We are celebrating fifteen years online. Our first website was made in Windows 98. It had only one page. Then Windows Frontpage program came out and the internet truly opened up to endless possibilities. And through it all we were the first website to focus on the Black Hawk War in Utah. It is truly amazing how much is on the internet about the war today.
We have just added a small but important library of videos for our visitors to view. Just click on PROJECTS from the top menu on any page. We feel this adds a very important dimension to the overall history of Utah's Black Hawk War.
Thank you for keeping us here,
Black Hawk Productions Website Team
An Open Letter By Phillip B Gottfredson
A Time For Change
Only recently I returned from four months in San Pedro, Guatemala. Now back in the United States the news of violence and tadgic times is in every conor of our world it seems. We can't turn on the radio, TV, or browse the internet we are not confronted by bad news, it seems to me anyway.
What happened to the America I knew? The answer to the question is not simple. Life in the 50's and 60's is very different than today. Then it was predictable to a large degree, all we had to do was get an education, go to work, and enjoy the bounty that life offered. For example back then we didn't worry about diabeates, or obescity, or a crashing economy. Bombings and terroist plots, drug abuse, we didn't worry because for the most part these things didn't exhist. Violence was very rare, oh maybe someone got into a fist fight, but that was about it.
But I will say this, though we had it pretty good back in those days, something was missing. And I don't think anyone realized it, if they did there was never any discussion about it.
In Guatemala I was sitting on a rock over looking the serene lake Atitlan one sunny afternoon, and because the time was close for me to return home to the States, I felt sad. I had a good time in San Pedro. I mean I made so many good friends, and being in a poor country really I didn't notice it very much. Nobody cared what kind of car I drive, because they don't have cars. No body had to know how much money was in my wallet as a prerquist to being my friend, what mattered most is what's in your heart.
Which brings me the point I wish to share. Over the many years I have been learning from the Native peoples, the most basic thing they said was, "just be who you are, and truly come from your heart. It does not matter what path we chose to walk in life, for they all arrive at the same conclusion. What matters is how we walk our path, we should walk our path for the good of all." Respect, honesty, kindness, love, humility, courage, and wisdom are the seven teachings to live by.
No one person is more important than anyone else, or anything else. Everyone and everything has it's purpose and reason for being here on earth. Creator gave each of us talents and gifts, and we should use those those gifts to help others.
Ghandi said it so well, "Be the change you want to see in the world." If you want love, be loving. If you want peace, be peaceful. If you want to be treated kind, be kind. These are the same teachings that Native peoples have lived by throughout time, and has been at the very foundation of their ancient cultures.
Let's face it, we Americans can be pretty selfish and arrogant. We should have the courage to change that. We need to stop looking outside for the answers to our problems, instead look within and truly be honest then everything else will fall into place as it is meant to be.
We have become so co-dependent on others to fix our problems, when all we need to do is to have the courage to trust ourselves, to follow our intuition, and allow Spirit to guide us individually. To truly surrender to the devine that is in each and every living thing, ourselves included. Then and only then can we truly understand and experience what true freedom is, and not the illusion of freedom.
The Black Hawk War: Utah's Forgotten Tragedy Video RELEASED!
The long awaited video The Black Hawk War: Utah's Forgotten Tragedy video has been released and can be viewed on this site. Just click on "Projects" from any menu and watch it FREE!
Phillip B Gottfredson spent tens years researching this film, and though this is only the preview to the documentary film still in the works, it is concise and informative.
Special thanks to the George S. Delores Dori Ecles Foundation, The Utah State Division of Indian Affairs, and Ron Hill Imagery, for their financial support, and to all who participated in the video, and supported our cause.
Please give it a view and your comments are welcome.
Also important is our latest edition to our ever expanding website, please visit "The Mayan Experience" page. Phillip B Gottfredson wants to raise awareness of the Mayan people and his personal experience with them.
What's on Update? 3/08/2013
There's a lot going on around here, I've giving the website a face lift and added new features such as improved navigation, making it easier to get around. I added a DOWNLOADS page check it out! Things to buy, things for free, but the most exciting news is I have finally uploaded our documentary film preview to YouTube, or you can view it here on my website!
