Saturday, March 19, 2011

Two Yupik Leaders tell top Federal official of Native Problems

Karunesh Moon Temple with Quotes/Link to Old Farmer's Almanac & Morning Moon Photos by Robin Carneen



Robin Carneen via The Old Farmers Almanac
The Old Farmers Almanac March 19: The full Moon today is the closest Moon of the year. It will not
again come this close to Earth until 2016.
(Expect rare, unusually high tides.) Spring arrives with the vernal equinox of the 20th at 7:21 P.M.
(EDT). --Sky Watch for March, 2011
Moon: Rise, set times, Lunar eclipse dates, Moon phase calendar, Almanac Best Days
www.almanac.com
Calculate Moon rise and set times for your location. Also see ocean tide times, Moon Phase Calendar, full Moon dates, folklore, and Best Days timetable--all from The Old Farmer's Almanac.




Friday, March 18, 2011

TRILLION - moonshine instrumental



'The world is set to experience the biggest full moon for almost two decades when the satellite reaches its closest point to Earth next weekend.

On 19 March, the full moon will appear unusually large in the night sky as it reaches a point in its cycle known as 'lunar perigee'.

Stargazers will be treated to a spectacular view when the moon approaches Earth at a distance of 221,567 miles in its elliptical orbit - the closest it will... have passed to our planet since 1992.

The full moon could appear up to 14% bigger and 30% brighter in the sky, especially when it rises on the eastern horizon at sunset or is provided with the right atmospheric conditions.

This phenomenon has reportedly heightened concerns about 'supermoons' being linked to extreme weather events - such as earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis. The last time the moon passed close to the Earth was on 10 January 2005, around the time of the Indonesian earthquake that measured 9.0 on the Richter scale.

Hurricane Katrina in 2005 was also associated with an unusually large full moon.

Previous supermoons occurred in 1955, 1974 and 1992 - each of these years experienced extreme weather events, killing thousands of people.

However, an expert speaking to Yahoo! News today believes that a larger moon causing weather chaos is a popular misconception.

Dr Tim O'Brien, a researcher at the Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics at the University of Manchester, said: "The dangers are really overplayed. You do get a bit higher than average tides than usual along coastlines as a result of the moon's gravitational pull, but nothing so significant that will cause a serious climatic disaster or anything for people to worry about."

But according to Dr Victor Gostin, a Planetary and Environmental Geoscientist at Adelaide University, there may be a link between large-scale earthquakes in places around the equator and new and full moon situations.

He said: "This is because the Earth-tides (analogous to ocean tides) may be the final trigger that sets off the earthquake."

Written by Gaby Leslie"

She Moved Through The Fair - Loreena McKennitt

Loreena McKennitt - Caravanserai (HQ)

The Corrs- Toss The Feathers

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Heart of Japan - Christine Morrison

Pow Wow Fancy Dance

LILI HAYDN - Maggot Brain

88 Bikes

88 Bikes

"Any of you who have been following along for awhile know that I have a thing for bikes. Greatest mode of personal transport ever, I think. Well, here's a chance to spread some of the cycling joy around a little bit. For just $88 you can buy a kid a bike in a developing country. That's it. $88. Cheap considering the difference something as simple as a bicycle can make in a kid's life. Of course, you can donate less as well. 88 Bikes maintains no office or staff, so your donations go directly to getting a needy kid up on two wheels. Awesome! "

Dudecraft!

Monday, March 14, 2011

Call an Angel Down - Derek Miller

Potassium Iodide (KI) info via CDC Radio...PLEASE READ!

Excerpt...go to link and full article: North Coast Fallout fears prompt run on iodine

http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20110314/articles/110319714

North Coast Fallout fears prompt run on iodine

Published: Monday, March 14, 2011 at 8:11 p.m.
Last Modified: Monday, March 14, 2011 at 8:11 p.m.
Fear of nuclear fallout from Japan’s earthquake- and tsunami-battered nuclear power plants has created a nationwide scramble for potassium iodide, a compound that can protect thyroid glands from radioactivity.
“We sold out,” said Maxine Ward, who works in the supplement department of the Ukiah Natural Foods Co-Op.

