Lessons of Wounded Knee not taught in schools
By TERRY WOSTER 
and BRENDA WADE SCHMIDT

Many South Dakotans - Indian and non-Indian -- grew up knowing little about the tragic history of the tiny reservation community of Wounded Knee. 
The failure to explore historical events such as the massacre that occurred there 110 years ago may be contributing to the troubled race relations in the state today, some tribal leaders say. READ IT...
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A Time for Human Rights on Native Ground
By LOUISE ERDICH
NYTIMES
MINNEAPOLIS - In 1977, fresh out of Dartmouth College's Native
American program, I got a job in Fargo, N.D. I worked only blocks
from the federal court building, and one day, from my window, I saw
a crowd collect near the courtroom entrance. I walked over to see
what was happening and spotted a few friends I had grown up with in
Wahpeton, N.D.

 My political leanings were all surface, consisting mainly of
fashion statements. During the 1973 siege at Wounded Knee and the
subsequent murderous climate on Pine Ridge reservation in South
Dakota, in which more than 60 Native people and two F.B.I. agents
were killed, I had been trying to get good grades. 

 Now, here were my friends dressed in flamboyant vests, beads and
black hats hung with eagle feathers. I, too, wore a hat, a brown
Italian fedora, only my feather was a blue macaw's. On the basis of
our hats, rather than any political awareness, I joined the crowd
entering the court building and became immediately drawn into the
trial of Leonard Peltier.

 I changed the hours in my job so that I could sit through the
trial and listen carefully until at last the cases were presented.
Once I'd heard it all, I was confident that not one scintilla of
hard evidence linked Mr. Peltier to the murders of F.B.I. agents
Jack Coler and Ronald Williams. When the jury came back with a
guilty verdict I remember extreme shock, a surprise so visceral
that I jumped up, shouted, and then found myself quietly weeping in
the swirl of subsequent chaos. I had, then, no personal connection
with Mr. Peltier. I was not persuaded of his innocence, but that
was not the point. I was positive that on the basis of what I'd
heard in court that there was reasonable doubt as to his guilt and
that he should not have been convicted. My horror was for the
United States judicial system.

 The court system had been influenced, as had I, by the black hats
and the feathers and the aura of paranoia. Only to me, these things
were attractive. To others, the mood at the back of the courtroom
and the drum beating in the street outside were threatening. No one
at the time was capable of impartiality, or dedicated to
discovering the truth.

 Here are a few truths. There is no exact forensic evidence that
links the rifle said to have been carried by Mr. Peltier to the
weapon that caused the fatal injuries. There was no witness to the
shooting of the F.B.I. agents. The young witnesses who placed Mr.
Peltier, along with some 30 other people, in the vicinity of the
crime scene have since insisted that they were coerced and
intimidated by the F.B.I.

 Subsequently, it appears that the F.B.I. sought to avenge the
murders on the only person who could still be brought to trial
after everyone else involved in the fatal episode was acquitted, by
withholding and manipulating critical evidence.

 During the next few weeks, President Clinton has an opportunity to
demonstrate to Native American people and to the world that our
country practices some of what it preaches about human rights. By
extending clemency to Leonard Peltier, Mr. Clinton could make an
enormous gesture of reparation and healing. Mr. Peltier's release
is urged by the European Parliament, Amnesty International, the
Kennedy Memorial Center for Human Rights; by Nelson Mandela,
Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Rev. Jesse Jackson, the Dalai Lama; as
well as Canada's Assembly of First Nations, not to mention Native
rights groups and ordinary citizens throughout the United States.
As long as Leonard Peltier is imprisoned, our country's
relationship with its Native people is stained by ongoing dishonor,
and our own human rights statements are undermined by hypocrisy.

 After the Peltier trial, I immersed myself in writing and then
motherhood. Having experienced some of the hysteria and hatreds of
those times, I was ambivalent about Mr. Peltier and the attendant
posturing of other leaders of the American Indian Movement. I was
not a knee- jerk defense committee member, although I am a member
of the Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe, as is Leonard Peltier. But I
was haunted because of the high degree of reasonable doubt that
existed in the evidence against him. Eventually, I wrote to Leonard
Peltier.

 He is not a killer and never was. How do I know this? Because of
the person he has become. Leonard Peltier lives, physically
half-destroyed, in Leavenworth Prison. He is 56 years old, and he
has suffered a stroke and a jaw condition that left him in
unalleviated pain. Everything has been stripped away from him. He
is transparent now; 24 years in prison do that. There is no rage,
there is no blame in him. If his life were based upon two murders,
he could not have grown, as he has, into a spiritual force, a
person of true humility and gentle humor. I believe the only way he
could have survived is on the strength of his innocence.

