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Pine Ridge Indian Reservation

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Wolfgirl
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« Reply #45 on: June 22, 2008, 09:59:37 pm »







 
Very interesting videos, and I know one was created on June 3, the other probably around the same time as that primary. I wonder how they feel NOW in seeing him already changing his mind on many key issues, such as Isreal, FISA, NAFTA and taking money from big corporations rather than going with public funding? Probably BETRAYED as before.   Angry

I wonder if he also mentioned to them that he has voted for every bill funding the war in Iraq? And that his insurance plan leaves out millions of Americans, many of which will be Native Americans given their history of diabetes, cancer and heart issues. They will in fact be pre existing conditions and will not be covered under the Obama plan. And I am sure he didn't mention how much money he has taken from the Nuke Industry and that he plans that to be his top priority for energy in this nation. So they can look forward to their water and lands being taken over by the Government again and poisoned with uranium and also having the nuclear waste stored on their sacred lands as well.  Huh?

Surely he mentioned all of these things to them so that they would be able to make a decision on how they chose to vote that would be in their best interest?   Huh?

I intend to let my brothers and sisters know exactly what Obama has in mind for them and they can expect more cancer for their people and can deal with it with no insurance because they will have uranium on their lands. So their young men and women can join the war to have insurance for their family and die defending a country who has stole their lands, their water, their air and their right to good health and send them to die for their own greed. And I will provide his voting history and his plans from his own website when I do so. YES I WILL!!  Cool






Native Americans Against Obama

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Cool HELP HIM HELP US, WE THE PEOPLE Cool RALPH NADER IS A CONSTITUTIONIST & A CONSUMER ADVOCATE Cool PASS THE WORD & VOTENADER.ORG Cool
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« Reply #46 on: June 22, 2008, 10:18:45 pm »

Thanks for the videos Wolfie. There is a group on yahoo started called Native Americans Against Obama and the group is growing fast. On the Democrats- against- Oabma.org site there are so many other groups popping up. You all might want to check it out. They have groups from all over the country. I'm sure you can find one in your area!!  Smiley
and they think we are all falling in line? ha!
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« Reply #47 on: December 30, 2008, 08:48:35 pm »

Navajo, Hopi citizens vow to stop Peabody Coal.... by Billy Parish   

http://nativetimes.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=780&Itemid=0

Flagstaff, Ariz. – Two days before Christmas, officials from the U.S. Office of Surface Mining have granted a permit to Peabody Coal Company to expand their mining operations on Navajo and Hopi lands, despite opposition from local communities and problems with the permitting process including lack of adequate time for public comment on a significant revision to the permit, insufficient environmental review, and instability in the Hopi government preventing their legitimate participation in the process.  OSM’s “Record of Decision” is the final stage of the permitting process for the proposed “Black Mesa Project,” which would grant Peabody Coal Company a life-of-mine permit for the “Black Mesa Complex” in northern Arizona.
Black Mesa Water Coalition, a Navajo and Hopi citizens organization working on indigenous sovereignty and environmental protection, has vowed to stop Peabody from causing further harm to Black Mesa.  “We are looking into our options for how to stop this process from moving forward, including legal action.  The permitting process was flawed and clearly rushed through before President Bush leaves office,” said Enei Begaye, Co-Director of Black Mesa Water Coalition.

Wahleah Johns, Co-Director of Black Mesa Water Coalition said, “This decision will uproot the sacred connection that we have to land, water, and all living things on Black Mesa.  Black Mesa is a female mountain, sacred to the Navajo people, and has been brutally scarred from over 30 years of coal mining activity and the resulting loss of 60 percent of our only source of drinking water.  Our ancestors fought hard to retain our homelands, but even now in 2008 we are up against the same battle to protect our homelands.  The abuse to mother earth needs to stop.”

This announcement is consistent with the Bush Administration’s history of releasing controversial decisions on Friday evenings and before holidays.  Samantha Honani, a Hopi Tewa tribal member, said, “This is the worst kind of Christmas present.  The Hopi Tewa people will not be in holiday bliss this Christmas but in deep thought and contemplation of where we are as a tribe and people without a Tribal Leader given this devastating Record of Decision.”

