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
October 22, 2004
Hello members and friends of the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition!
In this week’s PAUR Report:
Announcements 1) Social Work & Addiction Counseling CEU’s Available at the NDHRC Conference, November 5 & 6, Bismarck, ND 2) REGISTER NOW for 2004 NDHRC Conference November 5 & 6, 2004, Bismarck!!! 3) 2004 NDHRC Conference Community Resource Exhibits 4) Press Release: Enrollment still trending upward at UTTC 5) Important Events for “Vote No on Measure #1,” October 25 & 26, Fargo
Newspaper Articles 6) The Forum (Fargo) articles regarding the proposed constitutional amendment to prohibit gay marriage or civil unions in North Dakota 7) The Forum (Fargo), Megan Robley letter: Remove the hate from community 8) Bismarck Tribune, Not everyone agrees with plan on Indian achievement 9) Grand Forks Herald, Dorreen Yellow Bird Column: Let’s find Sakakawea’s grave 10) Valley City Times-Record, A chance to hear 11) The Forum (Fargo), Dennis Kooren letter: Naming street after King is appropriate 12) The Forum (Fargo), American Indian flutist shares his culture 13) The Forum (Fargo), A road to success: Students with disabilities benefit from job program 14) Minot Daily News, Disabled students need more help 15) The Forum (Fargo), Women face unique challenges in serving 16) The Forum (Fargo), Women, minorities hard to find at capitol 17) Associated Press, N.D. State Legislature has few women, minorities 18) Associated Press, Episcopal bishop awaiting report on role of gays and lesbians in the church
Events 19) Masquerade Powwow, October 29, Moorhead 20) GLBT Training, “Gay, Straight, & In-Between: Understanding Sexual Diversity and the Special Needs of Youth,” November 5, Fargo 21) Grand Forks Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Begins Series of Discussions on “Race History: Between Civil War and Civil Rights” 22) Cultural Diversity Resources, Human Rights Resource Center Book Club Meetings, November 2004 – May 2005, Fargo 23) Sisters of the Presentation at Sacred Heart Convent, “2004 – 2005 Presentation Peace Studies Forum,” Fargo, ND 24) Partners in Policymaking Presents A Community Education Workshop, November 22 & 23, Fargo & Bismarck
Reminders 25) Fight Hate and Promote Tolerance, Tolerance.org: What’s in a Mascot? 26) Press Release: Mayor Warford names two to Human Relations Committee 27) Press Release: Hoeven Announces Grant to Provide Single Point of Access for Seniors and People with Disabilities 28) Election Day Hotline 29) Candidate Recruitment & Reminder from Uniting for Equality 30) Message from Equality North Dakota 31) Applications Invited for Soros Fellowships for New Americans
Please Note: The NDHRC distributes a weekly PAUR report to inform our members and friends about news, events, and other human rights related information around the state. The opinions expressed within the articles are those of the authors and are not endorsed by the NDHRC.
New NDHRC members: as a membership benefit you have received an e-mail subscription of our weekly e-mail newsletter, the NDHRC PAUR Report. If you would like to be removed from the PAUR Report mailing list, please send an email to humanrights@ndhrc.org.
********************************************* Announcements *********************************************
1.) Social Work & Addiction Counseling CEU’s Available at the NDHRC Conference, November 5 & 6, Bismarck, ND
The North Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners (NDBSWE) approved the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition Conference for 13 continuing education contact hours.
The North Dakota Board of Addiction Counseling Examiners (NDBACE) approved the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition Conference for 10.50 continuing education contact hours.
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2.) REGISTER NOW for 2004 NDHRC Conference November 5 & 6, 2004, Bismarck!!!
The North Dakota Human Rights Coalition Conference, “Human Rights: Economic Impact of Discrimination,” is Friday, November 5 and Saturday, November 6, 2004 at the Best Western, Ramkota Hotel, 800 South Third Street, Bismarck, ND.
A detailed agenda including times and speakers is available here.
The conference brochure and registration form are available here.
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3.) 2004 NDHRC Conference Community Resource Exhibits
NDHRC Organization Members & Friends,
You are invited to participate in our community resource exhibition at this year's conference November 5th and 6th at the Best Western Ramkota Hotel in Bismarck!
The exhibition is designed to inform our conference attendees of human rights related organizations and resources available in North Dakota. There is a limited amount of booth space available, and requests will be accepted on a first come first serve basis.
