CT Indian Affairs Commission

Fwd: CT Indian Affairs Commission/HB 5141
Alyssa Mt. Pleasant was kind enough to take time from her busy life to put together a web site that contains information about the proposed commission. You may access it at http://commissiononamericanindianaffairs.pbwiki.com/

The bill language, copies of testimony and a link to Kehaulani's radio program about the bill are contained on the site.

Please take a moment to check out the site, read what's posted, listen to the radio interviews and then, contact your state reps & senators asking if they will co-sponsor the bill. Alyssa even included a link to Project Vote Smart, where you can enter your nine-digit zip code in order to find out who represents you in the CT General Assembly. (THIS IS JUST TOO EASY!!!)

The Environment Committee is expected to vote on the bill today. We were able to get flyers seeking a YES vote into their mailboxes yesterday thanks to Rep. Sharkey.

Also, forward the link above or this entire email to your friends and family. Ask them to support the bill by contacting their elected officials, too.

http://ctnativeamericanaffairs.mypodcast.com/2008/03/Connecticut_American_Indian_Affairs-90513.html

Download this episode (52 min)
Host J. Kehaulani Kauanui examines legislation currently before theConnecticut state Committee on Environment: HR 5141, an ActConcerning a Commission on Native American Indian Affairs.The state of Connecticut already has state commissions such asthe Permanent Commission on the Status of Women, the Latino andPuerto Rican Affairs Commission, and the African-American AffairsCommission. Dozens of states across the United States have NativeAmerican Affairs Commissions, and New England is no exception withthe Maine Indian Tribal-State Commission, the Vermont Commissionon Native American Affairs, and the Massachusetts Commission onIndian Affairs. Given that Connecticut is rapidly earning areputation for its anti-Indian hostility, many people suggest thata Commission could help turn the tide of fear, racism, and ignoranceregarding the state-recognized Native Nations and other NativeAmerican residents, including the increasingly diverse populationof Native Americans from tribes across the country moving herefor employment and educational opportunities. This episode willfeature a range of perspectives on the politics of this proposal ininterviews with L. Mixashawn Rozie (Mahicanu), Mikki Anganstata(Eastern Cherokee), Sherman Paul (Maliseet), Ruth Garby Torres(Schaghticoke Tribal Nation), Trudie Lamb Richmond (Schaghticoke Tribal Nation, and Cedric Woods (Lumbee).