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PINE RIDGE, SOUTH DAKOTA - Tony Black Feather and Kent Lebsock lead the Conference which was held on June 29-30th at Storm Mountain, SD, which is outside Rapid City on the way to Mt. Rushmore.

Representatives from each of the Member Tribes were there as well as guests from among neighboring reservations in support for the Tetuwan Oyate Indigenous Embassy and the unification of Tribes. The Member Tribes are: Pine Ridge, Lower Brule, Cheyenne River, Standing Rock, Rosebud, Fort Peck, Crow Creek, Santee and Canadian Sioux.

Following prayers with the Drummers, the introductory presentations on the conference were given by Tony Black Feather and Kent Lebsock, giving some background on the work since 1977 that has been ongoing with the UNPO and UN. Tony Black Feather has been involved with this progress since 1977.

1. UNPO/UN and Indigenous People
2. U.S. and Comparisons
3. General Comments from the Conference

1. UNPO/UN and Indigenous People

        With the involvement of the Tribes in the UNPO and UN, there will be a permanent Forum for Indigenous People to send representatives to be heard in the International Forum or Arena.

        Indigenous People need the International Court as the U.S. is looking out for their own interests, not those of Indigenous Peoples.

        The International Court of Justice is an organization of the U.N. which meets in the Hague in the Netherlands.

        They decide disputes between Nation States. Another function, advisory opinion, relative to the whole world; not necessarily a Nation to Nation disagreement. There are Treaty rights and Territorial rights.

        There is a need to deal in International relations and courts; to protect the Treaties, rights, Territories and the Culture of Indigenous Peoples.

        The U.S. for one has tried and continues to try to remove Treaties, thereby not honoring them and giving the U.S. more authority to the Land by doing so. This protection through an Independent Forum involves all Indigenous Peoples.

        There is the need to get support from as many organizations as possible, including Indian Nations around the world.

2. U.S. AND COMPARISONS

The present system seems to have their value system based on the ' dollar'; whereas traditional systems have their value system on natural or traditional law and what will be left for the children in regard to health , water, climate and freedom of culture, etc.

There are now problems with water rights, and meaning, and written pages in Treaties as well as precedent court cases that are being overlooked, in order to achieve what the establishment's purpose is.

        One more step has been taken recently toward domestication and assimilation. It is the recent Supreme Court decision which Antonin Scalia, Supreme Court Judge, put through with the agreement of all the other justices.

        'The Federal Government involved in the internal government of Indian Nations ie; the U.S. Government has the right to come in and affect the Indian Nations.'

The ' Jay Treaty' was mentioned as stating the Aboriginal People could cross back and forth through the Canadian border.

The Jay Treaty. Treaty of Amity, Commerce, and Navigation, signed at London November 19, 1794, with additional article Original in English. Submitted to the Senate June 8, Resolution of advice and consent, on condition, June 24, 1795. Ratified by the United States August 14, 1795. Ratified by Great Britain October 28, 1795. Ratifications exchanged at London October 28, 1795. Proclaimed February 29, 1796.

ARTICLE 3.
It is agreed that it shall at all Times be free to His Majesty's Subjects, and to the Citizens of the United States, and also to the Indians dwelling on either side of the said Boundary Line freely to pass and repass by Land, or Inland Navigation, into the respective Territories and Countries of the Two Parties on the Continent of America (the Country within the Limits of the Hudson's Bay Company only excepted) and to navigate all the Lakes, Rivers, and waters thereof, and freely to carry on trade and commerce with each other. But it is understood, that this Article does not extend to the admission of Vessels of the United States into the Sea Ports, Harbours, Bays, or Creeks of His Majesty's said Territories; nor into such parts of the Rivers in His Majesty's said Territories as are between the mouth thereof, and the highest Port of Entry from the Sea, except in small vessels trading bonafide between Montreal and Quebec, under such regulations as shall be established to prevent the possibility of any frauds in this respect. Nor to the admission of British vessels from the Sea into the Rivers of the United States, beyond the highest Ports of Entry for Foreign Vessels from the Sea. The River Mississippi, shall however, according to the Treaty of Peace be entirely open to both Parties; And it is further agreed, That all the ports and places on its Eastern side, to whichsoever of the parties belonging, may freely be resorted to, and used by both parties, in as ample a manner as any of the Atlantic Ports or Places of the United States, or any of the Ports or Places of His Majesty in Great Britain.