| Shoshone Grandmothers Poised to
Release Indian Horses back onto Their Ancestral Lands Despite Federal
Threats
April 12, 2003 Carrie Dann Crescent Valley, Nevada - After thirty years of struggle, and an international tribunal finding the U.S. in violation of rights to property, due process and equality under the law, Western Shoshone grandmothers Mary and Carrie Dann, stand poised to release horses back onto their ancestral lands in the face of imminent federal seizure. The struggle -- one of historic proportion -- centers on the legality of U.S. actions in laying claim to millions of acres of Western Shoshone ancestral lands. In September 2002, over 200 head of cattle were taken In February 2003, the Department of Interior, through its Bureau of Land Management (BLM), seized several hundred horses. Due to federal and state regulations and enforcement actions, many other Western Shoshone now pay grazing and other fees, some under formal protest. The Danns were able to rescue over 300 of the horses before the seizure, but are preparing now to release the horses back onto the disputed lands for grazing. Despite the recent BLM accusations of "overgrazing" and drought, the BLM's fire management arm recently issued a notice for fire hazards in Crescent Valley -- due to a vegetation overgrowth -- while Nevada gold mines are allowed to do business as usual, dewatering at a rate of approximately 30,000 gallons per minute. Since the last federal roundup truck drove off several months ago, there has been no attempt by the U.S. to remedy the situation. Instead, pressures against the Shoshone grandmothers have intensified. The Dann ranch is now under ongoing, armed "surveillance" by a BLM ranger. The BLM also reinitiated plans to fence off Horse Canyon, an area normally abundant with animals and significant to the Shoshone for traditional medicine and grazing. Additionally, corporate activity is on the rise with exploration activities ongoing and the Cortez mine -- owned by foreign corporations, Kennecott and Placer Dome -- attempting to now test the culturally and spiritually significant hot spring that is located directly behind the Dann Ranch for "geothermal potential." On the legislative front, Senator Harry Reid and Congressman Jim Gibbons have reintroduced the Western Shoshone Distribution Bill, H.B. 884 and S.B. 618. The bill offers a one-time cash payment. It does not offer any resolution to the long-standing land dispute. "While we have met some good people and made some strong friendships with some of the horse groups, we are in real bad shape financially and must do something before we jeopardize everything, including the land. Our horses need to be on the land and the land needs them. That's where they have always been," Carrie Dann stated. "I think people should wonder, is it right that Indian people don't have the same rights to property and due process as other people? The Inter-American Commission says we do and that the U.S. needs to create a fair remedy for its ongoing, illegal actions against us. We have never been provided the opportunity to argue title, and that is wrong. How can you pay someone for something they never agreed to?" Carrie added. "Even if money distribution happens, the United States needs to understand that we have not sold our lands -- a forced payment of approximately 15 cents an acre cannot bind us. We are not going away until we are dealt with fairly," she said firmly. "I told the BLM to stop lying about us and I told her (the Elko District Manager) I was going to put my horses right back out on the range. They're still lying and our horses are going out where they belong," said Mary Dann, the older of the sisters. The Dann sisters are recipients of the Ellis Island Congressional Medal of Honor and the Right Livelihood Award for their historic struggle. Grammy Award nominee and noted Native American Singer Joanne Shenandoah recently wrote a song in honor of the Danns and their courageous struggle, entitled "Riding Free." "I support my mother and auntie in what they are doing. I am a mother and have grown up watching them fight and sacrifice personal time with their family and their business to stand up for what they think is right. I respect that and I am proud of them," said Patricia Knight Paul, Carrie's daughter. WESTERN SHOSHONE DEFENSE PROJECT P.O. Box 211308 Crescent Valley, NV 89821 775-468-0230 Fax: 775-468-0237 |