Vol. 2, Issue 54 August 19, 2015

A Letter from the Publisher

Shekóli. The creative arts sometimes look glamorous from For Mekko, Harjo used real locations and a mix of actors afar, but the reality can be quite different. Writers write, and street people. His eclectic inspirations include a pho- actors act, and artists paint, draw or sculpt—even if there to series done in the 1950s of homeless Natives in Tulsa is no audience or paycheck at the end of the production. called “Street Chiefs,” and Stroszek, a cinéma vérité entry When creative people are blessed with talent and drive, by Werner Herzog. Most important, Harjo is bent on they pursue their interests regardless of the cold hard showcasing his independently produced work to appre- costs. For filmmakers, the effort is sometimes too great: ciative audiences and continues to prove himself as one Gathering people and resources to engage in such an in- of the most resourceful artists working in moving pictures volved, collaborative venture as a movie takes more than today. “As far as the future, I don’t know, man,” he says. “I vision and experience. Persistence and confidence play a think I’ll end up just trying ride the wave of making films hand as well. for theaters until they lock me up in an insane asylum or something.” One might say the deck is stacked even more for Native filmmakers. However, year in and year out our brilliant While the manner in which Natives are portrayed in directors manage to produce some of the finest works in modern movies and TV can be maddening, Harjo is any- the country, even as Hollywood turns a blind or jaun- thing but crazy. And with his films and his growing fol- diced eye towards the depiction of modern Indians. lowing, he just may have the last laugh.

Director Sterlin Harjo is one such laudable artist. Harjo has won NΛ ki� wa, fans and praise inside and out of Indian country for his cinematic range and authentic subject matter. This week, ICTMN arts and entertainment reporter Wilhelm Murg talks with Harjo about his latest project. Harjo’s new film,Mekko, is a thriller set in Tulsa, and it is a return to feature storytelling that follows Harjo’s recent forays into documentaries and shorts for TV. Ray Halbritter

Table of Contents 2 COMMENTARY 11 WEEK IN PHOTOS 4 NEWS 12 WEB, EVENTS, LETTER 6 THE ‘MAN CAMP’ THREAT 13 CARTOON, ALERTS 8 STERLIN HARJO STRIKES AGAIN 14 HOW DID I MISS THAT 9 TOXIC SPILL ASSAULTS 15 POW WOWS TRIBES 6 10 CLASSIFIEDS 16 BIG PICTURE AP IMAGES

IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork.com August 19, 2015 2 COMMENTARY

Justice In South Dakota? racism is the ultimate affront against broken that family apart. Had a Native When Trace O’Connell, a white man, any citizen. person spilled beer on a non-Native was charged with disorderly conduct for In Rapid City, this prejudicial system child while allegedly screaming racial- spilling beer and shouting “Go back to has forced Native people to sit inside ly charged statements, he or she would the rez” at Lakota youth, a judge took the Pennington County jail for days have been arrested on the spot. jail time off the table. ICTMN contribu- or weeks on end because they cannot Whether Trace O’Connell is found tor Brandon Ecoffey accuses Rapid afford to pay the bond issued by the guilty or not, the world has seen how City, South Dakota, the scene of the judge for disorderly conduct or even this city views Native people through incident, of institutionalized racism: more petty offenses. For those who the way it has botched the case. The have sat for weeks in county jail—while one commendable thing Rapid City Any offense committed against chil- courts weighed their pleas for pretrial has done is that it has presumed that dren is wrong. But the obvious pres- freedom—hearing that jail time was O’Connell is innocent until proved ence of an active and double-sided not an option for O’Connell is a joke. guilty. I would just hope that from justice system in South Dakota is the Had a Native parent poured beer now on, that same presumption of in- real crime. Racism expressed by an on the head of his or her own child in nocence would also apply to Natives. individual is disgusting. But systemic such a public way, the state would have http://bit.ly/1DXbJqw 0

I Don’t Want Disney’s Pocahontas The Atlantic probably published the What brings me closer to autonomy is work thinking that no Indian reads, or the real story of Pocahontas. When I got The Atlantic Monthly recently published that no Indian would dare contest the es- tuberculosis, my mother told me about a a 20th anniversary essay about Disney’s say’s flawless rhetoric. But defending Dis- Powhatan girl who also got the European Pocahontas, describing the title character ney’s version of a tale Europeans invented disease. My mother told me about an as “fearless” and “radical.” Terese Marie in the 18th century is just bad form. Indian girl who turned to Christianity— Mailhot is not impressed: Self-respecting Natives know that just like my grandmother did after being Pocahontas couldn’t have been more taken into boarding school. Disney per- “In Defense of Pocahontas: Disney’s than 11 when she supposedly saved John petuated the ugly rumor that Pocahon- Most Radical Heroine” defends Disney’s Smith. Also, she was abducted. We’re fa- tas was a “gentle savage” who co-signed portrayal of the Powhatan historical miliar with her story. Disney’s Pocahon- colonization. figure: “Disney had, for the first time, tas is about as progressive as it could have The Atlantic would like me to adopt Dis- provided an independent and fearless been, considering that it is about a Na- ney’s Pocahontas. But I don’t want Poca- heroine with a strong sense of self.” The tive woman in tight buckskin who falls hontas in my house. My kids have plenty article goes on and on, praising the film for a white dude and speaks English, all of Indian women to look up to, and they for its environmentalism and progressive while talking to the birds and trees. Yep, will learn to abhor racist depictions just storyline. progress. like I did. http://bit.ly/1TNKUfi 0

