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Showing posts with label uranium. Show all posts
Showing posts with label uranium. Show all posts
July 15, 2015
Tiokasin Ghosthorse joins Owe Aku Board
September 30, 2014
Devastation of mining and war silenced at Indigenous World Conference
Devastation of mining and war censored, Pacific Islanders withdraw support for Indigenous World Conference
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| Protest in Toronto of Hudbay mine in Guatemala |
By Brenda Norrell
Mining is among the leading causes of murder, rape, assassinations and disappearances of Indigenous Peoples globally.
However the non-profits, especially those at the United Nations, are strangely silent about the fact.
The seizure of land, water and resources for mining, and the violence against Indigenous Peoples defending these, should be a priority at the UN, with coal, uranium and metals mining topping the list.
Another leading threat to Indigenous Peoples is nuclear dumping and the effect of war, especially on women and children. As revealed in this statement by Pacific Islanders, demilitarization was censored at the UN World Conference on Indigenous Peoples: http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2014/09/demilitarization-censored-pacific.html
Kalamaoka’aina Niheu, of the Pacific Caucus, said, “It is with great sadness and outrage to find at the 11th hour that Paragraph 21 regarding Demilitarization has been removed from the Outcome Document.”
“For this reason, Ohana Koa –Nuclear Free and Independent Pacific can no longer consent to our participation in the High Level Plenary Meeting (HLPM) also known as the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples (WCIP).”
There is no mention of mining or militarization in the outcome document for the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples, held in New York in September:
The censorship of the voices for peace, and against mining and war, is not new in Indian country.
Louise Benally, Dine' (Navajo) resisting Peabody Coal's coal mining, forced relocation and US militarization, was censored by Indian Country Today when she opposed the Iraq war, comparing it to the genocidal forced Long Walk of Navajos.
Remembering her great-grandfather forced on the Long Walk to the prison camp at Fort Sumner, N.M., Benally said, “The U.S. military first murders your people and destroys your way of life while stealing your culture, then forces you to learn their evil ways of lying and cheating." http://bsnorrell.tripod.com/id78.html
In October, Pacific Islanders will block the world's largest coal port in canoes.
Thirty Pacific Climate Warriors from 12 different islands will arrive on Australian shores to stand up to the coal and gas industry. "We are now excited to announce that on October 17th, the Pacific Climate Warriors will use the canoes they have built to paddle out into the harbour of the world’s largest coal port – Newcastle – to stop coal exports for a day."
http://350.org/pacific-climate-warriors-will-block-the-worlds-largest-coal-port/
September 24, 2014
Dine' Women on Democracy Now! 'NO' to being a 'resource colony'
http://www.democracynow.org/2014/9/23/flood_wall_street_100_arrested_at
February 8, 2014
Remembering friends: Dine' iconoclasts who ignited struggle
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| In the Chuskas/Photo Brenda Norrell |
Remembering friends: Dine' iconoclasts who ignited struggle
By Brenda Norrell
Today I'm remembering my friends on Navajoland, some of the forerunners of the modernday struggle to save the forests, land, water and air, from coal mining, uranium mining, clear-cut logging and corrupt politicians within and without.
Some are still with us, some died in the struggle. There are too many to name, but today I will begin with a few of those who showed resolute courage. John Redhouse was there in the beginning, long before I moved to the log cabin in the Chuska mountains and began writing news. The sounds of the movement for Native American rights, Floyd Westerman, Buffy Sainte-Marie and XIT, of which Chili Yazzie was a member, were already there.
Leroy Jackson lived on the next mountain over, in the Tsaile mountains. Jackson ignited the struggle to save the old growth yellow pines from the tribe's clear cutting and corruption. Jackson, whose clear words were always laced with humor, was found dead on another mountain, near Chama, New Mexico.
Cate Gilles, a forerunner of cutting edge journalism on Navajoland, was non-Indian. Cate was among the first to cover Navajo relocation and the destruction of coal mining on Black Mesa. She exposed the poisoning of the Grand Canyon from uranium mining. Cate, who also covered Leroy Jackson's story, was found dead in Tucson, Arizona, hanged with a dog's chain.
