Dooda Desert Rock: Fighting the good fight

July 31, 2008
Contact: Elouise Brown,
Dooda’ Desert Rock Committee President505-947-6159
thebrownmachine@hotmail.com

(Photo: Polar bears are the victims of the Navajo Nation and other US power plants which emit black carbons, resulting in the melting Arctic ice and destruction of homelands for polar bears, walrus and seals.)

THE FEDERAL PERMIT IS ONLY ONE PHASE OF THE DEBATE
Yesterday’s AP article and a recent Daily Times piece assume that today is the deadline for an EPA decision. That is not what the June 11, 2008 notice in the Federal Register says. The paragraph that starts at the bottom of the left column on the second page makes it clear that the Agency will not make a decision on whether or not to withdraw consent to the consent decree until notice is published, comments are received from the public, and the EPA or the Justice Department made a decision on whether the public comments show that “consent is inappropriate, improper, inadequate, or inconsistent with the requirements of the [Clean Air] Act.”
We hear that the EPA did issue the permit, so if that decision is “final” the debate will likely shift to federal judicial review under the Administrative Procedure Act, with one more issue on whether the decision to ignore public comment and our points was an “abuse of discretion.”
It is interesting that the Dine Power Authority justified its request for $1 million in a “supplemental” appropriation for ongoing operations near the end of the fiscal year because of threatened litigation by environmental groups. When Dooda made its opposition to the request public, the head of the Authority specifically mentioned its threatened litigation. Frank Maisano did the same (mentioning “environmentalists”) in the AP piece. What point are they trying to make? How much money are the developers throwing at the Maisano law firm for propaganda?
This is our observation: We met with Merv Tano of the International Institute for Indigenous Management in workshops at an Indian environmental conference in Billings, Montana at the end of June. We discussed our views of how EPA environmental justice policies apply to the debate. While Merv (who is a Native Hawaiian attorney) said he does not support or oppose the plant, he pointed out that quibbling about scientific issues — such as air quality — does not help indigenous peoples. The environmental justice discussion should be about their values, traditions and their decisions about how they are going to handle their own resources. The federal environmental justice policy makes it clear that the “they” is the people on the ground and not a central bureaucracy. That kind of discussion is something that the Desert Rock debate has avoided thus far. What do the people think about coal development and power plants? What do the people think about wind power? What do the chapters think about being excluded when Window Rock starts some new “economic development” project? Is “economic development” for the benefit of the bureaucracy or for the people? The only thing we’ve heard about “shoes for the kiddies” is that it’s about a trickle-down from Window Rock.
We should have the opportunity to talk about real environmental justice. The developers still have to go to the Navajo Nation Environmental Protection Agency for an air permit. We are studying the scope of authority of the Navajo Nation EPA at this stage, and other provisions of Navajo Nation environmental law to see what options we have and what kinds of permits the Nation’s EPA handles.
Navajo Nation statutes and regulations require public notice and a hearing for permits, and Navajo Nation law allows extensive public participation. The Navajo Nation EPA recognizes that The Fundamental Laws of the Dine apply to its operations and the Natural Law provisions apply here.
We are not talking about litigation — yet. We are talking about an opportunity for a genuine public debate. The environmental impact statement talks were dog-and-pony shows that were controlled by the developers. We want to see adequate notice to the Navajo Nation public, debates that are not controlled by developers or an industry-friendly federal agency, and meaningful discussion of Navajo values. A lot of them will be and should be in Navajo. We intend to talk about Navajo Natural Law and Navajo environmental justice.
We look for an opportunity for meaningful discussion — following the Navajo tradition of talking things out.
###

Mohawk Nation News: Canada under Mohawk Microscope

CANADA FIRST DEFENCE STRATEGY UNDER MOHAWK MICROSCOPE

by Iako’ha’kowa and MNN Staff
Mohawk Nation News
July 16, 2008. Canada’s military build-up is meant to try to attack “people of color” world wide, steal our resources and eliminate our population. There is a big recruitment campaign for Indigenous youth going on. They want 20% of the armed forces to be native. That way it will look like we approve their actions. No money to heal or educate or pay the debt to Indigenous people. But plenty of money to kill!The U.S. inspired "Canada First Defence Strategy" (CFDS) is basically a capitalist economic plan. No thought has been given to sustainable development. The "Strategy" is an aggressive profit-driven scheme designed to benefit career soldiers and industry.
It was posted online on June 19 2008 with color photos of “Generalissimo" Stephen Harper and Peter “Fancies-himself-to-be-Idi Amin” MacKay. US military sites like “DefenseIndustryDaily” expresses skepticism about Canada's stability and its ability to follow through.
"A Military in Partnership with Canadian Industry". Harper says the military will be "Supported by predictable, long-term funding...” [i.e. tax and resource exploitation] so there will be unprecedented opportunities for international industry. It will be a bigger ”cash cow” than World War II. They are trying to impress their foreign investors and the subsidized corporations who will build war hardware instead of what we really need, housing, schools, hospitals and environmental detoxification programs.Pete lists the 3 roles of the military, “.. at home... in the defence of North America, and to project leadership abroad", which means "attack anyone anywhere if they get in the way”.
Their six core missions are: 1."Conduct daily domestic and continental operations, especially the Arctic? [are we under attack from endangered species like the polar bears and beluga whales?]; 2.Support the 2010 Olympics; 3.Respond to a major terrorist attack; 4.Support civilian authorities in Canada; 5.Lead international operations; and 6.respond to crises".
The “whole-of-government approach” is to meet domestic and international security requirements. This could mean totalitarianism.
Resources will be extracted without interference from the Indigenous owners. Since commodity manufacturing is saturated and the capitalists have created scarcity, plenty of money will be made in war materials and reconstruction by the military and industrial sectors using cheap labor.
CANADA IS BUDGETING $490 BILLION ON DEFENSE FOR THE NEXT 20 YEARS. That’s a rise of 2 percent starting in 2011, from approximately $18 billion in 2008 to over $30 billion in 2027.
The Government plans to "Increase the number of military personnel to 70,000 Regular Forces and 30,000 Reserve Forces". Programs like “Bold Eagle” are targeting Native youth, especially in the North to exploit the Indigenous knowledge of the land and destroy Indigenous sovereignty at the same time.
Canada is concerned about controlling sovereignty in the Indigenous owned Arctic. “Changing weather patterns are destroying the environment making sea traffic through the Northwest Passage accessible to shipping, tourism and resource exploration”. They aren't too worried about the extinction of the polar bears or the displacement of the Indigenous people.
Their domestic security is based on “fear” of “foreign encroachments” on “Canada’s” [Indigenous] natural resources."The Forces must assist other government departments in addressing such security concerns as over-fishing, organized crime, drug- and people-smuggling and environmental degradation." This sounds like militarized policing that is targeting ordinary people and particularly Indigenous.The military will be at the 2010 Olympics where Indigenous are opposed to development which is raping and contaminating our land in British Columbia.Trenton near the Mohawk community of Tyendinaga is Canada’s largest air force base where a NATO Forward Operating Base FOB is planned. Globemasters will be able to fly soldiers and equipment to war zones anywhere in the world.
Canada wants credibility with the U.S. Pentagon by working under them. Canada will go to war alongside "like minded" allies with or without UN approval, just like the US went to war on Iraq. Canada and the US have worked together since 1958 when they formed NORAD, not long after the St. Lawrence Seaway blasted away our riverside for the benefit of industries that polluted the environment. Wild animals are now registered as toxic waste. Since then they work together on “Canada Command” and the “US Northern Command”."Contributing to International Peace and Security and “stability abroad" means free, unfettered access to other people's territory and resources.The compliant media tell us that Canadian soldiers are building schools and hospitals in Afghanistan. In fact they are guarding the hundreds of mining developments like Aynak Copper Mine just a few kilometres from Kabul. This mine was bought by the Chinese Metallurgical Corporation MCC for more than $3 billion U.S. Afghanistan has gold, iron, uranium, and copper, hydrocarbons like coal and the rare element, tantalum. Kahensatake has a huge deposit of niobium, often found with tantalum.
Where will the “increased, predictable” "New Long-Term Funding” come from? Presumably, it will be the loot from Afghanistan and elsewhere.”Failed and failing states, civil wars and global terrorism" are being created so the military planners can describe the world as “volatile and unpredictable”."Nuclear-capable adversarial states headed by unpredictable regimes are particularly worrisome" [especially the U.S.] "The pernicious influence of Islamist militants in key regions" is the scapegoat for their military buildup and to give Israelis an excuse to go into Iran."Full range of challenges" sounds like putting down possible Indigenous and grassroots resistance to their insanity. Taxpayers contribute 10% of their income tax to the military. The Canada Pension Plan CPP and Ontario Secondary School Teachers Pension are invested in the military industry through the Carlyle Group, which just bought Bell.
With this money the government is buying four C-17 Globemaster strategic lift aircraft,17 new C-130J Hercules tactical lift aircraft, 16 CH-47F Chinook helicopters, three replenishment ships, 2,300 trucks, up to 100 Leopard 2 tanks and 6–8 Arctic/offshore patrol ships." The US has dozens of the Globemasters to carry all their war people and equipment to the war zone. They can be stuffed with piles of bombs. 12% or $60 billion will buy other big toys like 65 new Fighter planes, search & rescue planes, UAV's, weapons, bombs, communications equipment, radar and satellites.'Advantage Canada', will establish an elite military society based in the northern part of Turtle Island. $250 billion will go to 100,000 personnel by 2028. They want highly skilled needy individuals like the laid off factory workers from the car plants and those coming in from induced famines. They want to fast track immigration too."National Defence is the largest property holder in the federal government which is all on unsurrendered Indigenous territory. 21,000 buildings over 50 years old and crumbling, 13,500 works including 5,500 kilometres of roads, jetties, training areas, etc. and 800 parcels of land covering 2.25 million hectares will be replaced or replenished over the next 10 to 20 years.
housing. $140 billion for "readiness" training. That's $7 billion per year! This does NOT include any costs for a new major war. That requires NEW spending.
The "Strategic Investment Plan" will coordinate all the military spending. Military industries like Boeing, Northrop Grumman and GM are lined up at DRDC for big research and development checks to spruce up Canada’s "global excellence". [See CADSI web site].
The Canadian war makers are bringing corporate giants into the War Department to help them impose their plans. They will get big tax breaks and corporate welfare. Universities can grab funding too to work on military projects. Might is not right! Land and resource ownership is Indigenous and will always be. Canada is turning into a war economy when there’s no war. Are they making one on Indigenous nations to continue stealing our possessions?
Iakoha'ko:waSharbot Lake, Haudenosaunee Territory<kittoh@storm.ca> Your donation to the legal defence fund for Kahentinetha and Katenies would be greatly appreciated. Donate through PayPal at www.mohawknationnews.com, or to: “MNN Mohawk Nation News”, Box 991, Kahnawake [Quebec, Canada] J0L 1B0. Nia:wen/thank you.
Notes and Sources
http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/focus/first/defstra_e.asphttp://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/Canada-Lays-Out-Future-Defense-Plans-04894/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080619.wdefence0619/BNStory/National/homeDRDC (Defence Research and Development Canada) http://www.drdc-rddc.gc.ca/MERCHANTS OF DEATH AT CADSIhttps://www.defenceandsecurity.ca/public/index.asp?action=profilesRECRUITING NATIVE YOUTHhttp://www.army.gc.ca/lfwa/feature_boldEagle2006.htmhttp://www.army.gc.ca/boldeagle/contents.htmttp://www.forces.ca/v3/engraph/resources/subsidizededucation_en.aspx?bhcp=1#36http://www.airforce.forces.gc.ca/4wing/news/releases_e.asp?cat=92&id=6504NEW SEARCH TERMS Policy on Investment Planning, Advantage Canada, Strategic Investment Plan
See Category: “ CANADA “

Inside the Checkpoints: Border Walls, Texas Shame

Inside the Checkpoints
July 30, 2008
Jay J. Johnson-Castro, Sr.

Photos at:

http://picasaweb.google.com/Border.Ambassadors/BorderWallTXFirstWallFirstProtest

Border Walls…Texas Shame
A congressionally backed dictator has begun to violate Texas soil.
Shame on the dictator! Shame on the Congress! Shame on Texas! Shame on all of us!
How is it possible that a hurricane can come into the Rio Grande Valley…providing a “Wake Up Call” to the region, the State of Texas and the Federal Government…and all the above do nothing to wake the hell up?
After nearly two years of public protest and outcry, border wall construction on the levies in Granjeno, south of Mission, Texas, quietly got under way a couple of weeks ago. And, during hurricane season at that. An alarmingly quiet local media. There was no outrage on the part of any of our elected officials.
With the exception of the Texas Border Coalition, there are still no organized attempts on the part of elected officials, from county Commissioners to Congressmen, to halt the heinous invasive construction of the border wall during this hurricane season. As a result, Border Ambassadors announced on July 18 that a group of grassroots citizens would hold an all-faiths prayer vigil in Granjeno on July 27.
The thinking, conviction and discussion of this diversified group of American citizens was simple. It was spawned by Dinah Bear, a leading environmental attorney from the Washington Beltway, who has dedicated her time, energy and resources to stop the border wall construction. If there is no political force on the planet to stop the congressionally backed dictatorial powers of DHS and Chertoff from building the border wall, maybe “a miracle”, a “wake up call”, like an “Act of God”…like a hurricane coming up the Rio Grande Valley…would catch the attention of Commissioners to Congressmen to stop the insanity of building a border wall on levies during hurricane season.
Within the five days of the Prayer Vigil announcement, and four days before the planned prayer vigil itself, an unexpected tropical storm hit the news, came unexpectedly across the Yucatan and the rest is undeniable history. Hurricane Dolly slammed the Rio Grande Valley. “The Monitor” headlined the impact of Dolly as “A Wake Up Call”. Yeah, well…who the hell did it wake up? It didn’t even wake up the Monitor!
Despite the devastation, about 50 border residents from Brownsville to Del Rio met in Granjeno Sunday afternoon on July 27th. Driving into Granjeno, to the shock of all present, cranes and heavy equipment were building the border wall on the Granjeno levy! Did anyone in position of authority learn from the “wake up call”?
Evidently, a couple of days before Dolly’s landfall, IBWC Commissioner, Carlos Marin ordered a halt to the border wall construction of the levy in Granjeno. Yet, only two days after Dolly slammed into the Rio Grande Valley, construction on the border wall levy in Granjeno was again under way. Does that sound like the IBWC paid attention to the “wake up call”? How about the Army Corps of Engineers?
After the prayer vigil by a buffet of religious diversity, those present felt that something urgent needed to be done. “Faith without works is dead”. So a caravan of several dozen automobiles drove a quarter mile east to the border wall construction site. There, the citizens that participated in the prayer vigil, walked up to the levy, observed the beginnings of the border wall and then respectfully listened to a special prayer presented by Father Roy Snipes of Mission, TX.
It was a small peaceful protest, and it was the consensus that it was not the right time to commit any acts of civil disobedience. That trump card will be played at the right time…on another day.
(You can see pictures that were taken on Sunday, July 27, 2008 here: http://picasaweb.google.com/Border.Ambassadors/BorderWallTXFirstWallFirstProtest )
Imagine! While there was no federal funding to shore up the levies before hurricane season, there seems to be surplus money to build a border wall on the very same levies. While there was not enough help to drain areas flooded by Dolly, construction commenced on the levy in Granjeno.
It is shocking that even an “Act of God” is not enough of a “wake up call” to teach County Commissioners, Congressmen, IBWC, the Army Corps of Engineers, DHS, Chertoff, Governor Perry or even the President of the United States, that you should not be cutting into levies in the Rio Grande Valley during hurricane season.
America does not need a dictator. Yet Congress abnegated its power and ceded it to the Secretary of Homeland Security. Shame on Chertoff, an arrogant and callous liar, for accepting that dictatorial power and for his complicity of violating the Constitution.
Shame on Congress for abnegating and ceding its Constitutional powers to a dictator…and for not having the courage to take it back.
Shame on the Supreme Court for not hearing the Defenders of Wildlife and Sierra Club lawsuit challenging the unconstitutionality of the waiver power given to Chertoff. Certain dedicated Americans are going to continue to push forward to the Supreme Court over such a violation of the Constitution.
Shame on the Texas Legislature and the Governor for not defending and protecting our borders. They would rather protect their right to execute foreign prisoners than to defend millions of hardworking Texans who live on the border.
In the mean time…shame on our dishonest Senators…Cornyn and Bailey-Hutchison…who said they wouldn’t vote for the border wall…and then did.
Shame on our Texas Congressmen for not putting up a solid fight to protect our border community in Congress and for letting the racist supremacists hold serve.
Shame on us…too! We have not done even 1% of what “We the People of the United States” should be doing to stop the totalitarian tyranny and protect our beloved borderlands.
A grotesque border wall was built in California. A grotesque border wall was built in Arizona. A grotesque border wall has been built in New Mexico. Yet, those three states only represent 35% of the entire US-Mexico border. Texas constitutes 65% of the border. We are a community of solidaridad y amistad. We have had every chance to stop this border wall. Yet, a grotesque border wall is now being constructed in Granjeno. As folks went to the prayer vigil in Granjeno, Highway 83 Expressway, it was noticed that the shopping centers and restaurants were quite busy. Shame on us!
Shame on us, if we who are adults allow this border wall to be built on Texas soil. Shame on us if we leave our children and grandchildren with the $100,000,000,000 of borrowed money that it is taking to build this symbol of cruelty and inhumanity.
Shame on us if we leave a border wall “from Sea to Shining Sea”…from the Pacific coast to the Gulf coast…to have to be torn down by some future generation…perhaps that of our grandchildren. What will they think of us…knowing we could have stopped this travesty in the first place…if we but had the moral fiber…and the courage to stand up against oppressive tyranny? Will our children and grandchildren be like the German people of today as they look back at the cowardice shown in the face of a dictatorship and the culture of fear and cruelty towards fellow humans of the fascist era?
While this is an American shame…this is especially a Texas Shame. Texas could have stopped this from happening.
Ahhh! But we still can!!!

Genocide in South Texas: Homeland Security and George Bush perpetrators

Flooding in South Texas: Lipan Apache and poor of Rio Grande suffer while Homeland Security and George Bush do what they do best: Genocide

From: Margo Tamez

To: E-mail: DHSOIGHOTLINE@dhs.gov
Fax: (202) 254-4292
Department of Homeland Security
Washington, DC 20528
Attn: Office of Inspector General,
Hotline
Office of the Inspector General
False Damage Claims: 1 (800) 323-8603
July 30, 2008

Dear Inspector General:

At this time I am submitting a testimony from my community members, the lineal descendent Lebaiye' T'nde' (Lipan Apache) people who are the aboriginal land title holders to territories of South Texas, the Rio Grande River and into northern Mexico. Currently, my family members reside in numerous counties of South Texas which have been horribly and negatively impacted by the ongoing flooding and infrastructural calamities in Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr and other affected counties. Reports from my mother, Dr. Eloisa Garcia Tamez (Lipan Apache) and other community members, as well as reports from local news reports, compel me to file an official complaint regarding the human rights, civil rights, and indigenous rights abuses occuring at this very moment against colonias, rancherias, unincorporated and incorporated communities all along the Rio Grande. Many of the communities are undergoing great losses and tragedy, including loss of homes, livelihoods, livestock, crops, and who are currently still without the most fundamental needs to sustain life, i.e. potable water, food, medical supplies and medical attention. Elders, children, the working class poor people of the Rio Grande river front communities are the hardest hit in this ongoing devastation. My mother and others have reported eye witness accounts of seeing D.H.S. sitting by idly, merely offering electrical fans at the local gas station, as a remedy for folks who do not have electricity, nor food, water, and are wading in a filthy infested stew of both animal and human waste and decomposition. There are reports that helicopters of the Border Patrol and Army National Guard merely patrol over the border--but do not render aid to those who are in the most isolated and most hard-hit areas. Local news reports that there are countless colonias and rancherias of the poorest of the working classes who have still to be dealt with at all. Their physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual needs are being neglected in this horrendous human disaster. They have yet to see a speck of government, military, NGO, faith-based, or or communitarian aid to alleviate this calamity. My mother and others are strongly critiquing the LACK of FEMA's presence in rendering immediate and assertive aid to our poorest river front communities. Many of these communities are direct lineal descendents of the aboriginal people of this region--they are the land owners, who have legal title to live and to enjoy their freedoms on their own lands. They also have the civil rights and human rights of all other U.S. citizens in similarly declared disaster areas. Finally, this testimony is a complaint against the Department of Homeland Security, Michael Chertoff, President George W. Bush, and the infrastructure which supports their offices due to the fact that local land owners in Hidalgo County reported yesterday that INSPITE of this calamitous disaster which has brought South Texas counties, cities, and the International Water Boundary Commission and Mexico to its knees---that DHS has begun to build the unpopular border wall once again. This is a sign of a tyrannical, cold and vampire-like government which instead of utilizing public resources towards rendering aid to the local governments and people, it is exploiting the local systems, institutions and populations at their greatest moment of vulnerability and humanitarian need. I see DHS/Michael Chertoff and President George W. Bush as the primary perpetrators of heinous crimes against humanity, human rights abuse, indigenous rights abuses against my Lipan Apache people, my ancestors, our sacred sites, our ecological and biological resources, our mineral resources, and our water resources with their aggression against us up to the present moment, in regards to their focus on the increased militarization and imprisonment of our people and lands in the border wall project. Currently, at this dark hour, as my people, our lands, our sacred sites, and all the plant and animal relatives are suffering due to an aggressive, institutionally racist policy of laissez-faire towards Native Americans, Mexican-descent peoples, and border communities, I see DHS/Michael Chertoff and President George W. Bush as perpetrators who are currently committing crimes against humanity and genocide against the Lipan Apache people of South Texas, other indigenous communities in South Texas, and Mexican-descent persons and communities living along the Rio Grande on the U.S. and Mexico side of this calamity. It has not gone unnoticed by the local communities how intensely the nation-states moved to protect their corporate investments--hotels, resorts, oil platforms, airforce jets and planes, and other 'vital' assets of the United States and its companies. At the same time, we have noted how deficiently and minimally the nation-states have responded to the humanitarian needs of the majority of the aboriginal land owners and original title land owners (with Spanish Land Grant and Treaty land ownership claims) in the region. This is my testimony, from my heart and from the oral testimonies shared with me by my family members undergoing psychological terror due to the fact that they have to witness this further erosion of democracy and justice in the United States under the iron-fist of an unpopular government which clearly demonstrates they rule against citizens and take up hostile policies to further our demise. Let it be known among you that the Lipan Apache Women's Defense/Strength stands for the indigenous people and all oppressed groups on the Mexico-U.S. international border which violently dissects our natural traditional territories, a border which was aggressed against us without our free and prior informed consent--in the past and continued into the present moment. Margo Tamez

-- Our BLOG:lipanapachecommunitydefense.blogspot.com
Catch up: Margo Tamez & Lipan Apache Women Defense co-founder, Eloisa Garcia Tamezhttp://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/search?q=margo+tamez
Lipan Apache (El Calaboz) Women & Community Built a Global Movement...https://mysite.wsu.edu/personal/mtamez/calaboz/default.aspx
Supported by~~Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Lawhttp://www.centerforhumanrights.org/University of Texas School of Law & Rappaport Institute for Human Rightshttp://www.utexas.edu/law/news/2008/061608_working_group.html
NEWS RELEASES: Lipan Apache (El Calaboz) Communty Defense~~(Thanks to National Network for Immigrant & Refugee Rights, http://www.nnirr.org/)(RE: Dr. Eloisa Garcia Tamez vs. Michael Chertoff/U.S. DHS):http://www.nnirr.org/news/index.php?op=read&id=110&type=8http://www.nnirr.org/news/index.php?op=read&id=90&type=8
WE ARE~~Lebaiye T'nde' Shini', South Texas
Restoring T'nde' Isdzan shimaa shini' gokal

US Dept Justice asked to investigate Sheriff Arpaio for willful 'civil rights violations'

By Brenda Norrell

PHOENIX -- Recently, on an Amtrak ride across America, an elderly man bragged about purchasing a pair of panties signed by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio. First, I thought he was joking. Then I just wanted to throw up.
This same sheriff, glorified as a romantic hero and cowboy-style sheriff, is actually a criminal. This is the ultimate in what the U.S. fantasy-news media produces; making heroes of villains, bullies and racists.
Attorney Michael C. Manning, on behalf of his clients, asked the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate Sheriff Arpaio for abuse, cruelty, willful civil rights violations and other crimes.
Here is an excerpt:
" ...in 2001, MCSO guards in the same jail killed another young man in the same Restraint Chair. This time it was a 125lb retarded man who lived with his Mom and Dad. We took that case on and tried it before a jury. The jury unanimously awarded our clients $9,000,009.
Eight MCSO jailers were found liable for taking this man's life; none were ever disciplined and most were actually given MCSO promotions! "----
A Censored News blog reader writes:
Sheriff Joe is getting more attention, and perhaps he likes this kind also.
In late April, Phoenix-area attorney Michael Manning sent to U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey a 10-page letter requesting that the U.S. Dept of Justice investigate Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio for violations of law.
That is to say, this popularly elected champion of tough-guy law and order is himself accused of the most serious law-breaking.
Sheriff Arpaio is accused of repeated -- for more than 10 years (and by his own admission) -- practices which are constitutional violations and have resulted in more than $40 million in legal costs and settlements paid by the taxpayers, PLUS deaths and injuries to inmates, and unlawful demands on, and encouragement of illegal behavior by, guards and other Sheriffs Dept employees.
All without any indications that harsh and cruel treatment of persons held before trial - or above incarceration times imposed by the courts, - has reduced crime.
But Sheriff Joe says "NO ONE" will tell him how to run his jails.
Here are some highlights from the request for Federal intervention:
Sheriff Joe has participated in or encouraged:
Use of excessive force resulting in at least 7 deaths
Willful disregard for the advice of penal consultants (including his own) to correct violations of law and poor management of his jails
Destruction and alteration of evidence
And recently the Sheriff had the publisher and editor of a local newspaper arrested after publicizing the Sheriff's activities and editorializing against them. The County Attorney approved the arrests -- until public outrage at both local and national levels forced him to drop the charges and dismiss the special prosecutor (a very highly paid business associate).
Manning is representing the owners of the Phoenix New Times in another Federal court action claiming violations of civil rights. The lawsuit against Sheriff Arpaio is almost certain to result in another large settlement - they ask for $15 million - paid for by the taxpayers who fail to vote Arpaio out of office.
The majority of voter-taxpayers may think they are not really affected but, if so, they don't care about how their money is spent nor how the Constitution is protected. In violating a "few" persons' rights this representative of the government - a man with a big gun and bigger ego - jeopardizes the rights of all citizens. ------
Local law enforcement officials - and Cochise County, AZ is no different - often exceed the statutory and constitutional limitations on their powers. Rarely does any one challenge them, and, in our part of the world even more rarely do such excesses and challenges get reported in the very limited local media. DMM
How much have lawsuits and claims against the Cochise County Sheriffs Dept and the Sierra Vista Police Department (and other local PDs) cost taxpayers in cash so far?
It's not an insignificant amount (that is, it's in the millions), but it's hard to say exactly because local officials aren't keen on actively providing such public information, and ....
Did you read about it in the Sierra Vista Herald?
-----PS. I invite you again to consider the value of an "alternative press".

editor.svdr@gmail.com

Also see: Arpaio's racist media targets Isabell Garcia, cochair of Derechos Humanos in Tucson

http://censored-news.blogspot.com/2008/07/call-to-action-arpaios-racist-media.html

For a e-copy of the 10 page letter contact: brendanorrell@gmail.com

Photo: Arpaio protest in Tucson. Photo Brenda Norrell

Homeland Security's 'Vulturism' in Flooded South Texas

Homeland Security repeats New Orleans crimes against humanity in South Texas

Contact: Margo Tamez, (509) 595-4445
Dear friends,
I am writing on behalf of Margo Tamez, who called me from the road today and asked me to relay this important message to you. Her mother Eloisa Garcia Tamez told me on the phone today that FEMA is not providing aid to poor people in the flood who are without food and who are in need of medicine.
Eloisa Tamez emphasized the issue of disparity, as she witnessed escorts for the movement of big business materials, while people are suffering. And on this same day, DHS commenced construction of the border wall in Hidalgo County, where the same people who are dealing with the wall and militarization of their neighborhoods have had to leave their homes during the flood.
Margo Tamez says, “DHS is performing vulturism upon the communities in their most dire moment of catastrophe. Today in Hidalgo County DHS started on the wall. They must be more humanitarian! DHS must stop wall construction and provide disaster relief.”

