Betty Mae Tiger Jumper, 1922 -
First Woman to Lead Florida's Seminoles
She was born in 1922 in a little place east of Lake Okeechobee called Indiantown. At that time, Indiantown had 100 Native Americans and 75 White residents. Soon she moved to the Dania Indian Reservation near Hollywood, Florida. There she began her study of English so she could not only understand her Seminole world, but also the world outside her reservation. Soon she wanted to go to school, but in those days Native Americans could not attend Florida's schools. For this reason, Betty Mae Tiger and her cousin, Mary, went off with Betty Mae's brother, Howard, to the Cherokee Indian Reservation in North Carolina -- over one-thousand miles from their home in Florida.
Over 700 students studied at the Cherokee school from many native language groups and thus, they had to use English as a common language. When Betty Mae graduated in 1945, she and a cousin were the first Seminoles from Florida to ever graduate from high school.
Betty Mae went to Oklahoma to train as a practical nurse at the Kiowa Indian Hospital. Returning to Florida, Betty Mae used her nurses' training and her command of English to provide ever better medical and health care for Seminoles on the Florida reservations. She drove and walked many miles to care for the sick and to teach about health care. During her twenty years of health care service, she married Moses Jumper, a War veteran, and had three children. One of the health clinics she helped to get started is named in her honor, the "Betty Mae Jumper Complex."
In 1950, Betty Mae began a tribal newsletter called the Seminole News (now The Seminole Tribune), using her English language skills. In 1957, when the Seminole Indians became organized as the Seminole Tribe of Florida, she was a leader using her ability to speak Creek Miccosukee and English. First she was vice-chairman, and then, she was elected Chairman of the Tribal Council...the highest position in the Seminoles' government! Today, Betty Mae Tiger Jumper writes, and teaches about the Seminole people. As she said, "As a young girl, I knew that I wanted to help my people and I do believe that I have made a difference to the Seminole people of today."
She also made the 100 Native Americans Who Shaped American History list.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Shakopee to appeal decision to put city land into trust
Associated Press
SHAKOPEE, Minn - The Shakopee City Council voted unanimously Monday to appeal a Bureau of Indian Affairs ruling that says the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community can transfer about 750 acres it owns into a tax-exempt trust.
The vote came just hours after Scott County officials decided not to appeal the ruling, saying they'd rather negotiate with the tribe than pursue litigation.
The tribe, which owns the popular Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, has been seeking unfettered use of its land for years. Glynn A. Crooks, vice chairman of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, said the tribe plans to use the land primarily for homes for members.
City Administrator Mike McNeill called the appeal "a necessary step," noting that Monday was the deadline for filing an appeal. However, McNeill said the city is willing to discuss the issue with the tribe and remains open to a negotiated settlement.
Want to know more? Click here: http://www.nativebiz.com/community/News,op=visit,nid=16951.html
SHAKOPEE, Minn - The Shakopee City Council voted unanimously Monday to appeal a Bureau of Indian Affairs ruling that says the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community can transfer about 750 acres it owns into a tax-exempt trust.
The vote came just hours after Scott County officials decided not to appeal the ruling, saying they'd rather negotiate with the tribe than pursue litigation.
The tribe, which owns the popular Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, has been seeking unfettered use of its land for years. Glynn A. Crooks, vice chairman of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, said the tribe plans to use the land primarily for homes for members.
City Administrator Mike McNeill called the appeal "a necessary step," noting that Monday was the deadline for filing an appeal. However, McNeill said the city is willing to discuss the issue with the tribe and remains open to a negotiated settlement.
Want to know more? Click here: http://www.nativebiz.com/community/News,op=visit,nid=16951.html
Pukúu, Cultural Commuity Services
For over thirty-nine years the Fernandeño Tataviam Tribe through a non-profit, has provided social services to the American Indian community. The word pukúu derives from the Fernandeño Tataviam language meaning "ONE." Pukúu, Cultural Community Services is a not-profit organization that strives to strengthen the continuity of the American Indian community.
Pukúu offers temporary aid to low-income Native Americans and community members who encounter a financial emergency. Our endeavors also focuse on being a cultural resource for American Indians living in Los Angeles County and providing cultural celebrations in which individuals may participate and reconnect with their traditions.
Pukúu works to ensure that the California American Indian youths have an opportunity to pursue a higher education. Both the Fernandeño Tataviam Tribe and Pukúu raise funds throughout the year to provide scholarships for California Tribal youths who want to attend a college or university.
Check out their website: http://www.pukuu.org/
Pukúu offers temporary aid to low-income Native Americans and community members who encounter a financial emergency. Our endeavors also focuse on being a cultural resource for American Indians living in Los Angeles County and providing cultural celebrations in which individuals may participate and reconnect with their traditions.
Pukúu works to ensure that the California American Indian youths have an opportunity to pursue a higher education. Both the Fernandeño Tataviam Tribe and Pukúu raise funds throughout the year to provide scholarships for California Tribal youths who want to attend a college or university.
Check out their website: http://www.pukuu.org/
KQRS to apologize for Red Lake remarks
By: Curt Brown
After a meeting Monday with tribal leaders and American Indian advocates, KQRS Radio said it will apologize for comments made on Tom Barnard's highly popular "Morning Show" that linked high suicide rates on the Red Lake Indian Reservation with incest and genetics.
KQRS-FM (92.5) said it will hire Indian interns and invite members of the Red Lake Chippewa and Shakopee Mdewakanton communities to be on Barnard's show, which is the perennial morning ratings leader by a wide margin in Twin Cities' radio.
"KQ did admit that the statements made on the radio were wrong-headed and stupid," said Red Lake Tribal Chairman Floyd (Buck) Jourdain, who drove down from northern Minnesota for the hour-long meeting at KQ's headquarters in Minneapolis. "I fail to see how any community can stand for such behavior under the guise of humor."
Read more here: http://www.startribune.com/462/story/1515148.html
After a meeting Monday with tribal leaders and American Indian advocates, KQRS Radio said it will apologize for comments made on Tom Barnard's highly popular "Morning Show" that linked high suicide rates on the Red Lake Indian Reservation with incest and genetics.
KQRS-FM (92.5) said it will hire Indian interns and invite members of the Red Lake Chippewa and Shakopee Mdewakanton communities to be on Barnard's show, which is the perennial morning ratings leader by a wide margin in Twin Cities' radio.
"KQ did admit that the statements made on the radio were wrong-headed and stupid," said Red Lake Tribal Chairman Floyd (Buck) Jourdain, who drove down from northern Minnesota for the hour-long meeting at KQ's headquarters in Minneapolis. "I fail to see how any community can stand for such behavior under the guise of humor."
Read more here: http://www.startribune.com/462/story/1515148.html
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Quotes
"They made us many promises, more than I can remember, but they never kept but one; they promised to take our land, and they did." -
Red Cloud - Lakota
Red Cloud - Lakota
Important dates in October -
October 5, 1877 - Chief Joseph (Nez Perce) surrenders to General Miles
October 7, 1988 - The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act is signed
October 10, 1918 - The Native American Church is incorporation in Oklahoma
October 12, 1494 - Christopher Columbus initiates the enslavement of Native Americans
October 14, 1964 - Billy Mills (Lakota) wins the 10,000 meter race at the Tokyo Olympics
October 26, 1882 - U.S. Navy destroys Tlingit village of Angoon
October 30, 1990 - The Native American Indian Language Act is passed.
(Provided by Native American Rights Fund. We ask for nothing more and will accept nothing less than the U.S. government keeping the promises it has made to Native Americans.)
October 7, 1988 - The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act is signed
October 10, 1918 - The Native American Church is incorporation in Oklahoma
October 12, 1494 - Christopher Columbus initiates the enslavement of Native Americans
October 14, 1964 - Billy Mills (Lakota) wins the 10,000 meter race at the Tokyo Olympics
October 26, 1882 - U.S. Navy destroys Tlingit village of Angoon
October 30, 1990 - The Native American Indian Language Act is passed.
(Provided by Native American Rights Fund. We ask for nothing more and will accept nothing less than the U.S. government keeping the promises it has made to Native Americans.)
Feds return ancient remains to Tlingit tribes
Associated Press
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Human remains estimated to be more than 10,000 years old will be returned to southeast Alaska Tlingit tribes 11 years after they were found in a cave in the Tongass National Forest.