Container damaged, radiation leak feared at Fukushima No. 2 reactor | The Japan Times Online

Container damaged, radiation leak feared at Fukushima No. 2 reactor | The Japan Times Online

Update from today....from Japan....

Sunday, March 13, 2011

AlgaeLab, grow your own Spirulina

MOTHER EARTH ( NATIVE AMERICAN INDIANS SENDING ~ WORLWIDE MESSAGE FOR HE...

National Medical Report

Angels

BUTTERFLY

Native American Art, Music and Stomp Dance

Stomp Dance

Small-Scale Grain Raising: An Organic Guide to Growing, Processing, and Using Nutritious Whole Grains, for Home Gardeners and Local Farmers

Small-Scale Grain Raising: An Organic Guide to Growing, Processing, and Using Nutritious Whole Grains, for Home Gardeners and Local Farmers

Independence Days: A Guide to Sustainable Food Storage & Preservation

Independence Days: A Guide to Sustainable Food Storage & Preservation

The time is now!

Work together to resolve Lummi Nation/Whatcom County ferry dispute - Our View - bellinghamherald.com

Work together to resolve Lummi Nation/Whatcom County ferry dispute - Our View - bellinghamherald.com

GREAT unbiased news coverage by this newspaper!!!!

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Cherokee Cooking, Johnnie Sue Myers

CLUB NOUVEAU LEAN ON ME

Physicist Dr. Michio Kaku Discussing Nuclear Plant Dangers

How to Detox Your Body of Depleted Uranium Residues, the Effects of Radiation, and Radioactive Contamination

Thank you REDWOLF POPE for this critical link.....there is a story behind his knowledge of this....please read, absord, follow some of this advice if you think it will help ( ask your doctor too!) and pass it along....it light of the Double crisis in Japan....prayers going up to the people there...I wish they could get this link....they probably already follow this guide....living where there is Nuclear power... :( 

http://www.radiationdetox.com/depleted-uranium-detox.htm


How to Detox Your Body of Depleted Uranium Residues, the Effects of Radiation, and Radioactive Contamination


It's sad but true that there are thousands of scientific references and medical studies out there on the fact that radiation and radioactivity can harm you, yet despite millions of dollars spent by the government to study radiation, virtually nothing is available about a detoxification diet or nutritional supplements you might use if you are exposed to radioactive contamination.

Here's some of the information we do know from the only book in the world on the topic. Keep this information in the back of your mind as it may one day help save you or someone you know.
Most people are aware taking potassium iodide (KI) or potassium iodate (KIO3) tablets will help block your thyroid gland from absorbing radioactive iodine should there ever be a dirty bomb explosion or nuclear power plant mishap such as the Three Mile Island incident. In 1999, another such accident happened in Tokaimura, Japan where several individuals died from radiation exposure in a fuel processing facility.

What people don't recognize is that potassium iodide or iodate tablets only protect the thyroid gland and do not provide protection from any other radiation exposure, so taking them should not give you a false sense of security. It's important to detox your body after radioactive exposure!

One question is, what do you do if KI or KIO3 tablets aren't available during an emergency? Interestingly enough, according to research by Ken Miller, health physicist at the Hershey Medical Center, he found that an adult could get a blocking dose of stable iodine by painting 8 ml of a 2 percent tincture of Iodine on the abdomen or forearm approximately 2 hours prior to I-131 contamination. Potassium iodine tablets are best, but if they're not available this is the next best thing.

An entirely different problem arises after you've been exposed to radioactive contamination because now you have to get rid of any radioactive particles you may have ingested through the air you breathed, water you drank, or food you ate. Some people suggest Epson salt, Clorox or clay baths to remove any residues on your skin and to leach out any heavy metals you may have absorbed, but the big worry is internal contamination. To gain some insights into what to do, we have to turn to the story of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki.

At the time of the atomic bombing, Tatsuichiro Akizuki, M.D. was Director of the Department of Internal Medicine at St. Francis's Hospital in Nagasaki and he fed his staff and patients a strict diet of brown rice, miso and tamari soy soup, wakame, kombu and other seaweed, Hokkaido pumpkin, and sea salt. He also prohibited the consumption of sugar and sweets since they suppress the immune system.

