In late 1990 and early 1991, the NAP held its first
nonviolence training, over three weekends in Ontario, for
people interested in volunteering for a ready-response brigade
project. In June 1991, a team of ten PBI trainers stayed for
ten days in the Mohawk communities of Kahnawake and Kanesatake
in Quebec. Workshops were provided for members of a local
Human Rights Watch, and there were nonviolence trainings
for people doing security at Pow Wows in both communities.
In August, trainers gave two workshops at the annual meeting
of the Native Women's Association of Canada. Two 1992 spring
trainings also were held - in Manitoba and in British Columbia.
Now the NAP would like to offer a Fall 1992 training in
Massachusetts. Trainings include sections on nonviolence,
nonpartisanship, observation techniques, group-building
exercises, role plays, logistics and a sharing of experiences
from other PBI projects. NAP trainings are open to Native
Americans and non-natives interested in being prepared to
volunteer to serve on an international short term ready-
response team in the event of crisis situations involving
nonviolent struggles in North America. Potential volunteers
must be at least 25 years old, and must be prepared to live
in a cross-cultural group working under a discipline of
nonviolence and nonpartisanship.
If you would like to volunteer to help with logistics of
a possible Massachusetts training, or if you are interested in
attending such a training, please contact Mary MacArthur,
PBI/USA Main Office, PO Box 1233, Cambridge, MA 02138, 617-
491-4226, or "pbiusa" on peacenet, or Steve Molnar, NAP US
Coordinator, Star Route Box 138, Canton, NY 13617, 315-386-4852.
[ I just spoke with Mary MacArthur, who was just preparing to
send me some information, having gotten my name from someone
in this area, it seems. Apparently, the trainings are only
being conducted in the northeastern United States (as well as
in Canada) at the present time, but they do hope to be able
to offer trainings in other areas in future, perhaps with the
help of anyone who can attend the upcoming training in the
Boston area.
If anyone knows of affordable space where the Boston-area
training can be held, where about thirty people can spend
about a week, and that has sleeping space and cooking facil-
ities, please get in touch with Mary (pbiusa@igc.org).
--Gary ]