Contact us at 727/821-8186
Ancient mother I hear you calling, Ancient mother Ancient mother Ancient mother
We have been given this sacred opportunity to learn and walk together in a good way. Hold onto your honor by respecting the ways of your ancestors and never placing yourself above others. You may have been taught one way to pray, but Creator may have given a different way to pray to another. You may have been taught that there is only one way to walk this path and that only those like you have the right to learn. Who is to say, however, that Creator is so limited by separating the two-leggeds at birth into the “worthy” and the “unworthy”? What human here today has been granted the right to decide what Creator wants from us? Each of us have a direct line to Creator through our hearts. Our honor, our joy and our responsibility is to love one enough in a humble way and look for ways to protect our older brothers and sisters… We are all related. - Anisoquili (Many Ponies)  |
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INDIAN STUFF
Yona
Sky Dancer
Elizabeth Neily
Hermann Trappman
Karen Welch
Storytellers, Pow Wows and Moon Ceremonies!
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Our ancient stories should be told and heard and repeated. Native Peoples' culture has a rich oral tradition and the sounds, the rhthyms of the language are an important part of who we are... in fact of who we have always been. Enter the Circle with Kay & Yona, of Crow Bear Traditions, American Indian storytellers, and walk into a time surrounded with conch shell trumpets & the voices of mother alligators. Let the memories of those who came before us come alive for you.
Yona and Kay weave words into magic. Call 727/821-8186 if you wish to discuss their coming to speak to your group.
Falling Leaves & Yona
Earth Day at Lowry Park - 2004
The fruits of any culture
Lie in the tlaes they weave,
Giving their inspiration,
Without trying to deceive.
The tale that tells of courage
Invites us to be brave.
The tale that tells of waste
Shows the reckless how to save.
The tale that tells of consequence
Brings warnings to the wise.
The tale that asks us questions
Urges solutoins we devise.
The tale that speaks of true love
Asks our hearts to open wide.
The tale that tells of victories
Restores our human pride.
When these truths are woven
With the greatst of human care,
The lessons we can harvest
May be answers to our prayers.
Those who weave the stories
Are an inspiration to humankind,
Harvesting the fruits of wisdom
And offering food for the mind.
Even when you are sent to bed, the door is left ajar so that you can hear the Grandmothers tell their stories from the front room. As you play with your friends around the edge of the fire, under the stars, you are drawn back to where the Grandfather sits as you hear him say, "This is the way I heard this story..." for you know there is an adventure about to unfold.
Yona's ancestry includes both Shawnee and Cherokee blood. Kay Welch is of Mohawk descent. Yona and Kay bring an ancient vision of the world into modern language and understanding. They experience the world with a Native American heart, sprinkled with history, artifacts, nature and the human experience.
Our grandparents believed that living on the Sacred circle, was basic to staying true to the Great Mystery:
At the beginning of this circle of things the Creator made six directions. Even though Creation is a circle the Creator made directions on the land so the four legged people, and the people with wings, the people who swam in the waters, and the human people could find their way in the world.
The Creator made the first direction. That direction is East. East is where the sun comes up in the morning and starts its trip across the face of Creation. The sun travels across Creation and brings life to all that is alive. But when the sun tires it goes to rest at the end of the day. West is the place where the sun rests. So, when a soul passes over we say that person has traveled to the West. That one has gone to rest. West is the second direction.
In the spring new growth begins to show itself in the South. New green life creeps across the Earth a little further day after day as the sun grows stronger. At last the whole Earth is warmed and life begins again. South is the third direction – it is a place of innocence.
North is the fourth direction the Creator made. In the North days are cold, and the sun is weak and tired. The North is a hard direction, and it is a hungry place. North is a place of testing – and with testing the North is a place of wisdom.
There is another direction. It is the fifth. That direction is below our feet. It is the direction toward our Mother, the Earth. We come from the Earth. We are made from her body. This is the direction of beginning.
When the Creator finished making all these ways, one direction was left hidden. That direction is the connection between us and the Creator. The Creator made this direction so it would be hard to find. We can look all around us for the way to the Creator but we never find it no matter how hard or how long we search. This way is the seventh direction.
The way to the Creator’s heart was hidden in our hearts when we came to be. We have known it since before we were born. When we find that place we will come to sit in the Creator’s palm. We will be held next to the Creator’s heart. Then we will know Creation’s heart-beat and feel the Creator’s breath upon our cheeks.
So it is told.
