Show RESERVATION Indian group denounces March on White House by John Saunders Duchesne The recent demonstration in front of the in D. C. by several groups of American including the so-called from the Uintah-Ouray brought forth a scathing denunciation from the National Congress of American Indians in Washington last This national all-Indian organization which represents some Indian Tribes In the United States had this to say The elected leaders of the National Congress of American winding up a week-long meeting took time off from their deliberations to denounce the picketing of the White House by an unrepresentative group of Iroquois Indians from upper New York Led by their self-styled retired Brigadier Genera Herbert C. this Iroquois band also attempted a of Indian Commissioner Glenn L Emmons at the Interior Department last then tried to present a petition to the British Embassy here to intervene in their Joseph R. president of the National Congress of American manifestations irresponsible and disgraceful They are out of Indian and they do not represent Indian sentiment as a Most Indians are when our ceremonial which we associate with solemn is used in a cheap Garry further added that he thought that General Holdridge was doing a great disservice to Indians by promoting petitions to foreign in place of making responsible presentation of their before proper congressional and Interior Department authorities and the courts of the Indian leaders have frequent opportunity to discuss their problems and aspirations with most of whom are sympathetic and receptive to our people when they understand the said Mr Continuing he while we have our differences with Commissioner Emmons and the Indian we deplore the menacing tactics taken by General Holdridge and the Iroquois Garry makes it clear that the National Congress of American which officially represents the majority of Indian had refused to associate itself in any way with the Holdridge group's foray in and added that official Indian leaders from every part of the country were shocked that so much credence would be given by the public to the demonstrations in Washington that were in so many ways While the Iroquois were picketing the White House in war Garry and 75 Indian officials from 35 tribes were meeting in executive council at the Sheraton-Park Hotel in sober discussion of a wide range of Indian varying from Congressional policy to Colorado River water rights They voted to support a new congressional resolution 12 Introduced by Senator Murray of redefining S. Federal policy toward This resolution provides that no termination of federal trusteeship or services to Indians shall take place unless the tribes affected have full understanding of the proposed termination and until Indians are on a parity in health and education with other The Indians' executive council also urged amendment of the Social Security Act to discrimination Indians in public welfare programs and recommended changes in eligi-See INDIANS back pare Indians March From requirements for federal health and education services to They also reaffirmed their support of the Area Redevelopment Bill called the now pending in Congress Garry noted that the Indians had never before been so united and vigorous in pressing their aspirations through proper makes us all the more concerned when some of our people are led to participate in cheap publicity stunts which tend to make other Americans believe that Indians are irresponsible or even he |