God is forever good.

Humbly Yours,
Harry T.Young10554 HWY 231
Utica, KY 42376
(270) 275-4590

Saskatchewan Celebrates Aboriginal History Month
Submitted by Ann VanWert
The Province of Saskatchewan has proclaimed June 2007 as Aboriginal History Month in recognition of First Nations, Métis and Inuit people's contributions to Canada.

"Aboriginal people have made, and continue to make, innumerable contributions to Saskatchewan and Canadian history, culture and society," First Nations and Métis Relations Minister Maynard Sonntag said.

"The Government of Saskatchewan is pleased to pay tribute to First Nations, Métis and Inuit people and their achievements by designating June 2007 as Aboriginal History Month."

Aboriginal History Month is an initiative of the Regina Aboriginal Professionals Association (RAPA), a non-profit organization with a mission to develop a network of people committed to fostering opportunities for Aboriginal people in education, employment and economic development initiatives within Regina.

Aboriginal History Month is also being designated by the City of Regina."Raising the social conscience of our communities, bringing positive energy, positive thoughts and sharing our knowledge so that our youth can embrace their Aboriginal heritage to exude confidence are all major reasons for RAPA to lead this provincial and national campaign," RAPA President Joely BigEagle said.

"We will continue our campaign to have the month of June designated as Aboriginal History Month by the federal government, and invite all Saskatchewan First Nations, educational institutions and businesses to organize or partner with RAPA for June Aboriginal events."

"It's quite fitting that this initiative originates in Saskatchewan in light of the enormous contributions Saskatchewan Aboriginal people make to areas like politics, the arts and sports," Sonntag added. "The Province is proud to be among the first in Canada to support this exciting initiative."

For more information about RAPA's events and its efforts gain national support for Aboriginal History Month, visit http://www.rapanetwork.ca/.

TO SUBMIT an ARTICLE, OPINION PIECE, COMMENTS to the Native Unity Digest, e-mail bobbieo@digitaldune.net.

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NAJA ALERTS, POTPOURRI - Every Tuesday when available.

Environmental Protest Forces Out Canada's Barrick Gold

Submitted by Western Shoshone Defense Project
Buenos Aires, Argentina
La Nacion, May 16th, ‘07

LA RIOJA - The tenuous fight of environmentalists of Chilecito and Famatina has caused the definitive end to exploration operations which Barrick Gold Corp the Canadian mining corporation was carrying out in the region.

Within twelve days, according a communication signed yesterday by the provincial government, the personnel and machinery of the gold mining giant will be evicted from their operations in the mountainous Famatina Range.

Company access to the mining encampment was cut off in "Peñas Negras" on the road to the La Mejicana mines two months ago by area residents opposed to Barrick's plan to operate an open-pit mine with cyanide. The project put the water reserves of this arid and agricultural region into grave risk. Until now, the route had been "partially" blockaded, the assemblies permitting the two Barrick guards remaining to change shift guarding the camp, every Saturday.

But days ago, the assembly of residents had said that if Barrick did not abandon the project a total blockade would be initiated beginning this Saturday.

Yesterday, the sub secretary of human rights of the province, Domingo Bordón, participated in a meeting with members of the autonomous assemblies of residents and producers of Chilecito and Famatina, "to ensure that the camp is removed and that (the residents) permit the withdrawal o personnel and machinery on part of the Canadians from the Peñas Negras camp."

Chilecito judge Alfredo Ramos informed the environmentalists about the request made by Barrick to lift the blockade, and about the 12-day timeline set for the withdrawal operation. The residents asked the judge to have the company sign an official notice regarding their withdrawal.

Not Necessary.

Questioned by the La Nation, the company stated that "explorations at Famatina are one of over 100 projects that the company has in exploration around the world, and in this contest, "is not a priority project." Now, except for Barrick Gold's operations in neighboring San Juan, "the rest o the explorations are complementary and not crucial,"

Barrick had set up shop in La Rioja after signing an agreement in April 2005 with the Yamiri, in which the local government had a 20% participation. Many of the details of this agreement were only made public at the beginning of this year, and became the root for a political struggle between the governor Angel Maza and vice-governor Luis Beder Herrera.

Now ex-governor Maza was first suspended and then stripped of his role by a political process, accused of the crime of corruption with State goods (illegally selling public land to the miners). Now Beder Herera is the governor.

In the infamous accord, according to an investigation published by the newspaper El Independiente, Barrick Gold was awarded exclusive rights to exploration and operations in the Famatina range. In return, the company was to pay off $500,000 over five years.

As governor, Angel Maza was a fervent promoter of "responsible mining" in his province, often visiting Canada to attract projects. In April of 2006, Carlos Araneda, Latin American vice-President or Latin America of Barrick Gold, visited the then-governor Maza: "Up to now we are satisfied with results of the Famatina project," Araneda had said, with Barrick already having invested over two million out of a scheduled ten million dollars.

"We have passed the initial stage, and this next stage is crucial for the project," said Araneda at that time, adding that in 2007 the company would decide whether or not the province had "an economically viable level of minerals." This past March 8, the provincial Legislature, dominated politically by Beder Herrera, passed a law demanded by the environmentalists: To prohibit the operation of open-pit mines using cyanide.

At the same time, the date of July 29 was chosen as the date of a popular consult in Chilecito and Famatina to decide to reject or accept that law. A investigative commission was created to investigate the relations of Yamiri, and to annul the agreement with Barrick. Maza denied any irregularities in the agreement which favored Barrick so.

