2008 Indigenous Earth Day Summit at Northern Michigan University

The 2008 Indigenous Earth Day Summit

is April 22-23 at Northern Michigan University

in Marquette, MI

 This summit is made possible by the Center for Native American Studies, the Environmental Science Program and the Office of International Programs.

This summit is a call to action on Indigenous environmental issues in the Great Lakes area, on Turtle Island and around the world.

An Aboriginal Australian delegation from the Traditional Knowledge Revival Pathways project will be featured as keynote presenters and will provide musical entertainment.

Traditional Knowledge Revival Pathways project

Presentations include ideas on how to address Indigenous environmental concerns.

Rev. Dr. Lynn Hubbard, founder of the Turtle Island Project, has two presentations at the NMU 2008 Indigenous Earth Day.

The day/time will be announced soon.

 

Turtle Island Project Presentation #1:

In the Spirit of the Earth

Ecologico-Poetics: Native American story telling and the Ecological Challenge

The first presentation will focus on the relationship between language and earth based spiritualities.

Rev. Hubbard will first establish the many similarities between the functioning of a language and a religion within a particular cultural context - suggesting that the original language of human beings is poetry, and that poetry (mytho-poetics) is the true and proper language of religious consciousness.

Dr. Hubbard speak of the limitations of rational discourse (the inability of logic to express the truth of mythos) and suggest that indigenous language, as expressed through the many stories involving human and animal interactions, holds the key to the creation of an ecological-poetic understanding of the world, an understanding that can function as a corrective to traditional Euro-American forms of religion and science, which have helped to contribute to the current global ecological crisis.

—

Turtle Island Project Presentation #2:

In The Absence of the Sacred

Ecologico- Spirituality: Sacred Land and the struggle for Human Liberation

“Sacred places are the foundation of all other beliefs and practices because they represent the presence of the sacred in our lives.” Vine Deloria, Jr.

Human societies have traditionally made either nature or history determinative of reality.

It is clear that traditional western forms of spirituality prefer history as the source of divine revelation, and hence use temporal metaphors for expressing their sense of the sacred, which is often understood as existing apart from the natural processes of the physical world.

Indigenous forms of spirituality prefer nature as a source of sacred knowledge, and use primarily temporal metaphors to express their sense of the sacred, which are often tied to a specific time and a specific place.

In this presentation, Dr. Hubbard will the examine the implications of these differing metaphors in relationship to the idea of sacred Land.

What is the sacred?

What do we mean by sacred land?

Is it possible for modern Euro-Americans to understand such a concept?

What is the relationship of Sacred Lands to global ecological concerns?

Does western culture, still have a notion of the sacred?

Rev. Dr. Lynn Hubbard bio:

Lynn Hubbard M.DIV. D.MIN. is founder and director of the Turtle Island Project (TIP) in Munising, Michigan. He is currently the minister of Eden on the Bay Lutheran Church in Munising.

In addition to graduating from Valparaiso University and holding advanced degrees from the Lutheran School of Theology and Chicago Theological Seminary, Lynn has studied at the Pedagogishe Hochschule in Reutlingen, German, the Religious Studies Department at the University of Indiana, and the Divinity School at the University of Chicago.

For many years he worked as the Associate Dean of Rockefeller Chapel at the University of Chicago.

He has served a number of churches throughout the Chicago area, and lived on the island of St. Croix, in the Virgin Islands, pastoring two Afro-Caribbean Lutheran congregations.

He has had extensive experience in both the interfaith and ecumenical communities, and served as the Director of Development for the Parliament of World’s Religious.

Most recently, in working in his capacity as spiritual director for Juvenile sex offenders, he has given national and international conference presentations on “Creating Ritual Process for Juvenile Sex Offenders from a Cross Cultural Perspective”.

He travels regularly to the Lakota Sioux reservations in South Dakota, where he helps prepare graduate theological students in cross-cultural ministerial training.

He has been honored by members of the Sigancu tribe of the Lakota people in being asked to serve as a fire keeper for their Sundance ceremonies. .

