We Need to Turn the Tables on the State and Feds

Although I have said it before, let me start this rant by making one thing perfectly clear: Our sovereignty was not given to us by a white man, another country, a treaty or God. It was not "purchased" with our land and it cannot be legislated away or ruled away by white men in black robes. Our sovereignty exists because we are a distinct people with land, history and a culture all our own.

While clearly much of that distinction has faded over the last several hundred years, that does not diminish our birthright. The recognition of that birthright is clear. The entire early history of the United States is an analysis and study of a people who lived the concept that sovereignty is not God given to a royal family but is a birthright and a part of the laws of nature and creation. The concept of an inalienable right and that certain rights are natural and that to deny those rights is unnatural and defies creation came from us. This is the concept that went into developing the US republic. Even nations who would never grasp these ideas, recognized our distinction and our sovereignty. No one, until recently ever tried that bullshit "Christian Discovery Doctrine" lie on us. All those Christian nations knew better. They treated, begged and grovelled long before they lied, cheated, defrauded or ever dared to fight our people. The problem with all those that would like to pretend our sovereignty does not exist today, is that they can't pretend that it never existed.

And this is where any legitimate claim against our sovereignty or over jurisdiction falls apart. Even with some of our distinction fading over the years, if there has never been a legal and recognized transfer of our sovereignty, if we have never signed terms of surrender or in any other way agreed to subjugation, then there can be no claim of such. The US Congress can declare us their citizens till they are blue in the face, the US Supreme Court can write opinion after opinion about quasi-sovereigns or domestic dependent nations. They can claim in even more opinions that their congress has plenary powers over us. These aren't even rulings; they're opinions. Just because a white man in a black robe offers this opinion as a lame excuse for making bad rulings, does not make it so.

In our culture only the individual can give up his birthright. It is not legal in our way to sell out our children. For those who have never quite understood the concept of looking out for the seven generations, I suggest they do some soul searching. I have news for you; they know it is all a house of cards as well.

Consider the concept of making a "treaty argument" in our rejection of their jurisdictional claims or our defense against the general application of their laws on our lands against our people. It is absurd to be sucked into a circumstance where WE are trying to prove that our sovereignty exists, or to what extent it exists or that we have this right or that right by treaty. We must place the burden on THEM to prove that subjugation. Let THEM produce a treaty that gives them these powers over us. Don't feed me this bullshit about "rule of law" when you just make this stuff up as you go along! We don't have nor do we need a "treaty argument" to establish our sovereignty or our "rights". The "treaties" gave us nothing. Some of them may have acknowledged certain already undeniable facts but they "granted" us nothing.

The Feds Try to Make an Example of the Tonawanda Senecas

On Thursday morning, February 23, at approximately 9 am, almost 100 federal agents raided four retail establishments on the Territory of the Tonawanda Senecas. The federal agents were armed with assault rifles and hand guns and represented the Department of Homeland Security(DHS), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement(ICE), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms(ATF), the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency(DEA) and the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs(BIA).

The warrants "authorizing" the armed invasion by federal authorities into the sovereign lands of the Tonawanda Senecas listed three specific product areas as the focus for search and seizure. No arrests were made and the speed and precision of the raid had agents in and out before the community could respond.

A product marketed as incense but is regarded as "fake weed", because its producers attempt to skirt the state and federal definitions of a controlled substance is the most sensational of those product areas. These products also known as "Spice" or "K2" are widely available at dozens of non-native retail establishments throughout Western New York. It is actually distributed by New York licensed wholesalers.

Another product area that was targeted were counterfeit or "knock-off" designer products such as purses, clothing or jewelry. These are the items sold by thousands of flea market vendors or street vendors in any populated area including New York City.

The final reason listed for the this vulgar display of threat and intimidation is cigarettes. Along with many brands of federally compliant tobacco products, many Native retailers carry cigarettes that are not produced with permits from the federal government. The products are produced by Native people on Native lands and are often retailed within the same community where they are manufactured. Some are branded and others are sold as a generic cigarette in bags rather than cartons. To the extent that these products are not retailed within the territories where they're produced, they are distributed as a form of Native to Native trade.

