A web site has been created by Jamie for Sioux Veterans to communicate and share information. It is in the beginning stages, so Vets... Check it out...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3rd Saturday, 1 - 5pm. American Indian Resource Center - NDN 101 Monthly forum for questions and answers about any topic related to American Indian history, legal status, and current affairs. AIRC 6518 Miles Avenue, Huntington Park, CA90255. For more information, call (323) 583-2794 or email airc@gw.colapl. org http://www.colapubl ib.org/libs/ huntingtonpark/ indian.php4 This is an awesome research library -- don't miss visiting!
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To: Cal Tribes, NCIDC, southernca_ndncalendar@yahoogroups.com, California <nativecaliforniaindians@yahoogroups.com>, Education Subject: [Southernca_ndncalendar] Nativemen's sober living facility Date: Thu, 17 May 2007 23:53:58 -0700
New men's sober living facility in Long Beach. They have an immediate opening for beds available (men only), applications are being accepted now from those who are in recovery from drugs and alcohol.
Native American Family Center 507 Pacific Ave. #206 Long Beach, CA 90802 Contact person: Jerald Kee 562 495 4534
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THE BUFFALO:
Buffalo Field Campaign Yellowstone Bison Update from the Field May 8, 2008
------------------------------ ------------------------------ In this issue: * Update from the Field * Buffalo Field Campaign Needs Summer Volunteers * Upcoming Events for the Buffalo * Montana Food Bank Speaks to Bison Meat Acquisition * Documentary: The Bison Haze: A Yellowstone Controversy * Special Thank You
* Last Words
* Buffalo Kill Tally
* BFC Contact Info & Important Links
------------------------------ * Update from the Field
Dear Buffalo Friends,
The road through Yellowstone is now open to cars. In years past,during this season, on a drive through the park you would be hardpressed not to see several hundred buffalo and many newborn calves. This season, people who have taken this drive have felt as if theywere in a ghost town. As barb, BFC's office coordinator, reports:'Darrell and i spent many hours [last Friday] in Yellowstonedriving from the west gate to Old Faithful, counting buffalo. The newsis not good. In that 30 mile stretch we saw fewer than 200 buffalototal! In 14 years of living in Montana and spending lots of time atthis time of the year in the park, I've never seen less than severalhundred buffs in the meadows at Mary Mountain trail head; [Friday] wecounted 41 with only 4 calves ... and that was the largest herd we sawall day.'
On April 11, the Park Service estimated that there were fewer than2,145 bison left. This figure does not account for winterkill,which is ongoing and will continue through most of May. Just yesterdaywe learned that Yellowstone captured once again. Anotherseventeen bull buffalo are in the Stephens Creek trap. Under theInteragency Bison Management Plan, when the bison population reaches2,300 animals, they 'may' slaughter, but when it reaches2,100 animals they 'shall' cease to slaughter. Giventhe April estimate and winterkill underway, it is critical to ask thePark what population threshold they are operating under. We cansave the lives of these bulls. Please call the Park and ask themto do so: 307-344-2013.
Yellowstone officials are currently touting the fact that seventy-fivecalves have been born in the Stephens Creek trap in Yellowstone. These babies have been born in captivity, and the family members theyare with are being treated like livestock, being fed hay and having towait to eat fresh green grass until the humans in charge deem itready. In the reports we get from the Park there is almost acelebratory tone when announcing the births of these captured babies.To date, 328 wild buffalo are still being held in the trap.
In West Yellowstone, migration is afoot! Cattle-free Horse Buttehosts numerous buffalo who have been left alone by agents for the pastfew weeks. Baby buffalo born on the Butte are enjoying peace andquiet with their moms and families now. However, the Horse Buttetrap is still up. The trap has a temporary permit, and issupposed to be down by the end of April. While it hasn't been used ina few weeks, it still remains. Patrols did observe two DOLagents taking down the police tape from around the trap, but it isunclear when they will take down the trap itself. Just todaypatrols reported a DOL agent on an ATV reconning the Butte. Weexpect agency actions to wreak havoc on the landscape next week.
