Native American Performing Arts Initiative

As most of us know, is there a raising global need for diversity programming in our communities nationwide…this need has brought us to a threshold of many treasures and wide spanning programming, such as Ethnic and Cultural diversity festivals, different ethnic history months, to celebrate the diversity of this Nation, and all of it’s inhabitants…

We have Black History Month, we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday, Hispanic History Month, Cinco de Mayo, we are celebrating with a Puerto Rican Day parade annually in NYC, different ethnics have their prides and cultures represented in several ways, from days, to events to parades and Festivals such as the African American Cultural festival…we are educating our children on different holidays and cultures, such as Ramadan, Passover, Kwanza, just to name a few, we can go through neighborhoods, and clearly see, take in and taste our cultural diversities, as the growing number of merchants and businesses clearly and visibly show themselves to be openly available…
Even on Network Television, is this a now very normal phenomena…to see Bollywood programming, Italian news, Hispanic Network Television, Japanese game shows, Black Entertainment Networks etc. America has grown open and outwardly diverse and is clearly growing more so with each passing day…

But…

What about the Indigenous Ethnic group that is from this very soil, the Native American?



Native American culture is the very root of the United States existence, it’s contribution is the foundation literally speaking of the very soil that feeds all inhabitants of the United States, we built our homes on, run our businesses on, raise our families on…it is a Culture, of great history, noble, spiritually induced with deeply impacting reasoning’s, a Culture, that is beautiful, and courage’s, filled with a history of pride, and sadness…there are stories, languages, dances, foods, reasoning’s to be shared, it’s educational value is insurmountable…

So how is it, that most don’t know when American Indian Heritage month is, or how come that Diversity Programming, Entertainment, Events & Festivals hardly or sparsely include Native Americans?

How can this be? More so what can be done to change this?

Let’s start here and now to do just that…to do something about it and change it…


Allow yourself, along side of many Native Americans to bring this awareness into your area and help us in a combined effort, to stream this outwardly,

In the following will I leave you with certain information, to give you a taste of what has been missing within any community line up of programming arts, educational manifestos, and also describe, just how not only educationally stimulating but profitable this could proof to any venue recognizing this, and adding Native American Cultural Programming to their scheduled annual line-up.

Let’s begin by looking at this coming November…

We, as a Nation are at the threshold of making History within our Presidential Election in November 2008…who would have ever thought even 25 years ago that we as a Nation would actually witness the day where a minority and man of color is not only running for the presidency, but has a chance of becoming this Nations first African American President…
add to that, that November, also rings in the Holiday season, which every child is looking forward to, with the onset of Thanksgiving, a holiday directly linked to the Native American Culture and this countries recorded history ( however how many do actually know what that very day represents to Native Americans?…

You put these ingredients together and add wanting to have Native Americans perform & educate possibly in November 2008, and of course throughout the year, showcasing their art, dances, storytelling, music, etc. and all of this in their traditional way and dress, imagine…but also allowing for the native American to clearly exist in the here and now, within modern times and achievments!

What child, what family, what person, would not be completely taken in by this wonderful experience leading into, of the Holiday Season and beyond…also now paving a passage, for things to fall into place, for other things to come to neighborhoods throughout the country and abroad.

Such as annual festivals, that will include Native American culture by hosting possible Pow Wows at College / University Campuses, or park systems Nationwide…exposing patrons, to the ways from long ago of the people Indigenous to United States, their history, foods, dances, drumming, arts and crafts etc.

This type of programming is sure to draw crowds…also is this type of programming completely family friendly, as no Native American gathering allows for alcohol, or substances,

Which now brings me to this, from a business margin, is the profitability extremely high, as Native American culture has a novelty appeal, and oddly enough this appeal seems to be highest in the International markets…Moccasins are for instance a fashion statement…being revived into modern fashion almost every 2 years, as so with this year again…New Age Stores since their sprouting stages ongoingly draw profit on Native American herbs, such as sweet grass braids, sage and novelties for instance.

