INDIGENOUS PEOPLES GATHER IN NM TO FIGHT LATEST URANIUM BOOM

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Southwest Indigenous Uranium Forum

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, September 11, 2009

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES GATHER IN NM TO FIGHT LATEST URANIUM BOOM


Gallup, N.M.- Indigenous peoples from all over North America will converge at Acoma Pueblo this fall to actualize an inter-tribal campaign to end the latest uranium boom threatening communities throughout Indian Country. The 7th Southwest Indigenous Uranium Forum will take place October 22- 24, 2009 at Sky City Hotel, Acoma, New Mexico.

The Southwest Indigenous Uranium Forum started in 1987 with a series of conferences on the environmental and health impacts of uranium development in the Grants mineral belt in New Mexico. Over the past 22 years, the Forum has grown into an important vehicle for strategy development and coordination of communities affected by the entire lifeline of nuclear power - from uranium mining to nuclear waste storage.

"For the first time in sixty years, indigenous peoples in North America have the greatest opportunity to stop further uranium/nuclear development and to promote renewable energy," says Anna Rondon, 7th Southwest Indigenous Uranium Forum Organizer.  "The political climate is perfect for us to organize ourselves nationally.  We hope to leave the forum with specific actions to continue resisting the corporate/government invasion of our homelands through nuclear developmental terrorism.  This forum is spiritually based and will include private ceremonies."

Due to the United States' recent energy policies, which emphasize nuclear power as a solution to the quest for clean energy sources, uranium mining is experiencing a boom. Historically, the negative health, economic and social impacts of nuclear power have fallen on the back of Indigenous peoples.

Although the forum will focus much needed attention on the uranium developments being proposed at Mount Taylor and throughout the Grants mineral belt of New Mexico, it will also provide education on a variety of topics, from the health effects of uranium mining, to the implications of U.S. energy policy, to the opportunities provided by the emerging green economy. Most importantly, it will provide an opportunity for communities to network, organize, and strategize.

Speakers & Workshops

Thursday, October 22, 2009
9 a.m. - 12 p.m.    Blessing of Forum-Acoma Elders
Talking Circle
Reflections on Protection - Mt. Taylor -30 Year Montage by John Redhouse, Manny Pino
12 - 1 p.m.  Luncheon
4:30 p.m.

  • Panels/Workshops
  • Generic EIS for in situ Uranium Mining
  • How to do a Community-Based Health Assessment
  • Current Nuclear-Related Public Policies that Impact People and Environment
  • Black Hills Alliance-Bringing Back the Way by Alex White Plume
  • Multi-Cultural Alliance for a Safe Environment: Best Practices on Organizing
  • People of the Blue Green Waters; Protecting Red Butte and Grandmother Canyon

6 - 8p.m.

  • Cultural Activities including film screenings

Friday, October 23, 2009 
9 a.m. - 4 p.m. 

  • Tools for Change
  • Building Your Community Capacity-Indigenous Organizing-SAGE?
  • Legalese of Indigenous Treaty Rights and Nuclear Terrorism, James Zion or Frank Seanz
  • Bioneers, Dreaming New Mexico, New Energy Economy, Dr. John Fogarty
  • Gallup Solar
  • Green for All and 1Sky New Mexico: Green Jobs Act 2009
  • Herbal Walks, Pathways to Health

6- 8 p.m. 

  • Cultural Activity

Saturday, October 24, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Guest Speaker Winona La Duke
Attendees assemble in groups of 4 to develop strategic plans and report back to grand inter-tribal Council of Resistance. Declaration Committee Presents (one of the four groups).  Finale: Press Conference

WHAT:                      7th Indigenous Uranium Forum
WHERE:                    Sky City Hotel at Acoma Pueblo, New Mexico
WHEN:                      October 22 - 24, 2009
ADMISSION COST:     tration                                                              Late Registration

                                                (Before September 15, 2009)                                      (After September 15, 2009)

Regular                                                             $125                                                                         $185
One Day Pass                                                    $70                                                                           $80
Students / Youth                                                $15                                                                           $25
Community Members                                          $20                                                                           $30
Elders (65 and up)                                              FREE                                                                          FREE

To encourage participation, the Southwest Indigenous Uranium Forum will be offering scholarships to help people participate in the 7th Southwest Indigenous Uranium Forum. The scholarships will be reviewed, and participants will be contacted. Interested parties may fill out the online scholarship form at www.siuf.net or call Nikke Alex, Registrar, 505-879-7461 for a form. The deadline is September 15, 2009 at 5PM EST.
REGISTRATION: 505-879-7461 http://www.siuf.net/

HOTEL: For reservations, please visit the Sky City Hotel online booking engine or call them toll free at 1-877-552-6123. Mention "Southwest Indigenous Uranium Forum" when booking your room for the discounted rate. 

INTERVIEWS AND IMAGES ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

Contact:
Jennifer Marshall
505-231-1776
jennifer@jmarshallplan.com
www.jmarshallplan.com