Native Americans

Duane Noriyuki's story of two women and their role in the Indian uprising at Wounded Knee, S.D., in 1973 ("Unsung Spirits," Oct. 14) was nuanced and poignant. The uprising 25 years ago was inspired by the massacre at Wounded Knee in 1890, a tragedy that continues to resonate among the Lakota people and the relatives of the victims. We live today in an age of apology, a time when the president and others issue official mea culpas for such policies as those behind the slavery of African Americans and the internment of Japanese Americans.

About 400 elementary school students gathered at Hansen Dam Recreation Area on Friday to learn about Native American culture as part of the fourth annual Los Angeles Intertribal Pow Wow. Saginaw Grant, who will serve as this year's emcee, told students about the history of Native Americans. "The powwow is about nurturing a spirit of generosity and caring among people," Grant said later.

Bowing to the concerns of some Native Americans who believe a proposed new downtown cathedral would be located on an ancient burial ground, the City Council on Wednesday agreed to add representatives from the Shoshone-Gabrieleno Nation to monitor construction work. On a 13-1 vote, with Councilwoman Jackie Goldberg dissenting, the council approved the environmental reports and cleared the way for construction to begin for the new $50-million cathedral. Archbishop Roger M.

An exhibition juxtaposing paintings, drawings and photographs by non-native artists with American Indian artifacts depicted in the visual images opens Thursday at the Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum. "Native Americans, Five Centuries of Changing Views" covers eight major Indian groups in North America, and includes works by artists such as George Catlin, Albert Bierstadt, Winslow Homer, Charles Russell, Frederic Remington and Eastman Johnson.

Native American Indians, in an ongoing Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area program, will tell stories of their culture and history every Sunday through February. This coming Sunday Chumash Indian Linda Aguilar will display traditional and contemporary baskets. On Feb. 8, Potowatomi Indian Nadiya Littlewarrior will demonstrate her gourd artistry. On Feb. 15, Chumash Indians Roberta and Julie Cordero will discuss maritime culture and the tomol--an oceangoing canoe. On Feb.

Re "Native Americans Win 17-Year Fight," Sept. 8: Instead of attempting to abolish a symbol of heritage, the groups of Native Americans should be doing everything possible to sensitize the schools to recognize these as symbols of pride and to foster understanding. How many other mascots or symbols--Vikings, Maccabees, Celtics--bring a sense of pride to their people? The Times reported that the cost to one school would be $35,000. It had been earlier reported that for all schools to comply would cost an estimated $300,000.

The Palm Springs Desert Museum opens its 1994 season with an exhibit on the life and culture of Native Americans in the Palm Springs area. "Cahuilla Voices: We Are Still Here," documents their traditions and the ways their culture is active today. Baskets, pottery and other artifacts, along with photographs and oral narratives, present a picture of the Cahuilla. The exhibit will run through Nov. 6. Call (619) 325-7186.

A Justice Department study of violent crime among different races and ethnic groups shows an alarmingly high rate of violence against Native Americans, as crime against other groups has fallen. Native Americans were twice as likely to be victims of violent crime as were blacks, whites or Asians.

Re "Get a Handle on Casinos," editorial, Nov. 4: Given the history of Native Americans' treatment by settlers, miners, missionaries, land speculators, ranchers, oilmen and local, state and federal governments, you must have a broken sense of irony to complain of the "uncontrolled effects of casino construction and expansion on local communities." A little inequity in the tribes' favor does not seem such a bad thing, given the historical perspective. Greg Dziewit San Diego It's a sad lesson that our political system has taught to the Native Americans: Either contribute large sums of money to politicians or remain marginalized.