News From Indian Country- REDISCOVERING TECUMSEH’S VISION
News From Indian Country
December 9, 2008
REDISCOVERING TECUMSEH’S VISION
Meskwaki Filmmaker Explores The Shawnee Dance
Tecumseh, the legendary Shawnee leader, advocated unity among all Indian people. His dream was to create a coalition of tribes to form one unstoppable force. He worked to realize his goal by visiting as many Indian communities as he could, spreading his message with fiery speeches and traditional song and dance.
Filmmaker Conrad Brown hopes to help realize Tecumseh’s vision with a powerful new documentary, “The Shawnee Dance (Tecumseh's Legacy).” Currently in pre-production, Brown hopes to gather as many Native nations as possible at the upcoming 95th Annual Meskwaki Indian Pow-Wow held at the Tama, Iowa Meskwaki Nation Settlement from August 6-9, 2009.
“Tecumseh was a great man. His life was cut short, he died at forty-five, two years younger than I am now. It amazes me, the amount of travel he did and in those times. There were no cars, he did it by horse all over this country. One month he’d be here, then he’d pop up there, always trying to unite. To defeat the United States was his goal, to save his homelands. He is one of my historical heroes,” Brown enthused. “If I was alive back then, I would have followed him anywhere. He’s the man.”
Brown’s documentary will focus on The Shawnee Dance, a little known legacy the great traveling Chief of the Shawnee Tribe left behind almost two hundred years ago. “The dance was taught to the Sac and Fox and the Kickapoo tribes by Tecumseh when he traveled amongst them as he tried to form an alliance of Native Tribes,” said Brown. “The dance is unknown today to the relatives and descendents of the Great Chief, yet, it is a much beloved dance to the tribes fortunate enough to have received instruction. These tribes suffered hardships of warfare, disease, Christian attempts at conversion and the forced removal from their homelands. Despite this fact, the dance survived. As a result of time, the dance has evolved into a social dance for the Sac and Fox. The Kickapoo retained the dance in its original form - a religious dance.”
Brown is a member of the Sac and Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa/Meskwaki. His Indian name is Qwa skwa mi and he’s a member of the Fish Clan. He’s also a traditional singer with a great love of the music he heard in his youth.
His transformational journey from traditional drummer/singer to filmmaker began in a humble, humorous way. “I have to laugh because the thing that got me to thinking about this project is I started selling corndogs at our Pow-Wow,” smiled Brown. The once plentiful crowds at the annual Meskwaki Pow-Wow had dwindled and all the vendors felt the economic pinch. “I started thinking about how to increase our attendance and I was working with the songs. Then, it just hit me.”
Conrad Brown grew up within his tribal community and has fond memories of his grandmother. “My Grandmother and all my old aunts would go and dance the Shawnee Dance once a year during our Harvest Festival. Sometimes they would dance it at a small gathering in our tribal gym. I used to sit there and watch as they danced it hard, laughing and singing along. During the year, she would sing the songs over and over again. I would listen but really never tried to catch them. After she was gone, I heard the songs and thought of her, heard her voice. She was a good singer,” Brown recalled.
Brown’s memories and respect for tradition propelled him to uncover the origins of the Shawnee Dance. “My Grandmother’s stories got me motivated to start doing research on how this dance got here. I read everything I could get a hold of on the internet, Jesuit manuscripts and such. It consumed me,” Brown stated.
His enthusiasm evolved into solid research and the impetus to turn his knowledge into a documentary. “My ultimate hope is to have this documentary aired for a couple million viewers to let them know that there is history beyond what is taught in school, not found in school books. This is history you find at home and amongst your elders.” Brown has advice to young, aspiring Native filmmakers. “Don’t be afraid to ask questions of your elders. Ask while they are still here, because when they are gone, that’s another piece of our oral history that disappears forever that you can’t get back. Ask now and retain that knowledge. Teach your children this knowledge. Pass it on. It’s our duty for the generations to come.”
Brown has also been assisted by scholars Professor Steve Warren from Augustana College, Professor Colin Calloway from Dartmouth College and Professor R. David Edmunds from the University of Texas. Also supporting the documentary is the First Nations Composer Initiative, who recently awarded a production grant to Brown. The group will also be on hand to film their own documentary about Brown’s project.
Brown plans to have a film crew on site for the upcoming Meskwaki Pow-Wow in August. He hopes that Tribal Elder groups will encourage their leadership to arrange for bus tours to Tama, Iowa to be part of the celebration.
