National Parks Fail to Reflect Diversity
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PRESS RELEASE
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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | |
| Date: | November 7, 2000 |
| Contact: | Andrea Keller, 202-454-3332 |
National Parks Fail to Reflect Diversity
"Separately, we are diverse communities of color struggling with the problems of accessibility to and lack of representation within the National Park System," says Iantha Gantt-Wright, NPCA Director of Cultural Diversity Programs. "Through Mosaic 2000, we come together as community partners with the National Park Service to seek solutions."
NPCA's primary goal for the conference is to engage NPS and representatives of culturally diverse organizations in interactive workshops for the development of legislative, administrative, and policy initiatives for creating lasting systemic change. The first two days will be spent in educational forums and roundtable discussions designed to provide participants with the tools that will empower them to effect change on the ground in their parks and communities. The final day in Santa Fe will be devoted to cultural immersion. Trips to Pecos National Historical Park, the Pueblos of Rio Abajo, Bandelier National Monument, and traditional Hispanic villages are included.
"NPCA's mission is to protect and enhance the integrity of the National Park System," says Thomas Kiernan, NPCA president. "We plan to do that in part by working with NPS to help establish national standards and to develop strategies leading to greater diversity in the NPS workforce, park visitorship, park advocacy, and the heritages that the parks commemorate."
