THESE PEOPLE LIVE OFF THE TIP OF ALASKA'S PANHANDLE , CANADA'S WESTERNMOST ISLAND. THIS LAND REPRESENTS TO THEM THEIR HISTORY AND THEIR CULTURE. THEY CALL THE RAVENS THEIR BROTHERS. THEY NEVER SIGNED A TREATY WITH CANADA AND THEY BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE A SOVEREIGNN NATION.
LAVINA IS A TALL SLENDER LADY FROM AN ARISTOCRAT FAMILY. SHE SPEAKS AS A FIERCE WARRIOR FOR HER PEOPLE'S CAUSES AS THEY HAVE MANY PROBLEMS WITH THEIR CULTURE. THE INTERVIEWER MET HER AND HER HUSBAND IN VANCOUVER.
HER INDIAN NAME TRANSLATE AS 'many copper shields'. SHE HAS MANTY RESPONSIBILITIES.. HER GRANDPA WAS A GREAT ARTIST.THE HAIDA NATION HAS RAVEN AND EAGLE CLANSAND WITHIN THEM THERE ARE MANY MORE. SHE IS UNDER THE RAVEN CLAN. A RAVEN CANNOT MARRY A RAVEN.... THIS WAS IN THE OLD DAYS. SINDCE THEN MARRIAGE LAWS HAVE BEEN BROKEN. THERE WERE ONLY 500 HAIDA SINCE THEY HAD MANY EPIDEMICS FROM BEING TOGETHER WITH THE ANGO FOLKS. SHE IS 73 NOW AND REMEMBERS HEARING HER ELDERS SPEAK ABOUT THREE DIFFERENT EPIDEMICS. THERE USED TO BE 80,000 HAIDU ON OUR ISLAND. TODAY THERE ARE ABOUT 6,000 PEOPLE. THE ISLAND IS ABOUT 80 MILES OF THE MAINLAND.
HER PRINCIPAL CAUSE IS FREEDOM. SHE REMEMBERS WHEN SHE WAS FREE- FREE FROM POLICE, FREE FROM POLICE, AND FREE FROM HARRASSMENT. IT'D DIFFICULT FOR HER TO GIVE UP THE STRUGGLE BECAUSE SHE WANTS HER PEOPLE TOE XPERIENCE FREEDOM. SHE BELIEVES THAT THEY NEED TO HAVE THE RIGHT TO MAQKE DECISIONS, AND TO GOVERN THEMSELVES. AND THEY WANT CONTROL OF THEIR LANDS AND OF THEIR RESOURCES.
THERE IS MUCH SUICIDE AMONG THE YOUNG PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO REASON TO LOOK FOR HOPE - IT WAS FOREIGN TO US BEFORE THE ANGLOS CAME HERE.
SANDY JOHNSON
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Friday, October 22, 2010
SONNY BILLIE - SEMINOLE
SONNY WAS BORN IN 1889 AS A MEDICINE MAN DESCENDED FROM JOSIE AND INGRAHAM BILLIE. THESE FOLKS WERE THE TWO MOST FAMOUS TRADITIONAL SEMINOLE MEDICINE MEN OF THE 20TH CENTURY. SONNY WAS 6'2" AND HIS HEALING POWER S HAVE BEEN SHROUDED IN SECRECY. THEY LAUNCHED THE THE SONNY BILLIE FOUNDATION FOR NATIVE CULTURAL STUDIES IN THE EVERGLADES IN MAY, 1993. SONNY'S GOAL IS TO HAVE A NURSERY AS A CONTINUING SOURCE OF HERBS IN THIS NOW POLLUTED AREA.
THE NATIVES SPEAK TWO LANGUAGES. SEMINOLE MEANS RUN ALWAYS. THERE ARE ABOUT 2000 SEMINOLES LIVING ON 5 RESERVATIONS IN FLORIDA. SONNY WAS BORN AND RAISED IN MEDICINE. HE KNEW THINGS EARLY IN HIS LIFE, BUT HE JUST WANTED TO BE A NORMAL PERSON. HE MARRIED AND HAD A BABY. ONCE THE BABY WAS 1 and 1/2 YEARS OLD, HIS WIFE PASSED AWAY FROM HEART DISEASE THAT HE NEVER KNEW SHE HAD. HE SPOKE TO HIS MOM AND AT THAT TIME HE DECIDED HE WOULD STUDY HERBAL MEDICINE..
