The Fourth Annual Indigenous Film & Arts Festival is scheduled for October 9-14, 2007. Our theme will be "Celebrating Identity through Art, Dance, Music & Sports." We will be posting updates on the website about film selections, live performances, art exhibits and our various venues in and around Denver.
Call Jeanne Rubin at 303-744-9686 for more information about the Festival.
Tano states that Indian tribes and tribal decision-makers, climate change issues should be considered to be part of the larger challenge of tribal development and should be very seldom considered separately if they are considered at all. He argues that tribal decision-making on climate policies will be more effective when they are embedded within broader strategies designed to make tribal development paths more socially, economically, environmentally, culturally, and politically appropriate.
Conducting the research and managing research findings and other information on the causes, manifestations, and adaptive management strategies at regional and sub-regional scales will characterized by complexity and complications. Tano suggests that information-rich network-centric approaches can cut through the complexity and complications and provide tribal leaders the information and analyses required for adaptive management strategies to climate change impacts.
Morrie suggests that economic strength will be the currency whereby any real gains for Maori will be able to be made here or anywhere else. Maori have fought to regain a dying culture, they have fought to maintain a dying language, they have been described as a dying race. There will be no tangi or funeral here however, and though a degree of assimilation is occurring it is now in two directions. Non-Maori parents are discovering their children are much more bicultural and in fact multicultural than themselves. The new world of the next century will resemble this one but will be more evolved, especially in a cultural sense. Rather than wasting energy resisting, Morrie suggests that the time has come to recognise that New Zealanders have something unique and special that belongs to them, their children and their children. They are not Maori and not European, not American, Asian or Australian. They are us.
The project “Reappraising Nordic colonialism”, which has been running since the end of March, looks at the colonial history of the Nordic countries and also tries to identify the roots of some of the hierarchies, inequalities and intolerance found in contemporary Nordic society.
The Nordic Institute for Contemporary Art (NIFCA) project sheds light on Nordic colonial history through exhibitions, workshops, conferences, hearings and happenings in Iceland, Greenland, the Faroe Islands and in the Saami territories in Finland and brings together artists, theoreticians, politicians and grassroots activists from all over the world.
Nordic colonisation has had a major impact on the indigenous societies, including great destruction and repression. Even though the Nordic colonies have (more or less) been phased out, colonialisation is far from dead. The Nordic Region might be said to be in a post-colonial situation. Some people in the former colonies express frustration over, for example, not being heard, understood or respected, and have mixed feelings about the former colonisers.
NIFCA has collated the results of the project on a website and a DVD, which will be launched simultaneously at meetings throughout the Nordic Region on 25 November.
Further information about the project: http://www.rethinking-nordic-colonialism.org/
TORONTO (AP) - Prime Minister Stephen Harper stunned Parliament on Wednesday by introducing a motion recognizing the French-speaking province of Quebec as a nation within Canada - a symbolic move pre-empting Quebec's separatist party which intends to do the same.
The Bloc Quebecois said it intends to introduce a motion Thursday that states Quebec is a nation. But the wording of that motion apparently does not include the words ``within Canada,'' leaving federalists to worry it could be misinterpreted.
The flap has reignited passions over whether the French-speaking province should be given independence. Quebecers have twice voted down referendums seeking independence from Canada; the last one was narrowly defeated in 1995.
``Do Quebecers form a nation within a united Canada? The answer is yes,'' Harper told a cheering House of Commons to numerous standing ovations. ``Do Quebecers form an independent nation? The answer is no - and it will always be no.''
Harper said the Bloc Quebecois motion was an ``unusual request'' that could lead to another referendum for Quebec independence.
Query: And what do the Cree have to say about Harper's motion?
This communique has been prepared following a clear attempt by some States to mislead their intentions to prevent the adoption of the Declaration, by suggesting that a 'consensus' will be achieved through delaying adoption. While Indigenous Peoples' delegations had made it clear during previous meetings that no changes to text was to occur, that no alteration in the meaning or application of the declaration was allowed, and that immediate adoption was a requisite, we took the view, at a meeting of representatives of all regional caucuses of the Indigenous Peoples, that a re-issue of our position in a clear statement was needed.
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES' CAUCUS
UNITED NATIONS
General Assembly
61st Session
NEW YORK
13 November 2006
COMMUNIQUE
The Indigenous Peoples' Caucus held an emergency meeting this morning due to a report that a few States will take procedural actions to derail the adoption of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. This report is evidenced by the Government of Botswana's statement delivered to the Third Committee on 10 November, which contained a highly inaccurate and prejudicial interpretation of the Declaration provisions. Upon review of this written statement, we note that Botswana has adopted the words and views of the governments of Canada , Australia , New Zealand , and the United States . Their intent appears to threaten the adoption of the Declaration. In contrast, the Indigenous Peoples' Caucus acknowledges the overwhelming state support for the Declaration. Though these many allies and co-sponsors of the Peruvian resolution recommending UNGA adoption of the Declaration (A/C.3/61/L.18) have made repeated, unsuccessful efforts for dialogue with all States, Botswana seems entrenched to do major violence to the text of the Declaration or to defeat its adoption by UNGA. In response to this development, we issue this statement.
