Monthly Archives: September 2009
Peltier Protestor at White House
Peltier protestor
Story Published: Sep 27, 2009
Story Updated: Sep 25, 2009
It seems like someone ought to let the president know that an American Indian man fasted in front of the White House for one week. Someone ought to say this man sat on a bench in Lafayette Park, starving in a silent protest, not taking even water.
In my ignorance, I went to the park, expecting to find this person by seeing banners or signs, or a group of other Indian people around.
There were no banners. There were no signs. There was no literature to be passed to the public. In fact, I almost gave up. But, uncharacteristic of me, I asked a question of two people who were sitting next to an Indian-looking blanket. And yes, the person I was looking for just stepped away to talk to someone. I left some funds to help cover the cost of his physical journey.
It just seems like someone should tell the White House an Indian man is denying his body food and water, slowly denying his body the ability to sustain life, in a kind of parallel of another Indian man who has been denied his ability to live free.
But so few knew.
So at week’s end, the fast was complete and bread and water was taken.
The silent prayer was sent.
I do not bear witness well, but this seems to be all that is required of me. I am writing this because that is easier than just carrying the noble, but heart-grabbing memory of an Indian man in front of the White House sitting on a bench with the people coming and going, eating lunch, drinking coffee, playing chess, protesting various agendas, and all under the watchful eye of security guards ever circling on bicycles and SUVs, through the heat, the rain, sun and humidity.
Someone should tell the White House there was a Native American man starving for the freedom of Leonard Peltier on their front lawn.
September 23, 1805 TREATY WITH THE SIOUX.
TREATY WITH THE SIOUX
September 23, 1805
Ratified April 16, 1808.
Never proclaimed by the President.
Conference Between the United States of America and the Sioux Nation of Indians.*
Whereas, a conference held between the United States of America and the Sioux Nation of Indians, Lieut. Z. M. Pike, of the Army of the United States, and the chiefs and warriors of the said tribe, have agreed to the following articles, which when ratified and approved of by the proper authority, shall be binding on both parties:
ARTICLE 1. That the Sioux Nation grants unto the United States for the purpose of the establishment of military posts, nine miles square at the mouth of the river St. Croix, also from below the confluence of the Mississippi and St. Peters, up the Mississippi, to include the falls of St. Anthony, extending nine miles on each side of the river. That the Sioux Nation grants to the United States, the full sovereignty and power over said districts forever, without any let or hindrance whatsoever.
ARTICLE 2. That in consideration of the above grants the United States (shall, prior to taking possession thereof, pay to the Sioux two thousand dollars, or deliver the value thereof in such goods and merchandise as they shall choose).
ARTICLE 3. The United States promise on their part to permit the Sioux to pass, repass, hunt or make other uses of the said districts, as they have formerly done, without any other exception, but those specified in article first.
In testimony hereof, we, the undersigned, have hereunto set our hands and seals, at the mouth of the river St. Peters, on the 23rd day of September, one thousand eight hundred and five.
Z. M. Pike, [SEAL]
First Lieutenant and Agent at the above conference.
Le Petit Carbeau, his x mark. [SEAL.]
Way Aga Enogee, his x mark.[SEAL.]
Help restore native oak savanna on Grey Cloud Island.
Dear Great River Greening Volunteers!
Great River Greening seeks your help to restore native oak savanna on Grey Cloud Island near Cottage Grove on Saturday, October 17th from 8:30am-12:30pm. Gaining special access to the site, volunteer s will assist with the removal of non-native brush, such as buckthorn, honeysuckle and other non-native trees. Lower Grey Cloud Island rests in the Mississippi floodplain and is surrounded by its waters. All of its resources—historical and ecological—are inextricably linked to the river. This was the home of Medicine Bottle and his tribe of Mdewakanton Sioux and the site of the historic village of Grey Cloud . Frontiersmen and traders, Joseph R. Brown and Hazen Mooers, were among the early Euro-Americans living here. Historically, the Island supported a broad expanse of oak savanna, a natural ecosystem now globally imperiled. Even though past land uses have eliminated much of this native habitat from the island, the opportunity exists to restore – at a grand scale – this oak savanna ecosystem and many of the species for which it was home.
Join us today to preserve this important part of Minnesota ’s heritage! Individuals, community organizations and corporate groups are welcome to participate in Greening’s restoration event. Lunch will be provided for pre-registered volunteer s, so sign up today! You will receive a confirmation one week prior to the event with directions and event details.
Individuals of all ages, families, community and corporate groups are welcome to participate in Greening’s restoration events. Pre-registration is required, so sign up today!
