O'odham and Dineh Women Seek Sponsors to Cochabamba Climate Conference 2015

Michelle Cook, Dineh (Navajo) and Ofelia Rivas,
O'odham, make plans for Cochabamba.
Photo Brenda Norrell Sept. 2015

Update Oct. 9, 2015: Sadly, there was no response for travel sponsors for these incredible grassroots women.
By Brenda Norrell

Censored News

Sept. 25, 2015

English and Dutch

Dutch translation by Alice Holemans, NAIS at:

http://www.denaisgazet.be/nieuws/o-odham-en-dineh-vrouwen-zoeken-sponsors-om-de-chochabamba-klimaat-conferentie-2015-bij-te-wonen

TUCSON -- Tohono O'odham Ofelia Rivas and Dineh Michelle Cook hope to return to Cochabamba, Bolivia, in October and continue the work that they began five years ago when President Evo Morales hosted the World Peoples Conference on Climate Change and the Rights of Mother Earth. 

Bolivia is hosting the World Peoples Conference on Climate Change and Defense of Life, October 10--12, 2015, and the women who facilitated the Indigenous Working Group at the 2010 Conference in Cochabamba hope to be there.

Ofelia Rivas, outspoken human rights defender living on the border in her homeland, on the Tohono O'odham Nation, is founder of O'odham Voice against the Wall. Ofelia co-chaired the Indigenous Working Group in Cochabama in 2010. 

"Everyone had a voice," Ofelia said, remembering the gathering in Cochabamba.

Michelle Cook, Dineh (Navajo) flew into Cochabamba from New Zealand in 2010 and assisted Ofelia with the work of the Indigenous Working Group in Cochabamba. Since then, Michelle received her masters degree as a Fulbright scholar in New Zealand, in Maori and Pacific Development, and completed law school at the University of New Mexico. Michelle is currently in the Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy Program at the University of Arizona in Tucson.

Flagstaff Gold King Mine Spill Benefit: Abolish Columbus Day Events Oct. 10-12

Contact: Klee Benally
indigenousaction@gmail.com

Flagstaff Gold King Mine Spill Benefit and Abolish Columbus Day Events Oct. 10-12, 2015
Benefit Concert, Workshops, Flash Mob, and Forum

Flagstaff, Ariz. — Events will be held in Flagstaff to address the colonial legacy of genocide and slavery celebrated throughout this country as "Columbus Day."
Indigenous Peoples continue to resist centuries of colonial violence in this area known as the Southwest.
From racial profiling, police violence, forced relocation, extreme resource extraction, and desecration of sacred places such as the holy San Francisco Peaks, these events will address remembrance, survivance, and legacies of resilience.

Event organizers are also calling on Flagstaff City Council to take meaningful steps towards recognizing Indigenous Peoples' Day.

FB Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1058662680819039/

Oct. 10 - CONCERT and WORKSHOPS

What: Gold King Mine Spill Relief Benefit Concert and workshops.

Admission is $5-10 sliding scale (no one turned away for lack of funds). Proceeds will go directly to Tohni Relief Fund.

Artists performing:

Radmilla Cody​ (Traditional Diné)
Shining Soul​ (Hip Hop/Phoenix)
Requiem​ (Akimel O'odham Ska Crust/Gila River)
Tha 'Yoties​ (Reggae/Rock/Flagstaff)
Writtyn (Hip Hop/Kayenta)
Sage Bond​ (Acoustic/Tuba City)
Klee Benally​ (Acoustic/Flagstaff)
Darrell Marks​ (Hip Hop/Flagstaff)
Emcee Insurgency (Spoken Word/Flagstaff)

Free Workshops:

Diné Water Security: Unsettling The Tide of Colonization
Organizing & Indigenous Direct Action 101, Know Your Rights
ADOT is the Enemy: Akimel O'odham Youth Collective​ & Gila River Against Loop 202​
Indigenous Sovereignty in the 21st Century​ & the Indigenous Spring
Indigenous Women's Self Defense
Art & Action: Banner Making, Wheat Paste, & Stenciling.

When: Saturday, October 10. Workshops will be held from 10:00am until 4:00pm. Concert starts at 6:30pm and goes until 10:30pm.

Where: At Táala Hooghan, 1704 N 2nd St Flagstaff, AZ 86004.

More info: indigenousaction@gmail.com

OCT. 11 - FLASH MOB

What: Flash Mob Round Dance. Singers, drummers, and dancers. Banners addressing Columbus' genocide, and social and environmental justice struggles.

When: Sunday, October 11 at 4:30pm.

Where: Heritage Square Downtown Flagstaff.

OCT. 12 - INDIGENOUS PEOPLES' DAY FORUM

What: "Stories of Remembrance, Survivance, and Legacies of Resilience." Sharing knowledge through storytelling. Voices of youth, college students, community leaders, and elders. Forum is free and open to the community.

When: Monday, October 12 from 4:00pm until 6:30pm.

Where: NAU's Native American Cultural Center Gathering Room, bldg. 14

More Information: nassnatives@nau.edu or call 928-523-8086.

###