40 Year Trail of Broken Treaties Theme of AIM-WEST Inter-Tribal Conference

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SAN FRANCISCO – AIM-WEST's 6th Annual AIM West Coast Inter-Tribal Conference begins today at the Koret Auditorium at 100 Larkin Street in San Francisco.

AIM-West

The theme for this year's Conference is the "Forty Year Retrospective of the Trail of Broken Treaties, a Review of the Twenty Point Position of 1972, and Indian Manifesto" and how it aligns with the 2007 United Nations "Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples."

The Conference features guest speakers, regional reports, films, solidarity statements, panel discussions and cultural performances.

Conference attendees will be encouraged to explore how these historic documents can serve as guides to prioritize, address and implement issues we are facing today.

Each day the Conference will feature different agenda items. Below is a breakdown by day:

Monday,November 19th registration begins at 9 am (on-going) at the San Francisco Public Library, located at 100 Larkin Street (at Grove St., near Civic Center BART station) in the Koret Auditorium, on the Library's lower level (enter at 30 Grove St.), proceed downstairs. We will host a press conference promptly at 10 am and the Conference program begins at 10:30 am until 6 pm.

Tuesday, November 20, the Conference will be held at the Bahai'i Center, 170 Valencia St. (near Duboce St.) starting with registration at 9 am and panel discussions, lunch and film, until 6 pm.

Wednesday, November 21, the annual Un-Thanksgiving dinner will be held at the Bahai'i Center at 12 noon until 6 pm where the "Eagle and the Condor" come to feast. The public and their families are invited. There will be a cultural program that includes drumming, singers, solo and group performances with Sami peoples, and David Smith and California Pomo Dancers, the Teokalli-Mexica traditional dancers, guest speakers and a special life time achievement award to honor Mr. Wounded Knee De'Ocampo. Please come to honor the occasion!

Thursday, November 22, the traditional Un-thanksgiving feast after Alcatraz Sun Rise with honoring and memorials, and a concluding concert on Alcatraz Island.

Special invited guest speakers, facilitator, moderator, and panelists include:

William Jimbo Simmons, Conference facilitator, international Observer;
Antonio Gonzales, AIM-WEST Director, Conference moderator;
Hank Adams, Special Guest, author of 1972 Trail of Broken Treaties, Indian Manifesto;
Fred Short, AIM spiritual advisor, Conference invocation;
Len Foster, Guest Speaker, 1973 Wounded Knee veteran, Leonard Peltier Spiritual Advisor;
Mike Upshaw, Keynote Speaker, student participant at workshop in 1972, attorney;
Madonna Thunder Hawk, Wounded Knee Vet, Foster Grandparent advocate, life on REZ;
Dr. Jose Cuellar, Elder, cultural reflections re; racism & use of peoples as mascots in sports;
Dr. Roxanne D. Ortiz, status on Treaties and Agreements, and UN perspectives;
George Galvis, Communities United for Restorative Youth Justice;
Michael Flores, US &
Mexico tribal Issues, military harassment and escalation;
Raquela Arthur, Nevada bear and horse issues, relations with BIA. and BLM;
Carol Russo, Dept of Justice, community relations regards to hate crime;
Wounded Knee De Ocampo, on Bay Area Sacred Sites, update on Segorea Te/Glen Cove;
Doug Duncan, California disenrollment, 18 un-ratified treaties;
Courtney Cummings, newly appointed Richmond Human Rights Commissioner;
Jorge Castillo, Alcohol justice and Alco-pop drinks, war on youth
and Don Pasqual Yaxon, traditional Mayan educator, new dimensions in 2012 and beyond.

The Conference will be covered with live streaming/webcast by Ms. Brenda Norrell of Censored News, and Govinda Dalton of Earthcycles broadcasting at www.earthcycles.net

posted November 19, 2012 6:00 am est