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                  What Happened to Jenna Plumley?
                                    by David Yeagley

Remember Jenna Plumely, the dynamite 5’4” guard on the University of Oklahoma women’s basketball team?   The superstar American Indian girl simply disappeared, or so it seems.  

Her high school record was incredible—as a four-year varsity player.  She was Stillwater Newspress “Player of the Year” for four seasons in a row, 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006.  As a freshman at OU, Jenna Plumley averaged 5.2 points and 2.2 assists while shooting 41.4 percent from the floor and 39.6 percent from 3-point range.  She ranked fifth in the Big 12 in 3-point field goal percentage, averaged 9.3 points and 4 assists after being entered into the started lineup against Texas.  She also played an averaged of 29.8 minutes and shot 42.4 percent from 3-point range in the final 11 games.  Plumley scored 20 or more points on three occasions.  She one of three Sooners selected to the Big 12 All-tournament team, and set a career and Big 12 championship record with six steals against Iowa State.  Of course, there was that unforgettable win Plumley pulled off against Southern Missouri State in February, 2007.


Jenna, in an AP photo from the Washington
Post, during the S. Misssouri State  game, 2007.

That little Indian girl was a super star in the making.   State pride swelled with every game.  Media sports coverage creates honest idols, and everyone knows it.  Oklahoma was proud as a pig over Jenna Plumley.  


Jenna Plumely

Then she vanished.  

Then came the crushing, disappointing headlines: “OU Basketball Player Accused Of Shoplifting.”   No one could believe it.  “OU's Plumley arrested for petty larceny.” The girl had never been in any kind of trouble in her entire life.  Suddenly, she went into a Wal-Mart store in Norman, Oklahoma, and walked out with a hand full of make-up accessories.  The story was completely unbelievable.  It made no sense whatsoever.  

Unless you were Indian.  Indians had some explanations—the kind you would never, ever see in the paper. I talked with a Cheyenne friend of mine about it, Johson Black Owl.  

“She took a dare,” Black Owl said.  

“I’ll bet those big black girls had about all they wanted of that little Indian girl,” I laughed.  

It seemed perfectly clear to us.  Jenna Plumely obviously had absolutely no experience in shop-lifting.  What she tried to do was ridiculously done.  It was almost as if she wanted to get a police record.  

“Do you think it was a gang thing?”  I said to Johnson.   “Maybe,” he said.   I contintued, “I’ll bet it was a kind of initiation.  Some private ‘sisterhood.’  Something she was psychologically coered into.”  

It seemed conclusive to us.  But, we knew no such thoughts would ever be published or even pursued.  This was ‘race’ talk—the kind all non-white races know how to talk.  

Consider the OU women’s team Jenna played for:  those Paris sisters, Courtney (6’4”) and Ashley (6:3”) are both black, from California. Abi Olajuwon (6’4”) is from Los Angeles.  Danielle Robinson is from San Jose. Amanda Thomson is from Chicago.   That’s five of the starters right there.  They are all black, and all from big cities.  (Piemont, CA, for example, listed home of the Paris sisters, is an extremely affluent suburb within Oakland.  

Jenna is from Red Rock, Oklahoma, a town of less than 300 people, mostly American Indians.   It is on the lonely plains of north-central Oklahoma.

The psychological circumstances are of compelling interest.  Of course, the naïve and gulible act of trying to walk out of a store with some make-up is something only an innocent Indian girl would do.  But who would pressure her into such a foolish act?   Why on earth would she shame herself, her family, her team, and her school in this non-sensical way?  


The only people that should ever
have mattered to Jenna.

Perhaps it had nothing to do with pressure from any teammate or group of teammates.  It still implies some obviously inexplicable, unaccountable motivation. No word from family, Jenna, coach, or team.  She fell off the map.


Sherri Coale, OU Women's
Basketball coach.  

She was suspended from the team in July, 2008, though remained on scholarship.  

Later, we read that, at the end of August, she simply transferred to LaMar University, Beaumont, Texas.  She’s playing on their team now.  We read no more of her, though.  The internet files are all about her “petty larceny.”  

Sadly, whatever status that police record achieved for her in the ranks of female thuggery, it does her no good in the way of sports media.  Whatever her basketball achievements are now, they are invisible.  For this fete she make thank whomever it was who pressured her into shop-lifting.   Perhaps she can thank herself.  Hopefully, the lesson is learned.

From: GRAYWOLF RADIO SHOW
Date: Oct 16, 2008 9:53 PM


CAN IT GET ANY WORSE FOR JOHN MCCAIN??? I SURE HOPE SO!


As it turns out, Joe the Plumber, as he became nationally known when Senator John McCain made him a theme at Wednesday’s final presidential debate, may work in the plumbing business, but he is not a licensed plumber.

                         

                                  photo by: AP


Thomas Joseph, the business manager of Local 50 of the United Association of Plumbers, Steamfitters and Service Mechanics, based in Toledo, said Thursday that Mr. Wurzelbacher had never held a plumber’s license, which is required in Toledo and several surrounding municipalities. He also never completed an apprenticeship and does not belong to the plumber’s union, which has endorsed Mr. Obama. On Thursday, he acknowledged that he does plumbing work even though he does not have a license.


His full name is Samuel J. Wurzelbacher. And he owes back taxes, too, public records show. The premise of his complaint to Mr. Obama about taxes may also be flawed, according to tax analysts. Contrary to what Mr. Wurzelbacher asserted and Mr. McCain echoed, neither his personal taxes nor those of the business where he works are likely to rise if Mr. Obama’s tax plan were to go into effect, they said.


None of that is likely to matter to those who see Mr. Wurzelbacher as a symbol of the entrepreneurial spirit they hope to foster with tax cuts, but even Mr. Wurzelbacher said he was shocked by all the attention.


“I’m kind of like Britney Spears having a headache,” he told The Associated Press on Thursday. “Everybody wants to know about it.
”

Just five days ago, Mr. Wurzelbacher, 34, lived in anonymity in Holland, Ohio, a single father who, as he said on national television, worked all day and came home to fix dinner and help his son, 13, with his homework.


But he became the hero of conservatives and Republicans when he stopped Mr. Obama, who was campaigning on his street, and asked whether he believed in the American dream. Mr. Wurzelbacher said he was concerned about having to pay higher taxes as an owner of a small business.


“I’m getting ready to buy a company that makes $250,000 to $280,000 a year,” he told Mr. Obama.
“Your new tax plan is going to tax me more, isn’t it?”

That encounter wound up on YouTube and led to appearances on the Fox News Channel, interviews with conservative bloggers and a New York Post editorial, all of whom seized on a small part of Mr. Obama’s long reply. “I think that when you spread the wealth around, it’s good for everybody,” Mr. Obama had said.


