Indigenous Peoples and Human Rights

December 29, 2021

Most Censored in Indian Country 2021



Most Censored in Indian Country 2021

By Brenda Norrell, publisher

Censored News

The most censored issues in Indian country in 2021 include the death of Paiute Shoshone Journalist Myron Dewey; the kidnappings and assassinations of Yaqui in Sonora; the Mohawk Mothers demand for the search for residential school childrens' graves at a former CIA torture research site in Montreal; the failure of the Navajo Nation to distribute $2 billion in federal virus relief to Dine' in desperate need; and the destruction of O'odham sacred places on the Tohono O'odham Nation by Israel's Elbit Systems for the construction of spy towers for use by the U.S. Border Patrol.

December 21, 2021

Watch now 'Understory: Tongass Forest Documentary' Destruction of Alaskan Coastal Rain Forest

"There was a time when the less greedy you are, and the more you can give, the wealthier you are," said Marina Anderson, Haida, tribal administrator of Kasaan Village, speaking in 'Understory.'

39 minutes
Wild Confluence
Three women set sail on a 350 mile expedition through Alaska’s massive Tongass National Forest, exploring how clearcut logging in this coastal rainforest could affect wildlife, local communities and our planet’s climate. Take action at https://www.LastStands.org - submit a comment and help end the destruction of this coastal rain forest.


  


Film highlights threats to our nation's largest national forest, which includes 17,000 miles of habitat for the region's wild salmon populations.


SITKA, ALASKA — “Understory: A Journey Through the Tongass” follows a young fisherman, Elsa Sebastian, on a 350-mile coastal expedition of last stands of old-growth temperate rainforest in the Tongass National Forest. Joined by biologist Dr. Natalie Dawson and botanical illustrator Mara Menahan, the three women confront the destruction of clearcut logging and document the wild beauty of an ancient ecosystem, home to salmon spawning habitats.

December 17, 2021

'Thank You' Zapatistas Return Home from Journey for Life in Europe





Thank you

Zapatista Sixth Commission
Coordinating Team for the Journey for Life: Europe Chapter
December 14, 2021

https://enlacezapatista.ezln.org.mx/
Dansk (Danish)
Deutsch Übersetzung (German)
Tradução em portugês (Portuguese)
Euskarazko Itzulpena (Euskera)
Traduzione Italiano (Italian)
English Translation (English)
Traduction en Français
 (French)
To the organizations, movements, groups, collectives, originary peoples and individuals from the different geographies of the land today known as “Slumil K´ajxemk´op”. [one]

From the Zapatista Extemporaneous [The Extemporaneous] [2] delegation:
Companions, companions, companions:
Hermanoas , sisters, and brothers:

We send you warm greetings from the mountains of southeastern Mexico and can report that all of the companions and companions from the airborne delegation who visited you all in each of your geographies during the months of September, October, November, and December of 2021 have returned to their respective towns and positions.
.

Ohlone Corrina Gould Lifetime Achievement Award: Watch Film

 


Ohlone Corrina Gould, with film footage of the Shellmound Walks. Watch this new short film now on YouTube now, 12 minutes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6F5wDA1QiqU

Sacred Land Film Project
Heyday Books gave Lisjan Ohlone leader Corrina Gould their 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award in October. We created this video for the Heyday Harvest online event to portray Corrina’s lifelong commitment to preserving and protecting the culture and sacred sites of the Ohlone people, and in recognition of her activism and leadership among California Indians and beyond. Corrina Gould is the tribal spokesperson for the Confederated Villages of Lisjan/Ohlone and Co-Founder/Co-Director of the Sogorea Te’ Land Trust, 

https://sogoreate-landtrust.org/.

Born and raised in her ancestral homeland, the Ohlone territory of Huchiun, she is the mother of three and grandmother of four. Gould has worked on protecting the ancient burial sites of her ancestors throughout the Bay Area for decades. As a tribal leader, she has continued to defend the shellmounds, uphold her nation’s inherent right to sovereignty, and stand in solidarity with Indigenous relatives to protect sacred waters, mountains and lands all over the world. She is leading the effort to protect the West Berkeley Shellmound, more information at 

https://shellmound.org/.

