Our Mission Four Directions Network unites an international grassroots movement of both native and non-native people from the four directions working together to empower strong, sovereign, and sustainable Indigenous communities rooted in traditional culture and a balanced relationship with our relations, and our Mother, the Earth. A Unique History Preparation for the Four Directions Network (originally Four Directions Relief Project) began in early August 2005, when signs appeared fortelling of the three powerful hurricanes that would come to be known a Katrina, Rita and Wilma. Originally, the Four Directions Relief Project was formed to provide culturally appropriate, grassroots disaster relief to the Indigenous communities of coastal Louisiana, now facing damage from Katrina and Rita. In collaboration with tribal leaders, Four Directions immediately began facilitating relief supplies to the native communities south of Houma, Louisiana. Working to redirect a small portion of the volunteer and material supplies from New Orleans and Mississippi to native communities, Four Directions was able to create tremendous success with a growing network of volunteers and collaborating organizations. This became known as our Coastal Tribes Project. In January 2006, Four Directions was honored to assist members of the White Mountain Apache nation who were being exploited by unscrupulous contractors in New Orleans. Also in January, we changed our name to Four Directions Solidarity Network and finalized fiscal sponsorship with the Cloud Forest Institute to support the emerging long term vision of the organization. In February we participated in the International Indian Treaty Council meeting at Traditional Seminole Nation land in Central Florida. In the spring of 2006, Four Directions began the Strongheart Project in support of Cante Tenza, the Strongheart Civil Rights Movement based out of the Lakota Nation. Offering mutual assistance, noted activist Canupa Gluha Mani (Duane Martin Sr.) of Cante Tenza traveled to coastal Louisiana to support the preservation and reclaiming of traditional culture. In August of 2006, Four Directions formally ended hurricane relief operations in Louisiana while continuing support of those leaders trying to preserve traditional culture. A representative was invited to participate in a speaking tour in Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany to discuss Indigenous sovereignty and our work in Louisiana. During this time we represented our work at 18 different venues connecting with hundreds of individuals and many NGOs. During 2007, we continued our partnership with the Strongheart. During summer 2007, we participated as members of the Indigenous Advisory Committee to the United States Social Forum and as part of the Indigenous Delegation. In August 2007, we continued our education work in Europe by spending time with German youth of the NAJU environmental organization and also participated in another speaking tour reaching community groups and NGOs. We also met with the Indigenous Sorb people of southeast Germany. 2008 brought support of the Lakota Freedom Delegation in the Lakota withdrawal from their treaties with the US Government and the renewed focus on the voices of the Lakota oyate (people) in the reestablishment of a free and independent Lakota nation. Our name was changed to Four Directions Network to more clearly articulate our vision. We are also assisted our friends in Louisiana in the aftermath of Hurricane Felix and began preparations for our 2009 SE Nations Project. Our Symbol The symbol of our work unites four hand prints aligned in the sacred directions - East, South, West and North. The handprint is a universal symbol, and each hand is a different color honoring the four tribes of Mother Earth. The colors can be aligned in many ways fitting each culture's traditions. The sun and moon share the background symbolizing our guidance from the Ancestors and Spirits. The symbol embodies our deep commitment to unite Indigenous people from the four directions, in a traditional way, during this time of great change.

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Our work is deeply rooted in the power of traditional ways. Three great storms - Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma hit the Gulf Coast in fall of 2005 sparking the formation of Four Directions. Four Directions participated in the Indigenous Delegation to the 2007 United States Social Forum.