Wednesday, June 24, 2009
New First Nations Films Available
FIRST NATIONS FILMS are now available to the public on important subjects from Spirituality to Land Claims to Traditional Music to Politics. These award-winning profes-sional broadcast TV programs are some of the best in North America! Very suitable for groups, libraries, classroom or individual.
SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES - 12 to 112. Please visit our website and view "playable" scenes from these emotionally moving and exciting programs. www.firstnationsfilms.com
To Order: richard@firstnationsfilms.com or call 604-990-9337
FIRST NATIONS FILMS on DVD:The Medicine Wheel (native spirituality) Whose Land is This? (history and land settlement) Making Treaties (history and land settlement) First Nations Role Models (inspiration for our youth) Beat of the Drum (native music and history) Native Women: Politics (history and settlement) Reclaiming Our Children (child wellness) The Residential Schools (the other side of the experience) Living in Two Worlds (old and new) Sleepdancer (a dramatic journey) Vanishing Links (returning to her roots) Indianer (European people "being" First Nations people) Kinja Iakaha (A day in the village) From Brazil! Echoes of the Sisters (breast cancer)
For more information or to order films please contact: richard@firstnationsfilms.com www.firstnationsfilms.com
-----
Contributed by Richard coyote00@telus.net.
Teresa Anahuyhttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/FirstPeoplesNews
FIRST NATIONS FILMS are now available to the public on important subjects from Spirituality to Land Claims to Traditional Music to Politics. These award-winning profes-sional broadcast TV programs are some of the best in North America! Very suitable for groups, libraries, classroom or individual.
SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES - 12 to 112. Please visit our website and view "playable" scenes from these emotionally moving and exciting programs. www.firstnationsfilms.com
To Order: richard@firstnationsfilms.com or call 604-990-9337
FIRST NATIONS FILMS on DVD:The Medicine Wheel (native spirituality) Whose Land is This? (history and land settlement) Making Treaties (history and land settlement) First Nations Role Models (inspiration for our youth) Beat of the Drum (native music and history) Native Women: Politics (history and settlement) Reclaiming Our Children (child wellness) The Residential Schools (the other side of the experience) Living in Two Worlds (old and new) Sleepdancer (a dramatic journey) Vanishing Links (returning to her roots) Indianer (European people "being" First Nations people) Kinja Iakaha (A day in the village) From Brazil! Echoes of the Sisters (breast cancer)
For more information or to order films please contact: richard@firstnationsfilms.com www.firstnationsfilms.com
-----
Contributed by Richard coyote00@telus.net.
Teresa Anahuyhttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/FirstPeoplesNews
Type:
Organizations - Political Organizations
Description:
THERE WILL BE NO GUNS! “YOU ARE ON INDIAN LAND”Mohawks are being held hostage on Cornwall Island by Canada and the U.S. until we agree to let the gun toting border guards roam around the middle of Akwesasne. The Minister of Public Safety won’t talk to us. Why? In the meantime boats and barges are shuffling kids, food and other necessities to us."We need more support here, the CBSA - Canadian Border Service Agency - is trying to supercede our laws on Akwesasne land, we need petitions and support voiced worldwide""They are trying to arm the CBSA, we have a park where the kids play and also houses right next to the customs, also there are reports and complaints of harrasment and abuse filed against agents there, they have strip searched a 16 yr old female, the Granddaughter of a respected member of our community, and that's just for STARTERS. Now they want GUNS? Never! We have tried to talk to them, they wont listen, Van Loan is an idiot, Parliament is a joke".Peaceful protests are needed, the petition below needs to be widely circulated, signed, posted and reposted, if you can get up to Akwesasne PLEASE DO, if you know people in the Akwesasne, Cornwall Island, Hogansburg area, please let them know, copy and paste this, send it to your email buddies, post it on MySpace, on your groups, everywhere.http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/NoGunsForCBSA/index.html
Organizations - Political Organizations
Description:
THERE WILL BE NO GUNS! “YOU ARE ON INDIAN LAND”Mohawks are being held hostage on Cornwall Island by Canada and the U.S. until we agree to let the gun toting border guards roam around the middle of Akwesasne. The Minister of Public Safety won’t talk to us. Why? In the meantime boats and barges are shuffling kids, food and other necessities to us."We need more support here, the CBSA - Canadian Border Service Agency - is trying to supercede our laws on Akwesasne land, we need petitions and support voiced worldwide""They are trying to arm the CBSA, we have a park where the kids play and also houses right next to the customs, also there are reports and complaints of harrasment and abuse filed against agents there, they have strip searched a 16 yr old female, the Granddaughter of a respected member of our community, and that's just for STARTERS. Now they want GUNS? Never! We have tried to talk to them, they wont listen, Van Loan is an idiot, Parliament is a joke".Peaceful protests are needed, the petition below needs to be widely circulated, signed, posted and reposted, if you can get up to Akwesasne PLEASE DO, if you know people in the Akwesasne, Cornwall Island, Hogansburg area, please let them know, copy and paste this, send it to your email buddies, post it on MySpace, on your groups, everywhere.http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/NoGunsForCBSA/index.html
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
SPIRITUAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN
Excerpted from the book, "An Old Woman Speaks" © 2009
By Stephanie M. Schwartz
Freelance Writer
Member, Native American Journalists Association (NAJA)
Published at www.SilvrDrach.homestead.com/Schwartz_2009_Jun_22.html
Today we are facing a new Era. The ancient Mayan culture speaks of this change, the ending of their old calendar in 2012, and the beginning of a new age. They, along with many other indigenous cultures, also speak that this coming time will be one of a more feminine nature, based in the heart.
But women in our modern world have a problem. Thus far, they have begun to become financially empowered and professionally empowered. Yet the most important need, for spiritual empowerment, has often been neglected or ignored.
Our world is already in the time of transition and it will be a difficult time until the new era blossoms into an age of peace and understanding. If our world is to survive, spiritually empowered women must take their place in helping. It's time for them to step up and step out. The time of hiding is over.
Most "aware" people know that it is necessary to heal our Grandmother Earth if we are to survive. However, it is equally as imperative to also heal each other through love, compassion, respect and, most of all, prayer. Prayers of the heart are one of the most powerful influences in the universe. Moreover, women also need to help men develop their own feminine aspects of gentleness and sensitivity, compassion, nurturing, and kindness. They need to help men learn to work from the heart.
If we don't do all of this, we can't help our planet and humanity risks extinction.
Women are powerful, truly powerful, with unique gifts that are far-reaching. That is why they have been considered a threat by so many male-dominated modern cultures and religious hierarchy. Women are especially tuned to walk in both the spiritual world and the mundane world. They are particularly adept at creating energy and change. Their great capacity for bonding has made them especially empathic and gifted at seeing and understanding past surface levels. Ultimately, their roles as caretakers and nurturers have opened their hearts and awareness to many levels of the universe. Their spiritual gifts can be profound.
Unfortunately, women have begun to lose that understanding of their gifts as they have grappled to survive in the callous societies of today. Many live tentative, cold, and fragmented lives as victims of violence, victims of unspeakable offenses against honor. Too often, their hearts and spirit have become uncertain and lost, awash in grief and fear. They have forgotten who they are. They have forgotten their original instructions as human beings and as women.
Yet, most indigenous cultures recognized the unique and powerful qualities of women. In many cultures they were revered and respected. In some, the entire societal structure was Matriarchal. In others, the special spiritual gifts of women were recognized and they were considered to be the nurturing connection to the Divine. Throughout the indigenous world, women often held the honored roles of leaders, advisors, or wisdom-keepers. Many times, they were also found as the community healer and seer, although in some cultures that was reserved for women in their post-menopausal years.
It was also fully recognized that a woman's moon-time, her period of menstruation, was her most powerful, albeit her most uncontrolled, time. More importantly, however, her moon-time was considered her own personal sacred ceremony, a time where she is quite literally shedding her blood for humanity, purging and purifying herself to make room for the creative energies and life to arrive.
Due to the sacredness of this, some indigenous cultures sequestered their women away from the village during their moon-time. This wasn't a banning or shunning as is popularly assumed today. This was a period of protection and rest from the duties of their very hard lives, a few days off each month. It was where they were waited upon by other women and served food they didn't have to cook themselves. It was also a time for reflection or sharing and bonding with other women. In short, it was a time of respect and honor and rest.
