Manataka American Indian Council
Volume XI
Issue 01 JANUARY 2007
SMOKE
SIGNAL
NEWSLETTER
Manataka
- Preserving The Past Today For Tomorrow
72 printed pages in this issue
WANNA BE A MEMBER OF MANATAKA?
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO JOIN!
Read details now
UPCOMING EVENTS
NativeGatherings.com lists hundreds of Native American events including
concerts, seminars, conferences, sporting events, and more.
Click on Poster
Elder Meditation
"I had been taught to seek the 'Great
Mystery' in silence, in the deep forest or on the height of the mountain."
-Charles A. Eastman (Ohiyesa), Santee Sioux
The Elders tell us about the importance of our
quiet time. The quiet time is the door to the Great Spirit. It is easier to
find this door of wisdom when we are in the forest or sitting on a rock in
the mountain. Go to the mountain alone and listen and learn. Each morning
develop the habit of quiet time. Find the sacred spot in your mind. Close
your eyes and breathe slowly. Light some sage. If you catch your mind
straying, bring it back to the stillness. Many ideas, knowledge and insight
are contacted by being still.
Great Spirit,
teach me to
meditate.
DECEMBER WEBSITE
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Stirring music. Intense,
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A Moving Experience.
Only $19.95
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BOOK REVIEW:
RETURN OF WHITE BUFFALO
ONE OF THE MOST SACRED
SYMBOLS OF NATIVE AMERICAN MYTHOLOGY
A Powerful novel filled with Native American tradition and
spirituality
A Blend of
Fact, Fiction and Mythology
Meet Stoney Wood -- Aninuya-Ada
A
modern day warrior, graduated top of his class at the University of Oklahoma.
Two times All American who led the Oklahoma Sooners to two division
championships. Top hand on the six hundred and fifty thousand acre Rainbolt
cattle and horse ranch.
Heir to the Wood Oil fortune and the Rainbolt Ranch, grandson of Black Eagle,
respected Cherokee holy man who has mentored his grandson in the traditional
ways of his ancestors since he was five years of age.
Unexpectedly, The
Great Spirit bestows the powers of the mightiest spirits on this unsuspecting,
modern day warrior the powers of the White Buffalo.
READ MORE...
REVIEWS
"...This
book should be read by everyone. I found it inspiring..." ~Lesander Littlebow - Mescalero
Apache
"...Praises that flood through my mind for Return of White
Buffalo..." ~Wesley
Edminister - Jamestown S'Klallan
"...It inspired me to examine my
own heritage; it made me proud to be a Native American..." ~Mary A. Weber,
Cherokee
"...The spirituality this
book... all Native Americans need to understand and believe..." ~Billy
Yarbrough, Choctaw
"...Delicately woven yet powerful truths are
found throughout this book..." ~Lee Standing Bear Moore - Manataka
|
Buy this spectacular book now!
Camelot Publishing
Only $14.95 + s/h
Make your copy a collector item!
Have your copy signed by the author
FREE! |
NEWS FLASH:
ANOTHER WHITE BUFFALO BORN
(Union Town, PA) Sonny
and Jill Herring, owners of Woodlands Zoo in Farmington, know their wide
array of animals draw patrons to their zoo but the couple never had
considered "spirituality" as a tourist draw.
But now, thanks to one very unique birth, the Herrings can boast that,
too.
On Nov. 12, a perfectly normal brown buffalo at the zoo gave birth to a
white baby bull calf - an occurrence that zoo owner Jill Herring said is
about 1 in 10 million.
The Herrings said they received an immediate response to the birth from
American Indians across the region and have been reeling ever since.
According to American Indian legend of the White Buffalo Woman, the
prophetess was sent to her people by the Creator to teach them how to
communicate with the deity through the prayer pipe.
Now, the remarkable birth has thrust the zoo into a new limelight, with
American Indians flocking to the park to view the sacred animal and
interpret the meaning of the calf's birth.
"We have a tribe that is coming for a dedication and naming ceremony,"
Jill Herring said with a sheepish smile. "They have given us three names
to choose from, so we are thinking about it."
Lenape Indians, indigenous to the Fayette County area, from the Standing
Stone Village, have offered the three names to the zoo for the sacred
animal.
The choices include Kenahkihinen, which means, "watch over us, Luwan
Alankw, which means, "winter star" and Wulileu, which means, "good
news."
