The pen is mightier than the sword

nata...

The following text was sent to me the other day and needs your response NOW!

THE PEN IS MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD.

Today, the federal government is continuing the genocidal destruction of the Native American people through the process of federal recognition of certain tribes. This paper work is more destructive to The People and more reductive for the federal government than any war that has ever been fought. The laws are designed so that within 100 years there will be no Native American people. We are being eradicated.

In the 1990 census, 1.9 million individuals, or less than 1 per cent of the population, identified themselves as Native Americans. However, it has been reported through various and "unsubstantiated sources" that over 40% of the European and as much as 80% or more of the African descendants who have been here over 100 years, have some Native American blood. Of all Native American tribes, only 542 are federally recognised, including 223 Alaska villages and regional tribes. No other "religion" in the United States is certified by the Federal Government. No other religious members are federally mandated to carry identification cards based on their genetic bloodlines in order to exercise their "inalienable" first amendment rights to practice their religion. Recently, two of our people (Two Feathers Medicine Clan, Native American Church of Itzachilatlan) were arrested in Southern Illinois for having Hawk Feathers in their possession. At the same time, one individual had his pipe bag confiscated because it was made from a doe skin obtained as road kill. This individual was also charged with hunting out of season for gathering pelt from a road-kill beaver. (You may want to know in advance that one of these men is not Native American. He is a white man who has followed this path and both are Sundancers. He is also a bonafide practitioner of the Native American Church. I, too, am of European descent and have followed the Red Road for over 12 years now. Hecetu Yelo.)In July, 1996, an Aztec Indian minister of the Native American Church of Itzachilatlan. who is also a Sundance Chief, was arrested at Chicago O'Hare International Airport and fined for possession of sacred objects consisting of various feathers and animal skins. The Indian minister's objects were confiscated by the U.S. Conservation Department and were not returned to him. This man had traveled thousands of miles to join us in ceremony because we are already joined in a way of life.The purpose of the All My Relations Sundance, is to bring together many tribes as one people, one heart, with one Mother. We saw 22 tribes represented at this first annual Sundance. This letter is a call for support of all Native American traditions by all Native American people; which includes our brothers and sisters in all the Americas ... not just the un-United States.

The Two Feathers Medicine Clan, requests that you join us in working within the current system in a peaceful yet strong way. We ask that you write letters defining what is sacred to you, what you use in ceremony, and why you will be "burdened" by government regulation or denial of these items. Write as quickly and as often as possible. A suggested letter is included. A suggested mailing list is included. We ask that you pray for the man who is facing the possibility of a lifetime prison term for following the Red Road. We ask that you join us in any way that you can, to support each other and the continuation of our traditions and customs and to exercise those rights freely enjoyed by other citizens of this country. If you are interested in the research I have done to assist in the defence of these two men, please read on. Included in this material is:

* excerpts from Senate Bill 1021* excerpts from various articles and papers to outline the legal recourse and guidelines to be used when challenging the First Amendment right to freedom of religion.

* excerpts from a paper submitted to the U.S. outlining the US policy on Human Rights.

* The last pages are the suggested mailing list & letters.

* Sprinkled throughout are my thoughts and opinions. Please feel free to contact me if you have questions or suggestions.

e-mail

Snail Mail:Laurie Cloonan, 2675 W. Hwy. 89A, Suite 1131, Sedona, AZ 86336

SOME SIMPLE FACTS

* Anybody who is not a member of a federally recognised tribe, cannot possess eagle feathers.

* No one, regardless of affiliation, approved or otherwise, may carry any animal parts. (please note that the law, as written, provides for use of non-specified materials and animal parts to be determined. The lack of government action is prohibiting this use because the law is being enforced as if it is not there)

* No indigenous people from South American, Central American, Mexican or Canadian are federally recognised as Native American. Therefore, they have no human rights and are, therefore, subject to confiscation of their sacred objects as well as a fine and/or imprisonment.

* No U.S. citizen of non-native blood may take up these ways.

* No one but the "original Native American" AS DEFINED BY THE U.S. GOVERNMENT will be allowed to walk the red road. How many true Natives does this leave out? We have to re-define true Native.

* Since 1978, 150 groups have notified the BIA of the intention to seek federal recognition.

* As of mid-1994,
* 73 groups had submitted letters of intent to petition
* 26 petitions were incomplete
* 9 petitions were under active consideration;
* 5 were ready for active consideration
* 7 required legislation; and
* 30 had been resolved
* 9 acknowledged as tribes
* 13 denied
* 5 legislatively determined and
* 3 otherwise addressed.

