The Lakota Indians, descendants of Crazy Horse and and Sitting Bull, have officially withdrawn from the treaties they had with the United States, the AFP is reporting, meaning they have declared themselves a new nation formally separate from America. The article quotes Indian rights activist Russell Means as saying: "We are no longer citizens of the United States of America and all those who live in the five-state area [Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana and Wyoming] that encompasses our country are free to join us."
It also points out that the new Lakota country plans to issue its own passports, driving licenses and tax plan (that is, there will be no taxes). We went to the Lakota Freedom Delegation to find out more about their plans, but the site appears to have been downed by too much traffic. Here's the link if you want to try it.
How will this new nation survive? Well, their one advantage is they have almost nothing left to lose: The Lakota's men have a frighteningly short lifespan: forty-four years. Teen suicide, infant mortality and unemployment are all very high.
And on one hand, they certainly have every right to want nothing more to do with the U.S. (Wonkette has some details about recent mistreatment). On the other, it doesn't seem likely this is all going to go smoothly . Somehow we think the U.S. might have a little something to say about this secession plan, especially given the fact that the Indians are inviting regular old Americans to renounce U.S. citizenship and live in their community tax-free.
Reader Comments ( Page 4 of 4)
46.
I AM A NATIVE AMERICAN WARRIOR WITHOUT A TRIBE , MAYBE THE LACOTA WILL ACCEPT ME .
TO THE CHIEFS, ELDERS AND COUNCIL MEMBERS ,
OF THE FIVE CIVILIZED NATIVE AMERICAN NATIONS .
I have sent this letter to many of the tribes in the nations .
I come to you in all humility and with the utmost respect seeking your supreme guidance and assistance
I know that I am of Swiss, German , Irish and native American decent …. I feel comfortable saying this due to information I have discovered from genealogy searches and from a D.N.A. test that indicates that I carry between 15 and 19 % native American blood in my veins .
Also I remember as a child my elder family members always told myself and my siblings that we were forth blood Indian .. At that time we simply accepted this as fact and never investigated it , now all the elder family members are gone and unfortunately all the family records were lost , the root cause of this loss was due to internal strife within the family and the person who was appointed custodian of the records supposedly lost them …
The most important documentation was written into the family bible which has gone missing .
I have been searching for my Indian heritage for well over three years , I have studied tons of Indian records , census rolls and life experiences … I have written hundreds upon hundreds of letters seeking information .
I have learned and am quite sure that I am sprung from the Creek, Cherokee or Choctaw nations .. The problem is that I can find no definite proof that I am of either of those nations although some records point to the fact that I am connected by blood to one of these nations .
I recently read in the information published on the internet by the government Indian affairs office that the manner in which tribes induct new members is left up to the tribal leaders .
The Choctaw nation conducts personal interviews with persons seeking membership to their tribes but who don’t have their names in rolls such as the dawes rolls , which is my case .
In my heart and soul I know that I am of native American heritage and it is very important to me that I learn which nation I belong to so that I can go to the great beyond when my maker calls and be welcomed at the council fires of my brothers and sisters .
At 73 years of age I am on the downhill side of my life , the longer I live the more I relate to all the nations follow their teachings .
Is there any help or assistance you might provide that would aid me in my quest to be recognized as a true native American , I seek no monetary benefits or government assistance , all I want to be is your brother .
I will send to you copies of some of the letters I have sent and some of the documents I have obtained…. I am more than willing to submit to any requirements you might have where I can convince you of my sincerity .
Thank you in advance for your kind attention and consideration , I await your response .
PLEASE DOWNLOAD THE FIVE ATTACHMENT .
Very sincerely :
RONALD F. HOVIS
19806 SCOTT HILL DRIVE
HAGERSTOWN , MARYLAND , USA , 21742
301 733 8561 ,,,,, HOVRON@AOL.COM .
THE CASE FOR
RONALD F. HOVIS
TO BE PERMITTED TO JOIN A NORTH AMERICAN NATIVE INDIAN NATION, TRIBE OR CLAN
NOVEMBER 17 , 2007
TO ALL THE
CHIEFS , ELDERS , MEMBERS AND SPIRITS OF
ALL THE GREAT NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES .
GREETINGS :
I am sure that I carry in my veins the blood of native Americans .. As a child I was told by my family that I was a forth blood American Indian . The subject was hardly ever discussed , it was just a accepted fact . I can recall several native American items on our walls etc. as well as several pictures of native Americans …. Over these many years these items have become lost and to my knowledge no longer exist .
During my young years for unexplained reasons I would spend nearly all my time in the woods and along the rivers in my area . Most of the time I would go alone and would live off the land as much as I could ..
Now in my later years I believe that I was unknowingly living up to my native American heritage as a people of the outdoors with a love for the creation of all living things in nature , I still carry that believe at 73 years of age.
I have tried for several years to find positive proof of my ancestry in the Indian nations and have had some success . Unfortunately I can not satisfy the tribal councils of my heritage as they are required to do . I cant find my ancestors on any of the various lists that name true native Americans , however I have found other historical writings that convince me that I am a part of your great and noble bloodline .
i find it a very sad situation that simply because a native American name does not appear on a list they are not included in a nations membership ... with all the turmoil and unrest when these lists were constructed it would have been impossible to register every native American , there was a great lack of knowledge and a great deal of mistrust toward the American government , so much in fact that our tribes and clans were fearful to sign up because of the untruths perpetuated upon us before ......
the government now says that if we are not on a list or roll we never lived , never existed and never will , even in the face of indisputable written facts .... many like myself know that our ancestors lived and were a part of a proud indian nation ...
do not those who lay down these rules understand that the name of a full blood female will be changed in the event that she should marry outside her race ? her new name will not appear on the Dawes commission rolls or any other record within the indian nation ..... my eldest known ancester was born Mary Jane Cheotah of the creek nation in 1840.... she was sold into slavery , took the name of her slave owner ( Hovis ) thus loosing her creek identity ,, thus Mary Jane Cheotah of the creek nation never lived , yet i proudly consider it a priveldge to carry her blood and the blood of her ancestors in my veins .
DNA testing proves that I am of 15 to 19% native American and historical writings lead me to believe that I am descendant of the GREAT CREEK NATION OF THE LOWER RIVER CLAN IN ALABAMA ….. I believe this with all my heart and am very proud of this fact … although I can defiantly prove nothing , the great sprit has told me it is true and that belies any doubts I might have ..... the proof that i have of my native American back ground should convince any reasonable person of my indian connection ... however, there is some evidence that indicates quite strongly that my native American ancesters of the blood line of Mary Jane Cheotah somehow , sometime either became or was always a member of the Cherokee nation .
i have sent this letter to hundreds of indian nations , tribes , clans and organizations .... . many have responded and connected my name to the Cherokee nation but without documented proof .... this might well be the case because the creek and cherokee nations were located in the same general areas and inter marriage between the tribes was common .
The purpose of this letter is to tell all the tribes that one of your blood brothers is here and is trying to carry on some of the beliefs of all nations …. I stand beside you in all your endeavors and good works .
I ask for nothing but I would consider it a great honor if this would be read at your council gatherings or any other meeting place just so that all my brothers and sisters would hear my name and I would be in their thoughts even for a split second .
my final wish before i go to my final rest in the great beyond is to be a member of a native American nation and clan or tribe so that i might be welcomed at the tribal fires of the many native Americans who have gone before..... this letter is my course of last resort , i have exhausted all my available avenues to become a tribal member of many tribes but things do not appear favorable ... my last hope is that there is a nation , tribe or clan that will permit me to join with them in some manner so that i might carry on my native American heritage .
should you wish to respond , please do so , i look forward to hearing from anyone interested in our native American heritage . you may also publish or use this letter in any manner you might choose.
also i welcome any advise , suggestions or guidance anyone might have that would possibly assist me in my quest to become just a small part of our great native American heritage .
i fully realize that i only a voice crying from the wilderness but for as long as i am able i shall continue my efforts to obtain my acceptance to the great indian nation .... i can not put into words how important this is to me .... i want my ancestors who are now in the spirit world to know that i have not forsaken them and will keep their name alive to the best of my ability . and to be welcomed into their council circle as a full member of a Native American Nation would be the highest honor i could ever receive ...
once again , i give my permission to any person , group ,and any forms of the media to use this letter in part or in whole in anyway you might wish . you may also reveal my name , address and email address.
