Mothers in roof protest at Villawood

By Malcolm Brown and Cynthia Banham
SMH. July 15, 2004

Two mothers and their children staged a rooftop demonstration
yesterday in protest at the removal of families from Villawood
Detention Centre yesterday to other compounds in South Australia.

The two mothers, one Malaysian and one Tongan, held a banner which
read "No, forget Baxter, we refuse to go, release the children."

The Department of Immigration had made its move earlier yesterday
when about 40 officers went into Villawood to speak to what
protesters claimed were 10 families, four of whom were then taken
from the centre.

Frances Milne, of the Coalition for the Protection of Asylum Seekers,
said the removals were not voluntary. She said: "The children were
screaming and their parents were upset. They had all asked not to be
removed."

Fathers and sons older than 18 were taken to Baxter detention centre
in South Australia while women and children under 18 were taken to
Port Augusta, 10 minutes' drive away, in effect putting them under
house arrest.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Merlin Luck, the 24-year-old former Big Brother contestant, who
staged his protest about confinement of children at the time of his
expulsion from the show, said: "They are supposed to be moving
voluntarily. But the administrators have found it necessary to bring
in more security guards." Three reporters were escorted out of the
Villawood complex by security guards.

No more families were removed yesterday but the activists including
Children Out of Detention (Chilout) thought this was calculated.

Mr Luck said: "It would be refreshing if the Government starts to
justify their actions and policies rather than patronising and
misguiding and misinforming the Australian people with diversional
sidesteps."

Leonie Gardner, of Chilout, said the children were being uprooted to
somewhere remote where their friends could not reach them.

A spokesman for the Immigration Minister, Senator Amanda Vanstone,
confirmed that two single mothers each with one child, and two other
families each with a mother, father and child, had been taken to
Baxter, but it had not been against their will.

"Those that didn't want to go don't have to go," he said. "The offer
is being made to them because by going to Baxter they can access the
Port August residential housing project," he said.

A group of families launched an application yesterday in the federal
court in Melbourne to stop the Government forceably moving them to
South Australia. Julian Burnside QC, representing the detainees, said
the move would split families and cost the detainees more money
because the daily rate they are charged for detention is much higher
in South Australia.

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/07/14/1089694426302.html?
from=storylhs



MEDIA: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hungerstrike * * * * * * * * WEB: http://www.nauruwire.org

 

  Beyond Race and Citizenship:

Indigenous Identitiy in the 21st Century

October 28-30, 2004

Lipman Room, Barrows Hall

University of California, Berkeley

As we begin the 21st century, political recognition –within the context of great population displacements and current globalization processes -- has been and continues to be a primary locus of struggle for Indigenous nations, international confederations, national, regional, and local organizations, and Indigenous persons at-large. In striving for recognition, Indigenous peoples have made a critique of the terms of recognition a critical part of the political struggle. Recognizing legal and racial identities as legacies of Imperialism, Indigenous activists and scholars are probing the ways that individual-centered western concepts embody gendered and cultured norms of citizenship. Indigenous groups are reimagining, challenging, and inventing new modes of political activism that are reshaping the contours of political recognition. Equally importantly, these re-rememberings and reimaginings are taking a multiplicity of paths and forms: legal, cultural, artistic, academic, socio-political, and economic.

This conference is being organized for the purpose of providing a forum for Indigenous scholars from a broad range of disciplines to address and reflect upon the most recent forms of “Indigeneity” and its politics of re/membering Indigenous identity in a global and local context. The conference will include participants from the UC as well as renowned scholars from outside of California and outside of the United States. Confirmed keynote speakers include Leroy Little Bear, Wilma Mankiller, and Linda Tuhiwai Smith. In addition, the conference will consist of six panel discussions that will address several interwoven themes including:

 

¯     Indigenizing and Claiming Culture

¯     Indian-Indian Relations

¯     Mapping Our World View (Archaeology, Land, History, Religion, Language)

¯     Shared Experiences of Indigeneity in a Global Context

¯     Historicizing and Dehistoricizing Gender

¯     Critical Themes and Emerging Issues

 

 

For the latest information on the conference, check out the Center’s website. If you would like to get involved in the CRG’s Indigeneity Working Group, contact Majel Boxer at centerrg@....

 

 

American Genocide
by Steven Malik Shelton
(Thursday 15 July 2004)



"Modern, state sponsored genocide is, perhaps, the least obvious
because it is always shrouded in patriotic covers and obscured with
nationalistic platitudes and slogans. The mass media of nations that
systematically erode the humanity of others, is usually engaged to
simplify the process and to reduce the targeted people into objects."


