SCAT AND STANDING BEAR TO HAVE JOINT MEETINGS
Shawnee County Allied Tribes and Standing Bear Inter-Tribal Brotherhood will have joint meetings in
November and December in honor of the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. They will be held on Monday
evening, Nov. 10, and Monday evening, Dec. 8, at the Gage Park Zoo Education building at 6:30 p.m.
These meetings will include a pot-luck meal with people bringing food dishes to share with each other.
It will be a time of food and fellowship where everyone can enjoy these festive occasions with each
other. Each of these times will involve a brief SCAT board meeting where necessary business items may
be dealt with.
During the November meeting, we will be decorating a wreath that will go to the annual Festival of Trees
celebration. So those who attend are invited to bring some items of Native American background to put
on the wreath. This is something that we have been doing for a number of years and is fun to work on.
Both of these meetings are open to the public and all interested persons are invited to come and learn
about SCAT and its activities.
SCAT PRINCESS IS ACTIVE
Our 2008 SCAT princess, Kishko Bell, has been representing our organization at a
number of local pow-wows lately. She danced at White Cloud in September and has also
been dancing with the Royal Valley Dancers on different occasions. She recently danced
with this group at the Medicolodges in Holton. Kishko’s grandmother is Jackie Mitchell.
McKINNEY SCHOLARSHIP FUND AWARDED
The Rev. Jim McKinney Education Fund recently granted a scholarship to William
Wilson who is a member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation. He is enrolled at
Highland Community College and is the son of Dawn Masquah. The Scholarship Fund is
currently accepting applications from persons who are wanting some financial assistance
in their educational pursuits. At the present time there is no deadline for such
applications. Information about the application form and process may be found on our
SCAT web-site.
CHEROKEE VETERAN’S POW-WOW IN NOVEMBER
The annual Veteran’s Pow-Wow, sponsored by the Northern Cherokee Nation of the Old
Louisiana Territory, will be held Friday evening, Nov. 7, at the Gage Park Shelter
Building, from 6:00 to 11:00 p.m. It will be a time when we honor those persons who are
our veterans and who have served in our armed forces through the years. It will include
singing and dancing, food, and arts & crafts vendors. Mike Ballard will be the M.C. and
the Night Hawk Singers will be the head drum. Other drum groups are welcome. There
is no admission fee and everyone is invited to join in this occasion.
WASHBURN UNIVERSITY TO HAVE “CELEBRATION OF CULTURES”
The International Club of Washburn University will be having their annual “Celebration
of Cultures” on Saturday, Nov. 8, at the White Concert Hall from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
This event will feature music, dances, and a fashion show, among other performances,
from Europe, Africa, Asia, North America and South America. Ken Lopez will be
playing the flute during the celebration as a contribution from the Native American
culture. There will be no admission fee, but persons will have the opportunity to make a
donation toward the activities of the International Club.
STANDING BEAR ACTIVITIES
Standing Bear will take part in the Washburn University Veteran’s Day observance on
Tuesday, Nov. 11, at 10:45 a.m., and will be involved in the Interfaith Thanksgiving
Service on Sunday, Nov. 23, at the Mormon Church located at 2401 S.W. Kingsrow Rd.
Standing Bear holds its regular meetings on Wednesday evenings at the Highland Park
United Methodist Church (29th & Michigan) at 7:00 p.m. These meetings include
drumming and singing and planning for future events. It will have its annual business
meeting on Wednesday evening, Jan. 7, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
“RENEWAL OF THE FLAME” TO BE HELD IN JANUARY
The annual “Renewal of the Flame” celebration will be held Saturday evening, Jan. 3, at
the Gage Park Zoo Educational Building at 6:00 p.m. It is a time when we share in food
and fellowship, in games and recreation, and in a spirit of renewal as we face the year
ahead. It will include a pot-luck meal with people bringing food to share with each other.
All interested persons are invited to participate.
SULLIVAN CHAPEL TO HAVE TACO SALE
The Sullivan Chapel Indian Methodist Church (located at 1937 N.E. Madison) will have
a Taco Sale on Friday, Nov. 7, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tacos may be eaten on site
or taken home in containers.
NATIVE AMERICAN FOOD UPDATED
Long, long ago in the olden days the only way for native American tribes that followed
the buffalo up and down the prairie as their main source of food, was to cook on an open
fire. No ovens to carry with them, they cooked soups and stews by lifting the corners on
animal hides, placing heated rocks in the center and then filling the hides with water.
