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The East Tennessee Indian League Keeping the Spirit Alive
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The East Tennesse Indian League FAQs - About Us
The East Tennessee Indian League is a non-profit, non-political, educational organization which works to promote diversity and the understanding of Native American Culture and People. Please see our frequently asked questions below, and browse our site using the links above. If you have additional questions not answered on the site, please feel free to contact us.
The ETIL is the sponsor of the Knoxville powwow, which we have held for more than 16 years. The powwow is a good way to share and educate the public about Native American culture. However, we do a number of other things as well. We hold social gatherings, art and craft classes, visit local schools to do educational demonstrations, and much more. One of our well-attended events is our Regalia Party, which we hold prior to the powwow each year. Members get together and work on their regalia, sharing and learning with each other. To learn more about the League, please visit us at one of our meetings, or continue to explore this site.
- Is Membership to the East Tennessee Indian League restricted? Answer
- Does the ETIL give to the needy? Answer
- What other kinds of activities do League members participate in? Answer
- Why doesn't the ETIL participate in political demonstrations and related political activities? Don't they care about the rights of all Native Americans? Answer
- Does the ETIL help with Genealogy Research? Answer
- Does the ETIL provide answers to language-related questions? Answer
Is Membership to the East Tennessee Indian League restricted?
The East Tennessee Indian League invites people from all backgrounds to participate. The only qualifications for membership are an active interest in the League's goals, activities, and values. The ETIL is open to all people who share a sincere interest and respect for all things Native American. Perhaps you want to learn about Native American culture, or volunteer in a community non-profit organization. Though many of our members are Native American, we also have members from many other backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, age, or sex. The East Tennessee Indian League is not a tribe. We are an organization created to promote an understanding of the culture, heritage, and contributions of Native Americans in this Country.
Does the ETIL give to the needy?
The East Tennessee Indian League is a Non-Profit Educational organization. At times, the League will organize community service projects to provide donations of food, clothing, toys, or school supplies to needy families in areas reaching as far as the Qualla Boundary in Cherokee, North Carolina. This is considered one of our ongoing projects. We do not receive any government funds, but rely solely on donations, fund-raising activities, volunteers, and the generosity of our own members to finance such projects. For this reason, we do not provide assistance year-round but instead do these projects as resources allow.
The main focus of the East Tennessee Indian League is Education. Projects such as those mentioned above are activities we do in addition to our main work. Members of the ETIL visit schools, participate in festivals, and other activities in order to promote and foster a more accurate image of the Native American. Each ETIL member is committed to doing what they can to further this cause. We hope that these activities will be a valuable contribution to our community.
What other kinds of activities do League members participate in?
In addition to providing educational services to area schools and organizations, the Indian League frequently has craft classes for its members. Our most popular event is the Regalia party, where members of the League and friends meet in order to work on various projects. This is a great opportunity to learn something new! Projects in the past have included fans, fringe rolling, dresses, grass-dance outfits, shawls, fans, and beading, among other things. We also have group craft classes which normally will be planned to take place after a meeting. Members can make requests for topics to be covered. We also have guest speakers and demonstrations.
Also, members of the League often get together to visit powwows or do other activities together as a group. We hold an October reception and Christmas party each year so that the members have a chance to get together and just enjoy each other's company.
Why doesn't the ETIL participate in political demonstrations and related political activities? Don't they care about the rights of all Native Americans?
The members of the ETIL understand that political issues are important and relevant to all people. We certainly do not condone the mistreatment of anyone, nor the violation of anyone's rights. However, the purpose of the ETIL is to educate people and foster a more realistic image of today's American Indian. Our hope is to provide an environment where people can relax, feel comfortable, and most importantly ...a place for people to teach and learn! We attempt to provide a positive atmosphere which is conducive to learning.
Although political debates and activities have their place in society, in our opinion they do not often offer a relaxed environment and are not in line with our goals. We do not gather as an organization for political purposes, although understandably each ETIL member may have his/her own political views seperate from their activities and association with the League. We have not created a set of political beliefs to represent the League because we are not a political organization. However, we feel our contribution in the area of education fills another role apart from politics which is important not to be overlooked.
Does the ETIL help with Genealogy Research?
Unfortunately, the ETIL does not have the resources to provide personal genealogy research for its members nor for the community at this time. However, we do encourage you to join us to learn more about your heritage and culture.
Does the ETIL provide answers to language-related questions?
The ETIL is an intertribal organization, which means we have members from many different backgrounds. Although some of our members do study and speak Native American Languages, we can not provide answers to specific language questions at this time (for example: questions such as, "how do I say _____ in Cherokee?"). However, there are many valuable resources available in libraries and on the web. In addition, once you become involved as a member in the ETIL, you may just meet someone who has similar interests with whom you can share information.
Do you have a Question to ask the League that is not covered in the above FAQs or elsewhere on the site? Please feel free to contact us. Visit the contact page for more information on how to do that. Please first check the other links at the top of the page, because you may find your question answered there.
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