Save the Indigenous Altai Lands

[Raffi Aftandelian]

Greetings all!

I'm posting the below on behalf of Carol Hiltner, a Seattle-based friend of
OS who has used OST with Russian and international colleagues in her work
with the indigenous people of Altai (Siberia). Those of you who were at the
14th WOSonOS in Moscow might remember her presentation on the Altai Trek.

The illustrated version of this announcement is available at altaimir.com

warmly,
raffi
(soon also to be Seattle-based)

Warmest winter greetings!
         A year ago, several of us formed Altai Mir University, a 501(c)3
nonprofit organization to help sustain the indigenous Altai culture who
protect that jewel of a land.
          In the mountains of Siberia are many valley indigenous tribes that
are struggling to save their lands from subdivision and purchase. It is one
of the few places on earth where indigenous culture still thrives, and
consuming has not yet arrived.
          I have enclosed an email flyer and would love if you would
consider enclosing it in your holiday letter, forwarding it to your email
list, or merely see it as a chain letter for sustainability, and send it to
at least 6 of your friends.
          I appreciate your consideration of this situation at this busy
time. This season, more than ever, feels to me like a global holiday of
giving. The Altai people have asked for our support. And we can make a
difference.

Love to you!
Carol

Carol Hiltner
www.AltaiMir.org


Please help us
with a
generous donation:

or by check to:
12345 Lake City
Way NE #126
Seattle, WA
98025-5401

Altai Mir University
is a 501(c)3
nonprofit corporation.


We work to preserve and sustain the Altai Republic and the cultures who
steward these precious lands.

We stand in solidarity with all cultures who protect and heal the earth.

WHAT IF for the cost of a bag of groceries, you had the opportunity to help
an ancient culture save their sacred homeland?

WHAT IF preserving and honoring that culture was a symbolic and conscious
choice to protect and honor the whole earth?

The indigenous people of Altai have been silent stewards of the land and its
resources in a way that has remained wholly unchanged. They have freely
shared the pastures, farmlands, waterways, and ancient relics.

Now, as part of Russian land reforms, the land must be surveyed and
registered, or it will be divided up and sold. The Altai people do not have
the resources to survey.

Because we have heard the voices of the Altai people, Altai Mir University
is working, in partnership with them, to secure and protect some of the most
precious, untouched land left on our planet.

As concerned global citizens, we cannot change what happened to the lands of
the indigenous peoples of North America, who share much in tradition and
ceremony with the Altai people. But we can make a difference in Altai.

Please join us in making this a reality.

    * A gift of $32 surveys 10 acres or 4 hectares.
    * A gift of $64 surveys 20 acres or 8 hectares.
    * A gift of $128 surveys 40 acres or 16 hectares: an average plot of
communal grazing or farmland.
    * A gift of $500 or more enables more land to be surveyed together,
decreasing the cost per hectare.
    * 100% of your gift will go directly to registering these lands. 

Please consider including us in your end-of-year giving.

*
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