It's the first time a federal agency has conveyed custody of such ancient remains to indigenous groups under the 1990 Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, U.S. Forest Service officials said Oct. 19. ''It's a pretty substantial find,'' said Tongass spokesman Phil Sammon.
Vertebrae, ribs, teeth, a mandible and a pelvic bone were among the remains discovered in 1996 during a Forest Service archaeological survey for a proposed timber sale on northern Prince of Wales Island. The area is the aboriginal homeland for Tlingit tribes. Stone tools also were found inside On Your Knees Cave, an extensive limestone network.
The Forest Service immediately consulted with area tribes as required by the repatriation law, which mandates that federal agencies, and institutions receiving federal money, return American Indian remains and cultural items to tribes.
There was never any dispute that the remains should go to Tlingit tribes in Craig and Klawock, communities on the island. The tribes and Sealaska Corporation - the southeast Alaska Native regional corporation - in February petitioned the agency for custody of the remains.
This came after a lengthy process including scientific analysis that determined the remains were 10,300 years old. Through DNA and other testing, researchers identified the remains as belonging to an indigenous man in his early 20s who subsisted primarily on seafood.
Some tribal members initially balked at allowing the studies to be done instead of immediate interment. But in the end, they backed a study after determining the remains were scattered in the cave - possibly by scavengers - and not taken from a burial site.
In the remains, the tribes saw an ancestor offering himself for knowledge and learning, said anthropologist Rosita Worl, president of Sealaska Heritage Institute, the nonprofit cultural and educational arm of the Native corporation. ''The elders also saw it as a way of validating our ancient presence here in southeast Alaska,'' said Worl, Tlingit. ''A number of elders have said it proves we've been here since time immemorial.''
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Human remains estimated to be more than 10,000 years old will be returned to southeast Alaska Tlingit tribes 11 years after they were found in a cave in the Tongass National Forest.
It's the first time a federal agency has conveyed custody of such ancient remains to indigenous groups under the 1990 Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, U.S. Forest Service officials said Oct. 19. ''It's a pretty substantial find,'' said Tongass spokesman Phil Sammon.
Vertebrae, ribs, teeth, a mandible and a pelvic bone were among the remains discovered in 1996 during a Forest Service archaeological survey for a proposed timber sale on northern Prince of Wales Island. The area is the aboriginal homeland for Tlingit tribes. Stone tools also were found inside On Your Knees Cave, an extensive limestone network.
The Forest Service immediately consulted with area tribes as required by the repatriation law, which mandates that federal agencies, and institutions receiving federal money, return American Indian remains and cultural items to tribes.
There was never any dispute that the remains should go to Tlingit tribes in Craig and Klawock, communities on the island. The tribes and Sealaska Corporation - the southeast Alaska Native regional corporation - in February petitioned the agency for custody of the remains.
This came after a lengthy process including scientific analysis that determined the remains were 10,300 years old. Through DNA and other testing, researchers identified the remains as belonging to an indigenous man in his early 20s who subsisted primarily on seafood.
Some tribal members initially balked at allowing the studies to be done instead of immediate interment. But in the end, they backed a study after determining the remains were scattered in the cave - possibly by scavengers - and not taken from a burial site.
In the remains, the tribes saw an ancestor offering himself for knowledge and learning, said anthropologist Rosita Worl, president of Sealaska Heritage Institute, the nonprofit cultural and educational arm of the Native corporation. ''The elders also saw it as a way of validating our ancient presence here in southeast Alaska,'' said Worl, Tlingit. ''A number of elders have said it proves we've been here since time immemorial.''
Seminoles open first Indian charter school east of the Mississippi
By: Gale Courey Toensing
OKEECHOBEE, Fla. - When back-to-school time rolled around this year, elementary school students at the Seminole Tribe of Florida's Brighton Reservation had a choice: return to the public schools in the nearby towns of Okeechobee and Moore Haven, or enroll in the tribe's new charter school on the reservation.
On the first day of school Aug. 20, 146 students chose Pemayetv Emahakv (pema-YA-ta ema-HAG-ah) Charter School.
The enrollment exceeded all projections, Principal Russell Brown said. ''We were expecting 80 to 100 students to start the year with.''
Given the choice and the development of the school, most parents in the community opted for Pemayetv Emahakv, Brown said.
''I think a lot of people are uncertain about something new like this and may take a year to see how it runs, but I think once the families saw the teachers that were hired - they're the best teachers from the surrounding counties - and I think once they saw the physical facility was actually going to be completed on time, and there was going to be a school here in the community in their neighborhood, and once they saw the technology the school was going to have, I think that's where the change of heart and willingness to jump in began,'' he said.
Brown, who has worked in education in the area for years, personally recruited the best teachers he knew to come to Pemayetv Emahakv.
On Oct. 4, the Seminole Tribe held a dedication ceremony for the new Pemayetv Emahakv Charter School, which is the first American Indian charter school east of the Mississippi River.
Pemayetv Emahakv, which means ''our way'' in the Creek language, serves primary school students in kindergarten through fifth grade.
Want to know more? Click here: http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096415936
OKEECHOBEE, Fla. - When back-to-school time rolled around this year, elementary school students at the Seminole Tribe of Florida's Brighton Reservation had a choice: return to the public schools in the nearby towns of Okeechobee and Moore Haven, or enroll in the tribe's new charter school on the reservation.
On the first day of school Aug. 20, 146 students chose Pemayetv Emahakv (pema-YA-ta ema-HAG-ah) Charter School.
The enrollment exceeded all projections, Principal Russell Brown said. ''We were expecting 80 to 100 students to start the year with.''
Given the choice and the development of the school, most parents in the community opted for Pemayetv Emahakv, Brown said.
''I think a lot of people are uncertain about something new like this and may take a year to see how it runs, but I think once the families saw the teachers that were hired - they're the best teachers from the surrounding counties - and I think once they saw the physical facility was actually going to be completed on time, and there was going to be a school here in the community in their neighborhood, and once they saw the technology the school was going to have, I think that's where the change of heart and willingness to jump in began,'' he said.
Brown, who has worked in education in the area for years, personally recruited the best teachers he knew to come to Pemayetv Emahakv.
On Oct. 4, the Seminole Tribe held a dedication ceremony for the new Pemayetv Emahakv Charter School, which is the first American Indian charter school east of the Mississippi River.
Pemayetv Emahakv, which means ''our way'' in the Creek language, serves primary school students in kindergarten through fifth grade.
Want to know more? Click here: http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096415936
Thursday, October 25, 2007
The migration of the Water People
A Walpi Legend
In the long ago, the Snake, Horn, and Eagle people lived here (in Tusayan) but their corn grew only a span high and when they sang for rain, the Cloud god sent only a thin mist. My people lived then in the distant Pa-lat Kwa-bi in the South.
There was a very bad old man there. When he met any one he would spit in their faces. He did all manner of evil. Baholihonga got angry at this and turned the world upside down. Water spouted up through the kivas and through the fire places in the houses.
The earth was rent in great chasms, and water covered everything except one narrow ridge of mud. Across this the Serpent-god told all the people to travel. As they journeyed across, the feet of the bad slipped and they fell into the dark water.
The good people, after many days, reached dry land. While the water was rising around the village, the old people got on top of the houses. They thought they could not struggle across with the younger people. But Baholihonga clothed them with the skins of turkeys.
They spread their wings out and floated in the air just above the surface of the water, and in this way they got across.
There were saved of us, the Water people, the Corn people, the Lizard, Horned-toad, and Sand peoples, two families of Rabbit, and the Tobacco people. The turkey tail dragged in the water.
That is why there is white on the turkey's tail now. This is also the reason why old people use turkey-feathers at the religious ceremonies.
In the long ago, the Snake, Horn, and Eagle people lived here (in Tusayan) but their corn grew only a span high and when they sang for rain, the Cloud god sent only a thin mist. My people lived then in the distant Pa-lat Kwa-bi in the South.
There was a very bad old man there. When he met any one he would spit in their faces. He did all manner of evil. Baholihonga got angry at this and turned the world upside down. Water spouted up through the kivas and through the fire places in the houses.
