VIDEO: Tarmageddon: Canadian Native Leaders Oppose Tarsands

President Obama: Say No to Keystone XL Corruption

Evidence of a real corruption scandal is mounting at the State Department
By Tar Sands Action
http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/2133/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=5450

(Monday, Oct. 2, 2011) New emails released today by Friends of the Earth show that State Department employees offered personal favors to the lead lobbyist for Keystone XL while the pipeline was under review.
The emails reveal that senior staff at the US embassy in Ottawa actively acted as a cheerleader for the project, and that Paul Elliot, a leader on Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign turned oil lobbyist, used his connections to win favors and meetings with top officials overseeing review of the pipeline.The emails released today are a smoking gun that show how oil industry lobbying money has corrupted the State Department's review of Keystone XL. They simply cannot be trusted to defend America's national interest.
President Obama promised to clean up Washington and to end the tyranny of oil. He can keep both of those promises right now by rejecting the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline. The more people he hears from now, the harder it will be for him to abandon his campaign promises and approve the pipeline. Can you send a message to the President telling him that you expect him to stand up to big oil corruption and reject Keystone XL?
Use the tool below to send a message to the President:

Stop Big Oil Corruption, Reject Keystone XL
Go to form here:
http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/2133/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=5450

Dear President Obama-

I need you to you to stand up to big oil's corruption, and stop the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline.
Recently released emails show State Department employees have offered personal favors to Paul Elliot, the lead lobbyist for Keystone XL, while the pipeline was under review. One email shows them cheerleading him saying simply: "Go Paul!" The emails also show how Elliot, who worked on Secretary Clinton's Presidential campaign, uses his connections to get favors and meetings with officials in charge of reviewing of the pipeline.
The State Department was also caught using a TransCanada contractor to conduct its environmental review, and giving tips to the company on how to get the pipeline passed. There is a clear pattern of pro-pipeline bias at the State Department, and they simply cannot be trusted to defend America's true interests when it comes to Keystone XL.
You promised to clean up Washington and stop the corrupting flow of dirty money into government. You can keep that promise right now by rejecting the State Department's biased ruling on Keystone XL and declaring that the pipeline is not in the national interest.
Anything less would only show that dirty money still does buy power in Washington.

Occupy Wall Street Los Angeles and Wichita

Occupy Wichita, Kansas, Oct. 2, 2011

Occupy Wichita, Kansas, Oct. 2, 2011

In Wichita, Kansas today, protesters rallied outside the
Bank of America, in solidarity with Occupy Wall Street.

VIDEOS OCCUPY WICHITA
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheMicShots
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The 36th Annual American Indian Film Festival 2011

'On the Ice'

Media Inquiries:
Cindy Benitez
aifipublicrelations@gmail.com

The 36TH ANNUAL AMERICAN INDIAN FILM FESTIVAL®
CELEBRATING THE BEST OF INDEPENDENT NATIVE CINEMA

By American Indian Film Festival
Posted at Censored News
http://www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com

SAN FRANCISCO -- The American Indian Film Institute (AIFI), proudly announces the 36th annual American Indian Film Festival,November 4-12, 2011 in San Francisco. The American Indian Film Festival will premiere over 70 innovative feature films, shorts, public service, music videos and documentaries of USA American Indian and Canada First Nation communities. Founded in 1975, AIFF has established itself as the premiere Native film festival in North America. This year’s selection continues to celebrate the Festival’s tradition for excellence and diversity with powerful performances and new cinematic expression by cutting-edge media makers.

Public screenings and events will be held for nine days, from Nov. 4-9 at the Landmark Embarcadero Center Cinema, One Embarcadero Center, Promenade Level; and conclude Nov. 10-12 at the Palace of Fine Arts, 3301 Lyon St.@Bay Street.

“The film festival and awards show are the cornerstone of what we do — provide an opportunity and national venue for emerging and established filmmakers, entertainers and performing artists to convene, renew their artistic spirit and share their gifts." - Founder/ Director Michael Smith.

FILM FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS

Nov. 4
OPENING NIGHT
Every Emotion Costs -Darlene Naponse (Canada) U.S. Premiere
A dramatic feature that follows the reality of one woman’s journey of returning home to the reserve to face family, community, and the ceremony of death. Starring Michelle St. John, Tantoo Cardinal,Nathaniel Arcand,and Roseanne Supernault.

Nov. 5
The Thick Dark Fog – Randy Vasquez (U.S.) World Premiere
Documents the emotional journey of Walter Littlemoon, a 69 year-old Lakota man, who begins to heal himself, his community and his heritage after painful experiences at a Federal government boarding school.

Off the Rez - Jonathan Hock (U.S.)
A coming-of-age story that follows Shoni Schimmel, a Umatilla Indian, who is a rising basketball star that dreams of being the first from her tribe to get a college scholarship.

Nov. 6
Holy Man: The USA vs. Douglas White – Jennifer Jessum (U.S.)    San Francisco Premiere
The story of Douglas White, an 88 year-old Lakota Sioux medicine man from Pine Ridge Indian Reservation who spent 17 years in federal prison for a crime he did not commit. New evidence is uncovered and his case is brought back to Federal Court.

Nov. 7
Wild Horses & Renegades – James Anaquad-Kleinert (U.S.)
Examines the politics behind the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) controversial policies on public lands and questions the fate of America's wild horses and burros, whose very existence is in jeopardy.

