California NDN's topics - tribe.net

California Indian Day

2009-09-25T18:58:35Z

yep, it was yesterday. did anyone celebrate or observe this? get the day off from school or work?

although this event (see link below) in Smith River happened today, i wonder if anyone out there attended?
http://www.triplicate.com/news/story.cfm?story_no=5970
if not, maybe next year?

posted in California NDN - 6 replies

Smith River Rancheria wastewater treatment facility contested

2008-01-08T15:29:11Z

http://www.triplicate.com/news/story.cfm?story_no=7158

Rancheria plans for new facility contested

Published: January 5, 2008

By Kelley Atherton

Triplicate staff writer

The Del Norte County Planning Commission heard heated public comments this week concerning Smith River Rancheria's variance request for an off-site wastewater collection system, treatment and disposal facility.

Commissioners voted to keep the public hearing open until the Feb. 6 meeting at 7 p.m. They recommended that the Tolowa Tribe's rancheria representatives meet with concerned neighbors to answer questions and address concerns.

A variance is needed because the facility would be off-site from where the wastewater is generated on the Tolowa rancheria. The project site is located between Ocean View Drive and U.S. Highway 101 in Smith River on two parcels, about 11.4 and 72 acres in size. It is about two miles north of the rancheria.

The facility would be constructed in an existing barn. Wastewater would be piped from the rancheria to the off-site location, collected and treated, then disposed in the surrounding leach field. Currently, the general plan designates it for agriculture, and historically Easter Lily Bulbs have been grown there. The Rancheria purchased the land from Itzen Bulb Farms.

Del Norte County Code for sewage disposal systems states they may be located off-site when another parcel is the only available option. The county Planning Department made the following conclusions and said the facility would not have a negative impact:

• There are exceptional or extraordinary circumstances or conditions applying to the land, which do not apply to other lands in the same district

• The variance is necessary for the preservation and enjoyment of substantial property rights of the applicant

• The variance will not adversely affect the health and safety of anyone residing or working near the property and will not be detrimental to the public welfare, the property or neighborhood improvements

• Winzler and Kelly Consulting Engineers conducted a biological survey to evaluate potential impacts to the environment and variance approval conditions have been incorporated to protect biological resources

Neal Carnum with Winzler and Kelly told the commissioners that the Rancheria has been working on a solution for its wastewater problem for four years trying to find a suitable parcel. It wants to build a new facility before its system fails and causes a public health threat. The new system could treat up to 60,000 gallons a day. On-site locations were not deemed suitable for the needs, in particular a parcel where tribal elders reside.

Property values a concern

Nearby residents voiced concerns about property devaluation, noise and odor.

Several neighbors, including Robert Drossel, who resides in the Spyglass subdivision, said they are concerned about property values decreasing — having the treatment facility nearby could be a negative factor for a property appraisal.

The residents' consensus was that any treatment facility should stay on reservation land, rather than piping sewage north to their neighborhood. Carnum said that the Rancheria looked into doing that years ago, but when the lily bulb farm went on the market, it was decided that could be a good location.

Concerning possible odor, Carnum said the treatment process involves adding oxygen to the wastewater and it's concealed in a barn as "extra security." Drossel retorted that where there's sewage, there's odor.

"You can dress it up, put lipstick on it, put it in a barn, but it's still a pig," Drossel said. "With the best systems in the world, there's still an odor."

Overflow into ocean

Several environmentally-minded residents said they didn't want wastewater flowing into the ocean, as has happened in Crescent City. Peter Morelli pointed out that the chemically treated water disposed in the soil "will find its way to the ocean." Other residents mentioned that the wastewater could leak down into caves below the farm.

"Environmentally, this is a disaster," Morelli said.

Carnum said that by state law, wastewater cannot be discharged into the ocean and the facility would be designed to prevent that from happening.

"It won't contaminate the water underground," he said.

Agricultural usage

Others felt the land should remain for agricultural usage, since that is what it's zoned for. The soil on the lily bulb farm is adequate for a leach field, Carnum said, and the Rancheria will still grow farm lilies.

"They can still farm there," he said. "It won't disturb the farm."

Visually, the site will not look different, he said. Several neighbors disagreed, claiming the project would ruin a pristine area.

Construction noise and, later on, continuous machinery noise would carry over the relatively flat terrain, residents said. Susan Hernandez said that the people who reside in that area are "blessed" to live amongst beautiful scenery away from city noise. She mentioned that while sitting outside she can hear the lily bulb farm workers talking. Carnum said that because the facility would be in a barn, any noise would be muffled.

Additional agenda items

Ellen Brown was voted in as chair for 2008 and Keith Restad as vice chair.

The commission approved several requests, including:

• A boundary adjustment at 150 and 170 Tanbark Lane.

• Three coastal development permits for new residences, one on Willow Street between Keller Avenue and Spruce Street; the second on Keller Avenue off Willow Avenue, and the third Willow Avenue off Murphy Avenue.

• Coastal grading permit for improvements to Willow and Keller Avenues.

• Use permit to replace a non-conforming residence at 716 Butte St.

• Use permit for an overheight accessory building at 200 Darby St.

• Amendment to a home enterprise for a chiropractic office at 200 Darby St.

• Use permit for Edge Wireless cell tower off Ocean View Drive in Smith River. The commissioners selected a dark green lattice style tower.

• A minor subdivision of four parcels and a remainder on Ocean View Drive in Smith River

• General plan amendment and minor subdivision of a 57.5-acre parcel into four and a remainder on 5260 North Bank Road in Hiouchi, a proposal which moves to the County Board of Supervisors for final approval

• A district rezone from R1B6 - Zone 2 to R1B6 - Zone 1 to decrease setbacks for residences located on Spruce Street, Keller Avenue and Willow Avenue, moves to Board of Supervisors for approval

Reach Kelley Atherton at katherton@triplicate.com.

posted in California NDN - 0 replies

Nor-Cal ndn announcements and events

2007-12-30T16:15:18Z

In case you didn't know about them. These two sites are good places to keep up to date on local indin happenings.

http://groups.msn.com/BayAreaIndianCalendar/_whatsnew.msnw

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ncanativeeventsandnews/

posted in California NDN - 0 replies

r.i.p. uncle

2007-11-02T21:18:16Z

Edward Joseph Lopez Jr.
10/23/2007

Edward Joseph Lopez Jr. passed away on Oct. 20, 2007, in Smith River, Calif. He was born on July 27, 1933, in Crescent City, Calif., making him a lifelong resident of Del Norte County. Mr. Lopez was a member of the Tolowa Tribe. He was proud of his family heritage and participated performing traditional Tolowa dances. He served during the Korean Conflict with the U.S. Army in 82nd Airborne as a paratrooper. Some of the activities that Edward loved were to fish, play pool, play horseshoes and collect agates.

He is survived by his daughters: Dusty Lopez, of Crescent City; Caroleen Lopez, of Crescent City; Shelly Dawn Pulsifer, of Lacy, Wash.; and Natasha Lopez of Smith River; his sons: Edward Joseph Lopez III, of Tacoma, Wash.; and Danny Joseph Lopez, of Loleta; his brother Frank “Super” Lopez, of Montery Park, Calif.; nephew Russell Lopez, of Smith River; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren; and other family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Edward and Lena Lopez, daughter Denise Lopez and numerous siblings.

Viewing will be held at Wier’s Mortuary Chapel on Thursday, Oct. 25, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Funeral services on Friday, Oct. 26, at 11 a.m. at Wier’s Mortuary Chapel.

Interment will follow at the Howonquet Indian Cemetery, Smith River, Calif., with fellowship following a the Howonquet Indian Community Hall in Smith River.

Arrangements are under the direction of Wier’s Mortuary Chapel, of Crescent City, Calif.

posted in California NDN - 2 replies

Tolay Lake Oct 13-14

2007-10-05T03:27:54Z

There will be a Fall Festival at Tolay Lake Regional Park (near Petaluma in Sonoma County, CA). Our tribe (Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria) will be there making a tule boat. Tolay Lake has been a medicine place for our people for centuries, then was privately owned as a pumpkin farm, and is now being restored. I'll be visiting family there that weekend and will be at the Festival, stop by and say "hi".

posted in California NDN - 2 replies

Big Time at Chaw' se

2007-08-31T05:42:15Z

Is anyone going to Grinding Rock State park for Big Time this year? I'm flying to Ca from Montana and was curious if anyone else was going. Would like to meet some of the ppl I talk to on Tribe...

posted in California NDN - 0 replies

Corbin Harney Spiritual Leader of the Western Shoshone Nation has passed

2007-07-10T22:25:55Z

Public Statement by Corbin’s Immediate Family

July 10, 2007 (TurtleIsland). Corbin Harney Spiritual Leader of the Western Shoshone Nation crossed over at 11:00 a.m. this morning in a house on a sacred mountain near Santa Rosa, CA (Turtle Island). He had dedicated his life to fighting the nuclear testing and dumping.

That battle claimed his life through cancer.

Before he passed, he said to remember:

“We are one people. We cannot separate ourselves now.

There are many good things to be done for our people and for the world.

It is important to let things be good. And it is important to teach the younger generation so that things are not lost.”

According to witnesses present, in the morning fog, the spirits of four Shoshoni dog soldiers were outside on horseback before Corbin’s passing. But then one of the Shoshone present, Santiago Lozada, yelled “Tosawi Tosawi!” (White Knife). And then the fog shifted and there were thousands of spirits waiting.

Corbin passed peacefully at the end. He was only worried that he still had more to do. When he finally let go and went with the dog soldiers, Red Wolf Pope, grandson of Rolling Thunder, was present and sang him the Tosawi death song to call the dog soldiers to come take him home. Golden eagles continue to circle the house hours after his crossing.”

True to form Corbin joked around several days ago that he was going to go at 11:00, and kept his promise.

Over his lifetime, Corbin traveled around the world as a speaker, healer and spiritual leader with a profound spiritual and environmental message for all. He received numerous national and international awards and spoke before the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. Corbin also authored two books: “The Way It Is: One Water, One Air, One Earth” (Blue Dolphin Publishing, 1995) and a forthcoming book, “The Nature Way”. Numerous documentaries have been made about his work and message. In 1994, Corbin established the Shundahai Network to work with people and organizations to respond to spiritual and environmental concerns on nuclear issues. He also established Poo Ha Bah, a native healing center located in Tecopa Springs, California. He will be missed but always honored for his work and dedication to traditional ways.

Corbin Harney is descended from generations of Newe (Shoshone) traditional healers and was always grateful for the many extraordinary teachers who shared their knowledge in his lifetime. Corbin is survived by his daughter Reynaulda Taylor; granddaughters Ann Taylor and Nada Leno; grandsons Keith, Jon and Joel Leno and William Henry Taylor; seven great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; and his sister Rosie Blossom’s family and many cousins and other family members as well as many, many friends around the world. Corbin was preceded in death by his mother, father, sister, grandparents, uncle, great granddaughter, cousins, and friends. A very special thanks to Patricia Davidson, Corbin’s caregiver in his final months; Dominic Daileda, Corbin’s friend and companion for his support and compassion in hard times, and the family of Dixie and Martin van der Kamp for opening up their home and their hearts to Corbin and his family and friends during his time of need.

