#Indian Lands

[wachinyeya]

https://ktla.com/news/california/goats-unleashed-by-san-manuel-tribe-as-part-of-fire-prevention-strategy/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaaJJAE-Kl55wk4vm1cYc0zjGRUEv8w6ps0HX0z-rxwwa7YXnTDCsgIU2vs_aem_0djT-2NoD-E87Ic6UeeqGw

Firefighting goats have been deployed by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians to protect tribal land and neighboring property from potentially devastating brush fires.

The goats are unleashed by the San Manuel Fire Department to eat up dry brush and grass that would normally be ideal fuel for fires — a recent fire was actually partially stopped once it reached an area cleared by the caprine crew earlier this year.

The herd, officials said, is about 400-strong and is made up of generations of goat families.

On Tuesday, the goats were treated to a feast of fruit before being sent on their brush-eating mission.

The goats will spend the next several months trimming and thinning out vegetation on the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Reservation and nearby properties in San Bernardino.

Tribal officials said the brush that covers the hillsides in and around San Manuel property is thriving and diverse, boosted by the recent history-making rainy season. The plant life is an ideal food source because goats prefer food that’s at their eye level.

The Tribe has used goats as a natural, environmentally friendly fire preventative tool since 2019; the plants get trimmed in a sustainable fashion, which allows them to survive and recover naturally overtime unlike most chemical sprays.

Tribal officials called the practice an extension of the Tribe’s “culture of lands stewardship.”

“Caring for the land is a sacred duty of the Tribe,” said Lynn Valbuena, chairwoman of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. “Stewardship is a responsibility given to our people by the Creator. No matter who owns the land.”

San Bernardino County residents shouldn’t be surprised to see the goats in the mountains fulfilling this divine task from now through the end of fire season.

[sneeplerbeepler]

Hindu girls: remember that our ancestors didn't do purdah. our goddesses don't do purdah. Does Saraswati cover her hair? Does Lakshmi cover every inch of her body? No. So why should you? Seeing the female body as something sexual to be covered up is the mindset of our colonizers, and they've sadly colonized a lot of our minds. Decolonize!

[rebeccathenaturalist]

For those following the Chinook Indian Nation's work toward regaining federal recognition, this is an important endorsement. I posted a while back about a petition for the state of Washington to give the now-closed Naselle Youth Camp to the Chinook. The NYC is on unceded Chinook land, and specifically the portion of land the Chinook asked to retain almost two centuries ago as part of an unfulfilled treaty with the U.S. government.

A state task force formed to determine the fate of the NYC has officially recommended the NYC be given to the Chinook Indian Nation. Not only would this put the facility into the hands of people who will make excellent use of it, but the Chinook have also stated their intention to restore the on-site wastewater treatment facility and salmon hatchery. The former would additionally be a boon to the entirety of Pacific County, which currently ships its wastewater all the way to Centralia, WA, over 100 miles away from southern portions of the county.

If the NYC is indeed given to the Chinook, this will be an important statement that can be used to pressure the U.S. government to restore their federal recognition. To find out ways you can help the Chinook in this effort, please visit ChinookJustice.org.

[oyeevarnika]

you’re the loss of my life” cinematic universe

[uwmspeccoll]

Milestone Monday

Sacred Lands, Broken Promises

On this day, January 27, 1825, the U.S. Congress sanctioned Indian Territory, which is located in what is now Oklahoma. This decision was part of the United States’ broader policy of westward expansion, driven by the belief in Manifest Destiny—the idea that the U.S. was destined to expand across the North American continent. It laid the groundwork for the Indian Removal Act, which President Andrew Jackson signed into law in 1830. 

One of the most infamous outcomes of this policy was the Trail of Tears. This tragic event involved the forced relocation of Native Americans from their lands during the 1830s. The term particularly refers to the Cherokee Nation's tragic journey in 1838-1839, where thousands of Cherokee people were marched westward under harsh conditions. The journey was marked by immense suffering, including exposure to harsh weather, disease, and inadequate supplies. Estimates conclude that thousands of Native Americans died as they were uprooted from their ancestral lands to this designated territory.

