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January 27, 2003
Western Shoshone
Dann Sisters Evacuate Horses
Under Federal Attack
Only days after release ofthe Organization
American States (OAS) Inter-American
Commission on Human Right final decision that
U.S. is in violation Western Shoshone rights
to property due process and equality under law
face forced federal seizure hundreds horses
owned by grandmothers Mary and Carrie Dann.
Despite the call by the OAS to remedy the
situation, the United States has stepped up
its threats against the Dann sisters. In
September, after the preliminary decision had
been released, the federal government came to
the Dann area with 40armed agents, ATVs,
rented cowboys, a helicopter and seized 227
head of cattle. Later these agents of the
federal government said they were coming back
for the Western Shoshone horses.
On January 6, 2003, we learned that the BLM
was lining up buyers for the Dann horses
through the Nevada Department of Agriculture
that sent out a memo to non-profit horse
rescue organizations painting the picture that
the horses were being confiscated and would go
to slaughterhouses, if not purchased.
"I said it before, these horses are in
good condition and healthy," said Carrie
Dann. "The only thing these horses need
to be rescued from is the BLM: that's what
we're doing now."
The Western Shoshone Defense Project
contacted the horse rescue organizations to
alert them to the fact that the horses are not
starving, nor wild or unclaimed: that they in
fact belong to the Western Shoshone. The wires
have been buzzing among horse rescue
organizations about the ethics of purchasing
the Dann horses from the state. Several
organizations came forward to offer support to
the Danns. One organization led by a Missouri
woman, Rainbow Farms, nominated Carrie Dann
for Oprah's, "Use Your Life award."
In response to the imminent danger, a major
effort is under way in Crescent Valley to
safely round up and evacuate the horses to a
safe haven. The Western Shoshone National
Council (WSNC) announced on January 15th the
creation of the Western Shoshone International
Goodwill Horse Program to facilitate the
horses passage to safety. The program is being
initiated by a donation of hundreds of horses
owned by Carrie and Mary Dann. The purpose of
the program is to promote economic development
opportunities for Indian Nations through horse
management and gentling programs and to
strengthen youth empowerment activities.
The issue continues to be about title to
the land. Concurrently, the U.S. is attempting
to distribute monies set aside by the Indian
Claims Commission in a forced payment of
approximately 15 cents an acre for Western
Shoshone land title.
The WSDP calls upon individuals and
organizations to join in this struggle
alongside the Western Shoshone. Please support
the Western Shoshone Horse Defense Fund
through a tax-free donation to provide food
and safe transport for the horses that are
being safeguarded. Write a letter to call upon
the U.S. to desist from the present actions
and honorably commence good faith negotiations
with the Western Shoshone. To make a donation,
please send check or money order earmarked for
the Western Shoshone Horse Defense Fund to
Seventh Generation Fund, P.O. Box 4569,
Arcata, CA 95521
For more information: Western Shoshone
Defense Project 775-468-0230 wsdp@igc.org
Seventh Generation Fund, www.7genfund.org
and www.home.earthlink.net/~dann
horses/
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