Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Sequoyah High School prom 2009
This is Anna and her boyfriend Kiahlo before the prom. Taken near NSU in Tahlequah.They are both great kids.
Friday, April 10, 2009
check facebook
Hey, I'm back today! Spent most of my week getting my youngest daughter Anna ready for tonight's Sequoyah High School junior-senior prom. I'm posting mostly on facebook these days so if there's not much of an update here, look on facebook.com/jokaydowell or you can search by jokaydowell@sbcglobal.net.
I'm trying to streamline my posts instead of posting at 4-5 different places; it becomes crazy! Check me out on facebook and sign up there too! There seems to be a bigger network there.
I'm trying to streamline my posts instead of posting at 4-5 different places; it becomes crazy! Check me out on facebook and sign up there too! There seems to be a bigger network there.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Consuelo's transformation
Due to a minor car wreck and business on other fronts, I have not posted for several days. This morning, the following column came from my friend, Roberto Rodriguez. He tells such beautiful stories about beautiful people; this one about a strong and powerful young Xicana who has passed on to the spirit world. May her family, friends and all those whose lives she touched be comforted. . .
Consuelo's passage
by ROBERTO RODRIGUEZ
02.25.2009
My mother, a healer, gave me explicit directions: Pray for Consuelo to the four directions. At that, my wife and I, with Consuelo's parents, Artemesia and Mario Aguilar, went to see their 26-year-old,cancer-stricken daughter in the intensive care unit. As we prayed for her, there were prayer feathers, crosses, images of saints, cards, lotus flowers and words in several languages left behind - evidence of prayers from the four directions.On Feb. 17, Consuelo went on to spirit world, and I called a very special friend, Nahuatl elder Angelbertha Cobb.I asked her: If people don't really die, but instead simply transform into spirits, then why or how do we mourn them?
"We mourn them by remembering the most beautiful memories, and also through humor," she said. "They don't like weeping. It drives them away."I'm not weeping, but the words aren't streaming forth as they did when I first wrote in October about this beautiful University of Arizona graduate, a community organizer and a peaceful warrior for social justice.Friday, when I arrived at my office, a message was on my telephone.Before hearing it, I was prompted to listen to an older message. It was Consuelo, calling me for a recommendation.A few more days have passed, and I can only think her life was an epic love story.Paula Domingo, our spiritual daughter from Albuquerque, N.M. by way of Cuentepec, Morelos, Mexico, translates "epic love story" to Nahuatlas: "Ce tlatotl tlazotlaliztli."Paula, whose husband Luis and daughter Miahuatl met Consuelo at our house, wrote this about her:"Nochipa tikilnamikizke uan tikuikaske panin toyolo. Sihuatl kiyinaijk mikiz nochipa tuhuan yez." We will always remember her and carry her in our hearts. A woman like her never dies. She will always be with us.Her friend, Joel Garcia, describes her as his "beloved friend Consi -a strong Xicana who is now a hummingbird."
Wrote friend and UA professor Andrea Romero, "Like the ripples that come from a stone thrown in the water, her impact will continue to spread beyond the limitations of the physical time she spent with us."
Maria Molina Vai Sevoi of Tucson's indigenous Calpulli Teoxicalli wrote, "Overwhelmed with the tremendous experience of the birth of their baby girl, what more suitable and prophetic a name could Artemisia and Mario have chosen than Consuelo (Comfort). Thank you to the Aguilar family for sharing your precious gift."
Thank you, Consuelo, for giving us comfort in the knowledge that our seeds are strong enough to push through the weeds, find a ray of sunlight, and blossom into beautiful flowers . . .Thank you for your generous contribution to ours and future generations. Keep walking in beauty. See you with the sunrise."
Darlane Santa Cruz adds: "Consuelo was very passionate about bringing in just and equitable teachings into the community. She decided to work with Raza Studies before going into law school. Consuelo always hoped that one day our movement veteranos could leave egos aside and continue working together to accomplish the vision of self-determination and liberation of all oppressed people.
"I never imagined my life without her, and it is very difficult to think that I will not have her as a guide I can call up on at any moment to help me sort out the bumps in the road. I only hope she continues to guide me in that spirit world."