JOSIE BILLY, HIS DAD, WAS A FAMOUS MEDICINE MAN. HIS HERBAL TEA WAS STUDIED BY UPJOHN. FOR YEARS HIS TEA HAD BEEN CURING PEOPLE FROM "BRAIN SICKNESS." HE SAID THE SPIRIT OF THE MEDICINE COMES FROM INSIDE THE MAN WHO HAS THE POWER.
JIMMIE, ONE OF HIS UNCLES, WAS ALSO A FAMOUS HERB DOCTOR. HE TAUGHT US ABOUT HIS MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE. HIS MOM SAID HE'D HAVE TO GO THROUGH A NUMBER OF TRAININGS TO BECOME A MEDICAL MAN. NOTHING IS IN WRITING. YOU MUST MEMORIZE THE TEACHINGS. THE HEALERS DIDN'T WANT THE WHITE FOLKS TO KNOW EVERYTHING SO THEY MADE IT NON READABLE. HE WAS TAUGHT TO MEMORIZE THE MEDICINE ON HIS ONE SIDE OF THE BRAIN AND THEN USE THE OTHER SIDE OF HIS BRAIN FOR HIS FAMILY. THEY ANNOUNCED IN PUBLIC THAT HE WOULD BE A DOCTOR. ANYONE IS ABLE TO USE YOUR SERVICES. AFTER THEY ANNOUNCED IT A LOT OF FOLKS CAME TO HIM. AS HE GOT OLDER THE MORE HE GOT TO STUDY. HE REALIZED THAT THE ANGLOS ALSO STUDY MEDICINE THE SAME WAY. HE DECIDED TO CREATE A HEALING PLACE TO GROW HIS OWN MEDICINES.
HIS SECOND DAUGHTER HAD ASTHMA AROUND 6 YEARS AGO. HE WENT TO DIFFERENT INDIAN DOCTORS TO FIND OUT HOW TO HELP HER. HE FINALLY IMPROVED SOME ASTHSMA MEDICINES BY BREAKING IT DOWN TO HEART, LUNG, LIVER, KIDNEY, AND OTHER SYSTEMS THROUGHOUT THE BODY. HE LEARNED WHAT HERB WOULD FIT A CERTAIN ORGAN OF THE BODY. THEN HE TRIED TO FORMULATE A MEDICINE TO HEAL HIS DAUGHTER'S ASTHMA.
ON SOME DAYS THE LUNG'S DON'T FUNCTIONFOR SOMEONE WITH ASTHMA (I.E. RAINY DAYS). HE STUDIED HARD AND HE THOUGHT HE GOT IT. HE REMARRIED AND SPOKE WITH HIS WIFE. HE TOLD HER WHAT HE WAS WORKING ON AND THAT HE WANTED TO TREAT HIS DAUGHTER. SINCE SHE WAS ALSO HER DAUGHTER HE THOUGHT I CAN'T TAKE COMPLETE RESPONSIBILITY. HIS DAUGHTER DECIDED SHE DID NOT WANT THE MEDICINE AT THIS TIME. HIS GIRL HAD LISTENED AND SHE UNDERSTOOD WHAT SHE HAD WANTED HER TO DO.
LATER AFTER SHE GOT MARRIED, SHE STARTED HAVING MANY ASTHMA ATTACKS. APPARENTLY HIS WIFE HAD FOUGHT HIM TO NOT GIVE HER THE MEDICINE EARLY ON AND SHE HAD HEARD THAT CONVERSATION. AT HER OLDER AGE SHE SAID SHE WANTED TO TAKE IT. HE SAID TO WAIT A COUPLE OF DAYS. HE WANTED TO PICK UP THE HERB AND REFORMULATE IT. HE ASKED IF SHE SPOKE TO HIS WIFE. NO, SHE SAID IT WAS BETWEEN YOU AND ME AND THE MEDICINE. SHE TOOK IT AND HAD A REALLY TOUGH TIME BREATHING FOR ABOUT 12 HOURS. BUT AFTER THAT SHE HAD NO MORE ATTACKS! HE THEN IMPROVED THE MEDICINE AND HIS NEXT PROJECT WAS TO WORK ON THE SUGAR PROBLEM WITH DIABETICS. HIS WIFE HAD A SUGAR PROBLEM FOR A LONG TIME. HE TESTED HIS MEDICINE ON HER WITH HER CONSENT.
TODAY HE SEES BOTH INDIAN AND ANGLO DOCTORS WORKING TOGETHER. HE DOESN'T WANT TO CONFUSE ANGLO DOCTORS. HE JUST COOPERATES WITH THEM. HE SINGS A PRAYER SONG ABOUT EDUCATION AND BEFRIENDING ALL NATIONALITTIES. THEY SAY IF YOU HAVE A LOT OF KNOWLEDGE YOU CAN HELP OUT A LOT OF PEOPLE. SOME PEOPLE WILL BE JEOLOUS OF YOU. THE SEMINOLE LANGUAGE HAS NO WORDS TO SAY I'M SORRY. HE REMEMBERS THE ANGLOS HAVING MANY WORDS FOR SAYING I'M SORRY.
