De Conch June 2013

DE CONCH JUNE 2013

De Chillun Cookin fa e Culcha!

Chef Ira Hill is a culinary arts instructor at Burke High School in Charleston, SC in the Gullah/ Geechee Nation. Chef Hill joined forces with Chef Benjamin Dennis to host a fundraiser for Burke High School’s Culinary Arts Department and the Gullah/Geechee Angel Network (www.gullahgeecheeangelnetwork.com). The Gullah/Geechee Angel Network is the official nonprofit 501(c)3 of the Gullah/Geechee Nation.

As the youth served the outstanding traditionally based cuisine at this “Gullah/Geechee Pop-up Dinner,” numerous documentaries about the Gullah/Geechee Nation played to educated the patrons. Tenk Gawd fa de chillun lunin an cookin bout e culcha!

To learn more about the students and to see the event, check out the Gullah/Geechee TV coverage: http://youtu.be/UnBZMxytfik

GULLAH FEST ANOTHER SUCCESS!

Page 13

GULLAH/GEECHEE LEADING THE WAY TO PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT Page 8

SOUL FOOD FESTIVAL IN THE GULLAH/GEECHEE NATION Page 5

Wha Gwine On June

July

“ B l a c k M u s i c M o n t h ” & Commemorate the founding of Juneteenth events throughout the Gullah/Geechee Nation and the Gullah/Geechee Nation Queen Quet’s enstoolment on July 2nd throughout the Gullah/ C o m m e m o r a t i o n o f H a r r i e t Geechee Nation.

Tubman’s Combahaee River Raid at Tabernacle Baptist Church July 5 Navassa Homecoming in June 2 at 5 pm Beaufort, SC in NC the Gullah/Geechee Nation Pan African Grassroots Juneteenth Festival at Roastfish Assembly at Oyotunji African & Cornbread on Hilton Head Village, Sheldon, SC in the Island, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Gullah/Geechee Nation http:// Nation 70 Marshland Road www.oyotunji.org/ Come to a meet & greet with Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation June 19th beginning at 4 pm GullGeeCo@aol.com

Queen Quet at the Newberry Public Library in SC on June 21 *** at 3 pm Join the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition on “De Gullah Daufuskie Day on Daufuskie Root Experience Tour” led by Island, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Nation June 22nd Gullah/Geechee Nation on July 16 at 10 am. To register for the Charleston CariFest tour, email GullGeeCo@aol.com.

June 20-23 in Charleston, SC

For tickets and details, go to www.charlestoncarifest.com Celebrate Caribbean American Heritage Month in the Gullah/ Geechee Nation by supporting CariFest! We gwine wind up an wind doung ya!

Gullah/Geechee Nation International Music & Movement Festival™ 2013 Emancipation een de Gullah/Geechee Nation

Beaufort County, SC August 2-4, 2013

Queen Quet at Colleton County Memorial Library in Walterboro, SC June 20, 2013 at 6 pm

• Symposium at Avery Research Center • Masquerade Fete • Celebration at Brittle Bank Park

Cum Jayn We!!!

De Gullah Root Experience Tour is customized for groups throughout the year. Email or call GullGeeCo@aol.com or 843-838-1171 for information.

Gullah/Geechee traditional crafts workshops and meals are also offered.

Go to www.gullahgeechee.biz for a listing.

-------------------------------------------------If you are having a Gullah/ Geechee event or news, please send into to GullGeeCo@aol.com.

Friday, August 2-De Gullah Root Experience Tour of St. Helena and Hunting Islands Gullah/Geechee Garden Gala Saturday-Oyotunji African Village Welcome and Tour Saturday, August 3 Noon-7 pm Presentations in Beaufort, SC Sunday, August 4-Spiritual Worship Services on historic St. Helena Island and then bus tour to Savannah, GA with Gullah/Geechee closing reception GullGeeCo@aol.com or AMPTurnItUp@aol.com or call (843) 838-1171

OYOTUNJI

Pan African Grassroots Assembly Returns to the Gullah/Geechee Nation

AFRICAN VILLAGE Oyotunji is an African village located within the Gullah/Geechee Nation. It was founded by African Americans that wanted to return to the traditional Yoruba practices of Nigeria and to living from the land.

Oyotunji gives tours and events throughout the year.

STAND WITH ROYALTY IN THE GULLAH/GEECHEE NATION

Oyotunji African Village Sheldon, SC invites you to the Pan African Grassroots Assembly.

