Video: Long Walk 3 Northern Route Begins, in the Rain

The Longest Walk 3 northern route began today, in the rain. Navajo Craig Luther, our friend from the 2008 northern route, is at the beginning of the video. Walkers and runners made it to Government Camp, Ore., today. They are headed toward Idaho. Chris Francisco, coordinator, said the walkers have an immediate need for a support vehicle to carry supplies.

Justice for Brisenia! Minutemen convicted of murder

February 14, 2011
Contact: Derechos Humanos: 520.770.1373

Justice for Brisenia!
Press Conference
Tuesday, February 15, 2011 11:00am
El Tiradito Shrine (Cushing and Main Streets), Tucson, AZ

Tucson – The Coalición de Derechos Humanos, southern Arizona organizations and national allies extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Brisenia Flores, and hope that today’s verdict will help in the healing process. Many have been quietly and anxiously monitoring the trial of Shawna Forde, head of the Minutemen American Defense. Forde was the mastermind behind the planned home invasion, robbery and murder of the Flores family in order to fund their racist activities; Raul and Brisenia Flores, his nine year-old daughter, were shot and killed. Today, Forde was found responsible for her actions-she was found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder and other related charges. Her accomplices are scheduled for March and June trials.

Even though the evidence was very solid, because of the lack of accountability for other murders of Mexicans or Mexican-Americans, many in the community feared that justice would again be denied. We know that this case is not isolated, and that it reflects the deeper issues based on the anti-immigrant hatred organized by extremist groups. Since 1996, we have called on the local and federal governments to monitor and investigate vigilantes that have openly called for and acted in violence; we have been met with denials, silence, and cover-ups. Other governmental entities have characterized many of these actions as “free speech,” thus allowing for the continued growth of these violent and dangerous elements in our communities.

We call on the media to be socially responsible by reporting the linkages between Forde’s and other hate groups’ extremism and the consequences we are living, such as the brutal murder of Brisenia. We call on the media to halt the mainstreaming of the most noxious and dangerous strands of hatred in the United States. We must condemn all media outlets that have helped disseminate hatred. Only then can we find justice for Brisenia and all victims of racial hatred.
Coalición de Derechos HumanosP.O. Box 1286 Tucson, AZ 85702
Tel: 520.770.1373
Fax: 520.770.7455
www.derechoshumanosaz.net

Wikileaks: US engaged in espionage of Indigenous activists

The US Embassy in Peru engaged in espionage of Indigenous activists, as it organized to promote mining
By Brenda Norrell
Article copyright Censored News
http://www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com/
Photo credit: http://www.enlazandoalternativas.org/spip.php?article254
Updated breaking news story

