Last summer, Anna published a very informative article in _Native Peoples_
magazine about the ceremonies held that year for her daughter Carla. The
title of the article is "Carla's Sunrise" and it appeared in the June
1991 issue. (pp. 8-16) It explains very well the importance of the puberty
ceremonies to Apache girls, and the responsibility and expense to their
families.
"The Sunrise Ceremonial is a special gift to a young girl from her family
because it is a time when she is given all the spiritual gifts and
blessings as she enters womanhood. ... It is my hope that my daughter
will grow up to be a good woman helping others as she travels her journey
of life."
"One usually hesitates on the decision to have a Sunrise Ceremonial because
it is a monumental financial undertaking. If one is fortunate, relatives
and family friends help with food donations and financial support. It was
a big decision for me as a single parent because the extra money just isn't
there sometimes."
Anna describes details at every step of the ceremonies, and there are many
excellent quality color pictures showing the dancers, particular parts of the
ceremony, and scenes at the family's camp during the festivities. Although
there are differences in the way the ceremonies are observed in each band,
there are also common threads, and the observance is based on common beliefs,
too. Anna is very articulate and writes with sensitivity and understanding
about her experience. I believe any of you who want more information on
Apaches or on these particular ceremonials will find this fascinating reading.
The same issue in which Anna's article appears contains an excellent article
on the Crow Medicine Wheel in Wyoming, an article about the Iroquois, one
about an Inupiat woman in Alaska who is a pilot, and several others.
(_Native Peoples_ is published quarterly by Media Concepts Group, Inc., 1833
North Third St., Phoenix, AZ 85004-1502, and a subscription costs $18/yr.)
Happy reading!
--Liz
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Elizabeth Pollard Bitnet: uahebp01@uahvax1
Systems Librarian Internet: uahebp01@asnuah.asn.net
Univ. of Ala./Huntsville Compuserve: 72457,1560
Huntsville, AL 35899 Phone: (205) 895-6313
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[ _Native_Peoples_ magazine is also available as part of a charter membership
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D.C. The $20 membership fee gets you a one year's subscription to the
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New York City - moving to a new building on the Capitol Mall in 2000), a
10% discount on purchases made from Smithsonian Museum shops, eligibility
to join other Smithsonian members on "fascinating study tours throughout
America and around the world," and advance notice of the Museum's outreach
programs in your local area. For $35 or more, you will also receive the
_Smithsonian_Runner_ - "the insider's newsletter covering all of the Smith-
sonian's Native American projects and exhibitions."
To join, send $20 to:
National Museum of the American Indian
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P.O. Box 768
Arlington, Virginia 22216
Current Smithsonian members are eligible for a 20% discount on the $20
rate - please include your member number. Amounts over $20 are tax-
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--Gary ]