There is no registration fee, however booth participants are asked make a $25 donation to help defray conference expenses. Conference presenters are not asked to make a donation.
If you would like booth space, please complete and mail the booth registration form by October 27, 2004. The booth registration form is available here.
For additional information contact me Andrea Warren-Deegan at andreadeegan@ndhrc.org or (701) 793-1134.
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4.) Press Release: Enrollment still trending upward at UTTC
United
Tribes News
Enrollment still trending upward at UTTC
The increase represents a growth in student population of five percent over one year earlier and the highest single term student count on record.
Over the past two years enrollment has increased as the college plans to expand the campus, improve infrastructure, and upgrade housing and educational facilities.
According to the report, more students were enrolled in the Licensed Practical Nursing vocation (57) than any other curriculum. Forty-seven students were enrolled in Criminal Justice and 46 in Computer Information Technology.
The vocational-technical college offers training in 17 Associate of Applied Science programs and 11 certificates programs.
Of the 509 students enrolled, 259 are new students. Twenty-seven students are taking classes online during the term in six campus-based vocations. Nine students are enrolled at the Owens Valley Career Development Center, Bishop, CA, a UTTC branch campus.
The previous single semester record enrollment at UTTC was set one year ago during fall semester 2003 at 482. Registration for the current term ended September 24.
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5.) Important Events for “Vote No on Measure #1,” October 25 & 26, Fargo
Message from Equality North Dakota:
PLEASE
DISTRIBUTE WIDELY AND FREELY
********************************************* Newspaper Articles *********************************************
6.) The Forum (Fargo) article 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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Forum editorial: Say 'no' to marriage
amendment
Amending North Dakota's Constitution to deny or threaten to deny rights to North Dakota citizens contradicts the document's historic purpose. The marriage amendment that would both define marriage and prohibit extension of civil benefits to same-sex couples does exactly that. It should be turned down.
The amendment has two provisions. The first conforms to the state's Defense of Marriage Act which defines marriage as between a man and a woman. If that's all the amendment did, a "yes" vote would be in order. The legislative act accomplished what North Dakotans wanted regarding the definition of marriage by properly using the legislative process. We agree with the act's definition.
But the second provision of the ballot measure aims to tell anyone and everyone (including private sector employers) that they cannot, under any circumstances, offer civil benefits to committed same-sex couples. Indeed, the provision could be interpreted to mean employers that currently provide benefits to same-sex couples (there are several of them in North Dakota) would be violating the state constitution. The potential for a litigation nightmare is clear.
Second, same-sex marriage is not a huge issue in North Dakota. The amendment is unnecessary. The concern among supporters of the amendment that "activist" judges will overturn the Defense of Marriage Act is overblown. North Dakota is not a bastion of so-called activist judges, nor is it a litigious state.
(By the way, the real definition of "activist judge" has nothing to do with liberal or conservative ideology. It's merely a judge you disagree with.)
Third, a perusal of the state constitution will find that amendments historically have been either extensions or confirmation of rights, or house- keeping measures to bring the document up to date. For example, North Dakota was one of the first states to give women the right to vote. More recently, an amendment confirmed the right to hunt, fish and trap. Never - never - in the state's history have the people of North Dakota condoned misuse of the constitution by a special interest group to erode citizens' rights. And never has the state's basic civil, secular document been perverted to impose one group's religious beliefs on the citizenry.
The North Dakota Constitution should not be corrupted in that way. Vote "no" on the marriage amendment.
Forum editorials represent the opinion of Forum management and the newspaper's Editorial Board
View online article here
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7.) The Forum (Fargo), Megan Robley letter: Remove the hate from community
Megan Robley letter: Remove the hate from community
In lieu of last week's North Dakota State University hate crimes and the vandals desecrating the Fargo mosque, we must ask ourselves, "What type of community do we want?" Do we want a community that is filled with hate and bigotry and is prejudiced to a variety of cultures and customs? Or, do we want a community that welcomes and accepts differences because of the realization that the diversity benefits us all.
It is alarming to think that people can be so cruel in their actions. I hope that the individuals of this week's hate crimes realize the ugly face they are bringing forth in our community, and their acts of bigotry are unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Not only that, but these acts offend everyone.
We must stand up against and denounce such crimes, as well as seek justice for and protect others as we would protect ourselves. It is apparent that it is time for a change in our community through the embracing of all people.
