Indigenous Peoples and Human Rights

April 30, 2014

Video Indigenous Youths Collective Resistance 'Reject and Protect' from Keystone!

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Published on Apr 29, 2014
Indigenous youth and leaders from the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, the Ponca Nation, and the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation speak to their visions and their work. From connecting with the land, to replanting sacred corn, to building energy sovereignty. Their collective resistance to the Keystone XL Pipeline and the Tarsands brought them all together at the Reject and Protect encampment.

John Kane, Mohawk: 'No Honor Among Chiefs or Thieves'

No Honor Among Chiefs or Thieves

By John Karhiio Kane, Mohawk

I have to begin my column this week by stating up front that I am Haudenosaunee. I support traditional governance based on the Kaianerehkowa and a culture grounded with the Ohenton Karihwatehkwen (Words Before All Else) and the Tiohateh (the Two Row Wampum). I must emphasize that it is traditional governance I support rather than "traditional government."
There are those who would suggest that the Haudenosaunee have existed with all these things firmly in place in an unbroken testament to our strength and durability as a people. I wish that were true. I wish our people had continued to reject the Bible and the booze. I wish they always held our women in the reverence that we like to claim. I wish we protected and preserved our lands and language for our future generations. I wish we maintained the concepts of governance by the people and the understanding that people who were recognized for the best characteristics were placed as honorable servants to their people rather than rulers placed above them. But most of these wishes would bring me back several hundred years.
We lost our way several times long before the first white man ever appeared before us. Our Thanksgivings are reminders of those times and of the time we came back together to right ourselves. The Kaianerehkowa represents the last time wise men among us reminded us who we were and what we were created for. In it are the descriptions of the characteristics we were to strive for. No, it didn't say don't drink, gamble or dance. It placed honor on a man who proved himself as a husband, a father and an uncle. What that means should be self-evident. The Kaianerehkowa lays out the process to maintain peace and resolve conflicts. It lays out checks and balances and defies any notion that any of us have authority or higher standing than any others of us. It also made clear that all those things that went into the Kaianerehkowa should be retold and recited each year in every Haudenosaunee community and recited at a gathering of all 49 families of the Haudenosaunee and any new families that joined to enjoy the peace under the Kaianerehkowa every five years.
This basic call for maintenance through constant education and "removal of the dust" that accumulates with time surely could have prevented where we now find ourselves. This summer such an event is planned for the Seneca community of Tonawanda and at this point there may be no community in more need. But Tonawanda is certainly not the only community in need. Between assimilated elected councils with pitiful voter turnout and no connection to our culture or what defines us, and councils of "chiefs" that claim to be "traditional" with a twisted view of their authority or privilege, our communities are barely recognizable as Haudenosaunee.
I have seen unspeakable corruption and behavior out of men claiming to be chiefs while loyalists chant "honor the chiefs." As these men hide behind the banner of being "traditional" they discriminate against some and disregard others while consolidating power, wealth and recognition as royal families.
I could review much of the fairly recent ugly history that would explain the mess that is now the Oneida Nation of New York and the current power struggle over leadership, control and federal recognition in Cayuga that involves "traditional" chiefs, their lawyers and reliance on the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). Our ways? The Kaianerehkowa? Certainly not! But one of the most blatant abuses of power today by those that claim to be "traditional" is, indeed, in Tonawanda.
Tonawanda is a small Seneca community that claims to be "traditional." The resident population is less than 500 with half of those being non-Native and the majority of the Native population being non-Tonawanda Seneca, meaning only about 20-25 percent of the residents are "enrolled" Tonawanda Seneca. There is a relatively sizeable Christian population with notables that have historically included men like Ely Parker who actually served as a chief on the Tonawanda Chiefs Council. While there is one modest Longhouse and quite nice tribal offices, there is also a sizeable church within the community as well as churches attended by residents off-territory. The contemporary notion that Tonawanda is a "traditional" community has drawn deep lines separating people along family lines, occupations, religious beliefs and even gender. There exists a sense of superiority for these 'traditional" leaders and their loyal followers over the vast majority of the rest of the residents.
None of this could be more exemplified than by the current situation where a Tonawanda Seneca business owner, out of favor with the "chiefs," dies and despite a well documented will that clearly laid out his intent to leave certain significant assets to his Tonawanda Seneca daughter, has those intentions usurped by the deceased's greedy brother, mother and, at least, certain Tonawanda chiefs. Literally, the uncle and grandmother conspired to defraud a young woman out of her inheritance from her father and ultimately they are assisted by corrupt chiefs to pull it off. As it stands today, both the home, valued at over $3 million, and the businesses that have generated significant wealth over the years, have been seized by the chiefs and it is being done under some guise of "traditional" law or custom. The plain and simple truth is that the daughter of the deceased has been determined arbitrarily as undeserving of the inheritance and that is cause enough for a corrupt and dysfunctional "government" to do as it likes against whomever it wishes.
There is nothing in any legitimate or noble culture, traditional or otherwise, that would deny a man the right to leave his daughter assets that she would otherwise have the right to own or receive. And there is nothing in the Kaianerehkowa that would remotely suggest or empower a chief to seize an inheritance. This case is simply a theft by those that believe they are above the people and what is decent and right.
It will be a singular moment of reckoning when men guilty of such a crime have to sit before all of us at a Kaianerehkowa recital knowing the abuse they have inflicted even as that very abuse is being condemned before all. I will sit in anxious anticipation of those days with only one hope — that they will reflect on their actions and correct them before we all come together.

