|
American Native News
information about American Native people. If you have a story, or press release, that you wish to have considered, you may send it to tahtonka.com
As a result of the many vital issues in the news recently, it was necessary to create a special forum for them. This new page, Issues, will address some of the more urgent stories, events and issues, from around American Native country today.
March 5, 2008 A great military honor was bestowed on a remarkable Lakota soldier recently and it has left many in this country questioning why this overdue action by the US Government was shamefully delayed for over twenty years. Please read the story about Sgt. Woodrow Wilson Keeble: First Lakota to receive Medal of Honor November 26, 2007 A disturbing, though not unusual, story was on our local news this morning about the Seminole Tribe of Florida. In similar pattern as other Native Nations, it appears that Seminole Tribal Leaders have directed a large portion of about $280 million of their Gambling proceeds towards spoiling themselves and their families, while the rest of the Tribe wonders where their share is. This news today would be much more upsetting if this same behavior had not previously occurred with other Nations. From the West Coast to New England, Gambling and Casinos frequently come with dangerous consequences for poor American Indians who suddenly acquire vast fortunes with little, if any, experience in managing such an overwhelming sum of money. Read the whole story here: Seminole Leaders Spending Lavishly November 22, 2007 It is with great regret that this is posted so very long after the fact of the death of this American Native in Iraq. The story of this young Lakota Warrior is here: June 2007 A Bison Update....... This letter was received this morning and is presented here without editing or alteration.
Dear Buffalo Friends, May 2007 This news was only received this morning and is unsubstantiated. It is being reported that today in Montana, Bison calves will be slaughtered. If others have proof or know this to be factual, a confirmation of this unforgivable, senseless act would be gratefully appreciated. There are Native persons all across this country who have repeatedly begged for unwanted or threatened Bison of any age to be released to them. To my knowledge, few, if any, have ever received them.
April 2007 After 2 years of "no idea who's really in charge", the BIA has a new leader. Following 2 sad, confusing years of non-Natives running the BIA, it is now finally back in the hands of Native people again. The new man at the top is Carl Artman an Oneida from Wisconsin. Here's hoping that he gets the support he needs to do a job filled with the ugly truth that is the definition of the BIA: trying to help Native people in a white political world. December 2006 The Seminole Tribe of Florida recently purchased the Hard Rock Cafe/Casino chain, continuing the struggle in this country of Native peoples to free themselves of the tainted grip of Casino and gambling organizations. I am in a minority, I know, who believes that any money that comes as a result of a Casino and Native union comes at the expense and anguish of the Ancestors who most certainly would barely recognize their children's children and the new kind of culture that has arisen on those Reservations with Casinos. The tear stained, shamed faces of the grandfathers should impel us into shunning those whose sole objective is gambling and eliminating them from the Native world, which they could not possibly comprehend, a place where tradition and honor reign above all else. Will the current Navajo chief be the lone objector to this repugnant influence? Shall he be the only leader who does not tell the Casino crowd to "come on down?" January 2005 Sadly Native Americans no longer have a supportive voice in the US Government, not that we ever had much representation anyway, but now with Ben Nighthorse and Tom Daschle gone, we are with few friends in Washington. Is this because we do not choose to run for office or because we fail to win in the Political arena that determines the fate of our people? May 2005 find that Indians will decide not only to run, but may actually be successful in their attempts~ April 2004 Nothing has been posted to this page for the past two years because I have spent this time out in Indian Country. I have learned so much and met such wonderful people. They have taught me that the most important things are the simplest ones. I have met many people in many states, who live in third world conditions and they were not all on Reservations. They were just poor. There are many poor people in this country and they are not all American Indians. Poverty, unemployment and poor health are the daily life of these people and the outlook for change is bleak at best. What bothers me the most I think, is that nothing seems to change. I have been going to Reservations for many years and reading this article this morning, Sioux Tribe members visit city took me back to my first trip to Pine Ridge many years ago. The shelter of my middle class cocoon in Los Angeles for 30 years, had not prepared me for what I found there that first time. I was overwhelmed by the abject poverty, but more importantly, I was stunned by the sadness in the eyes of