Mohegan Tribe and Nation-Welcome

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Feathers can be bequeathed to children

Catherine Pritchard

Q: Why hasn’t the point been made that it is illegal to possess eagle feathers unless they are given by the government? — C.W., Fayetteville

A: You’re mostly right.

Federal law restricts possession of eagle feathers — or any part of the bird — to certified members of federally recognized Native American tribes.

The law also prohibits Native Americans from collecting the feathers (or other parts) on their own.

Instead, they must apply to the National Eagle Repository in Denver. The repository collects dead eagles and redistributes them or their parts to qualified applicants.

There’s one more way that a qualified Native American can obtain eagle feathers — by being given the feathers by another Native American (who obtained them legally).

The law permits Native Americans to bequeath feathers to their children or family members (as long as they’re also certified members of a federally recognized Native American tribe).

And one qualified Native American may give the feathers to another qualified Native American for religious purposes.

Eagle feathers cannot be given to anyone who is not a qualified Native American.

Your question probably stems from recent stories about Corey Bird, a Robeson County resident who wished to wear two eagle feathers on his robe when he graduated from Purnell Swett High School. He said the feathers were to honor his late mother and grandfather.

After some controversy because of a policy prohibiting students from adorning their caps and gowns, he was allowed to wear the feathers. His cousin was also allowed to wear eagle feathers in honor of her maternal grandparents.

Bird is both Lumbee and a member of the Sisseton-Wahpeton tribe, a federally recognized tribe in South Dakota. The feathers were handed down to him.

Most Native American tribes attach special significance to the eagle and its feathers. To be given an eagle feather is the highest honor that can be awarded within Indian cultures.

For more information about the eagle protection law and the National Eagle Repository, check www.fws.gov/faq/featherfaq.html.

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EchoHawk reaching out to tribes, NCAI in first week

Friday, June 5, 2009

Larry EchoHawk started work this week as the new leader of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

EchoHawk, a member of the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma, was sworn in to the post on May 22. He spent the following week moving to the Washington, D.C., area before tackling his work at the BIA.

"I want American Indians and Alaska Natives to know we are ready to address their concerns," EchoHawk said in a press release. "Government can be part of the solution to problems if it takes the time to listen, learns from its mistakes and seeks the best results. Now is the time for us to take action."

EchoHawk said his priorities remain law enforcement and economic development. On Monday, he met with Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to discuss the Obama administration's plans.

"President Obama, Secretary Salazar, the Congress and tribal leaders want to see Indian Affairs move quickly to address Indian Country's most pressing issues," EchoHawk said. "The current economic conditions, while improving, still have a disproportionate impact on rural, remote tribal communities. We are moving forward to implement the Recovery Act, and I have begun reaching out to tribal leaders throughout our regions to hear their views on what solutions are needed."

EchoHawk also met with the National Congress of American Indians at the
organization's new office building in DC. He will address tribal leaders on MoEchoHawk also met with the National Congress of American Indians at the nday, June 15, at NCAI's mid-year session in Niagara Falls, New York.

"I believe Sec. EchoHawk's address to NCAI is the beginning of a new era where successful reform and improvement efforts in Indian affairs are given the priority they deserve, right from the beginning of the administration," said NCAI President Joe Garcia.
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TheDay.Com

Tribes mum on Shinnecock casino speculation
By Brian Hallenbeck

Published on 6/5/2009

Neither of the region's casino-owning Indian tribes would comment Thursday on speculation that the Shinnecock Indian Nation could pursue a casino development at a horse racing track on Long Island or in New York City if it gains federal recognition.

Both the Mashantucket Pequots, who own Foxwoods Resort Casino, and the Mohegans, who own Mohegan Sun, indicated they support the Shinnecocks' long-stalled pursuit of recognition, which is expected to move forward by the end of the year.

In a U.S. District Court settlement filed last week, the Interior Department agreed to make a preliminary ruling on the Shinnecocks' application by Dec. 15. A final ruling could follow next year. The tribe would have to be federally recognized before it could develop a casino.

Since the settlement's announcement, the Southampton-based Shinnecocks have said they would consider locating a casino at Belmont Park in Elmont, Long Island, just outside of New York City. The tribe also has expressed interest in Aqueduct Racetrack in the borough of Queens, having submitted a proposal for a casino there in a 2007 round of bids, as did the Mohegans and the Mashantucket Pequots.

Lori Potter, a spokeswoman for the Mashantuckets, said the tribe supports the federal-recognition efforts of any tribe that has historically been recognized by the state in which it is located. "Our tribe extends well wishes to (the Shinnecocks), as this is a long and detailed process," she said.

"We are not aware of any specifics pertaining to the Shinnecocks' future economic development plans at this time, so we are unable to comment on them," Potter added.

The Mohegans issued a similar statement from Bruce "Two Dogs" Bozsum, chairman of the Mohegan Tribal Council.

