31 May 2007

Birdsville Intertribal...

7th Annual Intertribal Powwow

June 1-3, 2007

Birdsville Campgrounds, Livingston County,Smithland , KY

972 River Road 42081 US 60 to hwy 137 north 3 mile marker

Benefiting Project Graduation and Orphaned Native American Babies

Host Drum – Mother Earth Beat Drum; Co-Host Drum - Black Eagle Spirit; Invited Drum- Iron Buffalo Spirit; Master of Ceremony - Frank Brent; Arena Director- Little Hawk; Head Lady - Beth Moon feather Huotari; Head Veteran -Barry Redbird Brown; Trade Blanket – Saturday Night 9:00 pm. Vocal Stories by -Grandmother Coyote

Stories told in sign Language by - Kathleen Jett. Demonstrations- Beading, Weaving, Drumming, Dancing.

Kamama 270-965-9432

irnbuffalospirit@aol.com

For camping bfriel@pepb.net


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Manataka Summer Gathering

Aztec Dancers are coming!

Bald Mountain Park, Hot Springs, AR
June 22 - 24 , 2007
Manataka Summer Gathering

www.manataka. org


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For the Benefit of Leonard...

Concerned Arts Coalition presents:

http://www.leonardpeltier.net/newsroom.htm



Benefit Event

Leonard Peltier




Tuesday June 26th 7:30 PM

American Friends Service Committee

1501 Cherry St, Philadelphia, PA



Speakers, video, music,
An American Indian leader wrongfully imprisoned since 1975,
Peltier is currently in Lewisburg prison here in Pennsylvania
After 31 years in prison he will be up for parole again next year in
2008

Honor the Earth, Defend the People, Free Leonard Peltier

Co-sponsored by

Leonard Peltier Defense Committee
www.leonardpeltier.net


Info: 215-843-8933

phillylpsg@aol.com



Leonard Peltier Defense Committee

Email: info@leonardpeltier.net

Website: www.leonardpeltier.net





IPF WEBSITE:

http://users.skynet.be/kola/index.htm

http://www.myspace.com/leonardpeltierisinnocent

e-mail: IPF: ipforum@skynet.be







ONLINE PETITION FOR EXECUTIVE CLEMENCY

http://users.skynet.be/kola/lppet.htm


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29 May 2007

Another One For the "WTF File"...

Well, it looks like Western Civilization has slipped yet another notch. All I can say is, let's all hope Fox doesn't get wind of this one...

--ryan



Outcry Over TV Kidney Competition
A Dutch reality TV programme in which a terminally ill woman will select one of three patients to receive her kidneys has sparked outcry in the Netherlands.
The government has called for the Big Donor Show to be scrapped because it is "wretched" and unethical, according to reports in the Dutch media.

But broadcaster BNN said the aim was to highlight the acute shortage of organ donors in the Netherlands.

It said the show, from the makers of Big Brother, would go ahead as planned.

The 37-year-old donor has been identified only by the name Lisa.

She will make her choice based on the contestants' history, profile and conversation with their family and friends.

Viewers will also be able to send in their advice by text message during the 80-minute show.

The former director of TV station BNN died from kidney failure and spent years on a waiting list for a kidney transplant.



Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/entertainment/6699847.stm

Published: 2007/05/29 08:44:50 GMT

© BBC MMVII



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Quote of the Day...

"We love watching television, because television brings us a world in which television does not exist..."

--Barbara Ehrenreich, Amreican writer and activist



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28 May 2007

Turnabout: "Breeders" Banned...

I couldn't help but read this one with a grin. How many times does the average bloke repeat the mainstream mantra of pseudotolerance "they're okay, but I wouldn't allow it (them) in my house"? Well, now someone is telling them: "Your kind is not welcome in my house!" Ha!

Tell me, how does it feel..?

--ryan



Australian Pub Bars Heterosexuals

A gay pub in the city of Melbourne has won the right to ban heterosexuals - the first time such legislation has been passed in Australia.

The Victorian state civil and administrative tribunal ruled the Peel Hotel could ban patrons based on their sexual orientation.

The pub's management said the move would stop groups of heterosexual men and women abusing gay people.

Civil liberties groups have supported the decision.

'Safe balance'

The tribunal's president said groups of straight women found homosexual men entertaining but that such attention was dehumanising, the BBC's Phil Mercer in Sydney says.

Managers complained raucous hen nights and stag parties created a poisonous atmosphere for its gay clientele, our correspondent says.

"If I can limit the number of heterosexuals entering the Peel, then that helps me keep the safe balance," the hotel's manager, Tom McFeely, told Australian radio, according to the Reuters news agency.

He said while Melbourne had 2,000 venues catering for heterosexuals, his was the only bar aimed exclusively at gay men.

