FW: Update on the residential school atrocity investigations

["Craven, Jim" <jcraven@xxxxxxxxx>]

-----Original Message-----
From: James Michael Craven [mailto:cravjm@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Thursday, October 01, 1998 7:18 AM
To: jcraven@xxxxxxxxx
Subject: Update on the residential school atrocity investigations


------- Forwarded Message Follows -------
From:          "James Michael Craven" <cravjm@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Organization:  Clark College, Vancouver WA, USA
To:            mohawkns@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx, tkage@xxxxxxxxxxx,
yussuf.kly@xxxxxxxxxx,
               muhammad@xxxxxxxxxxxx, jcraven@xxxxxxxxx
Date:          Tue, 29 Sep 1998 17:10:27 PST8PDT
Subject:       Update on the residential school atrocity investigations
Priority:      normal

------- Forwarded Message Follows -------
From:          James Michael Craven <cravjm@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To:            sovernet-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx, warriornet@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx,
               lnp3@xxxxxxxxx, robert-ward@xxxxxxx, waya.ward@xxxxxxx,
rjohn@xxxxxxxxxxx,
               mohawkns@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx, tkage@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject:       Update on the residential school atrocity investigations
Date:          Tue, 29 Sep 1998 10:00:27 -0700

Because the following was put out on the net, an announcement of the
formation of a "Truth" and "Justice" Commission that is riddled with
anything but "Truth" or "Justice", I have no choice but to comment on
this.




------- Forwarded Message Follows -------
Date:          Mon, 28 Sep 1998 17:42:17 -0700 (PDT)
From:          Kevin Daniel Annett <kdannett@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To:            warriornet@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject:       Update on the residential school atrocity investigations
(fwd)
Reply-to:      warriornet@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx



---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 28 Sep 1998 17:16:44 -0700 (PDT)
From: Kevin Daniel Annett <kdannett@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: SISIS@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Update on the residential school atrocity investigations

[Annett] for your networks, from the Truth and Justice Commission, formerly
The
Circle of Justice (Vancouver)

Response Jim Craven: The Circle of Justice is still in existence. Mr.
Annette was voted to be expelled at a meeting on September 23, 1998.
He was subsequently informed by Jim Belcourt that he was expelled and
the reasons why. This can be confirmed by calling Amy Talio, herself
a Survivor of the Residential Schools, of the Circle of Justice at
(604) 253-1891



[Annett]   Circle of Justice Widens to Become Permanent Truth Commission

Response Jim Craven: This is an outright lie. The Circle of Justice
expelled one member, Mr. Annett and subsequently gained members as a
result of his being expelled and no member of The Circle of Justice
was ever informed about this Permanent Truth Commission and any
former members of the Circle of Justice who might be part of this
so-called Truth and Justice Commission were those brought to the
Circle by Mr. Annett and not voting members or present members. Part
of Mr. Annett's problem and arrogance stemmed from the fact that he
considered himself to be the Circle of Justice, Spokesman,
Researcher, Archivist, Advisor all roles that were self-declared and
self-assumed. This so-called Truth and Justice Commission was formed
on the day he was told he was being expelled from the Circle of
Justice and knew well that it would be announced along with the
reasons for the expulsion.

[Annett] Vancouver - In an effort to broaden the scope and base of the
ongoing investigation into medical experiments, murder and other horrors
at native residential schools, the Circle of Justice has dissolved and
its members have been encouraged to become part of a permanent Truth and
Justice Commission, which is being established in Vancouver, B.C.


Response Jim Craven: More lies, no reference to having been expelled
from the Circle of Justice, no reference to the continued existence
of the organization, no COJ members were encouraged to become members
of this new Truth and Justice Commision or would do so, and further,
this begs the question: Would the members of the Circle of Justice
who expelled Mr. Annett for alleged opportunism, lying,
misrepresentation, failure to account for funds raised, failure to
turn over materials not released for use by Residential School
Victims, misrepresentation of his roles in and authorized positions of
the COJ etc, be encouraged to become part of this Truth and Justice
Commission?

[Annett] The Circle of Justice had never formally constituted itself as
an organization, but functioned as a loose network of victims of
residential schools and their supporters. Accordingly, it was felt that a
more permanent and formal body was needed to take survivors' testimonies and
document the atrocities because of their magnitude and the complicity of
government, church, police and native organizations in serious wrongdoing.

Response Jim Craven: More lies. Mr Annett continually and
repeatedly--on this net inh many postings--represented the COJ to be
a democratic collective but nonetheless a formal organization, and
the only one who "felt a more permanent and formal body was
needed..." other than through new Tribunals, was Mr.
Annett--imediately upon learning of his being about to be expelled
from the COJ.
        
 [Annett]  The new Truth and Justice Commission will honour the request of
those who have given testimonies, written and spoken, to the
International Tribunal into residential schools, and will take
responsibility for this evidence to ensure that it is used to bring the full
truth of the residential schools to public light.

