Cross Posted at Native American Netroots
Welcome to News from Native American Netroots, a Monday evening series focused on indigenous tribes primarily in the United States and Canada but inclusive of international peoples also.
A special thanks to our team for contributing the links that have been compiled here. Please provide your news links in the comments below.
House resolution falls short of unqualified UN Declaration adoption
By Gale Courey Toensing July 30, 2010
WASHINGTON – A congressional representative has introduced a resolution in the U.S. House calling on the United States "to promote respect for and full application of the provisions of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples consistent with United States law."
Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin, American Samoa’s congressional member and chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs’ subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific and the Global Environment, introduced H.R. 1551 on July 22.
"The Declaration is a landmark instrument outlining the rights of the world’s 370 million indigenous peoples in 70 countries. A non-binding text comparable to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples sets out the individual and collective rights of indigenous peoples, as well as their rights to culture, identity, language, employment, health and education," Faleomavaega said.
But the resolution falls far short of the goal set by tribal leaders, citizens and organizations across the country to have the Obama administration fully and unconditionally adopt the international accord, which is currently under review by the State Department.
Tribe hopes to fund Cherokee as foreign language class in public schools
Giles Morris July 27 2010
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is urging the state to formally license Cherokee language teachers, enabling Cherokee courses taught in public schools off the reservation to count toward a student’s foreign language requirement.
Earlier this month, tribal and school officials met with representatives from the N.C. Department of Public Instruction to finalize the steps in the process.
The move is part of tribe’s push to revitalize the language and preserve the Eastern Band’s cultural identity.
Nourishing Native foods win national cooking competition
By Sanra Ritten July 30 2010
Members from the Tohono O’odham Community Action Youth Cooking Class tantalized the taste buds of the judges in a national cooking competition with Native ingredients from their community, winning them the prestigious contest in Detroit, Mich. in May.
The Cooking Up Change competition, part of the Healthy Schools Campaign and the Farm to School program, allows students to actively address the issue of local foods and school nutrition. Teams of high school and college students are challenged to create a healthy, great-tasting meal that meets high nutritional standards, incorporates a local food item, draws from readily available ingredients and can be prepared in a school cafeteria.
The TOCA Youth Community Cooking Class members, Ross Miguel, Yvette Ventura, and Zade Arnold were the only Native American team to make it to the finals. They triumphed with a tepary bean quesadilla, baby spinach and pear salad with carrot vinaigrette, and a yogurt peanut butter fruit dip. They introduced new and exciting flavors to the competition that are also culturally appropriate and that have sustained their community for generations.
Trafficking our children
By Valerie Taliman July 28, 2010
Editor’s note: This is the first in a four-part special series examining the disappearance and murders of hundreds of First Nations girls and women in Canada. Part one highlights sex trafficking of children and the failure of police and the Canadian government to fully investigate these crimes.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Cherri was 11 years old the first time she was bought and sold.
Alone on the streets of Vancouver’s downtown Eastside, abruptly abandoned by her new "boyfriend," she was accosted by an older man who said he’d bought her, and insisted she now belonged to him.
Shocked by how this could happen, she resisted, and tried to flee. But following a severe beating, she relented and went with the man, who took her to a seedy hotel where she was kept for weeks being indoctrinated into the lifestyle of a child prostitute.
Center for American Indian Community Health Created
Kansas City, MO August 2, 2010
Researchers from the University of Kansas Medical Center and the American Indian Health Research and Education Alliance announced a major effort to reduce the severe health problems facing American Indians.
Compared to the rest of the U.S. population, American Indians are 420 percent more likely to die from diabetes and 100 percent more likely to die from tobacco-related diseases...
...Among other things, the grant will help set up a pipeline to attract American Indian high school and college students to the KU School of Medicine’s master’s of public health degree program and other graduate programs in an effort to increase the number of native people entering the health professions and conducting health research. Medical center faculty are working with Haskell Indian Nations University to identify potential students for the master's of public health program. Five years ago, there were no American Indian students in the program. Three native students have already earned degrees; five more are now enrolled and several more have applied for the fall semester.
Tribal Lands
National Geographic By Charles Bowden
Something remarkable is happening in Indian country: Tribes whose lands were once taken from them are setting an example for how to restore the environment...
...The Santa Clara Pueblo is among a growing number of tribes across the United States-of 564 recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)-making moves to bring back land crushed over generations of human use. Native American reservations cover 55 million acres of land (compared with 84 million acres controlled by the National Park Service), though most of these acres are not managed as wilderness or wildlife preserves. But something remarkable is emerging in Indian country. Those whose lands were once taken from them, those once dominated, often brutally, by the U.S. government, are setting an example for how to steward the environment.
