By: Dalton Walker
The Winnebago with the brilliant right arm was in sports headlines across the nation recently for two entirely different reasons.
The first, a more humanized Joba Chamberlain surfaced as the 22-year-old relief pitcher for the New York Yankees left the team to be with his ill father back home in Lincoln, Neb.
Chamberlain missed a few Yankee outings and when he returned he released a statement to the media explaining his father's condition.
"After several difficult days, my father is feeling much better," Chamberlain said in the statement released by the club. "Each day he's acting more and more like himself, and he's even giving people grief — myself included — because the hospital doesn't carry Yankees games on television."
His father, Harlan Chamberlain, is a wonderful man and a great role model for many Native children. The elder Chamberlain has a history of health issues including a childhood case of polio that left him partially paralyzed. He relies on a motorized scooter for transportation. The father and son are very close. Joba has told numerous media outlets that he speaks to his father on the phone at least once a day.
The second set of headlines had to deal with an on-field issue brought up by the often outspoken Steinbrenner family, which owns the Yankees. With the team off to a slow start, at least by New York standards, Yankees co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner blasted the team, saying Joba should start.
"I want him as a starter and so does everyone else, including him, and that is what we are working toward and we need him there now," Steinbrenner told The New York Times. "There is no question about it, you don't have a guy with a 100-mile-per-hour fastball and keep him as a setup guy. You just don't do that. You have to be an idiot to do that."
The rest of the story is here: http://www.reznetnews.org/article/feature-article/joba-mound
Monday, April 28, 2008
Tribe in Wisconsin: Land is ours
By: Glenn Coin
Six years ago, the federal Department of Interior said the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians had a valid claim to land in and around the town of Stockbridge.
Any day now, that same department is likely to take 3,000 acres of that land into trust for the exclusive use of the Oneida Indian Nation.
The Wisconsin-based Stockbridge-Munsee tribe is calling foul and asking for Congress to step in.
It is a baffling and outrageous reversal of DOI's previously stated opinions that will have disastrous consequences for the Stockbridge-Munsee if finalized," the tribe said in a news release.
A decision on the trust land is expected by Wednesday.
Stockbridge-Munsee tribal leaders have met with members of Congress in the past week trying to solicit their support, said spokeswoman Maureen Connelly.
"All the tribe is asking is for time to work out a comprehensive settlement," Connelly said. Oneida nation spokesman Mark Emery said the Stockbridge-Munsee have waited too long to try to stop the trust application, first filed in 2005.
"The Oneida nation is near the end of the trust process set up by Congress," Emery said in a prepared statement. "The Stockbridge-Munsee do not like the outcome so they now want to change the rules."
At issue is about 3,000 acres in and around Stockbridge that is owned by the Oneida Indian Nation, but included in the 23,000-acre land claim asserted by the Stockbridge-Munsee. In 2002, Department of Interior lawyer Philip Hogen wrote that "Stockbridge is the only proper tribal claimant" to the land. Hogen urged the Department of Justice, which acts as the lawyers for other federal agencies, to join the Stockbridge-Munsee's land claim suit on the side of the tribe. That never happened.
Keep reading here: http://www.syracuse.com/articles/news/index.ssf?/base/news-10/1209114113163240.xml
Six years ago, the federal Department of Interior said the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians had a valid claim to land in and around the town of Stockbridge.
Any day now, that same department is likely to take 3,000 acres of that land into trust for the exclusive use of the Oneida Indian Nation.
The Wisconsin-based Stockbridge-Munsee tribe is calling foul and asking for Congress to step in.
It is a baffling and outrageous reversal of DOI's previously stated opinions that will have disastrous consequences for the Stockbridge-Munsee if finalized," the tribe said in a news release.
A decision on the trust land is expected by Wednesday.
Stockbridge-Munsee tribal leaders have met with members of Congress in the past week trying to solicit their support, said spokeswoman Maureen Connelly.
"All the tribe is asking is for time to work out a comprehensive settlement," Connelly said. Oneida nation spokesman Mark Emery said the Stockbridge-Munsee have waited too long to try to stop the trust application, first filed in 2005.
"The Oneida nation is near the end of the trust process set up by Congress," Emery said in a prepared statement. "The Stockbridge-Munsee do not like the outcome so they now want to change the rules."
At issue is about 3,000 acres in and around Stockbridge that is owned by the Oneida Indian Nation, but included in the 23,000-acre land claim asserted by the Stockbridge-Munsee. In 2002, Department of Interior lawyer Philip Hogen wrote that "Stockbridge is the only proper tribal claimant" to the land. Hogen urged the Department of Justice, which acts as the lawyers for other federal agencies, to join the Stockbridge-Munsee's land claim suit on the side of the tribe. That never happened.
Keep reading here: http://www.syracuse.com/articles/news/index.ssf?/base/news-10/1209114113163240.xml
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Yukon Circles
Yukon Circles is the inspirational story of how native people in Alaska and Canada joined together to protect the Yukon River.
