Chikamaka Vision
SHARE OUR VISION & OUR GOALS:
Below are just a few of our Dreams for our group. These can be accomplished.
Let’s all work together!
We Long To see….
….The Preservation of the Historic Homeland of the Chikamaka
We Long To see….
….The Revitalization and continued use of our Traditional Language and the Dialect of the Chikamaka
We Long To see….
….Our Elders cared for in a manner that is appropriate in view of their wisdom and experience. Never should even one Chikamaka elder be cold or hungry or lack the basic necessities of life.
We Long to see…
….The Preservation of the knowledge of our people so that future generations may carry on in their ways.
We Long To see….
….Our children cared for. Never should even one Chikamaka child be cold or hungry or denied an education or struggle with learning. We must give our youth hope for their future!
We Long To see….
….Our Youth trained in the traditional ways as well as to be taught how to co exist in this radically altered environment.
We Long To see….
….Employment opportunities for our people. Our area is one of the poorest in the state. Our people have a strong desire to work. So strong in fact, that many without any hope of employment will daily go out and work hard helping others, without pay, so that they will not be idle. If jobs could be made available, many of our members will also need training in order to work in those positions as the local public education system here does NOT have the funds to train our people adequately.
We Long To see….
….A fund established that will meet the needs of individuals in crisis from natural disasters and house fires, from illness and any other cause until the critical need passes.
We Long To see….
….A museum established to educate others on our history, and to preserve priceless items for the next generation.
The poverty of the area and the lack of such a place is causing a current crisis. One local man is “collecting” priceless artifacts from the area and selling them to the Smithsonian and other collectors.
Our group simply does not have the funds to compete with these collectors and furthermore at this time would not have a secure place to keep these items once obtained.
We need to protect our heritage and these items!