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 22, 2005
Hello members and friends of the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition!
In this week’s PAUR Report:
Announcements 2) Press Release: Youth Advisory Committee for the National Council on Disability 3) Job Opportunity with Nativity Catholic Church
Newspaper Articles 4) Native-American Nicknames/Mascots 5) The Minot Daily News, Walk This Way 6) The Forum (Fargo), ELCA Moves to Vote on Gays’ Role 7) The Forum (Fargo), Marine Funeral Protest 8) Indian Country Today, Voting Rights 9) The Associated Press, Lutherans Reject Movement Toward Approving Same-Sex Blessings 10) Bismarck Tribune, Custer House carries out a vital role 11) The Grand Forks Herald, Coffee, Books and Job Opportunities: Crookston’s Novel Cup Provides Services for Both Customers and Employees 12) The Jamestown Sun, Disabled people are too often ignored 14) Fargo Forum, Mentoring mothers 15) Minot Daily News, It's time to take action
Events
16) Pride
Collective and Community Center Picnic
Reminders 17) NDHRC 2005 Annual Giving Program 18) North Dakota Fair Housing Council Changes Name to Fair Housing of the Dakotas 19) North Dakota Disabilities Advocacy Consortium Conference, August 29 & 30, 2005, Bismarck 20) Between Two Cultures: The Art of Star Wallowing Bull & FM Symphony
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.
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Sweet Medicine’s Native American leadership, is strategically planning to become a MN non-profit organization, to build, nurture and empower Native American leadership.
The Board of Directors, the Native American Elders Council, and leadership are committed to develop and design programs that better serve and include the Native American perspective at all levels, in this metropolitan area that includes approximately 4000 Native Americans.
Sweet Medicine is looking for other Native Americans in the community to get involved! Including Native American Elders & Veterans!
Contact Director, Sandi B. 701-729-2627 or 701-237-4453
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2.) Press Release: Youth Advisory Committed for the National Council on Disability
August 9, 2005 Recruiting Announcement
Washington, DC — The Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) for the National Council on Disability (NCD) is announcing the opening of a nationwide search for new members. The YAC, a 12 member advisory committee with members ranging in age from 16-25, has openings for new members (between 16 and 25 years of age) across disability sectors, diverse cultures and in under-represented areas of the country.
The YAC ensures that NCD's policy recommendations and activities give consideration to the perspectives of young people with disabilities. NCD is an independent federal agency, made up with 15 executive members appointed by the president, and their responsibility is to make recommendations to the President and Congress on issues affecting Americans with disabilities. NCD's overall purpose is to promote policies, programs, practices, and procedures that guarantee equal opportunity for all individuals with disabilities, regardless of the nature or severity of the disability; and to empower Individuals with disabilities to achieve economic self-sufficiency, independent living, and inclusion and integration into all aspects of society.
“We have worked really hard, but there is more to do, and there is a big responsibility placed on anyone who joins us in the task of raising youth voices,” says Isaac Huff, YAC Chair. He continues, “But, with the opportunity to recruit new members, I believe we can continue to be trail blazers in the community for youth with disabilities.”
The recruiting process begins on August 9, 2005 and will close September 18, 2005 (i.e., e-mails by 12 midnight & postal mail marked by this date). To submit an application, please send three documents (1) a resume, (2) a letter of recommendation, and (3) a cover letter pointing out your leadership experiences and your disability oriented experiences to: YOUTH@NCD.GOV; if using postal mail, please send documents to:
YOUTH-YAC Recruiting c/o Dr. Gerrie Hawkins National Council on Disability 1331 F Street, Suite 850 Washington, DC 20004
If you have further questions please feel free to contact Isaac Huff, YAC Chair at: I_Huff@superaleja.org Or Rebecca Hare, YAC Vice-Chair at harer@iel.org
To read more about the YAC’s past work, check the NCD Website at: www.ncd.gov
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3.) Job Opportunity with Nativity Catholic Church
Nativity Catholic Church is looking for a Social Justice Ministry Coordinator. The coordinator enables the parish community to form itself in the social teaching of the church and to act upon this teaching through advocacy, community organizing, and empowerment of others.
The time required to fulfill the duties of the position will be equivalent to a quarter-time position. Hours should include time for personal formation and required meetings at the parish, local, regional, and diocesan levels.
For more information call 701-232-2414.
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4.) Native-American Nicknames/Mascots
North Dakota Human Rights Coalition Position On:
Use of School Nicknames, Mascots and Logos at Educational Institutions in North Dakota
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.
