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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 1, 2010
Contact: Kari Boushee, Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee, PO
Box
7488, Fargo, ND 58106, Telephone: 701/235-2206,
contact@whoisleonardpeltier.info
Leonard Peltier arranges benefit for Haitian children
Moved by news reports about the earthquake in Haiti, renowned Native
American activist and artist Leonard Peltier has organized an art
auction to benefit the children most affected by the disaster.
An accomplished artist, Peltier has donated his work for the event.
Other artists joining him in this effort to include Billy Warsoldier,
Faron Blakely, Joanne Bird, Jo Ellis, Leslie Thunderhawk, Kenneth Hari
and Chad Brady.
A member of the American Indian Movement, Peltier was wrongfully
convicted in connection with the deaths of two agents of the Federal
Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Despite the courts' acknowledgment of
FBI and prosecutorial misconduct in the case, Peltier has been
imprisoned since 1976, currently at the U.S. Penitentiary at Lewisburg,
Pennsylvania. His case was documented by renowned author Peter
Matthiessen ("In the Spirit of Crazy Horse," Viking Press, 1983) and in
several films, including "Incident at Oglala," produced and narrated by
actor Robert Redford. The 65-year-old Peltier also has been designated
a political prisoner by Amnesty International.
Leonard Peltier often donates his artwork to human rights and social
welfare organizations to help them raise funds. Most recently,
recipients have included Trail of Hope (a Native American conference
dealing with drug and alcohol addiction); World Peace and Prayer Day;
the First Nation Student Association; and the Buffalo Trust Fund.
Leonard Peltier has been widely recognized for his humanitarian works
and has won the North Star Frederick Douglas Award; Federation of
Labour (Ontario, Canada) Humanist of the Year Award; Human Rights
Commission of Spain International Human Rights Prize; 2004 Silver Arrow
Award for Lifetime Achievement; and the First Annual Red Nation
Humanitarian Award in 2009. Also in 2009, Leonard Peltier was nominated
for the Nobel Peace Prize for the sixth consecutive year.
The benefit will be held at the Trickster Gallery at 190 South Roselle
Road in Schaumburg, Illinois, on Saturday, March 6, beginning at 1:00
p.m. Both a live and silent auction will occur and paintings will be
on exhibit beforehand.
Trickster Gallery, a program of the American Indian Center of Chicago,
is the only Native-operated arts institution in Illinois and is
dedicated to providing space for first-voice arts. Trickster Gallery
features contemporary Native art (post 1960s) and augments exhibits
with film screenings, featured speakers, panel discussions, school
tours, and educator workshops.
The auction will be held in conjunction with Trickster Gallery's 5th
Anniversary Benefit for the Arts. The public is invited to join Native
Folk and Blues musician Keith Secola, the Mark Cleveland Band, Guia
Rivera, Aztec Dancers, Native American Drum and Dancers, Native Artist
Andrew Morrison, and others in a celebration of First Peopes' art.
Call 847-301-2090 or send an e-mail to
trickstergallery@aic-chicago.org
for ticket information.
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