index16

RedHearts Bulletin Board

Lumbee Indian Petition
Needs help finding a Sioux Friend
Lakota YMCA Youth Center
1/8 Indian: Wannabee?
Yellowstone's Buffalo
A Sacred Journey
Whales and Dolphins
Christian Gathering of Indigenous Peoples
A Sacred Journey
Petition for the Native American Code Talkers
Can anyone help this Father with locating his son Collin Todd Crowley

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Lumbee Tribe Petition

Please take just a minute to read this and at least famiarize yourself with the unjust treatment these people are recieving from the government . They are recognized by the State of North Carolina so why is it that Washington cant recognize these people as Lumbee Indians?

>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<

The following is a passage from my website

I dedicate this website and weblink to my Lumbee Indian

wife Phyllis A. Peterson/Hunt-Birthplace Fairmont,N.C.

I think that it is time for Native American Indians from all across this land to do what they can do to support the recognition of the Lumbee Indians in their

quest to be given the rights that all other Natives are receiving from the federal government. They have suffered in more ways than just the loss of their land. Their heritage was taken away from them. They did not choose to be forgotten. They choose not to forget who they are and continue their fight to be recognized and they are a proud people that are Indian and choose to remain so. They nor their elders should be left in this state. Should all Native

Americans combine their support and lend it to the Lumbee Indians on their hard fought journey to be given full recognition and benefits by our federal government. Haven't they been hurt long enough, I ask? Talk about endangered species... they will not allow themselves to disappear. Now, I am not a spokesman for them nor am I a lawyer or politician but I am a person that

believes that there time has come to be a whole part of the Indian community of these united states. The Lumbees are not wannabees. There is proud Native American blood flowing thru their veins and hearts. They are as much an Indian as the Cherokees, Navajo, Apache,Huron, Lakota, Cheyenne,

Soiux,Choctaw,Iroquois,Chickasaw,Lenape,Ute,Shoshone,Cree,must I go on? I recently read about the Illiniwek Nation. These tribes of Native American

Indians numbered over 20,000 in the late Seventeenth Century. Nowhere now does a single full-blood Illinois Indian exist. Your Lumbee brothers and sisters need your help! Just as the great chiefs fought together for their people to preserve their heritage and land in the Battle of the Greasy Grass ("Custer's Last Stand" to others), I urge the Chiefs of today to join together along with all their people and help your brothers and sisters of the Lumbee Tribe to gain back their equality with Native Americans throughout the land. Please contact the Lumbee Indians and please HELP!

Maybe there are leaders amongst the many Indian Nations,Tribes, Bands,etc. that could rally for their own March to show what they believe in. Whom are willing to come together and show the Spirit of what the REAL Americans are about in celebration of their great great heritage. A POW WOW but one of such magnitude never seen before! A march of celebration...Not a "Trail of Tears". This land has seen one too many of them. Stand up and be counted! If this ever comes to be during my lifetime, I and my Lumbee wife and Son will be there to lend our support, I promise. This land is your land... your home...your legacy!!!

Not long ago here in Philadelphia I saw the coming together of almost one

million African American women marching for their cause. I was personally part of the millions that fought against the Agent Orange issue which I was affected by. I do know that if all band together and bring this issue of the Lumbee Indians to the forefront then you will force the government to giving these proud Lumbee people....your brothers and sisters the full recognition that they are rightfully due. Let the Congressmen, Senators, and the President know that the Native American Indians can show great strength and pride. Do not foresake these Lumbee people. What would your elders have done if faced with this issue...? Who are the present day Chiefs?? Which of them cares enough?? It is for them to decide!!Full Blooded aren't the only Indians...there are many Half- Breeded whom are INDIANS also!

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You can learn still more about the Lumbee Indians by visiting their Homepage. Click Here

Or contact:

Mr. James Hardin

Lumbee Regional Development Assoc. Inc.

P.O. Box 68

Pembroke, N.C. 28372

(910)521-8602

If you should want to contact them to let them know your opinion, here is a list of the North Carolina State Senators.

Sen. Jesse Helms: (202)224-6342

email:jesse_helms@helms.senate.gov

Sen. Lauch Faircloth: (202)224-3154

email:senator@faircloth.senate.gov

or the House of Representatives Member:

Congressman Mike McIntyre: (202)225-2731

email:congmcintyre@mail.house.gov

President Bill Clinton

email: President@WhiteHouse.GOV

Vice President Al Gore

email: Vice.President@WhiteHouse.GOV

>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<

I leave you with this poem by an unknown author. What would happen if many were to do their part to help the Lumbee Brothers and Sisters?

It Only Takes One!!

One song can spark a moment,

One flower can wake the dream.

One tree can start a forest,

One bird can herald the spring.

One smile begins a friendship,

One handclasp lifts a soul.