“I want every Native Nation that Tecumseh tried to unite in his alliance to be here,” Brown said. “In this way, at least for one weekend, these Algonquin tribes can fulfill his vision of unity. I wish to complete his quest. If we can take one weekend and become united again and renew old alliances maybe it will send the people a message. This Shawnee Dance has the potential to unite. The dance is that powerful.”
# # #
For More Information:
The 95th Annual Meskwaki Indian Pow-Wow. Tama, Iowa Meskwaki Nation Settlement -- August 6-9 http://www.meskwaki.org/special/mapa2009/mapa.html
Meskwaki Casino Hotel http://www. meskwaki. com/hotel. html
Telephone: 1-800-728-GAME extension 2000
Sunday, December 28, 2008
More Native Radio! Listen in while you think of a caption!
More Native Radio! Listen in while you think of a caption!
http://www.nativevoicesradio.net/news.html
nativevoicesradio.net News
Christmas special
Click here to listen to the show!
http://www.nativevoicesradio.net/news.html
Native Voices Internet December 21, 2008
Native Voices Internet December 21, 2008: Randy Huffman is back as your host of the Native Voices Internet Radio Program! Features holiday songs from Todi Neesh Zhee Singers and Friends, Warscout, Jana, R. Carlos Nakai and William Eaton, Douglas Bluefeather, and Radmilla Cody, and the music of Eagle and Hawk and Young Grey Horse. Plus news: Crow Nation of Montana Horse Mounted Unit to march in the 56th Inaugural Parade.
Go to the home page and click on "Listen to Native Voices shows"
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Photo of us by Noelle Eschete and remix by Gette using her photo of Melbourne Beach in FL...
So here's the deal for NAMAPAHH Radio...our current caption is:
"Wish you were here...WE WISH WE WERE HERE TOO!!!!
We want to use your caption tho....so enter today!
Winner gets to go to THIS beach with the Two Carneens....(after we win the lottery! Or hit it BIG at the casino!)
So are you interested?
LOL....
If so....Send your entries to robin.carneen@gmail.com or post them here & we will read them on the air of our next radio show- which'll be sooner than later!
Enjoy Randy's show- glad he is back doing NDN radio! We missed him!
http://www.nativevoicesradio.net/news.html
nativevoicesradio.net News
Christmas special
Click here to listen to the show!
http://www.nativevoicesradio.net/news.html
Native Voices Internet December 21, 2008
Native Voices Internet December 21, 2008: Randy Huffman is back as your host of the Native Voices Internet Radio Program! Features holiday songs from Todi Neesh Zhee Singers and Friends, Warscout, Jana, R. Carlos Nakai and William Eaton, Douglas Bluefeather, and Radmilla Cody, and the music of Eagle and Hawk and Young Grey Horse. Plus news: Crow Nation of Montana Horse Mounted Unit to march in the 56th Inaugural Parade.
Go to the home page and click on "Listen to Native Voices shows"
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Photo of us by Noelle Eschete and remix by Gette using her photo of Melbourne Beach in FL...
So here's the deal for NAMAPAHH Radio...our current caption is:
"Wish you were here...WE WISH WE WERE HERE TOO!!!!
We want to use your caption tho....so enter today!
Winner gets to go to THIS beach with the Two Carneens....(after we win the lottery! Or hit it BIG at the casino!)
So are you interested?
LOL....
If so....Send your entries to robin.carneen@gmail.com or post them here & we will read them on the air of our next radio show- which'll be sooner than later!
Enjoy Randy's show- glad he is back doing NDN radio! We missed him!
Friday, December 26, 2008
RE: Re: ONE Spirit~Pine Ridge Rez Fresh Food Co-op Awesome!
(((((awesome)))))))))))))))))
RE: Re: ONE Spirit~Pine Ridge Rez Fresh Food Co-op Awesome!
----------------- Bulletin Message -----------------
From: ONE
Date: Dec 26, 2008 7:31 PM
----------------- Bulletin Message -----------------
From: Black Wolf
Date: Dec 26, 2008 10:26 PM
There is a cure for hunger: It is called food.
For the past 5 days Michelle has been out of food for her family. Her two children are able to get breakfast and lunch at school during the week but the only food at home has been rice and potatoes.
