NAFPS Forum
General => Research Needed => Topic started by: pemibear on August 10, 2015, 04:52:25 am
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https://www.facebook.com/nolumbekaproject?fref=ts
This organization has a lot of good work to protect and restore sacred sites. However, I grew concerned as I realized that there were a lot of frauds in and around the organization. When confronted, they become quite defensive.
President, Joe Graveline, claims to be Cherokee and Abenaki and was leading and charging for sweats and other ceremonies on his land for years, though I believe that as more authentic Native people have become involved in festivities, he may be more on the down-low regarding leading his own sweats. http://nolumbekaproject.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_2151.html
They continue to bring Loril Moondream to festivals to promote the project, despite my notifying them that she is a fraud. I met her years ago and she told me she was "adopted by the Cherokee people"! This is from their FB photos: Loril Moondream at the tipi with traditional children's games in the foreground, Pocumtuck Homelands Festival 2014. Pocumtuck Homelands Festival 2015, a celebration of Native American art, music, and culture, will take place on Saturday, August 1, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m., at Unity Park Waterfront, 1st Street, Turners Falls, MA, The event will feature activities that appeal to all ages, including children. There will be music and vendors, a wigwam and tipi to visit, an authentic birch bark canoe to examine, storytelling, traditional games, and primitive skills demonstrations! The festival is free and handicapped accessible.
Apache storyteller Loril Moondream (pictured above) of Medicine Mammals will present two sessions of spellbinding tales from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and from 4:00 – 4:45 p.m. Medicine Mammals are also bringing traditional Native American children’s games that will be available throughout the day. There will be one session of children’s crafts ($2 fee) from 12:30 to 1:15 p.m. All of these activities will take place at the tipi. https://www.facebook.com/nolumbekaproject/photos/pb.503964243028350.-2207520000.1439180999./839949089429862/?type=1&theater
I also have concerns about this woman Strong Oak who sells her drums at their festivals. She is a social worker and works with a local battered women's organization, leading "spirit circles" for victims of domestic violence. Her work makes it hard to question her...but I don't believe for one second that she is Native. She shows up to public events in full regalia, always. She lives in Wendell MA. "My name is Strong Oak. I am Maliseet and Micmac. I am so happy to be a drum builder."
Barry Higgins, "Native American Flute" ...though on his website he has changed the wording to "Native Style Flutes" http://www.whitecrowflutes.com/Bio.htm He also states: "Today I make a flute based on the good things each teacher and each flute has taught me, refining others, aided by good research/development techniques, and by honoring my mixed Anglo/Native (Pennacook-Abenaki) heritage. The flute journey has taught me much and I hope you will allow it to teach you as well.
Thank you for considering White Crow Flutes".
I could go on and on listing the people involved. This is enough for now.
The thing that upsets me most about this organization, aside from the false identification, is the fact that they promote "forgiveness for genocide"! And when they are confronted by people who tell them that it's not their place to call for forgiveness OR to accept apologies, they try to guilt people by saying they are advocating for hatred.
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This is information about the massacre of hundreds of women, children and elders for which the Nolumbeka Project president asserts that Native peoples should forgive. While I'm grateful that the group worked hard to protect this site, IMHO, the settler members have no business standing before the public and calling on all Native people for forgiveness and reconciliation. One doesn't have to pretend to be Native to be an ally...and again, IMHO allies have no business promoting forgiveness. http://www.bio.umass.edu/biology/conn.river/massacre.html
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I noticed the author of this piece refered to the Indians as Amerindian, "the colonials were in position on a slope overlooking the Amerindian encampment". I find that term very troubling as it is usually used by white supremacist and sometimes by academics who have an unhealthy attitude towards Native Americans. Everyone knows this is not an acceptable word when referring to Native Americans. Hmm....maybe there's more to this group than meets the eye.
This is information about the massacre of hundreds of women, children and elders for which the Nolumbeka Project president asserts that Native peoples should forgive. While I'm grateful that the group worked hard to protect this site, IMHO, the settler members have no business standing before the public and calling on all Native people for forgiveness and reconciliation. One doesn't have to pretend to be Native to be an ally...and again, IMHO allies have no business promoting forgiveness. http://www.bio.umass.edu/biology/conn.river/massacre.html
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I just want to clarify, that I did not author that piece. I would NEVER use that term. It was the only comprehensive article that I could find about the massacre at Great Falls and that language IS reprehensible, I completely agree...it actually nauseated me to see it used. I am sorry for any pain it might cause for folks who read my post. I just thought it important to share the history of the site with regard to the work of Nolumbeka. IF folks want to take the reference down, I completely understand. Though I think it exposes and brings light to the ongoing racism even in the academic community that aims to support First Nations. With gratitude for speaking to this issue, I am deeply humbled~
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Did some more research and found this article on the massacre. Perhaps the administrators could delete the previous link.
http://forallmyrelations.blogspot.com/2015/06/battle-of-great-falls-or-massacre-at.html
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John Santos
August 2 at 11:14am
Are you guys actually Indian? Or just white hippie wannabies? What's the deal?
Nolumbeka Project
We are a Native American advocacy group. Some of our members have Native roots. And, some of us are former hippies, too.
https://www.facebook.com/nolumbekaproject?fref=photo (https://www.facebook.com/nolumbekaproject?fref=photo)
I agree, pemibear," the settler members have no business standing before the public and calling on all Native people for forgiveness and reconciliation".