"We talked to them about it and if we chose the first one we can call
him Kenny and if we chose the third we can call him Willy, but we are
still deciding," Jill Herring said.
Herring said both parents had to carry a white gene to be able to
produce the rare calf.
The birth also was unique, according to the Herrings, because buffalo
are rarely born in the fall. Most calves are born in the spring.
Sonny Herring said he went out to do his morning feed at the zoo and saw
something white in the buffalo pen.
At first the longtime animal handler thought a goat had gotten out,
something not uncommon at the zoo, but on closer inspection, discovered
the buffalo baby.
"It was a surprise," Sonny Herring said.
In the past, the Herrings said they have pulled the buffalo babies from
the mother and bottle-fed them, but decided to allow the animals to
raise the rare baby, something that the American Indians also encouraged
the zoo owners to do.
Wynne Brown the Cherokee Indian Tribe stopped at the zoo Thursday
afternoon after learning of the calf's birth.
"The prophecy is that when the White Buffalo Woman came to our
ancestors, she performed a ceremony and taught them how to use the
sacred pipe for the people to remember who they are," Brown said. "This
birth is important because it means that her spirit is now available to
us to communicate so that her teachings can be disseminated."
Brown, an alternative medicine physician who moved to Fayette County
nearly three decades ago from North Carolina, greeted the new bull with
what she called a "traditional way to move into communication with soul
and spirit" a ritual that had the woman turning in all directions with
her eyes closed as if in a trance.
She said each movement is a salute to the four directions, east, west,
north and south as well as "Father Sky" and "Mother Earth."
While Brown said the casual observer might call her actions "American
Indian spirituality" but she said it is simply knowing her place in the
world.
"It is a way of life and understanding the connectedness of all things,"
Brown said. 'This white buffalo means that a time of understanding that
connectedness is here for all to receive."
Source:
http://www.heraldstandard.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17544617&BRD=2280&PAG=461&dept_id=480247&rfi=6
Submitted by
Darrell Whitewolf
FEATURE
Resolutions That Matter
By Corina Roberts, Founder, Redbird
As we celebrate
the holidays this year we do so on a planet that is trying to tell us that
changes are coming. Our dependence on oil and other resources in America is
grossly disproportionate to our population. We comprise just five per cent
of the earth’s human inhabitants, but we produce twenty five per cent of its
dangerous pollution and consume much more than five per cent of its
resources.
In searching for
alternative energy sources and seeking to understand our universe, some
people have suggested harnessing the earth’s geothermal energy and blowing
holes in the moon. I can’t remember what the logic behind shoving a
projectile into the moon was; I have gleaned the following information,
however.
Our magnetic
field is weakening; that field which is produced by the innermost core of
the planet. In the past one hundred years it has declined by ten per cent.
That magnetic field shields us from the damaging radiation of the sun, which
is simultaneously growing stronger all the time as it, like all stars, goes
through its life cycle.
Some scientists
now think Mars may once have had life, but having lost its magnetic field
entirely, it was essentially scorched by the sun.
We also know that
our gravitational attraction to the moon is weakening on a slower but steady
scale. Every year the moon wanders just a little bit farther away from us.
We have to do
something about our dependence on fossil fuels, and at first glance
harnessing the geothermal energy of the earth’s blazing hot interior sounds
like a good idea. But what if it isn’t? What if we get really good at
harnessing that energy and further the cooling of the planet’s core? What
if, in so doing, we further diminish the magnetic field it generates?
And what if we do
pierce the surface of the moon in the name of science, with such force that
we further affect our weakening gravitational attraction? The answer is
that we don’t really know what will happen.
It seems to me we
need to consider alternative approaches to the energy crisis and global
warming that do not involve blowing gaping holes in Grandmother Moon or
opening up Pandora’s Box by blasting our way into the earth’s core (which,
by the way, is how some scientists propose we should explore it…with a
nuclear missile thrust deep beneath the surface).
So, when the
frenzy of the holidays subsides, when the last gift is opened and the last
cross-country trek to see our loved ones has been completed, let us resolve
to get busy and use our considerable intellect and energy in a way that
might insure us many more happy holidays. Let’s pick an issue and make a
stand.
Let us resolve in
2007 to contact our elected officials and offer them sound and well
researched advice. Let us each become champions for saving ourselves and
our home planet. Let us engage them in issues like safe alternative energy
sources. Let us discourage them from commitment to radical, potentially
destructive methods of energy exploration. Let us commend them for having
the courage to take leadership roles, and tell them what we expect of them
as our leaders.
