Post 72

Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Fellowship  July 23, 2015 Brainerd/Pine River, MN.

Greetings! This summer has turned/is turning out to be full of activites. Several meetings on Goodbye Columbus plans have taken place, working on the upcoming video conference Sept 1 at 2pm. Invitations have gone out to several interested UU congregations, as well as others working on this issue in other churches and community entities. We are happy that Anton Treuer, at BSU has agreed to participate; he has written extensively on native  history, language, culture preservation, and is currently involved in the Truth and Reconciliation effort in Bemidji. Becky LaPlant, human resources director for Blandin Corporation, and activist on the name change in Grand Rapids, is putting together a site and participants in that area. We have invited Jay Bad Heart Bull, NACDI, one of the persons instrumental in the city of Mpls stationary change, and active on the bill that failed in the legislature to establish American Indian and Indigenous Peoples Day this year. There will be others.
   One of the tasks is to frame the conference so as to discuss steps to take this next  year to effect the change. We will be setting up loose guidelines to forward the discussion. Ashley Horan, MUUSJA, will be sending details on the mechanics and will host the program from Mpls.
    On another front, Honor the Earth is beginning plans and activities on the Sandpiper pipeline protests, and we will participate as this years' ride comes through the state along the proposed routes set up by Enbridge corporation, and now approved by the MPUC as to their certificate of need. The next step for Enbridge is to decide the route and be approved by the  PUC.  Of course, coming through the watershed and native American reservations is where the controversy lies, and we ask that persons interested in this vital environmental concern, join efforts to combat further action by Enbridge.
     LOCATION: We are going to begin meeting at Tine Sprouts Day Care, beginning with the Sept 13 service. This is just south of Timberjack, where we were meeting, on 371 south of Pequot Lakes. Please check the webpage for the latest information. We will schedule RE for children, the second Sunday of each month, and this location lends itself to such activities very well.
     New member orientation folders are being developed, with the "who are we" questions addressed, bylaws, expectations, rights and responsibilities. This should be completed shortly.

      Feel free to explore mnnuuf.org, and contact us if you are interested in any aspect of the ongoing work in which we are involved.....we welcome inquiries!

Respectfully submitted, Mary DeYoung, social justice chair NUUF   218-587-2543