'Living the Songs, Healing One's Self' -- Dineh Spiritual and Cultural Society, 1994

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Navajo women weave a blanket outside a hogan. Photo: Ben Wittick, circa 1890. Courtesy Denver Public Library.

'Living the Songs, Healing One's Self' -- Dineh Spiritual and Cultural Society, 1994

By Brenda Norrell
Censored News

Before Daniel Deschinny, spokesman for the Dineh Spiritual and Cultural Society, passed to the Spirit World, I had the great honor of interviewing him many times.
Dan, who died far too young, often met me for coffee at the Navajo Nation Inn, and asked me to share the statements of the Dineh Medicine People.
Many times Medicine People would join us, including Thomas Morris, who has now passed to the Spirit World. Before this, the Dineh Spiritual and Cultural Society was known as the Navajo Nation Medicine Man's Association. 
In 1994, Daniel shared these words below on healing one's self, on behalf of the Dineh Spiritual and Cultural Society, regarding healing, and the dangers of misusing the Dineh ceremonies, ceremonial images and healing practices.
Dan, sharing their message about singers, often referred to as medicine men, said:

At the same time, Dan, speaking on behalf of the Dineh Spiritual and Cultural Society, said symbols from ceremonies should not be used in public.
They asked that all depictions of the masked figure of Ye'ii Bicheii, lightening, sandpainting, herbs and other symbols be removed from public art.
Daniel said the ceremonies are still practiced and harm can result from sharing the images. Daniel warned that the Ye'ii Bicheii mask should not be used as art and can not be placed on an image. It can only be placed on a human body.
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Notes:
Thank you to Brent Michael Davids for sharing this print copy, long before the days of the Internet. Thank you also to Tim Giago, Lakota publisher, who created Indian Country Today Southwest, and my editor Avis Little Eagle, Lakota, who made this work possible in 1994.
Here are Daniel's words on behalf of the Dineh Spiritual and Cultural Society.
In memory of Dan Deschinny, 1943 -- 1997.
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Article copyright Brenda Norrell

Portions may not be republished without permission, or

used in connection with any revenue schemes.

Little Feather Reaches Non-Cooperating Plea Agreement

Leoyla Cowboy and Little Feather

One Charge Dropped, Joint Recommendation of Three Years

By Water Protector Legal Collective

Censored News

Mandan, ND: On Thursday February 8, Michael Giron will appear in federal court in Bismarck for a change of plea hearing as per the terms of a non-cooperating agreement with prosecutors.

Mr. Giron, who is known as Little Feather, was charged with Civil Disorder and Use of Fire to Commit a Federal Felony Offense, arising from events of October 27, 2016. Under this plea agreement, the Use of Fire charge – which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and the possibility of up to 15 years in prison – will be dropped entirely, and Little Feather will take responsibility for aiding a civil disorder.

Subject to the acceptance of the plea agreement by Judge Daniel Hovland, who is presiding over the case, prosecutors and the defense will jointly recommend a sentence of 36 months on the Civil Disorder charge, although the judge does have the authority to go as high as five years. This is a non-cooperating agreement relating only to Little Feather’s own actions and does not require any testimony or information about anyone else.

Little Feather and his legal team were facing monumental challenges including the prospect of trial with a hostile jury pool, limited discovery, and the risk of a long prison sentence.

In December of 2016, WPLC brought in an expert to poll the potential jurors to determine the extent of local bias against Water Protectors. The findings were clear: 77% of potential jurors in Morton County and 85% in Burleigh County had already decided that defendants were guilty and many potential jurors have close connections to law enforcement or the oil industry.

Court records show that Little Feather’s legal team brought this data to the court’s attention, and filed a change of venue motion seeking to move the trial out of North Dakota, but that motion was denied.

Similarly, the court denied a motion to compel discovery and a motion to force prosecutors to search the records of private security and military contractors who coordinated closely with law enforcement throughout the encampment period, seeking critical surveillance and other records as well as determining the extent of the role of informants in the encampments.

