How to distribute AGR in your town

Editors, Asheville Global Report,

The Asheville Global Report is the most important weekly in this country right now. Especially as we see mainstream media waving flags and blowing the bugle for yet another war; we must do our part to spread the truth. Here’s a suggestion on how to distribute this paper in your town.

Starting with the initial investment of $17.12 for one month of papers, deliver these to a variety of likely outlets. Some of these places may include bookstores, health food stores, hemp shops, coffee shops and bus terminals. As you place the papers, discuss with shop owners alternative media, the importance of a free press, and the sorry state of mainstream media. Offer free copies to see if the paper generates interest. If you must (as I do) cover your shipping costs, offer to exchange for shop credit. This brings us back to barter and helps keep money local. The cost that I charge is six dollars credit per month per outlet for six weekly papers. Flowland, the local hemporium, paid cash up front for the next three months. It is good to meet others for whom this paper is important.

Mark Adams
Southern Pines, NC

Local American Indians seek to strengthen our spirits

Editors, Asheville Global Report,

This announcement comes on the wake of the events of September 11, 2001. For all the people in our area who may have lost loved ones, who need time to pray and recover -– and after careful consideration and prayer on our part -– the benefit for the Big Mountain People that was planned to take place September 23, at Spirits On The River, will be postponed until a later date. [Editor’s note: this announcement was made prior to the date of the event; it was omitted from AGR #140 in error.]

Even though the decision was made to postpone the benefit there will still be assistance going out to the people at Big Mountain. There is money left from what was donated so generously at the last benefit and it will be used to send supplies to the people out there. At this time there will be a few of us working on gathering non-perishable food items, blankets, warm winter clothes, and other needs as identified by the people at Big Mountain. And we are blessed by many people that support us in many different ways -– and we may be calling on some to help us between now and our next formal benefit.

We as Indian people and our allies -– wherever that may be -– on the reservations, in the cities, towns, and rural areas -– now have to stand with our country and the government in order to assist in keeping this land and our dignity. People of all races lost loved ones in these attacks and there is great grief and sadness shared all over Mother Earth. No, our government is not perfect, nor are we.

The ripples of these attacks have yet to be felt -– most people are still in shock, unable to see past the latest news report or gruesome scenes playing out before our eyes on television. At this time in our history, we as activists, whether we believe ourselves to be or not, are going to be effected by the horrific events of September 11. We as indigenous people working toward issues that affect our nations now need to take some time to regroup.

If ever we needed strong leaders within our Nations -- it is now! It is time to stop fighting amongst ourselves with petty arguments based on ego.... he said/she said -- etc.... and it is time to weed out the people who are in this simply to fuel their own egos and gain notoriety on the backs of our people.

Being Indian is not looking for pats on the back or looking to make our own lives happier -– being Indian is working toward strengthening our spirits so that we can serve the needs of the nations -– not ourselves. The way of our people still is: “the good of the one or the few should never outweigh the needs of the many or the ‘people’.”

Today, we pray for strong and wise leaders who know the true meaning of leadership is to be the “first servants” of the people -– not to dictate, not to feed egos, not to grow bank accounts -– but to offer wise council and direction -– and we need those people willing to truly listen and take this wisdom to action -– with good hearts and respect for all the Nations of Mother Earth. We pray for courage and gentleness for all.

Dean and BJ McManama
Asheville, NC