------- Forwarded Message -------- 

From: Boyle, Francis [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2000 2:15 PM
To: 'Craven, Jim'
Subject: FW: BLACKFOOT NATION DECLARES INDEPENDENCE!

Proclamation Restoring the Independence
of the Sovereign Nation State of Blackfoot

November 29, 1999

Let it be known, that We the Blackfoot speaking people of the Blackfoot
Nation, do solemnly declare our inherent sovereignty. Therefore, We stand to
clarify that our people have always enjoyed, exercised a sovereign
existence. Since time Immemorial, which was given to us by our Creator to
live in this way. Our sovereignty was fraudulently coerced by the Dominion
Government of Canada, at the "so called" signing of Treaty #7 at the
Blackfoot Crossing on September 27, 1877; and supplementary Treaty made the
4th of December 1877. As a result, our nation has lived under the ambiguous
notion of our forefathers entering into quasi-bilateral treaty with the
Crown, of the British Empire. Which in turn, was manipulated by the Canadian
Government as a Land surrender.

Today the Blackfoot proclaim our Right of self-determination as a People in
accordance with Article 1(2) of the United Nations Charter, and join the
World Community of States as an Independent and Sovereign Nation State.

By virtue of our Rights to self-determination the Blackfoot claim the Right
to freely determine our political status and freely pursue our economic,
social and cultural development in accordance with common Article 1 of the
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

The Blackfoot claim the Right, for our own ends, to freely dispose of our
natural wealth and resources...including our lands and our waters without
prejudice to any obligations arising out of international economic
cooperation, based upon the principle of mutual benefit and international
law.

We the Blackfoot, claim all the Land, and Natural Wealth, Resources and
Minerals, and Waters, which has always resided and will always reside within
the Hands of the Blackfoot, to be ours forever, originally under communal
land tenure.

Commencing at a point on the International Boundary due south of the Western
extremity of the Cypress Hills, thence west along the said boundary to the
central range of the Rocky Mountains, or to the boundary of the Province of
British Columbia, thence north westerly along the said boundary to a point
due west of the source of the main branch of the Red Deer River, thence
south westerly and southerly on the boundaries to the tract by the Treaties
6 & 4 to the Place of commencement.

In the Independent and Sovereign Nation of the Blackfoot lives the
Blackfoot. We have lived here forever, since time immemorial. We are the
original inhabitants and occupants of these Lands. We have always been in
possession of our land and are thus entitled to re-establish our Independent
and Sovereign Nation State.

The current citizens of the Independent and Sovereign Nation State of
Blackfoot consist of all those who are descendants of the Blackfoot prior to
the arrival of the first easterners in 1492, and those persons who have
lived in Blackfoot territory prior to the illegal Overthrow, invasion and
occupation of 1877, in the area which now constitutes the Sovereign Nation
State of Blackfoot.

The Independent and Sovereign Nation State of Blackfoot will establish
procedures for according citizenship by means of naturalization to all
people who are habitual residents of Blackfoot territory as of today's date.

The Blackfoot fully support and subscribe to all of the Rights of the 1948
Universal Declaration of Human Rights for all of the people living in our
Independent and Sovereign Nation State of Blackfoot territory.

The Independent and Sovereign Nation State of Blackfoot territory adheres to
the generally recognized principles of international law, including the
terms of the United Nations Charter. We will apply for Membership in the
United Nations Organization in due course. In the meantime, we call upon the
Royal Canadian Mounted Police forces in the Independent and Sovereign Nation
State of Blackfoot territory, to withdraw from our Sovereign Territory
immediately.

Since time immemorial, the Blackfoot, has maintained their close
relationship to the land and its natural surroundings, through practice
holistically spiritual in nature and in harmony with natural law. The
natural belief and practice that the Blackfoot was considered "sacred" for
the well-being of the human sustenance of life.

Prior to the first European invasion, of 1754, the Blackfoot were known to
have a unique culture and system of government. Through customs and
traditional practices, The Blackfoot (Elders), were highly regarded and
respected, as the keepers of the wisdom and knowledge, in a highly organized
self-sufficient and sustainable social system, based on a communal land
tenure system, and were always consulted upon to maintain order and peace,
which was enforced by the Brave Dog Society.

The Blackfoot of today, embody within their governmental structure,
traditional customs and culture, the Blackfoot, based on this mutual respect
and practice, and family order. Their advice on many decisions, is highly
regarded for the basis of all authority and principles as handed down
through generations in their teachings. Their natural ability and practice
of Natural Law was understood to be commonly known and exercised, by their
deep spiritual connection to nature, its use, application and practice of
the Law of Nature, then and now. The Blackfoot believe that all things have
life, be it animate or inanimate, because everything has been derived and
created from one Source, the Creator.

