February 27, 1974 - Native American activist Russell Means, speaks about the desires and needs of Native Americans at rally on the University of Minnesota campus.
February 27, 1974 - Leonard Garment speaks about the presidential work of the next few years, efforts to reduce arms developments, relationships with the Soviet Union, scarcity of energy resources with the problems of the possible impeachment are issues that future generations will be able to judge the Nixon administration on.
February 27, 1974 - Building a library, exempting Minnesota from daylight savings, childcare costs paid by state for state employees are some of the agenda items.
February 27, 1974 - Reginald Jones, General Electric chairman, was the keynote speaker at the OIC conference. Jones announced a program to increase education among minority populations in order to increase the amount of engineers.
February 27, 1974 - Public hearings to determine if the Pig's Eye coal terminal would cause environmental damage. The storage terminal would be used to store coal for transport.
February 27, 1974 - One year after Wounded Knee Occupation, MPR’s Kevin McKiernan presents audio excerpts that provide a powerful aural experience from inside the South Dakota village during the Wounded Knee Occupation on the day of Buddy Lamont’s death. A journalistic rarity of this impactful moment.
February 28, 1974 - Education bills. Rep. Mike Sieben: "Students need input into education, into primary governing board of the institution, the university. Students have meaningful things to say about education, students need a voice indeterminng what education should be." Willard Munger energy bill would allow energy commisioner to set out guidelines for effciency in energy consumption. Appliance energy labelling defeated. Bill to ban obscene porno movies in drive-in theaters died in committe because no time left to discuss it. Pastor Willy Watts, Pine River,: in rural MN children too young to be admitted see movies from the side of the highways. "Not fair to our society to take warped ideas of sex and present it in the open for everyone to see. Every freedom has a responsiblity, and you as legislators are going to acceept the responsibility of the freedom of youth and do something about movies we can watch on outdoor screen." Rep. Glen Sherwood will bring bill back next year.
February 28, 1974 - In court this afternoon: Gary Thomas' testimony. Thomas is the OEO lawyer from Pine Ridge. Arguments were made over his testimony from last Feb. 27. Thomas' testimony was ruled admissible. Thomas described what he saw and heard at Wounded Knee, which included: Weapons, indian head dresses, and gunfire. On Feb 28 1973 Thomas said he'd been told he had 10 to 12 hrs to leave reservation or he'd be killed. Outside court, attorney Mark Lane says Thomas that had witnessed an assault on Russell Means by two goons in a parking lot, is their strongest evidence.
February 28, 1974 - Mott, North Dakota proposal to build a coal gasification plant in western North Dakota. Interview with a man who opposes, Ron Swindler, Plainsmen Association president. Opposed because values environment and way of life. Population would increase by 300,000 to 500,000. Farmers, ranchers and businessmen need help now and can't find people, plant development is excuse to import a large popoulation. Don't want to see urban area, likes to see neighbor across a field, not next to him. American Natural Gas Company should hold off building until get more answers about if the land can be reclaimed. North Dakota already has over 7,000 acres of strip mining, reclaim those first. Underground water problems with shallow wells, underlying coal important to aquifer makeup. Generating plants being moved to North Dakota, why can't coal be shipped to existing generators. Cheaper to strip land, coal companies shutting down more expensive deep mines. Deep coal is better quality coal. Companies move factories because pollution movement from uban areas. Need to educate people, watch coal company activities.
February 28, 1974 - Leonard Garment, Special Assistant to the President, gives his perspective on the Indian problem. In 1970 Indian reform legislation sent to Congress which hasen't been acted on. Some exceptions including Menominee restoration. Contracting powers for tribes and councils stuck in legislative committees.