Sunday, May 23, 2010

Got Eagle Rock?

For Immediate Release: May 23, 2010

Contact:
Cynthia Pryor - (906) 360-2414 - cpryor@isp.com
Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve - (906) 345-9223 - ydwp@yellowdogwatershed.org 
Drew Nelson – (616) 706-2539 - drew@drewnelson.net



Hard copies of the song are also available by contacting the YDWP office.

Drew Nelson releases ‘Eagle Rock - Song of the People” in support of those protecting their sacred site from harm

Drew Nelson, singer songwriter, has written a song that calls to all of us who wish to protect our lands from any action that would injure it. Drew who is from Michigan, understands our water rich place and has embraced this cause against a metallic sulfide mine on the Yellow Dog Plains - located in the beautiful remote Upper Peninsula of Michigan on the shores of Lake Superior.

Currently, Rio Tinto second largest mining conglomerate in the world proposes a copper/nickel mine under the Salmon Trout River on the Yellow Dog Plains. The proposed mine, disrespectfully called “Eagle” is on state and public land that our government has put in the hands of this multi-national corporation for their private gain. On this state land there is a rock - a three acre outcrop that is the only high spot on the Yellow Dog Plains. This rock is Migi zii wa sin or Eagle Rock that is a sacred site to the Anishinaabe of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community. Eagle Rock was scheduled and approved by the state of Michigan to be the portal to this mine.

The event that precipitated the arrest of Cynthia Pryor and the occupation of Eagle Rock by three courageous women - Charlotte Loonsfoot, Chalsey Smith and Georgeana Earring was the beginning of the fencing in of Eagle Rock by Rio Tinto. These are all women of the water who did what they had to do to help stop this mine.
Drew wrote this song in honor of the bravery of those who now occupy Migi zii wa sin and who are not leaving. Drew presents this song with these words:

I have written a new song called 'Eagle Rock (song for the people)" and it will be made available for FREE to everyone. All I ask is you visit these sites, educate your self about what is going on and PLEASE make a donation to those brave heroes who are holding off one of the largest and most egregious violators of indigenous peoples and our mother the earth.

THIS IS NOT A LOCAL PROBLEM IT IS A GLOBAL PROBLEM.

Drew signs his name lower case and as ‘human being’. This is not about any one person but together represents all the brave spirits and human beings that care. We thank all who wish to help and as you listen to this song - think about those people on the ground, in harm’s way, who have taken their stand - there at Eagle Rock.

For more information about Eagle Rock and how you can help, go to these sites: http://www.standfortheland.com/; http://www.yellowdogwatershed.org/; and http://www.savethewildup.org/.

Please also visit Drew Nelson's website at http://www.drewnelson.net/.

Our Great Lakes are so precious! According to the EPA website http://www.epa.gov/glnpo/basicinfo.html: The Great Lakes are the largest surface freshwater system on the Earth. They contain about 84 percent of North America's surface fresh water and about 21 percent of the world's supply. Only the polar ice caps contain more fresh water.

In addition: Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area and is the world's third-largest freshwater lake by volume.

Holy wah that's a lot of fresh water...we need to work together to protect it!

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Soulemama Giveaway with the NaturalKids Team!

Soulemama is hostessing a giveaway with some members from the NaturalKids Team. Click on over to enter to win one of our playsilks, along with other goodies from our natty friends!

http://www.soulemama.com/soulemama/2010/04/soulemama-sponsor-natural-kids-.html#comment-6a00d8341c4ea853ef0134801a87bd970c

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Deep Fried Peeps

So, what do you do with those nasty left over peeps no one wants to eat after Easter anyway?

Well, if you happen to know a potter (which we do.), and if he happens to be firing his wood-fired kiln (which he was)...we highly suggest bringing the peeps!

Thanks to Ryan Dalman and his family with Dalman Pottery...They taste much better kiln fried!
Below are some of Ryan's lovely pots. For further inquiries, he may be reached at dalmanpottery@gmail.com


Sunday, April 18, 2010

Sugar Loop 2010 - From Sap to Syrup

From Sap to Syrup...
Mojo and Rad boilin' down sap. This is an all day process of feeding the fire and adding sap. It takes a little over 40 gallons of sap to equal one gallon of syrup.
We bought a new stainless steel pan this year...it's so lovely!
Thanks to Paul at
stainlesssteelcreations
for such a nicely made pan.
Sap at a rapid boil.













Kiah and Ona call it a day and make the trek home. 
We transport the remaining sap to our outdoor kitchen. Here we boil it down on the stove. We take it to 119 degrees, then strain it from the faucet into jars.
The jar on the left is from the "first run" batch. The jar on the right is from the 2nd run.
This painting from our dear friend, Jen, sums it all up...Maple sap is such a blessing! Making your own maple syrup sure makes you feel "connected" because you know right where it's coming from!

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Sugar Loop 2010 - From Maple Tree to Sap

From the Maple Tree to Sap...
Maple Trees are a blessing!  

We tapped 70 trees this year beginning March 3rd and untapping April 5th.

Following are photos from our Sugar Loop Day 1 thru Day 4...Tappin' Trees:

Make a hole in the tree at an upwards angle (about 10 degrees) with no more than a 2" depth. 

Hole waiting for a tap...the sap is already drip, drip, dripping.






 Kiah digs in her bucket for a tap.







Milo hammers the tap into the hole.





Diggin' out the arches.










Collecting firewood for the upcoming fire.

Don't forget to taste the sweet sap right from the source!
Look for our next post "From Sap to Syrup" in the next few days.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Celebrate the Earth!

Come celebrate the Earth with Us!

Etsy's Natural Kids Team is having a gynormous sale! Beginning April 14th, 55 shops will be offering different sales or giveaways.

Our shop in particular is offering 10% off from April 14-22.

Plus, we have a little gnome picture in one of our listings! If you 'find' the gnome, let us know and you will receive a naturalkids team pdf booklet about connecting kids to nature, making yummy recipes, and how to make simple toys and crafts yourself. This pdf was made possible through generous contributions from members of the naturalkids team.

To see participating shops and for further details, come visit the NaturalKids' Blog.
 
You may also simply search "naturalkids team earth day" on Etsy


Saturday, April 3, 2010

The Enchanted Cupboard Giveaway Winner Announced!

Drumroll please....
And the winner from the Earth Day NaturalKids Blog-a-thon and The Enchanted Cupboard giveaway is...

Momma Rae! Yay Momma Rae! May you spend many days playing with this cute little set!
Thanks to all who entered!