Arizona sweat lodge deaths said to desecrate Lakota tradition
Story Published: Dec 11, 2009
Story Updated: Dec 11, 2009
PRESCOTT, Ariz. – A Sioux Nation treaty council delegation is demanding that those responsible for sweat lodge deaths at Sedona, Ariz. be held accountable and prosecuted under provisions of the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868 because the event and its aftermath violated both the treaty and the Lakota ceremonial way of life.“
The Lakota follow traditional laws, in accordance to ancient oral history,” states a petition filed in federal District Court in Prescott by the Oglala Lakota Delegation of the Black Hills Sioux Nation Treaty Council, including delegate Floyd Hand and Ivan H. Lewis, Pima/Maricopa/Yavapai. “In adherence to these laws, oral teachings and ancient ceremonies are not abused or misused.”
The Inikaga, or purification lodge, is one of seven sacred rites “brought to the Lakota by the White Buffalo Calf Woman according to ancient oral history,” the court filing states.
Multiple non-Native people died after participating in a lodge conducted by James Arthur Ray, a self-help guru, at Angel Valley Retreat Center in early October. The deaths are under investigation.
The suit contends that the center “is culpable for allowing individuals like Ray to rent their property which offers a sweat lodge for paying participants,” according to a prepared release that alleges Ray and the center “committed fraud by impersonating Native Americans and must be held responsible for causing the deaths of the victims and serious injuries to the survivors.”
The Inikaga and other traditional rituals constitute “a way of life, not a religion,” Hand said.
“Ray is a spiritual vampire who will use whatever means necessary to turn a profit. He and others like him that profit from our culture must be held accountable for their continual fraud and desecration.
“This ceremony comes from the Lakota. We maintain our cultural identity today and people like Ray are trying to mock it as a means to acquire material possessions. They cannot hide behind the Religious Freedom Act. This is not a religion,” Hand said in the release.
Asserting that “Ray and the Angel Valley folks are a dime a dozen in Yavapai territory,” Lewis said the group “claims that they will authenticate and qualify individuals, including non-Indians, to conduct our ceremonies. Our people know who is a real healer and who isn’t. Yes, everyone is entitled to pray, but our ceremonies belong to us in our Native tongue.”
The lawsuit was filed “because (the sweat lodge) was a desecration of Oglala ways,” it was explained.
Hand said by phone Nov. 24 that he had gone to the Sedona locale to check into everything he could about the lodge but has not talked to those who participated in the event at which the deaths occurred.
Hand cited a provision of the 1868 Fort Laramie Treaty that promises to arrest and punish “bad men among the whites” or others subject to U.S. laws if they “commit any wrong” to Native people or property, and said Ray and the center violated the treaty-established peace between the U.S. and Lakota Nation.
The petition contends that Ray and the center violated laws stating that community recognition as Indian is not sufficient; rather “the person must be considered a member of a federally recognized tribe.”
In addition, those who dismantled the lodge “caused the destruction of crucial evidence in this crime scene” and should be “charged with the destruction of evidence,” the petition states.
The filing cites provisions of the U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples concerning the full ownership and protection of cultural resources, enforcement of treaties, and the submission of unresolved conflicts to international bodies. The U.S. has not ratified the Declaration.
The Lakota abide by the Treaty of 1868 and retain their rights as a sovereign nation parallel to those of the U.S. Hand said, reiterating that treaties are “the supreme law of the land” by which judges are bound.
Arizona judges should remand the case to the federal district prosecutor for action, according to the petition which does not seek monetary damages.
Indian Country Today- December 11, 2009
Friday, December 11, 2009
NATIVE WELLNESS CENTER IN RICHMOND, CA HAS CHRISTMAS TOY DRIVE
NATIVE WELLNESS CENTER HAS TOY DRIVE FOR OUR YOUTH
RICHMOND,CA.- The Native American Health Center's site- the Native Wellness Center located at 260-23rd St,in Richmond, California will be having their Toy Drive for Native youth. The Native Wellness Center is seeking toys and donations for the ages of 0 to 14 years of age.
