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Boujou!
We begin today with a focus on Wind River. [The first three stories deal with Wind River; other news items are over the jump.]
For those who don't know, the Wind River Indian Reservation is a 2.2 million-acre stretch of land in southwestern Wyoming that is home to both the Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone nations.
First up is yet another environmental horror story. It comes courtesy of NPR, which makes me wonder whether the NPR ombudsman, in yet another fit of Beltway-bubble agita, will demand that his organization take this story down, too.
Second is an unusual story about what's known as an "interpretive plan." What happens when tribal nations assume control of their own histories and narratives — and release them into the public domain of the dominant culture?
I think we're about to find out.
Finally, a follow-up to last week's coverage of cabinet secretaries Duncan and Jewell's visit to Wind River: It appears that hard questions were asked. We'll take a look at how they responded.
WIND RIVER RESERVATION SUFFERS DISCHARGE OF TOXIC WIND AND WATER
BY NON-NATIVE CORPORATIONS
Thanks to a loophole in federal environmental regulations, a toxic stew of polluted water and airborne fumes generated by off-reservation corporations is poisoning both wind and water on the Wind River Indian Reservation.
The loophole allows corporations — non-Native corporations, you understand, from outside the reservation — to "discharge" (i.e., dump) their wastewater into the groundwater supply. The reason? In the 1970s, Wyoming cattle ranchers insisted that they needed the water, no matter how polluted, to fill the high desert watering holes that supplied their herds. [And just think: For forty years or more, that carcinogenic, radioactive wastewater has been going straight into the beef you buy at the grocery store.] And while elsewhere in Wyoming, state environmental regulations determine whether and where such corporations can dump their toxic wastewater, on reservation land, the Environmental Protection Agency has control. And thus far, the EPA has refused to act.
Eastern Shoshone Business Council vice chair Wes Martel escorted NPR reporter Elizabeth Shogren on a tour of the toxic sites — an excursion that should have qualified both for hazardous-duty pay.
The air reeks so strongly of rotten eggs that tribal leader Wes Martel hesitates to get out of the car at an oil field on the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming. He already has a headache from the fumes he smelled at another oil field.
Martel is giving me a tour of one of a dozen oil and gas fields on the reservation. These operations have the federal government's permission to dump wastewater on the land — so much that it creates streams that flow into natural creeks and rivers. And this water contains toxic chemicals, including known carcinogens and radioactive material, according to documents obtained by NPR through Freedom of Information Act requests.
The fumes hitting Martel's nose are hydrogen sulfide, which can be deadly. So Martel makes sure the wind is at his back before walking over to a pit the size of several tennis courts. Pipes are emptying dirty brown water that came up from oil wells into the pit, which is completely covered in goopy black oil.
Ms. Shogren contacted the EPA repeatedly for an explanation; all interview requests were denied. However, the agency did release an official statement, saying that the "EPA is reviewing new information associated with these permits and intends to meet with the Tribes in upcoming weeks to discuss next steps."
Undeterred, Ms. Shogren and NPR filed two FOIA requests, which turned up some interesting results — what she describes as "a hint of mutiny inside the EPA."
One wrote in an email to colleagues: "Can we get together and discuss a strategic approach for sending our message of concern? I have attached pictures of this ridiculousness."
Another staffer warns that the chemicals in the water could have "irrevocable human health and environmental impacts."
The documents also show recent detective work that some EPA staffers did to try to figure out what chemicals companies are putting in the water. Their research reveals that some of the waste streams sometimes include chemicals from hydraulic fracturing, an engineering technique designed to increase the flow of wells. They also include chemicals whose warning labels clearly state "toxic to aquatic organisms," "prevent material from entering sewers or waterways," and warnings about cancer and birth defects at low levels.
Expressly omitted from the information turned over under FOIA, however, were 757 documents that the EPA insists are privileged. The agency also apparently has a history of trying to deflect scrutiny by arguing the the tribes don't adhere to their own water quality standards, although how they allegedly fail to do so is unclear. The ranchers, of course, are adamantly opposed to any changes.