The earth was rent in great chasms, and water covered everything except one narrow ridge of mud. Across this the Serpent-god told all the people to travel. As they journeyed across, the feet of the bad slipped and they fell into the dark water.
The good people, after many days, reached dry land. While the water was rising around the village, the old people got on top of the houses. They thought they could not struggle across with the younger people. But Baholihonga clothed them with the skins of turkeys.
They spread their wings out and floated in the air just above the surface of the water, and in this way they got across.
There were saved of us, the Water people, the Corn people, the Lizard, Horned-toad, and Sand peoples, two families of Rabbit, and the Tobacco people. The turkey tail dragged in the water.
That is why there is white on the turkey's tail now. This is also the reason why old people use turkey-feathers at the religious ceremonies.
Do you know...
Doug Hyde was born in Hermiston, Oregon, in 1946. The lore of his Nez Perce, Assiniboine, and Chippewa ancestry came to him from his grandfather and other elders who carefully instructed him through legends of animal characters the morals of his people as well as the ways of Mother Earth and the creation of man.
He attended the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico, during which time he enjoyed the tutelage and friendship of the late renowned Apache sculptor, Allan Houser. In 1967 he attended the San Francisco Art Institute on scholarship for a time before enlisting in the U.S. Army. During his second tour of duty in Viet Nam, he was very seriously wounded by a grenade. During his recuperation he learned the use of power tools in the cutting and shaping of stone while working in a friend's tombstone business, all the while continuing his art education and sculpting at night.
Finally he entered some of his sculpture for a show sponsored by the Northern Plains Indian Museum in Browning, Montana. When his work sold out, he realized that he was now ready to make his mark and that Santa Fe was to be his base of operations. Returning to Santa Fe in 1972 to teach at the Institute of American Indian Arts, he brought with him experience and knowledge as well as a desire to learn all he could about other native cultures.
The following year he left the institute to devote himself full time to sculpting. His works sculptured in bronze or stone, often in monumental size, frequently represent the stories told to him during his youth or portray more historical events. What is of great importance to him is that they are accurate representations of their subject matter, and that process only occurs "when I can visualize the finished sculpture in my mind." Doug has remained a resident of Santa Fe since 1972.
His works may be viewed in the collections of the Amon Carter Museum of Western Art, Heard Museum, Museum of the Southwest, Southwest Museum, Gilcrease Museum, Eitelborg Museum, and the Colorado Springs Fine Art Center among others. In 1990 the Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, Oklahoma, provided him with a retrospective exhibit of his work.
Check out some his work here: http://www.artnet.com/artist/8739/doug-hyde.html
He attended the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico, during which time he enjoyed the tutelage and friendship of the late renowned Apache sculptor, Allan Houser. In 1967 he attended the San Francisco Art Institute on scholarship for a time before enlisting in the U.S. Army. During his second tour of duty in Viet Nam, he was very seriously wounded by a grenade. During his recuperation he learned the use of power tools in the cutting and shaping of stone while working in a friend's tombstone business, all the while continuing his art education and sculpting at night.
Finally he entered some of his sculpture for a show sponsored by the Northern Plains Indian Museum in Browning, Montana. When his work sold out, he realized that he was now ready to make his mark and that Santa Fe was to be his base of operations. Returning to Santa Fe in 1972 to teach at the Institute of American Indian Arts, he brought with him experience and knowledge as well as a desire to learn all he could about other native cultures.
The following year he left the institute to devote himself full time to sculpting. His works sculptured in bronze or stone, often in monumental size, frequently represent the stories told to him during his youth or portray more historical events. What is of great importance to him is that they are accurate representations of their subject matter, and that process only occurs "when I can visualize the finished sculpture in my mind." Doug has remained a resident of Santa Fe since 1972.
His works may be viewed in the collections of the Amon Carter Museum of Western Art, Heard Museum, Museum of the Southwest, Southwest Museum, Gilcrease Museum, Eitelborg Museum, and the Colorado Springs Fine Art Center among others. In 1990 the Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, Oklahoma, provided him with a retrospective exhibit of his work.
Check out some his work here: http://www.artnet.com/artist/8739/doug-hyde.html
Holy Road
By: Steve Karnowski - Associated Press
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Vernon Bellecourt, who fought against the use of Indian nicknames for sports teams as a longtime leader of the American Indian Movement, died at age 75.
Bellecourt passed away Oct. 13 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital of complications from pneumonia, said his brother, Clyde Bellecourt, a founding member of the American Indian rights group.
Just before he was put on a respirator, Vernon joked that the CIA had finally gotten him, his brother said.
''He was willing to put his butt on the line to draw attention to racism in sports,'' his brother said.
Vernon - whose Objibwe name, WaBun-Inini, means ''Man of Dawn'' - was a member of Minnesota's White Earth band and was an international spokesman for the AIM Grand Governing Council based in Minneapolis.
Clyde helped found AIM as a militant group in 1968 and Vernon soon became involved, taking part in the 1973 occupation of the town of Wounded Knee on the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota. He was present only briefly during the 71-day standoff with federal agents, serving mostly as a spokesman and fund raiser, Clyde said.
Vernon was active in the campaign to free AIM activist Leonard Peltier, who was convicted of killing two FBI agents during a shootout in 1975 on the Pine Ridge reservation.
He was also involved as a negotiator in AIM's 1972 occupation of the BIA headquarters in Washington as part of the Trail of Broken Treaties caravan.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Vernon Bellecourt, who fought against the use of Indian nicknames for sports teams as a longtime leader of the American Indian Movement, died at age 75.
Bellecourt passed away Oct. 13 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital of complications from pneumonia, said his brother, Clyde Bellecourt, a founding member of the American Indian rights group.
Just before he was put on a respirator, Vernon joked that the CIA had finally gotten him, his brother said.
''He was willing to put his butt on the line to draw attention to racism in sports,'' his brother said.
Vernon - whose Objibwe name, WaBun-Inini, means ''Man of Dawn'' - was a member of Minnesota's White Earth band and was an international spokesman for the AIM Grand Governing Council based in Minneapolis.
Clyde helped found AIM as a militant group in 1968 and Vernon soon became involved, taking part in the 1973 occupation of the town of Wounded Knee on the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota. He was present only briefly during the 71-day standoff with federal agents, serving mostly as a spokesman and fund raiser, Clyde said.
Vernon was active in the campaign to free AIM activist Leonard Peltier, who was convicted of killing two FBI agents during a shootout in 1975 on the Pine Ridge reservation.
He was also involved as a negotiator in AIM's 1972 occupation of the BIA headquarters in Washington as part of the Trail of Broken Treaties caravan.
Onondaga land claim argued in federal court
By: Michael Hill - Associated Press
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - A lawyer advocating the Onondaga Nation's claim to a massive swath of land running down the middle of New York state assured a federal judge Oct. 11 that the tribe does not intend to evict anyone, but wants to wipe away a historic stain.
That contention was countered by Assistant Attorney General David Roberts, who argued the 4,000-square-mile land claim by the Onondaga Nation, if successful, could set the stage for evictions in the future. Roberts made the argument as he tried to convince U.S. District Court Judge Lawrence Kahn to dismiss the tribe's 2005 lawsuit.
''It's inherently disruptive,'' Roberts said.
More than 100 Onondagas and their supporters overfilled the courtroom to hear the arguments. Dozens of Onondagas, many in traditional clothing, took the three-hour bus ride from their small reservation south of Syracuse to listen, and nodded when lawyer Robert ''Tim'' Coulter argued that a judgment in their favor would erase an injustice dating to when New York illegally took their land centuries ago.
''The nation itself has been thrown off its land and it doesn't want to do that to anyone else,'' said Coulter, who heads the Indian Law Resource Center.
Read more here: http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096415950
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - A lawyer advocating the Onondaga Nation's claim to a massive swath of land running down the middle of New York state assured a federal judge Oct. 11 that the tribe does not intend to evict anyone, but wants to wipe away a historic stain.
That contention was countered by Assistant Attorney General David Roberts, who argued the 4,000-square-mile land claim by the Onondaga Nation, if successful, could set the stage for evictions in the future. Roberts made the argument as he tried to convince U.S. District Court Judge Lawrence Kahn to dismiss the tribe's 2005 lawsuit.
''It's inherently disruptive,'' Roberts said.