 Summary of Turtle Island Project websites & TV (video) sites:

Turtle Island Project website

Turtle Island Project Whispering Turtle website

Turtle Island TV on Blip TV

Turtle Island TV on you tube

 

Turtle Island Project on myspace

—

Topics include:

Traditional Ecological Knowledge (T.E.K.)

Education and Indigenous environmental concerns

History of industrialism, industrial threats, Indigenous peoples and the Earth

Economic globalization and Indigenous peoples

Indigenous languages and the Earth

Solutions in Indigenous cultures to environmental problems

Indigenous subsistence rights and protection of sacred land

Global poisoning and the impact on Indigenous peoples

Climate change and its impact on Indigenous peoples

——-

Center for Native American Studies

Northern Michigan University

April Lindala, Director

112F Whitman Hall

Marquette, MI

49855

For more information:

NMU Center for Native American Studies homepage

NMU 2008 Indigenous Earth Day Summit page

Office: 906-227-1397

Fax: 906-227-1396

Call for Proposals: NMU 2008 Indigenous Earth Day Summit

EXTENDED DEADLINE!

Call for Proposals: NMU 2008 Indigenous Earth Day Summit

Northern Michigan University is seeking presentation proposals for the 2008 Indigenous Earth Day Summit to be held at NMU April 22-23. This summit is made possible by the Center for Native American Studies, the Environmental Science Program and the Office of International Programs.

This summit will function as a call to action on Indigenous environmental issues in the Great Lakes area, on Turtle Island and around the world.

An Aboriginal Australian delegation from the Traditional Knowledge Revival Pathways project (see http://www.tkrp.com.au/) will be featured as keynote presenters and will provide musical entertainment.

Presentations should ultimately include ideas on how to address Indigenous environmental concerns. Topics include, but are not limited to, the following.

- Traditional Ecological Knowledge (T.E.K.)

- Education and Indigenous environmental concerns

- History of industrialism, industrial threats, Indigenous peoples and the Earth

- Economic globalization and Indigenous peoples

- Indigenous languages and the Earth

- Solutions in Indigenous cultures to environmental problems

- Indigenous subsistence rights and protection of sacred land

- Global poisoning and the impact on Indigenous peoples

- Climate change and its impact on Indigenous peoples

A variety of presentations are encouraged (music, art, films as well as papers and panels).

Activists, Native elders and Native community members are strongly encouraged to submit proposals.

Proposals should be 150-300 words in length.

Deadline for submissions has been extended to Monday, March 17, 2008.

Send to:

cnas@nmu.edu

(attachments should only be in Microsoft Word or as a PDF)

Subject line: Indigenous Earth Day Summit Proposal

-or-

Center for Native American Studies

Northern Michigan University

1401 Presque Isle Ave

Marquette, MI 49855

For more information call 906-227-1397 or visit:

http://www.nmu.edu/nativeamericans

12th annual Upper Peninsula Indian Education Conference Mon., Feb. 18, 2008

12th annual UP Indian Education Conference“Engaging American Indian Youth in the Classroom and Beyond”

Monday, February 18, 2008

Northern Michigan University

University Center

Marquette, Michigan

(Information on the following conference was sent to the Turtle Island Project by April E. Lindala, Director of the Center for Native American Studies at Northern Michigan University):

It is not too late to register for the 12th annual U.P. Indian Education Conference at Northern Michigan University (Marquette, MI). This one day FREE gathering is for all educators and educators-to-be.

Our keynote speaker is D.J. Eagle Bear Vanas.

To learn more about D.J. please visit his Web site at:

http://www.nativediscovery.com

He promises to be an engaging speaker for all students and educators.

At the request of last year’s participants, we are pleased to announce special guest, Dr. Susan Faircloth, Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership.

Dr Faircloth’s research focuses on the education of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) students with disabilities.

She is specifically interested in the factors that account for the referral and placement of AI/AN students in special education programs and services in the early grades, the preparation of school leaders, and the moral and ethical dimensions of school leadership.

Attached is a listing of all of our presentations and presenters, several right from Northern Michigan University. Students in grades 6-12 are also welcome to attend and take part in a special tournament of “Monopoly on the Rez.”