HE REMEMBERS THE PRIESTS TELLING THEM THAT THEY COULD NO LONGER USE THEIR MEDICINE. THAT'S WHAT KILLED SO MANY OF US. THERE'S ONLY SIX OF US WHO KNOW HOW TO PREPARE THIS MEDICINE AND THAT IS WHY HE CONTINUES WITH HIS WORK.
SANDY JOHN
THE NATIVES SPEAK TWO LANGUAGES. SEMINOLE MEANS RUN ALWAYS. THERE ARE ABOUT 2000 SEMINOLES LIVING ON 5 RESERVATIONS IN FLORIDA. SONNY WAS BORN AND RAISED IN MEDICINE. HE KNEW THINGS EARLY IN HIS LIFE, BUT HE JUST WANTED TO BE A NORMAL PERSON. HE MARRIED AND HAD A BABY. ONCE THE BABY WAS 1 and 1/2 YEARS OLD, HIS WIFE PASSED AWAY FROM HEART DISEASE THAT HE NEVER KNEW SHE HAD. HE SPOKE TO HIS MOM AND AT THAT TIME HE DECIDED HE WOULD STUDY HERBAL MEDICINE..
JOSIE BILLY, HIS DAD, WAS A FAMOUS MEDICINE MAN. HIS HERBAL TEA WAS STUDIED BY UPJOHN. FOR YEARS HIS TEA HAD BEEN CURING PEOPLE FROM "BRAIN SICKNESS." HE SAID THE SPIRIT OF THE MEDICINE COMES FROM INSIDE THE MAN WHO HAS THE POWER.
JIMMIE, ONE OF HIS UNCLES, WAS ALSO A FAMOUS HERB DOCTOR. HE TAUGHT US ABOUT HIS MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE. HIS MOM SAID HE'D HAVE TO GO THROUGH A NUMBER OF TRAININGS TO BECOME A MEDICAL MAN. NOTHING IS IN WRITING. YOU MUST MEMORIZE THE TEACHINGS. THE HEALERS DIDN'T WANT THE WHITE FOLKS TO KNOW EVERYTHING SO THEY MADE IT NON READABLE. HE WAS TAUGHT TO MEMORIZE THE MEDICINE ON HIS ONE SIDE OF THE BRAIN AND THEN USE THE OTHER SIDE OF HIS BRAIN FOR HIS FAMILY. THEY ANNOUNCED IN PUBLIC THAT HE WOULD BE A DOCTOR. ANYONE IS ABLE TO USE YOUR SERVICES. AFTER THEY ANNOUNCED IT A LOT OF FOLKS CAME TO HIM. AS HE GOT OLDER THE MORE HE GOT TO STUDY. HE REALIZED THAT THE ANGLOS ALSO STUDY MEDICINE THE SAME WAY. HE DECIDED TO CREATE A HEALING PLACE TO GROW HIS OWN MEDICINES.
HIS SECOND DAUGHTER HAD ASTHMA AROUND 6 YEARS AGO. HE WENT TO DIFFERENT INDIAN DOCTORS TO FIND OUT HOW TO HELP HER. HE FINALLY IMPROVED SOME ASTHSMA MEDICINES BY BREAKING IT DOWN TO HEART, LUNG, LIVER, KIDNEY, AND OTHER SYSTEMS THROUGHOUT THE BODY. HE LEARNED WHAT HERB WOULD FIT A CERTAIN ORGAN OF THE BODY. THEN HE TRIED TO FORMULATE A MEDICINE TO HEAL HIS DAUGHTER'S ASTHMA.
ON SOME DAYS THE LUNG'S DON'T FUNCTIONFOR SOMEONE WITH ASTHMA (I.E. RAINY DAYS). HE STUDIED HARD AND HE THOUGHT HE GOT IT. HE REMARRIED AND SPOKE WITH HIS WIFE. HE TOLD HER WHAT HE WAS WORKING ON AND THAT HE WANTED TO TREAT HIS DAUGHTER. SINCE SHE WAS ALSO HER DAUGHTER HE THOUGHT I CAN'T TAKE COMPLETE RESPONSIBILITY. HIS DAUGHTER DECIDED SHE DID NOT WANT THE MEDICINE AT THIS TIME. HIS GIRL HAD LISTENED AND SHE UNDERSTOOD WHAT SHE HAD WANTED HER TO DO.