Mr. Martel, however, might lead his people in an end run around the agency, the ranchers, and the polluters entirely: If the corporations won't clean up their act, and the EPA won't force them to do so, he appears to intend to expel the companies from tribal lands entirely. Assuming tribal control of oil fields on their lands will give the tribes the ability to ensure clean water, and will also transfer oil revenues from the deep pockets of outsiders to tribal coffers.
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WIND RIVER WORKS WITH U.S. FOREST SERVICE AND WYOMING AGENCIES TO DEVELOP FIRST-EVER RESERVATION INTERPRETIVE PLAN
The Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone Nations of the Wind River Indian Reservation have been working with the Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office [WSHPO], the Wyoming Office of Tourism [WOT], and the USDA Forest Service's Center for Design and Interpretation to develop the first "interpretive plan" ever created for an Indian reservation.
An interpretive plan is the basic framework that learning institutions, such as museums, national parks, and other educational sites open to the public, use to guide the narratives they produce for disseminating information about the site or institution to visitors. It's the basic tool used to create interpretive centers, interpretive signs, etc., such as those you see at national parks and monuments that explain the significance of and/or details about a particular element of the site.
This project was apparently the brainchild of the WSHPO's Monuments and Markers Tribal Committee, which launched its initial efforts in January, 2009, by meeting with the Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone Nations. Forest Service staff served as facilitators throughout the process.
"This plan establishes a framework, a roadmap for future efforts and it represents a coordinated and unified approach to interpretation," [USDA Forest Service facilitator Cheryl] Hazlitt said. "What we do when telling stories is to tell the truth. Not everyone likes to hear it, but that’s how we get by it."
The overall theme of the interpretation is a strong statement, Hazlitt said. “The Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho are resilient people who have sustained their traditions, environment, communities and cultural values in the face of land theft and cultural suppression.”
As with any tribal-related endeavor organized or administered by those not members of the tribes in question, some of the language that appears throughout the plan is cringe-inducing. Wikipedia is not an appropriate source for defining or explaining what an "Indian tribe" is. At the outset, the plan begins its description of purpose as follows:
What should people know about the WRIR, the people who live there, and their cultural heritage? What should reservation residents know and remember?
Those two initial sentences contain a lot of assumptions by people not qualified to make them, and show the threshold challenges any such endeavor faces.
Nonetheless, the chairs of the Tribal Business Councils of both nations have been brought on board as full members in the planning process, and it appears that they have, appropriately, exerted a great deal of influence over the final result. One site recommended for inclusion is that of the old depot where generations of stolen Indian children waited to board the trains that would transport them to boarding schools in an attempt to eradicate their Indian-ness. The proposed title for the interpretive theme? "Forces of Cultural Oppression."
In this country, the very existence of such a title in the public interpretive sphere represents a huge step forward for historical accuracy.
Of course, the result is not quite "final" yet. The WSHPO bills the plan as "90% complete," and is shooting for finalization in October. The purpose of the media coverage, apparently, was to let stakeholders and the public know that the draft plan was available for review and public comment.
However, the public comment period ends today.
So if you are reading this and you are a member of the Northern Arapaho or the Eastern Shoshone, you have 119 pages to read and analyze, and for which to submit commentary and criticism, before the close of business today.
You can read the current iteration of the plan here [.pdf].
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CABINET SECRETARIES DUNCAN AND JEWELL FACE TOUGH QUESTIONS
AT WIND RIVER
Last week's edition covered the visit by Education Secretary Arne Duncan and Interior Secretary Sally Jewell to the Wind River Indian Reservation. So unusual was it to have two cabinet secretaries present at the same time that local media referred to the event as "unprecedented."
There were also reports that the two faced difficult questions from tribal members about a variety of topics. Now, we're able to see what some of those questions — and the secretaries' answers — actually were.
Reports seem to indicate that tribal attendees were focused mostly on education:
"Education has always been a priority of the Northern Arapaho Tribe. Education is our economic development," [Northern Arapaho Business Council member Ron McElroy] said. "Native students entering college have to take a lot of remedial courses."
McElroy also was concerned that Wyoming has no provisions for teaching students across the state about the tribes on the Wind River Indian Reservation.
Another tribal member was more direct:
Northern Arapaho tribal education director Alfred Redman had pointed remarks on graduation rates and societal conditions on the reservation.
