SMSC: Two Million In Tribal Grants - Wrong 'Kanietakeron' In Native Unity Militia Story - Rep. Kirkpatrick Joins Navajos In Veterans Act Celebration

Yankton Sioux Tribe, White Earth Nation To Receive Funds
By Tessa Lehto
October 12th, 2010

Prior Lake, MN – The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community today announced $2 million in grants to two Indian tribes for fiscal year 2011, which began October 1, 2010.

The Yankton Sioux Tribe of Marty, South Dakota, will receive $1 million from the SMSC for a new tribal hall to replace the previous building which was severely damaged in a flash flood. In use since the early 1930s, the tribal hall was first used as a convent by the Catholic Church and then turned over to the Yankton Sioux Tribe in the 1980s.

Showing its age long before this flood, the building was also damaged in several previous floods. Seven inches of rain in the early morning hours of June 12, 2010, resulted in a flash flood which caused severe structural damage to the building. The flood ruined computers, kitchen and office equipment, files, and furniture. The tribal hall functions as an administrative building, housing tribal programs and services.

Sixty-three tribal families in Marty were also displaced in the flood which destroyed homes and buildings. Immediately following the flood, the SMSC donated $100,000 for relief efforts funding direct needs of affected families. This was in addition to the $1 million grant the YST received from the SMSC in fiscal year 2010.

A small portion of the fiscal year 2011 $1 million grant will be used for pre-construction funds for a youth treatment facility, the Lake Andes Community Center, and to build a new football field at the Marty Indian School complete with seating and concessions.

“On behalf of the Yankton Sioux Tribe, we give you a heartfelt thank you for your kind and generous donations,” wrote Tribal Chairman Bobby Cournoyer.

Known as the “Ihanktonwan Dakota Oyate” or “People of the End Village,” the Yankton Sioux Tribe has its lands along the Missouri River bottom, in Charles Mix County just across the river from Nebraska. Tribal headquarters are located at Marty, also home to the Marty Indian School, which also sustained damage from the flood. Of the 12,246 tribal members, about a third live on the 43,000-acre reservation.

The White Earth Nation of northern Minnesota will receive $1 million for a health facility and for a new fire truck. Two-thirds of the grant ($663,580) will be used along with a U.S. Housing and Urban Development grant to complete a new diabetes center wing at their tribal health offices building. (The SMSC has also committed to a $1 million grant for fiscal year 2012 for the same project.)

With the remaining funds, the White Earth Volunteer Fire Department will replace their 38 year old fire truck which is now obsolete. The department has 15 volunteer fire fighters who provide services for an area covering 100 square miles. A small portion of the grant will be used for training classes for fire fighters in comprehensive drivers training and pump operations.

The new diabetes center wing will help the White Earth Nation in their fight for wellness. While diabetes affects people of all ethnic groups, it is four to eight times more prevalent among Native Americans than in the general population. And a staggering 68% of Native American children will come down with Type 2 Diabetes, which is entirely preventable.

The White Earth Reservation is located in northwestern Minnesota and is one of six member reservations which comprise the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe. The boundaries of White Earth encompass Mahnomen County, portions of Becker and Clearwater Counties, and 35 townships over 1,300 square miles.

About the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community The SMSC utilizes its financial resources from gaming and non-gaming enterprises to pay for the internal infrastructure of the Tribe, including but not limited to roads, water and sewer systems, emergency services, and essential services to its Tribal members in education, health, and welfare. The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community has a charitable giving program which comes from a cultural and social tradition to assist those in need.

Native Unity Article: Wrong Identity In ‘Camel’s Eye Treaty’ Story
Sekon,
My name is David Kanietakeron Fadden. I recently discovered an article on your blog dated November 2 , 2009 entitled; Militia Movement Infiltrates Six Nations – Part 1. The author, Al Carroll, to my astonishment, named me as a promoter of the “camel eye treaty” group.

There is another Mohawk with the name Kanietakeron. His English name is Larry Thompson. He is one of the main promoters of the Camel group. I have absolutely no connection to this group and their members. I do not believe in this camel treaty theory. Larry Thompson and his followers are not helping the cause for unity here in Akwesasne.

My grandfather, Ray Tehanetorens Fadden, my father, John Kahionhes Fadden and myself have dedicated our lives to teaching the traditional philosophies and values of the Haudenosaunee people to Native and non- natives at the Six Nations Museum in Onchiota, NY.

For 56 years my family has related the story of the peacemaker and formation of the Kaianerekowa (Great Law of Peace). The premise of the Great Law is unity and peace. There are no camels or Egyptians mentioned in this story.

All the elders I have spoken to about the camel eye story have never heard of this story. I am extremely disappointed to see my name associated with this camel group. I would appreciate a note from the editor or author retracting my name from this article. Perhaps, a little more research would have avoided this error.

Correction And Apology From Al Carroll
There are TWO Mohawk men using the name Kanietakeron. One has the legal name of Larry Thompson, the other the legal name of David Fadden.

Thompson is a supporter of the Camel’s Eye Treaty theory.

Fadden is not, and has no association with CET supporters whatsoever, and strongly condemns this theory and its supporters.

I deeply regret the error and offer my apologies to Mr. Fadden for any harm done to him or his reputation.
Al Carroll

U.S. Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick Joins NHA In Celebrating, Recognizing The Signing Into Law Of The Indian Veterans Opportunity Act of 2010
Submitted by Christian Bigwater, NHA

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – The Navajo Housing Authority (NHA) is pleased to announce the passage of the Indian Veterans Housing Opportunity Act of 2010 (H.R. 3553), signed into law by President Barack Obama on the evening of Oct 12.

NHA is thankful for the passage of H.R. 3553 and would like to commemorate the occasion by hosting an event to celebrate and recognize the signing into law of H.R. 3553.

The event is scheduled to be held on Oct 18 at the Navajo Nation Veterans Memorial Tribal Park from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

U.S. Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ) will be attending the event as an invited guest speaker. Kirkpatrick, last September, introduced H.R. 3553, which was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on April 20. Senate efforts were jointly led by Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Senator John Thune (R-SD); and H.R. 3553 won the unanimous approval of Congress on Sept 27.

“For over a decade, Native Americans who fought for this Nation watched as their Veterans’ benefits actually created new burdens for them, and that’s unacceptable,” Congresswoman Kirkpatrick said. “This outrageous defect in the law demanded action, and I am grateful that the Navajo Housing Authority brought it to my attention.”

H.R. 3553 amends the definition of “income,” under the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act to exclude payments and survivor benefits received from the Veterans Administration for service-related disabilities from counting as income, making it easier for Native American Veterans, their families and survivors to qualify for housing assistance.

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