Dates and times for services are being made with official announcement to follow. Three day services are planned at the home of Larson R. Bill, So Ho Bee – Newe Sogobe (Lee, Nevada –Western Shoshone Territory) with burial services at Battle Mountain Indian Community, Battle Mountain Nevada.

Family contact information (non-media only):

Donations may be made either to the immediate family through:

Reynaulda Taylor

P.O. Box 397

Owyhee, Nevada 89832

775-757-2610 or 775-757-2064

annietaytay@yahoo.com

Or, to:

The Corbin Harney Way

6360 Sonoma Mtn. Rd.

Santa Rosa, CA 95404

No other individual, organization or entity is authorized to receive donations on behalf of Corbin’s immediate family or Corbin Harney.

(more on www.shundahai.org)

posted in California NDN - 0 replies

Klamath river's issues told on film

2007-05-31T16:49:13Z

"The struggle over the Klamath River's dams may soon hit the big screen.

Independent filmmakers from Munich, Germany, have been documenting the process as Portland, Ore.-based PacifiCorp seeks to renew a 50-year federal license to operate its dams on the waterway. Area tribes, fishermen and farmers have sought to block the federal permit, pointing to water quality problems, a 2002 fish kill when more than 60,000 salmon washed up on the river banks and last year's commercial salmon fishing closure along 700 miles of the West Coast."

the full story is here http://www.triplicate.com/news/story.cfm?story_no=4339

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Yurok~Tolowa music

2007-02-11T21:06:32Z

this is a wonderful collection of songs! my cuzin sent me the cd last year & i just found it online.
http://www.ncidc.org/gift/detail.cfm?id=1026

posted in California NDN - 0 replies

First Annual Kern River Pow Wow

2007-01-23T15:49:30Z

My family is having their first pow wow! Woo hoo!
Pass it on...

APRIL 24th & 25th, 1999

KERNVILLE RODEO GROUNDS
KERNVILLE, CALIFORNIA

Sponsored by:
The Kernville Chamber of Commerce & Monache Intertribal Association
Kern River Valley Indian Community

General Information
(760) 769-4048 or (714) 537-3523
Vendor Information
(760) 376-2629

E-mail: kernvillechamber@lightspeed.net

No Drugs or Alcohol

posted in California NDN - 2 replies

March 21st, National Native Aids Awareness Day

2007-01-23T04:54:11Z

Bay Area American Indian Two-Spirits

This year the Spring Equinox will be celebrated on March 21st. The equinox occurs when both day and night are equally long and in many Native cultures can be viewed as beautifully balanced. Fittingly seen as a time of change and new beginnings, the Native American community has chosen this day to commemorate the National Native AIDS Awareness Day. By choosing this day, we remind our communities that regeneration is possible through taking an active role in our health.

Examining the increase of HIV/AIDS, we find that American Indian/Alaska Natives have the third highest rate behind the African American and Latino populations. Testing is often a real challenge as it is more likely for Native people to live in rural areas. Rural areas often mean facing stigma, limited HIV testing services and health care facilities that are shared by a closely tied community. Native Americans living in San Francisco have the highest AIDS incidence (cases per 100,000) of any non-white ethnic group in the city. This diagnosis, compounded with other conditions such as homelessness, substance abuse and general poor health, require a sustained and culturally-sensitive response.

We extend many invitations to you. We invite you to write or call you tribal Nation to find out how your Nation will commemorate this day. We invite you to call out and seek support for increased treatment and care options. We invite you to contact your local or tribal papers and media to create a greater awareness of the risks of HIV/AIDS in the Native community. We invite you to gather in groups or individually for a sunrise ceremony to remember those who have passed and acknowledge those who are infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. We invite you to ask for culturally relevant materials, to see a need and fill it. We invite you get involved in prevention because we need to protect our community and HIV/AIDS does not discriminate between male, female, gay, straight, rural or urban.

The Bay Area American Indian Two-Spirits, the Native American Health Center and the Native American AIDS Project would like you to join us in a sunrise ceremony with the NAAP drum circle and prayer in Dolores Park (18th St and Dolores St) on March 21st, 2007. Breakfast will be served at the Native American Aids Project located at 470 Carolina St. between 18th St and Mariposa.

Get the lastest info at www.baaits.org or contact Miko Thomas at admin@baaits.org

posted in California NDN - 0 replies

DQU pow wow

2006-12-29T04:09:14Z

any california ndn's going to this?
check it out tomorrow, if you can. a wonderful elder will be performing, and on the anniversary of Wounded Knee.
wish i could be there.
http://www.powwows.com/calendar/calendardisplay.php?eventid=5578

posted in California NDN - 0 replies

wheres all the ndns...?

2006-12-11T19:19:51Z

ive been here for about a year and half...ive met a few but really not that many...so you any of you all are interested to kick it with a cdn ojibwe fellow..im around...in peace, nishnob style

posted in California NDN - 6 replies

31st Annual American Indian Film Festival in San Francisco. Nov. 3-11, 2006.

2006-11-11T03:56:31Z

American Indian Film Institute
31st Annual
American Indian Film Festival
Seminole Tribe of Florida, Title Sponsor
Nov. 3-11, 2006
San Francisco, CA

Nov. 3-8 Lumiere Theatre, 1572 California St., San Francisco
Nov. 9-11 Palace of Fine Arts, 3301 Lyon St., San Francisco

American Indian Motion Picture Awards Show Nov. 11 Palace of Fine Arts
AIFI X-MAS TOY DRIVE FOR CHILDREN
Please bring NEW unwrapped gifts

You can find the film schedule at http://www.aifisf.com
S.F. Bay Guardian Nov. 1 & Nov. 8 issues
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If anyone here is able to attend, please let us know what you saw, and how the event went. One of these days I would like to go, but I just can't afford it right now.

(Please forgive the late posting. )

posted in California NDN - 9 replies

Public Hearing on Native American issues in San Francisco

2006-11-03T13:53:49Z

Date 10/12/2006
Event Public Hearing on NA Issues in SF
Start Time 4:30 PM
End Time 6:30 PM
Location City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton G. Goodlet Place, Room 416, SF
Description Public Hearing on Native American Issues in San Francisco
Who: San Francisco Human Rights Commission
The San Francisco Human Rights Commission has announced that it will hold a public hearing on Native American issues in San Francisco on Thursday October 12, 2006. The hearing, starting at 4:30 p.m., will be held at San Francisco City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 416.
Why: The Commission wants to know more about the experiences of Native American people in San Francisco. A report with Findings and Recommendations will be created from the information collected from the oral and written testimonies of academics, service providers, educators, parents, youth, and community members.
The public is encouraged to attend
For more information, please contact Marcus Arana at (415) 252-2519.
Please submit written testimony to Marcus Arana at marcus.arana@sfgov.org

posted in California NDN - 2 replies

2nd Annual American Indian Cultural Event

2006-11-02T23:54:13Z

2nd Annual American Indian Cultural Event

To kick off November's American Indian Heritage Month, the San Francisco Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Services & Friendship House Association of American Indians, Inc. present the 2nd Annual American Indian Cultural Event celebrating the rich culture of the American Indian community & bringing awareness to policies impacting the future of American Indian people.

Thursday, November 2, 2006
10:00am-4:00pm
Joseph L. Alioto Performing Arts Piazza
(Formerly Civic Center Plaza/across from City Hall)
BART/MUNI: Civic Center Station
San Francisco, CA

The event will include a symposium inside City Hall on health, substance abuse, and housing policies impacting American Indians. Throughout the plaza, there will be educational and cultural exhibits, traditional American Indian dancers, storytelling, food, crafts, a silent auction, and a display of tribal flags.

If your organization would like more information, if your tribe is interested in displaying a flag (with a tribal seal or logo), or if you are interested in becoming a sponsor of this event please call (415)865-0964 x 4017.

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom & Friendship House Association of American Indians

Co-Sponsored by the Native American Health Center, Local and California Indian Tribes, KQED Public Broadcasting, Friends of Gary Rhine, and Wells Fargo Foundation

Present the Second Annual American Indian Cultural Event

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom will recognize the valuable contributions American Indians have made to the diversity and richness of the City as the first residents of San Francisco with a day of celebration, featuring American Indian cultural and educational presentations, music and drums, Pow Wow dancing in full traditional tribal regalia, food, arts and crafts, storytelling, historical displays, and many other events throughout the day.

American Indians in the San Francisco Bay Area comprise the third largest population in the U.S. living off a reservation. This American Indian Cultural Event is a way to introduce many Bay Area residents to traditional Indian culture. Four Indian Tipis will surround Civic Center Plaza, and at 10 a.m. the event will begin with a blessing from a tribal elder. The Mayor will address the crowd during the Noon hour after joining a symposium of American Indian leaders in a procession from City Hall across the street to the Piazza (formerly City Hall Plaza).

Presentations will acknowledge American Indian contributions to the San Francisco Bay Area’s culture as the area’s first residents. Presentations will include the awards ceremony for KQED Public Broadcasting’s Local Heroes, in recognition of American Indian Heritage Month. This November, KQED Public Broadcasting is proud to honor the culture, heritage and impact of American Indians with special programming and an event honoring three local leaders who give their time, creativity, and passion to the Bay Area community. Program listings and descriptions for November’s American Indian Heritage month can be found in the KQED American Indian Heritage Month Guide, which also lists Bay Area resources pertaining to the American Indian community. This Guide is available online at www.kqed.org/heritage.

In addition to the Mayor’s and additional remarks during the noon hour, throughout the day and at regular intervals the event will feature dancing in traditional tribal regalia, American Indian drums and singing, educational, cultural and historical presentations, story telling in Tipis by American Indian storytellers, arts and crafts and native foods. The general public, school children and youth and community organizations are warmly invited to attend.

posted in California NDN - 2 replies

A Celebration of Indigenous People's Day - Oakland 10/15/06

2006-10-01T14:20:33Z

Date: 10/15/2006
Event: A Celebration of Indigenous People's Day
Start Time: 12:00 PM
Location: Peralta Hacienda Historical Park, Coolidge Ave. & Hyde St., Oakland
Description: Peralta Hacienda Historical Park Where History Lives in Oakland - Grand Opening
Sunday, October 15, 2006
12-5 pm
A Celebration of Indigenous People's Day
http://www.peraltahacienda.org/Grand%20Opening%20Poster.pdf

Grand Opening!
• Native American dance
• New outdoor history exhibits
• Grizzly bear play area
• Ohlone Native Plant Garden
• Community Art Project
• Two special gallery shows
• Kids craft activities
• Fun with archaeology
• Music and food
Sunday, October 15
12 to 5pm
In Oakland’s Fruitvale District
At the corner of Coolidge Ave. & Hyde St.
FREE!
for more information:
510 532-9142
www.peraltahacienda.org

posted in California NDN - 0 replies

March to support the Tohono O’odham Indigenous Peoples of Mexico 10-12-06

2006-10-01T13:42:51Z

Date: 10/12/2006
Event: March to support the Tohono O’odham Indigenous Peoples of Mexico
Start Time: 11:30 AM
End Time: 2:00 PM
Location: Mexican Consulate, 532 Folsom Street, SF
Description: Support Tohono O'odham Indigenous Peoples on Indigenous Peoples Day October 12th - Action at Mexican Consulate in San Francisco

Please support the Tohono O’odham Indigenous Peoples of Mexico and the US in their fight to stop the Mexican government from building a hazardous waste waste dump near their villages and sacred ceremonial site of Quitovac, Mexico.

