A time for a shout out.

I want to take this time to give a shout out to the Minnesota Indian Women's Resource Centre in Minneapolis.

CHI-MEGWETCH

On a quick note, when i was finishing my Alcohol and drug training, our classes had the opportunity to attend and visit the resource centre. Talk about amazement and excitement and DETERMINATION. This place makes you feel as if you never want to leave. I wanted to become immersed and absorbed into the workforce.

For those of you that might know me, Minneapolis is where I lived for the first 19 years of my life. I know the city life and what it can bring to Aboriginal peoples. It can be very warm and it can be very violent. Luckily for me, I did not stay to involved with the violent part of my life. Aboriginal people are funny and always want to relate with something, even if that means, that they sell there self's out for a day or two. At lest they can say they related to a certain experience or something. What I mean is that, when our class had the chance to visit the centre, i noticed all the Aboriginals that were raised on the RES. tried to become URBAN in their being. It was embarrassing to witness, but I just bit my tongue and acted as if I didn't see a thing.

For the sake of time, I will write more on this subject later. But, for now, the resource centre moved and educated me in a way that drive me to be a better person. It was hard to here some of the tragedy's that face our Urban populations. So, my Native Sisters busting there asses down in the hood; Keep the faith strong and keep the haters running a long..................................................

Jay

Always a time for change, Part One

Happy new year to all.

With the delight of a new African President and change, I sit and ponder the fact of how many people in the world have the self discipline to bring Spiritual change.

For insistence, over my X-mas break I had to make a stand-for the betterment of my immediate family and to show my opposition to people who behave very unhealthy. The last article I posted, I entitled it " to hell with them and maybe you." I have been noted as being another crab in the bucket, trying to keep people down. I say to the people of the world and micro communities; to know me is to love me and to know me is to understand me. People, for the most part in the world are under lock and key and can not think outside their cell phones, I-pods and computers, not to forget the vast arsenal of video games and entertainment complexities. I work for a tribal school in Central Minnesota. One of the key things I stress to adults and youth is the fact that WE are all addicted to some type of technology. This is sad and we as a people have been in a sad state of affairs for quite some time. When I relate information to the seriousness of our addiction as communities, very few youth and adults are quick to take offense and say I am crazy and jealous. They say this because I CHOOSE not to allow technology to destroy my natural being, mentality and god given outlook of the world especially my First Nation Peoples of the world. I choose to not carry a cell phone, except to the point, where it might be needed in a serious life predicament. I drive a a few cars that are known as "INDIAN" rides. They are both over ten years of age and are looked upon by most peoples as "shitty" "embarrassing and ugly."

A great thing about driving an older car is the fact that, they are very easy to repair and I can maintain most of the parts and gadgets under the hood. If you ask any mechanic in the world they will gladly tell you that the older cars of America are much easier to work on and do not have (brains) computers, that control every part of the car.

Do I allow people of the greater populations to have me intuitively absorb and dictate what car I choose to drive, what I choose to wear and how I physically appear to them? No!

Now, what happens when I am driving down the road and my car decides it needs to take a break and foul out. Do I say " you fucking piece of shit car-you suck." Once again I say no. I am not an angry person who can turn on my own self judgement in a matter of a few seconds, just because my car broke down. But than, I allow my Spiritual self to become more keen and my higher intuition and authentic tribal voice follow next, all as one entity and I than tell myself and others( if they are with me) not to worry, things will be great and grand. ( This is where my human side tells me- you should be driving a new car )

Look at all the people around you. People of the world have become machines and can not live with out their daily amount of texts and cell phone calls. It really bothers me to see an Aboriginal adult or youth to be mezmerized by the cell phone industry, to the point that they cannot even begin to socialize who they are in the world. To admit their addiction to this technology is befuttal and laughed off. And yet, I still am looked upon as a crab in the bucket, because I choose to be smart and not allow my human-addictive behaviors get the best of me. Now, tell me, who are the crabs in the bucket??