A Wikileaks cable reveals the US Embassy in Lima, Peru, identified Indigenous activists and tracked the involvement of Bolivian President Evo Morales, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, Bolivia Ambassador Pablo Solon, prominent Quechua activist Miguel Palacin Quispe and community leaders.
Since the writing of this cable, the bonds with Native Americans and First Nations have grown stronger in the struggles for justice. Bolivian President Morales and Ambassador Solon were in the forefront of the Indigenous global climate change efforts in 2010. Palacin was in Tucson for an anti-mining conference in 2007, and more recently at the climate summits in both Cochabamba and Cancun.
The US Embassy report dated March 17, 2008, focuses on Indigenous activists and their supporters who, the cable states, were organizing "anti-summit" protests against the European Union-Latin American Heads of State summit scheduled for mid-May of 2008 in Lima.
James Nealon at the US Embassy in Lima wrote the cable released Sunday, Feb. 13. "The greatest concern among our European Union mission colleagues is the threat that radicals could hijack the protests by aggressively confronting ill-prepared security forces, as occurred in Cusco in February."
The US Embassy's espionage of the Indigenous Peoples and their supporters is obvious in the cable, which is designated "secret."
Nealon wrote, "A variety of radical Peruvian social movements and European anti-globalization NGOs have been planning protests against the May European Union-Latin America summit since at least early 2007 under the slogan Linking Alternatives 3 ("Enlazando Alternativas 3" http://www.enlazandoalternativas.org), according to internal planning documents shared with poloffs," Nealon said.
"The documents show that organizers have held a series of workshops and meetings among dozens of social movement leaders to coordinate roles and international fundraising efforts. On the European side, principal groups include Attac -- an anti-globalization organization that has led protests against several European summits -- the leftist solidarity group France Amerique Latine, the Spanish environmental organization Ecologistas en Accion, the Amsterdam-based scholar-activist Transnational Institute, and many others," Nealon wrote.
Along with naming the names of support groups in Europe, the US Embassy also named other Indigenous activists and community organizers opposing mining in South America.
The US Embassy's insult of Bolivia Ambassador Solon reveals the US bias. It refers to Solon as an "anti-free trade and globalization guru."
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, in a separate cable, states that the Intelligence Community relies on biographical information from US diplomats. In cables to Africa and Paraguay, Clinton asked US Embassy personnel to collect address books, e-mail passwords, fingerprints, iris scans and DNA.
In other words, Clinton asked US Ambassadors to engage in espionage.
“The intelligence community relies on State reporting officers for much of the biographical information collected worldwide," Clinton said in a cable on April 16, 2009. Clinton said the biographical data should be sent to the INR (Bureau of Intelligence and Research) for dissemination to the Intelligence Community.
The cable released from Lima, which insults and targets world leaders and Indigenous activists, fails to describe the underlying reasons why Indigenous Peoples are fighting to protect their land, resources, families and communities.
There is no hint in the cable of the fact that multi-national corporations are responsible for widespread displacement of Indigenous Peoples, the poisoning of the land, water and air and the assassination of Indigenous community leaders opposed to mining.
Instead, Nealon focuses on Palacin in the report.
"Anti-summit leader Miguel Palacin complained to the EU mission that the GOP (Government of Peru) appears intent on criminalizing democratic protests, which makes dialogue useless; the government in turn argues that protesters want only to undermine the government and to sully its international image."
Palacin is the president of Coordinadora Andina de Organizaciones Indigenas (CAOI) the Andean Coordination of Indigenous Organizations and a Quechua Indigenous leader. Palacin was also president of the National Confederation of Communities Affected by Mining in Peru (CONACAMI) which was instrumental in uniting communities affected by mining in Peru.
In the theme that runs throughout the leaked Wikileaks diplomatic cables, the United States focuses criticism on President Morales and President Chavez, tracking their activities, naming their associates and undermining their efforts.
In a previously released cable, the US Embassy in Lima reveals its bias against Indigenous Peoples protecting their homelands, and in favor of mining.
It reveals that a core group of diplomats formed an alliance with mining companies to promote and protect mining interests globally. The diplomats were from the U.S., Canada, U.K., Australia, Switzerland and South Africa.
The US and Canadian Ambassadors met with these mining companies: Antamina, Newmont (Minera Yanacocha), Minera Quellaveco, Barrick, BHP Billiton (Tintaya mine).
The diplomats were from the US, Canada, the Swiss Charge, the new Australian Consul General, and the British Embassy Trade and Investment. "A representative from the South African Embassy, which forms part of this diplomatic mining group, was unable to attend," the cable said.
The cable states that their goal was to improve the climate for investments and security around mines.
The cable exposing the diplomatic mining group does not describe the devastation of Indigenous lands by mining. Two of those corporations targeting Indigenous lands globally -- Newmont and Barrick -- targeted Western Shoshone lands for gold mining in Nevada. A federal lawsuit remains before the court to halt Barrick from coring out sacred Mount Tenabo for an open pit gold mine.
In September of 2007, about six months before the Lima cable was written in March of 2008, Palacin was in Tucson, along with Native American and First Nations activists opposing mining on their lands.
Speaking out against mining, Quechua leader Palacin said Andean Peoples from Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina have organized to protect Indigenous territories in this region. Palacin spoke of his work as coordinator of the Coordinadora Andina de Organizaciones Indigenas (Andean Federation of Indigenous Organizations.)
“This group is working to protect Indigenous rights,” Palacin said, speaking with Brenda Norrell, publisher of Censored News, at the Western Mining Action Network Conference 2007, held in Tucson on Sept. 28 – 29.
Palacin said the concept of Indigenous territories does not only refer to the lands of Indigenous Peoples, but also to Indigenous' languages, cultures, values and clothing. Indigenous territories include the right to autonomy and self-governance based on Indigenous Peoples’ own legal systems and principles.
“This is a fundamental right, a right that is being offended by the politics of globalization, the invasion of transnational corporations and the contamination that is damaging the life and culture.”
Palacin said it is essential to grow in visibility and expose the mining, energy and hydroelectric corporations seizing Indigenous territories for profit.
He said Indigenous territories are under attack by governments. “The governments are campaigning against the social movement.” This is particularly true in Colombia, where Indigenous Peoples are confronted by the federal government, FARC and the paramilitaries.
“In Colombia, there has been a lot of death and displacement.”
However, Palacin said there is also hope. In both Bolivia and Ecuador, new Constitutional reforms propose changes that respect Indigenous Peoples rights.
Further, the Andean Federation of Indigenous Organizations is now proposing the establishment of Indigenous Diplomats, to meet with governments to explain their positions. These include opposition to Free Trade agreements and militarization. Further, concerns are arising because of new visa and passport requirements.
In support of these struggles, Indigenous Peoples plan mobilizations throughout South America on the “Day of Genocide,” October 12, followed by a delegation to Europe on Oct. 13, he said.
“The Indigenous movement has power in the south. We want to be included in the transformation of our countries. Indigenous Peoples have the right to govern their countries," Palacin said.
Attorney Javier Aroca of Lima, Peru, said the government of Peru has criminalized the social movement to protect the land. “Mining is very strong. The government really supports this industry because they view it as a means of receiving a lot of revenues.
“Whoever opposes mining is seen as a terrorist and anti-patriotic,” Aroca said, during an interview in Tucson at the anti-mining conference in 2007.
At issue now are the mining companies who obtain their leases from leaders without consultation of the community, including copper mines.
“The biggest concern is water,” Aroca said, pointing out that water from the mountain tops flows throughout the region. Where copper mine exploration is being carried out, there are natural protected reserves in the high mountain region.
“These mountain top areas are the source of water.”
Aroca said the Peruvian government supported the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, including the right to free, informed and prior consent and Indigenous Peoples' rights to their territories.
“But in practice, the Peruvian government is doing the opposite.”
--------------------
Read today's Lima diplomatic cable:
http://213.251.145.96/cable/2008/03/08LIMA480.html
Previously released Peru mining cables:
Cable 1:
http://213.251.145.96/cable/2005/08/05LIMA3571.html
Cable 2: Posted and highlighted by London Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/38881
State Department Cable from Hillary Clinton on biographical data:
http://213.251.145.96/cable/2009/04/09STATE37561.html

