Trail of Treasures

What An Experience….Why Is Health Care Such A Mess?

2011-11-30T07:46:00.000-08:00

What an experience I had last night.

I left Bethany Lutheran Home in Council Bluffs, IA around 4:30 to drive home. I was in the far right lane headed west on Dodge Street in Omaha and had made it 70th Street. At that point, much to my amazement a car was coming at me from my left, having crossed two lanes of traffic, and careened into my car.

I was shoved off of the road and had the store to the right not had a “Sale” sign posted on the corner, the results may have been very different.

That sign stopped my car! Once stopped, I began to get out of the car.

Two young men were there in an instant to see if I was all right. They had witnessed the accident and after checking on me, they phoned the police and rescue squad. While waiting, one of them insisted that I sit in his car with his young son to stay warm and relax. He then dialed my home so that I could let my husband and son know about the accident.

Though I was pretty shaken up and my chest hurt, I was pretty sure that I hadn’t sustained any serious injury. Nor did it appear that the woman who hit me had been injured.

The rescue squad took us both to Nebraska Methodist Hospital’s Emergency Room to have us checked out.

A policeman came to the hospital with my driver’s license, proof of insurance, and registration. He also let me know that the woman who hit me was cited for the accident.
Upon arrival in the Emergency Room, a nurse took my date of birth, address, phone number. He asked my height and weight and took my blood pressure and entered it into a computer terminal.

About 30 minutes later, another individual took the same information and entered into his computer terminal. He then decided to have me move to the waiting room.

While in the waiting room, I phoned home again to let Warren and Patrick know where I was. By that time, my son Scott had been phoned and was at our house. Scott and Patrick came directly to the hospital and found me still waiting.

Just as they arrived, another individual with a computer terminal came to me and asked my age…I told her an hour older than when the last person had asked me. She then wanted to know my phone number and address. I told her than unless my husband had changed something in the last hour, I still lived at the same address I had given the two other people and my phone number was also the same. It seemed that my date of birth, address, and phone number were of far greater importance than my physical well being as I had now been there over two hours and no one had examined me past taking my blood pressure.

Then she gave me a document titled “NeHII-Sharing Information For Better Health Care. This is a program that shares your medical information with other health care providers unless you opt out. The irony is that the computer systems at Nebraska Methodist evidently don’t even share information from one of their own computers to another. If they did, why in the course of two hours was it necessary to ask and enter my date of birth, address, and phone number three times? I think I will "opt out"!

Finally I was taken to an examination room and left there to put on a hospital gown. There was a clock on the wall that one hour ahead of the real time. Evidently no one had changed it when the time changed recently. There was a black board that said “Mike” was the person in charge. I never saw a “Mike”. The board and signs in the corridors touted “Fast Track”.

If what I was experiencing was Fast Track….I would hate to see slow!

Eventually, a nurse practitioner came into the room and introduced another women with her as a student. She gave me some commands and examined my chest but aside from that, never had any conversation with me. Her only comments were directed to the “student”. She didn’t ask what had happened. She didn’t tell me what she was checking for. She then said we are going to do an X-ray.

I asked how long that would take as I was exhausted and fairly sure that nothing was broken. She said 15 minutes.

Now I’m sitting in a cold room with a hospital gown on, no blankets in evidence or offered. After 30 minutes had gone by I put on my clothes and told the nurse I was leaving.

The nurse practitioner and her student were sitting in a nearby office with an open door. A nurse who I will call “B” asked me what my problem was. I told her and she said that I should stay and she would have the X-ray people there in next 15 minutes. So I went back to the cold room and put on the gown again. The nurse practitioner continued to chat with her student.

After 40 minutes went by and no one had checked on me or no X-ray tech had appeared, I dressed again and told the nurse once again that I was leaving.

She told me that they had gone to the wrong room and was very understanding and apologetic.

Now I realize that Emergency Rooms are intended to triage patients and certainly I was not in a life or death circumstance, but what I experienced was a truly pathetic and apathetic!

I also understand the needs of teaching programs having been a teaching health care professional since 1961. In addition, my husband, Professor Emeritus in Cell Biology and Anatomy, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center has been teaching medical and allied health students for 42 years. But I have never seen the patient left out of the teaching opportunity. I certainly was last night.

So at Nebraska Methodist, time means nothing as evidenced by clocks that aren’t set correctly and patients that are allowed to linger without care or attention. There is enough staff to take intake information three times but not enough to examine or care for patients.

Fast Track? I didn’t see Fast…I didn’t even witness a sense of urgency anywhere. In a facility where fast is not even close, it would be better off not to bombard people with a “Fast Track” motto. It would be laughable if it weren’t so sad.

My car was towed to the impound lot and the policeman said it was probably totaled. We will deal with that today.

My chest hurts but while I will probably have bumps and bruises, I’m alive…..thanks to the grace of God and no thanks to any care received from the hospital.

Medicare and/or the insurance company of the woman who hit me will probably have to pay big bucks for my dismal experience at Nebraska Methodist Emergency Room.

The two young men who came to my aid at the accident scene were remarkable. I’m sure that they would have rather been on their way home for dinner than tending to me. They did more to care for me than anyone at the hospital. They gave the information that they witnessed to the police. One made sure I was safe. He introduced me to his son and let his son know that I was going to sit in the car with him to stay warm until the police came.

What an example of both citizenship and parenting!

He is my hero without a name at the moment. The police said that his name would be in the accident report and I will certainly let him know how much I appreciate what he did.

It is interesting that a rank stranger on the street demonstrated more concern and compassion than an entire staff of hospital professionals!

If this is what we get now for health care now, spare me from what it will become if Obama care becomes reality! Health care is a mess!

My Annual Thanksgiving Request

2011-11-05T17:02:00.000-07:00

Can you believe that Thanksgiving is growing near? November is also National Native American Heritage Month. This is third year that I have made this November/Thanksgiving request on my blog. It is the only time of the year that I solicit monetary donations from my friends. It is for a cause that I truly support and I am so very thankful to those of you who contributed in 2009 and 2010.

As many of you know, I have the distinct honor and priviledge of beading bracelets from the logo of Eve's Fund. Eve’s Fund is a Native American Health Initiative that promotes programs to help Native Americans.
It was established in 2005 by Dr. Robert M. Crowell, a retired neurosurgeon and Eve’s mother, Barbara Crowell Roy . This fund is named in memory of their daughter, Eve Erin Crowell, who died tragically in February of that year. Eve’s Fund is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization incorporated in New Mexico.

While I support this organization year round, I actively solicit donations for their children’s literacy program during November. It is a part of my personal celebration of National Native American Heritage Month and a way of expressing my thankfulness for the blessings of literacy. Literacy is taken for granted by most of us.

Three years ago, Eve’s Fund’s website posted an article that got my full and undivided attention. It reminded me of all that I have to be thankful for. I was shocked by the fact that there are so many Native children who do not own a single book of their own!

Can you imagine your growing up without owning a single book? Can you imagine your Grandchildren not owning a single book? But it is true that many Native children don't have the luxury of book ownership. I find this fact to be very sad and I am so thankful that Eve's Fund is playing an active role in promoting literacy by providing children with books of their very own.

Last year, Eve’s Fund partnered with Betty Metz. Betty Metz is a remarkable person and the founder of Books-a-Go Go. Betty’s organization is a not-for-profit group that gives away books to needy kids. Fortunately, for Eve’s Fund, Betty has pledged to donate books to Navajo children. In May of 2009, the first shipment of 2,000 books arrived at Red Mesa Arizona. Last year Books-a-Go Go donated another 3,200 books (2,600 pounds worth) to Navajo schools in New Mexico and Arizona. As Betty says, “it’s all for the kids,” and she has certainly touched a great many of them. Betty’s mission is to give books to children from low-income families and thus pave the way to education and more fulfilling lives.

For a mere $5.00 donation, Eve's Fund will ship a book to each of five Native children.

I remember the pleasures of reading books to my three grandchildren and in purchasing books for them. Each year I designate a donation to this literary program and have books shipped to Native children in the names of my three grandchildren, Sydney, Mason and Olivia. Will you join me in doing the same this year?

We take so much for granted! We forget how blessed we are that someone taught us to read! We had our very own books! And even in these troubled economic times, we can a difference with even a modest donation.

If you would like to make a similar Thanksgiving gift in the names of your children or grandchildren, it is very simple. Go to this site.

http://evecrowellsfund.org/how-you-can-help/

There are several options as to how you can help. Click on "Donate".

You can designate the way you want your donation to be applied. In the purpose, I wrote "Ship books in the names of Sydney, Mason, and Olivia Stinson."

You can pay with Paypal.

Or if you prefer, you can send a check to:

Eve’s Fund/ThinkFirst Navajo
c/o Robert M. Crowell, MD, President
180 Elm Street, Suite 1, PMB 168
Pittsfield, MA 01201

What a simple way to give "Thanks" for all the pleasure books have given you over the years and to provide that experience for another child. Please join me in giving at least five Native American children the pleasure of book ownership this Thanksgiving.

Wow! This is Pretty Precious!

2011-10-26T08:10:00.000-07:00

Pretty Precious!

Curated By: TrinityDesign...

ArtFire.com

Handmade Gifts

This morning started out like most others. I came downstairs to check out my e-mails, respond, etc. But one of the e-mails made my day start off as a great one!

On ArtFire, a handmade selling venue, members curate "Collections" of items they like and wish to share with others. It is always an honor to have one of my items selected by another seller for inclusion in their Collections. However, this one was VERY SPECIAL.

The first comment made by the Curator is "This is to honour you Joni"! This is a first for me and I certainly am honored.

The Curator is Trinity Designer Jewellery. Her name is Lorraine Coetzee. She is from Cape Town, South Africa and has been one of my "cyber friends" for several years. We both sell on Etsy and Artfire. She paints, designs in polymer clay and until recently I did not realize that she has begun to sell beadwork patterns on her sites. Well, when I discovered this, I just had to purchase a few of them as the designs were just too tempting.

The wonderful patterns were delivered via e-mail. I couldn't wait to print them off. My work load was sufficient that I did not intend to bead one of her pieces until I was caught up. But...this week-end....one of the patterns was haunting me and finally, I gave in to this impulse. Here is the result:

I did change the color pallette and used 7 instead of the 9 colors in Lorraine's original design. If my photography were better, you could see that the flower in the center is "3D". Initially the flower is beaded into the bracelet. Then a separate flower is beaded and applied on top and then additional beads are applied to the center.

I am so pleased with the results and hope Lorraine feels that justice was done to her exquisite design.

Beading purists seem to believe that everything one does should be an "original" design (if there is such a thing). However, I believe that when someone else has developed a beautiful design that inspires you and they have willing offered it to be used, then go for it! Life is short.

I hope that you will visit Lorraine's ArtFire store and view more of her work. Here is the link:
http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/studio/TrinityDesignerJewellery

Lorraine, thank you for your wonderful work. Thank you for the dedication of this Collection to me. And most of all....thank you for being my friend and making this day so special!

Hoop Dee Doo Jim

2011-09-10T15:54:00.000-07:00

Hoop Dee Doo Jim!

For the second time in less than 2 weeks I said farewell to an old friend this morning. I have known Jim Banark since the early 1980’s. He started his nursing home career at Continental Care where I was the Director of Nutrition. During the ensuing years, I worked as a Consultant Dietitian in many facilities where Jim was the Administrator.

Jim left the nursing home industry and started a van service in Omaha serving the elderly. He sold his half of the established business to his brother and finished his career at Mutual of Omaha.

It was at Aksarben (that’s Nebraska spelled backwards) Manor that Gloria Smith, Dietary Manager, Joan Ladehoff, Nurse, Jim and I formed a strong friendship that resulted in our continuing to meet for lunch throughout the coming years in February and June. Though all of us moved on to other positions, we continued to love getting together.

At our last meeting, June 25, 2011, we learned that Jim had been very sick during the time since our last get together. We scolded him severely for not having let us know. He assured us he was on the mend. We had our usual Bloody Mary’s and great laughs. Jim also suggested that we change the place for our meeting next time and that we should shorten the time span between our get togethers. We had such a great time that day and all agreed.

Jim was one of the funniest people on earth. He had that knack of taking a rather mundane set of circumstances and spinning it into a yarn that would have you rolling in the floor. His humor was often irreverent but always good spirited. He never forgot an event and would remind us of our many fun experiences together.

At Jim’s funeral mass this morning, Jim’s brother related a story about their Grandmother’s funeral mass. . Jim’s Grandmother had lived in the other portion of the family duplex. Since she was so close in proximity, she was also very close to her grandchildren. Grandmother loved to polka and loved polka music.

The young Banark boys were asked to say something at their beloved Grandmother’s funeral. Jim’s younger brother went first. He told how he had carefully written his speech and how as he delivered it, the tears flowed, running into the ink and making it difficult to read. He was wracked with pain at the loss of his Grandmother and could not hold back his emotions. He told of his great difficulty in delivering the eulogy and was relieved to have made it through.

Jim, the older of the two lads, then stood up and took the podium.

Jim squarely faced those gathered and loudly said, “Hoop Dee Doo”

This got everyone’s full attention.

Jim then recited the words to this well known polka tune.

Hoop-dee-doo (Hoop-dee-doo!)
Hoop-dee-doo (Hoop-dee-doo!)
I hear a polka and my troubles are through!

Hoop-dee-doo (Hoop-dee-doo!)
Hoop dee dee (Hoop dee dee!)
This kind of music is like heaven to me!

Hoop-dee-doo (Hoop-dee-doo!)
Hoop-dee-doo (Hoop-dee-doo!)
It's got me higher than a kite.
Hand me down my soup and fish
I am gonna get my wish, hoop-dee-doin' it tonight!

Jim’s tribute to his Grandmother’s heritage and her love for life was just what they needed. And Jim knew it!

Following the mass today, Gloria, Joan, and I returned to the spot where the four of us last gathered.
Coincidentally, we had the same waiter who remembered our last visit down to the point that Joan had requested extra olives in her Bloody Mary. When the four of us were together, we probably did catch the attention of others with our boisterous and never ending laughter.

We gave a toast to our Dear Jim…..

Hoop Dee Doo Jim!
Here’s to your soup and fish!
And we hope you are hoop-dee-doin' it tonight!

Jim, we will miss you so much….thanks for the memories and know that we will remember you always.

A New Star in Heaven

2011-09-04T10:19:00.000-07:00

Patricia Mass

September 18, 1951.....August 29, 2011

Have noticed that the stars are shining more brightly lately? That is because one of our world’s great stars, Pat Mass, has joined the celestial array. I am saddened that we can no longer view her eyes twinkling and see her smile light up the room. But I have wonderful memories of that and I can look up and know that she is there.

Pat and I first became acquainted when she entered the Metropolitan Community College’s Dietary Management program. I was the instructor and she was a student who was as eager to learn as any one who ever entered. She was a star student.

I was also fortunate to be Pat’s Consultant Dietitian at Indian Hills Nursing Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa. There she became a star Dietary Manager. I will never forget the day when Pat stepped up from being a co-worker with her staff members and took her first step as a star Dietary Manager! From that day forward, there was no doubt that she was in control. A STAR was born!

Pat came from a large family. If my memory serves me well, she had eleven siblings. She understood very well the give and take of family dynamics and the loving support that comes from it. These skills poured over into the way she led her life. And in Pat’s case, she gave far more than she ever took. She loved her family and treated all of us as if we were cherished members of her extended family.

Pat named her only daughter Angel. She adored Angel and the two of them had one of the closest Mother/Daughter relationships that has ever been witnessed. This is going to be an extremely hard time for Angel. Angel, you can never doubt for one minute that you were truly and deeply loved!

Chief Seattle is quoted as having said, “There is no death, only a change of place.” I believe that. So Angel, when times are hard and I know they will be, look towards the night sky. See that star? That is your Mother shining down and watching over you just as she has done every day of your life.

When Lacey Wilson, Pat’s first grandchild, was born Pat could hardly wait to share the news and, of course, the photos. Lacey was a frequent visitor to Indian Hills even as an infant. Pat loved to share her with all of the Residents and staff of the facility. We watched Lacey grow and watched Pat’s pride continue to blossom.

Lacey is now a beautiful young lady, a high school student, and works part time at Bethany Lutheran Nursing Home. Lacey looks amazingly like a young Pat and while no one knows what the future holds for Lacey, her Grandmother’s influence will no doubt be with her forever.

I remember the day that Pat introduced me to her new son-in-law, Rob. She was so happy that her Angel had found happiness and she was so pleased to introduce its source. Rob may have Mother-in Law stories to tell, but my guess is, there are far more good ones than the type usually told. Rob is going to have some difficult days ahead while not only coping with this loss himself, but helping his family work through it as well. My money is on him to be a “rock” for them during this troubling time.

I remember the day that Rob and Angel’s son, Austin, was born. At first Pat was a bit bewildered. He was a boy. Pat knew what to do with and for girls….a boy was a new concept for her. But it didn’t take long for her to catch up to full speed. Like Lacey, Austin was a frequent visitor to Indian Hills. Pat enjoyed sharing his little boy antics with us and we loved to watch him grow. Austin is such a sweet and polite young man. On Wednesday night after I got over my shock about how much he had grown since I last saw him, I asked, “Austin, are you a good boy?”. He hesitated a minute while a beguiling little grin came over his face and he responded, “sometimes”. Austin, know that Grandma will be watching over you ….so you better make that answer “most times”.

If all Long Term Care facilities were fortunate enough to have a Dietary Manger like Pat, the world would be a better place. Pat did not have a job or career in long term care. She had a passion in long term care. She was passionate about her residents…..Mind you, not the residents, but HER residents. She not only wanted the best for them; she expected it and when necessary she demanded it.

Pat brought out the best in everyone she came in contact with. She made us aspire to be as good as we can be. Her influence is and will continue to be vast. While she is now in another place, her star qualities will continue to shine upon us all of the days of our lives. So at night, look for the brightest twinkle in the heavenly skies….that’s my friend Pat Mass. She will be watching you. Shine on Pat!

The Story of Snowy River

2011-08-28T10:07:00.000-07:00

My digusdi (cousins in Cherokee) on Etsy have long admired the wonderful bracelet named Snowy River created by our dear friend and talented artist, Cloudburst. This bracelet has been featured in many Etsy Treasuries and has been coveted by many members of the Native American Forum Team….Walking The Red Road. Here is the Story of Snowy River:

Last week my son, Patrick, and I left Omaha for a trip to New Mexico. We had the privilege of attending Indian Market in Santa Fe where Cloudburst was vending. When we arrived at the Santa Fe Plaza for the event, we phoned Cloudburst to find out where she was set up. There were over a thousand booths set up and finding her without assistance would have been a daunting task. As it turned out, her location was easy to find and we were very close to it when we made the call.

Left to Right: Patrick, Customer, Nora Hasty, Anita

As I approached the booth, Cloudburst was holding Snowy River in her hands and making a sales pitch regarding it. On impulse, I took this shot of her in action.

When I arrived at the booth, Cloudburst, her potential buyer and I discussed the bracelet. The customer was Nora Hasty from Rocky Face, Georgia. Mrs. Hasty said, “I have looked all around and so far if I could have only one piece from this event, it would be this bracelet.”

But there were still many booths for her to check out and she was not ready to purchase. She said she would sleep on it and might be back the next day for it. I cautioned her that it might be gone. She determined that if it was meant for her to have it, it would be there.

Well, Mrs. Hasty’s daughter and granddaughters were lingering in the background. They recognized how much she liked the bracelet and when Mrs. Hasty left the booth area, they slipped to the back of Cloud's booth and purchased it from Daniel for her.

One of the granddaughter’s kept the bracelet in a sack hidden behind her back as they joined their Grandmother and walked away.

