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This is a letter written in response to letter sent to Chief Standing Bear. It has information about him and his tribe so I thought I would post it here for people that are curious. I hope it answers some queations you may have.I
Greetings, November 21, 2006
I will be answering your letter to Grand Sachem Chief Moigu Standing Bear as a tribal elder and tribal
secretary. My name is Shiakoda Saunders Qkalokqua.
In answer to your questioning Chief Standing Bear's parentage: His parentage has been probated and
proven in Connecticut State Courts, so he has more proof of his parentage then most people can claim.
His lineage has also been proven and un-disputed in these courts.
This also makes it quite evident , being the son of John E. Hamilton, that he is aware of his fathers
name.
John E. Hamilton was never denounced. There you are mistaken. Only a Chief can be voted in and
denounced.
As Grand Sachem, the title is handed down through lineage, not voted in, so cannot be denounced.
Plus, as far as him being denounced, if this is how things are done now it is becaused it was changed
after Federal recognition and those changes were not done properly through the proper channels.
Not to mention the fact that when the Mohegans were trying to get Federal recognition they were
initially denied because of a period when they could not prove that they had a Chief. John E. Hamilton's
lawyer, at the time, turned over papers signed by John E. Hamilton as recognized Chief for that
period, and this is how they finally got Federal recognition. There are documents to prove all this.
If John E. Hamilton was considered a "bit eccentric and a bit of a character" he is up there with some
very important people in United States history that have been described in this way. Maybe people
should stop and think of where they would be today if it wasn't for his character. For one, Federal
recognition would probably still be pending. It is my oppinion that that he should be honored for what he
accomplished, not ridiculed.
If you are truely Mohegan, then Grand Sachen Chief Moigu Standing Bear is your Grand Sachem and
his door is always open to tribal people. If you would like to meet with him at some point at our office,
I am sure he would gladly offer proof through legal documents, of any statements that he has made.
My Chief is very understanding, patient and very considerate when people seek wisdom. He is a great
teacher.
I hope I have helped shed some light on your confussion. May I ask, just out of curiosity what was the
intention of your letter? You were very vague.
Asking for answers to what you truely do not know and seeking truth is never rude, and yes, we as tribal
people have always given thanks to Creator for all our beautiful days and our Mothers.
I pray Creator Blesses you with a true heart and the wisdom you are seeking.
Secretary, Mohegan Tribe and Nation
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Check out this site on Native American Flags. Great site.
http://www.tmealf.com/indian.htm
The designs shown in book and poster were derived primarily from the work of Donald Healy, who had spent more than 20 years gathering the materials from the tribes themselves. He remains today the undisputed world expert on Native American flags.
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HOW DO I GET A NATIONAL PARKS PASS?
Department of The Interior
How Do I get a National Parks Pass? The National Park Pass is an annual pass that provides admission to any national park charging an entrance fee. The pass costs $50 and is valid for one full year from first use in a park. More than 80% of the proceeds from the sales of National Parks Passes goes directly into supporting priority projects in national parks.
The National Parks Pass admits the pass signee and any accompanying passengers in a private vehicle if a park has a per vehicle entrance fee. Where a per person entrance fee is charged, the National Parks Pass admits the pass signee, spouse, children, and parents. The National Parks Pass is nontransferable and does NOT cover or reduce use fees such as charges for camping, parking, tours, and concessions.
The National Parks Pass can be purchased four ways:
1) in any national park where an entrance fee is charged, and at participating park book stores operated by cooperating associations
2) by calling 1-888-GO-PARKS
3) by sending a check or money order payable to the National Park Service for $50 (plus $3.95 for shipping and handling) to:
National Park Foundation
P.O. Box 34108
Washington, DC 20043-4108
Questions about your National Parks Pass order?
Email: parkspass@nationalparks.org or call toll free 1-888-GoParks (1-888-467-2757).
