Standing Rock: many nations, one people

"It is not necessary for

eagles to be crows"

Sitting Bull, Hunkpapa

Its almost 2 AM and I made a Facebook post about the Kanaka Maoli who came to help protect the waters (Native Hawaiian's). This was very important to me as I recall the relationships that our people have made with them over the years, we've supported them for their independence from the US, which was reaffirmed by former President Clinton signing an apology to the Kanaka Maoli's for the unlawful overthrow of the lawful Hawaiian Kingdom in the by the United States military and its agents. The apology was toothless, but it acknowledged the truth they were illegally overthrown by force and if you have colonized a people and their lands, the only right thing is to relinquish your control over it. I know it bothers people that we all do not chose to be Americans, but I believe the quote above, attributed to Sitting Bull, is very relevant within the context of the colonization to eradicate our culture and our connections to the land. And you are in the lands of the Hunkpapa.

When I went to Hawai'i, I was not aware of the Akaka Bill hearings starting up in Honolulu until my friends, whom I was visiting on Kaua'i asked me if I was there for the hearings. I said I wasn't aware of a hearing on the Bill, which was almost a carbon copy of the Indian Reorganization Act. If passed, the bill would have submitted them to the authority and jurisdiction of the United States. Creating a roadblock to their independence. They called for a friends on their island to come and share their stories with me. We met at a bed and breakfast by the beach, built and owned by Michael and Sondra Grace, who were evicted from their home, previously, which was torn down (news report at 25:00).

The people who came told me of their history and their stories of resistance, it is no different than ours and they seek to do it in a Pono (good) way, as do the Hunkpapa's at Standing Rock, who put the call out for support in protecting the waters. There was one man who came, Henry Smith, he told me his brother was on a waiting list of the Department of Hawaiian Homelands (DHHL) for a very long time to move onto his lot where DHHL constructed his home, which was of sub-quality. He fought them for several years to repair his home, but lost and was going to be evicted. When the police came to evict him, he poured gasoline throughout his house and sat down in a chair in his home before he lit a match. It was powerful and tragic event at the same time. What has never left me is that while he was speaking, he collapsed. An ambulance took him to the hospital where he died from massive heart failure. As the medics were placing Henry on the stretcher, I went and placed my hands on his arm and told him I would make sure others would know his story. I shared it with the Senate Select Committee on Indian Affairs after a Kanaka said he would yield me his time to speak. After speaking against the Bill and sharing Henry's story, the committee turned of my microphone and walked out on me as I was still speaking.

I've shared what I remember with many people over the years, but it is important that I share it today with everyone because the next thing I want to share is what has been on my mind for a few days now, and somehow, with the Kanaka Maoli being there now - I felt everyone who needs to be there is there now, and I need to share the following with you.

Most people know that I have worked with the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee over the years. And some may remember when I did the spiritual fast at the White House in 2009. It was there sitting across from the White House holding my pipe bag that I thought about all the years we have been coming to DC to raise awareness or push for legislation, and what had we accomplished in securing our independence as a sovereign nation, upholding the terms of those treaties, or reconciling the manipulation of their laws that resulted in further loss of lands and resources. I prayed and thought on those things during that time. And before the end of the fast that it seemed to come to me that a Grand Council of the Indigenous Nations in the Western Hemisphere needs to take place. It needs to happen with traditional Chiefs, Headmen, Clan Mothers, and spiritual leaders of the people to bring us of one mind.

I saw how our Native pride resurged in the Seventies through actions by young Natives led by traditionals, and I saw how the movement became fractured by the efforts of the FBI, federal government and corporations, with many of our people dead or in jail for standing up. Their sacrifices did awakened the spirit of our ancestors within us, and we began to stand against a system that has yet to deal honorably with us.

