North Dakota Human Rights Coalition

Working to effect change so that all people in North Dakota enjoy full human rights

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~NDHRC PAUR Report~

Visit our Website at www.ndhrc.org

June 17, 2003

Programs ~ Announcements ~ Updates ~ Resources

Hello members and friends of the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition!

In this week’s PAUR Report:

1)     North Dakota Human Rights Coalition Service Opportunity

2)     Save the Date! NDHRC North Dakota Human Rights Coalition Fall Conference

3)     Dickinson Human Rights Commission and Bismarck Human Relations Committee On-line

4)     21^st Annual International Festival for Peace, June 20-22, North Dakota and Manitoba Border

5)     The Forum (Fargo) Article, Hate crimes need response

6)     The Forum (Fargo) Article, PSC’s Reinbold targeted in sexual harassment suit

7)     Grand Forks Herald Article, North Dakota Politics: Reinhold says harassment complaint didn’t force him from PSC office

8)     Bismarck Tribune Article, Saving crying hill

9)     Bismarck Tribune Article, Two Burleigh County deputies fired

10) Bismarck Tribune Article, Work starts Monday on ‘magical playground’

11) The Forum (Fargo) Article, Lou Ziegler column: The Forum did not ask the important question

12) The Forum (Fargo) Article, University system plans statewide diversity training

13) The Forum (Fargo) Article, N.D. schools becoming more diverse

14) (Reminder) Central Dakota PFLAG Pride Celebration Potluck Picnic, June 22, Bismarck

15) (Reminder) North Dakota Fair Housing Council Workshops, June 10 – July 16, North Dakota and Eastern South Dakota

16) (Reminder) Peace Rallies for the Near Future

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1.) North Dakota Human Rights Coalition Service Opportunity

Please forward freely.

The North Dakota Human Rights Coalition is looking for four (4) people to join the NDHRC Board of Directors.  The NDHRC Board sets the policy direction of the NDHRC, including the goals and initiatives of the NDHRC.  The NDHRC Board is supported in its work by the full-time Director and half-time Assistant Director.  Information about the NDHRC is available at www.ndhrc.org.

The NDHRC is committed to the development of a Board of Directors which includes representation from across the state and from those most likely to experience discrimination, including people of color, people of diverse ethnic origin, people with disabilities, people of varying age, people of diverse religions, those who have been or are on public assistance, and people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender.  The NDHRC encourages all who are interested in the Board of Directors to apply; consideration for selection will include the commitment to diversity in membership on the Board of Directors.

The NDHRC Board of Directors encourages all who are interested to join them in continuing to chart the course for the NDHRC.  Please consider joining us in the development of a human rights network and cadre in North Dakota!

Time commitment: 

Two-hour board meetings every other month by conference call

One-day in-person board retreat each year (travel to this meeting may be necessary & travel costs would be covered)

Participation in board committee(s) by telephone conference call (time commitment and duration of commitment would vary by committee)

Respond to e-mail communication from Director or Assistant Director as possible

The "NDHRC Board Member Position Description" and “Application for NDHRC Board” is available on the NDHRC web site at www.ndhrc.org.

Interested?

Return the "Application for NDHRC Board" to:

Cheryl Bergian

Director

North Dakota Human Rights Coalition

P.O. Box 1961

Fargo, ND 58107-1961

(701) 239-9323

(701) 478-4452 (fax)

cherylbergian@ndhrc.org

Deadline for consideration of application:  Friday, July 11, 2003

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2.) Save the Date! NDHRC North Dakota Human Rights Coalition Fall Conference

NDHRC Fall Conference

Saturday, October 25, 2003

Fargo

Ideas & suggestions for topics are welcome, contact Andrea at andreadeegan@ndhrc.org

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3.) Dickinson Human Rights Commission and Bismarck Human Relations Committee On-line

The Dickinson Human Rights Commission is posting its minutes on the Dickinson government website.

To view the minutes visit their web site at www.dickinsongov.com.  Click on “Board/Committee” and then click on “Human Relations Commission.”

To view information on the Bismarck Human Relations Committee click here

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4.) 21^st Annual International Festival for Peace, June 20-22, North Dakota and Manitoba Border

The International Festival for Peace is for people who come to share dreams and ideas for creating a peaceful planet.