December 15, 2021

Mohawk Nation News 'Cree Companies in Unlawful Mega Business on Mohawk Land'


 

Mohawk Nation News

CREE COMPANIES IN UNLAWFUL MEGA BUSINESSES ON MOHAWK LAND

 

Audio at MNN: https://mohawknationnews.com/blog/2021/12/14/more-mothers-movement/

 WHEN WE VISITED THE MOHAWKS AND THEY TREATED US SO GOOD.

MNN. Dec. 14, 2021. kahnistensera Mohawk mothers have alerted Cree Corporations about their illegal business developments on kanienkehaka mohawk land without permission.  

REGISTERED MAIL

TO: Abel Bosum, Grand Council of the Crees [Eeyou Istchee] and Cree Nation Government, 2 Lakeshore Road, Nemaska, QC J0Y 3B0 – 418-691-1111, 819-673-2600; 

Seko sewakwekoh.

“Land claims” is an English term invented by Britain, US and Canada to make land theft seem valid. This mind game does not put them in the drivers seat. It’s our land. The only way to give up land is to take money, to sell it, flip the title constantly, but the underlying ownership always remains with the original natives. The current ‘land claims’ system is meant to force us to submit land claims on lands we naturally own. No one can ever prove that we sold any of our land to anyone legally. We are each sovereign and as caretakers we can never convey, transfer or sell any of turtle island, as the titleholders are our unborn children. Our duty is to maintain this land for them.

We are the caretakers of tianni tiotiaken, known as ‘Montreal’. kaianerekowa, the great peace, and all aboriginal law is based on the natural world. Corporate contracts and treaties for land transferred between foreigners and the original people are illegitimate. No one nation has the authority to deal with a land issue on their own. It has to go through the Iroquois Confederacy Grand Council. All nations have to agree, skanikonras. In the case of Crees and Mohawks, this has not happened.

Montreal is selling stolen Mohawk land to the Crees. The Crees are buying stolen property. The Crees should approach their relatives, the kanienhaka Mohawks, to legalize their activities on our land. This is a national issue that bypasses all imposed foreign authorities on turtle island.

December 14, 2021

O'odham Voice Against the Wall Holiday Drive Huge Success

 

Ofelia Rivas and Victor Garcia.

By Ofelia Rivas, Tohono O'odham 

Censored News

Dec. 14, 2021

O'odham VOICE Against the WALL Holiday Toy and Childrens Clothing Drive was a great success.

 


It was with the support of local Why Not Travel Store in Why, Arizona, General Manager Bernadette Nez, a friendly exuberant woman.

Nez took the initiative to call and extend her welcome to be a drop-off site for donations for toys and blankets for Elders. She also posted the information on the store facebook. 



This was with the combined effort of 3nations Market ARTs owner Victor Garcia, a constant supporter, where there was also a drop-off site for toys and childrens clothes.

3nations collected 3 large bags of excellent wear clothing and $100 in donations.

Thanks as well to Ajo Copper News for running a front page article.

Great efforts by long time ally Censored News, Brenda Norrell, for her effort to post an article on her blog.



Great success, wonderful for the children.
Appreciation from our grassroots group here on O'odham lands. Many Mother Earth Blessings to all that supported this effort. 


There's still time to share the joy. Donate items tomorrow, Dec. 15, or donate to Paypal.

December 10, 2021

Bioneers -- Ponca Casey Camp-Horinek Speaks on Tribal Rights of Nature Movements


'We’re protecting our children. We’re protecting all the things that we know in our blood memory have to be protected, not just for ourselves. These battles are not just for tribal peoples on their ancestral lands. They’re for certainly for future generations, certainly for the health of our children, but really for all people.' -- Casey Camp-Horinek

Indigenize the Law: Tribal Rights of Nature Movements with Casey Camp-Horinek | Part 2

By Bioneers

This is Part Two of our conversation with tribal elder and matriarch Casey Camp Horinek. We discuss why a tribally led movement is the best hope for the planet, and how the unique legal and political relationship between tribes and the U.S. federal government is advantageous in efforts to truly protect ecosystems. Casey also discusses the journey her tribe is taking as they explore the best ways to incorporate rights of nature into their legal framework.

