10-1-07 A message from your Chief:
All in all 2007 has been a very good year for your Clan of the Hawk. We had a very good Craft Show and a great cultural event: The Pow Wow of 2007! In this newsletter you will find a story that I wrote and had published in the local paper.

On Memorial weekend the wood family rebuilt our sacred circle so that it is all new, and they did a wonderful job. Elise planted flowers all around the museum and they were very colorful all summer. Our grounds in general are in very good shape.

 

Mr. Stone Tree moved in for a month and cleaned and worked every day he was here. When he left, the grounds were spic ‘n span! A lot of new members have joined in the last year. Our outreach program is strong and we have gone to a few schools and have had several groups on the grounds. The prison work is still going on. Your chief survived his bout with cancer and is planning to go to Florida again this winter.

Francis has come back into the fold (welcome back!) and as Assistant Chief, he will keep things going in my absence. This is certainly good news for us all. I wish you all a pleasant autumn, and as the season of holidays approaches, I wish you all happy and healthy one.
Thank you, Chief Lone Cloud

Send your ideas by email or snail mail. We read and listen to what you say. Address: Clan of the Hawk, 123 Evansville Road, Brownington, VT 05860. Our email is ETPVT@aol.com


Dues
Most members have been very good about paying the dues.

For those of you that have paid- A big THANK YOU! You help keep the clan going.
For those who have forgotten or have put it off, and have not sent it in yet, you still have time to pay your dues for 2007, (as voted on in the general meeting). You can pay your 2008 dues any time. Remember, if there is a true hardship, (2.10 a month??) you can let the chief know and something will be worked out. If we do not hear form you in the next year or so, your membership will be put in an ‘inactive’ file, your name will be removed from the mailing lists, and eventually, your membership in the clan will be formally rescinded by registered mail.

As you know, with rising mailing, printing, and utility costs, it is harder to keep the clan going every year. It takes a lot of money to do so. Please do your best to help your clan, and let us hear from you. Thanks, Tribal Council

Fall, by Whisper (Carol Irons)
Time of painted leaves. Turns-within-time. This is the season in Father Sun’s cycle when he journeys toward the south, “falls down” away from his children in the northlands, and shows himself for a shorter time each day. This reminds the People to be grateful for the light and warmth he gives which lets us live. Even the brightly colored leaves, which reflect his fire, fall down. Earth Mother’s children are going to rest. And the People must prepare themselves in this season for the long nights of rest which are coming.

Many beings are drawing in their power, concentrating it in roots, seeds and nuts. Fruits of the harvest carry within them the life force for the next generation. Wingeds and four-leggeds feed heavily, harvesting food and storing it in their bodies or in storage places. Their harvest must nurture them, either through the long cold time ahead, or through the difficult journey south, following Father Sun.

The two-leggeds, too, must gather their harvest, storing nurturance which helps them survive. The fullness of the summer season’s growth must now be harvested if human use is to be made of these gifts. So it is too, with the harvest of any lessons brought by our previous choices and activities. As the situation quiets down, we take more time to look at what has come about as result of our choices. What did our activities produce?

The fall season of our individual cycles is the turns-within-time of reflection, of seeking our own inner knowing, of coming to terms with the results of our own efforts (and mistakes) and owning our own choices.

Fall and West are together on the Medicine Wheel, as Spring and East are together across the circle. West is the direction of our future, towards which we always walk. By our choices, we have created this future-become-present. By our choices, we will continue to create our future. In the lands of the West, Father Sun goes into his lodge, leaving the sky to Grandmother Moon. Darkness comes to Mother Earth and the Star People show themselves. The blackness of night carries its own gifts. It is a time of power for many beings, as important as the time of day is for others. For the two-leggeds, it normally brings a quieting, a period of rest after the day’s activities, a turning-within to search for the true meaning of what has happened during the busy time. Out of the darkness of the seeker comes the gentle light of inner knowing. This is the light of Grandmother Moon, a quality of female energy.

This feminine power, intuition is a “seeing in darkness,” and it requires that we see with our strong eye, hear with an inner ear, sense those manifestations which live beyond the seen/ the physical realm. The color Black speaks of the night, the seeker, the unseen forces of the “shadow side.” There is no judgment regarding darkness, for it is as natural as day, the other half-side of life and of the Medicine Wheel.
In the gathering dark of fall, we turn inward…and we also open a closer connection to the Spirit Worlds.

 

The unseen is more prominent; the dying back of plants is obvious; migrating birds by the thousands are disappearing; frosts become frequent. Yet the People know that all this life will renew itself at the other side of the Great Round in spring. So they know that the appearance of death is a physical thing, that the essence of these beings moves into the Spirit World for a half-side of the Circle of Life. So too, must the People nurture their essence. Harvest and preparation for the winter are the work of fall. With the focus on preparing for facing the Long Dark, spiritual practices have two elements.

