Manataka Smoke
Signal Newsletter
Volume
V, Issue 6,
March 26, 2003
CONTENTS:
1. TRADITIONAL ARTISTS NEEDED!
2. MANATAKA ENCAMPMENT – 4/12
3. OPEN LETTER TO MANATAKA
4. LIVE A BETTER, HAPPIER LIFE
5. NEW WEB SITE FEATURES
6. SPEAK CHEROKEE NOW!
7. MINI-CALENDAR OF EVENTS
8. DADDY'S DAY AT SCHOOL
9. LAKOTA PLAN SPIRIT WALK
10.
UNSUBSCRIBE
ANNOUNCEMENT:
Attention Traditional
Artists/Craftspersons
Parkin
Mound State Archeological Park, Arkansas will host a "Living History
Day" on Oct. 4, 2003. They seek traditional American Indian artists and
crafters to demonstrate their work. Demonstrators will be permitted to sell
their work and be paid $75.00. Candidates will be juried. "We are looking
for traditional work but we are interested in education the public that we keep
our arts and traditions alive." Info: Valarie: 501 330-2418 – vgcarving@cs.com
MANATAKA ENCAMPMENT
APRIL 11 – 13
Camp set up will
begin on Friday, April 11. A 6 p.m. potluck dinner is sponsored by the Women's
Council (see notice below).
Chief Gray Wolf
Henson, (ret) of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians of Oklahoma will
lead ceremonies during the Encampment and, as a special treat, he will teach a
class in the Cherokee language on Saturday afternoon and again on Sunday
morning.
Bring tents, camping gear, food/beverages and a big smile.
Everyone welcome regardless if you camp overnight or not.
Bring crafts and
goodies to the Big Trade Blanket event on Saturday. Vendors are welcome to set
up tables.
Directions: Go 9.5
miles past the Lake Hamilton bridge on Hwy 70 West out of Hot Springs. Turn left
on South Pearcy Road next to Pearcy Grocery. (Watch for sign) Go 1/4 mile to
first small bridge, see white mail box on left, turn in driveway to the right at
2050 South Pearcy Road.
Women's Council Members:
This is the list of meals that we are going to have at the
encampment. I have included a needs list. Please consult this list when bringing
food for the encampment. Bring extra for the noon meal on Saturday we may have
guests to feed over and above the people camping.
ENCAMPMENT
MEALS
FRIDAY: hot dogs, chips, cookies or cakes, bread or buns relish, mustard,
ketchup, mayo, onions chopped, chili, shredded cheese . For those who do not
like hot dogs please bring sandwich fixings.
marshmallows, graham crackers, Hershey bars, roasting sticks
SATURDAY: BREAKFAST
French toast, bacon, sausage, coffee, hot chocolate
NEED: eggs, bread, syrup, jelly, honey, bacon, sausage, coffee, hot chocolate
mix
LUNCH
Indian tacos
NEED: ground beef or other ground meat, tomatoes, lettuce, onions, cheese
refried beans, S R flour, eggs, milk,
cakes cookies or sweets of some kind
SUPPER
stew
NEED: stew meat of any kind, vegetables for stew pot, french bread, crackers,
beverages
SUNDAY: BREAKFAST
breakfast burritos
NEED: eggs, sausage, bacon, bell peppers, onion, shredded cheese, salsa flour
tortillas beverages
LUNCH
cornbread and beans
NEED: cornbread and beans, ham hocks or ham bone for beans
_____________________________________________________________________________________
WOMEN'S
COUNCIL MEETING CHANGE
For the month of April our meeting place has changed. Western
Sizzlin Steak House at 1206 Albert Pike, Hot Springs. If you are coming west on
Albert Pike it on the right just before you come to the 70-270 split. If you
would like to meet up with women and go as a group please call Sharon Baugh at sbaugh8@excite.com
262-9273 or Judy Fillmore jfilmore@msn.com
922-4468.
AN OPEN LETTER TO MANATAKA
-----
Original Message -----
From:
Jeremy Francisco Atkinson Fredericks
To:
manataka@myexcel.com
Sent:
Sunday, March 23, 2003 4:07 PM
Subject:
GUAYANA MOVEMENT
Halaykoha,
Honored Brother Bear,
Greetings
in the name of the Indigenous Movement of
Guayana [Venezulea] and it's seventeen member tribes, and may the Great
Spirit shine blessings on Manataka.
