The American Indian Movement Support Group of Ohio and Northern Kentucky is a multicultural organization dedicated to the protection of Native American culture and heritage. We stand in full and direct support of the American Indian Movement, its values and goals. This Support Group is not a chapter of the AIM; while AIM members work with us, (Vernon Bellecourt & American Indian Movement National Support Group Director - Bill Boswell) we cannot claim to be members of AIM nor speak on behalf of AIM.



We can and do help with educational projects, public forums, letter writing, phone calls, faxes, e-mails, and conferences under the direction of AIM leadership (Vernon Bellecourt & American Indian Movement National Support Group Director - Bill Boswell). We offer our support and resources to other indigenous peoples and minorities, as well as to individuals and organizations having compatible goals.



Our belief in the sacredness of all life is the foundation upon which we build bridges of mutual respect and honor. This foundation is secure only when the barriers of ignorance, apathy, and hatred are removed. Therefore, in order to accomplish our goals, we endeavor to educate and raise awareness in a peaceful and respectful manner. We welcome all who would join us in our efforts to educate, fight racism, protect our environment, and promote justice.



This work is a calling to give from our hearts. There is no "membership" for AIM nor for our Support Group, but it does require a commitment from the heart. You can not pay yearly dues and be a "member," but you can be a part of the AIM Support Group through your actions and how you live your life, remembering that involvement with the American Indian Movement is involvement not in an organization per se, but in a set of ideals, values, and goals.



This is harder to do than paying yearly dues, but that is what the AIM is all about: commitment. We remember and honor those who walked before us, their struggles, their fights, their successes, their deaths, and their survival. We are working toward a better future for all people; standing up for our beliefs and resisting racism in all its forms is difficult, but we recognize our responsibility to the children and the future generations to leave a world in which the gifts of life and creation are valued and all people are given their full measure of dignity.



We are committed to the principles of education, sobriety, non-violence, and personal responsibility. When representing our group in any capacity, our members are expected to treat others with respect and to be drug, alcohol, and weapon free. While we are passionate about the issues we deal with, we must remember that our primary goal when speaking to others of a different mindset and/or opinion is to educate them and help them understand our position(s).



The American Indian Movement concentrates on four areas of concern which we also believe to be among the most vital issues affecting Native American people, and ultimately, all peoples.



These are:



RACISM: We work toward raising awareness of both personal and institutional / governmental racism. This is done by showing the damage caused by dehumanizing and demeaning stereotypes, and by calling attention to forms of racism which lead to social and economic injustice. This includes the use of "Indians" as mascots by elementary and high schools, universities, professional sports teams, the U.S. military, and corporations/businesses. This also includes the use of "Indian" costumes at Halloween, Thanksgiving, and other times of the year. We also are concerned with discrimination and the creation of hostile environments in the workplace through name-calling and racially-based jokes.



GRAVE DESECRATION: We are actively engaged in the ongoing effort to stop the unspeakably horrible desecration of Native burial grounds. Graves are desecrated by those who claim they are doing scientific research as well as by those who profit from the sale of "artifacts" which are, in fact, human remains and sacred burial objects. Non-Indian graves have always been protected against such desecration. The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990 now makes it a federal offense to possess or sell Native American remains and funerary objects. We remain alert to occurrences of grave desecration and possession of Native American remains or funerary objects; if you become aware of either of these, please contact us. We may also aid in repatriation and reburial if requested by providing materials and shawls.



LEONARD PELTIER: We participate in the worldwide effort to bring about justice and freedom for this Native American political prisoner. The grievous injustice done to Leonard Peltier and his family must be righted. We also offer support to other political prisoners and victims of injustice.



SOVEREIGNTY: For Native Americans, issues of sovereignty are particularly important. The U.S. Government continues to erode the sovereignty of Native Nations. Few people truly understand sovereignty; many feel that Native people are "given" "handouts," "freebies," "special privileges," and so forth. Native Nations have given the U.S. Government their lands in exchange for certain payments that continue today through the legal provisions of treaties. We support the exercise of a Native Nation's sovereignty and help whenever possible to ensure the U.S. Government does not further take the rights and sovereignty of Native Nations.