Queen Quet,

Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation(www.QueenQuet.com) will deliver an address before Mutabaruka hits the stage.

Get tickets now! http://www.oyotunji.org/

AL N O I AT N R NTE I N 0 13 2 O I ™ T AL NA V I E T E ES CH F E T Emancipation een de Gullah/Geechee Nayshun E N G E / M H VE LA L O St. Helena Island & Beaufort County, SC U M G & IC August 2-4, 2013 MUS

lena Islands, rt Royal and St. He Po ic or st Hi e! he e Nation llah/Geec The Gullah/Geeche cipation wid de Gu n. an io em at te lam ra oc leb Pr ce n of ourstory-from ancipatio Cum fa jayn we an this dynamic part reading of the Em h st ug fir ro e th th y of ne n ur tio jo rkshops, music, ke on a SC were the loca t Festival™ will ta Nation via tours, wo en e he em ec ov M Ge & h/ ic lla us Gu International M in the heart of the ns. self-determination munity connectio chattel slavery to ! tributes, and com l ra st dun smile pun we ce an , ne isi dance, cu a whey fa sho Gawd se de n ee es Isl rt n de Beaufo Cum fa jayn we pu

www.gullahgeechee.info

Soul Food Festival Serves Up Good Food and Great Music!

The Soul Food Festival came to Ladson, SC Memorial Day weekend.

This was an excellent way to usher out the holiday and usher in Black Music Month!

Queen Quet and Ron arrive in the VIP section of the event.

Lakeside, SOS Band, Morris Day & The Time, Angela Winbush, and George Clinton with Parliament Funkadelic kept the party going!

Tune in to the Gullah/Geechee TV coverage celebrating Black Music Month at www.gullahgeechee.tv

Howard Hewitt is still looking and sounding great! He made this a night to remember!

The Star 99.7 Family is keeping the party going in Charleston, SC. Queen Quet got a chance to embrace our own Tessa Spencer and Savannah. Geno joined the DJ of the evening and crew back stage between acts to just laugh and enjoy the food, the fest, and the family!

Tenk Gawd fa de song we sing an de joy wha disya bring.

Tenk Gawd fa de ancestas souls wha bring out de songs wha keep we.

QUEEN’S CHRONICLES

Tenk Gawd da de song an ting still da gwine out frum de islandts een de sea.

“Black Music Month” is one of my favorite times of the year given that as Marvin

Black Music Month: Celebrating Our Song

sang, I am “just like music!” I have been dancing since I can remember myself. I have been singing since I realized that I sounded good to others and not just to

Queen Quet is the Chieftess of and the Head of State for the Gullah/Geechee Nation.

She is also the Founder of the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition.

Because of my love for music and the creative energy that it takes to make it, I

myself! I get the singing honest since if you start up a song in my family, all you hear coming back at you is harmony! soundtrack of my life, “I love music!”

I send out love to the O’Jays for the

salute Huff and Gamble for being two of the visionaries behind the founding of Black Music Month back in 1979. The Black Music Association sought to insure the marketing of Black music which would increase the economic empowerment of Black musical artists. Given that I have always sought to support the economic empowerment of my own community, I still purchase music while others tell me that I could just as soon download it for free. While I greatly appreciate iTunes, there is nothing like a DJ and music enthusiast having her own collection with the jackets to the CDs and albums (Yes, I still have vinyl too!). Within these pages were lyrics that I learned growing up and the names of the musical creators. So, this is why I still celebrate Gullah/Geechee artists like Motown Funk Brother James

www.QueenQuet.com

Jamerson, originator of Gullah/Geechee Hardcore Warrior Soul, Tamar-Kali, and those that sang and continue to sing the spirituals in the Gullah language.

June begins an annual celebration for me and the fans on the Gullah/Geechee Nation Facebook fan page which leads us onward to the Gullah/Geechee Nation International Music & Movement Festival™ (www.gullahgeechee.info) where each and every year we celebrate keeping the drum in hand and in our hearts. This is where we bring together a range of musical styles and harmonies and educate people on how these sounds kept our community over the generations. Yes, music is an on-going celebration for us!

Throughout Black Music Month, I encourage you to tune in to “Gullah/Geechee Riddim Radio” (www.blogtalkradio.com/gullahgeechee) to hear the stories of our songs and those that created them and the history and context of the times in which these sounds evolved. May these sounds cause you to dance in celebration of Black music!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Tune in to these Black Music Month pieces from “Gullah/Geechee Riddim Radio:” http://gullahgeecheenation.com/2013/05/19/st-helenas-song-from-candice-gloverto-capitol-hill/ http://www.blogtalkradio.com/gullahgeechee/2013/06/03/black-music-monthmoses-goes-to-the-gullahgeechee-nation

Links to Gullah/Geechee Living Culture

Jayn wid wi wha lib wi culcha!

