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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The full PAUR report is available on the NDHRC web site at http://www.ndhrc.org/Newsletters/PAUR%202005/100105.htm
~North Dakota Human Rights Coalition~ PAUR Report
Programs ~ Announcements ~ Updates ~ Resources
Visit our Website at www.ndhrc.org
Hello members and friends of the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition!
In this week’s PAUR Report:
Announcements 1) Press Release: 22nd Annual Peace Congress 4) TransGeneration on Sundance Channel 5) Shelby Seeberg Awarded Peace and Social Justice Scholarship
Newspaper Articles 6) Native-American Nicknames/Mascots 7) Tolerance.org, KATRINA: Decoding the Language of Race and Class 8) The Forum, Homeless Grant in Peril 9) The Bismarck Tribune, Ex-Refugee Good Fit for Top Post 10) The Chicago Tribune, Canceled Reality Series Produces a Happy Ending 11) The Forum, His Horse is Thunder Elected Standing Rock Sioux Chairman 12) The Forum, Police Identify Officer in Shooting 13) The Forum, Aging Sex Offenders Pose Problems 14) The Bismarck Tribune, Whistleblower May Sue 15) The Grand Forks Herald, Special Olympics, Extraordinary Athletes 16) The Forum, Battling Another Crisis 17) Associated Press, Bennett: Black Abortions Would Lower Crime 18) The Bismarck Tribune, Baseball, Bismarck, and Boundaries Broken 19) The Forum, West Fargo’s ELL Population is Growing 20) The Forum, Refugees Resettling in N.D. Reunite with Family Members Here 21) The Bismarck Tribune, Making the Case to Workers Comp 22) The Argus Leader, Deaf Town Steps Closer to Reality 23) The Forum, Legislators to Review N.D. Marriage Laws 24) The Bismarck Tribune, Committee Reviews Marriage Law 25) The Forum, Man Accused of Trafficking Immigrants
Events 26) Folk Dance Class 27) Laura Youngbird Reception October 1 28) Traditional Pow Wow October 1 29) 12th Annual Professional Issues Conference October 7 30) 8th Annual Chefs’ Gala & Auction to Benefit Daily Bread October 12 31) “Self Employment” Putting together the pieces of the puzzle October 12 32) Indian Law Center Speaker Series October 13 33) Fiesta de Mujeres Silent Auction and Dinner October 15 34) Annual North Dakota Indian Education Association October 20 35) Community Autumn Gathering & Meal October 23 36) Allan Johnson Speaking at NDSU October 26 37) Nonviolent Communication November 11
Reminders 38) Re-Commit Your Support For Human Rights in North Dakota 39) Rehabilitation Research and Training Center Survey 40) Unlearning Racism Seminar with Lee Mun Wah October 4th 41) NDHRC Website and Newsletter Survey Closes October 11th
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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1) Press Release: 22nd Annual Peace Congress
The North Dakota Peace Coalition will be hosting their 22nd annual Peace Congress at the International Centre of the University of North Dakota, 2908 University Avenue, Grand Forks, on Friday, October 7 and Saturday, October 8. The theme of this year’s Peace Congress is “Be a Witness for Peace!”.
The Peace Congress events start at 7 p.m. on Friday, October 7th at the International Centre with registration and a reception followed by the film “…and nothing but the truth”, which looks at the failure of the mainstream media to ask important questions and cover opposing points of view. There will be a panel discussion after the film to discuss issues relating to the media and its role in our society. A photo essay exhibit of portraits of survivors of violence by photo journalist Nobuko Oyabu is entitled “Lifeways: A Journey Through Survival to Advocacy”, and will be on display throughout the Peace Congress.
The Saturday session will begin with a breakfast and an opening ceremony and discussion and reports from statewide social justice organizations, followed by a luncheon and keynote address by Patrick Leet and Diana Milena Murcia on “Witness for Peace in Latin America: Putting a Human Face to Resistance and Hope”. Patrick Leet is the current Regional Organizer for the Witness for Peace Upper Midwest Region and Diana Milena Murcia is a Columbian lawyer who works on human rights with the lawyers collective “Jose Alvear Restrepo”.
Following the keynote address will be a panel discussion, “Witnessing for Peace”, by a number of peace activists who will reflect on their work for peace and social justice.
