Winter is coming- Pine Ridge needs our help.

[BeHereNow]

Dear DU,
This came up on another thread- some of you may remember that
I posted this information last year, that being an address
to send donations to help our human brothers and sisters
living in abject poverty here in our own back yards of America.

Recently a new DUer, started a thread titled
"A native man asks democrats"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4838363

Hundreds of you replied. Good, that is as it should be.
Today, another thread, yet another thread appeared in GD
titled "Today I faced poverty in this county"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4863789&mesg_id=4863789

As the discussion evolved, the topic of Pine Ridge was
brought up, in particular, the needs of our family there.
Our brothers and sisters there, many of them children.
I want to repost information on that thread in the hope
that the good among you will take action.

There are two ways YOU, who profess by your membership here,
can make a difference in balancing the destructive energy of
injustice by your ancestors.

Courtesy of DU new comer, Iktomiwicasa:
"The Children's Village
Box 1034
Pine Ridge, SD 57770
Phone: [phone]
Contact: Melvina and Louis Winters
Runs the only foster home in the community of Pine Ridge for Lakota children living on the Pine Ridge reservation. Donations of children's clothing (age 5-18), canned goods, blankets, towels, twin sheets, bunk beds, children's toys, and games, and financial support are welcome."

And from "hardrainfalling"
--along the lines of feeding two birds with one stone--
Winona LaDuke's White Earth Land Recovery Project has a retail operation that provides employment opportunities for the people of the White Earth, MN Reservation.
I've long since begun doing all my Christmas shopping there, or whenever I have the need to purchase some kind of "thank you" gift, I order it from there (the products are super high quality and the recipients are always totally taken aback), I also buy large quantities of her pre-packaged soups for myself--great alternative to campbell's. They ship all around the world, btw, and foreign friends tend to be particularly happy about gifts from here.
So might the Winters also be able to use products purchased online from Native Harvest (like wild rice, soups, maple syrup, etc.). The food is better than canned.
The advantage for potential donors is that you can simply call in the order and they will ship it for you:
here is the URL...
(If you think this is a BAD idea, Iktomiwicasa, say so and I'll delete the post)
http://ww2.nativeharvest.com/

DU, I don't know how to explain this, but I know there are
energies out of balance- karma, if you will, that you CAN
make a difference on.
Please consider this information an opportunity to WALK THE TALK.
BHN

[BeHereNow]

1. KICKING, CAUSE I WON'T LET IT SINK LIKE A STONE

If you want to solve the problem,
you must address the source of imbalance.
BHN

[hardrainfallin]

55. What'd I tell you, BHN, DU don't care bout indian people

The thread is sinking fast. As expected.

Happens *every* time. (No offense to the exceptions, i.e. people who *have* paid attention to this issue, but note that you are in a very small minority here, esp compared to the many, many other requests for aid and donations that get posted here, and the tremendous amts of money that are generated in that way).

Sigh.

Are the Indian mascots still available as avatars? Haven't had time to check.

[hardrainfallin]

57. and, in answer to the question about the mascots...yes they are

still out there.

If the NCAA can ban them, why can't DU?

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/scorecard/cfootballnews.asp?articleID=139340

(I switched my prefs to include the most disgusting one, but didn't realize it ends up putting it on all my posts, and just can't stand to see it, so will go back and delete).

But I think we should submit a request to the mods to ELIMINATE the racist indian mascots from the avatar list!

It's disgusting.

[BeHereNow]

69. I find the "mascot" images offensive too HRF.

Perhaps you should start poll thread and
see what the concensus on them is among the
DU mambership?
I think the Admins would honor the vote process-
After all, this IS the DEMOCRATIC underground.

On the issue of what DU does or does not care about.
I don't think folks don't care- I think it more a lack of
cognitive assimilation as far as a big picture.

Americans, in general, are not a people who understand
history in a spiritual context- there is a severe disconnect
that way. We don't honor our elderly, much less our
ancestors, or that which we do honor is a false
history or myth, much easier than a hard look at
the facts of how this country was founded.

From my perspective, what I observe is a tendency
to focus on the hangnail, oblivious to the fact that
the arm is broken.
Know what I mean?

BHN

[hardrainfallin]

165. Sure do. Wheel is busted, so focus on the driver instead, right? n/t

[savannahana]

140. this person cares about indian people

take heart, hardrainfallin

i've given up more times than i can count

but spirit counts in numbers our hearts can't figure

so here i am, again, and grateful

from the lost-&-found-&-lost
& found again

thanks to voices like yours and BHN's

relative in KY,
ana

[hardrainfallin]

151. thanks ana, hey, if this thing takes off and produces results,

fuck the mascots! really.

and this is turning into an amazing thread....so thanks again BHN and everyone.

Let's make it happen.

:grouphug:

[savannahana]

197. something told me to login again :-)

the "mascots" need to go - & i mean, be gone (here on DU, first & quickest, IMHO)

i think that a poll-thread on this subject is more than worthwhile, in this community of minds at this particular time.

vv (Cherokee "yes"), this IS turning into an amazing thread :-)

& i do thank you, hardrainfallin and everyone here, and BHN especially, for these clear initiatives and one-hearted commitment

each and all of you earn the name unali, Cherokee for "true friend", "friend of one's soul"

friends and peace-warrior-champions of our collective soul in this time, in this land, and of each elder and child and all persons (many people now called "Americans" - both within and without tribal identity, &/or of multi-mixed-heritage, like me) of all ages, but of indian heritage,

&/or of indian heart ~~~ how does any of us know who we've been? or when, or where? only honor the memory that arises from within your own soul, and call that sense of being your soul's family, and act upon it as that which binds you most deeply to the meaning of your own present existence: in this way, you cannot go wrong. only keep listening, and allow yourself to feel what you feel each day. and act in harmony with what you feel and what your intelligence knows, day after day, night by night; many rounds of light and dark together

the ancestors call us, to do what we can do each day - through the way of spirit, in the acts of hearts and hands, and in mindfulness that as children of Earth, "we are all related"

in these times, i feel the ancestors of all the Principle Peoples of Turtle Island are singing in powerful harmony from their deepest, highest places. that is, from within Earth herself, and from within our own souls.

their way is not easy. but their memory & their wisdom is tenacious and true.

who are we, if we do not hear them now? and find some way (however "small") to act upon what we hear in our hearts?

sending also personal thanks, due to very deep family sadness here, and so i needed to hear someone calling in present time, and help to focus, and to imagine, and to dig deep within memory's sense of resources - a cause, at the bottom of the bottom of all other causes, ringing from Elisi's (Grandmother Earth-Spirit's) memory within this land.

i have boxes to go through, kindred minds to call on, and good work to do this week, & i thank you. it is far better than falling asleep each night with the selfish, homesick prayer to leave this planet, to not wake up in the flesh again. "thank you" (wa do) doesn't begin to express it. if this feeling (and admission of it, without shame either private or public) speaks to anyone else who reads this,

:hug: i wrap my arms around you and i am walking beside you: please know that you are not alone, and that we - the likes of us who feel too deeply and are prone to despair of Earth and longing for Home-again: we are needed, and needed to BE*HERE*NOW ... from this arrhythmical worn-out but still-whole-heart: our "human brokenness" has great fertility and usefulness in the way of spirit: only think what we can do or give or share of personal honor and true meaning to someone else, friend-met or friend-unmet :hug:

there's a Cherokee phrase (& i've forgotten the Cherokee) but it means "grace in a time when one has done nothing to deserve it"

that's what i'm feeling right now

:grouphug: unali spirits of DU & all our relatives :grouphug:

ana in KY, no longer feeling so much in "exile" :-)



:cry: Eastern Tsalagi (Cherokee) souls together in remembrance of the sacrifice of Tsali, and his family, and all of his descendants :cry:

[BeHereNow]

199. Beautiful Post-

I normally refrain from this admission, because frankly I
am sick to death of the "I am part this and that nation" wannabe
weekend sweat lodge warriors, dream catcher hanging from the SUV
rear view mirror, catch a bit of this and that new agers. let's
go to a "pow-wow" talkers.

Fact is- my great grandmother was full blooded Cherokee.
You would never know it to look at me.
Doesn't matter to me.
I do know what comes to me in my dreams and that is
all I need to know about my trail.
Nothing to prove with plenty to do.
BHN

[BeHereNow]

200. For the record in accordance with this topic-

There are PLENTY of opportunistic "wannabe"
"sell out" indigenous people out there.
I will not go into details, but I was given a dream
about a sacred Blackfoot practice-
What a farce the follow up on that with the Tribal Council that
turned out to be. Irrelevant in my path, simply
more information.
Corruption is NOT unique to the "white" American culture.

Being "Native" is not a pass to being a true spirit these days.
Look into the archived talks by Mad Bear and Rolling Thunder to learn more about that topic.

BHN

[savannahana]

202. 'corruption is NOT unique to the "white" American culture.'

Indeed, it is not unique.

And what, in this nation, is "white"? And what is (upon thoughtful examination) "American" and what is "culture"? I question everything.

Thank you for the direction toward Mad Bear and Rolling Thunder.

Almost two years ago my sister married a half-blood (i do NOT like the blood-quotients, they lie too often; and real history teaches us that they are irrelevantly inaccurate, anyway) Apache. His father is full-blood, but was "fostered" out of the tribe into a "mainstream" caucasion american family in his very early years; the father assimilated, or mal-assimilated, denying his tribal identity and repudiating his birth culture.

His son (my brother-in-law) came to his age of questioning, alienation, and rebellion. Ultimately, in his 20s, he returned "to the tribe", was re-adopted and graciously accepted, spent a year or two living with his tribal Apache relatives.

At that time he was earning his masters degree, with a view toward his PhD in geo-physics/engineering.

He emerged several years later, having re-adopted his tribal clan surname; but from working with the Apache people, having grown nothing but contempt for their traditions, customs, history, mythology; and considering them "hopeless" as to their openness to "modern technology that would benefit them".

This re-adopted "son" who received and accepted (and now legally uses) his sacred Apache clan name as his surname is, sickeningly to me, a thoroughgoing materialist, a self-styled "atheist" who adheres singularly & aggressively to what he deems "the rational, scientific viewpoint" on ALL issues; one who contemptuously rejects everything that has been freely, generously, trustingly opened to him as a "returning" tribal grandson.

My "christian" sister has problems with her Apache husband teaching the thoughts of "atheism" to her three children from her previous marriage. She is an engineer who broke every "glass ceiling" of her generation (b. 1960) to become a very powerful liason between neo-corp-contracted government work (a high-clearance "blackhat" who cannot talk about her real work even to her own family) & the nuclear industry where she began her career.


These travesties you speak of strike very close to home, for me.

It is a bitter thing. And sad beyond words. And (IMO) dangerous.

Within the year my brother-in-law will have earned his PhD. And most likely he will use this to harm (via employment through government contracted corporations) rather than to help his own relatives of the Apache people.

Tears dry up, guts twist, & minds bend in the face of such spiritual perversions.

Yes: "Corruption is NOT unique to 'white' american culture."

But too often, the complex indoctrinations of the "white" culture steal the souls of people of all kinds of heritage and experience.

Again, thank you for your response, BHN.

[Iktomiwicasa]

203. Is that...kick

John "Rolling Thunder" Pope you are refering to?