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I have sent this email to the author of the article I shared, in the hope that she will both learn something and act to correct her words. I also hope that my response to her is acceptable to folks in our First Nations community. I ALWAYS welcome feedback:
I am writing to you to humbly request you consider feedback to an article you wrote on the UMass, CT River Homepage. In your article on the massacre at Great Falls, you use the term Amerindian. I reluctantly (because of the language used) shared this article in a community run by and for our First Nations people, to address the ongoing genocide as it is perpetrated through cultural appropriation, in a variety of ways. Having found it difficult to find information on the Great Falls site, I shared it to inform folks of the tragic event that took place there. I was immediately and justifiably, called out on the share, for the language used in your article. The term "Amerindian" is, at worst, extremely racist and at best, culturally insensitive. I am writing to ask you to please change the language to reflect the respect and reverence owed to our First Nations people.
I thank you for your consideration, and hope that you will edit your article~
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Hi Pemibear and welcome, I know you didn't write the article. This is not the first time academics have used that term. I suspect they use it as to try to dehumanize Native Americans, especially when white people are commiting such cowardly and heinous acts such as the Turner Falls massacre.
When you refer to the victims in a clinical way it takes the revulsion and sickening sting out of it. In other words they are trying to white wash the heinous event. Much like the Turner Falls Pocumtuck festival. Who would have a festival at the site of a murder/massacre? White people playing Indian that's who. Disgusting!
Lim lemtsh,
Diana
I just want to clarify, that I did not author that piece. I would NEVER use that term. It was the only comprehensive article that I could find about the massacre at Great Falls and that language IS reprehensible, I completely agree...it actually nauseated me to see it used. I am sorry for any pain it might cause for folks who read my post. I just thought it important to share the history of the site with regard to the work of Nolumbeka. IF folks want to take the reference down, I completely understand. Though I think it exposes and brings light to the ongoing racism even in the academic community that aims to support First Nations. With gratitude for speaking to this issue, I am deeply humbled~
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Moving to Research Needed. Several of these folks are mentioned in other threads.
ETA: Other threads that I'm now having trouble finding. ... :o
ETAA: Correction, I don't think we have threads on these people here yet, so just put it all in this thread. This group and the pretendians in it have been discussed in other places, extensively, so it's about time we have info about them here, too.
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This guy https://www.facebook.com/nolumbekaproject/photos/a.510569869034454.1073741830.503964243028350/842313775860060/?type=1&theater (https://www.facebook.com/nolumbekaproject/photos/a.510569869034454.1073741830.503964243028350/842313775860060/?type=1&theater) had a program that was based on the writings of KKK member Forest Carter https://web.archive.org/web/20140208132911/http://www.wolftreema.com/ (https://web.archive.org/web/20140208132911/http://www.wolftreema.com/) (scroll down to adult programs).
Nolumbeka also works closely with a woman who managed to wipe out most of the white birch in the area.
And then there's this http://www.recorder.com/home/16941966-95/together-in-remembrance (http://www.recorder.com/home/16941966-95/together-in-remembrance)
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FYI- I just received this email from the host of the UMass Connecticut River Homepage regarding their use of the racist term "Amerindian".
In response to your concern, the CT Homepage has been disabled--it is no
longer viewable.
Ed K
It would have been better if they had just edited it, so people would still have access to the historical information about the massacre, but taking it down is better than nothing. Perhaps they will edit it and put it back up.
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There is an incredible amount of history available regarding the massacre. It certainly wasn't the best source out there. An acknowledgement as to the inappropriate term would have been nice but at least it's gone.
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Regarding their performer Loril 'Moondream' - http://www.masslive.com/living/index.ssf/2013/12/medicine_mammals_organization_in_wendell_raises_releases_orphaned_injured_animals.html (http://www.masslive.com/living/index.ssf/2013/12/medicine_mammals_organization_in_wendell_raises_releases_orphaned_injured_animals.html)
"When Loril MoonDream was growing up on a reservation in Fort Apache, Ariz., she often rode in the car with her grandparents, and when she saw dead or injured animals on the side of the road, she would cry for them; her grandparents would stop to say prayers or help."
"“It’s called ‘walking in beauty,’” said MoonDream, an artist, musician and storyteller, of the Native American philosophy that all life is sacred." (my bold)
"Nursed back to health and vaccinated, the animals are “put back as healthy animals and won’t spread disease,” said the White Mountain Apache from Arizona and New Mexico."
ETA:
She channels reiki symbols
https://books.google.com/books?id=h3PHMbifcnMC&pg=PT368&lpg=PT368&dq=%22Loril+Moondream%22&source=bl&ots=ItTjsi0ksM&sig=TYNbPtlyIB5jZo5iXwVsfJvBPVc&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CDcQ6AEwAjgKahUKEwio7u7m2aHHAhXCcz4KHRlmAvY#v=onepage&q=%22Loril%20Moondream%22&f=false (https://books.google.com/books?id=h3PHMbifcnMC&pg=PT368&lpg=PT368&dq=%22Loril+Moondream%22&source=bl&ots=ItTjsi0ksM&sig=TYNbPtlyIB5jZo5iXwVsfJvBPVc&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CDcQ6AEwAjgKahUKEwio7u7m2aHHAhXCcz4KHRlmAvY#v=onepage&q=%22Loril%20Moondream%22&f=false)
some of which cure cancer -
"Hello, there is a Shamballa anti-cancer symbol by Loril Moondream. The symbol is drawn into the body, or, above the body & pushed into it. It is supposed to heal those kind of growths, & helps growth of normal cells. "
http://www.sharereiki.org/sriforum/index.php?topic=3152.5;wap2 (http://www.sharereiki.org/sriforum/index.php?topic=3152.5;wap2)
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Yeah, she is such a blatant liar. She told me fifteen years ago, when I met her begging for money at the local post office, in full traditional dress, that she was not Native, (I think because she sensed that I could see through her-died black hair does not convince me of anything) but was "ADOPTED by the CHEROKEE people"....as an adult!!! She just arrived in the area out of nowhere, in her beat up van, full of trash. She was looking for money and a place to park her van. Nobody ever really knew from where she came. If her story was true, what was she doing in western MA looking for a place to "park her van"? I knew right away, that she was a fraud and while she continued to try to engage with me, I stayed as far away from her as possible...and continued to warn people about her. I warned the folks at Nolumbeka, but they don't care. They will invite anyone who says they are Native to sell and to lead activities and ceremonies at their events. They wanted me to (wo)man a table for them at a UMass Pow Wow, because "I look Native"!!! I've never been so horrified and insulted in my life. Insulted that they would think I would lie about my heritage and dishonor both my ancestors AND First Nations in that way!
