This is absolutely fascinating, and deeply moving: donations from First Nations to Ireland during the Great Famine extended well beyond those well-known acts of generosity from the Choctaw and Cherokee Nations - from many Nations across both the so-called US & Canada.
"Indigenous Canadian famine aid was 'hidden in plain sight'"
https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2025/0317/1502457-canada-ireland-famine/
h/t @faduda
An enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of #Chippewa in North Dakota, #LeonardPeltier was active in the American Indian Movement #AIM
https://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2025/01/leonard-peltier-is-going-home-biden.html#more
Also BSM on AMPA & Wounded Knee
https://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2009/09/buffy-sainte-marie-uranium-interview.html
#firstnations #BuffySainteMarie #WoundedKnee #AnnaMaeAquash #Uranium
NDN Collective
https://ndncollective.org/president-biden-grants-leonard-peltier-clemency/
Democracy Now report
https://www.democracynow.org/2025/1/21/leonard_peltier
Leonard Peltier (song) Rhythm Activism
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqQ4xVPRIPw
Minnesota tribal leaders call for #Biden to commute #LeonardPeltier's sentence
by Melissa Olson, January 14, 2025
"A group of over 120 elected current and former tribal leaders from across the United States are calling on President Joe Biden to grant clemency to Leonard Peltier, a longstanding political activist convicted in 1977 in the murder of two FBI agents on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, according to a story first published Monday by HuffPost.
"Peltier is a member of the #AmericanIndianMovement, a grassroots Native American organization formed in Minneapolis in the late 1960s in response to police violence.
“'For the majority of his life, Leonard Peltier has been serving a sentence based on a conviction that would not hold up in court today and for a crime that the government has admitted it could not prove. Mr. Peltier’s continued incarceration is a symbol to Native Americans of the systemic inequities of the criminal justice system in America,' read the letter from tribal elected officials published on #NDNCollective.
"The letter was signed by over a dozen elected tribal officials in Minnesota, including president of the #LowerSioux Indian Community Robert Larsen, who verified the accuracy of the letter to MPR News, as well as Chair of #BoisForteBand of Chippewa Cathy Chavers and Chief Executive of the #MilleLacs Band of# Ojibwe Virgil Wind, who signed the letter as President of the Midwest Alliance of Sovereign Tribes.
"Faron Jackson, chair of the #LeechLakeBand of Ojibwe, also signed the letter. Jackson spoke to MPR News while attending the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe annual state of the band address Tuesday.
"'I think it was an injustice from day one,” said Jackson. “He’s been sitting in prison for almost 50 years on a lot of circumstantial evidence that just didn’t add up to justice.'
"Peltier, a citizen of the #TurtleMountainBand of #Chippewa in North Dakota, is currently serving two life sentences at a federal prison in Florida. Peltier has maintained his innocence since he was first imprisoned."
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/01/14/minnesota-tribal-leaders-call-for-biden-to-commute-leonard-peltier-sentence
#FreeLeonardPeltier #AmnestyForLeonardPeltier #ClemencyForLeonardPeltier #AIM
#Taos #ReggaeBand #IrieBellion Releases Powerful Single Advocating #ClemencyForLeonardPeltier
By Native News Online Staff
January 07, 2025
"Six-piece reggae band IrieBellion, based in #TaosNewMexico, has released a new single to advocate for the release of #LeonardPeltier, a #NativeAmericanActivist who has been imprisoned for nearly 50 years.
"'Leonard Peltier’s Song' features Grammy-winning flutist #RobertMirabal of Taos Pueblo and a traditional drum group composed of singers from several Indigenous nations. Through this collaboration, the band hopes to amplify calls for President Joe Biden to grant clemency to Peltier.
"The song blends IrieBellion’s reggae-inspired rhythms with Robert Mirabal’s signature flute playing and the traditional Indigenous drumming and singing of #JohnSwiftbird (#Lakota), #ChaskePacheco (#Dakota / #SantaDomingoPueblo), and #BrysonSanchez (Dakota / #SanFelipePueblo).
"The song makes a direct #PleaForJustice, with Davis crafting a chorus —'Do the right thing, let freedom ring/ It's been so long, let's right this wrong' — that appeals to #PresidentBiden to take action and right what the band views as a longstanding wrong.