Also in West, buffalo are on the roads. While warmertemperatures are finally melting the snow, some of the most availablegrass is right along the roadside. BFC patrols have been busy onthe roadside all day and long into the night, placing our'Buffalo Ahead' and 'Buffalo Crossing' signs upfor various groups of buffalo. These signs are amazing! Wecannot thank you enough for helping us purchase these. Though wedid lose two buffalo to vehicle collisions this week, in the middle ofthe night, there is no doubt that numerous lives--both human andbuffalo--have been saved thanks to the vigilance of our volunteers andthese extremely visible signs.
We have been with two moms and two babies along one stretch of highway for over a week now; one baby we had been very concerned about. The little one is really small, taking frequent naps, not nursing much and many times being left behind or on the opposite side of the road from its mother. Likely, its mom has been doing the best she can to simply survive the winter. We were thinking the worst might come, but thankfully, yesterday patrols said that the baby was nursing and doing much better. (Send good, strong thoughts)
Spring has finally, really and truly, come to Yellowstone! Thereis still a lot of snow in various locations, but the grass isrevealing itself, and many beautiful creatures are appearing. The mornings are full of amazing birdsong and the nights are mild. Volunteers are experiencing the wonders of this magical ecosystem andthe changing season fills us with inspiration. Just yesterday,one patrol had the good fortune of seeing a wolf! Later theywatched an osprey (sea hawk) catch a fish and then get chased by twobald eagles! The wonders of nature are discovered here on adaily basis on the front lines in the land of the last wildbuffalo.
Roam Free,
~Stephany
------------------------------ * Buffalo Field Campaign Needs Summer Volunteers
Buffalo Field Campaign is in need of hard-working, self-motivatedvolunteers starting this June to help conduct buffalo outreach effortsinside Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks and/or to help withmaintenance projects at our headquarters on Hebgen Lake.
Do You Have: * An outgoing personality and knowledge of the issue with awillingness to communicate to Yellowstone visitors?
* Construction, carpentry, plumbing, cleaning, or automotivemaintenance skills?
If you have any of the skills listed above, or are willing to learn,then you should plan on joining us this summer. All volunteerswill be provided with food and lodging at our main cabin outside ofWest Yellowstone in one of the most beautiful areas of the country. If you have just a few weeks or the whole summer, Buffalo FieldCampaign could use your help.
If you are interested in helping with summer outreach projects insideof Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks please contact Iwi at:summer@buffalofieldcampaign.org
If you are interested in assisting with cabin maintenance projectsthis summer please contact BFC at: (406) 646-0070
------------------------------ * Upcoming Events: Celebrating Bison Calving Season & A Rally inHelena
CELEBRATE WILD BISON CALVING SEASON! Please join Buffalo Field Campaign mothers and kids this Mother's Day,May 11, from 11am-3pm in West Yellowstone. Come to theday-use-area at the junction of Rainbow Point Road and Hwy 191 forfree coffee & cookies and good dialogue on how to free thebuffalo! Bring the whole family and celebrate part of what makesWest Yellowstone so specialwild bison calving on the Horse ButtePeninsula! For more information call Justine at406.646.0070.
RALLY FOR THE LAST WILD BUFFALO! Join BFC and other wild bison advocates on Wednesday, May 14, from12pm-2pm in Helena, Montana at the State Capitol, 1301 East SixthAvenue. Come to the capitol to hold Governor Schweitzeraccountable for the largest slaughter of wild buffalo since the 19thcentury. There will be speakers, street theatre and fantasticfood by Seeds of Peace. Hold Governor Schweitzer accountable forcrimes against wild buffalo and help remind him that extinction isforever! Please help spread the word by downloading a poster and posting it in your community:http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/events/helenasm08.pdf.
