De Conch Anniversary 2017 Edition

De Conch

Anniversary 2017 Edition

Tenk GAWD fa blessin de Gullah/Geechee Nation!

Peace and Tenki Tenki ta Hunnuh!

If you are taking the time to read this, I know that you are one of our thousands of supporters throughout the world. I want to personally thank you for your membership, your collaboration, and your support over these past 21 years. It has been quit e a journey! #GullahGeechee2020 in celebration of the 20 years of existence of the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition was an outstanding success! We hosted and supported more than the 20 events thanks to our new partnership with the St. Helena Island Community Market. It was truly a blessing for me to have the opportunity to meet many of our supporters face-to-face that drove to historic St. Helena Island to support the market and to meet me in person. I especially thank my youth fan base because most of you were the reasons that the parents came out there! Gladdee hunnuh chillun dey ya fa tru!

Tenki Tenki Elder Carlie Towne, Carolee Holmes Brown, Representative Glenda Simmons-Jenkins, Representative Anita Collins, Dr. Amir Toure, Dr. Najmah Thomas, Sharon Marion, Zavier Jenkins, Annette Holmes, Kwame Sha, Ricky Wright,

Luke

Inabinett, Ronald Goodwine, Herb Goodwine, Tremaine Abeena Moore, Daryl Orage, Ed Atkins, Kumar L. Goodwine-Kennedy, and Benjamin Dennis for being a consistent part of staffing the many events that we had this year. Tenki Tenki Al l Mobile Productions™ (AMP™), Naturally Geechee, MUSC, MJ’s Soul Food, Gullah/Geechee Angel Network, Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Committee of Northeast FL, Oceana, Gullah/Geechee Sustainabilit yThink Tank, UCS, Carolina Gold Association, Gullah/Geechee Fishing Association, SC Sea Grant, College of Charleston, SCCCL, and the Africana Studies Department of USC, Tenki Tenki ta we sista centa de St. Helena Island Branch Library and Hunting Island Nature Center.

We dun wedda de

storms togedda fa tru!

During the coming years, we will continue our work not only on the ground in the Gullah/Geechee Nation, but also at the United Nations. We are grateful to IHRAAM for continuing to support the human rights work that we undertake. We will continue to collaborat e with them during this International Decade of People of African Descent in order to not only celebrate and commemorat eall that our people have been through and the work that still lies ahead, but also as part of the work reaching the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with the rest of our global partners.

In order t oreceive consistent updates about the activities that we are a part of, follow our blog at www.GullahGeecheeNation.com and follow us on Facebook and at Twitter and Instagram @GullahGeechee. We will continue De Conch on a quarterly basis as we increase production on Gullah/Geechee TV and Gullah/Geechee Riddim Radio weekly. We wan hunnuh chillun fa keep up wit wha gwine on wid de Gullah/Geechee.

In 21 years, I have seen a lot of things take place and most of all, I have been blessed to witness the positive impact that we have had around the world. Tenki Tenki fa standing wid we! It is an honor to celebrate our 21st anniversary on December 21st! We gwine keep digging cuz “Hunnuh must tek cyare de root fa heal de tree.” The healing continues.

Peace, Queen Quet

Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition Celebrates Another Anniversary

Tenki Tenki fa #GullahGeechee2020!

Tenki Tenki ta all hunnuh chillun wha bin paat ob #GullahGeechee2020! The events held throughout 2017 in celebration of the twentieth anniversary of the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition were all well attended and supported. We are grateful for all of the new members that joined during 2017 and as a thanks for being a part of our 20th anniversary celebration, renewals will not be due until December of 2018.

Since the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition began in December of 1996, we have not only been blessed with a wide range of supporters and members from numerous states in the United States and countries around the world, we have also collaborated with the • Gullah/Geechee People Foundation • Gullah/Geechee Angel Network • Gullah Consortium • Sea Grant Consortium • Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Committee of Northeast Florida • Medical University of South Carolina • College of Charleston • University of South Carolina Beaufort Africana Studies Department • All Mobile Productions™ (AMP™) • Penn Center, Inc. • Avery Research Center • Center for Livable Communities • South Carolina Environmental Law Project • Heirs Property Law Center • Smithsonian • Environmental Defense Fund • Gullah/Geechee Fishing Association • North Carolina State University • Warren Wilson College • Guilford College • National Park Service • White House • Department of Justice • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration • Transportation Security Administration • University of North Florida • College of Charleston • International African American Museum (IAAM) • US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) • City of Charleston • MJ’s Soul Food • St. Helena Island Community Market • International Human Rights Association for American Minorities • Geechee Kunda • Beaufort County Libraries • Friends of McLeod • Friends of Fort Fremont • South Carolina Coastal Conservation League • Hunting Island State Park • Gullah/Geechee Visitors Center • Spiritual Technologies • Brick Baptist Church • Respect for Life • United States Environmental Protection Agency • United Nations • Union of Concerned Scientist • South Carolina Environmental Justice Committee • Mae Legacy, LLC • Lands End Woodland’s Club • South Carolina Coastal Development Corporation • Gullah Woman Museum & Shop • Medgar Evers College • Operation Understanding • University of Minnesota • University of Tennessee • Los Angeles School District • Moja Celebration • Native Islander Gullah Celebration • Gullah Festival • Morris College • Sumter Opera House • Carolina Lowcountry Atlantic World (CLAW) Program • College of Charleston Office of Diversity & Inclusion • College of Charleston Autonomy Division • South Carolina Aquarium • Jepson Center • Houston International Festival • Underground Railroad Network to Freedom • Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) • Interfaith Pilgrimage of the Middle Passage • South Carolina African American Heritage Commission, the Audubon, and many many more.

