Indigenous Environmental Network, 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