Mission Statement
“Strengthening the human circle through performance arts and media focused on Indigenous cultures, history, and values.“
Organization History
The Board of Directors members have each been living in and carrying out this mission independently for many years. We started planning the organization formation in 2019. We received our non-profit EIN on October 2, 2020 and are a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization.
Milestones and Objectives
Major Milestone: We continue to work on planning of a theatrical performance of Indigenous women throughout history ranging from the 1500’s to the present. The monologues will be performed by Indigenous women and each will accurately represent history and envelop us in the culture and condition of the world in which they lived. We will learn how each woman influenced the next and those who came after them.
After thoughtfully considering more than 70 Indigenous women, we have selected 20 who represent a broad spectrum of professions and Indigenous Nations. Many of them are still here and carrying out their hearts objectives to improve Turtle Island. Our goal is to initially present the performances in video format and then create a live stage performance after we have recovered from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
| SUPPORTING PROMOTION OF COMMON MEMORIES & HISTORY |
| Radio, podcasts, and live streaming events |
| Screenplay, media, and film production |
| Training and educational seminars using culture and commonality to reinforce the circle of humanity |
| Welcoming Blendians into the Circle |
| Building Indigenous Tables across Turtle Island |
Board of Directors
Sandra Richardson-Hope, CEO
Sandra, a Citizen of the Haliwa-Saponi Indian Tribe of NC, is heavily involved in developing and managing technology for Indian concerns. She is on the Board of the Pocahontas Reframed Film Festival and currently oversees the Tsenacommacah Eastern Indian Marketplace at the festival. In 2020 she received an American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) Sequoyah Fellow for her work in promoting STEM education for American Indian students and for work on building the unity media application Fan.C (findanative.com) to promote Indigenous peoples interests in commerce, causes, community, and culture. She is an accomplished HR Systems Consultant as well as Treasurer/Technology Manager for the American Indian Society of Washington, DC.
Sandra deems that “the lack of indigenous representation across mainstream and popular media is an egregious oversight caused by disregard for descendants of the original occupants of the Americas”.
David “GreyOwl” Carnes, Vice-President & CFO
David, a Citizen of the Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama, is a military Veteran, a published author, a previous educator of coastal ecology and marine biology, the Producer of Food, Water and Air, and Producer of Native Opinion (an internet radio show and podcast that David co-hosts with Technical Director – Michael Kickingbear). David also holds a ThD in Theology and Religion, has a PhD in Natural Health, is a Master Herbalist, and a published author of children’s stories.
A’lice Myers-Hall, Director of Education
A’lice, a Citizen of the Lenape Indian Tribe of Delaware, is a retired U.S. Air Force Communications Engineer. Her experience since retiring from the Air Force includes interior and period design and antique restoration.
A’lice continues to serve in volunteer activities including a women’s jail ministry and indigenous culture workshops, and is currently President of the American Indian Society of Washington, DC. For the TedX Catoctin Circle Women, A’lice presented “Tukihëla” (unsleep) – A Lenapé Sonnet to represent the awakening and rebirth of Indigenous values into modern awareness. She designed and carried an MMIWG Flag which was used to post the colors with the Native American Women Warriors at the 2019 Loudoun NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet.
A’lice passionately and consistently educates and informs people about indigenous history and culture. She holds firm to the mantra that Native people must “come together in unity no matter what tribe or religion, and no matter the color of their skin”.
Mary Waddell, Director of Cultural Connections
Mary is a descendant of the Catawba and Cherokee Tribes of N.C. Her career has focused on workforce personnel integration, cross-cultural education of tribes, and resource/event planning for a First Nations Body of Christ ministry.
Mary also designs Native jewelry and regalia. She created a brand and training curriculum for indigenous harmony and believes strongly in “the power of indigenous youth to change the world for the better”.
The mission of increasing visibility and unity of Indigenous peoples while promoting commerce and cultural awareness inspire her to dream big for the Saving the Circle mission.