Mr. McCain invoked Mr. Wurzelbacher in Wednesday’s debate as a way to criticize Mr. Obama’s tax plan and wealth-sharing argument, and picked up the theme again on Thursday.


“You know what Senator Obama had to say to Joe? That he wanted to spread his wealth around,” Mr. McCain said at an event in Downingtown, Pa. “America didn’t become the greatest nation on earth by spreading the wealth,” he said. “We became the greatest nation by creating new wealth.
”

After some version of “Joe the Plumber” was mentioned two dozen times during the debate, Mr. Wurzelbacher found news crews outside his home and Katie Couric on the phone.


Mr. Wurzelbacher told reporters that the company he works for, Newell Plumbing & Heating, has two full-time employees: himself and the owner, Al Newell.


Neither Mr. Newell nor Mr. Wurzelbacher responded to telephone calls. And Mr. Wurzelbacher has provided only vague information on his and the company’s finances since talking to Mr. Obama. But if the plumbing business remained a two-person company and the net proceeds — after deductions for business expenses — were shared by the two men, both incomes would most likely fall well below the top tax brackets on which Mr. Obama wants to raise rates, as would the company itself.


Both, in fact, would probably be eligible for a tax cut, said Bob Williams, senior research associate at the independent, nonpartisan Tax Policy Center, though the cut would probably be greater under Mr. McCain’s tax plan than Mr. Obama’s.


According to public records, Mr. Wurzelbacher has been subject to two liens, each over $1,100. One, with a hospital, has been settled, but a tax lien with the State of Ohio is still outstanding.

  

October CBC meeting highlights

The CBC met on October 4th in a regularly scheduled meeting. The meeting began with an announcement by Secretary/Treasurer Bob Tippeconnie that Ft. Sill is willing to cease the construction near Medicine Bluffs. Officers from the fort were meeting with the CBC later to discuss the agreement. This development is a huge success for the Comanche Nation as the Medicine Bluffs have been a sacred site for generations of Comanche and the construction would have decreased the ability of Comanche people to visit the site.

 

                                 FOR MORE COMANCHE NEWS VISIT

                                              CAMPCRIER

 

                                                   http://www.campcrier.net/

MEDICINE BLUFF NEWS FROM INDIANZ.COM

 

                    Jimmy Aterberry

                   COMANCHE MEMBER

                  Director of Nagpra

                    

Comanche Nation battles Army over sacred site
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Filed Under: Environment | Law

A federal judge has blocked the U.S. Army from starting a construction project at Fort Sill in Oklahoma out of concern for the religious rights of the Comanche Nation.

The tribe says it wasn't consulted about the development of a training service center near the foot of Medicine Bluffs, a sacred site at Fort Sill. Work was scheduled to begin on Monday until Judge Timothy D. DeGiusti issued a temporary restraining order.

"The court finds that, given the nature of the interests which plaintiffs in this case seek to protect, irreparable harm will result if the construction project commences," DeGiusti wrote in the five-page order.

The decision only blocks work until September 1 so the tribe still has to plead its case for a permanent injunction. Briefs from both sides of the dispute are due today.

Medicine Bluffs is one of the more prominent landmarks within Fort Sill, which was built during the Indian wars of the late 1800s. The site a place of immense healing and spiritual medicine for the Comanche people.

"As a Comanche man, Medicine Bluffs is the spiritual center of my religious beliefs and the heart of the current Comanche Nation," Jimmy Arterberry, a tribal member, said in a court declaration. "The Medicine Bluffs site is an extremely important sacred place to me as a Comanche man."

The Army plans to build a warehouse for the training service center at a place where Arterberry goes to pray and hold ceremonies. He believes any development would stop him from viewing Medicine Bluffs and practicing his religion.

In an August 2006 environmental assessment, the Army says it contacted nine tribes, including the Comanche Nation, about development but didn't receive a response. "The construction will have no adverse effect on Native American traditional, cultural, or religious sites," Fort Sill said in a statement to KSWO-TV last month.

The tribe's briefs cite the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which Congress wrote after a U.S. Supreme Court decision involving practitioners of the Native American Church. The law bars a federal agency from taking actions that "substantially burden a person's exercise of religion" unless the agency can cite a "compelling governmental interest."

A recent case involving RFRA shows that meeting the test can be difficult for tribal practitioners. In an August 8 decision, a full panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals said the presence of artificial snow at a sacred site in Arizona doesn't violate RFRA because tribal members aren't prevented from going to the San Francisco Peaks for ceremonies and other activities.

According to the court's 8-3 ruling, the artificial snow only impacts the tribes' "feelings" about their religion and the "fervor" in which tribal members practice their religion.

In court briefs, attorneys for the Comanche Nation acknowledged the ruling in Navajo Nation v. U.S. Forest Service. But they said the Fort Sill case is different because construction of the warehouse would physically impair tribal members from practicing their religion.

The tribe also notes that the Army could build the warehouse elsewhere in the 94,000-acre Fort Sill without affecting Medicine Bluffs, which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. Fort Sill itself is a National Historic Landmark.

Temporary Restraining Order:
Comanche Nation v. US (August 18, 2008)

                                  Wahathuweeka a.k.a. William Voelker

                                                    

                                            COMANCHE NATION NAGPRA CHAIRMAN

The Comanche Nation and Fort Sill are in a bit of a battle over Medicine Bluff - one of the post's most famous landmarks.  But, Medicine Bluff is far more than a landmark to the Comanches - it's sacred.  The tribe believes it is one of its last sites of true medicine. 

Now, Fort Sill plans to build a training service center at the bottom of the bluff, but tribal members believe that they have had an understanding with Fort Sill that the post would never build on the sacred land.  Fort Sill officials say the post has done its part to consult with the tribe - but the Comanche Nation disagrees.

Perhaps the best way to describe what the site means to the Comanche people is to compare it to places that others call sacred - churches, cathedrals, synagogues.  The primary difference is that this place of worship was created by nature, and to the Comanche’s, it's just as important and essential as any man-made structure where others pray.

For William Voelker and the rest of the Comanche tribe, Medicine Bluff is a place of healing power.  "There are many sites on Fort Sill that have historic ties, but Medicine Bluff is the most sacred of the sites," he said.  He explained that the land in question is an important part of the tribe members' healing process.  "[It's] an area that would have been integral to how we approached - how we prepared - to go to this important Tubitsi Puha site, or special medicine site."  Voelker says he can't understand why Fort Sill chose this particular site.  "In all of these years since Fort Sill was established north of Randolph Road and West of Currie Road, this area has been left open and unencumbered," he said. 