By imposing this diet on his staff and patients, no one succumbed to radiation poisoning whereas the occupants of hospitals located much further away from the blast incident suffered severe radiation fatalities.

Much of this positive result has to do with the fact that the sea vegetables contain substances that bind radioactive particles and escort them out of the body. This is why seaweed sales usually skyrocket after radiation disasters, and why various seaweeds and algae are typically used to treat radiation victims.

In Chernobyl, for instance, spirulina was used to help save many children from radiation poisoning. By taking 5 grams of spirulina a day for 45 days, the Institute of Radiation Medicine in Minsk even proved that children on this protocol experienced enhanced immune systems, T-cell counts and reduced radioactivity. Israeli scientists have since treated Chernobyl children with doses of natural beta carotene from Dunaliella algae and proved that it helped normalize their blood chemistry. Chlorella algae, a known immune system builder and heavy metal detoxifier, has also shown radioprotective effects. Because they bind heavy metals, algae should therefore be consumed after exposure to any type of radioactive contamination.

In 1968 a group of Canadian researchers at McGill University of Montreal, headed by Dr. Stanley Skoryna, actually set out to devise a method to counteract the effects of nuclear fallout. The key finding from their studies was that sea vegetables contained a polysaccharide substance, called sodium alginate, which selectively bound radioactive strontium and eliminated it from the body.

Sodium alginate is found in many seaweeds, especially kelp, and since that time the Russians have been seriously researching the use of their own kelps from Vladivlostok, from which they have isolated the polysaccharide U-Fucoidan, which is another radioactive detoxifier. Because miso soup was so effective in helping prevent radiation sickness, the Japanese have also done research identifying the presence of an active ingredient called zybicolin, discovered in 1972, which acts as a binding agent to also detoxify and eliminate radioactive elements (such as strontium) and other pollutants from the body.

The kelps and algaes aren't the only natural foods with radio-detoxifying effects. In terms of fluids to drink, black and green tea have shown "radioprotective effects" whether consumed either before or after exposure to radiation. This anti-radiation effect was observed in several Japanese studies, and studies from China also suggest that the ingredients in tea are radioactive antagonists.

In short, after any sort of radioactive exposure you want to be eating seaweeds and algaes along with almost any type of commercial heavy metal chelating formula to bind radioactive particles and help escort them out of the body. Whether you're worried about depleted uranium, plutonium or other isotopes, this is the wise thing to do which can possibly help, and certainly won't hurt. Many nutritional supplements have been developed for the purpose of detoxifying heavy metals, most of which contain the algaes and plant fibers and other binding substances.

Basically, an anti-radiation diet should focus on the following foods:
· Miso soup
· Spirulina, chlorella and the algaes (kelp, etc.)
· Brassica vegetables and high beta carotene vegetables
· Beans and lentils
· Potassium, calcium and mineral rich foods
· High nucleotide content foods to assist in cellular repair including spirulina, chlorella, algae, yeast, sardines, liver, anchovies and mackerel
· Cod liver oil and olive oil
· Avoid sugars and sweets and wheat
· A good multivitamin/multimineral supplement

Yet another benefit of the sea vegetables rarely discussed is their high mineral content, which is a bonus in the case of radioactive exposure. Consuming natural iodine, such as in the seaweeds, helps prevent the uptake of iodine-131 while iron inhibits the absorption of plutonium-238 and plutonium-239. Vitamin B-12 inhibits cobalt-60 uptake (used in nuclear medicine), zinc inhibits zinc-65 uptake and sulfur is preventative for sulfur-35 (a product of nuclear reactors) incorporation by the body.

Since nuclear workers are potentially exposed to radioactive sulfur, this means that workers in the atomic power industry need a higher content of sulfur in their diet. MSM supplements provide a source of dietary sulfur, but thiol supplements such as cysteine, lipoic acid and glutathione serve double-duty in this area because they help detoxify the body and attack all sorts of other health problems as well.
The immune system is usually hit hard after radiation exposure, and a number of steps can be taken to help prevent opportunistic infections after a radioactive incident. Though the full dimensions of the protective mechanism is still unknown, Siberian ginseng is one form of ginseng that exerts a definite radioprotective effect and has been demonstrated to lessen the side effects of radiation. It was widely distributed by the Soviet Union to those exposed Chernobyl radiation and is commonly used to help cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy.

