Indigenous Peoples and Human Rights

November 4, 2009

'In the Footsteps of Yellow Woman,' authentic account of the Longest Walk


By Brenda Norrell
Censored News

ROCKY RIDGE, Navajo Nation -- It is a story that the United States does not want to be told. Now, with authentic images and story, a young Navajo woman is telling it. Camille Manybeads Tso was 13 years old when she wrote and directed the film "In the Footsteps of Yellow Woman." She tells the story of her great-great-great grandmother Yellow Woman, as told to her by her grandmother Mae Tso.

Mae Tso tells how the young Navajo women, with their babies, were constantly on the run from the Calvary in the 1860s, hiding in the caves and rocks of Black Mesa. Then captured and forced on the Longest Walk, they were driven at gunpoint across the swift Rio Grande. Babies and elderly were swept away. Eventually after the harsh imprisonment at Fort Sumner, N.M., Navajos returned to their homeland.

In this brilliant work of film, a young Navajo woman has come forward to reveal the genesis of Hitler's concentration camps.
Hopefully, her art of storytelling with film will give birth to a new generation of filmmakers, Native youths telling their histories with clarity, passion and excellence.

"In the Footsteps of Yellow Woman," is a honorable memorial to the thousands of Navajos who died on the Longest Walk and during the cruel imprisonment at Fort Sumner. It is a testament to the courage and fortitude of the young Navajo women who survived with their children, and the Navajos who continue to struggle to protect and defend Black Mesa today.

With music by Blackfire, Brent Michaels David and Radmilla Cody, the film is a moving tribute to the legacy of survival.

Camille Manybeads Tso, in an eighth-grade project and trained at the Native youth media project 'Outta Your Backpack Media,' has produced a film that is authentic and a hallmark for our times.

Photos: The making of "In the Footsteps of Yellow Woman" courtesy Camille Manybeads Tso. Photo 2: Navajo woman and baby at Fort Sumner. Photo 3: Navajos with their shelter at Fort Sumner. Fort Sumner photos courtesy of New Mexico State Monuments.

Contact Camille Manybeads Tso:
halneeproductions@gmail.com
http://oybm.org/
More photos and film screenings:
http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2009/11/navajo-youth-filmmaker-in-footsteps-of.html

Timbisha Shoshone to Obama: Adopt UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

November 5, 2009

The Honorable Barack Obama
The President of the United States of America
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW

Washington, DC 20500-0004




Dear Mr. President,


Greetings. Upon this historical event, we wish to thank you for your commitment and dedication to bring forth meaningful change for our Peoples. On behalf of the Timbisha Shoshone of the Western Shoshone Nation and the many other Nations and Pueblos of Indigenous Peoples of North America, we call upon the government of the United States of America (USA) to act in due haste to adopt and implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), which was adopted by the UN General Assembly Resolution #61/295 at its 107th plenary on September 13, 2007.
We are confident that through your leadership and peacemaking goals as exemplified in your membership on the UN Human Rights Council, you will adopt this historic human rights instrument. We ask for this action immediately.

Mr. President, we write this in recognition of what we believe is your sincere commitment to uphold and strengthen the relationships with the US government and American Indian Nations. In keeping with your invitation to meet leaders of the Nations and Pueblos of Indigenous Peoples of North America which brings us to Washington DC, we offer our greetings to you and extend our hands in the spirit of a renewed and re-visioned expression of this relationship. A critical part of this relationship is recognizing that the time has come to break the chains from centuries of racism, colonization and ongoing oppression across North America. This can begin to be accomplished by the US adopting the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

We have entered a new age – a time of reflection and correcting the wrongs of previous eras. Let us set forth on a positive pathway together. As you know, thousands of Indigenous Peoples here in the US, and indeed throughout the world, stood up with trust and faith in your message of equity and justice for all, during your campaign. As Indigenous Peoples are equal to all other Peoples, it is time that the relationship of our Nations and Pueblos with the US must be redefined. This is more than a matter of honor. It is a matter of doing what is right and it is critical to our continuing and ever evolving relationship with the US federal government.

Mr. President, we believe in your commitment for real and systemic change that can imprint upon our future generations and lead the world in a good and honorable way. This can be accomplished by finally and for the first time ever, fully recognizing the rights of the Indigenous Nations.


