Remember the Removal Rides Again - 2010 Census
CherokeeLink Newsletter
**************************
For The HTML Format of the Newsletter:
(Having Problems With The Links? Try this version instead.) http://www.cherokee.org/home.aspx?section=newsletter&Date=3/8/2010
AOL - 3/8/2010 Newsletter
------------------------------------------------------------
Osiyo,
Remember the Removal Rides Again
A select group of Cherokee students will retrace the historic Trail of Tears, riding from the original Cherokee homelands Georgia and ending in Tahlequah, Okla., the capitol of the Cherokee Nation. This is the third such ride to be sponsored by the tribe, with the original ride first completed in 1984 and a 25th anniversary ride held last year.
Selected riders will be supplied with a bike, riding gear, meals, transportation and lodging, but will need to bring their own changes of clothing, toiletries, bedding and spending money. To apply to be part of the 2010 Remember the Removal ride, please visithttp://www.remembertheremoval.org/signup/ or call (918) 453-5498.
Or for more information visit http://www.cherokee.org/NewsRoom/FullStory/3121/Page/Default.aspx.
2010 Census
Don’t forget to fill out and return your Census. Be sure to fill in Cherokee Nation. Here is how,http://www.cherokee.org/docs/publicnotices/CensusFacts2010.pdf.
Wado! (Thank you)
Cherokee Nation
P.O.Box 948
Tahlequah, OK 74465
918 453-5000
communications@cherokee.org
------------------------------------------------------------
**************************
***Cherokee Nation News***
**************************
Cherokee Nation Cancer Summit Brings Awareness, Kindred Spirits: 3/5/2010 4:53:00 PM
(C) Cherokee Nation
The Cherokee Nation wrapped up its third bi-annual Cancer Summit on Friday after three days of discussions covering a variety of topics for medical personnel, prevention specialists, survivors, patients and their families. More than 250 individuals took part in the event, which was a partnership between the tribe and the University of Oklahoma School of Community Medicine.
http://www.cherokee.org/news.aspx?id=3168
Cherokee Nation Vinita Health Center Relocated: 3/5/2010 9:41:00 AM
(C) Cherokee Nation
The Cherokee Nation Vinita Health Center has relocated to 525 S. Wilson in Vinita and will no longer provide services out of the previous location at 135 E. Canadian.
http://www.cherokee.org/news.aspx?id=3167
Sequoyah Schools Announces Summer Learning Program Dates: 3/5/2010 8:56:00 AM
(C) Cherokee Nation
Sequoyah Schools will once again hold summer classes as part of its Summer Learning Program. Classes will be held July 5 through July 16, from 8:25 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., for any student in the fourth through 12th grades.
http://www.cherokee.org/news.aspx?id=3166
Cherokee Nation to Host “High Performance Business” Workshop in Claremore: 3/5/2010 8:52:00 AM
(C) Cherokee Nation
The Cherokee Nation will host a marketing and sales workshop for small business owners and vendors on Tuesday, March 23 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Claremore Housing Services office, 23205 S. Highway 66.
http://www.cherokee.org/news.aspx?id=3165
Cherokee Nation Cancer Summit Brings Awareness, Kindred Spirits: 3/5/2010
(C) Cherokee Nation
The Cherokee Nation wrapped up its third bi-annual Cancer Summit on Friday after three days of discussions covering a variety of topics for medical personnel, prevention specialists, survivors, patients and their families. More than 250 individuals took part in the event, which was a partnership between the tribe and the University of Oklahoma School of Community Medicine.
http://www.cherokee.org/news.aspx?id=3169
Washington County Road Dedicated by Tribal, Local Officials: 3/4/2010 10:48:00 AM
(C) Cherokee Nation
Recently the Cherokee Nation partnered with local officials in Washington County to complete much-needed repairs to Durham Road. The project rebuilt and resurfaced more than four miles of Durham Road, with the tribe contributing $275,000 in assistance. A busy road, Durham leads to a popular tourism and meeting destination, Prairie Song.
http://www.cherokee.org/news.aspx?id=3164
Sequoyah Senior Serves as Legislative Page : 3/4/2010 10:17:00 AM
(C) Cherokee Nation
Ashton Parent, a senior at Sequoyah Schools, recently served as a legislative page for State Representative Jerry McPeak in the Oklahoma House of Representatives.
http://www.cherokee.org/news.aspx?id=3163
Census Job Testing to be Held at Cherokee Nation: 3/3/2010 11:06:00 AM
(C) Cherokee Nation
If you are interested in becoming a census taker or applying for other census-related jobs, testing will be held Wednesday, March 10 and again on Tuesday, March 23, at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. in the Tribal Services conference room at the Cherokee Nation tribal complex.
http://www.cherokee.org/news.aspx?id=3162
Sequoyah Student Accepted to West Point/Air Force Summer Programs : 3/3/2010 11:01:00 AM
(C) Cherokee Nation
Sequoyah Schools junior Logan Francis has been accepted to the 34th Annual Summer Leaders Seminar at West Point, the United States Military Academy and at the United States Air Force Academy. The summer seminars give the students a chance to see what the military academies are like and may help them earn acceptance to the academies later on.
http://www.cherokee.org/news.aspx?id=3161
Cherokee Nation to Host Veterans Focus Group: 3/2/2010 10:56:00 AM
(C) Cherokee Nation
In partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the Cherokee Nation is hosting a focus group on Thursday, March 11, at 7 p.m., for recently separated veterans to discuss the employment needs of Native American veterans in this area.
