LETTERS OF PROTEST
03/27/2001
With many requests,
we proudly publish and dedicate this article to the Leaders
and supporters of the Protest. This an article written by Mr.
Felip Duran and published by Mr. Glen Walker at the Indigenous
People Web site.
"WARRIOR"
An
Indian warrior is a person whose Spirits one with
the Creator...whose heart belongs to the
People....whose life is a sacred gift given by the
ancestors....whose mind is the greatest weapon and
shield in life's battles.
The foremost
responsibility of an Indian warrior is to be true to
one's self...to the People...and to the Creator. The
purpose in life is to ensure the survival and well
being of The People. An Indian Warrior transforms
knowledge into wisdom and therefore understands that
the greatest enemy in life is one's self. He must
overcome weaknesses.
A true Warrior will
sacrifice His Heart upon the altar of life for the
survival of the People. He may be wounded or killed a
thousand times in battle, but the spirit cannot be
destroyed for the spirit of a true warrior is eternal
as the stars.
An Indian Warrior
lives by a code of honor...beyond the reach of most
mortals.
An Indian Warrior speaks directly to the
Creator and Mother Earth thru sacred prayer and
ceremony, giving offerings of gratitude and respect. A
true Indian Warrior is Proud...yet humble, with a
heart full of love for the People.
The path of an Indian
warrior is the most difficult path of all for He will
know pain and suffering in ways no one else ever can.
The pain of life's injustices will be absorbed into
the whole of their being.
He may be captured...imprisoned...and taken away from the
People, but the Spirit lives in the hearts of The
People....for He is one of The People and will always
be loved an respected by the People...Unconditionally.
He will be forgiven
mistakes by the Spirits and the Holy People because He
has forgiven the self and humbled oneself before the
People.
He will go to the
mountaintop without food or water to pray to the
Spirits of the land and cry for a vision. This sacred
vision will lead thru the darkest hours of life. It
shall lead to the light of the Creator.
An Indian
warrior must always believe in Himself...in the Spirit
helpers..and in the Indian Way of Life.
He must always speak
and live the truth of who...and what...he is when
standing before the eyes of the Creator.
An Indian
Warrior is not afraid of Death...and shall NEVER
surrender to the Dark Forces of Life which attempt to
break the Spirit...for the Spirit cannot be
broken...the mind cannot be defeated..
The vision of life is
that of the Eagle...with clarity and purpose in being.
The wings are strong and carry the spirit to the
highest levels of self-understanding and spiritual
growth as a human being.
February 27, 2001
To the Editor
I provide a non-profit, non-commercialized Native
American Indian, First Nations and Indigenous Peoples'
news web site for all those interested in
issues relative to the first peoples.
My Two Beads Worth did extensive coverage of the
fund-raising event held in your town last year known
as the "Trail of Fears." I am again providing
coverage of the accolades and kudos the Jaycees'
Chapter is now receiving for their fund raising
efforts. But more importantly, than my attempt to
provide another resource of online native news - (since
the mainstream press most often ignores us as a
people),
I am Tsalagi -
Cherokee and it is possible that some of my Ancestors
may rest in the earth known as the mounds. I may never
know, because my family had to hide who they were to
survive.
Regardless of whether or not those who rest there are
blood relations to me or not, they are, My Ancestors
too. How anyone could be so ignorant and thoughtless to
consider using the terrible march of the Tsalagi known
as the "Trail of Tears" as a Halloween
fundraiser is beyond my comprehension, but most certainly not
beyond my experience of being who I
am, an American Indian woman. Despite the
protests of my native brothers and sisters and so many others
who know that this desecration to us - even in death,
once again shows the continual lack of respect
shown to the first people of this land. The first
people, for who the newcomers would never had survived, had
it not been for their benefactors - the native peoples.
It is a good thing to raise funds for those in need or
to make positive change in a community. But to do
so, at the degrading expense of others, shows not only a
total lack of respect for all peoples, but presents a
negative, prejudicial and racist role model for the
youth growing up. Is it any wonder our young people
today are so confused?
I do not believe there is any honor to anyone involved
in the planning, organization and insistence on
carrying out this plan to desecrate our people in the name of
"helping those in need."
Whether or not the people who live in this area realize
it or not, the world is watching and has been since
this began last year. The Jaycees and those who
supported their insistence in this desecration, owe the
native peoples an apology and a promise, to never let
it happen again.
Jeanne Evening Rain Chadwick
Publisher/Editor/Webmaster
MY TWO BEADS WORTH
Hiram, Maine 04041
2/23/2001
Mr. Shelton,
We are supposed to be adults and yet we teach our children
disrespect in such a manner that they will never understand
what respect is. I admit that
when I go visit my family that has passed on I never can
remember the correct way to walk so that I don't walk on
those that have passed, but to do what
these people have done is beyond amazement.
I would have a fit if anyone accidentally without knowing
disturbed my pets grave, but for people to
do what has been done is without any respect to anyone dead
or alive. Then for them to be awarded as they have been
is even worse. What do we do these days, give out
awards to the murders instead of sending them to prison?
We might as well, for this tells our children it is all right
to go and walk on those that have passed on. It tells
our children that instead of reading the tombstone and asking
what the person was like to knock the stone over with a
vehicle and dig a hole to see what treasures we may find.
These people should be left alone to rest in peace, not
tormented in their death.
As far as I know I am not of Indian descent and the actions
of these people make me want to vomit. If they even
thought there was a chance there was a
burial ground there the Halloween celebration should have
been moved somewhere else.
Just because someone has a card that says they are Indian,
does not mean they are. If that were the case, everyone
would be Indian. Which by the way, weren't the Indians
here BEFORE the white man or any other man came to America?
