Dear Native Punx and Allies,

What do you think about the US government utilizing the name 'Geronimo' as the operation code name for the man that was responsible for the 9/11 tragedy?

 Check out the article below or click on link for the full story.


 THE ARTICLE
Yahoo News: By MICHAEL SCHERER – Mon May 2, 6:15 pm ET

The people who gathered Sunday in the Situation Room know all about high-pressure situations. But this was something else. For 40 minutes, the President and his senior aides could do nothing but watch the video screens and listen to the operation and ensuing firefight on the other side of the world. At Barack Obama's orders, special operations teams were invading the airspace of a foreign country, targeting a compound with unknown occupants, and hoping to get out unscathed. The target was America's No. 1 enemy, Osama bin Laden. But no one knew for sure if he was even there.

The President sat stone-faced through much of the events. Several of his aides, however, were pacing. For long periods of time, nobody said a thing, as everyone waited for the next update. In the modern age, Presidents can experience their own military actions like a video game, except that they have no control over the events. They cannot, and would not, intervene to contact the commanders running the operation. So when word came that a helicopter had been grounded, a sign that the plan was already off course, the tension increased.  

Minutes later, more word came over the transom. "We've IDed Geronimo," said a disembodied voice, using the agreed-upon code name for America's most wanted enemy, Osama bin Laden. Word then came that Geronimo had been killed. Only when the last helicopter lifted off some minutes later did the President know that his forces had sustained no casualties.

It was good to see some good energy and action happening at the Indian Summer Mid Winter Pow-Wow 2011. Native Punx had a booth next October Soul. NPX was promoting Traditional Foods in a project called MINO AYAA (BEING WELL) - this collaboration is promoting Native American Elders and Native American youth to work together to produce a hybrid-recipe book. The book will have recipes, poems, art work, jokes, stories, and biographies of the participants. 
Elders and NPX community members gave a "taste" of the collection at the pow-wow Saturday morning.
Everyone did a excellent job. Gifts of wisdom were shared. People were thrilled hear these stories. The Elders from the W.O.L.F.E. program at the Gerald Ignace Health Center show off some moves with Tai Chi to Native American Flute music. If you know any locations to have reading of this collection in your area please contact NPX. Great for libraries and social gatherings.

NPX is gearing up for some great events 2011. We had a team meeting today. The energy is flowing and pumping. Always looking for new ideas and thoughts to be a pro active punx. One important issue discussed at the meeting was the idea of: Native American verses American "Indian" verse "Indians." What do these names mean? What do these name mean in terms of including Latino population of "Indians" and North American "Indians." Aren't the boarders put up to separate people by the government? What do you all think of this? How shall we proceed to include all people? Thoughts? Idea? Comments? 

Native Punx Short Films showed at Casa Libre in Tucson, Arizona. It was a evening of short films on a Saturday night. The mood was right.  Thank you to the University of Arizona for sending emails out on the list serve.  Casa Libre provided a nice spread of food, killer apple cider, and  quality sound system.  The screening were projected on a silver screen and looked superior. Casa Libre a literary arts community was a excellent collaborative choice. Punx approved. 

