For Immediate Release

Redbird’s Vision Explores Food Security Programs

Redbird’s Vision is a non-profit organization created to help address the needs of the diverse Native community in Southern California. The name comes from a character in a traditional story, in which a small bird helps a distressed wolf by pecking away at mud packs that have covered his eyes. The grateful wolf rolls the little brown bird, carefully, in sacred red earth. Then he tells the bird, "You and all of your offspring will now be red, this sacred color, because you showed kindness and helped me to see."

The members and organizers of Redbird’s Vision endeavor to mirror the actions of this small bird. They strive to express the kindness and inclusion the story teaches. Since its inception, in 1990, Redbird has been composed of people from many tribal backgrounds as well as non-tribal people. They see their most important work as building bridges across the chasm of misunderstanding and mistrust between native and non-native cultures. They hope these bridges will allow kindness to flourish between all people.

In this effort they are inspired by Oren Lyons, an elder from the Onondaga Nation who said, “Every woman is a mother, and every man an uncle, to every child, no matter what color they are.” They bring this thought to every aspect of their organization; from their educational programs, networking and referral services, writing and information dissemination, their annual toy, coat, blanket, and school supplies drive, and to their annual Powwow.

The “Children of Many Colors Powwow,” which was first held in 1994, is their most visible contribution to the community. The primary goal of the Powwow is the preservation and perpetuation of Native American cultural values and traditions through active participation. The secondary goal is to serve the general public in an educational capacity. “The Powwow provides an opportunity to meet, befriend, and understand indigenous people, not through historical documentaries or museum artifacts, but as living, vital members of today’s society and of the cultural fabric of southern California.”

Redbird founder, Corina Roberts, takes a very active role in fundraising for the Powwow.. She is the organization’s chief grant writer. As a result of her efforts, Redbird’s Vision and the Children of Many Colors Powwow have been funded by; the National Endowment for the Arts, California Rural Indian Health Board Tobacco Education and Prevention Program, Bank of America’s Neighborhood Excellence Initiative Local Hero Award, National Geographic Society, and the Ventura County Community Foundation—among other grants and awards.

Corina has also initiated a healthy food focus, both for Redbird and for the Children of Many Colors Powwow. “We began serving healthy food at powwows about six years ago and introducing that idea, gently, among customers and other vendors—at our own and other powwows and at other community events. Healthy food has caught on, not just because of us, but in concert with the efforts of tribes and individuals, other nonprofit groups, and the realization that people are dying, young and at an alarming rate, from food-related medical issues like diabetes and obesity.”

When a copy of Food Security & Sustainability for the Times Ahead was offered to Redbird’s Vision through the publisher’s book grant program, Corina didn’t hesitate. “With our healthy food focus, and a community wide concern about sustainability, this book is a good fit for our small, in-house, reference library. Further, it brings native stories and wisdom into the present, and makes them relevant for life today. This is an integral part of our work, urban and other Native people need to build bridges between tradition and the modern world in order to feel whole. Redbird is also exploring a number of food security programs. Food Security & Sustainability is a very welcome addition to our reference library as we expand our efforts in this direction.”

Corina wants to extend an invitation to the Children of Many Colors Powwow—to all who are able to attend. More information about the powwow can be found at: http://www.powwows.com/calendar/calendardisplay..php?eventid=6511

Volunteers, donations, and other contributions are always needed to help the powwow run smoothly. If you can help with the powwow or any of Redbird’s other activities please contact Corina Roberts at: redbirds_vision@hotmail..com. You can also find more information on their web site: <http://www.redbirdsvision.org>.

For more information on Food Security & Sustainability for the Times Ahead and Bio Diverse Press’s program to donate books to Native organizations and libraries please visit their web site: .

Children of Many Colors Powwow on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpbQq0157xc

For more information on Corina Roberts, please see her profiles:

http://www.lulu.com/corinaroberts

http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/27306/corina_roberts.html

http://www.myspace.com/redbirdsvision

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End, No Kill Date

By Line, optional: Linda Nixon

If posted on-line please send a link to biodiversepress@ymail.com. We will be sure that Corina Roberts of Redbird’s Vision receives a copy.

If released in print format please send tear sheets to: Bio Diverse Press, P.O. 754, Hoopa CA 95546 and Redbird’s Vision, P.O. Box 702, Simi Valley, California 93062

Photo of Corina Roberts, with a copy of Food Security & Sustainability for the Times Ahead, is available. Send your request to biodiversepress@ymail.com. Please specify the approximate size, resolution, and color profile needed. Photos will be sent as .jpg files unless you request a different format. Please use “photo request” as your subject line so we don’t mistake your e-mail for spam..

Review copies of Food Security & Sustainability for the Times Ahead are available to qualified publication on request. Please see http://www.biodiversepress.com/Review.html

Direct other inquiries to:

Corina Roberts: redbirds_vision@hotmail.com

Bio Diverse Press: biodiversepress@ymail.com