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Manataka - Preserving The Past Today For Tomorrow
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Manataka American Indian Council Volume XII Issue 1 JANUARY 2008
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Manataka - Preserving The Past Today For Tomorrow
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Contents: |
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Upcoming Events: |
Gatherings, Meetings, Conventions, Seminars | |
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Elder's Meditation: |
Paula Weasel Head, Blood Tribe | |
| 1 | Website Updates: | Many New Additions | |
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Feature Story 1: |
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Mother Earth Watch: |
Make Your Own Non-Toxic Cleaning Kit | |
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Grandmother Waynonaha: Grandmother Selma: Grandmother Carol: Grandmother Magdala: |
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| 1 | Tribal News: | Homeland Security to seize Apache lands | |
| 1 | Education: | Teaching About American Indians | |
| 1 | Inspirational Thoughts:: | You are my sunshine, my only sunshine | |
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| 2 | Legends of Old: | Coyote Gets Rich Off The White Men - Apache | |
| 2 | Feature Story 2: | What Does Sacredness Mean? | |
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Letters to the Editor: |
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| 2 | Organic Consumer Watch: | Flash Back of 2007 | |
| 2 | Elder's Meditations: | John (Fire) Lame Deer, Rosebud Lakota | |
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Member Recognition: Members In The News: |
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| 2 | Health: | Natural Headache Remedies | |
| 2 | Herbs: | Wild Iris - Purdy's Iris | |
| 2 | Fluoride: | Skull and Cross Bones | |
| 2 | Animal Rights and Wrongs: | A | |
| 2 | Endangered Sacred Sites: | Threat To NAGPRA | |
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Hill & Holler: | Native American Healing & The Horse | |
| Announcement: | Gatherings by invitation only | ||
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History: | Exemplar of Liberty Part 1 of a 15 Part Series | |
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Grandfather Hawk Speaks: Grandfather Bennie Speaks: |
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| 3 | Feature Story 3:: | VA Taps Ancient Healing Methods | |
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Elder's Meditations: | Oren R. Lyons, Traditional Circle of Elders | |
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Women's Circle: | Circle of Friends | |
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Women's Council: | Marie Tallchief | |
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Food & Nutrition: |
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Book Reviews: | 5 Feature Books Reviewed | |
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Poetry Circle: |
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Inspirational Thought:: |
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Healing Prayer Basket: | Floyd Westerman Passes | |
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Manataka Business: | Many Needs - Take A Look | |
WANNA BECOME A MEMBER OF MANATAKA?
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO JOIN!
UPCOMING EVENTS
"But we have to stick to the wisdom of our
ancestors..." - Paula Weasel Head, Blood Tribe
A long time ago the Elders and our ancestors learned to walk on the Earth
and to live in harmony. They were taught the Laws which govern everything,
and they were taught traditional values. This wisdom should be made
available to the younger generations. We need to speak to the Elders and
learn from them. We need to do this so we can pass the knowledge onto our
children.
My Creator,
help me learn
the wisdom of my ancestors
DECEMBER WEBSITE UPDATES
Manataka: Place of Peace
Myth or Reality?
By Linda Bear Heart VanBibber
During the past three issues we have been exploring the history of Manataka, the Place of Peace. And we have challenged the National Parks Service’s designation of Manataka as a ‘myth’.
Last month we shared some of the history of the Manataka American Indian Council (MAIC). Now we would like to share with you some of the social services offered by MAIC. It is the way of First Nations people to offer their gifts to the community. Each individual is honored for the unique gifts that Creator has provided to the community through its members. In keeping with this tradition, MAIC offers many free services, one of which is online counseling.
Manataka recognizes that everyone has problems and concerns that often require a second opinion or expert advice. The volunteer members of the Manataka Counseling Assistance Committee come from many walks of life and all are qualified by education, training and experience in their areas of expertise. They are available to anyone requiring guidance to negotiate life's sometimes difficult waters.