To listen to the first part of this program, click here.

Casey Camp-Horinek, a tribal Councilwoman of the Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma and Hereditary Drumkeeper of its Womens’ Scalp Dance Society, Elder and Matriarch, is also an Emmy award winning actress, author, and an internationally renowned, longtime Native and Human Rights and Environmental Justice activist. She led efforts for the Ponca tribe to adopt a Rights of Nature Statute and pass a moratorium on fracking on its territory, and has traveled and spoken around the world.

Listen to audio and read the transcript of Part II at Bioneers:

https://bioneers.org/indigenize-the-law-tribal-rights-of-nature-movements-casey-camp-horinek-2/

Part I: https://bioneers.org/indigenize-the-law-tribal-rights-of-nature-movements-casey-camp-horinek-1/

December 9, 2021

O'odham Voice Against the Wall: Donate to Holiday Efforts


Donate to Holiday Efforts

By Ophelia Rivas

Censored News

Over 17 years of grassroots efforts by O'odham VOICE Against the WALL and supporters and long time allies to bring Holiday Cheer to communities in isolated areas of the traditional O'odham homelands. Deep appreciation to all that donate and support our efforts.



Ophelia Rivas

4oodhamrights@gmail.com

P.O. Box 1835 Sells, Arizona 85634

O'odham Rights Paypal 

https://www.oodhamrights.org/

Mohawk Nation News 'Mohawk Mothers Ambushed by Cops in Quebec Office'

MOHAWK MOTHERS AMBUSHED BY COPS IN QUEBEC OFFICE


Mohawk Nation News

AUDIO at MNN

https://mohawknationnews.com/blog/2021/12/09/mohawk-mothers-ambushed-by-cops-in-quebec-office/

MNN. Dec. 9, 2021. Arrangements were made with SQI lawyer, Alexandre Rouan Bazinet, last week to discuss transfer of all keys for the Royal Victoria Hospital to the kanistensera, to house the indigenous homeless. Notice of the meeting was sent to the SQI, City of Montreal, McGill University, Stantic Construction Company, the Montreal Police and McGill Security. Official kenienkehaka Mohawk Nation protocols were followed throughout.

A report is being carried to the men’s fires of Iroquoia. McGill and Quebec both deny ownership of Mount Royal as it was the Mohawk village of tekanontak. Bazinet is the lawyer for SQI in a Federal Court of Canada motion T-1696-21, filed by the kanistensera. At the Public Consultation Commission hearing on the Royal Vic Project, the SQI was declared to be “owners” of the property under Canadian corporate law. Both SQI and McGill are now denying being the owners of Mount Royal as they would be guilty of dealing with stolen kanienkehaka property under the kaianerekowa, great peace, and Canadian corporate law. Moreover they prepared their own militia to brutalize the elders and supporters. A full criminal investigation should be done with regard to this outrageous armed assault, abuse, threats and bullying so the public is aware. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fL0Easmd-4

And a text written by the Milton park allies below.

December 8, 2021

Palestine Activists Win Court Victory While Elbit Spy Towers Stalk Tohono O'odham



Palestine Activists Win Court Victory -- Elbit Spy Towers Stalk Tohono O'odham  

Article by Brenda Norrell
Censored News
French translation by Christine Prat

Elbit Systems is the Israeli defense contractor who just built spy towers -- known as integrated fixed towers -- on the Tohono O'odham Nation, with a US contract and tribal government approval.

Now,  vulnerable O'odham can be stalked by US Border Patrol agents using their laptops and the spy towers.


