Manataka American Indian Council Volume XI Issue 03 MARCH 2007
Manataka - Preserving The Past Today For Tomorrow
Faster download! The Smoke Signal this month is on 3 web pages.
|
Contents: |
|||
| PAGE | |||
|
1 |
Upcoming Events: |
||
|
1 |
Elder's Meditation: |
||
|
1 |
Website Updates: |
||
|
1 1 1 |
Feature Stories: |
||
|
1 |
Eco-Notes: |
||
|
1 1 1 |
Grandmother Waynonaha Speaks: Gram Selma Speaks: Grandmother Magdala Speaks: |
||
| 1 | Inspirational Thoughts:: | Leaders Vs Followers | |
|
|
|||
| 2 | Legends of Old: | Evening Star and Orphan Star | |
| 2 | Religion: | Earth Works for Humanity | |
|
2 2 |
Letters to the Editor: |
||
| 2 | Politics: | OK Legislators Blast Language Bill | |
| 2 | Mother Earth Watch: | Organic Consumers Association | |
| 2 | Elder's Meditations: | ||
| 2 | Member Recognition: | Judy Filmore and Spirit Award Winners | |
| 2 | Health Watch: | Frankenstein Food - Send in the Clones | |
| 2 | Fluoride Watch: | National Tea Association Stands Up | |
| 2 | Animal Rights and Wrongs: | A | Alaska Wolf Massacre |
| 2 | Sacred Site Watch: | Ocmulgee Old Fields | |
|
|
|||
|
3 |
Hill & Holler: | Running With Wolves | |
|
3 |
History: | Who Were the First Americans? | |
|
3 3 |
Grandfather Hawk Speaks: Grandfather LeBeau Speaks: |
||
|
3 |
Elder's Meditations: | ||
|
3 |
Women's Circle: | Medicine Woman | |
|
3 |
Women's Council: | Upcoming Women's Healing Retreat | |
|
3 |
Diet Watch: | Nopal Cactus Lowers Cholestrol | |
|
3 3 |
Book Reviews: | ||
|
3 |
Poetry Circle: | These Hands | |
|
3 |
Inspirational Thoughts:: | ||
|
3 |
Healing Prayer Basket: | Prayer and Ceremonies Work... | |
|
3 |
Manataka Business: | Elders Meet on Ceremonies | |
WANNA BECOME A MEMBER OF MANATAKA?
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO JOIN!
 |
|
|
Machu-Pecchu - Peru Click on picture for details |
|
 |
|
|
Aymara leaders passing the second Baston (Staff) - Bolivia Click on picture for details |
March 10, 2007 10:30 a.m.
Elem Indian Colony Disenrollment Rally
Moose Lodge, east of Clearlake Oaks, CA.
March 19 – 23, 2007
Bridging the Americas - Reuniting the Eagle and the Condor
Gathering of The Elders at Lake Titicaca, Peru
Read More... (Also see letter below)
March 24, 2007
Native American Institute of The Hudson River Valley
The Algonquian Peoples Seminar
New York State Museum, Sand Lake, NY
March 30, 2007
Second Annual American Indian Women of Distinction Conference
Riverside, CA
April 13 - 15, 2007
Manataka Encampment - Elders Talking Circle
Hot Springs National Park, AR
June 14 - 22, 2007
See More Non-Powwow Events Here
NativeGatherings.com lists hundreds of Native American events including concerts, seminars, conferences, sporting events, and more.
The first factor in the revolution of consciousness is the mystic death of the ego - the death of negative thinking, negative personalities. We must purify the soul of the inner enemies. Every time a defect manifests - envy, gluttony, anger, lust, whatever - that impulse to the heart. Ask, 'Do I really need to invoke this?' And then honor the heart." -Willaru Huayta Quechau Nation, Peru
Our egos have character defects. These character defects we sometimes act out and they invariably bring results to our lives that we might not want. If we continue to use these character defects, we will continue to have undesirable results in our lives. How do we change ourselves or get rid of a character defect? We can go to the heart - ask a question, make a decision - then honor the heart. For example, say I get angry today. I would go to the heart and ask, would I rather be right or would I rather be happy? How we answer this question can have an enormous impact on how our day goes. Once we decide the answer to this question, we need to honor the heart by saying, "Thank you for the power of changing my thoughts. I choose to be happy and to experience peace of mind."
