HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Not much to say right now, I've been sick all week ( this is a really nasty bug going around), but I would like to say how much all of you in the Inali dancers and Black Fox drum, and everyone else in the the native community here have meant to me over the last twenty or so years. I wouldn't have made it without all of you!

So to all of you:

Da-ni'-s-ta-yo'-hi-hu!

(look it up)

RESPECT?

Before I get to the heart of the post, remember practice this friday at Ellen's. We need everyone there, we won't have any more practices before the winter dance.
Speaking of that, don't forget we're singing at the winter dance at Bradly University January 5th.
Most of us agree that we may have to cut back on things like scout meetings and nursing homes because we can't get enough people at them to do a good performance. I hate to see this, but we really don't see a choice. We need new people!
About the title of the post, I just read this article. It really shows the respect a lot of people have for native sensibilities:

MADISON, Ill. - An independent pollution-control agency has rejected environmentalists' claims that a planned landfill could desecrate possible burial grounds near the ruins of a once-thriving prehistoric city.


The Illinois Sierra Club and American Bottom Conservancy failed to show that Madison's approval process for a landfill near the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site was "fundamentally unfair," the Illinois Pollution Control Board ruled Thursday.



Environmentalists say the expanded site would be within 2,100 feet of the Cahokia Mounds site, where as many as 20,000 people lived during its peak of 1100 to 1200 A.D. It was among the among the most complex, sophisticated societies of prehistoric North America.


Nice view from the top of Monks Mound, won't it be?

prison visits, events coming up

We had a couple of great prison visits recently, first at the women's, then last saturday at the men's. There was a decent turnout at the men's powwow,and their drum is really starting to sound good. There was a lot of good songs, a little dancing, and everyone seemed to feel good. The high point came at the end, when we put the drums together, and everyone sang the AIM freedom song. Considering the setting, itwas extremely moving.
In january we're singing at the winter gathering at Bradley University the 5th, and Jim Sanderson has got us set up to do some exhibition stuff at Sandburg Mall in Galesburg on th 19th.
We've got practice friday the 21st, and because of the holidays we probably won't have another before the 5th, so try to be there.
I've had problems with my blog site lately, or maybe it's just me, but I've got a few things I want to put up here soon.