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O'siyo Brothers and Sister!
My half-side, "The Lovely Janet", has some
thoughts on how the Euro-Americans have treated and continue to treat
the original inhabitants of Turtle Island. Can you say, "genocide?"
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Since the first European in written history set foot on the Western
Hemisphere, there has been an unending, often unacknowledged, war waged
against the indigenous people who had thrived on these lands for
centuries (most say forever).
Even countries like the US and Canada, who proudly proclaim their
"humanitarian" and some dare claim as "Christian" values of love and
tolerance for diversity, have not ceased in efforts to kill off Indian
governments, any vestige of Indian culture, spirituality or language,
and Indian people. The efforts now are usually more subtle than bullets
from guns, but no less deadly.
Consider the revelations now being published in an LA Times series about
the Navajo Nation and its experience with US-mined uranium (first
article of the series appears in this issue). Given the role that
uranium played in assuring US military dominance on the world stage --
has the United States acknowledged, with gratitude, the sacrifice of the
Navajo people? Has it done all it could to first protect, and then offer
reparations for the damage done? Far from it.
Consider the oil, coal, grazing land, timber, and water resources US
communities have taken from tribal lands Have the Indian owners been
paid fair market price? Far from it. Using the same tactics as those
used against the Navajo, the US has dragged Indian people seeking fair
payment through years of expensive court battles, attempted to
cherry-pick US-sympathetic courts, and otherwise done all it could to
exhaust the Indians before they could collect what was rightfully
theirs.
Before Canada boasts that they've done better by their Indian
populations -- let's look around a bit. Anybody remember Ipperwash or
Oka? If not, check out the current fracas surrounding Caledonia (covered
for the past months in Wotanging Ikche)--it's a continuation of the same
long, sorry story. How about indigenous villages in Canada whose water
sources have been tainted by industry? It's not uranium, but the poisons
Canadian pregnant women and their babies are ingesting in their drinking
water are
producing stillbirths, deformed babies and cancers at staggering rates.
How about the long-covered-up brutality of Saskatchewan police dropping
young Indigenous men outside town to die of exposure in the middle of
winter -- a pattern that only surfaced when one victim managed to
survive to tell his story? How about official stonewalling to prevent a
whole generation of Indians scarred by residential schools from being
reimbursed?
Every Indian tribe in this hemisphere has a horror story. With some it
was a forced march to a hostile land, with others it was
disease-infested blankets. Most still have elders shivering in
substandard homes, starving and offered medical services that would
shame a third-world-country. Most US tribes have diabetes running
rampant through Indian populations aggravated, if not caused outright,
by the commodities the US provided as reparations for taking away the
Indians' hunting grounds. Drugs are the newest poison -- imported by
non-Indian crimelords and consumed by Indians who've lost hope in the
last home left to them. And controlled by incarcerating the Indian users
in Federal prisons. In the South American countries, Indians are being
driven from their villages, their livelihoods and way of life disrupted,
and their resources exploited, The kids have nowhere to go but the
cities, and the inevitable loss of their identity.
And yet in the US, Indian people send, in disproportionate numbers,
their sons and daughters to the US military that our government uses to
shove US moral values down the throats of other countries.
We are war victims, have been so for over 500 years, and continue to be
so in thousands of ways, some of them silent to all but those who
suffer, and that's a fact the world should recognize and shove in the
face of US and Canadian dignitaries every time they DARE try to
criticize the "human rights" policies of any other country. I note with
some pleasure that the president of Venezuela did just that, by
providing cheap oil to Indians last winter. I also note that the US
retaliated by all but declaring war on the man and his country's primary
industry. It does take courage to defy a bully who is bigger, richer,
and better armed.
+/// Janet Smith
owlstar@bellsouth.net
/*/+ P. O. Box 672168 OwlStar Trading Post
+ / * Marietta, GA 30008, U.S.A.
http://www.owlstar.com
* + jewelry, music, flags, herbs
==============================================================
WARRIOR MOCCASINS PROJECT SEEKS OUT YOUR HELP
Date: Sunday, September 24, 2006 02:10 pm
From: Sherry <kcnativecommunity@kcnativecommunity.org >
Subj: Warrior Moccasins Project seeks out your help!
Mailing List: Frostys AmerIndian
<frostysamerindian@yahoogroups.com >
Warrior Moccasin Project seeks out experienced beaders, moccasin makers
and names for a pair of moccasins for their service in the military.
Those interested in donating Deer Hides, please email me so I can give
you the name and address of where to ship it to. Deer hides CAN be
donated to this project. To do so, you must first salt the hides with
medium grade salt which can be purchased at any farm supply store. After
salting the hide(s) ship them to the address I will give you following
the laws as specified BY YOUR STATE. A copy of the possession tag which
was issued by the game warden must be included for each hide being
shipped.
Any monetary donation to this project is also greatly appreciated. Each
cost of the pair of moccasins is $32.00 (includes
shipping/handling charge).
Those serving in harms way and those who have returned state side are
encouraged to get in touch with my via email.
If you know of a native military troop member who you want to honor,
please get a hold of me through my email.