The above numbers were taken from the UN paper, included. I note that 73 groups are referenced, yet the number of actions taken equal 77 groups? Could be a typo. Could be another lie. You decide. My question is: how can it be that a tribe is denied? "Much is spoken of inheritance. What is proven by testing one's DNA and conclusions drawn by this? What of the Great Mystery and the impossible? Can the spirit be seen under the microscope ? I think not." cunsi raven, 3/97The law currently states:

* How Does the Bill Protect Religious use of Eagle Feathers and Other Animal Parts? Existing federal law (16 USC 668a) allows Indian religious use of eagle feathers under a U.S. Fish and Wildlife service permit system. The bill requires USFWS, within one year, to streamline the permit system in consultation with Indian tribes and Native American traditional leaders. Where dead eagles are found on tribal lands, the tribe may regulate the disposition of parts for religious purposes under a tribal permit system.

* Finally, within one year a plan will be developed to dispose of other surplus animal or plant parts by federal agencies.

* What Does the Private Cause of Action Do? It allows aggrieved parties to:

1) enforce provisions of the bill; and
2) all other traditional religious beliefs and practices not specifically mentioned elsewhere in the bill are protected under First Amendment legal standards in effect prior to the 1990 Smith case, when an aggrieved party satisfies the balancing test and the government fails to sustain its burden of proof.

Any decision by a court following such an inquiry is bound to compromise the separation between church and state. What is the burden of proof required? (note: it is the Government, not the people who are required to provide this proof) In short, the Court has routinely held that the religion clauses of the first amendment were intended to keep the state neutral with respect to theological matters. The state is required to deal with such disputes neutrally, to avoid even the appearance of favoring and/or disfavoring one set of theological views. In the 1940 case of Cantwell v. Connecticut, the Supreme Court held that the free exercise of religion is one of the "liberties" protected by the due-process clause. Seven years later, the Court added the Establishment clause to the list. Together, these twin protections- free exercise and nonestablishment-guarantee American religious liberty and have come to be referred to as "the Lemon test". The Establishment Clause "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion". Note that the clause is absolute. It allows no law. Although the text is absolute, the courts have had to place some limits on the exercise of religion. To take an easy example, courts would not hold that the First Amendment protects human sacrifice even if some religion required it. While the freedom to believe is absolute, the freedom to act on those beliefs is not. Compelling State Interest

* has been described as "an interest of the highest order" (10) and must involve such paramount concerns as public health and safety.

* Does the law, or other government action, have a bona fide secular or civic purpose?

* Does the primary effect neither advance nor inhibit religion? In other words, is it neutral?

* Does the law avoid excessive governmental entanglement with religion? In recent years, the Lemon test has come under sharp criticism

from some scholars and from a majority of the justices of the Supreme Court. Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, for example, has proposed a test that focuses on whether a particular governmental action amounts to an endorsement of religion. The Act, which was signed by President Clinton on November 17, 1993, restores the compelling-interest test and ensures its application in all cases where religious exercise is substantially burdened. The "Sherbert Rules" have been introduced The individual must prove that they:

(1) are motivated by a sincere religious belief, and
(2) have been substantially burdened by the government. The state must prove that:
(3) it is acting in furtherance of a "compelling state interest," and
(4) it has pursued that interest in the manner least restrictive, or least burdensome, to religion. I recommend the reading of a paper submitted to the United Nations, by the United State of America, stating the Human Rights policies. This document is titled "Consideration of Reports Submitted by State Parties Under Article 40 of the Covenant", Initial report of State parties due in 1993, Addendum, United States of America, U.N. Doc. CCPR/C/81/Add.4 (1994) "Without even reading the details within the report, I found it amazing that Guam, Samoa, the Marinas,

every territory and possession of the United States was referred to in one single paragraph. The policies are simple and extend common rights to these territories and possessions. The Native American policy, however, is outlined in fifty-three (53) separate paragraphs. At a glance I would call this discrimination. At a glance I see there is great fear in the state and great power in The People. To look up your senator's address on the WEB:

http://www.senate.gov/senator/state.htmlLetters

should be addressed to:

The Honorable __________________________, United States Senate, Washington, D.C. 20510.

Thank you for reading this. We hope that you will write down some of your thoughts and take action with us. If you need our assistance for any reason, please contact me at the address or E-mail listed above. Mitakuye oyasin, Laurie Cloonan, Research Coordinator, Two Feathers Medicine Clan.

