Aidpage

To the attention of:

Barack Obama, US President;
Jerry Brown, Governor of California;
US Senators from California: Barbara Boxer, Dianne Feinstein;
US Representatives from California: Adam B. Schiff, Anna G. Eshoo, Barbara Lee, Bob Filner, Brad Sherman, Brian P. Bilbray, Dana Rohrabacher, Daniel E. Lungren, Darrell E. Issa, David Dreier, Dennis A. Cardoza, Devin Nunes, Doris O. Matsui, Duncan Hunter, Edward R. Royce, Elton Gallegly, Fortney Pete Stark, Gary G. Miller, George Miller, Grace F. Napolitano, Henry A. Waxman, Howard L. Berman, Howard P. "Buck" McKeon, Jackie Speier, Jane Harman, Jeff Denham, Jerry Lewis, Jerry McNerney, Jim Costa, Joe Baca, John Campbell, John Garamendi, Judy Chu, Karen Bass, Ken Calvert, Kevin McCarthy, Laura Richardson, Linda T. Sanchez, Lois Capps, Loretta Sanchez, Lucille Roybal-Allard, Lynn C. Woolsey, Mary Bono Mack, Maxine Waters, Michael M. Honda, Mike Thompson, Nancy Pelosi, Sam Farr, Susan A. Davis, Tom McClintock, Wally Herger, Xavier Becerra, Zoe Lofgren;
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God Provides Food Bank is a Native American Food Bank in California and we offer assistance to the entire San Gabriel Valley.  The food bank distributes over 100 pounds of food in each food pack which is enough food to feed a family of four for one week. Our Family Pack Program is a hand up and not a hand down service created by our organization to make food available to all families. We demonstrate Native Pride by not only shipping 10,000 lbs to our local reservations monthly but also offering many of our services to Los Angeles County Communities.

Unlike other food banks, we offer assistance to everyone regardless of location.  Our Food Pack Program receives referrals from Government offices throughout Los Angeles County, Orange County, Riverside County and San Bernardino Counties.   It has taken 15 years to build the donation resources that are needed to support the growing number of homeless individuals and families currently using our services.

California’s declining financial assistance resources do not affect our organization as we do not receive any government funding.  We proudly support our government agencies; we assist the Homeless Outreaches throughout LA County in coordination with the LA County Sheriff's Department and the LA County Health Department.   Our food bank is located in South El Monte which is the location for many of the homeless where unemployment is estimated to be over 18% which is the highest in the San Gabriel Valley. We’re a great non-profit organization that promotes people helping people in the San Gabriel Valley.  We do this by being staffed 100% by volunteers doing God's work for our local communities. 

God Provides is highly promoted by 211 Call for Help Hotline, help piloted Albertsons Fresh Rescue Program that went nationwide, first Native American Food Bank in California, and featured on film Dive (Divethefilm.com) winner of fourteen FILM FESTIVAL AWARDS. Our Current project is establishing a second food bank bordering Los Angeles County and San Bernardino County serving all of Southern California Native American Family Centers and surrounding communities.

I believe God Provides Ministry Food Bank is a great organization which is dedicated to serving the Greater Los Angeles Communities and is growing in many positive directions.   We support many organizations, respect all religions, and promote a Christian outlook by sharing our efforts to remove hunger from our surrounding areas.

I would like to thank you Mr. President Obama for your time and assistance.  Please feel free to contact us.

God Bless you,

Allan Espinoza, Chairman/CEO  gpmfoodbank@yahoo.com

Bell Lucas Reynolds, President

God Provides Ministry, Inc. , Native American Food Bank 626-442-4273

2453 Troy Ave. South El Monte, Ca 91733

Homeless Operation Partners 

Deputy Paul Archumbault                                                               Marie Kreimann RN PHN                                  

LASD COPS BEAU                                                                           Community Liaison  626-256-0520

Industry Sheriff's Station 626-430-8348                                      Los Angeles County Department of County Health

www.godprovidesministry.org

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Post Open Letter to your Elected Representatives

To the attention of:

Barack Obama, US President;
------------------------------------

God Provides Food Bank is a Native American Food Bank in California and we offer assistance to the entire San Gabriel Valley.  The food bank distributes over 100 pounds of food in each food pack which is enough food to feed a family of four for one week. Our Family Pack Program is a hand up and not a hand down service created by our organization to make food available to all families. We demonstrate Native Pride by not only shipping 10,000 lbs to our local reservations monthly but also offering many of our services to Los Angeles County Communities.

