North Dakota Human Rights Coalition
Working to effect change so that all people in North Dakota enjoy full human rights
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North Dakota Human Rights Coalition Working to effect change so that all people in North Dakota enjoy full human rights |
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~North Dakota Human Rights Coalition~ PAUR Report
Programs ~ Announcements ~ Updates ~ Resources
Visit our Website at www.ndhrc.org
April 21, 2004
Hello members and friends of the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition!
In this week’s PAUR Report:
Announcements 1) Last Call for Registrations and Scholarships for Building Racially Inclusive Communities Conference, May 6-8, Fargo 2) FM Pride 2004 Festival, June 4-6 3) Indian Taco Sale Wednesdays 4) SAVE THE DATE, North Dakota Human Rights Coalition Conference, November 5 & 6, 2004, Bismarck
Newspaper Articles 5) The Forum (Fargo), Kindred teacher dispute settled 6) The Forum (Fargo), Poor may lose housing help 7) Grand Forks Herald, Dorreen Yellow Bird Column: The crocus stands as a symbol 8) The Forum (Fargo) & Bismarck Tribune letters regarding gay marriage 9) Bismarck Tribune, Former employee says tribe neglected its bison 10) Bismarck Tribune, Bismarck Hebrew Congregation sponsoring service to observe Holocaust Remembrance Day 11) Grand Forks Herald, Dorreen Yellow Bird Column: Powwow may want to rethink drum policy 12) Grand Forks Herald, UND Time-Out Week and Wacipi: Invites drum up debate 13) The Forum (Fargo), Scot A. Stradley letter: Wage disparities make a difference 14) The Forum (Fargo), Alan White latter: Strip one-sided, biased, not funny 15) Bismarck Tribune, Prison budget deficit expected 16) Grand Forks Herald, UND: Dean: Drum song will sound 17) Daily News (Wahpeton), Treatment center is approved
Events 18) Barbecue at Trollwood Park, April 30, Fargo 19) Listening Session Training, April 29, Fargo
Reminders 20) Cultural Diversity Resources, Human Rights Resource Center, Human Rights Movie Night, April 23, Fargo 21) North Dakota Progressive Coalition Presents Motivational Speaker John Nichols, April 30, Fargo 22) Human Rights Campaign Partners with Meetup.com to Fight Discriminatory Constitutional Amendment 23) Fact Sheet: North Dakota Workers with Disabilities Program (WDP) “Medicaid Buy-In” 24) Festival of India Student Performance, April 29, Fargo 25) Nonviolent Peaceforce to Present on MSUM Campus, April 23, Moorhead, MN 26) Knowing & Understanding Your Rights is the First Step in Receiving Equal Rights 27) Principles of Community Organizing Training, April 24-27, 2004, Fargo 28) Sisters of the Presentation at Sacred Heart Convent Presents “Peace Studies” 2003 Series (Various Locations in ND and MN)
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1.) Last Call for Registrations and Scholarships for Building Racially Inclusive Communities Conference, May 6-8, Fargo
This notice
is a last call for registrations for the 3rd Annual BRIC conference. The
preliminary program and registration form for the 3rd Annual Building Racially
Inclusive Communities Conference May 6-8 in Fargo, ND is available at:
http://www.hhh.umn.edu/centers/wilkins/regional_network.htm
Contact Char Voight at the Roy Wilkins Center for Human Relations and Social Justice, 612.626.9496 or cvoight@umn.edu for more information on the scholarships.
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2.) FM Pride 2004 Festival, June 4-6
The FM Pride
2004 web pages are now up and running on the Pride Collective website at *********************************************
3.) Indian Taco Sale Wednesdays
Purchase an
Indian tacos and soda for ONLY $5.00!
