Canku Ota - Nov. 18, 2000

Canku Ota

(Many Paths)

An Online Newsletter Celebrating Native America

November 18, 2000 - Issue 23

"Neenjit dagoonch'uu "

Gwich'in

How Are You?

"Cauyarvik"

Time of Drumming Moon

Inuit (Bristol Bay)

"The First Americans hold a unique place in our history. Long before others came to our shores, the First Americans had established self-governing societies. Among their societies, democracy flourished long before the founding of our Nation."

President William Jefferson Clinton

We Salute
Alwyn Morris

TORONTO -- When Olympic gold-medal paddler Alwyn Morris was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame last week, it marked one more step down the long trail to recognition for aboriginal athletes.

National American Indian Heritage Month, 2000

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

The information here will include items of interest for and about Native American schools. If you have news to share, please let us know! I can be reached by emailing: Vlockard@aol.com

Artist:
Indigeneous

I recently had the honor of interviewing Mato Nanji, of Indigenous. Mato answered my questions with honesty and humility that is a tribute to those who he says influenced him and the band the most ... his parents.

Here is part of our interview ...

Inuit Art Finds Home

A $2-million collection of Inuit sculptures, prints and cultural artifacts is to finally see the light of day in an unusual display after being kept in a warehouse for nearly 20 years.

The exhibit will feature works recovered from the federal government by the Inuit of Nunavik after the 1975 James Bay agreement.

Native Traditions, Handle Eagle Feathers, Cultural Items With Care
By Dorreen Yellowbird

A Georgia man was charged with trafficking in feathers of bald and golden eagles when he tried to sell an eagle feather headdress over the Internet. The headdress belonged to Geronimo, a famous war chief of the Apache. It is wrong and illegal because obtaining eagle feathers not only reduces their population but erodes the culture of Native people by removing and disrespecting the spirit of the items.

HONORING VETERANS IN INDIAN COUNTRY:
Soldier Dance
by Carter CAmp

Perhaps it is because our ancient societies were organized with a special place for warriors or maybe it is because so many of our young men join the Armed Forces. Whatever the reason Indian Veterans are highly honored in the Native American communities of Oklahoma. Tribal elders know that men coming home from combat have special needs. This was particularly meaningful to returning Indian Veterans during the Viet Nam war. Some Vets may have disembarked in San Francisco from a year of hard fighting only to met by shouting protestors.

Mesa Verde

MESA VERDE, Colo. — Sometime after noon, during one of the hottest, driest days in July, Nature decided it was time to do some housecleaning. With a single bolt of lightning she reduced 24,000 acres of grasses and pines and Utah junipers to ash.

Two weeks later, not satisfied, she made a second strike. This time the fire burned 5,000 acres.

Thanksgiving ... The Rest of the Story

Nunavik Finds Alternatives for Challenged Youth

Any time you see a large group of young people bent over intently at work you can be sure something pretty interesting must be going on.

In this classroom at Puvirnituq’s Iguarsivik School, there’s a lot of activity: Some kids are hammering or cutting, others are painting, and one is painstakingly outlining a design on a piece of leather.

Native Player Learns to Love Hockey

"Dad, I'm going to play hockey."

"Son, you don't even know how to skate."

"I'll learn."

As he glides along the ice at the Arena, it's obvious Jesse Charging Hawk has learned a lot about hockey in the 10 years since that epiphany with his father.

Major General Clarence L. Tinker

An airman of Osage ancestry, Clarence L. Tinker lost his life during World War II while on a combat mission during the Japanese attack on Midway Island in the Pacific, June 7, 1942.

Flandreau Veterans Post Honors Indians

In preparation for Veterans Day, the Lower Sioux Tribe of Morton, Minn., recently presented the Gordon S. Weston Post 6597 here with an eagle staff commemorating the 38 American Indians executed in 1862.

Fernando Cellicion Zuni Dancers in Taiwan

Bronitsky and Associates is proud to announce that the Fernando Cellicion Zuni Dancers will participate in the the "Cross-Century Indigenous Culture Festival" December 27, 2001-January 2, 2001, in Taitung, Taiwan. The Festival is organized by the Indigenous People Affairs Bureau and the Cultural Affairs Bureau of Taitung County Government. Taitung is located in the eastern coast part of Taiwan, which is the home land for several indigenous tribal people in Taiwan. Six international groups have been invited to the event.

Honoring Nations Awards

Beginning last year, Harvard University's project on American Indian Economic Development began recognizing tribes' innovative approaches to tribal governance. This year, 16 finalists were culled from a pool of 70 applicants. On Tuesday, November 15, the Honoring Nations program awarded $10,000 prizes to eight tribes who represent the best of the best.