That is what I was taught in school anyway. I do the
best I can not
to look at a person as Indian, Native American, Jewish or any
of the other so called races of people.
To me God created us all, some just believe different.
That is no reason to hit a person or to kill a person just
because they think or look different from I do. If
people would just look beyond the skin and give each person a
chance as a person and not as a skin
tone maybe we could see things from different angles instead
of our own. We adults need to start teaching our
children respect, not neglecting our children. I say we
neglect our children by not teaching them mistakes
that others have made. Yes, we send them to school,
they read the books, they take and pass the tests, but what
did they learn?
In ten years will they remember what they read in that book
as a story or a lesson? I graduated high school, but I
can say for myself I learned how to cheat and how not to do
things. Lets teach ourselves and our children some
respect before it is too late. We need to praise the
ones that have passed on, not disturb them.
Surely we can find better things to do than terrorize the
dead.
Tina Knapp
(A genealogist)
22
February 2001
To the Editor,
I am writing today with reference to the article in your
February 15 edition concerning the awards the Lawrence County
Jaycees received, particularly those received for the Haunted
Trail project (aka The Trail
of Fears). While I applaud the Jaycees' efforts to promote
the general welfare of Lawrence County, I must protest again
the format that they used, lest they consider using that
format (or any similar format) again in the future.
While it is noble and worthwhile to raise funds for the
purchase and distribution of Christmas gifts and goods to
those who are less fortunate, it is not so noble as to be
worthy of the desecration of the sacred places of an entire
culture. The dead who are buried in the
Oakville Mounds are not the forgotten dead of a lost culture.
Descendants of those dead, culturally if not physically,
still live in close proximity of those mounds and still
perform ceremony there.
It is always a source of wonder to me when the predominant
culture in any area feels that its predominance gives it free
license to disregard
the remaining cultures in that area. If the situation were
turned around, and a Tsalagi [Cherokee] service group decided
to hold its fundraiser in the local cemetery, including
necessary construction of
props and such in and around the graves with no particular
concern for the location of said graves, the general outcry
would almost certainly be louder. Likewise, if a fundraiser
were to be held that trivialized an era in African-American
history (e.g. slavery), the general outcry would almost
certainly be louder.
The American Indian is largely regarded as a mythic figure
from the past in general society. I myself live in a state
that officially notes that there are no Indians within its
borders. This, of course, is a source of
much consternation and bemusement among the many of us who
acknowledge our Indian heritage and attempt to live our lives
according to the traditions of the same.
It is no more correct to trivialize the Trail of Tears which
was inflicted on the Indian inhabitants of your county than
it would be to trivialize slavery, carpet-bagging, or any
other traumatic chapter in history that has been inflicted on
some or all of
the inhabitants of your county.
The "Trail of Fears" was symptomatic of an apparent
general insensitivity to the American Indian culture that
lives in your very midst. The violence that ensued as the
result of the peaceful protest by these Indians and others
who rallied to their cause is reminiscent of
the results of the marches in Selma, Birmingham, and
Montgomery during the 1960's; injuries sustained by
non-combative protesters at the hands of over-eager law
enforcement officers.
The apologies that were offered at the time by the Jaycees
for their insensitivity now seem to have vanished in the
afterglow of their recognition for this event, to the extent
that I fear they will repeat the debacle for which they were
so highly commended by their parent organization. This must
not happen; this will not happen.
Perhaps the historic record several decades hence will note
the "Trail of Fears" protests in the same light as
the marches in Selma and the occupation of Wounded Knee
[South Dakota, 1973]; the flash point of a
cultural revolution. It is time that the American Indian be
no longer recognized as a mythic memory from a past
civilization. We are still here; we never left.
Sincerely,
W. Paul Talbot
Laurel Ridge Lenape'wak
PO Box 140
Youngstown PA 15696
02/21/2001
( Referencing Jack Stone's Letter to The Editor
on the News Page)
Friends;
Following is a letter to the editor that bears reading.
To the shame of all Jaycees, the Jaycees Trail of Fears is
the most disgusting and perverted attack on our people I have
seen of in my lifetime.
I express my opinion because I was in the area during this
matter, saw the desecration with my eyes, heard the leaders
attempt to justify their evil deeds with my own ears as if it
was allowable to attack the graves of
our ancestors to fund a Christmas present program for needy
children, and when confronted in the Sheriff's Department
conference room I personally
heard the leaders of the Lawrence County Jaycees apologize
for their deeds, apologies which they have evidently now
repudiated.
I wonder, would these same people consider grave robbing also
justified to fund a toy program,
considering the profit generated from our ancestors
suffering, and in violation of the same dignity given non
Indian cemeteries the answer should be abundantly clear.
To see the Lawrence County Jaycees being given any award, for
any reason, given their gross perversion of our heritage, and
the perverted manner in which they made fun of our ancestor's
torture on the Trail of Tears being honored by the Alabama
Jaycees is a direct insult to our ancestors and all native
peoples.
For the Lawrence County Jaycees to be being given any award,
of any kind, manner or degree should send a clear message to
all that the Jaycees despise
all native peoples, our heritage, culture, traditions and
religion. Without a question from this point forward the
Jaycees should be considered a racist organization, no less
than the KKK or any other hate mongering group of racist
bigots would be considered.
Charles Yow
Attorney at Law
CYow@Yowlaw.com
Office: (617) 254-7526
Fax: (413) 793-2993
Home: (228) 467-3226
11/05/2000
To Whom It May Concern:
Forgive me for not being able to write this letter before now, but we have
just returned from Ala., where we were involved in the Oakville Mounds
Protest.