The year 2004 commemorates the horror of the wide scale genocide that
occurred in Rwanda a decade ago. During this carnage, it is estimated
that close to a million Tutsi were methodically butchered by their
Hutu neighbors and countrymen. The slaughter was carried out over a
few months, marking it with the infamous distinction of being,
perhaps, the most intense and accelerated genocide in modern history.
In contrast it took the Nazi's several years to kill 14 million
people, approximately half of them European Jews.
Sadly, the horrendous stain and stench of genocide did not begin or
end with the demonic killing spree in 1994 Rwanda, and if we are to
make an earnest effort to examine these tendencies, learn from them,
and ensure that they are less likely to occur again, we must study
the dynamics, the ideologies, and the practices of a land that has
long posed behind a facade of liberty, democracy, and justice. We
must remove the blinders and peer into its unique and sordid legacy
of racism, sexism, flagrant greed, and genocidal policies and
practices.
* * * * *
The calculated murder of millions of indigenous people for the core
purpose of amassing land, wealth, and resources, was initially
carried out under the command of Christopher Columbus. In a brazen
attempt to find an expedient route to India, Columbus and his crew
(lost and half-starved) landed on the large island of what is now
called Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
Columbus was impressed with the natives generosity, good manners, and
compassion, yet instead of being inspired by these qualities he
considered them signs of weakness, childishness, and inferiority. He
soon demanded that the natives turn over to him all their gold. When
they were unable to satisfy him, they were given quotas and forced to
work. Those that failed to produce enough for their enslavers were
tortured in fiendish ways. One of the most common was to cut off the
limbs. Ward Churchhill, explains in his revealing book, `Indians are
Us':
"The tribute system, instituted by the Governor sometime in 1495, was
a brutal way of fulfilling the Spanish lust for gold and
acknowledging
Spanish distaste for labor. Every Taino over the age of fourteen had
to supply the rulers with a hawk's bell of gold every three months
(or in gold-deficient areas, twenty-five pounds of spun cotton);
those who did were given a token to wear around their necks as proof
that they had made their payment; those who did not were, as
(Columbus's brother, Fernando) says discreetly "punished"- by having
their hands cut off, and left to bleed to death."[1]
Christopher Columbus spearheaded a system of chattel slavery and
systematic extermination that resulted in the deaths of 8 million
natives, virtually killing off the entire population in 50 years.
Over the next few centuries, the European penchant for greed and
violence, culminated in the elimination of over a hundred million of
the indigenous people in the land that became known as South America.
Genocide in North America
There are few episodes in human history as sad or as shameless as the
calculated mass murder, displacement, and plunder that was
perpetuated against the indigenous population of North America.
Although not as extensive in terms of total numbers killed as in
South America, for sheer sneakiness, underhandedness and bold-faced
hypocrisy, there are few eras that could rival it.
It was, in fact, among the British colonizers of the North American
hemisphere that the first documented instance of biological warfare
occurred. Sir Jeffrey Amherst, (commander in chief of the British
forces) and the correspondence sent between him and a junior officer
indicate that a fiendish plan was hatched to intentionally infect the
native population with small pox virus. This was facilitated through
the procurement of infected blankets and handkerchiefs from army
hospitals and the distribution of them to the natives in what was
ostensibly a humanitarian gesture. On June 24, captain Ecuyer, of the
Royal American British Army recorded in his journal: "...We gave them
two blankets and a handkerchief out of the smallpox hospital. I hope
it will have the desired effect."[2]
To better ensure that it did have the desired result, the natives
were then directed to return to their villages so that they would
(predictably) be in the ideal position to infect other members of
their tribes and nations and the small pox (one of the most dangerous
and painful sicknesses imaginable) would spread like wild fire.
Newspapers and eyewitness accounts verify that it did, making one
question how much of the spread of "white mans diseases" among the so-
called Indians were really just accidental.
Starvation was another tactic utilized by the colonizers. In many
reservations and internment camps, the natives were simply isolated
on desolate lands and had food and clothing withheld from, or sold
away to the highest bidder by unscrupulous Indian agents or camp
commanders. Moreover, the purposeful and wasteful killing of the
buffalo decimated the plains Indians by eradicating their major food
supply. Another method was to place bounties on the heads of natives,
regardless if the possessor was man, woman, or child. The Hollywood
depiction of United States cavalry soldiers protecting themselves or
peaceful white settlers from the savage onslaught of hostile Indians
are simply not true. More often than not, it was US army units who
were the marauders and they would routinely attack the sleeping
native encampments during the pre-dawn hours, slaughtering everyone
within.(A favorite practice to dispose of Native American infants was
to grab them by their ankles and to bash ! their brains out against
the trunks of trees).
Another genocidal technique was to force march the Indians (already
weak from starvation and hypothermia) for hundreds of miles to a far
off "reservation." Typically, as in the case of the Cheyenne nation,
half of them died along the way.
Most historians concur that there were between 12 and 50 million
Native Americans on the North American when the first European
explorers and settlers arrived. Four centuries later, the Native
population had been reduced to approximately 200,000.
African Genocide
The crimes perpetuated on African people during over three centuries
of chattel slavery are unimaginable in their cruelty and debauchery.
In fact, the deeds are so alternatively callous and vicious that most
people resort to a kind of psychic disassociation and denial.
The genocide against the Africans is unique in that it was designed
not only to systematically ravage and destroy physical bodies it
deemed rebellious or unsuitable and to exploit those that were
considered ideal for work and breeding.
It was like no other because it sought to completely destroy all of
the mental, and spiritual characteristics that make a person a human
being. The language, the religion, the institution of marriage, the
bonds between parents and children, and between siblings were all
methodically assaulted through a ghastly series of physical and
psychological torments that have no equal in the annals of human
history.
From the moment the Africans were captured they were subjected to the
most severe humiliation and torment. Shackled together in long slave
caravans, they were often marched for thousands of miles to the coast
where they were imprisoned like cattle inside giant holding pens.
Contrary to popular belief, usually about half of those captured were
children under the age of 16, with many being no more than toddlers.
Infants were summarily disposed of, for the slave raiders considered
them too bothersome to take along.
Once the time came for them to be loaded on the ships, they were
branded and chained together by their necks, hands, and feet. Many
had to be flogged and clubbed aboard, as they clung with all their
strength to the African soil of their ancestors.
Their condition in the bowels of the ship are too heinous to
adequately describe. Every available space in the hold was utilized,
and they were often laid on their sides spoon fashion or packed in,
head to foot, like sardines with hardly any room to turn or to sit
up.
Fettered with rusty iron cuffs, they lay for months in the stench of
urine, vomit, feces, blood, and mucus. The skin of their knees, hips
and backbones were quickly worn away by the friction of the wooden
slabs, exposing raw flesh,
The women and children were usually held in a separate hold, and they
had their own vile brand of horror to contend with. The African men
would listen helplessly to the frantic screams of their sisters,
their wives, their young sons and daughters, as the Europeans
enslavers fell upon them to satisfy their deviant sexual lusts.
Periodically, the captured Africans would be taken aloft (topside)
and ordered to jump and dance for exercise and to be examined for
injury and disease. At the first sign of serious illness, the
Africans would be thrown, still chained, overboard, where they would
inevitably be drowned and devoured by sharks.
Rumors would circulate among the chained Africans as they lay in the
coffin like hold feeling the pitch of the ship rise and fall, as to
the purpose of their capture buy these strange, alien, and pale
creatures. Some offered that their captors, although in the form of
men, were in fact demons on a unholy mission to transport them to
hell for some past mis-deeds. Others were under the impression that
they were to be skinned and their flesh used as leather for the
manufacture of shoes. Still others were certain that they were to be
fattened up like livestock and eaten. And from the ghastly treatment
they received from their captors, there was little to assuage these
concerns.
Yet, with all the torments, the chains, the guns, the clubs; yes even
the boiling vat of hot oil the whites kept ready to pour on them from
above the hold at the slightest sign of insurrection, the Africans
discerned in the eyes of their tormentors, a deep and abiding fear.
It is estimated that anywhere between 50 to 100 million Africans were
killed during the "middle passage." Millions more would endure
various forms of exploitation, oppression and death, once they
arrived in the wilderness of North America.
"I have studied with great interest the laws of several American
states concerning reproduction by people whose progeny would in all
probability, be of no value or be injurious to the racial stock."[3]
-- Adolph Hitler
American Influences on Hitler
Nazi Germany of the 1930's and 1940's has become synonymous with the
creed and practice of racial superiority, genetic manipulation, and
the wholesale murder of those considered weak, incompetent, and
inferior. Yet, neither Adolph Hitler or the racist philosophy and
infrastructure that he established came into existence out of thin
air. They were, in fact, well woven within the stained fabric of
American social and institutional life.
Regardless of which direction one turned, or into which institution
one peered, (whether legislative, executive, judicial, medical, or
academic) white racism stared back, ugly, irrational, insidious, and
smug.
Although Hitler utilized the modern tools of a highly propagandized
and industrialized nation to spring his assault on millions of people
that he stigmatized as sub-human, he borrowed his ideas of white
supremacy and genetic purity from the United States. Moreover, his
strategy and implementation of displacement, internment, slave labor,
medical experimentation on human subjects, and his fixation with the
mad science of eugenics, were also inspired by his knowledge of
American history.
Hitler and his underlings acquired a racist dogma and utilized it in
a quest to produce a blue eyed blond haired, "master race." He sought
to achieve this by several methods. He ordered that non-Nordics be
systematically annihilated through forced labor, starvation, gassing,
beating, and sterilization. He also enacted laws that making it
illegal, under penalty of severe punishment, for whites to marry non-
whites. Encouraged by an enthusiastic (white)German acceptance,
Hitler quickly set up the state machinery of segregation, removal,
internment, and murder of all those he perceived as sub-human and
undesirable.
A powerful tool of Hitler's fascist and racist system was the
pseudoscience known as eugenics. The eugenics movement, did not
originate with Hitler and the Nazis, but was conceived and
implemented in the United States at the beginning of the 20th
century, and financed and facilitated by powerful Americans in
business, politics, and the judiciary. The forerunner to Hitler's
twisted vision, American eugenics sought to terminate all other
racial, ethnic, and social classes that were deemed unworthy, or
burdensome. It began as a dogma hatched in the minds and spewed in
the boardrooms, classrooms, and lounges of some of Americas' most
respected businesses and most prestigious universities and social
clubs. It's adherents believed that those groups that possessed
inferior gene pools, should be eliminated, so as not to corrupt or to
circumvent those who were the carriers of superior genetic material.
Those who were categorically designated as inferior were always the !
Black, the Brown, and the Asian, but were not limited to them alone
but included any individual or group that had a perceived weakness,
whether it was poverty, mental retardation, or physical sluggishness.
Immigrants were also vigorously targeted, especially those from
eastern Europe and the Mediterranean.
The American eugenic movement was subsidized and facilitated through
lofty private and public agencies and departments. Edwin Black writes
in his revealing book, `War Against the Weak':
The main culprits were the Carnegie Institute, the Rockefeller
Foundation, and the Harriman railroad fortune, in league with
America's most respected scientists hailing from such prestigious
universities as Harvard, Yale, and Princeton, operating out of a
complex at Cold Spring Harbor on Long Island.
The eugenic network worked in tandem with the US Department of
Agriculture, the State Department, and numerous state governmental
bodies and legislatures throughout the country, and even the US
Supreme Court.
They were all bent on breeding a eugenically superior race, just as
agronomists would breed better strains of corn. The plan was to wipe
away the reproductive capability of the weak and inferior."[4]
Indeed, the seeds of ignorance, fear, and hatred that were the basis
of the eugenics movement can be traced back to the 15th century, and
the first contact of Europeans with the people of Africa and the
indigenous people of the American continent, for coupled with the
desire to plunder and to usurp, was the desire to justify these
actions by concocting outrageous racial doctrines and theories.
Eventually the descendants of those early conquerors, who had
inherited the wealth, the privileges, and the savage legacy of their
forefathers, began to develop wild theories of their own.
The cancer of racism, systemized to exploit, oppress, and repress a
group because of so-called racial characteristics, and genocide (the
mass killing of people for political, economic, and/or ideological
reasons) cannot be blamed on any single individual, though we scour
the history books , and attempt to isolate them from the social,
political and economic systems that molded them and enabled them.
Indeed, racism does not entrench itself in society except through the
establishment of institutions fed by cultural mores, and these
cultural icons and institutions turn out racists, as surely as a
diary factory will churn out cheese.
Contemporary American Genocide
Genocide is not a practice (or a condition) that is regulated to the
garbage heap of the past, or limited to some war torn and exotic
land, but is very much a part of the American political, economic,
educational, and legal landscape. Contemporary genocide in America is
a quiet force creeping silently and largely unnoticed by most. It,
nevertheless, has manifested itself in many insidious ways,
particularly among African and Native Americans.
It should be reiterated that the dynamics of genocide does not solely
pertain to the physical demise of a people, but includes all those
elements and effects that lead to or that cause a calculated assault
that weakens the targeted group in such a way that it results in
economic, medical, political, educational, or ideological death.
With this in view, we find that regardless of what decade or era we
examine, or with what statistics we analyze, there is evidence that
Black people in America are being systematically and methodically
strangled.
There is a climate of racial hatred in America (as there has been for
centuries) that is conducive to acts of genocide, by individuals, as
well as institutions. Somehow, the life of a Black man, or woman, or
child is perceived to be not as important or as worthy as that of a
White. Black children who are abducted or who are murdered, rarely
make the national news. This elite media service is apparently
reserved for whites only. Although the same media is very prompt and
adept at projecting Blacks as criminals, ignoramuses, and buffoons.
This negative stereotyping , along with the American educational
system's penchant for ignoring Black genius and contributions, marks
Blacks as non-people, whose lives are not as important or as vital
and thus sets Blacks up to be beaten, choked-out, shot, locked up,
and locked out.
The judiciary system reinforces the concept that Blacks are un-people
by consistently giving out lighter sentences for offences against
Blacks, and harsher penalties for Blacks who have the temerity to be
convicted of crimes against whites. Also, overall Blacks are
consistently jailed, convicted, and sentenced disproportionately to
their national numbers. (Although Blacks make up approximately 13
percent of the nation, we average 60 percent of the jail and prison
populations). Black men in prison cannot be effective husbands and
fathers, or the protectors of their families or communities.
Abortions and other sterilization procedures are encouraged and
directed at young African American women in the social agencies and
in many inner city hospitals.
In fact, a "no cost" sterilization procedure is, perhaps, the only
operation in which a Black person need not worry about being billed.
The prospective client is assured by the hospital staff that the
process can take place with no charge.
Housing for most Black Americans is still segregated, dilapidated,
and unhealthy. Many situated near toxic waste dumps or the gigantic
chimney stacks of bellowing industrial complexes. Periodically, the
local newspapers will run horror stories of peeling paint and the
dire effects of lead poisoning on ghetto children.
Heath care is at best marginal, and in many instances, non-existent.
And in many of the country's larger cities, trauma hospitals (with a
primary Black patient base), are being moved out or shut down because
of "mismanagement" or "lack of funds," thus putting Black people in
the deadly predicament of having to traverse long distances to be
admitted into emergency care.
There is a dangerous revitalization in the proliferation of racist,
neo Nazi and American White supremacist groups. The so-called right
wing intelligentsia is also hard at work cranking out the time worn
drivel about inherent White superiority and Black inferiority.( The
racist theories in the popular best seller, `The Bell Curve' is one
example).
Beginning in the late 1960's (with a renewed assault in the mid
1980's and the advent of crack cocaine) the Black communities across
America have been saturated with a steady supply of the most
destructive drugs and chemical poisons.
Whether, heroin, crack cocaine, alcoholic beverages, cigarettes,
marijuana, or toxic pharmaceutical substances posing as medicines,
they all corrode both the quality and the quantity of Black life.
This despicable form of chemical warfare has plagued us, in one form
or another, for decades. Yet, few suspected how deliberate it was
until the 1994 revelation by a San Diego newspaper that the U S
government (through the Central Intelligence Agency had carried out a
scheme to spread crack cocaine across Black America. These
allegations prompted California Representative, Maxine Walters, to
start an investigation. She discovered that the allegations were,
indeed, supported by the facts.[5]
Since the mid-1980's, AIDS and HIV had silently devastated Black
America.
Several respected and renowned scientists, nutritionists, and medical
doctors have come forth with convincing evidence that these diseases
are man made biological weapons produced in government laboratories
for the purpose of decimating Black people world wide.
Dr. Jack Felder, a biochemist who was employed by the US army in it's
germ warfare program, discloses that the AIDS epidemic was planned
and commissioned with the sanction of the United States government
and the World Health Organization.[6] And Dr. Leonard G. Horowitz,
makes the case that HIV/AIDS, is the result of a national security
strategy hatched under the Nixon and Carter administrations to reduce
the populations of Black and Brown people.
Dr. Horowitz writes that Nixon's National Security Advisor, Henry
Kissinger, called for massive third world depopulation, fearing that
overpopulation in third world countries would place a drain on
western resources and lead to the destabilization of the United
States. Later, under the Carter administration, the new head of the
NSA, Zbigniew Brzezinski, secretly drew up what was called National
Security Memorandum 46, authorizing the FBI and the CIA to initiate
genocidal policies and procedures.[7]
Conclusion
Modern, state sponsored genocide is, perhaps, the least obvious
because it is always shrouded in patriotic covers and obscured with
nationalistic platitudes and slogans. The mass media of nations that
systematically erode the humanity of others, is usually engaged to
simplify the process and to reduce the targeted people into objects.
Thus entire blocks, villages, cities, even countries, can be
obliterated with such euphemisms as "the neutralization of pockets of
resistance" or "winning the war on terror".
Statistics do not remotely give an account of the terrible carnage
and horror of genocide, for numbers do not reveal the twisted,
bloated bodies, they do not convey the burned off limbs, and they do
not echo the horror of a child's screams as it's body is riddled with
bullets, perforated with shrapnel, or blow apart by a strategic land
mine.
Very often genocide is made palatable, or at least tolerable, by
sophisticated propaganda networks that work at the behest of the
political/military machinery that drop the bombs, and shoot the
missals. It is usually hidden behind the bright facade of some noble
or humanitarian cause. Thus, the killing of 10,000 Somalian civilians
in 1992, was dubbed "operation breadbasket" and the massacre of tens
of thousands of Iraqis during the 2003 US led invasion was
labeled "operation Iraqi freedom". Even the systematic murder and
plunder of millions of Native Americans is described as "civilizing
the continent". Yet, apart from the physical toll, genocide
integrates itself within the land, and nests itself within the
consciousness, long after the bodies are buried and the screams are
silenced. It takes it greatest toll, perhaps, in the ghastly stain it
leaves on the human heart and psyche. It remains to be seen, whether
after years, or decades (or even after centuries) this terrible
imprint can be removed.
Notes and References:
[1]. Ward Churchhill, "Indians are Us," Common Courage Press, 1994
[2]. Ibin
[3]. "Ethnic Cleansing in Connecticut, Our State's Role in the Nazi
eugenics Movement" accessible online at:
http://www.hartfordadvocate.com/gbase/ News/content.html?
oid=oid:32556
[4]. Edwin Black, "War Against the Weak," 2003
[5]. Barbara Reynolds, "A Conversation with Maxine Waters", Essence
Magazine, Jan. 1999
[6]. "AIDS Update", Global Africa Pocket News, accessible online at:
http://www.globalafrica.com/AIDSupdt.htm
[7]. Dr Leonard G. Horowitz, "Death in the Air: Globalization,
Terrorism, and Toxic Warfare", Tethahedron Publishing Group, 2001

From: Treaty1851@...

I thought some members of this group might be
particularly interested in my new novel, THIS IS
NOT CIVILIZATION, which takes place in both a
native village in Central Asia and on a
reservation in Arizona.  It deals with issues of
globalization and cultural preservation.

The novel has been well reviewed recently in the
Sunday New York Times Book Review, The LA Times
Book Review, The Christian Science Monitor, and
New
York Newsday, among other places.  It is
currently a Book Sense pick, and has also been
selected as a Borders Books Original Voices
selection.

More information and reviews can be found at:

http://robertalanrosenberg.com/

Best,

Robert Rosenberg






__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Vote for the stars of Yahoo!'s next ad campaign!
http://advision.webevents.yahoo.com/yahoo/votelifeengine/

To those here that are like me, trying to be a better person, on this
earth to learn to become a human being, I salute you. To the rest,
and I don't have to name names, shame on you!  I will not treat
anyone the way I have been treated. I will instead do as my Elders
have taught me to do.  I will continue to pray for you and I will ask
the drum to play an honor song for you, that you may find honor.
Until today I have considered myself an Indian and a Christian. I had
no trouble accepting a man/God named Jesus and still see the lessons
from a nurturing mother sparrow.  I have learned from Elders in the
community and elders in the church. I have studied many religions
including Christianity and have learned many good things from each.
From this day forward, however, I will no longer call myself a
Christian.  I am embarrassed to identify myself with those who
profess that they believe in God, and love and charity and hurt those
who have done the most for them.  It hurts me to say that many of the
people I have looked up to, have become an embarrassment to me.  Many
of the people I counted as among my friends, when given the
opportunity to attack me have been relentless in making up lies,
innuendo, and false accusations.  Why? I can't tell you why because I
don't understand how a person can be a friend one day and the next
threaten to kill you, insult your family, attack your religion and
call you names.  It is especially bad when many of these things are
done "behind your back" in secret little chat rooms and closed
forums.  I can't understand what would make a person do these
things.  I get angry when I'm attacked and have filed two Libel suits
in federal court. 5 years of people making up lies is just too much.
And when some will stoop so low as to use the misfortune of a five-
year-old and seven-year-old Cherokee Girls to do their dirty work it
makes me more than mad it makes me sad.  Sad that people who claim to
be Native American Indians, and they may be, would claim to be
Christians or traditional and treat another person the way they do.
I know many traditional people, many Elders, many young people who do
not act this way.  There are many here who should be ashamed of
themselves.  All this talk about helping Indian people! If you don't
care for the little ones can you truly say you care for the Elders?
Have you helped an Elder this week?  Have you taught a child? There
are many good people here and to them I apologize for this tirade. To
those others….Like I said I'll just pray for you.
I have always asked for forgiveness if I have harmed anyone and tried
to make things right.  If those who attack my family now would be
honest they would admit that I tried.  When a person tells me who
they are I don't start an investigation, I accept them for who they
say they are.  I have been sucked into checking other people out in
the past. Usually to find there was nothing bad to find out.  Those
people that use other people for their own purposes are just wrong!
Don't let yourselves fall prey to these attackers.  Don't be pawns
for those who spread hate and discourse.  I hope I never again meet
one of these people and will surely not stoop to the low down tactics
they use against people they call their relatives. Tonight I am
embarrassed that I had called some of these people my friend, invited
them to my home, introduced them to my family, to my mother no less!
These same people call me a fraud?  I have served in the Armed Forces
to protect my country, I have volunteered more hours than many of
those reading this have been on this earth, my father served humanity
and put his life on the line every day of his life in the Army, as a
Deputy Sheriff, as a Policeman, and in the Coast Guard port
security.  My sons have served in the Navy and Marine Corps, One is
on his way to becoming a Deputy now.  I have worked as a full time
police officer, volunteer reserve officer and served in the US Army,
US Army Reserve, US Army National Guard.  Yeah it is all documented
if anyone should care to ask me instead of others that think they
know me. I really don't know why it is any ones business but my own
if I served in the military for one day or 20 years.  What difference
does it make to them?  I am just as proud of my son's run into
Baghdad as I am about my dad's drive into Manchuria. I am equally
proud of my grandfather who was not in the military but served as a
civil defense warden in WWII.  I will never treat any of them as they
have treated my family, my granddaughters, my Elders, my real
friends.  Hell, even my ex-wife got so angry at these nit wits she
wrote me a letter of reference to use in my court hearings. If anyone
would have something bad to say about me you would be an ex-wife who
was married to me for 11 years.