Sarah White from the traditional community of Sanostee, N.M., just north of where I lived in the Chuskas, is still with us. She is the original founder of Dooda Desert Rock.
Some of my friends, like Howard McKinley of Fort Defiance, Tse Ho Tso, lived long lives. Howard passed when he was nearly 100 years old. Before going, he shared the stories of his life for many years. Howard walked as far as Albuquerque, sleeping in the trees to avoid coyotes, and obtained a masters degree. He remembered the times of eating wild yucca bananas and when ice from Blue Canyon was cut and stored for winter in the buildings made of cut stone. Howard is remembered for his famous quote when he served as a councilman. "I like Fort Defiance Chapter. They don't steal as much as the other ones."
In those early years, it was the Navajos at Big Mountain, including Louise Benally and her family who shared the truth. Speaking of Peabody Coal and the corporations, Louise said, "The corporations lie." Those three words never left me.
It is the grandmothers, like Roberta Blackgoat -- who never compromised -- that I especially miss, and the young mothers with their babies in their cradleboards.
At the time, three young Navajos, brothers and sister, were going on stage with the new sound of resistance, Klee, Jeneda and Clayson Benally of Blackfire.
During those years, it was Earl Tulley who explained what the multi-national corporations do to the people. Norman Brown was among those who battled against uranium mining. There were many others, who chop wood, haul water, and live private lives who I remember now. When I needed them, they were always there.
Since I was a stringer for AP and USA Today while I lived in that log cabin in the mountains of Navajoland, their truths became a part of the news, shared with the world from a land line telephone next to the wood cook stove.
In the years that followed, through the west and the Dakotas, and while traveling with the Zapatistas in Mexico, there were many other friends who shared truth and made a difference. But in the beginning, in the early '80s and '90s, these were my friends and the news makers who made a difference. Thank you.
Brenda Norrell has been a news reporter in Indian country for 32 years, beginning as a reporter with Navajo Times and stringer for AP and USA Today during the 18 years that she lived on the Navajo Nation. After serving as a longtime staff reporter for Indian Country Today, she was censored and terminated. As a result, she created Censored News, now in its 8th year with 2.9 million views and no advertising.
October 6, 2013
Peltier Tribunal Judges Findings: Restoration of Justice in Indian Country
Peltier Tribunal Findings include holding FBI agents responsible for crimes, freedom for Leonard Peltier and an end to environmental racism
By Brenda NorrellCensored News Breaking News Exclusive
http://www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com
copyright Censored News
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GREEN BAY, Wisconsin -- A panel of judges at the International Peoples Tribunal on Leonard Peltier issued an executive summary and preliminary findings late Friday, Oct. 4, following three days of testimony from Native Americans who described abuse inflicted by the United States government and FBI agents.The Tribunal concluded that US laws must be changed in order for FBI agents to be charged for their crimes of assault and murder on Pine Ridge Indian land in South Dakota and elsewhere. Further, the Tribunal said justice is dependent on the immediate release of Leonard Peltier.
The Tribunal said justice depends on the admission of guilt and systematic change regarding the FBI and their crimes against the Lakota Oyate and other Indigenous Peoples.
"In order for the Lakota Oyate to begin the healing process, the FBI must begin with a Statement of Remorse to the Oglala Lakota Oyate of Pine Ridge Indian Reservation."
The Tribunal said the environmental injustices targeting Indian lands, based on racism, must end.
In the findings, the judges said, "This Tribunal is a proceeding in democracy, justice, and human rights. The case of Leonard Peltier goes beyond his oppression. Leonard Peltier has become an icon for the oppression and injustices practiced by the United States historically and persistently upon Indigenous Peoples."
"Justice for Leonard Peltier can begin a healing process long overdue between Indigenous Peoples and the United States of America," the findings stated.
The Tribunal focused on the historic relationship between the Dakota, Lakota and Nakota people and questioned who has jurisdiction on Lakotas' Pine Ridge Indian land in South Dakota. The Tribunal questioned whether Congress can override treaty obligations using Plenary Power, the findings stated.