Thank you in advance for your kind attention , I remain your blood brother in peace and in times of conflict.
.
Sincerely :
MAY THE GREAT SPIRITS GUIDE YOUR
FOOTSTEPS IN ALL UNKNOWN PLACES.
RONALD F. (RON) HOVIS, QM2
U.S.NAVY , 1951 -- 1957.
U.S.S. DONNER , LSD 20
U.S.S DES MOINES CA 134
BLOOD DECENDANT OF THE GREAT
CREEK INDIAN NATION, LOWER RIVER CLAN
OF ALABAMA .
19806 SCOTT HILL DRIVE
HAGERSTOWN , MARYLAND , USA , 21742
301 733 8561 ,,,,, HOVRON@AOL.COM .
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
RESEARCH DATA
: Page 4 of 8
mann Michel
17. Bertie Mae Michael was born August 1885 in Frederick Co, Md and died June 1923
in Mt Clemens, Michigan
18. Blna V MIchael was born October 1887 in Frederick Co, Md and died After April
1930 in Probably in Ohio.
19. Harriet M Michael was born October 1892 in Frederick Co, Md and died After
August 1931.
20. Mary "Margarlte" Michael was born January 1896 in Frederick Co, Md and died
After June 1923.
Charles H Michael was born February 1898 in Frederick Co, Md and died After
August 1931.
,eratlon (Great(11)-Grandchlldren) I
i Michael (Marshall Hl3, J Ezral2, Conradll, Peterlo, Christopher (Christoff)9, Franz Ludwiga,
vid6, Beat Ludwigs, David., Jacob3, Beat Ludwig2, Heinzmanru) was born About 1876 in
:0, Md and died September 6,1954 in Burial @ the U B Cemetery, Thurmont, Md. She married
~wers About 1896. He was born May 22, 1875 in Lewistown, Frederick Co, Md and died Sat,
58 in @ the home of his daughter, Mrs Warren Grushon in Graceham, Md/Burial @ the U B
metery, Thurrnont, Md, son of Jacob Bowers and Elizabeth Marshall.
, Flora V Michael and Lemuel Bowers:
Melvin H Bowers was born About 1898 in Frederick Co, Md and died After
September 1958.
21. Mae E Bowers was born About 1902 in Frederick Co, Md and died After September
1958.
22. Mildred V Bowers was born About 1906 in Frederick Co, Md and died After 1958.
I Michael (Marshall H13, J Ezral2, Conradll, PeterlO, Christopher (Christoff)9, Franz Ludwiga,
vid6,
23 Beat Ludwigs, David., Jacob3, Beat Ludwig2, Heinzmanru) was born January 1877 in
Frederick Co, Md and died Thurs, pm, Aug 20, 1931 in @ her home on Ridge Ave, Hagerstown,
@ Rest Haven Cemetery, Hagerstown, Md. She married William Francis "Frank" HovIs born April 1872 in Thurrnont, Frederick Co, Md who died Wed, pm, Dec 11, 1957 in @ his home in Hagerstown Md /Burial @ Rose Hill Cemetery, Hagerstown, Md,
NOTEABLE INFORMATION
24 son of Willis H. Hovis who married Mary Jane HovIs a freedman slave from Pennsylvania. the widow of Jessie Hovis also a freedman slave .both are Believed to be of a American indian race .It is asumed that jessie died soon after coming to Maryland because There is records that Mary Jane married Willis Hovis. It is believed that Mary Jane and willis relocated to a southern state soon after their marriage .
No other records of Mary Jane or Willis have been found .
for some reason the names of Jessie, Willis and Mary Jane wilson are alluded to in this family history . it cane only be concluded that due to marriage name changes , relocation , marriage in to and out of various tribes in the southern states where many tribes lived the factual records became mixed up and were improperly recorded . since Mary Jane Wilson is the last name mentioned in the search , she is the most likely person to be in the historical line of the Hovis line .
