Oneidas for Democracy

April 12, 2006 - Danielle Shenandoah was a guest on the Tashunka Witko Brigade radio show, which is hosted by Wanbli Watakpe and Dj Tanya. The Length of the radio show is approx. 2 hours ~

Download the show: US’ respect for borders a farce: The Oneida Nation under siege

As the US government, and its neocon pundits spew their venomous rhetoric about their “nation of laws” demanding respect for its borders, its political and corporate agents continue to encroach upon indigenous territory in utter violation of their own laws and indigenous borders.

Our Guest today is Danielle Shenandoah of the Oneida Wolf Clan, who has been sent by her community with the sacred wampum to take the message of what is happening in the Oneida Nation to all its people and allies to unify and ask for help. She has been disenrolled, (resulting in her loss of employment, health insurance, educational allowances, quarterly stipends and all other Oneida Nation services), kidnapped, imprisoned, her home demolished (she lost all her belongings due to this), and her children taken away, for standing up for her community. She tells the Tashunka Witko Brigade a first hand account of what is happening in her Nation under siege.

For the last 14 years the Oneidas have been enduring a federally imposed dictatorship put in place to facilitate a secret gaming compact set up by former New York Governor Mario Cuomo, Rep. Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY), and the Oneida traitor and federally appointed puppet for life Arthur Raymond Halbritter. Halbritter has disregarded all traditional Oneida laws/government, signed a tax agreement with the US government, established a non-native paramilitary force, closed down the long house (place of worship and formal community gatherings), disenrolled and punished traditional Oneida people who have dared to stand up to his abuses. The Oneidas have the largest lands claim case in the United States, their lands are very rich in resources and the US government wants to relocate them again. Halbritter has started to use the Oneida’s land claim as a gambling chip for more gaming.

To listen to this interview click on http://radio.indymedia.org/news/2006/04/9310.php

In spite of all her losses (she regained her children but remains homeless), Danielle continues her work for her people and all indigenous peoples. She stands up for native populations rights to land, water, wellness in youth, traditional practice and language, native education, indigenous seed/plant preservation, native arts, and native medicine. She will be presenting the Oneida case at the United Nations Permanent Forum for Indigenous Issues in May and would appreciate sponsors. She does not receive any monies from government, corporate or tribal entities, but uses the earnings from selling her beadwork or speaking engagements. Oneidas for Democracy could use financial assistance for legal and travel costs (money orders only please). The following items are also needed for re-establishing their media center: laptops, digital cameras, still cameras, blank video tapes, dvd recordables, office equipment, and camcorder.

Send donations to:
Danielle Schenandoah
PO BOX 450
Onyota’a:ka Oneida Indian Territory
Oneida, NY 13421

For more information go to http://oneidasfordemocracy.org or e-mail Oneidairoquois@aol.com or Kahnahiyo@yahoo.com

The Tashunka Witko Brigade (TWB) focuses on indigenous liberation and gives voice to the indigenous people, the elders, grandmas and warriors on the ground in this our continent. TWB airs on Free Radio Olympia on Tuesdays 3-5 PM PST (with live webstream at www.frolympia.org) and on Red Voices Free Radio, and Berkeley Liberation Radio anytime without warning. Here is the TWB website

Wanbli Watakpe, a co-host of TWB “is first and foremost a Tokala (traditional Lakota warrior, a servant of the people) as in times of war he walks in front of the people and in times of peace he walks behind the people. Old man Max Blacksmith decribed him to the other Oglala Lakota elders as “he is FOR the people”. The calls for help in stopping a variety of countless assaults on his people led this warrior to found the Northern California Chapter of the American Indian Movement in 1969. He was the squad leader of the California bunker during the Wounded Knee siege of 1973. Together with Dennis Banks, Leonard Peltier, and others, he faced the longest pre-trial case in U.S. history where he personally challenged the “Justice” system. He helped found and lead the first Leonard Peltier Defense Committee. As Chairman of the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee, he went to Moscow in 1988 invited by the then U.S.S.R. to speak on the issue of human rights violations by the United States. These are just a few of Wanbli Watakpe contributions to the struggle for his people. He is never afraid of a fight no matter how big the opponent and he continues to be a servant of the people today.”

The other co-host, Dj Tanya “adds a southern Indigenous flavor with music and interviews of people on the ground in Argentina, Mexico and Brazil.” (In this show, she plays music by Danielle’s sister, Joanne Shenandoah)