Melinda's Smoke Signals

Dedication to Wounded Knee

melinda4 — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 18:29:45 +0000

On December 29, 1890, 365 troops surrounded the camp of the Lakota people near Wounded Knee Creek in South Dakota.

In the process of taking all the weapons, there was a deaf man in the tribe by the name of Black Coyote. He could not hear the order to give up his rifle and was reluctant to do so. A scuffle over Black Coyote’s rifle escalated into an all-out battle, with those few Sioux warriors who still had weapons shooting at the 7th Cavalry. The 7th Cavalry opened fire killing men, women, and children, as well as some of their own fellow troopers. The 7th Cavalry quickly suppressed the Sioux fire, and the surviving Sioux fled, but US cavalrymen pursued and killed many who were unarmed.

By the time it was over, about 146 men, women, and children of the Lakota Sioux had been killed

Please remember the brave Lakota people on this day.

Walk in harmony,

Melinda

Native American History

melinda4 — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:53:03 +0000

On This Date in

Native American History

December 19, 2000:

The Navajo Code Talkers were recognized for their service in World War II.

By: Terri Jean

POW WOW Etiquette: Important

melinda4 — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 18:45:04 +0000

I have been to numerous POW WOW’s and there is nothing as wonderful as to when you stand in the sacred circle and a hawk fly’s over. I felt a need to have this post for visitors to POW WOW’s because there is a need for people to understand the sacred culture so I hope in posting this people will get an understanding of how important it is to follow these rules.

POW WOW
– If you have never been to a Pow Wow, here are a few rules that may
help you feel more at home. Keep in mind that customs vary from
region to region and Pow Wow to Pow Wow. When in doubt quietly wait
until there is a break in the action and ask the folks near the drum(S) to point you towards the Arena Director.

1) Dress and act appropriately. Hot pants, halter tops, swimwear,
profanity and ‘making out’ have no place at Pow Wows. If you are
going to dance anything other than open intertribals, wear your
regalia.

2) Pointing with the fingers is considered poor manners by some
nations. If you must point, use your head and nod in the direction
you wish to indicate.

3) The seating around the Arena is reserved for dancers in
regalia. Seats with blankets, shawls or regalia items on them are
taken and should not be bothered. Do NOT sit on someone else’s
blanket unless invited. Uncovered seats are considered available.

4) Pets should be left at home. The Arena is a sacred place from
the time it is blessed until the Pow Wow is over. At no time should
pets be allowed in the Arena.

5) Listen to the Master of Ceremonies. He will announce who is to
dance and when. Most Pow Wows conduct Intertribals in which the
public may participate. Check with the Arena Director for more
information.

6) Pictures should NOT be taken during Veterans Songs, Flag Songs,
Prayers or any other time announced by the Master of Ceremonies. If
you wish to photograph a dancer in regalia, ask first. If the
picture is for publication or commercial use, that should be
explained before the picture is taken.

7) Respect the Head Man and Head Woman Dancers. Their role
entitles them to start each song or set of songs. Please wait until
they have started to dance before you join in. In some traditions,
it is considered improper to pass the Head Man or Woman Dancer
within the Arena.

Show respect to the Flag, Honor and Veterans songs by standing
until the song is completed.

9) Some songs require that you be familiar with the routine or have
special eligibility rules in order to participate. Trot dances,
snake, buffalo, etc. require particular steps or routines. Veterans
dances may be restricted to Veterans, Combat Veterans or in some
cases, the relations of Veterans. If you are not familiar with a
particular dance, observe and learn. Watch the Head Dancers to
learn the procedures.

10) The Flag Song, or Indian National Anthem, is sung when the
American Flag is raised or lowered. Please stand and remove hats
during the singing of this song. It is not a song for dancing.
Pictures are not allowed during these songs.

11) Most Pow Wows are non-profit and depend upon donations,
raffles, blanket dances, etc. for support. Donations are encouraged
as a way to honor someone. Any participant can drop money onto the
blanket to aid in the powwow expenses.

13) Certain items of religious significance should be worn only by
those qualified to do so. Respect the traditions. Never
intentionally touch another dancers regalia, person or property
without permission.

14) Giveaways, attributes of Indian generosity, are held at many
dances. They are acknowledgments of appreciation to recipients for
honor or service given to the people. When receiving a gift, the
recipient thanks everyone involved in the giving.

