a good saying

I just found this, I think it's neat


When you were born, you cried
and the world rejoiced.
Live your life
so that when you die,
the world cries and you rejoice.

White Elk

what 'powwow' means

Still slow. We have the Viola celebration this saturday, about noon at Brenda's house. Apparently the parade is 11 to 12 , so we might not start till later. The women's prison powwow is the next saturday, about 11 or 11:15. Just a note, we may cancel the next friday practice. We are not sure yet, so check later.
I know there is a powwow somewhere this weekend, but I forget where. I will try to find out, or Jerry knows where it is. Also, the Masqotan society powwow ( I am not sure of the spelling) is August 18-20 at Belvidere, at the county fairgrounds. I will try to find out about other powwows coming up.
A while ago some of were talking about where the term "powwow" came from. This is what I found so far:

Some say the word "Powwow" comes from the Algonquian word 'pawauogs' [paw - woog] referring to shamanic practices and healing ceremonies. The word was co-opted by traveling medicine shows and elaborate Wild West shows but, eventually became the name for the annual dance celebrations held across Indian country.

If I find more I will put it up.

GREAT PRACTICE!

We had a great practice tonight, there wasn't too many of us but we were on! It's times like this that make it all worthwhile. By the way, in spite of a certain lady, we decided to go back to Hamilton this January, we really hope Butch and his people can let it go for the sake of Larry and be there too.

some things to see

Kind of quiet. We have practice friday at Jerry's (probably), the Viola celebration the 29th at Brenda's, and the women's prison sept. 5th.
Since this is travel season, I thought I might mention a few of the things to see in this part of the country.
If anyone is in Chicago in the next few weeks, the art institute has a big display of southwest pottery, mostly from casas grandes, thru Aug. 13th. If you're up there, don't forget to check out the field museum across the park. They have great displays of historic native clothing and tools, prehistoric too. If you've never been there, you really should try to get there sometime.
A little farther is the Eiteljorg american indian museum in Indianapolis. Though it isn't widely known around here, it is one of the best in the country. I don't have the address or phone handy, but I can get them.
Don't forget Cahokia mounds by St. Louis. Everyone should try to get there at least once.
Farther away but similar is Effigy Mounds National Monument in northeast Iowa. I have never been there, but I understand it is awesome.
Closer to home, if you are over by the Mississippi, check out the Illiniwek Village State Historic Site in Missouri just west of Keokuk. It is the site of one of the largest illini villages known, with an interpretive trail and picnic area.
And if you're passing through, both Quincy and Havana have prehistoric mounds in city parks. The one is Havana is huge (yes, the hill the park is on is all manmade).
This is just a few, I know there is a lot more around. If you know of something, put in a comment and I'll put it up in a post.

Ellen says hi

Kind of a slow time right now for a change, except for regular practices. We have the Viola celebration for Brenda the 29th, and the ladies prison the first saturday in august, but not much else for a while.
Ellen called a few nights ago to say hi. She really misses the group and the practices, she says to to tell every body she misses them. She is planning on coming back sometime after august 19th. She went to a powwow at Taos recently, and said there was some beautiful regalia, but ask her about the rather uniquely dressed gentleman dancing. I guess central Illinois isn't the only place that get's some odd ones at powwow.
Anybody know how Ruth, Rosa, and Scott are doing? Haven't heard much from them lately.
I put a new link up, Written Heritage. They have some great books and videos, just about every subject to do with Native things. Check their site out, plus I have the catalog if anyone wants to look at it or order something.

okay practice

Our practice last night was only okay, we had energy when we sang, but kind of vegetated between. OH WELL!
By the way, don't support anything that Dee Hagemeir does in Keokuk, you can ask around, but ask Butch, an insult is an insult.

kind of slow

Not much to talk about right now. We will have practice friday at Jerry's, and as far as I know tuesday too. For the prison people, don't forget training at 8:oo AM saturday. We should be out in a couple of hours. The prison said we can't have a powwow that day, so it looks it's just cancelled till september.
July 29th we will be at Brenda's house in Viola, I think from about noon till 3 or 4, and sing some for the towns anniversiry celebration.
Jerry thinks there is enough buffaloe hide left over to put heads on the old prison drum and our old, small drum. Wow, that's a lot of drums for a small group.
If I come up with anything else, I'll put it up.

Rick and Jen

Well, it's official, Rick and Jen tied the knot today. Everybody was there, we set the drum up and sang some good songs, it was a great wedding ( except when the trellis fell down), I wish them all the luck in the world.
Rick and Jen, walk in beauty all of your lives.
For all you've done,

AHO