Navajo: Remove John McCain from Senate Committee on Indian Affairs

Navajo Vincent Yazzie, US Navy veteran, said John McCain takes sport in killing old men, women and children in Vietnam and the relocation of Navajos in Arizona
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Censored News
http://www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com
Photo: Roberta Blackgoat opposing coal mining and relocation in Flagstaff during one of her lasts protests. Photo Brenda Norrell. Photo 2: Bombing of Hanoi.
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February 23, 2011
Senate Indian Affairs Committee regarding John McCain's conduct in the Vietnam war and how it affects Indian Affairs. John McCain should be removed from the US Senate Committee on Indian Affairs for killing old men, women and children. John McCain is suppose to be helping Natives but has passed laws that are contrary to Indians. -- Vincent Yazzie

Vincent H. Yazzie
Flagstaff, AZ 86004

Committee on Indian Affairs
United States Senate
838 Hart Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Honorable Senators,

The attached documents came from the CIA website http://www.foia.cia.gov/search.asp
DOC_0000463502.PDF page 6 reveals only 2 bombs hitting a thermal power plant, but 35 civilian structures destroyed and 40 damaged.

John_McCain_captured.pdf page 1 reports John McCain and his friend dropped steel pellets, from "foreign correspondents in Hanoi saw with their eyes civilian dwelling houses destroyed and Hanoi's women, old folks, and children killed by steel-pellet bombs dropped from McCain's aircraft and those of his colleagues."

McCain Interview2.pdf on page 5 is a psychological point of view on John McCain by Dr Barral, "He showed himself to be intellectually alert during the interview. From a morale point of view he is not in traumatic shock. He is neither dejected nor depressed. He has able to be sarcastic, and even humorous, indicative of psychic equilibrium. From the moral and ideological point of view he showed us he is an insensitive individual without human depth, who does not show the slightest concern, who does not appear to have thought about the criminal acts he committed against a population from the almost absolute impunity of his airplane, and that nevertheless those people saved his life, fed him, and looked after his health, and he is now healthy and strong. I believe that he bombed densely populated places for sport. noted that he was hardened, that he spoke of ???? things as if he were at a cocktail party."

This man has no regard for human life. In his state alone the Navajo Hopi Land Dispute continues, tribes are losing their water rights, and over half the Navajo Nation now lives off the reservation. An acting congressional laws that are contrary to the Apache (Mount Graham Observatory), created congressional laws for Navajos to trade their lands rights for 75 year lease agreements. Page 23 of Healing v. Jones II, 210 F. Supp 125 says 300 unknown Navajos were settled on the 1882 Reservation and this case was confirmed by the US Supreme Court Jones v. Healing 83 S. Ct. 1559. The US Department of Interior has engaged in hiding important land records from the Healing v. Jones court a major violation of Rule 26 of Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The US government had a duty to disclose, but failed. Healing v. Jones II, 210 F. Supp 125 says 300 unknown Navajos, but the land records show there are 834 Navajos and 3,500 Hopis.
ftp://www.keyahhozhonitours.com/ftp/pub/anonymous/murphymaps.pdf
ftp://www.keyahhozhonitours.com/ftp/pub/anonymous/murphynames.pdf
ftp://www.keyahhozhonitours.com/ftp/pub/anonymous/tahgah_tcocie.pdf

John McCain as in Vietnam takes sport in killing indigenous helpless old man, woman and children as well as in Vietnam. How many Navajos have been moved to foreign lands via relocation and lost their homes who now wander the land with no home. Where Navajos that roamed free in there land with their sheep now waste away in a small 10x10 foot room waiting for death as the only language they know is Navajos. This conduct is not tolerated by Native Americans and only brings up memories of the Massacre at Wounded Knee.

John McCain needs to step down from the Senate Indian Affairs Committee as well as being a Senator from the State of Arizona.

I am a member of the Navajo Tribe of Indians, 305,180 and over the age of 18. I have served in the US Navy.

Sincerely,
Vincent Yazzie

Documents: The site where documents are found
http://www.foia.cia.gov/search.asp (Search under Mccain)

Also see: Senate Committee on Indian Affairs membership:
http://indian.senate.gov/about/committeemembers.cfm

VIDEO Long Walk 3 northern route into Pendleton, Oregon

The Long Walk 3 northern route has only eight runners and walkers, and needs more to join them to walk and run into Lapwai, Idaho, on Monday, Feb. 28, 2011. Contact coordinator Chris Francisco: 503-515-6239

Mohawk Nation News: Confederacy of Indigenous Arab Nations

CONFEDERACY OF INDIGENOUS ARAB NATIONS
By Mohawk Nation News

http://www.mohawknationnews.com

MNN. Feb. 24, 2011. If the Arab Indigenous nations can bring down the dictators, can they unite? Indigenous are united by blood to our families, clans, communities, nations and tribes. Our natural affiliation can’t be erased. Colonial relationships are artificial, changeable and will die out.

Are there similarities between us and the Arabs? Bankers crave the resources of the Indigenous people worldwide. They fear we may once again govern ourselves.

In Libya Gaddafi and his small tribe became the super band/tribal councils governing everything. The oil resource is the legacy of all the people. He placed his family in all the important positions. He was careful not to use excessive force against his people. His private paramilitary forces include foreign mercenaries to control and kill for him.

These traditional tribal affiliations could decide the outcome of current protests. Gadaffi’s crackdown prompted many to unite. Who, if anyone, those protesters are answering to is unknown. Indigenous people answer to themselves as the power is in the people. Divide and rule of Indigenous tribes is governed by outside power and money.

This strategy is familiar. When the French and English washed up on our shores, they immediately tried to figure out and take over our power structure. It was based on friendship and alliances between hundreds of Indigenous nations. We agreed to live peacefully. If one member deviated from the great peace, sanctions followed. There were no leaders, just the people.

The French approached the Algonquin and Huron. The English approached the Iroquois. Attempts to start fights between us failed. The holocaust followed.

As in the Middle East, imaginary borders were created to divide us. Some of our nations ended up in many colonial jurisdictions.

Our natural affiliations never disappeared. We all had the principles of peace and equality in common. We are the inherent caretakers of the land, above, on and below the earth. The size of the nation does not matter. Each has equal rights. Decision are made through consensus and the best interests of all.

Outsiders turned out to be dangerous. Colonists set up band and tribal council puppets. They gave them power, money and protection. The rest of the people were kept poor, hungry and angry. Today across Great Turtle Island colonial mini dictatorships try to run our communities.

When we protested an incursion onto our land in 1990 foreign troops were brought in to attack us. We remembered that our people cannot defect from who we are. They came from everywhere to defend us.

Indigenous ties are misunderstood. Colonists create structures and conflicts to divide us.

The Arab tribes have their own traditions in common that unite them.

We have the tree of the great peace that was planted so that its roots went in all directions. Anyone wanting peace can trace the roots to the tree and take shelter.

Two messengers, Dekanawida and Ayonwatha, went to all the Rotinshonni:onwe [Iroquois] nations to stop their conflicts and form a confederacy based on peace and friendship.

The Mohawks joined first. The Oneida, Seneca and Cayuga then joined. Later the Tuscarora joined. The Onondaga were under the control of the feared brutal Atothardo, who terrorized and killed his own people. He was depicted as having snakes coming out his head and with a crooked body.

Atotharho was eventually subdued. The snakes were combed out of his hair, songs were sung to him and the great peace was explained. Finally he agreed to join the confederacy and was appointed its chairman. He had been convinced there was a better way to work with the people. Rather than using fear, terror or obedience to control them, he mediated peace and was given respect.

The principles of the great peace are based on the natural world known by Indigenous people worldwide.

What would happen if natural Arab Indigenous affiliations formed the basis of a confederacy throughout the Middle East? The artificial borders created by outsiders would be erased. The Arab people may become united and more powerful in order to stop resource rape and murder. All of humanity would benefit.

