We Are All Related

By Chaplain Fred D. Wilcoxson PhD, PC, BCCC

On several occasions Lee Standing Bear Moore has asked me to write about why I do the things that I do in support of the American Indian. Each of those times, I thought that it should be an easy task. I would, in my academic western minded way, begin to write all of my deeds done for the Indian, thus earning the privilege I was given in the Making of a Relative ceremony.

I have had a life that has always been blessed. Creator has walked with me faithfully, in spite of my clumsy and often errant ways. The spirit has filled me and not allowed evil to enter into me or control me. I led the life of a warrior: military, police officer, and security manager. I was a rescuer, helper, and doer. Yet, I was restless. I hated crowds and urban living, I longed for being in the woods or on a lake. My shoes would come off at every opportunity. I always felt that something was missing in my life. I had a force in me that wanted me to be a servant instead of a warrior.

Slowly, although always religious and spiritual, I began to become more and more aware that God was leading me into ministry. It was a difficult transition for me. It was hard to give up being the rescuer, the fixer, and the doer. It was hard to just be, to turn myself over to the Almighty, to become a conduit for His powerful work; to realize that alone I have no power, but through Him all things are possible. I have become a servant to all. My blood pressure, cholesterol, and sugar levels are all down. I sleep well at night and many of the effects of battering and mistreating my body are beginning to reverse. But most importantly I have gone from what I am to who I am.

I spend my days now in a full time ministry of being a hospital and police chaplain. Mine is a ministry of presence, touch, love, and most of all allowing God to work His miracles through me. I am ordained in the Episcopal Church and attend and serve a local congregation. Everyday of my life I worship and celebrate God the Creator as a creature of His making, living and giving thanks in the cathedral, Mother Earth and the Universe, of His making, serving: that by helping others I am helping the Creator.

I will now say without any embellishments that I do what I do for the American Indian, because can’t not do it. I am guided by a voice inside me to take advantage of every opportunity available to explain American Indian Spirituality, especially as it relates to healthcare situations. I pray that by filling that small niche a seed will be planted in those who hear the message to seek further knowledge of the true history of the American Indian, the values of the Indian way of life (the living of beliefs), and if nothing else a respect for American Indian tradition.

I stake no claim to be by blood or deed an American Indian. I am a Heinz 57 that grew up in Osage County, Oklahoma. I believe that we are all related. I am told that I have Osage, Cherokee, and possibly Choctaw in my heritage. The voice comes from somewhere deep inside me (a DNA imprint of past generations, my ancestors speaking to me, my psyche, or the Spirit Himself) and I am listening and following. I have concluded that being Indian is not what you are, but how you walk. I strive to walk everyday in a spiritual way, to keep my spiritual medicine good, to serve all peoples, and carry a message out into the world. I do my best to be who Creator wants me to be.

Chaplain Fred D. Wilcoxson PhD, PC, BCCC

About the Lakota Sacred Red Stone C’anunpa

Traditional Lakota Spiritual Leader and Head Man, David Swallow, Speaks Out on the Lakota Sacred Pipe

Edited by Stephanie M. Schwartz

(June 4, 2009 Porcupine, South Dakota) The c’anunpa is Wakan, very sacred, and it is used only for prayer and good things. We don’t call this c’anunpa a pipe because in the English language the word, “pipe,” has many different meanings. Steel pipe, lead pipe, plastic pipe, sewer pipe, water pipe, there are many kinds of pipes.

The English language has often gotten me into trouble. It is a very dangerous language, like a sponge with too many holes, too many ways to interpret it. It’s easy to get misunderstood.

But I want to make it clear. This c’anunpa has this name and this Lakota word, c’anunpa, comes from the Creator. That’s the only name for this sacred object; that alone, nothing else.

I’m also not talking about the Sacred White Buffalo Calf C’anunpa which was brought to the Lakota people nineteen generations ago. I’m talking about the red stone c’anunpa which is even older. It is very ancient, from the days of the sacred spotted eagle, wanbli gleska, and it is the oldest c’anunpa we have here. It is the blood of our ancestors, the Lakota.