I am so sick to learn that she has lied and manipulated herself into the fabric of the western MA community, as an impostor. I honestly thought that nobody would believe her lies. When I look back at where she was then, and where she is now, in terms of being revered as something she is not, it blows my mind...and makes me sick. I really thought that she would be outed many years ago. I think that being embraced by Nolumbeka Project and the exposure she has gained from being at their events, has catapulted her "career" as a grifter, a con artist of the worst kind.
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I just want to clarify what I stated in my previous post. It was Friends of Wissetinewag that asked me to (wo)man a table for them at Pow Wow. Friends Of Wissetinewag was taken over by the Nolumbeka project a few years ago. Nolumbeka project is run by those original folks who started FOW back when they were working to protect the site.
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@ Pemibear, do you know Loril Moondream's real name? I noticed some discrepancies in her bio right away. First she claims she was born on a reservation in Arizona (no name of rez) then later she claims White Mountain Apache. I think you're right she's not Native at all. Having her real name, birthdate and places she has lived would be very helpful. Let us know or private msg me.
Lim lemtsh,
Diana
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Her last name at one time was White.
ETA - I believe she is in her late 50s. She's lived in Massachusetts for about 10-15 years. She didn't always claim Apache though right now she's claiming to be from Fort Apache.
ETAA - Her linked in profile states she attended Southern Methodist University in Texas
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The Nolumbeka Project, Inc. merged with Friends of Wissatinnewag, Incorporated in 2013
Corporation info may help with identifying people
http://corp.sec.state.ma.us/CorpWeb/CorpSearch/CorpSummary.aspx?FEIN=264509867
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Loril Moondream was born 1956
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJH9-XPF9
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJH9-WDQB
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When they were Friends of Wissatinnewag they at least had Troy Phillips and Russ Peters on the board who are Nipmuc and Wampanoag respectively. I don't think their current board includes any Native people.
The Nolumbeka Project, Inc. merged with Friends of Wissatinnewag, Incorporated in 2013
Corporation info may help with identifying people
http://corp.sec.state.ma.us/CorpWeb/CorpSearch/CorpSummary.aspx?FEIN=264509867
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She's apparently a licensed wildlife rehabber.
http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dfg/dfw/fish-wildlife-plants/wildlife-rehabilitators-conn-valley.html
More from the "cried over dead animals" story:
“The big, strong (animals) help the weaker ones get through hard times,” MoonDream said. “If we apply the stories of the animals to our world, it would make us better people[/i][.]” [...]
The organization works with local veterinarians and raises orphaned, injured, sick and/or starving wildlife, with the help of about a half dozen volunteers who care for the animals until their release back to the wild. Among the animals served are bats, beavers, raccoons, foxes, squirrels and chipmunks. [...]
Two years ago after tornadoes and a tropical storm, Medicine Mammals took in 422 animals; only 45 died.
All proceeds from sales of crafts, cultural sharing or wildlife programs go to specialized milk formulas, food, temporary housing, vaccines and medical care for these animals.
(My words--I could not make italicizng fr this post work properly, sorry) Sale of crafts? I hope she's not claiming they're Native American crafts.
Here it's referred to as a "Native American nonprofit wildlife rehabilitation center."
http://www.recorder.com/news/townbytown/monroe/16272351-95/neighbors-area-wildlife-needs-our-help
A few links about the place do list her name as "Loril Moondream White."
She also finds Native American stone circles where other people find Colonial horse burials.
(from linked pdf)...Moondream and Sarah expressed their concerns about disturbance of Native American
artifacts, such as the stone wall and other stone works. Sarah said that during a walk, they had
observed evidence of such artifacts over virtually the entire site. Mike said that there are no
designated Indian artifact areas in this site according to state listings. Mike added that because
it does not mark a property line, the stone wall is a non-protected wall under state law. Mike
said that the stone wall will be dismantled and its stones reused elsewhere on site. Sarah
showed some digital photos she had taken that she claimed showed stone artifacts at the site.
Sarah claimed that stone circles are visible, as well as serpentines, standing stones, and animal
effigies. Mike said that if you find a stone circle, it is generally a horse grave made by colonial
farmers. He said his company had done some research with Old Sturbridge Village (OSV) and
that was what they have also said. Mike said that if human bones are found, state law requires
construction to be halted. Loril asked if ground-penetrating radar equipment had been used on
the site to look for buried artifacts. Mike said it is never used on sites like this one. Loril asked if
a tribal land preservation officer could look at the site. David Pratt said he would have to think
about that.[/i]
http://www.newsalem-massachusetts.org/images/Minutes_of_Special_Permit_Public_Hearing.pdf
(my words) I wasn't able to find any results of this meeting (whether the solar panel array went up or not).
