ElectricBrave's Tribal Storytime

Dj Tribe New Album

electricbrave — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:50:51 GMT

DJ Tribe new album "Gaia Evolution" on Gaiapod.com featuring new hit single "You are the angel". We are a Native American Electronic Lounge band with a twist of fate. We have been building a relationship with world peace and healing vibrations for over ten years. Also had the opportunity to play at Burning man and the south west including California, our favorite was Hawaii. Thank you family for supporting us on our journey back home. You can find us on face book and we will be gearing up for our new Album in the first part of the year. Stop by and support our cause for goodness and Metropolis worldwide )'( You can find us on iTunes and Reverb Nation!

‘Next Step’ from Ben Carnes, Leonard Peltier DOC Leadership Team

electricbrave — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 22:21:20 GMT

Friends, This message is from Ben Carnes, Support Group Coordinator and National Spokesperson I wish to offer my personal thanks to everyone for your continuous work and dedication. I was at my computer Friday morning when my google alert brought me the first news of the denial, and then I received an email from Wanbli containing the same news. It was like the dam busted, I received several hundred within the first hour and a half from many of you expressing your sense of outrage at the injustice done to Leonard. One of my friends wrote something to the effect that a new movement was born today. I really want to see this and so does Leonard, I know we can all agree the White House needs to feel it. So what is it going to take? It is going to take everything we got – 101%! And trust me – this kind of commitment demands sacrifices and you will be challenged for your stand on this principle. When Leonard was convicted, the late Lew Gurwitz stated, “This is a case that is not going to go away!” Lew lived his words traveling and sleeping in his car to create the awareness of this case. When he passed on, his brother Shep took up the cause. There are many of us who have been here supporting Leonard for years. Last year, we made a commitment to do what we can to bring Leonard home before his birthday next month. We have less than three weeks to really put our hearts into this, and some of us have personal responsibilities and burdens to overcome and it comes down to making some hard decisions. It isn’t going to be easy. So as a National Branch Support Group Coordinator, I want to ask everyone if they would consider again forming a branch support group in your area. We have a lot of organizing and networking to do with the clock ticking. We have to overcome the media turning a blind eye to Leonard’s plight. They are more than happy to spread detrimental news of his parole, as you have noticed recently. Let’s turn this into something positive for us, each of you can write letters to the editor in your local respective paper. Sit down and write a letter expressing your disgust and outrage. As most everyone has heard, the White House phone lines were shut down today immediately after the news came out. The fact they shut down the lines is proof of how they were overwhelmed. You know that was brought to the presidents’ attention. I hope he leaned back in his chair and looked out the window of the Oval Office, and really thought that day about Leonard Peltier. And how much he obviously means to the people to shut down his hi-tech phone system. And relatives, we only flinch! We’ve known the system has not treated Peltier fairly in the 33 years of his imprisonment. Imagined what would happened if we shouted? So yes, we need a revitalized and disciplined movement, not only for Peltier or other native prisoners, but also for all of us. Once, we were a movement of people who traveled around the country to help put out fires of racism, greed and abuse. We have learned a lot from those days of protesting, civil disobedience or conducting roadblocks and occupations of government offices some valuable lessons. We also know that we are now in the day of hi-tech surveillance capabilities and out of control police powers. We don’t need more people going to jail. The government is doing a good job as it is, so be mindful of what you do and say, but always speak from the heart and act with your conscience. Don’t allow oppression to silence your voice of dissent – not now. When there is a call to action, we can be more effective in organizing in our own communities, you know what resources are available to you there and it is going to take solidarity actions across this country, including developing media contacts, mainstream/alternative, in your locale. That is a good place to start because we will grow in numbers quickly, whereas, if we attempted to travel across country at great expense, then we may cut our participating numbers down dramatically. Those of us who have been doing the work had to start alone or we might have had help, but we all started somewhere. We had to, just as we have to keep building this up. So for now, go to www.whoisleonardpeltier.in fo and fill out the application to form a Leonard Peltier Branch Support Group (city or state), and then Monday morning, your first action is to ring the phone off the hooks at the White House, and start recruiting your friends and other organizations to follow this course of action. Do this as often as possible throughout the day, everyday. We’ve been saying that we wanted to start a prairie fire of outrage to the Oval Office of the White House for Peltier, and now we have cause. Leonard Peltier should not have to spend one more birthday in prison for something the government admits they cannot prove. Offer your prayers to the Creator to give you guidance, then join this international movement for our brother and lets bring him home. Email completed application: bencarnes@eaglecouncil.com & wanbli@gvtc.com. We’ve got some work to do now. In the Spirit of Crazy Horse and Leonard Peltier, Ben Carnes

Executive Clemency for Leonard Peltier

electricbrave — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 15:05:35 GMT