More than 100 Onondagas and their supporters overfilled the courtroom to hear the arguments. Dozens of Onondagas, many in traditional clothing, took the three-hour bus ride from their small reservation south of Syracuse to listen, and nodded when lawyer Robert ''Tim'' Coulter argued that a judgment in their favor would erase an injustice dating to when New York illegally took their land centuries ago.
''The nation itself has been thrown off its land and it doesn't want to do that to anyone else,'' said Coulter, who heads the Indian Law Resource Center.
Read more here: http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096415950
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Cherokee Nation Receives Recovery Assistance Grant
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — The Cherokee Nation has received a three-year grant to provide treatment and recovery options for Cherokee citizens seeking to recover from substance abuse.
The Access to Recovery grant will be used to fund a new program, entitled “Many Paths,” through the Cherokee Nation Behavioral Health department.
“This program will give our people a choice in their treatment and recovery at all levels,” said Dr. John Gastorf of Cherokee Nation Behavioral Health Services. “Not only will those seeking treatment have a choice in their options of providers, but they will be taking an active voice in their path to recovery.”
The program will allow participants to choose from different levels of treatment, from conventional medical providers to faith-based and traditional healers. All providers must attend Native American cultural sensitivity courses as well as meet the requirements established by the Cherokee Nation and by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which is administering the grant.
The Many Paths program will operate under a voucher structure, wherein patients in the program will be issued vouchers for their level of care. The program will begin with 20 screening sites across the Cherokee Nation and other areas in eastern and central Oklahoma.
The Access to Recovery grant will be used to fund a new program, entitled “Many Paths,” through the Cherokee Nation Behavioral Health department.
“This program will give our people a choice in their treatment and recovery at all levels,” said Dr. John Gastorf of Cherokee Nation Behavioral Health Services. “Not only will those seeking treatment have a choice in their options of providers, but they will be taking an active voice in their path to recovery.”
The program will allow participants to choose from different levels of treatment, from conventional medical providers to faith-based and traditional healers. All providers must attend Native American cultural sensitivity courses as well as meet the requirements established by the Cherokee Nation and by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which is administering the grant.
The Many Paths program will operate under a voucher structure, wherein patients in the program will be issued vouchers for their level of care. The program will begin with 20 screening sites across the Cherokee Nation and other areas in eastern and central Oklahoma.
Crafting a cultural revival
By: Lisa Nicita
Elders within the Gila River Indian Community are seeing fears of a lost culture fade as the success of a reservation resort reinvigorates interest in traditional Native American art.
Younger residents, once uninterested in learning cultural centerpieces such as language, stories and crafts, are realizing that becoming a reservation artisan could be a profitable career path.A conscious effort of corporate and cultural integration among the Pima and Maricopa tribes and the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa has played a major role in showing community artisans that there is big interest in their culture.
From the turquoise and coral jewelry that beckons behind showcase glass in the gift shop to throws rolled in each of the 500 guest rooms, the work of community artisans is on display at the resort.
Children's artwork hangs on a wall near the resort's coffee shop. A community member, who doubles as a burly security guard for the resort, designed the menus placed in front of hundreds of diners at the gourmet Kai restaurant. Corporate conventions also can request, for a fee, custom-designed lanyards for all of their convention members, beaded by the community's children to benefit the Boys & Girls Club.
"The resort has allowed us to spark interest again," said Ginger Sunbird Martin, the resort's cultural theme manager.
Want to know more? Click here: http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/1024nativeamerican1024.html
Elders within the Gila River Indian Community are seeing fears of a lost culture fade as the success of a reservation resort reinvigorates interest in traditional Native American art.
Younger residents, once uninterested in learning cultural centerpieces such as language, stories and crafts, are realizing that becoming a reservation artisan could be a profitable career path.A conscious effort of corporate and cultural integration among the Pima and Maricopa tribes and the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa has played a major role in showing community artisans that there is big interest in their culture.
From the turquoise and coral jewelry that beckons behind showcase glass in the gift shop to throws rolled in each of the 500 guest rooms, the work of community artisans is on display at the resort.
Children's artwork hangs on a wall near the resort's coffee shop. A community member, who doubles as a burly security guard for the resort, designed the menus placed in front of hundreds of diners at the gourmet Kai restaurant. Corporate conventions also can request, for a fee, custom-designed lanyards for all of their convention members, beaded by the community's children to benefit the Boys & Girls Club.
"The resort has allowed us to spark interest again," said Ginger Sunbird Martin, the resort's cultural theme manager.
Want to know more? Click here: http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/1024nativeamerican1024.html
Yahoo Falls monument to be removed
By: Janie Slaven
YAHOO FALLS — McCreary County is about to have one less historical marker.
Officials with the Daniel Boone National Forest announced last week their intention to remove the black granite monument erected under mysterious circumstances last year at the entrance to Yahoo Falls.
The monument commemorates the 1810 Massacre at Yahoo Falls. There are just two problems.
One, it is illegal to erect any monument on U.S. Forest Service land without permission.
Two, DBNF officials question whether the event actually took place.
Forest Archeologist Chris Jenkins said Friday that officials had contacted several suspects so that the monument could be removed privately to no avail.
“No one has taken responsibility,” Jenkins said.
There's more here: http://www.mccrearyrecord.com/local/local_story_255155553.html
YAHOO FALLS — McCreary County is about to have one less historical marker.
Officials with the Daniel Boone National Forest announced last week their intention to remove the black granite monument erected under mysterious circumstances last year at the entrance to Yahoo Falls.
The monument commemorates the 1810 Massacre at Yahoo Falls. There are just two problems.
One, it is illegal to erect any monument on U.S. Forest Service land without permission.
Two, DBNF officials question whether the event actually took place.
Forest Archeologist Chris Jenkins said Friday that officials had contacted several suspects so that the monument could be removed privately to no avail.
“No one has taken responsibility,” Jenkins said.
There's more here: http://www.mccrearyrecord.com/local/local_story_255155553.html
Lock of Sitting Bull's hair returned
A US museum has decided to return a lock of hair and leggings worn by legendary American Indian chief Sitting Bull after learning that they were stolen by an army doctor at the time of his death more than 100 years ago.
"As part of doing research on our collection as part of the repatriation law, we realised how these objects had been acquired and they hadn't been acquired properly,'' said Bill Billeck, director of the National Museum of Natural History's Repatriation Office.
"That's the reason why it has triggered us to do this work and to look for family members,'' he said.
Sitting Bull was a Lakota chief best known for defeating General George Custer in the 1876 Battle of Little Bighorn in Montana.
He was killed on December 15, 1890, two weeks before the Battle of Wounded Knee, the last major battle between US forces and American Indians.
The lock of hair was braided and narrow, about 40cm long, and the wool leggings were a traditional type worn by Indians of the period, Mr Billeck said.
After Sitting Bull's death, his body was taken to a military fort where an army doctor, Horace Deeble, took the hair and leggings and six years later sent them to the museum for display.
Read more here: http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,22438294-5005962,00.html
"As part of doing research on our collection as part of the repatriation law, we realised how these objects had been acquired and they hadn't been acquired properly,'' said Bill Billeck, director of the National Museum of Natural History's Repatriation Office.
"That's the reason why it has triggered us to do this work and to look for family members,'' he said.
Sitting Bull was a Lakota chief best known for defeating General George Custer in the 1876 Battle of Little Bighorn in Montana.
He was killed on December 15, 1890, two weeks before the Battle of Wounded Knee, the last major battle between US forces and American Indians.
The lock of hair was braided and narrow, about 40cm long, and the wool leggings were a traditional type worn by Indians of the period, Mr Billeck said.
After Sitting Bull's death, his body was taken to a military fort where an army doctor, Horace Deeble, took the hair and leggings and six years later sent them to the museum for display.
Read more here: http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,22438294-5005962,00.html
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Featured artist: Pura Fe - Tuscarora
Pura Fe’s Spanish name translates as “Pure Faith”, given to her by her Father who was from Puerto Rico, who sang as well. Pura Fe was born and raised in New York City by her Tuscaroran Mother, a classically trained Opera singer who toured with “The Duke Ellington Orchestra”. Pura Fe’s musical inheritance comes from her Mothers family of gifted female singers and count as the fourth generation of seven singing sisters in a row through the maternal line. “Singing is my first language!”.
