Copyright © 2000 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

URGENT ACTION ALERT
A New Era of Termination

Background: In the 1950's and 60's, the United States had a Federal Indian Policy of Termination. The government set out to terminate tribal status through federal legislation to Terminate specific tribes, by transferring some jurisdiction to States, and by encouraging Urban Relocation. Termination policy 'officially' came to an end when President Nixon declared a new era of Indian Self-Determination.

Now, in the Year 2000, the Washington State Republican Party unanimously passed a resolution calling for the abolition of tribal governments. The author of the resolution, John Fleming, says, "We do not recognize them as sovereign nations, as governments." If tribes were to fight the effort, "then the U.S. Army and the Air Force and the Marines and the National Guard are going to have to battle back."

The California Native American Caucus of the Democratic Party adopted a resolution last weekend condemning the Republican resolution, and tribes and Indian organizations across the nation are speaking out. More information about the Republican Resolution and what you can do to express your concern will be mailed in a separate email message due to its length.

Please take note of this disturbing turn of events and most importantly, let your elected officials know what you think. You can find your elected representatives by typing in your zip code at http://www.vote-smart.org. For more information, contact the Native American Caucus, email: info@nacaucus.com

AMERICAN INDIAN FOSTER PARENTS NEEDED

There are currently approximately 500 known American Indian children in Los Angeles County awaiting foster home placement, according to DCFS, and very soon there will be NO available American Indian foster homes in Los Angeles County! Approximately half of the children may be placed with extended family, but the rest will most likely be placed in Non-Indian homes. If you or any one you know would be interested in becoming a foster parent, please contact Indian Child and Family Services at (213) 387-5772.

INDIAN EDUCATION BILLS IN STATE LEGISLATURE

SB 1439 is a bill to provide California K-12 schools educational curriculum that accurately reflects the contemporary status of California Indians. Currently, public schools tend to teach stereotypes, inaccurate and incomplete images of American Indians. The new curriculum would teach about important modern American Indian issues, including tribal sovereignty, and convey a more accurate depiction of American Indians. The bill is sponsored by Lt. Governor Cruz Bustamante and was introduced by Sen. Alpert of San Diego. The bill provdes for the following: a state grant for qualified applicants to compete for the curriculum development; a technical advisory group to screen applicants and approve curriculum content; the State Department of Education to release the course materials to state public and charter schools for use; and finally for the State Department of Education to include the materials in the next cycle in which the state's history, social science curriculum framework and accompanying instructional materials are adopted. This bill has already passed the Senate and is now in the Assembly. For more information about this bill, its text and its current status, see http://www.sen.ca.gov. PLEASE WRITE OR CALL YOUR STATE ASSEMBLYMEMBERS to express your opinion about this bill.

AB 1746 is a bill to expand on services provided by the California Indian Education Centers (IEC) by providing recovery programs for pupils who have dropped out of comprehensive schools. As you are probably aware, American Indians have the highest dropout rate of any other ethnic group. This bill has already passed the Assembly and is now in the Senate. For more information about this bill, its text and its current status, see http://www.sen.ca.gov. PLEASE WRITE OR CALL YOUR STATE SENATORS to express your opinion about this bill.

MASCOTS AND STEREOTYPES

The effort to remove American Indian mascots from public schools in California continues to progress with ever increasing cooperation and collaboration with local, statewide, and national community groups and individuals. We are especially grateful to Joanne Willis Newton of California Indian Legal Services and to the California Native American Caucus for all that they have done on this issue. Updates and background information on the mascot issue, including the harmful effect of mascots on ALL children, Native and non-Native, can be found at the website http://earnestman.tripod.com/1indexpage.htm.

SCIC ANNUAL POW WOW VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

The Southern California Indian Center Annual Pow Wow will be held on August 25, 26 & 27, 2000, at the Orange County Fairgrounds. Please note that this a different weekend from previous years. The Advocates for American Indian Children will have an information booth and will also be responsible for VIP and Media check-in. Volunteers are needed to help with the following shifts:

Friday, August 25 - 4:00pm to 8:00pm & 8:00pm to 11:00pm
Saturday, August 26 - 8:00am to 12:00pm & 12:00pm to 4:00pm
& 4:00pm to 8:00pm & 8:00pm to 11:00pm
Sunday, August 27 8:00am to 12:00pm & 12:00pm to 4:00pm & 4:00pm to 8:00pm

Please contact Holly Tomren, phone: (714) 663-1102 or send email to, aaic@hotmail.com if you are able to volunteer.

For more information about the Pow Wow, see the webpage,
http://www.indiancenter.org/powwow.html

CORRECTION TO THE AAIC MAY/JUNE NEWSLETTER

The phone number for the SCIC Mobile Health and Wellness Clinic that was printed in the last news letter was incorrect. The correct phone number is (714) 231-0973. Our apologies for this error.

The July/August 2000 Advocates for American Indian Children Newsletter will be mailed within the next several weeks. If you are not on our mailing list but would like to be, please send your mailing address to aaic@hotmail.com. No Advocates meetings are scheduled for the summer. Thank you for your support and have a great summer!