Dear Friends:
Ever since the arrival of Columbus 500 years ago there has
been a terrible contradiction in the Americas (and around the
world) between the "discoverers" and the native peoples approach
to the land and the preservation of life itself. Nowhere is that
more obvious than the struggle over nuclear weapons today.
Although human life existed on this planet for about 2.4 million
years, only in the last half century, has so-called "civilized
man" made vast tracts of the Earth uninhabitable for untold
generations to come.
No developed nation tests its own weapons on its own lands.
All nuclear testing is done on indigenous people's lands.
Thousands of Marshal Islanders were radiated by U.S. testing in
the 50's, and the French have tested both in Algeria and Tahiti.
China tests on ugyur. In KAZAKHSTAN where the Soviets tested, one
out of every four children is born with birth defects. The United
States and Britain (who's tests affected 11 different indigenous
nations in Australia) now test in Nevada. The Western Shoshone
are the rightful custodians of this land, affirmed by the Treaty
of Ruby Valley signed in 1863. With over 900 bombs exploded they
are the most bombed nation on earth. Shoshone, Paiutes and other
downwind communities suffer from cancer, leukemia, thyroid
problems, and birth defects. In addition, in the U.S. 70% of all
uranium reserves lie beneath Indian lands. Navaho, Havasupai, and
others are poisoned by dust and waters from these mines. In
Canada the Cree suffer the same fate.
THE WESTERN SHOSHONE NATION ARE INVITING CONCERNED PEOPLE
FROM AROUND THE WORLD TO JOIN THEM FOR 10 DAYS TO STOP NUCLEAR
TESTING IN NEVADA IN OCTOBER OF 1992. A series of events entitled
Healing Global Wounds is being planned for October 12th by the
Global Anti-Nuclear Alliance, a worldwide network of anti-nuclear
activists. We hope that you can join us all at this historic
time.
The attached response form outlines many ways for you to
participate, from organizing a local caravan, to advertising the
event in your groups publication. Future materials will be posted
at a later date and sent to those who respond, including how to
organize in your area, approach the media etc.
In this year, 1992, the possibility of a nuclear testing
moratorium and a comprehensive test ban is closer than ever
before. The 500th anniversary of the invasion of the Americas is
concentrating on the struggles of this countries native people,
and the November elections are focusing the eyes of this nation
on the bloated military and nuclear budget. We feel we can be no
place else on October 12th. Please join us if you can!
Raymond D. Yowell
Chief, Western Shoshone Nation
Participating groups to date: Abalone Alliance, Alliance of
Atomic veterans, American Peace Test, Citizen Alert, Citizen
Alert Native American Program, Citizens Call, Eugene Peaceworks,
European Peace Pilgrimage, Food Not Bombs,Gensuikin(Japan),
Global Anti-Nuclear Alliance, Grandmothers for Peace, Great Basin
and Southern Nevada Green Alliance, 100th Monkey, Mobilization for
Survival, National Association of Radiation Survivors, Nevada
Desert Experience, Nevada - Semipalatinsk Movement (Kazakhstan),
Oregon Peaceworks, Peace Test Campaign (Germany), Seeds of Peace,
Shivwits Paiutes, Snake river Alliance, Tri-Valley Cares, Walk
Across America for Mother Earth, Western Shoshone National Council,
Western States Legal Foundation.
Schedule of Events:
October 2: Welcome European Peace Walkers
Two different groups left the east coast on Feb. 1,
and will be arriving for the events, 8 months later. A
reception will be held to welcome them.
October 3-4: INDIGENOUS PEOPLES FORUM
****Documentation and Testimony of human rights
violations*****Self Determination and Land Rights
resolutions****Medical effects of nuclear weapons,
development, production, and testing****Economic
Consequences and conversion of Nevada Test Site.
October 5 PRESS CONFERENCE AND DIRECT ACTION AT THE DOE
A press conference will be held at the DOE Las Vegas
Operations Office, to announce the findings of the
forum. Following the Press Conference, We will demand
a response from the DOE and those who are moved will
sit-in until a response is made or they are physically
removed.
October 5-9 PEACE WALKS CONTINUE
The Walk Across America For Mother Earth, and European
Peace Pilgrimage will be joined by others and finish
walking to their destination, the Nevada Test Site.
A 5 day 60 mile trek...all are invited to join...
October 10 ALL NATIONS INDIGENOUS HEALING CEREMONY
Spiritual leaders from many peoples are planning an
all day ceremony, dedicated to the healing of the
earth, and all life upon it.
October 11-12 MULTI-CULTURAL EVENTS AT THE NEVADA TEST SITE
Workshops, sweat lodges, cultural and musical
events and direct action are planned during the
encampment at the test site from October 8 - 12th.
The main program event will be on October 11th. On
the 12th a commemoration of 500 years of resistance.
HEALING GLOBAL WOUNDS RESPONSE FORM
Yes, We want to be a part of healing Global wounds!
[ ] Regional Organizer: We would like to organize the groups in
Region to participate, and function as a regional center.
[ ] Area Organizer: I would like to organize people from our
group and/or immediate area to come to the event.
[ ] Information and Local Media Contact: We are able to organize
for this event but would like to be the local contact for
information and the media.
[ ] We can Publicize in our newsletter & meeting place
[ ] We want to endorse this project
[ ] We want to attend International Organizing Meetings
(Next Meeting Aug. 22 and 23 in Las Vegas, NV)
Organization____________________________________________________
Contact Person__________________________________________________
Phone:_____________________Fax_________________ Peacenet_________
Address__________________________________________________________
City_______________________State______zip_______________________
Healing Global Wounds PO Box 4082, Las Vegas, NV 89127
Phone: 702-386-9834 fax: 702-386-9335 Peacenet: APTVEGAS