And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: From: "Andre P. Cramblit" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Organization: www.ncidc.org Subject: [FN] Alcatraz >===== PRESS RELEASE for IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION ===== > > In November of 1969, an historic event occurred in the San Francisco > Bay which forever effected the lives all Native American people. In the > early morning hours, approximately 80 American Indians, students and Bay > Area Indian community members alike, gathered in Sausalito to begin the > third and final attempt to reclaim Alcatraz Island in the name of Indians > Of All Tribes. Lead by student leaders Richard Oakes, La Nada Means > (Boyer), Al Miller, and others, the landing and occupation of Alcatraz > Island set in motion what would later be termed the "Red Power" movement of > the 1970s. After the initial outpouring of local, national, and > international support, the growing number of Indians on Alcatraz settled in > for a 19 month occupation intent on reclaiming the island as Indian land, > as well as to bring national attention to the social and political > struggles facing American Indians. In June of 1971, U.S. Federal Marshals > removed the remaining Indian occupiers. Although the physical occupation > ended, the movement which Alcatraz ignited continued, and still continues > today. > > The successes of the Alcatraz occupation can be witnessed on > reservations and in Urban areas all across the U.S. today. The advancements > of American Indians in education, healthcare, self-determination, treaty > rights, and other areas can be traced to the courage and sacrifices so > bravely exemplified by the Alcatraz Occupation Veterans. Furthermore, the > American Indian cultural and spiritual renaissance, which many people give > credit to Alcatraz, continues to effect the lives of Native Americans > thirty years after the occupation. Today, the Alcatraz Occupation stands > out as a beacon of pride for Native American people; as a symbol of freedom > and self-determination; and as a rebirth of our sense of identity, of our > culture, and traditions. > > In the tradition of honoring our warriors, it would only seem natural > then for us to honor the bravery and sacrifices of those individuals who > made the Alcatraz Occupation a watershed in the history of all Native > Americans. Therefore, we propose a 30th Anniversary Celebration to > commemorate the 1969-71 Indian occupation of Alcatraz, and to rightfully > honor all Occupation Veterans. A committee has already been formed to plan > this historic reunion and celebration to take place on October 23, 1999 on > Alcatraz Island. Planning and organizational meetings with representatives > of the Golden Gate Parks Recreation Area are underway to insure a > successful and memorable celebration honoring this historic event. > American Indian musicians and performers have already agreed to > participate, and many leaders throughout Indian Country have agreed to > attend. However, with only a few more months left to execute our event > plan, we are writing to you and others to ask for your help and support. > > As you can imagine, the logistics and costs of an event like this on > Alcatraz Island are formidable. However, our past experience, including the > 1997 "We Hold The Rock Pow Wow" on Alcatraz Island, puts us in a unique > position to pull this off. With the help and commitment of the National > Parks Service on Alcatraz, we have already devised a workable event plan, a > budget, an infrastructure needs assessment, and a support network of staff > and volunteers. We also have an American Indian non-profit organization as > our fiscal sponsor for accounting purposes. Now, we need the support of > the larger Indian community and the financial support of potential sponsors > like yourself. Your financial support in this endeavor is crucial to a > successful event; a celebration that all American Indians can be proud of. > Please discuss this proposal with your Tribal Council and respond at your > earliest convenience. On behalf of the Alcatraz Occupation 30th Anniversary > Celebration Committee, I thank you for your consideration. > > > Millie Ketcheshawno > Event Director Reprinted under the fair use http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html doctrine of international copyright law. &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Tsonkwadiyonrat (We are ONE Spirit) Unenh onhwa' Awayaton http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/ &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
