O'siyo to all,

I have returned from my journey into the Gila National Forest, renewed and refreshed, and with even more hope and respect for our natural world.
The forest was beautiful, filled with creatures from deer to monarch butterflies, and the Standing People were magnificent. It was almost like a rainforest, with plant people growing everywhere. While there I learned a little about some of our Ancestors, the Mimbres culture, which I will be telling you about in next week's article, unless something more urgent comes up. This week, I added an article about Santa Fe Indian Market, and my impressions of it. I hope you will check it out on the Native American site at BellaOnline.com.

Santa Fe Indian Market 2007
To hold an Indian Market of this magnitude in The City Different, lent a unique atmosphere to this event. Did this uniqueness help or hinder the Market? Join me as I take you inside Santa Fe Indian Market, to see for yourself how different this event really is.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art35050.asp

I also have some sad news to report to you this week. Many of our Cheyenne brothers and sisters in Oklahoma have been displaced due to flooding. I am told that there are tribal Elders who were forced from their homes in only their pajamas, and have nothing left of their own. Although I don't normally use this newsletter for this type of request, however, due to the urgency and seriousness of this situation, I would like to request your help for these unfortunate souls who are suffering in Oklahoma. They are in urgent need of clothing (kids and adults), shoes of all sizes, towels, and toiletry items (shampoo, conditioner, any type of soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, etc.). If you can help, it would be much appreciated. Please think of the Elders, and the children who are our future, and do what you can for those in this sad situation. If you can offer any assistance, please contact me at nativeamerican@bellaonline.com and I will give you the mailing address for our contact there to send the supplies to.

There is also a post in our Native American Forum on this topic at:
http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=336132#Post336132
and I will post any updates I receive to this thread, so check back often.

The main Native American forum is located at:
http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=140
where we are still welcoming all to the campfire, telling stories, and getting acquainted with each other. The forum is free, and has been recently upgraded, so if you have not yet checked it out, please do so. I hope to see you there soon!

Remember, there are many links on our Native American homepage for recipes, stories, music, books, education, healthcare, and much much more. Stop by anytime!

Feel free to contact me, either in the forum, by replying to this email message, or by leaving a comment on the Native American home page. I love hearing from everyone!

Please pass this message along to family and friends, and share the free knowledge available on YOUR Native American site at BellaOnline.com!

Praying you all a wonderful week ahead,

DawnEagle Summers, Native American Editor
http://nativeamerican.bellaonline.com

One of hundreds of sites at BellaOnline.com