Ute Mountain Gerald Ketchum - dazzles the Aspen crowd.
Zuni Dancers honoring the "People of the Deer" - the Utes.
Mayor Rachel Richards, Suzy Chaffee and Vice Mayor Terry Paulson - host Ute Healing Ceremony.
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SEVEN NATIVE |
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1. NATIVE SKI PROGRAMS AND CEREMONIES Why? Following the ancient way of the First Americans, described by Vermont MIT Abenaki Fred Wiseman, in "The Voice of the Dawn," tribes would first share a sports activity with visitors from other Indian Nations, before meeting on trade or treaty issues. In keeping with that tradition of creating a friendly sports bonding relationship between peoples, Native America is reconnecting with mainstream America after 400 years of misunderstandings and pain, from living on two difference consciousness levels. While settlers on up until the last decade thought we should teach them our values and culture to live a better life, many 21st Century thinkers, led by 40 UN countries who are finalizing an "Earth Charter" believe we need to adopt their sustainable values, like taking only what you need, not want, to survive and thrive. People who ski are close to Nature, and therefore understand and appreciate Native Americans more than many urban people. Thanks to our mutual evolution we are now creating that bridge to get over the past, as both cultures now realize that in order to preserve our planet's life support systems for all our children, we need to first play and then work together. There is a total of $500,000 worth of ski opportunities on the table being graciously offered by 28 ski areas across America. With funding NAOTF can facilitate and assist those ski areas and their local tribes to welcome local tribes back to their ancestral lands. First NAOTF assists the ski area in finding the biggest-hearted leaders of both sides to coordinate a successful ski program and ceremony. Each participating ski area offers approx 100 tickets, lessons and equipment (worth approx $125/Native) to their local tribes at the beginning of the season (to give them something to sing and dance about) and 50 during the ceremony weekend, all worth approx $18,000./area. NAOTF needs administrative funds, plus some additional support by sponsors to ski areas for higher profile events (that educates the country through the media), to maximize these opportunities for Native youth. NAOTF contacts political leaders to invite them to the ski areas' Native cultural ceremonies honoring their tribes. We also assist the ski areas with press and coordinating the shooting of a segment for the following documentary. This would not only provide NAOTF with the staffing to assist the 28 ski areas have historic events, but develop other ski area hook ups with tribes. At the same time, it will help finalize lobbying to (voluntarily) enforce "the National Forest Foundation's mandate to offer Native Americans opportunities on forest lands (ski areas)." This means the rest of the ski areas in America may give at least 50 ski opportunities for the season to their local tribes to start to reconnect. Already ski areas who wouldn't join for by giving 150 tickets...are offering 75... At these uplifting celebrations state and local politicians, along with resort leaders, and often Olympians and other celebrities, honor their local tribes for their gifts to democracy, ecology, philosophy and six Olympics Sports. NAOTF's sports legends call the First Americans the "MVP's of the Millennium." In the spirit of unity, tribes reciprocate at the ceremonies with dancers, singers and drummers and leaders sharing their earth-honoring culture - a perspective left out of our education. Anglo leaders also speak from the heart to heal the past and start a new beginning with a Friendship Circle Dance. The Boys and Girls Clubs of America and Rotary Clubs are also interested in assisting. Click "How to Plan an Event" for the gestures of Colorado's communities to the Utes and other tribes to give you ideas on how you would like to design your event, every ski area and tribe have different stories and resources. Through the skiing, ski areas can organically develop an event after they get to know their tribal brothers and sisters, perhaps hosting a welcoming event in the summer or next season - a formula that could easily work for every ski area! NAOTF PARTNERS these programs with the National and Regional Forest Service, the National Parks, the National Ski Area Operators of America, State Ski Associations, SIA's Donate-A-Ski Program, BIA and State Tourism, town councils, Chambers of Commerce, Sales Directors Associations, Counties (including PR firms) and local schools. Communities also contribute housing and meals. In develpment: Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Boy and Girl Scouts of America, and the Rotary Clubs, who are interested in hosting Native Artist Exhibits at resorts during the celebration weekends. Native bands, traditional and contemporary, make great entertainment at the mountain plazas, like at Telluride's World Snowboard Chamionships. Everyone wins ...economically, culturally and spiritually. TRI PARTISAN SUPPORT NAOTF has the support of Democrats, Republicans and Independents. NAOTF's first supporters were Former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, Colorado's Republican