And yes, she claims White Mountain Apache all over the place.
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As I said in my original post, SHE told me when I met her, that she WAS NOT Native American by birth. She told me she was "adopted by the Cherokee people", as an adult!
I met her at a local post office about twenty years ago, now. She arrived in the parking lot in a beat up Van stuffed to the gills, asking me for money and a place to park her Van. She was dressed in "traditional" (I use the term lightly, of course) dress and her hair clearly dyed black. I told her that I would ask around and see if anyone had a place for her to park her van. I gave her my number to check in with me, end of the week. I knew she was a fraud, but I'm a compassionate person and I thought that perhaps she just had some mental health problems, so I did ask around for her. She proceeded to call me several times asking me to drive her here and there. I explained to her that I was a single mom and working full-time, so I wasn't really in a position to help her out. I never heard from her again, until she later wanted to perform at my cafe, with her partner at the time, Peter Coyote. I said no, because I knew she was posing as a Native person. She was furious. At that point, I told her that dying her hair black and dressing in animal skins on a daily basis is making a mockery of Indigenous culture. Again, I didn't hear from or anything about her again, until Friends of Wissatinawag hired her to perform at The Peoples Harvest several years back. I was furious with the organization and expressed my concern and anger that they would support and enable an impostor. At the time, I was still supporting them, here and there,...but for me, it was all about protecting the site, and I felt that they still had SOME credibility, because as someone else shared, at least they had Native people on their board, but I was already starting to distance myself. Joe Graveline won't speak to me, because I've expressed my concern about him holding sweat lodges on his land, called him out on supporting these fakes, AND I've spoken to him about my concern that he, a settler, promotes the idea that it is time for Native people to forgive! I also told him that he should not be engaging the public in discussions about the past without urging them to engage in efforts to end the genocide that is taking place today. And that it would be good to invite some folks like Klee Benally or Waziyatawin to come and speak to people about how to be an effective, respectful ally vs being an accomplice to genocide. I was blatantly ignored...wouldn't even respond...just walked away. Another time, when I asked him if we could talk about the important work being done by IdleNoMore, he literally turned his back and walked away from me. In fact, the very last event I attended, I walked out because he stood before the public and tried to explain/justify the massacre, saying that the men who carried out the attack didn't have a choice, they were just following orders...and that one actually committed suicide or drifted out to see or some other such nonsense, out of guilt... and then he had the nerve to call for a prayer to forgive those who committed the murders!!!!!!!! I'm sick to my stomach just thinking about it. I do want to say that I am truly grateful to Howard Clark, who worked tirelessly to have that site protected. I've never seen Howard do anything sketchy. He does claim Cherokee heritage, but I've never seen him brag about that or use it for personal gain, or ego fortification. I do wonder why he allows all these frauds to be involved in the organization. I think it's about money and power. It took a lot of money to purchase that land, and a lot of power to shake those who could have prevented it's preservation and allowed it to be sold to Walmart. I think that for Howard, the end justifies the means. For him, it's all about protecting the site. I know that to be true.
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^^^Though I don't agree that the end ever justifies the means. Just to be clear.
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( Please read my longer response to you in your intro thread before replying here. )
I've got a question - you mentioned a person going by the name of „Peter Coyote“ in your above post. Do you mean the actor or would that be another person you're talking about?
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Not the actor.
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Pemibear. is the Peter Coyote you mentioned in this case - is this the same man who has gone by Peter White Fox?
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Peter Coyote is Peter Carrier. He is originally from Providence Rhode Island and currently lives in Quincy, Illinois. He has claimed a number of Nations in the past. I'm not sure which one he is currently claiming. If anyone has access to PACER run a check on him. There's a LOT there but not having documents at this time I'm not comfortable elaborating.
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I knew that name sounded familiar. https://www.facebook.com/peter.carrier.71 He runs with some really strange people (don't they all?)
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Tangents by and about people posting here have been moved to their own thread in etc: http://www.newagefraud.org/smf/index.php?topic=4691.0
Sorry for any lack of continuity. We're trying to keep things on topic here.
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Sorry to re-thread the needle on the subject of Ms. Moondream, Medicine Mammal wildlife rehabilitator/Native American 501-c-3 holder, who holds non profit fundraising using Native American identity: http://www.recorder.com/news/townbytown/monroe/16272351-95/neighbors-area-wildlife-needs-our-help (http://www.recorder.com/news/townbytown/monroe/16272351-95/neighbors-area-wildlife-needs-our-help), http://www.wendellfullmoon.org/schedule/ (http://www.wendellfullmoon.org/schedule/) http://www.wendellfullmoon.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/MedicineMammals_wagon.jpg (http://www.wendellfullmoon.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/MedicineMammals_wagon.jpg)
I'm just wondering if she is legit?
Thank you for your time.
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I do not believe her to be legit. She promotes a lot of nuage and panindianism and I'm really not sure what's up with the Moondream thing. Her last name is White as was posted earlier in this thread.
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OK, thanks very much.
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Yuck! Another questionable woman at that horrible Turner Falls festival. "Plainfield resident Jennifer Lee, a descendent of the Narragansett and Pequot tribes, spoke at the Great Falls Discovery Center Saturday morning briefly retracing her steps of a 30-year journey searching for her ancestral roots."One of the worst articles I've ever read, she never actually tells how she supposedly found her "native" ancestry". Just the usual "I was attracted to Native American culture" and "I needed to experience Native American culture"...blah, blah, blah. You all know the drill. Oh, and of course the horrible and creepy jet black dyed hair. Here's the article.
http://www.recorder.com/home/21156623-95/searching-for-her-tribe-plainfield-woman-tracks-down-her-native-lineage
By RACHEL RAPKIN
Recorder Staff
Saturday, February 20, 2016
(Published in print: Monday, February 22, 2016)
TURNERS FALLS — How far would you travel to trace your heritage?
