PAUR Report
Programs ~ Announcements ~ Updates ~ Resources
Friday, May 4, 2007
North Dakota Human Rights News
www.ndhrc.org
Hello members and friends of the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition!
Select individual headings to view specific content. Thank you for reading.
In this PAUR Report:
Announcements:
Events:
Reminders
NEWS:
Native American Nicknames / Mascot News
Tribal News
Race & National Origin News
Sexual Orientation News:
Women's Rights
Disabilities
Religion
Miscellaneous
Do you have a Program, Announcement, Update or
Resource that you would like shared on our weekly PAUR report? If so, please
send an email to
HumanRights@NDHRC.org
and we will do our best to accommodate you.
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.
We need your help and support to make a
difference. Your individual advocacy is invaluable. Please consider
making a monetary donation to help support the NDHRC's work. Send your
donations to NDHRC, P.O. Box 1961, Fargo, ND 58107-1961 or make a donation
online by visiting
www.ndhrc.org. Free memberships are
also available.
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.
NEW: Consider Becoming a Board Member for the North
Dakota Women's Nework (NDWN )
The Women’s Network is seeking new applicants for our Board of Directors.
This year, there are four positions available. The Board holds an
extremely important role in creating and carrying out the actions of the
organization. The Board will set policies and goals for the organization. As a
member, I hope you would consider submitting
an application to be a board member.
During the last year, the North Dakota Women’s Network has been actively
involved in building the organization and engaging in activities to improve the
status of women in North Dakota. Members formed committees to establish the work
of the Women’s Network – budget/fundraising, legislative, sustainability, public
relations, focus group, annual meeting. The Women’s Network conducted focus
groups throughout the state to assess the needs of North Dakota women. The
engagement of members and the discussions with women will be the guidepost for
the organization to solve the concerns of women in North Dakota.
We asked many members to submit a survey with their membership. A few
issues have been emerging as important concerns faced by women today. Most
notably, pay equity and economic security. 60% of all respondents
(66 respondents) listed this as one of their top three concerns,
and made a resounding declaration that the pay gap still exists. This is not
surprising, as research continues to show women’s economic security lags behind
our male peers. Women earn 77 cents for every dollar a man earns; for minority
women the gap is even larger. The Women’s Network can play a vital role in
addressing this issue, among other concerns. Issues of violence, political
representation, and reproductive rights are top concerns for many North Dakota
women.
NDWN’s Board is given the task to look at these concerns and craft a response
and solutions. The membership asks that the Women’s Network keep women informed
and be the voice for North Dakota Women. I hope you will consider applying for a
position on the board. There are four open positions on the board. Attached is
information to help you in your consideration of applying: A one-page
description of the organization, NDWN’s bylaws, a job description, and the
application.
Applications are due to Renee Stromme by May
18, 2007, which can be either emailed or sent postal mail. Please
contact Renee with any questions. The new members of the board will be voted on
at the Women’s Network annual meeting on June 15, 2007.
Renee Stromme,
Executive Director, North
Dakota
Women's Network:
418 E Rosser #301B, Bismarck,
ND 58501.
(701) or (888) 255-6240 ext
21 or
renee@ndwomen.org
[top]
NEW: Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity
Discrimination & Health Research
The Canadian Psychological Association's Section on Sexual Orientation and
Gender Identity (SOGII;
http://www.cpa.ca/sections/sexualorientationandgenderidentityissues/ is
conducting a study looking at sexual minorities' exposure to prejudice and
discrimination and how this can affect health and well-being. As you may be
aware, there is a dearth of research actually documenting the experiences of
sexual minority persons and how this influences their health.
They would like to invite ANY individual who identifies as gay or lesbian to
participate in a study by going to:
www.socialjusticeresearch.com. As well, please feel free to circulate the
link to friends, family members, and/or colleagues that might be interested in
participating. The survey link can also be sent to those who do not live in
Canada
Participants are not required to put any identifying information such as
their name, address, or e-mail on the questionnaire. The anonymous survey has
been approved by the Ethics Review Board (beh 05-02) of the University of
Saskatchewan and is funded by the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation.
Researchers will answer questions and respond to any comments you might have
about the study. Contact information is located below.
Melanie A. Morrison, PhD, Principal Researcher Department of Psychology
(9 Campus Drive, Arts Building University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Sk. S7N
5A5) Phone:306-966-2564; Email:
melanie.morrison@usask.ca, Tracey Arnold, Research Assistant: Phone:
306-966-1773; Email:
tma490@mail.usask.ca or Chad Hammond, Research Assistant: Phone (306)
966-1773; Email:
cnh920@mail.usask.ca
[top]
NEW: 2007 ND
legislature Provides for Major Boost for Charitable
Governor Hoeven has recently signed a bill
providing significant tax incentives to ND taxpayers who support qualified ND
charitable organizations. The legislation focuses on two types of giving:
Deferred giving ...irrevocable planned gifts made by individuals which favor
qualified ND charitable organizations, and Outright giving…gifts (most often
cash) made by business entities to qualified endowment funds of qualified ND
charitable organizations. To meet the requirements for the tax credit, the above
gifts must qualify for tax-deductibility under Federal income tax law.