the children that I met. That first trip many years ago changed my life and I have been back many times since to keep reminding myself why I put this web site up in the first place. It is also why I continue to go all over this country listening and trying to learn. It doesn't seem to matter who is in the White House or who we elect to Congress, poor people are just always at the bottom of the list when it comes time to spend money. Those with the deepest pockets are quite well represented in Washington and we still have to my knowledge, only one Native American there, the retiring Republican Ben Nighthorse Campbell., who has been under the scrutiny of Indian Country Today recently over the ultimate use of an $800,000 fund he controls that was meant to be for educating Indian students. As the voices of the poor in America fall in silence on the deaf ears of long term politicians, the only way that change can ever occur, is to have more representation in the Law making process in this country by those with the most need. If you are an American Indian, you must get involved in this process. Hoping that those who are already in place will fix things is a terrible mistake. Indians today face nearly the same unbearable conditions that their ancestors did 200 years ago. It is time for change to be put into place by those with the most at stake, the First People of this country. Indians need to stop the endless cycle of the blame game and get into the change game. We must do it for ourselves, we cannot hope others will do it for us. They have proven that they cannot be trusted to do so. February 2002 What an extraordinary and monumental event was the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics last night in Salt Lake City. It was the first time in US Olympic History, I believe, that Indians participated in these wonderful ceremonies. Never mind that no one dared to whisper about the horrific treatment of the Indians during the last part of the 1800's by these now seemingly so respectful Mormons of Utah. During the time of their expansion westward, Mormons forcefully removed many Indian children from their families, claiming that they were not fit to raise them, being the savages that they were. These same Mormons then turned around and either made personal slaves out of the Indian children for their own homes or sold them to others who would do the same. For more information about this, please read: The Destruction of California Indians, by Robert F. Heizer This chilling documentation details the years of abuse inflicted upon Indians by the US Military, the Mormons, the miners and others who all had one singular purpose, to better their own lives at the expense of a people who although born in this country, were by the turn of the 19th century about to be evicted from the only home that they had ever known. Nonetheless, last night was a celebration demonstrating long overdue respect and dignity for all Indians, from East Coast to West Coast. We all felt their pride as they thanked the Creator for the opportunity to share our culture with millions around the world, who sadly seem far more interested in the treatment of the Indians in this country, than many of those who currently reside here. August 2001 Regardless your opinion on Hemp, the point of the matter is that the Pine Ridge Reservation is presumed to be a Sovereign Nation. Apparently that is not the case, however, if you intend to grow Hemp there. Please read this story written by Emily Huber of Mother Jones, as she describes the never ending drama that is daily life on Pine Ridge. May 2001 In a rare example of unity between whites and Indians in South Dakota, the Black Hills Alliance has joined two unlikely groups in a fight against a proposed billion dollar expansion by the DM &E railroad. (Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern) This expansion would allow over 100 million tons of coal a year to travel through Wyoming and South Dakota on its way to power plants in the mid west and the east.
At a 2 day event in March of this year, organized by Charlene White Face and Harvey White Woman, the Alliance discussed plans of opposition to the railroads expansion, hoping for the same level of success that had been reached by the Cowboy - Indian Alliance when it stopped uranium mining in the Southern Black Hills, by the Honeywell company in 1987.
The Black Hills group is attempting to stop the railroad from further expansion onto lands that are currently occupied by white farmers and ranchers and Lakota's. This expansion would violate the land Treaties of 1868, which finds many Lakota holding claims to the land in question. The environmental impact of this huge coal transport could be globular and a success for the Alliance group may indeed be a success for all of us who inhabit Mother Earth. The outlook does appear to be good for the moment, with the Department of the Interior voting against expansion for now. September 2000 This release was handed to
us as we left a Pow Wow All Out December 10th 8 years ago, when Bill
Clinton was running for President, Still Leonard sits in
prison as an example of American injustice. This is our last, best
chance to win a Presidential pardon for Leonard. If they can do this to
Leonard Peltier, They are sending a message.
