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 ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS, VOLUNTEER FAQ Do you still need volunteers? More than ever. Do you need long-term volunteers and organizers? This is a critical need. In particular, we need long term organizers of indigenous heritage concerned with traditional culture preservation or who have experience doing community education and empowerment. Where is your work located? The main focus of our work is in the bayou communities south of Houma, LA in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes. This area is about 60 miles southwest of New Orleans off US Highway 90. We also work with the Strongheart Civil Rights Movement (Oglala Lakota) and their effort fighting alcohol sales on treaty land in White Clay, Nebraska. In Louisiana, what kind of work are you doing? As of May 2006, the focus of our work is running our community Free Store, rebuilding or replacement of walls, roofs, and siding of damaged homes, organizing gardening projects, and cultural preservation assistance. There is also need for trash pick-up, donations delivery, elder care, and community support assistance. There are some medical needs still unmet but long-term medical volunteers are needed for this work. What is it like there? Work here is in rural communities, in the coastal bayou. People are very proud and independent with a tendency towards good humor and teasing. Many still make a living shrimping, crabbing and working on boats but there are people with all kinds of work backgrounds. Many people have a strong faith and pride for their way of life. Their traditions are disappearing and modern influences are eroding traditional culture. Alcohol and drugs are prevalent which is why we insist on NO DRUGS OR ALCOHOL use by our volunteers. Volunteers are urged to read our About Page and our Principles of Solidarity and Respect. What are some taboos? Curse words, alcohol abuse, and drugs are generally frowned upon, though like many Native American communities, drugs and alcohol are a tremendous problem. Please be respectful of these conditions if you choose to come down. Finally, it's worth remembering these communities are historically isolated and neglected from traditional relief efforts. People are accustomed to making do with what they have and don't respond well to a "charity" mindset. I've heard its nice there, can we take a break from New Orleans and come down? Unfortunately, we've had a few who've decided coming to the bayou is a vacation. They come in, use our resources and do little work. This is very disrespectful. If you need a vacation, go home and rest. Please don't come here. Where will I stay and do I need to bring food? The Four Directions Volunteer Housing is located at: 5666 Highway 56 Chauvin, LA 70344 Phone (985) 860-4360 for information. The Volunteer Housing has been graciously donated by Ronald and Cheryl Courteaux. Ronald is with the BCCM. As this is their home, there are a few simple rules. 1) Respect the Courteaux Family. 2) No drugs. 3) No alcohol on the premises. 3) No smoking in the house. 4) Clean up after yourself! We have outdoor housing in large domes (hold 8-10 people each), a kitchen dome, solar showers and composting toilets. Space for personal tents a couple of RVs is also available. It's getting to be summertime. Temperatures are warm to hot with highs easily in the 80s or 90s. Bugs are pesky. Volunteers are encouraged to donate to the kitchen. How do I get there? Chauvin is located south of Houma, LA on Highway 56. If arriving from New Orleans, take US 90 to the Houma Exit which is past Raceland. This road is LA 182. DO NOT take the first LA 182 which is before Raceland. At the bottom of the ramp take a left. Drive about 4 miles to first traffic light. Take a left on LA 3087. Stay on LA 3087 over large bridge to intersection that has a CVS Pharmacy and McDonalds. Go across metal bridge to the next traffic light. Take a left onto that road which begins as LA 24 but becomes Highway 56. DO NOT follow LA 24 when it turns across the bayou. Take this road past airport and go about 12 miles into Chauvin. House is on the right in front of 50mph sign. What do I do when I get there? Please call or email ahead when you are coming down. Knock on the front door. If no one is home, wait till someone arrives. Please respect the neighbors and do not park in their yards or be loud. Should we bring tools? Volunteers are encouraged to bring tools and other work items. A personal set of heavy work gloves and rubber gloves are also good to have. What donations are needed the most right now? As of May 26, 2005 - the items that are needed most are building materials (via our Chauvin Hardware account or gift cards) and home essentials like appliances, bedding, and furniture. Check out the Make a Difference page for the full list. Four Directions needs monetary donations to buy supplies and maintain our field office. We also need a new lap top and a digital movie camera to advance documentation and funding goals. FOUR DIRECTIONS SOLIDARITY NETWORK SEEKING INDIGENOUS ORGANIZERS Dedicated People Needed for Relief Work, Project Capacity Building May 26, 2006 -- Four Directions Solidarity Network is seeking dedicated and experienced organizers/volunteers from all backgrounds who are interested in: 1) Working in mutual-aid, solidarity with indigenous communities through disasters and other times of change including the current work with the Native American communities of southern Louisiana and Strongheart Civil Rights Movement in Oglala Lakota Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota. 2) Assisting in our long term capacity building work for the organization including obtaining non-profit status, grant writing and fund-raising, development of a rapid-response team, inter-tribal collaborations, and creating the infrastructure for channeling relief resources to indigenous communities in times of need. People of Native American and/or other indigenous heritage are invited to become an integral part of Four Directions leadership. You will join native warriors, activists, healers, and artists who are already involved. Interested individuals should be willing to work in solidarity mutual-aid with indigenous groups - with respect for elders, indigenous leadership, and the preservation of local traditions and culture. Language skills, familiarity and/or experience working with Native American and other indigenous communities is an asset. This is an opportunity to help build a dynamic project to preserve indigenous wisdom and support communities in need through this oft-predicted time of change. Leadership positions on the Four Directions Council are available for committed volunteers. Interested people are invited to review the Four Directions webpage at http://www.eswn.org/index.html and contact Four Directions Solidarity Network at fourdirections (at) riseup.net. At this time, there are no paid staff positions. Organizers are reimbursed for expenses as financial resources allow. |
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