Good morning to all my relations… Allow me first apologize for the length of this post and also if it comes out jumbled, please know it is from the heart that I speak. Often times the Creator will allow me to feel things that I can’t readily explain coherently, but the Creator has laid it on my heart to speak and that is my attempt this morning. As many of you know I had been selected to participate in the North Carolina Leadership Institute sponsored by the American Indian Center at UNC Chapel Hill and what an experience it has been. As we found out this past weekend the program has not ended just yet but we have completed the first leg of our journey. Now we have been charged with taking the knowledge and tools that we have been given and applying them where they are needed most. My gratitude is immeasurable; thank you Creator, American Indian Center, the Advisory committee and all who had a voice/hand in making the Institute a reality. From our very first encounter last November to our most recent Gathering last weekend I had the opportunity to observe and learn about all of you as well as learn more about myself as a Leader for that I am grateful. (Please forgive me if I’ve left anyone out, I promise it would be of the head and not the heart) Amy - Warrior Woman, I have claimed the victory. You are the epitome of a Strong Native American Woman and Leader within our community. Thank you for sharing your dream with those who could see your vision and in turn allowing the Creator to guide you. Its one thing to dream but another to actually follow through, Thank you for the follow through! Randi - Your quiet strength radiates around you, you are an amazing young lady. I loved being in your presence and I look forward to many more opportunities in the future to bask in your loving caring spirit. Christina - I love your “Come at me Bro” spirit! I know without a doubt that with you standing in our corner no one can stand in the way of the Cohort business. You are a wealth of Knowledge and your love and passion for our people is incredible. Nora Dial - Sister of my heart. Thank you for seeing my strengths and abilities before I could. Without you, I would not have had the courage to even have submitted the application. Kerry - Thanks for reminding us that NLI stands for “no longer irrelevant”. I now know why everyone speaks so highly of you. I also wanted to thank you for always checking on me! Irene - I would have never guessed that I would fall in love with an “Am e Rican” :) but that’s just what happened! Thank you for sharing so much of You with me. Brittany - You are an remarkable young woman and I thank you for giving so much more than was expected of you. Alex & Vinnie - I love your Old School get it done Knowledge and Mentality. I am very glad I had an opportunity to get to know you. You are certainly about Native business and sharing with others around you. I’m looking forward to bringing our groups together in the future (s/n you guys are nuts, I learned way more than I wanted to know lol love you guys). Mark - I am so glad that I am able to count you as a friend and brother! I love your quiet strength. I can’t wait to sit down and listen to you. I know you have much to say and I am an eager listener. Kay , Symphony, Karen, Vibrina- Strong Sisters, You represent our cohort to the fullest and I am proud to have gotten to know you. You ladies are most definitely carving paths and I count it as a blessing to walk with you anytime. Teryn, Jeremy, Lydia, Christopher, Leslie, Jennifer - you guys are a wonderful example of youth done right! We hear you and you most definitely have spoken loud and clear. Each of you is wise beyond your years Keep on keeping on and I am blessed to have experienced your exuberance. I absolutely love your enthusiasm! I am grateful that I have had the opportunity to spend time with you and I know that one day I’ll be sitting back saying “wow I knew they were going to make it happen” as I beam with pride. Charlene & Lana- I am glad that I got to hear much of your Story of the past few months. Now that you have started, never give up on learning who you are and where you come from. Know that I am here if you ever need me. Greg Jacobs - Strong man that you are. You are one of most compassionate people that I have ever had the pleasure of meeting and I thank you for sharing just a little of that with me and I look forward to a future of collaborations. Tonia - Little sister, what can I say, I “feel” your spirit and it is beautiful to me. You are wise beyond your years and you are an absolute asset to our future. Tony, Chad, and Marty- I most defiantly want all of you in my corner if I ever find myself hemmed up. The 3 of you are a wealth of knowledge and the passion and love for our people is clearly evident when you speak. I am looking forward to future endeavors with each of you. Kim- Sister of my Soul… from the moment our paths crossed there has been a connection between us and YOU do refuel my spirit always. Thank you for your healing presence! Ms Marvel & Ms Juanita- You ladies are simply remarkable to me and I want to be just like you when I grow up! I love you guys so much. Thank you for sharing your loving spirit with me over the past few months Thank you to all of my Family and Friends who have been an incredible support system to me over the past 6 months.
Posted on: Mon, 07 Apr 2014 16:57:39 +0000
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