Unlike other food banks, we offer assistance to everyone regardless of location.  Our Food Pack Program receives referrals from Government offices throughout Los Angeles County, Orange County, Riverside County and San Bernardino Counties.   It has taken 15 years to build the donation resources that are needed to support the growing number of homeless individuals and families currently using our services.

California’s declining financial assistance resources do not affect our organization as we do not receive any government funding.  We proudly support our government agencies; we assist the Homeless Outreaches throughout LA County in coordination with the LA County Sheriff's Department and the LA County Health Department.   Our food bank is located in South El Monte which is the location for many of the homeless where unemployment is estimated to be over 18% which is the highest in the San Gabriel Valley. We’re a great non-profit organization that promotes people helping people in the San Gabriel Valley.  We do this by being staffed 100% by volunteers doing God's work for our local communities. 

God Provides is highly promoted by 211 Call for Help Hotline, help piloted Albertsons Fresh Rescue Program that went nationwide, first Native American Food Bank in California, and featured on film Dive (Divethefilm.com) winner of fourteen FILM FESTIVAL AWARDS. Our Current project is establishing a second food bank bordering Los Angeles County and San Bernardino County serving all of Southern California Native American Family Centers and surrounding communities.

I believe God Provides Ministry Food Bank is a great organization which is dedicated to serving the Greater Los Angeles Communities and is growing in many positive directions.   We support many organizations, respect all religions, and promote a Christian outlook by sharing our efforts to remove hunger from our surrounding areas.

I would like to thank you Mr. President Obama for your time and assistance.  Please feel free to contact us.

God Bless you,

Allan Espinoza, Chairman/CEO  gpmfoodbank@yahoo.com

Bell Lucas Reynolds, President

God Provides Ministry, Inc. , Native American Food Bank 626-442-4273

2453 Troy Ave. South El Monte, Ca 91733

Homeless Operation Partners 

Deputy Paul Archumbault                                                               Marie Kreimann RN PHN                                  

LASD COPS BEAU                                                                           Community Liaison  626-256-0520

Industry Sheriff's Station 626-430-8348                                      Los Angeles County Department of County Health

www.godprovidesministry.org

==================

Post Open Letter to your Elected Representatives

TVC-

I've honestly never had an indigenous person refer to themselves or others as Ndns. What is that? And it is not the American government who asks for proof it is the Cherokee tribal offices. And yes, you are right that I want to make sure I have that card so I can legally live on tribal land if I ever so choose to do so. Currently I live in Minnesota with my husband. And I don't think I suggested that anyone was living in the "fog". I'm friends with many people who are part of the local tribes here in Minnesota and attend university with them, I am simply trying to connect the present with the past and I find nothing wrong with that.

My father however since I posted has found more information and there is documentation that one of my great great aunts and relative were committed to insane asylums because they refused to speak English and give up their tribal connections. That occurred in the mid 30's or so.

Circle of Stories A great PBS link for parents, and educators during this Thanksgiving week.

I first met Jewish Indians in Rhode Island. Not related. During the time I lived there I met a JewishPawtucket woman and later a JewishNantucket man. When I next met people of this mix was when I lived in Madison, Wisconsin. I worked for The Four Lakes Indian Council, an Ndn service program for Ndn's in the city. My boss was George Swamp (he still lives there) and in a big college campus town we had Ndn graduates working for us, coming to us and Ndn's on their way to being graduates. They were aware of JewishIndians.

On the first day of Passover I put out a 'shout' on MTS saying, "Hey-O Jewish Ndn's. Happy Holidays. Mindful Passover." And this inspired a considerable amount of derision. Apparently a real Ndn would know there' ain't no such thing." But I know real Ndn's who know different than that and so do I.

