From Rhonda LeValdo, Pres., NAJA

This from Native America Calling

News from the Native American Journalists Association

by Native America Calling on Tuesday, August 24, 2010 at 12:14pm

Rhonda LeValdo Statement

It is upsetting that in today's world a political leader like New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg would tell the Governor of New York, David Paterson to resort to violence when dealing with the issue of untaxed cigarettes on Native American tribal land.

In a radio excerpt Mr. Bloomberg talked about those sales and stated on his radio show: "You know, get yourself a cowboy hat and a shotgun. If there's ever a great video, it's you standing in the middle of the New York State Thruway saying, you know, 'Read my lips - the law of the land is this, and we're going to enforce the law.'"

Going to archaic methods of pressuring ethnic minority groups is never an option.

I am asking that Mayor Bloomberg issue an apology to all tribal nations for his suggestion of violence against Native Americans.

Letter to Mayor Bloomberg

August 20, 2010

Dear Mayor Bloomberg,

The use of the Cowboy and Indian theme when describing how to deal with the tribes in the state of New York demeans all Native American tribes as a people. By enforcing this stereotype you also perpetuate an image of the past that certainly does not pertain to the tribes that reside in your area.

It is apparent you need to open up lines of communication with the tribes to regain some sort of diplomacy. It would also be important to understand what tribal sovereignty is.

Tribes in the area of New York were there before the state was what is known now as New York. It is astonishing that you would take the cavalier attitude of showing them a shotgun to make tribes do what you or your state wants them to do.

Inflicting violence on any ethnic group is not prudent. Even your own faith of being Jewish, would know this course of action is wrong and certainly not humane.

I ask you issue an apology not only to your area tribes but to all tribal nations for suggesting violence against Native Americans.

Sincerely,

Rhonda LeValdo President, Native American Journalists Association

American Indian Heritage Month 2009

USA American Indian Heritage Month 2009 Links and Educational Resources
This list is being updated frequently. Please submit your links.

http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/~jar/IndianLinks.html

http://www.c-span.org/Watch/Media/2009/11/05/HP/R/25569/White+House+Tribal+Nations+Conference.aspx

http://www.nativeculturelinks.com/education.html

http://www.unr.edu/nnap/NT/i-8_9.htm

http://www.kporterfield.com/aicttw/excerpts/antibiasbooks.html

http://www.nps.gov/history/Nr/feature/indian/
http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4800947056024784841#
http://www.indians.org/

http://www.ihs.gov/publicaffairs/heritage/

http://www.nps.gov/history/Nr/feature/indian/2009/black_hawk_powwow.htm

http://www.ncai.org/

Pres. Obama Reaches Out to American Indian Tribes

White House Tribal Nations Conference
President Obama; "I know you've heard this song from Washington before. I know you’ve often heard grand promises that sound good but rarely materialize, and each time you are told, this time will be different, but over the last few years I have had a chance to speak with Native American leaders across the county about the challenges you face and those conversations have been deeply important to me. I get it. I am on your side. I understand what it is to be an outsider. I was born to a teenage mother, my father left when I was two years old, leaving her, my mother and my grandparents to raise me. We didn’t have much, we moved around a lot so, even though our experiences are different, I, I understand what it means to be on the outside looking in. I know what it means to feel ignored, and what it means to struggle, so you will not be forgotten as long as I am in this Whitehouse. Working together we are going to make sure that the first Americans along with all Americans, get the opportunities they deserve, so with that if I am not mistaken I am in a position now to start signing the memorandum then we are going to do a little Q & A.

http://www.c-span.org/Watch/Media/2009/11/05/HP/R/25569/White+House+Tribal+Nations+Conference.aspx

http://www.c-span.org/Watch/Media/2009/11/05/HP/R/25544/Pres+Obama+Reaches+Out+to+American+Indian+Tribes.aspx

Fire and Ice 2009

Union of Indigenous People

Fire & Ice 2009, July 17-19, 2009 is an historic occasion, uniting for the first time the spiritual leaders of North and South America with their relations from the Far North – thus completing the spiritual circle of all America’s Native peoples. The ceremony helps northern indigenous peoples to meet challenges of survival that are closing in on them, challenges that were met by their southern relations generations ago but that continue to threaten all indigenous peoples and the wisdom that they bring to the world. The ceremony brings indigenous peoples from the Four Directions together, reinforcing their bond and establishing a united front in the effort to save the heritage and pass it on to coming generations. This heritage includes values which have sustained indigenous peoples over eons of time, and which are increasingly threatened in the modern world. The sustaining values – faith, gratitude, love, and respect for all Creation – are what the Sacred Fire brings home to the heart.

Visit the website for more information.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day January 27

Video Expressions of the American Holocaust on this International Holocaust Rememberance Day, January 27.

National heritage day honors American Indians

By MARY HUDETZ

PORTLAND, Ore. “For the first time, federal legislation has set aside the day after Thanksgiving” for this year only” to honor the contributions American Indians have made to the United States.

Frank Suniga, a descendent of Mescalero Apache Indians who lives in Oregon, said he and others began pushing in 2001 for a national day that recognizes tribal heritage.

Suniga, 79, proposed his idea to a cultural committee that is part of the Portland-based Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians. The organization took on the cause of a commemorative day, as did the National Congress of American Indians and other groups.

Congress passed legislation this year designating the day as Native American Heritage Day, and President George W. Bush signed it last month.

The measure notes that more Americans Indians than any other group, per capita, serve in the U.S. military. It also cites tribes' artistic, musical and agricultural contributions.

"The Indians kept the Pilgrims alive with turkeys and wild game," Suniga said. "That's the reason it was attached to the Thanksgiving weekend."

After the Thanksgiving weekend, Suniga said, he and other advocates plan to lobby to place the Native American Heritage Day on the nation's calendar annually.

It isn't certain, however, that all tribes would agree that the fourth Friday in November is the best day to recognize their contributions and traditions.

"Thanksgiving is controversial to some people," said Joe Garcia, director of the National Congress of American Indians.

The holiday marks a 1621 feast in which English settlers and Wampanoag Indians celebrated and gave thanks in Massachusetts for their harvest, but it was followed by centuries of battles and tense relations between the United States and tribes.

Unfortunately, tribes have had virtually no time to plan events to commemorate Native American Heritage Day because the legislation creating it was signed only last month, noted Cleora Hill-Scott, executive director of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians.

"What's difficult is this day is going to come and go without much being done." she said.