It is always a fight when it comes to returning stolen lands or money, as in the Cobell Settlement. Now it is seems they are intent on compromising our sovereignty with every lawsuit, settlement or Acts of Congress, and even the states are pushing harder, in some cases.  Those battles has us all over the country, including the UN, throughs the International Indian Treaty Council, on all types of issues, from mascots to traditional spirituality in the prisons, to water rights. Some people tried to weaken us by telling us what is more important, but what I have always know is that they are all important. They are all inter-connected, but today, we all know what is at the forefront, that is why you are there. And it looks like you will be there for a long time if DAPL is permitted to proceed.

You have the time and the people now, I simply ask everyone to consider if it is time to establish a coordinated plan to secure our sovereignty as a nation and not a semi-dependent nation? Shouldn't we be the ones to regulate the waters and other resources from our nation without asking for permission?

How we do this is through the support of the traditional leadership and a shared vision renewed through your defense of the waters. It wouldn't happen overnight since it took generations to bring us where we are now in a concerted effort, take time to conceive of what our world would look like if we were truly sovereign, along with understanding what it really implies on an international level. I worked with a group called the League of Indigenous Sovereign Nations with the idea of being many nations, but one people in how we rose to support one another across the hemisphere.
That is the thought I want to share with everyone. It is yours, do with it as you will. And should some people want to come together and discuss it to take it back to their communities, do so with one mind. The sacred fires have been lit and prayers have been made for what you are all doing. Yakoke! 



"Lets put our minds together and see what life we can make for our children" Sitting Bull

Leonard Peltier: on list for presidential pardon 2016

"This isn't over 'until they take Leonard

to the (Sun Dance) tree at Crow Dogs Paradise".

Andrew Ironshell, Sicangu

Early this morning, a post appeared on the social media network, Facebook, that Leonard Peltier was being granted a presidential pardon. I immediately checked the official website. Nothingh. I googled and still found nothing. I searched Facebook and found a youtube post where Dennis Banks announced (about 1 minute into the video) that some former secretary of state revealed to him there were five names on the list for consideration of a presidential pardon, and Peltiers name is on it!

It is great news to have some forward movement in his case, especially with his health problems and age the life sentences are essentially a death sentence. And the feds (FBI agents) retired or otherwise have said repeatedly that Leonard will never walk out of prison, I've always perceived this as a veiled threat on Leonard life.

Currently, we are waiting on some form of corroboration of this development since the family has not been notified by the attorneys or Leonard. I was communicating with some of his relatives when the post came out initially say Obama had granted a pardon. They didn't know anything about it.

I want to be clear on this point, I am not speaking or writing on behalf of Leonard or the LPDOC. I hold no official capacity, I only want to share my thoughts and experiences as a former National Spokesperson, board member and support group coordinator that right now is the time to marshal your forces. We must a expect a fight from those agents who have constantly attempted to undermine the work of Peltier, his committee and the supporters. I haven't heard of the Trimbachs, Woods or any other person of their ilk, but they'll come crawling out hoping to gain some attention and credibility to their distorted facts.

This is a good time to refresh your memory about his case at the official Peltier website, the international support he has had so that you can correct their misrepresentation of the facts. Keep pushing the petitions, hold meetings and show the documentaries that are available, and get other social justice organizations involved.

The last time Leonard was being considered for a pardon, the agents rose up in an uproar when Amy Goodman took a call on her show "Democracy Now" from then president Bill Clinton who was stumping for Al Gore. Ms. Goodman seize the opportunity to ask Clinton about Peltier. Clinton replied to the effect he was aware there was a lot of attention to this case and he would give it a look-see like anyone else." No commitment one way or the other, but the agents rallied to the White House, and while I am not privy to all the details, representatives from both sides met in the White House. When the commutations came as Clinton's last act in office. He apparently pardon a relative, but he left Peltiers application unsigned on his desk. When Bush took office, someone realized there was an unsigned pardon application there so a campaign was mounted to get Bush to sign off. He quickly denied it. That application took quite a few years to get to the president's desk.

