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~North Dakota Human Rights Coalition~

PAUR Report

Programs ~ Announcements ~ Updates ~ Resources

Visit our Website at www.ndhrc.org

July 29, 2004

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

In this week’s PAUR Report:

Announcements

1)   2004 NDHRC Conference Highlights, November 5 & 6, 2004, Bismarck

2)   Personal Narratives of Discrimination in North Dakota Featured on NDHRC Web Site

3)   Applications Invited for Soros Fellowships for New Americans

4)   Development Disabilities Council Consumer Member Vacancy

5)   The Forum and wire reports, Center accepts program applications

Newspaper Articles

6)   Associated Press, The Forum (Fargo), The Jamestown Sun, & Grand Forks Herald articles regarding the proposed constitutional amendment to prohibit gay marriage or civil unions in North Dakota

7)   The Forum, John Trautman letter: Handicapped fans need consideration

8)   Bismarck Tribune, Mountain climb starts at diversity meeting

9)   Grand Forks Herald, Viewpoint: GF schools should consider teaching Arabic, Chinese

10) Bismarck Tribune, Tribe hailed as housing leader

11) Minot Daily News, South Africans learn about American farming

12) Special to The Forum, Group peddling for multiple sclerosis: Bike tour planned for mid-August

Events

13) The Forum and wire reports, Immigrant forum set Aug. 5 in Fargo

Reminders

14) Affordable, Accessible, Integrated Housing Workshop, August 9 & 11, Fargo

15) Press Release: United Tribes Technical College, Poverty is topic of community discussion

16) Native American Pow-wows in July, ND Statewide

17) UFE General Assembly and Community Training, August 7, Moorhead

18) Filing a Discrimination Complaint with the Department of Labor, Human Rights Division

19) Contact the NDHRC if You Have Experienced Discrimination in ND

20) 2004 Training-of-Trainers Workshop: Human Rights as a Tool for Organizing, July 28 – August 1, Fargo

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Announcements

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1.) 2004 NDHRC Conference Highlights, November 5 & 6, 2004, Bismarck

The second annual North Dakota Human Rights Coalition Conference, “Human Rights: Economic Impact of Discrimination,” will be held at 1:30 p.m., Friday, November 5 and close at 4:30 p.m., Saturday, November 6, 2004.  The conference will be held at the Best Western, Ramkota Hotel, 800 South Third Street, Bismarck, ND.

This year’s keynote speaker is the honorable Chairman Tex Hall of the Three Affiliated Tribes and President of the National Congress of American Indians.  Chairman Hall will give his address on Friday evening.

The goal of the conference is to bring together people from throughout North Dakota including representatives from grassroots organizations, private-sector businesses, state agencies and the legislature to explore and discuss progress and challenges, with an emphasis on practical applications of human rights relative to discrimination and its impact on economic structures.

The NDHRC encourages community and Tribal leaders, support and advocacy organizations, state legislators, elected officials in city government, state agency and reservation civil rights and human resource officers, union officers, professional development or technical assistance employees, human service employees, human rights advocates, and all individuals with an interest in human rights to attend.

The Conference program will have two major elements.  Plenary sessions present information and diverse perspectives on the economic impact of discrimination and breakout sessions discuss important and emerging economic and human rights issues, and current challenges, access and use of human rights standards.

Other conference opportunities will include: a networking and membership meeting to enable individuals to learn more about the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition, and how to work together on common issues beyond the conference; resource tables to provide an opportunity for people to learn more about local human rights related organizations and resources; and a social event to provide a relaxed setting for establishing professional contacts, greeting friends, and making new friends.

We will be posting registration and additional conference information on our website at www.ndhrc.org in the near future.

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2.) Personal Narratives of Discrimination in North Dakota Featured on NDHRC Web Site

The North Dakota Human Rights Coalition is currently interviewing people in North Dakota who have experienced discrimination to document those experiences.

Our focus is on discrimination involving:

These personal stories are being posted to our web site regularly and can be viewed here.

