THE TURTLE ISLAND MESSENGER : December 2012

BREAKING NEWS!

HISTORIC RETURN OF SACRED LAND TO 'OCETI SAKOWIN', THE GREAT SIOUX NATION

AFTER 136 YEARS OF OCCUPATION PE' SLA

RETURNS TO LAKOTA, DAKOTA AND NAKOTA NATIONS TO BE HELD IN TRUST FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS

DEAL FINALIZED IN PE'SLA LAND SALE

http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/article/tribes-reach-9-million-goal-and-purchase-sacred-site-pe-sla-146015

http://www.lastrealindians.com/axCommentDetails.php?postId=2139#

http://www.lastrealindians.com/axCommentDetails.php?postId=2138

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hHt90Ns8EebQpU_spjv9jjm7b7Jg?docId=6303f99253d84860887f9a6fcffa5046

http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2012/08/lakota-debra-white-plume-protect-our.html?spref=fb

11-30-12

By Deborah LaVallie

The Oceti Sakowin: the Lakota, Dakota and Nakota Nations are celebrating the historic return of 'part' off their ancestral homelands, Pe' Sla after 136 years, when the lands that were originally, their sacred ceremonial grounds in the Black Hills of South Dakota, and legally, Great Sioux Nation Treaty lands, negotiated and diminished under 'duress' in the Fort Laramie Treaties of 1851 and 1868 were stolen, during the Black Hills 'Gold Rush' of the 1870's.

The re-acquisition of Pe' Sla for $9 million was finalized Friday after months of negotiations and fund raising. In a press release issued by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe and the Shakopee Mdewakantan Sioux Tribe, the finalization of the agreement between the Tribes and Leonard and Margaret Reynolds who have owned the Reynolds Ranch where Pe' Sla is located was confirmed. The Tribes will form Oceti Sakowin Sacred Lands Protection Commission to protect and preserve the sacred land, known as the center of the Lakota creation for the future generations. A group of Tribes and interested parties, along with celebrities joined together in an online campaign to raise the $9 million the Reynolds were asking for the tract of land that came up for sale.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=533839333294271&set=a.293435434001330.82617.254587994552741&type=1&theater

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150980811231326&set=a.222822746325.143489.221617791325&type=1&theater

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=336867683014606&set=a.336867189681322.89353.192344687466907&type=1&theater

FIRST NATIONS CHIEFS OF CANADA MARCH ON PARLIAMENT IN A PROTEST OF CANADIAN GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND BILL C-45

12-4-12

By Deborah LaVallie

First Nations Chiefs demonstrated their frustration of Canadian Government policies Tuesday, as they marched on Parliament Hill in Ottawa protesting their opposition to the budget implementation Bill C-45 proposed by conservatives and it's unfairness to the First Nations and the failure of the conservative government to consult with them.

Bill C-45 an omnibus budget bill would change the Navigable Waters Protection Act which would remove thousands of lakes and streams from federal protection. The Act established in 1882 is one of Canada's oldest laws and states "no one could block, alter or destroy any water deep enough to float a canoe without federal approval." Chiefs are concerned that the new Act would strip away federal oversight of thousands of lakes and streams paving the way for more big pipelines to be built, and would affect First Nations territories.

The peaceful march ended in a minor confrontation when the Chiefs tried to enter the House of Commons to deliver their message that they were serving notice that they now planned to take direct action against the Harper government. Onion Lake Cree Nation Chief Wallace Fox issued a statement later and said, "We weren't consulted on C-45 which outlines a new legislation on land surrender and wanted to be included in these discussions." They wanted to deliver a message to Parliament and Prime Minister Stephan Harper in a peaceful way, that the inherent treaty rights of First Nations peoples weren't negotiable. He said, "These actions have strained an already fragile relationship. We have no other choice now but to take a course that will have impacts on all Canadians." About 200 people took part in the rally and march.