Current Projects
International Aboriginal Ministries has several projects underway, both our own and through our affiliates:
Native History Magazine is one of our online publications that is devoted to helping dispel erroneous information and stereotypical images of Native American Indians. We feel this can best be done through education, so the magazine targets educators and students of all types, whether teachers, professors or the most influential "educators" of all -- parents. The magazine uses primary-source articles and internet resources that have been reviewed and approved by the NH Magazine Elders Council and Editorial Board. Lesson plans for teachers are among the various resource items as well as book reviews and recommended reading materials.
The Selv Center (pronounced "see-loo") is the home of our International Aboriginal Ministries Outreach Program. ["Selv" is Tsalagi (Cherokee) for "corn," one of the three sisters of Native American agricultural tradition: corn, beans and squash.]
One of the main functions of the Selv Center is to help enable people of all tribes and nations to help themselves and others:
- One of our missions is to help bring together those who wish to return to our Creator's path with traditional Elders who can guide them home. Natives looking to go "back to the blanket" and "Lost Birds" need to connect with the Elders of their tribes. This will take cooperation among tribal people who can help match a true Elder/teacher with a person who is truly searching. It is only through your tribal Elders that the teachings you seek can be found. If you are a tribal Elder or know of an Elder who would like to help expose the charlatans and/or point "Lost Birds" in the right direction, please contact us.
- A priority for the Selv Center is to encourage tribes to establish a White Bison Program in or near their Native community to help their people fight the effects of alcoholism and drug abuse within the context of their own traditional Native spiritual beliefs. Please contact White Bison, Inc for more information.
- Relief Programs cover a great deal of territory, both figuratively and literally. "Relief" includes gathering and distributing food and clothing, school supplies, and other items of need by a particular Native family or tribe. It also includes a variety of items that may not be readily available to low-income people with limited resources. Please note that we do not seek, nor will we accept monetary donations. We act as a liason between those that are in need and those who have a resource. For more information, please click on the "Relief Program" link on the left-hand side of the page.
Recognizing that all things are connected, the Selv Center also hopes to be a force in helping people live with Mother Earth in a mutually beneficial manner through self-sufficiency programs such as community gardens, energy-efficient housing, and alternative energy sources.
- The Earth Mother Renewal Project may be our most important and most challenging project. The housing conditions on most tribal reservations are deplorable --- sub-standard housing, many without bathrooms or running water, little or no insulation. The Earth Mother Renewal Project is an effort of IAM to bring together innovative engineers, builders and contractors to create energy-efficient and self-sustaining homes and communities "for The People" and "by The People." For more information, please click on the "Earth Mother Renewal Project" link on the left-hand side of the page.
- The Selv Center also encourages tribes to preserve their traditional arts and crafts such as leatherwork, beadwork and other Native lifeskills by assisting them to establish and operate a local "Traditional Arts and Crafts Program."
At present the Selv Center has no web presence, but we hope to get the center on the web, soon. We feel doing the work has a higher priority than building the new website. When the Selv Center is "online" a link will be posted.
Outreach Partners
International Aboriginal Ministries is proud to assist and cooperate with the following organizations in fulfilling our mutual goals and objectives:
Project Linus is a 100% volunteer non-profit organization whose primary mission is to mission to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer "blanketeers." These blankets are made, collected and distributed by over 350 chapters throughout the United States to children in need from newborn to age 18. If you would like to become involved, or you know of a child in need, please contact your local Project Linus Chapter.
Because delivery to reservation areas can sometimes be difficult, and for urban Indian families in need, IAM also has a limited quantity of blankets available directly through IAM. Let us know where there is a need and we will try to help.
"Might I behold thee, Might I know thee, Might I consider thee, Might I understand thee, O Lord of the universe."
-- Inca Song
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