Kahentinetha, MNN Mohawk Nation News Kahentinetha2@yahoo.com For more news, books, to donate and to sign up for MNN newsletters go to www.mohawknationnews.com More stories at MNN Category “Art & Culture”.

Store: Indigenous authors – Kahnawake books – Mohawk Warriors Three – Warriors Hand Book – Rebuilding the Iroquois Confederacy.

Category: World – Colonialism - Indian holocaust/genocide – Great Turtle Island – History – New World Order – courts/police Economics/trade/commerce – Land/environment – military/industrial complex.

Tags: North American Indians – Turtle Island – Indian holocaust/genocide – NAU North American Union – History Canada/US – United Nations – Cointelpro - colonialism.

New at Censored News: The Border, Walkers, Wikileaks and Agent Orange

Censored News
http://www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com
Photo: Long Walk 3 northern route by Christina Akaquiqui

O'odham and other Border Patrol protesters continued protesting the militarization and occupation of Indian lands, as they went to court this week for the lockdown at Border Patrol headquarters.
The Long Walk 3 northern route continued trekking through snow this week in the Oregon mountains. After two flat tires on Friday, a donation of tires for the Navajo support vehicle helped them back on the road. Umatilla Indian Nation provided a warm welcome. Their base camp today, Sunday, Feb. 27, 2011, will be Walla Walla, Wash., then Lapwai, Idaho.
Quechan Preston Arrow-weed, grandfather of Mucaw Jefferson who passed to the Spirit World after Long Walk 2, honored the Southern Route as they arrived in Quechan Territory. They are leaving Gila Bend, Arizona, and headed in the direction of Tucson, today, Sunday, Feb. 27.
Agent Orange spraying targeted Indian lands in the US and Canada before and after the Vietnam War.
Wikileaks cable releases in Peru once again revealed how the US Embassy targeted Indigenous activists in South America, and promoted copper and iron ore mining. During decades of struggle, Indigenous activists in Peru have fought hard against the mining companies and many have been assassinated. Wikileaks cables reveal how the US Ambassadors in Peru identified and targeted Indigenous activists throughout South America. The US Ambassadors organized in Peru -- with Canada, Britain, Switzerland and South Africa -- to promote and protect mining.
Censored News welcomes new articles by Kahentinetha Horn at Mohawk Nation News and Subcomandante Marcos on Mexico's drug war.
Here's the latest headlines:
Quechan Preston Arrow-weed honors Long Walkers
Academy Awards, still hanging Indians
Wikileaks Peru: US feared Indigenous power
Strong Heart Warrior Society: Oglala Tribal Council again ignores elders
Umatilla Indian Nation welcomes Long Walk 3 Oregon
VIDEO Long Walk 3 Northern Route Simnasho-Warm Springs
Two more arrests as Indigenous protest Border Patrol
Agent Orange exposed in toxic genocide targeting Indians
University of Arizona honors criminal President Bush clan
All Out Against Borders
Mohawk Nation News: Arabs: Power of Indigenous Consciousness
Navajo Voices: Peabody Coal's dark legacy on Black Mesa
Wikileaks Peru: Preventing America from buying Machu Picchu
Black Hills Sioux Nation Treaty Council: Never Surrender
Truck load of safe drinking water for Navajos drinking uranium poisoned water
Photos: Long Walk 3 Oregon walking into the sunshine
Censored News top stories Feb. 19, 2011
VIDEO II Long Walk northern route Oregon snow 2011
Photos Long Walk 3: Through Oregon's Snow
Wikileaks: The Arctic belongs to the Inuit
Alert: Q’eqchi’ Leaders Massacred in Guatemala
Zapatistas Subcomandante Marcos 'Mexico's Drug War
CENSORED NEWS
http://www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com/

Quechan Preston Arrow-weed honors Long Walkers

Photos copyright Preston J. Arrow-weed, published with permission by Censored News.

Preston J Arrow-weed, on behalf of the Pipa A-Koots Quechan elders, honored Long Walkers from the southern route 3 for diabetes. Arrow-weed is the grandfather of Quechan Mucaw Jefferson and raised Mucaw, who walked on the southern route in 2008. Mucaw passed to the Spirit World after the Longest Walk 2. Being honored, in the photos, are long walkers Gato, who carried Mucaw's staff, and Gina, who carried the Quechan flag, from La Jolla into Quechan territory on Long Walk 3 this week.

Academy Awards, still hanging Indians

Contact: Red Nation Media, Nadine Aragon, 818.854.6078, info@rednation.com

THE COEN BROS 'TRUE GRIT' SHOWS AMERICAN INDIAN IN HANGMAN STAND AS THE 83RD ACADEMY AWARDS APPROACHES
By Red Nation Media

Photos: Oscar nominees Will Sampson and Graham Greene

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LOS ANGELES -- This weekend is the 83rd Academy Awards Show and where is American Indian cinema and image in all this? Where’s the diversity, the American Scene?

In the latest affront to American Indians in Hollywood, True Grit shows an
Indian on an hangman stand, who starts to speak and his voice is cut off.
This is a metaphor for how Hollywood treats Native images and filmmakers.

Native actors worked more when silent films were produced, than they do
today. Twenty years after the Oscar winning Dances with Wolves, American Indians are still relegated to playing savages. Where is the modern voice of the American Indian?

“If people of color are not portrayed in multifaceted ways or remain invisible and the main images of us as undesirables, then the public perception is that we are parasites and strangers in our own land. How painful it must be for Native Americans, who are the only minority who was the majority in the U.S., to be portrayed mainly in regalia on period films and not as productive members of our society," said Jesse Jackson in an open letter to the entertainment industry.

In the history of Hollywood, Indians have been stereotyped. There have been trailblazers. In 1972 Marlon Brando, an activist for American Indians, refused the Oscar for the Godfather and sent Sacheen Littlefeather to accept it instead. In 1975 Will Sampson won acclaim for One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, but did not receive a nod from Oscar for his memorable role as Chief Romden. In 1991 Kevin Costner’s Dances with Wolves showed American Indians playing Indian roles and speaking their own native language. It proved that American Indian talent is bankable and marketable.

In fact there have only been two Native actors to be nominated an Oscar; Chief Dan George for his role in the 1970 Little Big Man and Graham Greene for his roles in the 1991 Dance with Wolves and The Green Mile (1999).

American Indian women have not been recognized yet! The closest they came
was Joanelle Romero’s documentary, American Holocaust: When It’s All Over
I’ll Still Be Indian, in 2000, narrated by Edward Asner. This documentary is the first and only film that compares Hitler’s attempted genocide of German Jews with the U.S. government’s treatment of American Indians and the lasting effects on the culture today.

Twenty-two shorts were entered that year. Nine were picked for consideration. American Holocaust When It’s All Over I’ll Still Be Indian, was part of that nine chosen.

“American Holocaust is very powerful and honest. It is probably more than most non-Indian people, and unfortunately, most Indian-people, want to acknowledge or hear. It is a laboring and sad truth that anyone who is truly Indian understands and lives with to some degree everyday. As polarizing as this movie is, its existence is critical for the hundreds of thousands of people that come to understand more about the real story and for those that need to reflect and heal as they walk their own red road," said Chris Eyre, director/producer of Smoke Signals and Skins.

“The talent is out there," Romero said. “There’s San Francisco’s American Indian Film Festival, Canada’s ImagiNATIVE Film Festival, and this year’s Sundance delivered a great pool of talented Native filmmakers."

Romero, director of Red Nation Film Festival, founded the festival eight
years ago in Los Angeles, to bring American Indian images, independent
films, documentaries, and Native talent to the forefront of the industry.

The Red Nation Film Award, which is equivalent to the Oscar, was born in 2010. “We cannot wait for the industry or other Award shows to honor us and recognize us, we have to do it ourselves, show Hollywood we are here, we are alive and worthy of being recognized and have Oscar worthy films and performances," stated Romero.

We expect a powerful list of films this year at the 8th annual Red Nation Film Festival – the Authentic Voice of American Indian & Indigenous Cinema Star-Studded Red is Green Carpet Galas November 1st to the 7th, 2011.

