Celebrating National American Indian Heritage Month

Blue Cloud Abbey Native American Photograph Collection

Many thanks to the USGS for the restoration project that they have undertaken to preserve a photographic and cultural treasure for all to admire, and enjoy.

The USGS writes: "In search of historical photographs to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Lewis and Clark expedition, the USGS went to the Blue Cloud Abbey in Marvin, S.D. The USGS uncovered 337 glass plate negatives featuring Native Americans from the late 1800s to early 1900s; however, the negatives had deteriorated almost beyond restoration. The USGS is now in the process of restoring, scanning, and printing these historical photographic records of the northern Great Plains.

These photos are part of a collection of more than 50,000 images that Benedictine monks gathered as they traveled through Dakota Territory ministering to tribal communities. These photos, although taken at a later date, provide a crucial insight into the landscapes and cultures that the Lewis and Clark expedition would have encountered along the Missouri River, and they also provide a valuable historical tool to Native American tribes. A collection of 28 of these historical Native American photos are featured below. Find this treasure here:"American Indian Heritage Month"

(Progress has been made but there is still so much to do...)
Adopt a Non-Profit on the GULF-COAST

Donations to Non-Profits are tax-deductible; It's a WIN - WIN situation.

As you know, a Non-Profit organization can support an individual, a small group, a community, a country even the world, if it chooses.

Follow the links here, and help sustain OUR creative way of life. The re-building of the areas damaged by hurricane Katrina, are essential. Your efforts will not only help re-build lives but will SAVE a CULTURE, that we LOVE!
Here are the links: The Katrina Disaster is not over. and Non-Profits in Need.

The need to give assistance will continue for a long time:

• Help them pay their property taxes, so they won't lose their land;
• Help them pay on a business loan, so they won't lose their ability to borrow money;
• Help them rebuild a building to have meeting or give classes.

The Non-Profits that we ADOPT will be there for us to share in the future:

• You will make Friends FOR LIFE!
• You'll have someone to visit when you want to take a trip;
• A theater to see a play in... or produce a play in;
• The benefits for us all, are endless.

Artists are known for doing things a little differently than other people. We often create solutions to problems that others haven't thought of or wouldn't even consider. We share and celebrate our creative and cultural diversity every day of our lives. For many of us the hardships of last year have brought us even closer together.