Although an apology for the oppression of US policies that brutalized our homelands and have devastated our peoples, cultures and ecosystems, is well in order and in fact long overdue, it is not enough. Adopting the UNDRIP is a meaningful and responsible step toward long-term reconciliation that can resonate across the globe with Indigenous Peoples of the World.

The implementation of the UNDRIP institutes a new systemic standard that calls for complementary readjustment among entities of the government states and the Nations of the Indigenous Peoples, normalizing peaceful relations and creating partnerships based on mutual respect and cooperation.


Hopefully, this letter prompts the United States’ immediate attention to and adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. We know this will produce a positive and constructive diplomatic venue to advance the recognition, respect, and protection of the Human Rights and Self-Determination of Indigenous Peoples, both within the domestic and international arenas.
Sincerely,
Joe Kennedy
Chairman, Timbisha Shoshone of the Western Shoshone Nation


Peltier 'Circle for Clemency' supporters arrive in DC

Live Streaming of the Tribal Conference
Beginning at 9 am Washington DC time.
Maybe we will get a glimpse of our friends at the Circle outside!
http://www.facebook.com/l/ec62a;mytribetv.com/tribalsummit

By Circle for Clemency

Kwe' Everyone,
The People are arriving in Washington!
Rob Fife and Lakoda Robideau arrived earlier today, and have been busy finalizing plans and getting the word out on the streets of D.C.
Emails and phone calls were flying last night as arrangements were being made for rides and places to stay. People have been hopping planes, trains and NDN trucks to get to this important event.
We wish all safe travels.
For those of us unable to make the trip~
Many have said that they will be there in Spirit.
Let's make a commitment then, to really join our Brothers and Sisters in Spirit, as they prayer for Leonards freedom in Washington tomorrow.
The Circle will gather at 6AM D.C. Time, where they will take time to greet each other, and then unite in prayer, before moving on down the road to the DOI building at 8AM.
Sometime during those two hours, if we could all really take a moment to focus our thoughts, hearts and spirits towards our Brothers and Sisters who are there in body. Pray that the Tribal Leaders carry a message of clemency for Leonard Peltier directly to President Obama.
The Circle will continue in a prayerful attitude throughout the day ~ join in where ever you are, at any time that you can.
Closing prayers to bless the day, the Tribal Leaders, and all of our relations will commence at 5:30PM.
Some people have mentioned that they will burn a candle in their window for Leonard Peltier tomorrow.
Wear something RED in Solidarity, and talk to your friends, co-workers and family about why it is so important that Leonard Peltier be freed.
We are so grateful for everyone's support and efforts for our imprisoned relation Leonard Peltier.
In the Spirit of Crazy Horse~

UPDATE:
The only real change to the itinerary is that we will be meeting at The Elipse Grounds South (not Lafayette Park)

Group contacts are Robert Fife who may be reached in Washingon on his cell at (919)475-1343 (919)475-1343

Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009: 6:00 AM
We will gather @ The Elipse grounds S.- SW quadrant @ 17th and C streets
We will set up our circle and join in Sunrise Prayers, individual prayers and socializing/greeting our Relations.

7:30 AM
Walk en masse to the Department of the Interior building (Approximately one block)

8:00 AM
Respectfully greet our tribal representatives as they arrive, welcoming them to the conference
Prayer/blessing for a successful meeting and that each of them carry in their agenda a request for clemency and Leonard's freedom.

We would ask that everyone attending in support of Leonard bring some kind of food/drink that can be shared throughout the day that we may nourish each other physically.

We would ask that everyone attending in support of Leonard carry with them their personal prayers and perhaps a personal sacred object that we may nourish each other spiritually.

We would ask that everyone attending in support of Leonard share information/conversation to educate not only our people but others who may be drawn to the event so that we may nourish each other mentally.

We anticipate several Indigenous artists/musicians, dancers, drummers and singers to be in attendance. It is hoped that they will share their gifts with The People throughout the day as the Spirit moves them.

In September, Ben Carnes and I came to Washington, DC, fasted for seven days and sent our humble, sometimes whispered prayers to The Creator that President Obama hear our pleas of clemency and justice for Leonard Peltier. We have faith that The Creator heard every word and today is our chance to take the next right step on the path that He has laid for us. In its essence, this Gathering is an opportunity to send many more humble and whispered prayers that they may become One Great Voice heard not only by The Creator but by All The Nations and all The People.

