Episode 31 They Assume Rights that are not theirs
Native Opinion Episode 31 “They Assume Rights That Are Not Theirs” Reach our show: hosts@nativeopinion.com Twitter: @nativeopinion Facebook.com/nativeopinion Leave us voice mail: https://www.speakpipe.com/nativeopinion Native News: ARTICLE 1: Eastern Pequots resurrect federal recognition bid Published June 02. 2016 7:09PM By Brian Hallenbeck Day staff writer Http://www.theday.com First the news. Then the context. The news is: The Eastern Pequot Tribe has renewed its pursuit of federal recognition, a crucial status it won in a 2002 Bureau of Indian Affairs decision that was reversed three years later. In a petition sent last month to the BIA, the tribe — identifying itself as the “Historical Eastern Pequot Tribe” — asks the agency to “declare and reaffirm” its status as a “Previously Federally Acknowledged Tribe.” Summary: Taken from the article. What does this mean for The Eastern Pequot Nation? Following a lengthy overhaul of the federal-recognition process, the Interior Department adopted new regulations last year that many believed would preclude the Eastern Pequots and other tribes that had been denied recognition from resurrecting their claims. “Any petitioner that was previously denied Federal acknowledgment under this process may not re-petition,” the Interior Department announced. “This includes any petitioners that have reorganized or been renamed or that are wholly or primarily portions of groups that have been denied under these or previous acknowledgment regulations.” The Easterns’ petition, submitted by James Benny Jones Jr., a Washington, D.C.-based attorney and a member of the tribe, contends that the Historical Eastern Pequot Tribe “has never previously petitioned for Federal acknowledgment as either the Historical Eastern Pequot Tribe or under its constitutional government of the Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation.” Jones did not respond to phone and email messages seeking comment. In 2002, the BIA acknowledged the Eastern Pequot Indians and the Paucatuck Eastern Pequot Indians as one group, the Historical Eastern Pequot Tribe. The state and the towns of Ledyard, North Stonington, and Preston joined a challenge of the decision, prompting the Interior Board of Indian Appeals to review it. The Interior Department announced in October 2005 that it declined to recognize the Eastern Pequots and the Paucatuck Eastern Pequots, ruling that both tribal factions failed to meet two of seven mandatory requirements for acknowledgment. The department found that the state’s recognition of the Historical Eastern Pequot Tribe did not constitute evidence that the tribe had existed as a “community” or that it had maintained “political authority and influence” over its members from historical times to the present. Article 2: Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe of Massachusetts isn't worried about a lawsuit filed by casino opponents. The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe of Massachusetts isn't worried about a lawsuit filed by casino opponents. The tribe broke ground on the First Light Resort and Casino in early April. Opponents are asking a federal judge to halt construction but Chairman Cedric Cromwell said the facility is on track to open in the summer of 2017. "We do not see this lawsuit against the federal government as having any impact on our progress,' Cromwell told The Cape Cod Times. The tribe appears to be on the strong legal ground because the complaint in Littlefield v. Department of the Interior names the Bureau of Indian Affairs as the defendant. Due to sovereign immunity, the tribe cannot be sued without its consent. "In no other case has a court had to confront a sovereign tribe, put into immediate possession of trust lands, starting to construct a casino before any judicial review has occurred," attorney David Tennant, who is representing the casino opponents, said in an affidavit that was filed in support of a request to halt construction on the project. The BIA approved the land-into-trust application for the casino last fall and the land was declared a reservation in January. Summary: Once again, the attempts to halt Native progress is in full swing. It does not matter if it is wearing an Eagle feather at a graduation, or a project that will help Natives become, or stay self-sufficient. Even though I am not a supporter of Indian gaming, and there is a good reason why I am not a supporter, the fact remains, there are forces at work that are determined to halt ANY progress Natives try to make. That has been the case since contact. Article 3: Title: This Date in History: American Indians Gain Citizenship – June 2, 1924 BY NATIVE NEWS ONLINE STAFF / CURRENTS / 02 JUN 2016 Published June 2, 2016 Summary: Imagine that! We were made citizens in our own country! 91 years ago, Congress passed and President Calvin Coolidge signed the Indian Citizenship Act, which stated “all noncitizen Indians born within the territorial limits of the United States be, and they are hereby declared to be, citizens of the United States: Provided that the granting of such citizenship shall not in any manner impair or otherwise affect the right of any Indian to tribal or other property.” Only a non-Native would presume and assume the right to decide the fates of those who they have no right to judge, rule, or treat less than human. The Clintons’ Haiti Screw-Up, As Told By Hillary’s Emails The family still doesn't know how to wield its own power. By Jonathan M. Katz September 02, 2015 It’s hard to find anyone these days who looks back on the U.S.-led response to the January 12, 2010, Haiti earthquake as a success, but it wasn’t always that way. Right after the disaster, even as neighborhoods lay in rubble, their people sweltering under tarps, the consensus—outside Haiti—was that America’s “compassionate invasion” (as TIME Magazine called it) had been “largely a success” (Los Angeles Times), offering further proof that “in critical moments of the history of mankind … the United States is, in fact, the indispensable nation” (Expresso, Portugal). As the latest release of Hillary Clinton’s personal emails by the U.S. State Department Monday revealed, that perception was not an accident. “We waged a very successful campaign against the negative stories concerning our involvement in Haiti,” Judith McHale, the under-secretary of state for public diplomacy and public affairs, wrote on February 26, 2010. Read more: http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/09/hillary-clinton-email-213110#ixzz4AXqQTLaD Follow us: @politico on Twitter | Politico on Facebook Summary: How is it an entire population of people, (speaking in general), are not able to see the forest for the trees? The Clintons did not make an effort to assist the people of Haiti the way they led the world to believe. The Red Cross is not exempt from the lack of aid that should have been rendered to Haiti. Red Cross Built Exactly 6 Homes for Haiti With Nearly Half A Billion Dollars In Donations. The Clinton’s own daughter was less than enthused with what she saw happening, and even less of what should have been happening. According to, Chelsea Clinton, and I quote: “The incompetence is mind numbing,” she told her parents. “The UN people I encountered were frequently out of touch … anachronistic in their thinking at best and arrogant and incompetent at worst.” “There is NO accountability in the UN system or international humanitarian system.” The weak Haitian government, which had lost buildings and staff in the disaster, had something of a plan, she noted. Yet because it had failed to articulate its wishes quickly enough, foreigners rushed forward with a “proliferation of ad hoc efforts by the UN and INGOs [international nongovernmental organizations] to ‘help,’ some of which have helped … some of which have hurt … and some which have not happened at all.” End quote. Is it possible the former “First daughter” is not swayed but the aroma of money and power? We can only hope. Read more: http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/09/hillary-clinton-email-213110#ixzz4AXrgR7Z4 Follow us: @politico on Twitter | Politico on Facebook Title: Main Stream News Media delegate estimate The media fix is in. Tuesday, June 7th, mainstream media plans to call the democratic primary over, and Hillary Clinton the presumptive nominee of the Democratic party at 8PM eastern. This is a deliberate attempt by the media to affect voter turnout in California by making people believe it isn't worth getting out to vote. You will see the media stating that Hillary Clinton only needs 70-90 votes to win. This is false because they are counting SUPER DELEGATES in those projections. They have been doing that since the beginning, and they are all wrong. Super delegates only vote AT the democratic convention in July. The media is purposefully inflating Hillary Clintons voter numbers to sway public opinion away from Bernie Sanders. The race is much closer between her and Senator Sanders. Do NOT believe what the media is telling you! California....please VOTE on Tuesday!