One star can guide a ship at sea,

One word can frame the goal.

One vote can change a nation,

One sunbeam lights a room.

One candle wipes out darkness,

One laugh will conquer gloom.

One step must start each journey,

One word must start each prayer.

One hope will raise our spirits,

One touch can show you care.

One voice can speak with wisdom,

One heart can know what's true.

One life can make the difference,

You see it's up to YOU!

Author Unknown

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I would like to thank all of you for reading my message.

Thomas W. Peterson (RedHeart)

email: peterst@voicenet.com

homepage: http://www.fortunecity.com/meltingpot/cavendish/327/fortunecityindex.html

Dear Mr Peterson --

I was doing a search on the Sioux Nation and came across your page. I was hoping you might be able to assist me with some very basic history which I have not been able to come across with the various sites I have searched thus far.

In 1955, in Texas, a friend of mine was in the US Army and defended in a military legal issue a young soldier who ended up being dismissed of charges and who, according to his mother, was to have been next in line for leading the Sioux Nation. She came to my friend's quarters one day and said she was a daughter to Sitting Bull, and was quite concerned that if her son were to be disgraced due to the charges which were being brought by the military, then he would have no chance of assuming his rightful place as leader of his people. With the help of my friend, the boy was later dismissed from the military with no disgrace, and this friend wishes to find the woman to see what has happened in her life since that time. My friend is now in his late 60's and lives near Brownwood, Texas.

Is there any way to find out who might have been leader anytime after 1955?? And which of those leaders would have had a daughter of Sitting Bull as his mother??

Not being Native American, I wish to apologize in advance if this request offends you in any way. It is just that my friend was deeply moved by this experiece 40 years ago, and upon seeing several historical sites of the Sioux in North Dakota recently, he has been moved once again to try to locate this woman and her son after so many years. Any information you could provide would be deeply appreciated. I look forward to hearing from you, and til the next time as always

Take care Anne :-)

Please contact Anne at--->ANNEDFW@aol.com if you can be of any help.

Subject (no subject)

Date: Wed, 04 Feb 1998 22:56:38 -0600

From: cassman <cassman@ibm.net>

To: "Thomas W. Peterson" <peterst@voicenet.com>

What we found at the Cheyenne River Green Grass Community was a group of

people who are wanting a way to find self sufficiency and a method to

use to feed the elderly and care for the youth and young children. A

double wide mobile home had been purchased by the community to be used

for what is called "The Lakota YMCA Youth Center" the building will

also be used to provide the nutrition center for the elderly of the

Green Grass Community. Essentially the building, once repaired and

fully equiped will become a functioning Youth Center and Elderly Center,

which the community has a great need for. The Cheyenne River

Reservation does not have a casino on it to help support the needs of

the children & elders. The Green Grass Community must find a way to

support the needs of their families. They would like help with a head

start to progress toward self sufficiency for their community. This is

what we are asking for on behalf of the Chief and his people. This is

part of what you can send your gift certificates for to help eliminate

the shipping costs of gifts. The Lakota like any other people are proud

people and do not like to let others know that they are in need of this

assistance. A time has come where a need is to ask for help in a big

way..the children and elders are suffering. Suicide rates have risen

amongst the teenagers. The elderly are going without proper nutritions

to survive the cold winters.

The double wide that was brought in for the Youth Center is in dire need

of repairs. It is basically a shell with no insulation, improper

roofing, no kitchen facilities, no steps to even enter the building,

Please be sure to sit down before you jump to the ground to get out of

the building after you crawl up into the building, is how I best

describe the situation. We took with us an electrical engineer who is a

friend of ours here in Bismarck so that he could help us look at this

building on behalf of the Chief and the people and help best with an

estimation cost to get the YOUTH/Elder Center up and running full

swing. Not counting the official supplies children need to use while

learning at the Youth Center.

Please be sure you are sitting down now, and keep in mind if any of you

know of a way to assist with this need, please think deep and make all

connections possible to help this community. The estimated cost to

actually do the plumbing, electric, kitchen facility, flooring,

furnance, roofing, walls, windows and the addition added on to

accommodate the number of people who are all ready lined up to use the

facilities, the bathroom..etc. $50,000.00 yes $50,000.00 it is almost

appropriate to build new and fresh rather than to repair but the cost

would still be the same. If in any way you know of a fund raiser

potential and can pull one off by all means contact us to let us know.

If you are in a position to donate money to have as a 501 (c) 3 tax

right off, please send your checks for the Youth Center to The Lakota

YMCA Youth Center c/o Gladys Looking Horse, Board member of the Youth

Center. If any of you are associated with a YMCA Center off of the

Reservations and know they can ask that YMCA to consider assisting this

Lakota YMCA Youth Center please share this information with them so that

they too can assist with this large, very large project.