Very clever.
Today, the native Americans are as spoiled as the rest of us, but they do keep many of
their old ways alive by combining their traditional foods with non-traditional foods and
coming up with modern dishes.
A nicely done, spiral bound cookbook called “Wisdom of Elders: Traditional American
Indian Food and Recipes,” has been put together by the National Society for American
Indian Elderly. If you are interested in either the organization or the book, the number to
call is 602-307-1865. Their website is: www.nsaie.org.
One of the recipes included in the cookbook is Lakota Juniper or Spicewood Tea. You
need 20 tender young sprigs of juniper or spicewood (washed) and 2 quarts of water.
You are to place the sprigs and water in a large saucepan, bring to a boil over high heat.
Cover, reduce heat to low and let simmer gently for 15 minutes. Turn off heat and let tea
steep for another 10 minutes. Strain and serve. Sweeten with honey if desired.
TELEVISION SPECIAL COMING IN SPRING
PBS has a major television special in the pipeline called “We Shall Remain.” The five-
part series, produced by WGBH’s American Experience program and Native American
Public Telecommunications, includes veteran Native filmmakers such as Chris Eyre
(Cheyenne/Arapaho) and Dustinn Craig (While Mountain Apache/Navajo); Indian actors
such as Michael Greyeyes (Cree), Wes Studi (Cherokee) and Benjamin Bratt (Quechua),
who will serve as the series narrator; as well as major non-Nnative talents.
The series tells the story of pivotal moments in American history spanning 300 years
involving Native peoples, and includes profiles of Massasoit, Tecumseh, John Ross,
Geronimo and other important Indian leaders. “This country is founded on people
striving, being tenacious and moving forward – this is a look at that, through Native
eyes,” remarks Eyre.
It will premiere in April, but a few of the finished segments are already being screened at
film festivals and many associated educational projects are already functioning online, or
soon will be. Fifteen PBS affiliate stations will host community events associated with
the series premiere, and 17,000 libraries across the country will have study guides on
hand. For details, visit pbs.org/weshallremain.
(reprinted from Native Peoples, Nov./Dec., 2008)
RECENT FILM LOOKS AT INDIAN BOARDING SCHOOLS
“Our Spirits Don’t Speak English: Indian Boarding School” is a story about the travesty
of Indian boarding schools. The film details the literal stripping of American Indian
culture from the Native children who attended them.
“Our Spirits Don’t Speak English” is directed by Chip Richie and produced by Steven
Heape. It begins with stories from the grown Native children who were once young and
are now becoming our elders.
Andrew Windy Boy, Chippewa/Cree, is featured in the documentary and speaks about
the Wahpeton and Flandreau Indian schools with an anguish that can be touching to those
with the hardest of hearts. He is a man that still feels deeply what was personally lost
upon attending his school. “They took me from my grandfather and removed my Native
tongue, but our spirits don’t understand English.
The film illustrates the process of European colonization, citing that the belief of the
arriving settlers was one of “Manifest Destiny.” Manifest Destiny asserted that the
European settlers had a God-given right” to create a perfect nation and that “the Native
was an impediment to expansion and a problem to be overcome.” The creation of Native
boarding schools, which would “kill the Indian” yet “save the man,” would be the
proposed answer to this perceived problem.
The availability of Native people who are able to share their experiences of boarding
school is high. As they relay their stories, your heart is sure to follow their sadness. But
all is not doom and gloom in the film. The experiences are sad, and the results seem
unfair. But Richie and Heape do an excellent job of presenting the story that leaves you
with a feeling of empowerment. “Our Spirits Don’t Speak English” is a story for
everyone, regardless of race or experience.
(reprinted from Indian Country Today, Wednesday, September 17, 2008)
LOCAL POW-WOWS
• The Northern Cherokee Veteran’s Pow-Wow will be on Friday Nov. 1, in Topeka
at the Gage Park Zoo Shelter Building from 6:00 to 11:00 p.m.
• The annual Heart of America Indian Center Veteran’s Day Pow-Wow will be held
Nov. 7-9 at the Kansas Community College Field House, 7520 State Ave., Kansas City, Kansas.
For further information call Jerrald Braiuca at (816) 729-6159.