Whenever you see a red stone c’anunpa, it is a Lakota ceremony. By Lakota I mean it is only with the Lakota, Nakota, and Dakota [Sioux] Nations. Other American Indian Nations may have their own traditions with prayer pipes or peace pipes or ceremonial pipes which are made of a different stone. But the red stone c’anunpa is Lakota.

Today, I must speak about the c’anunpa because now everyone seems to have one. If people are going to have one, they must understand and follow the laws and commitments which accompany the c’anunpa. Unfortunately, many people do not know these things and do not follow what the c’anunpa says.

Manataka receives dozens of letters each week. Space does not allow us to publish all letters but we make a concerted effort to print letters that are representative of a majority. Let us know if there is a topic you feel needs to be addressed.

Real ID Anyone?

Dear Council,

As of April 2,2008, all 50 states have either applied for extensions of the original may11,2008 compliance deadline or received unsolicited extensions. 1. with several states having approved resolutions not to participate in the program and Obama's selection of Janet Napolitano, a prominent critic of the program, to had the Department of Homeland Security, the future of the law remains uncertain. 2. the bills have been introduced into congress to amend or repeal it. Every bit of information including natives will be in the federal hands to look through anytime they want. the state will have to share the databases also. Everything they will be able to track us like were all criminals. They will be able to go into our personal information and get family contacts. Our rights our freedom our privacy will be open to the them! Nothing will be sacred. In a 2007 interview Mike Huckabee expressed opposition to the Real id act, calling the real id act " a huge mistake" I have to agree with him. Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Hawii, Idaho, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Oklahoma countless other states have joined together in passing legislation opposing Real ID. Real Id violates the constitution's 10th amendment on state powers, destroys states' dual sovereignty also on native sovereignty and consolidates every American's private information, leaving all the all of us more vulnerable. The first amendment to assembly and to petition the government also our right to practice our religion's. The Real Id takes right from all people and especially the Native American's. We can not stand by and let this happen. We will also have to give them every bit of information we have and where every native person lives where there at and who they are related to. The thought of this is unimaginable. I am crossing on June first to say i keep my birthright to travel, visit trade with other tribes I do not need your mark. The DHS is trying to work with native American tribes but are still wanting to put there chips into our id's to track us. ~Jerry Williams, Leadhorse

American Indian for President?

Dear Manataka,

I pray that you could see a new vision for all Native Americans and every U.S. Citizen, for the time has come to reclaim your rightful seat in your native land. You have eight years to groom the next U.S. President and First Lady. It must be a Native American man with his native name and married to a native woman. They must not have White, Hispanic or Black features. You must also run him in the Republican Party i.e. if President Barack Hussein Obama is blessed with a 2^nd term. The man and his wife must be highly educated; possibly PhDs and/or attorneys, and they must be proud to wear their culture in the campaign for the Republican Party and the Presidency. I guarantee you in 2016, a Native American President and First Lady of the United States of America. Also, please do not try to run him against President Obama in 2012, for he will surely lose, and you would have blown your opportunity for a sure bet in 2016. Respectfully, ~ Yahweh Yodh He Waw He

Losing Weight the Indian Way

Dear Manataka,

I'm sure you get this question a lot, but I was wondering if you could recommend something for appetite control? I heard that when Indians were going to hunt, they took something so they would not get hungry. I truly believe that Mother Earth has put an herb or mineral there to help me, I just don't know which one. Thank you, ~Tammy

