 |
| Photos by Ken Marchionno and the Future Generations Teen Photojournalism Project Riding out of Green Grass, Day Five, the Ride to Wounded Knee |
Showing posts with label Wounded Knee. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wounded Knee. Show all posts
December 20, 2023
Oomaka Tokatakiya: Riding out of Green Grass, The Ride to Wounded Knee
November 25, 2023
Red Warrior Society 'Solidarity with Palestinians' -- From the Banks of Wounded Knee Creek
 |
| All Out For Palestine Teach-In & Art Build, hosted by Ama's Freedom School on November 19. Image credit Lakota Media Project |
Red Warrior Society 'Solidarity with Palestinians' -- From the Banks of Wounded Knee Creek
By Red Warrior Society
Censored News
As Lakota people of the Oceti Sakowin we stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people. We know too well the struggle for self-determination and the fight to retain lands that have long been connected to our way of life, language, ceremonies and the blood of our people.
November 19, 2023
'Spaces of Exception' Film Exposes Atrocities and Genocide of Native People and Palestinians
 |
| 'Spaces of Exception' film: Standing Rock, Oceti Sakowin Camp 2016 |
 |
| Photo: Debra White Plume, Oglala Lakota, in the film, "We Love Being Lakota," which evolved into the film, "Spaces of Exception." Spaces of Exception Film Exposes Atrocities and Genocide of Native People and Palestinians |
By Brenda Norrell, Censored News, November 17, 2023
MONTREAL -- The film Spaces of Exception revealing the atrocities and genocide of Native people -- Lakota, Navajo, and Mohawk -- and of Palestinians -- was shown in Montreal at McGill University. It is here at McGill that Mohawk Mothers have an ongoing court battle to search for graves of Native children at the hospital where the CIA conducted MK-Ultra torture experiments.
November 19, 2019
When Warriors were Warriors, Robert Free Remembers Alcatraz to Wounded Knee
 |
| The tipi that stood during the Occupation of Alcatraz returns. Photo courtesy Robert Free Galvan Nov. 10, 2019. |
 |
| Robert Free (left) and Sid Mills at Wounded Knee 1973 |
When Warriors were Warriors, Robert Free Remembers Alcatraz to Wounded Knee
As the Occupation of Alcatraz's 50-year anniversary nears, Robert Free remembers the grassroots Warriors who stood courageously and willing to sacrifice their lives, from Alcatraz to the Trail of Broken Treaties and BIA takeover, to Wounded Knee. These resulted in far-reaching new laws and opportunities. Robert plans for his tipi which once stood on Alcatraz to now become a national site of historical significance.
By Brenda Norrell
Censored News
Nov. 15, 2019
ALCATRAZ -- Robert Free, whose tipi stood on the island during the Occupation of Alcatraz, said he's getting old and wants the youths to have the tipi and the site honored as a national monument.
Remembering his friends and fellow warriors, he names the names of those who stood and risked their lives, from the Alcatraz Occupation to the Trail of Broken Treaties and BIA Takeover in Washington D.C., to Wounded Knee.
"The over one-thousand that went to the BIA takeover in 1972 and the thousand at Wounded Knee 1973 set the bar for what movement is, not the academic discussions at conferences or peaceful civil rights protests we now see with the resulting cyber reports," Robert told Censored News.
"We accomplished it without cell phones and cyber funding, instead with 100 cars filled with six people each, across this country for a month. That's how we did it."
"We remember these veterans of frontline confrontation struggles because their names are not mentioned by so many who strive to shine off the glows of these warriors now passed.
"People always find inspiration and strength from their examples and it is why we must shine through stories and monument their memory forever."
Robert remembered Richard Oakes, Raymond Lego, Mad Bear Anderson, Al Bridges, Mickey Gemmell, Darrel Wilson, Maiselle Bridges, Valerie Bridges, Alison Bridges, Janet McCloud, Don McCloud, the Hopi clan mothers, John Chiquiti, David Sohappy, Ramona Benke, Eva Benson, Larry Casuse, Ross Montgomery, Vernon Bellecourt, Charlie Buckskin, Mildred Montgomery, Peter Blue Cloud, Oohosis, Angel Martinez, Charlie Steelie, Charlie Cantrell, Willard Miner, Alice Papineau Dewasenta, Charles 'Chuck' Conway, Audrey Shenandoah, Pedro Bissonette, Barry Cadwell, 70 killed after Wounded Knee at Pine Ridge, Frank Clear Water, Buddy Lamont, Mary Frank, Joseph Stuntz, Sid Mills, Peter Coyote, Cuny Dog, Russell Means, Carter Camp, Bob Satiacum, Helen near Pit River at Redding, California, during the Pit River struggles, to name a few who were on the front lines of confrontations for self-determination and Indigenous rights.
