Hensci. This month marks the one-year anniversary for this column, and the new year in our traditional system. In this year not much has changed: we are still being dragged into a war, by son, by daughter, a war initiated to make a few people rich: rich with money and resources, not rich in songs or wisdom. There’s a difference. Walter Mosly, the African-American mystery writer noted that the U.S. is no longer a democratic nation; we have become an oligarchy, a government by the rich for the rich. Sure appears that way. And in a few short years since this government has been dead set (so to speak) on a course of war, this country has lost nearly all credibility with the rest of the world. I experienced it directly in South Africa with a hostile audience when I was introduced as “American”. We are now seen as aggressive, violent, and in control by fundamentalist elements. Funny…isn’t that “our” name for “them”?
A few days ago I was up in Hartford, Connecticut for a performance at the General Synod of the United Church of Christ, and had a chance to see Barack Obama and to hear the last 20 minutes of his speech. The packed civic center shined with his presence of wisdom and compassion. “You don’t have to be disagreeable to disagree,” is one of the lines I scribbled as I listened. Can you imagine coherent, wise and articulate leadership? Those qualities should be written into the job description. Right now the primary requirements for the office appear to be money and cronies in high places with money.
I had a chance to visit briefly with Creek citizen Rosemary McCombs Maxey in Hartford over dinner. She was busy with workshops and NCC business at the SYNOD Conference. (I’ve noticed that Rosemary is often involved in community service. The Hawaiians incarcerated in western Oklahoma sure appreciate her visits and assistance.) I asked Rosemary about her chickens and learned about the idiosyncrasies of guinea hens:
“I got home last evening into the mud and mire of our farm. The surviving guinea was happy to chatter at me, talking Creek all the while and eating "last year's" corn.
Guineas and their shenanigans.
Guineas are blackish, gray and white. Because of their body shape, they look like one of the Marx brothers in a tuxedo. When there were two of them the guineas segregated themselves with the black and white speckled chickens (Dominiques) and apart from the White Rock hens and rooster and apart from the Rhode Island Red hens. I hope it is not projection on my part, but I swear, they seemed to target the others by pushing them away from the feed pans and trays. They especially picked on the white rooster and to some extent a multicolored rooster, plucking their tail feathers out. The roosters became bobtailed, so when they try to mate with hens they don't have the balance they need. When the roosters fall off the hen, then the guinea run to them and peck them adding insult to injury.
The fowl sleep in a little cabin and up on roosts. The guinea roost with their friends the Dominiques. In the morning when I go out to feed them, they fly down off the roost into the yard. Usually they have a very smooth landing, but one morning, one of the guinea misjudged her landing and crashed into the water trough and got herself soaked. She looked somewhat embarrassed but also disgusted as she shook herself off and went behind her house to regain her composure.
One bright sunny morning last year, the guinea were strutting in the yard making their noises when overhead a mockingbird was going through her tunes. She mocked the guinea. They looked up at her in utter disgust and ducked their heads and went inside their house.
The guinea are independent fowl and don't like to be touched. Chickens will cozy-up. But one day they got out and the dogs chased them into some cedar trees. I was out yelling at the dogs and trying to get to the guinea. One of them sailed to my feet and I picked her up. The other too. I carried them back to safety, but they never said "thanks." They just went inside their little cabin.
They are wonderful noise-makers when strange things are going on. They eat ticks, I'm told. I can't bring myself to kill and eat them like my forebears did.
Those are my barnyard stories for today.”
Mvto, Rosemary!
Other issues have remained the same or have slid down farther on the Index of Fast and Questionable Change. We’re still piling up paper diapers, Styrofoam and other packaging trash. And we’re raising our children by television and computers. The predicted meltdown of the earth is on track for in or around 2010, according to those who are paying close attention to the signs of alarming earthly change. The popular term for the shift or meltdown is: ‘global warming”. That term addresses only one aspect of the process. And here the naming distances the truth. We aren’t a “globe”; we’re a breathing being. We are, each of us: animal, plant, mineral, elements and all particulars of life here, are part of one system.
