Native Issues

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The follow are different stories relating to issues that are pertinent to the Native American Community as a whole. Please when considering these stories realize that these are not imaginary tales nor the passing remnants of past ill's.

Native Indigenous Culture's issues are equally as critical to our species planetary survival or geo-political stability as the forced relocations of Kosovars, the continued extinquishment of the Tibet religious community or the destruction of the native eco-environment in the Amazon rain forest. Issues which of course attracted the predominant cultures attentions with relative ease.

These stories are of people and of communities that love, breathe, educate and desire what every other nation or people expect from those that rule and have authority over them. Simply what is fair, what is legal, what is right and what is owed.

The disenfranchisement of the native cultures has not abated nor has the rampant opportunism that eventually and continually undermines their attempts at acquiring parity. The playing field is not level and it is to that end the Ameri-Advocate strives, with every breath we take, to help level the playing field through advocacy, education and action.

Now is the time. To get the word out. To right the wrongs. To give back what was stolen. To pay rent on what's owed. To honor and act justly on the agreements we're committed to. Its time to make amends and begin again. A righteous future can await us if we can only awaken and act on it now.

If we dug up the graves in Kirksville Missouri to study what rural farmers were like in an era past and then placed them in museum's for everyone to "enjoy", I'd imagine there would be a few angry folks in town ready to string up the nut case who ever dreamed up such a sacrilegious and insidious act. Yet to this day, hundreds if not thousands of remains are disinterred and residing in NY and DC Museum's.

The fact that this kind of atrocity is entirely ignored by the media and for that matter , the predominant culture's population as a whole is exactly why the Ameri-Advocate has engaged this issue as its primary focus; namely to bring to the world the concept that Indigenous People are an integral, viable and vibrant component of our species. They deserve to be recognized and treated as such.

Lastly, for this reason, we will continue to bring the latest information and stories on these vital issues not only to the light of day but to the world as a whole, in full view.

Ellis Smith June 99'

*************

Seventh Circle Help

Thanks your correct in that it fell thru the cracks of mayhem.
With winter coming now would be a good time to start drives
to gather supplies and to get this guy on board to pick up and
deliever them.

ellis

From: MissJoshua@aol.com

Hi All! A few weeks ago, I sent this info to Ellis, but his pc blew up and
then the onelist went down and well, you all know the rest. It must of got
lost in the shuffle.
Due to a family illness, I am not able to persue this at this time, but
thought I'd shoot it through to see if anyone else could.
A few weeks ago I talked to a trucker who lives in the apt. complex where I
work. I told him about the donations waiting in PA for shipment to South
Dakota. He was such a nice man, and gave me the number of his company (I
beieve it's Roman-Haaus?)
Anyway, he said they do this sort of thing all the time so here is the info:
Robin Berry (it's a guy)
1-800-321-4552
East Coast Sales Division
Can't beat an 800 #! If anyone can follow up on this, it'd be great!
Please let me know......
Peace and prayers,
Lynny

The Seventh Circle

   When you enter Rapid City for the first time you are struck with images of industry, tourist
   attractions and gaming parlors. There are many new buildings and lots of things to do, without
   having to see the tragedies that occur beyond the glitz. Every winter people are dying of
   exposure and because they are Indian and hidden their fate means little to the general
   population. That must change.

   Winter is closing in fast and many people are not equipped withh the necessary clothing.
   Winter coats,clothes, gloves hatsand footgear along with socks are going to be desperately
   needed. Warm blankets and sleeping bags would also be appreciated. Check out the guest
   book for other needed items.

   With the extreme poverty of the Reservations, people come to the cities seeking a better life
   and are all too often left stranded. The cities are overwhelmed by the numbers of destitute
   people and often the shelters can not house everyone.
   People sleep in abandoned houses, cars, boxes, under bridges and anywhere they can find
   some shelter from the elements. Weather in the plains states can be brutal and even
   deadly. But weather is not the only killer of the people, apathy can be just as deadly, we need
   people to care enough to sacrifice what they can to help. This is an effort taking place in Rapid
   City, please read this page carefully and let your heart do the rest.

   All to often indigenous people are turned away from the homeless shelters in Rapid City, South
   Dakota because they have been drinking. During the bitter winter that is often a sentence of
   death. Alcohol decreases the body's ability to fight hypothermia and as a result they freeze to
   death. Until now their only option has been to seek shelter under bridges or in abandoned
   houses. They may survive another winter but the problem remains, they have little hope for
   anything better in their lives. The Seventh Circle is a non-profit organization, dedicated to
   providing the homeless of the Rapid City, S. Dakota area, with affordable housing , restoring
   dignity and giving them a foundation rooted in traditional culture. Although it is aimed at the
   Native American homeless the program will be open to all that are homeless. There are a few
   preconditions: 1.They must be willing to change destructive habits thru traditional methods
   and 2. They must be homeless at the time of their application, and 3. They must be willing to
   work within the community for everyone's benefit.

   The plan would provide the indigent not only with physical shelter, but with a caring
   community built around our Native traditional values, culture and religion. We believe that
   such a living and learning situation will be especially valuable for the most vulnerable of our
   people-- children living in poverty. Without such a cultural background, these children will
   have little chance to compete effectively in mainstream culture, with it, they will have the
   confidence to learn and master the skills that they will need to survive and prosper. The plan
   hinges upon obtaining the surplus military housing at the West Nike site near Ellsworth AFB, S.
   Dakota.

   And here is a statement from Rick Grey Buffalo Quinn, Founder of the Seventh Circle: The
   Seventh Circle is seeking urgently needed help from all generations and peoples. And as
   founder of the Seventh Circle, I am working with the homeless. Not only working with the
   homeless, but trying to replace things lost or stolen, by replacing homes to the homeless. And
   so I thank you.

   We are but a small voice crying in the wind. And again, we ask all mankind to help with our
   endeavors. Although I cannot come to you I pray my voice will. From the heart of the Dakota
   Nation, the housing that I will aquire will be called the "Leonard Peltier Housing Project", In
   the spirit of Crazy Horse, it is a dream of Leonard Peltier to provide housing for his people.
   Donations of food, clothing and desperately needed funds can be sent to:
   The Seventh Circle
   c/o Rick Grey Buffalo Quinn,
   321 Doolittle Street,
   Rapid City, S. Dakota 57701
   (605)355-9025 or
   605-390-2751
   For information via e-mail contact David
   Hendren at dhendren@mint.net

**************

Speak Out for Black Mesa!
          All Day Friday October 29, 1999 and
              All Day Monday November 1, 1999
                  Phone Calling, Faxing, Letter Writing:

Please be polite, keep a copy and share any replies with ISCO! Thank you.

              5:00 am- 2:00 pm Pacific Standard Time:

Contact:        President Bill Clinton (202) 456-1111
              The White House     (202) 456-2461 Fax
              1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
              Washington DC 20500 president@whitehouse.gov
              United States of America

-- Ask him to issue an Executive Order forbidding any forced evictions of
traditional Dine'h (Navajo) from the HPL in Arizona. Remind him the next
"deadline" is February 1, 2000. Urge him to show his commitment to human
rights here at home. Suggest this is his opportunity to leave the legacy
of his presidency by righting the wrongs against American Indians.

Contact:        Asst. Attorney General Eric Holder
              United States Department of Justice
              PO Box 44378        (202) 514-2101
              Washington DC 20026 (202) 514-0467 Fax

              cc: Attorney General Janet Reno (address above)

-- Ask Mr. Holder to *not* ask the US District Court for, nor enforce
eviction notices for the Dine'h from the Hopi Partition Lands in
northeastern Arizona. Express your concern that the DOJ handle this
non-violently, with sensitivity to the Elders and different culture of the
Dine'h People. The DOJ should halt any threatening actions against US
citizens whose beliefs counter US policies that directly affect their
children, such as the traditional Dine'h resisting forced relocation from
the HPL (regardless of their "Accommodation Agreement" lease status).

Regardless of any perceived land dispute between the Hopi and Navajo, or
any settlement between the Hopi Tribe and United States, forced relocation
continues to violate traditional Dine'h (Navajo) religious, civil and
human rights. Forcing Dine'h to sign leases to settle legal claims the
Hopi Tribe has with the US is neither permanent or fair. The US must be
more "accommodating" in their problem solving and learn to stop bullying
American Indians. Remind him of the terrible outcome of their raid on the
Branch Dividians at Waco, Texas and ask him to avoid another national
tragedy! Instead, the DOJ should protect the human rights of the Dine'h.

          For More Info:           isco@efn.org
          Indigenous Support Coalition of Oregon
          PO Box 11715 Eugene, OR 97440    (541) 683-2789

**********

Urgent Ward Valley alert
   From: "Save Ward Valley" swv1@ctaz.com

   BREAKING NEWS! U.S. Government breaks promise to Native Nations and public to stop proposed Ward Valley Dump Project, betrays environment and tribes!
    California Governor Davis appoints nuclear industry-dominated committee to "study" issue.

Call Tom Fry at the U.S. Interior Department --(202) 208-3801
      * Tell the Interior Dept. it is unacceptable they have failed to terminate the Dump Project as promised

Call Governor Davis today -- (916) 445-2841
        * Call Davis now! Tell him that the public has no confidence in the biased task force and that the people will stop the dump, no matter what it takes.

   TELL THE GOVERNMENT TO KEEP THEIR PROMISES AND STOP THE DUMP NOW!

   In a disturbing turnabout and betrayal, both the federal government and
   Governor Gray Davis have broken their promises to stop the dump once
   and for all. The Bureau of Land Management refuses to return the State's
   application for the land as promised, and Governor Davis has assembled a
   task force made up primarily of nuclear waste generators to determine
   the fate of Ward Valley.

   The first meeting of the Task Force will be November 17 at UCLA in Los
   Angeles. Join hundreds of activists for a demonstration against the dump.


