Disaster Relief Donation Drive Held for the Tunica Biloxi Tribe Affected by Hurricane Harvey

 

Group picture of Donation Drive volunteers and organizers (L to R): Dave Mainville, Todd Papineau, Natalie Hemlock, Alec Oakes and Christopher Cook.

A group of individuals came together this past weekend and held a donation drive to help out our fellow First Nation Community affected by the recent hurricanes. After the recent Hurricane Harvey hit Texas and surrounding areas, the Tunica Biloxi Tribe put a call out to Indian Country for aid after they had been impacted by the devastating hurricane. The Tribe located in both Texas and Louisiana need help to rebuild their homes and their communities. The Tribe has already set up a GoFundMe to accept monetary donation from across the country. Although the donation drive in Akwesasne was only for two days on September 15th and 16th, anyone who wishes to help out can still make a monetary donation to the Tunica-Biloxi Tribal Members Harvey Relief fund at http://www.gofundme.com/tunicabiloxiharveyrelief.

The donation drive took place this past weekend on September 15th and 16th, in the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Police Parking lot. The donation drive was organized by a group of individuals who heard the call out and felt they needed to act. A grassroots group was formed, called Nation 2 Nation, specifically for this cause. The individuals who did such a great job organizing the drive were Matt Rourke, Tribal PD Chief; Natalie Hemlock, Tribal Corporate Compliance; Todd Papineau, Tribal Gaming Commission; Dave Mainville, Brass Horse and the Akwesasne Convenience Store Association. The Nation 2 Nation organization was able to pull off a two-day donation drive with the help of many volunteers. A total of 36 volunteers stopped in to lend a hand in any way they could during the drive.

Natalie Hemlock, one of the organizers of the Disaster Relief Donation Drive stated, "I want to thank the community for their overwhelming support with the donations and volunteers. We were able to help another First Nation community in their time of need." The donation drive ended on Saturday evening with a truckload filled with non-perishable items, cleaning supplies, first-aid items, personal care products, paper products and baby and infant supplies. Individuals and businesses also made monetary donations during the donation drive.

Hurricane Relief Donation Drive items donated by the Community of Akwesasne.

The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe are aware of the efforts that Akwesasne has taken to help their tribal members in their time of great need.

Brenda W. Litinger, Council member of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana stated, "We are so very grateful for all that the St. Regis Mohawk are doing to assist our tribal members in this time of need. We pray that your tribe will always be blessed with the generosity that you have shown to others. From our hearts to yours, Tikahch!!"

All of the items and money collected during the donation drive will make its way out to the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe next week, by a volunteer driver who has graciously agreed to deliver the items. There is no middleman or organization involved, besides the individuals who put together the donation drive in Akwesasne. All of the proceeds will go directly to the Tunica-Biloxi tribal members, with everyone getting an equal share.

 

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