– John Karhiio Kane, Mohawk, a national expert commentator on Native American issues, hosts two weekly radio programs — “Let’s Talk Native…with John Kane,” ESPN Sports Radio WWKB-AM 1520 in Buffalo, N.Y., Sundays, 9-11 p.m. EDT and “First Voices Indigenous Radio,” WBAI-FM 99.5 in New York City, Thursdays, 9-10 a.m. EDT (“First Voices Indigenous Radio” programs are archived in perpetuity at www.firstvoicesindigenousradio.org). John is a frequent guest on WGRZ-TV’s (NBC/Buffalo) “2 Sides” and “The Capitol Pressroom with Susan Arbetter” in Albany. John’s “Native Pride” blog can be found at www.letstalknativepride.blogspot.com. He also has a very active "Let's Talk Native...with John Kane" group page on Facebook.

April 28, 2014

VIDEO Moccasins on the Ground Red Shirt, Lakota homelands April 2014

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'Water is sacred.'


By Unedited Media Published on Apr 28, 2014
Lakota and their allies gather to build solidarity, unity, and skills to protect Sacred Water against the Keystone XL tarsands pipeline.

Watch this wonderful video of voices from all across the nation gathered at Red Shirt, on Lakota lands at Pine Ridge, South Dakota, protecting the Ogallala aquifer and water and land everywhere.

Leadhorse Choctaw sharing stickball game in Central and South America


Now in Central America and headed south, Leadhorse Choctaw shares "Kabooca Towa' stickball game, the game of peace

July 2014: New! Read Leadhorse Choctaw's Journal Overland through the Americas
http://indigenousresistancejuly2014.blogspot.com/2014/07/journal-of-leadhorse-choctaw-overland.html

By Leadhorse Choctaw
Censored News
Leadhorse Choctaw is on a journey through Central and South America, now headed for Honduras, sharing the traditional game of peace Kabocca Towa (stickball game). "It is a game used to settle disputes between tribes and people," Leadhorse said. He is welcoming Indigenous Peoples in the south to the world series championship in Choctaw, Mississippi, in mid July in 2014.
"I love that the people I have met on the way south all smile and laugh all the time, sounds like our people in the north, just in a different locations."
Thanks to Leadhorse for sharing his photos and stories with Censored News.
Update: Leadhorse in El Salvador!
"I've climbed mountains, crossed rivers, walked, hitchhiked, and bused to connect our people of peace, meeting more today and more soon."
"Friends in the El Salvador. They helped the Peace and Dignity runners when they came through and are helping us here."
LA COMBI DE JORNADAS. EL SALVADOR.
VAMOS TRAZANDO LA RUTA PARA LA PROXIMA CARRERA EN EL OCCIDENTE DEL PAIS. JORNADAS LOCALES.

