Grandmother Mechi Garza

Grandmother Mechi continues to regularly give and teach Kolaimni in Florida, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio and West Virginia. She can be contacted at the address below for a Kolaimni appointment or a current itinerary of her teaching schedule. Mechi also provides spiritual counseling and past-life readings, both in person and also by telephone too. Grandmother Mechi has to pay her bills too, and offers her readings on a sliding scale basis as income allows. Normally she asks for a monetary donation of about $30 for 30 minutes. Mechi asks that you please call her ahead of time to set-up an appointment. She can be contacted by phone for information about Kolaimni, and/or for a spritual reading at the number below:

Mechi Garza
11810 Sophia Drive, Apartment #1110
Tampa, FL 33637
813/899-2301
E-mail: mechime@msn.com

The Winter Solstice
The Pueblo tribe observe both the summer and winter solstices. Although the specific details of the rituals differ from pueblo to pueblo, "the rites are built around the sun, the coming new year and the rebirth of vegetation in the spring....Winter solstice rites include...prayerstick making, retreats, altars, emesis and prayers for increase."

The Hopi tribe "is dedicated to giving aid and direction to the sun which is ready to 'return' and give strength to budding life." Their ceremony is called "Soyal." It lasts for 20 days and includes "prayerstick making, purification, rituals and a concluding rabbit hunt, feast and blessing..."

There are countless stone structures created by Natives in the past to detect the solstices and equinoxes. One was called Calendar One by its modern-day finder. It is in a natural amphitheatre of about 20 acres in size in Vermont. From a stone enclosure in the center of the bowl, one can see a number of vertical rocks and natural features in the horizon which formed the edge of the bowl. At the solstices and equinoxes, the sun rises and sets at notches or peaks in the ridge which surrounded the calendar.

Check out the "more about Kolaimni" (first link in the lefthand column), many photos and information about our own dear Grandmother Mechi!

Guess you've noticed that things seem confused everywhere you go? Think on this... evolution is not always accomplished so slowly that you don't notice the changes, and right now we are evolving at a fast rate. There will be many extremes noticed, it will feel sort of like the best of the best and the worst of the worst.

I believe that it all comes down to this... those of us who want mankind to survive in a good and honorable way, need to be clear and present - in other words obvious about our beliefs that love and respect and acceptance will save us, whereas greed and hate and fear will destroy us. It is our duty, as well as our responsibility and joy to be a role model for others looking for a better way, a connection not only with Spirit and the Earth, but with each other.

You are my relative. You are my sisters and brothers. We may not have met before now, and we may never look each other in the eyes, but we are relations. As your relative, I must work to keep you safe and I look to you to work to keep me safe. This is what I have learned from the Old Ones who pass down the ancient teachings from our ancestors. There is no more time for ignorance or inactivity ... we can take this time of change and bring about a time of peace and community for all the Peoples, but we should not look outside of ourselves for our leaders. We must go within and find that seed of truth and share it with all who have ears to hear. This is the Natural Way.

If someone is acting out of character, or what you perceive to be out of character, have you gone to them in a respectful and loving way and asked if they were okay - or did you whisper and speculate and judge them? Perhaps you do not have all the information, or perhaps you need to look at your own actions to make sure you are being a good relative to them. Everyone has problems, everyone... what can you do to encourage this loved one?

We are at the time of the Budding Trees Moon, and sit at the time of the spring equinox. This time is influenced by the Thunderbird Clan. It is a time to focus on tempering our fiery energy, remembering that their are advantages of taking root as well as flying. This time teaches us about change and optimism. Being in this position will show you your leadership ability, the enormity of your own spirit, and the extent of our clear-sightedness. It is time to channel these energies, contain our tempers and be more patient with each other. Study the path of Red-tailed Hawk for inspiration.

We need to be careful about judging the old ones when we talk. At first they may not make sense to us. Maybe we'll say they're old fashioned and don't understand. But the old ones do understand! When they speak, listen very carefully. Often it will take weeks or maybe even years before we understand what they are really saying. This is the way of Wisdom. We need to listen, listen, listen.

Life has a way of sneaking up on you... and a way of helping you out when you least expect it.