[BeHereNow]

224. Yes, RT of Meta Tantay

His son is involved in Nanish Shontie-
Familiar with it?
http://www.nanish.org
BHN:hi:

[Iktomiwicasa]

204. Being native

is more than just blood quantum. It is also connection to and acceptence by native communities and family ties. Being native is not a solo act.

We have pretty much shut the door to non-natives to many of our ceremonies because of the abuse and exploitation by wannabe types. Unfortunately, some of our own people have been willing to sell out for monetary or other personal gain.

[hardrainfallin]

208. Being native is not a solo act. I love that. It is true.

I am also mixed race, my friend Charlie at Red Lake says, w/ re my decidedly white appearance, "the genes have been unkind."
But I know who I am. And I wouldn't have had to have needed to trace my lineage five generation, through Leech Lake, back to the Little Traverse Band. It's taken many years, but my community accepts me, and I have even since found living relatives on the Rez.

Saxon St. Germaine, tribal elder at LCO, when I began posing these questions to her...now almost fifteen years ago...said: I don't need the US gov to tell me who my grandchildren are.

and with that, she was of course referring to the BQ issue, what I call (borrowing from Jim Northrup, Fond du Lac), the "pint low syndrome"

My take: with the current state of affairs, we need every drop of Indian blood that is still on this planet, dead or alive.

That said: No matter what. No matter what my community has to say about me and who I am, no matter that I have (paper) documentation of Indian lineage, no matter what. If a practicing Rez Indian says: NO. you may not participate in this ceremony or that. I accept that. At face value.

It's never happened, but if it would, I would accept it.

And you'd probably never see me in full regalia at a Powwow, as much as I love to entertain the thought of a jingle dance and a jingle dress. I walk the perimeter of the powwow. And I dance the intertribal. Or, if I'm invited, a giveaway or some other special occasion dance.

I'd be more inclined to "sponsor" a Rez Indian to purchase materials for her dress.

[savannahana]

201. "nothing to prove with plenty to do"

that sums it up for me, if anything does :-)

vv, i normally refrain, too, in this self-divided ignorant time of the boneheaded "proveits" (both Appalachian & southern plantation-culture mixed-blood descendant-genealogists are the worst) and the sadly deluded "new age" pow wowers (have met a few, & one was too many)

thank you for your response

means a lot to me, and encourages me (laughing-kinda-ferociously-but-i-hope-compassionately) on the

"nothing to prove with plenty to do" front

:hug: BeHereNow :hug:

ps: mine are so mixed up and so close ~and~ so far back & multi-generational-layered inter-mixed multi-eastern-tribal (some "extinct" now) that i'll never be able to "prove" anything (largely thanks to The Geno-Ethnocidal Government), so i just listen inside. you too. it's good to hear. thank you. 'cause that's it, that is the way. whoever & wherever you are, BHN, wado, and may our great-grandmothers hold constant council together, and in our hearts :-)

pps: Hillary missed it, you know.
It Takes A Peace Village.

[Andromeda]

351. Kick

:kick:

[CountAllVotes]

2. thanks for the info. & link

I'll do what I can and yes I remmeber that thread alright!

:kick:

[hardrainfallin]

6. kick.

[hardrainfallin]

7. and ps: miigwitch.

[BeHereNow]

14. What does "Miigwitch" mean?

Sorry, but I must one again confess ignorance...
BHN

[hardrainfallin]

19. Ignorance is not an offense ;), not asking might be...;)

miigwitch is Ojibwe for thank you.

I don't know much Ojibwe, but consider this one of the most important words .

:hug:

[BeHereNow]

24. mmmmmm-wah

BHN speak for
BIG old wet and sloppy kiss-
:loveya:

[BeHereNow]

3. Hey, you know that winter coat you never wear?

somebody on the Pine Ridge could use it.
BHN

[SammyWinstonJack]

11. I have so many winter coats that we don't use here in south central Texas.

I can gather them up and send them off. Happy to do so. bookmarking.

[newswolf56]

4. Recommended.

[HeeBGBz]

5. Thank you for this info

Some people I don't know and some people I do helped me out during Katrina. It was deeply appreciated so I'm looking for a location to "pay it forward".

Hopefully I can get out of my current state of hurricane head and pinballing thought processes to settle in and be functional again. I'm very unorganized right now. Not that I was ever organized

I would like to help.

[all.of.me]

8. thank you!

i have a bunch of kids clothes that we were going to send to new orleans, but last we heard, they did not want clothes. so this is a wowowonderful opportunity! :woohoo:

[tinfoilinfor2005]

9. Bookmarked for daytime when I can get some stuff together and

Kicked.

[lizziegrace]

10. May I also suggest another group as well?

I work with http://www.spirit-rising.org/

You are assigned a child at Pine Ridge with specific requests for clothes, birthday gift, holiday gift and school supplies. The coordinator is a retired social worker and the couple who started are Native Americans.

All you send goes directly to the child. I believe that monetary donations are accepted for the bed project and other emergency needs such as power bills, etc.

[hardrainfallin]

279. self-delete: wrong spot

[BeHereNow]

12. Kicking- Again.

In the Spirit of Crazy Horse, to remember Leonard Peltier.
Leonard by the way, has been moved to the USP in
Lewisberg, PA.
He lost ALL of his art supplies in the move.
Should you care to donate to help him replenish
his art supplies...
Send a check to his legal defense specifying "supplies."
Leonard Peltier C/O
Toni Zeidan
LPDC 2626 N. Mesa #132
El Paso, TX 79902

To write Leonard: and offer your love and support:
Leonard Peltier
#89637-132
USP Lewisberg
P.O.Box 132
Lewisberg. PA 17837

DU it.
BHN

[KitchenWitch]

13. Thank you for the links BHN!

I have visited Pine Ridge...abject poverty does not even begin to describe the place.

[Dinger]

15. Kick, From A Teacher

near the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians in Bowler, Wisconsin.
About 40% of our students are Native American, and several of our students have been to Pine Ridge, to help out as best they can. I will definitely do what I can. I will get in touch with the local tribe and see what I can to coordinate between them and our school to help out those who need it so much. It is a great bunch of people we have in our community.

[BeHereNow]

16. You can get in touch right here at DU.

Welcome to new DUer-
Iktomiwicasa.
Look him up in the user profiles and PM him.
I am sure he can help direct you in the the most
productive uses of your resources.

BHN:hug:

[riverwalker]

17. thank you

this is the most wonderful post.

[EFerrari]

18. . . .

:kick:

[hardrainfallin]

21. creative kicking...here's an idea....

instead of "kick", write "thank you" in your favorite foreign language

[hardrainfallin]

22. danke schön ....

like that.

[EFerrari]

81. mil gracias

[ellie]

20. Kicking this

[BeHereNow]

23. Kickin' with you-

Why is it that people think they can
cure a shark bite with a bandage?
There IS a source to the disease that has afflicted this
country.
The treaties must be honored.
the land must be returned.
Karma says so.
BHN

[BeHereNow]

25. Uh-huh, just what I was afraid of...

This thread is sinking like a stone among those
who profess to want a change.
CHANGE begins by addressing the ROOT
of the problem.
Think what happened to the indigenous people of America
is not connected to what is happening now?
Think again.
Everything is connected in the web of life.
Oh, by the way, did I mention
that Leonard Peltier has been a political prisoner
for thirty years in the corrupt system that your tax
dollars pay for?

BHN

[hardrainfallin]

44. not only is it connected, it's STILL happening....

it's not a thing of the past.

Just one example, the so-called "indian trust case Cobell v. Norton"

http://www.indiantrust.com/

[Hell Hath No Fury]

26. Thanks for the info...

will bookmark to get the info later. :hi:

[AnnieBW]

27. Coolness!

I've never heard of Native Harvest. Looks like some good stuff there. I'll have to make an order!

[scarletwoman]

28. Thank you BHN! It's so good of you to post this!

Sorry to not add any salient commentary, but here's a kick and a recommendation. I'll keep an eye out for this thread tomorrow, too.

sw

[BeHereNow]

29. Hello SW

As always, so good to hear from you.
Garden keeper and good steward of the earth that you are.
I know you know what this thread is about-
BHNO8) Scarlet Woman

[scarletwoman]

37. Psssst.... Check your inbox....

:loveya:

[BeHereNow]

39. Just got back from walking fur people

and flirting with some horses..BAD mustang boy "Cocoa" was
up to his usual tricks- nipping pockets for treats that
he already ate.
Will do- check my PM box that is, not nip your pockets.
BHN

[Fatima]

30. Thanks for posting the link.

Buffalo sausage!!!! yum

[BeHereNow]

31. Kicking before I walk my dogs...

my fur faced friends are calling me ...
BHN

[Rainscents]

32. Kick!

:kick:

[anarchy1999]

33. Peace, BHN.

Send donations to Vet for Peace. You can all rest assured that your dollars will be well spent.

It's all volunteer.

Peace,
Sherry

Annie, thank you,

[BeHereNow]

34. How are you S?

I was worried about you, after the Camp Casey posts and all.
I got the impression that you were under a GREAT deal of stress.
Called Will P to ask after you because I was worried
about you, but never heard back from him.
Not to worry about VFP here in LA-
I have checked in with our local contact person.
He is a good and true person.
So rare these days, eh?
I hope that you are being good to yourself-
I am off to walk the fur babies-
I will check back on this thread with you later.
BHN
:hug:

[garybeck]

35. I installed a solar energy system on Pine Ridge

I hope it is still operating and being put to good use. It was about 15 years ago. If anyone living there knows about the solar energy system I installed, please get in touch with me! The people were very kind to me when I was there.

question - how is the retail shop in MN connected to the Lakota / Pine Ridge reservation?

thanks and peace

[hardrainfallin]

46. Check the link. I don't know exactly

what the status of collaboration is. Last time LaDuke was in Chicago, she was talking about putting up wind turbines on Pine Ridge; recent press release below.

I still don't think it's clear what I was suggesting w re donations to Pine Ridge: my suggestion was that, if you want to send foodstuffs, rather than send canned goods from a "normal" grocery store, order highly nutritional foodstuffs from NativeHarvest and have them sent directly to pine ridge--that way, you support two important native projects--and all you have to do is place a call or place an online order.

I repeat, though, this should not preclude also sending money, clothing, blankets, towels directly to the other addies listed here. Was just saying, sending food thru NativeHarvest is an easy, "no mess, no fuss" way to do it.

Here's the press release on collaboration between White Earth, Pine Ridge and other reservations.

http://www.honorearth.org/whatsnew/pineridge.htm

Wind and sun to power community center on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation

Minneapolis, MN -- Honor the Earth, in coordination with Owe Aku, Lakota Action Network, Oglala Lakota College, and Sustainable Nations Development Project, will provide a free training workshop and installation of a 2-kilowatt solar/wind hybrid renewable energy system at the Owe Aku Community Center on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, South Dakota on August 11-12, 2005.


In an area known to some as the “ Saudi Arabia of wind power,” Pine Ridge Indian Reservation has 4,500 times more wind power potential than it can use. And yet, Pine Ridge occupies two of the poorest and two of the least electrified counties in South Dakota . Self-sufficient wind and solar power systems can help reverse this trend. As a model of decentralized power production, the solar/wind hybrid system at the Owe Aku Community Center represents a move toward sustainable energy production and energy justice. “Honor the Earth hopes to support grassroots and tribal wind and solar development in the Oglala Lakota Nation,” said Winona LaDuke, Executive Director of Honor the Earth. “We know that the Oglala Lakota have provided leadership on many issues in Indian country, and with such promising grassroots and tribal government leadership, we are looking forward to the work ahead.”