Consuming Reishi mushrooms is another proven way to bolster your immune system after radiation exposure and helps reduce the damage from radiation. It's been used to decrease radiation sickness in animals and help them recover faster after potentially deadly exposure.

Panax ginseng has prevented hemorrhaging after radiation exposure, prevents bone marrow death and stimulates blood cell formation, so it's another supplement to add to one's protocol. In short, yeasts, beta glucans, bee pollen and various forms of ginseng have all been shown to bolster the immune system after radiation incidents. In terms of radiation burns, aloe vera has a proven ability to treat serious radiation burns and offers other radioprotective effects, and can easily be grown in your house.
The amino acid L-Glutamine can be used to help repair the intestine in case of the gastrointestinal syndrome usually suffered due to radiation exposure, and a variety of substances can help rebuild blood cells to prevent hematopoietic syndrome. Those particular foods include beet juice, liver extract, spleen extract, and shark alkyglycerols. Most oncologists don't know that shark liver oil, with alkyglycerols, can help platelet counts rebound in days.

Depleted uranium is currently in the journalistic spotlight because US weapons are made from this material, and after being fired leave a legacy of depleted uranium dust in the environment, which anyone can absorb. Because the kidneys are usually the first organs to show chemical damage upon uranium exposure, military manuals suggest doses or infusions of sodium bicarbonate to help alkalinize the urine if this happens. This makes the uranyl ion less kidney-toxic and promotes excretion of the nontoxic uranium carbonate complex.

In areas contaminated by depleted uranium dusts, it therefore makes sense to switch to drinking slightly alkaline water and to favor a non-acidic diet to assist in this detoxification. Any of the heavy metal detoxifiers, such as miso soup, chlorella, spirulina and seaweeds, are also commonsense warranted.

Another thing you can do is use homeopathics for radiation exposure. People commonly argue over whether homeopathics work or not, but if you assume the position that they produce no results whatsoever then you must also assume that they certainly won't hurt you, which means the only loss from using them is a few dollars. Frankly, there are countless cases and double-blind studies where homeopathic tinctures do provoke physical healing effects in the body. Therefore they are a viable adjunct treatment option. One homeopathic, in particular, is URANIUM NITRICUM (nitrate of uranium) which homeopaths suggest should be used in cases of depleted uranium exposure or uranium poisoning. Not just soldiers or civilians exposed to battlefield dusts, but uranium miners and radiation workers may find it quite useful.

While we've discussed just a few of the many supplements and protocols you can use to help detox the body of the lingering results of radioactive contamination, including the residues of depleted uranium, the last thing that might be of interest is that there is a plant that is a natural geiger counter. The spiderwort plant is so sensitive to changes in radiation levels (its petals change color upon exposure) that it's often used as a natural radiation detector (dosimeter), just as they use canaries in mines as detectors of poisonous gas. Some people like knowing that they have an ongoing monitoring system for radiation in the environment, and this is just another tip available in "How to Neutralize the Harmful Effects of Radiation or Radioactive Exposure."


9 Healing Herbs and How to Use Them in Your Cooking - Planet Green

9 Healing Herbs and How to Use Them in Your Cooking - Planet Green


Great link....enjoy...did some good cooking this afternoon....yes/ginger...yes/garlic...yes/ onions...yes/sweet potatoes...yes/pineapples...yes/mandarins....yes/ jasmine rice...yes/de-boned chicken..... trying to help my oldest son feel better....down with a serious infection in his sinuses & chest...

Japan earthquake: Officials say nuclear catastrophe averted

Japan earthquake: Officials say nuclear catastrophe averted

Please read this & pass along...and keep praying...these poor people....double whammy!May Creator show mercy!