I have lived for the last 30 years in Eugene, Oregon. Another college town and the town I was born in. I have met, not only more JewishIndians but JewishChinese, JewishIrish, JewishUgandan. And, lets face it, if Jeff Goldbloom had ever said yes to me (and without a condom) who knows who would have descended from that?

There is a big difference between ignorance and small mindedness. To simply not know the facts is ignorance and a person may simply not know of a truth by never encountering it. So I assume that some MTS members just never consciously met this sub-group and assumed I was yanking their chain. Small mindedness however describes the fear of a particular fact AND I assure everyone here that you have NOTHING to fear from JewishIndians. Not even their existence. In choosing actors for his film ‘The Business of Fancydancing’, Sherman Alexie specifically chose a JewishAmerican actress and included her identity into the script.

A Not Quite Full Blood takes a look at words and some ideas about race.

I have to go along with the Our Red Earth philosophy that if we ( Native American Indians) want to survive as a people we have to save our racial integrity. But the rest of us (half-breeds and committed lesser relations) matter too. If we pull together we will save our families, our tribes and our distinctiveness. So much has been lost in the last 500 years, some of it will never be recovered but it might be reborn if we give our genetic spirit a chance. There are already important ideas that were not current in the golden old days. Inter-tribalness is one and now it is a major key to Ndn survival. In the old days we could get rowdy with each other but we’re truly on-the-line as a people. 100 years ago we were almost completely extinguished but now we have the bodies to reform into an Ndn Renaissance. I know we got it in us. Those of us on the outskirts of Reservation culture have a unique perspective and odd bits of important technical knowledge that can benefit our people and tribes as a whole.

I don’t pretend to be a Traditional. I’ve grown up on the edges of urban areas, ran away to San Francisco when I was very young. My education has been primarily by my own effort and so I have an especial appreciation for access to knowledge. I’m a street kid urban Ndn but I have learned about other Ndn lives and I have lived in some of those places too. I know that the word Reservation is a euphemism for Prisoner of War camp. This is why they are always far from the tribes native ground and placed on waste land (excepting for, like the Mescalero, they are already living on what the U.S. considered waste ground).

In my last entry I took a look at three very current words AfroAmerican, Gang and Thugg. I wrote this as a column on my Onverse blog where it is read by an international group of young people. It surprises me how many Americans are unaware that there are native black people all around the world who are not African. So I bring up the subject by looking at a word and while I was at it pointed out some history on 2 words that, I think, most people believe are no more than 150 years old.

And I fess up to my belief in the African migration theory. It’s not traditional. But then again, it surprises me how many Ndn’s consider themselves Christian. That sure ain’t the Turtle Island theory. But I have my own personal cosmology and spiritual beliefs, and that IS traditional. A bit of our native wisdom, that a true spirituality is based on ones own experience.

And I respect science for what it is, not a faith or spirituality but as an empirical system. The evidence from languages, archeology, medicine and genetics, myth and story has me aligned with the African expansion, beginning about 80,000 years ago. I also believe, from the evidence that people have always been leaking over here from Asia and the Pacific, and for some reason almost not at all from east ( excepting, of course, the last 800 years or so). It is entirely possible that a sea going tribe of Labrador Ndn’s may have sailed to Ireland about 3,500 years ago (National Geographic pictures of found boats around ‘91. You could index it by key words in the previous sentence).

And here is one of my crazier ideas (though based on evidence) that Polynesians landed on the coast of Tuantepec (Mexico) during the Polynesian Diaspora. After a time their culture and especially astronomical knowledge fused with the local and the Olmec civilization came of that fusion. But it you want to stick with the more down to earth, look to the everyday words.

A Micronesioan man of the sea.

A little about me...well...

My life has NEVER been easy but I have ALWAYS found away to see the brighter side to life. I had to grow up quick because I didnt have a happy home life as a young child.My mom was a single mom who struggeled to raise us & she made many mistakes along the way, but we all survived.I had to be "Mom" to my younger sibblings & cook & clean when I was 5years old because many times my mom couldnt afford a sitter & she worked 2 jobs plus went to school.Well I wont go into my childhood to much as that is a part of my life my brain has learned to block out.

