Every day is a new day and with that, a new opportunity.
EVERYONE is welcome and please join us each morning at 7:30 AM PACIFIC
to tell us what you're working on, share your show & tell, vent, whatever you want...
...this is an open thread. Nothing is off topic.
Boujou!
I want to begin today with a few words from Jefferson Keel (Chickasaw). Mr. Keel is the current president of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), and on February 14, he delivered the organization's 11th annual State of the Indian Nations address.
It's a reminder of our history:
"Even when the federal government told us we had no right to exist, we stayed true to ourselves."
An expression of hope:
"In President Obama and his administration we have a partner committed to strengthening tribal sovereignty, who believes in our right to determine our own course, who understands what we’ve always known to be true: that Indian nations are best governed by Indian people."
An exercise in humor (lightening the mood around a serious civil rights issue):
"Tribes have faced new immigration for over 500 years, and we know it has its challenges! But to us, this isn’t just a policy issue—it’s a moral one. We firmly believe that the arc of justice must stretch from the First Americans, to the newest Americans."
And a prescription for healing:
"Today, NCAI is releasing a report called Securing Our Futures. It shows areas where tribes are exercising their sovereignty right now, diversifying their revenue base, and bringing economic success to their nations and surrounding communities. The path to securing our future—from education to food security, climate change to workforce development—is illuminated by the proven success of tribal nations. While the circumstances of each tribal nation are unique, the promising practices contained in the report offer a way forward to secure tribal economies and sustain prosperity for future generations."
You can read the transcript of President Keel's speech here. The report released the same day, Securing Our Futures, is available here [.pdf].
POLITICS AND POLICY: IN WISCONSIN, TRIBES IGNORED, CORPORATION WRITES LEGISLATION
The Wisconsin state legislature continues to ignore tribal sovereignty and "government-to-government" consultation processes, charges Mike Wiggins, tribal chair of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. Last month, Republicans reintroduced a rewritten 2012 bill to allow Florida mining company Gogebic Taconite to open a controversial iron-ore pit mine. One Wisconsin Now says that it has documentary proof that legislators gave the company owner, coal magnate Chris Cline, "direct input" into the drafting process and the resulting final bill, weeks before the legislative language was made available to the general public. In a letter of protest, Chairman Wiggins wrote:
One industrial corporation has written legislation that weakens protections for wetlands, navigable waters, and groundwater in the State of Wisconsin, aimed at promoting one project. This project would pollute the air and water of a Native American community, with financial benefits accruing to wealthier, non-tribal communities.
According to the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, Gogebic Taconite and other mining interests have donated more than $15.6 million to the state's Republican governor and legislators.
Fun fact: The word "Wisconsin" comes from our plural-form word wiishkoonsan, meaning either "beaver lodges" or "muskrat lodges," depending on region.
|
MINDAWESHKI (GREED): NON-INDIAN WANTS $4 MILLION FOR $7K PLOT OF LAND ON LAKOTA DEATH GROUNDS
James Czywczynski owns a plot of land contained within the Wounded Knee National Historic Landmark at Pine Ridge and adjacent to an Indian grave site holding the remains of some 150 Lakota (and is itself a part of the grounds where 300 of them were slaughtered in 1890 by the 7th Cavalry). Because of the land's historical and spiritual significance, the Oglala at Pine Ridge, the nation's poorest population, want to raise the money to buy it. The land was appraised at $7,000, which might be doable. The current owner, however, has other ideas:
Czywczynski, whose family has owned the property since 1968, recently gave the tribe an ultimatum: purchase the land for $3.9 million or he will open up bidding to non-Native Americans. He said he has been trying to sell the land to the tribe for years.
The ultimatum comes right before the tribe is poised to receive about $20 million from the Cobell lawsuit— a $3.4 billion settlement stemming from a class-action lawsuit filed over American Indian land royalties mismanaged by the government for more than a century.
Czywczynski says that he "want[s] to see it in the hands of the Indian people," but insists that the grave site adds "additional value." Nearly $4 million dollars' worth, apparently.
