Yellowstone - A Path for 6500
Donation protected
This campaign was created by Chairman of the Little Shell Tribe Gerald Gray with Stacy Bennin assisting.
It is unfortunate that the image of American Indians is often portrayed as afflicted, uncivilized and living off of government money with an attitude of entitlement. We are the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana and we would like to play a role in correcting that misconception. We are the eighth Montana Indian tribe. Due to a fraudulently signed "ten cent treaty" followed by an ethnic cleansing via the “Cree Deportation Act” in the 1890s we do not have a reservation and we do not receive any federal aid. We struggle to maintain our tribal unity, preserve our language, values, and other important aspects of our culture while working hard daily to provide for our families. You can read more about our history here. - http://www.manataka.org/page688.html
Our volunteer elected leadership is working to create a uniquely designed, socially responsible, self-sustaining tribal community that is a benefit to both our members and the economy. Our vision is to help bring back the image of pride and integrity native people once had.
In the last two years we have established a cultural center, a small event center, and purchased an income producing commercial building. Also, with the help of a Little Shell member owned advertising company we have set up a website to assist in preserving native languages which you can find here. - http://www.speaklittleshell.org
Additionally, due to the generosity of another Little Shell member we have recently purchased a red and white travertine quarry on the border of Yellowstone National Park in Gardiner, MT. It contains a conservatively estimated 8 million tons of stone which is enough to provide jobs and income for many generations. We have spent the last year researching and developing relationships with buyers and we have found this quarry is well known and the stone is in high demand, both locally and nationally.
850,000 tons of travertine is sold in the US each year most of which has been imported from, Turkey, Italy, Iran, Peru and Mexico. We have the opportunity to introduce white and rare red Montana/American Indian made building material and stone products into the global market.
We are very excited to begin this endeavor however we have hit a road block. We have sought financing to obtain the final equipment we need to begin quarrying, to no avail. We already made the down payment on two Italian quarry saws but before they can be shipped we must pay the entire $350K balance.
At this point, we are setting up this fundraising campaign and turning to our community. We humbly ask you to please help us take this next step. Thanks to "Go Fund Me" and their concept of a little bit from many the lives of so many people have been changed. This campaign could change the lives of at least 6300 American Indians.
Any donation is greatly appreciated, will be stewarded well, and will contribute to creating a positive future for Montana's Little Shell Tribe.
Yellowstone Travertine Facebook page and pictures:
https://www.facebook.com/yellowstonetravertine
Related Articles:
Little Shell – Running on empty:
http://nativenews.jour.umt.edu/2013/?page_id=28
Little Shell Recognition update:
https://zinke.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/zinke-calls-house-advance-little-shell-recognition
It is unfortunate that the image of American Indians is often portrayed as afflicted, uncivilized and living off of government money with an attitude of entitlement. We are the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana and we would like to play a role in correcting that misconception. We are the eighth Montana Indian tribe. Due to a fraudulently signed "ten cent treaty" followed by an ethnic cleansing via the “Cree Deportation Act” in the 1890s we do not have a reservation and we do not receive any federal aid. We struggle to maintain our tribal unity, preserve our language, values, and other important aspects of our culture while working hard daily to provide for our families. You can read more about our history here. - http://www.manataka.org/page688.html
Our volunteer elected leadership is working to create a uniquely designed, socially responsible, self-sustaining tribal community that is a benefit to both our members and the economy. Our vision is to help bring back the image of pride and integrity native people once had.
In the last two years we have established a cultural center, a small event center, and purchased an income producing commercial building. Also, with the help of a Little Shell member owned advertising company we have set up a website to assist in preserving native languages which you can find here. - http://www.speaklittleshell.org
Additionally, due to the generosity of another Little Shell member we have recently purchased a red and white travertine quarry on the border of Yellowstone National Park in Gardiner, MT. It contains a conservatively estimated 8 million tons of stone which is enough to provide jobs and income for many generations. We have spent the last year researching and developing relationships with buyers and we have found this quarry is well known and the stone is in high demand, both locally and nationally.
850,000 tons of travertine is sold in the US each year most of which has been imported from, Turkey, Italy, Iran, Peru and Mexico. We have the opportunity to introduce white and rare red Montana/American Indian made building material and stone products into the global market.
We are very excited to begin this endeavor however we have hit a road block. We have sought financing to obtain the final equipment we need to begin quarrying, to no avail. We already made the down payment on two Italian quarry saws but before they can be shipped we must pay the entire $350K balance.
At this point, we are setting up this fundraising campaign and turning to our community. We humbly ask you to please help us take this next step. Thanks to "Go Fund Me" and their concept of a little bit from many the lives of so many people have been changed. This campaign could change the lives of at least 6300 American Indians.
Any donation is greatly appreciated, will be stewarded well, and will contribute to creating a positive future for Montana's Little Shell Tribe.
Yellowstone Travertine Facebook page and pictures:
https://www.facebook.com/yellowstonetravertine
Related Articles:
Little Shell – Running on empty:
http://nativenews.jour.umt.edu/2013/?page_id=28
Little Shell Recognition update:
https://zinke.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/zinke-calls-house-advance-little-shell-recognition
Organizer and beneficiary
Stacy Adell Bennin
Organizer
Billings Metropolitan Area, MT
Colleen Hill
Beneficiary