The North Florida Chickamauga Cherokee are good friends with Chief Millard
Shelton and Vice Chief Gene "Wolf" Gold , and when we learned
Of the Jaycees plans to hold their Halloween Festival named the " Trail
Of Fears" we were horrified that a county in Alabama would allow such a
Disrespectful event to happen, after all our ancestors are buried there
and there can be no greater disrespect.
When Chief Gold a state recognized Native American , and a state recognized Spiritual Leaded was arrested
And brutally attacked, it was an outrage to all the Indigenous People,
world Wide. We have known Chief Gold for many years and we know he is not a
violent person and we also know that he and Chief Millard Shelton were telling
everyone there, it was a "PEACEFUL PROTEST"!.
We hold a Unity Gathering every year in Florida, and Chief Millard Shelton
and Vice Chief Gene Gold have been to them. They both understand
The importance of Unity among the people, and through Unity we can stop
Events like this from happening again.
So as we close this letter we give our Alliance and our support to all Native Americans.
Sincerely,
Chief Red Eagle Reynolds,
North Florida Chickamauga Cherokee
Congratulations!
I have been
praying a lot and my thoughts have been with you all since
this matter was brought to my attention on Sunday.
I wanted to be there last night, but after I heard about the
brutality I knew it was in the best interest of the tribe
and myself to protest in my prayers.
Anytime I find someone being treated as our people are I
have a very hard time keeping my emotions from becoming
negative toward the abusers.
Fortunately the prayers seem to do much more that I could
have anyway. Let me know if I can ever help you..
Dondagohvi
Unega uguku
(WhiteOwl)
Date: Monday, October 30, 2000 10:40 AM
Subject: Urgent message from fellow Democrats
Dear Honorable Governor OBannon
As a fellow Democrat and a person interested in the preservation of Indian
history I write with a sad heart.
It has come to my attention over the past few days that the Jaycee's of
Lawrence County Alabama (Moulton) to be exact have been desecrating a burial site for profit by using it as a
Halloween haunted wooded area and are calling this the "Trail of Fears". This has caused the arrests of local
Native Indians who were peacefully protesting the misuse of this area
.
I have written to the President of the United States Honorable William J.
Clinton in regards to this matter.
As a resident of Indiana and supporter of my Democrat candidates I ask that
you get involved and denounce this terrible act.
These people are in dire need of assistance in this matter and it is a matter
of moral and ethical treatment of those who have passed on.
I would ask that you contact the Governor of Alabama and let them know
Indiana residents are aware of the terrible acts that are being
committed in the state of Alabama and that we are against such deeds.
Please check your news sources on this subject and let me know if there is
anything that can be done to alleviate the situation.
Sincerely,
Sam Dargo
Date: Thursday, October 26, 2000 3:57 PM
Subject: Oakville Indian Mounds
As a Cherokee Indian, educator, journalist and book author, I am totally amazed and distressed by the atrocities being allowed in Alabama at
the Oakville Indian Mounds Burial Sites. I have been informed and still find
it hard to believe that a Celtic event involving a Halloween party has been
sanctioned there by your Board of Education using a maligned title of the
most genocidal act in the history of this country, the infamous "Trail of
Tears."
Surely this is an ill-placed rumor or practical joke, because it is
unfathomable that in the 21st century such an unforgivable act would even be
considered, much less sanctioned by any compassionate person and certainly
not by an institution of government charged with educating our children!
Holding ANY type of event that is not spiritual in nature at or in the
immediate proximity of the burial sites of any race of people is offensive
and totally unacceptable. This is especially so among the descendants of
indigenous peoples who were once forcibly removed from their homelands ,
partly in your state, in an horrendous act of ethnic cleansing.
How could anyone in their right mind justify or sanction for any reason, save blatant
racism, the desecration of such a sacred place. Do you not understand that
the spirits of our ancestors still walk that land and fully deserve to rest
in peace?
If local people decided to hold such an event in a local white cemetery,
would it be allowed? Of course not, and this situation is no different
whatever!
I cannot urge you enough to call an immediate halt to this. Word of it is
rapidly spreading throughout the 550 - plus Indian Nations of this country
and if allowed to continue , it is sure to put a black mark on your community
that will never be removed. Just one month ago, the Indian newspapers of
this country praised the 80,000 plus bike riders who rode just down the road
from you to honor the memories of those who perished on the Trail of Tears.
Now , you are willing to overshadow and render their admirable efforts mute
by allowing your citizens to desecrate the graves of their ancestors . . .
and all for a "party" that could have just as easily been held elsewhere
without offense to anyone? Wasn't the horror and shame of one Selma enough? Please, in the name of
humanity and fairness, consider the insults and inappropriateness
of your actions.
Our people have suffered enough. Oakville burial Mounds is no place
for ANY type of party!
Tony Mack McClure, PhD
Author of the Best Selling book "Cherokee Proud"
Producer-Director : Bill Dance Outdoors on TNN (The Nashville Network)
Somerville, TN
Date: Sunday, October 29, 2000 4:56 PM
Subject: STRANGE GOING'S ON IN ALABAMA
Howdy ya'll,
Ha, trying to sound like someone should from Alabama. But I am disturbed by
something going on in the city of Decatur, Al. Seems the Jaycees have decided
to put on a scary trail through the woods idea for Halloween and it is staged
on the land that was once the "Trail of Tears" that my Cherokee friend's
great-grandmother was forced to march on, seems like she said it was a 900
miles march. Many people died.
Anyway, seems the Jaycees decided to call their scary trail the "trail of
fears" and have cause a tremendous raucous down here in Bama. From all
accounts, the police are siding with them on this, and even though they did apologize for offending the Native American community,
and finally changed the name, still they are wearing the "trail of fears" Tee
shirts that they had made up for the event.
