Smoke Signal News - June 2008 Page 2

CHUNGKE' - A Choctaw Game of Skill

Chungke' comes to us from the Choctaw of Mississippi. Chungke' was a game of
great skill played by adults, but sadly, it also demonstrated the tragic consequence of heavy gambling.

It was common for the players to wager, literally, everything they owned including even their weapons. It was not rare for the loser to return home, borrow a gun and commit suicide. Suicide was considered a crime, and the the body was buried without any of the normal ceremony.

The game was played on a specially prepared surface by two players utilizing a stone and two javelins (spears). The playing surface consisted of an "alley" 200 feet long, and covered with a very smooth clay.

This clay, when dry, formed an extremely hard surface. Each player had a javelin which measured 15 feet in length, without pointed ends. They looked more like skinny poles than spears. One player also had a stone which was flat, about 1 1/2 - 2 inches thick, and approximately 10-14 inches in diameter.

The player holding the stone would throw it down the alley. As soon as he released it the two players started running after it. While running the other player throws his pole towards the stone attempting to strike it. The player who threw the stone throws his pole at the opponent's pole, attempting to knock it out of flight thereby preventing it from hitting the stone. If he succeeds he gains 1 point and retains the throw of the stone, if he fails and his opponent's pole hits the stone, then the
opponent scores 1 point and the throw of the stone. If both miss their
targets, no points are scored and the throw is repeated.

The game is played until one player has scored 11 points which is the winning score.

History and Common Sense
©by Doug George-Kanentiio


	Great Seal of the Oneida Nation

The May 20 decision by the Bureau of Indian Affairs to place 13,004 acres of land in central New York in “trust” for the Oneida Nation of New York, Inc. is not a cause for celebration but alarm.

If there is one undeniable truth in Iroquois-US relations it is this: the US will do what it may to eradicate the Haudenosaunee (Six Nations Iroquois Confederacy) as a distinct people. Whether this means eclipsing our humanity by portraying us as sub-human savages, forcibly removing us from our ancestral lands or destroying our culture by imposing alien values on our children the process of obliteration continues.

We have opposed this tactic with whatever means possible even if it required us to pick up arms. We have fought in the courts and taken to the streets, created alternative schools, developed language retention programs, organized our own media. All of this to preserve and protect our identity as onkwehonwe (original human beings). We have sent our representatives throughout the world carrying these twin messages of hope and defiance.

As along as we held together we have been able to delay what some would say is the inevitable loss of our heritage but the miracle is that we still have the most vital elements of our culture intact. We might be stronger still if we had not had to struggle with our own kin, those who saw immediate, personal gain as preferable to the seven generations principle which is supposed to be the moral and legal foundation of our lives.

READ MORE...

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.

Thank you from Papua, New Guinea

Kai Ora = Greetings Manataka,

I want to thank you for sharing your culture and custom with me. I look forward with anticipation for the Smoke Signal to feed my thirst for knowledge which opens doors that I must seek answers.

Arohamai= Bye with love ~ Ted French

First Amendment Rights

Manataka,

I have been reading with interest the story of MAIC and the writing of Linda VanBibber on Place of Peace: Literally speaking Amendment 1 is yours also to interpret it does not belong to only one person to use it and say that this is what gives me the right to do what I am doing it is a right of the many under the Bill of Rights under your United States of America Constitution. There is room to go to Government with your grievance and also room to demonstrate peaceful at the University and where ever this National parks officer is going to speak or lecture ~ Regards Elvina Jean

South American Organic Beef

Manataka,

Great article on the value of "live food" vs dead food. I only have one comment to make and that is this. South American beef for the most part is usually pasture fed ONLY. At least this is my own personal experience from traveling in the "rural" cattle country areas of Argentina, Uruguay and Panama. Especially in Argentina and Uruguay. That meat is excellent and I rode on farms that sell the meat. As a Naturopath, I wanted to see for myself. They don't even have to feed the cattle in Uruguay much of anything at all… the grasses are so vital because the soil is loaded with nutrients. Israel sends Rabbi's over (I met them in Melo in March) to "buy", package and ship hand selected beef and lamb and poultry for Israel. Takes them a couple of months. Then the Muslims come after that and buy ALL their meat from Uruguay. They don't spray their pastures either, because they can't afford it. In Uruguay, which I traveled by car all over that country, I never saw one feedlot. Their milk was raw milk on the farms where I stayed and the foods were wonderful and full of vitality. In the thermal areas where they have Thermal hot springs, the mineral rich waters there were phenomenal and drinking that water was amazing! Just wanted to make you aware that not all of South America is like that. Some of the best meat in the world comes from South America. Now as for McD's. I don't eat any junk like that…and I'm sure they have messed up the standard "South American" way of life by implementing the mass cattle harvesting practices of the US and are buying from those sources… but the sources I've seen in my travels were predominantly along organic lines that are standard practice in S.A.

