Description: At the Circle Legacy Center, we offer our programs, community outreach & networking, a multi media hub and library. We will provide information about all like minded organizations, programs, projects and actions from the local, national and global community. We will have meetings, movie nights, book clubs, education, entertainment, recreation, arts instruction/programs/displays, grassroots support groups and social gatherings.

First Nations of the Americas Cultural Education & Support

Purpose: To offer a place to learn about native cultures from the Americas and share their messages, give voice to their concerns and support their needs. Also, to provide First Nations teachers, leaders, artists, activists, and performers for our schools and community. We believe that through education we can create a support system for them. We strive to inspire the populace into finally giving back to our native brothers & sisters, instead of always taking. An equal balance of give-and-take is the movement of this circle. The Circle Legacy's key purpose is to foster our endangered natural resource, the First Nations people of the Americas.

Description: This mission will be accomplished by inviting First Nations people to our schools and community to share their culture, concerns, needs, spirit and earth awareness, the arts, community and youth outreach through: lectures, symposiums, community actions, gatherings, meetings, entertainment, workshops, events and programs.

Current Projects

The Circle Legacy Center has partnered with the Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society to create a long house for educational purposes. Local indigenous people will be the designers and teachers at this long house.

We have partnered with Mennonite leaders to create a strategy for honoring local indigenous peoples. A gathering is being planned for the summer of 2010, with a focus on continuous actions that support our native community.

Our executive director is on the board of the Return to the Earth Committee-working to free Native American bones for repatriation.

A few members of Circle Legacy are on the Lancaster/York Native Heritage Cultural committee.

Environmental Education & Actions

Purpose: To educate and create programs and actions for the benefit of the earth and all species.

Description: Our environmental mission is guided by the wisdom of the Earth Keepers-traditional indigenous people from all continents. We have our own environmental projects and will provide information about local, national and global environmental organizations, programs and actions. We will provide speakers, symposiums, meetings, workshops, fairs, gatherings, entertainment and community actions. Program goals for 2009: provide environmental education, trash and river clean ups, city bike program, plastic bag eradication, and clean energy support.

Intercultural Unity

Purpose: To connect to all cultures and invite them to offer their stories, messages and needs. Through knowledge, a relationship of understanding and support can emerge. These connections unite us so we can join forces and together create the world we want to live in. The circle of healing will cycle among all people.

Description: Invite all cultures to be a part of the Circle Legacy Center. We invite nonparticipating groups to share their information with us, so we can provide it to the community.

Youth Outreach

Purpose: To support youth in need locally and in First Nation communities.

Description: Through Family and Children Services (now Pressley Ridge) the Circle Legacy Organization mentors orphaned and/or neglected youth. To support First Nation youth see: www.saveourtribalyouth.com and Urban Native Youth Association.

Arts Program

Purpose: To offer the community intercultural arts programs, presentations, exhibits, performances and education to: teach, enlighten, entertain and promote unity & diversity. To use the arts as a tool to teach about and connect to all cultures, social issues, spiritual understandings and environmental beauty & mutilation.

Description: Teachers from the local, national and global community will be invited to share their arts with us. Programs will be age and limitation appropriate-with classes designed for adults through to age one, with extra encouragement for mentally, physically and emotionally challenged people. Some arts include-but not limited to: all mediums-paint/pencil/clay/stone; music-making instruments/performances by teachers and students/drum-music circles; performance-dance, skits, plays, gorilla theater; photography and gardening. The Arts Program will start with the opening of the Circle Legacy Center.


The Time Dollar System & Community Volunteer Organizing

Purpose: With the Time Dollar System: To engage the community in a bartering system of tasks and chores. It connects the community to help each other to get needed work done, without having to exchange money for services. Volunteer Organizing Program: To get the community involved in indigenous, environmental and social support projects and actions. All create networks that unite every level of society. We gain knowledge of each other and break down the barriers that divide and conquer us. We then learn how to support each other in the struggle to construct a healthier society and environment-together.

Description: Time Dollar System: A directory is organized of participants + the chores and tasks that they are able to offer, and the chores and tasks that they may need. This system will be established, operated, and supervised at the Circle Legacy Center. Volunteer Organization: Actions and programs will be planned and initiated to enlist the community in volunteering to aid social, environmental and indigenous peoples' needs. Also, a database has been started of other grassroots organizations and people so we can provide this information to the community.


Human Healing

Purpose: Humanity is stressed. Our four energies (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual) are compromised. Our bodies are plummeted with toxins, causing stress inside. On the outside our world is sometimes unfair, fast paced and violent. Sometimes we don't realize or understand the signs that nature and our bodies are giving us. We believe that once the body is in a state of homeostasis, we can then be more effective in our contributions to the common good of all.

Description: We will provide teachers who will guide us through the journey of healing our minds, body and spirit. We will learn about healing and preventive herbs, instruct how to avoid toxins in food, and how to identify foods we are allergic to. We will also establish support groups for volunteers, progressive and grassroots people, and programs for spirit awareness.


Food Issues

Purpose: Bringing awareness and changes in the foods we consume.

Description: Our food is full of toxins. Special focus will be given to government supported and accepted poisons: hydrogenated oils (trans fatty acids), artificial sugar, pesticides, genetically altered foods, steroids & antibiotics in meat and dairy, food radiation and additives. We support the Buy Fresh/Buy Local program, permaculture, organic foods and the right to buy unpasteurized dairy. Guided by ancient indigenous and modern wisdom, we will assist the food safety movement through education and actions.