This story was written by Randall Howell and is copyright Native Sun News.
http://64.38.12.138/News/2010/019862.asp
PIERRE, SOUTH DAKOTA — The recent fatal shooting of a 22-year-old Oglala Lakota man near his home just north of Rapid City has been ruled justified by the South Dakota State Attorney General’s office.
Christopher J. Capps of Sunnyside Mobile Homer Community, just off Sturgis Road, Rapid City, was shot to death in a hail of bullets on the evening of May 2 by Pennington County Sheriff’s Department Deputy David Olson.
Deputy Olson “was justified in firing his weapon,” said the attorney general’s office in an official statement released on May 18. The statement said that the conclusion of the attorney general’s office in the Capps incident was based on an investigation by the state Division of Criminal Investigation with assistance from the Rapid City Police Department. Contact Randall Howell at managingeditor@nsweekly.com
Related Stories:
Native Sun: Oglala Sioux family sends son to the spirit world (5/13)
Native Sun News: Deputy shoots and kills Lakota man, 22 (5/6)
May 19, 2010
Indigenous and American Indian Studies Scholars Speak Out Against SB 1070, Call for an Economic Boycott of Arizona
Contact: Simon Ortiz (602) 438-9325 Eric Hardy or Mishuana GoemanPhoto: Acoma Pueblo poet, author and scholar Simon Ortiz
Double click on protest poster to enlarge
Press statement
TUCSON—Indigenous and American Indian studies scholars are condemning Arizona Senate Bill 1070 and related legislation.
“Clearly, and bluntly, the state law is racist and discriminatory against so-called ‘illegal immigrants’ crossing the borders from the South, namely from Mexico,” said Simon Ortiz, a Native American studies professor at Arizona State University, in reference to SB 1070. “Many of the border crossers are Indigenous peoples who are directly affected. Without any doubt, the law is wrong-headed; it targets people who fit a certain profile.”
Indigenous and American Indian Studies scholars say that SB 1070 and the recent passage into law of HB 2281, which bans the teaching of ethnic studies in public schools, are violations of human rights. Scholars from nearly 50 universities and communities have signed a statement calling for an economic boycott of Arizona.
“As Native intellectuals, it is important that we not enable this legislative activity,” said Julia Good Fox, who signed the statement. “I’m disappointed in the Native American and Indigenous Studies Association officers because they have chosen to disregard the boycott. SB 1070 and HB 2281 are dangerous for Indian Country so I hope that Tribal governments and organizations will honor the boycott and put pressure on Arizona to overturn these laws.”
These scholars are not alo
ne in calling for a boycott. Since the passage of SB 1070, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., the oldest African American Greek-lettered fraternity, has moved its July 2010 meeting out of Arizona. SACNAS, an association of Hispanic/Chicano and Native American scientists, has formally removed Phoenix from its shortlist of potential 2012 conference sites. In addition, the cities of San Francisco, Seattle, and Los Angeles have approved boycotts of Arizona until the new law is overturned.Scholars who reside in Arizona or neighboring Tribal Lands plan to attend the “Indigenous Peoples Against SB 1070/HB228” rally scheduled for 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM, Friday, May 21, 2010 at the U.S. Immigration Court, 160 North Stone Ave., Tucson, AZ. This event is open to the public.
(Attached: “Indigenous and Native Studies Scholars of Conscience Statement.” Signatures are in the following order: Name, Institution and/or Community, and Date.)
INDIGENOUS AND NATIVE STUDIES SCHOLARS OF CONSCIENCE STATEMENT
We, scholars in Indigenous and Native studies, vigorously protest SB 1070, its amendment HB 2162, and HB 2281, a law that prohibits ethnic studies. Because these Arizona laws instigate vicious attacks on the human rights of Indigenous, immigrant, and peoples of color communities, we seek to honor the economic boycott of the state of Arizona.
