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Start of Phil Konstantin's November 2005 Newsletter
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Greetings,
November is on us again. Each November is National American
Indian Heritage Month. I have posted both the official
proclamation to that effect, and a link to the White House
version of it below. I do traffic congestion reports on TV
in San Diego on weekday mornings. All throughout this month,
I will be mentioning a few historical tidbits to commemorate
this event. I also get a chance to give a speech to some federal
employees later in the month. That should be fun, at least
for me it will. :-)
My recovery from my neck operations continues to go along
smoothly. I still have the sensation that something is stuck
in my throat. It never bothers my breathing, which is good.
In another health related matter, I have started a doctor-
monitored weight-loss program through my medical coverage.
I have been on this liquid diet program for two weeks. So far,
I have lost 15 pounds. I'm looking at dropping 60 to 80
pounds in this four month program. I get five protein/vitamin/
mineral shakes a day. i do not feel hungry, but I sure do
miss the taste of food. So far, they do not have a salmon
flavored drink.
As a reminder, in the Random History Dates section at the
bottom of the newsletter, you will find links to some of the
pictures I have taken at the mentioned sites. If you have not
seen them before, you might enjoy getting to look at the places
I talk about. I know I have excited to see those places.
I know I am late with this newsletter. I'll have another one
coming up in a bit to add some more information.
That being said, away we go.....
Phil
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The "Link of the Month" for November 2005 is Fort Tours. Fort
Tours is an amazing collection of information about the various
forts which were established across the United States and Canada.
They have pictures, descriptions, maps, and links to other sites
for almost each fort listed. There is another section which deals
with Battlesites, Massacres and Blood Trails.
A lot of work has gone into this site. I think it is well worth
a visit.
You can find it at: http://www.forttours.com/main.html
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Treaty of the Month:
TREATY WITH THE SIX NATIONS, Nov. 11, 1794. | 7 Stat., 44. |
Proclamation, Jan. 21, 1795.
This treaty covers "Peace and friendship perpetual; Certain
lands secured to Indians; Boundary of lands belonging to the
Seneca nation; Six nations never to claim other lands in the
United States; Right to make and use a road granted; Present
and annuity; and Retaliation restrained.
http://digital.library.okstate.edu/kappler/Vol2/treaties/six0034.htm
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November is National American Indian Heritage Month. You can see a copy
of the presidential proclamation on the website below.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/11/20051102-16.html
I have also posted it below:
National American Indian Heritage Month, 2005
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America
National American Indian Heritage Month honors the many
contributions and accomplishments of American Indians and
Alaska Natives. During November, we remember the legacy of
the first Americans and celebrate their vibrant and living
traditions.
The American Indian experience is central to the American
story, and my Administration is committed to helping Native
American cultures across the United States continue to
flourish. One of the most important ways to ensure a successful
future is through education. Over the past 4 years, my
Administration has provided more than $1 billion for the
construction and renovation of Bureau of Indian Affairs
schools. We also offer direct assistance for educator and
counselor training to help make sure every classroom has a
qualified teacher and every child has the tools he or she
needs to succeed. As we work with tribal leaders to provide
students with a superior education that respects the unique
culture and traditions of the community, we can help ensure
every child has the opportunity to realize their dreams.
To enhance energy opportunities and strengthen tribal
economies, my Administration is working to ease the
regulatory barriers associated with tribal energy
development. In August, I signed the Energy Policy Act
of 2005, allocating $2 billion in the form of grants,
loans, and loan guarantees for exploration, development,
and production of energy. This legislation will help
ensure that latest energy technologies are being used
throughout our country.
Since the earliest days of our Republic, Native Americans
have played a vital role in our country's freedom and
security. From the Revolutionary War scouts to the Code
Talkers of World War II, Native Americans have served in
all branches of America's Armed Forces. Today, that proud
tradition continues, with Native Americans bravely defending
our country in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi
Freedom and helping to spread liberty around the world.
America is grateful to all our service men and women who
serve and sacrifice in the defense of freedom.
Our young country is home to an ancient, noble, and
enduring native culture, and my Administration recognizes
the defining principles of tribal sovereignty and the
right to self-determination. By working together, government
to government, on important education, economic, and
energy initiatives, we can strengthen America and build
a future of hope and promise for all Native Americans.
