Indigenous Peoples and Human Rights

December 19, 2008

Uncensored voices

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

Western Shoshone building lodge on Mount Tenabo
In an update from Western Shoshone's Mount Tenabo, Lisa Wolf said Western Shoshone men are still in the process of building the lodge on Mount Tenabo at the Ceremonial Site and will be going back up in the next few days. "The mountain is covered in a white shroud as Northeastern Nevada and Crescent Valley receive ample snow. Temperatures have been below zero at night, but the men are still moving forward with their camp," Wolf wrote.

Censored Blog Radio: Kickapoo water and Navajo resistance
On the Best of the Longest Walk Radio on Friday, Dec. 19, Kickapoo Chairman Steve Cadue describes how Kickapoo must haul their water in Kansas because of the broken promises of the U.S., followed by a message to protect Haskell Wetlands.
Louise Benally, Navajo from Big Mountain, speaks of resistance and how Navajos were forced on the Longest Walk and faced relocation. A Palestinian on Alcatraz Island at sunrise offers words of solidarity with Native Americans. Songs by Buffy Sainte Marie.

Blackfire and Indigenous Rights
Censored Blog Radio interviews Clayson Benally of Blackfire, the Navajo band that captured NAMMYs Record of the Year and Native Heart Award for Silence is a Weapon. Next, blog radio looks at Indigenous rights in California, from sacred places to southern California racism.
On American Indian Airways, Dr. Michelle Rehaja, Seneca professor, describes racism and colonialism at her child's school during Thanksgiving, fueled by rightwing radio.
On Alcatraz at sunrise, Indigenous rights in California speakers include Joey Silva and Mark LeBeau speaking about Pitt River and Medicine Lake. On Alcatraz, we hear from Quanah Parker Brightman, whose father Lehman Brightman founded United Native America in the 60s, and Charlie Hill. Keith Secola concludes at the AIM West 40-Year Reunion, with final songs by Yankton Dakota protesting the hog farm in South Dakota.
News/audience level everyone

Navajo Councilmen at Las Vegas Rodeo:
Why Navajos do not need another power plant
While the Navajo Nation and Desert Rock power plant spin machines churn out deceptive information, the grassroots Navajo people say 'NO' to another power plant and business as usual for the 88 Navajo council men and women. That includes the elected Navajo leaders regularly attending the Indian National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas on the Navajo peoples' money. The Navajo councilmen receive most of their income for salaries and travel from energy leases, then schedule meetings in Las Vegas during the rodeo and other social events. This happens while Navajos on the land live with the poisons of the power plants, coal mines and oil well drilling, many living without running water and electricity. The huge electric lines carry electricity over the rooftops of Navajo homes and hogans, to non-Indians in southern Arizona and southern California, while many Navajo students read by lantern light.Please read Dooda Desert Rock's response to the latest spin by those who want to poison the air, land and water for profit.
Read Dooda Desert Rock's letter:
http://censored-news.blogspot.com/2008/12/business-as-usual-navajo-spin-machine.html

No Human Being is Illegal
Native America Calling:
http://www.nativeamericacalling.com/
On the national radio show Native America Calling, Jose Matus, Yaqui, described how difficult it is for Indigenous Peoples to travel in their ancestral territories. Matus is director of the Indigenous Alliance without Borders.
Mike Wilson, Tohono O'odham, said he has continued to put out water for migrants. The Tohono O'odham's Baboquivari District, which has the highest rate in the Southwest of migrants dying in the desert, passed a resolution to forbid Wilson from putting out water. Wilson said it is a moral issue, and Indian people are moral people. His water stations remain on O'odham land.
Wilson said of the US Border Patrol, "They are an occupying army.
"They will stop the Tohono O'odham elders and ask, 'What are you doing here?'"
Wilson pointed out that O'odham have lived on this land since time immemorial.
One caller asked how could any human being be "illegal."
She said the US creates this "death walk" and then watches to see which migrants will live and which ones will die.
Another caller, Robert, said the Tohono O'odham councilmen have developed the same arrogance toward the people, as the US Border Patrol.
Robert said it is time to tear down the border wall as was done in Berlin.

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