Indigenous Peoples International
Working
with Indigenous Cultures Worldwide
1023 Promontory Terrace • San Ramon • CA
94583• (925)552-7132 • email: rktheile@sbcglobal.net
______________________________________________________________________________
Dear
Sir or Madam,
In
1979, the largest radioactive waste spill in the
State
tests showed that the surface water was polluted in
The
United Nuclear Corporation, which owned the mill that caused the spill, took
very little responsibility for the clean up or the aftermath of the pollution.
The
indigenous peoples of
Indigenous
Peoples International (IPI) is a humanitarian program of
Our
primary goals are to:
| Work
with and support the physical and cultural environments of indigenous people
worldwide. |
| Work
with the community of environmental organizations in protecting and
preserving our natural resources for a sustainable planet and for the
well-being of all living things. |
I
hope you will help Indigenous Peoples International stop the vicious cycle of
atrocities against indigenous peoples and our environment by making a one-time
or recurring monthly donation to our cause. Donations can be made under
Indigenous Peoples International at the IHCenter.org website.
Thank
you for your support,
Rick
K. Theile – Indigenous Peoples
International
_________________________________________________________________________________
Indigenous Peoples International (IPI) is a program of
P.S.
Your tax deductible contribution will fund environmental sustainability, habitat
and wildlife preservation. Since IPI is a new organization, your money will aid
us in program development, research, travel to indigenous cultures to evaluate
their needs and educating the public about all the issues mentioned above
through lectures and film showings.
P.P.S.
IPI and IHCenter do not sell, rent or exchange the names of our donors with any
other organizations and IPI does not engage in telemarketing with our donors.
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Background
Recently
and in the recent past, we have heard of genocides occurring in
Since
the arrival of
In
1974 Congress passed the Navajo – Hopi Land Settlement Act (Public Law 93-531)
into law. This law forced 10,000 Navajo People off their lands and stripped away
their livelihood. What was the reason for the forced relocation? So the largest
coal mining company (Peabody Coal Company) could strip mine their lands for
coal. What did the Navajo’s get out of the deal?
Fifteen cents a ton; 4% of the value of their coal. The average income of
Navajos was $1,900 per year. The Navajo should have been one of the wealthiest
tribes in the
For
indigenous peoples like the Navajo, land is the sacred center of life. Because
of the forced relocation, many Navajo were condemned to a life of misery,
poverty and alienation.
In
the radioactive spill mentioned in the beginning of this letter, the
environmental impact created financial hardship, health problems for their
animals and high rates of cancer stemming from radioactive contamination to the
people and animals.
Once
the mill was forced to close, a spokesman from UNC said the mines and mill were
no longer a priority for the company. The company’s feelings were that there
were very few people in the area to worry about. Approximately 8000 Navajo
people lived along the river. The native people were not told of the dangers of
the spill. In the Ship Rock Native American community in
In
Through
the support of multinational corporations and globalization by the governments
of third world countries, the conditions for indigenous people worsen. Producing
higher rates of poverty and making their lives increasingly more difficult. What
we are made to believe by the multinational corporations is that their lives
will be better.
For
hundreds of years there was an ancient Navajo prophecy predicting that we will
suffer great devastation and terrible diseases if we pollute the land and water.
We are seeing some of this with the current global warming situation. Because
our planet is the only home we have, we must all take responsibility for her or
the consequences will be devastating.
The
Native Americans lived in harmony with the land and with all living things. They
saw all living things as their relatives. If we can listen to what the
indigenous people’s wisdom and relationship with Mother Earth says regarding
the environment, we have hope in creating a healthier and more pristine place to
live.
Indigenous
Peoples International will work with and support indigenous people on issues
such as human rights, the environment, the social fabric of the tribal
community, culture, education and land rights. We will assess the specific needs
of a tribe and working with the specific indigenous community, will identify
culturally appropriate solutions while building on existing resources. IPI will
be a voice, educator and activist for tribal peoples worldwide to preserve the
integrity of their lives and cultures. We will also take part in the
preservation and sustainability of our environment and the preservations of all
living things that makes this a beautiful and wondrous planet.
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“Traditional people of Indian nations have interpreted the two roads
that face the light-skinned race as the road to technology and the road to
spirituality. We feel that the road to technology…. has led modern society to
a damaged and seared earth. Could it be that the road to technology represents a
rush to destruction, and that the road to spirituality represents the slower
path that the traditional native people have traveled and are now seeking again?
The earth is not scorched on this trail. The grass is still growing there.”
William Commanda,