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3.) Applications Invited for Soros Fellowships for New Americans

Deadline: November 1, 2004

The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans

( http://pdsoros.org/ ) is an annual fellowship program designed to provide opportunities for new Americans to achieve leadership positions in their chosen fields.For the purposes of this program, a "new American" is an individual who (1) is a resident alien, i.e., holds a Green Card; or (2) has been naturalized as a U.S. citizen; or (3) is the child of two parents who are both naturalized citizens.

The fellowships provide grants for up to two years ofgraduate study in the United States. The fellow receivesan annual maintenance grant of $20,000 and a tuition grantof one-half the tuition cost of the U.S. graduate program attended by the fellow. Thirty fellowships will be awarded each year.

A fellow may pursue a graduate degree in any professional field (e.g., engineering, medicine, law, social work,etc.) or scholarly discipline in the arts, humanities,social sciences, and sciences.

The applicant must either have a bachelor's degree or bein her/his final year of undergraduate study. Those whohave a bachelor's degree may already be pursuing graduate study and may receive fellowship support to continue that study. Individuals who are in the third, or subsequent, year of study in the same graduate program are not eligible for the competition.

To be eligible, an applicant must not be older than thirty years of age as of November 1, 2004.

Candidates must demonstrate the relevance of graduate education to their long-term career goals and potential in enhancing their contributions to society. Fellowships are not solely awarded on the basis of academic record. A successful candidate will give evidence of at least two of the
following three criteria for selection: (1) creativity, originality, and initiative demonstrated in any area of her/his life; (2) a commitment to and capacity for accomplishment demonstrated through activity that has required drive and sustained effort; and (3) a commitment to the values expressed in the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

See the Soros Fellowships Web site at http://pdsoros.org/ for complete program information and an application form.
 

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4.) Development Disabilities Council Consumer Member Vacancy

The Governor's Office is working on filling a consumer member vacancy on the Developmental Disabilities Council and would like to have more candidates to consider, especially names of consumers residing outside of the Bismarck area.

If you are aware of persons with a developmental disability who do not live in Bismarck and who are interested in D.D. Council membership, please encourage them to submit an application to the Governor's Office for consideration.

For application forms or if you have any questions or need any assistance contact Thomas D. Wallner at sowalt@state.nd.us or call (701) 328-8953.

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5.) The Forum and wire reports, Center accepts program applications

Center accepts program applications
The Forum and wire reports - 07/25/2004

The Dakota Center for Independent Living, Bismarck, is accepting applications for the North Dakota Partners in Policymaking program which begins in September.

The program will train people with disabilities and parents of children with disabilities in effective strategies for successful advocacy.

The free program includes motel room, meals, travel and child care.

For more information, call Joyce Smith at (800) 489-5013 or email at joyces@dakotacil.org.

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Newspaper Articles

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6.) Bismarck Tribune & Grand Forks Herald articles regarding the proposed constitutional amendment to prohibit gay marriage or civil unions in North Dakota

The NDHRC Board of Directors has established a position on the proposed anti-gay marriage constitutional amendment.  The position and proposed amendment is as follows:

The North Dakota Human Rights Coalition opposes the proposed North Dakota constitutional amendment to prevent the recognition of marriage or civil unions for same-sex couples.

The NDHRC supports full civil rights for all residents of North Dakota, including gay/lesbian/transgender/bisexual residents of our state.  Neither enshrining discrimination in our Constitution nor stripping families of basic protections would serve our state’s best interest.  The North Dakota Constitution protects and ensures equal treatment for all people. It should not be used to single out a group of people for harmful and detrimental treatment.

The information that the NDHRC Board of Directors used to adopt this position is available on the NDHRC web site at http://www.ndhrc.org/Goals/NDHRAct/GayMarriageAmmendmentPosition.htm.

News on Federal Marriage Amendment, Wednesday, July 14, 2004:

The Federal Marriage Amendment has failed in the Senate by a bipartisan vote of 50-48.  The Senate Republicans knew that the measure would not meet the 2/3 vote required for an amendment to the Constitution to begin its process to passage; nevertheless, they wanted a vote to be on the record.  The House plans to take on the measure next week.

