How To Sponsor Dear Sponsors: Your support means so much! Thank you. To make a contribution by check, please refer to the Pledge Form link below. To make an online donation, click the "Donate Now" button to the right. Your contributions will go towards this year's high school essay contest. If you have any questions, please contact us at sponsor@reconnectingthecircle.com. Pledge Form: Pledge Form (PDF) Mission & Goals: Mission & Goals (PDF) Value Proposition: RTC Value Proposition (PDF) 2007 Sponsors & Partners Cherokee Nation The Cherokee Nation is the operating government of the Cherokee people. It is a federally recognized tribe of more than 260,000 tribal citizens, with its capital located in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Employing more than 6,500 people, Cherokee Nation’s economic impact in Oklahoma and surrounding areas is more than $800 million annually. Website: www.cherokee.org Chickasaw Nation The Chickasaw Nation is the 13th largest federally recognized tribe in the United States with more than 38,000 citizens. Jurisdictional territory of the Chickasaw Nation includes more than 7,600 square miles of south central Oklahoma and encompasses all or parts of 13 Oklahoma counties. The seat of the tribal government is located in Ada, Oklahoma and is under the leadership of Bill Anoatubby, who has served as the Governor of the Chickasaw Nation since 1987. The tribe currently employs more than 10,000 individuals and owns approximately 60 diverse businesses. Website: www.chickasaw.net   George Kaiser Family Foundation Seminole Tribe of Florida Website: www.seminoletribe.com The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma The Choctaws' thirst for knowledge and their drive to succeed have brought them from the tragedy of the Trail of Tears in the 1800s to being one of the most prosperous entities in the nation. While using every opportunity to generate profits to help fund health care services, social programs and educational opportunities for 190,000 members, Tribal leaders have not forgotten their rich history. Programs teaching the language reach out to schools and colleges throughout Southeastern Oklahoma as well as community classes in four states. Artwork, social dancing, traditional weddings, storytelling and cultural demonstrations also help keep the Chahta way alive. Website: www.choctawnation.com Trillium Asset Management Corporation For twenty-five years and with $1 billion in assets under management, Trillium Asset Management Corporation (“Trillium”) has been a leader in social and environmental investing. Trillium offers investors the strongest combination of personalized service, a history of competitive investment results, and a long and unique tradition of committed social activism. Clients include high net worth families, foundations, churches, endowments, and Native American tribes. Shareholder activism on social and environmental issues has included supporting indigenous peoples. Website: www.trilliuminvest.com Chugach Alaska Corporation Following passage of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) in 1971, Chugach Alaska Corporation (CAC) was established as an Alaska Native Regional Corporation. The shareholders of CAC are composed of three distinct cultures - Aleut, Eskimo, and Indian - which settled the region over many centuries. Those of Aleut or Eskimo descent are the prominent Native culture in the area. Indian cultures in the region include the Eyak, Athabaskan, and the Tlingit. Website: www.chugach-ak.com Walden Asset Management Since 1975, Walden has been a leader and innovator in responsible investing, never losing sight that our clients entrust us to deliver positive results on both their financial and social investment objectives. Our investment team, which is integrated with Boston Trust, has developed an investment philosophy that emphasizes careful consideration of asset allocation and portfolio diversification, along with a focus on financially strong companies. This approach has resulted in competitive investment performance over the long term, characterized by participation in rising markets and conservation of assets in declining markets. Website: www.waldenassetmgmt.com/ Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin Website: Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin   National Indian Gaming Association The National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA), established in 1985, is a non-profit organization of 184 Indian Nations wiht other non-voting associate members representing organizations, tribes and businesses engaged in tribal gaming enterprises from around the country. The common commitment and purpose of NIGA is to advance the lives of Indian peoples economically, socially and politically. NIGA operates as a clearinghouse and educational, legislative and public policy resource for tribes, policymakers and the public on Indian gaming issues and tribal community development. Website: NIGA Native Peoples MagazineNative Peoples Magazine is the oldest magazine devoted solely to Native American art and culture, now entering its 20th year of publication. The magazine's mission is to present a sensitive