http://www.cherokee.org/news.aspx?id=3158
Young Hastings Patients Receive Special Gift: 3/2/2010 10:53:00 AM
(C) Cherokee Nation
The local chapter of Kiwanis International provided a special gift of smiles to young patients at Cherokee Nation W.W. Hastings Hospital with the donation of several unique dolls as part of the group’s Young Children Priority One program.
http://www.cherokee.org/news.aspx?id=3157
-----------------------------------------------------------
*********************************
**** Other Links of Interest ****
*********************************
Games - http://www.cherokee.org/home.aspx?section=culture&culture=games
Community Calendar - http://www.cherokee.org/home.aspx?section=calendar
RSS Feed - http://rss.cherokee.org
Podcasts - http://podcasts.cherokee.org
E-Cards - http://ecards.cherokee.org
------------------------------------------------------------
**************************
**** Cultural Tidbits ****
**************************
The Indian People were more clean and sanitary than the Europeans at the time of contact. When several Cherokee visited England, the Queen asked them to refrain from bathing each day.
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
Scientists Say Klamath Basin Water Agreements Threaten Survival of Klamath River Salmon
[http://www.oregonwild.org/waters/klamath/a-vision-for-the-klamath-basin/the-klamath-basin-restoration-agreement/NewsRelease-NEC%20Rejects%20Klamath%20Deal1.pdf]
Editor's Note: This is the first in a series of posts concerning the longrunning battle for water in the Klamath Basin and the Klamath River. Although this press release was issued in March of 2008, we are publishing it because it sets forth a scientific basis for the concerns environmental organizations and several affected Indian Tribes have regarding the so-called "agreements" that are titled the "Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement" and "Klamath Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement." On December 14, 2009, the NEC pulled out of the settlement talks altogether, citing concerns that the proposed agreements were too weak to actually protect the Klamath River and its salmon. For the latest news on this and other environmental issues that impact Indian tribes in northwestern California, go to NEC's ECONEWS.
The Klamath Basin ecosystem includes Upper Klamath Lake, Lower Klamath Lake, Tule Lake and the Klamath, Williamson, Sprague and Lost Rivers which feed and drain them. These lakes comprise the Klamath Wildlife Refuges system, the largest and most important resting and feeding stop for millions of waterfowl on the Pacific Flyway. Almost all of the land and water in question was a part of the aboriginal territory of the Modoc Indian Tribe until it was seized by the federal government during the Modoc Indian War of 1872-73. The Modoc Indians, a federally recognized tribe, are currently working to secede from the political confederation known as the Klamath Tribes, set up their own separate government, and reassert tribal sovereignty over these lakes, rivers and wildlife refuges. Their long-term goal is to restore them to their natural condition. - Perry H. Chesnut, Editor, NRN
News Release
NEC Rejects Klamath Agreement
Top scientists say Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement is flawed, and could prevent fish recovery, without guaranteed downstream flows
Contact: Greg King, Executive Director
Northcoast Environmental Center
707-822-6918
Science Contacts:
Dr. Bill Trush: 707-826-7794 x. 12 Dr. Thomas Hardy: 435-797-2824
Greg Kamman: 415-491-9600
March 3, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Arcata, CA — The Northcoast Environmental Center (NEC) will not support the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement as it is currently written, the NEC’s Board of Directors decided in late February. The NEC, which has worked for 37 years to protect the Klamath River and its fishery, is concerned that the Agreement does not contain a guarantee of water for fish nor even a goal for fishrecovery. Yet the Agreement would give farmers in the upper Klamath basin an unprecedented guaranteed allotment of water for irrigation.
The decision not to support the Restoration Agreement (also known as the Settlement Agreement) is based on scientific analyses provided by three of the West’s most respected river flow analysts, who concur that as a “plan for a plan” — even with the removal of four dams — the Agreement could result in Klamath River flows so sparse at crucial times that endangered salmon may not be able to recover from what are now critically low numbers.
“We want nothing more than to support a workable agreement that would result in decommissioning of four mainstem Klamath dams and provide fish with the water they need to avoid extinction,” Greg King, Executive Director of the Northcoast Environmental Center, said Monday. “The independent scientists we have commissioned and consulted, who are among the most respected river analysts in the west, tell us this deal won’t do that. This Agreement would lock us in to supporting water allocations for agriculture, as well as state and federal legislation, that could result in stream flows so low as to cause extinction. We can’t do that.”
The NEC is one of 26 parties to the Klamath Basin Agreement. Last year the organization contracted with hydrologist Greg Kamman, of Kamman Hydrology in San Rafael, and fisheries biologist Dr. Bill Trush, of McBain and Trush in Arcata, to analyze the scientific modeling and conclusions contained in the Restoration Agreement. In their reports (available at http://yournec.org) both scientists concluded that the Agreement could lock into place water allocations that would harm salmon.
Last week Trush completed an alternative plan for evaluating the needs of Klamath River fish prior to approval of the Restoration Agreement. That plan (attached) would have to be well under way, or completed, before the NEC will support the Basin Agreement.
In his alternative plan, Trush wrote, “The Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement relegates salmon and the Klamath River ecosystem to the status of junior water users, while Upper Basin irrigators become the senior water users. This premise squarely places onto the salmon and the river ecosystem any risk inherent in the conclusion that flows contained in the Agreement will actually provide enough water for recovery of the species. Nowhere is this clearer than in the future allocation of water. … Quantitative goals for fish and the river ecosystem, conspicuously missing from the Settlement Agreement, are necessary to establish how much improvement (benefit) is required for restoration. … The NEC shouldn’t support the Settlement Agreement until these specific concerns are addressed quantitatively.”