Finally, an excerpt from Mixelle Rascon: "Tell me about the little stories in your hair. . . . Tell me, how should I miss you? Your strength, rebellion, diligence, a character as precious as el PopulVuh. No Xikana complex here. Only the real thing. I will see you again."
Do not take the fruit of the warrior woman under your wing without leaving us the seed. Thank you, Consuelo, for shooting arrows of dignity that moved humanity. . . . Rest at ease in the melancholic gardens where all revolutionary ones go, whisper tunes of sovereignty.Once we awaken the new people's sun, my sister, we will dance again, for all of eternity."
By the way, I did give Consuelo that recommendation. No doubt she is nowadays somewhere organizing the hummingbirds in our midst.
Roberto Rodriguez, a research associate at the University of Arizona,can be reached at: XColumn@gmail.com.* For a longer version (titled: Hummingbird love songs for Consuelo) go to:http://web.mac.com/columnoftheamericas/Site/ColumnoftheAmericas/ColumnoftheAmericas.html
Consuelo's passage
by ROBERTO RODRIGUEZ
02.25.2009
My mother, a healer, gave me explicit directions: Pray for Consuelo to the four directions. At that, my wife and I, with Consuelo's parents, Artemesia and Mario Aguilar, went to see their 26-year-old,cancer-stricken daughter in the intensive care unit. As we prayed for her, there were prayer feathers, crosses, images of saints, cards, lotus flowers and words in several languages left behind - evidence of prayers from the four directions.On Feb. 17, Consuelo went on to spirit world, and I called a very special friend, Nahuatl elder Angelbertha Cobb.I asked her: If people don't really die, but instead simply transform into spirits, then why or how do we mourn them?
"We mourn them by remembering the most beautiful memories, and also through humor," she said. "They don't like weeping. It drives them away."I'm not weeping, but the words aren't streaming forth as they did when I first wrote in October about this beautiful University of Arizona graduate, a community organizer and a peaceful warrior for social justice.Friday, when I arrived at my office, a message was on my telephone.Before hearing it, I was prompted to listen to an older message. It was Consuelo, calling me for a recommendation.A few more days have passed, and I can only think her life was an epic love story.Paula Domingo, our spiritual daughter from Albuquerque, N.M. by way of Cuentepec, Morelos, Mexico, translates "epic love story" to Nahuatlas: "Ce tlatotl tlazotlaliztli."Paula, whose husband Luis and daughter Miahuatl met Consuelo at our house, wrote this about her:"Nochipa tikilnamikizke uan tikuikaske panin toyolo. Sihuatl kiyinaijk mikiz nochipa tuhuan yez." We will always remember her and carry her in our hearts. A woman like her never dies. She will always be with us.Her friend, Joel Garcia, describes her as his "beloved friend Consi -a strong Xicana who is now a hummingbird."
Wrote friend and UA professor Andrea Romero, "Like the ripples that come from a stone thrown in the water, her impact will continue to spread beyond the limitations of the physical time she spent with us."
Maria Molina Vai Sevoi of Tucson's indigenous Calpulli Teoxicalli wrote, "Overwhelmed with the tremendous experience of the birth of their baby girl, what more suitable and prophetic a name could Artemisia and Mario have chosen than Consuelo (Comfort). Thank you to the Aguilar family for sharing your precious gift."
Thank you, Consuelo, for giving us comfort in the knowledge that our seeds are strong enough to push through the weeds, find a ray of sunlight, and blossom into beautiful flowers . . .Thank you for your generous contribution to ours and future generations. Keep walking in beauty. See you with the sunrise."
Darlane Santa Cruz adds: "Consuelo was very passionate about bringing in just and equitable teachings into the community. She decided to work with Raza Studies before going into law school. Consuelo always hoped that one day our movement veteranos could leave egos aside and continue working together to accomplish the vision of self-determination and liberation of all oppressed people.
"I never imagined my life without her, and it is very difficult to think that I will not have her as a guide I can call up on at any moment to help me sort out the bumps in the road. I only hope she continues to guide me in that spirit world."