Megan Robley
West Fargo
View online article here
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8.) Bismarck Tribune, Not everyone agrees with plan on Indian achievement
Cheryl Long Feather is a board member of the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition.
Not everyone agrees with plan on Indian achievement By Sheena Dooley, Bismarck Tribune Bismarck Tribune – 10/15/2004
A group working to narrow the learning gap between American Indian and white students in Bismarck has come up with a framework, but not all members support it.
The American Indian Students Special Issues Strategic Team was formed in June 2003 after parent Cheryl Longfeather came before the Bismarck School Board with concerns about an achievement gap between Indian and white students. They have met sporadically since then to work on a proposal to take back to the school board.
This week Longfeather presented the group with a framework for the proposal focusing on four areas -- curriculum and instruction, testing to measure Indian achievement, school climate and culture and funding. But some of her proposals left the committee divided and some members saying said they could not support the plan because it created a separate educational system for American Indians.
"We need to treat them as individuals instead of treating them by race," said committee member Nick Archuleta, a middle and high school Spanish teacher. "Not all Indian students learn in the same way -- kids in general don't learn in the same way."
Instead of developing the framework together, the group delegated the responsibility to Longfeather. She used discussion from months of ASSIST meetings and information from focus groups with parents, teachers and administrators to create a flexible plan, she said. Now, a number of subcommittees will review her proposals and will bring a more specific plan to ASSIST.
Longfeather said disagreement is part of the group process and she didn't expect everyone to support her plan.
<snip>
View full article here
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9.) Grand Forks Herald, Dorreen Yellow Bird Column: Let’s find Sakakawea’s grave
Dorreen Yellow Bird Column: Let's find Sakakawea's grave Grand Forks Herald – 10/12/2004
THERE is a dispute about Sakakawea's tribe: Was she Hidatsa or Shoshone? And Sakakawea herself is said to be buried in at least three places. If Lewis and Clark had documented their guide with more than a passing mention, the simple facts of who she is and where she is buried wouldn't be in question.Today, though, the waters of Lake Oahe in South Dakota have receded and left the site of Fort Manual Lisa exposed. This may be the chance to put to rest the questions of Sakakawea's identity and grave, for she is said to have been buried at the fort.
Last week, I visited with people along Lewis and Clark's route through North Dakota, and Sakakawea came up in many of my conversations - probably because of the mystery that surrounds her. Yet, it wasn't just Sakakawea. Many of the people I visited with thought history had neglected women's roles and presented women as fixtures and mostly silent figures.
This neglect has deep roots. For example, Clark wrote his mother to tell her his trip would be among friendly Indians and, basically, a piece of cake. Worrying this woman about the perils of the journey might prove too much for her, Clark must have thought. Back then, men protected women from anything unpleasant.
There were exceptions, but we can count them on our fingers. Today, women would want to go on a journey like Lewis and Clark's, because they could and because their female perspective would be important.
The French fur trader Toussaint Charbonneau won Sakakawea in a gambling game of some sort, and she actually was his slave as much as she was his wife. Charbonneau knew Sakakawea was worth something to the Corps of Discovery because she was Lemhi-Shoshone, a tribe whose help they needed for the success of their journey.
I can imagine Lewis and Clark coming ashore in one of the villages of the tribes of the Missouri. The explorers had sewing needles, iron pots, guns and cloth to trade. Today, if you offered sewing needles to some of the men in the tribes, you might get pushed into the Missouri River
<snip>
View full article here
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10.) Valley City Times-Record, A chance to hear
A chance to hear
Valley City Times-Record – 10/15/2004
One of Valley City's youngest citizens is about to undergo a major surgery that could potentially change her life forever.
Paige Kaber, who will turn 2 in November, was born with a rare condition in which her ears' cochleas, which contain the nerve endings essential for hearing, did not develop correctly. On Nov. 8, she will undergo cochlear implant surgery on her left ear to see if she can be given the gift of hearing.
Paige is the daughter of Jessica and Troy Kaber of Valley City. Her older brother, Noah, is 6 years old.
Jessica had a normal pregnancy with Paige and there were no indications of anything wrong. If not for an initial infant hearing screening given to Paige in Fargo, where she was born, her hearing impairment might not have been discovered so early.
Currently, Paige has 20 percent hearing in her right ear. She used to have some hearing in her left ear as well, but as she grew, the cochlea in that ear did not develop properly and she has since lost all hearing on the left side.