In addition to Trush and Kamman, another river scientist, Dr. Thomas Hardy, has expressed trepidations about the Basin Agreement. Hardy is the Associate Director of the Utah Water Research Laboratory at Utah State University. Many consider his studies of Klamath River hydrology to be the “best available science” for evaluating the river’s fishery. Last year the National Research Council utilized much of Hardy’s work in its definitive text, Hydrology, Ecology, and Fishes of the Klamath River Basin. In February 2008 Hardy told the NEC Board of Directors that in the Restoration Agreement, “Agriculture gets all the guarantees, and everything related to the environment is left to somewhat vague processes and committees.
”Hardy said that in dry years agriculture in the upper basin will be “taking too much water from the system,” with flow models demonstrating that the river will probably go well below 1,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) in late summer and early fall. “I’m just scared to death any time the flows get below 1,000 cfs,” said Hardy. Such low flows, he said, “double the risk to the system.” Flows that resulted in the 2002 fish kill, which killed nearly 70,000 adult Chinook salmon, were between 600 and 700 cfs.Hardy said that an acceptable Agreement would “guarantee flows for fish first, then other water uses.”
In his hydrological report, Kamman said, “I am concerned that the successful implementation of the Settlement Agreement hinges on a conceptual plan which has no guarantees of being achieved within a specified amount of time – time does not appear to be on the side of Klamath River salmonids.”
Under the Agreement, water in the mainstem will be reduced from September to February, “and this reduction in flow may prove detrimental to Klamath River salmonids,” said Kamman. “These flow conditions further emphasize the imbalance in flow and likely, in turn, salmonid habitat quality between the winter and spring periods (a time of salmonid immigration and spawning).”
Kamman also reports that the flows recommended in the Basin Agreement will draw too much water from Upper Klamath Lake, part of the Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complex, one of the most important habitats in North America for migrating waterfowl. Kamman said water use projected in the Basin Agreement could result in “lower total annual lake storage than was experienced historically.”
The NEC is also concerned that Settlement parties are being asked to support the Basin Agreement without seeing a dam removal agreement from PacifiCorp, owner of the four mainstem Klamath River dams whose relicensing process was the catalyst that brought the 26 Settlement parties together nearly three years ago. The PacifiCorp deal has been marred from the start by the company’s intransigence and occasional fits of economic hubris.
“Tearing down these dams would be the best thing to happen to an American river since dams started going up in the first place,” said the NEC’s Greg King. “You’d think that in facing the best opportunity in history to save precious salmon from extinction the folks at PacifiCorp would declare a ‘no-brainer’ and just go ahead and do it.” PacifiCorp ratepayers, said King, would also save $114 million if the company tore down the dams, as opposed to building the more expensive fish ladders required by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
__________________________________________________________
Oregon Wild
Native Rights News is making this material from [name of news source] available in accordance with a press release. This article is distributed without charge or profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information. Distribution of this material is for research and educational purposes that will promote social and economic justice and benefit society.
____________
Native Rights News (NRN) is published by the Alliance for Indigenous Rights, a nonprofit corporation owned and operated by Temple Beit Shem Tov as part of its Social Justice Ministry.
--
Posted By Perry Chesnut, Editor NRN to Native Rights News at 3/08/2010 08:41:00 PM
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
Use your mind..
Thoughts are things
Everything that was ever created by man, started as a thought in one mind. Thoughts turn into memory and memory is DNA, that is why we all have a unique code. Thoughts only come from 2 sources; old memories or divine inspiration. When we remember how to use our memory again, we will remember right back to the first mother and everything in between. Then we will be ready for divine inspiration and we will evolve as a species.
The evil that exists in this world was placed here with us and are a part of the “one”. We are to heal this wound in our collective conscious so we can evolve through the emotion of love and leave fear behind us forever. Love starts between a mother and child and is why the council of women are responsible for the children and the land they bring them into. That makes the local community or “municipality” the most important level of the decision making process and also makes the corporations polluting the local environment against the law of the land.
The movie “Avatar” is a fictitious account of what happened to us in 1779. The American revolution was created by the crown to divide and conquer us, the Iroquois. The first few years were a series of staged battles between freemasons (Washington and Cornwallis) to start the illusion of freedom amongst the settlers they placed here. Washington had a ragtag army as the story goes but in 1779 General Sullivan amassed the largest patriot army of the war and turned it on us to reveal the true intention of the war. Sullivan marched on Onondaga the home of the sacred tree of peace and destroyed everything he could for one year, while the British enjoyed their tea at Quebec. A few years later they placed a false border right through the middle of Iroquois land and called one side Canada, the other the United States. The bloodline was and still is, controlling both states through their banking and “free market” enterprises.
Hollywood is owned by these same people and they reveal their motives in each new movie. The movies 2012 and the Knowing tell us of end of the world scenarios where the powers that be, do not tell anyone of the impending disaster until days before it is upon them. The plots are all the same, cataclysmic events that destroy the world. They never tell you what is causing these events, although these same people own NASA and have been watching through Hubble and the South Pole telescope. They will not tell you until they are dug in deep for their own survival.
We know that the skyworld is on its way back for the 5thtime since we have been here. You will see two suns in the sky soon and it will signal the end of the power structures that have screwed things up so bad. We know them as the serpents and when the second sun appears in the sky they will never be seen by the people again. It is the skyworld that we came from and our men have been dealing with their men all along. The great peace will return with the second sun and that is the good news. We will evolve as a species through the power of love when we eliminate fear in our own minds. We can connect back to the true power of creation itself when we embrace the oneness.