Plainfield resident Jennifer Lee, a descendent of the Narragansett and Pequot tribes, spoke at the Great Falls Discovery Center Saturday morning briefly retracing her steps of a 30-year journey searching for her ancestral roots.
“When I look back into my ancestors, I’ve found that they are Polish, Jewish, African-American, Irish, Scottish, English, Dutch, Narragansett and Pequot,” she said to approximately 50 people who came out to hear her story.
With a father from a Jewish background and a mother from an Italian Catholic background, Lee didn’t know how to identify herself as a teenager, and realized years later that it’s acceptable to associate with numerous cultures and communities. Lee, however, wasn’t satisfied just going a few branches up her family tree. She wanted to know where her lineage began, and she set off on a cross-country trek upon her high school graduation to trace her origin.
“All my life I’ve been very, very interested in American Indian culture and history and how native people lived here when it was 20 (degrees) below zero. How did they survive?” she wondered. “Every image that I had about native people was probably not correct. It was given by an egocentric historian who had no personal connection to native culture.”
From California to Ohio and New England, Lee’s exploration led her to experience Native American customs that are still practiced today. Lee didn’t feel she could understand those practices until she re-educated herself about the daily practices of the natives, which led her to track down university professors versed in indigenous history, attend various conferences and read numerous texts so she could piece together tribal history that wasn’t taught in grade school.
“There’s this book called ‘American Indian Stereotypes in the World of Children,’ and they categorize every type of picture or saying that kids have ever seen about Native Americans,” she said. “They are just not right. They are skewed. That’s who I was — an American bombarded with these untruths.”
Throughout her discoveries tracing back 400 years, Lee found that the nation was influenced and shaped by the everyday practices of Native Americans. The roadways that we take for granted and use for our daily commutes like I-91 and Route 2 follow the same footpaths that the natives used many years before the arrival of the Mayflower.
“When the Europeans came here, they wanted to get to a certain place as quickly as possible and once they had the ox carts to take them,” she explained. “They would go up these steep hills and in these horrible place — really hard to travel places — but the native footpaths followed the way that was easy so that families could travel.”
Lee also said the importance of a controlled burn was learned from the Native Americans, adding that the practice became rare when the settlers arrived and killed many of the natives who knew how and when to perform the burn.
“There were controlled burns that burnt off the land twice a year and the native people here knew how to do that. They knew when the conditions were right to burn the undergrowth so that it made more food for the deer and made it easier to travel,” she said, adding that it was a life necessity at that time.
Lee concluded her hour and a half presentation with a few words of advice for those who wish to trace their lineage. She told the audience about the benefits of reviewing historical documents such as census data and through her journey found out the best source of information comes from experiencing the culture and talking to relatives.
“The first thing you should do is get ahold of your relatives — especially your older ones — because they are the ones who are going to remember things like nicknames, places, and time and you get a piece of paper and write everything down that they tell you,” she said. “Anything on paper can be forged or lies, but the family stories are passed on for a reason.”
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Nolumbeka sure loves promoting frauds. So does that small town paper. Around here, Jenny Lee is called "Treekiller." She rips the bark off trees and kills them. She's not Indian. She doesn't know what she's doing. And she has slaughtered whole groves of trees to make her pretendian baskets that she sells to gullible non-Natives. Non-Natives like herself.
She has shown up at local events dressed like a historical re-enactor. When I first met her, all the Indians were avoiding her. Only the white people would talk to her.
She is lying about the Narragansett and Pequot thing. If she had any documentable ancestry, she'd be enrolled. Instead, like lots of the New England frauds who are also Italian and Jewish, she has repeatedly changed which tribe she claims her family stories are from. What fool would publish something like this that states that historical documents lie but people never do? If she had any heritage we'd have all heard by now, as she seeks publicity like this constantly. You'd almost think Treekiller had hired a PR agent.
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I goggled her and you're right she claims several different Native descendants, metis, Algonquin, Narragansett and Pequot. Even though Narragansett and Pequot are of the Algonquin speaking Tribes. Big red flag when someone doesn't know the difference and thinks Algonquin is a Tribe.
We have 3-4 pages on these Nolumbeka people, maybe we should split them off and give them they're own thread? Moderators what do you think?
Diana
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Diana there are nine Algonquin Bands in Canada. I have brought this up in other threads :) I'm Algonquin from Wolf Lake FN in Quebec. I am not sure why people think that there is only an Algonquin languge group.
This lady Jennifer Lee and the other people with Nolumbeka should have their own threads I think. I know a lady from Kitigan Zibi which is another Algonquin Nation who lives out by the Nolumbeka people and she tells me that every person associated with them is not Indian or they are distant descendants. The people they premote cause lots of problems and premote pretty serious stereotypes. They get paid speaking gigs that should go to actual FNIM or NA people. I also think Nolumbeka should get moved to frauds.
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Loril Moondream's real name is Laurie Lynn Flanagan. She is not an indian of any sort. She was born in Pittsfield, MA on June 14, 1956. She was raised in Hinsdale, MA and graduated from Wahconah High School in Dalton, MA in 1974. She is Irish, not Indian. Major, major, Fraud!!! She hides behind her so called Wildlife Rehabilitation Center called Medicine Mammals located in Wendell, MA She has a new site where you can "donate" items or money to her. Its www.medicinemammals.org. She has all kinds of indian education programs she will do for a "small fee," based on her "first-hand knowledge" from growing up on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation in Arizona. She needs to be exposed for the fraud she is. Someone please stop her now!