[top]
A committee in Grand Forks has been working on establishing a Grand Forks
Human Relations Commission. The group is currently seeking allies in the
community and drafting an ordinance to present to the City Council this fall.
Please join the next monthly meeting on Monday, May 14 at the Grand Forks
Public Library Meeting Room from 6:30-8:30. For more information, please contact
mitchmarr@ndhrc.org.
Directions available upon request and through upcoming Action Alerts.
[top]
Did
you know that current federal hate crime laws don't
protect everyone?
We've had a
federal hate crimes law on the books since 1969, and it has never included
crimes targeting victims because of their gender, gender identity, sexual
orientation or disability.
Congress is
about to consider a bill that would change that and ensure all bias motivated
crimes based on a person's sexual orientation, gender, gender identity,
disability, race, religion, color and national origin are covered. It would also
help underfunded law enforcement officials investigate and prosecute hate
crimes.
Tell your representative to
support this bill at:
http://www.hrc.org/FightHate
Here's
something else that shocked me: one in six hate crimes are motivated by the
victim's sexual orientation. And the federal government can't even investigate
most of these crimes or help bring the criminals to justice. That's outrageous!
In past
years, right wing groups have successfully blocked attempts to expand hate
crimes laws. They're gearing up for another fight now, so we need to make sure
our representatives do the right thing and support this landmark law.
Click here to send your message:
http://www.hrc.org/FightHate
In my mind,
there's no question that including hate crimes protections for GLBT Americans in
federal law doesn't constitute "special treatment," as some right wing groups
would have us believe - there's nothing special about wanting to live safely and
without fear of violence. That's something everyone deserves.
Thanks for joining me.
http://www.hrcactioncenter.org/campaign/fighthate_house?rk=q11ysb41j5AlW
Take action against hate crimes!
Andrew Anthos was a 72-year-old patriot who loved his country so much that he
led a one-man campaign to light the Michigan state capitol in red, white and
blue every 4th of July. He was also gay.
Andrew was riding a city bus in Detroit in February when a man asked him whether
he was gay. After Andrew got off the bus, the man trailed him and then beat him
on the head with a pipe. Andrew was rushed to the hospital, paralyzed from the
neck down. He didn’t recover. Ten days later, on February 23, Andrew passed away
from his injuries.
Hate crimes happen in this country alarmingly often. According to the National
Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs, 1,985 hate crimes motivated by
anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender violence were committed in 2005. Nine
of those attacks were murders.
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Inc., has been working with our
partners at the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights to pass a federal hate
crimes law that includes sexual orientation and gender identity. We’ve worked
hard to ensure that any legislation clearly covers crimes motivated by
anti-transgender bias. On Thursday, we’ll proudly be at a press conference on
Capitol Hill to applaud the introduction of a Senate bill that matches
transgender-inclusive legislation already introduced in the House. The fact that
both bills mirror each other signals that Congress is poised to take swift
action this year to finally address these heinous crimes.
But it won’t happen
without your help. Join our efforts to urge members of the House and Senate to
take action right now!
E-mail your Representative
E-mail your Senator
You can also call your elected officials and tell them to vote for the Local Law
Enforcement Enhancement Act. Call the Capitol Switchboard at 202.224.3121 and
ask to be connected to your Representative or Senator.
Please, take action today. The legislation is expected to be introduced in the
Senate tomorrow, and the House bill is being heard in committee next week. Now
is when your elected officials need to know you care about passing this bill.
E-mail your Representative
E-mail your Senator
The
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Inc. (“NGLTF, Inc.”), founded in 1974,
works to build the grassroots political power of the LGBT community to win
complete equality. We do this through direct and grassroots lobbying to defeat
anti-LGBT ballot initiatives and legislation and pass pro-LGBT legislation and
other measures. We also analyze and report on the positions of candidates for
public office on issues of importance to the LGBT community. NGLTF, Inc. is a
501(c)(4) non-profit corporation incorporated in New York. Contributions to
NGLTF, Inc. are not tax-deductible.
[top]
Disabilities
Fact Sheet:
On July 26,
1990, President George H. W. Bush signed into law the
Americans with Disabilities Act,
guaranteeing equal opportunity for people with disabilities in public
accommodations, commercial facilities, employment, transportation, state and
local government services and telecommunications.
View the full fact sheet, here, on the NDHRC website. Below, we’ve highlighted a
few facts:
* 51.2 million people have some level of disability. They represent 18
percent of the population.
* 10.7 million people age 6 and older need personal assistance with one
or more activities of daily living (such as taking a bath or shower) or
instrumental activities of daily living (such as using the telephone).
* 2.7 million
people age 15 and older use a wheelchair. Another 9.1 million use an ambulatory
aid such as a cane, crutches or walker.
* 1.8 million
people age 15 and older report being unable to see.