Let us extend our
considerable influence as consumers by contacting companies we support and
encouraging them to reduce pollution and create more environmentally
friendly products. Let’s not forget to praise those who are doing so.
Let’s invest in
good ideas, in renewable energy sources, in companies that seek a
sustainable future. You and I, the seemingly powerless and voiceless, are
not at all without a voice, without intelligence, or without means. Our
dollars drive the economy. Our children will inherit the earth. Let us
resolve to leave them something worth inheriting.
Corina Roberts,
Founder, Redbird
Eco-Notes:
It's Not Too Late...
For
the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge!
As of
Monday 12/19/05, the House approved drilling
in Artic National Wildlife Refuge, BUT the
Senate has not yet voted on the Defense Bill
that contains the Arctic Drilling Measure.
There is a chance the Bill will be
filibustered by anti-drilling Senators,
forcing the Senate to remove the Arctic
Drilling measure from the Bill. Read on for
more information.
Take action
by contacting your U.S. Senators TODAY, and
asking them to do whatever it takes to get
the Arctic Drilling measure OUT of the
Defense spending bill, even if it means a
filibuster!
Bill Allowing
Drilling In Alaska's Artic Wildlife Refuge
Passes
Ayinde O. Chase -
All Headline News Staff Writer
Washington DC (AHN) - After an all-night
session during the last budgetary meeting of
the year, The U.S. House of Representatives
on Monday approves opening Alaska's Arctic
National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) to oil
drilling.
The House approved the bill, and had a
308-106 vote in favor of a defense spending
measure that contained language for drilling
in the ANWR.
The new
legislation now gives oil companies access
to the refuge's possible 10 billion barrels
of crude oil. The drilling is one of the
Bush Administration’s key aspects to its
nation energy plan to cut America’s
dependence on imported oil.
The
initiative is expected to be debated by the
Senate this week, where it is likely to face
stiff opposition from pro-environmental
Democrats and possibly some moderate
Republicans.
Republican leaders tweaked the
language so it funnels billions of dollars
of revenue from eventual oil drilling to
states affected by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita
and Wilma.
Drilling in the refuge had appeared a
non-issue but quickly became a hot topic
last week with environmentalists and some in
the government, when Republican leaders
tried a new strategy: Having it piggyback
along a must-pass $453 billion defense
appropriations bill, which will pay for the
war in Iraq and provide money for hurricane
relief and avian flu preparations.
TAKE
ACTION!!
Call, fax, or
email your two U.S. Senators right now and
tell them to get Arctic drilling out of the
Defense bill, with a filibuster if
necessary!
If
you call the national number and unable
to get through or leave a message, go
directly to your two Senator's websites
from the link below.
Sample Message: "I am outraged
that a measure to drill for oil in
ARCTIC NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE was
snuck into the Defense Appropriations
Bill. Please do all that you can
to get this measure OUT of the Defense
Bill, EVEN IF IT MEANS A FILIBUSTER!
I will continue to support you even if
you vote NO on the Defense Bill.
Sincerely, ___________________"
U.S. Senate Directory:
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
Thank you for TAKING ACTION!
Manataka
Video
Store
GRANDMOTHERS SPEAK
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The
FIRST SNOW
Dark heavy gray clouds
swirl over head as I walk down the sea grass lined path to the beach.
The wind billows my coat around my body seeming to reach icy fingers
into my sweater beneath. I pull the hood of my jacket closer to my face
and try to block out the ever increasing wind.
Only moments earlier I was sitting beside a good warm fire looking out
at this same dark sky and wondering if the snow will come today. It
threatens, and the news promises; but still not a sign of the first
snow. I seem to feel a need to move and do something, the restless need
to explore takes hold of me. I leave all reason behind and dressing
warm, I leave the house. The warmth of that fire seems far now away
as I enter the sandy path. I push my cold hands deeper into my pockets
to protect them from the now freezing wind.
The beach is quiet and still, no people around to spoil the tranquility
of this space. Summer bathers have long been gone and only the
occasional beach walker is seen. As I enter the beach I see the tangles
of sea weed, broken bottles and debris piled up on the tide edge.
Taking out my trash bag I start to collect those things that are not
native to this place. Soon my bag is heavy and I sit it down and open
another one to fill.
