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Pulling Weeds and Planting Seeds
Dennis Michael Plank
Sierra Club Northeast Ohio Group
Human Rights and Environment Committee
 The Conference took place at Baldwin Wallace College, the United
Church of Christ Pilgrim Congregational Church, and C-Space on
April 5-7, 2007. About 50 people attended the conference.
The people who attended the Conference were mostly American Indians
who lived in Northeast Ohio, but there were representatives from
American Indian Nations from Alaska, Oklahoma, Michigan, Illinois,
Minnesota, etc. There were European-Americans, African-Americans,
Asian-Americans, etc. More people probably would have attended,
but the bad snow storm kept them away.
Richie Plass, who is from the Menominee Nation, presented his
traveling exhibit of stuff that he has collected that shows stereotyping
of American Indians (for example, comic books that show fighting
between Cowboys and Indians). Christine Rose, who works with
Richie
Plass, talked about work she has done on civil rights and education
of Indian children (for example, she has done tribally approved
lesson plans). Vernon Bellecourt, who is a principal spokesperson
for the American Indian Movement, talked about how the stereotyping
and mascot issue is similar to using the N-word for African-Americans
(also, it is related to cultural genocide and actual genocide).
Inuit leader Sheila Watt-Cloutier, who has been nominated for
the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize, had literature at the Conference
of her
testimony before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights
that described the relationship between global warming, climate
change, and Indigenous Peoples (Indigenous Peoples's basic survival
in many vulnerable regions is being affected right now). There
were updates from activists around the country on promoting cultural
diversity education. We had dancers, sacred drummers, prayers,
a potluck, and a small protest of the racist name and logo of
the Cleveland Baseball Franchise.
So much happened that it is hard to describe it all unless you
were there. In summary I would say we built community, peace,
and love so that we can continue the struggle for human rights
and
a better environment.
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The City of Cleveland's 
Do you know of a local environmental issue in need
of attention? Do you have inside information on what's
going on in your city or township? With over 5,000
members in Northeast Ohio we count on you to be the
Club's eyes and ears of the region. While the Federal
government and large corporations continue to wreak
havoc on our environment, it is more important than
ever before to act as watchdogs in our own backyards.
For those new to
calling state or federal representatives, it's easier and
less confrontational than it sounds. You will never
speak directly with your rep or senator - an aide
will answer the phone, take brief notes plus your name and city (sometimes), and that's it.