He's also trying to sell a separate 40-acre plot back to the Pine Ridge Oglala for $1 million.
|
STATE POLITICS: AZ LEGISLATOR WORKS TO RECOVER STATE TAX MONIES FOR TRIBES
On February 13, Arizona state senator Albert Hale (Navajo) sponsored House Bill 2522 that would return to the Navajo and Hopi Nations half of the state Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) revenues collected on tribal lands. Currently, non-Indian owners of businesses operating on tribal lands pay the TPT, but the tribes receive none of the monies:
The tax money is distributed to the state, counties and municipalities incorporated under state law. Indian nations are not included in this distribution formula. Hale said his bill would correct this problem in the distribution formula.
It appears that the bill would not return the monies to the tribe in an unrestricted form; rather, they could be used "as collateral for bonds to finance telecommunications, infrastructure development, community projects and roads."
Mr. Hale is a lawyer, former tribal court judge, and former President of the Navajo Nation.
|
|
More News and Latest Updates on Kossack Regional Meet-Up News Below the Frybead Thingey
SPORTS PROFILE: LANCE TAYLOR, NY JETS ASSISTANT COACH
In last week's edition, Indian Country Today profiled Lance Taylor (MOWA Choctaw), who just completed his third season as assistant tight ends coach with the New York Jets. His father, James Taylor, helped to integrate Indians into the University of Alabama, enrolling in 1971 and playing championship football under Coach "Bear" Bryant. Son Lance played football in high school, despite being told that he was too small - all while carrying a GPA of 4.0+ and a zero-absence attendance record, and serving as salutatorian of his graduating class. He followed in his father's footsteps, playing at the University of Alabama, where he also subsequently worked as one of Nick Saban's graduate assistants. He next played professionally for three years in the Arena Football League, spent a year as Appalachian State's receivers coach, and then was picked up by Rex Ryan's Jets.
In the interview, Taylor cites his family, his heritage, and his Indian community as the sources of his success. His interviewer asks:
"What are you?"
His answer: "A man of faith, committed husband and son, proud tribal citizen, University of Alabama alumni, and member of the National Football League New York Jet’s coaching staff."
Not a bad resume for the Indian kid from Calvert, Alabama (pop. 280).
|
ARTS: DINÉ SINGER RADMILLA CODY BECOMES FIRST INDIAN PRESENTER AT GRAMMYS
Radmilla Cody (Navajo/African American) has become the first American Indian presenter for the pre-telecast portion of the GRAMMY Awards. A nominee herself in the "Best Regional Roots" category for her latest album, "Shi Keyah: Songs for the People," she wore traditional Navajo dress on the red carpet, and answered extensive questions about her heritage. Although she did not win in her category, she is also nominated in three separate categories for the upcoming NAMMY (Native American Music) Awards.
Fun fact: Wings met Radmilla Cody more than 15 years ago, when she visited his gallery during her reign as the 46th (and first biracial) Miss Navajo Nation. In addition to her tenure as Miss Navajo Nation and her work as a musician, she is a model and an activist in the fight against domestic violence.
You can hear her music on her personal Web site [warning: music autoplays].
|
Chi miigwech.
|
:: COMMUNITY BUILDING UPDATES ::
|
Let's build communities!
Every region needs a meat-space 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.
~
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, 23 members
• 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), 116 members
• Houston Area Kossacks - Formed: Aug 7, 2012, Organizer: Chrislove, 20 members
• Kossacks in India - Formed: Aug 14, 2012, Organizer: chandu
• CenTex Kossacks - Formed: Sep 9, 2012, Organizer: papa monzano, 8 members
• Central Ohio Kossacks - Formed: Sep 26, 2012, Organizer: VetGrl, 16 members
• Kansas City Kossacks - Formed Oct 15, 2012, Organizer: kj in missouri
• Phoenix Kossacks - Formed Oct 16, 2012, Organizer: arizonablue
• Chicago Kossacks - Formed: Oct 31, 2012, Organizer: figbash, 23 members
• 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,
Current diary: After a "Brief Delay" Pgh. Area Kossacks Gets Rolling
• Salt Lake City Kossacks - Formed: Nov 17, 2012, Organizer: War on Error, 19 members
• Twin Cities Kossacks - Formed: Nov 17, 2012, Organizer: imonlylurking
Current diary: Twin Cities Kossacks-when should we meet? Poll included!