BOOKINGS - indianstuff1064@yahoo.com
TRICKSTERS AND HEROES: Coyotes and the Peacemaker
Apache storytellers say Old Man Coyote wore human clothes, but he walked on four feet and wore a coyote’s body. One storyteller says, “They say that all the animals were people in those days.”
Zuni, Haudenosaunee, Pawnee, Navajo, the Abenaki and Chippewa all tell stories about tricksters. Old Man Coyote might be replaced by Rabbit on the Great Plains, and Spider might wear Coyote’s clothes east of the Mississippi. Southwest tribes knew stories about a dancing flute player who carried a bag of seeds and was named Kokopelli. Creation’s winds danced with Kokopelli’s melodies, and when the winds danced unexpected things happened.
On the northwest coast and in the Arctic, trickster was dressed as Raven. Raven flew above the people and delivered Creator’s messages to Earth’s children. Tanana grandparents remembered hearing a Creation story about Raven. Raven kidnapped the fish mother’s child. He would not free the child until the fish mother gave up the gravel and mud Raven needed to build the Aleutian islands and the Alaskan mainland.
Whether trickster is disguised as Old Man Coyote, Raven, Kokopelli or Spider, the stories’ aim is true. Fools and clowns can teach us to be wise. Though trickster did not design Creation, trickster stories teach people the importance of bending with change and becoming a positive force in the Sacred Hoop.
Storytellers told stories about heroes too. Though heroes were born next-door their deeds earned them important places in the Sacred imagination. In the old days the five Haudenosaunee tribes were at constant war. Many warriors were killed. Many widows and orphans grieved in the longhouses. Two Haudenosaunee heroes, Dakonawidah and Hayonhwatha, founded the Peace of the Five Nations.
Stories taught that Dakonawidah, the Peacemaker, was born to a virgin mother. When Dakonawidah first came to the Haudenosaunee, he was paddling a white, stone canoe. Hayonhwatha was a cannibal, but Dakonawidah spoke to Hayonhwatha from the cooking pot that was full of pieces of his victims. Dakonawidah convinced Hayonhwatha to help him bring peace to the Five Nations.
Hayonhwatha carried Dakonawidah’s words to the Haudenosaunee, and the words brought peace. Dakonawidah’s Great Peace tied the Haudenosaunee nations into one people. The five enemies lived together in peace as a confederacy. Hayonhwatha planted a white pine tree. The tree’s “ four, great, long roots” pointed east, west, south, and north and directed people to the great tree’s shade. The pine became a shelter for the united Haudenosaunee.
This white pine tree was called the “tree of peace.” An eagle perched in the pine’s boughs and kept watch over the Haudenosaunee confederacy. Today the Haudenosaunee people live under the tree’s influence planted in the days of Hayonhwatha. The Great Peace and Hayonhwatha’s confederacy were so powerful that Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson wrote many of Dakonawidah’s teachings directly into the U.S. Constitution.
The two heroes became so important to the way the Haudenosaunee thought about their place in the Circle that when they grew old both Dakonawidah and Hayonhwatha were given a place in the star paths. They could always look over the Haudenosaunee nations living beneath the tree of peace.
After you explore this website (take your time and come back often!), you may want to go to the Legends and Tales page of the Sons of the Earth website - www.orgsites.com/fl/sons.
January 9-11 - Ormond Beach Native American Festival. Ormond Beach, FL. The Casements, 25 Riverside Drive. Featuring Big Mountain Native Dancers, Peruvian and Aztec dancers, wildlife exhibits, Native American music, cuisine, crafts, skills. 1-9 p.m. Jan. 9; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Jan. 10; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Jan. 11
January 16-18 - Spirit of the Buffalo Pow Wow, International Market World, 1052 Hwy 92W, Auburndale, FL, Headman dancer – Gary Thunderwolf; Headlady dancer – Shenna Lee Belmore; MC -- Bob Ferguson. Appearing – Bruce Belmore, Arville Bird, The Family Drum. Donations taken at gate: seniors/$2, 17 and older/$3, 12–16/$1, under 12/free. Contact: 863/665–0062
January 23-25 - St. Petersburg City Fair & Pow Wow originally scheduled to take place at Vinoy Park, Downtown St. Petersburg, has been cancelled
January 25-26, near Lakeland - Alafia River Rendevous - History Alive! Pre-1840's Pioneers and Mountain Men; Friday & Saturday. Living history re-enactment and preservation of the skills from these early times. See various life skills including blacksmithing, leatherworking, archery, musket shooting, knife throwing and hawking. Large gathering of people who get together and do this for fun all week! Only open to the public on Friday and Saturday. Tell the Warrior Bard that Many Ponies says hello!