If this last target seems different from the first two because of its unique availability; know this: many retailers in many states now advertise the sale of non regulated cigarettes. Non-native shops even in Western New York allow consumers to walk into their store place an order and walk out with non federally regulated cigarettes. They will simply manufacture them while you wait and you can call them "roll your own". Yes it is true that a $30 carton of cigarettes still can be purchased in Western New York without having to travel to a Native territory; just search "head shops" and while you are there you can buy all the "fake weed" you like. No armed agents, no surveillance, no problem.

Make no mistake about this act of aggression. Its purpose is to harm Native people. The weapons were primarily to cause psychological harm; the bullets were to kill. The effort is just another in a long line of attempts to subjugate Native people. Killing the tiny private sector economies of Native lands is a federal policy. Always has been. Treating our people like criminals after stretching state and federal laws just far enough (or in these cases, simply misrepresenting the same) to criminalize our commerce is also federal policy. Nothing was confiscated here that couldn't have been seized from dozens of non-native retailers in Western New York alone. This was not about the "products". The feds know who produces and distributes these life threatening purses and incense. This was about singling out Native people for an act of pure aggression.

If it has never quite been made clear before, let's be clear here; The federal government, and the states as well, have no problem with our commerce as long as we are only consumers. They are even willing to look the other way on whether we pay taxes; again I'm talking about on our purchases. It is sales that the the feds and states want to kill. They don't want us selling anything to generate an economy. They don't want us selling our labor, our crops, our game, our art, our natural resources, our manufactured goods; nothing,,,unless they can tax it. And by tax it, I mean to tax it high enough to kill the sale.

There is one thing they have always wanted us to sell. They never worried about taxing this sale. They never worried about whether the sale was fair or legal. They never worried about the terms or how much boozed or how many guns or troops were used to coerce the sale. The only thing the state and federal government ever wanted us to sell and remains the object of their policies is our mother; our land. Everyone of these pieces of legislation, whether it is at the state or federal level, is designed to wipeout the distinction of our people and, more importantly, our land.

Believe It or Not, There are Bigger Issues

Before the frenzy caused by a New York State Senator and his wife rolling around the floor of the Seneca Niagara Casino, a bigger problem was creeping up on Native Territories.

A law passed back in 2009 called the Children's Health Insurance Program Authorization Act or CHIPRA has created a circumstance where the IRS now feels compelled to assess a tax, the likes of which has never before been seen on Native land or by Native people. The act increased the Federal Excise Tax or FET on cigarettes by $6.16 per carton to cover health care for children. A Floor Stock Tax is also provided in the act, which was intended to prevent non-native retailers, wholesaler and distributors of tobacco products from buying huge overstocks of cigarettes and other tobacco products in advance of the tax increase to avoid paying it on that stock.

Almost three years later a trickle of "Inquiry Letters" have begun showing up at certain Native tobacco shops. The letters read that "The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), an agency of the US Department of the Treasury... has received information that you may have held tobacco products for sale on April 1, 2009(the day the FET increase came into effect)." As such the TTB took it upon themselves to assess the tax liability, penalties and interest and include it in their letter of inquiry. Individuals have be assessed this tax in amounts that range from $50,000 to $1.5 Million and the "letters" keep rolling in.

Never before in our history has the federal government(or state) attempted to tax us for products that were in our possession on our territories after-the-fact. Never have they said that once the clock struck midnight on April 1, your paid in full purchases are no longer paid in full. Never before have they said, Oh yeah, by the way, that product you bought 3 years ago; you owe us $200,000 more on it and because it's three years later, make it $300,000 now for penalties and interest.

Two quick meetings, one with the office of one of the Congressmen who voted to pass this bill and one with the office of one of the US Senators who did as well, resulted in them coming to the conclusion that this is "unintended". So now what? I simply suggested that if they didn't mean to pass a law that would once again be twisted into another affront to our sovereignty, not to mention an attempt to whisk away tens of millions of dollars(maybe 100's when all the "letters" are sent) away from Native communities, that they fix it. I suggested that if we were not specified in the law, that he IRS and TTB are making a huge assumption. I also said that even if it was intended, it assumes authority that has no foundation in law anywhere. I offered to help them raise the question by offering to meet with the White House Senior Adviser on Native American Affairs to discuss the issue if they would facilitate such a meeting. One nagging issue with the "letters" is the 45 day time limit to respond called out in them. I suggested while some may respond to the Inquiry Letters by requesting more time to address the issue, many would not. I encouraged the legislators to call off the TTB dogs to allow them more time to resolve this and to stay out in front of the IRS or TTB taking any action against Native people on this.