portrayal of the arts and lifeways of the Native peoples of the Americas. Website: www.nativepeoples.com Ho-Chunk, Inc. Website: www.hochunkinc.com Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC) ARC is the premier provider of financial settlement solutions and data and analytical services for the travel industry. Airlines,travel agencies, corporate travel departments, railroads, and other travel suppliers process $80 billion annually through ARC's world-class settlement system, making it the financial backbone of travel distribution. ARC COMPASS®, the leading, trusted source for travel transaction information, powers data and analytical tools that help ARC customers make confident business decisions. Website: www.arccorp.com   Gary Janetti Susan S. White Joan Egyes Partners National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) The NCAI was founded in 1944 in response to termination and assimilation policies that the United States forced upon the tribal governments in contradiction of their treaty rights and status as sovereigns. NCAI stressed the need for unity and cooperation among tribal governments for the protection of their treaty and sovereign rights. Since 1944, the National Congress of American Indians has been working to inform the public and Congress on the governmental rights of American Indians and Alaska Natives. Website: www.ncai.org Cherokee Nation Education Corporation The Cherokee Nation Education Corporation (CNEC) is a non-profit corporation, chartered under tribal code of the Cherokee Nation. Its mission is to provide educational assistance to Cherokee tribal members and to revitalize the language, history and culture of Cherokee people. The US Internal Revenue Service recognizes CNEC as a 501c3 corporation making contributions tax-deductible for the year in which they are made. The Corporation primarily supports the revitalization of its culture through the Cherokee language which is the highest priority of the tribe. CNEC provides higher education scholarships in selected Oklahoma high schools through several designated memorial scholarships. CNEC also provides a scholarship to students preparing to become classroom language immersion teachers. Website: www.cherokee.org Boys & Girls Clubs of America To enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Website: www.bgca.org Boys & Girls Clubs in Indian Country Boys & Girls Clubs in Indian Country give Native youth a place they can call their own, where they can realize their potential to succeed. Currently, there are over 200 Clubs serving over 144,000 Native youth in 25 different states. The Clubs represent nearly 90 different American Indian, Native Hawaiian and Alaskan Native communities. The programming available shows the commitment to addressing the problems and issues unique to Native American lands – rural locations, high poverty rates, and shortage of trained youth professionals. These Clubs differ from traditional Clubs because they offer cultural programs that incorporate both Native traditions and lifestyles. Currently, there are several programs geared towards Native American issues. The On the T.R.A.I.L. (Together Raising Awareness for Indian Life) to Diabetes Prevention program incorporates a combination of physical, educational and nutritional activities that promote healthy lifestyles. MethSMART, an extension of SMART Moves, focuses on the growing threat of methamphetamine abuse. The National Native American Mentoring Program specifically addresses the issue of Native American children whose parent(s) are incarcerated in tribal, state or federal prisons. Boys & Girls Clubs in Indian Country is a proud partner of Reconnecting the Circle. Website: www.naclubs.org Oneida Trust Committee (Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin) Website: www.oneidanation.org Contributors Julie A. Rosse As one of Washington DC’s up and coming graphic designers, Julie Rosse is seeing the benefits of her work in the best way. Her work has appeared in USA Today and the Wall Street Journal, as well as on billboards across the country. She is currently launching her graphic design company, Julie Rosse Designs, with a client list that has been steadily growing and has surpassed her expectations. Rosse is a former Writer for the Associated Press and is currently a graphic designer for the Air Line Pilots Association in Herndon, Virginia. She moved to the area in 2002 from a small town in upstate New York. She enjoys traveling, photography, and exploring the DC area. Our 2006 Sponsors Full Circle Sponsors Cherokee Nation   Chickasaw Nation   Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma   Third Radius Sponsors Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin Oneida Trust Department, Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin Danielle Gaines Second Radius Sponsors National Indian Gaming Association   Dakkota Integrated Systems   First Radius Sponsors Dave Anderson Gary Janetti, Lagnese, Peyrot & Mucci, Inc. Chugach Alaska Corporation Walden Asset Management Seminole Tribe of Florida Friends of Reconnecting The CircleTM Bi-Star Corporation Sharon Barash Dorothy Hogan Felicia Janetti Susan White HoChunk, Inc.