My nickname, Camijo, pronounced Kawh-Mee-Joe, is a term which originated in the 1650’s and was utilized by early fur traders to identify Cherokee/Creek cross breeds. My last name Cheek also reflects that mix. I hope other Native American Indian enthusiasts or descendants will appreciate the following presentation meant to honor a people and nation whose history is woefully under recognized and regrettably just as misunderstood today as hundreds of years ago.
Roughly a twelve part series, it barely scratches the surface of pivotal events, tribes, chiefs and other historically prominent individuals. I’ve tried to make it as thorough as possible within reasonable constraints. I think you may be pleasantly surprised to hear some unexpected singers and celebrity narrators of documentaries throughout. I hope by its conclusion you will have a far greater awareness, or perhaps just a reminder of known tragedies and challenges Native American Indians have had to face throughout the past and still continue to endure today.
A highlight of topics include but are not limited to Christopher Columbus, America’s appalling Holocaust and genocide of Native American Indians, Native American History, Cherokee History, Indian boarding schools, Reservations, Wounded Knee, The Trail of Tears, Navajo Warrior Tradition, Navajo Code Talkers, Elder interviews, the Native American Movement, Leonard Peltier, Anna Mae Pictou Aquash, and a liberal sprinkling of music created for or performed by Native Americans, as well as Native American Wisdom, Poems, Prayers, Quotes, and Speeches.
My heart bleeds at the mass murder of such a proud, beautiful, self sufficient people who were ultimate example of how to properly honor this Earth and respect its bountiful gifts of nature through simplicity of basic need and unique pureness of spirit. The following videos are a means of introduction for the series to come. Please enjoy the journey! :)
Native Americans Today and Yesterday
Indian Reservation – Paul Revere & the Raiders Mix
Half Breed – Cher (traditional version)
Half Breed – Shania Twain (a modern version more in keeping with the blog)
13 comments:
Awesome post , Camille. The history of the North American Indians is written in blood. This is a well written piece, one quality I have come to know you write.
Thanks for taking the time out Camille, to write such a great article.
Thank you Nicky. Feels a bit haphazard, as I've been trying to condense. It kept getting longer with all the great material to choose from. Most of the hard work in this series has already been done by a number of other people, so I cannot take credit.
I am so looking forward to follwing this - a subject bout which, until now, my sole source of information was Soldier Blue!
The mix of blood does seem to produce glorious looking women!
Thank you
So it’s finally here the much promised series. I love the way our Blog has grown from such simple utilitarian origins to a platform where we can discuss such an eclectic range of matters, enriching us and empowering us as women in the process. Learning is what makes us what we are and continues to propel us forward, placing matters such as sexuality in their true perspective, ensuring we remain part of the whole, part of the maine.
I know so little about the native American people, when I think of them I tend to think of a large sepia photograph that used to hang in one of my favourite restaurants of Mohawk Indians building the skyscrapers of New York sitting hundreds of feet up on unprotected girders eating their lunch. Either that or whistling the Ballad of Ira Hayes something my father often used to do as he went about his daily chores.
I can already feel Camille’s passion coming through and I know this will be vital as the series evolves, to do justice to a proud, dignified people – it’s so easy to see their pride on their faces in the first clip. Pride and passion we are nothing without them. I’m looking forward immensely to your new series Moonbeam. I also feel proud that you are my friend. Thank you.
Thanks Camille, looking forward to the rest of the series. *k*
I'm proud you are my friend too, Sunshine. I may need your video link for Ira Hayes as the version you found seems much better than mine! I'm familiar with the photo you mentioned and it's quite a shot! I'm kind of stoked about this series too as I discovered a few things while researching even I didn't know, or had forgotten! :)
Waves to Jenny. Thank you! :)
Wonderful article Camille. So little is still known about the true stories of the horrors inflicted on the American Indian. How important was the moment in 1973 when Sacheen Littlefeather, protested at the 1973 Academy Awards, in front of millions of people , when she represented Marlon Brando who had refused the Oscar(his Godfather movie)because of the treatment of the American Indian by the film industry.
Also for us folkies, we had Buffy Sainte-Marie, the Cree Indian who sang the most beautiful yet controversial songs like "Now That The Buffalo's Gone" and"My Country Tis Of Thy People You're Dying"
And for the Ira Hayes link, I recommend the Bob Dylan acoustic version, which gives a more realistic and biting version than the Johnny Cash commercial version.(apologies to Cash enthusiasts)
Again Camille, kudos for a job well done!
Such an awesome thing to wake up to this morning. I'm looking forward to the series. On my biological mother's side of the family is a bit of native american history. looking forward to learning a bit more through your articles:) hugs!
So true, Sammie. Some of what you mention is actually part of the series, but at the moment I forget which section they are in. And no worries, I'm pretty certain Johnny Cash will make an appearance no matter what, though perhaps not through that particular song! ;)
Thank you, Kimmie! :)
I was brought up on the Pete Seeger version Sammie
I love the blog !I have heard and seen about American Indians , but not the authentic version.
I would love to know and learn from your posts Lady S.
Thank you, Neha. Gosh, no pressure; I hope not to let anyone down. *smiles.
I'd like to add that if anyone wishes or wonders if a particular area of interest will be covered or is a scheduled part of the series, please don't hesitate to contact me at SaffronsMoonbeam@aol.com. Just put Native American Indians or The Girls Coffee Shop in the subject line so I'll know it isn't spam. I can then either confirm inclusion, or we can join articles at points you might like to contribute along with me! :)
Thank you Monica. I initially laughed, not at Soldier Blue, but the way you said it just struck me funny. I truly hope you were not offended. *hugsss
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