• The annual We-Ta-Se Veteran’s Pow Wow will be held on Saturday, Nov. 15, at
the 4H building in Holton, Kansas beginning at 1:00 p.m.
NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE DAY ESTABLISHED
The National Indian Gaming Association acknowledges the passing into law of House
Joint Resolution 62, which designates the Friday after Thanksgiving as Native American
Heritage Day 2008. The bill is supported by the National Indian Gaming association, the
National Congress of American Indians and Indian tribes across the country. The
resolution was introduced by Rep. Joe Baca. D-Calif., and Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii,
who helped move the resolution through the Senate.
The Native American Heritage Day Act 2008:
• Designates Friday, Nov. 28 as Native American Heritage Day.
• Encourages the people of the United States, as well as federal, state and local
governments and interested groups and organizations, to observe such day with
appropriate programs, ceremonies and activities, including activities related to:
(1) The historical status of tribal governments as well as the present-day
status of American Indians;
(2) Native cultures, traditions and languages; and
(3) The rich Native American cultural legacy.
NIGA Executive Director Mark Van Norman said, “Native Americans have been seeking
a day of recognition since 1912. This day honors the original Native Americans, their
strengths, wisdom, and fight for freedom, and it recognizes the continued vitality and
beauty of the Native American cultures.
(reprinted from Indian Country Today, Wednesday, October 29, 2008)
INDIAN FLOAT TO BE IN THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE
The Oneida Indian Nation is announcing the debut of a float which will be in the 82nd
Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The float has the title, “The True Spirit of
Thanksgiving” and will be featured in the parade which will be seen on Thursday, Nov.
27, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on NBC-TV. The float will include Iroquois Dancers, a
30-foot Tree of Peace, and a representation of Turtle Island. It should be very impressive
and will be a good addition to Macy’s annual parade.
THANKSGIVING DINNER/DANCE
There will be a Thanksgiving Dinner/Dance on Saturday, Nov. 22 at the Ridgewood
Pleasant Heights Gym (located at 4341 Blue Ridge Blvd, Independence, Missouri).
It will include Gourd Dancing, Intertribal Dancing, Native Foods, Arts & Crafts, and
raffles. Doors will open at 9:00 a.m. with dancing beginning at 12:00 noon and running
until 11:00 p.m. There is no admission charge and everyone is welcome.
TRIBAL HISTORICAL PRESERVATION PRIORITIES LISTED
In a pre-emptive strike of sorts, the National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation
Officers has laid out five key priorities for the next presidential administration, aimed at
strengthening tribal historic preservation efforts. They include:
• Supporting adequate federal funding for cultural preservation involving the Tribal
Historic Preservation Officers program; tribal museums and cultural centers,
grants to assist tribes with Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation
Act activities; Native language preservation; and sacred site protection.
• Helping achieve full voting membership for NATHPO on the Advisory Council
on Historic Preservation.
• Collaborating with NATHPO to conduct a national study to examine the actual
needs and challenges facing Indian country’s cultural preservation.
• Implementing recommendations of the NATHPO-Makah report, released in
August, which found that the National Park Service has used more than $3 million
in tribal grants for purposes not covered by NAGPRA.
• Enhancing and promoting Native voices in all aspects of historic preservation at
all levels of government.
Already, advisers with both campaigns of the major presidential candidates have said that
Senators Barack Obama and John McCain are ready to take proactive oversight steps on
federal preservation and cultural efforts involving tribes. Attention from the presidential
campaign advisers is just one indication that tribal cultural preservation may play a
heightened role in coming years on the federal level.
(reprinted from Indian Country Today, Wednesday, October 8, 2008)
SCAT COOKBOOKS STILL AVAILABLE
We still have some SCAT cookbooks for sale. They have a lot of delicious recipes in
them and are $10 apiece. You can contact Hildred Vilander if you are interested.
SCAT NEWSLELTTER PUBLISHED BI-MONTHLY
Our SCAT newsletter is published six times a year (every other month). If you have information or news
stories that you would like to submit for the newsletter, we would be pleased to have them. You may contact
Hildred Vilander, Agnes McKinney, or Don Anderson.
SHAWNEE COUNTY ALLIED TRIBES
P.O. Box 750284
Topeka, Kansas 66675-0284
President: Hildred Vilander
Secretary: Don Anderson
Treasurer: Mike Ballard
Editors: Hildred Vilander
Don Anderson