Manataka Smoke
Signal Newsletter Volume
V Issue 4 March, 2003
CONTENTS:
1.
PAY DUES OR MAKE A DONATION ON LINE!
2.
MAIC COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
3.
WEB SITE ADDITIONS
4.
AWAKENING OF
THE BEARS CEREMONY – 3/22
4.
MANATAKA ENCAMPMENT – 4/12
5.
CAN YOU SPEAK CHEROKEE?
6.
MINI-CALENDAR OF EVENTS
7.
LETTER FROM MAGDALA
8.
UNSUBSCRIBE
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PAY YOUR DUES ONLINE!
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new feature for your convenience!
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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.
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DONATE NOW
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REMEMBER: Regular Membership Meeting - 11:30 a.m., Sunday, March
16, Gulpha Gorge
HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT JOINING THE MANATAKA AMERICAN INDIAN
COUNCIL?
Check it out now! MANATAKA
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. See Village
Ceremonies
and Events – Cuchi
Davilla, Chair
Usually
requires on-site (Hot Springs), hands-on coordination. A fun 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. See Task Force
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
WEB SITE ADDITIONS
FEBRUARY
We
spent the month upgrading the speed
and
ease of operation for the website,
therefore
no new stories this month.
Hang in there… we have new features coming:
*
American Indian Book Reviews
The
fourteen people on the new book review committee is hard at
work
bringing you the latest books and resources information.
*
History and Ceremony Sections
Too
many ceremonies are being lost to modern culture.
Too
many ceremonies are not being practiced. Hopefully, this section will change
some of that.
JANUARY
American Indian Women Veterans
Birth of the Little People
Choctaw Chief Phillip Martin
Eden – Poetry
Nell Hampton’s Page
Spirit and Stardust
Ten Things to Say to A White Person
2003 Powwow -
updated!
Eating Flowers and BUGS! CHECK IT OUT!
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.
AWAKENING OF THE BEARS CEREMONY
March 21-23
Russellville,
Arkansas
This
beautiful ceremony celebrates the Spring awakening of Mother Earth. Several
sweat lodge ceremonies are schedule throughout the weekend. Bring food,
beverages, blankets, change of clothes, drums, rattles and you. The Bears dance
on Saturday evening.
RSVP Contact: (please call or email if you plan to attend)
Jocelyn Summer Child Von Grund
(479) 890-5739 voice (479) 890-5739 Fax Jpvongrud@msn.com
Doc ‘Chanter’ Davidson
(479) 285-4683 docdavidson@msn.com
Directions:
From
Exit 84 on I-40 East at Russellville
Take
Exit 84 on to Hwy 64 – go toward Russellville
Turn
RIGHT onto AR-331. 0.75 miles
Stay
straight to go onto US-64/E MAIN ST. 0.24 miles
Turn
RIGHT onto AR-326/PRAIRIE GROVE. Continue to follow AR-326. 1.50 miles
Turn
RIGHT onto AR-124/AR-326. 0.93 miles to Buie Lane on Left.Total Estimated Time:
11 minutes Total Distance: 6.53 miles
MANATAKA ENCAMPMENT
APRIL
11 – 13
The
new Manataka powwow drum is ready. Two new Manataka Tipis are almost ready. The
Women’s Council cook pots are ready. Are you ready for a weekend campout?
Bring camping gear, food/beverages and a big smile.
Traders
welcome to set up tables. Big Trade Blanket event. Arrangements for
entertainment are pending.
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.
Manataka
needs more volunteers for grounds preparation work on Saturday, March 29 and
Saturday April 5. Bring rakes, shovels, hoes, chain saw, beverages and a little
elbow grease. Follow the directions above and arrive by 10 a.m.
CAN YOU SPEAK
CHEROKEE?
We are sorry to announce that our
shipment of tapes and books has been delayed. For those who have sent payment,
your checks will not be cashed until the shipment is ready to send to you.
If you would like to
learn the easy way...
We will take only a few
more 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.
MINI-CALENDAR
OF EVENTS:
Mar 01Women’s LuncheonRyan's Restaurant, Central
Ave. Hot Springs, AR Judy Filmore
Mar 08"Walking Through Dimensions" Tulsa,
OK Doorways
Mar 16Membership MeetingGulpha Gorge MAIC
Mar 20-22 Bear Awakening CeremonyRussellville, AR Doc Davidson
479-285-4683
SummerChild
479-890-5739Mar 29"Union of Polarities" SeminarHot Springs,
ARSusan
Mar 29Encampment Prep WorkBonnerdale, AR
Apr 5"Union of Polarities"
SeminarFayetteville, AR Klaranisa
Apr 5 Encampment Prep WorkBonnerdale, AR
MAIC
Apr 11-13 Manataka EncampmentBonnerdale, AR MAIC
May 10-11 Dying and Beyond WorkshopCrystal Springs,
MSJim Ewing 601-654-3301
Jun 28 – 30Summer Gathering at ManatakaCouncil
Circle, Manataka MAIC
Letter From Magdala
To My Beautiful Sisters and
Brothers,
I am writing this letter today
to speak about the important role Women have in the "Union of
Polarities" which will mark the coming of the New World. Woman are Sacred,
but much of this knowledge has been lost. Now is the time we need to remember
our place in the Universe. Each of us needs to ask the Earth Mother to help us
understand and reclaim our Sacredness.
In this time of great changes
it is imperative for woman to stand up and put on the Medicine that was given
Her from the Great Spirit to overcome any separation that the World of Illusion
brings. She must understand the openness of her heart and bring compassion and
unconditional Love into every heart she touches . For it is Love that brings
healing to all people.
No matter what color your skin
or where your People originally came from, Creator has given all Women
ceremonies, and Women need to reclaim them. But what are the ceremonies and who
will teach them to me you ask? It is simple. When we nutria our children, love
our husbands, when we bathe, put on make up, feel, sense, sing, pray, all these
things are women's ceremonies. For it is in the ordinary that the extraordinary
takes place.
Women are Warriors of the
Light. We have to remember this.... we are in charge of the dream..... it is up
to us to bring forth the vision of Peace and Abundance that will mark the New
Age. We can do this by coming together as Women. Perhaps you can form
"dreaming sessions" with other women in your community. Do this once a
month on the New Moon. Fast, pray, drum, sweat, talk with each other until you
can see your sister inside yourself. Create gardens together. Plant seeds of
food, medicine and hope. Celebrate the motherhood, sisterhood and medicine woman
that lives inside every woman. Create ceremony for everything in your life. And
most of all, teach your young Women how Wonderful and Sacred they are.
Invite your men to share in
some of the ceremonies. Share with him your thoughts, feelings, medicine, and
worries. Explain to him your connection to the Spirit and the reason for the
ceremonies. Remember that the "New World", will be one of unity - not
male dominance or female dominance. We all are giving birth. There is much
hatred and war to be overcome. But women are strong and the love they carry in
their hearts will over come all the darkness. Men are now beginning to honor the
feminine ways. But many men don't know how. Women must first honor and respect
herself. Then this will happen.
Brothers, support the
woman’s work, for your own well-being and for the whole of Mother Earth. In
that way you will see the beauty in yourselves. Know that you have been loved so
much for so long and this is the time for men to receive the love from the
feminine way, Mother Earth is talking now to your Woman and Daughters, Mothers,
and Sisters. Listen to the Song of Life that Women carry my brothers! Follow the
heart not the rules.
I am you,
Magdala