Unity, Strength, Peace,
thahoketoteh of Kanekota
www.thahoketoteh.ws
www.youtube.com/thahoketoteh
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
Native HST protest won't sway Flaherty
Posted By: Anthony Jay Henhawk Jr.
To: Members in First Nations & Aboriginal Rights
Native HST protest won't sway Flaherty
********PROTEST AT PARLIAMENT IN OTTAWA WEDNESDAY MARCH 10th 2010!********
Finance Minister Jim Flaherty is hoping to redirect Ontario natives to Queens Park when they arrive on his doorstep Wednesday in Ottawa.
The Globe and Mail has obtained a letter from Mr. Flaherty to Ontario Finance Minister Dwight Duncan in which he declines proposals to exempt the province’s natives from the harmonized sales tax.
Ontario natives are holding a rally on Parliament Hill to protest against the July 1 implementation of the HST. For years, the Ontario government has allowed status Indians to receive provincial sales tax exemptions anywhere in the province provided they show their federally-issued Indian status card.
As for the federal goods and services tax, natives in Ontario and everywhere else only receive exemptions when goods are delivered to a reserve or purchased on a reserve.
Ottawa insists the federal GST rules will apply to all of the HST when it takes effect. That means Ontario natives will have to pay federal and provincial sales taxes for off-reserve purchases, which they criticize as a tax hike on the poor in the midst of a recession.
In his letter, Mr. Flaherty said Ottawa is open to negotiating a special arrangement for Ontario natives, which one official said could involve end-of-year tax rebates. Ontario native leaders have previously dismissed such a proposal.
“Ontario may wish to explore other ways to meet the interests of Ontario First Nations outside of the HST framework,” writes Mr. Flaherty. “Federal officials continue to be willing to work with your officials to explore ways for Ontario to accomplish this.”
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
More info on Governor Rounds Statement, Presidential Disaster Declar
Posted by: "NDN News" tamra@NDNnews.com tamra_ndnnews
Wed Mar 10, 2010 10:13 am (PST)
I spoke with Terry Woster from Governor Rounds office this morning,
regarding their press release that was issued yesterday
http://www.state.sd.us/governor/ (see below).
The press release inadvertently left out Ziebach, Dewey & Corson Counties,
which encompass Cheyenne River & Standing Rock Reservations. Woster did
confirm both Reservations were included in the January disaster declaration
request from the Governors office. Woster stated the declaration disaster
request was for $23 million dollars. The Governors office is hopeful Obama's
administration will approve the request possibly this week, both requests
were made on the same date. The request was for both public and private
assistance.
Unfortunately, there was a delayed response in the Governors office
submitting the disaster declaration, for the Christmas blizzard that
immobilized the entire state of South Dakota for several days. FEMA was in
the field across South Dakota assessing damages, when the January ice storm
and blizzard hit causing a crisis in many areas and devastating Cheyenne
River Reservation. The damage assessment teams were delayed and rescue mode
began. FEMA then returned into the field to assess damages from both
disasters. The disaster declarations were completed and simultaneously
submitted by Governor Rounds office and FEMA to Obama's administration.
It was brought to the Governors office that these counties and Reservations
were missing from their press release and Woster stated that they would be
correcting their error immediately.
More to follow as info comes in....
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, March 10, 2010
CONTACT: Terry Woster, Public Information Officer, 605-773-3178
Presidential Disaster Declaration Approved
Pierre, S.D. - Gov. Mike Rounds says 12 South Dakota countiesand two
American Indian reservations will get federal financial assistance to help
recover from the Christmas blizzard of 2009.
The assistance is made available through a Presidential Disaster
Declarationsigned Tuesday by President Obama.
"I'm pleased that federal aid has been promptly approved by the President,"
Gov. Mike Rounds said. "Unfortunately, the area struck by the
Christmas-period blizzard continues to be plagued by an excess of moisture.
We are now monitoring rivers and streams that are at or near flood stage."
"We also hope to receive word shortly on our request for federal assistance
due to the January ice storm and blizzard that hit many of these same
areas," the Governor added.
Counties receiving cost-sharing for emergency work and repair or replacement
of public facilities damaged by the Christmas blizzard include Campbell,
Clay, Gregory, Jones, Lyman, Mellette, Perkins, Shannon, Todd, Tripp, Turner
and Yankton, as well as the Pine Ridge and Rosebud reservations.
In addition, federal help is available to the state and eligible local and
tribal governments for emergency protective measures, including snow removal
costs.
A disaster declaration authorizes the federal government to provide relief
and recovery assistance for up to 75 percent of the eligible costs of damage
to public infrastructure in the affected areas. The state will cover 10
percent of the remaining eligible costs, and applicants are responsible for
15 percent of the costs.
-30-Bottom of Form
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
Who decides on whose identity?
Posted by: "NDN News" tamra@NDNnews.com tamra_ndnnews
Wed Mar 10, 2010 4:09 pm (PST)
Forwarding this along.....
_____
From: First Peoples Human Rights Coalition
[mailto:info@firstpeoplesrights.org]
Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 4:24 PM
To: info@firstpeoplesrights.org
Subject: Who decides on whose identity?
Two very different articles below address who is in charge of identity. One
is from Canada, one from Bengladesh.
________________________
CBCnews
Indian status coming for thousands of Canadians
Last Updated: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 | 2:11 PM ET
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/ottawa/story/2010/03/10/native-status.html
More than 45,000 Canadians could be recognized as status Indians under
changes the federal government plans to make to the Indian Act, CBC News has
learned.
The changes come after Ottawa lost a court challenge addressing the
different ways that men and women are treated when it comes to Indian status
under the Indian Act.
