Note by Hunterbear: This post outlines basic procedures in attempting to secure one's "files" from, say, the FBI. I'm keeping the names of the individuals involved in confidence.
The Freedom of Information Act process is obviously under heavy attack [administrative, foot-dragging, statutory thrusts] from the Bush/Ashcroft et al. forces -- and certainly doesn't seem to be getting any substantive defense from the Democrats. Much of the "mechanism", however, is still intact and the basic "request process" isn't that complex. Fairly frequently these days, I'm asked to outline the basic process in getting "files" from FBI via FOIA/PA or, as in this instance here, I go ahead and indicate the possibility to people who are seeking various data sources. In this case, this is my very recent response to the daughter of a prominent Canadian Mine, Mill and Smelter Workers leader --a vigorously committed labor activist who worked very effectively over a period of many decades. He passed away a number of years ago and, as such, anything FBI might hold on him is now in the public domain. Some formal indication of his death is necessary in the initial letter to FBI -- newspaper clipping, obituary, etc. In the case of a living person, anything held by FBI is not in the public arena -- can legally be released only to that individual -- but the person seeking information on himself/herself will have to give [if they possess it] their Social Security number [along with the other personal information.] The United States and Canada have often systematically blocked their borders to radicals [and all sorts of "others" as well.] A number of Canadian and United States leaders in the International Union of Mine, Mill and Smelter Workers [Mine-Mill] were thus victimized during the Red Scare [as were, for example, Paul Robeson and W.E.B. DuBois.] This person's father was among those prevented from entering the U.S. Although Mexico has never been nearly as sensitive to United States pressure as Canada, the US itself has obviously been blocking all sorts of access at its southern border. The material this person is seeking is obviously historical in nature. Relatively contemporary stuff, in the context of a multitude -- and an obviously proliferating one -- of direct and collateral "investigations" may be presently tough for individuals to secure. But the effort could be worth making and, if non-productive at this point, can be made again and again. My FOIA/PA documentary take from FBI stops in 1979 -- and I'm planning to make another foray soon. -- Hunter [Hunterbear] >From Hunterbear: It is good to hear from you. I certainly appreciate your kind words. Although from Arizona, I certainly know of your father and his very good work over a vast period of time -- very effective and courageous work in the face of rapidly mounting challenges. I don't know if you got to the end of our website -- it does, I admit, go on forever -- but I posted my long essay/review of Mike Solski's book, which appeared initially in the major US labor history journal, Labor History. Anyway, just fyi, here is the link to that. It may load a little slowly, but it's all there. Mike -- and Terry Binnersley [the Steel Rail editor] -- liked it very much. http://www.hunterbear.org/jrs.htm The Red Scare -- late '40s through the '60s [and probably, however covert it became after that, never really ended] -- was obviously designed to smash militant labor, destroy systemic socio/economic/political radicalism, and establish a network of essentially reactionary controls. I know that the situation in Canada came to pretty much parallel that in the 'States. Obviously, we all are in a period increasingly similar to that grim era. . . . you might consider making a Freedom of Information request to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for anything it might have relating to your dad. Even in somewhat more "relaxed" times, such as the '70s and '80s, it took a long time to get documents -- and much was always blacked out and some withheld in their entirety -- and it's even tougher now, with Bush/Ashcroft doing their best to knife the FOIA process. But it would be worth trying. If you went this route, my suggestion would be to have a good civil liberties/rights lawyer at Winnipeg work with you on that -- since it's "international" in nature and that may be more complex now than, say, even a year or so ago. It wouldn't generally take a lot of lawyerly work -- and you could even test the waters quite effectively just on your own [with a lawyer as possible backup, should hassles develop.] RCMP et al have, I'm sure, all sorts of comparable things -- which you have likely mined or will. But FBI could easily have much in its own right. The basic US statutes are FOIA [Freedom of Information Act] and PA [Privacy Act.] The basic process is not in itself all that complicated. You would write to Federal Bureau of Investigation, Attn: FOIA/PA, Washington, DC 20530. Give your name, address, telephone number. Indicate the subject of your inquiry is your father -- full name, date and place of birth, date and place of death -- and that you want all documents held by FBI relating to him and that you are willing to pay copying costs for those. You will need to provide something -- news clipping, obituary, etc -- that indicates your father has passed away. Included in the letter should be his basic activist biography [doesn't have to be long] with at least some dates and with emphasis on why you think FBI would have material on him: Canadian Mine-Mill, the International Union as a whole, US/Canadian border blockage, political affiliations, Paul Robeson etc. The initial request letter must be notarized -- but succeeding correspondence need not be. If it's becoming too difficult to do this across international lines -- and Bush/Ashcroft are jamming the works as much as they can on all of this -- you could have a known and trusted friend in the 'States make the request for you. Until someone has died, his/her material can only be released directly to them -- but, after their death, it's public domain. You may already be on this FOIA trail -- but, on the chance you aren't, it is worth the effort. My youngest daughter turned 23 yesterday. On Christmas night, 1979, while she was being born in a small New Mexico bordertown adjoining the Navajo Reservation, I chain-smoked and wrote out my FOIA/PA request with an ink pen on a yellow tablet. A hospital officer notarized it for me. It took until about 1988 or so for me to get everything FBI would give me, covering the latter '50s to 1979: over 3,000 pages [much blacked out] -- and there are still several hundred pages they won't give me short of a Federal court fight. I was listed on several high priority agitator lists: Section A of Reserve Index/Security Index and Rabble Rouser Index. [Me -- once a leading Explorer Scout in Monsignor Albouy's troop!] But, more to the point, it can take awhile. You could, however, find some very interesting things in the FBI documents. I've always liked Winnipeg. Although an Arizonian, I did wind up living in Grand Forks, ND for a number of years -- and got up to Winnipeg every now and then. Can't say I miss the North Dakota winters one damn bit. We left in the Summer of '97, after the Flood, and returned to the Mountain West. But I do like Winnipeg -- and, actually, have many more relatives from both the Native and Scottish sides of my family in Canada than I do in the 'States. All best wishes. In Solidarity -- Hunter [Hunterbear] Hunter Gray [Hunterbear] www.hunterbear.org Protected by NaŽshdoŽiŽbaŽiŽ and Ohkwari' In our Gray Hole, the ghosts often dance in the junipers and sage, on the game trails, in the tributary canyons with the thick red maples, and on the high windy ridges -- and they dance from within the very essence of our own inner being. They do this especially when the bright night moon shines down on the clean white snow that covers the valley and its surroundings. Then it is as bright as day -- but in an always soft and mysterious and remembering way. 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