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http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:0yYtnZSGsZAJ:www.recorder.com/news/police/fire/courts/13416765-95/district-court-logs-aug-26-sept2+&cd=2&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us (http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:0yYtnZSGsZAJ:www.recorder.com/news/police/fire/courts/13416765-95/district-court-logs-aug-26-sept2+&cd=2&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us)
Loril L. Moondream 58, of Morse Village Road, Wendell. Pleaded innocent to operating with suspended license, released on personal recognizance, continued to 10/20/14 for pretrial conference. Must pay legal counsel fee of $150.
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:aueTsirQ_y4J:www.recorder.com/news/police/fire/courts/14546014-95/district-court-logs+&cd=3&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us (http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:aueTsirQ_y4J:www.recorder.com/news/police/fire/courts/14546014-95/district-court-logs+&cd=3&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us)
Loril L. Moondream, 58, of Morse Village Road, Wendell. Pleaded guilty to operating with suspended license, sentenced to 10 days in the house of correction, suspended, placed on probation until 8/17/15, with victim witness assessment of $50. Must pay legal counsel fee of $150.
"Loril" does presentations for kids. I'm wondering how she can possibly pass a CORI and be allowed into schools, libraries etc.
She and Peter WhiteFox also sell jewelry and crafts.
Peter WhiteFox and Lori MoonDream, husband and wife, sold jewelry and crafts at the event, which was held at the Marshfield Fairgrounds in Massachusetts. They also run a non-profit organization.
“What we try to show people is that you can get safe things and recycled things resourcefully,” said WhiteFox. “[Native Americans] use all of the animal. We use all of the tree.”
http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2014/05/28/joseph-fire-crow-celebrates-richness-native-culture-pow-wow-goers-155054 (http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2014/05/28/joseph-fire-crow-celebrates-richness-native-culture-pow-wow-goers-155054)
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Obviously Loril is in violation of selling authentic Indian Jewelry. Read the law below.
The ACT..
The Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-644) is a truth-in-advertising law that prohibits misrepresentation in marketing of Indian arts and crafts products within the United States. It is illegal to offer or display for sale, or sell any art or craft product in a manner that falsely suggests it is Indian produced, an Indian product, or the product of a particular Indian or Indian Tribe or Indian arts and crafts organization, resident within the United States. For a first time violation of the Act, an individual can face civil or criminal penalties up to a $250,000 fine or a 5-year prison term, or both. If a business violates the Act, it can face civil penalties or can be prosecuted and fined up to $1,000,000.
Under the Act, an Indian is defined as a member of any federally or State recognized Indian Tribe, or an individual certified as an Indian artisan by an Indian Tribe.
The law covers all Indian and Indian-style traditional and contemporary arts and crafts produced after 1935. The Act broadly applies to the marketing of arts and crafts by any person in the United States. Some traditional items frequently copied by non-Indians include Indian-style jewelry, pottery, baskets, carved stone fetishes, woven rugs, kachina dolls, and clothing.
All products must be marketed truthfully regarding the Indian heritage and tribal affiliation of the producers, so as not to mislead the consumer. It is illegal to market an art or craft item using the name of a tribe if a member, or certified Indian artisan, of that tribe did not actually create the art or craft item.
For example, products sold using a sign claiming "Indian Jewelry" would be a violation of the Indian Arts and Crafts Act if the jewelry was produced by someone other than a member, or certified Indian artisan, of an Indian tribe. Products advertised as "Hopi Jewelry" would be in violation of the Act if they were produced by someone who is not a member, or certified Indian artisan, of the Hopi tribe.
If you purchase an art or craft product represented to you as Indian-made, and you learn that it is not, first contact the dealer to request a refund. If the dealer does not respond to your request, you can also contact your local Better Business Bureau, Chamber of Commerce, and the local District Attorney's office, as you would with any consumer fraud complaint. Second, contact the Indian Arts and Crafts Board with your written complaint regarding violations of the Act.
Before buying Indian arts or crafts at powwows, annual fairs, juried competitions, and other events, check the event requirements on the authenticity of products being offered for sale. Many events list the requirements in newspaper advertisements, promotional flyers, and printed programs. If the event organizers make no statements on compliance with the Act or on the authenticity of Indian arts and crafts offered by participating vendors, you should obtain written certification from the individual vendors that their Indian arts or craftwork were produced by tribal members or by certified Indian artisans.
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She is NOT a member of any federally or State recognized Indian Tribe, or certified as an Indian artisan by an Indian Tribe. I don't know of any "Indian" with the last birth name of "Flanagan."
This is the first thing I have found that she is doing that is prosecutable.
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I'm not sure if it's prosecutable but she is defrauding the state Fish and Wildlife. The only reason she was given the ability by Mass Fish and Wildlife to rehab fawns is because of her supposed indian status.
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I don't know of any "Indian" with the last birth name of "Flanagan."
