Hidden America

So this is my last consideration of the year. Recently it has showed on tv a documentary of Diane Sawyer about children who live in Pine ridge, one of the poorest Indian reservations, one of the LAKOTA ones.

I am aware of some people have different point of view about it and I do respect it. I am not here talking as Lakota people, I could not do this, I am not one of them. Here I just comment my own point of view, as the audience and as someone who LOVE and RESPECT these people, their culture and legacy. I see many people loving this great nation and having a strong identification with them ( I am totally included on it ), but I wonder if everyone out there who wants to be connected to their culture and spirituality is really aware of who they are nowadays…

The Lakota people have a beautiful culture and a sad history , there are still warriors , the ones who struggle hardly to keep their culture and people alive but sadly many of them are struggling another batters…Sometimes I find myself wondering how they got this point…I am not there, so I never would know the answer…I just know that their strength are still there , their values are still there…

This documentary from my point of view was very touching , I do not agree that only showed the negative points as poverty, high level of suicide and high level of alcoholism …It showed a very strong generation of children, ready to keep their culture and values alive, it´s a lesson for the rest of the world. The brightness on them, faith and strength give hope, eventhough we see endurance and a early maturity on them .Also personally I do not think it´s negative to show their real condition of life, I do not see this as an exploitation, by the contrary, it´s an alert , and can serve as a calling for many people out there who for some reason are really in love with this nation and try to be close to them by taking part to spiritual cerimonies which carries the Lakota name .

 If you want to feel so connected to them so there is a whole package to be taken, and maybe there is something you can do to help them to keep all of this alive. Again, I am not here talking by them…I talk by myself, by what touches my heart . I deeply respect if you think in a different way.

I posted about the Lighthouse Project which help them throughout the year, it could be a good opportunity to do something for them. I know that the subject of help can be a little bit complicate and I cannot go deep in it, but I can say this is a honest project created and led by people, native ones with good heart who know their people necessity .

I just think that we are so amazed by their deep culture and spirituality, we love and feel touched by the stories , we want to take part of their cerimonies so we must also know how to help , remember that one of the codes in a tribe is to help each other…so to be connected to them is to help too, we can not keep on ignoring the reality and just having the romantic ideas of indians sitting outside a teepee and smoke the pipe looking at the stars and clouds. sorry I had to mention this because I always heard it when people are talking about the Lakota people…I really wish it was true, maybe some of them still do this…but believe me, this is not the real life and this I can say even not being one of them and even not living among them.

May you have a wonderful new beggining!!

See you all in 2012!!!

Aho! Sandra Prem

Project Lighthouse

Many people nowadays are higly interested in Native American culture, are seeking for their ancestry spirituality but have no idea who they really are. Is part of Native American cultural system do help each other as a family, it´s the idea of we are not alone, we are all part of the great circle. For the ones who have no idea of their reality, they are not sitting in front of their tippies and smoking their pipes and appreciating the stars in the sky, maybe they also can do this, but more than this, they are helping each other. In South Dakota, the Lakota reservations have a hard time facing poverty, not just Pine Ridge but all of them. This Nation I assume is one of the most loved by people everywhere for their history and culture but unfortunately they no longer live in the plains as they  used to live once before the removal to the reservations. Now, they face another reality and they surely need help.

PLH 2012 - TEXAS INDIAN MARKET

I would like to share with you all this wonderful project and ask you to check it out, at least check it out and pass it on to other people if you can. Loving the Native American people, culture is not just learn their cerimonies and seek for healings , it is also to help out to preserve them, so they can keep on here. Aho! ( Sandra Prem )

Below I will share with you all, some words from their own page:

... Brad and Gabriele Bearsheart have been giving selflessly to the Native American communities since 2005 when they founded Project Lighthouse.

Over 70% of the population on the reservation is living well below the poverty level.   Not only is Project Lighthouse delivering gifts at Christmas time; they deliver food, clothing and furniture throughout the year. They are in desperate need of monetary donations in order to continue to operate. They have been operating for the last 6 years with very little financial assistance. They cannot continue for much longer without help. I would like to ask each of you to help us raise awareness and funds. Every little bit we can do makes a big difference.  

new address: 774B Century Place, Monument - Colorado
80132
Phone number: 7192900799






*****A NEW WEBSITE COMING SOON!!!! *****

Fakes can harm you. Walk in Beauty!!