Hopefully level heads will prevail and a simple phone call from 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. will make this go away. Wouldn't it be great if simple and direct talks could resolve conflicts like this, without lawyers, lobbyists, PR firms or bank account seizures, arrests or Thruway closures? Let's hope and stay vigilant.

Do you believe me now that we have to get our voices out there?

Well if one thing should be painfully obvious, "Let's Talk Native..." is an important voice for an under-served people. The media was perfectly content with New York State Senator Mark Grisanti's version of his altercation at the Seneca Niagara Casino last Friday night . They were fine with painting Native people in the worst possible light over this whole mess. It was only through my show, my guests and the cell phone video of one of my phone guests that this story began being questioned. If you are offended that the truth is coming out, don't support my show. If you liked Mr. Grisanti's unchallenged version of his altercation, don't support my show. If you think the main stream media is doing a fine job without a Native voice among them, then by all means, do not support my show. But if you want to learn about Native issues, if you care to understand a Native perspective, if you think there is value in challenging how poorly the main stream media characterizes Native issues and events, then support "Let's Talk Native...with John Kane". Give us a listen. Call, comment, agree, disagree; but Let's Talk. I promise to be respectful; no racial slurs, no savage attacks and if you don't "know who the *#@& I am, that's OK. If you are Native and you haven't listened and if you don't support a Native voice on Western New York's air waves, then my show isn't for you.

The Seneca's Half a Billion Dollar Question

There is no question that the State breached the Exclusivity Clause of the Gaming Compact with the Senecas. There MAY be some question as to whether the breach will (or should) cost the State all of the revenue it is hoping for, but only because of some very clever wordsmithing by the writers.

You see the "gaming devices" the State has installed in their own facilities DO breach the exclusivity agreement but the State is hoping that their "machines" fit into a "catagory" (not class) that allows them only to lose revenue from the Seneca's "machines" that fit into the same "category". Of course most of them won't.

Never mind that the entire spirit of the agreement has been breached by the State's proliferation of their own "casinos" and "racinos", clearly in the region carved out in the agreement. Everything from the scale to the financing of the Seneca gaming facilities relied on the premise that elimination of the threat of competition was purchased from the State with a percentage; kind of like buying protection from the mob. Only in this case the State has less honor.

So the State, as the regulators, with its unfettered access to the information on how many, what "category" of machines the Senecas operate and of course the revenue flow for each, makes the financial calculations and, ultimately, the decision that they can breach the agreement, pull significant customers and revenue away from the Seneca enterprises and STILL get paid their "protection" money.

The Senecas, for their part, finally stop paying. Under the advice of their "policy advisor", Rob Porter, the Senecas began to escrow the would-be payments. Now as that escrow account approaches $500,000,000.00 and the "policy advisor" is the Seneca Nation President, the question can only be: now what?

President Rob now suggests, having forced the issue of arbitration, that this money may indeed be lost in arbitration. Again, so now what?

The buzz is that half a billion dollars can buy a lot of favors, for someone. Who ever could be credited with getting this prize to the financially beleaguered State coffers sure would be owed a debt of gratitude (or something).

The half a billion dollar question is: who is getting played?

Do the Senecas really need to pay their "non-compete" protection money to their breaching competitors? Will this decision ever really make it to arbitration? Or will President Rob buy a partnership with Governor Andrew to secure his future beyond his gig with the Senecas? $500 million certainly will get someone something.

Is it possible that the very person who advised the hold back, convinced the Senecas they didn't owe it, already failed in an attempt to pay out some of it, is wearing out his welcome in his political party, community and nation and certainly is looking to advance himself past the Seneca Nation Presidency; was playing everyone all along? I guess maybe there is no half a billion dollar question but rather half a billion questions.