A few weeks ago, a delegation of 40 Navajo and Hopi tribal members, including Hopi Tribal Chairman Ben Nuvamsa, met with the U.S. Office of Surface Mining at their Denver headquarters in hopes of delaying OSM’s decision.  For three hours the Navajo and Hopi representatives met with OSM officials and presented documents and petitions ratified by their communities that urge OSM to suspend their decision.   Their unified statement read, “Although we represent two different tribes, we come today united to protect our shared land and water.  Water is the life source to both our peoples, and Peabody has failed to understand this connection.  If the Office of Surface Mining grants a permit to Peabody, our way of life and spiritual balance will be severely disrupted and altered.  Currently, we are already suffering the damage this industry has caused over the past 30 years.  We believe OSM has been negligent in fulfilling the NEPA process, and if OSM issues a “Record of Decision” that would be a breach of the Federal Trust Responsibility.  United we ask the Office of Surface Mining to stop the “Record of Decision” process.”

This decision comes in the midst of Hopi political turmoil.  Chairman Nuvamsa came to represent the Hopi and Tewa people in the battle to protect the water and lands from further coal mining in Black Mesa, AZ.  “Due to lack of representation on the Hopi Tribal Council, the Village of Tewa was never afforded the opportunity to participate in any discussion of the Draft EIS as it applies to Hopi people and land,” stated Chairman Nuvamsa.

Navajo and Hopi citizen’s were given 45 days to comment on a revised “Black Mesa Project” Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and were never offered a public commenting period.  Requests for commenting period extensions were denied by OSM as well as requests for OSM to come to Navajo and Hopi lands for question and answer meetings.

Two months ago, Arizona Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva wrote to Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne to suspend further consideration of Peabody’s permit. “At present, OSM is rushing to approve a life-of-mine permit, first without making the permit revisions sufficiently available for public review, and then without adequate environmental review...Mining at Black Mesa has caused springs on Hopi lands to dry up and jeopardized the sole source of drinking water for many Hopis and Navajos.  The Secretary, as the trustee for Native American tribes, must ensure that mining is done responsibly on tribal lands and that tribes actually want mining to occur. This project does not meet that test.”

Black Mesa Navajo and Hopi residents are concerned about how this decision will impact the future of their homelands given the history of Peabody’s unwise use of the Navajo Aquifer.  “For decades coal and water from our lands have been taken to power Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Yet, we have have suffered the loss of our sole source drinking water to accommodate the over consumption of these areas,” says Wahleah Johns, Co-Director of Black Mesa Water Coalition.

Black Mesa is the ancestral homelands to thousands of Navajo and Hopi families and is regarded as a sacred mountain to the Navajo people and plays an integral role in the cultural survival for the future generations of both the Navajo and Hopi people.

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« Reply #48 on: December 31, 2008, 07:50:32 am »

The theft and destruction just doesn't end. 

There is a wonderfully informative Native American Museum at Crazy Horse by Mt. Rushmore, if you ever plan a trip to Rushmore, plan to go to Crazy Horse which IMHO was better and more impressive.
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« Reply #49 on: January 03, 2009, 11:13:47 pm »

NCAI policy statement for the 2009 presidential transition 
Written by Kade     
Monday, 15 December 2008 11:18 
Tribal sovereignty, self-determination and government-to-government consultation

The governmental rights of Indian Nations are recognized in the United States Constitution, treaties, federal laws and numerous Supreme Court opinions. Throughout American history Indian Nations have been recognized as sovereigns that pre-existed the United States and have maintained their rights to govern their own people and their own lands.


That unique consideration creates the need for government-to-government consultation between the United States and Indian Nations. Executive Order 13175 directs each agency to have an “accountable process to ensure meaningful and timely input by tribal officials in the development of regulatory policies that have tribal implications.” However, too many federal agencies fail to fulfill this important responsibility, to the detriment of federal and tribal interests and the welfare of all Americans.

Tribal governments have jurisdiction over a land mass equal to seven states. Yet, Indian Nations are not included in important intergovernmental matters that affect the entire nation. For decades agencies have developed and implemented a range of policies and processes for consultation, but still take important actions without consultation, and fail to take action on critical issues even after a great deal of consultation. Effective consultation does occur, but it is sporadic – each federal official discovers the benefits of tribal communication through trial and error.

We urge the Administration to issue an Executive Memorandum to the heads of executive departments and agencies that underscores the recognition of tribal sovereignty and reinforces the need for meaningful consultation. Native people greatly appreciated the reference to Native Americans in President-Elect Obama’s election night speech, and we would encourage President Obama to continue to reference tribal governnments in his public statements. An early signal will help to change attitudes and enourage federal officials to include Indian Nations as part of the solution in the federal system of governance.

