This Week's Program: Wednesday, January 4, 2006

Burial Ground Threatened, the Abramoff Scandal, Mohawks Under Siege

Slave and Native American Burial Ground Threatened by Development

A historic burial ground reported to hold the remains of slaves, Native Americans and early Dutch settlers, which is privately owned, is slated for development. The Coalition for the Preservation of Teaneck's Indian-Slave Cemetery is attempting to raise $100,000 by next week in order to save the Pomander Walk and prevent the graves from being desecrated. As fundraising efforts continue, we speak with a member of the coalition about the issue. Northjersey.com reports the ongoing battle.

Laura Zucker, of the Coalition to Preserve Teaneck 's Native American/African Slave/Settler Cemetery

Tribal Chairman Sprague on How Abramoff Cost Tribe Millions

Republican Lobbyist Jack Abramoff tried to stop the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish tribe of Michigan from building a casino that would have created thousands of jobs for scores of unemployed people. Abramoff allegedly stymied these efforts because he and partner Michael Scanlon were paid more than $14 million by a past tribal council of the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe to prevent development of competing casinos in Michigan. These included the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish tribe's proposed casino, also known as the Gun Lake Tribe. We speak with the Chairman about the details and efforts to recover.

D.K. Sprague, Chairman of the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Tribe, also known as the Gun Lake Tribe.

Kanehsatake Mohawks: We Were Invaded by Mercenaries, Arrested and Given Unfair Trial

We speak with two members of the Kanehsatake Mohawk community about the recent trial and sentencing of Mohawks arrested almost a year ago for rioting under questionable circumstances. They describe last month's trial as "a sham" and go into detail about how Mohawk sovereignty was violated and U.S. law was broken. We speak to two members of the community: Pearl Bonspille and John Harding.