Tammy,

There are several herbs suitable for curbing appetite. The key to losing weight is not necessary curbing appetite. Losing weight depends on burning up what you eat through exercise. Herbals may help to temporarily curb appetite, but this is not always the best course of action because your body needs a continual supply of nutrients and while you may lose some weight by curbing appetite, you will eventually gorge with food because your body needs it to survive. American Indians are famous for being able to survive on very little food because what they eat is extremely nutritious. For example: Pemmican is an ancient foodstuff made of concentrated mixture protein meat used as a nutritious foodstuff. Look up Pemmican Recipes in your search engine. Eating pemmican when hunger strikes will reduce appetite and supply your body with high protein when it is needed. Pemmican is something like Jerky -- but much better because no preservatives, salt or chemicals are used in making it. Best to make up several pounds of it at the same time and storing it in an air tight container. Nuts mixed with seeds and "natural" salts will also supply the body with high protein and fiber. Dried fruit and vegetables are great for snacking on the run, extremely low in calories, yet high in vitamins. There is no magic bullet or herb when it comes to losing weight. Again, the key is exercise -- losing more calories than you consume.

~Editor

Reading The Smoke Signal News -- Cover to Cover

Hello Manataka,

I'm just starting to get to read some things (May's newsletter) .... I'm behind on everything this month. Good info on organic cotton clothing. I can't

do much with organic stuff, as it tends to be pricier, but I usually go to thrift stores if I need clothes. I'm more of a "wear it until I can't sew the holes" person. When there are more holes than I have time to sew, or sewing won't fix the holes anymore - then it's time to "upgrade." Then I head to a thrift store. The disciplining your children is another one. That's a tough one in today's society. But I agree with it. I like 2012 also (both of them). Although I work on a computer, at the same time, I prefer being away from machines. I don't like automation. The articles reminded me of the Lame Deer book. It's a long process, but it's been ongoing for years - like a long time of preparation. In your message earlier, about singing the Morning Song, I saw another message also - welcoming the rebirth. I can't quite put it into words, but welcoming the rebirth, not only of the new day .... but of other new beginnings as well. We are at a New Moon .... and other arrivals, just not yet apparent in the physical world. I've had some 'visitors' around me lately, from other cultures and realms ... not sure of their purpose yet. The spirit world is very active, so I am watching quietly to see what messages come. It's my old story that I see/hear many things that others don't see/hear, and sometimes it can take a while for me to understand the purpose of these beings around me. Hmm - reading over the Healing Basket list .... going to print it out - a little easier that way.

~Kim Summermoon Wilson

The Manataka American Indian Council supports:

Quote of the Month

Doctors Call for Ban on Genetically Modified Foods

On May 19, 2009 the American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM) released a landmark position paper signed by physicians across the U.S. calling for a moratorium on GE foods: "Avoid GM (genetically modified) foods when possible... Several animal studies indicate serious health risks associated with GM food... There is more than a casual association between GM foods and adverse health effects. There is causation...The strength of association and consistency between GM foods and disease is confirmed in several animal studies." Learn more

Web Forum Posting of the Month

Silk Soymilk Packaging Scam

The OCA web forum is an online community of like-minded people sharing thoughts about the wide variety of topics you regularly read about in Organic Bytes or on the OCA website. The web forum now has over 4,500 members and nearly 10,000 posts. One of those recent posts was from a user named Tedalan: "I was very involved in the creation of Silk Organic Soymilk when it was first designed and manufactured. Steve Demos was very committed to Silk being Non-GMO, Organic and Vegan. Suddenly, when buying Silk at Whole Foods, I discovered that none of the Silk flavors in half gallon containers were certified organic. The cartons look exactly the same as before with the exception/removal of the USDA Organic Seal and the word "organic" before soybeans in the nutritional panel. This is a very sneaky way for a manufacturer to discontinue Non-GMO Organic soybeans in the manufacture of their product. I also wonder why Whole Foods continues to sell this product without a warning sign." Join the Discussion and Web Forum