So far as I know 5 American Indians have been arrested so far, and a friend that witnessed this first
hand was appalled. And old grandmother handled roughly as was her Viet Nam
Vet husband, and thrown in jail for a night.
I am a white man, a paraplegic that was hurt in a coal mine 20 years ago. And
I do not know what it feels like to be an Indian, but I do know what it feels
like to be treated as a second class citizen for the way you look. That I
have experienced.
But my Native American friends should not have to put up with such an obscene and offensive thing being done in the name of fun that
desecrates land that almost all of the Millions of Native Americans hold dear
and holy.
I am ashamed to be a white man when I see other of my "color" treat other fellow human beings with such blatant disrespect. Contrary to anything
the police at the scene said, no hands were raised against them by the
Native American warriors there. The protesters were treated roughly by the police as
if they were common criminals, drug smugglers or murderers.
I hope the nation takes notice of this injustice. I have no ability to do anything about this
other than call attention to it. I hope you will investigate this because it
is still going on and I fear the worst.
Sincerely,
Perry Griffin
Date: Friday, October 27, 2000 12:14 PM
Subject: Oakville Mounds
The following letter regarding the Oakville Mounds problem is submitted by me
by authority of and on behalf of Charlene Tuckaleeche Story, Principal Chief
of the Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama and member of the Alabama Indian
Affairs Commission. You may use it at will.
Tony Mack McClure, Ph.D.
October 27, 2000
To Whom it May Concern:
On behalf of the 4,000 plus enrolled members of the Cherokee Tribe of
Northeast Alabama, one of seven Indian tribes officially recognized by the
great state of Alabama, I want to register our emphatic indignation with the
insensitive Halloween event taking place at the Oakville Indian Mounds.
It is totally inconceivable that any responsible citizen or group would
approve of such activities at or near the sacred burial sites of any people,
but it should be particularly offensive if one simply considers the historic
racial and genocidal abuses inflicted upon the very people who rest there and
the descendants of all Indian people.
It is our understanding that the purpose of the event is to raise funds to
assist underprivileged children at Christmas. We readily acknowledge that
this is a commendable cause, one that our people always stand ready to
support, but the location where it is being held and the theme of it is
seriously in error.
Burial sites are extremely sacred to our people, as they
should be to all people, and the use of connations or titles that make light
of one of the most horrific events in the history of all indiginious people,
"The Trail of Tears" could not be more apathetic.
The comparison of one of our traditional , historic ceremonies, "The Booger
Dance," to a children's Halloween party further reflects the insensitivity
and misunderstanding of those who misteach our true culture and perpetuates
the myths that result in further misconceptions and often tensions among
different cultures.
If someone had simply cared enough to take the time to
discuss this entire issue with either the elders of one of the Indian
communities of Alabama, or the staff of the Alabama Indian Affairs
Commission, they would quickly have seen that it was totally inappropriate
and culturally offensive.
We have no doubts whatever if such an event was
planned at the burial sites of the event producers, they would have been
equally offended and made efforts to halt it immediately.
We appeal to all parties involved in this callous plan to immediately move
the affair to a suitable location; to cease all coined comparatives of it to
any of the historic horrors of any indigenous peoples, and to insure that
the sanctity of the Oakville Indian Mounds is respected and preserved at all
times.
Sincerely,
Charlene Tuckaleeche Story
Principal Chief, Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama
and sitting member, Alabama Indian Affairs Commission
Date: Monday, October 30, 2000 12:15 PM
Subject: trail of fears
Dear Lauri Chambers, Protest Coordinator
I feel this event shows a very serious disrespect for the Indigenous Peoples
of Turtle Island. I need to say as a Non-Native I am very
very sorry for the crimes my ancestors have committed against the First People of this
Nation, and by refusing to move and change the name of this
event, it is very clear to me that these crimes are still being committed.
I personally view this event as a Hate Crime and I do believe "hate crimes" are illegal.
I will no longer support the Jaycees in any county in any town of this USA.
Please feel free to use this in any way you need to use it to help end this
terrible event.
Sincerely
Joyce Hicks
FL
Date: Wednesday, October 25, 2000
10:54 AM
Subject: Regarding the "Trail of Fears"
I realize you have already read my letter and responded, but
I'm resending with minor edits and with the CC at the bottom
for your records.
Once again I shall repeat myself here for the benefit
of those who may not have seen my words before, and please
take them to heart:
Dear Mr. Walker, Director of "Indian" Education,
Every year at Halloween, I see news broadcasts of
the atrocity and disrespect of wayward teens, who
have toppled or even stolen Headstones from the
community's cemetery.
The people who are interviewed are always very
disgusted, dismayed, and even enraged at today's
teens and how disrespectful they've become.
Well, who is teaching them disrespect, when
people in the position of "Director of Indian
Education" is taking the lead?
Imagine our disgust and dismay at the very
thought that community leaders are approving and
giving permission for virtually the same activities to take
place atop "our" peoples' burial mounds!
While there may be no headstones to carry away, their dignity
and memory is being robbed of them and their final resting
place is being desecrated.
The play on words, "Trail of Fears" in and of
itself is a mockery of the tragedy experienced by
the people who lay within the graves that you
will allow children and their parents to run and
dance upon.
I know I need not continue with my opposition to
your disrespectful and disdainful decision, you, no doubt,
are hearing from many who protest this decision, however, you
are the "Director of Indian
Education", and you will direct your citizens to
partake in something that you, yourself, would
find appalling if they were dancing on YOUR
parents or grandparents graves and robbing their
resting place.