The Preamble to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights begins by recognizing the inherent dignity and the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family as the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights’ Article 26 states that “[e]ducation shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups….” The use of Native American nicknames, mascots and logos interferes with the educational institution’s ability to fulfill this mandate.
More information on the human rights concerns of the use of the Sioux nickname and logo at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks is available at the website of “Building Road Into Diverse Groups Empowering Students,” a University of North Dakota student organization dedicated to the progressive change of the nickname, at http://www.und.edu/org/bridges/index2.html.
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NCAA won't allow Indian mascots at playoff games
Starting February 1, 2006, 18 schools with Indian-themed mascots, nicknames or symbols will not be allowed to use or display their images in post-season NCAA tournaments. The institutions won't be allowed to host such events in the future either. Previously scheduled playoffs at these schools will occcur as planned, but the schools "must take reasonable steps to cover up" the references to Indians, the NCAA said.
The policy, approved by the NCAA Executive Committee on Thursday, doesn't bar member schools from using Indian imagery to promote their athletic programs. "But as a national association, we believe that mascots, nicknames or images deemed hostile or abusive in terms of race, ethnicity or national origin should not be visible at the championship events that we control," said Walter Harrison, the chair of the committee and president at the University of Hartford.
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Nixed Name
The NCAA has decided to crack down on the use of American Indian nicknames and imagery it deems "hostile or abusive," and UND's Fighting Sioux nickname is caught in the crossfire. UND is one of 18 NCAA-affiliated schools using American Indian monikers or mascots banned from hosting any national championship as part of a new series of NCAA measures intended to limit use of the symbols.
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Harjo: Hanging onto
mascots, toys of racism
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Abusive mascots still a serious issue Posted: August 11, 2005 by: Editors Report / Indian Country Today
Persistence is the operative principle in the fight
to convince the sporting world that it is doing a disservice to American Indian
and Native children by labeling teams and mascots with Indian nicknames and
imagery.
<snip>
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Tribal college president weighs in on name
The president of a North Dakota tribal college has asked the NCAA to help force the University of North Dakota to get rid of its Fighting Sioux nickname.
In a July 13 letter, David Gipp, president of United Tribes Technical College in Bismarck and a 1969 UND graduate, said the Grand Forks school has “virtually ignored” the position of the state’s Indian community by continuing to use a “despicable” nickname.
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MATTERS AT HAND: Let’s wait for clarity on NCAA logo ruling
Some months ago, conversation with an official at UND turned to the nickname. “We regard it as a settled issue,” said the official, who was neither the president, the athletic director nor any of the coaches.
“At the Herald, that’s our opinion, too,” I replied. And it did seem as if the use of the Sioux name for UND athletic teams was settled. Opposition didn’t go away, but it became more muted. The university worked diligently to insure that the name and a new logo were used respectfully, and – excepting the thoughtless antics of a few – they have been.
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The Ralph has final
say on logos The Ralph Engelstad Arena will follow the University of North Dakota’s lead to comply with a new NCAA nickname policy, even if that means covering thousands of Indian-head logos, an arena spokesman said Monday. An NCAA ruling last week could force UND to hide some 3,000 logos when the hockey arena hosts the West Regional tournament next spring. However, it’s the arena – not UND – that has the final say on whether that happens. The agreement between UND and Ralph Engelstad Arena Inc., the private Nevada corporation that operates the arena, states that UND “will not make or allow to be made any alterations of any kind to the Arena …. without the written consent of REA.”
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OUR OPINION : UND should appeal NCAA nickname rule Tom Dennis for the Herald Our view: The sports organization was wrong to preempt a decision that belongs to North Dakotans themselves.
In 1993, Ruth Bader Ginsburg - today, one of the most liberal justices on the Supreme Court - commented on Roe vs. Wade, the famous decision that legalized abortion in all 50 states.
But her comments didn't echo the expected argument that Roe is vital to women's rights. Instead, Ginsburg declared in a speech, Roe "halted a political process that was moving in a reform direction and thereby, I believe, prolonged divisiveness and deferred stable settlement of the issue."
The world of sports is far removed from the world of reproductive freedom. Still, the same comment describes a contentious sports issue today, now that the National Collegiate Athletic Association has grossly penalized schools that use Indian logos and nicknames.
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NCAA: Over the line?
North Dakota's governor says the National Collegiate Athletic Association went too far in banning schools, such as UND, from hosting postseason competition and using their American Indian logos and nicknames during those games.