During those years, many took risks to shelter them.
"Many women of the movement opened their homes as safe houses, Edith and Janet McCloud, Eldy Bratt, Mary Frank, Helen near Pit River, Mildred Rhodes, Marseille Bridges, Ramona Bennet, to name a few, whose homes allowed us to rest, replenish out bodies with great meals made with love and good thoughts. Our spirits nourished, we strategized and went out to make change! Remember them forever, the backbones of the movements."
The Occupations: When Warriors Were on the Frontline and Confrontational
The Occupation of Alcatraz in 1969 was preceded by two other occupations.
On March 8, 1964, Walter 'Hank' Means and his young son Russell Means were among those who occupied the Rock. During the four-hour occupation, Walter and his son, along with Richard McKenzie, Mark Martinez, Garfield Spotted Elk, Virgil Standing Elk, and Allen Cottier offered the federal government the same amount for the land that the government had initially offered them, at 47 cents an acre.
Before the third occupation in 1969, there was an occupation that lasted one night, led by mostly Indigenous students from local schools. The majority of student occupiers left and went back to school near the end of December. By then hundreds from around the country had joined the occupation and continued to come to the island until the forced removal 19 months later, Robert said.
"In 1969 Mad Bear Anderson showed us pictures of Amazonian Indigenous women hung upside down legs apart, getting sliced in half with machetes by invading non-Indigenous Brazilian farmers."
Robert remembered the Trail of Broken Treaties, leading up to the takeover of the BIA building in Washington in 1972. The caravan of cars, buses and trucks carrying more than 600 people traveled to Saint Paul, Minnesota. The Trail of Broken Treaties wrote their Twenty Points demands for the discussion on self-determination, demanding an end to the collapsed housing, lack of water and lack of heating that were making children sick in Indian country. They pointed out that more is spent on Indian conferences and meetings than housing.
The Trail of Broken Treaties came about, after Mohawk Richard Oakes, among those who occupied Alcatraz, was murdered in September of 1972.
Robert said, "When Richard Oakes was murdered by the YMCA caretaker near the Kashia reservation in northern California, Suzette Bridges here in Franks Landing, the daughter of Al Bridges, fishing rights veteran, wanted to caravan across the county to DC to petition for a federal law on killing an Indian."
"There was no justice at the county level."
"At the same time, an urban organization called the American Indian Movement was emerging on the media scenes. The group called us to ask if they could join us and together we could go to DC. Promising to land with a lot of funds, arrived with $75.00. I called a friend in San Francisco who sent me $2,000 and we headed out of Seattle on to D.C."
Besides the new federal laws and economic benefits that resulted from those who did not back down, there was another intrinsic benefit from the movement.
"These veterans of that time are our role models to look and learn from, to take heart and strength from as guides when we are lost or low of spirit."
"Because of these brave hearts that blazed the trails, the struggles were reopened once again, following our other role models of a time before, those who faced the frontlines, Geronimo, Crazy Horse, and others."
Remembering his friends and fellow warriors, he names the names of those who stood and risked their lives, from the Alcatraz Occupation to the Trail of Broken Treaties and BIA Takeover in Washington D.C., to Wounded Knee.
"The over one-thousand that went to the BIA takeover in 1972 and the thousand at Wounded Knee 1973 set the bar for what movement is, not the academic discussions at conferences or peaceful civil rights protests we now see with the resulting cyber reports," Robert told Censored News.
"We accomplished it without cell phones and cyber funding, instead with 100 cars filled with six people each, across this country for a month. That's how we did it."
"We remember these veterans of frontline confrontation struggles because their names are not mentioned by so many who strive to shine off the glows of these warriors now passed.
"People always find inspiration and strength from their examples and it is why we must shine through stories and monument their memory forever."
