REESTABLISHING THE ANCIENT OYATE OMNICIYE GOVERNING SYSTEM

Prior to 1942 there were six 'eras' or 'generations' of Indigenous "Indian" peoples. Two of the early eras were the Fire Generation and the Bow & Arrow Generation, which were based upon sacred vision and which helped Indigenous Red Nations maintain a peaceful and respectful way of life.

In 1492, the 'columbus' era introduced the male dominating concept to the Indigenous people of Great Turtle Island (misnomer "western hemisphere"). The government of the United States was copied from the Six Nation Iroquois Confederacy. However, the basic and crucial female element was removed by the "men in lace, powder and ties" - who chose to maintain the oppression to the female and Sacred Grand Mother Earth.

For millions of years prior to the 'columbus era', Indigenous peoples practiced consensus through "Oyate Omniciye" or "Circle Meetings of The People". Oyate Omniciye is the "executive, legislative and judicial" governing body of the people and represents the true definition of the word democracy - "the people rule". Consensual decision-making is carried out through these open forums, where everyone's input is respected and thoroughly and openly discussed. Respect for women and the belief that the Earth is Grand Mother Earth is crucial to Oyate Omniciye.

Today's neglect of these beliefs by Indigenous peoples creates imbalance within Indigenous communities. The male-dominating, 'pyramid hierarchy' governments control and coordinate the pollution and rape of Grand Mother Earth and stress "majority rule, might makes right and self gain". This is why the Nakota (Nakota/DaNakota/Dakota/Lakota, misnomer "Sioux") Nation know these governments as "wasin icuna" or "takes-the-best-part" - the greedy ones. Ancient "circle" principals teach respect, consensus, balance, and benefit the whole nation and future generations.

OPPRESSION & THE
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY

The United Nations (U.N.) is a body of most of the world's white, yellow and black nations. Currently, the U.N. is under the "control" of multi-national corporations and the u.s. government. Only Indigenous Red nations are denied access as nations within the U.N. Recently victims of the largest, quickest and deadliest "holocaust" at the hands of the u.s. gov't, unilateral and illegal acts of congress" in 1858, 1868, 1871, 1876, 1887, 1889, 1924, 1934, 1946, 1988, and 1993 continue to keep Indigenous Red Nations and peoples in the bondage of such oppression and genocide.

In 1948 the nations of the world - except the u.s. government - agreed to halt acts of genocide through the adoption into their nations laws the "Genocide Convention". In 1988, the u.s. finally adopted the convention by passing the Genocide Convention Implementation Act, P.L.100-606".

Nations of the world are hesitant to voice concerns for the plight of Indigenous nationhood, fearing reprisals from the u.s. in forms of sanctions, embargoes, blockades or attack.

Like the honorable Six nations peoples, Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull, Geronimo, Tecumseh, and their families carried on the teachings of their Grand Mothers by maintaining their ancient ways, unafraid of voicing their beliefs on nationhood.

Male dominating, pyramid hierarchy governments are based upon the recognition of written law - if you sign a document or contract it becomes law and you are liable, bound, and must honor and abide by terms set forth in that document.

Through the adoption of the "Genocide Convention", Indigenous Nations now have recourse for which to expose continuing human, natural and legal rights violations. It is imperative for Indigenous nations to protect themselves from acts of aggression by other nations through the adoption (in resolution form) of the "Genocide Convention" into their own laws.

OYATE OMNICIYE AND
INTERNATIONAL LAW

Consensual decisions of Oyate Omniciye resolutions should be simple and well defined, as in the following;

Whereas, the Nakota Nation, Cheyenne, Arapaho, Crow, Hidatsa, Mandan and Arikara Indigenous Red Nations are signatory to the 1851 Treaty of Fort Laramie, which was unanimously agreed upon by each of the seven Indigenous nations surrounding Very Sacred Big Horn Black Hills Mountain and Black Jagged-Rocky-Mountain (misnomer "Black Hills") Regions, through their respective Oyate Omniciye mandate and principal Itacan representation thereof, with the government of the United States of America on September 17, 1851, ratified by U.S. congress in 1853.

This paragraph states the basic natural and human position of the nation, including reference to the last legal document of the nation, the 1851 Treaty of Fort Laramie. The Treaty, called the Great Horse Creek Treaty to the Cheyenne and The Treaty of Long Meadows to the Lakota, was developed through Oyate Omniciye for over four years called the "Big Issue". The Big Issue was resolved on September 17, 1851, through the signing of the 1851 Treaty of Long Meadows between the u.s. government and seven Indigenous Red Nation representatives numbering over 50 thousand (see historic Nebraska events).

The international 1851 Treaty was created and agreed upon unanimously by the Arapaho, Crow, Cheyenne, Hidatsa, Mandan, Arikara, N/DN/D/Lakota Nations with legal and proper u.s./Indigenous procedures. The 1851 Treaty maintained total and perpetual hunting, fishing, gathering and roaming rights for the seven signatory nations throughout Great Turtle Island - fully recognized by the three branches of the untied states government. The Treaty also allowed the u.s. to build a road across 1851 Treaty Territories, yet prevented the Americans who traveled it from straying off the road at any time for any reason.

In 1853 a savage u.s. military leader named "Hearny", of the ill-named 'Hearny Peak' in the Black Jagged-Rocky-Mountains, left the road and murdered speaking expert Itacan Conquering Bear of the Si Cangu Lakota.

Because the 1851 Treaty is such a strong and supreme document - the last legal document between these nations - it remains the ultimate, internationally recognizable legal basis for all Oyate Omniciye Resolutions coming forth from these seven nations.