In the 20 years of our existence we have hosted conferences in various areas of the United States, Canada, and Europe. We annually host the “Coastal Cultures Conference,” “Black Land Legacy Conference,” and the “Gullah/Geechee Nation International Music & Movement Festival™.” All of these conferences help us to continue to fulfill our mission as do the numerous workshops on heirs property, archiving, and emergency preparedness. These have been coupled with the continued growth of De Gullah/Geechee Alkebulan Archive and the hosting and producing of Gullah/Geechee Riddim Radio and Gullah/Geechee TV (GGTV) which are supported by hundreds of thousands of people that tune in around the world. We have also continued to evolve our electronic outreach by continuing to maintain De Gullah/Geechee listserve while also expanding De Conch and hosting Facebook pages, an account on Twitter and an account on Instagram.

The members of the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition have successfully come together to assist with the formation of the Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. We fought for the passing of the Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Act. We fought for the passing of legislation to shorten the length of docks and bridges allowed throughout the Sea Islands of SC. We fought against use of seismic guns and against offshore drilling. We fought to save St. Helena Island and Hollywood, SC from massive 5 lane highways, fought against the expansion of I-526 in Charleston through the Sea Islands, and fought against Hilton Head Island doing a massive expansion of the airport. All of these things would have displaced numerous Gullah/Geechee families, historic sites, and businesses. We fought against the desecration of burial areas on the Sea Islands. Each one of these things that we fought for, we won!

We’ve had representation at the United Nations’ Oceans Conference, COP 22, the Minority Forum, the Indigenous People’s Forum, and numerous other high level meetings. We are currently engaged in the celebration of the International Decade of People of African Descent and in the work of reaching the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

We have hosted thousands of student volunteers annually that come to De Gullah/Geechee Alkebulan Archive & Hunnuh Home Research Center for community service and transformational learning opportunities in addition to hosting thousands of tour groups via De Gullah Root Experience Tour. We have held focus groups throughout the Gullah/Geechee Nation and led the formation of the Gullah/Geechee Sustainability Think Tank which seeks to resource the needs of the Gullah/Geechee people in order to continue to sustain the culture.

We are focused on the digitization of De Gullah/Geechee Alkebulan Archive in order to protect it from environmental harm since there is a consistent increase in sea level rise and environmental dangers brought on due to climate change. Over the next five years, you will be able to see the release of more materials from the archive via exhibitions and videos. We are proud that we are able to curate exhibitions that are on display at our sister center, the St. Helena Branch Library due to your support.

Tenki Tenki fa hep we • advocate for the rights of all Gullah/Geechee people around the world • promote and participate in the preservation of Gullah/Geechee history, heritage, culture, and language • work toward Sea Island land re-acquisition and maintenance • celebrate Gullah/Geechee culture through artistic and educational means electronically and via “grassroots scholarship”

www.gofundme.com/gullahgeechee-land-legacy-fund

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/Geechee

•

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.”

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.

The “wish list:” • New Apple Mac Pro desktop or laptop computer • 10 Mac compatible 2T and higher external drives • Acid free archival boxes and poster covers of all sizes • HD Videocamera 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!

Wha Gwine On Every Monday at 7 pm EST Tune in to “Gullah/Geechee Riddim Radio!” Disya da we sho! http://www.blogtalkradio.com/gullahgeechee ******* February-Black History Month February 20 6-7 pm Gullahs of Achievement Celebration at the St. Helena Branch Library (See Page 8) March-Women’s Herstory Month and Gullah/Geechee Volunteer Month Please bring your group to the Gullah/Geechee Nation to help with community service projects during the month of March. For details email GullGeeCo@aol.com.

March 9 & 10-1st Annual Black Folks Land Legacy Conference at St. Helena Branch Library on historic St. Helena Island, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation. (See Page 9) March 13-Storm & Disaster Preparedness Workshop at St. Helena Branch Library on historic St. Helena Island, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation. Email GullGeeCo@aol.com to pre-register.

April April 11 at 6 pm Gullah/Geechee Celebrating Financial Literacy Join us for “Planting Your Money Tree: Generational Wealth Building fa de Gullah/Geechee.” (See Page 11) This interactive session in celebration of “Financial Literacy Month” is for native Gullah/Geechees. Pre-registration is required. Email GullGeeCo@aol.com. Spaces are limited.