On March 10, with movement in the mining zone blockaded by residents, in a tense and highly-charged meeting, a Barrick representative and environmentalists arrived at an agreement: Barrick promised to begin to dismantle the mining camp within seven days. Two months later and eight days later, the environmentalists now want to be certain that the transnational company will keep its word this time.

By Arturo Ortiz Sosa
La Rioja Correspondent

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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.

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NAJA ALERTS, POTPOURRI - Every Tuesday when available.

Iowa's Harkin Troubled By 'National Shame' Behind Rosebud Suicide Epidemic

by: Douglas Burns, Iowa Independent
Thursday (06/14) at 18:26 PM

When asked about a Native American youth suicide epidemic at the Rosebud Sioux Reservation in South Dakota, U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, said the story demands attention and action.

“We have a serious obligation to a lot of our native Americans we have not fulfilled for a long time,” Harkin said. “And we just keep ignoring it much to our national shame, I think.”

Iowa Independent published a commentary on the matter Wednesday and asked Harkin his thoughts on the situation during a conference call today.

"These are the kind of the stories that people ought to know about so we can get some action, get something done about it,” Harkin said. “We need better health-care on our reservations.”

He added, “We ought to be talking about it.”

Harkin said there is widespread attention about alcoholism on reservations and growing concerns about obesity.

“We just can’t continue to go like this,” Harkin said.

Iowa Independent made calls to a federally recognized reservation in Iowa. Officials with the Sac and Fox Tribal Office in Tama did not return calls for comment.

But Native Americans living in Iowa were included in a recent study that showed high suicide rates among Great Plains tribes.

The Press and Dakotan newspaper in Yankton, S.D., this year reported that a “study conducted by the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control among Native Americans revealed the suicide rate for Native Americans is 1.5 times greater than the rate for all Americans.

“For male Native Americans ages 15-24, suicide is the second leading cause of death.

“Also the Aberdeen study area — which included all of North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska and Iowa — was among the nation’s highest suicide rate regions for Native Americans, with 25 to 30 suicides per 100,000 — more than twice the national average.”

TO SUBMIT an ARTICLE, OPINION PIECE, COMMENTS 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.

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America's Great Shame: If It Were Clive, People Would Care

by Douglas Burns – The Iowa Independent
LINK:
http://www.iowaindependent.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=338

[Commentary] American “Indians,” said the brilliant Native American writer and leader Vine Deloria Jr., are probably invisible because of the tremendous amount of misinformation about them.

That assessment from the late Deloria, an Iowa State University graduate, is no doubt one of the reasons you likely know more about Paris Hilton than what should be one of the biggest news stories in America.

Last Saturday, The New York Times ran a Page 1 story on Paris Hilton. Is she drunk? Is she in jail? Does someone have a new video of her giving it up? Is she wearing underwear?

Meanwhile, deeper in the newspaper, on Page 9 to be precise, there was a horrifying story about a suicide epidemic on The Rosebud Sioux Reservation in South Dakota, only a few hours drive from Carroll, Iowa.According to The Times, in the first 10 weeks of 2007 tribal authorities were called to three suicides and scores of attempts. On March 14 a state of emergency was declared.

“Since then, a woman in her early 20s killed herself with pills, and scores more young people have tried to kill themselves — a total of 144 so far this year, at doctors’ best count,” The Times reports.

The reservation has a population of about 13,000 people. That’s roughly the size of the Des Moines suburb of Clive.

Imagine if 144 white Clive kids had tried various means of killing themselves in a matter of months...

Douglas Burns :: America's Great Shame: If It Were Clive, People Would Care

The Des Moines Register would be covering it with Pulitzer Prize eyes. Dateline would be camped here, and Larry King would be asking Dr. Phil to diagnose it all.

Schools would be shut down and some people in Clive might even stop going to Bed Bath & Beyond or Jordan Creek Mall.

But alas these are Native Americans.

There is no such alarm in the world outside the reservation. it is, as Deloria might have said, a tragedy invisible to white America.

This Rosebud story is not isolated. The suicide rate among Great Plains Native American youth is 10 times the national average of 13 per 100,000.

“Plains reservations are among the poorest places in the country, with all of poverty’s consequences,” The New York Times reports. “But the why of the suicide phenomenon — why American Indian youth, why the Great Plains — is complicated, experts say. The traumas Plains tribes have experienced over the last 175 years — massacres like the one at Wounded Knee, the decimation of their land and culture — are part of it.”

There is no doubt many ways our nation can respond to this crisis. Health services on reservations are under-funded and Congress has dropped the ball in that arena. Getting basic medical services and mental-health professionals in place would be a good place to start.

It might also help if the country gave a damn.

One white girl goes missing from a Target in Kansas and parents and the nation grieve as one. But more dead Indians? Who watches westerns anymore? Change the channel.

But we can’t look away from this. We must see the tragedy. We must add this up in our hearts.

“Officially, three youths at Rosebud committed suicide last year and 193 tried,” The Times reports. “But not all suicides or attempts involve calls to the police, officials here said.”

The Native American story is a national shame, and Rosebud is another chapter.

Aside from discussing the broken treaties and genocide that cleared the land of the native culture and made way for our homes and Wal- Mart Supercenters, there is another reason to respond in Rosebud with whatever resources they need.

Native Americans were there to save others centuries ago.

“When Indian people remember how weak and helpless the United States once was, how much it needed the good graces of the tribes for its very existence, how the tribes shepherded the ignorant through drought and blizzard, kept them alive, helped them grow — they burn with resentment at the treatment they have since received from the United States government, Deloria wrote in his 1969 classic, “Custer Died For Your Sins.”

