Scott Frazier will present a program on September 10, 2009, “Buffalo: A Native Perspective and Relationship to the Sacred”

When & Where:   6:30 pm  Livingston, Montana

http://www.neeea.org/conference/saturday.html

Scott Frazier will present, “Traditional Environmental Knowledge: The Pulse of Water” for the New England Environmental Education Alliance in September 2009. Native civilizations regarded the “Pulse of Water” as the life force for the environment. Traditional Knowledge about water was taught to the Tribal youth so the Tribe would survive. Lineal scientists are now looking at Traditional Environmental Knowledge as supportive application in data collection of the pulse of water. “What is the Pulse of Water?

“Project Indigenous” approved and now appears on the Water and Cultural Diversity Database portion of the UNESCO website.

To view Project Indigenous details, please go to:

http://www.coldrose.com/wcd/info/index.php?option=com_oe&task=viewInstitutionRecord&institutionID=11559

“Scott Frazier, a Crow/Santee elder, Executive Director of Project WET’s Native Waters and Indigenous People’s Liaison was nominated by the Open World Leadership Center to participate in the Moscow Presidential Summit, took part in a roundtable on Civil Society, in which President Obama took part. Come share with him his experience while in Russia.”

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/The-Hoop/2009/07/29/Neyoms-View-interview-with-Scott-Frazier

Local Montanan, Scott Frazier Attends Presidential Summit in Russia
press release from Montana Center for International Visitors

The Montana Center for International Visitors is pleased to announce that Scott Frazier, Executive Director of Project WET’s Native Waters and Indigenous People’s Liaison was nominated by the Open World Leadership Center (OWLC) to participate in the Moscow Presidential Summit that took place last week as a continuation of the famous re-set concept introduced by Secretary of State Clinton in March of this year. Mr. Frazier participated in a roundtable on Civil Society, in which President Obama took part.

MCIV is delighted that Mr. Frazier was one of a dozen Open World partners who were able to take part in this event. Over the years, Mr. Frazier of Project WET has met with numerous Open World delegates through his connection with the Montana Center for International Visitors. Mr. Frazier is a Santee and an enrolled Crow Tribal member. Since 2001, Mr. Frazier has led the efforts of Native Waters, a community education program that supports the efforts of tribal leaders, educators and students and dedicated to increasing awareness of indigenous water resources worldwide. He also serves as the Project WET Foundation’s Tribal point-of-contact for diversity and cultural awareness related to water resources education.

The Open World Leadership Center, an independent legislative branch agency, brings emerging community leaders to the United States for short-term visits to observe their U.S. counterparts in action. The program’s mission is to enhance understanding and capabilities for cooperation between the U.S. and the countries of Eurasia by developing a network of leaders in the region who have gained significant, firsthand exposure to America’s democratic, accountable government and its free-market system.

The unique Open World Program is the only exchange program funded by the legislative branch of the U.S. government. The program is operated by the Open World Leadership Center housed at the Library of Congress. Since its founding by Congress in 1999, Open World has enabled over 6,000 American host families and their communities in all 50 states to play an active role in this ambitious public diplomacy effort. By hosting Eurasian delegates in their communities and homes, they have directly impacted more than 14,000 current and future Eurasian leaders and made lasting partnerships.

The Academy for Educational Development (AED), the Open World Program’s largest national hosting grantee, receives grants from the Open World Leadership Center to administer U.S.-based activities in collaboration with local host colleges such as MCIV across the United States. MCIV is a Bozeman based non-profit dedicated to promoting global education and exchanges. MCIV was founded in 1987 and has since hosted more than one thousand international leaders who come to the U.S. to better understand our country.