------------------------------ * Montana Food Bank Speaks to Bison Meat Acquisition
According to the Montana Food Bank Network, they did not purchase anymeat of slaughtered buffalo, as the media reported last week. The buffalo meat was donated, save for a 42 cent per pound processingfee. While the meat isn't being purchased, processing fees arebeing paid to someone, so someone is making a little money. But theMontana Food Bank Network should be cleared of all misconceptionsregarding any purchase. This organization provides much-neededfood to families and individuals. We wanted to share with youtheir story because we feel it's important to set the recordstraight. While we do disagree that the DOL is not making anymoney off of the slaughter of the buffalo, we do agree that there wasunfair reporting that could have caused the Food Banks to receiveunnecessary negative publicity.
Here's what the Montana Food Bank had to say: http://blog.buffalofieldcampaign.org/2008/05/06/sloppy-reporting-from-the-billings-gazette/
------------------------------
* New Documentary: The Bison Haze: A Yellowstone Controversy
Michael Van Laanen, of MVL Films, LCC, has released a documentary heproduced about the ongoing war against the wild bison of theYellowstone region. This three-part film gives a brief yetthorough glimpse at the issue. You'll hear from livestockproducers, government agents, wild bison advocates, and you'll meetsome of the country's last wild buffalo. Some footage isdifficult to watch, but important to see. Check out the film onhttp://www.lifeonterra.com/episode.php?id=152. Michael has spent manyhours in the field with BFC and has attended numerous meetings andevents to help tell this story. He hopes that an edition of thisfilm will be picked up by Montana PBS later in the year. Manythanks to Michael and his amazing film crew for helping spread theword about these special herds.
------------------------------ * Special Thank You
Buffalo Field Campaign would like to extend a special thank youto:
~ The Guacamole Fund and singer/songwriter Jackson Browne for theirgenerous donation of $5,000 for BFC's front lines bison defense work.The Guacamole Fund helps coordinate events for organizations workingin the public interest, and Jackson Browne - well, he's a livinglegend who's music says it all! Learn more about Guacamole andJackson Browne at http://www.guacfund.org/.
~ Jane Goodall, renowned primatologist, for being such aninspiration to people around the world, and for always'looking a challenge straight between the eyes,' remindingus to never give up even when it seems we are working against allodds. Jane recently met with BFC's Mike Mease to talk about thewild buffalo, and a wonderful relationship has been formed. Welook forward to working together with this amazing woman. Thankyou, Jane, for all the work you do to protect the Chimpanzee, and forbelieving in us and our vision of a future where wild bison roam freeonce again. Many thanks to Robert White Mountain for helpingorganize this meeting of the minds. Learn more about Jane's incrediblework at http://www.janegoodall.org/
------------------------------ * Last Words
'I came upon the Plains so vast that I did not reach their end,although I marched over them for more than three-hundred leagues... onthem I found so many bison it would be impossible to estimate theirnumbers for there was not a single day until my return that I lostsight of them.'
~ Francisco Vasquez de Coronado, 1541
------------------------------ AMERICAN BISON ELIMINATED from the last wild population in theU.S. 2007-2008 Total: 1,604 2007-2008 Slaughter: 1,438 2007-2008 Hunt: 166 2007-2008 Quarantine: 112
Total Since 2000: 3,669* *includes lethal government action, quarantine, hunts
------------------------------ Media & Outreach
Buffalo Field Campaign P.O. Box 957 West Yellowstone, MT 59758 406-646-0070 bfc-media@wildrockies.org
http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org
BFC is the only group workingin the field every day
in defense of the last wildbuffalo in the U.S.
Stay informed! Get ourweekly email Updates from the Field:
Send your email address tobfc-media@wildrockies.org
View BFC Video Footage: http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org
Buffalo Field Campaign PO Box 957 West Yellowstone, MT 59758 (406) 646-0070 phone
(406) 646-0071 fax
buffalo@wildrockies.org
www.buffalofieldcampaign.org
* Update from the Field
In the wake of the largest wild American buffalo slaughter since the 1800s, fewer than 2,300 buffalo remain. How can Yellowstone National Park possibly save face? They have shamefully joined the ranks of the 19th century hide hunters, who wastefully soaked this continent with buffalo blood.