Casting Call
From Roscoe Pond
I recieved two emails concerning this Casting Call and they want Native Americans. Check out information below....

We are currently holding auditions this week and early next week. We shoot the following weekend of June 23-25 (3 days)

"Legend of Earth and Sky" is about Michael Albert, a young, hotshot NYC attorney who finds himself on a New Mexico pueblo defending a Navajo man indicted for murder on the reservation. Through his investigation and trial of the alleged crime, Michael unearths deep-hidden secrets to his own past.

We're an independent Film company committed to making films that enlighten, entertain and educate.

We're looking for actors who can play:
PANCHO - 55-75 Yrs. a wise reservation elder with great spirituality and sense of humor.
BILLY ZIA - 35-40 Yrs. - Long black hair, a contemporary embodiment of a 1800's warrior. Great presence, striking.
ESTRELLA - 24-30 yrs. - a beautiful, passionate, adn strong school teacher on the rez.

In addition, we're looking for someone who can help us with the choreography of the opening dance sequence with the Kachina Dancers as well as others to play the Dancers.

Tommy Villafranca
The Vine Entertainment,
LLC 1337 Ocean Ave, Ste. B
Santa Monica, 90401
www.thevineent.com

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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.

AIROS NATIVE NETWORK plays music, news and other great programs from Indian Country - www.airos.org

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

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NAJA ALERTS, POTPOURRI - Every Tuesday when available.

Eagle Act Guidelines Released: Hopis Want Arizona Exemption

INFO BOX:
Copies of the National Bald Eagle Management Guidelines, published in Tuesday's June 5 edition of the Federal Register, can be obtained by writing to: Eliza Savage, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Migratory Bird Management, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Mail Stop MBSP-4107, Arlington, VA 22203.

Copies also may obtained via the Internet at: http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/baldeagle.html

By Kathy Helms, Staff Writer
Dine Bureau, Gallup Independent
KYKOTSMOVI, Ariz. -- The U.S. Forest Service published guidance documents Tuesday in the Federal Register regarding the disturbance of bald eagles, as a prelude to possible removal of the bald eagle from the list of threatened species under the Endangered Species Act.

After delisting, the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act would become the primary law protecting bald eagles. The Eagle Act prohibits the take of bald and golden eagles and provides a statutory definition of "take" that includes "disturb."

According to the notice, "disturb" means to agitate or bother a bald or golden eagle to a degree that causes, or is likely to cause, based on the best scientific information available, injury to an eagle, a decrease in its productivity by substantially interfering with normal breeding, feeding, or sheltering behavior, or nest abandonment, by substantially interfering with normal breeding, feeding, or sheltering behavior.

"The Hopi position is that we are asking the U.S. Fish & Wildlife to maintain the status quo, or an exemption for the state of Arizona," Leigh Kuwanwisiwma, director of the Hopi Cultural Preservation Office, said Tuesday.

"They are under a court order to make a decision by June 30. We think the decision will be to delist the bald eagle. I think that ís a given based on their prior notices in the Federal Register, going back to 1995," he said.

"I think the contention right now with the delisting is really narrowed down to the state of Arizona and what the statistics and data, based on the U.S. Fish & Wildlife's own research, are telling us. They're telling as part of the delisting rationale that the recovery is up to about 7,066 breeding pairs nationwide. But when you narrow it down to Arizona, there are only 42 breeding pairs," he said.

In addition to the National Bald Eagle Management Guidelines, the Forest Service published three related documents: a final rule codifying the Eagle Act definition of "disturb," a notice of availability of the final environmental assessment for the definition of "disturb," and a proposed rule to codify additional take authorizations under the Eagle Act.

The proposed delisting rule for the bald eagle was published first on July 6, 1999, in the Federal Register. The Department of the Interior's Fish & Wildlife reopened the comment period Feb. 16, 2006, with publication of another notice in the Federal Register.

Fish & Wildlife said the best available scientific and commercial data indicate that the bald eagle has recovered. The eagle population in the lower 48 states has increased from approximately 487 active nests in 1963, to an estimated minimum 7,066 breeding pairs today.

The bald eagle recovery is due in part to habitat protection and management actions, as well as reduction in levels of persistent pesticides such as DDT in the environment.

Kuwanwisiwma conveyed some of the Hopi's concerns to Fish & Wildlife at an intertribal meeting held in early May in Phoenix. "Clearly the tribes were in opposition," he said.

Subsequent to that, he and a Hopi Tribal Council representative were asked to do a presentation to the Arizona Commission on Indian Affairs. "We presented that Friday and the Commission passed a resolution in full support of the tribe's position to oppose it. So we have that as part of the record," he said.

On Monday, Hopi Cultural Resources filed a proposed resolution with the tribal secretary in hopes that it will be heard and adopted by the Tribal Council.

Though national statistics seem to indicate the bald eagle is quite healthy, regional Fish & Wildlife representatives also are concerned that it has not reached its full recovery goal due to the Southwest's environmental fragility. There is only one area currently remaining in Arizona that is habitat, and that is the Verde River, particularly around Camp Verde.

"I think the contention right now with the delisting is really narrowed down to the state of Arizona and what the statistics and data, based on the U.S. Fish & Wildlife's own research, are telling us," he said.

"The Hopi position is that we are asking the U.S. Fish & Wildlife to maintain the status quo, or an exemption for the state of Arizona. But the only basis for an exemption is whether or not the bald eagle in Arizona is a distinct or separate species from the general population of bald eagles, and the Fish & Wildlife is saying it is not. The birds in Arizona are the same nationwide," Kuwanwisiwma said.