Coming soon I'm adding a new section dedacaded to my new friends the Mayan peoples. Having spent four months in San Pedro, Guatemala over the past year, I can't wait to share all the amazing things I saw and learned from Mayan Priests, sacred ceremonies, stories, the mysterious Mayan calendar, and Mayan prophecies. There will be direct links to Mayan teachers, this is going to be exciting!
I surely hope you will find something interesting here, and thank you for visiting, as always. - Phillip B Gottfredson
Black Hawk Productions Website Gets Major Makeover
Open Letter to all our Visitors:
Since 2001 when Black Hawk Productions website went into service we have seen many changes in the look and feel. The content also has evolved over time as our understanding of the history of the Black Hawk war in Utah grew, but what has remained constant is our dedication in bringing to our visitors the truth. In 2001 we had just one page to our website, now we have 70 pages making it the largest and most in-depth account of the Black Hawk War found anywhere online.
It has been a labor of love, time consuming in both the technology of website design, and in research of the Black Hawk War.
We hope our efforts have met your expectations in some way. We hope our latest updates you will find convenient to use, but most importantly informative and educational.
Thank you for the many e-mails and support you have given to us, making our efforts seem worthwhile.
Kindest Regards,
Phillip B Gottfredson
Black Hawk Productions
The Mayans Sacred Bible the Popol Vuh
The Mayans sacred Popol Vuh
by Phillip B Gottfredson
Still enjoying exploring Guatemala, I have strove to understand their ancient culture and the historical connection that exists between the Mayan and the North American Indians.
Every Native culture has their creation story, and this is the Mayan's I share with you. The following is the ancient text of the Popol Vuh that dates to pre-colombian times.
The Popol Vuh
This is the account of how all was in suspense, all calm, in silence, all motionless, still, and empty expanse of the sky.
This is the first relationship, the first speech. There was neither man nor animal, birds, fish, crabs, trees, stones, caves, ravines, grasses, nor forests existed only sky. manifested not the face of the earth. Only the sea was calm and the sky in its entirety.
There was nothing together, to make noise, nor anything which might move, or tremble, or could make noise in the sky. There was nothing still standing, only the calm water, the placid sea, alone and tranquil. There was nothing provided with existence. was only immobility and silence in the dark, at night. Only the Creator, the Maker, Tepeu, Gucumatz, the Forefathers, were in the water surrounded by light. They were hidden under green and blue feathers. came here then word came Tepeu and Gugumatz together, in the dark, at night, and speak each other Tepeu and Gugumatz.
They talked then, discussing and deliberating; agreed, they united their words and thoughts. So clearly manifested, while meditating, that when dawn would appear the man. Then they planned the creation and growth of trees and the thickets and the birth of life and clarity of human action. Thus it was arranged in the darkness and in the night by the Heart of Sky, named Hurricane. Caculhá The first is called Hurricane. The second is Chipi-Caculhá. The third is Raxa-Caculhá. And these three are the Heart of Heaven. then came together and Gugumatz Tepeu, then they conferred about life and light, what will be done to that light and dawn, who will be producing the food and livelihood. - Get well! That will fill the void! Let the water recede and space, let the earth and it is claimed! So said. That clarification, dawn in heaven and on earth! There will be no glory nor grandeur in our creation and formation until the human creature, formed man. So said. then the earth was created for them.
That was indeed as was the creation of the earth - Earth!, they said, and was instantly made. Like the mist, like a cloud of dust was the creation, when the mountains appeared from the water, and the instantly the mountains grew. Only by a miracle, only by magic was the formation of mountains and valleys, and immediately sprang together cypresses and pines on the surface.
And so Gugumatz was overjoyed, saying: - Your coming has been fruitful, Heart of Heaven, thou, Hurricane, and you, Chipi-Caculhá, Raxa-Caculhá! 'Our work, our creation is finished, answered. First formed the earth, the mountains and the valleys split streams, streams were running freely between the hills, and the water was separated when the high mountains appeared. Such was the creation of the earth, when it was formed by the Heart of Sky, Heart of Earth, which they are called that first fertilized, when the sky was on hold and the land was submerged in water ..
