A Little Thanksgiving Request

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?

Enjoy Freedom? Thank A Veteran

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.

34 Years of Incarceration

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

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

Greetings to everyone,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hoka hey!

In the Spirit of Crazy Horse,

Leonard Peltier

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

People Of The Sun Treasury

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!