Native Nations GPR

Native Nations Good Politics Radio

Native Indigenous People, Information, News, Events, Issues and Concerns will be topics featured in this page. We hope to inform, educate, encourage and challenge those who visit here.

The Native Indigenous Tribes, Nations and People groups are vastly under-represented in media, education, politics, health, and economics. We hope to help bridge the gap in some of the content and resources offered here. If you have comments, questions, concerns, ideas, or people who would like to participate in podcast programming for these efforts, please contact us.

Photo by NW Native Media

Tribal Canoe Journeys of the Pacific Northwest, USA

Native Tribes and Nations of US and Canada gather for epic event

2009 marks the 20 year anniversary of the 1989 Paddle to Seattle, when a handful of native traditional canoes paddled to Seattle. Since then Native canoes have held paddle events to various destinations.

Over 80 canoes are now gathered at Suquamish Tribe for events running through August 8th.

Info and News links for Tribal Canoe Journeys 2009 Paddle to Suquamish

Learn more about the events

Where to find more information relating to Native American and Canadian First Nations Canoe Journey events.

Tribal Journeys info page: Info and updates on Tribal Canoe Journeys events.
Suquamish Tribe official website for Tribal Journeys 2009: Info website of Suquamish Tribe for and about the Paddle Journey to Suquamish 2009.
Protocol Schedule for events at Suquamish Tribe canoe hosting 2009: Schedule details for the planned events.
Peninsula Daily News: Tribal Canoe Journey - Paddle to Suquamish: News article about the canoe event and participants.
Ben Charles.info Native Events page

Coastal Jam

What's in a "Coastal Jam" - You may ask

Coastal Jam is a gathering together of Canoe Families (Native Canoe Journey participants of the Pacific Northwest U.S. and B.C. Canada) for a meal, some planning for upcoming canoe journeys, de-briefing of previous canoe journeys, and then some good song and drumming times. And that also includes dancing - in our Native Coastal style, of course.

Grand Ronde Canoe Family Hosts Gathering (Coastal Jam) on 01-12-08.

The Grand Ronde (Oregon) Canoe Family will be hosting an informal Winter Gathering on Saturday, January 12th at 4 PM.

Dinner will be served at 4 PM and will be followed by an evening of singing and socializing. All are invited to attend.

This is an no-alcohol and no-drug event. Hope to see you there!

INFO: Fresh off the Presses - National and NDN Country

Keep up with some of the latest info

Tribal Journeys info page: Info for Native Canoe Journeys, and relating to, or of interest to Native Canoe Families and events.
NAMAPAHH First People's Radio: First People's Radio programming with host Robin Carneen.
2008 USA Presidential Campaign Watch: Keep up with how the USA 2008 Presidential Campaign develops.
2008 USA Campaign Issue Coverage Tracker: See 2008 USA Campaign Issues at-a-glance as reported by several Media Sources.
Turtle Island Native Network: News and information relating to Native issues, people and communities.

Amy Hanaiali'i - Hawaiian Christmas Concert

Amy Hanaiali'i Hawaiian Music Ambassador

Amy Hanaiali'i Hawaiian Christmas Concert
Dec 5, 2007. Curtain at 7:30 PM. Doors open at 6
Town Hall 1119 -8th Avenue (Seneca)
Downtown - Seattle, WA 98101

Amy is the official Hawaiian Music Ambassador, as appointed by Governor Linda Lingle. Amy is the only Hawaiian female to garner this unique achievement and has well earned it.

Amy has just returned from triumphant appearances in New York City and Yokohama, Japan.

A concert bonus: Kalae Bobo Miles will be opening for Amy's Concert. Check Kalae's MySpace and YouTube for more details on this wonderful up-and-coming Hawaiian artist.

Order Amy Hanaiali'i Hawaiian Christmas Concert tickets online at www.alohaislandtreasures.net till Dec. 4th Wednesday Noon.

MUST VISIT websites

Dramatic Influence New Zealand lense: This lens is a great way to connect with and follow the travels of the incredible Maori Youth team traveling the US and Canada this year. The group is under the direction of Dramatic Influence New Zealand founder, Fred Cooper. Check-it-out!
Dramatic Influence - main page: Learn more about the Maori Dancers from New Zealand who travel with the message "It's Cool to Stay In School", and "Be Proud to be Native"!

Maori Dancers Tour US and Canada

Dramatic Influence New Zealand, a groups of Maori young people from 15 to 28 years of age have dedicated the next several months of their lives to tour the US and Canada, giving presentations in schools and tribal communities, hoping to challenge and inspire Native American and First Nations youth with the powerful messages: "It's Cool to Stay in School", and to "BE FREE - Drug-free, Alcohol-free, Tobacco-free, and Violence-free".