Well if anything good has come of this it is that I have discovered I
am probably the most well documented person on the planet and I have
learned that just because someone used the title Christian, or
traditional, or friend or relation doesn't mean they won't kick you
when your down.  For my good friends, and real people out there, I
really do love you, for the others I'll pray for you that I may love
you too someday. If my words make you feel uncomfortable or guilty,
GOOD!  I feel guilt every day for the things I have done in my life
that I am not proud of and I'm sure I will make some more mistakes
before I end my time here.  After all I am just learning to become a
human being!
As my friend Sammy White (yes, I do call him a friend and he has been
a wonderful mentor to two of my children) would say, I have spoken!

Please visit http://peaceanddignityjourneys2004.net
for information on the run including the inland
routes.
-sheila

> PEACE & DIGNITY JOURNEYS 2004
---------------------------------

Information of Stops for
Inland Route Posted
  Dates and Times may change please check for up to
date information.

http://peaceanddignityjourneys2004.net



---------------------------------




__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Vote for the stars of Yahoo!'s next ad campaign!
http://advision.webevents.yahoo.com/yahoo/votelifeengine/

REGIONES INDIAS

JULIO 18, 2004

 Fallece Dignatario Maya. (Fuente: Carlos Chablé Mendoza). X- cacal Guardia, mpio. de F. Carrillo Puerto, Q. R.. El comandante Marcelino Poot Ek, junto a su casa, como es la costumbre en las comunidades indígenas de la zona maya de Quintana Roo, quien falleció en días pasados.

 

Luego de un velorio que concluyó a las 13 horas el cuerpo del octogenario líder y músico tradicional maya fue llevado a la iglesia. Una vez que se hicieron breves rezos y acompañado por los habitantes de la comunidad el ataúd fue regresado a su casa y depositado en un nicho contiguo que habían preparado previamente un grupo de albañiles.

 

Antes, el músico Vicente Ek Catzín entonó un bello canto en lengua maya y ejecutó una pieza ceremonial con violín. Este canto y música “acompañarán al difunto hasta su entrada al paraíso”, según dijeron varios de los presentes. El violín que usaba el comandante fue puesto también dentro de su ataúd.

 

Ha muerto el jefe de la guardia, el jefe del pueblo, a muerto nuestro hermano, exclamó lloroso el anciano Dionisio Poot Ek, hermano del fallecido

 

Entre la multitud estaban presentes unos 80 nietos y bisnietos del comandante Poot Ek. Ningún representante de los gobiernos estatal y municipal asistió para dar las condolencias a su viuda y familiares.

 

Además del general Jacinto Pech Collí y los jefes de las diversas compañías que participan en las guardias en el santuario de X-cacal , solamente el diputado local Elizama Be Cituk  y el ingeniero Luis Heredia Duarte, representante  de la CDI  en el municipio estuvieron presentes en las ceremonias.

 

Aunque a través de la radio comercial Xecpq se anunció en la mañana que el alcalde cancunense Juan Ignacio García Zalvidea asistiría al sepelio, hasta el termino del mismo este no llegó a la comunidad que se encuentra a unos 35 kms de esta ciudad.

 

Comienza nuevo ciclo para los pueblos indígenas: Del Val. Llegó la hora de pagar la deuda que les debe la nación, afirma. (Fuente: apro / Proceso). Los pueblos indígenas terminan un ciclo y comienzan otro nuevo: han dejado de ser objeto de atención por parte de las instituciones creadas por los gobiernos latinoamericanos y se han convertido en sujetos políticos plenos.

 

Conocedor del fenómeno indígena, el etnólogo José del Val, quien lleva cinco años al frente del Instituto Indigenista Interamericano (III), organismo especializado de la OEA, considera que el siglo XX “fue la amenaza más formidable que enfrentaron los pueblos indios con respeto a su desarrollo como pueblos diferenciados”:

 

“Por primera ocasión en su historia, los pueblos indios tienen ya voz y asiento en la disputa por la nación. Esto es lo que comenzamos a concluir en el mundo entero. Estamos a semanas de que se legisle la ley de derechos de los pueblos indígenas cuyo contenido esencial parte de su reconocimiento como sujetos plenos, con derecho a elegir sus autoridades, establecer la autonomía, a una concepción diferente del territorio y del desarrollo. Su empoderamiento. Y apenas es un primer paso.”

 

El análisis de Del Val regresa en el tiempo: de no ser por el Primer Congreso Indigenista Interamericano de 1940, celebrado con delegaciones de 17 países en Pátzcuaro, Michoacán, que buscó integrarlos e incorporarlos a los Estados de América Latina, “los indios probablemente habrían desaparecido con el siglo”. Por supuesto, aquella concepción de “integración e incorporación era falaz”: los pueblos indígenas estaban y siguen estando integrados e incorporados, “pero mal”. La Independencia, consumada mayoritariamente por ellos les generó un espacio específico, error que está por corregirse a comienzos del siglo XXI:

 

“Los 300 años de colonización dejaron a los pueblos indígenas en condiciones de miseria absoluta. Al concluir la Independencia y plantearse el problema de la nación mexicana, hay una falsa identificación: las condiciones de absoluta marginación no se explicaron por efecto del periodo de colonización, sino por la característica de ser indígenas.”

 

Juárez y la Reforma, con las leyes de desamortización del clero y las comunidades, les significaron su expropiación territorial, un golpe del que no se han recuperado. Y luego de la Revolución, cuando los indígenas eran 4 millones de una población de 10 en todo México, la Constitución de 1917 fue “avara con ellos”, convirtiéndose en “su formidable enemigo”: ni siquiera los menciona. De triunfar el proyecto revolucionario, hubieran desaparecido. Por ello, a partir de 1940 arrancó la estrategia continental indigenista, estando México representado en aquel congreso por Lombardo Toledano, Manuel Gamio, Moisés Sáenz y Miguel López Portilla, entre otros. Se aceptó que los países de América Latina revisaran sus estructuras políticas y garantizaran unidades territoriales homogéneas para los pueblos indígenas.

 

“El Congreso de 1940 propuso realizar congresos sistemáticos cada cinco años para evaluar la situación de los indígenas del continente y la creación del III para acopio y difusión de informativa de los pueblos indígenas. No sabíamos nada de ellos. Ahora llevamos 61 años en este conocimiento y 60 ininterrumpidos de la revista del III, América Indígena”, señala Del Val.

 

Paternalismo

 

“Con Lázaro Cárdenas se ideó que se hicieran partidos de la Raza, pues no se sentían bien representados en la discusión nacional, aun en el régimen corporativo del siglo XIX como clase campesina; pero se les designó como subsector de la CNC que hasta la fecha existe.

 

“Los pueblos indígenas están mal incorporados y mal integrados. Aunque estén en la punta de un cerro, si dan un paso fuera les asestan un golpe y llegaron a la punta de los cerros a punta de culatazos. Su integración es profundamente desigual”, abunda Del Val.

 

Hoy se ha cambiado aquella idea revolucionaria de un Estado culturalmente homogéneo que garantizara las condiciones de desarrollo.

 

“Esto viene de los finales de los años 60, con la crisis del Estado Nacional Contemporáneo, en el malestar y la protesta mundial. Así surge lo que hoy conocemos como la sociedad civil, cuando los pueblos indígenas de todo el Continente empiezan a romper con el Estado. Hoy vemos que esa emergencia del movimiento indígena continental cumple un ciclo e inicia otro: los indígenas dejaron de ser un sector de la sociedad que tiene una atención especializada por voluntad del Ejecutivo”, señala.

 

--¿Cómo fue esta relación durante la gestión de Zedillo?

 

--El sexenio anterior fue uno de los peores en desatención completa de los pueblos indígenas que ha habido y no sólo de presión e incomprensión en las negociaciones del zapatismo. No se trata ahora de un nuevo paquete de derechos, sino de reconocer una situación de hecho: que los pueblos indígenas elijan autoridades, que tienen autonomía que en muchos casos es de facto, sin relación con el gobierno, y un desarrollo propio.”

 

Advierte que será una larga senda:

 

“Establecer la versión que quede de la Cocopa, sin modificaciones o precisiones jurídicas, significa que la nación les abre la puerta a los pueblos indios para entrar a la casa; sin embargo, la hospitalidad que la nación les debe no es sólo pásale, sino acomódate. Falta una cascada de leyes reglamentarias y así empieza un ciclo nuevo de combate y de luchas tan fuertes o más que las que hasta ahora han llevado a cabo.”

 

Del Val se siente satisfecho por la dimensión del Congreso Indígena de Nurío:

“El abigarrado grupo de organizaciones y pueblos indígenas de México por vez primera cuenta con un programa común, que es lograr la aceptación de la iniciativa de Cocopa y que de ahí se modifiquen las constituciones de los estados.

 

“La Ley de Derechos y Cultura Indígena adquiere transformaciones profundas en la estructura política de México. Tenemos que remunicipalizar (sic) las zonas indígenas, como por ejemplo, los yaquis que están metidos en Ciudad Obregón. Se trata de que los pueblos indios puedan empoderarse de las estructuras políticas reales del país; si no, la autonomía no tendrá un asiento político real. Esto ya estaba planteado desde 1940, pero nunca se llevó a cabo y hoy los pueblos están fragmentados en muchos municipios y varios estados. El indigenismo no falló, fueron las aplicaciones de los programas indigenistas.”

 

Así, la condición democrática es la única para que los pueblos puedan defender sus derechos, concluye Del Val:

 

“Es inútil que nos vengan con la filosofía autoritaria a intentar escatimar los derechos de los pueblos indígenas por los problemas que se pueden crear constitucionalmente. Hay que ampliar la Constitución, porque si los derechos colectivos caben sin modificar la Carta Magna, valientes derechos. En toda democracia hay conflictos y no hay que asustarse.

 

“Simbólicamente hablando, la marcha zapatista viene a México para que los pueblos indígenas se queden con su ley para siempre. Quieren la paz; pero una paz democrática que es una paz de conflicto. Además, la deuda de la nación con los pueblos indios es inmensa, comencemos a pagar. Si calculamos el dinero para que estos 10 millones de indígenas tuvieran la media nacional de satisfactores, la deuda externa de México palidece. Con la misma prontitud con que se comenzó a pagar la deuda internacional, debemos empezar a pagar esta nuestra deuda interna con ellos. Estamos en el umbral de una nueva lucha”, concluye.

 

ONU: preciso, mantener tema indigena en debate nacional. San Cristobal de Las Casas, Chis. (Fuente: La Jornada). Aunque en este sexenio es difícil que en el Congreso de la Unión se reabra el debate sobre la reforma constitucional en materia de derechos y cultura indígenas, "es importante seguir hablando del asunto y mantener el tema en el debate nacional", afirmó el relator especial de la Organización de Naciones Unidas para los derechos humanos y las libertades fundamentales de los pueblos indios, Rodolfo Stavenhagen. "Salvo que hubiera condiciones muy excepcionales, es poco probable que se vuelva a abrir el debate en la actual administración", manifestó. Por otra parte, Stavenhagen aprobó la reciente reubicación de 25 familias de la comunidad de San Francisco El Caracol, ubicada en la reserva de la biosfera de Montes Azules, al poblado Santa Martha, en el municipio de Marqués de Comillas.

Un trueque sin mala fe de triquis, dice procurador. (Fuente: El Universal). Hermosillo, Son. Lo que hacen los indígenas triquis que habitan en el poblado Miguel Alemán es un intercambio de fuerza de trabajo entre familias, no hay delito, dice el procurador general de Justicia del estado, Rubén Díaz Vega.