The action will take place on Thursday, October 12 at 11:30 a.m. in San Francisco, starting at the Mexican Consulate, 532 Folsom Street, between 1st and 2nd Streets. We will march to the US EPA office to protest their tacit support for the dump.

This solidarity action is sponsored by the O’odham Rights Coalition, Greenaction for Health and Environmental Justice, International Indian Treaty Council and Indigenous Environmental Network.

PLEASE JOIN US, AND PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD

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anyone going to Precious Sunset Pow Wow in Auberry, CA Fri. or Sun?

2006-09-06T22:56:43Z

H-Street has sent me some great info for local pow wows, but unfortunately I do not have a vehicle.
I'm looking to do a rideshare if anyone is going to the Precious Sunset Pow Wow on Friday or Sunday.

posted in California NDN - 0 replies

Anyone going to Red Star Pow Wow in Nevada over Labor Day?

2006-08-31T11:44:35Z

I am looking for a ride there, am willing to split for gas and am great company!
one love

posted in California NDN - 1 reply

Red Star Pow Wow in Reno, Nevada

2006-08-31T06:35:22Z

Red Star Pow Wow in Reno at Sparks Colony. Indians from all over will be there.
check out 500nations.com
or call 775-425-0775

peace

posted in California NDN - 0 replies

Buffy Sainte-Marie was Censored, says operative

2006-08-08T20:03:12Z

cross-posted a couple other places. feel free to repost.

www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm
Buffy Sainte-Marie's censored sounds.
Posted: August 05, 2006
by: Brenda Norrell / Indian Country Today

PHOENIX - Nearly two decades after Cree singer and songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie's song ''Universal Soldier'' was released and shipments of her records mysteriously disappeared, the truth of the censorship and suppression by the U.S. government became public.

Now, in federal court, Charles August Schlund III stated he is a covert operative and supports Sainte-Marie's assertions that the United States took action to suppress rock music because of its role in rallying opposition to the Vietnam War.

Sainte-Marie says she was blacklisted and, along with other American Indians in the Red Power movements, was put out of business in the 1970s.

''I found out 10 years later, in the 1980s, that [President] Lyndon Johnson had been writing letters on White House stationary praising radio stations for suppressing my music,'' Sainte-Marie said in a 1999 interview with Indian Country Today at Dine' College.

''In the 1970s, not only was the protest movement put out of business, but the Native American movement was attacked,'' Sainte-Marie said.

In an affidavit to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in a Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act lawsuit against President George W. Bush and others, Schlund alleged he has been tortured in his attempts to reveal the truth about the Bush family's manipulation of U.S. voting results and the Drug Enforcement Agency's covert drug supplies to black communities.

Detailing the assassinations of the Kennedys and exposing the ''Don Bolles'' papers, named after the murdered Phoenix news reporter, Schlund said he remains alive today because of FBI protection.

Schlund, who said he previously worked in the covert drug operations in Phoenix, said rock music posed a threat to the United States and played a role in opposition to the Vietnam War.

In his federal court affidavit, Schlund said he has knowledge of ''the detailed plans for the break-up and destruction of rock n' roll music including the assassinations of many people to achieve their goals. The detailed plans to replace rock n' roll music with all-American music called country western.''

''This massive CIA and DEA covert operation was being conducted to stop political overtones in the rock n' roll music and to stop foreign influences on Americans caused by the exposure to foreign music. This operation was conducted because the Rockefellers had lost the Vietnam War because of the protest that was in part directly linked with rock n' roll music. In these files, the Rockefellers had needed the natural resources of Vietnam for the expansion of their corporate empire and they blamed the loss of the war in part on rock n' roll music.

''The assassinations started long before Vietnam but the plans to replace rock n' roll with country western music started during the Vietnam War and have continued to the present,'' Schlund stated to the court.

In his federal court affidavits filed in Maricopa County in Arizona, Schlund also stated that singer Buddy Holly, killed in an airplane crash in 1959, was considered a threat to the U.S. government.

Meanwhile, Sainte-Marie said she cut a singular path as she was being censored in the '60s and '70s.

''I usually didn't do what other people did. You didn't find me at peace marches. I was out in Indian country.''

Earlier, a young Bob Dylan heard Sainte-Marie sing in Greenwich Village and recommended she perform at the Gaslight, another hangout of the avant garde. Janis Joplin, Elvis Presley and Tracy Chapman were among those soon recording her lyrics. On the road, she traveled the world and received a medal from Queen Elizabeth II.

During this time, Sainte-Marie was selling more records than ever in Canada and Asia. But in the United States, her records were disappearing. Thousands of people at concerts wanted records. Although the distributor said the records had been shipped, no one seemed to know where they were. One thing was for sure: They were not on record store shelves.

''I was put out of business in the United States.''

Later, Sainte-Marie discovered the censorship and pressure applied to radio stations by Johnson during the Vietnam era, particularly toward ''Universal Soldier'' during the anti-war movement.

Sainte-Marie said Native people were put out of business, not just because they were succeeding in Indian country, but because they were succeeding in the broader community. She and others were a threat to the moneymakers of concert halls, uranium and oil, she said.

Then, fellow activist and Santee poet John Trudell's wife, mother-in-law and children were burned to death in a mysterious house fire shortly after Trudell burned an American flag in Washington, D.C., Feb. 11, 1979.

''I was just one person put out of business. John Trudell is just another person whose life was put out of business. Anna Mae Aquash and Leonard Peltier were put out of the living business - we were made ineffective,'' Sainte-Marie said of slain American Indian Movement activist Aquash and imprisoned Peltier.

But Sainte-Marie continued with her music and efforts with children after becoming a familiar face on ''Sesame Street.'' In the 1990s, from her home in Hawaii, she created the Cradleboard Teaching Project to link American Indian students with other students online around the world.

Remembering the 1970s and Trudell, Sainte-Marie said, ''We just kept chugging on. We kept coming to Indian country. We didn't worry about the fortune and fame because we went with our sincerity, our hearts and with our friends.''

Those years, however, were filled with pain.

''It was hard - seeing people hurt,'' she said.

posted in California NDN - 2 replies

June 2007 Powwow on the Kern River!!

2006-08-07T23:17:25Z

Our very firt powwow, more info to come soon!!! Kern River Piaute-Shoshone Powwow, sponsered by Monache Intertribal!!!
(yep, we're still alive and kickin, despite non-recognition, who need it!)

posted in California NDN - 0 replies

Stephen Tiger, Miccosukee rock musician, dies at age 57

2006-06-29T18:51:26Z

These guys, Tiger Tiger, just won a lifetime achievement award at the Native American Music Awards 3 weeks ago.

STEPHEN TIGER, 57
Miccosukee rocker celebrated heritage and culture in his music
BY MELISSA SANCHEZ
mesanchez@MiamiHerald.com

* Share your condolences in a guest book

Inspiration for the Tiger brothers came around the campfire, in the villages along the Miami River where they grew up.

They watched their cousins sing and play guitar, and dreamed about one day making music themselves.

''We'd be little boys, kind of running around, checking it out because it sounded so cool,'' said Lee Tiger.

They went on to form a band that celebrated their Miccosukee culture, winning a lifetime achievement award at the Native American Music Awards earlier this month.

On Monday, Stephen Tiger, part of the band Tiger Tiger, died of a head injury, apparently after a fall in his home in Southwest Miami-Dade County. He was 57.

In the '60s and '70s, the Tiger brothers toured across the country, Europe and South America, playing in bands like Sun Country, the Bangles and, of course, Tiger Tiger.

WORKING MUSICIANS

''We were musicians working night clubs, concerts, wherever we could get work,'' said Lee Tiger. 'We were American rock `n' rollers who just happened to be Native Americans.

'Or we were Native Americans who just happened to be playing rock `n' roll.''

Stephen Tiger was also a painter. His pieces were ''very colorful and bright and a little abstract...creative,'' said his niece, Summer Tiger.

That's what she loved about them.

''I really respected that about him. He had a lot of creativity, a different outlook,'' she said.

As a little girl, Summer Tiger admired her uncle's waist-length hair -- always longer than hers -- and his strong, outgoing personality.

'I'd go to their concerts and he'd pull me onstage and have me sing, `Twinkle, twinkle little star,' '' she said. ``There were band practices and I would go, and I probably don't have good hearing anymore and it's all his fault.''

She remembers passionate dinner table conversations about what it meant to be Native American. ''He really had deep thoughts about the tribe, that was really important to him,'' she said.

COMMUNITY WORK

Stephen Tiger spent about a decade working in community relations for the tribe -- organizing music festivals, reaching out to other Native American groups, and educating the public about his culture.

He also fought stereotypes.

In an interview in The Miami Herald in 1993, he said, 'Indian people don't just sit in the background and sell beads and blankets and do their rituals. A lot of our people like to play rock 'n' roll.''

Tiger Tiger recently finished recording, Native to this Country. The album is scheduled for release next month, Lee Tiger said.

''We had big plans for it, even taking it to Europe,'' Lee Tiger said. ``We're going to probably even work harder, as a legacy to us and a tribute to him.''

In addition to his brother and niece, Stephen Tiger is survived by his wife, Deborah; five sons, Stephen, Hunter, Madison, Joey and Kashane; his parents, Anne Marie Stone and Buffalo; a sister-in-law Gosia; and two nephews -- Eric and Calvin.

posted in California NDN - 0 replies

Indiginous Permaculture Project: Cultural Event in Berkeley, CA Wed. June 28

2006-06-21T23:44:02Z

This is my friend Guillermo's event and I would like to invite you all:

Indigenous Permaculture Event
Slides, Music, Education, Poetry, Dance...
June 28, 2006
7-9pm

Come enjoy this evening's events which will include Mayan native dance, music, poetry and a slide show presentation of the Indigenous Permaculture Project's work in the Bay Area, on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, and in El Salvador.

The Indigenous Permaculture Project is traveling this summer to El Salvador to support the Traditional School Program in Sonsonate state which is working on building water purification systems, constructing a community building, and giving workshops on health and traditional farming.

Poverty and exploitation of resources has led to rapid deforestation and erosion in this area. The Indigenous Permaculture Project links people in the Bay Area with the communities of El Salvador to restore the natural environment in this region.

If you can't make the event but would like to make a donation, please contact us at the Ecology Center. All proceeds will help fund the work.

Event Location:
Ecology Center
2530 San Pablo Ave (near Dwight Way)
Berkeley
For more information call: (510) 548-2220 Ext. 233
or email: erc@ecologycenter.org
Recommended donation: $5-$50 sliding scale
No one will be turned away for lack of funds.