Friday, March 11, 2011

With trains shut down, Tokyoites have to rough it | The Japan Times Online

With trains shut down, Tokyoites have to rough it | The Japan Times Online

Radiation leak confirmed at quake-hit Fukushima plant | The Japan Times Online

Radiation leak confirmed at quake-hit Fukushima plant | The Japan Times Online

Link to Japan Eqrthquake and Tsunamis news 3-11-11

Terrible Tsunamis In Our Path



http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/42026456#42026456




http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/11/japan-earthquake-evacuate-nuclear-plant

http://www.nwpr.org/07/HomepageArticles/Article.aspx?n=8494


Northwest Expert Says Japan’s Earthquake A Good Lesson Posted: Friday, March 11, 2011 Seismologists say it’s only a matter of time before the Northwest sees an earthquake on the magnitude as the one in Japan. Tim Melbourne is research professor at Central Washington University in Ellensburg. He works on a system of GPS tracking equipment called the Pacific Northwest Geodetic Array. It includes 500 GPS units dug into the ground from Canada to near San Francisco. With these devices, his team can tell if the earth’s crust is moving to an accuracy of about the width of a knitting needle. Based on data that he’s collected, Melbourne says the Northwest will see a major earthquake within two generations.
Tim Melbourne: “This is a very big earthquake for Japan, but they get routinely hammered by earthquakes and it’s in their consciousness earthquakes kill. This is a carbon copy of what we can expect here, only we’re not nearly as well prepared.”
Each GPS unit that Melbourne deploys costs about 40-thousand dollars. The project is funded by NASA, the National Science Foundation and U.S. Geological Survey.
Copyright 2011 Northwest Public Radio
On the web: Pacific Northwest Geodetic Array


http://www.panga.org/

A High-Speed Bullet Train and a Cruise Ship Are Missing in Japan


http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2011/03/missing_in_japa.php



Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Local News | Attorneys seek grand-jury review of fatal shooting of woodcarver | Seattle Times Newspaper

Local News | Attorneys seek grand-jury review of fatal shooting of woodcarver | Seattle Times Newspaper


The city would like us all to let it go and move on, but that's not going to happen. There can be no peace, healing, and reconciliation without justice. Ian Birk must be charged in the shooting death of John T. Williams. The city attorney, the US attorney, and the DOJ can all make this happen - but they need YOU AND YOUR VOICE TO PUSH THEM TO DO SO.
 Other info shared under her post of this article, more comments & info from here & others:
Fern Renville Laurie, Satterberg is making a public appearance on April 7 for First Thursday Seattle... let's represent! I'll post more details soon. But I'd also like to focus on the City and US Attorney's offices... that may well be more productive.
 
Wendy Johnson City Attorney Peter Holmes is Peter.Holmes@seattle.gov and phone is 206-684-8288. Dan Satterberg is: Prosecuting.Attorney@kingcounty.gov and phone is 206-296-9067. Satterberg is a elected official and Holmes serves at the pleasure of the Mayor, so totally appropriate to call or write them and respectfully let them know how you feel.
Jim Roberts
It's fine to call or write the Mayor, too. Just a personal rule of thumb, always follow the food chain up to the next elected official.


www.seattle.gov/mayor/


Media commentaries are good, too.
...
www.kingtv.com
www.komotv.com
www.kirotv.com
www.nwcn.com
www.seattletimes.com
www.thestranger.com
www.theherald.net
www.thenewstribune.com

Also, some of us run websites with public forums:

www.powwows.com (Paul Gowder)
www.powwowtime.com (mine)
www.nativenetwork.org (Nick Belgard)

My forum ("The Arbor") is recently reopened with new software/database so there are only a few test posts right now, but there is a Native Issues section. Feel free to use it.


Another breaking new story(related):

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/436753_birk09.html?source=pimail


 
 

emNew York Times/em: Fox Officials “ Contemplating Life Without“ Beck

emNew York Times/em: Fox Officials “ Contemplating Life Without“ Beck

Keep it going, then maybe 2012 won't be so apocalyptic ! We've stopped watching you Beck (well, we do keep one eye on you to hold you accountable for your hate mongering!)

Thursday, March 3, 2011

For Girls Who Love Themselves Enough to Talk Back to Lil Wayne - COLORLINES

For Girls Who Love Themselves Enough to Talk Back to Lil Wayne - COLORLINES
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!