January 31-February 1 - 4th Kissimmee Slough Shootout and Rendezvous. Seminole Big Cypress Reservation, I-75 to Exit 49, then 17 miles north. Seminole War battle reenactments, Seminole stomp dancing, archery, plus traditional Seminole food and storytelling. Seminole & pioneer artisans at work throughout the day. 9-5, $6 adults, $4 seniors & students, under 6 free (includes admission to Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum)
January 31-February 2 - MECA Pow Wow, Oscar Sherer State Park, Osprey, FL Contact: 941/485-9072 or 941/493-4475
February 13-15 - 32nd Annual The Seminole Tribal Fair & Rodeo. Behind Okalee Museum & Village, 5845 S. State Rd. 7, (Stirling Rd & US 441), Fort Lauderdale. The largest native event in South FL. American Indian dancers, performers & artisans from more than 300 tribes, entertainment, fine arts & crafts, deep-water alligator wrestling, snake & gator shows. Fairgrounds open 9 am. Sat & Sun; adults $10, children $4; Thurs & Fri adults $6, children, $4. www.seminoletribe.com or 954/967-3420
February 21-22 - Seminole Tribe of FL 65th Annual Arts & Crafts Festival & PRCA Rodeo, From Okeechobee take SR 70 W to CR 721 to Brighton Reservation, Okeechobee. All Indian Rodeo, parade, festival, alligator wrestling, live Seminole cultural village, authentic Indian foods, entertainment, & PRCA Rodeo. $10 adults, $5 Ages 6-12, Free 5 & under. Ellen Smith, 863/763-4128
February 27-28 - Vero Beach Pow Wow, Indian River Fairgrounds, Vero Beach, FL. Head Man - Andrew Hunter; Head Lady - Kay Taylor; MC - David “Whitewolf” Trezak. All Guest Drums are welcomed and appreciated. Contact: Dona 567-6325 Email; deedee1579@aol.com
February 27-29 - Thunder on the Beach, Indian River County Fairgrounds, Vero Beach, FL. Contact: Donna, 772-567-1579 or fax 772-567-6325, cell 772-538-8363
February 27-28 - Vero Beach Pow Wow, Indian River Fairgrounds, Vero Beach, FL. Head Man - Andrew Hunter Head Lady - Kay Taylor MC - David “Whitewolf” Trezak All Guest Drums are welcomed and appreciated. Contact: Dona 567-6325 Email; deedee1579@aol.com
February 28-29 - Okeechobee Battlefield Festival. 2 miles E of Taylor Creek Bridge on SR 441, Okeechobee, FL. A re-enactment of FL's fiercest Seminole War battle. Living history, entertainment, wild animals, artisans, exhibits, & alligator demonstrations. Free admission, $2 parking donation per car. 10 am-5 pm. 800/871-4403
March 12-14 - Annual Native American Pow Wow Celebration. Withlacoochee River Park, Dade City. Native American food, arts & crafts, inter-tribal and exhibition dancing, Aztec Fire Dancers from Mexico City, drumming, storytelling, Joseph Z, the flute flayer, Motorcycle Run. Host Drum: All Nations Warrior Drum & Dance Group. Bring a can of food for the needy. MC Tom Tointigh. Fri: 9-7, Sat: 9-10, Sun: 9-4. $2 adults, children 12 & under free. Contact: Arnie Garcia, 813-571-3182 or 813-267-3880 or Mittie Wood, 352-583-3388 or Withlacoochee River State Park, 352/567-0264
March 26–28 - 39th FL Indian Association Pow Wow. Ft. Pierce, FL. Contact: Gary Stogner, Phone: 561/466-7379
April 2-4 - Thunder in Ocala: Native American Spring Chambers Farm Family Gathering. Contact: 352/546-3237 or nativeamericanheritage@hotmail.com. Website: www.chambersfarm.org. Traders by invitation. Intertribal dancing.
April 17-18 - Musical Echoes Fort Walton Beach. Check the website: www.musicalechoes.nativeland.com for info. This has turned into one of THE flute events in the country, and right here in our home state.
April 23-25 - Hart Springs Powwow Hart Springs Campground in Hart Springs, FL. CR 344 just west of Trenton, FL. Honoring the memory of Bob Blair. Helen Blair, 352-463-7321.
