TOPIC: "RACISM - REAL OR IMAGINED?"

SPONSORED BY: The Native American Educational Services College

DATE: Monday, May 17, 2004

TIME: 6:00 - 10:00 PM

LOCATION: Native American Educational Services (NAES) College 2838 West Peterson, Chicago (on Peterson Avenue, one block west of California)

This Racial Sensitivity Forum is timed to coincide with recent efforts by the Native American community to pressure the University of Illinois to abolish their racist mascot, "Chief Illiniwek". This symbol does not honor Native American cultures and traditions - it trivializes those cultures and traditions, for the amusement of a largely Caucasian audience.

Even more importantly, this mascot is the tangible representation of deeply-rooted institutional racism which cannot be addressed by the mere removal of a mascot. There is much more work to be done on this issue.

Forum speakers will include:
KAREN BOND - media activist with "Chicago Media Action"; anti-racism activist and organizer.

FRANK SAGE - a member of the great Navajo Nation involved with "Bridges", the organization fighting the racist University of North Dakota name "The Fighting Sioux"

DOREEN WIESE - a member of the Chicago Indian Community and Dean of Triton College.

The forum will be facillitated by LEONARD MALATARE, a member of the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Indian Reservation, a renowned Indian activist and a leader of the movement to abolish "Chief Illiniwek".

The forum will include:
* information and updates on the fight to abolish racist school mascots and to address racism against all people of color
* the building of a network between existing groups and individuals to lend immediate support where it is needed to fight racism
* a dialog to discuss how your life has been impacted by racism and to share solutions/strategies
* A CALL TO ACTION

If your group is interested in participating in a diverse coalition to address these concerns, or if you simply want to learn more about this issue, please come and encourage your family, friends, and organization members to be there on May 17th.
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For more information, call Leonard Malatare (NAES College) at 773 761 5000.
TRAVEL DIRECTIONS:

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION-
1) Take the Red line El train to Bryn Mawr stop.
2) Take the #84 Peterson Bus westbound to Peterson & Mozart.
(NOTE: The last #84 bus going eastbound back to the Red Line leaves at 10:25PM)

DRIVING:
1) Take the Kennedy Expressway (W/I-90 W/I-94) to the Belmont Ave (3200 N) exit number 45C.
2) Turn a slight right onto N. Kedzie Ave.
3) Drive 3 miles until N. Kedzie Ave becomes N. Jersey Ave.
4) Turn right onto W. Peterson Ave (US-14)
5) Drive east 1/2 mile to 2838 W. Peterson Ave.

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