CONFUSION BETWEEN KAIANEREH’KO:WA & HANDSOME LAKE CODE
Mohawk Nation News
http://www.mohawknationnews.com
MNN. Oct. 16, 2009. PART I. Kaianereh’ko:wa, our way, is meant to help us regulate our lives and resolve issues peacefully to everybody’s benefit. It isn’t a law. There are no police, jails or judges. It’s not a religion. Everything is scientific and based on natural law, which is provable. Handsome Lake followers are lead to believe they are traditional. They are unaware their ideas come from a foreign ideology on how a people behave that is not based on natural but on the unproveable supernatural.
The Kaianereh’ko:wa provides that everyone is equal and has a voice. The opening thanksgiving outlines the relations between all elements of the natural world. People are the power base. Issues are resolved through a complex system of consensual decision making.
The longhouse is a symbol of the Kaianereh’ko:wa and the world around us, which covers all of Great Turtle Island. The Rotinoshonni’on:we are the people who make the longhouse. The ceiling is the sky, the four directions are our walls and our mother the earth is our floor. The people are sacred. Literally longhouses are shelters to live in, places to meet or where we put away our stuff. It is not a place to worship a god up in heaven that has created us!
We have stories about our creation to connect us to the natural world. We will not know the face or place that the power of creation dwells, only the evidence of that power which we acknowledge. Everything was based on what we could see and observe, not blind faith and control of information by a few.
Has anybody listened closely to the thanksgiving rituals being done? Predominance is given to one creator, a god, who made us, before thanking the rest of creation. Has anybody noticed some of our speakers now talk about going to heaven instead of returning to our mother the earth?
Our people have a lot of mental and physical energy. We don’t want to fight because we care about each other. Our energies are being redirected against each other instead of strengthening our family ties.
What happened to the excitement of a few years ago when the longhouses were full of people, activities, socials and fun. Why aren’t people attending?
Is there a disagreement between those who stick to the Kaianereh’ko:wa and those who follow or are influenced by the Handsome Lake Code? Does anybody wonder why young people aren’t going to the longhouse for answers to political, social or economic questions? They go there to have their babies named.
What is stopping us from standing up for our true way? Young and old need the Kaianereh’ko:wa to keep us on the right path. Handsome Lake Code seems like the easy way out through pacification and avoidance. When the Kaianereh’ko:wa is defended, questioners are called trouble makers by self-appointed leaders.
In the early 1800s Skaniatario, or the Handsome Lake Code, was created using native culture combined with Christian undertones. Skaniatario is a Seneca family title in the Confederacy. He was an alcoholic and committed wrongs against his people. He used witch hunts and other superstitions to scare the people. He forfeited and alienated himself and was banished. When he left he had no name, no clan and no birthright.
The Handsome Lake Code is a hierarchical order of spirits. They even arrange nature according to some idea of power reflecting the colonial system where a few are on top while the rest are left in the dark.
The conflict is between the inner directed people who are guided by the Kaianereh’ko:wa and the knowledge we have to figure things out. The Handsome Lake followers base their decisions on faith and prayers like a religion. The beauty of listening to a speaker is to hear their words coming from their mind, not just to hear a recital. Discussions are avoided about the violations of the Kaianereh’ko:wa.
Religion weakens, confuses and controls people. After every so-called native resistance the colonists push religion to pacify us. After the War of 1812 it was the Handsome Lake Code. After the American Revolution it was the Quakers. At Lakota it was the medicine power of Wovoka and the Ghost Dance. White people became afraid and murdered the people during the ceremonies. Since the 1990s the religion has been the healing circles.
The Kaianereh’ko:wa advocates co-existence as a separate nation. The Handsome Lake Code advocates integration and compromise.
The main issues are always sovereignty, respect for our nation, land claims and Indigenous jurisdiction. US and Canada know that any legitimate agreement has to be made with us. The colonial band and tribal councils are working with longhouses that will validate the band council’s authority.
Elder Karonhiaktajeh always said that we’re always trying to stop them from putting a steeple on our longhouse, which, he said, makes it comfortable for Christians to come in and take it over.