Name, Institution and/or Community, Date
1. Joyce Rain Anderson, Bridgewater State College, May 14, 2010
2. Dr. Elizabeth Archuleta, Arizona State University, Women & Gender Studies, May 14, 2010
3. Sonya Atalay, Indiana University Dept. of Anthropology/Anishinabe-Ojibwe, May 17, 2010
4. Laura Beebe, UC San Diego, 05/14/2010
5. Tammy Bluewolf-Kennedy, Syracuse University, Oneida Nation, Wolf Clan, Haudenosaunee Confederacy, May 14, 2010
6. Kevin Bruyneel, Associate Professor of Politics, Babson College, May 14, 2010
7. Anne Carter Walker, PhD Candidate, Claremont School of Theology, May 14, 2010
8. Venida S. Chenault, Prairie Band Potawatomi/Kickapoo, May 14, 2010
9. Dr. Glen Coulthard (Yellowknives Dene First Nation), First Nations Studies Program and Department of Political Science, University of British Columbia, May 14, 2010
10. Jennifer Nez Denetdale, Ph.D.. Diné, Associate Professor, Northern Arizona University, May 15, 2010
11. Dr. Joanne R. DiNova, Ryerson University, Toronto, Canada, May 16, 2010
12. CJ Dosch, Syracuse University, May 14
13. Qwo-Li Driskill, Texas A&M University, May 15, 2010
14. Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, Professor Emeritus, Department of Ethnic Studies/Native American Studies, California State University East Bay
15. Larry Emerson, Diné , Diné (Navajo) scholar, artist and farmer, May 14, 2010
16. Michelle Erai, Assistant Professor, Women's Studies, University of California, Los Angeles
17. Paul GhostHorse, May 16, 2010
18. Inez GhostHorse, May 16, 2010
19. Zae GhostHorse, May 16, 2010
20. Julia Good Fox, Indigenous and American Indian Studies scholar, Pawnee Nation, 14 May 2010
21. Bryan James Gordon, MA, Joint PhD Program in Linguistics and Anthropology, University of Arizona, 5-16-10
22. Benjamin Grimshaw, Unemployed Scholar in Detroit, 5-15-201
23. Rev. Clyde E. Grubbs, Unitarian Universalist Minister, May 14, 2010
24. Suzan Shown Harjo (Cheyenne & Hodulgee Muscogee), President, The Morning Star Institute, Washington, DC, May 14, 2010
25. Mattie Harper (Anishinaabe - Bois Forte Band), UC Berkeley, May 14, 2010
26. George Hartley, Ohio University, May 14, 2010
27. Patricia Penn Hilden, Professor Emerita, Native American History/Comparative Ethnic Studies, University of California, Berkeley, May 16, 2010
28. Dr. Robert J. Hill, University of Georgia, Institute of Native American Studies, May 16, 2010
29. Lynne Horiuchi, Visiting Scholar, Institute of Governmental Studies, University of California at Berkeley May 16, 2010
30. Michelle Jacob, University of San Diego/Yakama, 5-14-10
31. Daniel Morley Johnson, University of Alberta, 14 May 2010
32. Val Natonabah Jones, University of New Mexico (NAS/BUS), 5/15/10
33. Neal Keating, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Dept. of Anthropology, SUNY Brockport May 14, 2010
34. Penelope Kelsey, Associate Professor, English Department, University of Colorado, May 15, 2010
35. Lloyd L. Lee, Ph.D.. University of New Mexico, May 15, 2010
36. Amy Lonetree, University of California, Santa Cruz, Ho-Chunk Nation, May 14, 2010
37. Sarah Lozo, Syracuse University, May 14
38. Scott Richard Lyons, Syracuse University, May 14
39. Glenabah Martinez, Associate Professor of Education, University of New Mexico College of Education, Taos Pueblo and Navajo Nation, May 14, 2010
40. Erin McCarley, May 15, 2010
41. Lily Mendoza, Oakland University, May 15, 2010
42. Michael Miller, Syracuse University, May 14, 2010
.
43. Angela Morrill, PhD Candidate, Ethnic Studies Department at UC San Diego, 5/14/2010
44. Jenell Navarro, Claremont Graduate University, May 16, 2010
45. Jose Navarro, University of Southern California, May 16, 2010
46. Lucia Orth, Indigenous and American Indian Studies scholar, May 16, 2010
47. Simon J. Ortiz, Arizona State University, May 14, 2010
48. James W. Perkinson, Intercultural Communication Studies , Oakland University, May 15, 2010
49. Renya Ramirez, Native American Studies, UC Santa Cruz, May 16, 2010
50. Debbie Reese, Nambe Pueblo, Assistant Professor, American Indian Studies, University of Illinois
51. Michelle Richmond-Saravia, Anishinabek Nation, M'Ed. Candidate, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario Canada, May 15, 2010
52. Kimberly Robertson (Muscogee) , University of California, Los Angeles
53. Dylan Rodríguez, Professor and Chair, Dept. of Ethnic Studies, University of California, Riverside, 5-14-10
54. Kimberly Robertson, UCLA, May 17, 2010
55. Dean Itsuji Saranillio, University of California, Riverside, May 16, 2010
56. Dr. Jeffrey P. Shepherd, University of Texas at El Paso, May 16, 2010
57. Michael W. Simpson, Citizen of the Universe, Brother to All beings, May 15, 2010
58. Andrea Smith, Media and Cultural Studies/Ethnic Studies – UC Riverside, May 14, 2010
59. Dr. Lisa Tatonetti, Associate Professor, English Department, Kansas State University, May 16, 2010
60. Daphne Taylor-García, Postdoctoral Fellow, University of California, Santa Barbara, May 15, 2010
61. Christopher B. Teuton, University of Denver, Citizen of the Cherokee Nation, 5/14/2010
