By Susan Bates

News and Notes From Indian Country

2007 - A Year Of Change

As I write this, a terrible winter storm is attacking the Midwest. Tens of thousands of people are without power. Shelters are struggling to find room for all those who need a place to survive. While this is our first major storm of the new year, the Denver area has also been hard hit with at least 2 major snow events, while the east coast has been without any frozen precipitation at all. I saw pictures of trees blossoming 3 months early in New York and Washington DC. In fact my own daffodils were getting ready to flower before this round of freezing rain struck. Very odd weather, for sure.

All over the globe, things are changing. Ice is melting quickly in the northern latitudes.

For the first time in recent history, an inhabited island has sunk beneath the seas. Lohachara island, located where the Ganges and the Brahmaputra rivers empty into the Bay of Bengal, is lost. These people, along with the residents of sinking Ghoramara island, have fled to Sagar, but that island has already lost 7,500 acres of land to the sea. A dozen more islands in the area, with a population of 70,000 people, are in danger of being submerged by the rising seas.

I spent Christmas with my son in New Orleans and witnessed first hand what it is like to live in an area that is doomed, although the majority of residents there don't believe it. With each rain event,( and there were 4 of them in the 3 weeks I visited,) they would announce on TV and radio that the levees might not hold. Horrific visions of the terrible flooding during Katrina keep people on edge.

The pumps which keep the city from disappearing under the river, gulf and lake Ponchetrane, can handle 1 to 2 inches of rain an hour, but several times more than that fell. Streets flood quickly. The swamps and bayous are taking back the land that man has claimed through drainage systems, pumps and dams. Moreover, a recent report issued around New Years stated that not only is the water rising around the coastline, but water is also washing in under the land and pulling the soil out with the tides. Plumbing is collapsing. Foundations are crumbling. Homes are sinking.

From all over the globe come frantic cries of "Global Warming!!!" We must fight to save the world. Cut pollution, recycle, reuse. Politicians and activists have plans to reverse this process. Al Gore vows to save the world.

The truth is, what is happening today is part of a natural cycle which has occurred with regularity since the dawn of time. Yes, we could have/should have done better, but either way, what is happening now would have happened anyway. We are entering into a New Era.

Before anything can be created, something first must be destroyed. To build a house, you must first cut down some trees. To eat an omelet, some eggs must be sacrificed. To create a New World (Earth) the old one must be destroyed. Indigenous People have always understood this process.

What happened to the Mayans whose great civilization seemingly "vanished" overnight? What became of the Anasazi who left their pueblo homes for parts unknown? Did they die in some cataclysmic event like some people say? Or were they in tune with Nature? Did the droughts and changing weather conditions force them to adapt and move in order to survive? I suspect the latter since a remnant of these People are still here.

What do you supposed would have happened to these people if they hadn't been attuned to Nature. What if they had been told that the droughts, floods and other catastrophic events were due to global warming or some other man made catastrophe and that it could be stopped? Do you think they would have had the sense to relocate and adapt or would they have stayed in their homes waiting for someone to rescue them and perished?
Judging by what I've witnessed so far, they would have died.

Change is hard. Change is frightening. But it is inevitable and it is much better to "go with the flow" instead of clinging to a deck chair on a sinking yacht.

Creator has a plan and each of us has a part to play. Listen to what He's telling us to do. It will be okay.

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susanbates@webtv.net

Helping others is our responsibility

No individual by his or herself can fix the entire world of mankind, however, by working together, we can fix little pieces of it over a period of time.

We as humans neither have the ability nor the right to direct our own steps. Those who insist on following their own way (or doing their own thing) independent of the Creator will fall into many problems. And for the most part, they blame their problems or mistakes on someone else.

In this modern world filled with violence, immorality and loose conduct, many of our young ones find themselves involved in gangs, drugs, alcoholism or some other bad way of life. We as Elders have the responsibility to help such ones back to the 'Good Red Road' which leads to a good relationship with not only our Creator but also others around us.

In helping these young ones, we are in reality fixing a small part of this world! So to all of our Elders, I pray you will recognize some of these problems and do your utmost to help our youth return to the 'Red Road; In all things we do, by keeping our Grand Creator first and foremost in our minds and in our hearts, he will be there when we need him most.


BENNIE LeBEAU Bennie E. "Blue Thunder" LeBeau Sr., an enrolled member of the Eastern Shoshone Nation, Wind River Indian Reservation, Ft. Washakie, Wyoming is a MAIC Newsletter Correspondent. His "Teton Rainbow" and Earth Wisdom columns are regular features on these pages.

Blue Thunder, Teacher from among the Eastern Shoshone people,

sent this significant message from Grayeagle from the Yukon Territory of Canada.

Message of Purification from the Yukon Territory January 23, 2007

"Hothooka Caunotka "Sign Of Purification"

Saugh-he, a sign of purification has been sent to the people, that the Morning Star will start to be seen right before the night and light dances together. This is clear to the people of understanding and balance. This message of purification from Creator is speaking that end times are near, as people know it.

In the days that follow, people will look at the sky nation and witness and feel the return of two brothers that helped create Earth Mother in the birthing time.

One brother who has the care of the top of Earth Mother and his Brother who has the care for the bottom of Earth Mother. In these days the Morning Star will come and be with the two brothers and they will start to return Earth Mother to her natural rotation.

This has been shown for ages in many Petroglyphs within the Mayan and Egyptian pyramids and the carving and inscription on many rocks and bones.

Earth Mother has been manipulated and characterized throughout the ages by people that are not so suggestive of doing good for Earth Mother and Creators creations.