The Youth/Elder Center has five acres available to them at this time,

they want to plant a sizable garden to feed many members who will work

together to insure the outcome of a good growth. 86 and counting

children and 30 and counting elderly will benefit from the food

provisions grown and the use of the Youth Center. This is where your

gift certificates come in, the community needs:

2 dozen each GARDEN RACKS, HOES, SHOVELS, GARDEN HOSES, SPRINKLERS,

FENCING (and a scarecrow maybe) the tools to plant a garden are in

absolute need.

CANNING JARS WITH LIDS AND CANNING EQUIPMENT IS GREATLY NEEDED.

VEGETABLE SEEDS OF Squash, carrots, watermelon, beans, pole beans,

tomatoes, beets, turnips, pumpkin, lettuce, tomatoes, fruit trees of

apples and peaches, marigolds for companion plantings for insects,

sunflowers, cucumbers, peppers, lima beans. Are all being requested for

food purposes. With the right equipment gardens are successful for year

round food.

The ladies can and would like to be able to sew more proficently for

their families. They can earn income with their sewing skills. What is

needed here again is a great starting opportunity. Sewing Machines,

fabrics, threads, needles, beads, beading needles, patterns and the

instructions as to how to complete the sewing and beading projects.

Quilts are being made along with the clothing.

The center is in great need of an industry size stove/oven appliance

along with a refrigerator/freezer combination. Not to mention a proper

toilet.

The items that are needed inside of the finished building and also

needed now until the building is complete, for the center is running out

of a small log building located on the Chief's property at this time

are:

paper plates, regular dishes, large pots and pans to cook for many.

silverware, towels, toilet paper, construction paper, crayons,

pencils, paper supplies, two computers are needed, file cabinets, felt,

threads, needles, paper towels, dish soap, hand soaps, black boards, art

supplies (many strong artist have been seen amongst the youth)

leather supplies and sports equipment such as baseballs, basket balls,

kick balls, volley ball, horse shoes, bats and gloves, footballs, dolls

for the girls, ribbons. (Not to mention brand new underwear needs are

prevalent) Diapers, bottles, cribs, beds (children are sleeping on

floors my friends) I have seen things that many do not want to see, and

you can help change this condition for the better forever.

Please consider what you have read here and contact us soon with your

heart and your gifts. I would not be asking for these things had I not

known and seen first hand the dire dire need that is on the reservations

of South and North Dakota, I can only focus on one community at a time,

and the Green Grass is in need to perserve the Traditional Spiritual

Ways of a People of Peace.

Again Thank you for reading this and for sharing this with your many

friends and contacts. If anyone knows what they can do please do not

hesitate to do such and help the children & elders of the Lakota, Green

Grass Community.

Dawn Cassada

Morning Star Outreach

320 N. 31st #13

Bismarck, ND 58501

(with Gift Certificates or shipments)

Gladys Looking Horse

Green Grass Community

PO Box 1519

Eagle Butte, SD 57625

for cash donations to the Youth Center made out to The Lakota YMCA youth

Center.

Blessings to all of you for reading.

Earth Woman

Dear Sir:

>From looking at various topics on your site I thought you may be the one to ask a specific question on Amer. Indian blood. Wannabee or not a Wannabee?

I am 1/8th Florida Indian (it was either Mayaca or Creek). I have the photo of my gr. grandmother who was Indian, I also know of the possibility of two other mixed-bloods further back in our Florida history. So I may have other blood. Problem is, when I look in the mirror, I have my gr. grandmother's features. All my life other whites have treated me as though I was a minority and have asked me repeatedly what I am besides white. My father is darker but got his father's blonde hair and blue eyes and was spared all of this. It looks like it skipped a generation, but my brother is very dark and looks like he is at least half. My point being that the Indian blood can suddenly emerge very strongly with some siblings or generations and totally miss the parent to a certain extant. Other 'federally recognized' Indians do not accept us as Indians, we do not exist, we are wannabees.

