[mgj-discuss] Down Home Democracy Tour - Indigenous Events on Aug. 24th

[mike sysiuk]

FYI,

Mike

Save this date in your calendar AUGUST 24, 2002.  We wanted to inform
you of this event, Rolling Thunder Democracy Tour, scheduled on Saturday, 
August 24, 2002.  This is an all-day event, from 10am - 9pm, at Petrovitski 
Park, Renton, WA. There will be a delegation from Gwich'in Village and other 
native presentations and speakers participating.  Please pass this along to 
those who would have in interest in this event.  For specific information go 
to the Rolling Thunder Democracy Tour website:

http://www.rollingthundertour.org
http://www.rollingthundertour.org/what/

August 24-Rolling Thunder Event will feature Norma Kassi from the Gwich'in 
community.  Norma and others from the Gwich'in community will be in Seattle 
to launch their "Walk to Washington DC." The walk is to draw public support 
for permanent protection of the sacred Arctic lands now known as the Arctic 
National Wildlife Refuge.  Along the way, they will highlight elected 
officials and candidates who have strong environmental records.

Shelley Means, Washington Association of Churches-Environmental Justice 
Program, is working with Norma Kassi and others from the Gwich'in community 
to organize their visit and events in the Seattle area.  For more 
information contact Shelley Means at: 206-625-9790 x 13, or email: 
svmeans at hotmail.com

Indigenous Peoples and Environmental & Economic Justice Panel Presentation 
at Rolling Thunder Tour - August 24, 2002, 2:30-3:45 PM

Moderater:  Shelly Vendiola, Swinomish, Lummi,Visayan. Campaign Director for 
the Indigenous Environmental Network.  She also serves on the Board of 
Directors for the Indigenous Women's Network, and is a consultant and lead 
trainer for the Lummi CEDAR Project-Youth Empowerment and Leadership 
Program.

Right Wing Attacks on Tribal Sovereignty, Infant Mortality, and 
Environmental Justice Leah Henry-Tanner is a Nez Perce tribal member and 
community activist. Ms. Henry-Tanner is a board member of several 
progressive organizations in the region including Western States Center, 
Kitsap Human Rights Network. Ms. Henry-Tanner is a trainer on the issues of 
tribal sovereignty and treaty rights and has published articles on these 
issues.

Nuclear Waste and Risks to Indigenous Peoples Wilbur Slockish, Jr., 
Klickatat band of Yakama tribe.  The Columbia River Education & Economic 
Development Project is a grassroots Indigenous organization involved in the 
struggle to defend their traditional fishing, hunting, food, gathering, and 
cultural livelihood.

Environmental Health and Mining
Deb Abrahamson, Spokane, Coeur d'Alene, Dine'.  Over the past seven years 
Deb has focused on environmental concerns on the Spokane reservation.  Ms. 
Abrahamson is involved with the Intertribal Health Consortium on the health 
effects of the Hanford Nuclear reservation.  She served on the Board of 
Directors for Dawn Watch-a local grassroots organization that compiles 
historical accounts of mining issues and informing tribal and local 
communities.

For more information about the Indigenous speakers/panel please contact 
Shelly Vendiola at:

Michele "Shelly" Vendiola
Indigenous Environmental Network - Bellingham
2100 Electric Avenue, #415
Bellingham, WA  98229-4556
Phone:  360-202-5610
Email:  Msvendiola at earthlink.net
Website:  www.ienearth.org

Interested in tabling?  Lisa Ramirez writes:

We are looking for every group here to be represented!  Come and join us by 
spreading the word about the wonderful work that your group is doing!

Please let me know if you would like a table at this event.   We are 
estimating attendance of about 10,000 people throughout the day (this
is an all-day event, from 10am - 9pm, at Petrovitski Park, Renton, WA), 
based on turn out in other cities and Seattle's potential.  You can sell 
items & memberships at your table.  Tabling rates for non-profits are $50, 
however, please let me know if this is a problem -- we do not want ANYONE 
excluded!

Please contact me to confirm a table for your organization!  Call or email 
me at 360-297-9460 or lramirez at foe.org .

NEWS:  From the Rolling Thunder Democracy Tour-Newsletter #3

We've got TICKETS!

Rolling Thunder Seattle tickets are now on sale. Be sure to get yours now by 
going online at: www.rollingthundertour.org/tickets.

They are also available for consignment and distribution. You may arrange 
for pick-up by phone (206.686.2975) or e-mail 
(seattle at rollingthundertour.org). Or, better yet, attend the July 16 general 
organizing & informational meeting and buy your tickets there.

Committees:

Program   (sea_program at rollingthundertour.org)
Outreach  (sea_outreach at rollingthundertour.org)
Vending   (sea_vend at rollingthundertour.org)
Publicity   (sea_publicity at rollingthundertour.org)

All committees are looking for more volunteers. If you can't make this 
meeting, but want to get involved, you can contact committees directly at 
the email addresses above.

We can't stress enough our excitement as the approach of August 24th nears. 
Come be part of the grassroots building of this historic event.  It's an 
experience you'll never forget.

PS - Still fuzzy on what this whole deal is all about? Check out:
http://www.rollingthundertour.org/what/
CONTACT INFO
Email: seattle at rollingthundertour.org
Voice mail: (206) 686-2975
Web: www.rollingthundertour.org/seattle

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