The two brothers will work and walk with the Hothooka. The Hothooka Caunotka as my ancestors spoke of them, will dance with the wind and find the ones that remember the original teachings of the old ways. The Hothooka Caunotka walks strong with Earth Mother's purification dance.

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It's very hard to do things in the right manner, but as long as we do things right, we are in tune with the Great Spirit." ~Rolling Thunder, CHEROKEE

When we are right with the Great Spirit, we are right with all things. It is impossible to be out of harmony with anything or anybody when we are in harmony with the Great One. So, if during the day a problem crops up and someone makes us mad, the best thing we can do is talk to the Creator first, ask for His help, then continue our conversation with the other person. In this way, our emotional nature will keep aligned with our thoughts, and we will always stay right with the Great Spirit.

Great Spirit, I ask You to

guide me on the Red Road today.

Put Color Into Your Life.... Eat the Rainbow Every Day!
Apples	Protects your heart	Prevents Constipation	Blocks Diarrhea	Improves Lung Capacity	Cushions joints
Apricots	Combats Cancer	Controls blood Pressure	Saves Eyesight	Shields against Alzheimer's	Slows Aging Process
Artichokes	Aids Digestion	Lowers Cholesterol	Protects the Heart	Stabilizes Blood Sugar	Guards Against Liver Disease
Avocados	Battles Diabetes	Lowers Cholesterol	Helps Stop Strokes	Controls Blood Pressure	Smoothes skin
Bananas	Protects Your Heart	Quiets a Cough	Strengthens Bones	Controls Blood Pressure	Blocks Diarrhea
Beans	Prevents Constipation	Helps Hemorrhoids	Lowers Cholesterol	Combats Cancer	Stabilizes Blood Sugar
Beets	Controls Blood Pressure	Combats Cancer	Strengthens Bones	Protects Your Heart	Aids Weight Loss
Blueberries	Combats Cancer	Protects Your Heart	Stabilizes Blood Sugar	Boosts Memory	Prevents Constipation
Broccoli	Strengthens Bones	Saves Eyesight	Combats Cancer	Protects Your Heart	Controls Blood Pressure
Cabbage	Combats cancer	Prevents constipation	Promotes weight loss	Protects your heart	Helps hemorrhoids
Cantaloupe	Saves eyesight	Controls Blood Pressure	Lowers cholesterol	Combats cancer	Supports immune system
Carrots	Saves eyesight	Protects your heart	Prevents constipation	Combats cancer	Promotes weight loss
Cauliflower	Protects against Prostate Cancer	Combats Breast Cancer	Strengthens bones	Banishes bruises	Guards against heart disease
Cherries	Protects your heart	Combats Cancer	Ends insomnia	Slows aging process	Shields against Alzheimer's
Chestnuts	Promotes weight loss	Protects your heart	Lowers cholesterol	Combats Cancer	Controls Blood Pressure
Chili peppers	Aids digestion	Soothes sore throat	Clears sinuses	Combats Cancer	Boosts immune system
Figs	Promotes weight loss	Helps stops strokes	Lowers cholesterol	Combats Cancer	Controls Blood Pressure
Fish	Protects your heart	Boosts memory	Protects your heart	Combats Cancer	Supports immune system
Flax	Aids digestion	Battles diabetes	Protects your heart	Improves mental health	Boosts immune system
Garlic	Lowers Cholesterol	Controls Blood Pressure	Combats Cancer	kills bacteria	Fights fungus
Grapefruit	Protects Against Heart Attacks	Promotes Weight Loss	Helps Stops Strokes	Combats Prostate Cancer	Lowers Cholesterol
Grapes	Saves Eyesight	Conquers Kidney Stones	Combats Cancer	Enhances Blood Flow	Protects Your Heart
Green tea	Combats Cancer	Protects Your Heart	Helps Stops Strokes	Promotes Weight Loss	Kills Bacteria
Honey	Heals Wounds	Aids Digestion	Guards Against Ulcers	Increases Energy	Fights Allergies
Lemons	Combats Cancer	Protects Your Heart	Controls Blood Pressure	Smoothes Skin	Stops Scurvy
Limes	Combats Cancer	Protects Your Heart	Controls Blood Pressure	Smoothes Skin	Stops Scurvy
Mangoes	Combats Cancer	Boosts Memory	Regulates Thyroid	Aids Digestion	Shields Against Alzheimer's
Mushrooms	Controls Blood Pressure	Lowers Cholesterol	Kills Bacteria	Combats Cancer	Strengthens Bones
Oats	Lowers Cholesterol	Combats Cancer	Battles diabetes	Prevents Constipation	Smoothes Skin
Olive Oil	Protects your heart	Promotes Weight Loss	Combats Cancer	Battles Diabetes	Smoothes Skin
Onions	Reduce Risk of Heart Attack	Combats Cancer	Kills Bacteria	Lowers Cholesterol	Fights Fungus
Peaches	Prevents Constipation	Combats Cancer	Helps Stop Strokes	Aids Digestion	Helps Hemorrhoids
Peanuts	Protects Against Heart Disease	Promotes Weight Loss	Combats Prostate Cancer	Lowers Cholesterol	Aggravates Diverticulitis
Oranges	Supports Immune System	Combats Cancer	Protects Your Heart	Straightens respiration
Pineapple	Strengthens Bones	Relieves Colds	Aids Digestion	Dissolves Warts	Blocks Diarrhea
Prunes	Slows Aging Process	Prevents Constipation	Boosts Memory	Lowers Cholesterol	Protects Against Heart Disease
Rice	Protects Your Heart	Battles Diabetes