The group is currently on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada and will return to the U.S. for their travels across the northern states. Stay tuned here for updates.

Tribal Journeys 2007 - Paddle to Lummi

Get ready for an historic event

Paddle to Lummi is the 15th Native Canoe Journey to take place in the Pacific Northwest involving dozens of Native Tribal ocean going canoes, paddling from 6 weeks to a few days, depending on the distance of each village from the hosting tribe or village.

In 1993, two canoes from Washington State spent over two months on the water paddling to Bella Bella B.C. Canada and back again (a distance of over 1200 miles). Each canoe had a crew of 8 to 10 pullers, varying at times up to 12, depending on the waters and how many crew were available for the day's pull.

This year's journey is to the Lummi Tribe, near Marysville, WA, USA. More than 80 tribal canoes are expected to take part in the journey which starts for some canoes on July 11. All canoes will arrive at Lummi on July 30, 2007 and remain there for ceremonies and celebrations until August 4th.

With pullers, and other crew members, and other participants, volunteers, and observers, several thousand people are expected to take part in the festivities.

If you are within 100 miles or so, it would be well worth the time and the drive to go and witness the impressive canoe entry ceremonies and other related events.

Tribal Journey 2007 - Paddle to Lummi

Native Canoe Journeys of the Pacific Northwest

Tribal Journeys main page: For information on the Native Canoe Journeys of the Pacific Northwest, involving Native Tribal Canoes from Washington and Alaska, USA and British Columbia Canada.
Paddle to Lummi website: Lummi Tribe will host the 2007 Native Canoe Journey, with 80 or more huge ocean-going Native canoes paddling trecherous waters to gather for ceremony and celebration and the ancestors did for thousands of years before modernization came on the scene.

MEET THE SPONSORS

Women's Safety Education Group: For empowering women to protect themselves, in an increasingly un-safe world.
The Journey Enterprises: Native American hand crafted Jewelry of silver, gold, platinum, and turquoise.
Charles Brothers Trio: Ben, Fred and John traveled North America, singing for youth camps, conferences, hospitals, care centers, churches, and schools. Their heavenly harmony still is heard on their CD albums.
Native Storytelling: Stories are not just for children, and not just for reading. These stories are presented in convenient click-to-listen Podcast format.
Ad-Venture Travel: Online Travel Services: information and competitive prices for your travel needs.

Ad-Venture Travel:
http://www.ytb.com/bkchar [Info page]
http://ytbtravel.com/bkchar [Booking site]

Thank you for booking your travel through us, and referring us to your friends and acquaintances for their travel needs.

Penn Cove Water Festival, May 12, 2007

FREE ADMISSION

May 12, 2007, 11 AM to 6 PM - Penn Cove Water Festival, Coupeville, WA, on the waterfront: on Whidby Island in the San Juan's.

CANOE RACES, Exhibits, Native Art Vendors, Demonstrations, Native and Northwest foods, and Environmental Education Activities, Storytelling and Historic Exhibits, Children's Activity Area, Performances: on the stage at the corner of Front and Alexander.

Canoe Races: launched and staged from Capt. Coupe Park at 9th and Front Streets, and take place on Penn Cove along the Coupeville waterfront.

Lots of info at http://www.penncovewaterfestival.com/index.php and at http://nn.goodpoliticsradio.com/

See links below for more information.

NATIVE ARTS AND MUSIC FESTIVAL 2007

MAY 18,19, 20, 2007, Tacoma, Washington, USA

The NEW Freighthouse Square in Partnership with The
Potlatch Fund PRESENT:

NATIVE ARTS AND MUSIC FESTIVAL 2007
MAY 18,19, 20, 2007, Tacoma, Washington, USA

A Celebration of Native American Art, Music and
Storytelling in a thoroughly modern world. Join us for an entire weekend of Native American arts and crafts sales, displays and demonstrations. Live music and storytelling performances and food will be a part of a cultural celebration.

Freighthouse Square is an 100 year old retail outlet
located in the heart of Tacoma's Dome District-see
http://www.freighthousesquare.com will host a Native Arts and music celebration this Spring 2007 and is calling on Native artists and performers and groups to participate.

For more information contact Robert Guerrero at
events@FreighththouseSquare.com see the website listed above for driving directions or call (253) 468-6003.

RSS: NAMAPAHH First People's Radio

With audio feed

First People's Radio programming with host Robin Carneen.

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Radio program features interview about Summer Canoe Events

Smitty & Ludie Hillaire are guests of Robin Carneen, Radio Host of Native programming NAMAPAHH First People's Radio. They talk about the 2007 Native Canoe Journey, Paddle to Lummi. LISTEN to it Now [Allow time for audio file to Load.]