April 14 11 am to 4 pm 6th Annual Coastal Cultures Conference: Emergency Preparedness and Cultural Continuation in Coastal Communities at the St. Helena Branch Library on St. Helena Island, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation (See Pages 9 & 10) May May 25 on Gullah Lowcountry Dinner Fundraiser for the Harriet Tubman Monument at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Beaufort, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation www.harriettubmanmonument.com

Gullahs of Achievement A St. Helena Branch Library Black History Month Celebration

Tuesday, February 20, 2018 6-7 pm

Bring the family out for an evening in celebration of the Black history created by the Gullah/Geechee. This lecture will provide an overview of the Great Migration and how native of Savannah, GA, Robert S. Abbott played a major part in it.

Learn the impact that that period of time had on Gullah/Geechee land retention and how this influenced the work of the Gullah/Geechee Nation Wisdom Circle Council of Elders. Yeddi bout de Gullah/Geechee legacy!

For more information, email GullGeeCo@aol.com or call (843) 255-6486. www.GullahGeecheeNation.com  !1

Black Folks Land Legacy Conference Gullah/Geechee to Seminole and Transnational Identity March 9-10, 2018 St. Helena Island, SC

GullGeeCo@aol.com • (843) 838-1171 www.gullahgeecheenation.com Report on Animals, Page 1

9

Cum fa Jayn we fa de 6th Annual Coastal Cultures Conference! “Emergency Preparation & Cultural Continuation�

St. Helena Branch Library 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr Road Saint Helena Island, SC 29920 Gullah/Geechee Nation

Saturday, April 14, 2018 11:30 am-4 pm The Gullah/Geechee Sustainability Think Tank invites you to bring out the family for a day of interactive environmental engagement to protect cultural heritage. Advance registration is required and the event is FREE. Email GullGeeCo@aol.com or call (843) 255-6485.

Hunnuh gwine yeddi fa keep we culcha pun de islands een de sea!

JUNE-Black Music Month June 9 Juneteeth at the Jepson in Savannah, GA, Gullah/Geechee Nation June 1-3 & 17 “Realities of Reconstruction Conference” at Mather Museum & Interpretive Center Beaufort, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation (See Page 13 ) JULY Gullah/Geechee Nation Appreciation Week July 27-August 5 AUGUST August 3-5 Gullah/Geechee Nation International Music & Movement Festival in Charleston, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation www.gullahgeechee.info SEPTEMBER August 31 & September 1 Lands End Woodlands River Festival on St. Helena Island, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation September 3 Wadamalaw Island Labor Day Parade Moja Arts Celebration www.mojafestival.com DECEMBER Gullah Night Pun de Town at the St. Helena Branch Library December 21 & 22 Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition Anniversary Fa mo updates and ting bout wha gwine on falla www.gullahgeecheenation.com or @GullahGeechee.

Keep up with events on a weekly basis by following

www.GullahGeecheeNation.com.

The Realities of Reconstruction Conference

Mather Museum & Interpretive Center 921 Ribaut Rd Bldg 1 Beaufort, SC Gullah/Geechee Nation

June 1-3, 2018

GullGeeCo@aol.com • (843) 838-1171 www.GullahGeecheeNation.com

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.

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.

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

1.

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

2.

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

3.

Gullah/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/GullahGeecheeWeBe/

9.

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/ 14. Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Committee of NE FL www.facebook.com/neflaggcommittee

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 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 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 Island. Throughout each year, they have community celebrations to engage more Gullah/Geechee fishing families in their efforts. They will co-host a series of "Gullah/Geechee Famlee Days throughout the year and the Gullah/Geechee Seafood Festival.

For more information, call (843) 838-1171 or email GullGeeCo@aol.com or casting@gullahgeecheefishing.net.

De Gullah/Geechee say,

"De wata bring we and de wata gwine tek we bak!� www.gullahgeecheefishing.net

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Take Highway 21 toward Fripp Island and make a left at the foot of the Fripp Island Bridge

Cum fa nyam pun seafood an yeddi bout we! Disya de seafood fess a de Gullah/Geechee!

FREE Admission Music & Family Fun Gullah/Geechee Presentations $10 per plate for seafood Call 843-838-1171 or e-mail Gull-

www.gullahgeecheefishing.net

Join the GULLAH/GEECHEE SEA ISLAND COALITION www.gullahgeechee.net I am enclosing my check for

Mail this to

_____ $45 for the year of membership _____ $300-999 supporter (Pledge amount can be sent in monthly installments)

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

______________________________

Where did you receive this? ________________________________

______________________________

What would you like to see done by this organization?

Telephone:

___________________ (Day)

_______________________________ (Eve or Cell)

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

© December 2017 Gullah/Geechee Nation © December 2017 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.