"Graduate rates are very low in Indian Country," Redman said. "Alcoholism, drug addiction and other ailments in parents lead their kids to not care about school. We have to find a way to educate children. Jobs will support their families. Students going on in their education are not prepared for college."
. . .
"Schools excel in sports but very few get scholarships," Redman said. "Education is the civil rights issue of our generation."
From the Eastern Shoshone Nation:
Harmony Spoonhunter, director of the Eastern Shoshone Education Department, questioned how the federal government consults with tribal education departments.
Duncan's response was characteristically tone-deaf:
"The goal is not consultation, it is action and improving our children's education," Duncan said. "The sequester has had a destructive impact on native [sic] education and on the children of military families, and that's a tragedy."
The second half of his statement is accurate. The first is a thoroughly repulsive example of the arrogance and paternalism that has always been the hallmark of the federal government's dealings with tribal nations.
Other speakers were at least as pointed, and clearly unhappy:
"Education is a treaty right," [Wind River Tribal College Secretary Sandra] Iron Cloud said. "As a tribal college we provide opportunities to our children. American Indians have the highest dropout rate in the nation."
And retired school superintendent Michelle Hoffman pressed for a solution to monies lost to the sequester:
"[School District 14] lost $2.5 million in impact aid, and the reservation as a whole lost $7 million. We request adequate impact aid."
Hoffman commented on the perils of standardized testing as well.
"All children are not the same, and they don't learn at the same rate. There is more to Indian education than casinos, Sacagawea and poverty."
Duncan's response?
"The goal isn't to go back to pre-sequester levels but to educate our way to a better economy," he said.
One wonders how, precisely, he intends to do that. Particularly without "pre-sequester levels" of funding.
Perhaps it's time to give Secretary Duncan a little reality check — a political reality check. In theory, you can give him one here [politely, please]. As a practical matter, it appears that Secretary Duncan doesn't want to deal with the public, since he doesn't make his own contact information (or even a global contact form) available on his agency's Web site. So if you're dissatisfied with his response, or with your inability even to reach him in the first place, you can let his boss know, here.
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More "This Week In American Indian News" and Latest Updates on Kossack Regional Meet-Up News Below the Frybead Thingey
HERD OF 36 BUFFALO RELEASED INTO WILD ON FORT BELKNAP RESERVATION
After more than a century, the Gros Ventre and Assiniboine Nations at Fort Belknap welcomed their buffalo brothers and sisters home: With the help of the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks [FWP], 36 genetically pure buffalo (i.e., with absolutely no cattle genes) were transported from the Fort Peck Indian Reservation to the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation and there released into the wild on August 22nd. [Note: Video autoplay at the link; once past the ad, however, it's worth watching.]
The return of the buffalo is part of an interagency plan that first bore fruit in 2012. Montana tribes and the state FWP worked with Yellowstone National Park staff to screen and secure members of Yellowstone's herd of wild, genetically pure buffalo for transplantation to the Fort Peck and Fort Belknap Reservations. The first stage of the process brought a herd of 70 to Fort Peck in March, 2012; the second stage was fulfilled by last week's move of 36 of them to Fort Belknap.
As in the past, non-Indians with commercial cattle ranching operations vociferously opposed the move, allegedly on grounds of concern about brucellosis infection, despite the fact that no case of the disease crossing the species barrier between the two has ever been documented. The real reason is competition for resources; the ranchers resent the setting aside of specific grazing lands for the buffalo herds, and have fought tooth and nail to prevent their reintroduction on any land, tribal or not.
Tribal members did indeed welcome the new herd as long-last family members: Transported by semi-trailer, the buffalo were given a police escort, complete with flashing lights, followed by a motorcade of enthusiastic tribal members in private vehicles. The herd was first brought to a community gathering at a park, then transported to a horse pasture where they were released. As with any significant family or community event, tribal members welcomed the return of their four-legged relatives with a pipe ceremony.
“It’s a great day for Indians and Indian Country,” said Mark Azure, who heads the tribe’s bison program, moments after the final two big bulls rumbled out of a trailer and trotted away onto the prairie.