Last Thursday, Governor Brian Schweitzer and Yellowstone Superintendent Suzanne Lewis gathered in Bozeman, Montana to make an "historic announcement." Did they admit to the shame of killing more wild buffalo than at any time since the 19th century? No. They celebrated yet another slap in the face to the last wild population: the most recent land deal with the Church Universal & Triumphant. It's a bad deal for bison that will initially allow for only 25 captured, tested, and tagged buffalo to temporarily access a fraction of their native habitat. Read BFC's press release http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/media/press0708/pressreleases0708/041708.html
The population has been reduced to such a dangerously low number the Park Service and Montana have been forced to cease slaughtering buffalo this season. It doesn't have anything to do with the fact that they recognize they are decimating this population and it's unique genetics, but simply that the Interagency Bison Management Plan halts slaughter once the herds are reduced to 2,000 individuals. The Park says bulls may still be sent to slaughter because they are too "big and aggressive" to be held captive while the Park's grass grows green. Everyone knows bull bison pose nearly a zero risk of transmitting brucellosis. In fact, the transmission of brucellosis from any wild bison to cattle has *never* happened; it is only a theory. We also all know that this buffalo war is not about brucellosis, but about money and control of land and control of wildlife. The truth of the brucellosis fraud is finally spreading, as indicated in the New York Times editorial last week, "The Sorry Myth of Brucellosis," which many of you saw. If you haven't seen it, check out http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/18/opinion/18fri4.html?ex=1209182400&en= 78ab62392b4f9edc&ei=5070&emc=eta1
On the North Boundary, no buffalo have been transported to slaughter since we last wrote to you. Hazing operations continue, however, and more than 250 wild buffalo are being held captive in the Stephens Creek trap. Twenty buffalo calves have been born in captivity. So far, at least three of them have died as did one of the mothers. There are a handful of bulls who have walked onto private property, where there's a handful of cattle, so it's possible the Department of Livestock could arrive to shoot them. At the time of this writing, they are still alive.
On the West Boundary, no buffalo have been harassed by agents this week. This respite is critical, as winter has been extremely hard on the buffalo, who are doing all they can to survive after sustaining themselves on starvation foods for the bulk of the snowy season. A hazing operation would certainly kill them. Pregnant buffalo are especially vulnerable right now; plus they carry the future which is teetering on the brink at this point. We are shocked at the numbers of female buffalo we've seen who are either not pregnant or have been seen with afterbirth materials but no calf. However, patrols did spot four new calves on Horse Butte this week who all look quite healthy. And there are a handful of bulls we've been seeing that look big and healthy.
It is hard to hold on to hope in the wake of such a massive buffalo slaughter. But, we do. Buffalo have shown that they are strong survivors and the voices of their advocates are also growing and diversifying. Keeping in mind that we are dealing with a centuries-old range war, we know change is going to take time, but it will come. We are on the edge of it now. We give thanks to all of you who continue to apply pressure to decision-makers, spread the word, and help keep BFC on the front lines so we can tell this story. Endless pressure, endlessly applied will stop the seasons of slaughter from continuing. Be thorns in the sides of these agencies. Never give up. The buffalo don't.
Roam Free, ~Stephany >
TWO WOMEN PROTEST BISON SLAUGHTER IN YELLOWSTONE PARK Mammoth Visitor's Center Temporarily Closed
For Immediate Release, March 26, 2008
Contact: Buffalo Field Campaign, Dan Brister 406-726-5555
On Site Contact: 513-263-0787
Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park - Two West Yellowstone women, Miriam Wasser, 20, and Cat Simonidis, 22, locked themselves together around a post inside the Mammoth Visitor's Center in Yellowstone National Park at approximately 10:30 this morning to call attention to the Park Service's slaughter of nearly 1,000 bison since February 8. Upon discovering the women, Yellowstone officials closed the visitor's center to members of the public and the media, including reporters from CNN, CBS, and an independent film maker. The women were extricated, arrested, and taken to the Mammoth jail at approximately 12:30 this afternoon.