Civil liberties groups said homosexuals should be allowed to relax in places without fear of bullying or intimidation.

Australia's equal opportunity laws prevent discrimination based on race, religion or sexuality.



Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/asia-pacific/6697469.stm

Published: 2007/05/28 08:20:15 GMT

© BBC MMVII

An They Said American Catholics Were Bad News...

Wow! How did the Canadians ever saddled with the reputation of being 'nicely quiet' and safe? Wow! Talk about an 'up your arse and you can kiss mine' statement...

--ryan



Canada Catholics 'Ordain' Women
By Lee Carter
BBC News, Toronto

An ordination ceremony that openly defies Roman Catholic doctrine has taken place in Toronto.


Five women and a married man, all Roman Catholics, have been ordained as priests and deacons by a female Catholic bishop.

However, the Vatican says it will not recognise either the ordinations or the group carrying them out.

The ordination ceremony was held at a Protestant church on the outskirts of Toronto known for its liberal views.

Priestly 'Sacrament'


The building was packed with an enthusiastic congregation.

They watched as Bishop Patricia Fresen, one of the most well-known figures in the Roman Catholic Womenpriests movement, led the five women and one married man through a number of rituals to mark their ordination.

Bishop Fresen was herself ordained in a secret ceremony in Spain in 2003.

But the archdiocese of Toronto said that the organisation responsible for the ordinations had no affiliation or any dialogue with the Roman Catholic Church.

It said that ordaining men into the priesthood was a sacrament that cannot be changed.

But the bishops in the Womenpriests movement claim they are part of the Church's valid apostolic succession, because Catholic bishops in good standing ordained them secretly.



Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/americas/6697271.stm

Published: 2007/05/28 07:36:53 GMT

© BBC MMVII

27 May 2007

Please Don't Forget...

...that BBC reporter Alan Johnston is still missing. Please show your support by signing this petition, which calls upon anyone who has any influence on the situation to increase their efforts to secure Alan's immediate release. As a blogger or website manager, you can also show support by displaying the banner below on your page, click on it to find out more.

--ryan



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15 May 2007

Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site...

Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site Dedicated

© Indian Country Today May 14, 2007. All Rights Reserved
Posted: May 14, 2007
by: Leo Killsback



LA JUNTA, Colo. - Tribal leaders from the Northern Cheyenne, Southern Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes, along with the National Park Service and nearly 500 others, gathered April 28 to dedicate the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site.

After a prayer from Cheyenne Chief Gordon Yellowman, various Indian and non-Indian dignitaries spoke on the tragic event.

''Imagine a place of where families eat, sleep, learn; a place where people share knowledge, live in peace and where children run and play; a place where flags are flown to represent protection; a place of safety and security,'' said Northern Cheyenne President Eugene Little Coyote. ''Now imagine this place disturbed by chaos, gunshots, cries and pleas from the innocent; peace disrupted by attacks of inhumanity. I could be describing the violent events that occurred a few weeks ago on a college campus; an event described as 'the most tragic event in American history,' but I am not. I am talking about the Sand Creek Massacre.''

On Nov. 29, 1864, the Colorado Territory Militia, under the command of Methodist minister Col. John Chivington, attacked the camp of Southern Cheyenne Chief Black Kettle. Although Black Kettle raised an American flag and a white flag of peace, the militia were instructed by Chivington to ''kill and scalp all, big and little; nits make lice.'' Nearly 240 Cheyenne and Arapaho people were murdered, mostly women and children. Women were raped and the dead were mutilated. Body parts of the slain Indians were paraded though Denver in celebration of the massacre.

''The Cheyenne witnessed unimaginable acts of savagery from the volunteers that cold November day. Our people still remember what happened and still brings tears to our eyes,'' said William Walks Along, executive administrator of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe.

Former Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell, R-Colo., was also present. Campbell worked for more than 25 years with the Northern and Southern Cheyenne tribes to gain more public attention as well as federal recognition of the site and event. James Druck eventually purchased nearly 1,500 acres of land on the site as a gift for the tribes. Campbell was also prominent in passing congressional legislation to protect the site and eventually establish it as a national historic site, which now can manage nearly 2,500 acres of the 12,500-acre Sand Creek Massacre site.

''Most Americans during this time perceived American Indians to be savages,'' Campbell said. ''But if there were any savages that day, it was not the Indians.''

Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., made a formal apology of the atrocities committed by the United States.

''I acknowledge and admit the wrongs that were done and tolerated by the federal government here and across the nation. They were wrong and they were deadly. As a senator from a Plains state, I deeply apologize and I'll work to right this wrong,'' Brownback said.