Join us, Please visit: http://www.rednationfilmfetsival.com/

for more information. ABOUT US
RED NATION FILM FESTIVAL (RNFF) - The Authentic Voice of American Indian & Indigenous Cinema Est. 2004. - The Film Festival, Awards Show, Red Nation Film Award Statuette-has positioned itself to become the most recognized American Indian trophy in the world, a Night of Tribute Ceremony including Star-Studded Red is Green Carpet Gala's-Native Fashion with Social Action truly highlights the commitment of the festival's
mission with Independent Films, International Films, Exclusive Screenings with Major Studio Executives, Film Companies, providing the entertainment industries with direct access to Federally Recognized Tribes, Urban Native Communities, Native Talent, including the support of Hollywood's biggest names in the entertainment industry as well as dignitaries.

Red Nation Celebration is the parent organization of Red Nation Film Festival and is the founding non-profit of the American Indian Heritage Month (AIHM) in the City/County of Los Angeles, every November. The
seven-day film festival held during AIHM in the Entertainment Capital of the World-Los Angeles and home to the largest American Indian Urban Community in the Country, celebrates American Indian & Indigenous Cinema in supporting emerging and established filmmakers, entertainers, performing artists, and cultural events.

Red Nation Film Festival (RNFF) mission is dedicated to breaking the barrier of racism by successfully replacing American Indian stereotype with recognition, new vision, arts, culture and economic prosperity by
placing American Indian Filmmakers at the forefront of the entertainment industry and to introduce American Indian Filmmakers and Native Talent to larger, global mainstream audiences.

RNFF advocates on behalf of American Indian artists, performers, actors, directors, producers, writers as a liaison organization, promoting strong federally recognized artists including urban native communities as well as promoting a better understanding among the general public regarding American Indian, Alaska Native and Indigenous Nations, and people to the entertainment industry, arts, social justice, tribal nations,
environmental and educational communities in Los Angeles and County, the State of California and world.

Red Nation True Leader in Media Relations and Innovative Creative Productions Red Nation 9420 Reseda Blvd Suite 352 Northridge CA 91324 American Indian Owned Non-Profit- Since 1995 I 818.854.6078
http://www.rednationfilmfestival.com/

Wikileaks Peru: US feared Indigenous power

US Ambassador in Peru obsessed with fears of Venezuela, radicalism and Indigenous rule

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

Updated Feb. 28, 2011

Wikileaks releases from Peru once again reveal the pro-copper mining and anti-Indigenous sentiment of the US Embassy in Lima.

Former US Ambassador Curtis Struble in Peru expresses fear that Indigenous may once again govern Peru. Struble is again on the look-out for Venezuela's "meddling," and again is tracking Indigenous activists.
This time, on the US watch list, is Aymara activist Felipe Quispe of Bolivia, leader of Pachakuti Indigenous Movement, according to the June 19, 2007 cable.
In one of six cables released Friday, Feb. 25, from Lima, Ambassador Struble writes of the regions of Peru. He said the southern highland province of Puno has an "affinity for far-left radicalism." Struble fears Venezuela is involved here and fears the movement of Bolivarism.
"Evo Morales is widely popular, but he is admired for his poor, indigenous background, not for his political views," Struble wrote.
Continuing his obsession with the feared "radicalism" and Indigenous rule in Peru, Struble writes of the "ethnocacerism" of Antauro Humala. He calls this "a murky philosophy that seeks to return Peru to a past when only indigenous persons wielded political power."

Struble calls Apurimac, "a southern highlands region and former Humala stronghold." He fears that "Apurimac voters would again turn to radical, 'anti-system' candidates -- to the Humalas or 'someone just like them' -- in future elections."

The diplomatic cables from Peru reveal the US white imperialism backbone of the US Embassy in Lima. Further, the cables reveal the secretive global structure that promotes and protects mining operations, without regard to the environment. The US Embassy in Lima identified Indigenous activists and placed them on their watch lists. Mining companies around the world have been responsible for the assassinations of Indigenous community organizers.
In a previously released cable, Ambassador Struble exposed the fact that the diplomats of five countries -- US, Canada, Britain, Switzerland and South Africa -- organized in Peru to promote and protect mining. This was done in response to ongoing Indigenous protests of mining.

The US and Canadian Ambassadors met with these mining companies: Antamina, Newmont (Minera Yanacocha), Minera Quellaveco, Barrick, BHP Billiton (Tintaya mine). The diplomats were from the US, Canada, the Swiss Charge, the new Australian Consul General, and the British Embassy Trade and Investment. "A representative from the South African Embassy, which forms part of this diplomatic mining group, was unable to attend," the cable said.
In Friday’s release Ambassador Struble writes, "Many foreign mining firms are finding that the region is rich in mineral deposits, and will soon seek permission from the Ministry of Energy and Mines to develop these resources. The Ministry has few if any back-linkages to the highlands, Quechua-speaking communities that live in potential mining areas," according to the cable of May 7, 2007.
"Two mega-mining projects could transform this predominantly agricultural region with massive, multi-billion dollar investments. The Las Bambas copper project, operated by the Swiss company Xstrata Copper, is located on remote land in southeastern Apurimac, far from major population centers. Xstrata executives told Emboffs that the project is in the exploration phase and that they expect to earn some $200 million in revenue per year once they begin production in 2010 or 2011. The second project, controlled by the consortium Apurimac Ferrum, would focus on mining Andahuaylas province's vast iron ore deposits," according to the Sept. 8, 2008, cable.

Expressing the pro-mining and anti-Indigenous stance, Ambassador Struble said in another cable that the US had found a friend in Prime Minister Pedro Pablo Kuczynski in 2005.

Kuczynski is now a presidential hopeful in Peru in 2011.

"With the appointment of new Prime Minister Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, we have an influential government ally in a position that is willing to tackle the lawlessness issue in mining communities," Struble said in a cable on August 19, 2005.

Kuczynski has a long history with the World Bank, and International Monetary Fund and as president of Halco Mining Co. in Penn, responsible for mining in Africa. He is the son of a German scientist who relocated to Peru.

In another cable released Friday, Feb. 25, Former US Ambassador Michael McKinley discusses the protection of water resources in Peru. Once again, the Ambassador is on the lookout for Indigenous activists at a protest blocking a highway in Peru, where protesters were opposing taxes on water for farmers.

"The police also reported having spotted Bolivian and Ecuadorian activists among the Indigenous protesters," Ambassador McKinley wrote.

In previously released cables, the US Ambassadors in Lima name names, placing Indigenous activists opposed to mining on their watch list. Also on the watch list is one Indigenous newspaper, La Lucha Indigena.
Today's six Wikileaks cable releases from Lima:
http://213.251.145.96/reldate/2011-02-25_0.html

Cable stating US found a friend in Kuczynski:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/38881

Previous article targeting La Lucha Indigena: Preventing America from Buying Machu Picchu
http://213.251.145.96/cable/2008/03/08LIMA389.html

La Lucha Indigena newspaper on the web (Spanish)
http://www.luchaindigena.com/

Previous article: Wikileaks: US Engaged in Espionage of Indigenous Activists in Peru
http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2011/02/wikileaks-us-engaged-in-espionage-of.html

Copyright Censored News. May not be used without written permission.

Strong Heart Warrior Society: Oglala Tribal Council snubs elders again

Cante Tenza Okolakiciye - Strong Heart Warrior Society
Free & Independent Lakota Nation
Box 512, Hill City, South Dakota 57745 605-454-0449 or
605-517-1547 lakotaoyate.net
MEDIA RELEASE Feb 13, 2011
DELAY, DECIEVE, DENY! OGLALA TRIBAL COUNCIL SNUBS ELDERS AGAIN
By Strong Heart Warrior Society
PINE RIDGE, South Dakota – The ongoing effort to get accountability
for a series of physical and psychological abuses against Lakota
elders on Pine Ridge continues to be stalled by Oglala tribal
officials who fear investigations into years of graft and corruption
within tribal government.

