Copyright © 2001 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

Greetings to all AIM members, directors, board members, national leadership, respected Elders, Indigenous Nations, and communities, organizations in solidarity and friends.

The American Indian Movement of Florida, Inc. (AIM Florida ) cordially invites you to attend the 16th Anniversary Conference of the Florida Indian Alliance, Inc. (FIA) and the American Indian Movement of Florida to be held, August 31 - September 2, 2001 at the Friends Meetings House in Lake Worth, Florida.

The conference will work to continue to build unity and strengthen organizing efforts to focus attention on local, state, national and international Indigenous issues in 2001 and 2002. AIM Florida will utilize this conference to build its support group and membership networks into a more cohesive statewide structure as well as strengthen the Two Elk/Goyette Memorial State Office and our regional offices and networks. The conference will also work to build and strengthen unity with solidarity and progressive movements within Florida and the southeastern United States.

Of special consideration at this-years conference will be the struggles of Maya and other Indigenous refugee's living in exile in Florida. Several Florida organizations of Maya in exile will be participating and making presentations of special concern at this years conference.

We encourage all movements, organizations, Indigenous peoples as well as friends, supporters, and solidarity groups from throughout Florida to attend and give input. Last years conference in Melbourne, FL; and the first South AIM Florida Conference this year, provided an unprecedented level of support and solidarity. We hope to build upon that support at this year's conference.

The struggle of Indigenous peoples throughout the Western Hemisphere continues at critical levels. Hate crime murders continue throughout Indian Country. Treaty rights, hunting rights, fishing rights etc., continue to be under blatant attack from both governmental and anti-Indian forces. Sovereignty continues to be under blatant and covert attacks, sometimes disguised through thinly veiled attacks on Indian economic development. Anti-Indian organizations overtly and covertly continue to operate and attack Indigenous national sovereignty throughout the United States and especially in Florida. Indigenous cemeteries continue to be under unrelenting attacks here in Florida. From Snake Creek in Carol City to Alaqua Bayou in Pensacola Indigenous cemeteries remain threatened by development, degreed and illegal grave robbers. Police brutality against Indigenous peoples in Florida and elsewhere continues. Discrimination and stereotyping run rampant. From Cape Coral Hospital's snide comments and refusal to give a Dakota man service to the Chasco Fiesta where traditional Indian people and culture is depicted as "barbaric," "savage," "bloodthirsty" and only assimilation can save Native people-the gross stereotypes continue.

The 16th Anniversary AIM Florida /FIA Conference will hold workshops which will help develop and modify AIM Florida strategies on such critical issues as; the Indian Arts and Crafts Act violations, New Age culture vulturing, cemetery desecration, political prisoners, mercury poisoning, Indian Child Welfare Act, sovereignty, stereotypes; mascots as well as of special importance this year-the struggles of the exiled Maya people living in Florida and how we can assist them. Additionally this conference will also include technical and educational workshops for AIM Florida members and others on civil disobedience, media, legalities and more.

Presentations will also be made on AIM Florida 's work in the previous year. The conference will also emphasize the development of concrete strategies for responding to the many problems and issues facing Indigenous peoples in Florida.

We will seize upon this historic opportunity to further build and solidify the American Indian Movement in Florida, network with the exiled Maya community in Florida, and build stronger networks of solidarity with peoples of goodwill in Florida.

AIM Florida members will participate in an annual board election, and general membership meeting. AIM Florida will award the 3rd David Goyette Memorial Human Rights Award, and 2cnd Indian Rights Award at the conference as well as other awards from the organization showing appreciation for its members and supporters support over the past year.

Alcohol, Drugs and Weapons will be strictly prohibited. For the safety and health of all participants this will be strictly enforced by AIM Florida security personnel which will patrol both the campground, conference sites and main conference hotel.

The media is encouraged and invited to attend the conference. However, all interviews, photo's, audio-taping (whether for personal or public distribution) must be cleared by prior arrangement with AIM Florida Information Director Mark Madrid, as well as the subject(s) of the interview.

There is no registration fee for AIM Florida , dues paid AIM Florida Support Group members, or members of the Maya community organizations. AIM and AIM Support Group members are asked to please contact the 16th AIM Florida State Conference Committee to advise they plan to attend. Nonmembers are welcome and asked to pay a $25 (whole conference) or $15 (daily) registration fee to help defray the costs of this conference. Registration packets will be included in postal mailed invitations.

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact us. We sincerely hope you will be able to join us for this historic gathering.

In Solidarity,

Sheridan Murphy
State Executive Director

Gabriel Provancial
State Chairman

Mark Madrid
State Information Director

George Garcia
State Security Director

Marie Zwicker
Palm Beach AIM SGCoordinator