The Ecology Center is a membership organization providing environmental information and direct services to promote sustainable living and a healthy, socially just world.

www.indigenous-permaculture.org/Ec...htm

posted in California NDN - 0 replies

Radio DJ Trashing Indians

2006-05-01T23:07:36Z

Radio DJ Trashing Indians "Indians are all about Alcohol, Casinos & abortion clinics"

Part of:
Radio host: Glenn Beck show: Email: me@glennbeck.com Full report and comment page, you have to register to post:
http://mediamatters.org/items/200604060004

S.D. Native Americans "have found something that can be more profitable than casinos, and that's abortion clinics"

Whatever happened to the Indians? You know, they were celebrating Mother Earth and Father Sky or whatever it is, and that was beautiful and special. Now, it's about gaming, alcohol, fireworks, and abortions. I mean, what happened to the proud Indian?

What fork in the road did Native Americans take? When did they decide, "Ah, crap, it's just not worth it any more. Why don't we turn our precious land into a place where we can build some slot machines?"
I mean, you know, I'm bringing this up not because I have, you know, huge opposition to keno -- casinos and Indian trinket shops; the Indians are using the whole "You took our land [sobbing]." I think they're taking that a little too far, don't you?
I mean, when I say we gave them sovereignty, I mean it's, you know, more in a way like, you know, we took their sovereignty and then loaned them a little bit of it back, but you know what I mean. I hope that contract isn't iron-clad -- when are we gonna get out of that contract with the Indians?

Submit comments to:

Glenn Beck Philadelphia-based Radio Show Glenn Beck Email: me@glennbeck.com http://www.premrad.com/shows/view/glenn_beck.html
Domestic Affiliate Relations The Glenn Beck Program ptripi@premiereradio.com Premiere Radio Networks, Inc. 15260 Ventura Blvd. 5th Floor Sherman Oaks, CA 91403

Main: (818)377-5300 Fax: (818) 377-5333 Toll Free: (800) 533-8686

posted in California NDN - 2 replies

california indian~the movie

2006-05-01T19:56:13Z

last fall i worked on a film in Lakeport California called California Indian. it will be premiering at the Sundance Film festival (yay!).
here is the link, take a peek at the trailer. post your thoughts?
http://californiaindian.com/flashHome.htm

posted in California NDN - 3 replies

the day after the 49

2006-03-05T21:03:06Z

So, if things worked out the way you wanted at the 49 until the sun light hit the next day, how do you say goodbye..... without screaming?

posted in California NDN - 2 replies

Native Humor

2006-02-17T08:37:37Z

rez (reservation) dawgs

How can you spot the difference between a regular canine and a Rez dog?

Throw each one in the oven at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.

The regular canine should come out tender and moist.
The Rez dog will come out with a towel wrapped around his waist saying,

"Dang that was a good sweat!"
**************************************************************************************************

An Indian man was violently whipping one of his young sons. A man passing by said. "Say now!" "Why are you whipping that boy."

"He lied to me." "He pushed over the out house and then told me he didn't do it."

That is no reason to whip him. George Washington cut down a cherry tree and his father did not whip him to get to the truth.

"Yeah but, George Washington's father was not in that Cherry tree when his son cut it down."

************************************************************************************************
This wagon train is heading across the desert, when all of a sudden the wagon master notices that on all sides of the valley, there are Indian guys. He quickly forms the wagons into the "Hollywood" circle, to protect the families in the train. Nothing happens. Soon, drums are heard pounding out in the distance, BUM, bum, bum, bum, BUM, bum, bum, bum, BUM, bum, bum, bum.......(the famous Hollywood drumbeat from the John Ford movies) The wagon master tells the train, "I don't like the sound of this...." From out in the distance comes another voice, saying, "We don't like the sound of it either. He's not our regular drummer!"

*********************************************************************************************
An Apache guy, who had spent his whole life in the desert, goes to visit a friend who had moved to town. He'd never seen a train or the tracks they run on.
While standing in the middle of the railroad tracks one day, he hears this whistle -- Whooee da Whoee! -- but doesn't know what it is.
BAM!!, he's hit by the train and tossed to the side of the tracks. It was only a glancing blow, so he was lucky enough to live through it with a few broken bones and some bruises.

After weeks in the hospital recovering, he's at his friend's house attending a party one evening. While in the kitchen, he suddenly hears the teapot whistling. He grabs a baseball bat from the nearby closet and proceeds to batter and bash the teapot into an unrecognizable lump of metal. His friend, hearing the noise, rushes into the kitchen, sees what's happened and asks the Apache guy, "Why'd you bust up my teapot?" The desert man replies, "Shii' kiis', you gotta kill these things when they're small."

posted in California NDN - 0 replies

new to area...researching pulp mill for hemp

2006-01-24T20:25:09Z

Hey guys and gals..
new to cali...northern cali that is...and i have been here for a couple of months now..and i love it...I want to hunt some hahaha what are the 'rights' of ndns here...and im doing this research. on a enviro efficent pulper that leaves no waste...I am attempting to get it organized to build back on my rez...which is in between the US and Canada,...im ojibwe

posted in California NDN - 0 replies

Volunteer at Berkeley Pow Wow

2005-09-12T16:01:05Z

Hello all,

We need one or two volunteers to staff the Bay Area American Indians Two-Spirit tabling efforts at the Berkeley Pow Wow on October 8th. Choose your hour or hours to volunteer between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. or just come hang out with your fellow Two-Spirits.

Contact: gomoracs@aol.com if you are able to volunteer and what time we can expect you

Your staffing the booth training will be at the event and involves, handing out flyers about BAAITS-Bay Area American Indian Two-Spirits, encouraging Two-Spirits to sign up for our email list and answering questions about other services for Two-Spirits in the Bay Area.

We especially encourage women and youth to volunteer for staffing the booth.

posted in California NDN - 0 replies

BIG TIME

2005-08-17T17:00:27Z

Regina LeRoy wrote: Most of you have received the flyer announcing the Big Time our tribe and the Mutsun Language Foundation are co-sponsoring We have a small group of volunteers and need more volunteers for Saturday, Sunday or one day of the Big Time event in San Juan Bautista, Labor Day weekend. If you can help on just one day that would be great. I know Sis and Marie have already been contacted about demonstrating or other projects. There are other duties that we can use volunteers for, like helping the Elders get food or beverages, making sure they are comfortable and generally assisting anyone needing information, demonstrating, working food and beverage booths, serving, cleaning and keeping organized the area set aside for the free food to all the participants, ie., dancers, singers, demonstrators and volunteers. So we will need some food prepared and donated for them because the big dinner will be held for the above participants late, as tradition calls, ( after 10 pm ),for a big meal once all the dancers are done. Camping is free to volunteers and participants, it will be very primitive because it will be there on the field that the event is held. We are working on making showers available for elders or participants to use through the weekend. If you are unable to attend but would like to donate food or, hey money's always good, but really hoping for representation, we would appreciate it! Please contact via e-mail or cell phone, #925-409-5869 or Lisa at lisann22@aol.com cell # 925-321-3479. We're so excited because it will be the first time OUR own people will dance and sing in 100 years on our own homeland! Some of these singers and dancers include; Lisa, Sia, Crystal, Marie, Quirina, Mike, JoeJoe, possibly Berta. They will open the Big Time Saturday at 11 am and close the event on Sunday. Please if you only come to see that, it would honor them because it's like representing your country in the Olympics. They are very nervous as we don't know much at this time and have only had two dance lessons. However, other California indians are excited for us and are sending their dancers, six separate groups in all, to join us help bring back the biggest event held by our ancestors. These other tribes validate our historical value in the Indian community, they are being very generous with their time and energy and we're hoping for a large turnout to thank them. FYI there has never been another Big Time held south of San Francisco down to Monterey since our people did it last. Powerful to say the least.

posted in California NDN - 0 replies

White teacher asking for advice..

2005-07-06T04:23:28Z

Hi, I'm a white person in a teacher prep program studying content standards for the grade I teach, 5th grade. In 5th grade, a major part of the year's requirements are about people indiginous to California, in what the contents and text call "California Indians". Almost everything I "know" about people indiginous to north america, I learned from the same sort of texts I'm required to teach my students. In other words, I know almost nothing.

I sent an email to Angel asking what the appropriate language is for a white person to talk about indiginous people and he gave me some insight. He also suggested I post here on this board. If you have any advice for how I can get off on the right foot in self-educating, I would very much appreciate your suggestions. Are there books you wish your white teachers had read? Authors I should know, or websites? I'm just trying to get a start somewhere.

Thank you much,
Kight

posted in California NDN - 5 replies

Join me in San Francisco for a gay old time

2005-06-24T19:00:17Z

Friday, June 24th

Two-Spirit Writers & Story Tellers Conference 1:000-3pm
Location is 555 DeHaro St, SF (please enter in back on Carolina St)
Lauched by Native American Cultural Center, this inaugural event is open to all Two-Spirit writers, storytellers, and spoken word artists. Light lunch will be served at 11:30 to start things off. The emphasis is on new writing so bring something written in 2005. Two poem or 5 minute time limit per person. Co-hosted by BAAITS, GAI and NAAP.

Gay American Indians 30th Anniversay Party 7:30-9pm
Location is 1800 Market Street, SF (Check Board in Lobby for room)
G.A.I. was the first queer organization in the US when it was founded in 1975 in San Francisco. Join co-founder Randy Burns and GAI alumni in honoring and showcasing the past, present and future individuals who continue to shape the modern Two-Spirit movement. Co-hosted by BAAITS and NACC

Saturday, June 25

NACC Grand Marshall Party
Call 415-641-9466 for location information
Relax and chill with Randy's family and friends on terrace overlooking the Castro. NACC board members host their colleague. Bring a dish of your own food and drink, as well as, some dish on Randy.

Dykes Across Boarders-We won't be divided
18th and Dolores Park 3pm-
BAAIT-S will open up the stage at 3pm, if you would like to participate, please arrive backstage on later than 3pm. Please let Rope know before hand by emailing her at bbloba1@yahoo.com and put in the email subject line "Dyke March".
The Dyke March will begin at 7:00pm. Please remember this is the DYKE march for Dykes and Womyn, men are invited stand and support from the sidelines.

SF PRIDE CELEBRATION
Sunday, June 26

Parade Line-up
Spear St between Market and Mission 9:00am
Welcome and join the BAAIT-S Parade Contingent #8. We will gather up to march in the world's largest parade that is attended by 500,000 people. We invite everyone to wear their regalia, bring their Two-Spirit Society Flags, and represent our community as we march down market street. We will be followed by the first Native American SF Pride Grand Mashall, Randy Burns. Please contact Miko if you have any questions at pashofa@aol.com or admin@baaits.org.

Main Stage
Civic Center Plaza, 11:50am-12:05pm
We have been invited to opening the main stage. Please join us on stage or stand in the audience as we present the invocation. If you would like to join us on stage, please contact Miko at pashofa@aol.com

Two-Spirit Stage
Civic Center Plaza, 1pm-6pm
The Two-Spirit Stage will feature Native American singers, writers, poets, storytellers and performers. Please join Landa Lakes the reigning Ms Osage Hills 2005 as she hosts the stage. Also visit the booths around the Two-Spirit Nations space and see what's happening with the organizations and visit the Indian Taco stand.

posted in California NDN - 0 replies

Teach me about your people... and othe pick up lines

2005-06-22T05:17:03Z

The above is probable the best pick up line that I ever heard...