In 1985, Ottawa changed the rules for women who married non-natives. They
would retain their status, as would their children, but not their
grandchildren.
But the rules are different for Indian men. They and their descendants keep
their status when they marry non-native women.
Last year's court decision has prompted the government to extend Indian
status for one more generation. This means grandchildren of such a union
will now have native status.
Carol Scott, whose grandmother was a status Indian, said she lost that
recognition when she married a non-aboriginal man.
The marriage meant that she and her children couldn't live on reserve and
were denied health and education benefits.
But Scott, who's from Manitoba, said that it's more an issue of identity.
"It's almost like you're lost, you're in limbo. You don't know where you
belong anymore. And that's so important to belong," she said.
Scott said the government's amendment is as good start.
"We want what belongs to us. It's our birthright. I'm an aboriginal person,
I'm proud of it and I want my son to be proud of it, too."
Scott wants the proposed amendments extended so her son will be eligible to
become a status Indian as well.
Wanda Wuttnee, who heads the native studies department at the University of
Manitoba, said that she's in the same situation as Scott and that the
government needs to go further.
"They haven't corrected it yet with this decision. It didn't remove the
barriers. My children cannot pass status to their children. So yes, there's
still a problem."
Shawn Atleo, the head of the Assembly of First Nations, said it's a question
of who has the right to define citizenship.
"And so here we are again with potentially the federal government acting in
isolation and unilaterally in defining who is or who isn't a member of a
community when it really rightfully belongs to the indigenous nations to do
so."
But Atleo said he welcomes any changes that make the rules fairer for
aboriginal women and their descendants.
With files from Karen Pauls
Video
*
Indian Act, making tens of thousands of Canadians eligible for status Watch:
2:55
Audio
*
Copyright C CBC 2010
*If you re-print, copy, archive or re-post this message, please retain this
credit.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
UBCIC's Protecting Knowledge Conference site:
http://www.ubcic.bc.ca/Resources/conferences/PK.htm
Follow UBCIC on Twitter at http://twitter.com/UBCIC
_______________________
(Bengladesh)
Your Right To Know
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=127591
Who decides on whose identity?
Ashok Kumar Chakma
Afew days back, under the signature of a deputy secretary of the Ministry of
Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs (MoCHTA) a letter was issued regarding the
use of the terms "tribal" (upojati) and "indigenous" (adivasi). The deputy
commissioners (DC), superintendents of police (SP) and upazila nirbahi
officers (UNO) in three Hill Districts were requested to undertake measures
for keeping law and order and harmony among all communities in the hill
region.
The letter also expresses some concerns over the use of the term adivasi
instead of tribal by the indigenous leaders, intellectuals and media people.
First, by identifying themselves as adivasi, some indigenous people are
carrying out propaganda against the Bengali settlers. Second, once they are
recognised as adivasi, they will have the right to enjoy all rights
guaranteed by United Nations and might create pressure on the government of
Bangladesh at international level. Third, recognition as adivasi will pave
the way for establishing "autonomy" for indigenous peoples in the future.
Thus, recognition might tell upon communal harmony in the hilly region. What
is the objective of this letter? Are the concerns or allegations expressed
in the letter well-founded?
Raja Devasish Roy, the Chakma Circle Chief, in his inaugural speech during
the Headmen's Association's conference in Khagrachari, said that the letter
by MoCHTA on the reservation of using adivasi was without merit as the
constitution of Bangladesh did not say anything about tribal or adivasi
(Prothom Alo, Feb 13).
Upajati or adivasi, who will decide on the question of identity? Why do the
civil-military bureaucrats intend to impose an identity on indigenous
peoples? They must understand that the term "indigenous" is not new in
Bangladesh. Many laws, such as CHT Regulation 1900; income tax laws; the
Forest Act 1927; and the State Acquisition and Tenancy (Amendment) Act 2004
uses the terms "indigenous hillmen" or "aboriginal."
The ILO Convention 169, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP),
among others, recognise the indigenous rights at the international level.
These conventions have been passed as global standards for protection and
promotion of indigenous rights across the world. Bangladesh being a state
party to the United Nations cannot ignore this reality. In addition, by its
constitutional obligation, Bangladesh is bound to respect international laws
and standards (Article 25).
Thus, for Bangladesh to deny the indigenous rights will be tantamount to
living in a fools' paradise in this globalised age. The government might
instead undertake measures for constitutional recognition of indigenous
peoples, by which it could gain international acclamation.
The last point of the MoCHTA letter is concerned with autonomy, but it did
not clarify what it meant by autonomy. However, as a common citizen, I
understand autonomy in relation to decentralisation of power from the centre
to the periphery. To address this issue we have got the CHT Accord 1997,
which could be considered as one of the best models in conflict resolution
without third-party involvement.
Despite differences on the question of implementation of the CHT Accord, it
is a constructive arrangement between the government and indigenous peoples
in CHT. To implement it in letter and spirit, mutual trust and respect must
come from both sides -- indigenous and non-indigenous people. However,
indigenous peoples expect a liberal and positive attitude from the majority
non-indigenous people, including civil-military bureaucrats.
By the way, indigenous people are not for disintegration. From the very
beginning they wanted to be recognised by the constitution of country; but
the government imposed "Bangali" identity on them through the constitution
instead. We have witnessed the fallout of that for more than three decades
in CHT.
Finally, we got the CHT Accord; however, the aspiration for constitutional
recognition as indigenous peoples has not been fulfilled yet. We indigenous
peoples do not want imposed identity. We assert our identity as adivasis,
and this is our human right. The state must respect and recognise this
right.
