Consciousness of Taino: Explorations of Identity By Jose Barreiro, ICT

Taino Culture

Many believe that the Taino American Indians are extinct. Some go so far as to claim they never existed and are simply legends.  Today, scholars have a very different opinion. On August 23, 2011,  a group of scholars and culture-bearers met at the National Museum of the American Indian, in Washington DC. to discuss a project and museum  presentation of the Taino. The following is an excerpt:

“In the Greater Antilles, Taino is in the mind. Taino is nation and movement, ancestry and identity. Taino, the term, is mentioned in the early chronicles of conquest, recorded to mean “the good people” or the “noble people…Among indigenous descendants in the large islands of Hispaniola (home of the Dominican Republic), Cuba and Puerto Rico, in the past 40 years, the term Taino has been a unifying force…A gathering of scholars and culture-bearers on the subject of Taino and its meanings—convened August 23 at the National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution, in Washington, DC… Additionally, the explosion of interest in the Taino past is generating the regrouping of Taino-identified families in associations under the aegis of various local identifications of Taino…Thus “Taino,” in the people and in the consciousness of Caribbean life, calls for a reconsideration of the term “extinction” when describing the fate of the Caribbean indigenous people and cultures that greeted Columbus. As the intense reawakening to indigenous roots increasingly generates interesting and culturally revealing polemics, how is it influencing the popular cultural arts and the public discourse on culture, history and environment?

As classic Caribbeanist scholar, Dr. José Juan Arrom, once put it: “The Taíno is in us and around us.”

Yuiza-The Last Taino Queen by Samuel Lind

Visit our Artist LJ Vargas (of Taino ancestry)

Read the entire article, and for further information about the Taino Indians be sure to read A full-text paper by the Cornell-based Taino scholar, Dr. José Barreiro, originally published in Northeast Indian Quarterly, and focusing on Cuba.”

Taino Indian painting-google image

Taino Indian

Legend of the Talking Feather: Kanati and Asgaya Gigagei Bestow the Gift of The Talking Feather

There are many legends about how the Indians learned about the Talking Feather”. Here is one of them…

Long years ago, when gods walked this earth and the land beyond, Kanati and Asgaya Gigagei, were together enjoying the warm summer day. It was a day when the crickets chirrupted in the waving, green grass,when they noticed a figure moving towards them.

As the figure approached closer Kanati said “Look, that woman is crying, what could be the matter?” “I can not imagine why anyone would cry on such a glorious day.” Replied Asgaya Gigagei. “Let’s ask her.”

As the woman drew nearer, they could see her buckskin was decorated with beautiful designs and colors. She carried a bundle filled with leaves, sage, and colorful stones and feathers. They knew immediately this woman was a holy being.

Kanati asked her “Holy mother, why are you crying so?” The woman looked up in wonder, because she had been walking with her head down. “I’m crying because the men of my village are fighting constantly! Each thinks his ideas for leading the tribe is the best!” Kanati and Asgaya Gigagei glanced at one another, in perplexity. “Why, if there are so many good ideas for leading your tribe, why are the men fighting? And why aren’t you and the other members happy!” The poor woman shook her head sadly and replied, “Yes, you are right, the men do have very good ideas, but every man wants to speak his own ideas, and not listen to anyone else. They all shout and scream at one another so loudly, that it frightens the children who run and hide behind their mothers. The women are sad because their husbands come to the house upset and angry. Furthermore, the tribe is suffering, because no one can seem to make a decision.”  Just then a beautiful Eagle was soaring overhead, Kanati called out “Brother Eagle, may I have one of your feathers, there are poor humans in desperate need!”

Bother Eagle replied “Yes” and shook himself until a single iridescent, large feather fell to the ground. “Many thanks and Blessings on you” said Kanati. Kanati made secret signs and prayers over the Feather. Asgaya Gigagei helped him with the blessings. Kanati then said to the woman “This is the sacred Talking Father, it holds great power for the one who holds it. Go back to your people, hold this feather up in the air, all who see it will fall silent, and listen to what you have to say. Tell all who listen that from now on, who ever holds this feather, all present within the Circle Council must listen to his words. The feather must then be passed on to the next speaker.”