Golden Eagle
For an additional $15, a Golden Eagle hologram may be purchased and affixed to a National Parks Pass to cover entrance fees at not only national parks, but also at sites managed by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U. S. Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management. The Golden Eagle holograms are available at National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, and Bureau of Land Management fee stations. The Golden Eagle admits the pass signee and any accompanying passengers in a private* vehicle if a park has a per vehicle entrance fee. Where a per person entrance fee is charged, the Golden Eagle admits the pass signee, spouse, children, and parents. The Golden Eagle is nontransferable and does NOT cover or reduce use fees such as charges for camping, parking, tours, and concessions. It is valid for entrance fees only. The Golden Eagle hologram is valid until the expiration of the National Parks Pass to which it is affixed.
Golden Age Passport (for citizens or permanent residents of the United States who are age 62 or older)
The Golden Age Passport is a lifetime entrance pass to national parks, monuments, historic sites, recreation areas, and national wildlife refuges that charge an entrance fee. The Golden Age Passport admits the pass signee and any accompanying passengers in a private* vehicle if a park has a per vehicle entrance fee. Where a per person entrance fee is charged, the Golden Age Passport admits the pass signee, spouse, and children.
The Golden Age Passport also provides a 50% discount on Federal use fees charged for facilities and services such as camping, swimming, parking, boat launching, and tours. In some cases where use fees are charged, only the pass signee will be given the 50% price reduction. The Passport is nontransferable and does NOT cover or reduce special recreation permit fees or fees charged by concessioners.
A Golden Age Passport must be obtained in person at a Federal area (National Park, Historic Site, Wildlife Refuge, etc.) where an entrance fee is charged. There is a one-time $10 processing charge to obtain the Golden Age Passport. It is available only to citizens or permanent residents of the United States who are 62 years of age or older. You must show proof of age, such as a state driver's license, birth certificate, or similar document.
Golden Access Passport (for citizens or permanent residents of the United States who are blind or permanently disabled)
The Golden Access Passport is a lifetime entrance pass to national parks, monuments, historic sites, recreation areas, and national wildlife refuges that charge an entrance fee. The Golden Access Passport admits the pass signee and any accompanying passengers in a private* vehicle if a park has a per vehicle entrance fee. Where a per person entrance fee is charged, the Golden Access Passport admits the pass signee, spouse, and children.
The Golden Access Passport also provides a 50% discount on Federal use fees charged for facilities and services such as camping, swimming, parking, boat launching, and tours. In some cases where use fees are charged, only the pass signee will be given the 50% price reduction. The Passport is nontransferable and does NOT cover or reduce special recreation permit fees or fees charged by concessioners. A Golden Access Passport must be obtained in person at a Federal area where an entrance fee is charged. It is available only to citizens or permanent residents of the United States who are medically determined to be blind or permanently disabled. You may obtain a Golden Access Passport by showing proof of medically determined permanent disability, or eligibility for receiving benefits under Federal law.
Both the Golden Age Passport and Golden Access Passport can only be obtained in person at a Federal area (national park, historic site, wildlife refuge, etc.) where an entrance fee is charged.
If your National Parks Pass, Golden Eagle, Golden Age Passport, or Golden Access Passport is lost or stolen, there is no mechanism for replacement. A new pass must be obtained.
You can use our "Visit Your Parks" portal to locate a National Park Service area near you. We suggest that you telephone your local National Park Service site to inquire about pass availability and what documentation you need to provide before traveling.
* A private vehicle is defined as any noncommercial vehicle that is being used for private recreational purposes.
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MEDICINE AT YOUR FEET
Somewhere:
There is a place of serenity.
A place we can breathe deeply, walk slowly, pick our medicines right from the vine.
Where we can take all the time we need to heal. To renew and refresh.
A place where we can get to know ourselves again, to remember why we're here.
Somewhere...
there is a friend to help us in this journey.
http://www.medicineatyourfeet.com/...
This is a site that goes into natural medicines.
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Sacred Tobacco
Tobacco is the Sacred Herb of the East. Tobacco was a gift to the Europeans from the Natives, when they arrived in this country. Sacred Tobacco that is used for prayers and ceremonials is not the same as the tobacco we commonly use today. The common cigarette is not sacred, nor is the tobacco contained within it. The original type of tobacco and the sacred herb, are of a different variety, or plant, than is commercial tobacco. Preferably, one should grow one’s own tobacco for ceremonial uses. If you must use commercial tobacco, look for tobacco that is grown naturally, using no chemicals, and is packaged in bulk, not in the cigarette form.