There is no brochure for the event.  Including the festival activities, four presentations will be made by the following individuals:  Coral Maloney and Rachel Kosatsky (Manitoba); Audrey Thayer and Daniel  Rodman Green Party (Minnesota);  Lewis Lubka (North Dakota);  Bill Sulzman (Colorado).

The festival is free, however donations are welcome.  The potluck and food contributions are shared.  Call Lynn at (204) 772-2072 or email LBMCLEAN@MTS.NET for more information.

For directions to the Peace Gardens visit www.peacegardens.com.

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5.) The Forum (Fargo) Article, Hate crimes need response

Hate crimes need response
By Mike Nowatzki
The Forum - 06/13/2003

Prairie Rose was outraged when she arrived early one morning at Fargo North High School and saw the words “prairie niggers go home” spray-painted on the school’s white-domed gymnasium.

Rose, who led a workshop on hate crimes Thursday in Moorhead, said she was trying to establish a youth group for American Indian students when the incident occurred in 1995.

The graffiti was painted over within an hour, but the school made no mention of the incident, she said.

“And so a lot of these bias or hate incidents, when they do occur, the institutions sometimes cover it up and the police are not notified,” said Rose, now a North Dakota State University sophomore and member of the Fargo Human Relations Commission.

Victims of hate incidents and hate crimes would benefit from better reporting methods, a more organized support system and stronger laws to prosecute the crimes, local police and human rights leaders said Thursday.

<snip>

View full article here

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6.) The Forum (Fargo) Article, PSC’s Reinbold targeted in sexual harassment suit

PSC’s Reinbold targeted in sexual harassment suit
By Dale Wetzel
The Forum - 06/11/2003

BISMARCK -- A state worker filed a sexual harassment complaint against Public Service Commissioner Leo Reinbold, saying he kissed her on the cheek and mouth during two rides on a Capitol elevator.

Reinbold vehemently denied the accusations. There were no witnesses, but an investigation by the Highway Patrol and the state personnel office concluded the harassment probably happened.

Jacqui Ferderer, a Securities Department administrative assistant, told investigators the incidents took place on two occasions. The first time, in late February or early March, Reinbold struck up a conversation before the two entered one of the four elevators that serve the Capitol tower.

Reinbold, Ferderer said, asked her if she wanted to “play games.” He then kissed her twice on the cheek before the elevator stopped on the Capitol’s fifth floor, she said. The Securities Department is on the fifth floor; Reinbold’s office is on the 12th floor.

<snip>

View full article here

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7.) Grand Forks Herald Article, North Dakota Politics: Reinhold says harassment complaint didn’t force him from PSC office

NORTH DAKOTA POLITICS: Reinbold says harassment complaint didn't force him from PSC office
Public Service Commissioner to end term at end of July
By Dale Wetzel
Associated Press – 6/11/03

BISMARCK - Public Service Commissioner Leo Reinbold said Tuesday his decision to leave office next month was not influenced by recent allegations that he sexually harassed a secretary in another state agency.

He has been mulling for more than a year whether he should resign, and he had decided to do so before March, when an investigation began into the harassment complaints, Reinbold said.

Reinbold is departing July 31, or 17 months before his six-year term ends. He announced his intentions May 1. Gov. John Hoeven has been considering a list of potential successors, one of whom will serve out Reinbold's term on the three-member commission.

Reinbold suffers from Parkinson's disease, which is a nervous disorder that has affected his speech and gait, and from double vision in his left eye.

Jacqui Ferderer, an administrative assistant in the state Securities Department, filed a complaint saying that Reinbold kissed her on the cheek and mouth in a state Capitol elevator on two separate occasions.

She informed her boss, Securities Commissioner Karen Tyler, and an investigation by the state personnel office and Highway Patrol ensued.

<snip>

View full article here

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8.) Bismarck Tribune Article, Saving crying hill

Saving Crying Hill

By Cathryn Sprynczynatyk

Bismarck Tribune – 5/10/03

Bismarck-Mandan was about to lose a valuable piece of history. A spot sacred to American Indians was in danger of being used for development until Patrick Atkinson saved it.

Until recently, Crying Hill in Mandan sported a large sign saying "FOR SALE CHEAP!" Many, including Atkinson, thought it was a tragedy the land would surely soon be sold and developed. So Atkinson bought it.

