PROPOSAL NUMBER: 012-05
1. Date proposed 9/20/05. Sponsors: Activist Committee: Allen Butcher – Denver, Judith Mohling, Boulder
2. TITLE:
GPCO Co-Sponsorship of Four Directions All Nations March
3. FULL PROPOSAL:
The GPCO Activist Committee recommends GPCO co- sponsorship of the Four Directions All Nations March. This is to be perpetual until rescinded by the GPCO or until the events by this name no longer take place, or the event or it’s name substantially changes. A donation proposal is to be made if desired by a separate proposal each year. The GPCO Activist Committee will communicate with the event organizers on behalf of the GPCO.
(See the invitation appended below, with contact names and numbers for those to call to register co-sponsorship.)
4. BACKGROUND:
March of 2005 the Colorado Green Party passed a “Transform Columbus Day Statement” supporting the call to rescind the state statute creating the Columbus Day Holiday, in solidarity with the Transform Columbus Day Alliance (TCDA) coalition. An organization related to TCDA is the Red Earth Women’s Alliance (REWA) which has sponsored for the last four years a model of an alternative, culturally inclusive event that may be a model for an alternative “All Nations” holiday event. This is the “Four Directions All Nations March.”
5. Justification/Goals:
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Colorado Greens support the active engagement of Greens in events which honor and support cultural pluralism and mutual respect among all peoples sharing this land.
6. Pros and Cons:
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Pro:
The Green Party of Colorado will be associating itself with one of the largest regular expressions of cultural inclusivity and sharing in the state of Colorado, primarily organized by the local Native American and Hispanic population. This will benefit the Party by furthering its alliance with an activist network, and through the opportunity afforded by its engagement to express it’s values.
Con:
Associating with one of the largest regular expressions of solidarity with the Native and Hispanic populations in Colorado may alienate from the Colorado Greens those who are not sympathetic to the cultural determination of these populations.
7. Alternatives to the proposal:
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To refuse to take even the minimal, largely symbolic action of this proposal is to maintain a culturally insensitive attitude toward the indigenous peoples of this locality who have specifically asked for support for a celebration of inclusivity of all cultural heritages inhabiting this land.
8. Supporting statements:
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10 KEY VALUES of the GREENS, Key Value # 8. RESPECT FOR DIVERSITY
We believe it is important to value cultural, ethnic, racial, sexual, religious and spiritual diversity, and to promote the development of respectful relationships across these lines. Green Party of the United States Platform 2004 As adopted at the National Nominating Convention Milwaukee, Wisconsin – June, 2004
II. SOCIAL JUSTICE
A. Civil Rights and Equal Rights
2. Racial Discrimination
Our nation was formed only after Native Americans were displaced.
3. Indigenous Peoples
We have great respect for Native American cultures, especially their deference for community and the Earth.
a. We recognize both the sovereignty of Native American tribal governments and the Federal Government’s trust obligation to Native American people. Native American nations are just that – nations – and should be treated in like fashion, with the special circumstance that they are located within the United States.
Bylaws of the Green Party of Colorado:
Current GPCO Bylaws
Co-sponsor Letter
Red Earth Women’s Alliance,
2949 Federal Blvd.,
Denver, Colorado
80211
Dear Transform Columbus Day Supporter,
Thank you for your ongoing and generous support of the Red Earth Women’s Alliance, (REWA) efforts to transform Columbus Day. The Fifth Annual Four Directions All Nations March will take place in downtown Denver on Friday, October 7th, 2005. Last year we completed a four-year cycle. This year, because Columbus Day continues to be celebrated, we have renewed our covenant for four more years. The focus for this fifth year is “The Medicine Wheel Formation”, it will be made of all peoples of conscience for the visualization of Peace, inclusivity of all Nations, legislation for the transformation of the Columbus Holiday and the racism of anti-immigration.
Five years ago, the March began as a peaceful alternative to the racist Columbus Day Celebration. Our goal was to transform the Holiday and enlighten our communities about how this “traditional” parade was hurtful and harmful to Indigenous Peoples. Thanks to the support of conscientious organizations like yours, thousands of people have marched with us and been touched by this moving event.
School curriculums continue to change, and a new more accurate understanding about Columbus has emerged. Our numbers grow each year, as more and more people understand the racist and violent legacy of the colonialism of Columbus. But with every success story, there is another one of an Indigenous student who continues to hear the lies about Columbus and is affected by it.
We invite you to join us once again, as we walk together, respectful of All Nations and All Peoples who march for a world that is just, who march for a world at peace rather than one at war and who march for truth in history and the classroom right now.
We will gather at 5:00 p.m. at four different locations stepping off at 5:30 p.m. and march to Cuernavaca Park in Denver for a rally at about 6:15p.m. Please check www.transformcolumbusday.org for flyers closer to the event or contact the REWA women listed below.
Our march and our words are only one of many important actions. We have honored our commitment to walk from the four directions for four years to bring awareness and change. However, our commitment does not officially end until violence, racism, genocide and all injustice, ends.
This year, we are asking our sponsors to support us financially, if at all possible, with a sliding scale donation from $25 – $100 or more or a donation in kind, to endorse our commitment for a just world. If your organization cannot support us financially, we ask you to commit to bringing at least 10 people from your organization to the march.
The financial, in kind, and outreach help strengthens the circle. We are honored to continue the work we do and to partner with so many people and organizations like yours that care deeply about equality, justice and truth. Our power lies in your heartfelt giving. We are appealing to you for a donation of any amount as a sponsor of this year’s Four Directions/All Nations March and Gathering to meet expenses incurred in hosting such an event.
For more information on sponsorship, contact Stephie Rossi at 303.421-0531 or Shannon Pangani at 303.691.1620. If you would like to make a donation, please make all checks payable to La Escuela, and in the memo description on the check, please write Red Earth Women’s Alliance and send to the REWA address listed above.
In honor of all our relations,
The Red Earth Women’s Alliance