Soon, members of the herd were just brown specks on the horizon.
. . .
“It helped us, our ancestors, survive out here on the prairie,” Azure said of the bison. “So to be able to take that next step, and return the favor, so to speak, it feels good.”
If you've never seen a herd of buffalo thundering over a meadow, it's an experience not to be missed. For Indians, it's a sight that touches you to the very depths of your soul.
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SUPPORTERS OF BABY VERONICA AND FATHER DUSTEN BROWN
RALLY AT OKLAHOMA STATE CAPITOL
Last week, supporters of Baby Veronica and her biological father, Dusten Brown, rallied on their behalf on the steps of the Oklahoma State Capitol.
The protestors, who represented a small cross-section of Oklahoma tribal nations, urged state legislators to continue to enforce the Indian Child Welfare Act [ICWA] in all applicable cases, including Baby Veronica's case — despite the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling that "an ICWA trump card" did not apply:
Their goal is to also draw attention to what they say is the big picture stemming from Veronica's case: Native Americans making decisions for themselves and not allowing the U.S. government to dictate where their children should live.
"I don't foresee anything happening to me to where I won't be able to take care of my kids, but, in such cases, I would want my tribe to be able to say what is best for my children, than the government," said Maria Todd.
At the heart of the matter is the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). It's [sic] intent is to keep Native children with their own culture.
The Supreme Court has ruled that the ICWA doesn't apply in the Brown case, and rally organizers say that ruling brings back frightening memories for Native Americans.
"This is a trend that we don't want to see started here, because, historically, there was a time when children were taken from Native homes as a part of policy, public policy, and we don't want to see that begin," [Seminole Nation member Chebon] Cernell said.
Rally organizer Sarah Adams-Cornell spoke to reporters about the ongoing theft of Indian children from their homes, families, and cultures:
Adams-Cornell cited a study done in the late 1970s that found about 25 percent of native [sic] people had lost touch with their culture through adoption.
The study said up to 35 percent of Native American children were living outside their home. Of those, 85 percent were not living in native [sic] homes.
Last week's edition included my rant on the disconnect between dominant-culture approaches to child custody and the much-vaunted "best interest of the child." When an "adoptive" couple send a reality TV bounty hunter with an entourage of bodyguards and cameras to a four-year-old's tribal preschool to try to intimidate staff into surrendering her, it's abundantly clear that this has become, in their minds, an issue of property. The child's best interest doesn't even enter into the equation.
This is, of course, just the latest in a long and ugly history in this country of stealing Indian children — of genocide by other means — and of course, it's not even history. It's ongoing. Today.
In Oklahoma.
In South Dakota.
In what other dark corners and bleak and lonely expanses of Indian Country?
How many children are still being stolen, but no one knows about it?
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NATIVE HEALTH CLINIC IN OREGON HONORED FOR DIABETES PROGRAM
Over the last two months, the Native American Rehabilitation Center of the Northwest [NARA] has received three local and national awards for its diabetes prevention program:
NARA, which serves an American Indian clientele, first launched its diabetes treatment program in 1999, when metabolic syndrome (a form of "pre-diabetes") was still mostly unrecognized. Five years later, in 2004, NARA shifted much of its resources and efforts to prevention: Using Indian Health Service [IHS] grant monies, it launched a 20-week program for those with pre-dabetic health conditions, focusing intensively on proper nutrition and exercise while making an effort to be culturally appropriate.
The outcomes appear to be significant:
"We don't hardly advertise anymore; our patients advertise for us," [NARA diabetes program manager Alison] Goerl says. "They're out in the community about how the program has changed their lives."
The program has treated 126 people, and only six patients over nine years have gone from pre-diabetes to diabetes. Statistically, without intervention, 11 percent each year -- about two people a year -- would have, Goerl says.
Those who converted to diabetes moved to the diabetes treatment program, with cooking classes and a walking program. The others check in every six months for a physical check-up and a lifestyle check-in.
"We follow them as long as they'll let us," Goerl says. "We've been following some people now for seven or eight years. We try to continue to support them
I've written in the past about the diabetes epidemic in Indian Country — an epidemic that continues to ravage my own family. As I noted a couple of years ago, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health:
- American Indian/Alaska Native adults were 2.3 times as likely as white adults to be diagnosed with diabetes.
