Copyright © 2003 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

Oneida Territory, New York - This morning at 9:00 a.m., approximately eight "Oneida Nation Police" arrived at the home and residence of Victoria Halsey, plaintiff in the Federal lawsuit being heard by Federal Judge Mordue in the ongoing housing dispute on the Oneida Indian Territory. Ms. Halsey, the owner of the home, was in the shower when the Oneida Nation Police forcibly broke open her front door, as Oneida Nation housing inspectors inspected her privately owned home on the Oneida Indian Territory.

Among eyewitnesses, Kathleen Bell (Owl Dancer) of the Eastern Delaware Nation was sitting in the Halsey's kitchen when the door busted open and Nation Police came in with video and still cameras for the housing inspection.

Ms. Bell stated, "I've never witnessed such violations of humans rights to privacy and absolute disregard for ones sanctity of ones home before this day." Ms. Bell continued to state, "No effort was made to properly to inspect the safety of the Halseys home. I believe this action of the Oneida Nation Police was their usual strong armed tactic used to intimidate, violate and harass a native community consisting of elders, women, and children."

13 year old, Wesley Halsey was in his bedroom when Nation police rushed into his house and bedroom, he said he was very afraid and afraid for his mother since he knows their home is going to be next on the demolitions list, knowing they have no place to go when they become homeless like all the other families and children he grew up in this community that are now gone. Wesley Halsey ordered the Nation Police out of his bedroom. The initial housing inspection took only 2 minutes as they (OIN) walked throughout the house.

Victoria Halsey immediately contacted her lawyer, Donald Daines, to notify him of this mornings incident. Donald Daines is legal council representing the 19 Iroquois families and Oneida Territory residents who filed a federal complaint in Syracuse, N.Y. Federal District Court. The complaint filed by plaintiffs alleges the direct violations of the U.S. Congress Indian Civil Rights Act, pertaining to the current actions against the families of the 32-acre native community of the ongoing housing dispute, by orders of the Oneida Nation Men's Council and Federal Recognized Leader & CEO of the Oneida Nation of New York, Arthur Ray Halbritter.

Oneida Territory resident, 70 year old elder and the Oneida Wolf Clan Mother, Maisie Shenandoah's house is next for the last of the housing inspections sanctioned by the Oneida Indian Nation of New York.