Native Americans of the Northwest: Chinook Winds

Chinook Wind

My wife and I lived in Denver, Colorado for many years and occasionally experienced a phenomenon called the “Chinook Wind”.   These winds,  blowing over the Rocky Mountain Front Range, could actually raise the temperature from below freezing to 50 degrees Fahrenheit in just a few hours.  Chinook winds can occur in many areas of western North America and certainly are not unique to Colorado.  In fact, the term and the original Chinook winds originated in the northwestern coastal area.

The term “Chinook” comes from the Pacific Coast Chinook tribe that lived along the lower

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Courtney Miller

Native Americans of the Northwest: The Potlatch

Passing out gifts at a Potlatch

Imagine being invited to the house of the wealthiest person in town so that he could demonstrate his wealth by giving away expensive and prized gifts.   The Native Americans of the Northwest called this a “Potlatch” and it was practiced “religiously” before the Russians, British, and Americans moved in.

This is a preview of Native Americans of the Northwest: The Potlatch. Read the full post (712 words, 5 images, estimated 2:51 mins reading time)

 

Courtney Miller

Part 2: Quanah Parker, Diplomat and Businessman

Quanah Parker c1890

“Courageous and strong-willed, he was also a natural diplomat.  Traveling numerous times to Washington D.C. to represent the Comanches, he became a familiar figure in Congress.  He became a successful farmer and rancher and became a major stockholder in the Quanah, Acme and Pacific Railway.  His beautiful two story home, complete with veranda and star emblazoned roof, was built at the foothills of the Wichita Mountains.  He had vital interest in educating the young and became president of his local school board.  He was appointed presiding judge in the Court of Indian Offenses and numbered statesmen and ambassadors among his friends.  In 1905 Quanah rode in Theodore Roosevelt’s inaugural parade.  In a special report to the President, it was stated of Quanah “If ever Nature stamped a man with the seal of headship, she did it in his case.  Quanah would have been a leader and a governor in any circle where fate may have cast him.” [Vincent L. Parker]

This is a preview of Part 2: Quanah Parker, Diplomat and Businessman. Read the full post (640 words, 4 images, estimated 2:34 mins reading time)

 

Courtney Miller

Part 1: Quanah Parker, Comanche Warrior

Comanche Territory

Recently, my wife and I drove from our home in southern Colorado through the Panhandle of Texas on our way to San Antonio.  As we passed through the little town of Quanah, Texas, I was reminded of its namesake, Quanah Parker, who was one of the last Comanche Chiefs.   Having grown up near Quanah, I have heard many stories about the great chief and the Comanche and his story is worthy of retelling.

This is a preview of Part 1: Quanah Parker, Comanche Warrior. Read the full post (859 words, 5 images, estimated 3:26 mins reading time)

 

Courtney Miller

Native American Skies: Orion

If you are able to see the southern sky tonight (January), the constellation we call “Orion” is prominent.   It is one of the easiest constellations to pick out because of the 3 horizontal bright stars that form Orion, the hunter’s, belt and the three vertical stars that represent his sword.  Located on the equatorial, it is visable to all parts of the world in both hemispheres. 

 

This is a preview of Native American Skies: Orion. Read the full post (969 words, 6 images, estimated 3:53 mins reading time)

 

Courtney Miller

Cherokee Misconceptions, Part 10: Cherokee had their own constitution

Cherokee Council House, 1827

              
We, the Representatives of the people of the Cherokee Nation, in Convention assembled, in order to establish justice, ensure tranquility, promote our common welfare, and secure to ourselves and our posterity the blessings of liberty; acknowledging with humility and gratitude the goodness of the sovereign Ruler of the Universe, in offering us an opportunity so favorable to the design, and imploring His aid and direction in its accomplishment, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the Government of the Cherokee Nation.

This is a preview of Cherokee Misconceptions, Part 10: Cherokee had their own constitution. Read the full post (499 words, 4 images, estimated 2:0 mins reading time)

 

Courtney Miller

Cherokee Misconceptions, Part 9: The Cherokee had Leprechauns?

When the Irish came over to America, I’m sure they were surprised to learn that Native Americans had a version of the leprechaun in their lore.  And there are many similarities.

 

Despite colonial biases, the Cherokee did not copy the Irish Leprechaun.  The Cherokee Yunwi Tsunsdi (Little People) was part of ancient legend and myth.  As Will Rogers might have said, “The Little People didn’t come over with the colonists, they met the boat.”

These interesting “Little People” figure prominently in many old Cherokee stories, including origin stories.  They were probably introduced to non-native Americans by James Mooney in his monumental work “Myths of the Cherokee” published in 1900.  The Cherokee medicine man, Swimmer, related to him the following:

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Courtney Miller