So, let's hear other Native pick up lines such as, all the more fun if they are bad...

I'm making fry bread wanna give me some grease

posted in California NDN - 1 reply

pow wow this weekend

2005-05-18T18:56:20Z

If anybody is over this way ~

Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Pow wow
June 11, 12, & 13th, 2004
Mayetta, Kansas

Drum Contest - over $7,000

Dance Contests paying over $35,000
Golden Age, Men's & Women's, Teen Boys & Teen Girls, Junior Boys & Girls categories - Tiny Tots paid each session.

Golf Tourney - 4 Person Golf Scramble

Men's Fast Pitch Tourney

Wellness Walk - Sponsored by PBPN Health Board

Plenty of Camping - Limited RV Space (first come, first serve)

Admission for the weekend $5

Headman - Daryl Jack, White Cone, AZ
Headlady - Jacinta Warrington, Keshena, WI
Headboy - William Evans, Mayetta, KS
Headgirl - Ella Garcia, Mayetta, KS
MC - Vince Beyl, Bemidji, MN
Co-MC - Manny King, Lawrence, KS
Invited Drum - Bear Creek, Batchewana Reserve, Ontario
Host Drum - Tha Tribe, Lawrence, KS

posted in California NDN - 22 replies

Aho!

2005-03-26T22:17:39Z

Just checking in... are you all California Indians?

I got a lot to say, eventually...

I'm glad there is a tribe here actually.

Blessings,
Anistara

posted in California NDN - 6 replies

California Tribal University

2005-03-16T08:46:07Z

Message: 1
Date: Tue, 8 Mar 2005 10:30:13 -0800 (PST)
From: salcamarillo1@sbcglobal.net
Subject: Board Announces Plans for a Tribal University in California

On Saturday, March 5th, a nine member Board of Directors was
established to create the California Tribal University (CTU), which will honor
traditional and cultural values from an indigenous knowledge perspective
while exemplifying quality educational standards for Native students.

Many members of this group originally came together to help resolve the
accreditation crisis at California’s only Tribal college, but realized
a new educational institution would better serve the state’s American
Indian population.

California’s Tribes have long voiced the need for an educational
institution more responsive to indigenous issues and interests. The newly
formed Board of Directors will reach out to Tribal leaders throughout the
state.

“We intend to acknowledge the strong leadership of Tribal communities
in California by establishing a Board of Regents that is regionally
representative to advance and promote educational and economic
opportunities. It’s time to show that California's Indian people truly value
education through the establishment of a Tribal university of the highest
caliber,” said Board member Cindy La Marr.

The vision of CTU will benefit American Indian students through the
integration of traditions and cultural heritage within its core curriculum
values while assuring accreditation standards are met. Its foundation
will be a basis upon which students can learn leadership skills and
contribute to the advancement of Tribal self-governance.

Short term goals include incorporation and acquiring nonprofit status,
establishing a solid governance and administrative structure, and
setting timelines to achieve long range goals.

Officers of the CTU Board are: Chairperson Cindy La Marr (Pit
River/Paiute); Vice-Chairperson Lorenda Sanchez (Paiute); Treasurer Connie
Reitman (Pomo); and Secretary PaPai Thomas (Miwok). Other Board members are:
Dr. April Go Forth (Ani-yv-wi'-ya); Wilson Babby (Oglala Lakota); Garry
Douglas (Saginaw Chippewa); Ben Shawneego (Shawnee/Creek); and Dr.
Brian Baker (Bad River Chippewa).

La Marr concluded, “It is an honor to collaborate with these
knowledgeable, hard working individuals who are committed to developing an
exemplary educational institution for the future leaders of Tribal Nations.”

http://www.kumeyaay.com/news/news_detail.html?id=2666

posted in California NDN - 0 replies

Shasta Dam repost

2004-11-23T21:34:07Z

Please post to activists interested in Stopping the Shasta Dam raise and
aiding the Winnemem Wintu’s fight.

In the Monday, November 22 edition of the Sacramento Bee, an article
reporting on the issue of raising the height of Shasta Dam appeared. The
article, entitled "Concrete Solution for Water?", described how enlarging
Shasta Dam could factor into a plan to provide new water storage in the
state.

you can find a link to the article at:

http://www.friendsoftheriver.org/CaliforniaRiverNews.php

The article is full of misinformation from the Senator. I’ve broken down the
key points here:

*Senator Feinstein acknowledged the concerns of a local business owner that
would be negatively impacted by a dam raise by saying, "This is one family
with a private facility there and that's all I'm going to say about that."

*Another unsettling quote from the Senator was, "I believe it is a God-given
right as Californians to be able to water gardens and lawns."

*In addition the reporter notes that the Senator was irritated with the
"sudden surge in opposition to the Shasta raise."

THE SENATOR NEEDS A LESSON IN REALITY

*First off, the Winnemen Wintu Tribe, Friends of the River, and many other
groups have long opposed a raise of Shasta Dam. The surge in oppostion is
not new, the drive to enlarge the dam is.

*Secondly, the number of folks negatively affected is not limited to the one
business owner quoted in the article. Many local businesses in the
recreation and fishing industry would suffer. And for the Winnemem Tribe,
their losses transcend dollars. The last of their sacred sites could be
lost!

*As far as God-given rights go, we all need to demand more humility from our
elected leaders who have so much insight into what the creator has given us
as a "right". We must search for solutions that are ecologically sustainable
and not assume that watering our lawns is the creator’s top priority.

Please send a letter to the editor of the Sacramento Bee and to the Senator
and raise these points.

Letters to the editor are limited to 200 words and can be emailed to:
opinion@sacbee.com

My letter is pasted below:

In reference to the November 22 article "Concrete Solution for Water?”

Several of the quotes from the Senator reveal a widening gulf between her
understanding of environmental and cultural issues and those of her base.

By saying "...it is a God given right as Californians to be able to water
gardens and lawns" Feinstein suggests she has particular insight into the
mind of the creator. I doubt that's true. This kind of statement shows a
blatant disregard for our collective need to find solutions to water woes
that provides for a healthy environment and access to clean drinking water
before we encourage folks to water lawns in a semi-desert area.

By suggesting that the opposition to a Shasta Dam raise is "one family with
a private facility" is misleading spin. Many area businesses would be
negatively impacted. In addition, the Winnemen Wintu Tribe stands to lose
the last of their sacred sites. For them, it would be like permanently
ripping pages from the Bible would be for Christians.

The Shasta Dam raise is not about drinking water or local working farms,
it’s about exporting more Northern California water to corporate San Joaquin
Valley farms and greedy Southern California Developers through the state’s
complex plumbing system. Don’t buy the scam.

S. Craig Tucker, Ph.D.

Outreach Director

Friends of the River

916-442-3155 x205

craig@friendsoftheriver.org

www.friendsoftheriver.org

posted in California NDN - 0 replies

California Judgement

2004-11-23T17:01:01Z

What do you think? We are unrecognized tribe. Yet last year I received a letter that states I am eligible for benefits through Native Health services and Tribal TANF for school, including childcare and a decent monthly portion, including utilities and rent. Thats hella great! (I was granted this only because I was on the California Judgement, not because we're a recognized tribe)

Not bad, now how the hell could they claim us unrecognized and disbanded when we are alive and well and giving benefits, but only to a small degree, meaning, I am grateful, but they need to go ahead and ratify those treaties instead of this half assed bs.

It's half lies! (If people only knew the half of it!) My letter states they recognize I am in fact a recognized Indian by the US Gov.

There are major glitches here.

Just venting. LOL!!

posted in California NDN - 0 replies

Props. 68 & 70 in California.

2004-11-16T05:53:49Z

I want to vote in a way that is beneficial to Native American Indians in California.

Commercials for Prop. 68 tell me to vote "no". My initial reaction to these commercials is to say screw you, and vote "YES!". However, I don't know if that is right.

I have begun seeing commercials for Prop. 70, that feature Native Americans asking me to vote "yes". This commercial sounds good, and seems good. But is it?

Anthony, can you help me with this? What are they about, and how can I vote to help Native American Indians in California?
(I want to do what is best.)

Thanks for your help.
~ Joy ~

posted in California NDN - 3 replies

Shes at it again

2004-09-23T06:57:58Z

Jill Stewart is at it again. You remember the columnist who wrote the casino artical that I responded to with a letter to the editor? Well here is her two cents on AB 858, the no "redskins" legislation, and sacred sites.

http://www.newsreview.com/issues/sacto/2004-09-16/cappun.asp

Here is the response I sent to the SN&R, The SF Chronical and the LA Times. I also sent a copy to the president and public relations person of the SN&R.

Indian Mascots are Racist

Wow, what a racist article Jill Stewart has written, she’s outdone herself! I bet Jill isn’t a Native American, but I am, and I don’t know any Indians that feel honored by the term “redskin”. I don’t know any Indians that want to be mascots. What a ridiculous idea. Someone intelligent enough to write for a newspaper should know better. Redskin is a term equivalent to nigger, spic and chink. I am sorry to have to put those words down on paper, but that’s really the only way to get the point across. Sports mascots such as “Braves”, “Chiefs” and “Redskins” do not keep history alive, they only keep inequality alive.
Here’s a bit of history. The term redskin originates from the scalping and mutilation that was done to Indians to provide proof of their murders so that a bounty could be collected. This bounty hunting occurred all over including California. Women fetched an even higher price since they can bear children. Here’s a bit of contemporary fact. Look up the term redskin in any dictionary. It will be defined as an offensive term. Got all that Jill?
As for our sacred sites? Well, history concerning our burials, sacred objects and sacred sites is atrocious. The more protections in place to end this history of oppression the better. Obviously Jill does not care about this, but many do. I suppose next she’ll say there’s a bunch of Indians out there that consider having our sacred sites bulldozed an honor.
Jill Stewarts attitude towards native people has once again left me disgusted. Just what is her problem? Native Americans have always held a special place for racist treatment in American society but did Indian hating suddenly become chic again when I wasn’t looking? Jill can hope that Arnold vetoes AB 858, legislation designed to put a dent in the problem of racist mascots. Those of us on the side of justice will throw our hope in the other direction.

Anthony Burris
Sacramento

posted in California NDN - 2 replies

sovereign means soveriegn???

2004-08-10T23:33:44Z

Bush can't give a definition of Sovereignty.
www.democracynow.org/article.pl

"Tribal sovereignty means that. It's sovereign. You're a ... you're a ... you've been given sovereignty and you're viewed as a sovereign entity."

Obviously as a tribal member, I find this funny and interesting, but . . .

More US supreme court cases have to do with tribal sovereignty than any other topic, you think the president would be paying a little bit of attention.

As the chief executive it is the presidents duty to deal with the sovereign nations within the US borders.

