Spring around Northern Nevada is being very timid this year, just peeking around the corners and dashing in and out of the gardens quickly, as if something is holding her back from bursting forth into new life once again. Could it be Old Man Winter, who has been very stubborn, not wanting to relinquish his hold on the land? Our days have been bouncing back and forth from chilly, frosty mornings, cold evenings, strong winds and once in awhile a warm day in the high 70's to low 80's. We still have our cozy blankets lying here and there to wrap around our shoulders when sitting outside, listening for the cheery sounds of birds and hoping to see more signs of warmer weather coming our way.

We also have been experiencing several small earthquakes every day over the last two months, over 2000 in fact. Friday we had a 4.7 magnitude and a 4.2 early Monday morning. Residents have been warned we may be in store for a larger one, but Seismologists cannot predict exactly when. Recommended steps to follow if a large quake hits have been posted for residents. Three important steps for any emergency situation are: 1. Have a plan of evacuation. 2. Have an emergency supply kit ready at all times. And 3. Stay informed with your local news stations. Check out www.readywashoe.com. This website is hosted on the Washoe County website and provides a wealth of information that citizens can access to help them get prepared.
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If anyone was fortunate to have attended the Gathering of Nations in Albuquerque I would love to hear from you and get an update on the events you saw. You can post your news in the Native American forum at www.bellaonline.com. I hope the weather was pleasant for you at the Gathering and on your trip home.
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There is still time to add your voice to Congress regarding the Cherokee Nation. From CherokeeLink@cherokee.org:

Call to Action: We need you to make your voice heard today -- literally. The Cherokee Nation Washington Office needs you: to make phone calls to your elected officials to: 1.) stop Congress from terminating the Cherokee Nation and 2.) not to punish the Nation with amendments that would cut funding to vital services such as health care. Since June, more than 10,700 people have met online to send letters to Congress using http://www.cherokeevoice.com. Now we need Congress to hear our voice on the other end of the phone line. If you need any assistance with locating phone numbers for elected officials in Oklahoma (or throughout the United States) or to talk about the congressional threats facing the Cherokee Nation, please call 1.877.211.4909 or e-mail cnwo@cherokee.org. For more information regarding the citizenship status of non-Indians, please visit http://freedmen.cherokee.org.
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Northern Paiute Gain Water Rights!

After heated debates of water rights that have been ongoing for several years, the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe has assumed a leadership role in managing waters of a reservoir used for the purpose of maintaining and protecting two native species of fish, the endangered Cui-ui and the Lahontan Cutthroat Trout. For decades the tribe has opposed the city of Fernley getting upstream storage rights for water diverted from the Truckee River into the Truckee Canal and have tried to have the canal closed. The water that goes into storage in the canal would otherwise go to Pyramid Lake on the Tribes Reservation. The city of Fernley was told by the City Council that they could only get upstream storage if they get off the Truckee Canal. The team lead for management of Stampede Reservoir's waters was transferred last Friday from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Service to the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe and the tribe now has the role of scheduling releases of water from the Sierra Reservoir located east of Truckee, California.
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Need a quick and nourishing supper after all that traveling around the country to powwows? Try this delicious recipe:

Pancakes: Form cooked wild rice into thin patties and fry in butter. Serve with maple syrup, or make your own syrup by heating brown sugar, butter and a little water. This homemade syrup tastes much better than the ones you can buy. You can serve the rice cakes with butter or gravy also. Plate up a platter of smoked salmon and some greens with your choice of dressings - I like to just drizzle some olive oil over it and sprinkle on some pepper, savory and garlic powder.
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Till next time, Blessings to you and yours and may your moccasins find paths of joy!











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Legend Of The Jingle Dress And Dance
The legend of the Jingle Dress and the Jingle Dance

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