Alert Update of the Month

The American Dietetic Association Buries Organic Nutrition Facts

The American Dietetic Association (ADA) is the world's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. Its opinions influence health care professionals, the media, and state and federal policies. While ADA claims it is committed to "improving the nation's health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy," its perspective is clearly being influenced by corporate agribusiness. Although the ADA has nothing to say about the abundance of scientific studies exposing the dangers of genetically engineered foods , the organization's own Marianne Smith Edge has been giving anti-organic keynote addresses at meetings of state dietetic associations across the nation. The ADA's own studies in 2007 and 2009 revealed that plants cultivated in organic systems contain higher levels of nutrients, yet the ADA's website claims, "nutritionally there is no evidence that organic produce is better or safer than conventionally grown produce." It's time to expose the ADA's bias. Use OCA's handy online tool to click and send a pre-written "letter to the editor" to your local media outlets. Learn more and take action

We must have respect and understanding for women and all female life on this Earth which bears the sacred gift of life." --Traditional Circle of Elders. Onodaga

At a gathering of Native Elders we were told that many men of today had lost their ability to look at the Woman in a sacred way. They said we were only looking at Her in a physical sense and had lost the ability to look at Her sacredness. They said the Woman has a powerful position in the Unseen World. She has the special ability to bring forth life. They told us to start showing Her respect and to look upon her in a sacred manner. We must start this today.

Medicine for the People

By Jim McDonald, http://www.herbcraft.org/index.htm

Surviving Sinusitis - Sinus Infections

(and other catarrhal catastrophes)

I've had the opportunity, over the years, to play around with a number of different plants in addressing sinus troubles of all sorts, and will here offer what I've learnt, which, hopefully, will help out some troubled soul.

Fortunately, it hasn't been me who's had lingering sinus problems. I think I've had sinus colds only three or four times, and they were completely dreadful experiences which taught me lots about how lousy chronic suffering must be. Gratefully, though, I have a guinea pig at home whose been willing to let me try this and that on her, and share the results for me to share with you (someday, she plans to write a book called "my life as a guinea pig; tales of an herbalist's wife"... certain to be a best seller, eh?)Several other friends, students, clients and passersby have likewise aided my understanding.

Anyways, back to the sinuses...

First, before jumping right into "take this or take that", let's acknowledge that sinus problems come in various guises, and so too should herbal treatment. Most often, I've come across three variations of sinus troubles: Leaky, stuffy and dry. Different types of herbs are used in each case, and this is quite important to know. Too many people play name association games with herbs: the kind where they simply associate a problem and the name of the herb that was written next to it in a book. But trust me, you don't want to go giving drying herbs like Goldenseal to someone with dry sinuses, even though it's supposed to be "good for sinus problems". It is good for sinus problems, but not that kind.

READ MORE...

Up until the 1990s, no research had ever been conducted to determine the impact of fluoride on the pineal gland -- a small gland located between the two hemispheres of the brain that regulates the production of the hormone melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone that helps regulate the onset of puberty and helps protect the body from cell damage caused by free radicals.

It is now known -- thanks to the meticulous research of Dr. Jennifer Luke from the University of Surrey in England -- that the pineal gland is the primary target of fluoride accumulation within your body.

After finding that the pineal gland is a major target for fluoride accumulation in humans, Dr. Luke conducted animal experiments to determine if the accumulated fluoride could impact the functioning of the gland -- particularly the gland's regulation of melatonin.

Luke found that animals treated with fluoride had lower levels of circulating melatonin, as reflected by reduced levels of melatonin metabolites in the animals' urine. This reduced level of circulating melatonin was accompanied -- as might be expected -- by an earlier onset of puberty in the fluoride-treated female animals.

Sources: Fluoride Action Network November 2008

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

U.S. girls are reaching puberty at younger ages than ever before. In the 1990s, breast development -- the first sign of puberty in girls -- at age 8 was considered an abnormal event that should be investigated by an endocrinologist.

However, by 1999, following a 1997 study that found almost half of African Americans and 15 percent of whites had begun breast development by age 8, the Lawson Wilkins Pediatric Endocrine Society suggested changing what is viewed as “normal.”