In this way the work was perfected, when executed after thinking and meditating on its successful completion. Then made to Mount small animals, the guardian of all forests, the geniuses of the mountain, deer, birds, lions, tigers, snakes, snakes, cliffs (snakes), guardians of the reeds. Y Progenitors said: - Just silence and immobility there under the trees and vines? Agrees that henceforth there who keep them. Told So when meditated and spoke quickly.
At the point were created deer and birds. Then they parted his purple deer and birds: 'You, deer, sleep in the valley of the rivers and ravines. Here you will be among the weeds, the grass, in the woods you shall multiply, four feet shall walk and I will have. And as you said, it was done.
Then also appointed his home to small birds and older birds: 'You birds dwell on the trees and vines, you will make your nests there, there you shall multiply, there will sacudiréis in branches of trees and vines. So it was said to the deer and birds to do what they should do, and everyone took their rooms and their nests. Thus the Forefathers gave them their rooms to the beasts of the earth. And being finished creating all quadrupeds and birds, it was said to the quadrupeds and birds by the Creator and Maker and the Forefathers: -Speak, shout, gorjead, call, speak each one according to your species, depending on the variety of each.
So it was said to the deer, birds, lions, tigers and snakes. 'Tell, then, our names, praise us, your mother, your father. Invoke therefore Huracan, Chipi-Caculhá, Raxa-Caculhá, the Heart of Heaven, Heart of Earth the Creator, the Maker, the Forefathers, speak, ínvocadnos, adoradnos!, They said. But could not get to talk like men, just shrieked, cackling and squawking, not manifested in the form of their language, and everyone shouted differently. When the Creator and the Maker saw that it was not possible to talk, they said among themselves: - Could not they say our name, to us, its creators and trainers. This is not right, they said among themselves the progenitors. Then he said to them, Ye shall be changed because it has not managed to speak. We have changed your mind: your food, your pasture, your room and your nests will have, will the ravines and forests, because it has been achieved that we adore and invoke us. There are still those who adore us, other beings will be obedient. You, accept your fate: your flesh will be crushed. So be it. This will be your fate. So when they said they made known their will on small and large animals that are on the face of the earth. Therefore, they had to make a new attempt to create and form the man by the Creator, the Maker and the Forefathers. - To try again! Already approaching dawn and dawn, when do we sustain and nourish! How are we to be told to be remembered on earth? We have tried with our earlier work, our first creatures, but we might be able to get praised and revered by them. Let's try to make some obedient, respectful beings, sustain and nourish us. Thus humans did exist on earth.
When the day of his birth, gave birth to the young man named Ixquic, but Grandma did not see them when they were born. In an instant were birthed two boys called Hunahpu and Xbalanqué. Back in the bush were birthed,then arrived at the house, but could not sleep. - Go and throw them out!, said the old, because it really is much screaming. And then they went to put them on an anthill. They slept peacefully. Then they were removed from that place and put on the spines. Yet, what they wanted was Hunchouén Hunbatz and they died right there on the mound,or they died on thorns.
Deseábanlo well because of hatred and envy that they felt Hunbatz and Hunchouén. At first they refused to get in the house to his younger brothers, they did not know them well and grew up in the countryside. Hunbatz and Hunchouén were great musicians and singers had grown up with many jobs and needs and went through many hardships, but became very wise. They were at once flutists, singers, painters and sculptors, all they knew to do. They had news of his birth and also knew that they were the successors of their parents, who went to Xibalba and died there.
Great sages were therefore Hunbatz and Hunchouén and inside knew everything about the birth of her younger siblings. However, they showed their wisdom, they envy them, for their hearts were full of ill will for them, without the Hunahpu and Xbalanqué had offended in anything. Latter dealt only pull blowgun every day; were not beloved grandmother or Hunbatz, or Hunchouén. Not fed them, only when the meal was finished and had eaten Hunchouén Hunbatz and then they came, but not angry, nor encolerizaban and suffered quietly, because they knew their status and realized everything clearly. They brought their birds when they came every day and Hunchouén Hunbatz and ate them without giving anything either, Hunahpu and Xbalanqué. Hunbatz The single occupancy and Hunchouén was playing the flute and singing.
