RESOLUTION OF APOLOGY TO THE NATIVE PEOPLES

MEDIA ALERT | December 7, 2005

PROGRESS MADE ON RESOLUTION OF APOLOGY DURING NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN HERITAGE MONTH

Concerted prayer, letters, calls and emails are making a strategic impact!

President George W. Bush issued a Proclamation which designated November as National American Indian Heritage Month. The following is an excerpt from the President's entire Proclamation which can be viewed at White House.

"Since the earliest days of our Republic, Native Americans have played a vital role in our country's freedom and security. From the Revolutionary War scouts to the Code Talkers of World War II, Native Americans have served in all branches of America's Armed Forces. Today, that proud tradition continues, with Native Americans bravely defending our country in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom and helping to spread liberty around the world. America is grateful to all our service men and women who serve and sacrifice in the defense of freedom.

"Our young country is home to an ancient, noble, and enduring native culture, and my Administration recognizes the defining principles of tribal sovereignty and the right to self-determination. By working together, government to government, on important education, economic, and energy initiatives, we can strengthen America and build a future of hope and promise for all Native Americans. This month, we pay tribute to the American Indians and Alaska Natives who continue to shape our Nation. I encourage all citizens to learn more about the rich heritage of Native Americans."

THE RESOLUTION OF APOLOGY TO THE NATIVE PEOPLES (S.J. Res.15 and H.J. Res.3) is awaiting a floor vote in the U.S. Senate (reconvening on December 12th) and will receive Committee on Resources attention soon in the House of Representatives (reconvened on December 6th). There are now eight co-sponsors of the Resolution in the House of Representatives. Awareness and interest among House members and staffers is growing in response to prayer and an increasing number of letters, phone calls and emails being made by concerned citizens across the country, asking that their Representatives support and co-sponsor H.J. Res. 3. Senators are being contacted and urged to vote for S.J. Res 15.

VISION CASTING AND LETTER-WRITING CAMPAIGNS ARE MAKING A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT!

A new 9-minute DVD produced from the U.S. Senate Indian Affairs Committee Hearings is available for viewing and download at the Central Website. Single copies are available for $5.00 + $4.95 shipping and bulk quantities are available from: Global Net Productions, 1-800-862-6247).

A RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT WAS PASSED BY THE NATIONAL CONGRESS OF AMERICAN INDIANS (NCAI) as they convened for their 62nd Annual Session in Tulsa, Oklahoma on November 4, 2005. The document (Resolution #TUL-05-088), expresses NCAI support for the Resolution of Apology, which is working its way through Congress, and which hopefully will be signed and proclaimed by President George W. Bush. The full National Congress of American Indians’ document, Resolution #TUL-05-088) is posted and available for viewing at Resolution #TUL-05-088

THE RESOLUTION OF APOLOGY is meant “to acknowledge a long history of official depredations and ill-conceived policies by the U.S. Government regarding Indian tribes and offer an apology to all Native Peoples on behalf of the United States.” It mandates no monetary reparations but is simply a “first step” toward reconciliation, healing and restoration of honor toward the indigenous Native American Peoples.

THE NATIVERES.ORG CIRCLE OF PRAYER IS CONTINUING TO GROW! This dedicated group of hundreds of individuals is continuing to pray for Senate and House co-sponsors, support and passage in the Senate and House in this legislative session, proclamation by President Bush, a mobilized lobby effort, and attention by Church leaders, pastors, journalists and sympathetic members of the media.

HOW MIGHT YOU HELP CAST VISION AND ISSUE THIS CALL FOR CONGRESSIONAL PASSAGE?

Your newscasts, editorials, newsletter articles, and letters, emails and calls to Members of Congress are needed now!

The full text of the Resolution, S.J. Res 15 and H.J. Res. 3, links to members of Congress, and the new 9-minute video compilation of testimony from Senate Indian Affairs Committee Resolution hearings are available at Native Resolution. Please visit soon and send an email off to your Senators and Representative. It is important to use respectful, non-critical language. Consider this sample letter.

Dear Senator or Representative ________________,

I am writing to express my support for [S.J. Res.15 or H.J. Res. 3] Resolution of Apology to the Native Peoples. I believe it is profoundly necessary to see the significance of this resolution as it relates to the wounds inflicted to the Native American people. Because this Resolution has the ability to repair the breach and to bring much healing and reconciliation to Native Americans and this Nation, I am asking that you consider not only supporting the passage of this Resolution, but also becoming a co-sponsor of [S.J. Res.15 or H.J. Res. 3].

Your dedication to the people of the great State of _____________ has been exemplary. You have provided a great service to us, and it is my prayer that you continue to do so for many years to come.

Please be so kind as to send a response regarding your decision to support and cosponsor this important Resolution. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Respectfully,

___________________________________________

Newscasts, letters, e-mails, and telephone contacts with members of Congress are needed now and through the end of the year.

Thank you! - For informing your constituencies and for being part of the coalition helping to pass this historic Resolution of Apology to the Native Peoples.

Bulk quantities of the new 9-minute DVD from Senate Hearings for distribution in your networks are available from Global Net Productions, call 1-800-862-6247.

Resolution of Apology Coalition 209 Pennsylvania Avenue SE Washington, DC 20003

E-Mail Tel: 202 388-1200 Web: www.NativeRes.org

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Contents

December 2005 Reports

Last updated on December 09, 2005

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