November, 1998
Cherokee Cultural Society Meetings
Join the fun and enrichment from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., the first Thursday of each month. November 5, 7:00 p.m., is annual "Show & Sell Time". Houston is a great place for shopping, so combine the monthly visit to CCS with a once-a-year chance to shop our guest vendors and pick up great holiday gifts. The CCS December 3, 1998 meeting is one of our favorite laughing places, the annual "White Elephant Gift Exchange and CCS Holiday Celebration." Bring the family for a round of goofy-gifts and sheer fun. First time guests at each monthly meeting are eligible for the door prize awarded that night. Monthly sales of feathers, mugs, and T-shirts all benefit CCS.
Other Native Events
- American Indian Heritage Month is November 1-30, 1998
- Shakey Hollow Ceremonial Ground, near Conroe, TX, is the site for dances which are held the last Saturday of each month. All are welcome at the pot luck dinner beginning at 6:00 p.m. Call for details (maps available): 281-399-1661.
- The Native American Health Coalition works to improve the health of Native peoples in the community. Call for meeting details and to volunteer: 713-861-6667.
- The Wordcraft circle of Native Writers & Storytellers, Houston Area Professional Chapter, meets the first Sunday each month, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., at Borders Books, Westheimer & Gessner, in Houston. Visitors are most welcome as we read original prose and poetry and discuss Native issues. E-mail your CCS editor, vhenrich@swbell.net, for details.
- The American Indian Resource Center works to assist the Native American community through numerous activities. Contact: Jonathan Hook, 281-599-0657, e-mail jonhook@wt.net; or the Resource Center,
281-599-8988.
- The Alabama Coushatta Reservation presents the second annual Alabama Coushatta Children’s Pow Wow, Saturday, November 28, 1998, 6:00 to 11:00 p.m., at the Reservation Gym, Livingston, TX. For details call: Delbert Johnson or Joann Battise, 409-563-4391 or 563-2512, or 1-800-444-3507.
- The American Indian Chamber of Commerce of Texas holds its Tenth Anniversary Celebration and Annual Awards Banquet November 5, 1998, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., at the Radisson Plaza Hotel, Ft. Worth, TX. In Houston call AICOC, 713-932-1877, or in Dallas call 214-352-6005.
- Ninth Annual American Indian Arts Festival & Market, November 6-8, 1998, at the Fair Park in Dallas, with 175 Native artists. Contact American Indian Arts Council of Dallas, 214-891-9640; fax 214-891-0221.
- Of possible interest to people whose ancestors were from the Tellico, TN area in the Old Nation: Dan Russell of the Tellico Plains area Chamber of Commerce announces a Cherokee Nation gathering/reunion the entire month of April 1999, from Touqua along the Tellico River into
Tellico Plains. Contact: tellicoCoC@aol.com or
tellicoplainscc@tellico.net or see their website
The CCS Women’s Shawl Society
Great plans have included the October trip to the Texas Renaissance Festival. The group is decorating gourds in November. Women of all tribes are welcome at the Second Saturday monthly meeting, as they share crafts, skills and loads of good times. Contact for details: 713-541-4170.
Footloose and Fun
Cherokees and most Native Americans are animal lovers. In keeping with this interest, we announce the "Footloose Fantasy Freestyle Event", a competition of dogs and their owners at which they display their combined talents dancing together. The event will be held at the Braeswood Hotel and Convention Center, Houston, TX, Friday, November 20, 1998, 5:00 p.m. It is presented by the Footloose Canine Style Association and sponsored by Natures’ Recipe. Come cheer on CCS member Meg Walker and her black collie, Cherokee Spirit, who are due to perform the "Cherokee Morning Song" in the competition. Admission is $3.00 and it is open to the public. All dog breeds are welcome competitors. Contact for details and tickets, Carolyn Scott, 281-444-0560.
Tribal Election
May 22, 1999 is the General Election Day that The Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma Election Commission carries out Legislative Act No. 7-97, the Cherokee Nation Code Annotated, and the Constitution of the Cherokee Nation, for the purpose of conducting Cherokee Nation Elections. Part of the eligibility to vote requires registration with the Nation, and information is available at the website. The Cherokee Nation also can be reached at: P. O. Box 1188, Tahlequah, Oklahoma 74465-0948. Phone 918-458-5899 or 1-800-353-2895; fax 918-458-6101.
Mankiller's Papers Are Donated to OU Western Archive
A collection of former Cherokee Chief Wilma Mankiller's documents were presented to the University of Oklahoma Western Archive during ceremonies October 2, 1998, in Monnet Hall at OU. The papers, which will become part of OU's Western History Collections, cover the 10 years
she served as the leader of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma.
