Subj: AIM Press Release, received
1-22-2000
Date: 1/22/00 9:54:21 AM Pacific Standard Time
Subj: <<
Date: 1/20/00 8:03:09 PM Mountain Standard Time
From: Mike.Wicks@mindspring.com (Mike Wicks)
Ref: Official "Camp Justice" Update, which is authorized to be used as a
News
Article, Editorial or Special Report - to be posted and networked to all
Camp Justice Web sites, politicians, media and Supporters of all
Nations.
Date: January 18, 2000
From: Camp Justice, Organizers, Leaders and Supporters of: "Camp Justice"
and The "March for Justice" to White Clay, Nebraska
Camp Justice, c/o Tom Poor Bear, P.O. Box 823, Pine Ridge SD 57770
Web Address: http://www.aics.org/justice/camp.html
Contact Tom & Organizers at e-mail address:
Mike.Wicks@mindspring.com or mornstar@bellatlantic.net
Contact: Tom Poor Bear, Camp Justice Leader, Sergeant at Arms,
Oglala Sioux Tribe, "Serving the Oglala Lakota Oyate" 605-867-5821
FOR IMMEDIATE NEWS RELEASE
01-18-2000
Camp Justice supports Traditional Oglala Lakota Grass Roots
January 15th marked the 31st weekend of "March for Justice" to White Clay,
Nebraska. and the establishment of Camp Justice. We are still waiting for
answers, responses and action from officials in regards to all the unsolved
murders and injustices.
January 16th, at 2:00 pm a grass roots group of over 100 Traditional Oglala
Lakota representing a group of concerned Oglala Tribal members took control
of
the Red Cloud tribal building to protect files that is said to incriminate
the
Oglala Sioux Tribal Treasurer, Wesley "Chuck" Jacobs and several Oglala
Sioux
Tribal Council members.
The grass roots group consisting of; Lakota Traditionalists, which includes
Chief Oliver Red Cloud, Lakota Spiritual Leaders, members of the Council
of
Elders, Headsmen, and many advocacy groups and individuals have asked Camp
Justice to support this effort by taking a stand to address and help
correct
the many, many injustices, violations and corruptions occurring on our
homelands and against our people.
As stated before, we feel that the planed genocide and vast conspiracy
against
our people is just as strong today as it was in the 1970's. Camp Justice
has
agreed to support the grass roots effort by our traditionalists and we will
help in any way we can to see our and their visions and dreams of success
for
our people come true. Camp Justice serves the Traditional Lakota Oyate and
will provide security and support to protect our people as they assert
their
right to protest and address their issues.
Camp Justice supporters do not want the FBI or the BIA to investigate any
violations and feel that an independent investigating committee needs to
be
appointed. With the latest broken trust by the Justice Department, under
the
direction of President Clinton, and our own tribal council, whom we have
repeatedly asked for help, our people are standing up for themselves to take
a
stand as we were forced to do during the Wounded Knee Occupation times.
Tribal
President Harold Salway has said that he supports the occupation.
Camp Justice has been working on Civil Rights issues and will continue to
support Civil Rights issues being addressed by the Grass Roots Lakota Oyate.
Our celebration and sense of hope was short lived after the Presidential
visit
to Pine Ridge and the U.S. Civil Rights Commission hearings in South Dakota.
Now, the BIA, under the direction of the same Justice Department as the
commission, have appealed the law suit filed by the Native American Rights
Fund (NARF) on our behalf for mismanaging trust funds.
Billions of dollars have been lost in government controlled trust fund accounts.
Billions of dollars have been lost due to tribal corruption and mismanagement.
NARF has raised and spent millions of dollars to protect our trust funds
and
lands, and now the BIA is forcing them to raise millions more to fight the
appeal.
We have been forced to stand by and watch while we have lost billions of
dollars
in resources and cash belonging to our people while we are being forced to
buy
back tribal lands that should not have been allocated to individuals in the
first place. We watch as other tribes seize control of their own assets and
leases and reclaim stolen lands while Lakota areas continue to remain the
poorest in the United States. Our people are suffering in despair and
poverty.