Ashok Kumar Chakma is Master of Development Practice (Advanced), University
of Queensland, Australia. E-mail: ashok.chakma@gmail.com.
C thedailystar.net, 1991-2008. All Rights Reserved
(2min 14sec): The third instalment from the set of How to Lose Friends and
Alienate People
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
BREAKING NEWS: Search on for son, mother found murdered in Valley Ce
Posted by: "NDN News" tamra@NDNnews.com tamra_ndnnews
Wed Mar 10, 2010 5:04 pm (PST)
BREAKING NEWS: Search on for son, mother found murdered in Valley Center
home
March 10, 3:13 PMSan Diego News
Police are searching for the son of a murdered Valley Center woman.
Police are searching for the son of a murdered Valley Center woman.
www.google.com
Sheriff's homicide detectives are searching for the adult son of a
53-year-old woman whose bloody body was discovered at an upscale home in
Valley Center.
According to authorities, Margo Jean Lucero was discovered dead by her
husband and daughter in the 29300 block of Costalota Road not long after 1
p.m. Tuesday.
Her car was later found in southern Arizona, according to the Medical
Examiner's Office and sheriff's office
Homicide detectives were dispatched to investigate what a source close to
case noted was a "bloody, very bloody'' scene.
"She had sustained extensive traumatic injuries,'' a sheriff's spokesperson
said in a statement released Wednesday.
Detectives want to question David Leroy Lucero -- the victim's 25-year- old
son -- in connection with her death, according to a lieutenant, who said the
man is Native American, around 5' 11" and 165 pounds, with black hair and
brown eyes.
The victim worked at Valley View Casino in Valley Center and resided in the
home with her husband
http://www.examiner.com/x-833-San-Diego-News-Examiner~y2010m3d10-BREAKING-NE
WS-Search-on-for-son-mother-found-murdered-in-Valley-Center-home
Join
on Facebook or visit us at www.NDNnews.com
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
Indian status coming for thousands of Canadians
Posted By: Anthony Jay Henhawk Jr.
To: Members in First Nations & Aboriginal Rights
Indian status coming for thousands of Canadians
More than 45,000 Canadians could be recognized as status Indians under changes the federal government plans to make to the Indian Act, CBC News has learned.
The changes come after Ottawa lost a court challenge addressing the different ways that men and women are treated when it comes to Indian status under the Indian Act.
In 1985, Ottawa changed the rules for women who married non-natives. They would retain their status, as would their children, but not their grandchildren.
The rules are different, however, for Indian men. A man who married a non-native can pass status to two generations
Last year's court decision has prompted the government to extend Indian status for one more generation. This means grandchildren of such a union will now have native status, but not great-grandchildren.
Carol Scott, whose grandmother was a status Indian, said her grandmother lost that recognition when she married a non-aboriginal man.
The marriage meant that her grandmother and her children couldn't live on reserve and were denied health and education benefits.
But Scott, who's from Manitoba, said that it's more an issue of identity.
"It's almost like you're lost, you're in limbo. You don't know where you belong anymore. And that's so important to belong," she said.
Scott said the government's amendment is as good start.
"We want what belongs to us. It's our birthright. I'm an aboriginal person, I'm proud of it and I want my son to be proud of it, too."
Scott wants the proposed amendments extended so her son will be eligible to become a status Indian as well.
Wanda Wuttnee, who heads the native studies department at the University of Manitoba, said that she's in the same situation as Scott and that the government needs to go further.
"They haven't corrected it yet with this decision. It didn't remove the barriers. My children cannot pass status to their children. So yes, there's still a problem."
Shawn Atleo, the head of the Assembly of First Nations, said it's a question of who has the right to define citizenship.
"And so here we are again with potentially the federal government acting in isolation and unilaterally in defining who is or who isn't a member of a community when it really rightfully belongs to the indigenous nations to do so."
Still, Atleo said he welcomes any changes that make the rules fairer for aboriginal women and their descendants.
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
Friends of the Confederacy of Canadian Metis Bulletin
Posted by Lloyd Fournier
Lloyd Fournier just posted a photo to your cause,Friends of the Confederacy of Canadian Metis:
Read about the health risks and the Federal Government.s failure to obey teh Canadian Constitution. Bad days ahead
Thanks,
Lloyd Fournier
Oka ~ Redux
Why this photo matters to the cause:
Make no mistake, Kanehsatake is not a reservation. It is unsurrendered Aboriginal territory. Neither The Indian Act nor Oka’s municipal government system legally has any authority to this territory. When invited to visit brothers and sisters at Kanehsatake recently, I was visiting history as it took place around me. It is humbling to travel along the exact road shown nightly on television from March 11, 1990 until September 26, 1990 as we watch an alleged democracy turn its most deadly weapons on its own people. Humbling for sure but also highly ironic as the stories I learned during that visit reawakened a national shame in my heart. Ironic? Yes, indeed ironic as now almost twenty years later to the day I watch a terrible chapter in Canada’s history and a terrible chapter in Quebec’s history about to unfold. And, I ask myself what this country called Canada learned in the twenty years since the terribly brutal incidents that took place here in Oka twenty years ago. The bullet marks remain on nearby trees and I ask myself why my people are pushed into such corners in places such as the Mohawk in Oka, Kapuskasing Cree First Nation the Lubicon Cree. The truth is that hardly a single day passes in this Canada without another assault on its Aboriginal residents. This truly is a death of a thousand cuts. Oh, Canada! When will you learn to make human rights an issue in Canada as well as in Afghanistan? Let’s first look back at those dark days in 1990. It that particular case the nearby town fathers deemed it appropriate to expand a golf course and residential development onto sacred ground in which Aboriginals had been burried as well as a Mohawk meeting place. By the time the barricades were down, one policeman had died from