Now, when it comes to the world of Spiritual knowledge and behaviors-It takes a rare person to be dedicated to their culture and have compassion for their people, who in essence, have chosen to become the machines---waiting for their next upload of disinformation, programming and subliminal voice. Like a computer program that has taken the machines by storm, there will exist a few individuals who choose not to go under transformation and uploading from the evils that be. The people that have chosen to be free and remain authentic in their natural ways, will be the individuals who will prevail when the economy spirals downward into the abyss. When this happens, the machines will be wondering what the hell is going on with their programming. They will be so devastated and isolated from the machine functions and controls, that they will soon decide to self implode, take their own lives and become the killer crabs of the world; bringing down everything in their sight. They will want answers and vindication. They will stop at nothing to get answers and the next fix of information. Information and functions have been their whole center of the universe.

So, do I say that I am a jealous, crab in the bucket type of person. No!

To be continued.......

To hell with them and maybe you!

There is alot of things that I have recently been exposed to, even your grandma......JK. But, really, I have been exposed to some elements in life that would make the average white-suburbia-attituded person drop to their knees. And as they were on their knees, thinking hopelessly and negatively about life, they would happened to come to the conclusions: THAT,WHITE AMERICA AND IT'S INHABITANTS -DO NOT GIVE A DAMN ABOUT YOU AND YOUR PROBLEMS. SO YOU CAN BE AS SPIRITUAL AS YOU MIGHT THINK YOU ARE, BUT THE MASSES OF SOCIETY-(ABORIGINALS INCLUDED) ARE REARED, DEDICATED AND CONTINUE TO FULFILL WHITE AMERICAS DREAM AND DEMISES. SO, AS YOU LAY THERE ON ALL FOURS, I, A PERSON OF THE MIDEWIWIN FAITH, WILL COME OVER AND OFFER YOU SOME HELP. AS I HELP YOU UP, I THAN WILL TURN ON YOU. I WILL SPIT IN YOUR FACE, TELL YOU THAT YOUR MOTHER IS A WHORE AND YOU DON'T EQUAL ME BECAUSE YOU ARE A PATHETIC LOSER WHO WILL NEVER MAKE IT IN LIFE THE WAY I DID. LUCKILY FOR YOU, MY SALIVA DOES NOT HAVE PARTICLES OF GREEN PHLEGM, BUT DOES CONTAIN TRACES OF BLOOD. I DO NOT HAVE THE CAPACITY TO FEEL FOR YOU. I AM A MACHINE-- DRIVEN BY WHITE AMERICAS GREED, CONSUMPTION AND THIRST FOR CREDIT. I AM PROGRAMMED TO HATE YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE A REAL PERSON WITH NO BOUNDARIES HOLDING YOU BACK, I HATE YOU FOR WHAT YOU ARE, EVEN IF IT IS ABOUT THE MIDEWIWIN FAITH. MIDEWIWN DOES NOT PAY MY BILLS OR GIVE ME SATISFACTION WHEN I AM CALLING YOU A TWO FACED BITCH. MIDEWIWIN DOES NOTHING FOR ME, BUT TAKE AWAY MY AILING ELEMENTS THAT KEPT ME FROM BEING A WHOLE PERSON. NOW THAT IS BENEATH ME, YOU ARE MY VICTIM. I SEE YOU IN PAIN, AND IT GIVES ME PLEASURE TO TELL EVERYONE THAT YOU ARE SUFFERING, THAT YOU ARE WEAKER THAN ME AND MY FAMILY. I WILL SUPPORT YOU AND HELP YOU. BUT FIRST, LET ME PUSH YOUR FACE INTO THE MUD AND SMASH YOUR FACE UP A LITTLE BIT.

So, yeah. I just recently had a close family member visit the town jail they live in. They had to stay for more than they bargained for. The funny thing bout it, is I can feel their pain and relate with them to feeling sorry for Native peoples. What I mean is that, when my relative was down, none of the so called family wanted anything to do with my relative. When my relative asked for some basic help, everyone turned their back or hung up their phones on him. Granted, my family member has issues and problems and some of these things had pissed the family off, who cares.

