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Please contribute so we protect Buttonhook forever!
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Breaking News!
Powerful Statements of Support
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On 11/8/2022, Chairwoman Tousey of the Brothertown Indian Nation has made an announcement of the partnership with us, Friends of Buttonhook Forest to protect this sacred land.
"I am sure you are wondering why this site is of particular importance to the BIN and why the Tribal Council entered into this partnership. It is likely, based upon historical information, that our ancestors traveled extensively through this area and no doubt attended ceremonies in this sacred place. It is possible the site may contain the remains of our ancestors and those of other tribes in the area. Buttonhook Forest should be preserved on behalf of all the tribes in the Northeast who once traversed this land." To read the full statement visit their website. |
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Click to read the letter of support in its entirety.
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On November 16, 2022, the Saw Mill River Audubon sent a letter to the Chappaqua Central School Board strongly supporting the Friends of Buttonhook and Brothertown Indian Nation's bid to protect Buttonhook forest.
"I recognize the responsibility of the Board of Education to act in a manner consistent with the community you serve... However considerations and concerns including steam and wetland protection, habitat protection, biodiversity, ... and climate change cross these lines so that as public officials you have a responsibility to consider likely and possible impacts of their deacons on the broader community." | ||
News Channel 12
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Click This Link to watch news coverage from September 15, 2022
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Print News
Buttonhook ForestSarah Serota, For Stroll Magazine, July 2023
Buttonhook Forest, a 20.3-acre untouched land in Chappaqua, hosts diverse wildlife and sacred indigenous sites. Friends of Buttonhook seeks to preserve it amid development pressure. An Earth Day Celebration raised awareness and funds, emphasizing its importance for climate and cultural preservation. Indigenous leaders stressed the need to protect such sites from becoming another "quiet genocide." |
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Group Presses on to Preserve Native American Grounds in ChappaquaMay 3, 2023, Martin Wilbur of the Examiner News
The nonprofit Friends of Buttonhook aims to preserve Chappaqua's 20.3-acre Buttonhook forest, known as a Native American ceremonial ground. The group's bid to protect the land is in limbo due to ongoing litigation surrounding the district's intended sale to a developer. Friends of Buttonhook held a fundraising and educational event to raise awareness about the site's significance, featuring Native American speakers and music. Despite uncertainties, the group remains committed to fundraising for potential land acquisition. The forest's preservation is vital for its ecological value and to honor its Native American history. |
Buttonhook Forest Earth Day Celebration and Festival
The Patch, April 2023
We have a fantastic line up of inspirational speakers, musicians and entertainers. . Tickets on SALE NOW at Click here for Ticket Info. Featuring:Grandmother Nancy Andry, Nohham Cachat-Schilling, Tyler Chase, L'ORAGE Productions, Jon Cobert, Patrick Stanfield Jones, Jessica Ryan, Vice Chair, Brothertown Indian Nation, Stephen Leonardo, Chief Dwayne Perry, Ramapough Lunaape, Guy Tino, Lynn Trotta, Walkabout Clearwater Chorus, Bethany Yarrow
We have a fantastic line up of inspirational speakers, musicians and entertainers. . Tickets on SALE NOW at Click here for Ticket Info. Featuring:Grandmother Nancy Andry, Nohham Cachat-Schilling, Tyler Chase, L'ORAGE Productions, Jon Cobert, Patrick Stanfield Jones, Jessica Ryan, Vice Chair, Brothertown Indian Nation, Stephen Leonardo, Chief Dwayne Perry, Ramapough Lunaape, Guy Tino, Lynn Trotta, Walkabout Clearwater Chorus, Bethany Yarrow
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The Case for Saving Buttonhook Forest Following a Guided & Meaningful TourApril 24, 2023, Alexa Troob of Inside Press
The Friends of Buttonhook Forest, led by Tracey Bilski and Victoria Alzapiedi, aim to protect Chappaqua's 20.3-acre Buttonhook forest from development. The group seeks to preserve the land's diverse ecosystem and Native American sacred stone structures. The forest is home to various species and plays a crucial role in carbon sequestration. Despite initial bids for development, the group has partnered with indigenous tribes and submitted their own bid to preserve the area. The effort emphasizes both environmental and cultural conservation, reflecting a broader movement toward local action for global impact. |
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Local Group, Native Americans Unite in Fight to Save Chappaqua Forest
Martin Wilbur, The Examiner News
September 16, 2022
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Ancient Stone Monuments and The Fight To Protect a New York ForestBlue Dot Living - On August 29, 2022, in Blue Dot Living, Amanda Cronin shares how A historic forest in Chappaqua, New York, known as Buttonhook Forest, is under threat of development after a failed property sale. The forest contains significant ecological and cultural importance, including rare stone formations used by indigenous people to mark water sources. This effort aims to safeguard the forest's unique ecosystem and honor Native American history while countering potential pollution risks and climate change.
