Winona LaDuke, Anishinaabekwe (Ojibwe), discusses the durability of food and building a green economy in a video recording of her speech at Missouri State University. full story at: http://tinyurl.com/4bxh4e2
The Yakama Nation is seeking help and support to aid the survivors of a wildfire that destroyed 20 homes, burned parts of several more, and displaced over one hundred people from the small town of White Swan, Wash., in the heart of the reservation in central Washington state.
In an open letter dated Feb. 16, Yakama Tribal Council Chairman Harry Smiskin wrote of the need for outside assistance from the United States and other governments to help in the care for the displaced and the immediate cleanup in White Swan.
The Yakama Nation has been in a state of emergency since the fire began in the afternoon on Saturday, Feb. 12. The Yakama Nation estimates the cost of rebuilding is at least $4 million, and with other emerging environmental concerns, that sum will only increase.
“We are grateful for the miracle that everyone got out alive, including the people who ran into the street on bare feet as their homes went up in flames, and the babies, the elders and three people with profound disabilities who all survived because the community pulled together,” Chairman Smiskin said. “We cannot overlook that blessing as we turn to the difficult work ahead of getting people securely housed for as long as it takes to clean up and rebuild a beautiful White Swan.”
A chimney fire is believed to have started in one home and quickly spread by wind and 50-mph gusts that carried the fire from house to house, down a dry, wooded creek bed and then to more distant homes. The vibrant town of White Swan is devastated by the damage to a total of 24 homes, including some multi-family residences, and destruction of other property including cars, bicycles and all personal belongings, for many.
Now members of this tight-knit Yakama community are scattered across the large reservation, some staying with family and others housed in motels.
Few of those whose houses burned could afford homeowner’s insurance, and few have savings to fall back upon, making recovery of families and housing in this tribe of 10,000 even more challenging, said Chairman Smiskin.
In his letter, Chairman Smiskin states a request for the following kinds of help:
- Skilled volunteers who can assist in cleanup, including certified asbestos remediation experts, heavy equipment operators and home builders;
- Donations of money, clothes, food and other household goods, including diapers and supplies for babies and children;
- Temporary housing for displaced people, and assistance with rebuilding the destroyed houses, a responsibility that the Yakama Nation has undertaken for the victims of the fire.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is expected to bring 10 or 12 trailers to the reservation, which is about half the number of the Yakama Nation’s 22 displaced households. It and other governments, including Washington state, have committed to building strong and lasting relationships with Yakama, and now in the face of disaster the Yakama Nation calls on these relations for help.
Chairman Smiskin states: “These are lands that the United State government holds in trust for Indian people and we hope that the Federal government in the form of the U.S. Congress and the various agencies will respond as they have to other disasters. We believe that more homes have been destroyed by this fire than on any Indian reservation in the history of this country.”
Complicating the cleanup, many of the homes were built in the era when asbestos was commonly used in insulation, drywall and floors. Now, Chairman Smiskin said, “the mere potential presence of asbestos among the ashes and debris now littering White Swan presents a serious, time-consuming and expensive environmental dilemma.”
In the immediate term, the Nation is worried about getting safe housing and collecting money, food, clothing and other essentials for those who lost their homes or are displaced until cleanup and repair can occur. One of the most pressing needs is for diapers, formula, bottles, baby food, clothing, bedding and other baby supplies.
The Indian Health Service opened after the weekend fire to replace medicines for survivors, but it will take far more to help the displaced people for the months or years that it takes to rebuild White Swan.
While the Yakama Nation, its people and its neighbors have responded over the past few days with open hands and hearts, the needs in the short term and the long term are great. The Yakama Nation looks to the United States to uphold its trust responsibility, and to the generosity of the American people to support those affected by this disaster on Yakama lands.
In addition to the local businesses and centers that are accepting donations, the Yakama Nation has set up the following ways for people across the country to contribute to the community’s recovery:
- The White Swan Fire Relief Fund at Bank of America, with donations accepted at branches nationwide.
- Donations also can be made at the Toppenish Armory, 326 S. Division St., Toppenish, WA 98948.
- Donations can be mailed to Yakama Nation CFO Henry Roy, P.O. Box 151, Toppenish, WA 98948.
