Scanned: Case Number 272324

THE ASSEMBLY 2 STATE OF NEW YORK ALBANY COMMITTEES EXCELSIOR 272324 Aging Housing JOAN K. CHRISTENSEN Assemblywoman 119th District IN Labor Local Government Onondaga County Small Business Single UP November 17, 1993 Hillary Rodham Clinton The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington, DC 20500 Dear Mrs. Clinton: As a New York State Assemblywoman, I have members of the Oneida Nation and the Onondaga Nation living within my district. I recently had the opportunity to meet with a Clan Mother and members of the Oneida Nation, as well as a Chief from the Onondaga Nation. They came to my office to discuss a situation that had grown to such a disturbing level that they needed outside help. The Oneida people support Wilbur Homer as their government liaison, not Ray Halbritter who has declared this position himself. There have been reports of harassment on Indian land against Oneidas who openly oppose Halbritter and of throwing an Oneida woman and an Onondaga Chief off the grounds of an Oneida casino. They are very distressed at the lack of deference to the traditional ways in pursuit of monetary gain. There is also concern about how this money will be spent to better the lives of American Indians and who will be making these decisions. I was impressed by the strong, but gentle, way that those who came to my office are committed to preserving the traditional values of their heritage. I believe that it is easy to be seduced into believing this modernization will benefit the Indian nations. However, there are legitimate concerns of the Clan Mother and Chief which need to be aired. Room 502, Legislative Office Building, Albany, New York 12248, (518) 455-5383, FAX (518) 455-5417 4317 E. Genesee Street, Room 103, Syracuse, New York 13214, (315) 449-9536, FAX (315) 449-0712