One Year Ends and A New One Begins, But Somethings Never Change

January 2012 issue of Buffalo Spree Magazine

I want to start the New Year by apologizing for not writing and posting more. Those of you who follow me on Facebook, either on my personal page (John M. Kane) or my group page ('Let's Talk Native...with John Kane") know that I have been pumping some stuff out but not much here. On a personal note, I lost my son-in-law to cancer on December 18th. He meant a lot to me and as many of you know, I have written here of his 3 year battle.

On broader Native issues the year closed with a flurry of local activity. The arrest of Roger Jock for grand larceny for his role in reclaiming Mohawk land and the filing for bankruptcy protection by Sugar Montour, of Seneca Cigarettes fame, after the US courts ordered him to pay $53 million to the USDA to help tobacco farmers compete in the free market, were two big stories that no news media even attempts to get right. On the national level, Obama invited 565 "Indian leaders" to come to Washington to shake his hand, a few of which were allowed to come to the White House to see the Presidential Christmas tree while the the US Supreme Court was denying the Jicarilla Apaches access to documents to explain how the federal government in their "trust" capacity mismanaged their $300 million trust fund (Sotomayor's Lone Dissent). The court ruled that the US government doesn't need to follow normal trust law and could claim lawyer/client privilege when mismanaging the assets of Indians. The court acknowledges that the feds do not have the sole interest of Native people in mind when managing their affair; the competing National interest affords the feds the right to privacy in that conflict of interest.

The New Year starts with a bang as the feds issued bills to all the Native tobacco retailers and wholesalers in an attempt to assess a "floor tax" for any cigarettes sitting on shelves when the Federal Excise Tax was increased two years ago. The logic is that the increase must be paid for any product purchased in advance of the increase that had not yet been retailed. Stupid? Yes! Attempted before? Yes! Ever successfully? No! The feds have established their own precedent by failing to ever pursue this folly in the past. Of course it is impossible for anyone to accurately determine how much product was sitting on a shelf when the clock struck midnight that relatively long ago day. This is especially true when every smoker who purchases cigarettes from the US market was scrambling to "buy up" in advance of the overnight $6 per carton increase.

New York's Governor, Andrew Cuomo also made "Native News" in his State of the State address. There he proclaimed the State's intention to pursue casino gaming as one of his solutions for state deficit reduction. He failed to mention the exclusivity the state sold to the Senecas for 25% of the gross from slot machines at Seneca casinos, that the state is in clear violation of. And so much so that over $400 million sits in escrow that the state will never legitimately see as a result of their breach.

Look for follow ups from the news of last year that are still very much in play this year as well as those issue already on the rise and, of course the many issues that will always continue in our battle to defend Native autonomy. 2012 will undoubtedly be an eventful year. As more Native people become invested in their futures through education and just simple interest and international scrutiny is turned up, these issues will come to a head at an ever more tumultuous time. Continue to tune into WWKB 1520AM on Sunday nights from 9 till 10 for "Let's Talk Native ...with John Kane" for a weekly conversation on news and views. Also check out the January issue of Buffalo Spree Magazine for a profile on my show and my mission.

St. Regis Tribal Police Arrest Mohawk Longhouse Representative for Grand Larceny Over Land Reclamation

In a bazaar scene last week, Roger Jock, Bear Clan Representative for the Kanienkehaka Kaianerehkowa Kanonhsesne Men's council was grabbed up by the St. Regis Tribal Police, lied to about why they stopped him and where they were bringing him and ultimately faced an indictment by a Franklin County grand jury for grand larceny over Mohawk land in the center of the Mohawk community of Akwesasne that he is accused of stealing from a white man who claims to have a county deed to it.

In January of 2009, the Kanienkehaka Kannonhsesne (Mohawk Longhouse) released a statement regarding the reclamation of a parcel of land on what has been referred to as the "Hogansburg Triangle". See http://letstalknativepride.blogspot.com/2009/02/land-claims-mohawk-style.html and the Potsdam/Massena newspaper coverage http://www.mpcourier.com/article/20111210/DCO01/312109977.

This past week's arrest of Roger Kaneratiio Jock suggests that the St.Regis Tribal Council is stepping up its efforts to assert control over the Mohawk people and in particular the Kanienkehaka Kaianerehkowa Kanonhsesne or Mohawk Longhouse.

Kaneratiio was released from custody on Friday with no bail after spending the night in jail. He joined me on "Let's Talk Native..." last night, 12/11/11. Check out the show and offer comments here or on Facebook.