People who claim that they are Spiritual and healthy are liars. You cannot have both. Spirituality is a path. It is what gets you by when are sick, having problems and trying to find yourself. An authentic-spiritual being has less in life. A true Spiritual Anishinabeg does not have many possessions, they are who they are, they do not allow people to judge them by what they have or what they want people to think what they have. True Anishinabeg do not have their parents their to fiance their losses of equity, bonds and cash when they are in the red. A True Anishinabeg does not have "per-cap" to get them by. This is a sellout. Don' get me wrong, I would love some extra cash, but my limit with material and cash is for the betterment of my Spiritual-Genetical makeup. Many Anishinabeg forget the teachings concerned with the vast array of Chiefs. A chief was not a chief because of all of the physical items he hoarded and kept to himself.No! He was a chief because of everything he gave a way. Honer and respect was a huge milestone in life, not everyone had it, and if you did, it was viewed as intimidating and god-like.

Now, moving up to speed within the 21st century. Things like the internet, wii's, mp3's and the vast amounts of technological gadgets that hit the market have replaced the old teachings and philosophies of life. The origianl teachings still exist but with only rare, few people in all cultures.

I said once before that elders were the police of the communitys. Now, what happend to these old people when it comes to vast communitys, such as citys and suburbs. Most likely, the old people were left, unattended and looked upon as if they were an old rug. If the community was much more micro, than the elders had a chance to survive and prosper. They had a purpose and they knew this. People would listen to them, but even than, the old elders would pass on CERTAIN knowledge, not all knowledge. Some life knowledge does not mean wisdom, it could mean foolishness, mischief and evil. Old elders who lived next to the Earth knew this. That is why they would safegaurd thier unique-Spiritual knowledge.

Even these type of elders were desecrated and taked advantage of some self acclaimed guru, who wanted to be a shaman or Midewiwin priest.

Now getting back to my relative and looking back at all the whack ass Midewe people. These people I am referring to need compliance and need to be told by White FOXY AND foxy ON A DAILY BASIS WHAT OR HOW THEY NEED TO LIVE THEIR LIVES. These people are my so called family, but at this point in life, I do not give a damn. They need Spiritual knowledge and wisdom before I take them back as family members. They can continue to follow the College-Midewiwin teachings of Foxy,Whitefoxy, the Brooklyn Dodger and the Balsam lake Duo. Midewin is a faith, it is not a Faith that can be decided at will, when you will help your Mide relative. It has never in it's history taught you to shit on your mide relative or turn your cheek the other way and act as if you don't see anything. True Midewe people are always their for one another, true thick and thin. You, all of you have continued to show your true colors. You can have your Midewiwin and it's teachings, because you all have continued to disappoint me.

But, on a more positive note, I can't change anyone or anything. Outside, their is a foot, if not more of snow. The snow, just like our mother Earth, forgives and forgives, everyday of the year. Do I Forgive at this moment, NO!

Am I angry, NOPE! Very disappointed and motivated to kick some ass in a positive type of way. If I see you and you are a compliant person the Economy has Frankensteined, you will hear my oppinions and my take on your Spiritual being. If I do not know you, i say Welcome to Anishinabe wa'King. Welcome to this place they call America------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ABORIGINALFIRSTAMERICA

A fine element.......human beings

Hello,

I have wanted a post an article or two, however the lack of time and life's unnecessary crap just keep obstacalizing me.

Anyhow, I am currently following a few blogs. I was surfing other blogs and i found a few that might be interesting. However, one of the blogs owners, already has some beef. What can you do?

In the past few months, i blogged about the arsenic water in the community where i live. I talked about and put some hypothetical ideas out there. Most of the ideas, were with regards to the empowerment of first nation elders. Upon further questions and research digging( asked farmers, community members,etc.) i was amazed to find out that arsenic was a huge byproduct of the farming industry. It makes me wonder how much of the chemical trails have entered into our bloodstreams as humans, not to forget the animals and insect worlds.