According to Jessica, Paige has had doctor and/or audiologist appointments at least once every two weeks ever since she was born. She has undergone two brain stem tests, a genetic study, an MRI, a CT scan, and numerous other tests all in less than two years of life to discover the cause and any possible solutions for her problem.
<snip>
View full article here
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11.) The Forum (Fargo), Dennis Kooren letter: Naming street after King is appropriate
Dennis Kooren letter: Naming street after King is
appropriate
I feel Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is a timely and appropriate choice for the dividing street between Fargo and West Fargo. Is he not honored for taking a non-violent stance for change when others were pushing for an armed resolution? He served all Americans by helping prevent race warfare that could have had a disastrous effect on our nation.
As such, he became not a black or white, but an American fighting for change peacefully, but with very strong conviction. Sadly enough, as some others before him, his beliefs and convictions cost him his life.
In this spirit of peaceful change, I believe both Fargo and West Fargo city leaders need to readdress this issue.
Dennis Kooren
Fargo
<snip>
View online article here
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12.) The Forum (Fargo), American Indian flutist shares his culture
American Indian flutist shares his culture
Keith Bear put the freshly carved flute to his lips and blew.
A sound came out that whispered of streams, wind and stars wheeling over snowy hills.
It was a new sound for the students in Kim Belgarde’s fifth-grade class at Madison Elementary School in Fargo.
To Bear, the sound was as old as the Earth and the soul song of his tribe, the Mandan Hidatsa. Farah Attia heard the sound her new flute made and grinned.
“You see that smile? I really like that part,” Bear said Friday as he wrapped up a week-long project helping the students make traditional flutes and sharing with them aspects of American Indian culture and beliefs.
Attia, who busily began practicing her flute, said the week had taught her much.
“I learned a lot of words from the Mandan and Hidatsa language,” she said. “And I learned that no matter what culture you’re in, you have to treat people just the same.”
Classmate Tyler Wetch doubted at first that he could craft a flute in just five days. “But I guess I was wrong,” he said, holding a working instrument in his hands.
“I think if I practice enough, I can get really good at it,” Wetch said.
<snip>
View full article here
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13.) The Forum (Fargo), A road to success: Students with disabilities benefit from job program
A road to success: Students with disabilities benefit
from job program
Patty Heupel notes with pride that her son, Jason, is a fast learner.
Within a month of being hired at Sunmart on 13th Avenue and 25th Street South in Fargo, "He knew what to do in that entire store."
On the other hand, she says with a laugh, she noticed that landing a job there made him a little more bossy at home.
Still, she's willing to endure a little bossiness in exchange for the sense of accomplishment she sees in Jason, 20, who has Down syndrome.
He got a start on that accomplishment through the Work Experience Education Program of Fargo Public Schools, which pairs students with disabilities with jobs and acts as a go-between for employers and workers.
On a recent Wednesday afternoon, Jason works with quiet efficiency. He steadily bags groceries during rushes, often checking to make sure packaging isn't broken. During slow times, he checks the shelves, straightening up where needed.
The hardest part of the job, he tells a visitor, was learning to wrestle lines of carts in from the parking lot.
<snip>
View full article here
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14.) Minot Daily News, Disabled students need more help
Disabled students need more help Paul P. Robinette Jr., Granville Minot Daily News 10/17/04
Minot State University is a wonderful school with many positive attributes contributing to the education, training and improvement of the students and our surrounding Minot communities. I am proud to be a student at MSU. This "letter to the editor" is about a couple of ideas to improve our school.
Disabled students needing services from the MSU Disability Services Office do not have direct access to the campus office where these services are located in the lower level of Lura Manor. A mobility impaired first-time visitor to the Disability Services Office will not be able to get into the office to seek help. The office is at the bottom of a stairwell that is inaccessible to those in a wheelchair, on crutches or using a cane. The politics of why the Disability Services Office is at the bottom of a stairwell, with inaccessible stairs is as astounding as it is disheartening. But, that is the past and for the future, MSU can do better.