* 1 million
people age 15 and older report being unable to hear.
* 2.6 million
people age 15 and older have some difficulty having their speech understood by
others. Of this number, 610,000 were unable to have their speech understood at
all.
* 11.8 million
of 16- to 64-year-olds who reported the presence of a medical condition that
makes it difficult to find a job or remain employed.
* 56% of
people ages 21 to 64 having some type of disability and also employed in the
last year. The rate ranged from 82 percent of those with a nonsevere disability
to 43 percent with a severe disability. For those without a disability, the rate
is 88 percent.
* $22,000 is
the median earnings for people with a nonsevere
disability. This compares to $25,000 for those with no disability and $12,800
for those with a severe disability.
* 11% is the
poverty rate for people ages 25 to 64 with a nonsevere disability. This compares
to 26 percent for those with a severe disability and 8 percent of those without
a disability.
[top]
May is Mental Health
Month
For a complete calendar,
visit www.ndhrc.org,
or access directly
here.
[top]
NDSU Rural Leadership North Dakota (RLND) Program Seeking Participants
The North Dakota State University Extension Service is looking for
individuals who want to become part of creating the future for their
organization, community and state.
The Extension Service's Rural Leadership North Dakota (RLND) program is
accepting applications for its 2007-09 class, which starts in October. RLND
is a two-year program for emerging agricultural and rural leaders. RLND teaches
participants to be effective leaders with the skills to overcome challenges and
guide North Dakota into the future.
July 1 is the deadline to apply to join the 2007-09 class. Applicants must
have been a state resident for at least a year and be able to attend all of the
seminars and study tour. Participants will be responsible for tuition of
$1,375 for each of the two years. Scholarships are available for part of the
tuition. Funding from other sources covers the rest of the $11,000 cost per
participant. Those other funding sources include the NDSU Extension Service,
North Dakota businesses and organizations, foundations, granting agencies and
individuals.
For more information on RLND, or if you want to apply or nominate someone for
the class, visit RLND's Web site at
www.ag.ndsu.edu/rlnd, send an e-mail to
r-leader@ndsuext.nodak.edu or call the RLND Office at 701-231-5803.
[top]
Hate Crimes Bill Introduced in the House
of Representatives
The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of
2007 (H.R. 1592) was introduced in the House of Representatives on March 20.
This bill gives the Justice Department the power to investigate and prosecute
bias motivated violence by providing the Department with jurisdiction over
crimes of violence where the perpetrator has selected the victim because of the
persons actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender,
sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.
The National
Association of LGBT Community Centers (NALGBTCC) is working actively with a
broad coalition of organizations and individuals committed to the passage of
this important piece of legislation. If you would like more information go to
www.unitedagainsthate.net or email Terry Stone
at
terry@lgbtcenters.org to add your name to the
growing list of advocates in our Community Center Action Network (CCAN). The
Association will keep you up-to-date as this bill and others move through
Congress as well as provide you with important tools to help you make your voice
heard. Become part of CCAN today.
[top]
Cystic Fibrosis walk to be
held Saturday
Forum and wire reports, Associated Press - 05/03/2007
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is
holding the Fargo-Moorhead GREAT STRIDES 10K walk at 10 a.m. Saturday [May
5] in Fargo’s Oak Grove Park. Proceeds will go toward supporting Cystic
Fibrosis research. Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disease affecting 30,000
people in the United States. Registration for the walk will begin at 9 a.m.
It is planned and organized by local families affected by the disease. For
more information on participating in the walk, contact the Cystic Fibrosis
Foundation’s Minnesota Chapter at (651) 631-3290 or email minn@cff.org.
http://www.in-forum.com/News/articles/164539
[top]
NEW:The
North Dakota Women’s Network holds FIRST Annual meeting, award ceremony and
training of the NDWN
Friday, June 15th 2007 at the Best
Western Kelly Inn (3800 Main Avenue, Fargo, ND).
A block of rooms has been set aside at the Kelly Inn under the ND Women’s
Network. For reservations call 1-800-528-1234 or locally at 701-281-0243.
Tentative Agenda: 2pm – 4pm: Training
– “Why Wait? Women and Activism: Balancing Passion, Time and Responsibilities.”
4pm – 5pm: Board Meeting (Visitors are welcome to attend). 5pm – 6pm: Social –
An Opportunity for Networking and Getting to Know Women’s Network Members;
silent art auction featuring original work by women artists. 6pm – 9pm: Dinner –
Annual Meeting and Award Ceremony; Keynote on “Women in North Dakota Politics: A
Review of Women’s Role in State Policy-Making”; Election of Board Members; Woman
of the Year Award Presentation to Dr. Ellen Chaffee.
Registration fee: $20/training only;
$30/meeting only; $45/both events w/meals. The Red River Valley Fair will also
be held that weekend – no admission fee and a great (family-friendly)
opportunity. Contact: Renee Stromme,
Executive Director, North Dakota Women's Network (418 E Rosser #301B, Bismarck,
ND 58501): 701- or 888-255-6240 ext 21; Cell – 701-226-1116;
renee@ndwomen.org
[top]
NEW:
Peace Studies-West Film Series
Continues
Sunday May 6, 7:00 pm at the
Bismarck/Mandan Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship (818 E Divide Ave, Bismarck).
