De Conch 2015 Golden Edition

De Conch

Gullah/Geechee 2015 Golden Edition

De Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition 19 Years Strong!!

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19 years ago on December 21st the world’s first organization to have both “Gullah” and “Geechee” in its name came into being. We salute the work that the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition has done in this year end edition!!

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“Hunnuh mus tek cyare de root fa heal de tree! “!

• Queen Quet

Support de Gullah/Geechee Angel Network page 7 Gullah/Geechee Nation International Music & Movement Festival™ page 10

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Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition 19 Years Strong!!

The Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition was founded in 1996 by Queen Quet Marquetta L. Goodwine. At the time of its founding, it was the first organization in the history of the world to have “Gullah/Geechee” in its name. Prior to that, there were less than 1000 hits of information returned for “Gullah” or “Geechee” in a search on the world wide web as the Internet was known when Queen Quet launched the first website to exist in world history with either word in the name much less both names in one title united.!

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The Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition continued to educated people around the world daily by launching the first listserve to ever be dedicated to daily postings regarding the history, heritage, and culture of Gullah/Geechees of the Sea Islands. This effort was sponsored by the company, “Infobro” for a decade.

As technology evolved, the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition offered the first online course on Gullah/Geechee culture via NetNoir which was on “America Online.”!

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As technology evolved, the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition has evolved with it by sponsoring “Gullah/Geechee Riddim Radio” as a weekly broadcast keeping hundreds of thousands of global listeners aware of what is taking place in the Gullah/Geechee Nation.

They also co-sponsor Gullah/Geechee TV (GGTV) (www.gullahgeechee.tv) with All Mobile Productions™ (AMP™) and support various social media efforts to keep the world aware of the continuing existence of Gullah/Geechee culture.!

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The Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition:! !

• advocates for the rights of all Gullah/Geechee people around the world.!

• promotes and participates in the preservation 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.”!

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The Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition uses electronic means to convey the messages from the grassroots Gullah/Geechee community and to challenge the many misleading depictions of Gullah/Geechee culture that have emerged as the culture has come to be exploited by governmental bodies for the sake of obtaining tourism dollars and trying to control the historic narrative. The narrative of the happy field hand/servant, “the slave,” and the singing storyteller have been the town, county, state, and federal government funded narratives that have been promoted as a method of propaganda to counteract the successful sharing of the human rights movement activities of the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition and its supporters such as the International Human Rights Association for American Minorities (IHRAAM) and the leaders of the Gullah/Geechee Nation. In spite of these attempts, the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition has stood its ground and the tests of time in regard to advocating for the rights of Gullah/Geechee people worldwide and have seen many successes and gained many global supporters as they continue to do so.!

The many stories of success and those of the native Gullah/Geechees that live the traditions of the culture as well as the painful stories of land rights battles and environmental justice issues are housed at the ONLY archive in the world totally dedicated to Gullah/Geechee history, heritage, and culture, De Gullah/Geechee Alkebulan Archive. De Gullah/Geechee Alkebulan Archive is now being digitized due to the outstanding support of Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition members and collaborators that helped raise the funds for and donated the electronic equipment and their own personal time and expertise to getting the work done. Each year in March, the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition host and coordinate “Gullah/Geechee Nation Volunteer Month” during which hundreds of volunteers converge on the Sea Islands to assist not only with the archiving, but with environmental sustainability projects, elder home restoration projects, and community service and transformational learning. All of these things assist in the promotion and preservation efforts in the Gullah/ Geechee Nation and provide support for the continuation of Gullah/Geechee traditions, heritage, language, and culture.!

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The Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition works in collaboration with numerous fundraising efforts of their sister institutions and organizations each year. As they enter into 2016, they will launch a series of events to support three specific fundraising efforts:!

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• “Fill the Shelves” for the St. Helena Branch Library! !

• “De Yenna House” Project! !

• Digitization and cultural heritage protection of “De Gullah/Geechee Alkebulan Archive”! !

As part of their on-going efforts of land reclamation and maintenance, they will continue to encourage their members, supporters, and collaborating partners to contribute to the “Pan African Family Empowerment and Land Preservation Network” and to the “Save Gullah Homes for Gullah Families” projects that they have been supporting since their inception over the last year. They will also continue to support the Gullah/Geechee Fishing Association‘s advocacy and educational efforts by co-sponsoring the “Gullah/Geechee Seafood Festival” and the Gullah/Geechee SEA & ME activities. These are the types of projects that the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition has always been focused on and continues to consistently engage in.!

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Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition membership is open to people from around the world that want to support keeping Gullah/Geechee culture alive. Supporters are not necessarily dues paying members, but they are those that contribute to the wish list that the organization has annually or that make contributions to the organizational efforts. To become a part of the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition email GullGeeCo@aol.com and request a membership form. To contribute send snail mail to:!

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Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition!

Post Office Box 1207 !

St. Helena Island SC 29920 !

Gullah/Geechee Nation!

Membership and Gullah/Geechee items can also be obtained at the “Gullah/Geechee Nation Online Store” at www.gullahgeechee.ecwid.com or www.gullahgeechee.biz and contributions to the !

“Gullah/Geechee Land & Legacy World Tour” that continues to be a source of global connection, education, and upliftment can be made to http://fnd.us/c/0gLd1/sh/5Eeoe. Numerous organizations and supporters sponsor and host the events that take place on the tour. If you are interested in doing that, you can go to www.QueenQuet.com and click the “Booking” link and send in the details of what you seek to do or email the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition at GullGeeCo@aol.com.!