Censored News, readers respond

Thanks to all of you for your comments. Since the article on censorship and hush words was published in the UN OBSERVER & International Report, CounterPunch and the Narcosphere, the comments are pouring in. The following comments are published with permission:

Support from Italy: Opposing Canadian border guards attack on Mohawk grandmothers and publishers

This letter expresses support from Italy, through the italian Blog "Nativi Americani.it", after the violent and unjustified attack of June 14, 2008 by the guards directed by Canada Border Security Agency against grandmothers Mohawk, Kahentinetha Horn and Katenies (alias Janet Davis).The colonial border crosses the center of the Mohawk territory, this people is not American or Canadian, but are "Kanion'ke", this Native People have always crossed freely this land, The treaties and international law confirm that right.The complaint to the United Nations sent to 'Office of High Commission for Human Rights and to Permanent Forum on Indigenous Peoples of United Nation warns that many lives of these peoples' lives are in danger. " In particular young people, women with children and the elderly, especially if these people are known because speak in favor of their rights, including genocide of PEOPLES OF FIRST NATIONS IN CANADA, including genocide in the mines of uranium, murder of innocent children in residential schools, the kidnapping and rape of indigenous peoples and the excavation of land (for housing, industrial development of NAFTA) where there are the tombs of ancestors.These women were violently attacked by causing one of them a heart attack, suffer intimidation by blocking access to the internet, telephone and electronic mail.The other woman, Katenies, was attacked and was kept in isolation in prison for three days. There is the probability that they are trying to kill them. This attempt seems by the public security of Canada, by police and security officers and all agencies of the Government of Canada.In 2003 Katenies was falsely accused of crossing the border. His question is:"What authorities and what jurisdiction you have on me and my land?" But the judge refuses to answer. This People have the right to ask that there is an answer to this question. In 2006 a complaint was filed with the Canadian Commission for Human Rights, without any reply.Canada Government has defined these people as "terrorists", "rebels" and as a "global risk". But this people have no army or weapons. In fact, are a peaceful people who want to live with their families. The International Relations between Canada and these people are seriously in crisis.. There is an urgent and desperate need to initiate an investigation by an independent and neutral court. The courts of Canada are not neutral. We ask your immediate intervention. These people are in danger of life. Please help these people so that nobody is killed or threatened.Respectfully,
Giuseppe Fappiano Cerretyo Sannita (Benevento) - Italy supporters of Italian Blog "Nativi Americani.it",
http://www.nativiamericani.it/

On Censorship, from a dog soldier
hello brenda from italy.
i am an enrolled southern cheyenne living in europe, a prof, who cannot work in my own homeland .. i want to applaud your efforts on behalf of our people ... as a dog soldier headman i couldn't agree more with your work ... thank you .... lance henson
Bio in Native Wiki:
http://www.nativewiki.org/Lance_Henson

Censorship of Leonard Peltier
Great article!!! I have been a Peltier supporter for many years and have found that far too often it's a bit like pounding my head against a wall. Far too many people just simply do not give a damn about him, his farce of a trial, and his 30+ years of illegal and immoral incarceration. It is blatantly obvious that many people have been paid off and/or threatened by the feds if they were to disclose the truth. For the government to withhold thousands of pages of information regarding Leonard under the guise of "national security" is absolutely insane!!! Too many souls have been sold ... too many asses have been covered. I have written my congressmen, senators, etc. many times asking them to look into the case of Leonard Peltier, but have yet to even garner a response from any of them. I enjoy your writing and check out your Censored sight frequently. Keep up the good work!!!
In the Spirit of Crazy Horse,
Dave Murray
North Mankato, MN

Cops in Canada: Mob attacks on Shawn Brant and the Mohawks

OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino uses “mob tactics” on Shawn Brant and the Mohawks

Mohawk Nation News
July 20, 2008. The death penalty has been abolished in Canada. Julian Fantino has been trying to do an end run around this. Last June 29th 2007 Fantino pronounced an extra judicial death sentence on Mohawk Shawn Brant of Tyendinaga. He has used the police forces to threaten Indigenous people. He is trying to provoke us to commit violent acts in self-defense to give him the excuse he wants to kill us.
According to the CBC News [7/19/08 7:00PM] the OPP Commissioner should be investigated for the comments he made under oath at the preliminary inquiry. Peter Rosenthal, who represents Mohawk demonstrator Shawn Brant, said on Saturday July 19th that he is calling for the government to investigate Commissioner Fantino’s comments to Brant on the phone during the aboriginal day of action.
Newly released court documents show the OPP were just minutes away from moving in to forcibly remove Indigenous demonstrators who did not block the road or close Highway 401 at protest sites in eastern Ontario. In wiretap transcripts Fantino threatened Brant, "Your whole world's going to come crashing down". Fantino also said he was going to “do everything I can within your community and everywhere to destroy your reputation".
The tap on Brant's cell phone was made without obtaining a court order. The Criminal Code allows for wiretaps without a court order in extreme situations. There was plenty of advance notice given about the day of action last year.Gangster-like Commissioner Fantino admitted that ... there were snipers ready at this time and he was close to moving in.
Fantino’s “Mafioso” tactics could lead to another Ipperwash given the high number of colonial violations against Indigenous rights. We will continue to protect our people, our land and our possessions. Fantino is dangerous. He will not let the law stop him from trying to incriminate us.
Fantino’s actions contradicts the OPP's guidelines for dealing with Indigenous people as recommended in the wake of the OPP killing of Dudley George at Ipperwash Provincial Park in 1995.
Fantino quickly headed out of town. Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty stands by his “mobster” commissioner.MNN calls for the immediate resignation of Fantino.

MNN Staff
Shawn Brant's lawyer, Peter Rosenthal, speaks to the media on Saturday.(CBC)http://news.aol.ca/article/lawyer-brant/286930/
PLEASE NOTE : As can be seen, it’s becoming critical for legal actions to be taken soon to protect our rights. We have no funds. Canada is hiring costly law firms to defend their illegal actions and suppress our rights. If you can donate anything to our cause, it will be greatly appreciated. Donate to: PayPal, www.mohawknationnews.com, or “MNN Mohawk Nation News”, Box 991, Kahnawake [Quebec, Canada] J0L 1B0. Nia:en/Thank you very much. Contact: katenies20@yahoo.com

Mohawk Nation News: 'Beware of Cops in Sheep's Clothing'

INDIGENOUS AND SUPPORTERS, BEWARE OF COPS IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING –

Mohawk Nation News
July 20, 2008. Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner Julian Fantino’s fascist actions against Indigenous people are not new. His illegal dirty tricks to trap Mohawks and Shawn Brant in particular may have been developed and practiced in cop training school. It’s an old pattern. Cops are basically well-paid thugs. Looking at the police training videos, we see police being trained to instigate violence.
Way back in the Winnipeg Workers Strike in 1917 the police were found to be responsible for the violence. In relations with the Ongwehonwe, it is once again armed state forces, police or military that have caused violence and deaths time and time again. Remember the Mohawk Oka Crisis in Kanehsatake in 1990, Gustafsen Lake in B.C. in 1995, the killing of Dudley George at Ipperwash, and all of the recent confrontations at Six Nations and Tyendinaga! The violence on all occasions was started by the cops and their instigators.
We’re not the only ones targeted for abuse. The 1970 Quebec nationalist movement that wanted to create an independent socialist state was almost completely taken over by the RCMP. A lot of the people in the movement were young idealistic students and professors. The police turned their movement into a violent crisis. British Trade Commissioner James Cross was kidnapped and Quebec Labor Minister Pierre Laporte was kidnapped and murdered.
Bombings were threatened. The FLQ was used to provide all the justification that war mongering individuals in the Canadian government needed to launch an All-out offensive. Pierre Trudeau, that sneaky “rat fink” who sold out integrity, instituted the War Measures Act authorizing extraordinary actions by the RCMP. Rule of law was suspended. The armed forces were deployed. Thousands of innocent youth and students were arrested and held without charges for weeks and months. The same kind of tactics are being used against Indigenous today.
Trudeau claimed this use of state force was necessary to protect Canada from the “scourge of terrorism”. There was no terrorism except the terrorism from within that was planned and orchestrated by the RCMP.
The MacDonald Commission of Inquiry into Certain Acts of the RCMP revealed that the FLQ was completely infiltrated by police agents from the very beginning. The 1981 report found police agents were responsible for planning and carrying out terrorist activities within the FLQ. The RCMP used paid agents and other Canadian and Quebec groups to spy on and discredit the youth and student movement. It is very likely that they are doing the same again.
The students who support the Ongwehonwe and human rights, freedom of speech, decency and fair play, are all extremely vulnerable. The so-called forces of law and order have a long history of infiltrating student and popular movements in order to create violence that will enhance the power of the police and military forces.
During the October Crisis the Commission described 11 different types of dubious or outright illegal operations that were carried out by the RCMP. These included:
RCMP agents made secret allegations against tens of thousands of Canadians and shared them with police in other countries including the U.S., India, Pakistan, Israel, Lebanon, Iran, Britain and Ireland. They’re still doing that. Remember Arar who was sent on an “extraordinary rendition” flight to be tortured.
RCMP stole membership lists from the Parti Quebecois and looked for people who could be recruited to be their agents.
RCMP burned barns in Quebec as part of training sessions for terrorist activities; they gave weapons, explosives and cash to members of the FLQ and trained them to use them. www.modern-communism.ca
Did the public learn anything? The cops have become more secretive. That’s when the Canadian Security Intelligence Service CSIS was formed. They have an “Indigenous sector” and they have classed Mohawks as terrorists and insurgents. This means that our rights have been taken away from us without trial or due process or even notice. Or maybe they have secretly declared war on us without the knowledge or consent of the Canadian people. We must always keep in mind how far these state funded “power freaks” will go to achieve their nefarious ends.
MNN Staff
.
PLEASE NOTE : As can be seen, it’s becoming critical for legal actions to be taken soon to protect our rights. We have no funds. Canada is hiring costly law firms to defend their illegal actions and suppress our rights. If you can donate anything to our cause, it will be greatly appreciated. Donate to: PayPal, www.mohawknationnews.com, or “MNN Mohawk Nation News”, Box 991, Kahnawake [Quebec, Canada] J0L 1B0. Nia:en/Thank you very much.

Russell Means: Lakotah Grand Juries investigate injustice in South Dakota

In South Dakota, Custer still lives,
He sends people to the county jail.
--Brenda Norrell

Russell Means: Lakotah grand jury to investigate corruption and injustice in South Dakota

Pechanga Net, Native News:
The Fives: Land of Lakotah not the first to look for a split from the U.S. (SOUTH DAKOTA) -- Talk of secession can be serious business, just ask Russell Means. The recent development with the proclaimed Republic of Lakotah seeking further separation from the Union seems like an unusual step to address some real problems.
in Native News > Government & Politics

From Google Breaking News ...

Russell Means: Lakotah grand jury will not indict Rapid City Journal, SD - Jul 28, 2008... in South Dakota will spend several months gathering evidence of alleged abuses against the Lakota people, according to organizer Russell Means. ...
Republic of Lakotah investigating tribal corruption Rapid City Journal
all 2 news articles »
Russell Means, Secessionist Lew Rockwell, CA - Jul 6, 2008According to the generally untrustworthy Washington Post: "Over four decades, Russell Means has led an insurrection, posed for Andy Warhol, aspired to be an ...
Washington Post Magazine Contributor Washington Post, United States - Jun 30, 2008Controversial American Indian activist Russell Means came to Washington to declare his people's independence from the United States. ...
Bruning doubtful of racial bias in area legal system Chadron Record, NE - Jul 24, 2008By GEORGE LEDBETTER, Record Editor Thursday, July 24, 2008 Charges leveled by American Indian activist Russell Means of racial bias in the legal system in ...
Indian activist finds racism in area legal system Chadron Record, NE - Jul 8, 2008... of opinion over the issue of racism in Dawes County is pitting Native American activist Russell Means against the local police and judicial system. ...
Activist says assault charge shows racism Chadron Record, NE - Jul 2, 2008... writer Wednesday, July 02, 2008 A case pending before Dawes County District Court has garnered the attention of Native American activist Russell Means. ...
Time stood still for Wounded Knee author Black Hills Pioneer, SD - Jul 17, 2008I saw the change in Vernon and Clyde Bellecourt, Dennis Banks, Russell Means and others within the movement. Vernon Bellecourt and Floyd Westerman became my ...
Censored in the USA: Hush words The NarcoSphere, NY - Jul 28, 2008For editors, those words include two names "Russell Means" and "Leonard Peltier." Also, in Indian country, reporters know it is unlikely that editors will ...

Honoring those who walked

In July, Long Walkers were honored in Washington D.C. Here, walkers on the Longest Walk Northern Route were honored at the Buffalo Nation Powwow in Penn. The three women in this photo were honored in Washington for making it all the way from Alcatraz to Washinton D.C. on the Longest Walk Northern Route: Lisa Peaks, Anishinabe/Pomo; Sage, Ponca from Oklahoma and Willow Dixon of Portland, Oregon. Photo copyright Brenda Norrell.

Dooda's Front Lines Music Fest August 2 and 3, 2008

Photo: Elouise Brown and Dennis Banks on the Longest Walk in Greenbelt, Maryland. Photo Brenda Norrell

Greetings Dooda Desert Rock Supporters,

Please join us for a special fund raiser happening August 2nd & 3rd, at the Dooda Desert Rock campsite at Chaco Rio, NM. On August 1st, we welcome you to join us at the DDR camp to help us prepare for the Front Lines Tour Music & Art Festival. We will be cooking and doing final set-up activities. This is a time to spend in prayer and celebration as we kick off the festivities.
On August 2nd, DDR will host the “FRONT LINES TOUR MUSIC & ART Festival 2008” to celebrate our theme: NO TO COAL BURNING POWER PLANTS, YES TO ALTERNATIVE ENERGY, and to entertain our guests, ReadNex Poetry Squad, as they visit our camp. DDR welcomes ReadNex Poetry Squad to New Mexico. We are honored to be a part of this tradition, as we support our brothers and sisters who have committed themselves to a cross-country tour for environmental protection and Native American rights. We will have an opportunity to share the story and mission of DDR while the ReadNex Poetry Squad share their poetry and music at our camp. We are especially excited to welcome all musicians and artists to this event.
This is going to be a powerful festival, one with plenty of performers and hours of dance and festivities, that will raise money to fuel the fight. Admission is $10 per person per day or $20 per person if you plan on camping with us. Food and drinks will be available for sale. Please bring your chair and whatever else you need to be comfortable.
On August 3rd, we will hike to tour the proposed desert rock energy project site. Certainly, there is much to be gained from reading and hearing about the story of Dooda Desert Rock, and how outside corporations, such as the Sithe Global, LLC and Desert Rock Energy Company, LLC have enlisted are local Dine Power Authority to promote this ridiculous idea of desecrating our Mother Earth, the environment, and the health of the people on and around the Navajo Nation. A true comprehension of the devastating nightmare threatening the beautiful Chaco Rio and Ram Springs, NM landscape, can only be experienced by visiting this vast, pristine land, breathing the sacred air, and grounding yourself in the spirituality of the Dine people. We hope you will all join us, not only to understand the logistics of this ill-conceived project, but to also experience the connection we feel with our homeland.
The ReadNex Poetry Squad will resume their journey on August 4th and DDR will resume their mission to stop the proposed Desert Rock Energy Project. We hope you will join us in this historic celebration.
Elouise Brown

Censorsed in the USA: Hush words

By Brenda Norrell

Censored News

ON THE ROAD -- I didn't see it coming. After 25 years of writing American Indian news, I didn't really expect to be blackballed and censored out of the business. But, then again, any journalist writing serious news in the United States should expect to be censored. There are some hot topics that get U.S. journalists fired, including investigating the war in Iraq. U.S. Presidents realize the power of words and song to move the masses. It was Buffe Sainte Marie's "Universal Soldier," during the Vietnam War that led to her being blackballed and censored out of the music business in the U.S.
In Indian country news, there are also hush words, words to be used sparingly, if at all. For editors, those words include two names "Russell Means" and "Leonard Peltier." Also, in Indian country, reporters know it is unlikely that editors will publish any serious criticism of the war in Iraq or the Bush administration. Reporters also know it is unlikely that their articles will be published if they point out how the elected American Indian tribal councils sell out their people and their land, air and water for energy royalties and energy leases. At the same time, those councilmen and tribal chairmen give voice to the need to protect sacred Mother Earth.
While on staff at Indian Country Today in 2004, the managing editor, a non-Indian, demanded that I halt writing about "grassroots people and the genocide of American Indians." When I continued, I was reprimanded again. Eventually I was fired without a reason given.
It taught me about history and the soul of America. In the United States, there is this hole in history, and this hole in the hearts of the people, which disallows for these facts: the genocide of American Indians, including the butchering of women and shooting of little children, and the kidnapping, enslavement, torture, rape and murder of blacks.

As always, those who forget history, repeat it. The United States now trains military around the globe how to torture. This torture, in violation of the Geneva Conventions, targets Indigenous Peoples in Central and South America and the people of Iraq and Afghanistan. This torture targets anyone whose lands and resources are desired by a multi-national corporation. The proof was in the U.S. School of the Americas torture manual made public in 1996. The latest ploy is to simply dupe people into the corporate resource scheme, by convincing people to pay for fictional "carbon credits," the non-factual fee to pollute.

On the US/Mexico border, where Homeland Security and the Border Patrol ignore the sovereign status of Indian Nations and all federal laws, there are death threats for journalists and Indians living on their lands.
At ICT, I was terminated in September of 2006 after one of my articles was rewritten, turning the exposure of Donald Rumsfeld profiteering from stocks from the sale of the bird flu's Tamiflu into a near advertisement for the product. Also before I was terminated, I was instructed to never write about, or even investigate, the fact that the Navajo commercial farm, Navajo Agricultural Products Industries, has a Raytheon Missile factory on the same land where it grows potatoes, corn and other commercial crops. The Navajo Nation owned NAPI also boasts that it uses genetically-modified seeds; seeds leading to widespread misery for the world's Indigenous Peoples.
I was also told I could not publish a news probe into whether Ben "Nighthorse" Campbell was actually Portuguese or Northern Cheyenne.
Well, most of the usual suspects received good jobs at the big museum in Washington D.C.
The important point is not to be fooled by the newspapers, do your own investigating. The editors, publishers and owners have their own agendas. These days, very little of it has to do with truth. If you want to learn about the destruction of sacred places and all the corporations rushing to poison the land, air and water where you live, you'll need to search out the information, don't expect to read about it in your newspaper.
The non-Indian newspapers have no qualms about censorship these days. In the spring, I wrote an article about the Longest Walk for a news publication. A watered-down version of it was published. Here is one of the paragraphs that was censored:
"It was in Greensburg, Kansas, that another dimension of the west opened up, the force of a tornado to rip out a town. The debris was still piled high nearly one year after the tornado of May 4, 2007. I could only think of the billions of dollars going to rebuild Iraq, after the US bombed it; the billions going to the corporate friends of the Bush family. Still, there was hope and abundant love in this town as the people were rebuilding green, focused on solar and wind power and sustainable gardening."
Hope, that's what keeps us going, and readers like you.
Thanks for reading. Brenda

More on Rumsfeld profiteering from stocks from the sale of the bird flu medication Tamiflu:

http://bsnorrell.tripod.com/id73.html

(Photo 1: Sand Creek Massacre Site in southwestern Colorado, where Cheyenne Arapaho women were butchered and toddlers shot in cold blood by the US Calvary. Photo Brenda Norrell. Photo 2: Veterans for Peace, Arlington West, Santa Monica beach 2007. Tribute to dead Americans whose families never were allowed to mourn in public and Iraqis. Photo Brenda Norrell. Photo 3: Imprisoned Navajo and Apache children in Fort Sumner, Bosque Redondo, NM. Photo courtesy New Mexico Museum.)

Longest Walk honors

By Brenda Norrell

Alcatraz to D.C. -- The Longest Walk Northern Route walkers were honored in D.C. who began the walk in Alcatraz and finished in D.C. Dennis Banks presented badges to Lisa Peake, Anishinabe/Pomo, who walked and served as security all the way across the United States; Sage from Oklahoma, who walked and launched a singing career; Luv the Mezenger, who walked, ran and served as security. Luv, a hip hop artist from Los Angeles, and Willie Lonewolf, Navajo Ute, crossed the Sierra Nevadas on snowshoes when the snow drifts of seven feet became too deep for walking. Unprovoked, Luv was also attacked by Columbus, Ohio, police. The police pointed a taser at walker coordinator Michael Lane, Menominee, before throwing Luv to the concrete. Also honored in D.C., but not shown in photo, were Harry Pruyne from Penn., Aislyn Cognan from Calif., Yukio from Japan and Willow Dixon from Oregon. Thanks to all of you who cooked, served as security, brought food, donated cash, said prayers, organized powwows, brought winter clothes and tents, organized meetings and did all those other million things for the Longest Walk Northern Route. Photo Brenda Norrell (Double click on photo to enlarge)
Photo of Harry Pruyne speaking during honoring ceremony:
http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2008/07/northern-route-walkers-honored-in-dc.html

Protecting Mato Paha: Corporation linked to mercenaries

Protecting Mato Paha, Bear Butte: Strong arm corporation linked to mercenaries

By A. Gay Kingman
Executive Director
Great Plains Tribal Chairmans Association

The GPTCA passed this attached resolution to Protect Mato Paha (Bear Butte) on July 10, 2008. Help is needed to protect our Sacred Sites and Mato Paha! Mato Paha is a State Park not Federal and the development and encroachment to the Sacred Site is increasing. The Rosebud Sioux Tribe and Northern Cheyenne have land at the base of Mato Paha, but there is still land not owned by American Indian Tribes and the price of the land has increased tremendously so our Tribes cannot afford to purchase what should be our Land in the first place according to our Treaties.
The Sturgis Rally is starting up in Aug. for two weeks. While many Bikers are respectful, the bars create problems. Drunkenness, lewdness and other disrespectful actions will be happening in the bars which are developing closer and closer to Mato Paha. The County has granted alcohol license to the Bars in spite of the Protests of American Indian People and other supporters. Recently, a corporation has purchased majority ownership in the closest Bar to Mato Paha and they are going to have helicopter rides over the Butte. We are informed this Corporation is affiliated or are former Blackwater high clearance mercenaries and have already strong armed some American Indians who were on public land taking pictures.
The Contact person for supporters of Mato Paha is tamra@protectsacredsites.org or you may contact me regarding the Resolution and the Great Plains Tribal Chairman's Association.
In Spirit,
A. Gay Kingman, Executive Director
Great Plains Tribal Chairman's Association
1926 Stirling St.Rapid City, SD 57702
Cell: 605-484-3036 Fax: 605-343-3074
E-mail: KingmanWapato@Rushmore.com

Resolution No. 52-07-10-08
RESOLUTION OF THE
GREAT PLAINS TRIBAL CHAIRMAN’S ASSOCIATION (GPTCA)
This Resolution is set forth to ensure the ongoing protection of our Sacred Mato Paha (Bear Butte), from the deleterious impacts of commercial development and the increased presence of bars, concert venues and recent attempts to provide helicopter rides in and around Mato Paha and other Sacred Sites within the 1851 and 1868 Treaty Area.
WHEREAS, the Great Plains Tribal Chairman’s Association (hereafter “GPTCA”)
is composed of the elected Chairs and Presidents of the federally
recognized sovereign Indian Tribes and Nations within the Great Plains
Region of the Bureau of Indian Affairs;
WHEREAS, the GPTCA was established to promote the common interests of the sovereign Indian Tribes and Nations who are members of the GPTCA; and
WHEREAS, the United States has obligated itself both through Treaties entered into with the sovereign Tribes and Nations of the Great Plains Region and through its own federal statutes, the Snyder Act of 1921 as amended, the Indian Self-Determination Act of 1976 as amended, and the Indian Health Care Improvement Act of 1976 as amended; and
WHEREAS, the GPTCA seeks to protect all places of ancestral worship within the 1851 and 1868 Treaty areas, including Mato Paha. Fort Laramie 1851 Treaty, 11 Stat. 749. signed September 17, 1851; Fort Laramie 1868 Treaty, 15 Stat. 635, signed April 29, 1868, ratified Feb. 16, 1869, proclaimed, Feb. 24, 1869; and
WHEREAS, because the GPTCA recognizes its responsibility to act to preserve and protect sacred sites within the 1851 and 1868 Treaty Areas, the GPTCA seeks through this Resolution to protect Mato Paha and other sacred sites by condemning in the strongest possible terms the ongoing encroachment of bars and other commercial venues in and around Mato Paha and our other sacred sites; now,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the GPTCA respectfully requests that the Meade County Commission, the South Dakota Game, Fish and Wildlife Department and South Dakota Governor Rounds work cooperatively with the GPTCA as it fulfills its responsibility to preserve and protect sacred sites within the 1851 and 1868 Treaty areas, especially Mato Paha; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, The GPTCA opposes the issuance of liquor and other commercial licenses near and/or adjacent to the said sacred sites; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, the GPTCA requests that the citizens of South Dakota and the citizens of other areas near and/or adjacent to the said sacred sites respect the indigenous spiritual use of those areas the way that members of the GPTCA respect churches and cemeteries used by the said citizens.
RESOLUTION: 52-07-10-08
RESOLUTION OF THE
GREAT PLAINS TRIBAL CHAIRMAN’S ASSOCIATION (GPTCA)
CERTIFICATION
This resolution was enacted at a duly called meeting of the Great Plains Tribal Chairman’s Association held at Rapid City, SD on July 10, 2008 at which a quorum was present, with 11 members voting in favor, 0 members opposed, 0 members not abstaining, and 5 members not present.
Dated this 10th day of July, 2008.
Ron His Horse Is Thunder, Chairman,
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe
Great Plains Tribal Chairman’s Association

Photo: www.protectsacredsites.org/

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Target Logistics Corporation and Blackwater's David Shoe

By Tamra

The second issue was the new liquor license application filed by David Shoe, General Manager for the new investors Target Logistics, Broken Spoke Campground LLC.
Target Logistics has paid off all of Jay Allen's outstanding debts for Broken Spoke Campground, LLC with the exception of one that is currently in litigation. They have dumped hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not more, into this place already. Jim Seward attorney for Target Logistics also stated that Jay Allen still owns 30% of the stock, which contradicts everything that they have testified to previously, which was that Jay Allen is no longer involved. These people change their story at every hearing.
Target Logistics Corporation showed up at the hearing with 12-15 suits, including the CEO, various attorneys and military personnel. They spent a hour of the hearing testifying about military issues, and praising David Shoe, since he was previously involved in Blackwater, had been in Afganstitan and Iraq and apparently has secret service clearance, even today. They actually brought previous military personnel here to testify on behalf of David Shoe's character, for a liquor license at a bar located at Bear Butte.
They used the war, they used the military service to gain sympathy and support from the Meade County Commissioners, to acquire the license.
Does anyone see the irony here? Can someone please explain what the military has to do with a bar, at a sacred site and what they are doing here?
The supporters for the Bear Butte issue were sitting listening to this testimony, wondering what any of this had to do, with Meade County and a bar at Bear Butte?
Several people stood up and questioned these statements and motives.
Jack Doyle, a local Meade County resident continually testifies against our side, and always includes disgusting and racist comments, stated "Indians do not own Bear Butte mountain, they are their as guests, if its not suitable for them they can go somewhere else."
In peace & solidarity,
Tamra
http://www.ndnnews.com/
http://www.protectsacredsites.org/
http://www.protectbearbutte.com/

Peace and Dignity Journeys Central Arizona routes

Peace & Dignity Journeys 2008 Central Arizona Route

Photo: Peace and Dignity runners, including grandmothers, in Pennsylvania with Long Walkers Northern Route at the Buffalo Nation Powwow. Photo Brenda Norrell

Here's the routes for Central Arizona. Another route ran from Wheatfields on the Navajo Nation south through Apache lands. A route in New Mexico was scheduled to arrive in Las Cruces today, Saturday, July 26, after running in from Albuquerque.