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Human Relations Committee opposes ban on gay marriage
By Angie Buckley, Bismarck Tribune

Bismarck Tribune – 07/23/2004

The Bismarck Human Relations Committee has announced its opposition to a proposed North Dakota constitutional amendment to ban same-gender marriages.

The decision was made in a unanimous vote after Sherri Paxon, a Mandan resident and founder of Dakota OutRight, requested the group take a stand against the amendment.

Lola Huwe, a HRC member and board member of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, asked Paxon to speak to the HRC. The committee was formed by Bismarck Mayor John Warford in 2002. Huwe said the committee's purpose is to end discrimination, and this move meets that goal.

"I would think if it deals with discrimination, regardless of the controversy, (an issue) would have to be addressed," she said.

HRC Chair Kameran Ali said the committee would consider making similar resolutions if members of the public asked.

"If it's warranted within the community, we will do whatever we can to help people out," he said.

The Fargo Human Relations Commission, Equality North Dakota, Dakota OutRight and the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition also oppose the amendment. Paxon said the public support from the HRC shows there are people "who don't believe it's right to have this marriage amendment."

<snip>

View online article here

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NORTH DAKOTA INITIATIVES: Same sex measure nears signature goal
By Lloyd Nicholas
Herald Staff Writer

Grand Fork Herald – 07/25/2004

Organizers of a proposed North Dakota constitutional amendment to limit the recognition of marriage to one man and one woman said they are on target to secure the prescribed signatures by midnight Aug. 3, but the fate of the biotech wheat and tax initiative is uncertain.

The signature requirement only is 12,844 for the biotech wheat initiative, because it is a state law matter and not a constitutional amendment, but the deadline is the same.

The marriage and tax proposals are both constitutional amendments, which require a specified amount of petition signatures from at least 25,688 North Dakota voters to get on the November ballot.

The North Dakota Family Alliance, which is coordinating the signature drive, reported Thursday they had 24,316 signatures, up from 5,822 about two weeks ago.

"The chances are very good as we are receiving overwhelming support from people who want to strengthen traditional family values. We are short by 1,372 signatures, but we have not as yet opened today's (Friday) mail," said Christina Kindel, NDFA chairwoman.

Kindel said supporters, including the church community, "believe same sex couples could use alternative legal options to meet obligations that emerge from their type of relationships and so leave marriage to traditional relationships."

The North Dakota Human Rights Coalition supports full civil rights for all residents - including gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people. And the coalition opposes the constitutional amendment to prevent the recognition of marriages for same sex couples on the grounds that the rights of many such couples may be trampled.

"It is a civil rights matter, and it affects daily issues like the rights of same sex couples to visit each other in hospital and the ability of surviving partners to receive social security benefits upon the death of a partner," said Cheryl Bergain, director of the NDHRC.

But churches are unmoved by NDHRC's claims of civil rights violations.

<snip>

View full article here

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7.) The Forum, John Trautman letter: Handicapped fans need consideration

John Trautman letter: Handicapped fans need consideration
The Forum - 07/26/2004

It is great to see the F-M RedHawks doing so well again this year.

However, the issue of parking needs a serious looking over. Granted, there is parking for the disabled, but it is across the street. Just the other night, my father and I went to a game and we parked in the North Dakota State University parking lot where there is no van parking so we held up traffic for nearly 10 minutes.

Driving across the street in my electric wheelchair, I was nearly hit by oncoming traffic that I could not see because the vehicle was turning at the same time I was trying to cross.

After the game there were two coach buses parked in front of the stadium and once again, if it weren't for my dad, I would have been hit. I have tried to talk with people from the F-M RedHawks about trying to improve the parking and their response was that not enough people have complained to make it an issue. Well, now I'm complaining.

The next issue is seating for wheelchairs at Fargodome events. Why is it that for high school football games where tickets are only $7 or $8, seating is great? But when it comes to NDSU's football games, where I paid the same price as everyone else, I get stuck in the end zones with people standing in my way.

Being a disabled veteran, going to the sporting events with my dad are just a few things that are reasonably fun to do. However, if those of us who are disabled do not stand up for what is fair, then those who were able-bodied are not going to willingly give up something as simple as a closer, safer parking spot, or the opportunity to watch a football game live instead of on TV.

