NRLC's Outreach Department Participates In Its Third Tekakwitha Conference

By Ernest L. Ohlhoff

National Right to Life's Outreach Department and Indians for Life presented two workshops and manned a pro-life booth at the 63th annual Tekakwitha Conference. Over 1,000 Native Americans from almost every state gathered at the University of Michigan in East Lansing, from August 1 through August 4.

In addition to the Native People, the conference was visited by 14 Catholic Archbishops and bishops, including Archbishop Gabriel Montalavo, the Apostolic Nuncio, the representative of Pope John Paul II.

In a letter to NRLC President, Dr. Wanda Franz, Msgr. Paul Lenz, executive director of the Bureau of Catholic Indian Missions, reflected on NRLC's participation in the program. He stated,

"Prominent also was the Right to Life display that was attended by Ernie Ohlhoff and Native American Clementine Hernandez. They gave several workshops and the one I attended was powerful. I also accompanied several bishops including Archbishop Elden Curtiss of Omaha, Nebraska and Bishop Donald Pelotte of Gallup, New Mexico to view the large display for Right to Life.

Dr. Franz...I felt before, at other National Meetings, that the workshops and display areas were so supportive and helpful and believe the appearance of National Right to Life this year was deeply meaningful and appreciated by the Native People.

Thank you and National Right to Life for the kind interest in the efforts of the American Indian people for "Life." Please be assured of our gratitude."

Clementine (Little Hawk) Hernandez, a Lakota Sioux who is director of Indians for Life, remarked, "This is the fourth year National Right to Life has attended the Tekakwitha Conference and each year there is more and more interest from the Native People. The first year they were a little shy and quiet. Now they come right up to the booth and ask for little feet pins, roses, and literature and tell us about their pro-life work in their home communities."

NRLC Director of Outreach Ernest Ohlhoff said, "Attending the Tekakwitha Conference is almost like attending a Right to Life convention. Almost everyone is pro-life and proud of it. I come away from these conferences invigorated."

For further information on Indians for Life please contact:

Clementine (Little Hawk) Hernandez

Indians for Life

P.O. Box 5237

San Pedro, CA 90733

or

Outreach Department

National Right to Life, 512 Tenth Street, N.W.,

Washington, DC 20004

(202) 626-8800, ext. 155