Meet Daisy

Sister Sky was fortunate to have Daisy as a tribal youth summer employee during June and July.

Daisy is a senior at Lakeside High school in Spokane, WA. She plans on attending college next fall to study marine biology. UW, EWU and WSU are some of Daisy's college picks.  She enjoys pow wow dancing, hunting, fishing, huckleberry picking and camping.

Daisy's job training included order processing, computer data entry and customer service.

"Working at Sister Sky was a really great experience because I learned many new things. I haven't had a job quite like this.  I learned about manufacturing, sales and a whole lot of order processing!" Daisy said on her last day on the job.

Daisy lives in Spokane with her mom and grandparents and her dog named Sage.
We are going to miss our Daisy at Team Sister Sky!

Meet Hailey

Sister Sky welcomes our newest tribal youth summer employee, Hailey! 

Hailey is a senior at Lewis and Clark High School in Spokane, WA.  She plans on attending Eastern Washington University next fall to study creative writing. She enjoys writing poetry and doing martial arts. You go girl!

Hailey's job training includes order processing, computer data entry and customer service.

"I hope to gain a better experience in the workplace learning how to deal with co workers as well as sharpen my communication skills" Hailey said when asked what she hopes to learn while working at Sister Sky.

Hailey lives in Spokane with her parents, sister and two dogs -  Daisy and Bindi.

Glad to have you on Team Sister Sky Hailey!

Pow Wow Time ...

I grew up going to them

and I still LOVE going to them!  I attend about three or four each year.  I do not take two or three week vacations in Hawaii, Spain, Mexico or Australia but I do take long four or five day "camping at the pow wow grounds" vacations with my family and my sister's family.  The spirit in the atmosphere is like a big huge family reunion!  Families from various parts of the country create friendships which almost bind them as family. I will share a short true story about how friends bond and generations stay connected thru our Native American Pow Wow's.

She quietly placed her chair next to mine

as I was busily tending to my first born child.  It was at the Spokane Tribe Labor Day Powwow 1995.  A big traditional game of chance (stickgame) was preparing to start and when a "big game" is ready to start, well you better make sure you have a good place to sit, in your lawn chair, in order to watch the game.... 

I was born into a long line of participants in this traditional game of chance; which we call "stickgame".  A part of playing stickgame is to sing traditional songs which is accompanied by pounding sticks together (and more recently hand drums) to keep a rhythmical tone with the stickgame song.  My family possess songs which have survived multi-generational transfer, which is a beautiful success in my opinion; we possess the songs because the songs "came to" or presented themselves to our family leader, generations ago therefore the songs "belong to him/the family".  To sing the songs (for me) is a spiritual connection to all my family who sang our songs in the past.  I also feel, as I sing, I am sending forward a calling of remembrance in my family to those yet born. 

As I sat in my lawn chair preparing for the "big stickgame" I noticed she quietly sat next to me and positioned her chair very close to mine.  Growing up at the stickgames I only knew her as "Mrs. Moon" as her husband's last name was Moon (and everyone just called him by his last name).  She is much much older than I and have never had the opportunity to socialize with her.

Mrs. Moon patiently sits and watches me tend to my child and when the chance occurs for her to speak she said, "So....he must be about 2 years old by now, huh?"  I replied, "Yes, your right he is 2 yrs. now."  To which she said, "I remember seeing you pregnant with him and now you have a son, that's good!".  Then she said, "I remember seeing you (and your sister) when you both were about 2 and 3 years old, I also remember seeing your mother when she was pregnant with you!  Oooohhh she looked miserable at the Yakama Powwow" (which is very HOT weather during July 4th, I was born at the end of the month).  I thought, "Wow!  She witnessed MY MOTHER pregnant with ME, saw me (and my sister) when we were lil-diaper-wearing-snot-nosed babies at the stickgames and then witnessed ME pregnant with my SON!."

Mrs. Moon then shared with me (which I never knew)..... "your grandmother and I met many, many years ago.  She was very kind to me and always welcomed me and my husband to her camp for a meal during the powwow.  I came to love your grandmother like a sister and was heartbroken when she passed away .... thats how I came to start watching you girls grow up because your grandmother was always kind to my family."

After Mrs. Moon shared her heart with me the impact of how our Native American powwows are capable of creating life long friendships made me feel "happy".  

As a matter of fact.....I notice I am at the (very) beginning stages of seeing kids I knew when they were little 2 and 3 year olds now having children themselves.  (I said only the VERY BEGINNING stages....)

"I LOVE our Native American Powwows - its like a big family reunion". 

Heading East for a long weekend - going to a powwow to see old and new friends.

-Marina

Sister Sky: White Willow Lotion For Healthy Skin

For Thousands of Years:
Use of willow bark dates back thousands of years for Native Americans, also with the time of Hippocrates (400 BC) when patients were advised to chew on the bark to reduce fever and inflammation. Willow bark has been used throughout the centuries in North America, China, Europe, and continues to be used today for the treatment of pain, headache and inflammatory conditions such as bursitis and tendinitis.  

Natural Pain Reliver: The bark of white willow contains salicin, which is a natural chemical similar to aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid). It is thought to be responsible for the pain relieving and anti-inflammatory effects of the herb. In fact, in the 1800s, salicin was used to develop aspirin. However, studies have identified several other components of willow bark that have antioxidant, fever reducing, antiseptic, and immune boosting properties.