 

"Es una especie de trueque, sin mala fe", añadió el funcionario ante una de las comisiones del Congreso local sobre indígenas y derechos humanos. Señaló que los usos y costumbres de los indígenas tienen que evolucionar para evitar que las niñas sean casadas a temprana edad, y reiteró que el matrimonio entre los triquis es considerado como un vínculo de unidad familiar y de trabajo.

 

"No hay venta de niñas. Es un intercambio de fuerzas de trabajo, porque esa niña, una vez que se casa, se incorpora a la familia del esposo a trabajar", añadió.

 

El funcionario propuso crear programas educativos para las comunidades indígenas y luchar para que prevalezcan los derechos humanos y evitar que en cualquier parte el varón aproveche su fuerza para actuar en contra de la dignidad de la mujer.

 

Arturo Valdés Castillo, representante en Miguel Alemán de la Comisión Nacional para el Desarrollo de los Pueblos Indígenas, calificó de "amarillistas" las denuncias contra los triquis por la costumbre de entregar a sus hijas para el matrimonio a cambio de dinero. "No es una venta, reciben una dote y se ha malinterpretado", indicó.

 

 

“Urge Xóchitl Gálvez a atender a desplazados internos”. San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chis. El relator especial de la Organización de las Naciones Unidas para los Derechos Humanos y las Libertades Fundamentales de los Pueblos Indígenas, Rodolfo Stavenhagen; la comisionada para el Desarrollo de los Pueblos Indígenas, Xóchitl Gálvez, y la activista Marina Patricia Jiménez señalaron la necesidad de que se legisle para que sean reconocidos legalmente los miles de desplazados internos en México, con el propósito de que el gobierno impulse políticas públicas de atención integral para este sector, al que consideraron "muy vulnerable". Durante la presentación del libro Desplazados internos en México, coordinado por el diputado perredista Emilio Zebadúa, éste dijo que si se logra incorporar en la Constitución la figura de desplazados internos, "se habrá puesto el piso" para dar atención legal a este sector. (Jornada; Crónica; El Sol de México; Cuarto Poder)

 

“Anuncian huelga de hambre presuntos miembros del EPR”. Oaxaca, Oax. Luego de ocho años de permanecer presos, acusados de delitos cometidos presuntamente como integrantes del Ejército Popular Revolucionario (EPR), 15 indígenas zapotecos anunciaron que si no los han liberado para el próximo primero de agosto -cuando se llevarán a cabo elecciones para gobernador y diputados- iniciarán una huelga de hambre en los penales de la Villa de Etla y Santa María Ixcotel. (Jornada)

 

Acusa CNC parcialidad de la Sedesol”. Diputados, senadores y dirigentes de las ligas integrantes de la Confederación Nacional Campesina (CNC) exigieron a la titular de la Secretaría de Desarrollo Social (Sedeso), Josefina Vázquez Mota, un trato diferenciado del resto de las organizaciones del país. "Pedimos (que) tase a la CNC en su dimensión política y social", dijo el diputado Julián Nazar, y aclaró que "los liderazgos no se compran ni se construyen con dinero", en referencia a su participación en la fundación del grupo Unimos. (Jornada)

 

Julio Boltvinik apunta en esta ocasión en su columna Economía Moral que el programa Oportunidades se ha constituido en el programa más importante de lucha contra la pobreza en México. Este año llegará a 5 millones de hogares y su presupuesto será cercano a 25 mil millones de pesos. En numerosas entregas de esta columna he analizado el programa, he comentado los resultados de sus evaluaciones y he criticado sus métodos y procedimientos institucionales mediante los cuales se asignan estas tareas. El programa no ha sido debatido a nivel nacional ni local. Urge hacerlo. (Jornada)

 

“Más bajo que hace 10 años, el nivel de vida en 46 países”. Berlin, Alemania. El nivel de vida es en la actualidad más bajo que hace 10 años en 46 países del mundo, reveló el Reporte sobre el Desarrollo Humano 2004 de la Organización de Naciones Unidas (ONU), que hoy se divulgó en esta capital. El reporte destacó que en 46 países del mundo el ciudadano promedio es más pobre que en la década pasada, según el Indice de Desarrollo Humano (HDI). Ese índice se basa, entre otros parámetros, en el nivel de ingresos per cápita, la esperanza de vida y el nivel educativo de la población. Entre los países latinoamericanos con el mayor desarrollo humano se localizan Argentina (puesto 34), Chile (43), Costa Rica (45), Uruguay (46), México (53), Brasil (72), Colombia (77) y Perú (85). (Jornada; El Sol de México)

 

SIN ACUERDO ENTRE INDÍGENAS Y GOBERNADOR. (Fuente: Comunicación CIPO). Cerca de las 8 de la noche del 18 de julio/04, sin una respuesta y con la amenaza de usar la violencia contra las/os indígenas del CIPO-RFM y trabajadores democráticos del STSPEIDCEO, terminó la reunión entre el Gobernador José Murat y la comisión de las comunidades del CIPO-RFM. Desde las 6 de la tarde han empezado a rodear con cientos de policías los 4 lugares donde estamos realizando las protestas: Zócalo, Plaza de la danza, Iglesia de Sto. Domingo y Catedral. Tememos ser desalojados hoy en la noche o en la madrugada del día 18 de julio. Tememos lo peor porque se ha visto que no hay voluntad de dialogar, como se pude apreciar de los resultados de la reunión.

 

La cita para era a las 2 de la tarde en la casa oficial. Al llegar nos recibió un operativo impresionante de todo tipo de policías al mando del Teniente José M. Vera Salinas y el director de protección ciudadana Manuel Moreno Rivas, quienes cerraron la circulación y bloquearon los accesos.

 

Dejaron entrar a la comisión a las 5 de la tarde y solo hasta las 6 de la tarde se presentó el gobernador con gesto mal encarado. La comisión de las comunidades se indigno y le dijo al gobernador que debía honrar su palabra y cumplir sus compromisos. Otros más le dijeron que respetara a los indígenas y que no los mandara a golpear más. Las viudas, huérfanos y lesionados por los paramilitares le preguntaron “¿porque no quiere usted actuar contra los asesinos?” “¿porque protege a los paramilitares?” Murat dijo: “esa es mi responsabilidad, actuaré cuado

lo considere y como lo crea posible. Se levanto y antes de irse grito: “por su culpa ya no fui al desfile de las delegaciones que bailan el lunes del cerro, aténganse a las consecuencias”

 

RECHAZA EL GOBIERNO ESTATAL DIÁLOGO CON EL GOBIERNO TRADICIONAL AMUZGO.  El Gobierno del Estado de Guerrero ha desatado una agresiva campaña represiva en contra del Municipio Autónomo de Suljaa’ (Xochistlahuaca), negándose a entablar un diálogo que permita encontrar una salida al conflicto que se vive en la región.

 

El 16 de julio de 2004, un numeroso contingente de mujeres y hombres campesinos, ejidatarios, sucesores, maestros y ciudadanos del municipio de Xochistlahuaca, encabezado por las autoridades tradicionales y ejidales, se dirigió a Ometepec para un diálogo que previamente se había acordado con el Delegado Regional de Gobierno en la Costa Chica, el C. Víctor Hugo Torres, sin embargo llegando a su oficina este despótico funcionario desconoció los acuerdos tomados previamente, nos dijo que el no iba a sentarse a hablar con nosotros y nos amenazó, diciendo que si no nos retirábamos de su oficina nos denunciaría ante la Procuraduría General de Justicia del Estado.

 

Posteriormente nos dirigimos ante el Juez de Primera Instancia del Ramo Penal del Distrito Judicial de Abasolo, el Lic. Aurelio Gutiérrez Cruz, quien lleva la causa penal número 103-III/04 en contra del Profesor Genaro Cruz Apóstol (detenido por la Policía Judicial el pasado 14 de julio del presente año) y otras autoridades de Xochistlahuaca por el supuesto delito de privación ilegal de la libertad en agravio del C. Narciso García. En el local del Juzgado pudimos obtener la lista exacta de los hermanos que tienen orden de aprehensión, siendo los siguientes:

 

1.- Silverio Matías Domínguez (Autoridad Tradicional).

2.- Roberto Martínez de Jesús(Autoridad Tradicional).

3.- Tranquilino Santiago Silva(Autoridad Tradicional).

4.- Atilano López Díaz (Secretario del Comisariado Ejidal).

5.- Rodrigo Morales Valtierra (Tesorero del Comisariado Ejidal).

6.- Gregorio Reyna Valtierra (Presidente del Consejo de Vigilancia).

7.- Eloy López Valtierra (Secretario del Consejo de Vigilancia).

8.- Epifanio López Guerrero(Secretario del Consejo de Vigilancia).

9.- Juan Sabino Apóstol (Principal del pueblo).

10.- Román de Jesús (Topil del Gobierno Tradicional).

11.- José Morales N. (Anciano del pueblo).

12.- David Valtierra Arango (Ayudante del Gobierno Tradicional).

 

Finalmente, ayer mismo y a través de la movilización, las declaraciones de apoyo de las diversas organizaciones sociales, las gestiones legales del Centro de Derechos Humanos “Miguel Agustín Pro”, se logró disminuir, de 35 mil pesos a quince mil pesos, la fianza fijada para la liberación del Profesor Cruz Apóstol, situación que permitió su libertad

 

Sin embargo, es importante señalar que la causa penal que dio lugar a la detención del compañero Genaro sigue en trámite, asimismo están vigentes las órdenes de aprehensión en contra de los hermanos ya indicados arriba. A lo anterior habría que agregar que el Profesor Genaro Cruz fue detenido por la Policía Judicial de modo ilegal, en el interior de su casa, se le mantuvo incomunicado por más de un día y fue amenazado por los judiciales con ser “desaparecido” durante su traslado a Ometepec.

 

Es decir, la ofensiva en contra del autogobierno amuzgo sigue en pie y la finalidad es una: descabezar al Municipio Autónomo de Suljaa’ de cara a las elecciones locales del próximo año, desarticulando sus órganos tradicionales y agrarios de gobierno, persiguiendo y hostigando a quienes resisten en contra del Ayuntamiento Constitucional, hoy obligado a funcionar en una casa particular, y criminalizando el ejercicio de la autonomía y la aplicación del derecho propios de nuestro pueblo. Tenemos claro que el gobierno utiliza a las personas como Aceadeth Rocha Ramírez (diputada local el PRI), José Luis Rocha Ramírez (presidente municipal del PRI), Manuel Castañeda Ramírez (presidente municipal constitucional del municipio), al Sr. Narciso García Valtierra (invasor de las tierras de uso común del ejido), al Sr. Crispín de Jesús (con antecedentes de narcotraficante) para golpear a nuestro pueblo y para terminar o desacreditar nuestra forma de gobierno, pero lejos está de lograr sus propósitos, pues a pesar de las persecuciones, a pesar de las amenazas e intimidaciones en contra de todos nosotros, nuestro pueblo está unido, sobre todo, nos damos cuenta que no estamos solos y esa es nuestra fuerza, sabemos que esta lucha es de todos y con la participación de todos es como vamos lograr cambiar las cosas.

 

Por lo anterior volvemos a reiterar nuestra exigencia para que:

 

1)     Cese la represión gubernamental en contra del Municipio Autónomo de Suljaa’ y se respete su existencia así como a las autoridades que lo dirigen;

2)     Se anulen las ordenes de aprehensión vigentes en contra de pobladores del Municipio por razones políticas;

3)     Se otorgue la libertad incondicional al Profesor Genaro Cruz Apóstol y;

4)     Se sobresea la causa penal número 103-III/04, o cualquier otra causa penal que pudiera existir en contra del Municipio Autónomo, de sus pobladores y de sus autoridades agrarias y tradicionales.

Hacemos responsables a los gobiernos federal, estatal y municipal de la vida e integridad física del Profesor Genaro Cruz Apóstol, quien fue directamente amenazado por policías judiciales del Estado, o de cualquiera otro de los hermanos y hermanas que forman parte de la resistencia amuzga y que integran la autoridad agraria y tradicional o simpatizan y coadyuvan con el Municipio Autónomo de Suljaa’.

 

Desde el corazón del pueblo amuzgo, municipio de Suljaa’ (Xochistlahuaca), estado de Guerrero, a diecisiete de julio de 2004.

 

NUNCA MÁS UN MÉXICO SIN NOSOTROS

 

NANMAN’Ñ’IAAN  NDAATYUAA SULJAA’

(AUTORIDADES TRADICIONALES DEL MUNICIPIO DE XOCHISTLAHUACA)

 

FLORENTINA LÓPEZ DE JESÚS

ABEL ARANGO MORALES

ROBERTO MARTÍNEZ DE JESÚS

TRANQUILINO SANTIAGO SILVA

AURELIO BRÍGIDO FERMÍN

SILVERIO MATÍAS DOMÍNGUEZ

FELIPE MARTÍNEZ MACARIA

GENARO CRUZ APÓSTOL

PRESIDENTE DEL COMISARIADO EJIDAL DE XOCHISTLAHUACA

 

 

Opresión cultural y económica impiden desarrollo de los indígenas, Brasil. (Fuente: Adital/ Evandro Bonfim*). La versión de 2004 del informe con los Índices de Desarrollo Humano (IDH) lanzada hoy por el Programa de Naciones Unidas para el Desarrollo (PNUD) tiene como tema "Libertad Cultural en un Mundo Diversificado", en el que postula el derecho a la diversidad de identidades, sea cultural, étnica, religiosa o sexual, como tan importante para el desarrollo humano como la democracia y la oportunidad económica.

