Cholena (Snow Bird) Smith

Photo Credit: Matthew Ballard (450nm Photography and Design) 

Today we highlight one humble and traditional young lady, Cholena (Snow Bird) Smith . She is from and resides on the Shinnecock Indian Reservation. The Shinnecock Indian Nation is a federally recognized tribe of historically Algonquian speaking people based at the east end of Long Island, New York. 

Stony Brook University Graduation Day 

She recently graduated from Stony Brook University in May 2014 Magna Cum Laude distinction B.A. Sociology and Anthropology. Cholena is also a member of Sigma Beta Honor Society and Golden Key International Honor Society. Since she stated college she has put in community service hours for the Indian Education, Cultural Enrichment Program, and the environmental program (all programs are within the Shinnecock community) 

This takes tremendous strength for any young adult to dedicate so much time to the community. So much pressure and stress can come from our communities themselves. To stay so focused on goals and aspirations with the amount of distractions we young people encounter is what has increased substance abuse, violence, and suicide rates. It is young and determined adults who serve as role models to those who have difficulty focusing. She is an example that proves it can be done! 

Cholena Marches in Indigenous Peoples' Climate March 2014 

Cholena plans on using the skills she developed in college as well as experience with the Shinnecock programs for Tribal Historical Preservation. She is on the American Indian College Fund NY Gala committee. The gala took place October, 20, 2014 with the headline entertainment by Idina Menzel 

Recently Cholena has been asked to be the Project Director of a project collaborating the Shinnecock Nation, the Unkechaug Nation,, the Macaulay Honors College of the City University of New York, and the New York Botanical Garden in a community development corporation. This project will

Cholena marching with her mother Josephine Smith

collaboratively pursue programs in education and research with an emphasis in Enthonbotany. The programs could include educations programs about the cultural use of plants, use of sustainable resources, and the creations of teaching and displaying gardens and exchange information. 

She is also interested in another opportunity related to the preservation of Shinnecock history through photography and will include a cultural exchange between the Shinnecock and the Ngarrindjeri in Southern Australia. This community also has a special connection to the water and has similar history to the Shinnecock.

As traditional women we are raised to learn how to sustain and give life to our community. We as descendents of our ancestors struggle in having a balance in today's society that still allows us to do as we are supposed to. Cholena is coming into this balance by sustaining the life of her community through historical preservation. It is not an easy road to stay on because so much tries to pull you in every direction but the right one. 

Ordained in Sigma Beta Honor Society 

Keep up the hard work and dedication Cholena. No matter what obstacles challenge you look how far your have already gone in getting closer to your dreams. Stay guided by the creator and your inner strength. Tabutne for all of your work! 

People's Climate March

On September 21, 2014 The People's Climate March is expected to be the largest demonstration for climate action in history!!!!!!!! The People's Climate March

World leaders are coming to New York City for a United Nations summit on the climate crisis. The sole purpose of the March is to demand bold and political action to address the climate crisis that coincides with the UN Climate summit.

There are is also an Facebook from called Indigenous Peoples at the People's Climate March which is hosted by the The International Indian Treaty Council (IITC)serves as a Organizing Partner for the People's Climate March.

                                                                              For those who are not to informed on what is taking place in our world as far as climate change is concerned--allow Bflybiz to give you some insight on what is happening. Perhaps you too will become heavily involved in the this The People's Climate March--be it spreading the word and/or participating.

Whether we believe it or not, global warming is happening now. Temperatures are increasing. Sea levels have increased roughly 8 inches over the century and rising faster than scientific predictions. Sea ice is melting--as a matter of fact declining sea ice is one of the most visible ways to identify global warming on our planet. Since 1979 sea ice has declined by over 30% according to the National Snow and Ice Data Center. Oceans are acidifying--the ocean has absorbed a large fraction of the carbon dioxide fossil fuel burning has pumped into the atmosphere, slowing the rate of global warming. The voices in the march will be heard by the world leaders in the attending the UN Climate Summit. If you feel strongly about global warming, get involved!

It's important we as all genders/races/nations come together to make a change. This March allows those voices to be heard, it allows people to come together. Join the Movement! Below are several related links!


Transportation

Join the March

Climate Mobilisation

Transport to Teamwork

In a recent post, I highlighted an outstanding community leader, +Larry Fisher This past week he began fundraising for a fund called Transport to Teamwork He is raising money to purchase a vehicle for community building.