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Nonprofit Seeks to Save Chappaqua Forest From DevelopmentAugust 9, 2023, Martin Wilber of the Examiner News
The Friends of Buttonhook, a citizens group, is working to save a 20.3-acre forested area in Chappaqua, believed to be sacred Native American ceremonial grounds, from development. They plan to bid on the property, owned by the Chappaqua Central School District, aiming to preserve the land due to its ecological, cultural, and historical significance. Stone structures with ceremonial importance have been discovered on the property. |
Chappaqua preservation group makes $1.2 million bid for Buttonhook landDavid McKay Wilson of the Journal News, Jay 5, 2022
Facing pressure from the Friends of Buttonhook Forest preservation group, the Chappaqua school district is auctioning off its 20-acre woodlands on Buttonhook Road for non-residential use. The nonprofit FOBF offered $1.25 million to preserve the site, seeking grants for the purchase. While officials hope to sell for development, the preservation group aims to safeguard the land's ecological and cultural significance, including Native American ceremonial stone landscapes. Bids are due by August 30, with or without building approvals. The district had considered luxury housing but struggled with environmental requirements and taxes. |
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New obstacle for Chappaqua schools at Buttonhook development: Native American artifacts David McKay Wilson, Rockland/Westchester Journal News, April 27, 2022 We encourage everyone to visit The Journal News online, but for non-subscribers, you can download the article below.
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Chappaqua's Buttonhook property may contain Native American artifacts
In this video interview, Tracey Bilski talks about the ceremonial stone landscapes on her Chappaqua property April 19, 2022. Frank Becerra Jr., Rockland/Westchester Journal News |
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The Examiner News:
February 22, 2022 "Chappaqua’s Buttonhook Development Would Desecrate Sacred Site", a column written and submitted by Victoria Alzapiedi, Tracey Bilski, Kate Brady, Hermian Charles, Bill Connors, Haley Ferraro, Stacy & Robert Morgan, Maxine Margo Rubin, Cristina Shih and Lynn Trotta on behalf of Friends of Buttonhook. |
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Exploring Mysteries Of Native American Stone Prayers In ShappekwaJeff Edwards, The Patch, January 26, 2022,
Nohham R. Cachat-Schilling, a Native American researcher, will present "Native American Stone Prayers in Shappekwa" hosted by Preserve Buttonhook, a group dedicated to preserving the culturally significant Buttonhook site in Chappaqua. The site contains sacred ceremonial stone landscapes. The presentation, scheduled for Jan. 27, aims to raise awareness and funds to protect the historic land slated for residential development by the Chappaqua Central School District. |
Podcasts
The Many Shades of Green PodcastIn this episode, we focus on actions being taken by community residents to preserve and protect a beautiful pristine property in Northern Westchester, which appears to contain Indigenous Native American cultural stone landscape and other remnants of their life on that parcel. Victoria Alzapiedi and Tracey Bilski of New Castle Land Trust give us some history about the land in question and the surrounding properties. We must respect and take care of what the Indigenous Native Americans left us and honor their footprints, as they were the keepers of the land centuries ago.
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Allison & Ivana welcome Friends of Buttonhook guests, Victoria Alzapiedi, Tracey Bilski, Maxine Margo Rubio, Stacey Morgan, and Lynn Trotta, who are working diligently to preserve Buttonhook Forest in Chappaqua, NY, from being developed into luxury homes. Learn the facts and find out how you can get involved in this vital movement to save habitat, our watershed, and a sacred indigenous site.
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Webinars
A presentation on Native American Stone Prayers
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In Shappekwa (Chappaqua): Preserving endangred sacred heriate in a critical habitat.
A Native American perspective on the importance and significance of the Chappaqua Central School District Buttonhook Site - located in the Valley Ridge area of Chappaqua. Nohham Cachat-Schilling (Mohawk-Nashawe two-spirit), M.S., is Medicine Elder for Bridge in the Sky Medicine Circle and Chair of Massachusetts Ethical Archaeology Society. Nohham's research centers on Indigenous ethnobotany and sacred archaeology of the Northeast. They and their family operate Maguonket Organic Traditions Farm, a minimum-impact permaculture of Indigenous American foods and medicine plants. Bridge in the Sky Medicine Circle contact Miles Tardie, Secretary bridgeinthesky7@gmail.com; contact M.E.A.S. at ethicarch@gmail.com, or view at www.ethicarch.org. on 1/27/22 |
A Presentation by Marina Heron Tsaplina
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Marina Heron Tsaplina spoke with to the Friends of Buttonhook Forest community about early microscopy research on mycorrhizal fungi for the development of Soil and Spirit, a new participatory artistic work in endangered and old growth forests.
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Inspired to help?
If you have a platform, whether it's a podcast, newsletter, YouTube Channel, connection to a news outlet, or other audience, we'd love to connect about a potential collaboration to help spread the word.
Email us! We'd love to talk about the possibility.
Email us! We'd love to talk about the possibility.