The Yukon is the second-longest river in North America, flowing 2300 miles from its headwaters in Canada to its delta on the Bering Sea. But the river is threatened by pollution from military, mining, manufacturing and human settlement.
Rather than blaming the polluters or pointing fingers at the many entities that had dumped waste in their traditional territories, the tribes made a radical decision. They would assume the leadership and responsibilities for protecting their own lands, waters, animals, and fish.
They began by educating their own tribal members; they went on to form the largest Native international treaty organization in the world.
Director: Karin Williams
27 Minutes • USA • Documentary Short
The Yukon is the second-longest river in North America, flowing 2300 miles from its headwaters in Canada to its delta on the Bering Sea. But the river is threatened by pollution from military, mining, manufacturing and human settlement.
Rather than blaming the polluters or pointing fingers at the many entities that had dumped waste in their traditional territories, the tribes made a radical decision. They would assume the leadership and responsibilities for protecting their own lands, waters, animals, and fish.
They began by educating their own tribal members; they went on to form the largest Native international treaty organization in the world.
Director: Karin Williams
27 Minutes • USA • Documentary Short
The Oklahoma Land Steal?
By: Mark Francis
OKLAHOMA CITY—A group of Oklahoma Indians are on a quest to right history by conducting a parade to counter the state's celebration of the Oklahoma Land Run.
Organizers say they hope the April 12 parade here will raise awareness that Oklahoma history books are incorrect, along with history books in general, when it comes to Native Americans and the Great Land Rush of 1889.
The parade is sponsored by the Society to Preserve the Indigenous Rights and Indigenous Traditions (S.P.I.R.I.T.), made up of members of Native American tribes who support Native issues, families, personal education and human rights.
"We are looking for something to give our people to have pride in," said Brenda Golden, a Muscogee tribal member from Tulsa, Okla. "Some don't know who they are themselves, and the kids don't have anything to hold onto."
The parade, whose theme is "Honoring Our Past — Capturing Our Future," will take place the weekend before area land run re-enactments.
More than 2 million acres of land in Indian Territory were opened on April 22, 1889, for settlement during the first of five Oklahoma land runs. Up to 75,000 people surrounded the area to stake their claim for fewer than 12,000 homesteads between 1889 and 1895.
A S.P.I.R.I.T press release states that after the Civil War, tribes were forced to sell their land to the federal government for 60 cents to $1.25 an acre; the government said it would relocate other groups onto the land but never did. Many U.S. citizens regarded the lands as unassigned and, thus, public domain that should be opened for settlement.
Want to know more? Click here: http://www.reznetnews.org/article/feature-article/oklahoma-land-steal%3F
OKLAHOMA CITY—A group of Oklahoma Indians are on a quest to right history by conducting a parade to counter the state's celebration of the Oklahoma Land Run.
Organizers say they hope the April 12 parade here will raise awareness that Oklahoma history books are incorrect, along with history books in general, when it comes to Native Americans and the Great Land Rush of 1889.
The parade is sponsored by the Society to Preserve the Indigenous Rights and Indigenous Traditions (S.P.I.R.I.T.), made up of members of Native American tribes who support Native issues, families, personal education and human rights.
"We are looking for something to give our people to have pride in," said Brenda Golden, a Muscogee tribal member from Tulsa, Okla. "Some don't know who they are themselves, and the kids don't have anything to hold onto."
The parade, whose theme is "Honoring Our Past — Capturing Our Future," will take place the weekend before area land run re-enactments.
More than 2 million acres of land in Indian Territory were opened on April 22, 1889, for settlement during the first of five Oklahoma land runs. Up to 75,000 people surrounded the area to stake their claim for fewer than 12,000 homesteads between 1889 and 1895.
A S.P.I.R.I.T press release states that after the Civil War, tribes were forced to sell their land to the federal government for 60 cents to $1.25 an acre; the government said it would relocate other groups onto the land but never did. Many U.S. citizens regarded the lands as unassigned and, thus, public domain that should be opened for settlement.
Want to know more? Click here: http://www.reznetnews.org/article/feature-article/oklahoma-land-steal%3F
Port, tribe sign historic agreement
By: Meghan Erkkinen
The Port of Tacoma, the Puyallup Tribe of Indians and two development entities signed what many called an historic agreement April 22. The agreement, which the parties hope will be an economic boon for the regional economy, calls for the port and tribe to exchange land and to work together to develop and widen the Blair Waterway.
As per the agreement, the port will transfer about 19 acres to the tribe and the tribe will transfer about 12.5 acres to the port. Both parties have agreed to a project to widen the Blair Waterway, which will be undertaken and managed by container terminal operator SSA Containers Inc. The parties also agreed to cooperate on intermodal rail, road infrastructure and other development opportunities.