- American Indians/Alaska Natives were twice as likely as non-Hispanic whites to die from diabetes in 2005.
- American Indian/Alaska Native adults were 1.6 times as likely as White adults to be obese.
- American Indian/Alaska Native adults were 1.3 times as likely as White adults to have high blood pressure.
Per OMH's numbers from 2005, American Indian/Alaska Native adults had a diabetes diagnosis rate of 16.5%, compared to 6.6% for non-Hispanic whites. The Pima in southern Arizona led the rate of diagnosis, at a staggering 29.3%. In practical terms, what these numbers mean is that Native Americans have the highest age-adjusted incidence of diabetes of any ethnic group. And these are just those who have been diagnosed. Thousands more go undiagnosed for years — often until they die from complications resulting from undiagnosed diabetes.
In 2006, diabetes was the seventh-leading cause of death in the United States. However, Native Americans constitute a disproportionately high percentage of members of that particular demographic: Diabetes-related mortality rates are substantially higher in Native populations: 39.6 per 100,000, compared to 1.9 per 100,000 for non-Hispanic whites. Keep in mind, however, that these numbers are almost certainly much lower than the reality: A study of 1986 data found that, on death certificates, Native American ancestry was underreported at a rate of 65%. The same analysis concluded that diabetes was 4.3 times more likely to be the underlying cause of death for those listed on their death certificates as Native American than for whites.
And it's not merely the diabetes itself. The disease leads to other catastrophic health outcomes, including heart disease and stroke, that now occur at epidemic rates among Native populations. If NARA's success rate holds, perhaps IHS should look at adapting and replicating the program, in a culturally appropriate manner, in Indian communities all over the country.
My earlier diaries address diabetes and associated subjects in greater depth here, here, and here.
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COOK INLET TRIBAL COUNCIL LAUNCHES FIRST NATIVE GAMING COMPANY
The Cook Inlet Tribal Council has partnered with E-Line Media to found Upper One Games, the first-ever Native computer gaming company. Upper One will produce games that feature Alaska Native characters (including leading characters) and storylines involving the tribal nation's own history and stories.
The Alaska-based company already has its first game in the works, focusing on an Inupiat girl and featuring music, stories and tools from Alaska Native culture. Set in the Arctic, it has the protagonist surviving in the wild by drawing on stories passed down by Elders.
The project is the brainchild of Cook Inlet Tribal Council CEO Gloria O'Neill. She tired of stereotyped portrayals of Alaska Natives in the corporate media and entertainment spheres, and decided that it was time for her people to take back control of their own narratives:
"The women are always so tiny. Tiny little women."
Gloria O'Neill is talking about portrayals of Alaska Native and northern First Peoples on TV and in the movies. She's talking about the cliches that we've all seen, of cute "eskimos" waddling across the ice in their parkas, communing with walrus spirits, cuddling together in fur-lined, ticklish congress in their windswept igloos.
The coverage of the project by Polygon, an online gaming publication, has been extraordinarily frank. it discusses in blunt terms that racist exemplar of Native-themed video games, "Custer's Revenge," in which one objective of the protagonist (that would be Custer) is to rape a tied-up Indian woman (which the game, perpetuating its racism and sexism, labels a "squaw"). Indeed, it pulls no punches with regard to the genre as a whole:
"We would like to bring cultural authenticity to our games," says O'Neill. "We would like to bring our stories to the world. We want our people to be in the driver's seat as we tell those stories."
As an Alaska Native she has seen her fair share of crappy stereotypes and cliches. The noble savages in the form of wise old sages and fierce warriors, or the offensive spectacle of reservation drunks and sexually permissive princesses with sleek black hair and tasseled deerskin bikini tops.
Specific to the Inuit: parkas, fishing holes and pet polar bears, even penguins (which live in Antarctica).
"We want this piece to be real," she says. "We want it to be a part of our voice. We want to put something out to the world in this video game that says, 'This is who we are.'"
Upper One has identified four major approaches that games tend to take with regard to indigenous cultures:
- Appropriate — make use of stereotypes for exaggerated effect.