Debra White Plume, Director of Owe Aku, says, “Getting off the grid is part of doing social change work here on Pine Ridge, the first or second poorest county in the United States . Working to change the way people think about energy and resource development to become self-sufficient is essential.” Native communities have long been the places where the world has sourced raw materials for energy production – from coal and uranium to natural gas and oil. White Plume continues, “We need to stay true to clean energy and stay away from the idea of mining our resources. Leave all that in the ground; we can receive the power of the wind to energize our needs and do it without digging up the earth or contaminating the water, air, earth and people.”


Over the course of the two day workshop, participants will learn about small-scale wind and solar systems and how they can help individuals and communities get “off the grid.” Participants will also observe and help with the installation of the photovoltaic panels and wind turbine. Jim Taulman an instructor from Oglala Lakota College will be working in coordination with Doran Dalton of NativeSUN and Johnny Weiss of Solar Energy International. Native youth organizer Nick Tilsen, Executive Director of Lakota Action Network, says, "We have our own energy here in the wind and in the sun, by moving to these renewable energies we are increasing our sovereignty as a nation and building a better future for the children because there will be less pollution. The project at Owe Aku is a beginning. Let it lead to many other good projects for our families, communities and nation.”

The installation of the hybrid system at the Owe Aku Community Center marks the second training and installation of a renewable energy system coordinated by Honor the Earth this year. In April, they oversaw the installation of a solar photovoltaic system in the heart of Western Shoshone territory near Elko , Nevada . By developing models of locally-produced renewable energy systems, Honor the Earth hopes to democratize power production and to empower Native communities to produce their own electricity using renewable sources such as the wind and sun.

[Pobeka]

36. Very cool. Thanks BHN.

:hi:

[BeHereNow]

38. Indiana tomatoes...

Do we understand one another?
:smoke:
Thought so.
BHN

[Auntie Bush]

40. This is certainly worth kicking.

[BeHereNow]

41. Pobeka and I wish you an endless supply of...

Indiana tomatoes for kicking this thread.
Can I get a witness Pobeka?
BHN

[Pobeka]

43. You got a witness. Indiana tomatoes are some hard rocking fruit! n/t

[hardrainfallin]

135. allright, this is driving me NUTs. What are the Indiana

tomatoes?

[BeHereNow]

225. The BEST tomatoes on the planet...

Pobeka and I both lived in Southern Indiana
when we were kids-
One of the things we both remember is
the taste of Indiana grown tomatoes.
Trust us when we tell you, there are no better
tomatoes in the world...
BHN

[hardrainfallin]

227. I believe you...hope you don't start passing them around here

looks like Merh would be happy to lob me with one, but that's OK...I'm at my desk, btw if you wanna give me a ringidingi....

[BeHereNow]

232. Merh is a good person- think you two just got off on a bad start.

Come, we three will eat a tomato together
and start over.
Calling you in a few minutes-
Gotta herd some cats first.
BHN

[hardrainfallin]

235. Yeah...don't know what it is, but I don't think it too much

to ask to reserve this space for the Rez...especially since

A) there is a permanent Katrina Relief thread pinned at the top of all threads
B) as someone in here noted, they are not even ACCEPTING donations of clothing (that's where the debate started, merh came in requesting that winter coats also be sent to MS).

No problem with that suggestion, just that this is not, imnsho, the place.

So, nuff said. That's my story and i'm sticking to it.

[newspeak]

42. donations and great gifts for others

I'll check out native harvest and also I'll find out about a very nice handcrafted items made by the school children, that I bought for christmas gifts. For donations directly, my friend was at Pine Ridge as a nurse and I go through her contacts, since she still has friends there.

[lizziegrace]

45. Kick!

:kick:

[Mairead]

47. bump

[hardrainfallin]

48. kick

[hardrainfallin]

49. kick

[hardrainfallin]

50. kick

[hardrainfallin]

51. kick

[wovenpaint]

52. Thanks for the info!

Thank you BHN and Iktomiwicasa for this info. I agree with this imbalance and am pleased to find a direct line to be able to help.
:kick: :kick: :kick:

[hardrainfallin]

53. The DU "popularity contest" -- how does it work?

Just checked the main page. This thread, with 18 recommendations, is still on the "most recent" side, not on the 'most popular' side.

Anyone know how the "popularity contest" ;) works? Perhaps people who haven't yet recommended the thread should do so, if they haven't already?

Then, of course, keep kicking it.

[Iktomiwicasa]

54. kick

[hardrainfallin]

56. kick

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58. kick

[hardrainfallin]

59. kick

the mascots out of DU

[hardrainfallin]

60. kick the mascots out of DU

[hardrainfallin]

61. kick the mascots out of DU

[salin]

62. very important information - a big kick

[Desertrose]

63. I'll do what I can to keep kicked....

and if its OK will put on my email list....

I know lots of people who want to help. Most help out the rez close to home here in AZ (Diné & Hopi) but I am glad to have some addresses & links here and will fwd them around to friends.I wil also send to some Indian friends who have some good connections as well. I have found many who are willing to help, even though they have little themselves.

There are a few here on DU who sincerely care....maybe its time to wake a few more up (OK, way past time).

Thanks so much for this thread BHN.....:hug:

kadéeshte
DR

[blindpig]

64. thanks for the link n/t

[faithnotgreed]

65. kick for our brothers & sisters

[laruemtt]

66. KICK. n/t

[lizziegrace]

67. Kick n/t

[wovenpaint]

68. nominated-belatedly....

to help keep this kicked-gotta get used to using that option more!
:kick:

[xchrom]

70. kick for my fav ''cause''.

[hardrainfallin]

71. slip sliding away. Kick

[hardrainfallin]

72. kick

[hardrainfallin]

73. kick

[hardrainfallin]

74. kick

[hardrainfallin]

75. kick

[hardrainfallin]

76. kick

[hardrainfallin]

77. kickety kieee

[hardrainfallin]

78. kickety koooo

[hardrainfallin]

79. and a kick in the ass

:kick:

[garybeck]

80. my that is a lot of kicks in a three minute period :)

[BeHereNow]

82. One more- LOL!!!

Thanks HRF, for keeping this
thread in the heart and minds of DU.
BHN

[hardrainfallin]

128. you think that was fast, wait till this puppy drops off

the page! ;)

[BeHereNow]

129. Love your passion HRF...

O8) :hug: :loveya:
BHN

[hardrainfallin]

134. without passion , there is no point really, is there? n/t

[newspeak]

83. just a dream i've been having

dome homes on the res!!!! I think it's a viable economic source for the peoples on certain reservations and there energy efficient and "ROUND". Instead of the rectangular government housing. They'd d be perfect on the reservation, energy efficient, and who better than the native peoples to provide a source for these architecturally safe structures. Great for hurricane weather and earthquakes, and think with promotion a viable economic push for the people to pursue. It's logical with the earth changes that are occurring. Any input?

[LeftyMom]

84. All my kids clothes are for younger kids

but what's the weather like there? I can probably get a box of clothes together, I just don't want to get clothes that aren't appropriate.

[hardrainfallin]

88. hot as hell in summer and cold is hell in winter

I wouldn't worry about appropriateness, I'm sure everything would be appreciated--as long as it's in good shape.

[laruemtt]

85. KICK PLEASE. n/t

[coffeenap]

86. I have a small but kick-ass Girl Scout troop. We have been trying

to establish contact with a troop, or a group who wants to be a troop, within the Indian community. We want to link our 11 and 12 year olds to the people who were here first--and share experiences. Of course, we will want to help, but I want them to KNOW other girls--to understand by doing things together, who they are and why it is vital to respect them and their history. Our group is small, only about 5 or 6, but we mean it. If you have knowledge of an elder who would like to make contact with us, please pm me. Many thanks. (this is not a request to learn how to make dream catchers...:sarcasm: )

[hardrainfallin]

89. sounds like a great idea, hope something comes of it. n/t

[coffeenap]

231. Thanks, me too. I understand hesitancy about this--I am sure it is

difficult for someone there to know if we mean it or if we're just another group of fools. Maybe we are, but I mean to change that!;-)

[hardrainfallin]

248. Best you can do is try--and be persistant. Your sincerity will

win out in the end. But I also think it's necessary to understand the hesitancy, as you say.

When the "incident at Red Lake" happened, there was a lot of misunderstanding about that community and its needs....so sad, really, because their response to that tragedy really could have taught everyone in this country a lesson about respecting the boundaries as set by a certain community.

I do hope that you succeed in setting up some sort of mutually beneficial exchange.

[lizziegrace]

87. Kick! n/t

[hardrainfallin]

90. kick

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91. kick

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92. kick

[hardrainfallin]

93. kick

[hardrainfallin]

94. kick

[Iktomiwicasa]

95. Hardrain, check your PM's, eom

[hardrainfallin]

97. Gotcha! here's a kick for Pine Ridge. n/t

[hardrainfallin]

98. backatcha again. Rapid fire response, so to speak. ;)

double-check your pms!

[hardrainfallin]

106. Iktomiwicasa, look what I just noticed, hadn't seen it before

There's actually a way to contact Chavez w/ re low-cost heating oil for indigenous communities:

"Native communities and entities wanting to learn more about Venezuela's offer of low-cost gasoline and heating oil can e-mail Robert Free Galvan at robtfree earthlink.net."

from an article in Indian Country Today

http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096411602

[laruemtt]

96. kickety kick kick

[hardrainfallin]

99. can we pls keep this kicked?

[hardrainfallin]

100. kick if you care

[hardrainfallin]

101. kick if you can

[hardrainfallin]

102. kick

[hardrainfallin]

103. kick

[hardrainfallin]

104. kick

[hardrainfallin]

105. kick

[G_j]

107. thank you for posting this

:bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce:

[liberalhistorian]

108. I just moved from Ohio in June

to take a job with a legal aid agency in Rapid City, SD, working with the Sioux to help them stop fractionation of their land and to provide free estate planning services. My project colleage (who's from the Cheyenne River reservation) and I travel to the Pine Ridge office twice a week, we're in Rapid the other three days.

I can definitely vouch for poverty's extreme grip on Pine Ridge. It's like another world to me, and I find it hard to believe that this kind of thing is tolerated in this country today. I've been going there twice a week for three months now, and every single time I still can't believe the poverty and living conditions. Most people don't even go anywhere because they don't have a car, or they have an old, unreliable junker clunker, or they just don't have even a few bucks for gas money.

My colleagues and I do what we can, however we can, but it's just never enough. And winter is coming, which means people will freeze because they can't afford any heat. Please, people, do whatever you can, no matter how small. There's a song we used to sing in high school that's appropriate here: It is better to light just one little candle than to stumble in the dark. Better far that you light just one little candle, all you need's a tiny spark. If everyone lit just one little candle, what a bright world this would be!

[hardrainfallin]

109. Have you seen this?

There's actually a way to contact Chavez w/ re low-cost heating oil for indigenous communities:

"Native communities and entities wanting to learn more about Venezuela's offer of low-cost gasoline and heating oil can e-mail Robert Free Galvan at robtfree earthlink.net."

from an article in Indian Country Today

http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096411602

Maybe the moccasin telegraph's already been set in motion, but anything you can do to get the word out about this would help.

And yes, the poverty is just mind-boggling, isn't it?

And please, let's keep kicking this post...