The Manataka web site lists counselors under the heading that fits their expertise. Specialties include addictions, anxiety, depression, stress, children and teens, career issues, relationship problems and spiritual issues. All the counselors are volunteers and there is no charge for their online services. If an individual’s need requires additional attention, they would be referred for personal counseling in their locality.
Lee Standing Bear Moore, the Elder coordinator for the Counseling Committee for the past three years, estimates that between 100 to 145 people take advantage of the on-line counseling service each month.
“Whenever and however possible, discussions between counselor and guest are based on American Indian beliefs,” states Moore. “However, counselors find out first from the guest whether this wanted and acceptable,” he explains. Our counselors make many referrals. The counselor is required to research all available services found within a 50 mile radius of a guest's home and provide that list to the individual, explains Moore.
Manataka’s volunteer counselors provide an invaluable service to the community, frequently offering hope when people need a place to turn and resources for resolving their difficulties.
“When we first started this service,” says Standing Bear, “we did an extensive online search but could not find any free and anonymous online professional counseling services.” Because there were no established guidelines for such services, Manataka’s elders spent a great deal of time establishing guidelines and protocols. “The protocols work so well, we have experienced zero problems and complaints,” continues Moore. “We feel that a key component to the success of this on-line service is the privacy – it is totally anonymous,” he said.
Dr. Joel Sanders has been on the Manataka counseling list for some time. “I have had many people write to me with problems and questions and sometimes just to talk to someone,” says Dr. Sanders. “I tell them inititally ‘If I can be of help I will.’” Sometimes the correspondence goes on for a period of time, sometimes only one or two e-mails, he reports. “I will continue to be here and to be of help to people if I can,” he adds.
No one is asked for identification information. All communications are personal and strictly private by email only. Clients email addresses are confidential and never placed on a list.
Here is a list of the volunteers currently working with the Manataka Counseling Committee:
Dr. Cheryl Cherokee Angel Dusty (Lakota) is a Spiritual Healer, Energy Worker, Mental Health Counselor, Published Author, Radio Talk Show Guest and Relationship Intuitive. Dr. Cheryl specializes in addiction counseling and also works with teens and children.
Jim 'Goose' Edmunds (Cherokee) has been a licensed drug abuse counselor in Arkansas for many years and has helped hundreds of clients with addiction problems. "I am committed to client-based therapy and the spiritually-based 12 Step program because they work,” says Jim.
Dr. Joel A. Sanders is a certified and licensed alcoholism/substance abuse counselor. “My efforts in private practice center on teaching basics of mindfulness stress reduction in the treatment of emotional and physical disorders."
Father Ronald Hashuk Malli Moore (Choctaw) of the Reform Catholic Church received his Master of Divinity from St. Luke's Theological Seminary. He was appointed by Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee in 2003 to serve on the the Arkansas Governors Commission for People with Disabilities.
Stella White Buffalo Fisher (Cherokee) is a teacher with years of experience in many professional settings and subjects. She has a degree in Business Management and Accounting.
Dr. James Soaring Eagle Grant (Cherokee) As a executive recruiter for many years, Dr. Grant helps people with their interview skills, helps them decide what type of job they should be looking for and helps with job problems.
John Mountain Wind Outler (Cherokee) As a psychologist, teacher and father, John brings 30 years of experience as a warrior, teacher and psychologist to the task of balancing mind, body and spirit.
Nina Marie Little Beaver Giordano (Cherokee) Nina Little Beaver has worked independently with families for over 30 years. "I specialize in families with drug and alcohol issues and work side–by-side with the realms of Autism, ADD, and ADHD,..." said Nina Little Beaver
Dave White of Australia is a qualified sports trainer and provides sports medicine for youth football teams in his native land of Southern Australia. Dave is a father and grandfather who teaches ways to resist peer pressure and avoid drug and alcohol use.