Response Jim Craven: Translation, this so-called Truth and Justice
Commission, consisting of Mr. Annett and a few trusted cronies, will
attempt refuse to return repeatedly requested materials in his
possession, summarily and unilaterally assert and arrogate
"responsibility" for  this evidence", care nothing about the damages
and pain caused to the Residential School victims who have demanded
their tapes and other materials back fearing how and for whom Mr.
Annett will use their stories, refuse to obey the very same arguments
he made in a posted letter to the James Gang about returning
materials in their possession, and will then summarily and
unilaterally assert himself to be the authoritiy how the materials
are to be used. The arrogance, hypocrisy, duplicity, manipulation,
callousness and abusiveness in this position in breathtaking in my
opinion.


[Annett]  In this regard, Reverend Kevin Annett will continue in his
delegated role as the archivist, researcher and advisor with this
investigation, and will hold survivors' testimonies and other evidence
in trust, confidentiality, and safety.

Response Jim Craven: Notice, this clearly comes from Mr. Annett who
writes about himself in the third person as if an existing and formal
organization is behind all of this, yet repeatedly says this Truth
and Justice Commission is "being formed" or about to be formed or
whatever. How many present members? And further, his past track
record, in holding survivor's testimonies and other evidence--even on
this very net--has reflected gross opportunism, insensitivity,
callousness, wrecklessness, arrogance, amateurism etc in the opinion
of the Circle of Justice who cited these actions as one of the
reasons for his expulsion.

[Annett] In a statement released today, Reverend Annett said,

Response Jim Craven: Again, writing about himself in the third person
to deceive and manipulate and cover-up.

[Annett]  "I state again that I have not used, and will not use any of the
testimonies given to me by residential school survivors for my own
benefit or academic use. I will use this evidence only as directed to by the
Statement of Purpose of the Truth and Justice Commission, and by the
latter's Executive Body. This evidence does not belong to me or to any
individual or organization, but is held in public trust for the sake of
the living and dead victims of native residential schools, and for the
cause of ultimate justice."

Response Jim Craven: Summarily asserts and arrogates he will be the
holder of the materials and determine how they are to be used (see
posted letter from Annette to [Himself from Himself via ] Rudy and Diana
James demanding return of tapes and other materials from the Tribunal
in Vancouver June 12-14, 1998 to the "Circle of Justice",
and threatening legal action for failure to do so. Above says" this
evidence does not belong to me but is held in public trust" and I,
Annett the self-professed and self-declared, legend-in-my-own-mind
savior of the Residential School Victims, will define the public trust,
I will summarily assert who the evidence belongs to (as a disingenuous
stunt to summarily assert refusal to return requested materials under the
bannner of some noble cause of justice for living and dead victims of the
Residential Schools), I will determine its use and I will determine who will
have access to it no matter the pain caused to real Residential School
victims demanding their testimonies and other materials back from
Annett and being caused considerable pain and suffering as a result
of his continual arrogance and refusal to return demanded materials.
The arrogance, callousness and duplicity is outrageous.
Further, why this sensitivity in view of the fact that the charges
against Mr. Annett have not been made publicly but were kept internal
so as not to damage the real and legitimate members of the Circle of
Justice? Is it because he anticipates something coming and this is
pre-emptive spin control?

[Annett]  The new Truth and Justice Commission will be constructed on a
completely non-racial and democratic basis, embracing both indigenous
and non-indigenous people on an equal footing. It will remain independent
from all church, government and police agencies, and from all First Nations
organizations which either receive state funding or were established by
or are connected to the Department of Indian Affairs.

Response Jim Craven: One of  Mr. Annett's oft repeated notions is a
claim of a backlash of First Nation's Peoples against non-First
Nations "activists" like himself. If this does occur, it will be
because of the likes of Mr. Annett. Of course, not being able to look
at himself, calling anyone who dares pose any questions to him about
his machinations "RCMP agents", "Government Stooges" etc, this First
Nations and Non-First Nations on an equal footing stuff is a cover
for the real arguments against him and the real reasons for his
expulsion from the Circle of Justice. As for staying away from
Government, Churches, Police etc, these apparent  wreckless and
duplicitous machinations could not serve the powers-that-be better if
he were on someone's formal payroll.

[Annett]  A complete Statement of Purpose of this Commission will be
forthcoming. Founding members and affiliates of the Commission will be
announced at the same time.

Response Jim Craven: If this organization exists and is speaking
about Mr. Annett in the third person, where is the Statement of
Purpose now? And this announcement implies there are already some
Founding members and affiliates (the ones talking about Mr. Annet in
the third person) of this Truth and Justice Commission, so who are
they? The members of the Circle of Justice signed their names to
their alleged reasons for the expulsion of Mr. Annett from the COJ
and for their demands that he return materials to them.


[Annett]  As of today, September 28, 1998, any statements issued by any
group or individual calling themselves The Circle of Justice should not
be associated with the investigative work of the Truth and Justice
Commission, or with the Tribunal and forums that preceded the
Commission.

