De Conch
Second Quata Ob 2018 Edition
#WEBE Wakanda #WEBEGullahGeechee www.GullahGeecheeNation.com
Peace and Tenki Tenki! Disya year bin busy fa tru! Tenki Tenki ta all wha da support wha de Gullah/Geechee Nation do! The cover shot for this edition captures the joy that the Gullah/Geechee Famlee has been feeling this year as numerous people have come to our coast to support the numerous conferences, festivals, and gatherings that we have hosted. The Gullah/Geechee Angel Network’s Tech Up Step Up Program image is a prime example of the intergenerational knowledge sharing that continues to take place here. Even though we are joyful and uplifted, we still have several challenges that we are faced with including fighting offshore drilling, displacement by I-526 widening in Charleston County, SC, seismic gun use in the Atlantic Ocean, and the attempts to build a spaceport in Camden County, GA. We are thankful that our Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition membership roll continues to increase so that we have an even stronger set of global allies working against these issues of destructionment. The numerous partners that have supported “De Gullah/Geechee Save the Sea Islands Tour” and that have come to volunteer with us at our base of operations on St. Helena Island, SC have been instrumental in sharing the TRUTH about what is taking place on the Sea Islands. We know that these fine details are often missed when people simply come in for festive activities. So, we appreciate those that contribute their expertise and physical abilities to help us in the fight to keep our people on our land in spite of the attempts at destructionment and the environmental changes that are always looming just off the coast. We continue to give thanks to GOD that in the midst of it all, we have reasons to celebrate. The inaugural Gullah/Geechee Gold Rice Festival and the Gullah/Geechee Bike & Beauty were both outstanding and successful celebrations. We give thanks to those that came in for Decoration Day Weekend to various points along our coast and celebrated with family and friend while supporting Gullah/Geechee businesses and institutions. The party will continue as we go into “Black Music Month” during which we also celebrate freedom with numerous Juneteenth events. The drums have already started to sound to draw all Gullah/Geechees and our supporters to Charleston, SC as we reunite with our Bajan kinsfolk at the “Gullah/Geechee Nation International Music & Movement Festival™ 2018” which is themed “Disya da Gullah/Geechee.” Check out the promo video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSdABmCjEaA&t=5s and den gwine ta www.GullahGeechee.info fa git hunnuh ticket fa be ya wid we fa celebrate who webe! See hunnuh win hunnuh git ya fa stand wit de Gullah/Geechee Famlee! Peace,
Queen Quet
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. We are currently seeking 100 people who will donate $50. 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 .
www.gofundme.com/gullahgeechee-land-legacy-fund
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
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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 • 10 Mac compatible 2T and higher external drives • Acid free 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!
The Realities of Reconstruction Conference
Mather Museum & Interpretive Center 921 Ribaut Rd Bldg 1 Beaufort, SC Gullah/Geechee Nation
June 1-3, 2018
GullGeeCo@aol.com • (843) 838-1171 www.GullahGeecheeNation.com
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 JUNE-Black Music Month
June 1-3 “Realities of Reconstruction Conference” at Mather Museum & Interpretive Center Beaufort, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation. Register here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/realities-of-reconstruction-conference-tickets-41538624143 June 1-2 Sweetgrass Festival in Mt. Pleasant, SC June 9 Noon to 4 pm Juneteeth at the Jepson in Savannah, GA, Gullah/Geechee Nation JULY
Gullah/Geechee Nation Appreciation Week July 27-August 5
July 28 Gullah/Geechee Famlee Day at American Beach on Amelia Island, FL, Gullah/Geechee Nation https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gullahgeechee-famlee-day-at-american-beach-tickets-44991407511 AUGUST
August 3-5 Gullah/Geechee Nation International Music & Movement Festival in Charleston, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation www.gullahgeechee.info SEPTEMBER
August 31 & September 1 Lands End Woodlands River Festival on St. Helena Island, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation
September 3 Wadamalaw Island Labor Day Parade Moja Arts Celebration www.mojafestival.com DECEMBER
Gullah Night Pun de Town at the St. Helena Branch Library December 21 & 22 Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition Anniversary
Fa mo updates and ting bout wha gwine on falla www.gullahgeecheenation.com or @GullahGeechee.
Stop the Spaceport on the Gullah/Geechee Coast! Camden County, GA is planning to launch into space from the Gullah/Geechee Nation's coast. The FAA will accept public comments until June 14, 2018 concerning this private space launch pad that is being proposed. Send comments by email to faacamdenspaceporteis@leidos.com, or by mail to Ms. Stacey M. Zee, Environmental Specialist, Federal Aviation Administration, c/o Leidos, 2109 Air Park Road SE, Suite 200, Albuquerque, NM 87106 after reading the details of the Environmental Impact Statement here: https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ast/environmental/nepa_docs/review/documents_progress/camden_spaceport/#publicComments The Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition is standing with 100 Miles, Protect Cumberland Island, and many other individuals and groups in opposition to this spaceport being licensed and erected. There are a number of negative environmental impacts that will take place that have not been fully examined nor considered in the environmental impact statement. In addition to that, cultural heritage has been completely left out of consideration as Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation (www.QueenQuet.com) made clear during her statement at the public hearing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DO1a7mWU7v4&t=1s She made this statement after hearing the details from the representatives of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that presented on the process that would allow a spaceport to be built and operated: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GI0568vyki8 If you would like additional facts about the spaceport, please go to https://www.spaceportfacts.org/. If you support protecting public lands, please go to http://protectcumberlandisland.org/ If you want to continue to protect the lands of the Gullah/Geechee Nation's coast, you should become a member of the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition which you can learn more about at www.GullahGeechee.net and join online at www.GullahGeechee.biz. Please stand up and speak out with us and stop the Camden Spaceport!
www.GullahGeecheeNation.com
Students welcome and work with Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation
www.GullahGeechee.net
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 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, 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
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Take Highway 21 toward Fripp Island and make a left at the foot of the Fripp Island Bridge
Cum fa nyam pun seafood an yeddi bout we! Disya de seafood fess a de Gullah/Geechee! FREE Admission Music & Family Fun Gullah/Geechee Presentations $10 per plate for seafood Call 843-838-1171 or e-mail Gull-
www.gullahgeecheefishing.net
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
© May 2018 Gullah/Geechee Nation © May 2018 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.