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The Flathead Reservation Human Rights Coalition [FRHRC] is sponsoring its 10th Annual Culture Fair. The Culture Fair showcases cultural and ethnic traditions from around the world. Its purpose is to celebrate the diversity and heritage of all people living on the Flathead Reservation. Activities include display tables, music, dancing, food booths, craft tables, children's games, storytelling, poetry, and more. This year's Culture Fair will be held at K. William Harvey Elementary School in Ronan, on Saturday, December 1, 2001, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Admission is free. The Culture Fair is co-sponsored by the Network. For entry information or additional details, contact FRHRC at 676-8444.

FRHRC brought the film Big Eden to the Entertainer Theater in Ronan during the week of September 14-20, 2001. This full-length movie by producer Thomas Bezucha was filmed in West Glacier and Glacier National Park. It's an upbeat love story where two men are brought together through the efforts of local townspeople. The film was seen by over 200 people during its weeklong showing.

FRHRC helped to sponsor a series of school workshops and concerts by acclaimed children's musician Red Grammer. It was a return engagement for Red who performed at several schools last January. Red's workshops featured songs about celebrating diversity and multiculturalism. Red has appeared on many national TV programs, and he is a former lead singer with The Limeliters. Red's workshops included evening performances for parents and community members. Red conducted workshops during the week of November 12-16, 2001, at Cherry Valley, Linderman, Pablo, and Dixon Elementary Schools.

The Helena Human Rights Task Force, along with the Network, is holding its annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration at the Myrna Loy on Monday, January 21, 2002, at 7:00 p.m. Highlighting this year's event will be a panel discussion of "What Would Martin Luther King Jr. Say Today" on topics ranging from homelessness and discrimination to violence against gays, women, and others. Winners of the Martin Luther King essay and poster contest will be honored as well.

The Gallatin Human Rights Task Force has been busy in Bozeman working with several other local groups to host a variety of events. On October 4, 2001, the task force, along with the Network and the Sierra Club, hosted David Helvarg, an author and journalist. He spoke on the wise use movement's connections to the current Bush Administration.

On Oct. 20, 2001, the Gallatin Human Rights Task Force co-sponsored an event with the Colombia Support Network. It addressed the impact of America's "War on Drugs" on Colombia.

The group has also participated in several anti-war rallies and programs to educate the public on Islamic religion and Muslim culture.

The Missoula Advocates for Human Rights continue planning for its annual Martin Luther King Jr. holiday events. Its celebration is set for January 21, 2002, and will include a march from Caras Park to St. Paul's Lutheran Church. There will be speakers at the park and at the church. The Advocates are again having a poster and essay contest open to students based on Martin Luther King.

The Advocates are continuing to produce social justice videos that air on Missoula Community Access Television. The pieces are a response to videos by the white supremacist World Church of the Creator that are also appearing on the station. The latest Advocates' piece featured an interview with Ami Thurber of the National Coalition Building Initiative.

Members of the Advocates have been involved in other social justice demonstrations. Some of the Advocates were among the many Missoula demonstrators who countered the anti-gay message of Fred Phelps' Westboro Baptist Church. A member of the Advocates will be attending a protest of the School of Americas in Fort Benning, Georgia, in mid-November. Advocate members have also participated in various peace rallies in Missoula.

In mid-November, the Bitterroot Human Rights Alliance co-sponsored a multi-media presentation on Afghan refugees in Pakistan. Janet Knowles and Richard Wachs of Alberton, MT, produced the presentation titled A Journey Into Understanding.

In coalition with SAFE, a local anti-domestic violence group, the Alliance received a grant from the National Center for the Prevention of Youth Violence. SAFE and the Alliance will work with area schools to prevent youth violence. They are considering various curriculums to use in developing workshops and forums to present to area high school students and parents.

The Flathead Valley Human Rights Coalition (FVHRC) hosted the Montana Human Rights Network's annual conference in Kalispell. FVHRC members appreciated the excellent keynote speeches and workshops, and enjoyed meeting other human rights activists from throughout the state.

FVHRC is organizing an essay contest on Martin Luther King, Jr. in the middle schools and is planning a community event to celebrate MLK Day.

The Network will kick off the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday celebrations by holding its annual MLK dance on Friday, January 18, 2002, at the Algeria Shrine Temple. Beginning at 8:00 p.m. and going until midnight, the dance will feature the sounds of Little Elmo and the New Mambo Kings. Micro-brews and munchies will be available throughout the evening. Stay tuned for more information.