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Friend in El Salvador




April 27, 2014

VIDEO Rosebud Hip Hop artist Frank Waln live in DC 'Reject and Protect'

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Hip Hop artist Sicangu (Rosebud) Lakota performing at 'Reject and Protect' in DC

VIDEO Cheyenne River Robin LeBeau: Fighting Keystone pipeline in DC

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Cheyenne River Lakota Robin LeBeau 'Reject and Protect' in DC




Published on Apr 25, 2014 Robin LeBeau speaks about Indigenous resistance to the Keystone XL at Reject and Protect and beyond, on the frontlines out on the land. From spiritual camps in Sweet Grass and Rosebud to peaceful direct action and civil disobedience trainings that are happening on the ground across Lakota Country.

Mohawk Nation News 'Hoffmann and Hoffmann'

HOFFMANN & HOFFMANN

mnnlogo1

Please post & distribute.
MNN. APR. 24, 2014. Our representation is based on the law of the land, the constitution of the Rotino’shonni:onwe, known as the Great Law of Peace. On May 18, 1997 over 100 of us were peacefully having a traditional tobacco burning ceremony in Onondaga, the capital of the Iroquois Confederacy. At 3.00 pm almost 200 specially trained New York State Troopers viciously attacked us. Many of us were severely injured, hospitalized and others were jailed.

AIM Song Moccasins On the Ground at Red Shirt Community

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By Native Impact
Published on Apr 27, 2014 April 2014 - Community leaders from across the United States and Canada join together on the Oglala Lakota Nation to become one mind, one spirit to protect the land, children and water - We welcome all to step up and protect sacred water. YOU CAN'T DRINK OIL.

April 26, 2014

Reject Keystone Live Video DC Sat, April 26, 2014

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Twitter photos Sat., April 26, 2014
Watch video recorded live today below!


We Act Radio Streamed live on Apr 26, 2014
Cowboy Indian Alliance, joined by thousands in the climate movement.
Censored News video screen capture
Photo by actress activist Daryl Hannah
Photo by actress activist Daryl Hannah

Saturday, April 26, 2014

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Cowboy Indian Alliance fighting Keystone XL tarsands pipeline in DC today.

April 25, 2014

Reject Keystone! Ponca Casey Camp opens ceremony at Sec State John Kerry home



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Cowboy and Indian Alliance's Reject and Protect at Sec. State John Kerry's home

BREAKING NEWS, Friday, April 25, 2014
Top photos by Jamie Henn
Censored News

WASHINGTON DC -- Ponca Casey Camp-Horinek opened the Interfaith Ceremony outside US Secretary of State John Kerry's home this morning, during the Cowboy and Indian Alliance's Reject and Protect action to halt approval of the Keystone XL tarsands pipeline, threatening future generations.
"If they won't acknowledge our voices, at least they can acknowledge our prayers," Camp-Horinek said at the ceremony.
Chief Rueben George said his mother told him, "Warrior Up! Stand up and fight for what you believe in!"
"This money will be gone tomorrow, this land will be here forever," said Chief Rueben George, Sundance Chief and Member of the Tsleil-Waututh First Nation in northern Vancouver, BC.
Outside John Kerry's house today Photo by Mike Hudema.


Below, in DC Friday, April 25, 2014: Shared by Dallas Goldtooth: Reject and Protect round dance occupies intersection in Georgetown, blocks streets today!




(Photo below) Casey Camp-Horinek, Ponca, and Faith Spotted Eagle, Ihanktonwan Oyate (Yankton Dakota) hold the Fort Laramie Treaty outside Canadian Embassy on April 23, during Reject and Protect action in DC.



Photo below shared by Bold Nebraska:



Julia Trigg Crawford, a Texas rancher; Mohamed Jalloh of the African Resource and Cultural Center in Lincoln, Nebraska, and the Refugee Action Network of Nebraska; Dallas Goldtooth, Lower Sioux Dakota Nation; Cyril Scott, President of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe; Crystal Lameman of the Beaver Lake Cree Nation; Faith Spotted Eagle a Yankton Sioux; Casey Camp Horinek of the Ponca Nation of Oklahoma; Bryan Brewer, President of the Oglala Sioux Tribe; Jane Kleeb, Director of Bold Nebraska; Art Tanderup, a Nebraska farmer, and Charles A. Hobbs, an Indian law attorney with Hobbs, Straus, Dean & Walker (left to right) —all members of the Cowboy and Indian Alliance before their meeting with White House officials on Wednesday, April 24, 2014.

