Twilight for the Forest People by John N. Wilford, New York Times

Best Aerial Photos: The Boston Globe

Young man from amazon tribe. photo:google

An unknown Aboriginal tribe has been discovered  in the Brazilian rainforest. The announcement was made by the Brazilian National Foundation of Indians (FUNAI). The newly identified group is located close to Brazil’s border with Peru in the Vale do Javari reservation.

Former director of Funai Sydney Possuelo is responsible for Brazil’s “no contact” policy. They leave the tribes alone. Unfortunately, with deforestation increasing, the tribe has little chance of survival.

“If they remain isolated, these populations may cling to their way of life a little longer. Some have moved deeper into the rainforest, away from encroaching loggers and oil prospectors. But the bulldozers and saws seem destined to end their solitude. If they are removed and survive the exposure to diseases they have never encountered, it is likely that the unique knowledge and beliefs that define them, the spirit of their life, will probably slip away.”

Be sure to read both articles and share your thoughts with us!

The following are photos from Google images of  previous aboriginal tribes. They are beautiful…

Amazon child.

amazon tribal members.

Amazon girl.

Amazon man.

Amazon girl.

 

 

Tags: Aboriginal tribes, Brazil

ICTMN

Choctaw Days at the Smithsonian poster: photo ICTMN

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) and the Choctaw Nation are joining forces to put together an event in Washington D.C. entitled, The Choctaw Days. The event held June 22-25 which corresponds with the museum’s peak tourist season, when an average of 1,500 people come to the NMAI every day. A statement from Chief Pyle about the release:

“We are honored to be the first American Indian tribe from Oklahoma to have a festival of this kind at the National Museum of the American Indian,” said Chief Gregory E. Pyle in a press release. “I remember when the museum opened on the National Mall almost seven years ago and I have visited NMAI numerous times since. It is a remarkable place, showcasing hundreds of tribes from South, Central and North America…

We have assembled several of our best artists, dancers, singers and cultural experts. We know that we will have a different audience than we are accustomed to and want to ensure that they all understand just how special our tribe is…”

For additional information about the upcoming  Choctaw Days event, visit their site here. Also, get  history, free Lesson plans, plus an Answer Key for the Choctaw Lesson plan from Talking Feather here.

Read the article and share your thoughts!  To view these pieces and more, visit Website for Art here.

Here are additional samples of the Choctaw art work.

Choctaw Raccoon Dance

Choctaw-Five Civilized Women photo

Hummingbird Gourd, No. 1

California Gathering

Choctaw Snake Dance

Human Effigy Water Bottle

Tags: Choctaw Art, Smithsonian

Talking Feather June 19, 2011

Osiyo!

We’re happy to report that  new material for the Apache Lesson Plan has been added. In addition to the original reading and exercises, there are new vocabulary words and discussion questions.  There is also a Teachers’ Guide and Answer Key for the entire lesson. Continue checking this site for new material.

A special Thanks to those of you who have become members of Talking Feather!

White Mt. Apache Scouts 1880-1883-photo:Gary O'Neill

Tags: Answer Key, Apache, Teachers' Guide

Talking Feather, June 16, 2011

Buffy St. Marie-photo: current tour

American Indian singing artist Buffy St. Marie was born on the Cree reservation, and  was adopted and raised in New England. She received a Ph.D. in Fine Arts from the University of Massachusetts, and holds degrees in Oriental Philosophy and Teaching.  She became known for her songs of protest and of love. Many of her songs have been huge hits and performed by other well known artists such as  Barbra Streisand, Elvis, Chet Atkins, Roberta Flack, Neil Diamond, and Tracy Chapman.

She won an academy award in 1982  for her song Up Where We Belong which was the title song from the film An Officer and A Gentleman.

She took a respite from recording to have a baby, and both she and her son made frequent appearances on Sesame Street, where the theme was Indians Still Exist. Ms. St. Marie founded the Cradleboard Teaching Project in 1996, which focuses on Native American Education and is free to everyone.

“The Cradleboard Teaching Project turns on the lights in public education about Native American culture – past, present, and most important for the children – the Future. It comes out of Indian country, and reaches far beyond, into the mainstream classroom and into the future of education.”

-Cradleboard Mission Statement-

Today she is still singing and performs frequently with her Rock Band. When she’s not performing, she’s at home on her goat farm in the mountains with her  27 goats, two horses, and a kitty cat. We wish her Blessings. Be sure to visit her website!

Tags: Buffy St. Marie

ICTMN

The Gathering of Nations is one of the largest Pow Wows in the U.S. with over 500 tribes participating. The goal  of the organization is to preserve and promote American Indian cultures and traditions. The organization was founded in 1983, and the Gathering is held annually in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

This year the famous Pow Wow drum group Midnite Express, from the twin cities of Minnesota performed at the 2011 Gathering of Nations. Lead singer Opie Day-Bedeaux is a member of the Ojibway People, and has contributed to this talented group which has won numerous awards throughout the country.

Read the article, visit the sites, and enjoy!