Walking right beside you,
- Many Ponies -

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WOKIKSUYE CANKPE OPI
(Remember Wounded Knee)

To truly appreciate this opportunity you have been given by the Great Mystery to experience life, it is important for you to fully understand not only what you believe but why you believe it. Some of us follow a traditional path of our own cultural heritage, and some follow the traditional path of an adopted heritage that speaks to us. Some of us seek a more flexible, inclusive path... learning from many ancient cultures. With the greatest respect, from one child of Creator to another, I suggest that we all remember that there are many different ways to celebrate Life in a good way, and that those of us with mixed heritage have the honor, the responsibility and the joy to develop a personal relationship with Great Spirit and with the Mother in a way that speaks to our own hearts. This is my truth. As we do this, however, it is also important to honor and respect the path chosen by those wise ones whom we go for teachings - our Elders, the sisters and brothers who hold sacred space, the Wisdom Keepers, the Pipe Holders, etc. As we seek to understand our own paths by speaking with those we feel can help us on our way, may we listen with our spirits rather than our emotions, may we ask without cross-examining, may we ever keep uppermost in our minds that these Grandmothers and Grandfathers, these Sisters and Brothers, have dedicated themselves to the People and the Land and their efforts, their time, their energy, their life is shared with many. As you bring tobacco (or groceries, fire wood, etc.) and quietly speak with them about your needs, your questions, your confusions, know that they love you and are fully committed to helping you as best as they can as humble, pitiful two-leggeds who have sacrificed the easy way for the hard.

Sue Redhawk with Wolf fans

- Black Elk

Sun Walker & Turquoise Cloud

Wado for those who called in this past weekend to WMNF 88.5 fm between 10 and 11 pm to Chante Ishta, K Takeda, Jeff, Andrew and the other volunteers there to pledge your support to the Two Worlds all-Native American music radio program during this time of need! I heard many names being called out of my brothers and sisters across Tampa Bay and was thrilled that this amazing and varied music is appreciated!"When that drum beats, I beat, my heart goes the same way the drum goes."

- Margaret Paul (Maliseet) from Sound of the Drum, 1990

NATIVE VETERANS! Check out the new website I created for the Bay Pines Native American Council and let me know what you think!

Happy Winter Solstice!
December 21st - the shortest day and the longest night on Turtle Island, when the north pole is at it's furthest point from the sun. The People have been celebrating this time for 40,000 years for it is a time of mysterious and powerful phenomenon. The sun slips away every autumn and harsh conditions and scare food make survival risky. Vegetation lies dormant and migratory birds have long disappeared, the great bear has vanished into hibernation and anxiety grows. Is the sun angry at us? Will he return with Spring growth? Here is the time to honor the dark times and remember that even in the darkness, there is the seed of healing available to us if we focus with positive intent.

How best to celebrate this time of the year?

• Remember happy childhood winter memories
• Honor an elder who has passed on and re-establish your spirit bond with him/her
• Walk outdoors and honor the Green Standing People's visible bones of the winter season
• Honor the Stone Nation whose patience carries them through the cold and dark, without flinching
• Welcome the returning sun, every morning or evening as the days lengthen

Creator, your children are we,
and with tired backs we bring you the gifts you love.
Weave for us a garment of brightness,
may the warp be the white light of morning.
May the weft be the red light of evening.
May the fringes be the falling rain
and the border the standing rainbow.
Weave for us a garment of brightness,
that we may walk fittingly where birds sing.
That we may walk fittingly where grass is green.

Beautiful sisters from West Virginia come to Celebrate with us
Grandmother Mechi's 80th Birthday Gathering - Ya Ta Hey!

At the gathering of Wolf's Heart Lodge, at Grandmother Redbird's home in Tampa, we dedicated the beautiful, new Lodge flag! Recognition goes to Turquoise Cloud and Sun Walker for all they did to birth this blessing to their Lodge brothers and sisters. If you look on the 'Offerings from the Lodge' page, you will see the original drawing and why we chose this art. The actual flag is shown on the left bar. Wado!