For the adults: “Shut Up & Sing”:
In 2003, the female country
band, The Dixie Chicks, are at the top of their game being one of the most
successful bands of all time. However, with the US invasion of Iraq about to
begin over frustrated worldwide objections, one of the Chicks vents off the cuff
in concert about being ashamed of US President George W. Bush. This statement
sparks a firestorm of organized and personal attacks against the Chicks. This
film covers the band's effort to ride out the turmoil that would leave their
careers under a cloud, but would eventually give them an opportunity to grow as
artists.
For the kids: “Duma”:
Set in the exotic country of South
Africa, Duma tells the powerful adventure tale of an unbreakable bond of
friendship between a cheetah named Duma and a courageous young boy named Xan
(ALEXANDER MICHALETOS). Xan faces the true test of love when he must cross the
wilds of Southern Africa to return his best friend to his rightful home.
Free & Open to the Public. Popcorn and
lemonade will be served. For more information, contact Julie Huwe at 400-1897.
[top]
NEW:
Tri-College NEW Leadership Development Institute: Diane Meyer Keynote Address by
Demetria Martinez *for the
Tuesday May 15, 2007, 6:30pm,
North Dakota State University, Beckwith Auditorium.
A public reception will follow the
address.
Demetria
Martinez is an author, activist, lecturer and columnist. Her acclaimed book
"Mother Tongue" is based in part upon her 1988 trial for conspiracy against the
U.S. government in connection with transporting Salvadoran refugees into the
country. A religion reporter at the time covering the faith-based Sanctuary
Movement, she was found not guilty on First Amendment grounds. Born in
Albuquerque, NM in 1960, where she now resides, Martinez earned her BA from
Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International
Affairs. Martinez teaches at the annual June writing workshop at the William
JoinerCenter for the Study of War and Social Consequences at the University of
Mass., Boston.In New Mexico she is active with Enlace Comunitario, an
immigrants’ rights group that serves Spanish-speaking victims of domestic
violence.
The
Tri-College National Education for Women’s (NEW) Leadership Development
Institute is a five-day residential program aimed at promoting public and
community leadership among women of diverse backgrounds. It is being sponsored
by Tri-College University and will be held May 13-17, 2007 at North Dakota State
University. Tri-College NEW Leadership is made possible through generous
financial support from friends and family of Diane Meyer, the Otto Bremer
Foundation, North Dakota State University, Minnesota State University Moorhead,
the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota, Church of the Nativity Social Justice Fund
Concordia College, the Fargo-Moorhead Area Foundation Women’s Fund,
Fargo-Moorhead branch and members of AAUW, Soroptimist International of
Moorhead, Soroptimist International of Fargo, Cass County Bar Association, the
Fargo Human Relations Commission, and other individual contributors.
For information please contact
Deborah White at 218-477-2041 or whitede@mnstate.edu
[top]
NDHRC announces 5th Annual Conference
Mark your calendars
today! NDHRC and the Professional Issues conference are collaborating on a
conference, "The Human Rights Umbrella: Removing Barriers to
Full Participation," scheduled for
Fri.-Sat., Oct. 19 & 20.
The conference will feature tracks focused on human rights, GLBT, disability,
and New American issues. In those tracks, presenters will cover topics such as
education, law, diversity issues, activism, health & human services, and
spirituality. Watch for e-mail updates or click
here
for details (updated as information is available).
[top]
“Uniting Our Families”-May 4th & 5th in Bismarck at
the Comfort Inn. Hosted by ND Vision Services/School for the Blind & Family
Team. This event is for families who have children with visual impairments.
Contact ND Vision Services/School for the Blind for more information at
1-800-421-1181.
[top]
Third
Annual Clinical Forum on Mental Health: Turning Knowledge into Practice!
May 15-16-17, 2007, Pre-Conference, May 15 Seven Seas Inn & Convention Center-
Mandan, North Dakota A preliminary Schedule at a Glance is posted on the Web
site. Updates will be made very soon with more detail. The Web site is
www.conted.und.edu/clinicalforum
. REGISTRATION INFORMATION: Your complete registration brochure will be
mailed to you at a later date. Registration is available now through our secure
server, or you can print a PDF of the registration form, on our Web site:
www.conted.und.edu/clinicalforum
[top]
Save the Date, Family
Connections Conference Mark Your Calendar … June 13-16, 2007
The Family Connections Conference helps North Dakota
families of children with special needs and the professionals who support them
to collaborate. The conference will be held at Best Western Doublewood Inn in
Fargo North Dakota. For more information Contact NDCPD at 1-800-233-1737 (toll
free) or 701-858-3580, or e-mail at
haarstad@minotstateu.edu.