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4.) SAVE THE DATE, North Dakota Human Rights Coalition Conference, November 5 & 6, 2004, Bismarck
!!! SAVE THE DATE !!! Friday, November 5 & Saturday, November 6, 2004 North Dakota Human Rights Coalition 2nd Annual Conference“Human Rights: The Economic Impact of Discrimination”
Location: Best Western Ramkota Hotel 800 South Third Street Bismarck, ND 58504
********************************************* Newspaper Articles ********************************************* 5.) The Forum (Fargo), Kindred teacher dispute settled Kindred teacher dispute settled BISMARCK – A Kindred teacher will be on probation for a year after reaching a settlement Thursday with the state Education Standards and Practice Board over allegations of misbehavior. In the settlement agreement, Julie Jensen continues to deny that she violated the state code of ethics for teachers. Part of the agreement says it "is not to be construed as an admission of any of the allegations in the complaint." Allegations against Jensen include that she made or condoned derogatory and harassing remarks regarding students' sexual orientation. Jensen, who was not at Thursday's meeting, said afterward that the allegations were made up. Her attorney, Mike Geiermann, was at the meeting. "I hope it's over," Jensen said. "I really would like to get on with my career." She said she has been under a gag order for two years while the complaining parties were quoted in various news articles. Jensen teaches business education and physical education and coaches girls varsity basketball. The complaints were brought by Emily Gunkelman, a student who has since graduated; her parents, Julie and Jim Gunkelman, and another unnamed complainant. After the board voted Thursday to reach the settlement, Julie and Jim Gunkelman said they were disappointed. <snip> View full article here ********************************************* 6.) The Forum (Fargo), Poor may lose housing help Poor may lose housing help Hundreds of low-income Fargo families could end up without roofs over their heads if Congress moves forward with 2005 federal budget cuts as proposed. For Lynn Fundingsland, Fargo Housing Authority executive director, the prospect is grim. It's left him scrambling to figure out where that leaves the 1,250 Fargo families who rely on the federal Section 8 housing voucher program as a means to avoid homelessness. In North Dakota, more than 7,000 families are part of the voucher program. About 1,200 families participate in Fargo. Under the proposed budget, 145 of them could have their housing assistance taken away next year. More cuts would follow each year until 2009. These are people with an average annual income of $11,000. They're people who are disabled or elderly, Fundingsland said. The 2005 proposed federal budget also contains nearly $175 million in cuts to the Community Development Block Grant program. Like the voucher program, CDBG funding comes from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. This would result in a 6 percent cut to Fargo's $835,000 program and mark the first time since 1992 that the city's allocation dropped below $800,000. <snip> View full article here ********************************************* 7.) Grand Forks Herald, Dorreen Yellow Bird Column: The crocus stands as a symbol DORREEN YELLOW BIRD COLUMN: The crocus stands as a symbol Grand Forks Herald – 4/13/2004 I drove southwest to the reservation on Good Friday. There were fitful winds and short bursts of driving snow. When I got to Garrison, N.D., I turned there and stopped at the local Cenex for gas. It was trying to rain. The old priest from St. Anthony's Catholic Church at White Shield, N.D., once told me the weather always would be tremulous on Good Friday because it was the day Jesus Christ died. And more often than not, that day has been unsettled or stormy. It's early spring, too. As the windshield wipers pushed the rain/snow off the car window, I wondered if the prairie crocus - the Pascal flower - would be blooming. Perhaps it was too cold, I thought. Saturday, the sun came out. The wind still was harsh, but the day looked warm. So with walking stick in hand and camera over my shoulder, I climbed the barbed wire fence and walked into the pasture where my brothers keep some 100 to 150 head of cattle. I was looking for the prairie crocus but not expecting much. When I saw the first little flower, it was standing alone in a field of sleeping prairie. Its furry petals were closed so tightly you hardly could see its yellow-orange face, but I was pleased I had found at least one. I took a number of pictures of the lone, small flower - from the top, around the side, lying down - whatever position I could muster. It was probably the only flower I would see, I thought. <snip> View full article here ********************************************* 8.) Grand Forks Herald, The Forum (Fargo) & Bismarck Tribune letters regarding gay marriage
<snip>
Gay marriage poses no threat to society Grand Forks Herald – 4/13/04 GRAND FORKS - The author of the letter, "Like gambling and abortion, gay marriage may be a slippery slope," is flawed in her logic. She writes, "The law already 'discriminates' against thieves, drug lords, speeders, cheaters, liars and murderers." The implication here is that the law should deny gay people the right to state-sanctioned marriage, which promotes the very thing heterosexual couples value in marriage: social support, state and federal benefits and state recognition of the couple's committed relationship. Bigoted straight people often try to cloak their disgust about gays by saying that they are protecting marriage. But heterosexual marriage has been going downhill for decades, long before gay marriage was even thought of. Some unthinking people might suggest, "Well, if we let the gays in, what's next? Animals and people marrying? Having 16 wives?" Of course those unreasonable arguments