Arlie Upfront
Thank you horse people, for all you have done through the generations. Your untiring spirit, willingness to friendship, your loyal, free and proud ways.
Without you, we surely would have suffered more.
Upon you we have traveled with the wind and with courage together we rode into danger, again and again. Cannon overhead, bullets whistling by - so many gave your life with us, gave your life for us
You are our spirit brother and spirit sister. We will remember you in songs and dances. And when we see one of us who has such courage, leadership, love for the people, we will decorate you once again; paint you in the old way telling stories of our journeys together; pile you high with blankets and treasures; decorate you with beads and flowing cloth; and gift you. For in your heart, you carry our stories, prayers, and dreams.
Elder Wisdom Feature: Rusty Houtz
Barbara Roberts features Rusty Houtz, Shoshone elder who tells about the traditional travels of the Shoshone and the coming of the horse. He relates childhood stories from the 20's and 30's of survival out in the country hunting rabbits and squirrels and gathering other wild foods.
Health and Healing |
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| Judy Bluehorse Skelton tells how tribes are healing by working with the animal kingdom as well as the plant world. She shares the role the Appaloosa horse is playing in the recovery and healing of Nez Perce culture and about tribal programs connecting disabled children and at risk youth with the Appaloosas. She discusses the importance of the Nez Perce wolf recovery program. |
Tribal Rhythms |
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| Nico Wind, musician and Assiniboine horsewoman shares some of her favorite songs and stories that acknowledge the various roles of the horse in Navajo/Dine culture. |
Taheebvu Chadi |
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| Song carrier Judy Trejo tells a desert creation story of the flood and how Creator brought sagebrush to the desert people to help them survive. "And the Creator said, 'As long as you believe in me, I will give you this plant. From this plant, you can boil the leaves and make medicine. You can take the bark and you can weave it into clothing. You can rinse your hair in it so it can shine...'". |
Turtle Island Storytellers |
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Victor Mandan tells the traditional Mandan story of the departure of the early horse from their nation and of its return hundreds of years later. "...Standing on the edge of the woods, the horse told the people, 'Do not cry for I will return. And when I come back, I will be much changed and you will not know me but those who keep the stories will know who I am." |