Today the Blackfoot, respectfully continue to seek the guidance of our
Elders, be it Spiritually, Mentally and Physically, on authority and
decisions that affect our lives, to restore our customs and teachings of our
culture, language, and knowledge, from being exploited, desecrated, and on
the verge of eventually becoming extinct. For all these reasons, the
Blackfoot will serve as the provisional Government of the Independent and
Sovereign Nation State of Blackfoot, until such time when the Blackfoot will
convene a constitutional convention.

Despite the historical injustices and abuse, that has documented a time and
dark chapter of the lives of all Blackfoot people, so unimaginable to the
conscience of humanity, and to all human life as a whole, we have come to
realize, that in the course of this modern times, we could never depart and
separate our undying love and connection, "sacred ties," with the Spirit of
this Land, which is the heart and life of all living things, as taught and
handed down from the ancient wise ones. For we must protect it from such
invasion and exploitation, to liberate it from destructive forces, to
preserve our cultural heritage for future generations, from the devastation
of extinction.

The Blackfoot, has continued to exercise, practice and occupy our Reserved
Lands, despite the continued subjection, domination and exploitation, by the
forces of the occupying foreign powers, denying us our inalienable rights to
self-determination and Independence, and Statehood. Thus were well
recognized principles of international laws violated. Thus were the national
identity, land, resources, Right of Sovereignty over our Territory violated,
and a peaceful people Overthrown, by the invasion of foreign powers, who
continue to occupy, exploit and destroy our way of life.

It is the duty and obligation of every Blackfoot, young and old, to stand
ready to restore and defend our natural rights, territorial integrity and
independence without prejudice, and reject and resist all unlawful acts,
injustice and complicity, violence and terrorism against our political
independence, and also reject such use and violence against the territorial
integrity against other peaceful states. We here today have the same
commitment.

If not for those of us who have awaited this day; who have considered the
facts and evidence of such acts of oppression, subjugation and fear, and the
loss of our honour, dignity and pride, must we let such injustices continue.

We the Blackfoot, have historically been the victims of crimes against
humanity and genocide as defined by the Nuremberg Charter and the Genocide
Convention.

The Independent and Sovereign Nation State of Blackfoot territory, proclaims
its commitment to the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter.
The Blackfoot have long been recognized as a peaceful loving Nation, and to
live in peaceful co-existence with other peaceful Nation States, based on
equality, truth and justice, and for the respect of their undying Spirit,
and for the Rights of Humanity.

We proclaim that, despite the continued interference of our rights to
self-determination, Rights of Sovereignty, and Right of Independence, by the
foreign occupying powers, we stand this day, in all honour, dignity and
respect, of this sacred land, to restore our Independent and Sovereign
Nation State of Blackfoot territory.

We pledge that our commitment will continue until the illegal occupation
ends, and the revival of our Culture of our Independent and Sovereign Nation
State has been fortified, with our Spirit totally restored, and the spirit
of justice, freedom and liberation, shall once again bring peace on earth
for all humanity.

We call upon our great people, and all Nations of the World, to unite and
act this day, to declare and proclaim our inalienable Sovereignty of the
Nation State of Blackfoot territory, fully restored and functional, and
arise in the uniting of freedom and dignity in our homeland, which is the
homeland of the free, now and forever.

Therefore, the hereditary chief, in General Council Assembled, by the
Authority recognized and vested in the Creator, in the name of the Blackfoot
people, to preserve and to forevermore cultivate the Heritage and Culture of
the Blackfoot Nation, do solemnly publish, declare and proclaim, that the
Independent and Sovereign Nation State of Blackfoot territory, free and
absolved from any other political connection from any other Nation State,
and whomsoever disregards the principles and Rule of the Law of Nations,
Justice, Integrity and Morality of Character and Humanity, who by force and
acts of aggression, illegally occupies our Territory.

We have therefore concluded, that the facts are self-evident. That to
continue under any colonial regime would cause the destruction and
extinction of our culture and people. Our firm commitment for the protection
of our divine heritage. We mutually pledge our Lives, Our Fortunes, our
Sacred Honour, in the Spirit of the Creator. 


CONTACT: Sikapii-Whitehorse

(Phone: 403-965-2969)

Long Standing Bear Chief

(Phone: 509-865-5704)

Francis A. Boyle
Law Building
University of Illinois
504 E. Pennsylvania Avenue
Champaign, Ill. 61820
217-333-7954 (voice)
217-244-1478 (fax)
[log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> 



 


%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%