• Dallas Kossacks North Texas - Formed: Nov 21, 2012, Organizer: Stepping down, chancew, please contact him if you'd like to step up. He'll change the groups' permissions for you.
Current diary: Dallas Kossacks, I need suggestions!
• The Southern California Inland Empire Kossacks - Formed: Dec 3, 2012, Organizer: SoCaliana
• Los Angeles Kossacks - Formed: Dec 17, 2012, Organizer: Shockwave
• Northeast Ohio Kossacks - Formed: Jan 16, 2013, Organizer: GenXangster
• Kansas & Missouri Kossacks - Formed: Jan 17, 2013, Organizer: tmservo433
Current diary: If you are in Kansas / Missouri
• 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
ESTABLISHED GROUPS LIST: (List will grow as we discover them)
• SFKossacks Founded by navajo, Formed: May 2, 2005, More than 80 members
• Maryland Kos Founded by timmyc, Formed: Feb 23, 2011, More than 54 members. Contact: JamieG from Md for a group invite. Current diary: Maryland needs a meetup
• New York City Founded by Eddie C, More than 58 members - Contact the group organizer for meet-up events: sidnora
• Baja Arizona Kossacks Event Organizer: Azazello, 90 members
• Three Star Kossacks Tennessee, Founded by maryKK, Formed: Apr 8, 2011, 46 members
• Nashville KosKats Founded by ZenTrainer, Formed: Jan 30, 2012, 28 members
• Virginia Kos Founded by JamieG from Md, Formed: May 3, 2011, 85 members
Current diary: Maryland needs a meetup
• Kos Georgia Founded by pat208, Formed: Feb 13, 2011, 18 members
• Colorado COmmunity Founded by Leftcandid, Formed: Feb 13, 2011, 25 members
• New Mexico Kossaks Founded by claude, 13 members
• Philly Kos Founded by mconvente, Formed: Aug 29, 2011, 15 members
Currently organizing: Kosmail asterkitty to sign up
• DKos Florida Founded by ThirstyGator, Formed: Feb 14, 2011, 33 members
Currently organizing: Kosmail Vetwife to be included in next event.
• Oklahoma Roundup Founded by BigOkie, Formed: Feb 13, 2011, 12 members
Currently organizing: Kosmail peacearena to be included.
Okla-homies, let's get together (new regional organizing group)
• DKos Asheville Founded by davehouck, Formed: Feb 13, 2011 - Organizing Assist by: randallt
:: Events Currently on the Books for ALL Kossacks ::
|
Sunday, Feb. 24th
Colorado COmmunity - Denver, CO Kossack Meet-up!
TIME: 11:30 AM
LOCATION: Ernie's
2915 W 44th Ave. • Denver
ORGANIZER: Send Leftcandid a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. Leftcandid
2. Maverick80229
3. BadKitties
4. Merry Light (weather permitting) & guests
|
Maybees:
Frankenoid
RockyMtnLib
wade norris |
Latest diary: Denver/Colorado Kossack MEETUP, February 24: In Which I Pester You Again!
Saturday, March 2nd!!
Lone Star Spring Texas State-Wide Meet-Up in Austin
TIME: 2:00-5:00 PM
LOCATION: Opal Divine's Penn Field restaurant and bar
3601 S. Congress Ave • Austin
ORGANIZER: Send nomandates Kosmail to RSVP.
RSVPs:
1. nomandates
2. teknohed
3. papa monzano
4. Chrislove
5. Chrislove's BF
6. glorificus
7. politik
8. mr pea
9. anotherdemocrat
10. Odysseus
11. suesue
12. mr sue sue
13. blue armadillo
14. texasmom
15. texasdad
16. htowngenie
17. navajo (honorary TX Kossack!)
