Copyright © 2003 NLThomas
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ONEIDA, NEW YORK - On Wednesday at 4:15 Sonny Falcon called to say that the police from Oneida Nation, Inc. had just inspected the home that he and Maisie Shenandoah have lived in for over thirty years on the 32-acre Oneida territory. Their home was the last on the 32 acres to be inspected. In the past two years fourteen of fifteen homes inspected have been demolished because of the "beautification" program instituted by Oneida Nation, Inc. CEO, Ray Halbritter, and the Men's Council he appointed.

CPT came as a monitoring presence about sixteen months ago at the invitation of the traditional families living on the tract. The traditionally-governed Oneida, part of the Six Nation Iroquois Confederacy, do not recognize the incorporated structure nor Ray Halbritter's leadership, nor do the Council of Chiefs of the Iroquois Confederacy. Those corporate entities were recognized, however, by the Bureau of Indian Affairs as Oneida representatives.

The last homes started getting inspections three weeks ago and CPT has been on the site for two weeks. This week, the families expect an effort on Halbritter's part to call them into court and perhaps start the demolitions. CPT has been developing a local response team. There is support behind the scenes, but the hazards of speaking out have kept Oneida and other local people in the background, unwilling to assume the visibility required for a viable accompaniment presence. CPT will be on the territory through this week.

Christian Peacemaker Teams is an initiative among Mennonite and Church of the Brethren congregations and Friends Meetings that supports violence reduction efforts around the world. Contact CPT, P.O. Box 6508 Chicago, IL 60680; Telephone: 773-277-0253 FAX: 773-277-0291.