Happy Halloween from The TallTrees! 
Happy Halloween!Right to Vote
Native Americans were the “ethnic” last group granted the right to vote in the United States. African-Americans were granted voting rights in 1870 and women were granted voting rights in 1920. On June 2, 1924, Congress enacted the Indian Citizenship Act, which granted citizenship to all Native Americans born in the U.S. The right to vote, however, was governed by All Things Are Connected
What is man without the beasts? If all the beasts were gone, men would die from great loneliness of spirit, for whatever happens to the beasts also happens to man. Al things are connected. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the children of the Earth. ~Chief Seattle~… >> Continue reading: All Things Are Connected Red Fox
Here’s a picture of our beautiful grandson Inali (Red Fox). In our culture, the fox is clever, alert, and adaptable NOT tricky, sneaky, or untrustworthy… >> Continue reading: Red Fox A Word to the WiseWhen purchasing art, crafts, or jewelry created by Native Americans, please make sure that it is authentic. Here’s an awesome article about how to verify the authenticity of potential purchases: http://phoenix.about.com/cs/shop/a/nativeart01.htm Here’s a picture of a booth at our yearly powwow in Michigan.
Chaco Culture National Historical ParkChaco Canyon was a major center of Puebloan culture between AD 850 and 1250. The Chacoan sites are part of the homeland of Pueblo Indian peoples of New Mexico, the Hopi Indians of Arizona, and the Navajo Indians of the Southwest. Here’s some pictures of Robert in New Mexico:
The Great Spirit Made All Men Brothers
One question that we get from time to time is “Are you really Indian?” Robert is a direct lineal descendent of Black Elk (Chippewa). He is of Chippewa/Ojibwe and Apache heritage. His family traces back over eleven generations to the Swan Creek/Black River Bands of Michigan, known today as the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe. The Chippewa/Ojibwe refer to themselves as “Anishinaabe” (The People). Terri… >> Continue reading: The Great Spirit Made All Men Brothers Our Backyard
Great Spirit — I want no blood upon my land to stain the grass. I want it all clear and pure, and I wish it so, that all who go through among my people may find it peaceful when they come, and leave peacefully when they go. - Ten Bears, Yamparika Comanche
HolidaysEvery year at our home we have a huge Easter egg hunt with our children and grandchildren, and many other relatives and friends who are always welcomed to join in the fun. There is a picture below. We have tons of fun, and we know we are making memories that our grandchildren will always remember. We also celebrate most of the other “American” holidays. In an article that appeared in a… >> Continue reading: Holidays What matters most?The ones that matter most are the children.They are the true human beings.(Lakota Proverb)
Here is a picture of Terri with two of our grandchildren, Ode’minquay and Naytahwashquay… >> Continue reading: What matters most? Children are Trees
There is a Hopi proverb that goes “You should water your children like you water a tree.” We should be careful not to overwater them… >> Continue reading: Children are Trees Dennis BanksDennis Banks, a Native American leader is an Anishinaabe born on Leech Lake Indian Reservation in northern Minnesota. Banks is also known as Nowa Cumig; his name in the Ojibwe language means “In the Center of the Ground.”
In 1968 he co-founded the American Indian Movement (AIM), and established it to protect the traditional ways of Indian people and to engage in legal cases protecting… >> Continue reading: Dennis Banks March to the Beat of Your Own Drum
“Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice; say that I was a drum major for peace; I was a drum major for righteousness. I want to leave a committed life behind.” – Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.
Native American Rights FundFounded in 1970, the Native American Rights Fund (NARF) is the oldest and largest nonprofit law firm dedicated to asserting and defending the rights of Indian tribes, organizations and individuals nationwide. NARF’s practice is concentrated in five key areas: the preservation of tribal existence; the protection of tribal natural resources; the promotion of Native American human rights; the accountability of governments to Native Americans; and the development of Indian… >> Continue reading: Native American Rights Fund Stereotyping Native Americans
We recently visited a school in North Dakota. One of the parents expressed their concern that we presented the program in our traditional regalia. We appreciate the involvement and concern shown for the children, and for the respect for American Indian culture. So much damage has been done by the stereotyping of Native peoples. We see and hear it almost every day. Our… >> Continue reading: Stereotyping Native Americans The Last Wild Buffalo Nation
It appeared to be a huge boulder, sitting amid a golden sea of tall grass in Yellowstone Park. Still, we stopped and watched…we came to pray for our relatives. Suddenly he swished his tail and lifted his head, an enormous grandfather buffalo standing proud and grazing alone in a large, open field. They have no voice, so we must speak for them. An excerpt from Arvol Looking Horse:”Let
American Indian Religious Freedom ActAmerican Indian Religious Freedom Act From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: The American Indian Religious Freedom Act (commonly abbreviated to AIRFA) is a 1978 United States federal law and a joint resolution of Congress which pledged to protect and preserve the traditional religious rights of American Indians, Eskimos, Aleuts, and Native Hawaiians. Before the AIRFA was passed, certain U.S… >> Continue reading: American Indian Religious Freedom Act Moon of the Falling Leaves
Everything changes. It is time to reflect on the good harvest we have had, and time to prepare for the coming winter. The forest cloaks herself in beauty, and the leaves shimmer like jewels upon an emperors’ robe. As in nature, we begin spending more time within our nest and take time for creative projects that we have set aside during the busy days of summer. These are the… >> Continue reading: Moon of the Falling Leaves American Indian College FundDid you know about the American Indian College Fund? Here is information from their website. History and MissionIn the wake of the civil rights and American Indian self-determination movements of the 1960s, tribal leaders realized they would have to take control of the direction of education in order to reverse centuries of misguided and failed federal education policies. In 1968, the Navajo Nation created a first-of-its-kind educational institution—a college… >> Continue reading: American Indian College Fund Happy October Birthdays to the Ones We Love
Wow, this month is full of birthdays in our family. Our oldest (first born) daughter, Brandi turned 33!!! She is one of our greatest joys, and such a blessing to us. She is an amazing artist, a trusted confidante, a beautiful woman, an incredible mother and so much more!!! . We love you so much, Punkin. Perhaps this will be the year you complete your first children’s book… Our youngest, R.J… >> Continue reading: Happy October Birthdays to the Ones We Love A Culture of Bullying: Digging a Little DeeperWe have spent quite a bit of time this month researching and blogging about bullying. We have come to the conclusion that as a culture if we all dig a little deeper into our own lives, we could lessen the problem of bullying greatly. Children live what they are taught. What is it about our culture that is creating an atmosphere of bullying and emotional and… >> Continue reading: A Culture of Bullying: Digging a Little Deeper Physical Effects of BullyingWhen we’re conducting staff development programs or parent programs at schools, one point that we stress is: Bullying is not a right of passage, and should not be blown off as a “boys will be boys” or “kids will be kids” situation. Bullying is not ok, and chronic bullying can have serious short-term and long-term physical and emotional affects including: |
Jacque Shaw-Carpino: A beautiful creative and so enlightening web-site. I applaude you for your professional insight...
TheTallTrees: Absolutely! Send it to support@thetalltrees.com
cynthia Wilson: we have a student at our school that has a great rap–back off bully kid–he is an...
Tvli: I was curious, I have heard the Native Commandments much of my life, and have seen them ingraved on rocks in...
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In our Native culture, we teach our children that diversity is to be honored and revered. Just as there are no two stars exactly alike in the universe, there are no two children exactly alike on Earth. It is so important to honor and respect each others’ differences.
