Category Archives: Community Action!

It is All the Same Disease of Consumption

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Eagle Rock could just as easily be the place, it is all the same disease of consumption.

A Christian could find the answer in Chronicles 7:14

Same problem: and the same solution, but the solution seems so far out of our reach.

Subject: A letter from Chief Arvol Looking horse – A great Urgency


To All World Religious and Spiritual Leaders

My Relatives,

Time has come to speak to the hearts of our Nations and their Leaders. I ask you this from the bottom of my heart, to come together from the Spirit of your Nations in prayer.

We, from the heart of Turtle Island, have a great message for the World; we are guided to speak from all the White Animals showing their sacred color, which have been signs for us to pray for the sacred life of all things.

As I am sending this message to you, many Animal Nations are being threatened, those that swim, those that crawl, those that fly, and the plant Nations, eventually all will be affect from the oil disaster in the Gulf.

The dangers we are faced with at this time are not of spirit. The catastrophe that has happened with the oil spill which looks like the bleeding of Grandmother Earth, is made by human mistakes, mistakes that we cannot afford to continue to make.

I asked, as Spiritual Leaders, that we join together, united in prayer with the whole of our Global Communities. My concern is these serious issues will continue to worsen, as a domino effect that our Ancestors have warned us of in their Prophecies.

I know in my heart there are millions of people that feel our united prayers for the sake of our Grandmother Earth are long overdue. I believe we as Spiritual people must gather ourselves and focus our thoughts and
prayers to allow the healing of the many wounds that have been inflicted on the Earth.

As we honor the Cycle of Life, let us call for Prayer circles globally to assist in healing Grandmother Earth (our Unc’I Maka). We ask for prayers that the oil spill, this bleeding, will stop. That the winds stay calm to assist in the work. Pray for the people to be guided in repairing this mistake, and that we may also seek to live in harmony, as we make the choice to change the destructive path we are on.

As we pray, we will fully understand that we are all connected. And that what we create can have lasting effects on all life. So let us unite spiritually, All Nations, All Faiths, One Prayer. Along with this immediate effort, I also ask to please remember June 21st, World Peace and Prayer Day/Honoring Sacred Sites day. Whether it is a natural site, a temple, a church, a synagogue or just your own sacred space, let us make
a prayer for all life, for good decision making by our Nations, for our children’s future and well-being, and the generations to come.

Onipikte (that we shall live),

Chief Arvol Looking Horse
19th generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe

Northwood Alliance, Inc
6063 Baker Lake Road
Conover, WI 54519
phone: 715-479-8528
fax: 715-479-8528
http://www.northwoodalliance.org/
nwa@nnex.net
 
More articles re: Eagle Rock
http://keweenawnow.blogspot.com/2010/05/hot-day-at-eagle-rock-before-arrests-of.html
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indiancountrytoday.com%2Fhome%2Fcontent%2F95060709.html&h=b36e0
 

American flag is hung upside-down on top of Eagle Rock as a sign of distress. Photo by Keweenaw Now.

Got Eagle Rock?

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For Immediate Release: May 23, 2010

Contact:
Cynthia Pryor – (906) 360-2414 – cpryor@isp.com
Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve – (906) 345-9223 – ydwp@yellowdogwatershed.org 
Drew Nelson – (616) 706-2539 – drew@drewnelson.net

Hard copies of the song are also available by contacting the YDWP office.

Drew Nelson releases ‘Eagle Rock – Song of the People” in support of those protecting their sacred site from harm

Drew Nelson, singer songwriter, has written a song that calls to all of us who wish to protect our lands from any action that would injure it. Drew who is from Michigan, understands our water rich place and has embraced this cause against a metallic sulfide mine on the Yellow Dog Plains – located in the beautiful remote Upper Peninsula of Michigan on the shores of Lake Superior.

Currently, Rio Tinto second largest mining conglomerate in the world proposes a copper/nickel mine under the Salmon Trout River on the Yellow Dog Plains. The proposed mine, disrespectfully called “Eagle” is on state and public land that our government has put in the hands of this multi-national corporation for their private gain. On this state land there is a rock – a three acre outcrop that is the only high spot on the Yellow Dog Plains. This rock is Migi zii wa sin or Eagle Rock that is a sacred site to the Anishinaabe of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community. Eagle Rock was scheduled and approved by the state of Michigan to be the portal to this mine.

The event that precipitated the arrest of Cynthia Pryor and the occupation of Eagle Rock by three courageous women – Charlotte Loonsfoot, Chalsey Smith and Georgeana Earring was the beginning of the fencing in of Eagle Rock by Rio Tinto. These are all women of the water who did what they had to do to help stop this mine.

