The End of My Powwow Season!

Hi Everybody,

The end of my powwow season is rapidly approaching! Don't get me wrong, I could use a break in my hectic schedule, but the fact remains, that the seasons harsh winter weather is about to set in at Pine Ridge! If you keep abreast of the One Spirit website, you know the call has gone out to support my efforts to raise money for One Spirit, by supplying Native American items (No resin, plastic or chinese made items) for me to resell. It's absolutely necessary to focus on funds raised, because this, the most important time of the year, where the cold can bring about incredible difficulties, for families at Pine Ridge, we need to provide wood, blankets, food and other supplies that are so important to the survival of the Lakota people. I'm sure if you're reading this post, you're involved with One Spirit already and are helping in whatever way you can. But, if you have a native mandela, dream catcher, bow, arrow & quiver, wall hanging or other native items collecting dust in a closet, please know, that item could be helping our cause to raise money, to support our efforts assisting the Oglala Lakota Sioux become self-sufficient. If you have an item you're unsure about, e-mail me at brokenfeather@verizon.net to inquire about it. Please, I beg you from the bottom of my heart, that you can make a difference in the life of a Lakota family! I concider the people that support One Spirit, the finest bunch of people from all walks of life that simply care about a people that have been neglected by the United States Government since their mid 1860's treaty! The reality remains that a $1.00 gain, can provide $3.00 worth of fresh fruit or vegetables for a child or elder, that's not a normal part of their diet! Never ever think a dollar won't make a difference. Please, do you have an idea about raising funds to assist our cause, let us know! Please help!

Membership........

Well it's been a couple of weeks since I've posted any information to this site, so I guess I need to spout off again!

I've contributed financially, to One Spirit for well over a year, maybe two. From what I've noticed, is that we're not growing as an organization! I have to ask myself why? If you contribute in any way,that means you must believe in One Spirit's cause of assisting the Oglala Lakota Sioux. Are you asking relatives, friends, church members, or just plain friends to check out what you do to assist Native American's and to join your efforts to assist? Are you a contributor to a local newspaper? Write a letter to the editor explaining your contribution to One Spirit, and the Lakota Sioux! Do you live in a area that has free advertizements in local newspapers? If so, write a small article about what you do for One Spirit. Who knows, it might get picked up by a National Broadcaster for publication. It simply doesn't do us any good to become stagnant as a charitable organization. We need to grow, in order to expand our efforts to help the Oglala Lakota Sioux!

An e-mail was sent out this morning to members, looking for people interested in assisting One Spirit Management! It all revolves around growing, and that we need to do! Do you have an idea how to expand our present membership? If you do, please offer that suggestion to Jeri. Do you have marketing experiance? we need all the help we can get! What about logistics and data management? Yup, you guessed it! The bottom line is this, we're alone in the world and we need global recognition for what we do on a monthly basis!

I personaly would like to see our membership ranks grow to the point where we could have area membership meetings! Monthly meetings can generate huge benefits to membership.

I certainly don't know what you are thinking, but I as an individual, and a financial contributor to One Spirit, need to say, that there are other area's that we could offer major contributions! But we need to grow, in order to make those other area's of contribution available to the Lakota. I would love to see a college scholorship fund, to help a Lakota child attend college! We as a charitable organization owe this to at least one Lakota Child, to begin with. Hopefully, with backing, this program could be expanded to include other Lakota children! This is the real first step to breaking the cycle of poverty on Pine Ridge! You don't have to be a rocket scientist to understand the logic behind this potential program!

Write to us and tell us what you think, we want your suggestions and thoughts! The Oglala Lakota people are depending on us for their ultimate self-sufficiency, and we need to act now!

Fonda, NY, Kateri Shrine Pow-Wow

Hi Everyone,

I got to Fonda Wednesday afternoon, with rain on the windshield, and set-up my arbor in a drizzle of rain. Thursday was cloudy with spot showers throughout the day! Friday, "Opening Day", it rained in the morning, and was cloudy, windy and raw until about 5 PM when it started to rain again. Saturday was much of the same, with the muddy areas over ankle deep! Straw was brought in and spread over the really bad mud trenches, much to everyone's relief. On Sunday, I awoke about 5:30ish. The sun was shining on the horizon and there wasn't a cloud to be seen!

Saturday, there was a contingency from France, that came through the pow-wow grounds. I was talking to a woman, who had a strange look on her face, when someone in her group said, "she's from France and doesn't understand English". When I heard that, I yelled out "Mon Ami!" and gave her a big hug! That broke the ice with the group. It got even better, when I told their interpreter about the group in France that supports One Spirit. Then, everyone wanted One Spirit's website address, for the link to the group in France. I had a ball with my really,really bad broken French Canadian, and had everyone laughing at me. Surely the highlight of my day!

