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L.I.N.A.C.H.I.S.E,
or the 'Long Island Native American Cultural Historical Institute/Sundance
East' was founded in 2001.
Born of necessity to aid in the relief, education and development
of programs toward a self sustaining way of life out of the
poverty that has plagued Native America for decades, we have
arrived at this crossroad. The announcement of this website
and the sharing of what it is that we have been trying to accomplish
since 1999.To date we have acquired property that is currently
under development for use as a Northeastern gathering place
for Native American Tribal Representatives from all Nations
throughout the Americas. Having ample room for campgrounds we
hope to be able to offer in the near future free retreat weeks
for children and young adults during winter, spring, summer,
and fall programs. We also wish to provide a home base for those
young adults who wish to seek employment and education in the
North East. Knowledge that can be brought home and implemented
on their own reserves and home towns.
L.I.N.A.C.H.I.S.E will be a place to gather for a sharing of
Ideas and possible solutions in close proximity to the United
Nations and Washington, DC.Founded by Derek Whirlwind and Barbara
Nixon of Long Island New York, Whirlwind who is of Mayan decent
felt the oppression and bias against Native Americans growing
up in middle class Connecticut in the home of adoptive parents;
knowing during those years that he danced to a different drum
than that of White mainstream America.
Surrounded by the Golden Hill Pougeesuks and the Mashantucket
Pequats, of Connecticut, at age 16 Whirlwind left home to live
on the Golden Hill Pegeesuk reserve to get back to his Native
roots. He spent many years observing, and learning from the
elders of the tribe; history, tradition, religion and the cultural
aspects of the fundamental 'grass roots' attitude that is Native
America.Leaving for active duty in 1988 as a US Marine, theater
of operations Desert Storm Desert Shield, In 1992 when he came
home from his tour of duty, Whirlwind returned to Connecticut
and to the Golden Hill Pougeesuks shortly before the death of
Moon Face Bear in 1995, Whirlwind's friend and mentor.
In 1996 Whirlwind, as tribute to Moon Faced Bear, danced for
the people in Pipestone Minnesota as a Sundancer at his first
Sundance, continuing each year for the next 6 years with the
American Indian Movement.
In 2001, for reasons of internal conflict within AIM, and AIM
Movement Leadership, Whirlwind walked away from AIM, and his
position as a Board Member of the Grand Governing Council, the
same year that L.I.N.A.C.H.I.S.E was founded.
For the past four years we have been working tirelessly to make
a difference. Researching what is needed and how we might help.
From the friendships that we have made, spending necessary time
with many different people from various tribes to better understand
the needs of the people, their desire to be helped, but not
governed, we adopted the concept of 'HELP US, TO HELP THEM,
HELP THEMSELVES. 'Through the past years, under our previous
organization we had developed our own board, had numerous meetings,
obtained NY State 501c3 status, recruited members, organized
a sacred run, a march on the NY State Capitol on behalf of the
Shinnecock people, participated in rallies and fundraisers for
Leonard Peltier, tried to reach the people in an attempt for
unification through National Television, supported our Massachusetts
members in their food pipeline efforts to get food to the Oneida
people. Then in 2003 we responded to the people of Wounded Knee
when they called for help to rebuild as private individuals.Realizing
in 2003 that we as a group were reacting instead of acting,
we stepped back, took a deep breath, and have now regrouped
and emerged again, ready to act.
I am pleased to say that our progress has been slow but steady.
Returning to Wounded Knee is only the beginning in a long list
of projects on the table that people have approached us with.
With the Creators help let us begin to make these long awaited
changes in Indian Country that the people have asked for, and
waited so long for............. a reality. Many profess in the
name of helpless, ill-informed, Native Americans, to 'Remember
Native America, to give generously and have proceeded to collect
funds on behalf of Native America, to line their own pockets
with money straight off the backs of their brothers. Poverty
creates hunger and greed; dishonesty and corruption their by
products. Let this generation be the one to break the cycle,
and reunite the circle.We invite all who are interested to join
us on this journey. Our past, present, and future allies and
friends are welcomed to walk this road of awareness and change
together with us, as we cannot walk it alone.
Time has come, the people are tired of waiting, the children
are dying, an entire race of people are disappearing. Join us.
Solidarity or Surrender. Peace........Barb Nixon
For Derek Whirlwind on behalf of L.I.N.A.C.H.I.S.E
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