North Dakota Human Rights Coalition
Working to effect change so that all people in North Dakota enjoy full human rights
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North Dakota Human Rights Coalition Working to effect change so that all people in North Dakota enjoy full human rights |
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~North Dakota Human Rights Coalition~ PAUR Report
Programs ~ Announcements ~ Updates ~ Resources
Visit our Website at www.ndhrc.org
August 6, 2004
Hello members and friends of the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition!
In this week’s PAUR Report:
Announcements 1) Press Release: North Dakota Human Rights Coalition, Notification of a Court Hearing in the Class Action Lawsuit Against the North Dakota Department of Labor 2) New Personal Narratives of Discrimination in North Dakota Featured on NDHRC Web Site 3) PSA: Volunteers Needed for Get Out and Vote Project 4) Press Release: Applications Sought for Human Relations Committee Position 5) Press Release: Tribal Summit to Focus on Putting Vision Into Action 6) USDA Seeks Comments from Tribal Members at “Healthier U.S. Native American Nutrition” Public Forum, August 12, Bismarck
Newspaper Articles 7) Bismarck Tribune, Associated Press, The Forum (Fargo) & Grand Forks Herald articles regarding the proposed constitutional amendment to prohibit gay marriage or civil unions in North Dakota 8) Bismarck Tribune, Tribal leader issues gag order 9) The Jamestown Sun, Children at Anne Carlsen Center find camping a new experience 10) The Forum (Fargo), Your opinion: Common sense steps for economic progress
Events 11) Native American Pow-wows in August, ND Statewide 12) Free Lunch and Informational Meeting on How Freedom's Independent Living Skills Classes Can Assist Fargo Area Residents, August 13, Fargo 13) Get Out the Vote Training for Non-Profits and Community Groups, August 18, Moorhead, MN 14) UFE Organizing Training, August 7, Moorhead
Reminders 15) Applications Invited for Soros Fellowships for New Americans 16) Development Disabilities Council Consumer Member Vacancy 17) The Forum and wire reports, Center accepts program applications 18) 2004 NDHRC Conference Highlights, November 5 & 6, 2004, Bismarck 19) Affordable, Accessible, Integrated Housing Workshop, August 9 & 11, Fargo
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1.) Press Release: North Dakota Human Rights Coalition, Notification of a Court Hearing in the Class Action Lawsuit Against the North Dakota Department of Labor
August 2004FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Cheryl Bergian (701) 239-9323
North Dakota Human Rights Coalition:Notification of a Court Hearing in the Class Action Lawsuit Against the North Dakota Department of Labor
Fargo – The North Dakota Human Rights Coalition is providing notice of the court hearing on the Plaintiffs’ motion to certify the class action lawsuit against the North Dakota Department of Labor (Division of Human Rights). Representatives of the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition will be available for comment.
The hearing is scheduled for:
1:30 p.m. Thursday, August 12, 2004
Courtroom for Judge Doug Herman 3rd Floor, North Wing
Cass County Courthouse 211 S. 9th St. Fargo
The NDHRC is a diverse group of approximately 30 organizations, with additional individual members, all of whom embrace the mission of the NDHRC, to: “work to effect change so that all people in North Dakota enjoy full human rights.” More information on the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition can be found at www.ndhrc.org.
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2.) New 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.) PSA: Volunteers Needed for Get Out and Vote Project
For
Immediate Release
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4.) Press Release: Applications Sought for Human Relations Committee Position
July 28, 2004
Bismarck Mayor John
Warford is looking for Bismarck residents interested in serving on the Mayor’s
Committee on Human Relations. The volunteer committee has one open position.
Mayor John Warford
For more information contact Kameran Ali, Chairman, Mayor’s Committee on Human Relations. 226-4724.
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5.) Press Release: Tribal Summit to Focus on Putting Vision Into Action
United
Tribes Technical College News
BISMARCK, ND - Tribal leaders and public officials will be talking about what it takes to go from ideas to action when they gather for the Eighth Annual United Tribes Intertribal Council Summit.