Great Spirit,
today, let me teach only love
and learn only love.
# 1 Anasazi of Southwest Utah #14 Live at Beaver Lodge - Sidney Castel - Comedy CD # 2 Arts & Craft Books #15 Manataka Drum Society # 3 Ceremonial Supplies #16 Native Remedies - New Mother's and Babies Section # 4 Cherokee Books II #17 Powwow Dance Songs # 5 Cherokee Legends and Stories on CD #18 Queen Bead - Fantastic new beading shop # 6 Chief Oconostata #19 Reference, Maps Books # 7 Children's Coloring Books & Activities #20 Rock Music - Erice Voice & Reservation Dog # 8 Clothing Store #21 Sounds of Manakata - Dozens of new CD's! # 9 Christmas Songs on CD #22 Spirtual Path Books #10 DreamCatcher - Storytelling Series CD #23 Triumph of the Mohawk Nation #11 Ernest Monias - Music CD #24 Women's Gifts - Beautiful Jewelry and Crafts #12 First Nations Films #25 World's Best Powwow Songs #13 Gift Basket Specials - Music Store
FUND RAISING APPEAL
Benefit for Tyler Brown
Tyler Brown is a bright, fun-loving 8 year-old from South Texas who has leukemia. The family needs your help with travel and medical expense. The family home was devastated by Hurricane Rita and it must be repaired before Tyler can return home. His family and friends are hosting a benefit Saturday, March 17 in Port Acres, Texas. An account has been set up at Gulf Credit Union. Call Theresa Blackwell 409-724-2086 or Diana Casses 409-548-0657. Please help Tyler and his family. ~Submitted by Melinda Smith
Art Gallery Flags Authentic Tribal Flags
Jewelry Store Book Store 100's To Choose From Furs, Hides, Robes Gifts - Home Decor Crafts 100's to choose Teepee Store Drums Video Store
On Cold Winter Nights Snuggle Up with These Great Indian Movies
MANATAKA WOMEN'S COUNCIL
HISTORY, EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
by Becky Moore
The Manataka Women's Council 'Circle of Friendship' celebrates our seventh year in 2007. In 2000 there was the Full Circle Celebration and the closing of the Cherokee Longhouse. It was also the year Sharon 'Kamama' Baugh, Amanda 'Morning Star' and Becky 'Flaming Owl' became friends, giving birth to the 'Circle of Friendship' that has continued to widen and create new circles of friendship throughout the Manataka organization.
We lost our beloved Sharon in 2006; however, on the night before she crossed over 'Morning Star' and 'Flaming Owl' were with her. Sharon spoke these words, "Thank you for being my best friends. All I ever wanted was a friend."
We cordially invite you to join us on the first Saturday of every month. Every meeting of the Manataka Women's Council 'Circle of Friendship; is filled with fun, laughter, learning, sharing, and sisterhood. As a group we have learned many things this past year.
Ceremonial Regalia
One of the things we have learned is how to conduct ourselves with honor as a woman. (Proverbs 31:31:10-31) In ceremonial situations a woman wears a long skirt, a medium length dress or skirt with leggings or high boots, and at all times her arms and legs are covered appropriately. Most of us have now acquired an appropriate dress or skirt to wear to gatherings. (Boho skirts and t-shirts are perfect--wear shorts or pants under them.)
Two necessary accessories are a shawl and a fan. The shawl is folded and draped across the left arm. The fringe sways and undulates with each movement. The fan is held in the right hand and is used in a variety of ways. As these items are expensive to purchase our project during the winter has been to make our own.
One of our goals in 2007 is to appear at the encampment, Turpentine Creek Pow-Wow, and the Summer Gathering with honor and dignity as women. Patti 'Blue Star Speaks' says, "When you know better-- you do better," and now, YOU know!
Crafting, Singing and Events
A second thing we have learned in the past few months is Peyote Beading. The classes were taught by Patti 'Blue Star Speaks' and her prize pupil so far is 'Morning Star.' The mantra seems to be "and let there be beads!"
