Elizabeth Graf: An Artist's Artist!

Elizabeth Graf is an artist's artist! She is not only tremendously accomplished herself, but she is a connoisseur of the arts created by others. I met Elizabeth when she visited a thread that I started to promote National Native American Month and Native American inspired artists on Etsy.


Elizabeth is a master at creating treasuries on Etsy. She is able to take 12 pieces of art created by others and combine them in a visually appealing "gallery". There is always something special about an Elizabeth Graf created Treasury! She has been a friend to the Etsy Native American community and frequently honors them with a spot in one of her treasury galleries.

This is an example of one of Elizabeth's recent Treasuries. I was honored to be featured. Those are my earrings on the top left of the gallery. Elizabeth, Wado (thank you in Cherokee)


In her shop announcement, Elizabeth says, "From the moment I could hold a crayon I have been an artist -- and possessed a "lightbulb" inside my head that was always shining. It is a wonderful way to live Life -- being creative and always inspired. I feel very lucky."

Elizabeth attended one of the finest art schools in this country -- Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art in Manhattan. Her work has been shown in Manhattan, upstate New York, on both coasts of Florida (including Miami and Miami Beach).

The berry painting above is one of my favorites from Elizabeth's store. If you want to admire this artist’s talent, please visit her store at http://www. Elizabethgraf.etsy.com
I know there will be a piece that speaks to you.

Elizabeth, we cherish you as an artist, a maker of wonderful treasuries, and as a friend to Etsy's Native American community. Wado again!

A Sad Day In American History

APPEAL DENIED!

Today we received word that the parole decision has been affirmed by the U.S. Parole Commission. The Parole Commission made no concessionsexcept for one -- to finally recognize Leonard's "recent prisonrecord of good conduct."

The Parole Commission went on to say thatLeonard's age, health, and release plan were all considered, but that these elements "don't warrant his release at this time."

All legal arguments made by the Peltier attorney Eric Seitz were rejected. Once again, we're told that innocence is no defense. Yet again, the government has singled out Leonard Peltier as a scapegoat. As has always been the case, they intend to force Leonard Peltier to pay the price for the killings of their agents despite the lack of evidence against him. This is nothing short of politicallymotivated vengeance.

Leonard won't receive another full parole hearing until he is nearly 80 years old. Already at risk for blindness, kidney failure, stroke,and certainly premature death given his diet, living conditions,and health care, this parole decision is also nothing less than a death sentence.

Don't accept the unacceptable. Demand Leonard's freedom. Call theWhite House comment line every day to express your outrage. Call:(202) 456-1111 or (202) 456-1112. You also can send an e-mail to the White House. Go to http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/. Mail or fax a letter to President Barack Obama, The White House,1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC20500; Fax - (202) 456-2461.

When is enough enough? When will it stop? When will justice be served? It is a sad day.

34 Years of Incarceration

Today marks 34 years of incarceration for Leonard Peltier. To be exact, as I type that is 12419 days and 15 hours.

I received this e-mail today with the words of this courageous man on the 34 th anniversary of his being jailed.

Greetings to everyone,

34 years. It doesn't even sound like a real number to me. Not when one really thinks about being in a jail cell for that long. All these years and I swear, I still think sometimes I'll wake up from this nightmare in my own bed, in my own home, with my family in the next room. I would never have imagined such a thing. Surely the only place people are unjustly imprisoned for 34 years is infar away lands, books or fairy tales.

It's been that long since I woke up when I needed to, worked where I wanted to, loved who I was supposed to love, or did what I was compelled to do. It's been that long-long enough to see my children have grandchildren. Long enough to have many of my friends andl oved ones die in the course of a normal life, while I was here unable to know them in their final days.

So often in my daily life, the thought creeps in-"I don't deserve this". It lingers like acid in my mouth. But I have to push those types of thoughts away. I made a commitment long ago, many of us did.

Some didn't live up to their commitments, and some of us didn't have a choice. Joe Stuntz didn't have a choice. Neither did Buddy Lamont. I never thought my commitment would mean sacrificing like this, but I was willing to do so nonetheless. And really,if necessary, I'd do it all over again, because it was the right thing to do.

We didn't go to ceremony and say "I'll fight for the people as long as it doesn't cost too much". We prayed, and we gave. Like I say, some of us didn't have a choice. Our only other option was to run away, and we couldn't even do that. Back then,we had no where left to run to.

I have cried so many tears over these three plus decades. Like the many families directly affected by this whole series of events, my family's tears have not been in short supply. Our tears have joined all the tears from over 500 years of oppression.

Together our tears come together and form a giant river of suffering and I hope, cleansing. Injustice is never final, I keep telling myself. I pray this is true for all of us.

To those who know I am innocent, thank you for your faith. And I hope you continue working for my release. That is, to work towards truth and justice.

To those who think me guilty, I ask you to believe in and work for the rule of law. Even the law says I should be free by now, regardless of guilt. What has happened to me isn't justice, it isn't the law, it isn't fair, it isn't right.

This has been along battle in an even longer war. But we have to remain vigilant, as we have a righteous cause. After all this time, I can only ask this: Don't give up. Not ever. Stay in this fight with me.

Suffer with me. Grieve with me. Endure with me. Believe with me. Out last with me. And one day, celebrate freedom with me.

Hoka hey!

In the Spirit of Crazy Horse,

Leonard Peltier

Leonard Peltier has spent his years in prison perfecting his art and writing. Should you like to view his fine work, visit this website. http://www.leonardpeltier.net/