If you would not find that this is an invasion of
privacy, and trespassing on the last bit of land,
history, and memory these ancestors have, then
you are a very evil and vile person. You are
cold and heartless and I would hope that someday,
many people will trample the grass that lay above
your bones, in mockery of "your" life and death.
In closing, I ask you this; if you are the "Director of
Indian Education", then why is it the one thing you
teach the people is "disrespect"? Respect is the
first thing we teach our children and those around us who
have grown up in a very disrespectful environment, with
people such as yourself. To be an Indian Educator, or take
the responsibility of being an Indian Teacher, you first must
teach respect by being
respectful, yourself.
Mr. Shannon Livingston, I hope you become better
educated on "our" people's history before making
another ignorant public statement. I hope Money
is not what this is all about! It will come back
to "haunt" you!
Very Sincerely and hoping you change your plans
out of decency and respect,
Tsequani Moon Mabe, Chief,
Upper Mississippi River Band,
Aquohee District,
Southern Cherokee Nation
Date: Thursday, October 26, 2000 10:02 PM
Subject: Racism, Grave Desecration and the Jaycees
Gentlemen/Ladies,
By this time you are undoubtedly aware of the planned, deliberately
offensive campaign by your Lawrence County associates (who - like it or
not - reflect the image of ALL chapters of your organization) to
desecrate the sacred burial grounds of the First Americans in that area,
disrespect the wishes of the descendants of those who are buried there,
and to make an utter mockery of the religious beliefs of a People
who -for the most part- were slaughtered in one of the most extensive and
continuous acts of government sponsored genocide ever witnessed in the
'free world'.
The "Trail of Fears" has not only met with staunch opposition of local
Native Americans and their supporters but is now attracting national and
international attention. The words and actions of your associates are
showing to the world a face of racism which, sadly, many people have
already long associated with white inhabitants of the South, and which
many people of good will have struggled for years to eradicate.
But now, not only a corner of Alabama, but the name of the Jaycees, will be
increasingly associated with bigotry, race-hatred and an air of white
supremacy.
You are also aware that even though the organizers of this hideous
desecration of a burial ground were offered - by Native American and
supporters - whatever amount of money they had thought to take in during
their pagan celebration, the organizers were quite adamant in their
refusal.
They insist that they 'have as much right as anyone" to be there, i.e., in the midst of a Native American burial ground. Thus, the
much touted 'welfare of the needy children' is NOT their concern at all,
for the children would have received the same amount of money if this
had been moved or canceled.
So we must remove that factor. And what we are left with is the pinnacle of religious insensitivity,
white supremacy, and a determination to defile the grounds held sacred
by those whose ancestors are buried there.
For some reason, the Jaycees didn't think to choose a white cemetery or
a black cemetery.
What a shock.
The end effect of it all is simply this - if this project continues, be
assured that the Jaycees in every part of this country will be known for
this racist behavior- there will be no way to plead ignorance or to
divorce one branch from another - and there will most certainly be zero
support for any local Jaycees projects in any communities where the
public is shown the truth about the real nature of the beast.
You may laugh or take this lightly, but then, no one is planning to have a
'tailgate' party over your grandmother's graves.
The next 24 hours will determine how the entire world of human rights
supporters - and anyone else who reads items on the world-wide web
-.will perceive of the Jaycees...it would be a perfect time to
demonstrate good will and a true desire to serve local communities by
convincing the local chapter to abandon the racist plans and use an
alternative location, thus showing that your organization actually does
care about the religious beliefs and practices of all Americans...even
those who were here long before us.
This is truly a great opportunity. Or, you can encourage the people to 'stay the course' and be branded
with bigots and racists all over the world. The choice is yours. It is
my prayer that you choose wisely, and in a way that will not transform
the name of your organization into an epithet.
sincerely,
Julian Harper-
First, let me state who I am. I am the founder and organizer of the Tennessee State Chapter, Trail of Tears Association that was
formed in 1997.
We are part of the National Trail of Tears Association that is
protected by the Federal Government through the National Park Service and Congress being listed as part of the Trail Systems in the
US. I work in State Government for TDOT. I am Cherokee and direct descendent of Charles Renautus Hicks, father to Elijah Hicks and cousin to George Hicks that helped John Ross with our people during the forced removal of 1838.
I will be glad to present my credentials to anyone. I was sent this email by my cousin and best friend. I am very glad it was sent. They both will have my
special prayers.
I have no qualms with an organization wanting to celebrate this Halloween holiday at the park to raise money for needy children. I
participate myself with charitable organizations that raise money for many things.
It is only a celebration of ghosts and goblins
and has nothing to do with our ancestors and this place where they are buried. But keep the celebration part away from the
burials. As large an area as this park, I am fully aware that there is an area that would be adequate and set away from any mound
or burial for this party function to take place.
It was my understanding that the function will be done around the burials in the
wooded area. I feel that it should be moved farther away. Even the wooded area is too close and someone could get hurt. I do have
a problem with it being done in, around, on top of or even in the vicinity of Native American burial grounds.
There is plenty of
room there at this facility (68 acres) to have the function away from the burials. These are burial mounds and I am greatly
appalled that educators would even allow such an atrocity of this nature to take place, knowing that this is considered a resting
place for our Native American people.
What kind of educating are you doing by allowing this? What are you actually saying to these
children who may be our leaders in the future? There is no proper excuse for this to take place.
Yes, I do believe in spirits and ghosts. I am Cherokee. If you should not reconsider and relocate this function away from the
burial sites, our peoples spirits do have a way of taking care of these things. I would not wish to walk in anyone's shoes who will
be responsible for this event.
In the past there was dancing that was to take place on top of these mounds. When several dancers refused to do this, they then
moved the dance to the roadway area to continue (My cousin was one of those dancers). At that time, it was rumored that some slaves
that died on the plantation were buried there by the plantation owner.