This story will continue to be addressed here on Native Pride and on my radio show, Sunday nights. The over zealousness of this local yokel district attorney may only be surpassed by the treacherous involvement of the St. Regis council.

Stay tuned!

ARTVOICE 11/23/11

5 Questions with…

John Kane: Radio Host, Native Activist

The son of an ironworker from the Mohawk community of Kahnawake, John Kane grew up off reservation in a small town in Eastern New York, near the Vermont state line. After college, he married an Oneida woman and they raised their children in Seneca territory in Western New York. He became a member of the First Nations Dialogue Team in the mid to late 1990s, which is where he began speaking in public, writing letters to editors, and doing interviews on the battle with New York State over taxation. He currently hosts Let’s Talk Native…with John Kane on WWKB 1520AM, Sundays, 9-10pm.

Describe your show, in a nutshell.

“Let’s Talk Native…with John Kane” is a free-form show intended to be a conversation on a given Native issue or issues each week. Whether or not guests or callers join me, what a listener will hear is a full conversation on a subject—no sound bites or sensational one-liners, just an honest and thoughtful conversation. It is not the intent for the on-air conversation to be the last word on a subject but rather a thought-provoking start to a conversation that, hopefully, continues after each one-hour show.

Why do you suppose so little effort is made by local media to cover local Native affairs?

The media has become too much a part of the entertainment business. Unless Native issues can be sensational—tire fires, police confrontations, or political unrest that can compare to state or national scandals—our issues simply won’t buy ratings.

Overwhelmingly non-Natives think of the Native role in the regional economy to comprise cigarettes, gas, and gambling. What do you make of that?

It’s true but not necessarily by our choosing. While we have chosen certain businesses where our regulatory advantages have helped us to overcome or relatively remote locations, it was never our intent to get pigeon-holed into those businesses. On the Native Nations level, gaming has been shoved down our throats. If states had their way there would be no private sector development in “Indian Country,” only Nation-run gaming enterprises that have the state and federal regulators firmly embedded in those operations. On the private sector side, most businesses have become so consumed with fighting off the state that there is little money or will left for diversification. The question must be asked that if we can’t defend our place in legal trades like gas and tobacco, in what businesses would we be safe?

What opportunities do you see for economic development between Native and non-Native peoples? For cooperative growth?

I believe the answer to the current economic crises that are sweeping the globe is to turn away from the global economies controlled by the few where one region of the planet is exploited for their labor, resources, or lack of environmental concern to market to consumer-driven societies in another region. An emphasis on local economies where a dollar circulates several more times before it leaves the region makes sense on almost every level. Native sovereignty creates clean slates for economic development free from much of the bureaucracy that stifles business development. Native lands could be incubators for everything from the retailing of certain products to the manufacturing and tech transfers from the solid research institutions of the region. As businesses gain a sure footing within the safe havens of the economic development zones that Native lands could represent, they could expand throughout the rest of the region with a track record and business model already in play. Too much of the regional brain trust leaves the region for development elsewhere only to have the products of brain trust marketed back to the region. The same could be said for the resources of the region.

What’s the best show you’ve ever had?

If I had to recommend a listener to check out one show to convince them to check out more, I’d have to say listen to the October 16, 2011 show with Robert Batson or the October 23, 2011 show with Pam Palmater. Bob was the “Indian expert” for the Carey, [Mario] Cuomo, and Pataki administrations. The level of agreement we shared on the issues relating to our never-ending battles with the state is amazing. Pam is a Mi’kmaq and an author (Beyond Blood: Rethinking Indigenous Identity), university professor, and lawyer from the North. She was a great guest as we discussed the parallels with our battles with the US and Canada.

Read more: http://artvoice.com/issues/v10n47/five_questions#ixzz1f3x56oYm

The Tale of Two Tribal Conflicts

Two controversies involving tribal government have made the non-native or mainstream media recently. As the host of the only Native radio show in Western New York I made a decision to cover only one of them. While the Seneca Nation with 7000 strong and billion dollar businesses dominated TV, radio and the newspapers I chose to shine a light on the 700 people on the Tuscarora territory.