Olympic Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell of Colorado, Democrat President Bill Clinton, General Norman Schwarzkopf, Patrick Kennedy, Chairman of the 60 member Native American Congressional Caucus, and Independent Senator Jim Jeffords (from Suzy's hometown of Rutland, Vermont). NAOTF is also honored to have Senate Majority Leader (Dem) Tom Daschle of S, Dakota on board. At the suggestion of the Pueblo Governors, NAOTF also got the support of the Udall Family (the Kenndy's of the West"): Former Secretary of Interior Stewart Udall, Rep. Tom Udall of New Mexico, Rep. Mark Udall of Colorado, and Senator Morris Udall of Arizona are "delighted" to support their states' tribes. Given the rapport Chaffee's Co-Chairman, Brian Wallace, has with the Senators and Governors of California and Nevada, and Tex Hall, head of the Great Plains Tribal Chairmans' Association, with the political leaders of the Dakotas, both felt that he could count on the support of their statesmen at ceremonies. "Senators Innouye, Daschle, Burdick, Baccas, and John McCain (elected with Navajo support), are part of a new leadership that is well educated about Native culture," said to David Melmer, editor of Indian Country Today. Therefore support for Native Americans this Olympic Year has been truly Tri-Partisan. RESORTS WANTING TO HOST NATIVE SKI CELEBRATIONS Maine - Sunday River - Wabonaki Confederacy plus other tribal members living there New Hampshire - Dartmouth Ski Way - Wabonaki... Total Cost: $150,000. Aspen's World Cup Sets Tone for Natives at Olympics At Aspen's World Cup in November, Patrick Lange, head of the European ski press, met Lakota Lloyd Bald Eagle, a NAOTF board member who was in Aspen working with NAOTF on the Deer Mountain event. "Doing something for Native Americans this Olympic year through your skiers, will blow the hearts and minds of the world," said Lange. At the slalom race that day, Ivica Kostelic, the Croatian who staged "The greatest upset victory in World Cup slalom history," (Aspen Times) starting No. 64. set the tone for Native Americans and the Olympics. Ivica beelined from the award podium for the Lakota dance champion to ask him if he could please have a picture taken with him. "I have never met an Indian before. I respect your culture so much, having read so many books," crowed Kostelic. Vermont and South Dakota Launch Native Ski Season Associated Press just covered NAOTF's Abenaki Ski Program in Vermont, led by Olympians Rosie Fortna, Lindy and Barbara Cochran, and C.C. Teague at Cochran's Hill. (See "Reconciliation Press.") Jay Peak, Mt Mansfield and Mad River are also pioneering ski areas. Werner Von Trapp, 86, of the "Sound of Music," hand crocheted hats to make dozens of Native kids feel part of a team. Moriarty Hats, also of Vermont is supplying thousands of Native youth across America with hats and their moms with yarn. Deer Mountain, S. D., Honors Great Plains Tribes - December 22 The first event honoring our First Americans will be at Deer Mt near Lead/Sturgess. Statesmen, stars, Olympians, neighbors and visitors will honor the Great Plains Tribes, including some of their royalty, spiritual leaders, chiefs, as well as Native stars of sport and cinema. Everyone is invited for the splendid dance ceremony where Elders share their earth honoring perspective, leaders speak from the heart, and we dance, walk and ski together into a brighter Millennium. The event will be part of a documentary by Seneca James Kleinert, called "Spirit Riders," with a parade of horses riding to the ski area as part of the world peace initiative of Arvol Looking Horse. He is the spiritual leader of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and revered Keeper of the White Buffalo Calf Pipe. At the same time Kleinert is covering the event for part of NAOTF's "Red Road to the Olympics." For info contact the coordinators: Peg Christie at Pegc@vcn.com or Phillis Baldeagle of the Cheyenne River YMCA at: florence@sat.net. Aspen's Press Conference, Native American Olympic Art Exhibit and Parade In Aspen, NAOTF's new home base, NAOTF working with community leaders on a number of projects. At 10 a.m, January 26th, 2002, NAOTF, in conjunction with the County and Aspen Council, will host a press conference at the airport to announce America's unique gesture to our First Americans this Olympic year. The sponsors, ski areas, winter sports industry, Olympians and political leaders, who are making this gesture possible, will be honored, along with Native greats and dignitaries. There will also be some surprises. The backdrop of the press conference will be Pitkin County Airport's new "Native American Olympic Art Exhibit" to honor our original Ute inhabitants. We hope this airport exhibit may be a prototype to other airports to encourage Native arts, historic education and expand awareness of the sense of place and sacredness of the land so that they may preserve that for their children. The press conference will precede Aspen's Winterskol Parade, with a special Olympic tribute to the Utes and other Native Americans. This Olympic Year may be our one chance in history to start the healing process by enthusiastically making good on the National Forest Service mandate, of offering Native Americans Sports opportunities on forest lands, thereby fulfilling JFK's suggestion 40 years ago. (See Reconciliation Press for his full statement).