 

Con relación a América Latina, las mayores dificultades en esta cuestión son enfrentadas por las poblaciones indígenas, ya que, diferentemente de Europa y de Estados Unidos, la región exporta más emigrantes de los que recibe. En Bolivia, el 71% del número total de habitantes son indígenas, y de éstos, el 64% vive en la pobreza. El mismo cuadro se repite en otros países latinoamericanos cuya mayoría indígena recibe poco reconocimiento y atención oficial.

 

Así, la situación de los pueblos autóctonos, de acuerdo con el informe de la ONU, muestra que la opresión cultural camina de la mano con la expoliación económica. Por ejemplo, el estudio muestra además que en Guatemala (121ª posición en el ranking IDH 2004), el 87% de los habitantes de origen indígena está en condiciones de pobreza, mientras México, uno de los países latinoamericanos considerados por el PNUD como poseyendo un índice de desarrollo humano elevado (está en el 53º lugar de la lista de la ONU), esta cifra equivale al 81%.

 

Territorio y patrimonio cultural

 

Sin embargo, estas poblaciones poseen riquezas simbólicas y materiales incalculables, lo que los torna blanco de conflictos e incluso de acciones expoliantes. "Los territorios históricos de los pueblos indígenas son generalmente ricos en minerales y reservas de petróleo o gas. También, el conocimiento tradicional, innovaciones y prácticas de los indígenas, elaborados generación tras generación y de propiedad de la comunidad, poseen valiosas aplicaciones en agricultura, manejo forestal y salud. Los conflictos surgen por la dificultad en reconocer estos bienes como perteneciendo a estos grupos", declara el documento.

 

En el caso de la extracción de recursos naturales en tierras indígenas, las principales violaciones registradas son la falta de respeto a la sacralidad de los territorios y de los objetos y seres que lo componen, la eliminación de los cultivos de subsistencia de estas poblaciones para dar lugar a emprendimientos, la exclusión de los indígenas de los procesos de decisión y la inexistencia de compensaciones adecuadas por el permiso de explotación.

 

"En Ecuador se encuentra una de las mayores reservas de petróleo confirmadas de América Latina. Las empresas pagan cerca de 30 millones de dólares en impuestos para un fondo especial de desarrollo de la Amazonía, pero poco de este dinero llega a las comunidades indígenas", atestigua el informe. Cerca del 38% de la población de Ecuador está conformada por indígenas. Ecuador ocupa el 100º lugar en el ranking del IDH.

 

Muchas veces, el propio Estado toma el primer lugar en el proceso de embaucar a los indígenas. "En Chile, una ley reconoce el derecho de los pueblos indígenas sobre sus tierras, pero varias otras leyes permiten que cualquier empresa privada reclame la posesión de los recursos acuáticos y subterráneos de estas tierras, haciéndosele difícil a las comunidades indígenas defender sus derechos ancestrales", dice el PNUD. Chile está en la 43ª posición del ranking del IDH, abajo sólo de Argentina en América Latina, que está en el 34º lugar.

 

Además de estos países, sólo Cuba y Costa Rica poseen índices de desarrollo humano reconocidos como elevados en la región. Los demás países latinoamericanos y caribeños, encabezados por Panamá, están en el nivel intermedio (con IDH de 0,500 a 0,799). Haití es la nación de la región con menor IDH (0,465), ocupando la 153ª posición.

 

La clasificación de este año engloba a 175 países, además de Hong Kong (China) y el Territorio Palestino Ocupado y se basa en la evaluación de los avances de cada país en tres aspectos: esperanza de vida, educación y Producto Bruto Interno (PBI) per per. El indicador también tiene en cuenta datos como la distribución de la riqueza, la desigualdad entre géneros, y este año, la cuestión del respeto a la diversidad cultural.

 

CONSEJERÍA INDÍGENA URBANA CONVOCA A PRIMER ENCUENTRO CONTINENTAL. (Fuente: Eugenia Calquin Morales -Mapuexpress Informativo Mapuche). Con el objetivo de reafirmar nuestra condición de mapuche en la ciudad y compartir nuestras experiencias con las organizaciones de las distintas nacionalidades indígenas del continente, el Consejero Indígena Urbano, José Llancapan Calfucura, la Comisión Jurídica Warranka y a la red de organizaciones warriache de la III, IV, V, VI y Región Metropolitana, convocan al Primer Encuentro Intercontinental indígena Urbano.

 

La actividad, se realizará en Santiago en abril del 2005 y se sustenta sobre la base de los fuertes procesos de usurpación de territorio sufrido por los pueblos originarios del continente, realidad que en las últimas décadas condicionó una importante migración campo- ciudad. "Consideramos, también, la multiplicidad de procesos identitarios que sustentan nuestra condición de miembros de nuestros pueblos y el pleno autoreconocimiento y compromiso con el futuro y destino de nuestras naciones originarias" comentarón los convocantes.

 

Los organizadores esperan que como resultado de este encuentro se puedan articular lazos y redes de trabajo que permitan el mejor aporte a las luchas de nuestros pueblos.

 

Las inscripciones, consultas y aportes iniciales pueden realizarse a:

 

e-mail: asociacionwarranka@...  c/c: kilaleo@...

Fono-fax:

56-2-638 10 74

Dirección:

Serrano 74, interior. Santiago de Chile (Territorio Mapuche)

 

La amenaza latente de El Alto. (Fuente: El Universal). El Alto , Bolivia. Aún pueden observarse, recorriendo sus calles, los rasgos de lo que fue aquella guerra. Boquetes tapados al "ahí se va"; algunos orificios de bala en las fachadas de las casas, en varios costados de la esquina Evadidos del Paraguay y la avenida 6 de Marzo. El Alto, la ciudad vecina a La Paz, a donde llegan todos los que arriban en avión a la capital de este país, siempre al borde jugarse su destino, se debate hoy entre el "sí" y el "no" en las calles, pero sin mucho ánimo de provocar disturbios y represión como los que tuvieron lugar en octubre último.

 

Aquí comenzó el final para el gobierno de Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada y para la vida de 45 de las 79 personas que murieron, según datos oficiales, en aquella revuelta más conocida como la guerra del gas . Hoy, cuando se decide en las urnas qué sucederá con los hidrocarburos, son muchos los que entienden que a través de la protesta conseguirán más que por medio de la democracia.

 

Verónica Obando es una de ellas. Esta estudiante de derecho de 27 años participa en las juntas vecinales que junto con las agrupaciones indígenas y la Central Obrera Regional (COR) planean quemar las urnas, así como muñecos con la imagen del presidente Carlos Mesa y del "traidor" Evo Morales.

 

"Aquí y en muchos rincones del país pedimos la nacionalización del petróleo y ¿qué nos dan? Cinco preguntas confusas que luego las van a interpretar como se les venga en gana", asegura Verónica.

 

Los que quieren hacer cumplir las insistentes amenazas del diputado indígena Felipe Quispe, líder del Movimiento Indigenista Pachacutik (MIP) son muchos menos que en octubre. Tarija, la ciudad del sur del país, lindante con Argentina y "dueña" del 85 por ciento de las reservas gasíferas está mayoritariamente a favor del "sí", como también lo están Cochabamba, donde Morales es el más fuerte políticamente, y la muy separatista Santa Cruz de la Sierra, la capital económica del país.

 

"Aquí no nos van a doblegar. Hoy están contentos porque dicen que el paro lanzado el viernes no tuvo adhesión. Ya verán cuando quememos las urnas y la gente salga a la calle en contra de este presidente que se vendió como otros a las petroleras extranjeras", amenaza Ramón De la Cruz, líder de la COR.

 

CAN instalará mesa andina de pueblos indígenas en el 2005. LIMA, (Fuente: La Hora de Ecuador /AFP). La Comunidad Andina de Naciones (CAN) instalará una mesa de pueblos indígenas en el primer semestre del año 2005, dijo este viernes el director comunitario, el boliviano Antonio Araníbar.

Los cancilleres andinos establecieron la mesa en el 2002, pero dificultades para designar a sus delegados entre los indígenas de Perú, Bolivia y Colombia han retrasado la puesta en marcha de esta instancia.

Hasta ahora sólo Ecuador y Venezuela -que completan el quinteto de países miembros de la CAN-, cumplieron con nombrar a sus representantes.

Cada país designará nueve delegados de los cuales tres provendrán del gobierno, tres de las comunidades indígenas y tres de la Defensoría del Pueblo, indicó el director comunitario.

La relación entre las comunidades indígenas de los países andinos fue tema de la reciente reunión de cancilleres andinos, celebrada en Quito la semana pasada, acotó Araníbar, ex canciller de Bolivia.

---

Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Net: La mejor conexión a internet y 25MB extra a tu correo por $100 al mes.

-------- Original Message --------

Subject:	Chicago Alliance of Mexika Danzantes
Date:	Sun, 18 Jul 2004 12:22:05 -0500
From:	Tekpatzin Blazquez <mexicapride@...>
Reply-To:	mexicapride@...
To:	aztlan-anahuac@yahoogroups.com, atlachinolli_front@..., davalos@..., atencoguerra2@..., aztlan-anahuac@yahoogroups.com, moo_guk@..., rosemarybenson@..., barriodefens@..., atltlaxinolli@..., phred@..., enei_begaye@..., VADO1250@..., biwichoke@..., andy.bessler@..., blackmesawatercoalition@..., BonnyBeach@..., cadenacomite@..., sikul@..., dave.castillo@..., tantakeeta@..., indigenouscaucus@..., nilocayu@..., ciz@..., jochaudhuri@..., ireana@..., win7@..., cpscchicanopark@..., lute@..., salvantoni6@..., chuckabenson@..., cisdc@..., ononcomm@..., cipo@..., constancioj@..., consultoria_indigena@..., sage@..., runamuno@..., easterndoor@...
CC:	LTapahe@..., conaie@..., cumbreindigenacontinental@..., "frank_blazquez" <frank_blazquez@...>

Kualli Tlanezi,

 

I am forwarding this informational email invitation to you all to inform you of our Chicago August 13th Mexika Danza Gathering and Ceremony. I know that many of you may not live in the Chicago area but if you happen to know of any friends or relations that will be in our area on or around August 12, 13 and 14th please let them know about this historic event for Chicago.

 

All danzantes are invited to attend and participate. We are expecting danzantes from through out the US and Mexico.

 

There are two names listed in the email that are available to answer any questions as well as my self.

 

Paz y libertad,

 

Tekpatzin

Mah Piya Aka Mani

www.youthstrugglingforsurvival.org

Kalpulli Yetlanezi-Tolteca 13

Chicago-Aurora, IL

 

 

Subject: Chicago's Huey Tlahtokan ~~Alliance of Mexika and Nativegroups for "La Mexikanidad"

Alliance of Mexika Danzantes and
Native Groups "La Mexikanidad"
Huey Tlahtokan
<><><><><><><>

Invite you to our first annual
Gathering of Danzantes (Mexika-Chichimeka-Azteca-Concheros)
and Indigenous (Native) groups honoring the culture, traditions, history, contributions and
spiritual connection to our Mexika-Azteca-Nahuatl ancestors
on August 12, 13 and 14, 2004
in Chicago....

this particular ceremonial gathering will also provide us with the
opportunity to honor and commemorate the
initiation of Mexika resistance and the defense of
Mexico-Tenochtitlan
which started on August 13th of 1521 with the
spiritual and inspirational words of
the
Great Tlatoani--Kuauhtemoktzin (Cuauhtemoc)

the purpose of this danza ceremony is to unite danzantes and reawaken the cultural heritage of the Mexican community and to
remind ourselves of our cultural traditions, physical and spiritual obligations to our ancestors and to
our obligations and responsibilities to our own children and grand-children...

The Gathering will begin on:

August 12, 2004 at Malcolm X College in Chicago
1900 West Van Buren
workshops begin at 2pm to 5pm with the official welcome
at 6pm in the evening

August 13, 2004 continues at Malcolm X College
1900 West Van Buren
workshops begin at 2pm to 5pm
with a velacion (ceremony)
beginning at 9pm (and continuing all night) at
Latino Youth High School
2200 West Marshall Blvd
Chicago, IL

August 14, 2004 continues at Douglas Park
at the corner of Sacramento and Ogden
Chicago, IL at 9am
with the Danza Ceremony

Nicah nepohualiztli Mexika!

Please distribute this email to friends and relatives that may also be interested....