Indian Nations should be engaged on the broader issues that affect all governments -- energy, climate change, law enforcement, economic development, environmental protection, transportation and infrastructure development – to name just a few. Tribal governments have a great deal to offer in these and many other areas, and should be included in policymaking at the same levels as states.

On tribal-specific issues, such as trust reform or the functions of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the federal government has a trust responsibility to Indian tribes, to make decisions that are for the benefit of the tribes. The federal government must assume that Tribal Nations themselves are the best judge of their own interests. A new commitment to Tribal Self-Determination will mean increased support for tribal initiatives and the removal of legal and bureaucratic barriers.

The United Nations adopted the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples on September 13, 2007 with 143 nations voting in favor and only 4 nations opposed – one of them the United
15 States. This Declaration acknowledges a broad range of indigenous sovereign and collective rights, including the right to self-determination. The United States should reverse its vote on this historical document and join the nations of the world in supporting indigenous sovereignty.

http://www.ivotenative.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=267:national-congress-of-american-indians-policy-statement-for-the-2009-presidential-transition-tribal-sovereignty-self-determination-and-government-to-government-consultation&catid=5:general-contentblog&Itemid=7
 
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« Reply #50 on: January 04, 2009, 10:47:55 am »

Surface mining in West Virginia

http://www.crmw.net/campaigns.php
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« Reply #51 on: January 16, 2009, 04:23:12 pm »

What’s in a Name?—Kansas City as “Indian Country”

William Worley
Published 01/15/2009
 
Names are a way of remembering as well as of identifying. Since Kansas City’s native American heritage is largely several generations removed from current existence, we often forget how much we developed right in the middle of “Indian Country.” However, several street, institution and place names provide us with a constant, if sometimes unconscious, reminder of the important role the various tribes played in Kansas City’s early history.

Let’s begin with a game—How many street, place and institution names in the Kansas City region include references to the tribes that originated here or were moved in at a later time?

A dozen? A hundred? Several hundred? If you answered the last option, you’re closer to the truth than you probably ever expected. To be honest, it is nigh unto impossible to determine exactly how many native names are commemorated in our region. But, let’s make a start.

To start with, what are the names of the original tribal groups that inhabited the general Kansas City region? You probably got “Kansas” right off. Maybe you remembered that the Osage also lived here about 200 years ago. But did you remember the Missouri tribe? Most folks don’t even know that there was a Missouri tribe.

In terms of names and variations of names, it’s possible that the “Missouri” people are the most important because variations in the spelling and pronunciation of their name has led to the unofficial state question of the Show-Me State. Do you say, “Missouree?” Or “Missourah?”

To find the answer, we have to go back to native pronunciation and French spelling. On old French maps, it appears both as “Missouri” and as “Missouria.” Most non-Native Missourians probably don’t even know that their state is indeed named for a tribe in the first place. But it was! The “Missouri” [pronounced “mis-oo-ree”] people lived mostly on the north side of the river named for them by the French until the first decade of the 19th Century. On some maps, they appear as the “Missouria” [pronounced “mis-oo-ri-ah”].

Thus, unofficially, some folks use the long “ee” ending while others, usually wanting to pretend that they are the “real” Missourians, use the “uh” ending which comes from the “ia” suffix on some early French spellings of the tribal name. Because no definitive French dictionary ever developed in western Missouri, we are left in the quandary of “Missouree” or “Missourah.” Interestingly, at an informal popularity contest held a few years ago at the state fair in Sedalia, the “Missouree” pronunciation slightly edged out “Missourah” as the favorite.

Regardless of preference, the Missouri tribe was relatively important in very early Missouri history when the French first made contact with the native peoples of our region. They first encountered what they called both the “Missouris” and the “Missourias” along the north bank of the river named for that people by the French. Later, the French also encountered what proved to be a much larger tribe further south along a tributary of the Missouri or Missouria River—the Wah-sa-ghe—or Osage. Just to keep things interesting, the French named the river occupied by the more numerous Wah-sa-ghe after that group.

Finally, the French trappers ran into another related group of people—the Kansa—on the west bank of the river they had already named for the Missouris. Since the Kansa had already extended their occupation as far south as a major tributary of the “Missouri” River, the French named it for the newly encountered group. This largest tributary stream west of the mouth of the Osage River became known as the Kansas River.

