JD4u2's blog: "Today in Native American History"

I learned this morning that I have lost a very good friend. He passed on Christmas Day. I know he will follow his new path well. He will have a great journey. He lived his life as a human being. He was strong, honest and loved all that lived. My heart cries out to his wife and family. They loved him so very much. I know he is going to a better place and I know his path will be a great one but I feel so sad and will miss him very much. I will always honor him and pass his stories on. You will always be loved Al, loved always forever and ever forever. May you rise from our mother. Follow your path, you will live in our hearts forever. Dark Mountian

December 15, 1970: Blue Lake was returned to the Taos people many years after the U.S. government seized it from them. Blue Lake was part of the Taos culture for more than 700 years and is considered sacred land. December 19, 2000: The Navajo Code Talkers were recognized for their service in World War II. Since the language of the Navajo was not known to our enemies, the Code Talkers saved countless lives. However in order to evade capture other US soldiers had orders to kill them, so that the code could be protected.

1. One never forgets to acknowledge a favor, no matter how small. 2. Day and night cannot dwell together. The white mans religion was written on tables of stone. Ours was written in our hearts.

Wild Cherokee Rose It is said that over 100,000 Native Americans were removed from their homelands during the Trail of Tears of 1838. They suffered from severe weather, mistreatment by soldiers, disease, inadequate food and bereavement. Diseases they suffered were colds, influenza, sore throats, diarrhea, measles, fever, pleurisy, toothache and gonorrhea (among the young men.) Knowing that their children might not survive the journey, mothers grieved and cried in sorrow. One night, the elders prayed for a sign, a symbol that would uplift the mother's spirits and give them strength. The very next day a beautiful flower, the Cherokee Rose, began to grow where the mothers’ tears had fallen. Still, to this day, you can see the wild Cherokee Rose growing along the route of the Trail of Tears. The white color of the rose represents the tears that the mothers’ shed; the gold center symbolizes the gold taken from the Cherokee lands; the seven leaves on each stem stand for the seven Cherokee Clans.

14 December 1985 Wilma Mankiller became the first Native American woman to become Chief of the Cherokee Nation. Her photo posted in Native American Photos.