   VISIT THE GREENACTION WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS ON
   THIS ACTION ALERT
   http://www.greenaction.org

************

10-27-1999
Indigenous struggle continues in Latin America

MEXICO CITY (IPS)-Indigenous organizations throughout Latin America held a
variety of protests to commemorate the 507th anniversary of the arrival of
the Spaniards to the Americas.

The "D�a de la Raza," "D�a de Hispanidad," Columbus Day or Discoverers' Day
are just a few of the names used by governments on the American continent to
refer to October 12, a date that indigenous groups do not want to see
celebrated because to them it represents the start of exploitation and
oppression.

An estimated 75 million indigenous people died in the 16th and 17th
centuries in Latin America due to forced labor, wars and epidemics under
Spanish colonialism. And although they enjoy a greater political presence
today, a majority of the roughly 45 million indigenous members of 400 ethnic
groups found in the Americas, mainly in Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Guatemala
and Mexico, remain firmly in the grip of poverty and marginalization.

In a number of countries in the region, including Mexico, Peru, Guatemala,
Honduras and Ecuador, indigenous groups organized protest marches, arts
festivals and debates, demanding that their governments recognize the rights
of native groups to ownership of ancestral lands, autonomy and respect for
their culture and identity.

Honduras highlighted the various aspects of the continuing struggle waged by
indigenous people in Latin America.

A demonstration outside the presidential palace by around 5,000 indigenous
and Black protesters was broken up by the National Police using tear gas,
rubber bullets and batons. At least six demonstrators were injured.

Minister of the Presidency Gustavo Alfaro admitted that the protesters had
been granted a permit to march past the presidential palace. "We lament this
incident,'' he said.

Earlier, the demonstrators had successfully blocked a constitutional reform
project in the Honduran parliament, which would have authorized the sale of
public land in coastal and border areas for the development of tourist
projects.

Indigenous leader Salvador Zuniga said communities living in those areas
would be displaced by national and foreign investors if Congress approved
the proposed amendment.

The reform of article 107 of the constitution-which reserves for the state
property rights over, and bans the sale of, all land around the country's
coast and borders, as a means of defending national sovereignty-made it
through a first vote last year in Congress. But, it still must undergo
another vote.

However, the president of Congress, Rafael Pineda Ponce of the governing
Liberal Party, assured reporters that the amendment of article 107 had been
ruled out.

"Indigenous blood runs through my veins, and we must address the just
demands of our brothers,'' said Mr. Pineda Ponce, who added that he had
given instructions to pull the draft amendment off the legislative agenda.

The demonstration outside Congress was organized by the Civic Committee of
Indigenous Organizations and Blacks of Honduras, along with several
associations of subsistence-level farmers.

The protesters also called on the Ministry of Security to resolve the
murders of around a dozen indigenous leaders, killed in disputes over land
by gunmen hired by landowners and ranchers in western and northern Honduras.

Furthermore, they called on the National Agrarian Institute to speed up the
paperwork involved in granting indigenous groups titles to their land, and
to expedite the agrarian reform process.

Lastly, the demonstrators gathered outside the Supreme Court to protest a
legal ruling over land disputes and demand the release of imprisoned peasant
activists.

But the momentum felt throughout the region seven years ago seems to have
waned.

"The 12th of October is symbolic, but it is no longer a reference point, as
it was in 1992, for pushing for substantial changes in the situation of
indigenous peoples,'' said Jos� del Val, director of the Inter-American
Indigenist Institute, an Organization of American States (OAS) agency based
in Mexico.

The 500th anniversary of the arrival of Christopher Columbus to the Americas
was marked by massive protest demonstrations, government pledges, the
awarding of the Nobel Peace prize to Guatemalan indigenous leader Rigoberta
Mench�, and the election of V�ctor Hugo C�rdenas, a member of an indigenous
group, as vice- president of Bolivia.

Discussions in the Organization of American States (OAS) and the United
Nations on draft declarations on the rights of indigenous peoples were also
given a new impulse.

The draft declarations on the rights of indigenous peoples have been under
discussion in the OAS and UN for over 10 years. Analysts say the discussions
have been held up by the reluctance of governments to recognize the right to
autonomy of indigenous communities.

That reluctance could also explain the fact that only 10 countries in the
Americas have ratified International Labor Organization (ILO) Convention
169, which recognizes the rights of ethnic groups to the preservation of
their culture and territory.

********

Wed, 27 Oct 1999
Feds Freeze Indian Tribe's Accounts

.c The Associated Press
By PHIL ROONEY

SANTEE, Neb. (AP) - Federal prosecutors have frozen the
bank accounts of the Santee Sioux Tribe in an attempt to
shut down its casino.

U.S. Attorney Tom Monaghan said he intends to seize the
assets to help pay more than $1 million in fines the tribe
owes the government for operating its casino in defiance of
court orders.

``It's the first step in the collection process,'' he said
Tuesday. ``The tribe has not made any effort to pay those
court-ordered fines.''

Santee leaders said the money included federal funds
earmarked for health-care and social service programs.
None of the money was generated from the casino, tribal
chairman Butch Denny said.

``This is an attack on our elderly and children,'' Denny
said. ``We are not going to let him get away with this. We
are ready to fight.''

It was the latest development in a three-year effort by
state and federal officials to close the casino on the
Santee reservation near the South Dakota border in
northeast Nebraska.

The tribe opened the Ohiya Casino in 1996 even though
the
state refused to approve it. Casino-style gambling,
including slot machines, is illegal in Nebraska.

The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 requires states to
negotiate agreements with tribes to set rules and limits on
gambling. The tribe sued the state, alleging it failed to
negotiate in good faith.

The tribe says the casino's 23 jobs are much needed on the
reservation - where the unemployment rate is 74 percent.

Neither the tribe or Monaghan knew exactly how much
money was in the frozen accounts at two banks.

A federal judge started fining the tribe $3,000 per day in
February for refusing to close the casino. The fine was
doubled in July. None of the fines have been paid.

Monaghan also seized about $87,000 from a Santee account in
South Dakota in 1997. The tribe responded by filing a lawsuit and
opening secret accounts.

************

October 27, 1999
Gratitude for Cooperation

I posted the Indigenous Peoples Statement on the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights(TRIPS)Agreement of the WTO 'NO TO PATENTING OF LIFE' paper last week I believe and even duped' notice of it on the ALT lists.
The response was minimal. Here we have Nepal's indigenous peoples jumping on board but the North American Indigenous peoples ignored it. This is important. The WTO is the World Trade Organization. Rather then going after "twinkies", it would be far more beneficial to get this agreement passed in the WTO and thus protecting everyone's culture rather then attempting to go after them one by one on a miniscule basis. The WTO meets in Seattle soon and if one truly wants to do something to protect native rights or go after twinkies, THIS is the venue and the way to do so.

Ellis

From: NIPDISC, KATHMANDU, NEPAL
To: indig-csd List Member

October 27, 1999
Gratitude for Cooperation

Dear Beatri,

Thank you very much for enlisting to NIPDISC in the CSD Caucus list and sending regular information to update this organization about the Caucus's activities.

We appreciate the issues raised by the Caucus for discussion on are found of great important in protecting indigenous peoples' rights and freedoms of sustainable development.

I must also express my sincere gratitude for advising me to write an article about the indigenous peoples of Nepal. But, I am very sorry for not being
able to write it presently. Its due to my fixed program I am going to leave Kathmandu from tomorrow for Bhojpur to conduct consultation meetings concerning to NIPDISC's Indigenous Adult Education Programme piloting at
local level. After my retrieval from the field/village I will try in my best to write something about my peoples.

For my personal introduction; My name is Kripa Kirati. I was born in a remote village Dilpa, Bhojpur of eastern Nepal.I belong to Kirati tribe, who have their own oral religious tradition and distinct way of life than others. Linguistically,now the Kirati peoples are divided into near about 45 language groups. Among them my language group is Bantawa.The total number of the identified Kirati peoples (including the Limbus)is shown 675725(4 percent).

At these days I have been living in Kathmandu and working as the founder chairman of this 'Nepal Indigenous Peoples Development and Information Service Centre(NIPDISC) for the establishment' of this organization.

At the same time, I would also like to inform you that we have agreed to sign on the Indigenous Peoples Statement on the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights(TRIPS)Agreement of the WTO 'NO TO PATENTING OF LIFE'. That was received through the email of BadMsgQ@ecouncil.ac.cr, but our response could not reach to the sender's address. So, should you please convey our gratitude to him/her who sent us the important document to sign on it.

Please, also be confirmed that your selection of Dedorah Mclaren as a co- facilitator for Tourism is welcomed by us too. We wish he would be successful in safeguarding the interest of indigenous peoples in tourist sector.

Lastly I most apologize for this late response of your emails.

Looki

Thanks again.

Yours sincerely

Kripa Kirati
Chairman
NIPDISC

*********

"Chief Illiniwek" - call for immediate action

Mon, 25 Oct 1999 10:33:33 -0500
CALL FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION

Dear Friends,

      The National Coalition on Racism in Sports and the Media calls for your
immediate and sustained action. The University of Illinois, the state's
flagship academic institution and one of our most stubborn cases on Indian
mascots, is being evaluated for accreditation by the North Central
Association of Colleges and Schools.

      The University administration, conveniently neglected to include the
"Chief Illiniwek" issue in their required self-study, even though this had
been requested and the Student-Faculty Senate had voted to eliminate the
mascot (also 700 out of approx. 2100 UI faculty have expressed their
opposition to this practice).

      Loss of accreditation would imply putting millions of dollars in federal
funds at risk. Loss of revenue, is the quickest way to get the attention of
the Board of Trustees, the Chancellor and the President of the University.
To that end, we are asking you to write to the chairperson of the
accreditation committee and to the committee itself, asking for
accreditation to be withheld until the University stops using Native
peoples and their cultures for entertainment and profit.