[BeHereNow]

111. Chavez has made hallmark moves in his own country

in helping and returning land to the indigenous
people in his country.
I think we need a DU actiion in contacting your source with the request.
Squeaky wheel gets the grease and all.
Why don't you start a thread on it HRF?
I am about to post one on Leonard Peltier.
I have been talking with Toni Zeidan the last few
days and the LPDC office appreciates our help.
It's all connected.
It's all connected.
BHN

[KoKo]

110. I plan on ording some Christmas presents from Native Harvest...

and I wonder if Skinner charges something that would be affordable on DU for them to advertise here? :shrug:

[BeHereNow]

113. I would hope DU would offer link space to them for free. N/T

BHN

[BeHereNow]

114. Leonard Peltier also has a Toy Drive for Christmas-

You can contact LPDC for more information.
http://www.leonardpeltier.org
Email "Toni" at:
[e-mail]

Just put Attn: Toni /From DU member
in the subject line.
She knows I am passing information on to you all.
BHN

[ismnotwasm]

123. Thank you for those links nt

[ismnotwasm]

124. That is an excellent idea

I was browsing the crafts, and got a few gifts picked out already. There is probably a time factor, I didn't look at the shipping/delivery time....

[hardrainfallin]

125. They're pretty fast, except I don't know what happens

round holiday time. I've always gotten orders w/i two weeks, max.

[ismnotwasm]

131. Very cool, gives a little breathing room

Probably late October early November. I'll try to reach as many people as I can

[hardrainfallin]

136. actually, now that you mention it, I hadn't thought about this

from that angle, but it's really best to be doing this thing NOW b/c otherwise, twould get lost in the holiday rush, eh?

Good point.

[ismnotwasm]

163. you know, you're probably right

The more I think about it.

[nadinbrzezinski]

112. canioot get ot the url you gave

BHA just do me a favor and send me this over a PM, will order some stuff

[BeHereNow]

115. Which link is not working?

BHN

[BeHereNow]

116. Ah-ha, I see the problem- too late to edit the OP

The NativeHarvest link is missing a "w" in the URL...
BHN

[nadinbrzezinski]

117. that is why I pointed it out, just send me a PM

easy that way I can go to teh PM whenever I need the adress, believe it or not I use that way

[BeHereNow]

121. Actually the link IS correct-

I will PM it to you right now-
BHN

[Skwmom]

118. Sounds like a great idea.

Thanks for the post. I'm always leery about internet solicitations but after reading through the posts this seems legit. It's really a disgrace that American Indians should be living in such poverty.

[Skwmom]

119. For people who would like some more info, I found this via google.

http://friendsofpineridgereservation.org/

The Children's Village is listed as one of the organizations.

On edit: If you click around, you will find requests for specific donations.

[ismnotwasm]

122. Thank you, I just saw your post

I've sent the link to several friends who I think will actually take action.

[hardrainfallin]

127. I was just about to post that, too; I know people who've

worked with them, but no one directly on the Rez who's worked with them.

So maybe Iktomiwicasa can weigh in here, but from what I've heard second-hand, Friends of Pine Ridge is doing a good job.

There is seriously so MUCH need on Pine Ridge, I don't think it hurts to have more than one address--and believe it, people, the need is legit, totally....

here is another URL, verified (rec'd last year through a Native Writers' Org I am a member of--Wordcraft Circle)

http://www.airc.org/

The story of Sara Swifthawk, the elder who froze to death in her home on Rosebud, is a few years old now, but the need remains. And of course this fucked up administration is making it worse, and worse, and worse....long-term, the goal must be self-sufficiency, which is where operations like Native Harvest come in--and where we come in because we know damn well this god-forsaken regime is not going to do anything to help Indians survive, much less THRIVE...

Here is the Sara Swift Hawk story...


A true emergency is confronting the Indian People on the Sioux
Reservations of the Northern Plains in South Dakota. Sarah Swift Hawk, a
Grandmother living in the village of Spring Creek on the Rosebud
Reservation, froze to death in her own home (meaning a shack) because
she couldn't afford to pay for fuel. The cost of propane fuel, which
is used by most of the people on the reservations who have any capacity
for heat at all in their homes has become so inflated that record
numbers of families are in grave danger again this year. The federal low
income home energy assistance program (LIHEAP) in South Dakota recently
lost $300 million in energy assistance funds. The Pine Ridge Reservation
by the way is the most poverty-stricken community in the United States.
To meet this critical need the American Indian Relief Council has
established a Winter Fuel Emergency Fund to subsidize Propane purchases
for those most at risk on the Sioux Reservations -- THE ELDERS. Since
you will not see this emergency crisis dramatized on TV or in the
newspapers it is all the more important that contributions of any amount
be sent to:

Winter Fuel Emergency Fund American Indian Relief Council
PO Box 6200
Rapid City, SD 57709-6200

[ismnotwasm]

130. And thank you again

That one will go out also. What I'm putting in my emails says basically "in light of all the recent tragedies, lets not forget the first people" I'll also sent out "don't forget" type emails. I don't usually do this kind of thing so the folks I'm reaching will listen. I have strong feelings about this. I do want to walk my talk, (something that's personally important to me anyway) and not send soothing replies on a message board. I'm waiting for one of my friends who's not a DUer but involved in Native issues to get back to me as well, 'cause she knows her stuff. Maybe she and I can get something going up here.

[hardrainfallin]

133. walkin the walk...reckless generosity

Thank you back. This is very cool to see and to hear...

So, here's what I'm doing.... Check for 50 bucks is in the mail, with this note.

(apologies to Iktomiwicasa, if need be: sorry cuz, you started this, now you're taking the rap! ;)

Dear Melvina and Louis Winters,

Hi, I’m a mixed-blood Ojibwe from Chicago who grew up in foster care in Wisconsin. It was rough going for the longest time, but things have shaped up nicely and the Spirits have been extraordinarily kind in recent years.

The people of Pine Ridge and Rosebud, and the rest of the people in Indian Country who continue to suffer in poverty and privation are always on my mind, and I try to give back what I can. I learned about your foster home from someone on the Internet. He goes by the name of Iktomiwicasa, but from the looks of it, his name is Orrie Bearshield—I suppose you know him; even if you don’t, please accept this gift in his name, and in appreciation of the Circle of Life. I know it’s not much, but I hope it will help. May the blessings multiply, and all the best to you and yours. Thank you for looking out for the children.

Many miigwitch,

Niijii

*******

But WAIT, there's more! ;)

Tomorrow I will be placing an order with NativeHarvest--baskets to be sent to two people who have done me great favors in recent months--and of course stocking up on my own store of Winona's "instant" soup (can't get enough of that stuff).

Sometime in November, I'll go to TJ Maxx or Burlington Coat Factory or Filene's Basement and will purchase some nice new winter coats in women's and children's sizes and will send them to another address on Pine Ridge, one I have from last year (that person doesn't want email posted publically cause too much shit comes in).

The purpose of this post is not to "brag", but to encourage people to practice "reckless generosity" which is actually a very, very Indian thing to do. More Indian than dream catchers, more Indian than posting Hopi Prayers, proverbs and prophecies...it is about giving THANKS. It's about an attitude of gratitude....So if we all do even half that, and if we get others to do half that (or *double*, if they can!) ... we can make a dent. A small dent, but nevertheless ... a dent.

So thank you everyone IN ADVANCE for the generosity...let's try to make this a WARM winter on Pine Ridge and Rosebud....

keep this kicked and make ourselves worth our bandwidth! lol.

[ismnotwasm]

137. Great ideas!

I've already talked to my husband, and he and I are going plan out what we can do. I probably talk about this too much, but my husband has MS. One of the things that would make him feel a little better, give him a little hope, was one of the (pan-native)prayer circles we used to attend. The drumming and singing was invigorating and powerful to him (and me) and just being part of it was healing. I remember we had a Native american flutist--I'm sorry I don't remember the type, but it was one of the most haunting songs I've ever heard.
I like that--reckless generosity

[hardrainfallin]

138. Recently, on a visit to the Blackfeet/Blackfoot, I visited a place

called Writing on Stones (not far from Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump!). We stopped at a little restaurant and the strangest thing...this woman with MS just came up to me and started a conversation about how they'd said she'd never walk again, but just by sheer force of willpower, there she was, standing there talking to me. It was the wierdest thing because this guy in Germany, who also has MS, had just given me some really good help on a project I was working on.... it was wierd and it was good b/c MS was something I'd never thought about or worried about or thought was in any way "my problem." So now it's something that's in my consciousness ...

It's a small world, and we are all related. If we pay attention, we get reminders of that all the time.

[ismnotwasm]

147. That is so true

I give up on the word coincidence. It doesn't work for me anymore, after I learned to see just a little bit. Imagine if my eyes opened all the way! My husband watches the shape of clouds and is always excited when he sees an eagle--(because of some of our Native friends. We have this friend, who would use Lakota words I can't pronouce for Grandfather, eagle, and so on. The most important one for him to try to teach us was the one for "Thank you") My husband sees with eyes that may not hold up for the rest of his life, so he "sees" differently than I do. I learn a lot from him.

[hardrainfallin]

153. co-incidence=COSMIC incidence. Nothing more, nothing less.

and once you start seeing them, it seems like they are more, but they aren't: they've always been there, it's like going hunting for mushrooms: the more you eat, the more you see! lol.

[hardrainfallin]

139. Oh and ps, about that reckless generosity....

it's like the more this filthy rogue regime TAKES, the more it DESTROYS, the more it robs all of us blind, the more reckless I get in my generosity.

It's become an act of *defiance*! ;)

[ismnotwasm]

164. An act of balance! I like it! nt

[hardrainfallin]

171. it's the libra in me. ;) n/t

[ismnotwasm]

120. A kick for Pine Ridge!

Thank you for the links, I do have some contacts with Native American community here in Seattle. I have bookmarked this site and sent out some emails. I'm going to to discuss what we can do with my husband. Both of us have had the honor to be attend prayer circles, talking circles, sweats and the like. I will not forget! I'll try to help keep this kicked up.

[ismnotwasm]

126. I tell a little story

Just to help keep this up there. My son is half Cowichen (a Canadian band)Too long and private of a story to go into much detail, but he didn't meet his father until he was 16 years old. He went up there a few years back to meet his dad, and get registered--It didn't work out very well relationship wise for my son, but I've never regretted it. Last year that man died of alcoholism. He was 47 years old. He was one of the lost ones, raised in the city, and disconnected from his culture. One of the "out of balance" ones. By the time he got back to his roots the damage ran so deep I don't know what would have helped. His mother was one of those Natives you hear about who was forced to "acclimatize" or whatever they call it. Forbidden to speak her language or practice her culture as a child. She too, bears the scars of that. It's indescribable. She's elderly now, and my son and I are planning a trip to go see her because we don't know how much longer she'll be with us.

[ismnotwasm]

132. Is it time for another kick yet?

:kick:

[hardrainfallin]

141. yes things are moving along very quickly here. nt

[hardrainfallin]

142. how can we get more DUers involved. kick

[hardrainfallin]

143. this thread has moved off the greatest page. n.t

[hardrainfallin]

144. do we (kick!) know how to get it back on? n/t

[hardrainfallin]

145. call in the calvary (kick) for nominations? n/t

[LeftyMom]

148. The thread can't take more nominations I guess

I got an error message saying it's over 24 hours old and can't be nominated. I guess the greatest page has a term limit.

You could link to this thread in your sig line to get it more exposure.

