NWNEWSLETTER
		Many Waters Newsletter June 2009
	Many Waters Town Newsletter    June 2009 Editor: Will Stringfellow Osiyo, My Relations, Summer is right around the corner and the streams are running fast as the snow melts in the mountains and the wild flowers cover the ground. I saw two moose on the way to work this morning. Both were young bulls with small antlers. The first was near my cabin on the dirt road, but the other got in front of me on the highway and trotted for a mile down the middle line. I had seven or eight cars backed up behind me as I allowed him space to look for a good trail to duck off into the bush. The days are long in the North this time of year. It seems that you get up in the light and go to bed in the light….; makes up for the dark winters. I visited Emmette and Gabe at their place. They have expanded their wonderful garden to help meet the needs of the Town Food Bank. Hopefully, all who attend the Gathering will bring a few cans of food to stock the foodbank this year. My daughter and I camped in a friend’s primitive log cabin on the Yaak River in NW Montana on Memorial Day Weekend. It is always good to be away from modern conveniences for a while and to spend quality time with family and friends at a slower pace. Last week, at one of the schools, in which I teach, young kids from the Coeur D Alene Tribal School visited for the day. The kids worked together to make a parfleche from construction paper. They decorated the cases with pictures of things that were important to them. Later, there was drumming from the young males and lots of beautiful shawl and jingle dancing by the young girls, in their tribal regalia. Later the two schools danced the Friendship Dance, together. It was a good day. The main emphasis of this newsletter is the Fall Gathering, which will be held on Sept 19-20, 2009. Last year’s Gathering brought lots of people together and stirred a lot of motivation to add to this year’s a little. There will be several guest and presenters from other parts of the country. We will continue to have various seminars of crafts, language, traditions, etc…We will cook meat of various game and domestic animals in the underground pit and will share the fine food of the members at the potluck. Of course, the atmosphere will always be relaxed and respectful at our Gatherings. The following articles concern information about the Gathering. Plan to come and camp with us at Emmette and Gabe’s place in Sagle, Idaho. For more information, call Emmette Jordon or Gabe Gable at 208/ 265-9613 or Will Stringfellow at 208/ 267-8678 or email stringw@hotmail.com. Important Dates to Remember         July 11, 2009   Northwest Council Meeting at Chehellis, Washington. July 19, 2009   Tsalagi Nvdagiyi Council Meeting in Troup, Texas. September 19-20, 2009 Many Waters Town Fall Gathering in Sagle, Idaho. Trade Blanket at the 2009 Gathering The Many Waters Gathering 2009 will allow the People to set up “trade blankets” to trade or sell artwork, handcrafts, or other native centered goods. There will be a designated area at the Gathering where a person may lay a blanket, piece of canvas, or other such covering on the ground to display their wares. NOTE: This is not the place to sell “Chinese” made beadwork, yard sale goods, or other such items, but rather one that handmade goods within the spirit of the Tsalagiyi Nvdagi may be exhibited. If you have a question about the appropriateness of an item, please ask someone at the headquarters booth which will be near the trade area. Examples of articles that are appropriate would be native, natural, or primitive type artwork; native style clothing; native content books; handmade beadwork/ quillwork; horse tack; handmade moccasins; skins and furs; leathercraft; handmade furniture such as willow backrests or other primitive woodwork; parfleche and other rawhide articles; primitive fireirons and camping gear, baskets and wooden bowls; and canvas bags. There will be no fee for setting up the trade blanket, but traders are welcome to make a donation to the Many Waters Town, if they make money from the blanket sales. There will be items such as T-shirts, items with the official logo or name of the tribe or town, etc offered at the Headquarters by the Tsalagiyi Nvdagi. Profits from these items will go to the Town fund for costs of the Gathering and the many other administrative expenses. You can give to the Town by purchasing any of these goods.        