Native Traditions

Native Americans Win Struggle Over Zuni Salt Lake, NM

August 28, 2003

Source: Indian Country

http://www.indiancountry.com/?1061903352

On August 28, 2003 Indian Country reported that "Zuni people stood up for cultural values and won the struggle to protect Salt Mother and the Zuni Salt Lake from damage from a proposed coal strip mine that spanned two decades. In a surprise vote recently, the Salt River Project’s (SRP) board of directors decided to abandon its plans to develop the proposed Fence Lake mine and relinquish permits and coal leases;...

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Native American Sacred Sites Bill Approved by CA Natural Resources Committee

August 21, 2003

Source: The Desert Sun

http://www.thedesertsun.com/news/stories2003/state/20030821010917.shtml

On August 21, 2003 The Desert Sun reported that "a controversial bill to protect Indian sacred sites [in California]...passed its first test this year...Sen. Denise Ducheny, D-San Diego, a co-author of the bill, said the measure is intended to provide a standard procedure to ensure that tribal sacred sites are recognized and protected during development...

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Interfaith Community to Participate in World Religion Activities

August 21, 2003

Source: Argus

On August 21, 2003 the Argus reported that "some pray to God, others to Allah. Still others worship the Brahman, the Great Spirit or the Great Truth... The names for the 'divine' vary from Christianity to Buddhism and understanding the differences and similarities among world religions can enhance the faith of all religious seekers... That's the philosophy behind a 'World Peace Village' sponsored by the Menlo Park-based Child and Family Institute and Fremont's St. James Episcopal Church today... The community is invited to participate in...

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South Dakota Asked to Make Prison Programs Relevant to Native Americans

August 14, 2003

Source: Black Hills Pioneer

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=1300&dept_id=156931&newsid=10009842&PAG=461&rfi=9

On August 14, 2003 the Black Hills Pioneer reported that the Council on Crime and Justice was urging the South Dakota state legislature to adopt prison reform programs geared toward Native American culture and administered by Native Americans in an attempt to reduce the state's high percentage of Native inmates.

Civil Rights Groups Seek Explanation Concerning Confrontation Between Native Americans and State Police in RI

August 6, 2003

Source: The Boston Globe

On August 6, 2003 The Boston Globe reported that "civil rights groups want governor Don Carcieri to respond to problems they see with a State Police report on a confrontation between troopers and the Narragansett Tribe [in Rhode Island]. The groups, including the state chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, say the report fails to explain why the troopers did not follow Carcieri's instructions to withdraw if they met resistance... The groups said the report, which Carcieri requested, makes clear police prepared for a clash...

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Editorial: Codification of the American Indian Religious Freedom Act

August 1, 2003

Source: Indian Country Today

http://www.indiancountry.com/?1059748335

On August 1, 2003 Indian Country Today printed an editorial by Suzan Shown Harjo stating that "the American Indian Religious Freedom Act turns 25 on Aug. 11, and there is every reason to both celebrate it and complete its unfinished agenda... AIRFA articulates the policy of the United States to 'protect and preserve for American Indians their inherent right of freedom to believe, express, and exercise the...

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Inter-Faith Ministries in Wichita, Kansas

July 25, 2003

Source: Tolerance.org

http://www.tolerance.org/news/article_tol.jsp?id=816

On July 25, 2003 Tolerance.org reported that "in Wichita, Kansas, one group combines diversity, faith and community service to make the world around them a better, more accepting place... For more than a century, Inter-Faith Ministries has brought together people of all faiths to build inter-religious understanding and promote justice. Currently, membership represents the widest range of faith...

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Apache Woman Leads Workshop on Native American Mysticism

July 23, 2003

Source: Star-Tribune

http://www.casperstartribune.net/articles/2003/07/23/news/casper/f9764d0fd6cd49bf42cfef62cc04eb59.txt

On July 23, 2003 the Star-Tribune reported that "Cheryl Fraine beats the drum as participants file in and settle themselves for their shamanic journey... Fraine asks each person to think of a favorite place, whether it be a mountain top or a tropical beach, and as the drum beat continues, each...

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Congressional Bill to Protect Sacred Lands

July 22, 2003

Source: Indian Country Today

http://www.indiancountry.com/?1058889987

On July 22, 2003 Indian Country Today reported that "a high-tech telescope on Mount Graham, open pit gold mining in California, federal officials collecting fossils and bones in the Badlands of South Dakota, and logging in the Black Hills and on Bear Butte all qualify as desecration of sacred sites, according to American Indian elders and spiritual leaders... The battle to educate states and federal agencies...

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New England's Native American Community Launches Campaign to Make Deer Isle, MA, Off-limits to Dogs

July 17, 2003

Source: The Boston Globe

On July 17, 2003 The Boston Globe published an editorial by Adrian Walker entitled "Adrian Walker; No Walk in the Park" in which Walker expressed his views concerning the campaign to make Deer Isle, MA off-limits to dogs. Walker wrote, "Two powerful forces - history and dog walkers - are heading toward a collision at the unlikely site of Deer Island. To many of us, who can easily pass a decade without ever setting foot on the place, Deer Island is simply the site of one of the world's largest sewage-treatment plants. To its Winthrop...

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California Native American Tribal Leaders Outraged by Police Raid

July 16, 2003

Source: Pechanga.Net

http://news.ncmonline.com/news/view_article.html?article_id=4085c0e4ce897ede0182c2c8a3b976c7

On July 16, 2003 Pechanga.Net reported that "California tribal leaders are outraged at the violent behavior Rhode Island State Police displayed July 14 in raiding the Narragansett Indian Tribe’s smoke shop... The raid left several tribal leaders, including Chief Sachem Matthew Thomas, bruised and bloodied. Six...

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Congressional Bill to Protect Sacred Lands

July 15, 2003

Source: Indian Country Today

http://www.indiancountry.com/?1058276384

On July 15, 2003 the Indian Country Today reported that "for the second time in two years a bill in the California legislature is attempting to amend an existing law to protect at least a portion of California Indian sacred sites... Assembly Bill 974, authored by Assemblyman Joe Nation, D-San Rafael, is seeking to amend the California Coastal Act, which was enacted in 1976 to include protection of American...

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New Mexico Fire Threatens Sacred River

July 10, 2003

Source: The Associated Press

http://www.rockymounttelegram.com/news/content/news/ap_story.html/National/AP.V5276.AP-Wildfires.html

On July 10, 2003 The Associated Press reported that "firefighters battled a blaze Thursday in the mountains of northern New Mexico that is threatening a river considered sacred by an American Indian community... The fire has burned 5,000 acres, including patches of the Rio Pueblo watershed,...

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Montana Prisons Settle with Native Americans over Alleged Religious Discrimination

July 10, 2003

Source: Helena Independent Record

On July 10, 2003 the Helena Independent Record reported that "Montana State Prison officials and American Indian inmates reached a settlement out of court recently over alleged religious discrimination by prison officials... The inmates’ complaint pinpointed 16 different ways in which prison officials allegedly misused Department of Corrections policies to shut down or limit American Indians’ traditional religious practices while allowing non-Indian denominations to function with less or no intrusion... Even...

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