When first found this pic. i started to remember a video I had watched. To the life of me I cannot remember the videos title. What i do recall is dialogue around the Black Mesa Verde. The video was a documentary type of video. It was a partial interview with a late medicine man. His name was Thomas Banyacka. I had a chance in my life to meet this fine man. I met him at the parliament of world religions, it was hosted in Chicago, Illinois. What I remember about this elderly man was the material wrapped around his head and how soft spoken he was.

In this documentary, I remember him talking of all the American corporations that stripped Black Mesa. It was no different with us Northern Natives, with our copper and iron ore mines. I recently have come across some materials with references in regards to corporations enacting international laws to eventually own all of the American great lakes. To be Continued........

Barack, An Obama Part 2

It is nice to know we as the country of the USA have or should I say will have a new President. I continue to hear how Obama is inheriting many, well documented deficits and financial incompetence's along with having to surround himself with a new administration.

Now as an Aboriginal person first, I will do my part to first acknowledge that, I will hope the best for our new soon to be President and PRAY for our new president. Have I done this in the past? No. Because to me it was never even conceived in my mind to pray for a being that is so.......way out there, that it never really mattered. Now, as I become older and much more concerned for peoples well being, I will pray and hope that Barack, Michelle and the rest of the family are not infiltrated with ill-mean-greedy spirited people. Who would like to see the demise of our new elected President.

Aboriginal peoples across turtle Island have yet to celebrate our new President elect. We have occupied this country from day one. And yet, we our still yet to be fully recognized and taken seriously from the state all the way to the national levels of government. We definitely, as traditional people know that the governments that are governing our people have not worked and will never continue to work for the betterment of the individual nations. One thing I have noticed about our new president elect is the fact that, if in fact, there is going to be a change, than he will have to surround his cabinet with older, wise people, people who might not have an educational background, but know a lot about history and local economies. These people I am referring to need to be people people, not systems people. We have been lead to believe that systems and the systems that have continued to be are always the right answer for the nation as a whole. This, I hope Obama will meditate on and " get his vision-on the hill."

I think when it comes to the restructuring of our tribal governments, Obama will not only consult the original inhabitants of turtle island, but that he will take the time out to fast and seek his answers not only for the original inhabitants but the rest of the elderly and the nation.

Can the country survive with the "regular" form of government? Probably not! It has to be restructured and re looked at from the beginning of it's source; the education system. This system has changed so dramatically in the past 200 years, that we as a nation have been brainwashed into thinking that every part of "education" is good. I tend to disagree. It is too damaging and has too many parallels to the military form of education. The rule, " do as I say-or you will be put in your place and made a fool." This whole attitude and ideal has to be acknowledged and looked upon very seriously. If most people do not know the past, not only will they live their lives with false ideals and philosophies, they will continue to not understand why they are living in a country that only benefits the "educated and well to do"(A direct link)

To Be Continued...

Our new President-My Momma, Osama and Obama

I am overwhelmed that we have a black president. Overwhelmed in the fact, that not only is Barack the first black president and has brought a record number of people to the poles. I am overwhelmed because maybe, just maybe their might be a minute amount of honesty in the country. Why else would there be a Black president? I have heard the main stream press talk about what Barack is inheriting in his new-soon to be position. The one thing that people tend to forget is Barack is also inheriting the new powers that come with being the PRESIDENT.

Much legislation has been set like a snowball to get ready to shove down the hill. Do you think Barack is going to end both wars? Some of the legislation I am referring to is the patriot acts, both one and two. The Posse Commatatis act and how the president has new-god like powers. Is Mr. Obama going to prosecute the corporations and banks that our leaving us with the 700 billion bail out?

How about the infrastructure in Baghdad , Kuwait and other numerous city's that our still being rebuilt in the name of Haliburton, Kellogg and brown. How about the black hawk armies that are located within Turtle Island? What, oh what is Barack going to do with all his inherit rights?