•••

The Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition has worked for many years to insure that there are accurate sources of representation in regard to Gullah/Geechee history, heritage, and culture. Since the Coalition began leading this effort, many things have come into being that “sell” things with the name “Gullah” or term “Geechee” attached to them. However, many of these things are being marketed by those that simply see “Gullah/

1.

G u l l a h / G e e c h e e Nation H e a d q u a r t e r s www.officialgullahgeechee.info or www.gullahgeecheenation.com

2.

Gullah/Geechee Nation Blog http:// gulla hgeecheenation.com/a bout/ gullahgeechee-blog/

3.

Gulla h/Geechee Angel Network www.gullahgeecheeangelnetwork.com

4.

Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition www.gullahgeechee.net

5.

Gullah/Geechee TV™ (GGTV) www.youtube.om/AMPTurnItUp

6.

Gullah/Geechee Riddim Radio http:// www.blogtalkradio.com/ gullahgeechee

7.

Gullah/Geechee Fishing Association www.gullahgeecheefishingassociation. com

8.

Gullah/Geechee Nation Facebook Fan Page https://www.facebook.com/ pages/GullahGeechee-Nation/ 66574769035

9.

Gullah/Geechee Folks on Twitter www.twitter.com/gullahgeechee

Geechee” as a “hot item” to be the next thing to exploit.

So, we continue to work with entities and individuals to help insure that the world is aware of of the things that are done by Gullah/Geechees themselves that are not the people that can afford to pay for the promotions that others get and/or Gullah/Geechees that are not covered in the mainstream media because they are speaking the truth about what has taken place and what is taking place to exploit the people that live the traditions while often promoting those that simply write papers and

10. Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/ Geechee www.QueenQuet.com 11. Gullah/Geechee Nation International Music & Movement Festival™ www.gullahgeechee.info 12. Gullah/Geechee Doula Association http://www.gullahgeecheedoula.com/

books about the people (even if those books and papers are inaccurate).

Tenk Gawd! Over the years, many have contacted us seeking sources that would allow them to directly connect with living links to Gullah/Geechee culture and traditions.

So, in this special edition, we wanted to share current links to sources that will connect you to our living culture and not simply that which is being packaged and marketed as our culture. Please support these and pass the word on.

We kno who webe and disya gwine git hunnuh ta we!

Gullah/Geechee Nation Leading the Way to Protect Our Environment!

Annually members of the Environmental Justice Community come together with the United States Environmental Protection Agency to be a part of the Brownsfields Conference. In 2012, Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation was invited to be a presenter for the Brownsfields Conference in Florida. The 2013 conference was held in Atlanta, GA. Queen Quet presented at the Environmental Justice Caucus celebration honoring the work of Dr. Mildred McClain (http://youtu.be/u1dhTOAxKSo).

The evening opened the activities of the rest of the week of engagement in environmental issues.

Gullah/Geechee Nation leaders Elder Carlie Towne and Representative Glenda Simmons-Jenkins were invited to the event to take part in the numerous sessions, workshops and dialogues that took place at the Georgia World Conference Center.

They contributed many questions regarding community engagement.

Many people are unaware of the existence and definition of brownsfields and in the Gullah/ Geechee language, this would actually mean the direct opposite of what a brownsfield is. Brownsfields are areas that are environmentally contaminated that the EPA has gone in, accessed, and declared them brownsfields sites.

In some cases, these areas are then cleaned up, capped, and restored via what are called “superfund site” designations in which the money to undertake the process is obtained through fines against the companies that have caused the contamination.

In some cases, these companies have ceased to exist (for example in the case of old gas stations that still have tanks in the ground where you no longer realize that a gas station was ever there), so the EPA has to come in and do this work through other means of funding. In most cases, the areas that are designated come about because of illnesses amongst community members. Illnesses and deaths in communities cause people to react to what has taken place and to seek answers.

There are already several superfund sites in the Gullah/Geechee Nation in Union Heights in Charleston, SC, in Brunswick, GA, Navassa, NC, and Jacksonville, FL. Gullah/Geechee Nation leaders are seeking to be proactive in insuring that these areas that have been funded are actually being restored and the people are being healed. They also seek to educate the Gullah/Geechee citizens so that they are aware of things that should not exist in the community so that they can keep their communities from becoming contaminated in the future.