The current pardon application began a few years ago and was intentionally kept quiet as I have been understood. There is a school of thought that the government despises being made to look as if they capitulated on the demands of the people. Yes, it sounds ludicrous, but I see the truth in it. Now that the application is apparently on Obama's desk, the agents will know and as soon as I can find that list in whitehouse.gov we'll know it for a fact.

In November 1999, we held a month long rally in DC, and we "forced" a meeting with a representative from the Justice Department when Janet Reno (former US Attorney General), it was such a condescending meeting, but afterwards on the sidewalk of the Justice Department I was compelled to say something that I normally would say or ask of others. I was asked to speak at a press conference outside of Justice and I told everyone that we just had another bullshit meeting with the government. Their representative acted all outraged and indignant that this was happening to this poor old Indian man and that she would bring it to Reno's attention in 7 minutes, then she would hear from someone else and continue to tell us she'll tell Reno in x number of minutes. I explained that this woman, who is Native, knows about Peltier's case, but her role was just to appease us as if we actually accomplished something. I said that if you want to see Leonard free before Bush takes office then everyone will have to make real sacrifices. By that I mean I don't care if you have to give up your job, your home and your relationship! Leonard has already given up half of his life and is counting on us to bring him out. Once he is out we can rebuild our own lives!

After I concluded, I wondered where those words came from. I wouldn't ask anyone to do something that I wouldn't do and then it hit me. This is what I had to do, and I did it. I went back to Oklahoma to no job, and a partner who wanted to file for divorce. When I rolled out of Oklahoma that night, all I could carry from my life was in a mini-van. She had hidden my family pictures, paintings and crafts given to me by prison inmates, and the human rights award I received. I returned to DC and gave it my best with raising awareness and building support, but the feds got to Clinton.

I shared this personal story with you to help you understand what it means to make a commitment and to know that I wouldn't ask you to do something I wouldn't do or that I have already done. Regardless of if Leonards name is or is not on presidents list for commutation and pardons. I'm going to ask you to make a commitment for at least the next seven months until the Christmas commutations is released. If his name is not there, then keep the pressure up before Obama leaves. We'll know then who will be in the White House and the committee will plot a course of action.

If you can make this commitment, then I will ask you to begin by contacting the LPDOC and submitting an application to begin a support group. The support groups is Leonards feet on the ground staging events and activities to increase awareness about his case. If there were active support groups in each community with a college or university it can have a far reaching effect. Sign up and take direction from the LPDOC, coordinate with them, provide updates and run your ideas by them. I know we are in the digital age, use it as a tool to organize and get in the streets or wherever you can have an impact. If you are physically able, get out there and network with other organizations and groups, Leonard needs that solidarity to come to fruition fast, Leonard is running out of time. That is why I ask that each of you make this commitment to bring him home.

http://www.whoisleonardpeltier.info/

The following are some of the events planned or taking place now:

• Chauncey Peltier, Leonards oldest son, is organizing a Freedom Ride and he'll need support for this cross-country motorcycle ride, contact him and see how you can help.
• Footprints for Peace just began a Ride for Freedom from the prison where Leonard is held captive, Coleman, FL to Washington, DC. They are doing what they can to raise awareness and if you check their website give them some support.
• There is also a "Horse Riders for Justice" that will take place in Philadelphia, PA on July 26. Their point of contact is their Facebook page, Anonymous Indigenous Movement.

There may be other events, if so, let me know and I'll update them here.

Why a woman for Chief of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma? Why not!

This is my formal declaration that I am voting for Deborah "DJ" Battiest for Chief in the election on July 11th. As Chahta people, we ARE a matrilineal society that has been pushed back from a male dominant society. It is important that we return to our ways and install a woman to be our Chief. It has always been a woman's role to nurture and create a solid stable household. If the Chahta people want to see a change, this is your chance, not solely because she is a woman, but because she is a woman who has the experience and skills to manage human resources to create an efficient operation. She has the peoples concerns at heart, talk to her and share your concerns so that she will know more about what she can do. For the first time in 40 years, I am hopeful that we can begin to move forward in the ways our nation have always fallen short. Ben Carnes

This was my post last weekend on Facebook after our candidates forum here in Broken Bow, and in discussions with my wife, she suggested I expound my my reasons and after further thought, I agree.