This month, we pay tribute to the American Indians and
Alaska Natives who continue to shape our Nation. I
encourage all citizens to learn more about the rich
heritage of Native Americans.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United
States, do hereby proclaim November 2005 as National
American Indian Heritage Month. I call upon all Americans
to commemorate this month with appropriate programs and
activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
second day of November, in the year of our Lord two
thousand five, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirtieth.
GEORGE W. BUSH
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Movie Review: "Into The West"
As I mentioned last month, I watched the TBS mini-series
"Into The West." It is the story of two fictional families
set in the west in the early to late 1800. It has a most
white and a mostly Indian family. Their fictional lives
are intertwined with real historical events.
It has some of the typical romantic interludes, but it is
primarily a look at the struggles faced by American Indians,
pioneer settlers, the trans-continental railroad and the
1849 gold rush. Without addressing the detailed social
structure of the featured Lakota/Sioux, I feel it did a
very good job of presenting a lot of the day-to-day struggles
of all parties. It showed how young Indians earned a
place in society, how hard life was for settlers and people
on wagon trains.
It also dealt with several battles in a fairly even-handed,
almost pro-Indian-version factual basis. It covered the
Sand Creek Massacre. Wes Studi finally gets to play a good
guy in the person of Black Kettle. Later, it also shows a
quick look at the Washita Massacre where Black Kettle, and
many others, died at the hands of Custer. The Battle of the
Greasy Grass (Little Big Horn) is also presented. Eventually,
the story ends with the tragedy at Wounded Knee. In the
midst of all this is also an interesting segment on Carlisle
School in Pennsylvania. This 12 hour epic is now available
on DVD, if you would like to see it. I recommend it as a
very good look at history in an entertaining format. The
historical accuracy is pretty good from what I saw and know.
As a side note, someone I met during my trip through the
Northwest in 2003 has a significant part in the early part
of the program. David Bald Eagle plays a tribal elder. I
though he did a very good job. David invited me to visit his
home and a pow-wow on the Cheyenne River Reservation in South
Dakota. He was as good of a host as he is an actor. You will
recognize many other actors, too. Much of the program
dedicated to the Indians is done in the appropriate local
language. While they may not have been perfect, the producers
did try to make the Lakota look like Lakota. The same could
be said for the Cheyenne and other tribes.
Here is the official website for the program.
http://alt.tnt.tv/itw/
You can order a copy through Amazon.com at this link. using
the link earns me a small referral fee, and costs you exactly
the regular price:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000AQ6A9E/onthisdateinn-20/103-0939674-6623830?%5Fencoding=UTF8&camp=1789&link%5Fcode=xm2
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U.S. Census Bureau
Facts for Features
American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage
Month: November 2005
This page has lots of interesting facts about American Indians in
America.
http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/005684.html
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From Ruth Garby Torres:
Schaghticoke Petition
Attached is a link to a web site calling for an investigation
in the reversal of the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation's (STN)
federal acknowledgment.
http://new.PetitionOnline.com/STN06418/petition.html
As you may know, the Schaghticokes (their reservation is
located in Northwest Connecticut) received their long
sought-after Federal Acknowledgment in January 2004, which
was immediately appealed by the State of Connecticut and
other interested parties. On traditional Columbus Day 2005
the Bureau of Indian Affairs made an unprecedented decision
and overturned Schaghticoke's federal status.
Schaghticoke filed its letter of intent in 1981 (BEFORE
the passage of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act) and filed
the documented petition for recognition in 1994.
Schaghticoke's opposition claims that the tribe is a "rag
tag" group that is only after casino profits [exact quote
by Congresswoman Nancy Johnson, R-CT]. However, having
Schaghticoke tribal sovereignty acknowledged means so much
more than having a casino and is important to the survival
of the people.
Please sign the petition and then forward this email to
as many U.S. voters as you can. Don't forget your own
family and friends. Time is of the essence. A few hundred
signatures will not be cause for notice. Please help
Schaghticokes in their goal for over 10,000 supporters.
Your assistance is greatly appreciated for STN's continued
fight for the federal acknowledgment they rightly deserve.
Schaghticokes continue to exercise their self-determination
and tribal sovereignty.
Thank you for your support.
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Cultural Tidbits from the Cherokee Nation -
Traditional Story:
The Raven Mocker
The most dreaded of all Cherokee witches is the Raven Mocker,
who robs the dying of their life. A Raven Mocker can be of
either sex, and there is no real way to know one. They usually
look old and withered, because they have added so many lives
to their own.