Following the most recent revelation of elder abuse in the Porcupine
Elderly Meals Program, elders have met regularly with the traditional
Strong Heart Warrior Society in order to explore ways to get
accountability. Even tribal officials that have voiced support for
the elders are now backtracking, likely out of fear of retaliation by
corrupt families and officials.

Porcupine District President Virgil Bush and Porcupine Representative
Scott Weston announced a hearing for the elders on February 21st -
but the hearing never happened even though elders had gathered to
attend. The meeting has reportedly been delayed to February 28th
though activists are skeptical.

“Tribal government has always eroded its position,’’ explained Strong
Heart Warrior headsman Duane Martin Sr.. “You cannot tell community
members you are upholding policies and procedures but then deny elders
due process.”

The truth depth of corruption within the Oglala Tribal Council, as
well as its cultural separation from traditional elders and the Lakota
people, is becoming clear to those even outside of Pine Ridge.

“So we have become our own worst enemies, we don’t listen to what our
elders have to teach us,” added Martin.

Pine Ridge elders, many of whom count Lakota as their primary
language, have made complaints and filed grievances to the best of
their ability. But the tribal council is playing a cat and mouse game
of delay and denial, saying the elders fate lies solely at their
discretion. Elders and activists point out that Council member
Deborah Rooks-Cook still remains in her council position despite her
admission she pushed and threatened elders with a gun at a secret
council meeting.

The Strong Heart Warrior Society points out the corruption in the
tribal government is a reflection of the distrust, dishonesty, and
cultural genocide that has been brought to Pine Ridge and other
reservations by white colonization and Christianity. Nearly ¾ of the
Lakota people have lost their language, and the traditional language
is on the verge of extinction in Pine Ridge. Few bother listening to
the traditional elders – which is part of the cultural system that
keeps elders healthy, engaged, and valued.

“We never take the opportunity to listen to the elders anymore – to
hear them,” Martin said. “They get upset and angry – into stress modes
– then they get sick, some of them die.”

The Strong Heart Warrior Society is calling upon all people who
support Lakota elders, Lakota sovereignty, and accountability to send
letters to tribal council officials as well as to the U.S. Department
of Justice and President Obama demanding a full-fledged investigation
into the corruption in the Bureau of Indian Affairs supported Oglala
Tribal Government.

"The laws of the Oglala Tribal Council don't belong to our people, but
to White America. Only by taking on traditional Lakota customary law
can our people be truly sovereign and free."

Umatilla Indian Nation welcomes Long Walk 3 Oregon

Photos copyright Christina Akaquiqui, published with permission. Umatilla Indian Nation welcomes Long Walk 3 for the reversal of diabetes, with Native youths who run the distance. More photos from Umatilla Indian Nation Long Walk 3:

http://censored-news.blogspot.com/2011/02/photos-umatilla-indian-nation-long-walk.html
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NEW: WATCH VIDEO OF UMATILLA YOUTH RUNNERS:
http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2011/03/video-umatilla-children-run-for-long.html

VIDEO Long Walk 3 Northern Route Simnasho-Warm Springs Oregon

(Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011) Long walkers on the northern route are still trekking through the snow. Lisa Peake, Ojibwe/Pomo, said Wed night, "It snowed all day. We have 25 more miles to bring the walk into Pendleton, heading Walla Walla way and the salmon talks." On Wednesday, the community of Pendleton, Oregon, joined for a morning walk. On Thursday, Navajo coordinator Chris Francisco said the walkers and runners appreciate the warm welcome by their current stay host, the Umatilla Indian Nation. The next base camp is Lapwai, Idaho, next week.

Two more arrests as Indigenous protest Border Patrol and militarization

Alex Soto: 602.881.6027
stopbordermilitarization@gmail.com
http://www.oodhamsolidarity.blogspot.com/
http://www.survivalsolidarity.wordpress.com/
Border Patrol Headquarters Occupation Protesters Stand Trial to Fight Charges

Two Arrested During March to End Border Militarization and Racist Laws
Press statement
TUCSON – On February 23, more than 40 protesters took to the streets – two were arrested – while six people who locked-down and occupied the US Border Patrol Tucson Headquarters on May 21, 2010 stood trial fighting charges of "criminal trespassing" and “disorderly conduct.”

Lawyers William G. Walker and Jeffrey J. Rogers represented the six as the city prosecutor called Border Patrol agents and Tucson Police to testify. The defense argued the trespassing charge was not properly filed and were granted a request to file a memorandum addressing the technicality. The trial is expected to continue on March 22, 2011. Corresponding rallies and actions are being planned.

At 1:30 pm people gathered in downtown Tucson at Library Park for a rally and then took the streets with banners reading, “Indigenous Resistance, Protect Sacred Places”, “Free Movement for People Not Commerce, Tear Down the Wall” and chanting “No Borders, No Border Patrol.”

Two people were arrested for allegedly hanging a banner that read “Las Paredes Vueltas de su Lado son Puentes (Torn Down Walls Become Bridges)” on a street traffic light. They were arraigned and released at 8 pm at Pima County Corrections.

Additional banners were hung at various locations throughout Tucson stating “Egypt, Wisconsin, O’odham Solidarity," “No raids, No deportations, No colonialism” and “Stop Militarization on Indigenous Lands."

O’odham Elders attended the court proceedings to demonstrate their support.
Donations can be made to support direct action efforts through Border Opposition Action Fund at http://www.borderopposition.blogspot.com/

END BORDER MILITARIZATION NOW!
Communiqué from the occupiers of the Border Patrol Headquarters in Tucson, Arizona

We demand that the Border Patrol (BP), Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE), their parent entity, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the Obama administration end militarization of the border, end the criminalization of immigrant communities, and end their campaign of terror which rips families apart through increasing numbers of raids and deportations.

The state thrives off of the climate of terror and fear that racist laws like HB2281 and SB1070, and new proposed laws like SB1611, 1308, 1309, 1405, have caused. This terror also manifests with thousands of troops invading indigenous lands, such as the Tohono O’odham, Yaqui, Kickapoo, Lipan Apache, to name a few. Since the creation of the current U.S./Mexico border, 45 O’odham villages on or near the border have been completely depopulated. This terror manifests with the bones of thousands – making the southern Arizona desert a grave yard, where the hopes and dreams of migrant families are stomped into the ground by border patrol agents, National Guard, minute men, and profiteering coyotes.

Through the military strategy of terror and fear the state maintains power and control.

We take direct action because we have decided not to be afraid. We are more afraid of not standing up to the state and what other crimes against humanity will be committed if it remains unchallenged.

We are not guilty of criminal trespassing or disorderly conduct.

The state, and by extension the border patrol, is guilty of occupying and destroying indigenous communities and ripping families apart. The development of the border wall has led to desecration of ancestor’s graves, it has divided communities and prevents them from accessing sacred places. When will this end?

These buildings, the court house, are made of brick and mortar and are the same brick and mortar that are the operation streamline immigration court just down the street. It is a direct manifestation of this system’s criminalization, where in the 3 hours that we’re in court today, nearly 100 people will be detained, adjudicated and deported through the streamline process.

Who are these building for? Who do they benefit? These are the same brick and mortar prisons are made of. It’s the same steel and concrete that is ripped from Mother Earth that’s used to build the border wall.

Politicians aren’t going to negotiate away our oppression. They are sitting in the chairs in their offices that are built on it. Our oppressors can only maintain their oppression as long as we are afraid of them.

If they are not going to do it, then we are going to find creative and direct ways to ensure that our communities are safe. We recognize that this is not going to happen within the walls of these institutions, these walls, these borders. It’s only going to happen if we tear them down. What does that look like?

Let’s come together, strategize, and embrace diverse tactics to effectively become the answer.

Today we also shed the term immigrant that has been used to attack our brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers, and children, many of whom are also indigenous, and to acknowledge and help restore the full human dignity that has been stripped away. To be immigrant should not be considered a crime unless 99 % of the U.S. is going to be ashamed and guilty of their pasts.

