Here is a compilation of information which we have collected from Frequently Asked Questions, so you can get a first hand understanding of who and what we are. For more information, please call 740.838.4033.

1. What is the Yunsai Society?

The Yunsai Society is a non-profit organization that promotes inter-racial and cultural awareness between all peoples. We are persons of all races, religions, and walks of life dedicated to human development, service and freedom.

2. Who is your leader?

The leaders of the Yunsai Society are elected by the people of our Society. These people take the responsibility for organization and accomplishment within the Society. When the leaders hold council, all membership is represented and votes.

3. Are you a religious organization?

No.

4. Do you practice animal sacrifice?

No. We respect all life, whether it walks on four legs, flies in the air, walks on two legs, or stands rooted in the earth. We prefer to live in harmony with plants, animals and insects, rather than killing them. We give respect to the four legged creatures and the winged ones who become "roadkills", by taking a moment to pray for them and moving them with respect, to the earth. We understand that for us to eat anything means that something had to give up its life, and we take time to reflect on the value of that gift at every meal, and give thanksgiving for the blessing of another day of life given to us.

We help to rehabilitate injured animals who live free in the forest, helping them to regain quickly their ability to return to their natural habitat.

5. How many members do you have?

There are over 86,000 people internationally that are the network of the organization.

6. What does a person have to do to join your organization?

We do see it as joining. All are welcome to participate in activities and programs wherever they might occur. We have no membership fees.

7. Do I have to give up my present religious affiliation to join?

Absolutely Not! There is no requirement of religious affiliation to participate.

8. Are you a native organization?

We have associates from many cultures and nationalities as part of our organization, including those from native blood lines. We do not represent any reservation or any one nation.

9. Do you charge for ceremony?

No, we have never charged for ceremony.

10. What is a "love offering"?

A love offering is a donation given to the organization or to the presenter of a workshop in whatever amount of financial support a person can give to assist in overhead and program expenses. Many times teachers, Elders, presenters and authors are offered minimal expense coverage for travel and lodging. So we then ask for people who can and wish to be generous to these people and give an offering of love, which is totally given to the person for whom it was collected.

11. What is a "Sliding Scale?"

A sliding scale is a means of making some classes and trainings affordable by providing program rates that are in proportion to income level, rather than a set fee for the program.

12. What is Sponsorship?

Sponsorship is available when a person has no means of income and cannot afford any assistance toward costs. They are given service and assignments of work at programs and classes to show value for what they are receiving, or financially sponsored by a person or organization that has financial means to do so.

13. What are program fees?

We host many events and programs, covering a wide range of interest. We network with other groups and organizations. We host businesses and Corporations who train in various career fields. We have public service programs for youth and court appointed projects. Each of these activities sets their own fees.

The Yunsai Society has always given service to assist in these events, and as an organization has never asked for compensation. Our service has been entirely self-funded. We have paid out of our individual weekly paychecks and earnings to assist and provide for others in greater need. We volunteer our time and skills in all the needs and projects of our organization.

14. Do you use drugs?

No. In fact, we actively oppose drugs and addictive chemicals.

15. Do you believe in using weapons?

Weapons and drugs are prohibited on our grounds.

16. Are you a cult?

No. We are an international volunteer organization with a focus. That focus is to better our Self in personal value and learn and extend our base of knowledge through education and networking. To be real and to heal our self. Our leadership comes from many walks of life and various religions. We do represent Interfaith and respect for all people’s means and ways of worship. As individuals we network and provide service. There is no one person in control of anyone in this organization. Our operations are run by elected leadership of the members. People freely come and go in this organization. All are welcome. We all come to serve and seek to add value and learn. As an organization we have gone through many changes as we have grown. Learning organization and group energy has tested us all; some have come to enjoy it and others could not. Some left happy, some did not. All made their own choices. We have built a headquarters and conference center with our own hands and with our own dollars. Presently, we have a resident staff of volunteers who maintain the property and operate the public programs. We all have careers and responsibilities in surrounding cities and towns in addition to managing the maintenance and care of buildings and grounds.

17. Who is Pa'Ris'Ha?

Pa'Ris'Ha is an Elder and teacher. She is the founder of The Center For Human Development. She has shared the knowledge of her many teachers and heritage which is Cherokee, Celtic and Druid, Buddhist, Mayan, and Hopi. She trains others in many fields, including businesses, spirituality, self-value, being real, and is recognized as an international speaker and peace ambassador. She is a co-founder of the White Buffalo Society, and requested that our name be spoken as "Yunsai Society" which is of the Cherokee language. For more information, go to her website at Parisha Online

18. Why did you change the name of your Society from the White Buffalo Society to Yunsai Society?

Grandmother Pa’Ris’Ha asked that we use her people’s name of referencing the White Buffalo, which in Cherokee is spoken as "Yunsai." For a long time the Lakota AIM group who claim ownership of the "White Buffalo Calf Mother" name has directed hostility toward us. Grandmother Pa'Ris'Ha was being the caring person she always is and attempting to assist peace, however her act of compassion has been misunderstood, and mislabeled as a "cover-up." We have continued to spell the name out in English to make sure people understand what Yunsai means, so publicly everyone has known us as the same organization for twenty years. As usual, AIM's claims and attempts to discredit our organization are based on lies and misrepresentation of information.

18. Why has your organization attracted controversial publicity?

We have been active in our public work and service for over twenty years. In this time we have had two leaders die. Neither was in a ritual activity. Neither was found to be due to any misconduct of any person or leader of this organization. One person had to be taken off a beach in North Carolina to a trauma center where she was diagnosed with a severe case of anemia requiring blood transfusions. She was declared dead days later. The other person, a noted associate from Toronto, committed suicide due to a pain filled history of family problems which included incest. Both these people were loved and valued. They gave tremendous time and service to our organization, and their passing has been deeply mourned.

We invite everyone to contact us and not to fall victim to misinformation and false claims. We do not hesitate to answer all questions and give facts. We have nothing to hide and respect your rights to truth.