Cloudburst, her husband, Daniel, my son, Patrick and I all watched them in hopes that we would get to see her being presented with this wonderful gift. After a while, we decided that they planned to do the gifting at a later time. With some disappointment, we resumed our visiting.

But then, the gifting was done and Grandma was so excited. She came back to the booth with her granddaughters to share her excitement with Cloudburst.

It almost seemed that the scenario was meant for me to witness. Little did I know when I took that first photo of Cloudburst in action that it would result in the sale of that very special bracelet.

Mrs. Hasty, Granddaughters and Snowy River

I felt honored to me present for the event. Cloudburst was delighted that her bracelet had found its proper home. The daughter and granddaughters were so pleased to do something very special for their mother and grandmother during her visit. And, I got to witness and record the event.

The photos are being sent to Mrs. Hasty so that she can add them to her memoirs of her visit to Indian Market. I hope she will enjoy them and I know that she will enjoy “Snowy River” for many years to come.

So that is the story of Snowy River....A proud Grandmother with her beautiful and thoughtful granddaughters who made her the excited new owner of this wonderful one of kind bracelet. A talented artist, our very own Cloudburst, who knows that Snowy River found its rightful owner. It doesn't get better than that!

60+ Mile Per Hour Winds And Pow Wows Don't Mix Well! But All Is Well!

2011-08-08T08:49:00.000-07:00

Both my Etsy and Artfire stores are now on vacation while I untangle this unwelcome mixture. We got hit by 60+ mile per hour winds at our Pow Wow in Lincoln, NE on Saturday late afternoon.

A 30% chance of rain had been predicted for the area. However, the high winds that came up were not predicted and came with no notice.

Needless to say, our product will be needing great attention for the next couple of days and then we have to prepare for our trip to Indian Market in Santa Fe.

We predict that we will be able to save about 85% of our inventory. Some is somewhere in Lincoln or the surrounding area (blew away), some has water damage beyond redemption.

This was our worst disaster in seven years of vending at outdoor events. If any of these thoughts might help you plan for outdoor events, then that is another upside to the experience.

Facts Learned:

1. Two people can not "man" 2 10'X10' tents.

2. Tents made 7 years ago are better than those available today. Our old tried

and true tent made it fine. The one we purchased this year is probably trash.

3. There are still wonderful people in this universe. Without the help of a young man and his wife, our losses would have been far more severe. They appeared out of no where. They got drenched to the bone as did we. They exerted great physical demands to hold the tents down. They helped chase and collect drenched product. Our gratitude is enternal for these real life Angels.

4. Patrick (son) was hit in the eye by sailing debris...his injury is not severe....thank goodness. He also has a major bruise on his leg where he was exerting pressure on a tent leg to stabilize it. One other venor was injured by flying debris but,like Patrick, her injuries were not severe. So we are very thankful. Products can be replaced....personal injury....not so good.

5. Jewelry is forgiving. Fabric not so much. We carry a line of T Shirts, totes, wool purses, blankets, ball caps, etc. I want to continue them but will be contemplating another way of displaying them.

6. Velour covered display units are sponges! Last night I covered the dining table with the protective mats and have them lined up drying. A hair dryer has helped with this process. Most can be salvaged.

7. Straw baskets (unless totally natural)bleed very ugly water when drenched. We will be trading straw baskets out for plastic. While not as attractive, functionality must be considered for those brave enough to do outdoor events.

8. Don't take more product to a show than you think you can reasonably sell. It has always just been easier for me to take a lot of back up inventory than to regret not having it. However, the more you have, the more you have to deal with getting loaded into the van in pouring rain. I will be re-thinking this issue.

9. Always take plenty of towels, Sham Wows, etc. with you...We keep a container with drop cloths, plastic parkas, towels, etc. But this came up too quickly to be able to use any of it other than the towels after the storm blew over. When your product is whirling past you, there is no time to deal with drop cloths or put on rain gear.

10. Never an ill wind blows that does not remind one of good fortune. While disappointed and saddened at our losses both in product and loss of revenue from not being able to vend on Sunday, we are thankful that no one was seriously hurt and that there are still good people who have no vested interest around to help when you are in dire straits.

It is all osda (good).

Sorting and drying call.....

June....The First of Many Birthdays!

2011-06-12T09:24:00.000-07:00

June is a big month for Birthdays in our family. It starts with my Daughter In Law's sister, Shandra on June 2. This is followed by my Daughter In Law, Kerry's on the 10th and then mine on June 13th. Then comes Granddaughter Sydney's on June 17 and son, Scott's on June 25.

We celebrated the first three last Friday night with a family dinner at Round The Bend Steak House. Round The Bend Steak House is a casual steak house owned by my Daughter In Law's Aunt Vickie and Uncle Ron. It is a fun environment and the food is terrific. The steak and shrimp combo is a favorite with all of us!

Owners: Vickie and Ron

Round The Bend is famous in our area for their Annual Testicle Festival. It will be held June 17, 18, 2011. They always have a huge crowd, live music, contests, and of course beef fries as well as other delectable menu items. If you are in the area and looking for a unique experience....Go to the Testicle Festival. And then you will be able to say "I had a ball at Around The Bend"!

After our dinner, there was a flurry of gift and card opening. I received a wonderful Ulinawi (turtle in Cherokee) scupted from ironwood. I haven't photographed it as yet. I will save that for another blog feature at a later date.

But I do want to share the funniest card to date with you. Here is the front:

I bet you do...................So take a look!

Yes, that is "Dog House" Warren as he is known on our Native American Forum Group. Our Daughter In Law, Kerry, is a Senior Graphic Designer for Mutual of Omaha...and did a little graphic design on this card. It received belly laughs from all of us...except maybe Warren....he just smiled.

The Olson's not only provided the venue for our wonderful evening, they also provided us with an array of delicious cup cakes. There were so many and we were so stuffed after our steak and shrimp that we had to get carry out boxes, divide them, and put on hold for another day. Thank you Vicki.

Sherry, Kerry's mother picked up the tab for evening. Thank you Sherry....you shouldn't have done that, but it was appreciated.

So now we have 3 June birthdays down and 2 more to go! June is a marathon of birthday fun for us even without half naked men and 6 pack abs! Good food, great people and a few chuckles...what is better than that?

Wow! It's All Mine

2011-04-18T07:06:00.000-07:00

This is a first for me! I never had an entire Collection devoted to only my work! Last week, I was honored to be the Seller of the Week by the AJDJS (Artfire Jewelry Design & Jewelry Supply) Guild on Artfire. The Guild Master, Bead Lady 5 Design did a wonderful blog on the AJDJSS site about me and my work. You can read the blog in its entirety here:
http://ajdjss.blogspot.com/2011/04/featured-jstinson.html

Gems By Jerri made this wonderful Collection of my work. I just had to share it here! Sorry for the SSP (Shameless Self Promotion)!

Ghi-Goo-ie Design...

Curated By: gemsbyjerri

ArtFire.com

Gems By Jerri's store features wonderful and very affordable hand made jewelry. Here is just one example:

To purchase these, or to see more of her work, please go to:

http://www.gemsbyjerri.artfire.com/

Bead Lady 5 Design also has a wonderful store on Artfire and devotes much of her time to her Guild Master role.

Here is an example her work.

She also has a store for vintage jewelry findings and beads. Here is an example that I love.

To purchase this piece or to see more of her items, please go to:

http://www.vintagebeadlady5.artfire.com/

Beadlady 5 and Gems By Jerri, I was both surprised and honored by your tributes. Thank you so very much for this kindness and for all you do for our Guild!

I AM

2011-04-14T14:39:00.001-07:00

I AM lucky! Once in a while as one travels through life, you are afforded a priviledge that makes you know you are truly blessed. That is how I feel about the good fortune of my path crossing that of my dear friend Van Bevil. On Etsy and Artfire, Van is known as Kicking Bear and/or his nemesis, Coastal Artist.

He is a renaissance man. A man for all seasons.

He is one of a dying breed that speaks fluent Tsalagi (Cherokee) as well as many other languages.

He is an accomplished wild life artist. I am posting one of my favorites from his work here. It is entitled, "Going Home". More of his fine art wild life pieces can be viewed at www.coastalartist.etsy.com

He is a Cherokee Elder who is vastly respected. He grows many of our sacred plants in the "old way" and creates many forms of Native American arts and crafts. I have selected one of his Ulinawi Tsola Pouches (Turtle Tobacco) to share with you.

His Native Art can also be viewed in his Etsy store. www.etsy.kickingbear.com

Van is in the process of writing a book. He sent this passage to me yesterday and I asked for permission to share these beautiful words with you. He graciously gave me permission to do so.

I AM

by Kicking Bear

I am the stillness of the receding night, I am the touch of the morning dew on the green corn. I am the sound of the Katydid singing to the rising sun, I am the buzz of the Honey Bee dancing across the face of the Sun Flower. I am the warmth of the early morning rays of Grandfather Sun warming the People’s lodges.

I am the breeze that makes the leaves of the Standing People sing, I am the breath of the grass as it dances to and fro. I am the heart beat of Mother Earth as she gives the rythum to life. I am the quiet murmer of the People as they awake. I am the soft voices of the women at work. I am the laughter of children at play.

I am the snap of a bowstring as young men hone their skills, I am the silence of the Elders as they meditate, speaking with the Ancestors. I am the smoke from the Sacred Fire carrying prayers up to the Creator. I am the soft song sung by a Grandmother as she weaves a reed basket.

I am the rythmic sound of women grinding corn, I am the gentle rocking of a Grandmother as she comforts a child. I am the Anisahoni clan making medicines to keep the children well. I am the swishing sound of the Anigilohi clan as they strut through the camp with their long hair flowing.

I am the Anitsiskwa clan repairing their bird snares and practicing with their blowguns. I am the Eagle catcher as he prepares to hunt the mighty Eagle. I am the Aniwodi clan as they sit making medicine for the People. I am the Anikawi clan as they stalk through the woods hunting the deer.

I am the Anigatogewi clan as the walk the swamps and streams seeking wild potatoes and roots for the People. I am the Aniwayah clan as they prepare to track the Wolf. I am the War Chiefs and the Peace Chiefs that defend and keep order in the village. I am the crackling of the fire as meals are prepared.

I am the flash of lightening followed by the distant voice of Thunder. I am the freshness of a shower and the smell of fresh moist dirt. I am the Sunset as Grandfather Sun begins to give up his light and warmth.. I am the “In Between Time” that sacred time between light and dark when the Ancestors return to sing and dance.

I am the brightness of Grandmother moon as she shares her healing energy as she searches the Great Sky Vault for her lost love. I am the voice of the story teller as he tells of the joys and sadnesses of the People. I am the stories told around the campfire, a living history of the Peoples. I am that which never dies ….. I am the spirit of the People.

© 2011 from the unpublished works of KickingBear

Kicking Bear is the Spirit of His People.

I AM..... lucky that our paths on the Red Road crossed. I admire his many talents, laugh at his humerous jokes, reflect on his words of wisdom, and share his love of fry bread. He is a true Native Renaissance Man.

I AM...... pleased to call him my brother!

Kicking Bear....Witsatologi nihi,aisv gvdodi utiyvhi ale nvwatohiyadv

(Many prayers and blessings to you,Walk with balance and harmony)

Saquu

Nuclear Power: Past, Present, Future

2011-04-04T07:38:00.000-07:00

The headlines regarding the radiation leaks at the Japanese nuclear power plant have brought back memories as well as reminders of the tragedy that can occur if nuclear power isn’t properly controlled.

Here is the front page from the Riverhead paper on June 3, 1979. The protest was against the Long Island, NY Shoreham nuclear power station.

My sister, brother-in-law and neice were among the protestors and here are the photos to prove it.

Sister and Niece

Brother in Law and Niece

Niece's First Protest

If my sister were alive today, she would probably still be protesting. My brother in law and I discussed the event this morning and he agrees that he would do it again. My niece, the baby in those photographs, is a happily married lady living in Connecticut now. I have no idea what her position is on nuclear power and then her interest seeming was mainly on her bottle!

It is obvious that great care should be given to where nuclear power plants should be located. Placing them near high-density population locals is in my opinion pure stupidity. But then, where do they belong? In your back yard?

My Son, "Sam" (One Day Each Year)

2011-03-17T06:57:00.000-07:00

Sam, One Day A Year; Patrick 364 Days A Year

Many of you may have read this post on St. Patrick's day last year. But I am moving it forward to today's date for those who have not seen it. Today is an extra special day at our house!

As many of you know, I have a son named Patrick. He is four years younger than his older brother, Scott. When Patrick was four, I was the Cub Scout Den Mother for Scott's Den.

The Cubs met weekly at my house. We engaged in the usual scouting arts,crafts, lessons and snacks. In late February, 1972, we began working on things for Saint Patrick's Day. During our meetings, Patrick would lurk in the background, unwilling to directly participate.

Whether he was too shy at the time or felt intimidated by this group of older and bigger boys I never knew. When the boys left for the day, one could frequently find Patrick, all alone, in the family room. He would be going through the motions of doing whatever we had just done at the meeting.

Well, on about March 1, 1972 after Scott had gone to school and my husband, Warren, had gone to work, Patrick said, "I need to talk to you in my office!".

Now you see, Patrick's office was in fact the kid's bathroom. He had learned that if he had an important, private issue that we could go there and close the door. Only here we would not be interrupted by others, including the many pets in the household.

We went to his "office" and shut the door. At this point, Patrick declared that he had changed his name. I said, "Oh, and just what did you change it to?". He informed me that his new name was Sam! He further elaborated that when his Dad and Scott returned home for the day, he wanted me to tell them that he was now "Sam". I agreed. We left Patrick's office and went about our day.

At the dinner table that night, I made the big announcement. I informed all present that from now on Patrick was to be called "Sam." Warren looked at me strangely from across the table. I smiled back. At that point, Warren said, "Sam, will you please pass the potatoes."

For the next week, we tried to figure out what was going on with this name change. We explored the possibility of a new fascination with characters such as Yosemite Sam, Sam I Am, Uncle Sam, etc. Nothing seemed to fit with Patrick's name change. Occasionally, we would slip up and call him Patrick....a big mistake as he would promptly corrected us.

On about March 10th, "Sam" informed me that he needed to talk to me again in his office. We took our usual positions, Patrick sitting on the toilet and me on the side of the tub. This time he asked, "When is that dumb holiday?" I was at a loss. I inquired as to which holiday he was talking about. He responded, "You know, that dumb holiday that grown ups celebrate!" At that point, it dawned on me that he was meaning Saint Patrick's Day.

I said, "Sam, are you talking about Saint Patrick's Day?" His response was, "Yes. I don't think it is fair!" I asked what could be unfair about Saint Patrick's Day.

Now, you have to understand that we are not Catholic. So the word "Saint" was not commonly used in our household. Patrick's answer to my question was that it wasn't fair because they don't have a Spank Scott's Day so why did we have a Spank Patrick's Day?

And then I knew, bless his heart, for two weeks he had been agonizing over the thought of being spanked because someone had come up with a "dumb holiday". He heard "Saint" as "Spank". Since he couldn't change the holiday, he figured out an alternate solution, he changed his name!

I felt very badly that he had been living in fear and wasn't sure that his plan would work. I took him in my arms and explained that he had misunderstood and assured him that he would not be spanked on March 17th!

That March 17th and every one since has been declared "Spank Patrick's Day" at our house. Patrick is the Man of The Hour. We call him Sam all day. He, of course, receives gentle "spanks" on the behind, funny gifts, and his favorite foods. Patrick has had a special day 37 times now to make up for 10 days of terror when he was 4! This year will be no different.

While the rest of the world celebrates Saint Patrick's Day, We will pay tribute to "Sam" and once again, are reminded that great pain can come from simple misunderstandings. And how quickly it could be erased by communicating it timely!

"Sam" learned to bead brick stitched earrings this year. Is it surprising that his first pair were Shamrocks? I added him to my Etsy "Collective" and listed his earrings in my store. They sold within the first two hours. Since he made two pairs, I re-listed them. They were featured in a Treasury within the day. Way to go "Sam!"

Faith and Begorrah! Have a Happy Spank Patrick's Day!

The Apache 8

2011-02-21T15:30:00.000-08:00

Apache 8, a heart-felt documentary about the first all-women firefighting crew, comes to public television in March 2011.

Native American Public Telecommunications, Inc.(NAPT) proudly announces the release of a new documentary that shares stories from the Apache 8 all-women wildland firefighter crew. The Apache 8 firefighter crew was not only the first of its kind, but it is also the longest lasting all-women firefighting crew in the United States.

Produced by Apache 8, LLC and NAPT, Apache 8 tells the story of the all-women wildland firefighter crew that fought fires in Arizona, and throughout the United States, for over thirty years. The film delves into the heroic lives of these firefighters from the White Mountain Apache Tribe and considers the challenges of being a firefighter on the Reservation.

Four extraordinary women from different generations of the Apache 8 crew share their personal narratives with humor and tenderness. They speak of hardship and loss, family and community, and pride in being a firefighter from Fort Apache.

Marjorie Grimes, crew leader of the predecessor Apache 6, recalled the crew's early days, "The public was not open to women firefighters. We had to fight for the right to fight fires."

Katy Aday also experienced the struggle for acceptance immediately upon signing up. As the then director of forestry told her, "Once you get all that [firefighting] equipment on you, that equipment is going to weigh more than you. You're too small, you're too thin, you can't do it. You won't be able to handle the job." Aday recalls that on that day when he said that to her, she was more determined than ever to go work for Apache 8.

Combining archival footage and present-day interviews, the film focuses primarily on four women--Cheryl Bones, Ericka Hinton, Katy Aday and Nina Quintero--who represent the different generations of Apache 8 crewmembers. Alongside the personal narratives of these women is an exploration of life in the contemporary Apache Nation. The cinematography of the film integrates a poetic stylization of firefighters at work and at Apache rituals like the Sunrise Dance--the initiation ritual for girls at puberty. Apache 8 showcases a music score from composer Wendy Blackstone and many contributing Native American artists such as Tony Duncan (Apache/Arikara/Hidatsa/Mandan), Joe Tohonnie, Jr. (Navajo/White Mountain Apache) and Phillip and Patsy Cassadore (Apache). Set against the backdrop of the White River, the documentary also recounts Apache history and culture in both English and Apache.

The women of Apache 8 have all excelled and been honored with national recognition for community and military service, including Cheryl Bones, the Apache 8 crew boss who was selected as the only woman model for the Wildland Firefighters Monument in Boise, Idaho, which pays homage to all firefighters with bronze statues. Despite the difficulties of life on the Apache Reservation, these women persevere as heroes and pillars of strength for their entire community. Katy Aday summed it up best, "You never knew what you were going to face. You were with a bunch of women that could handle anything."

To inquire about station carriage in your area, please visit www.pbs.org/stationfinder.

Max, Save Me A Good Place!

2011-01-13T07:51:00.000-08:00

I had one remaining sibling, Max, until 1/11/11. On that date, he left us to join my sister, Marilyn.

Max had been in poor health for a long time. He had to retire early from two very different careers due to his health status. In November, 2010, his health began to deteriorate further. And then, the dreaded phone call came that he had left this earth at 4:00 p.m.

Max was an unusual child! We had a handsome Creek Indian father and an Irish mother with beautiful red hair and flashing green eyes. I had dark hair, dark eyes and dark skin. Marilyn had dark hair, dark eyes, and was fair. Max on the other had ended up with the most gorgeous copper colored hair, big brown eyes and medium skin. We were quite a mixed trio! Max always stood out in a crowd! He was such a sweet child who grew into an endearing man and was loved by all who met him.

After retirement, Max moved to Muskogee and was a loyal son. He brought our mother lunch everyday, ran her errands and took her where she needed to go. His generosity with his time and energy has enabled our mother to remain in her home.