A Supper of Celebration honoring Dr. Janet Kelly Moen, Prairie Peacemaker of 2005, will start at 6 p.m. on Saturday, October 8th at the International Centre. Moen, a sociologist in the Sociology Department at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, is receiving the Prairie Peacemaker award for her work on conflict management, her support of the Peace Studies Program at UND and for her lifelong commitment to peace, social justice, human rights and peace education.
For more information on the Peace Congress, call 701-232-3765 (Fargo) or 701-258-3597 (Bismarck) or contact the North Dakota Peace Coalition at www.ndpeace.org or ndpeacecoalition@yahoo.com. Advance registration for the peace congress is encouraged.
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The US Human Rights Network is made up of organizations and individuals working to bring the United States into compliance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other internationally recognized human rights instruments by applying the standards and principles within those instruments to domestic and foreign policy priorities.
HURRICANE KATRINA: A HUMAN RIGHTS PERSPECTIVE
As the full scope of the human rights disaster reveals itself in New Orleans and throughout the Gulf Region, it is important that in the coming days and weeks human rights and humanitarian principles provide the analytical framework for critique and policy recommendations. This will be especially important for the situation in New Orleans where for the first time in modern US history a major city is being completely evacuated.
It is important not just because of the logistical challenges involved in this unprecedented movement of people but because of the political, moral and legal issues all interwoven and informed by race, poverty and unequal power played out in graphic terms on our televisions over the last week.
As a first step toward providing the framework for our activists and the general public, we have issued a statement on the situation in New Orleans and the Gulf Region. We have also summarized the United Nations General Principles on Internal Displacement. These Principles, which are based upon existing international humanitarian law and human rights instruments, serve as international standards to guide governments in providing assistance and protection to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). With the dispersion of the citizens of New Orleans across the country and the very real possibility that local, state and national authorities may not provide adequate protection and guarantees for their rights, including their right to return to their communities, it is important that human rights and social justice activists are made aware of this body of principles.
We call on members of the Network to fully discuss this situation and to share with members any work that your organization may be involved with. Our Network coordinator has already disseminated statements produced by members of the Network on this issue. We have also set up a separate dedicated blog page on our website for Hurricane Katrina. Please visit this page for the latest information on this issue, and send information that you may have on this issue to admin@ushrnetwork.org.
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3) League of Women Voters
If you would like to be on the mailing list for the chapter of the League of Women Voters in the Fargo-Moorhead area, send your mailing address to Carol Sawicki at csawicki@corpcomm.net. You will receive their newsletter that has announcements about candidate forums and other great stuff.
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4) TransGeneration on Sundance Channel
"Sundance Channel
has picked NDSU to be one of the campuses for the screening of the documentary
series titled "TransGeneration" which looks at the daily lives of four college
undergraduates who are undergoing a gender transition. The series follows the
students at four different colleges over the course of the 2004/05 school year,
capturing their setbacks and triumphs as they balance the challenges of
academia, campus life, and family with their commitment to gender
reassignment..."
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5) Shelby Seeberg Awarded Peace and Social Justice Scholarship
Shelby Seeberg, 20, a sophomore at Augustana College, Sioux Falls and Honor Student from Bismarck High School, has been awarded a scholarship by the Vincent L. Hawkinson Foundation for Peace and Justice in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She is the daugher of Hal and Shelley Seeberg, Bismarck, North Dakota, and a member of Trinity Lutheran Church.
Seeberg has been involved in numerous volunteer efforts, including working in Bismarck’s first homeless shelter, teaching church school classes at Trinity Lutheran Church and mentoring disadvantaged children. In high school, she served as a local spokesperson and youth leader against the Iraq war, recruiting students to attend anti-war rallies. She has also organized students for rallies supporting the rights of workers to organize unions.
“My parents have always fought for their beliefs and repeatedly shown us kids that we should do the same,” said Seeberg, who is majoring in elementary education and communication disorders. “This ongoing challenge from my parents instilled in me the capabilities to make a difference.”
The Hawkinson Foundation was founded in 1988 to honor the Rev. Vincent L. Hawkinson, pastor of Grace University Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, from 1955 to 1985. He died in 2001 at age 86. Aimed at furthering Pastor Hawkinson’s commitment to peace and justice, the scholarship program has awarded $41,500 to 43 students since 1988.
Seeberg is one of 11 students receiving the 2005 scholarship awards, designated for students from or attending schools in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and North and South Dakota.