A third thing we have been learning is how to rock and roll with Melinda 'Musical Healer' Smith. Melinda has the voice of an angel and leads us in singing, drumming, and rattling at every meeting.
There are two exciting -- do not miss it -- events scheduled for the 'Circle of Friendship.' The Healing Retreat May 18 - 20 and our trip to the Turpentine Creek Powwow in Eureka Springs, AR June 15 - 17.
In 2004, the Manataka Women's Council held a "for WOMEN ONLY" Healing Retreat over the three days of Mother's Day weekend at Gulpha Gorge Campgrounds in Hot Springs. Thirty-five women attended the first event. We celebrate our fourth spring 'Circle of Friendship' Women's Healing Retreat May 18, 19, and 20. Our May Retreats were so popular that three years ago we began holding retreats in the fall as well. Our most recent Fall Retreat was held at the ceremonial grounds and home of Cheryl Wilkinson and her mother, Anita, on November 11, 2006.
Vicki McBain has attended Manataka events for ten years. Until the first healing retreat the only woman she knew was 'Flaming Owl.' Vicki really wished for friends in her life, so she drove five hours from Dallas to attend the first retreat. Vicki's wish was granted as she looks forward to reconnecting with her sisters at gatherings and events. Join us and make a friend!
Each 'Circle of Friendship' Healing Retreat is different and is operated strictly at Creator's will. We have sang songs around the fire, drummed to our hearts content, seen the sunrise from Goat Rock, and been made virgins again. We have seen 17 hawks circle above our heads. We have performed countless ceremonies, gone on journeys, and dug crystals from the mine. We have laughed, cried, loved, accepted, and we have shared -- we have become sisters.
"All women are born Sisters through their Moon time cycles. As potential Mothers of the Creative Force women share a common bond. The union of the Sisterhood is strengthened each time they meet with the sharing of new ideas and talents. The Women's Circles have always shared the dreams of the People that need nurturing by women, new techniques for beading, tanning hides, making foods and remedies, and women's teachings." (Jamie Sams)
Our central camp is located at Gulpha Gorge Campgrounds. The Healing Retreat event is for women and young girls only. In June of 2006, thirteen 'Circle of Friendship' member met at the Turpentine Creek Powwow in Eureka Springs. The trip was so much fun that we are going again!
Turpentine Creek Powwow
Last year, nine women stayed at the Alpen Dorf Motel. We did not have a pool, but the owners let us use his big fire circle, gave us all the red cedar we could burn and gave us two grills. We drummed, sang, ate, and had a great time on Friday night. We will return to the Alpen Dorf this year.
The Alpen Dorf has many types of rooms, ranging in price from $40.00 to $102.00 per night. We are currently making reservations. Four can stay comfortably in a room and this year several of us plan to get a large room with a kitchen and living room as a central headquarters. Please get your name in the hat as soon as possible.
Our plan is to carpool, forming a caravan from Hot Springs up Highway 7 North to Highway 62 East early on Friday, June 15. We can meet others along the route. We will check into the motel and spend the evening around the fire.
On
Saturday we will spend the day at Turpentine Creek Pow-Wow. If you plan to dance
you must bring appropriate regalia. Saturday night there will be a fire circle
again.
On Sunday, we will detour to the Blue Bird Factory, a very popular trip last year.
Expenses are the responsibility of each member attending. Expenses for this trip include your portion of a room for two nights, gas, food, admission to the powwow, and spending money. (The craft booths were really good last year!)
As an elder, acquired knowledge is a given, and there are a variety of subjects that could be written about to pass on that knowledge. However, the things that are closest to the heart are the most important, which is family and friends. Besides faith in our Creator and thanks for all the Great Mystery does for us, love, unconditional love has to be the most important thing to pass on to the next seven generations. When the 'Circle of Friendship' gathers feelings of love are indescribable in their intensity. So many of our sisters have grown, have jumped over hurdles, or stumbled around blocks in the road and we've been there for each other every step of the way. Sometimes the prayer list gets so long that Creator is surely tired of listening as thanks is given for each one of the women whose presence makes a difference in my life.