Register online today at www.nmu.edu/nativeamericans and share this information with others who would be interested.

(Register online by the end of the day Wednesday, February 13, 200

If you have any questions, please call (906) 227-1397.

Thank you very much,

April

—

April E Lindala, Director

Center for Native American Studies

Northern Michigan University

112 Whitman Hall

Marquette, Michigan 49855

PH: 906-227-1397

FX: 906-227-1396

alindala@nmu.edu

http://www.nmu.edu/nativeamericans

—

More information on Conference:

12th annual UP Indian Education Conference

“Engaging American Indian Youth in the Classroom and Beyond”

Monday, February 18, 2008

University Center – NMU

THIS IS A FREE CONFERENCE.

Register online by the end of the day Wednesday, February 13, 2008.

List of Presenters and Topics:

American Indian Education On-line Seminars

Presenter: Dr. Martin Reinhardt

This is an interactive session where participants will be engaged in four seminar samplers from the American Indian Education On-line seminar series.

The seminars are provided in partnership between the Tribal Education Departments National Assembly (TEDNA), the Interwest equity Assistance Center, and School of Education at Colorado State University.

Indinawemaaganidog (All my relatives) – An inter-active Anishinaabe language resource CD

Presenter: Jim St. Arnold from Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission

Indinawemaaganidog (All my relatives) and Gidakiiminaan (Our Earth), two inter-active Anishinaabe language CDs and the Anishinaabe Atlas will be presented.

Participants will be able to explore the CDs and discuss ways in which they can be used in the classroom beyond teaching the Anishinaabe language. Target audience – Native language teachers.

Information Technology at Home and School: Access and Usage by Native American High School Students

Presenters: Abhi Jain teaches Computer Information Systems at NMU. Carol Bell teaches Mathematics Education at NMU.

How do Native American high school students use information technology compared to other high school students?

We will inform educators about the implications and challenges of ensuring that Native American students have adequate and equitable access to information technology.

Math in a Cultural Context Presenter:

Richard Sgarlotti is the Projects Coordinator of the Hannahville Indian School and has also been the mathematics teacher for 15 years.

He is also the author/editor of the book “Creating a Sacred Place for Students in Mathematics,” published by the National Indian School Boards Association.

Learn how to incorporated cultural connections with materials and activities available, which can be done in your classrooms.

Participants will be shown ways to incorporate Culture Based Mathematics into any K-12 classroom, based on the following: American Indian Contributions to Mathematics, Mathematical Concepts in Traditional Culture, Mathematical Concepts in Present Day Cultural Activities, Mathematics in the Study of Indian People, American Indian Mathematicians/Scientists- Past and Present

Monopoly on the Rez

Presenters: Richard Sgarlotti is the Projects Coordinator of the Hannahville Indian School and worked with students to develop the game and curriculum.

Four students who worked on the game will do most of the presentation.

Staff and students from the NMU Center for Economic Education and Entrepreneurship will also assist. Students from the Hannahville Indian School will present a PowerPoint slide school about the game and have participants actually play the game.

Participants will learn how to develop the Monopoly on the Rez game for their own communities.

This includes having students research the financial terms of Monopoly and playing the game.

Northern Michigan University’s Center for Economic Education and Entrepreneurship: A U.P. Wide Resource

Presenter: Dr. Tawni Ferrarini, Director

Learn about a variety of resources, ideas and description of services available in the Upper Peninsula to K-12 teachers and youth coordinators interested in advancing young people’s understanding of entrepreneurship, market economics, personal finance, and business ethics.

Experienced based activities, classroom projects, youth camps, and after-school sessions are summarized. Opportunities to collaborate will be discussed.

Office of Indian Education: Digital Workshops for Teachers

Presenter: Dr. Judy Puncochar, Assistant Professor – School of Education

Description forthcoming

Risk and Resiliency: Unpacking the Disproportionate Representation of American Indian/Alaska Native Students in Special Education Programs and Services

Presenter: Dr. Susan Faircloth, co-director of the Center for the Study of Leadership in American Indian Education.