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It is normal and right to protect those things dear to your heart... your family, your culture, your way of reaching out to Creator. It is also, however, important that we all remember that just because some of us look different, were not lucky enough to be taught the ways of OUR ancestors from birth, or choose as living, loving human beings to respectfully search for truth, that we are somehow not as good as another person. Sitting in judgment of others is not our responsibility. Sitting in judgment of our own path is our responsibility. If we are seeking to return to balance as a people, one of the things we need to do is seek truth. Being ready to speak against a group of people we've never met and assuming we know the way of their heart, the way the reach out to community, the way they care for the Elders, is unwise. Before we can speak the truth for ourselves, we have to look inside ourselves for the prejudice and pain we all carry within us, like a cold stone in our hearts. Only when we seek to understand and teach, rather than threaten and judge, can we really be worthy of speech at all. All warriors know about the power of silence.

"There is a river flowing now very fast. It is so great and swift, that there are those who will be afraid. They will try to hold on to the shore. They will feel they are being torn apart and will suffer greatly. Know the river has its destination. The elders say we must let go of the shore, push off into the middle of the river, keep our eyes open, and our heads above the water. And I say, see who is in there with you and celebrate. At this time in history, we are to take nothing personally, least of all, ourselves. For the moment that we do, our spiritual growth and journey comes to a halt. The time of the lone wolf is over. Gather yourselves! Banish the word struggle from your attitude and your vocabulary. All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration. We are the ones we've been waiting for!

- Oraibi, Arizona - Hopi Nation

Kay Falling Leaves and Linda Idkwia offering music and love
at the Wolf's Heart Lodge Big Drum Fund Raiser Yard Sale
Thanks my Sisters!

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GREAT SPIRIT,
You who have given us this quiet time of darkness and peace,
this time of Winter.
You who has given us Life and
the opportunity to learn many lessons.
We ask that you continue to look upon us as your children,
living here on our Mother Earth and hear our prayers offered on eagle's wings,
offered on the sacred smoke.
We vow to walk this Path with honor,
holding you close to our hearts, following the natural laws
given to us by the Old Ones.
May the directional spirits, the energy from our Sky Father,
the energy from our Earth Mother and the divine spark of Life
we hold in each of our Hearts,
bring us closer to each other
and closer to the understanding that we are all related.

- Many Ponies

Congratulations to our own Sunset Wolf. Last year he was inducted into the International Black Belt Hall of Fame, and this year he was awarded Martial Artist of the Year!

"We do not chart and measure the vast field of nature or express her wonders in the terms of science; on the contrary, we see miracles on every hand – the miracle of life in the seed and egg, the miracle of death in a lighting flash and in the swelling deep!"

— Kent Nerburn

The Warrior Bard, Benjamin Dehart, whom many of us have enjoyed at Eclectic Dawn and Indian Stuff, has shared with us the lyrics to his newly copyrighted song 'Open Country'. I offer these beautiful lyrics under the Offerings from the Lodge page. Take a look! His CDs are available for purchase at INDIAN STUFF and make great gifts for yourself or others!

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Take a look at our webpage entitled 'Red News' for our own local, up and coming Red Heart's Fire!

Tsu gv wa lo di I: (Cherokee) "A definite standard by which to live, even when the values of others change by the hour."

Breeze / Walker / Ponies / Cloud
enjoying community at the Traverse Drumming - August 9, 2003

Our Beloved Elders - the Heart of Wolf's Heart Lodge
Grandmother Lynn Redbird and Grandmother Mechi Garza

Also remember the old teaching of how Creator gathered all of creation and said, 'I want to hide something from the humans until they are ready for it. It is the realization that they create their own reality.' The eagle said, 'Give it to me, I will take it to the moon.' The Creator said, 'No one day they will go there and find it.' The salmon said, 'I will hide it on the bottom of the ocean.' 'No, they will go there too.' The buffalo said, 'I will bury it on the great plains.' The Creator said, 'They will cut into the skin of the earth and find it.' Then Grandmother Mole, who lives in the breast of Mother Earth, and who has no physical eyes but sees with spiritual eyes, said: 'Put it inside them.' And the Creator said, 'It is done.'

