[News] SF - UN International Day of the World's Indigenous People Mon August 9

[Anti-Imperialist News]

For Immediate Press release

August 8, 2010

For more information:

Antonio Gonzales
AIM-WEST
415-577-1492

               The public is invited to attend the observance of the 
"International Day of the World's Indigenous People" at San Francisco 
Civic Center, on Monday August 9, 2010 for 11 am to 3 pm.  It is 
organized by the American Indian Movement-WEST, a community based 
human rights advocacy organization promoting the rights of Indigenous 
peoples and the United Nations "Declaration on the Rights of 
Indigenous Peoples" adopted by the UN General Assembly on September 
13, 2007.  The occasion will serve to coincide with activities 
scheduled at the United Nations in New York.

               The day's activities will include a press conference 
to include solidarity statements from Individuals, organizations and 
governments.  There will be special guest speakers, traditional 
dancers, drummers and singers, and performers of all Indigenous 
nations in solidarity to share their culture and spiritual 
beliefs.  Special invited guests will include Indigenous peoples who 
are faced with critical challenges and opposition by city and 
government policies that affect their rights to Self-determination on 
a daily basis.

               A special moment of silence and prayer will be made to 
commemorate the life of ANNIE OAKES, a member of the Kashaya Band of 
Pomo Nation, who passed to spirit world on August 1, 2010.  ANNIE 
OAKES, now joins her soul mate Richard Oakes, both promoted the 
fundamental idea that Native Peoples have a right to sovereignty, 
justice, respect and control over their own destinies.  They 
dedicated their spirit of resistance against colonization, and for 
the return of their sacred traditional homelands.

               The United States, and Canada, the only two countries 
in the world who have yet to adopt the UN Declaration on the Rights 
of Indigenous Peoples are urged to sign and ratify the Declaration 
currently being reviewed by the U.S. State Department.  On 23 
December 1994 the General Assembly decided that the International Day 
of the World's Indigenous People shall be observed 9 August every 
year during the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People 
and later also during the extended Second Decade, in New York, Geneva 
and other offices of the United Nations.  This will be the fourth 
year AIM-WEST has sponsored the event with the cooperation of San 
Francisco, where the UN Declaration on Human Rights was signed in 1948.

               In keeping with the UN proclamation, and theme for the 
International Day, "Indigenous Peoples and Film Making" AIM-WEST will 
show films and photos of regional and local Indigenous people's 
struggles to protect their inherent and sovereign rights to land, 
food and spiritual and cultural practices, including participatory 
democracy.  Join us for an evening of solidarity and commitment to 
justice, peace and dignity.  The evening program include the 
following information:

Time:  6- 9 pm
Location:  Freedom Archives, 522 Valencia Street/16th near BART 
STATION (<http://www.freedomarchives.org/>http://www.freedomarchives.org/

Donation:  $ 5.00 at door, no one turned away!  Bring food to 
share!  Snacks and refreshments will be served.
Drummers and singers welcome!  Raffle!!

               A special showing of the film "Reclaiming their Voice: 
The Native American Vote in New Mexico" starting at 7 pm.  Also a 
slide show on the Fort Bragg demonstration against the Marine Life 
Protection Act Initiative held July 21-22, and footage of the recent 
security provided by AIM-WEST members and others for the Winnemum 
Wintu ceremonial rights of passage held on the McCloud River in 
Shasta County.  Special guest speakers are invited to present issues 
and provide the public with information on how we can all help and 
support Indigenous people's rights, and the UN Declaration on the 
Rights of Indigenous People.

              The International Day of the World's Indigenous People 
is officially commemorated annually on 9 August in recognition of the 
first meeting of the United Nations Working Group on 
Indigenous  Populations in Geneva in 1982.



Freedom Archives
522 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94110

415 863-9977

www.Freedomarchives.org  
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