The woman thanked Kanati and Asgaya Gigagei and hurried back to her village where there was total chaos!. Everyone was talking at once, children were crying, men were screaming at each other. As soon as she held the feather over her head, all became quiet! No one could utter a sound! the holy woman proceeded to give the directions given to her by the gods. She then passed the feather to the first man. He called the Talking Circle together, and each man had his say as he held the feather. From that time on that tribe flourished because they now had direction, and each person could hear and understand what their peers said. The people worked together, to build a great nation. Along the way, they shared the wonders of the Talking Feather with other tribes they met. “And that my friends is the true story of  how the Talking Feather came to be!”

Tags: Taino Indians

Sacred N.M. Mountain Remains at Center of Uranium Fight, by R. Reese, The New York Times

It is true that people desperately need jobs, that our historical and sacred places should be maintained,and all  health issues concerning people, and the environment need to be addressed.  This article has all of these elements and more.  The heated debate concerns whether a mining company (Rio Grande Resources Corp.) should be allowed to continue to  delay cleaning up a mine that is dormant. This particular mine is located  on Mount Taylor, in Grants, NM. The mine holds the nation’s largest uranium deposit. Mount Taylor is held sacred by many of the Pueblo tribes in the Southwest. Particularly the Hopi, Acoma, Laguna, and Zuni.   The Navajo Nation also views the mountain as a sacred place.  In addition, there are concerns involving health issues

“At the hearing, held by the New Mexico Mining and Minerals Division, testimony was divided roughly equally between those who support the renewal of the company’s five-year standby permit, with an eye toward the local economic benefits that could come from reopening the mine, and those who oppose it out of concerns that contamination could worsen if the site remains un-remediated for another five years… Eric Jantz, an attorney with the New Mexico Environmental Law Center…noted that the New Mexico Environment Department has found elevated levels of nitrates and uranium in an old underground waste lagoon at the mine site, and expressed concern that delaying a comprehensive cleanup could put the environment further at risk.”

Steve Juanico of Acoma Pueblo stated: “ Everybody’s fighting for survival — we need that economic viability, But it’s short lived. … We really need to protect our water resources. Are we doing the right thing?” One remedy to fight contamination that was offered by the company according to Joe Lister, who manages the Mount Taylor mine site for the company:

“… involves planting salt cedar trees to soak up contaminated water. The trees will then be uprooted and destroyed.”

Nadine Padilla, who is of Navajo and Pueblo ancestry, is also a member of  the Multi-Cultural Alliance for a Safe Environment stated;  “ We’re not only concerned about the quality of the environment and possible contamination of the site; we’re also concerned because it’s a sacred place, a place that tribes regard as holy.”

Read the article and share your thoughts with us.

“Only after the last tree has been cut down, Only after the last river has been poisoned, Only after the last fish has been caught, Only then will you find money cannot be eaten.”   ~ Cree Prophecy ~

Photos:

top: Mt. Taylor at sunset

courtesy of L.Dietershagen-Sanchez

bottom: Ceremony for Mother Earth. photo Google Images.

By Dennis McLellan, Los Angeles Times, Joe Morris Sr. dies at 85; Navajo code talker during World War II

Joe Morris Sr., Navajo Code Talker, photo: Nolen Anderson

On Veterans Day in 2004, speaking in front of a crowd of people, World War II veteran Joe Morris Sr. made the following statement, “ My weapon was my language…We saved a lot of lives.”

Mr. Morris was a member of the Navajo Code Talkers who during WWII developed a code for the United States military that could not be broken by the Japanese. Sadly, Mr. Morris died Sunday of complications of a stroke, he was 85. According to the article,

 

 

“Born on the Navajo reservation in Indian Wells, Ariz., Morris was one of approximately 400 Navajo code talkers who underwent extensive training at a communications school at Camp Pendleton to memorize the undecipherable code based on their complex, unwritten language..”