 Last summer, I walked my grandfather's Turtle Mountain land, side-
stepping wild prairie roses, flicking off wood ticks, snapping the
dry tall stems of sage into a bundle I would wrap and keep through
the winter. As I walked, the evening sun blazed beneath a low cloud
and lighted all I saw with a shivering golden fire. I felt in that
moment the vast blessing of my own freedom, and took out a letter
I'd recently received from Leonard. Words are the soul to me, so I
neatly folded the letter and buried it, there, in his home ground.

 Leonard Peltier has paid a terrible price for all that the
American Indian Movement was blamed for during the late 1970's.
While other AIM leaders have trekked to Hollywood, married,
remarried, traveled first-class around the world and reaped the
rewards of notoriety, Mr. Peltier has paid. He has paid for our
nation's savagery at Wounded Knee in 1890 and 1973, and for the
shame of the F.B.I.'s treatment of Pine Ridge people. He has paid
for the violence of the AIM "warriors" who trashed government
offices, strutted, mugged, brandished weapons and used them. He has
paid the debt for whoever actually did commit those murders. He has
paid every day for 24 years. He has paid enough.

 It is time to let him go home.
Louise Erdrich is the author of
the forthcoming novel, "The Last Report on the Miracles at Little
No Horse."
ARCHIVED HERE...
RELATED OPINIONS:
Clemency Should be Granted to respect that for which Coler & Williams died If the FBI truly respected their fellow agents Coler and Williams, they would support granting of clemency or commutation of sentence to Leonard.   Right now, Coler & Williams stand for the proposition that a conviction at any cost is more important than protecting the right of all peoples to receive a fair trial...READ IT...

Lynn E. Crooks letter: Frivolous assertion  about Peltier years out of date
Lynn E. Crooks letter: 

The Forum - 12/29/2000 One has a right to expect that those who wish to weigh in on the debate over the Leonard Peltier case have done at least rudimentary research into the factual and legal history of the case. Carol Mattern, in her Dec. 18 letter to the editor, repeats the frivolous assertion that the prosecutors themselves have now admitted that “no one knows who killed the two agents.” This frivolous assertion is seven years out of date. It was the primary basis for a new trial motion which was rejected unanimously by the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals on July 7, 1993. After discussion of this assertion by Peltier’s attorneys, the court stated:
“Peltier’s arguments fail because their underlying premises are fatally flawed. (A) The government tried the case on alternative theories: it asserted that Peltier personally killed the agents at point blank range, but that if he had not done so, that he was equally guilty of their murder as an aider and abettor. (B) The government’s statement at the prior oral argument, upon which Peltier relies, was not a concession that the government had not proved that Peltier had not killed the agents personally, and that Peltier’s conviction could be sustained only on an aiding and abetting theory. (C) The evidence allegedly supporting Peltier’s self-defense claim, which he claims was improperly excluded, was correctly rejected.”
In the next four pages of the opinion the court proceeded to make a careful examination of the record which compelled these conclusions. See Peltier v. Henman, 997 F.2d 461, 465-70 (8th Cir. 1993).
The prosecutors have always known who was responsible for the murders of Special Agents Williams and Coler: it was Leonard Peltier.
ARCHIVED HERE...

Oneidas take dispute to Tribal Court 
By Associated Press, 12/29/2000 13:36 
ONEIDA, N.Y. (AP) The Oneida Nation Tribal Court is the right venue for a group of dissidents to fight the nation's leadership, a lawyer said Thursday. 
But a lawyer for Nation leader Ray Halbritter says the Men's Council is the place to hear issues of tribal membership and leadership. 
At issue are the claims of 19 rebellious Oneidas who say Halbritter violated their civil rights by trying to evict them, blocking them from nation ceremonies and stripping them of their financial resources. 
READ THE ARTICLE...
RELATED ARTICLE:
PRESS RELEASE: Oneida Indian Territory Residents Oppose Evictions

REVISITING THE END OF THE 3RD MILLENNIUM
COLUMN OF THE AMERICAS
Last year, we imagined that at the end of the third millennium, there would no longer be hunter battalions or border patrol agents roaming around the country in search of illegal human beings. This kind of society -- one without illegal human beings -- can only be arrived at first by imagining it, then by fighting for it. This past year, Congress has been embroiled in a dogfight that ensures that millions will remain in such a precarious status into the foreseeable future. READ THE ARTICLE...

