Desert Rock - 'A Step In The Wrong Direction'

By Kathy Helms
Dine Bureau
WINDOW ROCK – A lawsuit filed Tuesday by Desert Rock Energy Co. LLC and Dine Power Authority against U.S. Environmental Protection Agency “is unfortunate and premature,” according to New Mexico Environment Department Secretary Ron Curry.

Desert Rock Energy Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of Sithe Global Power LLC of Houston, and DPA challenged EPA and Administrator Stephen L. Johnson for failure to make a timely decision on an air permit application for the proposed 1,500 megawatt, coal-fired Desert Rock Energy Project, to be located near Burnham.

“New Mexico's position on this plant is clear; the Desert Rock plant as currently proposed is a step in the wrong direction,” Curry said. “We need to be moving forward, toward new carbon capture-ready technologies for power generation, not back to the old dirty coal plants of the past.”

Curry said that as planned, the new facility will adversely impact air quality, exacerbate existing environment problems, and negatively impact scarce surface and ground water resources. Per capita, New Mexico already emits twice the national average of greenhouse gas emissions, according to NMED.

“Also, the technology as proposed by Sithe refuses to consider real technological advances. It appears Sithe's investment in plant planning is outdated without taking into account the needs of climate change policy,” he said.

The estimated 12 million tons of carbon dioxide emitted each year from the Desert Rock plant would increase New Mexico greenhouse gas emissions by about 15 percent, making Gov. Bill Richardson's aggressive greenhouse gas reduction goals difficult – if not impossible – to meet, according to Curry.

DPA General Manager Steven Begay, during a report Wednesday to the Navajo Nation Economic Development Committee, said, “Everybody is waiting on the air permit. That will be the green light for the project to move forward.”

Begay said Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr. met with EPA's Johnson several months ago and again last Wednesday. “The permit is ready to be issued. It's awaiting some issues that have been raised by Administrator Johnson.”

One is the Endangered Species Act; another is global warming, according to Begay. He said a Supreme Court decision, Massachusetts v. EPA, raised concerns about global warming from “mobile sources,” which EPA cited as a cause of concern in its comments on the Desert Rock Draft Environmental Impact Statement.

Another stumbling block is legislation introduced March 11 by Rep. Edward J. Markey, chairman of the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, and Rep. Henry A. Waxman, chairman of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

The legislation, known as the “Moratorium on Uncontrolled Power Plants Act of 2008,” addresses the largest new source of global warming pollution — new coal-fired power plants that are being built without any controls on their global warming emissions, according to the chairmen.

The bill places a moratorium on either EPA or states issuing permits to new coal-fired power plants without state-of-the-art control technology to capture and permanently sequester the plant's carbon dioxide emissions. The moratorium extends until a comprehensive federal regulatory program for global warming pollution is in place.

The bill also bars a new coal-fired power plant without state-of-the- art control technology from receiving any free or reduced-cost emissions allowances under a future federal program to address global warming.

Many communities are still paying for failed nuclear power plant investments in the 1980's, the chairmen said. This bill puts investors and power companies on notice that if they invest in new sources of global warming pollution now, taxpayers won't pay for the costs of cleaning up those sources later.

“That's what's really holding up the permit, as we understand,” Begay said.

According to Waxman, comprehensive economy-wide regulation to address global warming is coming soon. More than 100 new plants have been proposed, and even if just a portion of these are built, they will emit over a hundred million tons of carbon dioxide a year, the chairmen said.

Desert Rock will have state-of-the-art technology, Begay said, as well as a space for any retrofittable carbon-capture system. “Carbon capture technology is there – it's theory – but there is no real practice. They're being experimented on real small scales and you can't just go from there to large scale, so there's that design that's not there that we're willing to look at.

“Following the design would be the bulk of the money for constructing a unit. For the size of the plant that Desert Rock is promoting to develop, it will require about $450 million per unit,” he said. There are two 750 megawatt units proposed.

Begay said there also would be a reduction in power off-take and a corresponding economic impact because it would require some of the power the plant would produce to run the carbon-capture system.

“But given that its all experimental – there's no proven technology that can be applied at the size Desert Rock will be – we're receptive to it but we've got to keep moving. There is a slot in the emission system where, if it's there, we'll put it in,” he said.

Secretary Curry said that at the request of the Navajo Nation, New Mexico Environment Department staff has been meeting with tribal environmental officials to discuss the project and the potential for carbon emission reductions. “To sue now undercuts these ongoing discussions,” he said.

“We respect the sovereignty of the Navajo Nation and the rights of tribal governments to determine their economic futures and to pursue positive change within their communities. However, the responsibility of taking strong action to combat global climate change is one we must all share.”

TO SUBMIT an ARTICLE, OPINION PIECE, COMMENTS to the Native Unity Digest, e-mail bobbieo@digitaldune.net.

NATIVE UNITY - A place for Native American Peoples to solidify their tribes to make a positive impact on the cultural, social, economic and political fabric of American society and a place for non-Natives to better understand the ways of the American Indian.

'MAKING THE WORLD SAFE FOR HYPOCRISY' By Joe Perez
http://www.mtwsfh.blogspot.com

NATIVE ISSUES BLOG
Professor Robert J. Miller
http://lawlib.lclark.edu/blog/native_america/

AIROS NATIVE NETWORK plays music, news and other great programs from Indian Country - www.airos.org

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Honoring Cesar Chavez - 'My Life Is My Sundance' - Free Leonard Peltier

Luncheon Honors Cesar Chavez - Remarks By Phoenix Mayor, Phil Gordon - March 28th, '08
Submitted by Maria Weeg, Executive Director, Arizona Democratic Party

As I look around this room, I see some of my very best friends. And many of my long-time friends. And I know that on December 3 of last year, when I asked our Police Department to review its internal policy—some of you were frustrated. But you stayed with me – and I thank you. I am still one of the most fortunate guys in town to have you as my friends.

I’m always honored to be at this wonderful event that celebrates an American hero. In some ways, it’s hard to believe that – all these years after Cesar Chavez stood up for the farm workers with such courage, conviction and eloquence – we are still struggling against very real issues of race and discrimination and injustice in this country. And sadly, in our own city.

I had prepared some remarks that were in keeping with your broad theme of education. But yesterday, something happened that moved me to give a different speech today. Though it’s still about education.

Last night, the Sheriff communicated with the law enforcement professionals of our community like he communicates with most everyone – by issuing a press release. He announced that his 200 volunteer posse members would be “migrating north” to crack down on illegal aliens. “Migrating North”.

That’s the phrase he used – intentionally mocking the language of the hard-working migrant workers who we honor and celebrate today. He says he’s doing this because 10 business owners – including a pawn shop and a biker store—asked him to. And who helped cirulate those 10 signatures to deliver to the Sheriff? A self-described Neo-Nazi.

The Sheriff worded his news release in such a way—by naming groups of “bikers” who agree with him and will show up to support him – that deliberately sets the stage for shouting matches, confrontations or worse.

That’s not acceptable behavior for anyone, let alone someone whose job is to help make our community safer.

Last week, he did the same thing. He sent 200 posse members into a different Phoenix neighborhood. Why? Listen to this quote, “We lock up murderers, we lock up everybody. We’re here for crime suppression, and we’re going to lock up everybody.”

But the posse didn’t lock up murderers. They locked up brown people with broken tail lights. How does that make our community safer? It doesn’t. What does that add to our community discussion on diversity and justice? Nothing.He calls this being tough. He calls it crime suppression. It is neither.

Those of us in this room today may disagree, from time to time, on some issues. But not often, and NOT on this issue.

While the Sheriff was arresting mothers and fathers for minor civil offenses, the Phoenix Police Department was doing a different kind of roundup. Last week, the Phoenix Police Department went into a neighborhood that had been taken over by gang members and drug pushers.

They arrested 42 criminals who were charged with 562 felony counts. Their bond is too high to post, and the neighbors have their neighborhood back.It was, by any measure, a big roundup. Certainly for Phoenix.

And THESE are the roundups that make sense and make us safer. THIS is the kind of roundup local police SHOULD be doing—going after the worst of the worst – at the neighborhood level. And getting dangerous criminals off the streets.

Today, I say once again to the Sheriff what I’ve said all week – if he really feels compelled to act tough, and if he really wants to impact crime, he should do what Phoenix PD, DPS, the FBI, Mesa PD and every other police agency does – with each other. Go after criminals – not a teenager driving with a broken tail light.

If he really wants to fight crime, he should start rounding up dangerous criminals who have outstanding felony warrants issued for them. There are thousands of outstanding warrants in this County. How long are those going to stay piled up on his desk?

That would make us all safer.

But these made-for-TV stunts of his are putting Phoenix and Federal undercover Officers, who are working that same area, at great risk. And his own volunteer posse faces serious risks from serious criminals.

All in the name of broken tail lights—on the cars of brown drivers.

The Sheriff should at least be candid about it. Don’t say your going after murderers when you’re not. Don’t call it crime suppression when it isn’t. And don’t pass the buck to 10 business owners when thousands of others elected him to actually make our community safer.

I call upon everyone in this room – and especially the non-hispanics in this room – to speak out. Make your voices heard.

As Cesar Chavez said, “It is possible to become discouraged about the injustice we see everywhere. But God did not promise us that the world would be humane and just. He gives us the gift of life and allows us to choose the way we use our limited time on this earth. It is an awesome opportunity.”

Most of us have been grabbing that opportunity for decades. But now is a good time to re-dedicate ourselves. Let’s do that today. Let each of us renew our resolve to teach our children, and to practice in our own actions, the most simple of lessons. That everyone wants to be heard … everyone wants to be respected. That all cultures share a common world – and human needs that bind us together. We share a common destiny to recognize ourselves in all people. We must learn to create a world in which people of all cultures are treated with respect.