Atkinson, director of the God's Child Project, heard about the potential development of Crying Hill, also known as Mandan Hill, from his masseuse. During Atkinson's regular therapeutic massage, the masseuse made a "quantum shift" in the conversation to muse sadly on the sale of Crying Hill. She said the hill which has the word "Mandan" in large cement letters and has long been a site special to local tribes was now for sale and certain to be lost to development.

Last year the city of Mandan was given the opportuinty to purchase the land, but declined.

The masseuse made a joke about what it would be like to live at 650 Warrior Drive and know the land you were living on had been sacred for centuries. She said the wives and mothers used to climb the hill to wait for the warriors to return from battle watching to see if their husbands and sons had come back alive.

<snip>

View full article here

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9.) Bismarck Tribune Article, Two Burleigh County deputies fired

Two Burleigh County deputies fired

By Mike Albrecht

Bismarck Tribune – 6/10/03

 

The Burleigh County Sheriff's Department terminated a patrol sergeant and a detention officer Thursday after investigating complaints made by citizens.

Unrelated reports of harassment led to the investigations of Patrol Sgt. Jerry Wutzke and Detention Officer Jason Putney. A 30-year-old paramedic student from St. Alexius alleged that Wutzke inappropriately touched her and made numerous comments that were sexually explicit while she was participating in a ride-along program with the sheriff's department on May 16 and 17, and a former Burleigh County Detention Center inmate alleged that during her March 20 to May 28 stint in jail, Putney told her to leave her husband and that he'd take care of her.

"We want to run this department as a professional organization, and this conduct was unprofessional," Burleigh County Sheriff Steve Berg said. "We have to hold ourselves to a higher standard off duty and especially when we're in uniform."

<snip>

View full article here

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10.) Bismarck Tribune Article, Work starts Monday on ‘magical playground’

Work starts Monday on 'magical playground'

By Karen Herzog

Bismarck Tribune – 6/10/03

Construction began Monday on Bismarck's first playground designed to be universally, fully accessible to children who use wheelchairs or walkers, or who have visual, physical or other disabilities.

Bismarck Parks and Recreation began work on phase one of Magical Moments Playground -- the play area for 5- to 12-year-olds -- at Wachter Park on South Third Street south of the Wachter Wave Pool.

When complete, the playground will include ramps, walkways and packed wood chips for accessibility, a variety of swings, slides, play panels and a rock climbing wall. The design of the playground included input from children and a "Dreaming and Design Party" given by organizers of the project.

Future plans call for the addition of an infant and toddler area, an area for 2- to 5-year-olds, a sand and maze area, an accessible rest room, and a fence. Upon completion, this will be the largest playground in the city, with a total of four play areas.

<snip>

View full article here

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11.) The Forum (Fargo) Article, Lou Ziegler column: The Forum did not ask the important question

Lou Ziegler column: The Forum did not ask the important question
The Forum - 06/15/2003

We owe Robert Wetsch of West Fargo, an apology.

Wetsch says he’s not gay.

We take him at his word and believe Wetsch and readers are owed an explanation for how we reported something other than that.

In a front-page story May 8 we published a headline and sub-headline that said:

“Rights group hears man’s complaint”

The sub-head, in smaller type, said:

“Says MeritCare co-workers discriminated against him for being gay”

The first paragraph of the story read:

“Fargo’s Human Relations Commission will push for hate-crime laws after hearing pleas from a local man who says he was terrorized for being gay.”

Another paragraph in the story said:

“According to the report filed with the state Department of Labor’s Human Rights Division, co-workers last May began making derogatory remarks about Wetsch’s sexual orientation.”

In a written request to The Forum for correction or clarification, Wetsch stated:

“At no time did I state that I was discriminated against for being gay or that I was terrorized for being gay, and my complaint to the North Dakota Department of Labor does not mention sexual orientation.

“The complaint I made to the North Dakota Department of Labor and to the Fargo Human Relations Commission concerns conduct and activities directed against me by certain co-workers who apparently assumed I was gay.”

<snip>

View full article here

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12.) The Forum (Fargo) Article, University system plans statewide diversity training

University system plans statewide diversity training
By Mike Nowatzki
The Forum - 06/16/2003

The North Dakota University System’s Diversity Council will kick off a major effort this fall to combat racism at the state’s higher education institutions, the council’s new president said.

Teams of college students, faculty and administrators will gather in Bismarck this fall for the first statewide diversity training program, Mary Jo Gonzales said.