Further the Tribunal questioned whether the Fort Laramie Treaties of 1851 and 1868, or Lakota Traditional Laws have been violated during the period of 1868 to present, including the 1973 Wounded Knee stance, the 1975 Pine Ridge Shootout, and the trials that followed these incidents, the findings stated.
Navajo Lenny Foster testified on Native prisoner rights. Foster and Dorothy Ninham described their visits with Leonard Peltier in prison and his failing health. Peltier called the Tribunal from prison on the first day.
Manny Pino, Acoma Pueblo and professor, testified on the genocide carried out by Cold War uranium mining in the Pueblos, Navajo Nation, Spokane, Lakota lands in South Dakota, and First Nation lands in Canada. Pino described how the US government targeted Indian lands as "sacrifice zones" which left a trail of death for Native American uranium miners who were not given protective clothing, and ate the radioactive food. Dakota historian Chris Mato Nunpa from Minnesota testified on the historic genocide of Dakota people.
The Tribunal concluded that the remedies include the immediate freedom for Leonard Peltier. The options are a new and fair trial consistent with due process, executive clemency or compassionate release.
The Tribunal called for the appointment, by the President of the United States, of independent counsel to review and prosecute all murders, assaults and acts of intimidation by all perpetrators, including the FBI, against the Lakota Oyate of Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.
Further, the Tribunal said that the restoration of criminal jurisdiction in Indian country requires overturning the Major Crimes Act of 1885, and its associated amendments, and the Suquamish v. Oliphant Decision of 1978.
In its findings, the Tribunal listed the international human rights standards which have been violated during the pre-trial extradition, detention, trial process and incarceration of Leonard Peltier.
The Tribunal also made the following preliminary findings and conclusions.
Describing it as "egregious US government misconduct and abuse of power," the Tribunal said the US has continued its genocide against Indigenous Peoples in the US through actions, laws and policies.
The Tribunal stated the facts of US government corruption in the US legal system, including the deliberate withholding of exculpatory evidence and the use of manufactured and perjured testimony in the 1973 Wounded Knee trials; 1977 trial of Leonard Peltier; extradition of Leonard Peltier from Canada to the US; 1977 trial of Leonard Peltier; appeals of Leonard Peltier, 1978, 1984, 1986 and 1993, and denial of parole by the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
The Constitutional violations include the violations of the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1851 and 1868, the Webster-Ashburton Treaty of 1842; fundamental right of due process; right to a fair and impartial jury of his peers; sixth amendment right regarding compulsory processes; religious land use and institutionalized persons act of 2000, and free exercise and establishment clause.
The violations of international law include violations of Fort Laramie Treaty of 1851 and 1868; UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2007); UN International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) signed in 1966 and ratified in 1994; the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR); the Universal Declaration on Human Rights (1948); and Wester-Ashburton Treaty (1842).
The Tribunal said justice depends on the repeal of the Doctrine of Discovery, Plenary Power Doctrine, and other "Extra Constitutional Fictions by the Supreme Court."
In conclusion, the Tribunal recommended that the findings be submitted to the National Congress of American Indians.
The Jurists are Alberto Saldamando, human rights attorney; Tatewin Means, Oglala Attorney General and daughter of Russell Means; James Riding In, Pawnee professor at Arizona State University; Nise Guzman-Nekheba, professor University of Florida Law School and Shannon Rivers, Akimel O'odham human rights activist.The judges said this is the first of this type of Indigenous Peoples Tribunal and the complete detailed Findings would follow.