Response Jim Craven: So any group calling themselves The Circle of
Justice would be who exactly? I thought the COJ was being expanded to
develop this new Truth and Justice Commission? Who would possibly be
in a position to continue to call themselves The Circle of Justice?
And if there are people still calling themselves The Circle of
Justice, people with whom Mr. Annett publicly connected himself in
word and in print, then why haven't they joined him? Why would he
need to disassociate himself from any group still calling themselves
the COJ when he has claimed that the COJ is part of and behind this
development of the Truth and Justice Commission? And who is Mr.
Annett to speak for the previous Tribunal on Resdential Schools?
Where does that authority and mandate come from? The apparent lies and
duplicity and callous disrespect for the past, present and future
suffering of Residential School Victims and other Victims is
absolutely unbelievable. Even the United Church and RCMP have been
far more open about their naked contempt for Residential School
Victims and at least superficially, in their admission of and
responsibility for  abuses that they have committed; more so than
Mr. Annett, it appears.


[Annett]  For more information contact The Truth and Justice Commission
c/o kdannett@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx  .
        

Response Jim Craven: Mr. Annett, give back the requested materials to
the Victims of Residential School Abuse NOW!! Your apparent delays,
duplicity, lies, manipulations, obstructionism, wrecking, factionalism,
slander and libel, disruptions, failure to account for and return resources
entrusted to you etc are causing real pain and suffering to real
people who have already suffered so much; people who trusted you, who
have a right to their materials for the same reasons given in your letter to

the James Group, who are doing real selfless struggles for truth and
justice not selfish and self-promotional charades masquerading as
"activism". Stop this apparent wrecking, opportunism and factionalism
NOW!!

Jim Craven (Previous expositions were at the request of members of the
Circle of Justice to assist them in getting their message out on the
internet; this one is from me. I was approached by the members of the COJ
and had no contact with them whatsoever except with Mr. Annett Their
conclusions and allegations were brought to me not even knowing how I
felt about Mr. Annett because I had kept my reservations private to
avoid obstructing the COJ's work; further I tried to gently pose some
concerns I had been hearing with Mr. Annett and the result was being
called an RCMP agent and stooge of the Churches by him in a letter.)
As one of the Tribunal Judges in a highly flawed and even wrecked Tribunal
dealing with Residential School horrors, as someone who saw the pain
and suffering on the faces and heard it in the voices of the
Residential School victims, then to contemplate betrayal of those I
saw and heard, and all of those I will never see and hear, is
unthinkable.For someone who has been close to and trusted
by real Victims of Residential Schools horrors and their allies to
use them and their trust and need for supporters for selfish,
personal, self-promotional, opportunistic or careerist purposes is
absolutely beyond sick, depraved and evil. To call it all the
struggle and search for truth and justice is just too much.

These are my honest opinions based on considerable investigation,
soul-searching, listening to various perspectives, posing questions
for which either penetrating or no answers were given, and formed
without malice or wreckless disregard for truth. I invite any and
all rebuttal.

Because Mr. Annett has publicly on this net associated my name with
him and private conversations with him have been written up without
my permission, I believe that I must and have every right to publish
this response.

Jim Craven
Member, Blackfoot Confederacy

 James Craven
 Dept. of Economics,Clark College
 1800 E. McLoughlin Blvd. Vancouver, WA. 98663
 jcraven@xxxxxxxxx; Tel: (360) 992-2283 Fax: 992-2863
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------
"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)

Those who take the most from the table,
teach contentment.
Those for whom the taxes are destined,
demand sacrifice.
Those who eat their fill, speak to the hungry,
of wonderful times to come.
Those who lead the country into the abyss,
call ruling difficult,
for ordinary folk.
(Bertolt Brecht)

*My Employer  has no association with My Private and Protected Opinion*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------


 James Craven
 Dept. of Economics,Clark College
 1800 E. McLoughlin Blvd. Vancouver, WA. 98663
 jcraven@xxxxxxxxx; Tel: (360) 992-2283 Fax: 992-2863
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------
"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)

Those who take the most from the table,
teach contentment.
Those for whom the taxes are destined,
demand sacrifice.
Those who eat their fill, speak to the hungry,
of wonderful times to come.
Those who lead the country into the abyss,
call ruling difficult,
for ordinary folk.
(Bertolt Brecht)

*My Employer  has no association with My Private and Protected Opinion*
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------

 James Craven
 Dept. of Economics,Clark College
 1800 E. McLoughlin Blvd. Vancouver, WA. 98663
 jcraven@xxxxxxxxx; Tel: (360) 992-2283 Fax: 992-2863
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------
"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)

Those who take the most from the table,
teach contentment.
Those for whom the taxes are destined,
demand sacrifice.
Those who eat their fill, speak to the hungry,
of wonderful times to come.
Those who lead the country into the abyss,
call ruling difficult,
for ordinary folk.
(Bertolt Brecht)

*My Employer  has no association with My Private and Protected Opinion*
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------