PICEI News and Updates

Submitted by PICEI

Bringing the community up to date on PICEI last year’s cultural tour, let us review the project “ALL CULTURES ARE NATIONAL TREASURES” and other events during the summer months.

The “All Cultures Are National Treasures” project took both PICEI youth and elders to Washington D.C. from July 29 to August 2, 2010. It was a memorable event, which helps to bridge both the generations and cultures.

PICEI has Akwesasne to thank for sponsoring two of the events for the Mohawk youth and the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne for the transportation of the group to and from Akwesasne as well as transportation during the group’s stay in Washington. Congressman Owens provided the group with tickets to the Capital and Hall of Congress. Most of the group found this part of their trip extremely interesting. PICEI wishes to thank Congressman Owens for his efforts to support the group as well.

Many of the participants on the cultural tour found the most exciting part was the Indian Museum, which housed several cultures within the native culture. PICEI recommends that when visiting Washington DC, the National Museum of the American Indian is an important one to see.

The White House was under a type of alert status during PICEI’s trip, therefore they were not able to visit.

The participants that traveled with PICEI wore traditional clothing when visiting the Capital.

Everyone enjoyed the international foods at the NMAI. The participants did hands-on crafts with the Native Argentinean artists during the morning, and then attended an IMAX 3D film. The movie was superb and the African music added great excitement as it told a story of people preserving the fish in the sea in South Africa.

The trip down the Potomac River was nice. Everyone dined in the Mall Cultural Restaurant when they first arrived in beautiful Alexandra Bay. Afterwards the group enjoyed the magic shows. Some of the children had self-portraits done. The elders took time to sit and watch the youth having fun until very late into the night.

On June 19, PICEI hosted the “Recital in the Park” in Fort Covington for Music Students of Carl Patterson, Jr. The students had the opportunity to play with local and professional musicians. This event was well attended by locals, the family of the students and friends.

On July 17, Nancy Child of Malone hosted a meet and greet at her home for PICEI to give others the opportutniy to learn more about the organization. PICEI was appreciative of the hospitality shown by Nancy and her husband, John.

Now, looking forward to the coming year 2011, the PICEI organization is planning its annual Cultural Cruise Seminar on October 27 to November 5, 2011. This cruise will visit San Juan, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, Samana, Dominican Republic and Labadee, Haiti for as little as $750.00 plus taxes based on 2 to a cabin and $660.00 plus taxes based on 3 to a cabin. None refundable $200.00 deposit is due October 20, 2010. For additional information, call 518 358 9942, 1 866 660 5116 or 518 358 9517. Ask how you can go free.