Wave after wave slips up and scatters foam on the wet and solid sand. I
look for shells and sand dollars in the wake of the waves, finding only
a few not broken. These treasures of sea glass and sand dollars I place
in my jacket pocket for later use.
Ice crystals are starting to form on the edge of the water as the
temperature drops and the wind increases. I look back to where I
started, it seems so very far away.
Like life we travel and collect, but do not seem to mind the walk, until
we have to return. Some how, the return path home is always longer and
harder to manage. The second bag is filling fast and I will soon have
to return and collect the other bags I left waiting on the beach.
Gulls fly over me screaming in the wind they land and cock there heads
looking for hand outs. "Sorry nothing to offer you this time" I say to
them.
On the way back I see something shinny in the sand. I am sure that
shiny object was not there before, I would have seen it, my foot prints
show my path was near by. Retracing my steps I stop and pick up a
perfect crystal, clear as glass as large as an egg. I count eight
points of light on the surface and peer into the most clear light
imaginable. I hold it not believing what I see, it is truly clear
and flawless.
I wonder who or what brought this precious crystal to this place. My
mind races at possibilities and reasons in my need to understand.
I place the crystal in my medicine bag and offer in return a gift of
tobacco to the Earth Mother. I close my eyes, and turn my face to the
sky and give thanks to Creator for this gift. As I look into the dark
gray clouds the first soft wet snow flakes fall and melt on my face.
Waynonaha Two Worlds. Copyright (c) 2006 by Waynonaha Two
Worlds. All publication rights reserved.
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ATTENTION: After
16-years living in the same home, Waynonaha is being evicted. She needs
your help. Grandmother Wanonaha writes, "..I will be homeless
and
will not be able to do the writing or my work. A month will not give me time to
move out my things, it is winter and this will be difficult at the least..."
This wonderful elder has given freely her wisdom, kindness and generosity for
many generations. Now it is time that we give back to her. Please
help.
Waynonaha Two Worlds
P.O. Box 142
Lily Dale, NY 14752
toworlds@netsync.net
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Funny
Bones
No offense intended for any individuals or tribes.
John Wayne
An Indian walks
into the trading post and asks for toilet paper. The clerk asks if he
would like a generic, Charmin or White Cloud. "White Cloud sounds like
good Indian toilet paper," says the Indian. "How much is it?"
"$1 a roll," the
clerk replies.
"That seems
pretty expensive," responds the Indian. "What about the others?"
"Charmin is $2 a
roll and no name is 50 cents a roll."
The Indian
doesn't have much money so he opts for the no name. Within a few hours
he is back at the trading post. "I have a name for that no name toilet
paper," he announces to the clerk.
"We shall call it
'John Wayne'."
"Why?" asks the
confused clerk.
"Cause it's rough
and it's tough and it don't take no shit offa' no Indian."
GRANDMOTHER'S SPEAK:
From Grandmother Selma
The Christmas Season and the
birth of a new year is with us. Let us all bejoyous and celebrate in
our own way. Christmas in this house is perhaps a little different than it
is in many others. We tend to use a great deal of symbolism and
actually expect people to know what it means and appreciate the fact that it
is there to enhance the spiritual significance of the season.
Our tree is loaded with older
and handmade ornaments, along with ones from family and or friends, along
with new ones added each year, they all tell a story. They all touch
lives, they all add to the meaning of the tree of life that they are gracing
and adorning. The tree that stretches its limbs out dispersing its energy
and blessing to all who wish to partake: the tree that is lit in colored
flashing red , blue, and white lights to remind us of the Nation that allows
us our religious freedoms, to remind us of our past and current warriors who
fight to protect those freedoms. The red for the people, the blood of the
people, for the red road, the white for the wisdom, the purity of intent and
heart, and the glow of the Divine Light. The Blue for the blue road of
spirit, for the sky and for the walk to the Divine. The tree being green is
for the new beginnings, added growth and to honor the Earth Mother as the
source of substance.
The gifts beneath the tree
are our Giveaway to all who touch our lives, to those who are a major part
of our world, who walk beside us in unity, to our modern day " tribe" if
you will. Sacred gifts are still wrapped in red or in white cloth....the
rest are in decorative paper ( a gift from the tree) , with bows handmade of
colorful ribbon as we wear on ribbon shirts.
