August 2001 Newsleter #2
Phil Konstantin
Hi, everybody,
I have a couple of tidbits I thought I would pass along.
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Here is an e-mail I received from Jennifer, one of the newsletter's
subscribers. If any of you have any answer to these questions which you
would like to share, send them to me. I will pass them along to
Jennifer.
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I'm wondering if you could help me research a question I have wondered
since I was in high school and first became interested in the brain and
behavior. I work with children who have autism, their families,
teachers, doctors, professionals, etc... trying to promote their
inclusion in our so-called "normal" society. (Really, though, I end up
doing more work with the "normal" people, getting them to see how
uniquely beautiful the world is to a person with autism!)
Individuals with autism have difficulty with social interaction (they
prefer to be alone, I believe, because of sensory processing problems),
communication (some never talk, though with intensive help, they almost
always can communicate some other way, with sign language or pictures),
and repetitive behaviors and insistence on sameness. The world needs to
be predictable and unchanging for the person with autism to be
comfortable. Otherwise, he or she will often perservate on a certain
movement (rocking, lining things up) or topic (those who are verbal have
"Asperger's syndrome", a form of autism, and are above average
intelligence for certain topics, and they will talk literally nonstop
about their chosen field of interest).
In looking for a "cure" the the mainstream medical community of course
looks to medication before it considers nutrition during development,
herbs and simple accomodations like the use of sign language or
pictures to communicate. My fight seems to be for the respect of these
individuals as fellow human beings who share the earth with us. Who's
to say THEY aren't the ones who are "normal" and WE are the strange
beings? It all comes down to respect for life.
Anyway, MY QUESTION IS : have there been "reports" (in the form of
stories, perhaps?) of individuals with this thing we now call "autism"
in the Native American population? I would LOVE to talk with a shaman
or medicine man or woman about this (as well as many other things).
But I'm a blonde-haired, blue-eyed, white-as-they-come young woman !!
(SMILE ;) I believe that the answers will come to me when and how they
are supposed to. Could you offer any insight into this? Perhaps
someone you know could lead me in a direction?
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OK, I am guessing this is comedy. If anyone knows if this is a real
article, let me know. Otherwise, I am guessing not. The irony of
drilling into the back of the Presidents' heads is hard to ignore as a
piece of satire.
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WHITE HOUSE BACKS MOUNT
RUSHMORE COAL MINING PLANS
WASHINGTON (API) -- The White House today responded to growing
criticism of its support for mining a coal seam inside Mount Rushmore,
the national shrine in South Dakota's Black Hills, in order to meet the
nation's energy needs.
BHP-Rio Billiranda, the Australian/British/South African/ Canadian
mining conglomerate, announced its discovery of "one of North America's
three richest anthracite coal seams" on April 1. The company has
applied for state and federal permits to dig shafts into Mount
Rushmore's rear flank to recover the extensive low-sulfur coal deposit.
The permit applications have been met with widespread opposition by
environmental organizations, park protection groups, and tourism
interests.
Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton returned Tuesday from a visit to
South Dakota, where she had met with concerned citizens and mining firm
representatives. "You have to understand," she told reporters at the
National Press Club on Wednesday, "the mining operation would be
restricted to the rear of the mountain. Shafts would be dug only into
the back of the four presidents' heads, out of view of the visitors'
center. The projected periodic blasting should not disrupt tourists'
experience, or obscure their view of the breathtaking masterpiece."
Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-South Dakota) weighed in Tuesday
on the mining proposal in his home state. "This coal mine plan is an
affront to the environment and our national heritage," Sen. Daschle
asserted in a press release, "I and my colleagues in the South Dakota
congressional delegation will fight like hell to ensure that Mount
Rushmore is protected, and the coal mining operations are carried out
safely." BHP-Rio Billiranda officials were unavailable for comment.
Local opponents of the mine proposal, including environmentalists,
ranchers, and Lakota (Sioux) tribes, in June founded the Mount Rushmore
Alliance to stop the coal mine permits. Similar alliances have
previously halted or slowed plans for uranium mines, bombing ranges, and
coal-hauling trains elsewhere in western South Dakota.
A recent Alliance benefit concert at the Rapid City Convention Center
drew up to 3,000 coal mine opponents, who were entertained by musical
bands such as the Indigo Girls and The Presidents of the United States.
Amy Ray of the Indigo Girls commented, "The carving of Mount Rushmore
was enough of an affront to the sacred Black Hills. Now they want to
add insult to injury by carving out the presidents' craniums."