It is unfair that Mother has had to endure the death of two of her three children. But I guess it is not for us to say when our time on earth has ended. We are comforted by the words of Chief Seattle. He said, "There is no death, only a change of place."

I know that Marilyn was there to meet him when he arrived at his new place and I am comforted by that. I hope that they will save a good place for Mother and me when our time comes to join them.

Walker, Max Edward

February 1, 1947-January 11, 2011

Max Edward Walker of Muskogee, OK has passed away after an extended illness. Max was born in Holdenville, OK. He grew up in Checotah, OK and Colorado Springs, CO. He began his career as a draftsman at OG &E in Oklahoma City and later at Valdor in Fort Smith, AK. He changed careers to become a Law Enforcement Officer. He retired from law enforcement several years ago in Booneville, Arkansas. He is preceded in death by his father, Johnie H. Walker of Tahlequah, OK, his grandmother, Myrtle White of Checotah, OK, and his sister, Marilyn Ceraulo of Copaigue, NY and step daughter, Ashley Walker.

He is survived by his mother, Kathryn J. Lancaster of Muskogee, OK, his sister, Joni Kay Stinson and husband, Warren of Omaha, NE, brother in law, Paul Ceraulo of Copaigue,NY. sons Mark Walker and wife Grace of Oklahoma City, OK, Max Keith Walker of Yukon, OK, Michael David Walker of Yukon, OK, daughter, Jennifer J. Gibson of Luther, OK, step daughter Gaybrella Walker of Muskogee, OK. He is also survived by a neice, Amanda Zecchin of Stamford, CT., nephews Scott and Patrick Stinson of Omaha, NE and nine grandchildren.

A celebration of Max’s life will take place at a memorial ceremony on a bright sunny Oklahoma day this summer. Messages of condolences can be emailed to jstinson22@aol.com or mailed to Kathryn Lancaster, 124 S. 38th St, Muskogee, Ok 74401. The family requests that memorials be made to the Muscogee Creek Nation’s Education Fund.

Rest well little brother and save a good place for me!

Lu, You Go Girl!

2011-01-08T06:40:00.000-08:00

I had the distinct honor of attending the All Native Systems' Retirement Party honoring my beloved friend, Luetta Armel yesterday. At 11:30 a.m. on January 7, 2011, family, co-workers (present and past), and friends gathered to pay tribute to Lu as she completed her career at All Native Services. The gala was held at the colorful La Mesa Restaurant in Bellevue, Nebraska. This one of Lu's favorites!

Family members were there to pay tribute to this dear relative. There were many that I did not get

photographs of but here is her sister, Denise, and nephew. I know Denise from our trips together with Lu to the Casino. How Lu loves a trip to the Casino!

And, this is a photo of another sister who declared herself to be the "wisest" sister. I could relate to that as we share the family position of being the oldest sibling. She is shown with her husband.

Lu is an enrolled member of the Winnebago tribe. The Vice Chairman of the tribe, Brian Chamberlain, was on hand to pay tribute to Lu and deliver best wishes from the Winnebago.

Brian Chamberlain

All Native Systems presented this wonderful Star Quilt and a Dell lap top computer to Lu. Please note the heart in the lower left corner. This was designed especially for Lu. On your right is Lee Anne Pretends Eagle holding one side of the quilt. Lee Anne played a major role in the planning and presenting this wonderful event.

Donna Polk-Primm, Executive Director of the Nebraska Urban Indian Health Commission was on hand to present Lu with a certificate for her services and another wonderful Star Quilt.

Lu is an avid New York Yankee's fan and why not? After all, her cousin, Joba Chamberlain pitches for the Yankees! Joba could not be in attendance as he was on vacation in Cabo San Lucas. However, Joba's father, Harlan Chamberlain, was on hand to present Lu with an autographed base ball and Joba's latest base ball card.

If you would like to read more about Harlan Chamberlain and Joba, please go to the blog I did about them previously. Here is the link:

http://jstinson-trailoftreasures.blogspot.com/2009/11/way-to-go-yankees.html

When we arrived at the party, we were asked to sign a poster. By the end of the event, the poster had been framed, ready for Lu to treasure in the coming days.

Here is our beautiful Lu, thanking all of the guests for coming.

Thank you to All Native Services for this wonderful party honoring a very special lady

and inviting me to attend.

Lu, we love you and wish you the best during your retirement.

You Go Girl!

A Treasure For A New Year!

2011-01-02T09:56:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I received an e-mail from one of my Beading Heros, Margie Deeb. I thought it was a perfect article to start the New Year.

I enjoyed her message so much that I wrote to her and asked if she objected to my sharing it on my blog and beading club web site.

As always, she responded promptly and consented! So here it is:

Discovering the Treasure in Failure

"Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep." -Scott Adams

As a creator, I've learned a lot about destroying. In order to create, we must destroy. It is a part of the creation process. Destroying makes the space for new creation.

We destroy a hank of beads so that we may order its pieces into a necklace. We destroy old ideas to make way for new. We destroy empty space to fill it with a new painting. We destroy a design that doesn't work in order to create a new one that, hopefully, works.

I was faced with this last dilemma recently. Off and on, for the past 8 months I've been working on an intricate piece. I'd made prototypes out of rope that indicated that my idea would work and I was so excited. However, to see if it actually worked, I had to weave it together. After 60+ hours I realized that what I had created would not work like the vision I had in my mind's eye. So I had to rip it apart. Did I mention it was 60+ hours of work over 8 months time?

I've come to realize that destroying is as much a part of creating as the act of creation. I used to resent having to destroy my failed beadwork, regarding those precious hours spent making it as squandered and meaningless because they lead to failure. I saw it as a waste of time. As I've matured, I realize that time is only wasted if I refuse to learn from the errors I filled it with.

When possible I save my beaded failures to refer back to what made them fail. In this case, I'd woven together a costly amount of beads that I needed to un-weave so I could use them. I spent hours pulling apart lovingly crafted rows of weaving.

For the first time in my 20+ years of beading, the destruction process fascinated rather than frustrated me. I felt I was watching portions of my life in rewind. As I unravelled, I relived the hours spent weaving while watching a Frank Zappa concert DVD with my husband. Then came memories of my trip to San Diego as I tore out loops made during the summer. Backwards I wove through the section of rows completed in July when we lost our Greyhound. Then the part I'd made during the last weeks of our Dalmatian's life in March. I deconstructed the parts that I'd shared over lunch with two bead artist friends at a French restaurant. And finally, the very first rows I'd made (while my head spun with excitement) became shreds of thread and loose homeless beads.

As I ripped, cut, and pulled, I experienced-in the most tactile way-my methods of ensuring my work for posterity. I also cursed them. Overkill here and there, as I sawed apart six and seven passes of thread through one bead.

From this destruction emerged not only the space for my revised design, but also (and this came as a surprise) a more compassionate view of myself. Unwinding months of my life captured in thread and glass offered me a broader perspective of myself. As if watching a film, I saw a woman - in between the mundane and sublime moments of her life, the peaks and valleys, the joys and losses - quietly, methodically building something of beauty. Small and striking. Maybe not a masterpiece, but a creation that would mean something to her, and hopefully to others. I saw someone wanting, from the depth of her heart, to create beauty: beauty that will last and adorn and inspire others to create more beauty. Each fragment of thread and released bead illuminated that part of me that thrives on inspiring beauty, creativity, and excellence in the world.

It was an enlightening time of destruction. And at the end of it I felt wiser, more confident, and more excited about rebuilding my vision in a new way. Not a moment has been wasted!

I do hope that you enjoyed this as much as I did. Should you like to see Margie’s work, sign up for her newsletter, buy her kits or books, take an on-like course, read her blog, please visit her website. Here is the link:

http://www.margiedeeb.com/

Margie, thanks for your continuing support, generosity, and inspiration! You are one of Beading's True Treasures!

Is There To Be No Honor or Respect For Our Ancestors?

2010-11-27T05:20:00.000-08:00

Illustration by Kicking Bear available for purchase at http://www.kickingbear.etsy.com/

National Native American Heritage Month for 2010 is growing to a close. The theme for this year’s celebration was “Honor Our Heritage, Respect Our Ancestors”. Once again, our government is demonstrating that our people, living or dead, should not stand in the way of “progress”.

I received this newspaper post via e-mail this morning and am absolutely out-raged!

Will it never stop? Can’t the bones of our ancestors be given a modicum of respect?

Wasn’t it bad enough to remove and re-bury them? Now they can’t even remember where they re-buried them? This is an outragious claim. How can one forget the place of their re-location?

Oh, I forgot…..they are just the bones and teeth of ancient Indians!

Our ancestors mean nothing. After all they took our land, destroyed our culture, demeaned our people while they were living…can we expect more respect for our dead?

Here is the article. You decide.

Tribes angry, Everglades projects halt after workers dig up major burial ground but don't tell
11/25/10
http://www.palmbeachpost/
com/news/state/tribes-angry-everglades-projects-halt-after-workers-dig-107393.html

In May 2008, archaeologists began the tedious task of exhuming the remains of Native Americans at a remote site south of Lake Okeechobee and reburying them at another remote site, to make way for a man-made wetland needed to restore the Everglades.

The Miccosukee and Seminole tribes signed off on the project after being told that the archaeologists would carefully and respectfully re-inter the miscellaneous collection of bones and teeth that had been found.

But the more the archaeologists dug, the more they found.

After nearly two years, the tribes learned that what they'd been told were some teeth and bones turned out to be partial remains of 56 men, women and children moved from an ancient burial ground so significant that it would have been eligible for listing on the National Registry of Historic Places.
The Seminoles are angry. They believe they should have been notified immediately when archeologists realized they were dealing with more than isolated bones and teeth. Now the Seminoles want all 901 bones and 245 teeth returned to their original resting place.

"We're not OK with relocating a burial ground," said Tina Osceola, the Seminole Tribe of Florida's Historic Resources Officer. "You're talking about too many individuals and that disturbs the balance between our ancestors and those who are walking today. We want them put back."

The controversy has created a nightmare for the South Florida Water Management District, the agency responsible for the Everglades Restoration.

Construction near the four burial sites has stopped, delaying the vital project at a time when two angry federal judges are demanding the district speed up the cleanup.

Archeologists hired by the district to move the remains have said they may not be able to return them to their original burial sites because they don't know exactly where they reburied them. Even if they can be located, many of the remains could be damaged if moved again.

Returning the remains would mean engineers would have to redraft Everglades restoration plans, to avoid the burial sites or build structures such as berms, to protect the sites from flooding. That means permits must be modified or new permits issued, a process that can take months.

The controversy has further strained relations and eroded trust between the tribe and the agencies involved in restoring the Everglades. The timing could not be worse for the district, as more construction projects are starting in remote areas where more remains and artifacts likely will be discovered and the tribe's cooperation will be needed.

"As far as our confidence level is concerned, I can't say it's been shaken," Osceola said. "I can't say as a tribe we had any confidence in the government to begin with."

The Miccosukee Tribe, which raised the most concern when the project began, has said little about the controversy. The Miccosukee Tribe's lawyer did not return a call for comment.

For now the Seminoles are more concerned with the fate of the remains than assessing blame. They want the remains returned and they want their rules followed:

Flat shovels must be used to scrape the soil until the white sand covering each burial site is exposed. Then, a hand-trowel must be used. To ensure the remains are not mixed, only one burial site at a time can be worked on. The bones should be reburied within two days and the orientation must match the original position. For example, some of the bodies were lying face up,others face down and some on their sides. Most were buried with the head facing east.

"To native people, culture is our religion and spirituality," Osceola said. We have tribal members who are angry, scared and very deeply, deeply concerned with this issue. So much so that during every tribal meeting I am asked to give an update on this."

As for blame, there may be none, at least legally. Janus Research, the archeological firm hired by the district, has complied with the permit it obtained in May 2008 to move the remains. The three agencies involved - the district, Army Corps of Engineers and State Historic Preservation Officers -have said they followed the conditions set forth in a memorandum of agreement signed in December 2008.

During the excavation, weekly conference calls were held between the three agencies and the archeologists about what they had found and the status of the reburials. The tribes were not included, according to notes from the district.

However, in January the archeologists asked for guidance: There were so many remains found at one of the sites that they were faced with the ethical dilemma of whether to preserve the site or continue with removing and reburying the remains.

The agencies notified the tribes about the concerns. Tempers flared. In May, tribal representatives walked out of a meeting with the district, corps and State Division of Historic Resources when discussions focused on what happened and not what will happen, Osceola said.

"Let's come up with solutions and then deal with the blame later," Osceola said. "Until the parties were willing to talk about a solution, we weren't going to come to the table. They are playing by our rules now."

Earlier this week, the tribe escorted officials from the district and corps on a tour of the sites, hoping to educate them about the tribe's traditions and the significance of the remains. The tribe insists the remains be returned and new permits and rules be put in place to ensure that the tribe is contacted throughout the process.

Despite the tribe's demands, it does not have the legal right or final word on what will happen, in the corps' view.

"We're doing everything we can to work with the Seminole Tribe and we take our relationship with the nation very seriously," said Tori White, chief of the corps' regulatory division in Palm Beach Gardens, which is handling the project. "At the end of the day, it's the corps' decision."

Would you be willing to place a bet on what that decision will be? Tori White, have you no shame?

Thanks From Behind Prison Walls

2010-11-26T07:40:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, Thanksgiving, Leonard Peltier sent this e-mail from his prison cell. Unfortunately, I failed to open my e-mails as I was busy preparing food for our family gathering. But even though it may be a day late as a Thanksgiving reminder, perhaps it will serve to remind us that Thanksgiving should not be relegated to a single day each year if one is free and in good health.

Here is what Leonard had to say.

Greetings, my relatives.

It seems another year has gone by since the last time we gathered like
this. I say we, although I am not there with you in body, my spirit
certainly is. We have coined this day, a day of mourning, as opposed
to a day of thanksgiving. It's a shame that for the most part
thanksgiving is relegated to only one day. And mourning is something
that relates to unhappy circumstances that have taken place. We
certainly can't change what has happened. This very day is ours and
tomorrow hasn't happened yet and, is uncertain.

I really don't like to dwell on the mourning aspects of life but instead,
on what we can do to prevent those unhappy and sometimes terrible
times in our history.

I may have mentioned it once before but I once read about a
union organizer named Joe Hill that was framed by the copper mine
owners to be executed. And I believe he said what really needs to be
said upon his death. His words were "don't mourn, organize".

And those are also my sentiments.

There are a lot of things that happened in the past that can be
prevented in the future. There are losses that can be regained. But
we must organize to do it. We must find it within ourselves to be in
touch with the Creator for I can tell you from a heartfelt fact that
when they've pushed you away, into a dark corner, not just your body,
but your mind, your soul, your spirit, there is no one that can
sustain you but the Creator himself.

Dark moments come and go in all our lifetimes.
And there are those in political office, who will try
to turn your head away from the obvious truths.
They will lie to you about what they believe.
They will try to get you to follow what they consider politically
correct while ignoring the truth, such as protests against the Mosque
being built within blocks of the fallen Trade towers,
which incidentally was a monument to wealth and wealth
seekers.

I am not trying to demean the innocent people whose only
cause of their death was seeking a place of employment to feed their
families.

While they protest the Mosque, no one mentions the Native
American sacred places that by treaty are seriously violated daily.
Our Sacred Black Hills of South Dakota, sacred to many tribes, have
the faces of many of our oppressors carved on them.

The place of vision seeking, Bear Butte in South Dakota, sacred to us for
millennia, has a bar built at the foot of it and there is talk of
having helicopter flights around it to attract tourism. And, there is
even talk of drilling for oil and gas.

Every time I have to write or I should say dictate, one of these
statements, I try to think of what I would say if this was the last
time I got to speak. The thing that comes to mind in some of our
sacred ceremonies and that is thoughts of our relationships with the
ones we love and the Creator of all life.

Not to take away from the theme of this day, but if you can hold the person you love,
be thankful.

If you can walk on green grass, touch a tree, be thankful.

If you can breathe air that didn't come through a ventilation system,
or a window with bars, be thankful.

If you can stand in an open field or some other place at night and
look up at the heavens, be thankful.

No one appreciates the simple things as much as a man or woman locked
away. I know sometimes some of my friends may have thought I had
become institutionalized and there may be some element of my thinking
behavior that has become calloused from this continued imprisonment.
But I have not for a moment forgotten the needs of my people and the
atrocities committed against them or the circumstances that all the
poor and impoverished face in this world at the hands of those who
take more than they need and exploit for gain, the futures of our
children.

I paint pictures of them sometimes, people I've known,
People I've met, places I've seen, and places I've only seen in my
minds eye. And if my paintbrush was magical, rest assured I would
paint for myself one open door.

I wrestle with what to say to you and words are sometimes so
inadequate. So if you are free today, un-imprisoned, be thankful.

Give the person next to you a hug for me.
May the Great Spirit bless you always in all ways with the things you need.
May you find joy in doing what is right and righting what is wrong
and seek to be the best example of what a human should be in our lifetime.

In the Spirit of those we mourn, those who gave their lives and those
whose lives were taken from them. I really don't know what else to say
because in writing this, my heart has become heavy with the emotions of this time.

In the Spirit of Crazy Horse, who gave his life for what was right and
tried to right what was wrong.

Your Brother,
Leonard Peltier

Free Leonard. It is the right thing to do!

A Little Thanksgiving Request

2010-11-08T05:33:00.000-08:00

As many of you know, I have the distinct honor and priviledge of beading bracelets from the logo of Eve's Fund. Eve’s Fund is a Native American Health Initiatives Inc. that promotes programs to help Native Americans. It was established in 2005 by Dr. Robert M. Crowell, a retired neurosurgeon and named in memory of his daughter, Eve Erin Crowell, who died tragically in February of that year. Eve’s Fund is a
non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization incorporated in New Mexico.

While I support this organization year round, I actively solicit donations for the children’s literacy program during November. It is a part of my personal celebration of National Native American Heritage Month and a way of expressing my thankfulness for the blessings of literacy. Literacy is taken for granted by most of us.

Last year, Eve’s Fund’s website posted an article that got my full and undivided attention. It reminded me of all that I have to be thankful for. I was shocked by the fact that there are so many Native children who do not own a single book of their own!

Can you imagine your growing up without owning a single book? Can you imagine your Grandchildren not owning a single book? But it is true that there are many Native children who don't have the luxury of book ownership. I find this fact to be very sad and I am so thankful that Eve's Fund is playing an active role in promoting literacy by providing children with books of their very own.

This year, Eve’s Fund has partnered with Betty Metz. Betty Metz is a remarkable person and the founder of Books-a-Go Go. Betty’s organization is a not-for-profit group that gives away books to needy kids. Fortunately, for Eve’s Fund, Betty has pledged to donate books to Navajo children. In May of 2009, the first shipment of 2,000 books arrived at Red Mesa Arizona. Now, a year later, Books-a-Go Go has donated another 3,200 books (2,600 pounds worth) to Navajo schools in New Mexico and Arizona. As Betty says, “it’s all for the kids,” and she has certainly touched a great many of them. Betty’s mission is to give books to children from low-income families and thus pave the way to education and more fulfilling lives.

For a mere $5.00 donation, Eve's Fund will ship a book to each of five Native children.

Remembering the pleasures of reading books to my three grandchildren and in purchasing books for them, this morning I decided to have 15 books shipped to 15 Native children in the names of my three grandchildren.

We take so much for granted! We forget how blessed we are that someone taught us to read! We had our very own books! And even in these troubled economic times, we can a difference with even a modest donation.