Let’s focus on what we all want – solutions to challenges … ways to make things work better than they currently are.

Can we continue the work of Cesar Chavez? Can we help fulfill the compassion of Robert Kennedy? Can we all share the Dream of Martin Luther King? You know the answer.

Yes We Can.

Thank you, and God Bless you all.
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My Life Is My Sun Dance - Leonard Peltier
Leonard Peltier's stage play MY LIFE IS MY SUN DANCE is a soul-transforming theatrical experience that is a living expression of his own words, his own pain, his own dreams --as well as the suffering and dreams of his People.

We are seeking patrons, donors, sponsors, theater owners & plainold long-suffering Peltier supporters (Bless'm)--to assist Keith and me in bringing this amazing production starring Lakota actor/singer Doug Good Feather on tour to cities and rez communities around the nation this spring & onwards.

Leonard has his official parole review in December 2008--the last month ofBush's administration. His next formal parole review, if he's not freed, will not be until 2017.

He's now 63; has been in prison since he was 31. I personally ask EACH of you to step forward NOW-and assist us with ideas, theater info, purchases of CDs, Books or any of our Peltier support Items, and--yes, please, a modest donation to our just-created In Peace Productions at: http://www.mylifeismysundance.com/.

Keith Rabin has already gone deeply into debt just to create it so we
have a legit professional production company.

As co-playwright with Leonard, I have given outright my entire
co-playwright's share, plus quite a few personal thousands, to
In Peace Productions to make MY LIFE IS MY SUN DANCE a reality.

Please reach into your heart and your soul and your pocketbook to help us
stage this play and bring Leonard's continuing CRUCIFIXION--33 years on the
Cross of American Injustice--to center-stage of AMERICA'S CONSCIENCE.
I know most of us still have a conscience.

Let's use it to FREE LEONARD PELTIER!!

Again, please go to http://www.mylifeismysundance.com/ and inspire yourself and others to help us!

Leonard DOES enthusiastically support Keith Rabin and In Peace Productions.

Any suggestions or comments about the play should go
to keith@mylifeismysundance.com

Harvey Arden
http://www.haveyouthought.com/

TO SUBMIT an ARTICLE, OPINION PIECE, COMMENTS to the Native Unity Digest, e-mail bobbieo@digitaldune.net.

NATIVE UNITY - A place for Native American Peoples to solidify their tribes to make a positive impact on the cultural, social, economic and political fabric of American society and a place for non-Natives to better understand the ways of the American Indian.

'MAKING THE WORLD SAFE FOR HYPOCRISY' By Joe Perez
http://www.mtwsfh.blogspot.com

NATIVE ISSUES BLOG
Professor Robert J. Miller
http://lawlib.lclark.edu/blog/native_america/

AIROS NATIVE NETWORK plays music, news and other great programs from Indian Country - www.airos.org

FOR ANNIE'S NATIVE CELEBRITY NEWS - go to www.nativecelebs.com

CATCH COLORADAN PETER JONES AT:
http://indigenousissuestoday.blogspot.com

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Hundreds Welcome Walkers To Flagstaff - March, Colorado's 'Longest Walk Month'

Hundreds Welcome Indigenous Rights Walk To Flagstaff
Submitted by Western Shoshone Defense Project
Flagstaff, AZ - On Friday, March 21st, Indigenous spiritual leaders, environmental groups, tribal officials and 250 community members welcomed more than 100 participants of the Longest Walk 2.

The Longest Walk 2 marks the 30th anniversary of the original Longest Walk of 1978 that resulted in historic changes for Native Americans.

The Longest Walk 2 is a five- month journey, beginning in San Francisco, CA and finishing in Washington D.C., bringing attention to environmental protection and Native American rights.

"We’ve crossed 18 mountain ranges. We have walked 980 miles to be here,” said Dennis Banks, co-founder of the American Indian Movement and lead coordinator for the Southern Route of the Longest Walk 2.

“Thirty years ago a walk took place across this country and one of the issues that we brought before members of congress was the issue of the San Francisco Peaks, the holy mountain. 30 years later we are still concerned about the destruction and the violation of the holiness of this mountain.”

Longest Walk 2 participants joined with tribal and spiritual leaders and community members before entering Flagstaff at a sunrise prayer gathering. The ceremony was held on Arizona’s San Francisco Peaks where Snowbowl, a small private ski resort, has been attempting to expand and make fake snow from treated sewage effluent. More than 13 Indigenous Nations hold the Peaks holy and are unified in resisting the desecration of this sacred site.

Following the ceremony the walkers proceeded down the holy mountain picking up trash on their way to Flagstaff City Hall for a news conference and rally. Representatives of the Save the Peaks Coalition, Sierra Club, ECHOES, Black Mesa Water Coalition, and C-Aquifer for Dine addressed the issues facing their communities and voiced their support for the Longest Walk 2. Shelby Ray, a 16-year-old representative of Youth of the Peaks, expressed her gratitude and encouragement to the young walkers saying, “We need more youth to speak out and take action for the environment and our rights.”

"The Longest Walk 2 is a spiritual walk for the protection of our Mother Earth,” said Jeneda Benally, a volunteer with the Save the Peaks Coalition. ”We are honored and blessed to welcome and host everyone who is on this historic journey. From the holy San Francisco Peaks to Black Mesa, Yucca Mountain, Bear Butte, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Shell Mounds, and many, many more, the Longest Walk is here because we are still struggling to protect our cultures and land.”

'This movement is a healing of our communities,” said Kelvin Long, director of ECHOES, a Flagstaff based Indigenous rights organization.

"The continued desecration of sacred sites in America should be an affront to all people of conscience everywhere,” stated attorney and congressional candidate Howard Shanker. “Native Americans have no First Amendment Rights regarding public land use.” Shanker has successfully represented tribes and environmental groups in the precedent setting case to protect the holy Peaks.

Phil Stego Jr., Executive Director of Land Management for the White Mountain Apache Tribe stated, “For those of you that believe Indian wars are over, they are not. They are just beginning again. We will fight to the end for our people’s existence.” Stego also made a point to dispel the myth about the use of reclaimed water at Sunrise ski resort. He stated, “As the Director of Natural Resources for the White Mountain Apache, I can tell you that Snowbowl is lying. We are not using reclaimed water at our ski resort.”

"We have Navajo tribal officials who stand up to protect the sacred mountain but don’t realize that water is also sacred. We say that water is life,” said Calvin Johnson, president of C-Aquifer for Dine, an organization formed to oppose Peabody Coal’s use of the C-Aquifer for coal transport from Black Mesa. C-Aquifer for Dine also opposes the "Settlement Plan" that would reopen the Mohave Generating Station and Peabody Coal mining operations. Johnson led the crowd in chanting, “Protect sacred sites, defend human rights.”

"Right now 80% of the natural resources held underneath Indigenous people’s lands are being threatened. There is an ongoing war being waged for these resources.” said Enei Begaye, director of the Black Mesa Water Coalition.

”We agree that we need to stop the war in Iraq and end the occupation of other territories around the world. However it is important to remember that the U.S. is also occupying sovereign nations here in this country. On Behalf of Black Mesa Water Coalition, we’d like to honor the walkers for carrying this message,” said Begaye.

People from throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Australia who have joined the Longest Walk 2 offer their support to the struggles of Indigenous people in the United States. Jun Yasuda, a Buddhist nun from the Nipponzan Myohiji Order in Japan said, “Walk is a prayer, step by step we will walk until mother earth smiles.” Yasuda is a veteran of the 1978 Longest Walk and has continued to walk throughout the world for peace and Indigenous People’s rights.

The Longest Walk 2 is anticipated to arrive in Washington, D.C. on July 11, 2008. “Upon our arrival, we will deliver a resolution to elected officials. This resolution will document the struggles and concerns from each indigenous community that we encounter during our walk,” said Dennis Banks.

“Our intention is to give a greater voice to the environmental and indigenous struggles that our government doesn’t often acknowledge. The Havasupai recently invited us down into the Grand Canyon. They told us about the exploratory drilling for and the seepage of uranium into the Colorado River. We were hosted also by the Hualapai where chromium affects their daily lives today.” stated Banks.

During the 1978 Longest Walk, thousands converged on Washington, D.C. in an effort that defeated 11 pieces of legislation in Congress that would have abrogated Native American Treaties. As a result of the 1978 Walk, the American Indian Religious Freedom Act (1978) was passed.

Since the arrival of the Longest Walk 2 to Flagstaff, many community members have volunteered to cook, provide housing, monetary donations and other supplies.”
“I feel like they are making history,” said Denise Stoner, an active Dine (Navajo) mom who has donated food and volunteered kitchen support. “Our rights need to be supported, if we don’t say anything now we might not have a chance to.” Denise Stoner also urged more people to get involved with the walk, “I know that its kind of hard because we are in a recession, times are tight right now but there are a lot of resources in this town, our community has a lot to offer.”

The walkers will remain in the Flagstaff area until March 29th. On Wednesday, March 26th at 6:30 p.m. a panel discussion on the Longest Walk 2 will be held at NAU’s Cline Auditorium. On Thursday, March 27th at 5:00 p.m. a benefit concert will be held at the Orpheum Theatre. On Friday, March 28th at 11 a.m. a prayer gathering will be held with opportunity for individuals to speak about issues impacting their communities. The gathering will be held at the Star School, located at 145 Leupp Rd.