LATER AFTER SHE GOT MARRIED, SHE STARTED HAVING MANY ASTHMA ATTACKS. APPARENTLY HIS WIFE HAD FOUGHT HIM TO NOT GIVE HER THE MEDICINE EARLY ON AND SHE HAD HEARD THAT CONVERSATION. AT HER OLDER AGE SHE SAID SHE WANTED TO TAKE IT. HE SAID TO WAIT A COUPLE OF DAYS. HE WANTED TO PICK UP THE HERB AND REFORMULATE IT. HE ASKED IF SHE SPOKE TO HIS WIFE. NO, SHE SAID IT WAS BETWEEN YOU AND ME AND THE MEDICINE. SHE TOOK IT AND HAD A REALLY TOUGH TIME BREATHING FOR ABOUT 12 HOURS. BUT AFTER THAT SHE HAD NO MORE ATTACKS! HE THEN IMPROVED THE MEDICINE AND HIS NEXT PROJECT WAS TO WORK ON THE SUGAR PROBLEM WITH DIABETICS. HIS WIFE HAD A SUGAR PROBLEM FOR A LONG TIME. HE TESTED HIS MEDICINE ON HER WITH HER CONSENT.
TODAY HE SEES BOTH INDIAN AND ANGLO DOCTORS WORKING TOGETHER. HE DOESN'T WANT TO CONFUSE ANGLO DOCTORS. HE JUST COOPERATES WITH THEM. HE SINGS A PRAYER SONG ABOUT EDUCATION AND BEFRIENDING ALL NATIONALITTIES. THEY SAY IF YOU HAVE A LOT OF KNOWLEDGE YOU CAN HELP OUT A LOT OF PEOPLE. SOME PEOPLE WILL BE JEOLOUS OF YOU. THE SEMINOLE LANGUAGE HAS NO WORDS TO SAY I'M SORRY. HE REMEMBERS THE ANGLOS HAVING MANY WORDS FOR SAYING I'M SORRY.
HE REMEMBERS THE PRIESTS TELLING THEM THAT THEY COULD NO LONGER USE THEIR MEDICINE. THAT'S WHAT KILLED SO MANY OF US. THERE'S ONLY SIX OF US WHO KNOW HOW TO PREPARE THIS MEDICINE AND THAT IS WHY HE CONTINUES WITH HIS WORK.
SANDY JOHN
MILDRED CLEGHORN - APACHE PRISONER OF WAR
APACHE PRISONER OF WAR, MILDRED, SERVED AS CHAIRPERSON OF THE OKLAHOMA INDIAN AFFAIRS COMMISSION AT FORT SILL. SHE HAS BEEN HANDCRAFTING RAG DOLLS WEITH BEADWORK FOR OVER FIFTY YEARS. THEY ARE REPLICAS OF AUTHENTIC COSTUMES DATING FROM 1900 AND EARLIER. THERY ARE IN MANY MUSEUMS INCLUDING THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. SHE HELPED DESIGN THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN IN WASHINGTON.
HER GRANDPA WAS GEORGE WRATTEN A WHITE MAN WHO LIVED ON THE RESERVATION AND SPOKE THE APACHE LANGUAGE VERY WELL. I GUESS HE RODE WITH GERONIMO AND WAS AN INTERPRETER. GERONIMO SURRENDERED IN 1887 TO THE ARMY AND THAT ENDED GUERRILLA WARFARE IN THE US. MILDRED'S COUSIN MADE A SCULPTURE OF GERONIMO AND HE WON A MEDAL OF THE ARTS .
MILDRED CAME FROM FORT SILL, OKLAHOMA. SHE WAS BORN IN 1910 IN PRISON OF WAR CAMP. THERE LIVED 3 YEARS. HER FATHER WAS MOVED TO SAINT AUGUSTINE , FLORIDA. THEY STAYED A YEAR AND THEY BECAME ILL. AND MANY DIED.
TWO NUNS TOOK ACTION TO HELP CONDITIONS AND THE CHILDREN. THEY GOT PERMISSION TO USE A CELL FOR A CLASSROOM. THEY TAUGHT THEM ENGLISH AND RELIGION. THEY HAD THE REMAINING PEOPLE MOVED TO MT. VERNON IN ALABAMA UNTIL 1894. THEY MOVED TO FORT SILL WHERE WE LIVED UNTIL 1913. THEN THEY WERE GIVEN A CHOICE OF GOING TO MESCALERO, NEW MEXICO OR GETTING ALLOTMENTS IN OKLAHOMA. 82 STAYED IN OKLAHOMA, AND THE REST WENT TO NEW MEXICO. SHE MOVED TO THE FARM. HER PARENTS STAYED AT FORT SILL. KIOWA. COMANCHE, AND APACHE WERE ALL LOCATED THERE. WHEN THEY WANTED TO VISIT RELATIVES THEY TOOK A 12 MILE
RIDE IN A HORSE AND WAGON.
