http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/10/opinion/10fri4.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
New York Times - United States
Published: October 9, 2008

Mayor Michael Bloomberg, long a foe of smoking, has taken his opposition to a new territory — the American Indian shops on Long Island that sell cigarettes to non-Indians. By filing a series of federal lawsuits, the mayor is trying to force Gov. David Paterson to collect sales taxes on those cigarettes.

It’s not a welcome subject in New York politics. Former Gov. George Pataki tried collecting cigarette and gas taxes from Indian shops 11 years ago, but he backed away soon after protesters, burning automobile tires, closed Interstate 81 for more than 90 minutes.

States and cities cannot impose taxes on American Indians who buy cigarettes for personal use on sovereign Indian land. But non-Indians are not entitled to a similar break. Mr. Bloomberg has filed suit accusing some cigarette shops on Indian land of selling cigarettes in bulk to bootleggers who then resell them off tribal land. That is illegal in New York State; Mr. Bloomberg is trying to compel Mr. Paterson to enforce the law.

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Article Date: 29 Aug 2008 - 3:00 PDT

In a historically unprecedented move, over 30 national HIV/AIDS organizations and leaders representing African-American, Latino, Native American/Alaska Native, and Asian & Pacific Islander communities have joined forces in an urgent call for the development and implementation of a comprehensive national AIDS strategy. The demands to the Democratic and Republican presidential nominees come in response to long-standing concerns about unmet needs for targeted HIV research, treatment access, medical care and prevention in communities of color. A recently-released report from the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on estimates of new HIV infections in the United States amplifies the crises faced in communities of color.

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http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/08/coquille_tribe_will_sanction_s.html
by Bill Graves, The Oregonian

COOS BAY — Kitzen and Jeni Branting have been in a committed lesbian relationship since high school and plan to get legally married in Oregon next spring.

Yes, in Oregon.

True, voters amended the state Constitution constitution in 2004 to allow marriage only between only a man and a woman. And Congress outlawed gay marriage more than a decade ago.

But Kitzen Branting, 25, is a member of the Coquille Indian Tribe on the southern Oregon coast.

As a federally recognized sovereign nation, the tribe is not bound by the Oregon’s Constitution. The tribe recently adopted a law that recognizes same-sex marriage and extends to gay and lesbian partners, at least one of whom must be a Coquille, all tribal benefits of marriage.

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Meet other beautiful two-spirit women and trans folk, and let’s build community together!

Wednesday, July 2nd
6:30pm - 8:30pm
Brooklyn, NY
5 mins from Atlantic/Pacific stop (N/Q/R/D/B/2/3/4/5)

RSVP to melissa@ne2ss.org or for exact location.

Click Here to take survey

Thank you for taking the time to answer this questionnaire. The info you supply to us will help the NorthEast Two-Spirit Society better service the two-spirit and Native American community of the tri-state area. All answers are anonymous.

In this post:

• Speakers Bureau/Speaking Engagements
• What’s the future of BINGO night?
• Grant money
• 1st Nat’l Native American Conference on Crystal Meth
• Policy papers
• Spring Survey
• VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Speakers Bureau/Speaking Engagements:

Of all of our programs, the Speakers Bureau is the one that is keeping us the busiest. So far, there has been limited diversity amongst our members in doing presentations. Please watch for speaker requests and respond if you would be interested. Time is usually critical in responding so get back to us as quickly as you can.
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National Native American Heritage Month Event

Indigenous peoples have of North America have histories and traditions that date back to time immemorial. While masses of Europeans lived in abject poverty subject to the individual whims of a few men, Indian people had thriving democracies based on equality, respect, responsibility and diversity. European colonists found these traditions so unusual and threatening to the oppressive systems they understood that they were compelled to set about systematic destruction of many nations and our way of life. From ancient pasts our lifeways and intellectual perspectives have been significantly different in a variety of ways. Noteworthy differences on aging, the role of elders, women, sex, gender and sexuality require examination, not as an alternative, but as a solution to many of today’s social ills.

Join us as elders Sharon M. Day, the Executive Director of the Twin City’s Indigenous Peoples Task Force, Kent Lebsock, of the NorthEast Two-Spirit Society and Louis Mofsie, the lead-singer and founding member of the Thunderbird American Indian Singers and Dancers and Chairman of the American Indian Community House’s Board of Directors, examine the past, present and future of Indigenous Two-Spirit traditions, our communities and, most importantly, the roles of our elders. The forum will also address the enriching traditions Native Americans can offer as solutions to issues surrounding gender diversity, sexuality and aging.

Admission is always free, though donations are accepted.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 6-8PM
LGBT Community Center
208 West 13th Street – Rm. 101

The NorthEast Two-Spirit Society, Inc. and The American Indian Community House organized the return of BINGO and Indian Potluck. Everyone came. Indians, str8’s, two-spirits, young and old. About 20 Natives came to play BINGO and win great prizes. T-shirts, fleece pullovers, hoodies, and much more were given out as prizes. And even those who didn’t win a game got a gift bag tote from LLBean sponsored by RHI Entertainment.

“It was a blast,” Joe Hubrich said.

Indian BINGO will be held on the second Friday of the month. Make sure to look for the announcement here on NE2SS.org. Future nights will feature up and coming talent, documentary shorts, and some of the best Indian potluck on this great Earth. Hang out and get reacquainted with NYC’s Native American peoples. We’ll see you next time.

Slideshow

NE2SS Councilmember Kevin VanWanseele traveled back to his hometown, San Diego, CA, to march with Karen Vigneault and her organization Nations of the Four Directions. NOTFD organizes the ‘twin-spirit’ community of San Diego metro area. NE2SS came to support their organization and ultimately support the national movement of the two-spirit/twin-spirit/winkte community.

“Most of the two-spirits were on the sidelines trying to blend in. When we passed we kept motioning them to join us in our group,” VanWanseele said. “A few joined us.”

Vigneault said she was contacted by numerous two-spirit friends afterward and asked to march with them next year.

“I saw a lot of faces on the sidelines that looked like they wanted so much to be marching and not just sitting. It’s surprising that there is still a lot of shame with being gay in such a large city. Maybe next year there’ll be a little less shame.”

Karen Vigneault wanted to thank the NorthEast Two-Spirit Society for their support.

Slideshow

Come march with NE2SS
in NYC’s Pride Parade
Sunday June 24th, 2007

Line up
56th St. btw 5th and 6th Aves.
11am

Everyone Welcome!

More Info? Contact.