During the night when someone is sick or dying, the Raven Mocker
goes there to take the life. He flies through the air with
his arms outstretched like wings. There will be a wild wind
noise around him, and sparks trailing from behind. Every once
in awhile he will dive, and make a sound similar to a raven’s
cry. All those who hear it are afraid, because they know that
someone’s life will soon end. When the Raven Mocker makes
it to the dying person’s house, he often finds others of his
kind there. Unless there is an Indian Doctor watching out
who knows how to drive them off, they will all go inside
(they are invisible) and frighten and torment the sick person
until they kill him. Sometimes, those who are attending the
sick think the person is just fighting for their breath.
After the witches take the life, they take out his heart
and eat it, and by doing this, they add to their own lives as
many days or years as they have taken from his. Nobody who
is attending the sick can see them, and there is no scar
where they have removed the heart. Upon further examination,
they will find that there is no heart left in the body.
Only a medicine person with the right kind of medicine can
recognize a Raven Mocker, and if that medicine person stays
in the room with the sick person, the witches will be afraid
to come in. When one of them has been recognized in his
right shape, he must die within seven days. Often, when the
friends of a traditional Cherokee know that there is no more
hope, they will try to have one of these medicine people
stay in the house and guard the body until it is buried.
Witches will not steal the hearts after burial.
Other witches are usually jealous of Raven Mockers and are
afraid to enter the same house with one. When a Raven Mocker
finally dies, the other witches sometimes take revenge by
digging up the body and abusing it.
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Some historical events for November, picked at random
from my files:
November 1: 1837: The steamboat Monmouth has 611 Creek Indians
on board heading for Indian Territory (present day Oklahoma).
During the night, while traveling upstream in a downstream lane
of the Mississippi River, it strikes the Trenton, which is being
towed downstream. The Monmouth breaks into two pieces and sinks
within a few minutes. 311 Creeks are drowned. Because of its
old age, the Monmouth has been condemned for normal shipping.
This does not stop it from being used to transport the Creeks.
Four of Jim Boy's children are among the dead.
November 2: 1770: Spanish and Opata Indians forces, led by
Bernardo de Gálvez, are on a punitive expedition directed
toward the Apache. Early today they discover an Apache camp
near the Pecos River in modern Texas. The Spaniards and Opata
attack. They kill twenty-eight and capture thirty-six Apaches.
They then return to Chihuahua, Mexico.
November 3: 1786: The government of Georgia hopes to confirm
the Creek Nation boundaries lines. They invite Creek leaders
to a conference on Shoulderbone Creek. Only a few chiefs,
including Fat King and Tame King, attend. The Georgia militia
threatens the attendees with execution if they do not agree
to boundary lines favorable to Georgia. A treaty is signed
under duress by the Creek Chiefs attending the meeting. This
action by the Georgians stokes the flames of the Creeks’
passions against the settlers.
November 4: 1493: Columbus lands on Guadaloupe in the Caribbean
November 5: 1775: Kumeyaays attack the Mission San Diego de
Alcala. The Mission is destroyed in the fighting.
November 6: 1867: Engraved on a marker in the Fort Buford
(North Dakota) cemetery: "Cornelius Coughing - Private,
Company C, Thirty-First Infantry- Nov. 6, 1867 - Killed by
Indians . . . one of the wood wagons was attacked by a
party of Indians in the thick brush about two miles from
the post. There were four guards and a driver with the wagons.
The body of Private Coughlin was found this morning in the
bushes badly mutilated; he remained with the wagon discharging
his piece until killed. The Indians (under Sitting Bull)
captured four mules."
You can see other headstones in the Fort Buford cemetary on my
website at: http://americanindian.net/2003u.html
November 7: 604: Palenque Maya Lady Kanal - Ikal dies according
to the museum at Palenque.
You can see pictures from the Palenque museum on my website at:
http://americanindian.net/mayae.html
November 8: 755: Maya King K'ak' Ukalaw Chan Chaak (Smoking Axe)
ascends to the throne of Naranjo in Guatemala
November 9: 1761: The Mi’kmaq of La Heve sign a treaty with the
British of Nova Scotia
November 10: 1970: Today and tomorrow, the first college graduate
is elected President of the Navajos.
November 11: 1865: Medicine Bottle and Little Shakopee, two
of the leaders of the Santee Sioux uprising are executed at
Pine Knob. They both had escaped to Canada, but officials
there aided Americans in their kidnapping, and return to
the United States.