2. "RED ROAD TO THE OLYMPICS" Documentary - With funding NAOTF can finish producing an historical documentary of these events at ski areas across America, that started in Colorado 5 years ago. American Spirit Productions bi-cultural team, headed by Chip Comins, (PBS Jass Aspen, hosted by Michael Douglas) has already recorded 30 hours of Colorado's pioneering events starting in 1997 with Telluride, followed by Durango Mt., Steamboat, Vail and Aspen. The film will cover the human interest side of these heart-warming Native Ski Honoring Celebrations leading up to the Olympics (as well as after). Ski areas, like Vail, often supply the footage. Both ABC and NBC producers are interested in airing it during the Salt Lake Games, like the Aborigine pieces. See 6 minute video promo on web of Colorado's events. The docu would also cover the making of the "Mountain Spirit Celebration," described below. Total Cost: $120,000. Seneca James Kleinert just got his "Olympic Profiles" series with a Native American perspective - uplifting Nature and music, on FOX, with 78 million US and 48 million international viewers. With sponsorship, "Red Road to the Olympic" could be incorporated. spiritriders37@hotmail.com
3. OLYMPIC "MOUNTAIN SPIRIT CELEBRATION" FILM With funding NAOTF can produce a 3-5 minute ski/cultural film, starring the top Native Skiers and boarders in America: Imagine silver-haired Elders blessing a mountain. The camera pulls back from a helicopter, revealing they are on a majestic Utah peak. Wafting smoking sage, the eagle wing transforms into a screeching eagle that dives down a ravine fading onto the helmet of Cheyenne Ross Anderson, "The Fastest American on skis." The wind burst as Ross passes awakens an eagle and hawk perched on their nests, who soar up and morph into winged Natives doing side by side back layouts off cliffs. At tree line, a mother bear (representing the Utes) stands up to watch the Native skiers as her cub tumbles after them and startled deer, elk, moose, wolves, and buffalo follow. Their spirits morph into Natives dancing, leaping, flipping and spinning on skis and snowboards down mogul fields... On a knoll, tribal and spiritual leaders raise their eagle staffs to cheer the animal skiers on, then dance in a circle on snowshoes, breathing life into Nature spirits (kids in deer headdresses) who joyously jump on toboggans to join the chase. (Snowshoes & toboggans were invented by American Indians.) Passing a painted Ute teepee, a grandma, mother and child, who are cooking by a fire, trammel (war whoop) as the skiers catch up to entrancing crowned Princesses skiing in a synchronized "V" formation. On another rise, shawl dancers spin with fringe and hair floating in the wind. The men catch the hands of the women and spin each other around. Hand in hand a smiling couple skis off in untracked powder... All culminating at sunset with silver white fancy dancers spinning, leaping and dissolving into Native skiers flying off a knoll, transforming back into an eagle and hawk that fly from the screen around the Olympic Stadium or other venues, in a blessing to all! America's best 25 Native American skiers and snowboarders (as well as Elders, leaders and children) will help bring the sacredness of Mt. Olympus and Nature back to the Modern Olympics. This film also gives Native youth, like Cheyenne Speed Skier Ross Anderson (now "The Fastest American on Skis" - Click Reconciliation Press Sports Illustrated article) a chance to shine in the spotlight as athletes during the one Olympics that honors them. This exposure gives them a chance to be heroes to a new generation of Americans, like Cathy Freeman was for the Aborigines in Australia. Sports have created major breakthroughs in America for Women and Blacks. The Salt Lake Organizing Committee's Ceremonial Director Scott Givens said, "This film could be the surprise of the Olympics." It is endorsed by the Native American 2002 Foundation and Native American Sports Council of the USOC because it would do wonders to promote grass roots winter as well as summer sports opportunities. SLOC suggested that the ideal spot would be to air in the first few minutes following the Live Opening Ceremonies, or anytime during the Games. "It could be the surprise of the Olympics," said SLOC Scott Givens, showing the world - Native Americans today! Both NBC and ABC are interested. "I hope I can present some of these ideas at Salt Lake," wrote Sidney Olympic Host, Bob Costas. It will be produced by a bi-cultural team, including World Traditional Dace Champion Rose Anne Abrahamson, a descendent of Sakajawea (honored at White House), and directed by the two award-winning film-makers who'll be doing the back layout off cliffs, Seneca James Kleinert and Tulilup Stew Young, Professor of Videography at Oregon State University. $250,000.