25. Merle Lee Hovis Sr was born 1901 in near Thurmont, Frederick Co, Md and died
Sun, am, Mar 30, 1930 in @ the Washington Co Hosp., Hagerstown, Md/Burial @
Rest Haven Cemetery, Hagerstown, Md.
26. James Electus Hovis Sr was born 1902 In Thurmont, Frederick Co, Md and died
Sun, 5 pm, Mar 10, 1963 in @ his home @ 316 Antietam Dr, Hagerstown, Md/Burial
@ Rest Haven Cemetery, Hagerstown, Md.
27. Norma V Hovis was born January 29,1905 in Maryland and died October 1972 in
Hagerstown, Washington Co, Maryland.
28. Richard Lewellyn Hovis was born 1906 in Hagerstown, Washington Co, Maryland
and died May 18, 1957.
29. Franklin Edward "KIte" Hovis was born April 24, 1910 in Maryland ( or April 24,
1910 in Md) and died August 5,1978 in Hagerstown, Washington Co, Maryland ( or
"
MAY THE GREAT SPIRITS GUIDE YOUR
FOOTSTEPS IN ALL UNKNOWN PLACES.
RONALD F. (RON) HOVIS, QM2
U.S.NAVY , 1951 -- 1957.
U.S.S. DONNER , LSD 20
U.S.S DES MOINES CA 134
BLOOD DECENDANT OF THE GREAT
CREEK INDIAN NATION, LOWER RIVER CLAN
OF ALABAMA , LEANING TREE ( LEQUOIA )
MEMBER , RED NATION OF THE CHEROKEE INDIAN
NATION OF KANSAS , ALONE IN FORREST , ( NIGADADOH )
19806 SCOTT HILL DRIVE
HAGERSTOWN , MARYLAND , USA , 21742
301 733 8561 ,,,,, HOVRON@AOL.COM .
RON HOVIS at 12:01PM on Dec 21st 2007
47. Gwen,
No one is saying that 100s of years ago travesties didn't happen. However, Native Americans are free to speak their native togue and practive their religions freely now and for the last 100 + years. Yes, I am sure there are some cases where prohibitions were in place...once again nothing and no one is perfect. I have lived in track housing--yes, it's not the best, but it's better than what 60% of the world has and it was FREE. I too love the land and area where I was born and raised. However I did leave to make a living. I am not sterotyping -- YOU are. I am 1/32 Cherokee. I now own some of the lands that previously belonged to some of my fellow native americans (they sold it back in the early 1900s) -- it was not GIVEN to me, I bought it. I didn't mention Casinos -- I mentioned that many native americans are improving themselves and supporting their families while preserving their heritage and I applaud them for it. And again, if the Native Americans living on reservations can't make a living now, how will they be able to when they are their own country? There won't be some "magical" transformation into a wealthy nation if they succeed.
Once again, this country is not perfect. But, it is far better than any alternative available now.
Greg at 12:25PM on Dec 21st 2007
48. Sorry. Didn't mean to repost this.
scott at 1:02PM on Dec 21st 2007
49. First off I'd like to say way to go to the Lakota Indian warriors for taking back what should have never been fought over in the first place. Also a few comments to those who reject this idea, I know that you don't quite undrstand what is going on by the way you talk about reservations, and how you took this country. I'm sure that if what we, as a people know today, about the white man that we saved, when they were starving to death and shared our first thanksgiving with, probably would not have made it thruogh the winter. Our ancestors showed them how to survive that first winter or your people would have died. As far as I'm concerned you all owe us some gratitude,AND STOP COMPLAINING ABOUT WHAT WE DO! let's face it you would not be here if we didn't help your ancestors that first winter!
