De Conch Summer 2021 Edition by Gullah/Geechee Nation

Peace and Tenki Tenki! Mi gladdee hunnuh jayn de Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition! Hunnuh support da hep keep we pun de land een de Gullah/Geechee Nation/ We continue to pray that the pandemic comes to a complete end. In the midst of it, we have received support from around the world. This has led to numerous partnerships at the international and US congressional levels to focus on protecting the land and the sea via 30 x 30 plans which perfectly align with the Gullah/Geechee Sustainability Plan. We are also actively participating in the United Nations Oceans Decade as part of our efforts with global partners to reach the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals (UN SDGs). Make sure that you are following www.GullahGeecheeNation.com in order to keep up with the weekly details on the progress with all of these activities. The Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition will participate in the Capitol Hill Ocean Week during the month of June and is a part of working with Southeast Regional Partnership for Planning and Sustainability (SERPPAS) Principals to promote coastal resilience and regional adaptation through the creation of a voluntary and non-regulatory regional salt marsh conservation initiative to protect current and future salt marsh habitat in the Gullah/Geechee Nation. The goal of this initiative is to see the salt marshes and their migration corridors conserved and protected into the future so that the great salt marsh along the South Atlantic seaboard can continue to stand guard and provide its many ecosystem, economic and resilience benefits to the SERPPAS partners and beyond. This initiative started at the same time that we started engaging in the South Atlantic Strategy with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to have trash free waters in our four states. Protecting the environment will not be worth much to Gullah/Geechee citizens if we are not holding onto and protecting our land. So, we have launched the “Saving Gullah/Geechee Land Caravan” which will go to different areas in the Gullah/Geechee Nation in order to raise awareness and raise funds. After the video of the desecration of a Gullah/Geechee sacred burial area on Polowana Island which was posted at the Gullah/Geechee Nation’s Facebook Fan Page went viral and was seen by close to 1/2 million people, we received a massive amount of new supporters for our efforts. We also started a file for all of the desecration stories that people sent in and we are working to rectify these and to insure the future protection of sacred grounds especially Gullah/Geechee burial areas. So, please make sure to subscribe to www.GullahGeechee.tv and follow www.GullahGeecheeNation.com for future updates and information on how you can support this effort and join us during the caravan. All the events listed in this edition will be opportunities to raise more funds for the Gullah/Geechee Land & Legacy Fund which is assisting us with legal funds and helps finance the the work that is being done to protect our coast. Please make sure to donate via CashApp $GullahGeecheeNation or via the fund on GoFundMe. Also, purchase the “Take Ya Hand Off Gullah/Geechee Land” T shirt from www.GullahGeechee.biz and stand wid we. GAWD bless we land and hunnuh famlee. Peace,

Queen Que

Founder, Gu ah/Geechee Sea Island Coali o

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 Capitol Hill Ocean Week June 8-10 https://gullahgeecheenation.com/2021/05/08/jayn-de-gullahgeechee-fa-capitol-hill-ocean-week/ World Ocean Day Celebration June 10 https://gullahgeecheenation.com/2021/05/27/celebrate-world-ocean-day-2021-while-advancing-climate-and-ocean-action-throughart-education-and-outreach/ Toward a New Way of Being with Plants June 17 & 18 https://gullahgeecheenation.com/2021/05/03/queen-quet-of-the-gullah-geechee-nation-keynotes-on-a-new-way-of-being-with-plants/ Colleton County Memorial Library Summer Reading Program Kickoff June 18 at 10 am https://gullahgeecheenation.com/2021/05/29/queen-quet-of-de-gullahgeechee-kickoffs-summer-reading-program-at-colleton-countymemorial-library/ Gullah Juneteenth June 19 from Noon to 3 pm https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gullah-juneteenth-freedom-celebration-tickets-154854376609

July/August Gullah/Geechee Nation Anniversary July 2 Gullah/Geechee Nation Appreciation Week July 31-August 7 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gullahgeechee-famlee-day-tickets-157357244755 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/webe-de-gullahgeechee-living-legacy-tickets-157254276775 Jo in us v ia w w w.Gu l la hGeechee.tv a nd Fa cebook on Satu rday, August 7th at Noon for de v irtua l “Gullah/Geechee Nation International Music & Movement Festival” www.GullahGeechee.info

OCTOBER-Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Awareness Month DECEMBER 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.

