: About Me

I'm an Indigenous Turtle Islander - an ITI. A name that is uniquely OURS, and one no can say was 'given' to us by members of some other culture. Vernacularly, that's an Indn, which is how we pronounce "Indian", partly to differentiate it from the name of those of the elephant culture. Not necessarily an "American" Indn, since this is only known as "America" because of a self-promoting Italian mapmaker, but definitely an aboriginal of this land. Sometimes I'll refer to myself as a horse-Indian; again, to differentiate it from elephant-Indian people.
I'm definitely not politically correct, so I really dislike being called a "Native American".

I'm a grandmother. A great-grandmother, even. One of my grandsons once said, "Gramma, you want to know why I wanted you for my Gramma?" I said, "Of course, takozsja." He replied, "Because you've been around a REALLY LONG time, but you're NOT OLD!" Way cool, my grandson!

I am definite in my opinions, and (gasp!) out-spo-ken!, you'll notice.. No one ever wonders where they stand with me. Well, not for more than a few seconds at a time..

My humor runs to puns, & I don't really concern myself too much with whether they are politically correct or not. I have always lived to stick my thumb in the eye of pomposity & political correctitude. Usually with a smile & probably an eyebrow-wiggle.

My interests are wide-ranging. I've been reading since I was 3-1/2; I'm a shameless learning sponge.

I was have a majority-culture education with a major in chemistry & a raft of minors. I am also a lifelong Traditional healer, trained by my Grandmother Pearl, whose grandmother trained her, & so on.

I am devoutly Traditional in my spirituality & have many fiery things to say about missionaries - and I can avoid 4-letter words while saying them. I Sun Dance. In my People's language, it is said of such as me, "Channunpa yuha wamani ye." - but don't think that means I'm shy or retiring. Tired, yes; retiring, no. I've never put much stock in an 8-hour day, so my accomplishments are many. Occasionally, someone says I 'couldn't possibly' be that accomplished. Sure I could, and so can you. Don't waste time on the TV or bars and it's not that hard.

I've been passionately involved in ITI spiritual rights, preservation and promotion, since childhood; and also in culturally-appropriate - and therefore, environmentally appropriate - ITI business development. I'm proud to say, I was expelled from kindergarten for my first business, which was as a public scribe.

Regardless - in those areas I am passionate about, I breathe fire. I am an heyoka, so dealing with storms is my norm. I don't go out to cause them, but raising consciousness means raising hackles in the complacent..

On February 2, 2008, I was asked to become a Steward in the sub-channel "Job Searches", and I accepted. I'm honored. But you'll still hear from me in plenty of the other channels..

Writing is not original to the Indigenous cultures of Turtle Island, but storytelling is. I am a storyteller.

I hope you enjoy what I have to say, & that it moves you to think, and examine. I have Four Favorite Questions - "Why?"; "Why Not?"; "What's REALLY Going on Here?"; "Who's Thinking for You in This Matter?" Mitakuye oiasin.

My passion is ...

preservation, protection, & promotion of Native spiritual Rights and the U.S. Constituion's Bill of Rights.

I know too much about ...

darned near everything for bigots' comfort.

My parents always told me ...

to learn everything I could about everything I could so I'd never be broke & I'd never be homeless.

My childhood ambition ...

Keep the Traditional Ways of Indn People alive & lived.

My favorite memory ...

my man, my dogs, my horses, my land.

Why I write ...

to communicate, to help, to rectify an imbalance.

What I am reading/watching/listening to ...

Airos.org

My first job ...

working for myself. I got expelled from kindergarten for it.

My best moment ...

so far - finishing my obagi. In life - probably haven't gotten there yet.

My inspiration ...

my People's Traditional Ways & perspectives.

Politics, News & Issues > Trash & Recycling How to compost

27 of 32

Composting is so simple, even bacteria can do it. In fact, bacteria make composting happen. If a single-celled organism can do it, you - with billions of cells in your brain alone - certainly can learn how to! In order for the bacteria to make composting occur, four things are necessary. They are: food, water, oxygen, and a specific temperature range. Composting happens faster if what you feed your pile is chopped into small pieces. For this you can use almost anything that will chop materials finely - garbage disposal not connected to a sewerage line; a shredder; even an old lawn mower. "...

More..

• Helium Charter Member