occoneechee State Park

[wvaram]

Here is an Article that I read in "The Roanoke Times" a paper printed in Roanoke, Virginia.


Panel Backs building
of Lodge in State Park



Richmond- A State conservation panel has endorsed a proposal to develop a lodge and conference center in Occoneechee State Park along Buggs Island Lake in Meckklenburg County.

Supporters of the project initiated by the nearby town of Clarksville say it would benefit the cash-poor Southside Virginia community economically; opponents say it would put business interests ahead of saving pristine forests.

The Board of Conservation and Recreation voted unanimously to amend the park's master plan to allow the development.

Joseph Maroon, director of the state Department of Conservation and Recreation, which operates the parks, said he favors the project. He said that unlike a previous plan to build a golf course, the Lodge and conference center are suitable for Occoneechee.

Maroon said he will formally decide wether to approve the project by early spring.

The board identified two potential sites for the project: a spot fairly deep in the park, which Clarksville favors but which opponents say would call for the cutting of 100 year old trees, and another spot closer to the park entrance, which some thought could be disturbed by noise from a planned highway.

Final approval must come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which owns the land on which the 2,700-acre park sits.

Opponents pledged to continue to fight the project before the Corps, which has taken no position.

" This is a lifelong mission," said Barry Carter, A descendant of Occoneechee Indians who inhabited the region brfore European settlers arrived.

" For Indians, this land is something that's sacred," he said.

The Occoneechee center would be the systems's largest private operation, state officials said.

If you would like to comment on the news coverage you can e-mail them at ( editor@roanoke.com)

[lynellarainhawk]

Thank you for posting this info.:) I was wondering how it was going. Dang it! I just don't want to see this thing happen at all. The whole idea just blows! Love & Light, Lynella.

[wvaram]

Your welcome. It really bothers me and saddens me when I see land that is held sacred by the NA being used for something againt their wills. Makes me think of the black hills that was given then taken back .

[Tom]

Perhaps this may draw some boudaries after all, perhaps ther's an area that can requested as a part of an agreement!
I think that like many sacred places they become surrounded by the secular atlarge.
I really believe that there is something here.
The reasoning behind this is, " Terra Nullius" vacant land , no one is here, now that they have drwn the boundaries it's time to address the issue!
This is a common occuance, the colonials understood that "in order to have ownership they had to remove it from someone" maybe it works both ways!

[lynellarainhawk]

Tom,

;) Well, that's a thought. I'm one of those people who, can't see any good out of something untill it happens. I mean, I always look at the bad side first, expect the worst first, etc. Especially in cases like this. I just think the whole entire thing is wrong. Environmentally, as well as, but not quite as important to me as the part about it being NA land. They've Cra--ed on us enough and in this day and age there is no reasone why we, they, anyone as a human being should have to be forced into accepting something simply because some grubby handed capitalists say so. I just have a very hard time accepting it and letting the bad feelings about it float away from me like a leaf on a river and not look at it as some kind of great loss do to another source that shouldn't even exist in the first place.:rolleyes: Well, enough out of me for now or I'll be wanting to go kick some butt! Love & Light, Lynella.

[Kerry]

Hey Tom - I agree. But aside from writing letters and signing pettitions - what can a small group (like us) do?

[lynellarainhawk]

Kick butt & take names later?:D

[Tom]

The action will have to be done by our local members there, but we can act as advisory and support like what we have been doing already. I think that people on a local level need to be more visible though like a web site and some news paper articles.

[lynellarainhawk]

Tom,

:) Yeah! A web site and talk to a reporter and or, if an editor would take a story done by one of our locals, but they would probably rather an interview by one of their own reporters. I wonder if someone could make a few calls to the local papers around there and start spreading some news or ask if we need press kits to get the ball rolling or what. Hmmmmmmm.:) Love & Light, Lynella.

[Linda]

We've been blitzing the media for the past two years. We "won" the golf course debate a year ago. Now they've just rearranged the floor plan and blowed on by us. Stupid Indian infighting has also helped to destroy the advances we had made.