There is an old native prophecy which says there would be a moment in the future when a new generation of non natives would turn to native culture for healing themselves and the earth, this generation would turn to native culture and spirituality….well, for my point of view it seems the time is right now…I guess many people nowadays are aware of it…natives and non natives… Many people, non native are really seeking for the old wisdom of native people and through the ancient native spirituality and wisdom we can have a new enlightment  to guide our lives. Personally I think it´s wonderful, indeed but What we must be careful is with the fact of many greed people perfectly know that and they are out there trying to make fool of you, take your money, and make you a blindly follower of  their many colors tribe, or whatever else…Be careful you all!!!.... some time ago I wrote a post that can help you not to be tricked by fakes and some hints native friends kindly gave me to share with you all. I truly pay attention to all of them and hope it can help you all too. Of course I am totally for learning the old path, I do this myself we just might know how to do this in a harmless way. I highly recommend you all read this article too: How to be out of fake shamans!!

The tragedy envolving the “best seller” author Arthur James Rey can give us a clue of how dangerous can be in a rite which demands so much knowledge  , led by someone who does not have it.. I am not here making a judgement of what can be right or wrong. I am surely not the right person for that…but I just would like to share with you all some words coming from a Lakota buddy and through his words you can decide by yourselves. I must say also that he kindly allowed me to do this in his name otherwise I wouldn´t be doing this… . So you can see both sides and at least start seeing the other side of the coin….Remember, these words were written by a true traditional Lakota person, so we should pay attention to that…there is something we might learn from that…don´t you all agree??

Arthur Ray is not either  the first nor the last , there many others  like him out there and nobody wants people being harming by fakes who does not have any clue about real native American culture and spirituality. Leading a sacred rite is not a silly thing that can be done by an unprepared one. We really should understand the fine line between learning culture, dance, and symbolic cerimonies just for the reason to make us connected to this wonderful ancestry and being part of a rite which can harm us physically and spiritually , lead by someone  without any clue of native American spirituality and tradition.

I could say to you all that I really want one day to be blessed enough to participate to a real native ceremony…so I can perfectly understand the necessity people have to be in it…but look, just very special people inside the culture really can lead such cerimonies…there must be a reason for that, as the same if you go to a mass in a church , this one must be lead by someone really prepared for that…think about it….Do not let yourself be fooled by fakes who does not seek for any other than you money…or just gather followers enough to satisfy their poor egos….This is not Native American medicine at all.

I know many people out there are completely desperate for an experience, a shamanic experience…but I don´t think it´s just that simple…Believe me, if you really want to be connected by this so wonderful tradition, you could do it in a harmless way…remember, native people are extremely  and deeply connected  to the nature…so one nice thing to do, is to be in a place surrounded by nature, in silence….try it and see what comes after…see? There is no necessity to be part of those non sense cerimonies led by fakes who does not understand anything about native ancestry….One day you will be blessed enough to be guided by a real native but one capable to do this, it´s important to remember that even among native people just a real medicine man can do such things…do not let the greed and  arrogance of others use your faith for their own profit…Many things about native American spirituality are open to us, others are not…and there is a reason for that…use the ones which are available, they are simple and will help you…try to be deeply connected with them…Aho!! Sandra Prem

I am Lakota

The Sweat Lodge is a sacred ceremony of my people.
It is for prayer and cleansing of ones body & spirit.
Some snake oil salesman misrepresenting that he is selling my people’s sacred ways is bad enough. But this man was a charlatan of the worst kind. Deadly.

First a Medicine man does not charge, if he does, he is not a medicine man.

Second I wish they charged him with falsely claiming to be a Native American Indian but it seems the federal government only charges that on someone that took money from the government by claiming to be a Native.

Third in a real Sweat Lodge, if you get too hot you can just push open the side and crawl out. Being alive is always more important than not being rude when someone else is praying.

Fourth Sweat Lodge has nothing to do with wicca or new agers, on the contrary it is older than the dead sea the scrolls and as traditional to my people as it is sacred.

