What is IPO?
The Indigenous Poeple Organization (IPO) is a non-profit organization based in Warwick, Rhode Island that offers its membership a variety of activities with an emphasis on teaching and preserving Native American culture and history. We are currently seeking new members who can share ideas, offer their skills and knowledge, and help to plan events that will bring a positive experience to the organization and to the community. Our programs are dedicated to promoting mutual respect for one another, and appreciation of nature, and a healthy sense of community spirit by bringing people together.

Our Goals

        * Teaching and preserving Native American culture, history, and customs

        * Positively influencing today's youth

        * Working together to strengthen the community

        * Promoting the acceptance and understanding of diverse populations

Programs and Activities

After-school and Youth Programs

  The IPO after-school program provides the youth a safe place to gather together and have fun while learning. We offer the use of our modest Native American Library, homework assistance, mentoring, games and other creative activities for our junior members, ages 8 to 17. Our arts and crafts class focuses on Native American items such as medicine wheels, dream catchers, Plains and Woodlands-style dolls, etc. Field trips include visits to the Narragansett Reservation, the Mashantucket Pequot Museum, and Roger Williams Park Zoo. In addition to promoting social awareness, our field trips are designed to foster appreciation and respect for the outdoors and the natural environment. Special events include holiday parties, weekly movie night, and guest speakers who share their knowledge about the Native American way of life. Parents who wish to volunteer as chaperons or assistants for these activities are always welcome.

Turtle Island Program for Adults

    Once a week, members meet to participate in discussions of contemporary issues and ideas relating to the IPO and the community. Events and activity planning often come about from the shared experience and interesting ideas our members bring to this gathering. We will incorporate a council chosen by the members and then break into small groups to develop our ideas into practical form.

Basic Adult Volunteer Program

    If you are unable to commit to a full membership at present, we welcome any volunteer time you can offer. You may participate on a per-event basis to help with special activities such as lectures, social gatherings, and fundraising projects. Donations (monetary and otherwise) are gladly accepted and also tax deductible.

The Story of Turtle Island

   We would like to take a minute to tell you a story that was told to us by our mother and father and that has been passed down throuth the generations. This is a story of the beginning of life on the North American continent; a story that started so very long ago. Variations on this lesson have been told by the many tribes of North America, but the theme has remained the same.

      -- Domingo Talldog Monroe,Founder,IPO           

      -- Antone Crowfoot Monroe, Co-Founder

    A long time ago, in the beginning, a young warrior and his mate were preparing for what looked like a potentially big rainstorm that was brewing. Suddenly, the rain came down hard, pouring from the dark clouds in torrents and covering all the land and everything on it. The young warrior and his mate had no choice but to climb higher ground. Eventually, this too was covered with water, so they climbed into a nearby tree and his mate began hollering for help.

"Please help! Save us!" she called out over and over.

Meanwhile, in a brave tone, the young warrior sang his death song, thinking this was surley the end. At that moment, they heard a voice echoing, "I will save you but you will have to commit to me with promises and never go back on your word."

"What is it you need from us?" they asked, perched on the tree's highest branches, The voice responded, "If I break a limb, will you do everything you can to mend it back together so that I won't lose it?"

"Yes, of course!" they replied as the water around them rose higher and higher.

The voice continued, If I am hungry, will you feed me nutritious food so that I can grow strong?"

"Yes, of course we will!" they exclaimed.

"And if I am poisoned," asked the voice, "will you treat me with medicine and take care of me until I return to good health?"

The couple promised that they would keep these commitments along with many others and just as quickly as the rain had begun, it stopped. The sun began to shine, the waters receded and the high land began to dry. A bird flew overhead and dropped a seed of corn. When corn stalks had grown and animals appeared, the voice said, "I am Turtle put here by the creator as your mother and as long as you stay true to your commitment, so then shall I."

As time went on, the couple produced a family and as the children grew, they were told the story of the Turtle and the promises that were made that day.

"We are the keepers of the Turtle, our Mother," they said. "This place we live in and all the land shall be respected, honored and nourished regularly."

--In honor of Tashtasuck and the generations that follow. Our thanks to the Creator.

We tell the story of the Turtle in hopes of sharing our concept on how the cycle of life works and continues onward.

Membership

We need your support!