For more information please contact MCIV at mtcenter@montana.edu or 406.994.4887

http://www.openworld.gov/press/print.php?id=116&lang=1

Interview on “First Voices Indigenous Radio” with Tiokasin Ghosthorse with Scott Frazier following his visit to Russia

Scott Frazier (Santee/Crow) elder from Montana, participated in the Eurasia Foundation’s Civil Society Summit Environmental Panel in Moscow on July 6-7. Coinciding with the historic meeting between Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and U.S. President Barack Obama, Mr. Frazier was one of the representatives from the USA participating in summit meetings addressing environmental and human rights issues. (WBAI  99.5 FM out of New York City every Thursday at 10 AM Eastern time.)

Scott Frazier, a Santee and enrolled Crow tribal elder from Montana, will participate in the Civil Society Summit Environmental Panel in Moscow, July 6-7 at the Eurasia Foundation’s Civil Society Summit. Coinciding with the historic meeting between Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and U.S. President Barack Obama, Mr. Frazier will be one of the representatives from the USA participating in summit meetings addressing environmental and human rights issues.

Mr. Frazier is one of more than 75 experts from the USA and Russia participating in the historical two-day summit aimed at developing recommendations for future collaboration between the two countries.

Discussion topics for the environmental portion of the Summit will include energy efficiency and Kyoto/post-Kyoto implementation, biodiversity, conservation and sustainable use of natural resources, and environmental governance.

Scott Frazier is founder and CEO of the Montana-based firm, “Project Indigenous,” that provides educational programs addressing environmental issues and cultural diversity while teaching from an Indigenous perspective.

Mr. Frazier reacted to the invitation by saying, “When I first got notice that I was invited to attend the Summit, I was humbled at the thought of being included in such an important and historic gathering of leaders. I am most honored to have this opportunity to address topics that impact all Indigenous Peoples as well as the care for our environment. It is a historical event for the entire world as these two countries come together in unity to address issues that impact us all.”

Additionally, since 2001, Scott Frazier has led the efforts of “Native Waters,” a community education program supporting efforts by tribal leaders, educators and students at increasing awareness of Indigenous water resources worldwide. He also serves as the Project WET Foundation’s Tribal point-of-contact for diversity and cultural awareness issues related to water resources education.

While executive director of Native Waters, Scott has participated in several major water resources and education events, including the 4th World Water Forum in Mexico City, 2nd Indigenous Conference on Education in Atlanta, Georgia and the 4th World Conference on Indigenous Education in Hamilton, New Zealand.

As Mr. Frazier prepared to leave the USA and head to the Russian Summit, he explained the importance of the meetings between the two countries saying, “We are no longer isolated individual countries; we are truly an interconnected species with many of the same struggles.”

Scott Frazier’s Indigenous Gold — By: Regina van de Berg / Red Thunderbird Agency

Translation: Larita Gerrissen

Scott Frazier came over for a visit recently. He is a 60-year old elder from the Crow/Santee Nations in Montana, a state in the northern mid-west of the United States. He is an American Indian man of almost 1.90 meters (6.2 feet) tall if I were to guess. Alongside his open and friendly face are two long gray braids. He has a good sense of humor with which he is able to quickly connect with people. Scott Frazier is the director of his own, recently founded, company called Project Indigenous, which focuses on the native perspective in several educational programs. The main focus is to conserve and respect native land, our natural resources and American Indian cultures. Scott spoke about this during his visit to the Netherlands and I would like to describe many of his thoughts as ‘Indian gold’. Gold that exists of stories about life ways in which the wisdom about the ways of nature are shared among other things. These are stories that challenge us to bend ourselves more to the natural rhythm of the earth. And sometimes stories that offer a surprising angle on the problems we are facing today.
The Sun Dance path

Scott FrazierAgain I was impressed by the simplicity with which many indigenous people, Scott among them, propagate their views. Scott is a man who presents himself the ‘Indian way’. This means he tells stories and thus he does not use presentations designed to impress which have been prepared in power point.