President Barack Obama The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington, DC 20500 Dear Mr. President, Leonard Peltier, an innocent man, was convicted for the 1975 shooting deaths of two agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. U.S. prosecutors have repeatedly admitted that they did not and cannot prove Peltier’s guilt and the appellate courts have cited numerous instances of investigative and prosecutorial misconduct in this case. As late as November 2003, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals acknowledged that “Much of the government’s behavior at the Pine Ridge Reservation and its prosecution of Mr. Peltier is to be condemned. The government withheld evidence. It intimidated witnesses. These facts are not disputed.” The courts claim they lack the power to right this wrong. But, as President, you can. In this case, your concern should be for equal treatment. From the time of Peltier’s conviction until the mid-1990s, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the average length of imprisonment served for homicide in the United States ranged from 94 to 99.8 months. Even if you were to take Peltier’s two consecutive life sentences into account at the higher end of this range, it is clear that Peltier should have been released a very long time ago. His continued imprisonment after over 30 years appears to be nothing less than revenge for a crime Mr. Peltier did not commit. Personalized and politically motivated vengeance of this kind cannot be tolerated. The concepts of justice and good government require that you act to correct this wrong. Peltier has served his time. Even by the government’s own definition, he has already been imprisoned for a lifetime. In that time, he has missed the simplest things of ordinary life�having dinner with friends, taking walks in the woods, gardening, children’s laughter, dogs barking, the feel of rain on his face, the sound of birds singing… winter and summer and spring and fall. He has missed seeing his children and grandchildren grow up. They suffer, too. Mr. Peltier is now a great-grandfather. How many more generations must suffer this tragedy? After careful consideration of the facts in Mr. Peltier’s case, we have concluded that Leonard Peltier does not represent a risk to the public. First, Mr. Peltier has no prior convictions and has advocated for non-violence throughout his prison term. Furthermore, Mr. Peltier has been a model prisoner. He has received excellent evaluations from his work supervisors on a regular basis. He continues to mentor young Native prisoners, encouraging them to lead clean and sober lives. He has used his time productively, disciplining himself to be a talented painter and an expressive writer. Although Mr. Peltier maintains that he did not kill the agents, he has openly expressed remorse and sadness over their deaths. Most admirably, Mr. Peltier contributes regular support to those in need. He donates his paintings to charities including battered women’s shelters, half way houses, alcohol and drug treatment programs, and Native American scholarship funds. He also coordinates an annual gift drive for the children of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservationa successful program that, in 2006, expanded to include other reservations throughout the country. Leonard Peltier is widely recognized in the human rights community for his good deeds and in turn has won several human rights awards including the North Star Frederick Douglas Award; Federation of Labour (Ontario, Canada) Humanist of the Year Award; Human Rights Commission of Spain International Human Rights Prize; and 2004 Silver Arrow Award for Lifetime Achievement. Mr. Peltier also has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize six times. Leonard Peltier is over 60 years old and his health is deteriorating. He has suffered a stroke which left him partially blind in one eye. For many years, Peltier had a seriously debilitating jaw condition which left him unable to chew properly and caused consistent pain and headaches. Today, Mr. Peltier continues to suffer from diabetes, high blood pressure, and a heart condition. He risks blindness, kidney failure, stroke, and certainly premature death given his diet, living conditions, and health care. We, the undersigned, say enough is enough, Mr. President. Do the right thing. Grant Executive Clemency to Leonard Peltier right away. Thank you for giving fair consideration to Leonard Peltier

6 more days left for Leonard Peltier, parole hearing JULY 28th

electricbrave — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 15:38:32 GMT

Today is July 22st…6 more days til the hearing on July 28th. Kari Ann Cowan, Leonard’s niece and LP DOC staffer asks that we call the White House comment line and advocate for parole for Leonard. Just leave a message stating you are in support of parole for Leonard Peltier. 202 456 1111 Regarding next week – I will be out of town, but I am assuming I will have access to a computer one way or another, and will update you, especially on the 28th, as I have information. If I cannot get internet access, and you do not hear from me, please check the LP DOC web site for updates at www.whoisleonardpeltier.info . Always a good idea anyway, as the LP DOC web site usually has the latest information out first. Staff at the LP DOC talk with Leonard each and every day. The time for freedom is now…I know many people are lighting candles, burning sage etc for Leonard. Thank you friends…Peace. Thank you for your support. It is needed now more than ever. You all have been extraordinary and please know we, and especially Leonard, are filled with gratitude for all you have done for him. Breathe…we are about to make history… Billie & the LP DOC Leadership team

GAIAPOD LAUNCHES EARTH FRIENDLY BROADCAST ON EARTH DAY APRIL 22, 2009

electricbrave — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 20:24:02 GMT

GAIA TV visits the Largest Native American Gathering; Celebration of Music, Art & Culture: The Gathering of Nations Powwow Albuquerque, NM – April 22, 2009 – GAIAPOD Launches it’s website at GAIAPOD.COM on Earth Day, April 22, 2009. GAIAPOD.COM offers multiple channels focused on Earth/Eco Sustainability and Native American Culture. Music videos are featured from artists in both the Eco or GREEN arena and Native America. GAIAPOD honors Native America and indigenous people as caretakers of the Earth Mother and the worlds first GREEN living people. The main channel is GAIA TV, produced by GAIAPOD. GAIA TV is an ongoing broadcast featuring the newest in clean energy products, sciences, discoveries, and GREEN culture. On Earth Day at 12:00 pm Mountain Time, GAIA TV will go LIVE with a special audio visual web cast performed by New Mexico VJ/DJ act DJ TRIBE. Their Earth Day performance is their artistic gift for the Earth, GAIA!. Also, GAIA TV will be attending the world’s largest gathering of Native American and indigenous people. The event will take place in Albuquerque, NM between April 23 and 25, 2009 at The 26th Annual Gathering of Nations, the most prominent Native American powwow in the world. Many of the artists as well as the event itself have been making GREEN efforts to reduce their carbon footprint and GAIA TV intends to share their story with their audience. If you’d like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with GAIAPOD, please call Pony Vigil at 505-508-3948 or e-mail Pony at electricbrave@gmail.com

I am so OUTRAGED!

electricbrave — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 18:47:24 GMT

