Native American Culture.

[crazeehorse]

Brief History of The Trail of Tears-

In 1838 and 1839, as part of Andrew Jackson's Indian removal policy, the Cherokee nation was forced to give up its lands east of the Mississippi River and to migrate to an area in present-day Oklahoma. The Cherokee people called this journey the "Trail of Tears," because of its devastating effects. The migrants faced hunger, disease, and exhaustion on the forced march. Over 4,000 out of 15,000 of the Cherokees died.

This picture, The Trail of Tears, was painted by Robert Lindneux in 1942. It commemorates the suffering of the Cherokee people under forced removal. If any depictions of the "Trail of Tears" were created at the time of the march, they have not survived.

(source) http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4h1567.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trail_of_Tears

I recently lived on a large ranch....which was part of the original Taos Trail, which later became Cherokee Trail, then later Charles Goodnight Cattle Trail. The ranch was quite literally straddling the trail, tho the water had long since left. It was a migratory seasonal trail, going north and south for seasons. There once was a lot of water in this area. Some of the land had never been used since fencing; the surface land artifacts were stunning. There were teepee rings all over the area; stone circles particularly within walking distance to the water(s). Cattle had disturbed the circles some over the years but you could still see the basic rings.

I know this isnt a story, but it was like living in one.

My grandfather was French/Cnd Mohawk.

[Radian]

The Lone Wolf Band of Cherokee Indians

Indiana's Cherokee people.

THE SEVEN CLANS OF THE CHEROKEE

The membership to the Cherokee clans is attained through the mother. The women are considered as the Head of the house, with the home and the children belonging to her should she separate or lose her husband. The knowledge of a person’s clan is very important for many reasons. Historically and even today with Cherokee traditionalist, it is forbidden to marry within the clan. Members within a clan are considered as brothers and sisters.

Blue Clan

This Clan has also been called the Panther Clan or Wild Cat Clan in various regions. People of the Blue Clan are the Keepers of the makers of Children’s special medicine and the caretakers of medicinal herb gardens. They were also known as a white peace clan.

Twister Clan

This Clan is also known as the Long Hair Clan, the woman’s warrior society. The Clan has also been called the Hanging Down Clan, Wind Clan or Stranger Clan. It was said that members of this clan wore their hair in elaborate styles. The members of the Long Hair Clan are the traditional teachers and keepers of the traditions.

Bird Clan

This Clan was responsible for the keeping of the sacred birds and feathers as well as the bird medicines. The belief is that the birds are the messengers between the people the Creator. The Creator gave the Clan the responsibility of caring for the birds. The members of the Clan were often messengers. Eagle members of this clan were the only ones who could hunt the eagle and distribute the eagle feathers.

Paint Clan

Those who belonged to this Clan made red paint. Pain Clan members were traditionally known as the medicine people. Medicine was often “painted” on a patient after harvesting, mixing and performing the healing ceremony. The red paint was also used for war fair and painted on the warriors and their weapons. This Clan was also known as a Red War Clan.

Deer Clan

Members of this Clan were deer called the keepers of the deer and members were the deer hunters, trackers, tanners and seamers. Members of the clan were known as fast runners and foot messengers as well as hunters and were also responsible for the care of the animals that lived among the tribe. This Clan was also known as a White Peace Clan.

Wild Potato Clan

This Clan was also called, Bear Clan, Raccoon Clan and Blind Savannah Clan. Members of this Clan are known as the “Keepers of the Land.” They are the farmers and gatherers and they were named after the wild potato plants that they gathered in the swamps and along streams. This clan was known as a White Peace Clan.

Wolf Clan

The Wolf Clan is the largest of the Cherokee clans today and the most prominent. The Wolf Clan has provided most of the history’s war chiefs and warriors. Wolves are known as protectors of the people. Members of the Wolf Clan are the trackers and keepers of the wolves and members are the only ones who can kill a wolf after performing sacred ceremonies. This Clan is known as a Red War Clan.

http://www.skyenet.net/~myersdk/clans.html

[Radian]

I recently lived on a large ranch....which was part of the original Taos Trail, which later became Cherokee Trail, then later Charles Goodnight Cattle Trail. The ranch was quite literally straddling the trail, tho the water had long since left. It was a migratory seasonal trail, going north and south for seasons. There once was a lot of water in this area. Some of the land had never been used since fencing; the surface land artifacts were stunning. There were teepee rings all over the area; stone circles particularly within walking distance to the water(s). Cattle had disturbed the circles some over the years but you could still see the basic rings.

I know this isnt a story, but it was like living in one.

My grandfather was French/Cnd Mohawk.

My goodness, thank you for sharing that.

[Radian]

"You have noticed that everything an Indian does is in a circle, and that is because the Power of the World always works in circles, and everything tries to be round....The sky is round, and I have heard that the earth is round like a ball, and so are all the stars. The wind, in its greatest power, whirls. Birds make their nests in circles, for theirs is the same religion as ours....Even the seasons form a great circle in their changing, and always come back again to where they were. The life of a man is a circle from childhood to childhood, and so it is in everything where power moves."

Black Elk, holy man, Oglala Sioux

The Medicine Wheel is the circle of life represented by the mystic four corners which teach us balance.

The CIRCLE is the sacred symbol reminding all of us that the universe moves in a circle; The Circle of Life whose elements are the spirit, the natural environment, the body, and the mind.

"To 'make medicine' is to engage upon a special period of fasting, thanksgiving, prayer and self denial, even of self-torture. The procedure is entirely a devotional exercise. The purpose is to subdue the passions of the flesh and to improve the spiritual self. The bodily abstinence and the mental concentration upon lofty thoughts cleanses both the body and the soul and puts them into or keeps them in health. Then the individual mind gets closer toward conformity with the mind of the Great Medicine above us."

Wooden Leg, Cheyenne

"The perception of any object, either tangible or abstract, is ultimately made a thousand times more complicated whenever it is viewed within the circle of an entire People as a whole. The understanding of this truth is the first lesson of the Medicine Wheel, and it is a vital part of Sun Dance teaching."

SEVEN ARROWS, by Hyemeyohsts Storm

NORTH - White, [the Buffalo] whose lesson is purity, the direction where healing is found, and wisdom. Mind.

EAST - Yellow, [the Eagle] whose lesson is to see far and learn knowledge of the world in new experiences. Spirit.

SOUTH - Red, [the Mouse] whose lesson is growth and the direction where everything is life is replenished. To gain appreciation of ripeness and not take what is possessed for granted. Natural Environment.

WEST - Black, [the Bear] whose lesson is to look within to spiritual insight, to appreciate yourself and your Creator. Body.

http://www.moonshadowgallery.net/index.cfm/m/1/m/3

Edited February 18, 2007 by Sunny98

[War Eagle]

The Powwow And Its Meaning

===================

A Powwow, Wacipi in the Dakota Language, was originally a spring event to celebrate the seasonal renewal of new life. People would congregate to sing, dance, renew old friendships and form new ones. Powwows had religious significance as opportunities to hold a naming, now usually conducted in the privacy of a family gathering, and honoring ceremonies. In the Dakota/Lakota tradition, the celebration was also a prayer to Wakantanka ( the Great Spirit,

Grandfather or Great Mystery) . The term "powwow" is traced to the Algonquin language.

Powwows are still very much a part of the lives of many Native Americans around the state and country and are held every weekend, often at several locations during peak periods, from June until September. Many families "go on the circuit', camp out and enjoy the traditional activities. Competitive singing and dancing, relatively recent changes, are often featured.

The circle, an important symbol to Native American people, is used extensively in powwows. The dancers are in the center, the drums and the audience circle around them and the concessions surround the gathering. The powwow brings the circle of people closer to family, friends and the comfort and vitality of their culture.

The Grand Entry

The Grand Entry is the parade of dancers which opens each session of powwow dancing. The Eagle Staff is carried into the circle, followed by the American, Canadian, state and tribal flags. Title holders from tribal pageants and invited dignitaries are next. The men follow, traditional dancers first, grass dancers, fancy shawl dancers and jingle dress dancers. Junior boys, then junior girls follow in the same order. Last come the little boys and the little girls.

The dancers perform clockwise or sun-wise around the arbor. Their outfits (the term "costume" is seen by some as derogatory) and their steps let the audience and other participants know who they are and what they can do.

After the grand entry there is a flag song, then an invocation blessing the gathering. The Eagle Staff, positioned above the American flag to signify the first nation, is tied to the pole in the center or brought to the announcer's stand. The dancing then begins.

Types Of Songs

Songs are created and performed for different events such as grand entries, dance categories and honoring ceremonies. While they differ in tempo, words and emotions, all powwow songs follow a similar structure.

There are songs for all occasions: honor songs, veteran songs and war party songs. Many pre-reservation songs have been put aside in favor of a flood of new ones. Song groups sing only their own songs while others borrow songs and perform their own as well. The songs are not written, but tape recorded, and then they are learned by both singers and dancers. Singers are not judged by the sweetness of their voices. In the northern plains the higher parts are sung falsetto and the melody gains energy and rhythm as the voice descends. The sound is produced at the back of an open mouth and throat . The volume and quality of voice depend largely on well-developed abdominal muscles.

Women sing an octave higher and sometimes join the men. Women may "trill" at special places in the song to indicate deep emotion such as joy or appreciation of the song.

The Drum

Some drums are handed down in the family, while others are donated to a group. Older drums are made of deer, elk, horse or buffalo hides, but contemporary bass drums can be purchased, renovated and even blessed.

The drum is more than a musical instrument to those who own and play it. It has a life of its own. Some drum groups have ceremonies to have their drums blessed and named. The drum is regarded as having its own powerful spirit. Gifts are made to it and some have their own sacred medicine pipes. In some traditions the drum symbolizes the heartbeat; in others, the powerful medicine of thunder. The term "drum" also refers to the drum group itself.

Men's Traditional Dance

The men's traditional dance began when war parties would return to the village and "dance out" the story of a battle and when hunters would dance their story of tracking prey.

The outfit is subdued in color. Often decorated with bead and quill work, the circular bustle of eagle feather spikes represents cycles and unity. The spikes point upward, representing a channel between the Great Spirit and all things on the earth. The dancers are often veterans and carry items which symbolize their status as warriors--shields, weapons, honor staffs and medicine wheels. Movements imitate the life journey of birds and animals.

Men's Grass Dance

The popular grass or Omaha dance originated with the Omaha Tribe, probably in the 1860's. Outfits feature colorful fringes which replace the grasses originally tucked into belts. Many dancers wear the hair roach, the crow-belt and the eagle bone whistle, originally emblems of the Omaha society.

Dancers keep their heads moving either up and down with the beat of the drum, nodding quickly several times to each beat, or moving from side to side. This keeps the roach crest feathers spinning, a sign of a good dancer.

Men's Fancy Dance

The fancy dance is relatively new. The use of brilliantly colored feather bustles is thought to have started in Oklahoma in the early 1900's when promoters asked dancers to beautify their outfits. Contests with cash prizes began and outfits became more colorful.

