Petition for commemorative postal stamp in honor of Ishi |
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Following is the text of the petition which will be presented: |
| Citizen's Stamp Advisory Committee |
| U.S. Postal Service |
| 475 L'Enfant Plaza, SW |
| Room 4474 EB |
| Washington DC 2060-2437 |
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| Whereas Ishi, the last reported Yahi California Indian, has widespread national appeal and significance because: |
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| 1) Ishi symbolizes the Native Indian Americans' struggle nationwide and by virtue of his inner strength, was a survivor and preserver of the Native "old Ways" (values) and ancient arts: |
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| (2) Nationwide newspaper coverage documented his arrival on August 28, 1911, as America's last reported Stone Age Indian, at what was then the outskirts of the City of Oroville, Butte County, California; |
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| (3) Nationwide newspaper coverage documented both the discovery in 1998 of Ishi's Brain, having been kept in the Smithsonian Institution for over 82 years, and Ishi's repatriation ceremony back to the Ishi Wilderness in August 9 & 10, 2000, |
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| (4) Members of traditional archery associations nationwide and internationally venerate Ishi as the master bowyer and teacher of this ancient art, |
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| (5) Ishi's saga also has been documented in several non-fiction books, novels, film documentaries, screen plays, and in live theater and circulated nationwide: |
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| (6) Lastly, Dr. T.Pope wrote about Ishi, |
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| "And so, alone and unafraid, departed the Last Wild Indian of America. He closes a chapter in history. He looked upon us as sophisticated children --smart, but not wise. We knew many things and much that is false. He knew nature, which is always true. His were the qualities of character that last forever. He was kind; he had courage and self-restraint, and though all had been taken from him, there was no bitterness in his heart. His soul was that of a child, his mind that of a philosopher" (T. Kroeber 1961: 237-238); |
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| Now therefore, we, the undersigned respectfully petition the U.S. Postal Service to issue on 28 August 2011 a U.S. Commemorative postal stamp in honor of Ishi. |
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Click stamp to petition: |
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