Maybe we should all refresh our memory of the Kaianereh’ko:wa. Weren’t we taught to question everything and ask for proof? Remember that the Handsome Lake Code is highly influenced by foreign dogmas. The Two Row Wampum is very clear that we can’t have one foot in the canoe and one in the ship.
Kahentinetha MNN Mohawk Nation News, http://www.mohawknationnews.com/ kahentinetha2@yahoo.com Note: Your financial help is needed and appreciated. Please send your donations by check or money order to “MNN Mohawk Nation News”, Box 991, Kahnawake [Quebec, Canada] J0L 1B0. Or go to PayPal on MNN website. Nia:wen thank you very much. Go to MNN AKWESASNE category for more stories; New MNN Books Available now!
Indigenous Peoples and Human Rights
October 19, 2009
October 18, 2009
Latin leaders in US demand CNN drop Lou Dobbs
October 16, 2009
Tucson Contact: Derechos Humanos: 520.770.1373 520.770.1373
National Media Contact (English): Brandon Hatler: DobbsMustGo@gmail.com
National Media Contact (Spanish): Natali Fani: 301.442.8459 301.442.8459 / natali@mateagroup.com
Press Conference
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
11:00am
El Tiradito Shrine
356 South Main Avenue, Tucson, Arizona
Latino Leaders Across U.S. Demand CNN Drop Controversial Host Lou Dobbs for Extremist Ties
Dobbs' participation in event organized by hate group FAIR sparks Latinos nationally to launch unprecedented bilingual campaign using email and text messaging
TUCSON -- Coalición de Derechos Humans and other Tucson allies have joined with organizations from 25 U.S. cities with the largest Latino populations today to mount a national technology-driven campaign to demand that CNN drop Lou Dobbs from its program offering. Citing his links to extremist groups and his ongoing promotion of dangerous anti-Latino and anti-immigrant rhetoric, Tucson groups will join the call for CNN to drop Dobbs.
The campaign launches as Dobbs broadcasts his radio show this week from a national lobbying conference sponsored by the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), which was founded by white nationalist John Tanton and is designated as a "hate group" by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Earlier this year, FAIR was linked to Shawna Forde, head of the Arizona-based Minutemen American Defense, who is charged with killing 9-year-old Brisenia Flores and her father. Recent studies have tied anti-immigrant hate speech to increased violence against Latinos in America.
"Enough is enough. CNN has allowed Dobbs to spout hate on its network for too long, and his alignment with a hate group like FAIR should be the last straw," said Roberto Lovato of Presente.org, the national online group that is organizing the effort. "We are calling on CNN President Jon Klein to drop Dobbs if he and his network are to maintain any semblance of credibility in the fast-growing Latino media market."
The appearance at this year's FAIR event is the latest in Dobbs' long career of aligning with white supremacist groups and using his platform on CNN to spread lies and conspiracy theories about Latinos and immigrants.
"We see the effects that Dobbs and other hate radio jocks have on our communities on a daily basis," says Kat Rodriguez of Derechos Humanos. "Hate speech should never be tolerated, especially from a news personality associated with a supposedly unbiased network like CNN."
Presente.org and its partners are using a combination of traditional and new media in English and Spanish to educate Latinos across America about Dobbs' anti-Latino history. Efforts will include Spanish-language radio PSAs that connect to a text-message campaign, email petitions and a bilingual website hub.
The campaign includes local partner organizations in the 25 U.S. cities with the largest Latino populations, listed below. These same cities account for more than 75 percent of the Hispanic television audience in the country. Latinos are the fastest-growing demographic group in the nation at 44 million, representing about 15 percent of the total U.S. population.
