First Nations United: To ensure the prosperity of the First Nation people and to bring about unification of all tribal nations through redefining our identity and connecting with our past!

FIRE TALKS!
Fire represents power, strength, life, and sustainability. First Nation people have used this life source in their ceremonies as a way of connecting us to the creator. Our ancestors gathered around fires and discussed many important issues that effected their tribe, community, and family. This connection to fire still remains for the First Nation people of Turtle Island. First Nations United would like to invite you to participate in FIRE TALKS! This is a bi-weekly intertribal gathering to develop a dialog about reclaiming the sacred site know as “Coldwater Spring.” Bring your ideas, history, and knowledge of this sacred site. _________________________________________________________________________
Location/Logistics: Coldwater Spring is south of Minnehaha Park in Minneapolis. From Hwy 55/Hiawatha, turn east (toward the Mississippi River) at 54th Street, take an immediate right (south) & follow the frontage road for a half mile past the pay parking meters, through the fence gates, & past the aqua brick building where you can park. This gathering is outside so please dress appropriate for the elements. A fire will be provided and some refreshments.

When: 1st & 3rd Sunday of every month 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Contact Information: George spears Chi-Noodin (612) 269 -5083
Gary Spears Migizi (952) 974-3257

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What is in the final environmental impact statement for the Coldwater / Bureau of Mines property near Fort Snelling in Hennepin County, Minnesota? How does it provide a basis for the Department of Interior to select Preferred Alternative D [3], including the cleanup the property by the federal government and its retention in federal hands? And how does it deal with the issues about Coldwater Spring as a place of traditional cultural importance for Dakota people?

To know the answers to those questions—and the meaning of those answers—requires context and information. One of the problems of dealing with any bureaucracy which operates in an environment of controversy has to do with the flow of information. To understand how such agencies make their decisions requires access to hidden information, buried reports, and phantom memos. Every decision has a hidden history that has to be understood before you can begin to figure out the decision. Should you choose to try to learn this context, may the force be with you.

More at www.MinnesotaHistory.net

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FORWARD ON to networks, listserves, allies, people– local and beyond! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Hello to those acting in solidarity with the Dakota Nation:

I’m writing to ask you for your solidarity in the struggle to return Coldwater Springs to the Dakota Nation.  Please sign the petition linked below, and post a comment on the national park website. These two – minute gestures, if widespread, will help to illustrate the power and support behind Dakota communities as they struggle to have regain this particularly sacred part of their ancestral homelands.

Background and Updates on the Coldwater situation: Coldwater springs is the most sacred place on earth to the Dakota people. It is the site of the Dakota genesis story. It is also the site of the genocidal concentration camp that followed the US – Dakota war of 1862. This land has been fenced off, polluted, scattered with abandoned buildings for many many years, under holding by the Department of the Interior : Bureau of mines. Now, finally, the bureau of mines is going to clean up and transfer the land out of their possession. The National Park Service is trying to take over the land, with interest in turning it into a tourist attraction and “historic site.” Dakota people and their allies see this as a further act of colonization within a long history of genocide and the violent domination of Dakota land, people, culture and history. If the National Park gains control of the land, the Dakota will not have access to the site on their own terms. Dakota people have been denied the ability to hold ceremony on this most sacred site since colonization, and if the Park service takes the land, this denial and colonization will be reaffirmed once again.

On February 23rd, Dakota people took over the “community” meeting set up by the Park Board to marginalize Dakota voice. There is a one-month comment period following this meeting, in which (you!) allies to Dakota people are strongly encouraged to let the NPS hear their opinions.

Here, with our voices, we can send a message to the government that the Dakota Nation stands strong with many allies. There will be future opportunities to continually show solidarity in other ways, but for now, please sign the petition below, and post a comment on the National Park Service website, linked below. On the NPS website, please make sure to mention:

– Restoration of Coldwater Springs means restoration of Dakota rights to the land
- The federal government must clean up the land before returning it to the Dakota

To sign the petition to get the site returned:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/return-coldwater-springs-to-the-dakota

File a public comment with the National Park Service:
http://www.nps.gov/MWR/sendmail.htm?o=11HS%28J%2A%2B%3AH%3BJ%3BFQV%5FZEFLHE%20%20%0A&r=/miss/parkmgmt/bomcurr.htm

Thank You!