Censored News coverage Peltier Tribunal:
Day 3 Peltier Tribunal: Findings and Testimony, Manny Pino uranium mining genocide
http://
Day 2: Peltier Tribunal Lenny Foster and Dorothy Ninham, Visits to Peltier in prison, Native prisoner rights
http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/
Day 1: Peltier Tribunal Reign of Terror on Pine Ridge, Peltier calls Tribunal
http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/
Dakota written testimony by Chris Mato Nunpa, Dakota historian and professor
http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/
p
Thank you Alice Holemans at NAIS Gazette for translating Censored News coverage of the Peltier Tribunal into Dutch! NAIS also has coverage of 'plastic shamans' charging for ceremonies in Europe. http://www.bloggen.be/natam/
For permission to repost content, contact brendanorrell@gmail.com or feel free to share the links
October 3, 2013
Peltier Tribunal Day 3 Testimony
Leonard Peltier International Tribunal on Indigenous Rights Day 3: Testimony
By Brenda News
By Brenda News
Censored News EXCLUSIVE!
copyright Censored Newshttp://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2013/10/peltier-tribunal-live-day-3.html
Dutch translation NAIS
GREEN BAY, Wisconsin -- The Peltier International Tribunal on Indigenous Rights issued preliminary findings at the conclusion of the three day Tribunal late Friday, Oct. 4, 2013.
GREEN BAY, Wisconsin -- The Peltier International Tribunal on Indigenous Rights issued preliminary findings at the conclusion of the three day Tribunal late Friday, Oct. 4, 2013.
The Peltier Tribunal found the US has committed egregious human rights violations, genocide of Indian people and the withholding of testimony in the trial of Leonard Peltier.
The Constitutional violations of Peltier's rights include the right to fair process, trial by jury of peers, and the free exercise of religion. The violations of international law include violations of the Fort Laramie Treaty, violations of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and other human rights guaranteed by the United Nations.
The Tribunal said the resolution of these injustices includes the immediate freedom for Leonard Peltier. The options include a new fair trial for Peltier, executive clemency or compassionate release.
Justice is dependent on the appointment of independent counsel to review and charge all those guilty of murder and assaults on Pine Ridge, where there have been more than 60 unsolved murders.
The Tribunal called for the restoration of the criminal justice system in Indian country, including recognition of the sovereign right of Indian Nations to prosecute non-Indians for crimes on Indian lands, including FBI agents for crimes against Indian people.
The Tribunal stated that the doctrine of discovery and other fictional documents should be abolished.
The FBI must begin this process of restoration of justice by issuing a statement of remorse to Oglala Lakotas on Pine Ridge.
The environmental injustice based on racism must end on Indian lands.
See Censored News detailed article on the Tribunal Findings: Violations of US laws, Treaties and UN Declaration: \http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2013/10/peltier-tribunal-judges-findings.html
See Censored News detailed article on the Tribunal Findings: Violations of US laws, Treaties and UN Declaration: \http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2013/10/peltier-tribunal-judges-findings.html
Earlier, during today's testimony, describing the fabrication of evidence against Leonard Peliter, Lakota Bill Means said the FBI is the modern day Calvary.
Dennis Banks Testimony
AIM cofounder Dennis Banks, presenting concluding testimony to the three day Peltier Tribunal, described Manifest Destiny. Banks said the religious community that came with Columbus is widely mistrusted.
Banks spoke on the sterilization of Indian women. Bank said his wife Kamook was asked to participate in an experiment on sterilization and was told it could be reversed by an IHS doctor.
After receiving a phone call from Kamook, Banks said, "I became angry because I knew they sterilized so many Indian women." IHS then moved Kamook to Nebraska.
Banks explained why the American Indian Movement was formed, Alcatraz was taken over, and the Longest Walk happened. The Movement happened because of the longstanding abuse of American Indians. He said it was clear that American Indians were on a collision course with three US entities: The churches, US government and education.
"We're not here for a 100 yard dash," Banks said. He said American Indians are here for the distance.
Banks said the FBI set the stage for killing the two FBI agents at Pine Ridge. Banks pointed out that he has never seen the real criminals, like the uranium corporations, being arrested for poisoning the water.
Banks thanked Dino Butler for exposing the fact that the "Mr. X" scenario was designed to discredit AIM. (Mr. X with identity hidden was video taped and the person claimed to have shot the two FBI agents.)
Speaking on wild rice legislation, Banks spoke of the "idiot ideas" that are passed on as legislation.