4. GLOBAL TORCH TELETHON - Sponsors or grants are needed for a globally televised Celebration of Olympic Athletes, Indigenous People and Musicians to foster Peace, Understanding and Awareness. Broadcast before or during the Salt Lake Winter Olympics, possibly live, with performances by world class musicians and Olympic legends honoring Indigenous chieftains and greats of sports and dance. Added to a possible opening of Indigenous Tribes in partnership with the other 3 colors of man drumming around the world, starting in Olympia Greece and ending with the Utah tribes at Salt Lake, this event could do wonders to lift the Peace & Unity vibration of the planet and enhance the IOC's "Olympic Truce," headed by the IOC's Prince Albert of Monaco, an Olympic Bobsledder. The Salt Lake Games begin February 8. This globally televised event would have special focus on Middle Easter Tribes and the First Americans in appreciation for the six Olympic sports they helped invent - Ice & Field hockey, Soccer (Kick Ball), Kayaking, Archery, and Bobsled/Luge (Tobagganing), along with Lacrosse and the 3 Day (Spiritual) Marathon. Sports greats like Muhammad Ali and Bill Bradley would salute past Sports Legends like Jim Thorpe and Louis Sokalexis, a Maine Penobscot, who first broke baseball's color barrier in 1897. (Cleveland Indians were renamed after him). Other presenters, like Marlin Brando and Cathy Freeman, would honor today's Native legends - Gold Medal Runner Billy Mills (Lakota)), Golf Champion Notah Begay (Navaho-Pueblo), Ross Anderson (Cheyenne), Sidney Olympic Marathoner Jan Posey (Navaho) and Tennis and Womens' Sports Pioneer Billy Jean King (Cherokee). Video highlights would accompany the presentations. The 3 hour Global Concert and Ceremony in a Live Aid or Oscar Academy Awards format, would also honor Indigenous Peoples for their sustainable environmental values. To give unprecedented credibility and visibility, Indigenous stars would then turn the Olympic spotlight on Heads of State and other Green leaders who have done the most to preserve our planet's life support systems: From Mikhail Gorbachev who founded the international Green Cross to Michael Barry, President of the National Ski Area Operators of America, who pioneered an "Environmental Charter for Slope Sustainability." In addition to the Mountain Spirit Celebration, these events could inspire the critical wake up call to preserve playgrounds in nature for our children. Robert Redford would be an ideal host, and NAOTF is looking for a producer of the callibre of George Schlaughter, who produced the first Navajo Code Talkers Film and the 2001 Inauguration. (synopsis available) Proceeds go toward Indigenous youth sports opportunities, and Eco Sports Camps, taught by Indigenous leaders, all with emphasis on Native Americans and Middle Eastern Tribal Peoples. Proceeds go to develop international Indigenous Sports Programs, sports scholarships, Eco Sports Camps taught by Native Peoples and Olympians starting in Aspen, summer, 2002. (Camps also trains Native to lead Eco Hikes in schools, ski areas, Parks and Forests - See Aspen's Eco Sports Camp under "Environmental Breakthroughs") Approx Cost: $225,000.
