New Zealand

Howka, I just got back from New Zealand and had a great time. I spoke at the traditional knowledge conference at Auckland University. http://www.traditionalknowledge2010.ac.nz/
It was so beautiful to see other indigenous women that had tradtional tattooed chins.
My presentation was called "the fine lines that connect indigenous women". I will post some pics as soon as I have them downloaded.

GREAT TOOL FOR YOUNGER STUDENTS & COLLEGE STUDENTS

I found this great website that will help alot of our youth in studying. it's called www.studystack.com the website is interactive and very visual. The kids can play games that actually teach them various subjects such as math, geography, history etc. it is also great for nursing students as well as other college students.

OLD FOOTAGE OF INDIANS OCCUPYING ALCATRAZ

A KQED news report from Alcatraz featuring the American Indian occupation of the island, on November 24th 1969. Includes interviews with Dennis Turner, Richard Oakes and LaNada Means. Oakes confirms there there is no outbreak of hepatitis amongst the population and Turner states they're determined to remain there for 10 years if necessary, to defend their property rights. When LaNada Means is asked by a reporter if their protest has any connection with the Third World Liberation Front she replies: "Well, this is a Native American struggle." She describes the occupation as an attempt to make the federal government honor the 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie and claims the failure of Walter Hickel (Secretary of the Interior) to respond to their November 20th proclamation was expected. She also points out that whilst living conditions for the protesters are very basic, this is in fact: "Average for an Indian way of life anyway. Now, I mean today.
http://diva.sfsu.edu/collections/sfbatv/bundles/185990

Society of American Indian Government Employees

The Society of American Indian Government Employees (SAIGE) is anational non-profit organization advocating for American Indians andAlaska Natives in the government workforce. Similar to sisterorganizations in the National Coalition for Equity in Public Service,SAIGE sponsors an annual National Training Conference to promote theprofessional development, cultural awareness and continuing education ofgovernment employees. We are pleased to announce our 7th Annual NationalTraining Conference, "Walking in Two Worlds: Bridging the Gap betweenNative America & Government" at the tribally-owned Mohegan Sun Hotel inUncasville, CT, June 14-18, 2010. At this event, SAIGE will host a Native Youth Track, Veterans Track andCareer Fair where we provide information to American Indians and AlaskaNatives and the local community about career options within government. There are six tracks of workshops,one of which is Health and Wellness.Included in these are presentations by: Food Safety and InspectionService on Food Safety; Federal Long Term Care Program; and IndianHealth Service will present a Panel on Tribal Community HealthRepresentatives. There will also be opportunities to participate inCoast Guard Academy's activities such as Getting Fit with Salsa Dancing,and Tae Bo Fitnees; as well as a native yoga presntation and regularevening runs. An updated draft agenda should be on the website soon. Earlyregistration discount ends May 7. See website for more information atwww.saige.org Sponsorships and exhibitors are still being accepted.

Pic of Warner school kids

Howka tribal members, sorry I haven't been posting. With the onset of spring solstice alot has been going on. I finally got the pic of all our little ones at Warner school. This is the pic of when I was the Cat in the Basket hat for Dr. Seuss night.. Enjoy.. Karen

DOCUMENTARY ON CALIFORNIA NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY

For Immediate Release

Contact:
Kenneth Shoji
Office of Public Affairs
San Manuel Band of Mission Indians
Ph: 909-864-8933
Kshoji@sanmanuel-nsn.gov

KVCR-TV AND SAN MANUEL TO DEBUT DOCUMENTARY ON CALIFORNIA NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY OF RESISTANCE AND SURVIVAL

Four Part Television Series to Take Viewers through Stories of Struggle and Perseverance as Told by California Indians and Noted Historians