This is intentional as this man has walked the ceremonial ‘Sun Dance path’ for most of his life. Central to this path are the Sun Dance ceremony and the life ways that go with it. Through this way of life he has gained so much trust in himself and the Creator (the Great Spirit, God), which is why he sort of waits for the words to come that are allowed to be shared with his audience. He trusts that those words will be spoken that will give the people the feeling they learned something, they gained a new insight and sometimes it heals them. True spirituality. The stories he tells essentially have the same message every time, only the packaging is different with each story. A new story, another example, a surprising turn or just suddenly a slogan or statement which summarizes the whole story in a one-liner: the Indian gold of Scott Frazier.

I give his name to this intentionally, because that is how I remembered it from the dialogue. Recognition is important. Not for him personally, because the only thing he said when I uttered my enthusiasm for the gold I discovered in the words, was: “When you tell this to others, tell them that ‘an Indian told you this’ and let the next person do the same. His reasoning was, “for a long time, and still today, cultures with a slightly darker color and other ways of life, were labeled as ‘dumb people’. It is so important to show people that the opposite is true …”
A few of the ‘nuggets of gold’

‘Don’t create it in the first place’
Scott FrazierThis is about the mess we are all creating on our planet and how we should solve that. Scott: “How would Indians do this? We don’t have an answer ready for this question, but our way would have been: ‘Don’t create it in the first place!’
If you ponder a bit on this statement and would think about how to apply this to our current society, then you can only conclude that those things we wish to make or want to have can’t be isolated from the consequences it will have for the future. If we know what kind of mess it will create, then it is our duty to think of a solution for dealing with the unwanted effects at the time of our creation. If we can’t think of a solution, then we shouldn’t create the mess.
When we take the time to think about a solution for the negative effects (‘sit down and breathe’), then maybe we realize we really don’t need it. This built-in moment of consciousness will be something our children and grandchildren will thank us for later, in stead of giving in to our never to be stilled hunger for consumption of more, more, more. While I believe that our hunger is truly a hunger for spirituality.

‘Always let the first one go’
Concerning sustainability, we all talk about it but what is it exactly? Scott illustrates the indigenous perspective by the American Indian way of life of ‘way back’, like for example hunting for your food: ‘Only shoot the second animal of the species you are hunting for. This requires patience and restraining your greed, but if you would always let the first animal go of the species you are hunting for, then you would be certain that this species will stay in existence. And that the generations that will follow us will still have food to eat. ‘Always let the first one go’.
This also applies to the wild rice you are harvesting and other food sources of the earth we need and use. This is all right, but just don’t use it all. Leave something behind. Who knows if that one plant will one day provide a cure for cancer or another illness?

According to Scott sustainability was something that was exercised in the everyday life of nomadic living American Indian tribes. When winter arrived American Indians had to make sure the food supply was well stocked and that you were warm enough. But the roaming lifestyle did not leave much space for bringing a lot of material and supply. So you had to think beforehand about how much you would need and according to this the tribes would arrange their lifestyle. Nothing less and certainly nothing more. Overconsumption did not exist and what was somehow left over was given back to nature and would perish naturally, because the material was natural. Nowadays we call that biodegradable.

What kind of message do you send?
Scott FrazierThe aboriginal way of life had sustained many indigenous peoples for many generations in a way that worked out and was healthy for them and for the environment they lived in. Then the white people came. Not only did they arrive in American Indian communities, but also in other communities all over the world that were different from them. Their mission to bring other peoples ‘the only right way to live’ was unbridled while they were not invited. Nevertheless they told the American Indians for example they had to start living in houses. In these new houses bathrooms were placed right next to the kitchen where food was prepared and eaten, while the old way of life of this group provided them with doing ones business in nature, far away from the tipi or other housing where daily life took place. Oh well.

Another example: uninvited we travel to communities and tell then they need a better water installation, one that will provide them with clean water. Full of enthusiasm we build this installation. But what message are you really sending? ‘You are dirty’. And that while, so reasons Scott, these communities were able to live in harmony with nature for many generations. Thousands of years of knowledge is stored and shared through oral traditions. Turn it around for once: in stead of waltzing in without knocking and telling them what they need, ask them how they have done it for all those years? Or wait until you are invited to receive that knowledge. Who knows, maybe we will learn something from it …..