5. OLYMPIC ALUMNI EXCHANGES AT RESERVATIONS US Olympic Alumni Association President, John Nabor, a Gold Medal Swimmer, has committed to get the Alumni behind giving sports clinics to Native youth in all Olympic winter and summer sports at reservations across America. Nabor wants to personally launch the program with his California Tribes. In exchange, Olympians would participate in traditional activities (pow wows, ceremonies, sweat lodges, hikes with Elders) to see Nature through Native eyes. They can then bring this message back to mainstream America. With over 6,000 alumni members and 560 Tribes, we could reach every tribe within a year. NAOTF hopes to partner this on-going program with the Casino Tribes whose Native Youth are a priority. Approx Cost $120,000.
6. OLYMPIC SPIRIT AWARDS - To honor and welcome all 560 American Indian Nations into the Olympic Family this year, each tribe will receive a ski package - alpine or x-country skis, snowboards or snowshoes, boots, bindings and an outfit - as a gift from the Winter Sports Industries of America. NAOTF is looking for a sponsor or foundation who would love to help make this gesture possible to cover the $25,000 in shipping, which has already begun in Vermont. The Elders will vote for the most promising male or female winter athlete who most personifies the Olympic Spirit! - "Body, mind and spirit balance," and connection with Nature, good sportsmanship, sharing and empowering others. Elders need to send in their "Olympic Spirit Award" winner with information on which sport, sex, ability, size of skis or board, boots, clothing, gloves and hat with 3 favorite colors. Please E-mail: suzychaffee@nativevoices.org, fax: 970-9273659 or mail to: P.O. 3279, Basalt, Co 81621. Please also send an action or picture for possible inclusion in an Indian Country Today story. See details for additional snowsport equipment awards for winner of the following categories: Olympic Arts, Olympic Spirit Song Contest, Native Sports Legends Essay Contest, Tribal Leaders with Olympic Spirit Contest, Indian Princess Olympic Spirit Contest, "Flying like Eagles" Youth Contest, Essay Contest of Visions of a World that Works. A wonderful incentive project that involves and spotlights the creativity of Indian Country. Appox cost: $25,000 7. 7TH GENERATION BADGE FOR BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS AND SCOUTS - The Boys and Girls Clubs have an initiative to interface with Native Americans and the Boys and Girls Scouts. The dying suggestion of Einstein, who was adopted by a Native American tribe, was that we need a Parliament of Youth. What better way to start than through the Boys and Girls Clubs and Scouts, that already incorporate some Native traditions, like the Boy Scout's "Order of the Arrow." At the suggestion of Native Elders, NAOTF came up a "7th Generation Badge" that contains Carl Jung's keys to creating psychologically happy people, that he learned living with the Pueblos. Some elements covered in the badge criteria, include: Taking a hike with an Elder to see Nature through Native eyes, to reconnect with our ancient ancestral roots and our intuitive voice; finding a sport and dance that gives us joy and a natural highs ; expressing who we are through an arts project; and finding our higher purpose and sharing our unique gift. In this Columbine shooting era, these may be the missing links. "Mainstream America needs this kind of wisdom-based education on which a technological society can safely rest," said Michael Hanechek, head of the Native Studies at Dartmouth College, founded by Mohicans. Chaffee was an Eagle Scout and wrote and starred in popular PSA's for them and the US Olympic Committee, where she was the first woman on the board in 1972. The concept could be announced by outstanding Scout or Club members and Native American Youth, along with leaders, at the Navajo Pavilion at the Salt Lake Olympics. (In development - contact NAOTF for full badge criteria) COMPARISON NAOTF also has an Administrative budget available to streamline all these project opportunities, especially this Olympic year, which varies depending on if these projects are done in-house or delegated. By camparison the budget of the NFL and NBA's "Native Visions Progam," (founded by Football star Nick Landry, General Colin Powell and Robert Redford), to bring back dreams to boys on 5 reservations, (some women's soccer) in 3 years is $3 million. Possible Sponsors NAOTF
is currently working on sponsorships with Nike, Texaco, Toyota
Hybrid Prius
(so NAOTF can "drive our talk"), American Airlines and Teamco,
as well as the 7th Generation, Turner, Target (Tiger Woods),
Coors and
National Forest Foundations, NIGA (National Indian Gaming
Association
and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. (See "Donations and
Sponsors"
for marketing stats. For example, following a million visitors
coming to America for the Olympics, with Native Americans the
No 1 draw,
the "Lewis, Clark and Sakajawea Bicentennial" will attract
another 5
million here starting in 2003. |