Robert remembered Richard Oakes, Raymond Lego, Mad Bear Anderson, Al Bridges, Mickey Gemmell, Darrel Wilson, Maiselle Bridges, Valerie Bridges, Alison Bridges, Janet McCloud, Don McCloud, the Hopi clan mothers, John Chiquiti, David Sohappy, Ramona Benke, Eva Benson, Larry Casuse, Ross Montgomery, Vernon Bellecourt, Charlie Buckskin, Mildred Montgomery, Peter Blue Cloud, Oohosis, Angel Martinez, Charlie Steelie, Charlie Cantrell, Willard Miner, Alice Papineau Dewasenta, Charles 'Chuck' Conway, Audrey Shenandoah, Pedro Bissonette, Barry Cadwell, 70 killed after Wounded Knee at Pine Ridge, Frank Clear Water, Buddy Lamont, Mary Frank, Joseph Stuntz, Sid Mills, Peter Coyote, Cuny Dog, Russell Means, Carter Camp, Bob Satiacum, Helen near Pit River at Redding, California, during the Pit River struggles, to name a few who were on the front lines of confrontations for self-determination and Indigenous rights.
During those years, many took risks to shelter them.
"Many women of the movement opened their homes as safe houses, Edith and Janet McCloud, Eldy Bratt, Mary Frank, Helen near Pit River, Mildred Rhodes, Marseille Bridges, Ramona Bennet, to name a few, whose homes allowed us to rest, replenish out bodies with great meals made with love and good thoughts. Our spirits nourished, we strategized and went out to make change! Remember them forever, the backbones of the movements."
 |
| Peter Blue Cloud, Randy Lewis and Robert Free on Alcatraz 1969. Photo courtesy Robert Free. |
The Occupations: When Warriors Were on the Frontline and Confrontational
The Occupation of Alcatraz in 1969 was preceded by two other occupations.
On March 8, 1964, Walter 'Hank' Means and his young son Russell Means were among those who occupied the Rock. During the four-hour occupation, Walter and his son, along with Richard McKenzie, Mark Martinez, Garfield Spotted Elk, Virgil Standing Elk, and Allen Cottier offered the federal government the same amount for the land that the government had initially offered them, at 47 cents an acre.
Before the third occupation in 1969, there was an occupation that lasted one night, led by mostly Indigenous students from local schools. The majority of student occupiers left and went back to school near the end of December. By then hundreds from around the country had joined the occupation and continued to come to the island until the forced removal 19 months later, Robert said.
"In 1969 Mad Bear Anderson showed us pictures of Amazonian Indigenous women hung upside down legs apart, getting sliced in half with machetes by invading non-Indigenous Brazilian farmers."
Robert remembered the Trail of Broken Treaties, leading up to the takeover of the BIA building in Washington in 1972. The caravan of cars, buses and trucks carrying more than 600 people traveled to Saint Paul, Minnesota. The Trail of Broken Treaties wrote their Twenty Points demands for the discussion on self-determination, demanding an end to the collapsed housing, lack of water and lack of heating that were making children sick in Indian country. They pointed out that more is spent on Indian conferences and meetings than housing.
The Trail of Broken Treaties came about, after Mohawk Richard Oakes, among those who occupied Alcatraz, was murdered in September of 1972.
Robert said, "When Richard Oakes was murdered by the YMCA caretaker near the Kashia reservation in northern California, Suzette Bridges here in Franks Landing, the daughter of Al Bridges, fishing rights veteran, wanted to caravan across the county to DC to petition for a federal law on killing an Indian."
"There was no justice at the county level."
"At the same time, an urban organization called the American Indian Movement was emerging on the media scenes. The group called us to ask if they could join us and together we could go to DC. Promising to land with a lot of funds, arrived with $75.00. I called a friend in San Francisco who sent me $2,000 and we headed out of Seattle on to D.C."
Besides the new federal laws and economic benefits that resulted from those who did not back down, there was another intrinsic benefit from the movement.
"These veterans of that time are our role models to look and learn from, to take heart and strength from as guides when we are lost or low of spirit."
"Because of these brave hearts that blazed the trails, the struggles were reopened once again, following our other role models of a time before, those who faced the frontlines, Geronimo, Crazy Horse, and others."
"Each generation must put forth on the frontlines a willingness to sacrifice their time, energies, resources and sometimes their lives."