I want to know about my culture and be a part of it even though I am not registered with a tribe. If you look like an Indian, if other's including some Indians think you look like a 'strange white woman' and sense some Indian blood , yet you must live as a white. What is a person to do? I am tired of having to explain why my 1/8th Indian blood is important to me. My grandmother who is half, has grown up hiding it so long and saying she is just a dark Spaniard that she rejects me and refuses to acknowledge it. On applications for work they want you to check the box 'caucasian' or 'Native American', I always check caucasian obviously, but the Native American box makes me pause every time and the thought of my gr. grandmother's photo in Seminole-like dress always gives me the creeps. I feel as though I am torn and dishonoring her in some way. I feel like I am being forced to forget these ancestors who lived in FLorida for 12,000 years and did not exist. I guess the only solution is for American Indians to please stop intermarrying with whites. Down the road, maybe in just 3 or 4 generations, it will cause a lot of distress for your ancestors. I can feel what the Miami Nation of Indiana is going through trying to get recognition. But at least they get together culturally and are aware of each other and trying to form a 'tribe' of sorts. The rest of us are out there on the fringe of things; the whites dislikes us and other Indians think we are 'wannabees' if we aren't at least 1/2 or 3/4 Amer. Indian. The goofy thing is that at Dakota pow-wows I see very blonde haired, blue eyed Indian kids dancing. They were born on the res so they are tribally and governmentally recognized as Indian eventhough nowadays they may have less Indian blood than I have! I guess at some point you have to toss away that Indian ancestor's photo, because eventually the descendants will only be 1/500th Indian and again, they may know about it but you have to forget about it. If you still look like one though it can make life a little weird. Am I white or Indian? Who knows, thanks to my relatives assimilating. But other whites don't care for me when I go on trips to N. Florida or the Dakotas or Montana. They seem to enjoy reminding me that I am white skinned but I got "a little darky in there" as they like to say. If you know of anyone with these experiences and how they should 'come out'...white or Indian. Let me know. Thanks for reading my long letter. ---------Robin

There must be some "Indians" out ther that recognize how truely beautiful this one-eighth Native American Indian really is. Send her an e-mail and let her know it! Robin is an INDIAN!!!

Please e-mail Robin at --->ISLANDERR@aol.com

*********Buffalo Nations Alert********

Department of Livestock "inspectors" came to West Yellowstone last week and

were immediately greeted in the field by three of our volunteers. Within

10 minutes a dozen backup volunteers, including members of the Inter-Tribal

Bison Cooperative, were on the scene to ensure the bison's protection.

Two of the members of our response team came into the field with a video

camera and attempted to haze the bison away from the DOL, whose motives

were as yet unclear. The DOL brandished guns loaded with apparent blanks

and chased the bison in pick-up trucks. They later claimed their only

intention was to haze the bison. The bison eventually crossed over into

the park.

Volunteers have been canvassing the local community and have put up over 40

bright pink signs on people's land which say "Bison Safe Zone: No Shooting

or Harassing Bison Permitted by Order of Landowner". We are constantly

heartened by the positive response of people who love the bison and want to

help us. Some of our best support comes from our neighbors around our

cabin, six of whom regularly go out on patrols with us. Their help allows

us to have an effective presence in the field.

In a lawsuit filed by the Inter-Tribal Bison Cooperative on Dec.16th, U.S.

District Judge Charles C. Lovell (notoriously pro-cattle industry)

announced that he would only allow 100 bison to be killed this year before

they must return to court for more slaughter approval. As writer and

grizzly bear expert Doug Peacock says, "That's 100 too many."

The other complication with this "solution" is that the D.O.L. would still

be able to capture and hold the bison in unnatural confinement for 5 months

or more. Buffalo Nations is concerned that this is a public relations ploy

which will make little positive difference in the long run for the future

of the bison and may lead to their domestication.

Before the hearing, Inter-Tribal Bison Cooperative Executive Director Mark

Heckert, Vice President Carl Tsosie, and Spiritual Advisor Rocky Afraid of

Hawk visited our office. The ITBC represents over 44 tribes and advocates

that buffalo in excess of the Yellowstone ecosystem carrying capacity be

sent to reservations instead of being shot or shipped to slaughter. The

visitors from ITBC shared prayers and honored us with a pipe ceremony. They

expressed their solidarity and support for our work here.

We are still feeling strong here, and everyone feels very positive about

our commitment to ensure that not one buffalo is killed this winter.

Buffalo Nations

PO Box 957

West Yellowstone, MT 59758

406-646-0070 phone

406-646-0071 fax

buffalo@wildrockies.org

http://www.wildrockies.org/buffalo/

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

Take a second and do one thing for the buffalo!

It's time to put the pressure on and show this public official that there

are folks concerned and speaking out for the buffalo!

IF YOU CAN ONLY DO ONE THING!!!...

Write, Fax, Phone, Call....APHIS Administrator Terry Medley,

Let him know that the last wild buffalo are more important than a few cows.

Brucellosis free status in Montana should be determined on a county by

county basis!

then the livestock folks wouldn't have to worry about the very few cows in

Yellowstone!!

Do your job, Terry...work it out!

