Bozho (Hello)!
I recently had a marvelous end-of-August hike up Old Rag Mountain, in Shenandoah National Park outside Etlan, Virginia. That hike was a great mind-clearing exercise, given the rigor of the climb up and the steep descent. The mountain is one of the oldest in the world, and it’s right in my back yard. Sometimes the best medicine for too much “life” is to get out in nature, put one foot in front of the other, stop overthinking and take in the beauty. Mamagosnan (our Creator) has laid it all before us for the taking – I was fortunate to be able to take the day to enjoy it. Here are a few photos that capture some of the mountain’s magic.
As I write this, the CPN Legislature is reviewing the proposed CPN 2015 budget so I am spending time reviewing what’s been proposed and doing diligence. I bought the materials today to put together “hand game kits” for the folks attending the meeting in Houston, which I am attending at the invitation of Bob Whistler, the District #3 Rep. Since Houston is close to the border for a part of District #2 I’m hoping to meet up with some District #2 citizens at the meeting and look forward to instructing and playing the hand game during the meeting. (Basic instructions for the game are printed at http://potawatomi.org/news/top-stories/889-traditional-potawatomi-hand-game, along with an “equipment” photo.)
I am also working on the details for our Fall Feast, set for Saturday, November 22, 2014, starting at 11 am in the District #2 office in Washington, D.C. My hope is that Don Tenoso, Gaye’s kind husband, will be able to teach us moccasin making. Don, a Lakota Sioux, studied at the Institute for Native American Arts and is a renowned Sioux doll maker and puppeteer. (There is a wonderful photo of Don and some of his dolls at http://siarchives.si.edu/collections/siris_sic_7066 (I can’t reprint the photo in this column as it is owned/protected by the Smithsonian).) Don has been a “fixture” at our Fall Feasts with Gaye and always a great support as he knows how to make everything! It would be an honor to have him join us again, as a friend and a teacher, after Gaye’s recent passing. If Don’s schedule changes and he can’t make it, we will nonetheless have materials for a traditional craft or two, including materials for children. To keep up to date on the plans please check our private District #2 Facebook page, my Facebook events page, my website calendar and/or your email.
Here are some other dates to keep in mind:
Let’s keep in touch. If I don’t have your email, please send it to me! If you aren’t an email person, feel free to write a note or call me. I will get back with you.
Bama pi (til later),
Eva Marie Carney/Ojindiskwe (Bluebirdwoman)
Legislator, District #2
The Portrait Building, Suite 340
701 8th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001
Email: ecarney@potawatomi.org
Toll Free: 866-961-6988
Website: evamariecarney.com