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David Martinez Presenting

Friday, March 6 @ 7pm

Celebrate the debut of Dakota Philosopher--Charles Eastman and American Indian
Thought, David Martinez's new critical study of the early Dakota author. Charles
Eastman straddled two worlds in his life and writing. The author of Indian Boyhood
was raised in the traditional way after the 1862 U.S.-Dakota War then became an Ivy
League-educated doctor, author and helped found Boy Scouts. Martinez's important
work gives context to Eastman as a founding American Indian intellectual. Martinez
will give a Q & A and sign books. 

Birchbark Books
2115 West 21st Street
Minneapolis, MN 55405
(612) 374-4023

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FORWARD ON to networks, listserves, allies, people– local and beyond! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Hello to those acting in solidarity with the Dakota Nation:

I’m writing to ask you for your solidarity in the struggle to return Coldwater Springs to the Dakota Nation.  Please sign the petition linked below, and post a comment on the national park website. These two – minute gestures, if widespread, will help to illustrate the power and support behind Dakota communities as they struggle to have regain this particularly sacred part of their ancestral homelands.

Background and Updates on the Coldwater situation: Coldwater springs is the most sacred place on earth to the Dakota people. It is the site of the Dakota genesis story. It is also the site of the genocidal concentration camp that followed the US – Dakota war of 1862. This land has been fenced off, polluted, scattered with abandoned buildings for many many years, under holding by the Department of the Interior : Bureau of mines. Now, finally, the bureau of mines is going to clean up and transfer the land out of their possession. The National Park Service is trying to take over the land, with interest in turning it into a tourist attraction and “historic site.” Dakota people and their allies see this as a further act of colonization within a long history of genocide and the violent domination of Dakota land, people, culture and history. If the National Park gains control of the land, the Dakota will not have access to the site on their own terms. Dakota people have been denied the ability to hold ceremony on this most sacred site since colonization, and if the Park service takes the land, this denial and colonization will be reaffirmed once again.

On February 23rd, Dakota people took over the “community” meeting set up by the Park Board to marginalize Dakota voice. There is a one-month comment period following this meeting, in which (you!) allies to Dakota people are strongly encouraged to let the NPS hear their opinions.

Here, with our voices, we can send a message to the government that the Dakota Nation stands strong with many allies. There will be future opportunities to continually show solidarity in other ways, but for now, please sign the petition below, and post a comment on the National Park Service website, linked below. On the NPS website, please make sure to mention:

– Restoration of Coldwater Springs means restoration of Dakota rights to the land
- The federal government must clean up the land before returning it to the Dakota

To sign the petition to get the site returned:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/return-coldwater-springs-to-the-dakota

File a public comment with the National Park Service:
http://www.nps.gov/MWR/sendmail.htm?o=11HS%28J%2A%2B%3AH%3BJ%3BFQV%5FZEFLHE%20%20%0A&r=/miss/parkmgmt/bomcurr.htm

Thank You!

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http://www.preservecampcoldwater.org/

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“The first public meeting will be Monday, February 23, from 5-9 p.m. in the
auditorium of the VA Hospital in Minneapolis. It will focus on getting
Public comment on future reuse and restoration of the Camp Coldwater
Property (former Bureau of Mines). A second public meeting is tentatively
scheduled for April 13. A letter announcing the first meeting was sent out.

Lets pack the auditorium.

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“The first public meeting will be Monday, February 23, from 5-9 p.m. in the
auditorium of the VA Hospital in Minneapolis. It will focus on getting
Public comment on future reuse and restoration of the Camp Coldwater
Property (former Bureau of Mines). A second public meeting is tentatively
Scheduled for April 13. A letter announcing the first meeting was mailed out..”

Tell everyone you know, to pack the room.

More informations coming ASAP.

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