The current method for disabled people to get access to the Disability Services Office is sad. They are given a key to the front entrance of the student dormitory in Lura Manor. This is a fair "walk" for a mobility impaired student; especially if they are in a wheelchair. If the key is current (the locks are changed frequently since it is a student dorm) and if they are not in a wheelchair, they can open the door and enter the first floor of Lura Manor. If the person is in a wheelchair they must ask someone for help with the door. Now the student can go to the elevator and descend into the service basement of the building. After a long "walk" through a dimly lit tunnel, the student arrives at a locked door. The student (even if in a wheelchair) must knock on the door to gain entrance. After the knocking is noticed by a staff member the student is let into the Disability Services Office and able to conduct their business. This is not dignified but it does work. However, even if the student is expected, there can be problems gaining access to help at the MSU Disability Services Office.
<snip>
View full article here
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15.) The Forum (Fargo), Women face unique challenges in serving
Women face unique challenges in serving
Kari Conrad had the support of her husband and local Democrats in her run for the North Dakota House of Representatives, but she still needed permission from two very important people.
"The last people that I asked were my 11-year-old and my 8-year-old," said Conrad, 53, a Minot consultant. "They both said it was OK."
Her Republican opponent in the District 3 race, retired banker Mary Nester of Minot, was appointed to the House a year ago to succeed House Speaker Janet Wentz, who died of colon cancer.
Nester, 56, said she was honored to accept the opportunity. It's something she probably couldn't have done 20 years ago under the pressure of raising three daughters and working outside the home, she said.
"Even when session isn't on, it still takes a lot of your time for meetings and social events," said Nester, who has served on two interim legislative committees since her appointment.
While women make up more than half of North Dakota's population, women lawmakers comprised 15 percent of the Legislature in 2003, compared to the national average of 22 percent, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Thomasine Heitkamp, a social work professor at the University of North Dakota, conducted a survey last year for the Minot Commission on the Status of Women to find out what barriers women face in running for office.
<snip>
View full article here
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16.) The Forum (Fargo), Women, minorities hard to find at capitol
Women, minorities hard to find at capitol (Part 1 of a two-part series)
Hop on a bus. Drive to every corner of North Dakota and randomly pick up people along the way. Drop them off in Bismarck.
Chances are, the passengers would closely resemble the North Dakota Legislature, says House Majority Leader Rick Berg, R-Fargo.
However, if the Legislature was truly representative of the state's population, a few more of the people stepping off that bus would be American Indian, and a whole lot more of them would be women.
Currently, one of the Legislature's 141 members is from a racial minority - that's 0.7 percent, compared to the 7.6 percent of North Dakotans who considered themselves a minority in the 2000 census.
Nationally, 8.1 percent of state legislators are from a racial minority, compared with 24.9 percent of the U.S. population, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Dennis Bercier, a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa and North Dakota's lone minority legislator, said he'd like to see more tribal members in the Legislature, but it's difficult convincing them to run for office.
"A lot of people are disenfranchised," said Bercier, a Democrat from Belcourt. "For one reason or another, they don't feel like their vote counts. They feel like sometimes the decisions have already been made, so why get involved in the process?"
<snip>
View full article here
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17.) Associated Press, N.D. State Legislature has few women, minorities
N.D. State
Legislature has few women, minorities Posted: Bismarck Tribune – 10/18/04
FARGO -- The
number of women serving in North Dakota's Legislature has leveled off after
seeing a sharp increase during the 1970s and '80s, and one lawmaker says party
leaders should start recruiting more college-age women to run for office. "It is
harder to find female candidates because you've got a number of females who are
mothers, and they're working full time besides taking care of their families,"
said Vern Thompson, director of the state Democratic Party.
<snip>
View full article here
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18.) Associated Press, Episcopal bishop awaiting report on role of gays and lesbians in the church
Episcopal
bishop awaiting report on role of gays and lesbians in the church Posted: Bismarck Tribune – 10/18/04
FARGO -- A
report expected Monday should provide a plan to move the worldwide Anglican
Communion through internal divisions following the appointment of an openly gay
bishop, North Dakota's Episcopal bishop said. Last year,
Episcopal priest V. Gene Robinson, who lives openly with a same-sex partner,
became bishop of New Hampshire.
<snip>
View full article here
********************************************* Events *********************************************
A calendar of events for October is available on the NDHRC web site here.
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19.) Masquerade Powwow, October 29, Moorhead
Local community members and All Nations Native American Youth are sponsoring a community gathering. A Masquerade Powwow will be held Friday, October 29, 2004. This spooky event will be held from 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. at the Robert Asp School, 910 11th Street N., Moorhead. Prizes will be for most original, ugliest, funniest and weirdest Dance Costumes! Take part in any of the activities – Cake walk, Rez Hoops, Treats, Broom Dance, Musical Chairs and other spooky fun! Suggested donation of $5.00 per family. This is a fun youth and community event, sorry no honorariums! All proceeds will go to a November 29th local Elders Gathering.
