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[source: NativeNews; Mon, 31 Jan 2000 20:50:46]

>From: "The People's Poet" <CALLAR01@TIGGER.STCLOUDSTATE.EDU>
>Subject: IMMEDIATE RELEASE: SCSU REVOKES RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR INDIAN
STUDENTS
>
>for more information, please see
http://www.stcloudstate.edu/~callar01/AIM.html
>
>January 31, 2000
>TO: Michael D Hayman, Housing Director
>CC: Suzanne Williams, INterim President
>Gene Gilchrist, Vice President Administrative Affairs
>
>On May 14, 1995 Saint Cloud State University officially recognized the
>legitimacy of indigenous students' religious beliefs and practices in a
>Memorandum of Understanding between M.E.Ch.A. and St. Cloud StateUniversity.
>This happened after student members of M.E.Ch.A. risked their lives on a hunger
>strike in order to secure their rights.
>
>On July 22, 1998 the director of our illustrious Student Union recognized
>Indigenous students' right to use incense ceremonially in the Student Cultural
>Center.  The happened after members of AIM-SCSU and Atwood Administration
>endured a harrowing month full of meetings, discussions, negotiations and
>all-out confrontations.
>
>Later that same year, two American Indian students told me that they were being
>threatened with a disciplinary response because they were smudging within their
>rooms in Mitchell Hall.  I promptly contacted University Administration,
>weiling the threat of a lawsuit, and the problem was rectified by the end of
>the day.  Out of respect for the University's quick response and its apparent
>willingness to grant us our right to religious freedom within our own homes, I
>made no attempt to bring this issue to the attention of the public at that
>time.
>
>It should be noted that during the time I lived in Shoemaker Hall, I had my
>hall director's full blessing to smudge within the building at any time without
>notice.  Although this was understood by the staff of Shoemaker, I was
>frequently interrupted during my prayers by student workers who wished to
>recite the Residence Hall "Incense" policy to me, report my "violation", and
>then call the police.  In order to avoid this problem, my hall director wrote a
>memo to the effect that I was not to be disturbed or prevented from practicing
>the traditions of my people.  I laminated a copy and posted it on my dorm room
>door.
>
>This January I was informed yet again that the director of Mitchell Hall is
>denying an American Indian student her religious freedom.  What a shame it is
>that I should return to Saint Cloud after nearly a year in Minneapolis to find
>that, not only has this institution failed to move forward on this issue, it
>has actually taken steps backward.  The student in question, who wishes to
>remain anonymous for now, and I have been discussing our options.  She has lso
>informed her father, a recognized leader and respected elder of her tribe, and
>he is advising her as well.  In the past we have rallied, considered legal
>action, and organized e-mail campaigns in order to retain our right to
>religious freedom at this university.  Although we haven't decided on our final
>strategy for tackling the issue at this time, one thing is certain:  Given the
>University's inability to keep its word unless it feels the pressure of public
>scrutiny, we intend to bring this occurance of SCSU racism to the attention of
>the public.  By the time you read this, half of Indian Country will have
>already done so.
>
>Sincerely yours,
>
>Robert John Callahan
>Isnana Mani
>

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