A discussion of the cognitive, behavioral and contextual/environmental factors that contribute to the disproportionate representation of American Indian and Alaska Native students in special education programs and services.

Emphasis will be placed on the role of administrator training, parent-school-community collaboration, and early childhood education/early intervention services in the development and delivery of culturally and linguistically appropriate services for students with special educational needs.

Saving the Mohawk Language: Akwesasne Freedom School

Presenter: Elvera Sargeant

The Akwesasne Freedom school was founded in 1979 by Mohawk parents concerned that their language and culture would die.

The Mohawk “Thanksgiving Address,” is used as a curriculum base.

The Akwesasne Freedom School combines solid academics with a foundation in Mohawk culture.

It is the only program of its kind in the US.

Storytelling Science with the Eagle Books: A Native American teaching style that suits all sorts of students

Presenters: Lynn Aho (PhD) and Stephanie Pinnow (MS) are members of the development team for the ‘Health is Life in Balance’ curriculum

Explore storybook science with the vividly illustrated Eagle Books, in which a wise eagle reminds children of traditional ways to be healthy.

The books and activities present a positive view of health that is culturally consistent for Native Americans, appealing to all children, and introduces key concepts in life sciences.

Youth Camps: Entrepreneurship and Leadership

Presenters: Azael Meza, Program Coordinator & Gisele Zenti, Activities Coordinator

The program and activities coordinator of the Lac du Flambeau Youth Entrepreneurship and Leadership Program discuss how desires to hone the entrepreneurship and leadership skills of the youth of the Lac Du Flambeau Tribe motivated them to search for funding, resources and activities that made it so.

From planning to implementation to evaluation of camp outcomes, the process is described. How the “Tiny Warrior” by DJ Vanas and economic education materials and activities were integrated is also presented.

No Respect: Michigan Governor uses state song to promote mining; as tribe, others sue to block “acid mine”

Upper Peninsula Swan Song: As state continues its betrayal of the pristine northwoods, the Governor and Hollywood use song to promote Upper Peninsula mining

Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm and a Hollywood director are using her website to promote an official state song for Michigan - and the song’s ONLY comment about the beautiful and pristine Upper Peninsula glorifies mining.

More on that in a moment.

As expected, the state of Michigan continues to betray the sacred trust it has to protect the Upper Peninsula environment.

According to media reports, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is expected to approve permits for the first of dozens of sulfide mines that will soon pepper the northern Michigan landscape.

However, the MDNR decision on those permits has been delayed until at least the February meetings of the Natural Resources Commission.

Let’s hope the media reports are not true and the MDNR will have the guts to say “no” to Kennecott Minerals at its Eagle Mine Project near lake Superior that is guaranteed to produce sulfuric acid as part of its unproven technology.

These “acid mines” are expected to be followed by uranium mining - effectively ruining the tourism industry here in Michigan’s northwoods.

In December 2007, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality approved permits for the experimental technology for the Eagle Mine near Lake Superior.

If the MDNR follows suits, about the only hope left for stopping this mine is the EPA and a judge because several groups including the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community are suing in an effort to block this first “acid mine.”

Here are great background stories on the acid mining future facing the U.P.

“In These Times” story on acid mine

Read about effects of Acid Mine Drainage

Save the Wild UP

By the way, Indigenous groups are also fighting a nuclear nightmare out west at Yucca Mountain:

The Michigan Earth keepers believe everyone can make a difference and here’s a list of ten easy ways to do your part to protect environment from Stop Global Warming group:

The Great State Song-gate in the Great Lakes?:

Are Michigan’s governor - and a Hollywood director - engaged in subliminal advertising using a version of the state song for controversial acid mine that threatens the pristine northwoods?

I ask this question - tongue-in-cheek.

I doubt it’s a super conspiracy but it definitely is dirty pool at a time when so many northern Michigan residents are preparing to take an acid bath and mourning the loss of our environmental innocence.

But it seems strange to me that these two - Governor Granholm and Hollywood director Jeff Daniels - are backing a song that only hails one thing about the Upper Peninsula - and that is mining.