- Sample — include earnest individual elements lacking context.
- Depict — present historic documentary-style representations.
- Infuse — permeate the experience thematically and creatively.
The latter, of course, is vanishingly rare, and even when attempted, is usually wildly off the mark — because, of course, the games are not being designed by members of the indigenous cultures being used.
And so Ms. O'Neill and her colleagues brought the non-Native members of the team to Barrow, Alaska. In the winter. And they immersed the non-Native members in the environment, the culture, the stories, the experiences of being Inupiat that are accessible to outsiders. And they made sure that Inupiat elders' voices and opinions were not only heard, but heeded, and those voices provide the soul and spirit of the game.
The venture is not off the ground yet. It remains to be seen whether it will come fully to fruition, and if it does, whether it will turn a profit. But it's a trailblazing first step in an arena that can unite contemporary youth, Native and non-Native alike, in cultural commonality.
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Chi miigwech.
:: COMMUNITY BUILDING UPDATES ::
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Let's build communities!
Every region needs a meatspace community like SFKossacks.
We take care of each other in real life.
I urge YOU to take the lead and organize one in your region.
Please tell us about it if you do and we're here for advice.
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THINK GLOBALLY, ACT LOCALLY
>>>Instructions on HOW TO FORM A NEW DAILY KOS GROUP
NEW GROUPS IN THE PROCESS OF ORGANIZING:
Send a Kosmail to the organizers and ask for an invitation to the group.
• Northern Indiana Area: Kosmail Tim Delaney
• Long Island: Kosmail grannycarol
• Northern Michigan: Kosmail JillS
• Nebraska: Kosmail Nebraska68847Dem
• Westburbia Chicago Kossacks: Kosmail Majordomo
• New York Hudson Valley Kossacks: Kosmail boran2
• North Carolina Triangle Kossacks: Kosmail highacidity
• Caprock Kossacks (Panhandle/Caprock/Lubbock/Amarillo area) : Kosmail shesaid
• West Texas Kossacks (including Big Bend Region and El Paso) : Kosmail Yo Bubba
Note to the above new leaders: Feel free to leave a comment any day reminding readers about your new group. Also, tell us about your progress in gathering members. Kosmail me when you've chosen a good name for your group and have created a the group. Then I'll move you to the NEW GROUPS LIST. When you've planned a date for your first event I'll make a banner for you to highlight your event in our diaries and your diaries.
These are the groups that have started since * NEW DAY * began. Please Kosmail navajo if you have started a group before that.
NEW GROUPS LIST:
• California Central Valley Kossacks - Formed: Jul 29, 2012, Organizer: tgypsy
• New England Kossacks - Formed: Aug 6, 2012, Organizers:
Clytemnestra for Lower New England (Conneticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island)
nhox42 for Upper New England (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont)
• Houston Area Kossacks - Formed: Aug 7, 2012, Organizer: Chrislove
• Kossacks in India - Formed: Aug 14, 2012, Organizer: chandu
• CenTex Kossacks - Formed: Sep 9, 2012, Organizer: papa monzano
• Central Ohio Kossacks - Formed: Sep 26, 2012, Organizer: VetGrl
• Kansas City Kossacks - Formed Oct 15, 2012, Organizer: [Founder stepped down]
• Phoenix Kossacks - Formed Oct 16, 2012, Organizer: arizonablue
• Chicago Kossacks - Formed: Oct 31, 2012, Organizer: figbash
• Koscadia the Pacific Northwest coast from Northern California to Alaska
- Formed Oct 17, 2012, Oganizer: Horace Boothroyd III based in Portland, OR
• Boston Kossacks - Formed: Nov 7, 2012, Organizer: GreyHawk
• Motor City Kossacks South East Michigan (Detroit) Area - Formed: Nov 10, 2012, Organizer: peregrine kate
• Pittsburgh Area Kossacks - Formed: Nov 12, 2012, Organizer: dweb8231
• Salt Lake City Kossacks - Formed: Nov 17, 2012, Organizer: War on Error
• Twin Cities Kossacks - Formed: Nov 17, 2012, Organizer: imonlylurking
• Dallas Kossacks North Texas - Formed: Nov 21, 2012, Admins: Catte Nappe and dalfireplug. Please contact them to join the group. An Event Organizer needed.