- Many Ponies

Think on these things...
Mourning in the Rainforest
If trees could scream.
No-one on earth,
Would sleep peacefully again.

Pray on these things...

Every part of the earth is sacred to my people. Every shining pine needle, every sandy shore, every mist in the dark woods, every clearing and humming insect is holy in the memory and experience of my people. The white man is a stranger who comes in the night and takes from the land whatever he needs. The earth is not his brother but his enemy. Continue to contaminate your bed, and you will one night suffocate in your own waste.
- Seattle, Chief of the Duwamish people, in a letter to the U.S. president, 1855

They say that the only consistent in life is change. I feel a period of change streaming to us in the best of ways. I see the neighborhood of like-minded (like-hearted) peoples supporting each other without ego, without any motive other than the love of friendship, to enjoy seeing everyone thrive. As we move from fear into a place of acceptance and gratitude, may we continue to honor our brothers and sisters in all their endeavourers to bring teachings and gifts to the community. I am proud to be a thread in this tapestry. I am proud to walk beside you.

- Anisoquili

Dock Green Silverhawk, Sky Dancer, SunWalker and I were originally honored to be a part of an event this past June 7th that touched our hearts (again with more Lodge members - Cool Breeze and Turquoise Cloud on August 9th!). We offered the Medicine of Dock's inspired flute and Wolf's Heart Lodge drums during the graduation services of six strong adolescents from a program called Traverse and then again after a weekend administrative event that included parents and officials. Traverse works with children who have been traumatized by loss, victimization or abuse. Through learning to care for and ride horses, these children learn about trust, cooperation and focus. See the link (www.traversekids.org) in the left hand column. Again, please remember to check out the event photos on the Sons of the Earth website too! We are not only a teaching Lodge, but an action Lodge. Aho!

Champions!

Wolf's Heart Lodge Brothers and Sisters
planting the magnolia tree in honor of Papa Bill - Wesley Chapel, FL

It is recently been shared with the Lodge that it is time for us to stop feeling scitsofrenic as mixed heritage People. We have felt between worlds with the shame that some of our people fought and killed others of our people. Know now that all Nations across Turtle Island, across the Mother have killed and been killed. We all carry the history and therefore now, should carry the lesson. We are One. Come home to Mother America. Come home to Wolf's Heart Lodge.

"Earth, our Mother, breathe forth life. All night sleeping now awaking in the east - now see the dawn. Earth, our Mother, breathe and waken. Leaves are stirring, all things moving, new day coming, life renewing. Eagle soaring, see the morning. See the new, mysterious morning. Something marvelous and sacred though it happens every day. Dawn - the child of God and darkness"

Pawnee prayer

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The flower-fed buffaloes of the spring, in the days of long ago, ranged where the locomotive sing and the prarie flowers lie low. The tossing, blooming, perfumed grass is swept away by wheat, wheels and wheels and wheels spin by. In the spring that still is sweet... but the flower-fed buffaloes of the spring left us long ago. They gore no more, they bellow no more, they tumble around the hills no more... with the Blackfeet lying low, with the Pawnee lying low.

Once I was in Victoria, and I saw a very large house. They told me it was a bank and that the white men place their money there to be taken care of, and that by and by they got it back with interest. "We are Indians and we have no such bank; but when we have plenty of money or blankets, we give them away to other chiefs and people, and by and by they return them with interest, and our hearts feel good. Our way of giving is our bank.

Chief Maquinna, Nootka

Have you been to Indian Stuff recently? Sky and I pop in frequently and are always amazed and delighted at the new items coming in and the benefit to the community to have easy access to such affordable beauty (as well as access to the sacred herbs, drums, ribbon shirts, etc.)

See their business card further down on this page for the address and go to the Sons of the Earth website - www.orgsites.com/fl/sons (there's a link in the left column as well as one directly to Indian Stuff) to see some photos under the Events area of opening day and various other fun times. Best of luck to all our friends on this relatively new adventure and wado for bringing such diversity and good teachings to the community.

As we serve each other, we grow... as Spirit is always aware of our deeds much more than the words we speak.

