Each year AIITCO goes above and beyond set goals. This past year, with fewer membership involvement, AIITCO successfully helped or educated numerous organizations on American Indians. Assistants was provided to the elderly and children on the Dineh (Navaho) Indian reservation in Arizona. Some assistant was given to special children with books assistance to college bound students.

*May 07: An Elder holds tightly to a fleece blanket given to her from AIITCO. She cannot believe the generous gift from people she doesn’t KNOW. Angiebah in red ensures the elders receive items mostly in need. Your gifts brings joy to those without. Thank you AIITCO staff and members. Gifts were given out during a High School Graduation in May 07.

*Jun 07: AIITCO President Travels to Arizona " Relaxation in Dinetah"
Thanks to my daughter Natika, I was able to visit our reservation in Arizona. We had a great time and it was super to visit with my sisters, nieces and grand kids. The first thing we did was visit the Tuba City Flea Market. Nothing like Navaho fry bread so the first stop was get a frybread. It was delicious and tasted great? All 1 inch thick and 10 inches wide, golden brown. The only thing I asked the cook was... can she bless it! A strange look came over her face. I asked her to put a little sprinkle of sand on it. She said don’t worry, it has been blessed already. It was delicious. During our visit, I had a chance to visit with the children AIITCO has been support for the past few years. To see first hand the work AIITCO does was rewarding. The staff & parents were very thankful and assured them that I will past on their thanks to AIITCO.

*Jul 07: 10th Annual Native American Powwow at Del Grosso’s Amusement Park, Tipton, PA. Chuck, Danita and Natika travel as traders to the Powwow in Pennsylvania. Chuck passed out flyers and information on AIITCO mission and the upcoming powwow.

*July 07: While on a vacation trip to Tuba City, my sister Mary introduced me to a woman name Susan. The woman was shopping for supplies to do beadwork in my sister’s store. My sister told her, this is my brother and he is with the organization who helped you with some funds. It turns out that the woman was is in pretty sad shape last winter and was freezing in her trailer. She didn’t have any money to pay for gas so the gas company wouldn't refill her tanks to heat her home. Angiebah heard of her need and helped her with money and paid for her electricity and gas to have her utilities turned back on. She was so grateful and wished me to thank the rest of the AIITCO family for helping her through hard times. Mary’s Bead Store (my other sister) gave her beading supplies to get started with crafts and to get back on her feet. She has since been doing well.

Here is her letter to AIITCO:

July 17, 2007- Dear Chuck & Members,
I want to thanks you for the money. I didn’t have any heat in my home. The money was used to purchase some gas. I really appreciate you and Angie for support. Mary and Angie are so helpful in the community. I always enjoy just stopping off at the shop to visit them.
Thanks and may our Heavenly Father continue to bless you.
Love,
Susan Gregg
P.O. Box 625
Tuba City, Az 86045

* Sep 07: AIITCO was invited as the official Food booth at Vienna Maryland Powwow, Sep 8 & 9. AIITCO members worked the food booth while other worked hard at making frybread. Others worked over the hot grill cooking burgers and hot dogs. Working the Kitchen can have a variety of drawback for those who aren’t used to hard work. Take a look at Momma Pat. (a photo was provided showing her rattling the screen) Funds taken in from the powwow goes to the central fund for AIITCO.

* Oct 07: Presentation at Allegany Community College in Cumberland Maryland. Chuck Tsinnie travels to the Alegany Community College in Cumberland Maryland.
Chuck set up a large display and passed on information on the mission of AITTCO. He set up a jewelry display and brought a cradle board, his handmade bows, his drums and drawing to include a 1 hour presentation he gave to students and faculty in the theater. Subject he covered was his life in the military and problem encountered due to discrimination. He provided flyers for the upcoming AIITCO powwow in October and AIITCO membership forms. The School thanked Chuck and AIITCO for raveling to Alegany Community College to speak on American Indians.

*Oct 07: 23rd Annual AIITCO Pow Wow held at St. Benedict Monastery in Bristow, Virginia. Rain, rain and more rain threaten to put a damper on the AIITCO Powwow, but it didn’t. The AIITCO crew led by Jimmy Rinehart set up the arbor and completed the arena, the Kitchen which moved to the east end of the building, all completed in the rain. Traders started coming in on Thursday but were unable to set up until Friday noon. All in all, 26 trader come to support the Annual powwow. Although it rained non-stop from Wednesday to 6:30 a.m. Saturday Morning, the powwow began. Thank you AIITCO Staff and the Powwow committee for making this powwow a more than just a powwow event but rather a great learning place to enlighten visiting customers on who the American Indian people are.

