Tradewinds December 2018 Web Final

Chowanoke History
by Duvonya Chavis
Do American Indians celebrate Christmas in a traditional
sense as other Americans? In today’s society, yes. In
fact before European colonization, American Indians held
celebrations during winter solstice which usually occurred
on December 21st of each year. Because most American
Indians were not fully aware of Jesus Christ prior to missionary
teachings, it is doubtful they celebrated the birth of Christ
prior to that time. However, it is interesting to note that many
American Indians found that the story of Christmas and
Christ’s birth fulfilled tribal prophecies that had been handed
down through the centuries. In particular, the Hopi remarked
that the teachings brought to them 2000 years ago were
remarkably similar to the teaching brought to them by these
missionaries. They found the missionary’s message of Jesus
Christ to be consistent with the teaching that had been handed
down in the tribe through the centuries by their ancestors.
While Christmas did not become a national holiday in the
United States until the 1860’s, the Huron Indians were documented
as celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ in the 1640’s.
Father Jean de Bre’beuf, a Jesuit missionary priest wrote the
first American Indian Christmas carol in 1640 for the Huron
Indians as they celebrated Christmas.
The Hurons had celebrated that year by building a small
chapel of fir trees and bark to symbolize the stable where
Jesus was born and included the fox, buffalo, and bear representing
the animals who had traveled with the wise men to
see the child in the manger. The Huron Christmas Carol is
well known and still loved today.
A quote written by two Oglala Sioux Indians speaks the
sentiments of American Indians all across America today
concerning Christmas. “To the Indian People, Christmas is
every day and they don’t believe in taking without asking…
Daily living is centered around the spirit of giving and walking
the Red Road. Walking the Red Road means making
everything you do a spiritual act. If your neighbor, John
Running Deer, needs a potato masher, and you have one
that you are not using, you offer him yours in the spirit of giving.
It doesn’t matter if it is Christmas or not. The more one
gives, the more spiritual we become. The Christ Consciousness,
the same spirit of giving that is present at Christmas,
is present every day in Indian Country.” (Floyd Hand and
Sandie Lee Bohlig)
Did you know the
Albemarle Tradewinds
is located in more than
250 locations in NENC
and Chesapeake?
Duvonya, a Chowanoke Indian
descendant, is President
of Roanoke-Chowan Native
American Association, a
non-profit organization whose
mission is to help American
Indians in Northeastern NC
and Southeastern VA. She
currently sits on the council
of the Chowanoke Tribe.
In partnership with another
Chowanoke descendant,
she is currently developing
Chowanoke Reservation for
tribal descendants to gather
and hold cultural events.
What You Need to Know
About Cataracts
cataract is a clouding of your eyes, normally clear,
A lens. This clouding of the natural lens can keep light
and images from reaching the retina. A cataract can be
the reason sharp images become blurred, appear discolored,
dull or distorted, or seeing at night more difficult. It
may also be the reason your glasses no longer seem to
work for you and changing your glasses does not help.
A thorough examination by your eye care professional
can detect the presence of a cataract, as well as any
other eye problems. Problems with other parts of the
eye (e.g. cornea, retina, optic nerve) can be responsible
for vision loss and may also prevent you from having
any improvement after cataract surgery. If improvement
in your vision is unlikely, cataract removal may not be
recommended. Your doctor can tell you how much improvement
in your vision is likely.
How is a cataract treated?
Conclusion
Cataracts are a common cause of decreased vision, particularly for
the elderly, but they are treatable. Your family optometrist can tell
you whether it’s a cataract or some other problem that is the cause
of your decreased vision and help you decide if surgery is right for
you. For more information, call Albemarle Eye Center, PLLC and
Precision Eye Care at 1-800-755-7535 or visit their website at www.
AECPEC.com.
Common symptoms of cataracts:
A painless blurring of vision
Glare or light sensitivity
Poor night vision
Double vision in one eye
Brighter light to read
Fading or yellowing of color
What causes cataracts?
Natural aging process of the eye
Family history
Medical problems such as diabetes
Injury or trauma to the eye
Medications such as steroids
Long-term unprotected sun exposure to sunlight
Previous eye surgery
How is a cataract detected?
Surgery is the only way a cataract can be removed.
There are no medications, dietary supplements or exercise
that has been shown to prevent or cure cataracts.
Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure, done at the
hospital, and usually requires just a few hours of your
time from start to finish. Cataract surgery has undergone
tremendous advances in the last few years, and
this year alone millions of patients will choose to have
both their vision and their lifestyles restored, thanks to
this life changing medical procedure.
What complications can occur?
Cataract surgery is a highly successful procedure. Improved
vision is the result in over 95% of cases, unless
there is a problem with the cornea, retina, optic nerve
or surrounding structures. It is important to understand
that complications can occur, during or after the surgery,
some severe enough to limit vision. If you experience
even the slightest problem after cataract surgery, your
surgeon will want to hear from you immediately.
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beat that deal!
FREE eyeglasses
with a complete
eye exam!
($100 value)
No other discounts, insurance
and/or hardware benefit plans
or specials may be combined
with this program.
Special ends December 31st.
Edenton, Elizabeth City, Kitty Hawk, Nags Head & Washington
AECPEC.com 1-800-755-7535
12 Albemarle Tradewinds December 2018 albemarletradewinds.com