For more information call 237-4453 or 237-6555.
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20.) GLBT Training, “Gay, Straight, & In-Between: Understanding Sexual Diversity and the Special Needs of Youth,” November 5, Fargo
Message from the Minnkota Health Project:
We are pleased to announce that a nationally known speaker and educator, Wayne Pawlowski, will be conducting a training on Friday, November 5, 2004 from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The title of the training is "Gay, Straight and In-between: Understanding Sexual Diversity and the Special Needs of Youth". The training will be held in the North Dakota State University's Century Theatre in Memorial Hall.
For information about the presentation and registration call:
Frances Eggen Director Minnkota Health Project 810 4th Ave. S., Suite 204 Moorhead, MN 56560 (218) 287-4636 www.pridecollective.com/minnkota
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21.) Grand Forks Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Begins Series of Discussions on “Race History: Between Civil War and Civil Rights”
On Sunday morning,
October 17, members and friends of the Grand Forks UU Fellowship will sponsor
the first of six discussions on how our historical perceptions of race in this
country evolved and affect us to this day. The cornerstone of the discussions
is a set of radio programs called “Race with History: Between Civil War and
Civil Rights.” These programs have aired in the past on Public Radio
International, and just recently a discussion guide was completed to assist
listeners in probing the wealth of information and emotion that is revealed
through the tapes. Two local UND faculty members, Sharon Carson, Departments of
English and Philosophy and Religion, and Jeanne Anderegg, Honors Program, were
involved in writing the discussion guide and offered the Fellowship the use of
the tapes.
The introduction to
the study guide acknowledges “The struggle for justice and equality remains the
trial by fire that people of color experience to this day, both collectively and
individually. The heroes of all colors who fought to secure and elevate the
heart and soul of democracy are many, and we draw strength and inspiration from
every one of them.” As one of the author’s of the guide says, “Knowledge of our
past can give us enormous strength to build the future that we envision.”
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22.) Cultural Diversity Resources, Human Rights Resource Center Book Club Meetings, November 2004 – May 2005, Fargo
Human Rights Resource Center Book Club Cultural Diversity Resources 303 Roberts Street Fargo (701) 526-3000
Lunch will be provided, but you must R.S.V.P. to Tammie Yak at 526-3000 or tammieyak@culturaldiversityresources.org
Books may be purchased at Zanbroz Variety 420 Broadway, Fargo. There is also one copy of each book available at CDR- please call or stop by for checkout procedures.
November Tuesday 16th- 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. While the Locust Slept: a memoir by Peter Razor Chronicle of his survival of abuse and bigotry at a state orphanage in the 1930s and the brutal farm indenture that followed. Disclosing his story through flashbacks and relying on research from his own case files, Razor pieces together the shattered fragments of his boyhood into a memoir that reads as compellingly as a novel.
December Tuesday 14th- 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. In Our Own Best Interest: How Defending Human Rights Benefits Us All by William F. Schulz
January Tuesday 11th- 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Taste of Salt: A Story of Modern Haiti by Frances Temple
February Tuesday the 8th- 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. AMAN: The Story of a Somali Girl as told to Virginia Lee Barnes and Janice Boddy
March Tuesday the 8th- 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Price of Honor: Muslim Women Lift the Veil of Silence on the Islamic World by Jan Goodwin
April Tuesday the 12th- 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
May Tuesday the 10th- 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Red Scarf Girl: A Memoir of the Cultural Revolution by Ji Li Jiang
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23.) Sisters of the Presentation at Sacred Heart Convent, “2004 – 2005 Presentation Peace Studies Forum,” Fargo, ND
November 12, 2004
January 14, 2005
February 11, 2005 TBA Co-sponsored by F-M Amnesty International
March 11, 2005
April 29, 2005 Time and Place - TBA Tickets: $10.00
View additional information on the Sisters of the Presentation web site here
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24.) Partners in Policymaking Presents A Community Education Workshop, November 22 & 23, Fargo & Bismarck
Real World Solutions for Living & Working in the Community Richard Dodds, Presenter
Monday, Nov, 22, 2004 Best Western Doublewood Inn 3333 13th Avenue S. Fargo 6:30-9:30 PM
Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2004 Best Western Doublewood Inn 1400 E. Interchange Avenue Bismarck 6:30-9:30 PM
Waiting lists! Not enough services! Budget cuts! All these and more can have a negative impact on the lives of people with disabilities and their families. But there's a solution: the abundant supply of generic services and natural supports in our own communities can help meet the needs of people with disabilities. And in the process, we'll move towards inter-dependence and full citizenship for all!
