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Canku Ota
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(Many Paths)
An Online Newsletter Celebrating Native America
 
 
 
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Favorite Web Sites
 
 
collected by Paul and Vicki
 
San Xavier Co-op Farm
The story of the farm, as with all life, begins with water. The Santa Cruz River is the life blood of the people who settled in this valley thousands of years ago. Agriculture and working with the seasons of the river has been the way people have flourished here for so many generations.

http://www.sanxaviercoop.org
Sealaska Heritage Institute
Sealaska Heritage Institute is a private nonprofit founded in 1980 to promote cultural diversity and cross-cultural understanding through public services and events. Sealaska Heritage Institute also conducts social scientific and public policy research and advocacy that promotes Alaska Native arts, cultures, history and education statewide. The institute is governed by a Board of Trustees and guided by a Council of Traditional Scholars, a Native Artist Committee and a Southeast Regional Language Committee. Its mission is to perpetuate and enhance Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian cultures of Southeast Alaska.

http://www.sealaskaheritage.org
Anpo Wicahpi - The Pine Ridge Girls' School
Through an academically rigorous program grounded in Lakota culture, language, and values, The Pine Ridge Girls's School aims to empower the young women of Pine Ridge by fostering self-respect, a love of learning, and leadership qualities to help them serve and shape their world.

http://www.pineridgegirlsschool.com
Chickasaw Press
The goal of Chickasaw Press is to preserve, perpetuate, and provide an awareness of Chickasaw history and culture by: generating and publishing research and scholarship about Chickasaw history and culture; making such scholarship accessible to Chickasaw people; exercising “cultural and intellectual sovereignty” by adhering to ethical and culturally appropriate research and publication practices; providing an outlet for Chickasaw authors and scholars.

https://www.chickasawpress.com/home.aspx
C is for Chickasaw
C is for Chickasaw walks children through the letters of the alphabet, sharing elements of Chickasaw history, language, and culture along the way.Writing with multiple age groups in mind, Wiley Barnes has skillfully crafted rhyming verse that will capture and engage a younger child’s imagination, while also including in-depth explanations of each object or concept that will resonate with older children. The colorful illustrations by Aaron Long reflect elements of Southeastern Native American art and serve to familiarize children with aspects of this distinctive artistic style. A supplementary section with questions and activities provides a springboard for further discussion and learning.

https://www.chickasawpress.com/Books/C-is-for-Chickasaw.aspx
Holding Our World Together: Ojibwe Women and the Survival of Community by Brenda J. Child
In this well-researched and deeply felt account, Brenda J. Child, a professor and a member of the Red Lake Ojibwe tribe, gives Native American women their due, detailing the many ways in which they have shaped Native American life. She illuminates the lives of women such as Madeleine Cadotte, who became a powerful mediator between her people and European fur traders, and Gertrude Buckanaga, whose postwar community activism in Minneapolis helped bring many Indian families out of poverty. Moving from the early days of trade with Europeans through the reservation era and beyond, Child offers a powerful tribute to the courageous women who sustained Native American communities through the darkest challenges of the past three centuries.

http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/297099/holding-our-world-together-by-brenda-j-child/9780143121596/
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E.B. White
In the world of children's literature, E.B. White is a super-star: the author of three beloved classics "Stuart Little," "Charlotte's Web," and "The Trumpet of the Swan." He also co-authored my favorite guide to the writer's craft, "Elements of Style."
Biography: E.B. White
Born Elwyn Brooks White, on July 11, 1899, in Mount Vernon, New York, White was never fond of his name. ""I never liked Elwyn. My mother just hung it on me because she'd run out of names. I was her sixth child." Visit this biography for quick facts, a short biography, and links to other famous writers.

https://www.biography.com/people/eb-white-9529308
Fact Monster: Stuart Little
In 1999, after a successful half-century as a "quietly beloved literary figure," Stuart Little made a splash on the big screen in Sony's live-action/computer-animated film. The movie doesn't follow the book's tone or plot, but it was a huge success. Visit Fact Monster for more on how both the book and the movie were received by critics and the public.

https://www.factmonster.com/stuart-little
HarperCollins Children's: Charlotte's Web
This official site from White's publisher includes a short biography, a book summary, and a letter from E.B. White. Where did the idea for Stuart Little come from? "Well, many years ago I went to bed one night in a railway sleeping car, and during the night I dreamed about a tiny boy who acted rather like a mouse. That's how the story of Stuart Little got started."

