Butterflybiz: Danny Menihan and his vision of unity

The Northeastern region has been throbbing with energy our young adults. Danny Menihan is a Mashantucket Pequot tribal member, and is also descendant of the surrounding tribes. Two years ago he came to me with a vision he had to unite ALL North Eastern Tribes. It was then we founded the NEW Alliance (Northeastern Woodland Alliance). NEW ALLIANCE is established to bring together the North-Eastern Woodland people of the Northeastern Region. The intent is to reconnect family members of the individual tribes; as well as, connect the historical and cultural resources, opportunities and communities that make up these Nations. The goal is to use social networking to establish cultural opportunities (youth programs, social gatherings, unity fires, cultural classes and demonstrations, as well as social opportunity (youth sport tournaments, huge cookouts, etc).

The first event held was in the fall of 2011. Danny held a Unity Fire of the Sister Tribes at the Mashantucket Pequot cultural grounds. He invited elders, sachems, and spiritual leaders to share words of wisdom. With his own funding he gave away coloring books, crayons, and puzzles for children of all northeastern tribes. I loaded up my car with boxes of gifts from Danny to gift to the Shinnecock children.

In the Fall of 2012 we held a Healing Fire for the Woodland Nations. The purpose of this gathering was to wipe the tears of family members who were grieving and in mourn of the passing of loved ones. Our sister tribes during the year of 2012 experienced a rapid number of deaths. When one sister tribes has a death all of our tribes feel it. It is a tradition among tribes to burn a fire when a loved one passes. The fire burns until they are put to rest. Family members from all tribes come to give gifts, share songs, share stories, and give love and comfort. We also held talking circles for our youth and our young adults. It is important for young people to speak and be heard. We wanted our families to come together as one for one another.

The heart the Danny has is so huge. Most people who know Danny can say he is very reserved and carefully speaks when he does. His actions are mighty and with N.E.W. Alliance his vision will become reality.

For generations the Wampanoag, Narraganset, Pequots, and Shinnecocks have sustained close relationships with one another as sister tribes. The tribes in the Northeastern region are also known as the “forgotten tribes” When most people think of Native Americans their first thought is not the tribes that live on the oceans, near the largest cities in the country—New York City, and Boston. It is our responsibility to teach those who are unaware of our existence and our way of living. Danny has such an old soul. When speaking with him one can gather knowledge of how our tribes are connected. He is passionate about his people.

In addition to his activism, Danny is an exquisite artist. Using the knowledge of his lineage he created a fishing scene for the doll exhibit at the Mashantucket Pequot Museum, it is on display until mid April.

Check out the Doll Exhibit http://www.pequotmuseum.org/Home/MashantucketGallery/CurrentExhibit.htm

I just wanted to take this opportunity to say Danny you’ve become family to me and am strengthen the more and more we communicate. Thank you for pouring your heart into helping to heal our people. Keep up the good work!