Loud Thunder International, Inc.

Loud Thunder Catching Up on Backlog

2011-03-08T13:25:00.001-08:00

We are spending the next several weeks catching up on backlogged work.... we are revamping our most recent proposals and will update on where we are at in the process.

Fellowships

2011-03-03T14:02:00.000-08:00

This is a new effort to launch the Listening Thunder Spirit Fellowships to further the work of environmental, social justice, civil rights and cultural activists in our region, nation and hemisphere. Robert Gopher believed in the concept of "one human family." This concept was based on a mutually recognized right to exist of all people.

Robert Gopher, Listening Thunder

Robert Gopher was a lifelong advocate for the oppressed, marginalized and voiceless. His life experience began as a child following his father around to various sundances (thirst lodge). He became proficient in the traditional wisdom of his elders at an early age. This was good preparation; as the youngest of 5 brothers, he lost his father to cancer, Robert was just a youth of 16 years. The elders of the thirst lodges, continued to provide him guidance throughout his youth and adult life--and stepped up to fill the gap. Never one to be discouraged by disadvantages, he devoted his life to the concept of an equal and just society.

He founded many social, economic, cultural, educational and environmental endeavors. He was a kind person, but a stern father. He fathered eight children, and lost a son, Gerald, in infancy, he raised his sons to be powwow singers, and he continued with a lifetime commitment of living the example "one person can make a difference." To honor his vision, we are kicking off a fund-raising effort to build an on-going Listening Thunder Spirit Fellowship program, which will be a permanent feature of our organization. We want to build direct action in all communities of need to honor the spirit of our late father and organization's founder.

Robert Gopher, with Sgt. Schriver, 1965, Great Falls

He would want to know there are committed people addressing the most pressing issues of our time, from tar sands, unequal energy/resource development policies that strip poor and tribal communities of their voice, to climate change, to a broad array of environmental issues. Here in the United States, there is a need for a renewed effort to preserve and enhance individual civil rights. We need committed people to mount community challenges to the many onslaughts we are facing; we want to build our fellowship program as the vital cultural bridge that he believed was needed.

Anishinabe Influences

2011-02-14T12:41:00.000-08:00

From the widely covered Longest Walk for Diabetes, headed by Dennis Banks, to a recruitment effort to draft Winona LaDuke for President--Anishinabe people are blazing trails in high profile ways.

Banks is the leading advocate in Indian country on the effort to raise awareness of the effects of diabetes. His walk has been a multi-year effort to bring the disease to the forefront of awareness, and to engage native and all citizens on all factors that have contributed to a major disease afflicting Indian country. Banks was in instrumental and influential leader in the rise of modern Native American activism through his role in the American Indian movement.

LaDuke was a candidate for Vice President (Green Party) in 2000. Her work in the political realm elevated the stature of Native American people in every state, who have begun to wield the franchise of their vote in very pivotal elections. Notably, in 2006, Native American voters in Montana helped swing the balance of the United States Senate in the Democratic column with the election of Sen. Jon Tester. Tester's win, along with Jim Webb of Virginia, turned the U.S. Senate that year. Tester won in Montana on a razor thin margin of less than 3,000 votes.

In the realm of entertainment, the most notable Native American actor is Adam Beach, an Anishinabe (Saulteaux) who originates from the Dog Creek First Nation, Manitoba, Canada. A hard working actor, he has appeared in over 60 titles. His career reflects the visual revolution that has occurred in how mainstream society views native people. His work as a young actor include Smoke Signals, and Dance Me Outside, that were low-budget, low visibility productions that appeared one dimensional to the more complex, and poignant portrayal of Ira Hayes, in 2006 Flags of Our Fathers, and the most contemporary portrayals as casino manager Tommy Flute in Big Love (HBO). His work has done more to elevate the range, and depth of native people in film, thereby dispelling stereotypes. In addition, his work has forced Hollywood and the broader film industry to depict native people in a truthful light, rather than perpetuate stereotypes.

Anishinabe cultural influences include the jingle dress dance, recounted with various oral legends of an Anishinabe woman's vision; the dance likely originates with the Ringing Lodge ceremony of the Anishinabe people. The specific knowledge of this ceremony was last practiced by the Anishinabe of Hill 57; and it is believed to not be widely practiced. The jingle dresses reflect the spiritual beliefs of the pre-Christianity Anishinabe traditional beliefs. The dresses and style of dance originate with the tribe, and no doubt the ceremonial lodge knowledge has played a role in how the dance has now evolved to encompass all tribes for its beauty, grace and brilliance.

