Agenda - 11th Annual IEN Protecting Mother Earth Conference

Updated June 5, 2000

June 2000 Conference Agenda and Workshops
THEME: RECLAIMING OUR SACRED WATER: PURIFICATION, HEALING AND ACTIVISM

Day 1 - Wednesday, June 14^th - OPENING AND PLENARY

9:00 am - 10:00 am	WELCOMING ACTIVITIES Opening Prayer (the lighting of the sacred fire ceremony will have took place at sunrise) [Casa De Colores chooses the local person to offer this prayer] IEN welcoming statement: Tom Goldtooth, National Coordinator, introduction of IEN and IEN board, staff, resource people and volunteers. Casa De Colores welcoming statement: Helga Garcia-Garza, Director, introduction of Casa De Colores board, staff, resource people and volunteers. Camping and conference ground rules: Charlotte Caldwell, IEN and Helga Garcia-Garza. Youth activities and youth participation: Heather Milton, IEN Youth Organizer and Andrea Garza, Casa De Colores Youth Organizer, Brownsville, Texas Spiritual guidelines on the sacred fire, purification lodges and ceremonies: Jose Garza and Tom Goldtooth Spanish Translation: Carol Kalafatic, Coordinator for Translators
10:15 am - 12:30 pm Wednesday	PLENARY: Environmental, Economic and Border Justice in Brownsville and Along The Mexico/U.S. Border The speakers will provide an overview of the environmental and economic justice issues that impact the Indigenous and Mexican communities along the United States and Mexico border. Starting with a focus on the local issues, Brownsville and the Rio Grande Valley suffers from a culminating journey of the waters of the Rio Grande, carrying waste from industry, agriculture and communities alike to its mouth and to the Gulf of Mexico. The city of Brownsville on the U.S. side and the city of Matamoros on the Mexico side are especially impacted due to limited economic opportunities afforded to Indigenous Peoples of tradition. A surge in tourism and its affiliated industries offer mostly service-oriented employment, with no substantial income for families. Along the U.S. and Mexico border, free trade negotiations provided an opportunity for U.S.-based industries to relocate to the Mexico border where the industries enjoy cheap labor with little or no restrictions by occupational-safety or environmental standards. Mexico Indigenous communities uprooted from their traditional homelands of Mexico migrate to these border towns looking for employment. Speakers will provide an overview of these issues, how they are addressing these issues and what support they need. Moderator: Domingo Gonzales, Border Campaign and Casa de Colores, Brownsville, Texas, USA/Mexico Panel: Helga Garcia-Garza, Director, Casa de Colores, Brownsville, Texas Jose Matos, Indigenous Alliance Without Borders, Tucson, Arizona Auchee Wahpepah, Kickapoo Nation, Mexico/USA Cyrus Reed, Texas Center for Policy Studies, Texas, USA

Day 2 - Thursday, June 15^th

9:00 am - 12:00 noon	PLENARY on Reclaiming Our Sacred Water This plenary will focus on the theme of the conference: "Reclaiming Our Sacred Water." Water, according to most Indigenous cultures across the Americas and the world is a sacred gift of the Creator and a life-giver. Within the focus of environment and health, water resources have become contaminated with pollutants that has effected the health of Indigenous communities and the ecosystem. Indigenous rights to water resources, both ground and surface water has been a continuing issue where ever Indigenous Peoples live. This plenary will provide an overview of these issues and provide examples of how Indigenous communities are addressing these issues and what challenges lie ahead to protect valuable water resources. A working group session is available from 5:00-6:30 p.m. for interested persons to develop an action plan to address these issues (to be announced, depending on interest). Plenary Moderator: TBA Panel: Steve Lopez, Colorado River Native Nation Alliance, Fort Mojave, CA, USA Teresa Leal, Comadres Organization, Nogales-Sonora area, Mexico Esther Nahgahnub, Great Lakes Regional IEN, Minnesota Elaine Simino, Pueblo Water Rights, New Mexico