The fancy dance is performed mostly by boys and young men. Based on the standard "double step" of the traditional and grass dances, it deviates with fancy footwork, increased speed, acrobatic steps and motions and varied body movements. It is freestyle. Dancers must follow the changing beat of the drum and stop when the music does with both feet on the ground.

Women's Fancy Dance

The women's fancy shawl dance outfit consists of a decorative knee-length cloth dress, beaded moccasins with matching leggings, fancy shawl and jewelry. The style, similar to the men's, is moving toward more movement, especially spinning. Footwork is the chief element.

Jingle Dress Dance

The jingle dress dance came from Mille Lacs, Minnesota, according to one account. In a holy man's dream, four women appeared wearing jingle dresses. They showed him how to make them, what types of songs went with them and how the dance was performed. The jingle dress spread throughout Chippewa/Ojibway territories, to the Dakota and Lakota in the 1920's and west to Montana. Women from many tribes now make and wear these dresses, which are covered with hundreds of metal cones or jingles.

Intertribal Dance

Everyone, including tourists, is welcome to an intertribal dance. No regalia is needed; it is not so much a particular kind of dance as it is a chance for everyone to dance.

A Dropped Eagle Feather

(Spectators stand with heads uncovered. No picture taking is permitted.)

To Dakota and most Native Americans, the eagle feather is sacred. When one falls from a dancer's outfit, the powwow stops and a ceremony is performed to restore the feather's lost power for good. Four traditional dancers, usually veterans, dance around the feather from four directions and usually attack four times to retrieve it. While traditions differ among tribes, four is a sacred number for all tribes.

Honor Songs

(Spectators stand with head uncovered.)

Honor songs are requested to honor a person such as a returning son or a deceased relative or people or for almost any occasion. Some people have their own honor songs while others use "generic" ones. A drum from the honored person's home or a favorite may be requested.

Honoring Veterans

Veterans are well-honored in the tribes of this state. They are flag-bearers and retrieve dropped eagle feathers.

This respect for veterans is an integral part of Native American culture from the time when the welfare of the village depended on the quantity and quality of the fighting men. To be a warrior was a man's purpose in life. Veterans were honored because they were willing to give their lives so people could live. Today's veterans are accorded the same honor and respect. In some tribes bravery is honored as one of the four virtues: generosity, wisdom, fortitude and bravery.

The Give-Away

The give-away is thought to be universal among Native American people. Unlike societies where one expects gifts for accomplishments, the Native American society holds that a person being honored should provide gifts. It is said that the chief was the poorest man in the village. Charged with the welfare of his people, honored by them, the chief gave away blankets, horses, food and whatever else the people might need. Today, giveaways by people being honored or in honor of someone else are common at powwows.

Acknowledgments:

Native American Students' Association of Northern State University, Aberdeen, SD, for the use of their POWWOW VIEWER'S GUIDE; the United Tribes Technical College, Bismarck, ND; The Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe Powwow Committee, Sisseton, SO; and the South Dakota State University Program Council Brookings, SD, for the use of scripts and information in preparing this brochure for the Presentation Sisters, Aberdeen, SD.

American Indian Culture Research Center

P.O. Box 98

Marvin, SD 57251.

Phone: (605) 432-5528

Fax: (605) 432-4754

E-Mail: indian@bluecloud.org

[War Eagle]

These are a basic outline summary of the NA Indians belief system on a persons character & nature of their 'entire life' on which ever part of the year they were born.

''I'm content with mine'' -Rebel.

Native American Horoscope

Many Native American cultures have myths and legends where animals are the main characters or play an important role in teaching the younger generation important life lessons. Some of these cultures have created a belief system, or zodiac, based on animal guides.

The horoscopes on this page are based on Native American beliefs. Due to the number of indigenous tribes, who do not all have the same beliefs, we have selected some of the more widely accepted zodiacs and totems.

January 20 to February 18

(Aquarius)

Otter, Magpie

Otters are playful, prophetic animals. Otter people are creative, and logical. They have high ideals and tend to seek more from others than is reasonable. They seek the truth above all else.

February 19 to March 20

(Pisces)

Wolf, Cougar, Whale

The wolf is graceful, has initiative, and loves freedom. Wolf people are generally very trusting, and generous with deep feelings towards their loved ones. Their ultimate goal is to find and keep love in their life.

March 21 to April 19

(Aries)

Hawk, Falcon Wolf

The hawk is a messenger of insight, adaptability and openness. Hawk people aim to initiate and lead, and may be impulsive from time to time. They want to establish individuality while still being accepted by the group.

April 20 to May 20

(Taurus)

Elk, Beaver

The elk is a strong, handsome and proud animal who can be aggressive if challenged. The beaver is an industrious builder with unlimited patience. Elk people are very industrious and find security through possession. They are eager to discover and possess something which has lasting value.

May 21 to June 20

(Gemini)

Eagle, Deer

The eagle can see extraordinarily well, is very strong willed, and graceful. Eagle people are great observers, have great intuition and creativity. They try to bring things together and better them through creative actions.

June 21 to July 21

(Cancer)

Salmon, Woodpecker, Flicker

Salmon strive to return home after a long journey. Salmon people are home-loving, giving and sensitive. They are also very imaginative and sometimes moody. Their goal in life is to live in harmony with the environment.

July 22 to August 22

(Leo)

Cougar, Salmon, Sturgeon

The cougar is swift, graceful, spontaneous, and determined. Cougar people make great leaders and are courageous, ambitious and determined to succeed. They want to find purpose in life and to dominate what they do best.

August 23 to September 21

(Virgo)

Owl, Bear

Owls are very observant and sensible. Owl people are intelligent, well spoken and discreet. Their eye for detail often makes them perfectionist. They must cultivate tolerance and optimism.

September 22 to October 22

(Libra)

Raven, Crow, Dove

The raven is intelligent, cleaver and mystical. Raven people are peace loving, idealistic and charming. They long for harmony in the community and must stay away from uncertainty and inconsistency.

October 23 to November 22

(Scorpio)

Snake, Eel

The snake is mysterious, intuitive and is the epitome of transformation. Snake people aim for satisfaction and thrive on praise. They require great self-discipline and will power to control their harsh natures.

November 23 to December 21

(Sagittarius)

Horse, Owl, Elk

The horse is a wise and strong animal which possesses great stamina. Horse people are determined, sincere and understanding. They are also inquisitive, generous and trustworthy.

December 22 to January 19

(Capricorn)

Bear, Goose

Bears are quiet, swift and very protective of their family. Bear people are cautious, independent and hardworking. They adapt well to new situations and value tradition over technology.

www.axel-jacob.de/legends.html

Edited February 19, 2007 by REBEL

[Gone away]

reference

(I hope this hasn't already been posted)

The Sun, Moon And Stars

A Navajo Legend

In this present, or Fifth World, the First People had four lights which had been brought from the lower world. White light appeared over the eastern mountains, blue light spread across the sky from the southern mountains, yellow light came from the western peaks and darkness from the north. These lights were far away and carried no heat, so the air was always of one temperature and no seasonal changes occurred although there was darkness and daylight.

"We do not have enough daylight," the people complained. "We surely need more light."

So First Woman sent Glowworm to the east and told Fox Fire to go to the south, Lightning Beetle to the west, and Firefly to the north. Then, when anyone needed extra light, these four were ready to serve him.

For a time this plan worked very well, but it was not long before the First People were saying, "These lights are too small. They flicker on and off so they are of little use to us. We cannot work in such dim light!" Then others asked, "How can we see to do anything? We do not have night eyes like Hosteen Owl or little Bat!"

It seemed that First Woman could never please them. Finally she thought of Fire Man and his glowing mountain, so she sent a messenger to ask the Fire Man if he could help her.

"Yes," agreed Fire Man, "I can make the land bright all around Fire Mountain, but the light will not reach the edges of the land, and there will be smoke."

After that flames leaped high above the mountain top, and there was no more darkness for some distance. But soon the people were again complaining. "We do not like the heat and the smoke that is coming from Fire Mountain," they declared. "The heat scorches the earth and we are choked by the smoke!"

As everyone was complaining and no one was satisfied, First Woman decided that she must find a different way by which to light the earth.

After consulting with a council of wise men, she told her helpers to bring her a large, flat slab of the hardest and most durable rock they could find. After visiting every mountain and rocky pinnacle, they returned with a large, flat slab of quartz; it was twice as long as it was wide, and, when the helpers had placed it on the ground in front of her, First Woman decided it was large enough to make two round wheels of equal size.

She had hoped to make four in order to have one for each of the four directions, but the rock was too small for that many, so only two could be made. After First Woman had marked two large circles on the slab, they all set to work with sharp flints and stone hammers, cutting out the two equal sized wheels. This was not an easy task, as the quartz was just as hard as the implements with which they were working, but after a time two round, flat discs lay shaped and ready for their purpose.

Then First Man and First Woman started decorating the stones in a manner that would signify the powers that each was to be given. The first was given a mask of blue turquoise to produce light and heat, then red coral was tied to the ear lobes and around the rim. A horn was attached to each side to hold male lightning and male rain. Feathers of the cardinal, flicker, lark, and the eagle were tied to its rim to carry it through the sky, and also to spread the rays of heat and light in the four directions. Four zigzag lines of male wind and male rain stood at the top and four more hung at the bottom, and four sunspots were placed for guardians who sometimes stood on its face, but more often took their places in the four directions.

"Now it is finished," said First Man, "and I will give it a blessing of mixed pollens, and also a song which will be sung by a lark who hereafter will be known as the `sun's voice'."

"But this cannot remain here!" stated First Woman. "It must be placed in the sky!"

No one seemed to know how this was to be done until Fire Man suggested that it should be carried to the top of the highest mountain and placed on the tallest peak at the edge of the earth where it could shine on all of the land at the same time.

So it was taken to the eastern mountains and fastened to the sky with darts of lightning. Then First Woman and her helpers went back to decorate the second, round stone disc, which was the same size as the first.

But First Woman said, "We do not need another bearer of heat and light, so this one will carry coolness and moisture."

Then they decorated its face with white shell, placed a band of yellow pollen on its chin, and made a rim of red coral. Magpie, nighthawk, turkey and crane feathers were fastened on four sides to bear its weight and its horns held female lightning and soft winds. Four straight lines placed at the top, and another four at the bottom, gave it control over the summer rains. When it was finished this, too, was taken to the top of an eastern peak and fastened to the sky with sheet lightning.

"Now everyone should be satisfied," remarked First Woman as she looked at the discs. "Now we have light, heat and moisture, all coming from the sky."

But again many of the First People were complaining. "This is not right," they said. "If the sun stays in the east all the time it will always be summer on that side of the land, and it will always be winter on the other side."

"The sun must move across the sky," First Man agreed, "but how can it move when it is only a stone and has no spirit?"

Everyone looked at the two discs and knew that they were just decorated stones with no life of their own, and they wondered what could be done about it. Then two very old and very wise men stepped forth and said, "We will give our spirits to the sun and the moon so they will have life and power to move across the sky."

One entered the turquoise disc and he was called Jóhonaa'áí, or Sun Bearer; the other entered the white disc and he was called Tl'éhonaa'áí, or Moon Bearer. Immediately the two stones began to quiver and show signs of moving.