- From the Tulsa World On-Line (October 2, 1998)
Poetry Corner
The following is a poem by a new member of both CCS and Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers & Storytellers
"Crescent Eyes"
By Joan Douglas/Cherokee
You ask me yet again:
"Your daughters, their eyes are so ‘slanted’?"
I reply, telling you and all the others:
"Yes, they’re fine. It’s just my Cherokee blood that shapes their eyes
like mine!"
My eyes, dark brown and crescent-shaped, invoke no questions nor stares
from you.
But, because my daughters bear sky-blue orbs behind their crescent eyes,
curious stares invade their innocence.
"Mom, why don’t they believe us when we tell them we’re part-Cherokee?"
two young voices implore.
"No matter," I say to my robin’s egg blue-eyed girls.
"Can you think what our ancestors would say?"
‘Our blood still flows in your veins and causes your hearts to beat. This, then, is our prayer for you: May your and our gentle souls soar high above the ones who would doubt you so, for by doubting you, they doubt us, also. Know that we are always with you.’
Carroll Cocchia, newly elected member of the CCS Board of Directors and active member of Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers & Storytellers, composed this poem to honor CCS Past President Victor Carroll, who recently retired from the Board after many years of support and hard work.
"Ode To A Noble Warrior"
By Yellow Flower/Blackfoot
A special aura surrounds him -
Apparent nobility, - hinting of kings -
His spirit travels in days of old -
When his Cherokee heart took wings -
The ancient battles enthrall him -
With horses, and valor, and deeds -
His warrior’s soul, so brave, and so bold -
Racing magnificent steeds.
Fiercely proud, he follows his drum,
Wherever the cause might lead,
Helping his people - instilling the youth -
With faith to follow their creed.
His hopes, and dreams, and destinies -
He trusts to Creator’s hand -
Cherishing all his people hold dear -
Deep in their sacred land.
Intensely proud of his blood is he,
Faith profoundly embedded in stone -
With his people returning this soul-felt love -
He will never walk alone.
Written to Victor Carroll, Cherokee, with deep admiration.
Wado
Web Watch
- Information, Please is an encyclopedia and dictionary with many interesting and educational links. Click on "Society" and
"Race/Ethnicity" to see their information on Native Americans.
- Houston North Gallery. What’s in a name? While surfing for herbs, I discovered the Canuck site with fascinating links, one of which is an art gallery featuring Inuit art from the east coast of Canada - a little far from our home turf but certainly Native art of interesting contrasts. See the Native artists, their sculptures and graphics.
- Laurie Lacey’s Wild World of Plants includes links to sites with information on hard to obtain seeds, conservation efforts and Native
American activities on plant rescue and survival. Includes Henriette’s Herbal Hompage - humorous, helpful and comprehensive herbal details.
- SheoWolf’s Native American Wolf Pages contains beautiful graphics, plus history, legends and writings.
Resource
The Indian Territory Genealogy and Historical Society is selling its Master Index of the series of books "Our People And Where They Rest", a list of cemeteries and burial sites throughout eastern Oklahoma and the Cherokee Nation Boundary. Cost is $35.00 plus tax and
shipping. Phone for details: the Genealogy Society, 918-456-5511, ext. 3221.
Recipe Corner
Many thanks to CCS member Margret Hyme for a fun and easy recipe, that makes great traveling food (take-alongs for pow wows), and even freezes well.
Corn Fritters
Enjoy one of two main varieties - doughy little balls, laced with corn, that are deep fried, and the pancake type that are made of more corn than batter and browned in a skillet. Family tradition usually determines which kind are served. Nutrition would nod in favor of the pancake variety, described below.
One Batch
2-1/2 - 3 cups fresh, grated corn or frozen, whole-kernel corn
2 -eggs, beaten
1/4 cup water or milk
3/4 cup all-purpose flour, sifted
3/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 tsp. baking powder
1/8 tsp. garlic powder
1/8 tsp. onion powder
rosemary to taste - bruise by rolling between fingers or rub in palm of
hand (one to two pinches per batch)
- If using frozen corn, partially thaw the corn. Combine corn and eggs until corn is covered.
- Add sifted flour to the other dry ingredients and mix or fluff thoroughly. After corn is coated by the dry ingredients, sprinkle the 1/4 cup of milk or water over corn; stir and fold until all of dry
ingredients are wet. Let corn mixture rest while preparing skillet with olive oil.
- Add olive oil to warm skillet; heat oil until drop of water sizzles; add corn mixture by mixing-spoonful; spread it out to a thin patty size. I use a 12-1/2 inch cast iron skillet and only two or three patties cook at a time. Flip patties with spatula - like a pancake.
Tips: Use two or three batches if more than one person is eating. Fritters may be eaten plain or with flavored syrup when warm from the skillet. Freeze them individually for later use and eat plain at room temperature.
Copyright © The Cherokee Cultural Society of
Houston