      Below is a sample letter and the addresses.
Please take the time to send these off and ask your friends to do
the same.

In Solidarity,
Paula Ostrovsky
Co-coordinator
NCRSM-IL

1-The Accreditation Group:
Public Comment/UIUC
Commission on Institutions of Higher Education
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
30 N. LaSalle St.
Suite 2400
Chicago, IL 60602

2: The Chairperson of the Accreditation Group:
Philip Certain
Dean of Arts & Letters
University of Wisconsin
Madison, WI 53706

3: The Sample Letter:
Please withhold academic accreditation from the University of Illinois
until their use of a Native American as their sports mascot ceases.
Signed,
Name
Address

**************

Sacred Lands Under Seige ::: Support Sovereign Dineh Nation
23 Oct 1999

************************************************
From: Lendra Ceinwyn
*****************
To weave for the Dine'h is a prayer of thanksgiving , "the
People" whom some call Navajo. Without their sheep they cannot pray.

As of Feb1., 2000 this proud independent matriachal culture will be
forced once again to move to a "New Land", to be relocated,
which they have no word for in their language.

In 1998, President Clinton signed the Relocation Act during a golf game,
condemning the Dine'h to be moved again against their will, to "New Land"
which is filled with radioactive uranium tailings at 100 times the maximum safety level.

    7 grandmothers have refused to sign over their land, and will refuse
because Big Mountain is sacred to them, the Earth their Mother,
this is their lives they refuse to hand over to the BIA, and Peabody
Coal. These 7 grandmothers are the elders of the Dine'h and represent 14,000 people.

The Dine'h people are afraid that there will be another Ruby Ridge or
Waco or Wounded Knee on or before Feb. 1

Please sign the Petition to end the genocide of the Dine'h People, and
let them continue to weave and breathe.
This is surely one of the darkest episodes in our history.

Sign Online Petition in Support of Navajo Elders
http://www.freespeech.org/senaa/VPJava.html
http://www.freespeech.org/senaa/VPnoJava.html

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Ya'a' te & Aloha All...

      The Altar-Land at Black Mesa is one of the sacred power-centers
of our planet, and the balance of all life is being jeopardized by the
ruthless and brutal rape of this mineral-rich area adjacent to the Grand
Canyon.

     My Aunty, Roberta Blackgoat, is one of the "resistors", or traditional
elders, who is holding out till the last, faced with guns, bulldozers,
barbed wire, helicopters, and constant harrassment... in order to protect
the medicine ways and family ties to this sacred place, now referred to
simply as "Big Mountain."

     The extent of the conflict, the war of attrition carried out by U.S. &
multinational corporate terrorists, and the total ecocide of the North
section of Black Mesa (literally turned into a "hell on Earth"!) by
United Energy & Peabody Coal through stripmining, is difficult to
convey in words, or even pictures.

     Please take a short time out of your lives and visit the links below,
watch ::: "Vanishing Prayer" (RealPlayer)
http://www.freespeech.org/senaa/VanPrayr2.ram

Sign the online petition at SENAA, and after you've reviewed the
situation, please send your letters of protest to the people below.

     Having lived out there with the elders, and walked in the footsteps
of the ancients, having listened to the Hopi Prophecies, and the
wisdom of the medicine carriers, I can testify to the importance
of this struggle for sovereignty and self-determination, both
culturally and ecologically. Walk the Altar-Land yourself, and
feel the Spirit move in and around you...

    In the Spirit of Crazy Horse, Emilio Zapata, and Lili'uokalani
               BZ Bonoboy           Hilo, Kingdom of Hawai'i
                       sheeva@shaka.com

Protests & Support for Elders to:::
Secretary of Interior Bruce Babbitt
bruce_babbitt@ios.doi.gov

BIA Office of Congressional & Legislative Affairs
http://www.doi.gov/bia/clahome.html

U.S. Department of the Interior ::: BIA West
OAIT@ios.doi.gov
jackie_dean_cheek@ios.doi.gov
danae_wilson@ios.doi.gov

National Academy of Public Administration
http://www.napawash.org/napa/index.html
Comments to cbrouwer@napawash.org
(Panel Urges Major Reforms at the Bureau of Indian Affairs)

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

FIGHTING THE BIA's "FINAL SOLUTION"
by Al Swilling

Kosovo is not the only place in the world conducting human rights abuses and
ethnic cleansing. What the U.S. government doesn't want the Americanpublic
to know is that the same crimes that NATO forces were so determined tostop
in Kosovo are happening right now within United States borders. The
following video outlines the story of the Dine'h (Navajo) who live at Big
Mountain, on the Black Mesa, in northeastern Arizona.

    For the past 25 years, the Dine'h have been the victims of greed and
government oppression in the extreme. Abandoned by their own tribal
council by orders of the federal government, the Dine'h have been stripped of
virtually every human, civil, and constitutional right because they refuse
to leave their ancestral homeland and relocate into the only alternative
provided by the U.S. government, which is known as the "New Land," land
that is contaminated with uranium tailings that have rendered the land
useless, with radiation levels 100 times maximum safe levels.

Now the Dine'h face a deadline of February 1, 2000, to relocate. The Bureau
of Indian Affairs (BIA) has sworn that it will execute its "Final Solution"
before the deadline. The Dine'h at Big Mountain fear that the BIA's "Final
Solution" will be similar to the solutions executed at Waco, Ruby Ridge, and
Wounded Knee; with only the BIA remaining to tell the American public
whatever it wants the public to believe and no one surviving to say otherwise.

This video presentation conveys as no words can the story of the Dine'h of
Black Mesa and the reasons for their suffering.

If you would like a copy of the videotape, VANISHING PRAYER Genocide of
the Dineh, it is available by contacting Steve Sugarman at:
steve@saveourplanet.org ,or from Sol Communications at
meyesol@eudoramail.com

VIEW "Vanishing Prayer" (RealPlayer)
http://www.freespeech.org/senaa/VanPrayr2.ram

We hope that you will join our battle to help the Dine'h remain on their
ancestral homeland and to stop the ethnic cleansing and human rights
violations being perpetrated by the federal government.

    The Dine'h now survive almost totally on charitable contributions. We hope
that you will join SENAA and others across the nation in helping to fight
for these proud and peaceful people. For more photos and in-depth articles,
etc., about the plight of the Dine'h people, visit SENAA's web site
NEWSLETTER at: <http://members.xoom.com/senaa/index2.html .

If you want to get involved and make a difference for the Dine'h and for
your children and grandchildren's future, contact Al Swilling at:
senaa1@netscape.net

Contributions to help the Dine'h, can be mailed to: SEE 20110 Rockport Way
Malibu, CA 90265

Audio File (RealAudio)
"Resource Extraction and the Genocide of the Navajo People"
by Jackie A. Giuliano Ph.D

http://www.freespeech.org/senaa/navajo.ram

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

The View from the Hogan 7
107 Days till the final solution
Notes from Big Mountain

Ya'a'tee

First off, a point of terminology. I have been instructed to avoid using the
word"HPL" in my writing. The words HPL, JUA, Navajo Reservation, etc etc,
are deeply painful and offensive. These words refer to lines drawn on maps
and in the minds of those in Washington ( and their followers). They are not
real, they divide that which is whole.

I will refer to the land where these words are being written as The Altar.
The reasoning is this: Within the four sacred mountains that encompass
Navajo land, is the hogan for the Dineh people. When a hogan is built to
live in, it is a model of this Macrocosmic Hogan. This is why Ceremonies
must take place inside a Hogan. This is also why bulldozing of Hogans is
such an abominable and sacreligious crime.

Within the Ceremonial Hogans is a space used for an altar. Within the
Macrocosmic Hogan this space correlates to the Big Mountain area.

     We hear of many events and prayer vigils taking place in the first week
of October at U.S. Embassies abroad in support of the people here and against
the continued genocide. To all of you who have worked hard at setting up
these events, we send our prayers and thanks, as well as to all those who
give of their precious time to attend these events. Let us hope that the
hearts of those in Washington will be touched.

As Sitting Bull said "As individual fingers we can easily be broken, but all
together we make a mighty fist."

There is a good letter circulating on the Net from "the people of the land
known as America" to the clowns in Washington. contact Beth at isco@efn.org
and ask her to send you a copy. If you like what it says, then you just send
Beth your name and address and it will get appended.

The Men In Black continue to visit Paulines land on a daily basis. They
recently stopped at the site of this past summers Education/Witness camp,
and -horror of horrors- they discovered a piece of soggy cardboard
approximatley one foot square, and a small brown bottle that at one point
contained ginger beer. Barely able to contain their outrage, many
photographs were taken of the offending material, and they rushed back to
HQ as fast as possible. Imagine the scene, the BIA War room,... a group of
Very Important People cluster around the photos trying to decide what action
to take against this latest outrage. Smart young men and women stride across
the room with the latest satelite images.

    In the end they settle on an armed convoy composed of Hopi Rangers, BIA
police, US marshalls, County Sherrifs, FBI and ATF, with a couple of
National Guard Helicopter Gunships for back-up. Maybe I'm exaggerating
SLIGHTLY, but what continues to take place here is a farce on a hugely
criminal level, and sometimes I find humor to be my only defense against
absurdity.

    Meanwhile, the real criminals, the BIA impoundment squads, continue to
snatch the peoples animals even though there is more grass than could be
consumed by flocks ten times as large. Of course we knew they were coming
because the roads were graded. Normally the roads we travel are so bad they
couldn't be classified as jeep trails, only last week I had to rush a woman
to hospital in the middle of the night. A 75 mile journey took 2 and a half
hours, each bump, rut and pot hole slowing us down and causing pain to my
passenger.