"But how shall I know where to go or which paths to follow?" asked the sun; and the moon asked the same question.

"The eagle is guided by his tail feathers," said First Man. "We will give you each twelve feathers from the eagle's tail to point the correct paths you are to follow, and the changes in the paths will mark the changes in the seasons."

So twelve tall, white feathers were fastened to the top of each headdress to indicate a different path for each month of the year. Sun was the first to start on his journey across the sky, while Moon waited all day, until Sun had reached the peaks of the western mountains but was still looking back across the land.

At this point Moon queried, "Now?"

And Sun answered, "Now!"

So Moon was about to climb into the sky, when Wind Boy, who had been standing just behind him, thought he would help by pushing with a stiff breeze. This breeze hit the Moon Bearer in the back and blew the twelve feathers forward across his face, so he could not see where he was going. All he could do was follow where the tips of the feathers pointed, and, as these were now slanted in different directions, Moon has always followed strange paths across the sky.

First Man and First Woman could do nothing about this, so everyone went back to where they had been working on the slab of quartz. On the blanket which had held the two large discs were now many small pieces of stone of every size and shape, along with the dust that the chipping and shaping had created. "Look at all this good quartz that is left!" First Man exclaimed.

And First Woman said, "It must not be wasted! We will use it to make more lights in the night sky."

So again they took their flint knives and their chisels and stone hammers, to shape the stars that would shine only at night. There were a few very large pieces of quartz but there were myriads of small chunks, and much stardust by the time they had finished their work.

When all the stars were ready to be placed in the sky First Woman said, "I will use these to write the laws that are to govern mankind for all time. These laws cannot be written on the water as that is always changing its form, nor can they be written in the sand as the wind would soon erase them, but if they are written in the stars they can be read and remembered forever."

After that she drew a sky pattern on the ground and placed one of the large stars in the north. "This will never move!" she said, "and it will be known as the Campfire of the North. It will also be known as the traveler's guide and as the lodestar."

Then she placed large stars in the other three directions and one in the very center of her sky pattern. "These must be placed in the sky in their correct positions," she told Fire Man, who had shot two crooked fire arrows into the sky so their trails formed a ladder, and who now undertook the task of placing the stars in their proper locations on the blanket of night.

Before Fire Man picked up the first one, First Woman had traced in the sand a path for each to follow across the skyways, and First Man had tied a prayer feather on its upper point, giving each star a prayer to chant as it marched along its designated path. Fire Man began with the north star and continued climbing the ladder until all the large stars were in the sky, while First Woman placed other stars into groups to form the constellations.

It was slow work, as there were many stars and the ladder was very tall. While all this work was taking place Coyote had been standing close by, watching every move Fire Man made. Now he saw one fairly large star still lying on the ground, so he asked First Woman if he might have it for his own. "You may have that star," First Woman agreed, "if you will place it in the sky directly over your mountain. Part of the time it will be quite dim, but when it shines brightly its brilliance will indicate your mating season."

So Coyote carefully climbed the zigzag ladder, clinging to the rungs with one paw while grasping the star with the other, and placed Canopus, which the Navajo call M'ii Bizo', in the southern sky directly over Coyote Mountain.

The first two constellations designated by First Woman were Ursa Major, which was named Náhookos, meaning Cold Man of the North, and Cassiopeia his wife, who was called Nahookás Ba'áád. These two were placed on opposite sides of S'tsoh, or the North Star, which was their home fire; they move around its center and never leave it. No other constellation approaches them to interfere with their set routine.

This arrangement of constellations established a law that has persisted to this day. This law stipulates that only one couple may live by one hogan fire.

After these, First Woman designed a slender constellation in the shape of two rabbit tracks, one following the other. This is the constellation that governs all hunting, and, during the spring and early summer when the open end points upward, no one may hunt game animals. In the late fall, when the open end tips toward the earth, the hunting season begins.

In the days when the Navajo people depended mostly on game for their food, the laws governing hunting were very strict. No hunting was allowed during mating season nor when the young were still with their mothers; and no deer or antelope under the age of two years were ever killed.

Even today the Navajo do not care for meat from lambs or young kids, and, now that deer and antelope have almost disappeared from Navajo territory and have been replaced by sheep and goats, they use only the older ones for their food, as they believe the meat provides greater strength.

The next pattern to be made by First Woman was one recognized as a man with wide shoulders standing in a stooped position with his hands on his knees in order to support a heavy load of harvest. This constellation, or "the harvester," commands the Dine'é to work hard during the harvest season so they may garner sufficient food for the long, cold winter.

Thunderbird, who carries all the clouds in his tail and all the rains under his wings, was the next constellation, along with Hydra, "the horned rattler," who was given charge of the underground water channels.

The task of placing all of these stars in their proper places was going slower and slower, for Fire Man could take only a few stars at a time as he climbed the ladder. Coyote became impatient as he watched this slow process of placing the constellations. He said to First Woman, "This is taking too long! Why do you not permit me to help? Then we would have this work finished twice as fast!"

First Woman answered, "You always make mistakes and then there is trouble."

But Coyote insisted, saying "I will do exactly as you say and follow the pattern just as you have placed it on the ground."

First Woman was putting two identical stars into her pattern and had named them "the twins." The two lines which marked their paths ran side by side across the sky. She pointed to them and said to Coyote, "Take these two stars and place them somewhat to the west where they will walk hand in hand across the center of the sky."

Then Coyote picked up the two identical stars (Gemini), one in each hand, and walked to the ladder. He had seen Fire Man climb the ladder with his hands full of stars and thought he could do the same, but when he was half way up he chanced to look down, and the distance was so great that he became dizzy and almost fell.

To make matters worse, Wind boy came whistling by to see what Coyote was doing, and shook the ladder from east to west. Quickly shifting the star in his right hand into his left which then carried both stars, he continued to climb, using his right hand to cling to the ladder. When he reached the sky he soon found the two places where the stars belonged, but when he looked at the stars in his hand he could not tell them apart and did not know which one went to the right or which to the left.

So he closed his eyes and put one star in place with his left hand and the other with his right. Immediately a harsh, grating noise was heard, and he knew they were in the wrong spots and were trying to change places. He could do nothing about it now, as they were well beyond his reach, so he hurried down the ladder while the two stars crossed, one in front of the other to gain their proper paths.

First Woman met him at the foot of the ladder and berated him with angry words and fierce gestures. "Now look what you have done!" she cried. "Those two were supposed to establish peace and friendship among all peoples of the earth. Now they will cause enmity, strife, and dissension that will plague mankind forever. You shall carry no more stars to the sky!"

Coyote grumbled as he walked away, "It was not my fault! Wind Boy shook the ladder and I almost fell off!"

First Woman told him to go away as she was too busy to be bothered, and went on laying out patterns for constellations which Fire Man carried to the sky. There was K'aalógii, or Butterfly; Tsídiitltsoii, the lark who sang his song to the sun every morning; there was Na'ashii, the lizard; M'iitsoh, the wolf; Atsá, the eagle; Dahsání, the porcupine, who was given charge of the growth of all trees on the mountains; and the caterpillar.

First Woman made many, many more until nearly every animal, bird, and insect had star counterparts in the sky. As Fire Man bore these up the ladder he carried his fire torch which held burning coals strapped to his left arm, and as each star was put into the sky he gave it a spark of fire to light its path so it could find its way even through the darkest night. All was going very well, but, as Fire Man was carrying a medium sized star to the east, the straps that held his torch came loose and the torch fell to the ground so he had no spark to give this star.

He placed it in the sky, ran down the ladder to recover his torch, and then hurried back to give it a light, but he could not find it, as it had started to move and had lost its path in the darkness. This is called the "black star;" it wanders here and there and brings bad luck wherever it goes.

It sends out little black arrows to cause pain and sickness and, if a person who is traveling at night feels a sharp prick in his shoulder or his back, he will know that the black star is not far away.

When Fire Man returned to earth, First Woman did not know whether to give him another constellation to carry to the sky, or not. Not many stones left on the blanket were large enough to make stars, but many chips and piles of dust remained.

She filled Fire Man's hands with stone fragments, and he started climbing; he was halfway up the ladder when he glanced at the stones in his hands and decided that they were too small and too many to place individually, so he gave each one a spark of fire and then, handful by handful, he threw them against the night sky.

Here they may still be seen as close groups of small stars which represent the small, fire carrying creatures of the earth such as the lightning beetle or firefly, and the glowworm. As Fire Man was descending the ladder, Coyote stepped up to the blanket and, grasping it by two corners, swung it into the air so the stone fragments and the star dust swept across the sky in a great arc that reached from horizon to horizon.

This formed the Milky Way which the Navajo call Yikáísdáhí. They believe it provides a pathway for the spirits traveling between heaven and earth, each little star being one footprint.

The Coyote dropped the blanket and everyone looked at the sky which was now filled with stars.

First Woman said, "Now all the laws our people will need are printed in the sky where everyone can see them. One man of each generation must learn these laws so he may interpret them to the others and, when he is growing old, he must pass this knowledge to a younger man who will then be the teacher. The commands written in the stars must be obeyed forever!"

[War Eagle]

Spiritual and Cultural Genocide...

Genocide by the provisions of the convention of the United Nations in Dec. 1948 is defined as:

"any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial, or religious group, and includes five types of criminal actions: killing members of the group; causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group; deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part; imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group; and forcibly transferring children of the group to another group."

Lyman Legters

"The American Genocide"

Policy Studies Journal, vol. 16, no. 4, summer 1988

Reference kindly provided by Loretta K. Carroll - Thank you, Loretta.

"...Let me remind you only of the witch-hunts of the middle ages, the horrors of the French revolution, or the genocide of the American Indians... in such periods there are always only a very few who do not succumb. But when it is all over, everyone, horrified, asks `for heaven's sake, how could I?' "

Albert Speer, Hitler's minister of war production, writing from prison in 1953.

"Hitler's concept of concentration camps as well as the practicality of genocide owed much, so he claimed, to his studies of English and United States history. He admired the camps for Boer prisoners in South Africa and for the Indians in the wild west; and often praised to his inner circle the efficiency of America's extermination - by starvation and uneven combat - of the red savages who could not be tamed by captivity." P. 202, "Adolph Hitler" by John Toland

Thanks to my Friend Peter for finding and sharing the above two quotes.

Silence, repression, and disinformation are used knowingly - and unknowingly - to conceal truth; by abusers to keep their victims silent; by society so that people do not have to look at unpleasant facts of life.

This is true of every culture and race on our planet. Sexual, physical, emotional - and cultural abuse - thrive in this atmosphere; abuse of all kinds is perpetuated, generation to generation - ending only when society is forced to see the abuse in such a way there can be no denial, no excuses, no rationalization.

Perhaps it is my own experiences of abuse that have made me sensitive to all kinds of abuse; maybe - had things turned out differently - maybe I too would have been one of the willfully ignorant, disdaining my roots and heritage.

I do know that something extremely painful was experienced by my paternal grandparents, something so painful that they knowingly hid their past, their heritage, their American Indian blood from society - and trained their own children to do so also.