For Robert, like so many others, their lives were torn.
"Taking on the frontlines of struggles is not an easy path. It will leave you isolated sometimes, actually often. Your relationship and your family will be strained, as many of us in the movement know firsthand."
There were too many that stood on the frontlines to remember all of them here.
"I've named just a few that I was honored to have met, many names I have yet to add, and those not mentioned I leave to you to remember."
Youth asked to maintain tipi and site as a national historic site
"I'm getting on in years and health and find it time to not carry so much of the burden, and challenge the youth to come forward and stand up so I may sit down and rest."
For Robert, like so many others, their lives were torn.
"Taking on the frontlines of struggles is not an easy path. It will leave you isolated sometimes, actually often. Your relationship and your family will be strained, as many of us in the movement know firsthand."
There were too many that stood on the frontlines to remember all of them here.
"I've named just a few that I was honored to have met, many names I have yet to add, and those not mentioned I leave to you to remember."
Youth asked to maintain tipi and site as a national historic site
"I'm getting on in years and health and find it time to not carry so much of the burden, and challenge the youth to come forward and stand up so I may sit down and rest."
Speaking on Alcatraz on November 10, Robert said, "And here this tipi put up so long ago, a symbol that was part of the beacon that drew so many from all directions to gather and to learn from one another, this tipi I pass on to the next generation to work towards a national site of historic significance designation so the sacrifices of the many I've named do not go forgotten, so that their sacrifices become an inspiration in time of need, so that we remember and commemorate the ideas and goals to achieve a better future of our family our indigenous breather and in the end, all humanity to secure a healthy mother earth for all be nourished for all time."
When the youths put the tipi up on Alcatraz last Sunday, it was blessed by Richard Moves Camp, who was in Wounded Knee with Robert in 1973. Robert asked Peter Bratt, who had helped him put up the tipi as a young boy when he was eight years old on Alcatraz in 1969, to help put the tipi up again this year. Peter brought youth and elders to help this time. Robert told him he had earned his feather in 1969 and stayed with him and influenced him all of his life.
"We presented feathers to the youths who put the tipi up and are going to care for it, making it a national historic site designation."
When they gathered on Sunday, the sunshine was a blessing.
"It was supposed to be a foggy day that day, but the sun came out and it was an extremely beautiful day. It was important for us to have a shared meal with our fallen frontline warriors in the struggle and a spiritual plate was offered."
The youths were given 'In the Spirit of Crazy Horse', an original copy of the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee of 1984. Peter Coyote helped with the relations with the National Park Service.
"The tipi had been on Peter Coyote's land, that's where I got it."
Robert pointed out that for the next 5 years, almost every other day will make the 50th anniversary of an important event of confrontation action for Indigenous sovereignty.
The anniversaries begin with the Occupation of Alcatraz.
"Following on modeling rekindled with the occupation of the island in 1969 until the shootout at Jumping Bulls Ranch on the Pine Ridge Lakota lands in 1975 -- the USA government repressed by assassinations and incarcerations most of the frontline movements."
Movements changed with non-profits.
After 1975, the movements changed when non-profits, and the non-Indian funding sources they appeased, became involved.
"Afterward, the people went underground and were replaced by non-profit and non-confrontational protests. This was, and is, a great compromise to have the sacrifice of the movements reduced to spokespersons pushing non-confrontation to appease their non-native funding sources and white privilege comfort levels."
When the youths put the tipi up on Alcatraz last Sunday, it was blessed by Richard Moves Camp, who was in Wounded Knee with Robert in 1973. Robert asked Peter Bratt, who had helped him put up the tipi as a young boy when he was eight years old on Alcatraz in 1969, to help put the tipi up again this year. Peter brought youth and elders to help this time. Robert told him he had earned his feather in 1969 and stayed with him and influenced him all of his life.
"We presented feathers to the youths who put the tipi up and are going to care for it, making it a national historic site designation."
When they gathered on Sunday, the sunshine was a blessing.
"It was supposed to be a foggy day that day, but the sun came out and it was an extremely beautiful day. It was important for us to have a shared meal with our fallen frontline warriors in the struggle and a spiritual plate was offered."
The youths were given 'In the Spirit of Crazy Horse', an original copy of the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee of 1984. Peter Coyote helped with the relations with the National Park Service.
