Manataka American Indian Council Volume XIII Issue 06 JUNE 2009

SMOKE SIGNAL NEWS

Page 2 of 3 Pages

Contents of Page 2
Legends of Old:		The Importance of Dreaming
Feature Story 3:		41-Year Legacy of Mohawk Resistance at the Akwesasne Border
Feature Story 4:		The Century of The Rights of Mother Earth
Letters to the Editor:		Dream Interpretation - What does this mean?
Organic Consumers:		Swine Flu: Reprieve or Lull Before the Storm?
Elder's Meditations:		Chief Seattle, Dwamish
Plant Medicine:		Ten Herbals for Fasting and Detoxification
Fluoride:		CDC Oral Health Must Be Investigated
Animal Rights and Wrongs:	A	Buffalo Field Campaign
Endangered Sacred Sites:		Winnemem Wintu sues for cultural sites

LEGENDS OF OLD:

The Importance of Dreaming

Abenaki Creation Story

The Great Spirit, in a time not known to us looked about and saw nothing. No colors, no beauty. Time was silent in darkness. There was no sound. Nothing could be seen or felt. The Great Spirit decided to fill this space with light and life. From his great power he commanded the sparks of creation. He ordered Tôlba, the Great Turtle to come from the waters and become the land.

The Great Spirit molded the mountains and the valleys on turtle's back. He put white clouds into the blue skies. He was very happy. He said, "Everything is ready now. I will fill this place with the happy movement of life." He thought and thought about what kind of creatures he would make. Where would they live? What would they do? What would their purpose be? He wanted a perfect plan. He thought so hard that he became very tired and fell asleep.

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FEATURE STORY 3

Editor's Note: Manataka does not normally include stories about violence and civil unrest in the Smoke Signal News, believing that mainstream media already does an excellent job of exposing the horrific side of human relations. In this instance, we believe that strong-arm tactics of the Canadian and U.S. governments has gone too far. In addition to turning the Mohawk community into an armed occupation camp, government black boots on both sides of the border are making a clandestine efforts interrupt the free flow of information about the situation by secretly sending electronic bombs to websites that dare to tell the story. And, the story redeems itself by showing future generations that freedom-loving indigenous people are still ready to die for their beliefs just as their grandfathers did before them. This article is a beautiful testament to the brave and honorable Mohawk people who stand immovable on the land of their forefathers. For this, Manataka stands with them! We encourage you to give them your hand of friendship and assistance.

41-Year Legacy of Mohawk Resistance at the Akwesasne Border

Kahentinetha MNN Mohawk Nation News

MNN.   May 109, 2009. Over 250 Mohawks marched on May 8, 2009, against guns and violence at the U.S. - Canada border. Canada is militarizing all borders across Canada. Guards will carry Beretta 8 mm guns for a start on June 1, 2009. The safety of Mohawks and all border crossings in Canada are being jeopardized. The Akwesasne checkpoint is on a large island in the St. Lawrence River, in the middle of a highly populated residential area. It is the border-crossing from NYS to Cornwall, Ontario. The day-to-day security provided by an unarmed Mohawk security has always been enough.

We are the most policed people in the world. Almost 20 U.S. and Canadian enforcement agencies traverse our community. Canada has two alternatives: to peacefully operate on our land or to move the customs building and compound off the island.

After construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway and the International Bridge in the 1950s the customs station was placed on the island. We tried but could not stop it. A commitment was made that armed guards would never be put in the middle of our neighborhood, which we saw as dangerous for both Customs and Mohawks.

Mohawks have not fallen for this trap. Daily disagreements have been instigated against Mohawks who must pass through the checkpoint on a daily basis. There have been serious injuries, hospitalizations, charges and assaults. So far there have been no fatalities. There has been a steady increase in racial profiling and slurs direct at us sanctioned by Canada. Incidents are being provoked to justify armed guards.

Hundreds of complaints have been filed with the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, Canada Justice Department and the Canadian Human Rights Commission. No peaceful resolution has come forward.