Up Next: The Future

Ryan McMahon, et. al.

Disclaimer: This is for cultural, and or entertainment, political, news only. The article is written by Loud Thunder International, no claim of celebrity endorsement is intended. Not to be reprinted without permission.

http://www.finaldraft.com

Loud Thunder California

2010-09-06T13:02:00.000-07:00

Loud Thunder is branching to California, believing the work of the organization is taking on a national focus. The goal of the organization's board of directors is to establish a cultural learning institute in Southern California that will better position the organization to establish its national efforts. Plans are underway to establish a permanent base in California to strengthen the group's economic base to serve the needs of native people on a national level.

A diabetes fund is being established to provide for direct giving program to native communities to combat diabetes. The Gopher family is establishing the DOROTHY GOPHER DIABETES FUND to combat this devastating disease affecting native communities across the continent. Dorothy Gopher suffered from adult onset, Type II diabetes that ulitmately took her life on October 2, 2008.

Will the Gopher's Leave the Big Sky for California Surf...??

2010-05-04T22:10:00.000-07:00

One of Montana's most enduring Native American families may be pulling up stakes. The Gopher family believe they have done all that can be done to foster a better inter-racial climate in Montana. This family has been at the forefront of political, cultural, and social change in Montana for over a century. The family has a history dating to Chief Rocky Boy--their work has benefitted many tribal groups in the state, on many levels...family members are seeking a broader impact to strengthen the standing of native people on a national and international level, saying that Montana may not necessarily be the best place to make that happen.

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Loud Thunder's Jobs Proposals

2009-12-11T09:07:00.000-08:00

TREATY RIGHTS IN THE CONTEXT OF FEDERAL STIMULUS

THE CHIPPEWA TRUTH COMMISSION: AFFIRMING BILATERAL RIGHTS OF TRIBAL PEOPLE AFFECTED BY THE U.S/CANADA BORDER

There is a need to address bilateral treaty rights of four north central Montana bands, the Rocky Boy/Migisew, the Little Shell, the Metis and Little Bear Cree. This proposal calls for enrollment reform affecting the "Chippewa Cree Tribe." This is not really a tribe there are four entities affected by collective confusion that has reigned supreme over the identity of the Rocky Boy Band of Chippewa since it was initially recognized by Congress in 1908. Our proposal begins to fix the problem:

A CHIPPEWA TRUTH COMMISSION IS NEEDED: This is the first major step to enact and/or re-affirm Chippewa federal recognition in Montana affecting the Little Shell Band of Chippewa and the non-enrolled descendants of the original 1908 Rocky Boy Chippewa Band Roll.

A major component of the CHIPPEWA TRUTH COMMISSION would be to re-align the four tribal groups affected: the Rocky Boy Band, the Little Shell, the Little Bear Cree and the Riel Metis--where each group would enact their own self-government and operated under the Four Affiliated Bands of Chippewa, Cree and Metis. This seems to be the most fair and logical conclusion to the historic injustices that have afflicted the Chippewa people.

A component of this Truth Commission would be the study of legal implications of the Jay Treaty and the patterns of law and execution of official acts between the U.S. and Canada. The Little Bear and Riel descendants originated in Canada originally but were granted adoptee status in the Chippewa band in 1917—not by the Chippewa, but by the U.S. federal government. This was an overt act violating the sovereignty of the Chippewa people, this has never been mitigated.

The federal government has never corrected this contradiction: it has granted the benefits of tribal governance to essentially Canadian origin descendants, who are now a super-majority on the Rocky Boy reservation. The lineal Chippewa have been discredited, denied enrollment and participation in their own government. At the same time, the federal government has not acted to uphold legitimate treaty obligations owed the original Rocky Boy and Little Shell bands. We have been attempting to address this for years, federal officials refuse to hear us out.