Main Route
Contact: Liza Hita
Date Start End Mileage
7/26 (Sat.) Ft. Mojave Nation (Needles,CA) Chimehuevi Nation (Lake Havasu, AZ) 67 miles
7/27 (Sun.) Chimehuevi Parker/C.R.I.T. 35
7/28 (M) Parker Salome 60
7/29 (T) Salome Akimel O’Odham Nation (Gila River – Piipash Village, D7) 90
7/30 (W) Piipash Village Sacaton (Gila River, D3) 47
7/31 (Th) Sacaton Tohono O’Odham Nation (Santa Rosa) 60

Altares de Izkalotlan Tributary Route
Contact: Tupac Enrique-Acosta
Date Start End Mileage
7/26 (Sat.) Salomen Wickenberg 55
7/27 (Sun.) Wickenberg Azteca Nation (Nahuacalli – Phx)* 71
7/28 (M) Nahuacalli
Moadahk (South Mountain)** 11
7/29 (T) South Mountain Yaqui Nation (Guadalupe) 5
7/30 (W) Guadalupe Sacaton 30
7/30 (W) Piipash Village Sacaton*** 45
* via Macehualtepec & Phx Indian School (Steele Park)
** via Barrio Garfield & Pueblo Grande
*** via Muku’yahui & end @ Casa Blanca Rd.
Jornadas de Paz y Dignidad 2 Continental Ceremonial Run
“HONORING OUR SACRED SITES”
ALASKA PANAMA ARGENTINA
For more info/para mas información:
Tonatierra – Nahuacalli
802 N. 7th St., Phoenix
(602) 254-5230
peaceanddignityjourneys.com
tonatierra.org

The Peace & Dignity run is dedicated to healing our tribal nations. The run strives to bring the sacred staffs to as many native nations as possible. The run started in Alaska and is heading to Panama. This years run is dedicated to protecting sacred sites.

THE GILA RIVER ROUTE
The Gila River route will start on July 30th in Piipash village (D7), will run through Komatke and Vahki (D5), and camp in Ge’e Kih (D3). The run will head out of Sacaton on July 31st and make its way to Santa Rosa Village in T.O.
We are in need of runners, support vehicles, food and water donations as it travels through our lands. Contact: sunriverhawk@aol.com

Navajo Peacemaker: Walking in Beauty in Iran

Walking In Beauty As A Framework for International Peacemaking In Iran

Navajo Peacemaker Michelle Cook, 23, reflects on her journey to Iran

By Michelle Cook
cookmichelle7@gmail.com

International politics and decisions impact Navajo people and Indian country in very real ways. If the U.S attacks Iran it will have consequences for the numerous Navajo and other indigenous peoples who are currently serving in the armed forces. Leaders, advocates, and youth of Indian Nations have the responsibility to ask questions to protect indigenous service men and women from fighting wars or engaging in military conflict that can be prevented or is unnecessary.
Few Americans are aware that in 1953 the U.S through the C.I.A orchestrated an overthrow of the popularly elected Iranian government and installed in its place a puppet government. This was primarily a response to the Iranian decolonization efforts to manage and benefit from their oil, which had previously been under direct control by American and British companies. This effort of decolonization would strip the U.S and Britain of their profits. The U.S created a coup that overthrew Prime Minster Mosaddegh, leader of the decolonization efforts; putting in his place the U.S backed Shah Mohammed Reza.
The U.S backed Shah Mohammed Reza and this regime ruled over the Iran with an iron fist violating the dignity and human rights of anyone who questioned. In the 1970’s the Iranian youth and peoples engaged in the Islamic Cultural Revolution lead by Imam Khomeini and threw out the U.S backed regime creating the new theocratic nation of the Islamic Republic. Ever since the revolution Iranian people have been managing their oil. Few are also aware the United States supported Iraq in the Iraq-Iran war of the 1980’s.
Currently, actors within the United States government claim that Iran is threat to national security and as a result of this perceived threat the U.S government believes it has the right to wage a military attack on Iran. The United States claims that Iran is developing weapons of mass destruction however the United States has yet to provide conclusive evidence to substantiate this claim. Additionally, Iran as well as other “non-nuclear weapons” states through the signing of the 1968 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty have the legal right to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, therefore, they would not be acting outside their legal limitations if processing uranium or developing nuclear technology.
If the United States were to attack Iran it will be with no moral or legal authority. In fact an attack on Iran will be illegal under international law and could be seen as an act of aggression. Considering the current Iraq occupation and the volatile situations of occupied Palestine, Lebanon, Pakistan, and Afghanistan a U.S military strike would send an already unstable Middle East further into chaos and farther from any realization of meaningful and effective self-determination, peace, and security. This is not to say Iran is a utopia, Iran like all states has its own set of social, economic, and political dilemmas and these problems will only be effectively solved by the Iranian peoples themselves not by Americans from thousands of miles away. Iranian people and peoples of the Middle East are not “terrorists” when they defend land and resources that rightfully belong to them. Unfortunately American people have been led to believe the stereotypes and often perceive Islam and peoples of Middle Eastern descent as nothing more than “terrorists” and violent people.
As opposed to dialogue the United States has made threats of violence and have created sanctions that have isolated Iran from the international community, elevating anti-American sentiments as opposed to resolving core contentions. Many Iranians and American alike believe that the core contention between the U.S and Iran lie not in issues of “terrorism” but rather Iranian control and management of its oil. The potential war with Iran would only benefit the oil companies who want to monopolize the market and dictate the price of oil. The lives of Navajo people and the welfare of American people are worth far more than green paper or barrels of lifeless Iranian oil for the profit of western trans-national corporations.
I went to Iran, because people have the right to hear both sides. Furthermore, the American people and Navajo people are entitled to know what we are being led into and deserve nothing less than full transparency when situations such as these arise. I went with a peacemaking tradition armed with Navajo prayer and the wisdom of the ancestors.
Iran is an ancient place, its population is 62 million, about half of whom are below the age of twenty. Iran is also home to several distinct tribes, such as the Ashayer, Gonbad, Qashqui, and Bakhtiyari. These tribes are nomadic, moving with the seasons, herding sheep across vast mountain ranges. Iranian tribes like the Navajo tribe are also weavers. It is the tribal peoples of Iran who are the renowned weavers of the many of the Persian Rugs. These tribes face some of the same challenges indigenous peoples in the Americas face, poverty, lack of health services, traditional mobility, and language revitalization to name but a few. In the United States rarely do we hear about these tribes or the beauty and diversity of Iranian peoples and cultures.
I met with Iranian youth who are in the process of defining and redefining themselves in relation to Islamic Republic of Iran. I found a people who are in the process of striking a balance between ancient Islam and modernity. I found strong women who are defining women’s rights in Iran on their on terms and at their own pace.
As I walked through those ancient sacred lands, I didn’t see terrorists. I saw the faces of real people; I saw families, mothers, fathers, and children, not racist stereotypes found in the media. Iran is home to many kinds of cultures and faiths.
I found some of the most kind and hospitable people I have ever encountered. I found the people who practiced Islam to be a kind and prayerful people, much like Navajo people. In Islam guests and strangers are treated as messengers of God and are given great respect, I was this given this degree of respect and was invited into their homes, where we ate and prayed for peace together. Saying both Navajo and Islamic prayers.
I wanted Iranian people to understand the diversity of America, the idea of sovereign Native Nations, of distinct peoples, as nations within a nation. I wanted them to understand some of the realities, strengths, and challenges of indigenous peoples in the United States, most importantly not to see Navajo as a vanishing people, but as active protagonists in a long and epic battle for complete harmony and self-determination. I wanted them to know the Navajo people not only as the people who walk in beauty but also as a fierce warrior people who have fought and are still fighting for the liberation, restoration, and healing of our peoples, the earth, her resources, our culture, and our language.
When I shared my story with Iranian people, I felt a real sense of solidarity, almost a familial connection. I found people who were compassionate about the struggles of indigenous peoples of North American. Although we are different, we have one thing in common. Iranian peoples like indigenous peoples want to determine their future, practice their culture, and religions without interference from outsiders, foreign rulers, and influences. I talked with veterans of the Iran and Iraq war of the 1980’s who defended their land and are advocates for peace because they never want to experience war or it’s destruction in their lands again in fact the Iranian people are still healing from the trauma caused by this war.
The Navajo people have much to teach the American people and the world in terms of non-violence and conflict resolution such as the Navajo Nation Peace Makers Court and Navajo Peacemakers. The aim of Navajo peace making is to resolve conflict and restore harmony to individuals in conflict non-violently based on Navajo custom and belief. Navajo peacemaking framework is built upon the Navajo philosophy of hozho, and uses a process that stresses dialogue and what Robert Yazzie explains as “talking things out”. The United States can learn much from Navajo in this regard, for the U.S has consistently failed to facilitate dialogue or talk things out with the Iranian people or the government. This failure not only threatens the safety of the American people but also the lives of Iranian peoples and young indigenous and Navajo soldiers. If the U.S government is unable or unwilling to facilitate this dialogue civil society and Indian Nations must advocate for and create these conversations.
As Navajo people we are taught to take care of the earth, and in return she will take care of us, this is an ancient practice of ecological sustainability. If we violate the rules of nature, as well as the teachings of the Holy People they can discipline us, therefore we are taught to do whatever we can to maintain hozho. This is what the elders have said. The holy people, also taught us how to live, and not to consume too much of any resource, this teaching extends to oil consumption. Wars should not be fought for oil. Oil is like the blood of the mother earth. Navajo people and American people need to look to ancient wisdom and reevaluate the consequences of the over consumption of earth resources; both bio-fuels like palm oil and ethanol as well as fossil fuels like oil and coal. One needs only to observe the changes in the weather, the hurricanes, and floods, imbalances in the atmosphere, to see the consequences of drifting away from our ecologically sustainable practices. Some call it climate change perhaps Navajo see it as discipline by the Holy People for living out of balance with the earth and not respecting her.
We are the Diyin Nohookáá Dine'é the Holy Earth Surface People. Navajo people are vested with the sacred responsibility of maintaining hozho. We were taught by the Holy People to value and respect all life as sacred. This includes the earth and human life. This also includes the lives of Middle Eastern peoples and the Iranian people, however different our cultures may be. I believe hozho or walking in beauty can be applied to create harmony on local and global scales. To create and advocate for a world and society where peace and harmony abounds personally, locally, nationally, and internationally. Walking in beauty or walking on the path of pollen, it is a hard path to walk, but it is a way the ancestors gave to personally and collectively find peace. Walking in hozho or peace is walking like a warrior, but not all warriors carry arms, some carry songs, some cedar, and some carry prayers for peace.

Photos: Iranian weaving and Navajo traditional yarns for weaving. Photos by Michelle Cook

Longest Walk concludes in DC

Email lw2dcmedia@gmail.com
Aislyn Colgan (831) 295-2555
Morning Star Gali (510) 827-6719

Eight Thousand Mile Walk for Native American Rights, Environmental Protection, and to Stop Global Warming Culminates in Mass convergence and two day celebration

After 5 Months, 'The Longest Walk 2' Converges in Washington D.C., Manifesto For Change Demands "Immediate Responsible Action"

By Morning Star Gali

Photo by Brenda Norrell

WASHINGTON, DC – An 8,200 mile Native American prayer walk for Indigenous People's rights that began five months ago on Alcatraz Island, arrived in Washington D.C. on Friday July 11th. Over 800 walkers from across Indian country as well as international allies survived many challenges such as extreme weather conditions such as forceful winds, rain, snow, and even a tornado in their journey to raise awareness about sacred sites protection, cultural survival, youth empowerment and Native American rights. The successful journey traversed 24 states and 35 reservations. Each community shared with the walkers their stories of environmental destruction and threats to sacred sites. The walkers arrived in Washington D.C. with the message 'All Life is Sacred, Protect Mother Earth'. The 2008 Longest Walk marks the 30th anniversary of the original Longest Walk of 1978 that resulted in historic changes for Native America. In July of 1978, thousands of American Indians, in an affirmation of Tribal Sovereignty, walked from Alcatraz Island in the San Francisco Bay to Washington D.C. They converged on the Nations' capitol to oppose and successfully defeat 11 pieces of legislation in Congress that would have terminated many significant treaties between the federal government and tribes nation wide. The two paths that comprised the Longest Walk 2 of 2008 included a Northern and Southern route. The two routes joined together on the morning of July 11th at Lafayette Park as they marched towards the White House and continued the spiritual walk to the Capitol. "Today, we are one voice. We are one spirit. We are one body. The two walks brought together many different people from many different parts of this country -- from different reservations, from different communities, from different walks of life. But today, we have brought this pair together as one prayer. A prayer for the sacred mother earth, a prayer for future generations, a prayer for the earth." said Jimbo Simmons, Northern Route coordinator. House Judiciary Chair, US Representative John Conyers (D-MI) and Harry Belafonte met and welcomed the walkers who delivered to Conyers a 'Manifesto for Change'. Drafted in its majority by Indigenous Youth, the manifesto consolidated the findings of the five month journey into an 18 page Manifesto detailing specific action items proposing solutions to the specific regional, and national problems brought to the attention of the walkers by the communities they visited. The 'Manifesto for Change' is a living document addressing the conditions of Indigenous communities across Turtle Island. "The manifesto is the result of this five-month journey to gather support for a call to action to protect our sacred sites and to clean up mother earth and deliver the voice of the people to congress and demand congress to act." said Yaynicut Franco, a 20-year-old member of the Wukchumni Nation Youth Council. "Most of these issues are identical to those encountered by the original Walk in 1978. Both Manifestos attest to the affirmation of the sovereignty and ongoing resistance of Indigenous peoples. The lack of responsible action will no longer be tolerated. The Manifesto is a demand for immediate responsible action." Along with the 'Manifesto for Change' delivered to Conyers, The Longest Walk representatives delivered the 1978 Longest Walk Manifesto, "An Affirmation of Tribal Sovereignty". Presentation of the 1978 Manifesto was an uncompleted goal of the 1978 Longest Walk. The historic 1978 document included landmark declarations from Sovereign Indigenous nations that encompassed the issues of National Sovereignty, "The Principles of Native Women from Indigenous Nations" and the treatment of Indigenous political prisoners. .Upon receiving the Manifestos, Congressman Conyers stated "The Committee on the Judiciary will hold hearings on each one of these items that you have outlined here." Conyers also stated that he would hold a conference with Longest Walk 2 representatives before public hearings are held to ensure that congress fully understands the issues that The Longest Walk has presented. Conyers closed by stating, "I don't want anybody in the Congress or in the United States of America to ever forget that: This was your land. This still is your land!" Conyers extended his message of solidarity by stating "All of us come together to join hands for one simple obvious reason that we've learned, your cause is our cause!" Michael Lane, one of the many veteran 1978 walkers that participated in The Longest Walk 2 stated, "For those of us that survived the first walk, we never stopped walking. For me, it's taken me all over the world. [All over the world] they're struggling for the same things that we're struggling for here. As indigenous peoples, we face a common threat…extermination through corporatization. We no longer face individual nations and nation states. They work together through something called CANZUS - it stands for Canada, New Zealand, Australia and the US. They're the same four countries that did not sign the Declaration for the Rights of Indigenous People. We need to coordinate our struggles, and we need to maintain our tribal sovereignty. We need to redefine internationalism to maintain our own identity as indigenous peoples of this world." Dennis Banks, co-founder of the American Indian Movement and lead coordinator the Longest Walk 2 closed the day's events with a final message to the walkers that had traversed over 8,000 miles "So you have an awesome responsibility. Some people are saying, 'What kind of protest is this?' We're not protesting -- we're walking for Mother Earth. We're walking for things that should be right. That's what we're walking for! Native people, we will always take up the gauntlet. We will never lie down in the face of struggle. If we have to keep walking this continent, we'll walk it again!" The following day a Pow-Wow and concert were held on the lawn between 4th and Maryland Ave. from 10a.m. till 8p.m. to celebrate the colossal achievement with performances by Keith Secola, Bill Miller, Snowbird Singers, Bloodline, Ribbontail drummers and more. The entire Manifesto For Change, and the original 1978 declaration is available on its entirety on the website http://www.longestwalk.org/. ###

-- Morning Star Gali

Listen to Longest Walk Talk Radio, 500 audios from the northern route, Alcatraz to D.C.
www.earthcycles.net

Shelley Brant: Correcting police myths on the arrest of Mohawk Shawn Brant

From Shelley Brant:

I would like to address the myths that Police Commissioner Julian Fantino has perpetuated in the media since the arrest of Mr. Shawn Brant on Friday April 25, 2008 and the events that have transpired since regarding police action at the Mohawk protest in Deseronto:

An Open Letter to Police Commissioner Julian Fantino:

First of all Shawn Brant was not arrested during a routine traffic stop as explained by Fantino:
“Tensions boiled over in eastern Ontario near Deseronto, Ont. Friday, when one of the protesters of a land claim dispute near that community, Shawn Brant, was arrested during a traffic stop.”
Mr. Brant was arrested while giving an interview with APTN the Aboriginal People’s Television Network. This can be proven by watching their news footage on April 25, 2008 which shows Mr. Brant’s arrest and also verifies he was arrested while doing an interview with them. I have to question then whether the O.P.P. had a warrant for Mr. Brant’s arrest, if you have to use a made up traffic stop to justify grounds for his arrest. If you didn’t have a warrant for his arrest this means that you had no grounds to arrest Shawn Brant unless you had reason to believe he was committing a criminal offence, which he clearly wasn‘t, unless giving an interview is now some sort of offence. If you didn’t have a warrant you also had no authority to search his vehicle or his person, which was captured on film by APTN. Things don’t add up and don’t make sense Mr. Fantino, the last time I looked the Charter of Rights and Freedoms also applied to Native people so I would like to know just whose laws are you upholding because it isn’t the laws that I’m familiar with? I would also like to know how many of the Deseronto Squatters have been arrested? This was the group that came to the Deseronto roadblock solely to cause trouble at a peaceful protest.
Also there are no weapons on the site as reported by your men obviously when yours were drawn and pointed:
“Police say they saw a 'long gun' being pointed at them from a location inside an occupied quarry, which protesters have controlled since March, 2007.”
“An order was issued to all police personnel on the scene to take cover, and guns were drawn by officers crouching behind their vehicles, but no shots were fired.”
‘‘The protesters said they had no weapons at the quarry.’
You also say that you are not trying to remove anyone from any land and that this has nothing to do with land claims, however, this comment shows that the protesters have indeed been ordered to leave the land they have been occupying now for close to a year.
“Protester Jason Maracle said they will refuse all orders to leave what they consider to be Mohawk land.”
“The OPP asked protesters to leave the site or face arrest.”
Toronto Sun - April 26, 2008
“We're not moving anywhere,” he said. “They're going have to kill every God damn one of us to get us off our land. We're not moving. ... I guess if they want another 1990 scene, then OK, I guess we'll have one.”
Canadian Press
April 25, 2008 at 7:46 PM EDT
What’’s the public Danger when all protesters are unarmed?
"In the interest of public safety, the officers established roadblocks to permit limited access to the area," Sgt. Rae said.”
Meanwhile, there were reports that police saw one of the demonstrators pointing a long gun at them. Sgt. Rae would not confirm this, but did say that officers were ordered at one point during the standoff to draw their weapons.”
Guess this confirms that the police actually did point their weapons now doesn’t it?
"We are staring down the ends of gun barrels," protester Jason Maracle said in an interview from the quarry. He said the protesters had no weapons with them - declining, for tactical reasons, to say how many demonstrators remained at the site.”
Globe and Mail - June 26
Fantino, you and you alone have escalated this nobody else and as shown above you have ordered the protesters out of the quarry:
“OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino last night said the dispute is not a land-claims issue. "This violent criminal activity occurred outside of any legitimate protest and will not be tolerated," he said. "Police officers being assaulted and injured for doing their utmost to keep the peace and protect the law-abiding community is unacceptable.
"We're trying to keep this from escalating."
I’m sorry Fantino but it appears that you are following the same deadly blue-print of the Ipperwash protest which led to the shooting death of Dudley George, because as the final report released last June shows, this is exactly the way it started, right down to reports that the protesters were armed:
“Protesters inside a quarry protest site told the Sun last night they were 'worried' a confrontation was imminent. "We are surrounded here," said protester Mike Brant. "They are sending the media away so we are worried they are going to take us all out."
“He said they were concerned police were going to "come in the dark with guns" which would be unfair because "we are not doing anything. All we are doing is sitting here holding out land. There is nothing wrong with that."
“The OPP said they were concerned when officers spotted a 'long gun' pointed at them from within the quarry. Native protesters deny this.”
““Protesters have controlled the quarry since March 2007”
“Several witnesses confirmed the OPP had up to 150 officers and 50 vehicles already on site in this town, 50 kms west of Kingston, near the Mohawk Territory.
Sun Media's Pete Fisher said he was told by police that "they couldn't guarantee my safety" and he reported that he had never seen a bigger native protest scene. A whole field was set ablaze.”
Toronto Sun - April 26, 2008
Yes you have also contended that no weapons were pointed at anyone, yet your own men and other witnesses above have said differently:
“The Commissioner went on to say OPP had not trapped anybody in the quarry, nor pulled or aimed guns, among other things.”
No Fantino your lies are inflaming the situation:
“I think it's inflaming what is already a very tenuous, very difficult situation, he said.”
The Hamilton Spectator - April 27, 2006
Now let me draw on the similarities between Tyendinaga and Ipperwash:
(All of this information can be verified in the Ipperwash final report released in June of 2007 Volume 1 at http://www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca/inquiries/ipperwash/report/index.html)
1. Ipperwash: The ERT and True teams were both dispatched based on false unverified information that the protesters were armed…Reports were they were in possession of hunting rifles and semi-automatics weapons…they then considered these false weapons a threat to public safety: the final report verifies there were never any weapons found after the shooting of Dudley George either in the vicinity of the park or the parking lot.
Tyendinaga: 150 armed officers pointing their weapons after false reports of seeing someone point “long gun” at them….
2. Ipperwash: Both sides fear a major event based on each others movements: O.P.P. dress to move what was escalated at one point to at least 15-20 men in a parking lot outside the Provincial Park….it was verified later by the final report that there was
only 6 men present in the parking lot and 25 protesters inside the park.
Tyendinaga: With approximately 20 protesters present, the O.P.P. deploys approximately 150 armed officers who indeed drew their weapons after a false report of a long gun being pointed at them.
3. Ipperwash: Both the True team and the ERT team consisting of 4 teams of O.P.P. officers “The criteria for calling in the True Team is a threat to life” They were also sure they had the men n the parking lot for committing mischief and also for weapons dangerous because they had been spotted with baseball bats.
Tyendinaga:. Officers arrest Shawn Brant during a supposed traffic stop and 150 armed officers are all of a sudden on the scene.
4. Ipperwash: “The O.P.P. should have communicated with the protesters that they should remain in the park and that the O.P.P. would not attempt to enter the park.”” As I discuss in the following chapter the Aboriginal occupiers firmly believed that the O.P.P’s intention that night was to march into the park and arrest any protester who refused to leave the park”
Tyendinaga: I understand that there is now ongoing communication between the protesters and the O.P.P and the O.P.P. have been asked to withdraw that statement saying that the protesters are armed, but that has yet to be done.
This block has everything to do with the quarry dispute.
““A large trench was dug across the highway overnight and a number of people remain present at the site of the road blockage. This road blockade is unrelated to the ongoing quarry dispute.”
O.P.P. Press release
April 27, 2008
5. Ipperwash: No involvement of the First Nations Police who could have helped diffuse the situation.
Tyendinaga:. Tyendinaga Mohawk Police were at the site of the quarry occupation until Chief of Police Larry Hay was suspended and eventually fired for calling the O.P.P, R.C.M.P and the Surte de Quebec police racist. After that Tyendinaga Police were taken off peace-keeping duty at the site and replaced by O.P.P.
“Suspended Police Chief Larry Hay of the Tyendinaga Mohawk Police Services once said, that an injustice cannot be remedied by the rule of law. His recent suspension, in which this publication played a small part, serves only to highlight the difference in philosophies that exist on either side of the figurative barricades when it comes to policing and justice.”
“The actions of the Tyendinaga Mohawk Police Service at the quarry occupation site, and at the railway blockade, is proof that First Nations policing works. There were no physical confrontations between police and demonstrators, between demonstrators and their detractors, or between the detractors and police. Unlike in Caledonia, where the OPP used different tactics to try to keep the peace, First Nations policing is proving its worth by facilitating a peaceful resolution and focusing on communication rather than confrontation.”
On-line Pioneer
2007-04-24
6. Ipperwash: O.P.P. press releases full of misinformation after the shooting of Dudley George and those statements were never retracted. According to O.P.P. press releases at the time Dudley George was present on a school bus that began firing at officers as it left the park. A weapon was spotted in Dudley Georges hands by an officer who open fired. In actual fact as proven by the final report: Two teenagers were driving the bas and Dudley George was no where near the bus, there were also reports by officers of actually seeing muzzle fire on the bus, but no weapons were ever found on the bus or anywhere else. Dudley George was in fact outside and kneeling down at the time of his shooting and was unarmed.
The bullet trajectory or entry point proved that for Dudley George to have been in a standing position that someone would have had to shot him from someplace above him like a tree. Officers maintained throughout their testimony etc that there was bullet fire in their direction and that was the reason they opened fired. As stated earlier when they area and the park were searched there was never one weapon found to verify their evidence which can be verified by the final report.
Tyendinaga: We have press conferences and mistruths being perpetuated by both Commissioner Fantino himself and other O.P.P officers in the media. The O.P.P. now know for a fact according to one of their own men that what they thought was a gun, was in fact a stick after they blew up a picture of the individual said to he holding a "long gun". I have yet to see a media retraction by Fantino stating that they were mistaken, however I don't think it will come because that takes away there excuse for being there in the first place. They have to portray Mohawks as being armed and violent, in order to justify such a serious show of force!!!!! Nothing has changed.
7. Ipperwash: It as shown that Racism was clearly present within the O.P.P organization when officers were found on tape to have made racial slurs via radio just before the shooting of Dudley George. Afterwards the sale of t-shirts and coffee mugs with logos clearly showing they were proud of killing an Indian were sold to both members of the TRUE and ERT members of the O.P.P., which they had designed logos for themselves.
Tyendinaga: "I am calling on all persons to act in a respectful manner and to build upon relationships within our communities, Commissioner Fantino stated. "Let there be no mistake however in our resolve to hold those accountable who break the law and jeopardize safety."
OP.P. Press Release - April 28
How can you even mention respect when you have yet to show it to any of the Mohawk people involved? If you call respect being dishonest and the portrayal of stereo-types of Native people in the media as violent and armed then you have a lot to learn about respect. As for fostering relationships in these communities, that’s usually done with honesty and trust in place on both sides of the relationship. Whatever thread of trust the O.P.P. have fostered within the community of Tyendinaga probably died quickly after the actions taken by the O.P.P. starting with the deployment of a 200 man team to remove the roadblock in Deseronto.
My question to Fantino is clearly what have you learned from the death of Dudley George? Nothing it is apparent, nor do I think you want to learn anything otherwise you would have taken a different path to resolve these issues during both the road block in Deseronto and at the quarry site. I want to know what you’re really doing there?

Shelley Brant
Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory

Also read: Shelley Brant: Why Julian Fantino Must Go
A wiretap was issued, not just for Shawn Brant’s cell phone but 4 other phones including his brother who is a lawyer ... Read more:
http://censored-news.blogspot.com/2008/07/shelley-brant-why-julian-fantino-must.html

A tribute to the Long Walkers

Long Walkers of the northern and southern routes merge in Greenbelt, Maryland in July.
Photo copyright Brenda Norrell
Final Call: Longest Walk empasizes Native American concerns:
http://www.finalcall.com/artman/publish/article_5011.shtml

Listen to audios from the Protecting Mother Earth Conference

Listen to downloads from the 15th Indigenous Environmental Network Protecting Mother Earth Conference, Answering Mother Earth's Call for Healing -- Reaffirming Our Roots, held July 17 -- 20, 2008, on Newe Segobia (Western Shoshone) lands, at South Fork, Nevada.