In an August 2002 report co-commissioned by Transport Canada and the Mohawks, 70% of border crossers are Akwesasne Mohawks. It is adjacent to a bus stop for children, recreational fields, play area, large number of homes, the only convenience store, several small businesses and other features of a well populated and highly trafficked area. We need to visit our family and friends, get to work or school, attend health, social, cultural, recreational gatherings and shop or conduct business. Next to the customs children slide during the winter on the hills. People ride horses and walk in the open spaces. Children play volleyball, basketball and lacrosse. Recently the border patrol perpetrated a high speed chase where 3 people were burnt to death at the cross roads. Violence and death is their business!

READ MORE....

Take a look at the TOP 10 Space Photos - Spectacular!

FEATURE STORY 4

The Century of The Rights of Mother Earth

Leonardo Boff, Theologian, Earthcharter Commission

Perhaps the most impressive statement in the speech of the President of Bolivia Evo Morales Ayma to the General Assembly of the U.N. on April 22nd, when that date was proclaimed the International Day of Mother Earth, was:

"If the XX Century is recognized as the century of human rights; individual, social, economic, political and cultural, the XXI Century will be known as the Century of the Rights of Mother Earth, of the animals, plants, all living creatures and all beings, whose rights must also be respected and protected."

We now stand before a new paradigm, centered in the Earth and in life. We are no longer mired in anthropocentrism, which failed to recognize the intrinsic value of each being, independent of the use we made of it. A clear awareness is growing, that everything that exists deserves to exist, and that everything that lives deserves to live.

We must therefore broaden our concept of democracy, as a biocracy, or sociocosmic democracy, because every element of nature, each at its own level, forms a part of human sociability. Would our cities still be human without the plants, the animals, the birds, the rivers, and pure air?

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR...

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.

At Risk for A Stroke?

Dear Council,

In response to " Are You At Risk For A Stroke? April page 1". In regards to the letter written about lipitor "Atorvastatin C33H35FN2O5" which has fluorine in it also according to " www.answers.com/atorvastatin " has these side affects an herbalist recommended. Also beans are supposed to lower cholesterol. We believe you people are doing a very good and informative job with your site ~Jack Cutting

Health is Wholeness

Dear Manataka,

I very much liked the article "All Creation Around Us". Funny, just yesterday I was reading an essay by Wendell Berry, a farmer/poet from Kentucky who says essentially the same thing while defining health as wholeness, he believes the smallest until of health is a community and all it's creatures, to talk of an individual on their own as healthy is impossible. He's also quite religious (I'm not really, I don't think). ~David Nicholls

Opposes Cherokee Nation's Fraud List

O-si-yo,

This is the meager response I am receiving from the Cherokee Nation Task Force?

I did read the "heritage verses citizenship" so what is there to understand? The very tribes your listing moved away from the Trail of Tears to keep from being herded like cattle to their death and onto prison camp reservations in Oklahoma and Texas. Some of my family was a few of the proud Cherokee people that did not want to be punished into signing the treaty. My heart cries over and over for my family and the many that did not make it. This dose not make us bad Cherokee Tribes people.

I am requesting that you produce proof these tribes are indeed fraudulent, or cease and desist by removing the Chewah and others from the Fraudulent Indian List. If the Fraudulent Indian List Task Force refuses I will seek the help from all non federated tribes all over the land to come together to defend the proud Cherokee Peoples heritage from the Cherokee Nation. Not only is this inflammatory and a defamation of corrector towards the other tribes by advertising the names of tribes and their websites. I am appalled by the audacity to attempt destroy the life meaning of your own Cherokee Native Indian brothers, sisters and their children.