My whole life I have been discriminated against.When I was 16 I moved away from home & lived with a friend whom already graduated & was married.Her & her husband adopted me,her parents gave me a job,I did my best to keep my grades as good as I could.(Its hard to do when the teachers would sabatoge my work or grade me poorly,because they didn't like me.)I was diagnosied with stage 2 cervical cancer & was told I couldnt have kids & that it be a miricale if I did because I have 80%chance of miscarrage in the first trimester 15% chance to carry a child to second trimester then misscarry.Then 3months before my 17th Birthday the state stepped in & took me & placed me in my grandparents custody,because the school LIED & said I wasn't showing to school.I stuck it out until I was 17, then I quit school 2days after my 17th birthday, because life was just to hard being a minority.I had no interest in what the schools were teaching me,because I was bullied & picked on by Teachers, the Super intendenant, the Principal, and even the school Cop.I didn't have many friends in school because I usually just kept to myself.Well after quitting school I started getting my GED, but the teacher there started to treat me like I was invisible so I quit that. I turned 18 & moved in with a boyfriend & had an instant family.Well that summer my youngest instant child passed away.Shortly after that boyfriend & I split up. I got a job and became a workaholic as a way to deal with the hurt. I turned to drinking as a way to forget the pain,but slowly that was throwing me into a deppression.My 19th birthday God had me arressted for underage drinking,this opened my eyes to see there was more to life. I got hurt at work 2 months later and was told by doctors I couldnt work any more,until my health was taken care of.I lost my home 2months after loosing my job & moved in with the guy who soon would father my child. Things were great,we both seemed happy,he got me to go back to school(which he did push me to keep up with my studies & I finally graduated June2010),then I found out I was pregnant January 2009 and I was already 3months along...He wanted nothing to do with the idea of being a father,I was Happy,but slowly became deppressed because he wouldnt enjoy my happiness with me.Well then we moved because the place we were in wasnt safe for a child,so we got a nicer bigger place.Then I gave birth to my child,life was swell...then problems started.We started argueing all the time,He played head games where he would twist my words and make everything my fault.HE started treating my child like crap.There was no love when He would come home from work he would push our child aside grab some food & go to his friends.Then one day he decided to pretend to be a father and took my child outside to play.Then my child endured 2nd degree burns from him.He took my phone from me & refused to allow me to take my child to the hospital he made me treat the burns with aloe and bandaides. It was the next day while he was at work I was able to get my child out of the house to some place safe. my child out of the house dgWe split up shortly after which was about a week before my childs first birthday ONLY to get back together so that no one would know any better at my childs birthday party.Two weeks later he moved out again,this was the beginning to my downward spiral to rock bottom. I applied for foodstamps,cash assistance,HUD, I did everything I could think of to try to keep from becomming homeless,I knew I had 2weeks before I would become Homeless.I would call daily and still do this day I have no help.I became homeless.I finally soaked up my Pride & went to a shelter,just to be tossed from one shelter to another.Then I was offered a temporary home by a lady who works at a shelter I was at.I receantly lost my home to a flood.I am still trying to get help but still no luck,every place I try is the same "No funding". I am thankfull I found Aidpage,I have met a few VERY kind friends.Please read my blogs for a little more about me as well as for Helpfull Information that can Help you & me make money by helping each other.I have found that keeping faith in God helps to get thru the hard times.I'm thankfull I have a great friend who helps me to remember to keep faith.

Well that is a little about me in a quick summary.I have many health problems both phsyical and mental,but I have faith God put me here for a reason so I will get thru these problems. I am a single mother of a 15month old & we survived a life of domestic violance. I am a good listener, a horrible speller, but if you need someone to listen I am willing.I have been thru so much in my short life,that I am very wise for my years and I have been told I can offer good advice & I am pretty knowledgable.I am Native American, I am a survivor of Domestic Violance, a survivor of Childhood abuse, and I am a single mother.If anyone needs a friend I'm just a private message away.

National Indian Health Board

See:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/us/09tribes.html?_r=1&th&emc=th

As a presidential candidate, Mr. Obama said, “I pledged my commitment to resolving this issue, and I am proud that my administration has taken this step today.”

For the agreement to become final, Congress must enact legislation and the federal courts must then sign off on it. Administration officials said they hoped those two steps would be completed in the next few months.