During this time, they also did not participate or go near any ceremony being conducted outside their seclusion. There was good reason for this. The main reason, very logical, is that it is never a good idea to cross ceremonies (start a ceremony while another one is in process). At best, it just all blows up and becomes so diluted into confusion that nothing happens for anyone. At worst, you can get some very crossed energies going with highly negative and chaotic results. Therefore, since the women were already in their own ceremony, it was highly unadvisable for them to go near anyone else's ceremony.
A secondary reason was simply the powerful but raw, uncontrolled energies that sometimes occur when a woman is on her moon-time. Few women know how to control it and that kind of energy is quite literally capable of blasting anyone and anything, intentionally or unintentionally. If you don't know what I mean then simply think of the last time you crossed a woman who was on her moon-time. It's not a pretty sight.
The ancient cultures all knew and understood these things. Unfortunately, the truth has often been lost along the way to modern times or misconstrued and twisted into untruth. Women have nearly forgotten their place in the Universe.
So it's time that women start looking at their power, their bodies, and their cycles with respect instead of as a "curse." It's vitally important that women choose to heal themselves and regain the understanding of their own unique gifts; to re-claim their own power and themselves. Then it will be up to each woman, her beliefs, and her Divine as how to best walk with it all.
It is said we are the sacred 7th generation. For our children and grandchildren, for the next 7 generations, for ourselves, it's time for women to harness their power and get to work helping to save our world. Women can do it; they are particularly suited for this need. But it's a choice.
To quote an ancient indigenous song, "Women of the earth, take courage. You carry the teaching of a people who look to you for guidance. Be mindful of your walk."
We are the ones we have been waiting for. It's time to step up. And yes, I'm speaking to you.
This article may be reprinted, reproduced, and/or re-distributed unedited with proper attribution and sourcing for non-profit, educational, news, or archival purposes.
Stephanie M. Schwartz may be reached at SilvrDrach@aol.com
View other publications of Stephanie M. Schwartz at
This email is not spam. You have received it because you have asked to be on my mailing list. If you no longer wish to receive emails from me, please just simply reply to the email with the word, "REMOVE", in the subject line. Many thanks.
Stephanie M. SchwartzFreelance Writer www.SilvrDrach.homestead.com Member, Native American Journalists Association (NAJA)President, Link Center Foundation www.LinkCenterFoundation.org
-----
Teresa Anahuyhttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/FirstPeoplesNews
Excerpted from the book, "An Old Woman Speaks" © 2009
By Stephanie M. Schwartz
Freelance Writer
Member, Native American Journalists Association (NAJA)
Published at www.SilvrDrach.homestead.com/Schwartz_2009_Jun_22.html
Today we are facing a new Era. The ancient Mayan culture speaks of this change, the ending of their old calendar in 2012, and the beginning of a new age. They, along with many other indigenous cultures, also speak that this coming time will be one of a more feminine nature, based in the heart.
But women in our modern world have a problem. Thus far, they have begun to become financially empowered and professionally empowered. Yet the most important need, for spiritual empowerment, has often been neglected or ignored.
Our world is already in the time of transition and it will be a difficult time until the new era blossoms into an age of peace and understanding. If our world is to survive, spiritually empowered women must take their place in helping. It's time for them to step up and step out. The time of hiding is over.
Most "aware" people know that it is necessary to heal our Grandmother Earth if we are to survive. However, it is equally as imperative to also heal each other through love, compassion, respect and, most of all, prayer. Prayers of the heart are one of the most powerful influences in the universe. Moreover, women also need to help men develop their own feminine aspects of gentleness and sensitivity, compassion, nurturing, and kindness. They need to help men learn to work from the heart.
If we don't do all of this, we can't help our planet and humanity risks extinction.
Women are powerful, truly powerful, with unique gifts that are far-reaching. That is why they have been considered a threat by so many male-dominated modern cultures and religious hierarchy. Women are especially tuned to walk in both the spiritual world and the mundane world. They are particularly adept at creating energy and change. Their great capacity for bonding has made them especially empathic and gifted at seeing and understanding past surface levels. Ultimately, their roles as caretakers and nurturers have opened their hearts and awareness to many levels of the universe. Their spiritual gifts can be profound.
Unfortunately, women have begun to lose that understanding of their gifts as they have grappled to survive in the callous societies of today. Many live tentative, cold, and fragmented lives as victims of violence, victims of unspeakable offenses against honor. Too often, their hearts and spirit have become uncertain and lost, awash in grief and fear. They have forgotten who they are. They have forgotten their original instructions as human beings and as women.
Yet, most indigenous cultures recognized the unique and powerful qualities of women. In many cultures they were revered and respected. In some, the entire societal structure was Matriarchal. In others, the special spiritual gifts of women were recognized and they were considered to be the nurturing connection to the Divine. Throughout the indigenous world, women often held the honored roles of leaders, advisors, or wisdom-keepers. Many times, they were also found as the community healer and seer, although in some cultures that was reserved for women in their post-menopausal years.
It was also fully recognized that a woman's moon-time, her period of menstruation, was her most powerful, albeit her most uncontrolled, time. More importantly, however, her moon-time was considered her own personal sacred ceremony, a time where she is quite literally shedding her blood for humanity, purging and purifying herself to make room for the creative energies and life to arrive.
Due to the sacredness of this, some indigenous cultures sequestered their women away from the village during their moon-time. This wasn't a banning or shunning as is popularly assumed today. This was a period of protection and rest from the duties of their very hard lives, a few days off each month. It was where they were waited upon by other women and served food they didn't have to cook themselves. It was also a time for reflection or sharing and bonding with other women. In short, it was a time of respect and honor and rest.
During this time, they also did not participate or go near any ceremony being conducted outside their seclusion. There was good reason for this. The main reason, very logical, is that it is never a good idea to cross ceremonies (start a ceremony while another one is in process). At best, it just all blows up and becomes so diluted into confusion that nothing happens for anyone. At worst, you can get some very crossed energies going with highly negative and chaotic results. Therefore, since the women were already in their own ceremony, it was highly unadvisable for them to go near anyone else's ceremony.
A secondary reason was simply the powerful but raw, uncontrolled energies that sometimes occur when a woman is on her moon-time. Few women know how to control it and that kind of energy is quite literally capable of blasting anyone and anything, intentionally or unintentionally. If you don't know what I mean then simply think of the last time you crossed a woman who was on her moon-time. It's not a pretty sight.
The ancient cultures all knew and understood these things. Unfortunately, the truth has often been lost along the way to modern times or misconstrued and twisted into untruth. Women have nearly forgotten their place in the Universe.
So it's time that women start looking at their power, their bodies, and their cycles with respect instead of as a "curse." It's vitally important that women choose to heal themselves and regain the understanding of their own unique gifts; to re-claim their own power and themselves. Then it will be up to each woman, her beliefs, and her Divine as how to best walk with it all.
It is said we are the sacred 7th generation. For our children and grandchildren, for the next 7 generations, for ourselves, it's time for women to harness their power and get to work helping to save our world. Women can do it; they are particularly suited for this need. But it's a choice.
To quote an ancient indigenous song, "Women of the earth, take courage. You carry the teaching of a people who look to you for guidance. Be mindful of your walk."
We are the ones we have been waiting for. It's time to step up. And yes, I'm speaking to you.
This article may be reprinted, reproduced, and/or re-distributed unedited with proper attribution and sourcing for non-profit, educational, news, or archival purposes.
Stephanie M. Schwartz may be reached at SilvrDrach@aol.com
View other publications of Stephanie M. Schwartz at
This email is not spam. You have received it because you have asked to be on my mailing list. If you no longer wish to receive emails from me, please just simply reply to the email with the word, "REMOVE", in the subject line. Many thanks.