"The musical advocacy for Peltier's case has a rich history in popular music. #RobbieRobertson (Mohawk), the legendary guitarist and songwriter of The Band, created a particularly powerful statement with his song 'Sacrifice', which incorporated Peltier's own voice through a recorded prison phone call with Robertson. Little Steven (#StevenVanZandt), known for both his work with Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band and his solo career, also contributed to this musical legacy with his own 'Leonard Peltier,' which, like IrieBellion's new release, used Caribbean rhythms to carry its message of justice.
"Peltier, a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of #Chippewa Indians, became involved in the American Indian Movement (#AIM) in the 1970s, a time of tension between Indigneous communities and the U.S. government.
AIM advocated addressing issues such as police brutality, treaty violations, and systemic inequality affecting Native Americans.
"Peltier’s case comes from a 1975 shootout on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, where two FBI agents and a young Native man were killed. The shootout occurred during a period of violence on the reservation, often referred to as the '#ReignOfTerror,' when residents faced threats and attacks for their ties to AIM.
"Peltier was convicted in 1977 of killing the agents, but his trial has been widely criticized. Key evidence was withheld by the prosecution, including ballistics reports that could have supported his defense.
"Eyewitness testimony used to extradite Peltier from Canada was later recanted, with the witness stating they were coerced by the FBI. Even the U.S. attorney who handled the case has since admitted that no one knows who fired the fatal shots.
"Peltier has maintained his innocence for nearly five decades, and his case has been condemned by numerous human rights organizations, including #AmnestyInternational. Calls for his release have grown in recent years, with Peltier now in his late seventies and facing health challenges.
"'Leonard Peltier’s Song' is available on streaming platforms, including Spotify and Apple Music, and can also be found on IrieBellion’s HearNow page. The band encourages listeners to not only enjoy the song but also take action by learning about Peltier’s case, signing petitions, and contacting officials to advocate for his release.
"For those who want to learn more, organizations such as the International #LeonardPeltierDefenseCommittee provide resources and updates on efforts to secure his freedom."
https://nativenewsonline.net/arts-entertainment/taos-reggae-band-iriebellion-releases-powerful-single-advocating-clemency-for-leonard-peltier
#ACAB #FBI #AmericanindianMovement #PineRidge #FreeLeonardPeltier #AmnestyForLeonardPeltier #ClemencyForLeonardPeltier
Finally getting some time to go through photos from the past few, very busy months. I was particularly taken by the young people at the Little Shell #Powwow in #GreatFalls #Montana
#photography #nativeamerican #chippewa
the cause of the spill to “corrosion fatigue” in the aging #pipeline, which was built in 1953.
This messy history weighs heavily on the future of the old pipeline, which is facing stress tests at two critical junctures along its 645-mile length from northern #Wisconsin across #Michigan to #Ontario, Canada.
A dozen miles of the Line 5 Pipeline cross through the Bad River Reservation in northwestern Wisconsin, home to the #BadRiverBand of the #LakeSuperior Tribe of #Chippewa Indians.
2/7
Although they borrowed small sums online from a slew of businesses w/catchy names — such as Loan at Last or Sky Trail Cash — their #loans stemmed from the same massive operation owned by a small #NativeAmerican #tribe in a remote part of #Wisconsin.
Over the past decade, the #LacDuFlambeau Band of #LakeSuperior #Chippewa …have…become a prominent player in the tribal #lending industry, generating far-reaching impact & leaving a legacy of #economic #despair.
Who was #MarvinManypenny, #PeggyFlanagan's father? He was someone I could get behind -- in a lot of ways. He called out tribal police when they were #ACAB, and advocated for #LandBack. If this is the direction we're going in, I'm thinking there's some hope. #KamalaHarris knew who she was picking with #Walz, and who would govern Minnesota if they win...
Marvin Manypenny, #Minnesota American Indian activist, dies
Jon Collins
January 28, 2020
"American Indian land rights and sovereignty activist Marvin Manypenny died in #WhiteEarth Sunday at the age of 72. Friends and family remember him as a tireless advocate for his people, as well as a fierce critic of tribal and U.S. governments.
"Fellow activist Raymond Bellcourt grew up with Manypenny on the White Earth Reservation in northwestern Minnesota. He said Manypenny was attending seminary in the Twin Cities when long-simmering disputes over the fate of White Earth’s lands drew him back to the reservation.
"White Earth members had lost hundreds of thousands of acres of land through deception, confiscation or unfair laws since the late 1800s. To push for the return of some lands, Manypenny and other activists in the early 1980s formed the group #AnishinabeAkeeng, which translates to 'the people’s land.'