For additional information contact:

Susana Banuelos at (773) 247-6909
or
Rosa Gayton at (773) 301-0403

Sylvia Sharma <sharmacopal@...>

Sylvia Sharma wrote:

>Please forward to those who may need this.
>
>Groups in Mexico will be doing their Sundance on July
>24, at the zenith of the sun between a triangle in
>Mexico City, Tenochtitlan.
>
>We--groups from Canada, Mexico and U.S. will be doing
>our sundance at:
>Pipestone, Minnesota, starting with tree day,
>Wednesday, July 28 through Sunday August 1, with a
>full moon on Friday, July 31 morning.  These
>ceremonies are for mixed blood and full blood with
>non-indigenous always welcomed as supporters who can
>also pray respectfully around the arbor with people
>from all over the world attending. I have
>sponsored those who wish to prepare and participate
>with us to pray for those who are sick and need
>healing.  Let me know by email if you have personal
>family and friends who are ill and need specific
>prayers and I will offer to make prayer ties for them
>to put on the sacred tree at the start on Wednesday,
>July 28, 2004.  I encourage those who wish to
>participate at this sundance next year or attend as a
>supporter this year to contact me via email or by
>phone (651) 484-8166.  Pipestone, MN is a very sacred
>site ...from experience... and the eagles and thunder
>beings come and the best part as that there are little
>tiny nopalitos growing in the stones, reminding us
>that our plant ancestors were there a long time ago
>when we traveled in a circle and to remind us of our
>Mexica antepasados. Regards. Silvia Mayahuel, Smudge
>Woman, Aziliawin (Lakota)
>
>
>
>
>

From:  "Steve Taylor" <Steve@m...>
Date:  Mon Jul 19, 2004  1:17 pm
Subject:  Indigenous Peoples and Militarization
Hello All -
> Meeting Announcement: INDIGENOUS PEOPLES &
MILITARIZATION
>
> WHAT: A strategy meeting for Indigenous communities
confronting military
> bases, training exercises and other forms of
militarization.
>
> WHO: Representatives of Indigenous communities,
supporting NGOs and UN
> agencies.
>
> WHERE: The strategy meeting will be a side event
during the United Nations
> Working Group on Indigenous Populations (WGIP) in
Geneva, Switzerland
>
> WHEN: Tuesday, 20 July, 2004; 13:00-15:00 (Lunch
will be provided)
>
> The Association of Indigenous Peoples in the Ryukyus
(Okinawa) and the
> Shimin Gaiko Centre will host an informal strategy
meeting during this
> years WGIP for indigenous communities confronting
military bases, military
> training exercises and other forms of militarization
of their territories.
>
> With so many people focused on the horrors of war
itself, we see the
> upcoming WGIP as a timely opportunity to call
attention to the often
> ignored day-to-day violence of sustained military
presence and the always
> ongoing preparations for war, and to highlight how
such violence
> disproportionately impacts Indigenous communities
and violates Indigenous
> rights.
>
> We hope the meeting will provide an opportunity to
learn about each others
> circumstances and to exchange ideas about how our
communities are fighting
> back against militarization. We would especially
like to discuss how we
can
> join together to support one anothers struggles and
strengthen the
> transnational movement against the militarization of
Indigenous territory.
>
> In conjunction with this meeting, we have also
arranged to have a table
> outside the main conference room throughout the WGIP
specifically for
> Indigenous representatives to share information
about their struggles
> against militarization and request support for
particular campaigns.
Please
> bring materials for this table.
>
> MEETING DETAILS
>
> Although we have in mind a rather informal meeting,
given that the WGIP is
> just around the corner, we propose the following
general goals for the
> gathering:
>
> - To draft a joint statement to the WGIP
highlighting the ways in which
> indigenous rights are violated by the presence of
military bases (and
> related activities) on indigenous territories.
>
> - To establish and strengthen the ties among
Indigenous communities facing
> similar circumstances and problems. While some
groups face forced
> conscription or the use of the military to provoke
inter- or intra-ethnic
> conflict, others, like Uchinanchu in Okinawa,
struggle against US military
> bases. While some of us focus our activities on the
environmental impact
of
> military activities, others focus on the sexual
violence that accompanies
> military occupation. Recognizing that militarization
affects our
> communities in many different ways, therefore, we
think it will be useful
> if meeting participants break into smaller
discussion groups so that those
> facing similar circumstances or tackling similar
problems can better share
> and build strategies.
>
> - To strengthen the existing global network of
indigenous peoples and
their
> supporters fighting against the siting of military
bases and other forms
of
> militarization. We would like to start (or build on)
an action data
> basethat would include information about which
communities are struggling
> against militarization, the main problems they face,
main
> strategies/campaigns, and contact information. We
might also consider
> starting a global mailing list that would
specifically address Indigenous
> Peoples and militarization.
>
> - To bring Indigenous Peoplesstruggles against
military bases and other
> forms of militarization to the attention of NGOs and
UN Agencies. While
> this meeting is primarily intended to be a space for
Indigenous
> representatives to share strategies, we encourage
participation by
> representatives from NGOs and UN agencies in order
to better coordinate
> their activities with one another and with
Indigenous
> communitiesanti-militarization activities.
>
> ****For more information or to make suggestions,
contact: Nariko Omine
> (Association of Indigenous Peoples in the Ryukyus)
at
narikomine@y...,
> Shoko Oshiro (Association of Indigenous Peoples in
the Ryukyus) at
> <mailto:oshop19@y...>oshop19@y..., or Kelly Dietz
(Shimin
> Gaiko Centre) at
<mailto:kellydietz@t...>kellydietz@t....





__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
New and Improved Yahoo! Mail - Send 10MB messages!
http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail

Letter to the editor: Cherokee Chief takes candidate to task

Cherokee Chief critical of Anthony's attack on tribes

TAHLEQUAH OK
Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation Chad Smith 7/19/2004
http://www.nativetimes.com

A good question for any of the candidates for U.S. Senate is "Will
you represent all of Oklahoma?" This question has already been
answered by Bob Anthony, a Republican candidate for Senate. In a fund-
raising letter he said he would "stand up" to Indian tribes and
address "serious concerns about tribal issues" on the federal level.

Anthony's fund-raising letter is a comedy of political errors, any
one of which should be a wake-up call to any potential supporter.

First, he gets his facts on an Indian land bill, HR 2880, straight
from a group opposed to the bill. He ignores the arguments of the
author of the bill, fellow Republican and retired U.S. Representative
Wes Watkins, that the bill would not harm the oil and gas industry.

In the last session of Congress, Watkins, not known as an adversary
of oil and gas industry, gathered bipartisan support for the bill,
which would treat Indian land in eastern Oklahoma the same way that
land in western Oklahoma is treated.

However, Anthony and a handful of people in the oil industry fought
HR 2880, though it had little to do with the oil and gas industry and
everything to do with protecting the land rights of individual
Indians in Oklahoma.

Anthony has a history of fighting foes that do not exist. Indian
nations are not a threat to Oklahoma, but an opportunity for economic
growth and partnership. So when Anthony says he will 'take on'
tribes, I wonder: Is he more opposed to tribes employing 20,000
people in the state, or tribes paying more than a hundred million
dollars in taxes to the state government every year? As Senator,
which will he look to do first: cut back the Indian Health Service
budget, which provides medical services to more than half a million
Oklahomans, or cut back on the $60 million of roads the tribes build
in the state each year? When Anthony is looking to 'take on' tribes,
will he nibble around the edges or just push legislation forward to
abolish tribes all together?

Another reason Anthony should not be elected to the U.S. Senate is
this: Bob Anthony wrote a fund-raising letter vowing to fight Indian
tribes every inch of the way, put it in an envelope and mailed it
directly to the Principal Chief of the largest tribe in the state.

Oklahoma can do better. Oklahoma can elect a Senator who works with
Indian tribes. The Cherokee Nation does not support or endorse
political candidates. However, when a candidate explicitly promises
to work against tribes, we will not sit silently.

Chad Smith, Tahlequah

Smith is Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation.

I thought some members of this group might be particularly interested in my
new novel, THIS IS NOT CIVILIZATION, which takes place in both a native
village in Central Asia and on a
reservation in Arizona.  It deals with issues of globalization and cultural
preservation.

The novel has been well reviewed recently in the Sunday New York Times Book
Review, The LA Times Book Review, The Christian Science Monitor, and New
York Newsday, among other places.  It is currently a Book Sense pick, and
has also been selected as a Borders Books Original Voices selection.

More information and reviews can be found at:

http://robertalanrosenberg.com/

Best,

Robert Rosenberg






__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Vote for the stars of Yahoo!'s next ad campaign!
http://advision.webevents.yahoo.com/yahoo/votelifeengine/

VENUS

Venus is a one of the planets in our solar system and with out any satellites. Venus is known as Sukra and Sukra-vara or Friday the sixth day in a week. In old English, it is Frigedeg or the day of the goddess Frig, who was the beloved wife of Odin. In Latin, it is dies Veneris, or the day of Venus.

The various concerns, occasions, undertakings, activities and interests fall under the rule of Venus-Sukra are; Love, courtship, mating, marriage, art, music, decoration, dress, entertainment, holidays, dancing, gambling, peacemaking, pleasure of every kind, healing, social occasions of every kind, and almsgiving.

In ancient Tamil language the planet, Sukra (white) called as Velli, Asuramandiri, Usanan, Bhargavan, Gangan, Palingu, Pugar, Kavi (poet-sage), Kavi –putra, Malaikon (king of rain), Sita (white complexioned).

Sukra is the sixth planet, the Indian Venus. It may be noted that Sukra, like Venus, is regarded as feminine (stri-graha). Sukra, who is two yojanas and half above Surya (Sun), has his course like Surya’s in three paces: quick (sighra) nor slow (manda) and neither quick nor slow (sama): his course alternates in front of and behind Surya. He never moves far away from the Sun.

Well-known as the preceptor of the asuras (titans, demons), the planet-deity is spoken of in legends as the son of the sage Bhrgu and his wife Puloma (hence his name Bhargava). Some accounts give Kavi as another of Bhrgu (hence Sukra’s name Kavya or Kavi-putra), while others make Kavi the son of Bhrgu, and Sukra the son of Kavi (hence grandson of Bhrgu), Kavi is also given as the name of Sukra himself, before he was named Sukra by Siva (Vamana-purana, chapter 66).

When the demons Nikumbha and others were killed in the battle that raged between the gods and demons, the gods were surprised to see that all the demons killed had been brought back to life mysteriously and were as strong as before. The mystery was solved by Nandi, attendant and master of the hordes under Siva (ganapati), who found out the secret ritual by the preceptor of the demons, Kavi by name, was responsible for this revival of the dead (mrtasanjivi). When Nandi related this to Siva, Siva ordered him to bring Kavi before him. When Kavi appeared before Siva, Siva gobbled him up. However, Kavi sang some hymns in praise of Siva, even while he was in Siva’s stomach. Pleased, Siva let him out. He told Kavi that he was now like his own son, and that he would henceforth be called Sukra.

Sukra is said to have learnt this art of reviving the dead from Kacha, who was the son of Brhaspati. Sukra’s sons Chanda ( impetuous’ ) and Marka ( ‘ eclipse’ ) taught this art to the demon Hiranya-kasipu (father of Prahalada). Because Sukra entertaining feelings of envy and ill-will towards Brhaspati, who was the preceptor of the gods, he agreed to become the preceptors of the demons (enemies of the gods).

The particulars about Sukra provided in texts like Brhajjataka and Graha-yagatattva includes the following: White complexion; feminine; brahmana caste, Yajurveda; rajo-guna, favourite Zodiacal sign Vrshbha (Tauras); natal constellation Magha; beneficent planet (subha-graha); body-size nine angulas; hails from Bhojakata country; facing Sun (Surya-mukha); clad in white garments; powerful during after-noon; favours water for moving about; middle aged (madhyavaya); governs human beings.

He is four armed carrying in his hands rosary, water-pot, staff and gesture of boon-bestowal. He is seated on a red lotus; and rides a chariot to which are yoked horses born out of earth. He is distinguished by sixteen rays (shaodasarchi). He presides over Vasanta season (comprising of Chaitra and Vaisakha months). His tutelary deities are Indra, the chief of the gods and his consort Sachi.

In the description in Kalika-purana given above, he is four – armed, but carries in his hands rosary, scripture-book and the gesture of protection and boon-bestowed. He is seated on twin- serpents Samkha and Naga. The account included in Purascharyarnava (pp. 945-946) gives his lineage as Saunaka’s, his country as Kikata, his Vedic metre as Pankti and prescribes that he must be worshipped by white flowers.

The account of Sri-tattva-nidhi adds that his ornaments are studded with diamonds and the eight horses yoked to his chariot are white in colour. He is celebrated as the author of a Niti-sastra (well –know as Sukra-niti-sara). His image is to be made in silver, and installed on a five-sided pedestal facing East.

This text prescribed that Brhaspati, the preceptor of the gods, and Sukra, the preceptor of the demons, must be visualized alike except for their complexions (yellow and white respectively).

CHEROKEE LANGUAGE AND CHEROKEE HISTORY CLASSES ONLINE

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AniTsalagi_Language/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cherokee_history/

PLEASE PASS THIS INFO ALONG. I WANT TO PASS OUR LANGUAGE AND HISTORY
ON TO AS MANY AS POSSIBLE.

WADO AND BLESSSINGS

SHEILA ANDERSON-LEWIS

http://www.petitiononline.com/REVAAIM/petition.html

Mis-interpretive Center

I was disappointed at the ignorant and inaccurate display about “Indians� at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center located along the Missouri River in Sioux City, Iowa when I took a non-Indian friend with me to check it out.

A few years before it’s opening, I contacted the ‘powers that be’ of this project in order to try to ‘get in on the ground floor’ to insure a truthful and legitimate depiction of who the people were that Clark and Lewis met when traveling freely through these parts a couple hundred years ago. The response was less than receptive from the project’s main boss, so the idea was forced by the ‘committee’ to just ‘fade away.’

