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INDIAN HERITAGE MONTH
, Washington, D.C.:
A commemorative
month honoring American Indians may soon be a
reality. On May 1, 1990, a joint resolution was
introduced by Senators Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii)
and John McCain (R-Arizona) designating Nov.
1990 as "National American Indian Heritage
Month".
; When the resolution is passed by the
House and Senate and signed by the President,
this will be the first time a month has been set
aside to honor American society. "Too long
Indians have lived in the shadows of American
society. Indian heritage is the true heritage of
our Nation", states Princess Pale Moon,
president of the American Indian Heritage
Foundation (AIHF).
Although sponsors feel confident that the
time is. right for this bill, everyone is urged to
write or call their Congressman and Senators to
encourage support. To pass, the resolution must
have at least a 51 percent majority vote of both
the House and Senate.
For more than four years, AIHF has
worked to have a special time designated in
which all Americans can join the Indian in
celebrating their diverse heritage.
Much of
American life reflects Indian culture.
Many
names of our states, cities, towns and rivers
are Indian—even our constitution was influenced
by. the political system of various Indian Nations.
Among the more than 125
cu rren t co-sponsors o f this
B ill are
Congressman Ben Nighthorse Cambell (D-
Colorado) and Congressman Del. Eni F.H.
Faleomavaega (D-American Samoa). The draft
resolution states: "Whereas American Indians
were th3 original inhabitants of 4he~terdtories
that rtow constitute th e U n tte ^ S J a |e s j r t ;
America; Whereas American Indians and the
descendents of such American Indians have made
essential contributions to this Nation; whereas
the citizens of the United States should be
reminded of the assistance given to our Founding
Fathers by the Native Americans... Now,
therefore, be it resolved... that the month of
Nov., 1990 is designated "National American
Indian Heritage Month".
In a letter of support, Barbara Murphy,
Tribal Chairmen of the Redding Rancheria Tribe
wrote, "We are so aware in our country that
inaccuracies, stereotypes, and attitudes are, for
the most part, very negative against our people.
We, therefore, fully support a national focus
which will give us the opportunity to enlighten
our city fathers and neighbors."
Letters of support and copies of your
congressional request letters can be mailed to
the American Indian Heritage Foundation, 6051
Arlington Boulevard, Falls Church, VA 22044,
or Call 202/INDIANS, FAX # 703/532-1921.
THE QUEST FOR A SPIRIT
KEEPER
Visualize approaching the United States
from the west, flying over San Francisco Bay.
As you look out of your tiny window for the
famous bridge you see another, more powerful
sight.
A giant tipi, over 300 feet tall, rises
majestically from Alcatraz Island.
A visible
reminder of the heritage of the American Indian
welcomes you to America. From your vantage
point in the air, the structure is silent and
dignified, a monument to a lifestyle of the past.
A lifestyle which has vanished.
If you could step onto the island itself
you would see a much different picture. The
huge tipi is actually a thriving museum of Indian
culture and artifacts which is teaming with
activity. Inside the museum each floor is filled
with exhibits; all tribes of North America are
represented. Tribal elders are seen teaching the
languages, traditions and heritage of their youth
to the youth of today.
They pour out the
contents of their hearts so that an accurate
history of their time and way of life will exist
after they are gone. They stress the ancient
reverence for the land to their young pupils.
Craftsmen demonstrate their skills for the
enjoyment and education of museum visitors.
Outside of the tipi are several Indian dwellings
complete with Indian families living everyday
life as their ancestors did, in pueblos, hogans
and wiki-ups. the smell of pine and frybread
fills the air, transporting you back to a simpler
time. You have found the kepper of the spirit of
the Indian people. It is a central meeting place
for those who strive to keep the spirit alive,
those who know that lime is of the essence, that
once the spirit is gone it cannot be retrieved or
resurrected. Welcome to the home of the spirit
keeper.