Little Feather is a member of the Coastal Band of the Chumash Nation, and was raised in Santa Barbara, California. He was invited to Standing Rock by his Lakota family members, where he worked tirelessly tending the sacred fire and serving the needs of elders, women and children living in the Oceti Šakowiŋ camp. In recognition of this dedication, local elders assigned him the role of peacekeeper, known in Lakota tradition as Akicita.

Little Feather is proud to have stood with Water Protectors against the Dakota Access Pipeline, and grateful to be a member of the Oceti Šakowiŋ community. His time in camp was a cleansing experience that helped put him in touch with his spirituality and his indigenous identity, and opened his heart to a prayerful way of life that he looks forward to sharing with his family upon his release.

“Our time at Standing Rock was a life transformation for Little Feather and for our entire family,” said Leoyla Cowboy, Little Feather’s wife. “We are deeply grateful for all the support from our community and for all the teachings and the ceremonies that we were invited to attend in camp. We look forward to welcoming my husband home to continue to give back those teachings to others.”

“Little Feather is my hero. The whole family loves and adores him. He keeps us strong and we want him home with us. He is such a blessing to our family,” she added.

The change of plea hearing will be at 1:30PM on Thursday February 8, 2018 in Bismarck federal court before Chief Judge Daniel Hovland. Supporters are encouraged to attend to show solidarity with Little Feather and his family.

Little Feather has been incarcerated since March 9, 2017. Information on how to support him is available on his support committee website. He is represented by attorneys Peter Schoenburg of New Mexico and Timothy R. Lohraff of Washington.

This agreement comes shortly after plea agreements were announced for two other Water Protectors with federal charges: Red Fawn Fallis and Rattler (Michael Markus). There are three remaining Water Protectors with pending federal chargespreparing for trials in the coming months and over 300 who have pending state charges.

Links:

Free Little Feather Support Committee webpage

WPLC’s case information page for Little Feather

*This statement may be excerpted or reproduced in full on the condition of proper attribution to: Water Protector Legal Collective.

Water Protector Legal Collective (WPLC) provides on-the-ground legal representation and coordination for Water Protectors engaged in resistance to the Dakota Access Pipeline at Standing Rock, ND.

Secretive U.S. Police Fusion Center Targeted Activists and Journalists at Standing Rock

Reposted from Facebook

                          Photos 2, 3 and 4 by Rob Wilson

Standing Rock Water Protectors Resisted and Maintained, Making it a Win

By Brenda Norrell
Censored News

The ACLU describes the secretive U.S government's Fusion Centers, and the dangers of this data sharing, and targeting of individuals who have committed no crimes, by these joint law enforcement operations.
The ACLU said the dangers include over-reaching, fear-mongering, and including private contractors and military, in joint police operations.
This was what happened at Standing Rock when Morton County Sheriff, TigerSwan, National Sheriffs Association, National Guard, out-of-state police and  private security worked with police in 2016 and 2017, targeting a spiritual and prayerful movement.
This data sharing by Fusion Centers creates false intelligence, violates privacy, and brings great harm to those targeted by these secret operations.
The North Dakota Fusion Center was a focal point of operations targeting Standing Rock water protectors and the movement.
At least one paid FBI infiltrator was in the water protector camps and targeted Red Fawn Fallis.
The facts about the willing and paid FBI infiltrator Heath Harmon and his brother Chad Harmon (Federal BIA police at Standing Rock) are just now being exposed. They are from Fort Berthold, Three Affiliated Tribes, Mandan, Arikara and Hidatsa, in North Dakota.
We know from attacks on Censored News that a large number of former Iraq and Afghanistan US military, including special ops, were involved at Standing Rock and targeted water protectors.
We also know from The Intercept's exposures of the North Dakota Fusion Center, that Censored News was targeted. I was named, as journalist and publisher of Censored News, in those targeted.
The tentacles of this massive targeting brought in former military and former police.
Retired Bismarck, North Dakota, police working for Dakota Access Pipeline's private security firms were photographed in the dog attack on water protectors protecting burial places in September of 2016.
TigerSwan's role has also been exposed, revealing that increased fear-mongering kept money flowing to the mercenaries.
TigerSwan was not licensed and operated illegally in North Dakota.
The National Sheriffs Association -- headed by the Sheriff at the end of Bayou Bridge pipeline in Louisiana -- played a key role in the secret joint operation, and lobbied Congress for military gear.
Bayou Bridge Pipeline is operated and co-owned, by Energy Transfer Partners, which also owns Dakota Access Pipeline.
The U.S. Fusion Center in North Dakota is an arm of the U. S. government.
President Obama could have stopped the Dakota Access Pipeline, and halted the police brutality -- rubber bullets, tear gas, water cannons in subzero temperatures, strip searches and imprisonment in dog cages of water protectors.
Obama chose not to.
Resisting and maintaining through all that makes Standing Rock Water Protectors'  resistance a win for water protectors.
We send our respect to all who paid the price.