Banks described how he and Leonard Peltier were made "invisible" by Leonard Crow Dog, as they left the Wounded Knee compound in 1973. Banks said it seemed a little unbelievable when Crow Dog said he would make them invisible to leave. However, Banks said, "When we walked out of there carrying our supplies of food, they didn't see us."
"There were six of us."
"Leading us out of harm's way was Lenny Foster."
Banks said three years after Wounded Knee, Three Stars made public the fact that the GOONs were supplied with ammunition by the FBI.
Banks described the encampment at the Bureau of Indian Affairs in DC. He also described how an FBI agent was so discredited during a trial against AIM in St Paul, Minn., that the judge dismissed the agent for not being credible. Then, AIM tried to arrest him the agent in a citizen's arrest. They chased the FBI agent down the street. The trial was dismissed because the US prosecutor's trial evidence was unbelievable.
"You have polluted the waters of justice," the judge told US prosecutors.
The FBI told the American Indian Movement, "We'll get you next time." Russell Means said, of course, that he was ready.
Banks said the FBI was angry because "they lost the battle of Wounded Knee." AIM found out that the US planned to use tear gas and guns to end the stalemate at Wounded Knee in 1973. The Nixon administration had already ordered internal investigations.
"It is the longest undeclared war in US history," Banks said of the war against American Indians.
When the two FBI agents came to the Jumping Bull camp, the FBI claimed they were there to serve a warrant for shoplifting. Banks asked "When does the FBI ever do that?" Banks pointed out that this was not the reason the agents were there.
Banks said Peltier heard the cries of the people and came to Pine Ridge to defend the people.
"There was a war that was going on."
Banks said the FBI was already killing members of the Black Panthers and Native people at the time. Banks said, "If they are going to shoot at us, we're going to shoot back."
Banks said the FBI went "judge shopping" when it was time for the trial of Leonard Peltier.
During the Reign of Terror, and in the years that led up to it, Banks said, "They tried to destroy our identity."
In conclusion, Banks pointed out that the land is sacred and the destruction of Mother Earth brings pain to Native people.
Dino Butler
During the Peltier Tribunal on Friday, Dino Butler said if Leonard Peltier had been been taken to trial with Butler and Bob Robideau, he would have been acquitted, just as Butler and Robideau were acquitted. Butler and Robideau were acquitted during the trial in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, based on self defense in the shoot out at the Jumping Bull camp.
During the Reign of Terror on Pine Ridge, the US armed the GOON Squad with weapons to target the American Indian Movement. (During the shoot out at the Jumping Bull camp, two FBI agents were killed and Joe Stuntz. Peltier is currently in prison in Florida.)
Butler testified earlier, on the first day of the Tribunal, about the Jumping Bull firefight.
The testimony today is the third day of the Leonard Peltier Tribunal on the Abuse of Indigenous Peoples Human Rights, in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on Oneida land, Oct. 2 -- 4, 2013.
Bill Means remembered those who were shot and killed during the struggle for justice of the American Indian Movement.
"Individuals were targeted, shot at close range."
"Through the years, this movement has cost the lives of men and women."
Yvonne Swan
Yvonne Swan, Colville, spoke on the rights of women and children, and justice for Leonard Peltier. Speaking of a historic case for the rights of women and children, Swan said that she was charged with murder and assault. The person was considered a child molester. "I never denied it. I explained it. I trusted in justice."
When the Jumping Bull incident took place: "My spirit told me: They shot first."
Sharing her background in Indigenous struggles, Swan said in the 1950s, her mother took her to fight termination. She described the struggles over mining issues and protecting Mother Earth. It was a struggle for life, justice and survival.
Swan said Peltier is her brother and friend. "He told me, 'Yvonne, I didn't shoot anyone.' and I believe him.'"
Swan questioned why the National Congress of American Indians has not done more to ensure the rights of Leonard Peltier and justice for Peltier.
Swan, reading a passage from the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples concerning the rights and protection for women and children, said "Leonard didn't write this, he lived this."