He's a public servant that should be working to solve this problem

(202) 720-2511 or (202) 720-3668

fax (202)720-3982

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)

U.S. Department of Agriculture

12th & Independence Ave., SW

Washington, DC 20250

E-Mail: postmaster@aphis.usda.gov

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

For more information about the plight of the Yellowstone Bison

check out this web site

http://www.wildrockies.org/bison

Mitakuye Oyasin (All My Relations)

Subject:

Fw: Ward Valley-courtesy post

Date:

Thu, 5 Feb 1998 12:13:55 -0700

From:

swv1@ctaz.com (Save Ward Valley) (by way of s gregerson)

To:

webmaster@wildrockies.org

From: swv1@ctaz.com (Save Ward Valley)

Mime-Version: 1.0

Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit

COLORADO RIVER NATIVE NATIONS ALLIANCE

Fort Mojave * Chemehuevi * Quechan * Cocopah * Colorado River Indian

Tribes

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: FEBRUARY 13, 1998

Contact: On-site cell phones 310/977-7870; 520/669-0705

Save Ward Valley 760/326-6267; 760/326-4305; 714/649-2641;

415/752-8678

Federal Deadline to Close Ward Valley Expires

HUNDREDS OCCUPY GROUND ZERO

TRIBES AND SUPPORTERS DECLARE

"WE ARE NOT LEAVING WARD VALLEY! NO NUCLEAR DUMP!"

Needles, CA -- Joined by 200 supporters, Tribal leaders and Elders of the

Colorado River Native Nations Alliance yesterday challenged President

Clinton to stop the proposed Ward Valley radioactive waste dump now. As

the

U.S. Department of Interior's February 13th deadline for closure of Ward

Valley expired, hundreds of tribal members and supporters joined the

occupation of the proposed dump site.

Indian Elders set up their camp directly at ground zero, the site Interior

Department officials have ordered to be vacated. "We have been forced into

this position, and we have no other options," said President Michael

Jackson

of the Quechan Indian Nation. "This is a serious direct action, and firm

commitments have been made by Indian Nations and the Save Ward Valley

Coalition that we will not be moved," said Steve Lopez, speaking for the

Fort Mojave Indian Tribe. "I will do this for my people and my children,

even if it means giving up my life."

Paddy McGuire of the U.S. Department of Interior heard the pleas of the

Tribal leaders and Elders and agreed to relay their request that President

Clinton meet directly with them. The Indian Nations are asking President

Clinton to act now to stop the dump and uphold Executive Orders, mandates

and statutes protecting Indian people and sacred areas.

Proposed tritium test drilling would desecrate sacred Indian lands and

destroy critical habitat for the threatened desert tortoise, a species in

trouble that is also sacred to the Tribes. Ignoring environmental and

Indian spiritual concerns, the Interior Department has given the tests a

green light.

Ward Valley is 22 miles west of Needles, California, off the Water Road

exit

on Interstate 40.

Save Ward Valley

107 F St.

Needles, CA 92363

ph. 760/326-6267

fax 760/326-6268

<http://www.shundahai.org/SWVAction.html>http://www.shundahai.org/SWVAction.

html

<http://earthrunner.com/savewardvalley>http://earthrunner.com/savewardvalley

<http://www.ctaz.com/%7Eswv1>http://www.ctaz.com/~swv1

Dolphins, Whales and Low Frequency Active Sonar

Unknown impact on Hawaii's marine life and eco-tourist industry
Background:
The US Navy, beginning on February 25, 1998, is planning to conduct sound
experiments in excess of 195 decibels in the waters of the Big Island and
Kauai. This will have unpredictable, yet major effects on whales, dolphins,
humans, and all marine life.
Public objections include:

Adverse economic implications for the eco-tourist industry, including

divers, snorkelers, fishermen, and whale watchers.
Indiscriminate and destructive impact on our marine ecosystem.

Disruptive experimentation on endangered species during birthing.

Disorientation of whales' and dolphins' primary sensory system necessary

for communication, navigation, and social structure.
Unknown traumatic effects on human health.

We have grave concerns about the premature initiation of these experiments
without due consideration of the far-reaching impacts on the environment.
Public Hearing Petition:
Before these experiments begin, I/We _______________________ date____________
request further public hearings to explore the opinions, concerns and choices
of the People of Hawaii.

Please distribute by printing, postering, phone, mail, fax or email:

Mike Wilson
DNLR
1151 Punchbowl St
Honolulu, HI 96813
Phone 808-587-0400
Fax 808-587-0390
Email mwilson@pixi.com Mike Wilson Ms. Ann Terbush
Office of Protected Resources
Permits Division
National Marine Fisheries Serves
1335 East West Hwy.
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Fax: (301)713-0376

Note: Mike Wilson is the person responsible
for issuing the permit required by the Navy
to test on endagered species in Hawaii. Note: Ann Terbush is the person
who would issue the permit from the
Federal Government.

Also: email State Representative David Tarnas Call 808-541-0775 or E-Mail:reptarnas@capitol.hawaii.gov
See David Tarnes's response 2/21/98
This petition was prepared by I.C.E.R.C.

Articles and Links

Print Version of the Petition

This site was prepared by Benedick Howard and is hosted by DreamWeaving International

a site about sound, sacred geometry and stress management

The views of this site do not necessarily form a consensus of opinion. Rather it is the intention

of the host of this site DreamWeaving International to represent information

about LFAS and its impact on our livelyhood.