15) If you wish to ask for a special song from a drum, talk to the
Area Director first and make sure the Master of Ceremonies is
informed. It is traditional to make a gift (monetary or otherwise)
to the Drum for special requests.

16) Before sitting at a drum, ask permission from the Head singer.
Do not touch a drum without permission.

17) If at any time you are uncertain of procedure, etc., please
check with the MC, Arena Director, or Head Singer. They will be
glad to help you with your questions.

18) Unless you are sure spectator seating will be provided, bring a
chair. Remember that the seating immediately around the Arena is
for dancers only.

19) Alcohol, recreational drugs and firearms are prohibited at most
Pow Wows.

20) If you see a lost feather, or you yourself drop a feather, do
NOT pick it up. Notify the nearest Veteran, the Head Veteran, Head
Man Dancer or Arena Director immediately.

21) Before dancing barefoot speak with the Arena Director. At some
events this may only be done by Sundancers known to the organizers.

22) In some places it is OK for adults to dance while carrying
infants or small children. In other places this is considered
contrary to local etiquette. Ask before doing so.

23) If you have a question, ask. Most dancers, singers, elders and
staff are happy to help. Offer a cold drink or other small,
symbolic gift to those who help you.

I want to mention if you have never been to a POW WOW please visit one, speak to the elders for they have a wealth of knowledge.

Walk in harmony,

Melinda

“Sand Creek Massacre”

melinda4 — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 17:05:08 +0000

Today I want to dedicate this blog to the Native American who were slaughtered on this date, November 29, 1864. This is to the Cheyenne and Arapaho who stood brave and unarmed as the 700 soldiers came into their camp and killed them.

All photos are courtesy of Shonie De La Rosa, Navajo,Filmmaker.

This tragic event cannot be forgotten so please help support our film, “Ghosts at Sand Creek” Olympus Films +,LLC

Contributions would be greatly appreciated.

www.sandcreekmassacre.net

I honor you today and everyday

Walk in harmony

Melinda

Executive Producer

Olympus Films+, LLC

Dedication: “Ghosts of Sand Creek

melinda4 — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:11:51 +0000

Dedication to ”Ghosts of Sand Creek”

On Novemeber 29, 1864 700 soldiers of the 1st and 3rd cavalries slaughtered, mutilated,raped, and murdered over 400 Cheyenne and Arapaho children, women, and elders. This was so tragic is should never be forgotten. The decendents of these great people should always be remembered.

One amazing insight is Black Kettle’s wife was shot 9 times, but survived. They sought refuge with the brave Cheyenne Dog Soldiers.

So, this page is dedicated to the Cheyenne and Arapaho who died. They will forever be remembered.

I have been given the opportunity to help in a documentary about this tragic event. I am the Executive Producer of Olympus Films. We are currently working on a file title, “Ghosts of Sand Creek” It is with great honor that I work beside of Don Vasicek. He is an Award-winning Writer/Filmmaker. Here is his website: http://donvasicek.com/

Take a look at the website: http://sandcreekmassacre.net/sand-creek/

If you would like to make a contribution to help with the film, please send to the following:

Olympus Films+, LLC

7078 South Fairfax Street, Centennial, CO 80122.

If you prefer to use Paypal, here is the email dvasicek@earthlink.net.

Contributions can also be sent to:

The American Genocide Indian Museummade out to the museum,

11013 Fuqua, PMB 78, Houston, TX 770789-2510.

Make it out to the museum but state you state that the contribution is for “Ghosts of Sand Creek” Documentary film

Here is the link to the Museum: www.aigenom.com

Here is the link to view some of the film:

http://www.maxmouth.com/view_video.php?viewkey=ec8e48cf3d026e173a43

You can contact me with any questions:

Melinda Elmore

Executive Producer

Olympus Films+,LLC

“Ghosts of Sand Creek”

www.melindaelmore.webs.com

Email: navajotrust@yahoo.com

Email: nativeauthor@gmail.com

Walk in harmony,

Melinda

“Ghosts of Sand Creek”

melinda4 — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:06:02 +0000

“Bloody Sand Creek Massacre Presented in Sculpture and Film at Georgia’s Booth Museum”

Museum hosts sculptor Craig Bergsgaard and award-winning writer/filmmaker Donald L. Vasicek to share artistic interpretations of 1864 incident

On January 21, 2010, the Booth Museum will host an opening featuring sculptor Craig Bergsgaard and award-winning writer/filmmaker Donald L. Vasicek, two Colorado artists who independently chose to portray the tragic events of an 1864 skirmish between the United States and the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes on Sand Creek near Eads, Colorado.