But when the BIA need to come in on a lightning raid to take the peoples
animals, out come the dozers and graders to give them a nice smooth, fast
ride. Your tax dollars hard at work.
What may not be at all clear to y'all out there is that this is all
executed as military operations, these are para-military, multi-agency
"squads" whose only aim is to cause fear and hardship. Loaded down with
weapons and all the hi-tech toys money can by, elders who are alone are
targetted.

The following is a quote from Big Mountain Newsletter.

The people of Big Mountain and the Joint Use Area say they are being
terrorized. They cite jet airplanes flying so low that the pilot is visible,
BIA trucks cruising the Survival Camp and the peoples hogans, helicopters,
and the apparent sabotage of wells and windmills, and so on. The government
has answers for most of the charges, saying for instance that the jet
flights are "routine" training patterns, the helicopters are "surveying" and
the trucks are "conducting a census". The government says the people are
being "over dramatic" in their reactions.
In the 1960's these same people said that they were attacked with poisonous
gases from airplanes, killing their livestock. It wasn't until years later,
when the white citizenry of Globe, Arizona, received a similar attack, that
the U.S. admitted it had been using 2,4,5-T, an incredibly toxic pesticide,
for "brush control" without proper safeguards.

Even if the latest actions are in fact "routine", the question remains why
all of these activities should suddenly escalate in the few months just
prior to the July deadline for Navajo removal.
The governments position on the jet flights is typical: the Air Force
insists it is just running a normal training pattern which happens to pass
directly over Big Mountain. Challenged at a recent hearing as to why the
flights were necessary, and whether similar flights were scheduled over
non-indian communities, the Air Force declined to explain.

Spokespersons noted that it would not change the flights just to please the
indians, regardless of ceremonies or other problems with the flights.
Parents claimed the flights terrified their young children at school and
literally knocked the elderly out of bed. Religious ceremonies are also
disrupted and the livestock are scattered by the flights. The Air Force
admits that it flies as low as 400 feet.

Bottom line is that these Indian people are being subjected to procedures
which the government wouldn't think of directing towards white communities.
In this case the people under attack are the traditional Navajo and Hopi
people of the Joint Use Area, already under incredible pressure due to 12
years of implementation of the Relocation Act. The result is terror.

That was written 14 years ago, and nothings changed..... its been going on
the whole time since, and the view from the Hogan is inescapable that this
is war, low-intensity maybe, but war nonetheless. One thing I am sure of, is
that both the people who plan this campaign of harassment and those that
carry it out, watch waaay too much TV.

    How is it that a war against Indians has been and is still being fought on
this continent for the past 30 years, and most people are only just finding
out about it now?

So, we are hurtling towards two big dates. January 1st, 2000 and February
1st, 2000. I find it hard to get excited about the Millenium, some Roman
dude, way back when, decides to change his peoples calendar and start time
from a new date, how is that real? ......And anyway, don't most people know
that the year begins on November 1st?

When I think of Y2K, my first reaction is, how utterly terrifying it must
be, to live in a world that is so unstable that a couple of digits on a
silicon chip has the potential to bring it all tumbling down.

My second thought is how absurd it is, that here on the Altar, are people
who have the knowledge, skills, and most importantly, the wisdom, to live
without an infantile dependence on the Technostructure, and yet the dominant
society is hell-bent on rubbing out these people rather than listening to
them and learning from them. If, in a worst case scenario (barring Nuclear
Winter), the technostructure does collapse, then we here on the Altar will
have to make a few minor adjustments to our lifestyle ( though as I am now
a cyber-slut, I'd surely miss conversing with all you good folks out there),
but overall the benefits would be enormous.

The mine will close down. The sky will be free of huge, noisy, chunks of
metal hurtling towards La La Land with Very Important People on board, and
the Men in Black will cease harassing us as the coal will be worthless. It
would be my guess that many of you who have not been here cannot truly
imagine what it is like to live outside of the Technostructure, without
electricity, without plumbing, with the closest small store 20 miles away,
asphalt road 30 miles away, telephone 36miles away, post office 40+ miles
away, supermarket 74 miles away.

The people here have never had these "amenities",... in what I consider a
dumb move, the U.S. made it illegal for the people to "develop", hoping to
encourage the people to leave, but what its caused is that the people
continued with a way of life that has changed little for generations, and
life is lived in a good way, depending on those most basic resources, brains
and bodies, something most of us have, life is generous.

There is an often voiced belief "out there" that everybody in the world is
so desperate to achieve the "American way of life", but I must tell you, it
just ain't so.

A little story may show this.Some years ago, when I was living with my
Grandma and Grandpa, I figured that the price of a simple solar power system
was low enough for me to be able to raise the funds, so I asked my Grandma
what she would use electricity for if I could supply it. I needed to figure
what size system to work on. Her eyes immediately lit up, "an electric
light,".... for the hogan in winter, so she could weave. Like many elderly
people, her eyesight was not as sharp as it used to be, and with a keresone
lamp the colors of the yarns were hard to see, so on the long winter nights
she wasn't able to weave. " What else would you like" I asked. She thought
for a while, and then said " an iron, to iron the rugs after they are
finished". "Anything else" I asked. She thought, and thought....." how about
a microwave oven? refrigerator? TV?. She laughed. That was all she could
think of to do with electricity, make it so she could spend even more hours
sittin at the loom.

Around this time I sat down and figured out how much these elderly women
were getting paid to weave these beautiful rugs. Figuring in the time it
takes to raise the sheep, shear, wash, clean, card, spin, dye the wool, set
up the loom, and then do the weaving, I reckoned they were lucky if they
were getting 2 bucks an hour.

So any of you in the market for a genuine navajo rug, please bear in mind
what a deal you're getting. On the subject of rugs, for those of you in the
neighbourhood of Missoula, Montana, there is an exhibition of approximately
50 rugs from the resisters here at the Art Gallery, in the University. These
are the real things, and the show runs till Oct 31st. I saw some of the rugs
on their way up there, and there is some beautiful work.

I would be out of line to have a favorite, but Fanny Goys rugs are
particularly fine. Roberta Blackgoat will be in town for a reception on
Saturday the 30th, so that would certainly be worth attending. On the
subject of Robertas travels, she will be in Washington DC during the second
week of November. I don't have any locations or dates for her appearances
there, but for sure she will be at the concert where Blackfire are playing.

Presuming of course we survive Y2K, we then come to February 1st, 2000. Who
knows what is going to happen? The Feds and the HTC know, but they ain't
saying. There have been deadlines before, and a pattern has emerged. Threats
of forced evictions are broadcast, support is mobilized, the media takes an
interest, the deadline arrives, nothing happens, the media lose interest,
support wanes, and back to the daily grind of low-intensity warfare and siege tactics.

Maybe that will happen again, but maybe not. Warmaker is not known for
making rational decisions, so it's best to plan for all eventualities.

    Back in the real world, the weather has changed. It hasn't rained for some
weeks now. Back to the usual intense blue dome above. The sun is much lower
in the sky, the shadows are larger, the colors richer, and the days shorter.

The Dineh name for this moon is "back to back", where the two seasons touch.
The corn's all harvested, primary chore now is to bring in, cut, and chop
firewood for the coming winter. There is already a nip in the night air, a
killing frost took out my squash and tomato plant a few weeks ago.

Like most life-sustaining activities round here, cutting firewood is illegal
according to the Feds and the HTC. I know for a fact that sons of two of
the Grandmas went into Hopi Tribal Offices to get a woodcutting permit and
left without one, so even though no-ones been arrested in a while for cutting
wood, it is one more stress and worry on the people.

    I've been too busy with the flock and the firewood to take advantage of the
other bumper harvest this year, Pinyon nuts, a much favored delicacy.
Travelling across the Altar one sees people out, under the trees, collecting
as much as possible before the 4 legged and winged get their share.

The sight of people collecting free food always feels festive to me. I
stopped by Robertas place late one afternoon after she had been out picking
all day. We sat in front of her house and watched her sheepherder bring home
the flock. Behind us, on her door, was a simple sign that reads:

Entering Sovereign Dineh Nation Thin Rock Mesa All are welcome who repect
the land, life, and law of the Dineh Warning! Federal, state, and tribal
personnel, your jurisdiction does not apply here Your actions will be counter-acted.

Similar signs are re-appearing around the Altar. As we sat, a huge strange
looking object flew slowly over us. grabbing noculars I saw that it was the
Space Shuttle, piggy-backed on a big jet transport. I explained to Roberta
what the space shuttle was, and how it put all the satellites up in the sky,
and how some of those satellites can take pictures of us here on the ground.

Her eyes immediately lit up, "we should write SUE THE CREATOR out there"
she said, pointing to the land out in front of the house, Sooo there is now a
message being laid out on the ground in front of her place, so if you happen
to be an owner or operator of a spy satellite, point it to:

36 degrees 14 minutes 79 seconds N 110 degrees 38 minutes 62 seconds W
Also if you are a pilot or photographer who wants to take some pictures of this
message, you're welcome.
One final thought on Y2K, we hear of big bucks being made by supplying Y2K
survival information, so, I make the following offer; for a mere fifty bucks
a day, you are invited to the BOPEEP Y2K SURVIVAL SCHOOL, topics covered
will include:

How to avaoid freezing by using an axe. How to avoid thirst by walking to a
spring with a bucket. How to avoid starvation by grubbing around in dirt and
blood and guts. How to repair just about anything with baling wire. 1001
things to do when your television doesn't work. etc etc.