Queen Quet, Elder Carlie Towne, and Representative Simmons-Jenkins will continue to share what they have learned from this conference with the Gullah/Geechee Sustainability Think Tank members. They will also plan future community education and engagement sessions in order for the community to be made more aware of these types of things that are critical to protecting the environment of the Gullah/Geechee Nation and insuring the health and quality of life of the citizens.

If you are interested in further engaging with Gullah/Geechee leaders in regard to environmental education, protection, and restoration efforts, please contact the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition at (843) 838-1171 or GullGeeCo@aol.com to learn more about how you can be of assistance or register for community workshops and engagement sessions.

Also, make sure to subscribe to the Gullah/Geechee Nation blog at www.gullahgeecheenation.com and to Gullah/Geechee TV (www.gullahgeechee.tv) for broadcast and details concerning these issues and the environmental work that is already underway.

“Hunnuh mus tek cyare de root fa heal de tree.” is the motto of the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition and these leaders are making sure to get to the root of the problems!

The Gullah/Geechee Fishing Association The Gullah/Geechee Fishing Association is open to traditional and commercial fishermen and women and seafood industry workers of African descent in the United States southeast and the Gullah/Geechee Nation. It is the official fishing association of the Gullah/Geechee Nation.

Mission 1) To advocate for the rights of Gullah/Geechee and African American fishermen and fishery workers of the southeast 2) To share traditional fishing methods with the next generation 3) To restore access to the areas and factories needed to sustain the seafood industry in the Gullah/Geechee Nation and southeastern United States Goals Lift restriction that currently prevent the continuation of fishing by Gullah/Geechee and African American fishing families.

Revisit and create new laws regarding subsistence and traditional fishing.

Increase the numbers of Gullah/Geechee and African Americans that have the ability to create the needed implements for sea work including boat building and net making and that fish, shrimp, harvest shellfish, etc.

Establish locations from which the fishing industry traditions can be carried on.

New members are accepted at every meeting. Bring someone out of the water with you!

Disya fa all a wi stay een de sea!

GullGeeCo@aol.com castnet@gullahgeecheefishingassociation.com

COMING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Join Gullah/Geechee Fishing Association members and the SCORE team as we restore the Russ Point oyster beds at Hunting Island SC on Friday, June 7, 2013 at 12:30 pm. Wear long sleeves and clothes in shoes.

If you would like to RSVP to attend or have additional questions, email score@dnr.sc.gov.

Great Outdoors Month includes National Fishing & Boating Week

GIT DE FAMLEE EEN DE CRICK Quintin Gayten teaches his son and other youths how to continue to make traditional bait and crab traps.

United States President Barak Obama set forth an initiative called “America’s Great Outdoors” which Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/ Geechee Nation (www.QueenQuet.com) was invited to participate in working on and inspiring others to be a part of. You can see both of them discuss this at the White House Conference on Conservation.

June has now been proclaimed “Great Outdoors Month.” This opens with “National Boating and Fishing Week.” So, the Gullah/Geechee Nation and the Gullah/Geechee Fishing Association are encouraging our citizens to get out to the waterways and enjoy our great outdoors while also appreciating the cultural connections to our waterways. We encourage you to visit some of the National Wildlife Refuges that are throughout the Gullah/ Geechee Nation and to participate in some of the family events that they are having this month.

Gullah/Geechee Fishing Association member Ed Atkins gwine een de crick fa catch shrimp. He is the owner of Atkins Bait on St. Helena Island, SC.

It is critical that we continue to protect our environment and pass on the sea work traditions which are part of our legacy in order to insure that we are able to sustain these traditions in the future. The more that we share time with the family outdoors enjoying where we live, the more appreciation for the Sea Islands and our coastline that we will have.

We wan see wha hunnuh da do disya month! Gwine ta de Gullah/Geechee Nation Facebook fan page or gwine ta Twitter an Tweet we @GullahGeechee wid de pitchas a hunnuh een de great outdoes boatin an fishin! Jayn Queen Quet dey ya! http://youtu.be/VB3mzG9F710

NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM CELEBRATES FISHING & BOATING WEEK!