[top]
Fair Housing of the
Dakotas sponsors: Fundamentals of Fair Housing Workshops
Agenda:
What is Housing
Discrimination? ** The Federal Fair Housing Act ** State Human Rights/Fair
Housing Laws ** Complaint Filing & Investigative Process ** Advertising &
Applications ** Reasonable Accommodations and Modifications ** New Design and
Construction ** Occupancy Standards ** Updated Case Law
Workshops have been scheduled for the
following dates and communities for 2007:
• May 22:
1:00-4:45 PM, Airport International Inn, 3601 2nd
Avenue West, Williston, ND
• June
21: 1:00-4:45 PM, Travel Lodge, 3300 W. Russell Street, Sioux Falls, SD
• Save
the Dates: Check our website (www.ndfhc.org) for tentative dates for
Fargo, Chamberlain, Grand Forks, Minot & Rapid City or for updates on
continuing education credits. A registration flyer for these workshops will be
distributed at a later date.
Attendance is free but advance registration is
required to ensure adequate seating and materials.
Space may be limited at some workshops. Materials
available in alternative formats upon request. Coffee and soft drinks will be
provided. If you have any questions, please contact the Fair Housing of the
Dakotas: 701-221-2530 or 1-888-265-0907 (toll-free)
[top]
Hjemkomst Voyage 25th Anniversary: The
Dream Lives On - 6-month Commemoration
May 11, 2007:
Sail-Raiser (a fundraiser for the HHIC) -
25 years ago to the day the
Hjemkomst ship set sail for Norway. Enjoy Gourmet Scandinavian Hors
D'Oeuvres, meet Hjemkomst Crew Members, watch the Hjemkomst sail
being raised by Hjemkomst Crew Members with Community Members. For ticket
information call: (218) 299-5511.
June 19, 2007: Collaborative Event with
Scandinavian Festival (TBA)
Tuesday Night Programming (TBA):
Topics include
Hjemkomst Crew and Family, Scandinavian
Immigration, Viking History.
Contact Person:
Michelle Kittleson - 218-299-5511 x222
[top]
Bismarck-Mandan GLBT Pride Fest
July 27-29, 2007 :: GLBT Pride Event to be Themed “United for Equality”
Bismarck, ND – March 5, 2007 – Dakota OutRight, a non-profit organization
that serves as a community resource and provides gay, lesbian, bisexual, and
transgender (GLBT) diversity education, has announced that they will celebrate
their fourth GLBT Pride Fest July 27-29, 2007 at Eagles Park, Bismarck. Pride
Fest is a unique time to celebrate unity within the GLBT community and allies in
western and central North Dakota. All friends and family of the GLBT community
are invited to join in any of the activities during the weekend festival.
Eagles Park is located north of Bismarck along the historic
Missouri River on Highway 1804. The park offers camping for the weekend, and
various activities for all ages. For those camping at the campground, there will
be a themed campsite decorating contest.
Pride Fest begins with a Friday night bonfire and entertainment.
Saturday there will be various outdoor activities, information/vendor booths,
food concessions, a GLBT Pride Award presentation, entertainment, and a dance
hosted by Dakota Good Friends. Pride Fest will conclude with a Sunday morning
worship service followed by snacks and fellowship.
Make the journey this summer to Bismarck-Mandan to celebrate your
GLBT pride! For updated information regarding Bismarck-Mandan GLBT Pride Fest
2007, visit
www.DakotaOutRight.org or email
hosts@dakotaoutright.org.
[top]
AFP and NDANO co-host non-profit conference
in Fargo
Creating Common Ground for Growth,
an educational conference on nonprofit funding
will be held June 3-5 at the Ramada Plaza Suites and Conference Center,
Fargo. The conference will feature excellent speakers and educational tracks, as
well as opportunities for networking. More than 200 nonprofit professionals,
board members and volunteers from throughout the Midwest are expected at the
event to gain quality training at a very reasonable cost. Save the dates now.
[top]
NEW: Local GLBT Social/Discussion Group
Minnkota Center would like to invite you to participate in our
upcoming social/discussion group (now combined) offered to men who identify as Gay, Queer, MSM, or Bisexual and to women who identify as Gay, Lesbian, Womyn Loving Womyn,
or Bisexual. The group meets the first and third Wednesday of each month
from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at the PEPP building. These will be open-forum discussions that Minnkota
hopes will provide people the opportunity to meet others, share ideas, discuss
alternative views and empower one another through knowledge and understanding.
For more information, please contact Clint or Katie at 287-4636 or toll-free
at 1-877-871-4636, or by email at: clinton@pepp.org or
katie@pepp.org
[top]
NAACP chapter starting in ND:
A group out of Grand Forks has laid the
groundwork for a North Dakota chapter of the NAACP. North Dakota is one of only
two states in the United States without a chapter of the organization. Stay
posted for notices of future meetings and events. Right now, the group needs
members in order to get a charter from the national NAACP. The membership is
$30.00, and checks can be made out to, and sent to: Northern Lights Chapter of
NAACP, P.O. Box 12142, Grand Forks, ND 58208-2142. The Mission Statement of the
NAACP: "...to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality
of rights for all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial
discrimination."
