De Conch
2019 De Wata Edition
Peace! Since World Water Day we have had a consistent flow of activities to protect our waterways. Our Ocean Action Plan component of the “Gullah/Geechee Sustainability Plan” was launched by the International Alliance to Combat Ocean Acidification. I also was flown to Korea by the United Nations to present about the plan and the rest of the work that the Gullah/Geechee Nation is doing to assist in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), The UN Ocean Action Communities Meeting was held two weeks after the UNESCO International Water Conference and one week after Hands Across the Sands. During Hands Across the Sands, we were met on the shoreline of Folly Beach, SC in the Charleston County not only by the wife of the mayor there, but also by South Carolina General Assembly Member JA Moore and US Congressman Joe Cunningham. It was outstanding having met them both in their respective legislative buildings in Columbia, SC and Washington, DC and to have them stand proudly with us on our coast to fight against offshore drilling and seismic gun testing. The SC General Assembly voted to prevent any onshore building of rigs and other things associated with offshore drilling and Congressman Cunningham has initiated federal legislation against offshore drilling. All of these activities and the success of upholding the South Carolina coast’s bans on single use plastics were all reasons to truly celebrate World Oceans Day. The Gullah/Geechee Fishing Association received copies of the Ocean Conservancy’s newsletter in which they were featured and which has been distributed to their massive list of global supporters just in time for World Oceans Day. I was presented with copies while hosting our table during the VC Café at the UN Communities of Ocean Action Meeting in Korea which truly highlighted how important it is that we continue to keep the work to protect our ocean, waterways, and cultural heritage going. Just ahead of World Oceans Day was our annual commemoration of the Combahee River Raid. The Travel Channel took a journey with me along the Combahee to learn of Harriet Tubman’s story. The show will air in the fall of this year so that people learn more about those that fought for our freedom. We continue to fight for our freedom by insuring the food security of our region and the health of our environment. Tenki Tenki ta all hunnuh chillun wha part de Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition and da hep wid disya fa tru! De wata bring we and de wata wine tek we bak da a fact and we een de flo mekin sho! Peace,
Queen Quet
Founder, Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation
www.gofundme.com/gullahgeechee-land-legacy-fund
Gullah/Geechee Fishing Association Holdin pun de Fishin Tradition!
The Gullah/Geechee Fishing Association (www.gullahgeecheefishing.net) was founded in Beaufort County, SC on March 25, 2010 by Queen Quet, Ricky Wright, the late Herbert Simmons, Joseph Bradley, and Keith Ellis who are all natives of St. Helena Island, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation. These founding members were quickly joined by Gullah/Geechee fishermen and women from other parts of the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida in the mission to 1) To advocate for the rights of Gullah/Geechee and African American fishermen and fishery workers of the southeast 2) To share traditional fishing methods with the next generation 3) To restore access to the areas and factories needed to sustain the seafood industry in the Gullah/Geechee Nation and southeastern United States The Gullah/Geechee Fishing Association members have actively worked with numerous national and international organizations during their five years in existence. Their work has been featured in profiles done by the Sierra Club, the Nature Conservancy, the Ocean Conservancy, USA Today and CNN International to name a few. During even numbered years, the Gullah/Geechee Fishing Association members host, the "Gullah/Geechee Seafood Festival" on Hunting Island. Throughout each year, they have community celebrations to engage more Gullah/Geechee fishing families in their efforts. They will co-host a series of "Gullah/Geechee Famlee Days throughout the year and the Gullah/Geechee Seafood Festival. For more information, call (843) 838-1171 or email GullGeeCo@aol.com or casting@gullahgeecheefishing.net. De Gullah/Geechee say,
"De wata bring we and de wata gwine tek we bak!� www.gullahgeecheefishing.net
Gullah/Geechee Nation Continues to Fight Offshore Drilling
Check out these links at www.GullahGeecheeNation.com to learn more about the on-going effort to battle against seismic gun testing and offshore drilling and to protect our ocean: https://gullahgeecheenation.com/2019/06/09/world-oceans-day-de-gullah-geechee-way/ https://gullahgeecheenation.com/2019/06/05/saving-the-sea-and-the-sea-islands/ https://gullahgeecheenation.com/2019/06/02/queens-chronicles-tek-me-ta-de-wata/ https://gullahgeecheenation.com/2019/06/01/de-wata-and-de-gullah-geechee-a-global-journey-of-healingfor-queen-quet-of-the-gullah-geechee/
Also, before July 1st make sure to put in comments in opposition to South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) from providing a permit for seismic gun testing: https://epermweb.dhec.sc.gov/ncore/external/publicnotice/info/-4459109729605649259/comments
Links to Gullah/Geechee Living Culture
1.
Gullah/Geechee Nation Headquarters www.officialgullahgeechee.info or www.gullahgeecheenation.com
2.
Gullah/Geechee Nation on Instagram http://instagram.com/gullahgeechee
3.
Gullah/Geechee Angel Network www.gullahgeecheeangelnetwork.com
4.
Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition www.gullahgeechee.net
5.
