Page 6 - 2009 DT 7 issues

January Indian Medicine, continued from p.1 were also facets of medicine. Indians
Dancing and a variety of ceremonies

D e s k S c h e d u l e danced for purpose, not pleasure. It
8:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m. remains a sacred site where young Crow was done, in company with ardent
Thur/1 G. Wojciechowski J. Barrett braves sought visions. praying, to bring benefits such as
R. Rossnagel F. Davis Medicine also encompassed the rainfall or to drive away evil spirits.
Fri/2 B. Jackson R. Porche same defining area used by whites. The Kachina beliefs of the Hopi and
L. Mills Although sickness and injury might Zuni tribes, in particular, involve very
Sat/3 W. Barbuck W. Barbuck be linked to evil spirits, the Indian had colorful dancing, as well as the famous
Sun/4 K. Nelson E. Meeks a keen understanding of the healing Kachina dolls that represent friendly
Mon/5 S. & S. Stenzel E. Rothfuss power of a host of natural herbs, spirits with power over nature. The
Tues/6 E. Rothfuss D. Powers and he made abundant use of them. Kachinas can bring rain and good
Wed/7 G. Fazio G. LeMasters Willow bark was one; it contained crops so the people will be well fed
G. LeMasters
Thur/8 G. Wojciechowski J. Barrett salicin, an ingredient of aspirin. The and healthy.
R. Rossnagel F. Davis roots of dandelions were boiled for The “Medicine Man” (Shaman)
Fri/9 D. Langdon R. Porche tea to relieve heartburn. The Blackfeet was a revered and powerful force in
C. Camburn P. Boghossian discovered that licorice soothed tribal life, someone who had special
Sat/10 P. VanDooremaal P. Kepner irritated membranes. Echinacea, so knowledge of the spirits and could
B. Jackson popular today to aid the immune communicate with them. Sitting Bull
Sun/11 P. Gertis E. Rothfuss system, was an Indian favorite. and Geronimo were medicine men.
Mon/12 R. Kinn P./E. O’Sullivan Elderberries were used for infections Sometimes, women served in the
Tues/13 M. Slagle D. Powers and coughs. Flying Hawk (1852- role, as with the Yuroks of northwest
H. Weldon 1931), an Oglala Sioux, spoke of California. The Navajos had several
Wed/14 G. Fazio G. LeMasters
G. LeMasters another factor, the need for fresh air, gods for whom the medicine man
Thur/15 G. Wojciechowski J. Barrett good water and sunshine: “Indians and might perform rites and direct lengthy
R. Rossnagel F. Davis animals know better how to live than prayers and chants so that an ill person
Fri/16 D. Schoengold R. Porche white men.” There was a lot of truth could again “walk in beauty.” The
Sat/17 J. Kisosondi R. Conductor in his observation. It is a tragic fact Indian approach linked the mind and
K. Nelson of history that the American Indian the body as a single entity; the patient
Sun/18 T./N. Hughes M./L Utah tribes were free of much illness before was treated rather than the illness in
Mon/19 S. & S.Stenzel E.Rothfuss the European settlers arrived and isolation so that one might be, once
Tues/20 M. Slagle OPEN brought with them a cargo of deadly again, in harmony with the world.
H. Weldon
Wed/21 G. Fazio G. LeMasters diseases. The effectiveness of Indian Medicine might also be directed to
G. LeMasters herbalists gained such stature that specific areas as far apart as love and
Thur/22 G. Wojciechowski J. Barrett whites often identified their medicines war. The Sioux and Crow linked the
R. Rossnagel F. Davis with names like “Modoc Oil.” The elk with love, making elk flutes to
Fri/23 P. Gertis R. Porche earliest European explorers and emulate the bull elk during the mating
K. Jackson P. Boghossian colonists soon discovered the value season. For war, perhaps eagle feathers
Sat/24 K. Nelson R. Conductor of tribal knowledge of herbs. Juan worn in the hair, a war bonnet or a
B. Jackson Badianus wrote about the subject in medicine bundle of powers coming
Sun/25 T./N. Hughes M./L Utah 1552 . . . in Latin. The discoverer of from the spirits; maybe a gift from
Mon/26 R. Kinn C. Camburn insulin, Dr. Frederick Banting, credits
Tues/27 M. Slagle Don Powers an elder with the powers of an owl, a
H. Weldon the Indians for putting him on the buffalo or wolf.
Wed/28 G. Fazio G. LeMasters right track. Regrettably, there were Both the white man and the
G. LeMasters P. Kepner white charlatans with their “Medicine Indian prayed to a great creator/spirit,
Thur/29 G. Wojciechowski J. Barrett Wagons” who took advantage of the carried good luck charms to protect
R. Rossnagel F. Davis Indian reputation to hawk all sorts of the individual from harm, looked
Fri/30 D. Langdon R. Porche phony concoctions as cure-alls. If the to inanimate objects as a means for
Sat/31 T./N. Hughes OPEN use of an Indian name didn’t do the contact with a creator, revered visions
trick, then there was always something and graphic dreams, sought ways
Changes? Call Kate at 515-5350 like “Grove’s Tasteless Chill Tonic.” to exorcise evil spirits, used natural
Page 6 FORRC/January/2009