Our relatives are attacked on both sides of the border by colonial governments. The migration that the U.S. government is attempting to stop is driven more than anything else by the economic policies of the U.S. Free trade agreements such as NAFTA have severely reduced the ability of Mexicans and others from the global south to sustain themselves by permitting corporations to extract huge amounts of wealth and resources from these countries into the U.S. This has led to millions of people risking the terror and death that so many face to cross into the U.S. looking for ways to better support their families.

If the U.S. really intends on reducing migration it must end its policies of exploitation and wealth extraction targeted at the global south and instead pursue policies of economic, environmental and social justice for all human beings on the planet, thus reducing the drive to immigrate. But are they really going to do that?
Direct Action is about Direct Democracy. Building community is about communication, having respect for each other and doing something.
This is a struggle for freedom of movement and self-determination for all!
No racist laws, No colonial borders, WE WILL NOT STOP!
~NO BORDERS NO BORDER PATROL~

Agent Orange exposed in toxic genocide targeting Indian communities

Agent Orange was used in the US, BC and Ontario, prior to and after the Vietnam War

Update in the news: Agent Orange sprayed along Ontario roadways until the 1980s:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2011/02/24/agent-orange-ont-highways485.html?ref=rss

By Brenda Norrell
Censored News
http://www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com/
PINAL MOUNTAINS, Ariz. -- Arizona was one of 21 states where Agent Orange was stored, or tested, prior to and during the Vietnam War, according to the US Department of Veterans Affairs. The site in Arizona was in the Tonto National Forest in the Pinal Mountains near Globe, in the Apaches homeland.
The Department of Defense published studies showing that exposure to Agent Orange has led to adult onset diabetes. Medical studies have linked exposure to brain tumors, and diseases in grandchildren of those in contact with Agent Orange. The severe deformities and birth defects resulting from Agent Orange exposure of pregnant women in Vietnam can be seen online in the photos of their children.
The US Department of Veterans Affairs reveals that Agent Orange was tested and used in Florida and Texas as early as 1944. But even after it was banned in the US, it was sprayed in Canada.
In Canada, Agent Orange was sprayed in British Columbia during the 1980s. At Kapuskasing, Ontario, Agent Orange was sprayed about 20 kilometers from a First Nations community.
Agent Orange spraying in Gagetown and surrounding communities in Canada had far reaching effects, since soldiers from around the world trained there.
The spraying at Kapuskasing reveals the pattern of the US and Canada of targeting areas with Indian communities. Kapuskasing was not only the site of Agent Orange spraying, but was also the site of a WWI prisoner of war camp and later a power plant.
In a pattern of toxic genocide, areas near and on Indian communities have been used as prisoner of war camps, power plant sites and toxic waste dumps.
In Arizona, the WWII prisoner of war camps included sites on Gila River Indian Community and Colorado River Indian Nations. Coal-fired power plants are now on and around many Indian Nations, including the Navajo Nation. The Western Shoshone in Nevada and Goshute in Utah continue to be targeted with toxic and nuclear waste dumps.
Navajos in New Mexico, Havasupai in Arizona and Lakotas in Nebraska and the Dakotas are targeted with new uranium mining that could contaminate their drinking water. During the Cold War, Navajos, Acomas and Laguna Pueblos worked in uranium mines without protective clothing and many died of cancer and respiratory diseases. Today, radioactive tailings are strewn on the Navajo Nation.
Dene in Canada, like the Dine' in Arizona, were never told of the dangers of uranium mining during the Cold War, and worked in the uranium mines without protective clothing. In the Pueblos, the radioactive dust blew on their foods as they ate.
In the case of the Goshute in Utah, their neighbor continues to be a biological and chemical warfare testing site, the US military's Dugway Proving Ground.
John H.W. Hummel is pressing for an investigation of the use of Agent Orange in and around Indian communities in Canada and the United States.
"I think that herbicides (contaminated with dioxin) were sprayed on many of the forests and traditional territories of Indigenous people in North America. I think that this has harmed the health of many people," Hummel told Censored News.
"The infamous 'Agent Orange' was sprayed by the forest industry upon large tracts of Canadian forests in Ontario, New Brunswick, British Columbia and likely elsewhere in Canada and probably on American forests too.
"This should be investigated. It may well impact thousands of Indigenous people on this continent," Hummel said.
The US Department of Veterans Affairs now provides a list of sites where Agent Orange was tested and stored, beginning in 1944, in the US.
As more people who were exposed to Agent Orange develop cancer and other serious health problems, the liabilities multiply for the US. Veterans and other victims are now fighting for justice, both at Veterans hospitals for treatment and in court for restitution.
The US Veterans Affairs website states that Agent Orange was used to remove foliage providing cover for the enemy during the Vietnam War.
"Agent Orange was the most widely used of the herbicide combinations sprayed. Agent Orange and other herbicides used in Vietnam were tested or stored elsewhere, including some military bases in the United States," the Veterans Affairs website states.
"The U.S. military herbicide program in South Vietnam took place between 1961 and 1971. Herbicides were sprayed in all 4 military zones of Vietnam. More than 19 million gallons of various herbicide combinations were used. Agent Orange was the combination of herbicides the U.S. military used most often."
http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/outside_vietnam_usa.asp#Arizona
"Agent Orange and other herbicides used in Vietnam were tested or stored elsewhere, including many military bases in the United States. Below is information from the Department of Defense (DoD) on projects to test, dispose of, or store herbicides in the U.S. For projects outside the U.S., go to Herbicide Tests and Storage Outside the U.S."
Meanwhile, Agent Orange was used in BC, Canada, after the Vietnam War, during the 1980s.
Jorma Jyrkkanen said, "When I was habitat protection technician for the BC Fish and Wildlife Branch between 1981 and 1987, I got a request by the BC Ministry of Forests to use Estron 3-3E in a sensitive area near the mouth of the Lakelse River. Upon examination of the ingredients, I determined that it was in fact one of the Agent Orange (AO) concoctions and rejected the application along with a note to MOF that I was not very pleased that they had entertained such an option. Read more ...
http://jorma-jyrkkanen.livejournal.com/tag/pesticides%20orange
Ontario teens were soaked by Agent Orange spraying done at Kapuskasing: http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/940243--star-exclusive-agent-orange-soaked-ontario-teens
The Toronto Star reported that, "records from the 1950s, 60s and 70s show forestry workers, often students and junior rangers, spent weeks at a time as human markers holding red, helium-filled balloons on fishing lines while low-flying planes sprayed toxic herbicides including an infamous chemical mixture known as Agent Orange on the brush and the boys below."
Agent Orange was used in Australia, New Zealand and Brazil (see Wikipedia link in references below.)
"The Brazilian government used Agent Orange to defoliate a large section of the Amazon rainforest so that Alcoa could build the Tucuruí dam to power mining operations. Large areas of rainforest were destroyed, along with the homes and livelihoods of thousands of rural peasants and indigenous tribes," according to Wikipedia.
In Feb., 2011, the Toronto Star exposed the fact that powerline corridors were sprayed with Agent Orange.
Hummel said, "If dioxin contaminated Agent Orange was sprayed along these transmission corridors, the implications are horrendous. Especially for the First Nations and Métis people who may hunt, fish and pick berries anywhere near these corridors. These transmission line corridors pass through many of the First Nation and Metis peoples Traditional territories.
"Dioxin has been linked to approximately 50 diseases and medical conditions: http://www.vva.org/agent_orange.html including Type II Diabetes. If Ontario Hydro, Forest companies, the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Natural Resources were spraying Agent Orange all over Ontario, you can bet it happened all over Canada and in the United States as well. We need a truly National, coast to coast, enquiry about all of this."
US sites where Agent Orange was stored and tested, US Department of Veterans Affairs:
http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/outside_vietnam_usa.asp#Arizona
Arizona Arkansas California Florida Georgia Hawaii Indiana Kansas Kentucky Maryland Mississippi Montana New York North Dakota Pennsylvania Rhode Island Tennessee Texas Utah Washington Wisconsin
Read more at Wikipedia:
Miscarriages and birth defects linked to Agent Orange spraying in US and Vietnam; Dow Chemical and Monsanto produced Agent Orange; Agent Orange used in Australia and New Zealand:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agent_Orange
Also see:
VA links Agent Orange to brain cancer in court decision:
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/02/prweb5080394.htm
Department of Defense: Agent Orange exposure leads to adult onset diabetes:
http://www.defense.gov/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=8662
Recent News Coverage
CANADA:
Agent Orange "soaked" Ontario teens:
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/940243--star-exclusive-agent-orange-soaked-ontario-teens
Agent Orange outrage - Timmins Daily Press:
http://www.timminspress.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2983915
Ontario probes Agent Orange poisoning: http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/940878--ontario-probes-agent-orange-poisoning
Agent Orange probe widens: http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/941635--agent-orange-probe-widens
Agent Orange spraying in Gagetown and surrounding communities:
http://www.agentorangecanada.com/
LINKS
Transportation Ministry also used Agent Orange, say NDP. Minister investigates. - Winnipeg Free Press:
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/life/health/transportation-ministry-also-used-agent-orange-say-ndp-minister-investigates-116829673.html
'Sources of Dioxins and Furans in British Columbia':
http://groups.google.com/group/friends-of-agg/browse_thread/thread/1e068b72934933e5
Agent Orange Use in British Columbia: http://jorma-jyrkkanen.livejournal.com/tag/pesticides%20orange
Ontario probes Agent Orange poisoning: http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/940878--ontario-probes-agent-orange-poisoning
WHEN DID TRANSPORTATION MINISTER KNOW ABOUT AGENT ORANGE USAGE: Why Does It Take the Opposition to Tell the Truth:
http://www.gillesbisson.com/newsitem.php?id=836
Just added: Sources of dioxins and furans in British Columbia:
http://friends-of-agg.googlegroups.com/attach/ddf3302e6fc3b7b4/img-221143025-0001.pdf?view=1&part=4