Under the settlement, the government would pay $1.4 billion to compensate the Indians for their claims of historical accounting irregularities and any accusation that federal officials mismanaged the administration of the land itself over the years.

Each member of the class would receive a check for $1,000, and the rest of the money would be distributed according to the land owned. In addition, legal fees, to be determined by a judge, would be paid from that fund.

Update:

http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/usa/US-Historic-Native-American-Lawsuit-08DEC09--78806322.html

 We have recently started a non-profit to better serve the children and elders of the washington and soon the nation and we need seed and all the start up monies we can get to help this great program get a better start anyone who can help please let us know. Our web site is www.nativebridge.org

Thank you for your time.

p.s. Also we are wanting to start a teen "safe house" please let us know of any real estate grants we are eligible to help further our good cause.

Just thought I'd post something here. My great-grandmother was Cherokee, though I'm still unable to find actual papers. According to my father she was forced to speak English and names were changed early on so that no trace could be found. I heard recently that tribal relations gave up membership cards so I've never had any legimate membership, but I am trying to teach my children about their ancestry.

Anora

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WELL TO START I AM A SINGLE MOTHER OF THREE BOYS,AND AT THE MOMENT WE ARE LIVING IN DIRE NEED OF SOME ASSISTANCE.I NOT TO LONG AGO WAS THE VICTIM OF IDENTITY THEFT,AND AM IN THE PROCESS OF REPAIRING MY CREDIT.I VERY MUCH WANT TO OPEN MY OWN BUSINESS,I ALREADY HAVE A FEW CLIENTS THAT LOVE MY ORIGINAL DESIGNS,AND THEY PROUDLY WEAR THEM AND HAVE REFERED MORE TO ME FOR SALES PROBLEM IS I DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES TO PROVIDE THIER NEEDS.MY DESIGNS ARE ALL ORIGINAL,AND AT THE MOMENT THE DEMAND FOR THEM IS GROWING.SO I VERY MUCH WOULD LIKE TO APPLY FOR A GRANT TO START UP MY BUSINESS,SO THAT I CAN BE MORE ABLE TO SUPPLY MY CUSTOMERS WITH ALL THAT THEY DEMAND.THE GRANT I NEED FOR PERSONAL REASONS IS MAINLY TO HELP IN CLEARING MY CREDIT ,ALLOWING FOR MYSELF TO OBTAIN AN AUTO LOAN AND A LOAN FOR A HOUSE,SO THAT WE CAN MOVE OUT OF THIS BUILDING THAT IS BEING RUN BY A SLUM LOARD,WHO DOES NOT CAREABOUT THE WATER LEAKING THROUGH THE WALLS,WHICH IN TURN IS DANGERING MINE AND MY CHILDRENS' HAELTH,I CAN'T AFFORD TO MOVE.I AM IN THE PROCESS OF FILING FOR ADA DUE TO THE FACT THAT MY ALLERGIES ARE THAT SEVERE AND LIVIVNG HERE IS MAKING THEM WORSE.ALSO NEED TO GET A HEARING AID FOR MY YOUNGEST CHILD WHO WAS BORN PARTIALLY DEAF(ONLY HEARS WITH HIS RIGHT EAR),AND WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR A PRIVATE SCHOOL TIL HE REACHES NORMAL SCHOOL AGE,WHERE HE THEN CAN BE ABLE TO GO TO SCHOOL THROUGH THE DISTRICT,THEY HAVE NOTHING PRIOR TO KIDERGARTEN FOR DEAF STUDENTS.CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME.ALSO I WOULD LIKE TO RESEARCH SOME INFORMATION ON NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES AND RIGHTS,MY YOUNGEST CHILD IS PART NATIVE AMERICAN,AND WOULD LIKE SOME INFORMATION AS TO HIS RIGHTS SO THAT I MAY HELP TO PROTECT HIS RIGHTS IN THE FUTURE..

                                    MARKELLE ANN SCHUELER

                                   3220 ARLENE WY # C

                                   LAS VEGAS, NV.89108

                            702-658-9262/honeybee89108@hotmail.com

For those of you curious Sudakihi is the Cherokee meaning for Sixkiller, which is my last name.