Cara Cowan Watts wins Engineering Award
ST JOSEPH, Mich. – The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers has named Cara Cowan Watts, of Claremore, Okla., winner of the 2010 Robert E. Stewart Engineering – Humanities Award. The award, which honors outstanding contributions of agricultural engineering students to the advancement of the interaction of the profession and the humanities, was presented June 23, at the ASABE 2010 Annual International Meeting, held in Pittsburgh, Penn.
A member of the Cherokee National Tribal Council, Watts was selected for the award in recognition of her outstanding efforts toward the integration of Cherokee culture with engineering research and outreach. Throughout her career, she has displayed an enormous commitment to the social and technological concerns of the Cherokee Nation, and to the well-being of others. She has applied her engineering, communication, leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills to improving the lives of those around her. She chose to write her Ph.D. dissertation research on developing numerical nutrient criteria to support rivers and streams designated Culturally Significant Waters of the Cherokee Nation.
Pine Ridge receives grant for $42 million justice center
Holly Meyer August 1 2010
The Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety has received a $42 million grant from the Bureau of Indian Affairs to build an 89,612-square-foot justice facility.
The Pine Ridge Justice Center will feature five court rooms, an 88-bed jail for adults and juveniles and offices for the attorney general, tribal law enforcement and its administration, which will bring the tribe’s judicial system under one roof, according to Roxanne Two Bulls, OST grants and contracts manager.
"It’s kind of like a one-stop shopping place," Two Bulls said.
She said securing the grant for the center was a complex process. The group working on the project used the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act to secure all of the funding up front after a hearing in July.
Herseth Sandlin to hold field hearing on topic in Eagle Butte
Tom Lawrence July 30 2010
Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin said she wants to promote higher graduation rates for South Dakota's American Indian students.
Herseth Sandlin, D-S.D., announced Thursday that she will hold a field hearing on the subject Aug. 6 in Eagle Butte...
...She said only 28 percent of Indian males and 31 percent of Indian females graduate from high school. The graduation rate of all South Dakota students is 75 percent, she said.
"So that's an enormous disparity and no one in South Dakota should be satisfied with it," Herseth Sandlin said.
Residents Speak Out On River Uses
By David Lias July 31 2010
VERMILLION — Meetings about the future of the Missouri River usually center around such topics as irrigation, fish and wildlife, flood control and hydropower.
On Friday, U.S. Corps of Engineer officials were asked to consider what a dwindling number of people see as a wrongdoing that marks the history of the development of the mainstem dam system that currently exists on the river in South Dakota.
The injustice, according to this group of Native Americans, includes taking of private property, scattering of families and inadequate reparations in return from the federal government.
New mental health worker program celebrates first graduates
Staff Report July 27 2010
SMITHERS, British Columbia – The inaugural session of the Aboriginal Community Mental Health Worker program at Northwest Community College’s Smithers Campus saw a happy ending for students from Moricetown and Smithers who graduated June 25.
The six-month ACMHW program is a unique combination of First Nations health studies and community mental health courses, along with health access English upgrading and LPAT 100 Student Success classes.
The First Nations Health Studies portion of the program provides students with an overview of aboriginal culture and history and focuses on the societal, political, spiritual and cultural issues that impact the student’s role as a mental health worker and caregiver within a First Nations context.
Port Madison Enterprise employees make record donation
Staff Report Jul 29, 2010
SUQUAMISH, Wash. – Port Madison Enterprises employees are celebrating a record donation to the American Cancer Society. Workers for the Suquamish-owned company generated more than $25,000 in donations for the North Kitsap Relay for Life this year, marking the largest employee contribution ever given at Port Madison Enterprises.
"The generosity and ingenuity our employees consistently demonstrate are a testament to each individual as well as PME. Our staff are very talented at building on ideas to keep the fundraising fresh, fun and lucrative for the Cancer Society," said Port Madison Enterprises Human Resource Director Barbara Griffin.
Texoma Pianist Uses Talent to Celebrate her Native American Heritage
July 30 2010
ANNA, TX -- There's a lot of talent in Texoma and one Texoma pianist is using that talent to spread her love for Native American music and culture. Deeda Payton sat down with Lisa Thomas who just returned from two performances in our nation's capitol.
Some may call it the pinnacle of one's career, performing at the Kennedy Center and the Smithsonian Theater, but for Lisa Thomas it's just some of the perks. She says her goal is to celebrate her heritage through music that the public can enjoy.
Native Americans Say Don't Bury ... Power Lines Along Highway 12
George Prentice July 30 2010
Following hundreds of comments filed with the Idaho Department of Transportation, reams of documentation filed by Exxon/Mobil, and untold expenses from the oil superpower, it turns out that the first significant roadblock to its plan to truck massive shipments across U.S. Highway 12 lies on a six-mile stretch of road on national forest land.
