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The Diversity Foundation opens a Native American Art Outlet in Rochester, MN at Thursdays on First.
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June 2009
June 6-7 - Great Dakota Homecoming Gathering
- This event is named the Great Dakota Gathering and Homecoming -- "OTAKUYE HDIHUNIPI," Dakota words meaning, "All Relatives Have Come Home." The reconciliation and homecoming was organized to educate and pay tribute to our pre-European history and to honor elders and descendants across the Dakota Nation.This year's gathering will recognize roles of American Indian women.
Visit the Official website:
June/July 2009 - Dakota Unity Riders final "Memorial Ride Home" to Sioux Valley Dakota Reserve as Tribute to co-founder & organizer Robert "Bob" Bone (Takanka Hoshida). Bob and the
Canadian
Dakota Unity Riders begin in early 1990's as attempt to Reunite the many remote Dakota Reserves of Canada & Reconciliation among all Cultures.
Your donations allow Diversity Foundation, Inc. to continue it's mission of reconciliation and Dakota / Native American outreach. |
These are some of Diversity Foundation's pickup and distribution photos of its recently completed 2009 "Toys for Tots" Program, where we were able to provide toys & "Hope" to over 10,000 Native youth on some 13 disadvantaged Dakota/Native Reservations across the Great Plains and Canada!
These include the Crow Creek Sioux and Lower Brule Tribes of South Dakota, the Santee Sioux (Neb) the Spirit Lake Nation of North Dakota, Ft. Peck, Montana & the Sioux Valley, Birdtail & Pipestone Reserves of Manitoba, Canada among others! DF/Dakota elder advisor (the late Rod Steiner) helped initiate DF's Crow Creek/Dakota Outreach & Reconciliation programs shortly after his Crow Creek Memorial sponsorship & speech in 2002! See Rod's Crow Creek speech & Diversity Foundation's Tribute to Rod on website at www.Diversityfoundation.org
The Honorable Barack Obama RE: Crow Creek Sioux Reservation Dear Mr. President: As the oldest member of said Tribe, I’ve been urged to contact you with regard to a vital matter that faces the future of its Tribal members. Historically, the said Tribe did not accept the Wheeler Howard Act of 1934, so they are a Treaty Tribe; and in this light Presidents in history with their authority performed an important role in Indian Affairs/welfare; that authority or power is vested in Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution. The Tribal Members who reside in the Crow Creek District of the reservation are descendents of the Band of Dakota who faced despotic acts of the U.S. Government in 1863, impounded in 1862 in Fort Snelling in Minnesota then the U.S. Army transported them by barges to the Crow Creek location in 1863. This writer is a descendent of that group. They became accustomed to living along the Missouri River for decades, but the despotic act was the Picks/Sloan Act to harness the Missouri River by creating large earthen dams which inundated choice lands along the River displacing a large number of families who lived in the flood zone. The Congressional Acts for settlement to the Tribe stated these losses would be replaced, but they were never fully carried out. The Crow Creek Reservation was affected by the Fort Randall and Big Bend Dams. The Book “Dammed Indians” describes the efforts of the affected Tribes to struggle for just settlement. The lands lost were Trust Lands, the U.S. Government being protector, but they were taken by the project by authority of eminent domain and condemned. Mr. President, these despotic acts continue in this present day. The Internal Revenue Service is taking 7100 acres out of the heart of the reservation in payment for funds due the Internal Revenue Service. This tract of land is a choice location for harnessing the wind, and it would be a boom to the Crow Creek Tribal members. Tribal members pay a premium price for power used. This project would create jobs for Tribal members where the unemployment rate is at 90%. The Tribe needs your attention because the Public Auction Sale is scheduled for December 3, 2009. It appears that the Internal Revenue Service is determined to destroy the Crow Creek Reservation. The writer of this request is a World War II veteran, and throughout his life has worked in the interest of the welfare of Indian people of South Dakota; worked for three Governors, so in his waning years concentrates on his home reservation. Mr. President, this urgent request is asking you to intervene for the poorest reservation in the nation. Thank you for any assistance you can render for said Tribe. Sincerely, Vernon Ashley |
Diversity Foundation's
Mission Statement:
All over the state of Minnesota, people of good intent struggle to create an inclusive peaceful society, but seem unable to bridge the barriers of race, culture and conditioning. By the nature of past patterns of existence, most people have little experience in cross cultural and intercultural communication and collaboration. Few know how to take the first steps in establishing communication and even fewer can maintain the initiative. Often this inexperience causes more harm than good in spite of honorable intentions. Diversity Foundation, Inc. is committed to bridging the gaps between people of all cultures and ethnicity. Our mission is to build and create interaction and dialogue between diverse cultures, sharing meaningful common inclusive society where the gap between people of all colors and races in this country is bridged. |
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Wapapa Popcorn now online & being marketed for fundraising
efforts for
Diversity Foundation, Inc. visit the website at:
Your donations allow Diversity Foundation, Inc. to continue it's mission of reconciliation and Dakota / Native American outreach. |