Both have remained quiet about the deadly serious issue that will have lifelong impact on the pristine northwoods as these mines pop up everywhere followed by uranium mining.

I have long criticized Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm and actor/director Jeff Daniels for not joining the thousands who oppose the proliferation of sulfide “acid” mines in the Upper Peninsula.

Info on subliminal messages from Wikipedia:

At issue is a controversial sulfide mine near Lake Superior that will lead to dozens of similar nickel (and dime) projects and likely will ultimately open the ground to uranium mining in the pristine Michigan northwoods.

An unsubtle message in the Michigan state song or a minor mining coincidence?:

Is an old Hollywood trick the latest act being used by pro-mine supporters and directed by Michigan’s Governor under the tutelage of famous director/actor Jeff Daniels?

 

 Now I ask - is Governor Granholm - Michigan’s top democrat - engaged in subliminal advertizing for this mine - or is one of her last official acts for 2007 - just a coincidence? And why does the only line the in the “state song” that refers to the Upper Peninsula (U.P.) seem to glamorize mining?

Crazy you say?

Surely Michigan’s Governor would not choose this time to sing praises of mining while ignoring the other attributes of the glorious U.P.

Well, I would agree if not for the fact that the governor’s own website admits there is a “more suitable” version of the song for peacetime.

Maybe she’s promoting the war version because of Iraq.

By deduction, that means the Governor is promoting a less “suitable” version - on her official state website - that is being sung by actor/director Jeff Daniels.

I wonder why this song - that Governor Granholm loves so much - only mentions the Upper Peninsula in passing - and why the only great thing about the U.P. that is mentioned is mining.

Surely there are prettier things in the Upper Peninsula to sing about than our mines - especially if it’s the “unofficial state song.”

So enamored with the U.P. mining song and with Jeff Daniel’s version - Governor Granholm has posted a link to his version on the official state website:

Wikipedia on Michigan, My Michigan

Governor Granholm - in a crescendo of praise - says of Mr. Daniels:

“As the temperature continues to drop and we prepare for another Michigan winter, there will be days when we look out of our windows and marvel at the beauty of this place we call home,” says Governor Granholm apparently searching for her autograph book.

Swooning in Da Moonlight : Da Gov Goes GaGa over Dandy Daniel’s Ballad:

“There will also be days when we look out of the same window and see a cold and gray place. To help you through those days, take a moment to listen to Jeff Daniels sing Michigan, My Michigan,” proclaims Governor Granholm.

On the Governor’s website - apparently posted just before Christmas - are the lyrics for three versions of “Michigan, My Michigan.” The versions are from 1862, 1886 , 1902.

The lyrics in question are in the second line in the song (again the only line in entire state song that even hints that the Upper Peninsula exists) that describes mining in a shining good light and sung to a Christmas tune (O Tannenbaum/O Christmas Tree).

Here is the exact phrase - you judge:

From Saginaw’s tall whispering pines

To Lake Superior’s farthest mines,

Fair in the light of memory shines

Michigan, my Michigan.

An 1886 version of the same war song - again the second line - states:

“jewels glitter in thy mines” but without the Lake Superior U.P. reference.

Dat’s the name of that tune:

Still swooning over Jeff Daniel’s version - Governor Granholm tells the state’s residents about his version of “Michigan, My Michigan.”

“I find this song a helpful reminder of all of the many reasons we are so fortunate to live here,” says the star struck governor.

Michigan State Song Debacle: Dissing a song - once voted upon

Governor Granholm weighs in on old debate - endorsing song she wants to represent the state.

Wikipedia on “diss” songs

If those three versions of the song don’t leave your toes tapping - the Governor’s website describes yet another - different but similar - song that at one point at least captured the imagination of the then-Governor Frank D. Fitzgerald and the 1930s legislature.

The1933 song - entitled “My Michigan” - was officially described by state lawmakers “as an official song of the State of Michigan” but not “the” official state song.

“Note the care that the Senate took not to name it as “the” official song of Michigan,” states Governor Granholm’s state website - going the extra mile several times to proclaim it’s not Michigan’s official state song.