Northern Cheyenne Tribal Councilman Jace Killsback said, ''The Northern Cheyenne are proud and thankful that Sand Creek has been made into a national historic site. It shows that the U.S. and the state of Colorado are taking responsibility and recognizing their past acts of genocide and policies of oppression against American Indians, as well as working to protect and preserve this site.

''Today, the Cheyenne people are currently fighting to protect another site, Noavose or Bear Butte, the birthplace of our nation and the center of our worldview and philosophy. We hope and pray that it will not take the lives of 200 Cheyenne people and 150 years for the U.S. and the state of South Dakota to afford the same responsibility, recognition and protection to Noavose.''


Lumbees Seek Recognition...

Lumbees Testify before U.S. House for Federal Recognition
© Indian Country Today May 14, 2007. All Rights Reserved
Posted: May 14, 2007
by: The Associated Press

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (AP) - North Carolina's Lumbee Indians are again seeking full federal recognition, but once again, they face opposition from within the state's congressional delegation.

Leaders and members went to Washington, D.C., April 18, seeking the full recognition that would bring the tribe's 50,000 members more federal money.

''When asked about my tribe, many times the subject of federal recognition comes up. I do think this creates a stigma that somehow because we are not recognized or have full benefits that we are different than other tribes,'' said Kelvin Sampson, a Lumbee and head coach of the Indiana University men's basketball team. ''The issue of acceptance has created a perception of not being completely whole.''

Sampson and other Lumbees and their supporters testified before the House Committee on Natural Resources.

U.S. Rep. Mike McIntyre, D-N.C., told the committee a bill giving the Lumbees full recognition would correct a problem that dates back to 1956, when Congress recognized the tribe but didn't attach the benefits that come with the recognition.

''During the past few hearings, the Lumbee tribe has heard concerns raised about them as whether they are true Indians,'' McIntyre said. ''Chairman [Nick] Rahall, that question is a dagger in the heart of good, decent and honest citizens who compose the Lumbee tribe. It represents a weak attempt to try and confuse the issue of federal recognition.''

But other members of the North Carolina delegation disagreed, including newly elected Rep. Heath Shuler, D-N.C., whose western North Carolina district includes the Eastern Band of Cherokee.

Shuler and other House members said they would support a bill that would send the tribe's request to the BIA.

Michell Hicks, principal chief of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee in western North Carolina, said recognizing the Lumbees through legislation would undermine the culture and political integrity of other tribes.

Agreeing with Shuler were Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., who testified he would co-sponsor Shuler's bill, and Rep. Walter Jones, R-N.C., who said he opposed the possibility that the Lumbees could build a casino if they got the full recognition.

McIntyre and Sen. Elizabeth Dole, R-N.C., who also testified April 18, are sponsoring bills in support of full federal recognition. Gov. Mike Easley also sent a letter of support.


Aboriginal Repatriation...

I'm happy to hear that these Ancestors will be allowed to return to their homes...

--ryan




Aboriginal Remains Fight Resolved
BBC NEWS

London's Natural History Museum has struck a deal with Australian aboriginal leaders over the remains of 17 indigenous Tasmanians it holds.

The museum had agreed to return the remains to Tasmania, but not until tests were carried out on the bones.

But Tasmanian aborigines viewed the tests as a desecration of their beliefs and took their case to the High Court.

Under the settlement, four DNA samples from the 19th Century specimens will be preserved in Tasmania.

The remains - including teeth, skulls and other bones removed from the island - will be turned over to a delegation from the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre (TAC) in a private ceremony at the museum on Friday.

The agreement means that scientists are not able to complete all the tests they had originally planned. But a Natural History Museum (NHM) spokesperson said the investigations were "conducted to a high level".

She said museum researchers had extracted as much information as they could under limits on testing imposed in the High Court.

Remains repatriated

"The decision by the museum's trustees in November last year represented a willingness to move on from past practices," said Richard Lane, the NHM director of science.

"We're very pleased that we've been able to persuade them to preserve the DNA. We're actually quite enthusiastic that we've come to a constructive agreement. Both parties have travelled a long way," he told BBC news.

Although the museum agreed to return the remains last year, it had maintained the right to continue testing them - taking casts and photographs and subjecting the specimens to CT scans and measurements.

But TAC contested this part of the decision and initiated legal proceedings. In February 2007, an injunction was issued preventing the museum from studying the remains any further. This was subsequently lifted after the museum said it would limit its tests.

Researchers would no longer use "invasive" techniques such as DNA extraction or isotope analysis, the museum agreed. These procedures might have yielded insight into the Aborigines' genetic make-up, their diet and aspects of their culture.

Under the agreement now reached, DNA samples from four of the remains will be preserved in Tasmania under the joint control of the NHM and the TAC. These samples were extracted from the remains before the decision was taken to return them.