18. afisher
19. manoffire
20. Wino
21. Mrs. Wino
|
22. VinaMist
23. doraphasia
24. Urban Owl
25. Texdude50
26. icelus
27. entrelac
28. Mr. entrelac
29. JayRaye
30. cosette
31. belinda ridgewood (honorary TX Kossack!)
32. Carol in San Antonio
33. krwheaton
34. +1 from Harris County
35. KTinTX
36. TexMex
37. Musicman (honorary TX kossack)
38. freerad
39. freerad's guest
Maybees:
Mosquito Pilot
Over the Edge
yoduuuh do or do not
|
Sunday, March 3rd
Austin's 84th Annual Zilker Park Kite Festival
TIME: Early Afternoon
LOCATION: Zilker Park
2100 Barton Springs Rd. • Austin
ORGANIZER: Send papa monzano Kosmail to connect at the event.
Latest diary: Tex Kos Inaugural Gathering, plus T-Shirts, SDEC Meeting, and Kite Festival
Monday, March 4th
New York City Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: 6:00 PM
LOCATION: Spitzer's Corner
101 Rivington Street (Ludlow) • NYC
ORGANIZER: Send Sidnora a kosmail to RSVP
RSVPs:
1. sidnora
2. joanbrooker
3. ask
4. brooklyn liberal
5. rubyr
6. casperr
7. thankgodforairamerica
8. Rosalie 907 + friends
9. blue jersey mom
10. clenchner
|
Maybees:
plf515
Laura Clawson
Arjun Jaikumar
belinda ridgewood
Its the Supreme Court Stupid
srkp23
David Nir
Batya the Toon
kathny
TiaRachel
Mets102 |
Latest diary: Save the Date for a New York Metro Meetup, March 4!
DailyKos readers who live and/or work in New England
(Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont)
New England Kossacks All Day Meet-up
Saturday, March 9th
ORGANIZER: Send Clytemnestra a kosmail to attend.
TIME: 1:00 - 4:00 PM
LOCATION I: SolToro in the Mohegan Sun Casino
1 Mohegan Sun Boulevard • Uncasville, CT
RSVPs:
1. Clytemnestra
2.
3.
|
Maybees:
|
TIME: 7:00 - 10:00 PM
LOCATION II: Mystic Pizza
56 West Main Street • Mystic, CT
RSVPs:
1. Clytemnestra
2.
3.
|
Maybees:
|
TIME: 11:00 - ? PM
LOCATION III: TBD
[Address] • [City]
RSVPs:
1. Clytemnestra
2.
3.
|
Maybees:
|
Latest diary: New England Kossacks - March meet up
Sunday, March 10th
SAVE THE DATE: SFKossacks Roll Out the Red Carpet for a gilas girl
Guaymas in Tiberon: Time TBD
Meet at the Ferry Building and take the ferry to Sausalito. Dine at Guaymas in the sun • Sausalito
Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park: Time TBD
We'll take the Ferry back to the Ferry building and then take public tranny to the park • San Francisco
LOCATION III: TBD for early dinner
Address TBD • San Francisco
RSVPs:
1. a gilas girl
2. navajo
3. side pocket
4. dharmasyd [lunch]
5. Meteor Blades
6. Glen the Plumber
7. remembrance
8. smileycreek
9. paradise50
10. Cali Scribe
11. Mr. Scribe
12. slouching
|
13. no way lack of brain
14. norm
15. boatsie
16. Lorikeet
17. FogCityJohn
18. madhaus
19. Steveningen
Maybees:
edrie
lineatus
maggiejean
no way lack of brain
scaboni
|
Kansas & Missouri Kossacks
|
Friday, March 15th
Kansas & Missouri Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: TBD
LOCATION: Free State Brewing Company
636 Massachusetts Street • Lawrence
ORGANIZER: Send tmservo433 a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. tmservo433
2. glitterscale
3.
|
Maybees:
Scout Finch
zamrzla |
Latest diary: [Diva waiting...]