University of Arizona honors criminal President Bush clan

University of Arizona honors the criminal President Bush clan
By Brenda Norrell
Censored News
http://www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com
TUCSON -- The University of Arizona in Tucson, already with a global cyber spy and Homeland Security instituted on campus, has fallen to a new low, naming George HW Bush and Bill Clinton, as honorary chairs of its new National Institute on Civil Discourse.
Already, the cyber spy program targets Arabs, the border spy program targets brown people and the university's telescopes, constructed in partnership with the Vatican, desecrate sacred Mount Graham.
Bush, Clinton to Chair New National Institute for Civil Discourse at the University of Arizona http://uanews.org/node/38008
The institute's other board members include:
•Madeleine Albright, former U.S. Secretary of State
•Ken Duberstein, former chief of staff for President Ronald Reagan
•Greta Van Susteren, host of "On the Record," FOX News Channel
•Trey Grayson, director of the Harvard University's Institute of Politics
•Jim Kolbe, former U.S. Congressman
Among the responses: "Maybe the University of Arizona, including Kolbe, can teach everybody how to buy Congressional exemptions from law whenever they disagree with anyone? And maybe O’Connor can talk about religious freedom and her G-O Road or Lyng case?"
The university, now distinguishing itself by honoring a war criminal responsible for torture, already established the "Dark Web Terrorism Research" department based on racial and religious profiling.
The program description states, "As part of its Dark Web project, the Artificial Intelligence Lab has for several years collected international jihadist forums. These online discussion sites are dedicated to topics relating primarily to Islamic ideology and theology."
University reference on the web: http://ai.arizona.edu/research/terror
The university is very proud of its global cyber spy Dr. Hsinchun Chen and its Artificial Intelligence funding from the US Defense Department.
See: University of Arizona just got creepier: Border detection targets brown people, funding from the Department of Defense for Artificial Intelligence cyber spy program on campus targets Arabs on on the web: http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2010/05/university-of-arizona-just-got-lot.html
In collusion with Homeland Security, Border Patrol and the Catholic Pope, the University of Arizona continues to carry out racial and religious profiling and desecrate sacred Mount Graham with telescopes.
Northern Arizona University is among the universities partnering in the telescopes which have desecrated sacred Mount Graham, a project in conjunction with the Vatican in Italy.
Read "Did NAU dupe an Indian donor?" which includes the NAU's president's response and additional comment:
http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2011/02/mount-graham-public-records-request-did.html

All Out Against Borders

All Out Against Borders

Events are planned in Flagstaff, Phoenix, and Tucson

The trial of the Indigenous protesters, who locked down at Border Patrol headquarters in Tucson, begins tomorrow, Wed., Feb. 23. O'odham demand an end to the militarization of the border, criminalization of immigrant communities and an end to the US reign of terror. Blackfire and Ofelia Rivas, O'odham, and more, are featured tonight, Feb. 22, in Tucson.
Flagstaff:
Feb 22 - Taala Hooghan Infoshop - No Borders Discussion at 6PM
Phoenix:
Feb 25 - No Borders! Word Up "Dance Party", Farmer + University, Tempe (3rd + Mill light-rail stop) at 9PM - "Dance party" at the Compound @ 11PM
Tucson:
February 22nd
7:30 Food – 8:00 Show
All Ages – $5 Donation
At Dry River Radical Resource Center, 740 N. Main Ave, Tucson, Arizona
With: Blackfire, Shining Soul, DJ Alias and MC Progreso, DJ Lingos and Timoteo
Speaker: Ofelia Rivas of O;odham Voice Against the Wall
Background:
On February 23, at 2pm at Tucson City Court, six protesters who locked-down and occupied the US Border Patrol (BP) Tucson Headquarters no May 21, 2010 are going to trial.
The action was taken, in part, to demand that BP, Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE), their parent entity, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the Obama administration end militarization of the border, end the criminalization of immigrant communities, and end their campaign of terror which rips families apart through increasing numbers of raids and deportations.

Alex Soto, one of the arrestees and member of O’odham Solidarity Across Borders states, “As we did not enter the BP headquarters alone but with prayers of O’odham elders and community supporters, we are asking for support once again for our continued stand against border militarization. Our messaging is the reality for everyone that is forced to feel the pain that borders inflict upon us in our daily lives.
The Border Patrol is not the only agency responsible for the militarization of the border – and it’s subsequent destruction of Indigenous and migrant communities – or the only benefactors of border militarization.” Soto states.
MORE INFO AND ACTION:
http://www.oodhamsolidarity.blogspot.com/
http://www.survivalsolidarity.wordpress.com/
http://www.borderopposition.blogspot.com/

http://www.oodhamsolidarity.blogspot.com/

Mohawk Nation News: Arabs: Power of Indigenous Consciousness

ARABS: POWER OF INDIGENOUS CONSCIOUSNESS
Mohawk Nation News

http://www.mohawknationnews.com

MNN. 19 FEB 2011. The Kaianerekowa is the Great Law of Peace. It is not a religion. It is a philosophy of freedom meant for all. Over 100 million Indigenous people in the Western Hemisphere were killed in the biggest holocaust in all humanity. The Mohawks always peacefully resisted Canada and US colonialism and international bank directed dictatorship because we remember the genocide.

According to our birthright we can never relinquish our lands and resources. We never have.

In the past when the colonial entities murdered our chiefs, the people took over. The power is in the people. The leader is the spirit within the people.

In 1990 our burial grounds and ceremonial site at Kanehsatake were going to become part of the Oka Golf Course in Quebec without our knowledge or consent. Two Mohawk communities, Kahnawake and Akwesasne, stood up immediately to support the resistance of our brothers and sisters.

Early on the morning of July 11th 1990 Quebec sent in a para military SWAT team. They opened fire on the men, women and children who were camping and peacefully protesting.