My brother Leonard was severely beaten upon his arrival at the Canaan Federal Penitentiary. When he went into population after his transfer, some inmates assaulted him. The severity of his injuries is that he suffered numerous blows to his head and body, receiving a large bump on his head, possibly a concussion, and numerous bruises. Also, one of his fingers is swollen and discolored and he has pain in his chest and ribcage. There was blood everywhere from his injuries. We feel that prison authorities at the prompting of the FBI orchestrated this attack and thus, we are greatly concerned about his safety. It may be that the attackers, whom Leonard did not even know, were offered reduced sentences for carrying out this heinous assault. Since Leonard is up for parole soon, this could be a conspiracy to discredit a model prisoner. He was placed in solitary confinement and only given one meal, this is generally done when you won't name your attackers; incidentally being only given one meal seriously jeopardizes his health because of his diabetes. Prison officials refuse to release any info to the family, but they need to hear from his supporters to protect his safety, as does President Obama. His attorneys are trying to get calls into him now. This attack on Leonard comes on the heels of the FBI's recent letter, prompting this attack by FBI supporters as an attempt to discredit Leonard as a model prisoner. Anyone who has been in the prison system knows well that if you refuse to name your attackers or file charges against them, then you lose your status as a victim and/or given points against your possible parole and labeled as a perpetrator. It is not uncommon, in fact is quite common for the government to use Indian against Indian and they still operate under the old adage "it takes an Indian to catch an Indian". In 1978, they made an attempt to assassinate him through another Indian man who was also at Marion prison with Leonard. But Standing Deer chose to reveal the plot to him instead of taking his life in exchange FOR A CHANCE AT FREEDOM. When Standing Deer was released in 2001, he joined the former Leonard Peltier Defense Committee as a board member. He also began to speak on Leonard's behalf until his murder six years ago today. Prior to his murder, Standing Deer confided with close friends and associates that the same man who visited him in Marion to assassinate Peltier, had came to Houston, TX and told him that he had better stay away from Peltier and anything to do with him. We are aware that currently, the FBI is actively seeking support for the continued imprisonment of Leonard Peltier and also seeking support from Native People. So please be aware, and keep Leonard in your prayers. The FBI is apparently afraid of the impact we are having. If they will set him up to blemish his record just before a parole hearing, what will they do when it looks like his freedom will become a reality? We need to make sure that nothing happens to him again! Please write the President, send it priority or registered mail. Email to Change.gov or email President Obama. Call your congressional representatives and write letters, not email, to them. Do what you can to get the word out to insure that Leonard is receiving adequate medical attention for his injuries. I am asking you, supporters of Leonard and advocates of justice at this time to help. I don't know what else to do. Please Help! Thank you Betty Peltier-Solano Executive Coordinator Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee whoisleonardpeltier.info Also call and request Leonard be treated with dignity and respect. Canaan Federal Prison 570-488-8000

Feng Shui tips for Year of the OX

electricbrave — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 04:32:43 GMT

In these uncertain times, Tee Lin Say talks to Feng Shui experts Joey Yap and Geraldine Goh for their take on investing in the Year of the OX. Joey Yap Founder and Master trainer of the Mastery Academy of Chinese Metaphysics< Celebrity feng shui master Joey Yap isn’t just celebrated for his ability to enthrall a crowd of audience with his hillarious feng shui tips and analyze a person’s Destiny Code. The predictions made by Yap in the year of the Rat have been rather accurate. Readers who had heeded the forecasts made by Yap in the BizWeek issue of Feb 9, 2008 would have thrived. Yap correctly predicted that the second half of the year would be worst off, and one should be holding cash come end 2008. He also predicted that oil prices would start their downtrend after the second half. Hence, what does the master has to say about the Year of the Ox? Unfortunately, it isn’t good, as the world’s financial problems are far from over. Why, it’s merely serving starters. Yap is quick to say that it’s not doom and gloom as opportunities abound. “(The year) 2009 will see the year of the Earth Ox in an earth cycle. As it is earth, what we see is stagnation, and the image is one of a pile of mud,” says Yap. He foresees dirt emerging, or rather, past mistakes coming to haunt. This is the year to address problems created in the past. Yap sees volatility in markets, dissatisfaction with how things are done, and retrenchment without reason. “It will be a daunting year. We haven’t really reached the peak of the problems yet. We are probably one third through this difficult cycle. We haven’t tasted the main dish, and will most likely experience it during the second half of the year. Desert will probably be nearer towards the year-end,” he sums up. Nonetheless, Yap says not to fret as this is a nescessary cleansing for better times to come. “It will get worse, but it won’t be bad for everyone. It’s not good for things which have metal elements – financials being the main theme. Metal is seen to be covered by earth, with a lot of dirt piling on it. Therefore, the financial industry won’t prosper this year.” Yap foresees the first half of 2009 as being “all right”, while the second half will see deterioration. more on this subject http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/1/3/business/2899587&sec=business

Today's Outlook:

electricbrave — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 19:15:02 GMT

Today's emotional Pisces Moon may not be as sensitive as expected because it conjoins rebellious Uranus and opposes authoritative Saturn. We are reminded once again of the tension between the steady old ways of Saturn and the progressive new ways of Uranus. We hope that our circumstances don't change for the worse, yet we are afraid that they will. Nevertheless, we may believe that anything is possible if we can simply awaken everyone to the truth.

3,2,1,1, Happy New Year!

electricbrave — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 18:49:16 GMT

Our view: Nature trumps technology for just a second, and that's good news January 1, 2009 Just when you thought you couldn't stand another minute of 2008, the world's timekeepers made it longer. Yesterday, in the blink of an eye, they added an extra second to place official clocks in sync with the planet's rotation. The problem is that while atomic clocks tick on with annoying precision, Earth's rotational spin is actually slowing down, extending the solar day. The last leap second was added Dec. 31, 2005. If clocks weren't reset, future generations could eventually face early morning sunsets and find themselves cheering the New Year's Eve ball dropping in the bright sunshine. While most of us never noticed yesterday's tiny shuffle, any number of high-tech businesses, such as cell phone companies and satellite communications operators, routinely slice time into even smaller segments, and some find the periodic addition of a leap second annoying. Some have even advocated replacing it with a much less frequent leap minute, a move that would pass this problem, like so many others, along to future generations. But we favor keeping the leap second right where it is, a friendly reminder that, like aging editorial writers, Earth is slowing, just a bit.

Now is the time for change! You can help!

electricbrave — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 18:38:32 GMT

Pardon or Commutation for Leonard Peltierhttp://blog.foreignpolicy.com/files/images/080211_change.jpg President Obama should pardon or commute the sentence of Leonard Peltier as a gesture toward improving relations with Native Americans and all the diverse groups that now populate this country, in preparation for a resolution of longstanding conflicts that hinder the realization of our collective potential. Leonard Peltier was convicted of being a participant in an insurrection in which two FBI agents were killed in 1975. He has been a model prisoner and contributed to humanitarian efforts during his time in prison, and he has openly expressed remorse and sadness over the deaths of the two men. Leonard Peltier is widely recognized in the human rights community for his good deeds and in turn has won several human rights awards including the North Star Frederick Douglas Award; Federation of Labour (Ontario, Canada) Humanist of the Year Award; Human Rights Commission of Spain International Human Rights Prize; and 2004 Silver Arrow Award for Lifetime Achievement. In 2004, 2006, 2007, and again in 2008, Mr. Peltier also was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Mr. Peltier is now over 60 years of age -- a great-grandfather -- and suffers from partial blindness, diabetes, a heart condition, and high blood pressure. Rather than presenting a threat to the public, Mr. Peltier's release would help to heal a wound that has long impeded better relations between the federal government and American Indians. Mr. Peltier deserves to be reunited with his family and allowed to live the remaining years of his life in peace. - Jim Giddings (researcher and peace activist) Dec 05 @ 09:46AM PST http://www.change.org/ideas/view/pardon_or_commutation_for_leonard_peltier