What has become of the Cherokee Nation? Or is this Task Force even sanctioned by the Cherokee Nation? I will contact some of the Elders of the Cherokee Nation and see what they think. I am sure they are not that blind. ~Whitedog

American Indians Pray

Hello Manataka,

I have always believed that no matter what tribe or religion of Native Americans (Indians) one is or believes in that when we get together at meetings or gatherings there should be "Thanks to the Creator" am I wrong in this ? I was told recently at a meeting that since we were of all tribes that we couldn't have a prayer or Thank the Creator for what he had provided. Maybe a moment of silence by nothing more because we were of different tribes and believes....wow what have we become??? I am an old Indian who thanks the Creator each morning and night for just being granted the day. I can now see why we have lost our way. Am I wrong in thinking that when we have a meeting, even if we are all tribal we should thank the Creator? Lost and need advice. ~Sheila Johnson

Dream Interpretation - What does this mean?

Dear Manatanka Friends,

I seek an answer to a question, regarding a dream. What is the meaning of dreaming and speaking with a pack of White Wolves? In this dream that took place in the morning hours at 4:00 AM on the 23 of March 2009 and was had by a female of the age 54. Here is the following account of her dream. She saw herself in a green forest in the day hours and standing in front of her was a pack of white wolves. She was afraid of them when she first saw them looking at her. She noticed the biggest of White Wolfs walking up to her and getting his face very close to her face and the White Wolf looked into her eyes as she could see the yellow in his or her eyes as he or she was inches a way from her face. It asked her how old she was and at the same time the other wolves said 51 and 52 and she said "no I am 54" and the Large White Wolf asked her age again and the number 242 was mentioned. She said, that she felt that my Mother who had passed away many years ago and who she had never met was speaking through the Wolf and was asking the questions to her. What does this mean? .......... Please pass this on to whoever can help answer the question. ~Peter Torres

Hello Peter,

Thank you for asking Manataka. Our spiritual elders do not interpret dreams for people with whom they are not acquainted. Reason?

Dreams are a doorway into the subconscious and the inner soul and must be treated seriously and reverently. Utmost respect must be given to the individual whose dream experiences are being questioned. Dreams can sometime be guideposts or entry points to a new or yet undiscovered facet of one's personality or purpose in life -- potentially a new path. Moreover, dreams are often of a spiritual nature -- not to be trifled with. If there were even the slightest chance the interpreter of the dream might call upon his/her own experiences, emotions, ideas and thoughts to use in the communicated interpretation, then there is a strong possibility that a terrible disservice has been committed against the one who is supposed to be helped. It is not good to lead a person down a path that is not theirs. There is a possibility the interpretation could influence the dreamer to take a different road, in the wrong direction. When dealing with deeply spiritual issues, it is best to be very cautious.

Yes, we are aware there are people out there who interpret dreams for money and those who write books about dreams for money. There are others who attempt to interpret dreams without compensation, but do so flippantly for the sake of their own ego or need for power. It is our opinion, those who do so do not know a thing and their motivation is suspect. ~Editor

The Manataka American Indian Council supports:

Quotes of the Month

On the Contemporary Crisis

"The economy, as the structuring axis of all the social life, has become hostile to life and to the integral development of the peoples. It has to be rerouted to its true nature, that of guaranteeing the material basis of life and of society." Leonardo Boff --- Learn more

"If you wanted to create global pandemics, you'd build as many of these factory farms as possible. That's why the development of swine flu isn't a surprise to those in the public health community. In 2003, the American Public Health Association--the oldest and largest in world--called for a moratorium of factory farming because they saw something like this would happen. It may take something as serious as a pandemic to make us realize the real cost of factory farming." Dr. Michael Greger, Humane Society of the U.S. --- Learn More

Web Video of the Month

How to Start Your Organic Veggie & Herb Garden

The most affordable way to eat local organic foods is to grow your own. As global food prices continue rising, a record number of first-time gardeners are planting their own organic veggie plot. Whether you have a yard or are joining a community garden, watch this video for some quick and easy tips for beginning a vegetable garden with minimal soil disturbance: Watch Video

Alert Update of the Month

Swine Flu: Reprieve or Lull Before the Storm?