Harris Neck Wildlife Refuge Host “Kids Fishing Day” on June 8th PreRegistration Required www.fws.gov/ harrisneck — Photo by Tricia Lynch

Cape Romain NWR Annual Youth Fishing Rodeo will take place on June 8th. www.fws.gov/caperomain — Photo by Ricky Wrenn

Waccamaw NWR is building a new fishing pier for the entire community to come out to and celebrate! www.fws.gov/waccamaw — Photo by Tricia Lynch

Gullah/Geechee Pop-Up Dinner Gullah/Geechee Angel Network Fundraiser The Burke High School Culinary Arts students were led in a Gullah/Geechee Pop-Up Dinner Fundraiser for their department and the Gullah/Geechee Angel Network by Chef Ira Hill.-> Chef Benjamin Dennis was part of this duo of culinary arts education.

Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation joined Elder Carlie Towne and the Board of the Gullah/Geechee Angel Network at the event and had an opportunity to truly fellowship with the Gullah/Geechee family in Charleston, SC. Tenki tenki fa de chillun! Gawd bless um!

Tune in to the event: http://youtu.be/UnBZMxytfik

Hep Mo Angel fa Fly! Support De Gullah/Geechee Angel Network!

The mission of the official 501(c)3, non-profit of the Gullah/Geechee Nation, the Gullah/Geechee Angel Network is To preserve, protect and promote the cultural heritage of the Gullah Geechee People who have lived in the southeastern portion of the United States of America from North Carolina to Jacksonville Florida 30 miles inland (known as the "Low Country") for over 300 years. To connect all people, not just in the 50 states, but internationally throughout the Diaspora, Europe, Caribbean and Africa.

Goals and Objectives are achieved by the implementation of the following seven (7) point program: The Performing Arts: Musical plays, dramatizations, poetry, storytelling, enactments and workshops Arts and Crafts: Workshops in the production and displaying of traditional Gullah/Geechee cultural items.

Demonstrative workshops that encourage the development of functional skills and forms of expression to potentially showcase and stimulate direct participation in the growing ethnic tourism industry, festivals and cultural events.

Educational: The establishment of Cultural Learning Centers designed to foster motivation, achievement and cultural enrichment. Historical/Research excursions from the tip of North Carolina (Cape Fear) to the outlining areas of Jacksonville, Florida.

Scholarships and Awards: Lifetime Achievement Award programs and events recognizing those persons who have given selflessly of themselves, and have done considerable work for the benefits of their particular community as it relates to cultural preservation. Awarding Scholarships to youth who exhibit talent, and are oriented toward developing skills which foster Gullah/Geechee Culture.

The Internet and The Media: Networking with organizations, institutions and groups which focus on Gullah/ Geechee Culture. Consistently present positive role models and activities to the low country in particular, and to in the Diaspora in general.

Production, Preservation and Documentation: Production and archiving of Gullah/Geechee video and audio recordings, books, symbols and banners. Radio, television and computer production programming.

Health and Nutrition Awareness: Forums and symposiums which explore lifestyles, food staples, food cultivation and preparation of Gullah/Geechee cuisine, as well as developing holistic programs to promote well being.

Gret Camp Meetin Centa!

The Gullah/Geechee International Camp Meeting Center will host a number of activities and people from around the world and educate people on the living traditions of that exist throughout the Gullah/Geechee Nation. The next major fundraiser for the project will be the Gullah/Geechee Nation International Music & Movement Festival™ www.gullahgeechee.info.

For more details on fundraisers, tours, assisting with the project, or contributing, call (843) 572-6788 or go to www.gullahgeecheeangelnetwork.com

27th Annual Gullah Festival Moves to the Technical College of the Lowcountry The 27th Annual Gullah Festival brought the family home to the historic Mather School Campus in Beaufort, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation. This is now the campus of the Technical College of the Lowcountry.

From the libation ceremony to the rededication of the marker in Port Royal the entire festival honored our African ancestry and traditions!

From cultural crafts to food and language folks got to experience why the Gullah/ Geechee legacy is celebrated each year.

Tune in to the Gullah/Geechee TV coverage of the Gullah Festival 2013 at http://youtu.be/VU05thhKaqw and http://youtu.be/JDTiBjkrDCc

GULLAH/GEECHEE GOLD SOULS CAMPAIGN The Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition is the premiere organization on the protection and continuation of the Gullah/Geechee history, heritage, and culture. The Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition: •

advocates for the protection of the human and land rights of Gullah/ Geechees

•

promotes and participates in the continuation of Gullah/Geechee history, heritage, culture, and language.

• •

works toward Sea Island land re-acquisition and maintenance. celebrates Gullah/Geechee culture through artistic and educational means electronically and via "grassroots scholarship."

The Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition has successfully carried out this mission since 1996. During which time, they developed the ONLY archive in the world which is TOTALLY dedicated to Gullah/Geechee history, heritage, and culture.

The Gullah/Geechee Alekbulan Archive is being upgraded in order to continue to provide access to artifacts, images, documents, books, films, and recordings to future generations of Gullah/Geechees and global researchers. The Coalition host hundreds of students and professional writers each year and it also supports native Gullah/Geechee speakers and presenters traveling to other parts of the world to make sure that accurate presentations on our culture are done in a varied array of venues.

We are calling on all supporters of the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition to become dues paying members and to contribute to the “Gullah/Geechee Gold Souls Campaign.” (http://fnd.us/c/07Wl6) The funds will assist with the completion of the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition Center and our land fund. Please use the form at the end of this ezine or go to in order to financially contribute to the fundraising efforts that are currently under way which will finalize the first phase of the building.

The “wish list:” • Apple Compatible External Drives • Apple Mac Pro and/or Mac Book Pro Computer(s) • Apple compatible server • New Brother Laser Printer/Copier/Scanner • New convertible futon for center • Archival boxes and poster holder • 12 3/4 inch plywood sheets For details on how you can host a fundraising event, contribute in any or in all of these ways, please email GullGeeCo@aol.com.

Disya bout geeing frum de soul fa mek sho de richness stay een wi black gold!

Isaac J. Godfrey has lived on Delaney Drive since 1936.

The story of his life is written in the faded photographs on the walls of the house he shared with his wife, the house in which he raised his children.

That story begins with education: not only the education he received at the Avery Normal Institute and at South Carolina State College, but also the essential lessons he learned with his mother and father. Together, they worked the land to grow the food that fed Charleston before there were supermarkets. He served his country in the military. He returned home to teach the next generation. Mr. Godfrey’s is a story of dedication to hard work and family and of giving back.

He is a man of faith and of deep respect for the land.

To visit his home is to catch a glimpse of his soul.

Today he has a simple wish for himself and his family: to live in peace on James Island.

If I-526 is built, 21 families will lose their homes.

Mr. Godfrey’s property is one of 780 properties that would be within 500 feet of the highway. I-526 will be 180 feet from Mr. Godfrey’s door - filling his world with concrete, pollution, headlights and noise.

Extending I-526 is not the best solution to traffic problems in Charleston.

We can do better.

To learn more, visit www.nix526.org or www.facebook.com/nix526

Many Gullah/Geechees on Sea Islands in Charleston County, SC are still unsettled due to the fact that the issue of whether or not Charleston County will receive funding and proceed with building the Mark Clark Extension which will continue I-526 onto the islands has not been resolved. The South Carolina Coastal Conservation League (SCCCL) has done a value assessment on the impacts on property values that will take place if this is built and copies can be obtained through them or email to the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition GullGeeCo@aol.com.

Even with this type of assessment of property that some are willing to sell, there has not been an assessment of the cultural loss due to the destructionment that yet another highway through the Gullah/Geechee Nation will have.

The tears that line the roads of displacement have never been counted. We do not intend to add to that count! We need you to continue to stand with us to keep Gullah/Geechees on our land!

Tenki tenki ta hunnuh wha gwine tek a stand!

Join the GULLAH/GEECHEE SEA ISLAND COALITION www.gullahgeechee.net I am enclosing my check for _____ $45 for the year of membership _____ $300-999 supporter (Pledge amount can be sent in monthly installments)

I will mail this to Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition Post Office Box 1207 St. Helena Island SC 29920 Name: ! _________________________

_____ $1200 for lifetime membership

What island are you closely connected to? ________________________________ How?(Circle one) ! !

Family

Business

E-mail address: ________________________________

Address: _____ $___________ toward the Gullah/Geechee Gold Souls Campaign My check is written to the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition. I know that I will receive a newsletter, event announcements, and will be a subscriber to the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Roots List on the Internet as well as the group on Facebook and will also receive discounts on Gullah/Geechee products.

GULLAH/GEECHEE SEA ISLAND COALITION Post Office Box 1207 St. Helena Island SC 29920

© 2013 Gullah/Geechee Nation © 2013 Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition ALL rights for photographs and articles are reserved.

Republishing should not be done without consent from the Gullah/Geechee Nation.

______________________________

Where did you receive this? ________________________________

______________________________

What would you like to see done by this organization?

Telephone: ! ___________________ ! ! !

(Day) _______________________________ ! !

(Eve or Cell)