Go COINTELPRO

  It's a bit confusing, to say the least, to see the US government clutching its pearls over how to confront the scourge of white supremacy and the organized terror surrounding it. The poor government just seems lost as to what to do.

Which is strange since the US government has tons and tons of experience destroying groups or movements it deems dangerous. Tons. One approach, COINTELPRO, was launched in 1956 and wreaked havoc on progressive movements for decades. You can read David Garrow's harrowing account of the FBI's war on the civil rights movement in general and Dr. King in particular here. Or you can read about the infiltration of the American Indian Movement and its destruction from within here. Or you can read about the injustices of the Leonard Peltier case and COINTELPROs relation to it here. Or you can read about the relentless and ruthless war against the labor movement here. 

The US government has plenty of experience fighting and destroying movements when it wants to. 

It just has to want to.

#Gadugi

From Oppression to Renaissance

 Thank you to the Chieftains Museum/Major Ridge Home for the invitation to speak and for the hospitality! It was a pleasure to speak about the history of Cherokee education. Thanks to all who came!

Democracy's Renewal

 On this day more than most, in this time of hope and challenge, "Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country." 

MLK Day

Happy MLK Day from the Gadugi Partnership! May Dr. King's vision and dream comfort, challenge, and inspire us all. #DREAM

Happy Veterans Day

Happy Veterans Day from the Gadugi Partnership, and thank you for your service! As a percentage, Native Americans serve in the armed forces more than any other ethnic group.  Men like Ira Hayes, women like Lori Piestewa, and many others have distinguished themselves and brought honor to their communities through this service. One such hero is pictured below...this is the statue of Charles George, an Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian who also was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor that stands in Cherokee Veterans Park on the Qualla Boundary.

Happy Veterans Day!

Join Us For Our Second Speaker of the Series!!

 

Voter Suppression in Indian Country

Here is an important article from The Guardian about the history of voter suppression in Native American communities. It's an often-overlooked topic that deserves more attention. The article states, "The rights of indigenous communities – including the right to vote – have been systematically violated for generations with devastating consequences for access to clean air and water, health, education, economic opportunities, housing and sovereignty. Voter turnout for Native Americans and Alaskan Natives is the lowest in the country, and about one in three eligible voters (1.2 million people) are not registered to vote, according to the National Congress of American Indians."  The article includes an interview with Jean Reith Schroedel, author of the new book Voting in Indian County: The View from the Trenches.

S'gi!!

 Thank you to everyone who attended last night's opening session of our How Diverse is Your Diversity series! A very special thank you to Dre Crowe for doing such a wonderful job and challenging us with the searing stories of her time at college and the inspiration of her success! Please watch this space for upcoming speaker announcements!

Fall Speaker Series: How Diverse is Your Diversity?

Please join us for our opening session of this important speaker series! To attend RSVP to bryantja@appstate.edu. Hope to see you there!

 

Celebrating Elders Day

 Today is Elder's Day on the Qualla Boundary. By act of Tribal Council, a day set aside for honoring the wisdom and lived experience of our elders. America could learn something from this. Our elders are not burdens; they are blessings. Whether you are Cherokee or not, whether you are Native or not, take a moment today and reach out to an elder. Thank them, value them, and love them. #Gadugi #GoBraves #EBCIStrong

Student Government Association Statement & Gadugi

The Gadugi Partnership is a proud co-signatory to the statement from ASU's Student Government Association regarding Black Lives Matter and the need to improve diversity on our campus. The statement calls on ASU to:

• Advocate for more faculty, staff and mental health counselors of color
• Advocate for the immediate name change of all residential halls that are named after confederate soldiers/leaders/generals
• Hold ourselves and our university accountable for discriminatory actions, images, signs, and slurs used by any professor and/or student/faculty
• Work with all Intercultural Student Affairs organizations and advocate for their needs
• Revisit and review the 2017 demands of the App State Student Power group
• Fix and advertise the bias reporting system
• Promote changes in legislation/policy and voting at the local, state and federal levels

S'gi to the student leaders committing to much-needed change. 

S'gi

To all my Cherokee family, friends, colleagues and, most importantly, students—thank you for everything! Today was my last day teaching at Cherokee High School, and these last seven years have been the professional highlight of my life. From class, to Indian tacos at my house, to football games and our trips to Georgia I have loved every minute I have spent with you, and I learned far, far more from you than I ever could have hoped to teach you. From all the miles and smiles (and a few tears) it has been an amazing and wonderful experience, and each of you has been a blessing to my life and that of my family. I love each one of you and keep you in my prayers every single day, as I hope you’ll remember me in yours. From the bottom of my heart I'm sorry I couldn't do more. Don’t ever settle or sell yourselves short, you guys are the most beautiful and talented youth on God's earth! You have inspired me daily. S’gi.

–Allen—

Happy Native American History Month!!

November 1st kicks off Native American History Month, so make sure you celebrate and educate! The month was established on August 3, 1990, by President George H.W. Bush. Check back throughout this month for more celebration of the contributions of America's First People.

THIS SATURDAY!!!!

Please don't forget this Saturday's special ceremony on our campus celebrating the opening of our Cherokee garden!

Coming Soon....

MMIW North Carolina March, May 4th

Our Coharie Visit

This week we had the opportunity to visit with our friends in the Coharie tribe! Hoping we can spread the spirit of Gadugi across the state, we delivered books for the lending library in the Coharie Tribal Center that were donated through a book drive. We also had the honor of preparing, serving, and sharing a meal with a group of Coharie elders. Tribal Administrator Greg Jennings shared with us the history of his people and their current strengths and struggles. We learned about their effort to clean up the Coharie River, work that has already seen over 30 miles of river cleared of debris and trash. The elders shared with us their powerful stories, including growing up in a segregated community.

The students worked incredibly hard and, as always, were fantastic ambassadors for Cherokee High School. And we are very grateful to the Coharie community for their warm hospitality. We made friendships that will grow and last!

S'gi!

Manning the stove!

Thanks to many generous donations during our book drive,

we delivered several boxes of children's books and young adult novels for

the Coharie Tribal Center library

We prepared, served, and shared a meal with

Coharie elders, who shared with us their stories

Coharie Dinner & Visit

Gadugi Scholars with Coharie elders and leadership

More Easter fun ;)

Easter Fun

Gadugi Scholars were thrilled to partner with our dear friends at the Dora Reed Childcare Center to help celebrate Easter! Thanks to the faculty, staff, and, of course, the amazing and beautiful children!! Have a great holiday!