"'We were all of one mind that we wanted our lands back,' Bellcourt said. 'White Earth is not for sale is one of the slogans we had.'
[...]
"In 1999, Manypenny argued that the creation of the White Earth tribal police force violated the tribe’s constitution and could be 'turned into a goon squad.' He also criticized tribal councils and courts for what he saw as a lack of accountability and independence.
"Bellcourt described Manypenny as a 'scholar; of the tribe’s constitution and treaties, and said he was respected throughout the #Sixbands of the Minnesota #Chippewa Tribe."
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2020/01/28/marvin-manypenny-minnesota-american-indian-activist-dies
#LeonardPeltier Denied Parole: #NDNCollective Responds
By NDN Collective • July 2, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 2, 2024
Rapid City, South Dakota – "Today, NDN Collective and millions of people across #IndianCountry are devastated to learn that Leonard Peltier, an #activist and member of the #AmericanIndianMovement (#AIM), has been denied #parole by the United States Parole Commission. The Commission issued the decision today after a parole hearing on June 10 at the United States Penitentiary Coleman I in #Florida, where Mr. Peltier is currently incarcerated.
"'Today is a sad day for #IndigenousPeoples and #justice everywhere. The U.S. Parole Commission’s denial of parole for Leonard Peltier, America’s longest serving #Indigenous political prisoner, is a travesty,' said Nick Tilsen, president and CEO of NDN Collective. 'They denied parole to a survivor of genocidal Indian #BoardingSchools as he struggles to survive this unjust incarceration, they insist on holding him for a crime for which they have no physical evidence against him. Clearly, the Parole Commission – which is supposed to be an independent body – was influenced by the #FBI. The FBI continues to abuse its power, promote false narratives, and engage in counterintelligence activities. The FBI has no regard for the Constitution or the laws they have sworn an oath to protect.'
"'This decision is consistent with how the #UnitedStates government has treated the Indigenous Peoples of these lands. They have broken every promise they have ever made to our Nations, and have ignored their Constitution in order to erode the civil and #HumanRights rights of #Native people. But while we are heartbroken by the parole commission’s decision, our work to ensure that Leonard will receive justice and freedom will continue with renewed dedication,' Tilsen said.
"Leonard Peltier, a member of the #TurtleMountainBand of #Chippewa Indians, is in his 49th year of imprisonment. He stands as a symbol of the ongoing #racism and oppression against Native Americans in the United States criminal justice system, issues that Leonard fought against in the 1970’s and throughout his incarceration.
"NDN Collective will continue to demand freedom for Leonard Peltier as his attorneys file an appeal of this decision. The organization will also continue its advocacy for a grant of clemency from President #JoeBiden.
Read more:
https://ndncollective.org/leonard-peltier-denied-parole-ndn-collective-responds/
#LeonardPeltier awaits decision in high-stakes parole bid on anniversary of #PineRidge shootout
Story by Kaitlyn Kennedy
June 26, 2024
"Demands for justice for #Indigenous #FreedomFighter Leonard #Peltier are expected to resound loudly on the anniversary of the infamous June 26, 1975, shootout on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in so-called South Dakota.
"A member of the #TurtleMountainBand of #Chippewa, Peltier was taken into US custody after he was convicted of killing FBI special agents Jack Coler and Ronald Williams.
"The killing of an Indigenous man, #JosephStuntz, during the shootout was never investigated, nor have any charges ever been issued.
"Now 79 years old, Peltier is incarcerated in a maximum-security facility in Coleman, Florida. He has spent over 48 years behind bars.
"Peltier was granted a parole hearing in early June in order that he might once again make his case for release.
"#NDNCollective President and CEO Nick Tilsen was one of only two witnesses allowed to testify in the hearing. 'How Leonard was treated during his prosecution and during his continued incarceration is consistent with how they have treated Indian people throughout history,' he said in a webinar earlier this month.
"During the hearing, Tilsen also spoke to Peltier's legacy, explaining how he and the #AmericanIndianMovement contributed to the revitalization of #IndigenousLanguages, #ceremonies, and #culture.
"'We didn't have to do our #ceremonies in hiding anymore because people fought for those rights,' he said during the webinar. 'They made it okay for us to be proud of who we are.'"