• The Southern California Inland Empire Kossacks - Formed: Dec 3, 2012, Organizer: SoCaliana
• Los Angeles Kossacks - Formed: Dec 17, 2012, Organizer: Dave in Northridge
• Northeast Ohio Kossacks - Formed: Jan 16, 2013, Organizer: GenXangster
• Kansas & Missouri Kossacks - Formed: Jan 17, 2013, Organizer: tmservo433
• I-77 Carolina Kossacks who live from Columbia, SC to north of Winston-Salem, NC. - Formed: Jan 30, 2013, Organizers: gulfgal98 and eeff
• Indianapolis Kossacks - Formed: Feb 6, 2013, Organizer: CityLightsLover
• Southwest Ohio Kossacks - Formed: May 10, 2013, Organizer: Dr Erich Bloodaxe RN
• Northern Arizona Kossacks - Formed: Jul 5, 2013, Organizer: Sam Sara
• Mexican Kossacks - Formed: Apr 14, 2013, Organizer: roberb7
ESTABLISHED GROUPS LIST: (List will grow as we discover them)
• SFKossacks Founded by navajo, Formed: May 2, 2005
• Maryland Kos Founded by timmyc, Formed: Feb 23, 2011. Contact: JamieG from Md for a group invite.
• New York City Founded by Eddie C - Contact the group organizer for meet-up events: sidnora
• Baja Arizona Kossacks, Event Organizer: Azazello
• Three Star Kossacks Tennessee, Founded by maryKK, Formed: Apr 8, 2011
• Nashville KosKats, Founded by ZenTrainer Formed: Jan 30, 2012
• Virginia Kos Founded by JamieG from Md, Formed: May 3, 2011
• Kos Georgia Founded by pat208, Formed: Feb 13, 2011
• Colorado COmmunity Founded by Leftcandid, Formed: Feb 13, 2011
• New Mexico Kossaks Founded by claude
• Philly Kos Founded by mconvente Formed: Aug 29, 2011
• DKos Florida Founded by ThirstyGator, Formed: Feb 14, 2011, Currently organizing: Kosmail Vetwife to be included in next event.
• Oklahoma Roundup Founded by BigOkie, Formed: Feb 13, 2011, Currently organizing: Kosmail peacearena to be included.
• DKos Asheville Founded by davehouck, Formed: Feb 13, 2011 - Organizing Assist by: randallt
:: Events Currently on the Books for ALL Kossacks ::
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Saturday, August 31st
Houston Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: 1:00 PM
LOCATION: Hollywood Vietnamese-Chinese & French Cuisine
2409 Montrose Boulevard • Houston
ORGANIZER: Send Chrislove a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. Chrislove
2. jmbar2
3. cosette
4. mister mustardhead
5. Bree Davis
6. doraphasia
6. Libby Shaw
7. suesue
8. mr. suesue
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Maybees:
Mr. cosette
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Latest diary: Houston Area Kossacks: Meet-Up Scheduled for Saturday, August 31!
Sunday, Sept 15th
Chicago Kossacks Meet-up at a Powwow!
TIME: 11:30 AM
LOCATION: Chicago's 60th Annual American Indian Center Powwow
Busse Woods Forest Preserve • Elk Grove Village
ORGANIZER: Send figbash a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. figbash
2. broths
3. Mr. broths
4. Satya1
5. Liberal Granny
6. Railfan
7. Expat Okie
8. LeftOfYou
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Maybees:
peregrine kate
palantir
edwardssl
Millie Neon
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Latest diary: Chicago Kossacks Go To A Powwow: Sunday, Sept 15 2013
DeKalb, Illinois Kossacks
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Saturday, September 21st
DeKalb, Illinois Kossacks Dinner & a Show!