Already, three senior US Border Patrol agents have been charged as serial rapists in the Tucson sector -- which includes the Tohono O'odham and Pascua Yaqui Nations.

Jenn Budd, former senior US Border intelligence officer turned whistleblower, describes the rape culture within the U.S. Border Patrol.

"There are currently three senior Border Patrol agents on trial for rape in Tucson sector. When will Congress and the Department of Justice address the rape culture of @USBPChief "

"How many female agents, US citizens and migrants must be raped before this is addressed?" Budd said.

Meanwhile, in England, a court acquitted these activists taking direct action against Israel's Elbit Systems -- after an attorney argued that Elbit's crimes in Palestine --  drones, surveillance and human rights abuses -- were far greater than the activists actions in England. 

Activists continue to protest Elbit's manufacture of weapons and war on Palestine.

'Not Guilty: Palestine Action Acquitted in First Trial'

Government prosecutors had brought charges against what had become known as “the Elbit Three” after they took action in February against the UAV Engines factory, an Elbit subsidiary in Shenstone near Birmingham, England, reports the Electronic Intifada.

The group occupied the factory rooftop, chained factory gates to disrupt business as usual, splattered the building with blood-red paint and even smashed windows.

Despite all this, the court on Monday acquitted the three of criminal damage.

Their lawyers – including Palestinian barrister Mira Hammad – successfully argued that while their actions constituted damage to the factory, it was not criminal damage, since it was proportionate action to prevent a much bigger crime in Palestine – that of Israeli violence against Palestinians such as the May war against Gaza.

Read the Electronic Intifada article: https://electronicintifada.net/blogs/asa-winstanley/not-guilty-palestine-action-acquitted-first-trial


French translation by Christine Prat

Par Brenda Norrell
Censored News
8 décembre 2021
Traduction Christine Prat

Elbit Systems est l’entreprise de défense qui vient de construire des tours d’espionnage – appelées tours intégrées fixes – dans la Nation Tohono O’odham, avec un contrat avec les Etats-Unis et l’approbation du gouvernement tribal.

Maintenant, des O’odham vulnérables peuvent être harcelés par les agents de la Patrouille des Frontières qui utilisent des laptops et les tours d’espionnage.

Déjà trois gradés de la Patrouille des Frontières ont été mis en accusation comme violeurs en série, dans la région de Tucson – qui englobe les Nations Tohono O’odham et Pascua Yaqui.

Jenn Budd, ex-officier des renseignements à la Frontière des Etats-Unis, devenue lanceuse d’alerte, parle de la culture du viol dans la Patrouille des Frontières des Etats-Unis.

« Il y a actuellement trois gradés de la Patrouille des Frontière jugés pour viols dans la région de Tucson. Quand est-ce que le Congrès et la Justice s’intéresseront à la culture du viol de USBPChief ? »

« Combien de femmes agents, de citoyens Américains et de migrants doivent encore être violés avant qu’on ne se préoccupe du problème ? » demande J. Budd.

***

Pendant ce temps, en Angleterre, un tribunal a acquitté des activistes qui entreprennent des actions directes contre la compagnie Israélienne Elbit Systems, après qu’un avocat ait plaidé que les crimes d’Elbit en Palestine – drones, surveillance et violations des droits humains – étaient beaucoup plus graves que les actions des activistes en Angleterre.

Des activistes continuent de protester contre la fabrication d’armes par Elbit et contre la guerre en Palestine.

‘Non coupables : Les membres de Palestine Action Acquittés au cours du Premier Procès’

Les procureurs du gouvernement avaient prononcé des accusations contre ceux qui sont connus comme « les Trois d’Elbit », après qu’ils aient entrepris une action en février contre l’usine de Moteurs UAV, une filiale d’Elbit, à Shenstone, près de Birmingham, en Angleterre.

Le groupe avait occupé le toit de l’usine, mis des chaînes aux portes pour perturber le travail, et arrosé l’immeuble de peinture rouge sang, et même cassé des vitres.

