Messages which absolutely need to be seen today due to time constraints or breaking news. Remember to check the"new answers" link for the most active topics. This topic will run for a week, and then we will start a new dated "urgent" file.

-- Anonymous, August 29, 2000

Answers

Yes Donna, we do need to take this attempted murder issue seriously. I think we're hampered by not knowing the protocols for this sort of situation -- whose turf it is, who needs to be prodded into taking it seriously on the law enforcement end, what are realistic timetables for action given that officers have to triage their time and efforts. Our baby books we got when the kids were little had spaces for "Baby's first tooth" but not "Baby's first death threat," so we aren't familiar with that territory.

Turf: Olive Police because it happened there? When do the State Police step in and oversee them? And when would the FBI step in? Has Tanya Washington made any statement on how the terrorism/attempted murder affects what they do, given that this is a civil right issue? Have we indeed had any contact whatsoever with the Civil Rights officials rather than the Attorney General's office, and would it make a difference to have them on board given the tires? Does Lucia need to finger the guys who jeered at her the day her tires went?

Let's see if Charles has some answers for these questions.

Curry, have you had any more contact with Alnwick?

-- Anonymous, August 29, 2000

I'm now in touch with Sargent Comerford, from the Kingtston barracks, who seems sympathetic and helpful. He will send another unmarked car to the next meeting, and after that, who knows? No one was caught at the last meeting: presuming that word got out after Marty Millman got word, let them think now and forever that they are being watched by the police and will be caught if they try again. In other words, going public can protect us..... Meanwhile, I'm planning to speak at the 9/11 meeting. If the vote will be at the 9/25 meeting, then this is our best chance to sway people by telling it like it is in the most powerful and convincing way. I still have hope that the rightness of our position counts.... Curry

-- Anonymous, August 29, 2000

Curry: At the Sept. 11 meeting, are you planning to speak publicly about the tires, or the issue in general?

I suggest we hold a press conference to reveal the extent of the criminal acts, and I personally am not in favor of hiding which side is doing these things. A few stolen signs on our side versus criminal acts that put people and kids in grave danger to me are lightyears apart. I still don't understand why we are so afraid to come out and say that people on THEIR side are doing THESE things. I believe the public needs to know. During a civil rights campaign in the south, would it be wise to hide KKK acts of violence, just to keep from seeming "biased" or something? I don't get it. Let's just come out with it already. We don't need to exaggerate in the least, we don't need to be histrionic or smug about it, just let the facts speak for themselves.

-- Anonymous, August 30, 2000

Following is a draft of what I want to say on 9/11. It's timed to be about 2 minutes, which is really limiting, and why I'm not talking about violence, though I really think this needs to be discussed. Can we agree on what we want to cover, coordinate our 2 minute segments, sign up sequentially, and thus be able to deal with all our issues thoroughly?

At the last meeting, we learned that, according to a NYS dept. of education survey, 90% of Native American leaders oppose Indian mascots. So, what more do we need to know? Any person with an open mind and an open heart would respond to this overwhelming expression by saying, of course, we won't use an Indian mascot when so very many Native Americans find it hurtful. So why are five members of the board about to revoke the anti- racist policy , so that they can restore the Indian mascot to Onteora? Mr. Doan said he listened to Edwin Gordon, but has apparently declined to listen to the 9 out of 10 Native American leaders who disagree with him. Mr. Walters said he had a problem with "artifacts". Mr. Millman and Mr. Perry said they were doing it because of their constituents, and Mr. Vanacore said nothing. Not one of them said that they were doing it because they believed in it, because they think it's the right thing to do. And it's easy to see why: their position is morally corrupt, selfish, cruel, and heartless. It's politics at it's worst: my way, right or wrong. So it's no wonder that they can't come out and say they believe in what they're doing. Retiring the Indian mascot, however, is the righteous thing to do. It's the compassionate, intelligent, caring thing to do. But we don't have to get rid of the Onteora Indian. It's time, simply, for a job change, from a mascot to a really great Native American studies program that will teach our children the wonderful richness of Native American culture. If we do this, we will be teaching our children something extremely important: that we, as adults, really do respect other people, that we are flexible, intelligent, that we are still able to learn and change. And that we express this, not just in words, but by the way we act.

-- Anonymous, August 30, 2000

As I've travelled to Ohio and back this week, I've thought about what I first proposed to say...and have had a change of heart. I do not want to talk about the violence, who said what...who's a better spokesperson, etc. etc. I would like us to consider what we can offer in a positive vein and perhaps try to get this finally over with in a way that brings honor to the district in a meaningful way. I'm going to try to let go of the anger I have been feeling about certain things that have happened and certain individuals, and see if we can propose a course that will help.