A Special Thanks to the Traders who travel long hours to support the event. The powwow had many dancers and traders from all over the country. I want to thank the traders who made it to our powwow for without you, the powwow is not complete. Traders not only bring a wealth of goods, handmade items for customers to buy, they bring a wide range of information, experiences, and knowledge of their nations and individuality to share with the people who came. The personal workmanship and artistry they put into clothing, potteries, decorations, painting, and their stories are worth its weight in gold. Thank you traders for being the wonderful teachers of our Culture.

17 Nov 07: Charlotte Hall Veteran’s Trip - HAD A BALL!
We want to thank all those who gave up their day off to make sure there was enough staff to help with all the Veterans. Chuck had a wonderful picture/poster/drawing exhibit. Between Jimmy & Chuck, they gave a great presentation. Had alot of show and tell. The ladies danced for everyone. We even had a give-a-way for all the staff. And it turned into a REAL traditional give-a-way....Janice and Amanda had to give their shawls away. It was great! Thanks to the AIITCO members who showed up and supported:
Ceclia & Jimmy Rinehart, Paul Rinehart, Toni & Dave Dorvitt, Amanda Gray, Danny (Amanda's beau), Janice Bevins and Chuck Tsinnie.

 

Here is a letter from the Tuba City Primary School (Low Incidence Program dated Dec 20, 07.

Dear AIITCO,
On behalf of the LI staff, students and parents, we would like to personally thank you for your donations. With your support, you have put a big SMILES on your friends faces miles away and made it possible for them to have a merry, merry Christmas.
Our students were much excited and happy to see their name on a present under our classroom Christmas tree...it was a joy to see a big smile on their precious face. Your support has always been very helpful, big or little.
Your support is great appreciated. Your sincere gratitude will always be remembered and we can never thank you enough. May the comfort of your family warm your heart, and have a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year!

Ahe’ee,
LI Staff, Students Parents

 

Letter from the very people you help on the Navaho reservation in Arizona makes me proud to know you. Once again, you have made these children happy. The parents are very grateful and I too thank you the AIITCO Staff for the super assistance you give to our people in need.

From Chuck Tsinnie, Dineh, President of AIITCO

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The American Indian Inter-Tribal Cultural Organization, Inc. accomplishment for 2004 

The American Indian Inter-tribal Cultural Organization, Inc. (AIITCO) was established in 1983 as a non-profit 501c3 organization incorporated in the State of Maryland and is comprised of members from numerous American Indian backgrounds and interested non-American Indians. The members are dedicated to education and offers its members the experience of learning different tribal histories, customs and traditions. The result of this cross- cultural sharing is the further preservation of the American Indian heritage, and affords its members -- both Indian and non-Indian -- the opportunity for active involvement in the organization. 

AIITCO continues to work hard in bringing the American Indian culture to those who wish to know more. AIITCO members as a group and sometimes as individuals provide cultural information to schools, community centers and the general public. AIITCO holds monthly meetings at a local church and also at members homes. Throughout the year, AIITCO is involved in numerous projects and programs, some locally and at American Indian Reservations. Here are some of the good things AIITCO has done this year.

Camp Sunrise: On August 4th, AIITCO members traveled to Camp Sunrise, 30 miles north of Baltimore for an all day presentation to children coping with cancer. AIITCO Staff gave five 1 hour presentation on American Indians and held craft making with each group of children. AIITCO staff had lunch with the kids and held a group dance. At the end of the day, AIITCO shared frybread and presented each child who attended an American Indian motif embroidered baseball cap. 

20th Annual Powwow: AIITCO hosts two major events each year, an annual two-day powwow and a Veteran's Powwow. These events help raise funds to sponsor education and other cultural events. This past year, AIITCO celebrated the 20th Annual Powwow at St. Benedict Monastery, Bristow, Virginia. This two-day event helped raise funds for the many ministries of the Benedictine Sisters. Hundreds of people came out to share in the celebration of great American Indian crafts, music and dancing.

National Museum of the American Indian:AIITCO members helped the American Indian Society of Washington DC in the Grand Opening of the National Museum of the American Indian on September 21, 2004. Thousands of American Indians from every corner of the Nation came to be in the opening parade. The procession for American Indians lasted over 4 hrs.