News Artical> Touring North America and Central America 2012-2013
Phillip B Gottfredson On Tour With Jorge Steinwender
My Native Indian brothers teach "there is a reason for everything," and this past year has been a year filled with unimaginable circumstances for me.
It began May of 2012 when a world traveler named Jorge Steinwender would show up at my home Nanish Shontie. We thought we knew him through a mutual friend, but when he arrived he wasn't the Jorge from Austria we knew. Call it fate if you must, we invited him to stay anyway because we all fell in love with his extraordinary character after just a few days.
Like me in many aspects, Jorge has spent the past decade living among the indigenous peoples of Central America namely the Mayans. He was invited in to their inner circles and became trusted friends with several spiritual leaders the Mayan call Shaman. And on this occasion when I traveled to Guatemala back in July, Jorge was acting as a tour guide for some 17 people from Germany and Austria. I was honored to been given the opportunity to join the group as we set off into the jungles of Mayan land on a journey I will never forget as it totally overwhelmed me, the beauty, mystery, and spiritual awakening was far beyond any expectation I could ever dream of.
We climbed volcanoes, swam in rivers and lakes, and trekked through jungles, we explored underground caves, all in the presence of the sounds and sights of exotic animals, plants, and people. There were so many moments I could share, but the one that is most memorable was when Jorge invited me to participate in a fire ceremony right in front of one of the ancient Mayan temples in Tikal. This is no small matter, I will say, for Jorge had to first get permission from the Park officials, and they don't allow anyone to perform ceremonies there, mostly only Mayans are allowed, and that is what made this an extraordinary experience for me. I was deeply humbled by it all, as I thought of the thousands of years this sacred place has been there. After a month of pure bliss it was time for me to return to the United States. Jorge then asked me if I would tour him around the Indian reservations of North America. After much thought I told him I would do that.
To Continued…
News Article > December 26, 2012 Oxlajuj Ba'k'tun
December 26, 2012 Oxlajuj Ba'k'tun
Reporting from San Pedro in Guatemala: "I'm here and I have witnessed the celebrations of the Mayan Calendar in person! It's an exciting time in Mayan history for everyone!
by Phillip B Gottfredson
What an exciting experience to be in San Pedro Guatemala for the second time this year. Only this time I witnessed celebrations of the Mayan's Oxlajuj Ba'k'tun, the moment when their 5200 year old calender ended and began a new era and a new calender. The end of the world? Not according to the Mayan priests I spoke with. Rather it marks the beginning of a new era, a time for mankind to embrace a more spiritual way of living.
Forever grateful to my dear friend Jörg Steinwender (on my left in above photo) and our friend and brother Norbert (on my right) for introducing me to the Mayan culture, not to mention their extraordinary kindness and generosity, my experience has been a powerful one to be sure.
Sitting in my hotel room overlooking the beautiful lake Atitlan. I see in the distance the towering ancient volcanoes that are on the shores rising to some 3000 feet. This is Mayan country, this is where it all began for them. It's sunny and warm, it's peaceful and calm. A couple days ago, on the morning of the 19th, I took a boat across the lake about 30 miles to Sololá to witness some of the hundreds of Mayan ceremonies going on. The morning air was heavy with smoke from all the shaman's fires doing their ceremonies. The scent of cinnamon, copal, and sugar that they burn on their fires made the air smell spicy and sweet. When I arrived at shore in Pana, I was greeted by a Mayan priest named Don Juan. Now try keep a straight face when you are introduced to a man named Don Juan. But the Don part of his name is not a name, it's a title meaning he is a spiritual leader. His wife's name is Salomé, and she is a direct descendent of medicine women going back thousands of years, we also referred to her as Don Salomé. We arrived at our destination a place where the ancient Mayan have performed ceremonies for a thousand years. It was on top of what the locals "The Indian Nose" mountain overlooking the lake.