I do know that the same methods my abusers used to keep me and my siblings silent has been used on my parents and grandparents to keep them silent about their heritage - and not just them.

In my mind - and the minds and hearts of many of my friends - the enforced silence and stereotyping of American Indians - and any other culture - is abuse; social, cultural, and ethnic abuse, perpetuatedand enforced by silence and repression; viciously fed by the disinformation and stereotyping created by the writers of history, fiction, and the media.

Do these terms and phrases sound familiar?

"Manifest Destiny, primitive savages, cowboys and indians, dirty injuns living in the dirt, bloodthirsty savages, can't even hold their liquor, the only good injun is a dead injun, Custer's last stand..."

Our culture, the American culture - and indeed the world culture - constantly propagates and perpetuates the stereotypical - and totally false - image of American Indians as backward, savage, brutal, uncivilized beings to this day. Talk to the people who are not natives, who live near any of the many reservations throughout North America - and you'll hear comments very similar to those heard throughout America prior to Martin Luther King... but directed at the American Indians... the "injuns," "drunken red men," the "uncivilized savages" who brutally murdered settlers...

Many will object, saying "but they were savage and brutal, not only fighting among themselves, warring with each other and more; but they were even more savage and brutal to the settlers!" - and use that as a justification for suppression and brutalization of American Indian culture and people.

Yes; those charges are indeed true -

But don't forget too that the settlers - with very few exceptions - were making a concerted effort, with the help of the American government, to completely wipe out the Native Americans.

Don't forget that the American government - and by extension, the American people - broke every single last one of the over 350 treaties signed with the American Indians; pushing the American Indians off into unwanted and unusable land - barren reservations - out of site and out of mind.

I challenge you to look at every other culture on this planet. Which nation has not been guilty of warring against their neighbors? Which culture has not at one time or another been guilty of horrendous atrocities against their fellow man? Which people have not fought fiercely, desperately against invaders to defend their own way of life?

The Romans against Carthage, the Gauls against Rome, Vikings and Gaels and Scotts and Eires and Mongols and Chinese; the War of the Roses and all the religious jihads of the centuries; the modern gang turf wars and the strife in Ireland; the pro-lifers against the pro-choicers:

No culture is innocent; no people is innocent.

That does not justify the spiritual and cultural genocide of any people anywhere; not the American Indians of both continents, not the Oranges or the Greens, not the Shiites or the Sihks or any other culture of this world.

To this day, nearly every one in the world knows of Custer - to this day, Custer and his men are glorified in print and film as heroic soldiers who were slaughtered by the "savages" - much of the world view of America and the American Indians has been formed by the media.

I've met many from other nations who absolutely believe the stereotype promulgated by the media of all nations - not just the American media; people who visit America and are very surprised to find there are no cowboys walking down the streets of New York, no "Indians" sitting on corners in their blankets, puffing away on a pipe.

It is not surprising, then, how few really know about how Custer treated, resolved the "Indian problem"...

How few people of the world really know that he and his troops mercilessly massacred entire villages, raping and killing the women, brutally executing every one without exception; the grandmothers and grandfathers, the men and women, the teenagers - and the children and babies?

Custer was not the only one who encouraged the atrocities and stood by as they were committed, not by a long shot. The history of the American Indians and the Settlers is rife with brutality and atrocities on both sides - But the bulk of the horror lays in the laps - and hands - of the settlers and the governments which encouraged the oppression and annihilation of the native populations.

True - there have been some articles that have spoken the truth; a few years back National Geographic printed an article that exposed the truth not only about "Custer's Last Stand", but also about Custer's active attempts to completely wipe out American Indians... There have been a few films that have shown - or attempted to show - the Truth as it actually happened - and those were panned by the non-native critics and journalists.

Many books have been written that expose the truth; that tell the story, the true story of how American Indians were ripped from the land, shoved off onto reservations that could not support them, made supplicants to a government that would rather ignore them - but how many really read those books?

Oh no, that is too disturbing, too upsetting to the noble sensitivities of most... "it's a dying and lost culture, if it really was worth something, it wouldn't die out" seems to be the justification.

Those books, articles and films are largely ignored by the masses of North America; at most, those who heard of or read of the attrocities only nod their heads sagely, commenting only "too bad that happened; yes, it was wrong - but it is in the past and there is nothing that can be done now."

And; nothing has been done, nothing is being done...

The languages, myths, art, spirituality, practices, and beauty of the Native American culture is fading into history to be lost forever; to be mused over in later years by the historically curious as a novelty...

Spiritual and cultural genocide... as the Native Americans are faced with either being totally assimilated by the Western Culture - or dying out on the many reservations... kept there, out of the way and out of mind, by supposedly beneficent governments; ignored and forgotten by the citizens of those nations...

Spiritual and cultural genocide, as the elders and parents helplessly watch their children leave to make a living in the "civilized" world, as those children and young adults willfully turn their backs on their heritage, language, and culture and willfully accept the stereotypical views of "civilization."

Spiritual and cultural genocide, as the great civilized masses of North America - and indeed the world - scurry pell-mell into the next century, focusing on technology and consumer goods... as "save the whales" and "save the children" and "save the earth" become the battle-cries of the various subcultures... not that those are bad things; they aren't, and they are needed.

But - the American Indian Cultures from southern-most tip of South America to the northenmost tip of Canada and Alaska are left behind, an afterthought, a mote of dust caught up in the tornado of "progress"...

Relegated to symbolic and denegrating mascots for sports teams, insulting icons for various holidays, and stereotypical villains for the movie industry; shoved off - out of site and out of mind - to die out on reservations.

Spiritual and cultural genocide by default and by intent, by marketing and media pressures, by willful and knowing ignorance... It is so easy to turn aside while saying "not my problem"...

True, in recent years there has been a very mild awakening in some; many non-native Americans - not just caucasians - are realizing the American Indian culture is rich, complex, full of beauty and spirituality, possessing and practicing ways of life that did not harm the earth and environment; and now some seek to learn. Unfortunately, many who profess to want to learn are only "in it" to make a dollar; preserving and indeed teaching and sharing the many cultures is the last thing on their minds...

Yet, there are some to whom preserving the culture; preserving the stories, art, ways of life, and spirituality of American Indian is indeed very important - and those few are doing what they can...

But; it is so little, and so late... it is my hope that as I - and others - speak out and share what we can that the loss can be averted, that the people of North America and indeed the world can be awakened.

In the years since 1950, many minorities in North America have had their causes heard, have had their injustices heard by the word; and have had some, if not all of their inequities addressed...

But not the American Indians of both continents...

Even my own Grandmother and Grandfather - he, a Cherokee; her, a Choctaw - turned their backs on their heritage because of the social, cultural, and economic pressures - as did their children, as did their son - my father.

One of my earliest memories was the "session" with my Father and his parents that occurred after I had shared with my classmates that I was part Indian, after I had shared with them how to tell what animals made what tracks... the teacher had called my Father and said that I had been telling "fairy tales" about being part Indian... my Father asked me if I had, and I told him "yes"; I told the truth.

He then told me to get in the car, and he drove to my Grandparent's house, where he told my Grandmother and Grandfather - his parents - what had happened.

My Grandparents became very silent at first - and then stood up and came over to me - Grandfather then kneeled and held me by the shoulders, and told me:

"NEVER let it be known you are Indian; you can pass for white, so BE white - forget everything you know about being Indian, forget all of it - because if you do not, you'll be treated worse than [blacks]."

My Grandfather did not say "blacks", but instead used a well-known epithet... He told my Father never to let me forget that, NEVER to let anyone know -

And my Grandmother, my father's mother, stood over me, shaking with anger, and told me "If you tell anyone you are Indian, I'll whup you so raw you can't sit down for a month"... I was six years old... only six years old...

I never forgot that afternoon - the incredible fear, anger, and confusion expressed in his eyes and face, her eyes and face; I never forgot the way his hands grabbed and hurt my shoulders - never forgot the incredible and devastating contradiction of his words compared to the oh-so-many wonderful and magical times he took me out in the desert to teach me Indian ways and skills...

He, who with my father gave me the birth name, the soul name that is so similar to my Tribal name of GhostWolf - caught in the paradox of wanting to maintain his heritage and pass it on; yet needing to make a living to support his family, his children - without being discriminated against...

He, who for the first six years of my life took great joy in taking me out into the Mojave, showing me how to read the sky for weather, read the phases of the moon for crops and hunting, showed me how to not only read and identify the tracks of so many different animals, but also how to tell how long ago they had been there...

Shaking, trembling, voice full of fear and anger - and yes, hate and shame - hurting me, telling me "NEVER let it be known you are Indian"... He, who had taught me so many truly wonderful things...

Never taught me anything about my heritage, OUR heritage ever again...

Thus this, my American Indian page...

it is my hope to learn what I can of my heritage; learn who my People the Cherokee and Choctaw are and were... learn my People's ways and beliefs and culture... that I may treasure The Ways, that I may honor my People even though I start on the Path so late in life.

That I may share with my son our roots, our Heritage - Our People...

May the contents of these pages; what I discover and the People to whom I link, show you the Truth - not only about the People, but also about the injustice, discrimination, and genocidal treatment of the People that continues to this day.

GhostWolf

Iron Wing's Children

For a very blunt and brutally honest view of the on-going discrimination and denegration of the American Indian, please go to Clem Iron Wing's Iron Wing's Children, A Souix Story on Racism.

This will be an uncomfortable site for many, for Clem Iron Wing pulls no punches as he shares very unpleasant truths that most would rather not face. It is said that "Truth Hurts" - keep that in mind as you read.

www.nemasys.com/ghostwolf/Native/genocide.shtml

Edited February 19, 2007 by REBEL

[Gone away]

Why the North Star Stands Still

Paiute

Native American Lore

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Long, long ago, when the world was young, the People of the Sky were so restless and travelled so much that they made trails in the heavens. Now, if we watch the sky all through the night, we can see which way they go.

But one star does not travel. That is the North Star. He cannot travel. He cannot move. When he was on the earth long, long ago, he was known as Na-gah, the mountain sheep, the son of Shinoh. He was brave, daring, sure-footed, and courageous. His father was so proud of him and loved him so much that he put large earrings on the sides of his head and made him look dignified, important, and commanding.

Every day, Na-gah was climbing, climbing, climbing. He hunted for the roughest and the highest mountains, climbed them, lived among them, and was happy. Once in the very long ago, he found a very high peak. Its sides were steep and smooth, and its sharp peak reached up into the clouds. Na-gah looked up and said, "I wonder what is up there. I will climb to the very highest point."

Around and around the mountain he travelled, looking for a trail. But he could find no trail. There was nothing but sheer cliffs all the way around. This was the first mountain Na-gah had ever seen that he could not climb.

He wondered and wondered what he should do. He felt sure that his father would feel ashamed of him if he knew that there was a mountain that his son could not climb. Na-gah determined that he would find a way up to its top. His father would be proud to see him standing on the top of such a peak.