National American Indian Heritage Month: November is set aside to pay respect and honor the American Indian throughout America. AIITCO staff also made three presentations during the National American Indian Heritage Month during November. AIITCO was on hand to help with events honoring American Indians during November. AIITCO members assisted and helped organized a mini powwow at Bolling Air Force Base on November 1. The Piscataway Indian Nation Dance Troupe drummed, sang and danced. AIITCO was on hand for the November 10 food tasting event also held at Bolling AFB. Mr Chuck Tsinnie, president of AIITCO manned a booth at several Powwow throughout 2004, explaining the mission of AIITCO. 

American Indian Cultural Presentations: Celi Rinehart participate in South River High School's multi-cultural event on April 23, 2004. Chuck Tsinnie presented a 4 hour seminar/demonstration at Andrews Air Force Base Library on Nov 6. Presentation covered the contributions of American Indians to the United States. Subject manners included artwork, American Indian artifacts, foods and printed materials for all attendees. A 2 hour demonstration on bow making was well received. Boe Harris' presentations to the military community continues to be outstanding. She talks of her family and culture values. She has on many occasions this year represented AIITCO as the Head Lady at several powwows. Numerous other members step up to the plate to represent AIITCO's cultural programs. Presentations were held at a couple of schools and some members such as Janice Bevins who makes beautiful dancing shawls for AIITCO to sell during fundraisers. She donates her time, material and absorbs all cost in making these beautiful items. 

Graydon Frick Memorial Scholarship Fund: AIITCO is presently assisting 7 students through college. One of the primary goals is to assist students with costs in seeking a higher education. 

Helping Hand to our American Indian Elders and Children: Every year, the organization embarks on helping those less fortunate on American Indian Reservations. In February for Valentine’s Day, AIITCO sent a care package to the Elders and children of Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, South Dakota. For this year's Christmas holiday, assistance was given to elders and children living in isolated parts of the Navaho Indian Reservation in Arizona. Clothing for the elders and toys for the children, firewood and coal delivered to needy families to keep them warm. Hygiene essentials as well were bought for those mostly in need. 

AIITCO is an organization with a mission to educate the public, preserve and protect values associated with the culture of the American Indian . As a valued friend of the AIITCO family, you can be a big help in meeting AIITCO's goals. There are several ways this can be accomplished. 

Become a member of AIITCO by paying a membership fee of $18 a year for the entire family which includes children 17 and under or choosing a single membership (ages 18 & older) for $14 per year. 

Volunteering to help the AIITCO staff during fundraising or sponsored events and of course, helping at the annual and Veteran's Powwows. 

If you desire, you can just make a donation in any amount to AIITCO. As a donation, it is tax deductible. Please send check or money order to AIITCO, Twinbrook Station, P.O. Box 775, Rockville, MD 20848.

Once you become a member, of AIITCO, you will receive our newsletter, The Rattle and Drum which highlights monthly meetings and upcoming events. 

More information can be found on the AIITCO homepage at www.aiitco.com or email us at Aiitco@aol.com 

You can also purchase a membership for a friend as a gift. 


Chuck AZ Tsinnie, Dineh
President of AIITCO

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A Special Thank You to Angiebah Tsinnie:  AIITCO's Volunteer of the Month

 Each year AIITCO embarks on helping those less fortunate on American Indian Reservations. This year, AIITCO provided the funds to purchase wood and necessities for the elders living near Tuba City.  Angiebah generously offered to help AIITCO locate needy elders and to distribute wood and other necessities to them.  Elders who lived in poorly insulated homes were the first priority.  She purchased the wood locally and took several loads of wood, delivering them on weekends and using her own vehicle and gas expenses.  

A recent email from her tells of her journey, traveling muddy rut ridden roads (where only her old van could travel) to deliver these items to the elders in isolated outskirts of Tuba City.  Some of the elders were surprised and all were thankful for the free bundles of wood she transported to them.  

The American Indian Inter-Tribal Cultural Organization, Inc. (AIITCO) of Maryland commends the outstanding generosity and volunteerism of Angiebah Tsinnie in helping those elders and children in need during this cold season.  Her unselfishness in Helping The Elders is keeping with the Tradition of Giving.   

Again, Thank you for a job well done.

Visiting Camp Sunrise was one of the highlights of AIITCO's Journey in 2004.

Camp Sunrise: AIITCO met, lectured and provided craft making with Children at Camp Sunrise. They received special embroidered hats and took home the necklaces they made.  These girls enjoyed the Fry Bread.

	August 3, 2004 Chuck Tsinnie, Dineh President of AIITCO