Cedar Tea and Native Medicines

Many of us know cedar tea, and baths, are great for cleansing the system and for stopping colds. Here are some facts and links related to cedar tea and its uses, also other Native medicines (now that cold season is here):

Native Foods and Medicines

"If you are suffering from cough and cold and related congestion, you can try Cedar Tea. This is an expectorant and efficiently removes cough and phlegm from the respiratory tract and lungs and thereby relieves congestion. It also gives relief in headache, red and watery eyes and other symptom of cough and cold. It helps having a good sleep when suffering from cough and cold."

CAUTION: If pregnant do not use. Do not overdo it either; it is a medicine and not a daily drink.

Enjoy! I always put some maple syrup in mine... if taken at the onset of a cold, it can knock it out overnight!

Skype is Superior to Teleconferences?

Top Ten Reasons Why Skype is Superior to Teleconferences:

1) With Skype, you can see who is in the call, and who is talking.

2) No annoying clicks and buzzes when people join or leave calls on Skype.

3) When people leave or join a call, everyone can see.

4) Can send files, photos and share webpages with Skype. Much more interactive. More like "being there" than a phone (limited to audio).

5) Multiple modes of communication on Skype, can send IMs, emoticons etc. while talking. Several conversations can happen on different levels at once without "interfering" with meeting flow; like passing notes in class/meetings.

6) Skype has video, phones do not.

7) Skype is free. Teleconferences cost money for long distance and technical help.

8) Using Skype encourages people to stay in touch in smaller groups, teleconference does not.

9) Skype and online communication are way of the present and future, telephones are limited, usually locked to a desk or location, and miss the whole nature of cyberspace.

10) When distance communicators in remote locations can be trained in Skypesmanship, they become empowered and included in knowledge networks in cyberspace. Elders in particular can communicate with friends, family, research interests, and the world, for free. Teleconferences do not open these doors.

11) Skype is way more funner! (Oprah uses Skype!!)

Medicine Wheels

An Anishnabek Medicine Wheel, from Lillian Piktawanakwat, Birch Island


Teachings of the Wheel and Circle, and circular concepts of life, thought and spirituality, are universal to Natives in North America. The Anishnabek Medicine Wheel is used to teach a way of life and understanding, emphasizing the need for balance and harmony. Medicine wheels and the circle operate on many levels, incorporating many different elements.
The Wheel shown above is used by an Ojibwe elder from Birch Island, Ontario. The Rainbow colors are: Yellow, Red, Black, White, Blue, Green and Purple. Yellow is in the East, Red in the South, Black in the West and White in the North.
These four colours are not fixed. They depend on the teaching being given, on the personal colours of the wheel's carrier, or on traditional colours of a group. Another medicine wheel from Le Pas, Manitoba has the colours (from the East) red, green, blue and white, while the wheel from the Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre is yellow, blue, white and red - surrounded by green.
The four colours and four directions in each wheel are the basis of its teachings. If one of the four elements of the wheel is too strong or weak, the wheel is thrown out of balance.
Much of the imbalance in the world today stems from the inability of the four colours or races of the Medicine Wheel to recognize each other and cooperate in the circle. The mainstream perceives that Natives have wisdom when it comes to living with and preserving the land, which is true; but the Medicine Wheel, in the age of the Seventh Fire, also shows that all peoples have their own wisdom, and that the circle that is earth cannot survive unless each group shares its knowledge with the others (William Commanda). These ideas have been with the Anishnabek since long before the time of contact, but they shared them with white visitors early on. Kohl remarked, on visiting a Midewiwin lodge in 1854:

The four human figures at the sides of the sanctuary are the four great spirits sitting to the north, south, east and west... they (the Anishnabe) recognize four quarters of the world, and place a great and powerful spirit in each of them (1985: 152).

Mike Dashner is a teacher and dancer from Walpole Island. In Sound of the Drum, he gives this teaching of the Medicine Wheel:

The medicine wheel (represents) basically the message that I try to get across when I do educational outreach programs. There are four sacred colours of mankind on the planet. And... the medicine wheel is out of balance, because there's input from all three of the other races; and the Indians are just now starting to come into their responsibility to get their message out - about the environment, the greenhouse effect. But also I think that a humane kind of life is missing (in the non-Native world)... When you're there in full dance regalia, you have all these young minds just locked into everything you say - so I feel there's a real responsibility, you have to take care in the message you get across (in Cronk 1990: 21).