The Red Heart Warrior's
Society, August 2000 Denver Federal
Center, Building 710 www.fema.gov/media
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 31, 2000 Media Contacts: Ed Conley, Federal
Emergency Management Agency (303) 235-4909
FEMA Announces Historic Tribal Emergency Management Conference DENVER, CO. Each day of the conference,
which will be held at the Civic Center
September 26 Honoring Recognizing tribal
leadership, building relationships and September 27 Vision Providing emergency
management skills training September 28 Perspective A retrospective look at
disasters on tribal lands:
"The outcomes
from this conference will help to save lives Together with
regional and national FEMA personnel, Editor’s Note: For further information on FEMA/Tribal issues, visit our website at: www.fema.gov/reg-viii/tribal/Tribal.htmThe following letter was received from Deborah Hare regarding the untimely death of Timothy "Little Rock" Reed, the Indian Activist who had been written about here several times in the past. A brief summation of his feelings about Indian spirituality and the rights of incarcerated Indians to practice their beliefs are in this court Affidavit dated January 10, 1989. Peace "Little Rock" Timothy "Little Rock" Reed, an activist for American Indian and prison causes, died January 15th in a car accident in Cuba, N.M. Little Rock was 39 yrs. old. Little Rock was a pipe carrier, Sun Dancer and participated in the Native American Church. Mr. Reed made national headlines in 1997 after the New Mexico Supreme Court refused to extradite him to Ohio for violating parole after serving 10 years in prison for drug theft and burglary. The court called him a "refugee from injustice", who was in fear for his life because of his activism. In June, 1998, the U.S. Supreme Court reversed the decision, and he returned in December to Ohio to complete six weeks of parole. While incarcerated at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility in Lucasville, Mr. Reed acquired a reputation as a spokesman for the rights of American Indian prisoners. Mr. Reed was one-half Oglala Lakota. He also earned two associate's degrees while in prison. At the time of his death he lived with his companion Deborah Hare in Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico. He worked as a paralegal. He was an accomplished musician and songwriter and had just completed a compilation of his works for a CD. Other survivors include a son, Jasper Cole Reed of Albuquerque, NM; his mother, Nancy Scull of Delhi Township, OH; grandmother, Gladys McAllister, Delhi Township, OH; sister Robin Sorrell, Middletown, OH; brother Kevin Reed of Bridgetown, OH and brother Kevin Scull of San Diego, CA. A memorial service was held in Taos, New Mexico and in Cincinnati, Ohio. 1-29-00 For the past few months, the Sachem and I have been traveling and observing conditions throughout Indian country. We are now back home again in Connecticut, and are being barraged with faxes and e-mails daily, asking us to comment on two very important Native issues.
Next Tuesday, Feb. 1, marks D-day for the Navajo/Dineh people at Big Mountain/Black Mesa, Arizona. This forced removal and relocation of Indian Elders, has been a source of agony for both Native and non-Native people for many years.
The underlying reason for their removal, has been suggested to be to allow Peabody Coal, a British company, to continue with their expansion onto Native land. Peabody is under constant pressure to maintain an uninterrupted, energy supply to the power hungry mega cities of the West. The vast mineral resources on this land, as with the Black Hills of South Dakota, have made it an irresistible plunder for those who can and do, take without asking.
Having been a Californian for over 30 years, I can assure you that we were not privy to this kind of information in our daily news. Moving to New England has allowed me to gain a new perspective.
Perhaps, on this coming Tuesday Feb.1, if you have either the time or the desire, you might say a prayer or participate in a gathering on behalf of these beleaguered Native Elders, whose only wish is to be left alone and to live in peace on the land of their ancestors.
There are many protests planned for this day. Please, make your feelings known and help support the rights of these Navajo/Dineh Elders, who continue to be forcefully removed from their homes and their lands.