[top]
Pride Collective & Community Center now
accepting Board Member applications
The Pride Collective & Community Center is currently receiving applications for
an open position on its board of directors. Board terms are currently for one
year, renewable for a total of five consecutive terms. Please contact the Pride
Collective at
info@pridecollective.com
if you're interested in completing an application.
[top]
Ten Percent Society
www.fmtps.com
Our group provides social activities,
support, and education to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered students,
faculty and staff and straight allies on the campuses of Minnesota State
University Moorhead and North Dakota State University and in the Fargo-Moorhead
community.
Rideshare Names & Numbers:
If you would like to join us at a meeting
but don't have a ride, give one of these nice people a call and you can arrange
to meet somewhere: Abby: 701-541-1605, Nate: 701-388-2075, Justin:
701-400-6429, Nick: 651-380-6741, Andrew: 701-212-2109, Jake: 701-866-8550,
Jacob: 701-361-9774, Stacey: 701-318-3347, or Erika: 320-250-1915.
[top]
Volunteer or Intern with Planned Parenthood!
“MAKE A DIFFERENCE. IN HER LIFE. IN HIS
LIFE. IN YOUR LIFE.”
Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota,
South Dakota has provided our community with
education and confidential reproductive health
care at an affordable cost for more than 70 years.
Help us achieve our mission by participating in
one of these exciting opportunities:
Volunteer and Internship Positions:
Reality Checker – Fargo, Bismarck, Minot, Grand
Forks
Super Activist - Fargo
Coffee House Series Committee - Fargo
Public Affairs Administrative Assistant - Fargo
For more information or to apply, contact
ajacobson@ppmns.org or 701.526.0726 ,
or visit our website at
www.ppmns.org.
[top]
The Arc of Bismarck & The ND
Protection & Advocacy Project staff are collaborating to offer training and
support to groups or individuals wishing to participate in the legislative
process. For more details or to schedule a workshop that includes information on
how a bill becomes a law and how to draft and deliver legislative testimony,
please use one of the contact points listed below to schedule an appointment.
Please share this in your circles - Thank you! 701-258-7949.
joyce@apsimail.com
#
arcbis@midconetwork.com #
tlarsen@nd.gov
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Bismarck: Human
Relations Video Series
The Bismarck Human Relations Committee in partnership with the Bismarck Public
Library presents a Human Rights Video Series the 3rd Sunday of each month,
3:00 PM, at the Bismarck Public Library, Room C.
The series is facilitated by a member of the Human Relations
Committee and is family focused with material presented suitable for the entire
family. For more information about the video series call the Bismarck Public
Library at 250-7600. For more information about the Human Relations Committee
please click on
Human Relations Committee. Contact
Information: contact Daphne Ghorbani. Affiliation: Bismarck Human Relations
Committee.
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Nonprofits Assistance Fund Launches Blog
A newly launched blog by Kate Barr, Executive Director of the Nonprofits
Assistance Fund, can be found
here . The blog focuses particularly on
nonprofit organizations, large and small, that must work to raise funds each
year. In a weekly one-pager, Kate shares her thoughts and insights on nonprofit
management. The subscription is
free and you’ll find very practical, relevant information on what all
NPO’s face every day to help make your organizations successful.
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The Local chapter of the
national campaign for the creation of a cabinet level Department of
Peace is looking for a few good men and women volunteers, across the
state, to team up to lobby for this bill. Please contact State Coordinator
and District Team Leader Paddy McLaughlin to see how you might become involved
with this powerful bill for peace. Meetings in Fargo at the Center,
every 1st & 3rd Tuesday of the month, 8 p.m. Call
701-232-0694 for details.
www.thepeacealliance.org
Local Peace Circle takes place
every Tuesday at 7:00 P.M. at The Center for Peace,
411 11th St. N., Fargo, ND. Please join us as
we meditate on, prayer for and envision the conditions necessary for healing and
peace on Earth. Contact Paddy McLaughlin, 701-232-0694
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Judge
limits document request in North Dakota nickname lawsuit
By
Dave Kolpack, Associated Press Writer - Bismarck Tribune
FARGO - A
judge has sided with a University of North Dakota request to limit certain
documents in a lawsuit against the NCAA over the school's Fighting Sioux
nickname.
http://www.bismarcktribune.com/articles/2007/04/27/news/state/132572.txt
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Improving the reservation
by degrees
By
SARA KINCAID
Bismarck Tribune
MIKE
McCLEARY/Tribune United Tribes Technical College students Florine Burning
Breast, left, Sylvester Thomas, center, and Autumn Elm are graduating from the
Small Business Management program on Friday.
