Walking Spirit in a Native Way

 LIFT! A special program for eighth grade students transitioning to the ninth grade. One school I have been honored to visit over many years has a special program for students to prepare for the next four years of high school. I feel certain that many schools have similar programs under various titles, however, this one throws in a few focused benefits.  The curriculum for the students focuses on what it will be like attending high school. How to navigate the building, what homework is expected, how to navigate current events, extra curriculum available and many other aspects of high school life. The program is presented in the high school they will be attending to aid them in acclimating to the environment. The overall program is designed to re-enforce a commitment in each student to complete their education. It's not all work for these students. They have field trips to hike the Grand Monadnock or visit different places and usually a picnic at the end of the course. My part ...

You can say! Poem By James B. Beard aka Noodin, January 2018 You can say you are a man or a woman. That’s not who you are. You can say you are white, red, yellow or black. That’s not who you are. You can say you are a republican or a democrat. That’s not who you are. You can say you are a soldier or a nurse. That’s not who you are. You can say you are a christian or a buddhist. That’s not who you are. You can say you are blue collar or white collar. That’s not who you are. You can say you are a farmer or a priest. That’s not who you are. You can say you are pretty or ugly. That’s not who you are. You can say you are rich or poor. That’s not who you are. You can say you are one with the creation. That is who you are!!! No more! No Less! James Beard aka Noodin                Cultural Storyteller, Educator, Speaker,                Author Please share this article! ...

Angus on Manitoulin Island This is what he told me! Nishnung and I were traveling to see Gordy Wendsiban at Sheguanda First Nation on Manitoulin Island in Ontario Canada. We drove most of the night from The Grand Monadnock in New Hampshire and arrived just before sunrise. Gordy invited Niishnung to be the chief firekeeper for a traditional powwow that he was hosting. We were just in time to light the fire. Some of the Elders were already at the fire waiting as we entered. I smudged the area and the people with sage and helped a man named John to prepare the fire for lighting. Nishnung and Gordy led the ceremony, and the fire was lit. My work would be to help take care of the fire for the next four days. People began to arrive and would come by the fire to offer their prayer in tobacco to the Creator and Spirit world. Many of them spoke only Ojibwe as they came by. This place is a traditional community, and the language of the people is still spoken here. Nishnung knew almost everyone a...

Walking Spirit in a Native Way Walking Spirit in a Native Way: White  Mocs  on the Red Road by James B. Beard is a profound and moving exploration of spirituality, identity, and transformation. It is more than a personal story—it is a reflection on what it means to live in harmony with nature, spirit, and oneself. Through his journey, Beard, known by his Native name Noodin, invites readers into a world shaped by the teachings of the Ojibwe people and guided by the wisdom of his mentor, Misho, an elder whose insight and patience illuminate every page.   JITHU | INFLUENCER             Available for purchase here! Please share this article!      James B. Beard, Author of:      Walking Spirit in a Native Way

Article originally posted August 2014     grand monadnock   chi monidou'nok   moniadenak     Does it really mean mountain that stands alone?   A good friend of mine lives near Grand Monadnock in New Hampshire. She is of Abenaki Ancestry and has been doing research to identify the aboriginal activity around the mountain prior to colonial settlement. The information about native use of the mountain is almost nonexistent and little factual information is available. Beth has read just about anything she could find on the subject. Recently she contacted Russ Moore. Russ is a writer and has done many articles about the Monadnock Region. He responded, properly I might add, and said this:   "The best evidence of Native Americans living on or near Mt. Monadnock is that it is a Western Abenaki word and they must have been in the area to give it a name later adopted by the European decent persons who explored the area in the late 1600s and early 1...