Under the Endangered Species Act, the law states that any "threatened or endangered" decision has to be science or biologically based. "What the tribes are trying to say is, 'Hey, look, wait a minute. We haven't, first of all, been consulted to the extent we would like. And secondly, if we were consulted in the research, I think we probably could have contributed to the scientific finding in terms of traditional practices, for example.

"Out of the 42 breeding pairs, interestingly, 20 of those breeding pairs are on tribal lands. So that's almost half of the known population, and the tribes haven't been extensively consulted," he said. "Right now, there's a general, unilateral decision nationwide that once it's delisted, then the states will take over.

"In preparation for that, the state of Arizona has already done what they call ‘Assessment and Management Strategy.’. But when you go into that document, there isn't much about how the state of Arizona proposes to interact with the tribes. So there are a number of reasons the Hopi Tribe will oppose the delisting -- some for political reasons and some for biological reasons," he said.

TO SUBMIT an ARTICLE, OPINION PIECE, COMMENTS 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.

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

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NAJA ALERTS, POTPOURRI - Every Tuesday when available.

NAJA Alerts, NAPT, News, Announcements - June 12th, 2007

Azocar Elected NAJA President - New Board Members, Executive Director Chosen
DENVER_June 11, 2007_Cristina Azocar, (cazocar@sfsu.edu) , the director of the Center for Integration and Improvement of Journalism and an assistant professor of journalism at San Francisco State University, was elected Sunday as president of the Native American Journalists Association by the board of directors.

Azocar (Upper Mattaponi) was re-elected to a second, three-year term on the board during NAJA's annual convention. She previously has served as NAJA's secretary and treasurer.

"I joined NAJA as a student in 1992, and I'm honored to be able to give something back to an organization that I grew up with," Azocar said. "With the upcoming move to the University of Oklahoma and the UNITY: Journalists of Color convention in Chicago next year, we will be busy. I promise to work very hard to make this a successful year."

Azocar succeeds Mike Kellogg (Navajo), publisher of the Stillwater (Okla.) NewsPress, who was elected treasurer by the board. Bryan Pollard (Cherokee), editor of The Cherokee Phoenix in Tahlequah, Okla., was elected vice president. Pollard previously served as NAJA secretary. Shirley Sneve (Rosebud Sioux), executive director of Native American Public Telecommunications in Lincoln, Neb., was elected NAJA secretary. Newly elected to the board was Rhonda LeValdo (Acoma Pueblo), a graduate student in journalism at the University of Kansas in Lawrence. Ronnie Washines (Yakama), NAJA's outgoing vice president, was re-elected to a second term on the board.

The board also announced the hiring of Jeff Harjo (Seminole), editor of the Kickapoo Traveling Times, as NAJA executive director. Harjo succeeds Interim Executive Director Kim Baca (Navajo/Santa Clara Pueblo), who will leave the organization when NAJA moves to Norman, Okla., at the end of July.

Based in Vermillion, S.D., NAJA is a national nonprofit that works to encourage American Indians to pursue journalism careers and works with media organizations to encourage fair and thorough coverage of Indian people and issues.

Newspapers Make Progress In Native American Coverage
CONTACT:Cristina Azocar, 415-338-7437 or cazocar@sfsu.edu
DENVER_June 11, 2007
Newspapers in states with high American Indian populations are covering Indian people with more accuracy and cultural sensitivity, but more training and hiring of Native journalists are needed for unbiased stories, according to a new report analyzing print coverage of Native Americans.

The 2007 Reading Red Report, released during the Native American Journalists Association's 23rd annual convention, found many fewer objectionable headlines and stories than a 2002 report, but still discovered stereotypical terms such as "warpath" and "peace pipe" in stories published from Jan. 1, 2005 to Dec. 31, 2006.

"We still have a long way to go," said Cristina Azocar (Upper Mattaponi), director of the Center for Integration and Improvement of Journalism and an assistant professor of journalism at San Francisco State University, who led the project. "Papers such as The Tulsa World and The Albuquerque Journal covered a diversity of subjects on Indian people, but still used more non-Native sources than Native ones."

Azocar, who was elected NAJA president during the convention, said researchers analyzed 1,741 articles in newspapers in cities that had high American Indian populations, including Albuquerque, Anchorage, Los Angeles, New York, Oklahoma City, San Diego and Tucson. The study looked at whether the news coverage portrayed Native Americans positively, negatively or neutrally, if Native sources were used and whether stereotypical terms appeared in print.

Researchers discovered that 75 percent of the articles were neutral and only 6 percent had a negative tone toward American Indians. The study also found that a majority of the coverage was about arts or entertainment, education and casinos, although very few stories had datelines from reservations.

But despite improvement in coverage, researchers said they still found stereotypical phrases such as "happy hunting grounds" or "on the warpath." Both those terms were discovered in The New York Times. One was a movie review and the other about a woman's fight to save a plot of land. The study also found instances of inappropriate uses of several words in headlines, including "reservation," which was found in The Tulsa World topping a story about Mato Nanji, the lead singer of the band Indigenous. The headline: "Without reservation."

The best stories came from newspapers providing beat coverage on Indian people, including The Albuquerque Journal, The San Antonio Express News and Tulsa World. "Local Native Americans were profiled as everyday people doing positive and negative deeds or provided interactions between Natives and others," researchers said about the papers.To view the report, go to: http://www.naja.com/.

SAG Fights Discrimination Lawsuits
Submitted by Shaun Tsumi
June 9, 2007

According to the 2006 LM-2 reports, SAG paid the law firm of O'Melveny & Meyers nearly 1.5 million dollars in legal fees. Since 2001 the union has been fending off discrimination lawsuits.