Swan read her statement into the record:
Mary Linda Pearson is an American Indian lawyer and has served as Judge Pro Tem for the Coeur d’Alene Tribal Court, Yakama Tribal Court, Grand Ronde Tribal Court, NICS and Spokane Tribal Court.Pearson’s unwavering opinion is that "Plenary power is fiction." She said, "It
was created by the Supreme Court so that Congress can do whatever it wanted regarding Indians." Sadly enough, "Some professors will teach plenary power because some of them don’t know any better. Only those who have been delving into it in the past few years know that it is non-existent." As for a remedy, she said, "Congress could easily say ‘Hey, we’ve been wrong all these years! It really isn’t in the Constitution and we do not have plenary power.’" Pearson also feels strongly that Congress and the President should apologize to Indian country and make restitution to restore Indian languages and provide unlimited or substantial increases in mental health and chemical dependency services. Admitting their mistakes would demonstrate character and bring the world closer together. To Indian populations, particularly the voters, Pearson said, "Political leaders must be influenced to affect a true government-to-government relationship between our nations rather than keeping with the existing hybrid relationship created by the Supreme Court and Chief Justice Marshall in 1831." Citing Cherokee Nation v. Georgia, she added with indignation, "Marshall is the one who called us ‘domestic dependent nations.’" Pearson urges politicians to "Remember U.S. history and the illegal and inhumane way in which Indian lands were taken and Indian lives were destroyed." They must take a better look at the actions of past presidents like George Washington, Andrew Jackson and Thomas Jefferson. Their racist minds demanded total cultural surrender from Indian people.
(end Swan statement)
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Dr. Michael Koch, regional coordinator the German LPDOC spoke Friday morning. He said there are thousands of people in Europe now following this Tribunal. Koch pointed out that they had their own Reign of Terror in Germany.
Koch said the people of Europe have never forgotten Peltier in prison.
Manny Pino, Acoma Pueblo in New Mexico is a longtime activist exposing Cold War uranium mining and the existing radioactive contamination on Acoma and Laguna Pueblos. Pino is a professor at Scottsdale Community College in Arizona.
Pino said the American Indian Movement has always been involved with protecting the Rights of Mother Earth. Recalling 1975, Pino said he was working with the National Youth Committee and organized a tour of the power plants in the Four Corners area for an AIM convention. At the same time, uranium companies were exploring southwest South Dakota for uranium mining.
The Jumping Bull shoot out became a growing priority for AIM. The Black Hills Alliance and Mount Taylor Alliance in the Southwest were formed.
Pino explained that sacred Mount Taylor is near the Jackpile Mine, which operated for 30 years, and became the largest open pit uranium mine in the world.
Pueblos joined in the opposition of the mine with others in New Mexico. "We called ourselves the CIA, Cowboy, Indians Alliance."
Pino pointed out that the Four Corners area was declared a "National Sacrifice Area." It was Treaty land. Today the Spokane River in the northwest is so contaminated that the people can not eat the salmon.
Pino pointed out that the Four Corners area was declared a "National Sacrifice Area." It was Treaty land. Today the Spokane River in the northwest is so contaminated that the people can not eat the salmon.
Pino showed a map revealing that uranium mining is concentrated on Indian lands in the west. He said he became active in this struggle because of his own family.
"My father, uncles, cousins, numerous relatives, worked in the mine from Acoma and Laguna Pueblos where I'm from."
"My father, uncles, cousins, numerous relatives, worked in the mine from Acoma and Laguna Pueblos where I'm from."
Many waterways, rivers, watersheds, of Indigenous Peoples utilized for drinking water are in this region where uranium mining has been concentrated. The result was the water has been contaminated and cancer began appearing in the Pueblos and elsewhere.
There are over 180 uranium mines in the Black Hills that have not been cleaned up. About 1,200 abandoned uranium mines on the Navajo Nation have not been cleaned up.
The Grants Mineral Belt in the area of Acoma and Laguna Pueblo in northwestern New Mexico is another area of contaminated uranium mining sites. Paguate, a village of 3,000 people in Acoma Pueblo, was heavily contaminated. Pueblo families were drying their food, drying their meat, as the dust of uranium blew over their food. They also grew their food on contaminated soil.