Day 3 - Friday, June 16^th

9:00 am - 12:00 noon	PLENARY on Globalization and Environment This plenary will discuss how economic globalization is affecting Indigenous Peoples and the environment. People are becoming concerned with how the World Trade Organization (WTO) and other tri-national and international trade initiatives are affecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples, protection of natural resources, protection of traditional knowledge and other related areas. Discussion will discuss the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs) and other trade agreements that could affect Indigenous Peoples. A report by the Indigenous Environmental Network delegation that attended the "Battle in Seattle" WTO meeting will be provided with presentation of the Seattle Declaration. There will be a working group of interested people that will meet throughout the conference from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. starting Thursday to develop an action plan on Globalization. Plenary Moderator:Chris Peters, Director, Seventh Generation Fund, California, USA Panel: Carol Kalafatic, International Indian Treaty Council, New York, USA Clemente Ibe Wilson and Taira Stanley, Movimento de la Juventad Kuna, Panama Estele Roman, Indigenous representative to Re-Thinking Tourism Project, Mexico Maria Teresa Guerrero, Comision de Solidaridad y Defensa de los Derechos Humanos (Solidarity and Human Rights Defense Commission) from Chihuahua, Mexico Pedro Turuseachi, Indigenous tribe of Rarumari from the Sierra Tarahumara, southern Chihuahua, Mexico

WORKSHOPS (All workshops are scheduled on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday afternoon from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm. Some skill-building workshops are scheduled on Saturday morning from 9:00 to 12:00 noon)
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SESSIONS - Water, Air, Land and Our Bodies
Toxic Chemicals in Our Water, Air, Environment and Bodies of Our People
This panel will look at the health effects of toxic chemicals that bioaccumulate in the environment, food web and human body. Emphasis will look at how various chemicals from pesticides used in the agricultural industry and dioxins and other persistent organic pollutants (POPs) going into the environment are affecting Indigenous Peoples. The workshop will look at various efforts Indigenous communities and organizations and federal agencies are doing to address these issues. The global treaty on legally banning and eliminating POPs by countries throughout the world will be discussed. Moderator: Jackie Warledo, Greenpeace Toxics Campaign -Native Lands and IEN Board Member Panel: Paula Gomez, Brownsville Community Health Center, Texas Sterling Gologergen, IEN/Alaska Community on Toxics (ACAT), Anchorage Dr. Pat Costner, Senior Scientist, Greenpeace Lucy Harrison, American Indian Health Service of SE Michigan, U.S./Canada

Radiation Exposure and Its Effect to Our People and Environment
The workshop will focus on the health impacts associated with federal facilities under the jurisdiction of the Department of Energy and Department of Defense. Emphasis will be placed on public participation in community-based health research sponsored by federal agencies. A framework will be explored for developing public policy that is "pro" community. The workshop will address community-based health concerns and how program/projects and activities can de designed and implemented with direct involvement of all community residents. The workshop will conclude with identifying "a path forward." Moderator: JoKay Dowell, NRMNC Project, Oklahoma USA Panel: Gilbert Sanchez, Tribal Environmental Watch Alliance, New Mexico, USA Dr. Mildred McClain, Citizens For Environmental Justice, Georgia, USA Patricia George, Nuclear Risk Management for Native Communities Project, Western Shoshone Nation territories (Nevada, USA)

Pesticides
This workshop will talk more specifically on the dangers of pesticides to our water, the health of our communities and all life forms. Alternatives to toxic pesticides and integrated pesticide management programs will be discussed. Moderator: TBA (to be announced) Speaker: Margaret Reeves, Pesticide Action Network, Worker Rights Program, San Francisco, CA Dr. Elizabeth Guillette, University of Arizona, health-pesticide study on Yaqui Indians in Mexico Patricia Diaz, Red de Accion Sobre Plaguicidas y Alternativas en Mexico, Texcoco, Mexico (invited) Farmworkers Environmental and Economic Justice Network (invited)

