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Manataka - Preserving The Past Today For Tomorrow
SEPTEMBER ISSUE Page 3 of 3 |
Manataka American Indian Council Volume XIl Issue 9 SEPTEMBER 2008
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Manataka - Preserving The Past Today For Tomorrow
SEPTEMBER ISSUE Page 3 of 3 |
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Contents: |
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| Announcement: | Open Attendance at Manataka Gatherings | |
| History: | Exemplar of Liberty: Chapter 8 - A New Chapter | |
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Grandfather Hawk Speaks Speaks: Grandfather King Coke Speaks: |
A True Friend Part 2 | |
| Feature Story: | Raising Your Personal Vibration | |
| Elder's Meditations: | Oral Tradition, Omaha | |
| Women's Circle: | Piestewa Peak | |
| Food & Nutrition: | God's Pharmacy is Amazing! | |
| Book Reviews: |
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| Poetry Circle: |
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| Educational Message: |
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| Healing Prayer Basket: | Crossing Over, Sickness, and Memorials | |
| Manataka Business: | Meetings, Protocols, Events | |
Attendance Policy Change
Open the doors and let 'em in! The upcoming Fall Gathering will have no restrictions on attendance - members and nonmembers alike may join in the prayerful ceremonies. Current members, former members and guests are not required to request an invitation. Manataka will continue to not advertise or promote Gatherings to the public.
The June issue features Chapter 7 - Mohawks, Axes and Taxes of a 13 Part series on the founding of the United States of America and the previously misunderstood and often discounted, yet tremendous contributions of American Indians in the process.
Exemplar
of Liberty:
Native America and the Evolution of Democracy
Original Artwork by John Kahionhes Fadden
Foreword by Vine Deloria, Jr.
Chapter 2 - Perceptions of America's Native Democracies
Chapter 3 - Natural Man In An Unnatural Land
Chapter 4 - Ennobling 'Savages'
Errand In The WildernessChapter 6 - White Roots Reach Out
Chapter 7 - Mohawks, Axes and Taxes
Chatper 9 - "The American Synthesis" Coming in October 2008
By Hawk With Seven Eyes Hoffman
“Some
in your own family will turn against you," says the good book - The Holy Bible,
but evidently there are some people we become acquainted with who have what I
call, ‘A Jealous Nature’ they seem to want everything and are not willing to
give anything. People like these mentioned usually attempt to cause a
disturbance in an organization where harmony is prevailing within the
organization and they want to be most important without assisting or working to
keep maters on a smooth scale.
In some of the ‘Letters to the editor’ within the ‘Smoke Signal’ I have noticed that some good-hearted people are the brunt of gossip and even slander. I have also had a problem with one person who seems to want my organization to fail. He tells lies and makes innuendoes regarding my purpose in life or the way I am doing things. I took the advise of my brother Bear and confronted this individual while in a public place. After I spoke out loud regarding this persons activities he seemed to feel a great deal of shame as he turned several colors of red. He walked away from me hiding his face from the public as he slithered out the door.
Healing With Love Part 2
By Robert Gray Hawk Coke
When
Kalili, the Hawaiian huna, wanted to work on the student’s legs and
feet, we were surprised to watch him simply place his hand on the
student’s shoulders and give a light push. The student then slid as if
he were on a game air table, even thought he was not.
The only explanation I could think of was that the student has been slightly levitated. When it became time to place the student back into the original position, Kalili lifted the feet to table height and gently pushed the body back into place..
Unfortunately, levitation was not on the workshop schedule anywhere. I looked at all the schedules.
Raising Your Personal Vibration
"Modern science has concluded that everything that exists in
the universe is made of vibration"
Hiroshi Doi-sensei..."
It does take work, however, to raise vibrations, so a consistent effort is required to raise and maintain one's vibrations.
Be mindful of your thoughts
It is
imperative to keep a close eye on the habitual thoughts that enter your head. It
can be difficult at first to be aware of the many thoughts that constantly
bombard your mind all day long but by beginning to notice unwelcome or negative
thoughts you can start to replace them with a positive thought you already have
preprogrammed in your mind. Have a positive thought in your mind, a
thought that you know makes you happy, that you substitute in place of any
negative thought that comes into your mind. The key to this thought
substitution is to spend as much time thinking positive thoughts and less time
thinking negative thoughts. By spending more time in balanced, positive
and rational thought your vibration level will be enhanced.