"Please assist me in reaching/mentoring the youth of Rhode Island and the surrounding areas by making a donation for my transportation. Currently, I am in an area where public transportation is unavailable and being that I work in a non-profit organization my salary doesn’t afford me the privilege of a vehicle. Here is where you come in; by donating you will help me purchase a vehicle to get to the following places:

I work with inmates at the Mass. Dept. of Corrections as an advisor

I am a court appointed special advocate for children (where I conduct weekly home visits)

I have been selected as an emergent leader by RI Foundation (I need to attend workshops, meetings, and trainings)

Thank you for your consideration, please give what you can:

If 100 family, friends, or generous people donate just $15 (fifteen dollars), I would reach my goal of helping young people by giving them an opportunity to have a stable mentor in their lives." -Larry Fisher  

Donate today and click on the link Trnasport to Teamwork Be sure to spread the energy by sharing this post and link! 

PRAY FOR OUR WATERS

I was bailing out a Mishoon at Plimoth Plantation

As indigenous people we protect the land and the water and have been doing so since we were created. As time passes in this society our strength grows as the battles become more and more complicated.

The strongest we are is TOGETHER.Northwest Tribal Canoe Journey's I have paddled and held protocol for communities here in the North Eastern Coastal region twice. I was not able to make it to the Qatuwas 2014 PEOPLE GATHER TOGETHER.

All over Native people feel the pain of the land and water because we are connected to them. One of the most powerful healing ceremonies I have ever experienced in my life is the canoe journeys. I was unable to make it this year; however, I have been following with canoe families, sent prayers and will be sending gifts.

Paddling through the Peconic Bay
(2013 Paddled From Shinneock to Pequot & Mohegan)

As a paddler I have experienced first hand the pain of the waters both PACIFIC OCEAN and ATLANTIC OCEAN. I have seen the red tide, the oil, the pollution of tankers, trains, boats, ferries, etc.

In Indian Country Today Richard Walker writes and very interesting read Canoe Journey Message: Protect Our Fragile Environment He states "Canoes from the Lummi Nation near Bellingham passed Cherry Point, a sacred and environmentally sensitive area where Gateway Pacific proposes a coal train terminal; early site preparation was done without permits and desecrated ancestral burials."  Talk about #IDLENOMORE we cannot neglect our environment.!!!!!!!!!!Remember to take the time out of our assimilated lives to honor what our ancestors fought for. This is the reason why WE NEED more presence in the water ALL OVER. When you are travelling by canoe your become more intimate with the environment. Our ancestors show us what we have failed to pay attention to.

Bryson (Quileute Nation) Sing Paddle song in Canoe Journey

To know that beaches are being shut down because of high bacterial count in the water should raise more than a few eyebrows. In recent news Rhode Island State Health Department  tells the public "State health officials have recommended the closure to swimming of six beaches in Rhode Island because of high bacteria counts in the water" These waters are sacred to our people. EAST COAST, WEST COAST, IN-LAND, MAIN-LAND, CREEK, RIVER, STREAM, POND, LAKE. We need to help heal these waters. I encourage people to start praying for the water.

Just paddled to Conscience Point Long Island
(2013 Paddled From Shinneock to Pequot & Mohegan)

More than often we go to the water to heal us, we cleanse ourselves in the water, we let all of our frustration and emotions go and release them into the water. It's time to take the strength the water has given us to HEAL THE WATERS ALL OVER. This is ceremony. Doing this individually together is powerful! Doing it together in our individual communities strengthens us as individuals to come together for our environment! We cannot be like the immigrants and their ancestors who have came here to continuously take from the earth and never give back! We must give back to the environment.  

Kali K.O. Mequinonoag Reis Warrior Woman

The First Female Native American fighter to come out of New England. Representing the Seaconke Wampanoag community. Ladies and gentleman this is a huge accomplishment for her as a young adult; moreover, a huge accomplishment for native people in New England! She has been fighting since she was about 15 and has successfully grown to become a powerful fighter. She trains hard and fights harder. She has been featured in a cumulative amount of articles The New England Patch WBAN 

Those who know the boxing industry know that Boxers have a HUGE following of people especially indigenous boxers. I encourage each and every one of your to Follow and support K.O. You can check out her record on Box Rec. She ranked in the US  #1 Female Middleweight Boxer and #2 in the world! 