Nov. 8
White Indians Walking– Andrew Genaille (Canada) U.S. Premiere
After twenty years, a mother returns home with her daughter after being ejected from her reserve, to find out why.  This starts a day of remembering the past, discussion of the present and hope for the future as they delve into family, politics and traditional food.

Nov. 9
Yellow Rock – Nick Vallelonga (U.S.) San Francisco Premiere
A gritty full-length Western that embarks on a group of six cowboys who must fight the elements, their greed, and uncover the truth behind their “Search and Rescue” mission. Starring Michael Spears, Eddie Spears, Zahn McClarnon, Michael Biehn, James Russo and Lenore Andriel.

Nov. 10
Shouting Secrets – Korinna Sehringer (U.S.) World Premiere
The universal story about an All-American family coming back together under the chaotic event of a parent's sudden illness. Starring  Chaske Spencer, Tyler Christopher, Tonantzin Carmelo Tantoo Cardinal, Gil Birmingham, and Rodney A. Grant.

Nov.11
On the Ice – Andrew Okpeaha MacLean (U.S.) San Francisco Premiere
A suspenseful feature-length drama that follows two teenage boys on the snow-covered Arctic tundra, who are trapped by a dark and tragic secret. Starring Josiah Patkotak and Frank Qutuq Irelan.  Best First Feature Award from the 2011 Berlin International Film Festival.

AIFI TRIBAL TOURING PROGRAM – Indian Youth screenings from Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, CA; Nisqually Indian Tribe, WA; Puyallup Tribe of Indians, WA; and Lummi Nation, WA.

Nov. 12
AMERICAN INDIAN MOTION PICTURE AWARDS (AIMPA)
Honors filmmakers, actors and showcases contemporary Native American talent. The performance line-up includes: Blues singer/songwriter Derek Miller, Punk/Indie band Miracle Dolls, and violinist Swil Kanim.

For more information visit our website www.aifisf.com. All programs are open to the general public and will require tickets for admission.Advance Tickets available thru AIFI: 415-554-0525 Visa & Mastercard. On-site tickets available at the following theater venues (on day of show.)

Mike Bruised Head: Another Dark Day in the History of the Blood Reserve

Another Dark Day in the History of the Blood Reserve

by Mike Bruised Head
( Ninna Piiksii Chief Bird)

St Paul's School/Blood Reserve

This morning which is Sunday October 2, 2011, I woke up with the same sad feeling I had yesterday when a relative of mine was instructed by his boss for us to take our rented tent down and for all of us to clear out or he would call the police on me and all of the other  people. Saturday was set-aside for a prayer day and drumming for the safety of all human beings in southern Alberta and in Alberta. The name for the day that the planning group came up with was ”Drumming for the Earth Gathering”. People from the Blood Reserve who were coming out were elders from all the different districts and communities on the Blood Reserve. There were going to be people from all of the different sacred societies coming out to pray. Also, coming out were drum groups to perform during the day and to all go home peacefully by 4 pm. People who have been having bad dreams since the fall of 2010 were also going to come out and tell their story and offer tobacco the earth.

What was most disappointing is that I received in good faith from the Blood Tribe Chief his approval and to honor his request for the elders to pray for the people of the Blood Reserve. It was also most disturbing when we were told to leave at approximately a little after nine am when the messenger informed us that his boss and committee had given him instructions and that the Manager of the Potato Farm was also going to come out to make sure were left. The manager of the potato farm is a non-native permitted to farm on the reserve. We questioned, if the Chief had been over ruled by some members of council or the administrative department who over sees the ranch and farm economic development operations of the reserve. I thought who is running this reserve, there seems to be so much fragmentation in the whole Blood Reserve-governing system?

The elders and people already in attendance could not comprehend that the Blood Tribe Ranch Lands were and have always been considered Tribal Lands where people have always hunted, fished and traveled about. I felt as if I was a foreigner on my own lands and that I could not pray and put tobacco on the ground without being charged. This I will never forget. We were all somewhat shocked  at the turn of events. The messenger waited on us until we left . I made the decision to just leave because I did not want the elderly and the very young children traumatized or injured should the police be called to start handcuffing people. I went to prayer site with the most peaceful mind that I could carry in my being. There were never any intentions of confronting the drilling site, to shout at anybody or to go against the law.

Many more people arrived at the prayer site after the initial group had left. I received so many calls last evening from people upset that a few people can shut down a prayer gathering. They questioned the integrity of those responsible.

Going back to the early morning on Saturday,  My mind went back to the days of the Indian Agent, the Residential School period and Dictatorship happening in other parts of the world and yet I was standing on the grasslands of the Blood Indian Reserve. I asked my self “how can a few people totally disrespect elders, women, children, and sacred society people who only wanted to pray and come to a peaceful resolve in this whole drilling matter”. All the people wanted to do was to pray that no one gets sick from the out come of drillings. They only wanted to pray that the Blood Reserve lands don’t sink in and gases not to evaporated into the air and last but not least that all the communities will have safe drinking water for centuries to come. That was all, there was never any negative thoughts to anyone. It would have been the most peaceful day since the announcement of the oil and gas agreements.

Unfortunately, all has been lost because of the threats to call the police by the messenger. I will continue to pray at home and ask the elder spirits who came to me one night during the summer to get the people together. I honestly with a peaceful heart attempted to just to that. I will continue to pray to the old people who have gone before us to forgive me and to protect me. I will never forget Saturday October 1, 2011, it was a very sad day.
Also see: Traditional Drumming Gathering Halted
http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2011/10/blood-traditional-drummers-gathering.html