We still eat too much grease. We could find other uses for it. In fact, grease could be the next economic opportunity for the Nation. We could sell all the used grease, gather it up from all the restaurants, schools, other institutions, the extra from each of the coffee cans filled with bacon and sausage grease sitting on our stoves. Yes, it’s true. We can use that grease to fuel our cars and trucks. (I saw it on television, with the kids.) It is relatively easy to reconfigure your car, using the existing gasoline motor, to run from grease. One such refitted car is traveling about the country to tout this economical answer to petroleum. Their exhaust trail smells like Chinese take-out, fish fry, or fried chicken, depending on the source for fuel that day. Industrial-sized bottles of cooking oil can be stored in the back of the car if used grease isn’t available. Makes sense to me. Only thing is, the fumes might stir your hunger, and you’ll have to stop and have a bit to eat, a little more grease.
I took a look at our Nation’s Stubborn Index. Yes, way up from last year to this one. The stalemate between some members of our National Council and common sense is responsible for most of the steep rise. Stubbornness as determination can be useful. Sometimes it’s hard to know the difference. One makes an impossible rut in the road and no one can get through. The other will get you where you going and might inspire others to do the same. Determination helped us survive the trail, got us through years of struggle with all those threats to our survival: the Dawes Commission, oil companies…you know the rest.
The Jealousy Index has skyrocketed since last year at a steady, nasty rate. We send it to each other, to anyone who raises their hand to help, speaks up, gets their picture in the paper, has something to add... It hobbles the Nation. And not just our people, it’s endemic in Indian Country. The most egregious attacks are from those closest to us, from within our own communities. The Jealousy Index in Indian Country is consistently over the top. The other side of jealousy might be celebration. Instead of stewing in a putrid green mess, try sending out some balloons, some banana bread, or a little sour sofkey. You might get some help for your own direction. See what happens. Someone else’s accomplishments help clear the road for others, for even you.
And despite what anyone might think, it’s still hard to make a living as an artist. Lesego Rampolokeng, a South African poet can attest to the difficulties, even in his country. He told me the story of how a landowner was having trouble with baboons. They can be quite cantankerous, stubborn, even vicious. The landowner wanted them off his property. They were obnoxious, had cleared his garden, broken into his shed, his pantry. He’d tried everything, from Acme Baboon Traps to sending in female baboons in red high heels. Nothing worked. One day a man walked up and said he could get rid of the baboons.
“Go ahead, you can try, like all the rest”, said the harried landowner. “But I won’t pay you until they’re gone.”
“Fair enough.”
The landowner watched the man walk out to the back of the property. As the landowner watched, he saw the baboons laugh uproariously. Then they cried. And then they took off, running out into the bush.
“How did you do that?” Asked the amazed landowner, as he pulled out his wallet.
“First I told them that I was a poet. Then I told them how much money I made as a poet…Then I told them I was going to read them a poem.”
Of course there will always be change. All we can do is keep integrity about ourselves, and a sense of humor. Speaking of, I really enjoyed hanging out with Teresa Riley in Tucson. She said to remind you all that she’s Vincent’s sister.
And, before I forget, Cheryl Sanders is looking for a pattern for a Creek dress. “Well, I'm still searching for a pattern. You may put the request in your column next month. Kvskvne@yahoo.com is looking for her dress! Ha! “
Until next time.
7/20/07
from Medellin
from my balcony at the Gran Hotel, Medellin, Columbia
I returned yesterday from Medellin, and that beautiful land called Columbia in the Spanish language, and so many other names in the many indigenous languages. Though I had only two hours of sleep before boarding a plane early yesterday morning I was so inspired I could not sleep along the journey, a journey that took me through the many principalities of the sky realms, over Columbia, the Caribbean, Jamaica, Cuba to Miami, onto the sprawling and frenetic DFW Airport, then to Albuquerque. I kept feeling the spirits of Fredy, Hugo and his family, Jessie, Fernando, the mountains, the city. I kept hearing the poetry....
It took two-and-a-half hours to make it from the sliding doors of the entrance of the Medellin International Airport. The itinerary was something like this:
1-Find the correct line for American Airlines. Bags taken away for screening, immediately after being asked the security question: have your bags been in your immediate possession since you packed them? They were until now. I watch them being dragged from my sight, without destination tags.
2-Make it to the counter. Sent to another line at another desk for a departing tax assessment
3-Stand in line at the AA counter again. Pay tax.
4-Pick up one of my bags in the sprawl of x-rayed bags and take it to the counter for weighing and check in.
5-Locate my second bag in its own line for an extra security check.
6-Stand in a line for bag picked for extra security.
7-Watch the agent go through every item in my large suitcase and ask me questions about where I have been and what I have been doing. (I have been standing in lines.)
