Nuclear and Indigenous Items of Interest: Native Americans Farmers, Ranchers Still Pressing Case

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Native Americans Farmers, Ranchers Still Pressing Case

	Native Americans Farmers, Ranchers Still Pressing Case
	Lon Tonneson ltonneson@farmprogress.com
	July 7, 2008

The new Farm Bill contains a sense of Congress resolution urging USDA to settle a class action lawsuit brought by Native American farmers and ranchers.

Filed in 1999, the suit alleges that USDA discriminated against Native Americans in administering of farm programs and in granting loans. George Keepseagle, a Fort Yates, N.D., rancher is the lead plaintiff.

A similar lawsuit brought by black farmers was settled and a provision in the Farm Bill allows more producers to file claims.

Joe Sellers, a Washington, D.C., attorney and lead counsel for the Native Americans, says he doubts the current administration will settle their case. The Bush Administration has refused to settle for the past eight years.

Sellers says doesn't know what Senators John McCain or Barack Obama might do if they were elected President, though Sen. McCain has served on a Senate Indian affairs committee and Sen. Obama has been outspoken about civil rights.

No matter who is elected in November the case may go to trial in mid 2009, Sellers says, and he is optimistic about the outcome.

"There is growing body powerful evidence that USDA discriminated against Native Americans on the basis of race," he says.

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Public Statement by Corbin's Immediate Family

July 10, 2007 (TurtleIsland). Corbin Harney Spiritual Leader of the Western Shoshone Nation crossed over at 11:00 a.m. this morning in a house on a sacred mountain near Santa Rosa, CA (Turtle Island). He had dedicated his life to fighting the nuclear testing and dumping.

That battle claimed his life through cancer.

According to witnesses present, in the morning fog, the spirits of four Shoshone dog soldiers were outside on horseback before Corbin’s passing. But then one of the Shoshone present, Santiago Lozada, yelled “Tosawi Tosawi!” (White Knife). And then the fog shifted and there were thousands of spirits waiting.

Corbin passed peacefully at the end. He was only worried that he still had more to do. When he finally let go and went with the dog soldiers, Red Wolf Pope, grandson of Rolling Thunder, was present and sang him the Tosawi death song to call the dog soldiers to come take him home. Golden eagles continue to circle the house hours after his crossing.”

True to form Corbin joked around several days ago that he was going to go at 11:00, and kept his promise.

Over his lifetime, Corbin traveled around the world as a speaker, healer and spiritual leader with a profound spiritual and environmental message for all. He received numerous national and international awards and spoke before the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.

Corbin also authored two books: “The Way It Is: One Water, One Air, One Earth” (Blue Dolphin Publishing, 1995) and a forthcoming book, “The Nature Way”. Numerous documentaries have been made about his work and message.

In 1994, Corbin established the Shundahai Network to work with people and organizations to respond to spiritual and environmental concerns on nuclear issues. He also established Poo Ha Bah, a native healing center located in Tecopa Springs, California. He will be missed but always honored for his work and dedication to traditional ways.

Corbin Harney is descended from generations of Newe (Shoshone) traditional healers and was always grateful for the many extraordinary teachers who shared their knowledge in his lifetime.

Corbin is survived by his daughter Reynaulda Taylor; granddaughters Ann Taylor and Nada Leno; grandsons Keith, Jon and Joel Leno and William Henry Taylor; seven great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; and his sister Rosie Blossom’s family and many cousins and other family members as well as many, many friends around the world. Corbin was preceded in death by his mother, father, sister, grandparents, uncle, great granddaughter, cousins, and friends. A very special thanks to Patricia Davidson, Corbin’s caregiver in his final months; Dominic Daileda, Corbin’s friend and companion for his support and compassion in hard times, and the family of Dixie and Martin van der Kamp for opening up their home and their hearts to Corbin and his family and friends during his time of need.

Dates and times for services are being made with official announcement to follow. Three day services are planned at the home of Larson R. Bill, So Ho Bee – Newe Sogobe (Lee, Nevada –Western Shoshone Territory) with burial services at Battle Mountain Indian Community, Battle Mountain Nevada.