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Queen Quet was given a statement by the ancestors in a vision and this became the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition‘s motto which has been incorrectly published as a “Gullah proverb” by many that did not cite Queen Quet for the origin of the quote:!

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“Hunnuh mus tek cyare de root fa heal de tree.”!

However, she has lived these words as she’s worked on behalf of the Gullah/Geechee community for over thirty five years and she continues to stand and lead the efforts to keep Gullah/Geechee culture alive and heal the community from the hostility and misrepresentation that they have endured. Thus, she and the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition members and supporters are thankful for all that took these words also to heart and continue to work and stand with them as they head toward concluding a second successful decade. The Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition is truly 19 years strong!!

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GULLAH/GEECHEE GOLD SOULS CAMPAIGN

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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/Geechee

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

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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.

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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.”

The funds will assist with the completion of the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition Center. Please use the form at the end of this ezine or go to http://fnd.us/c/07Wl6 in order to financially contribute to the fundraising efforts that are currently under way in order to finalize the second phase of archival digitization and artifact preservation.

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The “wish list:” !

• New Apple Mac Pro Desktop or Laptop Computer • 10 Mac Compatible 2T and higher External Drives • Acid free archival boxes of all sizes and types

• Apple server • 1 poster holder

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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!

Speaking out on environmental science and rising seas to protect the lands of the Gullah/Geechees! www.gullahgeechee.net

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http://gullahgeecheenation.com/category/environmental-justice-2/

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

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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.

Yenna House widout a doubt!

The Gullah/Geechee International Camp Meeting Center & Yenna House 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. Restoration begins on Yenna House during “Gullah/Geechee Volunteer Month in March.

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

Links to Gullah/Geechee Living Culture

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Gullah/Geechee Nation Headquarters www.officialgullahgeechee.info or www.gullahgeecheenation.com

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Gullah/Geechee Nation on Instagram http://instagram.com/gullahgeechee

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Gullah/Geechee Angel Network www.gullahgeecheeangelnetwork.com

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Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition www.gullahgeechee.net

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

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

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Gullah/Geechee Fishing Association www.gullahgeecheefishingassociation.com

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

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

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/ 13. Gullah/Geechee Nation on Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/gullahgeechee/

Gullah/Geechee Love at the 2015 Heritage Days!

Seminole Days 2015

Tune een ta Gullah/Geechee TV fa see wha gwine on wid de Seminole Famlee

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http://gullahgeecheenation.com/tag/seminole-days/

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Gullah/Geechee Fishing Association Holdin pun de Fishin Tradition!!

The Gullah/Geechee Fishing Association (www.gullahgeecheefishing.net) was founded in Beaufort County, SC on March 25, 2010 by Queen Quet, Ricky Wright, the late Herbert Simmons, Joseph Bradley, and Keith Ellis who are all natives of St. Helena Island, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation. These founding members were quickly joined by Gullah/Geechee fishermen and women from other parts of the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida in the mission to !

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1) To advocate for the rights of Gullah/Geechee and African American fishermen and fishery workers of the southeast !

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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!

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The Gullah/Geechee Fishing Association members have actively worked with numerous national and international organizations during their five years in existence. Their work has been featured in profiles done by the Sierra Club, the Nature Conservancy, and CNN International to name a few. ! !

During even numbered years, the Gullah/Geechee Fishing Association members host, the "Gullah/Geechee Seafood Festival" on St. Helena or Hunting Islands. They will return to Hunting Island in October.

Throughout each year, they have community celebrations to engage more Gullah/Geechee fishing families in their efforts. The first such engagement for 2016 will be part of the “Coastal Cultures Conference” which will be held at the St. Helena Branch Library for the first time on Saturday, March 12th. They will also host a series of "Gullah/Geechee Famlee Days later! in the year. For more information, call (843) 838-1171 or email GullGeeCo@aol.com. !

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De Gullah/Geechee say,! !

"De wata bring we and de wata gwine tek we bak!”

Queen Quet & De Gullah Cunneckshun CDs are available on iTunes, CD Baby, Amazon music & more around the world!

Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation (www.QueenQuet.com) and her Gullah/Geechee histo-musical performance troupe, De Gullah Cunneckshun are not only making their way around the world in person, they are also doing this via digital downloads! CDs can be purchased at www.gullahgeechee.biz and the CDs are now available on numerous digital music sale sites around the world. Ef hunnuh wan yeddi, gwine ta disya pun CD Baby: http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/QueenQuetDeGullahCunneckshun

Disya da Gullah Roots Productions™

Join the GULLAH/GEECHEE SEA ISLAND COALITION www.gullahgeechee.net

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Mail this to !

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Name: ! _________________________!

I am enclosing my check for! _____ $45 for the year of membership! _____ $300-999 supporter (Pledge amount can be sent in monthly installments)! _____ $1200 for lifetime membership!

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What island are you closely connected to? ________________________________!

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How?(Circle one) ! ! !

Family Business!

Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition!

Post Office Box 1207!

St. Helena Island SC 29920!

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 Listserve and will also receive discounts on Gullah/Geechee products. !

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______________________________!

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Telephone:! ! !

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(Eve or Cell)!

GULLAH/GEECHEE SEA ISLAND COALITION Post Office Box 1207

St. Helena Island SC 29920

© 2015 Gullah/Geechee Nation! © 2015 Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition

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ALL rights for photographs and articles are reserved. !

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

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E-mail address: ________________________________!

Where did you receive this? ________________________________!

What would you like to see done by this organization?