Novawalk, Thanks for your open criticism and questioning. The intent of this project is not to become another agency and increase the red tape that already exists, but instead to support community members and existing agencies by streamlining the federally-required processes. No, I am not an American Indian. I am a concerned individual with a number of friends and acquaintances who live on the reservation and are hoping to revitalize their communities. I am merely offering my skills, talents and passion to support them...

Are you another... "agency" that wants to help? but only adds another layer of RED TAPE? sorry, but are you a Native American "Indian" yourself? any such heritage family wise? Just asking. Lord Bless Little Bear

definitely...sooner than you imagine! between 2008 & 2012, this will happen on a very large scale. even those native americans we now call mexicans! please comment on our world changing ideablob. pace the peace! inione.

Again, thanks for the advice and direction you've provide me in my pursuit of a new home. I'd like to see this continue for Native people. DRS

Thanks for sharing this, Vaughn. Such an injustice. JP

Way to go, Vaughn - I hope you get the funding. Housing is an endemic problem throughout Indian Country and it would be nice to see a locally-responsive approach develop from within communities and that could be replicated elsewhere. A friend has started a wonderful agricultually-based economic development project at San Felipe Pueblo between Albuquerque and Santa Fe - the San Felipe Farmer's Market. Its been wildly successful and engaged many in the community with a farming lifestyle that was faltering just 7 years ago. I see these kinds of projects as part of a larger picture together with housing, education and health issues. Anyway, I have a project I am proposing to bolster our neighborhood garden project in a neglected part of Albuquerque. Check it out at: http://ideablob.com/ideas…more/857-Support-Wells-Park-Sawmill-Neig

This indian situation, which is nothing short of racism, is a total disgrace for a nation who preaches freedom internationaly but cannot correct its own human rights violations at home, so America needs to practice what it preaches.

Drylake, my tribe calls itself American Indian; the National Congress of American Indians, American Indian Movement (AIM) - it's repeated across Indian country. We're not interested in having a new label put on us so that others can feel better about calling themselves <whatever> Americans. The only reason why I'm voting for woodruff's idea /is/ that he actually understands that.

drylake,<p> The term "Native American" is not necessarily more PC than "American Indian." In my experience, "political correctness" is not nearly as important as intent when it comes to working with people. The biggest determining factor is what someone wants to be called, and it is different for every person. Many of my friends refer to their people simply as "Indians," or typically by their nationality (Crow, Anishinaabe, Hopi, etc.). <p> For what it's worth...

While this idea is a good one, I find it strange that you are referring to Native Americans as American Indians... it seems that someone interested in helping Native Americans should be aware of the proper PC terminology...

Heard about this idea and site from the creator's mom in Maine, a woman of great positive energy. Hope your idea gets the most votes--the idea is clearly already winner!

Heard about this idea and site from the creator's mom in Maine, a woman of great positive energy. Hope your idea gets the most votes--the idea is clearly already winner!

Great Idea.. Especially since they owned the land first.

I believe that everyone should be able to take out a mortgge for a home. I think that you vision is very positive. Good luck Vaughan and everyone else involved. Let me know if I can help.

If anyone will commit his idea for a better world it's you. Wish I had known sooner to help spread the word. Good Luck!

at first I wasn't sure if this was a good idea or someone playing off the sympathy of others for the $$$. I am impressed by your description and think this is one of the best ideas out there. I am voting for this idea!!! It has merit...it has been thought out and it makes a lot of sense. thank you.

REALLY good idea. YES, go for it!

If anyone can make this project a success, it would be Vaughan. HIs commitment and dedication to making a difference in this community is heartfelt and true. All my best Vaughan!.. Susan

This is a great project. V. I am so proud of you! The pride of Pittsfield Maine! Laura N.

Yay! Us NDN folks need more allies like you out there!!! Keep up the good work!!!

Excellent idea that I am proud to support. I'm sure you will have your work cut out for you with all that red tape. Yet, I'm sure your desire and focus to make a change along with a strong belief in this amazing concept will help others as well as community members to rise up and support you. I wish you the best with winning this idea and I will pass the word along!

Great Idea Vaughan Good luck with your Idea it's a great project

You need to know that so many people feel good about what you are doing and jump to the chance to support your effort. You will go forward and many more people will know what your goal is and will be willing to support your program. The effort will have many returns. This opportunity is a good support builder and maybe the goal will be easier to acheive.

Still cheering you and this great idea on!

This project deserves to WIN! Thank you for working to assist the Northern Cheyenne people in cutting through the red tape and bureacuracy to obtain adequate housing - the original inhabitants of this land deserve to have a roof over their heads and a place to raise their families...ALL THE BEST TO YOU!

