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COAIM BLOG CO AIM LATEST NEWS MEDIA
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POSITION OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN MOVEMENT OF COLORADO REGARDING THE INDIAN INTERNSHIP AT THE NEW DENVER AIRPORT SITEAt a duly constituted meeting of the American Indian Movement of Colorado on January 24, 1991, the question of the American Indian internship at the New Denver Airport was raised. The following is the unanimous position of Colorado AIM in reference to this matter: 1. The internship was created as a consequence of concerns expressed by the American Indian community of Denver, and advanced by Mr. Richard Tallbull, Sr., that any disruption of traditional Indian encampments or burial sites be observed, documented and supervised by a qualified member of the American Indian community. This is necessary in order to insure that the spiritual and cultural integrity of our peoples and societies remains intact throughout the Airport construction timetable. This agreement was reduced to writing, and signed on behalf of the Denver Indian community by Mr. Tallbull. 2. The internship position requires the expertise of an individual who is familiar with the spiritual and cultural practices of the peoples who were indigenous to the region included in the New Denver Airport site. This means someone familiar particularly with the spirituality of the Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapahoe peoples, and other Indian peoples who may have lived within the region. Because of the specialized knowledge required of the intern, it was our understanding that the American Indian community would have substantial input into the selection of the internship. Toward this end, Mr. Richard Peters, a well-known member of the Oglala Lakota nation, and one who is thoroughly familiar with the spiritual practices of the Indians in question, was selected for the internship. 3. Although considerable, and in our view unnecessary, delays occurred with regard to fulfilling the agreement, and with the completion of the job description, Mr. Peters began employment at the Airport. Despite a successful commencement of his employment, continuing delays regarding the job description and payroll details occurred. Finally, unwarranted delays in salary payment to Mr. Peters resulted in suspension of the position. Consequently, Mr. Peters has been without sufficient means of support since November, 1990. This has resulted in unnecessary and intolerable harm to a member of the American Indian community, and is, in our opinion, without reasonable justification. 4. Some senior members of the New Denver Airport administration appear to misunderstand the source, purpose, and accountability for the American Indian internship. They need to be reminded that this position was created by Indians, to be filled by Indians, for the protection of Indian people and our culture. This position is not the personal property of a single individual or group of individuals in the New Denver Airport administration. 5. The unreasonable delays in this matter, in employing Mr. Richard Peters, should cease immediately, and the work of the intern should be allowed to proceed. If these delays are not corrected immediately, Colorado AIM will take any and every action necessary to insure that the City of Denver implements the agreement that it made with the American Indian Community. On behalf of the membership Of Colorado AIM |
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Colorado AIM Contact us at
denveraim@coloradoaim.org or
303-832-2544 |
