The Arc of Minnesota - Resolution on Remembering with Dignity

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RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT REMEMBERING WITH DIGNITY

WHEREAS, Remembering With Dignity is a coalition of disability rights and advocacy organizations founded in 1994, working to honor people who lived and died in Minnesota's state institutions;

WHEREAS, the history of people with disabilities in Minnesota is largely undocumented and unknown to the average Minnesotan;

WHEREAS, the materials of historical significance from Minnesota state institutions are at risk of being lost as the Minnesota state institutions close, and must be preserved and organized for the education of future generations;

WHEREAS, the personal stories of people who have lived in Minnesota state institutions have not been told and are at risk of being lost forever as people die;

WHEREAS, over 12,500 people who lived and died in Minnesota state institutions were buried at cemeteries in graves that were unmarked or numbered;

WHEREAS, the cemeteries at the nine Minnesota institutions have been poorly maintained or completely neglected;

WHEREAS, the State of Minnesota has not properly and publicly acknowledged that certain past practices of institutionalizing people with disabilities were wrong;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

The Arc of Minnesota joins and supports the efforts of Remembering With Dignity, a coalition effort to:

Increase public awareness about the history and experiences of people who have lived and died in Minnesota’s state institutions.
Collect oral histories and support individuals in telling their stories of living in institutions.
Place names on the graves, now unmarked or numbered, of the remaining 8,500 people buried in Minnesota state institution cemeteries.
Support self-advocates and consumers in their leadership role.
Enable people with disabilities to learn skills and organize around the issue of community living versus institutionalization.

Resolution approved by the Delegate Body at The Arc of Minnesota Annual Meeting on October 28, 2007.

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