(Photo by ©Garth Lenz / iLCP)


Twitter photos

Art Tanderup and Casey Camp on MSNBC's The Ed Show this week.


Democracy Now! Mass Protest to Cap Week of Action Against Keystone XL Pipeline


Native Americans and ranchers are continuing their weeklong protest against the Keystone XL oil pipeline in Washington, D.C. On Thursday, the Cowboy and Indian Alliance rolled out a fake pipeline in front of the Lincoln Memorial and called for leaders to reject the project.
Wizipan Little Elk, member of Rosebud Sioux tribe: "So our message to the Canadian government is let’s do what’s right for North America. Let’s not capitulate to multinational corporations and their greed."
Art Tanderup, Nebraska landowner: "We do not want to pollute our water and destroy our land. We want to see our children and our grandchildren survive on the plains as our forefathers have done for many generations. We need President Obama to reject the Keystone XL pipeline."
Thousands of protesters are expected to join a march on D.C. on Saturday. The Obama administration has delayed a decision on the pipeline for a third straight year.

April 24, 2014

Reject Keystone: Ponca Casey Camp 'The white man has turned on its own'

Casey Camp-Horinek, Ponca, screen capture by Censored News
Ponca Casey Camp-Horinek: The white man has turned on its own, seizing the land of farmers and ranchers


By Brenda Norrell
Breaking News by Censored News
English, Dutch and French

WASHINGTON DC -- Casey Camp-Horinek, Ponca, said the white man has turned on its own. White farmers and ranchers on the route of the Keystone XL pipeline are having to face the same seizure of the land and destruction that Native Americans have always faced.


Speaking during the Cowboy and Indian Alliance’s Reject and Protect action in DC, Camp-Horinek said the tar sands have already devastated First Nations relatives in Canada and is now targeting Native Americans and their relatives to the south.


Joined by ranchers from Nebraska, Camp-Horinek said, “They are having to face the same thing as we did in all these centuries of the devastation of our earth, where the white man would come through and just take what he wanted.”



Reject and Protect in DC: Screen capture by Censored News
“Now he has turned on his own. He is going to the ranchers and farmers and is doing the same thing to them.”


Camp-Horinek said a powerful alliance has been formed between Native people, farmers and ranchers in the Cowboy and Indian Alliance.


As Native women raised tipis on the National Mall, Camp-Horinek said, “We are women of power. We are going to change the structure because we have a vested interest in the generations to come.”


“We are going to make a difference. They will listen to us, or they will die the same deaths. They will suffocate in their same nests.”
Reject and Protect tipi raising: Screen capture Censored News
“We are determined that our great-great-great-great-great-great grandchildren will be able to eat, to drink and to breathe."

Camp-Horinek is a long-time Native rights activist, environmentalist, and actress. As traditional Drumkeeper for the Ponca Pa-tha-ta, Woman’s Scalp Dance Society, Camp-Horinek helps maintain the cultural identity of the Ponca Nation of Oklahoma for herself, her family, and her community.

Camp-Horinek recently testified before the Rights of Nature Tribunal in Ecuador. In her defense of Mother Earth, she has traveled worldwide and spoke to gatherings at the UN climate change conference in Cancun, Mexico in 2010.

As an expert witness at the Rights of Nature Tribunal in Ecuador in January, Camp-Horinek described the responsibility of the caretakers and defenders of the Earth. She testified on the oil and gas drilling, and fracking, that is devastating Indian lands in the US. 

The Ecuador Tribunal followed the Mother Earth Conference in Cochabamba, Bolivia, in 2010. Following the gathering of Indigenous Peoples from around the word in Bolivia, both Bolivia and Ecuador created new laws stating the Rights of Nature.

In Ecuador, Camp-Horinek said, "Our prophecies and teachings tell us that life on Mother Earth is in danger and is coming to a time of great transformation. As Indigenous Peoples, from the global South and North, we are accepting the responsibility designated by our prophecies to tell the world that we must live in peace with each other and Mother Earth to ensure harmony within Creation."