Bernice, a grandmother caring for 7 grandchildren, called yesterday. She had just received an order of food through Project SHARE. I could hear the excitement in her voice as she told me that they were so happy to get the food because they had been eating pasta for several days.
Another mother wrote "Thank you for sending us the food. My children love fruit, something they never get, so they gobbled it up in no time."
PLEASE HELP Victims' Assistance of Indian Country (VAIC) is requesting help with providing food for the many elders and families they serve. Examples include an elder who told me she had no food but that she does have some tea; and a mother who is 7 months pregnant and did not eat so her two children would have enough food. While VAIC and ONE Spirit work together to find ways to resolve the crisis, you can help insure that there is enough food so no one goes hungry. $50.00 will buy enough food for the elder for two weeks through project SHARE and will feed the family for a week.
Project SHARE On Pine Ridge and Cheyenne River Reservations
The Project SHARE food co-op, managed and operated by ONE Spirit and the Lakota people, is providing fresh fruit, vegetables and meat to over 100 families and elders representing over 800 people. Every month, increasing numbers of people ask to be part of the food program. This is the only food program on the reservation that delivers food that is both high quality and has high nutritional value.
Given the high unemployment (90%) and an average family income of $6000.00 per year, families time and again find food in short supply. Children attend after- school programs to take advantage of snacks as it is often the only food they will have for dinner. Government food programs are not designed for sharing societies. The Lakota people believe in and practice sharing.
Families share what they have with extended family, relatives, and neighbors. Those that are eligible for food stamps (EBT) and commodity programs also share with others. This means that food runs out or is in short supply long before the next government allotment. There are no food banks or food resources available to regularly meet basic food needs not covered by the government programs.
There is also an extremely high incidence of diabetes and other health problems that are likely related at least in part to diet. Government programs provide a high starch diet with little fruits and vegetables.
How does project SHARE help?
SHARE helps in two ways. First of course it brings fresh fruits, vegetables and meats to the families at a time each month when it is most needed. Second it provides employment and promotes self sufficiency. On Pine Ridge, the Lakota people unload the food trucks, sort the food, and deliver it to the homes. On Cheyenne River, a group of Vietnam Vets, through a compensated work therapy program, do the work required to get the food to the people. In both instances, the workers obtain food for themselves and their family and they help their people.
How do I participate?
1. Donate a SHARE of food. Click on the donate button at the top of the ONEspirit page to make a donation. (http://nativeprogress. org)
2. For more information about the program and how you can participate, contact:
ONE Spirit SHARE Food Program
Mike Glinsky
mglinsky@nativeprogress.org
Learn more about SHARE at their Web site: www. sharecolorado. com
RE: Re: ONE Spirit~Pine Ridge Rez Fresh Food Co-op Awesome!
----------------- Bulletin Message -----------------
From: ONE
Date: Dec 26, 2008 7:31 PM
----------------- Bulletin Message -----------------
From: Black Wolf
Date: Dec 26, 2008 10:26 PM
There is a cure for hunger: It is called food.
For the past 5 days Michelle has been out of food for her family. Her two children are able to get breakfast and lunch at school during the week but the only food at home has been rice and potatoes.
Bernice, a grandmother caring for 7 grandchildren, called yesterday. She had just received an order of food through Project SHARE. I could hear the excitement in her voice as she told me that they were so happy to get the food because they had been eating pasta for several days.
Another mother wrote "Thank you for sending us the food. My children love fruit, something they never get, so they gobbled it up in no time."
PLEASE HELP Victims' Assistance of Indian Country (VAIC) is requesting help with providing food for the many elders and families they serve. Examples include an elder who told me she had no food but that she does have some tea; and a mother who is 7 months pregnant and did not eat so her two children would have enough food. While VAIC and ONE Spirit work together to find ways to resolve the crisis, you can help insure that there is enough food so no one goes hungry. $50.00 will buy enough food for the elder for two weeks through project SHARE and will feed the family for a week.
Project SHARE On Pine Ridge and Cheyenne River Reservations
The Project SHARE food co-op, managed and operated by ONE Spirit and the Lakota people, is providing fresh fruit, vegetables and meat to over 100 families and elders representing over 800 people. Every month, increasing numbers of people ask to be part of the food program. This is the only food program on the reservation that delivers food that is both high quality and has high nutritional value.
Given the high unemployment (90%) and an average family income of $6000.00 per year, families time and again find food in short supply. Children attend after- school programs to take advantage of snacks as it is often the only food they will have for dinner. Government food programs are not designed for sharing societies. The Lakota people believe in and practice sharing.