Never doubt that you are important... that you are enough. If each of us does what we know to be right in our own homes, in our own communities, the People will evolve into a higher place, closer to the Creator. You have that power every day. Walk beside me on this Path.

This year may be one of historical importance for our Country. It is essential that we make ourselves available, that we nuture and protect the People, and the Land, and the Wild Things. It is our responsibility to heal ourselves and reach outward with the gifts Creator has given us. We do not need a "New World Order"... we need to look with fresh eyes on the perfect world our Mother has provided for us. Make smoke for our Elders, our Wisdom Keepers, our Children, and our most secret heart prayers... for our dreams can become reality if we place our energy on what we want to grow, rather than against that which we want to fight.

Also be kind to one another... words are important. If you want to care for something, call it a "flower". If you want to kill something, call it a "weed".

- Anisoquili (Many Ponies)

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Florida... is winter over already? Even here in a tropical environment we enjoy the changes of the seasons. Now as we turn our thoughts to these last weeks of winter, the time of looking within and resting for our spring planting. This is the time of night when the sun sleeps and Grandmother Moon is poised full above our heads. This is the time to sit in the reflection of the Fire and speak quietly on what is important to us... a time of maturing as 'real human beings'. Decorate yourself with white and gold, for these are the colors of the great northern spirits where the Elders sit to teach us about the old ways. The Medicine of the North is the place of great spiritual wisdom - as the bufflo frosts the air with his breath, let us be ever looking for ways to teach the young ones.

There are many ways to learn about the Medicine Wheel. Remember that no one charging you a fee for these teachings truly understands the balanced way of walking the Wheel. The Center of the Wheel is the place of Beauty, the place of highest Spirit. When we can walk in balance with the seven sacred directions, we are Walking in Beauty. We are discovering our Divine Self and becoming self-responsible... no longer victims of our own life, but participants and co-creators. You do not learn the ways of the Medicine Wheel after reading a book, or attending a teaching... you learn after walking it, praying and studying over many lifetimes. We do not walk the Wheel one time during a lifetime, but many times. For example with every new phase, new morning, new idea we find ourselves in the East. Each spot on this Sacred Hoop is a school - each color, each totem, each characteristic influences our growth. As Lama Surya Dass says in the Awakening to the Sacred "Truth is the perfect circle. Its center is everywhere; its circumference stretches into infinite space. The land on which we stand is sacred ground; no matter where we stand."

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Anisoquili (Many Ponies) and Skydancer -
The Keepers of the Lodge
Creator, use us. Teach us the Way.
We should be as water, which is lower than all things,
yet stronger even than the rocks.
[Oglala Sioux]

If we watch nature, we can tell a lot about what is going on in the world. The animals and the plants are great teachers. Some time ago, crops were sprayed with a poison to kill the insects. Other animals ate the insects. The small animals were eaten by the Eagles and the Wolves. We live in an interconnected system. What we do to one, we do to all. If our spiritual brothers are living in balance, chances are we humans are also living in balance. Great Spirit, let me listen to my Earth teachers, the plants and the animals.

EAGLE FEATHERS - The National Eagle Repository is located at Rocky Mountain Arsenal northeast of Denver, Colorado. Its purpose is to provide a central location for the receipt, storage, and distribution of bald and golden eagles , and their parts, that are found dead. The eagles, and their parts, are shipped to qualified Native Americans for use in religious Indian ceremonies. It is illegal for any individual to possess a bald or golden eagle , including its parts (feathers, feet, etc). The distribution of bald and golden eagles, and their parts to Native Americans is authorized by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and Regulations found in 50 CFR 22.

Qualified Native Americans wishing to obtain bald or golden eagles or their parts, must submit an application to the: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Eagle Repository Rocky Mountain Arsenal, Building 619, Commerce City, Colorado 80022. Phone: 303/287-2110

The order is filled on a first come, first serve basis. In 1995, there were approximately 3,000 more approved applications for eagles on file than there were available eagles.