Tribal Journeys main page

Keep up with news and info about the Tribal Journeys events.

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Native American Nations and Use of pearls and pearl shells

Some pearl trivia to think about

PEARLS - Native American Style

It is stated in certain U.S. government documents that "Native Americans of the Atlantic Coastal areas and the Mississippi River Basin were the first to collect and use U.S. freshwater mussel pearls and shells". However, we know that pearl shells (and pearls) were used within the tribes inhabiting other regions of North America long before the Europeans became the first (dare we say, illegal) immigrants to this land.

Native American Tribes and Nations throughout North America value pearl shells, and pearls. In ancient times these were used for trade, ceremonial purposes, and for adornment on clothing and household items.

New MAKE Blog

Nintendo cartridges throne
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Nothing but heavy duty

West Coast Native American Tribes use of pearl shells and pearls

Rarely, if ever acknowledged by "official sources", Native Americans of the West Coast valued and wore the pearl shells on clothing, as nose and earrings, and necklace pendants. The pearl shells also adorned significant carved items such as bentwood boxes, masks, bowls, speaker-staffs, totems, and house posts. Use of pearls and pearl shells, along with copper, and certain types of furs were typical symbols of wealth and status within the Native American / First Nations cultures.

Although the extent of harvesting and use of pearls by the Native American tribes and nations who inhabited North America in pre-European times is unclear, we can be sure that it was more wide-spread than is acknowledged in written history.

Pearls Native American Style - More info

Pearls Native American Style - According to the USGS: See what the USGS (United States Geological Survey Department) has to say on the subject.

They are only stating what they have been told. So we will acknowledge that. And hope that their further studies will be more educational.

Billy Frank, Jr. Chairman of Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission

March 7, 2006 entry

Excerpt from "Listen to the Salmon" by Billy Frank, Jr., Nisqually Tribe Elder, Washington State, USA

OLYMPIA, WA -- "This week I am turning 75 years young-time for me to think about what to do with the next half of my life.

But seriously, everyone who knows me knows I'll continue to fight, to the last breath, to help restore salmon to the rivers of the Pacific Northwest-at harvestable levels. If I am remembered by anyone in future generations, let it be as a fisherman."

MORE on Billy Frank, Jr.

Billy Frank, Jr. page: "... meeting the water needs of salmon in today's world is no easy task. It takes wisdom, foresight and courage."
Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission page: NWIFC member tribes are:

Lummi, Nooksack, Swinomish, Upper Skagit, Sauk-Suiattle, Stillaguamish, Tulalip, Muckleshoot, Puyallup, Nisqually, Squaxin Island, Skokomish, Suquamish, Port Gamble S'Klallam, Jamestown S'Klallam, Lower Elwha Klallam, Makah, Quileute and Quinault.

The NWIFC is primarily a support service organization that provides direct services to its member tribes to assist them in their natural resource management efforts. Approximately 70 full-time employees provide services to member tribes through an economy of scale that enables tribes to efficiently use the limited federal funding provided for their natural resource management activities. In addition, the commission provides services to non-member tribes through coordination of several statewide programs.

The NWIFC is headquartered in Olympia, Washington, with satellite offices in Forks, Mount Vernon and Kingston. Four departments comprise the commission: Administration, Fishery Services, Habitat Services and Information and Education Services.

What's in a meal

Do we eat to live or live to eat?

Health is more than not being sick. Health is maintaining a proper balance of nutrition, rest and exercise in order to keep "the machine" running properly. Without the balance, the body is stressed to compensate. Below are some healthy food and meal ideas that you may enjoy.

STORY OF OLD GRANDMOTHER LOON

Listen to the Podcast story, told by Ben Charles, about how an old grandmother tries to save her grandchildren from certain disaster.

See if you can figure out how to save the children.

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Native Nations - THE GATHERING PLACE: a podcast program introducing the Bear Butte, SD issue

The Gathering Place hosts: Ben and Sue Charles introduce the issue of Bear Butte, a sacred area to tribes and nations that is in danger of complete and final desceration.

To hear the podcast program, use the "Listen" icon below.
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In our next program, Carter Camp will talk with us about the Sacred area of Bear Butte, the recent events which again threaten the preservation of sacredness and solitude of this area. what measures have been taken, and what is up next.

The podcast program will be posted here in a Click-and-listen format.

MORE ON THE BEAR BUTTE STORY

PROTECTING A SPIRITUAL WAY OF LIFE: Protecting a Spiritual Way of Life
Indian Country Today
David Melmer
October 10, 2005

STURGIS, S.D. - Bear Butte is under attack - again.