"They continued to graze their sheep and cattle." Analysis show radioactive contamination in the livestock, just as with the food.
Pino said the Rio Grande River is the lifeblood of New Mexico. It is the main drinking water source. However, the people of New Mexico are now drinking uranium contaminated water.
Further, he said there has been no successful reclamation of the Jackpile mine. The contamination continues and has been confirmed. Eight miles north of the Jackpile mine there is currently contamination. Pino said he has witnessed elk and deer drinking from the contaminated water. So, when Pueblos hunt elk and deer, and eat this, they too are contaminated.
Navajo uranium miners were mining without any protective clothing. The result is cancer clusters. Now the Pueblos and Navajos have some of the highest rates of cancer because of this Cold War uranium mining.
Further, Lakotas in Pine Ridge and Cheyenne River in South Dakota are suffering from high rates of cancer because of uranium mining and contamination.
Further, Lakotas in Pine Ridge and Cheyenne River in South Dakota are suffering from high rates of cancer because of uranium mining and contamination.
Navajos in the Four Corners area died in large numbers. It happened also on Spokane River, on Indian lands in South Dakota and areas of Canada. Native people died of cancer and respiratory diseases from the mining.
Navajos used radioactive rocks from uranium mining to construct their hogans. Further, the Church Rock Spill in New Mexico widely poisoned eastern Navajos.
"The majority of ore in the Southwest went to the US Department of Defense to make weapons of mass destruction," he said.
Pino said his people have been victims of the nuclear holocaust. "The workers brought the waste home on their clothing." Grassroots people were not educated as to the dangers.
Pino said he and other Pueblos are currently working with Owe Aku International and Defenders of the Black Hills, where uranium mining is currently threatening Lakotas in South Dakota. These are human rights violations that have been documented at the United Nations.
Pino said the Keystone Tarsands pipeline currently threatens Indian lands, which is again designed for export to other countries. Once again, Indian lands and Indian people are targeted for sacrifice.
"This is why Leonard Peltier is serving all this time in prison for, defending the rights of Mother Earth."
Thomas shared how Oglala Chief Fools Crow gathered the Lakota Chiefs to go to Washington, to tell them to "call off the dogs, call off the agents."
Thomas went, and took his tobacco with him.
They spoke in Washington on the Reign of Terror on Pine Ridge. In DC, they organized an effort and brought the chiefs back to meet with President Ford.
They impressed on President Ford the need to pull the agents back.
Thomas said the Reign of Terror on Pine Ridge was a "civil war perpetuated by their own government."
Attorney Bruce Ellison provided testimony by phone, strong testimony on how the US targeted the American Indian Movement and Leonard Peltier, primarily due to concern that AIM would interfere with mining and resource extraction.
Ellison is currently involved with testimony to oppose uranium mining in Lakota territory. In the 1970s, uranium mining was also the issue, as companies were targeting the Black Hills with uranium mining.Ellison made it clear that the Jumping Bull shoot out would have never happened if the US had responded to AIM's demand for Native American rights, including Treaty rights, with justice.
Instead, the US responded by surrounding Lakotas with paramilitary force. Peltier was targeted and evidence was created, manipulated and distorted by the US which resulted in Peltier's imprisonment.
Lenny Foster, Navajo, testified on the abuse of Native prisoner rights on Thursday. Dorothy Ninham testified on the atrocities endured by Peltier in prison.
On the first day of the Peltier Tribunal, Lakota survivors of the Pine Ridge Reign of Terror and Goon Squad testified. Dakota scholar Chris Mato Nunpa presented testimony on Dakota genocide.
For permission to repost content from this article, contact brendanorrell@gmail.com
For permission to repost content from this article, contact brendanorrell@gmail.com
MORE:
http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2013/10/peltier-tribunal-live-oct-2-4-2013.html
Day 2: Dorothy Ninham: Visits with Peltier in prison and Lenny Foster 'Peltier is our Nelson Mandela'
http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2013/10/live-day-2-peltier-tribunal-thursday.html
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Peltier website: Who Is Leonard Peltier
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