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Sincerely, Barbara Rofkar, chair |
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Annual Human Rights Awards
Nominations Due by May 1, 2007by Heather Bugni
The Whatcom Human Rights Task Force is seeking nominations for the 2007 Human Rights Awards, which will be presented at the 10th Annual Human Rights Awards Celebration, June 7th at the Faith Lutheran Church at 6:30 pm.
The Deadline for Nominations is May 1st.A nomination should include the following:
-a nominee’s name and contact information
-a short description of why the nominated individual or group is exemplary in the service to human rights
-nominator’s name and contact information Special consideration will be given to nominees who are long-time local grassroots activists on peace, justice, and human rights, and who have worked on diverse human right issues such as race, gender, class, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion and political beliefs.Nominations may be submitted by
phone:733-2233
e-mail: nominations@whrtf.org or by
regular mail: WHRTF Nominating Committee, PO Box 2191, Bellingham WA 98227-2129.Past recipients include: Cathy Logg, Mark Asmundson, Sherry Jubilo, Larry Estrada, Betsy Pernotto, Henry Cagey, Scott Wallin, Don Pierce, Malcolm Oliver, Anne Suloway, Dottie Dale, First Congregational Church, the youth of Ferndale, Ferndale High School Leadership Class, Keystone Boys and Girls Club, Joy Keenan, Shirley Osterhaus, Cha-das-ska-dum Which-ta-lum, Linda Lyman, Paul DeArmond, Cythia Zaferatism, Bill Wassmuth, Ana Cecelia Lopze, The Friday Night Peace Vigil, Jewell Praying Wolf James, Terry Bornemann, The Whatcom Civil Rights Project with special recognition of Breean Beggs and Julie Helling, Marian Beddill, Jamie K. Donaldson, Margie White, The Whatcom Library System with special recognition of Joan Airoldi and Deborah Garrett, Misa Takaki, Rosalinda Guillin, The Ethnic Student Association of Whatcom Community College and Community to Community Development.
Recipients’ names are displayed at Big Rock Garden Park in Bellngham, Washington.
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We wish to send our condolences to the family of Cathy Logg who was an investigative reporter for the Herald exposing much of the illicit activity of the militia movement in the Northwest and in Whatcom County in particular. She was an ally to the Whatcom Human Rights Task Force when we were first organized and was a true hero in the sense that the many threats on her life never stopped her from speaking truth to power. Our condolences to the family of Lummi elder Fred Lane, Sr. who recently passed away. His voice was for reason and humanity. His wisdom and humor and courage to work for peacemaking will be missed by not only his community but also by the larger community. He understood and worked for a vision of unity and his easy and friendly way brought people together |
Everyone is invited to the
Human Rights Awards Social
June 7th at 6:30 pm
Faith Lutheran Church
2750 McLeod Road, Bellingham
With speaker
Darryl Hillaire from the Lummi Nation9th Annual MLK Conference Report
by Jeffrey Heyamoto
On January 13th WHRTF presented the ninth annual MLK Conference, with co-sponsor Whatcom Community College, to near-capacity numbers at Whatcom's Syre Student Center. The theme of the conference, Teaching as If Democracy Matters, emphasized the importance of multicultural education and community building.
The conference planning committee put forward three interconnected workshop tracks specifically geared toward educators, youth and community members. The intentional focus on education brought together a variety of community educational institutions tions, including: Bellingham School District; Whatcom Community College; WWU; Woodring College of Education; Center for Educational Pluralism; Northwest Indian College and representatives from local public and private schools.
Conference Highlights included:
** Keynote addresses by Dr. Gregory Michie, In the Noise of the Whirlwind: Teaching for Social Justice in Troubled Times; and Dr. Vernon Damani Johnson, The Role of Youth in the Making of a Multiracial Society. ** Twenty workshops focused on human and civil rights and the importance of education and participation in our multicultural society; information and contact people from local organizations; several well received spoken word performances by local youth.