It wouldn't hurt if some of you all wrote to the local papers. Here are some addresses:

http://www.winwinworld.net/GolfCourse/contacts.htm

[lynellarainhawk]

Linda,

:) Thank you. I printed them all. Bless you. Lynella.

[GrayOwl]

I wonder if a well written letter to VITAL might not be of some help. They are pretty busy with the struggle of the State recognized tribes, but there are a lot of folks involved with that group, that have had their lands taken prior to recognition. Just a thought....if it hasn't been done already.

[lynellarainhawk]

Ooh, yes, that is a thought! Maybe Linda would know if they've been approached yet.:) Lynella.

[Felicia]

We've been working on this and it just makes me sick to even talk about it. I moved here from NJ only to see more common-good-ole-boy-tactics take something away that is so precious. They know it too! Land today as it was when their ships came over here is a commodity to them and one that should always be fully used and taken if all they do is just ask for it.
They're tactics outweigh (dollar-wise) the God-given common-sense of just leaving something natural alone.
I wish that there's a statute of limitations or something that said that these "so-called people" could not touch this park, because we have been using this park as NA for many, many years, and that we also, call this park home.
****Did you know that the occoneechee's are still buried underneath the water and land not too far away from the park???
****Did you know that not one anthropoligist is interested in doing the right thing either???

-So, if I had a wish it would be....that our ancestors could rest in peace in this park and that it would be left alone.....then, I believe they could truly rest.

****So what does everyone, and I mean everyone think?

--1. Go on the website and help us make more than a little noise (I heard someone for this proposal said that, we like to throw rocks but we are not hitting anything) How would you feel if you had heard something like this, which was followed by lots of laughter. I for one was sick and disgusted.
--2. How would you like to be NA (without federal recog) and have someone tell you that you do not have the right to speak about NA issues. Our ancestors over here are crying out....do you guys understand what I mean??? If you do then, help spread the word to every NA and non-NA in this country.
---Let's come together!!!!

[lynellarainhawk]

Felicia,

You brought up wishing there was a statute of limitaions or something. What about the "Grandfather Clause" Is there something like that there? Like out here, If things are Grandfathered in from 100 years ago, no one can come in and change anything to make it more modern, or up to date,or more commercial. You know, they can make a brand new condo next door to a business in an old building. As long as that business is functional they can't come in and make the business owner swap out all the wiring or plumbing or change easements or anything to "better" the appearance of the New Condo's, etc. It's the "Grandfather Clause." What do you think? Of coarse I'm sure any lawyer would already have pulled that card if it was there.;)

I also think we should do something about this whole thing. What all do you have in mind? Handcuff's & chains in mass quantity? Mud balls at the pope? Hang out with those red barret guys with the red arm bands? Pass out flyers all over the state and send them to everyone we can come up with? I am being serious.;) I'm not joking, I promiss. Love & Light, Lynella.

[lynellarainhawk]

Felicia,

I am quite serious, so please let me know what ever you think. Lynella.

[Tom]

Hello Everyone, well that OL' boy's issue has come up again!
Well for what it's worth form one, form an old Boys club, get involved with theLions etc and become a shaker.
I have talked to a lady that we all know and love and she has mentioned a dance group well why not also form a Native Alliance a Voice of the First Nations, with some proper focusing it could become quite large, link up with other like minded people and be visible.!!

[lynellarainhawk]

Tom,

What a very good idea!:) I love it. So, where do we begin and how do we do it? This isn't something I've ever done before. But I'm ready and willing if others are;) What do you think? Love & Light, Lynella.

[lynellarainhawk]

I found this and wanted to post it. I tried to send it via Outlook to the Editor link Wvaram posted, but my outlook has never worked for me!:) So, any way:

"The utmost good faith shall always be observed towards Indians; their land and property shall never be taken from them without their consent." (Northwest Ordinance, 1787, Ratified by Congress 1789.)

Love & Light, Lynella.

[wvaram]

Sounds like a great idea to me! I'm all for it. How about everybody else?

[lynellarainhawk]

Yes! I'm really up for this. So, what do we do?:) Lynella.