November 12: 1602: Sebastian Vizcaino’s expedition stops in
modern San Diego, California. Cautiously, the Kumeyaay briefly
contact the Spaniards.
November 13: 1833: Just before sunrise, there is a phenomenal
meteor shower, which is seen all over North America. This
event is recorded on Kiowa picture calendars as the most
significant event of the year.
November 14: 1638: According to some sources, the first Indian
reservation is established at Trumbull Connecticut.
November 15: 1876: Colonel Ranald Mackenzie, ten troops of
cavalry, eleven companies of infantry, and four companies
of artillery, leave Fort Fetterman, in eastern Wyoming, en
route to the Big Horn Mountains, and the Powder River. This
is called the "Powder River Expedition" by the army.
You can see the remnants of Fort Fetterman on my website at:
http://americanindian.net/2003n.html
November 16: 1990: The Native American Grave Protection Act
takes place.
November 17: 1938: An election is authorized to approve a
Constitution and By-Laws for the Thlopthlocco Tribal Town
of the Creek Indian Nation of the State of Oklahoma by Oscar
Chapman, Assistant Secretary of the Interior. The election
is held on December 27, 1938.
November 18: 864: The Great Ballcourt at Chichen Itza is dedicated
by the Maya.
You can see pictures of the Chichen Itza ballcourt on my
website at: http://americanindian.net/mayaa.html
November 19: 1923: The "Treaty Between His Majesty the King and
the Mississauga Indians of Rice Lake, Mud Lake, Scugog Lake and
Alderville" is signed in Canada.
November 20: 1965: An election for an amendment to the
Constitution and By-Laws of the Moapa Band of Paiute Indians
is held. It is approved by a vote of 32 to 11.
November 21: 1978: Amendments V through VIII to the Revised
Constitution and By-Laws of the Sisseton Wahpeton Sioux
Tribe of South Dakota become effective when they are
approved by the Area Director, Aberdeen Area Office of the
Bureau of Indian Affairs, Harley Zephier.
November 22: 1873: President Grant, by Executive Order, adds
to the Colorado River Agency. The land is at the old northern
boundary to within six miles of Ehrenberg, Arizona. This is
east of the river to the "mountains and mesas." It is
eventually 376 square miles in size. It is home to: Chemehuevi,
Walapai, Kowia, Cocopa, Mohave and Yuma Indians.
November 23: 1872: Comanche Ten Bears dies on the reservation.
Ten Bears represented the Comanches on a visit to Washington,
and at many great councils.
November 24: 1812: As a young boy, Spemicalawba (called Captain
Logan or High Horn), is captured by General James Logan. General
Logan raises him until he is returned to the Shawnee during a
prisoner exchange. Tecumseh's nephew, he tries to temper
Tecumseh's feelings toward the Europeans. Spemicalawba scouts
for the Americans during the war of 1812. He is killed on
this date during a scouting expedition. Buried with military
honors, Logansport, Indiana is named after him.
November 25: 1894: Members of the Gusgimukw tribe hold a "winter
fest" at Fort Rupert on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.
November 26: 411: Maya King Siyaj Chan K'awill II (Stormy Sky)
ascends the Tikal throne in Guatemala.
You can see my pictures of Tikal on my website at :
http://americanindian.net/mexico20.html
November 27: 1915: Private Albert Mountain Horse is buried in
Fort Macleod, Alberta. He is the only Blood Indian to go to
the front lines in World War One. He dies due to exposure to
poison gas on the battlefield.
November 28: 1862: A skirmish involving pro-confederacy Indians
takes place near Cane Hill in Arkansas.
November 29: 1836: Five years ago, several Nez Perce travel to
St. Louis to ask for someone to come to their land to teach
them about religion. In response to that request missionary
Henry Harmon Spalding travels to Idaho. He sets up a mission
today on some land given him by the Nez Perce, 12 miles
south of modern Lewiston.
You can see my pictures of this area on my website at:
http://americanindian.net/2003.html
November 30: 1769: Gaspar de Portolá has led an expedition to
explore parts of the central California coastline. While near
San Jose Creek, a group of local Indians provides them with
some food.
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That's it for this newsletter.
Have a great month.
Phil Konstantin
http://americanindian.net
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End of Phil Konstantin's November 2005 Newsletter
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