Leadership and Staff
Seventh Generation Fund For Indian Development, Inc.
Board of Directors
Staff
Rosalie Little Thunder (Sicangu Lakota), Chairperson Tonya Gonnella Frichner (Onondaga), Vice-Chairperson Arthur Manuel (Secwepemc), Treasurer Susana Geliga (Boricua/Lakota), Secretary Tupac Enrique-Acosta (Xicano-Nahuatl), Member Chief Oren Lyons (Onondaga), Member Dr. Luis Macas (Saraguro), Member Dr. Henrietta Mann (Southern Cheyenne), Member Christopher Peters (Pohlik-lah/Karuk), President & CEO Ray Williams (Swinomish), Member
M. Mary Campbell (Hupa), Special Projects Associate Jonathon Freeman (Choctaw/Chichimeca), Program Director Heather Freitas, Development Coordinator Christopher “Mo” Hollis, Media Director Argelia Muñoz (Xicana), Program Associate Chisa Oros (Zuni/Pohlik-lah), Program Assistant Tia Oros Peters (Zuni), Executive Director Chris Ruano (Pipil), Program Assistant Alice Woodworth, Full Charge Bookkeeper
William Madrigal Bird Singer
Klamath Jet Boat Tour
Georgianna Sanchez Rosalie Little Thunder
Seventh Generation Fund for Indian Development, Inc. is a 501c3 Non-Profit. All donations are tax deductible. www.7genfund.org
Sovereignty Seventh Generation Fund for Indian Development, Inc. PO Box 4569 Arcata, CA, 95518 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
Sovereignty
Celebrating 33 Years of Keeping the Homefires Burning (1977-2010)
NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID ARCATA, CA PERMIT NO. 29
Newsletter No. 3
November 2010 To recover and sustain a traditional relationship to land, community and spirit.
TRAVELING A PATHWAY TO PARTNERSHIP Dialogue with Indigenous Leaders
The day started with a prayer by Ray Williams and a round of quick introductions followed by a drive through the Redwoods to the ancient village of Sumeg, a traditional Yurok village that is still in use today. Participants were able to walk around the village and later engaged in a discussion led by Christopher Peters, as this is the homeland of his people. Mr. Peters spoke about the importance of ceremony in everyday life and how culture, language and tribal identity shapes and forms the worldviews of Indigenous Peoples. The next mid morning drive took participants to the offices of the Yurok Tribe, where they were fed a hearty meal of deer meat stew, homemade bread, wild Klamath river salmon, traditional acorn soup, fruit crepes and lots of pie! A second discussion centered around sovereignty, peacebuilding, traditional arts and culture, education, diplomacy, economics and language revitalization. Numerous Indigenous leaders spoke such as, Chief Oren Lyons-Faith keeper of the Onondaga, Ray Williams from the Swinomish people in Washington-peacebuilder, grassroots community organizer and cultural bearer, Tonya Gonnella Frichner from the Onondaga people in New YorkHuman Rights leader, diplomat, attorney, North American Regional Representative to the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues,
and Art Manual from the Secwepemc people in Canada-International expert on traditional economies, intellectual properties and advocacy, founder and spokesperson of Indigenous Network on Economies and Trade. Following the discussion, participants loaded onto a large jet boat and went for a tour that started at the mouth of the Klamath River; where the river meets the Pacific Ocean. There is a thriving partnership between humans and animals that exists on the river and that day was no different as we passed Indigenous fishermen in their salmon camps and witnessed the wonders of nature all around. The day wrapped up at the Seventh Generation Fund office with a round table discussion of the day. Participants vocalized their own ideas and thoughts about the issues facing Indigenous Peoples and their communities. This day brought together a diversity of Philanthropic, community, ally and tribal partners for a discussion and exploration into Indigenous issues. Together we collectively strategized ways to rebuild and support culturally vibrant and healthy tribal communities and ecosystems and have created an understanding, strengthened our relationships, and expanded the Seventh Generation Fundʼs community of partners, allies, and friends who have joined in support of Native Peoples. We thank all who supported us on this journey. [1]