Register online at www.greatrivergreening.org under “Volunteer” or contact Mark Turbak , Volunteer Programs and Events Manager, at mturbak@greatrivergreening.org or 651-665-9500 ext. 11.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Sincerely,
Mark Turbak
Volunteer Programs Manager
Great River Greening
35 W Water St #201
Saint Paul MN 55107
Tel 651 665.9500 x11
Fax 651 651.9409
restoring the land,
renewing communities
www.greatrivergreening.org
Mendota Pow Wow T-Shirts, MMDC buttons, Bob Brown buttons.
We have t-shirts, buttons, and patches for sale. If you would like to buy something please call the office 651-452-4141 for more information.
POLO SHIRTS $22.00
RED (4) LARGE (5) XXLARGE
WHITE (3) LARGE (3) X LARGE (2) XXLARGE
GREY (3) LARGE (3) X LARGE (2) XXLARGE
T-SHIRTS $18.00
RED (10) X LARGE (1) XXLARGE
WHITE (7) XLARGE (3) XXLARGE
GREY (9) XLARGE (5) XXLARGE
Pilot Knob/Oheyawahi, ceremony on Sunday Oct 4, around noon.
Chief Arvol Lookinghorse, 19th generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe, and Chris Leith, spiritual elder in the Prairie Island Indian Community, will conduct a ceremony on Sunday, October 4, 2009 at approximately 12:00 noon. Chief Lookinghorse has spent his life working for religious freedom, protection of sacred sites, and cultural survival. A feast/lunch and wopida (“thank you” giveaway) will follow. Please bring a potluck dish to share. All are welcome to attend.
We are filled with wonder at the accomplishments since the Pilot Knob Preservation Association was formed six years ago:
–a proposal for building 157 townhomes on the hill was defeated;
–the 25 acre “development site” is now open to the public and owned by the City of Mendota Heights;
–the ten-year site restoration to an oak savannah ecosystem is underway with thousands of flowers in bloom, eleven oaks and 2,000 acorns planted;
–two interpretive signs tell the story, in Dakota and English, of the unique history and sacred significance of Pilot Knob/Oheyawahi;
–an overlook that recognizes the seven council fires of Dakota people will soon be installed by the City of Mendota Heights and Great River Greening.
When Chief Lookinghorse was last on Pilot Knob, he and Chris Leith gave the hill a new name: Wotakuye Paha, the hill of all the relatives. Please join the relatives in celebration and thanksgiving for the remarkable events that you have contributed to.
It’s on Pilot Knob——at the far north end of Pilot Knob Road, where it intersects with Acacia Blvd.
Ceremony with Chief Arvol Lookinghorse and Chris Leith
Sunday October 4, 2009 at around noon.
Feast will follow at Holy Family Maronite Church fellowship hall.
Please bring a potluck dish to share.
Location: Pilot Knob Hill/Oheyawahi
at the north end of Pilot Knob Road (near 2151 Pilot Knob Road)
Mendota Heights, MN
Directions from Minneapolis to Oheyawahi/Pilot Knob:
South on Highway 35 W to Highway 62;
East on Highway 62 which becomes Hwy 55;
Go east across the Mendota Bridge on Highway 55;
Veer left onto Highway 110 (leaving Hwy 55);
At the first stoplight turn right onto new Highway 13;
Follow new Highway 13 a short distance to Acacia Boulevard;
Turn right onto Acacia Blvd to Pilot Knob Road;
Turn right (north) onto Pilot Knob Road which ends at the site of the ceremony.
Park on either side of Pilot Knob Road or Acacia Boulevard.
Directions from St. Paul to Oheyawahi/Pilot Knob:
South on Highway 35E to Hwy 110;
Exit 101B going West on Hwy 110 for 1.3 miles;
Turn left at stoplight onto new Hwy 13;
Follow new Highway 13 a short distance to Acacia Boulevard;
Turn right onto Acacia Blvd to Pilot Knob Road;
Turn right (north) onto Pilot Knob Road which ends at the site of the ceremony.
Park on either side of Pilot Knob Road or Acacia Boulevard.
The feast and giveaway following the ceremony at Pilot Knob will be at:
Holy Family Maronite Church – 1960 Lexington Ave So. Mendota Heights
From Pilot Knob/Oheyawahi, go east on Acacia Blvd to Hwy 13;
north on Hwy 13 to stoplight at Hwy 110;
right/east on Hwy 110 to Lexington;
left/north onto Lexington;
take the second right turn into 1960 Lexington Ave South.
