Statement of the Texas Chapter of the American Indian Movement (TEXAS-AIM):
URGENT!
Click for more Urgent information sent to me by email by Danielle Shenandoah-Patterson herself!
There is something that each person receiving this can do to assist in this urgent situation. I sincerely ask each one of you to do what you can. Following this statement will be some important information on how each of you can help.
By now most of you are aware of the situation facing Danielle Shenandoah-Patterson of the Oneida Nation. She is on the verge of having her home destroyed by the Dick Wilson, I mean Ray Halbritter, regime and his cronies. I was called today at work by Mrs. Shenandoah-Patterson. She informed me that a judge ruled to uphold the demolition order against her home proposed by the Halbritter administration. This order was specified to be carried out NO LATER than September 15th. That's less than a month away. By contrast, Danielle's court hearing in defense of her home isn't even scheduled until 8 days after the deadline of the demolition order. The deadline is September 15th, her court date is the 23rd of September.
While on the phone today, she told me of being harassed since the court decision. The ink hadn't even dried on the paper before she had squad cars of militia cruising by her property. When I say property, I should specify that she and all of her neighbors are a Traditional, all-Native community of home owners. They are home owners on ancestral land. Nevertheless, they all face eviction. Once again, we have the poster child of the BIA and shining star of the IRA system to thank for it. To put it bluntly, the Shenandoah's are TRADITIONAL INDIAN PEOPLE! They are mothers, grand-mothers, and Clan mothers. They are living on land where their people have been for centuries. Despite it all, the corrupt IRA government wants to demolish and evict. What right do they have? Some can argue that, like it or not, Halbritter was elected to his office. To that Mrs. Shenandoah-Patterson argues the fact that a contingent of Iroquois Confederacy members (not only the Oneidas) passed a resolution according to Iroquois law to have Halbritter removed from office. The order for Halbritter's removal was ratified by all Iroquois.
One of the things that I was told today that effected me the most was the story a legal observer named Kathy from Arkansas told me about Danielle's young son. After receiving the phone call announcing the judge's decision, Danielle let her kids know what was happening and that they would have trouble. After the first of several patrols, the sight of someone with binoculars at a distance, and all the hysteria, her children were in an emotional panic. It was at this point that her young son went and put on a pair of boots, some khaki pants, and camouflage. In his mind, he would have to be a Warrior to protect and defend his mother, their family, and their home. So, he went outside to a tree and started trying to build a place for them to hide. When Indian children feel like they have to protect their family, something is terribly wrong.
At any given moment the Halbritter goons can come in and demolish Danielle's home. Ray Mongue of Northeast Confederated AIM has been to the Oneida Nation to investigate the situation and to support the Shenandoah's. He remains in contact with Maisie and Joanne Shenandoah. Likewise, Bob Roche of Cleveland AIM has been there as well. They both say that this is a serious cause for concern. "We need warm bodies up there," Bob Roche told me over the phone. People need to go and support the Oneidas. At this point, Danielle Shenandoah and her family are asking, pleading, praying for as many people as possible to come up there as peaceful observers and protesters. It's the opinion of many that Danielle being in her home is the only thing keeping it standing at this point. Should that house be vacant for a second, it will be completely destroyed with everything in it. If there were a large number of people there at all times, they wouldn't be able to carry out the order. It is essential that anyone who can go in support does so. They need observers! They need a peaceful camp of people who will prevent the illegal, immoral destruction of her home. Those who can go are asked to contact Danielle ahead of time so that she will know who is coming. She is concerned that Halbritter will try to sneak in some of his own thugs masquerading as supporters. She's frightened and doesn't' know who to trust. Also, she asks that anyone who can come bring candles and water. They most definitely need to bring cameras, video cameras, and any equipment to monitor and document the goings on, and evil doings of the Halbritter regime.
Many of us have our lives, our kids, our daily concerns and are unable to make the trip and stay for an extended period of time. However, there is still a way to assist the Oneidas. Please take the time out of your busy day to do one or all of these things:
You can contact one of the Halbritter henchmen directly. Let him know that:
- The Shenandoah family and the Traditional Haudenosaunee people have a world-wide support base
- We are watching what is going on, we are every bit aware of his doings
- We will not tolerate the mis-handling of any Native person, much less a Traditional Native person living on ancestral land.
Contact Information:
Daniel Umstead, Oneida Nation Internet Representative
Phone:(315) 361-6300. Fax:(315) 361-6333.
What else you can do:
You can contact New York State Senator Hillary Clinton:
Washington, DC, The Honorable Hillary Rodham Clinton
United States Senate
476 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510
Phone:(202) 224-4451 General Fax: (202) 228-0282
To e-mail Senator Clinton please visit this site
You can also voice your opinion by sending a fax to the Syracuse Madison County newspaper at (315) 687-5176.
Send all faxes "ATTN. Glenn Coin".
I strongly urge everyone to BOYCOTT "INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY"!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is Ray Halbritter's paper. Every paper bought is more money in his already corrupt, fat pocket. Also, there will be a need for food donations to be sent to support those who go. Everyone reading this should make it a point to FLOOD Daneil Umstead, Hillary Clinton, and Glenn Coin with faxes, e-mails and phone calls in support of the Shenandoah and traditional Oneida people. Swamp them completely!
For more information, you can contact Danielle Shenandoah by e-mail. Email Danielle
Please do everything you can to assist in this dire situation.
Aho, Nea'esemen'o,
Dave Bailey
Northern Cheyenne Spokesperson Texas AIM
This reprinted by request.
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