Here is why:

It is plenty sensational to scrutinize the Seneca situation. After all, what could be more intriguing than the first Harvard educated president of the Seneca Nation getting fired from controlling one of the largest economic engines of the area. The problem for me is that it is an internal issue that needs no outside interference. The Senecas are quite capable of handling these kinds of internal disputes and when we live in an era where news is no longer reported but rather forcefully opined on. I question the value or relevance of those opinions.

The story surrounding the controversies on Tuscarora, on the other hand, is all about outside influence. The people have no say on who their "leaders" are. The "federally recognized leadership" is borne out of a combination of the "boy's club" claiming to be the "Confederacy" and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The BIA says if you are going to keep your heathen ways and stick to a "traditional" form of government, then we are putting our blinders on and don't want to know nothing about how it is supposed to work; just tell us who the "leaders" are. Of course, that cannot be determined by Tuscaroras, only the Grand Council of the Haudenosaunee can confirm such a distinction. So ask Oren Lyons, from Onondaga to get Audrey Shenandoah, the secretary of the Haudenosaunee from Onondaga, to write a letter and get Sid Hill, the Tadodaho from Onondaga, to sign it; and there you have it, Tuscarora "leadership". Now give these guys and their lawyer $100 million from the New York Power Authority and the power to dictate every aspect of Tuscarora life from who can have electricity, or can use the health clinic, or can get an ID card and you see the reason why this corruption needs to be exposed to everyone. Most of the problems in Tuscarora are not internal but stem from outside influence, outside authority and outside money.

Catch this week's "Let's Talk Native... with John Kane" as I welcome Mike Hudson from the Niagara Falls Reporter into the studio. There is no TV, no major news broadcaster and no major newspaper covering this story; only this small newspaper from Niagara Falls. Don't get me wrong, Hudson and the Niagara Falls Reporter are making waves in spite of the story being ignored by the rest of the mainstream media. Mike's stories are roaming the internet on sites like www.indianz.com and other Native news networks and this week he joins "Let's Talk Native...".

Another Trip to NYC to Host FVIR

I want to thank Tiokasin Ghosthorse for inviting me to guest host his show again. First Voices Indigenous Radio is a true treasure and represents the best of the diversity and out-of-the-box programming that the legendary WBAI was famous for. It is always an honor and a pleasure to bring my own brand of Native talk to NYC and tap into Tiokasin's loyal listeners.

While Tiokasin took the story of the American Genocide to Europe, I got a chance to view the "Occupy Wall Street" scene for myself and offer my perspective on the show. I encourage you to listen to the show (http://archive.wbai.org/files/mp3/wbai_111103_090057fvoices.mp3) and I won't restate my comments here but be assured my thoughts are a little outside the conventional opinions. FVIR again gave me the opportunity to bring not just some of the general issues of the Haudenosaunee to the New York airwaves but even some of the specific issues associated with the corruption of the Tuscarora "leadership" (and I use that term sarcastically).

The trip also afforded me the chance to visit the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian in Manhattan. I had a great chance to speak with some of their personnel, share some thoughts and perhaps open a door or two. If their interest in having me come back down to speak develops further it would be the first time a perspective, shared by many but rarely expressed, would get such a forum. Stay tuned.

I am genuinely honored that Tiokasin trusts me to cover for him. I consider shows like FVIR and my own LTN endangered species. No one in the mainstream media is falling over themselves to give Native voices a platform. Maintaining a niche in public radio as Tiokasin has done is difficult with so much competition and the rivalry associated diverse ethnic programming. My challenges are different. I pay for airtime on commercial radio. Soliciting support to cover costs and carving out the time slot is my main challenge. I believe that guys like myself and Tiokasin are doing important work and it is great when our paths cross. As always, I look forward to joining with Tiokasin and First Voices again. My next challenge is to get him as a guest on my show.

A Month in on My New Digs

"Let's Talk Native..." made the move to WWKB 1520AM on 9/11. After a month at this powerful 50,000 watt station I am still amazed at its signal strength. The fact that LTN can be heard from Seneca Territory to Mohawk Territory, without a satellite or the internet, just puts me in awe. Perhaps this says something about "old ways". Of course by posting my shows on my blog or WNYMedia.net or Rezkast.com they can be heard anywhere and anytime and that's a good thing. But an AM signal carrying the words of Native people and Native issues, live, just through air, to be picked up by any traveler on the road on any Sunday night in a car or on a simple hand held radio is almost magical. It is like burning tobacco and watching your words take flight. Not to the powers of Creation but to anyone who cares enough to receive them.