“Throughout his life, Pastor Hawkinson vigorously advocated peacemaking and racial equality and stood up for the poor, the oppressed and the powerless,” said Stan Jacobson, St. Paul, a member of the Foundation’s board of directors. “These scholarship recipients are following in his footsteps, and it is our hope that the awards will encourage and inspire them to continue on their paths as peacemakers and social activists working for a better world.”
In addition to scholarships, the Foundation presents lifetime achievement awards to individuals who have made significant contributions to peace and justice. Legal advocate Luther Granquist of St. Paul and peace activists Mary Lou and Gene Ott of Edina, Minnesota, will receive the 2005 honorary awards at the Foundation’s annual program on November 6 in Minneapolis.
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6) 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 www.und.edu/org/bridges/index2.html.
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Posted on Thu, Sep. 22, 2005 - Grand Forks Herald
UND NICKNAME: NCAA waits to hear from tribes
The NCAA still is waiting for additional information from the three Sioux Indian tribes in North Dakota before it rules on an appeal by UND over its controversial nickname and logo.
Bob Williams, managing director of public and media relations, said NCAA officials have made repeated requests for more information from the Spirit Lake Nation near Devils Lake and the Standing Rock and Sisseton-Wahpeton Nations, both of which partially are in North Dakota. He didn't say which, if any, of the nations have responded, or what specific information the association is seeking.
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The Grand Forks Herald article referenced below, published today, Monday, September 26, 2005, states: "And the NCAA has in its possession a resolution of opposition from the United Tribes of North Dakota, comprising two members from the state's five tribes".
The above statement, quoted exactly as it appears in the article, is incorrect in a significant way. United Tribes of North Dakota represents all five (5) of the Tribes with a presence in North Dakota. The Board of Directors of United Tribes of North Dakota is composed of the chairperson and one additional representative from each of those five (5) tribes. The five (5) member Tribes of United Tribes of North Dakota include: the Sissetton Wahpeton Oyaté, Standing Rock Tribe, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, Three Affiliated Tribes and the Spirit Lake Tribe. The entire Board of Directors of United Tribes of North Dakota, 10 representatives in all and including each Chairperson from each of the five (5) tribes, were present on September 8, 2005 at a board meeting held in conjunction with the Ninth Annual InterTribal Summit of United Tribes of North Dakota, when the resolution of United Tribes referred to in the article was passed on a voice vote without opposition. The resolution states the opposition of the United Tribes of North Dakota to the UND nickname and logo and supports the NCAA position on use of the nickname and logo and calls for consultation on the issue between the North Dakota Tribes, the University of North Dakota and the North Dakota Board of Higher Education.
A letter requesting that a correction to the article be noted and printed by the Grand Forks Herald is being sent by David M. Gipp, President, United Tribes Technical College, to the Grand Forks Herald this morning.
Tom Disselhorst Counsel United Tribes Technical College United Tribes of North Dakota
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COLLEGE NICKNAMES: Kupchella to attend meeting at Spirit Lake
UND President Charles Kupchella said he'll fly to the Spirit Lake Nation near Devils Lake on Tuesday to take part in a tribal meeting where he'll state his case on UND's use of the Fighting Sioux nickname and Indian-head logo.
Spirit Lake, the closest Sioux nation to the UND campus, is wrestling over whether to withdraw support for the controversial symbols in light of new NCAA guidelines that limit their use in postseason competition because they are, in the association's words, "hostile or abusive."
Kupchella said he's going to the meeting in Fort Totten, N.D., the tribal headquarters, to present a different side of the story than what the tribe was given nearly a month ago by opponents of the nickname and logo.
"They are told, by people with I don't know what kind of agenda, that the use of these things is hostile and abusive, and we're going to make the case that there is no such thing on this campus."
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NCAA Extends Reach of Mascot BanSept. 21 Inside Higher Ed
The National Collegiate Athletic Association does not control or manage the Bowl Championship Series, the set of bowl games through which the nation’s big-time college football programs crown their champion. So when the association announced a crackdown last month on sports teams’ use of Native American nicknames, mascots and other imagery in NCAA championships, football teams in the association’s top playing level, Division I-A, were expressly omitted.
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Spirit Lake official: Tribe is getting tired of nickname issue Posted on Tue, Sep.
27, 2005
The Spirit Lake band's tribal treasurer says the tribe won't be discussing the nickname issue with UND anytime soon and that they're getting tired of the issue.
KVLY-TV reported that Brian Pearson, the tribal treasurer, says it should already be clear that the tribe does not approve of UND's "Fighting Sioux" nickname.