     We human beings are an incredible species. Our brains and bodies are
perfectly capable of doing all thats necesesary to keep life going in a good
way, but more than that, we are capable of profoundly beautiful acts of
love, kindness, and generosity. Yet we are taught to feel powerless and to
fear each other and to fear life itself. Why? (I am reliably informed that
that is a rhetorical question) But then, what the hell do I know,........
I'm just a sheepherder.
"We need to be kinder to each other" Your prayers, support, and
correspondence are invited. I thank you for your time that you have given
me by reading this. For all my relations Bo Peep reachable via
unclejake74@hotmail.com

P.S. To all those who have written to me, please be aware that owing to the
pressing needs of the flock, the firewood, and the Grandmas, the office is
sometimes left unattended for days at a time. It may take as long as a half
moon between when you write, and when you hear back from me. Around here the
information superhighway is a muddy jeep trail. Please be patient, you will
hear from me. If you have received this update as a forward, but want to
sure of getting them in the future, please let me know and I will add you to
the list. Also if there are any "back issues" you don't have, again, let me
know. Please feel free to distribute (unedited) this email

http://members.xoom.com/senaa/View.html

**********

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES RIGHTS DEBATES
Compromise on Article 3?: Self-determination

From: Boyle, Francis [mailto:FBOYLE@LAW.UIUC.EDU]

Thought some of you might find this to be of interest. It concerns
the negotiations going on now in Geneva at UN Headquarters on the Draft
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Best regards,
Francis Boyle.

Saturday, October 23, 1999
Compromise on Article 3?
Importance: High

Dear Indigenous Friends:
This morning I read through the debates on self-determination.
Although I am not there, it appears to me that you are going around in
circles once again on this critical matter with the States. They simply
are
not paying attention to what you have to say. For what it is worth,
therefore, it is still my advice that you offer them the following
compromise on Article 3 that will protect your right to self-determination
while at the same time meet any "legitimate" concerns some of these States
might have. If you have any questions, please feel free to give me a call at
217-333-7954.
Aloha.
Francis A. Boyle
Professor of International Law

From: Boyle, Francis [mailto:FBOYLE@LAW.UIUC.EDU]
Sent: Wednesday, December 02, 1998 1:35 PM

Subject: Compromise on Article 3
Importance: High

Dear Friends:
Once again, for what it is worth, I hereby offer the following
compromise language on Article 3 that meets legitimate concerns about
secession.
Francis A. Boyle
Professor of International Law

Francis A. Boyle
Law Building
504 E. Pennsylvania Ave.
Champaign, Ill. 61820
Phone: 217-333-7954
Fax: 217-244-1478
fboyle@law.uiuc.edu

----------
From: Boyle, Francis[SMTP:FBOYLE@LAW.UIUC.EDU]
Sent: Thursday, November 06, 1997 9:44 AM
Subject: ADDITION TO ARTICLE 3?
Importance: High

Francis A. Boyle
Law Building
504 E.Pennsylvania Ave.
Champaign, Illinois 61820
Phone: 217-333-7954
Fax: 217-244-1478
fboyle@law.uiuc.edu
6 November 1997

My Dear Indigenous Friends:

I have done some research on this stalemate confronting all the
delegations in Geneva on Draft Article 3:

DRAFT ARTICLE 3 (self-determination )
        " Indigenous peoples have the right of self-
          determination. By virtue of that right they
          freely determine their political status and
          freely pursue their economic, social and
          cultural development."

I am making the following proposal for all the delegations to
consider. I am assuming that some of the States have legitimate concerns
about the question of secession. However, for example, it is clear that
the United States government's objection that the Mormon's are the
indigenous people of Utah is not made in good faith. This is a
ridiculous objection that is deliberately designed to insult you and to
treat you like idiots. But let us assume that there are some states
which support Indigenous Peoples but nevertheless do have some
legitimate concerns about secession. Can something be done that would
alleviate their concerns while at the same time protecting the rights of
indigenous peoples?
Remember I am making this proposal for your consideration in
full awareness that I am not on the front-lines of the battle. You are
the warriors, not me. You have to decide, not me. It is your futures
that are at stake, not mine. Ultimately, I will respect and support your
decision if you do not agree with me. But that being said, I offer the
following for your consideration:

The Declaration on Principles of International Law Concerning
Friendly Relations and Co-Operation Among States in Accordance with the
Charter of the United Nations was adopted by the United Nations General
Assembly by consensus on October 24, 1970 in G.A. Res. 2625 (XXXV) 25
GAOR, Supp. (No. 28) 121; reprinted in 9 International Legal Materials
1292 (1970). The fact that the Declaration was adopted by consensus
means that no State dissented, not even the United States. In other
words, the contents of the Declaration were fully acceptable to all the
State Members of the United Nations Organization at that time.Today the
Declaration is universally considered to constitute customary
international law.
I will not bother to go through the entirety of this lengthy
Declaration at this time. But for our purposes, the relevant portion is
as follows:

The principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples

By virtue of the principle of equal rights and
self-determination of peoples enshrined in the Charter of the United
Nations, all peoples have the right freely to determine, without
external interference, their political status and to pursue their
economic, social and cultural development, and every State has the duty
to respect this right in accordance with the provisions of the Charter.
Every State has the duty to promote, through joint and separate
action, realization of the principle of equal rights and
self-determination of peoples, in accordance with the provisions of the
Charter, and to render assistance to the United Nations in carrying out
the responsibilities entrusted to it by the Charter regarding the
implementation of the principle, in order:

(a) To promote friendly relations and co-operation among States;
and

(b) To bring a speedy end of colonialism, having due regard to
the freely expressed will of the peoples concerned;

and bearing in mind that subjection of peoples to alien subjugation,
domination and exploitation constitutes a violation of the principle, as
well as a denial of fundamental human rights, and is contrary to the
Charter.

Every State has the duty to promote through joint and separate
action universal respect for and observance of human rights and
fundamental freedoms in accordance with the Charter.

The establishment of a sovereign and independent State, the free
association or integration with an independent State or the emergence
into any other political status freely determined by a people constitute
modes of implementing the right of self-determination by that people.

Every State has the duty to refrain from any forcible action
which deprives peoples referred to above in the elaboration of the
present principle of their right to self-determination and freedom and
independence. In their actions against, and resistance to, such
forcible action in pursuit of the exercise of their right to
self-determination, such peoples are entitled to seek and to receive
support in accordance with the purposes and principles of the Charter.

The territory of a colony or other Non-Self-Governing Territory
has, under the Charter, a status separate and distinct from the
territory of the State administering it; and such separate and distinct
status under the Charter shall exist until the people of the colony or
Non-Self-Governing Territory have exercised their right of
self-determination in accordance with the Charter, and particularly its
purposes and principles.

Nothing in the foregoing paragraphs shall be construed as
authorizing or encouraging any action which would dismember or impair,
totally or in part, the territorial integrity or political unity of
sovereign and independent States conducting themselves in compliance
with the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples as
described above and thus possessed of a government representing the
whole people belonging to the territory without distinction as to race,
creed or colour.

Every State shall refrain from any action aimed at the partial
or total disruption of the national unity and territorial integrity of
any other State or country.

As you can see from this language, the Declaration establishes a
balance between the right of self-determination and secession. This
language is the customary international law on the subject. Therefore, I
would like to suggest for your consideration that you propose to the
States an additional sentence to be added at the end of Draft Article 3
as follows:

"Indigenous peoples shall exercise the right of self-determination in
accordance with the requirements of international law, including the
Declaration on Principles of International Law Concerning Friendly
Relations and Co-Operation Among States in Accordance with the Charter
of the United Nations (1970)."

The addition of this sentence to Draft Article 3 should
alleviate any legitimate concerns held by States about secession. While
at the same time, this language will fully protect your right of
self-determination. The States have already accepted the Declaration as
far back as 1970. Today, the Declaration is considered to constitute
customary international law. Therefore, the States should be willing to
accept this reference to the Declaration in Draft Article 3. Conversely,
if a State is not willing to accept the reference to the Declaration,
then it seems to me that this State is not dealing with you in good
faith.
If you agree with my analysis that this addition to Draft
Article 3 is a reasonable compromise, then I would ask you to forward it
to your people in Geneva. If they have any questions about it, they are
free to contact me by phone or fax as indicated above. If they agree
with my analysis, then the delegations could tender it to the States as
a reasonable and good faith compromise proposal designed to end the
deadlock over Draft Article 3.

Yours very truly,

Francis A. Boyle
Professor of International Law

Francis A. Boyle
Law Building
504 E. Pennsylvania Ave.
Champaign, Ill. 61820
Phone: 217-333-7954
Fax: 217-244-1478
fboyle@law.uiuc.edu
visit the Khandi Pages
http://www.netset.com/~khandi
ICQ # 53121539

*********

Genocidal bill HR 1814
Oct. 18, 1999

   Greetings:

    The American Indian Movement of Florida asks all HUMAN BEINGS to take note
   of a undisguised attack on the sovereign rights of Indian Nations called HR
   1814. This bill, in basic form, would force Indian Nations to pay sales tax
   to the states that they are surrounded by. If they fail to pay they will lose
   trust lands that might be returned, according to the bill, if they pay back taxes etc,

   This is nothing but a continuation of the history. The new Custers and
   Chivingtons are named Bob Graham who parlays himself as a democrat and
   environmentalist and now can be exposed as a FRAUD, also from Florida a Rep.
   Rothman, Rep. Canaday.

   We sincerely hope the good people, that surely must exist within the halls of
   Congress, have the wherewithall to support this insane piece of legislative
   fiat. We shall support any lobby in any fashion we can from here to oppose and kill this bill.

   However we call upon ALL HUMAN BEINGS to do everything possible from this
   moment forward to oppose REP. Graham, Canady, Rothman and the other
   "Custer's" who authored this anti-Indian, Anti-Treaty rights and
   anti-sovereignty piece of legislation in their futures. It is the goal of
   Florida AIM that these uncloaked anti-Indian forces political future is non-existent.

   Thank You.

*********

Monday, October 18, 1999 (Online Edition 179)
March of Honduran Indians and Blacks met with bullets

   By WENDY GRIFFIN

   TEGUCIGALPA -- As has become a custom since 1992, Honduran indigenous
   groups and Blacks organized a protest march for Oct. 12, Columbus Day.
   This year's march was called "Marcha de los Excluidos" (March of those who
   are Excluded), and populist Ladino organizations from southern and
   northern Honduras joined in.

