Q.  Having the responsibility of a foundation is quite an undertaking. Why not just make a donation to an already existing organization? A.  I have been very blessed in my life in many spiritual and material ways. I have always had the desire to be of service in a way that would help others. For me, a non-profit foundation seemed the way to accomplish that. It's not about controlling or overseeing the money; it's about the opportunity to be involved on a grass roots level with the people. I am very involved with the projects and the communities that the Foundation assists. Q.  Why the focus on women and children? A.  Through my life experience as a mother and a businesswoman, I have gained an understanding of the strength and power that each one of us has within. Women are the nucleus of the family and community, and impact the world profoundly through the raising of children. I want to encourage women to reconnect with the incredible strength of the feminine spirit and reclaim their inner power. Q.  The Indian Country Project is your first program, your "maiden voyage" so to speak. Why this particular focus? A.  I was invited by an organization to visit a shelter for abused women and children at Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota. I was deeply moved by this visit and realized how important it was that a safe place be provided. A place that would give support and assistance to women and children and let them know that they are not alone, that people care. Talking with these women, I was amazed at the strength of inner spirit that has sustained them and their culture through incredible adversity. The American Indians are the indigenous people of this land. Through colonization, they lost their land, livelihood, and much of their culture and spirit. Lotus 88 would like to assist and support them to continue to preserve their culture, spirit and wisdom and pass their heritage on to future generations. It is our goal to support local organizations in achieving their goals, as defined by them, and to complement their efforts. Q.  Why construct a tipi rather than building? A.  After visiting several reservations, I was struck by the absence of any structure that symbolized the culture of the American Indian, and so the Tipi came to my mind. It was only later that I learned the significance of the Tipi as a symbol of their culture and the incredible strength of Native American women. There is a page on this web site that gives the history of the Tipi and explains that connection. Q.  Lotus 88 Foundation is a "global" foundation. What vision do you see on an international scale? A.  The vision of Lotus 88 is to reach out and assist women and children everywhere regardless of geographic location. This vision is representative of my belief that there are no boundaries; we are all one. The only boundaries are those that we choose to create.