Update Feb. 5, 2018: Water protector Sophia Wilansky, 22, whose arm was blown to pieces by a projectile, has filed suit, after the FBI refused to return the evidence taken:
http://m.startribune.com/dakota-access-pipeline-protestor-injured-in-blast-sues-government-for-return-of-evidence/472819363/

Marcus Mitchell, Dineh, 'Morton County shot out my eye'
https://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2018/01/dineh-marcus-mitchell-morton-county.html?m=1

References:

ACLU on Fusion Centers:

We found that while fusion centers vary widely in what they do, but five overarching problems with these domestic intelligence operations put Americans' privacy and civil liberties at risk:

1. Ambiguous Lines of Authority. In a multi-jurisdictional environment it is unclear what rules apply, and which agency is ultimately responsible for the activities of the fusion center participants.
2. Private Sector Participation. Some fusion centers incorporate private-sector corporations into the intelligence process, potentially undermining privacy laws designed to protect the privacy of innocent Americans, and increasing the risk of a data breach.
3. Military Participation.Some fusion centers include military personnel in law enforcement activities in troubling ways.
4. Data Mining. Federal fusion center guidelines encourage wholesale data collection and data manipulation processes that threaten privacy.
5. Excessive Secrecy. Fusion centers are characterized by excessive secrecy, which limits public oversight, impairs their ability to acquire essential information and impedes their ability to fulfill their stated mission, bringing their ultimate value into doubt.

Continue at ACLU: https://www.aclu.org/other/more-about-fusion-centers

The Intercept exposes FBI infiltrator Heath Harmon of Fort Berthold
The Intercept exposes FBI infiltrator Heath Harmon owned the gun allegedly fired by Red Fawn. Harmon posed as her lover and entrapped Red Fawn:
.https://theintercept.com/2017/12/11/standing-rock-dakota-access-pipeline-fbi-informant-red-fawn-fallis/

National Sheriffs Association played key role, lobbied Congress for military gear. Association head's community stood to benefit in Louisiana from pipeline.
Muck Rock:
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.https://www.muckrock.com/news/archives/2017/jun/26/louisiana-EMAC/


Fusion Center chart incorrectly identified and arrested "leaders" at Standing Rock
Censored News was targeted for coverage of Standing Rock. Our article includes the Fusion Center's false chart incorrectly identifying 'leaders' of the movement, most of whom were arrested. Chart exposed by The Intercept.
.https://theintercept.com/document/2017/12/11/links-chart-on-leaders-of-the-movement/

Native Nations share data
The Tohono O'odham was the first Native American Nation to participate in data sharing with U.S. intelligence agencies. Tohono O'odham and Blackfeet Nations now participate:

Excerpt:

Source:
https://patimes.org/tribes-equal-partners-homeland-security/


Below: An online effort to identify those responsible for the attack with dogs, Sept. 3, 2016.

Photos copyright Rob Wilson
Article copyright Brenda Norrell, Censored News

Mohawk Nation News 'Canada/Quebec 'Immigrants' Place International Embargo on Natives

Read article at Mohawk Nation News
.http://mohawknationnews.com/blog/2018/02/03/canadaquebec-immigrants-place-intl-embargo-on-natives/

Dine' CARE opposes contract to company investigated for fraud for radioactive cleanup

Mohawk Nation News 'Grand Theft Charges against Canada, Que. and MCK'

GRAND THEFT CHARGES AGAINST CANADA QUE. and MCK

Posted on February 1, 2018

Please post & distribute.

