Native American Community Services of Erie and Niagara Counties Inc.

03/23/2022

Project C | National Grid

For interested individuals and organizations....

National Grid has committed to planting 1,000 trees across New York State in 2022. As Earth Day approaches, National Grid and Project C Adopt-A-Park would like to offer eligible organizations the opportunity to beautify their landscaping by planting trees.

According to the National Forest Foundation and Nitrofill.com:
1. 1.9 billion trees are planted each year
2. In one year, 100 mature trees can remove 53 tons of carbon dioxide and 430 pounds of pollution from the atmosphere
3. An average size tree produces enough oxygen in one year to keep a family of four breathing
4. Three trees planted in the right place around a building can cut air-conditioning costs up to 50%
5. Tree makes people feel good. Workers are more productive when they see trees along their commute route and from their office windows. It also makes hospital patients heal faster with few medications.

If interested in planting trees, please have them use the following link to request a grant

https://www.nationalgridus.com/project-c/Adopt-a-Park-Program

At National Grid, we have a responsibility to our community, and to show our commitment through clean energy and sustainability. As a result, we created the Adopt a Park initiative - a project designed to revitalize important local and regional landmarks in the areas we serve.

03/17/2022

The family asked us to share this fundraiser as well as their GoFundMe link...

A few words from Joel

Hello, this is Little Joel. I created this fundraiser, with help from the whole family, on behalf of my dad, Joel (Jock) Harris. Early February 2022, at the age of 57, he was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung Cancer, which metastasized to multiple locations including the brain. Over the past month he has begun radiation treatments for the brain and will be continuing treatments in March.

For those that don't know my dad, he has been in the construction industry since he was 19 years old; he is a roofer and owns his own construction business. He is the entire family's unofficial handyman; always willing to make the drive and help. He and my step-mom Thea have fostered children through Native American Community Services (NACS) for years and just this past year, adopted three amazing foster children into the family. He has a huge heart and deeply cares for his family.

We are still early in the treatment process and as I'm sure everyone is aware, cancer treatment is not cheap. Not only is it wildly expensive, but it takes a physical toll on the person. He is physically unable to go to work due to the effects of the cancer and treatments. It has bereaved my dad of doing what he has done 5-7 days a week, for decades: working to provide for his family. It's tough to express just how much of a mainstay my dad is in so many people's lives; as a provider, an employer, a father, and role-model. He is the foundation of our family and has helped so many people over the years. So, from all his friends and the entire Harris family: Please help us do something for him; help us give him some peace of mind. This money will go towards helping him pay for treatments and by doing so, alleviate some of the stress that comes with financial uncertainty.

On behalf of Jock and his family, Nya:weh (Thank you).

https://gofund.me/ead004a1

03/16/2022

03/09/2022

Bandits announce theme nights for 2021-22 season | Buffalo Bandits - bandits.com

Reminder - Buffalo Bandits' Native American Heritage Night is Saturday, March 26: Halifax vs. Buffalo – 7:30 p.m.

https://bandits.com/bandits-announce-theme-nights-for-2021-22-season/

With the return of Buffalo Bandits lacrosse and fans at KeyBank Center, the team is aiming to make every home game during the 2021-22 season a special night for the best fans in lacrosse. - bandits.com

03/08/2022

Two Minute Drill: Summer Hemphill

NACS wishes Summer Hemphill (Seneca) and the UB Women's Basketball team all the best in their conference tournament and March Madness.

This is a video from 2020, but it talks about her journey back from injury and now she has persevered onto having an amazing Senior Year!!! We'll be cheering for you and the team!! Good Luck!!

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2617641651858804

03/03/2022

Hemphill grabs 1,000th rebound in blow-out win

A little behind, but NACS wants to congratulate Summer Hemphill (Seneca) on getting 1,000 rebounds in her career at UB and all the success you have had over the last few years, but especially this, your Senior Year! You make us proud!!!

https://www.ubbullrun.com/womens-basketball/2022/2/10/22928096/hemphill-grabs-1000th-rebound-in-blow-out-win

Sixth year forward Summer Hemphill became just the second player in UB Women’s Basketball history to pull down 1,000 rebounds, and also the second player with 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds. It...

03/03/2022

03/01/2022

02/18/2022

From our Friends at NU...

African Americans live sicker and die younger than any other ethnic group in the nation. Why is this happening? THE SKIN YOU'RE IN is a feature documentary, website and book about the astonishing African-American health disparity - why it exists and what can be done about it...THE SKIN YOU’RE IN, Our Town Films and Johns Hopkins Public Health researcher Dr. Thomas LaVeist will investigate this disturbing phenomenon: the astonishing disparity between Black and White health in America, find out why it exists and discover what can be done about it. The film will take viewers on a journey of exploration of this problem. We will talk to leading experts and researchers from around the country who will explain the problems and what can be done. But mostly we will see the problem first hand in the everyday lives of African American families telling their stories, and meet people who are making a difference.

02/14/2022

Happy Valentine's Day - Hear "I Love You" in Native Languages

Happy Valentine's Day to our Native community - We love you!!!

https://nativenewsonline.net/currents/happy-valentine-s-day-i-love-you-in-native-languages?utm_source=Native+News+Online&utm_campaign=2ca0caa80a-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2021_11_24_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_dfd2540337-2ca0caa80a-1318480784

The Native American comedic group, 1491s released this video that has Native people from various parts of Indian Country showcasing how they say “I love you” in their Native langauge. The result is the “Indigenous Love Words Project” video. This article was first published on February 14, 20...