Imagine the disgust of people when they view the Center’s scene of a meeting between Lewis and Clark and the local Indigenous inhabitants.  The offensive scene has voices of “Indiansâ€� asking for dog meat to eat as a meal! This display constitutes nearly the entirety of what the center has about Indigenous Red Nations and Peoples (misnomer “Native Americanâ€�, “American Indianâ€�).

Most people don’t know daily items cherished today by Americans and the world such as corn, tomatoes, potatoes, french fries, catsup, tomato sauce for spaghetti, and chocolate, come from Indigenous Red Nations and Peoples as gifts to the world – a nice thank you would be much better than a slap in the face!

This display perpetuates a stereotypical misconception that “Indians� eat “dog meat� as a regular meal and is as hurtful and ridiculous as assuming Catholics eat tiny bread circles every day for lunch and drink wine each night at home to quench a cannibalistic thirst for the blood and flesh of one of their dead heroes!

I expected from the Center, however, the fact left out that Clark/Lewis were on nothing less than a military reconnaissance mission to map out the locations of those Indigenous Nations and Peoples upon whom the world’s largest, quickest, and deadliest genocide would then soon occur against by a greedy u.s. government (trillions in gold and coal are removed daily from Indigenous 1851 Treaty of Fort Laramie homelands.

An example of the inappropriateness of what is displayed at the “Mis-interpretative Center� could also be explained by something you wouldn’t see today: a German historical “Hitler exhibit� with the only reference to Jewish people being, “When the Nazis first encountered the greedy Jews, the Jews asked the nice Nazi people, ‘If you give me a $20 bill, I can give you two fives and three ones in change, c’mon, deal with me!’�

Also, there is absolutely no recognition in the “Mis-interpretive Center� of the Ihanktunwan DaNakota (Yankton Dakota “Sioux�) People who have lived here in what is now called “Sioux City� for millions of years. They also found it acceptable to lump all “Indian� nations together, with no acknowledgement of each one’s unique language and culture.

The Indigenous People of this area and non-Indians who support truth and honor, hereby condemn the “Mis-interpretive Center�, and hereby urge people to refrain from attending this ignorant display and instruct their friends and relatives visiting this area to do the same. Boycott the “Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center� until the leaders of the establishment inform visitors to this area the way it really was and is. Urge your churches and organizations to do the same, in honor of truth and justice FOR ALL.

How Sioux City can disrespect and neglect Indigenous peoples in front of thousands of ignorant travelers is a shame. This site could have served as a great teaching tool for all who came. Why not use this opportunity to share the truth about Indigenous peoples?

It is far easier to be positive than to continue to spread lies about such a beautiful, innocent race of people. One can journey south 20 miles to Winnebago, NE during the last full weekend in July to see the evidence of this beauty and hospitality during the Winnebago Tribe’s annual “Homecoming Celebration Pow-wow.�

Scott Barta

1851Treaty.com

http://www.petitiononline.com/REVAAIM/petition.html

Mis-interpretive Center

I was disappointed at the ignorant and inaccurate display about “Indians� at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center located along the Missouri River in Sioux City, Iowa when I took a non-Indian friend with me to check it out.

A few years before it’s opening, I contacted the ‘powers that be’ of this project in order to try to ‘get in on the ground floor’ to insure a truthful and legitimate depiction of who the people were that Clark and Lewis met when traveling freely through these parts a couple hundred years ago. The response was less than receptive from the project’s main boss, so the idea was forced by the ‘committee’ to just ‘fade away.’

Imagine the disgust of people when they view the Center’s scene of a meeting between Lewis and Clark and the local Indigenous inhabitants.  The offensive scene has voices of “Indiansâ€� asking for dog meat to eat as a meal! This display constitutes nearly the entirety of what the center has about Indigenous Red Nations and Peoples (misnomer “Native Americanâ€�, “American Indianâ€�).

Most people don’t know daily items cherished today by Americans and the world such as corn, tomatoes, potatoes, french fries, catsup, tomato sauce for spaghetti, and chocolate, come from Indigenous Red Nations and Peoples as gifts to the world – a nice thank you would be much better than a slap in the face!

This display perpetuates a stereotypical misconception that “Indians� eat “dog meat� as a regular meal and is as hurtful and ridiculous as assuming Catholics eat tiny bread circles every day for lunch and drink wine each night at home to quench a cannibalistic thirst for the blood and flesh of one of their dead heroes!

I expected from the Center, however, the fact left out that Clark/Lewis were on nothing less than a military reconnaissance mission to map out the locations of those Indigenous Nations and Peoples upon whom the world’s largest, quickest, and deadliest genocide would then soon occur against by a greedy u.s. government (trillions in gold and coal are removed daily from Indigenous 1851 Treaty of Fort Laramie homelands.

An example of the inappropriateness of what is displayed at the “Mis-interpretative Center� could also be explained by something you wouldn’t see today: a German historical “Hitler exhibit� with the only reference to Jewish people being, “When the Nazis first encountered the greedy Jews, the Jews asked the nice Nazi people, ‘If you give me a $20 bill, I can give you two fives and three ones in change, c’mon, deal with me!’�

Also, there is absolutely no recognition in the “Mis-interpretive Center� of the Ihanktunwan DaNakota (Yankton Dakota “Sioux�) People who have lived here in what is now called “Sioux City� for millions of years. They also found it acceptable to lump all “Indian� nations together, with no acknowledgement of each one’s unique language and culture.

The Indigenous People of this area and non-Indians who support truth and honor, hereby condemn the “Mis-interpretive Center�, and hereby urge people to refrain from attending this ignorant display and instruct their friends and relatives visiting this area to do the same. Boycott the “Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center� until the leaders of the establishment inform visitors to this area the way it really was and is. Urge your churches and organizations to do the same, in honor of truth and justice FOR ALL.

How Sioux City can disrespect and neglect Indigenous peoples in front of thousands of ignorant travelers is a shame. This site could have served as a great teaching tool for all who came. Why not use this opportunity to share the truth about Indigenous peoples?

It is far easier to be positive than to continue to spread lies about such a beautiful, innocent race of people. One can journey south 20 miles to Winnebago, NE during the last full weekend in July to see the evidence of this beauty and hospitality during the Winnebago Tribe’s annual “Homecoming Celebration Pow-wow.�

Scott Barta

1851Treaty.com

EXPERTS say Inuit lawsuit could cost Ottawa, revolutionize ...
National Post (free subscription required) - Canada
... people. Legal experts suggest his efforts to win new federal benefits
for Canada's 50,000 Inuit deserve serious consideration. They ...
<http://www.canada.com/national/nationalpost/news/story.html?id=64c9e5a9-8fb9-42\
47-a4b6-54000005e5aa>

Human Development Report 2004: Cultural Liberty in Today's Diverse World

The UNDP Human Development Report for 2004 focuses on the critical
importance of cultural liberty for human development. Called
"Cultural Liberty in Today's Diverse World," it argues that national
policies that support cultural diversity are necessary to build
stable multicultural nations in the 21st century.  Growing demands by
the world's people for their inclusion in society, for respect of
their ethnicity, religion, and language, takes more than democracy
and equitable growth. Policies that recognize differences, champion
diversity and promote cultural freedoms, so that all people can
choose to speak their language, practice their religion, and
participate in shaping their culture are needed.  The Report,
available for download here in pdf format, addresses immigration
patterns and policies, enforced assimilation, globalization and
cultural choice, and confronting movements for cultural domination ...
Contributed by Charlotte Moser on 23 July, 2004

Direct link (English version downloads)
http://hdr.undp.org/reports/global/2004/

|Français
http://hdr.undp.org/reports/global/2004/francais/
|Español
http://hdr.undp.org/reports/global/2004/espanol/
|Other Languages
http://hdr.undp.org/reports/global/2004/other_languages.cfm

  Foreword, Acknowledgements, Contents (123KB )
  Overview : Cultural liberty in today's diverse world (95KB)
  Chapter 1 : Cultural liberty and human development (103KB)
  Chapter 2 : Challenges for cultural liberty (303KB)
  Chapter 3 : Building multicultural democracies (308KB)
  Chapter 4 : Confronting movements for cultural domination (195KB)
  Chapter 5 : Globalization and cultural choice (353KB)
  Notes, Bibliographic note, Bibliography (122KB)
Indicators' Table of Contents and Statistical Features (508KB)
  Human Development Indicators (551KB)
  Technical Notes and Definitions (699KB)
Download the complete report (3.4 MB)
--

---

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Via / By / Excerpted / From / Tip from / Thanks to:

<http://topics.developmentgateway.org/knowledge/rc/ItemDetail.do~1008163~intcmp=\
00001>

© info
<http://members.tripod.com/~media002/disclaimer.htm>
Due to the nature of email & the WWW, check ALL sources.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
GEORGE LESSARD
Information & Media Specialist
Home E-mail <mailto:media@...>
MSN: MediaMentor (video cam & audio capable)
ICQ: 8501081
www.Skype.com P2PNetPhone: themediamentor
Home Pages / C.V. <http://media002.tripod.com/>
Online Activities: <http://www.web.ca/~media/index.html>
Images: <http://members.tripod.com/media002/george-lessard-photographer.html>
Member <http://www.carcc.ca/>  & <http://www.caj.ca>
"You must be the change you wish to see in the world."
(Gandhi)
"We cannot become what we need to be by remaining what we are."
(Max Depree)
"Try? There is not try. There is only do or not do."
(Yoda)

One Nation figure helping Dan Boren against Free
Anti-Indian group leader supports conservative democrat against
Choctaw woman

MCALESTER OK
Sam Lewin 7/24/2004
http://www.nativetimes.com/index.asp?
action=displayarticle&article_id=4661

One of the leading figures in the anti-tribal sovereignty group One
Nation has donated a couple thousand dollars to the candidacy of Dan
Boren. Boren is running against Kayln Free, a member of the Choctaw
Nation, for the Democratic Congressional nomination in Oklahoma's 2nd
District, a region with one of the largest Indian populations in the
country. Records show Mike Cantrell has given $2000 to the Boren
campaign. Cantrell is a featured spokesman for One Nation, and is
quoted prominently on the organization's website, which describes him
as a "long-time oil industry leader and political activist."

Boren spokesman Owen Shackleford said the donation doesn't mean Boren
agrees with One Nation's positions.

" Representative Boren and Mike Cantrell were friends long before
Representative Boren decided to run for Congress. Mike is well aware
of Representative Boren's position on One Nation. Representative
Boren is opposed to the agenda of One Nation and has publicly said
so. I would also remind you that Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill
Anotatubby and Choctaw Nation Chief Greg Pyle are supporting
Representative Boren's candidacy. No donor or candidate agrees with
every candidate on every single issue," Shackleford said.

Officials with the Free campaign wasted little time in casting the
donation in the worst light possible.

"Dan Boren is clearly the enemy of tribal sovereignty, as evidenced
by the contributions he has accepted from the founder of One Nation
and several of it's member groups and individuals," said Free
spokesman Dave Parker.

The second congressional district is home to more Native Americans
than any other in the nation. The Cherokees, Creeks, Choctaws and the
many tribes in the northeast part of the state call the second
district it's home. Free has been endorsed and financially supported
by tribes from all over the country.

One Nation has been on the radar screen of many Native Americans
since they formed two years ago. The group's stated purpose is to "
raise public awareness of the growing threat to our state's economic
future posed by the unprecedented expansion of the power of the
Native American tribes." Mailers from the organization say they want
to "…have an immediate impact on targeted tribal issues. We will
participate in the call for better compact agreements for water
rights tobacco and gaming." The name itself is not new. For
years, "One Nation" has been the title of an Australian group devoted
to such issues as anti-immigration legislation and increased access
to firearms and an organization also calling itself "One Nation"
formed in California to oppose bilingual education.

One Nation now claims 180 thousand members and includes four main
groups: the Southern Oklahoma Water Alliance, Oklahoma Farm Bureau,
Oklahoma Petroleum Marketers Association and the Oklahoma Independent
Petroleum Association. The Quick Trip Corporation is a member of One
Nation.

