Native American Burrow

Alpha Couple

We are the Alpha Couple in charge of this Burrow.

Burrow Organization

We've organized the Burrow's documents into the following structure:

Burrow -- General Area of the Den

Where you are now -- the Native American Burrow.

However, you are welcome to stroll around to wherever your heart and curiosity take you. Enjoy your visit. You are always welcome!

Lodges -- Category Structures

Our Burrow is divided into one or more Lodges. They aren't real lodges, of course, but they are buildings that have been architecturally designed to look like a typical Native American lodge. We have a ceremonial lodge where we keep biographical information and a sweat lodge where we keep information about Native American beliefs.

Sections -- Subject Matter Containers

Lodges are divided into one or more Sections. They allow us to organize various documents by subject matter.

Most of our documents are bound in leather straps and stored in large pottery jars. The jars allow us to protect the documents from the weather. Some single page documents are placed in cardboard boxes and stored on wood shelves.

Some sections have more documents than others.

Documents -- Web Pages

We've collected a number of documents that deal with the cultural and spiritual aspects of some of the indigenous people of North America. These might be written on paper or pieces of bison hide.

Most of these documents are meant to be read individually, but a few are part of a longer "article" and should be read sequentially. We'll always tell you which kind they are.

What Next?

Lodges are the next lower level in the Native American Burrow. For now, we've setup the following Lodges:

Biography Lodge

If you are interested in the indigenous people of North America, stop by the Biography Lodge to learn something about them. We've converted an old ceremonial lodge into a sort of Hall of Fame of Native Americans. Step inside and meet some of the people of the Cheyenne, Nez Perce, Sioux, Paiute, and Shoshone nations.

Beliefs Lodge

If you are more interested in what the native people believe, you'll find the Beliefs Lodge interesting. Although the biographies tell you facts about the people, studying their beliefs lets you experience the depth of who they are. And what better place to store documents about their beliefs than in a converted sweat lodge?

My Favorite Charities

I don't want to imply that Native Americans cannot get along without my help. And in fact, most of my personal favorite charities are meant to help Native Americans become independent.

Many people believe that Indian tribes are rolling in money now that they have casinos. True, some are ... but many live on reservations that are so far removed from the rest of society that they cannot attract gamblers. Other Nations have decided, for one reason or another, not to go into that business. And a number of "Indian" casinos are owned by "White" entrepreneurs who don't always share the profits with the reservation Indians.

My one criteria is that the charity doesn't attempt to change Native Americans into "good, white Christians." History is filled with well-meaning clergy bent on "saving the heathens" ... whether they want to be saved or not. No doubt there are many religious organizations that are performing a necessary and good work ... but I normally do not contribute to any church-run charity ... even though I myself regularly attend church. I apologize if that offends anyone. I just have strong feelings (can you tell?) about people who rob you blind while holding a Bible in the other.

There are so many worthy charities out there ... and I wish I could help them all. But I can't ... obviously ... so I've chosen a few that I can help. And though my contributions are miniscule compared to corporate gifts, I assume they are still appreciated.

Poverty is still a very real concern for many of our country's Native American people. I ask you to consider, if you will, the following Native American charities (shown in alphabetic order):

• American Indian College Fund
• National Museum of the American Indian (Smithsonian)
• Native American Rights Fund
• Sinte Gleska University

Have a pleasant day!