There will be a Native holiday gathering on Friday December 18th, 2009 from 4pm to 7pm. The children's gifts will distributed at the event and refreshments will be served. You can drop donations at the Native Wellness Center Monday through Friday from 9am to 3pm daily. For more information call 510/ 232-7020
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
FEDS CRACK DOWN ON NATIVE CRAFTS VIOLATORS
House weighs crackdown on Indian crafts violators
By Rob Capriccioso
Story Published: Dec 8, 2009
Story Updated: Dec 4, 2009
WASHINGTON – Rep. Ed Pastor and tribal testifiers painted a picture before the House Committee on Natural Resources Dec. 2 on why the Indian Arts and Crafts Act should be strengthened.
The Arizona Democrat is sponsoring amendments to the 1990 law that would heighten criminal ramifications over non-Indians who illegally counterfeit Indian artistry. Such crimes end up robbing tribal citizens of economic viability, as well as their traditions and heritage, he testified.He said the amendments, known as H.R. 725, are “a small but important legislative fix” that will better assist Indian artists, entrepreneurs and collectors.
The FBI is currently charged with investigating and curbing counterfeiting crimes, but tribal members have long noted that the agency’s enforcement of the law has not been a priority, nor have enough resources been available to do so.
A previous federal report has indicated that Indian artistry is a $1 billion industry annually and up to 60 percent of purported Indian crafts in New Mexico alone may be counterfeit.
Under the bill, all federal officers would be able to perform investigations involving misrepresented Indian goods.
Pastor noted that the Senate acted in July under bipartisan leadership to pass similar amendments, S. 151, by unanimous consent. Sens. John McCain and Jon Kyl, both Republicans of Arizona, pushed for passage.
“Where have we been?” asked Rep. Nick Rahall, the Democratic chairman of the committee from West Virginia, upon learning of the Senate’s previous action.
Interior Deputy Assistant Secretary of Law Enforcement, Security and Emergency Management Larry Parkinson testified that the department supports the bill.
He noted, too, that Interior’s Indian Arts and Crafts Board has a staff of 12 and a $1 million annual budget, yet the problem is estimated to exceed $1 billion annually.
Rahall asked Parkinson if the board had enough resources to fulfill the requirements of the law.
“It’s not what we would like, but we do the best with what we have,” the Interior official said, later estimating that there have only been three prosecutions in the last decade or so under the law.
Shan Lewis, president of the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, estimated before the committee that millions of dollars are diverted each year from Indian artists and tribes by individuals and companies that reproduce and sell counterfeit goods in the United States on the open market, internationally and over the Internet.
He said the individuals and companies are rarely, if ever, held accountable. For that reason, he said the extent of the problem and the degree to which it impacts Indian artists is difficult to assess.
Michael Garcia, president of the Indian Arts and Crafts Association, testified that he fears the continuing loss of integrity in this field will ultimately result in the large-scale demise of authentic, Indian arts.
He requested a Government Accountability Office study to unearth more exact figures of the cost of counterfeiting.
“Something needs to be done,” Garcia said. “We need some dignity.”
Rahall said the committee would seriously consider the request.
By Rob Capriccioso
Story Published: Dec 8, 2009
Story Updated: Dec 4, 2009
WASHINGTON – Rep. Ed Pastor and tribal testifiers painted a picture before the House Committee on Natural Resources Dec. 2 on why the Indian Arts and Crafts Act should be strengthened.
The Arizona Democrat is sponsoring amendments to the 1990 law that would heighten criminal ramifications over non-Indians who illegally counterfeit Indian artistry. Such crimes end up robbing tribal citizens of economic viability, as well as their traditions and heritage, he testified.He said the amendments, known as H.R. 725, are “a small but important legislative fix” that will better assist Indian artists, entrepreneurs and collectors.
The FBI is currently charged with investigating and curbing counterfeiting crimes, but tribal members have long noted that the agency’s enforcement of the law has not been a priority, nor have enough resources been available to do so.
A previous federal report has indicated that Indian artistry is a $1 billion industry annually and up to 60 percent of purported Indian crafts in New Mexico alone may be counterfeit.
