Featured Website: Four Directions Solidarity Network

Our Mission: Four Directions Solidarity Network unites a grassroots movement of both native and non-native people from the four directions to support the sovereignty of indigenous nations, the preservation and restoration of traditional culture, and return to a sustainable relationship with our relations, and our Mother, the Earth.

A Unique History: Preparation for the Four Directions Solidarity Network (originally Four Directions Relief Project) began in early August 2005, when traditional signs appeared fortelling of the three powerful hurricanes that would come to be known a Katrina, Rita and Wilma.

Originally, the Four Directions Relief Project was formed to provide culturally appropriate, grassroots disaster relief to the indigenous communities of coastal Louisiana, now facing damage from Katrina and Rita. In collaboration with tribal leaders, Four Directions immediately began facilitating relief supplies to the native communities south of Houma, Louisiana.

Working to redirect a small portion of the volunteer and material supplies from New Orleans and Mississippi to native communities, Four Directions was able to create tremendous success with a growing network of volunteers and collaborating organizations. This became known as our Coastal Tribes Project.

In January 2006, Four Directions was honored to assist members of the White Mountain Apache nation who were being exploited by unscrupulous contractors in New Orleans. Also in January, we changed our name to Four Directions Solidarity Project and finalized fiscal sponsorship with the Cloud Forest Institute to support the emerging long term vision of the organization. In February we participated in the International Indian Treaty Council meeting at Traditional Seminole Nation land in Central Florida.

In the spring of 2006, Four Directions began the Strongheart Project in support of the Strongheart Civil Rights Movement based out of the Oglala Lakota Nation. Offering mutual assistance, noted activist Duane Martin Sr. of the Stronghearts and the Teton Lodge Singers, traveled to coastal Louisiana to support the preservation and reclaiming of traditional culture.

This link will take you straight to their site: http://www.eswn.org/