I'ts
been a long time my brother, since we heard from each other. We have been
working very hard towards our participation in the Summer Gathering at Manataka
on June 27-29. Our elders sugested that we now proceed to aproach the American
Embassy for the issuing of our visas since we're still interested in meeting
with Manataka and taking part in ceremonies. Our delegation is composed of five
representatives of different peoples. our names and titles are as follows:
ARGENIS
VACARO.............................President of MIG (Carib Nation)
JOSE
MANUEL CHIROCO................Chief Carib Confederacy (Carib Nation)
LINO
PAEZ...........................................Elder (Pemon Tribe)
GERARDO
ATKINSON.......................Elder (Arawak
Tribe)
JEREMY
ATKINSON..........................Chief Arawak Confederacy (Arawak Tribe)
We
look foward to your positive response as early as possible. Thank you.
Yours
faithfully,
Jeremy
Atkinson
UPCOMING TV MINI- SERIES
MOVIE
MARK
YOUR CALENDAR: "Dreamkeepers" mini-series, ABC Television, Sunday,
May 11, 8:00 p.m. EST; Monday, May 12, 9:00 p.m. EST. Legends of the Native
American nations come to life in this epic mini-series from Hallmark
Entertainment as two generations—a century-old storyteller and his grandson, a
troubled 16-year-old boy—embark on a cross-country journey toward
self-discovery.
UPCOMING SYMPOSIUM
April 4 - 5 - First Sequoyah
Symposium, "Southeastern Indians – Then and Now" Western Carolina
University, Cullowhee, NC. The conference will feature noted scholars Theda
Perdue, Michael Green, Katherine Holland Braund and Tom Hatley. The event will
include a Friday night traditional dinner in Cherokee. The conference is free
and open to the public, but participants are asked to pre-register. The Friday
night dinner and entertainment will cost $20 paid in advance. Info: Bill
Anderson, Director of Cherokee Studies, 227-3838 anderson@wcu.edu
SAVE BEAR BUTTE
Bear Butte is a holy place to
the Lakota and other Plains nations. There is a proposal to construct a firing
range adjacent to it. To sign the petition against the range: http://www.petitiononline.com/1851Site/petition.html
See Bear Butte State Park: http://www.state.sd.us/gfp/sdparks/bearbutt.htm
LIVE A BETTER, HAPPIER
LIFE...
10
WAYS TO MAKE IT HAPPEN
1. Listen to your inner voice.
It takes practice to hear your true desires. Your passion will often come as a
whisper or serendipitous event that reminds you of what's important and what
makes you happy.
2. Recognize crisis. Does your
job feel like a grind? Are you spending your free time on something you love?
Take an opportunity to appraise your happiness. One of the keys to living a
purposeful life is seeing that you feel unfulfilled.
3. Dwell in possibilities.
Your passions could lead you in a lot of different directions to find
fulfillment. Explore your life and unearth all of the things that bring you joy.
4. Tune out the voice of the
world. Make the strongest voice in your life your own. Finding your purpose
could mean going against the advice of close friends and family. Take a leap of
faith and trust in your dreams.
5. Decide what kind of person
you want to be. Rather than concentrating on what you want to do, think in terms
of what kind of person you want to be. Let that guide your choices.
6. Bring your heart to your
work. It takes passion and courage to find a profession that you love. Spending
the time to discover that job is time well spent—it could make all the
difference in your life!
7. Trust transformation. Hard
times are a natural part of life. Don't be afraid to change because of your
experiences. Instead, let them shape and steer your course.
8. Have no regrets. According
to the experts, it's easy to regret the time you've spent being unhappy or
unfulfilled. Realize that during that time, you developed the skills you need to
succeed!
9. Take the first step.
Destiny can't help you until you are willing to step out of your comfort zone.
Get prepared to make changes in your life…and start making them!
10. Be patient. Finding your
life purpose won't happen overnight. In every life, there's a fast road and a
slow road. Most of us take the slow road! Keep your commitment and take small
steps to make it happen.