2008 Will Be Just a Second Longer

electricbrave — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 17:44:34 GMT

By Andrea Thompson, Senior Writer posted: 08 December 2008 03:08 pm ET On Dec. 31 this year, your day will be just a second longer. Like the more well-known time adjustment, the leap year, a "leap second" is tacked on to clocks every so often to keep them correct. Earth's trip around the sun — our year with all its seasons — is about 365.2422 days long, which we round to 365 to keep things simpler. But every four years, we add 0.2422 x 4 days (that's about one day) at the end of the month of February (extending it from 28 to 29 days) to fix the calendar. Likewise, a "leap second" is added on to our clocks every so often to keep them in synch with the somewhat unpredictable nature of our planet's rotation, the roughly 24-hour whirl that brings the sun into the sky each morning. Historically, time was based on the mean rotation of the Earth relative to celestial bodies and the second was defined from this frame of reference. But the invention of atomic clocks brought about a definition of a second that is independent of the Earth's rotation and based on a regular signal emitted by electrons changing energy state within an atom. In 1970, an international agreement established two timescales: one based on the rotation of the Earth and one based on atomic time. The problem is that the Earth is very gradually slowing down, continually throwing the two timescales out of synch, so every so often, a "leap second" has to be tacked on to the atomic clock. The International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service is the organization that monitors the difference in the two timescales and calls for leap seconds to be inserted or removed when necessary. Since 1972, leap seconds have been added at intervals varying from six months to seven years — the most recent was inserted on Dec. 31, 2005. In the United States, the U.S. Naval Observatory and the National Institute of Standards and Technology keep time for the country. The Naval Observatory keeps the Department of Defense's Master Clock, an atomic clock located in Washington, D.C. The new extra second will be added on the last day of this year at 23 hours, 59 minutes and 59 seconds Coordinated Universal Time — 6:59:59 pm Eastern Standard Time. Mechanisms such as the Internet-based Network Time Protocol and the satellite-based Global Positioning System (GPS) depend on the accurate time kept by atomic clocks.

Who will free Leonard Peltier

electricbrave — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 02:29:27 GMT

Pass it ON

CALL FOR ACTION

electricbrave — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 04:34:13 GMT

People of Rosebud http://www.worldwatch.org/system/files/images/e2/HopiReservation_Cameron.jpg Pine Ridge Reservations in Need of Emergency Assistance Following Severe Blizzard & Weather Conditions Children, Elderly, Disabled, and Sick In Need of Heat and Winter Necessities “About 60% of the Elders on Pine Ridge have sole custody of their grandchildren or great-grandchildren so there are often small children in the home, also at risk.” NAMA Committed to Assisting Throughout Winter Season The Native American Music Association, N.A.M.A., http://www.tanasijournal.com/main/images/stories/permission_all/native-american-music-awards.png a non profit 501(c)(3), (Fed Id# 13-4032761) is heeding the requests of NAMAPAAH Radio and is joining in the effort to provide emergency clothing, and heating/utility assistance for the Elders, children, the disabled, and the sick on the Rosebud & Pine Ridge Reservations in South Dakota throughout this Winter season. N.A.M.A. is calling upon its international membership to make a donation in which ALL funds will go directly to providing clothing to local churches and schools on the Reservations as well as emergency heating/utility assistance determined by the application process of the Link Center Foundation’s primary program. N.A.M.A. is also building a task force consisting of Winners, Nominees & Volunteer Staff in South Dakota to assist in filing emergency applications for those most in need of heat and Winter clothing on the Pine Ridge and Rosebud Reservations. The current goal is to raise over $15,000.00 in donations which will provide all current application approved households with several weeks of emergency propane and winter clothing. Fuel vendors will be paid directly. A list of fuel vendors is available for those interested. Additionally, an open line of communication is available with Propane companies in the event they refer an emergency recipient, i.g, , Lakota Plains Propane Co. on Pine Ridge. Assistance is provided in the order applications are received or in cases of dire or life-threatening emergencies which then take precedence. Propane is currently running about $2.20 to $2.50 per gallon. Fuel costs have risen about 33% in the last year. The various propane companies are requiring $120-$150 minimum purchase per delivery. Sadly, some of the elders in the back country (many of whom take care of their grandchildren) don’t get into towns or local CAP offices and often miss out on obtaining emergency applications or even knowing about them. We can be of help to them!!! And most importantly, we want to be assured that the assistance goes directly to those most in need. While need is everywhere, particularly at this time of crisis, there are no greater needs than those of the Elders, children, disabled, and ill on these reservations. They have the lowest income, the least ability to gain funds, and often suffer from such serious health issues as to be severely impaired by the cold. Even worse, for the most part, they are the least able to travel to get assistance or to get someplace that might be warm. Moreover, according to the last Federal census, about 60% of the Elders on Pine Ridge have sole custody of their grandchildren or great-grandchildren so there are often small children in the home, also at risk. http://www.legendsofamerica.com/photos-nativeamerican/PineRidgeReservation.jpg We are depending on YOU, the individual donor, to help us help these families in crisis. DONATE NOW through N.A.M.A.’s website. FACTS: Average income on the Oglala Lakota Sioux Pine Ridge Reservation is about $3,500.00 per YEAR. Jobs are extremely scarce; unemployment hovers around 85% on this 11,000-square-mile reservation which houses about 40,000 people. The other Lakota Reservations face similar economic conditions. Death by hypothermia is always a concern on the reservations. Each winter (October – March), temperatures drop well below 0*F. Many families must choose between food and heat. In some cases, they have neither. Federal LHEAP and Tribal Assistance Programs offer each low-income family approximately $300 per year. With the current rate of propane at $2.20 per gallon, this provides only 136 gallons – about enough fuel for 2 to 4 weeks (depending on the harsh weather). For more information on the LCF Elder heating/utility application process, feel free to visit the Link Center Foundation, www.linkcenterfoundation.org. A list of ministries, churches and schools to directly send clothing, blankets, boots, etc is available by request via email; Nammys@aol.com Let’s help ASAP. It is just unacceptable to have third world country conditions in the middle of America! We need to help them not only during this crisis, but throughout the entire Winter Season. Please make a donation by clicking the donate button on the Native American Music Awards’ website, ”Special Programs” page. Media References: http://www.blogtalkradio.com http://www.rapidcityjournal.com By Kayla Gahagan, Journal Staff November 9th, 2008 www.NDNnews.com by: Tamra Brennan November 15th, 2008 ——————————————————————————– NOTE FROM NAMA’S FOUNDER The Native American Music Awards & Association would like to assist those on Pine Ridge & Rosebud with their winter crisis. The inspiration for our entire organization, was given to us by the youth on Rosebud and Pine Ridge over 12 years ago. We are well aware of the difficulties and conditions facing those on Pine Ridge and Rosebud and it would be a wonderful effort for myself and our organization to come full circle and assist those there that are most in need. Not only in this crisis - but on a continuing basis. It just amazes me at times that the mainstream or others throughout the world do not realize we still have third world country conditions existing in the middle of America. Without Rosebud or Pine Ridge, there would be no NAMMYS today, and it is imperative that we make others aware of the hardships the Lakota face. We believe we have secured the best possible methods to offer the most direct assistance and reach those most in need, whether its money, diapers, toys, food, water, etc. We look forward to your assistance. Visit our website www.nativeamericanmusicawards.com the Special Programs Page to make your donation now. In Unity, Ellen Bello NAMA President & Founder 212 228 8300