In spite of receiving thousands of calls, letters, and emails from concerned citizens opposed to the bison slaughter, Yellowstone National Park remains intent on capturing and killing bison. As the women staged their action, Yellowstone Rangers captured between 30 and 50 bison a few miles away. Between February 8 and March 26, Park rangers have captured more than 1200 bison on the north side of Yellowstone National Park. While the government's official reason for the slaughter is to prevent the spread of brucellosis from wild bison to cattle, no such transmission has ever been documented.
In a statement Miriam Wasser explained her motivations: "Faulty brucellosis science and politically motivated carrying capacity figures used in the plan are no excuse for the hazing, capturing, and slaughtering of the last genetically intact, free-roaming bison population in the United States. This issue is black and white: the Park Service is meant to protect and preserve wildlife in National Parks, not indiscriminately slaughter hundreds of buffalo, or compromise their wildness by quarantining and holding them in pens. I am doing this to illuminate the wrongful actions of the Park Service, actions which must STOP!"
The women sent a letter to Yellowstone Superintendent Suzanne Lewis asking the Park Service to withdraw from the Interagency Bison Management Plan and to protect, rather than slaughter, the bison the agency is entrusted with protecting. The letter, full statements written by the women, and photographs of the action can be viewed on the Buffalo Field Campaign website at: http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/media/press0708/ pressreleases0708/pressalert032608.html
3,208 wild American bison have been killed or otherwise removed from the remaining wild population since 2000 under actions carried out under the Interagency Bison Management Plan (IBMP), as well as state and treaty hunts. The IBMP is a joint state-federal plan that prohibits wild bison from migrating to lands outside of Yellowstone's boundaries. Wild American bison are a migratory species native to vast expanses of North America and are ecologically extinct everywhere in the United States outside of Yellowstone National Park.
Buffalo Field Campaign strongly opposes the Interagency Bison Management Plan and maintains that wild bison should be allowed to naturally and fully recover themselves throughout their historic native range, especially on public lands.
Buffalo Field Campaign is the only group working in the field, every day, to stop the slaughter of the wild American buffalo. Volunteers defend the buffalo and their native habitat and advocate for their lasting protection. Buffalo Field Campaign has proposed real alternatives to the current mismanagement of American bison that can be viewed at http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/actnow/solutions.html. For more information, video clips and photos visit: http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org.
Buffalo Field Campaign Yellowstone Bison
> ------------------------------ * Update from the Field > > One of the things you notice, once you've gone on a few patrols, is > how different one buffalo can be from the next. The mature cow > digging with her head for grass in a meadow formed by the oxbow in > the Madison River has horns that curve sharply inward. The old bull > scratching his back on the lodgepole pine tree in the saddle of Horse > Butte has a certain and unmistakable swagger to his gait. These > differences of character and appearance also manifest themselves in > the behavior of bison groups and family units. Some groups graze > back and forth along the river between the park boundary and the > Butte. Others seem to prefer the south facing slopes of Horse Butte > itself. Still others strike off together in search of new territory. > > Yesterday a group of 19 buffalo crossed the ice near the Narrows and > made their way toward highway 287, which leads to the lower Madison > Valley where grass is abundant and the snow less deep. After > crossing the ice, the group headed west and bedded down on the frozen > shorelines of Hebgen Lake, not far from Buffalo Field Campaign > Headquarters. Later in the afternoon this group broke into three > smaller groups. Seven bison started heading back across the ice to > Horse Butte and were soon followed by a group of six. A third group > lagged about a half hour behind. The leader of the group of seven, > noticing that the third group was so far behind, turned around. The > rest of the bison in her group followed and they and the lagging > group soon joined up in the highway by the Happy Hour Bar. The > second group continued across the lake to Horse Butte, avoiding the > fate of their 13 herd-mates who were soon chased by Department of > Livestock and Park Service agents approximately five miles to the > Duck Creek trap where they were captured and shipped to slaughter. > For photos of these bison and more on their story, please see the > "Photo s of the Week" section below. > > Since February 8, 825 individual buffalo have been captured by the > Park Service and the Department of Livestock. 