Thank you :)
==============================================================
Again, this winter this editorial section will feature groups or
individuals who are helping those in need, primarily on reservations and
especially those who aid children and elders. Urban help will not be
excluded. I have lived in the Cedar-Riverside area of Minneapolis and
been a guest in Lakota Housing in Rapid City and in Shiprock. The need
to eat and be warm does not end because a person has left the rez.
PLEASE forward contact information for all you know who help those less
able to do so make it through the harsh winter months.
==============================================================
UPDATED REQUEST!!!
Date: Sunday, November 05, 2006 10:58 am
From: Brigitte Thimiakis
<thimiakischool@the.forthnet.gr >
Subj: Update: HYS 2006 Toys & Clothing Request
[Please forward to anyone who can help!]
UPDATE: Winter & Christmas 2006
"Honor Your Spirit, Protect The Children" Toys & Clothing Request Winter
has started and the weather is already very cold in Montana. Please
think of the children there who need warm clothes in Lame Deer, on the
Northern Cheyenne Reservation.
We would like to thank each and everyone who has already sent boxes!
Thank you so much for making a difference in their lives, and also
helping the parents or relatives who do their best to take care of them.
We are happy to say that there is no more need for shoes, as a lot of
shoes have been received :) But there is still a need for new and good
quality warm clothes, for babies and children of all ages up to about 12
years old, as well as Christmas toys.
During Montana winters, the temperature can drop to 30 or 40 degrees
below zero so warm winter clothing and blankets can be lifesaving. These
items will be distributed right away. The toys will be distributed
during the Christmas give away. The boxes can be sent to them directly
on the reservation, where all items are distributed by trusted Northern
Cheyenne contacts who make sure that the children with the greatest
needs are taken care of first.
Here is a list of things that can be sent in support of these children:
- WARM CLOTHES for children of all ages from babies to pre-teens (for
example knitted clothes, pants, jeans, coats, warm T-shirts, socks,
gloves, hats, scarves)
- warm blankets
- TOYS for Christmas
Other items that would also be appreciated: grooming supplies
(toothpaste, tooth brushes, soaps and shampoos, combs, hair brushes,
hair barrettes, rubber bands, etc), pampers diapers or pull-ups.
Please make sure that the items sent are safe, new or as good as new,
and sensitive to the culture of the children and their People.
When sending a box, it would be appreciated if you could send us a short
email with your name or location, type of items sent, approximate weight
and shipping date, so that we can help our contacts by keeping a list of
what is sent to them.
Our aim and priority is to always make sure that everything reaches the
reservation, for the children of families unable to make ends meet due
to the high unemployment rate, the difficult conditions and the extreme
poverty on the reservation. These children need all the help and
encouragement they can get, so if you can help, please contact us for
more information.
Contact Info:
Dodie Finstead, USA
dodie_finstead@yahoo.com
Dominique Larrede, France
d.larrede@wanadoo.fr
Brigitte Thimiakis, Europe
thimiakischool@the.forthnet.gr
Thank you for reading our request.
Respectfully,
"Honor Your Spirit, Protect The Children"
"Your help makes a huge difference for those who have never received
help. Your donations provide hope and encouragement to those who have
never known these qualities. Your concern and solidarity can improve the
lives of many children, elders, families, on the Northern Cheyenne
Reservation.
There is still a lot to do but all together you can help us make these
dreams come true.
Thank you for being a part of this project and supporting it."
Respectfully,
Manuel Redwoman,
Northern Cheyenne/Lakota/Arapaho
To learn more about the HYS projects, please visit:
http://www.geocities.com/honoryourspirit/home
Our heartfelt thanks to everyone for your support !
==============================================================
http://www.devilslakejournal.com/articles/2006/10/20/news/news01.txt
"Stuff a Truck" help for the holidays begins
By Crystal Martodam Journal Staff Writer
October 20, 2006
Load 'em up and move up, it's that time of year again for the "Stuff A
Truck" food drive to fill the local food pantry at the Dakota Prairie
Community Action Agency in Devils Lake.
Dakota Prairie disperses food according to need and not income. For
example the loss of a house in a fire or some other tragic accident that
leaves a family or individuals in need of emergency food supplies.
This year the food drive will begin on Oct. 23 and run until Nov. 12.
This will be the fourth annual "Stuff A Truck" event.
Dave Burstad, assistant manager at Leevers County Market said that there
will be very large bins set up at the front of the store with the "Stuff
A Truck" logo on them. Any non-perishable food items can be placed in
these bins for donation.
Cash donations are welcome also. There will be paper trucks that can be
purchased, your name can be placed on the truck or it can be left blank.
The trucks will then be hung on the walls in the store.
Brustad also commented that items will be tagged in the store.
"Many times people are unsure of what the pantry is lacking," he said.
"This will help make it easier for those who wish to contribute."
There will also be pre-bagged groceries than can be purchased for $10
and then placed in the bins. These bags are non-perishable food items
that have been pre-bagged by Dakota Prairie with needed items. For every
bag bought Leevers will also be donating between $1.75 and $2 per bag.
"The bag has a value of $12 rather than $10," Brustad said.
