Friday, March 27, 2015

Post 65

Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Fellowship  March 27, 2015  Brainerd/Pine River

Greetings! a quick note today. After some more research, we find that the Senate passed the bill to establish "American Indian and Indigenous Peoples Day" as an addition to the current laws on holidays. It would not replace Columbus Day, but would be celebrated on the second Monday of October. If you go to the MN Senate and look up Bill 1703, there is an audio clip of the hearing on March 20. Testifying were: Dr. Ellen Kennedy, executive director of WorldWithoutGenocide and on the staff at William Mitchell College of Law; Anna Marie Hill, director of MN Indian Affairs Council; Mr. Means, a citizen of Lakota/Dakota descent;
Jay Bad Heart Bull, director of the Native American Community Development Institute. The hearing is 1:57:34; go ahead to 1:45:50 for the start of the testimony on the holiday.

Now on to the House, which is predominantly Republican, and may not be as easy sailing.

Our website is being worked on continuously, and should be available mid-April. Will keep you posted on progress.

Respectfully submitted, Mary DeYoung, news director NUUF 218-587-2543

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Post 64

Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Fellowship  March 25, 2015

Breaking news! today we received a response to an email to Representative John Persell (D-Bemidji) to inquire about progress on Goodbye Columbus, which he had offered to bring to the attention of the Tribal Governments. What has happened is that on March 16, a bill was introduced in the House to recognize American Indian and Indigenous Peoples Day on the second Monday of October. If you go to bills in the House, you will find the wording and the names of the sponsoring Representatives. They are not familiar to me, but of course are well known in their districts. This is real progress. We are planning to open our online campaign mid-April, with a website devoted to the change, nonpartisan, non-denominational. That is still going forward, and now we will be tracking this bill as it goes through the procedures in the House, then Senate. This is a happy day!

Last Sunday we had a wonderful presentation at NUUF by Gary Dietrich, live coach from Bemidji. He shared some of the practices and traditions of native people that he works with, not surprisingly strongly affiniated with our UU principles. His is director of northwaygroup.com. More on this in the April NUUF newsletter....

Next up will be a celebration of Earth Day, April 12, and the Flower Service April 26.

Respectfully submitted, Mary DeYoung news director, 218-587-2543

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Post 63

Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Brainerd/Pine River 3/11/15

 A quick note today....Melissa and I have been working on a webpage for google facebook and twitter, re: Goodbye Columbus Minnesota, over the past few weeks, and hope to be up and running in April. This is an outreach effort to gain support for a change in October from CD to Indigenous Peoples Day, in accordance with UUAs repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery  and our own stated goals of combating racism here in MN. The webpage will be non-denominational and non-partisan, open to all who share the idea of showing respect for native culture, values, and contributions to society. We will let everyone know when up, and will welcome suggestions and ideas, leads, contacts, and any other ways to help.

Respectfully submitted, Mary DeYoung, News Director NUUF
218-587-2543