While Fitzgerald may have liked that version - Governor Granholm apparently prefers the version she promotes: “Michigan, My Michigan.”

Granholm’s website states:

QUOTE - “Michigan, My Michigan” has long been considered Michigan’s unofficial state song. Another song, “My Michigan,” has been all but forgotten except in the records of the Michigan Legislature. - END QUOTE.

By the way, Governor Frank D. Fitzgerald, not related to namesake of infamous Lake Superior iron ore boat that sank - was the first and only Michigan governor to die in office and one of only two Michigan governors to serve non-consecutive terms.

Wikipedia on Gov. Fitzgerald

Dire Straights above the Straits of Mackinac

Both Governor Granholm and actor Daniels have proclaimed their undying love for their homestate, yet have not lifted a finger to rescue the U.P. at its more dire straits.

It seems we can’t get them to join the fight against the mine - and that shall be their legacy here in the U.P.

But maybe - the pair could spend some quality time along Lake Superior and think up some lyrics for our state song that truly describe the beauty and attributes of the now-pristine Upper Peninsula.

I recommend they do this before the acid mining boom forever changes our landscape. By the way - “Tuebor” is the biggest boldest word on the undisputed official Great Seal of Michigan - unchanged since 1911.

Michigan SOS on “Tuebor”

“Tuebor,” means, “I will defend” in Latin.

Please - Governor Granholm - there are thousands of us in the Upper Peninsula who could use some of that protection right about now as we fight for our way of life against a behemoth mining company.

Or do you have better things to do than oppose this acid mine?

Finally - the more research I did on the state of Michigan song and seal - the more insignificant the U.P. appears.

Quite a land deal for Michigan and future Secretary of State (SOS):SOS outlines why we in da U.P. need help - and don’t often find it below the bridge:

Here is what the Michigan Secretary of State (SOS) Terri Lynn Land has to say about us Yoopers (slang for an Upper Peninsula resident) - rather bluntly - on her website about the other words on the state’s Great Seal:

QUOTE - “Si Quaeris Peninsulam Amoenam Circumspice” means, “If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you.” It is believed this refers to the Lower Peninsula.

The Upper Peninsula was added in 1837, to pay for the loss of a strip of land on our southern border, given to Ohio when Congress made Michigan a state. - END QUOTE

It seems to me the Lower Peninsula for quite a deal for that “stip of land” - the entire Upper Peninsula that most anyone will tell you is by far the best part of Michigan.

Now I understand why some Yoopers have joked about seceding from the state of Michigan - and why those who live below the Mackinac Bridge are sometimes called “trolls.”

How the Upper Peninsula became the ultimate spoils of a verbal war:

Wikipedia info on Toledo War on Upper Peninsula spoils of that war

The Great Seal Act threatens jail for use of state symbols

Would if I could - but I can’t - so I won’t:

For the record, in describing our state seal - and coat of arms - I wanted to include a a copy of the seal.

But I can’t - under threat of arrest - from the SOS - who warns: “No facsimile or reproduction of the Great Seal can be used in a manner unconnected with official functions of the state. (MCL 2.45)

A person who violates any provision of the Great Seal Act is guilty of a misdemeanor (MCL 2.46).

All this anti-Upper Peninsula stuff is way too “dark and dreary” for me, besides I’m too busy fighting this acid mine to worry about Michigan State Police “a rap tap tapping (or kicking in) at my chamber door.”

“Whatcha gonna do?” - To quote the Bad Boys “official song” of the Cops TV show.

As the choir prepares the swan song to northern Michigan’s beauty, tourism and innocence, we who love a natural northern Michigan will continue fighting the good fight.

Tho the last rites to northern Michigan tourism are not far away and funeral services are being planned.

I leave you with the appropriate lyrics and from original meanings of “Swan Song.” Wikipedia on “Swan Song” background

“Farewell, all joys! O Death, come close mine eyes!”

“More Geese than Swans now live, more Fools than Wise.”

“The wild swan’s death-hymn took the soul

Of that waste place with joy

Hidden in sorrow: at first to the ear

The warble was low.”