I was a really big hit with the mosquito's at Fonda! I'll be scratching mosquito and spider bites for at least a week! Pictured below is a moth that invaded my arbor early Thursday night. It had a wing span of 5", with a body length of over 3". It was camouflage in coloration. I made absolutely no attempt to remove it!

I had the pleasure of watching the Iroquois Veteran's Color Guard, carry the flags, during the Grand Entry on Sunday! Quite a sight and very solemn. On a more lighter note, the sounds of the drums, even had visiting Nun's dancing in the Circle, to the beat of the Native Two Step Dance. surely a sight I'll never forget! Who knew Nun's danced?

The Kateri Shrine provided a wonderful location for this annual pow-wow. The beautifully manicured grounds and the visitor's on Pilgrimage to this Christian Mohawk Santuary just helped make this pow-wow a success, even with days and days of bad weather. Those that attended wearing Native Regalia, were besieged with requests from the tourist's for pictures! It also made a great location to make people aware of One Spirit and the plight of the Lakota people at Pine Ridge. I was really proud to represent One Spirit!

Below are some of the pictures that I took, I hope you enjoy them!

Edward Broken Feather

Kateri Pow-Wow, Fonda, NY

Hello Again!

I almost forgot to mention that this coming weekend I'll be vending at the Mohawk/Metis Pow-Wow, at the Kateri Shrine, In Fonda, NY, on the 3rd., 4th., and 5th., of July! For more information about the Kateri Shrine, please copy and paste this address into a browser, http://www.katerishrine.com/ This pow-wow will last three days and will include a annual meeting of the Metis Nation of North America and Canadian Bands!

If you're a volunteer/sponsor of One Spirit and live in the Schenectady/Fonda, NY area, do not hesitate to stop into my booth and introduce yourself. I'd love to meet you.

Edward Broken Feather

Medicine Bear Pow-Wow, Rochester, NH

Hi Everyone!

This past weekend I was a vendor at Medicine Bear Pow-Wow in Rochester, NH. The third pow-wow of the new season for me as a fund raiser for One Spirit. The weather certainly wasn't perfect, but I managed to raise over $500.00. I had an expecially nice treat, when Diane Capalario and her husband visited me on Saturday, to see first hand all the stupid things I do and say to grab peoples attention, on behalf of One Spirit. Shown above is a picture of me and Diane at the pow-wow. I can't begin to explain the great joy I get raising money for One Spirit and ultimately the Oglala Lakota people. You don't have to be a Donald Trump to raise money. Such events as a yard sale, bake sale, flea market vendor, adopting a school/church/temple for fund raising, etc. The important part is realizing that every single donation, small or large is critical to the support of on going programs that One Spirit promotes. I give each person that purchases a item from me the same enthusiastic thanks, whether the sale was a dollar or twenty dollars. They need to know that they're making a real difference in the life of a Lakota person.

More on my excursions for One Spirit soon!

Edward Broken Feather

Another letter . . .

We would like to share with you some of the stories we hear regularly from families. This family has been living in the basement of a house that is occupied by other family members. They have slept in cars when the basement smell became overwhelming because of sewage backup and in the summertime have camped out. In spite of the poverty, they have managed to keep up the morale of their children and they look for ways to give them a better today and tomorrow.

Here is Trina's letter:

If there is any way to get some help with my kids then I welcome it. I have tried so hard to keep my kids, KIDS. There is so much influences out there and I see young ones succumbing to them. I try so hard to give them opportunities that will be beneficial, feed them healthy food, show them how to be Lakota relatives, and use every chance to be a positive role model, in this environment which is geared to be oppressive.

Yesterday we went to my mothers in Wounded Knee and I made bread. I instructed my daughter on how the ingredients interact and what does what to make the bread taste so good. I made a lot and was anticipating some good bread for today but it went quick while we were there. I also made some cinnamon rolls. The little ones there were quite happy and content to eat some tasty hot bread and it made me appreciate the small things.

The snow from last week was just melting and it made a mess. When we got home last night the water run off filled the sewer up again and it came into the basement where the family sleeps). The smell was horrible and it burned my nose. We spent two hours trying to alleviate the situation. Dave went outside and manually drained the sewer, and I was downstairs sweeping it to the drain hole. It was pointless because the sewer filled up quickly again.




Winter showed up again. another blizzard blew in, and school was cancelled. Our food is low again.