Just wanted to let you know. ~Atha T. White, ND, CNHP

Chi Lik Um Yoks

Dear Editor:

I laughed out loud at the Funny Bones Chinese Phrases in your May issue of Smoke Signals. Whoever wrote that is very, very clever. ~Patricia Hubbard

Manataka Gets the Credit

Manataka,

Here is a report on the Diversity Fair at the local hospital. Eleven different cultures represented. The table that Scott, my intern, and I had was titled Native American Spirituality. We were voted the #1 exhibitor and Manataka gets much of the credit! We gave away over a hundred of the booklets to healthcare professionals and put Manataka's slide presentation on a continuous loop on a laptop on the table. There were a lot of people who stopped and watched all 185 slides. We had lots of regalia items, artifacts, books, photos, and literature regarding mostly Cherokee, Cree, and Blackfoot but representing Native American Culture in general. I think we did very well. I am sure that the web site will be getting many hits. Blessings to you and to Manataka. ~Chaplain Fred D. Wilcoxson, Ph.D., PC, BCCC

Speaking to the Heart

Thank you so much. The words I am reading on your website speak deeply to my heart and bring me hope. Thank you for holding this sacred energy on the planet. ~Michelle M. Meisse

May Manataka Grow

I have made considerable contribution to Manataka I too have grown as a woman of substance in knowing who I am. I am grateful for having my time spent in the company of Soul writers and the journeyers of the Spirit. I have learnt to travel with the Grandmothers and to appreciate even more the in depth nature of our Native American contribution together in Manataka. Bless all who have shared with me and have read with me the wonderful wisdom of stories and songs and inspiration in Manataka. I am a woman who has loved every word that I have written in time I hope that this is also appreciated. May Manataka grow. ~Many thanks. Carol Petersen

CONSUMER ALERTS

MONSANTO, CARGILL, & ADM RAKE IN BILLIONS ON WORLD FOOD CRISIS
Monsanto, Cargill, and Archer Daniels Midland are making a mint off corn and soy-based biofuels, while rapidly monopolizing the market, and hoarding future reserves of crop seeds and germplasm, wheat, rice, soy, corn, and other grains. While a billion people go hungry, and food riots threaten global stability, these Biotech and Food Giants are raking in record profits, along with Wall Street speculators, who have shifted their greed from sub-prime mortgages to increasingly scarce natural resources and food. Learn more: http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_12088.cfm http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_12039.cfm

CONSUMER TIP & ALERT:
HAZARDOUS & UNLABELED NANOTECH PESTICIDES IN CONSUMER PRODUCTS
An important lawsuit was filed last week against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by the International Center for Technology Assessment calling for 200 consumer products to be removed from the market, because they contain dangerous nanoparticle pesticides. The EPA is illegally allowing a wide variety of consumer products to be infused with nanoparticle-sized silver, supposedly for its enhanced "germ killing" abilities. Nano-silver is now laced into products including children's toys, personal care products, household appliances, cleaners, clothing, cutlery, and coated electronics. According to George Kimbrell, staff attorney for ICTA, "Nano-silver is leaching into the environment, where it will have toxic effects on fish, other aquatic species and beneficial microorganisms." Learn more about nanotechnology, take action, and see a comprehensive list of everyday products containing nanotech here: http://www.organicconsumers.org/nanotech.cfm

LESSON OF THE WEEK:
HOW TO READ LABELS ON PLASTIC CONTAINERS & PRODUCTS
Unfortunately, the average consumer is buying more and more products packaged in plastic. It's getting harder and harder to find non-plastic containers. So what should the educated consumer do? Obviously, buying products packaged in tin, glass or aluminum increases recyclability and reduces toxins like BPA in our diets. But if you have to buy plastic, what's the best option? We all know those little numbers on plastic products identify the specific type of plastic. But which ones are less toxic? Which ones are really getting recycled as compared to those that get thrown into the bins destined for the waste dump or underdeveloped countries? Learn more by using this handy guide: http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_11653.cfm

VIDEOS OF THE WEEK:

VANISHING OF THE BEES
We've highlighted this movie in Bytes before, but we strongly feel this is truly a "canary in the mine" issue. This movie, which is nearing completion, analyzes why millions of bees are dying around the world and how dramatically it could impact the world's natural environment and food supply. The producers are in need of donations to complete the film and are currently eligible to receive matching funds from a foundation that will double donations made by our readers. View this breath-taking movie trailer here: http://www.vanishingbees.com