Again and again he walked around the mountain, stopping now and then to peer up the steep cliff, hoping to see a crevice on which he could find footing. Again and again, he went up as far as he could, but always had to turn around and come down. At last he found a big crack in a rock that went down, not up. Down he went into it and soon found a hole that turned upward. His heart was made glad. Up and up he climbed.

Soon it became so dark that he could not see, and the cave was full of loose rocks that slipped under his feet and rolled down. Soon he heard a big, fearsome noise coming up through the shaft at the same time the rolling rocks were dashed to pieces at the bottom. In the darkness he slipped often and skinned his knees. His courage and determination began to fail. He had never before seen a place so dark and dangerous. He was afraid, and he was also very tired.

"I will go back and look again for a better place to climb," he said to himself. "I am not afraid out on the open cliffs, but this dark hole fills me with fear. I'm scared! I want to get out of here!"

But when Na-gah turned to go down, he found that the rolling rocks had closed the cave below him. He could not get down. He saw only one thing now that he could do: He must go on climbing until he came out somewhere.

After a long climb, he saw a little light, and he knew that he was coming out of the hole. "Now I am happy," he said aloud. "I am glad that I really came up through that dark hole."

Looking around him, he became almost breathless, for he found that he was on the top of a very high peak! There was scarcely room for him to turn around, and looking down from this height made him dizzy. He saw great cliffs below him, in every direction, and saw only a small place in which he could move. Nowhere on the outside could he get down, and the cave was closed on the inside..,

"Here I must stay until I die," he said. "But I have climbed my mountain! I have climbed my mountain at last!

He ate a little grass and drank a little water that he found in the holes in the rocks. Then he felt better. He was higher than any mountain he could see and he could look down on the earth, far below him.

About this time, his father was out walking over the sky. He looked everywhere for his son, but could not find him. He called loudly, "Na-gah! Na-gah!" And his son answered him from the top of the highest cliffs. When Shinoh saw him there, he felt sorrowful, to himself, "My brave son can never come down. Always he must stay on the top of the highest mountain. He can travel and climb no more.

"I will not let my brave son die. I will turn him into a star, and he can stand there and shine where everyone can see him. He shall be a guide mark for all the living things on the earth or in the sky."

And so Na-gah became a star that every living thing can see. It is the only star that will always be found at the same place. Always he stands still. Directions are set by him. Travellers, looking up at him, can always find their way. He does not move around as the other stars do, and so he is called "the Fixed Star." And because he is in the true north all the time, our people call him Qui-am-i Wintook Poot-see. These words mean "the North Star."

Besides Na-gah, other mountain sheep are in the sky. They are called "Big Dipper" and "Little Dipper." They too have found the great mountain and have been challenged by it. They have seen Na- gah standing on its top, and they want to go on up to him.

Shinoh, the father of North Star, turned them into stars, and you may see them in the sky at the foot of the big mountain. Always they are travelling. They go around and around the mountain, seeking the trail that leads upward to Na-gah, who stands on the top. He is still the North Star.

reference

[War Eagle]

~Some Interesting Native American Facts~

One in every 130 people living in the

United States today is Native American.

Wolves, long revered by Native Americans

as a symbol of truth and knowledge, are

intrinsically peace loving and there has

not been a documented case of a healthy

wolf killing a human in North America.

As many as 750,000 wolves once roamed

throughout America; now however, the

haunting melody of a howling wolf is

heard in only a handful of states.

During World War II, the Japanese Army

could not break the secret code of the

U.S. Military. The code was simply a group

of Navajo volunteers speaking their Native

American language on their field radios.

The names of over 50 percent of the

states in the United States came

from Native American languages. For

example, Utah is the Ute tribe's name

for themselves, and Kentucky means

planted field in the Iroquois language.

Long ago, Native Americans had developed

a process in which dried cactus-eating

insects could be turned into red dye

called cochineal. This Indian dye,

one of the most important exports

from the New World in the late 16th

century and highly valued by the

European cloth industry for hundreds of

years, was used to dye the red British

uniforms in the Revolutionary War.

~Eagle Feather Legend~

Native American legend says...

when a great warrior falls...

an eagle feather falls to earth.

(Eagles are a symbol of Courage.)

~Peace Pipes~

Peace pipes are among the most sacred

Native American objects being used in

ceremonies. It is believed, the more

decorated the pipe, the stronger its power.

To make peace with other tribes, Sioux

Chieftans brought out their peace pipe.

The pipe was usually handed to the Chief

of the enemy tribe first and then it was

smoked by all the leaders of both tribes.

"The pipe is us! The stem is our

backbone, the bowl our head, the stone

our blood, red as our skin.

~A Sioux

www.geocities.com/klazyfox/nativeam

Edited February 19, 2007 by REBEL

[War Eagle]

The story below is truly a 'wake up call' for right here and now...powerful stuff.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Introduction:

The article below is an attempt to wake people up out of their complacency and ignorance and see what's really happening around them, right at this very minute. The US launched an attack on Iraq, regardless of the many in the world who opposed it, including most of the nations of the UN. Do we really believe this bullying will stop at Iraq? Country after country will follow the same fate as Iraq, until we wake up to what is going on.

History books are written by the victors, and is never an indication of the truth of what really happened, and the Native Americans are but one example. We are not being told the real truth, whether it be about history, or about current events.

But now, more and more, courageous voices are speaking out against war as a solution to anything. The first step to creating Peace is to arm yourself with the Truth. The second step is to do something about it. Each of us individually has the power to create the Peace we all wish for. And not just the power, but we have a responsibility as Global Citizens. As long as we sit back and do nothing, whether out of fear or out of ignorance, we will all be victims in the end.

I encourage you to arm yourself with Knowledge. Then rid yourself of your fears and start to do something, before it is too late. Let's give our children a world to look forward to. The native americans have the custom of basing all their actions on how it will affect 7 generations into the future; that is, the future we leave our children with. What a wonderful idea for governments to implement before they make any policies.

Start to become aware of what's happening, and look behind the scenes. Start questioning. The article posted below is only one of many ways we can begin...........

War does not determine who's right, only who's left! - Author Unknown

"Only to the white man was nature a "wilderness" and only to him was the land "infested" with "wild" animals and "savage" people. To us, it was tame. Earth was bountiful and we were surrounded with the blessings of the Great Mystery. Not until the hairy man from the east came and with brutal frenzy heaped injustices upon us and the families we loved was it "wild" for us. When the very animals of the forest began fleeing from his approach, then it was for us that the "wild west" began."

Luther Standing Bear,

Chief of the Oglala Sioux Tribe (1868-1939)

Land of the Spotted Eagle, 1933

THE LITTLE WHITE LIE

There is a little white lie...that we call history.

It appears that as a nation, the United States government has never considered the original people of the continent of North America to be among "all men" mentioned in the following portion of the Declaration of Independence:-

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness -- that to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed, that whenever Any Form of Government becomes destructive of these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute a new Government."

~~ The U.S. Declaration of Independence ~~

As our government continues to try to go to war against the wishes of ever-growing opposition all over the world, I ask you to consider the recommendations listed in this post to educate yourself about Native American Indian cultures. I believe that the United States government has become addicted to war and it started a very long time ago!

It is through awareness and understanding that humanity can purify the individual and collective hearts and minds, necessary components to bring about peace on this planet. The great purification spoken about in Native American prophecy can be as kind and gentle as humanity wishes it to be. We can either wake up and do the internal work on ourselves, manifesting peace...or continue harboring the fear and anger, manifesting war. It's as simple as that...and it's our choice! It is our actions (or lack of them) that are determining this very minute the type of world in which we CHOOSE to live.

Mankind cannot become healthy unless there is the realization that we're ill and, as a species, we are very, very sick...having spread the cancers of fear and anger rhat we carry within our collective conscious, manifesting these diseases in our outer world for all to see. Our outer world is but a mirror of our inner world. And, we are a world of pretenders, a great majority ignoring the pain brought about by unjustness in the world in which we live. Most often, we deal with what we see and hear through apathy and anesthetizing ourselves with our addictions.

Perhaps the time has come to silence the drums of wars raging within by diligently working on ourselves. Peace within is the only path to peace without. The vibrations of war enslave not only individual souls but the collective soul of humanity as well.

The following information is being highly recommended to the masses on this planet, especially here in North America. If we can begin to see how our government has treated the original people, those we often call Native Americans, perhaps we can see how prevalent the divide-and-conquer mentality has been since the first moment that colonists set foot on this continent already inhabited by millions of people. Most of these videos will not bring about a warm, fuzzy feeling, but having one's story told and being heard is part of the healing process. Please consider educating yourself and your family and friends, especially the children, so that the big fat lie that became the little white lie we call history can be corrected. Even if it isn't pretty, we should start telling the truth.

Those of us who work for peace care deeply about Mother Earth and what kind of world we are creating for all children, for people of all cultures. Knowledge continues to be power, but let's no longer choose "power-over" in our ways of dealing with people and countries, but power used in a wise way for the greater good of all of life, including the planet herself.

This is the time of a great awakening by humanity, but we must not just wake up if we wish to effect positive change in the world, we must get out of bed!!! We have unlimited opportunities to educate ourselves about what's really happening in the world and be a voice for peace. We can also make ourselves aware of real history that never made it into our history books. And, once we become aware, we might start to wonder just what the agenda really is on our planet by those who continue to enslave the spirit of humanity through the vibrations of fear brought about by war and oppression. There seems to be a constant need to feed the beast of oppression to make a few people rich and comfortable.

Here's one last bit of food for thought. The masses have always been controlled through fear, and what better way to continue the vibrations of fear than through war? It is serving the agenda of the divide-and-conquer "powers that be" (in their minds) to make the prophecies concerning what has been called the "end times" come true. And, we should remember that war is a BUSINESS. How does one justify feeding the beast, if there is no war?

If humanity removes the "sheeple" robe it has so comfortably worn and becomes part of "we the people" instead of "we the sheeple", we can manifest peace instead of war. It is OUR CHOICE and this IS OUR COUNTRY...ISN'T IT?...ALL OF US!!!!

Let's not let the U.S. government mantra of "broken treaties, broken spirits" spread any further into the global scene than it already has!

The time of separation is over...the time of oneness, of knowing the connectedness of everything, is here. Please consider viewing the following to give even a small glimpse of the history that never made it into the history books because the little white lies did instead.

When we start to unpeel the onion of truth, we will realize that this is only the beginning. Be prepared to have this onion of truth make you cry. Part of the tears will come because of the realization of how we have allowed ourselves to be duped by the illusions that have passed (and continue to pass) for truth for so long!

Author - Sharon Pacione

www.pearlsofwisdom.com

Edited February 19, 2007 by REBEL

[2spookie]

12 Warriors

Long time ago, there were these 12 warriors who set out to hunt and gather food for their people.

This would take them maybe several days. They split up in groups of three to hunt and gather what was needed.

On the end of the great hunting day they had put up their huge tipi so that all can rest for the journey home the next day.

Well, a couple of them were cooking the rest were laying about towards the rear of the tipi, tellin their stories of the day.

The outside not yet dark out it was just right after the sun had set and the shadows started to cover some of the ground and

hills, ect. As the men were enjoying the evening, all of sudden they could hear rustling in the woods like somethin was coming

and something was being dragged. Then they could hear the crying of a woman but a bit more creepyish. They sat and listened.

