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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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