                PICTURES OF MEDICINE BLUFF                 

   

                            

  

  

   

 SPIRITUAL SACRED LAND OF THE COMANCHES  

                       Medicine Bluff negotiation ongoing

Bill Voelker, chairman of the NAGPRA board, presented an update on the Ft. Sill plan to develop land near Medicine Bluff. Mr. Voelker stated that Ft. Sill has not moved in its decision to go ahead with its plans to build a training facility near Medicine Bluff but that he was proud of the Comanche leaders who stood up for the Nation and didn't let the Ft. Sill representatives intimidate or insult the Nation. VIEW CLIP     for more news visit campcrier

 

 

Camp Crier is independently owned and operated by BIG Productions,
a Native owned business in Stillwater, Oklahoma, which is solely responsible for its content.
Camp Crier is not affiliated with the Comanche Nation.

August CBC Highlights

The August CBC meeting was called to order by Chairman Coffey with all members present on August 2, 2008. One list of eligible new Comanche Nation members was passed, two enrollment lists were approved as ineligible. A resolution from the Transportation program was passed for oil and chip seal on Chibitty Road, alleviating a dust problem for a member with asthma who lives on the road. Also passed was approval of a Transit program application for BIA funds. In other business a resolution adding current Secretary/Treasurer Bob Tippeconnie to the Tax Commission bank accounts, replacing former Secretary/Treasurer Ed Tahhahwah, was passed.

Resolution #108-08 dealt with the nepotism clause of the Comanche Constitution, which states "A relative of a member of the Comanche Tribal Business Committee (to include wife, husband, mother, father, son, daughter, sister, brother) shall not be employed within the Comanche Tribal governmental system." (Article XV, Section 1). The resolution defined "governmental" as those programs that are under the authority of the Tribal Administrator. These programs are generally those that fall under PL93-638. When asked, Tribal Administrator Wauqua stated that programs with their own commission or board of directors are not under his authority and are therefore not subject to the nepotism clause. These include the Tax Commission, Gaming, Comanche Nation Enterprises and Economic Development.

The CBC went into Executive Session to discuss other items.

 

FOR MORE NEWS VISIT CAMP CRIER

            POSTED BY DAVID YEAGLEY

                BADEAGLE.COM

Just wanted to mention again the youngest member ever to serve on the Comanche Business Committee, Darrell Kosechequetah, (according to Gwen Poahway, of the Comanche Nation Election Board).  He was sworn in June 19, 2008.  


Chairman Coffey swears in Darrell Kosechequetah as Comanche Business Committeeman
No.3, June 19, 2008.

Kosechequetah (pronounced koo' sa kweta, I believe) said the men that influenced in Comanche politics were Bill Shoemate Robert Tippiconnie and Delores Two Hatchet.  (Tippiconnie himself was only recently made Secretary/Treasurer of the Nation.  Before that, Tippiconnie has been the executive director of the Economic Development office of the tribe.)  

Darrell is the son of Rudy and Audrey Kosechequeta.  His grandmother was Avis Wauqua (which presumably makes him a relative of Johnny Wauqua, the current Tribal Administrator).  His grandfather, Sam Kosechequetah (of Walters), was the son of Alvin Kosechequetah and Honey Parker.  Honey was the daughter of Choney and Quanah Parker.   All this, of course, to say that Darrell comes from a a line of plenty!

Darrell was born in Lawton, but grew up in Kansas.  (His father was a Sargeant Major, so, children in military families often live elsewhere than where they were born.)  He attended colleges in Kansas, but finished his Bachelor's at Cameron University, in Lawton.

Darrell's degree is in Business Marketing, and he has skills in graphic design and video production.  

He was also Vice Chairman on the Board of the Comanche Nation Museum and Cultural Center.  

"When I was young I thought I was just another white kid, although some of them liked to remind me that I was not," he said.   To the Comanche Nation News, he describe how he and his brothers grew up, and lacked knowledge of Comanche culture and heritage.  But in 1995, when they returned to Lawton, they began gradually to incorporate into the Comanche people.

"I realize that not all our Comanches get along and I've been told that some will feel the need to act ugly towards me," said Darrell, but he is not discouraged

Darrell is a Christian believer, and values family relations.  He knows that moral values are the surest guide to the future.

Now, my two cents: the fact that enough people voted--and voted for Darrell, tells me really good things are cookin' in Comanche country!   I mean, think about it:  a young man, a new comer, basically, hanging out with the elders!   Elected to serve with them!   This is borderline miraculous.  (I told Darrell as much, when I saw him recently.)   I see an opening of the sea here.   I hope others can see this, too.  It is time to walk on to the Promised Land.  I think it's a great day in Comanche country.  Really great!

REPOSTED BY:  "Q"

IN CASE YOU DIDNT GET TO VISIT CAMPCRIER HERE IS SOME COMANCHE NEWS AND BUSSINESS FOR THE MONTH OF JULY,2008

Camp Crier is independently owned and operated by BIG Productions,
a Native owned business in Stillwater, Oklahoma, which is solely responsible for its content.
Camp Crier is not affiliated with the Comanche Nation.

Comanche Nation, Ft. Sill talk to update MOU

The Comanche Nation is in ongoing negotiations with the U.S. Army at Fort Sill to come to terms on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will generally address Army and Tribal concerns regarding the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). The focus of the MOU is to update the existing MOU between the Comanche Nation the U.S. Army at Fort Sill that will account for changes in federal law since it was signed, and also to build a relationship of communication, cooperation, and consultation between the parties on all NHPA and NAGPRA matters. The Tribal attorneys have been directed to explore all possible alternatives to expedite progress on the MOU, and also to address immediate concerns surrounding the impending construction of a Training Service Center near Medicine Bluff.

July CBC Highlights

The July CBC meeting was called to order with all members present. Several enrollment lists were approved: one list of 51 eligible applications and three lists of ineligible applications. The Hope Improvement Program presented a resolution for the CBC to approve a contract with the BIA for home improvement funds. Law Enforcement presented an agreement with Comanche County Detention Center for approval. The Tax Commission presented amended tax codes in order to implement the new Tobacco Tax Compact signed with the State of Oklahoma in June.

Secretary/Treasurer Bob Tippeconnie made a motion to engage the accounting firm of Finley and Cook to help the Nation with several financial issues. The 2005 and 2006 audits have some findings that have to be addressed and some "638" programs have high-risk findings that must be corrected.

Bill Voelker, Board President for NAGPRA spoke to the CBC about concerns that Ft. Sill is planning to build a facility on land near Medicine Bluff. Mr. Voelker's concern is that there are most likely burial sites on the land. Voelker asserts that Ft. Sill has been less than forthcoming and honest about the proposed construction and at one time indicated that the construction was not going to take place. The CBC directed the Tribal attorneys to write a letter requesting Ft. Sill to cease and desist with groundbreaking.
VIEW CLIP

John David Wahnee came before the CBC to request that his father, Ralph Wahnee, be included on the Comanche Code Talkers memorial. The elder Mr. Wahnee was trained as a Code Talker in World War II but did not see combat. Committeeperson Asepermy said he would take the request to the CIVA who was responsible for erecting the memorial.