As this crying was coming closer and closer, finally it was to the front of their tipi. Then there was this old grandmother who

came in and sat at the door of the tipi. The two men at the front of the tipi sat there quietly. As the ten men in the back all huddled

together scared and hiding from this grandmother. All these men know somehow that this grandmother wasn't of this world but from

the spirit world. Grandmother would sit there without saying a word but would look at the men in the back from time to time.

The two men at the front had by this time started to pray out loud. They both offered her food so she took it, she grabbed the bowl

pulled it close to her as fast as she did this the food was gone had simply vanished in a few seconds from the bowl. The two men

at the front of the tipi started to sing to the grandmother. While the men at the back still huddled together in fright.

She sat there looking at them this old grandmother, her buckskin dress all dingy and worn out, her hair salt & pepper colored and quite frizzed.

Her face was real pale and ghost like but hardly able to see with all her hair covering it.

Finally, the two men asked her what she wanted from them... They said grandmother we offered you pray, food and song. What is it you want from

us.. but grandmother gave them no answer and would just look at the ten warriors in the back. The two men finally told grandmother to go back to the

spirit world. And with this she left just as she came draggin her body wrapped in a buffalo robe. But this time she was singing as she walked away.

The men all headed home as soon as the sun has risen. None of them spoke of what they has seen the night before. Every year after the time they

seen the grandmother spirit a warrior would pass. For ten years a warrior passed but the two who offered food, song and prayer they say lived to be

a hundred years old. This story was told to me by one of my grandmothers who has never told anyone but me. The place this happened is in South Dakota

somewhere along the Cheyenne River some many many years ago. Back then stories like this did happen and people seen things no one has seen in this day

and age. Thank you for reading. (That's my story and I'm stickin to it!)

[War Eagle]

A Lakota Elder Speaks Up

_______________________________________

On Freedom and Honor

The most important thing for white people is freedom. The most important thing for Indian people is honor.

The white world puts all the power at the top. When someone gets to the top, they have the power to take your freedom. In your churches there is someone at the top. In your schools, too. In your government. In your business. There is always someone at the top, and that person has the right to say whether you are good or bad. They own you. No wonderAmericans always worry about freedom. You have so damn little of it. If you don't protect it, someone will take it away from you.

When you came among us, you couldn't understand our way. You wanted to find the person at the top. You wanted to find the fences that bound us in. Your world was made of cages and you thought ours was, too.

Everything looked like cages. Your clothes fit like cages. Your houses looked like cages. You put fences around your yards so they looked like cages. Everything was a cage. You turned the land into cages. Little squares. Then you made a government to protect these cages. And that government was all cages. The only freedom you had was inside your own cage. Then you wondered why you weren't happy and didn't feel free.

We Indians never thought that way. Everyone was free. We didn't make cages of laws or land. We believed in honor. To us, the white man looked like a blind man walking. He knew he was on the wrong path when he bumped into the edge of one of the cages. Our guide was inside, not outside. It was honor. It was more important for us to know what was right than to know what was wrong.

We looked at animals and saw what was right. We saw how every animal had wisdom and we tried to learn that wisdom. We looked to see how they got along and how they raised their young. We did not look for what was wrong. Instead we always reached for what was right. It was this search that kept us on a good path, not rules and fences. We wanted honor for ourselves and our families.

The only time freedom is important is when others are trying to put you in chains. We had no chains so we needed no freedom. We had always had our freedom, so you had nothing of value to give us. All you could do is take it away and give it back to us in the form of cages.

You took our honor and gave us your freedom. And even you know that is no freedom at all. It is just the freedom to live inside your own locked cage.

Excerpts from the book

"Neither Wolf nor Dog. On Forgotten Roads with an Indian Elder"

by Kent Nerburn

New World Library, 1994

Summary by Cheryl Harleston

www.pearlsofwisdom.com

Lakota Wisdom

Edited February 20, 2007 by REBEL

[War Eagle]

...cont ^^

An Elder Speaks Up

_______________________________

On Selling Sacred Things

When something is sacred, it does not have a price. I don't care if it is white people talking about heaven or Indian people talking about ceremonies. If you can buy it, it isn't sacred. And once you start to sell it, it doesn't matter whether your reasons are good or not. You are taking what is sacred and making it ordinary.

We Indians can't lose what is sacred to us. We don't have much left. What we have is in our hearts and in our ceremonies. The land is gone. It was sold by false Indians who were made into chiefs by white people. Our sacred objects are gone. They are collected by anthropologists who put them in museums. Now there are Indians who are selling ceremonies in order to make money.

When they are gone, all we will have is our hearts. And without our ceremonies, our hearts will not speak. We will be like the white man who is afraid to say the word 'God' out loud and goes around trying to buy sacred ceremonies from other people. We will have the same hunger in our hearts and the same silence on our lips.

On Promises

The tobacco is like our church. It goes up to God. When we offer it, we are telling our God that we are speaking the truth. Whenever there's tobacco offered, everything is wakan —sacred or filled with power.

That's a lot of why we Indians got into trouble with the white man's ways early on. When we make a promise, it's a promise to the Great Spirit, Wakan Tanka. Nothing is going to change that promise. We made all these promises with the white man, and we thought the white man was making promises to us. But he wasn't. He was making deals.

We could never figure out how the white man could break every promise, especially when all the priests and holy men —those men we called the black robes— were involved. We can't break promises. We never could.

A lot of them were private —we didn't need a priest to make them happen. But they were real. They were promises to the Creator to do something. So we thought we were seeing the same thing from the white man. Especially when he swore on the Bible or used the name of God to make a promise. But I guess it was a lot like their church. It was only important on some days. The rest of the time it didn't matter.

On Teachers

A person wasn't a teacher because they had been elected or got a certificate. They were a teacher because they knew something and were respected. If they didn't know enough, they weren't teachers. Or if we didn't need to know what they knew, we didn't go to them.

Now you send us teachers and you tell us to send our children, when we aren't even sure what the teachers know. We don't even know if they are good people who will build up the hearts of our children. All we know is that they are teachers because someone gave them a piece of paper saying they had taken courses about teaching.

What we want to know is what kind of person they are and what they have in their hearts to share. Telling us they have a paper that lets them teach is like putting a fancy wrapping on a box. We want to know what's in that box. An empty box with a fancy wrapper is still an empty box.

Excerpts from the book

"Neither Wolf nor Dog. On Forgotten Roads with an Indian Elder"

by Kent Nerburn

New World Library, 1994

Summary by Cheryl Harleston

www.pearlsofwisdom.com

Lakota Wisdom

Edited February 20, 2007 by REBEL

[War Eagle]

The Invitation

It doesn't interest me what you do for a living.

I want to know what you ache for, and if you dare to dream of

meeting your heart's longing.

It doesn't interest me how old you are.

I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dream,

for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your moon.

I want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow, if you have

been opened by life's betrayals or have become shriveled and closed from fear

of further pain! I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own, without

moving to hide it or fade it, or fix it. I want to know if you can be with joy,

mine or your own, if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you

to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful,

to be realistic, to remember the limitations of being human.

It doesn't interest me if the story you are telling me is true.

I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself; if you can

bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul; if you can be

faithless and therefore trustworthy.

I want to know if you can see beauty even when it's not pretty, every day, and

if you can source your own life from its presence.

I want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine, and still stand on

the edge of the lake and shout to the silver of the full moon, "Yes!"

It doesn't interest me to know where you live or how much money you have.

I want to know if you can get up, after the night of grief and despair, weary and

bruised to the bone, and do what needs to be done to feed the children.

It doesn't interest me who you know or how you came to be here.

I want to know if you will stand in the center of the fire with me

and not shrink back.

It doesn't interest me where or what or with whom you have studied.

I want to know what sustains you, from the inside, when all else falls away.

I want to know if you can be alone with yourself and if you truly like

the company you keep in the empty moments.

by Oriah Mountain Dreamer

www.pearlsofwisdom.com

Edited February 21, 2007 by REBEL

[Fairy bye bye]

This is a reply to the little white lie history.

Its a truly powerful piece, one that i recommend people read to really open their eyes to the lack of so called freedom of speech we have in this world, governments all over the world preach they want what is best for the people, but do they actually listen...NO, regardless of what the common folks thoughts and feelings on certain subjects they act in accordance to what they think is best...so is war and death, destruction of cultures and civilisations the best way? of course not, but it boils down to the simple fact of power, who has got it, who wants it, and what threats from others who want to join the party.

The solution..that's a simple one, collectively stand up for our beliefs and make ourselves heard, say no to the war and the atrocities that that harbor in this world, i dont have any percentages i could use unfortunately, but i imagine it to be extremely high in the case of wanting a peaceful land in our lifetime.

The problem...unfortunately power hungry people and people who have a taste for destruction will always be a major problem in this world, its set so deep in their minds that i'm afraid some views just wont be changed no matter how hard as a whole want it.

I never give up hope that one day we shall see some sight of these problems coming to a close, but i have to think logically as well, we all know and have seen the evil minded of this world..how do we put an end to them?

History repeats its self constantly, governments make mistakes time and time again and never learn or take note of the consequences of their actions, its a sad and bitter situation to be in and one that will destroy us and the world we live in if something isn't done to quieten this hatred.

[2spookie]

"GeeChee" Man (Boogey Man or Possible Bigfoot)

This story was told to me by one of my grandmother's when I was a little girl.

She said it happened sometime when she was young or maybe before. (can't recall)

She said this little boy and his grandmother lived alone along a small ravine. Somewhere along the edge of what's now the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation there along the Cheyenne River in South Dakota. Well back then people just started to live in the wooden houses and would travel by foot or horseback. One evening as the sun was setting, Grandmother started to call out for the boy to start gathering his toys and come inside.

The little boy kept on playing by the ravine but eventually moved to the outside the doorway. By this time the sun had completely gone and it was dark in most places.

The little boy continued to play with out regards to listening to Grandmother. Finally she said " Geechee" man you can have him, he don't listen" "Geechee"man come and get him" " you can have him".... She said this several times and had closed the door on the little boy. Not but a few minutes then she opened the door and he was gone. She called out for him for maybe he was hiding. Then she could hear his cry coming from the ravine as though he was being taken. Further and further he cry sounded. She then took to getting someone to help her find her grandson. She went to another home which back then would be atleast 1/2 mi to a mile away. They had a group of men out looking for the little boy for about a week. Until one evening the men came upon this deep draw just east of where Grandmother lived maybe some five miles away or so. They could see what looked like light from a fire way down below in the draw. And from there they could hear the little boy laughing as though this being that took him was playing with him and then he would be crying like this being was also punishing him. Back and forth this was said to happen. They say they hadn't been able to get him back by the time they got there the boy and this "geechee" man were gone. And to this day they call this placeClayton's Draw

Supposedly named after the missing boy. All throughtout our younger days we were told to come in before the sun sets. Because the " geechee" man comes out looking for bad kids that don't listen. And that no parent should tell him to come for their kids cause he will.

