Spring has finally, bravely come out of her hiding place and is in full regalia now, offering up her flowers in thanks to Great Spirit! We welcome her with prayers and offer sacred bundles of sage or cedar as gifts for bringing beauty and promise to us once again.
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If you like to camp, hike and visit nature to view the wildlife, this is a great time of year to do so. Newborn calves of the different species can be seen around Nevada. The Pronghorn Antelope may be hard to spot unless you have a really good camera to zoom in on them from great distances, because they can pick up movements from as far away as three miles. They inhabit brush-lands and sagebrush areas in the Great Basin. The Mule Deer are native to the Great Basin, but can be seen throughout the state wherever water and foliage are present. The Rocky Mountain Elk inhabit counties around Elko, NV. They are most active at daybreak and sunset. Sometimes, if temperatures are moderate, the elk can be seen in large herds just below the tree line on open terrain. The Mountain Goat will be found on the highest, steepest cliff areas of northeastern Nevada ranges. Lamoille Canyon in the Ruby Mountains is the best place to view these goats in the early morning or late afternoon. The Big Horn Sheep inhabit more than 70 mountain ranges around the state. Since they easily blend into rocks in their area, they will be hard to find. The Desert Bighorn Sheep is Nevada's state animal.
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I hope you have been catching my weekly articles this month. Due to Memorial Day coming up, I have dedicated my May articles to Native Americans in the armed forces. Osha Gray Davidson was very kind to let me reprint his story of Pfc Lori Piestewa. This last Monday, my article on Ira Hayes appeared. Please join me in remembering and honoring our Veterans and fallen heroes this month and send them and their families blessings.
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From cherokeelink@cherokee.org:

Osiyo everyone! I'm glad that you've joined us for this edition of the Cherokee Link Newsletter! As a tribe a good number of our members serve in the military or are veterans, including some of our staff. That is why it is important that we support our men and women in uniform and their families. The Cherokee Nation officially “adopted” the 45 th Infantry Brigade, a reserve unit from right here in northeastern Oklahoma. Many of these soldiers are Cherokee. The Cherokee Nation supports the group in many ways: One of which is supply drives like the one going on right now. The seven Cherokee Casino locations throughout northeast Oklahoma will be collecting items through the month of May to ship to troops abroad. The drive is being held in May to coincide with Memorial Day, to remember veterans while helping active duty soldiers. For a full list of supplies for our troops, visit:http://www.cherokee.org/Services/Human/DonationList.html

Wado! cherokee.org web site staffwebmaster@cherokee.orgCherokeeLink@cherokee.org
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If any tribe has Veterans or war heroes they would like to mention in my newsletter, please let me know and I will be honored to include them.
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For quick meals between Powwows or while camping, do not forget the old basics:

Cook up your favorite fillings for tortillas quickly in a hot cast iron skillet at home or over the campfire.

Make some Old Style Blue Corn Tortillas:
Take enough blue cornmeal to make as many tortillas as needed. Mix with salt and water. Pat the dough into thin sheets between your palms, brown quickly on both sides on a hot griddle with very little oil.

Add some Traditional Indian Summer Salsa:
Chop up some green chile blended with tomatoes, onions, yellow hot chilies, squash, garlic and enjoy this hot and delicious treat! Invite your family and friends and prepare for much fun and laughter!
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Till next time - may your moccasins and hearts find happy paths to follow! Blessings and walk in Peace and Beauty.















Here's the latest article from the Native American site at BellaOnline.com.

Ira Hayes Immortalized In Time
Ira Hayes, brief history and memorial of a Native American man who could not accept the glory.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art13851.asp

Please visit nativeamerican.bellaonline.com for even more great content about Native American.

To participate in free, fun online discussions, this site has a community forum all about Native American located here -

http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=140

I hope to hear from you sometime soon, either in the forum or in response to this email message. I thrive on your feedback!

Have fun passing this message along to family and friends, because we all love free knowledge!

Phyllis Doyle Burns, Native American Editor
http://nativeamerican.bellaonline.com

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