Issue 39
In This Issue:
1) Welcome Letter by Sibyl McLendon
2) The World Card by Eagle Dancing
3) How Coyote Stole Fire Cherokee Legend
4) Cultural Theft by Terri Jean
5) The Power Of Music
6) Links to other articles
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Welcome Letter
by Sibyl McLendon
Yá'át'ééh! Mitakuye Oyasin (We are all related). A new month is upon
us, and summer is almost gone. Yesterday was my grandson Anthony's
seventh birthday. Hard for me to believe. I sometimes feel like I am
stuck inside a Frank Sinatra song... "As the days dwindle down to a
precious few..." I guess I am just feeling my age. It is kind of like
getting my picture taken which, like a lot of people, I hate. Anymore,
I always feel like some old lady jumped in front of me just as the photo
is being taken! Who is that grey-haired woman, anyway? Ah well, can't
fight time. I remember what my mother used to say when people told her
that they hated getting older. She just smiled and said, "Consider the
alternative."
She had the right idea. She had a needlepoint pillow that said, "Screw
the golden years" and a coffee mug that said, "First I stood, and now
I
stoop... getting old is pigeon poop." And she died with a
huge smile
on her face. That's how I want to go: satisfied, at peace and ready.
I tucked a bookmark into Anthony's birthday card that says, "Everyday is
a gift, that's why we call it The Present." Cliche, but true. Grab
every day and squeeze it for all it is worth. One of them is going to
be the last one, and I want to have enjoyed every second of it.
Have a wonderful and blessed week, everyone. A mouse in Tucson cares
about you.
Sibyl
---> New email address! navajo-@hotmail.com
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The first peace, which is the most important, is that which comes within
the souls of people when they realize their relationship, their oneness
with the universe and all its powers, and when they realize that at the
center of the universe dwells the Great Spirit, and that this center is
really everywhere, it is within each of us.
~Black Elk - Oglala Sioux
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The World Card
by Eagle Dancing
The World card is the final card in the major arcana. It is a symbol
for completion. It features an oval wreath, with a woman inside. A
creature from the Wheel of Fortune card is depicted in each of the four
corners. This card is associated with the planet Saturn.
Meaning:
You have reached the end of a major cycle in your life. There is a
feeling of completion and accomplishment. You are successful and
fulfilled. Everything is in balance. One door has closed, but another
is opening, and there is celebration because of it. Enjoy your
achievements, and expect the best.
Reversed:
Everything is delayed, and you are feeling frustrated. You are avoiding
the completion of something. You cannot avoid it forever. Even if you
think you are done with something, you are not. The world card is still
positive, even when it is reversed. These changes are necessary, and
once you have found the courage to bring something to its conclusion,
all will be right again.
This ends the major arcana cards, next time I will begin the
interpretation of the minor arcana cards.
Eagle Dancing is Bobby McLendon. You can get a reading with him by
going to http://www.keen.com/eagledancing1
or by going to http://www.eagledancing.com
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How Coyote Stole Fire
Cherokee
Long ago, when man was newly come into the world, there were days when
he was the happiest creature of all. Those were the days when spring
brushed across the willow tails, or when his children ripened with the
blueberries in the sun of summer, or when the goldenrod bloomed in the
autumn haze.
But always the mists of autumn evenings grew more chill, and the sun's
strokes grew shorter. Then man saw winter moving near, and he became
fearful and unhappy. He was afraid for his children, and for the
grandfathers and grandmothers who carried in their heads the sacred
tales of the tribe. Many of these, young and old, would die in the long,
ice-bitter months of winter.
Coyote, like the rest of the People, had no need for fire. So he seldom
concerned himself with it, until one spring day when he was passing a
human village. There the women were singing a song of mourning for the
babies and the old ones who had died in the winter. Their voices moaned
like the west wind through a buffalo skull, prickling the hairs on
Coyote's neck.
"Feel how the sun is now warm on our backs," one of the men was
saying.
"Feel how it warms the earth and makes these stones hot to the touch. If
only we could have had a small piece of the sun in our teepees during
the winter."