The relocation and its consequences had lasting impacts on Native American communities, and it remains a significant and painful chapter in U.S. history. The era highlighted the conflicts between the U.S. government and Native American nations, as well as the broader issues of sovereignty, land rights, and cultural survival.

P. S. Sorry (not sorry), Mr. Jackson, we’re still here!

The images featured come from:

Rhymes of the States by Garrett Newkirk with drawings by Harry Fenn after sketches by the author. It was manufactured by De Vinne Press and published by Century Co. in New York in 1896. The work contains prose and verse that is intended to be entertaining and educational. However, the piece on Indian Territory is a prime example of colonial discourse. 

Pushing the Bear: A Novel of the Trail of Tears is a historical novel by Diane Glancy (Cherokee). Our copy is a first edition published by Harcourt Brace (New York) in 1996. The novel tells the story of Cherokee removal and their journey along the Trail of Tears. 

Songs from the Native Lands: poetry by Victoria Lena Manyarrows (Tsalagi/Eastern Cherokee), published by Nopal Press (San Francisco) in 1995. The poems featured are titled We Remember/The Trail of Tears and Unthanksgiving/We Will Not Be Invisible.

View more posts from our Native American Literature Collection.

View more Milestone Monday posts.

 -- Melissa (Stockbridge-Munsee), Special Collections Library Assistant 

[neechees]

It's so fucking ironic bc the U of A & U of C does the whole "land acknowledgement" thing in classes, the U of A has a First Nations cohort & teaching program, they both have Native studies classes with Native professors. "We acknowledge we're on treaty 6 land" they say. "We're trying to maintain the relationship between us and Indigenous peoples" they say. "We acknowledge we're on Indian Land and are trying our best to acknowledge the history of colonialism in Canada" they say.

And then they unleash pig cops against unarmed protestors fighting against the colonial occupation of Palestine, on Indian land. You lie to our faces about wanting to fix things with us while on OUR land while wanting to colonize another.

[humanrightsconnected]

It’s Indigenous People's Day! As we honor this significant day, learn about 14 influential Native American figures 👇!

[herpsandbirds]

Christmas Island Red Crab (Gecarcoidea natalis), family Gecarcinidae, order Decapoda, endemic to Christmas Island and the Cocos Islands in the Indian Ocean

Terrestrial crab.

photograph by John Tann 

[ookaookaooka]

the ranch i used to go to camp at as a kid and still volunteer at occasionally (which is now more like a nature preserve slash ranch slash camp slash cemetery) has been working on a forestry project for a long time and now after ten years (TEN YEARS) was finally able to do a controlled burn 🥹🥹🥹🥹 i'm gonna cry im so happy

[sunfloweraro]

For writing requests, how about sharing traditional holiday foods from their eras?

Oooh I love this request! I kept making myself hungry while I wrote it, but enjoy!!

***

��Everyone ready?” Time called out into his dining room.

A chorus of voices from all over his home responded: “Ready!”

Time gathered the clean plates, tower of cups, and boat of gravy, then followed Malon as she led the way into the dining room, her decadent lamb roast in tow. They were the first to set their food down on the heavy oak table, and Malon placed it right in the middle, shifting it so it sat just right and gazing down at her work with pride. Potatoes, carrots and sprigs of rosemary enveloped the steaming roast.

Malon turned to him, her eyes softening with fondness, and he reached for her hand before she had to say a word. Together, they sat at the table and waited as the rest of the group filed in.

