NASA, on one of it's final return flights, has brought back experiments aboard the International Space Station that used Native heirloom seeds. The landing on June 22nd marked the completion of the nearly year-long Indigenous Star Seeds experiment involving indigenous tobacco. Scientists have wondered what effects microgravity plays on the growth of plants in space, and for years has researched the viability of crop growth for long term voyages.
"The seeds that were to germinate in zero gravity were 800 year old tobacco seeds," said Roxanne Gould (Odawan Ojibwe), a Science Museum of MN-American Indian Advisory Committee member. The Science Museum of MN donated the seeds for the project.
"The experiment came about because my husband [Jim Rock] works with the Minnesota Planetary Society. They had done a presentation at a climate change conference in Shakopee and a representative of NASA was interested in the experiment Jim was proposing."

I grew up Longview, Washington. A small town on the banks of the Columbia River, on the Washington-Oregon border, Longview had a few small stores, mostly catering to the logging industry that inundates all small towns in the Pacific Northwest. For Christmas shopping, or, come to think of it, for any big-ticket purchases, my family would hit the I-5 South to Portland, Oregon.

When I turned sixteen, I got a job and a driver's license, and it was time to do my own Christmas shopping. By this time, Longview had a mall - complete with a Bon March? and a Nordstrom's - but I still drove to Portland. Probably for the same reason my parents did. Probably for the same reason a large number of Washingtonians did. Oregon does not impose a sales tax.

According to the Washington State Revenue Department, local governments lose an estimated $50 million in tax revenue annually to Oregon-Washington cross-border shopping.

Apparently, We Were Breaking the Law

August 2, 9, 16, 23
Indigenous Music and Movies in the Park Series
Bring a lawn chair or blanket, pack a picnic basket and take in the view of Minneapolis downtown skyline as you enjoy Indigenous Music and Movies. Concerts begin at 7 p.m.; movies begin at dusk. Indigenous musicians, artists, filmmakers, producers and actors will be showcased this summer in a four-part music and movies series. Musical performances will feature local and national American Indian musicians. Emceeing the event this year will be American Indian director and producer Missy Whiteman of Independent Indigenous Film & Media. Father Hennepin Bluffs Park is located on the east bank of the Mississippi River at 420 Main St. SE. Bike racks are located in the park. Metro Transit bus line #6 comes within two blocks of the park. The series is hosted by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, Migizi Communications, First Nations Composer Initiative, and Independent Indigenous Film & Media. The program series is made possible through the support of the St. Anthony Falls Heritage Board. For a complete list of musicians, artists and movies, see below or visit www.minneapolisparks.org/IMM.

We are MPS and we are preparing for success
The Minneapolis Public Schools will welcome students in grades 1-12 back to school on August 29 and our new kindergarten students on August 31.
It is important that all of our students arrive at school on the first day ready to learn. Not only are we preparing for the upcoming school year, but we are also working to prepare students for future success.
Students are at the heart of what we do and everyone plays a role in helping them succeed. MPS staff, community members and families support our efforts each day. Whether you serve students in a school building, support them in your neighborhood or care for them in your own home as a parent, your support is essential for student success.

First off, I am dedicating this column to all you golden, tawny, beautiful Indian princesses who appreciate a good laugh and a good story. Thank you for writing. I am also tickled that a lot of Indian men are also enthralled by Moosie's adventures. Several have even quoted from previous columns and like to ask me about him, how he is an irresistible scoundrel and that he is quite the ladies man.
So J-Zac, my friend this is for you and most of all thanks to my son Steve, for reminding me how popular my Moosie stories are. Steve agreed with me that there seems to be a lack, nay; non-existence of Indian Romance novels. And I vote that I be the one to fill that void. Somebody's gotta do it.
Ahem! Now let us return to the steamy reunion…

It has been 22 years since the Follies has been running in The Circle newspaper in Minneapolis. So let us all gather around for the almost traditional singing of the Happy Birthday song.

Happy Birthday to it
Happy Birthday to it
Happy Birthday dear Follies
Happy Birthday to it.
   
There, done with that for another year. And what a different world we live in now compared to August, 1989.
I was 46 then, and since I began studying the Ojibwe Language, I can now say with great confidence niizhwaasimidana ashi ingodwaaswi endaso biboonigiz - I was 46 when I started writing the Follies. The Fond du Lac Follies has been in print niizhtana ashi niizh daso biboonagad - 22 years, that is a lot of Rez Cars and dogs ago. In that time period we have made over a thousand birch bark fanning baskets, hundreds of gallons of maple syrup, tons of wild rice and went to too damn many funerals.