A 78-day siege began. In August 5,000 Canadian soldiers surrounded three of our Mohawk communities, with tanks, snipers, lethal weaponry and top generals. They had orders to massacre us if we fired one shot.

The world watched in horror as a few of us stood nose to nose with the military forces. We women stopped shots from being fired by anyone. Supporters stood ready to defend us.

International pressure forced the military to pull back. On September 26th we came out to go home. The soldiers and cops beat us up. One child was bayoneted in the chest. We were arrested and charged. In the end three of our men served sentences.

Afterwards we were hunted down like criminals. We were called “terrorists” and insurgents for defending ourselves. The Canadian government bombarded us with pacification brainwashing programs to help us get over or forget their brutality.

Historically we Mohawks never cooperated with the corporations and bankers who invaded us. We constantly point out the illegitimacy of their existence on our land that wants to steal our birthright.

Like us, the Wisconsin protesters who are being fleeced by the government, want to keep what they have. The government wants to bust the unions because they are a non-government alternative source of the peoples’ power.

A public increasingly unemployed, broke and homeless is told to obey while trillions are spent on the military complex, wars, no fly lists, spying, neighbors reporting them, scanning everything or being falsely charged with treason for uttering the truth.

Our Indigenous communities are, in effect, concentration camps. They are controlled and protected by foreign colonists and entities through their highly paid band and tribal councils. We, the landowners, are the poorest of the poor. We never resisted for money.

Tyrants are foolish to rule by fear. There comes a time when uncompromising anger dissolves fear. These disposable dictators and their puppets will all be gone.

Tyranny is being challenged everywhere. The dictators using mercenaries to protect them and enforce their will further weakens the decaying empire. Their high tech death squads guard them and brutalize their people for money, not loyalty.

Our philosophy instructs us to fight until we win. When the black belt falls and hits the ground, we must begin the resistance. We cannot stop until we win or we can’t fight any longer because we are all dead. We have stood up to overwhelming odds and held them off many times.

Our struggle empowered us. We exposed the truth, stood defiantly and maintained independence. We never relinquished anything above and below the ground.

There were risks. We protected our people under the guidance of the Great Law of Peace.

We never gave the dictators what they craved: obedience, cooperation and submission. We cannot because submission to anyone violates the Great Law. We are equal and have a voice.

In the end the thugs couldn’t overcome our lack of fear.

The Arabs lived under the gun and are now removing their terrorists. They know that no one will free you but yourself. No one can tell the Arab tribes they cannot help each other.

Awareness brought down their tyrants. Here on Turtle Island, the people don’t see the gun yet. Tyrants know we have a right to freedom.

Watch out! Indigenous consciousness is transcending military might.

Kahentinetha, MNN Mohawk Nation News Kahentinetha2@yahoo.com

For more news, books, to donate and to sign up for MNN newsletters go to www.mohawknationnews.com More stories at MNN Category “Art & Culture”.

Store: Indigenous author – Kahnawake books – Mohawk Warriors Three – Warriors Hand Book – Rebuilding the Iroquois Confederacy.

Category: World – Colonialism - Indian holocaust/genocide – Great Turtle Island – History – New World Order – courts/police Economics/trade/commerce – Land/environment – military/industrial complex.

Tags: North American Indians – Turtle Island – Indian holocaust/genocide – NAU North American Union – History Canada/US – United Nations – Cointelpro - colonialism.

Navajo Voices: Peabody Coal's dark legacy on Black Mesa

Censored News

http://www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com

Navajos on Black Mesa describe the disease and death that Peabody Coal has brought. As Navajos continue to live without running water and electricity, Peabody continues to profiteer and gouge out the coal, the liver of Mother Earth. --Censored News

Forgotten Peoples Voices: Glenna Begay’s residence, Black Mesa (Navajo Nation), Arizona, Thursday, February 17, 2011, 1:00 PM
By Forgotten Peoples
Forty people attended the meeting. Due to a death at the mine Friday, February 11, 2011 the Peabody mine tour was cancelled. Due to confusion about whether the community tour would still take place, Navajo Generating Station owners were absent. Present were Bill Auberle and John Grahame, EN3 Professionals/Communications, Andy Bessler, Sierra Club, Marie Gladue, Black Mesa Water Coalition, John Braham, a documentary filmmaker, Beth Holland, Climate Scientist, Noelle Clark, NAU Climate Scientist, Jane Marx, NAU Climate Change educator, Mr. Weatherspoon, Council delegate for Hardrock, Forest Lake and Black Mesa and local residents

Carlos Begay, Jr., Black Mesa opened the meeting about 1 pm, served as meeting facilitator and opened with a prayer. Then Carlos introduced his mother Glenna Begay, his uncle Bilta Begay who has black lung, his sisters, Salina and Helena Begay, his father, Carlos Begay, Sr.

Glenna Begay, Black Mesa: I use the land like I did in younger years. In our tradition you never say this is my land. This is where I grew up with livestock, a cornfield. I am still using a lantern and haul water and wood. I live off my livestock and crops. There is no compensation from Peabody. I have no electricity, no running water. I want my roads graded, gravel and culverts in the wash for the mud season. The roads are usually ungraded. I asked Peabody for help and Walter Begay, Black Mesa Review Board on numerous occasions. All the natural springs are depleted from the slurry pipeline. Peabody’s water well is my only water source now and it needs to be upgraded for our use with the best available technology. In the early dawn there is a lot of dust and smoke over the valley. We all have respiratory problems.

Bilta Begay, Black Mesa: I was a Peabody employee. We endured this hardship everyday. No help. In the beginning before Peabody came in there were negotiations between a few people. Only the older folks were involved and we were told local residences would be employed. This never really happened and due to the strip mining, the vegetation has disappeared and the people who lived on the land. It is due to Peabody that I have health problems. I see so many doctors about my heart, black lung, sickness due to coal dust. So many others have passed on with health problems, black lung, silicosis, accidents. People die there.

Billy Austin, Black Mesa: I grew up 2 miles from here. Due to Peabody a lot of people relocated to different regions. When I was young I participated in the negotiations. It was only for people with grazing permits. Mainly older people negotiated. When that happened, people were promised utilities, water, most were never met and people got dislocated from the land, never compensated, corrals bulldozed. All the coal was taken out. There were so many springs. When I grew up traditional, we made offerings to sacred places. Everything now is displaced and we are forced to travel great distances to haul water. The windmills are broken. We go to the Chapter and Peabody to ask for help. No help. We are neglected from everywhere. No electricity, no water lines. The closest water is Peabody and Peabody is threatening us they will shut it off. Last year we had deep snow. No help. People were trapped in Cactus Valley. We had to get the National Guard to help. Our homes are suffering from blasting damage, our streams are contaminated and dark from coal dust. The air is full of dust and smoke and it settles in our lungs. Jimmy Manson died of black lung. I have three young grandkids. They have delicate lungs and we have no where else to go. The ozone layer is gaping hole. The world was good in the past but now it is contaminated. The ozone was balanced and now it is ruined and we can’t fix it. The mine should stop.

Leta O’Daniel, Big Mountain: There used to be a lot of rain. Not much now. Pollution is really happening. I live 10 miles down the road from Peabody and the blasting moves my Hogan. My home is coming apart. A lot of coal dust blows around. Can you help us? Can you make our lives a little better. We have no water and no electricity. Make Peabody help. I burn kerosene, propane. The fumes are affecting our health . We smell the coal dust all the time. I would like electricity and running water. A school. Peabody here should make our lives a little easier. We go through a lot of hassle to fix dinner at night. It is a difficult life. There are only elders out here now and Peabody will not help. We want decent roads, emergency assess in hash weather. The roads are so bad it causes erosion and sometimes the roads cave in. It makes our trucks rattle. Some of my children are in the Marine Corp. Where will they live when they come back home? It seems to me we are going backwards. Peabody made a lot of promises. What I see makes me really sad. Please help us, our children and grandchildren. Our homes are beyond repair and are not safe. My daughter’s hogan roof caved in from the snow. It is not safe for her to live there. Mr. Weatherspoon here, you are a council delegate for Hardrock, Forest Lake and Black Mesa. I am happy there is a lot of interest by agencies who are listening to our voice for the first time with Navajo Generating Station, Salt River Project, Central Arizona Project.