He's said to be part being and spirit... but I don't know exactly what he is but that he was feared by children. I think maybe this "geechee" man was not a boogey man but maybe a bigfoot. (could possibly be) Even back then our parents wouldn't be out after sun set unless they had to. Well, hope you enjoyed reading my story. (This is my story and I'm sticking to it....)

[2spookie]

there you go rebel... the story you was wanting to hear. hope you like it. Edited February 21, 2007 by 2spookie

[2spookie]

Edited February 21, 2007 by 2spookie

[War Eagle]

Native American Legends

A Sacred Story

An Anishnabe (Anishinabe) Legend

It was spring when the young Anishnibe Warrior came to Community. There was something different about him that many did not understand. With his well spoken ways and the confidence in which he held was something foreign to these people that were of the "Traditional Circle". After several months of being in the community many were afraid to speak with him or considered there to be something wrong with him yet no one could find fault with the way he did things not even the work that he did. This Young man knew very little of the ways of the Circle and so he thought that he would go and learn there ways. Much talk and teachings came from this and he learned very well what was expected of him as a Warrior in the Traditional circle.

After many months of teachings he came back to the Elders to question them concerning the state of community and why it was that so many things were denied the others in the circle. He saw old people, disabled people, mothers that were relying on the Gov. to care for there families as there men were sleeping in someone else's bed, and many more things that bothered him. He was told that he was meddling in the affairs of the community and that this was not an acceptable to the community. It did not seem right to him that only the people that could pick the sacred medicines were allowed to have them and it did not seem right to him that the Elders did not have Eagle Feathers for being elders, yet those that could dance and were young and strong did. He again was told that it was how it had become to be in this community and unless he could think of a better way then that was the way of things.

This Young Warrior did not like it at all and became very irritable over this as it seemed that the ways of the dominant culture were creeping in and that no one understood that the teachings of community are for all and not just the few who can fend for themselves. So he went to his place to ask the Grandmothers and the grandfathers for help in this matter. He knew this was a life or death situation for the community so he placed his gifts down first and then entered lodge, this was a fasting lodge a lodge of need, not like the teaching lodge or the prayer lodge, but one of a different type constructed differently than the others. So he prayed and fasted for many days and so it was that the Grandmother from the Northeast came to him and spoke not a word to him but drew a circle in the center of the lodge and put 4 points on it and told him to go and travel the four directions and you will have your answer that you seek.

The young warrior thanked her for the sacred teaching and left the lodge and offered many more gifts to the Grandmothers and Grandfathers. He left the lodge and traveled east first. In the East along a small brook in a clearing sat the Crane and he watched the Crane for a time. When the Crane left he offered again his gifts to the Grandmothers and Grandfathers. When he approached the spot where the Crane was he could smell a very familiar pungent aroma and found that there was a 10 acre field of sweetgrass there nested in the heart of his trap line. He began to pick and harvest the sweetgrass and harvested with care not to pull the roots but to allow it to regrow again next year. He filled up his sled 4 foot high with sweetgrass braids.

He returned back to the people that he saw were in need and passed out all of the sweetgrass to the community. He held nothing back not one blade but gave it all away. He then went to the South and found wild tobacco growing and did the same with the tobacco ties giving it all away saving not one piece for himself to keep He then went to the West and found Sage and did the same and passed it all out to the community saving not one piece for himself. Then he went North and came upon the great Cedar Grandfather and did the same and passed them out once again to community for those that were in need and saved not one piece for himself.

When the Elders questioned why he had done it he said "because everyone is equal and everyone deserves to have what everyone else has. I have nothing but know where to get it because I walked the path of the Grandmothers and Grandfathers and you may believe that if there is need again in this community that I will come again and do the same, you that make yourself great at the woes of others are not great and your Sacred Lodge is an abomination to the Grandmothers and Grandfathers, put your own house in order and then help others to do the same when all houses in community are in order then there will be peace in the lodge and many good prayers will be sent out. I will give one more gift to show this as it was told of me to give". So he again left and went many days to the west to seek the great gifts of the Grandmothers and the Grandfathers. He found a valley with Eagle Feathers in it and again he offered his gifts to the Grandfathers and Grandmothers and came to community and gave the Golden Eagle Feather to community for healing. He gave all of them away saving not one for himself, he gave one to every person the was in need and could not get them for themselves. This last act of defiance against the Elders outraged them to the point of openly speaking out against his gifts.

Then the community powwow came and by chance a young dancer the son of an Elder lost his Eagle Feather in the Circle of dancers, and the cry went out for Veterans to come to return the Spirit of the Eagle to the People with honor. In full Regalia as he was told to wear he stepped forword and took his place in the East with the other Vets. When it came time to be questioned as to who would pick up the feather and give it away again it was found that he was the only Veteran that was also wounded in battle so the honor was his and his alone. When he did pick up the feather, he asked a question of the Elders who was it that he was required to give the Eagle feather to ?

He went to a young girl that was in a wheelchair and gave her the Eagle Feather to keep. I came for community, the one that dances has many she had none, care for what you have or the Grandfathers and Grandmothers will lessen your burden.

This is a true story of the people.

Native American Legends. First People of America and First People of Canada.

www.thefirstpeople.com

Edited February 21, 2007 by REBEL

[louie]

I dont know too much about Indian tales, but do you have any storys telling of the star people or the star child.

[Gone away]

Source

A HOPI ELDER SPEAKS

~=~ -:- ~=~ -:- ~>>-<<~>>~+~<<~>>-<<~ -:- ~=~ -:- ~=~

"You have been telling the people that this is the Eleventh Hour, now you must go back and tell the people that this is THE HOUR.

And there are things to be considered...

Where are you living?

What are you doing?

What are your relationships?

Are you in right relation?

Where is your water?

Know your garden.

It is time to speak your Truth.

Create your community.

Be good to each other.

And do not look outside yourself for the leader.

Then he clasped his hands together, smiled, and said, "This could be a good time! There is a river flowing now very fast. It is so great and swift that there are those who will be afraid. They will try to hold on to the shore. They will feel they are being torn apart and will suffer greatly. Know the river has its destination. The elders say we must let go of the shore, push off into the middle of the river, keep our eyes open, and our heads above the water. And I say, see who is in there with you and celebrate.

At this time in history, we are to take nothing personally. Least of all, ourselves. For the moment that we do, our spiritual growth and journey comes to a halt.

The time of the lone wolf is over. Gather yourselves! Banish the word struggle from your attitude and your vocabulary. All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration.

We are the ones we've been waiting for.

Oraibi, Arizona Hopi Nation

~=~ -:- ~=~ -:- ~>>-<<~>>~+~<<~>>-<<~ -:- ~=~ -:- ~=~

EXCERPT FROM HOPI PROPHECY

~=~ -:- ~=~ -:- ~>>-<<~>>~+~<<~>>-<<~ -:- ~=~ -:- ~=~

http://www.welcomehome.org/rainbow/prophecy/hopi1.html

..."The Fourth World shall end soon, and the Fifth World will begin. This the elders everywhere know. The Signs over many years have been fulfilled, and so few are left.

"This is the First Sign: We are told of the coming of the white-skinned men, like Pahana, but not living like Pahana men who took the land that was not theirs. And men who struck their enemies with thunder.(men with guns)

"This is the Second Sign: Our lands will see the coming of spinning wheels filled with voices. In his youth, my father saw this prophecy come true with his eyes -- the white men bringing their families in wagons across the prairies."

"This is the Third Sign: A strange beast like a buffalo but with great long horns, will overrun the land in large numbers. These White Feather saw with his eyes -- the coming of the white men's cattle."

"This is the Fourth Sign: The land will be crossed by snakes of iron." (railroad tracks)

"This is the Fifth Sign: The land shall be criss-crossed by a giant spider's web." (power & phone lines)

"This is the Sixth sign: The land shall be criss-crossed with rivers of stone that make pictures in the sun." (concrete highways and their mirage-producing effects)

"This is the Seventh Sign: You will hear of the sea turning black, and many living things dying because of it." (ocean oil spills)

"This is the Eighth Sign: You will see many youth, who wear their hair long like my people, come and join the tribal nations, to learn their ways and wisdom. ("Hippy Movement" of the 60's)

"And this is the Ninth and Last Sign: You will hear of a dwelling-place in the heavens, above the earth, that shall fall with a great crash. It will appear as a blue star. Very soon after this, the ceremonies of my people will cease.

"These are the Signs that great destruction is coming. The world shall rock to and fro. The white man will battle against other people in other lands -- with those who possessed the first light of wisdom. There will be many columns of smoke and fire such as White Feather has seen the white man make in the deserts not far from here. Only those which come will cause disease and a great dying. Many of my people, understanding the prophecies, shall be safe. Those who stay and live in the places of my people also shall be safe. Then there will be much to rebuild. And soon -- very soon afterward -- Pahana will return. He shall bring with him the dawn of the Fifth World. He shall plant the seeds of his wisdom in their hearts. Even now the seeds are being planted. These shall smooth the way to the Emergence into the Fifth World.

"But White Feather shall not see it. I am old and dying. You -- perhaps will see it. In time, in time..." The old Indian fell silent. They had arrived at his destination, and Reverend David Young stopped to let him out of the car. They never met again. Reverend Young died in 1976, so he did not live to see the further fulfillment of this remarkable prophecy.

The signs are interpreted as follows:

The First Sign is of guns.

The Second Sign is of the pioneers' covered wagons.

The Third Sign is of longhorn cattle.

The Fourth Sign describes the railroad tracks.

The Fifth Sign is a clear image of our electric power and telephone lines.

The Sixth Sign describes concrete highways and their mirage-producing effects.

The Seventh Sign foretells of oil spills in the ocean.

The Eighth Sign clearly indicates the "Hippy Movement" of the 1960s.

~>>-<<~>>~+~<<~>>-<<~

GLP FORUM THREAD? "...

The New Blue Star Will Awaken Soon, It´s coming. Are you ready for the light?

Big Blue Sun 4/29/2004 3:08 am EDT

Re: The New Blue Star Will Awaken Soon

The new sun will appear as a normal star that gets brighter and brighter in the southwestern sky until it begins to pulse yellow, attracting thenattention of the entire world. Then people will begin to notice that this new star is moving slowly in the heavens and that it begins to pulse red as violent explosions are seen on its surface. When the star has moved to where it appears overhead on the North American continent, it will pulse blue and white and blue rays of fire will be seen emanating from the surface. Eventually the star will be totally blue and people will be able to see in the night by the light of the new blue sun.net

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=

Big Blue Sun 4/29/2004 3:16 am EDT

Re: The New Blue Star Will Awaken Soon

I can´t tell you what the new blue star is. Because I don´t know. What I can tell you is that it will bring a change greater than any event in recorded history. Attitudes about everything will change abruptly as people realize that most of what they are working towards amount only to nonsense and is a waste of their time and energy. It´s about evolution. Definately spiritual evolution, and perhaps physical evolution as well. Change is coming. Soon.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Anonymous C. 4/29/2004 3:33 am EDT

Re: The New Blue Star Will Awaken Soon

Most people will reject the blue sun and stay with the red/yellow spectral colors. Those who are more awakened will be drawn to the blue sun. Reality will then split - the few who have divested themselves of the drama here and have worked on the consciousness of being will follow the blue sun and end up on an Earth that is love based. The vast majority who are still fighting right/wrong will stay with the yellow/red world and will continue to experience the karma created by fighting and get to see the ultimate death and devastation of an Earth going through apocalyptic changes.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=

Big Blue Sun 4/29/2004 3:42 am EDT

Re: The New Blue Star Will Awaken Soon

I can´t tell you exactly when "soon" is, because I don´t know that either. I would love to know myself

What I can say here is that when this happens, it will be very apparent to everyone that a major change is underway. Some people, particularly people who have a lot of power now, are dreading this event and are trying to stave it off; which will prove useless and completely futile. This is about an end to slavery, lies, and hierarchical systems which no longer serve the best interests of organizing humanity. The people who are in charge now would do well to start mending their ways, rather than building bunkers to hide in. Nobody will be hidden from anything...."