“Our voice stems out of North Carolina, our ancestral homeland of the Tuscarora Nation”. Pura Fe’s Mothers family of mixed ancestry, Indian, Black and Scott-Irish is “the experience” of many Southern and Eastern Nations that endured slavery, removal, deportation, through colonization and commercial genocide. “The Underground Rail road which trailed through Indian occupied territories through Canadian borders is “the crossroads” and “cross blood” that runs through every Jazz and Blues pioneer I can think of”. Charlie Patton the first King of the Delta was Choctaw. Scrapper Blackwell, Duke Ellington, Lina Horne, Jimi Hendrix, Little Richard, Tina Turner, Chaka Kahn, Don Cherry, Charles Mingus, The Neville Brothers, Taj Mahal, Thelonious Monk and many more…! “This story needs to shine…Hallelujah…for the Red, Black on Blues”!
This “Renaissance woman” is the founding member of the internationally renowned native woman’s a capella trio, ‘Ulali’, and is recognized for creating a new genre, bringing Native contemporary music to the forefront of the “mainstream” music industry.
Pura Fe has studied and performed with ‘The American Ballet Theatre’ company’, has been in several Broadway musicals and TV commercials. She has sung for ‘The Mercer Ellington Orchestra’, countless Jazz, R&B, Rock bands and has stamped her distinct vocals on many recordings, demo’s, jingles, music videos and movie sound tracks/trailers through out her career. She was nominated for a Juno Award (Canadian Grammy) with ‘Kanatanaski & Pura Fe’ for best aboriginal music video.
She’s appeared on Jay Leno’s ‘The Tonight Show’, UK’s ‘The Late Show’ and Brazil’s ‘Joe Suares Show’ with Ulali and Robbie Robertson. Pura Fe has toured world wide, in concert halls, festivals, nightclubs, universities, Pow Wow’s, conferences, campaigns and endless benefits…for environmental and humanitarian rights.
Here's her website: http://www.purafe.com/index.html
“Our voice stems out of North Carolina, our ancestral homeland of the Tuscarora Nation”. Pura Fe’s Mothers family of mixed ancestry, Indian, Black and Scott-Irish is “the experience” of many Southern and Eastern Nations that endured slavery, removal, deportation, through colonization and commercial genocide. “The Underground Rail road which trailed through Indian occupied territories through Canadian borders is “the crossroads” and “cross blood” that runs through every Jazz and Blues pioneer I can think of”. Charlie Patton the first King of the Delta was Choctaw. Scrapper Blackwell, Duke Ellington, Lina Horne, Jimi Hendrix, Little Richard, Tina Turner, Chaka Kahn, Don Cherry, Charles Mingus, The Neville Brothers, Taj Mahal, Thelonious Monk and many more…! “This story needs to shine…Hallelujah…for the Red, Black on Blues”!
This “Renaissance woman” is the founding member of the internationally renowned native woman’s a capella trio, ‘Ulali’, and is recognized for creating a new genre, bringing Native contemporary music to the forefront of the “mainstream” music industry.
Pura Fe has studied and performed with ‘The American Ballet Theatre’ company’, has been in several Broadway musicals and TV commercials. She has sung for ‘The Mercer Ellington Orchestra’, countless Jazz, R&B, Rock bands and has stamped her distinct vocals on many recordings, demo’s, jingles, music videos and movie sound tracks/trailers through out her career. She was nominated for a Juno Award (Canadian Grammy) with ‘Kanatanaski & Pura Fe’ for best aboriginal music video.
She’s appeared on Jay Leno’s ‘The Tonight Show’, UK’s ‘The Late Show’ and Brazil’s ‘Joe Suares Show’ with Ulali and Robbie Robertson. Pura Fe has toured world wide, in concert halls, festivals, nightclubs, universities, Pow Wow’s, conferences, campaigns and endless benefits…for environmental and humanitarian rights.
Here's her website: http://www.purafe.com/index.html
Do you know...
Frank C. Dukepoo is a full-blooded American Indian of Hopi and Laguna heritage. Born on the Mohave Indian reservation, in Arizona, he received his early education in the Phoenix area, In 1973 he graduated from Arizona State University with a Ph.D. in zoology (genetics). He, is the first Hopi to have earned a doctorate and one of six Indians nationally who hold earned doctorates in the sciences. He is one of only two Native American geneticists in the country.
His background includes teaching at San Diego State University, administrative executive positions with the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health, Washington, D.C. He is the former Director of Indian Education at Northern Arizona University (NAU), Flagstaff. Presently, he is a faculty member in the Department of Biological Sciences and Special Assistant to the Academic Vice President at NAU.
For the past I 0 years he has expanded his interest in the area of retention and motivation. In recent years he has gained considerable reputation as one of the country's outstanding motivators of Indian students. He is the former Director of a NSF-supported science program that has gained national recognition for 100% retention of Indian students. Dr. Dukepoo is the founder, incorporator and Director of the National Native American Honor Society. This nationally-recognized exemplary program includes about 2,000 straight-A Native American students representing some 190 schools in the continental United States, Alaska and Canada.
In addition to retention and motivation studies, his other research interests include the study of birth defects in Southwest Native Americans and, albinism and inbreeding among the Hopi Indians of Northern Arizona. He is attempting to map the albino gene and has made two films pertaining to his research. The Whizkids production has received the ABC Excellence Award in Children's Programing, Telly Award and the School Library Journal Award. In 1995, the production was accepted for airing by the Minnesota Public Television. He has been featured on radio talk shows pertaining to motivation of Indian youth and ethics in human genomic research in Indian communities. Currently he is developing culturally-relevant science material, science modules and science kits for elementary students. As an amateur magician he gives "Mind, Magic and Motivation" shows to Indian youth.
As a professional, he is a member of numerous scientific and educational societies and organizations and is a founding member of SACNAS (Society for the Advance of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science and AISES (American Indian Science and Engineering Society). He also serves as a consultant to the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of Education, National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, Southwest Development Laboratory and the Far West Laboratory. He also provides training and gives in-service to teachers, numerous Indian tribes and the Department of Economic Security (Child Protective Services).
His numerous awards include the John Hay Whitney Fellowship, Ford Foundation Fellowship, listing in Who's Who of American Indians, Bo Jack Humanitarian Award, Iron Eyes Cody Medal of Freedom Award, Outstanding Educator of The Year Award (National Coalition of Indian Education) and "Premier" status and "Exemplary" Awards for programs he devised and directed in working with American Indian youth. In 1995 he was named "Indian Man of the Year," inducted into the "Indian Hall of Fame," listed in "Past and Present Indian Leaders" and selected for inclusion in "Bibliographies of Outstanding Native Americans." In 1996 he was named "Hopi Of The Year" and received the "Lifetime Achievement Award" for service to Indian people.
He's also listed in 100 Native Americans Who Shaped American History.
His background includes teaching at San Diego State University, administrative executive positions with the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health, Washington, D.C. He is the former Director of Indian Education at Northern Arizona University (NAU), Flagstaff. Presently, he is a faculty member in the Department of Biological Sciences and Special Assistant to the Academic Vice President at NAU.
For the past I 0 years he has expanded his interest in the area of retention and motivation. In recent years he has gained considerable reputation as one of the country's outstanding motivators of Indian students. He is the former Director of a NSF-supported science program that has gained national recognition for 100% retention of Indian students. Dr. Dukepoo is the founder, incorporator and Director of the National Native American Honor Society. This nationally-recognized exemplary program includes about 2,000 straight-A Native American students representing some 190 schools in the continental United States, Alaska and Canada.
In addition to retention and motivation studies, his other research interests include the study of birth defects in Southwest Native Americans and, albinism and inbreeding among the Hopi Indians of Northern Arizona. He is attempting to map the albino gene and has made two films pertaining to his research. The Whizkids production has received the ABC Excellence Award in Children's Programing, Telly Award and the School Library Journal Award. In 1995, the production was accepted for airing by the Minnesota Public Television. He has been featured on radio talk shows pertaining to motivation of Indian youth and ethics in human genomic research in Indian communities. Currently he is developing culturally-relevant science material, science modules and science kits for elementary students. As an amateur magician he gives "Mind, Magic and Motivation" shows to Indian youth.