"I believe it's an overreach ... It's a big-time overreach," Gov. John Hoeven said Wednesday in Grand Forks while speaking to the Herald editorial board.
<snip>
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UND plans to appeal NCAA nickname decision
UND intends to appeal the NCAA ruling about Indian nickname issues, but first it needs to know specifically what about the Fighting Sioux nickname the NCAA finds "abusive" and "hostile," UND President Charles Kupchella said at a news conference Friday afternoon.
"We want to file an appeal, but first we need to know the basis for your decisions," Kupchella wrote in an open letter to the NCAA.
<snip>
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IN THE MAIL: UND's appeal won't persuade NCAA to reverse course
BISMARCK - The Herald editorial board opined Aug. 9 that UND should appeal the recent decision of the NCAA to ban the use of "hostile and abusive" nicknames at NCAA championships, using all kinds of specious reasoning to justify an amazing back-flip in the board's position on the UND nickname and logo.
Let's be honest here. The NCAA carefully explained that it is an association of colleges and universities, including UND, and that it cannot and does not control what the nicknames of its members might be. The NCAA explained that all it can do is prohibit the display of "hostile and abusive" nicknames, logos, mascots and images at NCAA-sponsored championship events.
<snip>
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CHARLES E.
KUPCHELLA President
An Open Letter to the NCAA
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The following letter below was submitted to the Grand Forks Herald, Fargo Forum, & Bismarck Tribune by Tendai Phiri, Administrative Assistant for the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition.
Letter to the Editor
Re: NCAA Ruling
I want to applaud the NCAA for its sensitivity and humanity in its dealings with Native American mascots. The NCAA has been reviewing the Native American images, nicknames, and mascots since the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights issued in 2001, Statement of U.S. Commission on Civil Rights on the Use of Native American Images and Nicknames as Sports Symbols (www.usccr.gov/press/archives/2001/041601st.htm). The Commission stated that mascots, images, nicknames, or logos are “…disrespectful and offensive to American Indians and others who are offended by such stereotyping. They are particularly inappropriate and insensitive in light of the long history of forced assimilation that American Indian people have endured in this country.” I was born and raised in North Dakota and people have asked me how as a Black woman I could live here? The next question was always, “Have you experienced a lot of racism?” Which I always replied, “Of course, but not as much as the Native Americans.” We as a country and a state are so biased towards the Native Americans that we constantly need to check and recheck our motives. In particular, when the Native Americans and Tribal leaders are saying that UND’s logo and nickname is offensive and no one is listening. These are people and should not be trivialized to an image for a sports team. This is not an honor as UND President alluded to in his letter to the NCAA, just as it was not honor for my people to sit on the back of the bus or to pick cotton. Nor would I consider it an honor for my people to be depicted as we were during the exploitation of Blacks in the United States. It would prove to me that once again we were being victimized by the White majority. Which I am sure is exactly how most Native Americans must believe. It is like defeating your enemy in battle and putting their head on pole for all to see as a threat. The NCAA is right; UND’s logo is hostile, abusive, and downright rude! I am not choosing to be insulted as Kupchella also stated. How can I not get offended when someone next to me is being insulted and assaulted? How can I not speak out when I see or hear how my neighbor is being hurt by the rudeness of UND and its president? Because if someone is hurting my neighbor nearby, it would be stupid of me to think that I was safe. In fact, all people of color should take offense to the logo. The NCAA was able to see past biases and look objectively at what kind of organizations it wants competing in championships. It appears the NCAA is far more selective about alliances than UND. UND and the State Board of Higher Education bowed to the threats made by Ralph Engelstad to abandon the arena and let it be destroyed by the elements unless the nickname and logo were not changed. It is safe to say that should anyone come offering money and buildings, they have a great opportunity to dictate policy to UND. I also cannot believe that UND is going to waste taxpayer dollars, student tuition, and other revenue to file an appeal or take this issue to court. How is UND going to justify a racist policy?
Tendai Phiri North Dakota Human Rights Coalition
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5.) The Minot Daily News, Walk This Way
The city of Minot has installed a new pedestrian audio signal at the intersection of Main Street and Burdick Expressway. The signals are tools to assist people who are visually impaired in crossing the street safely. The signals make either a bird-like cuckoo noise or a chirping sound when the "walk" light is on.