According to this other resource, it has been determined
that they are Native American. My cousin and I both feel the same way, that it matters not who or what color of the people buried
there, the bottom line is this---stay off of them and be respectful of the dead-period.
There were over 400 black slaves that went
on the Trail of Tears, as well as, many other types of people (Dutch, German, English, Irish, Scottish). They too are honored and
respected for their part and endurance that took place in their lives during this horrible event in our History. My family took 4
slaves with them on the Trail. Many people are not aware of this information on the Trail of Tears.
I do understand a great deal about some of our ceremonial dances--Booger Dance, Stomp Dance, Squirrel Soup, etc. because I do
participate in them with my relations in lower Alabama and my people in Tahlequah (because I am part of their grounds) and I take
them Veeeeerrrrrrrrryyyyyyy serious. When people want to make fun of or pretend they know about these things---I get angry and will
correct them and they don't want to go there with me!!!! I do practice these traditions because it is our way (my way) and our
religion (my religion).
I am appalled and greatly grieved by what I have read and the statements that have been made concerning my
people's Booger Dance and these so-called "ghost switches". I would greatly appreciate those who do not have the proper education
about such ceremonial Dances to please not make statements about them because the individual who has made this statement (if what I
read was true) has been grossly misinformed about this dance.
The Booger Dance was a very solemn and serious sacred ceremonial
dance that was done in a community when people were afraid and distressed over things affecting the community and the people (had
nothing to do with ghosts or spirits) and this was the way to do away with the fears and distress
amongst the people by facing that
fear and joking at it--as in, if you make fun of something and laugh at it, it can't harm you, can it??!!!
I know that this would not be allowed in this State and has never happened. I shall be contacting certain persons who do maintain
our National Association's Archives on these burials and let them know what has been planned should any desecration of our people's
burials take place while this function is in progress.
If this burial site is, as it was stated, known to be an actual resting
place for those who died on our Trail of Tears, then it will be listed by us and shall be protected under the US National Park
Service, The Trail of Tears Association and the Federal Protection Laws.
By all means, have this function, but like I have stated before, please relocate the function away from the burials. I truly
believe that this is a very reasonable request and would only take a slight realignment on
the planners part. Thus, making all parties concerned happy.
Your cooperation and results in this matter will be greatly appreciated.
Respectfully,
Tammera Hicks, Cherokee
Founder, Tennessee Chapter, Trail of Tears Association
Subject: Oakville Indian Mounds
I am contacting you in regards to the Halloween event planned at the
Oakville Indian Mounds in Moulton, Alabama.
This communication is a request for any possible assistance you may have to
offer toward reaching a solution.
Apparently, some people do not have respect for the fact that the Oakville
Indian Mounds is, in fact, a verified Native American burial site.
I try to see another's point of view, as well as my own in given situations. I cannot imagine that most people in our country would approve of, nor
allow, an event such as this being held at, or very near, Arlington National
Cemetary.
So I truly have to wonder why it would be allowed at the Oakville
Indian Mounds. Those that are buried, whether in a cemetary or a sacred
burial ground, deserve to remain undisturbed.
I am not a Native American myself, but I would feel a lack of respect if an
event such as this were being held in a cemetary where one of my ancestors
were laid to rest.
I only have to be human, and respectful of others that may, or may not, be
exactly like me. Respect for one another could go a long way in this
instance. I would think that this event could very well be held in a
different location that would disrespect no one.
I do understand that this is a fundraising effort, and I respect that. What
I'm asking myself is why it it not possible to hold this event elsewhere?
Is money all that matters anymore? If you would refer to the petition,
you will soon discover that alternatives were offered, but not accepted.
We should be setting a good example for future generations by showing
respect for those that are no longer with us, as well as for those who are.
I would hope that we may benefit from the experience of history, and strive
to be better at conflict resolution than our ancestors were. Can we truly
preach peace to other countries when we have not accomplished that goal
ourselves?
I can only ask that you search your heart and do what is right for all
concerned. Thank you for your time and have a good day.
Sincerest regards,
Julie L. Lemley
Date: Thursday, October 26, 2000 3:08 PM
Subject: P R Nightmare
As former Jayceette officer and former Jaycee , please allow me to state my formal objection to the "Trail of Fears" of the Lawrenc Count AL Jaycees.
They were offered a way out that would not have lost one "red" cent- but
their pride or ignorance prevents them from doing the right thing. I hope you
will try to convince them that only Hollywood people think any publicity is
good publicity. As a Cherokee and an Alabamian , I am embarrassed for them
and the Jaycee tradition. They are coming off as insensitive, boorish, AND
racist, which I am sure is not their intention.
Helen Young. former
Jayceette President, Eufaula, AL
Date: Tuesday, October 24, 2000 1:03 PM
I am writing today to express my distress about the event which is taking
place around the Oakville Mounds, under the billing "Trail of Fears". Given
that there are remains buried in the Oakville Mounds of American Indians who
died as a result of the forced removal that has become known as the "Trail
of Tears", both the name and the location are inappropriate, with each
magnifying the gravity of the other. I find it equally distressing that the
Director of Indian Education for Lawrence County, Mr. Butch Walker, helped
to organize this travesty.
Through the courtesy of some of the concerned American Indian people of your
area, I have been able to follow the coverage of this event in your
newspaper and elsewhere. I must state that I find it totally disingenuous
that the Jaycees profess regret at offending anyone yet persist in
conducting the event in the face of protest. Their refusal of offers of
change of venue and complete remuneration only serve to suggest a complete
lack of sensitivity to the offense that they are perpetuating.