Join the Circle of Friendship
Please consider joining our 'Circle of Friendship' and even if you cannot be here physically know that you are loved and we are here for you. Think I'll close and go sit on the carport with 'Morning Star' to wait for our Sisters 'Blue Star Speaks' and 'DragonFlys' to get here. Peace, joy, love and blessings! Email us at: womenscouncil@manataka.org
Becky Moore, Manataka Women's Council Elder
Tolerance— are we too scared to ponder it? The word tolerance weighs heavy and thoughts of prejudice are awkwardly linked. Is it unpopular to not tolerate certain things? Some say tolerance is a discipline. If that is so, then tolerance and education may have a closer affinity than tolerance and prejudice.
Dr. Theodore Zeldin, former dean of St. Anthony's College, Oxford, says that tolerance has failed to capture the popular imagination because it is not a passion. “The reluctant acceptance of a burden, putting up with what one cannot avoid, is not exciting enough, nor has education been of much help. The educated have as poor a record for tolerance as the ignorant because it is as easy to be infected by intolerance as by the common cold. However this does not mean that humanity is powerless. The taste for toleration has deep roots, but it is not necessarily from one’s ancestors that one acquires it.”
How can we dialogue about tolerance and intolerance when we don’t know who we are, where we are going and what we value? Some of this happens naturally, yet more creative steps can be made to facilitate dialogue while seeking common ground of each others culture and acknowledging differences. It creates a foundation for success in today’s international work place. Tolerance not only touches on the visible, we must look for what is invisible as well. Are any groups missing? Is conflict resolution part of this more and more diverse society? What about justice, social justice and education?
Steps like learning a language, finding a foreign newspaper on the internet, and expecting student leadership in schools to partner international students with U.S. students in group learning, family life, local politics and leisure, choosing newspapers and magazines needs to be an integral part of education for those that wish to study in the U.S. or students going to another country as well.
Centuries ago Baghdad was a cosmopolitan center for knowledge. On special days wise man and yes women from many religious backgrounds, which included Christians, Muslims and Jews gathered to ponder their philosophies and insights. This connecting of brains resulted in the first libraries and discoveries that eventually connected with the European Renaissance. What happened? History tells us that fundamentalist believes stifled tolerance and slowly the freedom of research and discoveries disappeared. It is therefore important to highlight and focus on the hard question why religion and state should be separate in democracies.
Mass media could be instrumental in the discussions that need to take place around tolerance. Individuals and organizations together create a conversation that protects tolerance so research and growth can flow freely. What are the ingredients of healthy tolerance? Certainly the discussion of tolerance needs to be part of education throughout the world.
"It's up to us to decide on the kind of conversations we have. The way we talk at the office or factory shapes the work we do; it's not just machines, which force us to be obedient. I want to show how we could make our work a lot less boring and frustrating if we learned to talk differently," says Zeldin
Is tolerance part of my personal happiness? It certainly is part of my identity. Do I therefore have to tolerate intolerable behavior? Of course not. Healthy boundaries are part of my identity as well. My level of tolerance and boundaries are different from many people around me, and make for different insights and conversations. It includes respect, yet allows one to make mistakes as well. I’m an evolving person.
I celebrate the communications that take place under the umbrella of tolerance; they allow me to search, fail, choose and grow. The “dance” of tolerant and intolerant behavior in my opinion is directly connected with identity, morals and growth. So what kind of identity are we carving for ourselves? Do we know who we are, what we stand for? Does intolerant behavior by others push me to a stronger identity?
Please direct thoughts, comments, questions and opposing views to: Ingeborg Hayes at hayes@uhcl.edu
New Website:
New Human Pesticide Testing Rule
Leaked EPA rule allows pesticide experiments on humans, including pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children. Three California legislators call on the EPA to withdraw the rule. TAKE ACTION!
EPA's Latest
Human Pesticide Testing Rule Called Illegal, Immoral
WASHINGTON, DC, January 25, 2006 (ENS) -
Three U.S. legislators are asking the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) to withdraw a planned rule to permit pesticide experimentation on
humans, including pregnant and nursing mothers and children.