I've seen firsthand the many ways a child can be influenced wrongly. My Daniel was born with a heart murmur. I prayed so hard for so long and it went away. I've never underestimated the power of prayer. First born sons are doted on in my family, Daniel was always favored and gently guided into doing the right thing as is tradition for young males in our culture. I've never had any opportunities to spoil him but I do try to provide for him. He doesn't have a mean bone in his body, and wouldn't hurt anyone intentionally.

He takes care of his possessions but isn't materialistic in any way, isn't influenced by clothing trends, and is very understanding when I can't buy the latest movie or game. He's very protective of his sisters. He will sit by himself and pretend beans or q-tips are army men. He will wrestle with puppies that he rescued from the landfill. Always looking for leftovers and table scraps to feed them

The amenities urban youth take for granted aren't available here; no swimming pool, bowling alley, movie theatres, or shopping malls. That is why we make do with what little we have. We tell stories about the stars, the legends of old, and laugh at old memories.

Daniel is currently in the Gifted and Talented Program at his school. He participated in the Gear UP Program since 2006. Its a summer program. He is consistently on the honor roll every quarter and goes on the incentive trips. We have many honor roll pins for him. He won Best of the Best in the reservation wide science fair when he was in the sixth grade. It was better than grand prize and I got to go with him to receive his award.

For the past two years he has volunteered to dress up as Dr. Seuss and read to the kindergarten class. He won a leadership award at the Shannon County Awards Banquet when he was in the sixth grade. He will go again this May for Academic Achievement. He and another were selected to be Student Council Representatives. He was also chosen to speak in front of state and tribal representatives at the grand opening of his new school. His teachers are always commenting on what a joy he is to have in their class.




He shows leadership qualities and somehow manages to calm his classmates down. I just couldn't ask for a better son. He chose his own lakota name which is Wanbli Oyakpa translated into golden eagle. Daniel truly is a golden eagle and will fly high.

Trina

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Horses help change a young life

Back in January we shared a letter we received from Mona Brave about her 13 year old nephew, to whom she is mom, and how the Big Foot Ride helped to change the path of his life.

Since that time, her nephew has completed a treatment program dealing with his symptoms resulting from fetal alcohol syndrome and Post Traumatic Stress caused by an experience described by Mona below. Recently he was honored for his fortitude and bravery during the ride and for his accomplishments in completing the treatment program. Below is Mona's speech presented at the time of his honoring and photos of Mona and her nephew and the star quilt he received for his accomplishments.


Cyrus with Mom Mona and Grandmother Annabelle Between Lodges


We would especially like to express our appreciation to Mona for sharing these family stories.

MONA'S SPEECH AT THE ONTRAC CONFERENCE
FRIDAY APRIL 3, 2009

I am the mother of six beautiful children: one biological son, Derek (26), one adopted son JD (16); and three nephews, Cyrus (13); Dylan (11); Yamni (8); and one niece, Shannae (10). I currently reside in Oglala with my tiwahe. I am employed as the OST Benefits Coordinator.

My brother raised his four children for several years as a single parent. He may have an alcohol problem but he made sure his children's education came first and always ensured they were in school everyday. For a single parent he tried his best and for that I commend him for all his efforts to care for and love his children. In May 2004, the children's mother came into their lives and kidnapped them from school. She knowingly took them when she was homeless and did not have a safe home for them. She took them to Sioux Falls to a homeless shelter where they were eventually placed in a foster home after the police officers noticed that they were in a park all day without adult supervision. They stayed in a foster home while my mother and I tried to get them back. It was frustrating at times, as it seemed we ran into a lot of red tape but we learned that that goes with the territory. I commend my mother for her diligence in not giving up.

We obtained a court order to get the children back. It took four months to complete the process but had it not been for the staff of ONTRAC it may have taken longer. I appreciate their help and their commitment in seeing that the children are home with us. I am my brother's sister and in true Lakota tradition I am their mother and I can truly say that I am proud to be their mother. I have raised them for the past three years.

I believe it was my destiny to have the children a part of our lives and to be the mother to them. It is my responsibility to see that the children have a safe and loving home where neither drugs nor alcohol are any longer a part of their lives. This is the first time in their lives they had a stable home where they don't have to worry about anything and where they can feel safe and know that there is someone there for them at all time.

It hasn't been an easy journey. We have made a lot of adjustments in our life. It has been a struggle getting them the help they so desperately needed. I have learned and continue to learn on a daily basis a great deal about dealing with children with post traumatic stress disorder; about fetal alcohol syndrome and about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. I went through a period of anger with their parents as I blamed them for these symptoms and I myself have received counseling. I blamed their mother for two of them having fetal alcohol syndrome and knowing that they have to live with this for the rest of their lives. I have since learned to deal with this anger and to pray for their mother and father. I know in my heart that the children will be with me for a lifetime and I am going to see them through the successes in their lives.