The music of the Native American is considered the number 1 Ambient Music globally speaking, specifically anything involving the flute…
Western décor has a wide spread international appeal from furnishings to blankets, so with western art, paintings, and Jewelry…which most of the jewelry that is available in stores such as silver and turquoise for instance, does not come from real Indian craftsmen.

At this point allow me to also educate a bit on how these types of events could actually also help Native Americans that perform, craft art etc. most people like with the rest of the above do not know, that the Native American is the lowest economically ranked Minority within this country,

It is a statistical fact that all of this Nations poorest places to live are all on Indian Reservations, meaning literally that today in 2008 there are places within this country where hundreds and hundreds of miles are in conditions that are classic to Third World Conditions which I have taken the liberty to add some web links pertaining to this to give examples in the following materials.

A lot of Native American Artists use their income; to help their families that are still living on these reservations…a lot of Native American artists, feed their children with the money generated from their dancing, drumming, craftsmanship’s etc. as it being a true way of life, and more times then not the only source of income…

This country, offers very little if anything at all, to not only +shine a light onto that part of this nations history, which the Native American is more so a part of then any other ethnic in this Nation, but it also would be very capable to uplift situations, that call for action, by funding that could be secured thru these types of programming and events.

Every journey begins with one step, and everyone will be remembered by the tracks that they leave…both of these are Native American wisdoms that are a motivating factor for me to try to bring awareness, with your help…

I now invite you to take a look at the following information thru web links, and also bios…
Allow yourself to take a journey into the lives of Native Americans, and consider how wonderful it could be to from time to time, have this available for people in our neighborhoods, your neighborhood to enjoy…

Most of the country does NOT implement native American Culture into diversity Programming…click thru you local channels on TV and check your local line-up at your Universities, Public Theaters and Media venues…and you will quickly find, that unless you are within a area where there is a “considered high number of Natives” programming is non existing or sparse at best!

To change this contact your local venues, ask them what they have planned for This November…ask your local cable provider, why there is no channel dedicated to Native American programming…ask your local Radio and TV station what their plans are to educate and pay tribute to the Native American…

If you are taken in by this, and if you feel, especially after having watched some of the videos about the Reservations…that you can agree with me…that Diversity must include those that called this place home long before many of us did…then please, pay it forward and if you like, contact me, and work with me and my many Native American brothers and sisters…to get their talent and uniqueness into ANY part of this country…

(c) Copyright Gaia Global Marketing




Pine Ridge Reservation SD

www.youtube.com/watch

Indian Teen Suicide rate is highest in the entire Nation!


www.youtube.com/watch

Poorest places to live in US still today Pine Ridge Reservation…

www.indianz.com/News/2007/002648.asp

Following are some attachments of just a few Native American artists that I am friends with.

These however being just a very small fraction of what can be presented, and what is available, there are artist, that tell, stories, dance, sing, drum, act, craftsmen and craftswomen, painters….the list is a beautiful winding path of endlessness…

Please consider the possibilities, and open your venues, budgets and media spaces for printed coverage to bring this part of history, diversity and culture to the fore.


Cherrie Richardson Collazo
Gaia Global Marketing
An Evolution in Freelance Marketing & PR Consulting
crichardson66@comcast.net
www.gaiaglobalmarketing.com
www.gaiaglobalmarketing.com/

