|
|
|
|
| |
||
|
|
||
| | | | | | | | | | |
 |
|
|
 Calling the Herd: ho ya na In the Oneida tradition, ho ya na is 'to be noble'-and the definition of 'being noble' is to give to those who have less. -Dr. Norbert Hill, Oneida To those of you who have offered your resources, your labor, your conversation, or your laughter to Red Feather, we thank you. Yet our work has only just begun. Thousands of American Indians remain homeless and thousands more live in inadequate, substandard housing-similar circumstances to those that prompted the founding of our organization ten years ago. In that time, Red Feather Development Group has grown from a one-man operation to an organization with over 4000 member volunteers, two trailers full of tools and equipment, and five full-time employees. Nearly 45 reservation projects and countless community meetings and construction seminars later, we still have our work cut out for us. Because our work doesn't stop when the building season does, we need your continued support. Only then can we reach all the tribes and individuals that are actively seeking Red Feather's assistance. Membership and what it means Beginning last spring, we decided to engage volunteers in the American Indian Sustainable Housing Initiative through membership. One of the best ways that you can help out is to become a Red Feather member. Your membership contributions make the difference-over 80 cents of every dollar you donate goes directly towards the Initiative through education, training and construction on the reservation. Through membership you are eligible to volunteer at a straw bale home project. You will also receive our bi-annual newsletters Building One House. The newsletter enables us to spread the word about what is happening both with Red Feather and Indian country. When you, in turn, tell your neighbor, co-worker, or friend about Red Feather or about conditions on the reservation, you spread the word even further. Only with vital member support can Red Feather accomplish its mission: to educate and empower American Indians to strengthen their communities. As our members increase so too do the numbers of American Indian communities Red Feather can reach. When the building season ends, the staff at Red Feather continues its work with tribal nations, housing authorities, individuals and non-profit groups. Collaborative meetings, community development seminars, and straw bale clinics take place during the winter. Materials purchases, fundraising, coalition building, project evaluation, planning and design all occur when the weather turns cold. Ho ya na is to be noble; to be noble is to give. Please take this moment to remember those in need. Together we can begin to balance the scales of history and to initiate systemic change with, not for, American Indians. Together we can begin a new cycle that starts at home: people helping people. Get Involved! You can make a difference with Red Feather Red Feather Development Group welcomes the support of individuals, foundations, corporations and others whose generosity makes possible our efforts. Your tax-deductible gift directly supports Red Feather and our American Indian Sustainable Housing Initiative. Become a member of Red Feather Join Red Feather now, in our commitment to improve the housing and community development problems on American Indian Nation’s reservations. Your annual contribution of $25 or more will make you part of the Buffalo Herd. All members of the herd receive our annual report, entitled Building One House, as well as invitations to projects and special events. Other ways to contribute: Stock/Securities You can send stock or other securities: Gifts of stock, mutual funds or other securities not only help further Red Feather's mission, but also provide contributors with significant tax benefits. Planned Giving Wills, trusts and estate plans are all ways that you can leave a planned gift and help preserve the future of Red Feather. Click here to learn more. Tax Deductible Red Feather Development Group is a not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) organization. Tax ID# 91-1632134 and charitable contributions are tax-deductible for income, gift and estate tax purposes. |
|
|
|
|
|||