The Little Shell experience similar denial of status; this is most evident in the BIA administrative ruling denying federal recognition to the band. The Little Shell and Rocky Boy bands are subject to U.S. Treaty--the Cree are subject to British Treaty #6, the Metis are subject to the Canadian Powley ruling--recognizing their rights as aboriginal people. There seems to be lack of consistent U.S. - Canadian policy affecting these bands with regard to consistent enrollment policies, treaty rights, freedom of movement and property rights.

The Chippewa Truth Commission will have a component to deal with and create ways for the U.S. and Canada to enact policies resolving these matters. This subcommittee will seek broad input and participation from the affected bands to ensure there is accuracy in the findings, and to ensure the dually held treaty and federal rights of all affected descendants are affirmed and upheld. In Montana, there are possibly 10,000-12,000 or more people affected by this situation. It does need to be resolved.

There has been reluctance from the “Chippewa Cree Business Committee” to resolve these legal issues: it is to their best interest to do so now for the reason U.S. BIA regulation requires 50% or more of a tribe come from a historic American tribe (treaty). In Rocky Boy, those lineal Chippewa descendants fall far below that 50% threshold. The re-formed 1917 roll did not meet that criteria in 1917, and it does not meet it now.

This has led to problems of profound loss of self-government of the Chippewa people. We no longer can ascertain our own blood quantum, we have lost all control of who the “Chippewa Cree” enroll. We the lineal Chippewa, cannot even ensure our own children are enrolled. The “Chippewa Cree” generic term has become something of a joke; no other “tribe” is run like this one. All tribes have enrollment laws based on original descent from a tribal census conducted at the time of treaty—the Chippewa Cree roll is the sole exception. The ¼ or more “any Indian” blood quantum in the Chippewa Cree Tribal constitution has led to the demise of the Chippewa people.

A beginning framework would look like this: This commission would operate for five years, enact tribal enrollment reform within one year of operation, begin to address the need for preservation of tribal histories, and develop written recommendations to the Canadian and U.S. governments on ways to strengthen, and build cohesive and mutually held policies regarding the Jay Treaty. This commission would require extensive staff working to document the historic origins of all tribes and to compile archives relating to these tribal peoples’ historic origins. In addition, the commission would work to enact tribal enrollment reform that would serve as the basis of the re-configured Affiliated Tribal governments structure, propose and provide assistance in forming governing documents, researching and coordinating treaty adhesions in Canada and finalizing recognition for the U.S. bands.

THE CREATION OF A U.S.-CANADA TRIBAL ENERGY CARTEL

We have a situation of a quarter dozen tribal groups affected by the international boundary, Loud Thunder believes this is not only a resolvable issue—but that these tribal groups can prosper in the future. Loud Thunder believes in cohesive policy in addressing energy development and these and a multitude of bands on both sides of the border have a stake in developing ecologically sustainable development.

There are great concerns regarding the current tar sands development north of the Montana border in Canada. Canada is a major provider of oil to the U.S. This will increase in the future. Loud Thunder learned in the Zortman Landsusky mining struggle for the need for effective reclamation planning and implementation. This is true in the tar sands issue. This is development creating acid rain and lasting damage to the land and water.

Loud Thunder asks the Obama administration to take into consideration the long term reclamation of sites in Canada and cooperate in frameworks of agreement with these Canadian bands, the Canadian government and our interests in the U.S. As this development is already underway—that both governments have a responsible reclamation policies that encompass tribal traditional views of the land.

For this reason, Loud Thunder is advocating a bilateral, tribal energy consortium, or cartel—similar in scope to OPEC. This is one way these two Eurocentric sovereigns can begin to restore native people. Tribal nations have a joint economic and policy interest in ensuring their energy potentialities are not exploited, that are mutually beneficial and expresses shared goals of all tribes. Loud Thunder is proposing a multi-billion dollar investment in this bilateral energy cartel focusing on tribal fossil, wind, solar, bio-mass and other forms of renewable energy. Second, this cartel has a strong reclamation component in the case of tar sand development, and addresses cap and trade concerns. Loud Thunder expresses support for the need for U.S. and Canadian investment in reclamation technology and direct investment in tribes to do this.

WIND ENERGY

In Montana, there is a huge potential for wind energy on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, Loud Thunder expresses support for the creation of a national laboratory on refining tribal energy proposals—a training ground and incubator of sorts—so that all tribes throughout the northern continent and into Mexico, can cultivate their energy independence, learn and share their experiences and lessen tribal dependence on foreign oil.