62. Patricia Torres, UCLA Urban Planning PhD Student, INCITE! LA member, 5/14/2010
63. Dr. Edward Valandra, (Sicangu Lakota Oyate), Associate Professor and Chair, American Indian Studies, University of South Dakota, May 14, 2010
64. Myla Vicenti Carpio, Jicarilla Apache, Arizona State University, May 15, 2010
65. Jace Weaver, Cherokee, University of Georgia, May 14, 2010
66. Laura Adams Weaver, Department of English and Inst. of Native American Studies, University of Georgia, May 15, 2010
67. Tisa Wenger, Assistant Professor of American Religious History, Yale University Divinity School, May 17 2010
LISTEN: Jennifer Denetdale on Thurday's Native America Calling
Thursday, May 20, 2010– Ethnic Chauvinism in Arizona :
A bill in Arizona State has been signed into law to ultimately ban ethnic studies. Proponents of the bill contend it is a necessary measure to halt revolutionary and hostile messages towards the U.S., and to keep separatist agendas from gaining support in the public school system. As the nation weighs in on this issue, what are your thoughts? Do you think that offering ethnic studies in the education system is a threat to unity? Do you feel it teaches hate as some Arizona law makers have stated? How does this affect Native studies and language revitalization?
http://www.nativeamericacalling.com/
May 18, 2010
CounterPunch: Indigenous Struggle over dams at Belo Monte
From Ecological Disaster to Constitutional Crisis: the Long Struggle Over the Xingú Dams Comes to a Climax at Belo Monte
By TERENCE TURNER
CounterPunch
Once again, the indigenous peoples of the Xingú valley in the Brazilian Amazon are planning to make the long journey to the town of Altamira, where the Trans-Amazonica highway crosses the Xingú. Their ultimate destination will be the island of Pimental a short distance downriver from the town, where the Brazilian government plans to build a huge hydroelectric dam they call Belo Monte after the nearest Brazilian village. The Indians' bold plan, is to prevent the construction of the dam by building a new village directly on top of the proposed dam site and maintaining their occupation until the government abandons its plans for the dam. The planning for the encampment is being led by the Kayapo, the largest and most politically organized of the indigenous nations of the region, but other indigenous groups are also participating.
The Kayapo, however, are not waiting for the discussion of the plan for the encampment among the 23 indigenous groups of the Xingú Valley to reach consensus. They have already seized the ferry that carries Brazil Route 80, an important link in the Trans-Amazonica highway system, across the Xingú River at the Kayapo village of Piaraçú. The ferry and the river crossing are now under guard by armed Kayapo warriors, who have announced that they will continue their blockade until the government negotiates with them about their plans for the Belo Monte dam.
This will not be the first indigenous encampment ... read more ...
http://www.counterpunch.org/turner05182010.html
By TERENCE TURNER
CounterPunch
Once again, the indigenous peoples of the Xingú valley in the Brazilian Amazon are planning to make the long journey to the town of Altamira, where the Trans-Amazonica highway crosses the Xingú. Their ultimate destination will be the island of Pimental a short distance downriver from the town, where the Brazilian government plans to build a huge hydroelectric dam they call Belo Monte after the nearest Brazilian village. The Indians' bold plan, is to prevent the construction of the dam by building a new village directly on top of the proposed dam site and maintaining their occupation until the government abandons its plans for the dam. The planning for the encampment is being led by the Kayapo, the largest and most politically organized of the indigenous nations of the region, but other indigenous groups are also participating.
The Kayapo, however, are not waiting for the discussion of the plan for the encampment among the 23 indigenous groups of the Xingú Valley to reach consensus. They have already seized the ferry that carries Brazil Route 80, an important link in the Trans-Amazonica highway system, across the Xingú River at the Kayapo village of Piaraçú. The ferry and the river crossing are now under guard by armed Kayapo warriors, who have announced that they will continue their blockade until the government negotiates with them about their plans for the Belo Monte dam.
This will not be the first indigenous encampment ... read more ...
http://www.counterpunch.org/turner05182010.html
First Nations to Shell: Tar Sands Devastating for Boreal Forest
Canadian First Nations and Investors draw line in the tar sands with Shell at Annual General Meeting
Press statement
Press statement
Photo: Ben Powless, Mohawk, Copenhangen
Today, Shell executives will face questions from investors, environmental groups and Canadian First Nations representatives over its involvement in the tar sands at its annual general meeting.