The Screen Actors Guild, has faced multiple termination and racial discrimination cases since 2001. After settling seven others, it has continued paying O'Melveny and Myers' Eric Amdursky to fight allegations brought by Dr. Patricia Heisser Metoyer, the guild's former affirmative action director in April, 2001. The case is still in litigation scheduled for September 28, 2007 hearing in the Superior Court County of Los Angeles for additional legal fees to be paid to O'Melveny & Meyers.

"SAG is well advised to get it resolved, because with the evidence we have they don't want to go to trial," said Rick Hicks, of Beverly Hills-based Hicks & Hicks, representing Metoyer. "If they do go to trial they are going to have real heartburn."

SAG, which has said that the allegations are without merit settled these cases for undisclosed amounts in addition to the legal fees paid and has declined to have any officials address the allegations for attribution.

Hicks said that 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."

Yup'ik voters need more, lawsuit says
Submitted by Alyssa Macy

VOTING RIGHTS: Oral, written help at polls lacks, ACLU claims.
By MARY PEMBERTON
The Associated Press
Published: June 12, 2007
Last Modified: June 12, 2007 at 12:42 AM

A federal lawsuit was filed Monday on behalf of Native voters in the Bethel area whose primary language is Yup'ik. The lawsuit filed by the Native American Rights Fund and the American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska seeks to have state and regional election officials provide oral and written voter assistance to Yup'ik-speaking voters in the region…

Daniel Levitas
State Legislative Strategies for Felon Enfranchisement
c/o ACLU Voting Rights Project

Native American Public Television Clips

Job Opening: Marketing Director
Native American Public Telecommunications (NAPT) supports the creation, promotion and distribution of Native Media -- through the Internet and Public Radio and Television.

Develop, implement and evaluate marketing plans and strategies for NAPT products and services. Plan and manage marketing budgets and campaigns. Oversee the design and publication of all promotional materials. Develop and implement market analysis strategies.

Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Advertising, Communications, Business or related field plus two years marketing or related experience in industry or business required; equivalent education/experience considered. Internet marketing, marketing campaign management and excellent writing skills necessary. Prefer knowledge of Native American cultures.

Review of resumes will begin July 9, 2007.Apply at https://employment.unl.eduFind out more information about NAPT at www.nativetelecom.org

Find out more about the University of Nebraska - Lincoln (UNL), where NAPT is located, at http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=7uxi4acab.0.ugrrabcab.8fvnpcbab.7046&ts=S0252&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.unl.edu%2FUNL is committed to EEO/AA and ADA/504. If you require an accommodation, please call (402) 472-9333 ext. 214.

FOX-2007 American Indian Summer Institute
The American Indian Summer Institute invites American Indian participants behind-the-scenes of the entertainment industry in an intensive six-day hands-on workshops, lectures, and field trips in Los Angeles, July 15 - 20.

Training will include advanced and beginner tracks. Participant desired age range is 18 - 25. Institute covers the cost of the program and lodging, airfare is participant's responsibility.

Participants may also apply to NAPT producer opportunity fund to cover half the cost of airfare.Overview of American Indian Summer InstituteRegistration FormNAPT Producer Opportunity Fund Application

Call For Native Writers - Deadline, July 1st
Borderlands Theater, founded in 1986, seeks to develop plays or theatrical works by indigenous writers focusing on the Tohono O'odham, Pascua Yaqui, Tohono Akimel and Cocopah communities.

Short dramatic material: story telling, monologues, dramatic songs or musical pieces, dramatic scenes, sketches, and treatments of any style or genre are encouraged. Description and Registration Info

Open Dialogue XI: Global Connection To Cultural Democracy, July 12-15, Denver
The Association of American Cultures (TAAC) hosts this gathering of artists, arts organizations, cultural policy leaders and academics from diverse communities to explore global connections, arts and cultural policy initiatives, and issues affecting many cultural, ethnic, and racial communities.

Panel session and symposium topics include cultural democracy, technology and the cultural landscape, global migration and the immigration debate. Professional development workshops on topics such as performing arts, technology, and arts funding will also be offered.
Conference Information

From Our Community
Terry Jones (Seneca), co-producer of Casino Nation, was one of many filmmakers honored June 5 by the National Museum of the American Indian, American Indian Community House, Renew Media, Sundance Institute Native Initiative, and Tribeca All Access, for their contributions to Native film.

Casino Nation has been selected for broadcast on the PBS series POV in 2008. Jones will also be a panel presenter at AFI/SilverDocs Festival June 12-17.

Search For Classic Louis Hine Photo
From Nancy - HELLO THERE, CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME?
I would love to know where to find a copy of the Louis Hine photograph of Mohawk ironworkers, 4 or 5 of the guys, on the Rockefeller Center construction site, back in the1930's on a lunch break. One guy is lying on a beam.

If you have any info, please write me - bobbieo@digitaldune.net and I will forward the information to Nancy.

TO SUBMIT an ARTICLE, OPINION PIECE, COMMENTS 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.

AIROS NATIVE NETWORK plays music, news and other great programs from Indian Country - www.airos.org

FOR NATIVE CELEBRITY NEWS - go to www.nativecelebs.com

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

NATIVE BIZ LEARNING CENTER - www.learn.nativebiz.com was developed for tribal education specialists serving tribal communities. Any tribal community can register at NO COST.

NAJA ALERTS, POTPOURRI - Every Tuesday when available.