Listen to IEN staff, Western Shoshone and Indigenous Peoples from the Americas at http://www.earthcycles.net/

More info at Indigenous Environmental Network: http://www.ienearth.org/

(Photo: Western Shoshone were among the speakers at the IEN Conference/Photo Brenda Norrell)

Canada's Cameco targets Lakota homelands with uranium mining

Cameco, the company that just bought 500 tons of Iraqi yellow cake via the US and transported to Montreal, is not only connected to the Bush secret society of Skull and Bones, but Cameco has also targeted the Lakota homelands

PRESS RELEASE
20 July 2008
contact info: Debra White Plume 605-455-2155

OWE AKU STATEMENT
email: lakota1@gwtc.net
During early winter of 2007, for the first time in 17 years, seven petitions were filed with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission regarding In Situ Leach uranium mining. The petitions were seeking to intervene in the uranium mining license amendment application of the Crow Butte Resources, Inc. In Situ Leach uranium mine in northwest Nebraska (ISL mining utilizes a system of underground piping to extract uranium.)
Three of the seven petitioners were granted “Standing to Intervene” by the Atomic Licensing Board (ALB), following a January 16, 2008 hearing in Chadron , Nebraska . The petitioners and their legal counsel will attend a hearing in front of the ALB on July 23, 2008 at 10am at the Scottsbluff Room of the Student Center at Chadron State College in Chadron , Nebraska to settle some issues that will determine how the big hearing itself will take place.
The three petitioners granted “Standing” (Debra White Plume, Oglala Lakota from Pine Ridge , SD , the Western Nebraska Resource Council, and Owe Aku, Bring Back the Way, a nongovernmental organization on the Pine Ridge, SD Indian Reservation) opposed the expansion application by Crow Butte Resources, Inc. to establish a second ISL mine called “North Trend” northwest of Crawford , Nebraska . “Standing” is a term that designates meeting strict criteria established by the ALB and allows the petitioner to present their “Contentions”. Contentions are the petitioners’ reasons why the NRC should not grant a license to the mining corporation.
Three contentions of Debra White Plume and Owe Aku that have been accepted by the ALB include ISL uranium mining’s potential impact on the environment and health of the Oglala Lakota people and members of Owe Aku; potential for contamination of the drinking water source of the Oglala Lakota people and members of Owe Aku; and protection of cultural and historic resources in the area of the proposed North Trend ISL uranium mine.
On July 23, 2008 oral arguments will be presented by the three petitioners’ legal counsel. The first discussion regards the right of the Oglala Sioux Tribe to participate in the process. The OST filed an Amicus Brief concerning their right to water, health, and a clean environment. The argument on a fourth Contention by the petitioners concerns Foreign Ownership, as Cameco, Inc. is a Canadian-based corporation. The final argument concerns the process for the actual hearing. The petitioners want to proceed under the rules of “Sub-part G”, which allows discovery and witnesses.
Attorney Bruce Ellison of Rapid City , SD is legal counsel for petitioners Ms. White Plume and Owe Aku. David Frankel of Aligning for Responsible Mining is legal counsel for WNRC, and the Gonzalez Law Firm is representing the Oglala Sioux Tribe.
“Cameco, Inc. recently agreed to pay the state of Wyoming a $1.4 million settlement for failure to comply with state environmental standards at its’ Smith Ranch-Highlands ISL uranium mine. The folks at Cameco seek to expand their extraction of uranium near Crawford , Nebraska . We question Cameco’s ability to adhere to environmental laws. We are in the fight of our life here. To Cameco, it’s about financial profit. To us, it’s about wasting and destroying water, and deadly contaminants that can never be contained or cleaned being released into the environment. Many generations of the future will be impacted by lethal contaminants, our generations will become stricken with fatal diseases-there is no cure for cancer and diabetes-this means genocide for our people. ISL uranium mining has the potential to wipe the relatively small population of Oglala Lakota people off the face of the earth and to turn this part of the country into a sacrifice area. We need our sacred water” says petitioner Debra White Plume. “We are currently using the process of the federal government to protect our environment and people. We oppose the expansion of Cameco. They have had 23 leaks and spills since they began operations in 1998, and they want to open 3 more uranium mines? Isn’t Cameco’s recent payment to Wyoming for environmental violations a clear message? Their current reclamation bond of $40 million had to be increased to $80 million as part of the Wyoming settlement. Their reclamation bond in Nebraska is $20 million.”

Recipe for disaster: Yellow cake and Skull and Bones
http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2008/07/recipe-for-disaster-yellow-cake-and.html

Kahentinetha to United Nations: Canada conspired to kill us

Complaint to United Nations concerning attack on Mohawk grandmothers

Kahentinetha Horn, publisher of Mohawk Nation News, filed a complaint with the United Nations, following the attack on her and Katenies at the border. Kahentinetha suffered a trauma induced heart while handcuffed in a police stress hold during the attack by special forces at the Canadian border. Katenies, editor of Mohawk Nation News, was beaten and jailed. The Mohawk grandmothers live in fear for their lives after exposing the truth of Canada's genocide of First Nations peoples, including the genocide of uranium mining, the murder of innocent children in residential schools, the seizure and rape of Indigenous Peoples lands and digging up the graves of the ancestors for housing, industrial development and the NAFTA highway. The complaint to the United Nations sent today follows:

Box 991, Kahnawake of Haudenosaunee Territory
[Quebec, Canada] J0L 1B0

REGISTERED MAIL

Mr. Rudolpho Stavenhagen
Office of High Commission for Human Rights
Ms. Tonya Gonella Frichner
Permanent Forum on Indigenous Peoples
United Nations, UN Plaza, S294, New York 10017

COMPLAINT OF ATTACK BY CORNWALL BORDER GUARDS ON 2 MOHAWK WOMEN
She:kon - Mr. Stavenhagen and Ms. Frichner:

In the past we have informed you of the problems that we Kanion’ke:haka face at the U.S.-Canada border. As you know, our territory is comprised of vast areas of the eastern half of Onowaregeh/Turtle Island. The colonial border has been placed through the middle of our territory. We are not Canadians or Americans. We are Kanion’ke:haka. We have always traversed freely on our territory. Treaties and international laws confirm this right.
We have reason to believe that many of our peoples’ lives are in “danger”. They have particularly been targeting youth, women with children and elders, particularly if these people are known for speaking out in favor of our rights.
I am a 68 year old grandmother. We run MNN Mohawk Nation News, a website that is known for reporting on issues of interest to the Mohawk Nation.
On June 14th 2008 two other people and myself were crossing the border at the Cornwall checkpoint that is placed in the middle of our community of Akwesasne so that it seriously impedes normal community life. We were attacked by a swarm of muscular young guards under the direction of the Canada Border Security Agency.
They attacked us so violently that I suffered a heart attack. I am presently under a doctor’s care and ordered to avoid stressful situations. However, Canadian authorities seem determined to create as much stress for me as possible. They are blocking my internet, intermittently withholding my phone service and my mail service.
Katenies [aka Janet Davis] was a passenger with me on that day. She was assaulted and held incommunicado for three days. Instead of investigating this violent incident, they are trying to serve us with charges.
We have reason to believe that the Canadian “State” conspired to kill us. This attempt appears to have been carried out by the Canada Public Safety and Security, Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, Akwesasne Mohawk Police Services and Mohawk Security Officers, all agencies of the Canadian government. The courts of “Canada” are issuing false charges and attempting to serve warrants on us.
In 2003 Katenies was falsely charged with “running the border”. She has filed a question which the court refuses to answer: “How did you get authority and jurisdiction over me and my land“? We understand that we have a right to ask this question and to have a proper answer. We are aware that Canada does not have authority according to international law.
The same checkpoint agents have physically and psychologically attacked Katenies’ daughter, Teiohontathe. A complaint was filed with the Canadian Human Rights Commission in 2006 with no proper response to this date.
Killings of our people by the Canadian state are not uncommon. We are concerned about these recent developments because two Mohawk men were killed in Akwesasne in 1989 during a political conflict. There is strong evidence to suggest that they were killed by agents of the Canadian government under the direction of the Department of Indian Affairs. These crimes were never resolved by the Canadian justice system. The Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service and Mohawk Council of Akwesasne are under the direction of the Canadian State. They do not represent the people of Akwesasne. We are afraid for our lives.
The Canada Border Services Agency has hundreds of documented complaints of abuses committed by their agents against our people. Policing agreements, Joint Investigative Task Force and Remission Orders have all been applied to Akwesasne illegally without consultation with the community. The community has been unable to get copies of the agreements that the band council has signed with the Canadian government.
The video footage of the June 14th 2008 assaults on us and Teiohontateh have been confiscated by Canada‘s Department of “National Defense”. We are informed the only way to obtain these videos is to “waive our rights”. Canada has defined us as “terrorists”, “insurgents” and a “global risk”. We have no army or weapons. In reality, we are a peaceful people who want to live quietly with our families.
The international relations between Canada and our people have degenerated seriously. There is a desperate need for an investigation by a neutral and independent tribunal.
Canada’s courts are not neutral. Canada is a party to the disagreement between our nations. A fair decision can never be reached when one party is allowed to judge the other, especially when there is a serious power imbalance of the kind that exists in this case.
We would appreciate your immediate intervention. We are afraid for our lives. Please help make sure that no more of our people are killed or threatened.
Onen ki:wahi

Kahentinetha /s/ ________________________ kahentinetha2@yahoo.com
Katenies /s/ ___________________________ katenies20@yahoo.com

cc: Members of the United Nations
tonya@aila.org
pespinilla@ohchr.org
tihs@unitednationsofturtleisland.com,
Unrepenter unrepenter@aol.com
UNOisikaChakrabarti, chakrabarti@un.org
UNMurtizastrvyenberg unat@un.org
UNIndigPermForum indigenouspermanentforum@un.org
UNIndigForum TB-petitions@ohchr.org
UNIndigenousPeople IndigenousPermanentForum@un.org
UNHumanRights tb-petitions@ohchr.org
UNfrance france-presse@un.int

AIM For Freedom Reception July 30, 2008

Friends and Relations,

Thanks for your continued support and encouragement for the AIM 40 years retrospective exhibition. Make plans to attend the reception, July 30. Here's the latest painting from Leonard Peltier. It is for sale! A silent auction will be held at the Somarts Gallery during the time of reception! See you there!

Tony Gonzales

AIM-WEST

eltonyg@earthlink.net

415-577-1492

Painting Chief Red Crow by Leonard Peltier

AIM FOR FREEDOM!

A 40 Year Photography & Art Retrospective of the American Indian Movement
July 16th - July 31st, 2008

SomArts Bay Gallery

934 Brannan Street (between 8th & 9th Streets)San Francisco, CA 94103

http://www.somarts.org/
Gallery Hours

Tuesday-Friday: 1:00pm – 7:00pm, Saturdays: 1:00pm – 5:00pm
Featuring Photography and Art by J.R. Auginash, Dick Bancroft, DaveCordova, Ilka Hartmann, Brenda Norrell, Paul Owns the Sabre, LeonardPeltier, Kerry Richardson, Michelle Vignes, Floyd Red Crow Westerman,and traditional Dine rugs.
Opening Reception Thursday July 17th, 5:30pm - 8:30pm

Honoring thewomen in the movement with special guest AIM co-founder PatriciaBellanger. Also featuring the Vallejo Sweet Medicine Singers, TheCalifornia Traditional Pomo Dancers, The All Nation Singers, and TheTlingit Women's Dance Group.
Friday July 18th, 6:00pm - 9:00pm - A lecture and screening ontraditional basket weaving by Orie Medicine Bull and a performance byMedicine Warriors Dance Troupe care of Gilbert Blacksmith.
Tuesday July 22nd 2:00pm - 8:00pm Storytelling, poetry and musicFeaturing California Indian storyteller Anne Marie Sayers, all ageswelcomed.
Wednesday July 30th, 3:00pm - 9:00pm - Founder's Day Reception &Fundraiser A silent auction of work by Leonard Peltier and Floyd RedCrow Westerman with MC Bill Means, a ceremony honoring Lee Brightmanand the completion of the Longest Walk II, a book signing by AIMauthors and photojournalists, The All Nation Singers, The CaliforniaTraditional Pomo Dancers, The Tlingit Women's Dance Group, and Dr.Loco's Rockin' Jalapeño Band.
Curated by Tony Gonzales, Rene Yañez, and Rio Yañez
http://www.aimovement.org/

Tohono O'odham Baboquivari Defense founder jailed

From the Mohawk grandmothers, Kahentinetha Horn and Katenies, beaten at the northern border, to the bogus arrests at DQ University of students and elders in California, to the attack by the Columbus, Ohio police on the Longest Walkers, Native Americans are under assault by police and special agents using bogus charges. In the case of the Long Walkers, a taser was pointed at the forehead of Michael Lane, Menominee, without provocation, and walker Luv the Mezenger tackled and thrown in the concrete. Kahentinetha, publisher of Mohawk Nation News, suffered a trauma-induced heart attack while handcuffed in a police stress hold at the Canadian border. Katenies was tackled and thrown to the concrete and jailed. The arrest and jailing of Ernest Moristo, Tohono O'odham, defending the O'odham's sacred Baboquivari Mountains from tribal development and the swarming and littering Border Patrol agents on sacred Tohono O'odham land at the southern border, is the latest attack.

PRESS RELEASE
DATE: JULY 8, 2008
Baboquivari Defense Project founder jailed 30 days for trespassing and resisting arrest
From: sacredmtn@gmail.com
The Baboquivari Defense Project is funded by the Seventh Generation Fund organization. Baboquivari is the sacred mountain of the O’odham people. Ernest Moristo's family has lived at the base of the mountain for many generations. For over twenty years Moristo, with his family and friends has been fighting the development and commercialization of the area. The jail of the Tohono O’odham is currently crowded and the sentence is severe considering the charges. While Moristo is in jail, the development may begin again which has been opposed by the Moristo family. For O’odham, Baboquivari mountain is the home of I'itoi and has been the focus of our language strength truth and spiritual healing. Further disrespect of this area will increase the damage of our people and those yet to come. How can anyone trespass on their own sacred homeland? Contact sacredmtn@gmail.com with your concerns.

Remembering the vision of Corbin Harney

Corbin Harney and Olsaus Suleimenov at the Nevada Test Site near Mercury in 1990. Photo by Linda Putnam

Sent by Ian Zabarte

Secretary of State for the Western Shoshone Government

Corbin Harney was Spiritual Leader of the Western Shoshone National Council. Sometimes called "The hardest working man in shamanism," Harney, for many years, spent most of his time travelling around the world spreading a message about the dangers of nuclear energy and the problems facing our Mother Earth.

"The Mother Earth provides us with food, provides us with air, provides us with water. We, the people, are going to have to put our thoughts together, to save our planet here. We've only got one water, one air, one Mother Earth."

Among other excursions, he visited mutated children in Kazakhstan hospitals who lived close to the Russian nuclear test site. He received the 2003 International Nuclear Free Future Solutions award. [3] He spoke out about the contamination of our water and shared with people a vision that he experienced several years ago.

"I was praying to the water and the spirit of the water told me, 'Pretty soon, I'm going to look like clean water, but no one is going to use me .' I didn't really understand what I was told until I went to Kazakhstan in Russia. Kazakhstan is where Russia tested nuclear bombs for many years. Over there I saw water that looks like clean water, but people can't drink it because it is contaminated with radiation ... the nature put all the living things here for us to take care of, not to destroy them, but to work with them so that we may live with them for many more years."
Olsaus Suleimenov again became a world-wide name in 1989, when he led the establishment of international environmental movement Nevada-Semipalatinsk. Nevada Semipalatinsk campaigned to close nuclear sites in Nevada and Semipalatinsk city in Kazakhstan. After independence, Suleimenov established Peoples' Congress party in 1991 and served as the speaker of Parliament until 1994. While at the Parliament, he rose to the position of opposition leader, engaging in several political struggles with President Nursultan Nazarbaev. Many opposition leaders urged him to run as a candidate in the next presidential elections. In 1995, to preempt his potential candidacy, Nazarbayev broke a deal, and Suleimenov was appointed as Kazakhstan's ambassador to Rome. Currently, he serves as Kazakhstani ambassador at UN.

Mr. Ian Zabarte, Secretary of State
Western Shoshone Government
e-mail: mrizabarte@bigfoot.com

Protecting Mother Earth Conference, listen to final session

The 15th Indigenous Environmental Network, Protecting Mother Earth Conference, concludes today, Sunday, July 20, 2008, at South Fork, Nevada on Western Shoshone land. Listen live to this morning's final session, with Renee Gurneau, Red Lake Anishinaabe, speaking on internalized oppression and healing: boarding schools, finding self and finding home: http://www.earthcycles.net/ (The session has concluded. Watch for the saved audio files on www.earthcycles.net in a few days.)
Photo: Morning Star Gali and family. Photo by Brenda Norrell

Border Wall endangers Indigenous Peoples ceremonies and cultures

Yaqui ceremonial leader Jose Matus describes the crisis at the US/Mexico border, where the border wall and increased restrictions are violating cultures present since time immemorial

By Brenda Norrell

Censored News

http://www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com/

SOUTH FORK, Nevada -- Jose Matus, Yaqui ceremonial leader and director Indigenous Alliance Without Borders/Alianza Indigena Sin Fronteras, said increased border restrictions are interfering with the Yaquis ability to preserve their culture and ceremonies.
Matus, speaking at the Indigenous Environmental Network’s Protecting Mother Earth Conference on Western Shoshone lands, said Yaqui in the United States are faced with the loss of their language, Hiaki, which is affecting the Yaquis ability to maintain their ceremonies.
Matus said one of the ways Yaqui maintain their ceremonies is by bringing in Yaqui from Mexico who are well versed in the Yaqui language, knowledge and ceremonies.
Following the request of Yaqui elders in 1973, Matus began his 35-year effort to maintain the Yaqui ceremonies in the US by bringing in Yaqui ceremonial leaders from Sonora, Mexico, for temporary stays for ceremonies.
However, in recent years, the increased restrictions by Homeland Security and racist attitudes and migrant xenophobia in the US has resulted in increased legal obstacles.
“Now, Homeland Security is getting very, very strict,” Matus told the gathering of more than 700 people from the Americas on Western Shoshone land at South Fork, Nevada, July 17 -- 20, 2008.
Matus said he has been able to work with border officials to get ceremonial leaders across the Southwest borders until now. “As time went goes by, legislation changes and attitudes change, including the anti-immigrant hysteria.”
Matus said the fight against terrorism created more obstacles. “That has created more obstacles. That has affected all the people who have relatives in Mexico.”
The Indigenous Alliance Without Borders is now working Akimel O’otham in Gila River, Arizona, some O’odham in Mexico, Raramuri/Tarahumara in Mexico, the Yaqui Nation in Arizona and other Indigenous Peoples whose rights are being violated by border rules and border wall construction.
The Indigenous Alliance Without Borders was created in 1997 in response to harassment of Indigenous Peoples crossing the border. Border agents were violating and destroying ceremonial items and frightening and intimidating women, children and elders.
“We have tried to set up permanent border crossing rights for the Yaqui, Gila River Pima and Raramuri.” Matus said the alliance recently began working with Tewa from El Paso, Texas, where the border wall construction is now destroying cultural rights.
“The wall itself is a lethal weapon that the US government is using to kill thousands of undocumented crossers.”
Matus said the border wall is destroying the environment, sacred sites and the connection between relatives in Mexico and the US. The border wall is destroying burial places and sacred places.
“Now they are destroying and dividing the Tewa and Kumeyaay ceremonial grounds,” he said of the Tewa in the region of El Paso, Texas, and Kumeyaay, in California and Baja, Mexico.
Matus said the alliance is examining possible legislation to ensure border crossing rights. However, he said Indian Nation governments need to support border crossing rights for legislation to pass in the United States. At the same time, the United States government is intimidating tribes to prevent them from exercising their rights at the border.
“We are all terrorists as far as they are concerned. They put us through all these obstacles as we try to cross that border," Matus said.
While Indigenous Peoples are attempting to maintain their culture and ceremonies, they are unjustly targeted.

“For national security reasons, we can not bring our elders across the border for ceremonies,” Matus said.

(Photo Jose Matus on Tohono O'odham land at San Xavier. Photo by Brenda Norrell.)

Canadian Police attempting to serve Kahentinetha with charges

Police are attempting to serve Kahentinetha Horn, publisher of Mohawk Nation News, with charges at her home. Special agents at the Canadian border attacked and beat Kahentinetha, 68, and she suffered a trauma induced heart attack on June 14. She is now in recovery from the heart attack. Katenies, Mohawk grandmother, was also beaten.
Please take action:

Mohawk Nation News Alert:
This phony colonial "border business" is getting even wilder! It's either the last gap of colonialism or else we are about to fall into another dark age.
MNN internet can't send out articles from its list because it's been jammed for three days. Also no snail mail has arrived for about 10 days, not even bills except for the hydro. People can send donations for legal defense through PayPal at http://www.mohawknationnews.com/.

Also the phone keeps cutting off. Kahentinetha put up a "no trespassing" sign with a pole leaning next to it [as per the "Shot Gun treaty"] out in the front of her property in Kahnawake. This kept the local Indian cops and their RCMP escort from entering her property to serve her with charges. Don't know what they'll do next. She is still trying to recover from the trauma induced heart attack she suffered on June 14th at the hands of the Cornwall border guards. Her doctors have ordered her to stay quiet and avoid stress. There is nothing she can do to avoid the stress caused by the phony arrest warrant. The Akwesasne Mohawk police who witnessed the abuse at the border are trying to charge Kahentinetha and Katenies, the two victims, with something or other on behalf of the "white" border guards. The Indian police are supposed to protect Indians, in this case two grandmothers, from being beaten right in the middle of the Indian community. Instead they are taking charges out against them on behalf of the foreign border guards who beat them up!!! What's next? Your donations would be appreciated because the legal issues are complicated and lawyers can't work for free. We would also appreciate anything you can do to stop this madness. MNN Mohawk Nation News http://www.mohawknationnews/http://mail.google.com/mail/h/1fch6q2n3890a/?v=b&cs=wh&to=katenies20@yahoo.com "MNN", Box 991, Kahnawake [Quebec, Canada] J0L 1B0 - Send an email to notify us about your donation. MNN

Sheriff Arpaio's racist media targets Tucson human rights activist

Sheriff Arpaio's racist media has targeted Derechos Humanos Co-chair Isabel Garcia following successful protest in Tucson:
http://censored-news.blogspot.com/2008/07/call-to-action-arpaios-racist-media.html

Live from IEN/Western Shoshone Healing Mother Earth Conference

The Indigenous Environmental Network's Healing Mother Earth Conference on Western Shoshone lands. Seated are the speakers on Friday morning's panel: "Big Circle: Indigenous Struggles on Extractive Industry:-- Mining the Sources of Life -- Voices from the North and South." Sam McKay, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, among six chiefs who served time in jail for protecting the land from mining in Ontario, is second from right. KI is an Aboriginal community in the Boreal Forest of Ontario. Six chiefs were jailed for refusing to comply with an October,2007 court ruling that allows Platinex Inc., a Toronto-based mineral exploration company, to begin drilling on KI traditional lands without protest or obstruction. KI established a peaceful protest camp at the Platinex exploration site. (Please double click to enlarge photo.) Photo copyright Brenda Norrell

Protecting the Earth Mother from mining

By Brenda Norrell
http://www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com/

SOUTHFORK, Nevada -- The Indigenous Environmental Network's Healing Mother Earth Conference, with speakers from Canada, US, Mexico, Central and South America, is live on the web today and through Sunday, July 20, 2008. Listen now at Earthcycles: http://www.earthcycles.net/
Western Shoshone Carrie Dann, speaking on the gold mining devastating Western Shoshone lands today, said the mountains are being destroyed for minuscule amounts of gold.
"It looks like big cancer sores on the earth mother. They are extracting our water."
Dann pointed out that water and petroleum products are being extracted from the Earth Mother. She said the elders have talked about these things and compared it to the foundation of a house being removed.
The Earth Mother will collapse if they continue to extract these things from her body, she said of gold mining and petroleum extraction.
"Remember those of us destroying the Earth are those of us buying gold jewelry." Dann said she knows now the destruction that comes from gold mining and no longer buys gold.
"We are a part of this destruction as long as we continue to buy gold. The US consumers keep the gold prices up."
Louise Benally, Navajo from Big Mountain, Arizona, said Thursday at the IEN conference, that she threw her gold ring in the Rio Grande, in solidarity with those fighting gold mining and the destruction of sacred mountains.
Dann compared the destruction of the Earth Mother to the destruction of the body of Native women.
"Giving life is very sacred. This giving of life comes from a female."
Dann said Indigenous Peoples must act now to preserve the Earth Mother. She pointed out that the birds and animals can not live without water. She said the most intelligent being, supposedly human beings, are at the forefront of mining and destruction of the earth.
"We must preserve it for future generations, for our grandchildren."
Dann spoke out against Indian Nations accepting royalties from energy companies for the extraction of their resources. She pointed out the various ways the US government attempts to coop Native people and seize their lands and minerals.
She said the whipporwills and Monarch butterflies are vanishing from this region. The plant life is dying. "Is it because of the mining, the pumping of our water, or the contaminants that come from the mines."
There is also the nuclear testing and the dump sites. "Could that be what is killing our plant life?" Dann also spoke out against accepting US dollars for the Earth Mother.
"We don't want to be paid for our land." Dann said she will not accept payment for land, such as the current US offer of 15 cents per acre.
Julie Fishel of the Western Shoshone Defense Project pointed out that Carrie Dann never enrolled in an American Indian Tribe.
"Carrie does not need the US government's permission to be who she is."

Listen to the IEN Conference today from the North and South
Speakers include Robert Shimek (Anishinaabe) from Minnesota; Carrie Dann, Western Shoshone; Samuel McKay (Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwu) from Big Trout Lake First Nations, Ontario; Pennelys Goodshield (Anishinaabe) with the Sustainable Nations Development Project and Jeff Tobe of the Solar Energy International.
Friday afternoon small circles
For those attending, there are small circles Friday afternoon include: "Water Healing and Protection with Virgina Sanchez (Duckwater Shoshone) from Nevada; Rick Spilsbury (Ely Shoshone) from Nevada; and Felicia Rocha-Bertin (Inuit)
Climate Change 101 and Solutions: Trainers: Jihan Gearon (Dine') IEN Native Energy and Climate Program in Arizona; Kandi Mossett (Mandan, Arikira, Hidatsa) IEN Tribal Campus Climate Challenge in North Dakota.
Using CERD as a Human Rights Tool: Alberto Saldamando, legal counsel, Chicano/Zapoteca, International Indian Treay Council in California; Julie Fishel, Western Shoshone Defense Project in Newe Sogobia (Nevada)
"Toxics Policy: The Need for Aggressive Action" Shawna Larson (Ahtna Athabascan/Sugpiaq); Alaska Community Action on Toxics and IEN/REDOIL in Alaska; Andrea Carmen (Yaqui) International Indian Treaty Council.
Youth activity, eldery and youth discussions; traditional food and plant discussion by Shoshone elder.
Listen at: http://www.earthcycles.net/

Directions to conference at South Fork, near Lee:
The conference site is located approximately 22 miles south of the town of Elko, Nevada, in a place called South Fork Indian Reservation, near and around the small town of Lee, Nevada. Elko is located along Interstate 80. Interstate 80 goes east to west. When coming from the east (from Salt Lake City, Utah), next take Elko East interchange. When you exit off the freeway, turn left, under the freeway, turning right on Idaho Street. When coming from the west (from Reno), take Exit 298 (Elko West interchange). When you exit off the freeway, turn right onto Mountain City Highway, then left on Idaho Street. Idaho Street is also known as (Business Loop 80 and Nevada 535). When you are coming down Idaho Street, turn south on 5th Street (Nevada 227) toward Spring Creek and Lamoille Canyon (right if you are coming from W. Idaho, and left if you are coming from E. Idaho). Go south on 227 for a couple miles, it will have curves. When you reach Spring Creek (your last gas and food spot before the gathering), turn right at the stop light onto Nevada road 228 (south) toward Lee and Jiggs and proceed for approximately 15 miles, turning left at the Lee sign (after tractor crossing sign) onto the paved road going east (this is road number 714, the “Lee” road, even though the road will not be marked as such). Proceed on this paved road for approximately 8 miles, curving several times, after you reach the second 15 mile per hour signage you will cross a bridge over the South Fork river, the gathering site is 1/8 mile from the bridge on your left. There will be “IEN-PME” signs along the way, in addition to colored cloth markers. (Note: Approximately another 5 miles on 228, is another road going east to the conference site. This is called the “backroad” and is a well maintained gravel road. It is known as another 714 road, but named “Woods Lane”.)