SHE WENT TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS. THERE WERE ONLY FIVE INDIANS THERE. SHE GOT MARRIED IN 1949 TO OTO CLEGHORN. SHE WENT TO A COLLEGE AND GOT A DEGREE IN HOME ECONOMICS AND BECAME A HOME DEMONSTRATION AGENT.
SHE HAD BEEN IN KANSAS AND THEN TRANSFERRED TO OKLAHOMA.
IN THE LATE 70'S SHE GOT INVOLVED IN TRIBAL AFFAIRS. I FELT I NEEDED TO HELP OUR PEOPLE. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN INTERESTED IN MY TRIBE AND IN MY CHURCH.
FRANK WRIGHT, A CHOCTAW, ESTABLISHED AN ORPHANAGE IN 1895 AT FORT SILL FOR THE REFORMED CHURCH. THEY WEREN'T ALLOWED TO DO THEIR CEREMONIES.
IN 1976 THEY ORGANIZED AT THE FORT SILL APACHE TRIBE AND MILDRED WAS ELECTED CHAIRPERSON.
SHE HELPS KIDS GET LOANS FOR SCHOOL AND PEOPLE GET HOUSING. IN 1980 THEY GOT A LAND GRANT , AN OFFICE, AN ALL PURPOSE BUILDING WITH A GYM. THERE WAS A TOTAL OF 350 PEOPLE. HONESTY WAS A MUST FOR THIS GROUP. THEIR SPIRITUAL LIFE WAS NOURISHED BY THE REFORMED CHURCH. IT'S AMAZING HOW THE VALUES THEY LIVED BY THEIR INDIAN FAITH WERE SIMILAR TO THOSE IN THE BIBLE. WHEN THEY DANCE AROUND THE FIRE. EVEN THOUGH THE APACHES WERE LATER BROUGHT UP WITH THE CHRISTIAN FAITH THEY STILL HAD HISTORIC CEREMONIES.
THE PUBERTY FEAST IS ONE OF OUR MAIN CEREMONIES. IT LASTS FOR EIGHT DAYS IN PUBLIC AND 4 DAYS ALONE WITH THE IMMEDIATE FAMILY. A MEDICINE LADY TAKES CARE OF THE CEREMONY AND IS LIKE A GODMOTHER. SHE DRESSES HER AND DOES HER HAIR. THEY USE PAINT AND CORN POLLEN, WHICH IS OUR MEDICINE . SHE IS HER TEACHER AND MUST TEACH THE GIRL HOW TO LIVE.
THEY HAVE A FOUR DAY DANCE OF THE MOUNTAIN SPIRITS. THE GIRLS WEAR BUCKSKIN DRESSES, SKIRTS, AND BLOUSES. THE MEN WEAR THE SAME TYPE OF SKIRTS IN THEIR DANCE WITH HEADPIECES. THE PEOPLE EXCHANGE GIFTS.
THESE NATIVES HAD MEDICINE FOR TUBERCULOSIS. AND THE PATIENT HAD TO BELIEVE THAT IT WOULD WORK. THEY USED SONGS AND POLLEN AND THEY STILL DO TODAY. YOU GIVE AND YOU GET AND THAT'S WHAT THEY BELIEVE.
SANDY JOHNSON
HER GRANDPA WAS GEORGE WRATTEN A WHITE MAN WHO LIVED ON THE RESERVATION AND SPOKE THE APACHE LANGUAGE VERY WELL. I GUESS HE RODE WITH GERONIMO AND WAS AN INTERPRETER. GERONIMO SURRENDERED IN 1887 TO THE ARMY AND THAT ENDED GUERRILLA WARFARE IN THE US. MILDRED'S COUSIN MADE A SCULPTURE OF GERONIMO AND HE WON A MEDAL OF THE ARTS .
MILDRED CAME FROM FORT SILL, OKLAHOMA. SHE WAS BORN IN 1910 IN PRISON OF WAR CAMP. THERE LIVED 3 YEARS. HER FATHER WAS MOVED TO SAINT AUGUSTINE , FLORIDA. THEY STAYED A YEAR AND THEY BECAME ILL. AND MANY DIED.