The conference is scheduled for September 7-9 in Bismarck with the theme “Putting Visions Into Action.” United Tribes Technical College sponsors the event, held in conjunction with the United Tribes International Powwow.
“The act of visioning is important in tribal life and in the leadership functions of the mainstream,” said UTTC President David M. Gipp. “Perhaps the more difficult step is to put our ideas into action. It’s important to learn on how that occurs and hear from those who’ve been successful at it.”
In the past, summit meetings have focused on economic issues for tribes, said Gipp. Presenters at these sessions will touch on a wide range of interests including tribal participation in the upcoming election, transportation, federal taxation in Indian Country, federal program assessment rating tools, economic development, gaming, tourism, and other intertribal issues.
Scheduled keynote speakers include Norm DeWeaver, Indian and Native American Employment and Training Coalition, Anchorage, AK, Sandy K. Baruah, EDA Deputy Assistant Secretary of Programs Operation, Washington, DC, and Robert E. Olson, EDA Regional Director, Denver, CO.
North Dakota Governor John Hoeven, Indian Affairs Commission Director Cheryl Kulas and other state officials, along with Bismarck Mayor John Warford, Mandan Mayor Ken LaMont and members of the state’s Congressional Delegation are scheduled for presentations on Tuesday afternoon, September 7.
Other presenters include Tex Hall, Chairman of the Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara Nation and President of the National Congress of American Indians, and other tribal leaders including Chairman Charles Murphy, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, Chairman Valentino White, Spirit Lake Tribe, Chairman James C. Crawford III, Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe, and Chairman Leon Morin, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa.
The 2004 summit begins one day earlier than last year, on Tuesday, September 7. Registration opens at 8 a.m. The conference opening ceremony is set for 1 p.m.
The summit concludes Thursday, September 9 with policy discussions and the formation of resolutions by the United Tribes of North Dakota Board.
Early bird registration is available at $250 per person until August 20. Pre-paid registrations at $300 will be taken until September 3. Onsite registration at the time of the conference is $350.
Summit meetings take place at the Best Western Doublewood Inn, 1400 East Interchange Avenue, (exit 159 & I-94). A reception with gubernatorial candidate Joe Satrom as guest speaker is scheduled for Wednesday, September 8 at 6 p.m. at the North Dakota Heritage Center.
To obtain a copy of the agenda and other information, or to register, contact Wes Long Feather, 701-255-3285 x 218 or visit the college website www.uttc.edu.
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6.) USDA Seeks Comments from Tribal Members at “Healthier U.S. Native American Nutrition” Public Forum, August 12, Bismarck
USDA Deputy Administrator Peter Murano Will Listen to Comments on Nutrition Issues
WHO: * Peter Murano, Deputy Administrator for Special Nutrition Programs, USDA Food and Nutrition Service * Local Tribal Community Members WHAT: USDA Healthier US Native American Nutrition Forum WHEN: 8:30
a.m., Thursday, August 12, 2004
The National Institutes of Health report that 15 percent of all Native Americans who receive care from Indian Health Services have been diagnosed with diabetes. The prevalence of obesity has steadily increased among American Indians in recent decades, and this condition is regarded as especially troubling because of its association with heart disease, some types of cancer and diabetes.
In an effort to combat this alarming trend, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is hosting a series of Healthier US Nutrition Forums across the country. FNS administers nutrition programs such as school lunch and breakfast, WIC, food stamps, and commodity distribution programs. The forums will allow community members and tribal leaders to provide feedback to help USDA in promoting health and nutrition through its food assistance programs, policy development, and nutrition educational efforts.
Advance registration is requested, although participants may register the morning of the forum. To obtain an advance registration form, contact Gina O’Brian at (303) 844-3705. If you cannot attend, contributors may submit e-mail, mail or fax comments to Gina.Obrian@fns.usda.gov , VeeAnn.Miller@fns.usda.gov, or to the USDA Food and Nutrition Service, 1244 Speer Boulevard, Denver, CO 80204 or via fax (303) 844-2187.
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7.) Bismarck Tribune, Associated Press, The Forum (Fargo) & 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.