May 7-9 - E-cHota Cherokee Powwow 110 Gean Hurley Rd just off Hwy 90, DeFuniak Springs, Florida 32433. Crafts, music, drum, dance and stories. Elsie Benslay or Denita Edge, 850-951-0308 or echota_tribe_dfs@yahoo.com
May 8 & 9 - Annual Mother's Day Native American Pow Wow
Withlacoochee River Park, Dade City, (352) 567-0264
Experience Native American culture via song, dance, demonstrations and arts & crafts.
September 3-6 - Labor Day Pow Wow - Withlacoochee River Park. Several local flute players will be performing there. Lots of vendors and good food. Singing, dancing, etc. Contact mbmartin352@earthlink.net or phone 352/583-5024 with questions.
September 25-26 - Silverhawk Native American Flute Gathering and Arts and Crafts Show. Withlacoochee River Park, 15 minutes east of Dade City.
November 11-13 - Belleview, FL / The White Buffalo Society Fall 20th Anniversary Powwow/Festival sponsored by: The White Buffalo Society Inc. and will be held at: The Market of Marion. Festival/Powwow No Contest. MC: Silver Cloud. AD: Blue Deer and Aqua Bear. Host Southern Drum: Buffalo Spirit Drum and Singers. Invited drums: Gentle Spirit Drum and Singers. Guest Drums are welcome. Entertainment: Flute music, Soloist, Story telling, Legends, a musical performance, youth games, educational demonstrations, special featured dancers, Tipi open house, Arts and Craft contest, blanket trade, Regalia description show, and more. Booths and fees: 25 $75.00-$10 for booth lights, an auction item. Comments: set-up is Thursday-Friday is youth day and Sat. is the Salute the Troops Day. This is the Society's 20th Anniversary. Directions: The Market of Marion is right on #441- 3 miles South of Belleview, Fl. Lone Wolf Holcomb (352) 625-2279 LnWolfH@cs.com Other contacts: Lady Hawk (352)625-7174 Two-PONIES (352)625-1402 Morning Dove (352)625-1386
November 25-28 - 25th Annual Chambers Farm Thanksgiving Pow Wow. Fort McCoy, Florida. Website: chambersfarm.org or contact nativeamericanheritage@hotmail.com or Chambers Farm at 352/546-3237.
RECURRING MOON CEREMONIES - FLORIDA
Moon Ceremony led by Soaring Eagle (Safire Campground near Bushnell) - Call Soaring Eagle at 352/583-5024 or e-mail: mbmartin@earthlink.net. March 17, April 14, May 19, June 9, July 14, August 18, September 15, October 13, November 17, December 15.
Intertribal Spritual Moond Circle - Merritt Island (rear of Moose Lodge just north of Barge Canal bridge). Call Bonnie Eagle Wind at 321/253-2398. 7 pm. March 10, April 7, May 5, June 2, July 21, August 25, September 30, October 27, November 17, December 15, December 29.
Caloosahatchee Native Moon Ceremony - Pine Island, Ft. Myers. Call Laura or Royce at 941/283-3007. April 14, May 5, June 2, July 7, August 4, September 1, October 6, November 3, December 1.
Native American Spiritual Circle - Ruskin. Call Dough Doughty at 813/641-7168 or Claudia Kendell at 727/327-1107. March 10, April 7, May 5, June 9, July 7, August 4, September 1 and 29, October 10, November 3, December 1 and 29.
Native American Inter-Tribal Spiritual Gathering - Oviedo. Call Richard Three Black Feathers Hall at 407/292-8273 or Young Fox McCord at 704/366-6370. March 31, April 28, May 26, June 23, July 21, August 25, September 22, October 20, November 17, December 16.
Spiritual Circle - Auburndale. Call Louis Skywalker at 863/665-0062
Wolf's Heart Lodge - monthly Ceremony and Drumming (men and women). Also monthly Daughters of the Earth - women and Sons of the Earth - men. Call Sky Dancer at 727/343-4638 for dates and directions or go to www.orgsites.com/fl/drumming.
There are many stories about a sly, clown-like character known as the “trickster.” In the southwest this sly character was called “Old Man Coyote.” He played outrageous tricks on everyone. Old Man Coyote was a teacher who taught his students how to live by playing tricks on them. Sometimes, truths disguised as tricks can be easier understood.
FLORIDA - 2004
Flexible strength is better than inflexible.
Let the storm flow over you, and then pop back up.