Dioxin in our Food, Fish, Animals and Bodies of Our People
Dioxin is a toxic "by-product" produced by industry. The federal USEPA has reported dioxin levels in the body of all humans, food, air, water and soil. Dioxin poisoning is especially serious in Indigenous communities that have a close relationship to the land and traditional food sources. This workshop will provide an education of what dioxin is, how it is produced, various sources of dioxin emissions, current health studies and its health effects to all living things. Dioxin is released by industries such as, oil refineries, pulp and paper mills, medical and toxic waste incineration, PVC, manufacturing and cleaning, etc. Workshop participants will learn what groups are doing about this issue. The last presenter will talk about the dangers of PVC in the construction and building industry and various alternatives. Moderator: Bob Shimek, IEN Health Care Without Harm Project, Minnesota Speaker: Monica Rhode, Center For Health Environment and Justice, Virginia Charlotte Caldwell, IEN, Minnesota Bill Walsh, Healthy Building Network, Washington, DC
GLOBALIZATION, TRADE, ENVIRONMENT & DEVELOPMENT SESSIONS
Affects of Globalization and Trade
This workshop will be a circle talk discussion on how the western concept of development has not been sustainable and how latest efforts of economic globalization effect Indigenous Peoples and our lands, especially along the borders of Mexico and United States. Discussion will also talk about the trade negotiations and impacts of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the General Agreement of Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and the World Trade Organization (WTO). Discussions on unsustainable natural resource development such as clear cutting of forests, mining and oil development, water diversion and dams, large-scale agriculture and other activities. There will also be a Special Interest/Breakout Group on this issue that will meet each afternoon from 5:00 � 7:00 and Saturday morning. Moderator: Chris Wheelock, IEN Biodiversity Project, Wisconsin Speakers:Ruben Solis, Southwest Public Workers Union, Workers Justice Campaign of the Southwest Network for Environmental and Economic Justice, San Antonio, Texas Cipriana Jurado Herrera, CISO and Co-Chair, Border Justice Campaign, SNEEJ, Cuidad Juarez, Mexico Guadalupe Espino Palma, Indigenous tribe of Rarumari, Sierra Tarahumara, South Chihuahua, Mexico

Introduction to Unsustainable Mining
An introduction of the Indigenous Mining Campaign Project, a collaborative effort between the Indigenous Environmental Network and Project Underground will be provided. Discussions on how mining development in and near Indigenous homelands have been unsustainable and part of globalization activities. Moderator: Sayokla Kindness, IEN/Project Underground Speakers: Jim Main, Fort Belknap, White Clay Society, Montana Colleen Poler, Sokoagan Mole Lake Band of Chippewa Mining Impacts Board, Wisconsin Marcial Fabricano, Confederation of Indigenous Peoples of Bolivia (CIDOB), South America

The Undeground Stream: Gold
Indigenous peoples will discuss how gold mining has affected their communities. An overview of the technical aspects of gold mining including: Large scale open pit mining techniques, use of sodium cyanide, impacts on water quality, de-watering and ground contamination, etc. Moderator: Colleen Poler, Great Lakes Regional IEN, Wisconsin Speakers: Danny Kennedy, Project Underground, California. Carrie Dann, Newe Sogobia, Nevada. Director of the Western Shoshone Defense Project. Segunda Castrejon Vallejo (President of the Federation of Rondas Campesinas Femeninas de Northen Peru TBA, representative from the Mexico-Tohono O'odham

Oil as a Globalization Issue
The oil workshop will talk about the environmental, social and cultural impacts that oil mining and the refining process has on Indigenous communities around the world. Information on the Oil Watch Network and its opposition to frontier oil development in the tropics will be provided. A speaker from Canada will talk about the connection of oil development as a fossil fuel and its connection to global warming and climate change. Moderator: Jan Stevens, Oklahoma Regional IEN, Sac & Fox, Oklahoma Speakers: Carvil James, Project Underground Oil Campaigner, California Sandra Abdiu, Gwich'in Representative, Alaska. TBA, Indigenous representative of either Chiapas or Tabasco, Mexico Barbara Frazier, Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations Climate Change Project, Canada
SKILLS BUILDING and OTHER WORKSHOP SESSIONS
Non-Violent Training Planning and Strategy
Activists from the Ruckus Society will facilitate an interactive and hands-on workshop on nonviolence and direct action. Attendees will participate in role-plays and discuss the history, philosophy and practice of nonviolence. The workshop will also discuss the use of nonviolent direct action and civil disobedience for human rights and environmental struggles. Facilitator: Wally Antone, Colorado River Native Nations Alliance, Arizona/California Trainers: John Sellers, Han Shan and Others, Ruckus Society, California

Bucket Brigade � Air Sampling
The Bucket Brigade is the name of a community-based air sampling and monitoring program of the organization, Communities for a Better Environment (CBE). Begun by residents concerned about toxic releases from oil refineries, the Brigade now represents a network of community partnerships that work to put information about air quality into the hands of citizens. This workshop will demonstrate how communities could use specially designed air sampling "buckets" to obtain data on gaseous and toxic pollutants in the air. Presentation on an in-door air-monitoring project will also be held in this workshop. Trainer: Ann Rolfes, Communities for a Better Environment, CA Nancy Rae, In-Door Air Pollution Model, Arizona

