Copyright © 1998 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

"At Indian Country Today we use internet sources as potential leads for stories. We carefully check the sources and authenticate information. We do not consider much of the internet as a factual source. Indian Country Today will no longer visit the [First Nations] web site ...because of its continued proliferation of gossip, rumor and innuendo in their misguided attempt to support American Indian issues. ...misleading and misinformed sources may harm innocent people and cause others unnecessary anguish."

The Editor of "Indian Country Today" made the statement quoted above because unconfirmable information, perpetuated by an Internet site caused many problems. The misinformation sent Chief Arvol Looking Horse, to a bogus meeting concerning a situation that seemingly also did not exist. To make matters worse, messages concerning this issue were also posted in usenet groups, which appeared to be endorsed by well known and respected Indian People. Later statements were made by some of these People, that confirmed that they had no knowledge of signing nor of having given permission for their names to be used.
[**Note: Information concerning the meeting mentioned above is found in the "New York Times" article, URL below!]

As far as is known not even an apology has been ever been extended to those who were and/or may have been adversly affected by the misinformation, by the owner/editor that of the web site that perpetuated same. Instead the choice seems to have been made to simply go on the attack, which sounds much like what those in government usually choose to do!

"Indian Country Today" is guilty of being cautious and checking out information, before reporting it as fact! Hopefully this will someday become the rule of the Internet for all web site owners, especially those reporting on Indian Issues and will also caution those who choose to pass information, to do the same.

Sincerely,

Nancy Thomas
keeper of "the People's Paths home page!"

P.S. This one feels she is ultimately responsible for the information found on this site, other than in the open communications areas, however, every effort is made to keep these clean and accepts this responsibility as well!

In order to access the article you must first register. It is free in the U.S. and takes just a couple of minutes.

Path to "New York Times" article concerning only an aspect of this incident:
Misinformed Petitioner "Cries Censorship Over Blocked E-Mail" By PAMELA MENDELS (December 6, 1996)