Sioux Nation Treaty Council - est 1894

Hello Everyone,

Last January, when the current US President came into office, and when he immediately withdrew the United States from the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC), then I knew it would be a good time for us to present our recommendations...again. Although we were able to raise enough funds in March to attend the 58th HRC Session, and were there for a week, we did not accomplish what we wanted. However, the most important thing was completed and that was our prayers for wicozani (good health plus) and wolakota (peace plus) for Unci Ina Makoce (Grandmother and Mother Earth) and all Her children including the humans.

So all summer, I was busy preparing for the Wopila (Thank you) prayers and the trip to Geneva, Switzerland, to attend the 60th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC). They held their 59th Session in June.

The Wopila (thank you) prayers needed to be held during the Butterfly Sun (Fall Equinox) on Sept. 22nd. It just happened that the HRC also had their Indigenous Peoples half-day on Sept. 24th. When you let the Spirit lead, things work out fine. So not only did we pray, but we also participated in the meetings and met many helpful people.

Preparing to go to Geneva takes time. There is fund raising for the trip expenses as well as watching the HRC website for dates in which we can submit statements. The time to submit is usually short, about 5 days. So I get our statement ready, and then ask different NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations) if they will sponsor us. I usually ask the International Committee for the Indigenous Peoples of the Americas (INCOMINDIOS) first. They have helped us for more than 40 years starting when Tony Black Feather was the Spokesperson. We can’t just submit a Statement as Indigenous people or nation but our Statement must be supported by an NGO. The Statement has to be in by a certain date with certain requirements. We got that accomplished and INCOMINDIOS submitted it in time so it is now on the HRC website for the 60th Session. (Attached is our statement.)

Raising enough funds for the trip is also difficult. Round trip tickets from Rapid City average $2,500 per person. Then finding lodging, ground transportation, and food is another challenge. On this trip the UN Voluntary Fund paid for my airfare; got me a room with CAGI (the Geneva Welcome Committee) which pays for part of the hotel costs; and provided funds for meals, etc. We also must purchase health care insurance while we are in Switzerland. Although I tried to take someone from here, no one had their passport ready, or they had other commitments. So I asked Tonatierra if they had a Spanish speaking translator to go with me so I could speak with the Central or South American ambassadors. Corina Enrique was able to go and helped me greatly on the trip. INCOMINDIOS provided for her air fare and other expenses. I have to admit I am not as young as I used to be. Turned 78 this past March. (Thought I was still 27.) Corina calls me Auntie and is really helpful.

It was a good trip and very short, only 3 days, but the traveling takes 24 hours and the time change is 8 hours. Geneva is 8 hours ahead of us which causes jet lag meaning your sleep schedule is all mixed up. It took four days after I returned to get back to normal.

On Monday, Sept. 22nd, the Wopila prayers were held in our place on top of a little hill by the trees in front of the UN. It was raining so we asked for it to just sprinkle during our prayers. The Thunders heard us and the sun even came out. Then it started raining again. The ceremony was very good with offerings of tobacco, buffalo wasna and corn meal wasna and water. A cangi (crow bird) sang along with the songs. Then on Wednesday, one of the Cree women who attended saw an eagle circling our prayer place and again head North just like in March. Our prayers were heard for good health and peace for Mother Earth and all Her children including the humans. 

INCOMINDIOS was very instrumental in helping us to be able to give verbal interventions (little short speeches), 90 seconds long, to the entire HRC. We are up against many others also wanting to give their verbal speeches, but INCOMINDIOS was able to get us three spots, and we were not kicked off the lists. Sometimes only 8 or 9 speakers are allowed based on the time. Our deepest gratitude to INCOMINDIOS as we were able to present our positions of human rights violations. I gave 2 speeches and Corina did 1 on Indigenous refugees and their treatment by ICE. (The speeches are attached. Also see photos) 

If you wish to view these online, go to UN Web TV for Sept. 23rd and 24th. Look for The International Committee for the Indigenous Peoples of the Americas. My speeches are under Agenda Item 4 and 5. Corina’s is under Agenda Item 5 also.

INCOMINDIOS also set up a meeting for us with the Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Peoples on Wednesday afternoon. When he asked for recommendations, I said that he could recommend us to the Decolonization Committee. (This was discussed in a previous newsletter.) However, he said that was tried in the 1960s so he didn’t think it would work. Being diplomatic and respectful, I didn’t push it further. (In my mind I was thinking, that was 60 years ago. It is never too late to try again, but I didn’t say anything. I already wrote to every member on the HRC and gave them my recommendations.) It was a packed three days and I hope fruitful. (See photos)

On Friday, Sept. 26, after we already flew home, there was a Side Event for Hawaii and the 1894 Sioux Nation Treaty Council. As I wasn’t there, Pascal did a short video so the audience could at least get a sense of why Hawaii and we would be speaking together. We both have experienced betrayal by the United States and our land stolen. It is through every effort we can have that we continue to get the word out about us. (See photos)

On another note, INCOMINDIOS said they would like to fund a project for us here at home. I kept thinking about the Treaty Knowledge Bowl to be held during LNI. (See Flyer) We can’t expect our young people to know anything without some information. So I asked for the funds to do a tour of the reservations, talk about “An Analysis of the 1868 Treaty” as well as the International work, and have discussions, questions, and answers. As soon as I know if this is funded I will let you know. If you can help getting a meeting place for at least 50 people, or distributing flyers, please let me know. Phone: 605-342-1626 and I can send copies, and pay for the meeting place. We also need to be able to feed at the meetings. Any cooks or suggestions?

In the meantime, if you need another copy or copies of “An Analysis of the 1868 Treaty” just let me know. I can send them over email or Postal mail. This will help get our young people more information to be able to compete. Medicine Root District, where Kyle is located on the Pine Ridge Reservation, is already making 6,000 copies. Wouldn’t it be great if all of our young people knew all about the 1868 Treaty?

Where there is good, there is always the balance. When I arrived in Geneva, I learned that Chief Rod Alexis from the Alexis Reserve in northern Alberta had passed on. They are Nakota Oceti Sakowin. He brought many of his people here to visit the Black Hills years ago. We had a feed for them and gifted them as is our custom.

This past summer, I also received a call from Margaret Zephier, a Kahtela from the Yankton people, telling me that her son, Vince Two Eagle, had also gone home. He was a strong Treaty supporter as is his mother. He also wrote the column called “The Rez of the Story” which appeared in Native American newspapers. 

Our condolences to the Alexis Reserve and the family of Rod Alexis. Our condolences to Margaret Zephier and her family.

If other Treaty people have gone home, please let me know and I can put them in our newsletter. Thank you.

Respectfully submitted by:

Charmaine White Face Zumila Wobaga 

Charmaine White Face, Spokesperson Zumila Wobaga, Itancan

Attachments

HRC 60 Statement

90sec verbal intervention

HRC 60 Photos