   Each group brought its own protests. The march date was not kept a secret,
   but was rather well publicized through the media. Juan Laboriel, a
   Garifuna residing in the United States who came for the march, said
   marchers were surprised when they were met by the police when they were
   yet a long way from town. Celeo Alvarez, president of the Garifuna
   organization ODECO, said indigenous leaders were meeting with the
   government when a zafarrancho or skirmish began, with the
police shooting real bullets and the crowd answering back with rocks.

   The indigenous people and other marchers whose numbers may have reached
   several thousand were eventually able to explain their demands at the
   Supreme Court and at the Congressional building. It was when they
   approached the Presidential Palace that the shooting occurred, even though
   President Flores had already given his permission to march, said Alvarez.

   Some of the Garifuna marchers felt that the reason for the clash was that
   the denouncements they wished to make were serious and involved people
   high up in the Liberal Party during the administrations of Reina and
   Flores. Besides their basic protest about the proposed reform of Article
   107 of the Constitution that would permit foreigners to buy land on the
   coast and in the islands, the Garifunas came to protest recent actions in
   Limon.

   During a previous march on Tegucigalpa, a high level inter-ministerial
   committee had been formed to ensure that the Reina administration kept the
   promises the president signed with the ethnic groups. As a result of
   agreements between all Garifuna organizations (a very difficult task) and
   the National Agrarian Institute (INA), supported by this inter-ministerial
   task force, the agricultural cooperatives of Garifunas from Limon were
   given title deeds to land in Vallecito near Limon, culminating a nine-year
   struggle.

   In spite of this, the Garifunas of Limon have been unable to use about 80
   acres of land, because a man there says he is "taking care of this land
   for Miguel Facusse," reports an organizer of the March. Facusse is a
   wealthy Honduran businessman with African palms planted in the area, as
   well as a resort near Limon. The Garifunas of Limon went to court to have
   their title to the land recognized and this person removed. Facusse
   submitted a request for injunction in the courts of La Ceiba to stop the
   Garifunas from removing this person. The Garifunas have denounced this
   case to the Fiscalia de las Etnias (Special Prosecutor for Ethnic Affairs).

   The leaders of the protest in Limon have received threats against their
   lives and there is reportedly a contract paid to a Ladino named Osvaldo to
   kill Lombardo Lacayo, the former mayor of Limon. Lacayo reports that four
   attempts have been made against his life. The most serious was on Sept. 26
   when an object was thrown on the palm thatch roof of his house. The roof
   burst into flames, with his wife and his four children in the house. While
   he was rescuing the children, someone shot four shots into the house. All
   the people got out alive, but the house, all their possessions, a car, and
   Hurricane Mitch donations for Limon were lost in the flames.

   The Garifunas were joined in their protest by Ladinos from Tocoa, who felt
   that Carlos Escaleras was also murdered by contract for his stand against
   the construction of an African palm processing plant near Tocoa.

   Because coverage of the march switched to the confrontation with police,
   Honduran Spanish-language papers gave little attention to the issues. Many
   of those who were wounded were Lencas who had come to protest activities
   by sawmill owners like Juan de la Cruz Avelar, one of the vice presidents
   in the Reina administration, who is active in the area of the Montecillos
   park where nine Lenca communities are located. La Tribuna
reported that the Lencas also thought that current Vice President
Billy Handal was responsible for deforestation in the area of San
Isidro.

   Deforestation was also on the minds of the Tawahkas who marched to protest
   the deforestation of the Rio Platano Biosphere. A Congressional commission
   found that the Tawahka complaints of illegal airfields next to saw mills,
   excessive logging in the Biosphere and the burning of forest for cattle
   ranching and agricultural activities were all true.

   As a result of the march, the proposal to change Article 107 of the
   Constitution will not even be discussed in the Congress. If people are
   almost killed for agricultural lands given with legal titles supported by
   the highest authorities of the land, what would not happen with lands less
   well protected? Alvarez also said the ethnic groups will meet with human
   rights commissions at the national and Central American levels. "Today's
   activities will have a high political cost," he said.

   Copyright (c) 1999 Marrder Omnimedia in association with Galaxy
   Multimedia. All Rights Reserved.

*********

Mon, 18 Oct 1999
Felony charges considered for Columbus protesters
in Pueblo, Colorado

We need a minute of your time...and possibly your fax.
On Columbus Day this year, October 11th, there was a protest held by Native
Americans and Chicanos at the "shrine" to Christopher Columbus here in
Pueblo. For those of you unaware, this "celebration" was started right here in
Pueblo, Colorado by Italian immigrants. It then spread across the nation. It
is of utmost importance that you understand how strong the Italian
community is here.

During the protest, some of the protesters had filled balloons with red dye
to symbolize the blood that was shed by this monster. In their frustration
these were thrown and some red dye spilled on the clothes
of the Italians that were doing a counter-protest. Today, the Sheriff
of Pueblo County, Dan Corsentino (Italian!!) announced that in viewing the
tape of the protest, they had been able to identify those who threw the dye
filled balloons and they are considering filing FELONY charges against
anyone who had them in their possession. They are claiming over $5,000 in
damages to the Italian's clothes!   They were wearing polo shirts and baseball
hats for Pete's sake!!!
   This is absurd and racist. The Italian protesters were portrayed as
wonderful upright citizens that had a right to celebrate their "hero" and all
others have been portrayed as violent, belligerent, hot heads. They won't
even consider the reasons behind the protest or why this is so offensive to
us.

Please, I ask you to contact the Sheriff's office by fax or mail or phone and
do it TODAY. This cannot happen. These young people had every right to
express their frustration in the celebration of this enslaver, torturer and
murderer of our ancestors. It is paramount to a national celebration by the
Germans of Hitler in Jerusalem. They refuse to listen or take our concerns
as valid.

Please, fax your comments now and also to the Pueblo Chieftain newspaper. Be
respectful in your comments, we will not win our argument by name calling or
foul language, but be FIRM in your comments. It is obvious to us that if the
Sheriff were not Italian these charges never would have been considered.

Fax number for the Sheriff's office is: 719-583-6143.

Phone number is:
719-583-6125            the Pueblo Chieftain's (newspaper)
719-544-5897 and phone number is: 719-544-3520.

Make sure that any "facts" that you state, are accurate, because they will be
scrutinized and we need to make sure that we know what we are talking about
since it will be under such close observation. These young people need your
help and they need it NOW, before any further action is taken.

Mitakuye Oyasin, Renee Still Day N.A.T.I.V.E.S.
Pueblo, Colorado
Reprinted under the Fair Use
http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html
doctrine of international copyright law.

**********

March In Sisseton

http://www.kelotv.com/News/Detail.cfm?ID=1772&NewsSet=1

10 / 16 / 1999
Indian Protesters March in Sisseton
First, there were calls for justice in the death of Robert Many Horses.
Now, another death of a Native American has protesters on the march in
Northeast KELO-LAND. More than one-hundred people marched through the
streets of Sisseton today, in honor of an Indian man killed in a drunk
driving accident in which the white driver is now free.
KELO-LAND'S Erin Payne reports.

A song for justice, and a wavering flag for peace. It's a mile long march
in Sisseton, where people are going the extra mile for one thing, they're
"seeking their equal rights, equal treatment."

They're upset because vehicular homicide charges have been dropped against
the driver of a truck that struck and killed Justin Redday, a Native
American who died in May.

The protest starts at a local park, goes through downtown, and ends at the
Roberts County courthouse. The message of the march? Justice. Something
they say they aren't getting in KELO-LAND courthouses.

The protesters are also searching for answers in the death of another
Native American, Robert Many Horses of Mobridge. "We're not advocating for
violence, hatred or anything in that manner. We're only demanding justice,"
says Mark White Bull, who is on Many Horses' Justice for Boo Committee.

Banners show the signs of their anger, an upside down American flag marks
their distress. It's a shadowy thing...death...that's bringing these Indian
protestors together, but they're trying to get some good out of it, through
activism. "We're trying to plan a march every week like Rosebud, Pine
Ridge, to show that people here aren't going to take the injustice," says
Della Eastman, of the Eastern Dakota Chapter of the American Indian Movement.

So how far will they walk for justice? "Until there's change. Maybe that's
not going to be immediately. But if it takes time, then so be it," says White Bull.

Mark Appel was driving the truck that struck and killed Redday. Both men
had been drinking. Appel pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated so the
vehicular homicide charge could be dropped.

*********

16 Oct 1999 17:31:38 -0400
Micmac fishing violence escalates

MNN. Mohawk Nation News. 16 Oct. 99. At this moment hundreds of
non-native fishing boats are destroying fishing equipment of the natives
in Yarmouth Nova Scotia Canada harbour. They need your letters of
support and ideas.

For the Full Story and how you can help, Click over to our Canadian Native Page here

***********

Sent: Monday, October 18, 1999 3:17 AM

[senaa] SORRY SO SILENT

Brothers & Sisters

Sorry I have been so silent for the past few days. I have been replying
to a mountain of e-mail from people--apparently novices--who could not
find how to get into the guestbook/petition to sign it. Most were
apparently looking for a button to click on. Some of them did not know
what linked text is, and there were some other minor details that had to
be worked out. Apparently, some of the people that we made contact with
at the demonstrations have put the word out. Anyway, I have been
downloading signatures from the online petition that I set up for SENAA:
120+ Friday, 220+ Saturday, and 320+ Today. If this keeps up, we will
have a huge cache of online signatures besides those we gather from
printed petitions.

I have also gotten dozens of e-mails to SENAA from people who are
printing out petitions and passing them around to fiends, family,
co-workers, church groups, college classes, etc. My hopes, it seems, are
being substantiated that everyone who hears about the Dine'h is outraged
at what the U.S. government is doing to the Dine'h. Everyone who wrote
vehemently opposes the relocation, especially to contaminated land. A
few have asked why we have not notified the "mainstream media." When I
explain the situation there, it infuriates them even more.

