Notes from our Readers...
"The whisper of Native American
stories, the thunder of stories
that demand to be told...."
So much in the Standing Rock issue is going under reported because all wound up tight are treaty issues. Many things America would much prefer be forgotten,that along with true tribal sovereignty. L. HIlls 10.03.16
The land, the air, the water are all whole, inclusive unto themselves. So as they sustain life, they organize it as well. As one area becomes weaker and another stronger, it balances itself out in other ways, in other places, and tries to heals itself. It is not just the birth of the land,air, and water that is first and foremost. There is also the rendering of the gift of life itself--the spark, the spirit, the fire, which make life itself "more". A woman not only gives birth to human child or not, but she is the Organizer, the Healer, the Implementer, to weave the cloth whole even when the cloth of life is rendered asunder. It is not more of a gift then what men have; it is just different. There is an intuition a woman can have about aspects of her community, with individuals, and with herself. This requires learning, listening, observing, and being silent or assertive as well as being the vessel of the spirit. Great Spirit created the whole woman integrating all the aspects of life, even suffering and loss to give even the weakest link a chance to grow. When she is so damaged or closed off or angry she cannot heal herself or anything else. As the land, air, and water become more damaged women need to waken and work as vessels of the Spirit to organize the best of who they are. They can apply their gifts and wisdom for the healing of all. It's not a burden. The burden is when eyes are closed and voices are silent and ears do not hear. In this way we remain where we are. But the burden does not lie solely with women. She is the one who feels the pain deeply when she is not whole. And thus the pain ripples outward and the land is affected and so is the community. But it is a cycle and a circle. When a woman cannot heal herself all she has done comes back to her in positive ways . It works through the community and the spirit and through nature to help make her whole again. Sheri 07.17.16
With my spirit, and Sacred Spirit, I agree with this beautiful and difficult quote about Fourth of July. When I say I don't celebrate this 'holyday', as 'holiday' is derived from this, someone said, you wouldn't be here, in reference to being FREE FROM RULE. The answer is, no, YOU wouldn't be here, for obvious reasons. There is a sadness that perpetuates in me regarding the opinions in this 'country'. Such tragedies, and still so much celebration in denial. There IS trauma in our genes, which has been discovered lately. I wish to offer blessings and sage and prayers this day to all Native Americans, no matter what belief. Join together, remember the old ways, and love. Sheri 07.04.16
What a beautiful webpage. Woliwon Billie Fidlin and Phil Clarke for designing Whisper n Thunders new look. RL New Brunswick CA 07.02.16
I LOVE THE NEW WEBSITE! IT GRABBED ME! KSB Mesa, AZ 06.30.16
I think it is great how you encourage young Native writers to share their writing talents. Many creative minds out there! TH TEMPE, AZ 06.30.16
WHISPER N THUNDER Spring Issue 2018
Welcome to our Spring issue. We began our 9th year in 2018 ! Wow! A huge thank you to our creative group and you, our readers and donors. On behalf of our Board of Directors and Ambassadors, we are GRATEFUL!
Please click on the navigation bars to access content. The Articles & Poetry Index has a drop down menu, or you can click on the title for a complete list of authors and links to their articles. Have a comment? Scroll down on this page and let us know your thoughts. Interested in writing? We welcome all Native Americans / First Nations people who have something to say, or want to write about history, a current event, or what happened yesterday! Contact us at whispernthunder1@gmail.com. We're always looking for new authors!
WINDS SCHOLARSHIP FUND NEWS
This year our Board of Directors voted to change our WINDS scholarship allocations. Beginning this summer, we will give out three scholarships. One at $2,500, one at $1,000 and a $500 scholarship to an incoming freshman student.
We thank our donors for their continued support of the WINDS scholarship program of Whisper n Thunder!
What's On Your Mind These Days?
Feel free to share your comments about these stories
or more. Our forum app is on your right.
Thank you for your thoughts!
~ Billie K. Fidlin
President, Whisper n Thunder Inc.
Photo by Nora Moore Lloyd * All Rights Reserved
Congrats to our 2017 WINDS Scholars
Hershel Walker Clark University of Arizona Kiana Ashlee Kay University of Arizona
Meucci Ilunga University of Arizona Ariel Shirley University of Arizona
Anpa'O Locke Mount Holyoke College Abigail Nez Arizona State University
Kayla DeVault Arizona State University Brennan Jones University of Arizona
Contact us at: whispernthunder1@gmail.comNEWS & HOME PAGE Spring 2018
Quote of the Issue:
"...colonized people have the right to self-determination..."
~ Oscar Lopez Rivera, phone interview from prison
October 2016; National Public Radio