New York, N.Y., June 21, 2024 – During this month’s Goldwater IMPACT Club meeting, the cohort continued May’s discussion on developing tools to assist Afro/Indigenous communities safeguard their cultural and economic sustainability. Marquiese L. Wrenn and Charles Morrison gave an insightful presentation on the history of the Blackfeet Tribe and their personal connections to this history which helped to inform a deeper conversation on culture preservation.
As a solution for protecting and sustaining cultural practices and identities, Marquiese emphasized the importance of writing comprehensive historical narratives that document these practices. With many cultural traditions at risk of disappearing due to climate change, written records can serve as vital tools to preserve the knowledge and ways of being of various cultures. By capturing these practices in books, we ensure that future generations can learn from and maintain their heritage, even as the physical environment around them changes.
Marquiese Wrenn and Charles Morrison highlighted the history of the Blackfoot Nation as an example of how understanding one's origins can shape identity. The Blackfoot Nation, originally based in the Great Lakes region of the Northwest, became nomadic, eventually settling in Virginia. This transition was driven by various factors, including the need to hunt bison for sustenance and warmth. The Blackfoot were a polytheistic people with a pantheon that included a sun god and a primary deity named Napi. Their most significant ceremony, the Sun Dance, centered around the buffalo, a crucial resource for their survival.
Caleb Peddie, Director of the Goldwater IMPACT Club, reflected on this presentation and its relevance to the cohort's work: “This presentation by Marquiese and Charles allows us to reflect on our own histories. It’s vital to know the history and the strength of the people we have descended from to inform the formation of our collective and individual identities.”
Jerome and Charles Morrison have been actively involved in efforts to preserve the history and culture of Liberty Hill, SC. Jerome noted the difficulty of maintaining the community's heritage in the face of market forces, famously stating, "The market’s gon do what the market’s gon do." To combat these challenges, they have been working with the Liberty Hill neighborhood president, Ms. Valerie, and Margot, a Georgetown alum, to create solutions that help grow and sustain communities like Liberty Hill, SC, and to develop a Neighborhood Master Plan.
The plan includes affordable housing, walking trails, and the creation of a business district aimed at fostering community growth and sustainability. Weekly strategy meetings involve Strength Weakness Opportunity & Threat (SWOT) analyses to incorporate various plans effectively. However, one of the significant obstacles has been securing capital. Jerome and Charles have explored several funding avenues, including community land banks – which would buy land for profit and sell housing at fair market prices - and appealing to private equity firms and city investors.
Cameron Benton pointed out that an over-reliance on electoral politics has led to community stagnation. This suggests that grassroots efforts might be more effective in driving change. Jerome has been seeking to learn from successful case studies of community development both domestically and internationally. These case studies could provide valuable insights into creating thriving, resilient communities.
A. Prince Albert III, President of Goldwater Ventures, applauded Jerome and Charles’s efforts, noting: “By connecting with the community leaders and scholars of Liberty Hill, SC, they are able to actively engage in solution-oriented meetings that attack the systemic issues that prove to be a barrier to revitalizing places like Liberty Hill, SC. The strategies they learn will help to inform the group’s comprehensive toolkit.”
Goldwater Ventures and the IMPACT Club also warmly welcomed Ian Hamilton as Chief of Staff. A product of Capitol Hill, Ian brings a wealth of legislative and policy expertise. He has worked in the offices of Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke and Congressman Filemon Vela. “Ian’s understanding of how community and grassroots efforts help inform the legislative climate on the Hill will be extremely critical to the mission of Goldwater Ventures and the projects of the IMPACT Club”.
The discussions and initiatives of the Goldwater IMPACT Club highlight the interconnectedness of environmental sustainability, cultural preservation, and community development. By learning from the Blackfoot Nation and other successful community models and leveraging innovative economic strategies like the circular economy and community land banks, the cohort is focused on applying these newfound insights to produce practical tools that aim to preserve, restore, and meet the needs of underserved Afro/Indigenous communities.
Citation
Goldwater Ventures, Revitalizing and Sustaining Communities: Goldwater IMPACT Club’s June Meeting focused on Preserving Cultural and Communal Heritage (June 21, 2024), https://www.goldwaterventures.info/post/goldwater-impact-club-s-june-meeting-focused-on-preserving-cultural-and-communal-heritage.
Reference(s)
Goldwater Ventures, IMPACT Club Discussed Afro-Indigenous Place-Making during May Meeting (May 14, 2024), https://www.goldwaterventures.info/post/impact
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