The use of American Indian stereotypes as a part of this event (i.e. to scare the
participants) only aggravates the situation by perpetuating the negative
images of the American Indian people that history books and Hollywood have
ingrained in the public consciousness, images that the American Indian
people (including, presumably, Mr. Walker) have spent decades trying to
dispel.
While there is no question that the purpose of this event is to support a
worthwhile cause, it is equally beyond question that the Jaycees and Mr.
Walker have chosen an inappropriate and offensive means to that end. I
question whether the good people of Lawrence County would appreciate a
similar event being held in or around the graves of their hallowed dead.
W. Paul Talbot
Laurel Ridge Lenape'wak [Delaware]
Latrobe PA
Dear Editor,
I am not an Alabaman. I have both Euro-American and Native American heritage
and ancestors who stood on both sides of the issues surrounding American
Indians in the early history of European settlement in this country.
I work closely with a number of youth organizations to eliminate the stereotyping
and misinformed "mythology" about American Indian cultures, to
promote historically and culturally accurate education about these cultures to all
people, and to promote heightened awareness of contemporary American Indian
issues. I am also the daughter of a former Jaycee and the niece of a
current Jaycee.
While I can identify the wit behind the event planners' play on words, I
cannot commend or condone it as a US Citizen, Euro-American descendent or
American Indian descendent. Beyond the disrespect being shown by holding the
event in what is the non-native equivalent of a church owned cemetery, the
name of the event is appalling. Are your readers and the local event
planners even aware that one person died every 1,000 yards (less than one
mile) of the journey from Georgia to Oklahoma that is called the Trail of
Tears?
Are they aware that those who died included not only warriors (men), but women, children, infants, and elders? Are they aware that the forced
removal of these people along that trail was done despite two Supreme Court
orders to the contrary? Do they realize that, yet again and through an
insensitive, cold-hearted play on words and refusal to accept the offered
money and location substitutions, those who died will, in essence, die yet
again for profit?
There is definitely a "Trail of Fear" in Alabama, one which has nothing to
do with Halloween or hosting a children's activity or raising money for a
non-profit organization. The new "Trail of Fear" that will exist in Alabama
forever should the event planners continue to stand firmly against renaming
and relocating this event is the "Trail of Fear" that each of your readers
ethnic or spiritual/religious groups, sites, and historical events will be
the next to be exploited by those friends and neighbors who are the event
planners and/or members of the host organization. Do your readers and the
other members of your community REALLY want to be next?
If not, I suggest they stop the event ... NOW.
Sincerely,
Valerie Ohle
nagi@wisdomkeeper.org
Date: Wednesday, October 25, 2000 9:46 AM
To Whom it may concern,
It has come to our attention that certain groups in the Moulton, Alabama
area are conducting a Halloween "celebration" on or near the burial mounds
of American Indian people.
It is our contention that this is a travesty akin to undisciplined young
hoodlums running amuck in cemeteries for their Halloween "kicks". Making it
even worse is the fact that these groups are charging money to take people
into the woods around the Mounds in order to scare them for their own,
personal Halloween jollies.
The individuals who are members of these groups may not take so kindly to a
celebration of this kind taking place in the cemeteries and on the graves
where their mothers and grandmothers are buried; conjuring up the ghosts of
long dead white people for the amusement of children and to make a few
dollars.
These are the graves of our ancestors. These are the places where their
bodies lie, supposedly at peace, while their spirits make the journey to a
better world. A world where they are not hunted like animals, driven from
their lands, starved, infected with diseases to which they had no immunities
and treated as less than human beings by the colonizing forces pushing them
away to gain their land.
This is simply another example of the dominant culture of this land
completely disregarding and disrespecting Indian people and our culture and
history. It is another coming of the same old cavalry. It wasn't enough
that the American Holocaust took the lives of several million Indigenous
Peoples since the time of European contact; now even the graves of our
people are being used as a backdrop for more of America's fun and games.
Is it not enough that our children have to face, daily, the use of racist
mascots, racial slurs and insults of all kinds, live in abject poverty on
reservations and on the very doorsteps of affluent "Americans"? Apparently
not.
Here are some suggestions...
Build a "haunted house" somewhere.
Trick-or-treat at a local mall or in safe neighborhoods.
Have Halloween costume parties at your homes.
LEAVE THE GRAVES OF OUR RELATIVES ALONE!
Wondering how many "guides" are dressed in "Indian brave" or "Pocahontas"
costumes,
Tracy L. Gray
Cherokee Nation
American Indian Movement, Kansas
Andrew R. Mader
Southern Cheyenne Nation
Community Liaison, American Indian Movement, Arizona
Date: Wednesday, October 25, 2000 9:44 AM
Subject: Trail of Fear
Dear Editor,
The Native American Alliance of Ohio wishes to go on record as being
opposed to the Jaycees using a Cherokee burial mound as a Halloween
haunted trail. I lost ancestors on that march. Cherokee people called it
the Trail Were We Cried. My surviving relatives did not know if their
loved ones died or was killed. They were separated in Ky. as some of
the people got across the river before the ice shut down the boats.
Some stayed under the rock ledge on the south side of the Ohio River. A group
of the people went across the rivers and waited on the west bank of the
Missouri River. That is were my people got lost, somewhere in between.
As a Cherokee person I do not think any organization or person has the
right to make us into a Halloween fund raiser. The pain and death
brought on by the march is still alive and hurting in the breast of the
descendants. I would never disrespect another race of people in such a
manner. I am called heathen and savage but I would not show such blatant
disregard for another race of people's honored dead.
The Euro race wonders how their children became so disobedient and rude?
Just look at themselves, as the do these disgusting things and see the
example they are setting for their young. Children only know what their
elders teach them.
