Advertise:   ads@blueearthmarketing.com   712.224.5420

National
'Hate' church plans protest at soldier's funeral


The Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation of North Dakota passed a special resolution today in anticipation of blocking any protests at the funeral of Nathan Goodiron, a tribal member who was killed in Afghanistan.

The tribe acted after the Westboro Baptist Church of Kansas, a group that proclaims "hate" for gay and lesbian people, said it would come to the Fort Berthold Reservation for Goodiron's funeral on Saturday. The church's website calls for pickets at the ceremony [Flyer].

�The tribal business council believes it is in our best interest, as the elected leaders to protect the honor of our tribal soldiers and the honor of all tribal members by prohibiting any protestors, Indian or non-Indian, access to the Fort Berthold Reservation," Chairman Marcus Wells Jr. said in a statement.

The Westboro group has brought its anti-gay message to funerals across the country. Attempts to stop church members, including relatives of its leader Fred Phelps, have failed elsewhere.

"Our entire reservation is grieving the loss of Cpl. Nathan Goodiron," Wells said. "We will not tolerate any harassment that is intended to provoke ill feelings and violence."

Goodiron, 25, was killed in a firefight on Thanksgiving Day. His body came home yesterday. Also returning to the reservation was his first cousin, Claude "C.J." O�Berry, who was injured in the attack.

A wake for Goodiron was taking place today. The funeral is scheduled for 9:15am tomorrow in New Town, on the reservation.

Wells said the tribe has notified state and federal authorities about its resolution that outlaws any pickets or protests. Anyone who violates the law will be charged with a misdemeanor. Any non-members will be excluded from the reservation.

"It is the wish of the tribal business council to allow the services for Cpl. Goodiron to proceed with dignity, honor and respect," Wells said.

Relevant Links:
Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation - http://www.mhanation.com

Related Stories:
Fort Berthold solder killed in Afghanistan back home (12/1)
Memorial service for Fort Berthold soldier (11/29)
Fort Berthold soldier killed in Afghanistan (11/27)
Canadian Native man dies while serving U.S. (11/27)
Navajo community welcomes return of two soldiers (11/10)
Yakama Nation soldier killed in ambush in Iraq (11/9)
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to resign (11/8)
Navajo soldiers honored after tours of duty in Iraq (10/17)
Assiniboine woman honored before return to Iraq (09/01)
Alaska Native who was headed to Iraq laid to rest (08/03)
Native soldier from Michigan killed on duty in Iraq (7/27)
Alaska Native troops called up for service in Iraq (06/07)
Choctaw Marine from Oklahoma killed in Iraq (05/17)
Crow Tribe welcomes warrior home from Iraq (04/12)
Family, friends gather in honor of Navajo soldier (01/25)
Navajo soldier killed in Iraq during second tour (1/24)
Crow Tribe honors soldier on leave from Iraq (12/16)
Donations sought for soldier wounded in Iraq (12/12)
Kiowa/Comanche soldier killed in Iraq laid to rest (11/29)
U.S. military casualties in Iraq reach 2,000 (10/26)
Navajo soldier killed in Iraq laid to rest in New Mexico (10/14)
Tohono O'odham Nation soldier killed in Iraq (08/16)
Navajo soldier who was killed in Iraq is laid to rest (07/18)
Navajo Marine killed while serving in Afghanistan (7/11)
Another Navajo soldier killed while serving in Iraq (7/7)
Piestewa honored two years after death in Iraq (03/24)
Leech Lake Ojibwe soldier killed in Iraq laid to rest (01/19)
Leech Lake Ojibwe soldier killed by bomb in Iraq (1/12)
Memorial held for Lakota soldier killed in Iraq (11/22)
Memorial, tournament set for slain Lakota soldier (11/08)
Another Navajo tribal member killed serving in Iraq (09/09)
Slain Navajo soldier enlisted to receive education (08/10)
Second Navajo soldier dies while serving in Iraq (8/6)
Slain Navajo soldier recalled as quiet and strong (04/09)
Lakota soldier who died in Iraq remembered (11/25)
Fund created for Lakota soldier killed in Iraq (11/24)
Lakota soldier dies in Black Hawk crash in Iraq (11/18)
Nephew of Navajo vice president killed in Iraq (4/8)
Army report describes attack on Piestewa's unit (07/10)
DoD confirms Piestewa killed in action in Iraq (4/7)
Indian Country mourns loss of Native soldier (4/7)
Hopi Woman Confirmed Dead (4/5)
Readers react to Piestewa tragedy (4/5)
Ariz. soldier reported missing (3/25)