http://www.bastadobbs.com/
Text Message: BASTA or ENOUGH to 3-0-6-4-4
List of Groups & Cities
Accion America (Dallas, TX)
Alma de Mujer Center for Social Change (Austin, TX)
American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) (San Diego, CA)
CARECEN (San Francisco, CA)
Center for Media Justice (Oakland, CA)
Centro Presente (Boston, MA)
Chicano Consortium (Sacramento, CA)
Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA)(Los Angeles, CA)
Coalicion de Derechos Humanos (Tucson, AZ)
Colorado Latino Forum (Denver, CO)
CRECEN (Houston, TX)
Desis Rising Up & Moving (DRUM), (New York City, NY)
Dolores Street Community Services (San Francisco, CA)
Esperanza Peace & Justice Center (San Antonio, TX)
Families for Freedom (New York, NY)
Florida Immigrant Coalition (Miami,FL & Tampa, FL)
Georgia Latino Alliance for Human Rights (Atlanta, GA)
Hermandad Mexicana (Las Vegas, NV)
La Comunidad, Inc. (Everett, MA)
La Pena (Austin, TX)
Latino Leadership, Inc. (Orlando, FL)
Main Street Project (Minneapolis, MN)
Massachusetts Jobs with Justice (Boston, MA)
Mexicanos Sin Fronteras (Washington, DC)
National Alliance of Latin American and Caribbean Communities (Chicago, IL & Nationwide)
National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (Oakland, CA)
New Mexico Media Literacy Project (Albuquerque, NM)
No Border Wall (Brownsville, TX)
Project Voice New England/American Friends Service Committee of New England (Boston, MA)
Somos un Pueblo (Chicago, IL); The Chelsea Collaborative (Boston, MA)
The New Santuary Coalition of New York City (New York, NY)
Tonatierra Community Development Institute (Phoenix, AZ)
William C. Velasquez Institute, San Antonio, TX & Nationwide
Blog Endorsers
CitizenOrange.com
VivirLatino.com
CultureKitchen.com
LatinaLista.com
TheUnapologeticMexican.org
XicanoPwr.com
LatinoPoliticsBlog.com
DosCentavos.net
Coalición de Derechos Humanos
P.O. Box 1286 Tucson, AZ 85702
Tel: 520.770.1373 520.770.1373
Fax: 520.770.7455
www.derechoshumanosaz.net
Tucson Contact: Derechos Humanos: 520.770.1373 520.770.1373
National Media Contact (English): Brandon Hatler: DobbsMustGo@gmail.com
National Media Contact (Spanish): Natali Fani: 301.442.8459 301.442.8459 / natali@mateagroup.com
Press Conference
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
11:00am
El Tiradito Shrine
356 South Main Avenue, Tucson, Arizona
Latino Leaders Across U.S. Demand CNN Drop Controversial Host Lou Dobbs for Extremist Ties
Dobbs' participation in event organized by hate group FAIR sparks Latinos nationally to launch unprecedented bilingual campaign using email and text messaging
TUCSON -- Coalición de Derechos Humans and other Tucson allies have joined with organizations from 25 U.S. cities with the largest Latino populations today to mount a national technology-driven campaign to demand that CNN drop Lou Dobbs from its program offering. Citing his links to extremist groups and his ongoing promotion of dangerous anti-Latino and anti-immigrant rhetoric, Tucson groups will join the call for CNN to drop Dobbs.
The campaign launches as Dobbs broadcasts his radio show this week from a national lobbying conference sponsored by the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), which was founded by white nationalist John Tanton and is designated as a "hate group" by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Earlier this year, FAIR was linked to Shawna Forde, head of the Arizona-based Minutemen American Defense, who is charged with killing 9-year-old Brisenia Flores and her father. Recent studies have tied anti-immigrant hate speech to increased violence against Latinos in America.
"Enough is enough. CNN has allowed Dobbs to spout hate on its network for too long, and his alignment with a hate group like FAIR should be the last straw," said Roberto Lovato of Presente.org, the national online group that is organizing the effort. "We are calling on CNN President Jon Klein to drop Dobbs if he and his network are to maintain any semblance of credibility in the fast-growing Latino media market."
The appearance at this year's FAIR event is the latest in Dobbs' long career of aligning with white supremacist groups and using his platform on CNN to spread lies and conspiracy theories about Latinos and immigrants.
"We see the effects that Dobbs and other hate radio jocks have on our communities on a daily basis," says Kat Rodriguez of Derechos Humanos. "Hate speech should never be tolerated, especially from a news personality associated with a supposedly unbiased network like CNN."
