National Native News

News For All Americans

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

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A government loan is expected to bring high-speed Internet to the Mescalero Apache Tribe. Photo-Washington State Office of Attorney General.


A government loan is expected to bring high-speed Internet to the Mescalero Apache Tribe. Photo-Washington State Office of Attorney General.

New Mexico tribe receives funds to expand broadband services

Native business leader talks about cultural appropriation

Colorado Indian mascot bill advances out of committee

Minnesota tribe and partners announce new health campaign

Keeping Tradition Alive

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Story by:  Brandon Thoms and Kim Swisher, 
Mole Lake Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians Tribal Communications Office
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Keeping a close eye on the boiling sap, George Van Zile reflects upon the tradition he helps to keep alive for another generation. “My great-grandfather used to do it a long time ago when I was a kid. He used the old tin-cans and cooked it on rocks,” says Van Zile. “His name was Ike George, he was a Forest County Potawatomi Tribal Member,” continues Van Zile, who himself is a Mole Lake Tribal Member. “He used to have the rock piles (fire pit) in a U-shape and old cast-iron metal pots,” he recollects.


Accompanied by friend Ben Dewing, Van Zile tends to the sugar camp he has constructed across the road from his house east of Laona, Wisconsin. “Ben’s family has been doing this since they landed and got off the Mayflower,” says Van Zile through some light-hearted Indian humor and a laugh. “I have family out east that is also doing it.  They have a business they run, probably a couple thousand trees,” adds Dewing.

Although Van Zile’s camp is a little more modest, perhaps 130 trees tapped in total, his is much bigger in the sense that his ancestors used the forests of Michigan and Wisconsin from right around the beginning of time until now. Living in two worlds is a constant struggle of modern-day Native Americans, but Van Zile performs an ongoing balancing act, with the help of the Sokaogon Community. “I work at the Housing Authority in Mole Lake and the Tribe gives us cultural days – which is nice because you can come home and do this.  When the sap runs, you have to be there. I really appreciate that they let us do this,” he adds.

Van Zile has tapped trees since he was a child, and now passes the tradition down to his own children. “My kids get to come out every day after school. The two oldest collect the bags,” he says.  

The art of making maple syrup and maple sugar is one of patience and perseverance, and requires a keen understanding of nature. For the Sokaogon Chippewa Community, the tradition is alive and well. Van Zile enjoys what he does and says he wants to share his knowledge. “This camp is open to any Mole Lake youth who may want to learn how to do this.”

 

Monday, March 23, 2015

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Millie Rexroat, Oglala, who served as a flier during WWII with the W.A.S.P.s (Women's Air Force Service Pilots)

Millie Rexroat, Oglala, who served as a flier during WWII with the W.A.S.P.s
(Women’s Air Force Service Pilots)

Yukon-Kuskokwim tribes consider creating new regional tribal government

Army National Guard member talks about significance of women in the military

Friday, March 20, 2015

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Richie Diehl, of Aniak, crosses the finish line of the 2015 Iditarod in Nome, Alaska. Photo-KNOM

Alaska Native dog mushers from Yukon Kuskokwim Delta finish Iditarod

Lakota Flag Song performed at South Dakota basketball games

Navajo Nation reports tribal police officer killed in line of duty

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

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Shirley Lee with the Native Justice Task Force gives an update on the Fairbanks Four case to the Tanana Chiefs Conference. (TCC Facebook photo)

Shirley Lee with the Native Justice Task Force gives an update on the Fairbanks Four case to the Tanana Chiefs Conference. (TCC Facebook photo)

South Dakota tribal council works on dog ordinances

Native group gives update on Fairbanks Four case

Herd of bison to be transferred to Interior Alaska

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

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Julia Charging Whirlwind, a long-time and valued counselor at the Rosebud Sioux Reservation's Spotted Tail Crisis Center, was killed by a pack of dogs in the small community of Swift Bear.

Julia Charging Whirlwind, a long-time and valued counselor at the Rosebud
Sioux Reservation’s Spotted Tail Crisis Center, was killed by a pack of dogs
in  Swift Bear.

Alaska asks for time to review Native child adoption case

Officials address Tanana Chiefs Conference representatives

Rosebud Sioux Tribal Council discusses dog attacks

Monday, March 16, 2015

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Peter Kaiser of Bethel, Alaska is among mushers racing in the 2015 Iditarod

Peter Kaiser of Bethel, Alaska is among mushers in the 2015 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. (Iditarod profile photo)

First Nation woman fights for child’s Native name to be registered

Native woman in South Dakota killed by pack of dogs

Alaska Native mushers among those driving dog teams in Iditarod

Navajo council approves referendum on language fluency issue

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