articles-november 12

Arctic climate change takes aim at coastal villages
Posted: November 12, 2004
by: Jerry Reynolds / Indian Country Today
    
WASHINGTON - An eight-nation report on climate change has confirmed that Arctic warming is under way and that human activity is the probable cause.

The Arctic Council released its four-year, 144-page study on Nov. 9, and an early summary appeared in the New York Times. The principle finding is that Arctic air leads the world in average temperature increase. So-called greenhouse gases, mostly carbon dioxide emissions released into the atmosphere where they trap heat, are thought in many quarters to have caused the global warming trend of an average 1 degree Fahrenheit over the past century.

The comprehensive Arctic Council findings confirm previous evidence of a much higher average temperature increase across the Arctic. Though no unanimity exists as to the reason(s) for this relative Arctic heat wave, a leading candidate is melting ice. Sun rays reflected off ice generate fractional radiation - heat energy. But as icepacks melt, the surface beneath of earth or water absorbs the energy, leading to accelerated melting.

Human and animal communities can buy time to adapt by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, according to the report. But the build-up of heat-containing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere throughout at least the past century means the warming trend will inevitably play out in some part, with consequences that are global, unavoidable, and to a degree unknown. full article

Jamestown S'Klallam tribe acquiring Tamanowas Rock in Chimacum area
2004-11-12
by NICK KOVESHNIKOV

CHIMACUM -- The Jamestown S'Klallam tribe has acquired buyer's rights to lands adjacent to Tamanowas Rock, a sacred Native American site that tribal members want for a sanctuary.

The Blyn-based tribe in October assumed the rights to close the deal, purchasing adjacent land north of the Rock, which is on the eastern border of Anderson Lake State Park.

``We have up until mid-February to close it,'' said Ron Allen, Jamestown S'Klallam Tribal Council chairman.

``I don't see any problems whatsoever" full article

Fulbright in Peru gives new meaning to 'American Indian'

By MSU News Service

Wayne Stein knows his way around indigenous issues.
But Stein, a member of the Turtle Mountain Chippewa tribe and a veteran Native American studies professor at Montana State University, learned this summer that there is a world of difference between the indigenous in Montana and their brethren in South and Central America.

"We saw a very different world," said Stein said of the month-long Fulbright fellowship trip he and 13 other educators took to Peru and Guatemala this summer.

Walter Fleming, chair of the MSU Center for Native American Studies and a member of the Kickapoo tribe of Kansas, concurred. full article

Decision on police involved in Stonechild case imminent
Last Updated Fri, 12 Nov 2004

SASKATOON - A decision about the future of two Saskatoon police constables, linked by an inquiry to the Neil Stonechild case, will be revealed on Friday.

Saskatoon police say Chief Russell Sabo expects to complete his review and make a decision by Friday afternoon.

Bradley Senger and Larry Hartwig are currently suspended with pay. The action was taken about two weeks ago after the release of the inquiry report into the November 1990 death of Neil Stonechild. full article