It is a privilege to provide a forum for the discussions I have each week and I am grateful, not just to those that listen in, but to those that participate. I thank Matt and Dan for sitting in studio with me each week and I thank the callers and those that post comments here on my blog. Responses from as far away as Baltimore and the Poconos as well as the the local calls from right here at the Western Door of the Haudenosaunee add to the show. They suggest to me that the conversations we have on the show will continue at home, at work and, of course, on the web.

Another appearance on "The Capitol Pressroom" with Susan Arbetter in Albany last month and my up-coming trip to NYC, in the midst of the "Occupy Wall Street" movement to guest host once again for Tiokasin Ghosthorse on "First Voices Indigenous Radio" give me even more opportunity to encourage conversation. I just did a 3 hour interview for Buffalo Spree Magazine for an article due out in January. I can't help but feel the appetite for a Native message growing. I don't think it is a fascination with "our ways". Perhaps it's hope.

I have said all along that we have more to offer than gas, gaming and cigarettes. We may need to remove a little dust from who we really are and dig into that medicine pouch. I know we need to do it for us but, like I said, I can't help feel like there are those in the non-native community that hope we have more to offer as well. The beauty in doing "Let's Talk Native..." is that I get to interact with people who are quick to show their support for our issues. My guests find an on air experience that is as comfortable as a coffee shop conversation. Even those that have called in to take issue with the views I express have ended the conversation with gratitude and a little enlightenment.

Treaties, statutes and court rulings are put in their place on my show. Words on paper will never trump the spoken word as far as I'm concerned. When we hear educators refer to our "oral traditions", it is often made to sound primitive but I once wrote that for all the writing and reading we will ever do, it would teach us nothing if we couldn't discuss it.

It is not my intent for "Let's Talk Native..." to be entertainment, although I hope it is entertaining. My intent is to educate and to demonstrate a different way to address differences; an old way. As a Native person, it is not my vote I fight for or my citizenship or my passport or my Bill of Rights; it is just my voice. My voice can be heard every day: not once a year or every two years; not just when subpoenaed or interviewed, but every day. The spoken word is still the most effective way to communicate. Conversation, not legislation and adjudication, is the way to resolve conflict or satisfy concerns.

Just past a year on air and a month in my new digs and I am more convince now than when I started the need for conversations has never been greater. Join me on Sunday nights or look for me anytime on line and Let's Talk Native....

"Let's Talk Native...with John Kane" Makes a Big Move

On 9/11, after a full day of remembrances, prayers, dedications and commemorations, "Let's Talk Native..." will take to the airwaves on a new frequency. LTN will debut on WWKB 1520AM at 9 pm on Sunday, September 11th. KB1520 is a legendary station from the AM rock and roll days. It's 50,000 watt signal has been picked up on US Naval vessels in the Atlantic and even in several European countries. Clearly, a Native radio show broadcasting from the Western Door of the Haudenosaunee will blast a signal well beyond the Eastern Door on the power of KB1520. No longer will this unique show be limited to a modest broadcast area in the Buffalo market. "Let's Talk Native..." will still be posted on Native Pride and Rezkast as well as several other web sites, but now every Native and non-native community east of Seneca Territory will be reached with the live broadcast.

I want to thank WECK, the Buffalo Breeze, for giving me a home for my first year. I wish the good folks there the best of luck with their shift to a music format and much success.

I will continue to make the rounds on radio from New York to Albany and back here to Western New York. And as always, those appearances will get posted here on Native Pride. LTN will keep conversations on Native issues flowing. As a live, free form show, call-ins are encouraged. Callers who agree or disagree with the views expressed will be engaged intelligently and with respect. The show will continue to host guests, both in studio and remotely. New guests and a few returning friends will join me. Current events that affect Native people and our communities, as well as a little history and culture will be shared weekly.

Join the "Let's Talk Native...with John Kane" Facebook group. Post comments and suggestion for the show or anything that adds to our much needed conversations.

Be a part of the Newest Voice on "A New Voice. A New Choice" KB 1520AM.