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6.) The Forum (Fargo), ELCA Moves to Vote on Gays’ Role
ELCA moves to vote on gays’ role
ORLANDO, Fla. – With gays pleading for acceptance, delegates to a national meeting of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Thursday debated whether to approve ordination for partnered gays and to give pastors leeway in ministering to same-sex couples.
The major proposals on the floor were meant as a compromise, aiming to uphold Lutheran restrictions on gays and lesbians who are not celibate, while allowing congregations and bishops to make exceptions in some cases without risking discipline.
Conservatives warned a change would irreparably damage the church.
<snip>
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7.) The Forum (Fargo), Marine Funeral Protest
Protest set for
Marine's funeral
Moorhead police are bracing for the arrival of members from a controversial Kansas church who plan to picket the funeral of slain Moorhead Marine Sgt. Bryan Opskar on Tuesday.
Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka operates two anti-gay Web sites and links soldiers' deaths in Iraq to a 1995 bomb detonated on the church's compound. The group also claims America's acceptance of homosexuality is being punished by God using improvised explosive devices, or IEDs.
Opskar, 32, of the 2nd Marine Division out of Camp Lejeune, N.C., was killed July 23 by a roadside incendiary device in Iraq.
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Steve and Janet Ballantyne letter The Forum - 08/07/2005
We recently moved from Topeka, Kan., to the Twin Cities and are very familiar with the antics of the Westboro Baptist Church. They have put a stranglehold on the city for several years with their vile signs that parents must explain to their children when you drive by. I am sorry the city of Moorhead must be subjected to their hatred, especially at such a painful event as this funeral.
Regardless of anyone’s feelings on the war in Iraq, Tuesday’s service was meant to honor this soldier’s sacrifice and to support his family. I hope people in the area do not think that all Topekans feel the same as Westboro Baptist Church. They are very small group that do not represent the city of Topeka or the state of Kansas as a whole. Steve and Janet Ballantyne Woodbury, Minn.
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Forum editorial:
Keep focus on Opskar and family
It's difficult to contain the community's outrage over an anti-gay protest that was planned for today in Moorhead at the funeral of a young Marine killed in Iraq. It's not been clear if the protesters would appear in Moorhead. They have been somewhat circumspect about their plans, although it now looks like they won't be in Moorhead. They apparently plan to protest at the Marine's memorial service Thursday in Princeton, Minn. But whatever their ultimate plans (they could change again, we suspect), the outrage in this community remains.
The connection of the gay issue to the Marine's death is so tenuous, so ridiculous that we can only assume the protesters are so focused on their own priorities that they lack any sense of decency.
<snip>
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8.) Indian Country Today, Voting Rights
Voting rights
© Indian Country Today August 12, 2005. All Rights Reserved Posted: August 12, 2005 by: David Melmer / Indian Country Today
Amendments
and provisions set to expire in 2007
<snip>
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9.) The Associated Press, Lutherans Reject Movement Toward Approving Same-Sex Blessings
By RACHEL ZOLL AP Religion
Writer
A national meeting of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America voted Friday to rebuff what many saw as an attempt to push the denomination toward approval of blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples.
<snip>
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10.) Bismarck Tribune, Custer House carries out a vital role
Custer House and
the Dacotah Foundation, which runs the home for men dealing with mental illness,
drew attention recently when a resident walked away from the home, eventually
dying of heat stroke.
<snip>
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11.) Grand Forks Herald, Coffee, books and job opportunities
CROOKSTON - Paul Hendrickson is spending his summer outside, cruising around in a golf cart. A few feet behind him is a cooler full of ice cream. At the end of each day, he grabs a treat of his choice.
<snip>
Novel Cup is managed by the Northwest Mental Health Center and all employees have some degree of mental illness.
"The mission of the Novel Cup is to assist people with some kind of disability in employment skills," employment director Connie Lubinski said. "So many of them lack confidence. Having a job really boosts their self-esteem. It's real work with real pay."
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12.) The Jamestown Sun, Disabled people are too often ignored
Disabled people are too often ignored
People look at us like we are from a different planet. There are different stages of disabilities. People with disabilities take chances every day and do not look at others like they are from a different planet. People look at us with fear in their eyes like we’re going to do something to them. Or sometimes people just flat out ignore disabled people. It hurts to be ignored. Kids smart off to us. Instead they should take a chance and try and get to know a disabled person. Maybe they will find out that we are not so bad.
When I ask for help, I never know if I’ll get it.