Numerically, there were always more Osage than Kansas Indians, and more Kansa than Missouria Indians [note that I go back and forth on the spellings, not wanting to take sides in the argument over pronunciation]. However, when it came to names, the smaller tribes won out over the larger Osage. Since the major river named for the Missouris later became the state name just like the smaller river named for the Kansas peoples, those tribes and names are often remembered, even if not in correct connection with their origin, than are the Osage.

Ironically, the Osage were by far the most numerous powerful of the three tribes that originated in the Kansas City region prior to European settlement. Yet, the river named for them is a smaller tributary and no state ever laid claim to that magnificent moniker. So, the almost forgotten tribe of Missouris delivered a most important state name while the only slightly larger Kansa people [it can also be spelled “Cansa” or “Canses”] contributed their name to an equally important state in the Union.

One looks in vain for the State of Osage among our 50.

http://www.kctribune.com/article.cfm?articleID=18619
To see the map click the link above
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« Reply #52 on: June 13, 2009, 12:11:39 pm »

EchoHawk moves to begin addressing Indian Country’s needs
http://nativetimes.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1909&Itemid=1

WASHINGTON – Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs Larry EchoHawk has begun his administration by moving quickly to begin discussions with Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, tribal leaders and tribal organizations on economic, energy, education, public safety and other issues that need to be addressed in Indian Country.

“President Obama, Secretary Salazar, the Congress and tribal leaders want to see Indian Affairs move quickly to address Indian Country’s most pressing issues,” EchoHawk said. “The current economic conditions, while improving, still have a disproportionate impact on rural, remote tribal communities. We are moving forward to implement the Recovery Act, and I have begun reaching out to tribal leaders throughout our regions to hear their views on what solutions are needed.”

After spending last week moving his family and household from Utah to the Washington, D.C., area, EchoHawk arrived in his new office early Monday morning where his week started with a round of meetings, the first with Secretary Salazar on formulating their action plan for implementing the President’s vision for Indian Country. He has since held a number of staff briefings, made phone calls to about 20 tribal leaders so far, visited several Senate offices, and met yesterday with representatives of the National Congress of American Indians (www.ncai.org) at the organization’s new headquarters in downtown Washington.

While his meeting with NCAI, the nation’s oldest national tribal association, was his first as the assistant secretary, EchoHawk, who will speak to the group at its mid-year conference in Niagara Falls, N.Y., this month, also is planning on reaching out to other American Indian and Alaska Native organizations about addressing the tribes’ long-neglected social, economic and infrastructure needs.

“I want American Indians and Alaska Natives to know we are ready to address their concerns,” EchoHawk said. “Government can be part of the solution to problems if it takes the time to listen, learns from its mistakes and seeks the best results. Now is the time for us to take action.”

The Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs has responsibility for helping the Secretary of the Interior to fulfill his trust responsibilities to tribal and individual trust beneficiaries and promoting self-determination and self-governance for the nation’s 562 federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native tribes. The Assistant Secretary oversees the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE), which administers one of two federal school systems.
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« Reply #53 on: June 19, 2009, 09:54:07 pm »

Obama Names Cherokee as Native Policy Adviser
http://www.reznetnews.org/article/obama-names-cherokee-native-policy-adviser-35340

President Obama announced the appointment of a Cherokee Nation woman as the new senior policy adviser for Native American affairs Monday during a taped speech delivered to the National Congress of American Indians.

Kimberly Teehee will fill the position that Obama promised to create while campaigning for the presidency. Teehee will serve on the White House Domestic Policy Council, which coordinates the domestic policy-making process in the White House and offers advice to Obama.

"Kim Teehee will be a tremendous asset to our team as we work to strengthen and build on the nation-to-nation relationship between the United States and tribal nations," said Obama. "She is rightly recognized as an outstanding advocate for Indian Country, and she will provide a direct interface at the highest level of my administration, assuring a voice for Native Americans during policy making decisions."

Obama also announced Monday that the White House will hold a Tribal Nations Conference later this fall.

Fixture in Washington

A fixture in Washington, D.C., Teehee has served since January 1998 as senior adviser to Congressman Dale Kildee (D-Mich.), co-chair of the House of Representatives' Native American Caucus. Teehee also has served as director of Native American outreach for the Presidential Inaugural Committee for President Clinton's second Inauguration.

Prior to that, Teehee worked for the Democratic National Committee as deputy director of Native American Outreach for the committee's first Indian desk. She also has held various positions with the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, including law clerk in the Division of Law and Justice.

