THE MOCCASIN TELEGRAPH COMPUTER NETWORK,
                       A FRIENDS & FAMILY NETWORK
                        PERSONAL YET PROFESSIONAL
             <----<<<<                           >>>>---->
                        -=We Are All Related=-


     The Moccasin Telegraph Story      Draft Copy: Vers. 1, 5 Jan 1995

     After much searching and the access of the several Native American
     on line communications networks available it was determined that
     none of them met my personal idea of what they should provide.
     Many are suitable for normal chit chat within certain constraints.
     Most are not conducive to the free interchange of ideas,
     education, and questions pertaining to all aspects of American
     Indian spirituality and concepts. None could be found that offer
     free, no expense access to those users that were not financially
     able to afford the costs for long distance electronic mail or
     those already carrying a significant burden of expense in related
     or parallel services to Native American issues. Fact is, none were
     of a service related nature and all were more or less restrictive,
     or gave the impression that certain subjects were taboo. Some were
     down right aggressive in the prohibitive aspects of discussing any
     form of net improvement or growth. Control was under the boot of
     only one or two self proclaimed leaders that would not allow free
     discussion of most subjects.

     It was therefore arranged between three individuals to set up a
     service type net with the aim of assisting in the training and
     bringing together of all Indian Nations and any other individual
     person, group or Nation regardless of ethnic background in the
     common goal of promoting better understanding of each other in a
     friendly atmosphere. At present it consists mainly of people of
     Native American or partial Native American ethnic origin but that
     is not a prerequisite to membership and all people of a friendly,
     helpful nature are welcome. Blood has no determination as concerns
     membership, only the heart that pumps the blood. A concern for
     ones fellow human beings and love for one another as brother and
     sister is the most important consideration. A strong conviction to
     help is not even necessary, just the desire for friendship and
     understanding of all peoples is enough. Of course if one is able
     and willing to assist with the various projects in this direction
     in either personal or financial ways is always welcome but not
     demanded.

     Rules: The rules under which we conduct ourselves are very limited
     and are suggested by each member. No rulers here, we already have
     too many in our daily life. The only ones in effect at present are
     to conduct ones self in a friendly manner, discussing almost any
     subject as long as it is suitable for families with members of all
     ages. No flaming of any individual, no porno of any degree. A
     dependable compatible mailer to Front Door with firm up times if
     one needs to have the mail delivered and picked up by someone
     else. Most other stipulations are just common sense and any rule
     can be changed or adopted by a consensus of a majority of the
     users. No subversive material or covert plans at such illegal
     activities will be transferred through the various nodes of the
     net. Anything of this nature will have to be handled by direct
     mail from originator to destination node. Nothing is secure when
     run through the net and also no one will become involved in an
     activity they may not wish to be in.

     Free Access: I will personally poll and deliver mail to anyone
     that cannot afford the long distance charges or make arraignments
     for same if possible and providing the individual or group has
     something of benefit to contribute to the overall goal of bringing
     our people together or better our life and understanding. No one
     in the group has limitless finances that I am aware of, including
     myself so please do not abuse this offer and it is good only as
     long as I can afford the costs. A project need not be connected
     with any other one in the group to be eligible for this free
     transfer of mail, it can be from one group to another and will be
     given the same priorities and guarantee of delivery as that which
     can be assured for any internal net or echo mail. Again, I will
     not be a party to the transfer of any porno, illegal, subversive
     or criminal material. That is just my own limits under which I
     have elected to live and not a position of trying to impose my
     will or ethics upon anyone else. It is also a matter of not
     running afoul of the long arm of the law. Not much good can be
     accomplished from a jail cell. However this in no way reflects my
     personal willingness to knuckle under to unjust laws or control. I
     just want to be aware of any such case before the fact of becoming
     involved in it. One person's just cause is not necessarily looked
     at the same way by everyone.

     Echoes or Conferences: At present these are the only echoes or
     conferences available; Sysop, Chat, History, Genealogy, and
     ICUG. The most recently added echoes are listed in the TMT echo
     list. New echoes can be added as needed on various subjects.
     Moderators as such are not used on TMT as each and every user is a
     moderator. Each user is responsible for the people they bring or
     recommend for membership and therefore it would follow that they
     only bring or recommend those people that are compatible with our
     established operation procedures. In other words, we are self
     policing as any civil minded, tribe, family, Nation or  group
     should be.  A listserv is being created for those that only have
     e-mail accounts or who would like to save on long distance charges.

     Goals: Our goals, as stated above, is to provide a reliable means
     of cheap or cost free transfer of material and data for any of the
     groups that are involved in the welfare and education of our
     fellow Native Americans and strengthen our history and truth as we
     know it. Provide a free forum for discussing the ideals and ideas
     of the various Nations of peoples. Preserve the heritage of our
     forebears of this great land called Turtle Island. Not to re-fight
     past battles or exact revenge but to build on the teachings of our
     past generations and elders. Love not hate is the cement of our
     future generations and our connection to the past days of the
     glory of our Nations so "That all People May be as One People".

     Quv (na)  Vern Jordan..... TMT Headquarters, Walla Walla, WA.