The federal government is taking public comments on impacts from
offshore oil and gas development in the Chukchi Sea. The Chukchi Sea
of the Arctic Ocean is one of the most pristine, wild places left on
the planet - home to polar bears, walrus, whales, and more. Inupiat
people of the Arctic have lived off the Chukchi Garden since time
immemorial. Many groups of international interest are pushing hard to drill in
the pristine Arctic Ocean. WHAT: Chukchi Sea Offshore Oil and Gas Public Hearing WHO: You WHEN: Tuesday, November 9th, at 7pm WHERE: 3800 Centerpoint Drive Anchorage, AK 99503 The government needs to hear from the public that any decision on oil
and gas drilling in the Chukchi Sea must account for the soveriegnity
of the tribal nations. PS - Ted Danson, of the TV show Cheers and many movies, is expected
to testify at the hearing. Danson is a founding member of the ocean
conservation group Oceana. He'll be there to advocate for the Chukchi
Sea. Will you? Can't go, but want to submit a written comment? Click here: http://www.capwiz.com/alaskawild/issues/alert/?alertid=19069521&external_id=1... ### AI-TC resolution 2005-08 TITLE: Oppose Development of Oil and Gas in the 1002 area of the ANWR
and Offshore Water of the Arctic Ocean, Chukchi Sea, and Beaufort Sea. WHEREAS, the Alaska Inter-Tribal Council is a statewide consortium of
federally recognized tribes in Alaska, which share a common bond with
unique cultures, languages, spirituality, and traditional values;
established in 1992 and is changed to advocate for the inherent rights
of tribes in Alaska; and WHEREAS, we recommend to all Traditional Native Governments and IRA's
that they adopt, by their own majority, this Code of Offences Against
the Peace and Security of Mankind (an international code); and WHEREAS. the marine mammals, migratory birds. and fish migrate to and
from, through our oceans and land; and WHEREAS, continued development and exploration of our land and sea
poses am imminent threat to our well-being; and WHEREAS, the objective of the current administration in Washington
D.C. as voiced by the House majority leader Tom Delay, is to open the
ANWR in order to create a precedent that will allow resource
exploration in wilderness areas, marine sanctuaries, pristine offshore
waters. refuges nationwide, neutralizing and diminishing the Marine
Mammals Protection Act, Endangered Species Act, and international bird
treaties; and WHEREAS, ANWR and the 1002 area are critical to the existence of the
Porcupine Caribou herd, migratory bird, and other subsistence
resources that are essential tp the sustenance of all Native Arctic
inhabitance who have depended on these resources since time
immemorial; and WHEREAS, the residents of our villages also depend on the wildlife
resources of the Beaufort Sea, Chukchi Sea, and Arctic Ocean and these
waters are critical to the subsistence of the Inupiat people and these
waters are also being considered for offshore development; and WHEREAS, all Indigenous peoples and communities are concerned about
their continued sustenance from land and sea and the continuance of
traditional hunting, fishing, and agriculture practices and that these
are supportive of each other and the Inupiat people's rights to
self-determination and have, and continue to voice that support; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, AITC strongly opposes the development
of the oil and gas in the 1002 area of the ANWR and offshore waters of
the Arctic Ocean, Beaufort Sea, and Chukchi Sea, and call on the
President of the United States and Congress to reject any attempts to
diminish the preserved status of the 1002 area of ANWR; and BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that this resolution shall be the policy of
AI-TC until it is withdrawn or modified by subsequent resolution. CERTIFICATION The foregoing resolution was adopted at the 2005 Annual Convention at
the AI-TC held at the Coast International Inn, in Anchorage, Alaska on
December 7, 2005 with a quorum present.