Git hunnuh pass and jayn we een celebration of Gullah/Geechee Nation Appreciation Week at de Legacy Art Gallery. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/webe-de-gullahgeechee-living-legacytickets-157254276775

www.gofundme.com/gullahgeechee-land-legacy-fund

De Gullah/Geechee Land & Legacy Fund was able to help Gullah/Geechee farmers with PPE and new seeds during the pandemic. We also helped save 30 Gullah/Geechee properties from being auctioned and assisted with De Yenna Chiren House restoration project. Additional donations were made to the Gullah/Geechee Family Foundation and the Gullah/Geechee Initiative Foundation to assist with youth arts education and also food distribution programs. Several Gullah/Geechee church food distribution programs were also supported. Tenki Tenki ta all hunnuh chillun wha dun gee! Continue to donate and also purchase a Victoriously Gullah/Geechee T.

The Gullah/Geechee Fishing Association is challenging a destructioneer’s latest efforts to build a luxury resort on Bay Point Island, a culturally and biologically rich barrier island at the mouth of Port Royal Sound. The Gullah/Geechee Fishing Association (www.GullahGeecheeFishing.net) filed a motion to intervene in Bay Point Island, LLC’s (BPI) appeal of the Beaufort County Zoning Board of Appeals decision that blocked destructionment plans to build a luxury resort on Bay Point Island. The GGFA intervened in the appeal because the livelihoods of its members will be directly and adversely impacted if BPI is allowed to move forward with its proposed destructionment. For generations, members of the Association have relied on the marshes, beaches and pristine waters surrounding Bay Point to harvest fish and shellfish which supports their businesses and their families. Members also provide educational demonstrations concerning Gullah/Geechee fishing traditions. BPI’s proposed development would destroy this valuable cultural resource and wildlife habitat by constructing 50 cottages, a spa, wellness center, fitness center, restaurants and bars, along with 10 septic systems on the highly dynamic barrier island which is accessible only by water. According to Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation and an officer of the Association: “Gullah/Geechee culture is inextricably tied to the land and waterways of the Sea Islands. The cumulative effects of the negative environmental impacts that this resort that is being greenwashed as ecotourism would bring will not only disturb and irreversibly impact an environmentally sensitive area near historic St. Helena Island, it will have numerous destructive negative impacts to the quality of life and continuation of Gullah/Geechee culture. The Gullah/Geechee Nation is recognized internationally and federally and this project is not aligned with insuring the continuation of this culture which is vital to Beaufort County and South Carolina as is shown by the over 31,000 signatures of those who continue to oppose the Bay Point project. Disya da destructionment!” We are calling on the world to stand up with the citizens of the Gullah/Geechee Nation and our St. Helena Island family AGAINST the Bay Point proposal! Help us prevent destructionment from expanding in Beaufort County and reaching beloved St. Helena Island! Please sign the petition at http://chng.it/PctCRMN57L. Purchase a fundraising T-shirt from www.GullahGeechee.biz. Tune into the GGTV coverage of the permit request being denied: h t t p s : / / w w w . y o u t u b e . c o m / w a t c h ? v=Jbh0P_VJiWg&ab_channel=GullahGeecheeNation

Tenki Tenki fa standin wid de Gullah/Geechee Nation!

Help Stop Bay Point Destructionment

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 resume hosting the Gullah/Geechee Seafood Festival in 2022. 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

The Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition is in consultative status with the FAA regarding this spaceport. We continue to stand in opposition due to the adverse effects this will have on our environment and ultimately our cultural heritage.

Read more on this issue here: https://gullahgeecheenation.com/2021/03/05/do-not-let-spaceport-camdenlift-off-gullahgeechee/

Saving Historic Daufuskie @GullahGeechee Motion to intervene filed to protect historic properties and culture of Daufuskie Island from harmful mining project. A group of Daufuskie Island property owners and the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition (www.GullahGeechee.net) filed a motion to intervene in a developer’s latest efforts to construct a sand mine near historically and culturally important Gullah/Geechee buildings and landmarks. On November 6, 2020, the developers—Dolphin Daufuskie Group, LLC and Dolphin Shared MGMT Services, LLC— appealed the Beaufort County Zoning Board of Appeals’ (BZOA) denial of a special permit to construct the 3.9-acre sand mine. During the September meeting, Board members voted 4-1 against the project on the grounds that it is inconsistent with the County’s comprehensive plan; it is incompatible with the character of the land within its vicinity; and it is not designed to minimize adverse impacts on the environment, traffic, congestion, infrastructure or governmental services. In the motion to intervene filed on in Beaufort County Circuit Court, the property owners and the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition concurred with the BZOA’s reasons to reject the sand mine. Further, the proposed intervenors expressed concerns over the project’s harmful environmental impacts as well as impacts on quality of life and livelihoods. Significantly, Daufuskie Island is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and, along with the property owners’ homes, the proposed site of the mine would also adjoin Oyster Union Society Hall and Mary Field Cemetery, the largest Gullah/Geechee cemetery on the island. Queen Quet, the Chieftess and Head of State for the Gullah/Geechee Nation and the founder of the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition, submitted a petition with more than 3,000 signatories in opposition to the project at the BZOA’s September meeting. “All a disya da sacred sand! According to the map that was presented to Beaufort County for this proposed sand mine, the Gullah/Geechee historic area is relegated to a small area and those requesting to dig are stating that they were told that no cultural resources would be disturbed or harmed,” said Queen Quet. “However, as I stated at the BZOA meeting, all of Daufuskie Island is Gullah/Geechee. Therefore, the entire place is culturally and historically significant. Digging into the sands of Daufuskie means you are digging into the heart of the Gullah/Geechee. De land da we famlee!” The motion to intervene was filed on behalf of the property owners including natives of Daufuskie and the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition by the South Carolina Environmental Law Project (SCELP), a nonprofit public interest law firm. “We are proud to represent the numerous property owners and the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition in protecting the rights of the residents of Daufuskie,” said SCELP Staff Attorney Leslie Lenhardt. “The island is a priceless part of our history and culture and this project would have a significantly negative impact on not only the residents, but also on the historic properties on the island.” ******* Tune in to Gullah/Geechee TV (GGTV) coverage of the night that the permits were denied for this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jbh0P_VJiWg&ab_channel=GullahGeecheeNation