Malgré tout cela, lundi, le tribunal a acquitté les trois accusés d’avoir causé des dégâts.

Leurs avocats – entre autres la juriste Palestinienne Mira Hammad – ont démontré avec succès que bien que leurs actions aient endommagé l’usine, ce n’était pas criminel, étant donné que c’était une action proportionnée pour empêcher un crime bien plus grand en Palestine – la violence Israélienne contre des Palestiniens, comme la guerre de mai contre Gaza.


English article copyright Brenda Norrell, Censored News. Photo 2 copyright Ofelia Rivas, Tohono O'odham. French translation copyright Christine Prat. Must have permission to use.

Dakota Ride to Mankato 2021


 

December 7, 2021

Reckless Spending and Exposures -- White House spread virus on Navajo Nation. Navajo federal virus funds used for sports car and penthouse in unauthorized contract.


Dine' volunteer Bitahnni Wilson delivers water to fellow Dine', near the Navajo capitol of Window Rock. More than $2 billion in federal relief funds from the American Rescue Plan were received by the Navajo Nation government, but have not been distributed to Dine' in need. Dine' elderly, isolated families and the sick and dying continue to ask for help. There were 100 new cases of coronavirus, and four deaths, on the Navajo Nation on Friday.

Reckless Spending and Exposures -- White House spread virus on Navajo Nation. Navajo virus relief funds from unauthorized COVID testing used for sports car and penthouse. 

By Brenda Norrell
Censored News
Dec. 7, 2021


The Navajo tribal controller's unauthorized COVID rapid testing contract resulted in  Navajos federal virus relief funds to be spent on a British sports car and  penthouse.

Former Navajo controller Pearline Kirk  received an annual salary of $225,000, according to new charges filed by the Navajo Nation.

The charges involve an unauthorized contract to Agile Technologies, a company conducting unauthorized and reckless types of COVID-19 rapid testing on Navajos.

The luxury spending was during the same time that food banks, and Dine' volunteers raised their own funds and carried water and food to desperate Dine', as the coronavirus spread through the Navajo Nation in 2020.

December 5, 2021

Mohawk Nation News 'Canada Genocided Itself'

CANADA GENOCIDED ITSELF Audio

 Mohawk Nation News

Please post & distribute.

HOW SECTIONS 35 AND 52 OF THE CONSTITUTION ACT OF CANADA 1982 WIPED OUT THE COLONY OF CANADA 

Listen to audio at MNN:

https://mohawknationnews.com/blog/2021/12/04/canada-genocided-itself-audio/

 MNN. Dec. 4, 2021. The supreme original laws of turtle island are the kaianerekowa, great peace, and other original natural laws that existed since time immemorial. The kaianerekowa recognizes only the kaianerekowa. All other laws are null and void. Section 35 [1] of the Constitution Act of Canada, 1982, “recognizes and affirms”  the “original laws and peoples of Canada”. Anyone recognizing all Canadian laws violats the teiohate, two row. Staying in our canoe and staying out of their ship.

OUCH! THE COLONIAL LIE HAS BUSTED

Pre-colonial aboriginal rights existed on onowarekeh, turtle island, since time immemorial before the settler colonists arrived and illegally imposed themselves on our land. The colonial Constitution Act of Canada, 1982, was to solidify their theft of turtle island. The “existing aboriginal rights of the aboriginal peoples” are based on the kaianerekowa, the great peace, and other original laws which existed from the beginning of time, and have never nor will ever be amended, until the end of time, because they are based on nature. There has never been a surrender of land, people or anything on turtle island. Ever.

Section 35 [1] provides: “the existing [pre colonial] aboriginal and treaty rights of the aboriginal people of turtle island are hereby recognized and affirmed”.


December 4, 2021

Dine' Meet Opposing Navajo Council's New Helium Mining on Sacred Mountain

Concerned Dine' are meeting today after the Navajo Nation Council passed legislation targeting a Sacred Mountain with new helium mining. Dine' Medicine People are invited to meet with Dine' community members concerned about protection of the Sacred Mountain. Sanostee, New Mexico, Dec. 4, 2021.