"We have to work with the TAC for a framework that allows scientists to have access [to the DNA samples]. We have no preconceptions about how that is going to work," Professor Lane said.

Colonial history

TAC representative Greg Brown told BBC News: "Now we have some power and say over what happens. Nothing can happen to the DNA samples unless it has the joint approval of the parties.

"There are a lot of sensitivities over the use of DNA by our people and we want to have control over what happens with that." He could not comment on what types of research the TAC might find offensive, but said decisions would be made in consultation with the whole community.

Mr Brown added that aboriginal leaders believed the samples should eventually be buried.

The TAC objects to testing because it desecrates the beliefs of its community. The dead are said to be "souls in torment" until properly buried, according to aboriginal custom.

The Tasmanian materials were largely collected in the 19th Century by George Augustus Robinson, who had been contracted by the colonial government of the day to clear lands by force for European settlers.

On his death, the remains were passed into the possession of other individuals and eventually deposited in UK institutions, and then gradually brought under the keeping of the Natural History Museum.

Scientists in the UK say the Tasmanian remains could shed light on human evolution, and particularly on the colonisation of Australia.

Tasmanian populations appear to have been isolated from mainland aboriginal Australians for 10,000 years until the arrival of Europeans in the 19th Century.

According to the TAC, there were around 8,000 Aboriginals in Tasmania when the British settled the island in 1802, but by 1850 there were just 47 left, after thousands were killed in massacres and or by disease brought in by the colonists.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/science/nature/6645161.stm

Published: 2007/05/10 23:29:42 GMT

© BBC MMVII

BAD Wolf...

Are we really surprised at this breach of ethics? After all, the credo of the Bu$h Administration seems to be "Ethics? What ethics? We don't need no stinking ethics!" And I just love all the crap about the "attempted coup" possibly "poisoning US relations with Europe" (Reality check on aisle 4!)-- uh, I think that we took one too many big dumps on Europe a long time ago dude...

--ryan



Wolfowitz 'Broke World Bank Laws'
A panel of executives at the World Bank says its President Paul Wolfowitz broke bank rules in awarding a substantial pay rise to his girlfriend.

The directors said the full board of the World Bank should consider whether Mr Wolfowitz was still able to provide effective leadership.

He is due to appear before the full 24-member board in Washington.

The board has the power to dismiss Mr Wolfowitz, reprimand him or report a lack of confidence in his leadership.

In remarks released ahead of the board meeting, the panel said Mr Wolfowitz provoked a "conflict of interest" at the World Bank.

It ruled he had broken the bank's code of conduct and violated the terms of his contract.

The full board must address the issue of Mr Wolfowitz's ability to continue in his job, the panel urged.

A spokesman for the US treasury secretary said the panel's findings did not merit Mr Wolfowitz's dismissal.

Censure 'likely'

"[The board must consider] whether Mr Wolfowitz will be able to provide the leadership needed to ensure that the bank continues to operate to the fullest extent possible in achieving its mandate," the panel concluded.

The BBC's James Westhead, in Washington, says the signs do not look good for the World Bank head, with the tone of the panel's comments suggesting he will face at least some kind of censure.

Mr Wolfowitz has faced calls for him to step down since details emerged about his role in securing a pay rise for his partner, Shaha Riza, after he was appointed president of the World Bank in 2005.

When Mr Wolfowitz took over Ms Riza was transferred to work for the US state department, to avoid any conflict of interest.

But her salary rose quickly to about $193,000 (£98,000) - more than the $186,000 Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice receives before tax.

The World Bank has since been investigating the extent of Mr Wolfowitz's role in securing the pay increase.

'Attempted coup'

Mr Wolfowitz has received the backing of senior figures in the US administration, including an endorsement by Vice-President Dick Cheney.

But he is less popular with European governments, which hold key positions on the board of the bank.

David Rifkin, a former justice department lawyer and friend of Mr Wolfowitz, told the BBC he found the panel's position inexplicable because Mr Wolfowitz had acted based on advice from the bank.

Many people viewed the row as an anti-American power play by European countries, he said.

"If this attempted coup against Mr Wolfowitz succeeds, it would poison US relations with Europe for quite some time to come," he warned.

"This is not an effort to oust him by people from regions in the developing world who supposedly may have not been happy about his anti-corruption efforts, they are all for him. It is about the Europeans and it is about in essence poking this administration in the eye."

Mr Wolfowitz was considered a controversial choice ever since President Bush nominated him to head the World Bank, because of his high-profile role during the early part of the Iraq war.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/business/6656369.stm

Published: 2007/05/15 09:38:05 GMT

© BBC MMVII