Fith James Arthur Ray killed people. May they rest in peace and may their families find healing.

words from Tokala Clifford ( Oglala Lakota )

Native Pride and warriors

Well, I have been thinking for a long time how I could write here something that could  give an understanding about Native American Nations exactly by who they are. Something that could be good and cool, something that could be easy to be understood by people like me and you. So, I decided to write up something from my own understandings, not exactly a research but my very point of view. From someone who is not quite white neither quite red though from someone who is not part of the culture . However you have to remember that it is just my opinion, maybe it´s right maybe not, maybe it´s good maybe not…, I just invite you to read it and take your own conclusions, make your own researches and feel free to agree or disagree with me. If you are now ready for the journey, here we go :)

All native traditions claim that everything you do will affect  the next 7 generation to come, as well as they are a result of their ancestors’ legacy. That´s the reason they care about  the nature, their culture and traditions ( try to see about the pow wow festivals, indian market fair, Red Nation Carpet for film productions etc..) and take their spiritual legacy as a highly important matter. Although, many things are open to us  , which I personally think is a very wonderful thing. It´s  important for us to remember that there was a time when they were forced to leave their lands, forced to let their beliefs behind and was strictly prohibited to practice their sacred religion. Many nations nowadays are strongly trying to keep their own language alive for the new generations to come. I heard once that it is not just a matter to speak a language, it is much more deeper than that, it is to keep alive an entire culture through the language , is to keep their ancestry alive. I know, it´s not easy to be understood but if one day you have the opportunity to be in a cerimony led by a native person you will remember this, I am quite sure of that.

The new generation DO make sure to remember this exactly because they know that What they have today is because their ancestors fought and died for . They are proud of what they are and where they came from. They are proud of everything which is part of their culture. Maybe it is something that the rest of us lost or never had.  Might be a first lesson to be learned, have you already thought about that?  They are not just proud of themselves once  this pride carries their ancestors too. They are proud of their  ancestry and the strength  they have now as a legacy , because it means to be strong enough to keep on , passing the message from generation to generation. Of course, people are different inside the culture, so I would not put everyone in the same package.

Their connection with nature because they do believe everything is part of the same family, so Mitakuye Oyasin – we are all related - is not just about human being but also the animals, the earth, the stones and trees ...everything connected. For this reason they do not have the greedy to take from the earth more than the necessary to live in order to keep the circle of  life.

So respect for life itself, being proud of yourself, what means self acceptance really might be something to be pondered..heard and learned from them. It´s the real Native way, the most important learning from my point of view. And yes, if we could really do that, our lives would be way better. No matter whether we follow any native tradition or not.

 Many people , natives and non natives  are aware of an old prophecy which says about a future generation of non natives would turn to native nations as a way to heal the earth and I do believe this time is now. In my mind I just think that two words from both sides are essential to fullfill it: Respect and Acceptance.

Oh yeah..I can not forget mentioning about The Warriors. In the past there were the pride warriors who fought in battles for their families and tribes. Now the batters are others but the warriors are still strong in their hearts. They no longer go to bloody batters, they do not fight to death. The modern warriors now are people who try to keep their beliefs strongly, they fight for keeping their culture alive and above all, are aware of respect people must have to each other – no matter who – and to the nature.

I have asked for some native friends what would be a warrior in their point of view. Most of them told me about being proud of What they are, be willing to fight for their family and people ( fight can be done in different ways, tough. ), but I will copy here What I most liked to hear and hope you all have the same feeling them me. It came from a beloved cherokee friend. I hope you all understand this but his name will not be  mentioned..but yeah...my favorite warrior :)

..."a warrior today and in history is a man, red or white, that fights for what he believes in no matter the cost, he is brave, he has honor, he is honest, and he is chivalrous - he never hurts women or children or the elderly. He is not a playboy, he loves one and only one and he is faithful to his love, his family, his tribe, and his God"...

If you are now interested in learning more, you should check out:

 Native American 10 Commandments,

Cherokee Nation

Pow wow Celebration

The Great Sioux Nation

That´s all for today, Hope you all have now many things to be considered and understood about Native American People!! See you on the next post and do not forget: Be safe and Stay in the Beauty :)

NATIVE AMERICAN 10 COMMANDMENTS

1. The earth is our MOTHER, care for her.

2. Honor all your RELATIONS.

3. Open your heart and soul to the GREAT SPIRIT.

4. All life is SACRED, treat all things with RESPECT.

5. Take from the earth What is needed and NOTHING more.

6. Do What needs to be done for the GOOD of all.

7. Give constant THANKS to the GREAT SPIRIT for each new day.

8.Speak the TRUTH, but only of the good in others.