If you would like to make a similar Thanksgiving gift in the names of your children or grandchildren, it is very simple. Go to this site.
http://evecrowellsfund.org/how-you-can-help/

There are several options as to how you can help. Click on "Donate".
You can designate the way you want your donation to be applied. In the purpose, I wrote "Ship 15 books in the names of Sydney, Mason, and Olivia Stinson." You can pay with Paypal.

Or if you prefer, you can send a check to:
Eve’s Fund/ThinkFirst Navajo
c/o Robert M. Crowell, MD, President
180 Elm Street, Suite 1, PMB 168
Pittsfield, MA 01201

What a simple way to give "Thanks" for all the pleasure books have given you over the years and to provide that experience for another child. Won’t you join me in giving at least five children the pleasure of book ownership this Thanksgiving?

It's Official: November Is National Native American Heritage Month

2010-10-30T21:56:00.001-07:00

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release October 29, 2010 Presidential Proclamation--National Native American Heritage Month

-------

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

For millennia before Europeans settled in North America, the indigenous peoples of this continent flourished with vibrant cultures and were the original stewards of the land. From generation to generation, they handed down invaluable cultural knowledge and rich traditions, which continue to thrive in Native American communities across our country today. During National Native American Heritage Month, we honor and celebrate their importance to our great Nation and our world.

America's journey has been marked both by bright times of progress and dark moments of injustice for American Indians and Alaska Natives. Since the birth of America, they have contributed immeasurably to our country and our heritage, distinguishing themselves as scholars, artists, entrepreneurs, and leaders in all aspects of our society. Native Americans have also served in the United States Armed Forces with honor and distinction, defending the security of our Nation with their lives. Yet, our tribal communities face stark realities, including disproportionately high rates of poverty, unemployment, crime, and disease. These disparities are unacceptable, and we must acknowledge both our history and our current challenges if we are to ensure that all of our children have an equal opportunity to pursue the American dream. From upholding the tribal sovereignty recognized and reaffirmed in our Constitution and laws to strengthening our unique nation-to- nation relationship, my Administration stands firm in fulfilling our Nation's commitments.

Over the past 2 years, we have made important steps towards working as partners with Native Americans to build sustainable and healthy native communities. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act continues to impact the lives of American Indians and Alaska Natives, including through important projects to improve, rebuild, and renovate schools so our children can get the education and skills they will need to compete in the global economy. At last year's White House Tribal Nations Conference, I also announced a new consultation process to improve communication and coordination between the Federal Government and tribal governments.

This year, I was proud to sign the landmark Affordable Care Act, which permanently reauthorized the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, a cornerstone of health care for American Indians and Alaska Natives. This vital legislation will help modernize the Indian health care system and improve health care for 1.9 million American Indians and Alaska Natives. To combat the high rates of crime and sexual violence in Native communities, I signed the Tribal Law and Order Act in July to bolster tribal law enforcement and enhance their abilities to prosecute and fight crime more effectively. And, recently, my Administration reached a settlement in a lawsuit brought by Native American farmers against the United States Department of Agriculture that underscores our commitment to treat all our citizens fairly.

As we celebrate the contributions and heritage of Native Americans during this month, we also recommit to supporting tribal self-determination, security, and prosperity for all Native Americans. While we cannot erase the scourges or broken promises of our past, we will move ahead together in writing a new, brighter chapter in our joint history.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 2010 as National Native American Heritage Month. I call upon all Americans to commemorate this month with appropriate programs and activities, and to celebrate November 26, 2010, as Native American Heritage Day.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-ninth day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.

BARACK OBAMA

"Pride in Our Heritage. Honor to Our Ancestors ."

2010-10-25T13:01:00.000-07:00

November is just around the corner and will be celebrated as National Native American Heritage Month. The theme for this year's heritage month is "Pride in Our Heritage. Honor to Our Ancestors ."

With thought in mind, I decided to do this blog to honor my paternal Grandparents and share a little of their history with you.

My father’s parents were named Edward and Eula Walker. They are both listed on the Dawes Rolls as Creeks and were numbers 3407 and 3408.

Edward Hendricks Walker was descended from the Daughter of Big Warrior and Tustinnugge Thlucco. He was born June 6, 1861 in Bearden, Indian Territory.

He married Eula Muskogee Coody, daughter of Joseph Coody and Mary Hardege.

Eula Coody was born October 18, 1875 near Fort Gibson, Indian Territory
Eula Coody was the great, great, great, great Grand daughter of Ghi-Goo-ie. Ghi-Goo-ie was the Grandmother of John Ross, Principle Chief of the Cherokees in the late 1800’s.

                                                             Eula Muskogee Coody Walker

When I was looking for a name for my jewelry business, I decided to use Ghi-Goo-ie. In addition to being my great great great great great Grandmother, her name translates as “Sweet Heart”. I liked that. I hope that my work and my business would honor her.

While enrolled as Muscogee Creeks, both Edward Hendricks Walker and Eula Muskogee Coody Walker are included in the book, Old Cherokee Families by Emmet Starr.

Edward Hendricks Walker died March 19, 1932 in Stidham, Oklahoma.
Eula Muskogee Coody Walker died February 15, 1911

Their children included:

Mary E. Walker….born 1899, died November 15, 2002 in Portland, Oregon

Mineola Walker….born 1901, died November 13, 1992 in Orange, California

George Washington Walker…born July 31, 1901, died June 3, 1988 in Tulsa, Oklahoma

Edith Walker…born December 10, 1904, died June 2, 2002 in Eufaula, Oklahoma

Emma Walker ..born March 15, 1907, died July 21, 1909 in Stidham, Oklahoma

Edward Walker…born April 30, 1909, died June 06, 1909 in Stidham, Oklahoma

John H. Walker..born February 17,1910, died May, 1970 in Tahlequah, Oklahoma   (My Father)

Eula Coody’s life must have been beyond difficult. She was of the first generation of babies born after the Trail of Tears relocation to what was to become Oklahoma. After marrying my Grandfather, she lived on a dusty farm (land allotted by the Federal Government) in Mc Intosh county.  She died after giving birth to seven children at age 36. Two of her children died at very young ages. My father was the last of her children. She died one year after his birth of tuberculosis. This tread disease cost the lives of many of my ancestors.

I did not have the opportunity to know either of these Grandparents as they were gone before my birth.

However, through the aunts and uncle they gave to me, the stories recounted by them and my father, I know they were a proud and caring people. They did the best they could with their lives and those of their children given the hand they were dealt.

I am and will always be proud of my Native Heritage. My ancestors endured much but thrived in spite of it. They weren't given any breaks or advantages. They were not always well accepted in "polite" society.
But they continued to hold on to their values and their culture. They are my heros.

I look forward to the November 2010 celebration of "Pride in Our Heritage. Honor to Our Ancestors ."

Edward H. Walker and Eula Muskogee Coody Walker, I am proud to be your Grand-daugher and I honor you!

Eve's Fund/ThinkFirst Navajo Raises More Than $3000 For Injury Prevention

2010-10-21T17:46:00.000-07:00

As many of you know, I am proud to be associated with Eve's Fund, a foundation supporting health causes for the Navajo. I loom bracelets featuring the Eve's Fund logo as a part of their fund raising endeavors and support them in any way that I can.

I just received this information about their successful October event and wanted to share this great news with you.

From the Eve's Fund Blog:
On 10-10-10, more than 38,000 runners participated in the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. We were proud to have three runners representing ThinkFirst Navajo, and even more proud to say that all three members of the team finished the race.

Echohawk Lefthand, Christina Zubieta, and Matti Dodson all completed the 26.2-mile course, and together they raised more than $3,200 for ThinkFirst Navajo’s injury prevention programs.

Echohawk, program director of ThinkFirst Navajo and leader of our Boy Scout Troop 928, trained for months with Christina, who is a public health nurse with the Indian Health Service. You can see Echohawk’s moving personal story, "Rebalanced: Live Life and Learn from the Lessons of the Past," on YouTube.

Matti, a Wisconsin resident, recently turned 40. She was inspired to commemorate this phase in her life by running a marathon and raising money for ThinkFirst Navajo’s education programs. You can read about Matti’s journey to race day on her Facebook page, Run Matti Run.

Through their efforts, the team raised awareness of ThinkFirst Navajo, and their success was reported on by the Farmington, New Mexico, newspaper, The Daily Times.

With the funds raised by this dedicated ThinkFirst Navajo team, we’re grateful to be able to reach more Navajo youth with our injury prevention message. If you’ve been inspired by their story, please consider making a contribution to our ThinkFirst Navajo program. You can learn more about what we are doing by visiting our ThinkFirst Navajo web page.

If you would like learn more about how you can assist Eve's Fund and the wonderful work that they do, please visit their website.
http://evecrowellsfund.org/

.

It's Football Season!

2010-09-27T14:27:00.000-07:00

Bacone Indian College Football Team

My Daddy, Johnie Walker, attended Bacone from the time he entered school through Junior College. Along with all of his sisters and his one brother, he was packed off to Indian Boading School at a very young age.

Each fall when the football season kicks off, I reminded of how much my Daddy loved that sport!

This is the Bacone Football Team in or around 1930. If you look at the photo from left to right, Daddy is the second from the last person on the seated row. I put an "X" under him.

Having completed his Junior College years at Bacone, he went on to Texas Tech to finish his college education and to play football.

He was offered a position with the New York Giants after his college career was over. But at the time, the pay was not so great and he determined he would rather coach high school football. That was a good decision for me as he met my Mother during his early coaching career.

When I was a youngster, pre-television, football games would be on the radio every Saturday afternoon. Daddy made a game board from a piece of plywood. He painted the football field, made a score board with movable pieces and even painted people in the stands around the parimeter. I wish I still had it as it was truly a work of art.

I was allowed to select the team I wanted to be and the coin I wanted to use. As the game was broadcast, we moved our teams (the coins) up and down the field and put the score pieces on the score board.

When my team won, it was always such a thrill. I was sure I was a better player than Daddy!

I learned the game very well (better than most boys) and still enjoy it though I spend less time watching than I used to.

Daddy left coaching in 1938 and began his career with the Bureau of Indian Affairs. But even still, he continued to referee high school football for many years to come.

Those Saturday afternoons in the fall of the year were very special to me. They are wonderful memories that I will always cherish....but I sure do wish I had that wonderful game board!

Happy Birthday Leonard Peltier!

2010-09-12T12:37:00.000-07:00

Leonard Peltier

American Indians share a history rich in diversity, integrity, culture and tradition. It is also rich in tragedy, deceit and genocide. As the world learns of these atrocities and cries out for justice for all people everywhere, no human being should ever have to fear for his or her life because of their political or religious beliefs. We are in this together, my friends, the rich, the poor, the red, white, black, brown and yellow. We share responsibility for Mother Earth and those who live and breathe upon her.

Never forget that.

It is sad but Leonard had to celebrate his 66th birthday today behind bars!

I just received this e-mail and wanted to share it with you.

Forwarded on behalf of the Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee

September 6, 2010

Sisters, brothers, friends and supporters,

I wish I could sit across the table from each of you right now. We'd share a meal and reflect on changes in this world over these 35 or so years. Yes, I pay attention to things on the outside (as much as possible). I know the world is in turmoil and I ache for the Native people who languish in utter poverty on reservations and in inner cities across America.

As a young man, all I wanted to do was make a positive differencein the People's lives. I'll turn 66 years old next week and I still want that. It's difficult to have an impact in my currentcircumstances, though. That's a constant source of frustration for me. On the outside, given the chance to roll up my sleeves once again, I suspect I'd still be somewhat frustrated. All that mustbe done is more than any one person can accomplish. I'd still likethe opportunity to do my part.

Thinking back to those days on Pine Ridge, what I remember is thefunerals. There were so many funerals... So many families lost loved ones.

There was a powerful force at work on the reservation back then one with a single purpose-to stamp out the last resistance of the Lakota people

We (the Oglala traditionals and members of the American IndianMovement) stood up because we were trying to defend our People. It was the right thing to do. We had-have-the right to survive

The land was being stolen, too… used for mining mostly. No thought was given to the disposal of toxic waste. The rivers were full of poisons.

Not much has changed, I hear. In those days, though, the reservation was torn apart by a tribal dispute and the federal government armed one group against another. The result was a long line of tragedies for the People of Pine Ridge… and for the People who were there that day in June 1975

I honestly understand the pain and anguish suffered by all concerned and I have been part of that suffering. I have watched people lie on the witness stand countless times and felt the doors closing on me. I have heard judges admonish prosecutors for allowing false evidence in and, in some cases, for participating in the falsification itself. The government hid evidence, too. Or manufactured it. Literally.

The courts say none of this is even in dispute anymore. So I wonder if the American standard of justice is still "beyond a reasonabledoubt," why am I still here

Some people have had their convictions overturned because of one constitutional violation. The number of constitutional violationsin my case is staggering. Yet, I continue to wait here for the same justice to be applied for me.

I hope that someday someone can put it all on the table and show the enormity of the railroading I have been victimized by

Last year, as you know, my parole was denied. That was adisappointment, but I am not defeated. My fight for freedom-for my People and myself-is not over. I am a pipe carrier and a Sundancer. Abandoning The Struggle is not-never will be-aconsideration

I am an Indian man and proud of it. I love my People and culture and spiritual beliefs. My enemies like to suggest otherwise and seek to rob me of all dignity. They won't succeed

When I look back over all the years, I remember all the good people who have stood up for me, for a day or a decade. Of course, many have stayed with me all along the way. I think of the hundreds oft housands of people around the world who have signed petitions for me, too... people on the poorest of reservations to the highest of political offices.

As we have learned over these many years, my freedom won't comequickly or easily. To succeed, the coming battle will have to behard fought. Please continue to help my Committee and legal team as you have always done. Your support is more important now than ever before. When freedom comes, it will be due in no small part to the actions you take on my behalf

Again, thank you for remembering me. You can't know the comfort you bring to an innocent man locked away from the world for so very long
Doksha,

Leonard Peltier
#89637-132
USP-Lewisburg
US Penitentiary
PO Box 1000
Lewisburg, PA 17837
Launched into cyberspace by the Leonard Peltier Defence Offense Committee PO Box 7488, Fargo, ND 58106

Phone: 701/235-2206

Fax: 701/235-5045

E-mail: contact@whoisleonardpeltier.info

Visit www.whoisleonardpeltier.info.

Time to set him free... Because it is the RIGHT thing to do.

This About Says It All!

2010-08-22T06:57:00.000-07:00

This photo was sent to me by one of my Etsy friends, Claudia. Yesterday I announced on our Native American Forum Thread that I had to do some cleaning but would rather bead. Since Claudia is also a beader she related to my words.

Claudia recently posted a bracelet on Etsy that I loved and shared with my friends on Face Book. Everyone thought I had made the bracelet....they missed that it belonged to Claudia. I had to post a clarification that it was not mine and was done by Claudia.

Later she sent me the instructions for the bracelet and I did do one in different colors. I appreciate her willingness to share. Her is Claudia's bracelet:

And here is mine done from the same pattern with different beads:

It is amazing how different two braclets made just alike can be.

To see more of Claudia's wonderful work, please go to:

http://www.ohclaudia.etsy.com/

Thanks Claudia for sharing my thoughts on cleaning versus beading, for your willingness

to share techniques, and being my "Beading Buddy"!

Coincidence or Something Else?

2010-08-19T10:55:00.000-07:00

Amanda and Aunt Joni At The Zoo

On Monday of this week, my older son, Scott, dropped by our house for a visit. He, Patrick and I started discussing the "good old days". I am not sure what triggered a conversation about a trip we made to the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo in their younger years. But we had a nostalgic discussion about a zoo trip when my niece, Amanda, was here visiting us.

Amanda is my sister's daughter. She lived in New York. She loved visiting our local zoo and we usually went each time she came to visit. When she was younger, she called the animals “aminals” and she was never through looking at them when time came to leave. She would announce in a persuasive tone that she wasn’t through seeing the "aminals"! I can still hear that sweet little voice pleading to stay longer!

The trip we were discussing on Monday was an especially memorable one as it was an "X" rated trip. It seems mating season was on for about every cage. Amanda was full of questions and her mother, Marilyn, had to be creative and quick in her explanations as to why the “aminals” were behaving that way.

Being creative and quick was never difficult for Marilyn. She had some great explanations!

Of course we always took a few pictures of our zoo trips. It is fun to look back on those visits. Sweet Marilyn left us several years ago and I still miss her everyday. Amanda is now a grown and beautiful woman with a husband, Rob, and a new home in Stamford, Connecticut. As you can see, I have aged a bit….but the memories are still fresh.

After Scott left, I came downstairs to check my e-mails. I opened one from Paul, my brother in law and Amanda’s father. I nearly fell out of my chair.

Guess what it contained?

This photo of Amanda and me at the zoo the year of the “X” rated visit.

Now Paul has had this photo for 25 years or more!
I had never seen it before.
Why did it surface in New York on that day?
What motivated him to share it at that time on that day?

Marilyn, have you moved from feathers to relaying messages?

Was it coincidence or something else?

I wonder………………

Trail of Treasures: Native American Forum Thread: The Anasazi Challenge

2010-08-11T15:35:00.000-07:00

Trail of Treasures: Native American Forum Thread: The Anasazi Challenge

Native American Forum Thread: The Anasazi Challenge

2010-07-27T22:26:00.000-07:00

We have a Native American Forum Thread on Etsy. The Thread has been on-going since November, 2009. This spring, Kicking Bear, our wise man and mentor suggested that the regular contributors to the thread do a “challenge” on a periodic basis. Everyone loved the idea and our first challenge was begun.

This challenge was in honor of the Cherokee Spring Frog Dance. There were 28 entries in our first challenge: The Walosi (Frog in Cherokee). If you are interested, you may view all of wonderful pieces here: http://jstinson-trailoftreasures.blogspot.com/2010/05/if-widgetbox-widgetbox.html

Now, there are no” prizes” for winning these challenges. While votes are cast, each artist who enters creates their own prize…...stimulation of creative thought, increased knowledge of the topic, and pride in their resulting piece.

The first challenge was such a success that a second challege was presented. The theme for it is “Anasazi, the Ancient Ones".

I have just completed my entry. In order to understand the piece, you need to know a little Anasazi history.

From 1200 B.C. to A.D. 1300 in the Four Corners Area of Southwestern United States lived the Ancient Ones or Anasazi. The name "Anasazi" has come to mean "ancient people," although the word itself is Navajo, meaning "enemy ancestors." The use of the term is offensive to many Native Americans. There remains a great debate as to what these Ancestors should be called.

On a cold December day in 1888 Richard and Al Wetherill and their brother-in-law Charles Mason discovered abandoned Anasazi dwellings. This discovery essentially began the history of archaeology in the American West.

The grandeur and mystery of an ancient city built into a canyon wall, which they called Cliff Palace, brought professional archaeologists from all over the world to the region. Pouring over the sparsely populated Colorado Plateau, they uncovered one of the richest archaeological records on earth. There were literally thousands of largely intact prehistoric stone structures, including granaries, pithouses, cliffhouses, kivas, and watchtowers.

The Anasazi or Ancient Ones had a great society, were talented pottery and jewelry artists, architects, farmers, and built marvelous homes in the cliffs.

And then they disappeared!

Like their name, this disappearance is also a subject of great debate.

One theory is that they were driven away from their cultural centers by a “Great Drought. It is known that a severe drought began in 1130 and lasted for 50 years.

Another theory is that their migration was for religious ideology.

Tree ring study, carbon-14 dating and the study of bones support the enviornmental impact theory. Bones show evidence of malnutrition. The evidence of malnutrition is used as an indicator that they were no longer to produce food in abundance for all.

Most feel that ultimately some combination of climatic change, over population, and perhaps a social or religious crisis led the Anasazi to abandon their spectacular cities in the cliffs at the close of the thirteenth century.

