Copyright © 2001 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

The Indigenous community of Cleveland, OH, and our supporters, urge your participation in our March 31 - April 2, 2001 conference titled "Racism and Contemporary Genocide." This is our third annual gathering originating from the theme of Hate and Violence: Racist Imagery in the Popular Culture. The conference is cosponsored by the local Committee of 500 Years of Dignity and Resistance and the United Church of Christ’s Racial Justice Ministries Team of the Justice and Witness Ministries.

These two groups have been working together on the issue of the Cleveland Ohio baseball team using the name "Indians" and the mascot and logo "Chief Wahoo" for ten years with at least six of us locked up in the city jail on two separate occasions. We were exonerated in one court case in Municipal Court and are waiting for another to start trial. Our goal is to stop this exploitation of Indigenous Peoples for economic gain and we do this by protesting at ball games, handing out buttons and pamphlets, developing educational resources for the public, accepting speaking engagements, conducting workshops, and by offering this annual conference where our stories and expertise can be shared with educators, students, religious and other groups, and many interested individuals who want to learn from us.

The conference will be held once again at the Cleveland State University Student Center, 2121 Euclid Avenue, downtown Cleveland, on March 31, April 1 and April 2, with Monday, April 2nd, being the annual opening day protest. CEU’s will be offered by CSU.

The first day of the Conference, March 31, (11:00 a.m. startup time), features two University Professors, Dr. Mary C. Clearing-Sky, Michigan State University, and Dr. Cornel D. Pewewardy, Assistant Professor, University of Kansas. Their lectures will be "The Native American Holocaust: Historic Trauma, Unresolved Grieving and Healing" and "Why Educator’s Can’t Ignore Indian Mascots," respectively. Dr. Clearing-Sky is a Clinical Psychologist and Dr. Pewewardy is an Educator. Both have many papers and articles, on this and other issues, published. We end the day with a panel that includes Dr. Clearing-Sky, Dr. Pewewardy, Charlene Teters, and Vernon Bellecourt.

Later, at a UCC church social hall, we celebrate our friendship with food, a wonderful "soup, fry bread and other goodies" meal, and traditional awards and giveaways. Drumming and singing is essential in this celebration time! Round dance anybody?

Other featured workshops will occur on the 2nd day such as "Negative Stereotyping in the Corporate World" and "Negative Impact to our Children." There will also be three panels featured with experts/activists working on issues of names and mascots at colleges and universities, professional baseball and football leagues, and schools and state education systems. The closing comments on "how to organize nationally" will be done by Vernon Bellecourt who is a founding member of the National Coalition on Racism in Sports and Media.

We will return to the social hall for a "pizza party" and sign-making fun time.

Other leaders of this event include Melvin Grey Owl, our Spiritual Leader, Charlene Teters, Gary Brouse, Sister Pat Marshall, Juan Reyna, Juanita Helphrey , Ellen Staurowsky and many others representing their activist groups from all parts of this country. A lot of young people will be here and be involved too since they are hard at work in their areas on these issues.

We are also attempting to raise funds to bring in a group from Santa Fe called "Wise Fool Puppeteers" who will help us build giant puppets for the protest in some community workshops they will do.

Though we cannot offer travel expenses, we have been able to find some housing for conference participants with friends in the community. We also make a list of surrounding motels available. Snacks (wholesome fruit/nuts/cheeses) will be provided, but there are restaurants nearby for the exceptionally hungry activists. The conference fees are: $40 for organizations and CEU’s; $25 for individuals; $10 for Seniors; and children and young people are free.

The protest itself will occur Monday, April 2, with about a two-mile walk to the ball park (and around the ball park) with our signs, puppets (maybe), and our Sacred Drum. The protest lasts till about 1:00 p.m. and features speakers and "effigies" and other "works of art" that our innovative artists/protesters create.

For more information on this exciting and educational opportunity, as well as a great opportunity for networks - please call, phone: 216-736-3725 or send e-mail to: clementf@ucc.org. A brochure and registration form is currently at print and can be mailed to you soon with several extras, if you desire, for distribution in your community. The agenda is available through e-mail, please contact clementf@ucc.org. Also, our host housing list will soon be ready and some homes are available now, though we can not house everybody. So, this is done on a first come, first served, basis.

For more information contact, Juanita Helphrey/UCC or Ferne Clements.