[hardrainfallin]

150. aha. thanks for the info. I'll have to do the sig thing...in the ayem. n/t

[savannahana]

146. BHN, thank you again

i needed information and sense of reconnection
and your great post has provided just that

grateful and never giving up,
ana

[OnionPatch]

149. Kick

[BeHereNow]

152. I am changing HardRainFalling's name to...

HardKickFalling.
BHN with a LOL

[hardrainfallin]

154. Fast. lol. (But dylan would not be happy!)

[BeHereNow]

158. I have a feeling, Dylan is just fine.

And would be proud of your PASSION-
Me?
I get kicked in the ass all the time for my passion.
What beautiful buises they are.
I will die knowing "I did what I could, "
as the masters and teachers say.
Who the fuck ARE those guy anyway?
ROLF!
BHN

[hardrainfallin]

162. Bruises? I think I've been BRANDED! and Dylan, well,

Yeah, he's not complainin.

Damn good thing I'm (mostly) self-employed, that's all I gotta say.

Yeah, and you gotta do what you gotta do, eh?

[hardrainfallin]

155. move along little doggie (kick)

[hardrainfallin]

156. amazin how quickly you slip down that page aint it (kick)

[hardrainfallin]

157. hey ho and UP! she rises (kick)

[hardrainfallin]

160. errrli in the mornin (kick)

[hardrainfallin]

161. oh jeez and I hate to even THINK bout where you'll be in the ayem. (kick)

[bonito]

159. Thanks for the call

I for 1 am here now

[hardrainfallin]

166. one for the gipper (kick)

[hardrainfallin]

167. two for george the ripper (kick)

[hardrainfallin]

168. oh. my. god. (kick)

[hardrainfallin]

169. where's that glass slipper (kick)

[BeHereNow]

172. He's making time AND doing Rhyme...

Dylan would be proud of you HRF.
"Slipper-Ripper"
And all within a "kickya"
Too funny.
Love ya,
BHN

[hardrainfallin]

174. no.....already DONE the time, now making rhyme

for a living! actuallly....

love ya back...but seriously, haven't gotten a DAMN bit a work done here tonight.

tomorrow's another day.

outta here...

[hardrainfallin]

175. And it's a hard rain's a-gonna fall. (kick)

[hardrainfallin]

177. And what did you hear, my blue-eyed son? (kick)

[hardrainfallin]

178. And what did you hear, my darling young one? (kick)

[hardrainfallin]

180. I heard the sound of a thunder, it roared out a warnin', (kick)

[hardrainfallin]

181. Heard the roar of a wave that could drown the whole world,

[hardrainfallin]

182. Heard one hundred drummers whose hands were a-blazin',

[hardrainfallin]

183. Heard ten thousand whisperin' and nobody listenin',

[hardrainfallin]

184. Heard one person starve, I heard many people laughin'

[hardrainfallin]

186. eard the song of a poet who died in the gutter,

[hardrainfallin]

187. Heard the sound of a clown who cried in the alley,

[hardrainfallin]

188. And it's a hard rain's a-gonna fall.

[hardrainfallin]

189. pretty fucking prophetic, that dylan, eh? (night all!)

[BeHereNow]

179. Check your PM HRF

BHN

[BeHereNow]

185. Well Heck- I just tried to PM you and got an error message

Try PMing me with your Ph#.
I want to talk to you,
BHN

[hardrainfallin]

192. pm'd ya, but am going to bed now. n/t

[BeHereNow]

193. Talk to you later-Sweet dreams.

BHN

[hardrainfallin]

194. yah, give me an overnighter to get over outrage at last post

(see #190). FUME .

I'll be better in the ayem.


...looking forward...and, yeah, I must have missed something (re: my last PM)...Been staring at this screen too long.

night.

[BeHereNow]

195. Go to bed, sleepyhead.

Again, sweet and powerful dreams to you.
Don't worry so, the truth always rises to the top,
so not to worry.

We'll talk tomorrow, eh?
BHN

[ismnotwasm]

170. kick again. Night crowd shuffling in, I think

After a long, hard weekend

[ismnotwasm]

173. A quote from one of my favorite books and a kick

Buttefly Maiden pollinates the souls of the earth: It is easier than you think, she says. She is shaking her feather fan and she's hopping, for she is spilling spirtual pollen all over the people who are there, Native Americans, little children, visiters, everyone. She is using her entire body as a blessing, her old, frail, big, short-legged, short-necked, spotted body. the is woman connected to her wild nature, the translator of the instinctual, the fertilizing force, the mender, the rememberer of old ideas. She is La Voz Mitologica. She is Wild women personified

The butterfly dancer must be old because she prepresents the soul that is old. She is wide of thigh and broad of rump because she carries much. Her grey hair certifies that she need no longer observe taboos about touching others. She is allowed to touch everyone: boys, babies, men, women, girl children, the old, the ill, and the dead. The Butterfly woman can touch everyone. It is her privilege to touch all, at last. This is her power. Hers is the body of La Mairposa, the butterfly
-Women Who Run with the Wolves--Joyous Body: The Wild Flesh
Clarissa Pinkola Estes

[hardrainfallin]

176. Oh YEs. thanks for that. n/t

[merh]

190. The folks in South Mississippi will need help with winter clothing too.

Many, many families lost all they have, including their winter clothing. Hurricane Katrina wiped out the MS Gulf Coast, devastated the ENTIRE coast, from Waveland to Pascagoula, there are families with nothing.

Clothes have been sent here, but they are not winter clothes. Right now folks are not thinking about the winter, that is another crisis in the making as many are living in tents and in the gutted remains of their homes.

When walking the walk, when worry about how to help, keep the folks on the Coast in mind. I spoke with an engineer who had been in New York on 9/11, he said the devastation he is inspecting on the MS Gulf Coast is greater, it is all over, not contained in the small area that was the World Trade Center.

[hardrainfallin]

191. Yes, but this thread is about the People on PINE RIDGE

THIS thread is for Native People and Native Causes, EXCLUSIVELY.

PLEASE BE RESPECTFUL AND IF YOU WANT TO START A CAMPAIGN TO SUPPORT OTHER CAUSES, DO IT, BUT THIS IS ABOUT

AMERICAN INDIAN PEOPLE AND CAUSES (with particular attention to Pine Ridge)

SPECIFICALLY.

Gotta lotta goddamned gall comin in here like that!

Damn.

Go post your request on a Katrina thread!

(And incidentally, YES, I, for one, have already made a fairly substantial contribution to Katrina relief, as I'm sure most people in this thread have ALSO done).

Jeezus h. Christ can't it EVER be JUST about Indians?

Apparently NOT.



:mad: :mad: :mad:
:puke: :puke: :puke:

[merh]

205. It's about human beings in need - anywhere, any time, whatever

race, whatever religion, whatever sex. How can you expect people to care about YOUR cause when you don't give a flying care about other causes and other people in NEED?

You are the one that makes me PUKE :puke: your indifference and disdain drips from you - is all through this thread and gives justification for folks to ignore your cause and the plight of those you claim to strive for.


On edit: We have Native Americans here too - go read up on the history of Mississippi. :mad:

[hardrainfallin]

206. Not here, dear, and fyi -- the donation I made to Katrina

was SIX TIMES the check I just wrote for the Children's Village, and I have been supporting predominately African American communities in ways you cannot so much as begin to imagine for over twenty years. Hardcore. Reckless generosity.

You're barking up the wrong treee. And don't you dare come at me with the charge of indifference. You have no fucking clue who you're talking to.

Every year Natives DIE--freeze to death in their homes--on Pine Ridge. Every year. And it is unexcusable.

These are people who have not only lost their homes--they have lost their entire country, way of life, languages, etc. and are losing their lives DAILY in a country that is actually theirs by birth right. If that does not NAUSEATE you, I feel sorry for YOU.

Pine Ridge is DE FACTO the single most poverty stricken area in the country, and has been for many, many years. Google it. The stats are mind-boggling.

Do a google search on "suicide" + "native American youth" if you want a real sick dose of reality.

I am not saying other people are not in need, nor am I discouraging people from continuing to contribute to Katrina efforts.

I am saying that THIS particular thread is about supporting Indian causes and helping to alleviate abject poverty on a specific rez. Respect that.

[Name removed]

217. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[hardrainfallin]

218. go to pine ridge. see the devastation there. Year round.

as I said....what I contributed to "your" cause is six times what i contributed to "mine"

blah blah blah....

I have work to do.

Peace out.

[merh]

219. And with an attitude like yours, you have your work cut out for you.

Grow up and get the chip off of your shoulder, it will make your life easier and your fund raising efforts more successful. Personally, you have turned me off and I would bet your attitude and demands have turned off others. That is why you have to keep kicking (and bitching about kicking) your own thread.

I pray you find peace and that you learn how to love - buying love (by empty giving) doesn't work.

[hardrainfallin]

226. it's not even my thread, dear, it's BHN's and I sure hope some of the

money I sent down there makes it into your hands.

there is no form of giving that is empty, and I got all the love I need w/o worrying about whether you "like" me or "understand" me....I'm just a screenname, after all.

[merh]

228. I hope the money you sent makes it into the hands of those who need it.

My post was not for me, for others in worse shape than I am. Yes, when giving is done to pat oneself on the back so that they can say, "see what I have done, see how great I am", then giving is empty, it is not a gift, but an attempt to purchase "satisfaction" and "to feel good about yourself" -- I could care less about your screen name - I don't think with your attitude you will be here long.

[hardrainfallin]

229. you completely misrepresent my statements and my "mission"....

unfortunate, because I have been very clear about it....
I give out of a sense of *gratitude*, not bad attitude
and if money could do it all, gee, that would be great, but it doesn't, and it won't. Not ever. Sometimes it does help.

reckless generosity (of spirit, of mind, also of money and means)...spread the word.

Maybe then someday, it will again be as it was in the "olden days", when no one went hungry on the plains....or at least very few.

Obviously, my posts are also not for me, but for others in far worse shape than I.
I know how lucky I have been...by all rights and means, I should have been, would have been, very easily could have been

freezing to death in a shack on some Rez, probably not in SD, more likely in northern MN, but nevertheless....freezing to death, in my home, a tar-paper shack.

And yes, you're probably right that I won't be here long, because reckless generosity, when it comes to American Indians is not, as we all know, particularly popular in these parts.

It really isn't. We've seen it time and again.

There are exceptions to the rule, and most of them are in here now. Thank god for the exceptions, to hell with the rule.

[merh]

230. I do not misrepresent your statements or your mission.

You have made yourself very clear. You may want to reconsider your approach and your attitude.

On edit: Go back and look at who began the attack and who it is that thinks their cause is the ONLY cause. Suffering is suffering, it doesn't matter the race, creed or color of the ones suffering. You could have ignored my post and not attacked me for making it. That would have been the true spirit of generosity and giving. :shrug:

[hardrainfallin]

233. well, you have now succeeded in "poisoning" this thread, I suppose

we'll have to start another one

Do you suggest we might have a better shot if we ghettoize ourselves and take this matter to the "Native American Group" or what...

You don't have to be here. If you don't like my attitude why not just walk away? What is so difficult for you about simply reserving a teeny-tiny bit of bandwidth exclusively for alleviating poverty on the Rez? Really makes me wonder what kind of buttons are being pushed in you for you to react so vehemently and allergically....

At any rate, if it continues, there will have to be a new thread.

