Gourd Geese

Neighbours gave us handfuls of little sea shells from vacation with hurricane Earl. I placed them on view at the kitchen table in 3 clear wine goblets. To bring a Thanksgiving look to them, I then put them in a basket with 'Indian corn' and long-necked gourd 'geese' ... as tho' drinking from the goblets ;).

This led me to thinking about the geese flying south soon and why they fly in formation, which takes us back to our Hotenoshone Creation Story of Sky Woman falling from Sky World, being caught by the beautiful white Snow Geese and gently stood down onto the back of the Great Sea Turtle.

Ok, so here's my Shania Twain story ... [true story] When Shania Twain came to the JLC, a couple ladies in the community [Oneida] came on the rez radio to say they had back stage passes to meet Shania Twain and if anyone would like to give her a gift, they would take the first ten or so to present to Shania backstage. So, I immediately printed a letter to Shania praising her for being a great role model for the native youth ... and sent along a pair of earrings similar to the black ones shown here [I rarely make them same]. A couple days later, the ladies came back on the radio to say thank you on behalf of Shania Twain to those whose gifts she received and my name was one of them. So, I can now say Shania Twain has a pair of earrings I made ;) ... [also Bet, for you/keep beadin'!]

I was invited to the Mennonite church in Zurich. The dreamcatcher cards went really well at the craft show Oct. 1-2. My 9yr. old granddaughter Anne helped set up and really enjoyed the day; she especially liked pricing and getting the bead box ready for sales. The cards I made for the show were done with black card stock with clan and eagle pics inside. They also had birchbark details; priced at $2. ea. Also, cedar boughs with 4 direction ribbons and 'story'tags went well. I usually have an explanation of how to use them in the home and their relevance to controlling dust mites etc. The baby mocs with mink cuffs were well liked, but no sales; people tend to not purchase if your table is first inside the door [ "I'll look around first" ]. Contacts will hopefully come from the bookmarks I handed out.

Reading again, this time a native author: Joseph Boyden; Through Black Spruce ... about living around Moosonee/Moose Factory, the bush life, family issues, community members, trials and tribulations as well as good times. A story of 2 sisters and their adventures going 'down south', street life and the modelling world ... told from the perspective of their uncle and one of the sisters. I'm looking forward to his more well known book: Three Day Road ... gotta go, time for ju jitsu class.

Well, suffice to say been busy ... taking Anne to swimming lessons, reading some [ 3 novels of Margaret Atwood] and on the tail end of John Ralston Saul's book about the decline of globalization and the new world order written prior to the 'collapse' of the world banking systems ... written in 2005, he chronicles the ebb and flow of economic politics through various stages with historical contexts that encourage more study. His answers to what will 'become' or has come to pass resulting from the blind following of the proponents of 'globalization' is that as societies of our various places, we've found we must put the care of our locales ahead of economic gain for gain's sake. [thanks for the gooseberry jam on toast Barry! ] ... perfect example: went to the local farmer's market this a.m., the only place I'd find homemade gooseberry jam ... was it worth the $5. I paid [250ml jar] ? Of course, that's how the producer will continue to supply it. If I were to find it at a dollar store made in China, would I buy it? Of course not, THAT'S GLOBALIZATION. If I denied my 'own' farmer for the sake of buying a cheap [maybe unhealthy] product from a country that doesn't pay it's own farmers a liveable wage, then I'm just giving my money to the multinationals who don't pay taxes or contribute to anyone's long term health; ie the Seven Generations mindset we need to follow.

vynal placemat game board

The latest copy of the game board "Travel Turtle Island" is actually a heavy vynal sheet that will outlast cardstock or even heavy cardboard and will fold, roll and hang well. Many thanks to my co-ordinator at the Avon Maitland District School Board for her generosity in picking up the printing costs. The price of the sheet is $50. although bulk orders will bring the cost down. I've had great reviews about them and orders are now coming. They work well as nice large wipeable placemats and will come with an information sheet.

I enjoyed meeting old friends again at the conference last week ... my work was appreciated and contacts gave encouragement to continue making such things as these 'Black Line Masters' for use as colouring sheets or matchup games ie: put the Kahstowah in the correct order on their heads. I've used photo paper for the headdresses with masking tape backing so they can be moved.

Other colouring sheets are just print paper. Nation names also

appear in light font on colouring sheets for reference [not noticeable on first coloured photo].