"The tipi had been on Peter Coyote's land, that's where I got it."
Robert pointed out that for the next 5 years, almost every other day will make the 50th anniversary of an important event of confrontation action for Indigenous sovereignty.
The anniversaries begin with the Occupation of Alcatraz.
"Following on modeling rekindled with the occupation of the island in 1969 until the shootout at Jumping Bulls Ranch on the Pine Ridge Lakota lands in 1975 -- the USA government repressed by assassinations and incarcerations most of the frontline movements."
Movements changed with non-profits.
After 1975, the movements changed when non-profits, and the non-Indian funding sources they appeased, became involved.
"Afterward, the people went underground and were replaced by non-profit and non-confrontational protests. This was, and is, a great compromise to have the sacrifice of the movements reduced to spokespersons pushing non-confrontation to appease their non-native funding sources and white privilege comfort levels."
"These self-declared representatives of the movement of great sacrifices know not these warriors I have mentioned and their contributions."
It seems now that many who have the luxury of progress, have forgotten to remember those warriors who made it possible.
"I have witnessed the great growth of some tribes economically who are beneficiaries of the warriors, who never mention their names and contributions for their newly developed self-determination, the rebirth of language and cultures."
"It has been hurtful to see tribes in the northwest, east and west coast and other places celebrate their new statuses without mentioning or thanking their warriors of this island, or thank allies for helping in their time of need, when their own peoples would not or could not muster the strength of spirit and courage to confront the wrongs in front of them."
It seems now that many who have the luxury of progress, have forgotten to remember those warriors who made it possible.
"I have witnessed the great growth of some tribes economically who are beneficiaries of the warriors, who never mention their names and contributions for their newly developed self-determination, the rebirth of language and cultures."
"It has been hurtful to see tribes in the northwest, east and west coast and other places celebrate their new statuses without mentioning or thanking their warriors of this island, or thank allies for helping in their time of need, when their own peoples would not or could not muster the strength of spirit and courage to confront the wrongs in front of them."
These warrior veterans are not those of the United States forces.
"We must remember our warrior veterans also have suffered trauma, like facing the 900,000 bullets shot in Wounded Knee for months, seeing the killings of Buddy Lamont, Joe Stuntz and others under fire."
"These warriors are not the USA supporter soldiers fighting the USA wars, rather the grassroots people standing up and sacrificing and ready to fight the USA forces," he said.
From the fishing rights struggle in the Northwest to the standoff on the steps of the BIA building in Washington, they stood.
"These are our role models facing the 500 state troopers at the Puyallup River in 1970 and the 500 cops at the BIA building in 1972, just to name a few of the confrontations between 1970 -- 75. Our PTSD has never been addressed and many warriors of those days are in need of healing and honoring. This would help towards a healthier spirit."
The struggle in the North and South.
The struggle of Indigenous Peoples was always in the north and the south. It continues today, with the Indigenous struggles in Chile, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru and Mexico.
"The Indigenous struggle continues throughout the north and south continents as well throughout the world," Robert said.
"Not much changed as we see Brazil's Amazon in flames. You see today how a military coup against an Indigenous leader in a majority Indigenous populated country is invaded and attacked by white Europeans."
"These warriors are not the USA supporter soldiers fighting the USA wars, rather the grassroots people standing up and sacrificing and ready to fight the USA forces," he said.
From the fishing rights struggle in the Northwest to the standoff on the steps of the BIA building in Washington, they stood.
"These are our role models facing the 500 state troopers at the Puyallup River in 1970 and the 500 cops at the BIA building in 1972, just to name a few of the confrontations between 1970 -- 75. Our PTSD has never been addressed and many warriors of those days are in need of healing and honoring. This would help towards a healthier spirit."
 |
| Pit River land occupation 1970. Among the names that Robert remembers, on the left Henry Knockwood, Lance Yellowhand, Robert Free in center, on the far right standing is a Blood warrior from Alberta Canada. |
The struggle in the North and South.
The struggle of Indigenous Peoples was always in the north and the south. It continues today, with the Indigenous struggles in Chile, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru and Mexico.
"The Indigenous struggle continues throughout the north and south continents as well throughout the world," Robert said.