A resolution appointing Jenice Bigbee to the Economic Development Commission was passed. The same resolution named Dennis Weryavah as an alternate and Secretary/Treasurer Bob Tippeconnie as ex-officio member.

Newly elected CBC member Darrell Kosechequetah was appointed as the Comanche representative to the KCA. Two commissioners were appointed to the Housing Commission: Clorinda Tsatoke and Billie Kreger.

Vice-Chairman Ron Red Elk brought for approval new guidelines for Social Service emergency assistance. The guidelines included expanded coverage for Comanche people at the Community and Outreach Centers and a client evaluation form. Mr. Asepermy noted that for the first time in a long time the Social Services department is fully staffed. The guidelines passed. VIEW CLIP

Mr. Toby Robles was appointed by the CBC as Judge for the Tribal Children's Court. Mr. Robles has para-legal training and is eminently qualified for the position.

Hendrix case dismissed

REPORTED BY CAMPCRIER

On July 10th 2008 Judge Vicki Miles-LaGrange granted the defense motion to dismiss the Hendrix vs. Coffey case. The Judge used the term "lack of subject matter jurisdiction" in granting the motion to dismiss. The court order goes on to cite several cases, including U.S. Supreme Court rulings, affirming tribal enrollment is the sole responsibility of sovereign tribal governments. Therefore Ms. Hendrix dis-enrollment is an internal matter for the Comanche Nation to resolve.

Ms. Hendrix also asserted that her civil rights had been violated under the Indian Civil Rights Act. Again the Court ruled that it did not have jurisdiction. Except for a petition of habeas corpus the Indian Civil Rights Act does not authorize federal civil actions against either a tribe or its officers.

The matter was initiated when several Tribal members called for an audit of the Comanche rolls. In the course of the audit it was discovered that Ms. Hendrix had been enrolled as a Caddo under the name Deborah Wells Roberts, with enrollment number 2414. Evidence was also uncovered that she received a Caddo home and a $400.00 per cap payment. The enrollment office should have examined these facts at the time of Ms. Hendrix' application. Under the Comanche constitution because Ms. Hendrix received benefit from the Caddo tribe she is ineligible for membership in the Comanche Tribe and her application should have been denied. The Comanche Business Committee acted on the evidence on April 17th 2008 removing Ms. Hendrix and others from the rolls. The Constitution does not address the issue of improper enrollment, touching off great concern among Tribal members.

The enrollment audit has revealed problems with other applications as well. Boxes of applications have been discovered that have not been processed. Eligible applications have not been forwarded to the CBC for action. Other enrollments are questionable and were dis-enrolled by the CBC. Most alarming is the lack of procedure when dealing with issues not specifically addressed in the constitution.

Strawberry ceremony returns to Meherrin Nation after two centuries  Email this page     Print this page
Posted: June 30, 2008
by: Bobbie Whitehead / Indian Country Today
Click to Enlarge
Photo courtesy Meherrin Nation -- The Meherrin Nation of North Carolina participated in the first Strawberry ceremony held in more than 200 years on their tribal grounds, with Michael Jock (Kanaratanoron), Mohawk, and Joe Logan (Sky-yoh-wee-yoh), Oneida/Onondaga, leading the ceremony. Logan stood with James Lewis, Meherrin; Jock; and Meherrin Chief Wayne Brown (Sha-goie-watha).
WINTON, N.C. - More than 50 Meherrin Nation tribal members, dressed in traditional Iroquois regalia from the Snipe and Turtle clans, participated in the first Strawberry ceremony held in more than 200 years in North Carolina.

Kanaratanoron (Michael Jock), of the Bear Clan People of Mohawk Territory in Akwesasne, N. Y., and Sky-yoh-wee-yoh (Joe Logan), of the Wolf Clan of Oneida Territory, led the ceremony on Meherrin Nation grounds May 31 in Winton.

In his first visit to meet the Meherrin Indians in North Carolina, Jock said he came to lead the ceremony to carry a message from the Tuscaroras of New York.

''The message is to bring our people together and to unite our people together under the Great Law of Peace,'' he said in an interview after the ceremony.

The strawberry is the first fruit of the year; therefore, it is the first thanksgiving observed among several thanksgiving ceremonies held throughout the year, according to the Iroquois lunar calendar, said Meherrin Nation Chief Sha-goie-watha (Wayne Brown).

''The ripening of the strawberries in North Carolina is a month ahead of our season,'' Jock said.

He conducted the ceremony prayer in the Mohawk language, and each person at the ceremony received a copy of the prayer written in Mohawk and English.

''The celebration gives thanks, in general, to the strawberry and, more specifically, to the Creator for giving the fruit for the good of all men,'' Brown said, adding that Jock and Logan explained to the Meherrins ''when and how each person was to participate in the prayer as well as to answer in Iroquois when prompted.''

''Images of my forefathers flashed before me,'' he said. ''The melodious words and the beat of the turtle rattle resonated all over the grounds'' as Jock recited the Strawberry Thanksgiving Prayer in Mohawk, a language linguistically similar to the Meherrins' language. ''I was pleasantly astonished to hear the 50 or so voices responding in unison to the prayer.''

Brown also said he could feel the presence of his ancestors during the prayer and ceremony.

''It is simply beautiful to hear my people speak the Iroquois language again.''

After the prayer, sacred songs and the Great Feather Dance were performed.

''This is a day that I have dreamed about, for some of our Iroquois brothers to come to lead us back to the old way,'' Brown said. ''I feel the presence of my mother, Arlene Brown, who went to be with my father in September of last year.''

Brown said when he saw his mother's sisters, Mamie Mercardo Franklin, 87, and Yvonne Baker, 73; and his mother's cousins, James Lewis, 75, and Michael Reid, 72; participating in the Feather Dance, for a ''fleeing moment'' he said he could see his mother leading them and looking back with a smile of approval.

''I felt that all my Meherrin ancestors were with us.''

Jock plans to return to visit the Meherrins in the fall to recite the Great Law, an event that he said takes 10 days and is a function in which everyone has a voice.

''When I met the Meherrin people for the first time, I stood back, and I took a look at the people who greeted me, and I could see that our people have been scattered across this continent,'' Jock said. ''I felt a strong, strong connection with the Meherrin people. We all connect - every nation. I'm grateful to the Meherrin people, and I was very proud of the Meherrin people.

''They all wore Iroquois clothes; there was not a one that wasn't wearing Iroquois clothes. There wasn't a one who wasn't willing to listen.''

Brown said Jock told the Meherrins that they had made history with the Strawberry ceremony and that ''this day shall be written in the history of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.''

''I have an agenda here that I need to fulfill before I go to the spirit world,'' Jock said. ''We're in 2008, and we need to prepare our people for what's coming.''

