De Conch Summer Gwine on 2017 Edition

De Conch

Spring 2017 Edition

Gullah/Geechee Nation leaders continue to fight for the environment in order to sustain their cultural heritage!

Page 3

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

Gullah/Geechee Sustainability Think Tank members, Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation, Elder Carlie Towne, Representative Glenda Simmons-Jenkins, Dr. Kate Derickson, and Kate Cell conducted a successful interactive engagement circle during the National Adaptation Forum in Minnesota. The attendees continued to expand the circle all the way through the session. They all stated that they felt empowered at the end of the session. May the circle be unbroken! www.gullahgeechee.net

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/

United Nations Ocean Conference is Set to Mobilize Action to Reverse Marine Degradation The United Nations will bring together heads of states, government officials and other high level delegates, representatives from civil society organizations, the business community, intergovernmental and UN agencies as well as renowned personalities, and other ocean & marine life advocates at the Ocean Conference on 5 to 9 June to spur action to improve the state of the world’s oceans. Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation (www.QueenQuet.com) will be one of the world leaders present at the event.

With the health and sustainability of the global ocean sharply deteriorating, the Conference comes at a critical moment. Human activities are having major impacts on the ocean, affecting everything from the viability of marine habitats to the quality and temperature of the water, the health of marine life, and the continued availability of seafood. Ocean deterioration has broader implications as it affects poverty eradication, economic growth, sustainable livelihoods and employment, global food security, human health and climate regulation—many of the critical goals needed to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. The Ocean Conference, the first UN conference of its kind on the issue, will focus on achieving the targets of Sustainable Development Goal 14, highlighting the need to conserve and sustainably use oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.

The five-day Conference will result in a global call for action by UN Member States—a concise, focused and concrete declaration to advance action towards a more sustainable future for the ocean. The Conference will also generate hundreds of new commitments for action. More than 290 voluntary commitments including one from the Gullah/Geechee Nation have been made so far in the lead-up to the Conference and many more are expected, showcasing critical initiatives undertaken by countries, businesses or people, individually or in partnership, including Governments, the UN system, civil society and the private sector. There will also be a final report of the Conference, which will include the co-chairs’ summary of the seven partnership dialogues, focusing on marine pollution, ocean acidification, conservation of oceans and their resources as well as marine and coastal ecosystems, sustainable fisheries, marine technology and issues concerning Small Island Developing States. This critical global conference takes place between two international environmental celebrations: World Environment Day: http://worldenvironmentday.global/ World Oceans Day: http://www.un.org/en/events/oceansday/

#SaveOurOcean

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 • Apple server • File Cabinets • Library shelves with doors 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!

The Harriet Tubman Monument ground breaking ceremony took place at the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Beaufort, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation on the Saturday of the Gullah Festival weekend. This historic ceremony followed on the heels of a very successful “Gullah Lowcountry Dinner Theater” fundraiser the previous evening at which Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation presented “Hallelujah Harriet: Mother Moses and de Gullah/Geechee.”

Please contribute at

www.harriettubmanmonument.com —————————————————————————— Tune in to the Gullah/Geechee TV coverage: https://youtu.be/7KO5xJeqeLI

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 .

Tenki Tenki ta all de famlee wha dressed up and rolled out fa de fuss Gullah/Geechee Bike & Beauty!

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 *******

Supporting de Gullah/Geechee Nation Economy The U.S. travel and tourism industry generates approximately $2.1 trillion per year.

So, it is no surprise that there is actually a “Tourism Week” celebrated. In South Carolina, Gullah/Geechee culture is often highlighted at the I-95 North Visitors Center in Hardeeville, SC. However, in most cases, Gullah/Geechee culture is not highlighted, it is hijacked!

The massive amount of tourists that come to the Gullah/Geechee Nation annually believe that by driving through and taking photos and then staying in a hotel or camp ground over night, they have supported the Gullah/Geechee people. They even end up often duped into spending funds at “historic sites” and plantations that have Gullah/Geechee listed on their websites and shots of sweetgrass baskets on their brochures to only find out that there are no Gullah/Geechee people that own that site.