New Documentary "Bad River" Details the Fight Against the Line 5 Pipeline | Sierra Club #LakeSuperior #Wisconsin #Chippewa
https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/new-documentary-bad-river-details-fight-against-line-5-pipeline
Contentious #Copper-#Nickel #Mine Gets Permit Approval from MN Appeals Court
by @UnicornRiot
Saint Paul, MN — On Monday, December 18, the #Minnesota Court of Appeals upheld a key air permit issued by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for a proposed copper-nickel mine formerly known as PolyMet. The company — NewRange Copper Nickel — views the decision as a victory as it attempts to build the first mine for copper, nickel and other precious metals in Minnesota. Environmental groups and the #FondDuLacBand of Lake Superior #Chippewa Indians filed a lawsuit to overturn the permit, saying that the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) failed to consider if the company would expand its operations and thus produce more emissions."
Climate Change Threatens the Future of Wild Rice
https://eos.org/articles/climate-change-threatens-the-future-of-wild-rice #ClimateChange #WildRice #Michigan #Wisconsin #Minnesota #Manoomin #Psiη #Ojibwe #Chippewa #tribalpartners
#NativeAmerican #VoterSuppression is not a new thing!
Judge finds #VotingRightsAct violation in #NorthDakota redistricting for two tribes
By JACK DURA
Updated 1:30 PM EST, November 17, 2023
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — "North Dakota’s 2021 legislative redistricting plan violates the rights of two Native American tribes because it dilutes their voting strength, a federal judge ruled Friday.
"U.S. District Chief Judge Peter Welte said the redrawn legislative districts violated the #VotingRights Act of 1965. The ruling came months after a trial held in June in Fargo.
"In his ruling, Welte said the plan approved by the state Legislature to redraw voting districts in accordance with the latest census data 'prevents Native American voters from having an equal opportunity to elect candidates of their choice' - a violation of the landmark civil rights law.
"Welte gave the #Republican-controlled Legislature and the secretary of state until Dec. 22 'to adopt a plan to remedy the violation.'
The #TurtleMountain Band of #Chippewa Indians and the #SpiritLake Tribe alleged the 2021 redistricting map 'simultaneously packs Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians members into one house district, and cracks Spirit Lake Tribe members out of any majority Native house district.'
"The two tribes sought a joint district and unsuccessfully proposed to the Legislature a single legislative district encompassing the two reservations, which are roughly 60 miles (97 kilometers) apart.
"The tribes submitted a plan in federal court for a joint district that'doesn’t move very many lines statewide,' attorney Tim Purdon told The Associated Press.
“I’m hopeful that the Legislature will take a look at this, adopt the plan proposed by the tribes and stop the litigation, stop the spend of dollars on this litigation,' Purdon said.
"The Legislature will' perhaps' have to convene, Republican Senate Majority Leader David Hogue told the AP. He said he expects to know more early next week.
"North Dakota’s Legislature, which meets every two years, just wrapped up a three-day special session in October to fix a budget mess from a major state government funding bill that the state Supreme Court voided in September. The next regular session isn’t until #January2025.
"Turtle Mountain Tribal Chairman Jamie Azure did not immediately respond to a phone message seeking comment on the ruling. Spirit Lake Tribal Chairwoman Lonna Jackson-Street did not immediately respond to an email for comment. The AP was not able to leave her a phone message at her office; its mailbox was full.
"North Dakota Republican Secretary of State Michael Howe, who is named in the lawsuit, did not immediately comment on the ruling. He said he was still processing documents sent to his office and planned to meet with attorneys on Friday afternoon.
"North Dakota has 47 legislative districts, each with one senator and two representatives. Republicans control the House of Representatives 82-12, and the Senate 43-4. At least two lawmakers, both House Democrats, are members of tribes sharing geography with North Dakota.
"A three-judge panel earlier this month dismissed another federal lawsuit that targeted the redistricting, brought by two local Republican Party officials who challenged new House subdistricts comprising tribal nations as unconstitutional 'racial gerrymandering.'
"The Legislature created four subdistricts in the state House of Representatives, including one each for the #FortBerthold and Turtle Mountain Indian reservations.
"Lawmakers who were involved in the 2021 redistricting process have previously cited 2020 census numbers meeting population requirements of the Voting Rights Act for creating those subdistricts."
A few articles about returning land to Native American tribes in Minnesota.
'“Everything that revolves around that rice revolves around all of us,” explained Michael Fairbanks, the tribe’s chairman.That way of life is under threat, however, as industrial-sized dairies, hog facilities, and big crop farms are beginning to surround the tribe’s 829,440-acre reservation near the North Dakota border.'
I hope they succeed with enforcing their regulations under their treaty rights.
Mask up 