Economic Sustainable Communities
Presentation on the potential for economic development based upon ecological sound industries that could be located in Indigenous communities. Trainers: Neil Seldman, Institute for Local Self-Reliance, Washington D.C. Bill Walsh, Healthy Building Network, Maryland

Traditional Medicine Knowledge
Casa de Colores is an Indigenous center that consists of the Temazcal (traditional sweat bath), herbal healing and traditional massage with herbs and lotions. This workshop will educate both youth, young adults and adults on the use of oils, lotions and teas used in healing as well as the use of medicine plants. The presenters are Spanish-speaking and English translation will be provided. Trainer: TBA, Casa de Colores Presenter

Powerful Strategic Media Planning
This workshop will provide information on the development of a media plan and the ability to make headlines with that media plan. A strategic media plan will help you shape influence and support from the both the Indigenous and non-Indigenous public, obtain public opinion, and get positive media attention. Learn how to integrate your communities efforts into a strategic media campaign. Trainers: Charlotte Caldwell, Indigenous Environmental Network, Minnesota Tom Lalley, Environmental Media Services, Washington, DC

Community-Based Low Frequency Radio as a Communication and Organizing Tool
This workshop will be a hands-on demonstration on using low-frequency radio technology for community work. Trainer: Joseph Leon, Native American Calling, Albuquerque, New Mexico

BREAKOUT SESSIONS, CAUCUS AND SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS (5:00 � 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Saturday morning is also available for these groups to finish any final activities related to their breakout sessions, caucus and special interest groups.) Individuals and groups sometimes want to meet with one another to discuss environmental and economic justice issues affecting their communities. IEN makes room on the agenda for these get-togethers to happen. Some of these special issues are pre-arranged. These are:

Access to Water and Indigenous Water Rights � The access of water is getting to be a serious matter throughout the Americas. In the north, tribes are having to negotiate water compacts with non-Indigenous jurisdictions. In the south, access to water within Indigenous territories is becoming an issue that needs to be addressed. This session is open to conference participants to have a circle discussion about this issue. The session is open for the group to develop a strategy and action plan on what should be done to address these issues.
Globalization � This special interest group will meet to discuss the impact of NAFTA, GATT, WTO and the whole issues surrounding globalization. The discussion goes beyond the plenary and workshop presentations and allows more participation and strategic discussion to take place. The session is open for the impacted communities from the south and north to develop a strategy and action plan on what should be done to address these issues.
Pesticides and POPs � This special interest group will meet for a discussion that goes beyond the workshop presentations on pesticides and POPs. The goal of this special interest group is to share more specific action plans IEN and other support groups are doing to address these issues. The session is open to impacted communities from the south and north to talk about their issues, what is being done (or not done) in their local areas and what ideas they may have that could be incorporated into existing strategies and action plans groups are doing.
Young Adults Strategic Organizing � This will be for all older youth and young adults to meet on Saturday morning to bring together their thoughts towards building a sustainable IEN Youth Program and to plan for a national/international Indigenous youth summit. More details to be announced.
YOUTH ACTIVITIES and EVENTS
Toxic Tour � on Wednesday after the workshops (4:30) Details to be announced. Solar Power Activity � on Thursday after the workshops (4:30) Location to be announced. Traditional Game � on Friday after the workshops (4:30) Location to be announced.

YOUNG ADULTS WORKSHOPS (most all Youth workshops are scheduled from 1:30 - 4:30 p.m., unless listed otherwise)

YOUNG PANELS
Border Issues Panel The youth that will be speaking on this panel will be talking the different problems that they have living on the US/ Mexico border. They will also be speaking out about the environmental justice issues that effect them in their area. This group is hosting the conference and will be involved in taking youth who are interested on a Toxic Tour of the area. Speakers from Casa De Clores
Youth Organizing Panel This panel will be focusing on Youth Leadership Develop. All the groups involved are currently working together in south-west area to organize youth. They will be talking about their projects and networking with the young people in attendance. Speakers from South West Organizing Project, South West Public Workers Union, Casa De Clores, Li Deres Campesinas.
Water Panel � (both youth and adults) Five different youth groups that are dealing with water issues in their communities will be speaking out. These issues are water contamination, water exportation, Northern Flood Agreement, water diversion, to name a few. These youth people have been struggling to bring awareness to their situations and organize to create positive change. Speaker from Great Lakes Regional IEN, Grassy Narrows Environmental Group, Native Youth Movement-Bella Coola, Casa De Clores, Pinicikcmak Cree Youth Council.