“In a 2003 interview with the Navajo Times, Morris said they were told if you get captured by the Japanese don’t you ever tell them what you learned here… If captured… their instructions were simple: “Just die for your country.”

During his lifetime, Mr. Morris received many honors along with his fellow Navajo Code Talkers. There are approximately 65 code talkers still alive today. Read the article and learn more.

There is no death, only a change of worlds. -(Duwamish)

Our thoughts and prayers go with Joe Morris Sr., and his family.

-Talking Feather-

Legend of The Talking Feather / Talking Stick

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. 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.

Tags: Joe Morris Sr., Navajo Code Talker

Chickasaw Chikasha Saya Camp photo: Chickasaw site

Osiyo,

We are pleased to announce that the Chickasaw Nation is now a member of Tribalpedia. Also, Talking Feather is n the process of adding Tribal Flags for  Indian Nations entered in Tribalpedia. Not all tribes have flags, and some are still in the process of creating theirs. We’ll keep track and announce new additions accordingly.

While  researching, we came across an interesting book about the Chickasaw, and other Native people by Dr. Robbie Ethridge, an anthropologist who teaches at the University of Mississippi.

The title is From Chicaza to Chickasaw: The European Invasion and the Transformation of the Mississippian World, 1540-1715. States Ethridge,

“While the book is very specialized, I’m hoping it will appeal to the general public because of the mostly unknown history of Native Americans that it reveals…For example, few people know that prior to European contact, Southern Indian tribes such as the Creeks, Cherokees and Choctaws did not exist. These groups formed as the survivors of the upheaval at contact and began to regroup and restructure their lives…”

Visit the Chickasaw, read the book and share your thoughts!  A special “thanks” to all of Talking Feather’s readers…we appreciate you and your support!

Remember: Give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way.~ Native American saying

Legend of The Talking Feather / Talking Stick

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. 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.

Tags: Chickasaw Nation

ICT By Sam Laskaris  Comanche Boy Fighting for WBC Middleweight Title

George (Comanche Boy) Tahdooahnippah

Professional Boxer George (Comanche Boy)Tahdooahnippah is superb.

He has Comanche and Choctaw ancestry, and he is scheduled to battle Indiana’s Jimmy Holmes on July 16 for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) Continental Americas middleweight title. The fight will take place outdoors at the Comanche Nation Casino, located in Lawton, Oklahoma, Tahdooahnippah’s hometown.

“Tahdooahnippah is undefeated in his pro career and sports a 27-0-1 record, which includes 20 knockouts… The 32-year-old, however, sounds more excited about what a victory in this match could possibly do for his career…He believes beating Holmes and earning the WBC’s Continental Americas belt would boost him considerably and possibly give him a Top 30 placing in the organization’s middleweight rankings…”

In addition to being a professional boxer, Tahdooahnippah also helps his people by being a fitness promoter for the Comanche Nation’s diabetes program. He is an inspiration to young people every where. Tahdooahnippah demonstrates the importance of good health, and equally important,  a path that just might lead to a better life. Kudos to Comanch Boy! Read the article, and share your thoughts.

Tags: Boxing, diabetes, George (Comanche Boy) Tahdooahnippah

Welcome Tribalpedia!

Osiyo! We are very proud to present to you “Tribalpedia“, which is an encyclopedia version of information about American Indian tribes. We’ve gathered the information from other sources, including books and websites, and created  legible, easy to understand documents, which also include some  photographs. All sources used are given credit.

We know that you’ll enjoy using this new unique way of learning about the many tribes in the United States, Canada, and South America.

Tribalpedia begins with 21 tribes in the U.S., and others will be announced in the blog as they are added. We’re very pleased and happy about our new addition to Talking Feather, and we know you will find it helpful. A “special”  thanks to those of your who have written positive feedback to us, we appreciate it. “Happy 4th of July!”   ”May you always Walk in Beauty!”

Explore the new site and share your thoughts with us!

