NCA stands for "Native Cultural Alliance",  It is the collective dream of a group of people who saw the need for an organization that would work to save the many native cultures throughout the world. It would also work to effect the sharing of these great collections of information and wisdom between cultures of the world.

NCA's staff includes, among others, the following people:

Bernardo D. Peixoto, Ph.D. (Director and Board Member) Dr. Peixoto is an anthropologist and environmentalist and teacher, and a member of the Ure-wua-wua tribe in Brazil. He serves as a consultant to the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. He has created and taught public school programs on the Amazon rainforest. Dr. Peixoto has worked for many years with tribal and “riverine” populations in South America with a special emphasis on human ecology. He has spoken to numerous local and national groups on issues related to rainforests and the integration of cultures. Dr. Peixoto is also co-founder of the Native Cultural Alliance.

Daniel J. Brookes (President and Board Member) A photographer, writer, and graphic artist, Dan became a student of different world cultures after serving with the military in Southeast Asia. He is presently a solutions consultant for Apple Computer, and plans to combine his technological and media skills to bring NCA’s message to the greatest possible audience.

Eiwe Lingefors (Vice President and Board Member) is an information security and computer networking expert with a passion for cultural preservation. He is not a teacher by formal means but is always striving to inform those around him about the importance of retaining the knowledge of indigenous people and to responsibly educate their children. Eiwe was serving as an advisor and technical consultant for the NCA before stepping into the role of Vice President.

Jenny C. Toscano (Programs Coordinator and Board Member) An anthropologist and teacher, Jenny is a native of Peru and the wife of Dr. Peixoto. She is a graduate of the University Nacional Mayor de San Marcos in Lima, Peru, and teaches at The American University in Washington, DC She has done extensive fieldwork with indigenous people and conducts environmental programs in South America. She is currently coordinating programs for NCA, of which she is also cofounder.

Deborah Goldman (Fundraising Coordinator and Board Member) Deborah has a B.S. and M.S in Occupational Therapy. She worked with children with special needs for 23 years and then retired from the field. She has been studying alternative healing approaches for the past 12 years with a special interest in helping people with addictions and mental illness. She has served on many boards and brings her experience in fundraising to NCA.

Patty Alman Patty's experience with nonprofits includes grant writing, research design/analysis, and technology management. She holds a BA in Psychology from the University of Chicago. She lives in Asheville, NC, where she is currently working on several sustainable agriculture and permaculture projects. She became involved with NCA out of a respect for native wisdom and a desire to help people in the United States learn to better integrate nature into their daily lives.

Larry Vertefeuille (Advisory Board) Larry is an independent businessman, researcher and environmentalist who cares about all who share this living water planet. He is past founder of a non-profit foundation “Friends of the Sea” which studied dolphins in their natural habitat and is founder of Sacred Healing Circle Organization. He is dedicated to children's education, preserving indigenous languages, native communities and supporting them as they direct their futures with ours.

Karen Telker (Advisor) Karen, a mother of five, registered nurse and attorney, understands the importance of education in preserving indigenous cultures and our environment. She holds two AS degrees in biology and nursing. She went on to receive her BS and DJ degrees while raising her family. Her life-long interest in the life and culture of indigenous people led her to her first journey to the Amazon rainforest in August of 2002 where she experienced the beauty and unique culture of several different tribes. Dedicating her life to the service of others, she uses her talents to further the goals and dreams of NCA. She is also is a founder of the Healing Earth Connection.

Melinda E. Brookes (Treasurer) Melinda holds a B.S. in journalism and M.A. studies in literature from her native Philippines. She has taught in the Connecticut public school system. Currently a Realtor and a certified Feng Shui consultant, she integrates her business skills with her love of native wisdom and cultural traditions.

NCA and its staff members may be contacted as follows:

Write to:
Native Cultural Alliance, Inc.
P.O. Box 104
Marion, CT 06444-0104

Email:
info@nativeculturalalliance.org

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