AIM for FREEDOM! 40th Anniversary Art & Photography Exhibit

AIM for FREEDOM!

40th anniversary art & photography exhibit

July 16th - July 31st, 2008

SomArts Bay Gallery 934 Brannan Street (between 8th & 9th Streets)

San Francisco, CA 94103

http://www.somarts.org/

AIM-West presents AIM for FREEDOM! art & photography retrospective of AIM, plus Longest Walk 2. Opening reception honors the Women in the Movement, special guest co-founder Patricia Bellanger. Performances by traditional singers & dancers

Gallery Hours Tuesday-Friday: 1:00pm – 7:00pm, Saturdays: 1:00pm –5:00pm

Featuring Photography and Art by J.R. Auginash, Dick Bancroft, Dave Cordova, Ilka Hartmann, Brenda Norrell, Paul Owns the Sabre, Leonard Peltier, Kerry Richardson, Michelle Vignes, Floyd Red Crow Westerman,and traditional Dine rugs.

Opening Reception Thursday July 17th, 5:30pm - 8:30pm Honoring the women in the movement with special guest AIM co-founder Patricia Bellanger. Also featuring the Vallejo Sweet Medicine Singers, The California Traditional Pomo Dancers, The All Nation Singers, and The Tlingit Women's Dance Group.

Friday July 18th, 6:00pm - 9:00pm - A lecture and screening on traditional basket weaving by Orie Medicine Bull and a performance by Medicine Warriors Dance Troupe care of Gilbert Blacksmith.

Tuesday July 22nd 2:00pm - 8:00pm Storytelling, poetry and music Featuring California Indian storyteller Anne Marie Sayers, all ages welcomed.

Wednesday July 30th, 3:00pm - 9:00pm - Founder's Day Reception & Fundraiser A silent auction of work by Leonard Peltier and Floyd RedCrow Westerman with MC Bill Means, a ceremony honoring Lee Brightman and the completion of the Longest Walk II, a book signing by AIM authors and photojournalists, The All Nation Singers, The CaliforniaTraditional Pomo Dancers, The Tlingit Women's Dance Group, and Dr.Loco's Rockin' Jalapeño Band.

Curated by Tony Gonzales, Rene Yañez, and Rio Yañez

http://www.aimovement.org/

Healing Mother Earth on Western Shoshone Lands

Indigenous Environmental Network Conference on Western Shoshone lands

"Answering Mother Earth's Call for Healing, Reaffirming Our Roots"

At the Indigenous Environmental Network's Healing Mother Earth conference, today's speakers include Tom Goldtooth, executive director of the Indigenous Environmental Network, Evon Peters, Gwich'in chief, Arthur Manual, Secwepemc Nation BC, and Louise Benally, Navajo from Big Mountain. Standing is Julie Fishel of the Western Shoshone Defense Project. The conference continues through Sunday, July 20, 2008. Radio stations are invited to carry the audio feed from Earthcycles http://www.earthcycles.net/
Photo copyright Brenda Norrell

Live from the Protecting Mother Earth Conference on Western Shoshone lands

By Brenda Norrell
http://www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com/

Photo: Western Shoshone Carrie Dann arrives at the IEN Conference. Photo Brenda Norrell

SOUTHFORK, Nevada -- After four days on the road, we are live and uncensored at the 15th Annual Indigenous Environmental Network's Protecting Mother Earth Conference, July 17 -- 20, 2008.
The Earthcycles radio bus has arrived after completing the 5-month radio broadcast, the Longest Walk Talk Radio. We've traveled over 6,000 miles since leaving Alcatraz on Feb. 11 on the Longest Walk 2 Northern Route.
Now, listen live to Western Shoshone Carrie Dann and hundreds of protectors of the earth from around the world speaking here at the conference, live at the SouthFork Powwow Grounds in Lee, Nevada. After the Longest Walk prayer across America, Indigenous Peoples are here and ready with plans of action to carry out the prayer and protect Mother Earth.
Listen at: www.earthcycles.net/
Schedule and directions to this remote location: www.ienearth.org/

Longest Walk at the US Capitol

The Longest Walk at the US Capitol. Photo www.longestwalk.org (see photos)

Keith Secola's 'NDN Kars' at the Capitol

Anishinabe singer Keith Secola sings "NDN Kars" near the US Capitol on Saturday at the Longest Walk Concert and Powwow. Photo Brenda Norrell

Listen to Keith Secola's concerts:

http://www.secola.com/Recordings/LiveMusic.cfm

Mohawk Nation News: Before bridges and colonized Canada

Why are Canadian Border Guards Control Freaks – “You Indians are all guilty of something and we are going to find it”!!

by Ieriwa’on:ni MNN 15 July, 2008.

Habit governs a lot of people. It’s about doing things the way they are told to do it without asking “why?” As Scot Patterson, of the Canadian Border Services Agency says, “You are all unbelievable!”
When did the colonizers start harassing Onkwehonwe on Cornwall Island? They always have. There weren’t always colonizers around. Even the Supreme Court of Canada in 1996 admitted: “When Europeans arrived in North America, aboriginal peoples were already here, living in communities on the land, and participating in distinctive cultures, as they had done for centuries.”
There wasn’t even a “Canada”. There were no bridges.
When the British corporations arrived they formed an alliance with the Haudenosaunee called the Two Row Wampum. That meant no interfering with the Onkwehonwe rights.
The 1794 Jay Treaty between Britain and the United States said that “Indians” could cross the border that was set up for the settlers. Because of the Two Row Wampum they knew that the Onkwehonwe were not to be affected by this border.
So what made Canada think it could put a border post on Cornwall island in the middle of Akwesasne and start pestering Onkwehonwe? It’s a delusion. Back then we were probably laughing. What border? The invaders said, “We’re setting up a border and it’s only for us!” As John Boots and some other old timers remember it, a railway bridge was put in first. People started crossing it and went right on using it after the rail track was pulled up. Some folks figure the Canadian border control on Cornwall Island went in about 1934 when they built a bridge for cars. The Canadian National Archives in Ottawa should have the records.
1934, this was at the height of the “Depression” and the height of the “oppression”. A “person” was still defined as “an individual other than an Indian” in colonial Canada’s Indian Act. Canada’s Parliament took that definition out in 1954, but that didn’t change much. The Canadian government went right on illegally expropriating wherever it wanted.
In the 1950’s they kicked Onkwehonwe off our land in both Akwesasne and Kahnawake to build the St. Lawrence Seaway. The people fought tooth and nail against it. With the Seaway came a new bridge and new tolls. What’s the difference between a toll and a tax? Not much. They both make it hard to afford anything. What led up to the blockade of the Cornwall Bridge in 1968? An elder said: “We’re a pretty self-reliant people. We don’t like to complain. If we get into trouble we try to take care of it ourselves.” But when they started charging duty on groceries, it was just too much.
Things came to a head when Canadian officials tried to make Mike Mitchell’s mother, Esther, pay taxes on a sack of potatoes. Someone called a meeting. Nikawen:na’a recalls someone from Kahnawake asking, “How can you live on the Island where the road passes by and let them charge taxes on you people? It’s your land!” “That opened up our eyes”, she said. People went right out and blocked the bridge.
A group of 14 and 15 year old Kahnawake boys who couldn’t get a ride walked all the way to Akwesasne to help. Canada’s National Film Board made a movie about it. It’s called You Are on Indian Land.
Forty years later. Same bridge, same problem. John and Harriet, who live nearby, are always being called over to witness abuse. Aside from the June 14th assaults on Kahentinetha and Katenies there is a pile of almost 300 border abuse complaints.
So the 1968 blockade of the Cornwall border didn’t change much. A few years ago, it was finally decided that the people of Akwesasne didn’t have to pay the bridge toll. They also tried making an “Indian lane” where those with a special sticker could go ahead instead of waiting in line with the tourists. Trouble is you can’t use the lane if you have a friend or relative with you who is not from Akwesasne.
The restriction interferes with the family life and the right to free association. Onkwehonwe are still forced to declare everything in the car: “Where did you go? How much did you spend? What store did you visit? Show me your receipts. Where were you born?” We get asked that even the 300th time we go past the same blood sucking officer.
Some people get annoyed and refuse to pay the tax. Mike Mitchell tried that. Look what that got him? The Supreme Court of Canada wouldn’t even recognize his ancestral right to cross the river of the Ongwehonwe. On top of that, CBSA treats anything different with suspicion. Say you pull into the regular lane and you notice there’s a couple of tourists and a camper ahead of you. You’re late for a doctor’s appointment.
So you back out and go to a shorter lane: “Why did you back out of that lane? Open your trunk.”
“There’s nothing in it. I’m late for an appointment”
“Open your trunk”.
Since 9/11 things have gotten worse. The guards seem to target Onkwehonwe women and children especially. This makes their men mad. People at Akwesasne think the guards are trying to provoke a violent incident as part of their campaign to carry guns. Meanwhile the Americans are building a big new facility to block their side of Akwesasne. Their trying to “cage” us.
They are always in orange alert mode with their “9/11” delusions about terrorism. What gives the colonizers the right to draw and quarter the Kanion’ke:haka? We never agreed that the visitors could jump their colonial ship and start bullying us in our canoe.
Ieriwa’on:ni and MNN Staff
Mohawk Nation News
As can be seen, it’s becoming critical for legal actions to be taken soon to protect our rights. We have no funds. Canada is hiring costly law firms to defend their illegal actions and suppress our rights. If you can donate anything to our cause, it will be greatly appreciated.
Send it to: “MNN Mohawk Nation News”, Box 991, Kahnawake [Quebec, Canada] J0L 1B0. Nia:en/ Thank you very much.
Complicitors: Phil Fontaineof AFN is a partner in CBSA’s Sustainable Development Strategy; Chris Kealey, Canada Customs Excise, Immigration Taxation Board, CBSA Media Relations 613-991-5197; Alain Joliceour, President CBSA 613-952-3200, 613-957-0612; General inquiries CBSA-ASFC@canada.gc.ca; National Aboriginal Initiative, Canadian Human Rights Commission 204-983-2189, 1-866772-4880 info.com@chrc-ccdp.ca; Canada Customs Port of Entry, Cornwall Island Ontario; Gaetan Cousineau, Quebec Human Rights, presidence@cdpdj.gc.ca; Akwesasne Mohawk Police 613-575-2250 ex 2400; Mohawk Security Louis Mitchell 613-932-5183, 613-575-2340; Lance Markel, District Dir. CBSA 613-930-3234, 613-991-1214; http://www.,chrc-ccdp.ca/; Brent Lefebvre Investigator for CBSA; Susan St. Clair, Canadian Human Rights Commission, 344 Slater, Ottawa 613-995-1151, 1-888-214-1090, 613-943-5188; National spokesperson CBSA 613-957-6500; Quebec Media Relations CBSA 514-350-6130; Handling arrest Scott Patterson; Chief MCA Nona Benedict 613-575-2250 nbenedict@akwesasne.ca; Minister Stockwell Day, House of Commons, Ottawa K1A 0A6 613-995-1702 day.s@parl.gc.ca 250-770-4480, days1@parl.gc.ca; Dave MacKenzie, Parliamentary Secretary, Public Safety, 613-995-4432;Mackenzie.d@parl.gc.ca; Melissa Leclair Communications Pub. Safety 613-991-2863; OFFICERS: 17012; 16320; 16511; 16121; 16275; See MNN Category: “ Border/Jay Treaty “

On the road again

On the road again,

We're making our way to the Indigenous Environmental Network Conference on Western Shoshone lands at South Fork Campgrounds in Lee, Nevada. The Earthcycles radio bus has taken on a life of its own, gaining a sort of publicity status of its own. As we cross the country, folks just want to know what it is, with its solar panels and woodstove pipe. The 5-month live web radio show, Longest Walk Talk Radio, was so warmly received by people everywhere. Thank you all for listening. Producer Govinda Dalton will have the interviews with Danny Glover and Harry Belafonte online once we get across America. Keith Secola danced us all around in unity circles with Indian Karz, between the Capitol and Washington Monument on Saturday. Listen this week, we will be live and uncensored from the IEN conference tomorrow, Thursday, through Sunday. Please drop us a note with your thoughts. If you were a long walker on the northern route, and have arrived home safely from DC, please let us know, so we can let others know (including family members and friends who are sending e-mails.) On the road west, Brenda brendanorrell@gmail.com/

Censored News http://www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com/

Earthcycles http://www.earthcycles.net/

Support pours in for Mohawk Katenies beaten at border

Mohawk Nation News: Stone Wall in CornwallArticle linked HERE.

Cornwall Standard Freeholder: Protesters pack city courtroom
Article below and linked here:
http://www.standard-freeholder.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1114035
Ottawa Indymedia/The Dominion: Mohawk Grandmother challenges border jurisdiction (Video)Video linked here:
http://www.dominionpaper.ca/weblogs/lia_tarachansky/1931
Statement: Solidarity with Katenies! "Canada" has no jurisdiction over Mohawk landStatement below and also linked here:
http://nooneisillegal-montreal.blogspot.com/2008/07/solidarite-with-katenies.html; to endorse the statement, e-mail
indigenoussolidaritymontreal@gmail.com
Background Info/Previous Articles & Audio:
http://nooneisillegal-montreal.blogspot.com/2008/06/katenies-cbsa-background.html

Cops surround Six Nations people

UREGNT! COPS SURROUND 6 NATIONS PEOPLE FOR TRYING TO SHUT DOWN ILLEGAL DEVELOPMENT OF “KINGSPAN OF IRELAND” ON HAUDENOSAUNEE TERRITORY
Mohawk Nation News
July 14, 2008. 10:40 a.m. This morning the Brantford City police arrested a Six Nations Indigenous person at the construction site at Fenn Ridge in Brantford. At the same time Ontario Provincial Police are gathering on Highway 403, making way for cement trucks to enter the illegal construction site. More cruisers are arriving on the scene. They have laid spike belts on the road to keep Indigenous people on the outside. Ambulances and paddy wagons are arriving. There are men, women and children inside the site gates. All the workers have left. This land is part of the Haudenosaunee Territory which was never surrendered by the Indigenous owners. This Indigenous land is being illegally used as collateral to raise money from the public on the Irish and other stock exchanges and constitutes fraud. Kingspan manufactures insulation and is building a $4 billion plant on Haudenosaunee territory without consultation with or permission from the land owners. Gene Murtagh, CEO, Kingspan Group PLC, Dublin Road, Kingscourt Co., Cavan, Ireland; +353 (0) 42 969 8000; admn@kingspan.ie The Six Nations people had agreed to let the company remove all their equipment on this day. Instead the trucks are being used to run or people down. The Indigenous people refuse to move from their land. More are gathering. Help is needed. Bring cameras and camcorders. Witnesses are needed. Come prepared to stay and make sure you are self-sufficient. Haudenosaunee Contacts: 1-518-358-3660; 1-519-865-9872; 1-519-732-6679; Posted by MNN Mohawk Nation Newswww.mohawknationnews.com

Longest Walk at US Capitol

The Longest Walk and the final steps in D.C. The walk concluded at the US Capitol on Friday, followed by two days of powwows and concerts. Photo Brenda Norrell

Northern Route walkers honored in DC

The Longest Walk Northern Route walkers were honored. Luv, Harry, Sage and Lisa were honored in DC for walking and running all across America, from Alcatraz to DC. Willow Dixon, Aislyn Cognan and Yukio (not shown) were also honored for crossing America, from Alcatraz to DC. Earthcycles, Longest Walk Talk Radio, is broadcasting live at www.earthcycles.net/
Photo copyright Brenda Norrell

Powwow live, the Longest Walk's grand finale

We broadcast live Saturday, July 12, on the Longest Walk Talk Radio, http://www.earthcylces.net/, during the grand finale of our 5-month webcast of the Longest Walk Northern Route webcast. We were here with Harry Belafonte, Danny Glover, Keith Secola and you. Photo: Longest Walk Powwow in DC. The powwow continues on Sunday. The Earthcycles bus heads out to the Indigenous Environmental Network's annual conference on Western Shoshone land. Photo copyright Brenda Norrell

The Longest Walk, the ultimate prayer

Friday

Today was the grand finale of the Longest Walk in Washington D.C. Perhaps in a fitting poetic tribute to the Longest Walk, life offered me the opportunity to accompany one of the Paiute elders to the emergency room of the George Washington University Hospital. We spent the day there. While we missed the walk beyond the White House, I was at peace with what happened. It was the opportunity to pass the day in the spirit of service, the chance to offer a real prayer. That is what the Longest Walk was, a prayer walk across America.

At the conclusion, came the time to take action, to pray in the spirit of service, to be with someone who was sick and a long way from home.

On this journey, the walkers were asked to write a manifesto. I froze, remembering volumes of information in the audio files of the web radio show, and tried to condense it.

Then my manifesto came to me:

Unless we, as the walk moving across America, manifest love and unity within, we can not effect the change we want to see in the world.

--Brenda Norrell

Photo: Navajo march from the White House to the Captiol on the Longest Walk. Photo copyright Brenda Norrell

Mohawk Nation News: Solidarity with Katenies!

Solidarity with Katenies!

-- "Canada" has no jurisdiction over Mohawk landOn July 14, 2008, Mohawk grandmother and activist Katenies has again been ordered to appear before a judge in the Superior Court of Cornwall, Ontario. Again, Katenies will refuse to recognize the authority of the courts and demand that Canadian officials prove they have jurisdiction over her as an Indigenous woman.One month ago, on June 14, 2008, Katenies -- accompanied by Kahentinetha of the Kahnawake Mohawk Territory – was targeted for arrest by Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) guards on an outstanding warrant for allegedly "running the border" in 2003, and offenses resulting from her refusal to appear in court and validate the colonial justice system.Katenies has maintained since 2003 that border officials and the Canadian colonial courts have no jurisdiction over Kanion'ke:haka people or land. In January 2007, Katenies served court officials with a “Motion to Dismiss”, demanding that they establish jurisdiction, if any, over Mohawks and their ability to travel freely between "Canada" and the "United States".[The Motion to Dismiss is linked here: http://nooneisillegal-montreal.blogspot.com/2007/03/katenies-serves-court-with-jurisdiction.html ] and summarrized as follows.

During the CBSA attack, Katenies and Kahentinetha – who are both writers and contributors to Mohawk Nation News (MNN) – were treated brutally by border guards. Both were handcuffed and tackled to the ground. Katenies was jailed for three days. Kahentinetha suffered a heart attack and is under the care of her family. [www.mohawknationnews.com ]
[Reports about the CBSA attack, and background information, are linked at:
http://nooneisillegal-montreal.blogspot.com/2008/06/katenies-cbsa-background.html ]As mainly non-native groups and collectives based in settler communities on or near Mohawk lands, we are publicly standing in support of Katenies, and demand all charges against her by the colonial courts be dropped. We also condemn the brutal attacks by the CBSA on both Katenies and Kahentinetha on June 14, 2008 and declare our solidarity with Indigenous struggles for land, freedom and self-determination.Endorsed by:Agitate (Ottawa)Les Apatrides Anonymes (Montreal)Block the Empire-MontrealKingston Indigenous Solidarity NetworkNo One Is Illegal-KingstonNo One Is Illegal-MontrealNo One Is Illegal-OttawaOPIRG-CarletonOPIRG/GRIPO-OttawaLa Otra Campaña (Montreal)People's Global Action Bloc (Ottawa)Solidarity Across Borders (Montreal)To endorse this statement, and Katenies, please contact indigenoussolidaritymontreal@gmail.com This legal challenge will cost money. MNN has none. Canada is apparently hiring top law firms to fight the Mohawks. If you could send donations, it would be greatly appreciated to: “MNN Mohawk Nation News”, Box 991, Kahnawake [Quebec, Canada] J0L 1B0. Nia:en/Thank you very much. www.mohawknationnews.com katenies20@yahoo.com

A summary of the documents that Katenies filed are included to provide the legal background on which this case is based.

SUPERIOR COURT OF JUSTICE
PROVINCE OF ONTARIO
CITY OF CORNWALL

Katenies [aka Janet Davis]

v.

HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN

MOTION TO DISMISS

Information #C2202/03, and Court File #06-140


Dated: January 12, 2007

Prepared by: Prepared for:

Aroniakons Katenies a.k.a. Janet Davis
Rotiniaton (turtle clan) Rotiskare:wake (bear clan)
Kahentinetha Rotiskare:wake (bear clan)

Women Title Holders
Kanion’ke:haka of the Rotinonhsonni’onwe
P.O. Box 418, Akwesasne
Via New York) 13655

SEE LIST OF RECIPIENTS AT END OF DOCUMENT.

The question Presented: Provide me in writing the legal basis for your claim to jurisdiction over me and our land.

Attachments: Law, Facts and Analysis served and filed into the record December 18, 2006, Information #C2202/03, and Court File # 06-140, Mohawk Manifesto Books I, II III. Mohawk Manifesto CD format.

MOTION TO DISMISS
(VIOLATION OF ANCIENT BIRTHRIGHT)
SUBJECT OF ANCIENT BIRTHRIGHT

The person of the Rotinonhsonni’onwe who is being charged by the Canada Customs Act with a violation of s.11(1), 153(c) & 153.1, asserts that the corporation of Canada and its agent, Canada Customs, have violated her Ancient Birthright.

The Rotinonhsonni’onwe assert that to deny its people the ability to conduct trade, commerce and travel throughout their territories according to their ancient practices and customs violates the Kaianereh’ko:wa, also known as the Great Law of Peace, as well as the Constitution of the Iroquois. Our agreement is that each party will have jurisdiction over its own people.

The Superior Court of Justice of the province of Ontario in the City of Cornwall is respectfully requested to dismiss all charges and demands for appearance and to return the jurisdiction of this matter to the Mohawk Nation Territory and its Council.

INCIDENT REPORT

On November 13th 2003, I, Katenies, was accused of a non-incident. I was driving through the “Cornwall Island checkpoint” that is placed in the middle of Akwesasne. I was waved through. Supposedly the alarm went off. I was arrested. Customs made a false report forming assumptions that I had “run the border”. I submitted all my paper work challenging the authority of “Her Majesty the Queen”, the corporation of Canada and its agents at the border. The court refused to answer in writing my question in the “Judgment by Retraxit” in the allotted time frame. In March 2004 they lost by default. This made their actions null and void.
According to Section 109 of the Canadian Constitution, Indigenous nations have “prior interests” before that of Canada and its provinces. According to Section 132 of the Constitution the only relationship is nation-to-nation unless there is a surrender. There never was one. I told them they were “squatting” on our land.
On August 16, 2004 I refiled a default to the “Judgment by Retraxit” as the Queen and her courts had not answered me in the 20 days. The court continued to proceed with false actions and proceedings. In February 2004, Federal Magistrate Renaud stated he understood my position on the question about jurisdiction. However, they proceeded to trial anyway. I appeared in early September 2004. He acknowledged then that I did not have to appear. He adjourned to September 22nd 2004. I appeared before that date. I continued to travel freely in my community. Without my knowledge they met and charged me with “not appearing on September 22nd, 2004”. They issued a warrant for my arrest.
I have never accepted their arraignment procedures or any colonial process to impose these “assumed” charges and jurisdiction of the court.
One year later on November 18th 2005 my daughter was accosted by five “Canada Border Service Agents” at the Cornwall Island checkpoint which is an international trading zone. We have an international right to “trade and commerce” which we never gave up. On November 24th 2006, I was on my way to pick up my daughter. A five minute ride takes me through five colonially imposed foreign entities referred to as “United States”, “Canada”, “Ontario”, “Quebec” and “New York State”. on that day I was arrested and taken to Cornwall court to be processed. A court appointed lawyer was sent to represent me. I had not asked for one.
During the bail hearing the court was cleared. Brent Lafave, the Customs investigator, accused me of “being lawless” and demanded that I be detained indefinitely. I explained that Canada follows foreign laws that come from across the water [Britain] and that Onkwehonewe law, the Kaianereh’ko:wa/Great Law, is the law of Turtle Island. I have never given my consent to be other than who I am, an Ongwehonweh. The judge decided I had never been in trouble before. There was no evidence that I would not show up on December 18th 2006. Since they had no jurisdiction and could not “extort” money from me, I was released.
I refused to sign a release form. After threatening to keep me behind bars until a trial and filing new charges to keep obstructing my question, I signed “under protest and duress”. I objected to your illegal detention. I don't understand the nature and cause of your actions applying to me on my land. You must tell me how you got jurisdiction.
December 18th 2006 I showed up and filed a judgment on their actions. When I started reading it into the record, they made noises, tried to get me into their “well”. I felt I was in danger and being set up. By then there were only cops and court personnel in the room. The court was shut down. They ignored me and went on to another matter. We left. They issued a warrant that I left before they could set another date. In January 2007 the CBSA told me that the crown prosecutor had sent me a notice to turn myself in at the border. They mailed me a notice that they had set up a “Court of Estreat” hearing for January 18th 2007 to assess the value of my belongings. I did not attend because the letter informed me that they would keep me in jail until the trial that was set for August 10th 2007. Throughout all this I have represented myself. Then on June 14, 2008 I was arrested on the basis of the September 2004 warrant which had already been dealt with. This warrant was illegally used twice on me.

INDIAN ROOTS OF AMERICAN DEMOCRACY
SPECIAL CONSTITUTIONAL BICENTENNIAL EDITION 1988

Published by the North East Indian Quarterly
Edited with Introduction by Jose Barreiro
Based on “Land of the Free, Home of the Brave”

Oren Lyons

The Honorable Oren, speaker for the Onondaga Nation, presented the following statement before the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs hearing on Senate Resolution (S. Con. 76) to recognize the Iroquois origins of the U.S. Constitution.

