Fall 2007
Sky Voices
NOVEMBER IS
AMERICAN INDIAN HERITAGE MONTH
by Grandmother Two Bears
November has rolled around again. Did you know that since August 3, 1990 it has been called American Indian Heritage Month.
I’m sure everyone remembers Chief Joseph, Sitting Bull, Geronimo, and Crazy Horse, but what of so many others who have had a brush with fame? Are you ready to see how many you can recall?
Here are some Hollywood notables that share Indian heritage; Burt Reynolds, James Garner, Jay Silverheels (Tonto), the late Elvis Presley, Heather Locklear, the late Johnny Cash, and that man with the remarkable voice, James Earl Jones. And of course, the late William Penn Adair Rogers, better known as plain Will Rogers. He was adored by all, both here and abroad. There will never be another like him.
Billy Mills, an Oglala Sioux, won the Olympic Gold Medal for the 10,000 meter run, and is very active in helping Indian youth. Ben Nighthorse Campbell, of mixed-blood Cheyenne, recently retired from the U.S. Senate and was an artistic jewelry designer. Chief Canassatego of the Iroquois Nation, helped Benjamin Franklin form the Constitution of our new nation.
Let’s not forget Cory Witherill, a Navaho, who was a successful racing car driver, and Pretty Shield, an active Crow medicine woman who fought hard to keep tradition alive. There was Ira Hayes, a Pima, who helped raise the American Flag at Iwo Jima.
And there’s Pushmataha, a Choctaw, who rose to the rank of Brigadier General in the American Army and N. Scott Momaday from the Kiowa Nation, a writer and winner of a Pulitzer prize in 1969. Sister Catherine, a Mohawk, became the first Native American to become a Catholic nun.
Notah Begay III, a Navajo, was the only full-blooded Native American to play pro golf on the PGA and Nike tours in '98, and '99. Carol Geddes, a Tinglit, was known for producing over 20 motion picture films, and Victorio, an Apache, a strategist as brilliant as Geronimo. It took 2,000 bluecoats to conquer his small band of 200.
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THE AUTUMN EQUINOX
(Fall Solstice)
by Barbara Laughing Water
The Fall Equinox, also known as the Autumn Equinox, Harvest Home, Harvest Tide, and Wine Harvest, falls on the first day of Autumn, between September 20 to September 23.
The word "Equinox" comes from the Latin term "aequinoctium" which, in turn, came from "aequus" (equal) and "nox" (night). It refers to the time that occurs twice a year when the nighttime is equal to the daytime, each being 12 hours in duration.
On the day of the Fall solstice, the sun enters Libra, the constellation of the balance or scales.
The month of September also marks the "Wine Moon", the lunar cycle when grapes are harvested, pressed and put away to become wine. The full moon closest to the Autumn Equinox is known as the "Harvest Moon", since farmers would harvest their crops during the night with the light of the full moon to aid them.
Gourds, melons, pumpkins, and corn stalks tied together are symbols of the fall celebration, and many Native American tribes hold harvest feasts with dancing, singing and storytelling.
The Chumash from Southern California celebrate their Fall Equinox Sun Ceremony during the month of September. It takes place after the harvest is picked, processed and stored for winter.
The Green Corn Festival or Ceremony is celebrated by the Creek, Cherokee, Seminole, Yuchi, and Iroquois Indians as well as other Native Americans nations. This ceremony is usually held when there is a full moon, which meant the first corn crop was ready to harvest.The date was not able to be determined ahead of time; it was up to the corn. It is a time to be thankful and a time of forgiveness.
The ceremony lasts for several days. The holy man, tends a sacred fire. The first few days are known as Busk, when people fast and cleanse themselves and their homes.
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