MAIN ISSUE: New York State is illegally forcing taxation on IndianNations in New York State without consultation, knowledge or consent ofthe People. The Iroquois Constitution, the Two Row Wampum agreement andtreaties have been violated.

Sunday April 20, 1997

Seneca Nation and non-Native supporters hold a peaceful rally on SenecaTerritory at Cattaraugus. New York State Governor George Pataki sendsin police forces to enforce illegal embargo and to start forcing Indiansto pay taxes on the sale of fuel and cigarettes to non-Indians.

Over 150 heavily armed New York State Troopers backed by the NationalGuard surround and put the Seneca Nation under siege. People are beatenand arrested. One woman was beaten unconscious and updates on hercondition are not available.

The Women of the Iroquois Confederacy from all six Nations hold a pressconference in Tonawanda Seneca Territory, New York to uphold the GreatLaw of Peace, the Kaienerekowa and the Two Row Wampum: to oppose the economic crisis caused by the illegal imposition of taxation by New YorkState; to ask that the United States Congress abide by the treaties andagreements and make the agreement NULL AND VOID.

People's Rights Violated: According to Wampum #93 - "The People decideon the most important matters", not the hand-picked corrupt chiefsrecognized by the BIA who signed a secret deal with New York State;these men are not sanctioned by the Women's Council nor the People ofthe Haudenosaunee.

Third Impartial Party: According to the Two Row Wampum treaties, anyproblems between the Haudenosaunee and the United States of America mustgo to an impartial third party, not to the United States' own 'justice'system. Enforcing laws on Aboriginal people amounts to treason, fraudand genocide. The American legal system has no jurisdiction overAboriginal people and nations civilly, criminally or any other way. NewYork State still insists that they still have a deal when the state hasno authority to make a deal with any Indian Nation. It can only be donethrough the President.

Rotiskenrakete Mohawk Warrior Society meet to discuss situation inSeneca Territory, decide to take a stand to support the Seneca in theirresistance to illegal taxation by New York State in violation of theirsovereignty. The Rotiskenrakete urges support for the Seneca Nation ofIndians.

New York State Police and National Guard pull out of Seneca Territory atCattaraugus. Seneca Nation deputize their own marshalls to patrol theirterritory to watch for incursions and to keep the peace. Cigarettes andgas are being delivered to outlets on Seneca Nation territory.

Supporters are asked to strongly condemn this violent attack andviolations of First Nations sovereignty. Fax messages to your politicalrepresentatives, the media and to President Bill Clinton at202/456-2461; Hillary Clinton at 202/456-6244; and Governor Pataki at518/474-8099. Call the National Guard at Albany, New York 518/465-1618and New York State Police 518/783-3211 and state your opposition totheir actions of violation of Iroquois sovereignty.

From: Ishgooda
Date: Thu, 24 Apr 1997 22:20:32
Subject: Re: Seneca Tobacco and Fuel Tax Situation

Khwe,

As posted earlier this tentative agreement has fallen through (as announcedby Mike Schindler) on this evening's news. The state is insisting upon an"exchange of information", meaning they are insisting that these nativebusiness owners on the *sovereign* (?) territories fully open their booksand account to the state of New York for their sales...whether this is asplinter faction of entrepeneurs...or the voice of the people of thereserves, the fact remains the state of New York has no legal right to callfor this action, or attempt to enforce this through armed force...

Ishgooda