http://www.harpercollinschildrens.com/HarperChildrens/kids/gamesandcontests/features/charlottesweb/default.aspx
Literary Traveler: E. B. White: A Shy Man Fond of Creatures
"Like many other famous writers, E.B.White (1899-1985) was a shy man. He avoided most parties and public appearances." Stop by for a charming biography, and a look at the gifts that White gave the world. In a 1961 article in the New York Times, White wrote, "All that I ever hope to say in books is that I love the world. I guess you can find that in there, if you dig around. Animals are part of my world and I try to report them faithfully and with respect."

http://www.literarytraveler.com/articles/eb_white_maine/

New York Times: Adam Gopnik on an E.B. White Biography for Kids
A book review from the New York Times, not of any of White's children's books, but rather of an illustrated biography of White, written for children. "Assembled as a kind of mock old-fashioned scrapbook, in a crowded, homespun style mixing old snapshots and new drawings, Sweet's book begins with the incidents of White's early life that left him permanently scared, if not scarred, by public speaking or a public presence of any kind."

https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/13/books/review/e-b-white-biography-for-kids-some-writer-melissa-sweet.html

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Dog Breeds
Dogs have been cross-bred for thousands of years, resulting in a hundreds of breeds. The American Kennel Club, however, recognizes just 157 dog breeds, although most people could probably name fewer than a dozen. Whether you are trying to find the right dog breed for your family, or just want to learn more about dogs, you'll surely find these sites both educational and entertaining.
American Kennel Club: Breeds
The American Kennel Club has an excellent collection of alphabetic breed descriptions. Hover your mouse over Breeds in the main menu, and you'll also find Compare Breeds and a Breed Selector. Visit Resources (also on the main menu) for lots of great info on dog care, health and training. "A reliable recall, or 'come when called,' might be the most important thing to teach your dog. It can also be hard to teach, usually because we unwittingly sabotage the effort. But it's simple! The trick is to be irresistible."

http://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/
Animal Planet: Dog Breed Selector
"What level of energy would you like your dog to have? Most people think they want an energetic dog. Think twice before you choose a high-energy breed, however, because a dog in constant motion may be unnerving or annoying to you." Answer ten easy questions to get suggestions about which breeds are a match for your needs. Results include thumbnail photos, and links to breed summaries.

http://www.animalplanet.com/breed-selector/dog-breeds.html
Dog Luvers: Dog Breeds Selector
Start your pet search by selecting a dog trait that is important to you, such as Watchdog Abilities or Sociableness. Then drill down with sub-categories, until your results are displayed in alphabetic order. To explore related dogs, you can follow tags such as groups (Working Dogs or Pastoral Dogs), dog size, or temperament (loyal, obedient, or friendly). Dog Luvers also organizes their dog breed summaries in an alphabetic, encyclopedia format.

http://www.dogluvers.com
Dogtime: All Dog Breed Profiles
Dogtime's dog breed profiles are displayed in a photo gallery, making it super easy for little kids to peruse it. From Affeninscher (bred to be ratters in homes and barns) to Yorkshire Terrier (the most popular toy dog breed in the U.S.), you'll find all favorites listed in one scrollable page. Click through to the detail page for even more breed photos.

http://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/profiles

Fact Retriever: 100 Fun Facts about Dogs
Now for something a little different: a list of 100 random dog facts. "#12. Pekingese and Japanese Chins were so important in the ancient Far East that they had their own servants and were carried around trade routes as gifts for kings and emperors. Pekingese were even worshiped in the temples of China for centuries."

https://www.factretriever.com/dog-facts

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Solar Eclipse
On August 21, 2017, a total solar eclipse will cut a path across the continental United States from Oregon to South Carolina. Because this is the first time in nearly a hundred years that a total solar eclipse will touch both coasts, it has been dubbed "The Great American Eclipse." Check out the following sites for more details on how to safely watch an eclipse (NEVER look directly at the sun) and what strange and beautiful spectacles you can expect.
American Astronomical Society: Solar Eclipse
For North Americans, the "Moon will cover at least part of the Sun for two to three hours. Halfway through, anyone within a narrow path from Oregon to South Carolina will experience a brief total eclipse. The Moon will completely block the Sun's bright face for up to 2 minutes 40 seconds. Day will turn into night, and (weather permitting) one of nature's most awesome sights will become visible: the Sun's diaphanous outer atmosphere, or corona. This website is your guide to the event!"