Which wouldn't be a bad idea anyway....that way we could collect all the URLs that have been posted as contacts and put them in one post because they are now scattered here and there in a mammoth thread... the friends of pine ridge post, for example, has gone under, and yet it is that one that offers the most options for giving (I wonder though, about *some* of what's on there...like IHS...would be good if Iktomiwicasa could comment on any "dubious" resources listed on the friends of pine ridge URL--always best to get the skinny straight from the source, yaknow?)

In fact, we could make a minor work of art of it...by posting poems, song lyrics, etc. instead of just doing "kicks"....

At any rate, my goal would be to keep this thing up at least till Thanksgiving/National Day of Mourning...

Better til January maybe....but once Turkey Day comes around, I suspect there will be little point in trying to keep this "home fires burning" on this issue...(see above)

[merh]

234. You accuse me of poisoning the thread.

It was you and your attitude that poisoned it. Go back and read your attack on me. My post simply made a plea for others and actually kicked this thread. You could have simply ignored it. The venom dripping from your fangs might just be why others are frightened away from this thread. You might want to consider that when you post anew.

[hardrainfallin]

236. see post 235.

[merh]

237. See post 191

191. Yes, but this thread is about the People on PINE RIDGE


Edited on Sun Sep-25-05 10:56 PM by hardrainfallin


THIS thread is for Native People and Native Causes, EXCLUSIVELY.

PLEASE BE RESPECTFUL AND IF YOU WANT TO START A CAMPAIGN TO SUPPORT OTHER CAUSES, DO IT, BUT THIS IS ABOUT

AMERICAN INDIAN PEOPLE AND CAUSES (with particular attention to Pine Ridge)

SPECIFICALLY.

Gotta lotta goddamned gall comin in here like that!

Damn.

Go post your request on a Katrina thread!

(And incidentally, YES, I, for one, have already made a fairly substantial contribution to Katrina relief, as I'm sure most people in this thread have ALSO done).

Jeezus h. Christ can't it EVER be JUST about Indians?

Apparently NOT.

[hardrainfallin]

239. I stand by that. Absolutely. Especially this part

Jeezus h. Christ can't it EVER be JUST about Indians?

Apparently NOT.

****

Sorry you don't understand what there is to get undies in bundle about you coming in here with Katrina requests...but: in my view--entirely justified indignation.

[merh]

241. Thus the problem - you could have simply ignored my post,

but you decided to attack and ridicule and now you feign innocence and indignation. You will NEVER help anyone with your attitude. It is that plain and simple!

Pity, seems that folks need the help - you just chase the assistance away.

[hardrainfallin]

242. get over yourself. ultimately, it is about this:

"it is the oppressed that get to name the oppression" -- Suzan Harjo, recently cited here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=103&topic_id=159491&mesg_id=159545

and it's going to take a lot more hard rains a fallin before the oppressors (and their descendants) get used to that idea.

Some of them are obviously learning to live with that idea. And that is a good thing.
So sorry you aren't on board with that idea.

[merh]

243. No, you miss the point, the problem is YOU

You have assumed that I am not sympathetic to the plight that you claim to champion, yet, you don't care about the individuals, you care about showing how great your efforts.

You have no idea what I have or have not done for the Native Americans, who I am or what I care about. YOU ONLY ASSUME and that makes you the a$$ not me.

The poison is yours - be careful you don't choke on it.

[hardrainfallin]

245. wrong again. I don't claim to have a clue about who or what

you are or what you know. (unlike some people around here!)

I have a beef with the audacity of you (or anyone) coming into a thread that is about the people on Pine Ridge and attempting to "hijack" it for contribs to another cause that has certainly attracted enough attention in recent weeks--enough to insure millions of dollars of support flooding in.

How bout we make a deal: when the amount of money being sent nationally to Pine Ridge reaches ONE TENTH of the amount that has been sent to Katrina relief (let's even just restrict it to the money that has been sent to ONE source for Katrina relief, you pick. Red Cross would seem most obvious, tho, as we all know, somewhat controversial), then I'll "forgive" you for your refusal to respect boundaries.

How bout it?

[merh]

250. You don't have a clue, I don't need your forgiveness and you

deserve no respect. You have shown none to me and as I can see from your posts in this thread, you show very little to others. It is all about YOU and what YOU consider important. YOU are judge and jury and you have sentenced those that you purportedly try to help to being ignored as many are ignoring you due to your attitude.

The misconception that money raised for the Survivors of Hurricane Katrina will be seen by the survivors is a huge misconception. That you equate millions losing all they have in the blink of eye thanks to the fury of Hurricane Katrina to the plight of the Native Americans at Pine Ridge illustrates your misquided and angry ignorance.

[hardrainfallin]

252. Imo, the Hurricane wasn't what did the most damage.

It was the FEMA disaster that ensued. And that was a horrific, horrific outrage.

But anyway, we aren't getting anywhere here, quite obviously. Maybe you should go ask BHN and Pokeba for some tomatoes to throw at me.

But pls, can you start a NEW: "Let's Lob the shit out of HRF" thread to do it? That would certainly be in line with your theory about me being all about me and what I consider important. Gee, what I've always wanted, my most passionate desire, a DU thread devoted to me myself and my angry little I.

You're right about one thing: Mad as hell, been mad as hell since the day I crawled outta my momma's womb.

hell hath no fury....

[merh]

254. And you do see how counter productive your anger is, don't you?

You allowed your ANGER to jump my post and to distort the purpose of the thread. You allowed your ANGER to blind you to the needs of others, to blind you to the very basic premise that one person in need is a person in need, no matter their race, creed or religion. You have shown yourself the ignorant, angry "victim" rather than the compassionate, concerned human trying to right a wrong and trying to help save people.

It all began with you - if you had only ignored and not angrily attacked. My responses have nothing to do with BeHereNow and Pokeba - I believe that they know me from my posts and my actions at DU and they have yet to say anything about my original post in this thread. You continue to respond to my posts by throwing insults and making judgments. I don't have to start a new thread, I can just continue to respond to you. It at least keeps the main thread kicked.

[hardrainfallin]

256. yep it keeps the thread goin...but you know, why did you bother to

come in here in the first place and why don't you go piss and moan on someone else's thread?

You pissed me off and you continue to piss me off....so keep at it.

My anger is endless...your refusal to acknowledge that you did anything wrong in the first place just fuels it because it's just another one of ten million indexes of the ARROGANCE of non-Indians responding to Indians who insist on setting boundaries.

Keep crossin em.

Why not chase me around the whole fucking board while you're at it?

:silly:

Your reactions are a mirror reflection of one huge big problem in this society.

[merh]

258. And your reactions are a mirror reflection of why your cause is

not getting the attention it needs. Or, have you ever considered the old adage "you get more bees with honey than with vinegar." It is you that would stoop to chasing me around the board, just as you lowered yourself to attack me for posting about the needs of the million Katrina victims. Would you have left me alone if I had posted that some of the victims are Native Americans and in immediate, desperate need?

I didn't cross any boundaries as the thread was about the need of humans. You limited the discussion by implying that it was only the needs of Native Americans and all other needs are inconsequential. Recognize the universal needs of all in need and you might find that we share a common purpose.

[nofurylike]

286. mehr, you highjacked this thread. now you are viciously attacking

someone who objected to that.

i am shocked at the severity of your attacks. all the more so, since it is you who are in the wrong here. and clearly you can not even imagine that could possibly be true.


please, look it all over. i don't understand why you wouldn't have just immediately apologized for stealing a thread for your own use.

there are countless katrina threads, and plenty room for plenty more.

conscience


peace

[merh]

302. Go back and read again. You are mistaken.

Odd, you accuse me of hijacking, yet I kept the thread alive without wistful "kicks" - the attacks and hijacking were not mine. Your attacks are misplaced and you owe me an apology, imho. If you don't want the discussion to continue don't post back to me.

Edited to add:
I am a Hurricane Katrina survivor as are my family members. I posted my comment shortly after having spoken to my brother that was almost in tears because he has no winter cloting for his 2 and 4 year old. His house was gutted, they lost all they had, he is worried how he will keep them warm in the winter. Sorry if you think my timing was not right, I considered it very appropriate, there are now MILLIONS without, not just money, not just jobs, but homes, clothing and the basics so needed to survive. Imagine if you will listening to your younger brother's worries for his own.

Who are you the thread police? Just as the other poster could have ignored me, so too could you. Amazing how you and the other poster judge, accuse me of hijacking a thread and then keep it going. Just simply amazing.

[hardrainfallin]

318. love, prayers and best wishes to you merh.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4897038

[nofurylike]

320. i had already seen how self-righteously you react to criticism. how

viciously you throw it off you at your confronter.

i'm sad for you.

no need reply. i will not.


i wish you peace

[merh]

324. There is a huge distinction between attacks and constructive

criticism. I was attacked. The thread was about Winter Clothes, I posted about others in the nation that need winter clothes. My post was logical and legitimate. The other poster and your reply are emotional and judgmental. I react to attacks my defending myself. I react to your false wishes for peace by saying your posts and your words state otherwise since you continue to falsely accuse and sanctimoniously judge.

[nofurylike]

284. "it is the oppressed that get to name the oppression" yes. and yes, we

continue to be defensive and hardheaded against grasping that. guilt is a powerful force, distorting vision.

thank you for being willing to even try! that is 'above and beyond' all obligation. it is generous.


solidarity

[savannahana]

198. not forgetting MS folks for one minute, dear friend

i don't know what Dylan would say on this,
but he wouldn't be laughing at folks humming his tunes
or quoting his lyrics

with you as always :hug:, and thank you for this post here.

ana

[hardrainfallin]

209. No, not forgetting the MS folks, either, just pointing out

there is a time, and a place, and this time and this place...this little space in cyberspace is devoted to Pine Ridge .... Pine Ridge as representative of nations of peoples who all too often go forgotten...

[merh]

222. If you posted on a Katrina thread asking that Pine Ridge be remembered

no one would tell you to go take a friggin leap and get off the thread.
Your tunnel vision has blinded you to what is important. What a shame.

[hardrainfallin]

240. Ok, so why don't you go into the Katrina threads and place

that request.

I'd love to see what happens.

[merh]

244. You go ahead and do it.

That you sell short the compassion and understanding of DUers is just part of your problem, the other part is your chip on your shoulder, it is making you suffer needlessly. Try removing the chip and opening your eyes to the kindness of this community.

[hardrainfallin]

247. it's your idea--and a good one--I love the kindness on the part of

some members of this community.

I deplore the bigotry and arrogance of many others in this community.

I have no general opinion of you and don't place you in either one of these categories.

I consider it inappropriate for you to have come in here with requests for Katrina support; that is all.

Sorry if you didn't like the way I put that to begin with--but I'd suggest you go out and get some thicker skin if you can't handle it.

It was, really, a slap on the wrist by any standard--especially for the prevailing protocol (or lack thereof) on this and other message boards.

It's a cybersandbox out there--sometimes you get sand in your face.

[merh]

251. And if, while in that cybersandbox, you get ignored (as does your

cause) because you throw sand in others' faces please don't be surprised or angered. You have tainted your own cause with your attitude. What a shame as the cause is just.

[hardrainfallin]

253. you seem to be the only one with his/her undies in a bundle about it

and sure as hell have been doing a good job of kicking the sand up yourself.

YOU have tainted the thread with your pissing and moaning about being called to the carpet for breaching boundaries that shouldn't have breached in the first place and you couldn't handle a slap on the wrist from someone who's just TIRED of Indian issues ALWAYS being eclipsed, hijacked or otherwise IGNORED -- Frankly, I'd prefer that you DO ignore me, but I will indeed continue to draw attention to Indian issues here on this board and elsewhere.