TWO NUNS TOOK ACTION TO HELP CONDITIONS AND THE CHILDREN. THEY GOT PERMISSION TO USE A CELL FOR A CLASSROOM. THEY TAUGHT THEM ENGLISH AND RELIGION. THEY HAD THE REMAINING PEOPLE MOVED TO MT. VERNON IN ALABAMA UNTIL 1894. THEY MOVED TO FORT SILL WHERE WE LIVED UNTIL 1913. THEN THEY WERE GIVEN A CHOICE OF GOING TO MESCALERO, NEW MEXICO OR GETTING ALLOTMENTS IN OKLAHOMA. 82 STAYED IN OKLAHOMA, AND THE REST WENT TO NEW MEXICO. SHE MOVED TO THE FARM. HER PARENTS STAYED AT FORT SILL. KIOWA. COMANCHE, AND APACHE WERE ALL LOCATED THERE. WHEN THEY WANTED TO VISIT RELATIVES THEY TOOK A 12 MILE
RIDE IN A HORSE AND WAGON.
SHE WENT TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS. THERE WERE ONLY FIVE INDIANS THERE. SHE GOT MARRIED IN 1949 TO OTO CLEGHORN. SHE WENT TO A COLLEGE AND GOT A DEGREE IN HOME ECONOMICS AND BECAME A HOME DEMONSTRATION AGENT.
SHE HAD BEEN IN KANSAS AND THEN TRANSFERRED TO OKLAHOMA.
IN THE LATE 70'S SHE GOT INVOLVED IN TRIBAL AFFAIRS. I FELT I NEEDED TO HELP OUR PEOPLE. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN INTERESTED IN MY TRIBE AND IN MY CHURCH.
FRANK WRIGHT, A CHOCTAW, ESTABLISHED AN ORPHANAGE IN 1895 AT FORT SILL FOR THE REFORMED CHURCH. THEY WEREN'T ALLOWED TO DO THEIR CEREMONIES.
IN 1976 THEY ORGANIZED AT THE FORT SILL APACHE TRIBE AND MILDRED WAS ELECTED CHAIRPERSON.
SHE HELPS KIDS GET LOANS FOR SCHOOL AND PEOPLE GET HOUSING. IN 1980 THEY GOT A LAND GRANT , AN OFFICE, AN ALL PURPOSE BUILDING WITH A GYM. THERE WAS A TOTAL OF 350 PEOPLE. HONESTY WAS A MUST FOR THIS GROUP. THEIR SPIRITUAL LIFE WAS NOURISHED BY THE REFORMED CHURCH. IT'S AMAZING HOW THE VALUES THEY LIVED BY THEIR INDIAN FAITH WERE SIMILAR TO THOSE IN THE BIBLE. WHEN THEY DANCE AROUND THE FIRE. EVEN THOUGH THE APACHES WERE LATER BROUGHT UP WITH THE CHRISTIAN FAITH THEY STILL HAD HISTORIC CEREMONIES.
THE PUBERTY FEAST IS ONE OF OUR MAIN CEREMONIES. IT LASTS FOR EIGHT DAYS IN PUBLIC AND 4 DAYS ALONE WITH THE IMMEDIATE FAMILY. A MEDICINE LADY TAKES CARE OF THE CEREMONY AND IS LIKE A GODMOTHER. SHE DRESSES HER AND DOES HER HAIR. THEY USE PAINT AND CORN POLLEN, WHICH IS OUR MEDICINE . SHE IS HER TEACHER AND MUST TEACH THE GIRL HOW TO LIVE.
THEY HAVE A FOUR DAY DANCE OF THE MOUNTAIN SPIRITS. THE GIRLS WEAR BUCKSKIN DRESSES, SKIRTS, AND BLOUSES. THE MEN WEAR THE SAME TYPE OF SKIRTS IN THEIR DANCE WITH HEADPIECES. THE PEOPLE EXCHANGE GIFTS.
THESE NATIVES HAD MEDICINE FOR TUBERCULOSIS. AND THE PATIENT HAD TO BELIEVE THAT IT WOULD WORK. THEY USED SONGS AND POLLEN AND THEY STILL DO TODAY. YOU GIVE AND YOU GET AND THAT'S WHAT THEY BELIEVE.