PRODUCT PLUNDER OF THE WEEK:
TAKE BACK THE FILTER
You probably didn't know that Brita, America's #1 water filter, is owned by Clorox. Brita helps its customers feel good about filtering water without buying untold numbers of plastic bottles. Indeed, the Brita filter option is much better than purchasing bottled water. With that said, the U.S. version of the Brita filter is currently designed to be disposable. Hundreds of thousands of plastic Brita filters needlessly flow into U.S. landfills, while in Europe, the same company is providing those cartridges in a recyclable form. As a result, Brita is currently being pressured by consumers and TakeBacktheFilter.org to change its policies. Learn more about how you can send in your used Brita filters to pressure the company to make the green shift: http://www.takebackthefilter.org

Brought to you by ORGANIC BYTES, from Organic Consumers Assoc. http://www.organicconsumers.org/

This Company May Be the Biggest Threat to Your Future Health

On March 11 a new documentary was aired on French television. It is a documentary most Americans will never see, explaining how the gigantic biotech corporation Monsanto is threatening to destroy the agricultural biodiversity which has served mankind for thousands of years.

For millennia, farmers have saved seeds from season to season. But when Monsanto developed GM seeds that would resist its own herbicide, Roundup, Monsanto patented the seeds.

For nearly all of its history the United States Patent and Trademark Office refused to grant patents on seeds, viewing them as life-forms with too many variables to be patented. But in 1980 the U.S. Supreme Court allowed for seed patents in a five-to-four decision, laying the groundwork for a handful of corporations to begin taking control of the world’s food supply.

Since the 1980s, Monsanto has become the world leader in genetic modification of seeds and has won 674 biotechnology patents, more than any other company.

Farmers who buy Monsanto’s Roundup Ready seeds are required to sign an agreement promising not to save the seed produced after each harvest for re-planting, or to sell the seed to other farmers. This means that farmers must buy new seed every year.

Monsanto puts pressure on farmers, farmers’ co-ops, seed dealers, and anyone else it suspects may have infringed its patents of genetically modified seeds. To do this, Monsanto relies on a shadowy army of private investigators and agents. They secretly videotape and photograph farmers, store owners, and co-ops. They infiltrate community meetings. They gather information from informants about farming activities.

Some Monsanto agents pretend to be surveyors. Others confront farmers on their land and try to pressure them to sign papers giving Monsanto access to their private records. Farmers call them the “seed police” and use words such as “Gestapo” and “Mafia” to describe their tactics.

Source:

Vanity Fair May 2008

Citizens uniting against fluoride
Large-scale lawsuit seeks to ban chemical poisoning of water supply
By Chelsea Schilling, © 2008 WorldNetDaily

A group of private citizens in San Diego County is planning to file a large-scale lawsuit in federal court against public water districts and challenge the constitutionality of using industrial-grade hydrofluosilicic acid to fluoridate drinking water.

Jeff Green, national director of Citizens for Safe Drinking Water in San Diego, told WND, "We are raising funds for a lawsuit that has been prepared for plaintiffs who are asserting their constitutional rights under the Ninth and 14th Amendments to be free of what they term 'bodily intrusions' by a water wholesaler adding an unapproved drug into their water."

Specific details about the lawsuit such as names of plaintiffs will not be revealed until the suit has officially been filed. However, Green said the filing parties are private citizens in Southern California who are seeking an injunction against public water districts to stop use of unapproved drugs in the area drinking supply.

"They are individuals who will be claiming that they shouldn't be taking an unapproved drug because they already have adverse effects happening," he said.

"They already have things like kidney disease, thyroid disease and other health issues that make it important for them to have the right to control what they are exposed to."

As WND previously reported, there is growing and fierce opposition to plans to fluoridate public drinking water after shocking new studies that seriously question a practice routine among U.S. municipalities for nearly the last 50 years. Green said many citizens are usually unaware of how dangerous the chemical can actually be.

"Most people think that fluoride is what you have in your toothpaste or water, but they are unaware of the fact that Prozac and Zoloft are fluoride products," Green said. "Almost all psychotropic drugs are fluoride products.

"Baycol, the drug that was pulled off the market because of muscle degeneration, is a fluoride product," he continued. "Cipro, the product they were going to use for the Anthrax vaccine, was a fluoride product. In Fen-Phen, the diet drug that got pulled of the market, the fluoride in it is what created the thickening of the heart valve. Rohypnol, the date-rape drug, is a fluoride product. If someone goes into surgery, and they use anesthesia gas, they would be using fluorothane or halothane or one of these other fluoride products."