Finally, an excerpt from Mixelle Rascon: "Tell me about the little stories in your hair. . . . Tell me, how should I miss you? Your strength, rebellion, diligence, a character as precious as el PopulVuh. No Xikana complex here. Only the real thing. I will see you again."
Do not take the fruit of the warrior woman under your wing without leaving us the seed. Thank you, Consuelo, for shooting arrows of dignity that moved humanity. . . . Rest at ease in the melancholic gardens where all revolutionary ones go, whisper tunes of sovereignty.Once we awaken the new people's sun, my sister, we will dance again, for all of eternity."
By the way, I did give Consuelo that recommendation. No doubt she is nowadays somewhere organizing the hummingbirds in our midst.
Roberto Rodriguez, a research associate at the University of Arizona,can be reached at: XColumn@gmail.com.* For a longer version (titled: Hummingbird love songs for Consuelo) go to:http://web.mac.com/columnoftheamericas/Site/ColumnoftheAmericas/ColumnoftheAmericas.html
Monday, February 16, 2009
News from Indian youth conference in DC
Anna and her College Prep teacher at Sequoyah High School, Augusta Smith.
Anna shot this of some Osage youth, one from Oregon (first row) and Anthony Plenty Bears, Arapaho, (second row).
Anna and new friend, Erica Moore, Pawnee, Otoe, Osage from Oklahoma. 
Anna with Patrick Kennedy, son of Ted Kennedy, the Democratic representative for Rhode Island's 1st District. My girl is back home after attending the CloseUp Foundation Future Leaders Academy. She said she learned so much and met a lot of super-motivated Indian youth while there. One was Erica Moore, Osage; another was Anthony Plenty Bears, Arapaho. Anna brought back lots of great photos with people like Patrick Kennedy (Ted K.'s son). She got a photo of John McCain at work in a committee session and of course many of the youth who attended. Anna had the privilege of introducing a TV show produced and aired from the Newseum with guests Jeff Harjo, Native American Journalists Association executive director, and Rhonda LeValdo, NAJA prez. It was an interesting show. Check out the NAJA Web site for their upcoming conference this summer in ALBQ. I hope to see you there.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
The New American Bigot by Dr. Roberto Rodriguez
Today, I'm posting the new column (scroll down after reading this) of my friend, Roberto Rodriguez. I shot the photo (above) at a rally on the steps of the Oklahoma Capitol in April, 2007.American Indians in the U.S. must stand with our relatives to the south, who are mostly American Indians also, on the topic of a fair and humane immigration policy. I also support amnesty for all 'illegal' immigrants already here living and working, supporting their families (and the U.S. economy), and thriving alongside us. JoKay
Face of the New American Bigot
By Roberto Dr. Cintli Rodriguez
Feb 11, 2009
On the issue of immigration, there is little difference between conservatives and extremists. Both camps have come to greatly admire Sheriff Joe Arpaio – America's toughest sheriff. To this Arizona lawman, there is nothing wrong with racially profiling red-brown peoples and communities. And of course, his supporters applaud his every antic, including the recent public spectacle of humiliating some 220 migrants in Phoenix by parading them in public.This is arguably why the GOP is dying. Arpaio has become the Bull Conner of our times. For conservative Republicans to embrace him –akin to how extremists embrace him – gives the nation a clear message: the GOP is more interested in preserving its outdated ideology and (racial) heritage, than in expanding its base.As the economycontinues its uncontrolled convulsions, the nation also continues to convulse with an increasing number of ugly cases of racial bigotry andacts of violence against immigrants. Indeed, this era is now marked by the rise of the New American Bigot. The old one has undergone an extreme makeover; save for lawman Arpaio, the New American bigot is no longer the Aryan extremist or unrepentant segregationist. GeorgeWallace is out and CNN's jolly Lou Dobbs is in...
Link to rest of column at:http://news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=852f40a74bb623a207837d5d6e278c70
How a bill becomes a law - Schoolhouse Rock
I know there's more to it than this but Schoolhouse Rock explains very basically how a bill becomes a law. We should all understand the process. To see it (and find more School Rock) click on the link below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEJL2Uuv-oQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEJL2Uuv-oQ
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