Scientists and health officials, who scared the wits out of us last week, are today trying to reassure us that the first wave of the Swine Flu--now spreading across the Northern Hemisphere--is apparently not as virulent and life-threatening as future mutated waves of this H1N1 virus might be in the Fall. Mexican health officials and the Wall Street Journal also revealed a few days ago that the pigs in Mexico that likely set off the epidemic are not native Mexican pigs, but rather pigs from Smithfield Foods' factory farms in the U.S. that were shipped to Mexico.

The rather alarming bottom line, however, is that CAFOs (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations) pose a deadly threat to our health (learn more).

Swine CAFOs, such as Smithfield, as well as giant poultry operations, such as those operated by Tyson Foods and Perdue, produce cheap food by cramming thousands of animals together inside hellish disease-ridden factory farms, injecting pigs and chickens with powerful vaccines and antibiotics to keep them alive, thereby putting enormous pressure on swine and bird viruses and pathogens like MRSA to evolve into dangerous killers. Filthy and disease-ridden factory farms for pigs and chickens, maintained by exploited and often unhealthy farm workers, kept in operation only with massive injections of animal drugs, are a biological time bomb set to explode. Experts are hoping a mutated H1N1 Swine/Bird Flu virus will not kill millions when it returns to the Northern Hemisphere later this year. Unfortunately, many scientists warn us that it is not a question of if, but rather when, a future swine/bird/human virus will kill millions--unless we shut down the CAFOs and transform the current insane global industrial/factory farm agriculture system into a chemical and drug-free organic system, whereby local and regional organic farms produce healthy food for local and regional markets. Tell Obama to shut down factory farms now, before it's too late.

ELDER'S MEDITATION

"Our religion is the traditions of our ancestors—the dreams of our old men, given them in the solemn hours of night by the Great Spirit; and the visions of our sachems, and is written in the hearts of our people." --Chief Seattle, Dwamish

Our Spiritual ways have carefully been given to chosen people. Slowly, through our past generations, through past conflicts, our Elders prayed for guidance, which the Creator provided. Then it was passed down to the next generation through culture, ceremony and oral traditions. our Indian religion has been tested and is about how we should behave and treat other people, animals and the earth. This knowledge is written in the heart of every person. We can find this knowledge by looking inside ourselves.

My Creator, today, when conflict occurs, I will look inside myself for the answers.

By Don Coyhis

PLANT MEDICINE...

Medicine for the People

Top Ten Herbals to Use for Fasting and Detoxification

by Kirk Patrick, citizen journalist

(NaturalNews) Spring has traditionally been the season for detoxification and cleansing. Throughout the ages, humans and animals have emerged from their winter dormancy to find themselves malnourished. Having gone months without any vegetables they needed to seek remedies provided by nature, many of which blossom in spring. Certain plants and compounds greatly increase the productivity of the internal organs and thus help to restore optimal health. This article will summarize the top 10 products that assist the body`s natural healing processes.

The Top Ten

1) Milk Thistle (seed) - Silybum marianum (Compositae)
Milk Thistle is a thorny, purple flower that is commonly found growing by the roadside. Used as a liver tonic for centuries, milk thistle seeds contain the active ingredient Silymarin. By exerting a protective effect on the liver, silymarin prevents damage from compounds that are normally highly toxic such as Poison Death Cap Mushrooms. Milk thistle flowers can be boiled and eaten like artichokes. A mild laxative and natural antidepressant, milk thistle is used to treat cirrhosis and hepatitis. Milk thistle both increases breast milk production and stimulates bile production.

2) Cascara Sagrada (bark) - Rhamnus purshiana (Rhamnacea)
Cascara sagrada is one of the safest laxatives and normally induces peristaltic action within 8-12 hours. The "sacred bark" has been used for over 1000 years. During a fast, cascara sagrada is essential as it assists detoxification by helping the body to remove large amounts of impurities from the intestine and colon.

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FLUORIDE WATCH...

Submitted by:

Crystal Harvey, MAIC Correspondent

Fluoride Action Network

http://www.FluorideAlert.org

CDC Oral Health Division Must Be Investigated
Federal Statistics Show Fluoridation has Failed - Officials Promote It Anyway.