As a professional, he is a member of numerous scientific and educational societies and organizations and is a founding member of SACNAS (Society for the Advance of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science and AISES (American Indian Science and Engineering Society). He also serves as a consultant to the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of Education, National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, Southwest Development Laboratory and the Far West Laboratory. He also provides training and gives in-service to teachers, numerous Indian tribes and the Department of Economic Security (Child Protective Services).
His numerous awards include the John Hay Whitney Fellowship, Ford Foundation Fellowship, listing in Who's Who of American Indians, Bo Jack Humanitarian Award, Iron Eyes Cody Medal of Freedom Award, Outstanding Educator of The Year Award (National Coalition of Indian Education) and "Premier" status and "Exemplary" Awards for programs he devised and directed in working with American Indian youth. In 1995 he was named "Indian Man of the Year," inducted into the "Indian Hall of Fame," listed in "Past and Present Indian Leaders" and selected for inclusion in "Bibliographies of Outstanding Native Americans." In 1996 he was named "Hopi Of The Year" and received the "Lifetime Achievement Award" for service to Indian people.
He's also listed in 100 Native Americans Who Shaped American History.
Cocopahs to celebrate heritage of tribe, neighbors
By: Darin Fenger
A huge public feast followed by traditional dancing and singing will mark the 11th Annual Cocopah Cultural Celebration, a time when the tribe shares its own culture and celebrates the cultures of neighbors and friends. The event runs from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Cocopah Reservation West, located northwest of Somerton.
The Cocopah Indian Tribe began holding its annual celebration in 1996, when the tribe was then celebrating the opening of its museum, which will be open for tours Saturday.
"The Cocopah Museum and the Elders Cultural Council members established this day to recognize, respect and enjoy the tribe's cultural identity and history," said Liz Pratt, spokeswoman for the tribe. "This celebration is an opportunity for the tribe to share its culture through music and dance, celebrating with surrounding, neighboring communities."
But the tribe doesn't stop at celebrating Cocopah culture. The tribe also invites artists and performers from other cultures to participate in the event. This year the lineup of entertainment will include performers from other tribes, as well as a Hawaiian dance group called Hui O'hawai'i of Yuma.
"The tribe sees this day as a chance to recognize and respect all cultures," Pratt said.
Want to know more about the Cocopah museum? Check out this website: http://www.itcaonline.com/tribes_cocopah.html
A huge public feast followed by traditional dancing and singing will mark the 11th Annual Cocopah Cultural Celebration, a time when the tribe shares its own culture and celebrates the cultures of neighbors and friends. The event runs from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Cocopah Reservation West, located northwest of Somerton.
The Cocopah Indian Tribe began holding its annual celebration in 1996, when the tribe was then celebrating the opening of its museum, which will be open for tours Saturday.
"The Cocopah Museum and the Elders Cultural Council members established this day to recognize, respect and enjoy the tribe's cultural identity and history," said Liz Pratt, spokeswoman for the tribe. "This celebration is an opportunity for the tribe to share its culture through music and dance, celebrating with surrounding, neighboring communities."
But the tribe doesn't stop at celebrating Cocopah culture. The tribe also invites artists and performers from other cultures to participate in the event. This year the lineup of entertainment will include performers from other tribes, as well as a Hawaiian dance group called Hui O'hawai'i of Yuma.
"The tribe sees this day as a chance to recognize and respect all cultures," Pratt said.
Want to know more about the Cocopah museum? Check out this website: http://www.itcaonline.com/tribes_cocopah.html
A real honor: Collaborating with tribes on name changes
Editorial Indian Country Today
Confronting problems together is so often declared an American value that one is tempted to believe it is true. In fact, it is completely characteristic of American democracy that any issue is open to dialogue, delay and disagreement. The perpetual debate regarding place names and mascots considered offensive by Native peoples offers many examples of both successful collaboration and doomed obstinacy. As with most conflict, genuine compassion and educated decisions are critical to reaching a resolution.
In the midst of a Major League Baseball playoff series between the Boston Red Sox and the Cleveland Indians, caricatures of Indian faces and accoutrements flooded stadium seats and television sets. There are wide-ranging opinions from Native and non-Native people on the effect and gravity of Indians as sports mascots. But there is no question that allowing the practice to continue makes it possible for individuals (and groups) to freely mock Indian songs, dances, traditional dress and languages. ''It's Tribe time now,'' reads the Cleveland Indians' rally towel. ''Go Tribe'' and ''Indians win!'' are common sentiments. But only, it seems, inside the ballpark. Imagine such passionate, public outcries by non-Natives in support of tribal sovereignty or other important issues. There is no honor in paternalism, and ironic cheers for Indian mascots turn fun sporting events into virulent arenas for racism and ignorance.
Native peoples scored a moral victory four years ago when the Arizona State Board on Geographic and Historic Names approved the renaming of Squaw Peak in Phoenix to Piestewa Peak. The new name honors the heroic service of U.S. Army Pfc. Lori Piestewa, who is believed to be the first American Indian woman killed in combat on foreign soil and the first U.S. female soldier killed in the Iraq war. Though the road was fraught with controversy, the strong leadership of Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, long an ally of Indian tribes in the state, made all the difference and the name change was made well within Arizona's standard five-year waiting period. Piestewa Peak is now a monument to the courage and pride of the young Hopi soldier, mother of two children, who made the ultimate sacrifice for her nation and country. It is a victory not only for Native Americans who share and admire Piestewa's traditional values, but for all Americans who believe in duty, honor and sacrifice.
Read more here: http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096415957
Confronting problems together is so often declared an American value that one is tempted to believe it is true. In fact, it is completely characteristic of American democracy that any issue is open to dialogue, delay and disagreement. The perpetual debate regarding place names and mascots considered offensive by Native peoples offers many examples of both successful collaboration and doomed obstinacy. As with most conflict, genuine compassion and educated decisions are critical to reaching a resolution.
In the midst of a Major League Baseball playoff series between the Boston Red Sox and the Cleveland Indians, caricatures of Indian faces and accoutrements flooded stadium seats and television sets. There are wide-ranging opinions from Native and non-Native people on the effect and gravity of Indians as sports mascots. But there is no question that allowing the practice to continue makes it possible for individuals (and groups) to freely mock Indian songs, dances, traditional dress and languages. ''It's Tribe time now,'' reads the Cleveland Indians' rally towel. ''Go Tribe'' and ''Indians win!'' are common sentiments. But only, it seems, inside the ballpark. Imagine such passionate, public outcries by non-Natives in support of tribal sovereignty or other important issues. There is no honor in paternalism, and ironic cheers for Indian mascots turn fun sporting events into virulent arenas for racism and ignorance.
Native peoples scored a moral victory four years ago when the Arizona State Board on Geographic and Historic Names approved the renaming of Squaw Peak in Phoenix to Piestewa Peak. The new name honors the heroic service of U.S. Army Pfc. Lori Piestewa, who is believed to be the first American Indian woman killed in combat on foreign soil and the first U.S. female soldier killed in the Iraq war. Though the road was fraught with controversy, the strong leadership of Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, long an ally of Indian tribes in the state, made all the difference and the name change was made well within Arizona's standard five-year waiting period. Piestewa Peak is now a monument to the courage and pride of the young Hopi soldier, mother of two children, who made the ultimate sacrifice for her nation and country. It is a victory not only for Native Americans who share and admire Piestewa's traditional values, but for all Americans who believe in duty, honor and sacrifice.
Read more here: http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096415957
Friday, October 19, 2007
Students embrace Indian culture
By: Barbara Arrigoni
ORLAND — For the first time ever, students at Fairview School in Orland didn't get to celebrate the school's annual Indian Day at Black Butte Lake.
Each year, fourth-grade classes go to the lake for hands-on sessions to learn about the culture of two Northern California tribes — the Wintun of Colusa and Nomolaki of Paskenta. With rain threatened, the event was held on school grounds Thursday. It's part of the school's California History studies.
If the kids cared about not going to the countryside, it didn't show during the morning activities.
Seven classes participated in the event, each divided into two groups and then smaller ones, rotating through six stations.
The children learned several cultural traditions. Outside near the school's garden, groups built a shelter of poles and branches and practiced the art of spearing. Vine wreaths substituted for live animals for the latter activity. Laughter rang across the field with each thrust.