8-Stand in line at the AA counter again. Get my boarding card.
9-Stand in line for Immigration. My passport and boarding card are checked.
10-They are checked again at the end of the line. My passport is stamped. I expect to shop after making it through the security gauntlet. I discover that a) the security gauntlet is not over, and b) the only thing for sale is sexy women's underwear and alcohol. Neither will work for my sister, mother or brothers. Well, actually, my mother would probably secretly delight in the underwear, but none of the underwear would fit anyone over size 12, and my brothers would welcome the alcohol—but because the alcohol is a liquid in bottles of over 4 ounces each, not properly sealed in an official quart-size plastic bag it would not get past the U.S. Miami security. And my brothers don’t need encouragement to drink more alcohol. My passport and boarding card are checked at the end of the line.
11-Wait for the flight.
12-My passport and boarding card are checked before boarding.
13-I hold my breath past yet another set of security precautions: for carry-on bags.
14-I let out my breath as I enter the gateway.
15-Too soon. Security agents approach me on two sides. The woman pats me down. "What's this?" She asks in Spanish as her hand rests on the bump of my left hand jeans pocket. I pull out a small bag I carry with some items in it, including ti-leaf that were part of a blessing in Hawaii. Then I am surrounded by all of the agents. They sniff, pass the bag around while I try to explain in muchacho Spanish and English what it is I'm carrying. They call an English-speaking agent over. He listens to my explanation; he lets me go.
16-I get on the plane. Miraculous.
(Alfred, this list is for you,too.) (Alfred A. Yuson, the Filipino poet and I were in tandem through the airport.) (I've always believed that so-called "magical realism "is the natural literary expression of energetic release from bureaucratic systems crossing with the indigenous heart, and the humped up bully mind of colonial rule. We were in it. The airport and example of the hyper colonial realism, no magic) (I am a mystical realist.)
The last night of the International Poetry Festival of Medellin culminated in a mass performance of all the poets of the festival. It is the largest poetry festival in the world. I counted about 60 to 70 poets, from Nepal, Germany, Argentina, Columbia, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Ireland, New Zealand, Switzerland, South Africa, all-over-Africa, Liberia, Venezuela, Paraguay, Uruguay, Spain, Puerto Rico, the Philippines, Sweden, Greenland, the U.S., Mexico, and so many others, at a huge amphitheater in Medellin. The audience swelled to more than a few thousand people. Vendors walked back and forth through the crowds selling snacks, toys, and drinks.
This could have been an audience for basketball, football or a rock concert in the states. But for poetry? In the U.S.? Absolutely not, not now, not in the age of the quick fix, quick highs, not when you have to stop the mad circle in order to contemplate the meaning of the circle. Most of the voices in this country who get heard are trussed up and paid for by the multi-corporate entertainment industry. And they aren’t poetry. Bob Dylan would never have made it in the music business in this country, in these times. He was young, but not pretty, slick or flashy.
The audiences in Columbia were todos, everyone. They were the people off the street, from the country, old and young. The audience was all of the people, not just other poets, or university faculty or students. It was todos. Everyone. Even children listened intently and were moved to laughter, silence or tears. They were absolutely present for songs of the soul, respectful of everyone, every voice, from the contemplative, soft voice, to the rowdy, oral performance poet.
The audience that final night stayed for nearly six hours of poetry, through a rainstorm, through lightning, to the very end of poetry.
Muchas gracias, to the spirit of poetry in the South.
That was the gift of Columbia to me, to all of us.
Sherwin Bitsui, Fredy Chicangana and me 07/2007 Medellin
The other gift was the presence of the Indigenous poets of the rest of the Americas, and the poet from Greenland. It is oddly more difficult to speak this part, of how powerful the connection between us. I found relatives who had been missing to me, there. Fredy Chicangana of the Yanacona Nation, Hugo Jamijoy of the Putamayo, his wife, Ate, their daughter Tema, Hugo’s father, Lindantonella Solano of the Wayuu people, Jessie Kleemann, Greenlander Inuit Kalaait, Natalia Toledo, Zapoteca and Gregorio Gomez, Guarani Nation. Sherwin Bitsui and Allison Hedge Coke, Cherokee and Huron were also part of the gift.
