January 3, 2013
Treaty Councils
Oceti Sakowin Makoce
Anpetu Waste Mitakuyepi:
The Ihanktonwan Oyate Treaty Steering Committee is inviting Treaty Councils of the Oceti Sakowin to a historic gathering on January 23-25th 2013 for the following purpose:
In Solidarity with #ldleNoMore
Gathering to Protect the Sacred From the Tar Sands and Keystone XL
January 23rd -25th 2013
Ihanktonwan (Yankton Homelands), Ft. Randall Casino, Wagner, South Dakota
Join Us in Solidarity as We:
- Honor all Indigenous First Nations, Tribes, Allies, and the Enduring Unity of the Great Sioux Nation and to commemorate the 150th Anniversary and to reaffirm the Ihanktonwan Oyate of the Oceti Sakowin 1863 Peace Treaty between the Ihanktonwan, Ponca, Pawnee Nations, and witnessed by the United States Government.
- Notify President Obama and the U.S. Government that the approval of the Keystone XL pipeline would be a further grave specific abrogation of the January 23, 1863 Treaty and possibly other related treaties and would have very regrettable consequences. For instance, on December 21st 2012 by Resolution, the Black Hills Sioux Nation Treaty Council also stated they were “vehemently opposed to the construction of the Transcanada/Keystone XL Pipeline Project on any Aboriginal or Treaty lands”.
- Hold a Ceremonial Grand Council to Affirm a Unifying International Treaty between Indigenous Peoples and All Our Allies Who Seek to Protect the Sacred from the Tar Sands and the Keystone XL Pipeline. This International Treaty builds upon the Save the Fraser River Declaration, Rights of Mother Earth Accord, Indigenous Leaders Spiritual Declaration, and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
- Build the Foundation for a Spiritually-Grounded, Principle-Centered Interdependent Campaign for Unprecedented Unified Action to Protect Our Sacred Mother Earth.
The Gathering will include Treaty Councils, elected Tribal Council leaders (IRA and non IRA); the Ihanktonwan, Pawnee and Ponca Nation; all other Council Fires of the Oceti Sakowin; non-Native Nebraska Ranchers who are opposed to the Keystone XL Pipeline; various First Nations Bands from Canada; Dakota relative bands from Canada; the Brave Heart Society and other traditional societies; and other organizations such as the Four Worlds Development Institute out of Canada among others who have a purpose in protecting Mother Earth.
A three hour block will be set aside for the Treaty Councils to go into formal session on the evening of January 23rd , at the Ft. Randall Casino for Treaty Discussions, resolutions and strategic action through consensus building. The rest of the conference will be an open conference aimed at providing information on the status of the Keystone XL and actions to take action against its construction and intrusion into Treaty Lands. Other Cultural Resource and Ina Maka topics will be presented also.
Chief Arvol Looking Horse and other spiritual leaders will be in attendance.
The meeting will take place at the Ft. Randall Casino on the Ihanktonwan Homelands. The meeting will commence with a historic Ceremony on the morning of the 23rd of January to revisit the peace made between the Pawnee and the Ponca; in 1863. We will rely on various Oceti Sakowin leaders to assist in the ceremony. The Pawnee and Ihanktonwan still stand together against the Keystone Pipeline, along with our Councils; and organizations.
Through our sponsorship and cooperation with the Four Worlds Development Institute, the Ihanktonwan Treaty Steering Committee and Council; and the Brave Heart Society; we will provide one room per each Treaty Council (12 Treaty Councils) for 3 nights (January 23, 24th & 25th; so we will pay forat least 12 rooms for 3 nights. If you wish to arrive early the evening of the 220d for Inipi ceremonies in preparation for the ceremony, lodging is on your own. IT IS IMPORTANT TO RSVP US AS TO WHO YOUR REPRESENTATIVE WILL BE FOR YOUR TREATY COUNCIL, the rest of the lodging is on your own; as we have limited funds.
We will provide breakfast rolls, juice & coffee; and lunch each day on January 23_2Sth. Evening meals are on your own. We are open to donations from other Treaty Councils and Tribes.
If your Treaty Council would like to designate one representative to receive a free room, please contact us immediately through Faith Spotted Eagle, Ihanktonwan Treaty Secretary at 60S-481-0416 or preferably through e-mail at oweakuinternational@me.com.
This will be a historic coming together of the Oceti Sakowin Peta, and we look forward to your attendance, prayers as you travel from the sacred directions. Wopida.
Respectfully,
Tukan Inajin ; Standing Stone
Faith Spotted Eagle, Secretary
Ihanktonwan Treaty Council