Stephanie M. SchwartzFreelance Writer www.SilvrDrach.homestead.com Member, Native American Journalists Association (NAJA)President, Link Center Foundation www.LinkCenterFoundation.org
-----
Teresa Anahuyhttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/FirstPeoplesNews
Friday, June 19, 2009
BORDER GUARDS GONE - U.S. DRONES PATROL AKWESASNE MNN. June 18, 2009. Mohawks refuse to have guns. We wanted to keep our people safe. The Haudenosaunee and our allies are the custodians of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River watershed which we never surrendered. We are the “keepers of the Eastern Door” of Great Turtle Island. According to the Jay Treaty 1794 the US-Canada border is meant for the visitors, not for any Indigenous. The colonists can put whatever restrictions they can get away with on their own people. They can’t interfere with the inherent right of the Ongwehonwe to traverse our land free from harassment by the occupation forces. We will decide what kind of identification we will use to traverse our territory. The Canada and US border services agencies shut down their imaginary line on May 31 2009. Now they want to combine their border patrol on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River. Why did Canada want to put in this gun policy at Akwesasne knowing we would object? Border agents were encouraged to create a confrontation. We did not react and made no justification for the guns.The US and Canada know we are sovereign. It’s a nation-to-nation issue. Legally they have to go through the Governor General or US President to speak to us. It looks like Canada wanted to open the door for the US military to legally enter Canada. Canada’s Minister of Public Safety, Peter Van Loan, announced on June 18th that the US is going to fly unmanned predator drones over Akwesasne from Fort Drum near Watertown New York. These can accurately fire missiles at specific houses, buildings and even people, just like in Afghanistan and Pakistan. They can take pictures and listen to conversations 30 miles into Canada. The fake situation in Akwesasne is meant to justify this surveillance across the continent to spy on Canadians. Since we have been illegally declared as enemy combatants, they can take away our civil and human rights and fire any kind of missiles at us. They are doing this in Pakistan, violating their sovereignty. Conservative government’s reaction to our position has been violent. Tyendinaga Mohawks were attacked by what looked like military commandos. Why? A militia is now being set up in Caledonia to go after the Six Nations people. Presently they are unarmed and not in uniform. Ron Moran, president of the Customs and Immigration Union, said the majority of the guards have been advised not to return to work as long as the border crossing stays on Kawenoke, Cornwall Island. Not having guns could have adverse health effects. We are being used in a phony labor management dispute. It looks like the border guards are going to be removed and replaced by the military. Canada and Big Tobacco deliberately created the downward spiral of our community trying to bring us under trusteeship. We have been harassed, criminalized and can’t get jobs. We have been put in a helpless position and in personal debts of millions of dollars in bogus fines for as much as $50 million for conducting trade and commerce to feed our families. Big Tobacco of the UK does not want competitors. They took our ceremonial tobacco and turned it into a multi billion dollar business. Randy Hillier, Member of the Ontario Government, said on June 18, 2009, “The Mohawks only arrived in Canada after the American War of Independence and were granted reserves”. He doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Ontario, Toronto, Canada, Hochelaga and Donnacona are all Iroquois place names. He stated further that Prime Minister Stephen Harper can arm border guards if he wants to. He’s insinuating that we have no rights. He’s using anger at us to stir up votes to become the Ontario Conservative Party leader. Recent Federal Court of Canada orders bear out the plot. Two Mohawk women were brutally assaulted on June 14, 2008 at the Akwesasne border. They could not bring charges against the border guards unless they paid court costs. Prothonotary Mireille Tabib made an order on October 23, 2008 that Mohawks residing in Akwesasne and Kahnawake are not residents of Canada. Yet someone coming from South Africa, if assaulted, can lay criminal charges for free! The Canadian judicial system has made us persona non grata with no rights to be protected by their system like everybody else in the world. This violates the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Article 1. Crown agencies such as the RCMP, OPP, CBSA and the Attorney General of Canada have refused to investigate this crime. Subsequent orders supporting Tabib are: Judge Francois Lemieux on January 29, 2009; and Claude Morissette on March 16, 2009. [613-952-4238]. Is the incident at the border a pretext to show how the Canadian and US military and police are going to treat people? The siege and surveillance look like growing martial law. Laws have been passed to protect the military and police from anyone defending themselves from them. Cops can now sue their victims. The multinational corporations used this same tactic to shut down the environmentalists. Europe and the US are fighting over Canada’s resources. The Europeans have the money, but not the soldiers. They control the banks, car companies, mines, etc. The US has the bombs, soldiers, planes and war machinery. The US economy is now deflated and headed toward bankruptcy. Monied people bought up everything at low prices, like companies, houses, infrastructure, factories, and roads. The US is in hawk to the banksters, becoming a vassal state to Europe. Economically desperate US manpower can be used as mercenaries by the banksters for global conquest. This scheme was concocted a long time ago and being played out to bankrupt and create 350 million desperate poor US and Canadian people. Are the US and Canada trying to provoke and trap us Mohawks into defending ourselves just like the Palestinians so they can come in and do away with us first and then the rest later? Kahentinetha MNN Mohawk Nation News, www.mohawknationnews.com kahentinetha2@yahoo.com Note: Your financial help is needed and appreciated. Please send your donations by check or money order to “MNN Mohawk Nation News”, Box 991, Kahnawake [Quebec, Canada] J0L 1B0. Or go to PayPal on website. Nia:wen thank you very much. Go to MNN “BORDER” category for more stories; New MNN Books Available now! Purchase t-shirts, mugs and more at our CafePressStore http://www.cafepress.com/mohawknews; Subscribe to MNN for breaking news updates http://.mohawknationnews.com/news/subscription.php; Sign Women Title Holders petition! http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/Iroquois
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Share petition: Justice for the California Valley Miwok Tribe
Share by word of mouth!
You may use the link below to send to your friends or post in Instant Messengers.
http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/cvmtUCSD/
Share by word of mouth!
You may use the link below to send to your friends or post in Instant Messengers.
http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/cvmtUCSD/
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Constitutional Rights IssueApril 28th, 2009
“Trespass legal for government employees”
By Brenda Aplin
April 22, 2009
One of the saddest days for all Americans happened on April 21, 2009, when precedent was set in the Eighth Circuit Federal Court, Rapid City, SD. Judge Richard H. Battey sentenced Marc Wisecarver to 3 years in prison for protecting himself against a trespasser who had threatened Wisecarver’s life.
Eventually it became known that the trespasser, named Duke Bourne, was a soil conservation officer for the federal government, who said on the stand that he could go anywhere he wanted because he worked for the government.
On April 29, 2008, Bourne drove onto Wisecarver’s property, passed ‘No Trespass’ signs, ignored Wisecarver as he tried to get his attention, and proceeded to chase Wisecarver’s horses with a pickup truck. As the horses circled, Bourne continued to pursue them at a high speed in a tighter and tighter circle.
Wisecarver ran to his house and got a rifle. Firing a shot into the air, he was finally able to get Bourne’s attention. Bourne then turned his vehicle on Wisecarver as if to run him over. That’s when Wisecarver fired a round through the radiator aiming for the ground.
Bourne wasn’t scared. He jumped out of the truck and ran towards Wisecarver stating, “You shot my tire.” Wisecarver said “No, I shot your radiator and your trespassing so get off my property.” At no time did Bourne identify himself or what he was doing on Wisecarver’s property. After being order to leave because he was trespassing, Bourne walked off the property and Wisecarver called the police.
That evening, Wisecarver was arrested for discharging a firearm and destruction to government property. Bourne was never arrested or charged with anything because he was a federal soil conservation officer. Why would a soil conservation officer not identify himself, and why would he deliberately chase horses?
This incident happened on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. The Tribal Police Officer, Paul Forney, that evening arrested Wisecarver and said that he was ordered to arrest Marc by the Bureau of Indian AffairsSuperintendent, Robert Ecoffey, along with the Police Captain Milton Bianas and Police Chief Joe Herman or lose his job. Eventually, the charges of Discharging a Firearm and Demage to Government Property were dropped with prejudice in Tribal Court so the charges could not be brought up again. However, that didn’t please the BIA Superintendent so he had charges filed in Federal Court. That’s where the precedent was set that affects all Americans.
On Jan. 29, 2009, a jury immediately found Wisecarver innocent of assaulting a federal employee by reason of self-defense. However, the true assailant, the federal employee Duke Bourne, has never been charged with trespassing, or assault with a dangerous weapon, or attempted murder. This opens the gate for any government employee to assault any American citizen and not be held accountable.