www.gaiaglobalmarketing.blogspot.com

www.nativeamericantalent.blogspot.com

Tan si To All My Relation...
Over this past weekend I sat and finally reached a point to take my thoughts and give them voice, as some of you may know, do I work for a Dream of seeing American Indians to finally receive equal rights, voices, and visual acceptance within this countries Media...so I emailed what I am now openly sharing here...
PLEASE...if you are of American Indian lineage then add your voice to ours...I feel strongly that if we realize that our separatism, is the actual barrier of our lack of forward movement...then maybe, we can overcome the obstacles placed into our paths...and maybe at some point in time, we as a people will also be able to see the trees bare fruits again...of hopes and dreams, and aspirations...
It is no longer acceptable to sit by the dark corners of the room...complaining about the not being able to see...move to where the light comes thru and understand...that a conditioned mind, may just be what is the mental block...
Any other ethnic group...is advancing within their "boundaries"...because of not feeding into a separatism point of view...they say that today there are but only 2.5 Million American Indians / Native Americans within the continental United States...this literally means...that the majority of people feel that due to blood quantum...a card and Tribal affiliation...we are still being assimilated!
There are 100'ds of thousands of Americans...that carry "red" blood in their DNA...from past Slavery to the actual here and now...My father for instance was stationed in Germany during post war ocupation and after he passed in 1976...my mother chose for me and other siblings, to be educated in Germany, as a German & french woman this was her choice and right as a mother...
How many children do you think were fathered by American Indians that are / were out of wedlock...that possibly know of there lineage...but due to lack of paternal presence...other then knowing thru their mothers still are American Indian in part!
How many American Indian soldiers do you feel could have fathered children in foreign lands????? A valid question to raise, especially when one understands that the main given excuse for the lack of interested presence within the National Media to the American Indian is this;
What is YOUR DEMOGRAPHICS...excuse me....
American Indians have an ongoing story to share...with the world, from it's fundamental belief system, to it's ongoing genocide...and assimilation, This countries recorded History is based on many of unfilled holes, and simply put much as the bible interpretations...of certain individuals...
Our classrooms, still today do not teach...the fundamental essence of the key aspects of American Indian Influences, not only within governmental structures but overall lack of knowledge with regards to just how truly intertwined the American Indian is within not only the history of this country, but it's culture...reaching far beyond the borders of this Nation.
I truly feel that if people in general were to finally realize that by joining their minds, hearts and hands...we could see, that as with all Indigenous people there is unseen beauty...and once having come to that very threshold the heartbeat of this Nation could be heard much like the drums from long ago...
We will indeed be known by the tracks we leave...
what do you wear on your feet...if anything at all????
Tansi…..:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
My name is Cherrie
I along side of some others am attempting to bring global awareness to earth friendly and sustainable means of living, and being green…however am I also an advocate and voice for trying to be breaking the barriers of the lack of voices and actual presence of the American Indian in any type of broadcast media…example…when is the last time you turned your tv on to watch an American Indian Sitcom for instance??? Try never… is it not procurer that we can find most ethnics readily represented on television yet nothing about American Indians in the 21st Century at all, when is the last time you actually heard an American Indian artist clearly being broadcasted on the Radio… next, try going to a local music store and find American Indian Music…( unless it's Flute of course ) am I being sarcastic…of course I am.
When is the last time, you stood in line to see a movie on big screen mind you…that was not only American Indian Produced etc., but actually gave way to being in the here and now, and not the snapshot "biographies" that make it to the screen every blue moon…which were / are you aware that Dances with Wolves will now have a part 2… I am sure that it is also no big secret, that most of American Indian actors do receive roles…portraying anything but what they are, mainly Hispanics. The world is now on a "go green path" well if that is not American Indian…then I don't what is…so within this…
Today…I thought I would take the opportunity to contact you to point out to you a couple of web links that you may just find interesting enough, to reach out to…and within this possibly creating a flow of more and more Tribes and their affiliations to become what today still seems to be an unheard voice…would it not be wonderful, to finally be able to turn on any television and actually see American Indian TV…without Hollywood's glorified / romanticized versions? And even more so…would it not be simply put amazing…to understand fully, that every company that is now going "green" is literally just following in the ancient belief of a people that are imbedded in this soil…and other indigenous people's beliefs! Also would I like to add that it is extremely important to understand that we are by far 2.5 Million American Indians left within this country…which is one of the main reasons why National Broadcasting is making it so difficult for American Indian artist to become visual on any scale since the main reasoning that is giving usually is "what is your demographics?"
I would appreciate your input very much so…but even if I do not hear back from you…I urge you to check into the links I have attached…and possibly reach out to these venues!!!!
Thank You for your time…and sending only BEAUTY your way!!!
www.nativeenergy.com
www.americanindiantv.com
www.gaiapod.com
www.nativegreen.com