In Great Falls, the Little Shell tribal descendants are unequaled in their work ethic, their experience along with the “Hill 57 Rocky Boy unenrolled and Migisew Chippewa on the Montana fire crews are a testament to this. For this reason, Loud Thunder is supporting the creation of a jointly owned wind turbine manufacturing and service/repair corporation, and solar energy technology center to develop the wind and solar energy capability of these two urban situated groups. These groups can create lasting and good paying jobs in the Great Falls area now and in the future. Loud Thunder is proposing the renovation and retrofitting of the large warehouse formerly used by the Buttrey’s food chain as the site of the proposed plant. The site is adjacent to the interstate and rail system. This would create the kind of green jobs now needed, and for which stimulus funds are intended.

RECLAMATION TECHNOLOGY

In the Fort Belknap region, there is a need for reclamation of water and earth as the result of the Zortman mining operation. Reclamation work can last multiple years. The Gros Ventres and Asiniboine tribes have lost their sacred mountain. They need to be able to pick up their lives and repair the earth that is sacred to them. The state and federal government have been slow to reclaim the site. In addition, Ft. Belknap is an excellent area for wind energy development, Loud Thunder expresses support for existing and new proposals for development. There are a host if sites around the state and on tribal land, including the coal mining on and near the Crow Reservation, where the need for reclamation is on-going, requiring investment and jobs.

MEDIA TECHNOLOGY

Loud Thunder is proposing a media technology center to be located in Great Falls, Montana, and jointly owned and operated by the Rocky Boy and Chippewa bands located there. There has been a dire need for Native American access to modern media technology to document and preserve tribal culture. This media technology center can work to ensure native people have use new media to the benefit of their economic an educational efforts. A center like this is needed to enhance electoral engagement, and to understand and articulate issues around them. Native American youth are victims of the digital divide, resulting in loss of life opportunities and underrepresentation in the mainstream media.

NATIONAL FLAG CENTER ON HILL 57

There is a need to understand the French-Ojibwe-Colonial history; this is a deeply misunderstood era in American history. This proposal calls for a National Flag Center on Hill 57 to articulate Ojibwe tribal historic origins and the tribe’s role in founding of the United States. The concept is built around the medicine bundle 13 star colonial flag kept by the Gopher family. The flag evokes an era of nation-to-nation relationships; when tribal sovereignty was paramount to the founding of the U.S. The basis of this proposal, in its early stages, calls for 1.8 million, and up to 4 million for land consolidation on the Hill 57 area, and an additional 5 million to build this long sought after center to honor America’s first flag.

TRIBAL SMALL BUSINESS INITIATIVE

Loud Thunder expresses support for creation of a fund of 100 million seed grant/loan fund for the creation of small business in Montana tribal and urban communities. This pool will be run by an equally tribal representative governing Economic Development Authority. Small business creation is vastly underfunded in Montana tribal communities, it is virtually non-existent among urban Indian communities. This fund will ensure tribal businesses are properly funded to ensure these communities can begin to address profound unemployment in their communities. This fund will be available to the low tech to the high tech firm.

NATIVE AMERICAN WOMEN’S BUSINESS INITIATIVE

Loud Thunder supports the creation of a $50 million small business experimental seed grant/loan fund geared toward Native Women owned businesses in Montana. This would equal unprecedented business development where it is needed most: Native American women are among the poorest of American citizens, are often the heads of households and lack collateral to start their own business.

Montana Win/Win Update

2009-12-03T15:52:00.000-08:00

The Montana Win/Win project is preparing a Native American veteran initiative to work with Senator Tester and national veteran organizations toward national legislation addressing the need to fix the veteran disability rating system. The Montana Win/Win Veteran's Initiative is a major step to ensure Native American veteran's voices are heard at the national level. Further details on this new emerging effort will be posted here.

Loud Thunder to Sponsor Formation of Native Wind Energy Projects

2009-12-03T15:46:00.000-08:00

Loud Thunder International in partnership with native businesses is sponsoring a proposal for a major wind energy project to be located in Great Falls, Montana. The proposal is in draft, it will be made available--check here for updates.