There are many Native American stories handed down through the generations of tremendous migrations away from the pueblos. There are accounts of natural events and recollections of times when the ancestors lived in specific places in the Southwest. All of this oral history is correlated with historical and astrological records, rock art, pieces of pottery, and tree-ring dating.

Through these great efforts there is a high degree of certainty as to which clans built and occupied major sites, when those particular sites were built and when they were abandoned.

But why the inhabitants moved may continue to be a mystery.

This necklace was done as a tribute to the Anasazi or Ancient Ones.

The base is done in gold seed beads to symbolize the golden era of the Anasazi and the respect for this one time rich culture that has been passed to subsequent generations.

The center focal area of the necklace is made from a dense variety of beads to symbolize the glory years of this ancient society teeming with activity and flourishing as a people. Shades of turquoise represent the sky, green represents the fertile land, and purple represents these regal people.

As you move away from the center, there are “bands” of beads that symbolize both the beginning of the migration away from the hub of these ancient cities and the tree banding that has provided information about it.

The areas of the necklace that are less populated with beads and the blank areas represent the migration of the Ancient Ones and their disappearance from the hub of their ancient cities.

At the ends are new “bands” of modern Natives who have not forgotten the ways of the Ancient Ones.

We are contemporary Native Americans who continue to respect the laws of nature. We continue to honor all living things, large or small. We continue to hone our skills and share our knowledge. We give Thanks to these Ancestors, whether they are called Anasazi or The Ancient Ones.

We band together and pray for a better tomorrow. Without this, we, like the once prosperous and talented ancient culture of the Anasazi, could see the world as we know it disappear..... leaving behind only the remnants of what was once a grand society.

Enjoy Freedom? Thank A Veteran

2010-05-30T06:12:00.000-07:00

Left To Right: Joni Stinson, Howard Miscee (wearing his roach*), Patrick Stinson

As America pays tribute to its Armed Services men and women, past and present, what better way to celebrate a part of the 2010 Memorial Day week-end than to attend an Omaha Warrior Society Pow Wow. Earlier in the week, we had received a phone call from our friend, Howard Miscee, Omaha, to let us know about the Warrior Society Pow Wow in Carter Lake, Iowa.

Howard is a Veteran, an Omaha Ceremonial Dancer and a member of the Omaha Warrior Society. Historically, no man was eligible to the Warrior Society who had not won, through the ceremonies of the Tent of War, the right to proclaim his warlike deeds. Modern day Warrior Society members are Veterans.

For the event yesterday, our friend, Howard, had been asked by the Warrior Society to be the Head Dancer. This is a high honor and we wanted to be be present to see Howard dance and receive gifts from his fellow warriors.

Native Americans of all tribes have valiantly performed in the military services of our country throughout history. Patrick and I were pleased to have the opportunity to share this day with a few of them and give our thanks for their personal sacrifice and valor in serving us. As we always say, “If you enjoy your freedom, thank a Veteran.

*A roach is a crest of stiff porcupine guard hairs with a deer-hair center that male dancers wear on their heads.

Which Is Your Favorite Walosi (Frog in Cherokee)?

2010-05-11T08:04:00.000-07:00

Welcome to our Cherokee Spring Frog Dance!

This is your opportunity to view the frogs made by various artists from the Etsy Native American Forum Thread Walks In The Wind.

Kicking Bear, a Cherokee elder, is our wise man and mentor. We sit around our "cyber" camp fire while he amuses us with his wit and wisdom. Recently he told us of the old tradition of the Cherokee Spring Frog Dance. He then challenged us to produce a walosi piece to honor this tradition and the frog. 28 pieces were offered up for this challenge.

We invite you to view all of the wonderful walosi and select your favorite. There is voter widget at the end so that you may cast your vote. Just scroll down on the bar to find your favorite artist.

Those of us who participated had a great time and we hope you will enjoy helping us with our celebration of the Cherokee Spring Frog Dance.

Sage Healer http://www.sagehealer.etsy.com/

Rekamepip http://www.rekamepip.etsy.com/

Van Fleet Street Design http://www.vanfleetstreetdesign.com/

Heart Works http://www.heartworks.etsy.com/

Bead Lady 61 http://www.beadlady61.etsy.com/

Promises Promises http://www.promisespromises.etsy.com/

Clay Dancer http://www.claydancer.etsy.com/

Willow Rave 1 http://www.willowraven.etsy.com/

Willow Raven 2 http://www.willowraven.etsy.com/

Barbrie777 1 http://www.barbrie777.etsy.com/

Barbrie777 2 http://www.barbrie777.etsy.com/

Candy Thomas http://www.candythomasgourdart.etsy.com/

Debi Designs http://www.debidesigns.etsy.com/

1 Egg Man 1 http://www.1eggman.etsy.com/

1 Egg Man 2 http://www.1eggman.etsy.com/

For The Brand http://www.forthebrand.etsy.com/

Glasmagie http://www.glasmagie.etsy.com/

Howling Caterpillar http://www.howlingcaterpillar.etsy.com/

Joni Stinson http://www.jstinson.etsy.com/

Kicking Bear http://www.kickingbear.etsy.com/

MarinahLynn http://www.marinahlynn.etsy.com/

Miss Tudy http://www.misstudy.etsy.com/

Sweet Grass Valley http://www.sweetgrassvalley.etsy.com/

Spirit Bear http://www.spiritbearcreations.etsy.com/

White Buffalo Designs http://www.whitebuffalodesigns.etsy.com/

Sonora Kay http://www.sonorakay.etsy.com/

Wolf Moon Traders 1 http://www.wolfmoontraders.etsy.com/

Wolf Moon Traders 2 http://www.wolfmoontraders.etsy.com/

To Vote: Use the "white portion" of the bar to scroll down the list of names.

Click on the "dot" to the left of the name.

Click on "Vote"

To see the Results, Click on "Results"

I Am A Fairy!

2010-03-26T18:53:00.000-07:00

My Fairy name is Tangle Rainbowwand

Tangle Rainbowwand is said to be a fortune bringer.
She lives at the bottom of tangled gardens and in hedgerows.
She is only seen when the seer holds a four-leafed clover.
She wears tangled dresses of multicoloured petals.
She has multicoloured wings like a butterfly.

Joan L, one of my Bbest Team Mates on Etsy suggested that I go to a fairy website and I would learn my “fairy name”. She then offered to do a personalized water color ACEO of me as my namesake fairy. I immediately took her up on her generous offer.

I have long been an admirer of Joan’s work. While she does like fairies, she also does wonderful paintings of birds and has a “Neighborhood Girl” series that I really enjoy.

Joan lives in Philadelphia, PA and has a store on Etsy. Joan says, “I have always been an artist ever since I can remember but not able to do it full time until recently. It is my one passion in life. I hope you enjoy what you see and remember it is made with a lot of love and care. You can view her work at http://www.sixsisters.etsy.com/

And here I am……Tangle Rainbowwand!

Now in addition to my Cherokee name, saguu gago widuyugodv, I have a Fairy name as well!

Wado, Joan for my portrait!

If you would like to learn your Fairy name, go to:
Get your free fairy name here!

Etsy Bead and Jet Team Treasury: 3/17/10

2010-03-17T07:02:00.000-07:00

As you know, I sell my jewelry on Etsy. Etsy has a feature called "Treasuries". A member of Etsy selects 12 of their favorite items around a theme and if they time it just right, they can "snag" a treasury. They are then called the curator of the treasury.

Etsy also has teams. The number is vast. A team is made of people who share a common interest. Treasuries are often used to promote one's team and/or team members.

This morning I found out that my Mandala Earrings (third row, middle shot) were featured in this treasury curated by one of my teammates in the Etsy Bead Team. She is Debbie and owns an Etsy store called stoutdg2. Debbie also belongs to the Etsy Jet Team and used items from both of her teams in this beautiful treasury.

Debbie does amazing jewelry design and I think she must search the world over for her beads. I don't know where she locates the amazing lamp work beads that she uses in her designs. In her shop announcement she says, "I create one-of-a-kind fun, whimsical jewelry including necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. I use artisan handcrafted lampwork beads in my designs as well as gemstones, sterling silver, vermeil and gold filled metals." You have to just see her work to gain full appreciation of the quality and creativity. I am showing two of my favorites here.

Now in order for you to see more of this fabulous artist's work, please visit her Etsy store at http:www.stoutdg2.etsy.com You will be glad that you did if you love gorgeous one of a kind jewelry made by a skilled artisan!

Debbie, thank you for including my earrings in your wonderful treasury! I truly am humbled and appreciative.

Wilma Pearl Mankiller

2010-03-05T07:49:00.000-08:00

Wilma Pearl Mankiller was both the first woman deputy chief and the first woman principal chief of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma..

Wilma was born at Tahlequah, the capitol of the Cherokee Nation in November 1945, and lived at Mankiller Flats until she was ten years old. Her father, Charlie Mankiller, was a Cherokee, and her mother, Irene Mankiller, was of Dutch Irish decent. Mankiller grew up with four sisters and six brothers. She overcame many personal hardships and returned home to Mankiller Flats, Oklahoma, to establish herself as a political powerhouse working for the betterment of all people.

The Native community was saddened by this e-mail from Charlie Soap, Wilma’s husband:

Charlie Soap regrets to announce his wife Wilma Mankiller has been diagnosed with stage IV Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer. Mankiller is an author, lecturer and former Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. Mankiller has served 12 years in elective office at the Cherokee Nation, the first two as Deputy Principal Chief followed by 10years as Principal Chief. She retired from public office in 1995. Among her many honors, Mankiller has been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Clinton. Soap requests that the public respect the family's privacy during this time.

As many of you know we have a Native American forum thread on Etsy to promote the Native American spirit and arts. When I received this news, I posted it there as well as in other team forum threads.

One of the frequent and beloved contributors to our NA thread, Taxcoandmore, was so touched that she created a wonderful treasury of Native American art on Etsy as a tribute to Wilma and those of us who grieve her condition. Here is the featured art:
Wado Taxcoandmore! Please visit her store at http://www.taxcoandmore.etsy.com/
Perhaps you could leave a "heart" for her store. It would be a nice “Wado” for her taking the time to honor this great woman.

This morning I received this e-mail written by Wilma.

"I decided to issue this statement because I want my family and friends to know that I am mentally and spiritually prepared for this journey; a journey that all human beings will take at one time or another.

I learned a long time ago that I can't control the challenges the Creator sends my way but I can control the way I think about them and deal with them.

On balance, I have been blessed with an extraordinarily rich and wonderful life, filled with incredible experiences. And I am grateful to have a support team composed of loving family and friends.

I will be spending my time with my family and close friends and engaging in activities I enjoy. It's been my privilege to meet and be touched by thousands of people in my life and I regret not being able to deliver this message personally to so many of you.”
Wilma Mankiller

Wilma served as a wonderful example of leadership and compassion during her life time. She faced issues head long and continues to do so. She demonstrated that one inspired woman can make a gigantic difference in the lives of others. She is now serving as a wonderful example for those entering the next phase of their journey. Bless you, Wilma, for all that you have done and know that your light will serve as a beacon to us for many years to come.

Elizabeth Graf: An Artist's Artist!

2010-02-27T09:37:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-25T07:12:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-06T12:40:00.000-08:00

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/

The Anatomy of A Birthday Cake

2010-01-25T09:54:00.000-08:00

We recently celebrated my husband's (Warren's) birthday. His favorite part of the celebration was that his 11 year old Granddaughter, Olivia, made his cake from start to finish.

As many of you know, Warren is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in the Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy. He appreciates and analyzes how things are made. And this cake was no exception.

Olivia is on her way to becoming the family's official cake baker. For her birthday two years ago, we got special permission for her to enroll in an adult Wilton cake decorating class. She loved it.

So on Saturday, she arrived at my house with all of her tools in hand. Olivia, her brother, Mason, and I marched off to the grocery to purchase the supplies she needed for her masterpiece.

She chose a recipe that only made two layers and she wanted three. So, she promptly did the math and meticulously measured out her ingredients.

Once the ingredients were combined, she equally divided the resulting batter.

Then Mason arrives to play an important role in this process....LICKING THE BOWL!

Once the cake layers are baked, the fun begins! She fills the layers with "Carmellow" filling. Carmellow filling was invented for this cake. Once the layers were filled, she frosted the cake with her the homemade Butter Cream Frosting she learned to make in her class.

A chocolate sculpture dubbed "The Tree of Life" was created from a mystery ingredient and decorated with flowers. It became the cake topper.

Olivia blended her own colors from her large collection of food dyes. She used various tips from her growing collection of tools.

After dinner on Sunday, Olivia and Mason present the cake for the customary blowing out the candles and singing Happy Birthday.

Grandpa is so pleased that Olivia did this just for him! He declared, "Move over Ace of Cakes, Olivia is on her way!"

Footnote: Big sister Sydney was not present for the cake making. She was out of state with her dance team. But she returned for the celebration and with the news that her team placed first in all of their events except one. They got second in that one. Congratulations to Sydney. She danced while the cake baked!

Proud To Be Featured In Eve's Fund's January Newsletter

2010-01-10T06:48:00.000-08:00

I just received the January 2010 Eve's Fund Newsletter. I am so proud of being affiliated with this worthy foundation. It was one of my proudest moments when I was asked to bead their logo into bracelets. The bracelets are gifted to qualifying donors or may be purchased exclusively through the fund.

Here is an excerpt from the Newsletter:

How about an Eve’s Fund logo bracelet for Valentine’s Day?

We feel very lucky to have well-known Native jewelry maker, Joni Stinson, as one of our partners and fans. With a donation of $70 to Eve's Fund, you will receive one of our beaded logo bracelets made by Joni.

These beautiful bracelets would make wonderful gifts for Valentine's Day...or purchase one for yourself.

Click on the photo or the donate button to order one and you can follow Joni's creative world on her Trail of Treasures blog. Please be sure to scroll down on the blog to her November 19, 2009 entry, dedicated to Thanksgiving and Eve's Fund. It was a powerful statement.

Another person to whom we are extremely grateful is award winning graphic designer, Jenny Sofologis owner of Kohl Designs. Jenny learned about Eve's Fund from Eve's cousin Larissa Kulczycky of LCB Communications and with enthusiasm and inspiration developed our Eve's Fund logo. Jenny was able to capture the essence of our organization by creating a culturally sensitive logo reflecting our new direction and commitment to the Native American Community.

Jenny believes it is important for professionals like herself to give back to charities and non-profits. Please read her comments on her blog by clicking here. If you have a chance, visit her innovative website by clicking on the Kohl Designs logo.Our sincerest thank you to Joni, Larissa and Jenny, all of whom dedicated their time and talents to Eve's Fund. All terrific Eve’s Fund partners.

If you would like to read the Newsletter in its entirity or learn more about this wonderful Foundation, here is the link:

http://us1.campaign-archive.com/?u=ba836138c9a4e931791157dab&id=b44cc82d3f&e=b747db987f

Thank you Barbara, Mary and Dr. Crowell for giving me this opportunity.

Thank you Jenny for giving me such a nice logo to bead.

Thank you for reading this and should you be looking for a worthy charity, put this one on your list!

Winter In Nebraska

2010-01-08T10:00:00.001-08:00

It is winter in Nebraska! Here is a shot of Patrick's friend, Thelma Miske, to prove it. This was taken on our patio for Thelma to send to her family in the Philipines. I am sure they will find it hard to believe that their daughter is out in the snow and seeming to enjoy it.

This morning, my good friend Nancy sent me this poem by an unknown poet. It just about says it all!

Winter in Nebraska

It is winter in Nebraska
And the gentle breezes blow

Seventy miles an hour

At thirty-five below.

Oh, how I love Nebraska

When the snow's up to your butt

You take a breath of winter

And your nose gets frozen shut.

Yes, the weather here is wonderful

So I guess I'll hang around

I could never leave Nebraska

Cuz I'm frozen to the ground!

There is hope for us. The sun is shining brightly today. Maybe it will get up to zero!

Headline: Son Has Dad Arrested !

2010-01-06T22:18:00.000-08:00

Mug Shot!

Well, this could be an interesting year! It is starting out that way for sure. There is never a dull moment around the Stinson household.

As you may be well aware, Omaha is covered in a blanket of fluffy snow and temperature is often way below zero. To say it is frigid, is an understatement. I bundled up and went to work yesterday morning as I usually do on Tuesdays. When I arrived back home my son, Patrick, greeted me at the door and related how he had called the police on his Dad! That got my full and undivided attention!!

Now, first you have to know that the week before Christmas, one of Patrick’s friend’s car was stolen. Eric, his friend, lives about a mile away in an apartment complex. He started his car one snowy morning to let it warm up. After awhile he thought it would be all nice and "toasty" warm. When he arrived at his parking space, his car had been stolen. It turned up last week fifty miles away in Lincoln, NE.

Well, yesterday morning Patrick elected to warm up his car in our driveway. He was pleased that the engine clicked right over and he came back into the house. He went downstairs for a few minutes to check his eBay store while the car warmed up. When he went back out to turn off his engine, his car was gone!

Remembering Eric, he lost no time getting to his phone to report to the police that his car had been stolen.

Shortly after making the call, he looked out on the driveway. Only then did he realize that his Dad was not at home, but his Dad’s car was in the driveway.

About that time, his Dad, Warren, came pulling into the driveway in Patrick’s car! Warren had needed to run to the post office which is about one mile away. Since Patrick’s car was all warm and his was not, he made a snap decision to use it for this quick trip.

Fortunately the police had not arrived and Patrick quickly phoned them to let them know he was sorry he had bothered them as it was a false alarm. And maybe, just maybe, Patrick will be on good terms with his Dad again by the end of the day….or by the end of 2010!

It stands to be an interesting year!
　
　
　
　
　

My New Year Surprise!

2010-01-01T09:39:00.000-08:00

Little did I know that as 2009 was slipping away into history, my friend, Spirit Bear, was hard at work making wonderful Medicine Bundles way off in Bar Harbor, Maine!

Spirit Bear had previously purchased some of my beadwork to carry out an idea she had for her Medicine Bundles. I knew of her plan, but was so pleasantly surprised when I woke up on the first day 2010 and saw them listed in her Etsy store! What a way to start a new year!

Now to make this surprise even more ironic....each morning, I randomly select a Medicine Animal to guide and direct my day. Prior to coming to the computer, the animal sent to me today was the beaver. Beaver Medicine promotes teamwork. Beaver medicine teaches that group mind constitutes harmony of the highest order without individual egos getting in the way. Each partner in a project honors the talents and abilities of the other and knows how to complete the piece of the puzzle that belongs to them. In working together, a sense of community is achieved and unity ensues.

As you know, I love to bead and am always excited when someone likes my work. But to have it incorporated into the work of another artist is an ultimate high!

Not only does Spirit Bear make wonderful personalized Medicine Bundles, she sells Transformation Tea, Cookies that are as beautiful as they are delicious, historical cards, intuitive readings and many other treasures. You can visit her store at http://www.etsy.com/shop/SpiritBearCreations to see the variety of items that she makes.

Her work is inspired. She is a kind and caring person who makes the world a better place. You won't regret getting to know Spirit Bear.

Mvto and Wado (Thank you in Creek and Cherokee) Spirit Bear for my New Year Surprise!

December 21: Winter Solstice

2009-12-19T09:23:00.000-08:00

Example of prayer stick available from
http://www.mountainridgetrading.com/ceremonial.html

While all the world is knee deep in Holiday shopping, planning the menu for a succulent Christmas feast, writing that annual newsletter, and creating "Visions of Sugar Plums", another important holiday in Native American culture is often overlooked or completely forgotten.

Winter Solstice is Dec 21. For Native Americans it is a time of transition, of looking back at the old year and looking forward to the new. Many cultures around the world have celebrated the winter solstice for hundreds, even thousands of years as they watched the days grow shorter and waited for the sun to return.

