Update from Linda M. Brown, Mendota Community: (02/25/99)
Dear friends, Has been a busy week as usual, Tuesday we held a lobby day at the State Capitol, had about 30 people who volunteered to talk with alot of different Representatives and Senators. We got alot of info out and hopefully this has raised many of these peoples awareness about this issue. We are still trying to find a Senator to author the bill in the senate. We will be doing another lobby day next Wednesday to talk to as many senators as we can. I hate to say it but we need to contact all these senators let them know that you as constituents support this bill. Again the bill # is 711 and the resolution # is 712. If we don't find a senator soon we will not get this through the committees this session to get this passed. Mediation started today Mike Haney, Leo Ronneng, Jim Anderson, Bob Brown and Bob Greenberg attended. (clipped)(02/26/99)
This is a request to retract the Mendota Update of 2/25/99, in regards to anything mentioned about the mediations. Linda Brown was not aware, until this morning, that there was a gag order on all mediation related information/discussions.This does not include the request for information or for assistance from any Geologists, Archaeologists, hydrologists, etc. which is still needed. Or the request for continued letters in support of the Medota sacred sites. Please do not forward the Update of 2/25/99 to anyone, or post it on sites. Linda would very much appreciate this, so she can avoid any possible legal repercussions. Thank you.
We are planning on having a feast for the elders march 11th, I don't know where this will be held yet, I will let you know. Also any Geologists, Archaeologists, hydrologists, that may be able to testify at a hearing sometime in the near future would be a hugh help. again let us know. MNDOT did admit the natural flow of the spring is now of great concern to them{no more talk about piping in city water!} The trip out east was very helpful, Federal Highway Dept. said they were very concerned about Federal regulation not being followed on this project, and were very aware of who our delegates were. Good job on the letter writing guys, we have to continue to keep the pressure on by writing more letters to the Fed highway admin, BIA, US Senators and Minnesota Representatives and Senators. Met with the BIA and they to were very upset, even appalled about the raid on the encampment. Tried to meet with Senator Wellstone, but had no luck. Wellstone's office did call today to set up an appt. the next time delegation is out in Washington D.C., we hope we can send them out there again within the next month or so. Please continue all your efforts, prayers and dreams, they are working. Jim, and Mike are going to a speak out at a church in Kansas City tomorrow night. This church is affiliated with the National Council of Churches Against Racism, we need all the people of religion behind us, please speak with your pastors or priests about this issue and ask them to support the Native American rights to religious freedom. They need to talk to their parishioners about this travesty. Our hearts and prayers are with all of you, Love Linda
The Mendota Mdewakanton Dakota community needs continued assistance with emails, letters and phone calls. Contacts and links are listed below. Thank you.
Rep. Mark Gleason Phone: (651) 296-5375 313 state office bldg. St. Paul, MN 55155 EMAIL:rep.mark.gleason@house.leg.state.mn.us Rep. Jim Rhodes Phone: (651) 296-9889 409 state office bldg. St. Paul, MN 55155 EMAIL:rep.jim.rhodes@house.leg.state.mn.us Rep. Leslie Schumacher Phone: (651) 296-5377 327 state office bldg. St. Paul, MN 55155 EMAIL:rep.leslie.schumacher@house.leg.state.mn.us Rep. Wes Skoglund Phone: (651) 296-4330 251 state office bldg. St. Paul, MN 55155 EMAIL:rep.wes.skoglund.@house.leg.state.mn.us Senator Linda Berglin Phone: (651) 296-4261 309 capitol FAX: (651) 296-6511 [MARK ATTN: Senator Berglin] 75 Constitution Ave. St. Paul, MN 55155 EMAIL:sen.linda.berglin.@senate.leg.state.mn.us Senator Carol Flynn Phone: (651) 296-4274 120 capitol FAX: (651) 296-6511 [MARK ATTN: Senator Flynn] 75 Constitution Ave. St. Paul, MN 55155 EMAIL:sen.carol.flynn.@senate.leg.state.mn.us Senator Sandra Pappas Phone: (651) 296-1802 120 capitol FAX: (651) 296-6511 [MARK ATTN: Senator Pappas] 75 Constitution Ave. St. Paul, MN 55155 EMAIL:sen.sandra.pappas.@senate.leg.state.mn.us Senator Jane Ranum Phone: (651) 297-8061 306 capitol FAX: (651) 296-6511 [MARK ATTN: Senator Ranum] 75 Constitution Ave. St. Paul, MN 55155 EMAIL:sen.jane.ranum.@senate.leg.state.mn.us
For email and snail mail addresses others to contact, see: Email list.
Financial assistance is still needed also.
The Mendota are a non-profit organization and reciepts will be supplied for those
who request them.
Send donations to;
Checks or money orders may be made payable to MMDC.
Mendota Medewakanton Dakota Community
PO Box 50835
Mendota, MN 55150
Contact numbers are Linda M. Brown - (612) 944-7290
FAX (612) 944-0105
or Bob Brown, Chairman - (612) 576-9686
FAX (612) 576-0632
We ask that everyone send what they can...be it money or supplies.
PLEASE HELP PROTECT OUR SACRED SITES!