Warrior Women and Winter Emergency in South Dakota

After the devastating ice storms, some of the Reservations in South Dakota have now been without heat, power, or even water for over a week.

More info on how to help on the YouTube page (Click on "more info")

Additional information and comments about this video on CNN's board

Call CNN and demand they cover the emergencies in South Dakota. The situation in Haiti is real to people, and viewers are moved to help, because news networks like CNN show the devastating footage of human suffering, in vivid detail, round the clock. Who wouldn't cry with compassion and want to get on the next plane when we see survivors pulled bleeding from the wreckage as their families cry and pray? It's human for people to care more about those they feel they know, and the media makes this connection for people. But the mainstream media ignores disasters on the reservations, and the current situation is no exception.

Yesterday activists bombarded CNN with calls, demanding coverage. CNN has promised to cover the situation on Pine Ridge, but we need to keep on them and make sure they keep their word. (CNN News Room: 404-827-2658)

For more information on how to help, Supporting SD Rez is posting frequent updates, and checking in with friends on the reservations to make sure the charities they recommend are legit.

Indigenous Rights Movement Radio is having frequent shows on the situation. Listen to the archived show with Grandma Wilma Thin Elk from the Wounded Knee District and Autumn TwoBulls. Last night's show has added momentum to the continuing discussions on increasing sustainable energy, and traditional food production on the reservations, and how these things can bring jobs and improve reservation economies. Any grantwriters out there want to lend a hand?

Autumn TwoBulls and her team, frustrated with the inaction of some of the mainstream charities and tribal councils, are working tirelessly to coordinate contact between families in need and those with the resources to help out.

You can also check out the Pine Ridge website directly, and get updates and contact info for donating to their emergency fund: http://www.oglalalakotanation.org/

This thread on NAFPS includes news stories, friends posting in with updates from Standing Rock, Pine Ridge, and Cheyenne River Reservations, and their personal and professional feedback on relief efforts.

And yes, sign of the apocalypse and all, I'm on Twitter now, and reposting things about this, as well as the usual Gaelic stuff. Twitter is weird, but it sure is a fast way of getting the word out.

And now they want to desecrate Brú na Bóinne

When this arrived in my inbox, I have to tell you, I thought it was a joke. It's not.

I thought it was going to be a satire about what the bastards were going to try next in terms of desecration of sacred sites. Those evil fuckers.



From Vincent Salafia at Save Newgrange:

RTE News - Slane bypass would run close to Newgrange (Video)

The Irish Times - Friday, January 22, 2010
Slane bypass to run close to Boyne heritage sites

THE NATIONAL Roads Authority has confirmed that the proposed route of the bypass of Slane village will pass some 500 metres “from the perimeter” of the buffer zone of the Brú na Bóinne Unesco World Heritage Site.

The road, which will be a dual carriageway, will have “the least impact” taking all factors into consideration, including the archaeology and heritage of the area, a spokesman said.

It will be 3.5 kilometres long and run to the east of the village, which is on the heavily used N2 linking Dublin with Derry and it has been the scene of at least 22 fatal traffic crashes in living memory.

Included in the scheme is a new bridge over the river Boyne which will be about 200 metres long.

The environmental impact statement has been published and submissions on it are being accepted by An Bord Pleanála, which will decide whether to grant permission.

Bypass Slane Campaign group spokeswoman Michelle Power said, “we welcome the plans and look forward to the day permission is granted and funds are allocated for its construction.

“After numerous fatal accidents human life must take precedence,” she added.

Brian Taylor, spokesman for An Taisce in Meath and a resident of Slane said: “I’d be very reluctant about anything that might hold up that road. It has been several years in the offing and it has gone through numerous public presentations and the route chosen appears to be the least offensive [one].”

A spokesman for the NRA said, “we have selected a route with the least impact. It is 1.5 kilometres from the core of the Brú na Bóinne and around that centre core is a buffer zone; this route is 500 metres from the perimeter of that buffer zone.”

However, the statement does say that also within 500 metres of the route are 44 archaeological and cultural sites. The next stage is for An Bord Pleanála to decide whether to hold an oral hearing into any objections or submissions on the proposed route.



Motorway ‘may cost ancient site World Heritage status’
Press Association – 22/01/2010 – 17:55:53

The ancient Bru na Boinne site around Newgrange may lose its World Heritage status if the proposed M2 motorway goes ahead, it was claimed today.

The National Monuments Forum warned if changes are not made to the new motorway plans, the area near the Boyne in Co Meath is likely to lose recognition from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco).

Dr George Eogan, Professor Emeritus of Archaeology at University College Dublin (UCD), said the new motorway is too close to the monuments and will have a considerable impact on the surrounding landscape.

“Five hundred metres is simply too close, and it is conceivable that Newgrange could lose its World Heritage Status,” he said.

The site can be saved if Environment Minister John Gormley fast-tracks the new National Monuments Bill 2009 according to the National Monuments Forum.

Vincent Salafia, National Monuments Forum spokesman, claimed the minister created unnecessary delays which place Ireland’s heritage at risk.