Native Americans honor the cycle of life during Winter Solstice.

Endings are remembered and new beginnings are anticipated just as our ancestors did before us. While different tribes and their individual members honor Winter Solstice in many ways, here is one tradition that you might like to learn about.

Prayer Sticks are used in the Winter Solstice celebration. The ritual of the Prayer Sticks honor ones ancestors. Re-commitment is made to one's belief system. Prayers are offerd. Gratitude is expressed.

Prayer sticks are made by everyone in a family four days before the solstice. On the day of the Solstice, the prayer sticks are planted. At least one stick is planted by each person of the family in small holes dug by the head of the household.

Each prayer stick is named for an ancestor.

Traditional prayer sticks have these characteristics:

Made out of cedar and are forked
Are equivalent to the measurement from the maker’s elbow to the tips of their fingers
Are taken from a tree that the maker feels connected to.
Tobacco is offered to the tree
Permission is asked to take a part of its relative.
The bark can be stripped or.
The bark can be carved on the stick.
One feather should be added to the prayer stick. Traditionally this is a wild turkey feather.
A bit of tobacco is placed in a red cloth and tied onto one of the forks.
Fur or bone from an animal that the maker wishes to honor is tied onto the stick.
Metal or stones should not be tied to the stick.
It is also customary to say prayers silently as one makes the prayer stick

Many Native American Artists make and sell prayer sticks but one can easily follow the directions above and create a personal ceremonial Prayer Stick to celebrate the Winter Solstice.

Whether you have a Prayer Stick or not, take time on December 21 to give thanks to those who have gone before you for they paved your way. Honor your friends and relatives who have contributed to who you are and to your welfare. Reflect on 2009 and ask for guidance as you plan for 2010. Then you can resume work on making your Holidays merry and bright.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

We've Been Exposed!

2009-12-07T11:06:00.001-08:00

Today, Vicki Diane, owner of Vicki Diane Designs on Etsy, curated this wonderful treasury that "exposed" eleven of my Bbest Team members and me. There I am, second row, first person on the left!

The Bbest Team is comprised on artists who are beyond 39 years of age (some of us are many years beyond) and own Etsy stores. We are a group of fine artists, jewelry makers, candle makers, yarn spinners, clay artists, photographers, soap makers, vintage vendors, paper artists, knitters, crocheter, seamstresses, glass artists, writers, needle felters, silk painters and about any other art or craft you can name.

Part of the charm of the Bbest Team is our variety in chosen mediums. However, we are like minded in spirt, promoting one another, sharing in milestones, chatting about life, lessons learned, and little things that bring smiles across the miles.

Vicki Diane, who lives in Spain and the UK, describes herself as one who changes her creations regularly to keep them fresh and inviting. She relates that she has bursts of colour phases .. today red , tomorrow pink or turquoise .. next week - all animal print ! Vicki says, "What the hell .. I'm a modern crazy woman - fickle, fanciful and full of fantastic new flowing ideas that overtake me !"

Curating Team Treasuries is just one example of those fantastic ideas that have overtaken her!

To see the wonderful things that she creates when she isn't promoting other Etsy artists, offering sage advice in forums, and adding fun to the Etsy community, check out her store at:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/VickiDianeDesigns

Here is an example of her work entitled Red Stiletto Baby:

Native American Christmas

2009-12-05T08:41:00.000-08:00

This wonderful treasury was posted on Etsy this morning by Giftbearer. Giftbearer, AKA jewelry artist Pippit Carlington, specializes in high-end indigenous jewelry drawing inspiration from nature and a variety of cultures close to the earth. It is such an honor for me to have her select one of my bracelets (first row, center) for inclusion in this beautiful tribute!

Giftbearer's store is full of wonderful items. Her work is anything but primitive. She describes her work as "Contemporary Tribal" style.

Pippit says "I approach each piece as a living being with a soul. If I can convey this essence to the viewer and have it speak to them on a deeper level then I have done what I've set out to do. I want my work to be more than merely an accessory, but something treasured with special meaning to the buyer, not necessarily in words, but in the same way you know it when it's true love."

Pippit is a perfectionist and nothing leaves her hands until it meets high standards of quality control. She has received formal art training at Callenwolde Center for the Arts, The Atlanta College of Art, and Atlanta Jeweler's School and Studios.

You must visit her Etsy store at http://www.giftbearer.etsy.com/ You will be amazed by her beautiful work.

Mvto and Wado (Thank you in Creek and Cherokee) Pippit for selecting one of my pieces for your wonderful treasury!

Christmas Tree At The White House

2009-11-28T17:24:00.000-08:00

Yesterday while watching a news channel on T.V., I saw that the 2009 Christmas tree was making its way to the White House. It reminded me that I have a White House Christmas Tree story to tell that I have yet to blog about.

Last year, about this time, I had a booth at a local church that was sponsoring a Native American Craft Show. A woman purchased one of my barrettes and a feather hair clip. Little did I know at the time that it would be making a trip to Washington D.C.

This fall, Patrick (my son) and I were vending at the Metropolitan Community College's Annual Intertribal Pow Wow. The woman who had purchased that barrette and feather hair clip came to our booth and informed me that my work had visited the White House. I was so surprised!

Kymi Rutledge Johnson had been selected to deliver and present a Christmas ornament to decorate the Christmas tree in the Blue Room at the White House. In honor of the occassion, she wore the barrette and feather hair clip that I had made and that she had purchased.

I was thrilled to think that my work was selected by her to wear on that wonderful occassion. I, of course, asked her if she had a photo and she later e-mailed this one to me.

There it is! That is Kymi wearing my work in the Blue Room of the White House! What an honor for Kymi to be selected for this event and what an honor for me for her to wear my work!.

Mvto and Wado (Thank You in Creek and Cherokee) Kymi!

Eve's Fund: Join Me In A Little Thanksgiving

2009-11-19T07:56:00.000-08:00

As many of you know, I had the distinct honor and priviledge of being selected to bead bracelets from the logo of Eve's Fund.

Eve’s Fund is a Native American Health Initiatives Inc. that promotes programs to help Native Americans. It was established in 2005 by Dr. Robert M. Crowell, a retired neurosurgeon and named in memory of his daughter, Eve Erin Crowell, who died tragically in February of that year. Eve’s Fund is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization incorporated in New Mexico.

This morning I received the Eve's Fund November Newsletter via e-mail. One item caught my undivided attention and reminded me of all that I have to be thankful for. It was facing the fact that there are many Native children who do not own books.

Can you imagine your growing up without owning a single book? Can you imagine your Grandchildren not owning a book? But it is true that there are many Native children who don't have the luxury of book ownership. I find this fact to be very sad and I am so thankful that a large part of Eve's Fund is promoting literacy.

For a mere $5.00 donation, they will ship a book to a Native child. Remembering the pleasure of reading books to my three grandchildren and in purchasing books for them, I determined to purchase books for three Native children in the name of my three grandchildren.

We take so much for granted! We forget how blessed we are!

If you would like to make a similar Thanksgiving gift, it is very simple. Go to this site. http://evecrowellsfund.org/Eves_Fund_for_Native_American_Health_Initiatives/Thanksgiving2009.html
Click on "Donate". You can pay with Paypal.

What a simple way to say "Thanks" for all the pleasure books have given you and to provide that experience for another child. Join me in a little Thanksgiving.

People Of The Sun Treasury

2009-11-08T08:09:00.001-08:00

People of The Sun is a delightful treasury curated by Rejoice The Sun during National Native American Month. I am humbled to have my earrings (second row, middle item) among these beautiful items created by both Native American artists and artists inspired by Native American arts and crafts.

Rejoice The Hands is an Etsy store owned by Ana Saldana. Rejoice the Hands makes one of a kind jewelry thats inspired by not only nature but different cultures around the world including Native American. Using semi precious stones, metals and anything that inspires her. Rejoice tries to be as eco- friendly as possible, using recycled chains and also adding vintage elements, giving character to each piece. Each piece is designed and made by Ana herself, and just like there's only one of her, all the jewelry is one of a kind. You can visit Ana's store here:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/RejoiceTheHands

Mvto and Wado (Thank you in Creek and Cherokee) Ana for this tribute!

Way To Go Yankees!

2009-11-06T14:22:00.000-08:00

As many of you know, my very good friend, Louetta Armell, is Joba Chamberlain's cousin.
She shared this article with me and I wanted to share it with my friends. Joba is one of two Native Americans currently playing baseball in the major leagues. He is Winnebago and from Nebraska.

Whether you are a Yankees fan or not, I think you will be touched by this article. It is not only about winning, but also about surviving hardships, setting goals, family support, and that very special Father/Son relationship.

Joba, we are so proud of you! Congratulations to you and your team!

Thu Nov 05, 2009 10:29 am EST

World Series moment: Joba Chamberlain and his dad, Harlan
By 'Duk

NEW YORK — The throng of media members around the makeshift stage seemed impenetrable, but Harlan Chamberlain motored his way through all of the cameras and notepads anyways. Reaching a blue barrier, he stopped his scooter, strained to look over a crowd of world champion Yankee ballplayers and tried to get a glimpse of his son. When that proved useless, he simply resorted to his considerable vocal chords.

"Jaaaaaaahba!" he yelled. "Jaaaaaaaaaahba!"

Harlan said his son's name a few more times, then spied A.J. Burnett(notes) in the crowd.

"Burnett!" he said. "Can you get my son!"

Burnett could and a few moments later, Joba Chamberlain(notes) put down the giant blue Yankee flag he had been waving up on stage. The big Yankees pitcher hopped off the stage, disappeared from the view of the Fox cameras and quickly made a beeline for his father. When they came together, they wrapped each other in a huge rocking bearhug.

It wasn't long before both were crying.

They said the same thing over and over.

"We did it, dad," Joba said.

"We did it," Harlan said.

"We did it," Joba said.

"We did it," Harlan said.

And on and on. They held tight for almost a minute. Their eyes were red when they let go.

You see the Yankees' $200+ million payroll and it's easy to get cynical. Same goes for their $1.5 billion new stadium, the seats that cost more than the average mortgage payment, the steroid controversies involving some of their team members and all the endless hype and hooey about mystique, aura and all the Yankee legends and ghosts.

But then you see this very simple and very real scene of a 24-year-old pitcher sharing the hug of a lifetime with his dad and you remember that those father-son relationships — one of the only things that really matter — are at the very heart of this great game that we love.

The same dynamic was on display everywhere at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday night. Way up in the upper deck, a dad tossed his little son into the air whenever Hideki Matsui(notes) came through (which was often). A mid-20s hipster sitting next to them made sure to ask one of my co-workers to snap a photo of he and his pops with his grainy cell phone camera. CC Sabathia(notes) did his postgame interviews with his little son on his shoulders the whole time.

And while all of those tiny little snapshots meant the world to those pictured in them, none of them seemed quite as remarkable to outsiders as the one taken by the Chamberlains.

Their story has been told often since Joba became a pitcher with the Yankees. Harlan was stricken with polio as a child and his health problems have confined him to the trademark scooter that gets him recognized by Yankee fans everywhere. Despite his limitations, he raised both Joba and his sister in Nebraska and provided for them while working in a prison. The sad story of Joba's mother is sadly well-known — she's facing 20 years in jail for a drug charge — but he's always had the love and support from an extraordinary father. They call each other their best friends. It's impossible for them to be any closer.

I caught up with Harlan later on Wednesday night and asked him what it was like to see his son pitch a scoreless inning in a World Series clincher. Then I asked him what it was like to have the hug on the field with him afterward. His eyes were still teary as he talked.

"I told my son for years that he would do this, we would talk about getting to the World Series all the time" said Harlan while stopped near home plate of Yankee Stadium. "We just shared that moment while realizing that he did it. I pinched myself a few times. It's pretty awesome.

"We love each very much. This whole adventure in life is about family and in our case, it's about father and son."

In the days ahead, we're sure to see a lot of scenes from the Yankees 27th championship. Some we'll be bound to remember. Some we'll be bound to forget.

It's not hard to tell which category the Chamberlains' special moment will fall under, because it rarely gets much better than that

Native Nation Treasury

2009-11-05T06:15:00.000-08:00

To celebrate National Native American Month, Northenlodge, an Etsy seller, has curated this wonderful treasury. There are over 5,000 items for sale by Etsy artists that are tagged "Native American".

Not all of these are made by Registered Members of a United States recognized tribe. However, those who are and those who are not, are inspired by our culture and create many beautiful and diverse works of art.

My thanks to Northernlodge for including my Prairie Rose bracelet (middle item, first row) in her beautiful treasury. If you have a few minutes, check out Northernlodge's store at http://www.etsy.com/shop/Northernlodge. You will find many beautiful things.

While you are on Etsy, do a search of "Native American" to see the vast array of beautiful handmade items. Help us promote November as National Native American Month and November 27th as National Native American Day!

Obama Declares National Native American Month!

2009-11-02T12:54:00.000-08:00

NATIONAL NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH, 2009
- - - - - - -
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

The indigenous peoples of North America -- the First Americans -- have woven rich and diverse threads into the tapestry of our Nation's heritage. Throughout their long history on this great land, they have faced moments of profound triumph and tragedy alike. During National Native American Heritage Month, we recognize their many accomplishments, contributions, and sacrifices, and we pay tribute to their participation in all aspects of American society.

This month, we celebrate the ancestry and time-honored traditions of American Indians and Alaska Natives in North America. They have guided our land stewardship policies, added immeasurably to our cultural heritage, and demonstrated courage in the face of adversity. From the American Revolution to combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, they have fought valiantly in defense of our Nation as dedicated servicemen and women. Their native languages have also played a pivotal role on the battlefield. During World Wars I and II, Native American code talkers developed unbreakable codes to communicate military messages that saved countless lives. Native Americans have distinguished themselves as inventors, entrepreneurs, spiritual leaders, and scholars. Our debt to our First Americans is immense, as is our responsibility to ensure their fair, equal treatment and honor the commitments we made to their forebears.

The Native American community today faces huge challenges that have been ignored by our Government for too long. To help address this disparity, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act allocates more than $3 billion to help these communities deal with their most pressing needs. In the Fiscal Year 2010 budget, my Administration has proposed over $17 billion for programs carried out by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Indian Health Service, and other Federal agencies that have a critical role to play in improving the lives of Native Americans. These programs will increase educational opportunities, address the scourge of alcohol abuse and domestic violence, promote economic development, and provide access to comprehensive, accessible, and affordable health care. While funding increases do not make up for past deficiencies, they do reflect our determination to honor tribal sovereignty and ensure continued progress on reservations across America.

As we seek to build on and strengthen our nation-to-nation relationship, my Administration is committed to ensuring tribal communities have a meaningful voice in our national policy debates as we confront the challenges facing all Americans. We will continue this constructive dialogue at the White House Tribal Nations Conference held in Washington, D.C., this month. Native American voices have echoed through the mountains, valleys, and plains of our country for thousands of years, and it is now our time to listen.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 2009 as National Native American Heritage Month. I call upon all Americans to commemorate this month with appropriate programs and activities, and to celebrate November 27, 2009, as Native American Heritage Day.

Mvto and Wa-do (Thank you in Creek and Cherokee) Mr. President.

Newest Ferry to Be Named for 19th Century Jamestown S’Klallam Chief, Chetzemoka

2009-10-21T10:38:00.000-07:00

I just received word that this new ferry is being named after my cousin's husbands ancester. I think this is great news and want to share it with my friends.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Betty Prince (My Cousin), Les Prince, JoAnn Bussa (Historical Society Leader)

The Story:
Olympia Washington. Chetzemoka will sail again from Port Townsend next summer. The Washington State Transportation Commission agreed Tuesday that the first new 64-car ferry should be named after the former chief of the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe known for befriending white settlers of the Olympic Peninsula.

Les Prince, Chetzemoka’s great-great grandson, and his wife Betty (my cousin), of Sequim, were in Olympia on Tuesday when the commission adopted the name. According to the resolution the commission adopted, the name “honors the natives of the region and their seafaring skills and traditions and also continues the proud name of the historic ferry that served Port Townsend.”

“It’s always good to have your family recognized that way,” said Prince, one of Chetzemoka’s few direct descendants and chairman of the tribe’s elders committee.

Prince told the commissioners that, “If the old chief were here today, he’d look out at the boat, raise his hands and say, ‘Ha’ non-son, Ha’ non-son,’ which means ‘Thank you, thank you.’”

Chief Chetzemoka was buried in 1888 at the age of about 80 at Laurel Grove Cemetery in Port Townsend. A park in the town bears his name. He is remembered for his peaceful relations and diplomacy with the white setters and explorers, including in 1857 when he went against other tribal leaders who wanted to drive them out of the area.

Congratulations Les and Betty on this historic event!

Native American Beaded Bracelet (Serenity Series The Sky Is The Limit) : jstinson - ArtFire Jewelry

2009-10-18T05:59:00.001-07:00

This "serentity bracelet" has been a popular item and it can be custom made with symbolic gemstones of your choosing.

This "Serenity Bracelet" is so named as it is meant to bring you serentity on particularily stressful days.

Native Americans perform a purifying ceremony called "smudging". Sage, cedar, lemon grass or other botanicals of choice are burned in a prayer bowl or abalone shell. Feathers are used to waft the smoke around to remove negative energy.

The prayer box on the bracelet is where you actually or mentally place a problem, totem, stone, or treasure to represent your thoughts and prayers. The hinged box opens to receive small items.

The bracelet is wrapped around the wrist and is worn so that the gold toned feathers and prayer box rest on top of the hand. As you journey throughout the day, when the box and feathers move on your hand, you are reminded of your thoughts and prayers by the box and negative energy is removed by the feathers.

Since the bracelet is done on a continuous piece of "memory wire", it should comfortably fit wrists from 6 1/2 to 8 inches...maybe more.

Stones and Symbolism for "Sky Is The Limit Serenity Bracelet"

Turquoise...The "Sky" stone of Native Americans (Note: the stones used in this bracelet represent turquoise but are actually howlite)

Citrine...The stone of the mind. Citrine is known as the lucky "Merchants Stone" and is said to help one sell. It is also used by healers to: increase self esteem, protect from someone else's abuse thoughts or deeds, open the mind to new thoughts and promote clarity of thought

Topaz is identified as one of 12 gemstones in the breastplate of the High Priest in the book of Exodus and is sacred to the twelve angels that guard the gates to Paradise. It is said to encourage self realization and confidence

Mvto and Wa-do' (That is Thank You in Creek and Cherokee) for viewing. Joni Stinson, Creek-Cherokee

Native American Beaded Earrings (Snow Flakes) : jstinson - ArtFire Jewelry

2009-10-14T17:06:00.001-07:00

This beaded snowflake earrings are just in time to start the season!

The top portion represents a snowflake against the gray blue sky. The fringe is comprised of frosted branches sparkling with snow and ice.

The beaded portion of the earring is 2 1/4 inches long. The stainless steel earwire adds an addition 1/2 inch to the overall drop. The widest point of the snowflake measures 7/8 inches.

These will add fun and frolic to your winter wonderland wardrobe.

Mvto and Wa-do (Thank you in Creek and Cherokee) for viewing.

Native American Beaded Bracelet (Stylized Butterfly Cuff) : jstinson - ArtFire Jewelry

2009-09-13T07:05:00.001-07:00

This bright and bold loomed cuff bracelet features a sylized butterfly design. The butterflies are bright pearlized pink beads highlighted with black and teal beads. The spacer area is beaded in bright teal and amber seed beads.

The cuff is 2 inches wide and will fit wrists up to 7 inches. The closure is made of handbeaded ball beads and loops.

