The Coalition: Past, Present and Future

The Coalition: Past, Present and Future

Laurie J. Baker

The story of the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition could be captioned “Picking rocks and farming hillsides.” This is one way to say that embedding progressive human rights in North Dakota has been challenging—much labor for often small yields. Yet, for those whose vision of equality and justice has fueled long years of effort, the rewards are meaningful, the work moves forward and new helpers continue to arrive.

THEN…

The roots of the modern human rights movement in North Dakota lie in the 1960s and 70s. Also, in terms of economic injustice, those roots lie further back – in the formation of the Nonpartisan League and the drive to wrest control of commodities from the control of big eastern corporations that created the State Mill and Elevator and the Bank of North Dakota. However, it was in the 60s and 70s that many of the Coalition founders (and present day members) discovered personal calls to activism and learned the skills required. Movements such as the Civil Rights and Women’s Rights, as well as Vietnam War protests, the police violence toward student protesters at Kent State University and programs like Vista and the Peace Corps or college-based programs like “University Year for Action,” a program at North Dakota State University, all contributed to the toolkit used by today’s activists.

Across a decade, regular efforts to convince the North Dakota Legislature to acknowledge the need for a human rights mechanism failed and failed again. Proposed legislation was routinely rejected or gutted. Of the few notable strides made between then and the dawn of the new century, were the appointment of state and local commissions on the status of women. Finally, between 1999-2000, individuals from 61 organizations joined forces to create the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition as they continued to push for legislative action to help forgotten or oppressed North Dakotans. 

When, in 2000, NDHRC initiated legislation to create an independent state human rights commission, the proposed legislation was amended to give ND Department of Labor (DOL) the authority to investigate allegations of discrimination. Although the DOL then created a Human Rights Division, it didn’t add Human Rights to its title until 2013. Of course, then and now, the human rights landscape in North Dakota is much broader and more troubled than labor-based discrimination. 

A foundational push to pay more attention came from a yellow paper published by the North Dakota Advisory Committee to the US Commission on Civil Rights, issued in November 1999, on Civil Rights Enforcement Efforts in North Dakota. The opening paragraph of the report states: “North Dakota desperately needs a mechanism to carry out the provisions of the North Dakota Human Rights Act.” The report goes on to detail issues across every sector of the state and specifically “identifies and analyzes barriers North Dakota citizens face in attempting to file discrimination complaints in pursuit of relief or remedies.”

Once the ND Coalition was convened, a three-year Otto Bremer Foundation grant got it off the ground, with the ND Mental Health Association, via its longtime executive director Susan Rae Helgeland, acting as fiscal sponsor until the Coalition secured its nonprofit status. Long-time Coalition activist, Barry Nelson who, with now-Moorhead City Manager Dan Mahli, wrote the original Bremer grant, refers to then-Bremer Foundation director, John Kostishack “our muse” and credits him with urging the group to think much bigger in creating the vision and mission of the new organization. Which they did. With that funding, Fargo attorney Cheryl Bergian became the first executive director and Dr. Allan Peterson its first board chair. Those who have been involved since its founding are a Who’s Who of North Dakotans from both sides of the aisle, who recognized that, while justice may be interpreted differently depending on the frame of reference, it ought not to be partisan.

Coalition work is hard. Yet, since 2000, the Coalition has lobbied and fundraised, trained and mentored. Like-minded people can still disagree a great deal, mostly frequently about priorities, solutions and levels of commitment. Like a two-legged race, though with many more legs, it takes a “best foot forward” approach by everyone to stay together. Dr. Larry Peterson, professor emeritus of History at NDSU, was a founding member of the coalition and a long-time board chair. He continues to work with, and financially support, the Coalition today. Asked to describe the value of NDHRC, Larry said it represents:

“A beacon of hope in a dark night on the windswept prairie… a sunflower growing magnificently in rocky soil…  the sweet laughter of children, reminding us of why life is worth living and celebrating… the bone-deep sorrow when injustice, bigotry, and hatred seem to triumph… and most of all the consistent voice of our better nature, calling us all to protect and cherish the human rights of all North Dakotans, especially our most vulnerable neighbors.“

NOW…

A justice-based philosophy can drive a lot of good works from within organizations, resulting in wonderful, unlooked-for partners. Such is the case with NDHRC ally Drekker Brewing Company, a North Dakotan-owned brewery located in Fargo. The Drekker team is made up of amazing people who support human rights across the board. They are significant and consistent donors and supporters of the Coalition.

Other strong allies are High Plains Fair Housing and a broad swath of faith communities represented by the Faith Group for Equity and Inclusion and Interfaith Alliance North Dakota. Faith communities are particularly effective in helping to catalyze legislative action.

