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American Indian Movement of Colorado

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Friday, October 01, 2004

Kickapoo judge dismisses charges against 3 women

By Ann Weaver
The Oklahoman
A tribal judge Wednesday dismissed criminal trespassing charges against three women related to their two-week occupation of the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma's administration building earlier this year.

Kickapoo Attorney General Geri Wisner-Foley blamed a "technicality" for the dismissal of the charges against Auchee Wahpepah, Valentina Jimenez and Glenda Deer. She declined to identify the technicality.

Deer said incomplete court records prompted the ruling. She said among other items, no documentation existed in their case file to prove the three had ever been arraigned. full article

Baptists taught Cherokee bigotry
Marriage was not defined by gender in Cherokee tradition, but the influence of Christian missionaries changed that.

By JOYCE ROCK
Friday, October 01, 2004

THE CHEROKEE NATION is in a quandary right now over the issue of same-sex marriage.

Under a compact with the state of Oklahoma, marriages recorded by the Cherokee Nation will be recognized by the state. Cherokee law is very vague on gender issues in its marriage laws. The Cherokee terms used in the marriage ceremony translate as “provider” and “cooker,” not “husband” and “wife.”

Last May, a lesbian couple used these definitions in applying for and receiving a marriage license from the Cherokee Nation. After their marriage ceremony, the couple asked the Cherokee Nation to file their certificate of marriage with the state. full article

Tribe wants water storage information as it contemplates seeking payments
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

POST FALLS, Idaho -- The Coeur d'Alene Tribe is digging in its heels over its demand for an analysis of how much usable land was lost when the free-flowing Spokane River was dammed up at Post Falls by Avista Utilities.

Tribal and utility officials agreed that the tribe is not advocating removal of the dam, which manipulates water levels in Lake Coeur d'Alene to provide power generation. But it is contemplating seeking federally authorized payments for lands flooded by dams.

The tribe owns the bottom third of the lake.

"What we are trying to find out is, what are the impacts and effects of storing the water?" tribal attorney Howard Funke said. "They are storing 8 feet of water or 7 feet of water in the lake for power generation. In order to get a legitimate view of that, we need some assessment of what the system was like. full article

Native cancer survivors extend circle of hope
A Tigard woman helps lead the push for better care, greater awareness for those of indigenous descent
Friday, October 01, 2004

MAYA BLACKMUN

TIGARD I n the 18 months between her diagnosis and death, Celeste Whitewolf's mother made sure that all 18 of her grandchildren had been given a Native American name, with all the accompanying regalia and ceremonies.

Whitewolf helped and was there when her mother died. She watched as medicine women ushered people aside from her mother's feet so her spirit could rise up, and as they opened windows so her mother's spirit could journey out.

"I can bring those traditions into my cancer work," Whitewolf said. full article

The man who would not move
By Scott De Laruelle

Many have seen the shrub-covered monument to Ho-Chunk chief Yellow Thunder along County A, just north of Shady Lane Drive, but few know the importance of the one many knew as "The man who would not move."

A sign nearby points out the direction of the Ho-Chunk House of Wellness. If not for Yellow Thunder and his principled defiance, there may be no Ho-Chunk left in Sauk County.

Yellow Thunder, or "Wau-Kan-Yee-Kah" was a seminal figure in Sauk County history. His stubborn, non-violent method to gaining land rights was a novel approach that worked when thousands of Native Americans were forced from their ancestral homelands to foreign lands. full article

Scientists protest bill to protect ancient skeleton

Hoping to study 9,300-year-old 'Kennewick Man'
By Matthew Daly
The Associated Press
Updated: 9:04 a.m. ET Oct. 1, 2004
WASHINGTON - Scientists hoping to study the ancient skeleton known as Kennewick Man are protesting a bill by Colorado Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell that they say could block their efforts.

advertisementA two-word amendment would change an Indian graves-protection law to allow federally recognized tribes to claim ancient remains even if they cannot prove a link to a current tribe.

Scientists say the bill, if enacted, could have the effect of overturning a federal appeals court ruling that allowed them to study the 9,300-year-old bones. full article

COURT RULES WEYERHAEUSER HAS ONGOING SUBSTANTIVE OBLIGATIONS TO THE HAIDA

The Supreme Court of British Columbia released its decision yesterday in
a case brought by the Haida seeking to enforce Weyerhaeuser's
obligations to consult and accommodate the Haida.

In 2002, the CHN won its case against Weyerhaeuser and the B.C. Crown
regarding the transfer and replacement of Tree Farm Licence 39 on Haida
Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands). The Court of Appeal held that the Crown
and Weyerhaeuser have duties to consult and accommodate the Haida with
respect to their cultural and economic interests in the forests of Haida
Gwaii. The Province and Weyerhaeuser appealed the decision, and a
decision from the Supreme Court of Canada is expected soon.

Since the 2002 decision the Haida have attempted to reach accommodations
with Weyerhaeuser and the Province. Also since the decision, the
Province changed its forestry legislation to divest itself of the
obligation to consult regarding transfers and replacements of Tree Farm
Licences. The Haida went back to court when Weyerhaeuser declared no
need to consult with the Haida regarding any potential transfer of that
licence and refused to provide the Haida with information regarding
monumental cedar within the licence area. full article

It's Not A Win If It Don't Have Spin
by Antonia Zerbisias
 
U.S. President George W. Bush blinked.

It was the same panicky look he had while he sat in that other Florida classroom ... on Sept. 11, 2001.

Bush also rolled his eyes, smirked, wagged his finger, pursed his lips, lost his cool, interrupted his Democratic opponent John F. Kerry and was the first to break the rules in the 32-page "Memorandum of Understanding" governing last night's debate.

He fidgeted, he flailed, he flopped. But at least he didn't flip, steadfastly and resolutely staying stuck in his message groove: "The world is safer without Saddam Hussein weapons of mass destruction proliferation terrorist network hard work of leadership" stuff of the campaign stump. full article

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