Giving Thanks ceremonies recognize the Great Give Away of physical life. Harvest always means that other beings have given their life to feed the People. Prayers, fasting, feasting and various ceremonies honor the Gift of Life that such a giveaway transfers.

Honor ceremonies recognize the outstanding accomplishments of members of the community. In the previous seasons, there were choices made, actions taken and occasionally those required extraordinary effort and sacrifice. Such efforts are especially noteworthy when they contribute to the safety and well-being of the group. The time of facing the consequences of choices is a harvest too.

A high value in native tradition is the give-away, whether in material goods or in personal effort. One does not earn honor among the People by acquiring a lot of possessions. One earns respect by giving to others in need—giving everything not essential to the survival of one’s family. A remnant of this essential aspect of living in community is the Give Away Blanket. We remember this important value of the Abenaki People by putting something of value there for anyone to take. We do not attach our ego to such a gift. We do not try to see who takes it, nor do we expect thanks, gratitude, or obligation in return, for then it is not truly GIVEN. We share our bounty freely, letting it go freely, to nurture others, even as someone else might have left something that we might need.

In all these ways, the season of Fall brings harvest, nurturance, preparation and sharing.

We’re on the Map! Check out this web site
http://www.travelthekingdom.com/geotourism/geotourismmap.htm to request a copy of the Northeast Kingdom Geotourism Map and Guide. We are listed in ‘summer festivals.’

The status of 501(c)(3) Remember, The Clan of the Hawk, Inc. is a federally approved Non-Profit Corporation. Now, all donations to the Clan of the Hawk, Inc. are tax-deductible and Tribal Council is only too happy to provide letters of receipt to anyone or any organization that wishes to support us.

Looking Glass Museum – What is its Fate?
At present, we are in the process of cataloging the museum. Several members are working on this project. We are very proud of the quality of the artifacts on display here, but a lot of work needs to be done to complete the inventory.

Everyone is welcome to work on this job. In the fall we pack up the most valuable items and store them in a safe place until spring.

The big question is: Will the museum open in the spring?

Your chief says that if some of the other members cannot volunteer some time to help staff it, it will not be open next year. It is not right that only a handful of our members do all of the work.

This should be a clan of 80 doing the work of 80, not a group of 8 doing the work for 80! It is not much that your clan asks - a day or two once in a while for a few hours, so that we can properly advertise museum hours.

So, think about this; your clan is not just a Pow Wow clan, meeting once a year. We have other responsibilities, to each other, and to our community. Step forward and be counted, and counted on! Chief Lone Cloud

While Your Chief is in Florida:
Yes, Chief Lone Cloud is well enough to make his annual ‘pilgrimage’ to Florida this winter. So, please address any Clan concerns or questions to the assistant chief, Woodland Walker, Francis Bachelder. Call him at 802-754-6815. His address is 124 Hunt Hill Road, Brownington, Vt. 05860.

The chief will be at: Ralph Swett, 3300 26th Ave. East, Lot 17, Bradenton, Florida, 34208. He would love to hear from you while he is gone. His phone in Florida tis 941-748-6830.
Email him at the same address: etpvt@aol.com.

Evansville's Cultural Event of the Year
By Ralph Swett- Evansville (as published in the Newport Daily News)
If you missed our Sixteenth Pow Wow you missed one of the most cultural and spiritual events ever to happen on The Clan of the Hawk grounds in Evansville.

It is true we had lots of fine craftspeople and trades from all over the USA who came with the spirit that was part of all our activities on these weekends. We were surely blessed with the friendship of the many native people. We are open to all who are interested in learning about the native way. On both Saturday and Sunday our parking lots were filled with cars and vans. Our woods and fields were loaded with small campers, tents of many sizes and colors and tepees. On the grounds, many people were enjoying the drums and dancing.

We had two drum groups this year, The Split Feather Singers and The First Light Drum; both were exquisite. At the Grand Entry we had over 75 native dancers and the Sacred Circle was full of dancers both afternoons. Story teller and council member Jerome Kelly shared the story of the travels of the First Americans across the Alaskan/Asian land bridge and into North America. The announcement of raffle winners and beautiful weather added sparkle to the weekend.

The most fun for the kiddies was the candy dance. This is a sharing lesson where the little ones danced inside the Sacred Circle. When the music stopped, they gathered wrapped candies that were sprinkled around in the circle. But if the music started again, they had to drop the candy and dance again. When the drummer saw that the children had learned that they would all get some if they were patient and shared, he stopped the music and the children got to keep the candy they picked up. It was as much fun to watch as it was for the children to do the dance.

After the afternoon dancing was over, we had the annual Pot Luck Feast, a big meal where everyone is welcome. Over 200 people came together this year in a huge circle for our dinner prayer. Then everyone got their fill of delicious food. There were ten turkeys cooked underground for 24 hours by Doug and his crew and it was simply fabulous how great these turkeys tasted. Of course we also served my favorite secret recipe baked beans that were cooked in the ground in a big cast iron kettle for 24 hours or more; they are always a big favorite at all of our suppers. We had a lot of salads, cold and hot dishes that were brought in by clan members and visitors. In my opinion, we have some of the greatest Indian Cooks that can be found anywhere.