Last year there was approximately $1,500 worth of groceries collected.
"We try to make it bigger and better every year, so we are hoping for
more this year," Brustad said. This is the seventh year that the Stuff a
Truck Program has been running. It began at that time in the Country
Markets in Minnesota donating to the local food pantries.
"This is not designed as an advertising entity, it is designed to help
the community," Brustad said.
People can also make direct cash donations to the Dakota Prairie Agency.
"It is such a fun program we look forward to every year." Brustad said.
The local food pantry run through the Dakota Prairie Community Action
Agency is an emergency pantry. It is there to help people in need. There
are other services available at the DPCAA that can provide aid to an
individuals situation such as providing money management services and
services that can help an individual receive services from government
programs that may be available to them because of income.
For more information contact them at (701) 662-6500.
Street Address:
Dakota Prairie Community Action Agency
1219 College Drive
Devils Lake, ND 58301
USA
Mailing Address:
Dakota Prairie Community Action Agency
P. O. Box 698
Devils Lake, Nd 58301
Contact Name
Phone 701-662-6500
FAX 701-662-6511
Copyright c. 2006 Devils Lake Journal, a GateHouse Media paper.
==============================================================
Date: Fri, 20 Oct 2006 11:24:06 -0600
From: "NDN@NDNnews.com "
<NDN@ndnnews.com >
Subj: Children's Village needs your HELP!
Please forward to your groups and lists!
Thank you,
Tamra
Children's Village a foster care home located on the Pine Ridge
Reservation in South Dakota is in need of disposable diapers. They
currently have four little ones in diapers, ages 11/2, 2, 3, and 4.
Also, toiletries are needed. If you can, and would like to help, you
can mail diapers directly to:
Children's Village
c/o Louis and Melvina Winters
100 Main Street P. O. Box 1034
Pine Ridge, SD 57770
For the past few years, we have decided that in lieu of a giveaway at
our pow wow, we would put the money toward purchasing propane for
Children's Village. We also hold a blanket dance to help in this
need. If anyone is interested in helping too, you can send a check to
Midwest SOARRING and mark it as propane fund to designate your donation.
Both Midwest SOARRING Foundation and Children's Village are nonprofit,
501c3 and donations are tax deductible.
If you have any further questions, please contact Janet at 773-585-1744.
Thanks so much for any help you can give.
Janet Sevilla
www.midwestsoarring.org <
http://www.midwestsoarring.org >
Tamra
www.NDNnews.com
www.protectsacredsites.org
"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?"
"Life is a learning place. Existence is forever. Challenges are only
challenges because life has given you an opportunity to grow in an area
of your fear or weakness."
Leonard Peltier, Sept. 2006
============================================
Date: Friday, October 27, 2006 03:27 pm
From: Del \Abe\ Jones
<abeabe@bellsouth.net >
Subj: A couple notes for/about our Military and Vets
please pass along to people who may be interested
-----Original Message-----
From:
jesuandirenel@frontiernet.net
To: almclwest@aol.com
Sent: Thu, 26 Oct 2006 9:47 AM
We are getting ready to pack Thanksgiving and Christmas "We care
packages" for the troops and we need addresses.
Would you please help us get the word out to other detachments that
we need addresses. Maybe we can share list and exchange whatever names
are available. All we want is names of troops all services and we are
looking for names of women serving and the aux. makes up special
packages
for the women serving based on feedback from women serving in theatre...
Marine J. Marrero
jesuandirenel@frontiernet.net
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
American Legion offers way to thank veterans, troops on Veterans Day
INDIANAPOLIS (Oct. 11, 2006) - With thousands of troops deployed
overseas,
The American Legion has launched a free, easy way to thank them for
their
service on the eve of Veterans Day, Nov. 11.
The electronic greeting cards are also ideal to thank all veterans, of
all generations, who have served in the U.S. armed forces.
"In today's computer age, what better way to say 'thank you' to a
veteran or a servicemember either here at home or serving thousands of
miles away than a musical greeting card with your personalized message
that will reach them almost instantaneously," said Paul A. Morin,
national
commander of The American Legion.
Anyone who has an e-mail address can receive the special cards.
Creating the card is quick and easy at The American Legion's website,
www.legion.org
< http://www.legion.org
(click on Veterans Day E-greeting cards). "As our troops continue to
serve in harms way, as countless thousands before them did in other
wars, a message of support and thanks means more to a veteran than you
realize," Morin said. "Please take a few moments to use this free
service and brighten the day of one or more of America's veterans."
The American Legion site offers e-mail cards representing each military
service along with the service song that plays when the card is opened.
Each card provides plenty of space to compose a personal message.
Cards may be sent now through Nov. 12, 2006.
Greeting cards may be sent direct to active duty service men and women
if their military e-mail addresses are known.
The 2.7 million-member American Legion is the nation's largest wartime
veterans organization....#
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Dohiyi Ani Oginalii
Gary Smith (*,*)
wotanging@bellsouth.net
P. O. Box 672168 (`-') gars@nanews.org
Marietta, GA 30006, U.S.A. ===w=w===
http://www.nanews.org
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