YOUNG ORGANIZING
Nonviolence and Direct Action � (both youth and adults) Activists from the Ruckus Society will facilitate an interactive and hands- on workshop on non-violent and direct action. Attendees will participate in role plays and discuss the history, philosophy and practice of nonviolence. We will also discuss the use of nonviolent direct action and civil disobedience for human rights and environmental struggles.
Power Mapping This workshop will focus on getting youth to map out the root causes of the problems we face in society today. Youth will be able to make their own power map and identify the issue in the community and a campaign to win that issue. The youth facilitating this workshop are from an organization called SAGE Council.
Youth Organizing This workshop will focus on helping youth organize in their communities. A group of youth from an organization called Youth Action will be doing this workshop. They have been involved in setting up youth networks around various issues and creating support for youth organizers. This workshop will focus on empowering youth do "stuff," in their communities.


TRADITIONAL ACTIVITIES
Beadwork/Leatherwork This workshop is for those young folks who want to hang out and do traditional activities. The youth will be involved in making their own traditional creations. This workshop will be available for those who are more interested in an activity rather than a workshop.
Traditional Medicine - (both youth and adults) Casa De Clores will be hosting this workshop on traditional medicines. This workshop will focus on learning about the traditional medicines and uses in the area surrounding Casa De Clores. This workshop will be available for both youth and the general conference participants.
Traditional Teachings This workshop will be hosted by Casa De Clores as the conference is in their territory. The youth attending will learn about traditional teachings from the area and hang out with some of the knowledgeable people from the area.

YOUTH ORGANIZING/YOUTH ACTIVITIES
International Youth Organizing The focus of the workshop will be youth organizing and networking on an international level. The workshop will focus on the international youth developments that are out there for indigenous youth. Also we will be working to network all youth interested in working at the United Nations level, as there is a meeting this summer on children and youth. This workshop will be hosted by youth from the International Indian Treaty Council (IITC). IITC has been involved with the UN for over twenty years.
Hip Hop Music This workshop will be hosted by two indigenous youth from Canada and Casa De Clores. They have been working with youth to create and promote Indigenous hip-hop. They feel that they can inspire change through music by encouraging youth to feel good and have positive self esteem. This workshop will involve youth who are interested in doing the same thing in their community. Namowan, F.L.I., and a group of dancers from Casa De Clores will be facilitating this workshop.
Theatre/Music This workshop will involve youth through music and theatre. The youth will have an opportunity to write and create their own play. They will then have the opportunity to perform during talent night to the conference audience. This workshop will be hosted by Tato Azul Press.

SPECIAL EVENTS
June 14-June17th � WATER CEREMONY Bringing and mixing together of water from the four directions. Participants will bring water from their homelands. Lead by, Migizi Kwe, Lac de Flambeau, Wisconsin, USA. The water will be collected in a vessel and the women of all Indigenous Nations will offer prayer and blessing for the Water of All Life and purification. The beginning of this offering of water will start on the first day of the conference and conclude on the last day.

SACRED FIRE � DAYBREAK CEREMONY Daybreak ceremonies will be held each morning at the sacred fire center. These are optional to all conference participants to attend. The fire will remain burning throughout all four days of the conference.

EVENING EVENTS
Wednesday Evening: Local Cultural Event. Indigenous peoples from the area will share their culture. Listen up for the MC to announce the details of where and when this event will take place.
Thursday Evening: No activity planned. Open evening to all campers to visit each other or go to town, etc.
Friday Evening: Peoples Talent Show. Open to all conference participants, especially the youth. Come and share whatever talents you may have, from story telling, singing, guitar playing, and other demonstrations. First come-first served! These talent shows are an IEN conference tradition and are very popular. The list of volunteer performers becomes long real fast. We are sorry that we may need to end the sign-ups when we find the list getting too long. We want o give enough time for all people that are signed-up to perform. Again, you better sign-up early for this one. Sign-ups start at 7:30 at the main arbor area.

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