Report on NDPC Annual Conference 2008
Paddy McLaughlin
Executive Peacemaker
Our Annual NDPC Conference was held on Oct. 18, 2008, at the Presentation Ministries in Fargo ND. It was a one day affair with a focus on The Global Heart. The Global Heart refers to the understanding that our consciousness is moving from nationalism into a clear understanding that our world is small and we are all in this together. We now strive to know each other as an extended family which includes all cultures, races, creatures and the environment. Our program reflected this concept and it was beautiful, informative and organic.
After a welcome by NDPC Pres. Paddy McLaughlin, David Hill, representing the Leonard Peltier Defense- Offense Committee, spoke to us of the issues of native and indigenous peoples and the plight of Leonard Peltier . David is a charismatic leader in the American Indian Movement who has been an activist since the early 1970s. Towards the end of his lecture we were joined by 15 Native youth and their spokespeople from Sisseton, SD. The kids are new members of AIM and concerned with the racial profiling happening in Sisseton, as well as the drug and alcohol problems infecting the youth. They were learning to take a positive stand in their community and make a different in the lives of the children growing up on their reservation. Later in the day we were able to provide them space to have an impromptu meeting with David. Beautiful!
Our next speaker was a beautiful balance to activism that sometimes includes its own violence. Mel Duncan, Executive Director of Nonviolent Peaceforce, named "One of 50 Visionaries who are changing our world" by Utne Reader, spoke to us about his organization. Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) is a nonpartisan unarmed peacekeeping force composed of trained civilians from around the world. In partnership with local groups, Nonviolent Peaceforce members apply proven nonviolent strategies to protect human rights, deter violence, and help create space for local peacemakers to carry out their work. This is truly an inspiring example of the future work of the peace movement.
Our afternoon events begin with an impromptu panel of our Native youth, inspired by our own Brian Palecek. They gave us the nitty gritty of their lives…their hopes, their fears, their mistakes and their dreams. They were fearless enough to open to our questions and concerns.
Our next heart and mind opening session came from 2 Fargo refugees and their personal reflections on war and life as a refugee. Amar Hussein, New American Services, escaped Bagdad with severe wounds from a car bomb explosion. We learned of the realities of a country besieged by war since 1983. We heard of fear, hopelessness, and total devastation. We also learned of Amar's great courage in his new country and his dedication to helping newcomers. Amar's most powerful statement is that "There is never a good reason for war. War is always wrong."
Pierre Atillio, Program Coordinator for Cultural Diversity, Fargo, arrive in Fargo from Sudan. He spoke to us of the hardships, the loneliness, the racial hatred and the healing that refugees encounter in their new homeland. He also spoke of the determination to be good citizens and the hard work to better their lives that most refugees engage in. He, also, was of the strident opinion that "war is never right". We are blessed to have such fine human beings amongst us.
Our afternoon come to a happy close as we watched delightful, graceful, beautiful, local Mexican girls (ages 9 to 14) of the Raices do Mexico Folk Dancers perform their traditional dances in their colorful, traditional costumes. Rosie Gonzales, Founder of the group, spoke to us of the meaning behind the dances, (Raices means roots), the need to hold on to traditions and subtle changes happening for Mexican Americans in our region. Muy bueno! Our evening ended with a scrumptious feast provided by Thai Orchard and a beautiful dedication to our 2008 Peacemaker of the Year, Barry Nelson of Fargo.