Tohono O'odham Women on the Border

By Brenda Norrell

SAN MIGUEL, Arizona -- Tohono O'odham women describe the militarization of the US/Mexico border on Censored Blog Radio today. The US/Mexico border wall is now a barrier on the annual O'odham ceremonial route. The contractor Boeing has dug up the graves of O'odham ancestors on Tohono O'odham Nation land. US Border Patrol agents harass and threaten O'odham, holding O'odham women and elderly at gunpoint on a regular basis and routinely searching O'odham without cause.

Ofelia Rivas, founder of the O'odham Voice Against the Wall, and Angie Ramon, whose 18-year-old son Bennett Patricio, Jr., was run over and killed by the US Border Patrol, describe the sorrow caused by this US military invasion of O'odham land.
Angie Ramon and her family members believe that Bennett walked upon an illegal drug transfer between US Border Patrol agents and was intentionally killed as he walked home in the desert in the predawn hours. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals did not rule in the family's favor. The family continues to seek justice for the death of Bennett, now seeking an attorney to file murder charges against the Border Patrol agent.
The US militarization and border wall, with out of control border agents, result in death and intrusion for O'odham, who have lived in this region where the desert meets the sea since time immemorial.
"I don't know how to live my life without visiting my family members," said Ofelia Rivas, of her family members in Mexico. "I'm going to be stuck in the United States now since I don't have a passport."
Rivas said the border wall is a barrier on the annual O'odham ceremonial route. Without the ceremonies, there will be catastrophes in the universe.
"Our ceremonies, our Him'dag, it is our way of life."
"We have not migrated anywhere," Rivas said, adding that O'odham Creation stories tell how the O'odham were created here and have not migrated.
In May of 2007 the border wall contractor Boeing dug up the O'odham ancestors, who were later reburied.
During the interview, as the border wall is being constructed, Rivas says, "It is our Mother Earth and they are raping her and they are sticking these metal objects into her. It really impacts our spiritual being as O'odham people.
"Our tribal government doesn't seem to understand that this is impacting our people.
"Who is going to stand up against this government to take this wall down? This is our land, our O'odham land.

Listen at Blog Radio. Original interview recorded by Amanda Shauger, with Brenda Norrell:
http://www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com/

Roberto Rodriguez: Why Bush Will Walk

AMERICAN EXCEPTIONALISM: JUSTICE WE CAN BELIEVE IN OR WHY BUSH WILL WALK

BY ROBERTO DR CINTLI RODRIGUEZ
Column of the Americas, Dec. 16, 2008

The President ducked two shoes in Iraq recently, just as he will inexplicably also be able to walk away from his office, without the worry of ever having to duck Nancy Pelosi's heels -- without ever having to face impeachment by a complicit Congress. Read column:
http://censored-news.blogspot.com/2008/12/roberto-rodriguez-why-bush-will-walk.html

Shellmound Walkers Honor Ohlone Ancestors

Shellmound Walk by those that respect the Ohlone ancestors and honor Sacred Burial Grounds

by Francisco Da Costa
Every year the Shellmound Walkers visit the various Shellmounds, Sacred Burial Grounds in the Bay Area and pay their respects to the Ohlone ancestors. The First People of San Francisco and the Bay Area. We have many Shellmounds, the San Bruno Mountains, the Bayview Hill, the two hills that were but demolished by the U.S. Navy at Hunters Point. Other Shellmounds that one can read about, if they go to any decent Library.
Shellmounds are Sacred Burial Grounds and the First People have Patrimonial Jurisdiction over these Sacred Sites.
Of course in San Francisco, the Bay Area, the various Cities and Counties do not respect the Ohlone, because they are NOT on the Federal Register. Imagine being treated as second class citizens in America, the home of the First People, the Native American.
The Ohlone were here for over 10,000 years all carbon dated and documented.
The United States Government signed treaties -- eighteen to be precise -- and never, ever ratified them. Some tribes were on the Federal Register, but the Bureau of Indian Affairs chose to remove some Tribes without justification from the Federal Register.
Case in point the Muwekma Ohlone. The Muwekma Ohlone were on the Federal Register until 1927 and then illegaly removed by one L.A. Dorrington, a Bureau of Indian Affairs agent.
The Shellmounds are healing points that I believe are important. But, to see them as healing points, one must be educated on issues. Of course be sensitive to the Native American.
Until 1924 it was legal to kill any Native American -- no questions asked -- think about that for a second. The land was stolen: Native American women raped and killed and with them innocent children. Such atrocities cry to heaven for restitution and of course there is Karma.
Those that practice “Greed” destroy what is good by polluting, desecrating the graves, and do injustice to all that should be respected. They foul the air and bring disgrace on the human race.
We have atrocities committed in the Bay Area and we witness it mostly with the remains linked to the Ohlone, when found are not treated with respect.
The Shellmound Walkers walk miles and bring honor and respect to the millions they represent every year. It is always a pleasure to see the Shellmound Walkers, in action and witness their acts of kindness.
This year the Shellmound Walk started on November 14 and end November 28, 2008.
Enjoy the photographs:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/franciscodacosta/sets/72157610035672130/show/
Francisco Da Costa, Director
Environmental Justice Advocacy
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2008/11/24/18552775.php

Blackfire and Indigenous Rights in California

Blackfire and Indigenous Rights in California
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Brenda-Norrell

By Brenda Norrell

http://www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com/

LOS ANGELES -- On Censored Blog Radio, Clayson Benally of Blackfire, the Navajo family band that captured the Native American Music Award Record of the Year and Native Heart Award for "Silence is a Weapon," speaks to Native American youths about remaining true to themselves. While holding his 10-month-old daughter in downtown Los Angeles, Benally also shares the joy of being a new parent.

Benally reflects on racism and colonialism in the US and describes Blackfire's travels around the world. Blackfire is comprised of Clayson, his sister Jeneda and brother Klee. With both traditional and rock sounds, the award winning Blackfire band inspires Native Americans to resist oppression and injustice and protect sacred places, including San Francisco Peaks. Blackfire has become a symbol of hope for Indigenous Peoples around the world resisting tyranny.

Next, Censored Blog Radio focuses on Indigenous rights in California, from sacred places to southern California racism. On American Indian Airways, Dr. Michelle Rehaja, Seneca professor, describes racism and colonialism at her child's school during Thanksgiving, fueled by rightwing radio. The situation was so serious that police patrols had to be increased in her neighborhood.

Then, on Alcatraz at sunrise, California Natives Joey Silva and Mark LeBeau speak about Pitt River and Medicine Lake. Quanah Parker, whose father Lehman Brightman founded United Native Americans in the 60s, and Charlie Hill speak on human rights. Mohawk Mark Maracle speaks on prisons and reservations, recorded by Alcatraz Free Radio.

Keith Secola at the AIM West 40-Year Reunion sings Fry Bread and NDN Cars. Yankton Dakota protesting the hog farm in South Dakota offer a song, recorded by Earthcycles. The final sound is Blackfire's "Silence is a Weapon."

Listen to Censored Blog Radio:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Brenda-Norrell

Photo: Clayson Benally with his daughter in Los Angeles. Alcatraz Sunrise Gathering, November 2008. Photos Brenda Norrell