Happy 100th Talking Feather!

Happy 100th Talking Feather! Best of Luck with Tribalpedia!

To The "Code Warriors who supported Talking Feather through the 1st 99: "Wa do"

Tribalpedia!

"Happy 100th Talking Feather!"

Tags: history, Tribalpedia

Harvard Gazette

Replica of Wampanoag home-photo: K. Snibbe-Harvard Staff

Harvard University will honor Joel Iacoomes a member of the Wampanoag Tribe with a posthumous degree during the University’s Commencement exercises on May 26, 2011. Iacoomes died in 1665 shortly after completing four years of study at Harvard. Iacoomes was one of  the first two American Indians to graduate from Harvard.
His friend and fellow Wampanoag member, Caleb Cheeshahteaumuck, graduated from Harvard in 1665.

Cheryl Andrews-Maltais, chairwoman of theWampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) stated,

“ Since he was from our island community, it means a great deal to us to see his extraordinary achievement recognized alongside his fellow tribe member, Caleb Cheeshahteaumuck, the first Indian to graduate from Harvard.”

Cedric Cromwell, chairman of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe made this observation,

“ Joel was a gifted scholar and Harvard had a commitment to the Native American community… This posthumous degree brings us full circle. It’s motivational for Wampanoags and I think it’s motivational for Harvard. It builds on our relationship.”

Kudos to Harvard!   Read the article, and share your thoughts.

Tags: Caleb Cheeshahteaumuck, Harvard University, Joel Iacoomes, Wampoanog

Choctaw Headstart

For those of you who have been making use of the lesson plans for the tribes on Talking Feather, there are revised exercises, new sections, and a Teachers’ Guide and Answer Key for the Choctaw lesson plan. Remember that these plans can be organized for use over an extended period of time, or as group projects.

Exercise 2 Reading Comprehension (True/False)
Exercise 3 Questions for Reflection and Discussion
Exercise 4 Research Activities-
The Gift Of Tanchi (Corn), Exercise 1. Vocabulary Practice
New Sections:
Part II -Choctaw Culture Then…Choctaw Culture Now…
Exercise 1.  Reading Comprehension (True/ False/ Not Applicable)
Exercise 2.  Questions for Reflection and Discussion
Choctaw Code Talkers
Teachers’ Guide and Answer Key

If there are any questions please contact us, and as always, all suggestions will be appreciated.

We also wish to thank the people who have written to us to express the helpfulness of the lesson plans.

Tags: Choctaw, Code Talkers, WWI, WWII

Talking Feather, April 6, 2011

For those of you who have made use of the lesson plans on this site, we’ve added new material to the original lessons for The Shawnee: A Concise History.   Additional material has been added to the following sections:  Exercise 1 Questions For Discussion and Reflection; Exercise 2 Vocabulary Practice(6-14); Exercise 3 Questions for Comprehension and Discussion (5-7) and Exercise 6 Research Activities.

A new section entitled the Shawnee People (Part II) has also been added.  The first segment describes how the community lived and survived before and during the 1800s. The second segment discusses how the people live today. Some of the areas covered in both sections are apparel, food, politics and religion. There are also complete language skills activities for both sections.

*Teachers’ Guide and Answer Key: a guide for teachers, together with an answer  key for Parts I and II has  been added.

*We’ll be researching and adding new material for all of the current tribes,  including several new tribes, so keep checking the site!

Tags: Lesson Plans, Talking Feather, Talking Stick, The Shawnee

By Marc Simmons, The New Mexican

For people who live in cold climates, living through harsh winters isn’t that difficult. Today we have heating systems and warm clothing to stave off the bitter weather. But did you ever wonder how American Indian tribes survived the cold seasons? This is an interesting article about how the Pueblo Indians managed to survive harsh weather conditions. Marc Simmons noted historian and author, provides  us with interesting background observations and some answers. An interesting read.

Pueblo-google image

Fun: visit ESLVoices!

Tags: diet, Pueblo Indians, Talking Feather, Talking Stick