Nevertheless, the Federal Judge Richard H. Battey ordered the jury to consider the destruction to the weapon, the pickup truck, as a charge separate from the acquittal of self-defense. How can blocking a weapon generate a criminal charge? The U.S. Constitution states that citizens have the right to protect themselves.
Of course, Wisecarver damaged the pickup truck. That was the only way he was going to stop Bourne from running over him, in the middle of the country where there were no witnesses. So the jury, under threat of contempt of court by Judge Richard Battey, found Wisecarver guilty of deprivation of government property. The same charge had already been dismissed in Tribal Court. Isn’t this double jeopardy?
On April 21, 2009, Judge Richard H. Battey sentenced Marc S. Wisecarver to three years in a federal prison plus three years supervised release for damage that was less then $2,400.
Wisecarver was trying to protect himself and his property. That is allowed under the U.S. Constitution. The Judge said that Bourne as a government official could go anywhere he wanted. This is where the danger starts for all American citizens. It used to be that only the police could enter property if a crime was being committed. Now, with this case, any government official: city, state, county, tribal, or federal, can enter a person’s property, and if that person tries to defend themselves, they could be sent to prison. The precedent has been set.
The criminal minded will relish this court decision. Even though some states, including South Dakota, have “castle protection laws” allowing a resident to use physical force to protect themselves and their property, which is also in the U.S. Constitution, this Battey ruling sets federal precedent and will impact state laws.
Wisecarver’s public defender is appealing the sentence. In the meantime, however long it takes for the appeal to overrule this judgment, the rest of the United States is wide open to the trespass by any government official, and help the poor soul who tries to defend himself or his property. He or she could get sentenced to three years in a federal prison. What damage has been done to the U.S. Constitution?
####
Brenda Aplin, Exeter, England, has been working with Native American people of the Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota, U.S.A for almost 7 years. She may be contacted at www.lakota-aid.co.uk
“Trespass legal for government employees”
By Brenda Aplin
April 22, 2009
One of the saddest days for all Americans happened on April 21, 2009, when precedent was set in the Eighth Circuit Federal Court, Rapid City, SD. Judge Richard H. Battey sentenced Marc Wisecarver to 3 years in prison for protecting himself against a trespasser who had threatened Wisecarver’s life.
Eventually it became known that the trespasser, named Duke Bourne, was a soil conservation officer for the federal government, who said on the stand that he could go anywhere he wanted because he worked for the government.
On April 29, 2008, Bourne drove onto Wisecarver’s property, passed ‘No Trespass’ signs, ignored Wisecarver as he tried to get his attention, and proceeded to chase Wisecarver’s horses with a pickup truck. As the horses circled, Bourne continued to pursue them at a high speed in a tighter and tighter circle.
Wisecarver ran to his house and got a rifle. Firing a shot into the air, he was finally able to get Bourne’s attention. Bourne then turned his vehicle on Wisecarver as if to run him over. That’s when Wisecarver fired a round through the radiator aiming for the ground.
Bourne wasn’t scared. He jumped out of the truck and ran towards Wisecarver stating, “You shot my tire.” Wisecarver said “No, I shot your radiator and your trespassing so get off my property.” At no time did Bourne identify himself or what he was doing on Wisecarver’s property. After being order to leave because he was trespassing, Bourne walked off the property and Wisecarver called the police.
That evening, Wisecarver was arrested for discharging a firearm and destruction to government property. Bourne was never arrested or charged with anything because he was a federal soil conservation officer. Why would a soil conservation officer not identify himself, and why would he deliberately chase horses?
This incident happened on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. The Tribal Police Officer, Paul Forney, that evening arrested Wisecarver and said that he was ordered to arrest Marc by the Bureau of Indian AffairsSuperintendent, Robert Ecoffey, along with the Police Captain Milton Bianas and Police Chief Joe Herman or lose his job. Eventually, the charges of Discharging a Firearm and Demage to Government Property were dropped with prejudice in Tribal Court so the charges could not be brought up again. However, that didn’t please the BIA Superintendent so he had charges filed in Federal Court. That’s where the precedent was set that affects all Americans.
On Jan. 29, 2009, a jury immediately found Wisecarver innocent of assaulting a federal employee by reason of self-defense. However, the true assailant, the federal employee Duke Bourne, has never been charged with trespassing, or assault with a dangerous weapon, or attempted murder. This opens the gate for any government employee to assault any American citizen and not be held accountable.
Nevertheless, the Federal Judge Richard H. Battey ordered the jury to consider the destruction to the weapon, the pickup truck, as a charge separate from the acquittal of self-defense. How can blocking a weapon generate a criminal charge? The U.S. Constitution states that citizens have the right to protect themselves.
Of course, Wisecarver damaged the pickup truck. That was the only way he was going to stop Bourne from running over him, in the middle of the country where there were no witnesses. So the jury, under threat of contempt of court by Judge Richard Battey, found Wisecarver guilty of deprivation of government property. The same charge had already been dismissed in Tribal Court. Isn’t this double jeopardy?
On April 21, 2009, Judge Richard H. Battey sentenced Marc S. Wisecarver to three years in a federal prison plus three years supervised release for damage that was less then $2,400.
Wisecarver was trying to protect himself and his property. That is allowed under the U.S. Constitution. The Judge said that Bourne as a government official could go anywhere he wanted. This is where the danger starts for all American citizens. It used to be that only the police could enter property if a crime was being committed. Now, with this case, any government official: city, state, county, tribal, or federal, can enter a person’s property, and if that person tries to defend themselves, they could be sent to prison. The precedent has been set.
The criminal minded will relish this court decision. Even though some states, including South Dakota, have “castle protection laws” allowing a resident to use physical force to protect themselves and their property, which is also in the U.S. Constitution, this Battey ruling sets federal precedent and will impact state laws.
Wisecarver’s public defender is appealing the sentence. In the meantime, however long it takes for the appeal to overrule this judgment, the rest of the United States is wide open to the trespass by any government official, and help the poor soul who tries to defend himself or his property. He or she could get sentenced to three years in a federal prison. What damage has been done to the U.S. Constitution?
####
Brenda Aplin, Exeter, England, has been working with Native American people of the Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota, U.S.A for almost 7 years. She may be contacted at www.lakota-aid.co.uk
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Chief Hicks Given 1st Annual Save The Sacred Sites AwardAt the Cherokee Day of Caring in Cherokee, N.C. at the dinner given that evening, Chief Michelle Hicks of the Eastern Band of Cherokee was given the 1st annual Save The Sacred Sites Alliance Award for leadership and strong and vocal support for the protection of the Iotla Site (with burials) near Franklin, N.C. Chief Hicks had been working all day long helping elders and was leaving to work some more on a garden for an elder when Sharon, the founder caught him on the run, and gave him the award. Save The sacred Sites Alliance thanks Chief Hicks, not only for the ancestors that are buried there, but also for fighting to keep this important part of Cherokee history from being destroyed.Dave for STSSA and our members, staff and board
Friday, June 12, 2009
Child Come Home!
A song of remembering, the ancients sing,
across the land, their voices ring,
calling, to their children there,
touch the earth, the sky, the wind
you will find, my prayer within.
So long ago, the knowledge was suppressed,
hidden away, laid to rest,
kept by so few, but treasured well,
passed along, in stories told,
secrets of, the days of old.
Tales of the misty past,
the beginnings, of human kind,
helped along, by the true first Peoples,
four legs, plants, finned, and feathered,
wise teachers, who shared their lessons.
For every child, who sat to listen,
laughter, tears, and love was given,
it all started, with Creator
filled with caring, and wanting to share it,
oh,woe, the human had no understanding.
In every land, there was beginning,
people there, connected to an earthly ribbon,
no fear, of reaching out in prayer,
of reveling, in every wonder,
or the honest love, in the kinship circle.
Now, those children every where
hear their names, whispered in the air,
calling you, to come home,
back to the places, you belong,
how your ancestors mourn, you do not know, where you belong.
Watch the eyes, of your brother man,
leave his color, from your mind,
see the yearning, of his heart,
and know, he does not know, just where to start,
as he stumbles, in the dark.