Presente.org and its partners are using a combination of traditional and new media in English and Spanish to educate Latinos across America about Dobbs' anti-Latino history. Efforts will include Spanish-language radio PSAs that connect to a text-message campaign, email petitions and a bilingual website hub.
The campaign includes local partner organizations in the 25 U.S. cities with the largest Latino populations, listed below. These same cities account for more than 75 percent of the Hispanic television audience in the country. Latinos are the fastest-growing demographic group in the nation at 44 million, representing about 15 percent of the total U.S. population.
http://www.bastadobbs.com/
Text Message: BASTA or ENOUGH to 3-0-6-4-4
List of Groups & Cities
Accion America (Dallas, TX)
Alma de Mujer Center for Social Change (Austin, TX)
American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) (San Diego, CA)
CARECEN (San Francisco, CA)
Center for Media Justice (Oakland, CA)
Centro Presente (Boston, MA)
Chicano Consortium (Sacramento, CA)
Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA)(Los Angeles, CA)
Coalicion de Derechos Humanos (Tucson, AZ)
Colorado Latino Forum (Denver, CO)
CRECEN (Houston, TX)
Desis Rising Up & Moving (DRUM), (New York City, NY)
Dolores Street Community Services (San Francisco, CA)
Esperanza Peace & Justice Center (San Antonio, TX)
Families for Freedom (New York, NY)
Florida Immigrant Coalition (Miami,FL & Tampa, FL)
Georgia Latino Alliance for Human Rights (Atlanta, GA)
Hermandad Mexicana (Las Vegas, NV)
La Comunidad, Inc. (Everett, MA)
La Pena (Austin, TX)
Latino Leadership, Inc. (Orlando, FL)
Main Street Project (Minneapolis, MN)
Massachusetts Jobs with Justice (Boston, MA)
Mexicanos Sin Fronteras (Washington, DC)
National Alliance of Latin American and Caribbean Communities (Chicago, IL & Nationwide)
National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (Oakland, CA)
New Mexico Media Literacy Project (Albuquerque, NM)
No Border Wall (Brownsville, TX)
Project Voice New England/American Friends Service Committee of New England (Boston, MA)
Somos un Pueblo (Chicago, IL); The Chelsea Collaborative (Boston, MA)
The New Santuary Coalition of New York City (New York, NY)
Tonatierra Community Development Institute (Phoenix, AZ)
William C. Velasquez Institute, San Antonio, TX & Nationwide
Blog Endorsers
CitizenOrange.com
VivirLatino.com
CultureKitchen.com
LatinaLista.com
TheUnapologeticMexican.org
XicanoPwr.com
LatinoPoliticsBlog.com
DosCentavos.net
Coalición de Derechos Humanos
P.O. Box 1286 Tucson, AZ 85702
Tel: 520.770.1373 520.770.1373
Fax: 520.770.7455
www.derechoshumanosaz.net
October 17, 2009
Tohe & Skrelunas: Look beyond coal energy
Tribes should look beyond coal energy
by Robert Tohe and Tony Skrelunas
Oct. 17, 2009 12:00 AM
My Turn
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/articles/2009/10/16/20091016tohe17.html
We agree with Hopi and Navajo concerns over economic development and job creation and their right to speak out. We also stand united in encouraging tribal leaders to embrace prosperity and health in the 21st century with clean, renewable energy. Considering that our fossil-fuel-based economy will eventually disappear, we believe it is time to look ahead.
For too many years, Southwestern tribes have borne the loss of groundwater and the health impacts and destruction of our homelands from coal, while outside interests profited greatly. At the invitation of tribal communities, conservation groups have joined to help create a better path.
Burning coal is a key contributor to climate change, but it also generates many other toxins. The Mohave Generating Station was in violation of federal clean-air standards, thereby impacting our health and the entire Southwest. Although they had reached an agreement on pollution controls, the owners chose to close the plant in 2005 because of a failure to reach an agreement with Navajo and Hopi governments on coal royalties and the protection of tribal water supplies.
Two other coal plants built long ago on Navajo land are also in violation. Their toxins drift beyond reservation and state borders. Owners of these plants, who do not include tribes, need to reduce their pollution or, better yet, invest in local clean, renewable-energy projects to start transitioning to a more sustainable and healthy economy.