offshore oil and gas development in the Chukchi Sea. The Chukchi Sea
of the Arctic Ocean is one of the most pristine, wild places left on
the planet - home to polar bears, walrus, whales, and more. Inupiat
people of the Arctic have lived off the Chukchi Garden since time
immemorial. Many groups of international interest are pushing hard to drill in
the pristine Arctic Ocean. WHAT: Chukchi Sea Offshore Oil and Gas Public Hearing WHO: You WHEN: Tuesday, November 9th, at 7pm WHERE: 3800 Centerpoint Drive Anchorage, AK 99503 The government needs to hear from the public that any decision on oil
and gas drilling in the Chukchi Sea must account for the soveriegnity
of the tribal nations. PS - Ted Danson, of the TV show Cheers and many movies, is expected
to testify at the hearing. Danson is a founding member of the ocean
conservation group Oceana. He'll be there to advocate for the Chukchi
Sea. Will you? Can't go, but want to submit a written comment? Click here: http://www.capwiz.com/alaskawild/issues/alert/?alertid=19069521&external_id=1... ### AI-TC resolution 2005-08 TITLE: Oppose Development of Oil and Gas in the 1002 area of the ANWR
and Offshore Water of the Arctic Ocean, Chukchi Sea, and Beaufort Sea. WHEREAS, the Alaska Inter-Tribal Council is a statewide consortium of
federally recognized tribes in Alaska, which share a common bond with
unique cultures, languages, spirituality, and traditional values;
established in 1992 and is changed to advocate for the inherent rights
of tribes in Alaska; and WHEREAS, we recommend to all Traditional Native Governments and IRA's
that they adopt, by their own majority, this Code of Offences Against
the Peace and Security of Mankind (an international code); and WHEREAS. the marine mammals, migratory birds. and fish migrate to and
from, through our oceans and land; and WHEREAS, continued development and exploration of our land and sea
poses am imminent threat to our well-being; and WHEREAS, the objective of the current administration in Washington
D.C. as voiced by the House majority leader Tom Delay, is to open the
ANWR in order to create a precedent that will allow resource
exploration in wilderness areas, marine sanctuaries, pristine offshore
waters. refuges nationwide, neutralizing and diminishing the Marine
Mammals Protection Act, Endangered Species Act, and international bird
treaties; and WHEREAS, ANWR and the 1002 area are critical to the existence of the
Porcupine Caribou herd, migratory bird, and other subsistence
resources that are essential tp the sustenance of all Native Arctic
inhabitance who have depended on these resources since time
immemorial; and WHEREAS, the residents of our villages also depend on the wildlife
resources of the Beaufort Sea, Chukchi Sea, and Arctic Ocean and these
waters are critical to the subsistence of the Inupiat people and these
waters are also being considered for offshore development; and WHEREAS, all Indigenous peoples and communities are concerned about
their continued sustenance from land and sea and the continuance of
traditional hunting, fishing, and agriculture practices and that these
are supportive of each other and the Inupiat people's rights to
self-determination and have, and continue to voice that support; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, AITC strongly opposes the development
of the oil and gas in the 1002 area of the ANWR and offshore waters of
the Arctic Ocean, Beaufort Sea, and Chukchi Sea, and call on the
President of the United States and Congress to reject any attempts to
diminish the preserved status of the 1002 area of ANWR; and BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that this resolution shall be the policy of
AI-TC until it is withdrawn or modified by subsequent resolution. CERTIFICATION The foregoing resolution was adopted at the 2005 Annual Convention at
the AI-TC held at the Coast International Inn, in Anchorage, Alaska on
December 7, 2005 with a quorum present.
The Navajos, who operate a semi-autonomous nation covering 27,000 square miles in Arizona, Utah and New Mexico, have long depended on coal as an economic mainstay for jobs and electricity. But dwindling coal deposits have many rethinking the role of coal in the Navajo Nation. As the New York Times reports, more Navajos are calling for renewable energies and eco-tourism to take a larger role in the Navajo Nation.
An American Indian tribe is leading an effort to reintroduce endangered California condors to the northern part of the state, where they once played a major role in Indian traditions and are still honored in song and dance.
Biologists with the Yurok tribe, which has lived for centuries along the Klamath River, are studying ways to reintroduce the giant black vultures to the mountainous region, where they haven't been seen for a century. Complete story at:
A Minneapolis high school teacher is 1 of 10 from around the country to win a $4,000 grant for an environmental education project.
James Lorenz is a science teacher at Nawayee Center School in Minneapolis. He's getting the grant from the National Environmental Education Foundation to implement a curriculum that aims to connect his American Indian students with their traditional teaching and attitudes toward the environment.
Course activities include plant and animal studies, speakers from Indian communities and outings to Rum River for hands-on learning projects.
The National Environmental Education Foundation is supported by The Weather Channel.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Fifty years ago, a dam took salmon away from the native American tribe Winnemem Wintu. With a little help from New Zealand, the tribe is finally reintroducing salmon to northern California's McCloud River. Full story: http://tinyurl.com/293tewf
The history of American Indians is varied and each tribe has its own customs, but one belief that binds us all is our deep respect for the Earth and the gifts it has given us. This belief has inspired the Salish and Kootenai people’s effort to protect our air, water and other natural resources for future generations. We now recognize that one environmental threat poses a challenge like no other: global climate change. Full at: http://tinyurl.com/yjfskl3
via sil.si.edu