Torn away, from his true roots,
lost, and lonely, in this big world,
searching far, and near, reaching out, to shadows dancing,
just beyond his fingers reaching
can you not hear, his spirit wailing?
So much pain, and so much trouble,
but you can not take, what is not your own,
my way is not for you,
it is not unkindness, but compassion, that I feel,
but you must listen, if you would heal.
From where, my friend does your spirit hail,
from what plane, beyond the veil,
the sands, soil, and stones, of your homelands call,
and only there, will you find it all,
only there, will lift the pall.
You grasp, at this, and that,
trying to find, that perfect fit,
then, when you have it in your hands,
it turns to dust, it was not yours,
and still, you hear that distant voice, that sultry call.
Like the sirens, of the seas,
whispered torture, in your veins,
pulling you, in a million pieces
never resting, for your spirit,
calling, calling, child come home!
granny
we "cry" freedom,when in truth we beg for chains
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Tears from the Heart!
She sat on her heels, rocking gently
back, and forth,
soft, sweet lullaby ,surrounding her,
and the tiny child, she holds close.
The riders, who came upon the scene
were touched, so deeply inside,
a picture of love, that words can never speak,
and no painting, ever capture.
Too late they saw, for warning,
though that was their intent,
the village was destroyed,
the woman, the only living thing in sight.
Torn down, or burning,
were the lodges, of the families who lived here,
trampled, and leveled
the crops, they had planted with such care.
Bodies, were strewn, like carelessly broken toys,
bloody scene of war,
where once, peace had walked,
shocked surprise, was there, on every face upon the ground.
A little boy, of maybe three, lay as if sleeping,
but when they looked closely,
his ears, and thumbs ,were missing,
even the hardest warrior, was sickened.
Madness, was the only word their unbelieving minds, accepted,
there is no way, a sane human,
would do these things, to another human,
especially children.
Quietly, they approached the woman,
wondering how she, had escaped the slaughter,
near her, lay the body of an older woman,
bone splattered scull, exploded by a bullet.
As they came closer, they saw she was blood covered,
all down her front, ran the blood,
of the baby she was holding,
the side of his tiny, perfect head, was missing.
Days it took, to calm her down,
and hear, of the horror,
she had been in the woman's place, when the screaming started,
afraid to leave, afraid to stay, but she needed to find her baby.
Her mother, had her baby, who was two months old
and had been bringing him for feeding,
when the settlers rode them down,
and killed them.
These men, had been here before,
and told those who lived here, they must move,
these lands were theirs, "they said",
given to them, for service to their country.
You must go away,
by order of the Great White Father,
our war against the English, has been won
and these lands, are our payment.
Our headman, stood against them,
told them they were mistaken,
our people, have lived on these lands forever,
they were given, by Creator.
Angry, and yelling, faces red, with frustration,
they swore, they would return,
and the soldiers,
would clear the way, for their families.
She looked at her kin, as they stood, and listened,
how, can they take our homes, and kill our people,
who gave the right, to do this,
to their Great White Father?
as told by my grandmother
granny
http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/custom/portlets/recordDetails/detailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=ED276552&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=no&accno=ED276552
http://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/tserve/nattrans/ntecoindian/essays/indianremovalf.htm
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07747a.htm
http://academic.udayton.edu/race/06hrights/georegions/northamerica/UnitedStates02.htm
http://gbgm-umc.org/UMW/Joshua/manifest.html
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4p2959.html
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4p2959.html
http://www.telusplanet.net/public/dgarneau/indian23.htm
http://www.nativeweb.org/resources/history/united_states/1700s_through_1800s/
She sat on her heels, rocking gently
back, and forth,
soft, sweet lullaby ,surrounding her,
and the tiny child, she holds close.
The riders, who came upon the scene
were touched, so deeply inside,
a picture of love, that words can never speak,
and no painting, ever capture.
Too late they saw, for warning,
though that was their intent,
the village was destroyed,
the woman, the only living thing in sight.
Torn down, or burning,
were the lodges, of the families who lived here,
trampled, and leveled
the crops, they had planted with such care.
Bodies, were strewn, like carelessly broken toys,
bloody scene of war,
where once, peace had walked,
shocked surprise, was there, on every face upon the ground.
A little boy, of maybe three, lay as if sleeping,
but when they looked closely,
his ears, and thumbs ,were missing,
even the hardest warrior, was sickened.
Madness, was the only word their unbelieving minds, accepted,
there is no way, a sane human,
would do these things, to another human,
especially children.
Quietly, they approached the woman,
wondering how she, had escaped the slaughter,
near her, lay the body of an older woman,
bone splattered scull, exploded by a bullet.
As they came closer, they saw she was blood covered,
all down her front, ran the blood,
of the baby she was holding,
the side of his tiny, perfect head, was missing.
Days it took, to calm her down,
and hear, of the horror,
she had been in the woman's place, when the screaming started,
afraid to leave, afraid to stay, but she needed to find her baby.
Her mother, had her baby, who was two months old
and had been bringing him for feeding,
when the settlers rode them down,
and killed them.
These men, had been here before,
and told those who lived here, they must move,
these lands were theirs, "they said",
given to them, for service to their country.
You must go away,
by order of the Great White Father,
our war against the English, has been won
and these lands, are our payment.
Our headman, stood against them,
told them they were mistaken,
our people, have lived on these lands forever,
they were given, by Creator.
Angry, and yelling, faces red, with frustration,
they swore, they would return,
and the soldiers,
would clear the way, for their families.
She looked at her kin, as they stood, and listened,
how, can they take our homes, and kill our people,
who gave the right, to do this,
to their Great White Father?
as told by my grandmother
granny
http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/custom/portlets/recordDetails/detailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=ED276552&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=no&accno=ED276552
http://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/tserve/nattrans/ntecoindian/essays/indianremovalf.htm
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07747a.htm
http://academic.udayton.edu/race/06hrights/georegions/northamerica/UnitedStates02.htm
http://gbgm-umc.org/UMW/Joshua/manifest.html
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4p2959.html
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4p2959.html
http://www.telusplanet.net/public/dgarneau/indian23.htm
http://www.nativeweb.org/resources/history/united_states/1700s_through_1800s/
The Children Fell!
Echo, rolled across the valley,
voice of the cannon harsh, and deadly,
ripping into Mother Earth,
sending death with every splinter,
and the children fell.
Air, thick with gun powder,
smoke rolling, with sounds of thunder,
village laid bare, and bloody
there was no time, to give a warning,
and the children fell.
Sounds of chaos, fill the Nation,
sea, to sea, the lands are calling,
of the Peoples, few, are left standing,
just a memory, a ghost who whispers,
and the children fell.
A way of life, callously ended,
a better way ,than what they are bringing,
a deep respect, for all that's living
lost, in the history of challenge,
and the children fell.
Told to change, or face the barrel,
forced, to leave their hearts behind them,
pushed, and shoved, lied, and tied,
burned, in the Phoenix ashes,
and the children fell.
Truth, hidden from themselves,
so many lies, they now live them,
so many words, without meaning,
there is no base but clay, on which they are building,
and the children fell.
Gold, and land, furs, and blankets,
beads, rolled in their fingers,
mouths, full of honeyed sweetness,
minds filled with greed, and hatred,
and the children fell.
Sunrise, bloody skies,
match the lands, of my ancestors,
mourning cries, go unanswered
howling pain, our hearts are battered,
and the children fell.
It is done, and we are slaughtered,
too many dead, for the counting;
still, their blood thirst is unabated,
and they call it, Freedoms Spirit,
and the children fell.
Marched into the West,
shipped to the East, places changed,
Peoples displaced, confusion reigns,
and they buy into it,
and the children fell.
Trail blazed, with broken bodies,
old ones, men, women, it did not matter;
they needed someplace, to hide their shame from sight,
and so they watched
as the children fell!
granny
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Ticci Man Project:
Native American Project Gaining Major Celebrity Supports
In an effort to raise awareness for lingering racism and equality issues in Hollywood for Native Americans, Ticci Man Project is gathering hundreds of stars and dignitaries together and showcasing the world's best talent from Native America with all charity proceeds benefiting several aspects of the native community.
