Choctaw Federation Takes Trophy

Big How Choctaw Federation!

We have reason to be proud of the showing and performance of Choctaw Federation at the Jax Cracker 500 derby car races this past Saturday.  We had 11 cars running in the races.  A lot of effort went into making and fine tuning the cars.  Big How to all participants!

This was the first year of The Cup Race.  The fastest 3 cars from the Timucuan Federation faced off against the fastest 3 cars from our Choctaw Federation to determine the winning Federation.  The Timucuan’s had approximately 50 cars participating, we had 11 cars.  Even with the underdog status, we pulled out a big win!

Luke & Ryan Auger of the Arapahoe Tribe and Owen Richmond of the Mohawk Tribe had the fastest 3 cars from Choctaw.  The average of their times in the final races were faster than the average of the Timucuan’s fastest 3 cars, giving us the win.

The Cup trophy will reside with Choctaw Federation this year and will need to be defended in the future.  We are also looking for the official name for The Cup.  Please let me know if you have ideas for the Cup name.

We appreciate the Timucuans hosting the Jax Cracker 500 and send them many thanks.  It is still sweet to defeat the mighty TimucuansJ

Big How!

James Valenti

“Strong Bear”

Choctaw Federation Chief 

Big News!!!!
Congratulations to Hailey Wells for winning the Fall Longhouse patch contest.
Way to go Hailey. 
Below is a look at the new Longhouse Patch.

Big How,

Let me begin by saying congratulations to all that went Broken Arrow at the Longhouses. I hope that everyone had a great Spring Break. With that said summer approaches and so does the Opening of the Beaches Parade, Sunday April 17^th, 2011. Here are the details that some of you have been asking for. The parade stars at 2pm; I ask that everyone be there by no later than 1pm. I am not sure what type of help will be needed in order to decorate the float but, any help would be greatly appreciated. The roads to the parade route will be closed off as of 12:00pm so all traffic will become foot traffic only. This year’s theme is “All Access Rock Star”. Our float will be decked out in décor appropriate to that theme. I ask that all Guides and Princesses, as well as Dads, wear their new Federation Shirts. I have procured parking at the Third & Third plaza which is across the street from Rita’s Italian Ice. We will be set up on 2^nd Street somewhere between 1^st Avenue North and 3^rd Avenue North; we are normally right behind Brix Bar and Grill. The event “normally” takes about 45 minute to an hour to complete.

In the next few days I will be needing a head count as to how many will be attending/participating so that I can have enough time to get everything that we will need in order to make everything go off without a hitch. For the past 4 years everyone that has participated has had a great time. Last year we all got a little wet but, the show went on. Chiefs please pass this on to your tribes and let me know by no later than Friday April 8^th at 5pm who all will be attending. If you have any further question please feel free to ask.

Thank you and have a great week,

Charlie “Seminole Nation Chief Golden Fox” Taylor

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Big How Choctaw Federation!!!!

          That time has come upon us for the Fall Longhouses.The Princess (Algonquin) Nation had a great time this past weekend.At thistime I would like to pass on the words of our new Federation Chief"GreenTurtle" :"Thank you for all of your contributions to the Fall PrincessLonghouse. I have to admit I was a little nervous about getting it all togetheron Monday, but it did all come together very nicely with a great time had byall. I believe we had a record number of 209 attendess for Winston Ywith atleast 30 new princesses at the acorn ceremony. Something we are doing isworking!? Many new Dads said they were amazed by the power of the sacred fireand at least one shed a tear during the acorn ceremony run by our New NationChief Jonny "Bald Eagle" Woods. Looking forward to another one startingFriday!!!"
Rob "Green Turtle" Ellis
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Big How Choctaw Federation!!!!

          Here we are about to embark on another wonderful season with our sons and daughters in this awesome program. I am sure that they can hardly wait for the first event of the season. It is with great respect that I would like to personally congratulate Rob “Green Turtle” Ellis on his new position as our fearless leader “Federation Chief” of the Mighty Choctaw Federation. I am sure that he will do a great job and lead us with the wisdom of the Great Spirit behind him. He has a few tricks up his sleeve that I am sure the Guides and Princesses are going to love. There a few more positions on the Federation council that I would also like to acknowledge at this time:

Medicine Man: James “Strong Bear” Valenti

Trail Blazers Chief/Federation Elder: Dave “Running Elk” Howie

Federation Elder: Allen “Fighting Bear” Stevens

Guides Seminole Nation Chief/Federation Web Spinner: Charlie “Golden Fox” Taylor

Princess Algonquin Nation Chief: Jonny “Bald Eagle” Woods

Talley Keeper/Guides Chapel Chief: Greg “White Thunder” Wells

Article form the Kickapoo Tribe

A Nature Hike in GTM

Submitted By: Kirsten Woods (Snow Feather) Princess of the Kickapoo Tribe of the mighty Choctaw Nation. 

 This summer my tribe went to the Guana/Tolomato/Matanzas State Park to have a nature hike.  First we made up guide books and laminated them so that we could look for plants and animals in the park.  

 My partner was Jackson Woods and together we found ant lions, crabs (but they were not on the list).  We also found some trees that were on the list and a whole bunch of plants.   

 In a long time ago there used to be a fire in there.  We know this because there was a stopping place and it said there had been a fire.  The walk in nature made me happy because it looked just like Adventure Guides and Princesses.

 The End

Article form the Kickapoo Tribe

CONSERVING WATER
By
“Arctic Fox”
Kendall Mason

 This summer I learned about conserving water.  If we don’t conserve water, it could be really bad.  Without water, lakes could dry up and living things could die.  I wish the lake at Camp Immokalee had more water in it for the animals and the fish.  It would also be more fun for me and everyone because we would be able to go kayaking. 

 Here are some ways to conserve water:  

 1.  Don’t leave the water running when you brush your teeth.  

 2.  Don’t leave the sink running when you wash dishes. 

 3.  Put your washing machine on one rinse instead of two. 

 4.  Put a bucket in the shower and then the water that you catch can be used to water your plants.  

 5.  Make sure you don’t have any water leaks in your house. 

 If we all chip in with conserving water, we can make a difference in the environment.  

 Kendall

Article form the Kickapoo Tribe

Lessons From a Swamp  

Submitted By: Kirsten Woods (Snow Feather) Princess of the Kickapoo Tribe of the mighty Choctaw Nation

 This summer I went to my Mom’s hometown in Europe.  She grew up in a little village called Salmistu in Estonia.  The village has a swamp and me and my Mom walked for two hours in the swamp.  I didn’t get tired because we took lots of breaks.  I was amazed when my Mom said it had been two hours, because in my whole life I never walked so far. 

 I saw “swamp hair” which is like grass but at the top it has this fuzzy stuff.  It is really, really soft and I like it, so we picked some.  We had to test the ground to be sure that it wasn’t so soaky that we couldn’t walk on it.  We also saw a big tower so we went up the stairs all the way to the top.  There were names everywhere of people that had been there before.  Me and my Mom were lucky because we had my backpack along for snacks and there was still a pen in my backpack that I had got from the airplane.  So we could write our names too.  

 There was a bridge that was cracked and it was a little bit scary.  At the end of the bridge there was a whole bunch of trees and it looked a little like Camp Imokalee.  I’m glad I’ve been to both places because nothing is funner than exploring. 

 The End