Drew wrote this song in honor of the bravery of those who now occupy Migi zii wa sin and who are not leaving. Drew presents this song with these words:

I have written a new song called ‘Eagle Rock (song for the people)” and it will be made available for FREE to everyone. All I ask is you visit these sites, educate your self about what is going on and PLEASE make a donation to those brave heroes who are holding off one of the largest and most egregious violators of indigenous peoples and our mother the earth.

THIS IS NOT A LOCAL PROBLEM IT IS A GLOBAL PROBLEM.

Drew signs his name lower case and as ‘human being’. This is not about any one person but together represents all the brave spirits and human beings that care. We thank all who wish to help and as you listen to this song – think about those people on the ground, in harm’s way, who have taken their stand – there at Eagle Rock.

For more information about Eagle Rock and how you can help, go to these sites: http://www.standfortheland.com/; http://www.yellowdogwatershed.org/; and http://www.savethewildup.org/.

Please also visit Drew Nelson’s website at http://www.drewnelson.net/.

Our Great Lakes are so precious! According to the EPA website http://www.epa.gov/glnpo/basicinfo.html: The Great Lakes are the largest surface freshwater system on the Earth. They contain about 84 percent of North America’s surface fresh water and about 21 percent of the world’s supply. Only the polar ice caps contain more fresh water.

In addition: Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area and is the world’s third-largest freshwater lake by volume.

Holy wah that’s a lot of fresh water…we need to work together to protect it!

Climate Change ACTION Day – October 24, 2009! Do your part so we don’t have to depart.

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We just attended a conference called the Great Lakes Bioneers Conference. Wow! is what we have to say about it! It was so amazing to get together with a bunch of loving, caring folks. A meeting of the minds, a place to gather to ready ourselves to get down to business and do something about our current state of affairs. We are all fired up!
http://www.glbconference.org

One major issue is that of Climate Change. This issue is so important because if we continue doing what we do without changing how we do things…we will all become extinct! Yes, folks, EXTINCT, like the dinosaurs. We need to reduce our CO2 emissions in our atmosphere to below 350ppm (parts per million)

So what are we waiting for? Let’s do something about it! Here is one day that you will for sure want to mark on your calendar:

October 24 is the Global Day of Climate Change! We need to change how we do things NOW or we will not be here to fix the damage. For more information and ways to get involved please, please visit

http://www.350.org/understanding-350#2
http://www.Powershift09.org
http://www.Realclimate.org

*FREE SONGS* by great musicians to help you “Get Down with 350!”
http://www.350.org/350-songs-planet

CPSC *loves* Mattel…this makes me ill.

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The foxes are guarding the hen house! Please read the latest going ons with the CPSC and Mattel…
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090827/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_product_test

Rick Woldenberg, Chairman of Learning Resources Inc put it so nicely on his blog:
http://learningresourcesinc.blogspot.com/2009/08/cpsia-rich-irony-courtesy-of-cpsc.html

An Incredible Community that Cares

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I have tears streaming from my eyes…tears of sadness for a mother who passed after childbirth and tears of joy for a babe who has many “mothers” now in the community, breastfeeding and loving him.

Here is an article about the Goodrich Family and the community of nursing mothers:
http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/524498.html

Here is a link to a project created by Ina May Gaskin…a project to honor all mothers who have died from childbirth. It’s called the “Safe Motherhood Quilt Project”
http://rememberthemothers.net/

Here also, is a link to a blog post for Susan’s quilt square:
http://snipandsnail.blogspot.com/2009/05/safe-motherhood-quilt-project.html

Bloggers Unite! Take Action on the CPSIA!

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Protect Children 12 and under from the CPSIA!

Reprinted with permission from Etsy shoppe owners ChiChiBoulie and WinklePots (with a few minor changes and additions) . . . Thank you!

As parents and concerned citizens I’m sure most of us at one time or another have been confronted with the question of lead poisoning. But have you asked yourself what your government is doing to protect your children from lead contained in toys? The answer? They’re banning toys, taking books from schools and libraries, hurting low income families, killing entrepreneurial spirit and risking putting the economy in an even greater depression than we’ve seen in decades. I’d like to introduce you to their solution: the CPSIA.

Do you know about the CPSIA? No? Then I ask you to take a few minutes to find out about it. The CPSIA stands for Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, a new set of laws that will come into effect on February 10, 2009 and will impact many, many people in a negative way. Make no mistake, this is very real. View it for yourself. If Forbes, the American Library Association and numerous other media are paying attention, perhaps you should too. How will these new laws affect you? Well, here are a few examples:

To the Parents of Young Students: Due to the new law, expect to see the cost of school supplies sky rocket. While those paper clips weren’t originally intended for your student to use, they will need to be tested now that your 11-year-old needs them for his school project. This law applies to any and all school supplies (textbooks, pencils, crayons, paper, etc.) being used by children under the age of 12.

