Decade
of Resistance 
shundahai@shundahai.org
Shundahai Network
Dedicated to Breaking
the Nuclear Chain
Shundahai is a Newe (Western Shoshone) word meaning "Peace and Harmony with all Creation"
January 15, 2006
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Bear Re-election in Dispute
I appreciate Geoffrey Fattah's reporting on the recent federal court hearing regarding the dispute on the Skull Valley Goshute Indian reservation over its leadership and high-level nuclear waste storage (Jan. 7). However, I feel one important clarification needs to be made. Mr. Fattah briefly acknowledged that "Bear was re-elected in October 2001." It is not certain that Leon Bear was actually "re-elected" in 2001. Strong disagreements over the results of that election are part of the dispute. Further, this particular event informs the allegation — and the arguments made clearly in court by the Goshutes' attorney, Paul Echohawk — that the Bureau of Indian Affairs' continued recognition of Bear has led directly to harms alleged by the Goshutes who brought the lawsuit. I applaud U.S. District Judge Dale Kimball for his serious and careful consideration of those members of the Skull Valley Goshute band who oppose dumping nuclear waste on their reservation. Now, if Goshutes can prove that the BIA was remiss in both approving the original nuclear lease and in continuing to recognize and reward alleged abusive leadership on the reservation, then perhaps a more positive leadership arrangement can be made by the Goshutes themselves, without interference by the nuclear industry or its money.
Pete Litster
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