*MITAKUYE OYASIN!*
(all my relatives)

The further I go with this web site, the more excited I get about it. I dedicate this effort to Hignaku Mitawa (my husband), who continues to tell me, "Don't worry, you can do it!" I wish to honor his Indian heritage. He is part Lakota (Sioux), from South Dakota, on his mother's side. His grandfather, who was a very wise man, taught him many of the values and the lifestyle that we both live by today. Lila Pilamayaye! Thank you husband, thank you grandfather.

Every summer we are lucky enough to enjoy attending and participating at some of the local Powwows (Wacipi). It is a wonderful time of catching up with old friends, enjoying terrific music, seeing astounding dancers in their finest attire, eating great food (FRY BREAD POWER!), and 'recentering' ourselves back in the circle of life.

This is a tipi we had sitting out in the yard one summer, fully functional, fully livable, similar to the one my husband lived in for 12 years. This is made of canvas whereas the old-time tipi's were made out of dozens and dozens of elk or buffalo hides. Centuries ago, deer hides had been used, but a woman burned to death in a tipi made of deer hides. The people never used deer for their homes again, however it is used for clothing, bags, and other accoutrements.

This is the actual tipi he lived in, in Iowa, during the late 1970's. Was it cold? Only outside. Inside stayed a toasty 80 degrees thanks to a nifty wood stove. Remember, in the old days the people lived in tipi's all year round with just a fire inside to keep them warm, and they managed just fine.

And here is our beloved Auntie Delma from Standing Rock Reservation in South Dakota (click on her pic to find out more about Standing Rock and the Hunkpapaya). Yes, she is as cheerful as that smile implies with a heart just as big as her smile. A very wise woman who I continue to learn from every time I see her. The second most beautiful person in the world, according to my husband. Hmmm...I wonder who #1 is?

Of course I can't leave out my parents or my brother Matt. My folks have been with me thru thick and thin, thin and thick, always giving me love and support. My brother Matt is the smartest person I know! Even when we were little kids he was always making up 'brain' games. Now he has gone on to a very successful career with a company called Vastera. We sure have come a long way since I tried to stick green beans up his nose! Mom says "No pics of me please! But Matt sent me a pic of him. He's on the left with his friend Ken. What a couple of handsome guys!