Indigenous Peoples and Human Rights

December 19, 2009

Earl Tulley: Notes from Copenhagen: 'We gave our best'

By Earl Tulley, Navajo from Blue Gap, Arizona

COPENHAGEN -- So how much is 100 billion dollars? Evo Morales stated if the USA wanted to “save humanity” not a portion of humanity (half of humanity). Hugo Chavez praised Morales for being re-elected recently and with 60 percent plus vote cast for the first indigenous leader. World leaders want more money from the US, the funds spent on the war were put in the sun light.
ALBA hosted an event with dancing and singing and speeches by Latin American leaders Cuba – Raul Castro sent a representative. The energy of Chavez' delivery is comparable to Obama. Hugo Chavez has a class act of his own with a thundering voice. People cheered and the big screen vibrated with all the energy at the ALBA event.
NGO’s noted their input is the foundation to future meetings, action at the local community level is important. Presentations at the KIMA Forum was not over-shadowed by the influx of world leaders gathered in Copenhagen -- world class presenters came in force and delivered. Next stop Mexico City. As for Friends of the Earth scheduled to present at main stage at the Bela Center, it was canceled due to their involvement in actions on the streets.
Throughout Copenhagen protesting carried into the night with Politi’s (police) facing off with warriors of street and environment, all people arrested have passports taken away. Am certain they will spend more time in Demark. As noted 2/3 of the 9,000 politi force have been on duty for the event and climate change has a whole new meaning for men detained.
As noted depending on which side of the street you are on, it is agreed Copenhagen did not produce an agreement riding on the wings of many prayers. Thus 100 billion could buy plenty of milk -- milk before meat Copenhagen is a start.
We tried and gave our 'bestes' with 'HOPENHAGEN
--Earl Tulley
Photos by Earl Tulley: ALBA Event Hugo Chavez at the mic with South American Leaders on the stage; Arctic Peoples gathering plenty of great Arctic food and speakers; the mail man in the snow; North and South America meet - making plans for Mexico City.

December 18, 2009

Crow Creek leader in Day 10 of protest

The Buffalo Post » Blog Archive » Crow Creek leader in Day 10 of protest on disputed land



Scroll down Censored News homepage for more news from Crow Creek:
http://www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com/

Interviews from Crow Creek

Article and Photo by NDN News

Chairman Brandon Sazue from Crow Creek & Mo Brings Plenty, Oglala Lakota will be on Native America Calling on Tuesday, December 23rd
Native America Calling Airs Live
Monday - Friday, 1-2pm Eastern
http://www.nativeamericacalling.com/
Listen to Tiokasin Ghosthorse’s First Voices Indigenous Radio show from yesterday morning (December 17th)
Crow Creek section of the interview can be heard at the last 18 minutes or so.
www.firstvoicesindigenousradio.org/program_archives.html
Will post more relevant info and another update regarding what steps they are taking later this evening.
For more info, visit our website at:
NDN News
http://www.ndnnews.com/
NDN News is a grassroots organization which acts as an information hub and resource for many issues in Indian Country. We are dedicated to providing information featuring headline stories, on-going issues, action alerts, and upcoming events.

Support from Alaska InterTribal Council:
On December 3, 2009 the Internal Revenue Service auctioned off 7100
acres located on Crow Creek Sioux Tribal land. The land is owned by
Crow Creek Tribal Farms, Inc. a Tribal corporation and distinct legal
entity from the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe. According to the recent motion
for temporary restraining order, filed by the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe,
the IRS seized and auctioned the land to recover $3,123,789.73 dollars
in unpaid employment taxes. The document states, Because of erroneous
tax advice received from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Crow Creek
Sioux Tribe became delinquent in the payment of employment taxes
collected by the IRS beginning in 2003. The BIA had informed the Tribe
that, because it was a federally recognized Tribe, it was not
necessary to pay federal employment taxes.

The Crow Creek Sioux Tribe is consistently documented as one of the
poorest Reservations in the Nation, with 78% of their members living
below the poverty line. This action by the IRS, could ultimately
eliminate 20% of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribes Reservation lands & could
ultimately set a precedence, allowing the continual land grab on
Tribal Lands.

PLEASE CONTACT THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS TO HELP BLOCK THE TRANSFER
OF TRIBAL LANDS FROM OUR SIOUX BROTHERS AND SISTERS. TELL THE SENATORS
TO TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT THE CROW CREEK SIOUX TRIBE. LEAVE A MESSAGE
ON EVERY NUMBER!
Senator Amy Klobachar*// Toll Free: 1-888-224-9043/ D.C. Phone: 202-224-3244 Minnesota Phone: 612-727-5220 D.C. Fax: 202-228-2186 Minnesota Fax: 612-727-5223
Senator Al Franken*/ D.C. Phone: 202 224-5641 Minnesota Phone: 651 221-1016
President Obama*/ White House Comment Line: 202-456-1111
Larry EchoHawk*/ U.S. Department of the Interior: 202-208-3100
David Zoss * /IRS Agent 651-726-7375/
Carie Recsh * /IRS P.R. Contact 651-312-7629/
Sign The Petition to support the Tribe @:*
http://www.petitiononline.com/CrowCrek/petition.html
*C**ash donations and supplies may be sent to:*
Crow Creek Sioux Tribe
Attn: Chairman Brandon Sazue
P.O. Box 50
Ft. Thompson, South Dakota 57339
Best Regards,
AI-TC Tribal Newsletter Team

Crow Creek Gains Support of Calif. Miwok

Crow Creek gains support of Calif. tribe
Miwoks face eviction from tribal land
Peter Harriman • pharrima@argusleader.com • December 18, 2009

Crow Creek Sioux Tribal Chairman Brandon Sazue has received lots of support from other tribes for his protest of the IRS auctioning off 7,100 acres of his tribe's land, including from a small tribe in California trying desperately to hold on to a tiny parcel of land that is its only real estate.
The California Valley Miwok Tribe sent a letter to Sazue voicing their support for him and his tribe as its leaders prepare to barricade themselves for the second time on the tribe's only real estate, one-and-a-half acres housing the tribal office in Stockton, Calif., that is in a bank foreclosure. Read article:
http://www.argusleader.com/article/20091218/NEWS/912180316/1003/BUSINESS