SANDY JOHNSON
Thursday, October 21, 2010
EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK
WE VISITED THE EVERGLADS A NUMBER OF TIMES. I HAVE VISITED THIS PARK WITH MY FAMILY WHEN I WAS IN COLLEGE. I ALSO VISITED IT WITH MY HUSBAND AND SON. WE TOOK NOT ONLY THE WALK THROUGH THIS JUNGLE ON RAISED WOODEN TRAIL HEADS BUT ALSO A BOAT RIDE. THE BOAT GOES VERY FAST THROUGH THE MARSHES AND YOU ARE ABLE TO SEE MANY CROCODILES AND ALLIGATORS AS WELL AS MANY TROPICAL BIRDS THAT ONLY LIVE IN THIS TYPE OF ENVIRONMENT. WE TOOK MANY PHOTOGRAPHS AND HAD A GOOD TRIP . THEY EVEN LET YOU TAKE YOUR SHOES OFF AND WALK THROUGH THE MARSHES AND IT IS VERY MUCH LIKE A BOG AREA AND THE MUD SQUISHES BETWEEN YOUR TOES.
APPARENTLY WHEN WE VISITED THEY WERE DOING A RESTORATION OF SOME OF THE PLANTS IN THE TRAIL ALONG THE HEAVY MARSH. YOU COULD SEE ALL KINDS OF DRAGONFLIES AND BUTTERFLIES AS WELL. THEY DID NOT WANT ANY FOOD DROPPED INTO THE MARSH NOR ANYONE TO FEED THE ALLIGATORS.
APPARENTLY WHEN WE VISITED THEY WERE DOING A RESTORATION OF SOME OF THE PLANTS IN THE TRAIL ALONG THE HEAVY MARSH. YOU COULD SEE ALL KINDS OF DRAGONFLIES AND BUTTERFLIES AS WELL. THEY DID NOT WANT ANY FOOD DROPPED INTO THE MARSH NOR ANYONE TO FEED THE ALLIGATORS.
GEORGE WASINGTON 'S BIRTHPLACE NATIONAL PARK
THE BUILDINGS IN VIRGINIA HERE ARE REPLICAS OF THE 1730 KITCHEN AND HOUSE AND PLANTATION. THEY HAVE COLONIAL FURNISHINGS. IT HAS A FARM WITH ANIMALS AND A BLACKSMITH SHOP. IT WAS THE SECOND FARM OF HIS GREAT GRANDFATHER JOHN WASHINGTON WHO EMIGRATED HERE IN 1656. IT OVERLOOKS THE POTOMAC RIVER. THE VIEWS ARE FANTASTIC HERE AND THE RIVER IS QUITE WIDE.
WE VISITED THIS PLANTATION AS WE EXCAVATED SOME HISTORIC SITES IN 1975. I KNOWN THEY HAVE EXCAVATED SOME OF THIS SITE FOR TESTING BEFORE THEY REBUILT IT. AND THEIR ARE SOME OF THE CERAMICS AND ARTIFACTS IN THE ROOMS.
WE VISITED THIS PLANTATION AS WE EXCAVATED SOME HISTORIC SITES IN 1975. I KNOWN THEY HAVE EXCAVATED SOME OF THIS SITE FOR TESTING BEFORE THEY REBUILT IT. AND THEIR ARE SOME OF THE CERAMICS AND ARTIFACTS IN THE ROOMS.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT NATIONAL PARK
THEODORE ROOSEVELT WAS BORN IN NEW YORK CITY IN 1858. IN 1970 HIS FAMILY TOURED EUROPE. AND IN 1883 HE BOUGHT A RANCH IN NORTH DAKOTA. THE NATIONAL PARK IS ON THE BORDER BETWEEN NORTH DAKOTA AND WYOMING. WE COMPLETED A NUMBER OF SURVEYS THERE FOR A PRIVATE ARCHAEOLOGY FIRM AND FOUND NUMEROUS TEMPORARY CAMPSITES. THERE WERE BUFFALO AND DEER ABUNDANT IN THIS PARK. IT IS A VERY RUGGED TERRAIN WITH BADLANDS AND VERY EROSIVE SANDSTONE SOILS. WE ALSO SAW PRAIRIE DOGS, ELK, DEER, EAGLES, AND PRONGHORN ANTELOPE.
ROOSEVELT PLAYED A BIG ROLE IN THE 1800'S IN PRESERVING MANY LANDS FOR NATIONAL PARKS. THIS PARK IS NOT VERY HEAVILY USED OR KNOWN BY THE PUBLIC. ROOSEVELT'S FIRST WIFE DIED EARLY AND HE REMARRIED IN 1886.
AS WE HIKED THROUGH THIS PARK TO SURVEY DRILL SITES FOR MINING COMPANIES WE WALKED ALONG THE DRY DRAINAGES AND SAW PREHISTORIC BISON BONES EXPOSED IN THE ERODED CREEK CLIFFS, BUT DID NOT HAVE TO RECORD THEM.