Adam E. Stone, Sarah Dalby and Thirza Defoe presented a new literary film, Cache Girl Saves the World.  This was a novel told in visions.  This interactive day started at 12:30pm with two film shorts.  Edgar’s Journey a comical piece about a Native American man-playing actor playing a Native American. It was for children and adults alike. Very comical.  One person walked out of the theatre and said,  "that was funny! The way he was hit in the face with a brick.  Very slap stick." The second short was Ancestors Eyes. A short that was very touching and moving.  It touched on theme of aging, hospitals, and relationships between a mother and daughter.  Starring Tantoo Cardinal.  Adam E. Stone, Sarah Dalby, and Thirza Defoe took questions from the audience during the feature of Cache Girl Saves the World. Photographs were on display for viewing. Mr. Stone spoke about interconnectedness, how we are all related.  This series was interactive. In a single moment the “film” would stop for discussion.   Very thought provoking piece considering the use of social network sites and twitter.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What can we say? Ada Deer. If you do not know who she is… look her up. Ada Deer is a leader in the Native American community and around the world.  The very eloquent speaker Mr. Rick Gonzales of the Six Nations joined her.  Mr. Gonzales was a dynamic and well-received speaker. He told personal stories of his family and dissected what it meant to be in the Indian Boarding School. Ada Deer told personal accounts from growing up in as a Native American in the education system. Ms. Deer shared personal trails and tribulations. She also gave words of inspiration for all people and their path of education.  The Only Good Indian premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.  The film was a hit at NPX FF.  The public in Milwaukee were on the edge of their seats following this compelling story of a young Native American boy taken from his family and sent to boarding school.  Please check out it also playing on the Encore channel. Run time 110 minutes. Starring Wes Studi. 

Two Spirits, One Journey by Shawn Imitates Dog. An outstanding short film that has received awards around the country and four thumbs up at San Francisco’s OutFest Film Festival. Lots of curious film goers showed to see this dynamic film about two Lakota men falling in love and one not wanting to be “under cover” anymore. Another film short, Pow-Wow Dreams by Princess Lucaj was riveting.  A film representing four sisters following the contemporary pow-wow circuit.  The sisters toiled with the idea of literally listening to their mother about following the beat of the drum.  Will their dreams be gone if one sister decides to leave the Pow-Wow trail? Starring Delanna Studi.  Audiences laughed as the sister’s fought on screen about contemporary Native American nuances.   NPX held edge-of-seat day at the film festival. The documentary of hemp was a relevant topic that was well received by audience. Silent Standing Nation. A thought provoking documentary feature. Is it legal to grow industrial hemp on a sovereign nation?  The audience had tears in their eyes and sniffles watching the White Plume family battle with the US government. Special guests for the evening were Moses Brings Plenty and Phil Frame. Both from the Lakota reservations.  Mr. Brings Plenty had key issues to discuss the genocide that is still happening on reservations.  “Look in your own back yard” Mr. Brings Plenty proclaimed.  While Mr. Frame educated the audience about the ways and means that industrial hemp is used.  Many people walked out and wanted to purchase this documentary because of the paradigm it presents to the public. Hidden truths of sovereign nations.

Day 2 of Native Punx Film Fest and Celebration raised eyebrows. Native Mascots and race based logos. It’s a hot topic in the state of Wisconsin. Supporters of mascots that depict Native American people did not show up to the panel discussion lead by the radiant Lori Lutz.  She opened with having everyone close their eyes. She said elegantly, “what does a Native American look like to you?” The audience who are opposed to race based mascots questioned why society finds it appropriate.
     Films clips were shown by Wisconsin high school students.  T shirts reading “Kill the Indians,” Black Hawks,” and “Chiefs” plastered the stage at Marquette Universities Weasler Auditorium. Clif Morton, working intensively with this American Indian Education has the facts. In Wisconsin we have “42 schools, now we are down to 32 schools to change. So something is happening and it’s very thrilling.”
     State senator Jeff Plale proud of his Irish Catholic descent said we as a community  “sing out of the same Hymn book.” While Menominee/Stockbridge-Munsee poet and musician Richie Plass is against Native American Mascots. His life work includes giving presentations in museums and in classrooms across the nation.  Plass told touching stories of his grandchild commenting on seeing a kill the Indians T shirt.  “What am I going to tell my grandchild when they ask me, “why do they want to kill us Grandpa? It the same as having Devils carrying pitch forks at a Christian football field.  It’s a part of their religion.”   
     A woman of representing different heritages from the audience spoke about races and some examples of other races not becoming aware if it’s not a part of “their world.” Using her own family story to redefine the name Red Skins.  “Society would have a huge problem if a team was called Yellow Skins.”  

“Push for change. Will this happen in our life time?” 

What do think?