Think before you speak
If you are
looking for a new relationship, don't say things like "I can never find the
right person for me." If you talk like this, this is exactly what you will
get. You get what you say and think. Even if you haven't been too
successful in finding the right person previously, it doesn't matter. Change
your words and you will change your life.
Beware of ungrounded, severely negative types of individuals
These types
of people are running a very low vibration level, and their low vibration can
have an adverse impact on your vibration level. Remember, a person's
bio-energy field can extend out several feet from them. Surround yourself
in white light if you feel that another's energy may have a negative effect on
you.
Spend time in meditation
Take a walk
through the woods or a nature center, and away from the city and the noise.
Go to a place in the country if you can and take a long walk, concentrating on
your surroundings, keeping your mind off your usual thoughts. This is a great
way to clear your head and also help raise your vibration. If you can't get
away, try listening to some soothing music by concentrating on the sounds.
Join with other sensible/like minded people
Spend time
with people interested in the same things you are and learn at the same time. It
has been found that the commonalities between people brings them closer together
and facilitates greater harmony.
Volunteer you spare time to helping others
Give away
your time, some money to a credible charity/organization you believe in, or give
away something you don't use anymore but may be useful to someone else. What you
give is what you get in life, so by giving you will receive in one way or
another Help others and you will be helped You have a profound effect on raising
your vibration when you help others as it makes you feel good from the inside~
Be aware of your thoughts, words and actions
Everything
you do comes back to you in some way so always be wary of how you treat others
and how you act in all situations. How you treat others is how you will be
treated, by doing the right thing by everyone you come into contact with will
help to raise your vibration as others continue to do the right thing by you.
Treating everyone compassionately will attract positive people and opportunities
into your life.
Avoid the television, radio and media in general
It is
especially important to avoid all news programs as they do much more harm to
your vibration level than they do good. By watching TV you end up taking
in so much negative energy it becomes confusing to your subconscious mind and
some of that negative imagery and energy gets absorbed by your subconscious and
elevates a feeling of fear from within. Most of the media works by fear
mongering, they want to shock you into a state of fear so you keep on watching
and the more you watch the more addicted you become. This has a disastrous
impact on your vibration level.
Stay as optimistic and as rational as possible
This can be
difficult to do especially when you are in a crisis but when you are in a crisis
situation, this is when it's most important to stay positive. By remaining
positive and rational, you keep your vibration high, and when you are vibrating
at a higher rate your challenges will dissipate much quicker or you may find it
was not really a problem at all Positive things and events are attracted to
positive people. Surrounding yourself with positive, sensible and rational
people is a great way to remain in a healthy state of mind.
Keep in touch with your feelings/emotions
This is an
important factor in keeping your vibration level high Feelings and emotions are
a cosmic connection in regards to your entire life and the well-being of the
planet The universe understands the language of feelings and emotions that one
expresses When you are feeling good about yourself only other things residing on
the same level of frequency will be attracted into your life Your level of
vibration runs parallel with your feelings, meaning you are in control of your
life and the events that come into your life at any given moment If there was
one most important point in relation to raising your vibration it would be to
stay on top of your feelings Know that what we speak, think and feel is a
vibration that goes out into the universe and effect everything around us.
In the words of Usui-sensei
"For today only...
Do not be angry
Do not be anxious
Be grateful
Work hard and be kind to others..."
Original post by Star Seeds Awakening ~ Lauralei
Edited and Adapted by Following the Path
Submitted by Michael Old Bear Millard, Chickamauga Cherokee Indian Creek Band
No offense intended for any individuals or tribes.
Maggie's
SOAP NUTS
THE SOAP THAT GROWS ON TREESTM
A man should rely on his own resources; the one who so trains himself is ready for any emergency." -Oral Tradition, Omaha
Man is designed to function independently and to rely on the Creator for his resources. If we build our relationship with the Great Spirit, we are ready when emergencies occur. We need to build a trusting relationship with the Creator. We do this by constantly talking with the Creator. It's good to talk to Him many times a day. Then we will realize, even though we can't see Him, that He is always with us and He is ready to respond to our requests.
God, let me
remember to
talk to You
many times
today.
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God's Pharmacy is Amazing!
(This article has been across the Internet a dozen times, but it is worth repeating.)