United Nations Calls For Second Indigenous Border Summit

Submitted by the Western Shoshone Defense Project
By Brenda Norrell

NEW YORK -- The Indigenous Border Summit of the Americas, held September 14, 2006 - “Border Summit Of The Americas” - in San Xavier on Tohono O'odham land in Arizona, was so successful that the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues is calling for a second Border Summit.

Tony Gonzales, staff for the International Indian Treaty Council, said the Border Summit is having far-reaching global impacts.

"As the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues VI came to an end, I am glad to inform you that it too recommended the call for another International Border Summit," Gonzales said.

"Migration and development, border deaths and conflict, border crossing and ID use and displacement of whole communities apparently is coming under scrutiny. It is emerging as a hot topic in the halls of the United Nations and gathering movement; and the global search for solutions."

In New York, the Permanent Forum priorities were the protection of intellectual and traditional property rights, safeguarding genetic integrity, climate change and border issues.

The Border Summit of the Americas, organized by Mike Flores, Tohono O'odham, with support from the International Indian Treaty Council, in 2006, issued a proclamation of Indigenous border rights. The proclamation called for an end to the militarization of borders and a halt to the harassment of Indigenous Peoples crossing borders. The declaration opposed the construction of a U.S. and Mexico border wall that would dissect O'odham communities and violate an O'odham ceremonial route.

The summit gathered testimony from those who are living in the border region, including victims of the military and border agents and those struggling to uphold human rights. The summit brought together in solidarity Mohawk from the north with Indigenous from the southern border.

Gonzales said the Border Summit received endorsement from the United Nations at the preparatory session in April, then again in May from the Forum.

"The preparatory meeting held in mid-April 2007 in Minneapolis in the presence of Willie Little Child, UN Permanent Forum member, endorsed the Border Summit including the San Xavier District Declaration, and recommended in their report the support of another such effort to the UN Permanent Forum."

A site has not yet been selected for the second Border Summit.

The United Nations said that Indigenous leaders wrapped up the annual session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues with a series of recommendations calling on Member States to take steps to protect their rights to lands, territories and natural resources.

Participants urged countries to adopt measures to halt "land alienation" in Indigenous territories – such as by imposing a moratorium on the sale and registration of land in areas that are occupied by Indigenous Peoples, according to the U.N. news release.

They also called for the world's estimated 370 million Indigenous Peoples to be given a central role in dispute-solving arrangements over the lands, territories and natural resources they occupy and use, as well as the right to receive information about these issues in a language they can understand.

During the two-week summit, recommendations included a call for financial and technical assistance so that Indigenous Peoples can map the boundaries of their communal lands, the imposition of penalties on those who carry out harmful activities on indigenous lands, and the payment of compensation to indigenous peoples as a result of such activities.

The recommendations are contained in the Forum's report, to be forwarded to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), which stresses that territories, lands and natural resources are the sources of Indigenous Peoples' spiritual, cultural and social identity.

Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, Chairperson of the Permanent Forum, said that Indigenous People worldwide have long suffered discrimination over their entitlements to occupying and using lands and natural resources.

"One of the key reason why Indigenous Peoples are being disenfranchised from their lands and territories is the existence of discriminatory laws, policies and programmes that do not recognize indigenous peoples' land tenure systems and give more priority to claims being put by corporations – both State and private," she said.

More than 1,500 Indigenous representatives attended the Forum's session. Next year's Forum will focus on the theme of climate change and there will also be sessions devoted to the Pacific region and to the protection of the thousands of threatened Indigenous languages.

Indigenous oppose Border Wall and Militarization:
http://americas.irc-online.org/amcit/3648

To read reports on the Border Summit, please see: http://bsnorrell.tripod.com

Also on the Censored blog:
--Western Shoshone film, "Our Land, Our Life," wins People's Choice award at Mountainfilm fest in Telluride
--Oglala Commemoration announcement for 2007
--Commentary: 'Wounded Knee' end of Hollywood trail
--Mohawk Nation News
--News from the Zapatistas' Other Campaign in Northwest Mexico--
Brenda Norrell
http://www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com/

TO SUBMIT an ARTICLE, OPINION PIECE, COMMENTS 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.

AIROS NATIVE NETWORK plays music, news and other great programs from Indian Country - www.airos.org

FOR NATIVE CELEBRITY NEWS - go to www.nativecelebs.com

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

NATIVE BIZ LEARNING CENTER - www.learn.nativebiz.com was developed for tribal education specialists serving tribal communities. Any tribal community can register at NO COST.

NAJA ALERTS, POTPOURRI - Every Tuesday when available.

Hillary Clinton & Mary Kim Titla Make Political News

Clinton Turns Down 'Prez On The Rez' Forum
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Indianz.com
Hillary Clinton (D-New York) became the first major Democratic presidential candidate to turn down the "Prez on the Rez" forum, drawing an angry response from the event's organizers on Wednesday.

Kalyn Free, a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, accused Clinton of lacking the "courage to change lives in Indian Country. "I'm both disappointed and astonished that Senator Clinton has turned her back on American Indians," said Free, whose non-profit INDN's List Education Fund (ILEF) is organizing the event.

"By refusing to participate in this historic event, she lost an opportunity to inspire an entire generation of American Indians to engage in the democratic process," added Free, who ran for U.S. Congress in 2002.

Clinton didn't give ILEF a reason for declining the invitation, Dave Parker, the political director for the group, said in an interview. Her campaign didn't return Indianz.Com's request for comment.

But a spokesperson for the campaign gave The Palm Springs Desert Sun a couple of explanations for the decision. "She will not be in California that day," Phil Singer told the paper.

"That's ridiculous," responded Parker, noting that all the candidates were extended an invitation more than six months ago. "It's offensive is what it is."