In anticipation of the transit, Exxon has been paying several Montana electrical companies to take down over-head power lines and bury them along shoulders of the highway. No such issue exists on the Idaho stretch of Highway 12. But for the giant loads of drilling equipment to make the journey from the Port of Lewiston to the oil sands of Alberta, Canada, they must also travel through Montana. Citing the power-line question, the Lolo National Forest rescinded an order allowing power lines to be buried on Forest Service land pending further review.
It turns out Highway 12 runs adjacent or directly on the Nez Perce National Historic Trail, and the Nez Perce are on record opposing the project.
Tribe excited about wireless possibilities
Joe Sneve August 2, 2010
A telecommunications company created by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe has tribal officials hopeful that it will enhance education on the reservation and give the local economy a shot in the arm.
Standing Rock Telecommunications is the first tribal-owned telecommunications company in the nation that offers cellular phone and wireless broadband service. Beginning with an $11 million investment in 2007, it has put up 18 towers within the reservation that straddles the North Dakota and South Dakota border and secured locations for two branch stores and a headquarters.
SRT General Manager Miles McAllister said the tribe saw a connection between prospering communities and wireless access. With the average income of residents on the reservation at $10,000, he hopes the company can provide new opportunities even as that income level becomes a hurdle to creating a sustainable business.
Iroquois refused to give up their passports
By LORI SHULL TIMES STAFF WRITER SUNDAY, AUGUST 1, 2010
Hogansburg-Iroquois lacrosse players from the United States and Canada were stranded in New York City for a week, but they refuse to give up the passports that caused the problem in the first place.
For a week last month, the team's 23 players were stranded because their Iroquois-issued passports are not up to international standards, being partially handwritten and without anti-forgery devices like holograms or fingerprints. They were trying to get to the World Lacrosse Championships in Manchester, England, but they were denied entry there.
"It was an option that we could get the other passports. It wasn't an option for us; we're a united front," said Ansley M. Jamieson, general manager and assistant coach for the Iroquois Nationals lacrosse team. "If we were going to cave, we would be giving up a lot more. We represent the Haudenosaunee people as a mass."
A condor question: Yurok tribe works toward reintroducing condors on North Coast
With the hope of seeing the California condor's nine-foot wing span again gracing North Coast skies, biologists with the Yurok tribe are busy studying the majestic bird's pedestrian cousin -- the turkey vulture.
Biologists spent much of last week on the hills around Kneeland trapping and testing the vultures, working just a stone's throw from where the last confirmed sightings of the region's wild condors occurred about a century earlier. Armed with a grant received last year, the Yurok tribe is hoping to lay the framework for the condors' reintroduction to the area, which would be of huge cultural significance to the tribe.
"The condor feather features prominently in our jump dance," said Tiana Williams, a wildlife technician with the tribe, adding that the dance tradition, which has been passed down through generations, is very formulaic and specific. "To have a complete dance done in a correct way it is imperative to have condor feathers. We haven't had them in a very long time."
This week on Native America Calling
Tuesday, August 3, 2010–Current Events
The long, hot days of summer are in full swing, and to distract you we've found some of the coolest events going on in Native America. Set against the backdrop of the majestic Black Hills, the Iron Pony Intertribal Honor Run will offer a kick start. Motorcycle riders from all over the country are invited to honor our Native people during this 3-day ride. The Native Learning Center, owned and operated by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, is offering free online courses to teach you how to access grant money. And Crow Fair is also just around the corner. Do you have current event you’d like to share?
Wednesday, August 4, 2010–What is Bad Medicine?
Some say whenever you think bad thoughts about someone or wish ill will towards them, you're putting bad medicine on that person. Typically this is thought of as a bad thing itself – something to avoid doing because, theoretically, when you wish bad luck on someone it may come back to haunt you. But bad medicine goes much deeper than that. Using it is an ancient practice in many of our tribal communities, and it still goes on today. Do you believe in bad medicine? If so, what’s your defense? Guest TBA.
Thursday, August 5, 2010– One Nation, One Year of Photos:
In order to help break the stereotype of the "mystical Indian", one photographer set out on a journey to spend 365 days to find the true spirit of what it means to be Navajo in this day and age. With only 100 bucks in his weekly budget, he took to the place where his people call home – Dinètah. What discoveries did he and his camera come across? How can this type of tribal introspection create understanding and perhaps even change? Why is it important to capture images of our modern tribal communities? Our guest is Don James (Navajo), photographer for the book "One Nation, One Year."
Friday, August 6, 2010–Genetically Altered Salmon:
The New York Times reports that the Food and Drug Administration is "seriously considering whether to approve the first genetically engineered animal that people would eat – salmon that can grow at twice the normal rate." The salmon would not be larger but would reach their target weights in a shorter time, and would be raised in fish farms. Of course, consumer and environmental groups are expected to protest the possible approval. Could this be the answer to the salmon shortage? Or, does this just move us one step further from our natural world? Guests TBA.
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