Said Andrew Lee, director of Harvard's Honoring Nations program: "These kinds of stories are the pride and joy of Indian Country. We're pleased to shine a spotlight on these islands of excellence."

Tribe Joins Together for New Plant Nursery

ARLINGTON, WA -- Tiny twigs, many so small they would sneak through the teeth of a rake, represent a dream of self-sufficiency that's taking root near the muddy banks of the Stillaguamish River.

The Stillaguamish Tribe will break ground Friday for what it hopes will be the county's largest propagation nursery, a place where native plant seedlings and cuttings will temporarily put down their roots, grow large and someday help save salmon.

Navajo Nation Wired to the Net

CRYSTAL, N.M. — Rosemary Moore-Mullahon chops wood to heat her home high in the Chuska Mountains, home to wild turkey, black bear and cougar, and a long way from the nearest telephone line.

When she arrives at the Crystal Chapter House, where the Internet has just been connected, she is excited that it will offer a link with the rest of the world.

"I think it's amazing!" says Moore-Mullahon, a health worker who spends her days visiting Navajo elderly in mountain hogans and cabins.

Massasoit's Treaty with the Pilgrims

Massasoit was a chief of the Wampanoag tribe. Also known as Ousamequin, or "yellow feather," he was born about 1590 in the village of Pokanoket which was near the present-day Bristol, Rhode Island. The peace treaty which Massasoit and the Pilgrims signed on March 22, 1621 was never broken. Because of this agreement, the Wampanoag and Pilgrims lived in peaceful coexistence. Massasoit's friendship with the colonists kept the Wampanoags neutral during the Pequot War of 1636. Until his death in 1661, Massasoit remained a friend an ally of the Pilgrims.

The Legend of the No Face Doll

The three sisters of the Iroquois, Corn, Beans and Squash are the three spirits that sustain life. In the beginning, the Corn spirit was so happy at being a sustainer of life that she asked the Creator for more ways to help her people. So the Creator began forming a doll from her husks, creating for it a beautiful face, and giving it to the children of the Iroquois. But the doll, as it passed from village to vllage and child to child, continually proclaimed her beauty, until she became so vain that the Creator disapproved of her and asked her to refrain from such narcissistic behavior. If she continued, the Creator warned, he would have to punish her.

A Prayer of Thanks

About This Issue's Greeting - "Neenjit dagoonch'uu"

The Gwich'in Athapaskan language has also been known as Loucheux, Kutchin and Tukudh. It is used in Northern Yukon, Northeast Alaska and Northeast N.W.T. The people of the Gwich'in community of Old Crow call themselves the Van Tat-Gwich'in, or people
who live among the lakes (ie., Crow Flats)" (The language is referred to as Kutchin, or Tukudh.)

This Date In History

Recipe: Of The 1600's

Story: Why Buzzard Flies So High

What is this: Turkey Vultures

Project:No Face Doll

This Issue's Web sites

Opportunities
"OPPORTUNITIES" is from sources distributed nationally and includes scholarships, grants, internships, fellowships, and career opportunities as well as announcements for conferences, workshops and symposia.

Canku Ota is a free Newsletter celebrating Native America, its traditions and accomplishments . We do not provide subscriber or visitor names to anyone. Some articles presented in Canku Ota may contain copyright material. We have received appropriate permissions for republishing any articles. Material appearing here is distributed without profit or monetary gain to those who have expressed an interest. This is in accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107.

Canku Ota is a copyright of Vicki Lockard and Paul Barry.

The "Canku Ota - A Newsletter Celebrating Native America" web site and its design is the Copyright © 1999 of Paul C. Barry.
All Rights Reserved.

Native Traditions, Handle Eagle Feathers, Cultural Items With Care By Dorreen Yellowbird A Georgia man was charged with trafficking in feathers of bald and golden eagles when he tried to sell an eagle feather headdress over the Internet. The headdress belonged to Geronimo, a famous war chief of the Apache. It is wrong and illegal because obtaining eagle feathers not only reduces their population but erodes the culture of Native people by removing and disrespecting the spirit of the items.		HONORING VETERANS IN INDIAN COUNTRY: Soldier Dance by Carter CAmp Perhaps it is because our ancient societies were organized with a special place for warriors or maybe it is because so many of our young men join the Armed Forces. Whatever the reason Indian Veterans are highly honored in the Native American communities of Oklahoma. Tribal elders know that men coming home from combat have special needs. This was particularly meaningful to returning Indian Veterans during the Viet Nam war. Some Vets may have disembarked in San Francisco from a year of hard fighting only to met by shouting protestors.