Sovereignty is a big issue when it comes to Iraq. It's a big issue when it comes to foreign relations. Its basic government terminology. You think the president would be able to give some sort of definition (other than sovereign means soveriegn) out of context.

posted in California NDN - 0 replies

Pow wow in sacramento

2004-08-05T03:28:36Z

Pow wow in 2 weeks in sacramento. I know not two many on this tribe are in the area and I don't have the info at hand, but if people express interest I will post it.
Anthony

posted in California NDN - 1 reply

WHERE IS EVERYBODY?!?!

2004-07-24T19:16:19Z

Sure is quiet in here....

posted in California NDN - 3 replies

4th of July

2004-07-12T13:32:04Z

Hey all~

What you got going on for the 4th? Do you celebrate 'Independence Day'?

I don't really "celebrate Independence Day" per say, but I do enjoy the time off work to spend with family and friends. We usually throw some steaks on the grill and later we go listen to the bands at the park and sip a few cold ones. They put on a good fire works display, too.

I never really give any thought as to the reason behind July 4th. It's just another holiday to me. What are your thoughts?

posted in California NDN - 4 replies

Why Do Indians Sing 49's???

2004-07-04T17:14:24Z

This is a good link! Check this out~

http://www.byrdproductions.com/fortynine.html

posted in California NDN - 2 replies

READ THIS! (weird email I got)

2004-07-03T11:08:28Z

MESSENGER
STONEY MCNEILL
112233

Hell my brothers and sister Indians,i sent you this email on the instruction of the great spirit. I talk the the great spirit and begged him not to use me for this message but he wants me to send it all tribes of AMERICAN Indians.

20 percent of the AMERICAN Indian population is reporting a strange ( HUM ). The united states goverment has investigated this strange ( HUM ) and they still have'nt found out what it is. I been hearing this ( HUM ) all my life and i thought it was a part of my life and that all people was hearing it, but i was wrong. For the last pass 8 years i been having a vision and the great spirit was guiding me through the heavens and he showed me what this strange ( HUM ) is. He told me to write about what is coming and to send it to all the tribes of AMERICAN Indians,and this is what i am doing....God bless MAMA america

(( TO ALL AMERICAN INDIAN TRIBES,,THE HEARER'S AND BELIEVER'S ))

Please brothers and sisters forward this massage to all your Indian family and friends

(((( copyright91xxxxxxxx ))))

((((( For the hearer's of all american tribes ))))) At the end of time, we'll see the dieing of the sun,,and hear a roar in our head like a low pitch (hum),,It's not heard by many only the chosen one's,, That's going to fight the battle beside GODS only son,,,,At night when it's peacefull and you are laying in you bed,,,The (HUM)get's louder until it vibrates your head,, GODS gathering up his army for the battle yet to come,,Gabreil blowing on his trumpet at a low pitch (HUM),,,The DEVILs causeing HAVOC all around the world,.fathers killing sons wives and little girls Jesus is coming he's just beyond the sun he's sending us a warning with a low pitch (HUM). Prepare yourself for battle,,to fight beside the lord,,what you'll gain is heaven thats your soulreward,,and when we claim victory and the battle has been won,, he'll sound the horn of victory with a low pitch ((( H.U.M )))......DEDICATED TO THE HEARER'S AND BELIEVERS......THIS HUM WILL NOT BE IGNORED...

my songs about AMERICA
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/6/terroristhuntermusic.htm

Stoney Mcneill
Messenger
112233

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

Have any of you ever received anything like this? If so, did you reply back and what did you say? This guy must be a crack head!!!

posted in California NDN - 4 replies

NDN Voters in S.Dakota

2004-06-23T23:56:25Z

From the NY Times...

EDITORIAL OBSERVER

Indians Face Obstacles Between the Reservation and the Ballot Box
By ADAM COHEN

Published: June 21, 2004

When Edna Weddell, a Yankton Sioux tribal elder who gets around with a walker, tried to vote in South Dakota this month, a poll worker stopped her. She had to produce a photo ID first, she was told. Ms. Weddell's granddaughter pointed out that South Dakota law allows voters who do not have an ID with them to sign an affidavit instead, but the poll worker would not budge. Ms. Weddell was forced to retrieve her ID from home before she was allowed to vote.

That story is one of many circulating in South Dakota about Native Americans illegally turned away or harassed when they tried to vote on June 1. Another woman says that when she voted on the Pine Ridge reservation, she saw an Indian walking out of the polling place visibly upset. "They won't let me vote because I don't have a photo ID," he told her. There are more reports like this, and at least one of white election officials improperly opening a ballot box in an Indian area after the polls closed.

South Dakota has a long history of anti-Indian voting rights violations, involving many of the same tactics that were employed against blacks in the pre-civil-rights-era South: county officials who try to prevent Indians from registering, district lines deliberately drawn to keep Indians from being elected to public office, and harassment and intimidation of Indian voters and candidates.

These battles have traditionally been local, but they have begun to reverberate beyond South Dakota. The state's roughly 16,000 Indian voters, who lean heavily Democratic, have become an improbable national political force. Tim Johnson was elected to the United States Senate in 2002 by 524 votes, on the strength of late returns from Pine Ridge. Another Democrat, Stephanie Herseth, won a hard-fought battle for the state's at-large Congressional seat this month by less than 3,000 votes. This fall, when the re-election battle of Tom Daschle, the Senate minority leader, will likely be the highest-profile Senate race in the country, the Indian vote will again be pivotal.

The Indians' struggle for voting rights in many ways parallels the experience of black Americans. In the Dakota Territories, the law originally restricted the franchise to white men. After the 15th Amendment was passed, removing racial barriers to voting, the Dakotas still regarded most Indians as noncitizens, and therefore ineligible to vote. As late as 1939, South Dakota law prohibited Indians from voting or holding office.

Even when the laws changed, South Dakota still found ways to deny Indians political rights. In 1975, Indians in two counties — Shannon, home to the Pine Ridge reservation, and Todd, home to the Rosebud reservation — had to sue in federal court before they could vote for county officials. Until this year, Buffalo County's three county commissioner districts were drawn so that one had just 101 people, none American Indians; a second had 353 people, with a functional white majority; and the third had 1,493 Indians jammed into it. This sort of discriminatory line-drawing has been unconstitutional since 1962, when the Supreme Court handed down its "one man, one vote" ruling.

South Dakota's Indians complain that white election officials regularly put up obstacles to their attempts to register and vote. County auditors have limited the number of registration cards they give out to Indians, forcing them to drive repeatedly between the reservations and county offices to get more cards. Registration forms have been rejected for failing to have a proper street address, even though there is no address numbering system in many rural areas. Indian voting activists have often been falsely accused of voter fraud, charges that some suspect are intended to discourage them from being politically active.

Last year, after Indians had made the difference in Senator Johnson's election, the Republican-controlled State Legislature passed a new voter ID law that posed a particular hardship for Indians, who often do not have driver's licenses. They were assured that the new law would not present a problem, since it stated that any voter without ID "may complete an affidavit" instead. But many Indians were concerned that poll workers, who are often hostile to them, would ignore that provision.

That seems to be precisely what happened on June 1, and voting rights activists do not believe the mistakes in applying the law were accidental. As evidence, they have produced instructions used in Corson County on Election Day, apparently written by the Corson County auditor, saying: "Some voters are reporting that ID is not required. Please inform the voters that ID is in fact required." South Dakota Secretary of State Chris Nelson insists that county auditors were all properly trained on the new law. In Corson County, "the auditor chose to add some additional instructions," he says. "I don't know why."

Indian voting rights are often seen as a partisan issue — that in order to win, Democrats should maximize Indian votes and Republicans look for ways to reduce them. But the mistreatment of Indian voters is simply a discredit to American democracy. Given the poor performance of South Dakota election officials this month, the South Dakota state government and the United States Justice Department should say now how they plan to ensure that Indian voting rights are protected in November.

posted in California NDN - 0 replies

Artical and response on Indian Gaming in California

2004-06-20T09:28:57Z

Here is a collum from the Sacramento News and Review, a supposed liberal newspaper. Underneath it is a letter that I just wrote to the news paper in response. I hope they publish my letter. It concerns Indian Gambling. Although the artical is supposed to be about "Urban" Casinos, the author goes off on California Indian Gambling in general.

Here come the Urban casinos

By Jill Stewart

Illustration By B.Z.

For decades, San Pablo has been a sad little town racked by poverty and ignored by the East Bay. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s deal to let the Lytton Band of American Indians open a giant casino there, though cheered by city leaders, means San Pablo now faces the prospect of becoming a sad, malevolent little town--the sort of place the East Bay won’t be able to ignore.

In 2000, when California voters handed the state’s American Indian tribes monopoly rights to build huge, Vegas-like, slot-machine casinos around the state, it was with the understanding there would be no urban casinos. The measure was titled “Gambling on Tribal Lands,” and the League of Women Voters insisted it applied to “tribal lands only.”

To calm critics, who suspected that advisers from Las Vegas were scheming to put casinos in cities, Indian leaders publicly stated that casinos would go only on tribal lands.

Voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 1A, which replaced 1998’s Proposition 5--a measure that had been tossed out by the courts. What voters did not know was that Proposition 1A and existing federal law created loopholes and trapdoors that would allow the tribes to pry open urban areas and locate new “reservations”--and thus casinos--in cities.

Today, of California’s 107 federally recognized tribes, 56 mostly tiny gaming tribes earn perhaps $8 billion--nobody knows for sure because the tribes needn’t say. Exploding expansion has long since eclipsed an old figure of $5 billion from 2002. Thunder Valley, a casino near Sacramento, just netted $300 million in its first year.

Of the 107 tribes, 30 sued for recognition, most of them in order to open casinos. Now, 54 additional groups--some of them highly questionable “tribes” cobbled together by slick lawyers--are insisting the feds name them as tribes, too. Because newly recognized tribes often don’t have land suitable for a profitable casino, two dozen of the new ones are “reservation shopping,” for land near or inside California cities, according to tribal gaming critic Cheryl Schmit.

If Schwarzenegger’s deal, reported in the San Francisco Chronicle, is consummated, San Pablo’s will be the first “reservation” and casino smack inside an urban core. Schmit says Schwarzenegger “had no choice” because Congress already designated it for the Lytton Band reservation--a sneaky move a few years ago by California Congressman George Miller that was contained in a much bigger omnibus bill.

But let’s be clear: Once San Pablo, a mile-square-city, gets a casino and “reservation,” a psychological wall will tumble down. After that, California voters should gird for more faux reservations and huge urban casinos--unless voters stop it. State legislators and California members of Congress, hoping for tribal campaign cash, are seeking every possible toehold to create “tribal lands” in cities. Remember, the tribes spent $11 million during the Gray Davis recall, much of it to elect our casino expansionist Lt. Governor Cruz Bustamante as governor.

State Assemblyman Mervyn Dymally of Compton has been trying to create a loophole to put a “state-designated” American Indian reservation in his city. Casinos are only allowed on federally designated reservations. This latest twist to put reservations in the cities is a longer-term strategy. Step two is to change the California Constitution to allow casinos on “state reservations”--an angle another legislator quietly is working.

That’s how politicians behave when billions of dollars, and fat contributions, are involved.

The rich Sycuan Band will put a $30 million hotel development in a highly urbanized area near San Diego. A casino is not allowed, but the contract leaves the option open. Again, it’s all about getting a toehold and then working up a new law.