Meanwhile, most coal plants proposed across the country are becoming too risky and costly to build. The planned Desert Rock plant on Navajo land still has no customers, and the permit has been sent back for more environmental review at the request of the Environmental Protection Agency, tribal members and nearby residents.
When Hopi and Navajo people were forced to leave Black Mesa by mining interests, so went their "prosperity." While the mesa's coal provides cheap electricity for Western states, 40 years later, thousands of tribal homes near the mines, power plants and transmission lines are still without electricity and running water. Unemployment chronically hovers above 40 percent. This exploitation by outside interests has done little to alleviate chronic poverty.
But there is hope for the future.
Partnering with the Grand Canyon Trust, the Navajo community of Shonto, located near Black Mesa, is developing solar energy to supply the area with jobs and affordable electricity. They seek to end their coal dependence while carving their own future through community-based programs.
A report soon to be released by Natural Capitalism Solutions shows how renewable-energy development deployed with aggressive energy-efficiency measures provides far more sustainable jobs, along with overall economic benefits, than traditional sources such as coal.
"We were quite amazed," said report author Paul Sheldon, a senior economist of NCS. "In some cases, the models show 10 times the number of jobs created from certain solar technologies versus coal-based generation."
In addition, the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project estimates that every $1 million spent on energy efficiency in Colorado provides a net gain of 17 jobs and $670,000 in wages and compensation.
Before the Mohave plant closed, our groups began supporting Hopi and Navajo leaders in campaigning for a clean-energy future. That story will be told next month in the PBS documentary "Power Paths": http:// powerpaths.semkhor .com
In the film, supporter Winona LaDuke says: "We need to create a way of life where a community is not forced to cannibalize their mother in order to live. . . . We have no absence of resources or technology to do the right thing. What we have is the absence of political will."
Former Hopi Chairman Vernon Masayesva says, "We have the technology, the sun, the land and the power corridor. It should be a piece of cake."
We agree. Together, we can reduce greenhouse gases, toxic pollution and stop the exploitation of the tribes while we rekindle our economy and create more jobs. This is our pledge for a more sustainable future for all.
Robert Tohe is environmental-justice organizer for the Sierra Club Flagstaff. Tony Skrelunas is Native American program director for the Grand Canyon Trust. Both are Navajos.
by Robert Tohe and Tony Skrelunas
Oct. 17, 2009 12:00 AM
My Turn
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/articles/2009/10/16/20091016tohe17.html
We agree with Hopi and Navajo concerns over economic development and job creation and their right to speak out. We also stand united in encouraging tribal leaders to embrace prosperity and health in the 21st century with clean, renewable energy. Considering that our fossil-fuel-based economy will eventually disappear, we believe it is time to look ahead.
For too many years, Southwestern tribes have borne the loss of groundwater and the health impacts and destruction of our homelands from coal, while outside interests profited greatly. At the invitation of tribal communities, conservation groups have joined to help create a better path.
Burning coal is a key contributor to climate change, but it also generates many other toxins. The Mohave Generating Station was in violation of federal clean-air standards, thereby impacting our health and the entire Southwest. Although they had reached an agreement on pollution controls, the owners chose to close the plant in 2005 because of a failure to reach an agreement with Navajo and Hopi governments on coal royalties and the protection of tribal water supplies.
Two other coal plants built long ago on Navajo land are also in violation. Their toxins drift beyond reservation and state borders. Owners of these plants, who do not include tribes, need to reduce their pollution or, better yet, invest in local clean, renewable-energy projects to start transitioning to a more sustainable and healthy economy.
Meanwhile, most coal plants proposed across the country are becoming too risky and costly to build. The planned Desert Rock plant on Navajo land still has no customers, and the permit has been sent back for more environmental review at the request of the Environmental Protection Agency, tribal members and nearby residents.
When Hopi and Navajo people were forced to leave Black Mesa by mining interests, so went their "prosperity." While the mesa's coal provides cheap electricity for Western states, 40 years later, thousands of tribal homes near the mines, power plants and transmission lines are still without electricity and running water. Unemployment chronically hovers above 40 percent. This exploitation by outside interests has done little to alleviate chronic poverty.
