Book Review: The Iroquois of the Northeast

 The Iroquois of the Northeast: We Were Here First: The Native Americans by KaaVonia Hinton, Purple Toad Publishing, Kennett Square Pennsylvania, 2014.

A book that gives you a feel for being Iroquois.  Hiawatha lived through the dark times, when five Iroquois Nations were constantly at war.  He was the first to listen to the words of the peacemaker, Dikanawideh.  Together they were able to unite the five nations in peace, Mohawk, Onondaga, Oneida, Seneca, Cayuga and later Tuscarora.  They lived in peace for many years and buried weapons under the tree of peace which they moved to Onondaga land, the middla of the tribes.  The built communities inside stockades.  The lived in longhouses which they built inside the stockade.  Longhouses were not only homes but others were hospitals, schools and spiritual places.  

The Iroquois celebrated the Green Corn Festival every year to give thanks for the crops.  They grew corn, beans and squash, the three sisters.   They also hunted and fished.  They made clothes of animal skins.  They would often travel by canoes made of elm bark.  They also celebrated the Midwinter Festival.  They would make masks from corn husks.  

The coming of Europeans split the peace.  During the Revolutionary War most Iroquois nations sided with the British.   George Washington sent foces against them and they burnt their crops.  Most fled to Fort Niagara.  Some fought against the Americans and the Oneida and Tuscarora.  

Book Review: Argentina: Enchantment of the World

 Argentina: Enchantment of the World by Jean F. Blashfield, Scholastic 2015.

This is a very good book about Argentina.  It includes history, economy, industry, topography and things to see.  There are many unique sites in Argentina; waterfalls of Iguazú, missions in Missiones, Mount Aconcagua, highest point in the Americas, cave of the hands with over 800 hands, Tierra Del Fuego, skiing, beaches and glaciers.  A section of Antartica belongs to Argentina.  

Argentina is one of the leading producers of soybeans in the world.  They do not produce as much beef as they once did, but the still eat a lot of beef.  

Argentina has varied wildlife, including Rheas, a large ostrich type bird, penguins, Andean condors, and jaguars which are large than mountain lions.  Argentina has lots of dinosaur bones, including the largest dinosaurs found.  

Spanish is the official language.  However there are a couple native languages still spoken including Quechua, language of the Incas.  Argentine Spanish is different form other Spanish.  Argentines call their language Castellano.  They use the voz form instead of tú.  And the accent on commands and vrrbs is different.  The Spanish is Argentina is very much influenced by Italian.  It is also influenced by Argentine slang.  (Morfar or manchar for to eat instead of comer.  They also refer to others as ché and the command and voz verb is pronounced differently.  

The Pope before the current one is from Argentina.  Deolind Correa is worshipped.  She had a baby who continued nursing on her even after she had died.  Non Catholic christians are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Evangilist.  There is a large Jewish population.  

Argentines love their Fútbol (s0ccer).  Lionel Messi is from Argentina.  The National sport however is polo.  Argentina has long been the top in the world.

Tango and Argentine folk music are popular music styles.  School is Argentina is compulsory and free up through grade 12.  University is also free.  Argentines have a lively night life, and support this by sleeping  before going out.  The siesta after lunch is not as popular as it once was.  Dinner is eaten very late in Argentina.  Favorite foods include beef asado, locro or stew and the drink mate.  

The economy in Argentina has fluctuated with high inflation at times.  This is now under control and the economy is doing well.

Very enjoyable and informative book.  Publish in 2015 so somethings may be outdated.

Magazine Article Review: Queen of the Air (First Black Woman Aviator)

 Queen of the Air, by Victor Luckerson, illustrated by David Perrin, Smithsonian June 2026, pp 18-22.

Long before the Tuskegee Airmen, Bessie Coleman inspired a generation of Black pilots to take to the skies.  

This is a story I had never heard.  How a young woman, determined to fly airplanes.  She was from Texas, but wanted more.  She moved in his her brother in Chicago and became a manicurist, and earned good tips working in barber shops.  Her brothr announced that Black wome could not fly airplanes.  That set her in motion.  But white pilots in Chicago would not train her; and the U.S. Army Air Service did not take women.  She began saving money and studying French and at age 28 she headed for France where she was trained as a pilot.  Flying was dangeroujs and a classmate died.  But she was determined to let Blacks know that they could fly.  She received her license in 1921.  She was an. instant celebrity, but still had financial issues performing stunts in air shows did not make a lot of money.  Finally in 1923 she purchased her own plan, but crashed it landing herself in the hospital for three months.  She was determined to return to flying.  Ahe flew in an all black air circus in 1925 for Juneteenth.  She hoped to start a school to train black pilots, however tragedy struck.  She and William Wills were surveying an area in Florida for a possible air show.  Wills lost control of the plane and it flipped over, dumping Coleman from the passenger seat to her death.  Wills also died when the plane crashed in a field.

Coleman has been the inspiration for many Black airmen.  When Mae Jamison went to space she carried a photograph of Coleman.

Documentary Review: Charlie Kirk: American Martyr

 Charlie Kirk: American Martyr, Daily Caller, 2025.  Available through Angel Studios.  

Tucker Carlson describes Charlie Kirk as "a man of peace."  It is sad that his life was taken violently by those who say they are peaceful.  Charlie Kirk could discuss issues with others--can keep his peace about him.  He was a family man with two small children.  He was more criticized than any one, and he was stopped by a bullet.  He would do Prove Me Wrong meetings on University campuses.  Because the couldn't prove him wrong they would call him racist and homophobic.  That rhetoric lead someone to decide he needed to kill Charlie Kirk.  

Liberals are evil.  And they have unleashed their evil in many elections this this year.  I pray we as Americans reject this evil outright.  

South Omaha Immigrant History Museum or Mexican American Historical Society of the Midlands

I stopped by the South Omaha Immigrant History Museum and it appeared everything was in flux.  I talked to Jose Reyes who said that the museum was changing hands.  It seems the Mexican American Historical Society was taking over the space.  I did get pictures of some of the things there.   The museum is on the second floor of the Central Mall.

Posthumous Medal of Honor winner Ed Babe Gomez

Master Sergeant Roy P. Benavides Medal of Honor

1979 50 years of Mexican Americans in South Omaha

Diego Rivera Mural

Durham Museum History Museum: Irish Immigration to Omaha

 There was a fine display of photgraphs dealing with Irish immigration in the photo library at the Durham Museum.  Irish were responsible for Creighton University and Boys Town, a couple local landmarks.  They also played a part in development of the Stockyards.

Boys Town

Father Flanagan

Creightons

Magazine Article Review: Chief Standing Bear and the Declaration of Independence

 Chief Standing Bear and the Declaration of Independence by David L Bristow, Nebraska State Historical Society, Nebraskaland Magazine, January/February 2026, pp 44-47.

Chief Standing Bear was the first Native American to sue the federal government and win.  The federal attorney argued that the laws of habeas corpus did not extend to standing bear, but Judge Elmer Dundy did not agree.  In siting his ruling the judge sited the Declaration of Independence.  The small group of Ponca Indians must be released because they had chosen to separate from the rest of the tribe which had been forced to Oklahoma.  They "have the inalienable right to 'life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."  Once Americans embraced equality as a core value, then the decision was set.  The article quotes Sussette LaFlesche (Bright Eyes), Standing Bear's interpreter, "The people are the power which moves the magistrates who administer the laws."  She add, "They ask for liberty, and law is liberty."

Chief Standing Bear

Judge Elmer Dundy