IN THE MOON OF POPPING TREES

There were a lot of big grins in my family and perhaps the biggest belonged to my Uncle Henry, my dad's littlest brother. For my ninth birthday, Henry sent a coffee table style book about the Plains Indians. I immersed myself in the clothing, headdresses, and jewelry. To this day that influence causes me to wear not one bracelet but six. I mourn the fact that casual wear now means something akin to astronaut minimalism. Apparently, fitness attire has claimed first place for designers which is ironic as the American Indian's (Lakota Russell Means' preferred term) passion for dances probably ranks in my top five for weight, endurance, and strength training. I loved the Native American (I use both) names and coincidentally am reading a book with two characters named Moves Rivers and Moves Mountains. I appreciate other cultures with similarly descriptive names. What happened when egotists came along and a place to stay would be called Hilton instead of the Inn of Sixth Happiness? Another coincidence: I started watching Ken Burns' The West and who should be one of the men interviewed? Rudolfo Anaya, the author of Serafina's Stories in which Moves Rivers and Moves Mountains appear! Ken Burns. How I wish he had been around when I was taking history. I couldn't grasp the textbook. With Ken Burns, I could have understood the story of the Cherokee who welcomed the settlers, learned reading/writing/speaking English, and even had a newspaper until that tragic time of eviction. The long march on the Trail of Tears where 2,000 lost their lives meant a lot to me but watching the documentary brought it powerfully home. If only. If only the Cherokee could have remained. What a getting along example that could have been. I noticed how quickly the facts were absorbed. I suddenly realized  I might have the genes of an ancestry with an oral tradition as I don't learn by reading. I learn by hearing. No wonder my mother read to me every night and recited poetry every day. Did she know? As I am writing this, I am whispering the words to  myself. I need to approve the rhythm, catch the errors in the only way I can.

 I will be visiting Eureka, California this June and hope to finally see the Hoopa Valley, home to California's largest reservation. The basketry and  jewelry on the tribe's website will get a close inspection from me. And, in honor of Uncle Henry, the greeting cards. From my early childhood, he sent postcards of the Hudson River School of artists. My enchantment with California undoubtedly began with Bierstadt. Henry didn't romanticize The People. Yes, there were outstanding accounts of peacefulness such as those of the Yosemite and the welcome given to Cabeza de Vaca but there was, unfortunately, constant warring, brutal raiding. "Dog Soldiers" were highly esteemed, ruling the hearts of the women left behind. The beautiful Cheyenne, Lakota, Comanches, Pawnee fought one another relentlessly when actually they had much in common. The introduction of horses caused constant temptation. I'm not one to deny this  In every cosmology, there has always been evil but I "look for the good."  I'm thrilled by the Idle No More successes, a protest group started in Canada which has rapidly become worldwide.

Apache Ten Commandments--attributed to Sitting Bull, found on http://tipiheaven.wordpress.com/

1. Treat the earth and all that dwell thereon with respect,
2. Remain close to the Great Spirit,
3. Show great respect for your fellow beings,
4. Work together for the benefit of all mankind,
5. Give assistance and kindness wherever needed,
6. Do what you know is right,
7. Look after the wellbeing of mind and body,
8. Dedicate a share of your efforts to the greater good,
9. Be truthful and honest at all times,
10. Take full responsibility for your actions.

 I suggest you remember the names, the spirit animals, the totems. Listen to the myths such as the seven sisters who became a constellation in the night sky; the creation tale of darkness and void;  the emergence of Grandmother Bear. (See http://wearewalkinginbeauty.org/Walking_in_Beauty/Grandmother_Bear.html). Rejoice in the beauty of the land.

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Cree 
 "Just before it was too late, the Indian would regain his spirit and teach the white man reverence for the Earth, banding together with him to become Warriors of the Rainbow."

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Your  coat of rough grey blue warms my chilled bones,

dear alpaca, spirit friend.