The amazing part is that the majority of those who are responding are
non-Indigenous people who are fed up with the way the government is
treating us and ashamed of the way their ancestors treated us. We have a
vast amount of support among non-Indigenous people worldwide. There are
responses from Australia, all over Europe, South America, Canada, and
other nations who are vowing support for the Dine'h and what SENAA is
doing to try to stop the relocation.

Friday, I established a guestbook specifically for the online Petition.
You can view the guestbook signatures and their comments by going to
either of SENAA International's web sites. I now have a button on the
following pages, as near the top of the page as possible:

http://members.xoom.com/senaa
http://members.xoom.com/senaa/index2.html
http://www.freespeech.org/senaa/VPJava.html and
http://www.freespeech.org/senaa/VPnoJava.html

GENOCIDE IN AMERICA: SIGN OUR PETITION

E-mail everyone you know and urge them to sign the online petition and
to print out petitions to pass around their communities. Inform them,
too, of the mailing information. It can be found just below the
Printable petition links.

I want to thank each of you for the wonderful job you are doing getting
the word out. We are now beginning to see some results of our hard work.

Your brother in Spirit
Al

********************

Date: Thu, 14 Oct 1999
LETTER TO U.S. CONSUL, HAMBURG, GERMANY

General Consul Christopher F. Lynch's letter in response follows.

(translated from the German by Alan Frankel)
FIAN (International Human Rights Organization [Working] for the Right to
Feed Oneself)
Fian Group, Hamburg, Prof. Harald Ihmig, Beim Rauhen Hause 30, 22111
Hamburg, Tel. 651-8393

Hamburg, 9 September 1999

General Consul Christopher S. Lynch
Alsterufer 27-28
20354 Hamburg

Dear General Consul Lynch:

For years, we have been observing with alarm the abuses to which the
Dineh/Navajo are subjected in a country that considers itself a leader
in human rights.

What has been defined as "relocation" in order to settle a land
dispute between two Native American tribes has proven to be evacuation
of a region of economic interest. Both Dineh and Hopi elders have
opposed the division of land and the policy of exploitation of resources
that are leading to the destruction of their cultural and religious
identity. People to whom the ancestral land surrounding Big Mountain is
holy are being uprooted or gradually driven below subsistence level.
Their resistance is to be crushed by continuing reprisals: ruling their
presence illegal, banning construction and repair work, confiscating
livestock, blocking access to pastureland and springs, and subjecting them
to capricious acts and fraud by rangers and BIA agents. The fact that
the tribal councils, who profit economically from the arrangement,
approved the division of the land and the expulsion of the Dineh who did
not agree to a limited lease under foreign jurisdiction, does not change
the fact that they did so over the heads of the people affected.

The offenses against fundamental human rights, documented in detail,
led to an on-site investigation by the UN special correspondent for
religious intolerance in February 1998, and his subsequent report to the
55th session of the human rights committee in April 1999. However, the
"Final Solution" of the Dineh problem, the forced deportation of the
inhabitants still remaining in the artificially created Hopi Partitioned
Land, is still scheduled for 1 February 2000.

We are working to prevent the people remaining on their ancestral land,
many of whom we know, from being subjected to this act of violence, and
to keep the USA from beginning the next millennium with such a scandal.

FIAN International, a worldwide organization for the right of people to
feed themselves, has adopted the case of the Dineh. Our Hamburg FIAN
group is responsible for this case. We ask you to transmit to your
government our protest against the past and imminent abuses against the
Dineh and against the offenses against their right to live. We are
interested in holding a discussion with you and would appreciate an
appointment in October.

Sincerely,

Prof. H. Ihmig
_______________________________________________________
HERE IS THE TEXT OF THE LETTER PROF. IHMIG RECEIVED IN RESPONSE (it's also available as a .tif file, attached)

CONSULATE GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / HAMBURG
September 22, 1999

Prof. Harald Ihmig
FIAN-Gruppe Hamburg
Beim Rauhen Hause 30
22111 Hamburg

Dear Prof. Ihmig:

Thank you for your letter of 9 September in which you expressed your concern about the Dineh Navajo Native Americans in Arizona. I am sorry to take so long to respond to your letter, but I wanted to read the UN Report you mentioned and to research this issue before writing back to you.

The U.S. record in dealing with its Native American population has not been a good one overall. In recent years, however, the American people have become more sensitized to this issue and the last few administrations have made considerable progress in correcting many of the past injustices. Under the Clinton administration, in particular, a much greater sensitivity to Native American issues has been shown and a number of steps have been taken to secure thie rights, respect their traditions and cultures, and to improve their economic situation.

With respect to this issue, however, the situation is rather complicated and does not permit an easy answer. As you are well aware, the dispute between the Dineh Navajos and the Hopis grew out of conflicting claims over the same territory. Both tribal groups have legitimate claims that are unfortunately in conflict, as well as economic interests (namely mining) that have a direct bearing on the economic well-being of the Indian tribes. It fell to the federal government to reach some compromise that would take into account the various interests involved and would best serve the cause of justice while respecting the cultural and religious traditions of both groups as much as possible. As one might expect, such a situation cannot be resolved to the satisfaction of everyone and even the best solution will leave at least one party unsatisfied.

Paragraph 67 of the UN Report contains a statement from the Department of State which bears repeating here. The U.S. Government is painfully aware of the abuses that Native Americans have suffered historically and recent years have seen considerable progress in rectifying many of those mistakes. However, this is a long-term process and these mistakes cannot be corrected at once. What is significant is the change in attitudes that has taken place and the fact that we are now addressing these issues and working closely with Native American populations to deal with their problems in a fair and equitable manner. The Clinton Administration has been especially forthcoming in this respect and, while much work remains to be done, there is a clear desire to continue building on the progress that has been made.

The U.N. report (paragraph 68) also has a statement from the Department of Justice which explains their position on this issue. I cannot add anything to these two statements. There are several web sites on the Internet you can turn to for further study on both sides of this issue and I am including some of that information for your benefit. I especially recommend the article from the Christian Science Monitor * as it gives a very good overview of the issue, whereas the other materials all advocate a position in the debate.

I hope this reply will be of some help to you in examining this sensitive and important issue. We appreciate the interest of the FIAN-Gruppe in this dispute and understand very well your concern for the rights of Native Americans and the preservation of their cultural and religious traditions. Many Americans, both inside and outside the federal government, share your concerns and are working very hard to reach a just and equitable resolution to this issue. I am confident that a means will be found to address the many concerns in this dispute in a fair manner.

Thank you again for your interest.

Sincerely,
(signed)
Christopher F. Lynch
Consul General
___________
*I believe he's referring to the article of January 26, 1999, by Daniel B. Wood, with photographs by Robert Harbison.

-- Carol S. Halberstadt, Migrations (carol@migrations.com)
Native American art and crafts
http://www.migrations.com

**************

October 13, 1999 7:39 AM
URGENT: CALL FOR AUTHORS FOR AGRICULTURE
DIALOGUE PAPERS

Dear brothers and sisters,

FYI for your participation, and please circulate to any other Indigenous
Peoples organizations who work with traditional/sustainable agriculture
issues and LAND MANAGEMENT and have something to say about it!

The UN hasn't made it easy for us to convince community, grass roots people
with real, hands-on expertise in specific areas (like agriculure) that we
can have any kind of policy impact at the international level. But if we
don't take advantage of this opening to get some direct IP input into the
CSD through these groundwork-laying papers NOW for the CSD session, it'll
mean months of struggle to make sure our issues aren't pushed to the sides
LATER in the formal part of the CSD process. (There will be a diverse block
of Indigenous and
non-Indigenous NGOs together as allies on the GMO issue & organic farming,
etc., but interests could clash when stakes are high re: Land issues).

Treaty Council can work with people on the papers, if needed (and later, as
we prepare as an Indigenous Caucus toward the Intersessional Meeting in Feb.
and the official CSD-8 session in April) from a more international
perspective, but it's the LOCAL voices that I'm trying to make sure get
heard at the UN.

THANKS,
Carol

************

Wed, 13 Oct 1999 11:32:42 -0400
Paul Doxtater Hunger Strike
   The London Free Press
   Copyright (c) 1999, Sun Media Corporation

   HUNGER STRIKE PUTS FOCUS ON SPIRITUALITY
   Thursday, October 7, 1999
   Page: A3