Our feast will consist of
some pretty major traditional items. Turkey for the ultimate giveaway from
the animal kingdom to man, the three sisters. Squash, corn and beans,
and the fruit of the Earth Mother the cranberry. The fruit of the
trees being the pecans in the pie, the oysters in the dressing from our
finned family world, the liver in the dressing from the animal kingdom
internal energy. the stuffing and rolls from the heart of the land,
the grains.
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Artist : Emerson. The Navajo arbor
resembles the stable in a typical nativity scene, the
structure under which sacred rites, ceremony and dances are
done.
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There will be ham,
venison, green beans, potatoes, yams, chyote squash of the
Navajo, corn on the
cob, and all the special treats such as the butter and the
desserts also just as
significant symbolically. All of the animals that live with us
and there are lots,
recieve Christmas Eve dinner according to their species.
Christmas Eve the
animals talk and are honored in this fashion. All the
Christmas lights in
the front pasture and down the drive is to light the way for
others , our welcome
mat so to speak. and our visual expression of the Light
given to the world
during this time.
Yes, we are blessed
people, not in terms of financial wealth, or stature, or
status, but blessed in
the knowledge of who we are , what we stand for, what we
believe in, and what
we are willing to practice every day of our earth walk.
May you all have a
wondrous Christmas, a Happy New Year and know the
joy of life. ~ Hugs,
Gram Selma
Submitted by Selma
Palmer, 2007 All Rights Reserved
GRANDMOTHERS SPEAK
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Magdala Rameriz
Maya Priestess |
Beautiful Sisters and Brothers all over the
world,
We are back from a long and beautiful
journey, many have touch the heart in many ways, many healings, many
stories, faces, hearts and laughs.
We have meet many healers, for all human being
are healers, meet many love, for all human being is love, for love is
the true healer in a human being, love have been the ways of all humans.
For a such a long time has been the
identification of the body, and as that was going on human being went
into a journey of sickness and terrible memories that hunt them, and the
human being stop in be-living in themselves because it was so painful
the memories of the body, body remembers.
The identification with the pain have been
going on for such a long time in human being, people began to see
themselves as that pain, pain became a way to identify self, because
of the identification the body, where you come from, what are your
roots, the color of the skin, your degrees, accomplishments,
background, third-forth dimension of reality, ...and ...of course pain
as a way to create relations, a way of identification.
They have even said that pain is a teacher,
they have make pain as a virtue, so people began to be afraid of love,
afraid of life, afraid of themselves, because they thought I brought
myself in a situation that was painful, so I cannot believe in myself.
Stop identifying yourself as a body.
War, rapes, abuses of all kind, have been hurt
human being in a deeply manner, where is the healer there? the healer is
in the spirit, in the place where all the things are being created, in
the true human being, daughter and son of the great spirit, for great
are the creations of the father mother.
People can touch your body, can abuse your
mind, even kill your body, but they can never touch you, human being is
a spirit, and spirits can transcend time space, and heal, and connect
and is free. Human being is a spirit that it is untouchable, and is not
sick, for spirit remain in the true nature, and the purity of the heart
is always there.
Father Mother, love and manifestation, has been
there all the time, the heart loves and the mind will manifest, and the
power of creation is because of love, if we stop seeing the things as
good and bad according to a belief system, and observe the things as
nature with the eyes of the spirit, the eyes that won't lie to you.
Change the way of perceive yourself, change the
image that you have about yourself, stop seeing yourself as a wounded
person, but see yourself with the eyes of the spirit, the eyes of a
healer and a connector, for human beings are connectors.
Stop to identify yourself with the eyes of a
system, but identify yourself as the daughter and the son of the great
spirit, you are God-dess, for you are the true sons and daughters of the
great spirit, be-live in yourself as you truly are. Heal yourself, this
means, that through be-living insight-inside yourself you are truly
helping yourself through that light that you are,.... means that you are
life, you are not "living your life" like if life is separated from you,
...then, you will see events as that, events, you will remember but the
pain will be gone. The pain will no longer rule your life, pain brings
separation, that is what it make you feel that life is separated from
you.....Became life, because that is what you are.
FEATURE STORY
Legacy Of Mistrust ... And Reason To Hope
Foster Indian Children
By Nicole Paseka Journal staff writer, Sioux City
Journal
The toddler's flash cards begin to tell her story: wee, nah bah, tha blee. One,
two, three.
Susette* is a 1-year-old member of the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska. She lives
in a foster home in Sioux City because her biological parents are unable to care
for her right now. Unlike many American Indian children in foster care,
Susette's foster parents are American Indian, not white.