After their Flagstaff visit, the Longest Walk 2 will continue though the Navajo Nation. For a complete itinerary, specific directions and additional information please visit: www.longestwalk.org. Colorado Governor Declares March 2008 "Longest Walk Month"
Longest Walk 2 Stands in Solidarity with Western Shoshone People's Rights for Environmental Protection and Protection of Sacred Sites

Colorado Governor Declares March, 2008 'Longest Walk Month'!
Submitted by Western Shoshone Defense Project
Denver, CO- On Monday, March 24th, the Northern Route of the Longest Walk 2 arrived at the Colorado State Capitol and held a rally and press

The press conference began with a proclamation from the Governor stating, "The State of Colorado recognizes the participants of the Longest Walk 2, welcomes them and encourages people around the state to take heed of their message that promotes peace, justice, environmentally friendly practices, and awareness of those in the Native American community that suffer. Therefore I Bill Ritter, Governor of Colorado do proclaim March 2008 Longest Walk Month in the state of Colorado."

The Longest Walk 2 is a trans-continental spiritual walk for environmental protection and Native American rights. Participants are on a five- month journey on foot from San Francisco and will arrive in Washington, D.C. on July 11, 2008. The Northern Route of The Longest Walk 2 is following the original route of 1978 that resulted in historic changes for Native Americans.

Following the Governor's proclamation read by Ernest House Jr, (Ute Mt. Ute) he stated, "Protection of Sacred Sites is something the state of Colorado continues to promote." Longest Walk 2 participant Weldon Austin (Western Shoshone/ Paiute) then read a statement on behalf of the Western Shoshone Defense Project, "Newmont knows they are operating on Shoshone lands in Nevada.

They have been told of the ongoing human rights violations and that the open pit cyanide mining is in violation of our traditional teachings". Western Shoshone Defense Project also offered support by stating "This walk, The Longest Walk 2, is about protection and healing."

Longest Walk 2 participants announced the nomination of Carrie Dann, Western Shoshone Grandmother and long time activist with the Western Shoshone Defense Project for the Nuclear Free Future Resistance Award. On February 28, The Longest Walk 2 trekked through Western Shoshone Territories and Carrie Dann honored participants with a visit.

The walkers continued from the State Capitol to the Newmont Mining Corporation headquarters to stand in solidarity with the Western Shoshone people in their effort to bring a commitment from Newmont Mining Corporation to respect spiritual areas on their land and to invite them to support the Longest Walk's mission to protect sacred places across the country.

A prayer vigil was held outside of Newmont headquarters where prayers and support were offered. Following an initial refusal by Newmont to meet with delegates from the walk, Jimbo Simmons, Coordinator for the Northern Route of the walk was able to successfully deliver the message asking Newmont Mining Company to stand up and be a leader in the mining industry and make a commitment to respect spiritual areas and adopt the corporate policy presented to them by Western Shoshone Defense Project in 2006.

Returning from Newmont Headquarters, Longest Walk 2 participants took a moment at the Civil War Memorial and Sand Creek Massacre Plaque in front of the State Capitol to offer prayers before the walk heads to the Sand Creek Massacre Site April 4-6, 2008.

The Longest Walk 2 is stopping in communities all across Turtle Island to listen to Native peoples concerns, document and deliver them to US officials in DC. They plan to bring the issues of sacred site desecration and environmental destruction facing the Western Shoshone Nation to the US Government upon arrival in Washington D.C.

After their Pueblo visit, the Longest Walk 2 will continue to the Sand Creek Massacre Site. For a complete itinerary, specific directions and additional information please visit: www.longestwalk.org.

*Media: High Resolution Photos available upon request
-- Morning Star Galiwww.longestwalk.orgwww.earthcycles.net

TO SUBMIT an ARTICLE, OPINION PIECE, COMMENTS to the Native Unity Digest, e-mail bobbieo@digitaldune.net.

NATIVE UNITY - A place for Native American Peoples to solidify their tribes to make a positive impact on the cultural, social, economic and political fabric of American society and a place for non-Natives to better understand the ways of the American Indian.

'MAKING THE WORLD SAFE FOR HYPOCRISY' By Joe Perez
http://www.mtwsfh.blogspot.com

NATIVE ISSUES BLOG
Professor Robert J. Miller
http://lawlib.lclark.edu/blog/native_america/

AIROS NATIVE NETWORK plays music, news and other great programs from Indian Country - www.airos.org

FOR ANNIE'S NATIVE CELEBRITY NEWS - go to www.nativecelebs.com

CATCH COLORADAN PETER JONES AT:
http://indigenousissuestoday.blogspot.com

SUPPORTING NATIVE AMERICAN/FIRST PEOPLE - ARTISTS, FILM MAKERS, ENTERTAINERS, ETC. http://www.krystynmedia.blogspot.com.

INDN Plaintifs Ask Govt For $58 Bil - Remember Native Americans - Poem, 'Come Hopi'

JUST SAY NO TO URANIUM MINING NEAR GRAND CANYON!
SUPPORT GRAND CANYON BY ATTENDING A PUBLIC HEARING IN FLAGSTAFF
When: Friday, March 28 at 10:00 am
Where: Flagstaff City Hall
211 West Aspen Avenue

Congressman Raul Grijalva, Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands of the House Natural Resources Committee will hold a Field Hearing on uranium mining near Grand Canyon. The hearing will explore the environmental and community impacts of more than 2000 mining claims surrounding the Grand Canyon.

Congressman Grijalva recently introduced the Grand Canyon Watersheds Protection Act of 2008 (H.R. 5583), which, if passed, will withdraw nearly 1 million acres near the Grand Canyon from mineral exploration.

It’s important that you attend the hearing to show Congress that safeguarding one of the world’s natural wonders is important to local communities. Your attendance will also serve to thank Congressman Grijalva for his work to promote conservation of these lands.

For more information please contact Richard Mayol at 928.774.7488 or rmayol@grandcanyontrust.org

American Indian Plaintiffs Ask Govt For $58 Billion
Submitted by Ann VanWert
By MARY CLARE JALONICK
Associated Press Writer
Bismarck Tribune

WASHINGTON - American Indian plaintiffs say the United States owes them $58 billion in a long-running lawsuit over government mismanagement of lands.

Plaintiffs in the 12-year-old lawsuit submitted the filing to federal court this week after U.S. District Judge James Robertson asked for their input. The suit, first filed in 1996 by Blackfeet Indian Elouise Cobell, claims the government has mismanaged billions of dollars in royalties held in trust from American Indian lands dating back to 1887.

In a January decision, Robertson said Interior Department accounting for billions of dollars owed to American Indian landholders has been "unreasonably delayed" and is ultimately impossible.

At the same time, Robertson said the overall task is not hopeless, and he has set a June trial date to find a remedy for the seemingly endless legal battle. The government will have a chance to respond to the plaintiffs' filing before the trial.

In a statement, the plaintiffs said the $58 billion number represent the accumulated savings the government has earned from dollars that should have been promptly deposited into individual Indian trust accounts.

Cobell said the $58 billion number is reasonable. Earlier estimates by the plaintiffs have had the government owing $100 billion or more. "We believe that our numbers are very conservative and represent the minimum harm that Indians have suffered under our broken trust system," she said.

The government proposed paying $7 billion partly to settle the Cobell lawsuit last year, but that was rejected by the plaintiffs.Interior Department aides did not immediately return requests for comment.

Remember Native Americans
The challenges Native Americans face can seem overwhelming. It’s easy to feel powerless when poverty, malnutrition, inadequate schools, and intolerable living conditions persist on reservations. These injustices threaten to undermine our hope for a brighter future.It is possible to overcome these challenges, but only if we refuse to remain powerless.

You can help us build strong, self-sufficient American Indian communities. Discover your strengths and how to use them to maintain a hopeful vision for the communities we serve by taking the Remember Native Americans Quiz. Once you complete the quiz, we’ll match you with special, individualized actions you can take to Remember Native Americans.

Thank you again for helping us work towards a better tomorrow.
Sincerely,
Shannon Albert President
http://remembernativeamericans.org/

What's Your Strength?
Question 1:
You hear forest fires are raging across land on an Indian Reservation, threatening the lives, homes and communities of hundreds of Native American families. What is your response?
a. You search through the Internet and the news for more information.
b. You send an email to friends and family alerting them to the crisis.
c. You volunteer to help or donate to one of the organizations already responding.

Question 2:
What do you believe to be the most important factor needed to raise Native Americans out from under the poverty many living on reservations endure every day?
a. Bestow appropriate training at a young age and ensure proper resources are available for continuing education
b. Organize sustaining industry to provide employment opportunities
c. Make sure community support groups are available.

Question 3:
If you could sit down and have lunch with just one of the following three notable Native Americans, who would you choose?
a. Chief Joseph, chief of the Wallowa band of Nez Pierce Indians, whose resistance to his people’s forcible removal from their homelands to a smaller reservation in Idaho has earned him a reputation as a great peacemaker and whose famous surrender speech includes the line "I will fight no more forever."
b. Sitting Bull, about whom his friend Catherine Weldon wrote "The great hope and purpose of his life was to unify the tribes and bands of the Dakotas and hold the remaining lands of his people as a sacred inheritance for their children."
c. Sherman Alexie, famous Native American author, who was reading Steinbeck by age five, was the first of his tribe to graduate from college, and about who’s writing the New York Times Book Review has said "These spare, disturbing stories trace with stark, lyric power the experience of American Indians in the modern world."

Question 4:
What motivates you to improve the lives of Native American families struggling to make it day to day?
a. It is wrong that Native Americans have been ignored for generations. I want to make a difference.
b. I don’t like to see others suffer and feel that Native Americans have been forgotten for much too long.
c. I know about all the broken promises made to Native Americans and feel strongly that as a nation we should be more knowledgeable about our history.