"The Ripple in a Pond" is a teaching from Linda Smith, at the Odawa Native Friendship Centre:

As the name implies, this circle is a series of concentric circles. The purpose of this circle is very basic. Healing is accomplished by helping the individual understand the universe and his place in it. This understanding promotes a sense of belonging. Each of the ripples is distinct and complete. However, at no time, do any of the ripples cease to be water, nor do they cease to be part of the greater picture in the pond. The circles radiate from the center in the following order: spirit, self, partner (spouse), family, extended family, community, nation, world, world views, universe/environment, spirit.

Circles, and Medicine Wheels, can also be seen to move in a spiral fashion, expanding with time. Thus, when one comes 'full circle,' it is often with increased awareness or understanding.

Google Docs

Hi all,

Since we are using google for the Listserv and Blog, I though we could also use Google Docs -- you can collaborate on documents in real time or over time, including Word and Powerpoint. It is a Beta app (under construction) but looks pretty useful. Talking through documents on Skype could be a good way to go, and spare a lot of emails back and forth and so on...

Take a look: Google Docs

Remember that all communication goes through offshore servers (US) and is viewable by Google themselves (although we can restrict public access on Blog, Listserv and Docs -- make them by invitation only). For that matter, everything sent through cyberspace is (potentially) viewable by any number of parties. So for that reason, no confidential data regarding project participants, etc., should be posted at Google.
It is more a tool for sharing information, planning, stories etc... it can really help get things done more quickly and efficiently. And can be fun!

MIP Toolkit

For those interested, here is an online toolkit for Multiple Intervention Programs designed at uOttawa. We all know that there are many factors associated with each community health issue; and that many health issues can be related; could we be thinking in terms of MIPs as wholistic approaches?

MIP Online Toolkit

Skype FAQ: Tips and Tricks

Although Skype is a great communication program, the simple commands for getting it to do what you want are not easy to figure out, and their support pages don't always help. Sooo... here is a blog for IKN members who want to look up answers, or post questions. This is a blog in progress, please contribute ideas and suggestions, as well as questions.
We can start with the Compact View of Skype (1st button top right, at end is the X (close)). Looks like this:



Q: What type of internet connection do I need?
A: Skype will work with almost any connection, including dialup (phone line).

Q: Do I need a headset?
A: Your laptop has an integrated camera, mic and speakers, so headset is not needed. It's a matter of preference. If not using headset, talk toward the bottom/back of the laptop where mic is.

Q: What do different colours mean on my Contacts list?
A: If you go to the top left menu, Skype, the first choice is Online Status. There you can choose whether to be seen as active online (green), Away (yellow) do not disturb etc. Even if you choose to be Away when online, others may still call or send you a PM (personal message). Usually, green Online status indicates the person is free and is inviting others to contact them; however, they may be busy on another call (your status should be Online to use video).

Q: What is a call? A conversation?
A: You can call your contacts with or without video. A conversation is the type interface where u can 'chat' via Instant Messaging, send files, links and other info (you do this by clicking on Share, beside the Smiley icon just above the chat window).
There is a toggle switch (small blue button) on the bottom right of the screen -- that can be used to bring up the conversation (chat) window or close it.
People often start out by typing a message to someone, to see if they want to do a call or video call, or just chat using the keyboard, smileys, etc.

Q: How many people can we get on a conference call?
A: Skype says up to ten can talk, but we can try more. Only two people can use video, or share their screen, at a time.

Q: How do mute my mic or adjust volume?
A: Click on the mic icon beside your name (which appears after the call starts). There are also three silver buttons at back of yr computer to adjust sound or mute it.

Q: What is screen sharing?
A: Allows other to see your screen, to show documents, slideshows, presentations or cybertreks...