Now below are all the different venues I already emailed this to:
Confederate Salish & Kootenai Tribes Flathead Reservation www.cskt.org/
Three Affiliated Tribes Fort Berthold Reservation www.mhanation.com/main/main.html
Shinnecock Indian Nation Shinnecock Reservation www.shinnecocknation.com/powwow2004.asp
Lumbee Tribe www.lumbeetribe.com/index2.htm
BIA www.doi.gov/bureau-indian-affairs.html
Chumash Indian Tribe www.chumashindian.com/
Cherokee Nation www.cherokee.org/
Peqout Museum www.pequotmuseum.org/
..:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />National Museum Of The American Indian www.nmai.si.edu/
Native Energy www.nativeenergy.com
American Indian TV www.americanindiantv.com


These still have to be emailed

Go Native America Vacations gonativeamerica.homestead.com/Lak...html

Big East Native www.bigeastnative.com/native_...tory.php
PowWow.com www.powwows.com/
AIROS www.airos.org/
Gathering Of Nations www.gatheringofnations.com/
List of American Indian TV & Radio Programs www.americanindiantribe.com/gree...v.htm
NATV www.natv.org/
Native Television & Radio Broadcasting System Canada www.indigenouspeople.net/natradio.htm
Native Media Organization www.nativeculturelinks.com/media.html
NAPT www.nativetelecom.org/
Native Radio www.nativeradio.com/
The Native American Media www.nativeamericanmedia.org/
Native American Media Association www.sacredland.org/resource...edia.html
Earth Songs www.earthsongs.net
Native American Business Listings lone-eagles.com/na-business.htm
The Native American Business Alliance www.native-american-bus.org/

The Rainer Maria Rilke Archive
A Collection of Selected Poetry and Quotations


www.geocities.com/Paris/LeftBank/4027/



This has to be one of my favorite Poets, I simply love his reasoning’s and outward flow of emotional thoughts.
I invite you to visit the link I’ve provided to take in some of this Spirits beauty…Enjoy


For one human being to love another;
That is the most difficult of all our tasks;
The ultimate, the last test of proof,
The work, for which all other work,
Is but preparation.” ~ Rainer Maria Rilke ~



Rainer Maria Rilke (4 December 1875 – 29 December 1926) is considered one of the German language's greatest 20th century poets. His haunting images focus on the difficulty of communion with the ineffable in an age of disbelief, solitude, and profound anxiety — themes that tend to position him as a transitional figure between the traditional and the modernist poets.
He wrote in both verse and a highly lyrical prose. His two most famous verse sequences are the Sonnets to Orpheus and the Duino Elegies; his two most famous prose works are the Letters to a Young Poet and the semi-autobiographical The Notebooks of Malte Laurids Brigge. He also wrote more than 400 poems in French, dedicated to his homeland of choice, the canton of Valais in Switzerland.

Tansi To all Global Relation...
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Blossom of A Thousand Petals
You are like an exquisite blossom,
with talents ready to unfold.
You have a thousand petals,
unfurling to gently behold.


Each petal has a story,
whispering in your ear.
Amazing in its wisdom,
that you can finally hear.


The blossom is quite special,
for it won't wilt or die.
It draws upon energy,
from the universe beyond the sky.


It shows much strength and beauty,
in a calm and peaceful way.
Each petal joins together,
in a lovely, unique display.


Pressing softly to your heart,
feel the love it gives.
When a thousand times magnified,
it will show you how to live.


And when you feel the blossom,
connect joyfully with your soul.
You'll realize its thousand petals,
teach lessons how to be whole.



About the Author
This poem was written by Margaret Jang, who has been channelling inspirational guidance/teachings from Spirit, in poetry format since 2002. Margaret is a healing facilitator for Reiki & gemstone therapy and is also an instructor offering courses and workshops for Reiki, gemstone healing & psychic/soul development. She resides in Vancouver, BC and may be contacted at www.onesourcelearn.com or phone 604-879-7201.