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Resources & Publications

"Dressing up" for Halloween

Madison County member Wendy Warren writes about ways educators can do better when teaching about Native peoples. This article also address cultural appropriation at Halloween.

"As I thought about the things I have learned that have convinced me that I would never again consider dressing a child in an "Indian costume" for Halloween, I realized that there were probably many other things I have done in my teaching career that were equally embarrassing. Some of the first that come to mind are some of the "Indian art" activities I found in activity books that I used in an honest attempt to teach about Indian cultures. Now I know enough to understand that some of them were quite disrespectuful, in that they trivalized things that were quite important - even sacred- in some Indian cultures. But how can a non-Indian teacher come to know what things are sacred and what are not?"

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Teaching the Truth Is Not Easy

This linked article is written by Madison County member Bobby Starnes about how the history of Native American's are taught in our schools and why we should, and can, do better. 

"Teaching the truth is not easy. Maybe it raises too many questions about our national character. Maybe it depresses us to learn about historical injustices. Maybe it’s too raw for the squeamish or those who can feel proud to be American only if our nation is pure and perfect. So, okay, if you can’t, don’t teach the truth. Let it sit silently on the bookshelves and in other safe places. Don’t talk about it. Let it go unsaid. I don’t like it, and I don’t think it’s a good idea, but I do understand it.

But here’s what I don’t understand — really, sincerely, I don’t understand. Why do we feel compelled to teach the lies?"

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Magoffin County resolution on RECLAIM and Black Lung, 2018

In the fall of 2018, Magoffin County, Kentucky was among nearly a dozen local governments to pass a local resolution calling on Congress to pass the RECLAIM Act, strengthen the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund, and protect miners' pensions.

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Whitesburg Local Resolution on Black Lung and RECLAIM Act, 2018

In the fall of 2018, Whitesburg, Kentucky was among nearly a dozen local governments in eastern Kentucky to pass a resolution calling on Congress to pass the RECLAIM Act, strengthen the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund, and protect miners' pensions.

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Letcher County Local Resolution on Black Lung & RECLAIM Act, 2018

In the fall of 2018, the Letcher County Fiscal Court was among nearly a dozen local governments to pass a resolution urging Congress to pass the RECLAIM Act, strengthen the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund, and protect miners' pensions.

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Letcher County Local Resolution on Black Lung and RECLAIM Act, 2018

In the fall of 2018, the Letcher County was among nearly a dozen local governments to pass this local resolution calling on Congress to strengthen the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund, pass the RECLAIM Act, and protect miners' pensions.

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Rowan County Local Resolution on Black Lung and RECLAIM 2018

Rowan County was among nearly a dozen local governments to pass this local resolution in the fall of 2018, calling on members of Congress to strengthen the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund, pass the RECLAIM Act, and protect miners' pensions.

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Many Voices, Many Solutions: Innovative Mine Reclamation in Central Appalachia

This report was released in November 2018 by Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center, Appalachian Voices, Coalfield Development Corporation, Rural Action, and Downstream Strategies. It describes a range of projects supported by a federal pilot project that invests in reclaiming old mine sites and supporting innovative development projects in affected communities. 

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Equitable Clean Energy Guidebook for Local Governments

This guidebook - commissioned by the Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN) - introduces a process and principles that local governments and their partners can use to design equitable clean energy programs in their communities.

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Fix What's Broke: Why Congress Must Support a Just Transition for Miners and Communities

KFTC members deliver petitions in support of the RECLAIM Act to the office of Sen. Mitch McConnell

This report, published by KFTC in October 2018, outlines actions Congress must take to support a Just Transition for our miners and communities, including strengthening the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund, passing the RECLAIM Act to create jobs restoring damaged land and waterways, and protecting miners' pensions.

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