PeaceTV

electricbrave — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:11:59 GMT

Quote of the Moment: "If in our daily life we can smile, if we can be peaceful and happy, not only we, but everyone will profit from it. This is the most basic kind of peace work." ~Thich Nhat Hanh Launched on 8-8-08, MyPeace.TV is a social networking site for people to Unify and Co-create Peace through Media. Join Us ( it's free :) ). We are also a strategic partner and proud sponsor of Peace.TV, a social networking site for people to Unite in broadcasting Commercials and Public Service Announcements for Peace.

Ozone hole the size of North America

electricbrave — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:55:50 GMT

"The blue and purple colours represent the area with the least ozone. Photo / NASA" The Antarctic ozone hole grew to the size of North America in September, the fifth largest recorded in nearly 30 years. The information released yesterday by the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said the ozone hole fluctuated in response to temperature and sunlight. It had grown to the size of North America in a one-day maximum in September, making it the fifth largest since NOAA satellite records began in 1979. The primary cause of the ozone hole was human-produced compounds called chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs, which released ozone-destroying chlorine and bromine into the atmosphere. Earth's protective ozone layer acted like a giant umbrella, blocking the sun's ultraviolet-B rays. Though banned for the past 21 years to reduce their harmful build-up, CFCs still took many decades to dissipate. The NOAA scientists found that colder than average temperatures in the stratosphere played a part in allowing the ozone hole to develop more fully this year. Nasa satellites measured the maximum area of this year's ozone hole at 27.2 million sq km and 6.4 km deep on September 12. Bryan Johnson, a scientist at NOAA's Earth System Research Laboratory in Boulder, Colorado, which monitors ozone, ozone-depleting chemicals and greenhouse gases around the globe, said weather was the most important factor in the fluctuation of the size of the hole from year to year. "How cold the stratosphere is and what the winds do determine how powerfully the chemicals can perform their dirty work." Greg Bodeker, Niwa principal scientist, told the Herald the ozone hole was shrinking, but very slowly. He said the chemicals that mostly depleted ozone, chlorine and bromine, were decreasing at about 1 per cent a year but there were annual variations. Dr Bodeker said it was estimated that ozone would return to 1980 levels in the next 60 to 70 years. Increases in greenhouse gases had contributed to the problem as they trapped infra-red radiation which warmed up the lower atmosphere, or troposphere, up to 15km altitude. The upper atmosphere, or stratosphere, became cooler as a result, which promoted Antarctic ozone depletion and delayed the recovery of the ozone hole.

Moving the tribe to gaia

electricbrave — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 15:59:07 GMT

I am making this page for all of us to unite and keep the fire lit. We can do all the same things we do here and more... http://pods.gaia.com/tribe

Recent Uploads tagged burningman2008, with geodata

electricbrave — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 20:33:54 GMT

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=BLACK+ROCK+CITY,+NV+2008&sll=40.769167,-119.22286&sspn=0.030909,0.052829&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=14

The planetary tides pull in opposite

electricbrave — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 15:15:53 GMT

August 15, 2008 Today's Outlook: The planetary tides pull in opposite directions today as the intelligent Aquarius Moon waxes toward tomorrow's intense Lunar Eclipse. The Sun's opposition to nebulous Neptune spaces us out by activating our fantasies. But rational Mercury joins restrictive Saturn, requiring us to keep our feet on the ground when our heads are in the clouds. Although we are tempted to avoid the truth, instant karma can get us if we don't pay attention to the facts.