The US Government and the Peabody Coal Company, have been meticulously careful in controlling the release of most of this information. Without outside intervention, they will continue this process, unabated. 10-7-99 KOLA Newslist Judge Schedules Nov. 17 A Sheridan County judge has
scheduled a
He will preside over a
courtroom in which lawyers will argue The nine protesters were
arrested during a July 3 march Marchers were protesting 4
million cans of beer 9-16-99 As I have been away from my computer most of this summer, moving from Southern California to Connecticut, some very important Lakota stories have been sorely neglected. This vivid news article captures the essence of only the latest in a series of conflicts between the residents of the Pine Ridge Reservation and law enforcement agencies. Having just returned from Pine Ridge this week, these stories and several others are foremost in my thoughts. The tumultuous events of this summer, leave the impression that very little has changed between these two opposing forces over the last hundred years. 4-12-99 A press release concerning the " First Fire of the Oceti Sakowin," the spiritual camp of seven Oglala warriors, protesting the turnover of the Missouri River Indian Treaty land. 3-30-99 The Pine Ridge Building Summit, a part of the Shared Visions project from HUD, will offer all of you who have asked, the chance to get finally get involved and help to improve the lives of many of the Lakota People at Pine Ridge. 3-30-99 Today's HUD press release CUOMO ANNOUNCES NATIVE AMERICAN HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE TO IMPROVE LIFE ON RESERVATIONS 3-16-99 An exciting press release from NASA/JPL The Lakota people and NASA, will reach for the stars in the Black Hills of South Dakota, March 19-21. Pila maya to Dan Hogan, Editor of Science Daily Magazine, for providing the JPL link and being my source for this story. 3-10-99 These words from Leonard Peltier, which give an introspective look into his many years of incarceration, are an excerpt from his new book, My Life is My Sun Dance 3-2-99 For those of you who wish to contact a particular person at the BIA, here is a very comprehensive list of most of those at this agency. 3-1-99 Report of Lakota Student Alliance: Emergency Meeting Held to Consider Impact of SD Wildlife Mitigation Bill in 1998 Appropriations. 2-22-99 Today, is yet another emotional
and distressing day, An unprecedented event, is
now taking place, The largest amount of this
missing total, over $400 million, More to follow on this continuing saga........ 1-30-99 Timothy "Little Rock" Reed, a half Lakota political activist for prison reform, has been allowed to return to his wife and son in Albuquerque, New Mexico, by the Ohio Department of Prisons. Mr. Reed will now fulfill his remaining probation time there. 1-22-99 President Clinton has announced a new Education Plan which will give 10 million dollars toward recruiting and training 1,000 new teachers, who in return, promise that they will teach in schools with a high percentage of Native American students. 1-14-99 Great news from Washington for the Lakota people today. President Clinton has named the Pine Ridge Reservation among his list of 20 most " in need " communities, or " Empowerment Zones " in the United States. This means more jobs, money, federal grants and tax-exempt bonds will be going to this, the poorest city in the poorest county in America. This acknowledgment of indecent living conditions, by the government, is both long overdue and desperately needed, by the residents of this Lakota Reservation. More to come on this issue. 12-18-98 Native American activist Timothy "Little Rock" Reed, was released from prison in Ohio Thursday night, by a hearing officer who decided that he was not a threat and that he should serve a minimum of six weeks, which was the time remaining on his probation. Reed now plans to return to school in Ohio, to continue his education in the fields of Criminal Justice and Native American Issues. He would eventually like to return to New Mexico to be of help to his fellow Native Americans. 12-3-98 Following the joyous events of two weeks ago, comes the sad news today regarding the sale of Indian Country Today, ( called by many the loudest voice for the Lakota ) to the Oneida Nation, who also own the Turning Stone Casino near Syracuse, New York. Although, there were many times, that I have not agreed with the opinions expressed by Tim Giago, owner and editor of the paper, I always supported the right of the man to speak his mind. Now, this outspoken voice for the Lakota people of Pine Ridge, for nearly twenty years, will be moving on in another direction. Many Lakota on Pine Ridge are taking a collective breath; wondering what, and who will be speaking for them in the future. 12-3-98 continued. Native American activist Timothy " Little Rock " Reed, who is half Lakota, has lost his lengthy court battle to remain free and has been returned to Ohio. A hearing, which will take place there within the next two weeks, will determine his fate. Reed, who has expressed fear for his safety, following his exposure of prison abuses toward Native Americans, has been in hiding in New Mexico for the last five years. More to follow on this story..... 