 
.

December 2, 2021

Mohawk Nation News 'Kahnawake to Become Shopping Mall Mecca'


 

KAHNAWAKE TO BECOME SHOPPING MALL MECCA Audio


Mohawk Nation News

DEC. 2, 2021. Black Friday, every Friday in Kahnawake is the illegal band council’s dream, to make us more spiritually and mentally dependent than we have ever been.

AUDIO at MNN

https://mohawknationnews.com/blog/2021/12/02/kahnawake-to-become-shopping-mall-mecca-audio/

The illegal Mohawk Council of Kahnawake Mayor Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer has disgusted and shamed the kanienkehaka’onwe by welcoming a project to turn kahnawake into a shopping mecca to welcome foreigners into our community. We are being urged to speak French to accommodate shoppers. She scolds us for not being better friends with our non-native neighbors who want to economically screw us over, but who actually admire the way we do business. We don’t pay taxes and do what we want. She wants us to give this all up and be more accommodating for their economic development purposes to enrich them and their Quebec and Canada partners and investors.

November 29, 2021

Western Shoshone Ian Zabarte 'Treaty Has Not Been Honored'

Ian Zabarte
Treaty has not been honored

Western Shoshone Ian Zabarte responds to editorial in Las Vegas Sun: 'Biden taking long-overdue steps to reverse neglect of Indigenous people'

By Western Shoshone Ian Zabarte
Censored News
Friday, Nov. 26, 2021 

In response to the Nov. 18 editorial, “Biden taking long-overdue steps to reverse neglect of Indigenous people”: The president has not taken action to create a reservation guaranteed by law for the benefit and protection of the Western Shoshone people, authorized by Congress in Article 6 of the Treaty of Ruby Valley.

The Shoshone people are denied our right to self-determination, title and interest in our own property. Shoshone ranchers were blamed by the Bureau of Land Management for range destruction caused by nuclear weapons testing. Radioactive fallout caused the Shoshone people adverse health consequences significantly higher than other Americans documented in our research, “The Assessment of Radiation Exposures in Native American Communities from Nuclear Weapons Testing in Nevada, March 2000 Risk Analysis.” Our research is the basis for contentions in Yucca Mountain licensing by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission that stopped the $15 billion project.

Mohawk Nation News 'Don't Poke The Bears, Wolves and Turtles'

DON’T POKE THE BEARS, WOLVES & TURTLES! Audio

Mohawk Nation News

https://mohawknationnews.com/blog/2021/11/29/dont-poke-the-bears-wolves-turtles-audio/

AUDIO at MNN

Audio Player

On Nov. 29, 2021, the kahnistensera secretariat of kahnawake kanistensera@riseup.net. 438-558-2911, sent the following letter by Registered Mail to: 

  • Societe quebecoise des infrastructures, Direction generale de la requalification du site royal Victoria, 445 saint Gabriel st., montreal quebec H2Y 3A2 smayes@sqi.gouv.qc.ca 514-873-5485, 5413; –office de consultation publique de montreal, 1550 metcalfe st., office 1414, montreal H3A 1X6 514-872-8510; –mcgill university office of principle & vice chancellor, 845 sherbrooke st. w., montreal QC H3A 0G4 514-398-4180 fax 514-398-4763; –mairie d’arrondisement de ville-marie, 800 boulevarde de maisonneuve st. e., montreal QC H2L 4L8; and –indigenous services Canada, assessment & investigation services branch, 10 wellington st. Gatineau QC k!A 0H4 aadnc.cnap-naac.aandc@canada.ca 1-855-504-6760. 

Sekon sewakwekon.

We are the kahnistensera, Mohawk mothers, who have responsibilities from the kaianerekowa, great law, and teiohateh, two row, which have existed on turtle island since time immemorial. All the land and infrastructure thereon are for us to care for, since the beginning time and for all eternity. All governments and their institutions throughout turtle island know and acknowledge this.