governor.illinois@accessil.com Attorney General Jim Ryan, 500 S. Second St., Springfield IL 62706 phone: 217/782-1090 Secretary Of State George H. Ryan, 213 Statehouse, Springfield IL 62706 phone: 217/782-2201 Speaker Lee Daniels, 300 Statehouse, Springfield IL 62706 phone: 217/782-4014 E-mail: speaker@housegop.state.il.us Senate President James ">
President of the Senate Strom Thurmond,
President pro tempore Staff Members Gary Sisco,
Secretary of the Senate Gregory S. Casey,
Sergeant at Arms Elizabeth B. Greene,
Secretary for the Majority Martin P. Paone,
Secretary for the Minority Dr. Lloyd J. Oglvie,
Chaplain4) Committee on Governmental Affairs 202-224-4751 340 Dirksen Senate Office Bldg. Washington, DC 20510-6250 Republicans Fred Thompson, Tennnessee,
Chairman William V. Roth, Jr.,
Delaware Stevens,
Alaska Susan Collins,
Maine Sam Brownback,
Kansas Pete V. Domenici, Jr.,
New Mexico Thad Cochran,
Mississippi Don Nickles,
Oklahoma Specter,
Pennsylvania Democrats John Glenn,
Ohio Carl Levin,
Michigan Joseph I. Lieberman,
Connecticut Daniel K.
Akaka,
Hawaii- Richard Durbin,
IllinoisRobert Torricelli,
New Jersey Max Cleland,
Georgia5)
Committee on Indian Affairs 202-224-2251 838 Hart Senate Office Bldg. Washington, DC 20510-6450
Republicans Ben Nighthorse Campbell, Chairman,
Colorado Frank H. Murkowski,
Alaska John McCain,
Arizona Slade Gorton,
Washington Pete V. Domenici,
New Mexico Craig Thomas,
Wyoming Orrin G. Hatch,
Utah James Inhofe,
Oklahoma Democrats Daniel K. Inouye,
Hawaii, Vice Chairman Kent Conrad,
North Dakota Harry Reid,
Nevada Daniel K.
Akaka,
Hawaii Paul Wellstone,
Minnesota Byron L. Dorgan,
North Dakota6)
American Civil Liberties Union, Legislative Branch, 122 Marilyn Avenue, N. E., Washington, D. C. 200137)
United Nations, referencing U.N. Doc. CCPR/C/81/Add.4 (1994). Attn: United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Centre for Human Rights, New York, NY.

Request that they investigate and intervene on our behalf due to U.S. Noncompliance with Human Rights. Be as specific as you can regarding dates, names and issues.8)
William S. Cohen, Secretary of Defense, Department of Defense, Pentagon, Washington, D. C. 203019)
Mr. John D. White, Assistant Secretary of Defense, Public Affairs, DoD, Pentagon, Washington D. C. 2030110)
Department of Defense, General Counsel, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. 2030111)
Assistant Secretary of Defense, Legislative Affairs, DoD, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. 2030112)
Law Library - Indian nations and tribes E-Mail:

governor.illinois@accessil.com Attorney General Jim Ryan, 500 S. Second St., Springfield IL 62706 phone: 217/782-1090 Secretary Of State George H. Ryan, 213 Statehouse, Springfield IL 62706 phone: 217/782-2201 Speaker Lee Daniels, 300 Statehouse, Springfield IL 62706 phone: 217/782-4014 E-mail: speaker@housegop.state.il.us Senate President James ">
* American Indian Institute, P.O. Box 1388, Bozeman MT 59715
* Anishinabe Akeeng, Box 356, White Earth MN 56591
* Arctic to Amazonia Alliance, Box 73 Stafford VT 05072
* Canadian Alliance in Solidarity with Native Peoples (CASNP), Box 574, Sta. P, Toronto, Ont. M58 2T1 Canada
* Center For World Indigenous Studies, P.O. Box 2574, Olympia WA 98507-2574
* Good Land Coalition, Box 393, Rosebud SD 57570
* HONOR, 2647 N. Stowell, Milwaukee WI 53211
* Indian Law Resource Center, 601 E St., SE, Washington DC 20003
* Lake Superior Greens, Box 1350, Bayfield WI 54814
* Midwest Treaty Network, South/Central Wisconsin Office, 731 State St., Madison WI 53703
* Morning Star Foundation, 403 10th St. SE, Washington DC 20003 1992
* Alliance c/o Richard Hill, P.O. Box 20007, Santa Fe NM 87504
* Sovereignty Network, HCO1, Box 6051-H, Palmer AK 99645
* Wa-Swa-Gon Treaty Association, Box 217, Lac du Flambeau WI 54538
* Women of All Red Nations (WARN), American Indian Center, 1630 W. Wilson, Chicago IL 6064018)
Write an article or a "letter to the editor" and submit to any one or all of the following publications. * Akwesasne Notes, Mohawk Nation, via Rooselveltown NY 13683 Beedaudjimowin, 263 Roncesvalles Ave., Toronto, Ont M6R 2L9 Canada
* Fourth World Journal, Center For World Indigenous Studies, P.O. Box 2574, Olympia WA 98507-2574
* Indigenous Thought, Committee for American Indian History, 6802 SW 13th St, Gainesville FL 32608
* Indigenous Woman, Indigenous Women's Network, Box 174, Lake Elmo MN 55042
* Lakota Times, Box 2180, 1920 Lombardy Dr., Rapid City SD 57709
* Masinaigan, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, box 9, Odanah, WI 54861
* Native Nations, 175 5th Ave., Ste. 2245, New York NY 10010
* News From Indian Country, Rt. 2, Box 2900A, Hayward WI 54843
* Northeast Indian Quarterly, 300 Caldwell Hall, Cornell
* University, Ithaca NY 14853
* Red Nations Movement, Alliance of Native Americans, Box 30392, Los Angeles CA 90032
* Treaty Council News, International Indian Treaty Council, 710 Clayton St., #1, San Francisco CA 9411719)
Center For World Indigenous Studies, P.O. Box 2574, Olympia, WA U.S.A. 98507- 2574, FAX: 360-956-108720)