John Trautman

Fargo

View online article here

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8.) Bismarck Tribune, Mountain climb starts at diversity meeting

Mountain climb starts at diversity meeting
By Angie Buckley, Bismarck Tribune

Bismarck Tribune – 0723/2004

"The man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones."

-- Unknown

With the help of an audience representing colors and nationalities from around the world, the Bismarck Human Relations Committee began climbing a mountain to address discrimination and advance diversity at its second town hall meeting, Wednesday night.

Bismarck Mayor John Warford said the committee has laid the groundwork for the challenge, which he likened to climbing a mountain, through its work over the last year and a half. But the audience provided tools for the climb by identifying issues and solutions for the purpose of "Building a Better Bismarck," the meeting's title. Warford urged patience from the community and warned that "false summits" would come up, but the committee would forge on.

Panelists, including Sia Ranjbar, Phil Baird, Paul Lyles and Grady Martin, spoke about their experiences in Bismarck as minorities -- good and bad. They said understanding other cultures and encouraging education are necessary to accomplish the HRC's goals.

"Let's understand each other -- where we are and what we can do," Ranjbar said. "Let's talk, use communication as a tool, not a force."

Martin talked about the help she received from strangers when she arrived in Bismarck from Canada nine years ago. A native of Taiwan, she's now a U.S. citizen. Still, she acknowledged that negativity from one or two people can "break your heart."

Committee members fielded questions from the audience, addressing the group's progress and communicating its plans. Discussion also focused on racial profiling, lack of affordable housing and what generates prejudice.

<snip>

View full article here

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9.) Grand Forks Herald, Viewpoint: GF schools should consider teaching Arabic, Chinese

VIEWPOINT: GF schools should consider teaching Arabic, Chinese
By Glen Proechel

Grand Forks Herald – 07/25/2004

RED LAKE FALLS, Minn. - I read the Herald's July 11 editorial on languages, "Bring Arabic, Chinese classes to GF schools" , and the Mailbag response by Juan Pedraza, "Don't oversell the benefits of secondary school language class" , with great interest.

I think the Herald. was indeed on the right track, making the suggestion that Grand Forks could become a leader in the nation by offering critical languages such as Chinese, Arabic and Japanese in the public schools. Unfortunately, Pedraza felt compelled to write a letter in which he shared his own frustrations in language learning and asserted that high-school Arabic would not provide the students with enough skills to act as intelligence officers in Iraq and the Middle East.

I didn't see anything in the editorial, which would lead one to believe that a high-school course in Arabic would qualify our students as linguistic experts.

Nor do I believe that the sole purpose of learning Arabic is to interrogate prisoners of war or intercept al-Qaida communications. The point was that students who wish to study the European languages - Spanish, French and German and to a lesser extent, Russian - usually have the means to do this through either the high schools and/or the larger public universities. Meanwhile, courses in Arabic and Chinese, our two primary contenders on the world stage in the 21st century, are virtually non-existent for non-Muslims or Caucasians.

There is an American expression called "shooting oneself in the foot." Refusing to meet this challenge can only be detrimental to our nation as a whole. Offering language and culture courses in Arabic and Chinese is a first step towards solving the problem of America's suicidal monolingualism.

I normally try to put my own language skills on a back burner, as it is immodest to flaunt one's abilities. However, since Pedraza makes constant references to experts in the field, I believe I need to make clear that his comments are quite one-sided.

<snip>

View full article here

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10.) Bismarck Tribune, Tribe hailed as housing leader

Tribe hailed as housing leader
By Deena Winter, Bismarck Tribune

Bismarck Tribune – 07/21/2004

FORT YATES -- The Standing Rock tribe was hailed Tuesday as a national leader in using income tax credits to develop housing on the reservation.

Fannie Mae, the nation's largest source of financing for home mortgages, gave the tribe a "Fulfilling the American Dream" award for leading the nation in using low-income housing tax credit programs to create more housing on the reservation.