Strongheart Warrior Society: Elders threatened at meals program

Cante Tenza Okolakiciye - Strong Heart Warrior Society
Free & Independent Lakota Nation
Box 512, Hill City, South Dakota 57745 605-454-0449 or
605-517-1547 lakotaoyate.net
Feb 13, 2011
Contact: Duane Martin Sr. 605-517-1547 or 605-454-0449

ELDERS UNDER THREAT: SERIES OF ABUSES, ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES UNCOVERED IN
LAKOTA RESERVATION ELDERLY MEALS PROGRAM
Conspiracy of Threats, Physical Intimidation, Tribal Council
Corruption Stops Investigations
Elders Fear Retaliation After Coming Forward with Revelations

By Strongheart Warrior Society

Porcupine Community, Pine Ridge Reservation, SD – The crisis of elder
abuse on the Lakota Pine Ridge Reservation has hit a shocking new low
as revelations are emerging about a series of abuses and illegal
activities uncovered at the Porcupine Elder Center and the Elderly
Meals Program.

On Tuesday February 7th, a group of elders contacted the Lakota Strong
Heart Warrior Society with concerns for their safety after being
threatened by self-appointed Elder Center leader Winifred Janis.
Janis, and several family members including daughter Geneva Quiver,
appear to hold an iron fisted grip over the Elder Center and have
threatened elders with violence and assaulted at least one employee to
conceal revelations about abuse and illegal activities being conducted
out of the center.

Earlier this week, Janis directly threatened a group of Elders,
including 91 year old Cecilia Martin, shouting, “If any of you elders
talk about me or my daughter, I’m gonna’ hit you in the mouth!”

When the elders asked whom she meant, Janis replied, “Any damn one of
you!”

Efforts to get relief from the abusive conditions of the center’s meal
program have been obstructed by corrupt officials. Elder Lorraine
White Face said that she had tried to address the lack of nutritional
meals and strong arm tactics used by Janis. She has previously used
the center along with her 88 year-old mother, Ester White Face, for
meals.

After physically intervening to stop an elder from getting hit in the
head by a center employee, White Face was slapped with a restraining
order to keep her away from the center.

