ONWARD Page 2 March 2004

We will continue to come together at our Moravian Church Days, the children will go to camp, the Daily Texts will be printed. We will do everything so that God’s light will shine in our hearts every day anew.

SCHAGTICOKE RECOGNITION IN COURT

DERBY, CONN, - Sputtering state politicians are vowing to appeal the January 29 federal recognition of the Schaghticoke people, but a legal twist in the case leaves open where they could take their complaint and how long they could draw it out..

Attorney General Richard Blumenthal met Feb. 4 with officials from about a dozen Fairfield County cities and towns to discuss an appeal he said the state would file within the next several weeks with the Interior Board of Indian Appeals (IBIA). We are mapping a joint strategy for an appeal which certainly the state will undertake and we hope the cities and towns will join, he told reporters.

Recognition came under a timetable supervised by a federal court, and it requires negotiation among the parties over where to take the appeal. Negotiations will be ongoing for the 30 days following the recognition decision, said Barbara Coen of Interior’s Office of the Solicitor, branch of Tribal Government and Alaska. The talks might be tough going, however. Attorney General Blumenthal has said that he would not waive his right to appeal to the IBIA.

The announcement on the afternoon of Jan. 29 brought an outburst of celebration at tribal headquarters in this small mill city in the heart of the state’s once thriving manufacturing region. About 100 tribal members cheered and a drum group beat a victory song as the news emerged from a tribal council conference call with then acting BIA head Aurene Martin.

Schaghticoke Tribal Nation Chief Richard Velky is pushing a land claim suit for 2,150 acres surrounding the reservation, some of which are now in the hands of the private Kent School, the Connecticut Light and Power Utility, and the Town of Kent. U.S Court Judge Peter Dorsey supervised the timetable to tribal recognition to move these cases along.

The Schaghticokes are an amalgamated tribe descended from the Weantinock and Potatuck Tribes who first made contact with European settlers in northwest Connecticut. For much of the 18^th century, their community in Kent was tended to by the Moravian Brothers, whose records were crucial to the successful drive for recognition. (From Indian Country Today, March 2)

CHEROKEE-MORAVIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY IS NOW AN OFFICIAL GROUP

A very successful organizational meeting for the proposed Cherokee-Moravian Historical Society was held on Saturday, February 21, where over 40 people selected a slate of officers, and adopted by-laws, and approved application for a tax-exempt certificate. Br. Jack Baker, President of the Trail of Tears Association, was present and spoke on his personal family history that was touched by the Moravian missionaries. A wonderful list of scholars and authors was presented, who are at work or have published books in our field of interest and would be among proposed leaders to present programs for at least two local meetings per year. A third meeting would be held in such places within several hours drive, such as Springplace, GA, where we could meet with trained historians and Cherokee officials to widen our world. We also would plan a trip when possible to New Springplace, OK, where there are many institutions and leaders whom we can get to know personally. With academic leaders who are hard at work on this rapidly developing field of studies, there are many exciting people who can stimulate interest far beyond our local Moravians. People from distant places can join the Society, and help sponsor programs and receive printed papers as they are available and participate in our visits to outlying centers when able. If you are interested in joining the Cherokee-Moravian Historical Society, the details can be received from the president, Sr. Anna Smith by phone at 336.724.0646, or by e-mail at CherokeeMoravian@aol.com or by mail at PO Box 15523 Winston-Salem, NC 27113. Dues are $20 per year.

Another opportunity to learn about our Moravian history of our mission to the Cherokee is to take part in the next Trail of Tears Tour 2004, It is September 9-19, and costs $950 per person d/o, for 11 days with most meals and all other expenses covered. To receive a free brochure with the planned itinerary call me at 336.922.5858 or email me at Bethsalem@triad.rr.com, or write me at 1116 Tommy’s Lake Rd, Winston-Salem, NC 27105. Thank you for your support. JHG

WORLD MISSION SHOP’S 2003 GRANTS

The Board of World Mission Shop met in January to disburse funds for profits of the year 2003. Because the building is in need of some major repairs, the funds disbursed were limited until we know repair costs.

Profits were disbursed in the following ways:

Rukwa Churches – Africa $1,000.00

Sumbawamge Bible School 1,500.00

Labrador Development 2,500.00

Sikonge Hospital – Africa 1,000.00

Mbeya Hospital – Africa 1,000.00

Nicaraguan pastors salaries 1,800.00

Iran Earthquake fund 500.00

AIDS orphans fund – Africa 1,000.00

Local Winston-Salem agencies 1,560.00

Miscellaneous 450.00

We are grateful to the staff and volunteers whose hard work touches the lives of many around the world.