In the past three years, the tribe has partnered with other entities to invest more than $18 million in affordable rental homes, creating 192 single-family rental homes. Ninety of the units were rehabilitated, and 102 were brand new. Still, the Standing Rock Housing Authority has a waiting list of about 300 low-income tribal members who need homes.

Sitting Bull College is the first tribal college in the nation to use the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program to create student housing. The Fannie Mae award was given to tribal officials in front of Sitting Bull's new student housing development west of Fort Yates.

Sitting Bull College's building trades program designed and built the 18 homes, which are part of phase one of the college's new $40 million campus. Frank White Bull, a member of the tribal council and housing authority, said it was nice to have tribal members design the homes themselves, rather than have something handed to them.

"It's a good day," he said. "It's a landmark day."

The student housing is specifically for single-parent families, to accommodate the college's large population of single parents. A couple of the units are occupied, and the rest should be filled by the end of summer.

Sterling St. John, director of development for the college, said enrollment is at an all-time high of 379, compared to an average of 200 students. He said he believes the housing is contributing to the surge.

<snip>

View full article here

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11.) Minot Daily News, South Africans learn about American farming

South Africans learn about American farming

By Marvin Baker, Staff Writer

mbaker@ndweb.com

Minot Daily News – 07/19/2004

Frans Hilling is a long way from home, but he still considers himself one of the locals.

This is the second year the 23-year-old South African livestock producer has come to the United States to learn all he can about American farming. He believes the education he is getting while working on the George Sheldon farm is invaluable.

Hilling is actually one of 13 young men, ages 21 to 33 from various parts of South Africa, living and working in McLean County this summer. There are several others scattered around North Dakota, with as many as 10,000 young men from his country working in the United States on temporary visas.

According to Hilling, working in the United States is the holy grail for any South African farmer.

Hilling is from Dordrecht, which is along the Eastern Cape of South Africa. He said agents help set up employment for them in the United States. The person signing up has a choice of

whether he wants to work on a grain, livestock or poultry farm. It also helps if the interested young farmer has a connection or job waiting in the United States.

Some come to the United States to work on custom combining crews. Last year Hilling spent his 10 months in the United States on a cattle ranch.

Sheldon employs Hilling through a program with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It's a temporary foreign worker program commonly referred to as H2A. Sheldon, as well as several other McLean County producers, believe in the program and have been utilizing it for years.

''He's the second guy I've had,'' Sheldon said of Hilling. ''These guys are hard-working and they work with the community. They have a great work ethic. They're just one of the guys.''

According to Sheldon, the young men come to North Dakota to work and to learn. They also can earn some money based on the exchange rate with South African currency.

''They come over here to work, earn some money and get going at home,'' Sheldon said. ''Our dollar is worth seven times their currency and they'll earn a dollar here, but take a lot more home. Plus, they're gaining valuable experience.''

Sheldon added the program works for the McLean County producers participating in H2A because farm labor is getting difficult to find.

''We compete against the power plant for labor,'' Sheldon said. ''It's tough to find younger folks.''

The group of young farmers is also given room and board. Most of them live in Washburn.

Several reside in Underwood and the Wilton area. They get together for social events when they aren't working.

''It's not easy to go away from home,'' Hilling said. ''But we are made to feel at home. Life is too short for just work. You have to have some fun, too. I'm having a great time, but the summers are too short.''

Over the July 4 weekend, some of the South Africans went golfing and some went to Lake Sakakawea. They watched fireworks on the night of the 4th.

On other occasions they go to Bismarck for some extracurricular activities.

''Washburn isn't the place to be if you're looking for girls,'' Hilling said. ''We go to Bismarck to meet girls. Sometimes we have to make our own opportunities.''

Hilling added it's good that Sheldon allows him some time off.

''It's nice to get a few days off,'' Hilling said. ''I can charge my batteries and go again.''

Sheldon said Hilling is willing to work as long and as hard as he needs to to accomplish the task. He said the work will become intense when harvest rolls around.

''It seems like they all know how to weld and do anything you want them to do,'' Sheldon said. ''These guys will work straight through if I let them.''