are specious. To put thieves and murderers in the same category with gays not only is insulting, but also is based on flawed thinking. Thieves and murderers are out hurting people. Gays are more like heterosexuals than we are different, like it or not. We aren't suggesting we be given legal protection for hurtful behavior. Instead, we are trying to gain the right to have legally recognized, state-sanctioned, committed and loving relationships. That is a far cry from murdering and stealing. <snip> View full article here *********************** MAILBAG: Gay issue continues to stir up controversy Grand Forks Herald – 4/14/2004 Column paints inaccurate, inflammatory portraitLOS ANGELES - A viewpoint asserts that gay and lesbian relationships are "disordered and dangerous" . The column by Robert Buechler, pastor of Trinity-Bergen/Faith Lutheran Parish in Starkweather, N.D., makes several claims that are outrageously defamatory. Buechler, who doesn't cite any sources, states that gay relationships cause a 25- to 30-year decrease in life expectancy; (and) chronic, potentially fatal, liver disease, among other problems. He also says that, "Homosexual sex not only damages the body, it in fact destroys the psyche as well." This inaccurate, inflammatory column contains many scurrilous claims that do nothing but encourage hatred and homophobia. As a gay man and as a Christian, I am very surprised at Buechler's remarks that have absolutely no compassion, are severly misguided and have no basis whatsoever in the Christian faith. <snip> View full article here ********************************************* 9.) Bismarck Tribune, Former employee says tribe neglected its bison
Former employee says tribe neglected its bison By Lauren Donovan, Bismarck Tribune Bismarck Tribune – 4/9/2004 NEW TOWN -- A man
who works for the Three Affiliated Tribes' bison project said neglect, bad
management and laziness caused the tribes' bison to die this winter. <snip>
View full article here ********************************************* 10.) Bismarck Tribune, Bismarck Hebrew Congregation sponsoring service to observe Holocaust Remembrance Day Bismarck Hebrew Congregation sponsoring service to
observe Holocaust Remembrance Day Bismarck Tribune – 4/15/2004 Like a kick in the solar plexus. Amid an array of horrors, these
honed into a specific nerve ending. <snip>
View full article here ********************************************* 11.) Grand Forks Herald, Dorreen Yellow Bird Column: Powwow may want to rethink drum policy DORREEN YELLOW BIRD COLUMN: Powwow may want to
rethink drum policy The 35th Annual Time Out and Wacipi is completed, and getting ready for the 36th program probably is far from the thoughts of UND Indian students. After all is said and done, I can say I believe the powwow was a success. There are, however, some issues that remain open. The issue that made this powwow different was its use of "invited drums only." When word of that policy reached the newsroom, I was asked about it, as it seemed to be confusing to some Native and certainly non-Native people. I told the reporters who asked that I thought they'd misunderstood. We don't exclude anyone. Everyone is invited, I told them. To my chagrin, I was wrong. Only nine drums were invited to the Wacipi. The cutoff excluded many of the North Dakota, Minnesota and South Dakota drums. I tried to reach Melissa Street, the contact person for the powwow, for explanation. She wasn't at home when I called. Her husband, Richard, answered. I explained to him I was looking for confirmation about the invited drums issue. <snip> View full article here ********************************************* 12.) Grand Forks Herald, UND Time-Out Week and Wacipi: Invites drum up debate UND TIME-OUT WEEK AND WACIPI: Invites drum up
debate Grand Forks Herald – 4/5/2004 Organizers were pleased with the turnout at UND's Time-Out Week and Wacipi Organizers of the 35th an- nual Time-Out Week and Wacipi Week at UND decided to try something different this year, and they were pleased with the results. The drum groups at this year's event were invited only, which is a break with the tradition of being open to all drum groups. Richard Street, a member of the powwow committee that decided to have invited drums only, said they did it to bring well-known championship drum groups in from the United States and Canada. Committee members also wanted to try something different and to bring people to the event who had never before attended, said Street, whose wife, Melissa, is the vice president of the UND Indian Association. Organizers estimated that 4,500 people attended the week-long event. Mixed reactions <snip> View full article here
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13.) The Forum (Fargo), Scot A. Stradley letter: Wage disparities make a difference Scot A. Stradley letter: Wage
disparities make a difference I enjoyed the two articles (Forum, March 28, p. A1 and A8 and A9) on Moorhead's economic development efforts, especially those designed to compete against Fargo's dominant retail industry. I was interviewed by the author, Joy Anderson, who quoted some of my analysis of Fargo's successful retail complex – West Acres. I did want to add to the analysis another cause, which I think is important to public understanding regarding this competition, and Moorhead's difficulties with it. It is a little known fact that North Dakota's Legislature has never applied the minimum wage provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act to waiters and waitresses. The current wage rates on the North Dakota side of the river are well below the minimum wage, which is applied to these occupations on the Minnesota side. I have had students working in Fargo restaurants for as little as $2.14 per hour. The common figure I hear (I have not conducted a statistical analysis) is $3.25 per hour. This wage is almost $2 below the Minnesota minimum and represents a significant cost savings for North Dakota businesses. <snip> View online article here ********************************************* 14.) The Forum (Fargo), Alan White latter: Strip one-sided, biased, not funny Alan White latter: Strip