Be aware that through your belief (due to family lore) or your true knowledge (from years of research) that your Indian blood came through your Elders and hold your head proud. Realize also, however, as Buffy Sainte-Marie says in her song Now That the Buffalo’s Gone: “when a war between nations is lost, the loser we know pays the cost, but even when Germany fell to your hands, consider dear lady, consider dear man, you left them their pride and you left them their lands and what have you done to these ones?” Treaties are still being broken. Our government is still today working with their power and their money to take back the land of the Navaho, the Inuit and the Cheyenne. If you are interested in learning more about contemporary news regarding the native community, check out www.indianz.com. The local Tampa Bay tribal community is small, but very active. Our monthly ceremonies focus on everything from protecting the Land, to recognizing the seasons, to offering healing for those in need. We celebrate our culture, our blood, our joy. Take a look at the “Indian Commandments” below and see if these do not strike a true cord in your own heart as a sacred teaching for ethical life as a human being. If you are interested in learning more about ‘walking the Red Road’ in a respectful, serious manner – contact Sky Dancer at 727/343-4638 (I hate the phone) for information on our Lodge’s next drumming. Wado (thanks) for ‘listening’ - Aho-Mitakuye Oyasin

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I greet you, Ancient Brother Man
And point with gratitude
To these the artifacts you made in eons past,
The signature of man's slow rise
Is on each tool, each point, each axe
And we can sense the human impact still.
Who smoked this pipe? Who threw this spear?
And was it made for enemy-or deer?
I kneel upon mountain circled flat
To feel the ancient ashes yield, and see
A kinship gift which you have left for me,
I grasp within my hand a perfect tool
So long ago chipped carefully from stone,
And know but for the timing of our fates
It might have been my own,
I touch with care its edges keen and fine,
Where once you placed your thumb
There now is mine.

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"A Nation is not conquered until the hearts of its women are on the ground. Then it is done, no matter how brave its warriors nor how strong its weapons."
Pray for the Peacekeepers Every Day!

Mitakuye Oyasin

- Anisoquili (Many Ponies)

After 9/11... WORDS AMERICA NEED TO HEAR - "When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been murderers and typrants, and for a time, they can seem invincible. But in the end, they always fall. Think of it, always." - Mohandas Gandhi

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"Being Indian is mainly in your heart. It's a way of walking with the earth instead of upon it. A lot of the history books talk about us Indians in the past tense, but we don't plan on going anywhere... We have lost so much, but the thing that holds us together is that we all belong to and are protectors of the earth; that's the reason for us being here. Mother Earth is not a resource, she is an heirloom."
- David Ipinia, Yurok Artist
Sacramento, CA

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WAKANTANKA NIYA WASTE PELO
May The Great Holy Mystery Spirit bless you. As I have suggested in the newsletter e-mailed to those of you who have given us your addresses, we would appreciate hearing about upcoming local or State events such as powwows, AIM protests, groups who are working to protect the Land and the winged and four-legged brothers and sisters, sweats, etc. There is an E-mail for your use at the end of this page directly to me at my home, and I will add those events to the website calendar. Wado! ~ Anisoquili

What have you done for our Elders recently?
CANTE MITAWA KICI HUNKAKEPI OB MANI
My Heart Will Walk With The Elders

Black Elk Oglala Lakota Holy Man (1863-1950)
A warrior who had more than he needed would make a feast. He went around and invited the old and needy... The man who would thank the food - some worthy old medicine man or warrior -said: "...look to the old, they are worthy of old age; they have seen their days and proven themselves. With the help of the Great Spirit, they have attained a ripe old age. At this age the old can predict or give knowledge or wisdom, whatever it is; it is so. At the end is a cane. You and your family shall get to where the cane is."

If I could talk to my great-grandfathers I would tell them that much as changed... but love, like the wind, is still here. I think of you my ancestors, and honor you.

Introduction to One of Seven Sacred Cherokee Ceremonies: The First New Moon of Spring Ceremony took place "When the grass began to grow and the trees send out their pale new leaves...", around the first new moon of March. This festival initiated the planting season and incorporated predictions concerning crop success or failure. It lasted seven days and included dancing and the re-lighting of the sacred fire by the fire maker. The ceremony included sacrificing a deer tongue in the fire. All the home fires were extinguished and rekindled from the sacred fire’s coals.

Her work is inspired! Support our sister in her wonderful, artful photography and bless your home with its beauty.