“We urge Minister Gormley to deliver this long overdue legislation and to ensure it is strong enough to protect Newgrange from this outlandish proposal,” Mr Salafia said.

Hogmanay 2009/2010

Sun Goddess, Hogmanay Street Festival, Edinburgh 2005
Hogmanay - the Scottish celebration of New Year's - incorporates the older, Gaelic traditions of Samhain, as well as the Norse celebrations of Yule. Bonfires, purification (saining), and taking of omens for the new year (First Footing) are common customs.

In the darkest time of the year, we welcome the returning light with fires in the fields and the streets, praises to the returning sun, and welcoming the light into our homes and our hearts. Like at Brú na Bóinne in Ireland, the ancestors further up the coast in Scotland also aligned the megalithic cairns at Maeshowe with the midwinter sun, which illuminates the inner chambers at only this time of year. After the longest night, the light returns, and the ancestors are awakened as the sun enters the earth. Fire without, and fire within. Fàilte ort féin, a ghrian nan tràth, 'S tu siubhail ard nan speur...

Maeshowe, Orkney, Scotland. Photo from Orkneyjar
Hogmanay.net is full of links to activities, including the burning of the Clavie and the ever-popular Fireballs Ceremony, which for those who can't make it will once again be streamed live over the net from the festivities in Stonehaven.

Fireballs Ceremony, Stonehaven High Street, 2003. Photo by Mr. Purple

Via Rudy at ACGA, and the crew at Clì Gàidhlig: The Hogmanay programme anns a' Ghàidhlig will be available worldwide for the first 24 hours of January 1st. The programme can be accessed on BBC Alba's website.

Bliadhna Mhath Ùr agus Slàinte Mhath a h-uile duine!

Nollaig anns a' Ghàidhlig

Nollaig bhon Ghàidhealtachd / Christmas from the Highlands

BBC Alba will be broadcasting an ecumenical service from Ness Bank Church, Inverness. Gaelic music by Kathleen MacInnes, Karen Matheson, Maggie MacDonald and James Graham, The Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail and pupils from the Inverness Gaelic Primary School (Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis). The Inverness Gaelic Choir and the Ness Bank Congregation join together to sing favourite Gaelic carols. The carols are subtitled in Gaelic so viewers at home are able to join in.

BBC Alba, Christmas Eve, Thursday 24th December at 11pm and repeated on Christmas Day at 3.25pm (Inbhir Nis time / GMT). A special recording will also be played out on Radio nan Gàidheal on Christmas Day at 12.03pm.

Moran Taing to the lovely Kathleen MacInnes for passing this one along, as well as for her ongoing contributions to language and cultural preservation.

Grian-Stad Geamhraidh: A' Ghrian

Fàilte ort féin, a ghrian nan tràth,

'S tu siubhail ard nan speur;

Do cheumaibh treun air sgéith nan ard,

'S tu màthair àigh nan reul. 

Thu laighe sìos an cuan na dìth

Gun dìobhail is gun sgàth,

Thu 'g éirigh suas air stuagh na sìth,

Mar rìoghain òg fo bhlàth.

A' Ghrian - Traditional Gaelic song to the sun, 
from the original Gàidhlig, as recited by Iain MacNìll of Barra,
at the turn of the century before last.

#317 in the Ortha nan Gàidheal. 

And in English:

The Sun

I welcome you, sun of the seasons,

As you travel the skies aloft;

Your steps are strong on the wing of the heavens,

You are the glorious mother of the stars.

You descend into the deadly sea

Without distress and without fear;

You rise up on the wave of peace,

Like a youthful Queen in bloom.

translation ©2009 kpn

Light for the Ancestors: Grian at Brú na Bóinne, 2009

Brú na Bóinne Illumination 2003
photographed by Alan Betson

This year's winter sunstanding at Brú na Bóinne will not be broadcast on the web.

People are gathering at Newgrange, County Meath, Ireland, for Sunrise on the mornings around the Solstice (December 18th to December 23rd). Those chosen in the annual lottery will be able to go into the mound. Others will be gathering outside the Brú.

All praises to Grian, and to the ancestors. Light upon your path, as the shortest day begins with the light entering and illuminating the earth, heralding the return of the sun. Sláinte Mhaith.

Thanks to Michael Fox for passing along the info on this year's gathering.

Patrick Stewart speaks out about domestic violence

What he lived through.

I especially appreciate his words about how his abusive father seemed so kind and charming to outsiders.... But at home, behind closed doors with his family captives, it was another story. So typical. And what so many who've never lived with this sort of abuser don't seem to grasp ("But he's such a nice guy!"). I thank him for speaking out.

National Day of Mourning, 2009

40th
National Day
of Mourning

Nov. 26, 2009
12:00 noon
Coles Hill Plymouth, MA

United American Indians of New England

Don't Pay To Pray: Lakota Nation Calls James Arthur Ray on his Disrespect

Don't Pay To Pray: Lakota Nation Calls James Arthur Ray on his Disrespect

More details about the Lakota Lawsuits against DeathRay, the impact of this sort of cultural appropriation, and the harm the desecration of the ceremonies and lands does to the Indigenous peoples of the area.