jeannette at 1:25PM on Dec 21st 2007
50. Greg - I understand your argument and perhaps agree with some of it. I know on the res I lived at it was very common for one or two individuals of a family to go to the city for months and sometimes a year or two, work and send money home. They would then move back to the res and this cycle would repute. I built track housing on the res. I don't know where you lived but this was often indeed substandard. When I moved to Utah on the reservation it was like moving to a different country. At the time I had lived in many different communities and this was by far the biggest transition. What I do know is that I learned a lot the years I spent there. I believe America is a great home. I also believe the people I lived with were torn between wanting to venture out, as you have done, to make a living and live the "American" life, and staying on the res with their family and their culture and many things they love and made them who they are. Sometimes on Sundays a friend of mine and I would go pick up the water truck and deliver water to the elders of the community who had no one to bring it to them. This is an all day event because everyone lives "way out there." That is just an example of the substandard living. However I don't think they would trade it and let the outside world in because it would disrupt the customs and culture they have succeeded in holding on to. The thing is they cannot have it both ways unless they do the cycle I talked about in the beginning of this blog, which is what most do. The Navajo res is vastly different from the Rosebud or Pineridge. I encourage you to visit if you have not already.
Gwen at 9:31AM on Dec 27th 2007
51. Let them show us how to take our lives back...K
Karan Plagge at 7:11PM on Dec 21st 2007
52. Yes Iem Both An Shawnee American indian & Chief "Tecumseh's Born 6th Genertion's Removed Great Grand Son. + I Too also Hate The Very Same things You My Lakoda Brothrs Also Hate = To Being As I Was Was Born An Autistic Savant & Hyper,Active Boy also alo All Of White American Jews All Really Hated Me From Birth & Reall Wanted Disstory Me As only A Just Pre-Mey Baby. & It Was really 3 Canadian Aqunktion Indian Kid Doctor From Over In S.W. Ontario Canada that rrueley took me All Over Saved My Life & All Of Sp Eadd. School Teachers Was All Ethrer Canadian Indian Or British Canadian's right Most From The British Army Out Fin that My Great Grand Father Cheif Tecumseh. Fought In in The 1812 Birtish & American Wor. & So I Have Alot At Stake Here & So also Douse All Of Shawnee Indian Brothers' & All Of Native American & Canadian Indian Brother & Soo Let Of The Indian Trives All Unite All As One & then all to getter We Can Again Along with Canada. too Can Again Take back All of Belove North American Land Fron all Of U.S. Long Knifes. & thsi If We All Play It right I Know that this We Can Sicside At it this Time Around Eh?!!:
John Kevin Beaver at 1:18AM on Dec 22nd 2007
53. IF MAC65 IS SO ANXIOUS TO KILL SAVAGES HE SHOULD START AT THE SOURCE AND EAT HIS OWN GUN!! OR FIND ANOTHER WAY TO TAKE HIS OWN LIFE WITHOUT INCONVENIENCING OTHERS
paul alan lux at 12:41PM on Jan 8th 2008
54. i dont realy care what they do but i have 3 words
They'll be back
joe cool at 8:10PM on Dec 23rd 2007
55. hell yeah! its about time, i love america, but not its past for fucking over native americans, all for land... greedy assholes
promise at 12:41PM on Dec 24th 2007
56. I am so glad to see that there is discussion here about this, and support...
I wonder what the popular opinion is in Europe?
I hope they will put up information soon about who can join them, and how...
How to help.
Sincerely,
Serena
serena at 11:58PM on Dec 27th 2007
57. if they pull this crap, just send in a few SEAL teams or maybe army rangers and this whole "secession" will be over in a matter of hours....
johnny at 1:27AM on Dec 29th 2007
58. Nice Johnny. real democratic.
Canada tried that over a land dispute years ago. The fallout has toppled buried political parties and police forces and damaged Canada's reputation in the world. The act of Forcing your version of a democratic society on other people pretty much destroys any claim you have to that democracy. It's harder to try to work towards a solution that everyone can live with than to just kill everyone that doesn't agree with it, I just never realized that Americans had become this lazy.
scott Samis at 1:03PM on Jan 4th 2008
59. I ahve to ask all those people giving 100% kudos to the Lakota move, what about all the people living in the Black Hills right now? Are they supposed to pack up and leave if they don't want to be part of this moronic attempt at a new nation within a nation? Are they just supposed to suddenly accept lakota rule or leave their homes? Has anyone given an ounce of thought to those people living in that area and what they are supposed to do? none of them ever signed the Fort Laramie treaty. Most weren't even alive for any of those events int he past. They have just as much right to live there as any lakota tribal member and thus they should have just as much say in what goes down.
Felan at 2:45PM on Jan 16th 2008