Susan Redhawk Travis -
Photographer: Native American & Wildlife. 813/977-6226

Go to the Offerings from the Lodge page to see some of her photographs taken at Florida powwows!

Have patience. All things change in due time. Wishing cannot bring autumn glory or cause winter to cease.

Check out Yona and K's wonderful storytelling website! Click Here!

Want to know if you are on the right path? Creator will leave you a feather...

PRAYER FOR PEACE
Oh Great Spirit of our Ancestors, I raise my pipe to you. To your messengers the four winds, and to Mother Earth who provides for your children. Give us the wisdom to teach our children to love, to respect, and to be kind to each other so that they may grow with peace of mind. Let us learn to share all good things that you provide for us on this Earth.

The most familiar name, Cherokee, comes from a Creek word "Chelokee" meaning "people of a different speech." In their own language the Cherokee originally called themselves the Aniyunwiya (or Anniyaya) "principal people" or the Keetoowah (or Anikituaghi, Anikituhwagi) "people of Kituhwa." Although they usually accept being called Cherokee, many prefer Tsalagi from their own name for the Cherokee Nation (Tsalagihi Ayili). Other names applied to the Cherokee have been: Allegheny (or Allegewi, Talligewi) (Delaware), Baniatho (Arapaho), Caáxi (or Cayaki) (Osage and Kansa), Chalaque (Spanish), Chilukki (dog people) (Choctaw and Chickasaw), Entarironnen (mountain people) (Huron), Gatohuá (Creek), Kittuwa (or Katowá) (Algonquin), Matera (or Manteran) (coming out of the ground) ( Catawba), Nation du Chien (French), Ochietarironnon (Wyandot), Oyatageronon (or Oyaudah, Uwatayoronon) (cave people) (Iroquois), Shanaki (Caddo), Shannakiak (Fox), Tcaike (Tonkawa), and Tcerokieco (Wichita).

The Montana Department of Fish and Game is advising hikers, hunters, and fishermen to take extra precautions and keep alert for bears while in the field. "We advise that outdoorsmen should wear noisy little bells on their clothing so as not to startle bears that aren't expecting them," a spokesman said. "We also advise outdoorsmen to carry pepper spray with them in case of an encounter with a bear". It is also a good idea to watch out for fresh signs of bear activity. Outdoorsmen should recognize the difference between black bear and grizzly bear paw prints and scat. A grizzly's paw is larger and its claws are longer than that of a black bear. Black bear scat contains lots of berries and squirrel fur. Grizzly bear scat has little bells in it and smells like pepper.

LOL

RESPECT: Start Now
There once was a man, who was raising his young son. The mother had passed away in childbirth and he was teaching his son all that he knew. This son, grew up and in time wanted to go to a nearby village and find himself a companion. Many months past and the young man returned to his home, and with him he had a woman, his wife. They moved into the home of his father and shortly afterwards were blessed with a son.

The fathernow a grandfather, began teaching this young boy all that he knew... how to respect the forest, the animals and life. The mother, tiring of sharing her home with the old man told her husband that She wanted the old man out. The father spoke "I can not, this is his home and he built it for us. She answered, "If you do not make him leave then I will take our son and I will leave." The father agreed and spoke to his son. My son, tomorow I want you to take Grandpa out and leave him. Give him this Blanket.

The young boy cried. "Why do you do this? Grandpa has been teaching me all that I know. Why do I have to do this to him?" The father spoke, "Son, follow the wishes of your father." So the next morning, the father went hunting to the north. The son took Grandpa as far as he could walk to the south.

That evening the young boy was sitting on the bed crying when his father came in. The father saw the blanket on the bed, and said "Son, I told you to give Grandpa the blanket."

The boy answered, "I gave Grandpa half of the blanket. "Why," the father asked, "did you only give him half the blanket?" and the boy responded, "The other half I will give to you someday."

The father went and told these things to the mother and they understood the message. The next morning they went and brought Grandpa back home.

Hope has two beautiful daughters, their names are anger and courage. Anger that things are the way they are. Courage to make them the way they ought to be.

WALK IN BEAUTY!

Hope to meet you soon!