TC Bank- Dream Rangers

Milky vs Lil Demon [BBOY CITY HAWAII 2010]

Can you please help? Yakama Nation Reeling After Fires

http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2011/03/yakama-nation-reeling-after-fires/


Yakama Nation Reeling After Fires

YAMAKA NATION, Wash.—Sadness, grief and heartache etch the faces of Yakama tribal members following the Feb. 12 wildfire that engulfed White Swan, a reservation community on the Yakama Nation in south central Washington.

It’s believed that embers from a chimney fire ignited surrounding sagebrush, quickly spread to a wood chip plant and then jumped to homes. The conflagration destroyed 20 homes. There were no fatalities.

Heavy winds, gusting at 69 mph fanned the fire complicating firefighters’ efforts to contain it. Water from hoses positioned toward the fire blew right past the flames. Power to the area was lost, briefly restored then lost all day Feb. 13, hampering clean up efforts. Fire officials have said this is the worst fire and devastation in the county.

“The fire with the high winds was like a horrific movie or a tragic documentary,” recalls Yakama tribal member David Northover.

Residents, mostly Yakama tribal members returned to the area Feb. 13 and saw foundations where some of the homes had been. Only charred remains and rubble littered the area in some places.

Yakama elder, Theresa Ashue’s home was a total loss. Ashue, partially disabled was rescued when an unidentified man came crashing through her front door yelling, “Get out, there’s a fire!” He found Ashue in her bedroom, grabbed and flung her over his shoulder and ran out.

He saved her life, but she lost her home and all her belongings—traditional clothing, and family heirlooms passed down through the ages.

Georgie Ike lived next to Ashue and her home, too, was a total loss. “There’s just a big pile of nothing,” she said, her voice breaking and her eyes welling with tears.

The fire left over 100 people homeless. It also contributed heavy smoke damage to nearby homes, and the winds ripped roofs apart, tribal spokesperson Mathew Tomaskin said. “We have a lot of work to do.”

Some of the victims stayed at the Toppenish Days Inn. “I wanted to help out,” said hotel owner Peter Nam. He covered three days stay, and the Yakima Red Cross paid for extended stays for several families.

Michelle Lloyd, her partner Otis “OJ” Loggins, and their two young sons were among the hotel’s temporary residents. Loggins said initially he didn’t think much of the smoke, “until suddenly a bunch of flames and sparks began flying by.” Lloyd’s sister, Ashely Ike suffered shoulder burns from embers floating in the air as the family fled to safety.

Loggins stayed behind with neighbor John Ike and saved the house by watering it down. Both men operated an adjacent mechanic’s shop. Loggins finally joined Lloyd and his two sons at the hotel, but Ike refused to leave. “It finally took the local sheriff who had to handcuff him to make him leave,” Loggins said. The fire destroyed their shop.

Lloyd returned the next day and retrieved her sons’ full-beaded cradleboards, “even though they smelled like smoke.” She


Three Yakama boys stare at the damage after the Feb. 12 fire on the Yakama Reservation.
found the beadwork her grandmother had handed down to her, and their tribal regalia.

But many families, not as fortunate lost precious heirlooms to the fire, like beaded buckskins made by their ancestors. “There’s only one design the elders did with their beadwork, buckskin work and baskets,” said tribal member Floraine Gardee, whose home suffered smoke damage. “Some stuff is just irreplaceable and that’s part of the past that is gone forever.”

Yakama Nation Land Enterprise sprang into action, setting up the Toppenish Armory as the disaster center. The building has stockpiled an overflow of clothing for all ages, toiletries, dishes, and more is expected. Larger furniture and appliance items are being stored for now.

Martinez “Tex” Charles, a soft-spoken man with a solemn look sorted through clothes at the Armory with his daughter. He was home with his children when the fire broke out. “I opened the front door and flames were right there.” They escaped through the back, but their pets weren’t so lucky. “The dog disappeared when he ran right into the fire.” Charles falls trees from spring through winter but doesn’t know how he will get to work this spring because among the charred remains are his three cars and a truck.

Victims are receiving counseling at the Armory, health checks for burns and smoke inhalation, and assistance with temporary housing. “Some of the people are staying with relatives so we’re trying to locate them to assist with any monetary help they may need,” Tomaskin said.