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OUR OPINION : A vote of
support for tribal colleges
- 04/27/2007 - Grand Forks Herald
It would be easy
to miss this upbeat bill to emerge from the North Dakota Legislature. That's
because the amount of money involved is small - only $700,000 ... In addition,
lawmakers authorized the spending on the session's second-to-last day, a time
when other bills involving tens of millions of dollars also made it through.
http://www.grandforksherald.com/articles/index.cfm?id=35807§ion=News
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Appeals court upholds sentence in immigrant trafficking case
By
Dave Kolpack, Associated Press Writer
FARGO - A
federal appeals court has upheld the sentence of man convicted in a human
smuggling case in which authorities said thousands of illegal immigrants were
brought to work at restaurants at North Dakota and other states.
http://www.bismarcktribune.com/articles/2007/05/03/news/local/132860.txt
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Janet
Hohenstein, Glyndon, Minn. letter: We all trace origins to somewhere else
The Forum - 05/03/2007
I will never forget a few years back
I was reading the local paper and in the editorial section a person was quoted
saying, “I think they should all go back to where they came from.” The “they,”
this writer was referring to, was the current influx of refuges immigrating to
our neighborhoods.
http://www.in-forum.com/Opinion/articles/164515
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Brost doesn’t speak for all
white men in the country
Amy Schauer Nelson; Bismarck, The Jamestown Sun - 04/26/2007
After reading Ronald Brost’s letter
to the editor on April 14, I was quite amazed at the ramblings he posed. I
know Brost does not speak for all white men and thank goodness he does
not. I’m addressing him in this response, not the white male population who I
know he does not speak for.
http://www.jamestownsun.com/articles/index.cfm?id=48814§ion=Opinion
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COLUMNIST LEONARD PITTS :
Pitts' rules of order
04/30/2007 - Grand Forks Herald
You
might want to take notes, because I'm about to explain The Rules.
Frankly, The Rules have always seemed
self-evident to me, but in the post-Don Imus world, they are apparently not.
Witness Jeff Vandergrift and Dan Lay, two New York shock jocks who call
themselves “JV and Elvis.” They were suspended without pay last week after an
Asian-American group took exception to an on-air prank call supposedly made to a
Chinese restaurant. The tone of the bit can be inferred from the fact that the
caller places an order for “slimp flied lice.”
http://www.grandforksherald.com/articles/index.cfm?id=36161§ion=News
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Trying to perpetuate native
languages in the Dakotas
Letter to
the editor, April 26 - Rapid City Journal
I am writing in regards to our
Lakota, Dakota and the Nakota language barriers in South Dakota. I was born
and raised on the Pine Ridge Reservation and introduced to my native language
and oral history at a young age. Unfortunately, I stopped learning and
speaking the language. But then I began my journey into the past of my
ancestors and the history of my language.
http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2007/05/01/news/opinions/letters/opin734.txt
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Pocahontas Revealed
For four centuries, Americans have adored her as a
romantic fairy-tale heroine, but who was the real Pocahontas? As Jamestown, the
first successful English settlement in the New World, marks its 400th birthday,
NOVA celebrates with an illuminating new view of Pocahontas---and gives
television audiences their first look inside the recently discovered sacred
village of Werowocomoco ("Place of Chiefs") in present-day Virginia, where the
longhouse in which Pocahontas first met the colonial leader John Smith in 1607
is being unearthed.
"Pocahontas Revealed" will premiere Tuesday, May 8 at 8:00 pm on
most PBS stations. Check your local listings to confirm when it will be
broadcast near you:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/schedule-local.html
We invite you to help us spread the word about "Pocahontas
Revealed" by forwarding the attached e-card to friends, family and colleagues
who might want to tune in. You can also learn more about "Pocahontas Revealed"
at the companion Web site:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/pocahontas
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Police stand behind
decision
Dave Olson, The Forum - 05/03/2007
Moorhead police Wednesday stood by
a decision not to pursue charges against a man who claimed to be the victim of
a hate crime and later changed his story.
http://www.in-forum.com/News/articles/164549
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Hate crime report a sham
Dave Olson, The Forum - 05/02/2007
Police said Tuesday a Minnesota
State University Moorhead student’s claim that he was the victim of a hate
crime was a sham.
Deputy Police Chief Bob Larson
said Paul Marquardt, 23, had recanted major parts of a story he first told
police Friday and as a result, “It is no longer believed that a
bias-motivated crime took place.”
http://www.in-forum.com/articles/index.cfm?id=164478§ion=news
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Granite State extends
rights to gays, lesbians
Associated Press - 04/28/2007 - Fargo Forum
The Washington Post - Gay and
lesbian couples in New Hampshire took a step closer to gaining official
recognition of their relationships when Gov. John Lynch (D) said he would sign
legislation to establish civil unions in the Granite State. “I believe it is a
matter of conscience, fairness and preventing discrimination,” he said
Thursday. We agree. Other states should follow suit.
http://www.in-forum.com/articles/printer.cfm?id=163951
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Deb J. Malm, Fargo
letter: A very special night for talented women
The Forum,
Published Thursday, May 03, 2007
Recently I sat in the Great Hall
at Fargo’s Holiday Inn, surrounded by 44 astounding women who have made
monumental contributions to this community. These caring women were
recognized by their families, friends, coworkers, the YWCA and area sponsors
for their contributions and their impact to our community at the YWCA Women
of the Year event.
http://www.in-forum.com/Opinion/articles/164520
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Hearing for GF oral surgeon
begins today
By John Edison, Herald Staff Writer - 05/03/2007
A hearing involving complaints
against a Grand Forks oral surgeon begins this morning in the Grand Forks
County Courthouse.