California voters didn’t want this. Voters wanted to see American Indians succeed because of past U.S. treatment of them. Now, the greed and arrogance of rich tribes is wiping out the enormous goodwill tribes enjoyed. It has to be one of the quickest public-relations turnarounds I’ve seen in California.

Unlike famed tribes of the Great Plains and Southwest, some of which have populations of thousands, California tribes are miniscule--usually a few hundred people. Because of gambling profits, certain tiny California tribes are now made up entirely of multimillionaires.

How much money are we talking about? Time magazine reported the San Manuel Band’s roughly 70 adults each grossed $900,000 per year--before things really took off. Santa Barbara County newspapers reported that the Santa Ynez Band’s roughly 160 members each get $27,500 monthly. Riverside County newspapers reported that the Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula pays its Pechanga Band members $15,000 per month.

Some tribes have done good works. For instance, the San Manuel Band members have started behaving like the rich Californians they are. Last year, they gave $1 million to the recovery effort after the October fires, and they made numerous charitable donations. It was modest, given that their casino will double in size by 2006 and that they now own a piece of the lucrative bottled-water industry. But the gifts represent a solid gesture and a reminder that some tribes have begun to realize they must start acting like good neighbors.

Yet, only a few tribes are good neighbors, working closely with nearby cities to avert environmental damage and inappropriate development. It’s no mystery why. After all, how do people act when suddenly faced with an endless supply of more riches than the average American will ever see in his or her lifetime? Unfortunately, most people act like fools.

Tribes now coldly eject members, sometimes so that fewer members can split the buckets of money. Some tribes claim they are “disenrolling” members for reasons often unrelated to the huge monthly checks each member receives. This can stretch credulity. Though some non-tribal members do try to get on the gravy train, other people appear to be kicked out on questionable grounds.

As Schmit points out, in Redding, the Rancheria tribal government disenrolled a family whose members actually exhumed their mother and grandmother to prove they were from the tribe. In a raucous battle, the Pechanga Band kicked out more than 100 people. The Enterprise Rancheria tribe kicked out 75 members during the struggle for control of its government as it pursues a casino on non-tribal land. The Buena Vista Band has been split by a vicious battle over control of its government and thus control of its casino profits.

All this because voters wanted to help the tribes help themselves.

Yet, the tribes can ignore what voters envisioned. Proposition 1A clearly stated that slot machines and other gambling applied to “tribal lands only.” But University of California, Los Angeles, law professor Carole Goldberg, who approves of the big jump in tribes designated by the feds in California and who dismisses opposition to urban casinos as “religious-based,” says California voters did not formally vote in 2000 on whether reservations and casinos could be allowed in the cities.

“The idea of Indian reservations being set up inside of California cities was not addressed in the measure at all,” she said. “Opponents said it meant there can be a casino in every backyard, and supporters said, ‘No, there are restrictions in federal law.’”

Goldberg feels California’s situation is healthy because federal law prevents new American Indian reservations without local support--which basically means the governor must sign off on them. Goldberg oversees a center at UCLA dedicated to understanding tribal law and culture, which recently got $4 million from the San Manuel Band--another indicator of the reach of gaming money.

In fact, it’s been so easy to erect casinos that California is undergoing what some call the greatest legal expansion of gambling in U.S. history. It’s often driven less by local support for gaming than by a desperate need for development in places like Barstow and Needles. It’s also driven by greed.

Desperation and greed can make people do bad things. Organized crime in Las Vegas and New Jersey are a good reference point for what’s to come if urban locales end up with secretive tribal governments and lucrative casinos.

Each new American Indian “reservation” creates a wealthy, closed government in direct conflict with California notions of healthy civic life. American Indian-gaming critic Jan Golab notes in his writings that tribal governments are exempt from requirements such as freedom of the press, there’s no right to inspect government records, and there’s no such thing as protecting “whistleblowers” who report corruption. In fact, you may see the opposite from some tribes.

Under such conditions, Dymally’s choice of Compton for a future “reservation” and ultimately a casino is almost humorously bad. For years, Compton has been racked by corruption, including now-convicted city officials who stuffed bribes in their pockets and used city funds like personal accounts.

And San Pablo, desperate for funds, is likely to learn an unfortunate lesson when its casino and Lytton Band “reservation” morph into the town’s closed-door, backroom, replacement government.

Some Californians who thought Indian gaming was about healing the tribes economically are catching on to how poisonous the salve is turning out to be. But so far, Schwarzenegger seems far too excited about expanding Indian gaming--as if it’s just another industry that pays into the treasury.

It’s hardly that. It’s the only industry operated inside a government jurisdiction that is not open and whose leaders get rich from the very industry they oversee. If Schwarzenegger and the Legislature don’t move to ban urban casinos now, you may indeed want to worry about one in your backyard.

My Response

Re Here come the Urban Casinos

First off, let me remind the author of “Here Come The Urban Casinos” that we California Indians are the first nation peoples here. Jill Stewart’s article makes it sound as if we’re invaders from another land. We were the ones invaded, and our land was taken from us in a very brutal manner. As a result of these relatively recent actions, the California citizens have benefited immensely from the land that was stolen, and the indigenous peoples of California have remained some of the most impoverished people throughout state history. The only thing some California Indians have received in a mostly one sided deal is tribal sovereignty. In recent years some tribes have used that tribal sovereignty to accumulate some wealth for themselves. I personally don’t know any of these millionaire individual Indians that Jill Stewart speaks of, but I imagine some are out there. However that certainly isn’t the norm, and if some Indians do get rich, SO WHAT! Indians aren’t allowed to be rich? I know that is the classic model of Indian life in this country, but can’t things change, or must we remain sports mascots living at the bottom rung of the ladder? Lets face it, we aren’t getting our land back, but some people out there would like to see us loose our sovereignty rights. Jill Stewart makes that clear with her criticism of our control over our own governments.
I also find it interesting when Stewart talks of questionable tribes and acts as if the citizens of California have been fooled. I’ll give Jill a better example of a population of people being duped. This happened when the various tribes of California signed treaties with the US government back in 1852. These treaties were never ratified. Why? Because the citizens didn’t want it, and California lobbied congress not to ratify them. So Indians here thought for decades that they possessed sovereignty rights that they didn’t really have, because no one even had the decency to inform them that they were betrayed after the dirty deed was done. I guess it was easier to slaughter them if they were ignorant of their real situation. My ancestors fulfilled their end of the bargain and in return received betrayal and murder. Its taken one hundred and fifty-two years to correct the sovereignty issue for these tribes that were supposed to gain these rights in 1852. Some California Indians are still waiting. I suppose if the people of California had made good on their promises in the first place there would be no “highly questionable tribes”. And what does the author really know about these “highly questionable tribes”, I have personally witnessed so much rumor and misinformation published in the media when it comes to this subject it’s not even funny. In fact I can honestly say that I see more misinformation than truth published in writing, when it comes to my own tribe. It seems that media people just pounce at anything tasty with little or no verification. I only hope the SN&R isn’t resorting to this sort of irresponsible journalism.
I think the thing I found most disturbing and disgusting, is the author’s comparison of the “famed tribes of the great plains and southwest, some of which have populations of thousands”, to the “miniscule” tribes here in California. That’s exactly it, too. These “famed” tribes were considered noble throughout history compared to the California Indians which the white gold miners and other migrants conveniently thought of as stupid, dirty, and inhuman. We were completely demonized, which made it all that easier to wipe us out and take our resources, come on Jill, I know you’ve heard of the gold rush. That’s why our populations are so “miniscule“, ninety-five percent of it was wiped out during the formation of our great state. I find the fact that you would use this as an arguing point against us as about as low as anyone could go.
Oh and hey, lets not forget that a significant amount of job employment and economic growth for non-Indians and the state in general, during these hard financial times, is the direct result of Indian casinos. Why don’t you write an article about that rather than jumping on the Indian scapegoat bandwagon, because lets face it, we Indians are hardly what’s wrong with California!

Anthony Burris
Sacramento, CA

posted in California NDN - 9 replies

White Buffalo

2004-06-06T03:43:57Z

I just heard on another tribe that another white buffalo was born in Arizona.. any info on this..??

posted in California NDN - 1 reply

Lori Piestewa Article (VERY LONG)

2004-06-04T23:11:56Z

'A Wrong Turn in the Desert'

When Jessica Lynch’s convoy veered off course in Iraq, Private Lori Piestewa became the first Native American woman to die in combat on foreign soil. So why has the Hopi soldier been all but forgotten?

By Osha Gray Davidson
Rolling Stone Magazine, 27 May 2004
-----------------------------------------------------
The author granted permission to reprint his article~

http://thenativepress.com./lori.html

Check it out. Very moving.

posted in California NDN - 1 reply

Iraqi television crew to study Native Americans

2004-05-31T21:51:07Z

A television crew from Iraq is coming to the United States to include Native American view in a documentary about sovereignty.

The crew plans to meet with tribal leaders in New Mexico, said Indian Affairs Secretary Bennie Shendo Jr. "They want to videotape a discussion from the tribal perspective on this whole issue of sovereignty and governance and how we have been able to survive within the federal system in the United States for all these years," he was quoted as saying.

The crew is interested in learning more about how different ethnic groups are represented in government.

http://www.daily-times.com/artman/publish/article_11395.shtml

Are the Iraqis going to be receiving an award from Cannes? I sure hope so...this ought to be one interesting documentary!

When Colin Powell said that the U.S. would place Iraq oil "in trust", (I wonder why they call it "in trust" anywayz, heh heh) Hopefully the documentary will let the Iraqis know the real story about "in trust"....

"It will not be exploited for the United States' own purpose," he said. "We will follow religiously international law, which gives clear guidance with respect to the responsibilities of an occupying power, if it comes to that."

http://edition.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/01/23/iraq.powell/

I hope they don't interview some dimwit. It will be intersting to see how this is portrayed by a different group---interesting how people always wanting to look at indians. But the issue of sovereignty-that is very relevant to what is happening in their country. I am sure they don't need to hear what they already know. But tribes have been fighting to enforce sovereignty, and it is a on going battle, nothing can be easily solved when the US government is interferring.

Natives being interviewed and relayed through translation---now that would be crazy to hear!!!

posted in California NDN - 0 replies

2 important events

2004-05-29T05:24:37Z

2 important events are happening at the state capital of California in Sacramento on june 2nd and june 9th. The first involves health care and the second involves legislation banning the "redskin" mascot in Californias public schools. The info is below.

***Wednesday june 2nd 2004
Join the Action for Indian Health Campaign on the west steps of the State Capital from 12-4 pm. Tell legislators not to cut Medi-cal, Alcohol & Substance Abuse calWORKs and Tribal TANF Programs (basically Arnolds proposed cuts will have a serious impact on NDN health programs here in California).
BBQ,Speakers-open mike, Register to Vote, Live music by Loose Arrow, Mary Youngblood, and Traditional Singers & Dancers.

****The Alliance Against Racial Mascots is planning a DAY OF ACTION on Wednesday, June 9, 2004. Please join us as we visit the offices of many California Senators, and the Governor and urge for the support of AB 858 (Goldberg).
We will be meeting at the office of Assemblymember Jackie Goldberg at the State Capitol at 8:30 AM where we will break into groups for our scheduled appointments.