Rena Babbitt Lane, Black Mesa (did not have a chance to speak. Marsha Monestersky assured her, that her comments would be included in these minutes.) Rena Babbitt Lane said: We live in on top of Black Mesa, Horse Corral Point and Look Out for Horses Point, Water Chimney, above the route of Peabody Coal Company’s/Black Mesa Pipeline, Inc. coal slurry pipeline. Burt and Caroline Tohannie are my neighbors. A few times the pipeline burst and they had to weld off the pipe at the water shaft contaminating our land and water resources. My use of my customary area is my livelihood. I am a medicine woman herbalist healer and hand trembler. Medicine men and patients ask me to gather herbs and prepare it for them. All the washes, canyons where most of the herbs are found are gone. The springs have dried up from Peabody’s coal slurry pipeline. The herbs are gathered with offerings but the land and water sources are dry and the US Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) has capped off and dismantled four of the windmills near where we live. I am forced to travel 17 miles each way over rough dirt roads to get water. This caused the fame of our truck to break. Peabody should help fix the road and provide bulldozers to dig out water impoundments at locations we identify near our homes. My grandfather built some of these earth dams but they are filled with sediment. All my children and myself want a home. I live in a house that is very small. All I see are broken promises to rebuild from the past but it is not there anymore. I want to see all my children have homes and hogans and I want access to water and sanitation. I want Peabody’s Kayenta mine to close. They are not a good neighbor.

Marsha Monestersky, Program Director, Forgotten People: I see you are not taking notes. I will submit my notes and a Peabody Health Effects study that was used as evidence to oppose US DOI’s OSM approval of Peabody’s Black Mesa life-of-mine permit. The last time I saw Roy Tso was to accompany him and David Brugge, anthropologist on OSM investigations to help protect his burial and sacred sites from Peabody bulldozers including the burial site of his son. Roy died shortly afterwards of black lung and silicosis. I knew Jimmy Manson. He died of black lung. James Johnson and Lee Nez (Lena Manheimer’s brother) all have black lung and silicosis. James Johnson was part of the exploration team and he, Roy Tso and Calvin Etcitty were drillers for blasting. They all died. Lee Nez, Simon Crank and Paul Johnson are still around but they all have black lung.

Postscript: On February 19, 2011, Jay Turner asked if his comments could be included. He said: I am a 10-year Miner (2 plus years as representative of miners) and I have seen the failure of MSHA and FMSHRC-ALJ to uphold Federal Mine Safety & Health Act (Public Law 95-164) Miner protective provisions, as evidenced in Pro Se 105C Discrimination case (copies of case related docs available from me 661 242-3000), and audio recording of FMSHRC’s “open meeting” (Docket No. WEST 2006-568-DM) available at: http://www.fmshrc.gov/new/meetings.html

– refer: “October 7th, 2010” – “Audio of Meeting”. Please read.
Thank you, Navajo Generating Station for paying for Subway sandwiches and drinks. Thank you, Andy Bessler of Sierra Club and Marie Gladue of Black Mesa Water Coalition for organizing the community tour. Notes prepared on 2/20/2011 by Marsha Monestersky, Program Director, Forgotten People, (928) 401-1777, forgottenpeoplecdc@gmail.com, http://www.forgottennavajopeople.org/

Also see: Navajos Forgotten Peoples Right to Water, United Nations:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/49227137

Wikileaks Peru: Preventing America from buying Machu Picchu

La Luche Sigue, the Struggle Continues!

By Brenda Norrell

http://www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com

Censored News

A diplomatic cable from Peru released by Wikileaks once again exposes the US Embassy's bias toward Indigenous activists and their supporters in Peru. Once again, James Nealon of the US Embassy in Lima names names as the US carried out espionage.
Nealon reports on protests designed to halt the private industry from profiteering at what he calls "archaeological sites," which are sacred places to Indigenous Peoples.

Protesters said they "were fighting to prevent America from buying Machu Picchu."
Nealon wrote on March 4, 2008, "Radical union and student leaders recently led a strike to protest a law that would facilitate private investment in tourist services at archaeological sites, effectively shutting down the city of Cusco February 21-22. Residents of Cusco broadly rejected the law and said it favored deep-pocketed investors and tourists over poorer local residents ..."
Nealon expresses relief that Venezuela didn't seem to be involved in the protests, continuing his theme of placing Venezuela on his watch list.
As in another cable, Nealon targets Indigenous activists and their supporters. The publisher of an Indigenous newspaper is singled out in the cable.

Nealon wrote, "Hugo Blanco: Blanco is an unaffiliated radical leader that led the effort to block roads in Anta Province outside Cusco city, according to local contacts. Blanco is a prominent anti-systemic actor who was jailed for leading an indigenous insurgency in Cusco in the 1960s. He now publishes a newspaper called 'La Lucha Indigena' (The Indigenous Battle)."

Psst Nealon, the Indigenous Struggle Continues, La Luche Sigue.
Read cable and see the list of names:
http://213.251.145.96/cable/2008/03/08LIMA389.html
La Lucha Indigena newspaper on the web (Spanish)
http://www.luchaindigena.com/

Previous article: Wikileaks: US engaged in espionage of Indigenous activists in Peru

http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2011/02/wikileaks-us-engaged-in-espionage-of.html

Black Hills Sioux Nation Treaty Council: Never Surrender

Summary and Update
Black Hills Sioux Nation Treaty Council Meeting of the Great Sioux Nation held on January 28, 29, 30, 2011, Pine Ridge Territory of the Lakota Oyate
Photo Chief Oliver Red Cloud
From Kent Lebsock
The Black Hills Sioux Nation Treaty Council (“BHSNTC”) is the traditional governing body of the Lakota Oyate (Lakota Nation) and has always been responsible for preserving the ancient ways of Lakota governance, culture and spirituality. The protocols surrounding governance of the Lakota Oyate have never been surrendered or sacrificed since our peoples first had contact despite the ongoing attempts to do so by the colonizers and invaders from the United States of America. Unlike other Indigenous nations of North America, our only foreign conflict in modern history has been the government, military, people and corporations of the U.S.A.
Sovereignty is an inherent right of the land and territories of the Lakota Oyate and we are responsible to future generations for the Nation of our ancestors. In acknowledging this truth, internationally recognized treaties were signed by our grandfathers in 1851 and 1868 with the invented nation of “Americans” whose ancestry heralds from other places. Despite the often bloody and always deceitful attempts by the invented nation to hide the truth of its past and to twist and distort both international and domestic laws to serve its needs for ever-more lands and resources, the Black Hills Sioux Nation Treaty Council has never surrendered its responsibility to our land and its many inhabitants.
The responsibilities have not changed and continue uninterrupted.
FOR THE REST OF THE STATEMENT AND THE RESOLUTIONS PLEASE REFER TO THE DOCUMENTS.
Keeper of the Sacred Pipe
http://www.scribd.com/doc/49218618
Lakota Language Education Resolution
http://www.scribd.com/doc/49218695
Release of Leonard Peliter
http://www.scribd.com/doc/49218751
Owe Aku Water Resolution
http://www.scribd.com/doc/49218882
Protection of Sacred Ceremonies
http://www.scribd.com/doc/49219363
Sacred Eagle Resolution
http://www.scribd.com/doc/49219460
Press statement Black Hills Sioux Treaty Council 2011
http://www.scribd.com/doc/49219126
Ride Resolution
http://www.scribd.com/doc/49319636
Rejection of the US statement on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
http://www.scribd.com/doc/49319799
.
Kent Lebsock, Coordinator
Owe Aku International Justice Project
for Lakota Treaty Justice & Advocacy
oweakuinternational@me.com
646-233-4406 on the web at http://www.oweakuinternational.org/