The Ojibwe News (Bemidji, Minnesota), 1994-01-07

              City of Minneapolis and two police officers
sued by Native Americans put in trunk
By Delvin Cree
On Monday, January 3, 1994, the
city of Minneapolis and the two
officers who transported two Native
American men to the hospital in the
trunk of their squad car last April
were sued in Hennepin County District Court.
Both Charles Lone Eagle and
John Boney, the men stuffed in the
trunk, filed the suit with their attorney, Larry Leventhal. The PRESS
received a copy ofthe paperwork filed
in District court from Leventhal on
the same day the charges were filed.
The complaint, which totals fifteen
pages, alleges that the city of Minneapolis and the officers are guilty of
the thirteen counts brought against
them. According to the report, on
April 17,1993 at approximately 9:00
p.m., Charles Lone Eagle and John
Boney along with AlvinFremont, were
resting and sleeping on the front steps
of a building on Park Avenue in Minneapolis. Each had been consuming
alcohol beverages earlier in the
evening.
At about the same time two women
arrived in separate vehicles. One of
the women lived at the building
where the men were sleeping. Both
observed the men positioned on the
front steps. The women who were
concerned for the well being of the
men and called "911" to request that
an ambulance be sent to take the men
to the hospital or to any other appropriate facility. »
Shortly after the call, two police
officers arrived at the scene. The
officers, Marvin Schumer and Michael Lardy, approached the men and
began to prod and poke them with
their nightsticks. They did it so
forcefully that it left large bruises on
the men.
Lone Eagle, who was awakened by
the officers feared for his safety and
pretended to remain asleep. The officers were then notified by radio that an
ambulance was on its way to pick up
the men and transport them to Hennepin County Medical Center. However, upon receiving this information, the officers instructed the
dispatcher to cancel the ambulance
because they had "just discovered a
way   to get'em down there."
The officers also told the women
who called "9il" that all the county
ambulances and wagons were "tied
up" and unavailable. One of the
women, who was a nurse at Hennepin
County said that she could call and
order an ambulance, but both
officers stated that ordering an ambulance was not necessary,   that they
Trunk/See Page 3
Norine Smith sues NAP for defamation
By William Lawrence
On Monday, January the 3rd 1994,
the Native American Press/Ojibwe
News, it'spublisher William J. Lawrence
and staff writer Gary Blair were served
with a summons and complaint prepared by attorneys for Norine Smith,
executive director ofthe Indian Health
Board (MB) of Minneapolis.
Ms. Smith's complaint alleges that
she was defamed by a series of articles
written by Blair andLawrence and published in the twopublicationsduringthe
Fall and early Winter of 1993.
The articles which dealt with charges
of discrimination and employee abuse
werecontainedinacomplaintfiledwifh
the Mnnesota Department of Human
Rights against Ms. Smith by twelve
current and former IHB employees.
Those charges are currently under in-
vestigationbythatstateagency. Another
former IHB employee Ellie Webster
also£-edawrongMtern_nationsritagainst
Ms. Smith, which is still pending.
In addition the PRESS also reported
on a meeting between former IHB employees and U.S. Senator Paul
Wellstone's staffers with investigators
for the Inspector Generals office ofthe
U. S. Department ofHealth and Human
Servicesaboutconductingan investigation into financial affairs at the IHB.
The IHB administers approximately
$3,000,000 a year in federal, state and
foundation funds. The articles also questioned management of IHB programs
and funds, abuse of authority and nepotism at the IHB under Smith's
leadership.
Several articles were also published in
the Circle and Mnneapolis Tribune
about some ofthe same issues prior to
publication in theNative American Press
and Ojibwe News.
In October, 1993, Ms. Smith obtained
a Ex-Parte Temporary Restraining Or
der (TRO) against Lawrence and Blair
for harassment, alleging that the first
several articles caused her distress. The
TRO was vacated within 24 hours for
obvious infringement of our Constitutional rights of freedom ofthe press
and speech.
It is the PRESS'S position that all
articles published about the IHB and
Ms. Smith were based upon factual
information obtained from the IHB's
own financial documents and credible
sources. It is the intention ofthe PRESS
to stand by the articles as written. It is
also the intention of the PRESS to
vigoriously defend its position and to
countersue Ms. Smith for damages for
violation of our rights of freedom ofthe
press and speech, harassment, abuse of
the judicial process and to seek recovery
of all legal fees. The PRESS expects to
have its response and counter-claim to
Ms. Smith's suit filed by the time this
edition hits the street.
Higher Education faces funding cuts
By Bunty Anquoe
W/ Permission from Ind. Country Today
WASHINGTON- A major source
of higher education funding for Indian
students may soon be gone. The U.S.
Department of Education has targeted
its Indian Fellowship program for
extinction.
The program, which has existed
since 1974, provides grants to
qualified Indian undergraduate and
graduate students in several fields of
study including law, medicine,
engineering, business and psychology.
The fellowship pays tuition, fees,
books, room and board, and a stipend
for living expenses.
John Derby, branch chief of the
fellowship program, said he was
completely left out ofthe department's
unilateral decision to dump the
program, although funds have already
been authorized and approved by
Congress.