Submitted
by Butterfly
PAY YOUR DUES
ONLINE!
Manataka
needs your help now. Our programs, services and gatherings require funds to
operate. Without your cooperation, we die. Please send
your annual dues or a donation now.
MANATAKA DUES DONATE
NOW
Click on either link to pay by credit card or check
WEB
SITE ADDITIONS
MARCH
Black Elk's Vision
Medicine Lodge
Cherokee Dictionary
Easier Format
Chief Arvol Looking Horse - Updated
Federally
Recognized Tribes
New Format
Hopi Prophesy
- Updated Article
Little People of the Cherokee - Children's Story
Potawatomie History
- History
FEBRUARY
We spent the month
upgrading the speed and ease of operation for the website, therefore no new
stories this month.
JANUARY
American Indian Women Veterans – Women’s Council
Birth of the Little People Legend
Choctaw Chief Phillip Martin 24 Feature Story
Eden – Poetry - Women’s Council
Nell Hampton’s Page Women’s Council
Spirit and Stardust Feature Story
Ten Things to Say to A White Person
Fun Page
2003 Powwow Listings Powwow Now!
HEY! DID YOU GUYS READ ABOUT
Eating
Flowers and BUGS!
CHECK IT OUT!
http://www.manataka.org
Do
you have a story to tell or an article you would like to see appear on our
website?
If
so, please send it today.
CAN YOU SPEAK
CHEROKEE?
If you would like to learn the easy
way...
We are still
taking orders for
LEARN TO
SPEAK TSALAGI EASY
Tapes and
Book
Learn to
speak the beautiful Cherokee language with these easy to use, easy-to-learn
tapes and handy instruction manual from THE master. Reserve your set of Chief
Jim Gray Wolf Henson’s Cherokee language tapes and book today! Send $40.
Check/money order to MAIC, PO Box 476, Hot Springs, AR 71902-0476
Sorry
to our new shipment of tapes and books has been delayed, but will arrive on
April 12.
MINI-CALENDAR OF EVENTS:
Mar 29 "Union of Polarities" SeminarHot Springs, AR Susan
Mar 29 Encampment Prep WorkBonnerdale, AR MAIC
Apr 5 "Union of Polarities" SeminarFayetteville, AR Klaranisa
Apr 5 Women’s Council 11:30 a.m.Western Sizzlin Baugh or Filmore
Apr 5 Encampment Prep WorkBonnerdale, AR MAIC
Apr 11-13 Manataka EncampmentBonnerdale, AR MAIC
May 10-11 Dying and Beyond Workshop Crystal Springs, MS Jim Ewing 601-654-3301
Jun 28 – 30Summer Gathering at ManatakaCircle, Manataka MAIC
DADDY'S DAY AT SCHOOL
Her hair was
up in a ponytail
Her favorite dress tied with a bow.
Today was Daddy's Day at school,
And she couldn't wait to go.
But her mommy tried to tell her,
That she probably should stay home.
Why the kids might not understand,
If she went to school alone.
But she was not afraid;
She knew just what to say.
What to tell her classmates
Of why he wasn't there today.
But still her mother worried,
For her to face this day alone.
And that was why once again,
She tried to keep her daughter home.
But the little girl went to school,
Eager to tell them all.
About a dad she never sees
A dad who never calls.
There were daddies along the wall in back,
For everyone to meet.
Children squirming impatiently,
Anxious in their seats.
One by one the teacher called,
A student from the class.
To introduce their daddy,
As seconds slowly passed.
At last the teacher called her name,
Every child turned to stare.
Each of them was searching,
For a man who wasn't there.
"Where's her daddy at?"
She heard a boy call out.
"She probably doesn't have one,"
Another student dared to shout.
And from somewhere near the back,
She heard a daddy say,
"Looks like another deadbeat dad,
Too busy to waste his day."
The words did not offend her,
As she smiled up at her Mom.
And looked back at her teacher,
Who told her to go on.
And with hands behind her back,
Slowly she began to speak.
And out from the mouth of a child,
Came words incredibly unique.
"My Daddy couldn't be here,
Because he lives so far away.
