Anchorage, Alaska – Alaska state officials along with Native American Rights Fund (NARF), the American Civil Liberties Union, the Northern Justice Project, four Alaska Native elders and four tribal governments today jointly announced a settlement of Nick, et al. v. Bethel, et al. According to the settlement, the state of Alaska will make enhancements to language assistance for Yup’ik-speaking voters available at elections in the Bethel area.
The resolution of the case, originally filed in June 2007 on behalf of Alaska Native elders Anna Nick, Billy McCann, Arthur Nelson and David O. David and the tribal governments of Kasigluk, Kwigillingok, Tuluksak and Tuntutuliak was hailed by all parties involved.
"This settlement recognizes improvements to language-assistance protocols implemented by the state during the 2008 and 2009 elections, while providing for enhancements to ensure that limited-English-proficient voters receive effective assistance," said Alaska Attorney General Dan Sullivan. "We support fair voting practices and effective access to the voting booth for all Alaskans, and we will vigorously implement the terms of this settlement."
“We are extremely pleased the state of Alaska will provide Yup'ik-speaking voters in the Bethel area with the tools they need to fully participate in the political process," said Natalie Landreth of Native American Rights Fund (NARF). “That is what this case was all about – equal access to the polls.”
"Our right to vote is one of the most important that we as Americans possess," said Alaska Lieutenant Governor Craig Campbell, who oversees the Division of Elections. "Here in Alaska, we want all our citizens to exercise that right, regardless of where they live or the language they speak. We are pleased to have come together to ensure that this case is a win-win for Yup'ik-speaking voters and the State of Alaska."
Get the rest of the story here: http://narfnews.blogspot.com/2010/02/state-of-alaska-narf-northern-justice.html
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Impact
My Relatives Say: “You do not know the quiet power you possess.”
I’ve thought about this for many decades. Arrogant, hubris, forceful, blunt, are all words that have been used to describe me. So the words “quiet power” makes me want to stop dead in my tracks. I personally don’t see myself as arrogant, I see myself as confident. I don’t consider myself god-like but rather as having a sense of understanding when it comes to dealing with the human condition as a spiritual being. And it can be so damn hard to rise above the impact of words or labels.
Here’s what I mean. We all have a voice which speaks to us. Sometimes it tells us not to take a certain flight or a particular drive to work. Sometimes it tells us we are falling in love or to avoid dubious people. Sometimes we resist the voice, ignoring what it tells us. Predictably we discover the voice was right all along.
My Relatives Say: “Don’t forget you are a part of everything and everything is a part of you.”
Our bodies, mind, and spirit are moved by Grandmother Moon, she who controls the tides. In the human condition we are made up of approximately 75% water. The rest becomes nothing but dust without water. Both of these elements are vital to the earth and sky as well as to we humans. This holds true to every animal walking the planet. This is true to the very atmosphere we live in.
If we do not listen to our brothers and sisters, be they water, air, fire, or land, we doom ourselves and by extension the next seven generations. We are all connected. We are all related.
My Relatives Say: “It is not good to separate yourself from the land or from Great Mystery.”
We do not have to walk barefoot in the snow to feel connected to our Mother. We do not have to suffocate in order to appreciate Father Sky. Then again, maybe we do. Whatever it takes to make a human feel their part in this world, then so be it. And if for just a moment we take the time to say “I Love You!” to all that is a part of us then it’ll be like a boomerang that comes back to us with “I Love You, too!”
We humans are like broken pieces of mirror. Some might say a broken mirror is bad luck. But My Relatives Say: “It is better to be a part of the mystery than not.” If we put the broken pieces of mirror together we get a clearer reflection of who we are as relatives.
Then and only then, do we come to understand the impact of our quiet power. The power we have to change the way we see each other, the power we have to impact our lives as well as others around us. Good, bad, ugly, beautiful, empathy or indifference, it all comes back us. If we resist we will be met with resistance. If we hold hatred close, disgust and revulsion will pursue us without relent. But if we become conscious to the impact of our quiet power then we soon learn there is little we cannot do. Even the most heinous of experiences cannot bring down the truth my relatives speak. History has shown this for more than 518 years.