Coyote, overhearing this, felt sorry for the men and women. He also felt
that there was something he could do to help them. He knew of a faraway
mountain-top where the three Fire Beings lived. These Beings kept fire
to themselves, guarding it carefully for fear that man might somehow
acquire it and become as strong as they. Coyote saw that he could do a
good turn for man at the expense of these selfish Fire Beings.
So Coyote went to the mountain of the Fire Beings and crept to its top,
to watch the way that the Beings guarded their fire. As he came near,
the Beings leaped to their feet and gazed searchingly round their camp.
Their eyes glinted like bloodstones, and their hands were clawed like
the
talons of the great black vulture.
"What's that? What's that I hear?" hissed one of the Beings.
"A thief, skulking in the bushes!" screeched another.
The third looked more closely, and saw Coyote. But he had gone to the
mountain-top on all fours, so the Being thought she saw only an ordinary
coyote slinking among the trees.
"It is no one, it is nothing!" she cried, and the other two looked
where
she pointed and also saw only a grey coyote. They sat down again by
their fire
and paid Coyote no more attention.
So he watched all day and night as the Fire Beings guarded their fire.
He saw how they fed it pine cones and dry branches from the sycamore
trees. He saw how they stamped furiously on runaway rivulets of flame
that sometimes nibbled outwards on edges of dry grass. He saw also how,
at night, the Beings took turns to sit by the fire. Two would sleep
while one was on guard; and at certain times the Being by the fire would
get up and go into their teepee, and another would come out to sit by
the fire.
Coyote saw that the Beings were always jealously watchful of their fire
except during one part of the day. That was in the earliest morning,
when the first winds of dawn arose on the mountains. Then the Being by
the fire would hurry, shivering, into the teepee calling, "Sister,
sister, go out and watch the fire." But the next Being would always be
slow to go out for her turn, her head spinning with sleep and the thin
dreams of dawn.
Coyote, seeing all this, went down the mountain and spoke to some of his
friends among the People. He told them of hairless man, fearing the cold
and death of winter. And he told them of the Fire Beings, and the warmth
and brightness of the flame. They all agreed that man should have fire,
and they all promised to help Coyote's undertaking.
Then Coyote sped again to the mountain-top. Again the Fire Beings leaped
up when he came close, and one cried out, "What's that? A thief, a
thief!" But again the others looked closely, and saw only a grey coyote
hunting among the bushes. So they sat down again and paid him no more
attention.
Coyote waited through the day, and watched as night fell and two of the
Beings went off to the teepee to sleep. He watched as they changed over
at certain times all the night long, until at last the dawn winds rose.
Then the Being on guard called, "Sister, sister, get up and watch the
fire." And the Being whose turn it was climbed slow and sleepy from her
bed, saying, "Yes, yes, I am coming. Do not shout so." But before she
could come out of the teepee, Coyote lunged from the bushes, snatched up
a glowing portion of fire, and sprang away down the mountainside.
Screaming, the Fire Beings flew after him. Swift as Coyote ran, they
caught up with him, and one of them reached out a clutching hand. Her
fingers touched only the tip of the tail, but the touch was enough to
turn the hairs white, and coyote tail-tips are white still. Coyote
shouted, and flung the fire away from him. But the others of the People
had gathered at the mountain's foot, in case they were needed. Squirrel
saw the fire falling, and caught it, putting it on her back and fleeing
away through the tree-tops. The fire scorched her back so painfully that
her tail curled up and back, as squirrels' tails still do today.
The Fire Beings then pursued Squirrel, who threw the fire to Chipmunk.
Chattering with fear, Chipmunk stood still as if rooted until the Beings
were almost upon her. Then, as she turned to run, one Being clawed at
her, tearing down the length of her back and leaving three stripes that
are to be seen on chipmunks' backs even today. Chipmunk threw the fire
to Frog, and the Beings turned towards him. One of the Beings grasped
his tail, but Frog gave a mighty leap and tore himself free, leaving his
tail behind in the Being's hand---which is why frogs have had no tails
ever since.
As the Beings came after him again, Frog flung the fire on to Wood. And
Wood swallowed it.
The Fire Beings gathered round, but they did not know how to get the
fire out of Wood. They promised it gifts, sang to it and shouted at it.
They twisted it and struck it and tore it with their knives. But Wood
did not give up the fire. In the end, defeated, the Beings went back to
their mountain-top and left the People alone.