Gullah/Geechee TV™ (GGTV) www.youtube.om/AMPTurnItUp
6.
Gullah/Geechee Riddim Radio http://www.blogtalkradio.com/gullahgeechee
7.
Gullah/Geechee Fishing Association www.gullahgeecheefishingassociation.com
8.
Gullah/Geechee Nation Facebook Fan Page https://www.facebook.com/GullahGeecheeWeBe/
9.
Gullah/Geechee Folks on Twitter www.twitter.com/gullahgeechee
10. Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee www.QueenQuet.com 11. Gullah/Geechee Nation International Music & Movement Festival™ www.gullahgeechee.info 12. Gullah/Geechee Doula Association http://www.gullahgeecheedoula.com/ 13. Gullah/Geechee Nation on Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/gullahgeechee/ 14. Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Committee of NE FL www.facebook.com/neflaggcommittee
Gullah/Geechee Sustainability Think Tank Wading in Water Issues
The PRIMO 20 Conference was launched with a keynote address by Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation. The Pollutant Response in Marine Organisms group is meeting in Charleston, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation for their biennial conference.
Tune in to hear the Gullah/Geechee TV coverage:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x05aJPCMN50
Queen Quet, Representative Glenda Simmons-Jenkins, Dan Rizza, Dr. Kate Derickson, Dr. Astrid Caldas and Kwame Sha of the Gullah/Geechee Sustainability Think Tank presented at the 2019 National Adaptation Forum. Queen Quet’s opening
plenary
address
and
the
interactive
workshop
that
the
team
provided
can
be
viewed
at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiqLMoHUbvM and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNjMyUdLCVg&t=3s. Queen Quet, Dr. Kate Derickson, and Kate Cell also presented a workshop at the Keeping History Above Water 2019 Conference.
Wha Gwine On Every Monday at 7 pm EST Tune in to “Gullah/Geechee Riddim Radio!” Disya da we sho! http://www.blogtalkradio.com/gullahgeechee
July/August July 2-Queen Quet’s Enstoolment Anniversary Gullah/Geechee Nation Appreciation Week July 27-August 3 July 27 Noon to 4 pm
Gullah/Geechee Famlee Day at Mosquito Beach
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gullahgeechee-famlee-day-at-mosquito-beach-2019-tickets-55576705422 July 28th Worship with de Gullah/Geechee Famlee July 29th Support Gullah/Geechee Owned and Operated Businesses July 30th Tour Sullivan’s Island and Charleston, SC and at 6:30 pm Gather at Charleston County Council for Proclamation July 31st Support the Lisa Gilyard-Rivers art exhibition at the York W. Bailey Museum of Penn Center August 1st at 5 pm Tru de Eyes of de Gullah/Geechee: Plantations of the Lowcountry presentation by Queen Quet RSVP required at www.MorrisHeritageCenter.org August 2 Take Dayclean Journeys Tour of Savannah, GA and Coastal GA www.DayCleanJourneys.com August 3 Gullah/Geechee Block Party at Folly Beach, SC August 4 Gullah/Geechee Afternoon at Scott’s Grand in North Charleston, SC
Fa mo updates and ting bout wha gwine on falla www.gullahgeecheenation.com or @GullahGeechee. Keep up with events on a weekly basis by following @GullahGeechee and www.GullahGeecheeNation.com.
Tru de Eyes of De GuIIah/Geechee: PIantations of the Lowcountry
August-Black Philanthropy Month SEPTEMBER
Lands End Woodlands River Festival on St. Helena Island, SC Gullah/Geechee Nation Reggae Pon de River in at the Bluffton Oyster Company in Bluffton, SC Gullah/Geechee Nation Wadamalaw Island Labor Day Parade in SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation Oscar Frazier BBQ Festival at Oscar Frazier Park in Bluffton, SC Gullah/Geechee Nation Pin Point Seafood Festival in Pinpoint, GA Gullah/Geechee Nation Moja Celebration in
Charleston, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation www.mojafestival.com
OCTOBER-Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Awareness Month NOVEMBER
Rice Festival in Riceboro, GA in the Gullah/Geechee Nation Heritage Days Celebration on St. Helena Island, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation Sugar Cane Harvest at Geechee Kunda in Riceboro, GA in the Gullah/Geechee Nation
DECEMBER
Gullah Night Pun de Town at the St. Helena Branch Library December 21 Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition Anniversary
Tune in to Gullah/Geechee TV weekly at www.GullahGeechee.tv. Fa mo updates and ting bout wha gwine on falla www.gullahgeecheenation.com or @GullahGeechee. Keep up with events on a weekly basis by following @GullahGeechee and www.GullahGeecheeNation.com.