Links to Gullah/Geechee Living Culture

Gullah/Geechee Nation Headquarters www.gullahgeecheenation.com

Gullah/Geechee Nation on Instagram http://instagram.com/gullahgeechee

Gullah/Geechee Angel Network www.gullahgeecheeangelnetwork.com

Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition www.gullahgeechee.net

Gullah/Geechee TV™ (GGTV) www.youtube.om/AMPTurnItUp

Gullah/Geechee Riddim Radio http://www.blogtalkradio.com/gullahgeechee

Gullah/Geechee Fishing Association www.gullahgeechee shingassociation.com

Gullah/Geechee Nation Facebook Fan Page https://www.facebook.com/GullahGeecheeWeBe/

Gullah/Geechee Folks on Twitter www.twitter.com/gullahgeechee

10. Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee www.QueenQuet.co 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/ne aggcommittee

15. Gullah/Geechee Family Foundation www.GullahGeecheeFamilyFoundation.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, lms, 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 and virtually. 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 and the educational center on wheels. Please use the form at the end of this ezine or CashApp via $GullahGeecheeNation to nancially contribute. The “wish list:” • New Gullah/Geechee Educational Van • Acid free archival boxes and poster covers of all sizes 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!

Te n k

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ta nki

w m e d l

pp a su

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HAM

Tune een ta disya pun Gullah/Geechee T https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=clwBnvWndWM&t=9s&ab_channel=GullahGeecheeNationGullahGeecheeNation

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 Chiren House widout a doubt! The Yenna Chiren House will host a number of activities and people from around the world and educate people on the living traditions that exist throughout the Gullah/Geechee Nation. On-going fundraising is taking place for the project. When shopping at smle.Amazon.com, please designate the Gullah/Geechee Angel Network as the charity. For more details on fundraisers, tours, assisting with the project, or contributing, call

(843) 572-6788 or go to www.gullahgeecheeangelnetwork.com

Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation pours libation in homage to the 22 ancestors reinterred at Pawley's Island, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation before they are returned to the earth once again.

Tune in to see the ceremony on Gullah/Geechee TV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S78_I3jjgBc&ab_channel=GullahGeecheeNationGullahGeecheeNation

Also, view this video of the desecration of Gullah/Geechee sacred burial areas that we are ghting to prevent from happening again https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltiRHLYrIis&t=13s&ab_channel=GullahGeecheeNationGullahGeecheeNation

Join the GULLAH/GEECHEE SEA ISLAND COALITIO www.gullahgeechee.net I am enclosing my check fo

Mail this to

_____ $45 for the year of membershi _____ $300-999 supporter (Pledge amount can be sent in monthly installments

Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalitio Post Of ce Box 120 St. Helena Island SC 2992 Name: ________________________

_____ $1200 for lifetime membershi

What island are you closely connected to? _______________________________ How?(Circle one) Family

Busines

E-mail address: _______________________________

Address: _____ $___________ toward the Gullah/Geechee Gold Souls Campaig 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 and select events.

_____________________________

Where did you receive this? _______________________________

_____________________________

What would you like to see done by this organization?

Telephone

___________________ (Day)

_______________________________ (Eve or Cell

GULLAH/GEECHEE SEA ISLAND COALITIO Post Of ce Box 120 St. Helena Island SC 29920

)

Republishing should not be done without consent from the Gullah/Geechee Nation.