It's
been said that God first separated the salt water from the fresh, made dry land,
planted a garden, made animals and fish... all before making a human. God made
and provided what we'd need before we were born. These foods are best and more
powerful when eaten raw.
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Scalping: Fact & Fantasy
By Philip Martin
Rethinking Columbus: The Next 500 Years, pp. 58-59, edited by Bill Bigelow and Bob Peterson, 2nd edition, Rethinking Schools, Milwaukee, 1998, 189 pp.
Stereotypes are absorbed from popular literature,
folklore, and
misinformation. For instance, many children (and
adults) incorrectly
believe that fierce native warriors were universally
fond of scalping early
white settlers and soldiers. In fact, when it came
to the bizarre practice
of scalping, Europeans were the ones who encouraged
and carried out much of
the scalping that went on in the history of
white/native relations in
America.
Scalping had been known in Europe, according to accounts, as far back as ancient Greece ("the cradle of Western Civilization"). More often, though, the European manner of execution involved beheading. Enemies captured in battle - or people accused of political crimes - might have their heads chopped off by victorious warriors or civil authorities. Judicial systems hired executioners, and "Off with their heads!" became an infamous method of capital punishment.
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Indians Worship the Creator By Helen Red Wing Wagner-Vinson
No, I do not worship the Sun I give thanks to Creator For the honor of enjoying the beauty He has gifted in the new rising sun.
No, I do not worship the waters
or the
rocks, the four legs or the
feathered
rather I am humbled by the loving
lessons of these my Elders.
No, I do not worship the Mother
Earth, the stars, the moon, or the Four Winds, I
give honor and respect to the One who Created
all.
No, my chanting and dances or
beating the drum is not for your enjoyment, to
show off, or bring rain, these my friend are
humble thankful prayers.
Yes, I pray everyday from the
sunrise on, my heart is deeply grateful for each
and everything that is shared, every hardship
for these are lessons teaching me.
Yes, I am connected to all things
that share my world, and I believe all things
have a spirit even rocks and trees, they feel
pain and hurt just like you and me.
Yes,my heart is filled with peace
at
the speaking of my Elders, I hear
the whispers of the ancients in every wind that
blows.
Yes, I believe we are the Keepers
of our Mother Earth, and I believe we owe to her
our duty to keep her clean and keep the Balance.
Each race Creator made He gave to
them a gift, if we are willing to share the
world in peace all would be given lessons they
should learn.
It does not matter your color or
your creed, what matters in this life is what
you are willing to give not how much you have or
what you can take.
Our Mother Earth will be healed
with or without your help, it is those who
understand this that will survive to do their
sacred duty!
November 20, 2006 |
Indian Rainbow Children
We are the Rainbow Children
of the earth.
We are the last he will
give new birth.
We are from the stars
in the sky above
You see the Creator made us with all his love
We are the Rainbow Children
you can see
Created in his image like
we should be
We are the Rainbow Children made by his hand We are the children of the five fingered clan
We are here from the East
and the North
From the South and the West
we come forth
Children of the Rainbow
you will see
Many of these Children
look like me
It is not the outside
of me you see
It is in my spirit
he gave to me
You can have this spirit
alive in you
If you ask the Creator
he’ll give to you.
November 15, 2005
The Way Of The Elders
We make offerings to the sun And to the mountains And to the stars. That is why we live here. We are the Elders. We have not forgotten old ways. How could I say that I do not know how to dance? We still know how to dance. We have forgotten nothing. We know how to call the rain. If it rains hard, we know to stop it. We call the summer. We know how to bless the world and make it flourish. We are the wise ones We are the Elders. ~Kogi
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A Must Have for all Schools! Please forward to all educators!
In conversations with teachers and guidance counselors, I have heard it said many times that children on reservations need Native role models, not just historically, but especially now, in the present. A book like this has been long needed to break down stereotypes and to show the world Native people do not look like mascots, are still here and are still strongly connected to their cultures, even while changing the world. This important book belongs in all schools and will be a valuable resource for Native American Heritage Month in November! Schools have funding for books like this, ask your school to order theirs now! ~Christine Rose
Published June
2007 Mellen Press, P. O. Box 450, 415 Ridge St., Lewiston, NY
14092-0450, phone (716) 754-8566, fax (716) 854-4056,
www.mellenpress.com
The book is profiles of 87 Indian leaders of the modern age,
most of whom no one has ever written about. A must book for
every public library, Indian school library, tribal college
library, college library, university library, and public school
library. It features Roger Jourdain, Wendell Chino, Jim Thorpe,
Billy Mills, Pat Locke, Lucy Covington, Jack Montgomery, and 80
others.