It's fun and easier than you think! With common sense and humor, Richard Dodds enlightens and entertains participants in workshops and trainings across the United States. He challenges the old ways of thinking, and helps people with disabilities, family members, and professionals acquire new perceptions and attitudes—the first rung in the ladder of change. Over 20 years management experience--combined with his talent for communicating with people with disabilities, family members, employers and the business community, educators, and other professionals,--has fostered his work in New Jersey where he is the President and CEO of AccessPoint Solutions.
Everyone is Welcome! We especially encourage the attendance of those in the human service arena: service providers, managers, direct care support staff, educators, therapists, transition specialists, parents, advocates, students preparing to work in related fields, individuals with disabilities.
The workshop is free, however please pre-register to enable us to have an appropriate number of handouts available.
Call Joyce @ 222-3636 or 800-489-5013 or e-mail joyces@dakotacil.org for more info or to pre-register.
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25.) Fight Hate and Promote Tolerance, Tolerance.org: What’s in a Mascot?
The North Dakota Human Rights Coalition opposes the use of nicknames, mascots and logos which refer to Native American tribes at educational institutions in North Dakota. The NDHRC is committed to working to effect change so that all people in North Dakota enjoy full human rights, those basic standards without which people cannot live in dignity. The human rights of Native Americans who are students at and work at such schools are being violated by the continued use of these nicknames, mascots and logos by being subject to derogatory T-shirts and chants while attending sporting events, and otherwise on and off campus. This also includes those who are not Native American and who deserve to not be subjected to the T-shirts and chants.
Schools across the country use
stereotypical Native American mascots. Learn how you and your kids can wage a
campaign for change.
Go
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26.) Press Release: Mayor Warford names two to Human Relations Committee
News Release September 30, 2004
Mayor Warford names two to Human Relations Committee
Mayor John Warford named two Bismarck residents to the Mayor’s Committee on Human Relations. The Bismarck City Commission confirmed the nominations of Daphne Ghorbani and Shih Ru Martin.
Daphne Ghorbani is an associate professor in education at the University of Mary. Ghorbani has lived, worked and studied in the United Kingdom, Pakistan, Germany, and Iran. She has lived in Bismarck since 1979 and describes herself as an avid reader of current events, issues and local trends.
Shih Ru Martin was born in Taiwan and came to Bismarck in 1995. Martin is a family nurse practitioner who also teaches at Medcenter One College of Nursing. She has been a speaker at a number of multicultural events.
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27.) Press Release: Hoeven Announces Grant to Provide Single Point of Access for Seniors and People with Disabilities
BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. John Hoeven today joined advocates for older adults and people with disabilities to announce that North Dakota has been awarded a grant to provide a single point of access to long term support and care services for seniors and people with disabilities. The $315,000 three-year grant will help fund the Governor’s initiative to provide North Dakotans with a full range of services from nursing home care to home and community-based support.
AARP North Dakota, the North Dakota Department of Human Services and the North Dakota Disabilities Advocacy Consortium collaborated to develop the proposal with the goal of creating a resource for families to contact when exploring long term support and care options.
“This grant will continue the work begun by the state’s Olmstead Commission,” Hoeven said. “It will enable North Dakota to strengthen the coordination between providers so that people are aware of their choices and can easily locate appropriate long term support services.”
Linda Wurtz of AARP said, “Older adults want choices, and many prefer to use in-home support services to remain independent as long as possible. Unfortunately, families often make decisions during a medical crisis with very limited information. This grant will help address that knowledge gap as well as other access issues.”
According to Hoeven, the initiative will focus first on coordination and public awareness efforts. Partnering organizations hope to propose administrative rules and legislation in 2007 to further rebalance efforts so that North Dakotans have a comprehensive range of service options.
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View full release here
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28.) Election Day Hotline
Message from the ARC of the United States (for people with disabilities):
Please forward widely.
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