CATOOSA, Okla. (AP) _ As principal chief of 270,000 Cherokees, Chad Smith presides over an economic powerhouse, administers a $350 million budget and fights perceived threats to his people, including anti-Indian slurs he sees in popular culture.
But he has also become a lightning rod for criticism _ unfairly so, he contends _ over a tribal vote affecting 2,800 descendants of black people the Cherokees once owned as slaves.
Smith, 56, who holds a law degree from the University of Tulsa and once taught at Dartmouth College, easily won re-election on June 23 as principal chief.
His third term picks up where the second left off: deflecting charges of racism and calls by a congresswoman to sever U.S. relations with the Tahlequah-based tribe.
For his part, Smith says his focus remains on creating meaningful jobs and boosting tribal self-reliance.
``Adversity creates opportunity,'' Smith said in an office complex overlooking the expansive Cherokee casino and resort. ``The press has long had stereotypes about the Cherokees and they are creating another stereotype, so what it does is give us an opportunity to actually lay the richness of our history out, and the quality of our people.''
Rep. Diane Watson, D-Calif., introduced legislation on June 21 to cut millions of dollars in federal funding to the Cherokee Nation over a March 3 election in which the tribe limited Cherokee citizenship to descendants of ``by blood'' tribal members.
Click here to read more: http://www.nativebiz.com/community/News,op=visit,nid=15816.html
Monday, July 2, 2007
Quotes
"The Great Spirit does right. He knows what is best for his children. We are satisfied. Brother, we do not wish to destroy your religion, or to take it from you. We only want to enjoy our own." -
Red Jacket - Seneca
Red Jacket - Seneca
American Indian College Fund
In the wake of the civil rights and American Indian self-determination movements of the 1960s, tribal leaders realized they would have to take control of the direction of education in order to reverse centuries of misguided and failed federal education policies.
In 1968, the Navajo Nation created a first-of-its-kind educational institution - a college controlled by the tribe, located on the reservation and established specifically to provide higher education to tribal members. With that monumental event, the tribal college movement was born. Since then, the number of tribal colleges and universities has grown to 32, located in 11 states and serving more than 250 American Indian Nations from every geographic region in the United States.
Tribal colleges are beacons of hope for social and economic change in the communities they serve. These institutions are vital to Native America and beneficial to the country as a whole because they help Native communities in the fight against poverty. At the same time, tribal colleges preserve language and culture by integrating these important elements into their curriculum.
Check out their website here: http://www.collegefund.org/about/history.html
In 1968, the Navajo Nation created a first-of-its-kind educational institution - a college controlled by the tribe, located on the reservation and established specifically to provide higher education to tribal members. With that monumental event, the tribal college movement was born. Since then, the number of tribal colleges and universities has grown to 32, located in 11 states and serving more than 250 American Indian Nations from every geographic region in the United States.
Tribal colleges are beacons of hope for social and economic change in the communities they serve. These institutions are vital to Native America and beneficial to the country as a whole because they help Native communities in the fight against poverty. At the same time, tribal colleges preserve language and culture by integrating these important elements into their curriculum.
Check out their website here: http://www.collegefund.org/about/history.html
Do you know...
Peter Blue Cloud / Aroniawenrate was born in 1935 to the Turtle Clan of the Mohawk tribe on the Caughnawaga Reserve in Kahnawake, Quebec, Canada. He has worked as ironworker, logger, carpenter and woodcutter and was previously associated with journal Akwesasne Notes and the journal Indian Magazine.
In the late 1960s he began publishing his poems. With these he emphasized and introduced the traditional ways of thinking into contemporary American literature, describing man in nature and history, man and nature as one, as it was always perceived by the aborotinal people.In 1981, he has received the American Book Award, Before Columbus Foundation. His books of fiction, non-fiction and poetry include "Alcatraz is not an island", 1972; "Back then tomorrow", 1978; "White corn sister", 1979; "Sketches in winter, with crows", 1984; "Elderberry flute song : contemporary coyote tales", 1989; " The other side of nowhere : contemporary coyote tales", 1990; "Clans of many nations : selected poems, 1969-1994", 1995.
Blue Cloud is noted for combining Native American myths with contemporary issues. He is especially noted for his use of the Coyote figure in his stories and poems.
In the late 1960s he began publishing his poems. With these he emphasized and introduced the traditional ways of thinking into contemporary American literature, describing man in nature and history, man and nature as one, as it was always perceived by the aborotinal people.In 1981, he has received the American Book Award, Before Columbus Foundation. His books of fiction, non-fiction and poetry include "Alcatraz is not an island", 1972; "Back then tomorrow", 1978; "White corn sister", 1979; "Sketches in winter, with crows", 1984; "Elderberry flute song : contemporary coyote tales", 1989; " The other side of nowhere : contemporary coyote tales", 1990; "Clans of many nations : selected poems, 1969-1994", 1995.
Blue Cloud is noted for combining Native American myths with contemporary issues. He is especially noted for his use of the Coyote figure in his stories and poems.