Commitment: Who will put you to rest?
A conversation on commitment, in any shape or form, is summarized by Scott in this one sentence: It is all about who will put you to rest’. In other words: when you close your eyes at the end of your life, then it is important to know who will bring you to your last resting place. Who will be responsible for that smile on your face when you enter the last part of this journey and enter the new life?

Maybe not necessarily an American Indian way of thinking, but pondering on it some longer, my conclusion is that it really is. Because are we really used to think about what lies ahead for us and truly invest in that NOW? For me this way of thinking is linked with the principle of ‘care for the seventh generation’. This is an American Indian thought which is all about taking responsibility; when you take action now consider the fact that those same resources will have to be used by the next seven generations. When you put this together with the thought of ‘Don’t create it in the first place’, the circle is complete once again.

There are many more examples, of which his ‘pulse’ story is the most impressive. Scott moves his arms in front of his chests in an inward and outward motion when he explains that essentially we have to learn to move more accordingly to the rhythm of the universe, or of nature if you please. Being conscious of the things we see around us and even better, are part of. I could dedicate a whole chapter of its own to this train of thought.

Scott Frazier
A liberating answer?
How can we apply these thoughts to our modern way of life and in a time where we enjoy such comforts we can’t, and maybe also won’t, turn our back on? Unfortunately, offering an indigenous perspective will not provide a liberating answer to our questions, nor does it offer a solution for all the problems we are presently facing.
Just like the election of Barack Obama and his promise of change will not help us get rid of the hills of garbage resulting from our unbridled need for consumption and with which we lay a heavy burden on our planet.
What we can do is startle our linear line of thought. The world is round, something the American Indians knew long before scientists proved it. Because, adds Scott, this was logical, right? In nature everything is round, look at the sun and the moon, or at the river flow and the roundness of the mountains. And that’s how American Indians think in circles, Scott for sure. For him the circle is a symbol for thinking in images, in symbols.
Listening

Scott FrazierFor me the message is that by embracing other train of thoughts, for example those of indigenous peoples, and seriously researching them, it could maybe be possible that we come to ideas that will provide the solutions we are looking for. Sometimes it is necessary to go back to basics to do this, back to nature. Back to the people who still know how it was to be close to nature. And listen to them. But also to feel, because, related Scott, who really knows how it feels when it rains? Who really does stand still to let the spatters fall on his face and to smell a fresh rain shower that smells different every time depending on the time of year?

Appreciating native knowledge, skills and wisdom and applying them to our western way of thinking will bring us gold. I am certain of that. Let us hope we will be invited to learn more about this Indian gold.

(A short explanation about the Sun Dance: There are many types of the ceremony referred to as the Sun Dance. Each Tribe has a different approach to the ceremony and the elements involved but there are some similarities.1. Fasting, 2. Singing, 3. Dancing, and 4. A Central Pole. Mr. Frazier refers to his Sun Dance as the Room of Rainbows or the Elk lodge. It was given during a vision quest roughly 25 years ago. The ceremony was held on or near the full moon of summer and gives thanks for what has been given during the past year and what is going to be given for the year coming. No flesh is sacrificed, only dreams.)

Courtesy of:
http://www.stipo.info/Artikel/Scott_Frazier%E2%80%99s_Indigenous_Gold

By Rob Capriccioso

WASHINGTON – Scott Frazier, a Crow/Santee elder, spent the latter part of October visiting educational institutions and companies in and around Holland to offer perspectives on Native life and environmental issues.

As part of his educational outreach, Frazier presented a program, titled “Native Perspectives on Environmental Issues,” for the faculty of environmental science at Utrecht University. The university is one of the oldest in the Netherlands and among the largest in Europe.

He later presented a cultural diversity program, called “A Native Perspective on Communication and Dialogue,” for employees of the Stipo company, an outlet focused on city renewal that supports the introduction of arts and culture into residential areas.