Hep Mo Angel fa Fly! Support De Gullah/Geechee Angel Network! The mission of the official 501(c)3, non-profit of the Gullah/Geechee Nation, the Gullah/Geechee Angel Network is To preserve, protect and promote the cultural heritage of the Gullah/Geechee People who have lived in the southeastern portion of the United States of America from North Carolina to Jacksonville Florida 30 miles inland (known as the "Low Country") for over 300 years. To connect all people, not just in the 50 states, but internationally throughout the Diaspora, Europe, Caribbean and Africa. Goals and Objectives are achieved by the implementation of the following seven (7) point program: The Performing Arts: Musical plays, dramatizations, poetry, storytelling, enactments and workshops Arts and Crafts: Workshops in the production and displaying of traditional Gullah/Geechee cultural items. Demonstrative workshops that encourage the development of functional skills and forms of expression to potentially showcase and stimulate direct participation in the growing ethnic tourism industry, festivals and cultural events. Educational: The establishment of Cultural Learning Centers designed to foster motivation, achievement and cultural enrichment. Historical/Research excursions from the tip of North Carolina (Cape Fear) to the outlining areas of Jacksonville, Florida. Scholarships and Awards: Lifetime Achievement Award programs and events recognizing those persons who have given selflessly of themselves, and have done considerable work for the benefits of their particular community as it relates to cultural preservation. Awarding Scholarships to youth who exhibit talent, and are oriented toward developing skills which foster Gullah/Geechee Culture. The Internet and The Media: Networking with organizations, institutions and groups which focus on Gullah/ Geechee Culture. Consistently present positive role models and activities to the low country in particular, and to in the Diaspora in general. Production, Preservation and Documentation: Production and archiving of Gullah/Geechee video and audio recordings, books, symbols and banners. Radio, television and computer production programming. Health and Nutrition Awareness: Forums and symposiums which explore lifestyles, food staples, food cultivation and preparation of Gullah/Geechee cuisine, as well as developing holistic programs to promote well being. Yenna House widout a doubt! The Gullah/Geechee International Camp Meeting Center & Yenna House will host a number of activities and people from around the world and educate people on the living traditions of that exist throughout the Gullah/ Geechee Nation. The next major fundraiser for the project will be the Gullah/Geechee Nation International Music & Movement Festival™ www.gullahgeechee.info. For more details on fundraisers, tours, assisting with the project, or contributing, call (843) 572-6788 or go to www.gullahgeecheeangelnetwork.com .
GULLAH/GEECHEE GOLD SOULS CAMPAIGN
The Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition is the premiere organization on the protection and continuation of the Gullah/Geechee history, heritage, and culture. The Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition: •
advocates for the protection of the human and land rights of Gullah/Geechee
•
promotes and participates in the continuation of Gullah/Geechee history, heritage, culture, and language.
• •
works toward Sea Island land re-acquisition and maintenance. celebrates Gullah/Geechee culture through artistic and educational means electronically and via "grassroots scholarship."
The Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition has successfully carried out this mission since 1996. During which time, they developed the ONLY archive in the world which is TOTALLY dedicated to Gullah/Geechee history, heritage, and culture. The Gullah/Geechee Alekbulan Archive is being upgraded in order to continue to provide access to artifacts, images, documents, books, films, and recordings to future generations of Gullah/Geechees and global researchers. The Coalition host hundreds of students and professional writers each year and it also supports native Gullah/Geechee speakers and presenters traveling to other parts of the world to make sure that accurate presentations on our culture are done in a varied array of venues. We are calling on all supporters of the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition to become dues paying members and to contribute to the “Gullah/Geechee Gold Souls Campaign.” The funds will assist with the completion of the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition Center. Please use the form at the end of this ezine or go to http://fnd.us/c/07Wl6 in order to financially contribute to the fundraising efforts that are currently under way in order to finalize the second phase of archival digitization and artifact preservation. The “wish list:” • New Apple Mac Pro desktop computer • 12 Mac compatible 3T and higher external drives • Acid free & corrugated plastic archival boxes and poster covers of all sizes • CD/DVD Duplicator For details on how you can host a fundraising event, contribute in any or in all of these ways, please email GullGeeCo@aol.com. Disya bout geeing frum de soul fa mek sho de richness stay een wi black gold!
Join the GULLAH/GEECHEE SEA ISLAND COALITION www.gullahgeechee.net I am enclosing my check for _____ $45 for the year of membership _____ $300-999 supporter (Pledge amount can be sent in monthly installments)
Mail this to Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition Post Office Box 1207 St. Helena Island SC 29920 Name: _________________________
_____ $1200 for lifetime membership
What island are you closely connected to? ________________________________ How?(Circle one) Family
Business
E-mail address: ________________________________
Address: _____ $___________ toward the Gullah/ Geechee Gold Souls Campaign My check is written to the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition. I know that I will receive a newsletter, event announcements, and will be a subscriber to the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Roots Listserve and will also receive discounts on Gullah/Geechee products.
______________________________
Where did you receive this? ________________________________
______________________________
What would you like to see done by this organization?
Telephone:
___________________ (Day)
_______________________________ (Eve or Cell)
GULLAH/GEECHEE SEA ISLAND COALITION Post Office Box 1207 St. Helena Island SC 29920
© June 2019 Gullah/Geechee Nation © June 2019 Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition ALL rights for photographs and articles are reserved. Republishing should not be done without consent from the Gullah/Geechee Nation.