I have titled this discussion “The Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave”.
Upon the continent of Onowaregeh [Turtle Islans], long before the arrival of the white man, a great league of peace was formed. Dekanawida and Jigosaseh organized a functioning confederation under the Kaianereh’ko:wa, known as Great Law of Peace. The basic principles were peace, equity, justice and the power of the people.
Aionwatha, an Onondaga by birth and a Mohawk by adoption, helped establish a union of peace under the natural laws of the universe. They formulated the good message of how to live in equality where every person had a voice. .
The Dekanawidah, Aionwatha and the people gathered on the shores of the lake now called Onondaga. A Grand Council was formed. It was a government where the people were the power.
The families were formed into clans headed by women. Men and women were equal. The spokesmen were the royaner [roiianer]. The spokeswomen were the Otiyaner [otiianer]. Their voice had to be ratified by full consensus of two-thirds of all of the people. They worked together to establish the inner source of vitality and dynamics necessary for the survival of the community
Two houses were formed in the Grand Council. The “Younger Brothers”, consisting of the Oneida and Cayuga Nations and later the Tuscarora. The other was the Elder Brothers, consisting of the Mohawks and the Oneidas. The Mohawks were the “Keepers of the Eastern Door”, the Onondaga became the “Firekeepers” [chairmen] and the Senecas became the “Keepers of the Western Door”. The rafters of the house were the laws of the Rotino’shonni:onwe, also called the Haudenosaunee, the people of the Long house.
By this process, no leader could be self-proclaimed. Their titles and duties were given by the people. The people could remove him for malfeasance. .
The people have the power to recall royaner, otiyaner or any transgressors of the law based on valid complaints from the people. They were warned three times to change their ways. They shall have a witness at their heaving. The first will be their niece or nephew or someone who could speak for them from their clan. The second shall be the partner of the royaner in council. The third and final warning comes from a man or woman who holds no title. Then shall be exonerated or lose their title or be declared to have carried out a misconduct. The power of recall was vested in the people.
The roiianer and otiianer belong to the people. They must be free from any crime against the people. They cannot have blood on their hands. Their minds must be directed toward the welfare of the people. Their skin must be “seven spans thick” to withstand the accusations, slander and insults as they go about their duties for the people. Their authority is that which the people give him. They cannot demand the people obey their orders. No one could influence their judgment. They carry their title for life or until they are relieved of it by bad conduct or ill health.
At the first council, there were 50 original representatives. Their names became “the Circle of 50 Rotiyaner” to be filled by each succeeding generation. The original government established absolute democracy.
We became a nation of laws. The people joined of their own free will to participate in the decision making of the National Council and the Grand Council.
Self-determination began with the individual. All people were recognized to be free from the youngest to the eldest. It was the nature of free men to defend freedom.
The symbol of the Haudenosaunee became the great white pine with four white roots of truth extending to the four directions. People may follow these roots back to the tree to seek shelter. It was called “the great tree of peace”. An eagle was placed at the top to be ever vigilant against those who would harm the people. The eagle shall scream warnings to the people.
When the roiianer and otiianer were raised and the Great Law was firmly established, the tree was uprooted. The weapons of war were thrown into the chasm to be carried by the undercurrent of water to the furthest depths of the earth. The tree was placed back over this chasm, throwing away forever war between these nations but not against the enemies of the people.
When the white man arrived they found free nations guided by democratic principles, all living according to the natural law, the ultimate spiritual law of the universe. This was the land of the free and the home of the brave.
To Europeans sovereignty relates to the power of kings and queens to rule men as they saw fit and control the lives and property of their subjects. As Felix Cohen put it, “the Indian people had Americanized the white man” who threw off this yoke.
The first treaty between the Indians and the white man took place at Skanect Dah De [Albany, New York] in 1613. It was called the Guswenta or the Two Row Wampum. It established a relationship of separate coexistence on this land between our peoples. The canoe of the Indian and the boat of the white man were to go down the river in peace and friendship forever. The Indian people, our government, our culture, our land and resources in our boat. The white man’s boat carried his religions, government and people.
Brothers and sisters, we now turn our faces towards the future and continue to wish you well in your endeavors as a nation. Perhaps it would be well for you to look back again at our principles of peace, justice and equality, to grasp firmly our hand in recognition of our long association and heed the treaties that we made so long ago that these treaties may continue to thrive for our association as government to government.
With that statement, I close the message from the Haudenosaunee, and I think you very much for your kind attention.

Declaration of Inalienable Powers

We remind the people of the United States and Canada and their agencies that:

Article I: we the Rotinonhsonni’onwe (people of the Longhouse ways forever) who have since time immemorial, been governed by the principles and philosophies instilled within the Kaianereh’ko:wa (Great Law of Peace).

Article II: we the Kanion’ko:haka (people of the flint) also known as the Mohawk are Rotinonhsonni’onwe and are of the Confederacy known also as the Six Nations. We shall continue our ancient traditions of Hunting, Fishing, Trapping and Gathering for personal and economic development which includes transport and trade, which is vital to insure the continued existence of our people and our future generations.

Article III: the agreements that were made between our people and the people of the United States and Canada that we shall continue our traditional way of life and to go undisturbed for all time to come.

Laws of the Kaianereh’ko:wa (Great Law of Peace); also known as the Constitution of the Iroquois.

Wampum 99: The rites and festivals of each nation shall remain undisturbed and continue as before, because they were given by the people of old times as useful and necessary for the good of people.

Wampum 92: “If a nation, part of a nation or more than one nation should endeavor to destroy the great peace by neglect or in violation of its own laws and resolve to dissolve the confederacy such a nation or nations or part of a nation shall be deemed an enemy of the Great Peace.

THE ROTINONHSONNION:WE

THE ROTINONHSONNION:WE: are “The people of the Longhouse ways forever”. We are alternately known as Haudenosaunee, Rotinonhsonni’onwe, the Five Nations, League of Five Nations, Six Nations, the Iroquois and the Iroquois Six Nations Confederacy. Our original territory is protected under the NanFan Treaty of 1701 which covered the land east of the Mississippi to the Arctic.

The Rotinonhsonni’onwe is a confederacy of independent sovereign nations of the Western Hemisphere, on the continent known as Onowaregeh, Turtle Island. We refer to our race as Onkwehonwe, “human beings forever”. We are the Kanienkehaka (Mohawk), Oneniotehaka (Oneida), Onontakehaka (Onondaga), Kweionkohaka (Cayuga), Tsionontowanehaka (Seneca), Tehatiskaroens (Tuscaroroas) Nations. We have many friends and allies of other sovereign nations.

POSITION STATEMENT
“Among the Five Nations and their descendants there shall be the following Clans: Bear, Eel, Snipe, Beaver, Hawk, Turtle, Deer, Heron, Wolf. These Clans distributed through their respective nations shall be the sole owners and holders of the soil of the country and in them is vested, as a birthright”. (Wampum #42, title of clans, Kaianereh’ko:wa “Great Law of Peace”).
The women are the progenitors of the Nation. They pass on the Clan to their children. The lineal descent of the people shall run in the female line. Those women who shall be chosen to sanction the Rotiyaner shall be known as the Otiyaner also referred to as Clan Mothers.
As a member of my respected nation, the Kanion’ke:haka, I, Katenies, also known as Janet Davis, assert my birthright under articles 42, 43, 44, 45 and 46 of the Kaianereh’ko:wa (the great good) also known as the Great Law of Peace or the Constitution of the Iroquois. Any attempt by any foreign or domestic agencies or their departments to deny me my birthright violates the Kaianereh’ko:wa and the Guswentah, also known as the Two Row Wampum Agreement.
A right may exist because of its recognition from time immemorial. A wrong is committed when a right is violated. It may be committed by the denial of a right or by refusal to perform an obligation which is considered a right.
THE CLANS
WAMPUM #42
TITLE OF CLANS: The Clans distributed through their respected nations shall be the sole owners and holders of the soil of the country and in them is vested, as a birthright. Note: There are clans other than these among the 5 Nations. The Europeans, not being members of any of these Clans, have no right to own any land in this part of the world.
WAMPUM #43
MEMBERS OF THE SAME CLAN IN OTHER NATIONS: People of the Five Nations who are members of a certain clan shall recognize every member of the Clan no matter what Nation, as relatives. Men and women, therefore, who are members of the same Clan are forbidden to marry.
WAMPUM #44
LINEAL DESCENT OF THE PEOPLE RUNS IN THE FEMALE LINE: The lineal descent of the people of the Five Nations shall run in the female line. Women shall be considered the progenitors of the nation. They shall own the land and the soil. Men and women shall follow the status of their mothers.
WAMPUM #45
THE CLAN MOTHERS, WOMEN TITLE HOLDERS: The women heirs of the chieftainship titles of the League shall be called Oyaner or Otiyaner for all time to come. Note: The Clan Mothers shall be called Oyaner. Oyaner is derived from the word Oyana meaning “path”. Oyaner is the female “good path maker”. Otiyaner is in the plural. Royaner means “He makes a good path for the people to follow”. Rotiyaner is in the plural.
WAMPUM #46
CLAN MOTHERS ARE KEEPERS OF THE AUTHORIZED NAMES: The women of the 48 (now 50) noble families shall be the heirs of the authorized names for all time to come.
When an infant of the Five Nations is given an Authorized Name at the Midwinter Festival or at the Green Corn and Strawberry and Harvest Festivals, one in the cousinhood of which the infant is a member shall be appointed a speaker. He shall announce to the opposite cousinhood the names of the father and mother of the child together with the clan of the mother. Then the speaker shall announce the child’s name twice. The uncle of the child shall then take the child in his arms and walking up and down the room shall sing, “My head is firm; I am of the League”. As he sings, the opposite cousinhood shall respond by chanting; “Hyen, Hyen, Hyen, Hyen…”, until the song is ended.
Note: The “cousinhood” is the other Clan. The purpose of announcing the Clan of the mother is to point out the Clan of the child. A child is born a Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, etc., but when he is named in the Great Law ceremony, the child becomes an Iroquois or Rotinonhsonni’onwe. He is a Mohawk by blood and can Iroquois by law, for Kaianereh’ko:wa is also known as the Great Law, is the Constitution of the Rotinonhsonni’onwe or the Iroquois Confederacy. By the same token, if an individual or a whole nation leaves the Iroquois Confederacy and in time realizes their great error and decide to be reinstated, they would be required to go through the naming Ceremony or in their case, a re-naming ceremony and hold the Pledge Wampum and re-accept the Great Law and this act could be called the Iroquois Pledge of Allegiance.

ROTINONHSONNI’ONWE PROTOCOL
THE FIRST THREE STRINGS OF WAMPUM
DATE: January 16, 2007 FOR: CANADA PROVINCE OF ONTARIO
Sekon (Greetings)
The oldest protocol of our people is to open every gathering, whether it be spiritual, council, social event or any important proceeding, with an opening called the Ohenten kari’ watehkwen. It means “the words that go before all else”. This ritual is a thanksgiving to all the sustainers of life, to the Powers of Creation, and ends with a request that all the people present become as one peaceful mind. This ritual is in common use today by traditional minded Rotinonhsonni’onwe. Article #7.
Another protocol of the Rotinonhsonni’onwe is The First Three Strings of Wampum from the Condolence or Installation Ceremony. (Kaiahereh’ko:wa: Article #28). This ritual is sometimes referred to as a “Small Condolence”. It is conducted whenever our people meet after a long absence, when we meet new people or at an important event was to take place that required all parties be of a mind that is both clear and at peace.
Are our eyes filled with tears caused by the loss of some of our people since the last time we met? Are our ears packed with dust, impaired our hearing by loss of a loved one? Are we unable to speak freely because there is dust caught in our throats because of the loss of a loved one?
Wampum String #1: If there are tears in our eyes, we now reach to the forests and symbolically retrieve the softest skin of the fawn. We use this soft cloth to cleanse your eyes and wipe away your tears so that you may see, the Rotinonhsonni’onwe, and all of Creation, clearly once again.
Wampum String #2: If your hearing is difficult, we now cleanse from your ears the dust of grief. We now reach for the sky and retrieve a soft feather. We now use this soft feather to clean your ears so that you may hear our voices and sounds of Creation clearly once again.
Wampum String #3: If it is difficult to speak, we now symbolically retrieve water from the purest underground streams deep in our Earth Mother. We give you this pure water. As you drink, the water will cleanse your throat and wash away the feeling of sadness. This will permit you to speak clearly again.
The family Kahwatsire (family) or Clan is the center of our existence. Death was seen a dreadful force. Each log in a fire symbolized a family member. Death was seen as a force that took a log out of the fire (Kahwatsire) so violently that the other logs were greatly disturbed and threw up such a cloud of ashes that the dust settled in the remaining family members’ eyes, ears and throat. This makes it difficult to see, hear and speak after the loss of a loved one.
This symbolism was seen as being so important in our human relationship with each other, that our ancestors adopted this symbolic ritual to be used whenever our people after long absences, new people were greeted, or when proceedings are so important that a clear mind is required.
This ritual indicates a profound understanding of the nature of the human mind, and a desire to restore clarity and a state of peacefulness to it.
KAIANEREH’KO:WA - THE GREAT LAW
THE GREAT LAW: is the philosophy and constitution of the Iroquois based upon peace, natural righteousness and power. This law provides a procedure on how to govern ourselves, how our representatives, both male and female, are selected, their duties and responsibilities and the rights, duties, and responsibilities of the people. It also instructs us on how to resolve disputes internally and externally with foreign nations.
The articles of law have to be know internally by each individual. The Great Law ensures peace to all the people of the Rotinonhsonni’onwe for all time to come. It provides governance that is right and just. It ensures that all the people of the nations have a voice and place in the government. By spreading the message of peace, friendship, unity and justice, it brings lasting peace to all the nations of the earth.
INTERNATIONAL TREATIES
TREATY MAKING POWERS: The Rotinonhsonni’onwe have treaty making powers. The “Guswentha” or ”Tekeni Teiohate” means “Two roads”. The treaty is called “Two Row” or “Two Row Wampum”. It is a relationship created between two sovereigns and is recorded on a belt made of wampum shells.
The first Rotinonhsonni’onwe treaty with a European nation was with the Dutch around 1606. It is a “Peace and Friendship” and a “Trade and Commerce” treaty. It enabled the Dutch to trade freely in and around Rotinonhsonni’onwe Territory without interference or aggression. The Rotinonhsonni’onwe made similar treaties with Great Britain, France, the Thirteen Colonies, and eventually the United States of America. These treaties are referred to as the “Covenant Chain”.
The canoe and sailing vessel travel side by side on the river of life. Each boat symbolically contains their people, language, form of government, laws, culture, traditions and ceremonies. In the indigenous canoe are all the lands and resources that the natural world has vested in the Ongwehonwe. The parties agree to not interfere or make war with the other, forever.
An important feature of the Two Row is the “comity” form of jurisdiction. Each party agreed to turn the alleged guilty party over to their own nation for trial and appropriate punishment.
The Dutch, British and French empires accepted this concept and the United States implemented this principle in the 1794 Canadaigua Treaty, Article VII. It confirms the “Two Row Wampum”, already entered into by U.S. President George Washington.
Another principle of the “Two Row” is that each citizen, of our respective nation, is encouraged to stay completely in our respective “vessel or canoe”. We cannot have “one foot in the canoe and the other in the vessel”. We could find ourselves stranded or perish should a storm suddenly arise and the vessels separate away from each other.
We can only follow one jurisdiction, one law. Forcing our people into Canadian or Ontario jurisdiction can subject our nations to great peril.
The Great Law embodies the principles of the Two Row Wampum in the following articles:
Kaianereh’ko:wa – Article #78: whenever a foreign nation enters the League or accepts the Great peace, the Rotinonhsonni’onwe and the foreign nation shall enter into an agreement and compact by which the foreign nation shall endeavor to persuade other nations to accept the Great Peace.
Kaianereh’ko:wa – Article #83: When peace shall have been established by the termination of the war against a foreign nation, the shall the Great Peace come.
Kaianereh’ko:wa – Article #84: Whenever a foreign nation has been conquered or by their own will accepted the Great Peace, their own system of internal government may continue, but they must cease all warfare against other nations. Note: Since the foreign nation’s internal government is kept intact, this implies that all other aspects of that nation’s society remain as before such as: territory, language, laws, jurisdiction, culture, traditions and spiritual (or religious) ceremonies. A further protection of spiritual ceremonies is found in the Great Law. Kaianereh’ko:wa – Article #87: When the war of the Rotinonhsonni’onwe on a foreign nation is ended, peace shall be restored to that nation. When all the terms of peace have been agreed upon, a state of friendship shall have been established. Note: After the war, the former enemies shall become friends.
Kaianereh’ko:wa – Article #97: Before the Onkwehonwe united their nations, each nation had its own Council Fire. Before the Great peace, their councils were held. The Council Fires shall continue to burn as before and they are not quenched.
Kaianereh’ko:wa – Article #99: The rites and festivals of each nation shall remain undisturbed and continue as before, because they ere given by the people of old times as useful and necessary for the good of men.
LAND
Historically, the Rotinonhsonni’onwe extended its power from the east of the Mississippi, to the Arctic, to the Atlantic seaboard and to Florida. Rotinonhsonni’onwe are independent of, and not subject to, other nations and their laws. The Rotinonhsonni’onwe cannot give up or sell our land.
Kaianereh’ko:wa – Article #56: Five strings of shells tied together shall represent the Five Nations. Each string shall represent one territory and the whole a completely united territory known as the Five Nations (Rotinonhsonni’onwe ) Territory.
Kaianereh’ko:wa – Article #57: Five arrows shall be bound together very strong and shall represent one Nations each. As the five arrows are strongly bound, this shall symbolize the complete union of the nations. thus are the Five Nations (Rotinonhsonni’onwe) completely united and enfolded together, united into one head, one body and one mind. They, therefore, shall labor, legislate and council together for the interest of future generations.
Kaianereh’ko:wa – Article #72: The soil of the earth from one end to the other is the property of the original people who still inhabit it. By birthright, Onkwehonwe (human beings forever) are the owners of the soil, which they own and occupy and no other may hold it. The same law has been held from the oldest times.
PEOPLE’S REPRESENTATIVES
PEOPLE’S REPRESENTATIVES: We, the people of each Nation, have the constitutional authority to select our national male representatives. Our national female representatives and women nominate the men, approve them or nominate their own candidates. They must be legally installed.
ROIANER is our National and Rotinonhsonni’onwe male representatives. Roianer means ‘he who is given the path to follow” which is set by the Great Law. They do not “lead” the people according to their own will but only according to the Great Law.
OIANER: is the female representative. It means, “she has been given the path to follows”. They are also referred to as Clan Mothers and hold the Rotiianer titles.
AHSAREKOWA: is the mediator between the people both during times of peace and during times of stress.

RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE
WAMPUM #93
Referendum
The people decide on the most important matters
Whenever an especially important matter or a great emergency faces the League Council and the matter effects the entire Five Nations then the rotiianer of the League must submit the matter to the people. This decision shall be a confirmation of the voice of the people. Note: When the referendum (decision by the people) was first practiced.
WAMPUM #94
THE MEN OF EVERY CLAN SHALL HOLD A COUNCIL OF THE CLAN AND THEIR DECISION SHALL BE CONSDERED BY THE COUNCIL OF CHIEFS
The men of every Clan of the Five Nations shall have a Council Fire ever burning in readiness for a Council of the clan. They may hold a council to discuss the welfare of the Clan. This Council shall have the same rights as the Council of Women
WAMPUM #95
THE COUNCIL FIRES OF THE WOMEN OF EVERY CLAN HAVE THE SAME RIGHTS AS THE COUNCIL OF THE MEN
The women of every Clan of the Five Nations shall have a Council Fire ever burning in readiness for a council of the Clan. They shall hold a council, and their decision and recommendation shall be introduced before the Council of Rotiianer by the Rotiskenrakete.
THE RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE OF THE NATION OR CONFEDERACY OF NATIONS
KAIANEREH’KO:WA – Article #96: All the Clan Council Fires of a Nation or of the Confederacy of Nations may unite into one general Council Fire to discuss the interests of the people. The people can make appointments and delegate their power to others of their number. When their council shall have come to a conclusion on any matter, their decision shall be reported to the council of the nation or the League Council (as the case may require) by the head Warrior or head Rotiskenrakere.
Note: The League Council is also known as the Grand Council. When the people hold a general council, the Grand Council has to go along with the decision as the Confederacy is a people’s government.
WAMPUM STRINGS
Article #23: Any of the Rotinonhsonni’onwe may use shells or wampum as the record of a pledge, contract or agreement entered into. The same shall be binding as soon as shell strings have been exchanged by both parties. The people of the Rotinonhsonni’onwe have both an inherent right and a constitutional right to assemble at any time or place within our territory, without seeking permission from any nation, Councilor or authority other than the Great Law itself.
THE NATIONAL COUNCIL IS THE PROPER PLACE TO ADJUDICATE THIS ISSUE. THEREFORE THIS COURT IS RESPECTFULLY REQUEST TO DISMISS ALL CHARGES AND RETURN THIS ALLEGATION TO THE KANION’KE:HAKA COUNCIL FIRE. AS WELL A REVIEW OF THIS CASE SHALL BE SUBMITTED TO THE GRAND COUNCIL IN ORDER THAT ALL NATIONS MAY BE ABLE TO OBSERVE ITS FINDINGS.
SUBMITTED TO: THE ONTARIO COURT, PROVINCIAL DIVISION, 29 SECOND ST. WEST, CORNWALL ONTARIO CANADA ON Kanion’ke:haka Land.

I asked you a reasonable question and have a right to an answer. Show me in writing how did your court get jurisdiction over me and my land. I am not a citizen of Canada. Our relationship is governed by international law. You must deal with me through your head of state, not through your court or law enforcement agents.

Because you have placed yourselves illegally in the midst of my community, you are interfering with my right to freely traverse my territory.

You have set a date for me to appear in your court on December 18th 2006 and a trial for August 10, 2007 in Alexandria “to deal with the outstanding charges”. Before any of this can be undertaken, you must prove your jurisdiction over me and my land. This imaginary line does not pertain to me. You have no right to charge me before your court.

On December 18th 2006 I spoke for myself before your court in full view of thirteen people.

The Jay Treaty of 1794 is between two colonial entities, the U.S. and Great Britain. This line was meant for your subjects only. As the Jay Treaty is a third party agreement, it is not binding on Onkwehonwe. You cannot interfere with our birthright to conduct trade, commerce and travel anywhere in the Western Hemisphere.

We can only meet with your head of your state to clear up this misunderstanding.

Attached is the Information I filed on this case on December 18th 2006. It contains the Facts, the Law and the Analysis of this case. Also attached and filed into No. C2202/03 and Court no. 06-140, formal recorded evidence of U.S.S.C. 05-165 and File #A-363-05 Federal Court of Appeal of Canada contained in the Mohawk Manifesto, bound and labeled Book I, II, III, and in CD word document format.

CONCLUSION
THE ROTINONHSONNI’ONWE ARE SOVEREIGN ONKWEHONWE NATIONS OF ONOWAREGEH, ALSO REFERRED TO AS THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE. WE ARE CREATED AS FREE AND INDEPENDENT PEOPLE WHO ARE PART OF THE NATURAL WORLD. WE DEVISED A LAW AND A WAY OF LIFE THAT IS NATURAL AND ADDRSSES THE TRUE NATURE OF HUMAN BEINGS.
WHEN HUMAN BEINGS FROM FAR AWAY CAME AMONG US, WE ENTERED INTO TREATIES OF PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP WITH THEM. WE AGREED TO RESPECT EACH OTHER AS BROTHERS AND SISTERS AND NOT TO INTERFERE WITH ONE ANOTHER.
WE HAVE ADHERED TO THESE PRINCIPLES . IF YOU SAY THAT YOUR GOVERNMENT HAS MADE OTHER ARRANGEMENTS AND HAS GIVEN HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN AND THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO JURISDICTION IN THESE MATTERS, THEN THAT IS A VIOLATION OF A SOLEMN TREATY ENTERED INTO BETWEEN OUR NATIONS AND IN TURN VIOLATES INTERNATIONAL LAW. THIS MATTER IS CLEARLY A POLITICAL MATTER. FOR ALL THE REASONS STATED ABOVE THE ALLEGED CHARGES SHOULD BE DISMISSED.

Signed on this ____ day of January 2007 on Kanion’ke:haka territory,

Katenies [aka Janet Davis] _______________
Woman title Holder of the Kanion’ke:haka of the Rotinonhsonni’onwe – according to Wampum 44 of our law, the Kaiahereh’ko:wa, the Women are the “progenitors of the soil” of Turtle Island. The women are the caretakers of the land, water and air of Turtle Island. As the trustees, the Women are obligated to preserve and protect the land’s integrity for the future generations.


LIST OF RECIPIENTS OF "MOTION TO DISMISS"
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Buckingham Palace, London, SQ1A UK

Justice of the Peace Stewart
Superior Court of Justice
29 Second St. West, Cornwall, Ontario

Ronald J-L Turgeon
Crown Attorney
404 -132 Second St. East,
Cornwall Ontario K6H 1Y4

Brent Lafave, CBSA, Investigator
90 Akwesasne International Road
Akwesasne, Ontario K6H 5R7

Murray McDonald
Crown Attorney
404-132 Second St. East
Cornwall, Ontario K6H 1Y4

T. Donihee
Counsel for the Federal Crown
404 -132 Second St. East,
Cornwall Ontario K6H 1Y4

Lance Markell, District Director,
Northern Office – Customs, St. Laurent Blvd.,
Ottawa Ont. K1G 4K3

Jennifer Burke and Guy Simard /A
Office of the Crown Attorney
United Counties of Stormont,
Dundas & Glengarry
29 Second Street West
Cornwall, ON K6J 1G3

The Governor General of Canada
M. Michaelle Jean
1 Rideau Drive, Ottawa

Prime Minister Stephen Harper
House of Commons
Ottawa

Hon. Stockwell Day
Minister of Public Safety
House of Commons, Ottawa

Alain Jolicoeur
President, CBSA
Ottawa, ON K1A 0L8

Hon. Irwin Cotler
Justice Canada
284 Wellington St., SAT-6053
Ottawa, ON K1A 0H8

Daniel A. Bellemare
Justice Canada
284 Wellington St., SAT-6053
Ottawa, ON K1A 0H8

Hon. Robert Douglas Nicholson
Minister of Justice and
Attorney General of Canada
284 Wellington St.
Ottawa, ON K1A 0H8

Hon. Michael J. Bryant
Attorney General of Ontario
720 Bay St., 4th Floor
Toronto, ON M5G 2K1

Hon. Yvon Marcoux
Minister of Justice and A.G.O.
Louis-Phillipe-Pigeon Bldg.
1200 Rue d l'Eglise, 9th Floor
St. Foy G1V 4M1

Hon. Jim Prentice
Minister of Indian Affairs
10 Wellington St.
Hull, Que. K1A 0H4

Premier Dalton McGuinty
Province of Ontario
Queens Park, Toronto ON

Premier Charest
Province of Quebec, Legislature
Quebec City

British High Commission
80 Elgin St.
Ottawa, ON K1P 5K7

Canadian Human Rights Commission
344 Slater St., 8th Floor
Ottawa, ON K1A 1E1

United Nations
405 E 42nd Street
New York, NY 10017

Women Title Holders of the Kanion'ke:haka
c/o Box 991
Kahnawake of Mohawk Territory
J0L 1B0

Confederacy Rotiianer Alan McNaughton, Arnie General, Six Nations Secretariat Leroy Hill
RR #6
Hagersville, N0A 1H0

The Hague, Anna Paulownastraat
103, 251 BBC
The Netherlands

Coalition for the International Criminal Court
c/o WFM, 708 3rd Ave., 24th Floor
New York, NY 10017

Dooda Desert Rock with Longest Walk in DC

Elouise Brown, president of Dooda Desert Rock, and Dennis Banks, speak to Long Walkers in Greenbelt Park in Maryland on Thursday evening. Navajos are opposing another power plant on their land in the Four Corners area, where unreclaimed uranium mines, oil and gas wells and power plants already poison the earth, water and air of Navajos. Listen now live to presentations in camp:
http://www.earthcycles.net/
Highlights of Schedule:
Friday, July 117:30 am Converge at Malcolm X Park and walk to White House
1:30 pm: Walk to Capitol steps, Constitution Ave NE and Independence Ave SW
4:30 pm: Closing ceremony at Washington Monument. Presentation of sacred staffs and items
Walk to Sylvan Theater: Washington Monument, 15th St and Independence Ave SW
7:30 pm Honoring walkers; film tribute to Floyd Westerman and Vernon Bellecourt
Saturday, July 12
9:30 am: Water ceremony at Lincoln Memorial
Noon: Powwow at Nation Museum of the American Indian (4th St on DC Mall)
Concert
Sunday, July 13
10 am: Powwow at National Museum of American Indian
2 to 6 pm: Concert

Longest Walk prepares to walk to White House

The Longest Walk held a press conference in DC on Thursday. The Longest Walk walks to the White House on Friday, beginning three days of events in Washington D.C. Photo Brita Brookes.