As Chahta people, women has occupied an important role in our society, as well as the societies of other Indigenous Nations. In the Iroquois Confederacy, the women, known as Clan Mothers were entrusted with the inherent inherent right to the title of "Chief" and whom they selected to serve in that capacity. They also held the right, if the "Chief" disobeyed the Clan Mothers, to remove that title and select another. In Chahta society, the women remained within their clan and could divorce their husband by setting his personal effects outside the door. The children would remain with the Mother and her Clan so they could be raised raise in the ways of her people.

When the European immigrants who came to our hemisphere, fleeing their own for religious persecution or in pursuit of wealth, their society viewed the status of women as property. They would only deal with the men of our people, who deliberated in council with the other Peace Chiefs and War Chiefs, including spiritual leaders and women. The immigrants, who created their own Nation called the United States of America, felt that our process was too cumbersome and selected those they wanted to deal with. Why our people acquiesced at the time, I do not know. I only wished our ancestors had been more adamant, and quite possibly, we would still be living in Mississippi rather than being exiled to what was called "Indian Territory".

We all know, in general, about the "Trail of Tears and Death", the Supreme Court decisions that determined we were to be wards of the federal government, the false promises that we would never be made into a state or become part of the US (Article IV of Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek), the treachery of the Dawes Allotment Act, the imposition of the State of Oklahoma upon our remaining territories and the 1924 Citizenship Act, all the way to where Harry J.W. Belvin, a Choctaw Chief appointed by the US President, proposed legislation terminating the Choctaw Nation through liquidating our assets. It was a Chahta woman who told her son, upon receiving a letter notifying her of the pending termination, that she instructed her son to stop this. Randy Jacob felt that he was a nobody and had no power to stop a Chief appointed by the US President or a congressional legislation. Yet, in Indian ways, he obeyed his Mother wishes and sought out other Chahta people and began the efforts to fight for our survival. They eventually succeeded in averting termination, but secured our right to electing our own Chief, taking away the US Presidents practice of selecting who would be the Chief he would deal with. Today we are recognized as the third largest First Nation in the US, with a billion dollar a year industry.

That victory did not come without setbacks, in gaining our election, Belvin crafted the election rules ensuring that he won the election as Chief. Later David Gardner, whom Belvin had disqualified based upon the rules he made up won the next election in 1975, but died in 1978. Hollis Roberts ascended to the position and served the remainder of Gardner's term, before winning the next election where he served for 19 years until he was convicted of sexually assaulting a female employee in the offices of the Choctaw Nation. During Roberts tenure, numerous allegations persisted of campaign fraud and coercion of votes and favoritism towards those loyal to Roberts. Roberts had been indicted earlier for embezzlement, but through the efforts of his attorney, Bob Rabon, Roberts succeeded in reducing the felony to a misdemeanor to which he pleaded "No Contest".

After Roberts was remanded into federal custody to await transportation to begin serving his sentence at a federal prison, the Chahta people felt the iron-fisted reign of fear and intimidation was over. That was short-lived when it appear that Pyle, who served under Roberts from from 1984 until Roberts conviction in 1997, was more subtle and refined in whom he rewarded for their loyalties. Calls for reform in election rules, campaign finance and transparency remained ignored. That is until a employee of a contractor of the Choctaw Nation discovered irregularities in the invoicing. She was told to ignore the matter, but she turned the information over to the federal authorities which led to several indictments. The latest conviction was of former Senior Executive Director, Jason Merida. At trial Merida testified that his role was to direct prospective, and current contractors to attend the Chiefs fundraisers and to contribute generously, implying it would aid in securing or maintaining their contracts.