After the meal we had a special ceremony to spread the ashes of Morning Dove at ‘Jason’s Place.’ I’ll have more on this later.
Sunday morning one of our Elder Grandfathers passed over, here on the grounds. Bernard Robtoy, originally from Swanton Vermont, and recently from Island Pond had not been the in the best of health lately, but the Clan of the Hawk grounds was his favorite place to be. He was given a royal escort off the grounds. With the sound of the chapel bell ringing slowly, everyone stood in quiet attention as the Medicine Man led the procession with all the chiefs and assistants going forward in front of the ambulance. Bernard will be sorely missed by his wife Hilda and all of the clan. There were special songs drummed and sung for Bernard throughout the day.

On a brighter note, as Chief Lone Cloud, I performed an Abenaki wedding at noon for a couple that wanted to renew their vows. This was done in the old Abenaki tradition. Two ladies wrapped a blanket around their shoulders and used a string of sweet grass to tie their hands together.
It is hard to believe that in only two sunshine filled days we had such great music, delicious food, new friendships formed, old friendships renewed, a wedding and a funeral, and in between- dozens of vendors plying their wares. You can see that we had a very full weekend.
Thanks, Ralph Swett (Chief Lone Cloud)

 These two words used in the native manner mean several things and can be used in many ways. You cannot use the word ‘dishonor’ to control people and to make them do what you want them to do, by making them feel guilty or unworthy. This in itself is unworthy of any Native American.

Over the years I have seen others use native terms in other ways to manipulate their brothers. It is just not right.

Sometimes people who are trying to learn the ‘native way’ often try too hard to learn everything overnight. Living the native way is a continual learning process that has to be absorbed a bit at a time and can not be forced either by reading books or immersing yourself in an environment. It would mean you would live this way 24 hrs a day. You are going to have to distance yourself from the white man’s world sometimes and go off by yourself and meditate and say to yourself “How can I improve on my life and show respect for my fellow brother and sisters in my group and other groups?”

Respect is a very special thing to those who think in the native way and this attribute has been taught and handed down through the generations. Many who join a group, such as the Clan of The Hawk, do not understand what respect means in the native way. They may talk or hear about it, but they may find it hard to really understand because they are still living in a white man’s world in order to keep the standards of living that they were brought up in. No one can fault them for this, but is a slow way to learn the ways of the native peoples.

You must show respect to your Elders and to your Chief. True Natives are concerned with the group welfare BEFORE personal welfare. They are not self-centered. If things do not go as they expect, they will often go by him or her self into the woods and ask the creator to give them some help and advice.

Your chief at times fees he is all alone trying to hold the clan together and keep the different factions working together. [CLC]

This came from a Native Website
1. Rise with the sun to pray. Pray alone. Pray often. The Great Spirit will listen, if you only speak.
2. Be tolerant of those lost on their path. Ignorance, anger, jealousy and greed stem from a lost soul. Pray that they find guidance.
3. Search for yourself, by yourself. Do not allow others to make your path for you. It is your road and yours alone. Others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you.
4. Treat the guests in your home with much consideration. Give them the best food, and the best bed. Treat them with respect.
5. Do not take what is not yours whether from a person, a community, the wilderness or from a culture. It was not earned nor given. It is not yours.
6. Respect all things that are placed upon this earth - whether it be people or plant.
7. Honor other people's thoughts, wishes and words. Never interrupt another or mock or rudely mimic them. Allow each person the right to personal expression.
8. Never speak of others in a bad way. The negative energy that you put out into the universe will multiply when it returns to you.
9. All persons make mistakes. And all mistakes can be forgiven.
10. Bad thoughts cause illness of the mind, body and spirit. Practice optimism.
11. Nature is not FOR us, it is a PART of us. They are part of your worldly family.
12. Children are the seeds of our future. Plant love in their hearts and water them with wisdom and life's lessons. When they are grown, give them space to grow.
13. Avoid hurting the hearts of others. The poison of your pain will return to you.
14. Be truthful always. Honesty is the test of ones will in thos world.
15. Keep yourself balanced. Your Mental self, Spiritual self, Emotional self, and Physical self - all need to be strong, pure and healthy. Work out the body to strengthen the mind. Grow rich in spirit to cure emotional ails.
16. Make conscious decisions as to who you will be and how you will react. Be responsible for your own actions.
17. Respect the privacy and personal space of others. Do not touch the personal property of others - especially sacred and
religious objects. This is forbidden.
18. Be true to yourself first. You cannot nurture and help others if you cannot nurture and help yourself first.
19. Respect others beliefs. Don’t force your belief on others.
20. Share your good fortune with others. Participate in charity.