Mary Gopher Parenteau Announces The Montana Win/Win Network

2009-11-18T07:28:00.000-08:00

Following the successful example of the Washington state effort to create cross-issue organizing to defeat TABOR (a regressive taxpayer bill of rights) and yes to Referendum 71 (on domestic partnership); minority, women and the LGBTQ constituents were able to protect mutual interests, and advance their own interests in the political arena.

Loud Thunder International is initiating the Montana Win/Win effort to ensure that these communities engage in cross-issue organizing for the 2010 elections and beyond. This non-profit effort will engage a cross section of communities of color, women, the LGBTQ community, business and labor interests as never before.

This work will be difficult at times, but doable. We may not agree on every issue--but we will ensure that all voices are heard, and respected. Loud Thunder International will advance the progressive agenda on the Montana ballots now, and in the future. We will work to build an informed constituency throughout Indian country, as well as serve as a liason between Indian country and other interests.

We will work to build a progressive agenday on the local, state, and national levels that respects the growing diversity of our nation. We will ask all constituencies to engage in the public discourse of our nation as never before. All voices matter, all voices count. We want to start out by identifying our community efforts that are organizational sponsored, and where we will be seeking partnerships.

Loud Thunder has in the past initiated Red Thunder, Inc., a non-profit that spurred Ft. Belknap residents and the indigenous environmental movement into action to halt cyanide heap leach gold mining just outside the reservation. This effort began in 1990 and mushroomed. Loud Thunder's Founder, Robert Gopher produced and directed "Indian Tears of Love," to draw awareness to the Gros Ventres and Assiniboine peoples' struggle. In 1996,

I-122 increased requirements for cleaner water discharged from mines, but was defeated. This year also saw the largest settlement of its kind in state history; Pegasus Gold would pay 37 million as a result of its non-compliance with federal and state clean water laws. In 1998, Montanans passed I-137, banning new cyanide mines in the state.

There is a need to enact a reclamation economy, as was done in Bonner, MT--post timber industry--on the borders of the Fort Belknap reservation. This is one way to foster cross community collaboration and create meaningful and good paying jobs. A reclamation economy is essential in restoring Historic Hill 57, a culturally and historically significant site recognized by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. There are no doubt other significant sites throughout Indian country in Montana and nationwide that are in need of long term reclamation.

Our sponsored efforts to expand the Montana progressive agenda are:

Montana Jobs Coalition--Loud Thunder is fostering collaboration with like minded organizations to respond to the unprecendented unemployment and lack of job growth at the present time.

Montana Win/Win--this effort will focus on issues organizing and development to ensure Native Americans are fully networked with local, state, and national progressive movements.

Migisew-Asiniweyin Economic Development Corporation--the effort here includes a mix of economic development strategies, including creation of a CDFI structure to serve Montana's urban Indian communities, and grant funding to develop statewide non-profit organizations to address poverty reduction in affected communities.

13 Star Peace Flag Project--this is a local project in Great Falls, MT of national significance. The project attempts to reclaim and preserve Hill 57 because it is a symbol of the tragic federal tribal termination policies in America.

The Win/Win project will organize voting constituencies and engage in issues development to promote lasting social change.

Message from Melinda Gopher: Creation of the Montana Jobs Coalition

2009-11-15T14:49:00.000-08:00

Loud Thunder is spearheading the effort to build a Montana plan from the bottom up. Today I am pleased to announce the creation of the Montana Jobs Coalition. Loud Thunder will work in partnership with Montana communities to build upon community ideas, and innovation to create lasting economic strength of our state. This lasting effort emphasizes the key ingredient: jobs must be community driven. In the community of Great Falls, there has been a persistent problem of disempowerment and disinvestment.

Through this Coalition; it is our hope to assist, network and aid all community groups to access the resources to turn their local jobs efforts into reality. We will work across all sectors to make this happen. The first organizing effort of the Montana Jobs Coalition is Nov. 20, from noon - 4 pm at Parkdale Hall, Great Falls, Montana. Please mark the date for this very important endeavor.

Creating Value in Montana Communities

2009-11-15T13:40:00.001-08:00

Here we are trying to create value and enable Montana communities to begin to empower their own economic future. We will be posting links to make sure we are doing all that we can in these unprecedented times to add new value to the American economy and to ensure we create new opportunities in our local communities.

---From the Board of Loud Thunder International