Hilling, whose experience lies mostly with the 1,200 head of sheep on his family's ranch, thus far has planted and cultivated crops and driven truck in North Dakota. He and his Eastern Cape buddies have to relearn how to drive truck since the steering wheel in South Africa is on the right side of the vehicle.

''It's a challenge for the first couple of weeks,'' Sheldon said. ''But they pick it up fast.''

Hilling said his parents are aging and that could determine his future plans in North Dakota. He did say without hesitation that he will return for a third year in 2005. Beyond that, he's not sure.

Sheldon said Hilling will be with him until harvest is complete and the machinery is put into storage for the winter. He said the South Africans like to duck out of the state soon after harvest.

''When the snow flies, they like to go on a snowmobile run and get out,'' Sheldon said.

When asked what he likes best about North Dakota, he quickly pointed out why he considers himself one of the locals.

''I should say the people. They will go out of their way to make it easier for us,'' Hilling said. ''That's what I really like about being here.''

(Marvin Baker is a staff writer. His ''On the Road'' feature appears Mondays in The Minot Daily News.)

Article no longer available online.

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12.) Special to The Forum, Group peddling for multiple sclerosis: Bike tour planned for mid-August

Group peddling for multiple sclerosis: Bike tour planned for mid-August
By Andrea Domaskin
Special to The Forum - 07/26/2004

After five straight years of riding in a 150-mile bike tour to raise money for multiple sclerosis, Sheila Ova thought she would have to skip the event this August.

Her niece will be married on the first day of the annual fund-raiser for the Dakota Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Fortunately, the wedding is in Valley City, N.D., the halfway-point of the ride.

"I'm going to do both," said Ova, of Jamestown, N.D. "Her wedding is at 5:30 in the evening. Hopefully I'll get in by 3:30."

Ova is one of a core group of regular riders in the annual tour, said Wendy Abbey, a spokeswoman at the Fargo chapter.

"The thing that I am always amazed at is how devoted and dedicated some of these individuals are," Abbey said.

This year's 150-mile ride will run between Casselton, N.D., and Valley City. Riders will take a northern route to Valley City on Aug. 14 and a southern route back the next day, Abbey said.

The goal is 130 riders, said Jennifer Kline, president of the MS Society's Dakota Chapter, based in Sioux Falls, S.D. It includes all of North Dakota, South Dakota and seven counties in Minnesota.

Organizers hope the annual tour will raise about $50,000, Kline said. Last year's top fund-raiser, Ralph Hansen of Moorhead, collected about $7,500

<snip>

View online article here

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Events

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A calendar of events is available on the NDHRC web site at http://www.ndhrc.org/Events/Calendar/July.htm.

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13.) The Forum and wire reports, Immigrant forum set Aug. 5 in Fargo

Immigrant forum set Aug. 5 in Fargo
The Forum and wire reports - 07/24/2004

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has scheduled the 2004 North Dakota immigrant access forum from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 5 in the Holiday Inn, 3803 13th Ave. S., Fargo.

The forum's purpose is to educate immigrant advocates, beneficiaries and social service, education and health-care providers on the rights of immigrants to access federally subsidized services and programs.

The program features Dinah Wiley, a senior civil rights analyst for the U.S. agency, and Michele Garnett McKenzie, director of Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights.

The registration deadline is Tuesday, with a $25 fee.

For more information, call Darci Asche at (701) 451-0374, Ext. 604.

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Reminders

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14.) Affordable, Accessible, Integrated Housing Workshop, August 9 & 11, Fargo

Affordable, Accessible, Integrated Housing Workshop

Putting the Puzzle Together When the Pieces Don't Fit

Part I-Monday, August 9, 2004 (1:15pm - 3:30pm)

Part II-Wednesday, August 11, 2004 (1:15pm - 3:30pm)

Offered to you Free Of Charge by:

Freedom Resource Center

2701 – 9^th Avenue SW

Fargo, ND 58103

478-0459

1-800-450-0459 V/TTY

Affordable, accessible, and integrated housing issues can be overwhelmingly complex when trying to obtain housing for consumers.  This two part Webcast/Teleconference will provide you with information and materials related to 504 and the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988, types of HUD housing, low-income housing tax credits, Olmstead and home ownership and much, much more!