She is not only going to be in the ring fighting for the North Eastern Coastal Algonqin people, but all of the indigenous communities in the states!!!!!!!!! The world gets caught up in the negative tit for tat things that happen on a daily, and seem to over look the valuable and inspiration actions that our young leaders are doing.

K.O.-Kali Reis

As a Leader in our community she fights the many battles indigenous people face on a daily. Native people still fight in so many ways! We Fight For Land, For Our Rights, For Equality, For Strength, For Our Culture itself, and For Our internal Struggle. 

With so many reasons to fight our people fall behind because we become so heavily oppressed. Once we as individuals find a way to channel our fighting strategy we become stronger as a whole. It’s people like Kali that our people look to be the leaders in these fights. She has found a way to fight for our people! Every punch and hook is for the pain our people endure in the daily struggle.

I believe it is this generation of leaders has the balance of our tradition and today’s modern society. K.O. has branched out of the native community to breech mainstream, which is the mission of this Blog. I encourage all young people reading this blog that if you are lost right now in finding your way, take the time to sense what it is that you are truly passionate about and fight your way through mainstream and you too will become an activist in uplifting our people. We need more activist in this time!

Be sure to follow her on facebook K.O.-Kali Reis

Aponi's Wind Production Presents:Fashion Your Seat Belt

I invite you to the Fashion Your Seat Belt....a. NATIVE AMERICAN FASHION SHOW

Aponi’s Wind is a production company that is in collaboration with the Native American culture, and is centered on promoting the awareness of the Native American culture and tradition. With the vision of using technology, fashion, music, film and performing arts Native American culture will be brought to a relevant place in today’s society. Rhode Island Indian Council, INC is providing the proper platform for this vision to be seen. The Rhode Island Indian Council, INC is a private non-profit agency that promotes the social, economic, and cultural well-being of all tribal communities in Rhode Island.

This year’s biggest campaign for the Rhode Island Indian Council is Seatbelt 1^st Our Families are Sacred Program which is supported by The Department of Transportation of the State of Rhode Island. Safety is first and is also a brilliant way to bring all cultures together. Therefore, the fashion show will promote more than Native American fashion but safety altogether.

This fashion show will provide the proper platform for Native American artist. Today in the fashion world much of the creativity is Native American inspired, but not Native American created. This fashion show will not only help to exhibit Native American creation but will become a visual experience for the proper education of Native American art. The designers selected, come from various Native American communities that originate from this region. The participants in the production will be both Native and Non-Native.  

The event is free so I hope to see you there! 

Larry Fisher In the Light

+Larry Fisher 

I just wanted to highlight a humble community leader within our community. It's young men like +Larry Fisher who give the youth hope in their and our future.

 At 27 years of age Larry has been oppressed by post-traumatic stress from the constant unstable living experience in his youth, yet despite his environment he has managed to successfully overcome these obstacles. In his achievements he has focused on working directly with those that have had and are going through similar experiences.

He is now the Founder and CEO of "Kuweeqâhsun" Which is a business that focuses on creating programs that uplift the growth and development of our communities. He has held panel discussions and has even created and facilitated workshops that help people of all ages and races find methods of copping with post-traumatic stress.

+Larry Fisher 

 +Larry Fisher actively involves himself in his culture and has found a way to blend his culture with an urban society. Take for example two large cities in New England--Boston and Providence.

+Larry Fisher 

Currently, Larry is a Consultant for Program Development at the Rhode Island Indian Council (RIC) in Providence RI. www.riindiancouncil.org . The Department of Transportation of Rhode Island has awarded RIC the Seat belt Safety grant program. www.dot.ri.gov Through this program Larry has successfully coordinated events that have been reaching out to young men in the community between the ages of 18-35 that help to promote seat belt safety.

+Larry Fisher 

By working in collaboration with natives and non-natives to participate in 3 Point Shoot Out Basketball Tournaments to Open Mic Nights that have focused on the balancing of being Native American in today's society. (Which is one of  the greatest struggles our people face). It leads to identity issues,  substance abuse, broken relationships, or in nutshell cultural crisis. "Kuweeqâhsun" is the light to that darkness.

BE EMPOWERED BY HIS ENERGY 

AND BECOME APART OF THIS CULTURAL MOVEMENT!