Adding that he's willing to share this message with any nation that wants to hear the message of the Great Law, Jock said he saw the uplifting of the Meherrin people.

''They have a powerful nation, and I respect that.''

Almost there  Email this page     Print this page
Posted: June 30, 2008
by: Lisa Garrigues / Today correspondent
Click to Enlarge
Photos by Lisa Garrigues -- (Top) Participants on the Longest Walk II walked into New Orleans May 27, visiting areas that were devastated by Hurricane Katrina and helping to rebuild. The walkers are entering the last month of the cross-country walk, which began on Alcatraz Island Feb. 11 and will end with a manifesto on environmental and Native issues delivered to Congress in Washington, D.C., July 11. (Bottom) Members of local tribes joined participants on the southern route of the Longest Walk II in Oxford, Ala. Walkers on the southern route are averaging 17 miles a day in temperatures that have soared into the high 90s.
Longest Walkers head toward nation's capital

ASHEVILLE, N.C. - ''Wake up! Circle up!'' The shouts rang out in the pre-dawn Alabama darkness as nearly 100 people began to stir inside their tents. By 5 a.m., they would be standing in morning circle, ready to embark on another day of cross-country walking that started on Alcatraz Island in California Feb. 11 and will end July 11 in Washington, D.C.

The Longest Walkers are almost there.

Snow, rain, searing heat, blisters, illness, and internal and external struggles have not dissuaded the 200 walkers on the northern and southern routes of the Longest Walk II from reaching their destination, where they will deliver a manifesto to Congress on Native and environmental issues.

The walk, organized by American Indian Movement activist Dennis Banks and other Native leaders to draw attention to environmental destruction and Native issues, is made up of Native and non-Native people, including several supporters from Japan, some of them members of the Buddhist Nipponzan Myohoji order. Commemorating a 1978 walk that was organized to protest the abrogation of Indian treaties by the U.S. government, it contains some of the walkers who took part in the original walk.

On June 11, walkers on the northern route entered Pennsylvania, after being stuck for several days in Ohio with no food or gas money. A skirmish with police in Columbus, Ohio, ended up with one member being led away in handcuffs.

Walkers on the southern route arrived in Asheville June 16, after a group of 18 people broke away from the group to form their own walk. Walkers report that the breakaway group got upset after a young girl hurt her foot in an accident and not enough attention was paid to her, an incident that spiraled into arguments and conflicts before the breakaway group finally left.

Banks was not present during the incident, but has since returned to the southern route. He could not be reached for comment on this recent incident by press time.

Earlier, he had asked 24 people to leave the walk because they were using marijuana and/or alcohol.

When interviewed in May in New Orleans, Banks said the walk ''was going good'' and thanked the Rumsey Rancheria, the Havasupai, the Apache, the Navajo, the pueblos, the Cheyenne and the Arapaho for being particularly helpful with donations.

Walkers on the southern route are averaging about 17 miles a day, waking at 4 a.m. to get on the road an hour later, and walking three to seven miles before breakfast. Short breaks are taken every three and a half miles, and the entire distance usually takes about seven hours to cover. Runners average 30 - 50 miles a day, so that every mile across the country is covered. Walkers take turns participating in the trash crew, which cleans up garbage and trash along the way, and the kitchen crew, which prepares the meals.

While northern walkers have had to use snowshoes on their journey, temperatures on the southern route have soared into the high 90s. Sweat-drenched walkers have used garden hoses, swimming holes and - when they are lucky - showers to cool down. Support vehicles accompanying the walkers, carrying food, luggage and water, have frequently needed repair.

Southern walkers report a large number of them got sick in Bakersfield from what they believe was contamination from nearby oil wells.

At night, the walkers unroll their sleeping bags and pitch their tents on the grounds of community centers, city parks, reservations and national forests.

In late June, walkers on the southern route were awakened when a car full of hecklers drove into an Alabama city park where the walkers were camped and yelled insults at the campers. The invaders were driven out by the walkers and local police.

''I can't believe I've already covered 4,000 miles,'' said Ray, a Native walker and runner on the southern route, as he carried the flag of the Mohawk Nation down a hot road in Alabama.

He was philosophical about the interpersonal difficulties and challenges that had arisen from within the group.

''They are human beings.''

Native and non-Native communities, businesses and individuals along the way have shown their appreciation and support of the walkers with gifts of money, food and water.

Native communities have spoken to the walkers about the issues they face, including environmental degradation, health problems and political struggles. These issues will be included in the manifesto delivered to Congress.

On May 27, walkers on the southern route carried the flags of several Indian nations into the 9th Ward of New Orleans, where, three years after Hurricane Katrina, residents are still struggling to rebuild their houses and community, with little support from city government.

Robert Green, who lost his mother and grandchild to the hurricane, spoke to walkers in front of the trailer he now lives in, as the walkers looked out on the flattened overgrown empty lots that once contained the homes of middle-class families.

''A lot of people don't realize one person can make a difference. One march can make a difference.'' he said. ''You're making us whole again, and that's important to us.''

For more information on the Longest Walk II, visit www.longestwalk.org.

 

Lakotah Elder
Russell Means Speaks Out!

Lakotah, formally and unilaterally withdraws from all agreements and treaties imposed by the United States Government on the Lakotah People.


FREEDOM!

Today is a historic day and our forefathers speak through us. Our Forefathers made the treaties in good faith with the sacred Canupa and with the knowledge of the Great Spirit, They never honored the treaties, that is the reason we are here today...Garry Rowland, Wounded Knee

 

Lakotah Unilateral Withdrawal from All Agreements and Treaties with the United States of America

 

We as the freedom loving Lakotah People are the predecessor sovereign of Dakota Territory as evidenced by the Treaties with the United States Government, including, but not limited to, the Treaty of 1851 and the Treaty of 1868 at Fort Laramie.

Lakotah, formally and unilaterally withdraws from all agreements and treaties imposed by the United States Government on the Lakotah People.

Lakotah , and the population therein, have waited for at least 155 years for the United States of America to adhere to the provisions of the above referenced treaties. The continuing violations of these treaties’ terms have resulted in the near annihilation of our people physically, spiritually, and culturally. Lakotah rejects United States Termination By Appropriation policy from 1871 to the present.

In addition, the evidence of gross violations of the above referenced treaties are listed herein. Lakotah encourages the United States of America, through its Government ,to enter into dialogue with Lakotah regarding the boundaries, the land and the resources therein. Please contact the Republic of Lakotah  at (605) 867-1111 or info@republicoflakotah.com.

Should the United States and its subordinate governments choose not to act in good faith concerning the rebirth of our nation, we hereby advise the United States Government that Lakotah will begin to administer liens against real  estate transactions within the five state area of Lakotah.