9. Follow the rhythms of the NATURE, rise and retire with the sun.

10. Enjoy LIFE´s journey, but leave no tracks.


*** That is really something for us to start meditating in order to understand better the Native Nations, eventhough I do suspect that we can do it everyday and just will have a slightly idea of who they really are ( Sandra Prem ) *** Peace in your hearts¨***

Native American Heritage Month

November is the Native American Heritage Month in The U.S.A. It  might not be celebrated by everyone, but it will by all Native Nations and people who support them . Many interesting things will be happening and I will try to get all of them to show here for you!! That´s my invitation for you all, follow the blog during this month and let´s see how many cool things we will learn together :)

http://www.nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov/


Oh yes, One very cool thing is the 8th Annual Red Nation Film Festival to celebrate and honor The Best in Native American cinema - because The Red Nation has their own movie award. It´s a pretty nice thing once there are so many Excellent Movies, documentaries and Series directed, produced by Natives and of course casting very talent  and amazing actors. It´s absolutely necessary that they have their own red carpet too.....sorry Hollywood, you do not have The Spears brothers :)

.Our awesome Native stars such as Michael Spears and Rick Mora ( Yellow Rock ), Eddie Spears and Wes Studi  ( Hell on Whells ) and many others will be on the Red Carpet too.

It will be showed some excellent documentaries such as Holy Man, The Sacred Journey, Run to the East, Amazon Watch ( showing to the world the fight of Indigenous Peoples of Amazon Regions - Brazil, Peru, Ecuardor and Colombia ), Water directed by Joanelle Romero and the documentary which certainly has reached many hearts and made people all over the world aware of one of the poorest Indian Reservation - Pine ridge Oglala Lakota,  recently showed on ABC - Hidden America - Children of the Plain.


If you are now curious, check it out!!
http://www.rednationfilmfestival.com/

A very cool thing - For all fans who have been waiting for the release of Yellow Rock Movie - The crew which includes Michael Spears as Broken Wing, Eddie Spears as Angry Wolf and Rick Mora as Crow feather, had already their opening night premiere of the Red Nation and the movie has been nominated for Best film, Best director, Best actor ( Michael Spears) and Best supporting actor ( Zahn Mccarnon ) . We will be wishing good luck for all !!

Yellow Rock Official Website

IMDB

Another mini serie all fans have been waiting anxiously is HELL ON WHELLS which already had their Premiere and it will be released this month on AMC . This is a western casting Eddie Spears  ( as Joseph Black Moon )  who also was nominated as Best supporting actor and Wes Studi.  We all really have great expectation on it and having these wonderful and loved native actors on it a great audience guaranteed!!

IMDB

Well, That´s the first news for you all. Really hope everyone enjoy it!! and remember...more yet to come!! :)

Native Music - Jacob Pratt

Jacob Pratt is a Dakota/Saulteaux and a registered member of the Cote First Nations in Saskatchewan Canada and by the things I could find about him I can say Jacob is a brillant talent and human being. We all wish you all the best on your path Jacob, way to go!!!

He is a  traditional flutist, Dancer, traditional singer, and story teller. He is also a Hoop dancer and in this style he uses 15 different hoop to tell stories by creating different animals formation. So far awesome, isn´t it???


by Michael Keith Dubois

He started playing traditional native american flute still very young and now  his first cd is already released entitled Eagle Calls. This cd was also nominated for an Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Award . Oh! I forgot to mention he is also a model and motivational speaker for youth.

Well, I am pretty sure everyone now is very curious to know more about Mr. Pratt, so take a look at his official website and check out his songs and modeling pictures . I did and I can say they are too much enchanting ( both music and pictures )...surely his music will touch your heart.



...."a true warrior is guided by compassion an not a desire to fight"..( Jacob Pratt )


Jacob Pratt Official Website
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/jacobpratt

Fight Gone Bad 6

For days I have been wondering about What could be the real  meaning of being a warrior and have made this question to many of my native friends, this is in fact for another post I am working on but some of the answers I got fit completely for this one...." A real warrior fights for what he believes no matter it costs..a real warrior has a cause to be defended and fought "...