“It’s really about learning how to deal with each other,” said Gonzales, project director of educational enhancement services at Dickinson State University.

The state Board of Higher Education allocated $50,000 last year to fund efforts to create a “culture of acceptance” on the state’s campuses, system Chancellor Larry Isaak said.

The Diversity Council spent $10,000 on a diversity conference in February in Dickinson. The training program will use the other $40,000, Gonzales said.

<snip>

View full article here

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13.) The Forum (Fargo) Article, N.D. schools becoming more diverse

N.D. schools becoming more diverse
By Mike Nowatzki
The Forum - 06/16/2003

North Dakota’s higher education system is becoming more of a melting pot, but at a rate slower than the national average, recent statistics show.

Nationwide, the proportion of white undergraduate students decreased 8.1 percent during the 1990s, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s annual report, “The Condition of

Education,” released in late May.

During the same time period, the proportion of white students fell just 2.4 percent at North Dakota’s 11 public and two private institutions, enrollment figures show.

Campuses are working hard to sustain or boost enrollment, including among diverse groups, said Larry Isaak, chancellor of the North Dakota University System.

Those efforts are reflected in the higher percentages of minority students, he said.

“Do we need to continue to work on minority enrollment? Yes, we do,” he said.

By the numbers

North Dakota’s colleges and universities are slightly more diverse than the rest of the state.

<snip>

View full article here

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14.) (Reminder) Central Dakota PFLAG Pride Celebration Potluck Picnic, June 22, Bismarck

The Central Dakota PFLAG will host its first Pride Celebration Potluck picnic in Bismarck on Sunday, June 22 at Hillside Park Shelter 2 from 4-10 p.m.  Hillside Park is off of Boulevard (the street that runs south of the capitol) and 16th street.

For more information visit the Central Dakota PFLAG web site here

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15.) (Reminder) North Dakota Fair Housing Council Workshops, June 10 – July 16, North Dakota and Eastern South Dakota

In 2003, the North Dakota Fair Housing Council (NDFHC) will sponsor a number of fair housing workshops across North Dakota and eastern South Dakota.  The workshops will focus on: Learning what Federal and State Laws say about Fair Housing; learning about the complaint filing process; what’s illegal and what’s not; and more…  They will be informative for tenants, users of housing services, non-profit organization and housing providers to learn how to end housing discrimination and what happens when discrimination occurs.  Take home materials will be provided.

These workshops are open to the public and free of charge; however, seating may be limited. Please RSVP in advance to the NDFHC to ensure adequate seating and hand-outs.  The following workshops have been scheduled to date:  

Contact the NDFHC with any questions about the workshops or to register.  Toll Free:  1-888-265-0907.  Bismarck area:  221-2530.

For more information visit their web site here

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16.) (Reminder) Peace Rallies for the Near Future

The North Dakota Peace Coalition and the Red River Anti-War Coalition (RRAWC) sponsors pro-peace demonstrations in Fargo in front of the Federal Building (657 2nd Ave N) at noon.

The RRAWC has moved the rallies to once a month during the summer to accommodate vacation schedules and avoid diluting the rallies.  The rallies will respond to events as they unfold and will be on the first Saturday of the month.

The RRAWC will continue to have weekly organizational meetings, which are expected to evolve into planning/strategy meetings in preparation for the monthly rallies for the fall and for the beginning of the political season.

The RRAWC meetings are Wednesday evenings at 7:30pm.

For more information visit the Red River Anti-War Coalition's website here

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***Member Reminder***

Please keep us in mind for your group or church social action/social justice meetings! We’d be happy to provide a presentation at a meeting or provide newsletter articles for your organizations.

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Do you have a Program, Announcement, Update or Resource that you would like shared on our weekly PAUR report? If so, please send an email to AndreaDeegan@NDHRC.org and we will do our best to accommodate you.

If you are not a member of NDHRC yet, what are you waiting for? Sign up now! On-line or by mail, it's all set at: http://www.ndhrc.org/membership.htm

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If you have received this email in error, or would like to be removed From the PAUR Report mailing list, please send an email to AndreaDeegan@NDHRC.org for immediate assistance.

North Dakota Human Rights Coalition

P.O. Box 1961

Fargo, North Dakota 58107-1961

Phone: (701) 239-9323

Fax: (701) 478-4452                                                                                                                         

Email:  humanrights@ndhrc.org

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