A Voice from the Eastern Door

Haudenosaunee Confederacy News

•• The Haudenosaunee leadership participated in the Organization of American States meeting held last week from January 16th to January 21st. The meeting was held in Washington D.C. The Indigenous people met on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday (January 16-18) to review the specific clauses to be placed before OAS Assembly. Six (6) clauses were tweaked and edited. The clauses were presented on Wednesday. The clauses were debated, discussed and some changes were recommended and accepted by both sides.These clauses come from the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights for Indigenous People. The only clause not accepted to the OAS Assembly was the one referring to treaties. They did not accept the phrase “treaties as interpreted by the indigenous people”. The week ended with the acceptance of 5 clauses and the treaty clause will be presented again at the next meeting.Three side bar meetings took place while the leaderships were in Washington, D.C.

A meeting with Homeland Security to go over technical details of ID cards such as fire walls and access codes and other safety precautions. The Haudenosaunee leadership encouraged the Homeland Security people to initiate meetings to negotiate the final details of the Memorandum of Agreement.

Another meeting was with Sieman’s the company producing the ID and passport cards. Sieman’s guaranteed the Haudenosaunee delegation that a Haudenosaunee passport could be produced within 12 weeks. All this information must go to the Grand Council for approval to request the passport be produced.

A meeting with the State Department took place on Thursday. Items discussed were the USA’s continued presence at the OAS meetings and the Declaration on Human Rights. The Haudenosaunee delegation encouraged the USA to continue to attend the OAS meetings and to spend time on the Declaration of Human Rights.

On Friday, the 21st the Haudenosaunee delegation met with Obama’s Native Advisor, Kathleen Tehi, to discuss implementation of the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights. There are specific areas that need to be considered and the delegation emphasized these points.

The final meeting on Friday, the 21st was with Louise Slaughter’s (a house representative from the Rochester area) designated aide to discuss the Iroquois Nationals and the Haudenosaunee Passport. There has not been much movement; however names were given to the delegation as to who may help. Follow-up is needed.

•• The Haudenosaunee Peace and Trade will meet on Wednesday, January 26th in Onondaga. Agenda items include reports of the meetings attended all week in D.C.; update on cigarette tax issue, land claims and the ID/Passport cards.

•• The Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs had a meeting on Sunday January 16th at the Nation Longhouse, the meeting started at 10:00am with opening by Eddie Gray, Turtle Clan.

Howard Thompson gave reports on his week in Washington D.C. and all the meetings he attended. (see OAS report)

A community member made a request to the nation council for a cigarette license. The council requested a business plan to be submitted. The council will review the Tobacco Policies, the business plan and schedule a meeting with the community member to discuss.

The next item was a presentation by Louise Herne, Bear Clanmother. Louise presented two items: the first item concerns the coming together of several key women to discuss issues concerning women and families. The second item was an update on the Rites of Passage Program. She mentioned the program would be using the Nation Cookhouse and Longhouse. Some of her resource people were identified.

Her request to Council after a question answer period was to be placed on the agenda for the next meeting. This was agreed to.

Debbie Cook, acting co-manager of the Indian Time newspaper, gave a report on the newspaper and the happenings since Mark’s death. The newspaper is still producing a weekly newspaper, the staff remains the same and “we are putting together a professional newspaper”. Ms. Cook-Jacobs did explain about a “working” committee that was put together to help develop policies. There have been two meetings so far and things are progressing.

She did tell the Council that once the policies were in place and approved by Council she would like to have a committee comprised of community members and a rep from the Nation to oversee the Indian Time newspaper.

And a request was made for the Council to intercede in the issue of “No Smoking” in the building. There are many health concerns with second hand smoke to staff and community members visiting the building. The Council will research and investigate the buildings history and respond accordingly.

The “War of 1812-200 year Commemoration” was presented by Lindsay Tarbell and Sue Ellen Herne. Local Mohawk people involved in museum, history or culture have come together to sit on a committee to respond to the many requests about the 200 year commemoration of the war of 1812. The committee is taking part in discussion with the different communities about their activities to ensure that the Haudenosaunee perspectives on this war are incorporated tastefully and honestly.

There was a request for a letter of support from the Nation which will be drafted by Curtis Nelson to be circulated to the Nation Council members.

A request by community members to be buried in the Longhouse cemetery was the last item on the agenda. This was passed,

The next meeting is February 27, 2011. The meeting was closed by Phil Terrance, Turtle Clan.

 

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