I come here today to ask for all my dear readers and followers that help the cause my friends David and Angelique Midthunder are fighting for. Take a look at it and if it touches your heart, donate!! it´s easy  to do it and as Angelique says.." If everyone donates $1.00 dollar so we will raise $ 5.000."...

To understand better the cause I am talking about I will re-post David´s  own words on here:

..."If you know me you know I never ask anything. This I am asking not for myself but for the children who have lost their fathers in combat. Special Ops Warrior Foundation provides college scholarships, leadership opportunities, and most importantly HOPE for these children who have lost so much. It's easy to donate by clicking the link below and find out more about my cause. ".. ( David Midthunder )

FightGoneBad

..."For me CrossFit WODs (Workout Of the Day) are another extension of my tribal ceremonial spirituality. In the Tribal CrossFit community we choose a person or cause to focus and dedicate our time and energy to, just as we do in Sweatlodge or Sundance. On Sept 17th the Global CrossFit tribal community is participating in a WOD called FIGHT GONE BAD to benefit the children of our brave Warriors who were KIA (Killed In Action). I'm dedicating this WOD to my son's combat unit"... ( David Midthunder )

I really hope all wonderful people around the world who read this post will have your hearts touched by it. 

Angelique Midthunder

                                            Actress | Stunt | Director | Producer


Angelique is married to  David Midthunder ( Lakota Nation ) and eventhough she is not a native in blood I am pretty sure she is in her soul and together they make one of the most beautiful couple I have ever seen.

A multi talent woman, Angelique is a self taught documentary filmmaker, and a humanitarian and preservationist at heart. Her ultimate goal is to effect a change in social consciousness regarding environmental and cultural issues. She believes that education through entertainment is key to reaching the masses. A serious horse lover, her first nationally released work was the documentary she created for the Animal Planet with Walt Disney Studios, “America’s First Horse.”

For that she partnered with screenwriter/producer and fellow Spanish Mustang preservationist, John Fusco to spotlight the rare Indian War Horse. Angelique followed that up by directing and producing an artistic short film “The Horse is Good” with actor/artist/activist Viggo Mortensen (LORD OF THE RINGS, HIDALGO, HISTORY OF VIOLENCE).

 Most recently, Angelique started her own production company, mostly directing and producing documentaries, and has since taken on the task of producing a series of Public Service Announcements for American Wild Horse Preservation. Her first narrative “Reservation Warparties,” broadcasts this season (2005-06) on PBS’s Emmy Award winning series “Independent Lens. Also she produced and directed the documentary “Silent thunder “ a very touching history – for more information about it here it goes a link about this work.
Silent Thunder

She has led workshops for Native youth at Project HOOP—National Gathering 2006 in Los Angeles, California and New Mexico Highlands University Digital Filmmaking Bootcamp 2007 in Las Vegas, New Mexico. She sits on the general advisory board of Return to Freedom American Wild Horse Sanctuary.

"I founded Midthunder Productions in order to create films that touch the lives and hearts of viewers. A humanitarian and conservationist at heart, I believe in education through entertainment and focus on producing films that have a higher purpose." ( Angelique Midthunder )

 

Besides she´s a stunning stunt woman ( words from her husband – David Midthunder ). As the stunt business is very low key I could not get all the films which she has been doubling big stars…you know, to preverse the magic that floats on the movies. But here there is a very nice video showing a little about her work.

Angelique Midthunder - IMDB

Coming soon on the Movie Theathers!!

Here we are with some awesome movies to be released soon, so let´s check them out and wait anxiously!!!! Let your opinions here when you watch all of them !!!



I really miss Michael and Eddie on this poster...!!!

       

  The Legend of Hell 's gate - an American Conspiracy

Casting: Eddie Spears, Michael Spears and Zahn Mc Clarnon

IMDB

                                                    

Hell on Wheels - TV Serie

Casting: Eddie Spears and Wes Studi

IMDB

Yellow Rock ( post production )

Casting: Zahn Mc Clarnon, Eddie Spears,  Michael Spears, Rick Mora

yellow rock movie offical website

IMDB



Michael Spears, Rick Mora and Eddie Spears on the set of Yellow Rock



The Dead and Damned ( due out on july 26 )

Casting:  Rick Mora

IMDB

The dead and the damned offical website

Cowboys and Aliens ( due out on July 29 )

Casting: Rick Mora.Mose Brings Plenty, Adam Beach

Cowboys and Aliens - IMDB

cowboys and aliens offical website

You don´t know BERTHA Constantine

Casting: David Midthunder

Bertha Constantine - IMDB

David Midthunder

Nação Cherokee!!