Thanks for the vote, you have a great idea and the passion to follow it. I whish you good luck with your dream. Hope you with the $. I will still donate what I can even if I don't win. I personally don't not know of any appraisers in your area. However, you could try contacting the Appraisal Institute (www.appraisalinstitute.org), about appraisers in the area. They may even know of native american appraisers. Jourdan Appraisals (Donating Appraisals to Habitat) Good Luck and God Bless

Great idea! check out my idea too: social networking site for neighbors and neighborhoods: http://ideablob.com/ideas/810-A-social-networking-website-for

Hello from Seattle! Housing with indoor plumbing, electricity and a safe place to sleep at night should not be an unobtainable dream, for anyone.( I know I live in one of the most expensive cities in the United States!). Anyone who is willing to work hard should be able to earn enough money for a decent home. People should not be given a home, when you earn and build something with your own two hands it means more. This is what I saw when I volunteered on the Northern Cheyenne a few summers ago and worked with Red Feather. It should not take folks years and years to get into a house either. Red tape is hellish and tribal politics are no different from our current regime. I know that Vaughn is a dedicated and passionate young man who walks his talk. I wish him luck in his new adventure. …more Blessings, Anne Kelly & Billy Richards in Seattle Washington

MosaKallah, Thanks for your comments. The issue of sovereignty is a very complex one. During early reservation history, the federal government instituted a relationship of dependency between themselves and Indian Nations. For example, a formerly nomadic tribe here in Montana was forced (with U.S. military coercion) to become self-dependent farmers when the reservation was created. When they became successful as ranchers, the government began to kill off their horses (distributed as rations to the people) and took control of their cattle herds (mismanaging them into major losses). While some may regard this as "past history," the ideology that created this system hasn't radically shifted since then. This project is about supporting grassroots efforts for self-sufficiency and com…morebatting some of the continued paternalistic attitudes that remain within required bureaucracies. This *is* about Indian people supporting themselves.

where I live the indians say they are a sovereign nation...If that is the case then why can't they support themselves??? If they want to be a sovereign nation then they will need to get visa's to leave the rez as Canadian's and Mexican's when they need to go shopping for all of the white man's goods, services, and luxuries. Before anything is done they need to get rid of the corrupt tribal officials. If you want a job in running the tribe or holding an official postion, then you need to have a college education and not be preferential to friends and family members who don't know squat getting hired to do jobs they know nothing about. Therefore, they squander the tribe's money and funding, stealing from their own people. It happens all of the time and from the looks of things, it isn't …morechanging, at least not in Minnesota.

where I live the indians say they are a sovereign nation...If that is the case then why can't they support themselves??? If they want to be a sovereign nation then they will need to get visa's to leave the rez as Canadian's and Mexican's when they need to go shopping for all of the white man's goods, services, and luxuries. Before anything is done they need to get rid of the corrupt tribal officials. If you want a job in running the tribe or holding an official postion, then you need to have a college education and not be preferential to friends and family members who don't know squat getting hired to do jobs they know nothing about. Therefore, they squander the tribe's money and funding, stealing from their own people. It happens all of the time and from the looks of things, it isn't …morechanging, at least not in Minnesota.

I know of your dedication and commitment to the struggle first hand. I support this couragous idea and encourage anyone reading this comment to do the same. Your journey to work for what is just must continue!

Thanks to all of you for getting this idea into the finals. I am very appreciative of your support and kind words. Please check back on November 22nd, when voting resets and this idea competes for the $10,000 monthly prize!

Ditto to all comments previously posted---you have my full support and vote. Keep up the good fight young man.

What else can you say but, "Vaughan Rules!!!"

It is obvious you are on to something that has great support. I can't find my other comment here, did they delete it ? Anyway, although you are out West, there is no reason you cant raise money for your project in Washington DC area. Custom label you own brand of any promotional product.You could probalby get government contracts for minority businesses. Paste http:www.VirginiasBest.us in url box to go to the marketing ideas. Or go to http://www.wholesomefoodsinc.com and check out the custom labeled water.

1. Ditto to all the other comments. 2. I own 3 domain names that I would let you use if the shoe fits. If not, I will buy one for you, and let you use it. I won't say which site, but if you buy the domain name, you can put a 5 page website up for nothing, though there would be ads. I'll buy you one if you want. Do not put names in any site to see if the domain name is available, unless you are ready to buy it. They seem to "disapear" The ones I have are www.CHEROKEEDAD.COM, www.CHEROKEEDADDY.COM, and CHEROKEEMOM.INFO, Since I have over 7,000 domain names, I don't remember what I have, I might have something appropriate to your goals if you e-mail me. .