one-sided, biased, not funny For the second time in the past week or so, I have been offended by the direct implications of the so-called "comic" strip, Mallard Fillmore. First was the installment in which he listed percentages of Americans who were for and against gay marriage, then stated that 100 percent of divorce lawyers would be in favor of it. The implication is that the mere acknowledgement that two people of the same sex can have a stable and loving relationship will somehow weaken and ultimately destroy the marriages of many or most heterosexuals. The presumption that a personal relationship between two other people, that we may not even know, will harm the stable marriage I have had with my wife for over 25 years is an insult. Talk about denigrating the sanctity of marriage? The assertions of Mallard Fillmore certainly do that. Then there is the installment that ran Sunday, March 21, in which he wonders how various groups of Americans will vote in the November election and ends with the question: "Who would this demographic group least want to be president? al-Qaida." The implication is clear that in his view al-Qaida terrorists would rather see Kerry elected than Bush, and it equates anyone who does not support Bush with terrorists. (Don't tell me he didn't say that. That is very clearly what he means.) This is insulting to any American who believes that democracy, differences of opinion, and free and open elections are good things. It questions the patriotism and even the morality of those who disagree with Bush, and for that matter, anyone who may just prefer another candidate. <snip>
View full article here ********************************************* 15.) Bismarck Tribune, Prison budget deficit expected
Prison budget deficit expected By Deena Winter, Bismarck Tribune Bismarck Tribune – 4/15/04
NEW ENGLAND -- Prison officials told a panel of lawmakers that if prison admissions continue to increase at the pace they've been going lately, the corrections department will have a budget deficit of anywhere from $1 million to $3 million. And that's even after lawmakers added $1 million to the corrections budget during a special session last year. Dave Krabbenhoft, fiscal director for the corrections department, said the number of men going to prison has been increasing at an annual rate of nearly 10 percent since July, and if it continues at that pace, the state could end up paying $2.2 million to contract prisoners out to other prisons, plus medical expenses. "The corrections budget isn't going to be a budget you guys'll be happy to see (next session)," he told the interim Budget Committee on Government Services, which met in New England on Wednesday to get a close-up look at the new women's prison. <snip> View full article here ********************************************* 16.) Grand Forks Herald, UND: Dean: Drum song will sound UND: Dean: Drum song will sound The interim dean of UND's School of Law says that an American Indian drum group will perform an honor song at this year's graduation ceremony. "The bottom line is that we will be including the song," said Candace Zierdt, interim law school dean. Zierdt sent a letter late Thursday to Bob Boyd, UND vice president of student and outreach services, indicating that she felt the song could be performed in a way that was inclusive to all participating in the ceremony. UND leaders originally had decided against a request that would allow the five-minute song at the ceremony, saying that it was inconsistent with academic focus and that it could be perceived as a tribute to only one group of students. Officials said that the school's various graduation ceremonies are highly structured and steeped in tradition. The ceremonies are designed so that they are inclusive to all, even to the point that in recent years, religious benedictions and invocations have been eliminated. The decision to prohibit the drum song led to a March 25 protest and march by about 30 UND students and faculty. Organizers of the march, all law school students, said the Lakota honor song was planned as a tribute to all of the graduating students. <snip> View full article here ********************************************* 17.) Daily News (Wahpeton), Treatment center is approved
Treatment center is approved By Robb Long, Daily News Daily News – 4/15/2004 The Wahpeton School Board made a final decision to have Prairie St. Johns, a day center for youth with emotional and psychological problems, come to Wahpeton on a one year trial beginning in the fall. The unanimous decision was made Wednesday evening at Wahpeton's regular school board meeting. The district opted for a one year trial because school board members were leery about entering into a long contract considering they are responsible for paying the special education teachers salary. "I think this is the right thing to do. The community needs this," said Wahpeton Superintendent of Public Schools Mike Connell. Connell said the center's services will not be burdensome financially to the district. It costs the district $500 tuition per student to go to Fargo for treatment. <snip> View full article here ********************************************* Events *********************************************
18.) Barbecue at Trollwood Park, April 30, Fargo
You are cordially invited to an outdoor barbecue at Trollwood Park, North Fargo, on Friday, April 30, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
The outdoor event will allow us to celebrate the arrival of spring, renew friendships, and make plans for the summer and beyond.
Bring a beverage and we’ll provide the rest. Please join us for this informal social.
For more information, call Paul Boswell at 231-7314 or Peg Furshong at 231-8239.