Hoje quero começar contando para vocês  o quanto que aprendi a respeitar, admirar e amar a Nação Cherokee através dos meus amigos Tsalagi que ao longo do tempo estão sempre pacientemente me ajudando e respondendo todas as minhas infinitas questões e dúvidas, e acreditem, são muitas!!! Este post é dedicado a toda Nação cherokee e também aos meus amados e queridos amigos. 

 Falo isso aqui para que saibam que tudo o que decido postar aqui não vem simplesmente de pesquizas feitas pela internet, e este artigo em especial se realizou através de muita troca, muita conversa...por isso pessoal, as vezes posso demorar um pouco para postar...é porque estou proseando por ai ...

Como este é um espaço livre, de troca de informações, sintam-se a vontade para compartilhar qualquer informação comigo : sandra.padmaprem@gmail.com


A Nação Cherokee

Os Cherokees se chamam Ani-Yun’ wiya que significa Povo Principal, também no leste se chamam Tsalagi o que significa Cherokee em seu dialeto. Originalmente os Cherokees viveram na Geórgia, Alabama, Carolina do Sul e Norte, Tenessee, Kentucky e Virginia do Oeste.

Há algumas características particulares e importantes que diferem a Nação Cherokee de todas as outras Nações Nativas e creio que seja muito interessante poder aprender isso.Bem, os Cherokees vêem se misturando com a “sociedade branca” desde 1400’ , isso bem antes de outras nações, o que  fez com que  assimilassem outro estilo de vida em todos os sentidos e também os fez agricultores o que não é comum em outras nações neste mesmo período . Porém também eram hábeis caçadores , mas é importante perceber que essa mistura fez com que criassem uma nova característica  pois mantiveram suas tradições e credos ancestrais ao mesmo tempo assimilando uma nova cultura e modo de vida bem avançado em termos de organização para sua época.

Isso me faz entender o modo de pensar de meus amigos Tsalagi do Leste, sempre respeitando as diferenças e nunca emitindo uma opinião racista...sempre penso que para se entender o comportamento dos moderno povo nativo é necessário conhecer sua historia.... No passado mais distante os Cherokees tinham uma sociedade matriarcal, significando que os clãns vinham das mulheres, das mães.

A maioria das tribos do Leste eram guiadas pelas regras das mulheres e os homens cuidavam do bem estar da família. Casamentos eram baseados na monogamia, também diferente de outras nações porém eventualmente poderia ser possível para o homem ter mais de uma esposa mas isso somente nos tempos mais remotos. Sim, o homem Cherokee precisava consultar sua esposa para tomar suas decisões. Isso explica o cuidado do homem cherokee tradicional para com as mulheres de sua família.

Hoje há tanto Cherokees do Leste e Oeste e três tribos/reservas oficiais. A Nação Cherokee em Oklahoma, United Keetoowah Band também em Oklahoma e a Nação Cherokee do Leste situada na Carolina do Norte, e há também várias comunidades pelo sul porém cada uma pertencente de uma das três tribos/reservas oficiais.

A tribo do leste de Carolina do Norte manteve os costumes e tradições antigas e falam Tsalagi ( o idioma cherokee ) -  no oeste falam no dialeto overhill mas também utilizam o dialeto mais antigo chamado kituhna e Giduwa durante cerimônias e rituais sagrados.
É importante entender que os cherokees do leste mantiveram suas tradições ancestrais, pois ali viviam inicialmente e durante a remoção para o oeste ( “território Indígena” designado pelo governo americano ) alguns conseguiram escapar e se esconderam nas montanhas e esses sobreviventes são os que conseguiram refazer o que hoje é a Reserva da Carolina do norte e seus descendentes puderam ter contato com suas raízes, suas tradições enquanto todo o povo que foi levado a força para o Oeste por uma questão de adaptação foram se misturando com as tribos locais que para ali também foram removidas.Hoje há sim, uma tênue divisão entre Leste e Oeste e isto é visto através de “comportamento e modo de pensar”...