"...So "soon" means within the next few years is my guess. I´m not the only one who is getting this message, but none of us are clear on when "soon" means. It won´t sneak up on us, that is for certain. There will be signs that are irrefutable before the conversation gets underway. There´s no reason at all to be afraid, and no "preparations," like stocking up food and such are needed. None of that will matter. What would be a good idea is that if anyone here is living in a way that they KNOW is wrong, that they stop doing so TODAY. Don´t wait until you are called on the carpet to change your life, do it on your own..."

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"...BLUE on BLUE 4/29/2004 4:02 am EDT

Re: The New Blue Star Will Awaken Soon "When the Blue Star Kachina makes its appearance in the heavens, the Fifth World will emerge". This will be the Day of Purification. The Hopi name for the star Sirius is Blue Star Kachina. It will come when the Saquasohuh (Blue Star) Kachina dances in the plaza and removes his mask

Edited February 21, 2007 by dixiepixie

[War Eagle]

Medicine Wheel

The medicine wheel is a symbol for the wheel of life which is forever evolving and bringing new lessons and truths to the walking of the path. The Earthwalk is based on the understanding that each one of us must stand on every spoke, on the great wheel of life many times, and that every direction is to be honored. Until you have walked in others' moccasins, or stood on their spokes of the wheel, you will never truly know their hearts.

The medicine wheel teaches us that all lessons are equal, as are all talents and abilities. Every living creature will one day see and experience each spoke of the wheel, and know those truths. It is a pathway to truth, peace and harmony. The circle is never ending, life without end.

In experiencing the Good Red Road, one learns the lessons of physical life, or of being human. This road runs South to North in the circle of the medicine wheel. After the graduation experience of death, one enters the Blue or Black Road, that is the world of the grandfathers and grandmothers. In spirit, one will continue to learn by counseling those remaining on the Good Red Road. The Blue Road of the spirit runs East to West. The medicine wheel is life, afterlife, rebirth and the honoring of each step along the way.

Medicine Cards, by Jamie Sams & David Carson

users.ap.net/~chenae/spirit.html

MBTI and Spirituality

Relating the Four Spiritual Journeys

To the Medicine Wheel

Sensning(Red)

INtuition(Blue)

Thinking(Green)

Feeling(Yellow)

Words of the Spirit / East Section

Red * Confidence

Orange * Balance

Yellow * Creativity

Green * Growth

Blue * Truth

Purple * Wisdom

Burgundy * Impeccability

Words of the Emotions / South Section

Red * Strength

Orange * Success

Yellow * Vision

Green * Beauty

Blue * Healing

Purple * Power

Burgundy * Great

Words of the Body / West Section

Red * Nurture

Orange * Choice

Yellow * Ceremony

Green * Change

Blue * Proof

Purple * Real

Burgundy * Grand

Words of the Mind/Brain / North Section

Red * Color

Orange * Energy

Yellow * Prayer

Green * Courage

Blue * Understanding

Purple * Knowledge

Burgundy * Will

Words of the Center / Creator - The Song

Red * Accountability

Orange * Responsibility

Yellow * Serenity

Green * Honesty

Blue * Respect

Purple * Commitment

Burgundy * Mystery

Edited February 21, 2007 by REBEL

[War Eagle]

Native American Indian Medicine Wheel

Here is a version of the Medicine Wheel based on Sunbears vision.

Different tribes had slight variation on their own Medicine Wheels, so this is a guide or a "universal" one.

http://www.geocities.com/takoda_magick/natamer.html

Edited February 24, 2007 by REBEL

[War Eagle]

Some Native American Indian Prophecies for the end times...their version.

Other and similar prophecies as told by some of the Elders follow a very similar and in a lot of ways carbon copy of what Lelanie Fuller Stone has written, including... Black Elk, Frank Waters, Lee Brown, Thomas Banacyca and others.

Make of it what you will.

Lelanie Fuller Stone "The Cherokee Lady"

Lelanie is a professional nurse, artist, columnist, teacher and author. An "NGED" Cherokee-American, she has written and published seven books relating to her Native American Heritage. Lelanie, known by most people as the "Cherokee Lady", began publishing her works in 1991, encouraged by fellow artists, family and friends. Lelanie has worked for over 25 years in many areas of the medical profession, from intensive care to managing a medical program for a Tulsa-based corporation with over 234 offices in the U.S. and 43 bases over-seas.

Her interest in Indian Herbal Medicine started at an early age when her grandmother took her for many walks explaining the herbs and their uses. When she moved to El Paso, Texas, in the 70's she again became involved in herbal remedies. Her friend, also a nurse and Pima Indian, introduced her to several of the local Tigua Indian women who became her guides. Her knowledge of these remedies coupled with her knowledge of western medicine proved to be very useful. Before long, she was known by many of the locals as "La Curandera or the Medicine Woman".

Since her return to Oklahoma in the 80's, she has continued her search for more information on "Native American medicinal herbology". She spends countless hours researching remedies in her vast library of antique books based on "ancient herbal remedies". Her library contains herbal documentation of Indian remedy reference materials which were printed in 1760. Her research includes trekking across the countryside for herbs as well as interviewing " Elders" from the surrounding communities rich in Native American "herb lore".

Lelanie has been featured in several magazines and numerous newspaper articles across the country. The 1993 Special "Native American" issue of Oklahoma Today magazine featured Lelanie as one of the "Indian Herbalists" of our time.

Over the last three years Lelanie has performed an annual lecture at the University of Oklahoma speaking to the Dental and Medical students on the topic of Indian Medicine as part of their "Cross-Cultural" curriculum which is organized by Dr. Jan Ralls. She writes a weekly column "The Good Earth" for the Muskogee Phoenix - Muskogee Oklahoma and monthly columns for the Cherokee Cultural Society of Houston and The Cherokees of California. Lelanie continues teaching herb classes at various locations and is an acclaimed lecturer at universities, schools, educational facilities and numerous Native American organizations throughout the U.S. on the topic of "Healing from the Good Earth".

Lelanie relates the following story that her grandmother told her when she was a young girl.

Prophecy

"Warriors of the Rainbow"

There was an old lady, from the "Cree" tribe, named "Eyes of Fire", who prophesied that one day, because of the white mans' or Yo-ne-gis' greed, there would come a time, when the fish would die in the streams, the birds would fall from the air, the waters would be blackened, and the trees would no longer be, mankind as we would know it would all but cease to exist.

There would come a time when the "keepers of the legend, stories, culture rituals, and myths, and all the Ancient Tribal Customs" would be needed to restore us to health. They would be mankinds’ key to survival, they were the "Warriors of the Rainbow". There would come a day of awakening when all the peoples of all the tribes would form a New World of Justice, Peace, Freedom and recognition of the Great Spirit.

The "Warriors of the Rainbow" would spread these messages and teach all peoples of the Earth or "Elohi". They would teach them how to live the "Way of the Great Spirit". They would tell them of how the world today has turned away from the Great Spirit and that is why our Earth is "Sick".

The "Warriors of the Rainbow" would show the peoples that this "Ancient Being" (the Great Spirit), is full of love and understanding, and teach them how to make the "Earth or Elohi" beautiful again. These Warriors would give the people principles or rules to follow to make their path right with the world. These principles would be those of the Ancient Tribes. The Warriors of the Rainbow would teach the people of the ancient practices of Unity, Love and Understanding. They would teach of Harmony among people in all four comers of the Earth.

Like the Ancient Tribes, they would teach the peoples how to pray to the Great Spirit with love that flows like the beautiful mountain stream, and flows along the path to the ocean of life. Once again, they would be able to feel joy in solitude and in councils. They would be free of petty jealousies and love all mankind as their brothers, regardless of color, race or religion. They would feel happiness enter their hearts, and become as one with the entire human race. Their hearts would be pure and radiate warmth, understanding and respect for all mankind, Nature, and the Great Spirit. They would once again fill their minds, hearts, souls, and deeds with the purest of thoughts. They would seek the beauty of the Master of Life - the Great Spirit! They would find strength and beauty in prayer and the solitudes of life.

Their children would once again be able to run free and enjoy the treasures of Nature and Mother Earth. Free from the fears of toxins and destruction, wrought by the Yo-ne-gi and his practices of greed. The rivers would again run clear, the forests be abundant and beautiful, the animals and birds would be replenished. The powers of the plants and animals would again be respected and conservation of all that is beautiful would become a way of life.

The poor, sick and needy would be cared for by their brothers and sisters of the Earth. These practices would again become a part of their daily lives.

The leaders of the people would be chosen in the old way - not by their political party, or who could speak the loudest, boast the most, or by name calling or mud slinging, but by those whose actions spoke the loudest. Those who demonstrated their love, wisdom, and courage and those who showed that they could and did work for the good of all, would be chosen as the leaders or Chiefs. They would be chosen by their "quality" and not the amount of money they had obtained. Like the thoughtful and devoted "Ancient Chiefs", they would understand the people with love, and see that their young were educated with the love and wisdom of their surroundings. They would show them that miracles can be accomplished to heal this world of its ills, and restore it to health and beauty.

The tasks of these "Warriors of the Rainbow" are many and great. There will be terrifying mountains of ignorance to conquer and they shall find prejudice and hatred. They must be dedicated, unwavering in their strength, and strong of heart. They will find willing hearts and minds that will follow them on this road of returning "Mother Earth" to beauty and plenty - once more.

The day will come, it is not far away. The day that we shall see how we owe our very existence to the people of all tribes that have maintained their culture and heritage. Those that have kept the rituals, stories, legends, and myths alive. It will be with this knowledge, the knowledge that they have preserved, that we shall once again return to "harmony" with Nature, Mother Earth, and mankind. It will be with this knowledge that we shall find our "Key to our Survival".

This is the story of the "Warriors of the Rainbow" and this is my reason for protecting the culture, heritage, and knowledge of my ancestors. I know that the day "Eyes of Fire" spoke of - will come! I want my children and grandchildren to be prepared to accept this task.The task of being one of the........"Warriors of the Rainbow''.

by Lelanie Stone

http://www.powersource.com/ebt/stone.html

Edited February 23, 2007 by REBEL