Our performance together that last night will be a place I will visit when I need sustenance, when I need to remember the why and how. Within that small moment were all the meals together, the ability to sit and and just be together, the laughter, silence and tears, the poetry of poetry, the poetry of being. We will need all of this as we struggle with the ongoing massacres, extermination politicies...
....more later...
7/13/07
The Color LIne, con't
Thanks for the BBC story link, Stephanie. We did not judge by skin color in the days we revere as "traditional". I believe fear of loss of what we know as culture drives it. Color has become a major indicator of belonging or not belonging. Color has nothing to do with the condition of the soul, though the fundamentalist church I attended as a child, then walked out of at fourteen said it did. (No wonder no one talked to me except a few who felt they were saving me from my heathen ways.) Actually there were some good people there, including a Mrs. Hughes who wore black lace up shoes from the early part of the century, and who was a proponent of the Women's Christian Temperance Union. She always told us "lips that touch liquor will never touch mine". She really did care for all of us. Kindness translates the truth far better than skin color. They even had a story to explain racism, based on one of Noah's sons. Their conclusion was that dark-skinned people deserved their fate in a racist society.
An update on the trip: Talked to my daughter last night by phone last night, after the family's return. Everyone was very good to her niece. They welcomed her and were kind to her. Only one aunt made a deprecatory comment. She's the same one who adopted two white children. Go figure.
An update on the trip: Talked to my daughter last night by phone last night, after the family's return. Everyone was very good to her niece. They welcomed her and were kind to her. Only one aunt made a deprecatory comment. She's the same one who adopted two white children. Go figure.
7/12/07
From the Peacemaker's Teachings
Chief Leon Shenandoah says of the Peacemaker's teachings:
"The most important thing is that each individual must treat all others, all the people who walk on Mother Earth, including every nationality, with kindness...When people turn their thoughts to the Creator, they give the Creator the power to enter their minds and to bring good thoughts."
from The Iroquois Book of LIfe, White Roots of Peace, assembled by Paul Wallace, illustrated by John Kahionhes Fadden with foreward by Chief Leon Shenandoah.
These are some wise words, and I need them. The theme of the last few day, from accummulated stories from family, friends and others is:" traditionalists acting like strict, and unforgiving bureaucrats." For me, a traditionalist is one who acts respectfully to all s/he encounters. Doesn't make you a wuss, in fact, you hold your power steady and bright.( And by the way, it isn't Your power. It's a gift for you to use to help out a little around here.) I've had several models: Bill Dalton, Pat Jojola, George Coser, Jr, his parents, a Maori from New Zealand whose name I do not remember; I met him in Quito in 1990, Kawila Clark...
My cousin reported a tribal member attacking him in the hallway at the tribal complex: "What are you doing here? You're an "Outlander". (Meaning he doesn't live in the boundaries of the Creek Nation in Oklahoma.) She is trying to force through a law that would limit tribal voting rights to those within the boundaries. This would leave out tribal members in other parts of Oklahoma, and anyone else. "What about your children? he asked. "They couldn't vote either" she snapped. No wonder her family moved away. Apparently she has a narrow definition of tribal membership.
Yesterday I was present at a family gathering. Most of them were headed up to ceremonies at their father/grandfather's pueblo today. We expressed concern about a light-skinned grandchild. We did not want her to be hurt by negativity thrown in her direction. Their tribe is very strict around ceremonies, and there are historical reasons for this, but their rigidity is legendary and they have hurt many of their own tribal/family members by their suspicious questioning and outright rejection of their own, especially if they have European, Navajo, or Oklahoma Indian blood. I didn't want this beloved child hurt. I haven't heard from my daughter so it must be okay.
Funny how in our tribal stories we tell how we came through such devastating treatment by the overtakers. And we still encounter racism and culturalism in the system. We have learned it very very well. We are doing the same thing to our own people.
Think about it.
Where is the Peacemaker?
We need the Peacemaker now.
from the Albuquerque Airport, on their free internet
"The most important thing is that each individual must treat all others, all the people who walk on Mother Earth, including every nationality, with kindness...When people turn their thoughts to the Creator, they give the Creator the power to enter their minds and to bring good thoughts."
from The Iroquois Book of LIfe, White Roots of Peace, assembled by Paul Wallace, illustrated by John Kahionhes Fadden with foreward by Chief Leon Shenandoah.
