By : Russell Means
In answer to today’s United States Government and its Colonial Corporation, the
Oglala Sioux Tribal Govenment’s press conference:
“We the Lakotah People, do not want our massacred dead bodies of Men, Women and
Children at the mass grave at Wounded Knee used for publicity by the United
States Government nor their colonial corporation, the Oglala Sioux Tribal
Government.”
On May 1, 2010, two young men, the Camp brothers counted coup on the first
7th Cavalry helicopter and Debbie White Plume, an elder and grandmother who
charged the second helicopter preventing it from landing. By running under the
blades and touching them without harming the enemy and getting away is how the
Lakotah counted coup on this eventful day.
May 2, 2010 at 9:35am
Dakota.
To the Original Peoples of the Fourth World and all International Press
Services:
At high noon today US Army helicopters of the US Seventh Cavalry air division
attempted to land their Blackhawk aircraft upon Lakota Sacred Burial grounds in
South Dakota. The presence of military aircraft from this unit is a sad and
insulting reminder of the slaughter of more than 300 American Aboriginals on
December 29, 1890 when soldiers of the US 7th Cavalry gunned down more than 300
Aboriginal Minneconjou Lakota refugee children, women, infants and the elderly
at what is now called Wounded Knee in South Dakota Indian Country. The military
then left the bodies of their victims to decay unburied in the driving snow.
According to reports from Indigenous Rights Movement Radio host Wanblee this
afternoon, Lakota resident Theresa TwoBulls was given less than 24 hrs notice
that three US Army 7th Cavalry helicopters would make a landing on the sacred
burial grounds at Wounded Knee. As of this writing, the US military was
confronted by angry but peaceful and steadfast community resistance as the
Aboriginal people of the area have so far, according to reports from Lakota
people on the ground, managed to prevent the aircraft from touching Indigenous
ground.
For all American Aboriginals of the Americas, this is a sacred area. This is
the place where the promise of a people died while fleeing from a genocidal US
military unit hell-bent on liquidating the continent of its Indigenous
population. There has never been any official apology offered for this massacre
and the military awards bestowed upon the genocidal aggressors involved in this
conflict still stand, as does a physical monument in honour of the US Army
killed during Custer’s “last stand” against a defiant and united Indigenous
resistance to their own demise.
The history of the US Army 7th Cavalry is important to understanding the
level of violence used against Indigenous peoples. It is important to remember
that after the US Seventh Cavalry officially ended the “Indian Wars” at home,
they were then dispatched to do battle against Indigenous Filipinos struggling
to maintain their hard-won national independence from the colonialist Spanish.
In other words, the US War Department sent this very same unit to do overseas
what was done here to the Indigenous peoples of the Americas. In this historical
light, it is only logical for Indigenous peoples to assume that the Obama
administration is attempting to make a political point out of this spectacle.
Only, what sort of message are you sending by insulting and humiliating a people
already suffering from five centuries of continuous pro-Europocentric,
anti-Indigenous genocide?
This domestic military action is a deliberate insult and an obvious message
of ongoing colonialism, state-sponsored racism and apathetic Indigenous genocide
to all Indigenous peoples across the Fourth World; to the whole of the
Lakota/Dakota Nation; and to the Indigenous residents of Pine Ridge and Wounded
Knee. The symbolism of dispatching the Seventh Cavalry to Wounded Knee in an
attempt to land weapons of mass destruction on Aboriginal sacred ground tells us
how little this government, and this particular administration, respects the
people of Indian Country and our significant historical perspective as survivors
of the racist Euro-settler xenophobic purges waged against the Indian in the
Americas.
To make matters worse, this action comes on the heels of newly-passed
legislation in Arizona state that requires law officers to racially-profile
anyone they believe “looks”, “sounds” or “dresses” like an illegal immigrant, a
thinly veiled “race law” that directly effects both our Indigenous sisters and
brothers native to Occupied Mexico as well as the Native American population of
Arizona in the United States. Given that most Indigenous peoples of the Americas
share the same general physiotype and more often than not, similar Spanish last
names, the passage of this guideline will without a doubt lead to widespread
abuses against that state’s brown-skinned population. The legal door now opened,
Texas and other states led by neo-confederate constituencies are moving to pass
their own anti-immigrant/anti-Indigenous directives that will broadly effect
anyone and everyone who could be perceived by the colonial European majority as
a “foreign invader”.