A proposed biker bar, campground and outdoor concert venue is planned for construction on the north side of the sacred mountain.

Indigenous people from some 30 nations claim Bear Butte as sacred and they pray at the mountain. Vision quests are held on the mountain in preparation for the Sun Dance today as it has been for centuries, Lakota elders say.

The mountain is a South Dakota state park and visitors can hike at any time, even when prayer is taking place. It is also located 20 miles north of Sturgis. Therein lies the problem.

Sturgis is home to the largest motorcycle rally in the nation which is accompanied by noise, concerts, partying and, as opponents of development claim, ''debauchery.'' And all within shouting distance of the ceremonial area.

American Indians who oppose the new development said they were insulted and degraded because the na me of the business would be ''Sacred Ground.''
Sacredness Among Native Americans - READ MORE: Sacredness Among Native Americans
By Vine Deloria, Jr.

Religious sentiment and experience are foremost among the characteristics which distinguish our species from the rest of the organic beings in the world. Over the course of humanity's historical journey, religious experiences have formed the basis of social, political and economic institutions of both a formal and informal nature. American Indians, and many other tribal peoples, represent a long historical tradition in which religious experiences and knowledge, and the requirement of ceremonial participation, are spread more or less evenly throughout a small reasonably homogeneous society. Although American Indians participate in a large variety of religious traditions our concern here will be with that portion of the Indian nation that continues to follow traditional religious practices.

The United States Constitution guarantees, in the Bill of Rights, that the Federal government will not intervene in human social processes to establish a state religion nor will it place burdens upon the free exercise of religious duties and matters of conscience.
BEAR BUTTE PRESS STATEMENT - Read the entire report: EXCERPT FROM:

Bear Butte Press Statement by Owe Aku

Debra White Plume
Owe Aku, Bring Back the Way
www.bringbacktheway.com

2 April 2006

TO: Meade County Commissioners, Sturgis, SD
FR: Debra White Plume, Bring Back the Way, Pine Ridge Reservation, Manderson, SD

This letter is regarding the alcohol application of Mr. Jay Allen who proposes to build a campground, 22,500 square foot bar, 155,000 square foot asphalt parking lot, and an amphitheater to seat 30,000 near Bear Butte. Bear Butte is a Sacred Mountain to our Lakota People and many other native nations.

We pray there, learn there, and receive healing there. Bear Butte is our church, school, and hospital.

While non-Indians probably believe that since there is no development actually ON THE MOUNTAIN, it is ok to build nearby. However, as you know as elected officials who have a responsibility to the people who not only voted you into office, but to people everywhere who depend on your judgment to take care of your responsibility, there are laws and regulations in place all over the United States which protect the integrity of churches, schools and hospitals. As the county commissioners, you too have the power to demand by example that all people, businesses, organizations, and governments show their respect for a sacred mountain by your ability to enact a vote of No to Mr. Allen's application.

This is a great responsibility that you all have, and the eyes and ears of the whole country and many other nations are watching and listening to what your response will be regarding this issue.
BRING BACK THE WAY - Learn more: We believe in and engage in collective action: it is through people working together that social change is made.
Native Nations Good Politics Radio - visit our sister site for more on this topic: Our sister site, Native Nations Good Politics Radio has more information on this.
History of Intertribal Coalition to Defend Bear Butte: Introduction

The Intertribal Coalition to Defend Bear Butte was formed on Nov 5, 2005 in order to develop & engage in action to protect our sacred site of Mato Paha & our way of life.

.........

Editorial Commentary...

Clearly the struggle over the Bear Butte area goes back to the European invasion of (what is now known as) the Americas.

The driving force of the non-Indian seems to always boil down to the dollar (greed).

The staying power and determination of First Nations People is to retain the sacredness of the area, preservation of the culture and the thousands of years of native spirituality for our future generation.

Read the document to learn more...
Native Nations Internet Radio page: Be sure to visit our sister site to learn more about this critical issue.

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See Book and other items

Mama Bear Baby Bear

by: Linda Silvas

Amazon Price: $23.00 (as of 11/16/2009)

Corelle Coordinates Sand Art Melamine Trivet

Amazon Price: $6.22 (as of 11/16/2009)

Lower Elwha Klallam Art and Artists

To find a Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe artist, about all you have to do is take a look around. There about as many Elwha Klallam artists as there Elwha Klallams.

Some may think this is an exaggeration, and it may be a slight exaggeration, but not by very much.

The Klallam people (all three bands of Klallam) are brimming with talent, as artists, singers, musical instrumentation, dancers, speakers and storytellers.

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