Message From: wlbear@northnet.org (Ron Dunning) Date: Sat, Feb 13, 1999, 10:57pm (PST+3) To: White_Feather@webtv.net (White Feather) Subject: Re: Greetings Ms sister White Feather Much love .  Sorry I took so long getting back to you, but when it rains it pours -- good stuff mostly. First, things are going great for me. My desire to see Leonard receive the medical care he so desperately needs has not lessened. If anything seeing all of us having so much faith on his part has given me an additional impetus to do whatever I can to shorten Leonard's time in the BOP.   On a personal level though -- you know -- this fast is not making me sick or tired or broken down or as if I was going without something. I am starting to believe that eating -- at least the way overfed Americans eat -- is as much for recreation as it is for fueling the body.   Don't get me wrong. I love to eat. I love tasting new food combinations & tastes. When I'm bored I think about eating, but now with that option out of the way I seem to have been given a new source of energy -- it must be the Creator. I haven't felt hungry or even weakened for several days now. Exactly the opposite.   I expected this morning -- after working 12 hours yesterday & then fighting my way home in one of those February snow squalls for 2 1/2 hours -- that first I'd sleep late as late as I could & then roll out of bed ever so sllooowwwwlllyy & be a slug most of the day. Both my 9 year old boy & the Creator had other plans.   I woke up at 7:45 & I felt wired & ready to go. I did my meditations & felt like I was really in touch -- both with the Creator & with the group of fasters & supporters. The day was beautiful. New snow, blue skies, more snow ... My 9 year old & I headed out of town in the midst of one of those wild February snow squalls to go to a library book sale in the next town over and had a great time ! We bought a few books, watched a Winter Carnival parade (including precision marching lawn chairs), saw an ice castle, bought a Beanie Baby (can any body really tell me what Beany Babies are really about -- my son says they're "collectors items, dad, not toys. They look like toys to me.) ... But Wow !!! I should fast all the time -- not really. I am staying hydrated & active -- even busy. I have great hope, & discomfort & those early pangs are definitely in the back seat. Although to keep this real I prepared frozen pizza for supper tonight ( I figured it would be easier that way ) & the leftovers started calling my name -- loudly. Fortunately my dogs love pizza & they ate well. Even though we've never seen each other I get the feeling from reading so many letters that we fasters & our supporters have built a strong community  -- a new tribe from many scattered people. This is a real renaissance of being Indian for me. It's a real answer to those generations of Federal agents, & BIA teachers & boarding schools, & third rate Indian movies where the Indians were the bad guys -- remember the long lines of Italian & Mexican Indians stretched across the horizon waiting for John Wayne etc etc ?   So much for stereotypes & Pocahontas & John Smith & all that . I'm proud we can do this together. Every Wounded Knee, & Pine Ridge, every ghost dancer murdered, the Trail of Tears, Tippecanoe, & Alcatraz is being given a new voice -- a chorus of strong Indian voices singing in unity.   I'm getting a little too dramatic here -- but I know you understand my feeling. I am so enthusiastic ! As for myself I've received much more than I've given. I had thought that way up here on the Canadian border I'd be sitting all on my lonely feeling out of it & hungry most of the time.   Surprise ! I've found this incredible sense of continuing care & love & unity -- all expressions of the sacred circle itself. This comes close to being the realest thing I've ever done. If we can translate this unity into direct action aimed at the Feds for Leonard's sake  we can't lose.  Can we ? I'm off the next week. It's mid-winter break. Somedays its good to be a teacher. I intend to bombard every Federal office & every media office I can reach with Leonard's story. We can do this. Think good thoughts.   Write soon ... Much love your brother Ron

   Message From: wlbear@northnet.org (Ron Dunning) Date: Mon, Feb 15, 1999, 12:37pm (PST+3) To: White_Feather@webtv.net (White Feather) Subject: much love A Navajo Song   I have been to the end of the earth I have been to the end of the waters I have been to the end of the sky I have been to the end of the mountains I have found none that were not my friends   much love   your brother