The trade blanket concept is two-fold in its purpose. One is to allow the selling of goods that may encourage more native craftsmanship among the People. The other is to encourage socializing among the attendees, as conversations and introductions are made between the sellers and the potential customer. Window shopping is encouraged also. Information Tent at the 2009 Gathering The Many Waters Town 2009 Gathering is starting to take shape as preliminary meetings among members are happening. In May, the Council members and other interested members had a pot luck at Emmette and Gabe’s home (site of the Gathering) to discuss the various issues and the planning the Fall Gathering. This Gathering is organized and set up by tribal members and other volunteers. Please don’t hesitate to take an active role in the process. With the snow finally melting, we were able to get a nice fire going in the pit and get to visit friends around the warmth of the flames and in the house. It’s a treat in north Idaho to feel the sunrays on these spring days. The deer grazed unafraid within 100 foot of us, enjoying the fresh green blades of grass that were brave enough to stretch out of the ground to share in the same sunshine. In the discussion of the Gathering, there was decision to erect a large white canvas tent as a headquarters for the Gathering. There information about the Tribe, camping, parking, activities, workshops, and other issues would be available. There will be various people available to answer questions throughout the event. You may also drop off food bank items there. Please feel free to visit the tent with questions, suggestions, or simply to visit or volunteer. In addition, there will be other primitive tents and tipis set up in a designated area that will be available for viewing by visitors. The tents and tipis may include primitive cookware, buffalo robes, fire irons, and other cherished items. It is important to understand that people are using their tipis as living quarters, though, and if you wish to enter one, it is proper (necessary) to ask for permission before doing so. Also, remember that a person’s personal belonging will be in the lodge and items should not be touched without asking. It is a good idea to ask someone at the headquarters tent about viewing the lodges, if you wish to enter one. They can easily contact the owner who can show you how it is set up and the various items that are used to make the experience satisfying. Many Waters Town is happy to announce that we will be honored with an extraordinary roster of speakers and leaders at the Fall Gathering. Listed below are some of those whom we expect to be present. Other People will also be sharing their craft skills and ‘know-how’- Presenters and Honored Guests of Many Waters Town 2009 Gathering UGU D.L. “Pappy” Hicks- Texas, Leader of the Tsalagiyi Nvdagi. Pappy Hicks has a long and honored past of serving as a soldier, diplomat, and leader of the People. (Photo - Above) In the shadow of the Cherokee Ceremonial House 2004, at the Cherokee Nation of Mexico, the Cherokee men perform the pipe ceremony. Left to right are the famous Gregg Kanoheski (Storyteller) Howard, Chief D. L. "Pappy" Hicks, Rodney "Cherokee Heart" Garrett and David "Walks the Path Straight" Garrett.    JACQUE RED LEAF- North Carolina, is a tribal elder, The Beloved Woman of the Tsalagiyi Nvdagi, a story teller, a mentor and teacher of young native women in the ways of the elders. She is of Cherokee/Choctaw descent and is a popular speaker throughout the U.S.   , Diana Walks In Water- IDAHO, Member of Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama. Beloved Woman of the Northwest District of the Tsalagiyi Nvdagi. She has also sat on the Tribal Council of the Pacific NW Tsalagiyi Nvdagi since 2005 and was recently appointed to a 1 year term as council member of the newly formed Many Waters Town. Co- editor of the Many Waters newsletter. She  had the incredible honor as a member to represent the Tsalagiyi Nvdagi at the opening of the National Museum of Native America in Washington, D.C. in 2004. Gabe Gabel- Idaho Gabe is a professional artist and has been for over thirty years.  She is a bronze sculptor and a painter and also an author of a book on sculpture.  She has always felt the need of contact with the earth, and feels incredibly blessed to have been able to find a life that gives her that opportunity. Her love of nature is reflected in her beautiful art, animals, and garden. http://www.gabegabel.com/   Linda Blackburn - Oklahoma She has  blended studies in Ecopsychology and Ecotherapy with the teachings of Mother Earth.  She is of Cherokee descent and strives to assist others in their endeavor to reconnect with Nature. Grey Bird/ Carol Church- Idaho Carol is an expert at many things, including beadwork. She will be teaching fingerweaving at the 2009 Gathering. It will be a pleasure to observe and learn from her. Additional Honored Guests: Frank Perkins- Washington Tsalagiyi Nvdagi Northwest District Chief Nancy LongWalker,  North Carolina Principal Chief Tsalagi Nation Kituwah-Cherokee Early Emigrants- Emmette Jorden- Idaho Town Chief of Many Waters Town