EDITED VERSION FOR WFTE - SCRANTON, PENNSYLVANIA SKYWAVES:Indigenous News Worldwide broadcasts within the first 15 minutes

SARAH DEER Muscogee (Creek) Nation of Oklahoma (Washington) – Amnesty International USA (www.amnestyusatoday.org) condemned as “disturbing and shameful” the effort underway in the U.S. Senate to strip protections for Native American and Alaska Native women from legislation to help fight domestic violence and sexual assault. Reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is crucial especially this year, Amnesty International contends, because it incorporates key new protections for Native women found in the SAVE Native Women Act, such as clarifying tribal civil jurisdiction to issue and enforce protection orders. Amnesty International has long supported the VAWA. Amnesty International’s groundbreaking 2007 “Maze of Injustice” report found enormous challenges when it comes to safety and justice for Native women who are victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence. The protections in the SAVE Native Women Act help address these obstacles to protecting women and prosecuting abusers.

NIKKE ALEX of the Dineh (Navajo) Nation of Arizona - (www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com) From Censored News - She has worked with Indigenous communities around the world to help fight fossil fuel development. Nikke has carried out independent research in both uranium and coal mining on the Navajo Nation. Her research focused on the social impacts of mining on Navajo families. Nikke has worked at the US Department of Justice in the Radiation Exposure Compensation Program and the US Environmental Protection Agency with the Tribal Science Council in Washington, DC. Currently, she serves as a community resource for grassroots Indigenous groups on the Navajo Nation. Arizona Senators Kyl and McCain visited the Navajo Nation to persuade tribal officials that they should agree to waive most of Navajo claims to the Lower Colorado River in order to receive $350 million worth in water development projects. During their visit they ensured the Navajo Nation president and council that there was no trickery involved and that they are negotiating this agreement in “good faith.”

LENNY FOSTER of the Dineh (Navajo) Nation - Tucson, Arizona - Casa de las Américas MAY 11th - 182 E. 111th St. (btwn. Lex. Ave. and 3rd Ave.) Take the 6 train to E. 110th St.

Lenny will speak on five Native American issues: the illegal imprisonment of Leonard Peltier, land and resources taken from Native peoples by the U.S. government, stripmining, uranium mining and the pollution of the land, air and water, Native American freedom of religion and the demand to honor Native treaty rightsDirector of the Navajo Nation Corrections Project and the Spiritual Advisor for 1,500 Indian inmates in many state and federal prisons in the Western U.S. He has co-authored legislation in New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado that allows Native American spiritual and religious practice in prison and results in significant reductions in prison returns. He is a board member of the International Indian Treaty Council, a sun dancer and member of the Native American Church. He has been with the American Indian Movement since 1969 and has participated in actions including Alcatraz, Black Mesa, the Trail of Broken Treaties, Wounded Knee 1973, the Menominee Monastery Occupation, Shiprock Fairchild Occupation, the Longest Walk and the Big Mountain land struggle. He was a 1993 recipient of the City of Phoenix Dr. Martin Luther King Human Rights Award.. Sponsors: NYC LPDOC Chapter, NYC Jericho Movement, ProLibertad (list in formation) For more info: nyclpdoc@gmail.com • 917-544-1577 Lenny will also be speaking at the United Nations Church Center, 777 First Avenue at 44th Street on Wednesday, May 9th. This is part of UN events on Indigenous Issues.

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