Documentary Screening & Discussion on Sacred Sites Protection, 7PM - FREE - Oakl

Documentary Screening & Discussion on Sacred Sites Protection Monday, January 16th - 7PM - FREE - InterTribal Friendship House in Oakland, CA

Join us for a screening of the documentary "The Snowbowl Effect" (see description below) and Q&A with director Klee Benally (Dine'). There will also be a discussion following the screening about sacred sites protection including Shell Mounds and Medicine Lake.

The Arizona Snowbowl Ski resort, located on the San Francisco Peaks
in Northern AZ, is attemping to expand its development, clear-cut 74
acres of wilderness, make artificial snow from contaminated
wastewater and more. The Peaks are sacred to over 13 Native American
Nations and home to threatened species. A coalition of tribes and
environmental groups have filed a lawsuit against the Coconino Forest
Service to stop this proposed development.

The decision was made by the judge on January 11th, 2006 against the
Tribal Nations, environmental and community groups who filed the
lawsuit to protect the cultural and environmental integrity of sacred
San Francisco Peaks.

"This is a critical and historic trial that will determine the future
of Native American Religious Freedom & the health of our
communities," says Kelvin Long of ECHOES. "We are calling on all
peoples of all faiths and walks of life to join us and stand up for
respect for the environment and the diverse cultures in our community."

Appeals to the decision are expected to be filed, this would bring
this critical issue to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San
Francisco, CA. This is an opportunity to build support with members
of the Save the Peaks Coalition before the case comes to the Bay Area.
http://www.savethepeaks.org

The Snowbowl Effect (56 min)

A mountain in Northern Arizona sacred to 13 tribes. A ski resort
proposal to expand and make snow with wastewater. When recreation and
culture collide, who pays the price?

The Snowbowl Effect explores the controversy surrounding the recently
proposed ski resort expansion and snowmaking with wastewater on the
San Francisco Peaks, located in Northern Arizona, as Native American
tribal officials and spiritual leaders, Forest Service officials, and
concerned citizens discuss the issues: sacred lands protection,
public health concerns associated with groundbreaking studies on
wastewater, economic misconceptions, threats to the environment,
global warming and a small community caught in the conflict.

http://www.savethepeaks.org/snowbowleffect

InterTribal Friendship House
523 International Boulevard
Oakland, CA 94606

InterTribal Friendship House of Oakland ("IFH") is a Native American
cultural center for indigenous residents of all nations for the Bay
area. The center provides after school programs, clothing donation
programs, traditional Native American dance lessons, traditional bead
work classes, substance abuse meetings, and houses an extensive oral
history and photographic history of Native Americans in the Bay area.
IFH also serves as a general meeting place for community members to
voice concerns, promote civic functions, and gather resources
regarding Native American culture.