March 19, 2011

World Peace & Prayer Day 2010

Following the birth of a White Buffalo Calf in 1994, the Keeper of the White Buffalo Calf Pipe for the Lakota, Dakota, Nakota Nations, Arvol Looking Horse, was directed to honor the Four Directions with ceremony on June 21st. According to Lakota Star Knowledge, the birth of Miracle, a female white buffalo, signaled a time of earth changes and the coming of the mending of the Hoop of All Nations. The Summer Solstice is said to be a powerful time to pray for peace and harmony among all Living Beings. Grandmother Earth’s gifts, the air, water plant, animal and rock nations must be allowed to heal if we are to live in harmony with Her.

All Nations recognize Sacred Sites as Places to gather or perform private ceremony. For countless generations these Sites were honored, cherished and strengthened through ceremony and Our Mother remained healthy. To ensure the lives of future generations for all our relations, we must begin again to honor, cherish and renew Our Mother. (more…)

Filed under: Chief Arvol Looking Horse — admin @ 1:03 pm

March 13, 2011

Seneca Hawk Elder Edna Gordon Speaks

I consider myself a native traditional Seneca Elder who stands within the circle of life, guided by the laws of the Creator and tied to the Earth like a child to the mother through the umbilical cord—never losing that connection.
.. People’mselves aren’t holy. But what they do can be holy.  Living a holy life, that’s what life’s for. Helping others, fighting injustice, standing up for the People, saving our Mother the Earth—those are holy things to do.
But always be sure to remember, it ain’t you yourself who’s holy.  People are just people.  If God’d wanted folks to be holy, he’d have given’m wings and set’m up on a cloud somewhere playin’ a big gold harp.
Sounds pretty boring to me.  Me, I’d rather just be a human being.  I’m thankful that’s all I am or need to be.
Bein’ human, that’s a tough enough job for me. (more…)

Filed under: Seneca Wisdomkeeper Edna Gordon — admin @ 4:51 pm

Chester Kahn

Chester Kahn was born in 1936 in Pine Springs, Arizona on the Navajo reservation into a long line of silversmiths and rug weavers. His upbringing was based upon the traditional Navajo lifestyle that included livestock and farming. It was during his early years that he drew on canyon walls and cardboard as while he herded sheep. Eventually he went to the BIA day school in Pine Springs, then to Shiprock Indian School, and graduated from Stewart Indian School in Nevada.

While at Stewart, Chester developed as a painter and exhibited at the Nevada State Library in Carson City, Washoe County Library, and Tower Theater in Reno; and won an award at the Nevada Artists Association Exhibit in Reno.

After school Chester returned to the Navajo reservation he became a professional sign painter, painting many billboards including the first large roadside billboard for Navajo Shopping Center in Gamerco, NM. He continued to develop as a silversmith and painter winning many awards, including the: Gallup Inter-tribal Indian Ceremonial, Arizona State Fair, Navajo Tribal Fair, and Philbrook Art Center in Tulsa. In the early 1960’s, Chester painted a large mural inside Gallup Indian Community Center which, regrettably, has since been demolished. (more…)

Filed under: Gathering of Eagles — admin @ 12:05 pm

March 12, 2011

ThunderBeat

ThunderBeat is a gifted shaman, a world Bridger, who blends tonal with tribal elements into multi-dimensional soundscape; Her harmonies soothe the spirit. While her rhythms awaken the soul.

ThunderBeat is a Native American of Choctaw and Shawnee heritage. The name “ThunderBeat”, was given to her by Native American elders, because of her abilities to heal and awaken through the power of sound.

She has studied at the prestigious Eastman School of Music and has researched sound frequency therapy since 1993.

She is an international recording artist and live performer. For more than two decades ThunderBeat has recorded and toured with national and international artists on major labels. These include CBS, Atlantic, and A&M Records. As of 2000 she became a solo artist and now she is an accomplished Author, Teacher, Composer, Shamanic Practitioner, Certified Reiki Master, and a Pioneer in Sound Healing.

The music video above is her original song, Ancient Sun from the cd, Mayan Landing 2012 and was shot against the backdrop of Sedona’s sacred red rocks. I first met ThunderBeat in 2002 while I was in Albuquerque, New Mexico to direct the Native American Music Awards. We remain friends to this day. Enjoy : ) PF

Filed under: Music and More — admin @ 6:44 am

March 2, 2011

The Longest Walk III

On February 14th, 2011, The Longest Walk III will begin a 5,400 mile walk/run relay across America. The purpose of which is to draw attention to the alarming epidemic of diabetics in Indian Country.

Led by A.I.M. co-founder Dennis Banks, the walk will begin at La Jolla Shores, California (San Diego), and ending in Washington, D.C. on July 8th. The route will be southern based which will include the states of: Southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia.

Banks, himself a diabetic, said that “Diabetes has reached an epidemic state in Indian Country and the percentage of diabetes amongst Native Americans may be as high as 75%” (Indian Health Service’s estimate is at 35%). “Surgery involving amputation is very common”, Banks said, “making Native people Partial Indians”.

Key organizers in each state are developing evening lectures by Banks who will also conduct seminars in juicing your vegetables. “Vegetables”, he said “are becoming extinct”, and wants to aid in a massive “Reversing Diabetes” program across Native America.

California, which will host the opening ceremonies, is being directed by Orlando Vigil of Taos New Mexico. He will guide and walk with members of many Southern California tribes to and through the southern tribal nations of the Diegueno Kumeyaay, Lusenio, Serrano, Cahuilla, Chemeuuai, and Quechan territories. (more…)

Filed under: Uncategorized — admin @ 8:13 am