None of IPO's good work can be accomplished without the support and efforts of our members! You do not need to be Native American to be part of IPO. People of all ethnic and racial backgrounds are welcome. New membership aplications are always being accepted.

Why become a member of IPO?

If you answer "yes" to any of the following, join us today!

•  Would I like to be a member of an organization that helps those in need and provides an opportunity to be a positive role model for our youth?
•  Do I want to be part of a program that allows me to play a direct role in giving back to society; where I know my contribution will have a positive effect on the lives of others.
•  Am I interested in growing as an individual by being part of a meaningful endeavor?

If the story of the Turtle and the concept it represents interests you, let us know. By joining IPO, you can become part of a good cause, help create a positive influence, and take part in the circle of life. Help strengthen the medicine of the wheel. To replenish the circle, it will take more than one race to do so. We welcome you to be part of a growing organization, made up of people that belive in the constant cycle of life and its positive energy. Allow us to help you build the spirit within you. A long house is not built by one person for only one person...it is built by many for many.

Membership fees help to support our youth and adult programs and all IPO activities. Donations are always appreciated and monetary gifts are tax deductible. IPO is a federally reconized 501(c)3 organization. Members recieve a 10% discount at native sons, a Native American jewelry and gift store located in the IPO building at 685 West Shore ROad in Warwick, Rhode Island. Members must have IPO membership card present to recieve the discount.

Limited Membership

-Donation: $50

-Includes IPO membership card

-Addition to our mailing list

-Access to the IPO facility that includes our library, computer, and recreation room

-Allows for participation in IPO social events, programs, etc.

IPO Expansion

We are currently expanding our programs and the space we occupy. Our goal is to become a community/resource center. Some of the improvmentsplanned include a bigger and better library, acoffee shop, a bookstore, more computers with internet access, a health fitness area, a basketball court, seminars, and cultural demonstrations. We also plan to extend our youth program hours to monday through sunday 3pm to 8pm; it is currently Monday through Friday 3pm to 7pm. Homework help, new games, and more field trips are also anticipated for the youth program.

Of course, the expansion will take the a lot of hard work and effort. Now taht you know more about our organization, please consider helping us continue our programs and mantain our positive impact. Besides monetary donations, we would also appreciate donations in the form od supplies or equipment. Some examples include:

-Books od Native American content/subject matter

-Computers, printers (relatively new and working please)

-Paper, art supplies, craft supplies

-Exercise equipment (treadmills, excerise bikes, weights, etc)

Thank you for your time and interest

Honor the Creator of all things on Heaven and Earth. Thank the Creator for all the gifts and blessings that we receive from thou. The sun, the moon, the waters, and all of the energy that comes from thus. The trees, the plants, the animals, and all that exists in this circle of life that we all benefit from. Let us praise the Creator and ask that we all learn to live together, respect one another, and be unselfish in our mannerism for goodness sake. Thank you, Creator.

For more information or to receive e-mail about upcoming events, visit us on the internet at www.native-sons.com and click on the IPO link!

"To live honorably is to die honorably.."

-Domingo Talldog Monroe

Indigenous People Organization

685 West Shore Road

Warwick, RI 02889

Phone: 401-732-3572

Business Hours:

Monday through Friday

10 am to 7 pm

*This is what the Prayer cup below reads*

Honor the Creator, Creator of all things on heaven and earth. Thank the Creator for all the gifts and blessings that we recieve from thou. The sun, the moon, the waters, and all of the energy that comes from thus. The trees, the plants, the animals and all that exists in this circle of life that we all benefit from. Let us praise the Creator and ask that we all learn to live together, respect one another, and be unselfish in our mannerism for goodness sake.

Thank You Creator

Can you please help up keep our effort and goals alive

               Say you'll support the Indigenous People Organization by making a donation for a minimul of ten dollars. And you will recieve an IPO special prayer coffee mug, color choice white & green, or an IPO pen, or a 3" Dream Catcher. Anyone of the three of your choice, please specify on the color of the coffee mug. Plus seven dollars for shipping & handling.

           Remember to send your check or money order plus shipping & handling cost of seven dollars to:

                                                 IPO

                                    685 West Shore Rd.

                                    Warwick, RI 02889

                                  WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!

Thank You,

With many blessings for the Great Spirit