We, as a family, participate in the Wakanyeja Pawiciyapi program where all the healing is geared towards the traditional ways of our people so in addition to healing we are also learning our Lakota traditions. We participate in the sweats and ceremonies and the many activities they provide. I am thankful to the personnel within that program and the efforts that they put forth in helping us heal together. It has had a profound effect on us as we have begun the healing process and we still have a long way to go, as it is an everyday endeavor.

Yes, as a mother, I can proudly say our family has re-claimed our children. It is truly amazing being a parent to six children and it makes me proud to say "Yes" these are my children. I am proud of their accomplishments and for always trying their best in all that they do. I love them all so much and my dream and prayers are for them to lead successful and productive lives and I will be with them every step of the way.

There are numerous people I want to thank for helping me whether it is emotional support or physical support and they are:

My mother - thanks for always being there for me and for encouraging me never to give up when times get hard.
My father - who loves having the children at his home.
Troy Briggs - my friend who always bluntly tells me how it is and lifts me up when I am having a bad day.
Ramona White Plume - who always encourages me and my family.
Rick Two Dogs - for the many prayers and help he has offered our family.
Jeri Baker - who always supports our family's endeavors and is always so encouraging.
JD Brave - my teenager, who is so understanding and who never hesitates to help me.
Joyce Whiting - who is my counselor and always has the right words.
Carol Binnington - for being so supportive.
Nicole Jette - for helping our whole family and being so supportive.
Derek Yellow Cloud - for helping to watch the kids.
Filmore He Crow - for being patient and understanding of me and the children.
Juanita Scherich - for her tireless work in seeing that children, including mine, are home with families.
Valarie Janis - for her endless hours of working with children.

Mitakuye Oyasin

Letter from a sponsored family

Many ONE Spirit sponsors exchange letters or phone calls with those they sponsor. Below is a letter one sponsor recently received, and both the sponsor and the writer gave us permission to share it with you . . . Connections like this make sponsoring a family, an elder or a child through ONE Spirit a very personal and remarkable experience.

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Thank you so much for writing back. I got comfort from you when you said that new people in our lives bring happiness. My baby filled a void that my family didn't know was there. We were sitting around watching her play on the carpet and my husband wondered how we were living without her. You both were right. Just looking at her fills my heart with joy. I watch her sleep and see how beautiful she is.

She's a big girl for her age. She wears a size 5 in pampers and 18 months in clothes. I guess my family is big, my 14 year old is taller than me. Today he stood and made a speech in front of the whole school, tribal council members, state legislators, and the general public. I was so nervous for him, hoping he wouldn't mispronounce words. He kept his cool and I was so proud of him. Out of 180 students he was chosen by the principal and teacher to give this speech. All the sacrifices I have made for my children are so worth it. I spend three hours making dinner rolls and cinnamon rolls for them. Their smiles and thanks are worth my sore feet. I love their noise too.

I am trying to make a video documentary of all the challenges my family has had to go through and send it to a tv show that remodels homes for worthy people. I truly believe my mothers story is worth it. However I have looked high and low for a available camcorder to borrow to make this. I couldn't find any. I tried taking pictures but my camera is missing the memory card. I think I will give up on that and try something different.

It was cold today but the fresh air was welcome. There is an eagle that flies around and I can hear the screeches. One time I saw two of them on the side of a hill close to home. The first glance I thought it was an elderly woman with white hair wrapped in a buffalo robe. That is how big the first eagle was. When I saw the second one, I recognized that they were eagles. I prayed and left them to their business, and my day was a good one.

I must go now, but I hope to hear from you again. You are in my prayers.

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Lakota Painting to benefit ONE Spirit

Another wonderful example of Lakota art, this 11" X 14" acrylic painting by an Elder from the Pine Ridge Reservation, was just auctioned on eBay to benefit ONE Spirit.

This auction has ended, but new Lakota works of art and crafts benefiting ONE Spirit are regularly offered through the eBay Giving Works program. We are grateful to both the artists and eBay for making this possible.

ONE Spirit's Lakota Art Market Program latest work of art

ONE Spirit supports Lakota ecomonic initiatives for self sufficiency including a Fair Market for jewelry, arts, and Women’s Sewing co-ops.

Currently on eBay is an exquisite bolo-style medallion necklace by Lakota artist Chester Sitting Bear. From the incredibly time consuming and perfectly executed Peyote Rope Stitch to the Butterscotch Agate residng in the center, this piece is doing much to bring attention to our organization.


To view the eBay listing, including additional close-up photos of this masterpiece, please go to

Bolo-style medallion

or search ONE Spirit on eBay under Giving Works, if you prefer.