"We have tried really hard to keep this little girl's heritage alive," said
Susette's foster mother, Renae.
Renae plans to make Susette a cradle board for her baby doll. Sage hangs over
Susette's crib to ward off evil. Photographs on the living room wall show
Susette and other Omaha children enjoying a powwow.
Susette's foster father, Michael, 36, is Navajo and Apache. Renae, 36, is
Apache. Although they are not members of the Omaha Nation, they have learned
everything they can about Omaha culture to pass on to Susette.
That's where the homemade flash cards come in. Michael and Renae want Susette to
learn her native tongue. The family has frequent visits with Susette's
biological parents and grandparents. When Susette grows up, Michael said he
would like her to marry an Omaha man.
Michael and Renae moved to Sioux City from Colorado about two years ago. They
said it is important for American Indians to consider becoming foster parents.
"What has happened in the past with our tribal ancestors is terrible," Renae
said. "We can never forget, but we have to move forward to create a better
future for generations to come."
Disproportionate numbers
Mention the words "Indian" and "foster care" in the tri-state region, and you
are certain to hear passionate replies.
The firestorm erupted with the Sept. 24 death of 20-month-old Nathaniel Saunsoci-Mitchell,
who lived in a South Sioux City foster home when he received the injuries that
ended his life. Although he was placed in that home while he was a ward of the
Omaha Tribe, both the Iowa Department of Human Services and the Nebraska
Department of Health and Human Services were eyed suspiciously after his death.
READ MORE...
Murrow Indian
Children’s Home in need
By Liz Gray
(Dallas, TX) Albert Old Crow (Southern
Cheyenne) read the Native Times story about the Murrow Indian Children’s Home in
need of financial support and decided to do something about it. Old Crow is one
of the hosts on the radio program “Beyond Bows and Arrows” which airs on
Sunday’s in the Dallas, Texas area. He plans to read the story on the air for
his listeners to possibly get involved and spread the word. He also forwarded
the story to a few friends who said they are going to send small donations to
the Home.
“It was forwarded to me and it touched my heart,” said Old Crow, who is
originally from Hammon, Oklahoma. “I felt we needed to do something, however
small it is we needed to do something.”
Based in Muscogee, Oklahoma, the Children’s Murrow Home has been providing a
residential home program to needy children from tribes across Oklahoma for over
100 years. Soon After the Civil War, Rev. J.S. Murrow, enterprising missionary
in Indian Territory, began taking orphan and homeless Indian children into his
home.
Today, the Murrow Home is still a National Ministries mission partner and is
supported, in part, by the American Baptist Association. Ms. Brown has been the
director for over 25 years.
Seventy-five percent of their funds come from Church donations, the remainder
from private donations and a small percentage from tribes. But donations
directed to the Murrow Home have decreased because of the recent, national
catastrophies, including the tsunami and recent hurricanes. “This year we ran
about $30 thousand short,” said Joan Brown, Director of the facility. “If we
don’t increase our funding, we are going to have to close in three months. We
are down to a skeleton crew,” she said. “It’s getting scary.”
The Native American warriors society of Texas had a Christmas powwow for the
children of their area. Old Crow heard about it and approached the Warrior’s
Society asking if they could do a blanket dance for the Murrow Home. They
agreed. At their small gathering they raised over $395.00 and plan to send the
money directly to the Home. Old Crow’s theory is that every little thing you do
helps, especially if everyone gets involved.
“Anybody could be in this situation personally. My dad and mom divorced at 12
and I realize how close I could have been in that situation,” said Old Crow. “If
I were, I would want someone to be there for me.”
Many of the Murrow Home kids come from homes where they have been severely
abused. Joan describes some of the worst cases where the children who first
arrive have trouble sleeping, especially during the hours that bars close. These
children are used to alcoholic relatives coming home at that hour. Some children
sleep in their clothes.
“These abandoned, abused, or neglected children are deeply troubled and, in some
cases, the state agencies have given up on them,” Brown explains. “But each one
is a child of God and we don’t give up on them.”
Although the Murrow Home holds 100% Native American children and has housed
children from all tribes of Oklahoma, only two tribes donate to the Home. The
Muscogee Creek Nation and the Cherokee Nation.