Watch the following video from the Reject and Protect action currently in DC. Listen to the words of Camp-Horinek and Winona LaDuke, Anishinaabe founder of Honor the Earth. LaDuke describes the dream that brought her with her sister, and fighting on horseback the flow of the pipeline. http://www.idlenomore.ca/reject_and_protect_day_1

For permission to repost article: brendanorrell@gmail.com 
Please share the link
http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2014/04/reject-keystone-ponca-casey-camp-white.html

Schedule for Reject and Protect in Washington on Saturday, April 26, 2014:
http://rejectandprotect.org/the-plan-for-saturday-the-26th/

French translation by Christine Prat, thank you!
http://www.chrisp.lautre.net/wpblog/?p=2332

Casey Camp-Horinek, Ponca, screen capture by Censored News

CASEY CAMP-HORINEK, PONCA, DECLARE : L’HOMME BLANC S’EST RETOURNE CONTRE LUI-MEME, EN REQUISITIONNANT LES TERRES DE FERMIERS ET D’ELEVEURS

Par Brenda Norrell
Censored News
See original article in English
Jeudi 24 avril 2014
Traduction Christine Prat

WASHINGTON D.C. – Casey Camp-Horinek, une Ponca, dit que l’homme blanc s’est retourné contre lui-même. Des fermiers et éleveurs blancs se trouvant sur le trajet prévu pour le pipeline Keystone XL doivent faire face aux mêmes réquisitions de terres et destruction que les Autochtones.
Dans un discours prononcé dans le cadre de l’action ‘Rejeter et Protéger’ de l’Alliance Cowboys-Indiens à Washington, C. Camp-Horinek dit que les sables bitumineux avaient déjà dévasté les territoires de leurs parents des Premières Nations au Canada et visaient maintenant les Autochtones et leurs parents du sud.
Rejointe par des éleveurs du Nebraska, C. Camp-Horinek a déclaré « Ils doivent faire face à la même chose que nous, pendant tous ces siècles de dévastation de notre terre, quand l’homme blanc arrivait et prenait ce qu’il voulait ».
« Maintenant il s’est retourné contre les siens. Il va chez les éleveurs et les fermiers et fait la même chose avec eux ».
C. Camp-Horinek dit qu’une alliance puissante s’était formée entre les Autochtones, les fermiers et les éleveurs au sein de l’Alliance Cowboys-Indiens.
A propos des femmes Autochtones qui ont monté des tipis sur le National Mall, Casey Camp-Horinek dit « Nous sommes des femmes de pouvoir. Nous allons changer les structures parce que nous avons un intérêt particulier dans les générations à venir ».
« Nous sommes déterminées à ce que nos petits-petits-petits-petits-petits-petits-petits-enfants puissent manger, boire et respirer ».
Casey Camp-Horinek est une activiste Autochtone de longue date, une écologiste et une actrice. En tant que Gardienne du Tambour pour la Pa-tha-ta Ponca, la Société de la Danse du Scalp de la Femme, C. Camp-Horinek aide à maintenir l’identité culturelle de la Nation Ponca d’Oklahoma pour elle-même, sa famille et sa communauté.
C. Camp-Horinek a récemment témoigné devant le Tribunal pour les Droits de la Nature en Equateur. Elle a voyagé dans le monde entier pour la défense de Notre Mère la Terre et s’est adressée à des rassemblements lors de la Conférence sur le Climat des Nations Unies à Cancun, au Mexique, en 2010.
Lorsqu’elle a témoigné en tant qu’expert au Tribunal pour les Droits de la Nature en Equateur, en janvier, elle a expliqué la responsabilité de ceux qui prennent soin de la Terre et ceux qui la défendent. Elle a témoigné sur les forages pétroliers et gaziers, ainsi que sur la fracturation hydraulique, qui dévastent des terres Indiennes aux Etats-Unis.
Le Tribunal en Equateur faisait suite à la Conférence sur Notre Mère la Terre de Cochabamba, en Bolivie, en 2010.
Suite au rassemblement de Peuples Autochtones du monde entier en Bolivie, la Bolivie et l’Equateur ont adopté des lois affirmant les Droits de la Nature.
