The Western Pennsylvania Local Longhouse, Inc. was organized in August 2005 by a small group of dedicated individuals committed to the concept of spending time with our children in a special way. We wanted to do something to foster closer bonds with both our children and within our community. We had all been involved in other programs but some found the bureaucratic style of such programs too constricting. Others were disenchanted with the endless fundraising obligations involved or the lack of time actually spent with their child. One of our founding members discovered the National Longhouse, Ltd. Native Sons and Daughters Programs while searching the web. When we contacted them and discussed what we wanted to do, we found that their goals and ours were the same! Thus, we became the first Longhouse in Pennsylvania.

The Native Sons and Daughters Programs are based on having fun, sharing learning and adventure, and spending quality time with your child. Unlike some activities, the parent is directly involved and participates alongside their child, providing opportunities for true growth and bonding. We employ a Native American theme with tribes, ceremonies, and traditions as an integral part of our program. This is done out of the deepest respect for our Native Americans and their proud heritage and culture. It is also to foster an environment where our children come to a greater understanding of the universal values of honesty, integrity, and character.

Native Sons and Daughters Programs™ are owned and operated by National Longhouse, Ltd., a nonprofit organization administered by its elected officers, the National Elders. All program participants have non-voting membership to the National Longhouse™.

Each local program, whether consisting of one or multiple nations, is operated by a local "Longhouse, Inc.". Every longhouse is a nonprofit, incorporated franchise of National Longhouse, Ltd. Elected longhouse officers administer the local program and select two voting representatives to a Regional Advisory Lodge. In the case of the Western Pennsylvania Local Longhouse, we are in the Great Lakes Region.

Each regional advisory lodge provides communication and support to its local longhouse. Representatives within each lodge elect administrators called the Lodge Elders. The elders are representatives and voting members of the National Longhouse™. All lodge elders attend an annual National Longhouse™ meeting and periodically elect new officers to sit as the National Elders.

National Longhouse, Ltd. is a subsidiary of Lighthouse, Inc. – a nondenominational, independently operated, 501 C(3) nonprofit organization that grew out of a mission outreach program of the Church of the Nazarene. Since 1982, it has provided food, clothing, and ministry to the children and inner-city families of greater Cleveland with its Heaventrain Program. It works closely with the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority in developing programs that provide education, children and youth mentoring, leadership, and training.

For more information about the National Longhouse, Ltd, please click here. For more information about the Native Sons and Daughters Program in Western Pennsylvania, please e-mail info@westernpalonghouse.org