TV Free Burning Man

electricbrave — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 18:31:27 GMT

is the first pirate TV station capable of reaching 52 million homes world wide by taking over the airwaves of Current TV. Throughout the week long Burning Man event held in the Black Rock Desert, NV, participants are empowered to take the media messages coming out of Burning Man into their own hands - literally. Broadcasting in real time, TV Free Burning Man aims to capture the essence of this annual festival dedicated to radical self expression and self reliance through the eyes of those who attend. Coverage includes multiple pods and video "Postcards from the Playa" that are beamed via satellite from the event each day as well as live, commercial free coverage of the event's signature happening, the burning of the Man. link: http://current.com/topics/76253382_tv_free_burning_man

Welcome to Burning Man Earth LET'S DO IT AGAIN PLEASE )'(

electricbrave — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 18:27:31 GMT

Mapping the Cultural Genome Would you like to fly over Black Rock City, zoom to your favorite theme camp, zip out to deep-playa art installations, and connect with your fellow participants, year round? Welcome to Burning Man Earth: a 3D virtual representation of Black Rock City as it existed any given year. It's available year round, so you can learn what was done, how, and connect with who made it happen. Burning Man Earth is a mapping of the Burning Man cultural genome. What you see here is in its embryonic phase ... we have populated BRC with the basics: the city layout, infrastructural buildings, the Man, art installations, and porta potties. To reach its full potential, Burning Man participants must populate this virtual city just as we do the real-world BRC. Just send us a "placemark" (which might contain your location, photograph, information, etc.), and/or an image of your camp or art installation, and we'll include it in Burning Man Earth (learn more below). Note: The following files are simply the beginning for this year's event. Additional files, extending the scope, will be made available on this site, and automatically through the Network Link. In the near future, we will be adding previous year's events as a permanent archive. They will be available for review (and contribution) using a "Time Slider". Get Started: Follow These Easy Steps 1. Download and install the latest version of Google Earth. 2. Download and open the network link file to be transported to Black Rock City, 2007! 3. For best results, uncheck "Terrain" in the left column under "Layers". To activate this 2007 overlay, open the drop down box for "Burning Man 2007" and select the desired resolution (none, low or medium). Unless checked, you will only see the default image of Black Rock City 2006. 4. Finally, add images of your theme camp or art installation (see below). Additonal Data Sets * Black Rock City, 2006 Data * Geomapped "What, Where, When" Events for 2006 * Black Rock City Post Office * Conexus Cathedral * Camp Modules that you can use to build your virtual camp Send Us Your Theme Camp or Art Installation Placemark! 1. Find your camp or art installation location in Burning Man Earth. 2. Click "Add Placemark". 3. Provide your theme camp or installation name, and any details you'd like. 4. Then, right-click on your new placemark in the "Places" window, and send it to bmanearth (at) burningman (dot) com. 5. Optionally (and ideally), attach to the email a photograph or a 3D image of your camp using SketchUp. Please keep the file size (number of polygons) to a minimum! 6. You can also download 3D models of common camp elements so you can build your virtual camp and send that to us. More Information and Resources System Requirements: this version of Burning Man Earth requires a lot of system memory and a high end video processor. You can tune the performance of Google Earth ... learn how. We are also working on a version that will perform better on lower-end computers ... stay tuned for that. * Google Earth Homepage * About Google Earth * Creating 3D Images with SketchUp Please send questions, comments or suggestions to bmanearth (at) burningman (dot) com. let's do this again for all the family that won't be able to make it! saving energy and making others day a bit hotter )'(

Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price

electricbrave — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 03:24:27 GMT

I KNOW THERE IS ALLOT OF US WHO USE THIS PLACE FOR OUR BRC CAMP OUT. WELL. LET US TRY TO SUPPORT OUR LOCAL STORES THIS YEAR. MAYBE EVEN GO TO A USED GOODS STORE OR YARD SALES OR LETS US START TRADING HERE @ TRIBE.NET AND SELL WHAT WE DO NOT NEED TO OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS WHO ARE GOING THIS YEAR. .MAKE IT PART OF YOUR YEAR LONG PLAN FOR THE FAMILY PICNIC. LOVE YOU ALL, BUT LET'S TRY TO MAKE THINGS RIGHT IN THE WORLD.. Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price is the documentary film sensation that's changing the largest company on earth. The film features the deeply personal stories and everyday lives of families and communities struggling to survive in a Wal-Mart world. It's an emotional journey that will challenge the way you think, feel... and shop. Released simultaneously in theaters and DVD in November 2005, the film has been seen by millions worldwide. Families, churches, schools, and small busineses owners have screened the film over 10,000 times and the world is taking notice. See the film, share it, and become part of the movement forcing companies to act responsibly. Link: http://www.walmartmovie.com/

Today is the day we set things in motion

electricbrave — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 19:12:21 GMT

I saw something in the dreamworld. It was a huge wave of stars coming toward us at the speed of light. Such a wave was set into motion with all the dance parties happening world wide through the month of June. Now it has been activated to reach us On the First day of the Burn. Black Rock City will be the place where all the stars will land and dance with us. I am not sure what it all means other than we are blessed with spirited family. This year I can see the future of of our family. Making waves in the media and also in Corps. News from Discovery and Nasa is confirming that we are not just dreamers. Our minds have made the shift. Now our bodies will be in one place to activate the circle of life. With the tree of life represented by the man and his colors he will be flying. This is the time we have been waiting for. I see the one's who prepare for a family picnic with gifts of friendship and love. We will be ready for the next shift of awareness. I know this may be the dreamer reaching out to the real family tree. However, there is a calling for new relations. take this moment and share with a friend. Now is the time we have been waiting for. make no mistake, we are healers and artists with passion for the beautiful world of unconditional love. Let us take this moment and send out to our family members who are struggling with life's test for passion and or relation. I know we all have strength in numbers and now is that time to send out to the one's who need it most. You know who they are and reach out to them and send love and support. In any way you feel you can. It will reward you with the solid relation with time and memorial.

Today's Fire song and prayers

electricbrave — Fri, 30 May 2008 14:12:08 GMT

It is another day on mother earth and we look up to the spirited sky. Taken one more breath for life to be counted as a token of richness and serenity. Once felt deep inside our spirited souls, there is a reflection of time on this beautiful place we call home. Grandfather sun and Grandmother moon look down upon us and grant us another day of peace and tranquility in our soulful place. We know we are related as one another's dream. Taken into conference towards the night. We secure our place in time as a fire and spirit reaching for more time to remember our place in the sun. The fire we share is once again lit with love and respect for one another. I hold a small place in my heart for the one's who do not feel our soulful place yet. I send out to my brothers and sisters of the fire a big warm hug of life. We are the one's we have been waiting for. take time to look up to grandfather sun and the creators breath will warm your deepest places with a fire so old you can feel the sand of time change your mind's eye toward to a place that is between worlds. A place where our elders and family that have gone before us. Now is that time we have and then is the memories we cherish. Such beauty and grace by our earth mother we taught how to be with balance and nourishment of one's soul. With this day I say to this world. I am grateful for this time I have here now to be in balance with life's treasures and make me strong enough to see all the greatness in my family and dreams. Let it be and feel the sea. Waves of life flow through me and sand washes my tears away. Pain is the bodies way of remembering the place we once knew. Now the prayers and song for a deep fire with in is now in this day and I say to you my friend. I love you and your day is blessed with people who love life as you and your family do so well. May your beauty dreams have power and keep the flame lit for your love one's who walk with spirited souls. Knowing we are the linage of love)'(