The Spirit Lake tribe canceled a meeting tonight that was to include a visit by UND President Charles Kupchella to discuss the Sioux nickname and logo.
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NCAA denies UND’s appeal By Terry Vandrovec The Forum - 09/29/2005
GRAND FORKS, N.D. The University of North Dakota will continue to fight for its Fighting Sioux nickname and Indian head logo, even after another ruling against their use in postseason play was handed down Wednesday.
An NCAA review committee denied a UND appeal by upholding an August edict that dubbed the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo and those at 17 other colleges’ hostile and abusive. UND won’t be allowed to use them during postseason play.
UND also won’t be permitted to host postseason tournaments after February, although it received approval for Ralph Engelstad Arena to host the NCAA Division I men’s hockey West Regional March 24-25. The arena is adorned with about 3,000 Sioux logos.
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COLLEGE ATHLETICS: NCAA denies UND nickname appeal Kupchella says 'hostile and abusive' steps over the line; university will continue appeal
The NCAA has rejected UND's appeal for continued use of its "Fighting Sioux" nickname at postseason tournaments, the NCAA announced Wednesday.
There are, however, two other levels of appeal available, something university President Charles Kupchella said he would pursue. He said it's too early to speculate whether UND would take the issue to court if all appeals failed.
Opponents of the nickname said they're glad the NCAA decided as it did.
"I don't see it's anything to gloat over," said Leigh Jeanotte, director of American Indian Student Services at UND. "It's the moral and ethical thing to do."
UND does try its best to treat American Indians with respect, Jeanotte said, but the use of the Fighting Sioux nickname in sports only invites abuse.
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Statement by NCAA Senior Vice-President for Governance and Membership Bernard Franklin on University of North Dakota Review
For Immediate ReleaseWednesday, September 28 , 2005
ContactBob Williams
"The NCAA staff review committee has retained the University of North Dakota on the list of colleges and universities subject to restrictions on the use of Native American mascots, names and imagery at NCAA championships.
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Posted on Thu, Sep. 29, 2005
A CLOSER LOOK
GRAND FORKS Obviously, we do not agree with the decision, and we will continue to press our case through all of the levels of review and beyond as necessary. Because of the harshness of the words "hostile" and "abusive," we have no choice but to pursue an appeal and prove, in a court of law if necessary, that this choice of words was inappropriate, and in no way describes what we do here at UND.
It is not at all obvious to us why the NCAA finds the nicknames "Chippewas," "Seminoles" and "Utes" worthy of exceptions, but somehow "Sioux" is deemed hostile and abusive. We must press our case, because to let the charge of hostile and abusive stand would have a chilling effect to prospective faculty, staff and most importantly, prospective American Indian students we are here to serve.
Even those here who are opposed to the use of the nickname on campus recognize that UND offers perhaps the best opportunity for many American Indian students to get an education.
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Posted on Thu, Sep. 29, 2005
Disappointment to
many, jubilation to some
The news emanating from the NCAA on Wednesday brought jubilation to some and disappointment to many other Grand Forks-area residents, particularly sports lovers.
The National Collegiate Athletic Association decided to reject UND's appeal of the NCAA's earlier ruling that the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo are "hostile and abusive" and not welcome at NCAA postseason tournaments.
Reactions ranged from "Oh, No!" "We can't visualize games without it," "This is unfortunate" and "We need to do something now," to "Justice has been done," "Our voices have been heard" and "It's a good decision."
Representing the collective voice of the apparent majority was Mayor Mike Brown, who termed the NCAA decision "unfortunate."
Grand Forks and UND are proud of their regional heritage, said Brown, who graduated from the UND School of Medicine, and the Fighting Sioux nickname is part of that heritage.
"I'm proud of the university and the opportunity that it gives all of us, including the Native American students who attend," Brown said. "I think as a community, we have utmost respect and sensitivity toward the Fighting Sioux logo."
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NICKNAME CONTROVERSY: 'Disappointed' sums up how coaches feel with NCAA ruling
UND women's basketball coach Gene Roebuck wonders where the "hostile and abusive" behavior is regarding the Fighting Sioux logo and nickname.
Roebuck was disappointed after learning Wednesday that the NCAA denied an appeal by UND asking that it be removed from a list of 18 schools subject to restrictions because they have American Indian nicknames, mascots or images.