Contrary to popular belief, Green said medical and scientific research indicates water fluoridation does not prevent tooth decay and that U.S. water districts have asked chemical suppliers to make statements that fluoride is effective at doing so.

"There's not one chemical supplier in the entire United States that will make that statement," he said.

He hopes the lawsuit will send a message to chemical suppliers and water districts across the nation that citizens will not tolerate general poisoning of their water supply with fluoride or a variety of other contaminants.

"It's not OK for them to come out and say it's the greatest thing in the world, and then we find hazardous waste that has arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury in it," Green said. "Where did they get the ability to add these toxins? There wasn't anything people voted for, anywhere, that said it was a reasonable implementation of public policy of fluoridation to add arsenic. The levels that are allowable would allow as much as one in every 3,000 people to have lung or bladder cancer over a lifetime of use."

Green said donations to support the lawsuit are being made to Keepers of the Well, an organization committed to promoting safe drinking water. The plaintiffs expect to file soon and assert their rights to protect themselves from poisoning.

"In essence, we're saying that these water districts may have made a determination that they want to fluoridate; that's public policy, but when it comes down to implementing it and actually pushing a substance that has never been approved by the FDA, they are actually treating people and intending to prevent disease with an unapproved drug."

http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=64168

Submitted by:

Crystal Harvey, MAIC Correspondent

Fluoride Action Network

http://www.FluorideAlert.org

The massacre of buffalo that took place in Yellowstone National Park this winter must never be allowed to happen again.

More than 50 percent of America's last free-roaming buffalo herd has perished in just six months from a brutal winter, starvation, and wholesale slaughter waged by the State of Montana and the Department of the Interior National Park Service.

With 1,600 wild buffalo killed in cold blood -- and 700 felled by the long winter -- it was the highest death toll since the 1800s, when these noble creatures were almost wiped off the planet.

Manataka and affiliated organizations are ratcheting up nationwide pressure on the government to end its inhumane policy of killing wild buffalo that wander outside of the park in search of food or to give birth.

Thousands and thousands of letters, emails and telephone calls have been generated by the Buffalo Field Campaign and other organizations protesting the inhumane treatment of sacred buffalo. A campaign by the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is already paying off. The 120,000 messages of protest we've generated to the National Park Service have grabbed its attention. And the State of Montana, acutely aware that Americans are outraged, has called a halt to this season's slaughter.

But now the real fight begins: we must win real, long-term protections that will save Yellowstone's remaining buffalo herd from the perennial threat of winter slaughter. And we must safeguard key habitat outside the park where buffalo will be free to graze and give birth without being gunned down.

Manataka encourages you to contribute to established and recognized nonprofit organizations who are working on this issue:

This will enable us to launch an all-out national campaign for the sake of buffalo survival.

We will arm national TV outlets with damning video footage of the government's capture-and-kill operation... generate an outcry of public opposition that the government will be unable to ignore... and bring together the best scientists in the field to develop a more humane buffalo management plan.

Support these efforts to stop the annual massacre of these noble creatures. Help us fight for a new, more compassionate policy that will allow Yellowstone's buffalo to thrive both inside and outside the park.

Support Urgently Needed!

Panhe, held sacred by the Acjachemen Nation, is located in southern California.

Panhe bears a special meaning in Acjachemen -- as well as non-Indian -- life, culture and history. Panhe is an ancient Acjachemen village that is over 8,000
years old and a current sacred site, ceremonial site, cultural site, and burial site for theAcjachemen people. Many Acjachemen people trace their lineage back to Panhe. Panhe is the site of the first baptism in California, and the first close contact between Spanish explorers, Catholic missionaries, and the Acjachemen people in 1769. The Acjachemen people built the mission at San Juan Capistrano.

Destroying Panhe would hurt not only the Acjachemen people but all the people of California and the nation.

The proposed toll road would impermissibly harm the Acjachemen people, impair their access to Panhe, and impair their ability to practice their religion. The toll road will impair their freedom of religion, freedom of association, and beach access
rights.

Contents:

Legends of Old:		Chungke - A Choctaw Game of Skill
Feature Story:		History and Common Sense
Letters to the Editor:		A Bunch of Folks Are Speaking Out
Organic Consumers:		Making Billions On World Food Crisis
Elder's Meditations:		Rolling Thunder,Cherokee
Health:		This Company May Be the Biggest Threat to Your Future Health
Plant Medicine:		Quinoa, Sacred Crop of the Incas
Fluoride:		Citizens Uniting Against Fluoride
Animal Rights and Wrongs:	A	National Park Service Slaughters Sacred Buffalo
Endangered Sacred Sites:		Save Panhe, Save San Onofre


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