Native American Spirituality:FREEDOM DENIED

electricbrave — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 13:56:16 GMT

Or, Blood Quantum: Native America’s Dirty Little Secret By Jim PathFinder Ewing (Nvnehi Awatisgi) THE KNOT In Greek mythology, the king of Phrygia had the pole of his wagon fastened to the yoke with a knot that defied efforts to untie it. An oracle stated that he who untied this Gordian knot would rule Asia. According to legend, many tried to unravel the knot to no avail until Alexander The Great simply pulled his sword and cut the knot, going on to fulfill the prophecy. American Indians and Native American Spirituality are caught in a Gordian knot that began before America’s colonization, tightened with the founding of this country and exists to this day. Bound within it like interlocking links of chain are the issues of sovereignty, tribal recognition, blood quantum and, at its heart, the free exercise of religion. If this knot is not unraveled, the chains unbound, American Indians and those who follow traditional teachings will never be able to freely exercise their religion. The future is one of increasing restrictions, deepening divisions and, ultimately, the death of Native America. Those who practice Native American spiritual beliefs are guaranteed free expression of their religion under the U.S. Constitution, under First Amendment rights, but this does not mean there aren’t considerable barriers placed in their way to make those rights in many ways almost meaningless. THE ROAD TO RIGHTS Freedom of expression is undeniably guaranteed both as a First Amendment issue and under specific federal statutes, regulations and executive orders. Many Americans don’t realize this was not always the case. Until 1978, American Indians on reservations had no religious rights and were specifically barred from practicing traditional ceremonies. These efforts were driven by fear of uprisings by Native populations, most notably epitomized by the massacre at Wounded Knee, Dec. 29, 1890, when Lakota men, women and children were gunned down while gathering for a Ghost Dance, a spiritual practice. Historically, the federal government sought to eradicate all forms of traditional spiritual practice and belief on reservations through use of boarding schools (separating children from parents), prohibiting use of Native languages, and making gatherings for ceremonial purposes illegal. The expressed intent was to “civilize” Native peoples; a policy begun under treaties well before The Trail of Tears forced removal marches in the 1830s with Cherokee and other Eastern tribes. The result was a sustained federal policy of social and cultural annihilation. The justification for this denial of religious freedom, inexplicably enough, was that Native peoples were sovereign nations by treaty and not granted the freedoms that American “citizens” claimed as fundamental rights. Under “sovereignty,” the U.S. government occupied the reservations, kept control of the populations through military might, imposed arbitrary civil orders and prevented them from exercising freedoms guaranteed Americans under the U.S. Constitution, including the First Amendment freedom of religion that is bedrock to the Bill of Rights. This changed in 1978 with The American Indian Religious Freedom Act, and subsequent amendment. It states, that, by act of Congress, Aug. 11, 1978 (U.S. Code, Title 42, Chapter 21, Subchapter I, 1996) it is “the policy of the United States to protect and preserve for American Indians their inherent right of freedom to believe, express, and exercise {their} traditional religions . . . . including but not limited to . . . . use and possession of sacred objects, and the freedom to worship through ceremonials and traditional rites.” See: http://www.cr.nps.gov/local-law/FHPL_IndianRelFreAct.pdf Flowing from the right to worship freely is the recognition that sacred sites, lands taken and/or controlled by the federal government that are traditionally held holy by Native Americans, should not be barred from access. This also includes objects, artifacts and human remains. From this consideration, more legislation was passed, including: -- Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act -- 104 STAT. 3048 Public Law 101-601 -- NOV. 16, 1990 (http://www.cr.nps.gov/nagpra/MANDATES/25USC3001etseq.htm) -- Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 -- Public Law 96-95; 16 U.S.C. 470aa-mm (www.cr.nps.gov/local-law/FHPL_ArchRsrcsProt.pdf) -- Various executive orders, including Executive Order 13007, May 24, 1996, designating “Sacred Sites.” INTERNATIONAL LAW The statutes, orders and rules issued by Congress, presidents and federal rule-making bodies give specific directions and remedies so Native Americans have recourse to government to ensure religious freedoms. Religious freedom is also well grounded in international law, with the United States a signatory to more than a dozen conventions. They include: -- Draft United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UN 1994) Article 13: "Indigenous peoples have the right to manifest, practice, develop and teach their spiritual and religious traditions, customs and ceremonies; the right to maintain, protect, and have access in privacy to their religious and cultural sites; the right to the use and control of ceremonial objects; and the right to the repatriation of human remains.” -- Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief (UN 1981) Article 1(1): “Everyone shall have the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. This right shall include freedom to have a religion or whatever belief of his choice, and freedom, either individually or in community with others and in pubic or in private, to manifest his religion or belief in worship, observance, practice and teaching.” Article 1(2): “No one shall be subject to coercion which would impair his freedom to have a religion or belief of his choice.” Article 4(1): “All States shall take effective measures to prevent and eliminate discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief.” BLOOD QUANTUM As the international conventions and agreements amply outline, religious freedom is to be broadly interpreted and fundamentally ensured. As a signatory to these agreements, with its promulgation and support of democracy in the world, as well as its pronouncements of adherence to constitutional mandates, the United States would seem to be a premier international champion of religious rights and foremost in ensuring them. Yet, such is not the case, at least when it comes to Native American Spirituality upon these shores. Where the United States falls short is intrinsically woven in its very history with Native Americans from the start. Most federal policies directing efforts to ensure religious rights are confined to lists of federally recognized tribes, which specify blood quantum for federal recognition. This poses several dilemmas. First, if a tribe’s authorization is removed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) for whatever reason, members of that tribe are no longer covered by federal rules and regulations protecting their religious rights. Second, even if members of a tribe are historically and demonstrably members of a tribe, the tribe itself determines membership according to federally prescribed guidelines on blood quantum. In recent years, tribes increasingly have tightened blood quantum restrictions as a result of casino revenues, delisting