First Peoples Conservation Council Of Louisiana

THE FIRST PEOPLES CONSERVATION COUNCIL (FPCC) OF LOUISIANA IS AN ASSOCIATION FORMED TO PROVIDE A FORUM FOR NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES IN COASTAL LOUISIANA TO IDENTIFY AND SOLVE NATURAL RESOURCE ISSUES ON THEIR TRIBAL LANDS.

F.P.C.C. WORKSHOPANNUALLY, FIRST PEOPLE'S CONSERVATION COUNCIL HOSTS THIS WORKSHOP ATTENDED BY SIX (6) LOUISIANA TRIBAL COMMUNITIES AND AT LEAST 1 OR MORE VISITING MEMBERS FROM OTHER TRIBAL NATIONS. WE GATHER IN FELLOWSHIP AND SOLIDARITY AS TRIBAL PEOPLES. THE WORKSHOP IS ATTENDED BY TRIBAL MEMBERS RANGING FROM ELDERS TO YOUTHS, AND EVERY AGE IN BETWEEN. WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE ARE PART OF AND MUST LIVE AND NAVIGATE IN THE MUCH LARGER WORLD AROUND US; (A WORLD THAT OFTEN IS UNACCEPTING OF OUR RESISTANCE TO BECOME ASSIMILATED INTO THE LARGER GENERIC POPULOUS) HOWEVER, OUR WAY IS NOT TO SEPARATE OURSELVES TO THE EXCLUSION OF ALL OTHERS, BUT TO CELEBRATE WHO WE ARE, AS THE FIRST PEOPLES OF THE LAND. WE COME TOGETHER IN RESPECT OF THE EARTH AND HONORING THE WISDOMS OF OUR ANCESTORS. AT THIS WORKSHOP WE DISCUSS LOCAL COMMUNITY ISSUES AND GLOBAL ISSUES AS WELL; WORKING FOR THREE DAYS TO FIND SOLUTIONS. HERE, WE CREATE TRIBAL ARTWORKS (HIDING, PAINTING, WEAVING, BEADING). WE DRUM AND SING AND DANCE, ALL THESE ACTIVITIES ARE FUN, BUT THE LARGER GOALS ARE BEING ACHIEVEDWE ARE TEACHING OUR YOUNG TO APPRECIATE THEIR CULTURE AND EMBRACE THEIR HERITAGE TWO THINGS VERY NECESSARY TO THE VIABILITY AND LONGEVITY OF OUR TRIBES. LAST, BUT IN NO WAY LEAST, FOOD THERE IS ALWAYS GOOD FOOD

YOUTH TRAVEL RETREATS...YOUTH RETREATS ARE VERY EXCITING AND FUN-FILLED WITH CULTURAL TEACHINGS (SEE LETTERS FROM YOUTH EVENTS(FPCCLOUISIANA.ORG) THE RETREATS NOT ONLY INTRODUCES OUR YOUNG PEOPLE TO OTHER PEOPLE AND ENVIRONMENTS, IT ALSO PROVIDES THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP LEADERSHIP SKILL THAT WILL SERVE THEMSELVES AND THE TRIBES AS THEY MATURE AND TAKE THEIR PLACE OF LEADERSHIP IN THE FUTURE. THE FUTURE WILL SOMEDAY BE IN THE HANDS OF THOSE WHO ENJOY THE BENEFITS OF BEING YOUNG TODAY, AS THEY INTERACT WITH OTHERS AND GAIN A MORE COMPLETE UNDERSTANDING OF THIS PLANET'S DIVERSITIES (ENVIRONMENTAL, CULTURAL ETC.) THEY ARE BEING EDUCATED THROUGH THEIR TRAVELS AND EXPERIENCES TO BE VISIONARY IN THEIR FUTURE POSITION OF LEADERSHIP AND LIFEWAYS; SO THEIR DECISIONS AND CHOICES WILL BE MADE FROM INFORMED, FIRST-HAND AND INCLUSIVE KNOWLEDGE.

FOOD SOVEREIGNTY THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE GREEN HOUSE LEARNING CENTER HAS BEEN IN THE WORKS FOR TWO YEARS AND WILL PROVIDE A SAFE SPACE FOR PROPAGATING MEDICINAL AND SACRED PLANTS AT RISK DUE TO CLIMATE CHANGE AND WATER INTRUSION.