ALLARM hopes to have an amazing turn out to counter the intense opposition that will be at the Capitol that day from "Redskins" schools such as Gustine High School and Tulare Union High School. Let's show our Senators that WE will not tolerate the use of racially offensive and derogatory "Redskins" mascots!

For more information on the lobby day, please contact Juliana Serrano at (213)250-8787 ext. 211 or by email at jserrano@nccj.org.

posted in California NDN - 0 replies

June 21st

2004-05-19T06:44:28Z

An Important Message from Chief Arvol Looking Horse, of the Lakota, Dakota, & Nakota Nations

Mitakuye Oyasin (All My Relations),

I, Chief Arvol Looking Horse of the Lakota, Dakota and Nakota Nations, would like to ask for this time for you to understand an Indigenous perspective in reflection of what has happened in America, what we call"Turtle Island".

For the past six years, my work has concentrated on an effort on uniting the Global community, through a message from our sacred ceremonies in recognizing a day of World Peace and Prayer on June 21st as a time to unite spiritually, each in our own ways of beliefs in the Creator.

We have been warned from the messages, passed down from Ancient Prophecies of these times we live in today, but also a very important message of a solution to turn these terrible times around. To assist you in understanding the depth of this message involves the recognition in the importance of Sacred Sites.

It is important that you realize the whole interconnectedness of what is happening today, in reflection of the continued massacres that are occurring on other lands and our own Americas.

I have been learning about these important issues of Sacred Sites since the age of 12, upon receiving the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe Bundle and it's teachings.

Our people have strived to protect Sacred Sites from the beginning of time. There needs to be an understanding in the concern of the protection of Sacred Sites that goes deeper than just the issue of Shrines built by humans.

Our people have built similar objects and Shrines to identify and to remind the significance in the power of the Sacred Site. We have also witnessed them being destroyed for many decades, but we also realize it is what is underneath them that is important.

These places have been violated for centuries and have brought us to this predicament that we are in concerning the unstable Global Level thus far. Look around you, our Mother Earth is very ill from these violations and we are at a brink of destroying a healthy and nurturing survival for generations to come, our children's children.

Our ancestors have been trying to protect our Sacred Site from the continued violations called the Sacred Black Hills in SD, "Heart of Everything that is".

Our ancestors never seen this site from a Satellite view, but now that those pictures are available with modern technology, we see that it is in the shape of a heart and when fast forwarded it looks like a heart pumping. The Dine have been protecting Big Mountain, calling it the liver and now that the coal is depleting, we are suffering and going to suffer more from the extraction of the coal and poison processes used in doing so.

The Aborigines has warned of the contaminating effects on the Corral Reefs from Global Warming, which they see as Mother Earth's blood purifier, our sacred water is being polluted.

The Indigenous people of the Rain Forest relay that the Rain Forest are the lungs and need protection and now we see the Brazilian Government approved the depletion of 50% of this Sacred Site.

The Gwich'in Nation has an issue of oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge coastal plain, also known to the Gwich'in as 'Where the life begins!' The coastal plain is also the birthplace of many other life forms of Animal Nations. The death of these Animal Nations will destroy Indigenous Nations in this territory.

As these destructive developments continue all over the world, we will witness many more extinct Animal, Plant and Human Nations, because of the misuse of power that mankind has made and their lack of understanding the "balance of life".

The Indigenous people warn that these destructive developments will cause havoc globally. There are many, many more Indigenous awareness's and knowledge of Mother Earth's Sacred Sites, connections (Mother Earth's Charkas) to our spirit that will surely affect our future generations.

These people are still suffering from this contamination and their livelihood is being destroyed as I write this to you.

There needs to be a fast move toward other forms of energy that are safe for all Nations upon Mother Earth. We need to understand the whole picture in the type of minds that are continuing to destroy the spirit of our whole Global Community.

Unless we do this, the powers of destruction will overwhelm us.

Our Ancestors foretold that water would someday be for sale. Back then this was hard to believe, since the water was so plentiful, so pure, and so full of energy, nutrition and spirit. Today we have to buy pure water, and even then the nutritional minerals have been taken out; it's just empty liquid.

Someday water will be like gold, too expensive to afford. Not everyone will have the right to drink safe water.

We fail to appreciate and honor our Sacred Sites, ripping out the minerals and gifts that lay underneath them, as if Mother Earth were simply a resource, instead of the Source of Life itself.

Attacking Nations and having to utilize more resources to carry out the destruction in the name of Peace and elimination is not the answer!

We need to understand how all these decisions affects the Global Nation, we will not be immune to its repercussions.

To allow continual contamination of our food and land, is now affecting the way we think.

A "disease of the mind" has set in World Leaders and many members of our Global Community, with their understanding that a solution of retaliation and destruction of peoples will bring Peace.

In our Prophecies it is told that we are now at the Crossroads, either unite Spiritually as a Global Nation, or be faced with chaos, disasters, diseases and tears from our relatives eyes.

In times of disasters it is sad to say, that it is the only time that we unite spiritually, but we must not taint it with anger and retaliation. We are the only species that is destroying the Source of life, meaning Mother Earth, in the name of power, mineral resources and ownership of land, using methods of chemicals and warfare that is becoming irreversible, as Mother Earth is becoming tired and can not sustain any more impacts of war.

I ask you to join me on this endeavor.

Our vision is for the Peoples of all continents, regardless of their beliefs in the Creator, to come together as one at their Sacred Sites at that sacred moment of what is known as the Summer Solstice of June 21st, to pray and meditate and commune with one another, thus promoting an energy shift to heal our Mother Earth and achieve a universal consciousness toward attaining Peace.

As each day passes bringing us to this day of concentration together, I ask the Global Nations to begin a Global effort, in knowing that each and every one of us are making a daily effort in waking to a gratitude of another day, that is gifted to us and begin to remember to give thanks for the Sacred Food that has been also gifted to us by our Mother Earth, so the nutritional energy of medicine can be guided to heal our minds and spirits.

This new millennium will usher in an age of harmony or it will bring the end of life as we know it. Starvation, war and toxic waste have been the hallmark of the Great Myth of Progress and Development that ruled the last millennium.

To us, as caretakers of the heart of Mother Earth, falls the
responsibility of turning back the powers of destruction.

We have come to a time and place of great urgency.

The fate of future generations rests in our hands.

We must understand the two ways we are free to follow, as we choose the positive way or the negative way.. the spiritual way or the material way.

It's our own choice--each of ours and all of ours.

You yourself are the one who must decide.

You alone-and only you--can make this crucial choice.

Whatever you decide is what you'll be, to walk in honor or to dishonor your relatives.

You can't escape the consequences of your own decision.

On your decision depends the fate of the entire World. You must decide. You can't avoid it.

Each of us is put here in this time and this place to personally decide the future of humankind.

Did you think the Creator would create unnecessary people in a time of such terrible danger?

Know that you yourself are essential to this World.

Believe that!

Understand both the blessing and the burden of that. You yourself are desperately needed to save the soul of this World.

Did you think you were put here for something less? In a Sacred Hoop of Life, where there is no beginning and no ending!

Mitakuye Oyasin,
Chief Arvol Looking Horse,
19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe

posted in California NDN - 1 reply

Protest gas-guzzling, antisocial Hummer vehicles!

2004-04-19T23:21:27Z

Dear DBF Friends -- What better way to celebrate Earth Day?
Protest gas-guzzling, antisocial Hummer vehicles! If you are
interested in participating in a Bay Area or Sacramento Hummer
protest on Earth Day, please call us -- (415) 561-2165.

Protest Against Hummers on Earth Day!
Thurs. April 22, 2004

At Your Local Hummer (or GM) dealership

*Say no to this gas-guzzling behemoth that gets only 10 mpg, that
pollutes the air at 2-3 times the rate of an average car, and helps
fuel our oil dependence that leads us into war.

*Demand that car dealerships and manufacturers offer us more
fuel efficient cars and vehicles that run on clean energy.

*Take a stand for alternative forms of transportation.

TAKE ACTION - ORGANIZE A PROTEST AT YOUR LOCAL
HUMMER DEALERSHIP!

Actions are planned across the country, including San Francisco,
Sacramento, Los Angeles, Portland (OR), Miami, Milwaukee,
Madison (WI), Rochester, Columbus (OH), etc.
For National list of actions, go to: http://www.codepinkalert.org/

For more information, email nohummer@codepinkalert.org or call
Global Exchange at 415-575-5525 x 234.

Sponsored by CODEPINK, Global Exchange, Rainforest Action
Network, Greenpeace USA, The Sierra Club, Earth Action,
Theological Roundtable for Ecology, Ethics, and Spirituality,
Louisiana Bucket Brigades, Peninsula Raging Grannies, Veterans
for Peace, Pax Christi USA.

************
Background:
The Hummer is a hum-dinger of a target for an Earth Day protest!

What car better symbolizes America's misguided national
priorities than the Hummer? The Hummer, with its obscenely low
gas mileage, is fueling this Country’s dependence on oil. This oil
addiction pushes the U.S. into global conflicts, most recently Iraq,
which threatens the lives of our troops and civilians around the
world.

Hummers are also threatening the life of our planet. They are
horribly destructive to the environment, with an Environmental

Protection Agency rating of two out of ten. The Hummer’s average
gas mileage hovers around 9 miles to the gallon, (yes, 9!). Oil
consumption is a major contributor to pollution and global
warming. Hummers are contaminating the very air that we breathe,
and undermining the health of our children and our planet for
future generations.

Adding insult to injury, the government gives monetary rewards for
purchasing such irresponsible vehicles. Business owners who
buy a Hummer are eligible to receive up to a $100,000 tax break
under Bush's 2003 Jobs and Growth Act. This same plan only
grants a tax break of $3,400 for the Toyota Prius hybrid, which gets
over 50 miles per gallon.

The mass promotion and sale of military-style vehicles to families
across America sends the message that war is just another
consumer product. The Hummer tends to glorify war and imply war
is fun. This is a profound disservice to all who have ever fought in
one and those who strive to put an end to war.

posted in California NDN - 0 replies

events

2004-04-04T06:15:49Z

april 25th, Strawberry Festival, Point Reyes National Seashore, noon to 5pm, 415-464-5100

April 25th, Maidu Spring Ceremony, Maidu Interpretive Center, 1960 Johnson Ranch Rd, Roseville 10am-3pm, 916-772-4242

May 1-2 19th Annual UCLA Pow Wow, 310-206-7513

April 18th, Modesto Junior College/Red Nations & Friends 6th Annual Pow Wow, Modesto Junior College East Campus Quad, 435 College Ave, Modesto, Ca

May 7-9, 33rd Annual Stanford Pow Wow, Eucalyptus Grove at Stanford Campus, Stanford Ca, 650-723-4078

May 15-16, American Indian Culture Days, Balboa Park, San Diego,Ca , 619-281-5964

posted in California NDN - 3 replies

is any body out there??

2004-03-20T09:13:17Z

So what is this tribe all about??

posted in California NDN - 9 replies