Families share what they have with extended family, relatives, and neighbors. Those that are eligible for food stamps (EBT) and commodity programs also share with others. This means that food runs out or is in short supply long before the next government allotment. There are no food banks or food resources available to regularly meet basic food needs not covered by the government programs.
There is also an extremely high incidence of diabetes and other health problems that are likely related at least in part to diet. Government programs provide a high starch diet with little fruits and vegetables.
How does project SHARE help?
SHARE helps in two ways. First of course it brings fresh fruits, vegetables and meats to the families at a time each month when it is most needed. Second it provides employment and promotes self sufficiency. On Pine Ridge, the Lakota people unload the food trucks, sort the food, and deliver it to the homes. On Cheyenne River, a group of Vietnam Vets, through a compensated work therapy program, do the work required to get the food to the people. In both instances, the workers obtain food for themselves and their family and they help their people.
How do I participate?
1. Donate a SHARE of food. Click on the donate button at the top of the ONEspirit page to make a donation. (http://nativeprogress. org)
2. For more information about the program and how you can participate, contact:
ONE Spirit SHARE Food Program
Mike Glinsky
mglinsky@nativeprogress.org
Learn more about SHARE at their Web site: www. sharecolorado. com
Thursday, December 25, 2008
NAMAPAHH_Radio: Native American & friends Cabin Fever Christmas Show!
In case you missed it.....we had a great time- hope you all can tune in sometime- we know everyone was going to be busy...but the cool thing about blogtalk is you'll always be able to catch up to us!!! Merry Christmas from Connie, Robin, the boys & the critters(even the dogs made a cameo appearance as our doorbell! LOL).
www.blogtalkradio.com/NAMAPAHH_Radio/2008/12/25/Native-American-friends-Cabin-Fever-Christmas-Show
NAMAPAHH_Radio: Native American & friends Cabin Fever Christmas Show!
UPCOMING SHOW: 12/25/2008 12:30 PM-2:30PM PST/3:30-6:30PM PST
2 Hours
Call-in Number: (718) 508-9165
We know this is a birthday for Jesus & we also know that many people/families celebrate this time of year in different ways...some people may be alone...some people may be out on the road-like some of our truckers & others...no matter where you are, we want to be with you....We will open up the phone lines & share music in between greetings, status checks, call in recipes, and much more!!!!!!!!! Don't be shy- at least put us on in the background! We will be sharing some NDN radio love & well wishes with you all! Let's truly spread the joy & light for 2 hours together!!!!!! ( Mom & I have Amazon wish list items for Santa to see!)
Discussion Thread
---------------------------------------------------------------
Response (John S) - 12/22/2008 05:12 PM
Users must be current with their updates for Flash Player for their PC, if they are not current then they will have issues listening in. They can get the update free from www.adobe.com All shows are Flash Player based.
Take care!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>MERRY CHRISTMAS Enjoy the song!!<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Click on each reindeer to get full effect.
http://www.glenn.tapley.us/MC.swf
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Jae Jae AKA CLOUDWALKER had an interview today!
Jae Jae AKA CLOUDWALKER had an interview today!
----------------- Bulletin Message -----------------
From: ღ ÇHÅRMer ღ GIRL
Date: Dec 25, 2008 3:31 PM
I just listened to a live radio show on the internet today because my brother Jae Jae AKA CLOUDWALKER had an interview today!He explained his collabs with fellow native musicians. He also did a collab with a Navajo DJ named DJ NAVE. DJ NAVE was also on the air explaining his music, so I went to his myspace profile and listened to his music.......it is phenomenal. So, with all that said.......feel free to add both as a myspace friend and help promote them with their determination to let themselves and sound be heard:) They are both very cool!
GO TO:
for Jae Jae AKA CLOUDWALKER>>>(www. myspace. com/morningstarrent)
for DJ NAVE>>>>>>(www. myspace. com/deejaynave)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/NAMAPAHH_Radio/2008/12/25/Native-American-friends-Cabin-Fever-Christmas-Show
NAMAPAHH_Radio: Native American & friends Cabin Fever Christmas Show!
UPCOMING SHOW: 12/25/2008 12:30 PM-2:30PM PST/3:30-6:30PM PST
2 Hours
(ARCHIVED!)
