Indigenous Peoples and Human Rights

July 14, 2013

Long Walk 4 readies for Sunrise Ceremony July 15, 2013

Long walker Lisa Peake.

 Affirmation of Sovereignty of the Indigenous People of the Western Hemisphere

Longest Walk 4 Return to Alcatraz


By Longest Walk 4
Censored News

Update Monday, July 15, 2013

"Today there was a Ceremony at the place where the original The Longest Walk ended in 1978. From there a Sovereignty Staff and Women Staff were carried twenty one miles in very hot and humid conditions." 
"We did 21 miles in 93 degree, 100 humidity. Fun had by all."

WASHINGTON DC -- The Longest Walk 4: Return to Alcatraz begins tomorrow morning, July 15, 2013, with a sunrise Ceremony from the place where the original The Longest Walk 1978 finished.  At this time, as we prepare for our journey bringing the Sovereignty Staff to Alcatraz, we would like to remember the spirit of all those that helped bring that spiritual message across the land, and the words that reflected this in The Longest Walk 1978.  It is called an Affirmation of Sovereignty of the Indigenous People of the Western Hemisphere.  When we Walk we start with this affirmation in our thoughts and prayers.

This Walk is not just for the Indian Nations of the United States.  This Walk is for all Indigenous Nations and Peoples that continue to seek and assert affirmations of sovereignty compatible with their spiritual and cultural beliefs and values.  We are hoping that those, whether they be Indigenous Nations, groups, individuals or non-Indigenous allies, that  believe in Indigenous Sovereignty will take the time to read the original The Longest Walk manifesto, and will also write us a message of their own issues relating to Indigenous Sovereignty so that we might include them in our journey.
Women's Walk to Sand Creek Massacre site Long Walk 2

At this time we would like to acknowledge the Oskapewis (Helpers) Walk toward the mountains of what is called Alberta.  They too have been walking in their own way to support the Indigenous understanding of Treaties and affirming the traditional sources of Indigenous Sovereignty.  We acknowledge and honor the Two Row Wampum Renewal PeaceWalk and Canoe happening in the territories of the Haudenosaunee, who have long upheld their Haudenosaunee vision of sovereignty, based on their spiritual ways and embodied in the Great Law of Peace and recognized by European nation-states, as a form of legal sovereignty.

It is our hope that those reading this will extend their support to all of these endeavours and those on the front lines in protecting the practice of Indigenous Sovereignty, from the Micmaw,trying to stop fracking, to those trying to stop the desecration of the tar sands and resultant pipelines in Great Turtle Island, to those in Amazon blockading mining development on their lands, to those in Aotearoa trying to stop oil drilling in their waters, and everywhere else that Indigenous Peoples are trying to protect their lands, waters and ways.

Updated Long Walk 4 Schedule:
http://www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2013/07/longest-walk-4-return-to-alcatraz.html

Photo: Among the walkers: Long walker Lisa Peake, Anishinabe/Pomo, will walk across America for the third time. Lisa Peake is joined by walkers Mark Blue and Kyle Guthrie form Minnesota. Photo Long Walk 2/Brenda Norrell.

July 13, 2013

Supai message: 'Heal your bodies, heal the earth'

Lightning Stories

Message from Supai Waters
Damon Watahomigie, Havasupai
Censored News

I would like to send a message to all front line warriors. Hail to all massive people for environmental awareness and cultural exchange. Stand on your own territory.
Warning don't take sides on either end. Don't ask for peace. That's exactly what they want you to be, is to be under the ground, your hearts buried forever. Don't go overseas to side with any other religious factions, that's wrong. Take a good look at who you are not.
First we cannot except the British Crown to steal our lands.
We the Havasupai have never been conquered by the Babylonian crown or by the US army. Stand beautifully, stand in awe -- to your beings .
Don't bring any other race for it is not the elite or the American system's race, but for our children's future and their generations that are to still come.
It's very simple  all you have to do is first heal your bodies then you can heal the earth through your spirituality and your holy beliefs. I am but one man and a warrior medicine man for all nations every tribe in the Americas are my people. Not one of you is left out of my prayers.
Hail to all Plains tribes. We the Supai people of the Grand Canyon send solidarity to your stand. We ask that you defend the Wind River Confluence. The Colorado River starts at the Wind River Basin and it comes from the Tetons hot springs.
I will stand with all nations in this region to defend the western hemisphere as told by the prophecy keepers.
Mitukiya oyasihin

July 12, 2013

Oglala President: White Clay distribution tantamount to bootlegging

Oglala President urges halt to scheme to 'bootleg' liquor into White Clay

Oglala President Bryan Brewer
By Oglala President Bryan Brewer
Oglala Sioux Tribe, Office of the President
Censored News

On July 10, 2013 High Plains Budweiser announced that it would cease to deliver alcohol to the town of Whiteclay, Nebraska. This decision marks a significant victory in our efforts to stop the flow of alcohol in to our communities from Whiteclay. In addition, High Plains Budweiser stated that they will only deliver as far as Rushville, Nebraska where vendors from Whiteclay would be expected to pick up their product for themselves and take it to their stores. This practice is illegal, and tantamount to bootlegging.

14th Oglala Commemoration Photos







14th Oglala Commemoration
By Oglala Commemoration

To kick off this year’s event, the Committee enthusiastically welcomed the arrival of Shadow Nation. Arriving the evening of June 24th, after travelling up from New Mexico and Texas, Shadow Nation’s crew, despite being road weary hung out and exchanged ideas with some of the Committee members.

The 25th promised to be a busy day of running around making preparations for the following day’s events; the day wrapped up with the Committee planning meeting and a fried chicken dinner. The Committee met with the community and introduced the Shadow Nation band members and film crew. Shadow Nation members introduced themselves to the community and discussed their plans to film issues relevant to the people of Pine Ridge. The meeting and meal concluded with a clear agenda and hopes of a safe and successful event.