** The first ever county-wide Youth Summit (presented by WHRTF, the Power of Hope, and Project 2050), bringing together students from fifteen different middle and high schools to collaborate in a dialogue concerning SAFE SCHOOL climate issues and ways to participate as allies and advocates in their schools and communities
We would like to acknowledge and thank the many wonderful volunteers, sponsors, presenters and participants for making the ninth annual MLK Conference a success.
WHRTF
is interested in supporting educators and students
who are trying to integrate human rights and multicultural education into the classroom. If you are interested in learning more about available resources, please contact WHRTF at whrtf@whrtf.org or 733-2233 |
WCRP Achieves Success, Moves Ahead...
by Robin Elwood
Last winter, I had the privilege of attending Julie Helling’s Whatcom Civil Rights Project (WCRP) class as they made their presentations to a panel of volunteer attorneys. For two hours, I watched WWU students present real legal briefs based on their interviews with Whatcom County residents who called the WHRTF for information and assistance
It was a great feeling, seeing how seriously everyone involved took the potential cases, and how much research the students had done. The Whatcom Civil Rights project has become a real force for change through utilizing the energy and resources volunteers and staff from WHRTF, LAW Advocates, and the Center for Law, Diversity, and Justice (formerly the Law and Diversity program).
Some of WCRP’s most effective work finds creative ways of helping people without requiring court action. One of the cases presented last winter is a good example: WCRP accepted the case, which involved religious freedom in school. Attorney Mary Swenson, from Law Advocates describes the outcome: “An attorney consulted with the client; wrote a thoughtful letter, and engaged in conversation with school authorities, who acknowledged that some of the concerns were legitimate and agreed to change some of the school's practices. The family was very satisfied with this action. I think this is an example in which we can serve a ‘watchdog’ role--not always requiring litigation, but reminding institutions of their civil rights obligations.”I asked Chris Longman, student coordinator for WCRP, what is happening currently. He responsed, “We've had a fascinating variety of cases this year including housing discrimination, FEMA-related issues, employment discrimination, school bullying, and religion in schools. It just goes to show how adaptive and flexible the WCRP, Law advocates, and WHRTF can be when we work together!”
WCRP is always looking for volunteers to be advocates for people who are seeking our help: there are a variety of interviews and calls currently underway, so if you’d like to be part of protecting civil rights in our county, call WHRTF’s office, 733-2233!
Have Something Important to Say? “Let’s Talk!”
by Korry Harvey
“The ‘Let's Talk’ forum deserves recognition for trying to better our community. The forums bring together WWU students and community members... to talk about common issues and problems."~Bellingham Herald Feb. 10, 2007
The "Let's Talk" discussion forum keeps on talkin'! With 3-4 events per quarter, there's always something to talk about. Please join us for open, civil, and participatory dialogue on a wide variety of important local, national and international topics.For more information or suggestions:
check the Task Force website,
or write to: letstalkwestern@gmail.com.CASCAID Peace & Justice Conference May 18-19, 2007
by Korry Harvey
We hope you enjoyed the MLK Conference. Now get ready for the 2007 CASCAID Peace & Justice Conference, scheduled for the 18th and 19th of May at the WWU Communication Facility. While a wide variety of peace and justice issues will be covered, this year's event will focus on the intersections of gender and ethnicity. Last year saw nearly 500 people from four different states participate, with the highlight being Ward Churchill's standing-room-only keynote address. The conference will follow-up on the MLK experience with another Youth Summit (sponsored by Power of Hope), a wide variety of community-based workshops, academic presentations, educator training, a day-long peace meditation, art exhibits, and the 3rd annual Kids' Peace Faire (sponsored by the United Parents Front). All events are free and open to the public.The purpose of the CASCAID Conference is to bring academics, activists and advocates together for a meaningful exchange of perspectives and techniques. We'd love to have you join us for what promises to be both an educational and enjoyable social justice experience.