The Illegitimacy of Settler Regimes the ancient principles, values and beliefs tion that has already been planned and that undergird centuries of democratic is on the verge of activation. We have Mike Myers, the founder and CEO of growth and development in this hemi- not received any prior notice nor have Network for Native Futures, considers sphere. we received sufficient information that the implications of acceding to Indian It requires us to ask a fundamental would be the basis of formulating an legislation promulgated by the “settler question: “Who are they (Canada or the informed decision. regimes” of the U.S. and Canada: U.S.) to come into our territories and So what would our freely determined overthrow our forms of governance and political status look like? To answer this Let’s ask ourselves, “What would our civic participation?” This question de- question will take hard work and a dedi- political status look like, if we truly and mands that we examine the fundamen- cated focus on the re-establishment of freely determined it?” This discussion tal racism that is the foundation of the authentic indigenous democracies. This would have to start with a clean slate, formulation of settler laws governing is not about tinkering with the Indian free of the impositions put on us by the Indigenous nations and peoples. Act or the IRA. It is about the journey of Indian Act and the Indian Reorganiza- As a negotiator for several Indig- decolonization and healing that leads to tion Act (IRA). It requires us to revisit enous governments, I have all too the reemergence of the Ways of Life that our original forms of governance and often found us engaged in a process we were intended to have by the fact of decision-making—to once again look to arguing about a development or ac- our creation. http://bit.ly/1NxfL8V 0

IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork.com August 19, 2015 3 INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY

Navajo Voters Will Set Fluency Housing For Veterans Coming To Taos Requirements For Top Leaders Pueblo BY ALYSA LANDRY BY HARLAN MCKOSATO Navajo voters have narrowly approved a controversial change to The Department of Veterans Affairs and the Taos Pueblo the election code that now requires the Nation’s top two elected tribal government of New Mexico have signed a Memo- leaders to be fluent in the Navajo language. The tally puts to rest randum of Understanding that will allow Native military the long-simmering debate over a requirement that the president veterans to purchase, build or renovate a home on their and vice president be able to understand and speak Navajo flu- tribal land. The new policy will take place under the aus- ently, and to read and write English. pices of the VA’s Native American Direct Home Loan Pro- The amended code, which goes into effect for the 2018 presi- gram (NADL). dential election, still requires candidates to speak fluent Navajo. Since 1944, the VA Home Loan Program has helped over But it adds the provision that “this ability shall be determined 21 million veterans purchase homes. But the program has by the Navajo voter when he/she casts a ballot.” Previously, flu- not applied to American Indian veterans living on tribal ency was determined by election officials or, in extreme cases, lands, because this property is classified as U.S. trust land. by courts. So, in 1992, the NADL was developed. According to unofficial results tallied by the Navajo Election “What we’ve found over the years is that many banks were Administration, 52 percent of voters (13,017 people) approved not willing to lend on federal trust land,” said VA Loan Guar- amending the code; 48 percent (11,778 people) cast negative anty program director Mike Frueh, who signed the agree- votes. Only 21 percent of the Nation’s 120,000 registered voters ment with Tao Pueblo Governor Luis Romero. “The program cast ballots. works exactly the same as the VA Home Loan Program The referendum came nearly a year after the language de- except that Native veterans, or veterans that have a Native bate first erupted during last August’s primary election, when American spouse, can borrow money from the VA to build 17 candidates vied to be the Nation’s eighth president. Former a house on U.S. trust land. We wanted to open the credit to two-term president Joe Shirley Jr., and political newcomer Chris Native veterans on their ancestral homelands.” Deschene came in first and second, respectively. Taos Pueblo War Chief Robert Espinosa, an Army veteran But Deschene was disqualified following a lengthy legal battle who offered remarks at the signing ceremony on July 30, was that began when two former candidates complained that he did pleased by the agreement. “I personally tried for a VA loan, not speak fluent Navajo. The dispute ultimately pitted the Navajo but since I lived on the reservation, I couldn’t get one—I Supreme Court against the Board of Election Supervisors and didn’t qualify,” said Espinosa. “This signing made me very the Navajo Election Administration. h appy.” Russell Begaye, the third-place finisher in the primary race, Approximately one-third of Taos Pueblo village residents triumphed in a delayed general election in April. He and Vice are veterans. This is the 95th such agreement that the VA has President Jonathan Nez took office in May and opposed a change negotiated with a federally recognized tribe that has federal to the language requirements. http://bit.ly/1K9nHtC 0 trust land. http://bit.ly/1hAbbwC 0

Legislation Would Return 20 years of displacement, and in these the Wanapum Band of Priest Rapids in ‘Kennewick Man’ To Tribes 20 years he has become the most stud- Oregon, Washington and Idaho, main- BY TERRI HANSEN ied individual in the world,” Yakama tain he is their ancestor. A bill proposed by Sen. Patty Murray Nation Chairman Jode Goudy told The tribes initially requested a return (D-Washington) on August 6 would ICTMN. “The most recent DNA studies of the remains under the Native Ameri- return the prehistoric skeleton of the show that the Ancient One is not only can Graves Protection and Repatriation Ancient One—known to non-Natives Native American, but of the Columbia Act. But a 2004 federal court ruling al- as “Kennewick Man”—to his Columbia Plateau region, where he was buried.” lowed a group of scientists to continue Basin tribal descendants for reburial. The nearly complete male skeleton, their study of the skeleton, which is The bill accords with various tribal which is about 8,500 years old, was stored at the Burke Museum in Seattle. pleas to transfer the remains from the found along the Columbia River near “The Ancient One is our relative, and Army Corps of Engineers to the Wash- Kennewick, Washington in 1996. The anything but the immediate return and ington Department of Archaeology and Yakama, along with the Confederated reburial of our relative is a continued act Historic Preservation, which is autho- Tribes of the Colville Reservation, the of dishonor by all individuals and parties rized to carry out repatriation. Nez Perce Tribe, the Confederated involved,” the Yakama Nation said in a “The Ancient One is returning from Tribes of the Umatilla Reservation, and statement. http://bit.ly/1TlaLWv 0

IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork.com August 19, 2015 4 INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY

Tribes Receive build capacity,” said Interior ly sacred objects, each unique Henry’s murder. Police arrest- Climate Funding Secretary Sally Jewell. http:// to an individual,” said Don- ed Henry on July 9 for failing $11.8 million to bit.ly/1Tl3lm8 0 ald Urquhart, the museum’s to pay a minor traffic citation. prepare for change director of collections and According to reports, Henry Museum Will Return exhibitions. The repatriation was last seen alive at 9:30 a.m. President Obama’s Tribal Medicine Bundles is scheduled for September. on July 14, but by 10 a.m. he Climate Resilience Program Precious parcels are http://bit.ly/1f0rfWk 0 was deceased. Henry, a mem- awarded $11.8 million last going back to Crow ber of the Mississippi Band of month to help tribes plan for Suspect Named Choctaw Indians, was recent- and cope with climate change. Eighteen Crow medicine In Choctaw Death ly a candidate for tribal coun- Alaska Native villages in par- bundles will soon be trans- Held in murder of cil. http://bit.ly/1h5dAzm 0 ticular will get about $2 mil- ferred from the Portland Art tribal council candidate lion. All together, 104 awards Museum to the Crow people Natives Boost were made to provide for in Montana. According to The Authorities in Philadelphia, Colorado Economy training and workshops, cli- Oregonian, a collector named Mississippi, have named a Huge returns from mate adaptation planning, Elizabeth Cole Butler acquired suspect in the suspicious small population ocean and coastal manage- the bundles from dealers of death of Native American ac- ment planning, and other ini- Native antiquities for 20 years tivist and medicine man Rex- Natives make up less than 2 tiatives. Previously, the Interior beginning in 1970; she donat- dale Henry while in police percent of Colorado’s popula- Department had awarded $10 ed all of them to the museum. custody. Justyn Schlegel, 34, tion but contribute more than million for similar efforts In Crow culture, a medicine was in the Neshoba County $1.5 billion annually to the among tribes. “These funds bundle is a container made of Jail cell with Henry when po- state’s economy, a new study will help the American Indian animal skin that may contain lice found him dead, Sheriff has concluded. The Colorado and Alaska Native communi- small sacred items, e.g. shells, Tommy Waddell said, accord- American Indian and Alaska ties on the front lines of cli- seeds, wood, feathers and ar- ing to WAPT News; Schlegel Native Economic Impact Re- mate change prepare, plan and rowheads. “They’re profound- is now being charged with port found that Colorado has

IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork.com August 19, 2015 5 INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY more than 485 Native-owned Act. Mark Beatty, 56, bought and future donations from Government enters businesses, spanning 40 indus- the remains of eight individu- the Washington Redskins dispute over taxes tries and employing more than als from men he saw digging Original Americans Founda- The federal government 8,000 people. “I don’t think we in a rock shelter on Jackson tion. Amid controversy over has joined in a lawsuit filed ever imagined we’d be seeing County farm; according to the the NFL team name, Red- by the Tulalip Tribes that is the numbers we are looking county sheriff, “He was pur- skins owner Dan Snyder es- challenging the authority of at in this report,” said Ernest chasing from grave robbers.” tablished the foundation last Washington State and Sno- House, Jr. executive director Beatty will receive three years’ year to “provide meaningful homish County to tax non- of the Colorado Commission probation, perform 100 hours and measurable resources Indian businesses on Indian of Indian Affairs. The Office of of community service, and pay that provide genuine oppor- land. The Justice Department Economic Development and a $3,500 fine and restitution of tunities for Tribal communi- is arguing that the state and International Trade for Colo- $1,000, which will be used to ties.” But after the foundation county’s imposition of taxes rado and the Denver American rebury the remains. Beatty has offered $25,000 to the Chey- on commerce in Quil Ceda Indian Commission conducted also agreed to publish a news- enne River Rodeo Associa- Village undermines tribal and the research for the two-year paper advertisement warning tion in July, the tribal council federal interests, infringes on study. http://bit.ly/1JSFZ6A 0 others against similar transac- elected to refuse any such tribal self-government, and tions. http://bit.ly/1DyeQ7Z 0 funding. The council’s motion violates the Indian Com- Ohio Man Bought also mandated that chairman merce Clause of the Consti- Native Remains Cheyenne River Harold Frazier no longer tution. “The United States Sioux Reject communicate with the foot- takes seriously the federal Pleads guilty to Foundation Funds illegal purchase ball team “and any group or role in protecting tribal self- Decision follows person associated with them.” government, which has its An Ohio man pleaded guilty on $25,000 offering http://bit.ly/1MjRbLr 0 foundation in federal statutes, August 5 to purchasing Native treaties, and regulations,” said human remains and violating The Cheyenne River Sioux Washington Assistant U.S. Attorney Gen- the Native American Graves tribal council voted on Au- Supports eral John C. Cruden. http:// Protection and Repatriation gust 5 to reject all current Tulalip Lawsuit bit.ly/1h46qva 0

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IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork.com August 19, 2015 6 INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY Ominous ‘Man Camps’

Another troubling aspect of a troubling oil project BY JACQUELINE KEELER

Temporary housing facilities like this one near Watford City, North Dakota are said to be breeding grounds for abuse against Natives.

Bottom Line: A massive influx of gineering projects. In recent years, they larger than the average Bakken camp, workers on the mammoth Keystone XL have gained a reputation for fostering il- housing about 1,000 workers each. pipeline could wreak havoc on South legal activities ranging from drug use to But at evidentiary hearings before Dakota tribes. human trafficking. South Dakota’s Public Utilities Commis- In the case of the $8 billion Keystone sion (PUC), which took place from July Recent public hearings about running XL pipeline—which would convey oil 27 to August 5, it was not clear that the the controversial Keystone XL pipeline some 1,700 miles from the Alberta tar pipeline builder—the energy giant Trans- through South Dakota focused largely sands to Nebraska—three such camps Canada—could manage the threats that on such issues as environmental effects would be built near treaty and unceded workers might pose to residents of the and a lack of corporate consultation with territory of the Yankton Sioux, Rosebud nearby Yankton Sioux Reservation. area tribes. Sioux and Cheyenne River Sioux tribes. Close questioning established that But during those hearings, another They would be managed by Target Lo- TransCanada had not consulted with lo- concern emerged—the advent of so- gistics, which currently manages 12 such cal tribes, and that the camps were insuf- called man camps. installations in the Bakken oil fields of ficiently equipped to deal with criminal “Man camps” are compounds that North Dakota. There, almost 4,000 work- activity that residents might commit out- house temporary laborers, consultants ers are housed. side of camp boundaries. and associated personnel—almost exclu- The three proposed Keystone XL fa- The Keystone XL project prefers to call sively male—who work on large civil en- cilities in South Dakota would be much its facilities “work camps.” The company’s AP IMAGES

IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork.com August 19, 2015 7 INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY website quotes Dunn County Sheriff Clay- sexually assaulted.” Perkins attributed any lawlessness at ton Coker as saying, “This place is a safe Man-on-man assault was also a prob- man camps to “bad elements” but said that haven. . . . No fights, no thefts, no issues at lem, she recounted. “[T]here was a 15 year such workers are kept out of Target Logis- all in here.” The site also quotes Bill Mose- old boy [who] had gone missing. He was tics camps by a code of conduct that all ley, a safety consultant from California. found in one of the man camps with one residents must sign. Pressed by Yankton “We don’t need any issues of people of the oil workers. They were passing him Sioux Tribal attorney Jennifer Baker, Per- bringing bad habits to this location be- around from trailer to trailer. kins testified that Target Logistics camps cause most of us just don’t have time for “It was scary,” she said. “I feel really bad do not permit the presence of alcohol, fire- that,” he said. “We’re up 14-, 15-, 16 hours for the local residents because the flavor arms, drugs or open flames. a day while we’re here so it’s important of their reservation has changed so much.” But prostitution is not prohibited by the to have some respect in this commu- During the recent evidentiary hearings, company’s code of conduct, and Perkins nity, right here, which I’ve seen a lot of. Yankton Sioux tribal elder and tradition- acknowledged that neither Target Lo- I haven’t seen anything disorderly here.” al leader Faith Spotted Eagle predicted gistics nor TransCanada requires camp- But reports from the Bakken oil fields, similar trouble along the proposed South worker background checks. He also could personal testimony and anecdotal evi- Dakota Keystone XL construction route. not attest to whether a typical pipeline dence paint a very different picture. She pointed out the projected proximity worker has a criminal record. Increasingly, reports from the Bakken of the man camp to the Rosebud Sioux Indeed, registered sex offenders are not fields of steep increases in trafficking, Reservation, the Yankton Sioux Reserva- precluded from employment or from tak- assault and domestic violence affecting tion and the Yankton Sioux Tribe’s Fort ing up residence at the camps. Perkins did neighboring Native American commu- Randall Casino and Hotel. promise that Target Logistics would turn nities have raised concerns about their This “large-scale entertainment center over to law enforcement any resident en- proposed South Dakota equivalents. In gaged in criminal activity. the reservation border town of Williston, Perkins further pledged that TransCan- North Dakota, rates of theft, abduction, ‘There was a ada will work to solve cross-jurisdictional violence, domestic abuse and sex crimes issues. But he acknowledged that the cor- triple have tripled during the oil boom of poration had not met with tribal police the past five years. 15-year-old boy at any of the affected reservations. And Annita Lucchesi (Southern Cheyenne), he confirmed that TransCanada had not who works for the National Indigenous who had gone conducted any studies regarding potential Women’s Resource Council, recalled chill- increase of criminal activity because of the ing remarks she overheard from Bakken missing. They presence of workers in neighboring reser- workers. vation communities. “They were saying, ‘Oh yeah, North Da- were passing him Baker brought out that TransCanada kota is the f—ing best; in North Dakota has subsidized the hiring of additional you can take whatever pretty little Indian police officers in and around its camps to girl that you like, and you can do whatever around from help keep order. When she asked Perkins you want, and police don’t give a f— about if these payments might prejudice local it ” she told Pacific Standard magazine. trailer to trailer.’ authorities in the course of prosecuting “To hear something like that—he was TransCanada employees, Perkins denied literally talking about kidnapping and that there would be any potential conflict raping girls in public at three in the after- that offers a large selection of gaming, eve- of interest. noon—that is how bad it is,” said Lucchesi. ning entertainment, bar and restaurant, In general, Perkins’ responses did little Grace Her Many Horses, a former and hotel in one place,” she predicted, to instill trust in the tribes that would be Rosebud Sioux Tribe police chief, wit- would yield “undesired consequences”— affected by the influx of oil-pipeline work- nessed widespread lawlessness when she specifically, “a surge in violent crime for an ers. “If anything,” said Yankton Sioux worked temporarily in the Bakken Re- already overburdened police force.” tribal attorney Thomasina Real Bird, “Mr. gion near Newtown, North Dakota on The chief Keystone XL witness was Perkins’s testimony reveals serious defi- the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation. In Project Manager-Logistics and Services ciencies.” 2014, she told the Rosebud Sioux news- Rick Perkins. He testified that there had The evidentiary hearings were required paper Sicangu Eyapaha of drug use and never been complaints about rape or to determine whether TransCanada must police officers who had to resort to SWAT sexual harassment at man camps run by resubmit its application entirely, or if it gear to conduct raids. Target Logistics. He stated that he had no can get the original permit—which was One time, the former police chief said, knowledge of drugs or human traffick- approved in 2010—recertified. A final de- “We found a crying, naked, four-year-old ing at the facilities. And he stressed that cision by South Dakota’s Public Utilities girl running down one of the roads right “pipeliners” were career professionals and Commission is expected in November. outside of the Man Camp. She had been union members. http://bit.ly/1P8IPUB 0

IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork.com August 19, 2015 8 INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY Sterlin Harjo Strikes Again

Mekko is a thriller set in the streets of Tulsa BY WILHELM MURG

Bottom Line: The acclaimed Seminole filmmaker Sterlin Harjo is back, with his unique combination of fact and fiction.