715 of these buffalo > have already been slaughtered and 110 are currently being held in the > Stephen's Creek trap awaiting shipment to the slaughterhouse. > Including those killed in this year's hunt and those being held in > the trap, 990 bison have been removed from the Yellowstone population > since November 15. In the past seven days alone, 164 bison have been > captured and 209 sent to slaughter. > > It is easy, when the numbers climb so high, to forget that each > stands for a living, breathing buffalo and that each is a member of a > greater family unit, or group. It is easy, when tallying the grim > figures, to get temporarily lost in statistics and forget that each > of the bison removed is a bison robbed from the landscape, a bison > that will never again walk through the snowy fields along the > Madison, never wallow in the Hayden Valley or kick up it's hind legs > and spar with other ornery bulls during the rut, never bring a smile > to the face or lighten the heart of a Park visitor who spends a > blessed sunset in his presence. > > BFC's presence ensures that the buffalo's stories are told. Were we > not here to document and share, through words and images, what is > happening the government would be the only source of information and > the slaughtered buffalo would be just another statistic. As we have > for the past 11 years, BFC patrols will remain in the field > documenting every action against the buffalo and working hard in the > policy arena for the permanent protection of wild bison and their > habitat. View our video of Tuesday's capture operation on Horse > Butte on the top of BFC's home page: > http://www.buffalofieldcampaig n.org. > > We will continue to be here to share the buffalo's story day in and > day out, but we won't succeed without your help. Please read on for > actions you can take to help stop the slaughter and, if you are able, > please support Buffalo Field Campaign with a donation today. Send a > check to the address at the bottom of this update or make a secure > online donation by clicking here: > https://secure.groundspring.org/dn/index.php?id=1807. > > for the Buffalo, > > Dan Brister > Buffalo Field Campaign > > ----------------------------- > * Gardiner Report > > There are lots of buffalo moving all over this enormous landscape, > but the cattle industry refuses to share with native inhabitants. > Since last week's update, 145 more buffalo have been shipped to > slaughter over here, and hazing has been a constant nuisance on > Yellowstone's landscape. Not only are buffalo persistently molested, > but elk, mule deer, pronghorn antelope, coyotes, and many other > wildlife species are repeatedly displaced by the Park's actions. > It's ironic how the Park takes the position of "do as I say, not as I > do" because any citizen caught even appearing to harass wildlife > would be fined, if not arrested, while the government causes chaos on > the landscape, harassing the wildlife they tell us to respect, and > they get away with it scot-free. Harassing wildlife in national > parks is a crime, unless, of course, you're the Park Service catering > to cattle interests over wildlife. > > The past few mornings we have watched the empty livestock trailers > arrive at the trap to load up America's last wild buffalo and ship > them to slaughter like cattle from a feedlot. Federal and state > agents escort the trailers carrying the sacred buffalo so that an > industry that perpetuates an invasive species can maintain control of > the land. On Sunday, however, the buffalo got one in. We were > watching a group of eleven bulls who were hoofing it quickly out of > the park and had made it onto Church Universal & Triumphant property > in what seemed like minutes. These bulls were on an ancient mission, > heading out of the high country for the vast, grasslands of the > Paradise Valley. But they were cut short by three Park wranglers on > horseback and hazed to the southern edge of the Stephens Creek bison > trap. During this haze, an amazing thing happened; from our perch > over a mile away, we heard a big bang and the next thing we knew, > buffalo were walking out of the trap! A group of about twenty-four > buffalo managed to escape their prison! We cheered for them as we > realized they had busted out, rendering that holding pen inoperable; > so not only did those buffalo escape, but the eleven bulls that were > hazed were not captured either. Later that day we questioned a Park > Ranger who said that a big cow buffalo had been pushing at the gate, > and, sure enough, she broke through. She set her family group free > for a time. Such victories mean so much during this time. > > On that same day while watching the trap, we saw a lot of agents on > the catwalk of the corral portion. This is where buffalo are > separated by age and sex and held before being