After 14 years, Paul Boswell will be leaving North Dakota State University; his last day at NDSU will be April 30. He has accepted a faculty position in the Department of Communication at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. He will serve as Director of UND’s Native Media Center.
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19.) Listening Session Training, April 29, Fargo
WHAT:
Listening Session Training
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20.) North Dakota Progressive Coalition Presents Motivational Speaker John Nichols, April 30, Fargo
You are
invited!! John
Nichols, The Nation writer, author, motivation speaker!
For more info, people can contact the ND Progressive Coalition at 701-224-8090 or NoDakPC@btinet.net.
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21.) Cultural Diversity Resources, Human Rights Resource Center, Human Rights Movie Night, April 23, Fargo
Cultural
Diversity Resources
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22.) Human Rights Campaign Partners with Meetup.com to Fight Discriminatory Constitutional Amendment
Great news! The Human Rights Campaign is partnering with Meetup.com to make it easy for you to connect with people from your community and get even more involved in fighting the discriminatory constitutional amendment.
This particular item is regarding the gay marriage amendments being attempted in the federal and various state legislatures.
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23.) Fact Sheet: North Dakota Workers with Disabilities Program (WDP) “Medicaid Buy-In”
This is a new social services program for people with disabilities that the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition supported in the 2003 legislative session.
North Dakota Workers with Disabilities Program (WDP) “Medicaid Buy-In”
Background
Many people with disabilities would like to work. In the past, ND law, forced people with disabilities to choose between healthcare coverage and employment. In the past, if an individual did work, earn money, and pay taxes, they lost their Medicaid healthcare benefits. Individuals with disabilities often require expensive medical services not covered by many health insurance plans. Without healthcare benefits through Medicaid, some people would have to pay more in medical fees than they could expect to earn in wages.
Workers with Disabilities
Workers with Disabilities Program allows people with significant disabilities to work, pay taxes, and pay a pro-rated premium to maintain their Medicaid healthcare benefits. Workers with Disabilities Program makes it possible for unemployed North Dakotans with disabilities to become part of the workforce. The North Dakota Medicaid Infrastructure Project has worked with the disability community, advocates, service providers, and state agencies to develop and implement the Workers with Disabilities Program. If enrolled in the Workers with Disabilities Program, the Medicaid income eligibility limit for people with disabilities is approximately $20,900/year. (225% of the 2004 Department of Health and Human Services Poverty Guidelines) People with disabilities can enroll in the Workers with Disabilities Program by paying a pro-rated premium that will be approximately 2.5% to 7.5% of their gross income.
Requirements of Workers with Disabilities
Person with disability, as specified by SSA guidelines, ages 18 through 64 Gainfully employed Pay a one time enrollment fee of $100 Pay a monthly premium that is approximately 2.5% to 7.5% of their gross income
Fiscal Impact of Workers with Disabilities
The Workers with Disabilities Program allows people with disabilities to work, pay taxes, and pay part of their healthcare expenses. It is estimated that the Workers with Disabilities Program will save $642,000 for the Division of Medical Assistance in its first year of implementation. Individuals with a disability who work will pay $1.8 million less in recipient liability. ND will also gain an additional $2.9 million in the federal government’s contribution to our Medicaid fund. ND counties will save an additional $75,783. Individuals with disabilities, who are currently unemployed, would contribute approximately $36,822 in ND state taxes.
The implementation of the Workers with Disabilities Program is a win-win situation. ND’s savings will total about $3 million and the disability community won’t have to choose between employment and healthcare.
For more information the contact the NDCPD-Medicaid Infrastructure Grant, 500 University Avenue, W., Minot, ND 58707, 800-233-1737 or visit their web site at www.ndmig.com.
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24.) Festival of India Student Performance, April 29, Fargo
The students of the Culture of Indian program invite you to attend their year-end performance, the Festival of India.
The students will be performing dances they have learned throughout the year in traditional Indian clothing. The class instructor is Nandini Katti.
The performance will be held on April 29, 2004 at Long Fellow Elementary school in the school gym.
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25.) Nonviolent Peaceforce to Present on MSUM Campus, April 23, Moorhead, MN
Nonviolent Peaceforce to Present on MSUM Campus
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26.) Knowing & Understanding Your Rights is the First Step in Receiving Equal Rights
Learn how to attain your rights
1st Thursday of Each month
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
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North Dakota Human Rights Coalition P.O. Box 1961 Fargo, North Dakota 58107-1961 Phone: (701) 239-9323 Fax: (701) 478-4452 Email: humanrights@ndhrc.org
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