The Eagle's Nest of Alabama in cooperation with:

the New Eagle Eye Creek Clan of Altha, Florida

the Echota Cherokee Tribe of Florida, DeFuniak Springs, Florida, and

will collect new, unwrapped toys at the Eagle's Nest of Alabama's Falling Leaves Intertribal Gathering and Pow Wow. These toys will be distributed to hundreds of under privileged American Indian Children. A network of American Indian truck drivers is being organized to provide delivery of these toys and coordination among the Wiregrass American Indian Community will assist in the selection of where the toys will be distributed to. As other clans, bands, tribes and nations decide to participate in this endeavor they will be added to the above listing.

From Bill Silver Eagle:

All too often we see the television advertisements for helping under privileged children around the world. While I have no problem at all helping all children, including those in other countries, I believe we must first take care of our own children first. As a American Indian sponsored event, and with strong heart-felt connections to the American Indian People, this collection of toys will help an American Indian child enjoy the celebration of Christmas.

These children are the future of the People. If we do not step forward to help our own, why would we or should we expect that these children will carry on the traditions of our ancestors?

Kinship is central to the American Indian way of life. Courage, fortitude, wisdom and generosity are among the most celebrated virtues. The children learn these traits from their elders and prove them in their daily lives. Every act and judgment is considered in terms of its duty and benefit to the extended family, which often includes hundreds of people. The worst insult an American Indian can give is to say "you live as if you had no relatives".

Mitakuye Oyasin

We are all related . . . We are all one