Indigenous Environmental Network  [Printer-friendly version]
June 16, 2006

14TH PROTECTING MOTHER EARTH CONFERENCE

[Rachel's introduction: Every year the Indigenous Environmental
Network (IEN) holds its "Protecting Mother Earth" conference and
indigenous people from across the continent arrive, camp out, and
spend a few days discussing topics of interest to us all. You don't
have to be an indigenous person to attend -- all people of good will
are welcome. This is one not to miss, if you can help it. Come to
Cass Lake, Minnesota July 6-9.]

July 6-9, 2006
Veterans Memorial (Pow-Wow and Camp) Grounds
Cass Lake, Minnesota

Held within the territories of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe

Plenary Sessions on: Water, Toxics & Environmental Health, Energy &
Climate Justice, Sacred Sites

Workshops and Trainings on:

-Models of Tribal Cleanup of Contaminated & Superfund Sites

-Affects of Mercury Poisoning and Policy Solutions

-Toxic Body Burdens: Effects of Dioxin and other Bio-accumulative
Chemicals

-Waste Gasification: An Incinerator in Disguise

-Coal Bed Methane, Coal Mining and Coal Fired Power Plant Technology

-Reform of the 1872 Mining Law: Native Strategy on Mining

-Oil Drilling, Oil Refineries and Petro-Politics

-Climate Justice: Global Warming and Climate Change

-Renewable Clean Energy: Community-Based Wind and Solar Projects

-Water Privatization, Water Trading and Commodification

-Red River Water Supply Project: A Regional Tribal Issue

-Traditional Knowledge in Forest Management

-Sacred & Historical Sites Protection

-Protection of Rice, Traditional Foods and Medicines from Bio-Piracy
and Genetic Modification and Engineering

-Straw Bale Building Construction

-Others

Native Youth Activities and Leadership Workshops

This is an outdoor camping conference. Camping areas available. Nearby
motel available within walking distance (Palace Casino & Hotel
1-800-442-3910).

Meals provided each day -- bring utensils, cups and plates. Shower
facilities nearby. Child care. Airplane link in nearby Bemidji with a
major hub in Minneapolis/St. Paul. Four hours driving either from
Minneapolis/St. Paul or Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Donations welcome
at the entrance area.

Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe 4th of July Traditional Pow-Wow, July 1-4,
2006, Veterans Memorial Grounds -- Come early, camp and Pow-Wow!

A Sacred Fire will guide the conference. Sweatlodge ceremonies will be
available.

Anishinaabeg Water Ceremony and Teachings on Water will be conducted.
Bring samples of water from your homeland.

Limited travel scholarships available for U.S. and Canadian Native
community-based groups working on environmental justice issues.

For More Info:

IEN Bemidji Office
Tel: (218) 751-4967
Email: simone@ienearth.org

Hotel accommodations at: Leech Lake Palace Casino & Hotel:
1-800-442-3910 http://www.palacecasinohotel.com/lodging.htm

A 80 room hotel next to the pow-wow grounds.

Accommodations in the Bemidji area: http://www.visitbe
midji.com/lodging/index.html

The conference site is 16 miles from the town of Bemidji. No shuttles
will be arranged.

Rental cars in Bemidji: Enterprise, Hertz, National/Alamo