There’s been an outpouring of aid to the Yakama victims. “The tribe received some 270 calls the day after the fire,” said Yakama tribal administrator Colleen Reimer.

The Yakima Valley Red Cross helped displaced families find places to stay, and provided vouchers to purchase food and clothing. “I believe we reached everyone and are connecting people with caseworkers to assist them,” spokeswoman Stephanie Hakala said. While their agency has completed their operations with the tribe, they stand ready to help if anything else is needed, Hakala said.

Local motels and hotels continue to donate or extend stays for some who lost their homes. The Yakama Nation Housing Authority is facilitating the Emergency Housing Assistance Program, Authority director Preston Harrison said. “Through this emergency program we will provide up to $1,000 or provide a month or two of rent and up to $1,000 for move-in or costs or for motel or hotel costs up to $1,000.”

Tomaskin said the tribe’s first goal is to get families situated. “We don’t want any of them out in the streets.” Second is to renovate available housing units, set up the trailers for the short term, then get additional housing.  “Of course, this isn’t going to get done overnight and will take months to finish.


Theresa Ashue scans the ashes where he home used to be. Smoldering smoke is still visible from the Feb. 12 fire.
The enormous loss of 20 homes could cost at least 6.5 million to rebuild, said Tomaskin. “We are coordinating with the Yakama Nation Housing Authority to see how we will proceed,” he said. Yakama’s Housing Authority is looking into insurance funding to rebuild the homes in their program.

Tribal officials met with the Portland, Ore. Bureau of Indian Affairs Deputy Director, Scott Atkins Feb. 18 to facilitate providing some trailers for the fire victims.

Yakama Legends Casino is providing boxed lunches and dinners to volunteers. Yakama Nation Fisheries is holding donated frozen goods in their huge freezer. Local farmers have donated fresh apples and pears. Toys for Tots donated a truckload of new toys for the children, and joined with the Pierce County Crime Stoppers in Tacoma, Wash. to reach out to local Tacoma TV stations and others for cash donations so victims can buy what they need.

Other programs are holding fundraisers, and a number of tribes have stepped up to assist the Yakama. The Yakama have stored an ample donation of fish from the Lummi Nation. The Tulalip, Nez Perce, Ho-Chunk, Muckleshoot, Swinomish, Nisqually and Chehalis tribes have made generous monetary contributions to help rebuild the community.

The Washington Gaming Association made a “small donation” on behalf of their board. “The tribes gave much larger amounts and our board decided to help as well,” WGA’s Ernie Stevens said.

The Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians requested assistance from their 57 member tribes. “ATNI was founded with the collective well being of tribes at heart and current members are looking to assist Yakama in this difficult time,” said ATNI executive director Cleora Scott.

“We really are a family that is looking out for one another, and in Yakama’s time of need we are here for them,” said ATNI president Brian Cladoosby. “This is going to be a long process and we will be there for them until the community is rebuilt.”

Tomaskin said he wants all of the individuals, tribes and organizations who have assisted to know how much the Yakama Nation appreciates their outpouring of help. “There are so many to thank and if we’ve forgotten anybody, we apologize,” Tomaskin said. “For now it is a time for healing and rebuilding.”

Monetary donations can be made at any Bank of America: Name: Yakama Nation, account number 25938101, routing 125000024.

For wire transfers: Bank of America, wire room 100 W. 33rd St., NY, NY 10001, account number, 25938101, beneficiary name: Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, White Swan Fire Relief Fund, routing/transit (ABA) number, 0260-0959-3, CHIPS address: 0959, Swift Address: BOFAUS3N.

Donations are accepted at:

* Yakima Red Cross, 302 S. 2nd St., Yakima, WA., 98901, (509) 457-1690

* The Toppenish Armory, 326 S. Division St., Toppenish, WA., 98948 (509) 945-7246

* State Farm Insurance, 2706 W. Nob Hill, Ste. A, Yakima, WA., 98902 (509) 248-1818

Radio show I did about this tragedy:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/namapahh_radio/2011/02/15/2-14-11-show-yakama-nation-some-love20-homes-lost-in-a-fireu-can-help

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/namapahh_radio/2011/02/15/2-14-11-show-yakama-nation-some-love20-homes-lost-in-a-fireu-can-help