Saturday, April 20th]
Dkos Asheville's First Meet-up
TIME: TBD
LOCATION: The Bywater
796 Riverside Dr. • Asheville
ORGANIZER: Send randallt a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. randallt
2. davehouck
3. Otteray Scribe
4. eeff
5. people power granny
6. Joieau
7. LamontCranston
8. cultjake
9. GordonNC (UID 5123 & City Councilman)
|
10. DawnN
11. SteelerGrrl
12. SteelerDude
Maybees:
polecat
Land of Enchantment
jnhobbs
Sandy on Signal
alecia (plus two)
|
Latest diary: [Diva waiting...]
From randallt: "DKos Asheville is hosting a meet up and we've managed to cast a wide net! Asheville NC is the epicenter of cool progressive in the heart of the mountains and we have folks traveling from Eastern Tennessee, the Southern Highlands and Charlotte. So don't let the distance keep you away, come to Asheville, sign up today! You know you want to."
Netroots Nation 2013 in San Jose: Plenary Session Table Reservations
June 20th - 23rd • REGISTER HERE
SFKossacks:
1. side pocket [First Lieutenant]
2. mrs. side pocket
3. kimoconnor
4. citisven
5. lineatus
6. Cali Scribe
7. Glen the Plumber
8. remembrance
9. jotter
10. Mrs. jotter
|
SFKossacks:
1. Lusty
2. mrsgoo
3. norm
4. boran2 (Honorary)
5. Lorikeet
6. FogCityJohn
7. slksfca
8. madhaus
9. boatsie
10. maggiejean
|
SFKossacks:
1. Kamakhya
2. dharmasyd
3. Ebby
4. Bustergirl
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
|
Native American Netroots:
1. navajo
2. Meteor Blades
3. shanikka
4. no way lack of brain
5. translatorpro
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
|
Central Valley Kossacks:
1. tgypsy
2. cooper888
3. gotmooned
4. paradise50
5. smileycreek
6. Caddis Fly
7.
8.
9.
10.
|
Lone Star Kossacks:
1. nomandates
2. texasmom
3. texasdad
4. doraphasia
5. krwheaton
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
|
Cheers & Jeers:
1. Bill in Portland Maine
2. Common Sense Mainer
3. vicki
4. Sharoney
5. Spousal Unit
6. cskendrick
7.
8.
9.
10.
|
Los Angeles Kossacks:
1. Shockwave
2. jakedog42
3. susans
4. murphy
5. Dave in Northridge
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
|
NYC and beyond:
1. sidnora
2. belinda ridgewood
3. belinda ridgewood's guest
4. Jimdotz
5. theroaringgirl
6. thankgodforairamerica
7.
8.
9.
10.
|
Community Quilt Project:
1. Sara R
2. winglion?
3. loggersbrat
4. ramara (Arizona)
5. Horace Boothroyd III
6. linkage
7.
8.
9.
10.
|
Military Community Members:
1. DaNang65
2. drnatrl
3. angelajean (Maybe)
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
|
Misc. registered Kossacks + regions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
|
Hopefully we can put together whole tables for them.
Community Quilt Project NN13 Flash Mob Photo
smileycreek is organizing and asking all Community Quilt recipients to bring their quilts to NN13. We'll assemble at a pre-designated location and time for a group photo with one of the NN13 professional photographers. It will be a group hug celebrating one of the most beloved community building projects we have here at Daily Kos with Sara R and winglion at the center of it. navajo and Glen the Plumber are going to scout out and select a location in advance for all to meet with their quilts for a memorable photo opportunity. Stay tuned.
Date: TBD Time: TBD
1. paradise50
2. Dave in Northridge
3. remembrance
4. BeninSC
5. mimi
6. cskendrick
7. DaNang65
8. llbear (not attending, quilt only)
|
9. Patriot Daily News Clearinghouse (may not attend)
10. Smoh (not attending, quilt only)
11. slksfca
12. belinda ridgewood
13. Ebby
14. Bustergirl
15.
16.
|
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?