even longstanding tribal members. Third, if an individual is denied tribal enrollment for blood quantum reasons, that person is no longer recognized as “Native American” under federal law and, hence, no longer falls within the scope of federal authority and protection of religious rights as specifically defined for Native Americans. If, for example, a tribe requires one-quarter blood through genealogy to be an enrolled member, what happens to succeeding generations of descendents? They automatically are disenfranchised, are no longer considered “Native American” as defined by law, and therefore are no longer covered by the statutes, regulations and acts passed by Congress to ensure their rights. CRAZY SYSTEM How crazy is this blood-quantum system when used to determine federally recognized tribes? As one example: "The Osage Nation of Oklahoma has just four members -- all older than 96 -- who are recognized by the federal government. More than 20,000 Osage descendants in several states, including Kansas, Oklahoma, Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico and Texas, aren't. A 1906 law gave all those on the rolls before June 30, 1907, a portion called a headright. Those 2,229 people are the only federally recognized members of the Osage Nation. Those members have about 4,000 descendants, 3,000 of whom have voting rights in what is similar to a corporation with shareholders. Only when a person inherits a headright or a portion of a headright does he or she have voting rights. However, those rights don't make those descendants members." (See: www.americanindiansource.com) Even now, varying from tribe to tribe, there are such anomalies as a non-tribal woman having certain privileges, such as healthcare, while carrying a tribal member’s child, but none before or after the baby is born. The baby will have tribal privileges after it is born if blood-quantum is sufficient. While some point to the fact that there are over 500 BIA tribes, many if not most are composed of few members; plus, federal recognition is constantly changing. Even traditional, long-standing historic tribes (such as the Delaware, which was the first tribe to sign a treaty with the newly formed United States) have had their recognition removed, for various reasons, leaving their descendents in a quandary. Lawsuits involving recognition and the revocation of recognition are constant and unrelenting, leading to tribes to care more about BIA rules (to keep federal dollars flowing) than their “sovereignty.” CASINO CULTURE CLASH Casinos have accelerated the dis-enrollments, with tribes tightening blood-quantum requirements so that fewer people share more of the profits, even if hundreds of members, even elderly and long-standing families, are summarily wiped off the rolls. Not only are these people no longer eligible for federal protections, but they are no longer legally “Native American.” With casinos, in addition, the imposition of non-traditional ways of thinking and alien social structure are as damaging as the federally imposed tribal government system itself. Traditional ways are inclusive, the tribe and family first, care of the elderly, women and children. With casinos, greed comes foremost: inequality of the distribution of resources, every one for him or herself first, profits rule, and with it comes graft with government (such as the Abramoff scandal), influence-peddling, cronyism. Whereas the traditional tribal structure (throughout time, among all groups, bands, tribes) has been communal with "giveaway" and shared decision-making, the casino culture promotes separation, fracturing of families, promotion of self-interest and favoritism on reservations that already are fragmented and rife with social ills. Whereas traditional tribal communities were spirit-based, with leaders chosen for the wisdom and the retention of practices favorable to keeping communities together, inclusive and healthy for generations to come, with spiritual values at their core, the modern reservation/casino culture promotes only material values that are, at heart, the worst of short-sighted Western culture. FEDERALLY IMPOSED ‘BIA TRIBES’ Adding to the confusion is what constitutes a "tribe" legally. Most "tribes" today are a lumping together of bands, in some cases, even separate groups that had warred against each other. Tribal governments reflect federal requirements, not traditional practices either in selection of leaders or administration. In effect, they are BIA-Tribes, that is, groups of individuals who hold a federal franchise on a legally recognized status designated as a Tribe for legal purposes, defined by treaty, and overseen and held to rules of accountability outlined by the BIA. In 1978, the BIA enacted administrative procedures governing the administrative process for federal acknowledgment (Title 25 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 83) of what it would consider to be a “tribe.” From 1935 to 1974, the BIA determined tribal existence based on one or more criteria: a) had treaty relations with the U.S.; b) had been denominated a tribe by act of Congress or executive order; c) had been treated as having collective rights in tribal lands or funds; d) had been treated by a tribe or band by other tribes; or e) had exercised political authority over its members through a tribal council or other governmental forms. The 1978 regulations set seven criteria: 1. The tribe has been identified by reliable external sources on a substantially continuous basis as an Indian entity since 1900. 2. The tribe has maintained a continuous community from historical times to the present day. 3. The tribe has maintained political authority or influence over its members on a substantially continuous basis from historical times until the present day; and 4. Has a governing document which it must submit, or if it does not have a formal governing document, a statement describing its government operations and membership criteria over its affairs and members; and 5. The current members of the tribe, as a whole, descend from a historic tribe or tribes that amalgamated; and 6. Tribal members are not principally members of an already recognized tribe; and 7. The tribe was not terminated by legislation. This has led to a proliferation of "tribes," but not to what constitutes an American Indian other than defined by BIA-Tribe rules or offering any protection for non-tribal Indians (people of Native descent who have no federal BIA-Tribe affiliation; for example, people who have left the reservation or family group and cut ties for a generation or more; or married outside the tribe and skipped a generation; or cannot document their genealogy). For these individuals, even if practicing Native American Spirituality, and "Indian," by belief, custom, or origin, there is no specific legal protection. The guarantee of religious freedom is not specified and falls under general laws and First Amendment freedoms. While that should be enough to guarantee freedom of expression, in practice it has proven problematic, which led to (among other discrepancies) a move over a decade ago to the writing of the Native American Free Exercise of Religion Act of 1993. MORE:http://www.manataka.org/page1965.html

Earth Day Prayers and Live show! 12pm Mountain time

electricbrave — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 14:52:24 GMT

See you there! http://gaiapod.com/ http://gaiapod.com/playpod.html http://www.mogulus.com/gaiapod