Copyright © 2001 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

To: The Dakota\Lakota\Nakota Nation and All other Nations:

We began with a prayer and send smoke to all our people far and wide, "Tunkansina We thank you for this good day when our people can come together and defend our Humanity against that in which oppresses us and violates are people, give us all the strength and courage to honor our people in a strong and good way, thank you for your guidance and your gift of endurance, for that is what has brought us to this point, protect are wakanize, and all our people.

Mitauywa

It is not us who has to clear the air with ICT, it is them who have to clear the air with the people. Indian Country Today (ICT) has turned its back on us for the last time, there will be no negotiating. They can not tell the world of our efforts to educate and build strength amongst our people. Because they know nothing of spirit. The pen is a powerful instrument, it can be used to build a society or it can be used to destroy a society. And ICT has made its choice.

On March 3, 01, 1:00PM to 6:30PM there will be a Human Rights Meeting at Southeast Community Center, 2315 Park St. Pierre, South Dakota, to Discuss Human Rights Issues. And also there will be a March on ICT on March 5, 2001 starting at ten o'clock AM.

We are calling to all the Nations to support these issues: because of the of the bias reporting, white washing vital grassroots issues, discrimination of our own people, and promoting predators who exploit our Wakanize, People, Land, Water, and Tradition. This contributes to the destruction of our Family Structures.

So, ICT you cannot tell the World what are marches are about. We do not March for the Media, we march to send a message to the people first and always first.

When we march it is in Peace with a Sacred Pipe. We carry our prays as a message to the People,to let them know that they have Human and Civil Rights. And when the Tribal Government's or any other government agency violates our people, we have that right to change what is happening to us. Because when you favor one side then you are violating they other side. And this is no longer acceptable. These issues, will never be petty issues as ICT claims.

We stand against all treaty violations, and we stand strong, because the Spirit's of our ancestors is always with us.

No Justice No Peace,

Frances Zephier e-mail: franceszephier@hotmail.com

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Letter to Frances Zephier, from
David Melmer, Managing Editor
Indian Country Today (ICT)

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From: "Editor" editor@indiancountry.com
To: franceszephier@hotmail.com
Subject: Boycott
Date: Wednesday, February 28, 2001

Frances, I just found out about your boycott of ICT. Seems you have planned this event for some time without any attempt to clear the air with us. As your messages claim you have sent us complaints. I don't recall any complaints. You have spoken with me several times and each time I either check out the issue you brought up or have sent a reporter to cover an event you have organized. So, I don't understand the anger you have toward this newspaper.

I did read your contempt for another person that we covered, and that seems to me to be a major glich in our relationship.

I wish you would have picked up the phone and called, because some of the things you claim we did or didn't do are news to me.

I'm still open to hearing from you.

By the way, our newspaper publisher is Mohawk, and we are owned by the Oneida Nation of New York. You accusation of white run is unfounded and it appears comes from other sources that are trying to discredit the work we do.

I'll be happy to hear from you or meet with you at any time.

David Melmer
Managing Editor