Los Angeles, CA, June 09, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Ticci Man Project (TMP) is racking up major star power in an effort to raise respect, value, and equality for Native Americans in Hollywood. Among its quickly growing celebrity supporter list is comedian-actor Tim Allen of television's "Home Improvement" fame."We are bringing fun and excitement to Hollywood toward celebrating Native America-we want the industry and world to see what it's been missing by all but excluding Native Americans as we raise stereotyping awareness. Mr. Allen, like so many Hollywood celebrities, is a true humanitarian who wants to help benefit millions of Native people by simply celebrating them and their culture in a positive and fun way while raising awareness-how cool is that," said project sponsor Kon Ticci International president Zelan Bonn.Proclaimed by the L.A. Times as the most famous Indian since Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse, Native American actor-activist Russell Means recently signed on as celebrity spokesperson. Means will be meeting with prominent leaders across Native America toward gaining major tribal, leadership, and financial supports."This is right up my alley. This is what Native America has been hoping for and needing for a long time and I am proud to be a key part of this project on behalf of all Native Americans. I thank everyone in Hollywood who are showing their support toward aiding Native Americans to find greater equality and voice in this industry and in America," said Means. "This is going to help in many ways still unimaginable to most of us."Native producer-director-actor Georgina Lightning, known for her work in Ghosts from the Heartland and shows like West Wing, has also agreed to take on the role of official spokesperson for the project."We still have some strong racism and discrimination issues in Hollywoo d for Native Americans and I love the idea this project will draw some awareness for that through a positively charged series of events that showcase just how great and talented Native Americans are-kudos to all the warm hearted Hollywood celebrities generously pitching in to help both Native Americans and our industry toward redemption-this just shows how great our celebrity class really is," said Lightning. "You have no idea how much this project means to Native Americans-that the celebrity class in Hollywood is trying to help us now."The crown jewel event is TMP's Celebrity Festival For Native America, a glamorous red carpet theater, film, award event that will feature some of the best talent Native America has to offer. A star studded audience is expected to include a variety of world dignitaries starting with President Obama and New Mexico's Governor Bill Richardson.A key component of the Native talent showcasing aspect is the upcoming "Koto and the Ticci Man" film and "Ticci Man" network series that will feature the first ever Indian superhero portrayed by a Native American. Imajilan PicturesT has pledged a portion of all proceeds to TMP. The entertainment projects already have a growing fan base in over 23 countries, say producers."Americans and Indians both want to see an iconic, modern-day Indian hero-and Native people of the globe want to see if Hollywood will support them in their fight for greater equality and voice," said producer David Skinner. "It's a very fun and exciting time to be a Hollywood celebrity, to be able to so easily demonstrate humanitarian support for American Indians, and even global Natives, without having to leave home."At last count, TMP has invited over 270 celebrities to endorse support for the project toward a show of Hollywood solidarity in aiding Native Americans find more social and industry equality. Those endorsing will receive coveted invitations to the exclusive Celebrity Festival charity event where seats are expected to range from $2,5 00 to as much as $10,000."We're going to have some unique and rare entertainment from Native America that most people never have the privilege to witness-really a once in a lifetime treat for those lucky enough to attend," said Tom Bee, entertainment coordinator. "These top performers will give all their hearts to this because it means so much for all Native Americans that Hollywood is finally helping them gain industry respect," he said.Current plans are to hold the event in late summer or early fall in the famed Kodak Theater but have not been formalized as yet. All proceeds benefit TMP's line-up of Native America aid projects, including language preservation, museum and cultural center assistance, media and film scholarship programs, Native cultures road show, and more.A major Native American art contest will culminate in bringing one lucky winner to Hollywood to paint a wall-sized edition of the winning entry. A week of invitation only celebrity photo-shoots and art signings will culminate with the historical painting being permanently housed in the newly built American Indian Museum and Cultural Center in Oklahoma-celebrity signatures will be on display for generations and officially cemented in Hollywood, Native American, and US history books."This is a very high honor that is being bestowed on select Hollywood celebrities from the Native American community and perspective so it should be given the weight and dignity it deserves," said Means. "This is a great honor for everyone involved and shows how far both Hollywood and Native America have progressed toward coming together."Other TMP events include a charity auction and gourmet diner that will include sample taste-treat dishes of authentic Native American cuisine and various authentic crafted gifts and prizes.The heart-warming project is designed toward making amends for 100 years of film and television racism and discrimination that was once plied on Native Americans, focusing instead on celebrating the b eauty of Native America. Donations can be made online. Learn more at: www.ticciman.com / www.konticci.org.Company Information: The Ticci Man Project is hosted by Kon Ticci International, a pending 501 (c) (3) nonprofit based in San Diego, CA, lead by president Zelan Bonn with key advisors Roger Peterson, CPA and Russell Means, Georgina Lightning, and a growing volunteer staff.
Contact Information
Ticci Man ProjectZelan Bonn323 952-3914tmp@ticciman.com www.ticciman.com Russell Means, Chief Spokesperson 575 421-0046 / treaty@plateautel.net
Receive press releases from Ticci Man Project: By Email
www.pr.com/press-release/157424
-----
Teresa Anahuyhttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/FirstPeoplesNews
Native American Project Gaining Major Celebrity Supports
In an effort to raise awareness for lingering racism and equality issues in Hollywood for Native Americans, Ticci Man Project is gathering hundreds of stars and dignitaries together and showcasing the world's best talent from Native America with all charity proceeds benefiting several aspects of the native community.
Los Angeles, CA, June 09, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Ticci Man Project (TMP) is racking up major star power in an effort to raise respect, value, and equality for Native Americans in Hollywood. Among its quickly growing celebrity supporter list is comedian-actor Tim Allen of television's "Home Improvement" fame."We are bringing fun and excitement to Hollywood toward celebrating Native America-we want the industry and world to see what it's been missing by all but excluding Native Americans as we raise stereotyping awareness. Mr. Allen, like so many Hollywood celebrities, is a true humanitarian who wants to help benefit millions of Native people by simply celebrating them and their culture in a positive and fun way while raising awareness-how cool is that," said project sponsor Kon Ticci International president Zelan Bonn.Proclaimed by the L.A. Times as the most famous Indian since Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse, Native American actor-activist Russell Means recently signed on as celebrity spokesperson. Means will be meeting with prominent leaders across Native America toward gaining major tribal, leadership, and financial supports."This is right up my alley. This is what Native America has been hoping for and needing for a long time and I am proud to be a key part of this project on behalf of all Native Americans. I thank everyone in Hollywood who are showing their support toward aiding Native Americans to find greater equality and voice in this industry and in America," said Means. "This is going to help in many ways still unimaginable to most of us."Native producer-director-actor Georgina Lightning, known for her work in Ghosts from the Heartland and shows like West Wing, has also agreed to take on the role of official spokesperson for the project."We still have some strong racism and discrimination issues in Hollywoo d for Native Americans and I love the idea this project will draw some awareness for that through a positively charged series of events that showcase just how great and talented Native Americans are-kudos to all the warm hearted Hollywood celebrities generously pitching in to help both Native Americans and our industry toward redemption-this just shows how great our celebrity class really is," said Lightning. "You have no idea how much this project means to Native Americans-that the celebrity class in Hollywood is trying to help us now."The crown jewel event is TMP's Celebrity Festival For Native America, a glamorous red carpet theater, film, award event that will feature some of the best talent Native America has to offer. A star studded audience is expected to include a variety of world dignitaries starting with President Obama and New Mexico's Governor Bill Richardson.A key component of the Native talent showcasing aspect is the upcoming "Koto and the Ticci Man" film and "Ticci Man" network series that will feature the first ever Indian superhero portrayed by a Native American. Imajilan PicturesT has pledged a portion of all proceeds to TMP. The entertainment projects already have a growing fan base in over 23 countries, say producers."Americans and Indians both want to see an iconic, modern-day Indian hero-and Native people of the globe want to see if Hollywood will support them in their fight for greater equality and voice," said producer David Skinner. "It's a very fun and exciting time to be a Hollywood celebrity, to be able to so easily demonstrate humanitarian support for American Indians, and even global Natives, without having to leave home."At last count, TMP has invited over 270 celebrities to endorse support for the project toward a show of Hollywood solidarity in aiding Native Americans find more social and industry equality. Those endorsing will receive coveted invitations to the exclusive Celebrity Festival charity event where seats are expected to range from $2,5 00 to as much as $10,000."We're going to have some unique and rare entertainment from Native America that most people never have the privilege to witness-really a once in a lifetime treat for those lucky enough to attend," said Tom Bee, entertainment coordinator. "These top performers will give all their hearts to this because it means so much for all Native Americans that Hollywood is finally helping them gain industry respect," he said.Current plans are to hold the event in late summer or early fall in the famed Kodak Theater but have not been formalized as yet. All proceeds benefit TMP's line-up of Native America aid projects, including language preservation, museum and cultural center assistance, media and film scholarship programs, Native cultures road show, and more.A major Native American art contest will culminate in bringing one lucky winner to Hollywood to paint a wall-sized edition of the winning entry. A week of invitation only celebrity photo-shoots and art signings will culminate with the historical painting being permanently housed in the newly built American Indian Museum and Cultural Center in Oklahoma-celebrity signatures will be on display for generations and officially cemented in Hollywood, Native American, and US history books."This is a very high honor that is being bestowed on select Hollywood celebrities from the Native American community and perspective so it should be given the weight and dignity it deserves," said Means. "This is a great honor for everyone involved and shows how far both Hollywood and Native America have progressed toward coming together."Other TMP events include a charity auction and gourmet diner that will include sample taste-treat dishes of authentic Native American cuisine and various authentic crafted gifts and prizes.The heart-warming project is designed toward making amends for 100 years of film and television racism and discrimination that was once plied on Native Americans, focusing instead on celebrating the b eauty of Native America. Donations can be made online. Learn more at: www.ticciman.com / www.konticci.org.Company Information: The Ticci Man Project is hosted by Kon Ticci International, a pending 501 (c) (3) nonprofit based in San Diego, CA, lead by president Zelan Bonn with key advisors Roger Peterson, CPA and Russell Means, Georgina Lightning, and a growing volunteer staff.