Akimel O'odham and Navajo speak on Longest Walk Talk Radio

Phillip Morris, Dine' from Page, Arizona, and Shannon Rivers, Akimel O'odham from Gila River, Arizona, speak on Longest Walk Talk Radio at Greenbelt Park, Maryland, on Wednesday. Listen live: http://www.earthcycles.net/ Photo Brenda Norrell

Longest Walk Schedule of Events in DC

Drummers from California and Virginia enjoy welcoming walkers to Greenbelt Park. Photo Brenda Norrell

Highlights of Schedule:
Friday, July 11
7:30 am Converge at Malcolm X Park and walk to White House
1:30 pm: Walk to Capitol steps, Constitution Ave NE and Independence Ave SW
4:30 pm: Closing ceremony at Washington Monument. Presentation of sacred staffs and items
Walk to Sylvan Theater: Washington Monument, 15th St and Independence Ave SW
7:30 pm Honoring walkers; film tribute to Floyd Westerman and Vernon Bellecourt
Saturday, July 12
9:30 am: Water ceremony at Lincoln Memorial
Noon: Powwow at Nation Museum of the American Indian (4th St on DC Mall)
Sunday, July 13
10 am: Powwow at National Museum of American Indian
2 to 6 pm: Concert

Longest Walk, northern and southern routes merge at Greenbelt

Long walkers from the northern and southern routes merged at Greenbelt Park, Maryland, on Tuesday about 4 pm. Listen live at http://www.earthcycles.net/ Photo copyright Brenda Norrell

Kahnawake, strength and beauty in resistance

Good morning from the Longest Walk,

We're camped in Greenbelt Park, Maryland, near Washington D.C. and south of Baltimore. I've just returned from a visit to the Mohawk community of Kahnawake, Quebec, and a visit to my dear friends Kahentinetha and Katenies, who were beaten and arrested at the Cornwall/Akwesasne border. Kahentinetha, publisher of Mohawk Nation News, is recovering from a trauma induced heart attack. She was handcuffed at the border during the attack by special forces. When she told the officers to loosen the handcuffs, because she was having difficulty breathing, the handcuffs were tightened and she was told to bend over. She was hospitalized with a heart attack. Katenies was also attacked by special forces and her face ground into the concrete, when she was jumped by officers who plunged a knee into her kidneys. Katenies was jailed. Katenies refuses to recognize the authority of the Canadian government over her, in a precedent setting case. Katenies returns to court on July 14.
It was incredible to visit the beautiful Kahnawake community and see the Mohawks living this resistance and living their commitment to "no compromise." The Mohawks are an inspiration. With strength, beauty and joy, the Mohawks have become standard bearers of courage and fearlessness in protection of Mother Earth and the people.
My days in Kahnawake were spent in perfect peace and joy. Thank you!
Please listen live to the Longest Walk Northern Route, as we rap up our five month live radio broadcast this week, Longest Walk Talk Radio, beginning daily at 1 pm Eastern; 12 Central; 11 Mountain; 10 am Pacific.
http://www.earthcycles.net/

More from Mohawk Nation News:
http://www.mohawknationnews.com/
Brothers, Sisters, Friends and Allies:
On June 14th 2008 Katenies and Kahentinetha of MNN were beaten by the Canadian Border guards at the Akwesasne [ Cornwall ] Ontario crossing. Their excuse was an “outstanding warrant” issued in 2003 claiming that Katenies “ran the border” placed by the colonial state through the middle of her community. Katenies has appeared in court on this matter. On both occasions she never acknowledged the false charges and filed motions contesting the courts’ jurisdiction. She refused to stand up and started reading her motion into the record, asking: “How and when did Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II get jurisdiction over me and my land?� On December 18th 2006 the court attempted to ignore the issue. When Katenies tried to read her motion into the court record, the court closed down. Katenies’ motion gave notice that a failure to respond within 30 days would be taken as an admission by the court that it had no jurisdiction. Canada has chosen to pursue this matter. We would like to share her motion with our readers. The motion is based on the Two Row Wampum and the Kaianerehkowa, the Great law of Peace, the constitution of the Haudenosaunee. Katenies found the Queen, the corporation of Canada and all its public and private corporations guilty of theft, etc. This will be the basis of proceedings when Katenies appears at 9:00 a.m. in Cornwall Ontario court on July 14th 2008. A case is being prepared against the Canadian Border Security Agency. The Canadian state can use the money of 30 million people and Indigenous resources to fight the Mohawks. Your financial help is needed.
Please donate to “MNN Mohawk Nation News”,
Box 991 , Kahnawake
Quebec , Canada J0L 1B0.
Everyone welcome.
Katenies MNN katenies20@yahoo.com

Photo: Tribute to Mohawk iron workers on Kahnawake. Photo Brenda Norrell
Read more about Mohawk iron workers:
http://sonicmemorial.org/public/mohawk/mohawk.html

Photo Kahentinetha Horn hospitalized after attack by border special forces

Kahentinetha Horn, publisher of Mohawk Nation News, hospitalized with a heart attack on June 14, 2008, after being attacked by special forces in Canada at the Cornwall/Akwesasne border. Photo by Sagowaiaks.

By Brenda Norrell
Censored News
http://www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com/

CORNWALL, Ontario -- Kahentinetha Horn, 68, was handcuffed in a police stress hold at the border crossing. Kahentinetha told them she was having chest pains and to loosen the handcuffs. The officers responded by tightening the handcuffs. Kahentinetha was told to bend over in the presence of a male and female officer. She was suffering a trauma induced heart attack. During the attack Katenies, Mohawk Nation News editor, was beaten and jailed by the gang of at least 10 special forces. Kahentinetha is out of the hospital and is recovering. Please consider contributing to the legal fees for a lawsuit against the Canadian police and special forces who attacked the two Mohawk grandmothers.
For more information on Kahentinetha's condition and letters of support: waneek@msn.ca
Please send checks and money orders to:
Mohawk Nation News
Box 991
Kahnawake, Quebec
CANADA J0L1B0

Arizona Sonora border, body count magnifies human rights crisis

Six children, 35 women and 86 men, human beings who died in the Arizona Sonora desert

For Immediate Release

July 4, 2008
Contact: Kat Rodriguez, Derechos Humanos: 520.770.1373

(Photo Mike Wilson, Tohono O'odham, stands next to a map showing the places where migrants died in the Arizona desert, including on the Tohono O'odham Nation, for want of a drink of water. Wilson puts out water for migrants as a humanitarian act, saying "No one should die for a drink of water." His water jugs, on his left, were slashed by vandals. Photo at the Indigenous Peoples Border Summit of the Americas II in November. Photo Brenda Norrell)

Count for Recovered Bodies on the Arizona- Sonora Border Reaches 128
Arizona- The current number for bodies recovered on the Arizona-Sonora border for the fiscal year that began on October 1, 2006 through June 30, 2008 is 128, reports Coalición de Derechos Humanos. The data, which is compiled from medical examiner reports from Pima, Yuma, and Cochise counties, is an attempt to give a more accurate reflection of the human cost of brutal U.S. border and immigration policies.
These numbers include 86 men, 35 women, 6 children, including a miscarried fetus. While Border Patrol has proudly proclaimed that the slight decrease in recovered bodies is a result of militarization and deterrence strategies imposed on border communities, the more likely reason for the minimal decrease is the weather-cooler weather was seen all the way up through May. At the end of June 2007, there were 150 bodies recovered, while the current year is at 128. However, the number of recovered bodies for the month of June outpaced those of last year. "Despite the slight overall decline of bodies being recovered on the Arizona-Sonora border, the reality is that while there were 35 bodies recovered in June of 2007, 40 were recovered in the month of June this year" says Kat Rodriguez of Derechos Humanos. "Historically, July has been the most brutal month, and we are dreading the count that the harsh temperatures will bring." Increasingly alarming are the high number of unidentified human remains recovered. Of the 35 female remains recovered, 21 are still unidentified, and 51 of the 86 males have yet to be identified. All in all, 72 of the 128 remains recovered are unidentified, and not enough of the remains of six of these individuals were recovered to even determine gender; this speaks to the anguish that family members suffer as they wait to hear of their loved ones, and the reality that some might never know what became of them. While the Border Patrol continues to applaud their efforts to control the border, men, women and children are pushed into more harsh, isolated areas, where humanitarian aid and detection is less likely. This is, in fact, an intentional strategy that has proven deadly as more than 5,000 men, women and children have died on the U.S.-México border. And through this, there is no evidence that these militarization efforts have done anything to affect the numbers of people crossing the border. "It is a natural, global phenomenon and human right to migrate" said Rodriguez. "Continuing with these deadly strategies that cost the lives of hardworking women and men while lining the pockets of corporations and military industrialists is leaving a shameful legacy." The complete list of recovered bodies is available on the Coalición de Derechos Humanos website: http://www.derechoshumanosaz.net. This information is available to anyone who requests it from us and is used by our organization to further raise awareness of the human rights crisis we are facing on our borders. Coalición de Derechos Humanos
P.O. Box 1286 Tucson, AZ 85702
Tel: 520.770.1373 Fax: 520.770.7455 www.derechoshumanosaz.net

Sleight of Hand Magic: Tragi Comedy of Deadly Errors at the Border

SLEIGHT OF HAND MAGIC” - A TragiComedy of Deadly Errors in Five Acts set in Haudenosaunee Territory, early 21st Century

THE BORDER ATTACK IN CONTEXT
by Iakoha'ko:wa, Sharbot Lake of Haudenosaunee Territory

Mohawk Nation News
2008. Sharbot Lake of Haudenosaunee Territory is a huge land claims fraud orchestrated by Ontario, Canada and the corporations that want the minerals lying under the bushes of the region. The goal is to develop the area for purposes that have yet to be revealed, or perhaps for the great and celestial aim of development for development’s sake.
Uranium is the official front. The script writers have been busy. The area they want is south of the Ottawa River watershed, between Lakes Ontario, Erie and Huron. Nine fake Algonquin communities comprised mostly of non-native settlers have been groomed to “negotiate” and “sign away” the land.
The Cast:”Ambulance Chasers”: Chris Reid, Steve Reynolds, Robert Potts, Brian Crane, Neil Smitheman, Alan Pratt; “Handlers”: Michael Bryant, et al.; “Willing Assets”: Randy Cota, Bob Lovelace, Harold Perry, Doreen Davis, Earl Badour, Cathie Duchene; “The Complicit”: CCAMU (The Community Coalition Against Mining Uranium) Frontenac News, Green Party; Chumps” the cast of thousands who follow along and don’t ask real questions.Director:Rem “Roman Polansky” Westland; Chorus: the Christian Peacemakers [Pacifiers] Team; Producer: the Government of Canada; Writer: the USA.
Prologue:The Sharbot Lake of Haudensaunee Territory puppet show is staged to fool us into thinking that they can make us relinquish our land and make it look like uranium mining will be stopped at Robertsville. All the players in this magic display are scurrying around like rats. Lawyers, handlers and their assets parade across their makeshift stage. They’ve all been assigned roles but are still fighting to be the leading ham in this dark tragedy. The one who seals the deal gets the most$.
In May and June it’s a 5-act festival scripted by the greedy puppet masters in Ottawa, Washington, London, Europe and the Vatican.
In Act I the Ontario Minister of Aboriginal Affairs strolls into Sharbot Lake to talk to the pretend "Algonquins". Act II takes us into the courtroom where Indigenous are brought to colonial justice, patently recognizable as injustice. Act III is a flurry of mind boggling announcements. Act IV is the vicious attack on 2 Mohawk women at the Cornwall border crossing. They’ve been exposing their crimes? Their dogged expose of ‘Algonquin Gate’. Act V is the showdown. See who panics! See how they run!
Act I - Stirring up Confusion
Scene 1: April 2008. The Mohawk people at Tyendinaga are recovering from an OPP/SWAT assault. May 8. Big Chief Doreen Davis of the newly created Shabot Obaadjiwans band of Algonquins is hosting the Ontario Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, Michael "Brylcreme and Lipless" Bryant.
The Minister was invited a year ago to meet the "NoGonquins" to discuss a uranium mine. Last July 2007 a phony protest was staged at Robertsville mine site, 42 miles north of Kingston, Ontario, by two groups of pretend "No’Gonquins and their settler supporters".
At that time “B & L” B. was in the Attorney General's office lobbying to get 12 years in jail on 6 counts of “mischief” for Mohawk Shawn Brant of Tyendinaga. B & L proved his hostility to Indigenous people and promptly got promoted to Minister of Aboriginal Affairs.
In Sharbot Lake, B & L was slick enough to speak privately with Big Doreen and her Warchiefs, Luanda "Miss Who?" and Earl "Green Eggs and Ham" Badour. He also spoke to the “Shabot Obaadjiwan Justice Circle”. He was fascinated to see the wampum of a real Algonquin, William Commanda of Maniwaki, brought there to try to legitimize the Shabot's phony Algonquin land claim.
Big Doreen says she "pressed the minister for a negotiated resolution". Though she sat on him to pressure Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, Minister of Natural Resources Donna Cansfield and Minister of Northern Development and Mines Michael Gravelle, no "particular action" was promised. In return she guaranteed the Shabots "will respect [her] rule of law".
She grumbled about needing some of "these lands for our food, medicine and peace of mind", forgetting to mention her main feed bag source is either Wendy's or McDonalds in Perth.
Scene 2: In mid May, 2008, Frontenac Ventures Corp. had an Ontario Mining Act permit to conduct an extensive radiometric survey over their so-called 30,000 acres claim of unceded Haudenosaunee territory. FVC is in the midst of a 40-week drilling exploration schedule that started last October under Judge Cunningham's ruling. There are 4 weeks of drilling left. FVC plans to dig over 100 test holes which could release harmful radon into the watershed and air. George "Dried-Up-Old-Prune" White, President and CEO of FVC, is coy about whether or not they have begun drilling. The Ontario Provincial Police provides round-the-clock security at taxpayers’ expense.
Scene 3: Elections were held in March 2008 for the ANR (Algonquin Negotiation Representatives) and the Pikwakinagan Council at Golden Lake. Most were selected and then acclaimed for 25 or 30 years. Robert "Who-Looks-a-lot-like-that-self-proclaimed-expert-on-Indigenous repression-Jim" Potts, is now senior negotiator for the Algonquins. He bosses everybody and sets out membership and dress codes.
Shortly before the ANR's meeting, May 14-16, 2008, Robert Potts of Blaney McMurtry LLP, issued a directive that meetings with Crown representatives and ambulance chasers are not open to their clients, the "Algonquins". This is such a bizarre interpretation of Indigenous and international law that it looks like a breach. Whatever happened to the idea of prior informed consent? But then these are pretend Algonquins! So maybe they only have pretend rights?
Potts hopes for an Agreement-in-Principal (AIP) by 2010. The No’Gonquins can try to find out what went on from their ANR. If they don't like it, they can just “hit the road, Jack!” And sign up some new “No’Gonquins”. Compliance is a must. Unlike other nationalities, Algonquin memberships expire after 5 years.
Potts yells at anyone who asks uncomfortable questions. This made the Ardoch "All-Chiefs-No-Indians" split from the Ontario Algonquins. Randy Cota, who is an OPP and the chief, has the job of silencing the questioners. Potts directs People to the Algonquins web site run by Patrick Howe of CoreshellGroup in Toronto. MNN exposed this ring of crooks in a March 13, 2008 article, "VIRTUAL ALGONQUINS" - MADE IN " CANADA ".
Two days of the ANR's meeting were spent setting up more meetings, deciding where to have lunch and looking busy to justify their $50,000 a year salary plus expenses.
When the Ontario and Canada negotiators arrived on May 16, the ANRs bowed, scraped, jumped up and down with glee and clapped. They were then told that Parliamentarians need their long summer vacations. Nothing could proceed until "late fall". The ANR's were left to think about membership criteria, to compose a constitution and an anthem. Big Doreen is flying the Mohawk Unity Flag and the Confederacy Hiawatha Flag. She’s got no right to as a phony Algonquin. She’s supposed to give $1 to the Confederacy for every pack of cigs she sells. But we hear her pockets are getting real heavy!
Act II – The Courtroom Theatre of the Absurd
Scene 1: “FVC's lawsuit against the Shabot Obaadjiwan for $77 million” was on the marquis. The Shabots filed a “merry-go-round” counter claim against Ontario and Canada on May 25, 2008. Money is taken from the taxpayers, put through the “Indians” and then placed into the pockets of the corporations and their helpers. On June 2nd 2008, Little Stevie "Raised-on-Wonder-Bread" Reynolds, the ambulance chaser for the Shabots, lead the mock charge against the Government.
Scene 2: The Christian Pacifiers Team has a gig at the mine site from May 25 to June 8. They have two weeks to influence people into inaction and complacency.
Scene 3: Robert "Hisses-like-a-Flat-Can-of-Pop" Lovelace is released from jail on May 28, 2008. He spent 100 days in Lindsay Correctional Facility. His groupies flock around him for the photo ops. The public relations spin him as a “hero/martyr”, if you will. Simpering Lovelace’s meandering comments and love letters are published widely by the mainstream Press and posted on the internet by his followers, the complicit CCAMU (The Community Coalition Against Mining Uranium) and Frontenac News. The real martyrs are the KI6 (Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug).
Scene 4: On June 2, 2008, the show moves into the Kingston courtroom. George "Dried-up-Old-Bones" White of FVC gets a chance to feign power. His attorney, Neil "Who-Advocates-the-Earth-should-be-Plundered" Smitheman huffs and puffs. He’s also counsel for Platinex, the destroyer and plunderer of KI territory and its people.
FVC drops the 2nd set of contempt charges filed in February 2008 against Lovelace and six non-natives. However, the “Jane and John Doe” warrant continues against anyone who might stroll by the mine gates. "Protesters" have to stay 200 metres away from the gates and FVC employees. As for the FVC's $77 million lawsuit against the Algonquins, taxpayers will have to dig deep to pay this off. Actually it’s our money from the theft of our lands and exploitation of our resources.
Act III - Bla, Bla, Bla, Spin, Spin, Spin
Scene 1: On June 8th 2008 the Ardoch "All Chiefs, No Indians" No-gonquins hold a meeting at the local Maberly Hall. More non-native settlers attend than Algonquins. Cathie "Lost-in-the-Woods" Duchene makes her confusing pitch. She came from British Columbia to set things straight that she’s the title holder to this vast Haudenosaunee tract south of the Ottawa River. Both Cathie and Big Doreen claim to be descendents of Mohawk Francis Sharbot of Kanehsatake. She wants the government to deal with her, not the No’Gonquins. Then she aligns herself with the Ardochs, Lovelace and OPP Randy Cota!! She appears determined to replace Big Chief "DD" at the negotiation table. Documents and maps are flying all over the place. These could be forged or changed, as the olonists have always done from the beginning.
Scene 2: On June 11, 2008 The Shabots issue a press release to pacify detractors into a stupor, "Fighting uranium is what this is all about." Big Doreen refers to Lovelace as "our colleague" and the Ardochs as "our sister community". The Shabots and the Ardochs barely speak to each other. She says that, "understanding and trust are built up" when they "sit down around the fire and talk things through".
Last summer, those who challenged the protest organizers were reminded about the colonial "chain of command" and told to “shut up”. Many good sincere supporters were driven away. Mohawks were told they were not welcome [on their own land]. Iakoha'ko:wa, a nearby resident, received a threatening phone call from OPP Brandy Wynters of ART [Aboriginal Response Team], “You are not welcome at the protest camp”. Randy Cota told people not to talk to Iakoha'ko:wa.
The Shabots want to stay in the "legal arena somehow".[probably the colonial] and to "ensure full discussion within the Shabot community". OPP Chief Randy Cota demands specific I.D. from those who want to attend meetings. Otherwise they are thrown out. Doreen posts "Algonquins only" signs.
"Because of the delicate nature of the discussions, we need to keep details confidential." We’ll let ya know sometime [after we made the deal and get our cut!] This sounds like “war strategy” on how to make "behind-closed-doors" secret deal that benefit the greedy few and rob the rest of the pretenders”. Big Doreen and “Warchief” Earl "The-Only-One-who-Looks-Native" Badour sign on. CCAMU and Frontenac News, the local propaganda rag, dutifully post the carefully contrived “news”. The Mohawks stay in the bush, watch and wait. They know the land isn’t going anywhere though the criminal scam artists might end up in jail, if any honest Canadians ever wake up.
The non-native residents "don't want to tell the Natives what to do". They are beginning to see that the whole scenario is being orchestrated by some filthy rich white men, some living in cottages in the area.
Scene 3: On Friday June 13, 2008, The Shabot Obaadjiwans release another “blowhard” [press statement]. Big Doreen says they’ve "won a key concession from Ontario". Ontario, the fake Algonquins of Ontario and Frontenac Ventures Corp. "are developing a consultation process" on how they are going to pull off their scam. While rolling their eyes at each other, they sing, "We intend this to be a true dialogue".
How will Doreen "address" FVC's goal to cut open a swath of earth some 5 miles long to get at some low grade uranium? Mine or no mine?? That is the question. Big Doreen promises to keep sitting on the bureaucrats and politicians who shower her with new gas pumps at her cig shack at Silver Lake.
Scene 4: Still on Friday, June 13th, Cathie "Who's-Now-Hanging-around-Sharbot-Lake" Duchene emails her own “blowhard” to a number of the “bottom feeders” involved in this scam, including Brian Crane (negotiator for Ontario) and Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty. Frontenac News publishes it on June 19. Cathie "Who-May-Not-be-a-Bear-at-All" Duchene arrived like a locomotive to stake her claim to Sharbot Lake. She is staying under the protection of the Sharbot Lake OPP detachment.
Her letter squeals about her alleged “Mohawk-ness” and being a "title holder under the Great Law". There’s no evidence she ever listened to it when it was read. She also declares, "I fully support the Ardoch Algonquins, under their wise respected Honorary Elder, Harold Perry, who I have known for most of my life and remember when he visited us as a young girl." Cathie previously said she had "never met the man". Does she have a double personality?
Cathie thanks Randy and Harold and commends them for "practising and living [their] traditions"!! Cathie invites all to call her so they can get more confused.
Scene 5: Still on Friday, June 13, Frontenac Ventures and Gemmill Sand & Gravel, a local outfit, are charged with "breach of environmental regulation" by the Ardochs. Road construction to the drill sites damaged "sensitive wetlands" when they "dumped fill into the waterways severing the natural flow of water". MNR (Ministry of Natural Resources) “appears” to be making FVC tow the line on their way to complete devastation of the area and watershed which reaches urban centres like Ottawa and Montreal.
Act IV - Trying to Silence MNNScene 1: Less than 24 hours later MNN’s editor and manager are attacked at the Cornwall border on Saturday, June 14. The brutal attack at Akwesasne that afternoon is well documented. They were beaten by Canadian Border Service Agency "goons". Kahentinetha was hospitalized and Katenies was held incommunicado for 2 days.
Scene 2: That same Saturday night in Kingston, 1,000 people packed a hall for a Bruce Cockburn concert honoring Bob Lovelace and raising $20,000 for him. They are trying to help legitimize his part in the big land claims with the Ardochs, Big Doreen, the Shabots and all the criminal operatives of the Crown.
Scene 3: The next day, a few Shabots hold a rally 210 meters from the Robertsville mine site gates.
Scene 4: Monday morning, June 16 Katenies is in a Cornwall courtroom facing hokey charges of "running the border". She carefully recounted the recent sequence of events and clarifies her position in a June 29 MNN article, " Katenies questions border at Cornwall Ontario court 9:00 am July 14 2008". The mainstream media continues to boycott the entire history making event.
Scene 5: The Shabot cabal meet with bureaucrats in Toronto. After being wined and dined, they emerge full of s**t.
Scene 6: On June 21, 2008, after Lovelace has a few days of rest and gets his new instructions from his “handlers”, the Ardochs issue another blowhard. It’s Ambulance chaser Chris Reid drivel supposedly coming from Harold Perry, honorary chief. Chief Paula "Professor of Fake Algonquin History" Sherman, Chief Mireille "Affidavit Indian" LaPointe and Chris Reid are the contacts. They coin it the "four prongs of protest, education, legal action and political pressure" which has been playing out since last summer. Lovelace plays the "political prisoner" who has suffered trauma and can’t say too much at this time.
The Ardochs apparently got their pow wow site at Malcom Lake (approved by Ontario but NOT the municipality). They are in secret talks to get unknown acreage at Crotch Lake. There is the usual reference to the Royal Proclamation of 1763 and their opposition to uranium mining.
The fifth prong to their strategy is “healing”. The CPT act is being brought in to help kill any critical thinking that might still be floating around. Uncomfortable questions are labeled as “harmful” because it stops people from feeling the pain. Everyone is encouraged to put up and shut up in the name of peace.
Act V The End is Just the BeginningScene 1: Bright and early Monday morning, while out fishing, Big Doreen tells Jeff Green of Frontenac News that "a pilot consultation framework is slated to be announced by the end of this week" on June 27. It will involve lots of public meetings and “free food”! Two settlers might be picked to go into the bush with Big Doreen as "observers" of alleged uranium mining activity. If Jeff, a slight man with a mop top, gets picked, he'll get sat on to give Big Doreen some credibility in his newspaper. Jeff ignores all the well-researched Mohawk articles, complaints and documents, even maps that prove this is Haudenosaunee territory and that the “Algonquin” claim is a fraud.
Frontenac News dutifully publishes on June 26th that Frontenac Ventures will start drilling on July 21. The ANR's hold a “nation” meeting in Kanata on the same day.
Scene 2: Today people desire peace and security at any price. They are being convinced to give up their liberty and to abandon critical thinking. ANY criticism is denounced as "trouble making" or confrontational. People are threatened if they question or look into the deeper realities. They are side tracked that it is a "conspiracy theory". Religion and other dogma are used to pacify people into inaction and to dull their minds.
The eagle at the top of the Great Tree of Peace has the sight to see for miles around and can answer a call from 20 miles or more away. Eagles remind us to connect the dots, to be vigilant over our freedoms and to protect the people we Love.
EpilogueThis play is based on real life events. Many choose to go along with the script that has been written for us trying to guide us to our doom. We can get creative and resist the corruption and plunder by opening our eyes and using all our gifts.
Katenies will be in the Cornwall courthouse July 14 to ask the question, "How and when did the Crown gain jurisdiction over us?"
Iakoha'ko:wa kittoh@storm.ca Sharbot LakeThe legal challenge on the border issue will cost money. MNN has none. Canada has unlimited funds from exploiting indigenous resources. We need counsel that will not be intimidated by this display of power. Canada is apparently hiring top law firms to fight the Mohawks. Your financial help is needed. If you could send donations, it would be greatly appreciated: Checks and money orders to “MNN Mohawk Nation News”, Box 991, Kahnawake [Quebec, Canada] J0L 1B0. Thank you very much.
CONTACT INFO:Contact for Shabot Obaadjiwan and Chief Doreen Davis:613 279-1970Ardoch Algonquins and Chief Paula ShermanCell: 613-329-3706 omamikwe@bell.blackberry.netActing Chief Mireille Lapointe Phone: 613-273-3530lapointe@rideau.netChristopher M. Reid Barrister & Solicitor154 Monarch Park Ave. Toronto, ON M4J 4R6Tel: (416) 466-9928 Fax: (416) 466-1852 lawreid@aol.comContact Cathie Duchene 613 484-1635Dalton McGuinty at <dmcquinty.mpp@liberal.ola.org>Ministry of Northern Development and Mineshttp://www.mndm.gov.on.ca/mndm/who/Default_e.aspMinistry Contact InformationMinister's Main Office Whitney Block5th Flr Rm 5630 - 99 Wellesley St W. Toronto ON M7A1W3The Honourable Michael Gravelle Phone (416) 327-0633Fax (416) 327-0665Minister's Northern Office (by appointment only)Suite 404 - 189 Red River Rd. Thunder Bay ON P7B1A2Minister: The Honourable Michael GravellePhone 807-343-7808 Fax 803-343-7680Deputy Minister's Office, 99 Wellesley St. West, Whitney Block, Room 5630Toronto, ON M7A 1W3 - Acting Deputy Minister: Don IgnacyPhone (416) 327-0633 Fax (416) 327-0651Ministry of Natural Resources: MNRhttp://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/index.htmlMain Office - Peterborough (Natural Resources Information Centre) 300Water Street, P.O. Box 7000, Peterborough, Ontario, K9J 8M5 (705)755-2000 (local) 1-800-667-1940 (toll free) 1-866-686-6072 (TTY - Hearing Impaired) Minister's Office 6th Floor, Room 6630, Whitney Block, 99 Wellesley St. W., Toronto, Ontario, M7A 1W3 (416) 314-2301Deputy Minister's Office 6th Floor, Room 6643, Whitney Block, 99Wellesley St. W., Toronto, Ontario, M7A 1W3 (416) 314-2150Donna Cansfield provides a place to leave a message:http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/About/2ColumnSubPage/STEL02_197053.htmlNotes and Sourceshttp://www.newsweb.ca/http://www.blaney.com/algonquin/algonquin.htmhttp://www.tanakiwin.com/http://www.mohawknationnews.com/news/singlenews.php?lang=en&layout=mnn&category=58&newsnr=570&backurl=%2Fnews%2Fnews4.php%3Flang%3Den%26layout%3Dmnn%26category%3D58%26sortorder%3D0%26start%3D0&srcscript=/news/news4.php

Euchee's photos, Longest Walk Northern Route

Longest Walk Northern Route, photos by Euchee (Chris Jones, Euchee from Oklahoma) at the Buffalo Nation Powwow in Pennsylvania. Photo 1: Group photo; Photo 2: Craig Luther, Navajo, with his fry bread. Photo 3: Sage from Oklahoma with deer. The walkers are currently camped at Cordurus State Park in southern Pennsylvania, until July 7.