Interestingly, for the third time, an assistant Chief ascended to the Office of Chief when  Pyle announced his resignation in April 2014. There had been rumors it was health related, while others speculated it had to do with the ongoing investigation. Seven months later, Pyle, Batton and Casino Executive Director, Janie Dillard were called to testify in the Merida trial. The defense attorneys had submitted a brief alleging that both Pyle and Batton were "unindicted co-conspirators" in the corruption, money laundering, and bribery investigation.

The trial revealed what so many Chahta's had long suspected of the upper management officials who enjoyed lavish shopping spree's, hunting trips and vacations. Batton, when asked by the federal prosecutor about the amount of money in the campaign account (held in several banks) that Pyle signed over to him, he replied that it was a little over a million dollars. The trial lasted over the course of several days and was attended by several Chahta's. Some attended the entire trial and reported daily through social media the events of the day until the closing where the federal prosecutor assured the Chahta's in the audience that their investigation is not over and told them they had a lot of work to do, meaning the lack of transparency and accountability by elected public servants of the Choctaw Nation. (I'm awaiting trial transcripts which should be available in about 2-3 months, when I'll write more quoting direct testimony of all the witnesses exposing a practice of corruption and fraud). 

After what so many people heard, they were amazed that Batton or Pyle had not been indicted already. They felt Merida was offered up as a scapegoat. I have spoken with Mr. Merida and he told me that he thought they were all his friends until his arrest. He said that what you all heard at trial was nothing, there is a lot more and I hope that it will all come out. I wanted him to come onto my show and tell his story, but he was awaiting sentencing and could not speak about his case. I sympathized with him in his feeling betrayed by those whom he trusted, just as the Chahta people have in those they have elected. I left my card with hopes that someday he may contact me and be prepared to share more.

Immediately after his conviction, Chahta's formed a grassroots group raising specific issues relating to election reform, campaign finance reform and ongoing efforts at amending or creating a new constitution that would embed checks and balances. They've traveled to different communities sharing what they heard at trial and what their proposals could do to clean out an institutionalized system of wrongdoing. In response, Batton selected individuals he trusted to form an Election Reform Task Force to produce recommendations. Doug Dry, a long time proponent for election reform and transparency was invited on the committee. He had been asking the meeting be open to the public and the request was not granted until the third meeting. Even then there had been resistance from other members while Yannash Scott and I waited outside the conference room to be allowed in. After about 40 minutes, they opened the door. The following were the four recommendations by the task force:

1.  A  motion  to  vote  on  a  recommendation  that  access be  given  to  community  centers  for  tribal  political  candidates  passed  unanimously. 

1.  A motion  to  vote  on  a  recommendation  that we  have  a  standalone electoral  publication  for  tribal  political  candidates to use  as  a  platform passed  unanimously. 

1.    A  motion  to  vote  on  a  recommendation  that  Chief  begin  the  process  to  reform  and  regulate  campaign  financial  transactions  passed  unanimously.

1.    A  motion  to  vote  on  a  recommendation  that  Chief  review  and  regulate  to  protect  the  integrity  of  the  absentee  ballot  process  that  is  fair  to  voters  and  candidates  passed  unanimously.  

 After the last motion was passed, Batton was asked by Sandy Stroud about when they should meet again. His response was "I don't care what you do. I have what I need right here.", while waving his notes. Neither Yannash nor I were were allowed to participate, just observe. At the following council meeting, they voted to allow inserts in the tribal paper. Short of the recommendations of the task force, and even less than what the people wanted. The council called it a big step. Do those people realize that we have eyes to see through what they are doing? Ears to hear their hollow words? And an intelligent mind to understand they are not really changing anything! I know they do, but it is sheer arrogance that they feel we are ineffective to make a difference. My question to the readers is this, if a caring woman was in those offices, would they shame us in this manner? I believe the answer is a resounding NO! Especially a woman who has not been groomed to maintain a 37 year dynasty where corruption has become an acceptable institution!
 
