Community Invited to Attend Pine Tree Lecture by Clayton Thomas-Muller at Trent University on January 7

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Indigenous Activist to Present “The Tar Sands: Canada’s Home to Climate Outlaws and Fossil Fuel Gangsters?”

Monday, January 5, 2009, Peterborough

The Department of Indigenous Studies at Trent University invites the community to attend a Pine Tree Lecture by Clayton Thomas-Muller on Wednesday, January 7 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in Nozhem, the First Peoples Performance Space at Gzowski College.

Originally from the Mathais Colomb Cree Nation in northern Manitoba, Mr. Thomas-Muller will present "The Tar Sands: Canada's Home to Climate Outlaws and Fossil Fuel Gangsters?" He is a well known activist for Indigenous rights and environmental justice and has worked across Canada and the United States with grassroots Indigenous communities to defend their rights against unsustainable energy development and trans-national energy corporations.

With his roots in the inner city of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Mr. Thomas-Muller began his activist career fighting against disparities in the Aboriginal community as a result of poverty and Winnipeg's youth gang epidemic. He co-founded the youth organization known as AYII (Aboriginal Youth with Initiative) and served as the organization’s executive director for two years. The Manitoba Aboriginal Youth Achievement Awards recognized Mr. Thomas-Muller’s leadership skills and his devotion to community development in 1997, when he was presented with the Senior Community/Volunteer Award. He also co-founded the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs’ Youth Council and was the architect behind the National Assembly of First Nations National Youth Advisory Council. This event is open to all members of the community and refreshments will be served following the talk.

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For further information, please contact Barb Rivett, Department of Indigenous Studies at (705) 748-1011, ext. 7466