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Never changed man and woman
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View online article here
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Signature goal reached
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View full article here
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Marriage vote appears likely: N.D. group says it has
more than enough signatures for Nov. 2 ballot
A proposed North Dakota constitutional amendment that would limit marriage recognition to one man and one woman appears headed to voters.
The North Dakota Family Alliance, which proposed the amendment, had collected 38,457 signatures by Monday evening, according to its Web site.
With one week before the deadline, it's the only one of the three initiative petition drives that has gathered enough signatures to make the Nov. 2 ballot.
"We knew going into the campaign that there was a lot of concern all over the state as to what's happening with marriage," said Christina Kindel, executive director of North Dakota Family Alliance, which is based in Bismarck. "People wanted to do something about it."
The group's Web site said it would continue collecting signatures until the Aug. 3 deadline in hopes of getting twice the 25,688 needed to get on the ballot.
Bob Uebel of Fargo, a member of Equality North Dakota, which supports the rights of gays and lesbians, said while he was disappointed enough signatures had been gathered, "we welcome the opportunity to make our case to more people in North Dakota."
"We need to work harder to get our message out."
North Dakota Family Alliance self-imposed a July 23 deadline to collect enough signatures before the initiative is due in the Secretary of State's office midnight Aug. 3.
<snip>
View full article here
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Psychologists Group Backs Gay Marriage Published: Grand Forks Herald – 07/29/2004
HONOLULU - The nation's largest association of psychologists is backing same-sex marriage. The American Psychological Association's Council of Representatives made its support official Wednesday, the first day of the group's annual convention in Waikiki. The council also expressed opposition to discrimination against lesbian and gay parents.
It also found same-sex and heterosexual couples remarkably similar, and parenting effectiveness and children's psychological well-being unrelated to parental sexual orientation.
The positions, drawn up by the APA Working Group on Same-Sex Families and Relationships, are meant to guide psychologists in the public debate over civil marriage for same-sex couples.
"In the context of the huge social and political debate that is currently going on, APA and psychologists had to grapple with the issue of what psychology believes is in the public interest in this controversy," said Armand R. Cerbone, a Chicago psychologist who chaired the working group.
The seven-member working group based its recommendations on research into same-sex relationships and families.
The Washington-base APA has more than 150,000 members, including researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students.
ON THE NET
American Psychological Association: http://www.apa.org
View online article here
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8.) Bismarck Tribune, Tribal leader issues gag order
Tribal leader issues gag order By Lauren Donovan, Bismarck Tribune Bismarck Tribune – 07/30/2004
Three Affiliated Tribes chairman Tex Hall has issued a gag order on tribal employees, prohibiting them from talking to the press under threat of being fired.
Hall sent a memo July 14 to all tribal employees, saying the order is intended to prevent any false and inaccurate information, or information that will reflect negatively on the tribes' reputation, from being released to the press.
Hall said press and media inquiries must be directed to his office, and tribal employees who have information for the public also must go through his office for approval.
"Violations of this policy shall result in disciplinary action up to and including termination," Hall wrote.
The tribal public relations department did not return phone calls seeking comment on the memo.
One tribal employee, Ted Siers, was laid off from his tribal position two months ago after releasing a lengthy statement on alleged inhumane treatment that led to the death of some of the tribe's bison.
Problems with the tribes' bison project led to national publicity and caused the National Park Service to temporarily suspend its agreement to give the tribe more bison from Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
<snip>
View full article here
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9.) The Jamestown Sun, Children at Anne Carlsen Center find camping a new experience
Children at Anne
Carlsen Center find camping a new experience The Jamestown Sun – 07/29/2004
DAWSON, N.D. – For some of these children, it’s their first experience camping because they are dealing with disabilities. For a few others, it’s their first time away from home.
The Anne Carlsen Center for Children is in its second year of a partnership with Elks Camp Grassick, near here, that offers children an opportunity to camp, swim in a lake, go for a ride on a pontoon boat, work with computers to print their own calendars and take part in many other activities.
Elks Camp Grassick serves children and adults with disabilities. This week it’s host to 13 students from ACCC and 12 other students with special needs from around the state.
