"My children have native american blood and were removed from their tribe due to vote by the "disenrollment committe". They proved their heritage, and they hold land on the reservation form their great grandmother. This is happening all over Indian country where there are casino's. They have no recorse due to sovernty, and corrupt trible govenment."

http://www.change.org/petitions/sign-th ... an-country

I signed this petition and recieved the Following from the president of the state senate. What a bunch of BS:

Thank you for contacting me. Despite my interest in the issue you have written me about, this is a federal issue that is not within my purview as a state senator, and therefore you should contact Representative Doris Matsui, who represents you in the House of Representatives. She can be reached at:



The Honorable Doris Matsui

501 I Street

Suite 12-600

Sacramento, CA 95814

(916) 498-5600



Thank you for taking the time to participate in our democratic process, and please contact me about any state-level issues you wish to talk about.



Sincerely,



DARRELL STEINBERG

President pro Tempore

6th Senate District

Hau Lostspirit i am sorry for this thing that has happened to your children. i would add however that the letter you received is absolutely correct these are the internal affairs of sovereign Native Nation and International Laws now apply whether the american government or the american People like it or not.

In fact there are three forms of sovereign governments in the continental united states: Tribal, Federal and State and i would say there are many of us however who believe that the current ira governments are an extension of the american federal government and therefore are colonial councils filled with tribal politicians who are no better than their american counterparts in the united states congress.

Hau mitakuye

Hau Ghostwarrior,

The quote above was taken from the 'Comments' section so this does not affect me personally. The one who started the petition was from the Rosebud rez and I thought I was helping. Guess I need to stop skim reading. Wish there was a way to delete my signature now.

It seems like a few of years ago an american living on a rez in Alaska or Washington was charged with 1st degree murder. He claimed that the tribe had no authority and damned if he didn't win. Got off with a manslaughter charge. That is not something I want to perpetrate, sorry.

Lostspirit, no reason to feel embarrassed. Delete your signature? Why would you do that? It appears you advocate for others as I do as well. I read a comment today; words well spoken from another woman:

'It is time for woman to speak aloud to share our concerns for our family and mother earth. When we stand united we stand strong. Our warriors need to know what the needs of their woman and children are and how they (what needs to be done) can protect our future generations. In times of old the woman always kept the men informed of their needs of the families in camp and the men were able to forge a plan to meet the needs of everyone in the camp. It is time to re-establish the natural chain of command, for Lakota people that means bottom up, not top down. Our young men became honorable not by making speeches, but by DOING the right thing.'

Stay Strong, Sister

Windrider

Hau Mitakeyapi lostspirit there is not fault to be found you can only know what the american educational system teaches you about Native Nations and Peoples and from what i can see in the textbooks my children and grandchildren bring home that is still very little. i agree with windrider that women should be able to speak their hearts and thoughts and long ago their voices were also expressed in council through their men. i would also add some of us do the right the thing by living the lifeways and worldviews of Ancestors in these modern times i have many small eyes and hearts that look up to me for protection and guidance and i understand that it is a sacred duty to protect my own but i also understand that as a human being of my Nation that i am expected to put ALL children first not just my own and what some may refer to as "speeches" is nothing more than the telling of our story in our own words and for those who know me i do not speak idle words but am always ready willing and able to back those words with whatever actions become necessary.

Well spoken, ghostwarrior. I'm not sure what the woman I quoted was referring to re: 'speeches'. The last line had me a bit confused, as well. I'm reading into it that there may be Tribal Council members who only enjoy listening to themselves speak, but nothing is ever accomplished. I believe what this woman posits is our young men; our next generation of leaders, must walk the walk, before talking the talk. Just my guess....