11-20-98 update This is a wonderful day for all Lakota people, but especially for those of Wounded Knee. The gracious and compassionate people of Scotland have allowed the blood stained Lakota Ghost Shirt, which has been on display in a museum in Glasgow for over 100 years, to be returned to South Dakota. This shirt was believed to have been worn by a Lakota warrior during the massacre at Wounded Knee. The struggle to retrieve possession of this article has taken many years, but has now reached a rightful conclusion. The Ghost Shirt is going home to Wounded Knee. 9-9-98 Wounded Knee in South Dakota, I have learned that some of the Elders at Pine Ridge, have requested the following items, to prepare for the harsh winter that is about to come: Blankets, Propane/Space heaters, firewood and warm clothing. Winter in the Great Plains can be a death sentence for those who are not fortunate enough to have sufficient protection from the elements. The temperatures can drop to more than 60 degrees below zero with freezing blizzards and winds to match. Many of the Elders at Pine Ridge have no heat, no electricity and few warm clothes. If you or your company or organization can help or donate any of these desperately needed items, please contact me. The following is a 8-6-98 press release, from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, HUD. CUOMO ANNOUNCES OVER $30 MILLION IN AID.... A great one is now with Mother Earth Today 6-15-98, this sad news was received from South Dakota: Stanley Raymond Looking Horse, Sr.- Lyus Icupi, age 68, died June 8, 1998 at the IHS Hospital, in Eagle Butte, South Dakota. He was born Jan. 24, 1930 in Green Grass, South Dakota. His parents were Thomas and Lucy (Bad Warrior) Looking Horse. A traditional leader, Stanley lived his entire life in Green Grass. Mr. Looking Horse is survived by his wife, Mary Cecelia Looking Horse of Green Grass. His children are: Arvol Looking Horse, Ivan Looking Horse, Beatrice Looking Horse, Gladys Looking Horse, and Derilee Looking Horse who are all from Green Grass. Stanley Looking Horse Jr. of Bismarck, N.D., Lois Martina Looking Horse of Minneapolis, Minn., his adopted daughter, Delores Blue Stone of Shakopee, Minn., and his adopted son, Gary Stranger of Eagle Butte, S.D. Also, his brothers Pete Looking Horse of Cannon Ball, N.D., and Sylvester Thin Elk of Rosebud, S.D., and his Aunt Delores Blue Stone of Bull Head, S.D. Mr. Looking Horse had 24 grandchildren. Spiritual leaders of the Lakota, Dakota and Nakota Nations held the funeral and wake services at the Looking Horse home in Green Grass. Burial was at the Looking Horse cemetery at Green Grass on June 13, 1998. Services were provided, by the Luce Funeral Home of Eagle Butte. Pila maya to Indian Country Today, for this notice. The following story was kindly shared by the Fedgazette of Minneapolis and although the data is over a year old, little has changed since it was written in Jan.1997 " The opinion below is an excerpt from a Ninth District newspaper and is expressly the opinion of the writer, not the Minneapolis Fed. " Producing jobs is key for Indian reservations. Argus Leader (Sioux Falls, S.D.) " If South Dakota lawmakers are serious about creating jobs on the nine Indian reservations in the state as they have said, then they should do something about it. The opportunity is there. Rep. Ron Volesky, D-Huron, plans to introduce legislation that would create the first State-Tribal Economic Development Commission in South Dakota to promote general economic development and job training on reservations. There has been a suffocating deluge of forums and discussions about advancing the economic status of the state's Indian population. There is little, if anything, to show for all the talk. Late last year, lawmakers said they had taken the first step by focusing attention on the need for job creation on the reservations. It is now time for the all-important second step, and it must be a giant one. Legislation must be passed to ensure that something concrete is done on the reservations in the area of economic development. Support on both sides of
the aisle will be critical. Except for casino gambling, there have been very few forward-looking ideas to reduce reservation unemployment. The lack of jobs and related poverty fosters other problems, including crime, alcohol abuse, spousal abuse, violence and broken families. Jobs are not going to be a cure-all to those problems, but putting people to work will eliminate a significant portion of them. Volesky, who is an American Indian, believes job creation will solve "90 percent" of the social problems. Economic development on the reservations becomes more crucial with the advent of welfare reform on the federal level. "With the block grants coming down from the federal government and block grants going to our Indian reservations with the requirement that a certain number of welfare recipients find employment in a certain time, it is critical that we get serious about job development and economic development on our state's reservations," Volesky says. Initial funding of the commission would be $200,000: The state would contribute half, and the tribal governments in South Dakota would provide the balance. Distributing state dollars is always a balancing act, but Volesky says every job created on a reservation could help save a family. Few could argue that there's a better investment than a family. "
Click on me to send an email to tahtonka.com
Kola visits
Last edited March 17, 2008 Copyright © 1998 - 2008 tahtonka.com All rights reserved. |