“She [Winifred Janis] uses her position to go against the real
elderly, said White Face, who has been an outspoken advocate for
traditional Lakota language and culture. “I mean elders who are 88, 89
and 91 years old – she made them worry every day. And I am elderly
too.”

The elders who use the Porcupine center now fear retaliation as
details of the abuses and corruption emerge. Wilson Coleman Jr., an
employee of the center, was physically beaten by three members of the
Janis/Quiver family after he spoke out about illegal activities
including alcohol bootlegging and the selling of drugs out of the back
of the Elder Center.

“Elder abuse is against the law,” noted Duane Martin Sr., headsman of
the Strong Heart Warrior Society. He emphasized that in addition to
traditional Lakota Customary Law, the Oglala Law and Order Code, the
1948 Older Citizens Act and other laws make elder abuse a crime.

Martin also detailed how the Porcupine District Elderly bylaws are
being violated to prevent Elders from speaking out. He emphasized,
“Immediate action must be taken to remove Winifred Janis and her
family or the Warrior Society will act to impose justice through
customary law.”

Both elders and activists say the corruption in the Elderly Meals
Program is not just confined to Porcupine, but is present through the
entire reservation-wide system. For four years Elders have appealed to
the Oglala Tribal Court for investigations into Elder Center and Meals
Program activities but have been stalled by responses that the
investigation is “ongoing.”

“This is going on in all the elderly buildings on the reservation,”
said White Face. “Everyone thinks we are crazy, but we know what’s
going on.”

The quality and nutrition of the food being given to the Elders is
also a concern. Elders at the Porcupine Center have been served
undercooked meals that have made them sick and served meals that
contain only carbohydrates, without protein. Pictures have been taken
to document the poor quality of the food served there.

According to a 2009 Lakota Country Times article entitled Elder Meals
in Porcupine, the tribe receives money for Elderly Meals through
Federal Title VI grants, South Dakota Title III monies, and National
Relief Charities AIRC Food service. The article noted that meals are
cooked at “assembly line speed”.

Enoch Brings Plenty, 67, who was voted by a consensus of elders to be
president at the Porcupine Center before Janis assumed control
explained, “The elderly should be the number one priority of each
reservation. They should be uplifted and treated like an angel.”

Brings Plenty, who served 20 years as head cook for a Rosebud
Reservation elementary school, voiced concern the problems at the
Porcupine Elder Center have been “going on for some time” and that
Winifred Janis has “caused a lot of chaos for the elderly there.”

He added, “The elderly have an awful life here, I have to do something
about this.”

Brings Plenty also shared how is wife Della, who is 67 and handicapped
by seizures, was denied meals by Janis while at the same time members
of Janis’ family including her children and grand children were fed
regularly.

Janis’ name also appears as a contact for the collection of clothes
and other support in the name of the Porcupine Elder’s center but the
elders have not seen this assistance. An October 18, 2010 entry for
the “Ashley’s Closet” Facebook page reads, “We at Heart Bridge are
glad to welcome Ms. Winifred Janis as contact for Ashley’s Closet. You
may send items to her at… c/o Porcupine Senior Center 1 Main St.
Porcupine, SD 57772.”

Lorraine White Face explained she has twice appealed for help from the
Oglala Tribal Council, contacted the Oglala Courts twice, and the
Treaty Council three times without any resolution.

Virgil Bush, Porcupine District President, confided that the previous
Oglala Tribal Council administration couldn’t deal with the abuses in
the Elderly Meals Program because they were not fluent Lakota speakers
like many of the elders. Bush’s admission highlights the large
cultural divide between many members of the Bureau of Indian Affairs
(BIA) tribal government and the traditional Lakota people.

Activists detail how a wall of corruption conspires between families
to sideline investigations and create a culture of retaliation for
people who try to fight for justice. For decades this corruption has
marginalized native Lakota speakers, traditional people, and others
who have tried to stand against those who are exploiting the BIA
system of Lakota government for their own gain.

In December, Strong Heart headsman Duane Martin Sr.’s dog was poisoned
and killed for his activism against bootleggers and drug dealers, many
of whom are protected by members of the tribal council and tribal law
enforcement. In January, a group of Lakota Elders were pushed and
threatened with a gun by Oglala District representative Deborah Rooks-
Cook outside of a secret council meeting. Rooks-Cook has gone
unpunished.

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