The Obama administration has shown America and the world that they are no
different than any other previous US government in their view that the American
Indian on both sides of the US border is nothing more than a prop or a tool to
be displayed only when it is useful to promote the “contemporary” 21st century
neo-colonialist capitalist agenda. The Obama administration, an office headed by
a man of African descent, has shamed itself and all those who have supported his
candidacy in arrogantly dismissing the memory of our people interred at Wounded
Knee by rubbing the military might of the historically anti-Indigenous 7th
Cavalry in our faces by forcibly entering Indian Country in an attempt to land
their machines of war on top of the bodies of our ancestral dead.
Clearly, the culture war against the American Indian is not over. Welcome to
the new American century.
Pass this on We must get the word out…..Let everyone know..Contact the your
local media….Tell them the the Local Media in (Rapid City, SD) haven’t even
mentioned this in the news…So typical for rapid city SD media…and if they did
post it, it would not be the truth..I tried to contact the Rapid City
Urinal….LOL. They wont return my calls or post any of the comments I have made
in defense of our people. James ( Magaska) Swan AIM Black Hills South Dakota
iReport —CNN news 5/3/2010
Today at just past Noon Central Time; Three US Army Helicopters attepted to land
on Lakota Sacred Burial grounds at Wounded Knee, South Dakota.
The Helicopters were from the Seventh Cavalry which were Historically remnants
of General G.A. Custer whose troops were defeated at Little Big Horn in one of
the Many battles the United States as they waged a war of attrition and Genocide
on Native Americans after the Civil War.
On Dec 28, 1890 remnants of the Seventh Cavalry Mowed down more than 300 Babies,
Children, Women, Old People and Men; at what is now called Wounded Knee, South
Dakota and left their Victims bodies unburied and Frozen.
Theresa TwoBulls was given less than 24 hrs Notice that Three US Army 7th Cav
helicopters would Land on the Burial Grounds at Wounded Knee today.
They were met with Peaceful but Firm resistance, as Lakota (Sioux) Women and
Children stood Immobile on that Sacred Ground, preventing the Gross, Unspeakable
Insult of 7th Cav. choppers to Land on the same ground where more than 300
Murder Victims lay Buried.
A Lakota Mother said..”I cannot believe they are doing this, have they ( 7th Cav)
NO Respect for Our Dead ” ?
Evidently the 3 Helicopters & Brass in Charge did not know their history..and
what a Unspeakable Insult it was to the Residents of Pine Ridge, Wounded Knee
and the Lakota People; to have the ACTUAL Seventh Cavalry Choppers attempt to
land on this Sacred Ground.
This was Broadcast Live on Blogtalkradio, Indigenous People Rights today.
More to follow as reports come in.
--
Chief Jim "Shaman" Dennison
Nat./Int. Comm. World Wide
U.I.N. Director of Communications
U.I.N. Secretary
& Personal Warrior for N/I A.P.T.
Chief Golden Eagle World Wide
Native Historian Expert
The Official United Indian Nation,Inc
Ph 205-921-0756 (C) 205-412-2437
Email: uinshaman1@gmail.co
Click Play and
place your mouse at the bottom or on Either side of the box below and click
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BREAKINGNEWS: Former Cherokee Nation Chief Wilma Mankiller
dies
This Great woman passed over on the
morning of April 6th 2010 from pancreatic cancer.
Memorial Services will be March 10th at 11 AM at the Cherokee Nation
Cultural Grounds in Tahlequah.
Lets all remember this great woman and her family in our prayers.
Many Blessings,
Chief Shaman
BREAKING NEWS: Former Cherokee Nation Chief Wilma Mankiller dies
Christina Good Voice Staff Writer
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Former
Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Wilma Mankiller died in the morning
hours of
April 6 at her home in rural Adair County, Cherokee Nation officials
confirmed
to the Cherokee Phoenix.
Mankiller,
who was one of the few women ever to lead a major American Indian
tribe,
was
64.
Her passing came a little more
than a month after her husband, CN Community Services Group Leader
Charlie Soap,
announced that she was diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer.
“Our personal and national hearts
are heavy with sorrow and sadness with the passing this morning of
Wilma
Mankiller,” said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation
in a
statement released by the tribe. “We feel overwhelmed and lost when
we
realize
she has left us but we should reflect on what legacy she leaves us.
We
are
better people and a stronger tribal nation because her example of
Cherokee
leadership, statesmanship, humility, grace, determination and
decisiveness."
“When we become
disheartened, we will be inspired by remembering how Wilma proceeded
undaunted
through so many trials and tribulations," Smith said. "Years ago,
she and her
husband Charlie Soap showed the world what Cherokee people can do
when
given the
chance, when they organized the self-help water line in the Bell
community. She
said Cherokees in that community learned that it was their choice,
their
lives,
their community and their future. Her gift to us is the lesson that
our
lives
and future are for us to decide. We can carry on that Cherokee
legacy by
teaching our children that lesson. Please keep Wilma’s family,
especially her
husband Charlie and her daughters, Gina and Felicia, in your
prayers.”