Dr. Greg Frokjer will appear before
the State Board of Dental Examiners today and Friday in the wake of
accusations that he touched four female patients in an inappropriate, sexual
manner during physical examinations.
http://www.grandforksherald.com/articles/index.cfm?id=36483§ion=news
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Report charts sexual assault,
rape
By Jennifer Talhelm, Associated Press - 04/25/2007 - Grand
Forks Herald
WASHINGTON - American Indian women
are more than twice as likely to be raped as other U.S. women, and the suspects
often go free because of confusing police jurisdictions and a lack of nurses,
Amnesty International reports.
http://www.grandforksherald.com/articles/index.cfm?id=35588§ion=News
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A muddled reversal on
abortion
Associated Press - 04/28/2007 - Fargo Forum
Los Angeles Times - The U.S.
Supreme Court executed an unconscionable U-turn on abortion, upholding a
restrictive federal law that is virtually indistinguishable from a Nebraska
statute it struck down only seven years ago.
http://www.in-forum.com/articles/printer.cfm?id=163950
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Legislators think they know
more than a woman’s doctor
Jane Ahlin, The Forum - 04/29/2007
How odd it was to see Mexico City
legalize abortion the day after the North Dakota House and Senate voted to ban
it. Irony abounded as the largest city of Mexico, a country traditionally viewed
as lagging far behind America, voted for women’s reproductive freedom, while
North Dakota’s House, Senate and governor fell all over one another, rushing to
take that freedom away.
http://www.in-forum.com/articles/printer.cfm?id=164160
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Cystic Fibrosis walk to be
held Saturday
Forum and wire reports, Associated Press - 05/03/2007
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is
holding the Fargo-Moorhead GREAT STRIDES 10K walk at 10 a.m. Saturday in
Fargo’s Oak Grove Park.
http://www.in-forum.com/News/articles/164539
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Kristen Granly, Thief River
Falls, Minn., letter: Autism awareness month is under way
none - 04/29/2007 - Fargo Forum
As parent of a child with autism. I
would like to get the word out that “April is autism awareness month.” My son
is 7 years old now and was diagnosed when he was about 3 years old. He goes to
a regular school and has an aide who helps him. He is an amazing little boy.
Every day is a challenge with him. He is the second oldest out of four
children, and none of his siblings have autism.
http://www.in-forum.com/articles/printer.cfm?id=164155
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DISABILITY RIGHTS: A small
victory
By Yangkyoung Lee, Herald Staff Writer - 04/30/2007
Debra Ericson, a former
internationally certified driver's license examiner, is no novice to
bureaucracy ... But when she found herself "humiliated" and "treated like a
second-class citizen" by some Amtrak employees she encountered between Grand
Forks and Williston, N.D., she decided to take on the national corporation.
http://www.grandforksherald.com/articles/index.cfm?id=36216§ion=News
[top]
Please send related news items to
mitchmarr@ndhrc.org
[top]
Matthew Bakko, Fargo, letter:
Abstinence study was misrepresented
none - 04/28/2007 - Fargo Forum
After reading Pauline Economon’s
conclusions (Forum, April 22) on the “Impacts of Four Title V, Section 510
Abstinence Education Programs,” I am wondering whether she read the study at
all. The study does not suggest that abstinence programs are well conceived as
Economon would have us believe. It actually tells us that these programs had
absolutely no impact on teen sexual activity different from that of regular
health programs offered at schools.
http://www.in-forum.com/articles/printer.cfm?id=163954
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Mandan gets transit updated
By Gordon
Weixel, Bismarck Tribune
The Mandan
City Commission got its first look at a transit development plan being
produced by URS for the Bismarck-Mandan Transit Center by URS Corp ... URS's
Bill Troe showed the plan at Tuesday's commission meeting. The 199-page
document is a five-year master plan for the CAT (Capital Area Transit) and
paratransit operations. URS spent several months collecting data on
Bismarck-Mandan's fixed route and demand response services.
http://www.bismarcktribune.com/articles/2007/05/03/news/local/132856.txt
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Do you have a Program, Announcement, Update or
Resource that you would like shared on our weekly PAUR report? If so, please
send an email to
HumanRights@NDHRC.org
and we will do our best to accommodate you.
If you are not yet a member of NDHRC, what are
you waiting for? Sign up now! The membership form is available on line at
http://www.ndhrc.org/Membership/membership_form_revised.htm.
Not getting the PAUR Report directly in your
email? It's so easy to be added to the PAUR mailing list! Email
HumanRights@NDHRC.org and be sure to add us
to your address book to avoid missing the report.
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