Question 5:
What aspect of Native American culture do you believe is most important for society to reconnect with?
a. Community. In our fast paced, me first world, we’ve forgotten how to slow down and connect with our families and neighbors, and care for those members of our community who are less fortunate than us.
b. Ecology. The Earth doesn’t belong to us, but we belong to the Earth, and we need to protect and nurture it so that future generations have the same opportunities to thrive on this wonderful planet.
c. Wisdom. In the information age, it can be hard to remember that more information isn’t always better, and that the road to true wisdom is found through contemplation and looking inside oneself.
http://remembernativeamericans.org/

Come Hopi, Come Shoshone, Come Mayans and Mamos
Upon this sacred vein, the white men came,
Upon this wild land, along came his band,
Andebichi Woho Nee Bide Pe,

Who is they, Who am I
A Nabidengehdaigwahni.!
Who am I warrior to? When Upon these veins of Blue
Upon these veins where copper Bliss,
When they mixed these people, and they kissed,
Forming this blue turqouise stone,

You Shoshone, are not Jewelers borne
Trade off your stones, Shoshone,
I am the White Buffalo Dainah that holds the Sun,
I am the grasper of the sand released to the Wind,
the directions of semme, wahatehwe, bahaitee and watsewite

Come Hopi, come Shoshone, come Mayans and Mamos !!
Find this White turqouise stone,
Who did not blend with the Iron, that took your green home,
We made it green, this turqouise blend,
The strangers made a promise, and claimed to be your friend

Taking land, breaking contracts and deeds,
Banishing you to exile, you were no longer free !
Who took the power, These men of iron won,
Who will cry out to creator, to the Dabai of Sun.

The Dainah comes for Wa'ipi, she is his Muh
This prophecy of this Oneness, to restore the land that was took.
Come Father Sun, and Mother Moon,
Restore the Lands of these ancestors, from when the Iron came
Blue Turqouise and Green, where in the Dry Creek
do you long for the White turqouise of your seed?
Do you long for Copper and Iron free?

Unite this WE, ALL TURQOUISE shall sing !
I bear this staff of the Buffalo Skull,
I hold the Dabai in my hand,
To the winds of the four directions, I release these sands.
Flow your tears of BAA,
Do the Sacred dance of Sun,
Unite O Shundahai, till we are all the ONE !!

Daystar Aldebaran, OV

TO SUBMIT an ARTICLE, OPINION PIECE, COMMENTS to the Native Unity Digest, e-mail bobbieo@digitaldune.net.

NATIVE UNITY - A place for Native American Peoples to solidify their tribes to make a positive impact on the cultural, social, economic and political fabric of American society and a place for non-Natives to better understand the ways of the American Indian.

'MAKING THE WORLD SAFE FOR HYPOCRISY' By Joe Perez
http://www.mtwsfh.blogspot.com

NATIVE ISSUES BLOG
Professor Robert J. Miller
http://lawlib.lclark.edu/blog/native_america/

AIROS NATIVE NETWORK plays music, news and other great programs from Indian Country - www.airos.org

FOR ANNIE'S NATIVE CELEBRITY NEWS - go to www.nativecelebs.com

CATCH COLORADAN PETER JONES AT:
http://indigenousissuestoday.blogspot.com

SUPPORTING NATIVE AMERICAN/FIRST PEOPLE - ARTISTS, FILM MAKERS, ENTERTAINERS, ETC. http://www.krystynmedia.blogspot.com.

A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Wal-Mart - Gov. Richardson Endorses Obama!

March 21st, 2008
Timing Is Everything!!!
By Bobbieo
Would you believe my son, Larry, and I were on our way shopping at Wal-Mart in my car. I was checking over the list when we pulled up on our corner at the end of the street behind a white truck. His truck had been stolen some weeks before and I bet there are at least 10,000 white pickups in Yuma, Arizona. .

Larry suddenly screamed, “My God!!! That' s my truck." He recognized the rear view window.

We followed it up to a corner of a major thoroughfare (Pacific) and pulled along side of it. Larry shouted to the driver "You've got my truck " She looked momentarily stunned, then took off roaring down the highway with Larry in hot pursuit.

It was quite a car chase, most unnerving for an 85 year old woman - me. I managed to yell at a woman using her cell phone, "Call the police we are following a stolen vehicle."

In and out of a couple of subdivisions, he kept yelling, “She’s gonna bail.”

She turned a corner (near Engler across Pacific) with us still in hot pursuit and when we rounded it there was the truck on a private lawn a few inches from the house. It had hit a tree and flattened the left, front tire. We pulled up to the curb and Larry got out to look at the damage. The driver and passenger had fled but a recently filled drug prescription package was left on the seat.

Within minutes, the first police car arrived on the scene, then 3 or 4 more came along. Apparently, several people had called the police. Neighbors were all over the place, some on cell phones

One cop asked for a description of the driver. Only saw her for a second but recalled she was a 20-30s Anglo with brown hair pulled back in a pony tail wearing clear glasses with circular lens framing a moon-shaped face. She kinda looked like an owl wearing a black T shirt.

I never did see the passenger only that she had dark hair.

Another officer asked where we were when we first saw the truck. I told him we were on our way to shop for groceries at Wal-Mart and showed him the list I still had clutched in my hand. He looked at it and shook his head.

The cops found both the driver and passenger a few blocks away trying to scale backyard walls. The driver, whose named matched the label on the drug prescription, apparently sang like a canary and told them everything they wanted to know. Don’t believe she was the original truck thief! Think she is being charged with a hit and run accident as she ran into the tree and almost hit the house. She was also charged as being in possession of a stolen vehicle.

Still don't know who took the truck from the Cocopah Indian casino parking lot some 15 miles from my home, but it was stolen 3 weeks ago tonight. More excitement than I have gone through in several years. That truck has some stories to tell. My daughter, Pat, referred to it as "Boomerang"!

I really don't believe the police ever would have found it, as the license plate had been partially blocked with a piece of paper. If the driver would have gotten away, she and whoever stole the truck in the first place would have made sure that it disappeared for good. The radio was gone and probably was sold. Otherwise it is in okay condition, but almost out of gas. . .

The tire has already been replaced and the car insurance will be reinstated tomorrow, and Boomerang is back in the carport. Happy ending to a crazy tale with timing that never could be duplicated.

Like Larry just said, “Thanks mom for asking me to take you to Wal-Mart. You know if we would left the house seconds earlier, she would have been behind us at the corner and seconds later, we would have never seen the truck.”

YES, Timing Is Everything!!!!

Governor Bill Richardson Endorses Obama!
Dear Bobbie,
During the last year, I have shared with you my vision and hopes for this nation as we look to repair the damage of the last seven years. And you have shared your support, your ideas and your encouragement to my campaign. We have been through a lot together and that is why I wanted to tell you that, after careful and thoughtful deliberation, I have made a decision to endorse Barack Obama for President.

We are blessed to have two great American leaders and great Democrats running for President. My affection and admiration for Hillary Clinton and President Bill Clinton will never waver. It is time, however, for Democrats to stop fighting amongst ourselves and to prepare for the tough fight we will face against John McCain in the fall.

The 1990's were a decade of peace and prosperity because of the competent and enlightened leadership of the Clinton administration, but it is now time for a new generation of leadership to lead America forward. Barack Obama will be a historic and a great President, who can bring us the change we so desperately need by bringing us together as a nation here at home and with our allies abroad.

Earlier this week, Senator Barack Obama gave an historic speech. that addressed the issue of race with the eloquence, sincerity, and optimism we have come to expect of him. He inspired us by reminding us of the awesome potential residing in our own responsibility. He asked us to rise above our racially divided past, and to seize the opportunity to carry forward the work of many patriots of all races, who struggled and died to bring us together.

As a Hispanic, I was particularly touched by his words. I have been troubled by the demonization of immigrants--specifically Hispanics-- by too many in this country. Hate crimes against Hispanics are rising as a direct result and now, in tough economic times, people look for scapegoats and I fear that people will continue to exploit our racial differences--and place blame on others not like them . We all know the real culprit -- the disastrous economic policies of the Bush Administration!

Senator Obama has started a discussion in this country long overdue and rejects the politics of pitting race against race. He understands clearly that only by bringing people together, only by bridging our differences can we all succeed together as Americans.

His words are those of a courageous, thoughtful and inspiring leader, who understands that a house divided against itself cannot stand. And, after nearly eight years of George W. Bush, we desperately need such a leader.
To reverse the disastrous policies of the last seven years, rebuild our economy, address the housing and mortgage crisis, bring our troops home from Iraq and restore America's international standing, we need a President who can bring us together as a nation so we can confront our urgent challenges at home and abroad.

During the past year, I got to know Senator Obama as we campaigned against each other for the Presidency, and I felt a kinship with him because we both grew up between words, in a sense, living both abroad and here in America. In part because of these experiences, Barack and I share a deep sense of our nation's special responsibilities in the world.

So, once again, thank you for all you have done for me and my campaign. I wanted to make sure you understood my reasons for my endorsement of Senator Obama. I know that you, no matter what your choice, will do so with the best interests of this nation, in your heart.

Sincerely,
Bill Richardson

TO SUBMIT an ARTICLE, OPINION PIECE, COMMENTS to the Native Unity Digest, e-mail bobbieo@digitaldune.net.

NATIVE UNITY - A place for Native American Peoples to solidify their tribes to make a positive impact on the cultural, social, economic and political fabric of American society and a place for non-Natives to better understand the ways of the American Indian.