   Discarded message From: wlbear@northnet.org (Ron Dunning) Date: Mon, Feb 15, 1999, 12:37pm (PST+3) To: White_Feather@webtv.net (White Feather) Subject: much love A Navajo Song   I have been to the end of the earth I have been to the end of the waters I have been to the end of the sky I have been to the end of the mountains I have found none that were not my friends   much love   your brother

     Message From: wlbear@northnet.org (Ron Dunning) Date: Mon, Feb 15, 1999, 1:29pm (PST+3) To: White_Feather@webtv.net (White Feather) Subject: Re: 1991 LEONARD PELTIER INTERVIW Sister   much thanks   I will look forward to the transcript & pas it on as I can   much love   be strong   Yona -----Original Message----- From: White Feather To: peltier-fast@iww.org Cc: White_Feather@webtv.net Date: Monday, February 15, 1999 1:15 PM Subject: Re: 1991 LEONARD PELTIER INTERVIW Greetings Friends, The past several days I have been in touch with the Woman who works with Darrin Wood who conducted the 1991 interview with Leonard that we were sent by Arthur that was in Spanish.  She is helping me by having it translated and will send the finished work tomorrow which I will send out to the list. Then it will also be posted for all the world to see. It has not been released before in english. Below  is what she just sent me. In Solidarity Toksa ake, White Feather Subject: Re: Request for translation Greetings White Feather: I am so honored and grateful for your prayers. The MRI will be on Wednsday and we will know then what it is and how I will be. I continue to trust in your prayers and the prayers of your people. With much joy it is that I wish to inform you, that our Mexican friend, Jose Luis de Leon is almost done with the translation of the interview and will send it to us tomorrow, Tuesday. We will send it to you inmediately and also publish it on our News Press for the world to read. My hope is that you remain in good health as the fast continues and please send us news on the fasters and the response from the government, we are certainly keeping you all in prayers. In Peace and Solidarity, Susana Saravia

   Message From: wlbear@northnet.org (Ron Dunning) Date: Mon, Feb 15, 1999, 10:22pm (PST+3) To: White_Feather@webtv.net (White Feather) Subject: pray for Jim White Feather     We've got another guy fasting that I'm sure you weren't aware of but he should be on the list.   His name is Jim Hoit. He's a building contractor & lives in Duane, NY.   He's not on the Net, but he's certainly with us in spirit. He has been fasting since 6 February & we need to pray for him & hold him up to the light.   He has had a conversation with an ass't warden at Raybrook Federal Correctional Institute who believes -- personally -- that Leonard deserves another trial. He does not believe Leonard should have been convicted. That's some going for a Federal Ass't Warden.   much love   Ron D -- Yona

   Message From: White_Feather@webtv.net (White Feather) Date: Tue, Feb 16, 1999, 10:05am To: White_Feather@webtv.net Subject: Fwd: Re: 1991 LEONARD PELTIER INTERVIW From:    "Ron Dunning" To:    "White Feather" Subject:    Re: 1991 LEONARD PELTIER INTERVIW Date:    Mon, Feb 15, 1999, 1:46pm (PST+3) X-Priority:    3 X-MSMail-Priority:    Normal White Feather   Much love   Stay hydrated   sing & laugh   Yona -----Original Message----- From: White Feather To: Ron Dunning Date: Monday, February 15, 1999 1:38 PM Subject: Re: 1991 LEONARD PELTIER INTERVIW Greetings Ron, With the little Spanish I know what I read was compelling.........running late for work....thanks for what you sent my Friend. I will write tonight, Wishing you much Peace and Love, In Solidarity Toksa ake, White Feather