"Like everyone else in our department, I'm disappointed," Roebuck said. "But the thing that really disappoints me is the untruthfulness of the opponents of the Fighting Sioux name and how they depict our campus as being hostile and racist. To me, it's a lie."
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UND wrong in approach to nickname controversy Mike McFeely The Forum - 09/29/2005
While Charles Kupchella played the victim card, Leigh Jeanotte spoke of morality, awareness and inclusion.
Given what transpired Wednesday and where the men are in the pecking order of the battle between the University of North Dakota, the NCAA and the state’s American Indians, you’d think their words would have been juxtaposed.
Kupchella is the president of UND and a card-carrying member of the Grand Forks Old Boys Network, a group that is 198 percent behind keeping the Sioux nickname and logo without regard to cost, time or energy expended. Because this group needs the support of North Dakota’s American Indians in general and its three Sioux tribes in particular to have any hope of escaping the NCAA’s wrath, you’d think Kupchella would go out of his way to make sure his public comments on the issue are respectful, humble and deferential.
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28 September 2005United Tribes Technical College Press Release Gipp supports NCAA decision denying UND appeal
BISMARCK (UTN) – The president of United Tribes Technical College believes the NCAA made the correct decision September 28 to continue restrictions on the University of North Dakota for using a Native American logo and nickname.
“I believe it was the correct ethical and moral decision,” said David M. Gipp, A UND alumni and one of the leading figures in the public discussion about UND’s “Fighting Sioux” nickname. “It begins to right the wrongs of history.”
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7) Tolerance.org, KATRINA: Decoding the Language of Race and Class
Sept. 19, 2005 -- Tolerance.org launches a three-part series today, exploring how issues of race and class have risen out of Hurricane Katrina's wake. Today we review what was — and wasn't — said in the immediate aftermath of the storm.
By Camille Jackson | Staff Writer, Tolerance.org
At first it was stunned silence. The TV screen images were unbelievable. Viewers watched scores of black folks lining up outside New Orleans' Superdome in advance of Hurricane Katrina. Viewers also saw interstates clogged with traffic of those who had the means to evacuate. No one mentioned race then.
In those early days, just before and after the storm, when words fell short of description and disbelief flooded the emotions of even the most stoic news anchors, no one spoke of race and class.
Then came the coded language.
Looters, who were portrayed by the mainstream news media as primarily black, were called "animals," "thugs," "cockroaches" and "hoodlums." Many commentators spoke of the "criminal element" that remained in the city.
Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco used such language herself, holding a press conference on Sept. 1, Day Three of the disaster, saying, "I have one message for these hoodlums: These troops know how to shoot and kill..."
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8) The Forum, Homeless Grant in Peril
Moorhead may turn down $155,000 in rent assistance for the homeless because officials think the federal grant does not include enough money to run the program.
“Right now, everything’s still kind of a maybe on taking on that program. I haven’t shut the door by any means,” said Byron Brink, executive director of the Moorhead Public Housing Agency.
Because of fluctuations in the area’s fair market rent, the agency received about $35,000 less than it requested for five years of rent vouchers for any six mentally disabled homeless people.
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9) The Bismarck Tribune, Ex-Refugee Good Fit for Top Post
09-25-2005: news-state - Bismarck Tribune By DAVE KOLPACK
FARGO (AP) - The state's refugee resettlement program
has had a revolving door of managers, and has lost directors here and in Grand
Forks in the past month. Officials now believe they have found some stability.
"For many years, LSS had consistent leadership in our refugee program. The past few years, we've not," said Janell Regimbal, who is wrapping up a 19-month term as interim president and CEO of LSS. "We're confident that Sinisa is a good fit, both for the agency and the program."
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10) The Chicago Tribune, Canceled Reality Series Produces a Happy Ending Neighbors share lives, hugs after cameras leave By Diane Holloway <snip>
Stewart's emotional journey was key to "Welcome to the Neighborhood," a six-episode reality show in which three conservative white families chose new neighbors from among seven diverse families. Stewart helped pick the Wrights.
Besides the Wrights, there were Hispanic, African-American and Asian families, a Wiccan family, a pierced and tattooed family and a family with a stripper mom. After the promos were blasted as racist and homophobic by civil rights groups and the media, ABC axed the show a week before its July 5 debut.
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11) The Forum, His Horse is Thunder Elected Standing Rock Sioux Chairman
By JAMES
MacPHERSON Associated Press Writer
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