Sterlin Harjo’s new movie, Mekko, takes place in a street community of homeless Natives in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The project was designed to be shot quickly, directly, and inexpensively through location film- ing. It was most recently screened at a July 18th benefit at Tulsa’s Circle Cinema, in the neighborhood where much of the footage was taken. Perhaps Mekko’s most distinctive as- pect is Harjo’s hiring of homeless people, via a nearby soup kitchen, as extras. “Mekko is about a man who comes to Tulsa and gets taken into this community because he has nowhere else to go,” Har- jo said, “but there’s also this person who represents ultimate evil that creeps into Actors and street people mingle in Mekko, which itself combines the real and unreal. this community, and darkness. Then it becomes this thriller, where they’re kind when they were shut down; I requested mor and things like that. In downtown of chasing each other.” that we would be allowed to film while Tulsa, at the time, I didn’t run into a lot Harjo, one of the leading forces in they were open. We would just work of Indian people. But I started noticing Native American cinema, has worked around the real customers and anyone this homeless community, and they just mostly in documentary formats for the that was there. The idea was they knew kind of hung out like a tribe, they were past few years. He has created shorts for that they would be in the background in like a family. I got to be friends with some Tulsa’s This Land Press and the Cherokee the film.” of them. Nation television show Osiyo, Voices of Some of his subjects were homeless “And then I was watching an old Wer- the Cherokee People. Last year he released Native Americans, with whom he be- ner Herzog movie called Stroszek, and he a feature-length documentary, This May came acquainted through a soup kitchen did the same thing, where he shot in real Be The Last Time. and food bank, The Iron Gate, in down- locations and used real people with the Mekko marks Harjo’s return to cin- town Tulsa. According to the charity’s actors. There’s just something really cool ematic fiction with reality bleeding in. website, 30 percent of the people it feeds about that. . . . When you let real life seep He has explored the genre, which he are Natives. its way into the filmmaking, something has “played with over the years,” in such Part of Harjo’s inspiration for Mekko interesting happens.” works as his acclaimed 2009 entry Bark- was a classic photo series from the 1970s Harjo is a member of that generation ing Water. and 1980s, “Street Chiefs,” by Richard of directors whose work is more often “The idea was to make a film with Ray Whitman, who starred in Barking seen on the web than in theaters. “As a people I know in Oklahoma and Tulsa, Water. Whitman’s series featured bru- filmmaker I want theaters to last, but my with some of the crew I had been work- tally honest, yet sadly beautiful, portraits films don’t get shown in theaters unless ing with,” he said. “The project grew a of homeless Native American men in they get shown in festivals, or in Okla- little bit, but I wanted to keep that shoot- Oklahoma—a legacy of the Relocation homa they’ll show them in theaters,” he ing style.” Program from the 1950s. said. Harjo’s approach is a hybrid: “I have a “I always liked Richard’s series of “As far as the future, I don’t know, man. script but I really try to make things feel Street Chiefs,” Harjo said. “Whenever I I think I’ll end up just trying ride the real, capture reality, and use real people left home and moved to Tulsa I missed wave of making films for theaters until in the scenes, like in all of our interior my family, I missed my community—you they lock me up in an insane asylum or shoots in the restaurants. I never filmed know, the joking around, the Indian hu- something.” http://bit.ly/1DN039R 0 FILM CRAZY EAGLE

IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork.com August 19, 2015 9 INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY Toxic Spill Assaults Tribes Three million gallons of mining wastewater is unleashed

Bottom Line: It may have been an ac- cident. But the release of huge amounts of toxic sludge into precious waterways has outraged tribal officials and Western governors.

The Navajo Nation, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and the states of Colorado and New Mexico declared disaster emer- gencies last week as three million gallons of acidic mining waste tumbled into Ce- ment Creek and the Animas River, turn- ing them a lurid yellow-orange. The deluge began on August 5 at the abandoned Gold King Mine in San Juan County, Colorado. It occurred when an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) team working at the site underestimated The effects of three million gallons of acidic mining waste on the Animas River and surrounding the amount of water behind what turned waterways are still not clear. out to be a flimsy dam. The water burst out as the crew, using a backhoe, moved ness David Ostrander at a community safety and minimize environmental im- the loose soil and stones holding back the meeting in Durango, Colorado. “It’s hard pacts,” said Hickenlooper. “By declaring a water as they tried to begin draining the being on the other side of this. We typi- disaster emergency, we are able to better area in a controlled fashion. cally respond to emergencies, we don’t support impacted businesses and com- Their action unintentionally unleashed cause them.” munities with state resources.” a sludgy torrent into Cement Creek, a But state and tribal officials were not Navajo Nation President Russell Be- tributary of the Animas River, which mollified. “I am heartbroken by this en- gaye, who toured the site, vowed to make flows through Southern Ute territory. vironmental catastrophe,” New Mexico the EPA accountable for cleanup and for From there, the spill went to the San Juan Governor Susana Martinez said after supplying water to Navajo chapters that River, arriving on August 8. touring the site of the deluge. She specifi- rely on the San Juan River to water crops Tribal officials quickly warned mem- cally criticized the varying estimates of and feed livestock. bers to avoid the polluted areas. As the scope of the emergency. “We intend to make sure the Navajo Na- ICTMN went to press, the worst of the “I am very concerned by EPA’s lack of tion recovers every dollar it spends clean- plume of toxic sludge had already passed. communication and inability to provide ing up this mess and every dollar it loses as But the lasting effects of the spill on water accurate information,” she said. “One day, a result of injuries to our precious Navajo quality and wildlife are not yet known. the spill is one million gallons. The next, natural resources,” Begaye told a packed Residents along the San Juan River it’s three million. New Mexicans deserve Shiprock Chapter House in Window Rock have been warned to stay away from the answers we can rely on.” Moreover, Mar- on August 8. “I have instructed [the] Na- waterway. It is closed until further notice tinez said she was not informed of the vajo Nation Department of Justice to take and should not be used to water crops or spill until 24 hours after it took place, ac- immediate action against the EPA.” feed animals, the Navajo Nation said. cording to Newsweek. The Southern Ute Indian Tribe found The wastewater is known to contain Martinez’s disaster declaration makes itself overwhelmed by the accident. “The lead, arsenic, cadmium, aluminum and at least $750,000 available for monitor- cost and magnitude of responding to and copper, among other heavy metals, but ing and cleanup. So does the emergency recovery from the impact of the water tests on the amounts and exact composi- declaration of Colorado Governor John contamination from the Gold King Mine tion are still being conducted. The yellow- Hickenloooper, who freed up $500,000 Animas River Spill, caused by the EPA on orange color of the water is caused by the from the state’s Disaster Emergency Fund August 5, 2015 is far in excess of the South- presence of iron, the EPA said. to pay for the response and technical as- ern Ute Indian Tribe’s available resources,” “This is a huge tragedy,” said EPA Re- sessments. the tribe said in a statement. http://bit. gional Director of Emergency Prepared- “Our priority remains to ensure public ly/1NnVvGA and http://bit.ly/1EftLyH 0 MANAGEMENT OFFICE OF EMERGENCY LA PLATA

IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork.com August 19, 2015 10 TRADEWINDS CLASSIFIEDS

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS Domestic Violence Staff Attorney – Scottsbluff The Shoshone-Bannock Gaming REQUEST FOR BIDS Commission is requesting proposals Legal Aid of Nebraska, a law firm providing free civil legal services to low-income persons, FOR EMPLOYEE from qualified firms with substantial seeks an attorney to serve Native American victims of domestic violence in Western Nebraska. BENEFIT PLANS gaming auditing experience to Must be admitted to practice in Nebraska or have a Nebraska license pending, and be licensed conduct a 2015 fiscal year external RPF 05-2015 or willing to become licensed in the Ponca, Winnebago, Omaha and Santee Tribal Courts. This audit. Your response to this invitation is requested within 30 days of the position entails extensive travel throughout panhandle and Cherry counties. Duties will include The Ramah Navajo School, Inc. (RNSB) date of this mailing. Proposals must seeks Statements of Qualifications for but will not be limited to: provide assistance to members of the Omaha, Ponca, Santee, and be received on or before August 28, Winnebago and to other Native Americans who are victims of domestic violence primarily proposals to provide Fully Insured Medical/Dental/Vision Benefit Plans with 2015, 4:30 PM, MST. residing in the panhandle and Cherry counties. This position entails providing training to law some partially self-funded components. Should you like more information on enforcement; making community presentations; conducting outreach to Native American Qualified companies may obtain RFP the stated project or job, please specifications, please contact: Anna Mae victims of domestic violence; developing culturally appropriate materials providing legal contact Marvin D. Osborne, Pino, Acting Executive /Deputy Director information and information about Legal Aid of Nebraska’s Native American Project and Executive Director, Email: [email protected] Telephone domestic violence; fostering relationships with the Tribes, tribal members, domestic violence number (505) 775-4152 OR Ms. Lisa Shoshone-Bannock Gaming agencies and other service providers. The attorney in this position also provides quality and Baeza Insurance/Benefits Administrator Commission, at the number listed above. Your bid and accompanying aggressive representation of low-income Native American domestic violence victims who are [email protected] (505) 775-4163. documents must be received by the clients of LAN primarily in state court, and, engages in the day-to-day practice of law Please submit bids marked “seal bids for benefit plan” to the Ramah Navajo School specified deadline. according to the priorities and practices set by Legal Aid of Nebraska. Ideal candidate will Board, Inc. PROPERTY & PROCUREMENT, possess expertise in the area of domestic violence and have a connection to Native American Attention: Boots Maria, BIA Rt. 125, Please be advised that the Tribal Business Act, Tribal Employment issues. This is a full-time position requiring a committed individual. Company cell phone and Receiving Center, Pine Hill, New Mexico 87357 Rights Ordinance on the Fort Hall laptop will be provided. Location in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Indian Reservation. These are Tribal All bids must be received by close of Laws and shall be enforced by the Legal Aid of Nebraska offers excellent supervision, training and support, and state-of-the-art business day August 28, 2015, 4:30 PM, Shoshone-Bannock Tribes in all technology. Loan assistance repayment may be available assuming eligibility for Legal Aid’s MST. No fax or emailed proposals will be business transaction, employment, repayment program. Experience-based competitive salary. Excellent benefits package. accepted. The sealed bid proposal shall contracting, and land use Please send resume, references, writing sample and cover letter via email to: Jonathan include the cost for services and regulations on the Reservation. For Statement of qualifications. Navajo/Indian Seagrass, Managing Attorney of Legal Aid of Nebraska’s Native American Project, at more information about these laws preference will apply. please contact the Tribal Business [email protected]. EOE. Position open until filled. License, (208) 478-3716 and TERO, (208) 478-3848.

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IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork.com August 19, 2015 11 INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY

A Senate bill would return the remains of “The Ancient One” Ish-Kaysh Tripp (Yurok and Karuk), a student at Humboldt State (here reconstructed) to his Native soil in the Columbia Basin. University, is now a Rodney T. Mathews Jr. scholar.