Wednesday the weather was cool, with an occasional sprinkle of rain, but campers bundled up for pontoon rides on Lake Isabel, an experience they appeared to enjoy very much.
Billed as IntelliCamp, the week is also a partnership with Intellitools, a manufacturer of adaptive computer software and keyboards, and campers spend about two hours a day on the computers selecting activities for the day, making calendars, writing songs and other computer-related activities.
“If you can move one muscle in your body, we can get you on a computer doing anything a person would want to do,” said Mark Coppin, manager of the learning center at ACCC.
<snip>
View full article here
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10.) The Forum (Fargo), Your opinion: Common sense steps for economic progress
Your opinion: Common sense steps for economic
progress
Sometimes the people are ahead of the leaders. This seems particularly true for North Dakota economic development.
For those of us who have been working for greater accountability for taxpayer money used to subsidize private business, we welcome Gov. John Hoeven, who recently announced he is now in favor of some accountability. Unfortunately, in his July 8 opinion piece in The Forum, he called past efforts for accountability partisan. A lot of people don't see previous or future efforts from such a narrow view.
It really is about who benefits, what kind of future we want for our community, and who decides. For years, leaders of this state have said our economic future is a choice between 1) let the "experts" give public money to corporations for jobs (and we shouldn't ask too many questions) versus 2) do nothing and North Dakota declines further. Most North Dakotans were uneasy about that limited choice, but there was no alternative.
I can't help but remember the times the North Dakota Progressive Coalition tried to get information or simply provide input to state agencies on accountability in economic development. "Deer in the headlights" would be the nicest way to describe their reaction to us taxpayers or anyone outside their small group of insiders. At the time, we thought, if that door is closed, let's try to work for positive change in economic development locally.
During the last several years, all kinds of North Dakotans went to meetings, asked questions and gave their opinions on local economic development. We talked about accountability, public disclosure of who gets what assistance, what is promised, and what the results are.
We recommended a more democratic process, job quality standards, higher wages, health care benefits, money back guarantees (called "clawbacks"), bottom up development with local small businesses, and benefits to the community. Many of these are best practices that other states are doing to improve their economic development efforts.
<snip>
View full article here
********************************************* Events *********************************************
A calendar of events is available on the NDHRC web site at http://www.ndhrc.org/Events/Calendar/July.htm.
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11.) Native American Pow-wows in August, ND Statewide
August 6 – 8, 2004 – Standing Rock Pow wow August 12 – 15, 2004 - Little Shell Celebration contest pow wow
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12.) Free Lunch and Informational Meeting on How Freedom's Independent Living Skills Classes Can Assist Fargo Area Residents, August 13, Fargo Message from Freedom Resource Center:
What: Free Lunch and Informational Meeting on How Freedom's Independent Living Skills Classes Can Assist Fargo Area Residents Where: Freedom Resource Center, 2701 9th Avenue, SW, Fargo, ND When: Friday, August 13 at 12:00 p.m.
Agenda: What are Independent skills classes?
How can these classes assist you or your organization?
Types of classes that are already offered
Suggestions for future classes
What else does Freedom Resource Center do?
We hope that you will attend to learn more of the services that Freedom Resource Center provides.
If you plan on attending please call Freedom Resource Center at 701-478-0459 and let Scott Burlingame or Bobbi Jo Sailor know.
Thank you and hope to see you Friday August 13 at 12:00!
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13.) Get Out the Vote Training for Non-Profits and Community Groups, August 18, Moorhead, MN
Get Out the Vote
Training for Non-Profits and Community Groups
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14.) UFE Organizing Training, August 7, Moorhead
Uniting For
Equality Organizing Training
NOTE: Due to the possibility of chemical sensitivities, please refrain from wearing fragrances and colognes.
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15.) Applications Invited for Soros Fellowships for New Americans
Deadline:
November 1, 2004
16.) 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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17.) The Forum and wire reports, Center accepts program applications
Center accepts program applications
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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18.) 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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19.) Affordable, Accessible, Integrated Housing Workshop, August 9 & 11, Fargo
Affordable, Accessible, Integrated Housing WorkshopPutting 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 Center2701 – 9th 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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***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.
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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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