For the guys and gals who have racial differences and issues with Barack, I say, do some soul searching and find where your true bloodline originates from. How about trying to be a person of color for a day or maybe try experience some of the things people of color witness everyday in this country. Imagine having or knowing that their have been hidden forces that be, that rule, judge and limit you from being "equal" in this country. Also imagine that, not only are you experiencing this phenomena but that, these forces that have been, have affected your Great-Great-Grand Relatives right up to your own children. Can you or would you even begin to digest these historical " norms" that have been the principals of foundation for this country since it's origin?
Now, imagine after centuries of persecution, injustices and imbalances that you might, just might not have to experience these things in the severity that they have always been presented. Maybe, with the new President elect, their is a HOPE of change and goddammit, it's time to make the ends meet.

I am overwhelmed. I am happy and I am glad to know that we have a Black President-elect. Instead of the white house, maybe he can start calling it the black house ( from the Rap group Public Enemy ). Now our currency can get some color back into it. How about if Barack doles out a new 5 dollar bill with a picture of Malcolm X and in the back ground a house on fire. We could have both Black and Aboriginal leaders on all the currency, with pictures and symbols that tend to show the past and where the past has lead the people of color when it comes to the U.S.A.

But, sadly what about Osama? We are currently occupying his country for what? For the control of all that nice Opium. Is that why our troops are really in Afghanistan? Is the new President keep everything under the carpet or is he going to expose the lie rs, thieves and financial thugs of this country?

To be CONT.....

Change a tire- today Part 1

Have you ever had the chance to change a tire? Remember the time when you were a kid and your bike tire had some type of element lodged in the rubber? If you were like me, the natural tribal voice, would guide you to fix the tire yourself.

My most early times of changing a tire, I can recall, that I needed tools and I needed parts. But, the first few times, i would just put more air in the tire and ride the bike until I needed more air. Finally, one day me and my best friend Jordan started to hunt around in our parents toolboxes and start our inventory of tools. That way, the next time either one of us got a flat, we would have tools and eventually materials needed in order to fix our tires.

Just recently I had the huge job to change the tires on my mid-sized S.U.V. Now, if I was geared like the mainstream, I would have done the " civilized " thing and brought all three of my tires to a shop and pay for the costs of getting a tire changed. You have to pay for the disposal of the old tires(considered toxic waste), have the tires mounted, get the tires balanced( most of the time-not necessary) and wait for the tires to finished.

It takes quite a lot of energy to produce a tire. From the mixture of the plastics, rubber and mixture of synthetics to the actual forming process-all of this is a mega-carbon emission monster. Something we hardly ever stop to intellectualize upon. Not only does it takes huge amounts of energy to produce one tire, it also takes quite of human motivation, determination and energy to CHANGE TIRES BY YOURSELF. Of course I am referring to the basic philosophy, that we had when we were kids- that we don't need high tech. gear and gadgets to change our tires. All we need is good company, great motivation, patience, poles, screwdrivers, wrenches and whatever makeshift items that will maximize our experience.

This past weekend, I decided that procrastination was at an end and that I need to have my tires changed. I than decided to ask my brother in law. He was more than grateful to help me. Besides, he has a lot more muscle mass than myself, plus he changes tires by himself most of the time. If you know me and my history with working on cars, you will know than, that I tend to fall right into the worst days to work on a car or any of a cars many parts. on this particular day, it was raining and the temperature was a frost 33 degrees. Cold!

The task at hand required to take off the rubber off the two rear rims and replace them with some other plastic-rubber-non-environmentally friendly tires. When the wind tends to fluctuate with rain-the motivation to change the tires can be very slow at times. Not only was it raining, cold and wind, but I happened to park the S.U.V on the gravel as opposed to the blacktop. But, I decided that i wasn't going to move the car, BECAUSE this is where it was suppose to be.

To be CONT.