November is National American Indian & Alaskan Native Heritage Month and as part of this recognition, the Denver American Indian Commission is proud to announce the launch of a new website for City employees and others interested in American Indian resources and services in the metro area.
The Denver American Indian Commission website http://www.denvergov.org/NativeAmerican offers information about the Commission’s purpose and directs citizens to useful online links to Internet sites that focus on American Indian contemporary news media. The website includes information about the American Indian Commissioners, the Commission’s 2008 Goals and Issues, Bylaws and meeting minutes.
The website was developed by the Agency for Human Rights and Community Relations (HR/CR), the umbrella agency to the American Indian, African-American, Asian Pacific-American, Aging, Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual & Transgender, Latino, People with Disabilities and the Women’s Commissions. HR/CR is also home to the following; Office of Aging, Office of Disability Rights, Anti-Discrimination and Community Support.
Commission Chair, Lawrence Left Hand Bull, states "I believe this website is absolutely critical in bringing our people into the digital age and will assist us in connecting with the younger generation who is much more digitally savvy and will link to our broader community. The website is a tool to bridge the divide that has historically separated us, and will make us one people, one vision, that is the City and County of Denver.”
Members and their tribal affiliations are: Amber Belindo (Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma), Carol Berry (Chickasaw), Phyllis Bigpond (Yuchi ‘Euchee’ Tribe of Oklahoma), Debbie Emhoolah Sankey (Kiowa and Arapaho), Lisa Harjo (Choctaw), Charles Hedin (Navajo), Ernest House Jr. (Ute Mountain Ute), Donna Johnson (Santa Ana Pueblo/Sisseton-Wahpetonwan/Mdewakantonwan Dakota Sioux), Donna Langston (Cherokee Nation), Lawrence Left Hand Bull (Sicangu Lakota), and Corrine Lindsey.
The Mission of the Denver American Indian Commission is to enhance present and future communications between the Denver American Indian Community and the City and County of Denver, to advocate for social and cultural awareness and to promote economic and political equality.
Questions and comments regarding the Commission should be directed to Darius Lee Smith (Dine’) at (720) 913-8459 or darius.smith@denvergov.org #