Oglala tribal officials have promised, even recently voted to help us, only
to
drag their election commitments following years of denial and fear in taking
a
stand on our behalf. The latest arrogance of our Tribal Treasurer, Wesly
Chuck
Jacobs going against the wishes of our people to step down from office,
continues his efforts to control and intimidate our people in regards to
their
jobs and well being, forces us to call for a full land and financial audit.
Our people have had enough of broken promises by our elected leaders and
government officials. Until our Nation takes control of what is rightfully
ours, our assets and resources, we will continue to be forced into poverty
and
off our lands. We can no longer rely on those being paid to defend and
protect
us. We feel that the genocide of our people is being created by those
against
us will continue unless our people act now.
We pray that these problems can be solved in a non-violent, Spiritual way.
Camp Justice attention is still drawn to the unsolved murders of Wally
Black
Elk and Ronnie Hard Heart our two Lakota brothers who were found dead,
brutally
beaten and mutilated a few feet from the Nebraska/South Dakota border on
June
8th, 1999. It was in their honor, and because of all the other unsolved
murders and injustices against our people, that Camp Justice and the March
for
Justice to White Clay, Nebraska was established.
Many of the hundreds of testimonies on file with the United States
Commission
on Civil Rights, during the South Dakota Hearings, have offered insight and
horror stories of what our people have been going through. The commission
publicly reprimanded the FBI for the fear and distrust they have created
in
our communities and for their role in dragging their feet in the unsolved
murder investigations and other injustices. The commission has reported to
us
that they have received hundreds of suggestions and we wait for their
reports
and recommendations, scheduled to be released in March. We are unsure that
the
commission will have any power to see justice prevail. We will trust the
commission for now because they quickly responded to our pleas for help and
have shown respect for our people and the organizers.
Meanwhile, generous supporters of Camp Justice have helped us with food,
supplies and cash for expenses. Even as little as $5 donations have
trickled
in. We have completed the Cook Shack, obtained a trailer and have had a
little
expense money to make advocacy trips. Organizers and volunteers continue
to
carry the financial, labor and lobbying burdens. More funding is
desperately
needed.
We hope to build a memorial for Wally and Ron near Camp Justice soon. We
would
like to move forward in obtaining funding for private substance abuse
centers
and help for our people with alcohol sickness. We are also seeking funding
for
Human and Civil Rights offices. Camp Justice has radio time available to
us
KILI on Tuesday and Thursday evenings between 6-7 pm.
Also, to dispel rumors by those claiming to be supporters of Camp Justice
we
make the following statements. Organizers state that no liquor is allowed
on
Camp Justice premises, however, those in need coming from White Clay and
surrounding areas who have been drinking, are always been welcome to the
camp
where they receive support, coffee and a meal. We will never turn away our
people in need. All funding received has been allocated for expenses after
a
vote and consensus of all those maintaining and living at the camp.
Camp Justice will continue our commitments to the elders on behalf of our
people, and we thank all those who are promoting unity, understanding and
those
who are supporting us. We will continue to stand strong for justice and
demand
accountability and respect for our Lakota Nation.
Mitakuye Oyasin,
Respectfully,
Tom Poor Bear, Camp Justice Spokesperson
http://www.aics.org/justice/camp.html
c/o Tom Poor Bear
Camp Justice
P.O. Box 823
Pine Ridge SD 57770
Written and Presented on behalf of:
Camp Justice Organizers, Volunteers and millions of Supporters
Camp Justice & March for Justice Organizers:
Tom Poor Bear - Spokesperson, Chief Oliver Red Cloud, Loren Black Elk,
Ben Black Elk, Faye Cedar Face, Ede Sherman, Tom Clifford, Dave Clifford,
June Little, Marlin Hawk Wing, Alberta Black Bear, Chaz Little Bear,
Moses Thunder Hawk, Lloyd Fire Thunder, Rose Beane, Billy Beane,
Robin Mesteth, Webster Poor Bear, Tony Brave, Dale Looks Twice,
Sandra Matchen, Mike Wicks, Kathy Morning Star, AIM Arizona,
AIM leaders; Clyde Bellecourt, Vernon Bellecourt, and Dennis Banks
http://www.aics.org/justice/camp.html
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¤ http://www.aics.org/index.html Mike.Wicks@mindspring.com ¤
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