But I know he wishes he could be,
Since this is such a special day.
And though you cannot meet him,
I wanted you to know.
All about my daddy,
And how much he loves me so.
He loved to tell me stories
He taught me to ride my bike.
He surprised me with pink roses,
And taught me to fly a kite.
We used to share fudge sundaes,
And ice cream in a cone.
And though you cannot see him,
I'm not standing here alone.
Cause my daddy's always with me,
Even though we are apart
I know because he told me,
He'll forever be in my heart"
With that, her little hand reached up,
And lay across her chest.
Feeling her own heartbeat,
Beneath her favorite dress.
And from somewhere in the crowd of dads,
Her mother stood in tears.
Proudly watching her daughter,
Who was wise beyond her years.
For she stood up for the love
Of a man not in her life.
Doing what was best for her,
Doing what was right.
And when she dropped her hand back down,
Staring straight into the crowd.
She finished with a voice so soft,
But its message clear and loud.
"I love my daddy very much,
He's my shining star.
And if he could, he'd be here,
But heaven's just too far.
You see he was a fireman
And died just this past year
When airplanes hit the towers
And taught Americans to fear.
But sometimes when I close my eyes,
It's like he never went away."
And then she closed her eyes,
And saw him there that day.
And to her mother's amazement,
She witnessed with surprise.
A room full of daddies and children,
All starting to close their eyes.
Who knows what they saw before them,
Who knows what they felt inside.
Perhaps for merely a second,
they saw him at her side.
"I know you're with me Daddy,"
To the silence she called out.
And what happened next made believers,
Of those once filled with doubt.
Not one in that room could explain it,
For each of their eyes had been closed.
But there on the desk beside her,
Was a fragrant long-stemmed pink rose.
And a child was blessed, if only for a moment,
By the love of her shining bright star.
And given the gift of believing,
That heaven is never too far
They say it takes a minute to find a special
person, an hour to appreciate them,
a day to love them, but then an entire
life to forget them.
Send this phrase to the people you'll
never forget and remember to send it
Also to the person that sent it to you. It's a short message to let them know
that
you'll never forget them. If you don't send it to anyone, it means you're in a
hurry and that you've forgotten your friends. Take the time...to live and love.
Until eternity. God bless.
Author Unknown
Submitted by Stella Fisher, MAIC Member
ATTENTION
MANATAKA MEMBERS
A new system to enhance member participation in various facets of
Manataka’s educational and cultural program has been developed to insure that
everyone has an opportunity to get involved. Every member will be assigned to a
committee position regardless of where you live, your experience, or the amount
of time you may have to devote.
This new program
will work in a way similar to tribal culture of old, every member of the tribe,
from young to old had a job, a position of purpose to fulfill for the common
good of all.
Below is are brief
explanations of each committee and the name of the chairperson. Please send a
return email indicating your top three choices for committee assignment.
Committee
Explanations
(Select 3 Top Choices)
? American Indian Book
Review – Colonel John Mountain Wind Outler, Chair
Members research, read and write regular book reviews for
publication on this web site.
?
Manataka American Indian Village Project– Dr.
Bob Eagle Horse McFarlin, Chair
This project is long-term and requires expertise of many
disciplines.
?
Ceremonies and Events – Cuchi Davilla, Chair
Usually requires on-site (Hot Springs), hands-on coordination. A
fun but very serious committee.
?
Counseling and Assistance – Colonel
John Mountain Wind Outler, Chair
People in need find Manataka a welcome haven. May require a
background in social/human services.
?
Fund Raising & Events – (NO
chair yet)
Here is where the action is regardless of where you live. No
special skills needed except a voice and a happy face. This is a fun
committee. Experienced grant writers needed.
?
Education Task Force – Dr. Bob Tsalagi Digadoli Swindell, Chair
This committee developing programs for presentation in public
schools nationwide. Lots of research and coordination work. Great
for teachers from all walks of life.
?
Grave Preservation and Repatriation – James
Thunder Walker Sirak, Chair
Honoring our ancestors is the focus of this committee. Members
collect data on sacred sites, burial grounds, petroglyphs/pictographs
and artifacts to assist tribes, state and federal agencies
to implement laws and regulations.