In the East, we send Prayers to the Great Spirit in the smoke of the tobacco. Eagle takes these messages to the Creator. We also honor Eagle with Tobacco.
We burn Tobacco when we say our prayers, and in Ceremonials, as our prayers are contained in the Tobacco’s sacred smoke. Using Prayer Feathers to fan the smoke upwards is one way of sending our prayers to the Creator in the smoke of the Tobacco. These Prayer Feathers are usually from the Eagle, however, due to Eagle being sacred to Natives, and a protected species, other types of feathers can be substituted. The feathers’ purpose is to connect us symbolically with the spirit of Eagle, to further ensure that our prayers reach the Creator. Whether we use Tobacco, Eagle Feathers, or any feathers at all, our prayers will be heard if we are sincere, humble, and speak from our hearts when we say our prayers. It is the intention behind the prayer that is the most important ingredient when speaking with the Creator of us all. Therefore, Prayer Feathers can be any type of feathers or none at all. Always offer Tobacco to the winged one who donates their feathers to you.
Offerings are made of tobacco, when we harvest the gifts of Mother Earth, or when we seek knowledge from her any of creatures. When we harvest herbs in the wild, we offer tobacco to the plant from which we harvest. When we wish to enter the woods, we seek out the oldest Standing Person, the Grandfather of the Forest, and ask his permission to enter. We then offer him tobacco to honor him, and thank him. He may choose to let us pass or not, but either way, we still offer tobacco!
We also use Tobacco to give thanks for all that we have received, and for everything that is on the way to us. We know that our prayers are being heard, and all that we need is already in the process of being manifested in our lives, because we have faith in the process, in ourselves, in the Universe, and in the Creator.
The Creator gave us Tobacco to be used for sacred purposes, not for everyday use. This is abuse of a sacred substance. More information and many resources for help with tobacco addiction are available on the website below. If you are interested in growing your own Ceremonial Tobacco for sacred use, contact Joe Winter, a Native anthropologist who has made it his life work to collect and grow traditional strains of tobacco so that he can give it back to the people, at: jwinter@unm.edu
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I AM
you, me and we.
All a part of the ONE
I am woman, mother, grandmother,
giver of heart and love.
I am your daughter, sister, aunt, cousin,
I am by birth a Native American.
I am proud, yet I am humble.
TO YOU
I will extend my hand should you stumble.
Does not matter the color of you skin,
if we all take a look within.
In me you will find a true sister and a friend.
I have been called by many names.
Discrimination calls me Indian!
The Creator above calls me His child.
I am Native American and I have walked upon
this earth many times before discrimination was born.
Time after time, my roots were shattered and torn.
But my heritage stands proud!
The legends and lore speak loud.
AGAIN AND AGAIN WE ARE REBORN
I am flesh and blood, yet I am the Spirit of yesterday,
striving towards a better tomorrow,
as I push discrimination out of my way.
I am...a part of the past, the present, and the future.
I am one...yet I am many.
Come take my hand and walk with me across the land
and across the sea.
Live in peace and harmony as it is meant to be.
You and I are a part of the...
I AM.
author unknown
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AMERICAN FLAG RESOURCES
George Washington's original pencil sketch for the flag indicated 6-pointed stars, a form he apparently preferred.
Betsy Ross, however, recommended a 5-pointed star. When the committee protested that it was too difficult to make, she took a piece of paper, folded it deftly, and with a single snip of her scissors, produced a symmetrical five-pointed star. This seeming feat of magic so impressed her audience that they readily agreed to her suggestion.
Cut a 5-Pointed Star in One Snip
http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagstar.html
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Talk to Famous Authors
StoryLines New England runs weekly on National Public Radio Stations. Authors like Stephen King read excerpts from their books, then open up phone lines for discussion with listeners. Check local NPR station's schedule and go to:
http://www.ala.org/ala/ppo/correntprograms/storylines/story/linesnewengland.htm
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