Mesa Verde MESA VERDE, Colo. — Sometime after noon, during one of the hottest, driest days in July, Nature decided it was time to do some housecleaning. With a single bolt of lightning she reduced 24,000 acres of grasses and pines and Utah junipers to ash. Two weeks later, not satisfied, she made a second strike. This time the fire burned 5,000 acres.		Thanksgiving ... The Rest of the Story


Nunavik Finds Alternatives for Challenged Youth Any time you see a large group of young people bent over intently at work you can be sure something pretty interesting must be going on. In this classroom at Puvirnituq’s Iguarsivik School, there’s a lot of activity: Some kids are hammering or cutting, others are painting, and one is painstakingly outlining a design on a piece of leather.		Native Player Learns to Love Hockey "Dad, I'm going to play hockey." "Son, you don't even know how to skate." "I'll learn." As he glides along the ice at the Arena, it's obvious Jesse Charging Hawk has learned a lot about hockey in the 10 years since that epiphany with his father.


Major General Clarence L. Tinker An airman of Osage ancestry, Clarence L. Tinker lost his life during World War II while on a combat mission during the Japanese attack on Midway Island in the Pacific, June 7, 1942.		Flandreau Veterans Post Honors Indians In preparation for Veterans Day, the Lower Sioux Tribe of Morton, Minn., recently presented the Gordon S. Weston Post 6597 here with an eagle staff commemorating the 38 American Indians executed in 1862.


Fernando Cellicion Zuni Dancers in Taiwan Bronitsky and Associates is proud to announce that the Fernando Cellicion Zuni Dancers will participate in the the "Cross-Century Indigenous Culture Festival" December 27, 2001-January 2, 2001, in Taitung, Taiwan. The Festival is organized by the Indigenous People Affairs Bureau and the Cultural Affairs Bureau of Taitung County Government. Taitung is located in the eastern coast part of Taiwan, which is the home land for several indigenous tribal people in Taiwan. Six international groups have been invited to the event.		Honoring Nations Awards Beginning last year, Harvard University's project on American Indian Economic Development began recognizing tribes' innovative approaches to tribal governance. This year, 16 finalists were culled from a pool of 70 applicants. On Tuesday, November 15, the Honoring Nations program awarded $10,000 prizes to eight tribes who represent the best of the best. Said Andrew Lee, director of Harvard's Honoring Nations program: "These kinds of stories are the pride and joy of Indian Country. We're pleased to shine a spotlight on these islands of excellence."


Tribe Joins Together for New Plant Nursery ARLINGTON, WA -- Tiny twigs, many so small they would sneak through the teeth of a rake, represent a dream of self-sufficiency that's taking root near the muddy banks of the Stillaguamish River. The Stillaguamish Tribe will break ground Friday for what it hopes will be the county's largest propagation nursery, a place where native plant seedlings and cuttings will temporarily put down their roots, grow large and someday help save salmon.		Navajo Nation Wired to the Net CRYSTAL, N.M. — Rosemary Moore-Mullahon chops wood to heat her home high in the Chuska Mountains, home to wild turkey, black bear and cougar, and a long way from the nearest telephone line. When she arrives at the Crystal Chapter House, where the Internet has just been connected, she is excited that it will offer a link with the rest of the world. "I think it's amazing!" says Moore-Mullahon, a health worker who spends her days visiting Navajo elderly in mountain hogans and cabins.


Massasoit's Treaty with the Pilgrims Massasoit was a chief of the Wampanoag tribe. Also known as Ousamequin, or "yellow feather," he was born about 1590 in the village of Pokanoket which was near the present-day Bristol, Rhode Island. The peace treaty which Massasoit and the Pilgrims signed on March 22, 1621 was never broken. Because of this agreement, the Wampanoag and Pilgrims lived in peaceful coexistence. Massasoit's friendship with the colonists kept the Wampanoags neutral during the Pequot War of 1636. Until his death in 1661, Massasoit remained a friend an ally of the Pilgrims.		The Legend of the No Face Doll The three sisters of the Iroquois, Corn, Beans and Squash are the three spirits that sustain life. In the beginning, the Corn spirit was so happy at being a sustainer of life that she asked the Creator for more ways to help her people. So the Creator began forming a doll from her husks, creating for it a beautiful face, and giving it to the children of the Iroquois. But the doll, as it passed from village to vllage and child to child, continually proclaimed her beauty, until she became so vain that the Creator disapproved of her and asked her to refrain from such narcissistic behavior. If she continued, the Creator warned, he would have to punish her.


A Prayer of Thanks

This Date In History		Recipe: Of The 1600's

Story: Why Buzzard Flies So High		What is this: Turkey Vultures

Project:No Face Doll		This Issue's Web sites