But there is hope for the future.
Partnering with the Grand Canyon Trust, the Navajo community of Shonto, located near Black Mesa, is developing solar energy to supply the area with jobs and affordable electricity. They seek to end their coal dependence while carving their own future through community-based programs.
A report soon to be released by Natural Capitalism Solutions shows how renewable-energy development deployed with aggressive energy-efficiency measures provides far more sustainable jobs, along with overall economic benefits, than traditional sources such as coal.
"We were quite amazed," said report author Paul Sheldon, a senior economist of NCS. "In some cases, the models show 10 times the number of jobs created from certain solar technologies versus coal-based generation."
In addition, the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project estimates that every $1 million spent on energy efficiency in Colorado provides a net gain of 17 jobs and $670,000 in wages and compensation.
Before the Mohave plant closed, our groups began supporting Hopi and Navajo leaders in campaigning for a clean-energy future. That story will be told next month in the PBS documentary "Power Paths": http:// powerpaths.semkhor .com
In the film, supporter Winona LaDuke says: "We need to create a way of life where a community is not forced to cannibalize their mother in order to live. . . . We have no absence of resources or technology to do the right thing. What we have is the absence of political will."
Former Hopi Chairman Vernon Masayesva says, "We have the technology, the sun, the land and the power corridor. It should be a piece of cake."
We agree. Together, we can reduce greenhouse gases, toxic pollution and stop the exploitation of the tribes while we rekindle our economy and create more jobs. This is our pledge for a more sustainable future for all.
Robert Tohe is environmental-justice organizer for the Sierra Club Flagstaff. Tony Skrelunas is Native American program director for the Grand Canyon Trust. Both are Navajos.
Native Americans honored in San Francisco
November 2009 KQED Presents American Indian Hertiage Month
KQED proudly celebrates the richness and diversity of the greater San Francisco Bay Area by commemorating November, American Indian Heritage Month. During the month of November, KQED Public TV 9 schedules a special lineup of programs focused on American Indian themes and issues. These programs are highlighted in a guide along with listings of community resources and local events.
We are honored to be partnering with The San Francisco Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Services, Friendship House Association of American Indians, Native American AIDS Project and Native American Health Center to celebrate the rich culture of the American Indian community. Please join us on Thursday, November 12, 2009 from 5pm-7:30pm at the San Francisco City Hall Rotunda for dancing, drumming and a special awards ceremony where we will honor local heroes doing outstanding work in the American Indian community.
2009 American Indian Heroes
Gayle Burns
Native American AIDS Project
Mary Jean Roberts
Voices of the Native Nation, KPOO Radio
Ras K'dee
Seventh Native American Generation, Audiopharmacy
Professor Lehman Brightman
United Native Americans, Inc.
Cathy Chapman
Native American Health Center
For More Information Visit:
http://www.kqed.org/community/heritage/americanindian/index.jsp
http://www.teachingthevaluesofpeace.blogspot.com
KQED proudly celebrates the richness and diversity of the greater San Francisco Bay Area by commemorating November, American Indian Heritage Month. During the month of November, KQED Public TV 9 schedules a special lineup of programs focused on American Indian themes and issues. These programs are highlighted in a guide along with listings of community resources and local events.
We are honored to be partnering with The San Francisco Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Services, Friendship House Association of American Indians, Native American AIDS Project and Native American Health Center to celebrate the rich culture of the American Indian community. Please join us on Thursday, November 12, 2009 from 5pm-7:30pm at the San Francisco City Hall Rotunda for dancing, drumming and a special awards ceremony where we will honor local heroes doing outstanding work in the American Indian community.
2009 American Indian Heroes
Gayle Burns
Native American AIDS Project
Mary Jean Roberts
Voices of the Native Nation, KPOO Radio
Ras K'dee
Seventh Native American Generation, Audiopharmacy
Professor Lehman Brightman
United Native Americans, Inc.
Cathy Chapman
Native American Health Center
For More Information Visit:
http://www.kqed.org/community/heritage/americanindian/index.jsp
http://www.teachingthevaluesofpeace.blogspot.com
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