A rare opportunity was also given to Frazier for a lunchtime program scheduled at The Hague. During another public event, “Kiva Day,” he spoke and provided a workshop in Zutphen.

“Some of the people in Holland have a better understanding of the Native culture than non-Native people in the United States,” he reflected during his voyage. “Perhaps this is due to their not living near the culture and carrying some of the many stereotypes held in the U.S.

“I see a greater curiosity and willingness to learn truths about the Native people. Europe generally, in my opinion, has a strong cultural respect for American Indian people.”

Locals asked many questions about his tribal and family history, cultural background, biodiversity, cultural diversity, communication and the indigenous vision for the future as it applies to climate change, global warming and care for the Earth.

The queries were very much welcomed by Frazier, who has decades of experience in the environmental arena. He said he now looks forward to sharing what he learned from his visit with Natives at home, especially in terms of energy development.

”What stands out right now is the greater understanding [in Holland] of utilizing green energy such as windmills.

“I will also share their experiences with protecting/utilizing water resources and plans to construct huge dyke projects.

“Also, with any journey abroad, I always gain an insight into the culture and people of that area which, in turn, may be shared with those I meet and address at functions held in the U.S. or across the Earth, for that matter.”

Frazier’s trip from Bozeman, Mont., was hosted by the Red Thunderbird Agency, a Dutch firm that promotes Native art and culture. The firm regularly organizes events in Europe featuring Indian representatives from across the U.S.

On the U.S. side, the voyage was facilitated by a Montana-based firm called Project Indigenous, which provides educational programs that teach from an indigenous perspective. It focuses specifically on fields relating to the preservation and respect of Native lands, natural resources and Native cultures.

The firm recently launched into a formal business structure. Previously, its work and projects have been independently and privately organized.

The aim of Project Indigenous’ cultural diversity programs is to highlight facts about Native cultures and aid audiences in understanding truths versus stereotypes and myths. The programs are meant to bring greater respect and understanding about different ethnic backgrounds.

Shelley Bluejay Pierce, a coordinator for Project Indigenous, said more teaching trips overseas are currently in the planning stages.

“We are no longer isolated individual countries … we are truly an interconnected species with many of the same struggles,” Bluejay Pierce said.

“Our trips abroad allow us to learn, expand our knowledge base and return that back to the variety of outlets in the U.S. Our sharing with a vast audience allows an expanded appreciation and understanding for the indigenous point of view on a wide variety of topics.

(originally appeared in “Indian Country Today”- archived online at, http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/living/education/33581244.html?m=y )

By: Shelley Bluejay Pierce

On November 29, 2006, eight little buffalo calves forced their way out of a government enclosure where they, and many other wild buffalo, were being detained in holding pens and experimented on by scientists attempting to produce a “brucellosis-free buffalo herd” in the Yellowstone area.

Only a couple weeks after the escape of these determined young buffalo, the winter hunting season began and the buffalo of Yellowstone were beset with hunters chasing them from place to place trying to fill the state issued hunting tags.

During a very stressful time for the buffalo herd in the harsh winter and deep snows where forage is hard to come by, the buffalo run to escape the hunters and the wildlife “management” officials who haze them with helicopters and snowmobiles. The buffalo would not have chosen an insane place to dwell during the long winter season like the heart of Yellowstone Park. They would have followed their instincts and gone to lower prairie grounds where the food supplies were plentiful.Yet, to this very day, they are forced to abide within imaginary fences and made to comply with an illogical and man made system that each year leads many buffalo to their deaths.

This is the way of life for our sacred buffalo. In beginning this story though, let us all back up and take time to learn about them and why they are sacred to the Native people. As is our tradition, listening to the oral history from a trusted Elder is how we learn our history and deepen our respect for our culture and the legacy of those who have come before. I am honored to share this story as told by Scott Frazier, Santee/Crow, as told to him by his Grandfather.