   Message From: wlbear@northnet.org (Ron Dunning) Date: Tue, Feb 16, 1999, 11:47am (PST+3) To: White_Feather@webtv.net (White Feather) Subject: Re: much love Good morning sister   I slept well -- with dreams of flying.   Stay strong   We are one & becoming even more so every day of this fast.   How can we fail if we only hang on. I am more sure of our cause & the Creator's guidance every day.   much love   Yona -----Original Message----- From: White Feather To: Ron Dunning Date: Tuesday, February 16, 1999 1:27 AM Subject: Re: much love Greetings Ron, Before I go to sleep I just wanted to tell you that I love the Navajo Song very much.........it is Beautiful! Good Night my Friend..........Sleep Well......stay strong. Wishing you much Peace and Love, Toksa ake, White Feather

   Message From: wlbear@northnet.org (Ron Dunning) Date: Wed, Feb 17, 1999, 4:44pm (PST+3) To: White_Feather@webtv.net (White Feather) Subject: (no subject) Sister White Feather   Leon Shenandoah, a Haudenosaunee elder, said this in 1990.   Every thing is laid out for you. Your path is straight ahead of you. Sometimes it's invisible but it's there. You may not know where it's going, but you have to follow that path. It's the path to the Creator. It's the only path there is.   Leon Shenandoah   We are on the path.   Much love   Yona

   Message From: wlbear@northnet.org (Ron Dunning) Date: Thu, Feb 18, 1999, 8:14am (PST+3) To: White_Feather@webtv.net (White Feather) Subject: Re: (no subject) my beloved sister   All is well.   Every day I feel more & more of western culture & the poison & pain it has brought to our people thinning away from me.   I am depending upon the Creator for strength & as long as I can keep on keeping on I will ...   The Creator has not looked upon our sacrifice without tears.   We are our Mother's & our Father's children.   We will be the channel for their Spirit to free Leonard.   I believe this with all my heart.   much love   Yona -----Original Message----- From: White Feather To: Ron Dunning Date: Thursday, February 18, 1999 2:00 AM Subject: Re: (no subject) Aho' Kola, I want you to know that my thoughts and Prayers and positive energy are with you. I have tried to write sooner but have had some problems and was not up to giving out negative energy to you my Friend. The words of The Elder you sent are so very Beautiful and so very true. I hope all is well with you. Stay strong!!! Wishing you much Peace and Love, Toksa ake, White Feather Sister White Feather Leon Shenandoah, a Haudenosaunee elder, said this in 1990. Every thing is laid out for you. Your path is straight ahead of you. Sometimes it's invisible but it's there. You may not know where it's going, but you have to follow that path. It's the path to the Creator. It's the only path there is. Leon Shenandoah We are on the path. Much love Yona

   Message From: wlbear@northnet.org (Ron Dunning) Date: Sun, Feb 21, 1999, 7:53pm (PST+3) To: White_Feather@webtv.net (White Feather) Subject: Re: Hang on and stay strong Heya White Feather Wow I have been flat out all day. I was about to go do the wash but started getting shaky. Enough was enough -- as Cathie says I didn't want "to kiss the floor." I return to work tomorrow. I will have less time for * -- no I wont. I'm not giving in ! AIEEE !!!   * I was going to say I have less time for this so must cut back -- no way -- first things first We are warriors & we have staked ourselves out.   Sister we will sing many long songs -- my heart aches for the day we sing together. We are children of sacrifice & action & victory. I wanna see the Feds faces when Leonard flies away from their iron house. I am thinking of writing another statement at this point -- I'm not the same bear I was 2 weeks ago. I am connected -- at last -- to my family. Heya -- I rode 4 miles on my mountain bike today -- 1 1/2 uphill. Strong & focused. Clear visioned. Write soon beloved sister much love Yona

   Message From: richards@euristix.ie (Ries) Date: Sun, Feb 21, 1999, 9:36pm (PST+8) To: peltier-fast@iww.org Subject: Encouragement Song Hanyetu waste kolapi, I was just watching Wakyan Cante (Thunderheart) to show my brother-in- law a little bit about what was happening during the 70ies. Next time I will show him "Incident at Oglala" ... The more people know the better. I want to offer all the faster this Lakota song:               Oyate kin han       Wamiyankaye le miye       Lakol Wicohan kin tewagila ye,       Iyotye wakiye               People, look it's me       I love this way of life       I had a hard time coming back The song serves as a drum song and honoring song. It delivers a feeling of well being. Chantema waste (Have a good heart), Ries " a Dutchman who feels so strongly for your People" +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+- FREE Leonard Peltier and NEVER FORGET Anna Mae Aquash +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

