Stew Maracle contacted me and asked me to post this message.
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Subject: Renz and Ranting Nikki
Hello People;
Please take the time to read and reflect on all of my words, I wish to be a positive part of your great endeavours.
I have applied to be admitted to your board, there appears to be a delay in processing.....mohawkcares. A little info...I do not know zealous nikki from your board....she appears to be an interesting study, lol. I am a member of the Mohawk Nation Mens Council Fire, and we do have interest in the facts on the Walter Renz situation. We don't care about his or his group selling "Indian novelties" but we do care about his potential for activity within the Nations.
We have been observing him for a few months now, and he appears to be doing no harm, although, at his own expense, has stood in protecting some of our burial mounds. This is a positive thing in our books, but does not certify him Native by any means. He claims to be Native, unless he does harm, we have no reason under our law to address him otherwise. If he has in fact done harm, or has the premise to do harm, we wish to know, so we can address him directly. As you are aware we handle such issues in house and with great prudence. As for reviewing the posts on him, we do rely primarily on foreign governments records, such as those of the USA or Canada. We have found them not to truly reflect facts, and some data collection most certainly was inaccurate. These records do of course offer a nice starting point, and from there we go to community level for resource. our investigation in this matter continues and we would appreciate any input you provide. We respect the work you do, and we thank you.
There seems to be alot of focus and concern on people selling "Indian Made" goods, when the people making or selling them may not be native, although this is not an honourable thing to do, some people need to do what they can to survive, and this reflects our lack of humanity today, to see people in such circumstances. As a community, our Native Ancestor have had to do many terrible things to survive, but I do not believe this make them criminal under our law. To use a foreign powers law to address a matter of our concern, I feel is not proper either. We should apply our law, and community should respond to the cause and need, not the symptom.
We need to focus more on what is harming our people, things like destruction of our sacred places, illegal interference with our sovereignty, false teachings that are damaging to our connection with the creator and ancestors, and direct defrauding of our people. We need to rebuild the links with our people, help in the short comings and needs, and address the harmful behaviours from the foreign governments together. Each of us must do as our spirit leads us and that is OK, each takes away what they need and that is as it should be, and each is responsible to care for each other and that is good.
To me a real crime is when people offer medicines, sacred care, treatment, or ceremony for pay of any kind, the gifts presented to us, are gifts to be shared in helping keep our promises. The Creator looks after our needs, as long as we do good works. This has proven true to me time and time again, and I would be offended if ever offered payment, for the sharing of my gifts to help others. In peace, my words keeping with The Great and Binding Law of my people.
Thank You
In Service to the People
Stewy
