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Stop Oneida Nation evictions!Oneida Nation Territory in Central New York (August 22, 2002)--My name is Danielle Schenandoah Patterson, I reside on the Onyota'a:ka Oneida Indian Territory all native community with my three small Oneida children. My children and I are Oneida citizens of the Six Nations Iroquois Confederacy in upstate New York. I am requesting for immediate supporters and legal observers to come to the Oneida Indian Territory. Although private home owners, residents of this long-standing community are facing eviction and the destruction of their houses at the order of the illegitimate government of Arthur Ray Halbritter. Halbritter's 'leadership' was imposed upon the Oneida people, against their will, by the BIA, the federal Department of the Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs. He has since created a dictatorship and established the "Oneida Indian Nation of New York", an INCORPORATION disguised as a nation. Halbritter wields power only though this federal recognition. The Iroquois Six Nations Confederacy (Oneida, Onondoga, Mohawk, Seneca, Tuscorora, Cayuga) has continously notified the BIA that Halbritter does not represent the Onieda people, as he does not follow elective nor traditional forms and there is NO PROCESS THROUGH WHICH THE PEOPLE CAN REMOVE HIM FROM THIS APPOINTED FEDERAL POSITION. A men's council government (unheard of amongst the Iroquois) was established by Halbritter, on his payroll to validate all his decisions. Halbritter created an all non-native Paramilitant squad (AKA ONEIDA NATION POLICE) under his direct command to harass, intimidate, physically abuse, and install fear in the people, forcing them to submit to the Halbitter regime. It has also been publicly exposed that "The Oneida Nation Bureau of Investigation Spy Network" exists to perform covert operations against natives and non-natives who do not go along with his plans. In May 1995, a peaceful March for Democracy was held on Oneida homelands. The participants in the March were exercising their rights to choose their own leadership and government, opposing the federal imposition of Halbritter and BIA treaty violations. In retaliation, Halbritter took tribal membership away from over 200 Oneida participants, stripping them of their tribal benefits, including employment and education benefits, and right to participate in tribal affairs. He also closed down our food bank that serviced 280 native people. Halbritter then locked our longhouse (traditional religious building and center of the community) and banned all traditional activity and ceremonies. He threatened that any Onieda found entering any tribally owned buildings would be arrested. None of the Halbritter establishments, newly built Nation court, casino, or government buildings are located on the Oneida Indigenous territory, and none of his paramilitants or administration officials reside on the Oneida Indian Territory. The Territory residents learned from the local media that the Halbritter administration had announced a "Beautification Project, 2001" where our homes would now be inspected, condemned, and demolished under the guise of health and safety. The territory families homes were destroyed although some of those homes were 1990 models or newer. In one year, eleven Iroquois families were evicted and their homes demolished against their will. The only option these homeless, displaced families were given was to pay rent to the Halbritter administration for homes outside of this community. The remaining residents rejected the Halbritter-sanctioned inspections because they only lead to eviction. The local media was present when this announcement was made by the territory residents. I was called on the telephone yesterday by media and asked for a statement on the August 8th decision of an appeal of the eviction of my family and destruction of our home. Halbritter's tribal court ordered the demolition of my home to be executed by no later than September 15th, 2002. I was shocked as I was unaware of this decision. I immediately went to Halbritter's legal office to obtain my paperwork on this order. I was denied the demolition order, even though it's publicly accessible. My three children's & my inherited birthrights of this country are being violated. Although my home meets and exceeds all New York State safety and housing codes, we are going to be made homeless with no financial means as we have to seek all future accomodations at our own expense. I have been a prisoner, unable to leave my home unattended in fear of when the demolition & eviction will occur. There is no justice in this tribal court since Halbritter has final decision over any and all appeals. Because I do not recognise this illegal dictatorship under Ray Halbritter, “whatever it takes” measures are being used against me and the remaining families to remove us from our inherited birthrights to live as Haudenosaunee free people upon our indigenous land. I ask for anyone who opposes violators of civil, constitutional, religious, and human rights to please aid us in our stand to exercise our right to fight with the truth and save my home as well as the homes of the other remaining residents who all face the same fate. We are in need of financial assistance and legal observers to come to the Oneida Territory. Help us to record inhumane and cruel treatment and actions forced upon Indian people by the hired non-native paramilitants -right here in central New York. Rules: NO WEAPONS, NO DRUGS, NO ALCOHOL We are maintaining our peaceful presence, our community rejects any violence to be used as the excuse for Halbritter to execute every last one of us here fighting for our rights. All statements are true and have been documented by video, legal documents, audio, pictures, affidavits. We extend an open invitation for all to come and see the truth for yourselves. Ny;Wah ~thanks to all who are willing to aid us as we face these illegal actions taken against an all traditional native community close to destruction. Directions: Off New York State Thruway exit 33, make left onto Rt. 365 follow to end to Rt. 5, make right and at the intersection of Friendly's restaurant make left onto RT. 46 s, 3 1/2 miles make left at intersection of blinking light, check-in point is last home on the left side at end of road. Please bring tents, any and all recording devices, walkie- talkies, supplies, and food. At any given moment the paramillitants will be here to evict and demolish. For more information: http://www.Oneidasfordemocracy.org Contact or to send donations: Onyota'a:ka Oneidas for Democracy, a non-profit organization Danielle Schenandoah Patterson email: UPDATE FOLLOWS: Friends, The situation has gotten worse. Danielle's lawyers have advised her she has no legal ability to fight Halbritter's fascist regime. She and her children will be in great danger is she is arrested again. She needs as much support as possible: Contact your elected representative and senators and demand they get involved in support of the traditional Oneida government. Donations of food money and supplies are needed. Getting information out to people groups and organizations is very important. Making as many people as possible aware of this is one of the highest priorities. MOST IMPORTANTLY we need you to come to the Territory and stay here as long as you can (whether it's a couple hours or a couple weeks). The more people here, the less likely Halbritter will be to do something dangerous. Also, those who are willing to be arrested are especially needed. The more people we have who are willing to stand up against this dictatorship with direct action, the more attention we can raise to Halbritter and the Federal Government's actions. Danielle -along with her mother Masie (Oneida Wolf Clan Mother) and sister Diane (Oneida Faith Keeper)- has lead the opposition against Halbritter. Once her house is demolished, the remaining families can be removed with greater ease. And the Halbritter can build whatever he wants. This is GENOCIDE we're dealing with here. It's the attempted eradication of native culture and the displacement of native people. It's the same thing that's been happening since 1492. As fellow human beings we can not allow this to happen. As US citizens we must stop our elected officials from allowing this. And as a united front of Natives and NonNatives, we will help preserve traditional Oneida culture, and stop genocide from occurring in Central New York. When you come please bring materials in order to be self sufficient: Tents, sleeping bags, food, toiletries etc. Please also bring still and video cameras, and anything else you might consider useful. Come even if you lack some of these materials. While our resources are limited, we do have extra room in tents, etc. and need you here. THERE ARE NO WEAPONS, DRUGS OR ALCOHOL ALLOWED HERE AT ALL! Please come and stay as long as possible. Hope to see you soon. --Schmeel. |
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