Lakotah, through its government, appointed the following representatives to withdraw from all the treaties with the United States of America based on the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties entered into force in 1980 and the

U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples 2007:

Tegheya Kte
Heretofore known as Garry Rowland

Oyate Wacinyapin
Heretofore know as Russell Means

Mni yuha Najin Win
Heretofore known as Phyllis Young

Republic Of Lakotah P.O. Box 99 Porcupine Lakotah 57772,  
http://www.republicoflakotah.com

 

Lakotah

Political and Diplomatic Relations with the United States of America

The first official contacts between Lakotah and the government of the United States of America began in earnest after the United States conducted a commercial transaction with France, commonly known as the Louisiana Purchase, in1803. Prior to that time, Lakotah exercised complete and unfettered freedom and independence in their territory.

According to the fantasy of United States’ history, the Louisiana Purchase was a purported sale by France to the United States of 530 million acres (2.1 million sq.km.) for $15 million. Part of this sale included the territory of Lakotah who, of course never had knowledge of, nor gave consent to, the sale of their national territory.

The first treaty between the U.S. and any segment of Lakotah occurred in 1805, , and various other treaties of “peace and friendship,” between Lakotah and the U.S. As citizens of the U.S. began to invade and encroach on the territory of Lakotah in increasing numbers, tensions and violence erupted. To prevent full-scale war, the Fort Laramie Treatyof 1851 was requested by the U.S., to allow a transportation route through Lakotah territory. The treaty did not impair the sovereignty or the independence of Lakotah. In fact, the treaty expressly recognized Lakotah as an independent nation, and the treaty respected “all national business” of Lakotah.

After repeated violations by the United States of the 1851 Treaty, warfare broke out between Lakotah and the U.S.

Lakotah defeated the U.S. in the so-called “Red Cloud War,” leading to the U.S. to call for another treaty conference at Fort Laramie. The second treaty agreed for the U.S. to abandon the Bozeman Road, and the accompanying military forts that had been built along it, and promised to keep U.S. troops and settlers out of Lakotah territory.

Almost immediately, the U.S. began violating terms of the treaty, allowing railroad and mining interests to trespass and steal Lakotah resources and territory. In 1874, the infamous U.S. military commander, George Custer, led an invasion of the most sacred part of Lakotah territory, the Paha Sapa (Black Hills), prompting an invasion of gold seekers, and provoking another war between the U.S. and Lakotah. As a result of the war, Lakotah territory was illegally occupied by the U.S., and billions of dollars of natural resources have been stolen from the occupied territories of Lakotah.

The United States has engaged in multiple military, legal and political strategies for more than a century to deny Lakotah our right to freedom and self-determination. In 1876-77, in violations of the treaties that it had signed with

Lakotah, the U.S. engaged in a sell-or-starve policy to coerce Lakotah to sell our national homeland. Lakotah refused, and has consistently refused to the present time.

In 1871, the U.S. decided no longer to enter into treaties with indigenous nations, but the U.S. treaty-ending legislation made explicit that the new policy of the United States would in no way impair or limit those treaties already in force between indigenous nations and the U.S. Lakotah have consistently relied on the sanctity of the treaty between the U.S. and Lakotah.

As mentioned above, the United States has consistently violated the treaties between Lakotah and the U.S., resulting in the loss of life, resources, and territory for Lakotah. Although the United States was willing to take the benefit of its bargain (i.e., territory and natural resources) in signing treaties with Lakotah, it was almost immediately unwilling to respect the mutual bargain to the Lakotah. The U.S. began to use U.S. law and policy to attempt to diminish the political, economic and cultural freedom of Lakotah.

After signing the 1868 Fort Laramie Treaty, the U.S. allowed its military, and its civilian citizens to invade Lakotah territory to steal gold, silver and other natural resources. The U.S. unilaterally violated the 1868 Treaty throughout the 1870s and 1880s by coercing alterations in the Treaty onto Lakotah, without the required 2/3 agreement of Lakotah, as required in the Treaty.

Although the U.S. Supreme Court recognized the ongoing freedom and independence of Lakotah in the landmark case of Ex Parte Crow Dog (1883), two years later, the U.S. Congress attempted to steal Lakotah independence through the passage of the Major Crimes Act, that unilaterally extended U.S. criminal jurisdiction into Lakotah territory.

These actions were followed by more arrogant actions of the United States, culminating in the shocking Supreme Court Case of Lone Wolf v. Hitchcock (1903). Although Lone Wolf involved the Kiowa and Comanche Nations in what is now the State of Oklahoma, its impact adversely affected Lakotah. In Lone Wolf, the United States not only said that it could violate, change or abrogate treaties with Indian nations unilaterally, but it also said that the U.S.

Congress possesses plenary (absolute) power to legislate in any way in indigenous affairs without the consent or consideration of indigenous nations.

By extension, Lone Wolf has been used to violate hundreds of treaties between the U.S. and indigenous peoples, including Lakotah. Through the operation of Lone Wolf, the U.S. stole the sacred Black Hills, allowed the mining of billions of dollars of gold from them, admitted that the Black Hills were taken in violation of the 1868 Fort Laramie

Treaty, and then offered to compensate Lakotah at 1874 land values. Lakotah have, to this day, rejected the offer of payment, and continue to insist on the return of the Paha Sapa (Black Hills).

An overview of violations follows:

  • Homestead Acts

  • Allotment Acts

  • Citizenship Act forcing United States citizenship upon all American Indians

  • Indian Reorganization Act a.k.a. Howard Wheeler Act (the first Apartheid Act)

  • Forced relocation during the decades of the 1950’s over the 1960’s.

  • Supreme Court decision disallowing our religions.

  • Even though we are citizens of the United States of America, we are denied protections of the United States

Constitution while living on Indian reservations, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.

The operation of the United States in the nefarious ways outlined above are a violation, not only of the sovereignty and independence of Lakotah, not only of the solemn treaty signed between the U.S. and Lakotah, but it

is a violation of the fundamental law of the United States itself. Article Six of the United States Constitution explicitly states that treaties signed by the United States are the supreme law of the land, and must be respected by every court and by every lawmaker, as such.

Referenced Documents

1.       Treaties of Fort Laramie, 1851 and 1868

Full text of these treaties can be found at http://www.republicoflakotah.com/portfolio.html

2.       Article VI of United States Constitution

Article. VI. - Debts, Supremacy, Oaths

All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under this Constitution, as under the Confederation.  This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.  The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.

3.      Vienna Convention on Treaties 1969; specifically Article 49, Article 60 Parts I and II

Article 49- Fraud

If a State has been induced to conclude a treaty by the fraudulent conduct govern questions not regulated by the provisions of the present Convention, Have agreed as follows:

PART I

INTRODUCTION

Article 1
Scope of the present Convention
The present Convention applies to treaties between States.