Yes, I own the words forceful and blunt because my convictions won’t allow me to do anything else. And it’s not because I am arrogant. It’s because the voice inside me, the voice of all those ancestors, tell me this is honesty in its deepest form. If the impact of these words is considered hubris there is nothing I can do to change it.
Each and every day I will say “I Love You” to all of creation, to all my relatives, and mean it. I don’t have to agree with the hurricane winds or the flooding rains. I don’t have to yield to those who would steal my quiet power. But I can love it all. And I will stand by the impact of my sincerity.
I’ve thought about this for many decades. Arrogant, hubris, forceful, blunt, are all words that have been used to describe me. So the words “quiet power” makes me want to stop dead in my tracks. I personally don’t see myself as arrogant, I see myself as confident. I don’t consider myself god-like but rather as having a sense of understanding when it comes to dealing with the human condition as a spiritual being. And it can be so damn hard to rise above the impact of words or labels.
Here’s what I mean. We all have a voice which speaks to us. Sometimes it tells us not to take a certain flight or a particular drive to work. Sometimes it tells us we are falling in love or to avoid dubious people. Sometimes we resist the voice, ignoring what it tells us. Predictably we discover the voice was right all along.
My Relatives Say: “Don’t forget you are a part of everything and everything is a part of you.”
Our bodies, mind, and spirit are moved by Grandmother Moon, she who controls the tides. In the human condition we are made up of approximately 75% water. The rest becomes nothing but dust without water. Both of these elements are vital to the earth and sky as well as to we humans. This holds true to every animal walking the planet. This is true to the very atmosphere we live in.
If we do not listen to our brothers and sisters, be they water, air, fire, or land, we doom ourselves and by extension the next seven generations. We are all connected. We are all related.
My Relatives Say: “It is not good to separate yourself from the land or from Great Mystery.”
We do not have to walk barefoot in the snow to feel connected to our Mother. We do not have to suffocate in order to appreciate Father Sky. Then again, maybe we do. Whatever it takes to make a human feel their part in this world, then so be it. And if for just a moment we take the time to say “I Love You!” to all that is a part of us then it’ll be like a boomerang that comes back to us with “I Love You, too!”
We humans are like broken pieces of mirror. Some might say a broken mirror is bad luck. But My Relatives Say: “It is better to be a part of the mystery than not.” If we put the broken pieces of mirror together we get a clearer reflection of who we are as relatives.
Then and only then, do we come to understand the impact of our quiet power. The power we have to change the way we see each other, the power we have to impact our lives as well as others around us. Good, bad, ugly, beautiful, empathy or indifference, it all comes back us. If we resist we will be met with resistance. If we hold hatred close, disgust and revulsion will pursue us without relent. But if we become conscious to the impact of our quiet power then we soon learn there is little we cannot do. Even the most heinous of experiences cannot bring down the truth my relatives speak. History has shown this for more than 518 years.
Yes, I own the words forceful and blunt because my convictions won’t allow me to do anything else. And it’s not because I am arrogant. It’s because the voice inside me, the voice of all those ancestors, tell me this is honesty in its deepest form. If the impact of these words is considered hubris there is nothing I can do to change it.
Each and every day I will say “I Love You” to all of creation, to all my relatives, and mean it. I don’t have to agree with the hurricane winds or the flooding rains. I don’t have to yield to those who would steal my quiet power. But I can love it all. And I will stand by the impact of my sincerity.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
My Relatives Say
O’Siyo Nigadawu (hello everyone),
I am AmaTsisqua (Waterbird), daughter of the Bird and Wolf clans and born to the Tsalagi (Cherokee). I am also known as Nudagesv Duyudv (Weight Truth or Weighs The Truth). For many decades now I have been listening to the voices of my relatives, learning truth in all its varying shades of gray, and learning the ways of bear, turtle, snake, scorpion, wolf, bird, dog, cat, dolphin, manatee, and fish. Along the way I have tasted of each element of life – water, fire, earth, and air.