gunshots fired by his own colleagues, young Aboriginal children had imprinted on their minds memories of life in a war zone, neighboring rednecks standing on high ground near the Mercier Bridge had seen fit to stone the cars driven by Mohawks even from nearby Kahnawake located in what was known as the Seigneurie du Sault-Saint-Louis. In total, estimates range upwards from $2 million for the total costs incurred during that 78 day seige upon Aboriginal rights. And now, twenty years later I watch a scene that has the potential to be much more severe. More severe? Yes not only in capital cost but in environmental costs. My ancsetry is not pure Iroquois. In fact, along with its Mohawk and M’qmaw branches my family also includes Algonquin. However, let there be no doubt, all of those cultures have great respect for this land upon which we live. She is our Mother. The New Crisis A mining company, Niocan is now into the final stages of obtaining a certificate of authorization to commence a process described by the corporation as niobium extraction. This process, if allowed to proceed will have an adverse long-term effect not only on residents of Kanehsatake but the neighbouring residents of Oka itself this time. Let’s look for a minute at what helath authorities have to say about niobium and niobium extraction. Niobium ore contains in excess of 10% thorium. Thorium is radio active and represents a great health risk. It can be injested into the body by way of food or water. Water is a principal resources used in the “extraction” process. Thorium has a half-life in the body of 700 days. In other words, in 700 days, only half the rado acive material is flushed from the body and that only in ideal conditions where there is no further exposure. This element (thorium) is extremely carthonogenic and is also linked to birth defects in new born children. In addition to ingestion through food and water, valid, credible and reliable sources inform us that even the dust from the process is dangerous. It is easy to make allegations concerning any one thing. However, in this case we look at government sources such as Dr. Slavica Vlahovich who is a physician with the Directorate for Health Services with the Canadian military. The various scientific reports considered before writing this piece for the Confederacy of Canadian Metis also include United Nations health reports and a farily detailed summary of a report from the government of British Columbia. The absolute irony of the present Niocan/Oka Crisis is that now we have Aboriginal people being left to fight for the health safety of the non-Aboriginal population of nearby Oka. We wonder why Oka’s mayor is less interested in his people’s health than he was in a golf course twenty years ago. It hardly seems fair. The Responsibility of Canada’s Government There is NO doubt that the Federal government has a fiduciary responsibility to all Aboriginal persons in Canada. That fact has not only been ratified by numerous Supreme Court decisions but is entrenched in Canada’s Constitution. Turning to the Constituion, it is a requirement that Aboriginal Peoples be consulted –“by the Federal Government” in any matter that “potentially” effects the rights of any Aboriginal person. Let us be clear. The exact wording refers to potential and is clear. Case law ratifies that responsibility as well. Recent case law reveals that the commencement of the duty of consultation is an integral and defining question in every project in Canada that potentially impacts Aboriginal rights, whether such rights are merely asserted or proven (by treaty or determined by a court). If a court determines that consultation has commenced in a late manner, then all Crown decisions or actions regarding a project are immediately suspect. By definition, late consultation is inadequate consultation. A Crown decision based on inadequate consultation with affected Aboriginal peoples potentially renders the decision invalid. In other words, no authorization to proceed with such a project is legal UNLESS that consultation first takes place. An important court precedent ([2002] S.C.C.A. No. 417 [Haida].) precisely requires that this duty to consult begins immediately once the government has knowledge, real or constructive, of the potential existence of the Aboriginal right or title and contemplates conduct that might adversely affect it. The Constitutional rights to safety of the person including protection from health hazard are no less an Aboriginal right than they are a right to any non-Aboriginal person. The test set out by the Court in Haida is comprised of two parts: (a) when the Crown has knowledge, real or constructive, of the potential existence of an Aboriginal right or title; and (b) the Crown contemplates conduct that might adversely affect such Aboriginal right or title. The judgement in Dene Tha ([2006] F.C.J. No. 1677, leave to appeal to the F.C.A. granted [Dene Tha’].) deals squarely with the question of when the Crown’s duty of consultation commences with Aboriginal peoples. The judgment has enormous implications for the Crown, both federal and provincial, and for energy and natural resource project proponents who rely on and require Crown authorizations to carry out their project. The days are long past when a mining company could simply negotiate to buy off potential opposition in an Aboriginal community by tossing around a bit of munificence such as a recreation center. Notwithstanding that, I (for a fact) know that our various chiefs and councils are far too wise to trade Mother Earth for glass beads and tin pots. What About Oka Aside from Kanehsatake, perhaps the thing that most folks would think about when the word Oka is mentioned is the area’s world famous cheese manufacture. One cannot help but wonder what the opening of a nearby Niobium extraction operation and the presence of thorium would have on world wide consumer’s perceptions of the health safety of Oka’s world famous cheese. In terms of total employment, the region could very well lose more jobs than it is picking up through the Niocan mine. We, at the Confederacy of Canadian Metis do not speak for the Band at Kanehsatake. We advocate the unification of all Aboriginal people but have the utmost respect for the sovereignty of the Band Council and leaders at Kanehsatake.
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
Live webcast: Hate Groups and Extremism in America
March 11, 2010
Dear Friend,
SPLC President Richard Cohen and SPLC's Intelligence Project Director Mark Potok invite you to join them for a live webcast — a 30-minute audio chat — to discuss our recently released Year in Hate and Extremism report.