In a March 2 news release,
Soap said Mankiller had stage 4 metastatic pancreatic cancer but
gave no
other
details.
In the release, Mankiller
wrote she was prepared for the journey.
“I decided to issue this statement
because I want my
family and friends to know that I am mentally and spiritually
prepared
for this
journey, a journey that all human beings will take at one time or
another,” she
wrote. “It’s been my privilege to meet and be touched by thousands
of
people in
my life, and I regret not being able to deliver this message
personally
to so
many of you.”
Mankiller served as
principal chief from 1985 until retiring in 1995. Prior to becoming
principal
chief, she served as deputy chief under Ross Swimmer. She assumed
the
principal
chief position and served out the remainder of the 1983-87 term
after
Swimmer
resigned to take a Bureau of Indian Affairs job in Washington, D.C.
She
was
elected principal chief in 1987 and 1991.
Mankiller was born on Nov. 18, 1945,
at W.W. Hastings
Indian Hospital in Tahlequah, according to a CN press release.
Mankiller
requested that any gifts
in her honor be made as donations to One Fire Development
Corporation, a
non-profit dedicated to advancing Native American communities though
economic
development, and to valuing the wisdom that exists within each of
the
diverse
tribal communities around the world. Tax deductible donations can be
made at
www.wilmamankiller.com as
well as
www.onefiredevelopment.org. The
mailing
address for One Fire Development Corporation is 1220 Southmore
Houston,
TX
77004.
Memorial
services will be
March 10 at 11 a.m. at the Cherokee Nation Cultural Grounds in
Tahlequah.
Health care services for American Indians may receive upgrades if a bill
introduced in the U.S. Senate this week passes into law. The bill would be
the first to address Indian health care since 2001.
Sens. Tim Johnson and John Thune
agree that a resolution of apology to
Native Americans approved Tuesday by the
U.S. Senate is a valuable gesture from
the federal government.
They also agree that it's not enough.
"The Native Americans deserve an
apology, but they deserve much more than
that," said Johnson during a conference
call with reporters. "They deserve full
funding for the treaty responsibilities
that the federal government has taken
on. And that includes health care,
housing, education and jobs,
especially."
The Native American Apology
Resolution was approved as part of
Department of Defense appropriations
package late Tuesday. The resolution
offers an apology from the United States
government to Native Americans for
actions by the government in the past.
It does not authorize settlement of any
claims against the government.
Thune said during his weekly
conference call Wednesday that the
resolution was a valuable symbol in
acknowledging "the wrongs of the past."
But Native Americans need more than
meaningful symbols, Thune said.
"The real issue, I think, is what we are
doing in terms of improving conditions
on the reservations," the Republican
said.
That work must focus on controlling
crime, improving infrastructure and
creating a safe and secure environment
for education, business development and
better health care, Thune said. More
federal funding is needed to shore up
the criminal justice system on
reservations and improve health care and
water systems, he said. Johnson agreed,
and said he and colleagues on the Senate
Indian Affairs Committee will be will
soon be working on Native American
health care legislation.
Discussions on making amends for past
wrongs against Sioux tribes often lead
to debate over the continuing push by
many tribal leaders and elders for the
return of at least some land in the
Black Hills. Most continue to reject a
monetary award granted by the U.S.
Supreme Court over the wrongful taking
of the land. And they hope that
President Barack Obama will be receptive
to re-opening the issue.
However, neither Thune nor Johnson is
interested in supporting that issue at
this point. The tribes and various
Native groups interested in the land
settlement haven't yet reached a
consensus, Thune said. It makes more
sense to focus attention and resources
on ways to improve conditions for Native
Americans rather than getting caught up
in the Black Hills dispute,
Sens. Tim Johnson and John Thune agree that a resolution of apology to Native
Americans approved Tuesday by the U.S. Senate is a valuable gesture from the
federal government.
They also agree that it's not enough.
"The Native Americans deserve an apology, but they deserve much more than that,"
said Johnson during a conference call with reporters. "They deserve full funding
for the treaty responsibilities that the federal government has taken on. And
that includes health care, housing, education and jobs, especially."
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. --
President Barack
Obama aggressively
campaigned in New Mexico
hoping to capture the votes
of Native Americans.
Obama picked up endorsements
from the Navajo Nation, the
All Indian Pueblo Council
and Mescalero Apache Tribe.
Now he is making good on his
promises to work for them.
Tribal leaders from all over
New Mexico will soon make
their way to the White
House.