Under the bill, all federal officers would be able to perform investigations involving misrepresented Indian goods.
Pastor noted that the Senate acted in July under bipartisan leadership to pass similar amendments, S. 151, by unanimous consent. Sens. John McCain and Jon Kyl, both Republicans of Arizona, pushed for passage.
“Where have we been?” asked Rep. Nick Rahall, the Democratic chairman of the committee from West Virginia, upon learning of the Senate’s previous action.
Interior Deputy Assistant Secretary of Law Enforcement, Security and Emergency Management Larry Parkinson testified that the department supports the bill.
He noted, too, that Interior’s Indian Arts and Crafts Board has a staff of 12 and a $1 million annual budget, yet the problem is estimated to exceed $1 billion annually.
Rahall asked Parkinson if the board had enough resources to fulfill the requirements of the law.
“It’s not what we would like, but we do the best with what we have,” the Interior official said, later estimating that there have only been three prosecutions in the last decade or so under the law.
Shan Lewis, president of the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, estimated before the committee that millions of dollars are diverted each year from Indian artists and tribes by individuals and companies that reproduce and sell counterfeit goods in the United States on the open market, internationally and over the Internet.
He said the individuals and companies are rarely, if ever, held accountable. For that reason, he said the extent of the problem and the degree to which it impacts Indian artists is difficult to assess.
Michael Garcia, president of the Indian Arts and Crafts Association, testified that he fears the continuing loss of integrity in this field will ultimately result in the large-scale demise of authentic, Indian arts.
He requested a Government Accountability Office study to unearth more exact figures of the cost of counterfeiting.
“Something needs to be done,” Garcia said. “We need some dignity.”
Rahall said the committee would seriously consider the request.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM TEACHING THE VALUES OF PEACE
WISHING YOU ALL A TRADITIONAL AND SPIRITUAL NATIVE HOLIDAY SEASON
We must Honor and Celebrate our Ancestors.
We must Honor and Celebrate our Elders and Children.
We must Honor and Celebrate our Men and Women.
We must Honor and Celebrate our Veterans and Service Peole at Home and Overseas
We must Honor and Celebrate our Families and Native Homes and Communities
We must Honor and Celebrate our Selves as Native People and Native Culture.
This season give thanks to The Great Creator of All Things.
Pray, Sing and Dance make your Medicine strong our People.
Wado and A-ho,
Editor; Mike Raccoon Eyes Kinney- Teaching the Values of Peace
Sunday, December 6, 2009
NATIVE SPIRITUALITY-DOING THE RIGHT THING FOR CREATOR
And that, I guess, is what it all boils down to; do the right thing, everything goes fine; do the wrong thing, everything's a mess."
Robert Spott, YUROK
The Elders say every person is born with free will and every person has a specific purpose to accomplish during their lifetime. When our life is relatively free from obstacles we are walking the path of God's will.
If our life is full of obstacles, we are not doing the will of God. Often, the Great Spirit guides us through a system of coincidences. We need to pay attention to coincidences.
If we are aware of these, we often can recognize the path which God is showing us. We need to pray and ask Him to show us the path in terms we can understand.
Robert Spott, YUROK
The Elders say every person is born with free will and every person has a specific purpose to accomplish during their lifetime. When our life is relatively free from obstacles we are walking the path of God's will.
If our life is full of obstacles, we are not doing the will of God. Often, the Great Spirit guides us through a system of coincidences. We need to pay attention to coincidences.
If we are aware of these, we often can recognize the path which God is showing us. We need to pray and ask Him to show us the path in terms we can understand.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
FAST AND PRAYER VIGIL STILL CONTINUES FOR OUR NATIVE ANCESTORS AT BERKELEY, CA
FAST AND PRAYER VIGIL STILL CONTINUES AT UC BERKELEY TO SAVE OUR ANCESTORS IN FRONT OF RACIST HEARST MUSEUM
BERKELEY,CA.- Jun Yasuda, a 61 year old Buddhist nun from Albany, NY beats a fan drum in front of the Phobe E. Hearst Musuem of Anthropology at UC Berkeley on Tuesday, December 2009 at the beginning of 4 day fast and prayer vigil asking the repatriation of Native American remains housed there.