Departing BIA head sees shortcomings 
By The Associated Press 

WASHINGTON (AP) ­ When he took over as head of the Bureau of Indian Affairs in 1997, Kevin Gover’s top goal was simply to make the agency competent at providing services to nearly 560 tribes. 
He commissioned a report by outside experts that found a “lack of credible management” so serious the BIA often inadvertently broke the law. After nearly three years of working on reforms, Gover says the agency has improved but has not yet achieved basic competence in all areas. ...READ THE ARTICLE...
Related:
Bush Appoints Four More Cabinet Members..READ IT...
NYTIMES

-=<+>=- HEALTH BRIEFS -=<+>=- . Heart And Stroke Deaths Down, But Minorities at Risk READ IT... ULCERS: Drug-defying bug hits Natives hard..READ IT.. Prenatal Exposure to Diabetes Ups Risk to Kids...READ IT... . U.S. approves new diabetes drug By The Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) – The Food and Drug Administration approved a new diabetes drug Friday to help patients control their blood sugar after meals. Starlix, an amino acid derivative, is marketed by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp., the company’s first drug for Type 2 or adult-onset diabetes..READ THE ARTICLE... . Washington Post Series Body Hunters US Drug Experimentation on Third World Populations INDEX... . Research shows traditional diet prevents Onset of TypeII Diabetes READ THE ARTICLE... . HEALTH: ICT: Confronting diabetes with tradition Spirit and body need a lot of help...READ THE ARTICLE... -=<+>=- AIDS awareness theme unites communities  Sweetgrass Writer Communities across the country came together Dec. 1 to mark the fourth annual Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Day. The theme of this year's awareness day was "Uniting Our Communities." CAAN [Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network Incorporated]

TODAY IN HISTORY December 29  . {EXCERPTED FROMOn This Date In North American Indian History By Phil Konstantin} . 1831: Today, CHEROKEE leaders send a memorandum to the Secretary of War stating their grievances against the actions of the state of Georgia. Georgia has taken their lands at gunpoint, carried off the people in chains, taken their gold mines, and planned to sell off their lands to white settlers. A delegation of John Ross, Judge John Martin, William Shorey Coodey, and John Ridge will go to Washington, to follow-up on their complaints.  . 1835: New Echota Treaty: the United States informs the CHEROKEEs that they are to appear in their capital city, New Echota, Georgia, to negotiate a treaty with the United States. They are informed that anyone not attending the council will be assumed to support any agreement reached there. Several CHEROKEE leaders opposed to the movement of the tribe to Indian Territory, are physically restrained so they cannot attend the meeting. Chief john ross will be held prisoner, without charges, for 12 days by Georgia militia. Of the estimated 18,000 CHEROKEEs, less than 500 will attend the treaty council. Today, a treaty (7 stat.478) will be signed by less than 100 CHEROKEEs which cedes all of the CHEROKEE lands in the east. The treaty signers, led by Elias Boudinot, Major Ridge and John Ridge, agree to the treaty with the provision that it receives approval of the majority of the CHEROKEE Nation. Although representatives of almost 16,000 CHEROKEEs will inform the government they do not endorse or support the treaty, the United States Senate will ratify it by a one vote margin.  . .1890 As the leader of the Miniconjou band massacred at             Wounded Knee Creek on December 29, 1890, Big Foot             haunts the history of the American West, an image of             brutal death "drawn," as N. Scott Momaday has             written, "in ancient light."             Big Foot and his people lived on the Cheyenne River   Reservation in present-day South Dakota and were             among the most enthusiastic believers in the Ghost             Dance ceremony when it arrived among the Lakota in             the spring of 1890. The hunger and misery that had             followed the final break-up of their great reservation in             1889 made the Lakota keenly receptive to the Ghost             Dance message of messianic renewal, and the             movement swept rapidly through their encampments,             causing local Indian Agents to react with alarm. Some             effectively suppressed the dancers, others called for            troops to restore order.             At the Standing Rock reservation, where Sitting Bull             was suspected of encouraging the Ghost Dance in order             to provoke an uprising, the crisis led to bloodshed when             Indian police sent to arrest the aging holy man killed             him in a confrontation with his followers. Fearful of             reprisals, many from Sitting Bull's band fled south,             where they found a haven with Big Foot.             Big Foot decided to lead his people away from the             possibility of further violence at neighboring Standing             Rock and headed farther south toward the reservation             at Pine Ridge, hoping to find safety there. Increasingly             ill with pneumonia, he had no intention of fighting and             was flying a white flag when soldiers patrolling for             roving bands caught up with him on December 28,             1890. That night Big Foot and his people camped near          Wounded Knee Creek, surrounded on all sides by             soldiers...excerpted from HERE "They turned their guns, Hotchkiss guns [breech-loading cannons that     fired an explosive shell], etc., upon the women who were in the lodges     standing there under a flag of truce, and of course as soon as they were fired upon they fled...There was a woman with an infant in her arms who was killed as she almost touched the flag of truce [which flew over  the Lakota camp], and the women and children of course were strewn  all along the circular village until they were dispatched. Right near the  flag of truce a mother was shot down with her infant;.. EXCERPTED FROM HERE... PETITION TO RESCIND THE MEDALS OF DISHONOR "North American Indian Regional Losses, 1850-1890" . 1890 ARGUS LEADER PHOTO GALLERY Related News:  Big Foot Ride: Riders remember, honor culture on trek's longest day Big Foot Ride: Journey returns history to family  Big Foot Ride: 'This might be the last ride' Big Foot Ride: Young Lakota riders draw strength from history Big Foot Ride : Warm coffee on trail replaces glitter of Christmas Big Foot Ride : Big Foot ride's spiritual side wanes, some contend Big Foot Ride : Trek gathers momentum as riders near Wounded Knee Big Foot Ride : In Memorium - "Turning tragedy into strength" THIS WEEK'S COMPLETE LISTING HERE...