FairPensions, a responsible investment charity, has coordinated a special resolution that shareholders will debate calling on Shell to report on the financial, environmental and human rights risks of tar sands, which make up a third of the company’s global resources. The Indigenous Environmental Network and Friends of the Earth Europe have sponsored representatives from the Lubicon Cree First Nation, Mikisew Cree First Nation, Duncan Lake First Nation and the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation to be in attendance at the AGM to bring forward questions and concerns about the devastating impacts of tar sands development on Indigenous territory in Northern Alberta.
Many investors have welcomed disclosures made on current tar sands operations, but the company has not provided reassurance about the profitability and risk management of planned ‘in-situ’ projects, which have higher production costs and greenhouse gas emissions. In-situ production is required for the majority of Shell’s vast undeveloped tar sand resources.
Melina Laboucan-Massimo, Greenpeace Climate and Energy Campaigner and member of the Lubicon Cree First Nation attending the AGM stated, "While open pit mines are visually horrifying, the In Situ method of extraction is far more carbon-intensive, water-intensive, and energy-intensive. In Situ completely fragments the boreal forest in Canada, which is the largest terrestrial carbon sinks in the world.” Melina goes on to state, “Local communities are continually bearing the brunt of the detrimental effects of Shell's tar sands projects whether it be from toxic emissions and water contamination to the complete fragmenting and decimation of the boreal forest - tar sands development is completely altering our homelands and destroying the very foundation of who we are as Indigenous peoples."
George Poitras, former Chief of the Mikisew Cree Nation situated 250km downstream of major tar sands development has serious concerns about the unrestricted development. “Our people have inhabited Canada’s Athabasca region for thousands of years. In a short 40 years we have seen unfathomable environmental degradation coinciding with the onset of tar sands development. We have seen the waters of the Athabasca River polluted by heavy trace metals with cancer-causing carcinogens which according to prominent scientists are up to five times worse than what is being reported. Our waters and our lands are all intrinsically linked to our ability to survive, are all intrinsically linked to our ability to pass on our cultural and traditional ways of our lives. When you remove the land and pollute our waterways you are in effect causing the extinction of my people’s way of life, you are in effect causing cultural genocide of my people.”
Shell currently has three major operations in the area and has preliminary plans to expand. Many First Nation communities have responded with interventions in the environmental impact assessment and regulatory process. First Nations litigations have been launched to further delay or stop Shell’s illegal encroachment into their traditional territories.
Contacts for media enquiries/interviews:
In Europe: Contact Eriel Deranger, Rainforest Action Network, Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation
European Cell: +4407916945255 Email: etchekwied@gmail.com
In North America: Contact Clayton Thomas-Muller Indigenous Environmental Network
Cell 613 789 5653 Email: monsterredlight@gmail.com
Notes for Editors
The resolution and supporting statement are available at:
http://www.facebook.com/l/3aa86;fairpensions.org.uk/sites/default/files/uploaded_files/documents/ShellResolutionRequest.pdf Shell’s response to the resolution is available at:
http://www.facebook.com/l/3aa86;www.shell.com/home/content/investor/news_and_library/press_releases/2010/report_oil_sands_17032010.html An investor briefing on the resolution is available at:
http://www.facebook.com/l/3aa86;www.fairpensions.org.uk/sites/default/files/uploaded_files/InvestorBriefing.pdf Shell has 20 billion barrels of tar sands resource among 66 billion barrels of oil equivalent globally.
http://www.facebook.com/l/3aa86;www-static.shell.com/static/investor/downloads/presentations/2008/strategy_2008_final_investor.pdf
The Indigenous Environmental Network is a North American based Environmental and Justice organization whose mission is to protect the sacredness of Mother Earth from toxic contamination and corporate exploitation.
http://www.facebook.com/l/3aa86;www.ienearth.org/tarsands.html
Join the IEN Newsletter!
http://www.facebook.com/l/3aa86;https://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/tools/subscription.php?username=ienearth
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Clayton Thomas-Muller
Indigenous Environmental Network
Canadian Indigenous Tar Sands Campaign
294 Guigues Ave.
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
K1N 9H8
Home Office: 613 789 5653
Cell: 218 760 6632
http://www.facebook.com/l/3aa86;www.ienearth.org/tarsands.html
Take Action Right Now! Go to: http://www.facebook.com/l/3aa86;ien.thetarsandsblow.org
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please visit Defenders of the Land: http://www.facebook.com/l/3aa86;www.defendersoftheland.org
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