Colorado AIM history 1983 to 1989

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1990-1994

1989

October 9-Columbus Day Rally-Colorado AIM announces four year Program to target Columbus Day and the Columbus statue. Russell Means pours blood on Columbus statue and is charged with destroying public property. During October New Moon Feast, leadership is confirmed and Russell Means is selected by the membership as the State Executive Director.
May 11-Colorado AIM holds protest and brings charge of genocide against U.S Through U.S. Attorney for Big Mountain Relocation.
April 14-Colorado AIM co-sponsors Indigenous Land Rights Council meeting with Six Nations, Miccosoukees, Western Shoshones, Vine Deloria etc.
April 5-Colorado AIM meets with Tim Wirth and staff to demand action on Big Mountain.

1988

November 21-Colorado AIM protests Lt. Gov. Callihan feeding Indians in the back of a Mayflower moving van as a publicity stunt. Callihan is severly embarrassed by local and regional media coverage. At November New Moon Feast, Morris and Churchill are reconfirmed by membership as co-directors.
June 25-Colorado AIM participates in fourth and final warning to the National Park Service regarding the name and memorial at Custer Battlefield, MT. After a March, Dakota, Montana and Colorado AIM put new plaque at custer gravesite. Congress moves to change the name the next year.
June 1-AIM participates in press conference and sends letter to Ronald Reagan about his ignorant comments in Soviet Union about Indians. Comments are published in both Denver papers.

1987

September 28-Colorado AIM publishes column in Rocky Mountain News on Indian contributions to the U.S Constitution.
June-AIM demands that city create an American Indian Advisory Council to the mayor of Denver, similar to advisory councils from other communities of color. The Mayor agrees.
May 10-City of Denver locks up Tall Bull Memorial Grounds south of Denver. Colorado AIM demands that city reopen the gates to allow spiritual ceremonies. AIM organizes march to break open gate, but city relents at last moment. Colorado AIM demands creation of Tall Bull Memorial Council, and Glenn Morris, for Colorado AIM negotiates with city for cooperative agreement to allow the Indian community exclusive use of Tall Bull Grounds. This agreement is in effect to this day.
March 27-AIM meeting is held in Denver for the purpose of reconstituting the movement. All AIM leaders From across country are invited. Russell Means, Dennis Banks, SlowTurtle(Wampanoag), Lenny Foster, Robert Cruz, Madonna Thunderhawk, and Phyllis Young(WARN) attend. Many others send endorsements. Minneapolis AIM does not attend.
Janurary-New Moon Feast-Colorado AIM principles : Spirituality, Sovereignty, Support, Sobriety, adopted. Reconfirmed and expanded every year since. Glenn Morris and Ward Churchill are reconfirmed as co-directors.

1986

Nov 22-Colorado AIM travels to Pine Ridge for memorial for Ida Rose Clark(Colorado AIM member killed in auto accident)
Nov 11-Colorado sends letter of support to Akwesane Notes. Akwesasne Notes had visited Nicaragua and were in support of the Indians and as a result were being condemned.
Nov 1-Colorado AIM requests clarification on IITC's authority and reasons for expelling Ward Churchill and Glenn Morris, and attempting to expel Russell Means. None is given.
September 23-IITC sends letter to Ward Churchill and Glenn Morris, informing them of their expulsion.
June 2-8, IITC holds their conference at Big Mountain and expel Ward Churchill and Glenn Morris. They also attempt to expel Russell Means but are reminded by elders that he is a permanent trustee.
May 26-RMN publishes letter to Editor on Behalf of Colorado AIM.
April 2-IITC issues invitation for their 11th Annual Conference to be held at Big Mountain, Dineh Nation. Colorado AIM does not receive an invitation from the IITC but receives an open letter, from Big Mountain, to all AIM chapters, requesting that they not attend until the conflict over Nicaragua had been resolved. The conflict had not been resolved, so respecting the wishes of the Dineh, Colorado AIM chooses not to attend.
February 27-Colorado AIM participates in Wounded Knee Memorial; AIM Summit is held at Oglala with Colorado AIM. Russell Means, Dennis Banks, Bill Means, Clyde Bellecourt; truce over Nicaragua is declared. Vernon Bellecourt refuses to attend-instead he is in Denver condemning Colorado AIM in a program entitled "Struggles of Native People." Colorado AIM responds.
February 19-Colorado AIM issues statement on the AIM split.
Janurary-Colorado AIM leads Martin Luther King parade. Colorado AIM sponsors Big Mountain Elder's Tour through Denver.

1985

November 10-Russell Means, Glenn Morris, Hank Adams, World Council of Indigenous People, National Indian Youth Council and Survival of American Indian Association are invited to visit Indians in Nicaragua and determine their status. Upon their return, they hold a press conference in support of Indian self-determination and criticize the Sandinista Indian policy. Colorado AIM follows with a position in support of the Indigenous Peoples of Nicaragua. Minneapolis AIM continues to support the Government of Nicaragua and AIM splits over the issue. For a more thorough analysis of the Nicaragua/Indian conflict, click here
October 11-Colorado AIM participates in Anti-Apartheid(1) (2)Rally on the Auraria Campus
February-Glenn Morris serves as IITC delegate to U.N. Commission on Human Rights. Glenn Morris reads an Intervention on the Right of Peoples to Self Determination. The U.S tries to pull the credentials of Treaty Council because Glenn compares them to the Third Reich because their indian Policies were used by Hitler. Colorado AIM delegation also marches in 12th annual Wounded Knee Memorial.

1984

September-Russell Means and Glenn Morris visit Libya for IITC and Colorado AIM.
June-Colorado AIM delegation attends 10th annual International Indian Treaty conference, Sissteon- Wahpeton Reservation, SD.
May-AIM Leadership Meeting, Window Rock, AZ; Colorado AIM attends. AIM statement on selling spirituality is issued.
April-Colorado AIM is formally reconstituted. Glenn Morris and Ward Churchill selected as co-directors by membership.

1983

April-Colorado AIM members launch a campaign to bring resources into Yellow Thunder Camp
March 21-AIM responds to Alan Dershowitz, who's book review of "In the Spirit of Crazy Horse" appears in the New York Times Book Review

1990-1994