'MAKING THE WORLD SAFE FOR HYPOCRISY' By Joe Perez
http://www.mtwsfh.blogspot.com

NATIVE ISSUES BLOG
Professor Robert J. Miller
http://lawlib.lclark.edu/blog/native_america/

AIROS NATIVE NETWORK plays music, news and other great programs from Indian Country - www.airos.org

FOR ANNIE'S NATIVE CELEBRITY NEWS - go to www.nativecelebs.com

CATCH COLORADAN PETER JONES AT:
http://indigenousissuestoday.blogspot.com

SUPPORTING NATIVE AMERICAN/FIRST PEOPLE - ARTISTS, FILM MAKERS, ENTERTAINERS, ETC. http://www.krystynmedia.blogspot.com.

Groups Challenge Uranium Exploration Near Grand Canyon - EPA, Forest Service Sued!

Message From Al Gore:
Dear Friend,
Global warming is a problem of unprecedented magnitude and that's why we've launched the largest mobilization campaign ever. Actions by individuals like you will be the driving force behind this campaign and our ultimate victory. We're going to succeed, but I need your help today.

More than 850,000 people have already joined us, but if leaders in business and government are going to make stopping climate change a priority, we need you to urge your friends to get involved today: http://wecansolveit.org/invitealliance


We need to grow to 1,000,000 members by April so we can send a loud message that we want action now. That is why I need you to forward the email below to all of your friends and family right now and ask them to add their voice.
Thank you,
Al Gore

By Kathy Helms – March 15, ‘08
Dine Bureau
FLAGSTAFF – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Forest Service were slapped with lawsuits on Wednesday and Thursday March 12th and 13th over the lack of financial assurance required to clean up hazardous wastes, including mine wastes, and the permitting of new uranium exploration near Grand Canyon National Park.

The Center for Biological Diversity, Sierra Club, and Grand Canyon Trust filed suit Thursday against the Forest Service and Tysayan District Ranger Richard Stahn challenging the approval of up to 39 new uranium drilling sites by VANE Minerals within a few miles of the Grand Canyon. There are more than 2,100 mining claims for uranium in the Tusayan district alone.

The suit comes one day after Earthjustice attorneys sued EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson and Department of Transportation Secretary Mary Peters on behalf of Sierra Club, New Mexico's Amigos Bravos, Nevada's Great Basin Resource Watch, and Idaho Conservation League.

The groups claim EPA and DOT failed to comply with CERCLA, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, also known as Superfund.

“As you know, Congress passed Superfund in 1980 to ensure cleanup of the Nation's many hazardous waste sites and to make sure that the companies responsible actually perform the cleanup,” attorney Lisa Evans said via telephone press conference.

“To ensure that the industry would do its part, Congress specifically required EPA to write regulations that require high-risk industries to demonstrate financial responsibility. Congress gave EPA five years to do this and it's now been 27 years, so we are asserting that it's long past time for EPA to abide by this mandate, and today we are filing our complaint to ask the court to require EPA to write critically important regulations addressing financial assurance.”

Wendy Chavez of EPA's Region 9 press office referred calls to Roxanne Smith in Washington, who was out of the office until Monday. Chavez said, however, that “with this lawsuit just being filed, and without sufficient time to review it, they wouldn't be able to comment on it.”

The lawsuit to protect the Grand Canyon stems from the Forest Service's Dec. 20, 2007, decision to grant British firm VANE Minerals approval to conduct exploratory uranium drilling on national forest lands along the park’s southern boundary. It is the first of five such projects slated for the area.

The suit claims that the Forest Service violated the National Environmental Policy Act, Administrative Procedures Act, and Appeals Reform Act when it approved the uranium exploration using a “categorical exclusion,” the least rigorous analysis available to the agency.

The Forest Service had not returned calls by press time, however, Clark Arnold of VANE Minerals U.S., in Tucson, said, “The reason the Forest Service is willing to grant a categorical exclusion is because the disturbance is extremely minor. There is very little damage, remediation is extremely effective. It takes a couple weeks, we're gone, and the site is clean.

“There are a number of safeguards in place to ensure that proper procedures are followed. We do post a financial bond with the Forest Service. Our activities are closely monitored.”

The company has been exploring for uranium on the Colorado Plateau, drilling on state and private land for almost a year in northern Arizona and southern Utah, Arnold said. “We have had no problems with the authorities involved, we've had no problems with land owners. We have very good relations with everyone that we've been dealing with as far as I know.

“What we are doing is we're drilling a hole in the ground which is exactly analogous to drilling a water well. If you came on the site while the work was in progress, you could not tell that it was not going to be a water well. When the hole is completed, we lower a probe into the hole to test for the presence of uranium and then the hole is filled and abandoned and the site is reclaimed.”

The groups filing suit say the analysis failed to consider the controversy attending uranium development, the significance of its proximity to the Grand Canyon, and the overall cumulative impacts of four other future uranium exploration projects and the potential opening of Denison Corp.’s Canyon Mine — all located in the same area.

Arnold said the nearest site is located about 3 miles from the park boundary. Ron Hochstein of Denison was out of the office until Monday.“Grand Canyon simply isn’t the place for uranium development,” said Taylor McKinnon of the Center for Biological Diversity. “Our national treasures deserve better than the calamity of an adjacent industrial zone.”

The Forest Service claims it has little power to deny uranium development under the 1872 Mining Law. But the mining law doesn’t go against the agency’s separate obligation under NEPA to carry out in- depth public and environmental reviews of such proposals, the suit contends.

“Some places should be off-limits to noise, heavy equipment traffic, drilling, and potential contamination from uranium exploration and drilling; the rim of the Grand Canyon is one of those places,” said Dave Gowdey from Grand Canyon Trust. “Congress should act now to protect the park and its surrounding public lands.”

During a Senate committee hearing Wednesday on hardrock mining, Tony Ferguson, director of Minerals & Geology Management for the U.S. Forest Service testified that analyses of its 1995 data indicated there are 27,000 to 39,000 abandoned mines of all types on Forest Service lands, of which 18,000 to 26,000 are abandoned hardrock mines.

“Currently no single source of funding alone can completely reclaim all impacted sites to applicable standards,” he said.

The Government Accountability Office said the Forest Service does not have readily available information on the financial assurances in place for hardrock operations on its lands. Although Forest Service regulations do not require financial assurances for all operations, the Forest Service's policy is to require them.

EPA administers the Superfund program, established under CERCLA, to address the threats that contaminated waste sites pose to human health and the environment. The act also requires that the parties statutorily responsible for pollution bear the cost of cleaning up contaminated sites, including abandoned hardrock mining operations.

GAO said some contaminated hardrock mine sites have been listed on Superfund’s National Priorities List — a list of seriously contaminated sites which are expensive to clean up, with the cleanup taking many years. EPA’s Office of Inspector General said in 2004 that 63 hardrock mining sites were on the National Priorities List and another 93 sites had the potential to be added to the list.

TO SUBMIT an ARTICLE, OPINION PIECE, COMMENTS to the Native Unity Digest, e-mail bobbieo@digitaldune.net.

NATIVE UNITY - A place for Native American Peoples to solidify their tribes to make a positive impact on the cultural, social, economic and political fabric of American society and a place for non-Natives to better understand the ways of the American Indian.

'MAKING THE WORLD SAFE FOR HYPOCRISY' By Joe Perez
http://www.mtwsfh.blogspot.com

NATIVE ISSUES BLOG
Professor Robert J. Miller
http://lawlib.lclark.edu/blog/native_america/

AIROS NATIVE NETWORK plays music, news and other great programs from Indian Country - www.airos.org

FOR ANNIE'S NATIVE CELEBRITY NEWS - go to www.nativecelebs.com

CATCH COLORADAN PETER JONES AT:
http://indigenousissuestoday.blogspot.com

SUPPORTING NATIVE AMERICAN/FIRST PEOPLE - ARTISTS, FILM MAKERS, ENTERTAINERS, ETC. http://www.krystynmedia.blogspot.com.

NAPT Announcements - Opportunities For Creative Natives

Submitted by Shirley K. Sneve
Warriors Of A People: Reclaiming Native American Identity, Restoring Culture And Promoting Leadership Conference
March 30-31, 2008
The Committee of 500 Years of Dignity & Resistance is hosting its 10th Annual Call to Conference on racism in sports and media.

The goal of the conference is to address concerns of the continued usage of such Native mascots as Chief Wahoo and the Cleveland Indians, and the effects it has on Native and Non-Native individuals. Keynote speakers include Charlene Teters (Spokane), Dr. Gavin Clarkson (Choctaw), and Clyde Bellecourt (Ojibwe).

The conference will be held on March 30-31, 2008 at the Baldwin Wallace College Student Activity Center (SAC) in Cleveland, OH. Visit the website at:
www.committee500years.com
For reservations and questions, please call 440.343.3683 or e-mail:
handzie@hotmail.com.

Working Films Seeks Candidates For George Stoney Fellowship
Deadline March 31, 200
Working Films is seeking candidates with a demonstrated commitment to social justice and an interest in the role of documentary filmmaking and new technology for the George Stoney Fellowship.

Candidates will be assisted in conceptualization, writing and research on Working Films campaigns. Regular responsibilities include sitting in as colleagues in all development meetings between filmmakers, activists and other Working Films staff, and traveling when necessary to rough-cut screenings and community organizing meetings.