"Not much changed as we see Brazil's Amazon in flames. You see today how a military coup against an Indigenous leader in a majority Indigenous populated country is invaded and attacked by white Europeans."
"It is the same fight, we have made allies both indigenous and non-indigenous, who are realizing our common struggle for a healthy mother earth."
"The European colonizers divided our lands and people back then and still do today. We are separated by their languages and by learned racism and self-hate."
Robert said Indigenous Peoples have survived the colonizers, diseases and attempts to eliminate them. English-speaking people colonize lands as they travel among each other's lands, through Canada, USA, New Zealand and Australia, but they avoid traveling to Mexico, Peru, Chile and elsewhere. Travel to these lands would bridge separations and bridge peoples, resulting in lands reclaimed and self-determination.
"We are stronger now, we have some immunity to diseases and are repopulating our numbers of people, more so in the central and south continents."
"We are still a recovering peoples."
Below: The first occupation of Alcatraz 1964
Walter 'Hank' Means and his young song Russell Means
"The European colonizers divided our lands and people back then and still do today. We are separated by their languages and by learned racism and self-hate."
Robert said Indigenous Peoples have survived the colonizers, diseases and attempts to eliminate them. English-speaking people colonize lands as they travel among each other's lands, through Canada, USA, New Zealand and Australia, but they avoid traveling to Mexico, Peru, Chile and elsewhere. Travel to these lands would bridge separations and bridge peoples, resulting in lands reclaimed and self-determination.
"We are stronger now, we have some immunity to diseases and are repopulating our numbers of people, more so in the central and south continents."
"We are still a recovering peoples."
 |
| (Above) Robert's tipi on Alcatraz during the Occupation of Alcatraz 1969 -- 1971 |
Below: 50 years later, the tipi returns to Alcatraz Nov. 2019
Photos courtesy Robert Free Galvan
 |
| Robert with his son Wekus Yellowbird |
 |
| Corrina Gould's granddaughter, Ohlone Tribe Little Ohlone Warrior |
 |
| (On far left) Alvin Willie, original artist on Alcatraz |
 |
| Local youth groups helped put tipi up last Sunday |
 |
| Alvin Willie and youths bringing poles up Alcatraz |
 |
| Robert Free with son Wikus Yellowbird, daughter Meessa Cobell, and granddaughter Molyka Cobell |
Walter 'Hank' Means and his young song Russell Means
 |
| (Above) March 08, 1964: Walter Means, 48, and his son Russell Means (Lakota), 24. Walter is assisted by his son as they drive this land claim stake into Alcatraz Island; The San Francisco Examiner's staff photographer Ray Morris photo, Censored News. |
 |
| The 1964 Occupation of Alcatraz. Censored News |
Article copyright Brenda Norrell and Robert Free, Censored News
February 17, 2018
PINE RIDGE -- Celebrating Young Social Change Makers, Gathering on the Homeland
CELEBRATING YOUNG SOCIAL CHANGE MAKERS OF YESTERDAY and TODAY
PINE RIDGE INDIAN RESERVATION, South Dakota
The "Gathering on the Homeland: Solidarity, Decolonization and Celebrating Acts of Resistance" is a two-day event being held in the heart of native resistance in Indian Country, the Oglala Lakota Nation.
"Along with the beauty and power of 10,000 people coming together in 2016 along the riverbanks at Cannon Ball, ND we experienced the chaos that emerged, as it became apparent that the understanding of MOVEMENT was as diverse as the people gathered there. We have brought together folks from many Red Nations and allies from the four directions who have led, founded, and/or participated in movements in order to examine, explore, and discuss how their experience can teach young emerging social change makers, community leaders, students, families, and our youth," stated Debra White Plume, Co-Organizer and Director of Owe Aku.
The gathering, in conjunction with the 45th Anniversary of the 1973 Liberation of Wounded Knee, is scheduled for February 24th a25th at Wounded Knee District School in Manderson.
Surviving veterans of the occupation of Wounded Knee, along with the decendants of Wounded Knee veteran activists will celebrate 45 years of modern resistance against the injustices brought by colonial oppressors throughout Turtle Island. The annual Four-Direction Walk to the Wounded Knee Massacre Site will start at 10 a.m. on February 27th. The Independent Oglala Nation Powwow and meal will follow the walk at Wounded Knee District School in Manderson, SD.