> http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/news.php?newsno=1319
>
>Indigenous People of Latin America Declare Support for Venezuela's Chavez
>
>
>By: Robin Nieto - Venezuelanalysis.com
>
>Quito, July 24, 2004
>
>(Venezuelanalysis.com)--Today, the Second Continental Summit of Indigenous
Peoples and Nationalities closed with a declaration of support for the people of
Venezuela and Cuba.
>
>The indigenous delegations present at the summit offered full support for the
people of Venezuela and President Chavez before the August 15 referendum. The
confrence took place a few days prior to the first "Social Forum of the
Americas," which is a regional version of the annual World Social Forum.
Indigenous representatives from twenty countries from accross Latin America
participated in the conference.
>
>According to Nicia Maldonado, the president of the Confederation of Indigenous
people of Venezuela (CONIVE), indigenous people are backing the people of
Venezuela and President Chavez because they see that concrete actions have been
taken by the Venezuelan president to protect and promote the rights of
indigenous people.
>
>"For the first time indigenous peoples (of Venezuela) are playing an active
role in decision making in the country," Maldonado said. "The participatory
process allows for ongoing consultation between government and the people."
>
>Maldonado said that the concrete positive actions showed by the current
government in Venezuela towards indigenous people is unique in the world. 
"Perhaps in other parts of the world there have been declarations of good
intentions towards indigenous people, but never have we seen these principles in
practice as we see now in Venezuela,"  Maldonado said.  And for this to
continue, "President Chavez is our guarantee," she added.
>
>Venezuela's 1999 constitution, which was passed and drafted by an elected
constitutional assembly of mostly Chavez supporters, contains an entire section
that Venezuela's indigenous representatives drafted themselves. The section was
adopted nearly unchanged into the 1999 constitution.
>
>For Izeanobia Mercano, of the Cumangoto people of Sucre state, the summit was a
learning experience.  "I learned to identify myself with my own people, rather
than just as a Venezuelan.   I learned about the need to recuperate our
spirituality and to look back to our own systems before the conquest," Mercano
said.
>
>The indigenous people of Venezuela have to propose their own models of economic
development to president Chavez rather than waiting for the government to come
up with projects, says Mercano. "It's not just the government that has things to
teach us but the people themselves. They have a lot to teach us."
>
>The declaration to support the people of Venezuela and Cuba went hand in hand
with the repudiation of neo-liberalism and its action plans embodied in
agreements like the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) and in global
organizations like the World Trade Organization (WTO), the World Bank and the
International Monetary Fund (IMF), which require militarization to enforce their
plans, according to summit conclusions.
>
>In a show of action against neo-liberalism, an economic model which indigenous
people consider the new vehicle of colonialism, an international strike day has
been proposed for Oct.12, 2004, the same day that marks the landing of Columbus
on this continent in 1492.
>
>
>
>
>

If You want to write the man, feel free:
gordon.mcgregor@...

If you have any queries on their commitment to communities please
contact the ScottishPower Corporate Communications, 1 Atlantic Quay,
Glasgow G2 8SP or email at communityreport@...

Native Americans demonstrating in Edinburgh yesterday Fish rotting in
the Klamath river. The tribesmen are calling for fish ladders or other
measures to allow salmon to move upstream.
Tribes enlist Arnie's help in fishing feud

JAMES DOW

NATIVE Americans embroiled in a dispute with the energy company
ScottishPower have pledged to take their case to the governor of the
State of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The tribesmen were in Edinburgh yesterday to demonstrate at
ScottishPower's annual meeting. They say dams owned by a subsidiary of
the company have damaged their fishing grounds.

They publicly challenged the chief executive of ScottishPower, Ian
Russell, to make a personal commitment to resolving the long-running feud.

Mr Russell, who held private talks with the tribes on Thursday,
promised to take charge of the company's negotiations.

But the chairman of the delegation representing the tribes, Leaf
Miller, said he would bring further pressure to bear on the company by
seeking Mr Schwarzenegger's support.

Mr Schwarzenegger is one of only a small number of people with the
power to intervene in the dispute and force a solution.

The row concerns six dams in the north of California owned by
ScottishPower's US subsidiary, PacifiCorp. Four tribes - the Klamath,
Karuk, Yurok and Hoopa - say the dams have devastated the salmon stock
in the Klamath river basin.

The salmon are an important part of their economy, religion and
history, and the tribes are trying to persuade ScottishPower to modify
or remove its dams to allow fish to migrate up-river.

A member of the Indians' delegation - whose native American name is
Mohiswaqs but who introduced himself at the shareholders' meeting as
Jeff Mitchell - made an impassioned plea for support from the mostly
Scottish audience.

He said: "I want to thank you, the people of Scotland, for your
hospitality and for allowing us to come into your homelands to speak
to you in this way.

"My people have suffered enormous harm. We would like to see a full
range of alternatives - consistent with our principles - to address
the issues we have raised. I will come back here again and again until
we find a solution."

Mr Russell replied that the tribes had his "absolute commitment" to
finding an answer to their dispute. He said: "We completely respect
the sovereign nations who are represented here today. They have
behaved with great dignity."

ScottishPower is currently seeking a new licence to operate the dams
from the US water regulator. The tribes are pressuring the regulator
to insert a clause in the licence requiring ScottishPower to provide
solutions such as fish ladders - which allow salmon to leap upstream.

Scottish & Southern Energy, the Perth-based rival to ScottishPower,
has installed similar devices on some rivers in Scotland. Some of the
Californian dams are too tall, however, to accommodate fish ladders,
requiring different solutions.

As governor of the state of California, Mr Schwarzenegger can demand
the regulator inserts guarantees to protect the tribes' interests. Mr
Schwarzenegger's office was unavailable yesterday to comment on its
intentions in the case.

Mr Miller said he would press for the governor's support shortly. "We
have had an initial contact with the governor's office and I will take
a campaign to them when I return to the US," he said.

"In fact, we believe we already have strong support from some of the
state's agencies, such as the Water Resource Control Board."

Mr Russell told The Scotsman he was unwilling to set a deadline to
resolve the discussion. "Some of these licence applications can take
up to ten years," he said.

Mr Mitchell said he hoped the company would report at its annual
meeting in 2005 that the two sides had agreed a solution.

ScottishPower shareholders heard that the Indian tribes had spent more
than three years in negotiations with the company's American
subsidiary. They have been pressuring it to add - of its own volition
- the desired clauses into its licence application.

But when the company recently submitted its draft application to the
US water regulator, there was no mention of the salmon issue. The
document is understood to weigh 80lb and stand three-and-a-half feet high.

Mr Mitchell said: "My people have spent years in meetings with
PacifiCorp, one week of every month. We have committed enormous
resources and hard work. The company's interest in the dams is a very
small fraction of their energy production."

He said ScottishPower's commitment to the environment on issues such
as green energy was "impressive". Such concerns were in the interests
of shareholders, he said, and he asked them to press the company to
extend its consideration to California.

Molly White, from the Karuk tribe, who had travelled to the protest
with her 14-month-old son, Nicknekich, said: "We hope the shareholders
hear our message and we hope it has an effect, because the fish are
dying and we cannot live without our fish."

The chief executive of PacifiCorp, Judi Johansen, said she was "100
per cent committed" to finding a solution to the tribes' requests. She
had joined Mr Russell in the talks with the delegation on Thursday.

Mr Schwarzenegger - also known as Conan the Republican and The
Governator in American political circles - pledged recently to "fight
like a warrior" for the people of California.


This article:

http://news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=846402004


Other Articles:
http://news.scotsman.com/opinion.cfm?id=843702004
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2004/07/24/nklam24.xml&sShe\
et=/news/2004/07/24/ixhome.html
http://news.scotsman.com/opinion.cfm?id=847942004
http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=162-07202004
http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=3244635
http://iclanarkshire.icnetwork.co.uk/news/scotland/headlines/tm_objectid=1445065\
9&method=full&siteid=50144&headline=tribesmen-take-on-utility-giant-name_page.ht\
ml
http://www.heraldandnews.com/articles/2004/07/21/news/top_stories/top2.txt
http://scotlandtoday.scottishtv.co.uk/content/default.asp?page=s1_1_1&newsid=442\
3

SECOND CONTINENTAL SUMMIT OF INDIGENOUS PUEBLOS AND NATIONS OF ABYA YALA (THE AMERICAS)

Declaration of Kito

>From the heart of the world, in the place of the upright sun, following the First Summit of Teotihuacan, on the 25th day of the month of July 2004, the indigenous pueblos and nationalities of Abya Yala self-convened and reunited in the Second Continental Summit, organized by the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (Confederación de las Nacionalidades Indígenas del Ecuador -- CONAIE), Organization of Quichua Nationalities of Ecuador (Organización de las Nacionalidades Quichuas del Ecuador -- ECUARUNARI) and the Coordinator of Indigenous Organizations of the Amazonian Watershed (Coordinadora de las Organizaciones Indígenas de la Cuenca Amazónica -- COICA), with the participation of delegates from 64 indigenous pueblos and nationalities, express our words.

We are original pueblos of Abya Yala (the Americas). Our ancestors and grandparents taught us to love and venerate our fertile Mother Earth, to live in harmony and liberty with the natural and spiritual beings which exist in her. The political, economical, social and cultural institutions which we have are the heritage of our ancestors and are the basis for our future.

The valleys and steppes, the jungles and deserts, the snow-capped peaks, the oceans and rivers, the eagle and condor, the quetzal and hummingbird, the puma and jaguar, have been testaments to our collective sociopolitical systems based in human and environmental sustainability.

We were dispossessed from our original territories by colonizers and nation-states; divided to guarantee political control and pushed into inhospitable areas. The territories which we inhabit today are characterized by the conservation of biodiversity and the existence of natural resources which are being coveted by multinational corporations, for which we are newly suffering eviction.

National governments following the lines of the IMF, World Bank, and IADB, are devastating us with the payment of the external debt and are reversing our collective right to the earth, modifying legislation to permit the privatization thereof, and allowing association with companies and individual appropriation.

We denounce the national governments of the Americas who are employing ever more violent repression characterized by the violation of our human rights and our rights as pueblos; the criminalizing of our acts of defense of life and our spiritual ceremonies; paramilitarization; evictions from our lands and military occupations; the co-optation and corruption of local authorities and leaders; the promotion of projects which attempt to "compensate" the harm which transnational corporations are committing; the supposed profit-sharing; forced migration; and promoting the division and armed confrontation between communities in order to impose their exclusive, racist, and oppressive policies.

We oppose emphatically the establishment of plans such as the Regional South American Infrastructure Integration (Integración de Infraestructura Regional Sudamericana -- IIRSA); the Plan Puebla Panamá (PPP); the Plan Patriota; Plan Colombia; Plan Dignidad, Plan Andino, the creation of military bases; as well as the establishment of the FTAA and other Free Trade Agreements, which are propelled under the mark of the World Trade Organization and for the extractive countries of the world; the only thing they intend is the creation of infrastructure for the circulation of their merchandise, the extraction of natural resources of our lands and territories, and protection of the transnationals. We characterize this as plans of invasion for plundering, destruction, and death.

We reject plans for territorial legislation, prospecting and exploitation of minerals and hydrocarbons, establishment of Natural Protected Areas and tree farms; payment for environmental services, privatization of water and air, fumigations, establishment of patents for natural and cultural resources, and the use of transgenic seeds which is taking place in our territories, as these things are oriented only towards guaranteeing the reproduction of grand transnational capital, to the detriment of our lives.

We denounce that the national states of the Americas are characterized by the violation of national and international juridical instruments to the detriment of the collective rights of pueblos, like the Convention 169 of the OIT, of which we demand the immediate ratification for all the countries of the Americas and the rest of the world.

We remand the Organization of American States, for their lack of initiative to modify the American Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous "Populations" in conjunction with the participation and decision of the indigenous pueblos.

We remand the system of united nations for not having stood up for the indigenous populations for a decade; they still have not realized the action necessary for approve the universal declaration of the rights of indigenous pueblos.

Against this situation of eviction which characterizes the existence of our pueblos:

We resolve

To create a permanent space of linkage and interchange, where experiences and proposals converge, so that our pueblos and nationalities may confront together the policies of neoliberal globalization.

To outline a common agenda of actions and mobilizations which manifest our rejection of this model of exclusivity, and of united and concerted action to which we agree to participate against such organisms.

To establish alliances with other sectors of society, especially social movements, which permit us to confront the policies which oppress us.

To demand the unconditional liberty of indigenous leaders and authorities unjustly detained for the defense of their lands and the exercising of autonomy; and, the reparation -- such as indemnity to the families -- for moral damage caused to indigenous pueblos and nationalities by the assassinations perpetrated against their inhabitants.

To demand from the national states the inconditional repatriation of genetic and cultural resources which have been extracted legally or illegally from our lands and territories; the restitution of dispossessed territories; the free transit of indigenous peoples in their territories when compromised by national boundaries, and indemnity to the pueblos affected by the impacts of such evictions, such as the restitution of the initial areas of their lands and territories; the unrestricted respect of the territories of our indigenous pueblos and nationalities, especially those who have not yet been contacted or who live in voluntary isolation.

We demand that governments resolve all the conflicts caused by the exploitation of natural resources and the lack of guaranteed life and land when state and transnational policies are executed, as is the case with Sarayaku, Raposa Sierra del Sol, Plan Colombia, Río Pilcomayo, Montes Azules, Camisea, the case of gas in Bolivia and Margarita, and Ashánica.

To participate in International Forums such as the World Social Forum and the Social Forum of the Americas with common proposals which reflect the position of the indigenous movement.

To be in solidarity with the CONAIE against the grave attack brought against them by the ecuadorian government of Colonel Gutiérrez which tries to undermine their struggle for the construction of a plurinational state.

To be in solidarity with the pueblo of Venezuela and president Hugo Chávez, which have been characterized by the defense of their national sovereignty, against the grave attack launched against them by the United States; additionally we make a call to action against the referendum set for the 15th of August of 2004.

To be in solidarity with the Cuban pueblo for their permanent anti-imperial struggle.

Above all we affirm:

That the territories we inhabit are ours for good, by history and inalienable right, unprescribable and without embargo.

That we possess our own models which guarantee the reproduction of our pueblos and nationalities in harmony with nature, having as their base our ancestral cultural inheritance.

That we do not need legal recognition to create autonomous spaces which permit us to exercise free determination for our pueblos and nationalities.

http://www.cumbreindigenabyayala.org/

articulo en espanol y ingles: scroll down for english......d

Dialogo Histórico entre Grupos Indígenas

Voice of the Valley

Pacific News Service, Crónica,
Eduardo Stanley, Jul 26, 2004

News Feature, Eduardo Stanley,
Pacific News Service, Jul 26, 2004