Peggy Flanagan who is White Earth Band of Ojibwe and is a state rep in Minnesota and many other indigenous people have the Flanagan surname. I am not arguing that Loril/Laurie is native, I don't believe for a minute that she is, just that we can't make generalizations based on last names :)
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Well I know she is not an Indian, because I am her sister, that is how I know all of these facts, birth date, schools, etc. about her. As far as her using an indian status to become a wildlife rehabber, in MA anyone can become a wildlife rehab center. No licensing or training is required. They "suggest" you train with a licensed vet before appying, but anyone can do it. Also, in MA, it is not illegal to use a different name other than your birth name, without even legally changing it, as long is it is not done for fraudulent purposes. Is running a nonprofit wildlife center really fraudulent? I personally think so, but I am not sure. It is just a way she has found to get all her bills of daily living paid for, through donations to the center. My complaint is that she could run this organization without claiming Indian heritage. The fact of the matter is that she makes more money by "teaching the indian ways" and selling Indian jewelry, etc. and does not have to claim that money as income because she soliticts this money as "donations" to her nonprofit wildlife center. Also, it is illegal to sell indian jewelry as authentic if you are not a certified member of a tribe. She is scamming everyone and needs to be exposed. I just don't know how to expose her.
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I'm familiar with the workings of MassWildLife, I know what is required to become a rehabber. My point is The only reason she was given the ability by Mass Fish and Wildlife to rehab fawns is because of her supposed indian status.I was told that directly from the folks at the Belchertown office. If she stated on her application that she was native (which she seems to do EVERYWHERE) and she is not it would be considered an incomplete or improperly executed application and would fall under 321 CMR 2.12(8). Her permit would be revoked.
Most of us here know about IACA :)
The best way to expose her is to continue to post here. Also, I think it wouldn't hurt to contact the various places she does programs at and ask if they CORI individuals who present to children seeing that she was on probation until this past August. Her probation is a matter of public record.
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I don't understand then why it is so hard to expose her and stop her. Why didn't the Mass Fish and Wildlife request proof she was an Indian if that was why they granted her the license?, and how is she able to continue selling jewelry if the IACA laws prohibit it. Who do I contact to expose her to the Mass Fish and Wildlife? Who Do I contact for breaking the IACA laws. I know very little about this, because I am NOT indian. I only know any of this so far by researching the internet. I never thought I would have to turn in my own sister for Fraud, but I just cant in good conscious let her continue taking money for being a so called Indian.
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The staff at fish and wildlife that handle wildlife rehabilitation permits are Jennifer Longsdorf at MassWildlife's Field Headquarters at 508-389-6360/ jennifer.longsdorf@state.ma.us or Bob Arini at the MassWildlife Boston Office at 617-626-1575/ bob.arini@state.ma.us. Tell them the truth about your sister and that you are under the impression that she is the only person in the state allowed to rehab fawns due to her fraudulent claims of being indigenous. Also ask that they immediately inspect her facility because you have been told that the conditions are deplorable (the conditions are deplorable).
To report an IACA violation contact them at iacb@ios.doi.gov or 1-888-278-3253. If you email them try and provide links to sites where there are articles or statements where she is selling jewelry etc.
You could also contact the state Attorney Generals office since she is receiving income under the auspice of her rehab program via fraudulent claims.
Phone: 413-784-1240
Fax: 413-784-1244
You can also contact US Fish and Wildlife informing them that she is in illegal possession of feathers from protected species 1?800?344?WILD I know others have contacted them and nothing has been done regarding similar situations in Massachusetts. I would follow the complaint up with a call to the Massachusetts Environmental Police at http://www.mass.gov/eea/grants-and-tech-assistance/enforcement/environmental-police/mep-report-a-violation1.html (http://www.mass.gov/eea/grants-and-tech-assistance/enforcement/environmental-police/mep-report-a-violation1.html) (it will ask you for dates, put in the date on which you file the report and clarify in the report section that this is an ongoing issue) or (800) 632-8075 which is the statewide dispatch number.
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Thank you so much omgsrsly. Finally some information that I can use! I am a little confused however about the fawns thing. I can't find anywhere where she states she can rehab fawns. Everything I have read on the internet says No wildlife rehab center can take in or treat fawns. Are you sure she is allowed to rehab them? I just want to make sure I have all my facts right before I contact anyone. Thanks again sooo much.
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I am absolutely positive that she is the only rehabber in the state allowed to rehab fawns. This was told to me directly by F&W.
When you contact the state Attorney General ask them for an email or mailing address and send them any confirmation that you have that she's white along with copies of blurbs on various websites where she states things like this Medicine Mammals: American Indian non-profit wildlife rehab located in Wendell Ma.Our goal: raise orphaned/ injured wildlife with vet help for release.
which was taken from her facebook page for her non-profit.
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'Loril' is scheduled to perform at the Lunenburg Public Library this weekend http://www.lunenburglibrary.org/content/upcoming-events-library (http://www.lunenburglibrary.org/content/upcoming-events-library). Attempts were made by indigenous people as well as a member of 'Loril's' family to educate the library director, Martha Moore, as well as the library board. The library intends to go forward with 'Loril's' stereotypying of Apache and other cultures. To my knowledge, not one individual from the library has responded to any indigenous inquiry. This shows me that they prefer to promote the fictionalization of Native Americans, willfully exposing the public to stereotypes and inaccuracies all the while promoting a liar and fraud. This is typical yankee racism in action. It is shameful that an institution of learning lacks the integrity of providing their patrons an authentic representation. If the event is covered by local papers I will be sure to inform the paper of the situation in it's entirety. I encourage others to contact the library http://www.lunenburglibrary.org/aboutus (http://www.lunenburglibrary.org/aboutus) today.
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Approximately one month ago I contacted "The Recorder" which is the local newspaper for Wendell, where the Medicine Mammal Wildlife Rehab Center is located. I informed them of all the truths about Laurie including birth date, graduation dates, etc. and that I knew all of this becuase I was her sister. I was told that they were in the middle of a "system conversion" for their on-line newspaper and were too busy at the moment to look into the matter. I was told that it would not be until after "spring" that they would have the time to look into it. This is a very sad response from a newspaper. For some reason, I always thought it was "responsible journalism" to report and investiage regardless of the outcome, not to pick and choose what crimes to report on. When is a newspaper too busy to expose a fraud in their own community? Long story short, the newspaper already knows and has chosen to look the other way. I just don't get it.....