Today in history...
695: Maya Smoke Imix, king of Copán, Honduras is buried, according to some sources.
1754: According to some reports, a peace agreement is reached by representatives of the British in Massachusetts and the Norridgewock Indians
1754: According to some reports, a peace agreement is reached by representatives of the British in Massachusetts and the Norridgewock Indians
Proclamation affirms honor and respect for Coast Salish traditions.
Event coincides with beginning of Intertribal Canoe Journey
By Richard Walker
SAN JUAN ISLAND, Wash. - Local and state officials have signed a proclamation recognizing Coast Salish peoples as the First Peoples of this land and these waters.
The proclamation will be read by Bellingham Mayor Tim Douglas July 7 at Bellingham's Boulevard Park, in a day that includes cultural activities and an honoring ceremony; the chairmen of Lummi, Nooksack, Samish, Swinomish, Upper Skagit and Tulalip have been invited. The proclamation names the day ''Tribal Journeys Day'' and affirms honor and respect for Coast Salish traditions and contributions to life in the Northwest.
The proclamation bears the signatures of county and state officials, as well as every mayor in Whatcom County. It states, in part:
''The Intertribal Canoe Journey empowers the Coast Salish Peoples and contributes historically, culturally, educationally, spiritually and artistically to the Intertribal Communities and their neighbors. Relationships are strengthened, family ties are renewed and all ages gather together building communities in a good way.
''The spirit of friendship, honor and goodwill between all Nations is a gift we can give the next Seven Generations.
''This is an opportunity for communities, neighbors and supporters of the Canoe Journey to touch each other's lives.
''Through this proclamation we celebrate the First Peoples' traditions and cultures, honoring them as the first inhabitants of this land and these waters.''
Want to know more? Click here: http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096415321
By Richard Walker
SAN JUAN ISLAND, Wash. - Local and state officials have signed a proclamation recognizing Coast Salish peoples as the First Peoples of this land and these waters.
The proclamation will be read by Bellingham Mayor Tim Douglas July 7 at Bellingham's Boulevard Park, in a day that includes cultural activities and an honoring ceremony; the chairmen of Lummi, Nooksack, Samish, Swinomish, Upper Skagit and Tulalip have been invited. The proclamation names the day ''Tribal Journeys Day'' and affirms honor and respect for Coast Salish traditions and contributions to life in the Northwest.
The proclamation bears the signatures of county and state officials, as well as every mayor in Whatcom County. It states, in part:
''The Intertribal Canoe Journey empowers the Coast Salish Peoples and contributes historically, culturally, educationally, spiritually and artistically to the Intertribal Communities and their neighbors. Relationships are strengthened, family ties are renewed and all ages gather together building communities in a good way.
''The spirit of friendship, honor and goodwill between all Nations is a gift we can give the next Seven Generations.
''This is an opportunity for communities, neighbors and supporters of the Canoe Journey to touch each other's lives.
''Through this proclamation we celebrate the First Peoples' traditions and cultures, honoring them as the first inhabitants of this land and these waters.''
Want to know more? Click here: http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096415321
N.M. senators proposing bill to settle Navajo water dispute
Say administration inaction forces vote by Congress
By Jennifer Talhelm
WASHINGTON — New Mexico's U.S. senators, impatient with the Bush administration's inaction on a water settlement involving the Navajo Nation, said Wednesday they are ready to push forward without the government's backing.
Administration officials say they oppose the settlement reached between the Navajo Nation and the state of New Mexico over San Juan Basin water, which would cost the federal government $1 billion over 15 to 20 years. They say they're working on their proposal.
Sens. Jeff Bingaman, a Democrat, and Pete Domenici, a Republican, said the government has had five years to study the proposed settlement.
With as many as half of the people living on the Navajo Reservation without running water and the nearby city of Gallup, N.M., worried it will run out of water, the senators said they are ready to bypass the administration and just let Congress vote on settlement legislation.
"There needs to be closure on this," Bingaman said at a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing about the settlement. "The federal government has been AWOL. I see no reason we can't proceed."
Click here to read more: http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/189624
By Jennifer Talhelm
WASHINGTON — New Mexico's U.S. senators, impatient with the Bush administration's inaction on a water settlement involving the Navajo Nation, said Wednesday they are ready to push forward without the government's backing.
Administration officials say they oppose the settlement reached between the Navajo Nation and the state of New Mexico over San Juan Basin water, which would cost the federal government $1 billion over 15 to 20 years. They say they're working on their proposal.
Sens. Jeff Bingaman, a Democrat, and Pete Domenici, a Republican, said the government has had five years to study the proposed settlement.
With as many as half of the people living on the Navajo Reservation without running water and the nearby city of Gallup, N.M., worried it will run out of water, the senators said they are ready to bypass the administration and just let Congress vote on settlement legislation.
"There needs to be closure on this," Bingaman said at a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing about the settlement. "The federal government has been AWOL. I see no reason we can't proceed."
Click here to read more: http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/189624
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