We know this is a birthday for Jesus & we also know that many people/families celebrate this time of year in different ways...some people may be alone...some people may be out on the road-like some of our truckers & others...no matter where you are, we want to be with you....We will open up the phone lines & share music in between greetings, status checks, call in recipes, and much more!!!!!!!!! Don't be shy- at least put us on in the background! We will be sharing some NDN radio love & well wishes with you all! Let's truly spread the joy & light for 2 hours together!!!!!! ( Mom & I have Amazon wish list items for Santa to see!)
Discussion Thread
---------------------------------------------------------------
Response (John S) - 12/22/2008 05:12 PM
Users must be current with their updates for Flash Player for their PC, if they are not current then they will have issues listening in. They can get the update free from www.adobe.com All shows are Flash Player based.
Take care!
----------------- Bulletin Message -----------------
From: ღ ÇHÅRMer ღ GIRL
Date: Dec 25, 2008 3:31 PM
I just listened to a live radio show on the internet today because my brother Jae Jae AKA CLOUDWALKER had an interview today!He explained his collabs with fellow native musicians. He also did a collab with a Navajo DJ named DJ NAVE. DJ NAVE was also on the air explaining his music, so I went to his myspace profile and listened to his music.......it is phenomenal. So, with all that said.......feel free to add both as a myspace friend and help promote them with their determination to let themselves and sound be heard:) They are both very cool!
GO TO:
for Jae Jae AKA CLOUDWALKER>>>(www. myspace. com/morningstarrent)
for DJ NAVE>>>>>>(www. myspace. com/deejaynave)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/NAMAPAHH_Radio/2008/12/25/Native-American-friends-Cabin-Fever-Christmas-Show
NAMAPAHH_Radio: Native American & friends Cabin Fever Christmas Show!
UPCOMING SHOW: 12/25/2008 12:30 PM-2:30PM PST/3:30-6:30PM PST
2 Hours
(ARCHIVED!)
We know this is a birthday for Jesus & we also know that many people/families celebrate this time of year in different ways...some people may be alone...some people may be out on the road-like some of our truckers & others...no matter where you are, we want to be with you....We will open up the phone lines & share music in between greetings, status checks, call in recipes, and much more!!!!!!!!! Don't be shy- at least put us on in the background! We will be sharing some NDN radio love & well wishes with you all! Let's truly spread the joy & light for 2 hours together!!!!!! ( Mom & I have Amazon wish list items for Santa to see!)
Discussion Thread
---------------------------------------------------------------
Response (John S) - 12/22/2008 05:12 PM
Users must be current with their updates for Flash Player for their PC, if they are not current then they will have issues listening in. They can get the update free from www.adobe.com All shows are Flash Player based.
Take care!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Native American & friends Cabin Fever Christmas Show!
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/NAMAPAHH_Radio/2008/12/25/Native-American-friends-Cabin-Fever-Christmas-Show
NAMAPAHH_Radio: Native American & friends Cabin Fever Christmas Show!
UPCOMING SHOW: 12/25/2008 12:30 PM-2:30PM PST/3:30-6:30PM PST
2 Hours
Call-in Number: (718) 508-9165
We know this is a birthday for Jesus & we also know that many people/families celebrate this time of year in different ways...some people may be alone...some people may be out on the road-like some of our truckers & others...no matter where you are, we want to be with you....We will open up the phone lines & share music in between greetings, status checks, call in recipes, and much more!!!!!!!!! Don't be shy- at least put us on in the background! We will be sharing some NDN radio love & well wishes with you all! Let's truly spread the joy & light for 2 hours together!!!!!! ( Mom & I have Amazon wish list items for Santa to see!)
NAMAPAHH_Radio: Native American & friends Cabin Fever Christmas Show!
UPCOMING SHOW: 12/25/2008 12:30 PM-2:30PM PST/3:30-6:30PM PST
2 Hours
Call-in Number: (718) 508-9165
We know this is a birthday for Jesus & we also know that many people/families celebrate this time of year in different ways...some people may be alone...some people may be out on the road-like some of our truckers & others...no matter where you are, we want to be with you....We will open up the phone lines & share music in between greetings, status checks, call in recipes, and much more!!!!!!!!! Don't be shy- at least put us on in the background! We will be sharing some NDN radio love & well wishes with you all! Let's truly spread the joy & light for 2 hours together!!!!!! ( Mom & I have Amazon wish list items for Santa to see!)
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