"The Mohegan Tribe believes that any deserving tribe within Indian Country should be recognized by the federal government, and we support the Bureau of Indian Affairs' current consideration of the Shinnecock Tribe," Bozsum said. "The right to sovereignty and self-government is a justified goal for all Native Americans, as is the provision of essential services ensuring the health, welfare and education of tribal members."

According to its Web site, the Shinnecock Indian Nation has about 1,300 members, about 600 of whom live on a 1,200-acre reservation on Long Island's eastern end. The tribe's annual powwow, which attracts thousands of visitors, is its main source of income.

The Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway in Yonkers, N.Y., just north of New York City, already provides Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun with competition for those who favor slot machines, or video display terminals. The seemingly inevitable introduction of slots at New York's other racetracks would be expected to up the ante.

New York state officials have yet to announce the outcome of a second round of bidding on the construction and management of an Aqueduct casino after Delaware North Companies, of Buffalo, N.Y., the winner of the initial round, withdrew its plan in March.

The Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, which operates Mohegan Sun, expressed interest only in managing a state-owned facility.

b.hallenbeck@theday.com

"Regional"

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Arizona tribes come to rescue for city's fireworks

Friday, June 5, 2009

Two Arizona tribes made the largest donations to the city of Tucson after officials said the annual Fourth of July fireworks celebration was being canceled due to budget cuts.

The Pascua Yaqui Tribe donated $20,000 and the Tohono O'odham Nation, through its Desert Diamond Casino, donated $10,000. The donations were among $65,000 raised for the fireworks and related activities.

"We applaud these organizations and other anonymous donors for keeping this holiday tradition alive," The Arizona Daily Star said in an editorial.
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GAO reports little progress on Native village moves
Thursday, June 4, 2009

Alaska Native villages continue to face threats from erosion and flooding but the federal government has made little progress addressing the issue, the Government Accountability Office said on Wednesday.

In 2003, the GAO identified more than 200 villages in danger, with some facing "imminent" threats. But only one village out of 12 has made progress towards relocating, the new report said.

Funding remains a major issue for villages because some don't qualify for existing federal programs, the GAO said. The report recommends Congress allow villages to qualify for Community Development Block Grants at the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Villages can qualify for federal funding -- but only after suffering a disaster, the GAO noted. The report recommends Congress designate a lead agency to help villages coordinate disaster and relocation plans.

The report said climate change continues to affect villages. Some are in danger of falling into the sea due to rising temperatures.
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Seaway International Bridge closure in third day

By DENISE A. RAYMO
Staff Writer

June 04, 2009 03:28 am

- AKWESASNE - Most traffic was blocked at the Seaway International Bridge for a third day as the issue of armed customs agents continues to divide St. Regis Mohawk leaders and Canadian authorities.

The vice president of the Border Services Agency, Luc Portelance, said he will meet with Mohawk Council of Akwesasne members to discuss the situation, said Brendan White, communications director for the council.

This would be the first talks the two sides have had since last week, when Council Grand Chief Tim Thompson met briefly with Agency Director Stephen Rigby.

District meetings between the Tribal Council and its constituency were held late Tuesday, but results were still being evaluated Wednesday, according to a news release from council staff.

"Our community's position has not changed," White said. "We will not allow the CBSA officers to carry guns on the Akwesasne Mohawk territory."

RESIDENTS ONLY
The northern span of the bridge was re-opened only to Akwesasne residents late Tuesday to quell residents' concerns over lack of groceries, medicine and other needed goods.

But the American span is closed to all traffic.

Akwesasne residents are allowed to drive from Cornwall to Cornwall Island and back.

But American citizens of Akwesasne cannot return to the island once they have come to New York.

Some customs agents who were pulled off the job have been reassigned to the border crossing at Prescott, some are taking days off, some are taking arms training, and others are handling administrative duties.

MOHAWKS MAIN TRAFFIC
The bridge, called Three Nations Bridge by Mohawks, was closed by the Canadian Border Services Agency about midnight May 31 when it pulled its officers off duty just before a June 1 policy was to be enforced, requiring Canadian customs officers to wear a 9mm Beretta sidearm.

The government's policy is to arm all of its border agents by 2016.

The customs house is the only one on Indian territory out of Canada's 119 border crossings.

Akwesasne Mohawks account for nearly 70 percent of the traffic that uses the Seaway border crossing.

Mohawks, concerned the presence of guns could escalate already tense feelings between the customs agents and residents, were not consulted about Canada's plan, even though the customs site is on Mohawk land.

Residents are also upset by weapons being at the customs house because it is in close proximity to residential areas, a playground and a bus stop frequently used by children.

At one point, about 400 Mohawks and supporters had gathered at the customs house late Sunday as the arming deadline approached.

Once customs agents left that night, the bridge was closed on both sides.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Cornwall City Police are blocking traffic from using the north span, while New York State Police and U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents on doing the same on the American side.

Akwesasne Mohawk Police Services officers are stationed on the Canadian side to help with the Mohawk-only pedestrian traffic.

E-mail Denise A. Raymo at: draymo@pressrepublican.com