So join us to learn about:

--Accessible requirements of 504 and the Federal Housing Amendments Act of 1988;

--The 5% accessible housing rule;

--How "HOME" programs work and who benefits;

--How to find out if your state is using a Community Development Block Grant

   (CDBG) fund for affordable, accessible housing;

--Housing programs for low to moderate-income people with disabilities living in rural   

   America; and

--Statewide housing strategies every advocate can utilize.

Limited seating so call today (478-0459) to reserve your spot

This webcast/teleconference is brought to by IL Net, in partnership with the National Council on Independent Living and Freedom Resource Center for Independent Living

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15.) Press Release: United Tribes Technical College, Poverty is topic of community discussion

Poverty is topic of community discussion
July 15, 2004

BISMARCK, ND - A local group is interested in your thoughts about poverty in the area.

The Bismarck-Mandan Youth-Elder Coalition has scheduled a community discussion meeting for Thursday, July 22 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at United Tribes Technical College. The public is invited to attend.

"We hope to hear from all groups in the community," said Jayme Davis, an organizer with the coalition. "Anyone affected by poverty or who has concerns about it, is invited to join the discussion."

The session will focus on determining strengths and opportunities in the Bismarck-Mandan community to combat poverty.

The local coalition was formed last fall as a pilot project of the Ventures Program of the Northwest Area Foundation. The initiative is aimed at creating long-term community coalitions to reduce poverty. Similar efforts are underway in Billings, MT, Portland, OR, Rapid City, SD, and Seattle, WA.

The community discussion takes place in the James Henry Community Building gymnasium on the UTTC campus in south Bismarck. UTTC provides technical assistance to the coalition.

Transportation and daycare will be provided free of charge. Drawings will be held for door prizes and refreshments will be served.

For more information contact Jayme Davis, 701-255-3285 x 1217 or jdavis@uttc.edu.

View online press release here

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16.) Native American Pow-wows in July, ND Statewide

Native American Pow-wows in July

July 30, 31, & August 1 - Spirit Lake Oyate 37th Annual Pow-wow, Fort Totten, ND

July 30, 31, & August 1 - American Legacy Traditional Powwow, Mandan, ND

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17.) UFE General Assembly and Community Training, August 7, Moorhead

WHAT: UFE General Assembly and Community Training by Salvador Miranda

WHEN: Saturday, August 7, 2004

TIME: 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM

WHERE: Central Cultural De Fargo Moorhead, 1014 19^th Street South, Moorhead, next to Romkey Park.  The Parking lot entry is from 19^th Street.  The Building has a beautiful mural on the street side.

Message from UFE:

We will start out the day acknowledging UFE Members and UFE business.

This training is for people who care about what is going on in their community and want to get actively involved and learn a new way to act to make changes.

During the training we will be exploring the role of voter participation in building a strong community. At this training you will have the opportunity to learn about the role that election campaigns and voter participation can play in long term power and community building beyond
the elections.

We will focus on Team Building with in our organizations to begin the dialogue with our team members to talk about and create a plan to actionize around.

1. How do we get people to come together around common issues or vision?

2.What are the skills I need to learn to make change in my community?

3. How does power work and how can communities gain more power?

4. How do we honor the culture and tradition in my community while making
change?

5. What does it mean to be in mutual relationship with people in power?

6. What does it mean to hold an elected offical accountable?

We are strongly encouraging each organization to bring in 3-4 leaders from your organization who are interested in participating in this excellent opportunity.

This work is definitely useful beyond the elections.

Registration:

If you are not a member of UFE we are asking for 50.00 per person, prices are negotiable. Please ask!!!! We are interested in building a strong community base of power.

There will be rolls, fruit, coffee and tea in the morning.  There will be a meal served at 12:00. (let us know about food preferences)

Please RSVP by August 4th with - email lysa@pepp.org or Call Matt Bakko from 10:00am to 12:00 Noon from 1-04 to -14 - 04.

NOTE: Due to the possibility of chemical sensitivities, please refrain from wearing fragrances and colognes.