The Indigenous Peoples' Caucus hereby affirms their global and unanimous support for the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as adopted by the UN Human Rights Council on June 29, 2006 .
The Indigenous Peoples' Caucus hereby repeats its request that the UN General Assembly immediately adopt the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which constitutes the minimum standards for the survival, well-being and dignity of Indigenous Peoples worldwide. Such action should take place before the end of 2006.
The Indigenous Peoples' Caucus does not support any proposal for extensions of time, establishment of committees, working groups or any other forum for consideration of the illegitimate “concerns” of the governments of Botswana , Canada , Australia , New Zealand and the United States , under any conditions.
The Indigenous Peoples' Caucus hereby demands that the proponents (Botswana, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United States) of any such proposals cease their self-serving politicization of the United Nations as well as their abuse of the rules of procedures and persistence of double standards in the context of the human rights of Indigenous Peoples.
The Indigenous Peoples' Caucus supports the United Nations objective to usher in a new era for human rights within the UN system, to strengthen human rights as one of the pillars of global order, and the Human Rights Council's role to establish a non-political approach to human rights for all peoples and individuals. In light of the appalling human rights records of Botswana, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United States in the context of Indigenous Peoples, it is unconscionable that they have chosen to reject one of the first HRC recommendations for the approval of a UN human rights instrument specifically addressing the unique status and rights of Indigenous Peoples.
The world community must acknowledge that Indigenous Peoples worldwide have expended over 21 years and immeasurable resources to engage in good faith, transparent, intellectually honest debate and negotiation with States in order to achieve consensus on the Declaration provisions. The result has been a fair and balanced text, which takes into account the concerns of States as well as the rights of others and is consistent with international law, including the Charter of the United Nations.
This current State opposition to one of the first recommendations of the new Human Rights Council is immoral and without legitimate or substantive cause. If successful, such action will seriously undermine and potentially deem irrelevant the whole of the UN human rights regime for not only Indigenous Peoples but for all humanity.
Finally, the Indigenous Peoples' Caucus notes the irony of State consensus and support for a legally binding Convention [for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance] while at the same time in the context of the world's most vulnerable, poverty stricken, human rights victims, that Botswana, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United States cannot support a non-binding, aspirational Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Contact Les Malezer, Chairperson, Indigenous Peoples Caucus at UN.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is convening a Community Mitigation During Pandemic Influenza Stakeholders Meeting to be held in Atlanta, GA December 11 & 12, 2006.
Background
CDC, Division of Global Migration and Quarantine (DGMQ), is developing guidance on non-pharmaceutical community mitigation measures during a pandemic of influenza. An initial stakeholders meeting was held in June 2006 to review measures under discussion and it was decided that additional information and input from a variety of stakeholders was needed. Over the past several months, a number of information gathering activities have been conducted. They include:
CDC is reconvening stakeholders, including public health, business, education, faith-based organizations, government (local, state, federal), the public, and few international partners to review information from above activities.
Purpose of the Meeting
Stakeholders will be briefed on available information regarding pandemic influenza, presented with the possible scenarios, proposed mitigation measures, solutions to their unintended consequences and requested to debate the issue and provide feedback. This input will be carefully considered in the development of the final guidance.
Dates and Location
December 11 (8:30-5) & December 12 (8:30-4)
Crowne Plaza Atlanta Airport; ( www.cpatlantaairport.com )
A block of rooms has been reserved in the name of CDC, Community Mitigation During Pandemic Influenza Stakeholders Meeting. Please call and make your reservation directly with the hotel. The block is reserved until December 4, 2006.
Travel
For non-federal (US) invited participants, CDC will pay all travel expenses through a contractor named PSA. They prefer to have travel arranged directly with them through their travel department. The contractor will follow-up with details on how to arrange that travel for non-federal participants. US federal travelers must make their own reservations and cover their own travel. Please RSVP regarding your attendance to jpolder@cdc.gov .
Much of the Institute's work examines the societal impacts of technology. One thing we've learned is that Indian tribes, Native Hawaiian and other communities need to look at what's making their way through the R&D pipeline today to gain an understanding of the environmental, economic, social, and cultural impacts government agencies, industry, and the military will have 20 years from now. Although Colonel Reynolds does not look at the societal inpacts of tranformation, his monograph is one of the finest explications of the role of technology in shaping policy, force structure, doctrine and training.
The transformation of America’s armed forces and defense establishment has been one of the key overarching objectives of President George W. Bush’s administration. Measuring the value of high-technology weapons systems and their demonstrated effectiveness in the opening stages of both Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld has increased the pace of defense transformation. But beyond enhancing the lethality of U.S. forces on the conventional battlefield, where is defense transformation headed?