?
Lodge Keepers – David Avery, Chair
The Manataka Tipi is a gathering place for elders of many nations.
This committee designs, constructs and maintains tipis and other structures. They
also keep an eye on protocol and the comfort of guests.
?
Manataka.Org – Web Site – Lee Standing Bear Moore, Chair
Manataka.org is among the top American Indian web sites in the
country. Members research, write and create web pages; develop new features and
promote the website.
?
Membership Committee – (NO chair yet)
Help keep track of members and their status. Develops programs and
services. Provides first contact support and serve as
hosts during gatherings and other events.
?
Public Relations & Communications – David
Quiet Wind Furr, Chair
Volunteer your writing, communication and public relations skills
shine here. Committee writes and distributes press releases
and hosts various events.
?
Program Committee – Pat Yellow Hawk Carter
Interesting live programs on dozens of topics are presented during
regular membership meetings at Manataka and other
locations. Members contact knowledgeable presenters and
schedule programs.
?
Smoke Signals Newsletter – Lee Standing Bear Moore, Chair
This committee research and write articles for release to members
and subscribers.
?
Women's Council – Sharon Kamama Baugh, Chair
The ladies are always busy learning, teaching and supporting the
people of Manataka. The Women’s Council is one of the
most important functions of MAIC.
?
Warrior Society – James Lone Wolf Black, Chair
Open to men, women and teens, this group participates in many
outdoor activities, learn survival skills and stresses good moral character.
?
Youth Activities – Michael Unger, Chair
Having fun while learning about American Indian culture and
traditions at Gatherings and other events is the focus of this
committee.
LAKOTA PLAN SPIRIT WALK TO SAVE LANGUAGE AND CULTURE
SPIRIT WALK 2003 A RACE AGAINST TIME
1700 Mile Walk to Raise Awareness and Funding for the Preservation of Lakota
Language and Culture
Time is running
out for the Lakota Nation. Their language, once the most widely spoken Native
language in North America, is now in danger of becoming extinct. On July 11th, a
group of concerned people will take the first steps of a 1700 mile journey they
call "Spirit Walk" to help raise donations for The Seven Fires
Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping the Lakota people
preserve their culture and language by bringing elders and children together to
teach their native language.
Besides raising
money, the goal for the Spirit Walk, according to John LaFountaine, President of
the Board of Directors, is to show the world "what the Lakota people have
given to this Nation and to humanity and the desperate situation in which their
culture, their language and their way of living is at risk right now."
Less than 25% of the Lakota population currently speak or understand their
native tongue and fewer than that are fluent. The Oglala Lakota College predicts
that within the next generation more than 90% of the population will no longer
be able to speak or understand Lakota at all. The Seven Fires Foundation
believes that the imminent loss of the Lakota language has important
consequences for the Lakota Nation both today and in the future. Once a culture
loses its language, the loss of its cherished cultural ways is often not far
behind. The impact of this on a culture is devastating.
With the right support, The Lakota language has a realistic chance for long-term
survival due to the available documentation and the fact that there are still
people alive who speak the original language. Because most of these people are
elders, the time to act is now. There are over 100,000 people in the Lakota
Nation and the majority of them live in areas on and off reservations near the
Sacred Black Hills of South Dakota. With the bicentennial celebration of Lewis
and Clarke's western expedition beginning this year, awareness is growing about
the current challenges facing the Lakota and other tribes whose way of life was
vastly changed by the opening of the western passage 200 years ago.
The Spirit Walk starts on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in Porcupine, South
Dakota and will travel through Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, and
Virginia before landing in Washington D.C. in late September where the
organizers will meet with government representatives and request assistance for
all programs that preserve Lakota and other indigenous cultures in the United
States. The walkers plan to average 20-30 miles per day, stopping in communities
to share their message of hope through storytelling and music.
Seven Fires Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide
humanitarian services and preserve the ancient traditions for the generations to
come. A vital part of this mission is to extend supportive services, by helping
to raise support, for children, traditional medicine people and traditional
cultures in need.
For more information, visit their website at www.7fires.org
Tammy Van at 541-347-7801 or email: dir@7fires.org