Opie Day-Bedeaux-One Love: round dance songs

Tags: Gathering of Nations, Midnite Express Drum Group, Opie Day-Bedeaux

Various Talking Sticks

There are legends about how the Talking Feather came to be, and many tribes take credit for these stories, so there are several versions. Traditionally, the American Indians used the Talking Feather or Talking Stick as a method to insure organization during important council meetings among the tribes. The materials used for both Feather and Stick were important. The Sacred Feather was usually from an Eagle representing truth, freedom, wisdom, and keen insight. Some tribes believed in using the Feather from an Owl which represented protection, wisdom, and strong insight into truth. The Sacred Stick was made from the bark of trees such as the Oak (strength) the Elm (wisdom) and others. There were also embellishments and adornments made from the skins or hides from animals such as Elk (physical ability), Deer (gentleness), Buffalo (abundance) and the Rabbit (ears for listening) and several other animals the various tribes felt were sacred. Color played an important role in the creations. Certain tribes attached different meanings to each color. For example, red symbolizes blood of life, white symbolizes truth, purity, blue is for healing. Each member was guaranteed a chance to speak their thoughts. The Feather or Stick was passed to each person, and while the speaker held this object, they could not be interrupted. Each member listened carefully to what was being said. Indian children were taught to listen carefully when someone speaks.Today, one of the most important skills we can teach our young children is that of listening. This method is still used in many American schools, especially with very young children. Although the object the speaker holds may not always be a Feather, or a Stick, it is something equally symbolic to the children. It is effective as a tool to teach children the benefits of listening to others.As teachers we are constantly listening to our students. It was by listening to my students the idea of this site was created.

A Talking Feather

Photos: Feather:  Owl’s Original Crafts

Talking Sticks: SunReed Instruments

Tags: Talking Feather, Talking Stick

Talking Feather, June 11, 2011

Osiyo,
Pow Wows are the American Indian way of  gathering to join in dancing, singing, visiting, renewing old friendships and making new ones. This is a time to renew the culture and preserve the rich heritage of American Indians.
In addition to Pow Wows, this is also the time for noting American Indian artists, singers, poets, and classical musicians who inspire others, especially young people, through their art. We’ve  high-lighted some wonderful artists for you to enjoy. (Additional Artists’ information)

Guitarist Gabriel Ayala-Photo Gallery

Tango cd by Gabriel Ayala

Poet and Author Joy Harjo-You Tube "Reality Site"

Red Dreams cd by Joy Harjo

Conductor Jerod Tate- You Tube

Painting: Winds of Change by Juane Quick-to-See Smith

Jaune Quick-to-See Smith-Images

ICTMN
Writer Jon Proudstar  and artist Ryan Huna Smith, started a comic book series Tribal Force, about a team of American Indian superheroes.

The cover of Tribal Force #1-1996, with Art by Ryan Huna Smith-photo:ICTMN

The first (and only) issue ran in 1996, and according to  1997 story in High Country News sold 12,000 copies. There was a 15-year hiatus, the main reason being the publisher Mystic Comics
went bankrupt. Jon is now advertising  Tribal Force on the  KickStarter website. The other reason for the long  interval was that the team of Proudstar and Smith broke up. According to the Indian newspaper NavajoTimes, Proudstar said, he was haunted by his characters Earth, Thunder Eagle and Little Big Horn.
“I’m just a writer…The man who drew you, Ryan Huna Smith, has gone his own way. I’m not an artist, and I have no money to hire one…This is either going to be done or not, and if I wait around for somebody to help me out of the goodness of his heart—because I certainly can’t pay anybody—then it’s not”
Talking Feather hopes  Mr. Proudstar will continue with the series (we’ll be watching) and we wish him the best of luck!

Read the articles, (there are 3) and share your opinion with us!

Tribal Force-photo Navajo Times

Tags: American Indian Comics, Jon Proudstar, Ryan H. Smith

By Seminole Star Search,

Micki Free and the Seminole Tribe of Florida Rock the Future of Native Music

Micki Free, a well-known American Indian musician has performed with talent such as Kiss, Cheap Trick and Queen.  He is now giving back to the community by promoting Native music and by giving the “rez” youth a chance at a career in the music business.

Mickey Free-photo: ICTMN

During an interview with Crawdaddy magazine Free stated,

“My stepdad was in the Army and gave me the platform to experience life and music outside of the States…“I didn’t grow up on the Rez. I saw Jimi Hendrix in Germany, along with Clapton and the Stones. When I visited Oklahoma, my father’s people kept me in tune with my Native side.”

Micki Free-photo: website

Free’s latest projects,  Native Music Rocks! the Seminole Star Search talent competitions, and Native Music Rocks Educational Bus, are all mainly focused on young (unknown) American Indian Artists.  Free states,

“We show kids what they need to make it, besides luck… we groom the contestants for the Star Search finale. It’s open to all Seminole Tribal members. It used to be, on the Rez, you had two choices—sports or drugs. … I want the choice to be between sports and music and the performing arts, and, so far, it seems to be working…We’ll use the bus as a launching pad to start Native Music Rocks programs in schools for Native kids. That excites me more than winning another Grammy. Giving back to my people is my number one job right now.”

To find out more information, read the entire article!

Helping young people develop their talent, and empowering them with knowledge that will benefit them in the future, is the sign of a true winner.

Kudos to Mr. Micki Free!  Listen to Micki Free’s Native Dance on You Tube! Visit Micki Free on facebook

Tags: Micki Free, Music, youths