To Native Americans, the butterfly is a symbol of joy. They remind us not to take life so seriously. They feed on flowers that they help pollinate, thereby further spreading beauty. They represent the element of air, quickly changing and ever moving, so gracefully. Butterflies are messengers of the moment.

They come in a variety of colors. If you like this bracelet but would prefer it in different colors or a different size, please let me know and I will be happy to loom one just for you!

Mvto and Wa-do (Thank you in Creek and Cherokee) for viewing.

Native American Turquoise Ankle Bracelet : jstinson - ArtFire Jewelry

2009-09-12T07:37:00.001-07:00

This beautiful ankle bracelet is made to fit ankles from 7 to 10 inches. It could also double as a bracelet for those requiring a longer than average bracelet length.

I have hand wire wrapped the five natural turquoise stones and attached them to a silver plated chain. Feather charms were added to promote positive energy as you go about your day. A cute "hand made" charm was added just for fun and to proclaim the fact that it is a hand made piece.

The lobster claw clasp and chain make it possible to adjust the anklet (or bracelet)to the length desired.

This bracelet will bring you many compliments and is fun to wear!

Mvto and Wa-do (Thank you in Creek and Cherokee) for viewing!

Native American Fetish Necklace (Frog Medicine Necklace) : jstinson - ArtFire Jewelry

2009-09-11T05:55:00.001-07:00

In many Native American cultures, frog medicine represents the cleansing properties of water and rain to bring about renewal of the body and spirit.

The beautiful necklace was designed to honor the frog who sees a need and ribets his song. It is heard by the birds who deliver the song to the Thunder Beings. The Thunder Beings and Father Sky bring the support and cleansing needed for renewal.

The centerpiece frog featured in this necklace is hand carved whale bone from Alaska. The tree of life birds are shell fetishes. The colors used, red, black and white, are three of the four colors from the medicine wheel. The foundation beads are seed beads and Delicas.

The primary necklace is 30 inches long. The inner necklace is 20 inches from joining point to joining point. The frog is 1 1/2 inches long by 7/8's inches wide. No clasp is required as the necklace fits easily over the head.

This necklace is a call to frog medicine for peace, joy and a renewal of spirit.

Mvto and Wa-do' (Thank you in Creek and Cherokee) for viewing!

Native American Beaded Earrings (Pretty In Pink Fanfare Earrings) : jstinson - ArtFire Jewelry

2009-09-10T07:10:00.001-07:00

These pretty fan shaped hand beaded earrings were made by me. The are made from bright pink glass bugle beads, pink seed beads and pearlized white seed beads. The ear wires are hypo-allergenic stainless steel.

The "fan" measures 1 inch long by 1 1/4 inches wide. Including the ear wire, the "dangle" would be 1 7/8's inches.

These would look great any day of the year!

I can make them in the color of your choosing. Just let me know your needs.

The last photo shows a young lady modeling the pair in green that she purchased as a Pow Wow souvenier last summer.

Wvto and Wa-do (Thank you in Creek and Cherokee) for viewing.

Native American Beaded Earrings Thunderbirds : jstinson - ArtFire Jewelry

2009-09-09T06:57:00.001-07:00

These traditional Native American style earrings are beaded using brick stitch. The thunderbird appears in a pattern in the earrings fringe.

The Thunderbird is often known as the "Thunder Being". Thunder Beings have strong power. The Thunder Beings are symbolic of the power within the thunder and lightning, the thunder is the Great Spirits earth voice. It represents overcoming impossible odds, reincarnation, new life, renewal, spiritual growth, strength and energy.

The bead work in these Thunderbird Earrings measures 3". The hypoallergenic surgical steel earwire adds approximately 1/2" to the total drop.

The colors include deep red, sky blue, black and a touch of white. However, should you prefer a different color combination, please convo me and I would be honored to bead them just for you!

If you are an international shopper and would like these earrings, please convo me for shipping charges.

Mvto and Wa-do (Thank you in Creek and Cherokee) for viewing.

Native American Beaded Earrings Midnight In The Pumpkin Patch : jstinson - ArtFire Jewelry

2009-09-06T10:55:00.001-07:00

These earrings are just in time for the fall harvest! They are adorable ghosts who have helped themselves to Mother Earth's bounty. Each has a cute orange pumpkin complete with green leaves clutched in their hands as they are posed to make their great escape.

The earrings are beaded in shimmering white Delica beads on a midnight blue sky back ground. The "tails" of their sheets are in very small Delica hex beads to give them "drape" as they swoosh through the night. They are framed in gold.

The beaded portions of the earrings are 1 1/2 inches long and 3/4 inch wide. The surgical steel earwires add an additional 1/2 inch to the overall drop of the earrings.

These mischeivious (but harmless) little ghosts will make a great addition to your fall jewelry wardrobe!

Mvto and Wa-do (Thank You in Creek and Cherokee) for viewing!

Sac and Fox Pow Wow: August, 2009

2009-08-30T06:39:00.000-07:00

Grand Entry

Last week end, my son, Patrick, and I traveled to Powhattan, Kansas to participate in the annual Sac and Fox Pow Wow. This was the second year that we have been among the vendors at this event. At one point, it was uncertain as to whether or not the tribe would have a Pow Wow this year due to some financial considerations.

However, thanks to Pow Wow committe, it was determined that the event would be held. While it was not as big as last year's event as the delay in setting a date cut into promotion time, we had a wonderful time and it was good to see old friends and make new ones. While I never get much time to take photos at these events, I always manage a few.

Jingle Dress From Front

Back View of Jingle Dress

Drummers Take A Break
Color in Motion

Never To Young To Select Your Own Jewelry!
Jewelry Trays and Display
Patrick Assists a Customer
Patrick is always on the look out for something different to amuse the children. This year's featured item is wooden frogs that make frog sounds. Both the children and adults loved them.
A Very Young Jingle Dancer Off To Spend Her Money
I'm Dancer 322. Vote For Me!

Patrick met a local photographer who took around 200 photos at this event. The next day, he showed up with a cd of his work. As is frequently done at Pow Wows, he and Patrick worked out a trade....he selected one of Patrick's native embroidered baseball caps and Patrick got a copy of his photos. I haven't had a chance to view the cd as yet, but know there will be many great photos on it. I will select some of them to share with you at a later date.

Cherokee Nation: First Tribe In U.S. To Be Accredited

2009-08-11T05:18:00.000-07:00

CN first tribe to earn DNV accreditation
Monday, 10 August 2009

The Cherokee Nation is the first Native American tribe in the United States and
the first health care system in Oklahoma to receive the Det Norske Veritas
Health care accreditation, which focuses on the quality of patient care for an
entire health care system.

“We are honored to be the first healthcare system in Oklahoma and the first tribal system in the U.S. to receive this accreditation,” Principal Chief Chad Smith said. The DNV system primarily focuses on the overall quality of care of patients who utilize an entire health care system. As part of the accreditation process, the group tracked the care of patients using many parts of the CN Health Services system, including the EMS service, various health centers, the hospital, programs and more. An important aspect in achieving the group’s standards is consistency throughout the entire health care system

Maybe our Congress and Senate should check out the Cherokee's program!

Misrepresentation of American Indian Merchandise

2009-08-04T09:02:00.000-07:00

A Santa Fe business accused of misrepresenting the status of American Indian merchandise must pay the state attorney general's office a civil penalty of $10,000.

The attorney general's office announced the consent degree with Golden Bear Trading, Inc., on Monday. The business closed its doors in July due to "economic reasons."

The consent degree stems from a lawsuit filed last year. Authorities alleged that Golden Bear Trading misrepresented jewelry as having been made by noted Indian artist Calvin Begay during three undercover operations.

The consent degree requires the company to comply with the Indian Arts and Crafts Sales Act, which spells out what may be represented as "authentic" Indian arts and crafts.
Golden Bear Trading also must pay $2,255 in restitution to the federal Indian Arts and Crafts Board.

This article appears on this website who granted permission for replicating here:

http://www.nativebiz.com/content/view/3056/141/

If you have interest in reading the Indian Arts and Crafts Act, you can do so at this website:

http://www.elpasosaddleblanket.com/act.htm

2009 Lincoln Indian Club Pow Wow

2009-08-03T09:06:00.000-07:00

On July 31, August 1 & 2, 2009, Patrick and I vended at the 33rd annual Lincoln Indian Club Pow Wow in Lincoln, Nebrasa.

It was a very successful event despite the high winds on Sunday. We were forced to leave the sides of our tent down to avoid chasing our product around the arena. By so doing, we created our very own "sweat lodge".

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It was great to see old friends and make new ones. One that I was especially glad to see was a very young "old friend". Her name is Nevaeh Horse, Ponca and Lakota. She is now six years old.

Last year, her Uncle purchased one of my barrettes to add to her lime green regalia. I blogged about her in my August 8, 2008 blog. If you would like to check back, you can see photos of her there.

Nevaeh is not only a year older but has achieved the title of "Little Miss Ponca". This year it was her Father who purchased one of my items for Nevaeh's new jingle dress regalia.

A new friend is pictured here. She is Angelina Nockai. All of this wonderful beadwork on her regalia was done by Angelina herself . She is such a delightful young lady, a college student and an excellent beader. In fact, we loved her work so much that we gave Angelina two baseball caps and commissioned her to bead them for us. When she finishes them, I will post a blog about them as well.

It is always such a pleasure for me to make something that someone wants to add to their regalia! There is no greater honor for me. Here is a young lady wearing one of my feathered hair clips that her Mother purchased for this event.

As you can see, it is the children and young people who fascinate me most. They are the future of our culture. It makes me proud to see them curious about our products, building their regalia and learning to be dance proudly. Here is Patrick discussing beadwork with a young Native "Diva".

I have posted more photos of this event on my Flickr. If you care to take a peek go to:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jstinson/sets/72157621809601647/

Our next Pow Wow is the Sac and Fox of Missouri in Kansas and Nebraska. We look forward to seeing more friends at this event.

Custom Designed Medicine Wheel Totem Earrings

2009-07-28T07:54:00.000-07:00

I have a wonderful customer named "Maria". While she may have a "West Side Story", that is not where she lives. She lives in Staten Island. She requested that I make a large, light blue pair of earrings for her and left the design in my hands. Here is design I elected to do.

These earrings were made with elements from the Native American Medicine Wheel. If you (or someone you know), like Maria were born between December 22 and January 19, you are in the Medicine Wheel position of The Earth Renewal Moon.

This is the first moon of the new year and the Spirit Keeper of the North. The animal totem for people born in the Earth Renewal Moon phase is the snow goose. The plant associated with the Earth Renewal Moon is the Birch Tree and the Mineral is Quartz.

I have made a pair of earrings that are 1 1/2" wide and 4" long, feature a Snow Goose in the design. The black beads symbolize the "V" formation of snow goose flight. The long white bugle beads represent the birch trees and the ends of the fringe are quartz crystals.

It is said that Earth Renewal Moon people are to learn to be as clear in receiving and transmiting energy as the quartz crystal. They are as important communicators of the ancient knowledge as the birch tree and as respectful of tradition and ritual as the snow goose.

Earth Renewal Moon people are in a position with potential for great power. They are to be fluid, yet adaptable, prudent, and wise. People in this position have vision, are good ceremonialists and can take large steps in their personal evolvution. They should guard against being "blocked in perfectionism" and strive to take time for fun.

If you are an Earth Renewal Moon person (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) or know someone who is and would like a pair of these earrings, I will be happy to make a pair for you. If you from a different Moon Phase, I would be happy to design a pair with your "Moon" attributes if you contact me with the date.

Maria, I hope you enjoy these earrings! Mvto and Wa-do (Thank you in Creek and Cherokee)for inspiring me to design them.

In My Native Homeland...NDN Country

2009-07-04T06:12:00.000-07:00

In My Native Homeland...NDN Country is the title of this wonderful collection of Native American Art currently appearing in a Treasury on Etsy. The curator of this collection is Northern Lodge. I hope you will enjoy viewing these pieces as much as I did.

I call your attention to the first piece on the left of the bottom row. It is featured in my Etsy store but was done by friend and collective member, Donel Keeler. This piece, Lakota Wedding, was a timely for me as I have just returned from my niece's wedding.

For her wedding, I beaded Marriage Feathers and did a Native Ceremony following the traditional wedding ceremony. I haven't downloaded photos of the wedding but will do so in the near future.

I want to thank Northern Lodge for this feature. The owner of Northern Lodge is from Colorado and is a Biologist, animal lover, gardener, bird watching, fishing woman, who also loves to canoe, hike, read, sew, and be creative.

Her store on Etsy is a delightful mixture of fiber arts, vintage pieces and even beaded umbilical cord amulets. Here is one of her beaded umbilical cord amulets. Visit her at http://www.northernlodge.etsy.com/

Mvto and Wa-do (Thank you in Creek and Cherokee) Northern Lodge for featuring the Lakota Wedding in your wonderful treasury!

Native Artist: Donel Keeler

2009-06-09T08:08:00.000-07:00

This wonderful print is of an original painting done by the award winning Native (Dakota)artist, Donel Keeler. It features a "stampede" of ponies painted in the traditional Native American stylized form.

This colorful print is done in shades of blue, fushia, gold, and burnt umbre. It was done in Donel's signature fashion....on a sheet of columnar analysis pad paper. This use of materials at hand is the Native way! We use what we have to create beauty.

The print is dry mounted on a gold mat and is ready to frame. It is 12" X 16".

This will be a wonderful addition to the collector of Native American art, horse lovers, or anyone who admires clean lines and colorful art. It is available in both my Etsy and Artfire Stores. http://www.jstinson.etsy.com http://www.jstinson.artfire.com

Mvto and Wa-do (Thank you in Creek and Cherokee) for viewing. (via jstinson)

New Listing on Etsy and Artfire

2009-06-01T08:38:00.001-07:00

This striking teal,orange,and yellow bracelet in my Prairie Rose design was made on my trusty loom. It features an sparkling orange flower with a yellow and crystal center.

The beaded portion of the bracelet is 6 1/2 inches long and 1 inch wide. The silver plated chain and lobster claw clasp make the bracelet adjustable to fit wrists up to 9 inches.

If you like the design but would prefer it in other colors, I have similar ones posted on this site or you can contact me with your specific interests. I would be happy to loom one just for you.

Mvto and Wa-do (Thank you in Creek and Cherokee) for viewing

Custom Pendant

2009-05-13T14:48:00.000-07:00

Not long ago, I was contacted by a very nice lady who had a pair of native american earrings. She wanted a pendant to match them. After several e-mails, we determined that the best way to approach the situation was for her to send me one of the earrings.

It is often difficult to match the work done by someone else even if you are able to locate the beads. Exact matches are usually not possible. Even dye lots from one batch of the same beads differ from one another. So, I had no idea what I problems that I would face.

She also wanted the pendant to be larger than the earrings. This gets into another set of problems. How do you replicate the original design but enlarge it?

She did not want a necklace, only the pendant. She will be able to change the necklace portion with leather, ribbon, or cord depending on her mood and her apparell.

Next problem. A pair of earrings that one has had for several years will be dulled somewhat due to sunlight, wear, etc. New beads will be brighter.

The pendant is finished and is about as close as I could make it. I just sent the photo off to her and am waiting to hear back. I hope she likes it!

New Listing

2009-05-12T08:03:00.000-07:00

This striking black and AB (auroa borealis) white bracelet was made on my trusty loom. It has a somewhat "art deco" feel.

The beaded portion of the bracelet is 6 1/2 inches long and 1 1/8 inches wide. The silver plated chain and lobster claw clasp make the bracelet adjustable to fit wrists up to 9 inches.

If you like the design but would prefer it in other colors, I have similar ones posted on this site or you can contact me with your specific interests. I would be happy to loom one just for you.

Mvto and Wa-do (Thank you in Creek and Cherokee) for viewing.

Pink Fan Fare Earrings: New Etsy and Artfire Listing

2009-05-06T09:58:00.000-07:00

I was requested by one of my customers to make these earrings in pink for her daughter's upcoming birthday. While I had the beads out, I decided to make and list a second pair in my Etsy ( http://www.jstinson.etsy.com ) and Artfire ( http://www.jstinson.artfire.com ) stores.

These have been made in a variety of colors and I would be happy to custom make a pair for you in any color you choose. Many of my customers have become a fan of these Fan Fare earrings and have them in several colors! Let me know what you think!

Uncle Sam Wants You Earrings

2009-05-04T12:52:00.001-07:00

I had the good fortune of selling a pair of these earrings to one of my faithful returning customers this morning. I decided to re-list them in my Etsy and my Artfire stores. http://www.jstinson.etsy.com and htpp://www.jstinson.artfire.com

These cute earrings were done initally as a group project at my monthly beading club, the Omaha Beady Bunch. http://www.beadybunch.org

The design is by Angela Womach and permission to reproduce was generously granted by Rings and Things. http://www.rings-things.com

Uncle Sam, sporting his traditional red, white, and blue hat, is reminescent of the posters used during World War II for recruitment. It is a timeless image.

The earrings are made in brick stitch of seed beads. The earrings measure 1 1/2 inches. The gold hypoallergenic earwire adds an additional 1/2 inch to the total drop. The width is just short of 1 inch at the widest point.

These earrings are cute, fun and patriotic! And I Want You to check them out!

Mvto and Wa-do (Thank you in Creek and Cherokee) for viewing.

Native American Winter Medicine Bracelet: Earth Renewal Moon

2009-04-30T07:52:00.000-07:00

This beautiful bracelet was handwoven using Herringbone stitch.

It was designed especially for those born during the winter moons of the Native American Medicine Wheel. If your birthday is between December 22 and January 19, you were born during the Earth Renewal Moon. If your birthday is between January 20 and February 20, you were born during the Rest and Cleansing Moon.

I have taken the traditional, modern and zodiac birthstones and metals for these moons and combined them in this bracelet. These would include garnet, amethyst, ruby, quartz and silver.

The bracelet shown is 7 3/4" long and 3/4" wide. It is beaded with a variety of bead sizes and colors. The clasp is a .925 sterling silver toggle.

If the size is not the proper length for you or you would like it in other Medicine Wheel moon periods, I would be happy to bead one to your specifications. Just let me know your need(s)!Mvto and Wado' (Thank you in Creek and Cherokee) for viewing!

Babe, We Will Miss You!

2009-04-29T09:04:00.000-07:00

Clement "Babe" Whipple

Clement "Babe" Whipple, our "Pow Wow Trail" friend left us late Saturday night. Maggie, we are saddened and our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

My son, Patrick, and I met Babe and his wife, Maggie, while on the Pow Wow trail. They were fellow vendors and we had many friends in common. As well as vending at Pow Wows, Babe was a wonderful man, an accomplished dancer, and a talented Native American artist/craftsman.

To quote our mutual friend, Sheila Rocha, "Babe lived with wit, wisdom & humor. Babe was one of the great keepers of his Dakota people's story."

Even while valiantly battling his cancer, he joyfully performed in the cast of Sacred Sites directed by Sheila.

Cast of Sacred Sites

Maggie, please take comfort in the words of Chief Seattle in a speech he gave to the United States Congress, "There is no death, only a change of place". We know that this good man, Clement "Babe" Whipple, will remain with all of us in spirit until we meet again and we know that his journey to his "sacred site" will be a good and peaceful one.

Babe, we will miss you!

Treasuries: Do They Generate Sales?

2009-04-27T07:46:00.000-07:00

Treasuries are a collection of favorite items selected by an Etsy member who is then known as the "curator". Treasuries are usually (but not always) centered around a theme. They are limited in number and one has to be stealthy to snag one. Once you "snag" one, you can only feature 12 items and 4 alternates.

When one is featured in a treasury, it feels real good! I think it is an honor to be selected. One always feels great when another likes one of their pieces well enough to select it for thier treasury! I was especially flattered by this one as two of my pieces were selected. They are the last item in row 1 and the last item in row 4.