A second reason was the "labor issue," The Desert Sun reported. The Morongo Band of Mission Indians, the host of the event, recently signed a gaming compact with California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) that labor unions -- the traditional allies of the Democratic party -- oppose.
Parker said ILEF has been reaching out to labor unions to address their concerns. "We see it as an opportunity for a discussion between tribes and labor, assuming both sides want that to happen," he said.

But for Clinton to reject the invitation based on the labor issue speaks to her "shortsightedness," Parker argued. "There are 562 federally recognized tribes," he said. They are coming from all over America for this event."

"It's very shortsighted on her part to say no to this opportunity to reach out to American Indians," Parker said.

After Free announced plans for "Prez on the Rez" back in February, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D-New Mexico), who has a strong record on Indian issues as a former Congressman and former Cabinet official, immediately confirmed. Former Sen. Mike Gravel (D-Alaska) also said he will attend.

None of the other candidates, however, have committed to the August 23 event, despite strong backing from the Democratic National Committee and its chairman Howard Dean, a former governor of Vermont who ran for president in 2004.

"If they say no, it's clear what kind of president they're going to be," said Parker.

Free, a former Department of Justice attorney and former district attorney in Oklahoma, founded the Indigenous Democratic Network to train and elect Indian candidates. In 2006, the group helped put 16 Native Americans across the county in office.

Candidates: Apply Now For 21st Century Democrats Endorsement
June 7, 2007
by Kalyn Free
As we gear up for the 2008 election cycle, we are working with likeminded activists to find the next round of visionary leaders to elect. Our sister organization and Campaign Camp co-host 21st Century Democrats just released its 2007-2008 candidate questionnaire to help us find the next generation of Progressive candidates across the country.

Representative Chuck Hoskin, a 2006 INDN candidate, was endorsed by 21st Century Democrats, and our two organizations worked very closely to ensure his election. We look forward to working even more closely with 21st Century Democrats in 2008.

If you're interested in running for office to build Democratic majorities across the country and a better future for all Americans, Apply Today to be an endorsed candidate for 21st Century Democrats! While you're at it, apply to be an INDN candidate and attend Campaign Camp 2007.

Please forward this message, with the links to 21st Century Democrat's new endorsement application and to our own, to all the political activists you know.

Leadership is about offering solutions and building the political will to support them. That's why 21st Century Democrats works to elect Democrats who will be leaders inside the Democratic Party on Capitol Hill, in State Houses, counties and cities across the country - Democrats who will take us to the next level.

And by partnering with us at INDN's List we can ensure that many of those leaders are American Indians that will move both Indian Country and America forward to a better future.

To find the kind of candidates we endorse, we need your help to forward this message to people you know who may be thinking about running for office this election cycle.

As a supporter of INDN's List, you know that very often the best leaders are overlooked or ignored by the political establishment - just as our leaders have marginalized Indians for most of our history. 21st Century Democrats will elect candidates who are bold, visionary, authentic leaders - and with INDN's List they will find many of those candidates in Indian Country.

You know your local area, your city, and your state better than any consultants and political insiders - you are the best resource we have.

21st Century Democrats is reaching out to you and our entire network of supporters to help find candidates with a bold vision for America by forwarding this message to anyone who might be a visionary leader.

If you are a candidate for state or local office and would like to apply for endorsement check out the 21st Century Democrats endorsement application here, and apply for INDN Camp today!

Email: kalyn@indnslist.org
http://www.indnslist.org/

Mary Kim Titla To Run For Congress
Indian Country Today, May 21st, 2007
by Chris Stearns
NativeYouthMagazine.com publisher Mary Kim Titla, familiar to many Arizonans from the NBC news, announced she will be running on the Democratic ticket for Arizona's 1st Congressional District.

PHOENIX - Mary Kim Titla, the founder of NativeYouthMagazine.com and a 20-year veteran of NBC Phoenix and Tucson television news, has announced that she is going to run for Congress. Titla will have to balance her campaign with her duties as publisher of NativeYouthMagazine.com, an online magazine that showcases Native youth in the United States and Canada.

In a press statement, Titla said, ''After much soul searching and prayer and after being encouraged by voters, I am humbled and honored to inform you I have decided to run for Congress for Arizona's First Congressional District as a Democratic candidate.''

Titla later told Indian Country Today, ''This is something that came to me and I believe in responding to a calling. I agree with voters, it's time for new leadership. I believe I am the new face of Arizona leadership.''

Titla is a member of the San Carlos Apache Tribe of Arizona and is a respected member of the media in Arizona and Indian country. In 2006, Titla was inducted into the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism's Hall of Fame at the Arizona State University.

Titla jumped into a race that political experts are calling wide open. Arizona's 1st Congressional District sprawls across the Navajo Nation and the San Carlos and White Mountain Apache reservations, and reaches down into the northern and eastern suburbs of Phoenix. The district is currently held by Rick Renzi, R-Ariz.

But Renzi is embroiled in a federal investigation related to misuse of his public office in a 2005 real estate deal. After an April FBI raid on his wife's business office, Renzi stepped down from his key House committee posts, including the Intelligence and Natural Resources committees. More recently, Renzi agreed to pay a $25,000 fine to the Federal Elections Commission and more than $320,000 in back taxes for campaign loans during his 2002 campaign.

Renzi's troubles may cost him his congressional seat. So far, Renzi has resisted calls for his resignation, but Republican party leaders are concerned that if Renzi is not cleared in the federal probe and does not resign, he will limp into the 2008 campaign and lose to the eventual Democratic nominee. If Renzi does resign, the Arizona governor would call for a special election that would result in a primary within 75 - 100 days of his resignation.