"Native artists from California and Arizona will host a youth workshop to create art that teaches not only art skills, but the philosophy of art and the preservation of ancient life ways. There are also a number of native musicians coming to perform a free youth concert who promote an alcohol/drug free lifestyle as well as using music to inspire youth to reclaim their ancestral identities," added White Plume.
Dine'/Oglala/Omaha rap artist Nataanii Means, The Peace Poets of Bronx, NYC, Annishinabe singer/songwriter Tracy Bone and other artists to be announced are scheduled to perform. A range of activities are featured at the event. The schedule includes:
February 24th:
Noon: "GuREALIa Media on the Frontline"
Panel includes: Rose Stiff Arm (Canada), Lorenzo Serna (Black Snake Killaz), Rosebud White Plume (Lakota Media Project)
7 pm-11 pm: "Sounds of Resistance" Youth Concert (free admission)
February 25th:
Noon: "What is Movement?"
Panel includes: Nina Waste' (co-founder of Idle No More), Kim Smith & Nakai (Dine' Activists), Mark Tilsen (SR Oceti Sakowin Camp), Tyrell Iron Shell (Int'l Indigenous Youth Council), Deja Red Cloud (SR Oceti Sakowin Camp)
The Peace Poets, Tracy Bone and other artists were confirming at press time.
February 27TH:
10 am: Four Direction Walk, Horse Ride and Caravan into Wounded Knee
Gathering on the Homeland event is sponsored by Owe Aku and Red Robin Hood Fund. Contact coordinator Olowan Martinez at (605) 407-1381, Debra White Plume at (605) 454-2105 or visit www.oweakuinternational.org for more information.
Four-direction walk & powwow, contact AIM Grassroots at (605) 381-3535 or Iva Black Elk at (605) 441-6657.
"The more dependent you become on centralized power, the more easily you are led around."- Russell Means (Oglala Lakota).
January 10, 2018
Lakota Madonna Thunder Hawk Live from Palestine: Similarity in Indigenous Struggles
.
 |
| Madonna Thunder Hawk photo by Dawn DeCora . 
Madonna Thunder Hawk, Cheyenne River Lakota, was at the Occupation of Alcatraz and Wounded Knee. She is a longtime member of the American Indian Movement.
Madonna was among the elders at the resistance of Standing Rock camps to the Dakota Access Pipeline.
Lakota Madonna Thunder Hawk Live from Palestine: Similarity in Indigenous Struggles
Article by Brenda Norrell
Madonna Thunder Hawk, speaking live from Palestine, spoke on the similarities of struggle for Indigenous Peoples around the world, from the Lakota in the Dakotas, to the struggle in Palestine.
Madonna said, "I specifically wanted to come on this trip. It was important for me personally."
She said after the standoff at Wounded Knee with the U.S. military, the American Indian Movement had supporters come from Palestine and Northern Ireland.
"We were young. I thought we were standing alone as always," she said.
Madonna said when they heard of this solidarity, she learned what was going on in other parts of the world to Indigenous Peoples and realized they were not alone.
She learned words like "colonialism."
Speaking on being thankful for being here in Palestine, she said, "We have the same, same issues." "We have a people that is trying to maintain their land base." "It is all familiar, only on a different scale, a different level."
"It was so good to go to the Bedouin Camp."
She said, like at home, the old traditional lifestyle is gone, but it is still known. They still know it, as land based people. She said there is ancestral memory.
"We don't need to be constantly reminded of who we are. We know who we are."
"My people were land based in the valley of the beast."
She said the last battle was at Standing Rock, and the legal battles continue.
"We were unarmed," she said of the forces that came after them.
"The legal system made us all criminals."
Now the 800 at Standing Rock arrested must deal with this.
Madonna said she reports back home to a group of elders and must be responsible.
She said she is speaking with a group of comrades here in Palestine.
When one goes in to Indigenous Peoples homelands, it is important to have respect, and keep one's eyes and ears open, she said.
She said she appreciated Jewish Voice for Peace.
"I appreciate being here, and I appreciate all of you."
Madonna said Standing Rock camp of thousands was amazing.
It started out with Indigenous who came from all over, from Alaska to South America.
"Over night, our camp tripled."
Overnight, the young white people came in droves.
She remembered sitting on the hill, Facebook hill, and watched it happening.