Natural Anti-Inflammatory: As an anti-inflammatory: white willow bark has been used to relieve the painful inflammation and joint pain of rheumatism, arthritis, gout, neuralgia, osteoarthritis, osteroporitic and lower back pain and the inflammatory stages of autoimmune diseases. It may also be an effective alternative for people who cannot tolerate non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs.

For Healthy Skin: Used externally, white willow bark's antiseptic properties extend to its help in treating cuts, burns, wounds, sores, sweaty feet, dandruff and as a mouthwash to ease tonsillitis, sore mouth and sore gums. 
Used topically: white willow bark contains Tannins which is a natural astringent and is traditionally used topically to treat wet or oozing skin conditions such as poison ivy and eczema.

 
**Information: University of Maryland Medical Center.

"I love the fragrance of Sister Sky White Willow Skin & Hair care products! I have 2 year old twins and I wash my hands constantly which makes my hands dry and irritated. White Willow lotion smells wonderful and softens my very dry hands. Thanks Sister Sky!". - Sheila T.

 Enjoy the Summer Fun with healthy soft skin.  Try Sister Sky White Willow Lotion TODAY!

- Marina

EEEWW! Mosquitoes! Reprieve in Sister Sky Cedar Citrus Products!

Sister Sky Cedar/Citrus Products assist as a natural repellent to those blood seeking insects!  Don’t let mosquitoes ruin your summer fun, try our cedar/citrus products today! 

Most mosquitoes are active at dawn and dusk but there are also mosquitoes that seek hosts during the day. You can avoid being bitten by making sure you: 1) are using a repellent 2) aren't attracting the pesky insects and 3) avoiding actions that diminish the effectiveness of the repellent. 

A Few Mosquito Attractants: 

• Dark clothes and foliage are initial attractants.
• In addition to perfumes, hair products, and scented sunscreens, watch for the subtle floral fragrance from fabric softeners and dryer sheets.
• Mosquitoes are attracted by perspiration because of the chemicals it contains and also because it increases the humidity around your body. Even small amounts of water (e.g., moist plants or mud puddles) will draw mosquitoes. Standing water also allows mosquitoes to reproduce.

Natural Repellents:

Natural products will aide in repelling mosquitoes but they require frequent reapplication (at least every 1 hour) and higher concentrations than DEET.  Products that contain multiple repellents tend to be more effective than those containing a single ingredient.  

Cedar Oil                      Lemon Eucalyptus Oil 

Cinnamon Oil                Castor Oil

Rosemary Oil                 Lemongrass Oil

Citronella Oil                 Peppermint Oil

Clove Oil                       Geranium Oil

 **Put several drops of the oil(s) in with distilled water place in a glass spray bottle, shake and spray away! The 1 or 2 ounce spray bottles are perfect for personal use! 

Things that Lower Repellent Effectiveness:

·                     Many Sunscreens

·                     Dilution from Rain, Perspiration, or Swimming

·                     Absorption into the Skin

·                     Evaporation from Wind or High Temperatures

Many people are sensitive to plant oils. Therefore, although natural repellents provide an alternative to synthetic chemicals, please remember to follow the manufacturer's instructions when using these products.

Use as an additional NATURAL REPELLENT to aide in keeping those pesky blood seeking insects away: Sister Sky Cedar/Citrus products offered in: lotion, body wash, shampoo and conditioner.

Enjoy the Summer Fun! 

- Marina

 

Sister Sky says it's FUN FRIDAY!

My Authentic Self.....

One morning last weekend while sipping coffee with my husband I announced my intention to  work on "being my authentic self." 
Looking both amused and confused he asked "and what is that?"
We have been married over 20 years.  He knows me all too well.
I am a Gen Xer obsessed with "self-improvement."
The Purpose Driven Life.  The Power of Now.  The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands.  (Yes, I bought a Dr. Laura book. Don't judge.)
I'm pretty sure he was getting ready to hear all about the latest self help strategy I bought into.  I drank the self improvement kool-aide pretty consistently in the 90's so jumping back on the band wagon wouldn't surprise him.
"Well," I said "to work at being my authentic self I need to honor four things in my life." That was the hook. He was intrigued.  He was hanging on my every word.
"I need to be happy, healthy, adventurous and productive every single day. I owe it to myself to be these things everyday, all day.  It is my responsibility to ask myself if I am practicing these four things." He didn't have to say it. I just saw the look on his face and it said "what does that even mean?"

• HAPPY: It's an attitude.  It's my energy.  It's my thoughts. I can practice  happy.  Smiling makes me happy.  Laughing is a huge happy boost. 
• HEALTHY:  I know what makes me feel horrible.  Sugar binging, not enough sleep, not working out, not stretching in the morning, not drinking enough water. Reminding myself I'm not honoring my "authentic self" if I engage in unhealthy habits motivates me (or guilts me, not sure which one it is.)
• ADVENTUROUS:  This is simple adventure. I don't have the time or resources to trot around the globe and do really cool things (yet.)  Just trying a new restaurant is fun. Going to a comedy improv show is a kick!   Cooking new foods.  These are things that get me out of my comfort zone. 
• PRODUCTIVE: I need to move.  I need to improve.  I need to participate.  Being productive means I'm making an effort.  It could be in my business, my marriage, my family, my home, my hobbies, my friendships.  If I am not engaged then I am not productive. My authentic self craves productivity. 

So there it is. My authentic self...for now.  Pretty sure these things will change. In the meantime, I am giving thought and taking action to stay on a path that makes me feel balanced. 
Take that Oprah!    -Monica