Bloody Sand Creek

The confrontation, now known as the Sand Creek Massacre, was responsible for the loss of life of over 400 Native Americans, mostly women, small children, mentally- and physically-challenged, and tribal elders. Accounts of the incident reveal that the Cheyenne and Arapaho were unprovoked and virtually unarmed at the time of the attack.

Museum Program

Bergsgaard and Vasicek will be on hand at the Booth Museum for a screening of an abridged version of Vasicek’s film, followed by an unveiling of Bergsgaard’s sculpture Memorare, Sand Creek 1864. Afterward, museum director Seth Hopkins will moderate a panel discussion with the two artists.

Controversy

Even today, a discussion of Sand Creek yields as many questions as answers. One topic commonly encountered is the controversy inherent in characterizing a United States military battle as a “massacre.” Both artists are circumspect on the issue, freely admitting that their artistic interpretation is an opinion meant to inspire discussion and increased perception.

“My thoughts on Sand Creek are not the final word on the tragedy; it is only one perspective of five differing views I’ve encountered during my research,” says Vasicek. “But however you characterize the events of that day 145 years ago, I hope my film will act as a gateway to conversations about how we as humans can treat each other with greater understanding and respect. We will learn how from the Cheyenne and Arapaho descendants of Sand Creek, who power the film’s story via their oral histories.”

Bergsgaard concurs. “Although I personally find it hard to see Sand Creek as anything but a tremendous wrong perpetrated against the Cheyenne and Arapaho people, my goal is not evangelize,” the sculptor says. “I want my sculpture to increase awareness – and to prevent the further tragedy of forgetting what we have learned as a nation.”

Museum Program Details

Booth Museum Sculpture Unveiling and Panel Discussion with Craig Bergsgaard and Donald L. Vasicek

Thursday, January 21, 2010

7:00 – 8:00 pm

Admission: $10; free to museum members

About the Booth Museum

The Booth Western Art Museum is one of the leading authorities on Western art. Associated with the Smithsonian Institution, this 80,000 square foot Museum opened in August 2003 with main galleries featuring contemporary Western American art. Other galleries feature Civil War art, Presidential portraits and letters, Western movie posters, and Western illustration. Sagebrush Ranch is an interactive gallery where children of all ages can learn about art and Western America.

The Museum’s Special Exhibit Gallery hosts three to five temporary exhibits per year.

About Craig Bergsgaard

Craig Bergsgaard is a self-taught sculptor, who began creating bronzes in 1990 after decades of creating custom handmade furniture. A native of Minnesota, today Craig and his wife JoAnn make their home near the artist enclave of Loveland, Colorado. He also maintains a studio presence annually in Scottsdale from January through March.

Craig has participated in over 100 juried art shows and exhibits, and his work is installed in Castle Rock, Colorado; Fountain Hills, Arizona; Spring Grove, Minnesota; and Rochester, Minnesota.

About Donald l. Vasicek

Donald L. Vasicek, owner of Olympus Films+, LLC, is in the process of securing funds to develop a feature length documentary on the Sand Creek Massacre titled, “Ghosts of Sand Creek” to use as a rollout film to attract studios to make a feature film about the Sand Creek Massacre. The full-length film will be narrated by actor Peter Coyote (“E.T”, “Erin Brokovich”), Academy Award winner Richard Lerner (“A Story of Healing”), director of photography, and five Emmy-award winners have also agreed to work on the project.
Don is a writer, screenwriter, director, producer and actor. His credits include “Warriors of Virtue,” “Die Hard II”, “Faces”, “Father Dowling”, “The Mystery Crash of Flight 1501″, ‘Born to Win.”

Contact Information:

Donald L. Vasicek

Olympus Films+, LLC

http://www.donvasicek.com

dvasicek@earthlink.net

303-903-2103

Welcome

melinda4 — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 01:30:57 +0000

This is one of my new blogs and I hope you enjoy it. This blog will be for my writings and for Native American Themes/Projects

I hope you find the time to come by and visit often

Walk in harmony,

Melinda