Obama just announced a plan
to host representatives of
all 564 federally recognized
tribes.
Some of the issues that are
of concern to New Mexico
tribal leaders include
access to health care,
roads, infrastructure and
jobs.
The Tribal Nations
Conference will take place
on Nov. 5.
"I think this is the day
every tribal leader has been
waiting for," said Zuni
Governor Norman Cooeyate
The Pueblo Governors will
meet before they fly to
Washington to come up with
common needs. However each
tribal leader has a list of
concerns unique to their
people.
In a statement released by
the White House, Obama said,
"This conference will serve
as part of an ongoing and
important process that I
value, and further
strengthen the nation to
nation relationship."
The list of decades-old grievances
that Native American nations have
lodged against the federal
government is lengthy and a source
of great acrimony.
But when hundreds of tribal
leaders arrive Thursday in the
nation's capital for a summit with
President Barack Obama, the mood is
expected to be mostly upbeat, even
jovial. Oneida Tribe of Indians
Chairman Rick Hill is expected to
attend the event.
Tribes that accuse Washington of
failing to provide adequate
resources for health, education and
law enforcement, as promised in
treaties, believe they finally have
an ally in the new commander in
chief.
Obama earned immediate respect
with Native Americans by meeting
with them several times during last
year's campaign. One tribe,
Montana's Crow Nation, even adopted
him. He's earned further trust by
appointing Native Americans to key
administration posts, emphasizing
greater consultation among federal
agencies and tribes, and including a
hefty increase in aid in his budget
and the economic stimulus package,
leaders say.
And it doesn't hurt that
America's first black president is a
minority, said David Wilkins, a
professor of American Indian studies
at the University of Minnesota.
"Tribal people are really looking
to Obama in part because of his
charisma, his oratorical skills, his
racial identity and because of the
empathy and knowledge he showed
about indigenous issues during the
campaign and with some of his recent
appointments," said Wilkins, a
member of the Lumbee tribe in North
Carolina. "They have high hopes, and
I think his invitation to have them
come to (Washington) is a positive
step."
The summit will be the first
since President Bill Clinton invited
Native American leaders 15 years
ago. All 564 federally recognized
tribes have been asked to send a
representative.
Hau kola na tiyospaye (Hello friends & extended family),
Welcome to all new Circle members! Each section of the Circle of Nations
newsletter is written 'facing' one of the four sacred winds, beginning with
the east, then the south, west and finally the north. This is to honor the
old ways. It is to teach and to help us to focus and find the center. I
have designed the Native Circle website in the same spirit. I welcome you
all to the Circle....
EAST - Wiyohinyanpata - Yellow (Four Winds)
There are many things to care deeply and passionately about in this life,
and it is good to do so. War has ravaged nations and cultures throughout
history, and it is important to try and understand why, and to work toward a
day without war. Politics have an affect on many things in this world, and
being engaged and involved is essential if we wish to bring about positive
change. Social justice and human rights issues have plagued societies for
centuries, and it is imperative for humankind to move away from nationalism,
racism and egocentrism if we are ever to live in peace on this planet. And
speaking of the planet, living with the earth instead of against it cannot
happen soon enough. So, all of these things and more are important, and
well worth our time and our concern. Yet, there is something more important
than all of the above at the end of the day, or the end of a life. That
‘something’, is love. If you are involved with all the issues of the world,
and fight for the causes of the world valiantly, but you do not have love,
then your efforts will all be in vain. I have listened quietly to
individuals who speak proudly and loudly about all the good things they do,
and then have witnessed first-hand their rude, arrogant and belligerent
behavior. On the other hand, my friend Richard is an Elder in every sense
of the word. He is quiet, humble and deeply loving. He doesn’t toot his
horn. Throughout his long life he has always cared passionately about the
many pressing issues of the time, and he has acted. But even in the midst
of his activism, he proceeded with love. In the beginning, Martin Luther
King Jr. exemplified a gentle approach, and Malcolm X embodied justified
anger. And yet, in the end, even Malcolm X found that love is more powerful
than rage. Rage has its place, but never in front of, or in place of, the
all consuming power of love….
SOUTH - Itokagata - Red (Red Earth)
A word from Peggy....
I woke up this morning to a slight dusting of snow on the deck… I am looking
for daffodils and
robins, for sunshine and garden spots…….not snow.
So I had to readjust my expectations and my attitude, a warm cup of coffee
took care of that.
We just finished our release of Earth Fire Water Wind this past Sat. What
an awesome spirit time we had. I was completely blessed by all the Circle
of Nations people who were there and so blessed by the commitment to the
earth and change that so many people are embracing.
The music from the new CD is absolutely incredible and the videos are awe
inspiring. Please
stop and see them at the You Tube links below:
Also please stop and read my new blog. I am spending a few minutes each
morning sharing some bits of humor, a dash of wisdom and some very special
recipes from my kitchen. Here is the most recent post from my blog...
"Even when we stumble, even when we fall, even then there is light around it
all!" words from Nancy Cooper Maier.
Today, March 2nd 2010, I am thinking about mis-takes.
I have made my share and I know why. Even with this blog thing, I just
jumped in with both feet, clothes on and nose plugged. Then I learn as I
go.... should have, how to, shouldn't have, try this, try that. So bare
with me, this is the way I roll. It drives my husband absolutely crazy.
(Sorry)
I must have been born this way because it is the only way I remember I have
ever been. The results have been a life full of adventure and learning. You
see, we mostly learn from our mistakes. You would think I would be a genius
by now, but if I am you would never know it because you would probably just
see my errors.
I am making light of this (also my way), but this light that illuminates our
frailty is an important light to keep turned on. Next to my bed on my light
on the night stand is a little sign that says "Always make new mistakes"....
Not the same mistakes - that would be stupid - but new mistakes means taking
new steps, taking a new path accepting a new adventure, being alive, taking
risks. The more fully you live, the more new mistakes you will make. Playing
it safe is not really safe. How about risking it all for love! Why do you
think they call it falling in love? They might as well call it stumbling in
love (lots of mistakes to be made here).
Humility is born of being able to be wrong...... being wrong is cool.
What is cool is being ok with yourself when you are wrong, and even better,
being ok with others, because we are all just human. Sounds like acceptance,
tolerance, forgiveness... that is for another day.
Go out and play today and try to make some new mistakes!
Don’t forget we have our wonderful “Spirit Mountain” Retreat Lodge available
for short and long stays when you are visiting Eureka Springs Arkansas.…
super discounts for Circle of Nations Global Community Folks.
Hope to see you at concerts and retreats this year… for dates and times
check the schedule.
Special thanks to Morten Storeide for the Great Videos of Sacred Wind and
Beautiful Earth!
Join our You Tube
Channel and see all of our exciting videos.
WEST - Wiyohpeyata - Black or Blue (We are STILL Here!)
I recently placed a post on my facebook profile that reads as follows:
‘My friends…. There are those in this life who tear you down, and there are
those who build you up. There are those who talk loud and have lots of
words, and there are those who speak volumes with silence. There is bad and
there is good in this world. Let the bad strengthen you, and choose good.
This is the way to wisdom….’
There were many responses to this post, so I would like to elaborate on it
a bit more. If there is one thing all human beings have in common it is
this: we have all been verbally abused or hurt by someone. One way or
another, along the way, each of us has experienced what it means to be torn
down, insulted, attacked or abused in some way, shape or form. What a sad
testament to humanity. It is tempting to exact revenge on a verbal abuser.
Sometimes it is necessary to stand up for yourself. But in most cases the
wise response is no response at all. To give a response to a verbal attack
is to give energy to a negative intention. A response simply feeds the
hunger of a verbal abuser, and they will come back looking for more!
Inappropriate anger and abusive behavior does not warrant nor deserve a
response. Oh sure, it is tempting to give a bully or an abuser a taste of
their own medicine! But it is rarely wise. After all, it is a small mind
that seeks to verbally abuse someone. So the next time you find yourself
assaulted by the hurtful words of another, resist the temptation to jump
down into their mud-slinging pig sty. Give yourself some time to put things
into perspective. When you do, you will often come to the conclusion that
no response is necessary, and you can then let it go and get back to living
a life with meaning, purpose and happiness. As I said in my post, there is
bad and there is good in this world. Let the bad strengthen you, and choose
good. This is indeed the pathway to wisdom….
NORTH - Waziyata - White (Words of Wisdom)
Some thoughts from my contemplations....
He who conquers the world, but not himself, has conquered nothing....
The truth of anything is rarely found on the surface....
If you are wrong, speaking louder will only make you more clearly wrong....
Wisdom and arrogance cannot live in the same lodge....
May Wakantanka encircle you and yours with faith to believe, hope for the
future, and love for all....
As always, in the spirit of mending the sacred hoop of the nations of the
world
Your Oglala Lakota friend and brother,
John Two-Hawks
http://www.nativecircle.com
http://www.johntwohawks.com
Reprinting of this Circle of Nations newsletter is encouraged! All I ask is
that it be printed in its entirety, with no changes, and that I be given
proper credit, unless I have otherwise okayed it. Wopila (great thanks)!
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