Os sete clans

Há também dentro da sociedade Cherokee 7 clans, ainda hoje pelo menos quanto ao Leste ainda é respeitado esta tradição. Pois saber o clan de um cherokee é importante por muitas razões: Historicamente e ainda hoje entre cherokees tradicionalistas é proibido se casar com alguém do mesmo clan pois os membros são considerados irmãos e irmãs . Também quando se procura orientação espiritual ou tratamento é necessario o nome do clan. O lugar em cerimônias e na Stomp Dance também é feito por clan.


O caminho das lágrimas ( Trail of Tears )

Por TODO os Estados Unidos, todas as nações Indigenas sofreram o horror das remoções forçadas de suas terras e isso não foi diferente para os cherokees.
Importante ressaltar que na época de remoção os cherokees já possuíam uma forma de governo organizada e representantes como o Major Ross que asseguravam junto ao governo americano, o domínio das suas terras através de tratados e acordos que foram obviamente quebrados posteriormente pelo governo.  

Pelo início de 1800’ os cherokees originais iniciaram uma forçada migração para o Oeste. Mesmo grupos que já haviam voluntariamente se mudado para as terras doadas na região do Arkansa aonde estabeleceram um organização e um pacifico estilo de vida, comum álias entre os cherokees pois sempre foram um povo pacifico,  mais tarde entretando também foram forçados a migrar para o “território Indígena”. A remoção aconteceu por causa do ouro encontrado ao norte da Geórgia , a febre do ouro fez o governo dos Estados Unidos  ( Presidente Andrew Jackson ) decidir que era tempo para os cherokees serem removidos deixando para traz suas terras e lares. Simples assim, muito simples!!

Sob ordens do então Presidente Jackson o exercito americano iniciou um ato de remoção forçada. Os cherokees foram então amontoados em barcos para viajarem o Tenessee, Ohio, Mississippi e o Rio Arkansas para chegarem ao “Território Indígena” . Muitos ficaram em campos de aprisionamento aguardando seus destinos.

Uma estimativa de 4.000 ( número do governo, porém historiadores Cherokees mostram que este número é na verdade 10.000 ) morreram de fome, exposição ao mal tempo e doenças. Esta viagem se tornou na memória histórica de todas as nações indígenas norte americanas como “ o caminho aonde eles choraram” ou “o caminho das lagrimas”.

           assistam ao fantástico video sobre o "caminho das Lágrimas" feito por Avalon

Stomp Dance – Tradição Cherokee

A Stomp Dance é uma dança muito antiga e tradicional para o povo Cherokee. Embora não seja apenas a Nação Cherokee que a realiza mas outras nações do sul também. Há Stomp Dances publicas que são mais celebrativas e há também outras de caráter mais religioso e são feitas de forma reservada não sendo abertas ao publico porém nem tanto secreta pois um não nativo pode participar desde que seja convidado.

As danças celebrativas são diferentes daquelas que são feitas de forma privada.

O contador de histórias ou o Protetor dos contos

De acordo com uma antiga lei tradicional, os contos e estórias eram somente contadas entre os cherokees ou outro indígena de outra nação. Mesmo sendo um cherokee ou outro tipo de indígena, eles teriam que ser convidados pelo protetor dos mitos ou contador de estórias para ouvir-las. Primeiro os ouvintes teriam que ir até um homem da medicina para serem preparados. O homen da medicina fazia então uma cerimônia de cura riscando seus braços do ombro ao cotovelo e do cotovelo ao pulso com uma espécie de pente, normalmente feito de dentes de cobras realizando assim uma espécie de cura.

Finalmente eles estavam prontos para ouvir as estórias numa pequena choupana . As estórias transcorriam por toda a noite até o amanhecer, até o avô sol aparecer no leste. Então, eles iriam se banhar. Cada pessoa deveria mergulhar sete vezes na água enquanto o homem da medicina recitava preces.