MNN. Feb. 1, 2018. A Notice of Objection has been filed against Canada, Quebec and Mohawk Council of Kahnawake which have launched an attack to force onkwe-hon-weh to pay illegal taxes.  They jumped up and down with glee when all but two signed away their birthright. 

Read article at Mohawk Nation News:

http://mohawknationnews.com/blog/2018/02/01/grand-theft-charges-against-canada-que-mck/

Leonard Peltier needs surgery Feb. 2018

Greetings Friends, Family and Supporters; Feb. 1st 2018 I am sorry that it has taken me so long to get this letter to you. Things have been picking u

Greetings Friends, Family and Supporters; Feb. 1st 2018 I am sorry that it has taken me so long to get this letter to you. Things have been picking up in the Tampa area and throughout the world for Leonard, and I got a little behind in my report to all of you. First Leonard had a cold for over a week and I was concerned as he is still recovering his strength from the heart surgery. He is better now but it is extremely cold within the prison and during the cold snap here in Florida he had to get extra blankets to keep warm. The coldness extends to the visiting area where the visitors often wear sweaters or jackets and Leonard and other prisoners have on short sleeved jumpsuits. The prisoners are Not even allowed to wear long sleeve undershirts or sweatshirts to stay warm in the visiting area for security reasons the guards say. I saw Leonard this past Monday and he asked his supports to write to: Warden Charles L. Lockett USP Coleman 1 P.O. Box 1023 Coleman FL. 33521 Request that Leonard be given an operation for his Prostate Problem. Leonard saw a specialist 2 years ago for the problem and was informed that the procedure only takes 10 to 15 mins. The Dr. recommended Leonard have the procedure done, and Leonard has requested the surgery, but nothing has been done. Leonard said his enlarged prostrate is causing him increased pain and discomfort. Also, on the health front we are still waiting for Leonard to get relief on his hip and knee problems. Even brother Turtle moves faster than the Bureau of Prisons when it comes to health care. On a positive note I would like to introduce you to the Archangels of Justice who have taken up Leonard's case and will be producing a series of podcast dealing with FBI misconduct and the Constitutional Violations in Leonard's case. Here is the link to the first podcast, Please share this podcast with your friends and let Kari Ann and I, along with Leonard, know your views. On Tuesday night at a Pipe Ceremony on the Miccosukee Land outside of Tallahassee, Leonard was presented with a Pipe From his Odowa brother who carried the Pipe from his family in the Northeast. Here is a little part of the story. "My name is Paul Tobin (Coyote Song) Five years ago I made Pipes for the Two Row Wampum renewal campaign. The Two Row Wampum Renewal Campaign was a partnership between the Onondaga Nation and Neighbors of the Onondaga Nation (NOON) to develop a broad alliance between the Haudenosaunee and their allies in New York and throughout the world…We would like to make a Pipe for Leonard. We don't know if they are allowing him to have sacred items in prison. We would like to present it to you on his behalf." It was a beautiful ceremony and I was also gifted with a Pipe. As our thanks to our family in the North we sent them home with one of the last drums made by Bob Robideau, a blanket & T-shirts for the travelers. The Pipe will be held at the National Office per Leonard's request and when Pipe carriers and Sundance Sisters and Brothers stop by to see Leonard and visit with us we will have a Ceremony to smoke the Pipe for Leonard. Check the Event Page for Feb. There will be events on the 6th of February recognizing the start of Leonard's 43 year in captivity. I will send out more events as they are sent to me. There is also a Meet and Greet for Leonard's attorney on Feb 11th to introduce him to the St. Pete and Tampa Bay area. Friday, Feb. 2nd ILPDC has been included in this wonderful event in Sarasota, FL. Be Sweet! Turn on the Heat! Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center 525 Kumquat Court Sarasota, FL 34236 The benefit is to help the EREZ fund, which provides heat for poorer Native Americans in the United States and Canada in the form of firewood, propane and/or electricity.   Also, for the supporters in Georgia- Friday the 9th of Feb. I will be speaking for Leonard as part of Mumia's Book Tour. The event will be from 7-10pm at the Omenala Griot Museum 337 Dargan Place SW Atlanta. As you can see we have been very busy and while I always think of writing you all a quick note to let you what Kari and I are doing time slips away. So please accept my humble apologies. And I want to thank all of you that have contributed money to support the office and Leonard's Legal team. They are working diligently to craft a brief to get Leonard back into the Court and on the Road To His Freedom! ALL donations big and small help with these efforts so please continue to buy merchandise (Black AIM t-shirts are Back in stock), Prints and if you can afford it check with Kari Ann about one of Leonard's original paintings. With Respect Paulette and Kari Ann Leonard paintings are still available for sale. Special price on painting pictured "Blue Cloud Country" this painting brings us warmth and the thought of spring in these cold winter months. Please email art@whoisleonardpeltier.info for inquiries. ©2018 ILPDC | 116 W Osborne Avenue Tampa, FL 33603

