Hello Everyone,
While we all wait with bated breath on the outcome of Marc Wisecarver's
appeal, look at what his wonderful mother, Charmaine Whiteface has been
awarded!!!! This is an amazing award for an amazing Native Woman, and
no one deserves this more than her!
I am so honoured and so proud to know Charmaine. She is a dear friend and
mentor to me.
"Many, many congratulations Charmaine! The Spirits are with you , always!"
"Local Woman wins True West Magazine Award"
"White Face Among Best of the West"
Rapid City-- The editors of True West magazine have given one of their Best
of the West awards to Charmaine White Face. The award, the Best Living Indian
Rights Crusader for 2010, was given to Ms. White Face for her writing and her
work with Defenders of the Black Hills.
The magazine stated: "She is a voice for the Black Hills--and it’s a task
Charmaine White Face has gladly undertaken for more than two decades, as a
columnist for several newspapers and an activist. She formed Defenders of
the Black Hills in 2002, working to end logging, mining and exploitative
tourism of this area, which is sacred to her Oglala Sioux tribe. Her work
has received international recognition, and she hopes that will help return
the Black Hills to its rightful owners--the American Indians."
Ms. White Face was informed of the award through a letter. "I am totally
flabbergasted," she laughed, "I didn’t even know a disabled grandma could
receive such an award."
The activities of Defenders of the Black Hills have been to increase the
awarness of the public to environmental issues in the Black Hills and the
surrounding area. Ms. White Face’s writing as a newspaper columnist also
tried to educate people to the Fort Laramie Treaty for which she has
been a staunch advocate at the United Nations. She was appointed to
the position of Spokesperson for the Teton Sioux Nation Treaty Council
in 1994.
"My work has not just been for Indian people," White Face said, "but for
all the people in the United States. If the Constitution, the foundation of
the country is weakened, then the whole structure will fall." This theme was
stated consistently in her newspaper columns over the years as she continually
referred to Article VI of the Constitution which states that ‘treaties
are the supreme law of the land.’
Although educated as a scientist at Black Hills State University and the
University of North Dakota, White Face worked as a teacher and administrator
before she began writing in the mid 1980s. More than 500 pieces have been
published including a non-fiction book entitled "Testimony for the Innocent."
She is currently working on finishing a collection of her writings.
See the True West article at:
http://www.truewestmagazine.com/stories/best_of_the_west_winners_2010/1350/16/
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