These are some wise words, and I need them. The theme of the last few day, from accummulated stories from family, friends and others is:" traditionalists acting like strict, and unforgiving bureaucrats." For me, a traditionalist is one who acts respectfully to all s/he encounters. Doesn't make you a wuss, in fact, you hold your power steady and bright.( And by the way, it isn't Your power. It's a gift for you to use to help out a little around here.) I've had several models: Bill Dalton, Pat Jojola, George Coser, Jr, his parents, a Maori from New Zealand whose name I do not remember; I met him in Quito in 1990, Kawila Clark...
My cousin reported a tribal member attacking him in the hallway at the tribal complex: "What are you doing here? You're an "Outlander". (Meaning he doesn't live in the boundaries of the Creek Nation in Oklahoma.) She is trying to force through a law that would limit tribal voting rights to those within the boundaries. This would leave out tribal members in other parts of Oklahoma, and anyone else. "What about your children? he asked. "They couldn't vote either" she snapped. No wonder her family moved away. Apparently she has a narrow definition of tribal membership.
Yesterday I was present at a family gathering. Most of them were headed up to ceremonies at their father/grandfather's pueblo today. We expressed concern about a light-skinned grandchild. We did not want her to be hurt by negativity thrown in her direction. Their tribe is very strict around ceremonies, and there are historical reasons for this, but their rigidity is legendary and they have hurt many of their own tribal/family members by their suspicious questioning and outright rejection of their own, especially if they have European, Navajo, or Oklahoma Indian blood. I didn't want this beloved child hurt. I haven't heard from my daughter so it must be okay.
Funny how in our tribal stories we tell how we came through such devastating treatment by the overtakers. And we still encounter racism and culturalism in the system. We have learned it very very well. We are doing the same thing to our own people.
Think about it.
Where is the Peacemaker?
We need the Peacemaker now.
from the Albuquerque Airport, on their free internet
7/8/07
NPR's 25 Most E-Mailed Stories for the Past 24 Hours
Italian Garlic Debate Raises a Culinary Stink
Mocean Worker: Old Jazz Meets New Producer
'Dr. Bronner's Magic Soapbox'
A SACRED CONNECTION TO THE SUN
Jack Kerouac's Famous Scroll, 'On the Road' Again
Former Soldier Helps Others Fight Army for Help
Pope Benedict Eases Restrictions on Mass
Brandi Carlile Goes Straight for the Gut
Spam: More than Junk Mail or Junk Meat
Hailing the History of New York's Yellow Cabs
Sara Tavares Mixes Portuguese, African Rhythms
Clues Created for Copious Enjoyment
Reflections on Welcoming a New Family Member
Study: Men Talk Just as Much as Women
The Learning Curve of Gratitude
A Baseball Tutorial
Reno Collects the History of America Through Song
New Diary Offers Glimpse of Life in Nazi Grip
Adult Circus Act: The Skating Willers
A Lullaby for Grownups in Love
YouTube Guitar Lessons Pulled in Copyright Spat
Paul McCartney: An Icon Ages Gracefully
Live in the Antarctic, It's Nunatak
The Slapping Game
A Late Lift for Country Legend Louvin
Mocean Worker: Old Jazz Meets New Producer
'Dr. Bronner's Magic Soapbox'
A SACRED CONNECTION TO THE SUN
Jack Kerouac's Famous Scroll, 'On the Road' Again
Former Soldier Helps Others Fight Army for Help
Pope Benedict Eases Restrictions on Mass
Brandi Carlile Goes Straight for the Gut
Spam: More than Junk Mail or Junk Meat
Hailing the History of New York's Yellow Cabs
Sara Tavares Mixes Portuguese, African Rhythms
Clues Created for Copious Enjoyment
Reflections on Welcoming a New Family Member
Study: Men Talk Just as Much as Women
The Learning Curve of Gratitude
A Baseball Tutorial
Reno Collects the History of America Through Song
New Diary Offers Glimpse of Life in Nazi Grip
Adult Circus Act: The Skating Willers
A Lullaby for Grownups in Love
YouTube Guitar Lessons Pulled in Copyright Spat
Paul McCartney: An Icon Ages Gracefully
Live in the Antarctic, It's Nunatak
The Slapping Game
A Late Lift for Country Legend Louvin
Jimi Hendrix quote: When the power of love
overcomes the love of power, we will have world peace.
Jimi Hendrix, guitar shaman
Jimi Hendrix, guitar shaman
7/7/07
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
REMEMBER THIS? Reread it in light of recent world political/social/spiritual events. (it's all one.)
