Winnemem Wintu Tribe

KRC helped raise nearly $1,000 for the Winnemem Wintu tribe in November 2004 during a benefit screening of In the Light of Reverence at the Lark Theater in Larkspur, CA. The film, produced by the Sacred Land Film Project, features the Wintu as one of three tribes trying to protect its sacred sites.

After the film, we helped organize a panel discussion with Winnemem Wintu Tribal and Spiritual Leader Caleen Sisk-Franco, activist Julia Butterfly Hill and filmmaker Toby McLeod.

In November 2003, Kathleen Russell provided extensive pro bono media outreach on the passing of Florence Curl Jones, traditional healer and spiritual leader of the Winnemem band of the Wintu in Mt. Shasta, CA. Mrs. Jones was known as a top doctor by Native people throughout the Western United States and was also the most fluent speaker of the Winnemem Wintu language. The passing of Mrs. Jones, 96, on Nov. 22, 2003 marked a major turning point for the tribe.

Kathleen was able to secure published obituaries in The New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Los Angeles Times and The Associated Press wire.

The tribe continues its struggle to have its federal recognition reinstated.

Lark Theater Auction

In the spring of 2004, Kathleen Russell coordinated a committee to begin a six week, all-volunteer effort to raise funds to restore the Lark Theater in Larkspur, CA. The run-down theater closed its doors in 2000 due to low attendance. Kathleen Russell coordinated a committee of dedicated volunteers that produced a Hard Hat Tour and Auction, which raised close to $26,000 from nearly 400 supporters who attended the event.

In July, the theater reopened its doors as a nonprofit neighborhood theater featuring independent films.

Marin United Democratic Campaign

Kathleen Russell helped launch the communications committee for the Marin United Democratic Campaign, a local grassroots effort to enlist Democrats to defeat President George Bush in the November 2004 election. Kathleen created a committee infrastructure that produces regular E-Newsletters to the 600-person membership, sends press releases about MUDC events and handles all communications efforts for the campaign.

Don Mullan Appearance

In early 2003, KRC successfully booked Bloody Sunday co-producer and author Don Mullan as a lecturer at nearly a dozen colleges and universities across the United States. Mr. Mullan's lifelong commitment to human rights and his ongoing efforts to secure justice for the families of Irish Bloody Sunday victims captivated audiences across the country.

KRC also helped generate media coverage for Mr. Mullan in conjunction with some speaking engagements.

Click here to read an article about one of his appearances.

Straus Communications

KRC was hired in September 2003 by Straus Communications to assist with the completion of a 35 page strategic plan to be submitted to the Kellogg Foundation to develop a Sustainable News Center at Straus Communications. KRC managed the final information gathering, writing and synthesis of information for the plan.

Marin Democrats Website

Kathleen Russell also worked with a small team of volunteers to develop the Marin Democrats' current website at http://www.marindemocrats.org.