   Message From: Bdyingswan@aol.com Date: Fri, Feb 26, 1999, 8:08pm (PST+3) To: peltier-fast@iww.org Subject: WE LOVE YOU LEONARD!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hello All, In lieu of the BOP's statement, I'm viewing it as only the ending of the 1st campaign of 1999. I believe that many of us are willing to continue with the beginning the 2nd Campaign of 1999. I don't wish to interfer with anyone's fasting, because it's not up to me, I'm only (secretly) hoping that people will eat now to nourish themselves so that we will not have to worry about so many people. Worrying over how Leonard must feel right now is very heavy on our hearts. Reid Jenkins of Atl, makes postcards w/ a written message on them & he addresses them, stamps & sometimes mails them, himself. So when he meets people who are interested but too lazy to do anything when they return home, he's got something to send. I'm going to begin doing this because you know how many people we meet who are compassionate but somehow forget or too shy to write. I'm wondering about the BOP med next to The Mayo Clinic. Could that be another strategic focus of ours? Also, where is the copy of Dr. Collins recommendation? We can throw that in their faces. What about a letter from Dr. Keller saying, "Yes, he was recommended to me & I'll do it for free." Let's bombard MICHAEL at BOP. Between everyone's bright ideas,commitment & grand love for Leonard & with Arthur's excellent guidance & experience, we can begin a bigger & better campaign! We can't give up now. Too much has already been invested, including all of the people who've walked before us for Leonard. In Unity & Love, Barbara

   Message From: wlbear@northnet.org (Ron Dunning) Date: Sat, Feb 27, 1999, 1:48pm (PST+3) To: White_Feather@webtv.net (White Feather) Subject: Chief Joseph Beloved White Feather I am sorry my computer & my mail server have proven to be so obstinate during these last few days. I am writing these same words to everyone in my family, the sacred hoop. I will write more later if I can keep this thing working, but I wanted to stay in touch & share my feelings with all of you who are walking this path with me. You are closer to me than my right hand is. You are as close as my heart is … these are words from Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce. He said these words in 1879 – 120 years ago. There need be no trouble Treat all men alike. Give them all the same law. Give them all an even chance to live and grow. All men were made by the same Great Spirit Chief. They are all brothers. The earth is the Mother of all people and all people should have equal rights upon it. Chief Joseph fought ‘til he could fight no more. With one more day Joseph would have taken his band to Canada and freedom. He did not get to freedom. He was forced to give up – but he fought the long good fight. Joseph is on my mind as I think and meditate on all of us and of the BOP’s statement yesterday. Joseph was fighting the same intractable foe 120 years ago. In one way or another all Red people been fighting those same soldiers ever since – no matter the shape or uniform they have come in. I have seen Washington’s armies disguised as BIA teachers, as Department of Social Service workers, and as State police here in New York State on the St Regis reservation. I have seen those armies disguised as the Federal Bureau of Prisons this week. That army seeks nothing less than to take our own home from us. They will turn us into third world refugees in our own land. Look at Oneida … Look at the Trail of Tears. We will have our hearts & spirits pulled from our fingers if we let this army have its way. They have taken away our children, our names, our identities, our spiritual connections with each other, and our Earth Mother. To do this they first take our leaders away from us. They have locked Leonard Peltier in their iron house for 23 years, much as they caged Crazy Horse, our sister Anna Mae , Sitting Bull & Geronimo & every other leader who has stood up for us. The list goes on. I will stand for this attack on my brothers & sisters & my fathers & mothers, my poets & singers & wise men no more. The theft of our land, the destruction of our cultures, the rape of our sisters & mothers & daughters is over. I was broken hearted when I read the BOP statement. Many of us cried ourselves to sleep. I did not sleep but I took myself to the Great Mystery & asked for guidance & a strong hand. I asked for understanding. I received it. This morning my sister, Alice, called me. She asked what was going on. She and our local community have been holding is up in their hearts & prayers ever since 6 February. She would be with us but has pneumonia, but she has been burning sage & sweetgrass for us & Leonard. I told Alice about the statement. She waited & asked "and what else..." I told her of our hurt & sadness. I convey Alice’s words to every on of us all. She said that’s the way they (the Feds) work. That’s the way they always work. First they break our hearts & then they kill us. They destroy us one by one. Alice begged with me to tell everyone of us to keep fighting. She didn’t have to beg. I know the hearts of the BOP. I have worked as a teacher for the New York State Dept. of Corrections for 13 years. They’re the same guys. Mediocre, pale gray people. With no understanding. I am not surprised by this development. They want us to quit – then they win. They want us to give up – then Leonard stays in the Iron House. The BOP’s unexpressed but integral purpose is to destroy Leonard, AIM, us, & Indian sovereignty. I am doing what my sister Alice asked. I continue to fast & pray & write & talk. Otherwise I become a traditional Indian postcard image sitting at the road side selling my genuine, hand made Indian turquoise jewelry to tourists. My jewelry, Quwahia’s art, Swans dances, & all the rest of us are not for sale. We belong to the Red people. We are no longer for sale. This statement is no more than every other treaty Washington has ever made with the Red people. We will no longer take no for an answer. They will hear us & must hear us. Leonard’s health is in the balance. Our identity as Red people in this red land is being taken from us … I pray we all continue together on this path we have chosen. There is a victory dance at the end of our path – it may take a while to get their but we will dance when we arrive.   Much love Yona

