E-Mail to the Editor
Dear Editor,
Do you offer retreats where people can come to learn about Native American spirituality, cultural/ceremonial practices, shamanic studies, healing practices, etc.? Do you have shamanic practitioners among your Tribal citizens who are willing to teach these practices to those seeking this spiritual path?
My family and I are interested in learning and studying such Native American spiritual traditions. We are very concerned about the conditions of this earth and its people and we believe that it is through the practices of indigenous peoples that we can learn the way to help heal and restore our planet to its proper health, balance and well-being in the coming new age of human evolution.
Thank you,
The Gibbs Family
Dear Gibbs Family,
Your family’s quest is definitely an honorable one. However, our traditional spiritual leaders do not discuss our ceremonies or beliefs with non-Tribal people. There are a lot of scholarly works that have been published that may help you and your family.
Good luck with your endeavors,
Tina M. Osceola
Director of Museums
Dear Editor,
I collect old Seminole dolls and they naturally some have damage. My husband and I are planning a trip to visit the Everglades soon and were wondering if anyone does repair work on dolls. We would like to have them repaired while on our vacation. The damage is not to the patchwork but the bodies of some of the dolls need reinforcement.
If anyone can help, please contact me via e-mail.
Thank you,
Lynn Johnson
orchid54@earthlink.net
Dear Chairman Cypress & Seminole Tribal Council:
We would like to thank the Seminole Tribe of Florida for the generous donation given to the Flandreau (S.D) Indian School. It is very much appreciated and you are to be commended for your generosity. As I mentioned in our request, we have approximately 400 students representing 53 tribes from 20 states. Flandreau Indian School is one of the remaining four Off Reservation Boarding Schools in the United States. Our students come from rural reservation communities to urban areas. They board here at FIS for nine months and we have a few students that stay for our summer program.
A few years back the school added a new Cultural Program with Indian Studies classes. We teach these classes along with singing, dancing, outfit making and theater production. Our Indian/Cultural Club is very active doing cultural performances for various groups, and we also take our students to pow-wows. The name of our school drum group is Young Voice Singers.
We just recently took our drum group, dancers, and JROTC Color Guard to the Denver Pow-wow. A total of 25 students attended from our school. We had the honor of sitting with Miss Seminole, Brittany Yescas and Wanda Bowers throughout the weekend. Brittany really made an impression with the students. They enjoyed talking with her and learning about the Seminole Tribe and Florida. We sent her an invitation to our Senior Honoring Pow-wow in May.
The Senior Honoring Pow-wow is held to honor our graduating seniors. We usually feature a school dance club competition, along with additional category specials and a drum split for visiting drum groups.
Your donation will help us with everything I have mentioned and more. Again I would like to thank you and the tribe from the students, myself and administration for your donation. Pidamaye!
Sincerely,