bison

Once again the state of Montana, along with Yellowstone National Park, are killing bison migrating out of Yellowstone National Park. The slaughter of Yellowstone’s bison is represented as a disease contamination program, but it is really a sham. If disease control were the issue, we wouldn’t be killing bison. The more you know about the brucellosis-bison issue, the angrier you get.

It has been estimated that if all of the ranching that exists from the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains to the west coast of the United States was eliminated that only two percent of the national beef production would be affected. This is because of the nature of the landscape in the west of America where it takes about fifty times the amount of land to raise one cow as it does in the biomass-rich east. Given how much more delicate the countryside is in the region, it makes little sense to put cows all over and make the entire west into what Edward Abbey called "cow burnt." In case you are wondering: no, bison do not have nearly the effect that cattle do. Hoof shape and the migratory instinct lessen such impact.

This piece was first published online at the Buffalo Field Campaign's old website which was, in turn, hosted by the Alliance for the Wild Rockies. Although it is now eight years old, it remains a thorough synopsis of the history of the slaughter of the buffalo and the deliberate genocide of first nations' peoples. For more recent information on this issue, see the Buffalo Field Campaign's current website.

More wild buffalo have been slaughtered in America in the past ten years than at any time in the last century. Capitalizing on the Indian's complete dependence upon the buffalo, 19th century government leaders launched a campaign to wipe them out, and in so doing, force the Indians into a sedentary lifestyle more in line with the prevailing European notions of private property and "civilization."

UPDATES: December 25, 2007 from Juxtaposeur

• Cante Tenza Grandmothers consulted, message released by Canupa Gluha Mani regarding purpose of Treaty Withdrawal MORE...
• Delegation representatives held meetings for over three years leading to Monday's withdrawal MORE...
• Lakota to reveal land boundaries on eve of Wounded Knee anniversary. Check back for updates!
• Lakota delivers introductory Portfolio Packet to State Department and foreign embassies READ THE PACKET...
• The Lakota Freedom Delegation acknowledges the rumors of Russian Government support. In addition, Lakota has been in contact with other Nations who are considering Lakota sovereignty.
• Press Conference Photos...SEE THE GALLERY...

I am going to stovepipe this comment by Juxtaposeur called Attempts at Debunking this are Severely Flawed which is in response to Lakota Secede From U.S. and All Treaties. I think it is worth a pretty fine push to the front page:

1. This is not a rumor; Putin has even chimed in on the side of the Lakota! The president of Bolivia has said that nation is intensely interested in this and Hugo Chavez has expressed solidarity.
2. The four member Lakota delegation traveled to Washington D.C. culminating years of internal discussion among treaty representatives of the various Lakota communities. Delegation members included well known activist and actor Russell Means, Women of All Red Nations (WARN) founder Phyllis Young, Oglala Lakota Strong Heart Society leader Duane Martin Sr., and Garry Rowland, Leader Chief Big Foot Riders. Means, Rowland, Martin Sr. were all members of the 1973 Wounded Knee takeover.
3. “We have 33 treaties with the United States that they have not lived by. They continue to take our land, our water, our children,” Phyllis Young, who helped organize the first international conference on indigenous rights in Geneva in 1977, told the news conference.
4. Russian legal experts further state that of all of the United States Indian Tribes, the Lakota Sioux are the best positioned to have their declaration of independence from the American government recognized by the United Nations as they remain the only indigenous peoples in the US to have refused to accept payment for their lands, estimated to be nearly $1 billion, which they consider their ‘sacred grounds’ and have stated they would never relinquish.

Folks, the Lakota People within the Sioux Nation have disacknowledged all treaties with the United States government and are seceding and proclaiming themselves an independent nation. They have also declared the northern Great Plains a place for wild bison without cattle and their accompanying fences and are talking about bringing Yellowstone's besieged wild bison herds to this region for good. This is not a rumor; Putin has even chimed in on the side of the Lakota!