DINNER:
TIME: 6:00 PM
LOCATION: Rosita's Mexican Restaurant
642 East Lincoln Highway • DeKalb
SHOW:
TIME: 7:30 PM
LOCATION: The Stage Coach Players Theater
126 South 5th Street (2 blks. from dinner) • DeKalb
ORGANIZER: Send NormAl1792 a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. NormAl1792 (on stage as Henry II)
2. winifred3
3. luvsathoroughbred
4. Mr. luvs
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Maybees:
1864 House
Amber6541
edwardssl
jwinIL14
JeffW
Calamity Jean
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Latest diary: Northern IL Kossacks Dinner and a Show - Saturday, Sept. 21
Saturday, October 19th
DKos Asheville Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: 1:00 PM
LOCATION: The Bywater
796 Riverside Dr. • Asheville
ORGANIZER: Send randallt a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. randallt
2. davehouck
3. Joieau
4. Gordon20024
5. gulfgal98
6. DawnN
7. Sandy on Signal
8. Mr Sandy on Signal
9. Munchkin
10. Alecia
11. Mr Alecia
12. cultjake
13. flwrightman
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Maybees:
Otteray Scribe
Burns Lass
people power granny
One Pissed Off Liberal
Christian Dem in NC
SteelerGrrl
SteelerGuy
polecat
Audri
Phil S 33
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Latest diary: DKos Asheville - Weekly Open Thread
Sunday, October 20th
MEGA Philly/NJ/NYC Kossacks Meet-up!
TIME: Noon
LOCATION: Stuff Yer Face
49 Easton Avenue • New Brunswick, NJ
ORGANIZER: Send mconvente a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. mconvente
2. belinda ridgewood
3. thankgodforairamerica
4. gchaucer2
5. sidnora
6. rubyr
7. mattc129
8. hayden
9. mallyroyal
10. Avilyn
11. blue jersey mom
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Maybees:
aravir and son
ask
Cinnamon
No Exit
andgarden
asterkitty
pfiore8
joanneleon
|
Latest diary: Philly/NJ/NYC Mega Meetup! Initial Information & Interest Diary
Friday, October 25th
LAKossacks & SoCal Inland Empire See Lewis Black!
TIME: 9:00 PM
LOCATION: Agua Caliente Casino Resort & Spa
32-250 Bob Hope Dr. • Rancho Mirage
ORGANIZER: Send 714day a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. 714day
2. jakedog42
3. susans
4. Otoelbc
|
Maybees:
Shockwave
SoCaliana
|
Latest diary: L.A. Kossacks, Lewis Black Fans in So Cal
Friday, October 25th
Meet the Daily Kos Editorial Staff!
TIME: TBD in the PM
LOCATION: Daily Kos HQ
Address given privately to RSVP'ers • Berkeley
ORGANIZER: Send navajo a kosmail to attend.
You will need to bring Potluck. Stay tuned for assignments.
RSVPs:
1. Markos
2. Susan Gardner
3. Meteor Blades
4. Faith Gardner
5. Will Rockafellow
and many more staff... stay tuned
6. navajo
7. Lusty
8. side pocket
9. paradise50
10. smileycreek
11. citisven
12. norm
13. Lorikeet
14. kimoconnor
15. remembrance +TLO?
16. Glen the Plumber
17. madhaus
18. dharmasyd
19. ceebee7
20. lineatus
21. Dave in Northridge
22. linkage
23. LinSea
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Maybees:
Cedwyn
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Saturday, November 2nd
SFKossacks BBQ in the Wine Country
TIME: TBD
LOCATION: Andrew McGuire's home in the Wine Country
Address to be given privately to RSVPs • Windsor
ORGANIZER: Send navajo a kosmail to attend.
Andrew McGuire is Executive Director of California One Care
RSVPs:
1. Andrew McGuire
2. navajo
3. Shockwave
4. Hunter
5. elfing
6. Hunter/elfling offspring
7. smileycreek
8. paradise50
9. dharmasyd
10. maggiejean
11. norm
12. Lusty
13. dksbook
14. Mr. dksbook
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15. kimoconnor
16. jpmassar
17. side pocket
18. Mrs. side pocket
19. ceebee7
20. ceebee7's sister
21. leema (will carpool from Marin)
22. Meteor Blades
Maybees:
Glen The Plumber
remembrance
TLO™
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Send navajo a kosmail if you post a diary about an event so we can update our round-up.
Okay. Floor's open.
Tell us what you are doing on this NEW DAY?