En Equateur, Casey Camp-Horinek avait dit « Nos prophéties et enseignements nous disent que la vie sur notre Mère la Terre est en danger et atteint une époque de grande transformation. En tant que Peuples Autochtones du Sud et du Nord, nous acceptons la responsabilité indiquée par nos prophéties de dire au monde que nous devons vivre en paix les uns avec les autres et notre Mère la Terre pour assurer l’harmonie dans la Création. » (voir article du 19 février 2014)
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Dutch translation by NAIS
http://www.bloggen.be/natam/
Ponca Casey Camp-Horinek: “De blanke man keert zich tegen de zijnen door het land van boeren en ranchers in te palmen.”
Door Brenda Norrell ,Censored News: www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com
Nederlandse vertaling door A. Holemans voor de NAIS Gazette: www.bloggen.be/natam
Washington DC- Casey Camp-Horinek, Ponca zei dat de blanke man zich nu tegen de zijnen keert. Blanke farmers en ranchers die langs de Keystone XL pijpleiding route wonen zien nu voor hun ogen het ontglippen en de destructie van het land, net als de Native Amerikanen.
Tijdens de ‘Reject and Protect’ actie in DC zei Camp-Horinek dat de teerzanden reeds hun vuile werk gedaan hebben bij hun First Nations verwanten in Canada en dat nu Native Amerikanen en hun verwanten in het zuiden als doelwit gekozen zijn.
Voor de ranchers uit Nebraska die zich bij de actie voegden zei Camp-Horinek: “ Nu moeten zij hetzelfde meemaken wat wij reeds eeuwenlang meegemaakt hebben: de verwoesting van onze aarde waar de blanke man doorkomt om te grijpen wat hij wil”.
“Nu heeft hij zich tot de zijnen gekeerd. Hij gaat naar de ranchers en boeren en doet hetzelfde met hen.”
Camp-Horinek zei dat er nu in de Cowboy-Indian Alliance een krachtig verbond gesloten is tussen Natives, boeren en ranchers.
Terwijl de vrouwen de teepees optrokken op de National Mall, zei Camp-Horinek: “Wij zijn krachtige vrouwen. Wij gaan de structuur veranderen omdat wij investeren in de toekomstige generaties
“Wij gaan het verschil maken. Zij zullen naar ons luisteren. Wij zijn vastbesloten om ervoor te zorgen dat dan onze achter- achter- achter-achter- kleinkinderen zullen kunnen eten, drinken en ademen”.
Camp-Horinek is een  jarenlange Native Rights activiste, milieu- activist en actrice. Als traditionele drumkeeper voor de Ponca Pa-tha-ta, ‘Woman’s Scalp Dance Society’, helpt Camp-Horinek de culturele identiteit van de Ponca Natie van Oklahoma in stand te houden voor haarzelf, haar familie en haar gemeenschap.
Onlangs heeft Camp-Horinek een getuigenis afgelegd voor de’ Rights of Nature Tribunaal in Ecuador.’ In haar verdediging voor Moeder Aarde heeft zij de wereld afgereisd en op de conferentie van de VN  over de klimaat verandering in Cancun, Mexico gesproken.
Voor meer over haar werk als ‘expert witness’ : Rights of Nature Tribunal
Bekijk de volgende video van de ‘Reject and Protect’ actie in DC. Luister naar de woorden van Camp-Horinek en Winona LaDuke, Anishinaabe, stichter van Honor the Earth. LaDuke beschrijft haar droom die haar samenbracht met haar zuster en vecht tegen de pijpleiding.

April 23, 2014

Hundreds of media cover Cowboy Indian Alliance in DC resisting Keystone XL pipeline





From Russia and China, to Nebraska and Kansas, to the New York Times and CBC, the media is covering the Cowboy Indian Alliance in DC!

By Brenda Norrell
Censored News

Hundreds of newspapers and TV stations -- from China and Russia to Nebraska and Kansas, to the New York Times, NBC, CBC and more -- are covering the Cowboy and Indian Alliance in DC, the Reject and Protect campaign fighting the Keystone XL tarsands pipeline! Here's a few of those:

Al Jazeera
CBC
TIME
Democracy Now
Politico
NBC News
Omaha World Herald
North Platte Bulletin
Tucson Weekly
Censored News
McClatchey DC video:
For more coverage, go to Google News, key words: Cowboy Indian Alliance DC

Photo Bora Chung


Twitter photos below: