If you are registering for the Dakota class via email, you will need the following course information to register.

Aug 30th, 2008 Posted in CLASSES, EVENTS & POW WOW | no comment »

If you are registering for the Dakota class via email, you will need the
following course information to register.

Here is the link to the email registration form:
http://apps.asr.umn.edu/RegAdd/add.asp

Class number: 58972
Grading basis: type either “A-F” or “S/N” (pass/fail)
Units (credits): 5
Subject, catalog number, section: Dako 1121, Section 2

Campus:  Twin Cities
University of Minnesota college or program: CCE
Tuition level:  Undergraduate
Term Required: 2008

You do not need to fill out the section on health insurance.

No money is due at time of registration. Tuition bills are sent late

Native health care legislation occupies forum.

Aug 29th, 2008 Posted in HEALTH & NUTRITION | no comment »
Native health care legislation occupies forum at the DNC E

by Carol Berry
DENVER - A key bill assuring health care for Natives is stalled in the U.S. House of Representatives where adjournment is only a few weeks away, but legislators and tribal leaders hope for a last-minute strategy to ensure its passage.

The Indian Health Care Improvement Act has languished 17 years without reauthorization and, ”

Native health care legislation occupies forum at the DNC E

by Carol Berry
DENVER - A key bill assuring health care for Natives is stalled in the U.S. House of Representatives where adjournment is only a few weeks away, but legislators and tribal leaders hope for a last-minute strategy to ensure its passage.

The Indian Health Care Improvement Act has languished 17 years without reauthorization and, ”There are no circumstances under which Indian people should have second-class health care,” said Sen. Byron Dorgan , D-N.D., chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee.

Indian communities should ”demand that it be passed this Congress,” he said of the health bill.

His remarks were addressed to a panel Aug. 27 of tribal leaders and delegates at the Democratic National Convention moderated by Joe Garcia, president of the National Congress of American Indians, whose executive director, Jackie Johnson, was also a panelist.

Two hurdles to its passage are an anti-abortion amendment and an objection to the Cherokee Nation’s decision to deny citizenship status to freedmen. The latter also affects funding to the Cherokees under the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act.

Dorgan said he hopes the health bill will clear the House in the next few weeks, but if that fails, he will work to attach it to an omnibus bill or appropriations bill in order to ensure passage because ”we don’t have to wait anymore.”

The housing bill, funding for tribal colleges and Indian education, and law enforcement improvement are also on his agenda, and consultation with tribes and others is important to ”find out what works.”

Citing an Amnesty International report on crime in Indian country, he said one in three Native women will be raped or sexually abused in her lifetime; yet on a reservation the size of Connecticut, there are only nine officers and they may not reach a violent crime scene for 90 minutes because of the vast distances they have to cover.

Off-reservation law enforcement and U.S. attorneys decline to enforce cases referred to them at rates ranging from 50 to 76 percent for murder and rape or other sexual abuse, and ”we have to ask U.S. attorneys to stop declining cases,” he noted. Jurisdictional authority in Indian country can vary according to whether the crime is a felony, whether it takes place on Indian lands, is committed by or against a tribal member, and other factors.

Dorgan said the basic question is, ”What is our value system?” and the answer is revealed in part by what the nation spends its money on. Terming the question a ”matter of priorities,” he said ”keeping this country’s promise” should take precedence.

The NCAI in a prepared release distributed to attendees said the Native health bill delay continues ”despite the fact that Natives suffer higher health disparity rates than all other U.S. populations, and that health services are only available to Natives if ‘life or limb’ is at stake.”

Health care spending for Natives is less than half the amount the U.S. spends for federal prisoners, although infant mortality is 150 percent higher for Natives than whites, suicides 2.5 times the national average, and life expectancy 5 years less than for all others, it states.

Rep. Dale Kildee, D-Mich., who established the Native American Caucus, told attendees he will urge his fellow members of Congress to get past the anti-abortion and freedmen issues surrounding the health care bill and will work to see that it is ”enacted into law one way or another.”

Kildee also described issues concerning tax-exempt bonds and pension reform in Indian country and tribally controlled community colleges, urging the motto, ”Sovereignty today, sovereignty tomorrow, and sovereignty forever.”

Rep. Frank Pallone, D-N.J., a sponsor of the Indian health care bill, said such authorization is ”always a problem when the president isn’t supportive.”

Rep. Norm Dicks, D-Wash., said ”We cannot afford $10 to $15 billion a month on this war,” and urged a change in priorities.

Other speakers included Mark Macarro, tribal chairman, Pechanga Band of Luise�o Indians, DNC platform committee member, who termed the platform a ”very powerful document” that reaffirms tribal sovereignty and is the ‘’strongest ever” platform for Indian country.

Keith Harper, Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, an attorney specializing in Indian affairs, said, ”We’ve suffered through a long, cold winter of George W. Bush” and ”we need a fundamental change.”

Indian country ‘’suffers from invisibility,” he said, but Illinois Sen. Barack Obama is committed to a ”new politics that includes voices from disenfranchised communities.”

Harper called for a senior policy adviser for Indian affairs for day-to-day contact with the president, for a tribal ”G8” summit, and for influence on judicial selection to develop a more tribe-friendly Supreme Court, or ”tribal sovereignty as we know it will be fundamentally undermined.”

Wizi Garriott, Obama’s chief organizer in Indian country, said North Dakota, Montana, New Mexico, and Alaska are among states where the Indian vote is very important, and Native vote coordinators and field organizers will be working to get voter turnout.

Tribal sponsors of the event at Denver Art Museum conducted by NVisionIt LLC were the Eastern Band of Cherokee, Gila River Indian Community, Mississippi Band of Choctaw, Pechanga Band of Luise�o Indians, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, and Seneca Nation.

There are no circumstances under which Indian people should have second-class health care,” said Sen. Byron Dorgan , D-N.D., chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee.

Indian communities should ”demand that it be passed this Congress,” he said of the health bill.

His remarks were addressed to a panel Aug. 27 of tribal leaders and delegates at the Democratic National Convention moderated by Joe Garcia, president of the National Congress of American Indians, whose executive director, Jackie Johnson, was also a panelist.

Two hurdles to its passage are an anti-abortion amendment and an objection to the Cherokee Nation’s decision to deny citizenship status to freedmen. The latter also affects funding to the Cherokees under the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act.

Dorgan said he hopes the health bill will clear the House in the next few weeks, but if that fails, he will work to attach it to an omnibus bill or appropriations bill in order to ensure passage because ”we don’t have to wait anymore.”

The housing bill, funding for tribal colleges and Indian education, and law enforcement improvement are also on his agenda, and consultation with tribes and others is important to ”find out what works.”

Citing an Amnesty International report on crime in Indian country, he said one in three Native women will be raped or sexually abused in her lifetime; yet on a reservation the size of Connecticut, there are only nine officers and they may not reach a violent crime scene for 90 minutes because of the vast distances they have to cover.

Off-reservation law enforcement and U.S. attorneys decline to enforce cases referred to them at rates ranging from 50 to 76 percent for murder and rape or other sexual abuse, and ”we have to ask U.S. attorneys to stop declining cases,” he noted. Jurisdictional authority in Indian country can vary according to whether the crime is a felony, whether it takes place on Indian lands, is committed by or against a tribal member, and other factors.

Dorgan said the basic question is, ”What is our value system?” and the answer is revealed in part by what the nation spends its money on. Terming the question a ”matter of priorities,” he said ”keeping this country’s promise” should take precedence.

The NCAI in a prepared release distributed to attendees said the Native health bill delay continues ”despite the fact that Natives suffer higher health disparity rates than all other U.S. populations, and that health services are only available to Natives if ‘life or limb’ is at stake.”

Health care spending for Natives is less than half the amount the U.S. spends for federal prisoners, although infant mortality is 150 percent higher for Natives than whites, suicides 2.5 times the national average, and life expectancy 5 years less than for all others, it states.

Rep. Dale Kildee, D-Mich., who established the Native American Caucus, told attendees he will urge his fellow members of Congress to get past the anti-abortion and freedmen issues surrounding the health care bill and will work to see that it is ”enacted into law one way or another.”

Kildee also described issues concerning tax-exempt bonds and pension reform in Indian country and tribally controlled community colleges, urging the motto, ”Sovereignty today, sovereignty tomorrow, and sovereignty forever.”

Rep. Frank Pallone, D-N.J., a sponsor of the Indian health care bill, said such authorization is ”always a problem when the president isn’t supportive.”

Rep. Norm Dicks, D-Wash., said ”We cannot afford $10 to $15 billion a month on this war,” and urged a change in priorities.

Other speakers included Mark Macarro, tribal chairman, Pechanga Band of Luise�o Indians, DNC platform committee member, who termed the platform a ”very powerful document” that reaffirms tribal sovereignty and is the ‘’strongest ever” platform for Indian country.

Keith Harper, Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, an attorney specializing in Indian affairs, said, ”We’ve suffered through a long, cold winter of George W. Bush” and ”we need a fundamental change.”

Indian country ‘’suffers from invisibility,” he said, but Illinois Sen. Barack Obama is committed to a ”new politics that includes voices from disenfranchised communities.”

Harper called for a senior policy adviser for Indian affairs for day-to-day contact with the president, for a tribal ”G8” summit, and for influence on judicial selection to develop a more tribe-friendly Supreme Court, or ”tribal sovereignty as we know it will be fundamentally undermined.”

Wizi Garriott, Obama’s chief organizer in Indian country, said North Dakota, Montana, New Mexico, and Alaska are among states where the Indian vote is very important, and Native vote coordinators and field organizers will be working to get voter turnout.

Tribal sponsors of the event at Denver Art Museum conducted by NVisionIt LLC were the Eastern Band of Cherokee, Gila River Indian Community, Mississippi Band of Choctaw, Pechanga Band of Luise�o Indians, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, and Seneca Nation.

Tags:

$427 million. That’s what the oil and coal industries spent during the first half of 2008 on lobbying and advertising.

Aug 28th, 2008 Posted in NEWS & POLITICS | no comment »

$427 million. That’s what the oil and coal industries spent during the first half of 2008 on lobbying and advertising. They’re protecting their interests — and hurting ours.

I just watched a new ad from the We Campaign that tells the truth about what needs to be done — demanding our leaders FREE US from an addiction to expensive fossil fuels.

Watch it here:
http://www.wecansolveit.org/freeusad

Tags:

Chris Spotted Eagle: Starting September 1st, 2008, I will take a five-month leave-of-absence to travel

Aug 28th, 2008 Posted in IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS | no comment »

Hi, everyone

Ref. KFAI’s weekly radio program, Indian Uprising, Sundays 7:00 p.m. CDT (www.kfai.org). It’s been about six years since I first volunteered to produce/host Indian Uprising.

Starting September 1st, 2008, I will take a five-month leave-of-absence to travel and take care of personal affairs/business. Friends have asked if I’m okay. Yes, I am… also, my health is good. As to who will produce/host Indian Uprising in the meantime, KFAI will decide that.

Chris Spotted Eagle

chris@spottedeagle.org

Tags:

Remembrance Of Highway 55

Aug 28th, 2008 Posted in STORIES, FOLKLORE & HISTORY | no comment »

FACES of RESISTANCE
GALLERY 7

HIGHWAY 55
PART 1 | PART 2 | PART 3



36-37. Mary O’Brien, CSJ, John Harmon and Rita McDonald, CSJ, keep vigil with others across from the cottonwood tree wherein the remaining four environmental activists had “locked down” in their attempt to halt construction of the Highway 55 reroute and save the almost 100-year-old cottonwood - October 1999. Mary’s sign contains a quote by Eleanor Roosevelt: “I say to the young: Do not stop thinking of life as an adventure. You have no security unless you can live bravely, excitingly, imaginatively.”



38-39. Zach of the Objibway nation drums and chants support for activists “locked down” in the cottonwood tree which can be seen to bear the scars of attempts by cutting crews to remove the activists from its branches.



40. Theresa O’Brien, CSJ, braves the cold of an autumn afternoon to support the activists high atop the cottonwood. “I came to support the young people here who have a vision for the future - one that they struggle to be true to. Their vision encompasses all of us and the earth. It’s a vision of interdependence and respect for all things.”



41. Zach looks towards the strong police presence gathered at the base of the cottonwood tree and preventing any food or water reaching the activists within its sheltering branches. For the duration of the activists’ occupation of the cottonwood, supporters kept a 24 hour vigil across the street. After ten days, the last of the activists were forced from the tree. The cottonwood and several other surrounding trees were subsequently destroyed.



42. Susu Jeffrey, flanked by Mary Jo Iverson and James McNamara, holds an acorn from the felled Princess Oak - October 1999. Located above Minnehaha Falls, and south of Minnehaha Creek, the Princess Oak was one of several large bur oak that grew around the first railroad track connecting St. Paul and Minneapolis to the Falls.



43. Ken Pentel of the Green Party of Minnesota, expresses his outrage during an interview beside the felled Princess Oak - October 1999. Over 200-years-old, the Princess Oak was destroyed as MnDOT crews cut a swathe of destruction in their advance southwards towards the Four Oaks Spiritual Encampment.



44-45. By early November 1999, tree-cutting crews working for the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) were felling trees south of the former Camp Two Pines. Activists prevented the immediate destruction of several trees by setting up camp high within their branches.



46. Jan from St. Paul places a lighted candle upon the stump of one of the trees destroyed by MnDOT. Referring to the destruction of the trees and to the activism of the young people from the encampment, Jan expressed her belief that “the hope for the whole is in the people and Earth. Not ‘the’ earth, but Earth. I will not objectify the planet. It is the common sense and insights of the people that are the gifts needed to restore all to wholeness.”



47. Emily - Four Oaks Spiritual Encampment, November 1999.



48-52. Under the shadow of MnDOT’s relentless approach, life at the Four Oaks Spiritual Encampment continued - with time even for celebration. In late November a birthday breakfast was held for longtime reroute opponent and encampment supporter, Susu. Among those celebrating were Solstice, Tree, John and David.



53. A member of the Four Oaks Spiritual Encampment offers prayers at the sacred fire within the sanctuary of the threatened grove of oaks - November 1999. As MnDOT destruction crews drew closer, the encampment began bracing itself for another police raid. On December 2, the Mendota Mdewakanton Dakota Community facilitated a special pipe ceremony at the four oaks. During the ceremony each tree was scaled by a climber who placed in their uppermost branches a sacred eagle feather - a powerful symbol of protection. One week later on December 9, an eviction notice was served to the occupants of the encampment.



54. The Four Oaks Spiritual Encampment - December 1999. With prospects of the destruction of the encampment and the four sacred oaks increasing daily, a commentary by Nick Raleigh was published in the alternative newspaper, Siren, which attempted to account for the failure of the many and varied efforts made to halt the reroute: “Lobbying the legislature, going to court, occupying houses slated for demolition, squatting in parks, and [people] chaining themselves to trees. So far, nothing has worked and the project continues. The outcome of the protest has left a number of people wondering what went wrong . . . Perhaps the best thing to blame is cultural imperialism.”

Raleigh goes on to clarify his analysis: “Cultural imperialism is what happens when a dominant group fails to recognize the validity of the interests, values and beliefs of other non-dominant groups. The colonial version looked something like this: a ship full of Europeans land in the ‘new’ world, encounter native people, declare the native people to be primitive and inferior to themselves, and exploit their land for all of its natural resources. The cultural imperialism faced by the Highway 55 protesters is more subtle. The dominant group here includes the common people of Minnesota and their decision-making institutions. The dominant group’s interests, values and beliefs are widely held as the norm. Using the norm, the dominant group has carelessly cast aside the critical viewpoints of others who do not fit its descriptions. The Highway 55 protesters were unable to stop the reroute because their values and interests didn’t match those of the dominant group. Because of this mismatch, their voice has been oppressed in the local media, MnDOT and the Legislative . . . [Such oppression has] shaped a general public sentiment that says the Highway 55 protest is both misguided and insignificant.”



55. Dawn at the Four Oaks Spiritual Encampment - Saturday, December 11, 1999. Even as this photograph was being taken, state troopers were swarming into the camp and surrounding a group of fifty protesters gathered at the four bur oaks.



56-59. Opponents of the reroute, including Kurt, Esther, Tom and Pepperwolf, had been called to the encampment during the early hours of December 11 after a tip-off of an imminent raid. Confirmation came at 5:00 a.m. when it was reported that state patrol cars and troopers were massing at MnDOT’s reroute depot. At 6:30 a.m. a large pile of wood used for construction at the camp and situated near the remnants of the labyrinth, was set ablaze.



60-61. As those present huddled together in the glow and warmth of the bonfire, Jim Anderson, Cultural Chair of the Mendota Mdewakanton Dakota, thanked them for their support throughout the encampment’s sixteen month history. The crowd then moved into the circle of the four sacred oaks as over one hundred state police dressed in riot gear entered the encampment at 7:00 a.m.



62-63. Surrounded by police, those gathered within the circle of the oaks were led in a ceremony by members of the Mendota Mdewakanton Dakota. The police respectfully allowed the ceremony, which involved drumming, singing, and words from Jim Anderson and Clyde Bellecourt, to be completed.



64-67. After the ceremony was completed those gathered were told that they could either leave the area without risk of arrest or remain and be arrested. About half of the group reluctantly chose to leave, including those present from the Mendota Mdewakanton Dakota Community. Those who remained, as well as several activists who were occupying surrounding trees, were arrested and removed from the encampment. A total of 33 people were arrested. Later that day as tepees and a sweat lodge were dismantled and removed from the area, the encampment’s kitchen and starlodge were leveled.

At 4:31 p.m., the four sacred oak trees were felled.




68-69. “. . . Native Americans have already lost enough to cultural imperialism. It is unjust for Minnesota to continue using a subtler version to rob local tribes of culturally significant land.” Nick Raleigh, December 1999.



70-71. Bob Brown and other members of the Mendota Mdewakanton Dakota Community observe the felled sacred oaks - Sunday, December 12, 1999. I find photograph 70 particularly poignant when recalling Bob’s deep love and respect for the trees and his role in introducing them and their significance to his people, to so many - myself included (see photograph 4).

Two weeks after these photographs were taken, Kurt Seaberg (picture 56) had a letter published in the Minneapolis Star Tribune: “Isn’t it interesting how the media collude with the institutions of power in denying the sacredness or significance of a place . . . The four oak trees that were cut down by the Minnesota Department of Transportation for Highway 55 were 137 years old and therefore, according to a December 17 article, ‘too young to have been significant in sacred American Indian ceremonies.’ If indeed the trees are 137 years old, that would mean they were planted in 1862, a date significant not only to Native Americans but all Minnesotans, as that was the year of the ill-fated Dakota conflict. It’s quite possible that the oaks were planted to heal the broken hearts and spirits of a people torn apart by that terrible war, which would make those trees very sacred and removal of them an unconscionable crime . . .”

PART 3



CONTENTS AND LINKS


INTRODUCTION
GALLERY 1 - FACES OF RESISTANCE


GALLERY 2 - CONFRONTING CORPORATE

GLOBALIZATION


GALLERY 3 - A16


GALLERY 4 - MAY DAY 2000


GALLERY 5 - RESPONDING TO THE CRISIS IN IRAQ


GALLERY 6 - CLOSING THE SCHOOL OF THE

AMERICAS


GALLERY 7 - HIGHWAY 55


GALLERY 8 - ALLIANT ACTION


Tags:

Indians Invade Mount Rushmore Reunion

Aug 28th, 2008 Posted in IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS | no comment »
For Immediate Release:
Indians Invade Mount Rushmore Reunion
Friday August 29, 2008, 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Press Contacts:
Madonna Thunder Hawk, Co-Founder of The Black Hills Alliance - 605.441.0342
Quanah Parker Brightman, Vice President of United Native Americans Inc., U.N.A. - 415.233.3170

Native Americans to gather in Keystone, South Dakota to Commemorate the 38 Year Anniversary of the Historic Invasion and Occupation of the ”Shrine of Democracy’ Mount Rushmore and to Honor the Women of the Red Power Movement.

What: Mount Rushmore Reunion to Remember the Native American Occupation and Take Over of Mount Rushmore

When: Friday August 29th, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Amphitheater, Mount Rushmore National Memorial Amphitheater, Keystone South Dakota
Sponsors: United Native Americans Inc. (U.N.A.), The family of Chief Lame Deer, Fast Horse Productions Inc., Co-Sponsor: American Indian Movement (AIM)

August 29, 2008 marks the 38th anniversary of the historic Mount Rushmore Occupation of 1970. Native Americans representing groups from around the country will gather to reflect on that day, renewing friendships and bonds and to honor the women of the red power movement.

On August 29th 1970, a small group of young Indians invaded Mount Rushmore, the so-called ‘national shrine of democracy’ The invasion brought together Indians form different tribes and reservations who converged to help the Lakota Oyate/Sioux Nation in their efforts to reclaim the sacred Black Hills and to force the Federal Government to be held accountable for the illegal taking of their Lands. At 7:00 pm on August 29th, after eluding authorities, the group of young natives reached the top of the mountain near the four faces of the presidents where they hung a large flag with the words: SIOUX INDIAN POWER.

The Paha Sapa - The Black Hills-is a sacred place for all Lakota people.
It is where all Lakota life began, where our creation stories originate from ‘The heart of everything that is.’

United Native Americans is sponsoring the reunion of this historic event that honors and recognizes the women of the Red Power Movement such as Madonna Thunder Hawk, Martha Fast Horse and Maxine Bordeaux - Warrior Women who have fought and continue to fight for native rights, protection, family and community, treaty rights, human rights, civil rights, environmental justice and cultural preservation. The younger generation will have the opportunity to experience living history with presentations planned, and by listening in the oral tradition to elders who were part of the original occupation.

The reunion will also recognize the United Nations International Day for the Worlds Indigenous Peoples adopted in 2007. In observance of this day, we Demand that the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868 be Recognized and Honored by The United States of America. U.S. Courts have recognized the illegality of these actions and offer modest payments, but the Lakota Oyate/Sioux Nation Remain determined to get the Black Hills Returned to our Tribal Communities. We will not accept any amount of money for our sacred sites. In the words of Lehman Brightman-President of U.N.A.- The Principal Leader of the invasion, who was asked how long the Native people intended to stay, replied. ‘As long as the grass grows, the water flows and the sun shines.’

For More Information Visit:

www. myspace. com/thewashichustolethepahasa

Historical Context for the Mendota Mdewakanton

Aug 28th, 2008 Posted in OPINION & COMMENTARY | no comment »

 

My name is Pamela Zeller and I am the Acting Executive Director for the Mendota Mdewakanton Dakota Community located in Mendota, MN.  The tribe has been seeking federal tribal recognition for the past twelve years, and is incorporated presently as a 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) nonprofit.  

An historical context for the Mendota Mdewakanton is as follows: 

“In 1851 they and other Dakota tribes ceded twenty million acres to the federal government. Money and supplies promised in return never materialized. In 1862 a white trader whom they approached for food told a group of starving Dakota to eat grass. The next morning the trader was found with his throat cut, his mouth full of grass and his warehouses empty…

The ensuing conflict resulted in the deaths of about six hundred soldiers and settlers, precipitated the removal of those Dakota who did not flee to a concentration camp at Fort Snelling, and caused three hundred Indian men to be condemned to hang. President Lincoln stayed execution for most of them, but thirty-eight were hung at Mankato, the biggest mass execution in the history of the United States…

During the uprising, Mendota and other Dakota farmers who were friendly with white settlers saved more than three hundred women and children. (In the past they were often referred to as the ‘friendlies’.) In return, Henry Sibley, regional manager of the American Fur Company, wrote to the government on behalf of the Mendota, prompting the 1863 Congress to grant the people eighty acres and $50 apiece to start over.

The money was not sent. Nor did the people get the land. Instead, they were told to go to the reservations. Outraged, Sibley, a large landowner in the area, took the Mendota to a small lake in the region.

Until his death in 1891, he continued trying to get for them the land and money appropriated by Congress. After his death, his family simply kicked them off the land.

Meanwhile, the Dakota who had either fled or been shipped out of the region began returning home. The government now appropriated land for them in Shakopee, Prairie Island, Granite Falls, and Morton, Minnesota. There were plans for land in Mendota, too, but because whites in the area did not want Indians that close to Minneapolis and St. Paul, no land was ever provided there.” (Sacred Lands of Indian America, pp. 110-115
Text by Charles E. Little, Jake Page, and Ruth Rudner)

Consequently, former members of their own tribe that settled in Shakopee, Prairie Island and on other reservation lands are now part of federally recognized tribes. 

The question for the Foundation is whether or not the Mendota Mdewakanton Dakota Community will be eligible for funding under the Native nations’ self-determination focus of the Bush Foundation’s new guidelines.

Thank you for any clarification you can give to this matter.  I can be reached via email at zellersolutions@gmail.com or by telephone at (651) 399-3307.  For more historical information on the tribe and specific steps that have been taken towards federal recognition, please contact the Tribal Council’s Cultural Chairman, Jim Anderson at 612 328-7837 or via email at info@mendotadakota.com.

Respectfully,

Pamela Zeller, Acting Executive Director

Mendota Mdewakanton Dakota Community

General Henry Sibley's forces in pursuit of the Sioux in Dakota Territory

-Have a comment on this? share your thoughts by leaving a comment below:

Tags:

“In the Eye of the Hurricane: By Jerry Lopez.

Aug 27th, 2008 Posted in IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS | no comment »

A few years ago I co-produced the below documentary. Due to many local requests we will be showing it again for the first time in 4 years.  Please join us for this great opportunity to better understand mass convergences, local impacts, and how low income and communities of color are effected by these large protests. The showing is FREE. If you know anyone who might be interested, please forward them this email and the attachment to them.  Thank you. Jerry Lopez

RNC Week - Video Showing and Critical Dialogue

Wednesday September 3, 2008 at 7:30 pm

“In the Eye of the Hurricane:

People of Color Resisting Corporate Globalization”

(A critical analysis of the 2003 FTAA protests in Miami)

A group of community organizers from the Twin Cities traveled to      Miami in November of 2003 to document the protests taking place against the Free Trade Agreement of the Americas ministerial. 

While most of the international media were focusing on the police state that authorities created by using tear gas, rubber bullets and tasers on protesters, the Sin Fronteras Video Collective focused on the organizing efforts of the Root Cause Coalition. 

Root Cause was a low income people of color led coalition.  Focusing on housing issues and environmental racism and farm worker justice in south Florida. The Root Cause Coalition was joined by activists from the Global South to bring to world’s attention the impacts of globalization and neoliberal policies on low income communities of color.

Critical questions raised by Root Cause

Relevant to the RNC protests

Taking place in our hometown of St. Paul:

· Who are most directly impacted by the policies of the Republicans and Neo-Conservatives around the globe and here at home?

 
· Where are those voices in our movements of resistance?

· Who gets to decide our tactics and strategies of resistance? 

· How do issues of racism and white paternalism impact our abilities to build a broad base movement for social change?

RNC Week - Video Showing and Critical Dialogue

“In the Eye of the Hurricane:

People of Color resisting Corporate Globalization”
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
7:30 pm
at
Multicultural Indigenous Academy
133 East 7th Street, 4th Floor
Saint Paul, MN 55101

Check out these newspapers.

Aug 26th, 2008 Posted in NEWS & POLITICS | no comment »

Grand Forks Herald: PRAIRIE VOICES: Official says Indians should stop pushing guilt

(Doreen Yellow Bird)

Grand Forks Herald: VIEWPOINT: Indians must let go of chains of victimhood

(Charles Trimble)

Grand Forks Herald: letter: ‘Human rights are not negotiable’

(L. Buddy Gwin)

Grand Forks Herald: VIEWPOINT: Why tribal leaders keep saying ‘no’

(Sharon Carson)

MPR: Minnesota tax group urges ‘no’ vote on outdoors sales tax

Star Tribune: Dedicated funding supporters will be out spreading the word

Update on the 2008 Mendota Pow Wow.

Aug 25th, 2008 Posted in Pow Wow | no comment »

For those who couldn’t make the Pow Wow this year, here are some of the wonderful things that happened.

First: the tribal council would like to say thank you to all the volunteers for all your help. We couldn’t have done it with out you.

Our Pow Wow was wonderful again this year. We had lots of people from all over. Some from South Dakota, North Dakota, Chicago, and Idaho. One person came from Iceland.

I felt this Pow Wow was our best Pow Wow so far, but we say that every year. This one felt so good, everyone told me they felt the same way.

When the drums started the eagles came again, it is always so awesome to see them flying over our Pow Wow.

Bob and Lisa had Harriet a beautiful eagle, thanks to the Wasbasa Eagle Center.

We gave Joseph Anderson, Greg Standmark, Paul Lauer, and Jim Albright eagle feathers, for there hard work all year long. They all do so much for MMDC. Pidamaya to you guy’s again.

We had a traditional Dakota wedding so to the happy new couple Mr & Mrs Nick Anderson, congratulations. Nick is also a member of MMDC.

This was the second wedding at one of our Pow Wow’s.

We had a naming ceremony for Eugene Red Day’s grandaughter, a very sweet little girl.

We made Linda Rost, Diane Elliott, and Bruce White honorary members of MMDC. Thank you all for your hard work.

A special thank you to Connie Blaisdell who is always there to make fry bread.

I hope everyone enjoyed my maple butter again this year.

Sincerely
Sharon, the Pow Wow committee, and the tribal council.

Next year will be our 10th Pow Wow.

What do you think about having our 10th Pow Wow in the second or last weekend in September 09?  Please send us an email, as to what you would prefer.

We hope to have some pictures of the Pow Wow on the web site soon.

Please ask your community to consider voting yes on the clean water and legacy act (constitutional ammendment) that will be on the ballot Nov. 4. This is an opportunity that may never come again.

Aug 25th, 2008 Posted in Uncategorized | no comment »
Please ask your community to consider voting yes on the clean water and legacy act (constitutional ammendment) that will be on the ballot Nov. 4. This is an opportunity that may never come again.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x88gcIlXz-8 video on the constutional ammendment that will be on the ballot this fall to clean up our waters and improve wildlife habitat
http://www.yesformn.org/faq.php answers to frequently asked questions on the ammendment

INBOX: Email 1 of 94

Back to Top | < Previous | Next >

AMERICAN INDIAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUND

Aug 25th, 2008 Posted in GROUPS & ORGANIZATIONS | no comment »

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

AMERICAN INDIAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUND

INDIANPRENEUR© CLASS SCHEDULE

Fall – St. Paul

SEPTEMBER

22nd – Applications Due

23rd -  Personal Interviews Start

OCTOBER

8th – Indianpreneur Training (Lesson 1 – Introduction)

15th – Indianpreneur Training (Lesson 2 – Taking Inventory)

22nd – Indianpreneur Training (Lesson 3 – Fundamental Bookkeeping Tools)

29th - Indianpreneur Training (Lesson 4 – Finance Section of the Business Plan)

NOVEMBER

5th – Indianpreneur Training (Lesson 5 – Marketing Basics)

12th – Indianpreneur Training (Lesson 6 – The Business Plan)

19th - Indianpreneur Training (Lesson 7 – Writing the Business Plan)

26th - Indianpreneur Training (Lesson 8 – Types of Business Organizations)

DECEMBER

3rd – Indianpreneur Training (Lesson 9 – Net Profit and Loss)

10th – Indianpreneur Training (CANCELLED)

17th – Indianpreneur Training (Lesson 10 – Class Presentations)

*There will be a graduation for participants that successfully meet class requirements

JANUARY

9th –  1st Draft Business Plan Due

16th – 2nd Draft Business Plan Due

31st – Final Business Plan Due

For Applications and Information:

Linda Sapp, Director of Education

lmoga@aiedfloans or 651.917.0819

American Indian Economic Development Fund

831 Como Avenue

St. Paul, MN   55103

651.917.0819 – telephone

65.917.0804 – facsimile

www.aiedfloans.org


Twin Cities 10 Mile race and making them available to the public at a 60% discount price of $400 each!

Aug 25th, 2008 Posted in GROUPS & ORGANIZATIONS | no comment »

What’s the deal?
MIGIZI Communications and the YWCA are putting our heads together — and our Community Partner Entries to the Medtronic Twin Cities 10 Mile race and making them available to the public at a 60% discount price of $400 each! These Community Partner Entries were priced at $1,000 as a fund raising project for the organizations. There are 20 entries remaining and your contribution will go to support these two great tax deductible organizations.
What’s the catch?
The checks or cash need to be submitted prior to your receiving an entry, and the entries need to be in the hands of the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon staff by noon on August 28th. Their offices are in Golden Valley for anyone wishing to hand deliver applications…
What’s the next step?
All entries will be distributed on a first come - first served basis. Contact us immediately to let us know if you are interested in this last minute opportunity, and good luck in your training!
Sincerely,
Graham Hartley, Director of Programs at MIGIZI Communications and Sue Duoos, General Manager of the Uptown YWCA.
Checks can be made payable to: MIGIZI Communications, Inc.
And sent or delivered to:
Graham Hartley
MIGIZI Communications, Inc.
3123 East Lake Street
Minneapolis, MN 55406
o: 612-721-6631 x 208

National Museum of the American Indian in D.C.

Aug 25th, 2008 Posted in GROUPS & ORGANIZATIONS | no comment »

Greetings!

In an upcoming concert venue, titled Classical Native at the National Museum of the American Indian in D.C., the works of two local Native student composers will be performed. They will also be flown in to introduce their work to audiences present. We are trying to locate student Paris Fairbanks and/or her father Melvin Fairbanks. Any assistance is greatly appreciated and will help to provide a wonderful experience for this particular student!

Thanking folks in advance.

Georgia Wettlin-Larsen

Director - First Nations Composer Initiative

332 Minnesota Street, E-145

St. Paul , MN .  55101

651-251-2825

www.fnci.org

Donate online: https://www.composersforum.org/contribute.cfm

Grammar for the Otchipwe (Ojibwe / Chippewa) language printed in 1878 on eBay

Aug 25th, 2008 Posted in NATIVE BUSINESSES | no comment »

On Mon, Aug 25, 2008 at 1:44 AM, G. William Rice <gwrice@utulsa.edu> wrote:

I’ve posted a sale for a pdf copy of Bishop Baraga’s rare Grammar for the Otchipwe (Ojibwe / Chippewa) language printed in 1878 on eBay if you know anyone who is interested or who has been looking for it. I’m looking to recoup my investment by sharing a few copies of this, so if someone needs multiple copies for a language class or the like, use the “make an offer” button.  I looked for this Grammar for a number of years before finally finding a good copy. It could help teachers and students learn or improve their Ojibwe, Ottawa, Cree, Sauk,Mesquakie, Menominee, Kickapoo, Potawatomi, and other related languages.  If interested, search for “Baraga” and it should come up. If not interested, I apologize for the intrusion into your day.
Bill Rice

“Native Nations: Uniting for Change”

Aug 24th, 2008 Posted in IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS | no comment »
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Alyssa Macy
NVisionIT LLC
Tel: 414.526.2633
Email: nativenationsunitingforchange@gmail.com

“Native Nations: Uniting for Change” Event to Be Held August 27 in Conjunction with Democratic National Convention
DENVER, CO - AUGUST 25, 2008 – To honor and celebrate Native Americans‘ historic engagement in the political process this year, a truly unique event, “Native Nations: Uniting for Change“, will be held on Wednesday, August 27th at the Denver Art Museum. The event will be held to honor the Congressional Native American Caucus and the Native American Delegates to the Democratic National Convention (DNC).

“This event will celebrate the nomination of Sen. Barack Obama as the Democratic Presidential Nominee and bring together tribal leaders, U.S. Senators, Members of the House of Representatives, and other friends of Indian country for a day of discussion, education, networking, Native American art, and live performances,” said Mark Macarro, Tribal Chairman, Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians and DNC Platform Committee Member.

The DNC in Denver will highlight the increasingly important role of Native Americans in the electing of America’s leaders. The 2008 DNC will include a record number of Native delegates as Native voices are being heard like never before. Native American leaders describe the 2008 Election year as historic and marked by an unprecedented effort by the candidates to pay heed to tribal communities and concerns. The Native vote this year could very well decide the outcome in key battleground states.

Joe A. Garcia, President of the National Congress of American Indians, will serve as moderator for the policy forum from 2 – 4 p.m. on Wednesday. Topic areas to be discussed include the Native American Plank of the Democratic Platform, A New Administration – Honoring the Government to Government Relationship, Indian Country’s Request for the Presidential Transition Plan, and Legislative Priorities Outlooks.

Native Nations Reception, 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
This innovative reception will include a Native American art exhibition, Native inspired multi-media presentations and food, as well as a live art performance by painter Bunky Echo-Hawk (Pawnee/Yakama). Echo-Hawk will create a painting beginning at 5 p.m. that will be inspired by the historic role that Native Americans are playing in this year’s presidential election. In addition, there will be musical performances by Meighan Meisters, a young First Nations artist. The reception will be held in Ponti Hall in the North Building of the Denver Art Museum.

Democratic National Convention Viewing Party, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
A live feed of the DNC will be provided for all attendees in the Ponti Hall in the North Building of the Denver Art Museum.

Native Nations After Party, 9:00 – 11:00 p.m.
The after party will include live music and entertainment in the Ponti Hall in the North Building of the Denver Art Museum.

Native Nations: Uniting for Change is sponsored by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the Gila River Indian Community, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, and the Seneca Nation of Indians and is organized by NVisionIt LLC, a Colorado-based, Native-owned firm.

For more information and media requests, please contact Alyssa Macy, NVisionIt LLC Director of Communications, at 414.526.2633 or via email at nativenationsunitingforchange@gmail.com.

“Visions for a Cultural Corridor” For Franklin Ave.

Aug 21st, 2008 Posted in GROUPS & ORGANIZATIONS | no comment »

Come Check IT OUT!!

“Visions for a Cultural Corridor” Community Design Workshop has been rescheduled for next Wednesday, August 27th, 6:00-8:30pm at All Nations Indian Church. Refreshments served!!

What is this?  This is a open community collaborative design process.  This is an opportunity to explore and share ideas for what Franklin Avenue could be in the future.  Please join us as we continue to develop a long-term vision for an American Indian Cultural and Economic Corridor in Minneapolis.

Come see the latest concepts!!

–
Justin Kii Huenemann
President
Native American Community Development Institute (NACDI)
1404 East Franklin Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55404
612-872-4700
http://www.nacdi.org

Native American Business Fair - “Building Alliances for Success”

Aug 21st, 2008 Posted in GROUPS & ORGANIZATIONS | no comment »

Please help pass the word to Native American business owners, Native Americans thinking of starting a business and anyone interested in working with Native American businesses.

Native American Business Fair - “Building Alliances for Success”

September 15, 2008

Grand Casino Hinckley Convention Center

Registration, Vendor & Hotel Info:  320-532-8850


Many Voices Residencies for Minnesota writers of color

Aug 21st, 2008 Posted in GROUPS & ORGANIZATIONS | no comment »

Apply, apply, apply!!

—–Forwarded Message—–
From: “Kevin S. McLaughlin”
Sent: Aug 21, 2008 2:33 PM
To: “Kevin S. McLaughlin”
Subject: The 2008-09 Many Voices Residencies for Minnesota writers of color

Hello friends of The Playwrights’ Center,

I’m writing to ask your help in spreading the word about the Center’s Many Voices Residency program to writers, theater artists, and others who have an interest in playwriting.  Although the deadline is approaching soon, there is still plenty of time to prepare and submit an application.

NEW in 2008-09
Based upon feedback from an independent program review, The Playwrights’ Center and the Jerome Foundation have been working to deepen and enhance the Many Voices program for 2008-09 and beyond in two major ways:

- by reducing the total number of residencies from (eight to five) to increase the overall level of support for the writers, and

- by tailoring the residencies to writers of varying levels of experience by creating two tracks, a beginning track for those brand new to playwriting, and an emerging track for more experienced dramatists who want to work on refining their craft and developing their scripts further

The program will continue  to enjoy the excellent leadership of Many Voices Coordinator Christina Ham, a former Jerome and McKnight fellow at the Playwrights Center. In addition, the residency year will be lengthened to a full 12 months for 2009-2010 (2008-09 is the last year of the 9-month term). We are convinced that these changes will give writers a better experience and help them continue to make vibrant, important theater.

KEY FACTS
Made possible by a grant from the Jerome Foundation, Many Voices provides cash grants, education, and opportunities to develop new work with theater professionals. The program is designed to increase cultural diversity in the contemporary theater, both locally and nationally.

Application deadline:            August 29, 2008 (receipt).
Application form (PDF):        http://www.pwcenter.org/files/ManyVoices2008-09App.pdf
Residency year:                   September 30, 2008 – June 30, 2009


Thanks for your help in referring prospective applicants … please do not hesitate to call or email with any questions.

Best,

–Kevin

–
Kevin McLaughlin
Fellowships and Technology Manager
The Playwrights’ Center
2301 East Franklin Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55406-1099

kevinm@pwcenter.org
612-332-7481 x15
612-332-6037 fax

Our new website is designed to inspire…
http://www.pwcenter.org

We still have 10 slots still open for the Mammogram Van

Aug 21st, 2008 Posted in HEALTH & NUTRITION | no comment »

We still have 10 slots still open for the Mammogram Van at the Native American Community Clinic.  If you are due or know of anybody due for a mammogram, please call Mavis to schedule an appointment at 612-872-8086 ext.120.  Thank you!

Rhonda R. Hunt

Healthy Generations Maternal and Child Health Program Coordinator

Native American Community Clinic

1213 East Franklin Avenue

Minneapolis, MN 55404

612-872-8086 ext.114

612-872-8547 fax

rhunt@nacc-healthcare.org