But Coyote knew how to get fire out of Wood. And he went to the village
of men and showed them how. He showed them the trick of rubbing two dry
sticks together, and the trick of spinning a sharpened stick in a hole
made in another piece of wood. So man was from then on warm and safe
through the killing cold of winter.
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Cultural Theft
When honoring and borrowing one's cultural identity
turns into thievery
by Terri Jean
PART 1
"Among the Indians
there have been no written laws. Customs
handed down from generation to generation have been the only laws to
guide them. Every one might act different from what was considered
right did he choose to do so, but such acts would bring upon him the
censure of the Nation.... This fear of the Nation's censure acted as a
mighty band, binding all in one social, honorable compact."
~ George Copway (Kah-ge-ga-bowh) ~ Ojibwa, 1818-1863
Not too long ago, an acquaintance introduced me to his new
"Indian pal" who moved just across the road. The first thing
I noticed about this fella was his beaded war bonnet dangling from
his
rear view mirror and a hand-painted "Cherokee Proud" sign
proudly
mounted to his back bumper. When invited inside, the man's wife
smiled and showed me into her family room and, when learning of who I
was, proceeded to show off her DreamCatcher (hanging above the sofa,)
Hamilton plate collection of various Native scenes, an
"Indian" doll
collection, her crystal "spirituality" necklace and even a
Native
American nativity set sitting upon the television. I politely left -
handing them subscription information to my column - right around the
time they pulled out the plans for building their own backyard Sweat
Lodge and kids teepee.
When we departed my acquaintance asked "What did you think?"
And my only reply was... "So many are misguided... They want to
become part of something they only know through books and movies -
material stolen from Native people and then warped to meet an
outsiders needs. I see it all the time..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"First they came to take our land and water, then our fish and
game. ...Now they want our religions as well. All of a sudden,
we have a lot of unscrupulous idiots running around saying they're
medicine people. And they'll sell you a sweat lodge ceremony
for fifty bucks. It's not only wrong, its obscene. Indians don't
sell their spirituality to anybody, for any price. This is just
another in a very long series of thefts from Indian people and, in
some ways, this is the worst one yet."
Janet McCloud, Tulalip. Source: Z Magazine, Dec.`90
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Stolen? What do you mean it's stolen?
Indigenous activists from all over the world fight to retain their
cultural and intellectual property - a battle fought with opponents
who, for the most part, do not even realize they are committing an
offensive act. And even if they do know their actions are
questionable, they often justify it in one manner or another. In this
month's Native Truth column, we'll examine the definition of
Wannabe's, Twinkies, and Exploiters and perhaps shed some light
on these controversial issues.
What is Cultural Property?
Culture is the expression of a group of people: their values,
language, music, literature, healing practices, traditions, spiritual
belief system, agriculture, art, names, holidays, folklore, and
ceremonies.
Are you a Wannabe?
There is a difference between a person who seeks to learn more about
Native Americans in general (or are in search of their Native
American ancestry) - and a Wannabe Indian. Actually, a respectable
admiration of tribal people is a compliment - as is a desire to
locate
long-lost bloodties and connect with distant relatives from all
over the planet.
On the other hand, a Wannabe Indian is a person who wants to be
involved in the culture - whether they have the bloodties or not.
They mimic what they see on television - usually a romanticized or
nature-oriented images - and read white-washed books that explain
indigenous matter from a non-Native point of view. He gains knowledge
from erroneous material and, often times, thinks he knows all he
needs to know to `be an Indian.' In reality, he knows little
(or
nothing at all) on the current plight and issues of the Native
people,
rather choosing to live his life within the boundaries of distorted
images, fictionalized "wisdom" and circumstances of days gone
by.
He speaks for "his people" and often times collects all that
is "Indian." Trinkets from the gas station, Sitting Bull T-shirts
made in Korea, and DreamCatchers purchased at the local craft mall.
All of this is meant to make him feel more part of the Native
community - though he's probably never been to a Native community
to
begin with.
I'm sure that no one reading this column wishes to be placed in
the Wannabe category.