Q: What is the best application for screen sharing?
A: Yugma seems to be rather slow, it may be better to go to Skype 4.1 BETA (see below), or Oneeko, another third party app.

Q: Should I get Skype Beta 4.1?
A: This new version allows for screen sharing, very useful, without need for Yugma or other third party software. Seems to be a robust platform. It is however an 'experimental' version, I had some trouble with Video but got it going.

Q: Any fancy video tricks?
A: I now use a third party VH Multi Camera Studio to link up various applications, including 2 cameras, pictures, animations etc. It is freeware but they accept donations: http://www.hmelyoff.com/index.php?section=33. I link the studio to Skype in the Video settings (Tools/Options/Video). It works better than the onboard Skype video in 4.1 BETA. If this sounds too techie or complicated, but you want to try, Skype me and I can take u through it!

Moccasin Telegraph Telecom

Following are some excerpts from early thoughts on cyberspace:

Patterson, Mike. 2000. “Confessions of a Webmaster: on Morphing to the Transhuman Era”. Second Comprehensive exam, being in Cultural Studies, also to be interpreted in the realm of Power and Stratification, given toward Ph.D. in Sociology at Carleton University. http://http-server.carleton.ca/~mpatters/soc.html

…The Moccasin Telegraph today is a continuation of communication and creative expression on the part of Natives. In cyberspace, Native perspectives can become louder and clearer. As mainstream society learns to understand and respect Natives for who they are, they are acting in accordance with the Seventh Fire prophecy.

…First Nations people are travelling in cyberspace along with the mainstream, but again as in the Iroquoian Two-Row Wampum belt of the 1600s, picturing two canoes going parallel down the river, together but not mixing, Natives have to find unique ways to use the technology based on Native values and worldviews.

…Use of cyberspace should benefit the community by promoting awareness of Native values, helping to gain mainstream respect for spiritual practices and prophecies, and through assisting in the cultural, spiritual and political process of self-determination. Throughout this country on reserves and in the cities the people still feel the extreme urgency and concern for cultural survival, for the preservation of languages and teachings.

…The powwow is continuing today in cyberspace. Individuals, Nations and organizations all have their own websites, reflecting their individual culture. At the same time, they have the opportunity to visit other people, and Nations, and learn about theirs.

…We need an MC, and a powwow committee, to help bring this powwow together. The people get lost at mega-sites such as Yahoo; there needs to be a better map to the territory. But just as it took thousands of years to develop the trade routes, territories and alliances among Natives across Turtle Island, it will take time to do so in cyberspace as well.

…The Aboriginal community on the InterNet is growing fast, and now more Native bands, companies and organizations are using websites to reach their clients, associates and members. People who have moved away from their home communities can feel connected by accessing an online resource from the community. People can access their local news publication on the Net. And they can speak to the world, from home.

…Bears can be the go-between, between the bush and the village, always circling and crossing over where the forest meets the highway. They take messages back and forth between two worlds such as human/spirit (Anishnabe, Onkwehonwe) or human/machine.

…This sharing and distribution is also part of the trend toward distinct and free cybercommunities on the InterNet. First Nations and other users of the Net have at least two out of three of Foucault’s “three great variables,” there being “territory, communication and speed” (1984: 244). It was the technology of the horse that enabled the Plains Indians to become the finest survivors, and light cavalry, of their day and place.

…I don’t believe that access to information on Aboriginal groups of all types will serve to “push groups apart,” the more information Native people can share, the better. Pan-Indianism may be a threat to individual Native identities (i.e. the adoption of the Plains powwow in the East, use of Dream Catcher traditions by non-Ojibwe, use of the Plains drum everywhere), but I believe it has been far more powerful in bringing different Native people together in a sharing of traditions, and issues and concerns. Mohawks did not lose the water drum when they adopted the Plains drum for powwows and other events, Natives do not necessarily lose their traditions by adopting others. Pan-Indianism may appear to be a ‘generic’ Indian style at powwows and gatherings, supplanting local customs, but Natives themselves know the differences between their own (Mohawk, Ojibwe, Hopi etc.) traditions and those that have spread and evolved over the Powwow Trail in the last 20-30 years.