01/25/2022

meetny.webex.com

Webinar: Tribal Values for Natural Resources - Tuesday, February 15 at 12 p.m. - Lunch and learn with with a webinar on Tribal Values for the Natural World presented by Les Benedict, assistant director of Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe’s Environmental Division. A big believer in Native American environmental stewardship, Les supports the Akwesasne Task Force on the Environment and represents the Tribes on regional and national committees. Drawing on more than 31 years of experience in air quality, quality control, grant and project management, Les now focuses mainly on planning and development and is a member of the Adirondack (Region 5) ReLeaf committee. Registration is required for this free webinar, and you can register online through the link below...
https://meetny.webex.com/mw3300/mywebex/default.do?nomenu=true&siteurl=meetny&service=6&rnd=0.19303617255835426&main_url=https%3A%2F%2Fmeetny.webex.com%2Fec3300%2Feventcenter%2Fevent%2FeventAction.do%3FtheAction%3Ddetail%26%26%26EMK%3D4832534b000000054d7a68acd74113ee6a50998c2959dfd3bf042e251f491522632b7340c4d130af%26siteurl%3Dmeetny%26confViewID%3D215146219698138890%26encryptTicket%3DSDJTSwAAAAXEIK0UA52KlOZV1GCxwz2QoYo6oazVdUvi7Wf5OOv-oQ2%26

01/25/2022

Registration Link:
https://buffalo.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAld--oqD0sGNymBFlDXflhiR1le_UHHZ-D?fbclid=IwAR0FODtqwkUU-o0wCYVmDz_ZJio2PCO_SI5FzirIMqg9au5AALGOWbMY4VQ

01/25/2022

NACS sends our condolences to the family and friends of another community leader - Noreen "Kim" Hill - NACS' 2017 Bundled Arrows Award honoree.

Noreen was Project Director of the Indian Education Program for the Niagara Falls School District. In addition to being active in local Native American issues, she also was a stalwart for Native rights and involved with the Indian Defense League of America for many years. She also had worked for NACS earlier in her career. It was noted with her award, that “Noreen has always been a defender of our people and holds the bar high whether externally or internally focused. She is dedicated and committed to achieving the best representation and results for our Native community, especially our youth.”

01/19/2022

Linda Yellow’s funeral fund, organized by Maurice Yellow

https://www.gofundme.com/f/linda-yellows-funeral-fund

Hello. This is Maurice “Moose” Yellow,Linda’s youngest. We set this up to help off set the… Maurice Yellow needs your support for Linda Yellow’s funeral fund

01/19/2022

Unfortunately, we have some sad news to share. One of our founding Council of Elders members, Linda Yellow, has passed away. We send our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, and all who she impacted on. It’s so hard to express all that Linda meant to our community, to NACS, and to many of our staff on a personal level. She loved her family, loved her community, and loved NACS. She was always appreciative of our work and was one of our biggest partners and strongest supporters. Her love for her community flowed from her smile when you saw her.

There is so much more to be said, but we wanted to share the arrangements for her, which are below:

Viewing will be Thursday 6pm-8pm and Friday 10a-12pm with service and funeral to follow. It will be at
M.J. Colucci & Son Niagara Funeral Chapel
2730 Military Rd.
Niagara Falls, NY 14304
(Next door to Tim Hortons on Military and Porter.)

She worked tirelessly to help and advocate for her people, may she journey well and now rest in peace.

We love you Linda - Your NACS Family!

01/18/2022

COVIDtests.gov - Free at-home COVID-19 tests

The White House at-home kit test order link went live today. Community members can order tests via this site: https://www.covidtests.gov/

Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests. The tests are completely free. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days.

01/11/2022

Bandits game rescheduled for January 14, 2022 | Buffalo Bandits - bandits.com

This weekend's Bandits game moved to Friday night to avoid conflict with the Buffalo Bills Playoff win happening Saturday Night!
🙂

Let's Go Bandits! 🥍 Go Bills!! 🏈

https://bandits.com/this-weeks-bandits-game-rescheduled-for-friday/

The Buffalo Bandits home game against the Georgia Swarm originally scheduled for Saturday, January 15 will now be played on Friday, January 14 at 7:30 p.m., the team announced today. - bandits.com

01/11/2022

NLL UNITES Week 6 Leaguewide Initiative - NLL

https://www.nll.com/news/nll-unites-week-6-leaguewide-initiative/?fbclid=IwAR3kdTg_BtQNvFBVbBr2LVMxAbRuOIGMJGFqLdFYrrFrmH3nND3zadVeZsU

PHILADELPHIA, January 4, 2021 – The National Lacrosse League (@NLL), the largest and most successful professional lacrosse property in the world,

01/11/2022

City of Buffalo to give out 11,000 COVID test kits at 5 locations Tuesday

Happening now in Buffalo...
https://www.wgrz.com/article/news/local/city-of-buffalo-to-give-out-11000-covid-test-kits-at-5-locations-tuesday-coronavirus-western-new-york/71-306d75cb-f880-415b-a2c5-512d74462af8

The free test kits will be given out through drive-through starting at 9 a.m.

01/11/2022

Where Erie County residents can obtain free COVID test kits this week

https://www.wivb.com/news/local-news/erie-county/where-erie-county-residents-can-obtain-free-covid-test-kits-this-week/

(WIVB) — Erie County passed out COVID test kits to be distributed amongst area residents this past week. Some will also be distributing KN95 masks. Distribution is on a first come, first serv…