Here's a few tips to keep you from receiving such a label:
* Items such as the Native American Barbie, non-Native made Dream
Catchers, little plastic headdresses (for the car), Hamilton plates
and figurines, medicine bags, calendars, posters, greeting cards,
Cowboy & Indian toys, and Indian blankets made in Korea are
considered, by many, to be insulting. Rather, buy genuine products
and support genuine Native American people and businesses.
* Research Thanksgiving and Christopher Columbus day before you
celebrate them.
* Purchase Native American books, movies and music from well-known
American Indians.
* Know that movies like Dances with Wolves are not accurate history
lessons or Native representation.
* Be leery of Native American/New Age crap. Tarot (Medicine) cards,
crystal jewelry, "Native American Spirituality"
books,Medicine Wheel
readings and "Totem Quests" are - to be honest - a bunch of
bull.
* Do not try to look "Indian" by dying your hair and
braiding them, wearing feathered headbands, or wearing "Native
American" clothing.
* Learn more about Native issues such as Leonard Peltire's
freedom, mascot, treaty rights, sovereignty, casino's, and so on.
Support them when you can.
* Don't give yourself a Native American name.
* If you want to be part of the Native culture, you must first know
their history and meet their people. And if you have Native
bloodties, take the time to try and fill in your family tree. Then
you'll know where you truly belong.
* Do not participate in - or reconstruct for yourself - a ceremony or
ritual that is not of your people (such as the sweat lodge, vision
quest, etc) unless invited by an reputable person. And never pay to
participate in one.
* LISTEN! You can only gain wisdom by learning from others.
BEWARE of TWINKIES!
A Twinkie goes a bit further than a Wannabe. While most Wannabe's
are harmless admirers of Native cultures, Twinkies are people who
claim to be Indian just so they can swindle you out of money and rob
you spiritually. They are usually attention-seekers masquerading as
enlightened Shamans, spiritual teachers, healers or leaders. An
example would be those who charge $100 a pop to put you through the
paces of a Vision Quest or a Sweat Lodge (true spiritual leaders
never charge for their services.) I've seen some people charge up
to
$3000 for a week-long "Native American" Spiritual Workshop, or
$50.00 for a crystal healing ceremony. Twinkies to watch out for
include: Grace Spotted Eagle and Wallace Black Elk (Sweat Lodge
Workshops), Osheana Fast, Bear Tribe Medicine Society, WolfVision
Quest, Inc., Quanda the "Healing Woman", and Cyfus McDonald
Twinkie authors are quite common and often have a following. Jamie
Sams, Ted Andrews, Mary Summer Rain, Sun Bear, and Brook Medicine
Eagle are just a few that need to be avoided.
Many of the Twinkies are peddling Native American Spirituality -
targeting people searching for a deeper sense of self and a
connection with a deity, and with the earth. These Twinkies borrow
from various beliefs and practices - combining them into a New Age
religion that can be sold over the Internet via books, chants,
candles, crystals and so on. This New Age trend is actually a
distorted image of various Native practices and rituals and in no way
reflects the true belief systems of Native people and communities.
These Twinkies are indeed stealing from the Native people, and to do
so is not only wrong (supposedly going against all that they preach
to begin with) but it is also patronizing, and insulting.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Each one must learn for himself the highest wisdom.
It cannot be taught in words."
~ Smowhala ~ Wanapum
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ATTENTION EDUCATORS!! (Schoolteachers and homeschooling teachers
alike.) I need to put together a small discussion panel on teaching
children Historical Truths of the American Indians (I am writing a
workbook.) If you would like to be involved, please contact me at
the_nati-@mail.com
Thanks! ~ Terri Jean
To subscribe to this group send a blank email to:
native_trut-@egroups.com
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The Power Of Music
Bless The Beasts And The Children
Bless the beasts and the children
for in this world they have no voice
they have no choice
Bless the beasts and the children
for the world can never be
the world they see
Light their way
when the darkness surrounds them
give them love
let it shine all around them
Bless the beasts and the children
give them shelter from a storm
keep them safe
keep them warm
Light their way
when the darkness surrounds them
give them love
let it shine all around them
Bless the beasts and the children
give them shelter from a storm
keep them safe
keep them warm
The children
the children, the children
sung by The Carpenter's © 1972
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