Yasuda will not eat for the entire 4 days. Jun Yasuda is there daily from 8am to 5pm. Friday December 4, 2009 will end her fast.
Photo: Doug Oakley-Oakland Tribune
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
DRUMBEAT SOUNDS OUTSIDE UC MUSEUM FOR RETURN OF NATIVE REMAINS
Drumbeat sounds outside UC museum for return of human remains
By Doug OakleyBerkeley Voice
Posted: 12/01/2009 04:40:26 PM PST
Updated: 12/01/2009 04:40:27 PM PST
Every time her heart beats, 61-year-old Jun Yasuda thumps her drum in front of the Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology at UC Berkeley.
Yasuda, a Buddhist nun from Albany, N.Y., started a four-day hunger strike Tuesday as she prays for the return of some 11,000 human remains from all over the world that are housed at the museum.
Joining her this week are people like Wounded Knee, a Miwok Indian from Vallejo and Mike Raccoon Eyes Kinney, a Cherokee who lives in Richmond.
They all want the museum to give its remains back to the earth.
The museum, according to University spokesman Dan Mogulof, houses some 11,000 remains in storage lockers that were unearthed at one time or another and donated from places around the globe.
There are 8,000 remains from California; 1,200 from Peru; 600 from Egypt; 550 from other parts of the U.S. and 300 other "non U.S." remains, Mogulof said.
"The Native American spirituality and prayer are the center of this land," said Yasuda during a pause in her drumming.
"What has happened in this country to Native Americans from the beginning has not been peaceful. So this is a reminder that there is a limit to all the taking we are doing on this planet."
Knee put it slightly differently.
"We want to call attention to the remains housed here and the artifacts and objects that Indians use during their ceremonies," he said.
Knee said he believed that many of the remains from California from shell mounds in Emeryville and from Glen Cove in Vallejo that were unearthed during modern development.
Mogulof said those remains cannot be returned to their Ohlone decedents because UC Berkeley follows federal law, which allows for repatriation only when a tribe is recognized by the federal government. But the Ohlone people are not recognized.
"We're completely committed to the federal law that governs repatriation of cultural remains," Mogulof said.
http://www.teachingthevaluesofpeace.blogspot.com
By Doug OakleyBerkeley Voice
Posted: 12/01/2009 04:40:26 PM PST
Updated: 12/01/2009 04:40:27 PM PST
Every time her heart beats, 61-year-old Jun Yasuda thumps her drum in front of the Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology at UC Berkeley.
Yasuda, a Buddhist nun from Albany, N.Y., started a four-day hunger strike Tuesday as she prays for the return of some 11,000 human remains from all over the world that are housed at the museum.
Joining her this week are people like Wounded Knee, a Miwok Indian from Vallejo and Mike Raccoon Eyes Kinney, a Cherokee who lives in Richmond.
They all want the museum to give its remains back to the earth.
The museum, according to University spokesman Dan Mogulof, houses some 11,000 remains in storage lockers that were unearthed at one time or another and donated from places around the globe.
There are 8,000 remains from California; 1,200 from Peru; 600 from Egypt; 550 from other parts of the U.S. and 300 other "non U.S." remains, Mogulof said.
"The Native American spirituality and prayer are the center of this land," said Yasuda during a pause in her drumming.
"What has happened in this country to Native Americans from the beginning has not been peaceful. So this is a reminder that there is a limit to all the taking we are doing on this planet."
Knee put it slightly differently.
"We want to call attention to the remains housed here and the artifacts and objects that Indians use during their ceremonies," he said.
Knee said he believed that many of the remains from California from shell mounds in Emeryville and from Glen Cove in Vallejo that were unearthed during modern development.
Mogulof said those remains cannot be returned to their Ohlone decedents because UC Berkeley follows federal law, which allows for repatriation only when a tribe is recognized by the federal government. But the Ohlone people are not recognized.
"We're completely committed to the federal law that governs repatriation of cultural remains," Mogulof said.
http://www.teachingthevaluesofpeace.blogspot.com
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