The final draft rule is set to be officially released later this week, but a
copy was leaked to leaked to the legislators by a concerned administration
official who requested that the original copy of the plan not be duplicated
in its entirety and widely distributed out of concern for anonymity.
Monday, California legislators Senator Barbara Boxer, and Representatives
Henry Waxman and Hilda Solis released details of the rule and called on EPA
Administrator Stephen Johnson to withdraw the rule, calling it a "profound
moral and ethical breach."
“This rule has not been signed by EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson yet.
It’s within his power to fix this regulation, and we are calling on him to
do so,” said Senator Boxer.
In August 2005, Congress enacted a moratorium upon the EPA using human
pesticide experiments until strict ethical standards were established. Boxer
championed the moratorium in the U.S. Senate. Solis pushed the moratorium
through the U.S. House of Representatives.
READ MORE...
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Code Talkers | ||||
| Cradleboards | ||||
|
Lots More Videos - DVD and VHS - Fast Delivery |
||||
|
|
Conversations with Creator
My morning conversations with Creator are often done over a cup of coffee. Yes we talk like old and trusting friends I can share my inner most thoughts at these times. I have asked many times why life has to be so hard but that question never gets answered. It reminds me of when I would talk to my Father and he would just ignore my question, or drift off into one of his trance like states leaving me to sit and wait for the answer. Being younger then I always looked outside for the answers, instead of taking that time and trust to look within.
My mother however had much more affective ways of teaching me lessons.
Children are so in awe with the many things others consider every day occurrences, that they miss the every day going on around them. When I was little all my mother had to do to keep be busy was point out the ants that were crawling across the porch. I would sit and watch them for hours wondering where they were going and if they had a home or little children just as we did. I saw many amazing things that the ants taught me in these times of observing them. My Mother would when she was done with her chores, tell me stories of the ants and relate them to the way humans once lived in communities. She would relate this to our own big clan of aunts and uncles and to Grandmother being the Queen ant that held it all together.
I know now that my father and mother understood these things and just waited for me to figure them out myself.
Some times when I did not try to find the answers they would guide me with a story or a teaching to the place where I could relate them to the things that were happening in my own life. I was like a door opened and you just stepped through to the light and truth of the answer. After that you could always refer to this when a similar thing happened to you. This made the processing of life much easier as it became more and more complicated. Many times I have had to bring out these teachings for my own children and for my own use in these later years.
I miss those talks and time alone with my parents and the wisdom that they shared without even knowing how much I would need them in this life. I was told to hold these in my heart as it would be the last time we could speak of such things.
Time passes and we are busy with our lives and families. The raising of children, school and work, can consume our days and nights. Even the well meaning can forget to sit for a few minutes each day and have a good long talk with Creator. I would love to have a garden some day for people to come and talk with Creator. Perhaps in this way they too would understand that we each hold in our hearts a Sacred Space for the keeping of these memories.
One of my Grand Mothers favorite sayings was to catch a song bird you must first put salt on its tail. I never really pondered this logic until I was older. In other words, you cannot sneak up on a wild bird long enough to put salt on its tail so therefore you cannot catch a bird. At one time to get me “from under foot” as she put it, she did give me a salt shaker to try and catch a bird. Need I say more here, it was the final lesson in bird catching for me.
My Grand Mother was, (as were all of the old people) full of what she called “hill sayings”, or hill wisdom. These teachings were done in some story telling, but mostly in only a few words that brought up whole stories to the mind. I think of it today as a key word teaching, a few simple words that open volumes of teachings.
Now alone here I will always be connected with them in my heart and through my morning talks with Creator.
I still ask why, and often seek answers to questions I should know and chose not to see. Yes Creator can at times be harsh in letting you know you have over stepped the boundaries. Or just ignore you completely until you figure it all out yourself and come to realize it was around you all the time.
Sometimes we are forced to look face to face at hard times and also sometimes the good only comes after along suffering that makes us realize that we are humans. It is in the understanding of the reason for the teachings and they ways of our Creator that we grow and learn a better way of life here on this Earth Mother.