Inside several classrooms, students had their faces painted, made shell necklaces, learned a "friendship" dance, listened to storytellers repeat legends, and used handmade drills, which looked similar to old-fashioned spinning tops.
There's more here: http://www.chicoer.com/news/ci_7221520
ORLAND — For the first time ever, students at Fairview School in Orland didn't get to celebrate the school's annual Indian Day at Black Butte Lake.
Each year, fourth-grade classes go to the lake for hands-on sessions to learn about the culture of two Northern California tribes — the Wintun of Colusa and Nomolaki of Paskenta. With rain threatened, the event was held on school grounds Thursday. It's part of the school's California History studies.
If the kids cared about not going to the countryside, it didn't show during the morning activities.
Seven classes participated in the event, each divided into two groups and then smaller ones, rotating through six stations.
The children learned several cultural traditions. Outside near the school's garden, groups built a shelter of poles and branches and practiced the art of spearing. Vine wreaths substituted for live animals for the latter activity. Laughter rang across the field with each thrust.
Inside several classrooms, students had their faces painted, made shell necklaces, learned a "friendship" dance, listened to storytellers repeat legends, and used handmade drills, which looked similar to old-fashioned spinning tops.
There's more here: http://www.chicoer.com/news/ci_7221520
Indian land ruling appealed to high court
By: Katie Mulvaney
The state made another play yesterday to keep its hold over 31 acres owned by the Narragansett Indian Tribe in Charlestown.
Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch’s office, joined by Governor Carcieri and the Town of Charlestown, filed an appeal asking the U.S. Supreme Court to consider, and overturn, a ruling that allows the U.S. Department of Interior to hold the land in trust for the tribe.
Trust status would free the property from state and local tax and land-use regulations or most Rhode Island criminal laws.
Tribal leaders have said they will use the site for housing, but state officials fear the ruling would clear the way for the tribe to open a smoke shop, casino or other venture, outside state oversight.
Read more here: http://www.projo.com/news/content/Tribe_Appeal_10-19-07_H37HMUE.3f0cc6.html
The state made another play yesterday to keep its hold over 31 acres owned by the Narragansett Indian Tribe in Charlestown.
Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch’s office, joined by Governor Carcieri and the Town of Charlestown, filed an appeal asking the U.S. Supreme Court to consider, and overturn, a ruling that allows the U.S. Department of Interior to hold the land in trust for the tribe.
Trust status would free the property from state and local tax and land-use regulations or most Rhode Island criminal laws.
Tribal leaders have said they will use the site for housing, but state officials fear the ruling would clear the way for the tribe to open a smoke shop, casino or other venture, outside state oversight.
Read more here: http://www.projo.com/news/content/Tribe_Appeal_10-19-07_H37HMUE.3f0cc6.html
Indian Tribe OKs Deal With Michigan
Associated Press
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians said Thursday that its members have approved an agreement between five American Indian tribes and the state of Michigan over inland hunting and fishing rights.
The tribal board still needs to approve the pact, which it is expected to do during a meeting Sunday, spokesman Corey Wilson said.
The other four tribes have ratified the deal, which recognizes members' rights to hunt, fish and gather plants in parts of western and northern Michigan covered by an 1836 treaty. The area includes about 37 percent of the state. Fishing in the Great Lakes is excluded because it was dealt with in earlier agreements.
The agreement, already endorsed by state and federal officials, also needs the approval of a federal judge who had scheduled a hearing for Monday, but canceled it in an order noting the successful outcome of the Sault Ste. Marie referendum.
The Sault tribe was the only tribe that submitted the tentative agreement, announced last month, to its full membership for a referendum.
In results posted on its Web site Thursday, the tribe said 3,476 voters favored the pact while 678 opposed it. Nearly 33 percent of the 12,734 members voted.
The proposal affects much of the western and northern Lower Peninsula and the eastern Upper Peninsula.
It empowers the tribes to issue their own hunting and fishing licenses and write their own regulations. Three already have rules and the other two will be developing them.
Many of the regulations will parallel state policies for protecting resources from overharvesting and abuse, limiting size, numbers and species taken. But the tribes will have longer deer hunting seasons and different policies on fishing methods such as spearing and netting.
The DNR is hosting a series of public meetings around the state to explain the agreement.
The other participating tribes include the Bay Mills Indian Community; the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians; the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians; and the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians.
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians said Thursday that its members have approved an agreement between five American Indian tribes and the state of Michigan over inland hunting and fishing rights.
The tribal board still needs to approve the pact, which it is expected to do during a meeting Sunday, spokesman Corey Wilson said.
The other four tribes have ratified the deal, which recognizes members' rights to hunt, fish and gather plants in parts of western and northern Michigan covered by an 1836 treaty. The area includes about 37 percent of the state. Fishing in the Great Lakes is excluded because it was dealt with in earlier agreements.
The agreement, already endorsed by state and federal officials, also needs the approval of a federal judge who had scheduled a hearing for Monday, but canceled it in an order noting the successful outcome of the Sault Ste. Marie referendum.
The Sault tribe was the only tribe that submitted the tentative agreement, announced last month, to its full membership for a referendum.
In results posted on its Web site Thursday, the tribe said 3,476 voters favored the pact while 678 opposed it. Nearly 33 percent of the 12,734 members voted.
The proposal affects much of the western and northern Lower Peninsula and the eastern Upper Peninsula.
It empowers the tribes to issue their own hunting and fishing licenses and write their own regulations. Three already have rules and the other two will be developing them.
Many of the regulations will parallel state policies for protecting resources from overharvesting and abuse, limiting size, numbers and species taken. But the tribes will have longer deer hunting seasons and different policies on fishing methods such as spearing and netting.
The DNR is hosting a series of public meetings around the state to explain the agreement.
The other participating tribes include the Bay Mills Indian Community; the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians; the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians; and the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians.
American Indians Seek Greater Understanding, Recognition
By: Jeffrey Thomas
Washington -- “Maybe you should just tell them that we still exist,” an American Indian told the moderator of a focus group during a recent study that not only has highlighted continuing misconceptions about American Indians, but also has revealed the sympathy with which many Americans view Indians’ history and desire to learn more about their past and present.
“Tell the story of American Indians truthfully and honestly [in an Indian museum],” a non-Indian proposed, “and tell that story in both the historical and contemporary concepts. ... They survived everything that happened to them -- they survived.”
The study revealed that, even though American Indians might feel isolated, misunderstood and culturally threatened in contemporary America, they often express pride in their economic accomplishments and a conviction that their lives are improving. “The biggest fight that we have is [about] identity,” a New York Indian told researchers.
The study Walking a Mile: A First Step Toward Mutual Understanding is based on 12 focus groups -- seven with Indians and five with non-Indians -- conducted by researchers from the nonpartisan public opinion research organization Public Agenda. Such focus groups provide qualitative information on how the participants view the place of American Indians in the United States today, but more opinion research and polling is needed to reveal how widely held those views are, according to experts.
“This was exploratory research ... designed to pose as many questions as it answered,” Public Agenda’s Michael Remaley told USINFO. “Clearly, there is much more to be done to further the conversation nationally.”
Read this very interesting story here: http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2007&m=October&x=200710181452191CJsamohT0.7733576
Washington -- “Maybe you should just tell them that we still exist,” an American Indian told the moderator of a focus group during a recent study that not only has highlighted continuing misconceptions about American Indians, but also has revealed the sympathy with which many Americans view Indians’ history and desire to learn more about their past and present.
“Tell the story of American Indians truthfully and honestly [in an Indian museum],” a non-Indian proposed, “and tell that story in both the historical and contemporary concepts. ... They survived everything that happened to them -- they survived.”
The study revealed that, even though American Indians might feel isolated, misunderstood and culturally threatened in contemporary America, they often express pride in their economic accomplishments and a conviction that their lives are improving. “The biggest fight that we have is [about] identity,” a New York Indian told researchers.
The study Walking a Mile: A First Step Toward Mutual Understanding is based on 12 focus groups -- seven with Indians and five with non-Indians -- conducted by researchers from the nonpartisan public opinion research organization Public Agenda. Such focus groups provide qualitative information on how the participants view the place of American Indians in the United States today, but more opinion research and polling is needed to reveal how widely held those views are, according to experts.