Prayer & Resource Needs

World Christian Gathering of Indigenous People September 5-13, 1998 Rapid City, South Dakota, U.S.A. Hosted by First Nations People of North America Uniting Under the Chief Shepherd - Jesus Christ

For the first time in the history of North America, First Nations Christian people from around the world will gather on the sacred homeland of the Lakota/Sioux Nation, the Black Hills of South Dakota. The first such gathering took place in November 1996 in New Zealand (Rotorua City), where the Maori people gave their traditional haka welcome during opening ceremonies.

The Creator's redemptive purpose is emerging among the tribal peoples of the earth. The cultural expressions which have been suppressed and forbidden by the Church through centuries are now being revitalized by the grace of the Almighty God through Jesus Christ to be used again in the Creator's loving design for the Nations.

The WCGIP is a time when indigenous people can bring their songs, dances, languages, regalia and stories as offerings of praise and worship to Jesus Christ, our Chief Shepherd. God is ever longing for people who will worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. Cultural revitalization is a part of the healing process associated with a regained freedom of expression.

Our first call is to the Christian Indigenous people of the world to come and join with thousands of their Maori, Aborigine, Sioux, Saami, Inca, Zulu, Eskimo, and other brothers and sisters in Christ. The Gathering also welcomes all Natives and others to join in the celebration.

The planning committee members hosting the event hope to make it one of the most memorable and enjoyable experiences of your life. We look forward to meeting you in Rapid City during a coming together time of participants from the tribes, languages, peoples and nations of the Earth.

Graphics from RT Computer Graphics Plains Collection

WCGIP logo from 1996 Inaugural Gathering

Web site last updated on 2/18/98

April 13, 1998

Hardin County, Kentucky

Sacred journey: Indians return remains to grave

By KEVIN EIGELBACH Staff Writer

David Miller smokes a pipe filled with tobacco at the

conclusion of Friday’s ceremony to bury the

3,000-year-old remains of an Indian near Eastview.

Tobacco was considered a valuable commodity among

ancient Indians.

EASTVIEW - On a day when Christians observed the death and burial of Jesus Christ, a

small group gathered to bury a man who died a thousand years before Christ was born.

"Why did we choose Good Friday to return our ancestor to his grave - to his sacred

journey?" asked David Two Bears, as he stood on the gravel driveway of Gladys and Ron

Young’s house. He wore the long, feathered headdress of a Lakota Sioux Indian.

"On the reservation long ago I read a story about a man named Jesus, supposedly

crucified this day," Two Bears told those gathered for the funeral. "His friends and

disciples placed him in a tomb, so I’m told."

"Early on Sunday he arose and started his own journey," Two Bears said. "Easter gives us

the chance to remember the truth that Jesus (came) because the Creator loves us all and

made us all one family."

The man who Two Bears came to bury died in his 60s about 3,000 years ago.

The burial ceremony ended a dispute between local Indians and University of Louisville

archaeologist Philip DiBlasi over whether the remains - discovered in late February by a

man searching for artifacts - should be returned to the original grave or preserved and

protected.

The grave will be safeguarded, the property owners say, by "No Trespassing" signs. And

one Indian said he plans to cover the grave with concrete to prevent any further

disturbance.

Indians chose a Christian holiday to rebury their ancestor in a ceremony that mingled

elements of Christian and Indian beliefs.

After Two Bears explained the significance of Good Friday, a prayer and scripture

reading gave way to a procession as the 18 well-wishers and participants walked across a

pasture to the grave.

As Jerry General Ao, a Hawaiian, who also wore Indian dress, accompanied the

procession with drum beats, Hardin County Coroner Bill Lee carried the remains in a blue

cardboard box.

The procession wound around and down into a hollow and appeared to step back into

time. "We could be back 200-300 years ago," said Grace Bandy, of Breckinridge

County, as she saw the grave site framed by the sloping green hills and gray rock.

"On behalf of all Native-Americans - Apache, Shawnee, Cherokee, Sioux, Navaho,

Hopi, Delaware, Miami - I accept the return of our ancestor," Two Bears said.

He took the remains from the box - a skull, jawbone, pelvis and other small bones - and

placed them on a multicolored blanket spread beside the grave.

A man who identified himself only as Kevin squatted beside the blanket, gently waving a

smoldering stick, as Two Bears performed the ceremony. Also assisting were Ao and Don

Miller, a New Albany, Ind., man dressed in buckskin, who claims Cherokee ancestry.

Two Bears, took an arrow out of a Wal-Mart shopping bag he had brought with him. "In

order for our ancestor to make his sacred journey ... he must have a way to hunt," Two

Bears said, and placed the arrow on the blanket.