San Bernardino Calif. and San Manuel Reservation (Highland, Calif.) March 24, 2010 – KVCR-TV in partnership with the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians has produced a new four-part documentary series on the history of near extinction that was faced by California Tribal communities following contact with European and American powers. The series will air on KVCR over four consecutive Mondays starting April 5th at 8:00 p.m. Entitled “The People of the Pines, The California Native” the programs are a third installment of documentaries that have expanded from profiling the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians into a broader account of the history shared by the state’s indigenous peoples and communities.
KVCR-TV’s broadcast range extends thought the eastern portion of Los Angeles to Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. Viewers are invited to watch previews for the series and individual episodes by visiting www.peopleofthepines.org
This series which began nearly two years ago is the product of in-depth research, interviews and reenactments providing California Native Americans an opportunity to bring to light those actions and policies that resulted in the decimation of a Native world that has existed since time immemorial.
“It is my wish that viewers will come to understand the factual accounts of what our ancestors went through in history, so that we can be here today to call ourselves the California Indian People and start to move forward in the broader community with mutual understanding and respect for one another, ”said San Manuel Chairman James Ramos.
The series covers a period of time spanning the internment of natives into the Spanish Mission System to the mid 20th Century when native veterans of World War II returned home to find their tribes terminated through a single action of congress.
In order to get these accounts KVCR crew traveled the state of California and beyond to speak to Native Americans who recount the shared history of their communities. This including the Modoc Tribe which was split between Oregon and Oklahoma following a protracted war that resulted in the death of a United States general and a forced removal of half the tribe to what was then Indian Territory (Oklahoma).
Historians and Native Americans cover the chronology of this history as painted upon the backdrop of American and world history. Discussions focus on various manners in which California Indians fought to maintain and remain within their ancestral lands and preserve their ways of life. Broken treaties, major military campaigns, and the heroic actions of native leaders such as Santos Manuel, leader of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, are recounted by their descendents who candidly share the tragedies and triumphs that are part of the shared identity of over 100 tribal communities located in all corners of California.


About the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians
The San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians is a federally recognized American Indian tribe located near the city of Highland, Calif. The Serrano Indians are the indigenous people of the San Bernardino highlands, passes, valleys and mountains who share a common language and culture. The San Manuel reservation was established in 1891 and recognized as a sovereign nation with the right of self-government. Since time immemorial, the San Manuel tribal community has endured change and hardship. Amidst these challenges the tribe continued to maintain its unique form of governance. Like other governments it seeks to provide a better quality of life for its citizens by building infrastructure, maintaining civil services and promoting social, economic and cultural development. Today San Manuel tribal government oversees many governmental units including the departments of fire, public safety, education and environment.

3 arrested for disturbing indian burial site

Watch the video at
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local/ventura_county&id=7340947


CAMARILLO, Calif. (KABC) -- Some of those arrowheads and artifacts you may come across could get you in trouble. In Ventura County, three men were arrested for disturbing an American-Indian burial site.

Beyond the wildflowers of the Santa Monica Mountains, there are treasures in the hills. The most cherished possessions of the Chumash Indians. Ventura County sheriff's deputies seized several items that were taken by suspected looters.

"Before they had the bow and arrows they actually made spears," said Deputy Julie Novak, Ventura County Sheriff's Dept.

Deputies displayed relics found with three Newbury Park men, Noah Erickson, John Watson and Fredrick Villela. A tip led deputies to private property in the coastal range where they say they found the men scavenging.

"They were very cooperative. They said they were collecting some things yet in the dark with flashlights," said Novak. "For them it was a hobby. They had been collecting and it had been in their family for generations."

There are legal ways to pursue archaeology as a hobby. This is not one of them. Scientific information is lost when objects are moved, said archeologists.

"It could be an object found we can't date," explained Professor Colleen Delaney-Rivera, Cal State Channel Islands.

The arrowheads were used to hunt elk, deer and marine mammals and are 1000 to 2000 years old. The beads show the Chumash travelled and traded with populations on Catalina and beyond.

"By finding out where artifacts come from we can see the population," said Rivera. "We are now finding Southern California beads in Colorado and the U.S. southwest."

The case has been turned over to the DA's office. The offenses are both misdemeanors and felonies. If convicted the suspects could serve time in prison. The incident is a warning to any hiker. Finding several items in one spot is a likely burial site, sacred to the Chumash and illegal to disturb.

"Enjoy it where you can see it but don't take it with you," said Rivera.