From the editor

Whispering Wind, May-June, 2008

Native American Code Talkers, notably the Navajo Code Talkers of World War II in the pacific, have come from many tribes. This issue, beginning on pag 9, highlights the Choctaw Code Talkers of World War I and brings to the forefront the emergence of this very unique way of communicating during battle. Marie Archambeault presents us with a unique history of these first code talkers. Thank you Marie. There is currently in the U.S. Congress a bill to honor all Code Talkers. You can go to our home page at www.whisperingwind.com and access more information.

This issue's first article, by Scott Thompson, presents a brief history and descriptive use of basket beads. Thanks Scott. Continuing on the craft side of this issue is another installment of CraftCorner by Loren Woerpel on making fancy dancer arm bustles. Thanks Loren. Mike Kostelnik is back in our pages with a look at a pair of Arapahoe moccasin in the Michael and Barbara Kostelnik collection. Thanks Mike & Barbara for sharing this beautiful pair of shoes with our readers.

Glimpses this issue offers expert descriptions of Hidasta historical photos from the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Yale University thanks to Editorial Board member Allen Chronister. Thanks Allen.

Arm bustles and a look at the Old Style Fancy Dance contest at this year's Copan Delaware Powwow is the focus of this issue's PowwowFashions with text and photographs by Craig Jones. Thanks Craig. Craig is also chairman of National Powwow 14 to be held in Danville, Illinois July 9-12, 2008. This is a wonderful event with dancers and vendors from around the nation. For more information on this event visit www.nationalpowwow.com.

Thank you to our music and book reviewers in this issue. And, as always, Thank you to long time contributor Terry Robinson for this issue's Powwowing cartoon and to new cartoonist Tim Davis for their humorus contributions to our pages.

And a final Thank you to all of our readers, advertisers, distributors, writers, and staff for allowing me to present the very best in craft technique and understanding of American Indian material culture, tradition and dance. Thank you all for your continued support of our efforts.

Thanks for letting us come into your home. Stay safe on the powwow trail.