Read the complete article at:
http://indigenousinsight.blogspot.com/2007/10/day-with-buffalo-and-elders-paths-to.html

By: Shelley Bluejay Pierce
(as appeared in various publications, including Cheyenne-Arapahoe Times)

ARDINER, Montana- Sacred prayers and songs were lifted for the Yellowstone buffalo herd by Native American elders led by Scott Frazier (Santee/Crow, and assisted by Dr. Henrietta Mann (Cheyenne) and John Potter (Ojibway). The resting buffalo were gathered in a large meadow on the South edge of Yellowstone Park near the boundary line that stands literally for life or death if crossed by the bison during the winter months when they travel outside park perimeters in search of better forage.

Buffalo herds once numbered 30 to 60 million across North America but were slaughtered nearly to the point of extinction during the late 1800s. As of the spring of 2006, the Yellowstone herd has approximately 3,500 remaining buffalo. Forced to remain inside the confines of Yellowstone Park, the buffalo are subjected to repeated harassment or death as a result of leaving the border lines the animals do not see nor sense.

Buffalo were the sustaining force for the American Indian people for centuries. The balance of supply and demand, weather patterns, and over use of one part of the ecological web affected both bison and human. The plains tribes honor the buffalo in their religious belief and ceremony, depended upon them for their shelter, food, and daily living requirements. Many of the tribes are now part of a hunting program developed by Montana leaders who say buffalo must be killed to keep population in balance. Their efforts are attempting to return some of the buffalo back to the tribes that originally hunted them originally in this area.

Scott Frazier has spent the better part of his life attempting to help protect the Yellowstone herd. When trying to explain the spiritual impact the buffalo have for the people, he explains, “I’ve been asked many times why the buffalo are so important. I have always seen them as the life that is holy. The buffalo has always been the life force of this land. They gave themselves in many ways so that others could learn, live, and be religiously fulfilled. Peoples of the plains could have not found the strength to exist without the buffalo. There is a power unknown to humans that the buffalo answers.”

Though the struggle to procure extra grazing land as a buffer zone for the bison herd outside the park’s boundaries has been attempted, there has not been an entirely affective solution to the problems of migrating buffalo yet.

Despite enormous public outcry by Native tribes, wildlife protection groups and the worldwide community of visitors who come to Yellowstone, the agreement between federal and state agencies continues to places the economic interest of Montana’s livestock industry above the welfare of the buffalo herd.

With the Federal and State government agencies in control, the buffalo have been chased by helicopter and snowmobiles, captured and held in pens, endured experimental testing and slaughter programs that have all resulted in the deaths of more than 3,000 Yellowstone buffalo since the mid 1980s. There were 0 kills in the 1999/2000 season but that number skyrocketed to 1,016 buffalo killed during the 2005/2006 season.

Buffalo are migratory like other wildlife in the park and they naturally seek out better food supplies during the heavy snows in winter and spring. Crossing a park boundary line into the path of domestic cattle is leading to their demise where Montana’s livestock industry and the state of Montana maintains a zero-tolerance policy for wild buffalo.

Scott Frazier and those who know the significance of the buffalo hope and pray there will be changes to the treatment the herd has historically been given.

Scott explains this relationship with the buffalo by saying, “The buffalo are trying to awaken us to understand the potential of all relationships to the creation. There are those who walk with the buffalo. They come here to stand in the light of the moment. There is a great relationship happening here, between the holy and the human. It has always been my belief that the buffalo are studying us and relating their findings to the Creator. We are under the microscope of the cosmos in a time when we as humans consider ourselves a higher life form. However, in this time we grow old and change is slow. Many humans do not understand their relationship within the balance and continue to treat the animals poorly. Some humans forget their potential to change and become holy. The buffalo are here to help awaken those people to change. They don’t realize that the buffalo are watching.”

Read the complete article at:
http://indigenousinsight.blogspot.com/2007/10/majestic-yellowstone-bison-receive.html