For all attending, this is a rare and beautiful opportunity to celebrate the joys of being Indigenous People and speaking the truth for our brother, Leonard Peltier.

5:30 PM
Closing prayers to bless the day, our tribal representatives and All Our Relations. These prayers shall be of solidarity, hope and gratitude that our voices have been heard and that our message of freedom for Leonard Peltier is carried in the hearts, words and deeds of our tribal representatives, President Obama and the United States government from this day forth.

Americas: Indigenous Uranium Forum Denounces Mining, Militarization and Hate Crimes in Indian Country


Americas Program Report
Indigenous Uranium Forum Denounces Mining, Militarization, and Hate Crimes in Indian Country
Brenda Norrell November 4, 2009
Americas Program, Center for International Policy (CIP) americas.irc-online.org
Photo Winona LaDuke with Navajo filmmaker Norman Patrick Brown/Photo by Brenda Norrell
Indigenous Peoples from Bolivia, Alaska, and throughout Indian country gathered at the 7th Southwest Indigenous Uranium Forum and told the same story: Uranium mining is a hate crime in Indian country.

"Leave it in the ground," said Native Americans whose parents, brothers, sisters, aunts, and uncles died from cancer, respiratory diseases, and brain tumors resulting from uranium mining.

Read article at
http://americas.irc-online.org/am/6547

Navajo youth filmmaker: 'In the Footsteps of Yellow Woman'



Navajo filmmaker, 14 years old, releases 'In the Footsteps of Yellow Woman'

Censored News

http://www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com

“In the Footsteps of Yellow Woman” is a 26 minute docu-drama about a 13-year-old Navajo girl who finds her own strengths through making a documentary about her grandmother and their ancestral history. She imagines what it would be like to be her Great-Great-Great-Grandmother Yellow Woman, who lived through the Navajo Long Walk of 1864 - 1868. The re-enactments were performed by the descendants of Yellow Woman and filmed in many of the places where the historical events actually took place.

Camille Manybeads Tso (Navajo) is a now 14-year-old filmmaker who learned the art of film through the Indigenous Youth media literacy collective, Outta Your Backpack Media in Ariz. Camille has worked with OYBMedia since she was 9, and is currently the youngest youth mentor. Camille formed Halne’e (Storyteller) Productions in 2008 to tell her family’s and culture’s stories.

“In the Footsteps of Yellow Woman” is Camille’s first big production. It started as her 8th grade project, but soon grew into something more meaningful. Camille conducted the interviews, researched the time period, and wrote a script of re-enactments. She recruited her family to help her make costumes, direct, film, act, sing, and edit. The results are a beautiful film of the power of reclaiming oral histories.

Camille's film has already been accepted into 3 film festivals, the International Indigenous Arts and Film Festival in Denver, the Native Spirit Festival in London, and the Eckerd Environmental Film Festival in St. Pete, Florida!

Camille Manybeads Tso as Yellow Woman
Review Censored News review:

http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2009/11/in-footsteps-of-yellow-woman-authentic.html

US spies on Tohono O'odham land

Photo: The US spies into Tohono O'odham homes. Photo credit: Ofelia Rivas, Tohono O'odham.
Don't be too impressed with the hoopla about tribal border crossing IDs. The question to ask is if Yaqui and O'odham born at home, in their traditional territories on both sides of the border, who do not have birth certificates, will be issued the new border crossing IDs. If not, not much has been accomplished.
This photo illustrates the snuggly relationship between the BIA/tribal government and Homeland Security, where the US Border Patrol is allowed to spy into Tohono O'odham homes in Arizona.
Since there is no freedom of the press, and news reporters are not allowed in Tohono O'odham Legislative Council sessions, the tribal government continues to oppress the O'odham. Many Indian Nations, like the Navajo Nation, do allow news reporters into tribal council sessions and provide press releases of their actions, in order to be accountable to their people.
While the Tohono O'odham Nation has lucrative casinos, and continues to donate its funds to non-Indian charities, most of the Tohono O'odham living on the border are desperate for housing, jobs and even food.
Meanwhile, the Tohono O'odham police and Homeland Security's Border Patrol continue to militarize the Tohono O'odham Nation, oppress the people and violate all their human rights.
-- Censored News