loaded onto livestock > trailers in the early morning hours and taken to slaughter. While we > were watching through our spotting scope, we saw a DOL pickup truck > leave and head up a back road behind the trap. In the back of the > truck was a dead buffalo. We questioned the Park about this, and > they admitted that a larger bull had gored a smaller bull so badly > that the young one had to be killed. Had BFC not be en watching, no > one would probably ever know about this. Buffalo in the wild, even > during the rut, rarely hurt each other and almost never to the point > of death. But when they are confined and ripped from their social > communities, they go mad with fear and aggravation, and in their > panicked state they can hurt each other fatally. > > From the Front Lines in Gardiner, > > Arlo, Lobo, Stephany and Steve > > ------------------------------ > * Urge Yellowstone and Montana to Stop Slaughtering Bison! > > Please take a moment to contact Yellowstone Superintendent Suzanne > Lewis and Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer and urge them to stop > slaughtering the wild bison under their care. These two individuals > have the power to stop the slaughter. Let them know you demand it. > > Suzanne Lewis, Superintendent > Yellowstone National Park > (307) 344-2002 > suzanne_lewis@nps.gov
> ------------------------------ > * Last Words > > "I ask t he rank and file in Yellowstone; rise above the fear of job > retaliation and remember why you joined the Park Service. > > To cower in the closets of your Ranger Stations, maintenance sheds, > and Mammoth administration buildings may secure careers, but every > year of compromise means adding another year of personal slow death. > Is it worth it? Lack of initiative by park administrators to have > employees' concerns heard and documented lets employees know their > "leaders" are more like political lemmings following Washington pied > pipers. Perhaps 'political servant' is more appropriate than public > servant. > > For the public, I ask you to question the Park on these > culpabilities. In fact question my statements. It is the best way to > come up with personal conviction. Your questions means substantiating > facts are disclosed. The cover up of inhumane treatment especially > needs to be addressed."
Take a stand...
American Indian Airwaves
regularly broadcast every Wednesday from 3pm to 4pm (PCT) on KPFK FM 90.7 in Los Angles, FM 98.7 in Santa Barbara, and by Internet with Real Media Player, Winamp, & Itunes at http://www.kpfk.org
SPECIAL NOTICE: weekly shows can now be heard on the KPFK web site under "audio archives" located on the left. Scroll down and click on American Indian Airwaves.
Information
NOTE:
It has come to our attention on several occasions that the people are wondering why they are told "there are no funds" every time they ask for assistance at our local American Indian Council. I cannot tell you exactly why they don't have any funds. My only comment is: 1. they do not receive continuing funding if they haven't turned in their reports for the prior quarter (grant funds are released quarterly), or... 2. there is complete mismanagment of the funding. There is absolutely no reason why there should be no money, and you should ask for an accounting every time you are told there are no funds. You should have CAIC prove they are out of money. CAIC funds should NOT a secret and it is against the law for them to tell you that you cannot see the financial records. Also, everyone who meets the criteria for Foodshare should be served, whether you are in Ventura or Santa Barbara. Foodshare is not based on "American Indian blood quantum..."
The following is an accounting of the Federal and State funds received yearly by CAIC.
FEDERAL:
Mr. David E. Dixon Ph.# (805) 650-8352 Program -
$308,261.00 (these funds are for the WIA prog)
Chairman of the Board Fax # (805) 650-8954 Funded through PY 2009 Candelaria American Indian Council, Inc.
1650 Palma Drive - Suite 101
Ventura, California 93003
Contact
Ms. Ernestine Lopez
Executive Director
Ph.# (805) 650-8352
Fax # (805) 650-8954 Email: caicdir@scglobal.net
STATE:
In addition to the funds received from the Department of Labor Division of Indian and Native Programs (DINAP) funding is also received from the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) overseen by the Northern California Indian Development Center (NCIDC). This amount is usually fairly equal to that received from DINAP and is approximately $240,000 to $300,000 per year. The following is an excerpt from the NCIDC website for the CSBG grant:
Community Service Block Grant
"Northern California Indian Development Council contracts with the State Department of Community Services Development to provide Community Service Block Grant - American Indian Set Aside (CSBG) Program services to the Indian people of the State who are within the contracted service area. The CSBG service area currently includes 57 counties and 102 reservations and rancherias in California.
