Native American Women's AssociationHere’s a reprint from the Native American Women’s Association newsletter – the Indican Community Newsletter. REPRINT OF AUGUST 2008 ARTICLE ON THE TALLTREES Robert and Terri TallTree have been married since 1995 and have lived in Colorado Springs since that time, but Robert’s ties to this area date back to 1978 when he originally moved here. Before they married BalanceThis time of year is very busy for us. We’re on the road doing school programs, and sometimes book signings for Robert’s book “The Legend of Spinoza – The Bear Who Speaks from the Heart.” The other day we were discussing how important it is to stay in balance. It is crucial, for us, and for everybody who lives in this out-of balance world. Our elders say, “Mind, Body, Spirit.” For if one of… >> Continue reading: Balance Honoring Our EldersHere’s a picture of us with Terri’s Dad, Chet Blood. We love you Dad!Thinking of Dad reminds us of the generations that have gone before us, and how they have done so much to make this world a better place. As Native Americans we have a strong tradition of honoring our elders, as do many other ethnic groups in the United States and throughout the world. It’s so… >> Continue reading: Honoring Our Elders We are BlessedHere’s a bunch of pictures from our September Kansas tour. We are so blessed to be able to tour schools around the nation. This Lincoln Elementary School picture is with the principal, his name is Sherman. Nice guy!
Check out the marque at Nelson Elementary! Sweet!
The beautiful mural of the sea is inside Nelson, and their mascot is the Sharks… >> Continue reading: We are Blessed Chicken RidersHere are some chicken riders we met when we drove through Oxford, Kansas last week. Chicken riders – now that got our attention!
Speaking of chickens, there are some Native tribes who have Chicken Dances. Read more about it – or listen to some sound clips: www.ohwejagehka.com/chickendance.htm Ohwejagehka: Ha`degaenage: is a nonprofit organization based on Six NationsSafari Zoological ParkWhen we were in Kansas last week we had a little time after one of our school programs, so we were exploring the area and came on the Safari Zoological Park. We’re not putting any pictures on our blog due to copyright issues, but eventually Tom and Allie, the owners, are going to email us pictures they took of us with their animals, and we’ll share them. They told us the most amazing story! This… >> Continue reading: Safari Zoological Park How could anyoneHow could anyoneShaina Noll (songwriter: Libby Roderick)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zsk789e0ZM
Gakina-awiiya (We Are All Related), Chief Robert and Terri Lynn TallTree “Teach us love, compassion and honor…that we may heal the Earth, and heal each other.” - Ojibwe prayer Bumps in the Road
We bet you didn't know…
In our culture it is considered to be so rude to point, that we actually have a different non-verbal cue when ‘pointing out’ something or somebody. It involves the slightest nod of the head in the appropriate direction, along with… >> Continue reading: We bet you didn't know... Bullying Resources OnlineWe found a great source for lots of links to bullying resources online: www.kidsturncentral.com/links/bullylinks.htm Gakina-awiiya (We Are All Related), Chief Robert and Terri Lynn TallTree “Teach us love, compassion and honor…that we may heal the Earth, and heal each other.” - Ojibwe prayer International Day of Peace, September 21International Day of Peace, September 21
The International Day of Peace (“Peace Day”) provides an opportunity for individuals, organizations and nations to create practical acts of peace on a shared date. It was established by a United Nations resolution in 1981 to coincide with the opening of the General Assembly. The first Peace Day was celebrated in September 1982. In… >> Continue reading: International Day of Peace, September 21 Peace is Possible NowWe’ve had so many requests from schools to address bullying and bullying prevention. When it comes down to it, the best thing that we can do for our children is to be a beacon of hope and love and safety and honor in the world. This is when and where bullying will cease to exist. Hope's Beacon by Flavia Weedn You Never Know
School Program in Wichita, KansasHere’s some pictures from our student program in Wichita, Kansas yesterday. Many thanks to the principal for taking these pictures. We had a blast!
Anger ManagementWhen we did our parent program in Lenexa, Kansas this past Sunday there was one couple that really inspired us. There was a woman who came back in after our program. She said moments before she and her husband got in their car, and he looked at her and said “I yell too much don’t I?” She nodded her head, looked at him and said “I get angry too much don’t I?” … >> Continue reading: Anger Management We Can StopWe are friends; we must assist each other to bear our burdens. (Osage Proverb)One of the administrators who’d been to our parent and student program on Monday told us that she loves the idea we presented of kids supporting each other and saying STOP. Think of all the negative energy that occurs when kids gang up on another kid. Think of all the positive energy that can be generated when kids… >> Continue reading: We Can Stop Steps for Taking Care of BullyingLast night we did a parent program for Holy Trinity Catholic School in Lenexa, Kansas. The school asked us ahead of time to specifically focus on bullying. Throughout the evening we felt the heartfelt concern of the gathered parents, teachers, and community. From a personal standpoint, our children are grown, but as grandparents of seven, how can we help them stop bullying? The most important thing we can do, is to
Children Learn What They LiveChildren Learn What They LiveBy Dorothy Law Nolte, Ph.D.
If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn. Devils Tower National Monument – A Teachable Moment
If you are a teacher or parent looking for a good way to tie in Indian Education with American History, Geology, and Geography, then teach your children about Devils Tower National Monument (Bear Lodge). Click How is Devils Tower A Sacred Site to American Indians? for a nice overview. Here’s a picture of Terri on our… >> Continue reading: Devils Tower National Monument - A Teachable Moment Story of the ColorsSTORY OF THE COLORS
Once upon a time the colors of the world started to quarrel; all claimed that they were the best, the most important, the most useful, the favorite.
GREEN said, “Clearly I am the most important. I am the sign of life and of hope. I was chosen for grass, trees, leaves… without me, all animals would die. Look Cherokee Prayer Blessing/Our HomeHi Everybody, Countless times after we have done a school assembly, a small child has approached us with big saucer eyes and whispered softly “Do you live in a tipi?” To set the record straight, we do not live in a tipi. We live in a custom built house on the west side of Colorado Springs, CO. Here’s some pictures:
We hope your… >> Continue reading: Cherokee Prayer Blessing/Our Home Don't Laugh at MeHere’s an anti-bullying song to share with your children. Our fellow baby boomers will recognize this group. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbBWsscli_4 DON’T LAUGH AT ME Lyrics
I’m a little boy with glasses Lunch with a Strawberry“We must protect the forests for our children, grandchildren and children yet to be born. We must protect the forests for those who can’t speak for themselves such as the birds, animals, fish and trees.” - Hereditary Chief Qwatsinas (Edward Moody)
Yesterday we had lunch with our granddaughter, and it was a BLAST! When
Anti-Bullying Toolkit for Young Bullying BystandersWe have found when acting as bystanders and witnesses to bullying, many elementary school children would like to help stop it, but don’t know how, because they’re caught off guard and don’t know what to do. Here are some simple things to teach your children:
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Robert is a silversmith by one of his trades, and for years he owned a little shop in Manitou Springs. He recalled recently that sometimes he would come across a design issue of a piece of jewerly he was creating that he could not resolve. He’d think about it and think about it and try everything he knew to do, but could not seem to come… 
One of the values many Americans hold dear is directness, assertiveness, and straight-forwardness. Did you know that this may be misconstrued or misunderstood by Native cultures?
We did a high school program this past Tuesday, and three girls came up to thank us, and tell us how much they enjoyed our program. When we asked them what they liked about it, one of them replied “I never really thought about how much you could change somebody’s life… that talking about somebody behind their back, or what we say about them could change their entire… 
