Links to articles (with pictures) about the movement to change the name of the Rum River as well as 13 other derogatory MN geographic site names are presented below. Turtle Island Project's Volunteer media advisor Greg Peterson wrote these articles.

September 18th Turtle Island Project's Inaugural Grand Island Conference press releases

http://www.reznetnews.org/ images/yoopernewsman/tip_na_roundtable_rum_river_among_14_minnesota_ locations_whose_names_would_be_changed_by_new_law

http://news.resist.ca/fighting _racist_location_names

http://news.resist.ca/tip_native_ american_roundtable_issues_discussed_racism_poverty_teen_suicide_ derogatory_names_centering_prayer_celtics

http://news.resist.ca/deroagorty_ name_changes_supported_by_mendota_mdewakanton_dakota_community _pow_wow

http://news.resist.ca/fighting_ racist_location_names

http://www.reznetnews.org/images/yoo pernewsman/tip_roundtable_opposes_racist_location_names_rum_ river_among_14_minnesota_locations_whose_names_would_be_ch

http://www.reznetnews.org/images/ yoopernewsman/fighting_racist_location_names_among_topics_at_ first_native_american_roundtable

http://www.reznetnews.org/images/ yoopernewsman/first_turtle_island_native_american_roundtable_topics_ covered_racism_teen_suicide_on_reservations_poverty_0

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Turtle Island Project's Inaugural Grand Island Conference press release website link:
http://www.gather.com/ viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977120150

The following information is presented in this press release:

The perversion of the original Native American name of Minnesota's Rum River and similar derogatory names was placed on the agenda at the request of Thomas Dahlheimer, director of the Rum River Name Change Organization Inc. in Wahkon, Minnesota.

Minnesota State Rep. Mike Joros, D-Duluth, recently introduced a bill that would change 14 derogatory geographic place names that are offensive to American Indians.

The Rum River in Minnesota was named by whites referring to alcohol "spirits" instead of the original American Indian name that meant "Great Spirit."

"Two of these derogatory names were changed from the sacred Ojibwe name for their Great Spirit (Manido) to Devil, as was the custom throughout our nation," said Dahlheimer. "Racial hatred was why many geographic site names were change from Native peoples' names for the Great Spirit to Devil."

Many faulty translations of Native American names were done out of racism and as a "deliberate insult and slur," Dahlheimer said.

"These derogatory names remind Native people of the cultural genocide that is being perpetrated against them" Dahlheimer said. "Changing these names it will help in the healing process - but keeping the derogatory names would maintain a racist, derogatory characterization of Native peoples."

Dahlheimer said "heightened awareness of the catastrophic consequences caused by white settlers introducing and selling alcohol to Native Americans - may cause white Euro-Americans to offer all Native Americans their long overdue restitution justice."

Dahlheimer's views were presented at the roundtable by a TIP volunteer, but organizers hope future events will include a internet camera so tribal officials from around the country can participate without traveling to northern Michigan.

Hubbard said one of the goals of the TIP is to "give Native Americans a venue in which their voices can be heard and listened to".

Rum River Name Change Organization Inc.
Thomas Dahlheimer, director
P.O. Box 24
Wahkon, Minnesota 56386
Call: 320-495-3874
http://www.towahkon.org/

Minnesota H.F. No. 2503 introduced 85th Legislative Session (2007-2008) on May 18, 2007 A bill to change 14 derogatory geographic place names offensive to American Indians introduced by Rep. Mike Jaros, D-District O7B (Duluth).
http://turtleislandproject. wordpress.com/

Related information:
TeePee & fliers at July 2007 Anoka County sesquicentennial:
http://www.towahkon.org/ tepee.html

Combating White Racism Against Indigenous Peoples:
http://www.towahkon.org/ SEED.html

Solving The Alcohol Abuse Epidemic:
http://www.towahkon.org /sae.html
http://www.aaanativearts. com/printout683.html

Thomas Ivan Dahlheimer's articles and letters to the editor:
http://www.towahkon.org/ articles.html

History of the Anoka Dakota Unity Alliance:
http://www.towahkon.org/ alliance.html
http://www.dakotahome coming.org/g5-bin/client.cgi?G5button=9294

Minnesota Apology for the Exploitation of Native Americans:
http://www.towahkon.org/ apologyresolution.html

Minnesota Indian Affairs Draft Resolution:
http://www.towahkon.org/ MIACdraftresolution.html
http://www.astate.edu/mascot/ NDNAIM_Fwd_Minnesota_Indian_Affairs_Council.pdf