Listen to Earthcycles Longest Walk Talk Radio on the steps of the Pennsylvania Capitol in Harrisburg on Monday:
2008-06-30_harrisburgcapitolone.mp3
56:4151.91 Mb

More at: www.earthcycles.net/

Mohawk Nation News: Canada abusing Indigenous women and elders

WHY IS CANADA ABUSING INDIGENOUS WOMEN AND ELDERS? SURVEILLANCE, CONTROL AND THE INVISIBLE BOUNDARIES OF “INDIAN COUNTRY”
For MNN by Ieriwa’on:ni ieriwaonni@live.com
MNN. July 1, 2008.
Dear Friends and Supporters: Those of us who are close to Kahentinetha and Katenies, the friends and family who spend time with them on a daily basis, would like to thank all of you for your support and kind words.
We would like to share some of the reflections you’ve sent us. Harriet Nahanni recently died in custody in British Columbia. 500 women have disappeared without any investigation. Kahentinetha survived the trauma induced heart attack inflicted on her by the Canadian Border Services Agency at Cornwall Ontario.
Katenies and her family continue to be harassed as they have been since she filed a formal court motion in 2003 asking Canada to prove its jurisdiction over her and her Nation. Her daughter Teiohontateh has filed a human rights complaint over abuse at the same border. What is MNN’s role in “Indian Country”? There are thousands of voices out there struggling to be heard. By attacking women and elders they are trying to tell us they’ll attack anyone. Will this keep us quiet? No way. Today is July 1st ,“Canada Day”.
There’s lots of drinking, flag waving and fireworks. The colonial regime whose officers committed the June 14th, 2008 assault on these two grandmothers is celebrating the foundations of their squatter state with land and resources stolen from Indigenous peoples. Why are they in such a drunken state? The violent attacks and the violations of international law demonstrate that Canada is still at war with Indigenous people.
They’re trying to forget that every square inch they stand on is Indigenous. Section 2 of Canada’s Constitution Act, 1982 declared that everyone has the fundamental freedom of “thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication”. But does Canada respect its own constitution? No.
Canada does not support freedom of opinion. It has a propaganda mill to control the media. It doesn’t even allow scientists to speak to the public without running their findings past spin doctors. It suppresses historical facts and current evidence of its “serial killer” tendencies. It’s trying to make us invisible. This is one of the reasons why the media have ignored the attack on MNN personnel. An honest state would present the facts for public discussion. The public has no idea what is going on.
Why do operatives hired by the Canadian government want to shut down MNN? MNN is not a rant blog. MNN describes attacks on Indigenous Peoples. It puts into words what people are thinking and checks it out to see what’s true. It conducts critical investigations into Canadian and international corporate misconduct. It is based on solid research and thorough discussion. This panics those who parasite on “Indians” and on honest members of the Canadian public. Recently lawyer Patrick Nadjiwan of North Bay Ontario accused MNN of libel and slander.
MNN proved that its information came from the websites of his clients, the guys who were ready to sue MNN. They were slandering themselves. Their scam at Sharbot Lake couldn’t stand up to the light of day. Suddenly he was silent.
MNN has also come under attack by colonial state operatives. What really gets to them is the way MNN follows the principles of the Kaienerekowa, the Haudenosaunee Great Law of Peace. They don’t like the way MNN recognizes that we all have minds. We all have the capacity to see and hear, to think and feel. Every person’s ability to sense and understand is important. The young and the old. The steel-worker, the scholar, the tobacco-trader, the grandmother. The Onkwehonwe and the immigrant.
Each of us has a unique insight to contribute, no matter how big or small. We all have responsibilities. That means we can’t just drift along following orders without thinking or questioning.
In the past couple of years, MNN has exposed the colonial beast. The Canadian government hired young men to guard an illegal border in the middle of the Akwesasne community which was never meant for Indigenous people. They have been routinely threatening and harassing Indigenous people who have to pass there. Someone gave them orders to assault the two grandmothers. This violates the natural order. Women and elders are essential to life itself. There was no valid reason for this attempted assassination. The boundary is an artificial abomination. It was placed there by foreign invaders without any right to do so. Even so, these two grandmothers presented themselves peacefully. They waited quietly in their car for a full hour while these “black shirts” prepared their attack. Why the violence? Why the state sadism?
The appetites of the colonizers are insatiable. They do not maintain sustainable economies. They depend on the exploitation of non-renewable resources. They are conditioned to want more and more and more. Raised on mental “junk food”, they “force feed” their children fascism and call it “democracy”.
Bloated but malnourished, their senses are shut down. They cannot access the natural principles of self-determination that can be found in the “Kaianereh’ko:wa”. Their brains are starved. They have become gluttonous hungry ghosts with no control over their appetites.The Supreme Court of Canada recently ruled that CSIS cannot destroy evidence. A no brainer! This should mean the Canadian Border Service Agency cannot destroy the video tapes and other evidence of their attacks on the two grandmothers. So why does the CBSA claim nothing happened that day? Does the Supreme Court ruling on CSIS mean the CBSA is suddenly going to start thinking and acting legally? It doesn’t look like it.
How do we deal with such monsters? How do we deal with a state that uses violence to try to shut down public discussion and the law? These perverts are trying to create a climate of fear. They’re acting like the caricature of a fascist third world state. It’s not working. Many people are watching and waiting. They aren’t fooled. Canada has become a sick joke.
Some people are curious about what will happen at 9:00 am in the Cornwall Ontario court house on July 14th when Katenies appears again. Will Canada obey the default judgment? The justice of the peace who released her on June 16th was already suspicious about the irregular treatment she received. The Supreme Court of Canada is suspicious of CSIS.
Someone warned MNN: “Of course you know CSIS or RCMP have been monitoring you since MNN started…” They started way before when the Women Title Holders raised the constitutional jurisdiction question in 4 fraudulent New York State land claims in 2004 [USSC 06-165]. They all folded because they refused to respect the Indigenous law that the land can never be surrendered. Katenies raised this in Cornwall and won by default in March 2004. [Posted on MNN December 18, 2006 under “Jay Treaty”]. They can’t keep ignoring the fact that they have no authority over us, even if they have all the guns.
MNN has always advocated peace. MNN has always supported Indigenous people who resist genocide. MNN often warns about the colonial states’ use of armed force to attack unarmed demonstrators and suppress Indigenous opinion. Is Katenies a threat to the rule of law? No way. Her motion and judgment are making them shake in their socks. Yep! All of the weapons of war belong to the Canadian state. The army and the police are trying to scare people into doing whatever they say, whether or not it’s legal. But it’s not working.
As another reader pointed out: “The time has come. The mistreatment of our people is going to stop because we are all watching and telling the world about it”. People know that these two grandmothers did not bring this on themselves.
They are not responsible for the illegal and life-threatening attack they suffered. A century ago Louis Riel was hung for treason because he defended Metis rights. Today the death penalty has been banned in Canada and in international law. Canada, it is not OK for Canadian government officers to try to implement death sentences by other means such as excessive use of force and extraordinary threats and abuse?
It is not OK for border guards to put people under so much physical stress that they have heart attacks? It is not OK for the state to give their agents a license to kill Indigenous people. Ieriwa’on:niN.B. My e-mail address was written incorrectly at the end of the last article. It should be ieriwaonni@live.com. Your responses are appreciated.
This border issue legal challenge will cost money. MNN has none. Canada has unlimited funds from exploiting indigenous resources. Canada is apparently hiring top law firms to fight the Mohawks. We need counsel that will not be intimidated by this display of power.
Your financial help is needed. If you could send donations, it would be greatly appreciated: “MNN Mohawk Nation News”, Box 991, Kahnawake [Quebec, Canada] J0L 1B0. Thank you very much.
Phil Fontaine of AFN is a partner in CBSA’s Sustainable Development Strategy 2007-9 See Apprendix 4 for list of external stakeholders; Chris Kealey, Canada Customs Excise, Immigration Taxation Board, CBSA Media Relations 613-991-5197; Alain Joliceour, President CBSA 613-952-3200, 613-957-0612; General inquiries CBSA-ASFC@canada.gc.ca; National Aboriginal Initiative, Canadian Human Rights Commission 204-983-2189, 1-866772-4880 info.com@chrc-ccdp.ca; Canada Customs Port of Entry, Cornwall Island Ontario; Gaetan Cousineau, Quebec Human Rights, presidence@cdpdj.gc.ca; Akwesasne Mohawk police 613-575-2250 ex 2400; Mohawk Security Louis Mitchell 613-932-5183, 613-575-2340; Lance Markel, District Dir. CBSA 613-930-3234, 613-991-1214; Nurse Rachet at Cornwall Community Hospital 613-938-4240; www.,chrc-ccdp.ca; Brent Lefebvre Investigator for CBSA; Susan St. Clair, Canadian Human Rights Commission, 344 Slater, Ottawa 613-995-1151, 1-888-214-1090, 613-943-5188; National spokesperson CBSA 613-957-6500; Quebec Media Relations CBSA 514-350-6130; Handling arrest Scott Patterson; Chief MCA Nona Benedict 613-575-2250 nbenedict@akwesasne.ca; Minister Stockwell Day, House of Commons, Ottawa K1A 0A6 613-995-1702 day.s@parl.gc.ca 250-770-4480, days1@parl.gc.ca; Dave MacKenzie, Parliamentary Secretary, Public Safety, 613-995-4432;Mackenzie.d@parl.gc.ca; Melissa Leclair Communications Pub. Safety 613-991-2863; OFFICERS: 17012; 16320; 16511; 16121; 16275; Report: Mohawk grandmothers attacked by Canadian Border Services Agency guardsnooneisillegal-montreal.blogspot.com/2008/06/cbsa-attack.html

Kahentinetha recovering after attack on her life by special forces

By Brenda Norrell

http://www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com/

Photo: Kahentinetha Horn at the Indigenous Border Summit of the Americas II in Arizona in 2007. Photo Brenda Norrell

Kahentinetha Horn, publisher of Mohawk Nation News, is recovering and has been released from the hospital. Kahentinetha, 68, suffered a heart attack while handcuffed in a police stress hold in custody, after being attacked by special forces at the Cornwall/Akwesasne border. Katenies, an editor of Mohawk Nation News, was also beaten and jailed. Katenies was thrown on the ground, her face ground into the concrete and a knee jabbed in her kidneys. The two Mohawk grandmothers were attacked by at least 10 special forces.
It was the third attempt on Kahentinetha's life. In 1990, she was targeted by a sniper at Oka. In 1995, she was beaten by police. During the attack June, 14, 2008, Kahentinetha was handcuffed in a police stress hold. When she screamed out in pain for officers to loosen the handcuffs, the handcuffs were tightened and she was told to bend over. She was in custody in the presence of a male and female officer and told to bend over. At this point, she suffered a trauma induced heart attack. Her brother who arrived quickly on the scene saved her life by ensuring that she was not left to die in the hospital. She was then surrounded in the hospital by family and others ensuring her safety. She is now resting and recovering.

For more information on Kahentinetha's condition and letters of support: waneek@msn.ca
To send contributions to support the lawsuit against the Canadian police/special forces who beat Kahentinetha and Katenies
Mohawk Nation News
Box 991
Kahnawake, Quebec
CANADA J0L1B0

Please read the latest from Mohawk Nation News:

Mohawk Nation News
Brothers, Sisters, Friends and Allies:
On June 14th 2008 Katenies and Kahentinetha of MNN were beaten by the Canadian Border guards at the Akwesasne [Cornwall] Ontario crossing. Their excuse was an “outstanding warrant” issued in 2003 claiming that Katenies “ran the border” placed by the colonial state through the middle of her community. Katenies has appeared in court on this matter. On both occasions she never acknowledged the false charges and filed motions contesting the courts’ jurisdiction. She refused to stand up and started reading her motion into the record, asking: “How and when did Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II get jurisdiction over me and my land?” On December 18th 2006 the court attempted to ignore the issue. When Katenies tried to read her motion into the court record, the court closed down. Katenies’ motion gave notice that a failure to respond within 30 days would be taken as an admission by the court that it had no jurisdiction. Canada has chosen to pursue this matter. We would like to share her motion with our readers. The motion is based on the Two Row Wampum and the Kaianerehkowa, the Great law of Peace, the constitution of the Haudenosaunee. Katenies found the Queen, the corporation of Canada and all its public and private corporations guilty of theft, etc. This will be the basis of proceedings when Katenies appears at 9:00 a.m. in Cornwall Ontario court on July 14th 2008. A case is being prepared against the Canadian Border Security Agency. The Canadian state can use the money of 30 million people and Indigenous resources to fight the Mohawks. Your financial help is needed. Please donate to “MNN Mohawk Nation News”, Box 991, Kahnawake [Quebec, Canada] J0L 1B0. Everyone welcome. Katenies MNN katenies20@yahoo.com Reposted July 1, 2008. Katenies [aka Janet Davis] v. HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN Information #C2202/03 SUBMITTED TO: THE COLONIAL ONTARIO COURT, PROVINCIAL DIVISION, 29 SECOND ST. WEST, CORNWALL 0NTARIO CANADA ON KANION’KE:HAKA LAND FROM: Katenies [aka Janet Davis], Bear Clan, Woman Title Holder of Turtle Island; Onkwehonweh, Sovereign, a Manifestation of All the Elements as a real, flesh and blood Human being, does take exception to Fraud committed by HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN. REGARDING: illegal invasion, trespass, occupation and assumption of authority and jurisdiction over me and my land by CANADA CUSTOMS AND REVENUE AGENCY INCORPORATED, ET. AL, PROVINCE OF ONTARIO INCORPORATED, ET. AL, CANADA INCORPORATED ET. AL, EAST INDIA COMPANY, HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN OF CANADA. FACTS:1. Kanion’ke:haka/Mohawk land comprises at least 20 million acres of Northeastern Turtle Island [NanFan Treaty from Florida to Iqualuit, see Apr. 28/08 “Ottawa & Ontariol setting up No’gonquins land fraud” ]. It is referred to as the St. Lawrence Valley, Great Lakes watershed, southern Quebec, southern Ontario, south to New York State, Vermont, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. We are the “Keepers of the Eastern Door” of Turtle Island. We are carrying out our duties as the caretakers. The natural world has given us this responsibility by rooting us in this land. Our Indigenous communities exist on Turtle Island since time immemorial and continue to have trading relations with other nations. [Trade is an international right]. We have trading relations before and after the illegal occupation of the colonial states of Canada and the U.S. We never gave Britain the right to establish their corporations on our land. Canada is illegal. Our vast territory has subsequently been illegally chopped into pieces by these foreign corporations in the name of “the Crown”. Dozens of colonial jurisdictions have been imposed on us, along with administrative bodies some of which are known as “band councils” and “tribal councils”. There are also hundreds of foreign police and military authorities patrolling our land. We are allies of Great Britain. We have never been British subjects and never will be.We have never agreed to become a part of the colonies of either Canada or the United States.These multiple illegal jurisdictions divide our communities and territory in order to break down our nations and force us to be absorbed us into their colonial polity. Crown, federal and privatized corporations have imposed themselves on our land to exploit and usurp our resources. LAW:9. According to Guswentah, the Two Row Wampum Treaty, the greatest foreign policy ever devised between nations, you agreed to respect that:i. We are a separate people from you and the land is our birthright;ii. The law of the land is the Kaianereh’ko:wa, a universal law which is the most perfect social contract ever developed by our people; andiii You would never usurp our natural tie to the land of our past, present and future generations. The Charter of the United Nations, to which Canada has given its free and informed consent, confirms that:i. the dignity, value and rights of all human beings is equal. ii. all states are required to maintain the peace and refrain from using force of arms to resolve differences with other states. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; to which Canada has given its free and informed consent, recognizes that all peoples have the right to self-determination.United Nations Resolution 1514(XV) affirmed the right of all to self-determination, saying that any attempt to partially or totally disrupt the national unity and territorial integrity of a country is incompatible with the principles of the UN Charter. United Nations Resolution 1514(XV) affirmed that “the desire for independence is the rightful aspiration of peoples under colonial subjugation and that the denial of their right to self-determination constitutes a threat to the well-being of humanity and international peace”. United Nations Resolution 1514(XV) also affirmed that no people can be made part of another state unless it is “the result of a free and voluntary choice by the peoples of the territory concerned expressed through informed and democratic processes.”The International Court of Justice confirmed in the Western Sahara case that no state can absorb another without the free and informed consent of the people concerned expressed through democratic processes.The Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination confirmed on March 6, 2006 that Indigenous peoples have the right to “own, develop, control and use their land and resources” and that the United States was guilty of denying this right to the Western Shoshone people.The Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide U.N.T.S. 1021, vol. 78 (1951) states that the crime of Genocide includes:i. “Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part”. ii. The forced transfer of children to another social group. Section 132 of the British North America Act 1867, which was passed by the Parliament of Great Britain, accords Canada the right to negotiate with foreign states on behalf of the British Empire.As a successor state, which continues to be represented by the same Queen as Great Britain, Canada is bound by the treaties and agreements made by Great Britain.Even if Canada imagines that Britain’s assertion of sovereignty over us made us subjects of the British Empire, the Crown has a duty to govern according to the laws and customs of the land and of the people as set out in the Coronation Oath sworn by you, Queen Elizabeth II. Even if Canada imagines that Canadian laws apply to us;i. Canada has an obligation to recognize and affirm existing Aboriginal and Treaty rights as set out in Section 35(1) of the Constitution Act 1982. ii. Aboriginal rights must be interpreted according to the understanding of Aboriginal people as set out by the Supreme Court of Canada in Nowegijick v. The Queen, [1983] 1 S.C.R. 29.iii. There is no justification for perpetuating the unjust and discriminatory colonial refusal to recognize the rights and interests in land of the Indigenous peoples as stated by Brennan J. in Mabo v. Queensland [No. 2] (1992), 175 C.L.R. 1 (H.C.), at p. 42 and cited with approval by the Supreme Court of Canada in R. v. Côté, [1996] 3 S.C.R. 139 at para 53.iv. “European settlement did not terminate the interests of aboriginal peoples arising from their historical occupation and use of the land. To the contrary, aboriginal interests and customary laws were presumed to survive the imposition of foreign sovereignty, and were absorbed into the common law as rights, unless (1) they were incompatible with the Crown’s assertion of sovereignty, (2) they were surrendered voluntarily via the treaty process, or (3) the government extinguished them.” As acknowledged by the Supreme Court of Canada in Mitchell v. M.N.R., [2001] 1 S.C.R. 911, at para 10. v. The Federal Court of Australia has recognized that the Noongar Aborigines of Australia continue to hold native title to the whole of southwest Western Australia notwithstanding the implantation of substantial colonial settlements including the city of Perth as stated in Bennell v. State of Western Australia [2006] FCA 1243. ANALYSIS:You are in violation of the natural righteousness embodied in the Kaianereh’ko:wa, our Great Law of Peace, the universal law based on the natural world. Your on-going aggression against us violates nature; the Two Row Wampum, international law; and your own constitutional laws. You have been attempting to criminalize our people who protect our laws, lands and people through the use of force to impose illegal laws, codes and acts passed by foreign legislatures in which we neither participate nor wish to participate in. Your courts have recognized that Aboriginal rights must be determined according to practices and uses of the time of the imposition of British sovereignty. There were no boundaries through our communities when you arrived. We never gave your corporations the right to erect artificial boundaries to divide our community and to prevent normal community relations. You have no right to create these limitations around, over and under us, not even under your own law.According to your laws you do not have jurisdiction over territory that is not a part of the foreign corporation called “Canada”. There is no evidence that our territory has ever been ceded to Canada or became a part of it. You have never met the requirements set out in International law for incorporation of our state in yours. There has never been a decision by a clear majority of our people to join Canada. International law accordingly rejects your colonial encroachment on us and our land. Our land, the land of our future generations, does not belong to you so you have no authority to issue licenses to use our resources and our land cannot be legally developed or changed without consulting us and obtaining our consent. Our perspectives cannot be ignored. You have no right to do anything to us or our possessions without our permission. The United Nations Charter, whose terms you have consented to uphold, requires that its members cannot use armed force to resolve international differences. Your commercial enterprise known as the border between two foreign states, Canada and U.S., has no legal validity and exists only in your imagination. Your use of guns and violence to maintain your position on our land violates international law.The United Nations prohibits the disruption of family life and includes the removal of children from their parents in the crime of genocide. You are using your imaginary border to commit genocide against our people.The oath that you swore at your coronation requires you to protect the laws of the lands and people over which you claim dominion. Since you imagine that you exercise sovereignty over us, you have violated your oath through your permissive attitude that allows your subjects and the citizens of your successor states to oppress us.Canadian laws require Canada to respect our rights as we understand them. Yet Canada continues to ignore our opinions and violates our laws. I, KATENIES, PUT YOU ON NOTICE: That you must stop breaching the peace. You are inflicting torture and genocide upon us and our future posterity. Our governance is based on relations of equality and mutual respect as affirmed by the Kaianereh’ko:wa. Our relationship with the colonists is based on the Guswentah, the Two Row Wampum. We need to review the Covenant Chains that defined our original relationship. We are the trustees of all of our land for the future generations of our People, including the part upon which your corporations and your subjects are squatting. You cannot alienate us from our birthright. Your colonial successor states and corporations have failed to respect your promises to protect us from being raped, pillaged and polluted by squatters who have come here and installed themselves on our land with your protection and encouragement. Your squatters are occupying our land illegally. They are stealing our resources and poisoning our land, water and air almost beyond repair. If you do not stop them they will kill themselves as well as our future generations. Your justice system functions to allow the squatters to keep the property you stole, to continue the theft and to incriminate us or kill us to stop us from making our demands for restitution. We are the care-takers of this land. When there are negotiations or decisions to be made concerning this land you must come to our table and talk to us. The decisions you make on your own are not legal. I, KATENIES, WISH TO PROTECT MY PHYSICAL INTEGRITY, MY BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS AND MY RIGHT TO SPEAK OUT AND TAKE ACTION TO OBTAIN LEGAL REDRESS AND SO I DEMAND:38. That you stop forcing your laws on us; that you admit that your federal and provincial colonial apparatus is illegal; that you declare all their transactions null and void and that you cease your illegal operations against us immediately. That you acknowledge that our land belongs to the faces yet unborn; and that we maintain our stewardship so our children will be born free from your bondage. We will never be your subjects. That you resume dealing with us on a nation-to-nation basis and stop using your unlawfully-imposed corporate puppets known as “tribal” and “band” councils which are backed by armed threats. That you respect the “rule of law that comes from Creation, encompassing all that is good for humanity, so that people may become of one mind based on natural righteousness. Foreigners such as yourself and your corporate entities must respect the Indigenous law of our land. You cannot legislate over or judge us and you must stop attempting to do so.That you acknowledge that colonial states have no authority to criminalize us for upholding our laws and our obligations. We have an inherent right and duty to preserve our land for our coming generations through defensive and peaceful acts. For 500 years we have been resisting your colonial efforts to eliminate us and to impose your unnatural institutions on us. We wish to reinstate the lawful relationship with you once the inequities are remedied according to the principles of the Two Row Wampum Agreement. As you have not responded to my request for evidence to substantiate your false claim to jurisdiction over us, we find you guilty of genocide, violations of our freedom and our inherent right to self-determination, of theft of our lands and resources and of destruction of our environment. You have allowed your subjects and your corporations to inflict ruthless violence on us. According to Section 109 of the British North America Act, 1867, you are under an obligation to consider the “prior interest”, which is the “Indian” interest in all of your endeavors on our land and resources. We know that the bottom line of any corporation is profit. This includes collection of taxes, exploitation of our land, water, natural and mineral resources and all business your minions have conducted. You are hereby ordered to immediately relinquish all your stolen money, trust, lands, rights and possessions that were made or taken from our lands within 90 days. You must disband all your foreign corporations such as “Indian Affairs” and forfeit all foreign laws, particularly the “Indian Act”. We shall return to the original legal nation-to-nation relationship between us, the land owners and you, our visitors. You are to deposit $1.4 trillion GDP for the year 2006 into an Indigenous Trust which we, the Indigenous people, will collectively own and control. This money was created totally from your exploitation of us, our land and our resources. This payment represents your corporations’ foreign debt payment to the Indigenous people of Turtle Island. Signed on this 18th day of December 2006 in the community of Akwesasne on the territory of the Kanion’ke:haka, Katenies [aka Janet Davis] /s/ _____________Women Title Holders of the Kanion’ke:haka of the Rotinonhsonnion:we: according to Wampum 44 of our law, the Kaianereh’ko:wa, the women are the “progenitors” of the soil of Turtle Island. The women are the caretakers of the land, water and air of Turtle Island. As the trustees the women are obligated to preserve and protect the land’s integrity for the future generations.MNN Mohawk Nation News Phil Fontaine is a partner in CBSA’s Sustainable Development Strategy 2007-9 See Apprendix 4 for list of external stakeholders; Chris Kealey, Canada Customs Excise, Immigration Taxation Board, CBSA Media Relations 613-991-5197; Alain Joliceour, President CBSA 613-952-3200, 613-957-0612; General inquiries CBSA-ASFC@canada.gc.ca; National Aboriginal Initiative, Canadian Human Rights Commission 204-983-2189, 1-866772-4880 info.com@chrc-ccdp.ca; Canada Customs Port of Entry, Cornwall Island Ontario; Gaetan Cousineau, Quebec Human Rights, presidence@cdpdj.gc.ca; Akwesasne Mohawk police 613-575-2250 ex 2400; Mohawk Security Louis Mitchell 613-932-5183, 613-575-2340; Lance Markel, District Dir. CBSA 613-930-3234, 613-991-1214; Nurse Rachet at Cornwall Community Hospital 613-938-4240; http://www.,chrc-ccdp.ca/; Brent Lefebvre Investigator for CBSA; Susan St. Clair, Canadian Human Rights Commission, 344 Slater, Ottawa 613-995-1151, 1-888-214-1090, 613-943-5188; National spokesperson CBSA 613-957-6500; Quebec Media Relations CBSA 514-350-6130; Handling arrest Scott Patterson; Chief MCA Nona Benedict 613-575-2250 nbenedict@akwesasne.ca; Minister Stockwell Day, House of Commons, Ottawa K1A 0A6 613-995-1702 day.s@parl.gc.ca 250-770-4480, days1@parl.gc.ca; Dave MacKenzie, Parliamentary Secretary, Public Safety, 613-995-4432;Mackenzie.d@parl.gc.ca; Melissa Leclair Communications Pub. Safety 613-991-2863; OFFICERS: 17012; 16320; 16511; 16121; 16275; Report: Mohawk grandmothers attacked by Canadian Border Services Agency guardsnooneisillegal-montreal.blogspot.com/2008/06/cbsa-attack.html “Family furious with Customs” Posted by Trevor Pritchard, Cornwall Standard Freeholder - Saturday, June 21, 2008 Family furious with Customs See MNN Category: “ Border/Jay Treaty “

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ACLU sues Homeland Security for documents on migrant deaths in custody

ACLU sues DHS for release of documents related to immigrant deaths
by Frontra NorteSur
The ACLU sues DHS for release of documents regarding deaths of immigrants in custody. Reports of allegedly sub-standard healthcare conditions facing immigrant detainees have proliferated in recent months as the number of incarcerated immigrants has soared.
Posted on June 30, 2008
The American Civil Liberties Union filed a freedom of information lawsuit June 25 against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for refusing to turn over public documents related to the deaths of dozens of immigrant detainees. Filed in U.S. District Court in Washington D.C., the lawsuit requests that the court order DHS to carry out a reasonable records search and speed up the processing of documents. The ACLU’s legal action arises from alleged government abuses connected to the deaths of immigrants held in various detention facilities in the United States. The deaths were reportedly due to medical neglect. Read more ...
http://www.newspapertree.com/news/2606-aclu-sues-dhs-for-release-of-documents-related-to-immigrant-deaths