Annette Broken Owl Greene (Cherokee) has created and facilitated a variety of parenting training seminars and family, group and individual counseling services to children and families, including those involved in the Juvenile Probation system, women in crisis and adults with substance abuse issues.
J. Brown Bear Stands Jacobs (Keetoowah) has studied the ancient spiritual and healing practices of the Keetoowah (Cherokee) and other tribes. He combines his considerable education and experience with traditional American Indian religious practices and philosophy.
Manataka honors all our counselors for volunteering their time to provide this important service to all our relations. They are ‘reality’. No myth here! Aho!
Manataka™ American Indian Council is a non-profit, 501(3C), tax-exempt, educational, multi-cultural and religious organization made up of American Indian and non-Indian people dedicated to sharing our understanding of the Spiritual way of Native peoples. Manataka also offers a variety of community services and sponsors several public educational events throughout the year.
Article first published in the Arkansas Free Press, January 2008 issue.
Some of the worst toxic pollutants can be found right in the family home. 12 out of 14 popular air freshener products contain a toxic chemical called phthalates known to be harmful to the health of humans. (see http://www.manataka.org/page1650.html) Many other toxic substances that can be absorbed through the skin, breathed or ingested are found in many top name cleaning products. Manataka encourages you to 'Clean up Your Act', go green and give your family and the Earth Mother a breath of fresh air.
By Annie B. Bond, author of “Clean & Green,” (Ceres Press, 1990).
Most modern synthetic cleaning products are based on age-old formulas using natural ingredients that were passed down through the generations because the chemistry was right. Going back to the original naturally-derived ingredients is a way to make cleaning products that work, don’t pollute, and save you money. Most ingredients are found in your kitchen cupboards. Mix and match with well-chosen and environmentally-friendly green cleaning products found in health food stores, and you can easily and simply transform your home into a nontoxic and healthy haven.
Nontoxic cleaning can give you a deep feeling of gratification in knowing that your family's health is protected, and that your home is a place for your bodies to rest and recuperate rather than promote harm.
The Simple Solution: Making your own nontoxic cleaning kit will take you no time at all with these simple, straightforward directions, and with this kit you will be supplied with enough cleaning product for months of cleaning.
As an added bonus, ounce for ounce homemade cleaning formulas cost about one-tenth the price of their commercial counterparts -- and that includes costly, but worthwhile essential oils and concentrated, all-purpose detergents for homemade recipes.
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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.
Mitakuye Oyasin
Waynonaha
Copywrite © 2004 by Waynonaha Two Worlds All publication rights reserved
No offense intended for any individuals or tribes.
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From Grandmother Selma
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Hopi Prophecy
The end of all Hopi ceremonialism will come when a "Kachina" removes his mask during a dance in the plaza before uninitiated children [the general public]. For a while there will be no more ceremonies, no more faith. Then Oraibi will be rejuvenated with its faith and ceremonies, marking the start of a new cycle of Hopi life.
World War III will be started by those peoples who first revealed the light (the divine wisdom or intelligence) in the other old countries (India, China Islamic Nations, Africa.)
The United States will be destroyed, land and people, by atomic bombs and radioactivity. Only the Hopis and their homeland will be preserved as an oasis to which refugees will flee. Bomb shelters are a fallacy. "It is only materialistic people who seek to make shelters. Those who are at peace in their hearts already are in the great shelter of life. There is no shelter for evil. Those who take no part in the making of world division by ideology are ready to resume life in another world, be they Black, White, Red, or Yellow race. They are all one, brothers."
The war will be "a spiritual conflict with material matters. Material matters will be destroyed by spiritual beings who will remain to create one world and one nation under one power, that of the Creator."