The Spokane Tribe of Washington has sworn in Carol Evans, Confusion surrounds Marilyn Manson’s role as a Native hit man seen here in 2013, as its first female tribal council chair. in Let Me Make You a Martyr and his claim of “Sioux” heritage. SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION; MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS; MONICA L. PEONE; FACEBOOK/IMMYAM INDIANS; MONICA L. PEONE; FACEBOOK/IMMYAM MORONGO BAND OF MISSION SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION;

IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork.com August 19, 2015 12 INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY Headlines from the Web

GOVERNOR MEETS WITH TRIBES IN HO-CHUNK PLANS TO SELL FORMER TRIBAL CHAIRMAN, ADVANCE OF LAND TRUST DEADLINE FORMER BANK BUILDING SON ARRESTED FOLLOWING http://bit.ly/1L30X1x http://bit.ly/1J1f2wW APRIL DRUG RAID http://bit.ly/1DOautn YUROK TRIBE SWINDLED OF DOCUMENTARY EXPLORES STRUGGLE $250K IN CASINO PUSH OF NEW JERSEY’S RAMAPOUGH TRIBE MICHIGAN UNDERFUNDS NATIVE http://bit.ly/1gS3x0y http://nyti.ms/1Iuci9P AMERICAN TUITION PROGRAM http://bit.ly/1WhY5UG Upcoming Events regular, safe and reliable shipping system. Indian Community Governor Stephen Location: Hotel Captain Cook, Anchor- Roe Lewis, Indian Water Rights Director TRIBAL COURT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM age, Alaska Pamela Williams of the Department of the CONFERENCE, AUGUST 20-21 Interior, and Assistant Montana Attorney Following an opening plenary, the confer- NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBAL HEALTH General Jay Weiner will be among the fea- ence theme of “Protecting Indian Chil- WEBINAR, AUGUST 25 tured speakers and participants. Conduct- dren” will be “Understanding Applicable The webinar, “Lung Infections in Indig- ed by the Western States Water Council Laws in Child Protection and Child Wel- enous American Children: A Hidden and Native American Rights Fund. fare Cases,” “Judicial Responses to Child Disparity,” will address the issue of how Location: Peppermill Hotel and Casino, Deprivation Cases,” “Preparing Lay Advo- American Indian and Alaska Native chil- Reno, Nevada cates For Court, “Updates and Reforms to dren suffer from disproportionately high the Indian Child Welfare Act” and related rates of hospitalization for lower respira- DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY TRIBAL subjects. Conducted by the University of tory tract infections. Dr. Rosalyn Single- WEBINAR AUGUST 26 North Dakota School of Law. ton, a visiting research associate with This webinar will show attendees how Location: Radisson Bloomington by the the Arctic Investigations Program of the tribes have been able to identify, qualify, Mall of America, Bloomington, Minnesota Centers for Disease control and a clinical and develop successful facility-, commu- consultant for the Indian Health Service, nity-, and utility-scale renewable energy ALASKA SUMMIT ON ARCTIC SHIPPING will moderate. projects that run the gamut of renewable AND PORTS, AUGUST 23-25 Contact Information: http://www.indian energy technologies. Speakers will explore The summit is designed to build partner- [email protected] the keys to successful project implementa- ships to develop safe and reliable shipping tion, including strategic planning, financ- through the Alaskan Arctic. Major topics INDIAN RESERVED WATER RIGHTS ing, overcoming barriers, reducing risks, will be developing safe and reliable ship- CLAIMS SYMPOSIUM, AUGUST 25-27 and producing measurable results. Hosted ping practices to protect the hunting and Topics for this 14th biennial symposium by the Department of Energy Office of fishing activities of residents and envi- will include “Negotiation of Indian Water Indian Energy Policy and Programs, in ronment; exploring public-private coop- Rights Claims,” “Identifying Parties and partnership with Western Area Power Ad- eration models to produce the necessary Issues and How Negotiations Bind Larger ministration. infrastructure investments; and establish- Groups” and “Settlement Legislation: Get- Contact Information: http://bit. ing a task force to offer global shippers a ting Bills Through Congress.” Gila River ly/1N6rE7y LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Re Cynthia Dunne’s plea to release commonplace whenever Leonard Peltier apology, an admission of wrongdoing, Leonard Peltier (July 26): is discussed. The intent is to persuade and extended prison sentences for those people that Peltier is guilty. But it does responsible for his wrongful imprison- Granting clemency to Leonard Pel- not explain why the FBI and the federal ment, might help balance the scales of tier now, after he has spent nearly 40 government are still withholding per- justice. I doubt, however, that even that years in prison, on the basis of restor- haps six to ten thousand pages of infor- would wipe the darkness from govern- ing integrity to the American system of mation from Peltiers’ attorneys that in all ment officials. They are seemingly dark justice, is like putting lipstick on Uncle probability would clear him of murder— to the bone. Sam. It is pure hubris. or at the very least condemn the FBI for Seemingly pre-packaged and likely illegal behavior. —Sammy Snake paid-for public relations propaganda is Freeing Leonard Peltier, along with an St. Charles, Missouri

IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork.com August 19, 2015 13 INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY

TOP NEWS ALERTS From IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork.com

FIRST FEMALE CHAIR connected with their tribal hos- fornia’s more than 100 federally Nation, the Jicarilla Apache OF SPOKANE TRIBE pital in Winnebago, Nebraska to recognized tribes. The recipients Nation, the Acoma Pueblo, The Spokane Tribe of Washing- resign, following a loss of federal are Shanice Britton (Round Valle), the Isleto Pueblo, the Jemez ton has selected Carol Evans as funding. The Sioux City Journal Shayna McCullough (Yurok), Cara Pueblo and the Taos Pueblo. its first female chair. Evans has reported that the U.S. Centers for Owings (Tolowa De-ni’) and Ish- made history with the Spokane Medicare and Medicaid Services Kaysh Tripp (Yurok and Karuk). INDIAN AFFAIRS Tribe previously: In 2013, she terminated funding for the Win- Britton attends UC Davis; the COMMITTEE IN ALASKA became the first woman to be nebago Service Unit on July 23. other three recipients are enrolled For what is believed to be the sworn in as a member of the This means that the facility “is no at Humboldt State University. first time in its history, the Sen- tribal council since her mother, longer eligible for reimbursement ate Indian Affairs Committee Pauline Stearns, 25 years be- from the federal government for TWO NEW MEXICO will conduct a field hearing in fore. “When you look at our caring for patients covered by CASINO COMPACTS Alaska. On August 20, the com- history,” she said, “the chiefs the insurance programs for the The Bureau of Indian Affairs has mittee will meet at the Alaska were men, but women were elderly, disabled and low-income.” approved two additional Class III Native Heritage Center to discuss movers even without the title.” gaming compacts in New Mexico. tribal justice issues, including Evans had previously served MORONGO BAND One is with the Ohway Owingeh tribal courts and recidivism. as vice chair of the council. SCHOLARS NAMED Pueblo; the other is with the Former committee vice chair Four college students have Zuni Pueblo. The decision brings Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) will TRIBES CALL FOR HOSPITAL received this year’s Rodney T. the number of Class III gaming conduct the hearing; witnesses RESIGNATIONS Mathews Jr. Scholarship, awarded compacts in New Mexico up to will include Alaska State Sen. Jon The Omaha and Winnebago by the Morongo Band of nine. The other tribes that are Coghill. Although there will be tribes have called upon top Mission Indians and available to currently licensed are the Navajo no webcast, written testimony Indian Health Service officials any enrolled members of Cali- Nation, the Mescalero Apache will be made available online.

IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork.com August 19, 2015 14 INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY How Did I Miss That?

Elk watching, the Free Syrian Army and Rush Limbaugh’s pants BY STEVE RUSSELL

KXAN aired a report sourced from Cass from Oklahoma. After Cousin Ray regained his breath, County, Texas Sheriff Larry Rowe. A man Some locals claim there are as many he rasped, “I hope they were trained like who did not wish to be identified spot- as 500 elk roaming the Cookson Hills ISIS and not like the Iraqi Army.” ted a vagrant armadillo on his property around the Oklahoma-Arkansas border. in a suburb of Texarkana. Defending his The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife * * * home with a .38 revolver, he squeezed Conservation, to my surprise, allows lim- off three shots. One round was appar- ited hunting. For the entire northeastern Rush Limbaugh reported that the crazy ently deflected by the armadillo’s shell quadrant of the state, the quota is 20 a liberal city of Austin, the blue belly but- and struck the man in the jaw. He was year and the limit is one per license. ton on red Texas, enacted limitations airlifted to a hospital, where his jaw was Cousin Ray suggested that if Oklaho- on smoke emission that will shut down wired shut. ma wants to be a hunting destination, it the production of good old Texas BBQ. “I can’t imagine,” my Cousin Ray should introduce lions. PolitiFact, after investigation, rated Lim- Sixkiller snickered, “why that guy didn’t baugh’s report as “pants on fire.” wish to be identified.” * * * Finishing his brisket sandwich, Cous- in Ray commented, “Limbaugh must go * * * The top four candidates in Republican though a lot of pants.” primary polling remained the same go- A smarter guy named hitchBOT was ing into last week’s debate. Cousin Ray * * * born in Canada at Ryerson Universi- was not happy. ty and became an ingenious experiment “Donald Trump, Scott Walker, Jeb Speaking of pants, Lenny Kravitz had a to reverse the usual question, “Can hu- Bush, and Ben Carson,” he said. “Two of wardrobe malfunction during a concert mans trust robots?” Because the silicon- the four are not serious.” in Sweden when his tight leather pants based hitchBOT depended upon the split on stage, exposing his junk. Jim kindness of strangers to travel, it became * * * Morrison once got arrested for the same a test of the opposite question, “Can ro- thing during a Doors concert, but it is bots trust humans?” Back in March, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said that Morrison did it on purpose. The answer appeared to be yes, as drew a crowd of 11,000 students at Lib- “Look at the bright side,” Cousin Ray hitchBOT crossed Canada, Germany, erty University when he announced his said. “At least the pants weren’t on fire.” and the Netherlands. Two weeks after candidacy for the presidency. It helped attempting to invade the U.S.A., vandals attendance that failure to show up was * * * attacked hitchBOT in Philadelphia and punishable by a $10 fine. Other offens- decapitated him. es at Liberty include seeing an R-rated Former police officer Darren Wilson, Cousin Ray claimed that W.C. Fields movie ($50 fine) and participating in a who shot Michael Brown in Ferguson, did not really put on his tombstone that séance, witchcraft or other demonic ac- Missouri, has broken his silence by coop- he’d rather be in the City of Brotherly tivity ($500). erating with a Profile in The New Yorker. Love and reminded me of the time Eagles While I can’t prove this, I would bet Indians will recognize Wilson’s attitude fans booed Santa Claus. that several tribal sacred ceremonies toward history—that it has nothing to do “But if you think it’s over for hitch- come under the “demonic activity” ru- with him. If he’s not a racist, then racism BOT,” he said, “remember it didn’t stop bric. could not possibly inform any of his ac- C3PO.” On September 14, it would appear tions. He floats free of any social matrix, there might be demonic activity at the particularly if he’s ignorant of it. * * * university’s convocation, when the speak- This is the mirror image of the Indian er will be Socialist Bernie Sanders. with the blood memory of genocide. Or A TV station I grew up with—Tulsa the Jewish kid who remembers the num- Channel 6—reported that planners with * * * ber tattooed on his grandmother’s wrist. the Oklahoma Conservation Commis- Or the descendant of lynching victims. sion had the amazing luck to come upon Foreign Policy reported that we, the U.S. We don’t choose that any more than a herd of about 20 elk crossing the Il- taxpayers, have spent about $500 million he did. But Darren Wilson can’t and we linois River near Tahlequah. Elk were to train 60 rebels from the Free Syrian can’t wish away the history that binds us commonly thought to be long gone Army. together. http://bit.ly/1OWQSDW 0

IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork.com August 19, 2015 15 INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY UPCOMING POW WOWS

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IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork.com August 19, 2015 16 INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY

“Meditates For a Good Life” is one of many works by Carlis Chee. CARLIS CHEE

IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork.comTHE AugustJuly 10,BIG 19,2013 2015 PICTURE