There may be one Gullah/Geechee person or a few that work there, but beyond their salaries, there is no economic support going to the citizens of the Gullah/Geechee Nation.

If you would like to help change this dynamic, please read this article from our blog and support the businesses, events, and institutions listed in it:

https://gullahgeecheenation.com/2017/05/10/beyond-tourism-weekin-the-gullahgeechee-nation/

www.gullahgeecheenation.com

MARKET DAYS (10am-3pm, rain or shine)

THEME/CENTER STAGE ACTIVITIES* (activities may change)

March 4th Spring Seed Swap March 18th Small Farmer’s Resources April 1st Spring Seedling Swap / Tunis Campbell Day April 15th Easter Egg Hunt May 6th Military Appreciation Month May 20th Gullah/Geechee Bike & Beauty June 3rd African American Music Appreciation Month June 17th Juneteenth Celebration July SUMMER BREAK (no market days) August 5th Back-to-School Supply Drive August 19th Africa Fashion Week Lowcountry September 2nd Watermelon Contest September 16th Gullah/Geechee Rice Festival October 7th Youth Talent Show October 21st Seafood Festival November 4th Gumbo Cook-off November 18th Small Business Saturday December 2nd Holiday Craft Fair December 16th Holiday Craft Fair December 30th Kwanzaa Celebration *For market details, vendor information and schedule changes/updates visit: www.StHelenaIslandCommunityMarket.com

JUNE-Black Music Month June 10 Juneteeth at the Jepson in Savannah, GA, Gullah/Geechee Nation June 3 & 17 from 10 am to 3 pm-St. Helena Community Market at the Dr. Martin Luther King Memorial Park on St. Helena Island, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation (See Pages 9 & 10 for details.)

JULY Gullah/Geechee Nation Appreciation Week July 29-August 6 Gullah/Geechee Famlee Day at Mosquito Beach July 29 Noon to 6 pm Email GullGeeCo@aol.com AUGUST August 4-6 Gullah/Geechee Nation International Music & Movement Festival on St. Helena Island, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation www.gullahgeechee.info August 5 & 19 from 10 am to 3 pm-St. Helena Community Market at the Dr. Martin Luther King Memorial Park on St. Helena Island, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation (See Pages 9 & 10) SEPTEMBER September 1 & 2 Lands End Woodlands River Festival on St. Helena Island, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation September 2 & 16 from 10 am to 3 pm-St. Helena Community Market at the Dr. Martin Luther King Memorial Park on St. Helena Island, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation (See Pages 9 & 10) September 4-Wadamalaw Island Labor Day Parade and Penn Center Labor Day Celebration on St. Helena Island, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation (843) 838-2432 Moja Arts Celebration www.mojafestival.com OCTOBER October 21 & 22 Gullah/Geechee Unity in the Community in Savannah, GA www.unityinthecommunity.org Fa mo updates and ting bout wha gwine on falla www.gullahgeecheenation.com or @GullahGeechee.

17

JULY

29

GULLAH/GEECHEE FAMLEE DAY AT MOSQUITO BEACH

Island Breeze Multipurpose Center 2225 Mosquito Beach Road Charleston, SC

Saturday, July 29, 2017 Noon-6 pm Cum fa jayn de Gullah/Geechee Famlee at Island Breeze pun Mosquito Beach fa disya FREE day ob famlee fun! Cum fa lurn bout who webe een disya land ob de Gullah/Geechee! Music, food, presentations, crafts, fun!

(843) 452-0190 • GULLGEECO@AOL.COM • (843) 838-1171

WWW.GULLAHGEECHEENATION.COM

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.

For more i n f o r m a t i o n , c a l l ( 8 4 3 ) 8 3 8 - 11 7 1 o r e m a i l G u l l G e e C o @ a o l . c o m o r casting@gullahgeecheefishing.net.

De Gullah/Geechee say,

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

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)

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 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

© May 2017 Gullah/Geechee Nation © May 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.