Oyate Omniciye resolutions at the local community level must be signed by everyone present and become legal documents. Today, computer records can be kept and rapid communication utilized via internet. Resolutions can be taken back and forth as many times as necessary between local and national Oyate Omniciye until adopt by unanimous consensus - at which time such resolutions become the supreme law of the nation.

In accordance with Article VI of the U.S. Constitution, "treaties made with Indian nations shall be the supreme law of the land; and the Judges in every state shall be bound thereby".

There are only two (2) ways for which to legally 'break' a Treaty. They are:

1. One or all party(s) to the Treaty officially declare "war" against the other(s).
2. Party(s) to the Treaty voluntarily agree to relinquish the Treaty

In the case of the 1851 treaty, because it was agreed upon unanimously with the consent of each of the seven signatory nations through their governing manner of Oyate Omniciye, the 1851 Treaty could only be overturned through unanimous resolution - a feat which would never occur. This fact makes the 1851 Treaty of Fort Laramie forever legal.

The 1851 Treaty is the ultimate legal document - not 'broken' but violated daily by the United States government.

The 1851 did not 'lose value with age' (152 years young) and must not be continually disrespected and dishonored. The aged and revered U.S. Constitution is 227 years and the christian 'bible' was written by men 1,400 years ago.

"Let us put our minds together and see what life we can make for our children" Tatanka Iyotake ("Sitting Bull")

Post meeting notices, radio/television ads and public service announcements, etc., twenty-eight (28) days prior to an Oyate Omniciye Circle Meeting of the People, which includes the specific time, location, date, and specific subject of the meeting. Post notices in stores, post offices, casinos, and tribal buildings. Pass notices out to each individual home site - which also serves to validate the importance of each family. Having a pot-luck dinner before during or after the Oyate Omniciye Meeting will also create a unified and happy atmosphere.

The subject and purpose of the Oyate Omniciye Meeting should remain the sole focus throughout the meeting. Follow a Six Direction Thanksgiving Exercise by the entire Council prior to beginning the Meeting.

The entire group must then select a facilitator to make sure the meeting stays on subject.

Try to conduct the meeting in a circle, which will greatly assist in facilitation. The facilitator will undoubtedly have to deal with present day dysfunctions which stem from growing up in square houses, square classrooms and square churches. Through time, such behaviors will subside and the Circle of Unity will return to The People.

The last portion of the meeting should be reserved for any new concerns, which can lead to the subject for the next Oyate Omniciye.

The most recent reestablishment of Oyate Omniciye occurred in 1993 in "Rapid City, Occupied Territories".

Many outstanding resolutions regarding major national N/DN/D/Lakota sovereignty and nationhood concerns were adopted by the "Mni Luzahan Oyate Omniciye". Meetings were held on Sunday afternoons for two hours with potluck dinner served half way through the meeting.

One resolution adopted was an official re-declaration of the illegal, so-called "Black Hills Sioux Claim Settlement Payment". The alleged "claim" - filed by the illegal I.R.A. tribal councils - was based upon a unilateral act of congress entitled "the Indian Claims Commission Act of 1946". The act remains a blatant violation of the U.S. Constitution and the 1851 Treaty of Fort Laramie - which nullifies any existence of such claims.

Another resolution adopted the "International Convention on the Prevention of Genocide" into N/DN/D/Lakota Law. It is the same convention adopted by most of the world's nations in 1948 - but which was only recently (P.L. 100-606 Genocide Convention Act of 1988) passed by the United States, who remains a major violator of those principals based on their continued possession of stolen property of the Nakota Nation in the forms of gold and resource exploitation and occupation of 1851 Treaty lands.

Resolutions were also adopted by the Mni Luzahan Oyate Omniciye, which exposed the illegalities of the theft of Indian 'hiership reservation landholdings' and underground water rights of the Lakota through an "Indian agricultural resources management act" and "mni wiconi act" of congress.

The Council also exposed rampant racism existing within the Rapid City public school system against Indigenous children. In collusion with the local police department and the state of South Dakota, children were herded into a detention center for the most minor 'offenses' - which translated into thousands in federal monies subsequently pouring into those entities. Also, two racistly named schools were forced to change their names following demonstrations and in-depth meetings with Indigenous representatives.

Ideally, each communities Oyate Omniciye resolutions, kept on file at a central location, can represent the legal voice of those Indigenous nations and would eventually assist with recognition by the community of world's nations. Many recognized nations are much smaller and weaker than the Lakota nation, yet they are allowed in the United Nations - a group controlled by corporations and the u.s. government. However, a nation is not to be measured by size, power or wealth, but by its language, culture and desire to be a nation.

Indigenous peoples cannot ask or beg to be nations, or have rights 'afforded to them'. Indigenous peoples must empower themselves while exercising responsibilities as Citizens of their own Red nations. The space the physical body occupies is sovereign territory. When coming together in Circle Meetings, sovereignty is multiplied. Nationhood comes from the heart.

An example of sovereignty would be the "1851 Treaty Fish-In" conducted by the seven signatory 1851 Treaty Nations during fall equinox, held at Spearfish Canyon in the He Sapa. The Seven Signatory Nations gather once again for their ancient, annual spear fishing ceremony with the selected fisher representatives to honor the Sacred Fish People. This exercise would show the world these nations still exist and practice their ancient ways and traditions.

Indigenous nations can be recognized throughout the world once Grand Mother Earth is realized and female inclusive Oyate Omniciye is reestablished. Becoming a nation once again will lead to the disappearance of apathy, poverty, despair and substance use - all symptoms of oppression.

It is the duty of each adult to look ahead to the safety and well-being of future generations. Today, Indigenous people must strive to become generations which will look ahead 'seven generations' - just as Indigenous ancestors had done for millions of years.

Through Oyate Omniciye, Indigenous wisdom will show the people of the world that the Earth is our Sacred Grand Mother. This is natural law - it is the great law of the people.