Welcome to the IEN conference, June 10-13, 1999. It is to be held at the National Indian Youth Leadership Project's Sacred Mountain Camp, located approximately 60 miles west of Albuquerque. The conference will begin with a sunrise ceremony on Thursday, June 10 and end on Sunday afternoon about 4-5 p.m. with the conclusion of the last plenary and the closing ceremony.

The map, along with written directions to the site, are posted on our website at http://www.ienearth.org/invitation.html. Or we can fax the map to you for those who don't have access to the web.

WHAT TO BRING TO THE IEN GATHERING:
The Indigenous Environmental Network provided good outdoor hospitality, three meals a day, toilets, shower facilities, portable water, daycare for children who are potty trained to nine years of age, youth activities, and lots of good environmental education. However the quality of your experience depends on your personal preparedness.

Things we recommend that you bring:

• Camping gear, shoes and clothing for hot days and cold nights, sleeping mat or pad for sleeping due to rocky ground, water bottle, heavy duty tent stakes.
• Barefoot is not appropriate due to the small cactus in the area. Sandals are okay. There are some rattlesnakes in the lower elevations area, but have not been any reports of rattle snakes in the camp area.
• Water bottle for drinking - we will have a large potable water truck available on site
• Your personal snacks since the store is at the base of the mountain (45 minute ride).
• Dishes and utensils - Please bring to mealtimes. A place to wash them will be set-up in the kitchen area.
• Campstove - The Forest service has a fire restriction due to the dry season. This means that the sacred fire will burn, but personal campfires are not allowed. If you plan to make coffee, heat water, or cook in your camp, you will need a campstove.
• For those unable to camp, we do have a local lodging list available. IEN is not responsible for shuttles to and from the hotels.
• Be aware that this is high altitude, 8,000 feet.

CAMPING TIPS:

• You will be directed to a camping area upon arrival. Please respect your neighbors. If you know you will be up late, don't camp next to elders, etc.
• Heavy duty tent stakes will help significantly in case of high winds.
• Bring a pad or air mattress to sleep on, there are some areas that are rocky.
• Keep your perishables stored where they will not attract animals and ants. Use common sense - make wise camping decisions. There are black bears, mountain lions, bobcats, etc. in the area. Don't leave food in tents or laying around camp.
• The entire conference runs on solar power. Please watch for the solar unit and cords when choosing a campsite. Recreational vehicles will not be allowed to plug-in to the solar power grid.
• Please observe paths, to avoid damaging fragile plants and to reduce the risk of being lost. There are thick juniper and pinion trees in the area.

REGISTRATION:
The first stop you will make at the conference site will be the registration area. A registration form can be filled out there and you will be given the registration packet which will include the agenda and other relevant information. There is no fee for registration. However we request that the conference participants try to volunteer at least two hours to help with logistics.

VOLUNTEER:
There are many volunteer opportunities available in the following areas: daycare, youth activities, registration table, security (especially need local people), cooking and kitchen help, recycling help, trash removal, composting, office help, errands, and others. At registration, you will be given an opportunity to pick up the area and shift you desire. For those who do not want to sign up, you be assigned a shift and can check the bulletin board for times. Please be aware that if you do not show up for your shift, someone else will end up working for you.

Women/Moon Time: In many traditional cultures, women during their menstrual cycle do not enter food preparation or ceremonial (Sacred Fire and Sweat Lodge) areas. In many of our cultures, we respect the power o our women. During those times, they are conneced to the natural forces and are in their "moon time."

YOUTH ACTIVITIES:
This year there will be a curfew for youth at 11:00 PM. Children and youth will need to be in their camp by these times. Chaperones will be responsible for the youth with them. There are some great workshops for youth. All youth planing to participate with the ropes course and team-building activities will need to have a waiver signed by their parents. Waiver forms are available from Tami Sorenson, Office Manager and Youth Committee Staff Person, at the National IEN office before the conference or on-site during the conference. Her phone number is (218) 751-4967.

SHUTTLES:
There is van shuttle service to the conference site for those speakers and folks flying into Albuquerque for the conference. Send us a copy o your itinerary and we will forward it to the right person. The contact person for the shuttles is Little Rock Reed at (505) 242-0416 or fax to (505) 242-5609. Participants arriving on flights should go to baggage claim area at the Albuquerque airport. The drivers will have signs that say "IEN" so that they can be identified at the baggage claim area. For participants arriving late at night, the vans will transport you to the La Vega House unless you have arranged other housing for the night and then transfer you to the site in the morning. For returning flights, please met your driver at the on-site office. If you are not sure of the shuttle time the times will be posted at the office.

We will move al boxes to the conference site before the conference. You may retrieve your box from the on-site office. We are not responsible for shipping things home from the conference.

EMERGENCY CONTACTS:
The telephone for emergency contact is (505) 242-0416. Tell your family that messages will be taken off the answering machine at regular interval.

FIRST AID/MEDICAL:
Volunteers will be available at the First Aid tent to help with simple health needs. Be sure to drink a lot of water to prevent dehydration.
The closest hospital is about two miles from Sky City in Acoma. The telephone number is (505) 552-5300. Be sure to bring your insurance card with you.

CLOTHING:
We are expecting hot days and cold nights. Bring some warm clothes/jackets for the evenings. Even though the weather may be hot, please show respect by wearing modest clothing at all times in camp, covering the torso and upper legs.
Open-toed shoe are not advised since the terrain is rocky and there are pickers on the ground in places.

WEAPONS, ALCOHOL, & ILLEGAL SUBSTANCES:
IEN requests that you do not bring firearms, alcohol, or any illegal drugs. Besides the legal ramifications to individuals and or hosts, substances could compromise the medicine bundles of others. Those who feel the U.S. laws are wrong must take it up with that government.
We ask all participants to attend and act respectfully during our conference. IEN is committed to providing an opportunity for grassroots people to share information and strategies on environmental threats in their communities. This four day camping conference follows the teachings of the Sacred Fire which will burn throughout this historic gathering. Help us to make this the best Protecting Mother Earth conference ever.