   Message From: wlbear@northnet.org (Ron Dunning) Date: Tue, Feb 23, 1999, 10:17am (PST+3) To: White_Feather@webtv.net (White Feather) Subject: we shall overcome The path of glory is rough and many gloomy hours obscure it. May the Great Spirit shed light on yours. Black Hawk 1833

   Message From: wlbear@northnet.org (Ron Dunning) Date: Sun, Feb 28, 1999, 7:39pm (PST+3) To: White_Feather@webtv.net (White Feather) Subject: Re: Chain ourselves to the BOP! White Feather I sense a groundswell in tonights email to do a significant action soon -- DC comes to mind. more media than kansas. acts of civil disobedience might get the point across. lets do this. we have fasted & maybe this is the Creators direction. I want to run with it. much love Yona -----Original Message----- From: White Feather To: peltier-fast@iww.org Date: Sunday, February 28, 1999 7:30 PM Subject: Re: Chain ourselves to the BOP! I as well will be there !!! I will bring as many from San Francisco and the Bay Area as I can gather!!! Wishing all much Peace and Love, In Solidarity White Feather

   Message From: wlbear@northnet.org (Ron Dunning) Date: Sun, Feb 28, 1999, 8:18pm (PST+3) To: White_Feather@webtv.net (White Feather) Subject: Re: Chain ourselves to the BOP! Feather   with media coverage miracles will happen   I think we need to keep fasting to provide spiritual conduit   contact Rez radio stations   National Public Radio   papers near rezzes   family   we can get 500   I feel it in the air in the email tonight   the Creator is moving this -- Im sure   lets run with it   war paint on   face the mice men in DC   oyasin   much love Yona -----Original Message----- From: White Feather To: Ron Dunning Date: Sunday, February 28, 1999 7:52 PM Subject: Re: Chain ourselves to the BOP! Dearest Brother, I agree with you.DC is where we will be seen and heard the loudest!!! Had thought of Kansa but do not think it would work as well. I think if we could get at least 500 people we would be heard loud and clear. What do you think? Too many to ask for.........what would be the number of people to get their attention......I think at least 300 but would like to ee many more??? Much Love to You, White Feather