Fluoride Damages the Thyroid, report shows

First-ever government review of fluoride/thyroid toxicology shows risk .

2008-05-19 15:54:10 - There is clear evidence that small amounts of fluoride, at or near levels added to U.S. water supplies, present potential risks to the thyroid gland, according to the National Research Council's (NRC) first-ever published review of the fluoride/thyroid literature. (A)

Fluoride, in the form of silicofluorides, injected into 2/3 of U.S. public water supplies, ostensibly to reduce tooth decay, was never safety-tested.(B)

"Many Americans are exposed to fluoride in the ranges associated with thyroid effects, especially for people with iodine deficiency," says Kathleen Thiessen, PhD, co-author of the government-sponsored NRC report. "The recent decline in iodine intake in the U.S could contribute to increased toxicity of fluoride for some individuals," says Thiessen.

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FUNNY BONES

No offense intended for any individuals or tribes.

Three Indian commandos were out in the Iraqi desert. "I understand that you Indians have brought your own indigenous survival equipment" ventured their captain.

"Sir, I have brought an entire barrel cactus" said the Pima guy proudly. "When I get too hot, I just cut off the top and take a drink." The captain looked impressed.

Not to be outdone, the Pueblo guy said " Sir, I have brought the sacred corn pollen. When I get too hot, I pray with it, and then it rains". The captain looked even more impressed.

Not to be outdone the Pawnee guy said "I brought a car door off a 1959 Chevy Impala". "Why would you do that?" the captain asked. "Well," said the Pawnee guy "when I get too hot, I just roll down the window".

ANIMAL RIGHTS... AND WRONGS

Buffalo Field Campaign
West Yellowstone, Montana
Working in the field every day to stop the
slaughter of Yellowstone's wild free roaming buffalo

Update from the Field:

Mama buffalo and her newborn calf have had a very difficult week.
Chaos is reigning along Yellowstone National Park's western boundary as the thumping of chopper blades and the shouts of government agents repeatedly harass wild buffalo families and all wildlife near the Madison River. Nearly 200 buffalo - including dozens of newborn calves, yearlings, and pregnant mothers - have been ruthlessly run off of their spring habitat within the Gallatin National Forest. Agents are out harassing buffalo as this Update is being written.

Newborn buffalo calves and many pregnant buffalo cows have been run for miles through pockets of deep snow, barbed wire fences, thick forests laden with dead-fall, fast moving river currents, mucky wetlands, and steep, sandy bluffs. For these babies, it is a terrible and sometimes deadly introduction to the world. The new and developing muscles of these little ones cannot sustain such abuse. Today, mounted Montana Department of Livestock and Yellowstone National Park horsemen have picked up the hazing operation at Yellowstone's border, after it left Gallatin National Forest land, and are currently pushing the exhausted buffalo deep into Yellowstone National Park's interior with the assistance of the Montana Department of Livestock's helicopter.

READ MORE...

See an amazing film about Austrailia's Aboriginal peoples.

Traditional Whale Dreamers http://www.whaledreamers.com

SACRED SITES:

Winnemem Wintu sues for destruction of cultural sites

By Shadi Rahimi, Indian Country Today correspondent

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – It began with a War Dance ceremony first launched against the federal government five years ago for its proposal to raise the Shasta Dam.

The Winnemem Wintu Tribe declared that raising the dam would flood their remaining sacred sites, including Puberty Rock where coming-of-age ceremonies are performed. They opened their ceremony to reporters and drew international attention.

This time, on the banks of the American River April 19, the Winnemem Wintu Tribe danced in the start of what may be a long legal battle with the federal government to formally address centuries of injustice to their people and homeland in Shasta County.

The War Dancers had begun fasting three days prior and prayed until the following day, when a few dozen of the 120-member tribe marched through the state capital to draw attention to the lawsuit they had filed to address their forced removal from their ancestral land on the McCloud and lower Pit rivers and subsequent destruction of cultural sites.


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