In this monograph, Colonel Kevin Reynolds asks
the question, “What form is transformation taking
and what end(s) are the armed forces transforming
to obtain?” He argues that U.S. foreign and national
security policies should drive the pace and direction of
defense transformation, but finds that all too often the
military’s weapons systems preferences determine the
shape and form of the armed services transformation
and their future capability sets. Due to the lengthy
Research, Development, Testing, and Evaluation
(RDT&E) time to acquire technologically advanced
weapons systems, up to and beyond 20 years in many
instances, future administrations will inherit weapons
systems and force structures that, although recently
fielded, were imagined several administrations
previously and whose capability to support current
policy may now be limited. Colonel Reynolds concludes
by arguing that the military should acquire a broad
range of technologies now in order to present as yet
unknown future political leaders with a broader range
of military capabilities with which to pursue future
U.S. policy preferences.
The monograph can be found at: http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pdffiles/PUB733.pdf.
The most important clues to our energy future include dramatic shifts in demographics, potentially radical advances in medical science, the continued global threat of terrorism and a growing technological generation gap. Together, these will shape the world served by the electric power system — if the system can keep up.
Based on such factual and trend projections, the authors of this report mapped out four potential pictures of what the United States will look like socially and economically in 2025; the technologies that will play substantive roles in each of these scenarios; and the energy supplies and innovations necessary to fuel them. From each of the scenarios, the team then mapped out the required electric technology to fuel each and the overarching factors that must shape the electric power system of the future if it is to truly meet consumer need.
Scenarios:
Click here to access the full report.
The Native American Congressional Internship Program provides Native Americans and Alaska Natives with an insider's view of the federal government. The ten-week internship in Washington, D.C., places students in Senate and House offices, committees, Cabinet departments and the White House, where they are able to observe government decision-making processes first-hand.
In 2007, the Foundation expects to award 12 Internships on the basis of merit to Native Americans and Alaska Natives who:
• Are college juniors or seniors, recent graduates from tribal or four-year colleges, or graduate or law students;
• Have demonstrated an interest in fields related to tribal public policy, such as tribal governance, tribal law, Native American education, Native American health, Native American justice, natural resource protection, and Native American economic development.
Click here for more information.
Are you interested in film? Filmmaking? Does the idea of hanging out and talking shop with indigenous filmmakers from all over the world sound like your idea of an evening well-spent? Well then, you might want to consider signing up for an internship with the International Institute for Indigenous Resource Management, the organizer of the Indigenous Film & Arts Festival.
Volunteering as an Institute intern will offer you a great opportunity to experience a broad perspective on all aspects of the film festival by working closely with the festival staff. These internships afford you an excellent opportunity to acquire the necessary organizational, communication, management, and other skills required to organize and put on an international film festival. The internships require a commitment of 10 to 15 hours per week and a set working schedule for you to be in the Institute offices.
Please e-mail us a resume or call Jeanne Rubin, the festival organizer at 303-733-0481.
StormCon Workshops Seattle
November 29-December 1, 2006
Sea-Tac Marriott
Seattle, Washington
Program and Registration Information.
Emergency Prepardness and Prevention & Hazmat Spills Conference: The Power of Partnerships
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region III
December 3-6, 2006
Valley Forge Convention Plaza
Valley Forge, Pennsylvania
Program and Registration Information.
Tribal Lands
Climate Conference
Cocopah Indian Tribe
December 5-6, 2006
Cocopah Indian Nation Casino
Somerton, Arizona
Program and Registration Information.
7th National Conference on Science, Policy and the Environment: Integrating Environment and Human Health
National Council for Science and the Environment
February 1-2, 2007
Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center
Washington, District of Columbia
Program and Registration Information.
WM '07
Waste Management Symposia
Tucson Convention Center
February 25 - March 1, 2007
Tucson, Arizona
Program Information.
Introduction to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
International Institute for Indigenous Resource Management
March 21-22, 2007
Denver, Colorado
Call 303-733-0481 for more information.
State of Environmental Justice in America 2007
Howard University School of Law
March 29-31, 2007
Washington, District of Columbia
Call for Papers.
Contact Michelle Hudsson for more information.
33rd Annual Denver March Powwow
March 23-25, 2007
Denver Coliseum
Denver, Colorado
Program Information.
Workshop on Science-Based Decision-Making: The Role of Traditional Knowledge in Protecting and Managing Tribal Cultural and Natural Resources
Helen Riaboff Whiteley Center, Friday Harbor Laboratories
April 19-20, 2007
Friday Harbor, Washington
Call 303-733-0481 for more information.
23rd Annual NAJA Convention
Native American Journalists Association
Denver Marriott Tech Center
June 8-10, 2007
Program and Registration Information.
12th Annual Landfill Symposium
Solid Waste Association of North America
June 25-30, 2007
Marriott Mission Valley
San Diego, California
Call 240-494-2253 for more information.