Letter to the Editor

In 2011 a member of the redeveloped Mohawk Anti-tax Steering Committee at Ahkwesahsne, asked that I join, which I accepted and was voted in. It was presumed I could offer methods other than doing same thing over and over again expecting different results. The intent of some of the committee was to use the so-called “Longhouse Way” against US and NYS tax. Funding was to be acquired through the St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council Inc’s (DC initial file # 822713, NYDOS ID # 1539007) Restricted Tax Legislation Revenue account, which, had over $1.2 million. The Committee and I met with the last Administration of Tribal Council in 2012 in regards to transfer of funds.

It’s funny that an eagle comes onto Indian reserve and right away a white man screams “that’s my eagle.” If it was his eagle, I’m glad it’s free and broke its chains. There are 5-7 eagles nesting on Six Nations. Free eagles. Nature can still live here. It’s our eagle now to protect. Our job is to ensure it remains free. A 20-year-old eagle needs to be free. The dude needs to try a dog or a cat now. If this dude didn’t use “this” birds to hunt or feed his family, then they can’t call themselves a falconer. They are just captive. Init?

Recently, the West Hill United Church got an answer from the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development to its Petition (see Two Row Times, Sept. 4, 2013, P. 5). While analysing it, we took time to delve into the First Nations Control of First Nations Education Act announced February 7th, 2014, in Calgary.

In 1951 the Indian act was revised so that Aboriginals were now allowed to possess and drink alcohol for the first time, but only on their own reserves. The provinces gained an increased role in determining Indian status. However, ultimate control over the Aboriginal peoples still resided (and still resides) with the federal government.

Bill C-10 is the latest in a long, long list of bullying attempts to make “First Nations” give up identity, rights and even existence. Every precedent indicates C-10 will not be the last; there will be more.

The issue of fair and objective news coverage of Onkwehonwe issues in the mainstream media has always been a subject of controversy throughout Turtle Island. If you ask most Onkwehonwe people the response would usually be that the coverage over the years has been unfair and uneducated.

I offer this information to assist people in formulating their perspective on an issue that has been lost in recent acts by persons and agents of alien/outside origin.