National Indian Policy Center, The George Washington University Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20052

SAMPLE LETTER - #1
Date
Name
Address
City,
State Zip
Subject: SUPPORT Senate Bill 10.21 and Investigation of Civil Rights Violations Against Native Americans
To whom It May Concern:
I am a (title or position) of the (insert tribe and/or affiliation) and (insert spiritual affiliation or practices). Our religion has always required the use of sacred objects during the practice of our religious ceremonies. Often it is necessary to transport these objects to various sites. Some of our sacred objects consist of feathers from various birds including hawks, eagles, herons, and ducks, to name a few, and diverse animal parts. The American Indian Freedom of Religion Act states that it shall be the policy of the U.S. Government to protect and preserve for American Indians, the inherent right of freedom to believe, express, and exercise their traditional religions, and to use and possess sacred objects. Please be aware that although this law is a positive one, it must be upheld and enforced in spirit, by local authorities. This is not being done. Violations are being perpetrated daily at the local and federal level. No other "religion" in the United States is certified by the Federal Government. No other religious members are federally mandated to carry identification cards based on their genetic bloodlines in order to be given their inalienable first amendment rights to practice their religion. We need your help. We need your support.
Sincerely yours,
your name
your title
your tribe/affiliation
your address

SAMPLE LETTER - #2
Date
Name
Address
City
State Zip

Subject: SUPPORT Senate Bill 10.21 - and Investigation of Civil Rights Violations Against Native Americans

To Whom It May Concern:
With this letter, on behalf of the Two Feathers Medicine Clan, All My Relation Sundancers, the National Congress on Indigenous Rights, and the Native American Church of Itzachilatlan, I am respectfully requesting that you address the violations of our first amendment right of freedom of religion and contradictions with Federal laws regarding possession of various feathers, diverse animal parts, and sacred objects used in religious ceremonies. This issue is covered under Senate Bill 10:21 - To Assure Religious Freedom to Native Americans. Many of our people have had confrontations with county, state, and federal law enforcement officials, resulting in sacred objects being confiscated. Recently, two of our people were arrested in Southern Illinois for having Hawk Feathers in their possession. Also, one individual had his pipe bag confiscated because it was made from a road kill doe skin, and he was also charged with hunting out of season for gathering pelt from a road kill beaver. An Aztec Indian minister of the Native American Church of Itzachilatlan. who is also a Sundance Chief, was arrested at Chicago O'Hare International Airport and fined for possession of sacred objects consisting of various feathers and animal skins. The Indian minister's objects were confiscated by the U.S. Conservation Department and were not returned to him. Our religion was here long before your borders. All Native Americans have the right to the use of their sacred objects without interference from government and without fear of imprisonment or confiscation of these objects. It would appear that "inalienable human rights" apply only to U. S. Citizens. Freedom of religion applies only to non-Native Americans. No other religion" in the United States is certified by the Federal Government. No other religious members are federally mandated to carry identification cards based on their genetic bloodlines in order to be given their inalienable first amendment rights to practice their religion. According to the judicial interpretation of these laws, and the President of the United States, a compelling state interest must be proven by the state in order to prosecute a violation of any Federal or State law, when in conflict with the first amendment freedom of religion. There is no known "compelling state interest" which justifies these actions. I find it inconceivable that two animal skins and two feathers constitutes a true threat to the State of Illinois, or any other state or federal agency. I am writing to inform you of these issues. I request your immediate intervention on behalf of those people who are currently being prosecuted for practising their religion. Clarification of these laws and serious investigation into the improper enforcement of these laws is necessary and appropriate. I appreciate your looking into this matter.

Very truly yours,

Your nameyour address your tribe/affiliation

This problem doesn't just affect Native americans. A CoG member coven in Florida, The Church of the Iron Oak of Palm Bay, has been under attack by local officials through selective enforcement of zoning ordinances. More information is available at their website about their efforts to secure the right to home worship for all Americans.

Posted by Glenn Welker

Glenn Welker's Posterous Blogs

The pen is mightier than the sword

http://web.archive.org/web/19970605035214/http://www.princep.demon.co.uk/nata...

The following text was sent to me the other day and needs your response NOW!