Prior to the candidates submitting their names to the ballots, it was widely believed that he will win the election. When two challengers filed, Batton and Rabon filed to disqualify them. Rabon and the election board disqualified Sherman "Bo" Miller, but were unsuccessful in disqualifying Deborah "DJ" Battiest. She brought mountains of evidence to substantiate her residency, including affidavits from those who know her. So she is a candidate.

The question that emerges is if we believe the system is so unfair and unjust, why do we even bother to give Batton the appearance of a fair race? That is easy, we aren't giving Batton anything, instead we are rallying our people who want a change for the better. Someone who won't resist and fight us for the honorable principles we have been putting forth. If Ms. Battiest doesn't win this election, the concerns will not go away. In fact, I believe the post-election mood will be even more determined in preparation for the next two elections within four years.

It will be difficult in a male-dominated society for a woman to be accepted as a credible candidate. In social media, it was even implied that women aren't good at politics, especially at a certain time of the month. I know that is far from the truth, men may not have a menstruation cycle, but I believe I have been around enough men to recognize when their testosterone can cause bad judgement. The prisons and death row are full of them.

So much of the headway made through political arena's have had Native women as the backbone. There is a Cheyenne Proverb that says "A nation is not defeated, until the hearts of its women are on the ground." In Fact, Dr. Henrietta Mann said “You’re not going to meet any more formidable advocate than a mother," speaking of women activists. “In my estimation, a woman, a mother is not going to blink twice about saying, ‘I’m going protect the integrity of my tribe, my children,’” she said.

Last year, at the annual Choctaw Festival in Tushkahoma, Batton invited Oklahoma Governor, Mary Falling to attend and unveil a statue "Honoring the Giver of Life". That drew the immediate outrage from numerous Choctaw women. Summer Wesley, both a Choctaw member and an Oklahoma-based Tribal Law attorney, couldn’t believe her eyes when she read the announcement: “Mary Fallin has demonstrated to not be an ally to Native tribes, yet has been chosen to not only appear at Choctaw Fest, but to unveil a statue in honor of our women,” Wesley said. “As a Choctaw woman, I am appalled that she is being given a platform for her insincere pandering and her participation in the unveiling causes the statue to lose all honor to me. Further, I think this sends the wrong message to Indian Country regarding the Choctaw Nation's priorities and loyalties. Fallin's participation implies that our Nation condones her anti-Native policies.”

 The first time a woman ran for Chief was in the special election following Gardner's death, Minnie J. (Thomas) Voyles. Roberts was elected Chief in a run-off against Charles Brown. The next woman to run was in Aug 20,1983,the votes came to:
Hollis Roberts 1,701
Wyndle David 1,738
Ed Curtis 661
Harriet James 399
James Jones 263
Jonas White 63
Total Cast    4,825

A run-off between Roberts and David on Sept. 17, 1983 came to:
Hollis Roberts 2,594
Wyndle David 2,310
Total Cast 4,904

 With the history and information shared here, I hope that many of us can take a long hard look at what we really need for our Nation, just not what we can personally benefit for ourselves, but a lasting legacy that comes from fairness, honesty and integrity. Ms. Battiest does not have a million dollars to conduct a campaign like Batton and Pyle generated through the very virtue of their office from hopeful contractors and others who liked business the way it is.
The numbers outweigh us in whom we can contact with almost 80% of the registered voters casting their absentee ballots. They do not get the news from here, except with what we can share through social media. But it is happening, here's one video prepared by a young Choctaw voter in New Mexico:
 

It is time for our women to have their voice and I hope that many of you will join me and many others to cast your vote in making this stand for our people.

VOTE DJ BATTIEST

FOR CHIEF OF THE

CHOCTAW NATION OF OKLAHOMA!!!!