"I told the department it was a dumb
idea, "he said. "This program provides
grants to Indian students to go to any
school in the country, and without it
they might not otherwise be able to
afford it."
The department plans to rechannel
the money to tribally controlled
community colleges and to its
Educational Personnel Development.
Program which trains teachers.
Mr. Derby said he is not against
teachers or tribal colleges receiving
more money, but he is "vehemently
opposed " to eliminating one of the
few major scholarship programs
available specifically for individual
Indian students.
Education/ See Page 3
Corey Graves Bemidji area top prep athlete
By Pat Miller
Reprinted with permission
from The Bemidji Pioneer
Corey Graves' success in athletics did
notcomebyaccident. There is no doubt
that he was given natural talent but
Graves is not unique in that regard.
What is unique, however, is what he has
done with that talent.
"Corey has a tremendous work ethic
and is dedicated towards playing the
game as hard as he can," said his former
RedLakebaseball coachDonHazeman.
"Corey plays to win but he also plays the
game for enjoyment. He gives 100
percent every time he takes the field but
when the game is over, he puts the
results in the proper perspective. He ha
learned that it's important to recognize
the talents ofhis teammates and ofhis
opponents and that is rare. Having Corey
on the team makes coaching a joy."
Graves' talent, dedication and love of
the game has earned the Red Lake
graduate the respect of all who have
played with him and against him and
his efforts also were noticed by the area
coaches and fans who participated in
the 1993 Bemidji Pioneer Area Athlete
of the Year balloting. Graves received
ninefirst-place nods and 178 total points
to claim the honorwhileDanFischer of
Bagley was second (7, 95) and Alan
Clark of Cass Lake third (1,68). Perry
TorgersonofClearbrookGonvickplaced
fourth (64) and Chris Schmitz of
Clearbrook Gonvick fifth (4,63).
Graves was a three-sport athlete for
the Warriors and was All-Conference
in baseball, football and basketball. He
made the All-Conference baseball squad
fouryears in a row and was named to the
All-Region team as a junior and senior.
"When Corey does something, he puts
his heart and soul into it," Hazeman
said. "But he doesn't let the pressure of
the game affect him. Corey always
plays with a positive attitude and he is
the type of athlete who can be a team
leaderand can pull theofher kids along."
Graves currently is attending
Northland CC and is concentrating his
athletic skills on playing baseball.
Hazeman has no doubt that Graves will
be a success on the field at Northland.
"Corey is a great pitcher and a superb
catcher," Hazeman said. "He also is a
very intelligent and smart athlete and
student. Behind the plate Corey
remembers every at bat for every
opponent He also remembers what an
opposing hitter has done from game to
game and from season to season and he
recognizes the strengths and weaknesses
of everyone he has ever played against.
Corey would make a tremendous coach
because he is a role model, can put
everything in perspective and knows
the game."
Graves also put the same effort into
his classroom work as he graduated
second in his class.
"Corey is an excellent athlete but also
an excellent student and he received
several athletic and academic
scholarshipsatfhegraduationceremony.
He's just a great kid," Hazeman said.
No government for tbe people, or by the people/ page 4
Rep. Clark reminds working families of new and improved tax credit/ page 5
Diversity Job Fair features jobs, training and business opportunities/ page 6
Army regaining control from rebel movement in Southern Mexico/ page 8
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Voice of the Anishinabeg
Fifty Cents
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We Support: Equal Opportunity For AU Peopli
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January 7, 1994
A weekly publication.
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Copyright, The Ojptnwe News, 1994
Dancer: Rodney Cruz. Photo by: Marcus Knight
Sixth Annual Sobriety Powwow and Alcothon
held in the Twin Cities
By Wawokiye Win
The New Year in the Twin Cities
was brought in by many Native American people who participated in the 6th
Annual "Red Road" Sobriety powwow and Alcothon. Held at the Minneapolis American Indian Center on
Franklin Avenue this past weekend,
December 31-January 2.
The powwow, sponsored by Heart of
the Earth Survival School, AIM,
AIOIC and the Peacemaker Center,
started on Friday evening at 7:00 pm.
Hundreds of people showed up that
first night and paid the seven dollar
admission fee for the traditional powwow. Somewhat fewer came the next
two days but I saw many people I am
used to seeing on the powwow trail all
year round.
Many ofthe same people flock from
powwow to powwow and in the Twin
Cities people from many tribes come
together and share a sense of community that is sometimes hard to find off
the reservation. Many came because
this was a sober event and there are
few alternatives around the New Year's
holiday for one to enjoy the company
of friends and family. People who
were celebrating their sobriety were
asked to come out to the circle and
shake hands with other sober people.
An honor song was sung for them, too.
Friday night and again on Sunday,
Clyde Bellecourt challenged reporters from the Native American Press to
write about this sobriety event. Since
special recognition was requested from
"the Press", this free-lance writer who
has submitted several articles on Lakota
spirituality issues rose to the challenge.
Many people participated in this
powwow as usual by dancing and singing. There were several types of dance
categories such as men's, women's,
girls', boy's, jr.'s and tiny tots; as well
as different types of dance such as
fancy, grass, jingle, and traditional.
