DR. SUSAN MOSSMAN RIVA
  • Home
  • About
  • My Books
    • Homing In >
      • Picture Book Page
    • Crafting Peace Through Autoethnography
  • Blog
    • Blog Chapters
    • Newsletters
  • Contact



​​Welcome to my Blog
As we behold, we actively transform the image.
Website User Guide:
Each chapter in Homing In is supported by a blog that offers supplemental articles, film documentaries, as well as important links and insights that support the reader’s transformational process. These story strands are part of a holistic teaching story or mandala. Each blog further develops the themes presented in the book.The blog is an online learning course in the Social Sciences that informs, guides, and connects readers to important concepts as they embark on their transformational journey.

Chapter 3: Blackbird Bend Farm

12/23/2019

5 Comments

 
Our family farm was our gathering place. As my feet walked the sacred land that extended down to the Missouri River, I connected to the wisdom of the Native American Indians. The Omaha Indian Reservation had lands adjacent to our farmland.
Chief Blackbird was known for his magical powers. He was buried on a live horse, on the top of a bluff, overlooking the Missouri River. During his life he traded with the French Trappers, acquiring arsenic, that he used to poison enemies. He was believed to possess magical powers because of his ability to discretely kill his rivals.
I remember sitting around the campfire with family friends on the land, listening to legends told by my father and his friends. Those were memorable times!
Chief Black Elk, was another important Native American Indian Chief in the region. He was a Holy Man. His story was told by John G. Neihardt in “Black Elk Speaks”, first published in 1932. Today, the Catholic Church is considering Chief Black Elk’s canonization.
 
Here is the overlook on US highway 75 that was connected to our farmland.
 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackbird_(Omaha_leader)#/media/File:US75_Blackbird_Overlook_3.JPG
 
Here is a link that tells the history of the Omaha tribe:
https://nebraskaeducationonlocation.org/native-tribes/omaha-tribe-nebraska/
 
Fort Omaha Intertribal Powwow:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKHSTLoNveY
 
In the New Yorker article, “Another Vision of Black Elk”, the author reveals how the holy man’s life may receive even more recognition through what might be the first canonization of a Native American.
https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/another-vision-of-black-elk
 
Here is a chapter that explains Black Elk’s spiritual legacy:
http://www.worldwisdom.com/public/viewpdf/default.aspx?article-title=New_Light_on_Black_Elk_and_the_Sacred_Pipe.pdf
​
Picture
​Chief Blackbird, Seven Arrows, and a Medicine Shield
 
Seven Arrows, a book teaching Native American traditions. Seven Arrows begins by saying, “The story of these People has at its center and all around it the story of the Medicine Wheel. The Medicine Wheel is the very Way of Life of the People. It is an understanding of the Universe. It is the way given to the Peace Chiefs, our Teachers, and by them to us”.
Picture
​Here is the picture in Seven Arrows that inspired our stained glass window.
Picture
This is a Medicine Shield from Seven Arrows. I used this image as an inspiration for a stained glass window in our home.
Picture
​Thomas L. Kronen 1975
 
This is a painting of Chief Blackbird.
5 Comments
Debbie Siegel link
11/5/2023 11:40:42 am

Hi Susan,

I am a decedent of Elisha Crowell who lived on the Blackbird in the 1800's. I just bought this book, Decent from John Crowe of Yarmouth to Charles Crowell and Susan Ploof Pioneers of the Blackbird, Thurston County, Nebraska written by Clayton Lee Crowell and Barbara Crowell Filbin.

My grandfather, Virgil Crowell, talked about his father, Henry Crowell, who lived in harmony with the Winnebago + Omaha Tribes and he was a translator.

Since my 20's I had a reoccurring dream over and over of a grandfather who I was always so happy to see and so sad that they were going to leave. He would always tell me he’s always been there, and he will always be there with me. I would try to figure out in this dream how our bloodlines are connected to the Native Americans. Upon waking I would always wonder what this is about. I have shared this dream with others because it felt so very real.

Side note: I listen to an audio taped conversation with my grandfather, Virgil Crowell (son of Henry Crowell), intently in this past year, and taking notes. It was in that one time that I listen to it with detail that I realized we had this connection to the Omaha in the Winnebago tribes. That Henry was a translator for the Native American Indians. That to me was a very special moment. I’ve always had a very strong connection with the Native American culture and spirituality.

It is number one on my list to go to the Blackbird Farm. I have joined quite a few groups of the Omaha and Winnebago tribes to learn more and make a connection.

The Blackbird Farm took its name from a leader of the Omaha tribe, Chief Blackbird. There is so much more I want to learn. I have had these books you mention in my collection and now seeing this connection.

I would love to stay connected. All the best,

Debbie Siegel 707.529.6699

(Geraldine Crowell, my mother and Virgil Crowell is her father).



Reply
Barbara Crowell Filbin
3/26/2024 07:29:43 am

I was interested to find an article about "Blackbird Hill"
I am writing my childhood stories for my family and one of my memories was the story my Father would tell me about Blackbird Hill. When I was 9 years old we took a trip from California to Nebraska and I couldn't wait to see the spot where the Chief would ride down the hill at midnight. Well it wasn't what I thought it would be. Just all overgrown but my Dad would tell a great story about it.
Glad you enjoyed the Crowell book.

Reply
Debbie Siegel link
3/30/2024 12:25:49 pm

Hi Barbara,

We are related. I would love to connect with you!

All the best,

Debbie
[email protected]

Reply
Barbara Crowell Filbin
7/17/2024 07:30:36 pm

Would love to visit. Email me.
I have written many history books in my area.

Debbie Siegel
7/18/2024 02:10:32 pm

Hi Barbara,

I’m unable to find your email. I’ve looked on the Internet as well as your phone number and I would definitely come and see you very soon. My email/ [email protected]/phone/707.529.6699.

Thank you so much and I look forward to talking to you!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    August 2019

    Author

    Author of Homing In: ​A Story Mandala Connecting Adoption, Reunion and Belonging

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • About
  • My Books
    • Homing In >
      • Picture Book Page
    • Crafting Peace Through Autoethnography
  • Blog
    • Blog Chapters
    • Newsletters
  • Contact