The agreement is 20 years in the making, dating back to the 1988 Puyallup Indian Land Claims Settlement Agreement, signed into law by former President George Bush. The agreement transferred land to the tribe to enable it to diversify its economic investments.
“The Port of Tacoma and Puyallup Tribe of Indians enjoy a long history of economic cooperation dating back to the historic 1988 Puyallup Indian Land Claims Settlement Agreement,” said Dick Marzano, president of the Port of Tacoma Commission. “Today’s agreement assures greater cargo capacity for our region, which will create thousands of construction jobs and permanent, family-wage jobs when the terminals open.”
Get the rest of the story here: http://www.tacomaweekly.com/article/1876
The Port of Tacoma, the Puyallup Tribe of Indians and two development entities signed what many called an historic agreement April 22. The agreement, which the parties hope will be an economic boon for the regional economy, calls for the port and tribe to exchange land and to work together to develop and widen the Blair Waterway.
As per the agreement, the port will transfer about 19 acres to the tribe and the tribe will transfer about 12.5 acres to the port. Both parties have agreed to a project to widen the Blair Waterway, which will be undertaken and managed by container terminal operator SSA Containers Inc. The parties also agreed to cooperate on intermodal rail, road infrastructure and other development opportunities.
The agreement is 20 years in the making, dating back to the 1988 Puyallup Indian Land Claims Settlement Agreement, signed into law by former President George Bush. The agreement transferred land to the tribe to enable it to diversify its economic investments.
“The Port of Tacoma and Puyallup Tribe of Indians enjoy a long history of economic cooperation dating back to the historic 1988 Puyallup Indian Land Claims Settlement Agreement,” said Dick Marzano, president of the Port of Tacoma Commission. “Today’s agreement assures greater cargo capacity for our region, which will create thousands of construction jobs and permanent, family-wage jobs when the terminals open.”
Get the rest of the story here: http://www.tacomaweekly.com/article/1876
Obama campaign kicks up Indian Country outreach
By: Jodi Rave
Democratic Sen. Barack Obama’s presidential campaign in Montana kicked up its outreach efforts in Indian Country on Wednesday, with the announcement of its newly unveiled Montana Native Americans for Obama steering committee.
Tribal chairmen from the Crow Nation and Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes are co-chairing the committee, as well as a tribal councilman from the Chippewa Cree Tribe.The steering committee includes members from all seven reservations in Montana, urban areas and the Little Shell band.
“Federal prisoners of this country receive better health care than Indians,” said Crow Nation Chairman Carl Venne. “That’s not right.”
Venne said two of the greatest concerns in tribal communities are affordable health care and education. He noted that Obama co-sponsored the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to provide an additional $1 billion for the Indian Health Service to address problems facing Native communities.
“Obama also understands that quality education is the key to empowering tribal nations to build a better future. We cannot survive as Indian tribes if we’re not educated,” said Venne.
He is among two tribal chairmen in Montana to endorse Obama. Chairman James Steele of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes has also pledged his support.
Gay Kingman, Great Plains Tribal Chairman’s Association executive director, said the Illinois senator has also gained majority endorsements from all North Dakota tribal chairmen. And leaders of the two largest reservations in South Dakota - the Rosebud and Pine Ridge tribal chairmen - have also endorsed Obama.
Keep reading here: http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2008/04/23/bnews/br67.txt
Democratic Sen. Barack Obama’s presidential campaign in Montana kicked up its outreach efforts in Indian Country on Wednesday, with the announcement of its newly unveiled Montana Native Americans for Obama steering committee.
Tribal chairmen from the Crow Nation and Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes are co-chairing the committee, as well as a tribal councilman from the Chippewa Cree Tribe.The steering committee includes members from all seven reservations in Montana, urban areas and the Little Shell band.
“Federal prisoners of this country receive better health care than Indians,” said Crow Nation Chairman Carl Venne. “That’s not right.”
Venne said two of the greatest concerns in tribal communities are affordable health care and education. He noted that Obama co-sponsored the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to provide an additional $1 billion for the Indian Health Service to address problems facing Native communities.
“Obama also understands that quality education is the key to empowering tribal nations to build a better future. We cannot survive as Indian tribes if we’re not educated,” said Venne.
He is among two tribal chairmen in Montana to endorse Obama. Chairman James Steele of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes has also pledged his support.
Gay Kingman, Great Plains Tribal Chairman’s Association executive director, said the Illinois senator has also gained majority endorsements from all North Dakota tribal chairmen. And leaders of the two largest reservations in South Dakota - the Rosebud and Pine Ridge tribal chairmen - have also endorsed Obama.
Keep reading here: http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2008/04/23/bnews/br67.txt
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Quotes
"Our art is not a separate kentity. It is a universal gesture of prayer...and it harmonizes with the express of life...art is always there. There is always something done, something woven, something painted, something sculpted." -
Jose Rey Toledo - Jemez Pueblo
Jose Rey Toledo - Jemez Pueblo
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
.JPG)