Contact Information
Ticci Man ProjectZelan Bonn323 952-3914tmp@ticciman.com www.ticciman.com Russell Means, Chief Spokesperson 575 421-0046 / treaty@plateautel.net
Receive press releases from Ticci Man Project: By Email
www.pr.com/press-release/157424
-----
Teresa Anahuyhttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/FirstPeoplesNews
Monday, June 08, 2009
ATTN NEWS DESK – NEWS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 6th, 2009
Contact: Klee Benally, Save the Peaks Coalition
(928) 380-2629 coalition@savethepeaks.org www.savethepeaks.org
Supreme Court Affirms Tribes Have No Religious Rights,Tribes and others Call For Congressional Action to Protect Sacred Places
Flagstaff, AZ -- On Monday, June 8th 2009, the Supreme Court denied the petition by Tribes & Environmental groups to hear the case to protect the holy San Francisco Peaks.
For nearly a decade, the Save the Peaks Coalition, Tribes, Environmental groups, and community members lead an effort to stop the Snowbowl ski area’s plan to expand it’s development on the Peaks, and make snow from treated sewage effluent. The ski resort operates on the Holy Mountain through a lease by the United States Forest Service, which sanctioned the proposed development in 2004.
This is the second time that a petition for the protection of the San Francisco Peaks has been denied by the Supreme Court.
According to Howard Shanker, attorney for the Navajo Nation, the Havasupai Tribe, the Yavapai-Apache Nation, the White Mountain Apache Tribe, Flagstaff Activist Network, the Center for Biological Diversity and others, and former congressional candidate: “It is unfortunate that the Supreme Court denied our petition for certiorari. The Court’s denial serves to perpetuate injustice and the application of bad law regarding the rights of Native Americans to protect sacred and holy sites. It is, however safe to say that as long as the San Francisco Peaks remain, there will be people willing to continue the struggle to protect the Peaks and to honor the beliefs and cultures of those peoples who hold them sacred.”
“The Supreme Court’s denial of certiorari in the Navajo Nation case is unfortunate to say the least.” Stated Jack Trope of the Association on American Indian Affairs who is working together with DNA Legal Services, representing the Hualapai Tribe, Navajo medicine practitioner Norris Nez and Hopi spiritual practitioner Bill Preston. “It means that the San Francisco Peaks, sacred to so many tribes, will continue to be at great risk from the development approved by the Forest Service that allows treated sewage water to be used for snowmaking. It also means that the Ninth Circuit’s narrow interpretation of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) – an interpretation which in practice will make that law virtually unavailable to protect sacred lands in the states covered by the Ninth Circuit – will stand.”
According to the previous ruling of the en banc panel of the 9th Circuit, "the only effect of the proposed upgrades is on the Plaintiffs' subjective, emotional religious experience. That is, the presence of recycled wastewater on the Peaks is offensive to the Plaintiffs' religious sensibilities…the diminishment of spiritual fulfillment – serious though it may be – is not a 'substantial burden' on the free exercise of religion." The Court dismissed Plaintiffs' religious beliefs as calling them mere "damaged spiritual feelings." Regrettably, the Supreme Court’s refusal to hear the case leaves the en banc panel’s decision in place as the law in the Ninth Circuit.
“The Navajo Nation cannot express enough disappointment and disapproval.” Said Navajo Nation Council Speaker Lawrence T. Morgan. “Navajo people understand Dook’o’ooslid, the San Francisco Peaks, to be a significant relative that we attribute value, concern and meaning to as anyone else would to a mother, father or grandparent. It is very unfortunate that our non-native relatives do not realize the seriousness of their decisions.”
Don Watahomigie, Chairman of the Havasupai Tribe stated, “Where do native people stand now in relation to our govt to govt relationship with the federal govt when laws passed like RFRA, airfa and NAGPRA don't hold water? If this goes on this will be a precedent for other developments to start on other spiritual sacred lands anywhere in the country. I call on other tribal leaders to work together to find a way to create laws to hold water and protect the sacred.”
“The Supreme Court, the Forest Service, and the Flagstaff City Council have all failed us.” Stated Jeneda Benally of the Save the Peaks Coalition. “In this day and age, we are still denied our basic civil and human rights by the U.S. government. We have no guarantee for the protection of our religious freedom. This case was important to insure religious freedom in the United States of America. Our own courts have failed the American people once again.”
“This is nothing new. The Supreme Court is deflecting its responsibilities toward indigenous people all over the country.” Stated Carly Long, President of the Board of Directors of the Flagstaff Activist Network, a plaintiff in the case. “Indigenous people and their allies need to stand up in the wake of this injustice and demand more from the US government. It is high time Congress stepped in with legislation to protect Native rights and sacred sites.”
“This is a setback, but it is not the end. The Obama Administration still has the authority to stop this development and develop policies to ensure that future decisions are more respectful of sacred sites.” stated Jack F. Trope, Executive Director, Association on American Indian Affairs. “Moreover, other circuits like the Tenth Circuit have interpreted RFRA more broadly and efforts to use that law to protect other sacred places will continue. Finally, the struggle over the San Francisco Peaks and the failure of RFRA to protect this sacred place ought to send the message to Congress that it is time for the lawmakers to approve legislation that would strengthen applicable law so that it will better protect Native American sacred places across the country.”
“As one of the plaintiffs in this case, I talk with Hopi elders, they have been telling me that they are tired of white men making decisions without coming to Hopi to tell us.” Stated Bucky Preston, a Hopi spiritual runner and plaintiff in the case. “A government is run by human beings and we are not above one another as humans. We are all equal. If we want good lives, consultation should be humans coming together by consensus. This is the Hopi way and this has never happened. We need to respect life and this can’t be done with this kind of consultation. True consultation has yet to be seen at Hopi. I remember that Obama told the Crow people that he would be thinking of Indian People every day. I point to him now and call upon him to come to Hopi in true consultation to resolve this matter with the true Hopi elders from our villages.” Stated Bucky Preston.