To the Avid Reader: Due to the new law, all children’s books will be pulled from library and school shelves, as there is no exemption for them. That’s okay though, there’s always television. Here’s an article from the American Library Association http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=1322

To the Lover of All Things Handmade: Due to the new law, you will now be given a cotton ball and an instruction manual so you can make it yourself since that blanket you originally had your eye on for $50 will now cost you around $1,000 after it’s passed testing. It won’t even be the one-of-a-kind blanket you were hoping for. Items are destroyed in the testing process making one-of-a-kind items virtually impossible. So that gorgeous hand-knit hat you bought your child this past winter won’t be available next winter.

To the Environmentalist: Due to the new law, all items in non-compliance will now be dumped into our already overflowing landfills. Imagine not just products from the small business owners, but the Big Box Stores as well. You can’t sell it so you must toss it. Or be potentially sued for selling it. You can’t even give them away. If you are caught, it is still a violation.

To the Second-Hand Shopper: Due to the new law, you will now need to spend $20 for that brand new pair of jeans for your 2-year old, rather than shop at the Goodwill for second hand. Many resale shops are eliminating children’s items all together to avoid future lawsuits.

To the Entrepreneur: Due to this new law, you will be forced to adhere to strict testing of your unique products or discontinue to make and/or sell them. Small businesses will be likely to be unable to afford the cost of testing and be forced to close up shop. Due to the current economic state, you’ll have to hope for the best when it comes to finding a new job in Corporate America.

To the Antique Toy Collector: Due to the new law, you’d better start buying now because it’s all going to private collection and will no longer be available to purchase. “Because the new rules apply retroactively, toys and clothes already on the shelf will have to be thrown out if they aren’t certified as safe.” http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123189645948879745.html

To the American Economy: Already struggling under an economy that hasn’t been this weak in decades, the American economy will be hit harder with the inevitable loss of jobs and revenues from suppliers, small businesses and consumers. The required testing is far too costly and restrictive for small businesses or individuals to undertake.

To the Worldwide Economy: Due to this new law, many foreign manufacturers have already pulled out of the US market. You can imagine the impact of this on their businesses. If you think this is exaggerating, here is a recent article from Forbes http://www.forbes.com/2009/01/16/cpsia-safety-toys-oped-cx_wo_0116olson.html

And for those of you prepared to be stupefied and boggled, The New Law http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html

Did you even know about this? If this upsets or alarms you, please react NOW!

Online Petitions, Folks to Contact, and Interesting Articles are listed on these sites:
Sign the Online Petition: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/economicimpactsofCPSIA/index.html

We voted for Change on this issue and made the 2nd round of voting! Please read more here: http://www.change.org/ideas/view/save_handmade_toys_from_the_cpsia

The Handmade Toy Alliance has provided a sample letter and listed contact info for your Congress Person and Senators: http://www.handmadetoyalliance.org/

National Bankruptcy Day Site: http://nationalbankruptcyday.com/

Straight from the Horse’s mouth: http://www.cpsc.gov/ABOUT/Cpsia/cpsia.html

Pelosa’s Toy Story: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123189645948879745.html

Write to the man who sponsored this bill and send him an item of yours that will be illegal to sell after Feb 9th, 2009 in protest.
Here’s his contact info:

Bobby L. Rush (D)
Washington Office
2416 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-4372
Fax: 202-226-0333

See Etsy forum thread regarding the above protest here: http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5949146

Thanks for reading and please pass a link on to other interested parties!

Save Handmade Toys from the CPSIA!

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In case you haven’t heard, the word on the street is that there is a new law regarding items made for children 12 and under – this law goes into effect February 10, 2009. The law was written in response to children’s items that had high levels of lead and phthalates – these items came mostly from China in 2006.

This law was poorly written. As the law stands now, many handmade, cottage industries could be shut down because they cannot afford the required testing. Please visit these sites for more information:
http://www.handmadetoyalliance.org/Home
http://www.cpsc.gov/

Here are two websites for you to go in and vote! Keeping the issue high on the list is important for change…Please spare a few minutes of your time to let your voice be heard!

Site #1 – vote with the “vote now” button at left of the title “Save Small Business From the CPSIA”
http://www.change.org/ideas/view/save_handmade_toys_from_the_cpsia

Site #2 – here, do a “search for questions” with “cpsia” as the criteria. You can then vote on all the questions and also submit a question of your own if you like.
http://change.gov/page/content/openforquestions20081229/

YAY! This article just came in – saying that the CPSIA has exempted natural items such as wool, silk, cotton, gemstones, and pearls…however there is no mention of wood!
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=a0Xr2Iw1Vi_8&refer=us

Thanks for supporting Handmade!