Mohawk Nation News 'Monkey Business to End!'

Read article at Mohawk Nation News
.http://mohawknationnews.com/blog/2018/01/29/monkey-business-to-end/

Warrior and Protector -- Justice for Sonny Lewis, on Fifth Anniversary of His Murder in Reno

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Sonny was everyone's warrior and protector -- Sonny's mother Sheri Potts.

Photos and video by Western Shoshone Carl Bad Bear Sampson

Censored News

Five years ago, on Jan. 27, 2013, Sonny Lewis was shot and killed outside of the E. 2nd Street Walmart in Reno. This year, during the annual candlelight service, Sonny's mother Sheri Potts called for justice. She said her son's killer is still out there.

"My son deserves love and respect from all that walked with him. He was everyone's warrior and protector," Potts said.

Sonny was only 25 years old when he was killed. The shooting took place on tribal territory during a fight outside the Walmart, and the case was given to the FBI to investigate. No one has ever been prosecuted,

Reno Sparks Indian Community governs the land where Sonny was murdered, but the prosecution was turned over to the federal government. Read more: http://tbinternet.ohchr.org/Treaties/CAT/Shared%20Documents/USA/INT_CAT_CSS_USA_18543_E.pdf

Watch Al Jazeera 'Akicita: The Legacy of Standing Rock at Sundance Film Festival'

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Screenshots by Censored News

At Sundance Film Festival, Al Jazeera talks with Akicita Producer Cody Lucich, and water protectors Curtis Ray Yaz and Mark Tilsen, with Jenni Monet via Skype in Tucson. Film clips from the new film, 'Akicita: The Battle of Standing Rock.'

Watch Al Jazeera broadcast below:

'Akicita': What is the legacy of the #NoDAPL movement at Standing Rock? | The Stream

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=8&v=bO0FrZBA-pg

By Al Jazeera

A movement against the construction of a multi-billion-dollar oil pipeline across N3ative American lands last winter spurred solidarity among environmentalists and civil rights activists around the globe. Now, a new documentary premiering at the Sundance Film Festival explores the trials and tribulations of the "Water Protectors" who gathered to say "No" to the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL). "Akicita: The Battle of Standing Rock" chronicles the widespread opposition to DAPL, which drew thousands of people to the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in the US state of North Dakota. According to local tribes, construction of the pipeline through their territories would contaminate the water supply, rendering it impure and unsuitable for use in religious ceremonies. Tribes also argued that the US government failed to consult with them before the project was allowed to proceed. Many activists were hospitalised over the course of the demonstrations, injured by the "'less-than-lethal' weapons" used by police officials to disperse the crowd. US federal courts repeatedly denied requests from tribes to suspend the project, prompting construction to resume by March 2017. But for indigenous activists featured in the documentary, like Kanahus Manuel, the film serves as a wake-up call to others about the injustices many Native communities still experience. “I think [with] this collective consciousness right now that has awoken because of Standing Rock, people are really going to start supporting indigenous people", Manuel said. “And this film that’s going to be coming is going to be a real shock and awe for the world.” So, what is the legacy of the movement against DAPL? In this episode, The Stream speaks with the documentary's producers to learn about the film and examine the challenges indigenous communities encounter as they fight to protect their lands. Join the conversation: TWITTER: https://twitter.com/AJStream FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/AJStream GOOGLE+: http://google.com/+TheStream Subscribe to our channel http://bit.ly/AJSubscribe