READ MORE...

Grizzly Bears

Help protect grizzly bears from a deadly mining scheme
In the lush forests and meadows of the Cabinet-Yaak wilderness in northwest Montana, a small population of 20 to 30 grizzly bears hovers on the brink of extinction. This isolated group of grizzlies is already threatened by increased development, habitat loss and high levels of grizzly mortality. Now, officials in the Kootenai National Forest are considering a proposal for a mine that would drill thousands of feet directly beneath the grizzlies' habitat. The Mines Management Corporation wants to drill for 120 million tons of ore-bearing rock over the course of the next 16 years, even though environmental studies have shown that the project would displace grizzlies from their critical habitat, destroy at least five streams and increase road development as well as the potential for poaching. The approval of this mine would likely have devastating effects on the grizzly population. » Tell forest officials to reject a mine proposal. http://www.nrdconline.org/campaign/biogems_bears_0609

North American Gray Wolf

The gray wolf (Canis lupus) also called the timber wolf, is the largest of about 41 wild species within the dog family, Canidae, of the order Carnivora. They range in size from 26" to 38" shoulder height, 39" to 80" in length (tip of nose to end of tail), and vary in weight from 57 to 130 pounds. Their coats may vary in color from grey to brown, from white to jet black.

They usually hunt at night and feed primarily on large hoofed mammals such as deer, caribou, elk, and moose, but sometimes eat berries, birds, beaver, fish, and insects. Animals that they kill are usually young, old, or otherwise weaker members of their populations because they are easiest to capture. Most pursuits of prey range in length from 110 yards to 3.1 miles. Healthy wolves rarely, if ever, attack humans. Their range once covered most of North America. However, today only a few upper states and Canada have a wolf population large enough to maintain itself.

The gray wolf mates for life and lives in packs which can vary in size from 2 to over 15, but are usually from 4 to 7 wolves. The leader of the pack is normally the strongest male, who often determines when and where the pack will hunt, as well as other activities of the pack.Wolf packs are formed primarily of family members and relatives. They may travel more often, and greater distances than any other terrestrial animal. Their territories may cover from 100 to 260 sq. mi, depending on the abundance of food and water. Territories may also overlap, although wolf packs very seldom confront one another. Some wolves leave their packs to become lone wolves. Loners may start their own packs if a mate and a vacant area can be found.

Breeding season can vary from January in low latitudes to April in high latitudes. A wolf pack will alternate between a stationary phase from spring through summer and a nomadic phase in autumn and winter. The stationary phase involves caring for pups at a den or home site. During summer, most movements are toward or away from the pups, and adults often travel and hunt alone. By autumn, pups are capable of traveling extensively with the adults, so until the next whelping season the pack usually roams as a unit throughout its territory in search of prey. Though often only the highest ranking male and female in a pack will breed, all members of the pack are involved in raising the young. Mortality factors affecting wolves include persecution by humans, killing by other wolves, diseases, parasites, starvation, and injuries by prey. Most wolves probably live less than 10 years in the wild.

Contents of Page 2
Legends of Old:		Father Frog
Feature Story 3:		We Are All Related
Feature Story 4:		About the Lakota Sacred Red Stone C’anunpa
Letters to the Editor:		Real ID, Indian Prez, Losing Weight and More...
Organic Consumers:		Doctors Call for Ban on Genetically Modified Foods
Elder's Meditations:		Traditional Circle of Elders. Onodaga
Plant Medicine:		Surviving Sinusitis - Sinus Infections
Fluoride:		Fluoride May Contribute to Early Puberty
Animal Rights and Wrongs:	A	Grizzly Bears and Gray Wolves
Endangered Sacred Sites:		New Mexico’s Endangered Sacred Site


Rock and Country	Contemporary	Flute Music	Rap - Indian Style
Specialty Songs	Traditional	Storytellers	Pow Wow
Lots More CD'S - Fast Delivery - Great Prices!