ROOSEVELT PLAYED A BIG ROLE IN THE 1800'S IN PRESERVING MANY LANDS FOR NATIONAL PARKS. THIS PARK IS NOT VERY HEAVILY USED OR KNOWN BY THE PUBLIC. ROOSEVELT'S FIRST WIFE DIED EARLY AND HE REMARRIED IN 1886.
AS WE HIKED THROUGH THIS PARK TO SURVEY DRILL SITES FOR MINING COMPANIES WE WALKED ALONG THE DRY DRAINAGES AND SAW PREHISTORIC BISON BONES EXPOSED IN THE ERODED CREEK CLIFFS, BUT DID NOT HAVE TO RECORD THEM.
ROCKY MOUNAIN NATIONAL PARK
OUR FAMILY WENT TO THIS PARK DURING A SUMMER TWO WEEK VACATION, AND VISITED ABOUT FIVE OTHER NATIONAL PARKS WITH OUR TEENAGE SON. THIS PARK IS IN COLORADO AND HAS AMAZING ANIMAL LIFE THAT ARE VISIBLE EVEN FROM THE ROAD. THERE ARE SEVERAL VISITOR CENTERS AND I BOUGHT A BOOK ON SMUDGING AND HOW TO USE DIFFERENT CRYSTALS FOR HEALING.
WE VISITED DURING THE SUMMER AND BECAUSE OF IT'S HIGH ELEVATION FROM 8000 TO 14,000 FEET IT IS VERY COLD DURING THE NIGHT. THERE IS STILL SNOW ON SOME OF THE GLACIERS. WE CLIMBED SO MANY HILLS AND HIKED ON NUMEROUS BEAUTIFUL TRAILS. THE ANIMALS THAT ARE VISIBLE INCLUDE RED TAIL AND OTHER HAWKS, BIGHORN SHEEP , ELK, MOOSE, DEER, COUGARS, AND MULE DEER. IT TOOK ME AWHILE TO ADAPT TO THE HIGH ELEVATION.
WE CAMPED IN A CAMPGROUND WHILE IT RAINED, AND THERE WERE BEARS AROUND SO YOU HAVE TO KEEP YOUR TABLE CLEAN. WE SAW A MOOSE THERE IN AN OLD CAMP WITH HOUSES FOR THE TIMBER CREWS. WE HIKED IN A BEAUTIFUL MEADOW WITH SOME WILDFLOWERS BLOOMING AND A HUGE ARRAY OF BUTTERFLIES.
WE TOOK A CAR TOUR ALONG AN OLD JEEP TRAIL THAT WAS OPPOSITE A GLACIER. THE TRAIL WENT ONE WAY ALONG A STEEP MOUNTAIN PASS AND THROUGH A TUNNEL AND IT TOOK ABOUT AN HOUR. PEOPLE FROM ALL COUNTRIES WERE VISITING THIS PARK.
THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE RUNS NORTHWEST THROUGHOUT THE CENTER OF THE PARK.
WE VISITED DURING THE SUMMER AND BECAUSE OF IT'S HIGH ELEVATION FROM 8000 TO 14,000 FEET IT IS VERY COLD DURING THE NIGHT. THERE IS STILL SNOW ON SOME OF THE GLACIERS. WE CLIMBED SO MANY HILLS AND HIKED ON NUMEROUS BEAUTIFUL TRAILS. THE ANIMALS THAT ARE VISIBLE INCLUDE RED TAIL AND OTHER HAWKS, BIGHORN SHEEP , ELK, MOOSE, DEER, COUGARS, AND MULE DEER. IT TOOK ME AWHILE TO ADAPT TO THE HIGH ELEVATION.
WE CAMPED IN A CAMPGROUND WHILE IT RAINED, AND THERE WERE BEARS AROUND SO YOU HAVE TO KEEP YOUR TABLE CLEAN. WE SAW A MOOSE THERE IN AN OLD CAMP WITH HOUSES FOR THE TIMBER CREWS. WE HIKED IN A BEAUTIFUL MEADOW WITH SOME WILDFLOWERS BLOOMING AND A HUGE ARRAY OF BUTTERFLIES.
WE TOOK A CAR TOUR ALONG AN OLD JEEP TRAIL THAT WAS OPPOSITE A GLACIER. THE TRAIL WENT ONE WAY ALONG A STEEP MOUNTAIN PASS AND THROUGH A TUNNEL AND IT TOOK ABOUT AN HOUR. PEOPLE FROM ALL COUNTRIES WERE VISITING THIS PARK.
THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE RUNS NORTHWEST THROUGHOUT THE CENTER OF THE PARK.
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