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18.) Filing a Discrimination Complaint with the Department of Labor, Human Rights Division

This following information is from the Human Rights Division guide on “How to File a Discrimination Complaint in North Dakota.”

The first step in filing a discrimination complaint with the Human Rights Division is to complete the “intake” process. This simply means to provide the Human Rights Division with initial, specific information about what happened to you. The intake process can be completed in any one of three ways:

1. You can describe what happened to you in writing using an Intake Questionnaire form. You can obtain the form by contacting the Human Rights Division or you can print it from the division’s web site. Once you have filled out the form, return it to the Human Rights Division.

2. You can contact the Human Rights Division and ask to have your intake information taken by telephone.

3. You can have your intake information taken in person. Division staff are regularly available to meet with you to take your intake information in person:

During regular office hours at the Human Rights Division in the State Capitol; or

On the first Wednesday of each month in the City of Fargo at 2624 9th Avenue SW, in the Southeast Human Service Center building.

If you wish to have your intake information taken in person, you should call the Human Rights Division in advance to schedule an appointment.

If you need any additional assistance with the intake process, contact the Human Rights Division.

After the intake process is completed, the Human Rights Division will assess the information you provided to determine whether there is a basis to file a formal discrimination complaint for investigation.

The division may need to request additional information from you to make this determination. If the intake information you provide does establish a basis for a formal complaint, the division will draft a complaint for you to sign. A discrimination complaint is considered filed when the signed complaint is returned to the Human Rights Division.

View additional information on the Department of Labor, Human Rights Division web site at http://www.state.nd.us/labor/services/human-rights/.

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19.) Contact the NDHRC if You Have Experienced Discrimination in ND

Have you experienced discrimination in North Dakota?

Do you know someone who has experienced discrimination in North Dakota?

Please call the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition!

Please forward freely!

The North Dakota Human Rights Coalition is currently interviewing people in North Dakota who have experienced discrimination to document those experiences.

Our focus is on discrimination involving:

We encourage individuals who have experienced discrimination to allow us to document those experiences to present before the North Dakota Legislature to provide information on:

If you have experienced discrimination, if you know someone who has experienced discrimination, or if your organization has members who have experienced discrimination, please contact Michael Brown, summer intern for the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition.

Thank you,

Michael Brown

North Dakota Human Rights Coalition

P.O. Box 1961

Fargo, ND 58107-1961

(701) 232-2554

michaelbrown@ndhrc.org

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20.) 2004 Training-of-Trainers Workshop: Human Rights as a Tool for Organizing, July 28 – August 1, Fargo

Date: Wednesday July 28^th thru Sunday August 1^st

Location: Cultural Diversity Resources, Human Rights Center, 303 Roberts Street, Fargo, ND

Who should apply: Educators, students, community organizers, social activists, or those engaged in human rights training in the United States.  A particular interest exists for the participation of minorities and refugee/Immigrants.

Workshop goals:

To practice deep listening and understanding of diverse perspectives and experiences with regard to the role organizing plays in our life and work

To share effective techniques and processes for building healthy communities and alliances for organizing

To enhance understanding about methodologies used in human rights education

To expose the diverse ways human rights education is occurring in the United States

To explore the connection between human rights education and community organizing theory and practices

To expand knowledge of human rights framework, concepts, theory, and practice

To share human rights education, and organizing, materials and strategies for training and advocacy

To explore effective practices for facilitating conflicts

To increase the network of qualified human rights trainers in the United States

Most people in the United States don’t understand that human rights apply to them.  Human rights education facilitates social change organizing through action-oriented sharing that is connected to and built upon people’s everyday lives.  Human rights education encourages people to frame injustices as human rights violations.  From many struggles, human rights education can help us build ONE MOVEMENT.

For more information and an application contact Tai Leathers at Cultural Diversity Resources, (701) 526-3000.

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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 yet a member of NDHRC, what are you waiting for?  Sign up now!  The membership form is available on line at http://ndhrc.org/membership_form_revised.htm.

Not getting the PAUR Report directly in your email? It's so easy to be added to the PAUR mailing list! Email HumanRights@NDHRC.org.

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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