The Grandmothers Tell Us

The Grandmothers Tell Us

by: Pamela Waterbird Davison

Copyright 2008

The Grandmothers tell us we must teach and show the next generation the way. They tell us time is running out and we must make the way clear so it won’t be lost. What a daunting task we have before us. What an incredible choice we are faced with. We can either heed the words of the Grandmothers or we can choose to head into our eldership unaware. For me the answer is easy, but the way is not.

Walking in two different worlds is a terrific challenge. One foot carries on in the modern ways of life. We wear mainstream clothes, work mainstream jobs, and pay mainstream bills. We keep up with politics, go to war for our country, and try to keep up with what modern society expects of us.

The other foot carries on in the old ways of our ancestors. We remember who they were, what they wore, what they had to endure. We understand why they fought for sovereignty against illegal aliens. We know how important it is that they, the ones who came before us, cannot be forgotten.

For many of us assimilation is almost complete. Our children don’t know the language and traditions we honor. They don’t know why their sixth-great-grandparent was moved to Oklahoma and given a number. They don’t seem to care. All they know is what the world is today and what it means to them.

For some of us only the traditional ways will do, no matter what the cost. Still, these are the same ones who find they struggle to define who they are, where they came from, and what they stand for.

Others of us struggle against assimilation, demanding that we remember why we wore feathers in our hair (if we did), what stories were told and what they taught, and the songs (both old and new) while all the time remembering we live in this world today…with all its terrible beauty.

The latter is the path I have chosen. Sometimes the effort seems pointless, especially when the youth are so entrenched in this “modern world”…yet the ancestors’ burn in my veins insisting that I don’t let them go. So the greater test becomes balance between the two worlds. Learning to reach out in a way of communication which forms a bridge between those worlds takes great energy and dedication. It gets very tiring.

But the Grandmothers tell us we must teach and show the next generation the way. They tell us time is running out and we must make the way clear so it won’t be lost. For me the choice is easy, but the way is not. I find it a worthy thing to stand for.

Important Dates in February

February 7, 1887: The Dawes Act for allotment of Indian lands is passed.

February 15, 1953: Federal Policy for “Termination” of Indian tribes is implemented.

February 21, 1828: Cherokee Phoenix, the first Native American newspaper is published.

February 23, 1945: Marine private Ira Hayes (Pima) helps raise the U.S. flag on Iwo Jima.

February 27, 1973: American Indian Movement supporters occupy Wounded Knee, SD.

Featured Artist - Frank Howell

Born in 1937 in Sioux City, Iowa, the late Frank Howell spent his early childhood drawing sketches of the people and places around him. As an adult, his lyrical, artistic interpretations of faces and landscapes employed a visual representation of the wind as it sweeps across time: past, present, and future. He viewed his images as universal symbols… a kind of visual mythology that reaches out and spiritually awakens the observer. Perhaps influenced by his Lakota Sioux ancestry, much of Frank’s work reflected a love and respect for the Native American cultures.

Frank explored and mastered his varied art media to its fullest, working with pen, pencil, oils, watercolors, acrylics, sculpture, lithographs, mono-types, giclee prints, and serigraphs. Multi-talented, he was also a poet and writer, producing many books which include: Gifts of the Crow Messengers, Frank Howell/Monotypes, and Frank Howell/Lithographs. He provided the illustrations for Many Winters, Spirit Walker, Shaman’s Circle, Dancing Moons and The art of Frank Howell.

Well educated, Frank received an undergraduate degree from the University of Northern Iowa, did graduate work at both the University of Northern Iowa and The University of Iowa, and later studied at the Chicago Art Institute. In addition to being an artist and businessman, his background included service in the Marine Corps and teaching art on both the high school and college levels. In his later years, Frank resided in Santa Fe.

As an extraordinarily skilled artist, Frank Howell widely exhibited at museums and galleries throughout the United States, as well as Mexico. His work is included in numerous private and corporate collections all over the world. He has also been the subject of many magazine and newspaper articles, television profiles, and documentaries. The country grieved when this Southwestern artist passed on November 26th, 1997. Frank’s art, in all its forms, is now sought by collectors and other admirers of his warm, symbolic expressions.

Frank Howell’s philosophy of art is probably best expressed in the forward he wrote for his last book, The Art of Frank Howell, which was published in October of 1997, shortly before his death. When one stands before any kind of art,it should tell nothing.It should, however, create the infinity of questions begetting questions.It should be a mirror that is not superficialin that it reflects the physical self.That reflection is emotional and historicalbut it is a pathway to insightinto a more spiritually significant present.~Frank Howell

You can see some of his work here: http://www.frankhowellgallery.com/

Course revitalizes Odawa language

Petosky News Review - Michigan

Our area is rich in Native American history so it’s fitting to see a local school system establish an Odawa language curriculum.

With the cooperation of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, Harbor Springs High School is now offering the new course, which is much more than just language. Anishinaabemowin puts an academic focus on the Native American culture and its history in Northern Michigan. Plus, the class is considered a second language program and provides students with one-and-a-half credits toward graduation.

The Odawa language course sends a clear message to the Native American students that their culture is an important part of local history. It is also a giant step toward the revitalization of the Odawa language, something the Odawa tribe has been working toward.

“This (class) really got some young people involved and interested (in the language),” said Carla McFall, Little Traverse Bay Bands language program coordinator. “The elders are really proud that they’re (the youth) taking the time to learn and revitalize the language — our goal is revitalization.”

Get the whole story here: http://www.petoskeynews.com/articles/2008/02/01/opinion/doc47a3195948497252005617.txt