Point
of no returnBy Carol Petersen, Elk Looks Back
(Continuation of story Eyes That Listen)
The ego is smashed with crushing blows from all directions by inside and outside forces. Consciousness is at the peak of awareness the moment we shift from the perception of me to the awareness of we. It is the dark night of the soul. We confront the enormity of helplessness. Space and time are suspended. In the void, the mind is rebooting. Streams of thoughts are reversing and processing upon the screen of your matrix. This is the impersonal life cresting upon the wave of Creation. We are dissolving and your heart seed is pumping to survive. We need not fear death just relax into being nothing. I am not worried about dying. I am worried about loving and how can love find me if I am not vulnerable to it, if I am not transparent?
I flew to Managua, Nicaragua in November 2001. I was excited to see my brother Sam who was there to greet me. We drove to Masatepe, the place of the Deer. The birthplace of my Mother is a colonial village with high walls built around verdant courtyard gardens. When a mist of rain falls it means that a deer is being born.
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Magdala Rameriz Maya Priestess |
Beautiful Sisters and Brothers All Over the World:
I am so happy to tell you about my new book Moon Codex…The Path of Being Human is now available. I am so proud of this book. In this book I decode the recently discovered Moon Calendar petroglyph, uncovered in November, 2006 at Tamuin, Mexico. The Moon Calendar shows us such incredible and beautiful ways of the new beginning …beyond 2012!
Reserve your copy now! Go
to
Upcoming Events:
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Moon Temple Harrison, AR |
Special Healing Sessions |
Magdala Rameriz |
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January 26 |
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Alma Journeys |
Urgent: U.S. Homeland Security preparing to seize
Apache lands
In violation of United Nations Declaration on Rights of Indigenous People the U.S. government plans to forcibly take land from the Lipan Apache people to construct a fence and levee to keep illegal immigrants from crossing the U.S. border. The following is a letter from Margo Tamez, the daughter of a family being threatened by agents of the U.S. government.
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Dear Relatives,
I wish I was writing under better
circumstances, but I must be fast and direct.
However recent events, of the last 5 days cause us to feel that we are in urgent need of immediate human rights observers in the area, deployed by all who can help as soon as possible–immediate relief. My mother informed me, as I got back into cell range out of Redford, TX, on Monday, November 13, that Army Corps of Engineers, Border Patrol and National Security Agency teams have been going house to house, and calling on her personal office phone, her cell phone and in other venues, tracking down and enclosing upon the people and telling them that they have no other choice in this matter. They are telling elders and other vulnerable people that "the wall is going on these lands whether you like it or not, and you have to sell your land to the U.S." My mother, Eloisa Garcia Tamez, Lipan Apache is resisting the forced occupation with firm resistance. She has already had two major confrontations with NSA since July–one in her office at the University of Texas at Brownsville, where she is the Director of a Nursing Program and where she conducts research on diabetes among indigenous people of the MX-US binational region of South Texas and Tamaulipas. She reports that some land owners in the Rancheria area of El Calaboz, La Paloma and El Ranchito, under pressure to sell to the U.S. without prior and informed consent, have already signed over their lands, due to their ongoing state of impoverishment and exploitation in the area under colonization, corporatism, NAFTA and militarization. This is an outrage, but more, this is a significant violation of United Nations Declaration on Rights of Indigenous People, recently ratified and accepted by all UN nations, except the U.S., Canada, and Australia. Furthermore, it is a violation of the United Nations CERD, Committee on Elimination of Racism and Racial Discrimination. My mother is under great stress and crisis, unknowing if the Army soldiers and the NSA agents will be forcibly demanding that she sign documents. She reports that they are calling her at all hours, seven days a week. She has firmly told them not to call her anymore, nor to call her at all hours of the night and day, nor to call on the weekends any further. She asked them to meet with her in a public space and to tell their supervisors to come. They refuse to do so. Instead, they continue to harass and intimidate. At this time, due to the great stress the elders are currently under, communicated to me, because they are being demanded under covert tactics, to relinquish indigenous lands, I feel that I MUST call upon my relatives, friends, colleagues, especially associates in Texas within driving distance to the Rio Grande valley region, and involved in indigenous rights issues, to come forth and aid us. Please! Please help indigenous women land title holders resisting forced occupation in their own lands! Please do not hesitate to forward this to people in your own networks in media, journalism, social and environmental justice, human rights, indigenous rights advocacy and public health watch groups!