A rapidly growing group of individuals,
both Indian arid non-lridian; can already see this
beacon on the west coast. The vision is clear to
them, even though the construction of the tipi is
years in the future and the location is hundreds
of miles from their base of operations in the
midwest. When these individuals meet to discuss
their plans, the emotions behind this project
often interfere with! practical considerations.
But it is the emotion which keeps the quest alive,
■ W emotions and thfe urgency. T he plan has
changed many times since its inception, but the
goal remains the same: to build a muséum of
Alcatraz Island to act as a focal point for the
preservation of the Indian culture, and to
accomplish this task while there are still elders
to pass on the teachings of their youth.
In their battle against time, progress has
seemed painfully slow, but in reality much has
been accomplished.
Status as a non-profit
organization is pending approval.
Architects
have a design for the structure and are working
on the particular néeds of the facility to deal
with the salt air. Letters of support are coming
in from all over the country as well as much
needed donations. All Indian tribes have been
contacted in order to solicit their support for
the project.
Politicians have responded
favorably to the ideas presented by the
delegation. An active campaign to raise funds
for the project waits only for non-profit status.
As support for this project builds, it is
hoped that other delegations will be formed
around the country. If you would like further
information about this project please write to:
Great Plains Delegation of the North American
Indians for Alcatraz Project, Truman Ware,
President, 750 W. 46th North, Wichità, KS
67204.
WiLDLlFE SERVICE CRACKING
DOWN ON "POT HUNTERS"
Aware that critics have long voiced
concern that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
has not been aggressive in prosecuting people
illegally excavating ancient Indian ruins,, the
Wildlife Service has served notice that it may
begin confiscating the vehicles of convicted
poachers.
The Fish and W ildlife Service's
announcement came about as a result of the
heavy proliferation of pot hunting in the
Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon’s
Harney County. Officials at the refuge there
told Indian News that 11 people have been
charged this year for taking the ruins from
Indian burial sites. And it has become so bad
that confiscation of vehicles of those convicted
of taking the ruins may begin.
This would mark the first time that
such strorig action has been taken by the
Wildlife Service. But officials said they feel
strongly that such actions would be upheld in
court since appeals courts have ruled that the
U.S. Forest Service was justified in
confiscating vehicles of persons convicted of
pot hunting on federal lands. Under the U.S.
Archaeological Resources Protection Act of
1979, a convicted pot hunter can face felony
charges plus fines of as much as $100,000 and
two years in prison if more than $500 in
damage is done. The Fish and Wildlife Service
said it is hard to obtain charges under the Act
because violators must actually be caught in
the act of digging and recovering artifacts.
Otherwise, persons charged with being in
possession of such objects can easily say they
were found on top o f the ground. Conviction on
the latter type of^nses' has1 resulted in as
little as $500 fines.
Pot hunting is more prevelant at
Malheur because of receding waters from 200
miles of mud flats around Harney, Malheur and
Mud lakes that expose ancient Iridian living and
burial sites that date back 10,000 to 14,000
years. Officials at Malheur have just recently
hired an archaeologist to begin making
inventories of the Indian artifacts and work
with the Paiute Indian Tribes for disposal.
Wildlife officials expressed hope that a future
museum may exist where the ancient artifacts
could be maintained.
Interior Secretary Manuel Lujan last
March directed Interior officials to develop
"better and stronger" policies to govern the
protection and treatment of sacred objects and
human remains on Federal lands. He also
directed the National Park Service to develop a
new policy statement and revise an existing
Department guidelines to ensure a more
sensitive treatment of archaeological human
remains and associated objects.
Taken From Indian News, Vol. 14, No.8.
• “ •W A N T E D “ **
NATIVE AMERICAN CRAFTS
for resale,
including: baskets, blankets, beadwork,
je w e lry ,
c lo th in g /a c c e s s o rie s ,
artw ork,
pottery, dolls, etc.
For more information
contact Margo Norton at (206) 297-3663 or
(503) 563-3681. Leave name, number and
message. Please no calls after 9:00 p.m.