Another outstanding ally is Faye Siedler, a former Arc of Justice winner who advocates tirelessly for LGBTQIA2S+ rights, especially those of trans people. Learn more about Faye’s work here.

“Gut-wrenching” is how the 2023 legislative session is described by those who were on the scene. Where human rights opponents used to be resistant, but kind, more recently the language is often vicious and mean-spirited, targeting the most vulnerable groups. Those on the scene of such contentiousness say they survive burnout by being part of a group – a coalition – that can push, support and empathize. 

Coalitions know that violence is seldom effective, and often counterproductive, when working for societal change and human rights. They understand that having clear cohesive goals is more persuasive than a mixed, sometimes conflicting, bag of demands. Diverse coalitions signal that a movement is a citizen’s movement, not a ‘radical fringe.’

Lastly, Coalitions understand that when those protesting or testifying have suffered from a denial of rights, they have greater influence on policy makers than homogenous or privileged protestors. The representation and activism of marginalized group is critical to successful advocacy.

TOMORROW…

Given the long arc of justice, the need for a Coalition to support and enhance the work of securing the rights of all North Dakotans will continue for many generations. Those experiencing discrimination, and the activists and allies that stand with them, must keep seeking change, fairness, and reparation. The stories will continue. The needs will continue. So allies and activists are necessary. Courage and persistence are necessary.

Profile of Zara C.

Zara grew up in an isolated environment and had be old enough to be on his own in order to find his path in life. So it was that, at age 19, Zara created his first activism space when he began a campaign to bring trans rights to community consciousness by protesting in downtown Fargo — sometimes solo and sometimes joined by other young activists. Influenced by the Black Lives Matter movement and the loss of women’s reproductive freedom, and particularly, by the lack of response or protest to an outpouring of anti-trans legislation in North Dakota, Zara felt impelled to act. He describes experiencing “a sense of radicalization, [as if] a veil lifted….So I picked up a flag, put on a dress and walked downtown.” 

Today Zara works inside of the movement helping educate and encourage others to take action. He plans to return to the public stage as the next legislative session approaches. Zara is one of many young people who are stepping up and speaking out. As Zara says, “Women and queer folks have a fire under us to participate in action.”

Profile of Alex M.

Alex M. found their activist voice at age ten “as an issue of survival rather than choice” when the assault weapons ban ran out, and also, as they realized the harm being done to the earth. Their activism has never waned, though the focus has since incorporated LGBTQIA2S+ issues. Alex serves on the board of directors for Fargo’s Pride Collective and works as a community organizer and grant writer. Their passion for community organizing also includes issues of indigenous sovereignty and the fight for Palestinian liberation. “Everything is incredibly connected to one another,” said Alex. “And compassion has to include everyone. There is validity to being angry and also to being tired of being angry.”

A graduate of the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School with an MA in Human Rights, Alex is also passionate about engaging a new generation of activists — for humanity AND the planet. They argue eloquently that the strategies of a decade ago no longer work as effectively; that singular nonprofit voices are failing and that activists must engage with social media trends in order for algorithms to recognize and boost activism content. Also, creating more face to face community engagement, such as the NDHRC Coalition meetings. More internships and experimental learning would also let young people “try the work.”

Activism is often seen as being part of a massive movement, but it starts by just asking our community what we need. The latter feels more feasible and often leads to more inclusive action and change.
–Alex M.

Getting to Vision

Among the accomplishments of the Coalition since its founding are

• Presence, lobbying and bill monitoring in every legislative session and interim since founding
• Annual summits focused on organizing, advocacy, diversity, equity, inclusion, LGBTQIA2S+, and more
• Organizing walks, remembrances, vigils and protests on a wide range of justice issues.
• Bringing injustice to the courts as plaintiff

Here’s how the current leadership articulates the Coalition vision:

The Coalition’s role is to encompass a broad swath of issues, helping all who do this work to be more effective and efficient. The North Dakota Human Rights Coalition is the house that weathers all the storms and we do better when we work together. –Dalton Erickson, Executive Director

The Coalition is about connection and that means the organization is made up of the people it represents, as well as their allies, so that their concerns are present in every conversation. We need to teach people how to organize, organize, organize. Training gives the skills and courage to connect, speak up, stay focused and be resilient. –Barry Nelson, Organizer

The ND Human Rights Coalition works to dismantle harmful and exclusionary practices and policies and center the voices and experiences of those who have been marginalized and oppressed. Join us in our mission to help human rights grow and thrive in North Dakota.