“I would hope that no matter what tribe, everyone has an open heart and are
willing to do what they can, said Old Crow. “Many times we get caught up with,
‘awe they’re not my tribe, I’m not going to worry about it.’ But, I am my
brother’s keeper… I’m going to make contact with the Cheyenne Arapaho governor
because I believe the tribe should contribute to the house as well.”
Radio Program “Beyond Bows and Arrows” Sunday’s 6 to 8 p.m. in the Dallas area
and also on the internet. Go to www.knon.org
and click on “specialty”.
To send donations to the Children’s Home, call or
write to:
Murrow Indian Children’s Home
2540 Murrow Circle
Muskogee, Ok 74403
918-682-2586
Submitted by
Carole Many Kettles Woman Eveland
Funny
Bones
No offense intended for any individuals or tribes.
The Medicine Man
Harry is getting along in years and finds that
he is unable to perform sexually. He finally goes to his doctor who
tries a few things, but nothing seems to work. So the doctor refers him
to an American Indian medicine man.
The medicine man says, "I can cure this." With
that said, he throws a white powder in a flame, and there is a flash
with billowing blue smoke.
Then the medicine man says, "This is powerful
medicine but you can only use it once a year. All you have to do is say
'123,' and it shall rise for as long as you wish!"
The man then asks, "What happens when it's
over, and I don't want to continue?"
The medicine man replies: "All you or your
partner has to say is 1234, and it will go down. But be warned: It will
not work again for another year."
Harry rushes home, anxious to try out his new
powers and prowess.
That night he is ready to surprise his wife.
He showers, shaves, and puts on his most exotic shaving lotion and
cologne. After he gets into bed and is lying next to her, he says, "123"
and suddenly he becomes more aroused than anytime in his life, just as
the medicine man had promised.
His wife, who had been facing away from him,
turns over and asks, "What did you say 123 for?"
And now you know why you shouldn't end a
sentence with a preposition.
FEATURE STORY...
Death
of an Eagle
by Brookie Craig
Recently, I went to the Warm
Springs reservation in Oregon and then to the Federal Eagle Repository in
Ashland Oregon.
You probably never heard of Nathan Jim, Jr. He was
a Yakima Indian who was arrested for illegal possession of Eagle Feathers
and parts, by the Feds a couple years ago. He languished in fed jail for l4
months awaiting trial and was finally put on probation for this heinous
crime. His lawyer appealed it under the new Religious Freedom act which
guarantees Native Americans the right to eagle feathers to practice their
religious ceremonies and again lost the appeal..He killed himself fearing
that (in his mind) it would mean that the feds would rearrest him and
sentence him to jail again.
This so moved his prosecuting US Attorney that he
grabbed a bundle of eagle feathers at the Fed Eagle Repository (yes..our tax
dollars at work) and drove to the reservation so they can use them for
Nathan's spirit sending ceremony (burial) but arrived too late so Nathan
didn't even get a feather in death.
I decided to continue the challenge to the Feds
and drove to Ashland Oregon where they keep dead Eagles (yes..its true they
have a Eagle repository there) and with much dread and fear (we NA do not
TRUST the feds, having felt their wrath many times in the past) and trembled
my way through the door fully expecting the worst. I was met at the counter
by a little old lady who is a volunteer there. While holding my Bureau of
Indian Affairs ID card in one hand and my Cherokee Tribal Registration card
in the other, I tried to remember my Ancestors who would want my voice to be
strong and proud. I stood a little taller and I said, "I want a Eagle
Feather which is my right under the Religious Freedom Act." I expected a
lightning bolt to come down but instead saw a gentle smile as she softly
said, "Of course," walked over and handed me a a packet of federal forms to
fill out with instructions to send in to the Portland office of the US
department of Wildlife management.
I smiled as I read that I will have to have signed
references from another Elder and Verification from the Bureau of Indian
Affairs AND my Tribe to prove that I am, indeed a REAL Indian. References
even for a Eagle Feather.
She asks..."Do you want a Bald or a Golden Eagle?"
CHOICES!?!? I'm not prepared..."Do you want just a wing..or talons..or the
head...or the whole eagle?" WHAT?!?!?! I come in expecting to be arrested
for asking for ONE feather and they're offering me the WHOLE bird!?! I am
confused by the offer and She sees that I'm unprepared for them offering me
choices of parts of this sacred bird and smiles her suggestion that perhaps
I might want to look at the drawings of the parts of the bird, circle what I
want and include it with the forms...I am defeated instantly by her
gentleness.