Author: Dean Chavers, Founder, Native American
Scholarship Fund (now called Catching the Dream), 1986—former
President, Bacone College, 1978-81—founder of the first official
Native American Studies program in the U. S. at California State
University, Hayward, 1974—Current leader of the Exemplary
Programs in Indian Education movement—Consultant in Indian
Education for 35 years—Former Board Member, National Indian
Education Association, 1983-86, 1987-90—Founder, National
Coalition for Indian Education—newspaper columnist for 28
years—Mainland Coordinator of the Indian occupation of Alcatraz
Island in 1969—decorated war hero, veteran of 138 missions in
Viet Nam.
~Submitted by Gram Selma Palmer
Prayer and ceremony work. Creator heals and brings peace.
Crossing Over...
Donald Portwood, Eureaka Springs, AR - I want to ask Manataka to remember us in prayer. The father of my oldest daughter and my very dear friend was killed in a motorcycle accident August 13. In his life, he walked (or rather rode; he had a passion for motorcycles) the Good Red Road. He was a caring personal of great personal integrity. He will be cremated and his ashes scattered in Eureka Springs. ~ Linda Bear Woman Speaks 08-16-08
Grandfather Cyril O. Taylor
entered the spirit world on July 9, 2008. Words cannot do justice to the
wonderful human being he was. Many were touched by his kindness, words, deeds
and actions to help the many native communities he was involved with. His
parents were Carib from the Island of Dominica and immigrated to the United
States before Cyril was born. He grew up in the Baltimore area and served in the
U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. After retiring from the U.S. Army, he joined
the Baltimore Police Department. When he retired from the police force in 1993,
he spent the last 15 years of his life helping the native community in a variety
of ways. Throughout his life he had strong ties with the Carib community of
Dominica as well as other native groups on the East Coast. He was a member of
the American Indian Society in Virginia, a respected adopted member of his wife
Marie's tribe, the Meherrin of North Carolina, and a strong Sundance supporter
at the Tayac Sundance in Maryland. He was involved with the weekly Capitol Hill
Native Prayer Breakfast as an organizer and speaker. He was the Honorary Consul
of the Lokono-Arawak Nation of South America, a founding member and elder of
Biaraku: First People of a Sacred Place, as well as an elder and Liason Officer
for the United Confederation of Taino People. He helped organize many events as
well as host native travelers in his home. He gave moral, spiritual and economic
support to native people throughout the Americas.Grandfathe
Bear Heart was admired and inspired by many. He wrote the book "The Wind is My Mother" Bear Heart crossed to the spirit world today Monday, August 4, 2008. Our prayers to his family and large extended family. ~Gram Selma. (Photograph art by Selma.)
Jimmie E. Thigpen, 79, of Picayune died June 24, 2008 in Gulfport, MS. His son, Jimmie Thigpen of UTO is a Commissioner and Vice Chairman AIA in TN. ~Selena 06-24-08
Evette LaBatte Tubby, Philadelphia, MS. Sister of Woableza, Mother and Grandmother died of a massive heart attack. Evette was a special Lakota lady living on the Choctaw Reservation for many years. We remember her husky laugh and beautiful smile. She will be missed greatly by her family and many friends. ~Lee Standing Bear Moore 06-23-08
Prayer Needed - Sickness, Injury, Troubles...
Owain
--
is
a
6 year-old
boy.
He has fish and a cat that he loves to play with--he is a very
gentle and loving boy
--
we
lift him up on high
so that God can reach into his body and heal this
brain
cyst.
Our Father is very loving to each of his children--bless you--we
love this little boy--
Jimmy Springett 09-02-08
Marcia
Shore,
Huntington,
WV
Neck surgery for cancer treatment
on
Sept
SMOKE
SIGNAL
NEWS
Phoenix
(AP) - The U.S. Board on Geographic Names voted
Thursday to officially change the name of a
prominent Phoenix mountain to Piestewa Peak to honor
the first American Indian woman to die in combat
while serving in the U.S. military.