If you think the cause is just: take it up.

But don't do it for MY sake, do it for your own.

[merh]

255. See, there you go, proving that you take up a cause for YOUR sake

and not for the sake of the cause. "But don't do it for MY sake, do it for your own." How transparent can you be. Again, it was you that began the attacks and displayed the anger. I am simply responding to your ignorant and angry posts. You have the control you so desire, just stop posting stupid shit in response to me.

And, if you chose to take the rational stance and stop posting replies to me, maybe you will have learned your lesson and the next time YOU WON'T ATTACK OTHERS as you attacked me.

:hi:

[merh]

221. Thank you so much, ana

I can always use the hug :hug:

:loveya:

[ismnotwasm]

196. Another quote different book. Much less pleasant

From the direction of the Arapaho camp, Left Hand and his people also tried to reach Black Kettle's flag. When Left Hand saw the troop, he stood with his arms folded, saying he would not fight the white men because they were his friends. He was shot down.
Robert Bent, who was riding unwillingly with Colonel Chivington, said that when they came in sight of the camp "I saw the American flag waving and heard Black Kettle tell the Indians to stand around the flag, and there they were huddled--men, women, and children. This was when we were within fifty yards of the Indians. I also saw a while flag raised. These flags were in so conspicuous a position that they must have been seen. When the troops fired, the Indians ran, some of the men into their lodges, probably to get their arms. . .I think there were thirty-five braves and some old men, about sixty in all. . .The rest of the men were away from camp , hunting. . . After the firing the warriors put the squaws and children together, and surrounded them to protect them. I saw five squaws under a bank for shelter. When the troops came up to them they ran out and showed their persons to let the soldiers know they were squaws and begged for mercy, but the soldiers shot them all.
--Bury my Heart at Wounded Knee Dee Brown, page 87

It just gets a whole lot worse after that. And that's just the first part of the book (for any who haven't read it)

[Iktomiwicasa]

207. Kick

[hardrainfallin]

210. good morning starshine (kick)

[hardrainfallin]

211. the earth says hello (kick)

[hardrainfallin]

212. You twinkle above us (kick)

[hardrainfallin]

213. we twinkle below (kick)

[hardrainfallin]

214. Good morning starshine you lead us along (kick)

[hardrainfallin]

215. My love and me as we sing (kick)

[hardrainfallin]

216. Our early morning singing song (kick)

[tilsammans]

220. Another kick!

:kick:

BHN, thank you for posting this. :grouphug: I've bookmarked it and will try to keep it kicked as often as possible.

My friend and I planned awhile back to send a big box of art and sewing supplies. Your post is an excellent reminder. We'll have our package ready to go within the next couple of weeks.

Thanks for all you do!

:yourock:

[laruemtt]

223. and kick again for the

wee p.m. hours!

[coffeenap]

238. Kick

[OnionPatch]

249. And one more kick

Hey, I went to work and came home and it's still here! Great kicking, hardrainfallin!

By the way, thanks for this post. I mailed something today to the CV. Wish it could be more but I'm keeping the info for Christmas: Three years ago, our family dumped the tradition of giving gifts to each other on Christmas. (Except for the small kids.) Now we give the money we used to spend on each other to to good causes and this sounds like the best one I've found yet!

[hardrainfallin]

257. thanks, Onion patch (between you, the tomatoes in Indiana and

Native Harvest, we could put together a real feast here!)

And actually, I was just thinking about that: My goal would be to keep this thread, or if need be, a new one, kicked up until Thanksgiving/National Day of Mourning or till Xmas.

I actually now know quite a few people who've stopped doing the Xmas thing and started giving to others less fortunate instead.

One individual at a time....we may be able to turn this puppy around, eh?

Oh, but the thanks for the post go to BeHereNow, I'm just the kicker....shoulda been a soccer mom, eh? lol.

[OnionPatch]

271. You're right...

Thanks BeHereNow.

[tilsammans]

246. Kickin' it again!

:kick:

[wovenpaint]

259. to keep this on the 1st page....

:kick: :kick: :kick:

[hardrainfallin]

260. start of stats KICK series

I'm going to post a series of stats on the Pine Ridge Rez as an alternative to just writing "kick" in the thread...

Stats are taken from this

website Red Cloud School
http://redcloudschool.org/history/facts.htm

[hardrainfallin]

261. Population: 20,000 Lakota people

[hardrainfallin]

262. half of the population is under 18 years old

[hardrainfallin]

263. Unemployment: 85%

[hardrainfallin]

264. People want to work but there is no industry, etc.

[hardrainfallin]

265. Per Capita In come: $4,000.00 (oh.my.god.!)

[hardrainfallin]

266. Life Expectancy: Male 55 (U.S. Avg. 75)

[hardrainfallin]

267. Life Expectancy: Female 60 (U.S. Avg. 80)

[hardrainfallin]

268. Infant mortality rate: twice the nat'l average

[hardrainfallin]

269. Twice the national average for deaths due to heart disease

[hardrainfallin]

270. Diabetes is 350% higher than the national average

[hardrainfallin]

272. 69% of children on Pine Ridge live below poverty line

[ismnotwasm]

273. I went looking for this thread to see where it ended up

Good Job hardrainfallin. My friend recommended that I go see "Thunderheart" I've never seen it. She says it's based on truth. Your thread might get lost in light of Ms Sheehan's arrest and all, but I'll continue to work on my end, and at least get a few donations out there, 'K?

[ismnotwasm]

274. Oh, and another kick. For all my relations

:kick:

[ismnotwasm]

275. A poem

This Is My Land

This is my land
From the time of the first moon
Till the time of the last sun
It was given to my people.
Wha-neh Wha-heh, the great giver of life
Made me out of the earth of this land
He said, "You are the land, and the land is you."
I take good care of this land,
For I am part of it
I take good care of the animals,
For they are my brothers and sisters.
I take care of the streams and rivers,
Fro the clean my land.
I honor Ocean as my father,
For he gives me food and a means of travel.
Ocean knows everything, for he is everywhere
Ocean is wise, for he is old.
Listen to Ocean, for he speaks wisdon.
He sees much, and knows more.
He says, "take care of my sister, Earth,
She is young and has little wisdom, but much kindess"
"When she smiles, it is springtime."
"Scar not her beauty, for she is beautiful beyound all things."
"Her face looks eternally upward to the beauty of sky and stars,
Where once she lived with her father, Sky."
I am forever grateful this beautiful and bountiful earth.
God gave it to me
This is my land
--Clarence Pickernell
Quinault, Taholah
Front piece of the book "Uncommon Controversy
Fishing Rights of the Muckleshoot, Puyallup and Nisqually Indians" (1975)

[hardrainfallin]

277. Never heard of that title. Bookmarked for future ref. eom.

[ismnotwasm]

283. It's a report

"For the American Friends Service Committee"
University of Washington Press
Seattle and London
It's a great book covering the history that led to some of the legal decision on Northwest Native fishing rights, as well as outlining the court cases.

A confession. When I was taking some class for nursing school, several years ago, I was writing a paper on Native rights. We have this other friend (we tease him and call him "the educated Indian" because he picks up degrees like flowers)Anyway, I borrowed a bunch of books from him, and returned most of them. This one I still have--it was an accident, I swear! I see him a lot and probably better 'fess up and give the book back (sigh)

[hardrainfallin]

289. hey, accidents can happen. There are a couple books round

here with a similar history. lol.

[hardrainfallin]

291. ps... just occured to me, maybe you should send the book

to Pine Ridge!

tee hee.

[hardrainfallin]

276. keep it comin....let's keep it going til Thanksgiving/Nat'l Day of Mournin

Thanks.

[hardrainfallin]

278. Friends of Pine Ridge: Re-Post of URL

Here's a Re-Post of the URL for Friends of Pine Ridge, with a good overview of people and places who are actively seeking to alleviate poverty on the Rez there


http://friendsofpineridgereservation.org/

Thanks again to Skwmom who originally posted this site: it's a very good resource, imo--lots of ways to help.

[hardrainfallin]

280. Re-post of Spirit Rising URL

originally posted by lizziegrace--thanks again lizziegrace

http://www.spirit-rising.org

[hardrainfallin]

281. Re-Post of Peltier X-Mas Toy Drive URL

You can contact LPDC for more information.
http://www.leonardpeltier.org
Email "Toni" at:
[e-mail]

Just put Attn: Toni /From DU member
in the subject line.
She knows I am passing information on to you all.

[hardrainfallin]

282. Re-Post of Native Harvest URL

Great place to get great gifts....and support Native American self-sufficiency

http://ww2.nativeharvest.com/

[Skwmom]

285. Book Donations Needed.

http://www.friendsofpineridgereservation.org/projects/Books_for_a_Reservation_High_School-Little_Wound_School.shtml

http://www.friendsofpineridgereservation.org/projects/Books_for_a_Reservation_High_School.shtml

http://www.friendsofpineridgereservation.org/projects/Books_for_a_Reservation_Elementary_School.shtml

http://www.friendsofpineridgereservation.org/projects/Books_for_OST_Healthy_Start.shtml

http://www.friendsofpineridgereservation.org/projects/Books_for_Partnership_for_Housing.shtml

http://www.friendsofpineridgereservation.org/projects/Books_for_the_Oyate_Teca_Project.shtml


Books are really cheap to mail. Just remember to ask for the special book/media rate at the post office. Amazon.com may also offer free shipping.

[Skwmom]

287. School supplies needed year round.

There are great sales on school supplies since school has already started. The local Target is at 75% off but will most likely have to go to 90% off. They have a ton of backpacks left.

http://www.friendsofpineridgereservation.org/difference/donate_school_supplies.shtml

[hardrainfallin]

288. and doesn't Target usually have programs where they give

a certain percentage of sales back to schools in your own community?

I'm pretty sure they do, unless I'm confusing them with Office Depot which had a setup like that last time I was there.

[Skwmom]

292. Yes I think they do. Plus, I believe they give $25 or $50

gift cards to any group seeking donations (until they max out their limit).

[ismnotwasm]

296. See, there is so much I don't think of

I live in a rough neighborhood in Seattle, and books can be an issue. (As opposed to upperend schools where the students get laptops!) so you'd think I would consider stuff like that!
Excellent idea

[Skwmom]

290. Beds for a Buck Campaign.

This sounds really worthwhile. If you just go to Friends of Pine Ridge and click around you will find a lot of different ways to contribute.

http://www.friendsofpineridgereservation.org/difference/donatebeds.shtml

Another interesting project:

http://www.friendsofpineridgereservation.org/difference/utilityhelp.shtml

[hardrainfallin]

293. YEah, you know I'm really glad you posted that URL

It's been at least 6 months since I looked at it, and I think it's GROWN and CHANGED since then. I don't remember it being that extensive.

I was a little disappointed to see that they had BIA (Bureau of Indian Affairs--I know people who call that agency Bureau of Indian ASSASSINs, and variations--you get the picture!) and IHS (Indian Health Services) which also doesn't have the best track record.

But thanks for doing so much digging around on that site and for posting it to begin with.

[hardrainfallin]

294. and one last kick for the night...I'm watchin' the Dylan special.

Thanks again everyone for keeping this alive....let's just make it happen.

Warm Winter for Pine Ridge.

[Texasgal]

295. Look...

Stop kicking and spamming the fucking boards.

