09/18/2022
“The Gayogo̱hó:nǫ⁷ (Cayuga Nation) are dealing with what the Nation's citizens have called a dictatorship, one enabled by the U.S. federal government. Since the mid-2000s, a Gayogo̱hó:nǫ⁷ citizen named Clint Halftown has refused to step down after being removed by his Clan Mother from a temporary position within Gayogo̱hó:nǫ⁷ governance. This shows open disregard for the authority that Clan Mothers hold in the governance of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, of which the Gayogo̱hó:nǫ⁷ are a member nation. Rather than step down, Halftown has used intimidation and violence, enacted by a non-Indigenous police force he hired in 2018, to hold control of Cayuga Nation land and businesses and to maintain his own power.
Despite his removal, the U.S. Federal Government has bolstered Halftown, continuously legitimizing his role as ‘Federal Representative’ by sending money designated for the Cayuga Nation by U.S. contracts (including COVID-relief money) to Halftown. Citizens who speak out against Halftown say they never see these funds.
However, there is now hope for an end to Halftown's oppressive regime. Gayogo̱hó:nǫ⁷ Chiefs are actively seeking nation-to-nation dialogue with the U.S. Government to bring Halftown's tyranny to a close. After nearly a decade of inaction by the U.S. Government, non-Gayogo̱hó:nǫ⁷ allies have joined growing Gayogo̱hó:nǫ⁷-led efforts calling for the U.S. to cease its recognition of Halftown. Chiefs have called upon the U.S. Government to respect Gayogo̱hó:nǫ⁷ self-determination, a basic principle of international relations and the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.”
“Aug/Sept 2022 - Halftown and Cayuga Nation Police (CNP, his non-Native police force) have resumed terrorizing Gayogo̱hó:nǫ⁷ citizens who oppose him and demolishing buildings of importance to them, in a sequel to the destruction he wrought in February 2020. The situation is developing rapidly and help of all sorts is needed!”
Follow Halftown Must Go
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