INDIGENOUS
COMMUNITY
INITIATVES

- THE FUTURE IS INDIGENOUS -

Our Goal is to provide project management, strategic planning, and fiscal sponsorship to communities and nonprofit organizations involved in culture-based, innovative projects and programs that promote and perpetuate traditional cultures and socio-economic sustainability.

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ABOUT

OUR MISSION STATEMENT

1. COLLABERATION

Collaborate with nonprofits, communities, businesses, and government agencies

to plan and design sustainable projects and communities that integrate traditional indigenous wisdom

of community-based, -designed, and – developed planning for 7 generations. Support other indigenous struggles around the world to help preserve, protect and promote indigenous culture and values.

2. FISCAL

Provide fiscal sponsorship and access to resources to support fiscal responsibility and accountability for projects and communities.

3. KNOWLEDGE

Promote indigenous storytelling through screenwriting, music & video production, and other digital media campaigns to #TellOurOwnStory #IndigenousStorytelling #NativeStories

Support the LandBack campaign through research, affordable housing, and supporting the return of Indigenous lands.

CURRENT EVENTS

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Limited VIP Tickets Available

VIP Includes

Pre-boarding & Exiting
VIP Seating
Meet & Greet with Jean-Michel Cousteau
KAʻEHU Swag Bag

CURRENT EVENTS

EVENTS

4. #LANDBACK

COMMUNITY PROJECTS

- Past -

Indigenous Youth Foundation

Held youth educational workshops at tribes and indigenous communities throughout Turtle Island and Hawaii.

Youth & Family workshops include:

Gathering traditional medicinal plants
Gathering seaweed and marine life for food and materials
Traditional weaving practices with various natural materials
Traditional protocol & Cleansing
Traditional Games
Indigenous Cooking Classes using traditional ingredients
PowWow practices and participation
Sweat Lodge ceremony participation
Indigenous Land Rights & Resources
Indigenous Arts & Crafts
Traditional Storytelling & Documentary Filmmaking

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Community

Past Work & Support of Indigenous Communities

United Nations

Indigenous Peoples Conference

- Pit River Tribe, California

Indigenous Community Initiatives President Monique Sonoquie, Treasurer Lily Donge and Consultant Kuʻuleinani Maunupau were participants in the 2004 United Nations Indigenous Peoples' Conference in Redding, California hosted by the Pit River Tribe.

At that time, Lily Donge (Calvert) played an integral part working with the tribe and investors in stopping the development of the Geothermal project on the sacred Mt. Shasta.

Standing Rock

Indigenous Community Initiatives President Monique Sonoquie went to Standing Rock protests in-person, providing support in the protests, training, donations of cold weather clothes and camping gear, fundraising and transportation.

Pipeline 3

Indigenous Community Initiatives President Monique Sonoquie went to support the Pipeline 3 protests and was assigned to assist Jane Fonda during her visit.

Indigenous Community Initatives President Monique Sonoquie and

Vice-President Lex Felicilda helped fundraise through partnership with PIKO to donate food/meals, winter clothing, camping gear, gas cards and cleaning supplies. Sonoquie camped at Mauna Kea in support of protecting the sacred mountain.

Mauna Kea

Current Projects

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The Indigenous Community Initiatives President Monique Sonoquie, Vice-President Lex Felicilda, Treasurer Lily Donge have participated in the 2017, 2019 and 2021 KAʻEHU Planning workshops and were a part of the Kaʻehu Planning Consortium. Working with Director Kuʻuleinani Maunupau throughout the long-term planning process at Kaʻehu Bay, the ICI team helped with programs, projects, grant writing, and website and technical assistance.

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Malama 'Ae Kai

Ka'ehu in partnership with Jean-Michel Cousteau and the Ocean Futures Society created the Mālama 'Ae Kai (Coastal Caretakers) program to help restore Kaʻehu Bay. Jean-Michel Cousteau and OFS will work with their staff and team of scientists over the next 3 years to help restore the coral reefs, marine life, shoreline and coastal wetlands. Mālama 'Ae Kai (Coastal Caretakers) will be "Integrating Traditional Hawaiian Stewardship Practices and Modern Scientific Approaches to climate change and shoreline restoration.

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#OurStories

ICI has been working with Indigenous Storytellers to support the Na Moʻolelo ʻŌiwi (Hawaiian Storytelling). This is a partnership with KAʻEHU, Michael Palmieri, Project Kuleana and the Maui High School digital Media club. We are currently developing projects to support native storytellers, musicians, videographers and artists.

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Samoa

ICI Board Secretary Sosefina Nepo, along with PIKO and Johnson Designs are in discussion to plan, design and build a community and health center in America Samoa. This 5 year project is delayed due to covid. A site-visit is planned for the summer of the Summer of 2022 or when travel opens up.

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- Future Projects -

Future Projects of ICI will focus on Indigenous Community Development & Sustainability to provide resources and opportunities to native peoples and future generations.