The fellowship is expected to last 8-10 weeks in the Wilmington office, starting in May or June 2008. The Fellow will serve as part-time, temporary staff, earning $10-15 an hour. For more information about the work of Working Films and how to apply, please see:
www.workingfilms.com

9th Annual Native American Journalism Career Conference
Deadline March 31, 2008The ninth annual Native American Journalism Career Conference, the largest Native student journalism program of its kind, will be held April 22-24, 2008, at Crazy Horse Memorial( www.crazyhorse.org) in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Experienced journalists mentor the students on the basic skills and practices of journalism, including writing and photography. Al Neuharth, founder of USA TODAY and the Freedom Forum, will be the opening speaker the evening of April 22.Lodging, meals, and conference participation are free to students and their teachers.

Some travel assistance is available. Teachers and advisers who are interested in organizing student groups to attend the conference must register in advance. Contact Janine Harris, manager of the Al Neuharth Media Center, 605-677-5424 or jharris@freedomforum.org. The registration deadline is March 31, 2008.

Participants Sought For Senior Artist Project
Deadline March 31, 2008
The Senior Artist Project seeks to enable accomplished visual, performing and literary artists the opportunity to provide educational, mentoring and therapeutic experiences for the underserved populations in North San Diego and Southern Orange Counties.

The Kenneth A. Picerne Foundation will provide up to ten stipends in 2008 to artists age 55 and older. The selected artists will receive a grant of $12,000 for this 12 month project. The grant is intended to cover actual contact time and will be paid out at $1,000 per month.

Visit the Foundation website at: www.picernefoundation.org
or contact Victor Nelson at 760-435-2205 for more information.

2008 National Conference For Media Reform
Scholarship Deadline March 31, 2008
The fourth National Conference for Media Reform is set for June 6-8, 2008 in Minneapolis, MN. The conference will convene thousands of activists, educators, media makers, journalists, policymakers and concerned citizens to discuss how to create a better media system.

In order to maximize representation at the conference, Free Press is offering travel scholarships and registration fee waivers to individuals who would otherwise be unable to attend. Please go to apply:
www.freepress.net/conference/scholarships
The scholarship application deadline is March 31, 2008.

Indian Summer Music Awards Call For Entries
Deadline March 31, 2008The Fifth Annual Indian Summer Music Awards (ISMA) deadline for this year's music award entries must be postmarked no later than March 31, and received no later than April 11. ISMA honors the best American Indian Music that has been commercially released between March 2, 2007 and March 1, 2008.

The ISMA Award show will be held on September 6th during the Indian Summer Festival that runs September 5-7, 2008 at Maier Festival Park.For more information please contact the Indian Summer Festivals office at 414-604-1000 or email indiansummer@wi.rr.com or go to the Indian Summer Festival Web site, www.indiansummer.org

Youth Superfly Filmmaking Experience
Deadline April 1, 2008
Join us for the 3rd Youth Fly Filmmaking Experience, a partnership between the Seattle International Film Festival and Longhouse Media's NATIVE LENS program. Fly Filmmaking is an extremely artistic, creative, and stimulating form of filmmaking in which local filmmakers and actors are able to showcase their skills, collaborate with other artists, and premier their work at the Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF)!

The event takes place June 5-7, 2008 at the Pacific Northwest Reservation and in Seattle, WA. To download an application, visit www.longhousemedia.org .The application deadline is April 1, 2008. If you have any questions, contact: Tracy Rector at nativelens@mac.com or Annie Silverstein at as_nativelens@mac.com.

Full Frame Documentary Film Festival
April 3-6, 2008
Registration is now open for the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, recognized as the premier documentary film festival in the United States. With more than 100 films (both curated and submitted for competition), panel discussions, seminars, and Q&A sessions, the festival is an important arena for documentary film - an environment that stimulates conversation, fosters community and can lead to innovative grantmaking.

Sign up now at www.fullframefest.org or contact Kelly Pino, kpino@gfem.org.

2008 CPB/PBS Producers Academy Scholarships
Deadline April 4, 2008
Up to twenty scholarships will be offered to station-based and independent producers for an intensive seven-day, hands-on training seminar on June 21-June 27, 2008. Seminars will include contact with some of public media's most experienced individuals, focusing each day on specific areas of expertise that include proposal writing, production planning and administration, directing/producing, writing, editing and post production.

The twenty scholarships will cover reasonable expenses including airfare, hotel accommodations, meals, limited ground transportation, and the daily sessions. For more information and to download a request form, visit:
www.cpb.org/grants/grant.php?id=132

J Camp Program For High School Students
Deadline April 11, 2008
AAJA is pleased to announce J Camp, a multicultural journalism program for talented high school students. This free six-day training camp will bring together a multicultural group of high school students from across the nation to sharpen their journalism skills and work together in a unique learning environment. The program will be held from July 18 to July 23, 2008 at Loyola University in Chicago, IL.

If you have any questions regarding J Camp, please contact Nao Vang, AAJA Student Programs Coordinator at: (415) 346- 2051 x102 or programs@aaja.org. The deadline to apply is April 11, 2008. For more information or to apply view their application (PDF)

Rosalyn Carter Fellowships For Mental Health Journalism Applications
Deadline April 28, 2008
Applications are now being accepted for six one-year journalism fellowships with the Carter Center Mental Health Program. Designed to enhance public understanding of mental health issues and combat stigma and discrimination against people with mental illnesses, the Fellowship Program provides fellowships for journalists to study a selected topic regarding mental health or mental illnesses.

Each journalist awarded will receive a $10,000 stipend. Applicants must have at least three years of professional experience in journalism and be U.S. residents.
More information can be found at: www.cartercenter.org

2008 All Roads Film Festival Call For Entries
Deadline May 10, 2008
The All Roads Film Festival is a dynamic, four-day multimedia event that includes live music performances and photography displays in addition to short- and long-form features and documentaries. Submit now for the following categories: short documentary, long documentary, live-action shorts, feature film, music video, and animation.All submissions must be received before 11:59 p.m. on May 10.

Click here (PDF) for submission forms and terms of entry. To learn more about All Roads, visit www.nationalgeographic.com/allroads,
call 202- 857-7660
or e-mail allroads@ngs.org.

2008 Festival DatesSeptember - Los Angeles, October - Washington, D.C.,December - Santa Fe, New Mexico

International Day For Sharing Life Stores Campaign
The Museum of the Personal International Network and the Center for Digital Storytelling have launched the International Day for Sharing Life Stories campaign, an international celebration of life stories to take place on May 16, 2008. The goal of the campaign is to gain broad recognition of May 16 as an annual day for sharing, listening to, and gathering the stories of people's lives.

Visit: www.ausculti.org
For for more information about the day, or email:
internationalday@storycenter.org
or mailto: internationalday@museudapessoa.net.

9th Annual "Big Break" Screenwriting Contest
Deadline June 1, 2008
Big Break is an annual, global screenwriting contest designed to support emerging creative talent. Big Break rewards screenwriters with cash, prizes and A-list executive meetings. Winners and finalists alike have had their screenplays optioned and produced and have secured high-profile representation as well as lucrative writing deals.For entry form, rules and guidelines, please go to:
www.finaldraft.com-events-and-services-bigbreak

2nd Annual Monument Valley Film Festival Call For Submissions.
Deadline June 1, 2008
The 2nd Annual Monument Valley Film Festival is making a call for entries to all Native American film makers for this year's 2008 festival. This year's festival will be held July 4-6, 2008 on the Navajo Nation in Kayenta, Arizona.
Visit the Official Monument Valley Film Festival web site for more information and to download a submission form for the film festival. Deadline for submissions is June 1, 2008. http://www.monumentvalleyfilmfest.com/

Center Welcomes Spring 2008 Visiting Filmmakers
The Center for Social Media is delighted to welcome this spring several filmmakers whose work exemplifies the best in public media. Join in for a series of FREE discussions:
March 20:Environmental Filmmaker Liz Miller, discussing her film The Water Front(Part of the 2008 Environmental Film Festival) March 27: Digital Storytelling, with Center for Digital Storytelling's Stefani Sese April 3: Participatory Video for Social Change, with independent filmmaker Deedee Halleck
Visit www.centerforsocialmedia.org for more information.

2009 Equity Productions Submissions
Deadline May 15, 2008
Native Voices at the Autry produces in Los Angeles under a HAT "A" EQUITY Contract. For these production opportunities, we will accept original material as well as plays that have been developed or produced in other venues. Selected playwrights will be notified by August 15, 2008.
For details, contact Carlenne Locasta at:
nativevoices@autrynationalcenter.org
with "CALL FOR SCRIPTS" in the subject line.

2008-2009 First Look Series Submissions
Deadline June 15, 2008
Native Voices at the Autry is now accepting submissions for a new series of public readings of selected plays. Original material as well as plays that have been developed or produced in other venues will be considered. Selected playwrights will be notified by August 15, 2008.
For details, contact Carlenne Locasta at:
nativevoices@autrynationalcenter.org
with "CALL FOR SCRIPTS" in the subject line.

2008 NAMAC Leadership Institute
June 8-12, 2008
The NAMAC Leadership Institute, designed for staff leaders at all levels in NAMAC member organizations, is an intensive intergenerational workshop designed to encourage and sustain visionary leadership in the arts.
Early bird registration rates are available until March 31, 2008. Register nowat:
www.namac.org

Native American Student Art Competition
Week Four Tips: Photography
For the 2008 Student Artist Competition, photography is one of the many media types being judged. For tips and techniques to help you capture the best photo possible for this competition, please visit http://www.indianeducation.org/.

Cinesol Film Festival Call For Submissions
Deadline April 30, 2008 The 15th Annual Cinesol Film Festival is now accepting film entries for 2008 festival. They are accepting shorts, documentaries, comedies, horror, animation, features, and drama. Entries must be in DVD format.
For more information, visit the website at:
www.cinesol.org

ITVS Open Call
Deadline July 18, 2008
Open Call provides finishing funds for single public television programs on any subject, from any viewpoint and in any genre.

