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Canku Ota
(Many Paths)
An Online Newsletter Celebrating Native America

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June 2015 - Volume 13 Number 6
 
 
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"'Neenjit dagoonch'uu"
The Gwich'in Greeting
Hello. How are you?
 
 

Texas Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum), photo Stephan Lorenz
 
 
"Msheke'kesis"
Month of the Turtle
Potawatomi
 
 
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"A Warrior is challenged to assume responsibility, practice humility, and display the power of giving, and then center his or her life around a core of spirituality. I challenge today's youth to live like a warrior."
~Billy Mills~
 
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We Salute
Makayla Sage

Makayla Sage thought it was going to be just another Denver March Powwow with her family. But as one of the largest powwows in the world came to a close, they read the bio of the next Denver March Princess and announced her name.

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Our Featured Artist: Honoring Students
John Nieto Painting Selected For Commemorative Poster

"Feather Dancer," an acrylic on canvas painting by Southwestern artist Paul Nieto, has been selected for the commemorative poster for the 29th annual Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence Academic Awards Banquet and Ceremony.

 
Record Number Of Students To Graduate From MSU Program That Prepares American Indian School Leaders

A record number of students is expected to graduate this spring from a Montana State University program that prepares American Indian educators for leadership positions in schools with high populations of American Indian students.

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Our Featured Story: First Person History:
The Cherokee Leader Who Paved The Way For MLK

Studying the 19th century is like being a parent. You have flashes of recognition that your children behave as you once did. You wonder if your ancestors acted like you, too.

 

History of the
Ottawa and Chippewa Indians
of Michigan

Chapter Four
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News and Views Banner
Education News Education News
Wisconsin Tribal School District Sees Value In Hiring More Native Teachers

For years, the Menominee Indian School District has posted some of the worst test scores and graduation rates in Wisconsin. While the district still struggles, it has been on an upswing, particularly when it comes to graduation rates.

One likely reason - it now employs more teachers who share the students’ culture and history.

 
Animals Take Center Stage At Brighton 4-H Show, Sale

The cold, rainy and blustery evening of March 27 soaked the Brighton 4-H grounds but didn't dampen the spirits of 76 young competitors who vied for wins with their steer, heifer, hog or small animal at the Seminole Indian 4-H Show and Sale. While friends and relatives encouraged them from the stands, 4-H'ers from each reservation showed determination in the ring as they displayed 52 hogs, 24 steers, 2 heifer yearlings and 19 small animals for the judges.

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Education News Education News
Iohahi:io Programs Closing Ceremonies

Students that had put in two years of hard work were recognized last week and those who supported them were honored as well.

Iohahi:io Adult Education Social Services and Business programs held their closing ceremonies last week. Master of Ceremonies Margaret Lafrance, Acting Program Manager, explained this was not an official graduation event, as that will be held in June at the St. Lawrence College campus in Cornwall. But it was to recognize students and families who worked together to get the student to school on time and prepared.

 
Iowa Tribe Of Oklahoma Bison Leading The Herd In Oklahoma School Lunch Program

A high-fat, high-sodium, low-fiber menu is a typical lunch at many American elementary schools. Deep-fried popcorn chicken, tiny taters tots, bread, barbecue sauce, ketchup, and milk are menu mainstays routinely featured alongside fatty items such as pizza, french fries, hot dogs, and a mystery pork product called “ribicue.” On a national level these typical offerings to school age children have galvanized not only high-profile chefs such as Jamie Oliver and Rachael Ray but also First Lady Michelle Obama.

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Preserving language Preserving Language
Osage Youth Win Big At Oklahoma Native American Youth Language Fair

Students and their families woke up extra early on April 6 and 7 to make the yearly trip to compete in the 13th annual Oklahoma Native American Youth Language Fair in Norman.

Held every year at the Sam Noble Museum of Natural History at the University of Oklahoma, students demonstrate their indigenous language skills in several categories throughout the two-day competition.

 
Fluent Osage Speakers Are A Priority

The state of Osage language preservation has reached a critical point and Osage Nation Chief, Geoffrey Standing Bear, just months after his inauguration, is making Osage language immersion a priority. The Chief's plans include the continued collaboration of the Osage Nation Language Program with Dhegiha speakers, other relevant departmental resources, and the language immersion methods and instructors from other Dhegiha nations.

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Education News Education News
Ojibwe Mural Completed At ERATS

A makwa looks out from her den and a gookookoo’oo is nestled inside a hole in a tree trunk. Meanwhile, a family of waawaahkeshi prance nearby and a migizi soars overhead.

The bear and owl, deer and eagle — along with many other animals — all have a home at the East Range Academy of Technology and Science.

They are part of the school’s newest — and only Ojibwe-themed — mural.

 
LaFayette Players Bust Out The Wooden Lacrosse Sticks, Even For Lancers Games

Defensive midfielder Emerson Shenandoah of the LaFayette High School lacrosse team wields the elegant, hand-carved piece of hickory like a scepter during a Friday afternoon practice. He effortlessly extends the "woody" into passing lanes, intercepting balls or knocking them down. In drills, he scoops up ground balls and flicks accurate passes to teammates on the fly.

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Living Traditions Living Traditions

Annual Native American Flute Retreat Continues To Attract Visitors To Indian Country

For decades families have experienced the beauty and culture of the Lac du Flambeau Ojibwe at the Tribe's historic "Indian Bowl."
 

DNA From Skull Links Ice Age Girl To Native Americans Alive Today

The divers called her Naia, for "water nymph," because they discovered her teenage remains in a dark, underwater cave in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula.
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Living Traditions Living Traditions
Inter-Tribal Warriors Gather For Rafting Trip On Smith River

The water was so clear it was hard to tell where the sky ended and the river began. Every rock and pebble was visible beneath the surface and sunlit mountains shrouded in darks forests towered above the river.

 
Traditional Potawatomi Gambling And Sport Exhibit Showcased At Grand Casino and Resort

For the Potawatomi, games of chance and competition are part of the Tribe's long history.

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Traditions   Traditions
Wampum Visions Opens at NNATC

Wampum Visions, an exhibit currently on display at The Native North American Traveling College held its opening night on April 29, 2015. The Wampum Visions exhibit demonstrates the importance of wampum to the Haudenosaunee. In its simplest form, wampum are beads made from various purple and white mollusk shells, usually referred to as the quahog shell that is found on the coastal waters of northeastern Untied States. All belts in the exhibit are replicas, except two belts made of real quahog shells – wampum. Making wampum from real quahog shells is a time consuming and intensive process and in as much, it presents the true meaning and importance of each belt in our culture, in our history and in even now our contemporary times.

 
American Indians Serve In The U.S. Military In Greater Numbers Than Any Ethnic Group And Have Since The Revolution

On this Memorial Day holiday, as we remember those who have given their lives in service to our country while protecting the freedoms and ideals we hold dear, many of our fellow Americans remain unaware of the major contributions Native Americans have made to our nation's armed forces. In fact, American Indians serve in their country's armed forces in greater numbers per capita than any other ethnic group, and they have served with distinction in every major conflict for over 200 years.

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In Every Issue Banner
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.)
Nature's Beauty:
Texas Horned Lizard
 
This Issue's Web sites
 
A Story To Share:
Horned Toad and the Giants
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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 © 2000 - 2015 of Vicki Williams Barry and Paul Barry.
 

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