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If you go to http://greatnonprofits.org/org/medicine-mammals you can post reviews of her organization. I have posted a picture I obtained from her high school yearbook, Wahconah High in Dalton, from 1974. I have placed this picture next to one that she has posted on her own facebook page dated 2013. Seeing is believing. Feel free to leave your own reviews as well.
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The Recorder http://www.recorder.com/ (http://www.recorder.com/) is notorious for running articles on problematic individuals touting themselves as Native. I'm guessing here but running articles on indian fantasy sells more papers that not and I just don't think they have the ethics or maybe even the ability to run in depth investigative articles. I'm sorry they essentially brushed you off. I do not have television so I'm wondering if the local tv news stations still do exposes on illegitimate businesses and organizations. Maybe they would have more of an interest.
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Here are the two public photos confirming that "Apache" "Loril Moondream" is actually white Laurie Flanagan.
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Reported all my information to MA Fish and Wildlife yesterday. They called me today. They do not care if she is Indian or not. They are not really concerned if she lied about her name on her application. He stated they do not do a background check on any applicants, and as far as her "teaching the indian ways" and all her other fraudulent ways in order to obtain funding, it does not fall under their jurisdiction. He also stated that her being allowed to take in fawns has nothing to do with her being an Indian, that she was granted this because of her knowledge and location. Everything I have read, however, states that NO rehab center will be allowed to take in Fawns in Mass. ??? I asked if he would inspect her center, that I was told the conditions there were deplorable. He stated "Well, the people who brought the fawn there last summer must have thought it was okay, and your interpretation of deplorable is probably much different than the animal's interpretation of deplorable." After that statement from him, I realized that I was going nowhere fast. I did file a report with the Attorney General's office. I am still waiting to hear from them. People just don't seem to care anymore about doing the right thing. I am disheartened.
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I am not giving up yet. After mulling this over for the last few days, I felt there was something I was missing. Finally it hit me, not only is she lying about her true idenity and getting away with it for many years, she obviously feels she does not have to follow any of the laws of the Fish and Wildlife, the main one being that no member of the public shall be allowed to have direct contact with any animals in a rehab center.
I sent the following letter today to the Mass Fish and Wildlife today. To see the pictures I am referring to, please to to her facebook page at www.facebook.com/MedicineMammals/
During my extensive research on how to obtain a MA license for a Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, it is stated on the license application under the rules and regulations that "No public contact shall be allowed with any wildlife held under a wildlife rehabilitation permit unless otherwise approved in writing by the director." On www.medicinemammals.org it states, "With live animal programs and slide shows, we can present programs about the state of wildlife in MA. All of these programs may be tailored to any age group." How is it that she can present LIVE animal programs with her wildlife to the public including all age groups. Wouldn't that be detrimental and overly stressful for the animals to be carted to various locations for demonstrations. Also, below are numerous pictures that are being posted on medicinemammals facebook page, www.facebook.com/MedicineMammals/ showing "the public being allowed to have direct contact with her wildlife, including adults as well as youngsters. This, again, is a direct violation of the Wildlife Rehabiltation rules. She is allowing, obviously, her volunteers to have direct contact, as well as bringing these animals for live shows. Wouldn't all her volunteers who are handling the wildlife also have to be licensed. It is my undestanding that it is extremely important that the animals have very limited human contact so as to make their release back to the wild more successful.
I am again requesting that the license for her rehab center be revoked based on these numerous and obvious infarctions of the Mass Fish and Wildlife Rehabiliation Center rules. This much human contact goes directly against the rules and the well being of these animals and their future release into the wild.
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Came across this on Pechanga.net. Interesting article on our favorite Indian massacre town Turner Falls. Click on the link for a local news video.
http://wwlp.com/2017/09/06/turners-falls-students-beginning-school-year-without-mascot/
Turners Falls students beginning school year without mascot
School committee voted to get rid of "Indians" nickname back in February
By Mike Masciadrelli and Anthony Fay
Published: September 6, 2017, 12:37 pm
TURNERS FALLS, Mass, (WWLP) – The new school year has begun at Turners Falls High School, but a contentious issue from last year remains unresolved: the issue of a nickname for the school’s athletic teams.
In May, the Gill-Montague Regional School Committee voted 6-3 in February to eliminate the school’s “Indians” nickname and logo, due to concerns that the nickname was offensive to Native Americans.
“Its a fine line, because you want to be politically correct and don’t want to offend anyone,” Christina Chartier of South Hadley said.
But many in the area disagreed with the decision to eliminate the nickname that had been around for about 100 years. In a nonbinding referendum vote in May, about 75% of Montague voters said that they wanted to retain the “Indians.” Voters in Erving (which is not part of the district but sends students to Turners Falls High School) also voted to keep the nickname, but alter the logo.
Many area residents still have “I support the Indians” signs on their lawns.
“We have over 100 years of respectful use of a Native American image. We’ve been the Indians, the Indians were in this area long before we arrived. We have a shared cultural connection with them,” Chris Pinardi of Turners Falls said.
Superintendent of Schools Michael Sullivan told 22News that the school committee will establish a task force to select the new nickname. The nickname must be non-gender-specific and not represent any group based on its race, religion, or culture.
The school committee will meet on Tuesday, where they are expected to finalize their mascot task force.