Some 140 people helped carry a 4,000-pound totem pole to its raising on Oct. 14, 2006 in front of the SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium Community Health Services building in Sitka, Alaska. The Wellbriety Pole carving and raising was led by Wayne Price (see cover, Nov./Dec. 2005 issue). Its design includes medicinal plants like devil’s club, rose hips, soapberries and Hudson Bay tea, a shaman and his partner spirit wolf, rattles and other Tlingit symbols associated with health. Hundreds of people, many seeking to heal themselves of various ailments, helped carve the work over a six-month period. Details: searhc.org

In July, the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska dedicated a sculpture garden and cultural plaza in the Ho-Chunk Village Plaza in Winnebago, Nebraska. The project includes 12 life-size statues created by Charles Aldrich (Winnebago) representing the major tribal clans. The Winnebagos were driven out of Wisconsin in 1865. This endeavor is part of the tribe’s cultural rebirth.

In September, the outstanding nonprofit group Americans for Indian Opportunity shepherded its latest batch of 18 youthful American Indian Ambassadors to Washington, D.C. While there the group toured the Bolivian Embassy, met with staff of various federal offices and elected officials, and attended a benefit silent auction. AIO’s founder and president, LaDonna Harris (Comanche), also donated her considerable collection of Native shawls she has been given over the years to the National Museum of the American Indian. “Never own anything you can’t give away,” Harris advised. Details: 505/842-8677

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill will soon house one of the few eastern U.S. academic-based centers focused solely on American Indian issues, research and policy studies. The state is home to the largest Indian population east of the Mississippi. Details: unc.edu/provost/searches.html

David Bennett (Navajo), a 12-year veteran in set construction, props and other aspects of television and theatrical production, has opened a comedy club in Page, Arizona’s Quality Inn. In October, Bennett’s company, Watchdog Productions, trained dozens of Natives in various aspects of mounting stage and television shows. Details: e-mail gustasso@aol.com

W. Richard West, JR. (Southern Cheyenne) the founding director of the National Museum of the American Indian, who guided the exhaustive creation of the impressive Washington D.C. museum from its conception to its completion, has announced he will resign his position at the end of October, 2007. During his time with NMAI, he also oversaw construction of the state-of-the art Cultural Resource Center in Maryland and the expansion of the museum’s beautiful New York City facility.

A common ritual among American Indian tribes is the giving of a feather to a loved one, for marking important achievements in one’s life or as protection. Fittingly, a pink feather has recently been adopted as a symbol by the American Indian Advisory Council to the UC Davis Cancer Center to signify their message of breast health and breast cancer prevention in Native communities. Kellie Stevens (Yerington Paiute) designed the Ribbon of Life feather. It can be found on free pins being distributed by the university and the Turtle Health Foundation. Details: 916/734-5935 or e-mail lnavarro@turtlehealth.org

Frank Blyth (Dakota/Cherokee), founding executive director of Native American Public Telecommunications, retired from his decades-long role at the end of September. Shirley K. Sneve (Rosebud Sioux), NAPT’s director of television and radio, has been promoted to the position of executive director.

On June 26, 2006, the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted the Draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, a non-binding statement of the rights of Indigenous peoples in international law. The declaration includes the right to be free from discrimination, the right to exist as distinct peoples, the right of self-determination, land and natural resource rights, and a host of other rights that Indigenous governments and groups have fought to achieve for nearly 30 years. Canada and Russia voted against the measure. It now goes to the U.N. General Assembly for consideration and possible adoption.