Letter from the President
Larry Knudsen January 2006
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Larry Knudsen, Member of Ho Chunk, Omaha, Ponca Nations |
Welcome to the new Indigenous Internet Chamber of Commerce.
Fifteen months in the making and finally, I can start to put the pieces to my vision into place. My original dream was to be up and running last January. I had never thought it would have taking this long to accomplish. I can now tell you my story.
I remember going to my colleagues, Francis Fairbanks (Minneapolis American Indian Center) Vernon Bellcourt (The International Indian Treaty Council) Clyde Bellcourt (American Indian OIC) and asking them if anyone has ever attempted to unite the Indigenous people of the Western Hemisphere before? They all replied "not to their knowledge". That was all I needed to hear to get the ball rolling.
Before the settlers showed up, we communicated and would trade with each other, as one family. Then they put up borders and this stopped all communication.
With today's internet, we can take down the borders and be reunited. No borders, just like the old days. I really wish it was that easy. Our new Chamber of Commerce will be the first attempt to do just that. Bring Unity. |
In fifteen short months, I have built us three websites. The first didn't look Indigenous at all. The second one fell short of my expectations. Then I was going to pay $20,000 for our third site and our new web designer Keith Peterson said, "Larry let me try to build you a site. I don't want to see you spend any more money." He delivered. Today our site looks good and I'm finally happy with the new look. I know we can only get better.
Our statisics are grim. We have over 150 million Indigenous people in this Hemisphere, and 95% of us still make less than $5,000 yearly. Our Chamber will help start to change these numbers. We support our home-based businesses. The plan is to develop and start new Internet businesses, managed by Mom and Dad, who then can interact with our children and we can teach them how to run an Internet business. Bringing new dollars into our communties will help build the local infrastructure. Now we just have to keep that dollar in our communty for as long as we can before it leaves us.
If your wondering how can we get our Indigenous Chamber into Central and South America? IICOC is a Minneapolis South Rotary International Project. With Rotary already well established in Central and South America we will have no problem getting the word out. Rotary is a service organization which has done hundreds of humanitarin projects for our People. Rotary has saved our lives, and has touched us and our families. Our partnership is just beginning. You may be wondering Who and What is Rotary? Rotary isn't recognized here with the American Indians of the United States because of our Sovereignty. We're going to change that.
Look forward to next month, we're going to dedicate a page to Rotary projects which are taking place today, I want to tell you the stories of how they are helping our people. This should help answer your questions of, "Who and What is Rotary?" and, "What can they do for me?"
I couldn't have done this by myself. I have had many volunteers who have helped me and believed in me. I want to thank each and every one of you for your time and dedication. I look forward to working with our new Board of Directors and You our Members.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about our new Indigenous Internet Chamber of Commerce. Reach me by e-mail at .
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