Margo Tamez mtamez@wsu.edu
Jumano Apache West Texas-Chihuahua Lipan Apache South Texas-Tamaulipas, Apacheria Nuevo Santander Land Grant–Basque Colony |
Updates:
http://intercontinentalcry.org/urgent-homeland-security-preparing-to-seize-apache-lands/
TEACHING ABOUT AMERICAN INDIANS
Teaching Resources for Educators
Here are resources if you've ever wanted classroom-teaching activities on
American Indians beyond the Thanksgiving holiday or the history of American
Indian Education or best teaching practices addressing American Indian learners.
Resources include books, magazines, articles, bibliographies, maps, etc.
Although often times there is overlap, these resources are organized in four
categories:
Teaching About American Indians
Culturally Responsive Pedagogy for American Indian Learners
Researching American Indian Education
Other Resources
"You are My Sunshine, My only Sunshine"
Like any good mother, when Karen found out that another baby was on the way, she did what she could to help her 3-year-old son, Michael, prepare for a new sibling. They found out that the new baby was going be a girl, and day after day, night after night, Michael sang to his sister in mommy's tummy. He was building a bond of love with his little sister before he even met her.
The pregnancy progressed normally for Karen, an active member of the Panther Creek United Methodist Church in Morristown, Tennessee.
In time, the labor pains came. Soon it was every five minutes, every three, every minute. But serious complications arose during delivery and Karen found herself in hours of labor. Would a C-section be required? Finally, after a long struggle, Michael's little sister was born. But she was in very serious condition.
With a siren howling in the night, the ambulance rushed the infant to the neonatal intensive care unit at St. Mary's Hospital in Knoxville. The days inched by. The little girl got worse. The pediatrician had to tell the parents there
is very little hope. Be prepared for the worst. Karen and her husband contacted a local cemetery about a burial plot. They had fixed up a special room in their house for their new baby but now they found themselves having to plan for a funeral.
Michael, however, kept begging his parents to let him see his sister. "I want to sing to her," he kept saying. Week two in intensive care looked as if a funeral would come before the week was over.
Michael kept nagging about singing to his sister, but kids are never allowed in Intensive Care. Karen decided to take Michael whether they liked it or not. If he didn't see his sister right then, he may never see her alive. She dressed him in an oversized scrub suit and marched him into ICU. I looked like a walking laundry basket.
The head nurse recognized him as a child and bellowed, "Get that kid out of here now. No children are allowed." The mother rose up strong in Karen, and the usually mild-mannered lady glared steel-eyed right into the head nurse's face, her lips a firm line. "He is not leaving until he sings to his sister" she stated. Then Karen towed Michael to his sister's bedside.
He gazed at the tiny infant losing the battle to live. After a moment, he began to sing. In the pure-hearted voice of a 3-year-old, Michael sang: "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray."
Instantly the baby girl seemed to respond. The pulse rate began to calm down and become steady. "Keep on singing, Michael," encouraged Karen with tears in her eyes.
"You never know, dear, how much I love you, please don't take my sunshine away." As Michael sang to his sister, the baby's ragged, strained breathing became as smooth as a kitten's purr. "Keep on singing, sweetheart."
"The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping, I dreamed I held you in my arms". Michael's little sister began to relax as rest, healing rest, seemed to sweep over her.
"Keep on singing, Michael." Tears had now conquered the face of the bossy head nurse. Karen glowed. "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. Please don't take my sunshine away..."
The next day... the very next day... the little girl was well enough to go home.
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Woman's Day Magazine called it The Miracle of a Brother's Song. The medical staff just called it a miracle. Karen called it a miracle of God's love.
Never give up on the people you love. Love is so incredibly powerful. In God We Trust
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©2007 ManatakaTM
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