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Nov. 14, 1991 <br />TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN; <br />it has come to my attention that a proposed highway corridor is being <br />considered for the route of highway 12 in Long Lake/Orono. <br />I am writing you to ask you for ackowledgement of the Freedom of <br />Religion Act Number 278. <br />The Lake Minnetonka region was and is a Sacred Area for many <br />generations of Native people. Through the years the entire Lake <br />Minnetonka Area with We burial mounds, village sites and ceremonial <br />grounds have all been desicrated and destroyedi <br />The land section that boarders Highway -12 to the north, old Crystal <br />Bay Road to the west,the Luce Line Trail 'to the South and Willow Drive <br />to the east, is considered by our people as a Sacred Area. It is a <br />high plain area in excess of 1000 feet. The high point ookout area <br />known to us as the Seven Flags area is located on the property of <br />Patricia Dickey and boarders the Watertwdn Road. <br />This area is the location of the Seven Sacred Fires and was and is a <br />spiritual gathering place for Indigenous people for many centuries. <br />The area was the.originial gathering place for the formation of the <br />American Indian' Movement. From 1968 to the present time the land has <br />and is being used for Sacred Ceremonies and teaching lodges. <br />We as members of the American Indian Movement and other <br />representatives of many Native people from all over the North American <br />Continent (United States, Canada, Mexica and Alaska) with to indicate <br />to you that we clearly do not intend to see this area desecrated and <br />destroyed. <br />Our people know that this sacred Area contains the burial sites of our <br />ancestors and exibits the historical perspective necessary for the <br />continued rebirth of aur traditional ceremonies, the education of our <br />children and a'renewal of our cultural heritage that is our right as <br />Indigenous People! <br />A major highway running through or near our ceremonial grounds would <br />indeed destroy the nature and Spiritual Peace of this area. <br />We wish to encourage you to support the upgrade of the present route. <br />Clyde B llecourt Chairman <br />American Indian Movement <br />American Indian Movement Patrol & <br />Elaine M. Stately Peacemakers Center <br />