Leaked doc: New Mexico Oil and Gas Association fears homegrown environmental movements in New Mexico

New Mexico Oil and Gas Association clearly fears the homegrown resistance in New Mexico.
Photo credit: https://www.frackoffchaco.org/graphics

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The New Mexico Oil and Gas Association clearly fears the homegrown environmental justice movements in New Mexico

Article by Brenda Norrell
Censored News

A leaked transcript from the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association reveals that it fears the enormous impact of successful environmental activists in New Mexico -- ranging from those in the otherwise conservative county of Sandoval, to the activists in Santa Fe with their "Don't Frack Chaco" bumper stickers.

"Well you can't go anywhere in New Mexico without tripping over an activist group," said Ryan Flynn, executive director of the New Mexico OIl and Gas Association, at the annual meeting in Santa Fe in 2017.

"Look at Chaco Canyon. I'm sure if you drive around Santa Fe, or walk around, you will see a don't frack Chaco bumper sticker."

"In fact we have more activist organizations per capita in New Mexico, than any other state in the country," Flynn said.

"Our opposition is deeply embedded in local communities."

Flynn said the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association is especially concerned that children as young as middle school want to protect their environment, and protect their land and water.

The leaked transcript reveals how successful the movements against methane and fracking have been in New Mexico by local residents. Movements including 'Leave it in the Ground," and the environmental movements springing from the bedrock of local communities clearly have rattled the Association.

Flynn's address came as Native Americans rose up to protest the widespread pollution from coal mining and coal-burning power plants on the Navajo Nation in the Four Corners area. For decades, environmental justice campaigns have exposed the widespread cancers from uranium mining and scattered radioactive tailings that remain on both Navajo and Pueblo lands.

Local communities are also fighting new fracking in the Chaco Canyon region -- one of the world's foremost cultural areas -- and fracking in the pristine Chuska Mountains on the Navajo Nation.

Pueblos continue to protest the longtime atomic testing at Los Alamos. In southern New Mexico, the land and water is polluted from missile ranges. New oil and gas drilling is being battled throughout New Mexico.

The environmental justice campaigns are having a tremendous impact.

Flynn said at the meeting, "Their ability to mobilize is something we have to take seriously and combat," He also points out the power of local activists when they contact politicians with e-mail campaigns.

Flynn revealed the cozy relationship of the oil and gas industry with the Governor.

Flynn said he previously served as Secretary of the Environment under the current governor, New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez, Republican.

Flynn said Gov. Martinez can be relied on to pass oil and gas legislation in favor of the oil and gas industry.

At the annual meeting, Flynn said, “Susana Martinez, my former boss, she’s embraced an all-of-the-above approach to energy policy. Probably the most consistent benefit to our industry over the last 7 years is that we don’t have to worry when we walk into each legislative session about a harmful piece of legislation getting signed into law."

Yes, Flynn is the former Secretary of Environment under Martinez.

Read the full written transcript of the leaked audio from the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association's annual meeting 2017:

http://www.wildearthguardians.org/site/DocServer/NMOGA_President_Transcript_2017.pdf?docID=17651
Also at:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BqerYOiHj6_EwMRA7a5ChuAAxVLZOEhs/view?usp=sharing

Excerpt:

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Halliburton destroying the sacred Chaco region,
in Lybrook, New Mexico area, on Jan. 10, 2018

Article copyright Brenda Norrell, Censored News


Also see: Sandoval County residents protest oil and gas industry
http://krqe.com/2017/10/19/sandoval-county-commissioners-to-take-vote-on-oil-and-gas-ordinance/