   BY JULIE CARL, FREE PRESS COLUMNIST

   Say you were denied to shower and cleanse yourself for a week at a time.
   During those weeks how would you feel?
   Worthless, dirty, unworthy.
   Pretend the dirt and grime and oil that sticks to you is negative
   emotions, hate, anger and jealousy. They stick to your mind and soul.
   Suppose only one day of the week are you allowed to free yourself from
   them. During those weeks how would you feel?
   Worthless, dirty, unworthy.
   Those words were scrawled in 1994, in a childish hand, by a native young
   offender after officials ended daily native rituals at his detention centre.
   Paul Doxtator draws strength and inspiration from the boy's writing as
   he, too, fights for change to native programs in prisons.
   At sunrise yesterday, Doxtator started a hunger strike to force change.
   The Onyota'a:ka man thought of those words as he vowed to take only
   water until Ontario's Correctional Services Ministry makes improvements.
   Doxtator fasted for two weeks in 1985 to win sweat lodges, a native
   purification ritual, for fellow prisoners in Millhaven Penitentiary.
   Since his release 11 years ago and his discovery of the "good red road,"
   the journey of a native person connecting to his culture, Doxtator has
   used other means to make his point: Native inmates need to embrace their
   spirituality to be truly rehabilitated.
   In 1995, he and other Onyota'a:ka members ran from their reserve just
   west of London to Goderich to protest the lack of native programs at the
   Bluewater Youth Centre near Goderich.
   He's written letters, spoken at gatherings and organized healing circles.
   Most recently, Doxtator worked with a handful of London activists --
   native and non-native -- who volunteered to supervise native programs in
   provincial jails. Unlike the federal system, the province bans inmates
   from meeting without an outsider to supervise.
   The London group, Circle of Friends, could not get a foot in the door at
   Bluewater Detention Centre, London's Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre or
   other jails. But after much letter-writing and agitating, they began a
   twice-monthly group in April at Maplehurst Correctional Centre in Milton.
   Relations with officials there soured about two months after the Native
   Sons group began when volunteers asked about temporary absence programs.
   Despite letters of support from the London District Chiefs Council and
   the Oneida chief, Maplehurst revoked the activists' volunteer status and
   cancelled the native group in September.
   Frustrated by the red tape and barriers that have been put in his way,
   Doxtator decided words weren't enough. He would starve until officials
   listened.
   He wants the volunteers reinstated and a temporary absence program
   established at Maplehurst. He's calling for provincial jails to follow
   federal prison directives which guarantee access to native spirituality
   programs.
   Ontario Correctional Services Minister Rob Sampson hasn't received
   Doxtator's letter but will take his fast seriously, ministry
   spokesperson Ross Virgo said. Virgo stressed the ministry is "sensitive"
   to native needs, offering programs if "practicable."
   That's not enough, says Doxtator. He calls it a matter of freedom of religion.
   Christian inmates have access to spiritual services 52 times a year. But
   native inmates are lucky to have access to their services four times a
   year, he said.
   Doxtator won't talk about death. But he ends his letter with a phrase
   from the native boy:
   Sometimes big sacrifices are needed to make big change.
   --
   Copyright 1999, The London Free Press Unauthorized
   reproduction prohibited.

   Memo: To discuss the opinions of Julie Carl call   667-4596.
   Outside the London dialing area call 1-800-265-4105,

   extension 4596. Write her at The London Free Press,
   P.O. Box 2280, London, Ont. N6A 4G1 or fax 667-4528 or
   e-mail   jcarl@lfpress.com
   --
   Harold P. Koehler, 43 Napoleon Drive, London ON
   N5V 4A8 CANADA
   E-mail   hkoehler@execulink.com
   Home page
   http://www.execulink.com/~hkoehler/index.htm
   Sacred Assembly '97
   http://www.execulink.com/~hkoehler/sacred97/
   Voice (519)453-5452, Fax 453-3676

**********

Date: Wed, 13 Oct 1999
Towns press Congress on tribal recognition bill

NEW LONDON, Conn. -- Three southeastern Connecticut towns are calling on Congress to kill proposed legislation that would streamline the federal recognition process for Indian tribes.

Associated Press in the Boston Globe.

http://www.boston.com/dailynews/286/region/Towns_press_Congress_on_tribalP.shtml
Towns press Congress on tribal recognition bill

   By Associated Press, 10/13/99 08:18

   NEW LONDON, Conn. (AP) Three southeastern Connecticut are calling on
   Congress to kill proposed legislation that would streamline the federal recognition
   process for Indian tribes.

   The House Resource Committee is reviewing a bill that would revamp the current
   tribal recognition process before the Bureau of Indian Affairs by creating a
   three-member panel to decide recognition claims by tribes.

   Ledyard, North Stonington and Preston, through their Washington D.C., lawyers,
   Perkins Coie, said testimony submitted last week that a big concerns with the bill is
   a proposed change in how tribes prove their lineage.

   The new rules would eliminate much of the historical evidence for ''tribal
   continuity,'' which current regulations require.

   Tribes seeking federal recognition must be able to trace their roots to the early
   years of American colonization.

   The proposed rules would allow petitioning tribes to trace their roots back only to
   the early part of this century.

   Preston, Ledyard and North Stonington have collectively spent about $120,000
opposing efforts by the Paucatuck Eastern Pequots and the Eastern Pequots to
gain federal recognition.

   The three towns have also had a running dispute with the Mashantucket Pequots
over annexation of land.

Reprinted under the Fair Use
http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html
doctrine of international copyright law.

*************

HARRIS' CONTINUING ABUSE OF POWER STRENGTHENS SUPPORT FOR AN INQUIRY.

FEDERAL & INTERNATIONAL STRATEGIES UNFOLD, TO DEAL WITH DERELICTION OF
RESPONSIBILITY.

"The Ontario government is under suspicion by the United Nations Human
Rights Committee, the UN's Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial Executions,
and Amnesty International of having committed grave human rights abuses
during its handling of the September, 1995 Aboriginal Rights protest at
Ipperwash Park," said Ann Pohl, a non-Aboriginal Spokesperson for the
Coalition. "Even the Ontario Ombudsman is alarmed!"

For the entire story...click over to our Native Canadians page

***********

Wednesday, October 13, 1999 1:52 PM
nasu: OSU position announcement

From: Sho.Shigeoka@orst.edu

There's a position in our office, Minority Education Office,
for the Indian Education Office. I'd appreciate it if you could please
pass this onto those who are interested in
working with Native American students in higher edudation.

Sho Shigeoka
Coordinator
Asian/Pacific American Education Office
200 Kerr Admn Bldg
Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR 97331-2133
(541) 737-9033 or 1-800-291-4192
(541) 737-7874 (fax)

Oregon State University
Coordinator, Indian Education Office
Position Announcement
Indian Programs at OSU

OSU currently enrolls more than 200 American Indian/Alaskan
Native students, and offers students a wide variety of
support services, financial aid opportunities, and
mentoring programs including the highly successful Native
Americans in Marine and Space Sciences. OSU's chapter
of the American Indians in Science and Engineering Society
has consistently placed in the top in the nation, and the
university has also achieved recognition for programs such
as the Science and Math Investigative Learning Experience
program working with younger students in Indian communities.
Innovative courses such as Ecosystems of Pacific Northwest
Indians are taught by experts from the Indian community, and
Native American studies is now available as an academic area
of specialization through OSU's Ethnic Studies department.
Community life centers around the Native American Longhouse,
one of four cultural centers for students of color on
campus. The university also has a Multicultural Affairs
Office and a Minority Education Office, which houses three
other minority education offices in addition to the Indian
Education Office.

The Indian Education Office
The Indian Education Office was established in 1991 as the
first of the four offices now located in the Minority
Education Office. The IEO and its coordinator have the
following responsibilities:
*       Service to Indian students: providing counseling and
advising, coordinating tutoring, financial aid, and other
services, coordinating and assisting recruitment and
retention efforts, maintaining liaison with the Longhouse
and Native student organizations.
*       Service to Indian communities: maintaining liaison
with tribal and community groups and regional and national
Indian organizations, serving as a central resource for
tribal education officers and others seeking help and
information about Indian programs and services at the
university.
While the office and many of its primary functions are
located on campus, the coordinator is also responsible for
on site recruitment and liaison efforts in Indian
communities throughout the state and region.
*       Coordination of campus programs: maintaining liaison
with other Indian programs and other service units on
campus, assisting other campus units serving Indian students
and preparing grant proposals involving Indian students and
communities, and maintaining accurate statistics on the
campus Indian community. The office also coordinates the
activities of the Camas Coalition, an on-campus coalition of
units working with Indian students and community
representatives. The coordinator also participates in the
joint operations of the Minority Education Office,
addressing the common needs of students of color at the
university.
*       Additional opportunities: depending upon the
interests and skills of the coordinator, other functions
might include more extensive involvement in statewide Indian
education programs at the K-12 and community college levels
and the development of closer relations with tribal
colleges.
The coordinator position is a 12-month appointment,
reporting to the Vice-Provost for Student Affairs.

Qualifications
A Bachelors degree is required, and advanced degrees and/or
extensive experience in Indian education are desirable.
Counseling, administrative and grant writing experience in
higher education are also highly desirable. Demonstrated
record of successful work in education and with Indian
communities is essential. Competitive salary and benefits
package.

Application Procedure
Please forward a cover letter, curriculum vita, and at least
two letters of reference (one, if possible, documenting work
with Indian communities) to
IEO Search Committee
Minority Education Office
A200 Kerr Administration Bldg.
Oregon State University
Corvallis Oregon, 97331-2133

For first consideration, all materials must be received by
November 1, 1999. Starting date will be as early as January
1, 1999. For further application information, call Rose
Lacey (541) 737-9030, or email <Rose.Lacey@orst.edu

For updated information, see our website at
<http://osu.orst.edu/Dept/indianed

OSU is an AA/EEO employer and has a policy of being
responsive to dual-career needs.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
                       David Lewis
                       P.O. Box 3086
                       Eugene, OR 97403
   coyotez@darkwing.uoregon.edu, coyotez@oregon.uoregon.edu
               http://gladstone.uoregon.edu/~coyotez

************

OCTOBER 12, 1999
   Letter From The Jatibonicu Taino Tribal Nation, To:
   All Native American Tribes And Nations.

   :                 The Taino Tribal Council of Jatibonicu'
   :                     US Regional Tribal Affairs Office
   :                            703 South Eight Street
   :                          Vineland New Jersey 08360
   :
   :
   October 12,1999
   Tau Ah Taiguey Adanatiao,
   Hello and Good Day to All Our Relatives,

        We bid you a warm greeting from The Jatibonicu Taino Tribe, its
   Telcesta Florida Tribal Band, the Taino People, and its' Nation. I will
   speak my heart so that all of my relatives will understand that I, Guanikeyu
   (Noble Bird of The White Earth), Principal Chief of The Taino Tribe speaks
   the truth in the eyes of our Creator the Great Spirit.
        It has been 507 years since our Taino National Homeland of the
   Caribbean, Bahama Islands and Florida were invaded and overthrown by the
   Spanish Europeans in 1493. As peaceful people, we stood by and observed the
   destruction of our Atabey (Mother Earth) and ou