“This case goes far beyond the interests of a single for-profit private business. Our traditional cultural teachings compel us to continue to fight Snowbowl’s attempts at expansion and snowmaking with treated sewage on this Holy Mountain.” Stated Klee Benally of the Save the Peaks Coalition. “We will continue our work to protect the sensitive mountain ecosystem and public health. Our way of life is in peril. We will continue to pray and struggle to safeguard mother earth for our cultural survival.
Navajo Nation Speaker Lawrence T. Morgan stated, “If we stop here, we are short changing ourselves, we have to stand our ground and continue the fight for the protection of our sacred sites,” he added. “We cannot allow the flood gates to open even further. It is extremely important to seek all means of legal remedies, these decisions will impact future generations, it is imperative that we seek a decision in our favor.”
For more information and background please visit: www.savethepeaks.org
###
In peace & solidarity,Tamra Brennanwww.NDNnews.comwww.protectsacredsites.orgwww.protectbearbutte.com
PROTECT BEAR BUTTE!
"Providing news and information about Native American Issues & Causes""Helping to make a difference for our people in Indian Country, one day at a time. What will you do today to help make a difference?" "Our sacred lands are all that remain keeping us connected to our place on Mother Earth, to our spirituality, our heritage and our lands; what’s left of them. If they take it all away, what will remain except a vague memory of a past so forgotten?" ......excerpt from One Nation, One Land, One People by Tamra Brennan, 2006
June 6th, 2009
Contact: Klee Benally, Save the Peaks Coalition
(928) 380-2629 coalition@savethepeaks.org www.savethepeaks.org
Supreme Court Affirms Tribes Have No Religious Rights,Tribes and others Call For Congressional Action to Protect Sacred Places
Flagstaff, AZ -- On Monday, June 8th 2009, the Supreme Court denied the petition by Tribes & Environmental groups to hear the case to protect the holy San Francisco Peaks.
For nearly a decade, the Save the Peaks Coalition, Tribes, Environmental groups, and community members lead an effort to stop the Snowbowl ski area’s plan to expand it’s development on the Peaks, and make snow from treated sewage effluent. The ski resort operates on the Holy Mountain through a lease by the United States Forest Service, which sanctioned the proposed development in 2004.
This is the second time that a petition for the protection of the San Francisco Peaks has been denied by the Supreme Court.
According to Howard Shanker, attorney for the Navajo Nation, the Havasupai Tribe, the Yavapai-Apache Nation, the White Mountain Apache Tribe, Flagstaff Activist Network, the Center for Biological Diversity and others, and former congressional candidate: “It is unfortunate that the Supreme Court denied our petition for certiorari. The Court’s denial serves to perpetuate injustice and the application of bad law regarding the rights of Native Americans to protect sacred and holy sites. It is, however safe to say that as long as the San Francisco Peaks remain, there will be people willing to continue the struggle to protect the Peaks and to honor the beliefs and cultures of those peoples who hold them sacred.”
“The Supreme Court’s denial of certiorari in the Navajo Nation case is unfortunate to say the least.” Stated Jack Trope of the Association on American Indian Affairs who is working together with DNA Legal Services, representing the Hualapai Tribe, Navajo medicine practitioner Norris Nez and Hopi spiritual practitioner Bill Preston. “It means that the San Francisco Peaks, sacred to so many tribes, will continue to be at great risk from the development approved by the Forest Service that allows treated sewage water to be used for snowmaking. It also means that the Ninth Circuit’s narrow interpretation of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) – an interpretation which in practice will make that law virtually unavailable to protect sacred lands in the states covered by the Ninth Circuit – will stand.”
According to the previous ruling of the en banc panel of the 9th Circuit, "the only effect of the proposed upgrades is on the Plaintiffs' subjective, emotional religious experience. That is, the presence of recycled wastewater on the Peaks is offensive to the Plaintiffs' religious sensibilities…the diminishment of spiritual fulfillment – serious though it may be – is not a 'substantial burden' on the free exercise of religion." The Court dismissed Plaintiffs' religious beliefs as calling them mere "damaged spiritual feelings." Regrettably, the Supreme Court’s refusal to hear the case leaves the en banc panel’s decision in place as the law in the Ninth Circuit.
“The Navajo Nation cannot express enough disappointment and disapproval.” Said Navajo Nation Council Speaker Lawrence T. Morgan. “Navajo people understand Dook’o’ooslid, the San Francisco Peaks, to be a significant relative that we attribute value, concern and meaning to as anyone else would to a mother, father or grandparent. It is very unfortunate that our non-native relatives do not realize the seriousness of their decisions.”
Don Watahomigie, Chairman of the Havasupai Tribe stated, “Where do native people stand now in relation to our govt to govt relationship with the federal govt when laws passed like RFRA, airfa and NAGPRA don't hold water? If this goes on this will be a precedent for other developments to start on other spiritual sacred lands anywhere in the country. I call on other tribal leaders to work together to find a way to create laws to hold water and protect the sacred.”
“The Supreme Court, the Forest Service, and the Flagstaff City Council have all failed us.” Stated Jeneda Benally of the Save the Peaks Coalition. “In this day and age, we are still denied our basic civil and human rights by the U.S. government. We have no guarantee for the protection of our religious freedom. This case was important to insure religious freedom in the United States of America. Our own courts have failed the American people once again.”
“This is nothing new. The Supreme Court is deflecting its responsibilities toward indigenous people all over the country.” Stated Carly Long, President of the Board of Directors of the Flagstaff Activist Network, a plaintiff in the case. “Indigenous people and their allies need to stand up in the wake of this injustice and demand more from the US government. It is high time Congress stepped in with legislation to protect Native rights and sacred sites.”
“This is a setback, but it is not the end. The Obama Administration still has the authority to stop this development and develop policies to ensure that future decisions are more respectful of sacred sites.” stated Jack F. Trope, Executive Director, Association on American Indian Affairs. “Moreover, other circuits like the Tenth Circuit have interpreted RFRA more broadly and efforts to use that law to protect other sacred places will continue. Finally, the struggle over the San Francisco Peaks and the failure of RFRA to protect this sacred place ought to send the message to Congress that it is time for the lawmakers to approve legislation that would strengthen applicable law so that it will better protect Native American sacred places across the country.”
“As one of the plaintiffs in this case, I talk with Hopi elders, they have been telling me that they are tired of white men making decisions without coming to Hopi to tell us.” Stated Bucky Preston, a Hopi spiritual runner and plaintiff in the case. “A government is run by human beings and we are not above one another as humans. We are all equal. If we want good lives, consultation should be humans coming together by consensus. This is the Hopi way and this has never happened. We need to respect life and this can’t be done with this kind of consultation. True consultation has yet to be seen at Hopi. I remember that Obama told the Crow people that he would be thinking of Indian People every day. I point to him now and call upon him to come to Hopi in true consultation to resolve this matter with the true Hopi elders from our villages.” Stated Bucky Preston.
“This case goes far beyond the interests of a single for-profit private business. Our traditional cultural teachings compel us to continue to fight Snowbowl’s attempts at expansion and snowmaking with treated sewage on this Holy Mountain.” Stated Klee Benally of the Save the Peaks Coalition. “We will continue our work to protect the sensitive mountain ecosystem and public health. Our way of life is in peril. We will continue to pray and struggle to safeguard mother earth for our cultural survival.
Navajo Nation Speaker Lawrence T. Morgan stated, “If we stop here, we are short changing ourselves, we have to stand our ground and continue the fight for the protection of our sacred sites,” he added. “We cannot allow the flood gates to open even further. It is extremely important to seek all means of legal remedies, these decisions will impact future generations, it is imperative that we seek a decision in our favor.”
For more information and background please visit: www.savethepeaks.org
###
In peace & solidarity,Tamra Brennanwww.NDNnews.comwww.protectsacredsites.orgwww.protectbearbutte.com
PROTECT BEAR BUTTE!
"Providing news and information about Native American Issues & Causes""Helping to make a difference for our people in Indian Country, one day at a time. What will you do today to help make a difference?" "Our sacred lands are all that remain keeping us connected to our place on Mother Earth, to our spirituality, our heritage and our lands; what’s left of them. If they take it all away, what will remain except a vague memory of a past so forgotten?" ......excerpt from One Nation, One Land, One People by Tamra Brennan, 2006
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