This year's report documented a record number of active racist hate groups, an explosion of conspiracy-minded "Patriot" and militia groups, and a sharp increase in the number of vigilante "nativist extremist" groups who confront suspected immigrants.
These three strands of the radical right are the most volatile elements on the American political landscape. Taken together, their numbers increased by more than 40 percent, rising from 1,248 groups to 1,753.
Richard and Mark will accept questions before and during the 30-minute audio webcast.
Live webcast
Date: Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Time: 2 p.m. Eastern
How to participate: Register here and you will receive a confirmation email with a link to sign into the webcast.
Learn how the election of President Obama, the economy, and rage at the federal government are fueling this growth.
There are already signs of a resurgence of radical-right violence. Right-wing extremists have murdered six law enforcement officers since Obama's inauguration. Most recently, a number of individuals with antigovernment, survivalist or racist views have been arrested in a series of bomb cases, and tragically a man furious with the government crashed his plane into an IRS building.
We look forward to your participation in the live chat.
Your friends at the Southern Poverty Law Center
Follow SPLC on Twitter.
Become our fan on Facebook.
We welcome your feedback.
Contact us online.
Or by mail:
Southern Poverty Law Center
400 Washington Ave.
Montgomery, AL 36104
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
Communal attack on Jummas by Military Forces and Bengali Settlers, [2/25/2010]
http://www.tiprasa.com/
A News and Information Web Portal of the Indigenous People of Tripura
By Our Correspondent, feedback@tiprasa.com
New Delhi Feb 25, 2010: All roads led to Jantar mantar today at 11 am, as several hundreds of Peace loving Indigenous people of Tripura, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh came out on the streets in New Delhi to protest against the barbaric killing and communal attacks on the thousands of Jumma Indigenous people of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) of Bangladesh.
They also submitted an memorandum to the Honourable Prime minister of India, Dr Manmohan Singh to seek the interventions of the Government of India with the Government of Bangladesh against the communal attacks on the tribals in the Chittagong Hill tracts by the Bangladesh Army and the illegal plain settlers and also to bring an end to the ongoing communal violence against the tribal peoples such as Chakmas,Marmas,Tripuris-who identify themselves as Jummas for practicing Jhum/Shifting cultivation.
The Protest rally was organized by CHTs Support Group,led by Mr Suhash Chakma, Director, Asian Centre for Human Rights(ACHR) and was backed by the Tripura Students Forum,Delhi(TSFD) with maximum support and co-operation!
The unfortunate killings also raise a legitimate question as to the award of a Peace prize awarded by the Govt. of India to the PM of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina in November 09 2009, for promoting Peace by resolving a long standing insurgency(problem) in Bangladesh by concluding the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord, when the Indigenous People are not enjoying any peace but only faced persecution because of their ethnicity and religion.
The Protest groups urged the Government of India to take the following measures:
1. Make a public statement expressing concern about the attacks on the tribal peoples of the CHT and take all necessary measures to bring an end to the violence with full respect for the principles of equality and non-discrimination.
2.Urge the Government of Bangladesh to fully implement the CHT peace accord.
3.Provide a package for implementation of the CHT to ensure that both the communities can live in harmony.
Its been reported that till now 10 innocent persons, Jummas have died in the state riots, One Buddhist temple, One Church, a UNDP run centre and 300-400 houses have been completely burnt down and 2000 indigenous Jummas have been internally displaced in the attacks. Most of the displaced Jumma villagers have taken shelter in to the deep forest fearing further attacks and most of these indigenous victims whose houses have been burnt down have been passing days without food and staying under the open sky in the absence of any help coming from the authorities!
It is reported that on 19 February 2010 afternoon a group Bengali settlers went to the Gangaran Duar area of Bangladesh and put pillars on the land of Indigenous Jumma villagers for construction of house there. When the Jumma villagers protested and opposed the Bengali settlers, hundreds of Bengali settlers led by leaders of so-called Sama Odhikar Andolon under full protection by a group of army from Baghaihat zone of 8 Bir Bengal gathered at Gangaram Duar area and started to set fire on the houses of Jumma villages at night.
Since then the a regular planed attack was carried out by the Bengalis with the assistance of the Military Force on the Jumma Indigenous people which left many death and homeless.
__________________________________________________________
Source: http://tiprasa.com/articles/viewcomm.asp?identity=359&title=Communal%20attack%20on%20Jummas%20by%20Military%20Forces%20and%20Bengali%20Settlers
Native Rights News is making this material fromhttp://www.tiprasa.com/ available in accordance with the Fair Use Doctrine codified at Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107: This article is distributed without charge or profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information. Distribution of this material is for research and educational purposes that will promote social and economic justice and benefit society.
____________
Native Rights News (NRN) is published by the Alliance for Indigenous Rights, a nonprofit corporation owned and operated by Temple Beit Shem Tov as part of its Social Justice Ministry.
--
Posted By Perry Chesnut, Editor NRN to Native Rights News at 3/11/2010 05:13:00 PM
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
new Facebook and MySpace pages to invite you to please
Hello everyone,
I would like to invite those of you who have MySpace or Facebook pages to please add "Project Indigenous" to your friends lists. Scott Frazier is my dear friend here in town that traveled to Russia and spoke out for Indigenous and environmental concerns during the historic USA/Russia summit talks this past year and he founded the company, "Project Indigenous."
Please stop by and add us to your friends' lists?
THANKS!!!
bluejay
http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?topic=17085&uid=400818613241#!/pages/Project-Indigenous/400818613241?ref=ts
Here is the front page for the Project Indigenous MySpace page under development-
http://www.myspace.com/526191883
blog for the MySpace page-
http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.ListAll&friendId=526191883
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.