She received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Okla., and her Juris Doctor from the University of Iowa, College of Law. While in law school, Teehee was honored with the Bureau of National Affairs Award and served in leadership positions in the National Native American Law Student Association and the Iowa Native American Law Student Association.

'Passionate Advocate'

"President Obama has made an excellent choice in Kim Teehee," Kildee said in a news release Monday. "I have worked with Kim for over a decade, and I have always found her to be a thoughtful, dedicated and passionate advocate for our Native American population. The president has made it clear that he is committed to strengthening the relationship between the United States and tribal nations and I am confident that Kim will be instrumental in achieving that goal."

As senior adviser to Kildee, Teehee advised the more than 100 members of the bi-partisan Native American Caucus. She wrote speeches, testimony and legislation relating to Native American issues and worked closely with House leadership and Senate staff. She also coordinated with tribal leaders and organizations from across the country.

Teehee comes from a Cherokee-speaking family and grew up in Claremore, Okla. She was born in Chicago, where her parents moved as part of a federal relocation assistance program for Indians.

Teehee joins an impressive list of Native leaders appointed to serve within the Obama administration: Larry EchoHawk, assistant secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs; Yvette Roubideaux, director of the Indian Health Service; Mary Smith, assistant attorney general for the Department of Justice; Hilary Tomkins, solicitor of the Department of Interior; and Jodi Gillette, a member of the White House Intergovernmental Affairs staff.


'A Great Choice'

Teehee also has worked extensively with the National Congress of American Indians on developing Native policy issues and strategies for the House Native American Caucus.

"She's just a great choice," Jackie Johnson Pata, executive director of NCAI, said Monday. "I'm just elated."

Johnson Pata described Teehee as "responsive and collaborative" to tribal governments and organizations. She said Teehee has developed relationships with many tribal governments.

She said she's looking forward to having a Native voice on the White House Domestic Policy Council, which includes several White House cabinet members who have direct access to Obama. She is hopeful Teehee will be able to focus conversations on domestic policy issues before the council on Native concerns.

"Kim's job is going to really be able to hone in on those policy issues," Johnson Pata said. "This is going to be a very important position within this administration and the way it's structured.

"It is like the No. 1 position in Indian Country."

Text of Obama's Remarks


The text of President Obama’s taped remarks to the National Congress of American Indians Mid-Year Conference follows:

Good morning everyone. I appreciate this opportunity to speak with you today and to express my admiration and support for the critical work NCAI does advocating for the rights and aspirations of American Indians and Alaska Natives. I’m also pleased to have the chance to acknowledge your President, Joe Garcia, for his outstanding leadership in this regard.

As you all know, our nation is at a defining moment, facing challenges unlike any in our lifetime, both at home and abroad. And as we work to rebuild our economy, strengthen our security and ensure that our children have every opportunity to fulfill their dreams, we’ll need every American and every community to get involved.

That is why I am committed to strengthening and building on the Nation-to-Nation relationship between the United States and tribal nations. That commitment started with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which provides over $3 billion in funding for Indian Country. And it extends to our work to empower Native communities to address their pressing local priorities, starting with significant increases in the 2010 proposed budget for health care, law enforcement and education. I recognize that this budget proposal does not make up for past deficiencies, but it does reflect my determination to work with you to reevaluate our spending priorities and include Native Americans in the national policy debate.

These efforts will not be easy. At times the pace of progress will be frustrating. But I am confident that we can bring the change we need, particularly given the outstanding team of leaders and experts whom I’ve chosen to join my Administration. Individuals like Larry Echo Hawk as Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs; Yvette Roubideaux as Director of the Indian Health Service; Mary Smith as Assistant Attorney General for the Department of Justice; and Hilary Tomkins as Solicitor of the Department of Interior.

I am also pleased to point out that Jodi Gillette of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, who is a member of my White House Intergovernmental Affairs staff, is with you today. And I am delighted to announce that someone many of you know Kim Teehee -- will soon be joining the White House Domestic Policy Council.

As we move forward, I want you to know that my staff and I are eager to engage with Indian Country on your priorities – to listen to you and learn from you. I am particularly looking forward to meeting with many of you at the Tribal Nations Conference we will hold at the White House later this fall.

Again, I thank you for your commitment. I wish you much success in your discussion today, and I look forward to hearing about it from Jodi when she returns to Washington later this week.

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