He removed more items from the bag, placing them on the blanket after explaining their

significance: moccasins, for walking on the sacred journey; a red feather, which warriors

wear; a hawk feather, so his spirit will fly freely; a copper bracelet for trading; a knife for

protection; wheat grass for prosperity; sage, for good health; and a red medicine bag, for

good medicine and to help him follow the red road.

Then Two Bears, holding a bowl of burning sage in one hand and feathers in the other,

raised his arms and looked heavenward, his eyes closed. He repeated the gesture four

times, in four different directions, making a circle.

While Miller and Ao placed the folded up blanket in the grave, Two Bears used the

feathers to brush the smoke from the burning sage over the grave.

After asking the Creator/Grandfather to guide the ancestor on his journey, and Mother

Earth to accept him, Two Bears and the attendants stood with their eyes closed for several

minutes.

Two Bears invited those present to toss some burley tobacco he had provided them onto

the grave. Kevin tossed spades of dry, brown earth onto the blanket while Ao beat

steadily on the drum.

Two Bears placed a series of colored flags around the grave, each signifying a Native

American belief: a yellow flag, for the face of the Creator, the sun; a black flag, for warm

feelings about nature; a red flag, for the sunset; a white flag, for peace; a blue flag, for the

connection with the Creator; and a green flag, for Mother Earth.

Two Bears then talked about the controversy over the bones, which were excavated for

analysis to determine their age and the time and cause of the Indian’s death.

"Because these things happen so often, it does hurt us to the heart," he said. "It’s sad that

people think they have a right to go and rob graves."

The ceremony concluded with the smoking of a pipe and a prayer.

Bandy, who had written her local representatives about the case, felt relieved that the

conflict was over, she said.

Some unresolved issues remain, including whether artifacts are missing. Deputy Charlie

Williams said the sheriff’s office will intensify efforts to recover any items now that it’s

clear the site was a grave.

To protect the grave from further disturbances, the land’s owners said they will prosecute

those caught on their property without their permission.

David Cloud, an Elizabethtown certified public accountant and part Comanche, said he

would return to the grave and cover it with concrete and earth to deter any would-be

artifact hunters.

When the grave was dug, more remains were found.

"I think it’s good that some of our ancestor’s remains are still not disturbed," Cloud said.

The following petition was sent to me by

ccNightowl

Code Talkers

PETITION FOR CODE TALKER MEDALS! FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDALS OF HONOR SOUGHT FOR NATIVE AMERICAN CODE TALKERS

ANADARKO, OK, April 8, 1998 - Many of the American public know that in World War II a large number of Navajo served as "code talkers" for the Marines in the Pacific. There have been books and articles published which cover their service, and they have been highly honored in many ways. Fewer people are aware, however, that there were other code talkers in both World Wars from many tribes who served in the Pacific and in Europe. In all, at least 17 tribes have been identified as serving in this manner by Dr.William C. Meadows, an Anadarko, OK scholar whose book on the Comanche code talkers of World War II is currently under review by the University of Texas Press. The tribes identified include Cheyenne, Comanche, Cherokee,

Choctaw, Osage, and Yankton Sioux in WW I, and in WW II, Chippewa, Choctaw, Comanche, Creek, Hopi, Kiowa, Menominee, Muscogee-Seminole, Navajo, Oneida, Pawnee, Sac & Fox, and Sioux (both Lakota and Dakota dialects).

Meadows identifies two types of code talking, which he calls Type I and Type II. The former involved actual encoding of messages and translation of code into the code talkers' native languages. The second type involved the planned or spontaneous use of Native American languages to relay strategic messages without further encoding.

An informational appendix is included below which identifies the tribes whose warriors served United States armed forces in this manner, beginning with the Choctaw in World War I, who practiced the first type of code talking. In all instances, the use of these native languages foiled enemy attempts to decipher the communications of United States armed forces. The result was often a dramatic turn in the tide of battle, and thousands of allied lives were saved which

would have inevitably been lost in continued fighting. The code talking of these American Indian warriors was practiced under dangerous, harrowing conditions, willingly and without question. Perhaps even more remarkable, it was a service which they rendered to a government which had conquered their own people. Some of the code talkers lost their lives, and many were wounded during the two World Wars. Many of these brave men have since passed on to the land of the spirits, unrecognized by this country. The United States has never officially recognized the code talkers, although the French government awarded them or their tribes their highest military honor in 1989. The petition appended to this release is being circulated by friends and families of

Native American code talkers of World War I and II in a grass roots effort to get heir country to recognize this valiant, ingenious service in an appropriate manner. The signatories to this petition are asking the U.S. government to rectify this omission now by awarding the code talkers of both types the Medal of Honor for their valiant, unique, and outstanding service above and beyond the call of duty

Appendix adapted from Meadows, William C. They Spoke Comanche: the Comanche Code Talkers in World War II. In Press. University of texas Press, Austin, TX.