PELTIER COVERAGE a railroad job is a railroad job -  once the destination has been predetermined, the process becomes one  of simply laying down the tracks so that the train can get to the  predetermined place it was meant to go ..Interlochen..a Peltier supporter Waiting for an old acquaintance, DEC25 LIST OF 62 GRANTED CLEMENCY Peltier not among pardons   http://web.northscape.com/ AP  WASHINGTON -- President Clinton was making decisions on Friday about granting clemency to some of the scores of convicted Americans seeking presidential pardons or lighter punishment, but did not mention American Indian activist Leonard Peltier, convicted 25 years ago in North Dakota for killing two FBI agents. ... ...A spokesman said the president was expected to make more clemency announcements before Jan. 20.   READ THE ARTICLE...   Clinton To Act on Clemency Requests, Peltier backers wait, hope for presidential pardon PA Attorney General Fisher Urges President Clinton to Deny ClemencyTo Convicted LPDC Web site updates LPDC Web Site Update..Dec 22 http://www.freepeltier.org/ The following audio clips recorded from the "NYC Leonard Peltier Walk and Rally for Freedom" are available from the main page of the LPDC web site: Jennifer Harbury, Peltier Attorney and Human Rights Activist [6:32] http://www.freepeltier.org/jenniferharbury.mp3 Ramsey Clark, Former U.S. Attorney General [5:55] http://www.freepeltier.org/ramseyclark.mp3   Dec 19 Current and Past Supporters of Clemency for Leonard Peltier Click here for complete listing in PDF format {translated for the PDF challenged here} Letter from Congressman Don Edwards, Former FBI Agent PDF Format Letter from NCAI PDF Format Letter signed by World Renowned Human Rights Leaders PDF format {translated for the PDF challenged here} Go to More Support Statements SUGGESTED TALKING POINTS -=<+>=-ARTICLES-=<+>=- Clemency for Peltier Likely to Fail..Dec 21  By ERIC LICHTBLAU,  Times Staff Writer   Pleas: Clinton is leaning toward rejecting a pardon for the killer of two FBI agents, officials say. Case underscores the rift between the president and Freeh. READ THE STORY... URGENT NOTICE: FROM THE LPDC Letter to the Editor/Peltier..Catherine Davids Dec 20 Ottawa Sun - Editorial - Clemency Dec 19 FBI marching same as Uniformed Soldiers protesting  Reconciliation with Viet Nam...Interlochen  Dec 18 The FBI [active and retired] in truth marched in opposition to the  War on American Indians coming to an end with the release of one the POW's, Leonard. Since when do the "soldiers" dictate to  the "leaders"? READ THE ARTICLE... Clemency: Letter.....urgent..Bonnie Winona Dec 18 Extradition based on false evidence, Peltier inquiry says  PREVIOUS ARTICLES

WATCH FOR NEWS FROM THE LEONARD PELTIER RALLIES!! WHITE HOUSE PRAYER VIGIL DEC 19...mike mc,Scott Tippets PRAGUE COVERAGE...DEC 17 Bushka PERSONAL OBSERVATION DEC 15 ... antoinette

-=<+>=-UN: GENEVA-=<+>=-

Peltier could be victim of FBI frame
TORONTO SUN
By Peter Worthington -- Sun Media Newspapers
....READ THE ARTICLE...
PELTIER POLL SEND VOTE TO WHITEHOUSE

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