Now, the question is: "Do they generate sales?"

I think that the answer is "yes" for the treasury above. Or, I suppose it could be coincidence. Shortly after this treasury done by my Etsy friend, Toni, of www.RCTees.etsy.com my Sky Is The Limit Serenity Bracelet (last item, first row above) sold.

You may remember Toni and her talented husband, Mark, from a previous blog I did bragging about the new Tee that they made for me. You can read that blog item here: http://jstinson-trailoftreasures.blogspot.com/2009/03/heres-to-new-friends.html They continue to add new items to their wonderful store. Please check them out!

Treasuries are fun, flattering, and promote Etsians. I have one ready to go with a really neat theme. Now, if only I can snag it soon.

I do believe that treasuries can lead to sales. Toni, thanks for the friendship, the treasury, and probably the sale!

Health Care Reform Proposal

2009-04-21T08:15:00.000-07:00

As many of you readers already know, my husband, Dr. Warren Stinson, Professor Emeritus at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in the Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy fell a week ago today. He tripped over a laundry basket, broke several ribs and perforated his one good lung. He only has 1 1/2 lungs as a result of cancer surgery in 1984.

Thelma, our son Patrick's girl friend, took this shot of Warren reading his chest film while awaiting the arrival of his Dr. in the emergency room. I captioned it and put it on my Flickr page.

Subsequently, our friend, Dr. David Clough, wrote a new and better caption. I had to share it with you.

I had written that in my proposal all patients would be required to read their own chest films. If the patient could not identify their problem, then the hospital would be under no obligation to treat it!

Dave wrote: Watch for the press release when the Obama administration announces that all Radiologists are now obsolete. As part of the cost-cutting, new wave of patient-centric health care, all patients will now be responsible for interpreting their own x-rays. Patients who are ambulatory will be required to take their own x-ray films to a 24 hour photo shop for developing. To answer this new, pressing need, Nancy Pelosi's husband (a real estate baron in California) has been granted an exclusive license to install coin operated x-ray film processing machines on each hospital floor.

Those Radiology docs who read x-rays should drop their dictaphones and stroll over to the nearest unemployment office for their first check.

David A. Clough, M.D.
President
Lakeside Orthopedics, P.C.

Sorry Warren! We continue to have fun at your expense. Warren's response was "Stop it, it only hurts when I laugh!"

Treasures in Textiles and Beads

2009-04-10T07:05:00.000-07:00

There is nothing more thrilling to a beadweaver than for someone to think you can bead their wishes!

This all started when Susan, one of my valued return customers, purchased one of these beautiful shawls for each of her two daughters-in-law. She then wished that she had coordinating earrings and necklaces for the two of them as well. Susan sent me the photo above and asked if I could do it.

Always up for a challenge, I agreed to try.

Susan wanted to be sure that the colors were just right so she insisted on purchasing the beads herself. She placed the bead order and had the beads shipped directly to me.

Trial and Error

Once I received the beads, I studied the shawl pattern and waded right in. The photo above was the first effort.

I was unhappy with the design and quickly determined that another try was needed to be satisfactory to both Susan and me. I wish things always worked out on the first pass, but such is not usually the case! "Trial and Error" are frequent companions on my Trail of Treasures!

Back To The Beading Board
With the photo at my beading station and all the beads laid out, I began my second effort. I shared it with Susan and after getting her approval, I started on the earrings and two pendants for the necklaces.

The tops of all six pieces are now completed!

The fringe has been added to all six.

Necklaces
Now for the necklaces. Delica beads were used in this project. For those of you who aren't familar with beads, Delicas are very small cylindrical beads as opposed to regular seed beads which are round. Simply stringing them did not provide enough substance to the design in my opinion so I did the necklaces in peyote stitch. This is more time consuming but the result was far better than just simple strings of beads.

Finale

The last step was to photograph the two pairs of earrings and two necklaces with the original inspirational piece.

Translating textile patterns into beads can be fun and challenging. I thank Susan for her confidence and trust in my ability to create these for her.

I hope I have made her wishes into a reality that pleases her.

But more importantly, I hope her Daughters-In-Law enjoy them and will be reminded how lucky they are to have a Mother-In-Law like Susan each time they wear their textile and bead ensembles!

Mvto and Wa-do (Thank you in Creek and Cherokee) Susan for choosing me to do this! I am deeply honored.

We Shall Remain

2009-03-29T16:49:00.000-07:00

Have you heard about the upcoming PBS series on Native Americans? It is series to be aired during April. This is what the PBS promo has to say about it:

"At the heart of the project is a five-part television series that shows how Native peoples valiantly resisted expulsion from their lands and fought the extinction of their culture -- from the Wampanoags of New England in the 1600s who used their alliance with the English to weaken rival tribes, to the bold new leaders of the 1970s who harnessed the momentum of the civil rights movement to forge a pan-Indian identity. We Shall Remain represents an unprecedented collaboration between Native and non-Native filmmakers and involves Native advisors and scholars at all levels of the project."

If you have interest in learning more about the project or signing up for e-mail reminders of airing dates, you can go to this web site:

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/weshallremain/the_films/about

You can also order a pre-publication copy of the DVD if you are unable to watch the series or prefer to watch it on your own schedule.

I am excited and can hardly wait for the first episode.

Found On Found Handmade!

2009-03-27T17:40:00.000-07:00

Found Handmade is a fun web site for promoting handmade, vintage, and supply items.

They select sellers for a "Freeblock" on their blog. They had notified me that I had an item on Freeblock but I wasn’t able to find it as I’m technically challenged. I received an e-mail from them that the Freeblocks are on the blog portion of the sight. Then I found it. The last item in the photo above is of my Feather Duster Earrings.

Found Handmade helps shoppers who are looking for Handmade, Vintage or supplies. They sell space to sellers who wish to promote their shops by advertising on the site. They also have a fun game called Play and Win. You can win great prizes that are donated by their members.

The blog has gorgeous items that are added daily. If you would like to visit, go to:
www.foundhandmade.com

Mvto and Wa-do (Thank you in Creek and Cherokee) Found Handmade for promoting my Earrings and doing a feature on American Indian inspired items.

Here's To New Friends

2009-03-18T20:47:00.000-07:00

I am blessed with a new friend who is making new friends! As some of you may know, Kokopelli is one of my favorite Native American characters. I don't think it has much to do with the various legends and I'm certainly way past the need or desire for fertility symbols, it is the simple design of this little whimsical muscian that has always intrigued me.

I was surfing around on Etsy and found this shirt. I thought it would ideal to wear while vending at Pow Wows. The only problem is that most of Pow Wows are in the summer months and I would die in long sleeved black clothing! I contacted Toni. She and her husband, Mark, are new to Etsy. Their store is named RCTees.

I have learned that Mark does the art work and screen printing while Toni attends to the business side of life. They live in Decatur, Alabama and collaborate on ideas.

After a few convo's, they have agreed to make this shirt for me in "Earth Moss" and with short sleeves. As often happens in the Etsy community, we have become fast friends.

This morning, Toni made a treasury as a tribute to her new friends on Etsy and included the print "Native American Painted Ponies" by Donel Keeler, a member of my collective. You can see it here. It is the first item in the third row.

The title is Here's To New Friends. Toni added....and you can't have too many of them! I agree and wish Toni and Mark great success on Etsy. I can't wait to get my RCTee! There may be just the one you need in their shop. Check it out at http://www.rctee.etsy.com/

I Am Elinor Dashwood. Who Are You?

2009-03-09T06:28:00.000-07:00

Take the Quiz here!

This morning I was notified that the designer of my new banner, avatar, letterhead and business card had featured me on her blog. If you would like to see the feature, please go to: http://swiekysiggies.blogspot.com/

While viewing her blog, I noticed this fun quiz. If you are fan of Jane Austen, you may like to see how you relate to one of her wonderful characters. Take the quiz and leave your character's name in the comments. We will be curious to see who you are!

My Store's New Look!

2009-03-08T11:01:00.001-07:00

My New Banner

My New Avatar

My Beautiful Cousin

For months I went without a banner in my Etsy store and used a photo of myself as an avatar. Then my Bbest Etsy friend, Brett, took pity on me and developed the banner I have used and loved for the past year. I have kept it on file and will continue to use it again in the future. Mvto and Wa-do (Thank you in Creek and Cherokee) Brett.

While surfing on the net, I saw a banner and avatar in a shop on Etsy owned by Erin. One look and I knew that with minor alterations that I had to have it! You see, I was almost certain that my wonderful cousin, pictured above, could have posed for it back in the days of our youth.

I will not use her name as she is a private person and I wouldn't identify her without her permission. She has been undergoing rigorous chemo for the past year. Just this week she had a wonderful report from her oncologist. I found this artwork about the same time that I received this good news. I knew it was more than coincidence! I had to act on it!

Erin was wonderful to work with and I am so very pleased with her graphic designs. She made the changes requested and went the extra mile to be sure I was pleased. Should you need a new look for your store as well, I highly recommend her. Here is her site: www.swiekysiggies.etsy.com

Also check out Brett's wonderful art at www.vanfleetstreetdesign.etsy.com. She does wonderful nicho's, ACEO's, and great artwork with a Southwest flair.

I do hope you like the "New Look" as well as I do! And to you, dear cousin, may the news continue to be so glorius! I HAVE FAITH!

A Fancy Shawl For The First Lady

2009-02-24T05:59:00.000-08:00

First Lady Michelle Obama models a handmade shawl she received from Director of Public Affairs for the Bureau of Indian Affairs Nedra Darling. (Photo: Lawrence Jackson/Associated Press) First Lady Michelle Obama continued her getting-to-know Washington tour on Monday with a visit to the Department of the Interior where she announced that President Obama would soon appoint a White House policy adviser dedicated to tribal issues such as sovereignty, health care and education.

Mrs. Obama said the new policy adviser - whose name is expected be announced in a few weeks - would focus on "the well-being of Native American families and the prosperity of tribes all across this country."

"For those of you focused on meeting the federal governments obligations to the Native Americans, understand that you have a wonderful partner in the White House right now," she said.

This was Mrs. Obama's third speech before a crowd of federal employees. Mrs. Obama has promised to visit all of the cabinet-level agencies to thank employees for their service and to listen to their concerns. Last week, she visited the Departments of Housing and Education.

On Monday, she again pitched the president's economic stimulus plan as she did during her agency visits last week.

"At a time when so many Americans are out of work, sound energy and environmental policies are going to help create thousands of jobs through the economic recovery and reinvestment plan that Barack is out there promoting today,'' Mrs. Obama said.
The first lady was greeted by hundreds of workers, celebrated with a traditional Native American "Honor Song" and wrapped in a bright lavender shawl.

Nedra Darling, a spokeswoman for the office of the assistant secretary for Indian Affairs and a member of the Pottawatomie tribe, draped the shawl over Mrs. Obama's shoulders.

"It's a hard place to live and work," Ms. Darling said of Washington. The song and shawl "will provide her strength and courage and duration through her tenure and beyond," Ms. Darling said.

Article sent to me by Sheila Rocha.

Bloggers Unite CPSIA Project

2009-01-28T05:26:00.000-08:00

Wednesday January 28 is the date selected for all individuals who blog and are concerned about the impact of the new CPSIA laws to add a blog on the topic. I have blogged, written letters, and made phone calls previously.

I don't usually use "boiler plate" in my blogs but this was provided by the organizers and says it all. I saw no reason to re-invent the wheel.

CPSIA
As parents and concerned citizens I’m sure most of us at one time or another have been confronted with the question of lead poisoning. But have you asked yourself what your government is doing to protect your children from lead contained in toys? The answer? They're banning toys, taking books from schools and libraries, hurting low income families, killing entrepreneurial spirit and risking putting the economy in an even greater depression than we've seen in decades. I'd like to introduce you to their solution: the CPSIA.

Do you know about the CPSIA? No? Then I ask you to take a few minutes to find out about it.

The CPSIA stands for Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, a new set of laws that will come into effect on 10 February, 2009 and will impact many, many people in a negative way. Make no mistake, this is very real. View it for yourself. If Forbes, the American Library Association and numerous other media are paying attention, perhaps you should too.

How will these new laws affect you? Well, here are a few examples:

To the Parents of Young Students:
Due to the new law, expect to see the cost of school supplies sky rocket. While those paper clips weren't originally intended for your student to use, they will need to be tested now that your 11-year-old needs them for his school project. This law applies to any and all school supplies (textbooks, pencils, crayons, paper, etc.) being used by children under 12.

To the Avid Reader:
Due to the new law, all children's books will be pulled from library and school shelves, as there is no exemption for them. That’s okay though, there's always television. Our children don’t need to learn the love of reading after all.
Article from the American Library Association http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=1322

To the Lover of All Things Handmade:
Due to the new law, you will now be given a cotton ball and an instruction manual so you can make it yourself since that blanket you originally had your eye on for $50 will now cost you around $1,000 after it's passed testing. It won't even be the one-of-a-kind blanket you were hoping for. Items are destroyed in the testing process making one-of-a-kind items virtually impossible. So that gorgeous hand-knit hat you bought your child this past winter won’t be available next winter.

To the Environmentalist:
Due to the new law, all items in non-compliance will now be dumped into our already overflowing landfills. Imagine not just products from the small business owners, but the Big Box Stores as well. You can't sell it so you must toss it. Or be potentially sued for selling it. You can't even give them away. If you are caught, it is still a violation.

To the Second-Hand Shopper:
Due to the new law, you will now need to spend $20 for that brand new pair of jeans for your 2-year old, rather than shop at the Goodwill for second hand. Many resale shops are eliminating children's items all together to avoid future lawsuits.

To the Entrepreneur:
Due to this new law, you will be forced to adhere to strict testing of your unique products or discontinue to make and/or sell them. Small businesses will be likely to be unable to afford the cost of testing and be forced to close up shop. Due to the current economic state, you'll have to hope for the best when it comes to finding a new job in Corporate America.

To the Antique Toy Collector:
Due to the new law, you'd better start buying now because it's all going to private collection and will no longer be available to purchase. “Because the new rules apply retroactively, toys and clothes already on the shelf will have to be thrown out if they aren't certified as safe.” http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123189645948879745.html

To the American Economy:
Already struggling under an economy that hasn’t been this weak in decades, the American economy will be hit harder with the inevitable loss of jobs and revenues from suppliers, small businesses and consumers. The required testing is far too costly and restrictive for small businesses or individuals to undertake.

To the Worldwide Economy:Due to this new law, many foreign manufacturers have already pulled out of the US market. You can imagine the impact of this on their businesses.

If you think this is exaggerating, here is a recent article from Forbes
http://www.forbes.com/2009/01/16/cpsia-safety-toys-oped-cx_wo_0116olson.html

And for those of you prepared to be stupefied and boggled, The New Law
http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html

As a Native American, I believe one's culture should be preserved, protected, and perpetuated through both our arts and our crafts. Shame on our Congress and Senators! By passing CPSIA, they have shown no knowledge or respect for either!

Sun Card For Me

2009-01-27T08:13:00.000-08:00

One of my Bbest Etsy friends posted this to her blog. I took the test and my card turned out to be the Sun Card. Perhaps my desire for sunshine influenced the test since we haven't seen much of it around Omaha lately! As to whether or not it applies to me, I'll let those who know me decide.

You are The Sun

Happiness, Content, Joy.

The meanings for the Sun are fairly simple and consistent.

Young, healthy, new, fresh. The brain is working, things that were muddled come clear, everything falls into place, and everything seems to go your way.

The Sun is ruled by the Sun, of course. This is the light that comes after the long dark night, Apollo to the Moon's Diana. A positive card, it promises you your day in the sun. Glory, gain, triumph, pleasure, truth, success. As the moon symbolized inspiration from the unconscious, from dreams, this card symbolizes discoveries made fully consciousness and wide awake. You have an understanding and enjoyment of science and math, beautifully constructed music, carefully reasoned philosophy. It is a card of intellect, clarity of mind, and feelings of youthful energy.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

Navidad....An Endangered Specie

2009-01-25T05:16:00.000-08:00

This morning I found that my "Navidad", a Native American Folk Art Doll, was featured on Etsy in Night Sky Jewelry's wonderful Green Me Up Scottie Treasury.

I was excited! I was delighted! Navidad (you can see her smiling there in the second row) has a spotlight for what could be her final days. It saddens me to know that come February, 2009 her life could well come to end when CPSIA goes into effect.

Thank you Sharon for giving Navidad what could well be her final curtain call.

Navidad has many sisters. They are made entirely by hand by Wolf Clan Seneca and Mohawk doll artist, Peggy MacKenzie. There are no buttons or moving parts that could create choking issues. They are merely fabric, polyester fiberfill, ribbon, non-toxic paint and are filled with Peggy's love and tribal history.

Peggy's dolls have been sold by us on the Pow Wow trail and on Etsy to the delight of our customers. They are historic, sweet and could in no way compromise the health and well being of anyone. But we can not afford to the testing required by CPSIA. So Navidad and her sisters may well be at the end of their run.

Doll making is a part of all cultures. These crafts should be preserved, protected, and perpetuated rather than being endangered by a government who is blind to the value of the arts and crafts to a country and its culture. Shame on you Congressman and Senators if you allow Navidad and her sisters to become endangered species!

Front Page At Art Fire

2009-01-16T09:23:00.001-08:00

Art Fire is a new selling venue that I am learning to use. This morning, I'm on the front page. Those heart earrings in the middle of the third row are mine.

Now on Etsy, my other selling venue, when you make the Front Page it is considered to be very special. On Art Fire, newly listed items are featured on the front page. Since mine were new, there they are!

I have been selling on Etsy for one year this month. It is time to set new goals and try new things. My only fear at this point is over-extending my computer time. This would encroach on my beading time and I can't let that happen. So, here I go...off to try a new venue!

100 Etsy Sales

2009-01-14T11:28:00.000-08:00

I have always been one who believes in goal setting. In 2007, Darcy Horn, a fellow beadweaver and Etsy seller had a bracelet pattern that I wanted. She said it was for sale in her shop on Etsy. Etsy.....I said....what in the world is Etsy? She explained, gave me her site and I joined Etsy to purchase her pattern.

From time to time during the following months, I purchased more and more items on Etsy. In December of 2007, I decided that maybe I could sell some of my pieces if I started to list them. In January of 2008, I listed my first items and set a goal of selling 100 items in 1 year and having 100 items in my store. Today that goal was been achieved! 101 items are in the store and my 100th sale has been realized.

When I awoke this morning, I found that the earrings pictured above had been sold to a wonderful repeat customer. In the interest of protecting her privacy, I will not share her name. She has been a loyal customer during the year and I am so appreciative of her continued interest in my work. She knows who she is! Mvto and Wa-do (Thank you in Creek and Cherokee) my friend.

Now off to set some goals for 2009!

Help Save Our Native Arts and Crafts

2009-01-06T06:15:00.001-08:00

As of February 10, 2009 new laws go into effect that will drastically impact my work and that of many others in the arts and crafts industry. In fact, it will destroy us. This law requires expensive testing and certification of all items for the use of those under 12 years old. As you know, we make and sell many items at Pow Wows and on-line that are intended for this age group.

Native children purchase our children's jewelry and toys. Their relatives purchase our bead work for the regalia of their young people. In other sections of this blog, I have posted photos of young girls proudly wearing my barrettes, earrings, etc.

Our land was taken. Our streams and the air we breathe were polluted. We were forced to lands we did not choose. Now, they want to take our ability to protect, perpetuate and promote our culture through our crafts as well. Please vote by clicking above, add the widget from the site if you choose, write your government officials, notify your friends. PLEASE HELP SAVE OUR ARTS AND CRAFTS!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2008-12-31T16:21:00.001-08:00