If people are interested in your cause they will respond on their own.

You make it very irritating for anybody to read this thread.

[Skwmom]

298. I think this person is just trying to call attention to a very serious

situation that could really use some help. If the thread isn't kicked it will sink to the bottom.

[tilsammans]

301. Move along now

This is an important issue that is worthy of our attention and action. And if that means kicking it again and again, so be it.

So if you'd prefer not to read this thread, you are welcome to pass it by. And please take your negative vibes with you.

:kick:

[hardrainfallin]

303. Listen...if it's boring, four-letter word kicks you want,

happy to oblige. Well, happy is overstated (I'm an artist, I prefer creativity over monotony), but I am sick and tired of Native issues--especially this one (i.e. rampant, chronic, intergenerational poverty on the Reservations, Pine Ridge in particular) being put on the BACK BURNER, not by the republican criminal regime (I expect that from THEM), but by people who call themselves "liberals", "progressives", members of the Democratic party who depend on and take the Native vote for granted (lesser of two evils and all that).

This thread has once again moved down to the second page...so. Boring kicks you want, boring kicks you'll get.

Amazing how some people get their kicks, aint it.

But this thread is staying up there.

[hardrainfallin]

304. kick

[hardrainfallin]

305. shit (kick)

[hardrainfallin]

306. fuck (kick)

[hardrainfallin]

307. damn (kick)

[hardrainfallin]

308. suck (kick)

[hardrainfallin]

309. kick

[hardrainfallin]

310. kick

[hardrainfallin]

311. kick

[hardrainfallin]

312. kick

[hardrainfallin]

313. kick

[hardrainfallin]

314. kick

[hardrainfallin]

315. god that was boring, but it's up there. n/t

[Skwmom]

297. A MUST READ! It really describes how dire the situation is at Pine Ridge

http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2005/05/16/news/state/state05.txt

And now, mold infests 75 percent of the Oglala Sioux Tribe's 1,700 housing units.

Mushrooms in the bathroom, though, are a new species of travail. It is an extreme example of the infestation with which tribal officials throughout the state are dealing. Mold can create fungal infections and exacerbate existing health problems such as asthma and allergies. Mold tucked in ceiling corners and reaching dark fingers down walls is the common product of moisture accumulation. The water comes from showers and washing machines going nonstop, from soup and coffee boiling continuously on the stove, from housefuls of people exhaling.

It is the latest symptom of a persistent and fundamental problem in Indian Country. Housing is inadequate. There is not enough of it, and some tribes cannot maintain the housing stock they do own. A looming major budget cut for tribal housing programs - $107 million in President Bush's proposed budget - suggests there will be no quick resolution. At Pine Ridge, two and three families sharing a house is common, according to Rhonda Two Eagle, Oglala Sioux Tribe secretary.

Rooms and basements in houses throughout the reservation are subdivided with walls of quilts and blankets to create ad hoc bedrooms. In such conditions, respiratory infections can spread like rumors. Homework that requires any degree of concentration can be difficult for students to complete. Alcohol may be a welcome release from the social pressure of living too closely with too many people.

On edit:
"What struck me about Pine Ridge is I saw more poverty and overcrowding. I think the housing is salvageable," he said. "To my mind, the worst problems were social and not building-related. The houses would probably perform well if there were four or five people in them instead of 12 or 14. The moisture load on the houses is extreme because of the overcrowding."

[ismnotwasm]

299. A quote

I did not know then how much was ended. When I look back now form this high hill of my old age, I can still see the butchered women and children lying heaped and scattered all along the crooked gulch as plain as when I saw them with eyes still young. And I can see that something else died there in the bloody mud, and was buried in the blizzard. A people's dream died there. it was a beautiful dream...the nation's hoop is broken and scattered. There is no center any longer and the sacred tree is dead--Black Elk

Native issues are continuously below the national radar. We don't want to look. We want to gamble at the casino's, buy cheap cigarettes, but we don't want to look at the State Of Being the First People. Pine Ridge is a national disgrace. I've been there. Keeping this thread kicked is an act of desperation because if the one person hadn't, it would be gone, lone gone, beneath radar again. This particular thread may not make a difference, but it's been up long enough for a few folks to pay attention. Maybe the lurkers, the ones who post rarely. And a few of us who know what poverty, disease and the degradation of what is sacred to entire cultures does to a People.

[buzzsaw_23]

317. Thank You

Kita

[GettysbergII]

300. Kick

[Rabrrrrrr]

316. Perhaps the problem is that DUers don't like to be spammed

Hell, I have ten causes that I could post threads about, asking DUers to send money to. But I don't, because that's not what DU is about.

Matters of national importance are one thing - hurricanes, tsunamis, etc.

But if everybody posted threads begging for money for their pet issues, DU would be fucking bloated with spam like this. If I were the administrator, this thread would be locked and deleted.

If you want to get the word out, there are appropriate venues for it.

[hardrainfallin]

319. American Indians are of absolutely no national importance,

none whatsoever.

That much is clear.

It's not about spamming, it's about keeping the thread on the front page.

"kicking" threads to keep them on top is common practice here.

[Rabrrrrrr]

321. Even though you've just been tombstoned, I'll respond

American Indians ARE of national importance.

And keeping it on the front page IS spamming.

And people don't like spamming.

[The Wielding Truth]

336. HRF, I am proud of you and this worthy cause. I will do what I can.

I remember Buffy St Marie's song about dancing with the Rosebud Sioux and I feel the terrific need that has persisted for years. I hope this is not out of line but did this nation think of a casino? It has brought many a tribe to a more livable existence. I don't know if the Lakota oppose it but it seems like a shrewd way to take advantage of their own land.

[Sabriel]

322. Kick to irritate others

To the people who don't like this lengthy thread...

DON'T CLICK ON IT! How much easier does that get?

Thanks for the effort, BHN.

[Rabrrrrrr]

325. What a dumb comment -

"don't click on it" - how are people supposed to know this is spam unless they click on it?

And yeah, nothing helps support a cause like saying "I want to irritate you, in fact, I glory in irritating you".

:puke:

[GettysbergII]

337. kick for Pine Ridge

[Ladyhawk]

323. I clicked on this thread because I am watching the documentary

500 Nations and recognized the term "Pine Ridge" as the place where Red Cloud was awaiting Big Foot when the massacre at Wounded Knee took place. I am truly saddened to learn that Pine Ridge is a place of abject poverty. Thanks for letting us know.

LH

[nofurylike]

326. kick for Pine Ridge

[nofurylike]

327. kick. winter is coming, please do all you can! eom

[nofurylike]

328. kick

[nofurylike]

329. kick

[nosmokes]

332. kick

[nofurylike]

330. kick

[nofurylike]

331. kick

[BeHereNow]

334. Thanks for your sincere understanding of the importance of this topic

Now go check your PM.
HUGS
BHN

[NMMNG]

333. Do the items have to be new?

I have a number of twin sheet sets in good condition, though not new. I may also have some other items I can donate, also not new but in good or like-new condition.

[BeHereNow]

335. Love your user name...

http://www.friendsofpineridge.org
offers more information.
I think a good rule of thumb on any donation
to any other person is:
Ask yourself, is this something I would give my loved one
if they needed it?
Clean and "gently" used are most acceptable to my
loved ones.

BHN

[GettysbergII]

338. Your link isn't working, could you post one that is, please

[NMMNG]

339. Here's one

http://friendsofpineridgereservation.org/

[GettysbergII]

340. Thanks, Buffy

[ismnotwasm]

341. I had to stay up and study for my

Telemetry refresher course. So I thought I'd see where this was at
Here's a kick before bedtime. For Pine Ridge!
Did I ever tell you about the Native friend of mine who got arrested in the 60's or early seventies for pissing on George Washington at Mt.Rushmore? Back in the Radical days. He's an old guy now, I never was sure if the story was true, 'cause I wasn't sure how he got up there, and I didn't want to ask. But it sure cracked me up. Nitey nite all!

[GettysbergII]

342. Great story and kick for Pine Ridge

[GettysbergII]

343. kick

[BeHereNow]

344. kick-

bhn

[GettysbergII]

345. kick

[GettysbergII]

346. kick

[ismnotwasm]

347. You guys rock!

I'm bringing the info to the other nurses at work tonight. I work night shift, so I'll leave copies. People bring in all kinds of stuff for different causes so this will be good. I've already told them about it.

[ismnotwasm]

348. Here's part of an interview I did with a tribal Elder

Of the "unrecognized" Duwamish band here in the Northwest. (It was for a paper in a biology course)This man was kind enough to share some history with me.
"Ok, I've got to go back to work, so I'm going to leave you with a story"
"My ancestor, was King ******, and he was a tribal leader who traded with the Hudson Bay company. The white people just kind of handed out names, that's where I got my family name ******. Since he was a leader, they called him King ******. This was somewhere in the early to mid 1800's. Part of what they traded was alcohol. He had been a respected leader. A few years later, when they returned, he was the town drunk. Part of the reason he was the town drunk is because smallpox had essentially wiped out his people. We didn't know how to treat it either, so our traditional ways, our traditional medicine, like putting them in a sweat house, just aggravated the condition. Out of thousands of people, there was maybe 150 left. That and alcohol are part of what destroyed my people.

To this day, the Duwamish People are fighting for status. There were once the largest band in this area. Clinton has granted them status right before he left office, and on of the first things * did to piss me off was to disenfranchise the Duwamish as well as many other bands.

Pine ridge is one of the worst examples of what the US policies of euthanasia and acclimatization did to the Native people. They have never been able to recover. But they continue to fight.

[ismnotwasm]

350. American Indian Policy Review Commission (Committee report)

Old report (1976)
Through our research and our involvement in the hearing process, we have become aware of many various and omplex issues relating to the delivery of sevices to the Indian community through the multitude of federal agencies now offering Indian programs. The record of these agencies in coordinating with each other for the delivery of services or in working directly with the tribes for delievey of services to the Indian people is not good
Page 1
Task force No. 9
Law consolidation, Revision and Codification
Volume one

Damn, I gotta get some newer books. But since not much has changed, maybe not.

[ismnotwasm]

352. How's this get to page ten? nt

[ismnotwasm]

353. Part of a treaty with the Duwamish, Suquamish and others

Signed by James Buchanan, ratified April 11, 1859

(Similar to the treaty that led to the famous Judge Boldt decision)

Art. V The right of taking fish at usual and accustomed grounds and stations is further secured to said Indians in common with all citizens of the Territory, and of erecting temporary houses for the purpose of curing, together with the privilege of hunting and gathering roots and berries on open and unclaimed lands; provided, however, that they shall not take shell fish from any beds staked or cultivated by citizens.
This is not the same treaty, but it had similar language. Part of the clincher was the "usual and accustomed grounds" part

[bemildred]

349. I sent "The Children's Village" some money.

Thanks for the address.

[ismnotwasm]

354. Thank you

A friend of mine just emailed me and had forwarded my original emails to a "special interest" group, I belong to--one that I wasn't sure would be appropriate. He decided it was. They're a great group of folks, and I'm hoping for some warm blankets for the kids in Pine Ridge

[tkmorris]

355. Kicked damnit

Come on DU'ers. Is there a more quintessential Democratic ideal than helping the Native Americans?

Thanks for the post BHN. Please keep posting on this topic.

:kick:

[pinto]

356. Locking for length.

Loooong discussion threads are cumbersome for dial up members.

Thanks for your consideration.