“This was exploratory research ... designed to pose as many questions as it answered,” Public Agenda’s Michael Remaley told USINFO. “Clearly, there is much more to be done to further the conversation nationally.”
Read this very interesting story here: http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2007&m=October&x=200710181452191CJsamohT0.7733576
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Do you know...
John Echohawk, a member of the Pawnee Tribe of Oklahoma, has served as the Executive Director of the Native American Rights Fund (NARF) since 1977.
The first graduate of a special law program for Native Americans at the University of New Mexico, he has become a leading force in Indian Law and policy and has been involved in cases supporting Indian rights all over the country.
As one of the most sought after experts on Indian issues, he is often asked to serve on special commissions that will affect tribes everywhere. He has won numerous awards over the years for his devotion to improving the lives of Indian tribes and individuals.
He is also listed as one of 100 Native Americans Who Shaped American History.
The first graduate of a special law program for Native Americans at the University of New Mexico, he has become a leading force in Indian Law and policy and has been involved in cases supporting Indian rights all over the country.
As one of the most sought after experts on Indian issues, he is often asked to serve on special commissions that will affect tribes everywhere. He has won numerous awards over the years for his devotion to improving the lives of Indian tribes and individuals.
He is also listed as one of 100 Native Americans Who Shaped American History.
Last living speaker works to keep NorCal tribe's language alive
The Arizona Daily Star - Tucson, AR
CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. (AP) — As a child in the 1950s, Loretta Kelsey grew up hearing the sounds of Elem Pomo, an 8,000-year-old dialect spoken by early peoples of Northern California along the shores of Clear Lake in Lake County.
Since then, as an older generation passed away, the language they spoke went with them. According to scholars, 59-year-old Kelsey is the last fluent speaker of Elem Pomo alive today.
But Kelsey is not content to let her native language die with her. Instead, she has teamed up with a prominent University of California linguist to teach and document Elem Pomo to keep its words — and the culture they represent — alive in the 21st century.
"Our language is really right here. It's in our ceremonies, our lives, our people, our ways," Kelsey said, gesturing to her reservation along the lake's southern edge. "You keep the language alive, you help keep all of this alive."
When Kelsey was growing up, her mother spoke no English, only Elem Pomo. At the time, many members of the 250-person tribe were fluent. The past decades have seen members die off, join new churches or leave the reservation for jobs.
The complete article is here: http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/203904
CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. (AP) — As a child in the 1950s, Loretta Kelsey grew up hearing the sounds of Elem Pomo, an 8,000-year-old dialect spoken by early peoples of Northern California along the shores of Clear Lake in Lake County.
Since then, as an older generation passed away, the language they spoke went with them. According to scholars, 59-year-old Kelsey is the last fluent speaker of Elem Pomo alive today.
But Kelsey is not content to let her native language die with her. Instead, she has teamed up with a prominent University of California linguist to teach and document Elem Pomo to keep its words — and the culture they represent — alive in the 21st century.
"Our language is really right here. It's in our ceremonies, our lives, our people, our ways," Kelsey said, gesturing to her reservation along the lake's southern edge. "You keep the language alive, you help keep all of this alive."
When Kelsey was growing up, her mother spoke no English, only Elem Pomo. At the time, many members of the 250-person tribe were fluent. The past decades have seen members die off, join new churches or leave the reservation for jobs.
The complete article is here: http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/203904
The Heyteyneytah Project
Star Tribune - Casper, Wyoming
Horses helped heal the spirit of Stanford Addison after a truck accident paralyzed him 28 years ago. Now, Addison uses horses to help heal at-risk youth. He calls it the Heyteyneytah Project, a nonprofit program incorporating his gentle horse training techniques. In Arapaho, Addison's native tribe, heyteyneytah means respect.
While many of the youth who find their way to the Addison Ranch are from around the Wind River Indian Reservation, kids from Colorado, California, Iowa and Illinois have lived with Addison and learned his techniques. Addison supports these kids largely out of his own pocket.But he's looking to expand his program.
For the past year, he's been working with the Wind River Development Fund, a nonprofit community development corporation. With its help, he is developing a small business plan that will make his ranch more financially viable, said Lisa Wagner, executive director.
"What he does is very much a community service in terms of working with youth," she said.
Besides his work with kids, Addison also hosts several horse-training clinics a year. In those, participants learn to connect with a horse, saddle-break it and ride it all in one day. People come from around the world for these clinics.
To learn more about the Heyteyneytah Project or to help, contact the Wind River Development Fund at (307) 335-7330 or call Addison at (307) 349-8669.
On the net:
*See a video of Addison using his training techniques on an Arabian filly at casperstartribune.net and click on this story.
* www.wrdf.org
* www.stanaddison.com
Horses helped heal the spirit of Stanford Addison after a truck accident paralyzed him 28 years ago. Now, Addison uses horses to help heal at-risk youth. He calls it the Heyteyneytah Project, a nonprofit program incorporating his gentle horse training techniques. In Arapaho, Addison's native tribe, heyteyneytah means respect.
While many of the youth who find their way to the Addison Ranch are from around the Wind River Indian Reservation, kids from Colorado, California, Iowa and Illinois have lived with Addison and learned his techniques. Addison supports these kids largely out of his own pocket.But he's looking to expand his program.
For the past year, he's been working with the Wind River Development Fund, a nonprofit community development corporation. With its help, he is developing a small business plan that will make his ranch more financially viable, said Lisa Wagner, executive director.
"What he does is very much a community service in terms of working with youth," she said.
Besides his work with kids, Addison also hosts several horse-training clinics a year. In those, participants learn to connect with a horse, saddle-break it and ride it all in one day. People come from around the world for these clinics.
To learn more about the Heyteyneytah Project or to help, contact the Wind River Development Fund at (307) 335-7330 or call Addison at (307) 349-8669.
On the net:
*See a video of Addison using his training techniques on an Arabian filly at casperstartribune.net and click on this story.
* www.wrdf.org
* www.stanaddison.com
Taste of the Plains
By: Jonnie Taté Finn
KYLE - Entrepreneurs on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation hope a four-inch energy bar that mimics a traditional Lakota recipe will provide a boost to both people's health and the area's lagging economy.
Health professionals and tribal members say the Tanka Bar, made of dried buffalo meat and berries, is an innovative way to improve people's health and their pocketbooks in a place where diabetes and poverty are major issues.
"It was pretty good," Lori Whirlwind Horse said after sampling the product, which makes its official debut during the 21st annual He Sapa Wacipi na Oskate (Black Hills Pow Wow) in Rapid City Oct. 5.
Whirlwind Horse said the recipe is comparable to the one her mother uses to make wasna for traditional ceremonies, such as sun dances or peyote meetings.
"I think it's a good idea" to market a traditional food. "It's how we used to live a long time ago. It's healthy. But I think (non-Natives) will have to acquire a taste for it, since everything these days is fast food, and this doesn't taste like fast food.
"That was the point, said Karlene Hunter, chief executive officer and co-founder of Native American Natural Foods, the company behind the Tanka Bar.
Read more here: http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070928/NEWS/709280329/1001
KYLE - Entrepreneurs on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation hope a four-inch energy bar that mimics a traditional Lakota recipe will provide a boost to both people's health and the area's lagging economy.
Health professionals and tribal members say the Tanka Bar, made of dried buffalo meat and berries, is an innovative way to improve people's health and their pocketbooks in a place where diabetes and poverty are major issues.
"It was pretty good," Lori Whirlwind Horse said after sampling the product, which makes its official debut during the 21st annual He Sapa Wacipi na Oskate (Black Hills Pow Wow) in Rapid City Oct. 5.
Whirlwind Horse said the recipe is comparable to the one her mother uses to make wasna for traditional ceremonies, such as sun dances or peyote meetings.
"I think it's a good idea" to market a traditional food. "It's how we used to live a long time ago. It's healthy. But I think (non-Natives) will have to acquire a taste for it, since everything these days is fast food, and this doesn't taste like fast food.
"That was the point, said Karlene Hunter, chief executive officer and co-founder of Native American Natural Foods, the company behind the Tanka Bar.
Read more here: http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070928/NEWS/709280329/1001
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