Monday, February 9, 2004

AIM Trial Begins FEATURED ARTICLES - Trudell blames Anna Mae murder on AIM leadership, Indianz.com - From Chris Eyre, 'Edge of America', Indian Country Today - BIA Schools: Are Indian students being left behind?, Indianz.com - AP Questionnaire: The candidates on Indian issues, AP QUOTE OF THE DAY "A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right." - - Thomas Paine KNOW YOUR HISTORY - FEBRUARY 9, 2004 1994 -- Nelson Mandela became the first black president of South Africa. RHINO HERE: Last week, the trial of Arlo Looking Cloud began in Rapid City South Dakota. Looking Cloud is accused of involvement with the 1970's murder of Anna Mae Pictou-Aquash, an American Indian Movement (AIM) activist. For years, AIM leadership has said that Aquash was killed by federal agents, but stories of AIM leadership having accused her of being a government agent have cast doubts on that theory. The trial has already been covered by the likes of The New York Times & The BBC, and many well known Indian activists are testifying. Looking Cloud is said to have spent the last couple decades in down & out conditions, living on the streets in Denver. Many believe that if he was involved in the murder, it was as an underling, acting on orders from someone in the AIM leadership. Today's blog will provide a few articles on the start of the trial, as well as several other news pieces of relevance to Indian Country, including a new movie by "Smoke Signals" director, Chris Eyre, how Indian schools are dealing with shrub's "Leave No Child Behind" rules, and an Associated Press survey of the Democratic Presidential candidates positions on Indian issues. Trudell blames Anna Mae murder on AIM leadership Indianz.com, Friday, February 6, 2004 Former American Indian Movement leader John Trudell testified on Thursday in the trial of a man accused of murdering Anna Mae Pictou-Aquash. Trudell said he and Aquash had a prearranged code to let him know if she was in trouble. The code was a silver ring that Aquash mailed to another friend shortly before her murder. Two men, Arlo Looking Cloud and John Boy Graham, have been indicted for killing Aquash. A third person, Theda Clark, has been implicated but no charges have been revealed. Trudell said all were acting on orders from AIM leaders.  "John Boy, Arlo and Theda were not decision-makers," Trudell testified, according to The Denver Rocky Mountain News. "They did what they were told." THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE & LINKS TO MORE TRIAL COVERAGE AT: http://www.indianz.com/News/archives/003648.asp From Chris Eyre, 'Edge of America' by: David Melmer, Indian Country Today, February 06, 2004 RAPID CITY, S.D. - There is proof positive that thousands of extras, bloody battles, sex, fiery scenes and exploding objects do not always make your emotions rise to the surface. Independent films may not top the box office money-making list, but they often reward the attentive viewer. Chris Eyre, noted filmmaker in Indian country, has turned another page in his growing career by bringing audiences "Edge of America." It is a film made for Showtime which was introduced at the Sundance Film Festival. Eyre has become a fixture at Sundance; this was his fifth film at the festival. Previously, his film "Smoke Signals" was an award winner at the festival.  "Edge of America" may not ever be the blockbuster movie that America wants to see about Indian country. It doesn't glorify the romantic notion of American Indians, but it does make the point that there is a culture while showing real people living their daily lives, just like the rest of the world.  "Edge of America" is a humorous yet emotional look at what happens when African American culture meets American Indian (Navajo) society... MORE: http://www.indianz.com/News/archives/003417.asp BIA Schools: Are Indian students being left behind? Indianz.com,  Monday, January 26, 2004 Like public schools across the nation, Bureau of Indian Affairs schools are struggling to implement and meet the mandates of the No Child Left Behind Act. The Sioux Falls Argus Leader examines some of the challenges they are facing. BIA schools were given a different timetable under the law. A committee of tribal and federal representatives has spent much of the last year drafting rules for the 185 schools in the system. The goal is to make Indian students more proficient in math and reading by 2014. Indian educators are considering special circumstances, including the need to teach Indian culture. But some worry the children won't be able to meet standards that are set too high. Most BIA students perform at levels below state and national averages. MORE: http://www.indianz.com/News/archives//News/archives/003417.asp 7:02:15 AM    comment

The candidates on Indian issues AP Questionnaire: The candidates on Indian issues Associated Press,February 6, 2004 The Associated Press asked the Democratic presidential candidates their views on American Indians. "What kind of plan do you have for improving the lives of American Indians?"   A summary of the responses follows: Wesley Clark ( http://www.clark04.com : Would improve access to education and health care. John Edwards ( http://www.johnedwards2004.com), : Would work to ensure that tribal governments have access to capital and expertise to build and expand small businesses. John Kerry ( http://www.johnkerry.com) : Would expand health care for Indian seniors and provide preventative health care to Indian Country. Would improve roads and housing and increase funding for school construction. Howard Dean ( http://www.deanforamerica.com) : Build partnerships among federal agencies to improve housing, water, sewer and utilities; support and fully fund the continuation of the Indian Head Start programs; reform and strengthen the Bureau of Indian Affairs; and rectify the mismanagement of Indian trust funds. Dennis Kucinich ( http://www.kucinich.us) : Would increase funding for health care, housing, environmental protection and education. Al Sharpton ( http://www.sharpton2004.org) : Not addressed. This article & Links To Related Stories Stories At: http://www.indianz.com/News/archives/003646.asp "RHINO'S BLOG" is the responsibility of Gary Rhine. (rhino@kifaru.com) Feedback, and requests to be added or deleted from the list are encouraged. SEARCH BLOG ARCHIVES / SURF RHINO'S LINKS, AT: http://www.rhinosblog.info RHINO'S OTHER WEB SITES: http://www.dreamcatchers.org (INDIGENOUS ASSISTANCE & INTERCULTURAL DIALOG) http://www.kifaru.com (NATIVE AMERICAN RELATIONS VIDEO DOCUMENTARIES) Articles are reprinted under Fair Use Doctrine of international copyright law. http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html All copyrights belong to original publisher. Tell a friend about Rhino's Blog 6:34:53 AM    comment

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