The rest of his companions joined them as one, each carrying a tray of steaming food, or a plate with a delightful treat to enjoy once they had stuffed themselves silly and announced they had no room left for dessert. The pleasant tingle of spices greeted his senses, mingling with the sweetness of roasted pumpkin and the saltiness of seafood. The comforting scent of freshly baked bread came next, and Time sighed in appreciation. Dishes were set down with pride, compliments murmured, before everyone settled down at the table.

Malon and Time went first: “My grandmama used to make us a delectable roast every holiday season,” Malon said, her eyes drifting as she reminisced. “I may not be able to make it the same as her, but…”

“It’s something I look forward to every holidays,” Time finished for her, face softening as he met her eye. “My favourite meal, and the gravy she prepares is to die for.”

“Aw, you’re too sappy, fairy boy.”

“Only for you.” His words were met with boos and groans, and he took every one with a smirk. Only Sky cooed, eyes crinkling with warmth as he thought of his own beloved back home.

Wind jumped in next. “My Gramma always makes us this seafood paella. I couldn’t find the exact mussels and prawns she catches, but it’ll still taste like home!” Wind had gone above and beyond with presentation, mimicking Wild’s extravagance and creating rings of peeled red prawns atop a bed of rice. Mussels hadn’t been easy to find, it seemed, but Wind had scattered a few around the dish alongside wedges of lemon.

“It looks wonderful, Sailor,” Warriors said, nudging his young friend in the shoulder. “I’m sure your gramma would be proud.” Wind beamed under the praise, leaning into his friend’s side as they continued.

“The Gorons back home let me join their holiday celebrations,” Wild began. “Curry pilaf has always been my favourite of their dishes.” Time had no doubt the Gorons had introduced Wild to the dish; his eyes watered with the close proximity to the heavily spiced dish, and though he knew his eyes would stream, he would devour the meal and all its delightful flavours, even if he might regret it tomorrow.

“I can’t wait for it, Cub,” Twilight said, and though apprehension lay in his eyes, similar to Time’s own, he knew his descendent would devour the pilaf like a starved man if it made Wild smile. “And it seems Sky and I had similar ideas.” Twilight waved a hand over their dishes, sitting side by side on the table. Twilight had brought a stuffed and roasted butternut pumpkin, and Sky had brought a deep bowl of pumpkin soup accompanied by a fresh loaf of artisan bread.

“I take it your home town grows a lot of pumpkins?” Sky asked, eagerly eyeing off the stuffed butternut.

“The very finest,” Twilight said, a daring light to his eyes.

“I don’t know about that, my friend. Have you ever tried pumpkins at altitude?”

“Have you ever tried them on land?”

“Settle this later, folks,” Time cut in before the friendly banter could go any further. His stomach was rumbling, irritation brought on by hunger flaring deep within. They could continue their playful argument after dinner.

Twilight and Sky shared a look. They nodded to one another, their argument put on the back burner.

“Your stuffing skills are impressive,” Sky praised.

“I’ve never known anyone who could make a pumpkin soup so smooth,” Twilight said in turn, and with a grin to each other, they let it be.

“We don’t have as many dishes these days, when food is hard to come by,” Hyrule said, and all eyes turned to him and the treat before him, a decadently sweet aroma wafting from the pastry covered in a light green dust. “But things have been growing back, and this is one of the first desserts I ever had the pleasure of eating and then learning to make. Folks back home call it baklava.”

“Oh, my uncle used to make that for my birthday,” Legend piped up, eyes sparkling as they took in the dessert. Time wasn’t certain if it was eagerness or nostalgia that brought the glimmer to them. “I haven’t had it in years.”

Hyrule’s face softened. “I hope it can live up to his.”

“I’m sure it will,” Legend assured him, before realising what he had said and blushing. Clearing his throat, Legend pushed his own dish forward, a yellow rice dish with a colourful array of vegetables, cashews, and spices. “When we celebrate the holidays back home, Hilda and Zelda visit. Ravio and I always make this biryani together.”

Warriors hummed, a knowing look on his face that made Legend blush deeper. “Oh yeah?”