At a press conference in his State Capitol office in Pierre, South
Dakota Governor Bill Janklow replied last week to vocal demands to
prevent mining at the national monument. "Rushmore may be inspiring, but
it's certainly not sacred," the Governor said, "There's nothing sacred
about a bunch of inert rock. I'd expect Indians to say stuff like that,
but not upstanding white citizens."
Vice President Dick Cheney, who in May chaired an energy resources
commission that backed the Mount Rushmore mine plans, said Monday after
a meeting with Capitol Hill lawmakers, "The bottom line is we need the
coal. Mining is part of our country's heritage just as surely as the
majestic images on Mount Rushmore. I'm sure that the four presidents
would be proud that their likenesses are being mined to help guarantee
our nation's energy security."
The Vice President added, "Well, okay, maybe not Teddy Roosevelt. But
remember that on conservation issues he was a tad bit extreme."
During a state visit to Australia on Wednesday, President Bush grinned
to reporters who shouted questions about the Mount Rushmore controversy.
"C'mon, we're talking here about coal; we're not talking about brains,"
the President responded, "Extractilating coal from the four presidents'
skulls is not going to make them any dumber. At least, I don't think
so."
[Distributed by API/ZG 08/01/01]
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Hmmmmmmm, now you see why I doubt this "article" is real. Here is a side
note on my feelings about Mount Rushmore. I was born with a traveler's
heart. I enjoy traveling and I love visiting places I have never been.
This is especially true when it come to "natural" things, museums and
ancient Indian sites. I have traveled all over the American southwest. I
have visited many natural beauty sites such as the Grand Canyon, Zion,
Bryce Canyon, Mt. St. Helens, dozens of ancient Indian sites, etc. I
gave you this bit of background to explain why I don't plan on visiting
Mt. Rushmore.
To me, Mt. Rushmore is a dichotomy. On one side, it is an absilutely
amazing architectural feat. The amount of work it took to produce these
faces is awesome. I am empressed by art on such a scale. On the other
side, I consider it a slap in the face to the Lakota, and perhaps all
American Indians. The Black Hills (Paha Sapa) were/are considered sacred
to many of the Plains Indians. Not only did the United States go back on
all of the treaties they signed about always letting the Indians keep
this land, but the government "vandalized" the Black Hills. They took a
sacred site and carved the faces of four of the "Great White Fathers" on
it. Obviously, no one is going to move Mt. Rushmore to a non-sacred
sites. But, unless I have a change of conscious, I will not be visiting
it until they do.
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Gina sent me this e-mail about a special day coming up. This is about a
white buffalo which was born a few years back. Since tribes believe the
birth of a white buffalo is a prophetic event. There were two buffalos
born around the same time. One has died. Here is some info on the
remaining one:
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Birthday Invitation - August 20th marks the 7th birthday of Miracle, the
Sacred White Buffalo. Her importance to Indian people, as well as all
the world's people, cannot be understated. She is the manifestation of
prophecy. If you are not familiar with her story, please visit her
official website. Miracle, the Sacred White Buffalo.
Native Village editors, Valerie Crow and Gina Boltz, and Miracle's
official webmaster, Stephanie Schwartz, would like you to join us for
the celebration! We understand that perhaps you cannot physically be
there, so we are inviting you to be there in spirit. We are honored
that the Heiders, (Miracle's owners), have graciously accepted and
support our plans for a very different kind of "birthday card." Instead
of a paper card, we are making a large grapevine wreath and will be
tying ribbons with well-wishers' signatures on it.
If you would like to add your name to a ribbon tied on Miracle's wreath,
please follow this link:
"Sign the Wreath for Miracle's Birthday" (
vevillage.org/Miracles%20Birthday/wreath%20signature%20for%20Miracle.htm
)
If you also wish to send a Message to Miracle, please click here: "Your
Birthday Message to Miracle, the Sacred White Buffalo" (
p://www.nativevillage.org/Miracles%20Birthday/MiracleBirthdayMessage.htm
)
We especially welcome and honor our children's voices, the seventh
generation.
On August 18th, Native Village editors will be going to see Miracle,
and will place your birthday "card" at her pasture. Your birthday
messages will be printed out and presented to the Heiders to
keep in Miracle's little museum . We respect and will protect your
privacy by not sharing your messages and signatures online. Photos will
be posted at the Native Village website upon our return.
Happy Birthday Miracle ... and thank you!
Gina Boltz and Valerie Crow, Native Village editors
Native Village Home Page
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That's it for now
Phil Konstantin
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