The thundering of eleven drums could
be heard through the central PA system accompanying the singers and
dancers. The emcees were Jerry
Dearly, Richard Graves and Eddie
Benton Benay.
One dancer I spoke to came from
Rapid City. He said he liked the
Alcathon because of the good food
they served. (Yeah right. At the casino!) He didn't come back to the
powwow after the first day.
A countdown was held at midnight
and then much hugging and kissing
and shaking ofhands came amid shouts
of excitement from the children. Gifts
were passed out to the children by
what appeared to be costumed figures
warped from the Halloween era.
A hand drum contest was held as
part ofthe program. There was also a
grass dance special. A twenty dollar
bill was thrown in the center and the
grass dancers danced around it while
taking turns trying to pick it up with
their teeth. This was not an easy thing
for them and two fell on their faces.
Many ofthe women were disgusted
with this event and said they did not
appreciate theirboys degrading themselves for a measly twenty dollars, or
any amount of money for that matter.
A meal was provided for everyone
on Sunday evening, compliments of
Mystic Lake Casino. (By this time my
friend was back in the Dakotas
chowing down on his own food.)
Sunday evening, just as the powwow was about to get over, Clyde
again expressed his desire to get some
publicity by the Native American Press.
Apparently, he was thinking about it
all weekend. I'm sure the staff of the
Press was touched to hear that Clyde
keeps them close in his thoughts even
on holidays.
National Eagle Repository used and abused Lone Eagle speaks candidly about his ordeal
by US Fish & Wildlife Service
By Jolene Ajootian
As usual our fate as Native Americans
will soon be quietly decided in Washington, D.C. by a select few, without
inputfromfherestofus. On January 11,
1994 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(USFWS), a few Native Americans
(maybe) and aides from Molly Beatty's
office will convene on our behalf and
decide what is best for us.
The meeting will focus on the rights
of Native Americans to possess eagles,
their parts, and feathers and the INABILITY ofthe USFWS to meet our
needs on a timely basis. The USFWS
has a twenty year track record of giving
lip service to Native Americans through
the National Eagle Repository (NER)
located in the USFWS Forensics Laboratory in Ashland, Oregon.
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
oversees the National Eagle Repository
which is a federal program designed to
distribute eagles, eagle parts, and feathers to Native Americans throughout all
fifty states. The National Eagle Repository is housed inside the USFW Forensic. Lab which is a law enforcement
agency. It is a crime lab that deals
specifically with animals.
I have been doing volunteer work at
the Eagle Repository since February
1992. After working there for two years
I have gained insight as to how the
National Eagle Repository functions. I
have learned how the USFWS adminis
ters and operates the program. Howthis
is done has become a very critical political issue, freedom of religion issue, and
a human rights issue.
I need to give a little background
information on the Eagle Repository
first so you can better understand the
problem.
First of all, for the past twenty years the
USFWS has devoted only one full time
employee to work in the Eagle Repository. This is a major problem. One
employee cannot operate the Eagle Repository and serve over 300 tribes efficiently. That's over 2,000,000 Native
Americans nationwide that potentially
require its services to help them fulfill
Repository/ See Page 3
By Delvin Cree
It's been a tough life for Charles
Lone Eagle since the trunk incident
which happened in April of last year.
Lone Eagle, who was sitting down
staring at the floor in the Hennepin
County Government Center, said that
he wished the whole thing had never
happened.
"I hate the press conferences and I
hate the publicity that I have been
receiving," he said. "It wasn't my idea
to have it this way."
He went on to say, "People know
who I am now and it bothers me. They
say, There goes that drunk that was
put in the squad car trunk.' "
Looking depressed and stressed out,
Lone Eagle said that he has been
wanting to speak out about the whole
incident. It seems that people have
taken advantage of his experience.
"My attorney and AIM leader Clyde
Bellecourt have taken advantage of
the situation," Lone Eagle went on
record as saying. Interestingly, the
City of Minneapolis has offered to
settle with Boney and Lone Eagle for
$85,000 but Attorney Levanthal advised them to hold out for $200,000 or
go to trial.
"They put me infront ofthe cameras
and had me speak publicly about my
experience," he added. "I didn't mind
the first time but it seemed kind of
sickening after awhile."
Lone Eagle said that the previous
press conference which was held at
the Minneapolis American Indian
Center was one that he did not want to
attend. "I and John Boney were pretty
sick that day. John could barely talk.
When he tried you could tell he was
really forcing himself," he stated.
Lone Eagle also said that it bothered
him to be honored at the powwow. "I
thing that it makes sense to be honored
for filing charges against the two officers who put me in the trunk, but
when you look at the whole situation
it doesn't make sense."
Lone Eagle and the other man were
intoxicated at the time ofthe incident.
"You know, I tried to sober up after
that. I stayed at AIS [American Indian
Services] for thirty days but I couldn't
hack it. Both Clyde and Jerry Stafford
kept bringing reporters around there
all the time and I couldn't concentrate
on sobering up. I just got sick of it all
one day and left. Then I started drinking again," Lone Eagle recalled.
Lone Eagle/ Page 4