genocide

Prior to the arrival of Europeans, an estimated 12 million human beings lived within the present borders of the United States. In 1890, when the federal government declared the "Indian wars" to be officially over, the native population was less than 250,000-a little over 2 percent of what it had been four hundred years earlier. And the genocide against indigenous peoples continues unabated to this day.

Birmingham 1963

Gaza 2008

There is much more here.

– PRECEDENT FOR OTHER INDIGENOUS PEOPLES? CAN RETHINKING OF “U.S.” & “CANADA” BE FAR BEHIND? [Story of the year]

According to Lakota Oyate (For a Free & Independent Lakota Nation), on December 30, 2007, the Lakotah Freedom Delegation website and contact info were hijacked by one delegation member without consent of other delegates.

It is important that we realize that in the modern world, the success and overall legitimacy of this movement will be evaluated later, perhaps decades from now. I think it is important that we all ask ourselves this question: just one month ago, wouldn't it have been considered a ludicrous statement to say that the average Lakota person isn't interested in sovereignty or real international recognition?

While I am tempted to issue some pronouncement on the validity or lack thereof regarding recent declarations of Lakotah sovereignty and secession, in all reality I must admit that there may be more rational and/or reasonable responses to the facts as we know them. Take, for example, the relative lack of any serious indigenous challenge to the Lakota Freedom Delegation; this could mean many things.

This piece was first published online at the Buffalo Field Campaign's old website which was, in turn, hosted by the Alliance for the Wild Rockies. Although it is now eight years old, it remains a thorough synopsis of the history of the slaughter of the buffalo and the deliberate genocide of first nations' peoples. For more recent information on this issue, see the Buffalo Field Campaign's current website.

More wild buffalo have been slaughtered in America in the past ten years than at any time in the last century. Capitalizing on the Indian's complete dependence upon the buffalo, 19th century government leaders launched a campaign to wipe them out, and in so doing, force the Indians into a sedentary lifestyle more in line with the prevailing European notions of private property and "civilization."

I have been in contact with someone very close to all of this. Here are the words of Canupa Gluha Mani (Duane Martin Sr.). The interview is a little over thirty minutes long but the file size is relatively small - less than 6MB. It is an MP3.

UPDATES: December 25, 2007 from Juxtaposeur

• Cante Tenza Grandmothers consulted, message released by Canupa Gluha Mani regarding purpose of Treaty Withdrawal MORE...
• Delegation representatives held meetings for over three years leading to Monday's withdrawal MORE...
• Lakota to reveal land boundaries on eve of Wounded Knee anniversary. Check back for updates!
• Lakota delivers introductory Portfolio Packet to State Department and foreign embassies READ THE PACKET...
• The Lakota Freedom Delegation acknowledges the rumors of Russian Government support. In addition, Lakota has been in contact with other Nations who are considering Lakota sovereignty.
• Press Conference Photos...SEE THE GALLERY...