Tuesday, January 26, 2010
PROJECT LINEUP OF MAEDC
The number one priority of the MAEDC is the establishment of a multi-use cultural wellness and recovery center in Great Falls. This is part of a broader package being proposed on a Montana statewide level. The proposed center is needed to house cultural programming, and serve as the economic hub of the Migisew - Asiniweyin bands. The full proposal will be available by Thursday; you can request a copy via e-mail by contacting chippewarecovery@gmail.com.
JOIN THE ANISHINABE ROCKY BOY IDENTITY RECOVERY PROJECT
The Rocky Boy Anishinabe Identity Recovery Project is working to restore the tribal identity of the Rocky Boy's Band of Chippewa Indians first recognized in 1904 with a Senate Bill introduced by Great Falls Founder and Senator, Paris Gibson. In 1908 Congress passed its first aid bill of $30,000 to secure "land, water, and water rights, for Rocky Boy's Band of Chippewa Indians."
There is no mention of "Chippewa Cree" in this legislation. In 1916, the Congress established the Rocky Boy Indian Reservation for "the Rocky Boy Band of Chippewa Indians and other such homeless Indians as the Secretary may deem fit to locate thereon." This language was done at Chief Rocky Boy's request to ensure his brother, Big Rock and his small band would be included, as they were away on a hunt during the 1908 census.
The Chippewa, or Anishinabe have maintained community, a sense of identity, a culture and language--it was this band's silent resistance against enforced government/church cultural and religious assimilation--that enabled the cultural re-emergence that exists today in Montana. The sun dance "thirst lodges" are reverberate with the sacred songs of this small band of Ojibwe, and their descendants--to persist in cultural survival. Unfortunately, most Montana tribes fail to acknowledge this, and instead have engaged in cultural theft while participating in the de-legitimization of these very people.
Identity recovery has resulted as necesary due to the gross mismanagment of the Rocky Boy roll from 1912 to the present. The Chippewa Cree tribal constitution, which was certified by Interior in 1934, has enabled the erasure of Chippewa lineage--that stands in stark contrast to International law, and the U.S.'s own codes against genocide. There are no provisions for Chippewa blood quantum in the Chippewa Cree constitution. Any Indian from any tribe can gain enrollment, and until 2006; there had been a provision that purged a person from the roll after a 10 year absense.
The dire implications of Cree mismanagement in Rocky Boy means, only Cree autonomy is respected, in spite of the absence of treaty rights. The Cree and Metis tribal rights arise under the tribal constitutional preamble, where these people assert adoptee status in the Chippewa tribe. This was a status never voted on or approved by the Anishinabe people. It was merely an act of aggression, a tribal "hostile takeover." Despite this failure to observe long held federal doctrine on tribal sovereignty; this situation has become entrenched. One of the main reasons is Montana politicians perceived self interest in gaining votes to maintain Cree and Metis on Chippewa land. The federal government has resisted repeated efforts of the Chippewa to correct this situation. The latest U.S. Court of Claims kicks Chippewa sovereignty back to the U.S. Congress and the Executive Branch--Interior Department.
There is no mention of "Chippewa Cree" in this legislation. In 1916, the Congress established the Rocky Boy Indian Reservation for "the Rocky Boy Band of Chippewa Indians and other such homeless Indians as the Secretary may deem fit to locate thereon." This language was done at Chief Rocky Boy's request to ensure his brother, Big Rock and his small band would be included, as they were away on a hunt during the 1908 census.
The Chippewa, or Anishinabe have maintained community, a sense of identity, a culture and language--it was this band's silent resistance against enforced government/church cultural and religious assimilation--that enabled the cultural re-emergence that exists today in Montana. The sun dance "thirst lodges" are reverberate with the sacred songs of this small band of Ojibwe, and their descendants--to persist in cultural survival. Unfortunately, most Montana tribes fail to acknowledge this, and instead have engaged in cultural theft while participating in the de-legitimization of these very people.
Identity recovery has resulted as necesary due to the gross mismanagment of the Rocky Boy roll from 1912 to the present. The Chippewa Cree tribal constitution, which was certified by Interior in 1934, has enabled the erasure of Chippewa lineage--that stands in stark contrast to International law, and the U.S.'s own codes against genocide. There are no provisions for Chippewa blood quantum in the Chippewa Cree constitution. Any Indian from any tribe can gain enrollment, and until 2006; there had been a provision that purged a person from the roll after a 10 year absense.
The dire implications of Cree mismanagement in Rocky Boy means, only Cree autonomy is respected, in spite of the absence of treaty rights. The Cree and Metis tribal rights arise under the tribal constitutional preamble, where these people assert adoptee status in the Chippewa tribe. This was a status never voted on or approved by the Anishinabe people. It was merely an act of aggression, a tribal "hostile takeover." Despite this failure to observe long held federal doctrine on tribal sovereignty; this situation has become entrenched. One of the main reasons is Montana politicians perceived self interest in gaining votes to maintain Cree and Metis on Chippewa land. The federal government has resisted repeated efforts of the Chippewa to correct this situation. The latest U.S. Court of Claims kicks Chippewa sovereignty back to the U.S. Congress and the Executive Branch--Interior Department.
The Creation of the Migisew - Asiniweyin Economic Development Corporation
The MAEDC has been long proposed and launching to address economic distress in Great Falls, Montana. The MAEDC is owned and operated by the Migisew and original Rocky Boy Bands of Chippewa. The MAEDC addresses legacy issues of historic poverty of the Hill 57 history, and the abandonment of the Anishinabe people by the federal government.
The MAEDC is launching its initiatives from this site: and will keep the community apprised of ways to stay involved through here. Listening Thunder Technology is in the process of finalizing draft organizational documents, with a 100% volunteer effort of a paralegal to incorporate the entity. The MAEDC is part of a larger effort of the Chippewa band, and under the direction of the band council.
LTT is working in an entirely volunteer capacity to draft band documents, creating this band's historic constitution and working with the tribe to submit its first petition for restoration of federal recognition, proposed companion legislation, and its economic policy.
ABOUT MAEDC:
The MAEDC is an intended to be an autonomous corporation of the Migisew and Asiniweyin Band goverment. It is being chartered to provide economic programs for the bands to thrive and prosper. The MAEDC will have its own governing board. Should you be interested in serving you must be a lineal descendant of the band/or bands, have an interest in economic development, and be willing to provide leadership at all levels to advance the economic program of the Migisew and Asiniweyin Bands.
The MAEDC is launching its initiatives from this site: and will keep the community apprised of ways to stay involved through here. Listening Thunder Technology is in the process of finalizing draft organizational documents, with a 100% volunteer effort of a paralegal to incorporate the entity. The MAEDC is part of a larger effort of the Chippewa band, and under the direction of the band council.
LTT is working in an entirely volunteer capacity to draft band documents, creating this band's historic constitution and working with the tribe to submit its first petition for restoration of federal recognition, proposed companion legislation, and its economic policy.
ABOUT MAEDC:
The MAEDC is an intended to be an autonomous corporation of the Migisew and Asiniweyin Band goverment. It is being chartered to provide economic programs for the bands to thrive and prosper. The MAEDC will have its own governing board. Should you be interested in serving you must be a lineal descendant of the band/or bands, have an interest in economic development, and be willing to provide leadership at all levels to advance the economic program of the Migisew and Asiniweyin Bands.
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