Can we come together (STAND-COLOR-and whomever else) and suggest a curriculum that will reflect an authentic history of native peoples in this area and throughout the continent. I have begun a search for curriculum materials that we can perhaps offer to the teachers (They are the ones that need to make the choices, after-all.)

Someone mentioned a particlar curriculum they found, but I can't locate the information...can we begin to compile a list of resources? I feel like such an ignortant fool in this, not a historian, not a teacher, not very good at devising curriculum materials...just wanting us to find some good materials to share...that we can point the teachers at and ask them to consider. It's NOT our place to demand or mandate anything for classroom use...but we can make valid suggestions if we know of any. I guess the first thing to do would be to go through the proper channels and ask the classroom teachers if they would like suggestions, and if they have any resources they can share with us and with the community. We should not assume they have not already begun a search...since this has been raised several times.

Let's see how we can help, here. Thanks, Tobe

-- Anonymous, August 31, 2000

Tobe, I can't see that the district has any money it wants to spend on curriculum updates with teeth, I don't see any support from the staff, or evidence of raised consciousness from them, nor the will from the Board to mandate it. Hey, other than that we're fine... :(

I've started to put together a fairly good sized resource for the Web today on behalf of STAND, since Freddie has his own page but I don't think it is quite what we're looking for in the way of an educational site.

This is the list of things I thought would be there so far, excuse typoes, it is just roughed out on a page and will be clearer as it gets cleaned up and annotated and linked(and this page is for the site map, grabbed from my bookmark file and i'll look through any old postings for other useful links):

() Onteora Central School District and the Indian Mascot school district history Kingston Daily Freeman archives on the Onteora Indian mascot issue Onteora yearbook images FAQ on the Onteora Indian mascot Comments on the issue Freddie Blue Fox Onteora Central School District C.A.R.E. Indian Mascots In whose honor eurich WNCCFIB Native American Mascot links Legislation Mascots Baylor edu Little Red Sambo Little Red sambo Ish Gooda Native Americans in popular American culture This American Life PowWow the Indian Boy www.ableza.com Headresses, Drums and Bows and Arrows: Indian Images in Childrens Toys Peter Pan Study Guide Whats Old, Tiger Lily? Guidelines for a curriculum that respects Native American culture Eric document (no copyright Respect for people and cultures SCORE: huck Finn and censorship(resources for discussing potentially inflammatory topics in schools) Index Kusteeyi (just link) Native Americans in the Catskill Mountains and Hudson River Valley The Lenapes: a study Indians of the Mid-Hudson Iroquois Zadock Pratt Mahican

-- Anonymous, August 31, 2000

Assuming a good turnout for the Tanya meeting, let's leave time to talk about our detailed strategy for the next 2 meetings and beyond. Seems like a lot of positive things are happening . My own pet: Let's coordinate our 2 minute segments at pbh and really say/do something strong, that really ties all the issues together.

special mention of Bruce Ackerman for his pulitzer-prize quality cartoons: it's so important to be able to laugh at a time like this because of the violence, anger, and stupidity: it's gone so far that we have the ag, the sp, the media, why the whole country is watching and the lawsuits: also the 42% and growing in Onteora context of the rights movement the moral issue: golden rule or not? right or wrong? education by example: fairness, compassion, flexibility,etc the solution: cool new mascot & a Native American studies program Any ideas? Curry

-- Anonymous, September 01, 2000

Dear Friends,

I have just read and signed the online petition:

"Resolution of Respect for American Indian Culture"

hosted on the web by PetitionOnline.com, the free online petition service, at:

http://www.PetitionOnline.com/BCIA/

I personally agree with what this petition says, and I think you might agree, too. If you can spare a moment, please take a look, and consider signing yourself.

Best wishes,

Tobe Carey

-- Anonymous, September 02, 2000

I've got it. onteora.net paperwork's confirmatory paperwork should be coming to me in a few days.

As far as the Board's little decision on who controls the district's name and decisions, anything they have to say on it to me will be met with a firm and calm "Bite me." I'll be happy to stand in line and let them sue me after they've first successfully sued Onteora Park, Onteora Hose Company Hall and Onteora Mountain House.

The web site will clearly say that it is not affiliated with the Onteora Central School District. My friend will be hosting it on his servers once he has them set up in a new location, which may take him a couple of weeks.

They want proud strong warriors? Maybe there ought to be pictures of proud strong warrior soccer moms bursting through the wall of the gym.

-- Anonymous, September 02, 2000