INFORMATIONAL APPENDIX:

Native American Code Talkers : World Wars I and II Code Talking Types 1 and 2: Explanation Type 1 = Formally developed special coded-encoded vocabularies in Native American languages. Type 2 = Informal use of everyday non-coded Native American languages.

World War I

Tribe and Type of Code Talk Practiced Cheyenne 2,Choctaw 1,Comanche 2,Cherokee 2

Osage 2,Yankton Sioux 2

World War II

Tribe and Type of Code Talk Practiced Comanche 1,Navajo 1, Chippewa 2, Choctaw 2,

Creek 2, Hopi 2,Kiowa 2,Menominee 2, Muscogee-Seminole 2,Oneida 2, Pawnee 2,

Sac & Fox 2, Sioux (Lakota & Dakota) 2,

FOR FURTHER INFO:

Liz Pollard

Smoke Signals Enterprises

505 W. Louisiana Ave.

Anadarko, OK 73005

(405)247-2251

Email:lpollard@smokesig.com

PETITION FOLLOWS:

Please add your signature to this petition and encourage others to join us. If you

received the petition by email, pass it along to as many other interested citizens

as you can and ask that they collect signatures to add to it. Make photocopies of

it if necessary, and add sheets of paper for additional signatures. Completed,

signed petitions should be returned to me at lpollard@smokesig.com (or Liz

Pollard, 505 W. Louisiana Ave., Anadarko, OK 73005) or mailed or emailed to

either or both of the following addresses.

Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell

Chairman, Senate Committee on Indian Affairs

380 Russell Senate Office Building

U.S. Senate

Washington, DC 20510-0605

Representative Dale E. Kildee

Co-Chair, Native American Caucus

2187 Rayburn House Office Building

U.S. House of Representatives

Washington, DC 20515-2209

Email: dkildee@hr.house.gov

====================================================

PETITION TO the CONGRESS of the UNITED STATES ON BEHALF OF THE NATIVE AMERICAN CODE TALKERS of WORLD WAR I AND WORLD WAR II

WHEREAS:

During World War I and World War II, hundreds of Native American service men from at least 17 native nations served the armed forces of the United States in a vital and unique capacity, by using their native languages to foil enemy communications. They became known as codetalkers from the use of their languages to transmit strategic messages in a form the enemy could not decipher. In World War I, Choctaw warriors performed this service, translating encoded

messages into their language for transmission. This type of code talking, referred to here as Type I, was also used in World War II by Navajo and Comanche units. It required ingenious use of words in the native languages to convey meanings these peoples had never had use for previously. Other tribes used what is known here as Type II code talk, utilizing their native

language to communicate crucial messages to each other without first encoding them, but with the same result, that the enemy could not decipher critical strategic communications. These tribes included, but are not necessarily limited to, Cheyenne, Comanche, Cherokee, Osage, and Yankton Sioux in WW I, and in WW II, Chippewa, Choctaw, Creek, Hopi, Kiowa, Menominee,Muscogee-Seminole, Oneida, Pawnee, Sac & Fox, and Sioux (both Lakota and Dakota dialects) In both types of code talking, results were similar. The tide of battle was turned and the United States forces were enabled to prevail. Without these services, it is extremely doubtful that vital secrecy would have been maintained in the communications of United States armed forces.

WHEREAS:

These American Indian warriors performed a valuable service to this country, to their own peoples and nations, and to the free world, enabling allied forces to overcome the oppressors and saving thousand of lives which would have been lost otherwise by continued battle. They gave of a unique skill, and they gave it freely under often extremely dangerous conditions. They served with courage and ingenuity, and without question, a government which had conquered their people.

WHEREAS:

These Native American code talkers have never been officially recognized by the United States government for this unique and valiant service, although the French government, in 1989, awarded them its highest honor.

THEREFORE:

We, the undersigned, urge the Congress of the United States to honor these Native American warriors in an appropriate manner, by awarding them Congressional Medals of Honor!

SIGNED:

Charles W. Campbell, Jerome, Idaho.

Barbara g. Biller/Campbell, Jerome, Idaho

Thomas W. Peterson, Phila.,Pa.

Collin Todd Crowley

I am looking for my son, Collin Todd Crowley. He

is 26 years old and enrolled in the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska (for those

who don’t know, Winnebago is the English name for Ho-Chunk). He was raised

in the Ann Arbor, Michigan area. Collin disappeared from the Sioux City,

Iowa area six years ago. If you know him or see him, please tell him that I

love him very much and all the relatives are worried sick about him. Please

tell him to contact one of us so we will know that he is alright.

Sincerely,

John Garret Crow

Please contact me at ---> John Garret Crow <AICIC@aol.com>

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

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