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13.) Bismarck Tribune, No Child Left Behind
Some local schools come up short
for disabled students
The Bismarck and Mandan school districts have shown steady progress in making students proficient in reading and math. However, in Bismarck, Horizon, Wachter, and Simile middle schools, Pioneer Elementary School, and Mandan Junior High failed to meet the set goals for children with disabilities in reading or math.
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Schools flagged for missing goals
Seven local schools were among 43 in North Dakota that didn't meet goals in reading and math test scores last year, according to a report released Wednesday by the state Department of Public Instruction.
As a result, the schools did not make adequate yearly progress under the federal No Child Left Behind law.
The schools won't face any sanctions because none is a Title I school, which has a higher percentage of low-income students.
Fargo schools that didn't meet the standards are: Centennial, Ben Franklin, Discovery, South High and North High. West Fargo schools are: Cheney Middle School and the high school.
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NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND: Failing the grade
Grand Forks Central High School, Grand Forks Schroeder Middle School and Emerado Elementary School were among the 43 North Dakota schools that did not meet a federal Adequate Yearly Progress standard, according to report released Wednesday by the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction. The three schools had composite scores good enough to make AYP, a standard set by the federal No Child Left Behind law. However, each of the schools had subgroups of students that didn't do well enough on annual tests. Those subgroup scores are enough to put schools on the list of those that didn't make AYP. <snip>
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14.) Fargo Forum, Mentoring mothers
Madina Jerar carefully pronounces each word on a page in a picture dictionary. Duck, bear and cow are easy. But her face crinkles in concentration when she reaches "chicken." "What do you like to eat?" prompts Betty Worner, Jerar's mentor. Slowly, Jerar, a mother of five, sounds out the word. Two evenings a week for three weeks each summer, mentors work with new American mothers. The goal of the event sponsored by Giving+Learning and the Presentation Center of Fargo is two-fold: to offer social and educational outings for both immigrants and mentors. The program offers a respite to women and children who often spend long summer days in small apartments, said Michele McRae, director of Giving+Learning, a Fargo group that connects volunteer retirees with recent immigrants. <snip>
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15.) Minot Daily News, It's time to take action
Minot Daily News 8/31/2005
At this moment there are roughly 35 million immigrants in the United States, and about one-third of them are here illegally. Yet policymakers continue to ignore, and in some instances go to great lengths to patch over, the significant costs of illegal immigration.
A pair of wire service stories underscore policymakers' myopia.
The first concerns a federal program to track children of migrant workers through the education system. The federal Office of Migrant Education attempts to ensure that school records follow children of migrant farm workers, including many whose families are here illegally.
<snip>
********************************************* Events *********************************************
A calendar of events for August is available on the NDHRC web site at http://ndhrc.org/Events/Calendar/2005/August.htm.
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16.) Pride Collective and Community Picnic
PCCC Picnic Wednesday, August 31st at 5:30 p.m. at Gooseberry Park in Moorhead
Pride Collective and Community Center will host a picnic on Wednesday, August 31st starting at 5:30 p.m. in Gooseberry Park in Moorhead.
PCCC will provide:
hotdogs, buns, ketchup, mustard, condiments, pop, utensils, napkins, and paper
plates. Please bring a side, or a bag of chips to share, or a game to play.
********************************************* Reminders *********************************************
17.) NDHRC 2005 Annual Giving Program
The NDHRC kicks off its 2005 Annual Giving Program and we need your help. The money received from our annual giving program will support our conference, education and outreach efforts and other essential work of the Coalition. Our goal is to reach $7,500 by the end of 2005.
Here are ways to participate:
Donate: Help strengthen our efforts and promote human rights in North Dakota with a contribution in the amount you choose. Every dollar makes a difference.
Gift Memberships: It's a great way to celebrate the holidays and birthdays. An NDHRC gift membership makes a real difference in the fight to end discrimination faced by our friends, neighbors, and ourselves in North Dakota.
Tribute Gifts: Celebrating the wedding or commitment ceremony of a friend of family member? Why not make it special with a donation in their honor to support NDHRC's work. Each donation is acknowledged with a personalized card to the individual or couple — a reminder of how much you care about human rights.
Memorial Gifts: Honoring a person's memory is a wonderful way to celebrate their life. Memorial gifts also help family members through a difficult time. You can preserve their legacies and support the work of the NDHRC. Upon making a memorial donation, a family representative will be notified of the contribution you made in their loved one's name.
Your contribution will make an invaluable difference. To participate in the program, visit our web site at http://ndhrc.org/AnnualGiving/2005AnnualGivingProgram.htm.
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