Two years ago a drastic change took place in my life and It left me feeling desperately heaving for air. The details don’t really matter. My story is the same as yours except for one thing…I walk with one foot in one reality and one foot in another. As with most humans, I have experienced tragedy, disappointment, frustration, anger, gladness, exhilaration, falling in love, grief, and just plain joy. Each emotion at its greatest pinnacle had to be examined from two very different points of view. One perspective comes from the modern approach of practicality and moving ahead. The other perception comes from very conventional wisdom that is not widely known in current society.
This walking in two worlds can become confusing, not to mention down-right annoying, especially when life presents some of its greatest challenges. We ½ breeds, ¼ breeds, 1/16th breeds, 1/32nd breeds, and wannabes all amount to about the same. We’re searching to whom and where we belong.
Through this blog it is my intention and hope that while I ponder the deeper questions of life I will also share the voices of my relatives and what they have taught me when I’ve been willing to learn. Believe me when I say there is no one who challenges me better than myself. Yet I encourage you to question what I will tell you over the coming months. And while we’re at it, we’ll invite our ancestors into the discussion so we may learn from each other. It is the only way to go. You’ll see this to be true.
My next entry will be regarding impact. “Impact” will be at least a two-part series – possibly more. We’ll see as time goes on. The path always takes a winding course but it always comes back around to particularly important issues. I promise not to preach or belittle, look down or deny, live without empathy or with sympathy. Maybe through this journey we will learn how not to be divided. Maybe through this journey we will learn how to be spiritual beings having a human experience. Maybe we will learn the IMPACT we have on all our relations. Maybe we’ll see how very close we really are!
Let’s walk with both feet and see where it takes us.
I am AmaTsisqua (Waterbird), daughter of the Bird and Wolf clans and born to the Tsalagi (Cherokee). I am also known as Nudagesv Duyudv (Weight Truth or Weighs The Truth). For many decades now I have been listening to the voices of my relatives, learning truth in all its varying shades of gray, and learning the ways of bear, turtle, snake, scorpion, wolf, bird, dog, cat, dolphin, manatee, and fish. Along the way I have tasted of each element of life – water, fire, earth, and air.
Two years ago a drastic change took place in my life and It left me feeling desperately heaving for air. The details don’t really matter. My story is the same as yours except for one thing…I walk with one foot in one reality and one foot in another. As with most humans, I have experienced tragedy, disappointment, frustration, anger, gladness, exhilaration, falling in love, grief, and just plain joy. Each emotion at its greatest pinnacle had to be examined from two very different points of view. One perspective comes from the modern approach of practicality and moving ahead. The other perception comes from very conventional wisdom that is not widely known in current society.
This walking in two worlds can become confusing, not to mention down-right annoying, especially when life presents some of its greatest challenges. We ½ breeds, ¼ breeds, 1/16th breeds, 1/32nd breeds, and wannabes all amount to about the same. We’re searching to whom and where we belong.
Through this blog it is my intention and hope that while I ponder the deeper questions of life I will also share the voices of my relatives and what they have taught me when I’ve been willing to learn. Believe me when I say there is no one who challenges me better than myself. Yet I encourage you to question what I will tell you over the coming months. And while we’re at it, we’ll invite our ancestors into the discussion so we may learn from each other. It is the only way to go. You’ll see this to be true.
My next entry will be regarding impact. “Impact” will be at least a two-part series – possibly more. We’ll see as time goes on. The path always takes a winding course but it always comes back around to particularly important issues. I promise not to preach or belittle, look down or deny, live without empathy or with sympathy. Maybe through this journey we will learn how not to be divided. Maybe through this journey we will learn how to be spiritual beings having a human experience. Maybe we will learn the IMPACT we have on all our relations. Maybe we’ll see how very close we really are!
Let’s walk with both feet and see where it takes us.
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