ITVS is looking for single programs of standard broadcast length (56:40 or 26:40) that can be completed within one year of contract.

There is no maximum or minimum cut-off for funding, but Open Call funds must be the last needed for completion of the project. For guidelines, visit itvs.org/producers/opencall_guidelines.html

ITVS Development Diversity Fund
Deadline September 26, 2008ITVS seeks talented minority producers to develop single programs for public television.

They want to support minority artists in the research and development phase of their project to tell their stories, inspire multicultural dialogue, and reach audiences often overlooked by conventional programming.Visit:
itvs.org/producers/ddf_guidelines.html for details.

Grants For Art Projects Applications
Deadlines June 2, June 9 and August 11, 2008
NEA application guidelines for the Grants for Arts Projects are now available.

Organizations may apply under the following categories: Challenge America (Deadline: June 2, 2008); Learning in the Arts for Children and Youth (Deadline: June 9, 2008); Access to Artistic Excellence (Deadline: August 11, 2008).Learn more at:
www.arts.gov/grants/apply

33rd Annual American Indian Film Festival Call For Entries
Deadline August 5, 2008
The American Indian Film Institute is currently seeking film and video entries for the 33rd annual American Indian Film Festival.

The film festival will take place November 7-15 in San Francisco, California. Entries should be by or about American Indian or Canada First Nations people and produced during year 2007-2008. Entry deadline is August 5, 2008.

The major categories for competition are: Documentary Feature, Documentary Short, Feature Film, Live Short Subject, Music Video, Animated Short Subject, Public Service and Industrial. Please check the AIFI website: www.aifisf.com for American Indian Film Festival entry application and regulations form. 2008 Film Festival Sponsorship packets are available, ranging from $10,000 to $50,000.

Citizens Media Summit At APME Conference
Ready to start your own community news site? Want to get citizen journalists to write for you? Hear from iBrattleboro to Baristanet, Bakersfield to Backfence. The Citizens Media Summit is a day-long workshop on citizen journalism in conjunction with the Associated Press Managing Editors conference. Register now at their website.

Coming Up: Citizen Media@ONA. A day-long workshop at the ONA Conference, Sheraton Centre, Toronto. Register at:www.1lab.org/ona07.shtml

In Life Call For Documentaries
In the Life Media, Inc is now seeking documentaries about the LGBTQ experience for their 2008 and 2009 season. They will consider non-fiction films of all lengths created by independent producers or entities in the past five years for acquisition. Preference will be given to broadcast premieres. For submission guidelines and more information go to http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=urnzzkcab.0.ewz67kcab.8fvnpcbab.7046&ts=S0321&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.inthelifetv.org%2F

"Pirates Of The Navajo Nation" Available For Viewing
The short documentary film "Pirates of the Navajo Nation" is now complete and available for viewing. Viewing requirements are: QuickTime 7 Minimum Broadband Connection File Size: 49 MBRun Time: 22 minutes File Location:
www.sheepheadfilms.com/pirates.final.mov

High Country News Call For Writer
High Country News, a nonprofit news magazine that focuses on environmental, cultural, and social issues in the Western U.S., is looking for new voices for their pages and Web site, hcn.org. HCN will consider well-researched stories on any natural resource or environmental topic, as long as it concerns the West. "Resources" include people, politics, culture and aesthetic values.For more information contact Jodi Peterson, Associate Editor, at jodi@hcn.org.

Job Openings:
Social Media Curator - BallotVox
Radio Station General Manager - KPFK
Afternoon News Producer - Nebraska Educational Telecommunications Radio
Program Manager - Aboriginal Arts
Business Manager - Free Speech TV
KNBA Membership Director - Koahnic Broadcast Corporation
ITVS - VP of Production

TO SUBMIT an ARTICLE, OPINION PIECE, COMMENTS to the Native Unity Digest, e-mail bobbieo@digitaldune.net.

NATIVE UNITY - A place for Native American Peoples to solidify their tribes to make a positive impact on the cultural, social, economic and political fabric of American society and a place for non-Natives to better understand the ways of the American Indian.

'MAKING THE WORLD SAFE FOR HYPOCRISY' By Joe Perez
http://www.mtwsfh.blogspot.com

NATIVE ISSUES BLOG
Professor Robert J. Miller
http://lawlib.lclark.edu/blog/native_america/

AIROS NATIVE NETWORK plays music, news and other great programs from Indian Country - www.airos.org

FOR ANNIE'S NATIVE CELEBRITY NEWS - go to www.nativecelebs.com

CATCH COLORADAN PETER JONES AT:
http://indigenousissuestoday.blogspot.com

SUPPORTING NATIVE AMERICAN/FIRST PEOPLE - ARTISTS, FILM MAKERS, ENTERTAINERS, ETC. http://www.krystynmedia.blogspot.com.

NAJA ALerts, March 18th

Hello everyone, From Roscoe Pond
Comanche Paint Entertainment Group ---
Seeking: Storyteller: Ages 55-65 for 26 Website Video

Must be Cast by Friday March 21, 2008. Hurry Hurry!!!!
Go to my website for all the information,
http://www.modernnativenewz.com/

NAJA Alerts -
CPB/PBS Producers Workshop At WGBH
The CPB/PBS Producers Academy is offering a "scholarship" opportunity to 20 individuals for a Producers Workshop to be held at WGBH Boston, Saturday, June 21 - Friday, June 27, 2008.

Each scholarship will include the cost of the workshop, and reasonable expenses for airfare, hotel accommodations, meals, and limited ground transportation

If you are interested in applying, please submit three copies of the following: a completed application form along with a resume that includes education and production experience; a letter of recommendation from a public television station or other public television programming partner (including the Minority Consortia, ITVS, etc.), production company, or industry professional; and one non-returnable VHS tape or DVD of recent work. (If the tape/DVD is a clips reel, a second full-length program may also be sent.).

The video provided should include work for which the applicant performed a significant role (ex: producer, director, writer, editor, associate producer); tapes must be cued to the beginning of the program or scene to be viewed.

Please include a brief narrative of your professional development goals within public broadcasting. Among the areas you may wish to address are general and long-range goals and how the Workshop might help you attain them, specific skill areas you hope to develop further in the Workshop, and projects you are currently planning or have in progress that might be aided by your participation in the Workshop.

To be considered, an application must be received at PBS by 5:00 PM Eastern on Friday, April 4, 2008. Scholarship awards will be announced on Friday, May 16, 2008. The following describes the planned workshop:

Over a seven-day period, participants in the Producers Workshop will attend an intensive course that covers a range of production skills and draws on the expertise that has made PBS a recognized force on the American cultural landscape. The goal of the Producers Workshop is to encourage a diverse and talented group of producers who will create new and greater programming achievements in public broadcasting.

For more information & an application for the workshop go to http://www.pbs.org/producers/producersworkshop.html

Applicants, if you have any questions send your queries to producers.academy@pbs.org. The

Newspaper Association of America Is Offering Fellowships!
***There is NO cost to the fellowship winner or his/her company!*** The deadline is April 30, 2008 go to http://www.naa.org/diversity/minorityfellowships for more information.

For 28 years, NAA has offered full-ride training and development fellowships to newspaper professionals of color in the areas of editing, business, leadership, design and production. For the second half of 2008, we are pleased to include a new list of courses and programs to help build the competencies and skills of the leaders of tomorrow.

Again we are partnering with the best media institutions in the country including Northwestern's Media Management Center, The American Press Institute, The National Association of Minority Media Executives, The Society for News Design and The Poynter Institute.The fellowships, offered twice a year, cover tuition, lodging, airfare, meals and other necessary expenses for each program.

There is NO cost to the fellowship winner or his/her company. Applicants do not have to work at NAA member newspapers to qualify for a fellowship. While the objective of the program is to help more people of color enter or advance in newspaper management, the program also helps newspapers augment their training budget and acts as a great retention tool for their best and brightest.

NAA will offer 15 fellowships for classes taking place July - December 2008. Applications can be downloaded and completed in either MS Word or PDF formats. Please visit http://www.naa.org/diversity/minorityfellowships, to download an application.
Questions, problems, contact me at 571.366.1003 or angela.winters@naa.org.

Completed applications must be snail-mailed or faxed and are due April 30, 2008. This is the final date we will accept any applications, so if they are mailed, they must be sent early enough to be received by April 30th.

Applications must include updated resumes and cannot be e-mailed.
Good Luck!
Angela Winters
Director, Leadership Programs
Newspaper Association of America
http://www.naa.org/
Phone 571.366.1003
Fax 571.366.1203

NAJA Members In Minnesota Area!
Ethnic Media Watchdog Workshop coming to Minneapolis! April 12 and 13, 2008 Investigative Reporters and Editors, Inc. (IRE) in collaboration with New America Media (NAM), will present the first in a series of workshops for ethnic media journalists at the Radisson University Hotel in Minneapolis on April 12 and 13, 2008.

The workshop will feature top practitioners in investigative journalism discussing the best techniques and approaches to doing public service journalism. The workshop also will teach journalists how to sharpen their investigative and research skills.

This training opportunity is designed for journalists working for ethnic news organizations and will demonstrate how to find documents, databases and sources for topics such as education, immigration, homeland security, criminal justice, labor, and local government.

