November 2, 1972: Approximately 500 Native Americans occupy the Bureau of Indian Affairs offices in Washington, D.C.
November 14, 1944: The National Congress of American Indians is founded.
November 16, 1990: The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act is enacted.
November 17, 2000: U.S. gold coin is minted commenorating Sacajawea
November 20, 1969: Native Americans occupy Alcatraz Island claiming right of possession under previous treaties
November 27, 1868: Custer attacks Cheyenne camp on Washita River killing Black Kettle
November 28, 1989: National Museum of the American Indian Act is signed.
November 29, 1864: Sand Creek Massacre. Troops commanded by Colonel John Chivington attack Chief Black Kettle's Cheyenne killing mostly women and children.
Information 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."
Monday, November 12, 2007
Cree Teachings - The Center
As Cree people, we were given the gift of being named for the four parts of
human beings. Nehiyawak, we were called.
It means being balanced in the four parts that are found in the four directions of
the Medicine Wheel. These four parts for human beings are the spiritual,
physical, emotional and mental aspects of the self. We need to try and balance
these four parts that were given to us, to function as people.
The fire is in the centre of the Medicine Wheel. That is where the meaning of the
teachings comes from. For me this fire is also the self. When you look at the
Medicine Wheel, you start from self. And as you look out, you make your circle.
This is how the Medicine Wheel represents the life journey of people.
The old people will tell you it is life itself. Look at the four seasons and follow the
sun. Spring in the east, summer in the south, fall in the west and winter in the
north. It tells the whole story of how all life came into being abundantly bright,
rising in the east and then fading away as it moves west and north. All life rises
and sets like the sun.
What we do in between is our journey. This is where the gifts of the four
directions are needed - the gifts of the spirit, physical body, emotions and mind -
and where we need to find balance within these four realms. Today, many
people are out of balance because they tend to only favour two realms of self,
the mental and the physical. They forget to look after their spiritual
Excerpt from Four Directions Teachings.com. http://www.fourdirectionsteachings.com/transcripts/cree.pdf
human beings. Nehiyawak, we were called.
It means being balanced in the four parts that are found in the four directions of
the Medicine Wheel. These four parts for human beings are the spiritual,
physical, emotional and mental aspects of the self. We need to try and balance
these four parts that were given to us, to function as people.
The fire is in the centre of the Medicine Wheel. That is where the meaning of the
teachings comes from. For me this fire is also the self. When you look at the
Medicine Wheel, you start from self. And as you look out, you make your circle.
This is how the Medicine Wheel represents the life journey of people.
The old people will tell you it is life itself. Look at the four seasons and follow the
sun. Spring in the east, summer in the south, fall in the west and winter in the
north. It tells the whole story of how all life came into being abundantly bright,
rising in the east and then fading away as it moves west and north. All life rises
and sets like the sun.
What we do in between is our journey. This is where the gifts of the four
directions are needed - the gifts of the spirit, physical body, emotions and mind -
and where we need to find balance within these four realms. Today, many
people are out of balance because they tend to only favour two realms of self,
the mental and the physical. They forget to look after their spiritual
Excerpt from Four Directions Teachings.com. http://www.fourdirectionsteachings.com/transcripts/cree.pdf
Humor
Sally was driving home from one of her business trips in Northern Arizona when she saw an elderly Navajo woman walking on the side of the road. As the trip was a long and quiet one, she stopped the car and asked the Navajo woman if she would like a ride. With a silent nod of thanks, the woman got into the car.
Resuming the journey, Sally tried in vain to make a bit of small talk with the Navajo woman. The oldwoman just sat silently, looking intently at everything she saw, studying every little detail, until she noticed a brown bag on the seat next to Sally.
"What in bag?" asked the old woman.
Sally looked down at the brown bag and said, "It's a bottle of wine. I got it for my husband."
The Navajo woman was silent for another moment or two. Then speaking with the quiet wisdom of an elder, she said: "Good trade....."
Resuming the journey, Sally tried in vain to make a bit of small talk with the Navajo woman. The oldwoman just sat silently, looking intently at everything she saw, studying every little detail, until she noticed a brown bag on the seat next to Sally.
"What in bag?" asked the old woman.
Sally looked down at the brown bag and said, "It's a bottle of wine. I got it for my husband."
The Navajo woman was silent for another moment or two. Then speaking with the quiet wisdom of an elder, she said: "Good trade....."
Featured Website: Native Spirit
Welcome to Native Spirit. We are proud to provide you with an opportunity to take a step into the culture and dances of Native America. The southwest has become one of the few places in the world where people can come to appreciate and learn about the original inhabitants of this beautiful land we have come to share.
Through our entertaining as well as educational presentations you will see dances that have survived thousands of years. You will witness the beauty and grace of color and movement as the air resonates with the beautiful and rhythmic sounds of the first nations. During the shows you will get an opportunity to learn the origins as well as the purpose of many of the dances and be thoroughly entertained with appropriate humor. Pinagigi (Thank you)
Video's, music, and more can be found on this website. Be sure to check it out. http://www.nativespirit.com/home.htm
Through our entertaining as well as educational presentations you will see dances that have survived thousands of years. You will witness the beauty and grace of color and movement as the air resonates with the beautiful and rhythmic sounds of the first nations. During the shows you will get an opportunity to learn the origins as well as the purpose of many of the dances and be thoroughly entertained with appropriate humor. Pinagigi (Thank you)
Video's, music, and more can be found on this website. Be sure to check it out. http://www.nativespirit.com/home.htm
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