“Shut it, you,” Legend snapped. “What did you bring?”

With a roll of his eyes, Warriors pushed forward his dessert, a round pudding topped with a drizzle of white icing and raspberries scattered on top and around it. “Plum pudding. Back in the war, we didn’t have many options when it came to holiday treats, but this one was always my favourite, and it put a smile on my soldiers’ faces when I brought it out.”

“I’m sure they appreciated it,” Time said. “What better way to boost morale than dessert?”

Warriors chuckled. “That was my thought process too. It boosted the spirits of everyone, myself included, gave us strength when we began to wane…”

“What an honourable thing to do,” Time said, and Warriors smiled. “Now, I believe we have one more dish—Four?”

No dish lay before Four, and he looked away shyly. When Time followed his gaze, he saw an odd little structure resting on his kitchen counter. “My dessert isn’t for us to eat,” Four said, and then quickly hushed complaints. “No, let me explain. Back home, we have a special tradition where we bake gingerbread and create little houses from it. We leave these houses out in the living room for the Minish, and come morning, the house has been eaten.”

“What’s the point of that?” Legend asked, earning a glare from Four.

“Let me finish.” With a roll of his eyes, Legend waved for him to do so. “The Minish always help us out, planting rupees and kinstones in the grass. In turn, we give them this. And sometimes, if they enjoy the meal enough, they leave us little presents to find come morning.”

“That sounds like a wonderful tradition,” Time said, and he meant it. “Let us hope our luck is high tonight. If not… it’s still kind to do something for others and expect nothing in return.”

Four dipped his head. “That’s the idea. We don’t do it for the presents, although they’re always interesting. It’s our our way of telling the Minish we appreciate them even when most folks can’t see them any longer.”

“We can set it out on the table after dinner,” Malon promised, her eyes shimmering at the idea. She had always loved giving back; it was part of why she and Time took care fo replenish their sugar water every day. If Navi returned, then that came as a bonus, but looking after fairies when they did so much for him felt right, and the two of them would continue to do so until they no longer could.

“Well, everyone. What do you say we dig in?” Time’s words were met with cheers and the screeching of chairs as everyone stood, rushing to grab their meal. Time met Malon’s eyes, smiled and squeezed her hand around his own.

Hours later, after everyone had eaten their fill and sung and danced until feet and throats were sore, after everyone had drifted off with warmth in their hearts and smiles on their faces, little Minish ventured out from the rafters, sliding down strings of lights or clambering their way down on bookshelves and chimneys. They delightedly raced over to Four’s little gingerbread house, tearing chunks out and humming in appreciation. Come morning, little gifts had been left all around the house in turn to surprise each of the Heroes. And on the table, only a few crumbs remained.

[bellasbookclub]

Reccer Spotlight: G!

Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries

In Other Lands

Witch King

When the Tiger Came Down the Mountain

My Heart is a Chainsaw

Prosper's Demon

Demons and tigers and faeries, oh my! From harpies to murderous ghosts, G's recs are bringing you all kinds of Creatures. Full text available in their tab of the Bella’s Book Club Summer Reading ‘24 Reclist.

more info on BBC Summer Reading 2024

more Reccer Spotlights

[stone-cold-groove]

It took some time, but I finally earned my butter merit badge.

[okbutwhy-rebooted]

ISRO LANDED CHANDRAYAAN 3 HELL YEAH!!!!!

THE FUCKING SPACESHIP LANDED!!!!

YEAAASSSS CONGRATULATIONS TO INDIA, ISRO AND FELLOW DESIS!!!!!!!

JAI HIND!!!!!

[callmehyungoppaokay]

"This Is Home."

~Sebastian, LA LA Land

[sumbluespruce]

A little sun

8/14/24

[world-of-wales]

I'm 99.9 percent sure I know which spa/retreat in Kerala that Chuck and Cam go to.... the British press could never achieve this level of efficiency 😂😂