Not too many days ago, he sat with me at my cook sale in Pine Ridge, sat there although they were chasing us poor people out of the parking lot again. We talked of how Pine Ridge has reached another state of lawlessness and oppression that has a lot in common with Reign of Terror of the 70?s. ?What can we do?? I asked.
Tony told me I had to look at the bigger picture. ?Learn to become broad minded.? I always remember something he told me. ?The elders told us to be careful of what you say; you create the world around you with your words.? He told me to keep writing because what I wrote about was reality?the truth.
The best way you can honor and remember Tony is to take up the fight for justice, starting with yourself. I have contacted the Department of Justice, Civil Rights, and told them about the lawlessness, the falsified documents, the missing files and reports. They asked for testimonies and statements so they can investigate and prosecute. For those of you living on the Pine Ridge Reservation, get your statements to me, Janis Schmidt, Ken Hart, 605-867-5591, or Lucy Bull Bear, 605-455-1138. I will see that gets sent to a real authority and that action is taken on this.
If you have been the victim of a judge or the police, now is the time to come forward with your testimonies. Let us work together to make this a better place to live in, with justice for everyone. Come join us at the next Cante Oyate meeting.
If you live off the Reservation, but want to help, please contact me at jlschmidt@gwtc.net and I will forward your letter to Cante Oyate and answer you personally.
Note: jlschmidt@gwtc.net
Stumble It!