Article 2
Use of terms

1.   For the purposes of the present Convention:
(a)  ‘treaty’ means an international agreement concluded between States in written form and governed by international law, whether embodied in a single instrument or in two or more related instruments and whatever its particular designation;

(b)  ‘ratification’, ‘acceptance’, ‘approval’ and ‘accession’ mean in each case the international act so named whereby a State establishes on the international plane its consent to be bound by a treaty;

(c)  ‘full powers’ means a document emanating from the competent authority of a State designating a person or persons to represent the State for negotiating, adopting or authenticating the text of a treaty, for expressing the consent of the State to be bound by a treaty, or for accomplishing any other act with respect to a treaty;

(d) ‘reservation’ means a unilateral statement, however phrased or named, made by a State, when signing, ratifying, accepting, approving or acceding to a treaty, whereby it purports to exclude or to modify the legal effect of certain provisions of the treaty in their application to that State;

(e)  ‘negotiating State’ means a State which took part in the drawing up and adoption of the text of the treaty;

(f)  ‘contracting State’ means a State which has consented to be bound by the treaty, whether or not the treaty has entered into force;

(g)  ‘party’ means a State which has consented to be bound by the treaty and for which the treaty is in force;

(h)  ‘third State’ means a State not a party to the treaty;

(i)   ‘international organization’ means an intergovernmental organization.

Article 60

Termination or suspension of the operation of a treaty as a consequence of its breach

1.         A material breach of a bilateral treaty by one of the parties entitles the other to invoke the breach as aground for terminating the treaty or suspending its operation in whole or in part.
2.         A material breach of a multilateral treaty by one of the parties entitles:

(a)  the other parties by unanimous agreement to suspend the operation of the treaty in whole or in part orto terminate it either:

(i)   in the relations between themselves and the defaulting State, or

(ii)  as between all the parties;

(b)  a party specially affected by the breach to invoke it as a ground for suspending the operation of thereaty in whole or in part in the relations between itself and the defaulting State;

(c)  any party other than the defaulting State to invoke the breach as a ground for suspending the operationof the treaty in whole or in part with respect to itself if the treaty is of such a character that a material breach of its provisions by one party radically changes the position of every party with respect to the further performance of its obligations under the treaty.

3.         A material breach of a treaty, for the purposes of this article, consists in:

(a)  a repudiation of the treaty not sanctioned by the present Convention; or

(b)  the violation of a provision essential to the accomplishment of the object or purpose of the treaty.

4.         The foregoing paragraphs are without prejudice to any provision in the treaty applicable in the event of a breach.
5.         Paragraphs 1 to 3 do not apply to provisions relating to the protection of the human person contained in treaties of a humanitarian character, in particular to provisions prohibiting any form of reprisals against persons protected by such treaties.

4.       United Nations Declaration of Indigenous Rights 2007; specifically Article 37

Article 37

1.         Indigenous peoples have the right to the recognition, observance and enforcement of treaties, agreements and other constructive arrangements concluded with States or their successors and to have States honor and respect such treaties, agreements and other constructive arrangements.
2.         Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as diminishing or eliminating the rights of indigenous peoples contained in treaties, agreements and other constructive arrangements.

5.       Lone Wolf v. Hitchcock (1903)

Full text of the decision can be found at:  http://www.utulsa.edu/law/classes/rice/ussct_cases/Lone_Wolf_v_Hitchcock_187_553.htm

Note: Lakotah precludes all litigation and political intrusions not relevant to Lakotah.

 

Caution: Duane Martin, Sr. aka "Canupa Gluha Mani" represents ONLY himself and is known for soliciting funds for himself. He is not affiliated with Republic of Lakotah. 

         COMANCHE ALLIANCE

                                               LETTER

The intent of the Election Board is to conduct elections in compliance with procedures describe in the Election Ordinance and to ensure that the elections will be fair and objective and carried out in a timely manner. The Election Board is to ensure the secrecy and sanctity of the election process. The regulations and procedures stated in the ordinance shall be administered in such a way as to accomplish this purpose and intent.

The Comanche Alliance stands steadfast in our beliefs that the election process will be compromised by certain individuals on the Election Board. It is with this thought that the Comanche Alliance is filing a formal complaint against the Comanche Nation Election Board. This complaint is based on the Election Board’s negligence in handling the election process beginning with the preparation of the May 17, 2008 Primary Election through the June14, 2008 Run-Off Election. The Election Board’s ignorance of protocol in compliance with the Election Ordinance and the Constitution has resulted in the gross neglect of the Board’s duty to protect the rights of the candidates and the Comanche voters. It is the duty of the Election Board to conduct an unbiased, fair and equitable election.

We, the Comanche Alliance, believe that the Comanche Nation Business Committee played a part in the Election Board’s gross neglect of our tribal member’s rights by not monitoring the election process. There were no checks and balances during the election process. If the CBC did monitor the election process they would have detected the discrepancies and should have implemented proper changes. Every tribal member’s vote and the candidates right’s to protest should be treated with honesty, dignity and integrity. Personal beliefs and feelings on the part of the Election Board should not play a part in the election process. The whole election process is based on the Election Ordinance, the Constitution and the aptitude of the Board to properly interpret.

Alleged Discrepancies and/or Violations during the Primary Process of May 17, 2008:
The Election Board has12 elected people, two from each precinct. Ms. Noyebad. Christy DeCora and Carol Pewewardy were considered alternates. Alternates are only utilized when the elected member’s position became vacant. Comment: Why were these alternates allowed to hold permanent positions on the board which included them full pay as a permanent member?

It was noted that Ms. Noyebad boldly stated that only she and Chairman Coffey are in full control of the election board and the elections on daily bases. And that she gets all her orders from Chairman Coffey on what to do. This is in regard to the Primary and Run-Off Election when Board members questioned what was transpiring on the election process. Comment: The Election Board acts as a whole and is not a dictatorship. The Constitution does not specifically address the election process. but states that the Election Board falls under the authority of the Business Committee, not just the Chairman.

Ms. Noyebad was appointed as the Election Board Chairperson by Chairman Coffey April 18, 2008. It states in the Election Ordinance that the Election Board is to elect the board members. This process should have been conducted by the Election Board members.
In the Primary Election family members were allowed to sit at the ballot table and visit. This particular incident occurred at the Lawton precinct.

At the in-person absentee voting held on May 16, 2008 at the Comanche Nation headquarters only 44 ballots were issued for this site. When the 44 ballots were used, ballots were borrowed from the Oklahoma City and Anadarko precinct. These ballots would not and could not be inserted into the electronic voting machine because each precinct ballots were coded for individual precincts. Ms. Noyebad and Recorder, Ms. Terry did not ensure that the in-person voters would have adequate ballots. Inventory of the “borrowed” ballots was not conducted and accounted.