I can only say I know there are some good people in Alabama and I hope
they will stand up and say enough is a enough stay away from the Indian
Mounds.
Barbara Crandell
Co-Chair
Native American Alliance of Ohio
I am in full support of this petition and was honored to sigh in.
Though my body is old and weak, my Spirit and teachings are strong within me.
Tonight, when I sit at the fire in prayer to the Great Spirit, I will ask for help and support for your fight. The many miles
between us can not stop how I feel about this. My days on the bench in court room never heard of such disrespect for the dead and
for the beliefs of others. These are indeed sad times.
Sgeno my sister!
Hon. David R. Birdsell, Ret.
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
I am appalled that the State that I have always lived in and loved would
allow such as this to take place.
As an educator myself, I can't believe another teacher would condone
this fiasco. It would never be allowed in any other ethnic cemetery, sowhy is it allowed in the burial grounds of our ancestors. As a Christian
I think halloween is the most pagan of holidays and this just
reinforces
that belief. This is an insult and a total disregard for the memory of
our ancestors who died in the most embarrassing moment in the history of
this country.
Our ancestors have been humiliated enough in life without being
humiliated in death as well. All support for the Jaycees for any reason
will stop in our family and those of our friends as well. I cannot
believe that you would allow this to continue. There have been
other options offered to raise the money they need and they say they have the
right to do this so they are going to continue with their plans. Whoever
came up with this idea has a total disregard for the feelings of others
and the hurt that it causes our people.
Brenda McNutt
Fort Payne, AL 35967
I was teaching school all day, but said prayers to Grandfather for patience and
calm within my soul and requests that He deal with the situation in the many ways
we cannot. I also brought it up as a point of discussion within my classes.
I told the students my outrage and how I asked the people of that area " What are
you teaching the children there? How can you let this go on ? If this was any
other race, it would not even be considered; what were we supposed to do, roll
over and play dead because they wanted to make a Halloween playground out of our
ancestors burial mounds ? Not as long as we live, and we will hold our heads
high and continue to fight for what is right."
Wado, for the update, and I will
be spreading more of this Sat. night at our Shakey Hollow Stomp Ground here in
Texas. I have also passed the word on to my Native family in Ok. and Mo.
Barbara Moore ( Nonuse Sunalei )
The kids wanted to sign a petition to stop it from their point of view....
We can't do that without parents permission..I may have a petition Monday or
Tuesday of next week..they have to bring a signed permission slip from one
of the parents...
Please keep me posted...I served Fry Bread today and gave a little
history of the Trail of Tears..it went over GREAT.....I even had several teachers
come into the room to listen...then I was invited back for a Thanksgiving
visit :o)
I don't know how many classes I will get to see that day..but the kids are
real interested it Mother Earth/ Grandfather the Creator/ and respecting
humans and animals alike....
Lonewolf
To All,
We got word of what was happening in Alabama. I know we can't do a whole lot out here in Texas except let people know what is
happening, but we wanted to offer our support. Attached is a letter from me that I thought you might be able to use in letting the
press, and others, know that you are not alone in your outrage over this desecration of your burial mounds. I hope the letter is of
use. Let us know what else we can do to help.
Sincerely,
Jeff Adams
Texas State Chairman, League of the South
27 October 2000
To: Blue Clan Echota Cherokee of Alabama
From: Texas State Chairman, League of the South
Subject: Jaycee Violation of Burial Mounds
I am writing to let you know we support your efforts to protect your heritage and burial mounds from desecration by the Jaycees. As
a proud Southerner who is well versed in the knowledge of our Southern history, I know that your ancestors stood by my ancestors in
fighting for true freedom and liberty. Now, as then, we stand with you in outrage at this affront to our common Southern heritage.
In this time of political correctness where people are outraged at sports team being called "Indians" or "Warriors," and using
images of American Indians for their mascots, I find it odd that the Jaycees in Alabama would be so oblivious to true abuse of
Cherokee heritage. The sacrilegious act of violating land that is holy to your people should not be condoned.
The Texas chapter of the League of the South offers you our support and our prayers in this battle. Please let us know what we may
do to help. While we may be a long distance from Alabama, Texans are fully aware of the need to preserve and defend our common
Southern culture. No one should be required to give up their personal heritage so that others may exploit it for financial gain.
In Service to the South,
Jeff Adams
Texas State Chairman, League of the South
Trail Of Fears - Tail Of Tears
Ohh Jaycees,
your footsteps are heavy
on my grandfathers - grandmothers,
our children of early death,
massacres
and forced marches,
your heels
dig into the face of tradition,
slice the eyes of future generations,
you mix this sacred earth
with ridicule,
laughter edged in hate,
you hear no drum or song,
your ears are deaf
to First Nation spirits,
you pray for your own,
exile the People from thought,
claim land that is inhabited,
you dance on the burial site
of honored elders,
break the bones of survival,
you cast off protest,
deny truth
that confronts your eye,
rename your game,
the haunted trail,
it will be you who are haunted
by generation voices,
who will follow you to sleep
and greet you with the sun,
you who disturb the peace
of our circle.
Phil Goldvarg
Hgold42734@aol.com
For additional articles go to the
following links
Thank you Tod Kennedy -Spirittribe-Wolfsongs Warrior for the
dedication of the song War of Love.
Plans for use of the song will be announced in the near
future. To hear the song, click on
the picture.
Senna International
http://www.senaa.org/TrailOfFears.html
Hear Kristen Hawley's Amazing Grace
http://www.geocities.com/koalablue_99_au/Tears.html
"Dedication of Thanks"
http://members.tripod.com/wings_35004/dedication.htm
Stop the Trail of Fear
by Steve Paul Johnson
http://www.interment.net/column/index.htm
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