The primary purpose of the CSBG is the development and provision of programs that assist American Indian people to realize greater self-sufficiency through the principles of family and community self help. The statewide program is designed to provide services in a highly efficient manner as a result of "piggy backing" CSBG projects onto established American Indian programs operated regionally throughout the state.
In an effort to use the majority of CSBG funds for direct services, NCIDC has developed a state wide community service network. The network consists of seven subcontractors that deliver CSBG services to Indian people residing in the off-reservation areas of the State, and the tribal governments for which NCIDC receives CSBG allocations each Program Year.
Community Service Block Grant Subcontractors:
California Indian Manpower Consortium, Sacramento
Candaleria American Indian Council, Ventura
Chapa-De Indian Health Program, Auburn
Indian Human Resource Center, San Diego
Southern California Indian Centers, Garden Grove
United Indian Nations, Oakland
Recognizing the sovereignty and specific needs of the tribes, NCIDC contracts directly with each tribe that submits a proposal for use of their CSBG Program Year allocation. Though most yearly allocations are limited, the CSBG funds have launched some substantial efforts on reservation during the past twelve years. Tribes have used CSBG to leverage grants to build libraries, develop small business enterprises, develop playgrounds and other available funding opportunities. Some tribes use the allocations to assist members with food, energy assistance, and similar needs. Others have sponsored holiday gatherings for the youth, or provided meals or food to their membership.
Utilizing this method NCIDC has been able to maximize the impact of the limited amount of CSBG funds available to the American Indian community, enhance the impact of all program efforts, increase the amount of funds available for direct services, and provide a forum for statewide coordination of Indian employment, training and community service programs." (from www.ncidc.org)
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If, in fact, you have been denied assistance by CAIC and you feel that this is in error, then you need to file a complaint. You can complain to the Board of Directors as it is their job to be advocates for the members. You can attend the Annual Meeting of CAIC (held every April by law) and complain at the meeting. The members are those who are responsible for a non-profit organization and the Board of Directors and the Executive Director are to answer to the members -- not the other way around. Board Meetings are open to the public and do not get discouraged because they won't listen to you.
CAIC is receiving over $500,000 a year to help the Native American community in 11 counties in California (splits are different for WIA and CSBG funds). If you didn't receive help, then YOU need to ask where is the money going? Who did you serve? Who makes the decision on whom is to be helped? What services were provided to those who were approved? Did everyone have CDIB cards? What percentage of people don't have proof of Indian Blood? Ask to see an accounting for the past five years on all expenditures, it shouldn't be difficult for them to provide this information to you as a member -- remember they are to answer to you! They aren't the police, nor are they in power -- they are to serve you! That is the California Business and Professions Code law for 501c3 nonprofit corporations!
If you don't like the way the money was spent -- say so! Those in charge can be made to be responsible for bad financial decisions. By law, the accounting books are open to the members of a nonprofit organization. If you call for an independent audit, the results should be made to ALL the members, not a select few.
If you want to make a complaint, you can use our email on the MEMBERSHIP page on this website. I will make sure it gets into the right hands. I truly understand your concern! I truly understand that the organization does not serve the Indian community as a whole, and like I said, "nothing will change unless the people make their voices heard." Without a grassroots movement or a petition, this will continue just as it has in the past. Everyone will complain and do nothing about the situation. CAIC is fundtioning illegally according to the general charter of Candelaria.
Send your name, phone or email, complaint, and what you think needs to be done. Then we can promote change! We will be meeting soon to put togther a petition for absolution of the Board of Directors, come and sign it!
Copyright Brokenrope Foundation 2003, located in Camarillo, CA brokenropefndtn@yahoo.com