Then read it, translating "human" as human-people, human-earth, human-roadrunner, human-cedar tree, etc etc.
(other language versions)
Adopted and proclaimed by General Assembly resolution 217 A (III) of 10 December 1948
On December 10, 1948 the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights the full text of which appears in the following pages. Following this historic act the Assembly called upon all Member countries to publicize the text of the Declaration and "to cause it to be disseminated, displayed, read and expounded principally in schools and other educational institutions, without distinction based on the political status of countries or territories."
PREAMBLE
Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,
Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,
Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law,
Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations,
Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,
Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in co-operation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms,
Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge,
Now, Therefore THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY proclaims THIS UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.
Article 1.
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
Article 2.
Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.
Article 3.
Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.
Article 4.
No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.
Article 5.
No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
Article 6.
Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.
Article 7.
All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.
Article 8.
Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law.
Article 9.
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.
Article 10.
Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.
Article 11.
(1) Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence.
(2) No one shall be held guilty of any penal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a penal offence, under national or international law, at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the penal offence was committed.
Article 12.
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.
Article 13.
(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.
(2) Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.
Article 14.
(1) Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.
(2) This right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
Article 15.
(1) Everyone has the right to a nationality.
(2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.
Article 16.
(1) Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.
(2) Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.
(3) The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.
Article 17.
(1) Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.
(2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.
Article 18.
Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.
Article 19.
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
Article 20.
(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
(2) No one may be compelled to belong to an association.
Article 21.
(1) Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.
(2) Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country.
(3) The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.
Article 22.
Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.
Article 23.
(1) Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.
(2) Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.
(3) Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection.
(4) Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.
Article 24.
Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.
Article 25.
(1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.
(2) Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.
Article 26.
(1) Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.
(2) Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.
(3) Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.
Article 27.
(1) Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.
(2) Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.
Article 28.
Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized.
Article 29.
(1) Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible.
(2) In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society.
(3) These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
Article 30.
Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein.
Then read it, translating "human" as human-people, human-earth, human-roadrunner, human-cedar tree, etc etc.
(other language versions)
Adopted and proclaimed by General Assembly resolution 217 A (III) of 10 December 1948
On December 10, 1948 the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights the full text of which appears in the following pages. Following this historic act the Assembly called upon all Member countries to publicize the text of the Declaration and "to cause it to be disseminated, displayed, read and expounded principally in schools and other educational institutions, without distinction based on the political status of countries or territories."
PREAMBLE
Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,
Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,
Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law,
Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations,
Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,
Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in co-operation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms,
Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge,
Now, Therefore THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY proclaims THIS UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.
Article 1.
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
Article 2.
Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.
Article 3.
Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.
Article 4.
No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.
Article 5.
No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
Article 6.
Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.
Article 7.
All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.
Article 8.
Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law.
Article 9.
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.
Article 10.
Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.
Article 11.
(1) Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence.
(2) No one shall be held guilty of any penal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a penal offence, under national or international law, at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the penal offence was committed.
Article 12.
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.
Article 13.
(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.
(2) Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.
Article 14.
(1) Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.
(2) This right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
Article 15.
(1) Everyone has the right to a nationality.
(2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.
Article 16.
(1) Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.
(2) Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.
(3) The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.
Article 17.
(1) Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.
(2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.
Article 18.
Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.
Article 19.
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
Article 20.
(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
(2) No one may be compelled to belong to an association.
Article 21.
(1) Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.
(2) Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country.
(3) The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.
Article 22.
Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.
Article 23.
(1) Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.
(2) Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.
(3) Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection.
(4) Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.
Article 24.
Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.
Article 25.
(1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.
(2) Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.
Article 26.
(1) Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.
(2) Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.
(3) Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.
Article 27.
(1) Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.
(2) Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.
Article 28.
Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized.
Article 29.
(1) Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible.
(2) In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society.
(3) These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
Article 30.
Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein.
7/6/07
ANOTHER TREAT
On Sunday I will have up my version of Witchi Tia To, the Pepper classic, for a listen.
7/5/07
WEEKEND EDITION NPR JULY 8th
In honor of the on-air premiere of my piece "Talking to the Sun" this Sunday, I will have a free download of a new song: SUNRISE available on myspace.
LOOK FOR IT.
LOOK FOR IT.
7/1/07
Note re MNN Column
Apparently the column I posted last week DIDN'T appear in the Muscogee Nation News.
I'll let you know what's up.
I'll let you know what's up.
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