Spirit Creek AIHA News Letter April 2008
What’s happening with Spirit Creek.
American Indian history.
American Indian News.
American Indian Movement
Up coming Powwows. Indian quote of the month, Final Notes
Spirit Creek AIHA News February & March 2008
Spirit Creek AIHA opened the Spirit Creek Artist Corner & thrift store in October of 2007. Since then the store has acquired merchandise donation to be sold, as well as local artists placing their works for sale in the store. The thrift store also has a donation jug for those whom wish to donate privately.
The store has also relocated to the South Augusta Flea Market 1562 Doug Barnard Pkwy in Augusta GA. We are located in J-7.
The Group will be taking the store on the road for a powwow held during the 17th Annual Western Weekend Rodeo & Festival located in South Congaree SC. The groups Chairman Gary "Five Crows" will be the MC for this event.
Discussions for this years annual powwow hosted by Spirit Creek AIHA are undergoing. The group will be looking at locations, and we are shooting for a late spring or early summer powwow.
American Indian History
Trail of Tears (nunna-da-ul-tsun-yi)
The forced removal of the Cherokee people from Northwestern Georgia is known today as the Trail of Tears which came from the Cherokee phrase nunna-da-ul-tsun-yi that means the trail where they cried.
Gold was discovered on the Cherokee lands in 1829 making the lands highly wanted by white settlers whom asked for the removal of the Cherokee so that they may keep the lands for themselves. An Indian removal act was passed by congress in 1830 by the supporters of Andrew Jackson, a famed Indian fighter. This act of congress called for the removal of all Indians in the southeastern United States.
The Cherokee people were split over this removal, and in 1835. Most of the Cherokee that were led by John Ross the Cherokee leader wanted to stay in their homelands, and only a few were willing to sign the treaty, and move.
In May of 1838 the Cherokee people were forced into stockades in order for the Army to prepare for the removal of these people. Conditions within these stockades were less than third world by today’s standards. On June 6, 1838 the first group of Indians were sent off to the Indian territory that was nearly 1000 miles away. They travel mostly on foot, some by horseback, and few by boat on the rivers of Tennessee, and Ohio. The last of the Indian people arrived at their new territory on March 24, 1839.
During this forced removal of the Indian people many of the Indians became ill due to the hardships suffered, and the harsh climate weather endured on the forced march of 1000 miles. And thousands of Cherokee people died.
As we come upon the 170th anniversary of this horrifying moment in history I ask that we take a moment out of our day to remember those fallen members of our ancestral past, and that we remember the hardships our people suffered from such an horrendous act derived from greed that we as a nation never allow to happen again.
American Indian News
White Buffalo On January 8, 2008 Reverend Jay Swallows, a Cheyenne tribal member received the pleasant surprise of the birth of a white buffalo calf.
Health care
In February of 2008 the Cherokee Nation celebrated its dedication to it largest health care center, known as the Three Rivers Health Center located in Muskogee.
Political News
Wilma Mankiller, the first female leader of the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma, sent out her endorsement of Hillary Rodham Clinton for President. Wilma Mankiller has also been named as a National Co-Chair of Clintons campaign. Wilma Mankiller said in a statement that "This 2008 election is about choosing a leader who can articulate a clear and common vision for our collective future. I believe Senator Clinton is the best person to do that for a variety of reasons, including her early and consistent support for tribal governments. Since I first met President Bill and Hillary Clinton when they were in Arkansas, they have understood and supported tribal treaty rights and sovereignty,"
American Indian Movement
The Movements Beginning
During the Summer of 1968, two hundred members of the Indian community of Minneapolis came together to discuss various issues and critical developments within the American Indian community. Calling the meeting were long time community activists George Mitchell, Dennis Banks, and Clyde Bellecourt. Attending were some of Minneapolis's most active American Indian people: Mary Jane Wilson, Francis Fairbanks, Harold Goodsky, Melissa Tapio, Pearl Brandon, Darcy Truax, Charlie Deegan, George Millessay, Caroline Dickenson, Joanne Strong, Polly Chabwa, Arlene Dakota, Peggy Bellecourt, Ellie Banks, Bobby Jo Graves, John Red House, Audrey Banks, Alberta Atkin, Leanette Banks. . .among others. From this meeting, an organization called Concerned Indians of America was formed. Shortly thereafter, due to the unfortunate acronym this created, The American Indian Movement was established.
Upcoming Powwows
Unicoi State Park Intertribal Powwow
Unicoi State Park
April 5 - 6, 2008
Native American Gathering Hosted by:
17th Annual Western Weekend Rodeo & Festival
South Congaree SC
April 11th & 12th 2008
Native American Heritage Celebration
Little Bear Longbow 678 - 200 - 0379
April 26 - 27, 2008
Coosawattee Native American Powwow & Gathering 2nd Annual
Ellijay GA
May 3 - 4, 2008
American Indian Quotes
What is life? It is the flash of a firefly in the night. It is the breath of a buffalo in the wintertime. It is the little shadow which runs across the grass and loses itself in the sunset.
~ Crowfoot, Blackfoot warrior and orator
Final Notes
This has been a month of many blessings for both the group, and its members. From the groups thrift store relocation to its new home in the flee market of old, to Gary, and Scott landing rolls in the independent film, The Gunfighters.
I leave you with this prayer of peace, and smile of good blessings. Be kind hearted, smile, and cherish the Creators gifts.