As estórias eram passadas de geração a geração. Dizem que um verdadeiro guardador do mito pode se tornar o seu próprio toten. Também dizem que os mesmos devem ser atores, mímico, cantores, dançarinos, há muito para se tornar um guardador do mito.
Há dois grupos de estórias contadas pelos Cherokees. Primeiro há as estórias sagradas. Essas estórias são mais serias e contam sobre a arte de curar, encantamentos, canções e coisas mais sagradas. Os Cherokees também são excelente herbalistas e utilizam-se das ervas em seus inúmeros rituais que não são passados para pessoas de fora, não nativos. O segundo tipo de estória são sobre animais, contam os porque da aparência e ações de certos animais. Nas estórias os animais são muito maiores o que realmente são agora e eles podiam falar. É ensinado aos cherokees que no inicio o homen tinha a habilidade de falar com os animais. Nós falávamos a mesma língua. Mas, o homem abusou de seu previlegio falando demais e se tornando ganancioso. Por isso   perdemos essa especial habilidade...isso me faz lembrar que talvez Nárnia não seja apenas um conto fantástico.....

A lenda da Rosa Cherokee

Mais de 100 anos atraz, o povo Cherokee foi levado de suas montanhas, seu lar quando o homem branco descobriu o ouro nas montanhas da Carolina do Norte e Geórgia. Essa jornada é hoje lembrada como “O caminho das Lágrimas”. Era uma manhã de verão e muito quente, e a maior parte do tempo as pessoas tinham que caminhar guiados por soldados rudes que mais pareciam guiar animais do que pessoas. Eram maltratados, humilhados. Os homens ficavam tão frustrados com o tratamento dado a suas mulheres e filhos sem nada poderem fazer para protege-los. Os soldados, muito impacientes e duros ficavam irritados com cada pequena coisa que pudesse dar errado. Coisas tais como pessoas passando mal, caindo ao cansaço...de quando em quando homens eram mortos durante a viagem, pois se revoltavam com tudo isso e tentavam lutar. Muitas e muitas pessoas morreram com as dificuldades tamanhas do caminho. A maior parte da viagem era dura e triste e as mulheres lamentavam e sofriam por perderem seus lares e dignidade.

Os homens mais velhos sabiam que eles deveriam fazer algo para ajudarem suas mulheres a não perderem suas forças. Eles sabiam que as mulheres teriam que ser muito fortes para poderem ajudar as crianças a sobreviverem. Então, uma noite após terem acampado no caminho, os homens mais velhos se reuniram em preces ao “ grandioso” ( Deus ) para ajudar seu povo. Eles contaram a “Deus” que o povo estava sofrendo e temiam que os pequenos não sobrevivessem para reconstruirem a Nação Cherokee. “O Grandioso disse: “ Sim, Eu vejo a tristeza e sofrimento das mulheres e eu posso ajuda-las a manter suas forças para poderem cuidar dos pequenos, digam as mulheres de manhã para olharem para traz aonde suas lágrimas cairam no chão. Eu rapidamente farei crescer uma planta. Elas irão ver uma pequena planta verde a principio com o caule crescendo, então a cada gota de lágrima caído ao solo nascerá uma, e mais uma, e outra, e  eu farei essa planta crescer tão rápido que pela tarde serão todas flores brancas, com cinco pétalas e no centro o dourado para lembrar o ouro que o homem branco tanto quiz e que em sua ganância removeu o povo cherokee de sua terra natal.

Deus ou  "O Grandioso” disse que as folhas verdes seriam sete, uma para cada clãn cherokee. E a linda flor começaria a se espalhar e tomaria de volta a terra perdida..e teria espinhos em cada caule para protege-la de qualquer coisa que tentasse remove-la.
Na manhã seguinte os homens mais velhos disseram as mulheres para olharem para traz e ver o sinal Divino. As mulheres viram a plantinha nascendo e crescendo cada vez mais rápido e se espalharem por todo o solo. Elas olharam as pétalas se abrirem, tão lindas que esqueceram de seu infortúnio e sofrimento e se sentiram também lindas e fortes. Pela tarde puderam avistar muitas flores por todos os lados. Começaram a pensar na força que lhes fora dada para criarem suas crianças como a “nova nação cherokee”." Elas souberam que a flor marcava todo o brutal caminho das lágrimas.
Bem, a Rosa cherokee é apenas uma das muitas lindas estórias cherokees e possuem diversas versões, mas uma coisa é certa, de fato essa rosa não existia na região antes do caminho das lagrimas...