"The powers that be blocked off the highway."
So at night, down the one highway that was open, there would be a stream of headlights going in both directions.
Madonna said she celebrates that she was part of it, and got to see it happen.
Now, in the ongoing struggle for her people, there is no light at the end of the tunnel, she said.
"The same corporate control is around the world."
But if you are land based, you are in the process.
She said the younger ones are involved in divestment, the elders are their advisers.
When asked about taking a stand at Standing Rock, Madonna said her people automatically take a stand.
"When the call came, they went out."
This is ancestral memory, this is land based people.
Madonna describes how the buffalo were killed, the ecosystem was upset and diseases came in. "This is what brought our people to the peace talks."
"The capitalist system always operates on the spin of the dollar."
The Treaties were made nation to nation, and ratified by Congress. "They are the law of the land." It was a matter of survival of the people, but it was a massive land grab. "I'm here today because my ancestors thought of several generations ahead." The first schools were Christian schools, and the Lakota values were attacked, including the matriarchal society. They told the people that the man was the head of the household and he could beat their wives and kids and get saved on Sunday, she said. They attacked the family. The children were taken in forced removals, and their hair was cut, and they were dressed in military clothes. They came for their children with teams and wagons, then trucks. The education was forced on them. "Learning English was forced on us." She said she was forced to learn English in boarding school. "You were punished if you talked your language." Later, after Wounded Knee, they started their own school in Rapid City, South Dakota. They wanted the children to have a safe place to be. "We focused on gaining knowledge." It was the first alternative school there. Then, the regular school system began doing the same thing. "We got co-opted," by schools who had the funding to use what they were doing. Then, the water was contaminated by the uranium mining. Madonna said she knows the genocide. She spoke on the hand-out mentality, as with churches paying peoples utilities. "It weakens everybody."
Listen to more of the interview.
Madonna shares parallels between Palestine and the United States.
Madonna speaks on solidarity and how she learned from other parts of the world that they were not alone in their struggle.
|
August 18, 2017
Wounded Knee 'Rekindle the Sacred Fire' Aug. 24, 2017
By Garry Rowland, Sr., Lakota
Censored News
I am a descendant of Chief Fire Lightning who was one of the principal chiefs when the Oglala settled the Pine Ridge Reservation.
I come from a long line of traditional family and Treaty people and was given a good upbringing.
In 1887, when the Allotment Act was passed, Chief Fire Lightning was given the land where the mass murder took place. After the massacre of our relatives, the U.S. government asked Fire Lightning if they could bury them on his land and he said, “Yes. Those are our relatives.” My maternal grandfather, Alec Ice was a well-respected person and as a Full Blood he owned a small ranch and was self-sufficient and a devout Treaty person. Growing up as a child there were many Treaty meetings held at my grandpa’s house and I remember many old chiefs and old traditional people.
In 1887, when the Allotment Act was passed, Chief Fire Lightning was given the land where the mass murder took place. After the massacre of our relatives, the U.S. government asked Fire Lightning if they could bury them on his land and he said, “Yes. Those are our relatives.” My maternal grandfather, Alec Ice was a well-respected person and as a Full Blood he owned a small ranch and was self-sufficient and a devout Treaty person. Growing up as a child there were many Treaty meetings held at my grandpa’s house and I remember many old chiefs and old traditional people.
July 11, 2017
Leonard sends his respect to the Siers-Little family
Leonard Peltier sends his respect to
family of grandmother, grandchildren killed in tragic car accident on Red Shirt Table, Pine Ridge
|
March 2, 2015
AIM Wounded Knee Liberation Day 2015: Photos by Carla Lisa Cheyenne
PHOTOS by CARLA LISA CHEYENNE
Wounded Knee Liberation Day 2015
AIM Grassroots 2015 royalty
(Top Photo) Miss AIM Grassroots: Mahli Shey (granddaughter of Renee and Larry HandBoy)AIM Grassroots 2015 royalty
Miss Liberation: Katie Underwood granddaughter of (Clifford Black Elk and daughter of Tara Black Elk) Aim Grassroots AIM warrior: Wicahpi Rowland from the Fire Lightening Tiyospaye
.
.
(Above) Candlelight vigil at White Clay
.
Photos copyright Carla Lisa Cheyenne.
Thank you for sharing with Censored News!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)