COST: Professional Journalists - $25 Students - $10 All participants receive complimentary one-year IRE membership! ($60 value) To register go to http://www.ire.org/training/watchdogjournalism/index.php

Special thanks to the McCormick Tribune Foundation for their generous support of this project.
ABOUT CO-HOSTS: Investigative Reporters and Editors, Inc. is the nation's premier nonprofit media training program dedicated to improving the quality of investigative reporting. IRE provides educational services to reporters, editors and others interested in investigative journalism and works to maintain high professional standards.

For more information, visit IRE's website at http://www.ire.org/.

New America Media (NAM) is the country's first and largest collaboration of ethnic news organizations founded in 1996 by the non-profit Pacific News Service. NAM's goal is to promote the editorial visibility and economic viability of this critical sector of American journalism. For more information:

CONTACT NAM:
Alex Moe 202-383-5986
amoe@newamericamedia.org

Daniel Rader 415-503-4170
drader@newamericamedi.org

NAPT Briefs-
Deadline Extended For High School Graduates Internship Program

The deadline for a multi-year internship project designed to teach high school graduates skills in public television production and promotion has been extended to March 28.

Students accepted in the paid, five-year CPB/Emma Bowen Foundation program for Minority Interests in Media will work summers and during other school breaks.

Eligible students include those of African-American, Hispanic, Asian or Native American descent who have acumulative GPA of at least 3.0 or higher, are college-bound and are interested in pursuing a career in the media industry.

For more info, go to http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?

TO SUBMIT an ARTICLE, OPINION PIECE, COMMENTS to the Native Unity Digest, e-mail bobbieo@digitaldune.net.

NATIVE UNITY - A place for Native American Peoples to solidify their tribes to make a positive impact on the cultural, social, economic and political fabric of American society and a place for non-Natives to better understand the ways of the American Indian.

'MAKING THE WORLD SAFE FOR HYPOCRISY' By Joe Perez
http://www.mtwsfh.blogspot.com

NATIVE ISSUES BLOG
Professor Robert J. Miller
http://lawlib.lclark.edu/blog/native_america/

AIROS NATIVE NETWORK plays music, news and other great programs from Indian Country - www.airos.org

FOR ANNIE'S NATIVE CELEBRITY NEWS - go to www.nativecelebs.com

CATCH COLORADAN PETER JONES AT:
http://indigenousissuestoday.blogspot.com

SUPPORTING NATIVE AMERICAN/FIRST PEOPLE - ARTISTS, FILM MAKERS, ENTERTAINERS, ETC. http://www.krystynmedia.blogspot.com.

Leonard Peltier Update - Navajo President, Joe Shirley Jr., On Uranium Mining - No More Divide And Conquer!

Peltier Update -
Minneapolis, March 11, 2008. - Peltier was convicted of killing two FBI agents during a 1975 shootout on the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota. But his supporters, including some human rights groups, believe that he is innocent and that he was targeted because of his political activism.

About 3,500 pages were turned over for Peltier's original trial in 1977. But his attorneys have discovered over the years that the actual number of documents the FBI has on Peltier is 142,579, said attorney Michael Kuzma.

Peltier has tried for nearly seven years to use the federal Freedom of Information Act to get the tens of thousands of pages still being withheld."I just think this thing stinks to high heaven," Kuzma said after the hearing. He told the court, "We still don't know the truth about what happened back then."

Judge Lavenski R. Smith asked Kuzma what the remedy would be for Peltier. Kuzma said the court should conduct "a full in-camera review of thedocuments."

When Smith expressed some disbelief at that idea, Kuzma added that, if that were too burdensome, the court could focus on the documents from 1977, of which Peltier has received none

Tom Byron, an attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington,D.C., argued that "there's no support" for an in-camera inspection of the records. -

St. Paul Pioneer Press excerpt,
http://www.twincities.com/ci_8539140?nclick_check=1

Joe Shirley, Jr. On Uranium Mining
By Kathy Helms
Dine Bureau
WINDOW ROCK – Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr., testifying Wednesday in Washington, asked members of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee to respect the Nation's tragic experience with uranium mining and to honor its ban on uranium mining within Navajo Indian Country.

“I will not allow dividing and conquering the Navajo people to remain a profitable strategy,” he told the committee chaired by U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., and co-chaired by ranking Republican U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici as it heard testimony on abandoned mines, hardrock mining and reform of the 1872 mining law.

The hearing coincided with a lawsuit filed Wednesday by the public interest law firm Earthjustice, representing groups in New Mexico, Nevada, Illinois and Idaho, which seeks to close a loophole currently allowing mining companies and other polluting industries to skip out on costly cleanups by declaring bankruptcy.

The House of Representatives approved a measure last fall requiring operators of gold, silver, and other hardrock mines to post a bond to cover future cleanup costs before receiving a permit to mine on public lands. The Senate is expected to introduce a companion bill this session.

Robin Nazzaro, testifying on behalf of the Government Accountability Office, said GAO asked 12 western states and Alaska to provide information on the number of abandoned hardrock mine sites and associated features in their states. Over the last 10 years, estimates have varied widely, in part because there is no generally accepted definition for a hardrock mine site.

Using a consistent definition that GAO provided, it was estimated that at least 161,000 abandoned mine sites exist in these states, with at least 332,000 features that may pose physical safety hazards and at least 33,000 sites that have degraded the environment.

In 2001, the Bureau of Land Management began requiring all mining operators to provide financial assurances before beginning exploration or mining operations on BLM land. According to BLM's information on financial assurances reported in its November 2007 Bond Review Report, mine operators had provided financial assurances valued at about $982 million to guarantee reclamation costs for 1,463 hardrock operations on BLM land.

The report also estimates that 52 mining operations have financial assurances that amount to about $28 million less than needed to fully cover estimated reclamation costs. However, GAO found that financial assurances for the 52 operations are actually about $61 million less than needed, Nazzaro said.

Sen. Bingaman said not only are abandoned hardrock mines “a blight on our landscapes in the West,” they also pose serious public health and safety risks, degrade the environment “and pose special threats to our most precious resource: water.”

“In 1977, Congress enacted an AML program to address the serious problem of abandoned coal mines. We are overdue to enact a similar program to deal with abandoned hardrock mines,” he said.

Domenici said that in the context of mining law reform, abandoned mine land reclamation is the most significant opportunity to improve the environment. “But we will not find success unless we face the realities of what can actually pass the full Senate.

“We should remember that our ability to clean up abandoned mines — to have the funds available for reclamation — is contingent upon the existence of a healthy mining industry.”

President Shirley reminded the committee that the Navajo people do not want renewed uranium mining on or near the Navajo Nation. “Uranium mining that takes place on land just off the reservation boundary will not and cannot hold its contaminants within a narrow area. The contamination will travel; it does not stay in one place.

Shirley said many companies have approached the Nation over the years “with promises of vast riches if we were to allow them to mine our uranium deposits.”

Recently some companies have promoted the use of in-situ leach mining.“These companies claim the process is harmless,” Shirley said, but added, “The science on this process is at best inconclusive, and at worst points to increased background radiation than existed before the mining operation.

“I have a hard time believing the claims of those who wish to profit from uranium mining that their 'new' process is so much safer when history and science establish a different record. The Navajo People have been consistently lied to over the last 50-plus years by companies and government officials concerning the effects of various mining activities.

“Why should we believe these companies now when this industry failed to clean up the toxic mess they left behind the first time? Why should we believe these companies now, when years after the last pound of uranium was removed from Navajoland, my people still get sick and die from contamination?”

New Mexico Sen. David Ulibarri, who is also county manager for Cibola County, said the county commission passed a resolution July 23, 2007, in support of the federal mining law of 1872. The resolution urges Congress not to amend the existing federal mining law in a manner to make mining on public lands less competitive.

The Cibola County Conmmission and the Grants City Commission have passed resolutions supporting the re-emerging uranium production industry. Neighboring McKinley County Commissioners have likewise passed a pro-uranium mining resolution, he said.

“The gist of these resolutions is that so long as future uranium production can be carried out in such a manner as to protect the workers, the public and the environment, we welcome this industry's return to our community. Grants once termed itself the Uranium Capital of the World. We would be proud to reclaim this title,” he said.

Ulibarri said the leadership of Acoma and Laguna, pueblos he represents, have questioned the benefits of renewed uranium production. “While I respect their concerns, because of new federal and state standards and better appreciation for the impacts of uranium production, I would submit that new mining will not result in creating the impacts of the past.

“I would also urge the Acoma and Laguna leadership and their Navajo counterparts to become part of the discussion on how we can achieve the benefits of this industry in a safe and environmentally protective manner. We can all truly have a win-win situation in what is now a very economically disadvantaged region of New Mexico.”

TO SUBMIT an ARTICLE, OPINION PIECE, COMMENTS to the Native Unity Digest, e-mail bobbieo@digitaldune.net.

NATIVE UNITY - A place for Native American Peoples to solidify their tribes to make a positive impact on the cultural, social, economic and political fabric of American society and a place for non-Natives to better understand the ways of the American Indian.

'MAKING THE WORLD SAFE FOR HYPOCRISY' By Joe Perez
http://www.mtwsfh.blogspot.com

NATIVE ISSUES BLOG
Professor Robert J. Miller
http://lawlib.lclark.edu/blog/native_america/

AIROS NATIVE NETWORK plays music, news and other great programs from Indian Country - www.airos.org

FOR ANNIE'S NATIVE CELEBRITY NEWS - go to www.nativecelebs.com

CATCH COLORADAN PETER JONES AT:
http://indigenousissuestoday.blogspot.com

SUPPORTING NATIVE AMERICAN/FIRST PEOPLE - ARTISTS, FILM MAKERS, ENTERTAINERS, ETC. http://www.krystynmedia.blogspot.com.