In the primary and run-off elections the absentee ballots were mailed out ten (10) days prior to the election dates. This did not provide the absentee voters adequate time to vote and return their ballots to the Election Board to be counted. Some voters “hand delivered” their ballots to the board. These ballots were not counted. Comment: Many voters were not provided the opportunity to vote, due to the Election Board not conducting the process in a timely manner. The voters were penalized for the board’s inadequacy to mail the ballots out on time.

Alleged Discrepancies and/or Violations during the Run-Off Election of June 14, 2008:
During the count of the Absentee Votes, the Election Board voted and declared that 18 Absentee ballots would not be counted. This decision was based on the fact that the arrows of some of the 18 ballots did not properly connect. Comment: Absentee Voters should be given every opportunity for their votes to count, because they only have one chance for their vote to be counted. Persons who vote at the polls are personally instructed on the proper procedure in casting their ballots. Some voters may have impaired eye-sight and not be able to connect the arrows. It seems the Absentee voters are penalized for living out of the area.

Also some of the envelopes containing the ballots were not signed, but the voters did print their names on the return envelope containing the ballot. These ballots were not counted. Comment: Some people may not be able to write and printing which ever way it is, that may be their form of signature. An elder person may/could have difficulty reading the directions, thus not following directions. Their vote is still important to them and their candidates. Four challenged votes were thrown out because they were not correctly marked.

Willie Nelson, a candidate, attempted to submit his protest letter and money on Tuesday, June 17, 2008. Acting Election Board Chairperson Noyebad gave notice to Bobby Nauni to fill-in as the acting chairperson for that day. On Monday June 16, 2008, Willie Nelson made every attempt to speak to Ms. Noyebad by telephone and she hung-up on him every time. Ms. Noyebad made sure she would not be available in the office to accept Mr. Nelson’s protest document and the $1,000 required. The Acting Chairperson of the board denied Mr. Willie Nelson his right to protest.

Ms. Noyebad made a statement that the Primary and Run-Off elections were over and that there would be no protest. It was heard by the people at the tabulation of the run-off. Comment: Ms.Noyebad made a decision on her own and blatantly denied the candidates their right to protest, which is the opposite of her duties.

Gwen Kerchee-Poahway is not an Election Board member but is allowed to sit in the election board office and conducts business as an elected board member. That should be the job of the Election Board Reporter.

As our CONSTITUTION states in ARTICLE II – PURPOSE, Section 1. To define,Establish and safeguard the rights, powers, and privileges of the tribe and its members. Section 3. To promote in other ways the common well-being of the tribe and itsmembership.

Also written, ARTICLE X – BILL OF RIGHT, Section 1. All members of the Comanche Indian Tribe shall enjoy without hindrance freedom of worship, conscience, speech, press, assembly, and association.

We the Comanche Alliance request that Mr. Nelson’s protest be accepted since he properly followed the protest procedures as stated in the Election Ordinance. It is very apparent that Ms.Noyebad did not properly accommodate Mr. Nelson, as defined in the Election Ordinance. Mr. Nelson must be granted his right to protest.

We also request that an audit be conducted based on the stated allegations/violations. In the audit we are requesting to see all election results, all Absentee Ballots that were not counted and want them to be opened, (all 18). Requesting to see the Challenge Ballots that were not counted. Requesting to see the Daily Ballot Tracking Log Sheets, Requesting to see any and all Requests for Absentee Ballots, those that were mailed-in, those that were phoned-in, those that were filled out in the Election Board office, Requesting inventory sheets filled out, Requesting for the date Ballots were mailed, any postage due Ballots, any record after deadline, were the newspapers notified of Election dates. Requesting to see the telephone bill of (580/512-7642) and is the phone being used for Election purposes. Need to know where the Ballot proofs were sent, learned these proofs were sent to Yonnie Terry’s personal E-mail, that is a NO-NO!! And the audit be conducted by an independent tabulator. We also request all the minutes of the Election Board concerning meetings and actions taken.

These are strong issues that need to be addressed and we should be given the courtesy to be heard.

Sincerely,
Glennetta Whitefeather,
Spokesperson
Comanche Alliance

12-Year old Comanche Girl Attacked After School
No Disciplinary Action Taken on Attackers
The Comanche Nation News, June, 2008
Joline Schonchin/News Staff

Kirsten Onco, a 12-year old Comanche girl from Comanche, Oklahoma, was assaulted April 16 by two girls walking home from her school, according to the victim's mother.  The girls were following her, saying derogatory remarks to her.

Onco went to a school teacher, and showed her a note that talked about the fight.  The teacher did not do anything to help the girl.  Next the girl walked to the elementary school secretary, who according to the Superintendant, was very busy and remembers seeing her, but did not help her.

The victim's mother said her daughter did not want to fight because she is on the track team, basketball team, and a cheerleader for the school.  She would get kicked off the teams and squad if she was in school fights.  She said that is when her daughter tried to walk away.

Scared and unsure what to do, she called a friend, Allison Steidmyer, former Miss Comanche College Princess.  "She called me on my cell phone," said Steidmyer.  "She said the girls were calling her names and were telling her they were going to kick her ----.  I told her to go find a principal or teacher to help her.  Then the phone went dead.  I thought she lost reception."

That is when the two older girls allegedly hit her and tackled her to the ground.

The victim's mother wants people to know what happened to her daughter in Comanche, Okla.  She signed an affidavit to allow TCNN to use her name in this article.

"One held her down and the other hit her in the face," said Onco's mother, who is infuriated by the situation.  "I felt every hit those girls gave her."

The Duncan Regional Hospital reports show she suffered a nasal fracture and multiple contusions to the head and face.  

The police report filed states there were two witnesses to the fight, and one girl held the victim down while the other punched her in the face.  The incident happened around two blocks from school near the victim's grandmother's house, where she was going.  It is alleged one of the witnesses videotaped the fight, but later erased it.

A Comanche School Superintendent representative said they were looking into the incident and that they take the safety of their students very seriously.  It was further explained that the Superintendent Davidson and principal Crow met to discuss the incident.

Onco's mother said the teacher was aware of a note that was given to a teacher by Onco that talked about the fight.

As of April 22, the girls who attacked Onco were allowed back in school and no disciplinary action has been taken.

           Canada apologies for 'failing' Native people

                        SEE VIDEO'S


 

"We heard the government of Canada take full responsibility for this dreadful chapter in our shared history," said Assembly of First Nations Chief Phil Fontaine, "We heard the prime minister declare that this will never happen again. Finally, we heard Canada say it is sorry."

            Indian Residential School-Apology by PM Stephen Harper-Pt.1

                                        

 

          Indian Residential School- Apology PM Stephen Harper - Pt. 2

                                   

       National Chief Phil Fontaine - Response to Formal Apology

                                   

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