There are other Democratic candidates who are considering campaign bids for Renzi's seat, including Renzi's opponent last year, Ellen Simon, who filed papers to run again at the end of April. Other potential candidates include Arizona state Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick and former Casa Grande Mayor Bob Mitchell.

Titla's early entry into the race sets off a behind-the-scenes ''invisible primary'' race for endorsements and financial support. But Titla has one advantage that her other opponents do not - her years of television reporting have made her a regular guest in living rooms across Arizona. And the fact that she is part of the television news family makes her candidacy a safe bet to draw lots of coverage by Arizona news outlets.

Titla plans on refining her campaign message while on a ''Hear the People Tour'' across the 1st District in May. She pointed out, ''I will speak out about quality education for our children and strengthening families. Other issues I care about include the war in Iraq and coming up with a plan now to bring our troops home, cleaning up corruption in Washington and making sure your tax dollars are spent wisely.''

Titla knows she has her work cut out for her, but she also has a strong sense of purpose.

When asked why she thinks she can win, Titla responded: ''As a journalist I learned so much about the people of Arizona and their communities. I spoke to them face to face. I was there when good things happened and when tragedy struck. I was passionate about my job. I am now passionate about my journey into politics.''

WE HAVE BEEN LIED TO , AGAIN
Your calls are needed now.
Approximately 50 wild buffalo are in the trap near West Yellowstone's airport right now. After all their quotes in papers worldwide promising not to slaughter any buffalo left in Montana, the agencies have back-tracked on their word to the American people and others throughout the world.

MONTANA INTENDS TO SLAUGHTER WILD BUFFALO TODAY.
A Montana Department of LIEStock press release stated they will capture and slaughter any bull bison that are in the small group of approximately 50 still in Montana. They claim the bison trap cannot handle bulls, which is another lie because, as you know, they've captured and sent to slaughter hundreds of bull bison over the years.

Intent to slaughter bull bison was confirmed by officials with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Bull bison pose no risk of brucellosis transmission. With calving season over, none of the buffalo pose any risk of brucellosis transmission to cattle. There are no cattle on the public lands that wild bison are migrating to.There has never been a confirmed case of wild bison transmitting brucellosis to cattle.

Agencies might also send yearling buffalo to the Corwin Springs quarantine facility, where they will be raised like livestock and used inscientific experiments. Half of all the yearlings sent to Corwin Springs will be slaughtered. Apparently, the agencies will still transport the buffalo mothers andcalves they capture in West Yellowstone to the Park's Stephens Creekbison trap near Gardiner.

Transport is going to be a living hell for these moms and calves who will be separated for the over 150-mile long journey.They will hold the bison captive for a few days before releasing them. BFC patrols are in the field documenting everything and doing a lot of community outreach near the capture facility.

PLEASE TAKE ACTION and attempt to save the lives of these bulls and yearlings. We've done it once, let's do it again. Please spread the word to save this herd!

* MONTANA GOVERNOR BRIAN SCHWEITZER: Ask him why he lied. Demandthat Schweitzer keep his promise to not slaughter any buffalo!
Tell him the solution is in year-round habitat for wild buffalo in Montana.(406) 444-3111 (phone)· (406) 444-5529 (fax) · governor@mt.gov (email)·

* MONTANA ACTING STATE VET JEANNE RANKIN: Urge her to withdraw her decision to slaughter Yellowstone bison bulls who pose NO RISK of transmitting brucellosis.
Remind her the whole world is watching!(406) 444-1895 (phone) · * (800) 523-3162 (phone) · * (406) 444-1929 (fax)* jrankin@mt.gov (email)·

* YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK SUPERINTENDENT SUZANNE LEWIS: · Ask her why she is part of the lie? Do not allow Montana to slaughter bulls or put yearlings in quarantine! These are AMERICA'S last wild buffalo, not Montana's.
Tell her you know the Stephens Creek trap could hold bulls, so there's no reason that Montana should slaughter them!> (307) 344-2002 (phone)· * (307) 344-2005 (fax) · * suzanne_lewis@nps.gov OR yell_superintendent@nps.gov (email)·

Thank you for keeping the pressure on these officials! These wild buffalo are the country's last. They have never transmitted the cattle-disease brucellosis back to the cows they got it from. They are native to all of Montana and have a right to roam, especially on our public lands.

SPREAD THE WORD ~ SAVE THE HERD!
Media & OutreachBuffalo Field Campaign
P.O. Box 957
West Yellowstone, MT
406-646-0070
bfc-media@wildrockies.org
http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org

BFC is the only group working in the field every day to defend the last wild herd of buffalo in America.Stay informed!

Get our weekly email Updates from the Field: Send your email address to bfc-media@wildrockies.org

BOYCOTT BEEF! It's what's killing wild buffalo.

Speak Out! Contact politicians and involved agencies today:http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/actnow/politicians....

Help the buffalo by recycling your used cell phones & printercartridges: It's free and easy. http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/support/recycleprin... .

TO SUBMIT an ARTICLE, OPINION PIECE, COMMENTS 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.

AIROS NATIVE NETWORK plays music, news and other great programs from Indian Country - www.airos.org

FOR NATIVE CELEBRITY NEWS - go to www.nativecelebs.com

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

NATIVE BIZ LEARNING CENTER - www.learn.nativebiz.com was developed for tribal education specialists serving tribal communities. Any tribal community can register at NO COST.

NAJA ALERTS, POTPOURRI - Every Tuesday when available.