https://eclipse.aas.org
American Eclipse 2017
"This much anticipated eclipse [of August 7, 2017] is likely to be the most watched, most photographed and most televised astronomical event of a generation. The path of totality will begin in the middle of the North Pacific Ocean then race across no less than 14 states of the USA from West to East plunging the landscape in to darkness for over 2 minutes." Visit for interactive maps, totality timings, weather prospects, news and information about how to watch the eclipse.

http://www.americaneclipse2017.org
Eclipse2017.org
Eclipse2017.org is published by Dan McGlaun, a self-proclaimed "eclipse junkie." It includes sections on What is an Eclipse?, Prepare for the Eclipse, and Eye Safety, and lots of maps. One of the maps is a Google map that will answer the question: "What time will I see the eclipse in my town?"

http://www.eclipse2017.org
Exploratorium: Total Solar Eclipse
For those that can't make it to the live "show", the Exploratorium and NASA will be "filming the event from two different locations and sharing it with the world by live stream. Audiences can watch live on this website or via our mobile phone app." Visit the website before the eclipse to learn more about eclipses, and how to view them safely.

https://www.exploratorium.edu/eclipse/

NASA: Eclipse 2017
Anyone within the path of totality (where the moon completely covers the sun) will be able to see the sun's atmosphere, known as its corona. Outside the path of totality, the show will still be pretty amazing, but the sun will only be partially covered. "NASA created this website to provide a guide to this amazing event. Here you will find activities, events, broadcasts, and resources from NASA and our partners across the nation."

https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov

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Underground Railroad
The term "underground railroad" was first used around 1830 to describe the loosely organized system that helped thousands of black American slaves escape to the northern states and Canada. The most heavily traveled routes ran through Ohio, Indiana and western Pennsylvania. Follow me as we learn more about the heroes who helped so many find freedom.

Fergus Bordewich: Underground Railroad Timeline
"LATE 1790S: Quaker Isaac T. Hopper and African-American collaborators begin helping fugitive slaves in Philadelphia. Their cooperation set the pattern for the Underground Railroad." Author, journalist Fergus Bordewich offers this illustrated timeline as a supplement to his book: "Bound for Canaan," published in 2005. It starts at the end of the eighteenth century, and ends eighty years later when African-American men won the right to vote.

http://www.fergusbordewich.com/underground-railroad-timeline.html

National Geographic: The Underground Railroad
Although this interactive adventure for elementary- and middle-school students is eight-years old, it is still a worthwhile stop. Step into the role of a slave belonging to a Maryland farmer in the 1850s. "Your soul lights up when you hear whispers of attempted escape. Freedom means a hard, dangerous trek. Do you try it?" Yes? Or no? Your choice.

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/features/99/railroad/j1.html

National Park Service: Aboard the Underground Railroad
The underground railroad "provided an opportunity for sympathetic white Americans to play a role in resisting slavery, and brought together, however uneasily at times, men and women of both races to begin to set aside assumptions about the other race and to work together on issues of mutual concern. " Read the introduction, peruse the map, and learn more from the historic Underground Railroad sites that are part of our National Park Service.

https://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/underground/

Pathways to Freedom: Maryland and the Underground Railroad
This site from Maryland Public Television is my Underground Railroad pick of the day. It includes answers to fifteen frequently asked questions ("If the Underground Railroad was such a secret, how do we know about it today?"), and six interactive activities such as Following the Footsteps, and Mapping it Out. "How did the geography of Maryland sometimes help and sometimes hurt escaping slaves? Why was the Mason-Dixon line so important to escaping slaves?"

http://pathways.thinkport.org/flash_home.cfm

Scholastic: Escape from Slavery
Although created for teachers, this Scholastic site has many resources for students, including slideshows, primary sources such as illustrations and news articles, and an interactive Escape from Slavery activity. "My name is Walter, and I was born a slave, in Virginia. I've been working these tobacco fields since I was a boy. Planting . . . harvesting . . . binding and stacking. Backbreaking work, sunup to sundown."

http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/bhistory/underground_railroad/

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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 - 2017 of Vicki Williams Barry and Paul Barry.
 
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