You really are doing heroic work. Way to walk the talk!

The "first peoples" of our land have been so badly treated it breaks my heart. A great idea, Vaughn, I pray it works and some of the red tape can be cut through and they can own their own homes.

No red tape on Native American Lands

We all need to have a home. If the indigenous peoples can't know they have a place that is their home, who can? I will contact Harlen over at Native America calling and see if he can get the word out nationally to get people to vote on this idea and help you get the 10,000. Also that would be a great way for them to consider doing something similar within their own communities.

The merit of this project is beyond all measures and no one is more deserving of these efforts than the Original People. I truly admire your vision and dedication and I'm also behind you 100%. I wish you GREAT success and I'm sending positive energy your way. Go get 'em!

you are beautiful

Vaughn, your vision & commitment lifts us all and makes the world that much brighter for your being in it ! ..... so glad you have taken up this fight ..... I'm behind you 100%

we're behind you, Vaughn...

Right on brothers and sisters! Keep up the good fight in the name of justice and fairness. The planet is a better for your presence. Thanks for your good work!

I'm so excited for this project to take root! i know this will truly be grassroots - solidarity with integrity (rather than the charity-mentality that lacks an understanding of history and justice). thank you for all the good work you do, and continue to do!

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world Indeed It's the only thing that ever has. ~Margaret Mead I'm proud of you Vaughn and stand with you in full support of PLACE. Continue to spread the message of inherent worth and dignity with every step you take. It's an honorable endeavor and you are a guiding light. Deborah

Hands down a great idea! Hands together to you for throwing yourself into this worthy effort to assist Native folks wade thru the bureauracracy so they can live in a house. I know thru PLACE's efforts historically silent voices will be heard and answered. All the best!

A much needed amendement! Full support.

This is such a great idea and should win hands down! How dare our country proclain to believe in the constution and discriminate against the very people who kept the land before it was overtaken by what we now call the U.S.A. When will we get it? Just how intelligent is our society?

This idea has been overdue since 1831. Go Vaughan!!

very worthwhile pursuit - helping those who are ready and willing to better their family's lives. They just need a little help and some obstacles removed, just like everyone else, really.

way to go vaughn. now maybe one day we can talk on the phone :)

This is a meaningful endeavor, you have my vote.

this step, among the many steps being taken on the ground at the reservation, is so necessary. i can't wait to see how PLACE and PPCD will blossom and what will come of this difficult and important work. with tenacity, heart, collaboration, and most of all, people, we will see dignity and respect return. and with that, perhaps sovereignty will someday be a concept that resonates within each of us.

The facts that this is 1) a long overdue idea and 2) any American has a right to a decent and fair mortgage process, particularly natives, are understatements. I wish you the best of luck.

Isn't it about time that we begin to restore the dignity of the people that populated these lands when we arrived, and in turn restore our own dignity? I believe this is a very well grounded, hands-on project that deserves to be supported.

Such a great idea and long overdue! We're pulling for you and what is right .

This idea is long overdue! The Cheyenne people have been hobbled by bureaucracy in so many ways, and the need for adequate housing on the reservation is huge. Streamling the paperwork process would be such a boost to potential homeowners and those agencies attempting to help them. I will spread the word of your idea, Vaughn....Good Luck!

What a great iudea!

Go, go, go! This idea has so much merit and so much need. Good luck!

This is extremely important and necessary work. The task is not easy. I can verify the process is this long, I am a housing loan officer and our home mortgages are made on reservation. What a SHAME, Native Americans are the last to hold a piece of America! I applaud Vaugh 7 times over for all his efforts, and wish him much luck.

this is more than a good idea, it is an essential service for assisting some of the most oppressed and isolated peoples in our nation - vaugh woodruff himself is highly respected by many northern cheyenne for the help he has already offered, and the success he has achieved in assisting the 'original people' in actually living a part of the 'American dream' - OWNING their own HOMES! WHO ELSE IS MORE DESERVING OF THIS ASSISTANCE THAN THE ORIGINAL INHABITANTS OF THIS NATION? please support this request fully!

THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU HAVE TAKEN ON AND FOR YOUR PASSION TO HELP OTHERS!

I love your idea too! Amazing, you have a winner!

great idea

Very good idea....i like it.

Thanks for working to help people to move through obstacles. I just bought a house, not on a reservation and it was a hassle trying to get all of the paperwork lined up during just 1 month's time. If red tape is making that last up to 4 years, it's certainly time for change!