After a good meal of fresh fruit locally grown, veggies and the most awesome coffee you ever tasted, also locally grown, and roasted, the ceremonies began. They continued on into the night. The following morning I was asked if I would participate in some of the ceremonies. Norbert asked if I would sing and drum some Shoshoni songs I have been taught and given permission to sing, to connect with North American Native peoples. It was a tremendous honor for me. Then on the eve of the end of the 5200 year old calendar was only hours away, we all gathered at the lake and many prayers for all of mankind began to be said. We prayed for all our friends, families, and those who are struggling. We prayed for Mother Earth and all the animals and plants, the water, the wind, the fire, the rocks… and once again I was so amazed how a people thousands of miles apart are speaking the same words about their connection to the universe as I have heard said in North America among all the Native people there. I asked my Mayan Shaman friend "how can it be that all the Native people of the world believe in the same things when they are so far apart?" I knew what he would say but I just wanted to be sure. He said, "Truth comes from just one source" as he pointed to the heavens above.
The next day the wind was crazy wild and cold. It blew all day long and into the night. Still there was work to do, I was invited to help open up about six ancient Mayan alters that had just been found. Shaman Don Juan, myself and Jörg, we sent out into the jungle following this little dirt path to their locations. I ask Don Juan, "what's really going to happen to our world Don Juan? Is it going to end? We laughed cause I knew better, but he said this, "the Catholic church burned all our sacred books many years ago, so we don't know exactly what this time means, or what it will bring us. What we understand is that because of the alignment of the planets, we are entering a period of a great shift in the cosmic energy of the universe. This affects us all. We believe it has the potential to alter our DNA. The results of this means we are leaving an era of materialism and entering a time of heightened spiritual awareness. We are leaving 5200 years of male dominance to an era of female dominance… in other words where things have been out of balance it will be in balance. Many things are going to change. Mother Earth is going to bring back balance to all that we have destroyed over the years. The climate is changing already, the plants and animals are adjusting and moving about. Mankind, if they are in a good place in their hearts are going to see true love come. True forgiveness. True peace. True democracy. There will be new governments, new religions, a new way of seeing ourselves and who we are."
He went on for some time about certain details while being vague in other details. I have been getting e-mails from all over the world, friends I have met along the way sharing their stories. Everyone is expressing his or her sense of change. They are using words like peaceful, loving, kindness, elevated mood, to describe what they are feeling. Here's one interesting tid bit. I was told a couple years ago the Vatican put pressure on the Mexican government to pass a law preventing the Mayan from performing ceremonies at their ancient temples such as Tikal. Instead they brought in rock groups to Tikal to party. Unbelievable, blatant discrimination toward a people whose birthright belongs here. This is their heritage, here they have lived for thousands of years and are at the mercy of the Vatican. Sound familiar?
The basic reason for me to come here is to better understand the ancient connection between the Mayan people with the North American Indians. And there was a strong connection between some of the tribes. But the most important teaching I wish to share about the Mayan is that they do not discriminate between the races. For like the North American traditionalists they teach that we are all brothers and sisters, and that we all have something to contribute to the betterment of all our relations. I see the Mayan to be a loving and kind people. Though very poor they are a happy and content people. It raises the question for me, how can a people that is so poor be so happy, when in our country, the United States, we have everything and we are so discontent? I am happy and proud to have had this opportunity to find friends here among the Mayan.
If you have any comments or questions please e-mail me.
News Article> July 28, 2012 My Recent Guatemala Tour
July 28, 2012 My Recent Guatemala Tour With My Friend Jörg Steinwender - by Phillip B Gottfredson
An amazing time and opportunity for me to tour the home of the Mayan in Guatemala. While Jörg and I met under rather unusual circumstances, never the less it has been one of those extraordinary spirit-connection friendships that may only come once in a life time. I couldn't have asked for a better guide than Jörg, for you see he has been intimately connected with the Mayan culture and it's people for over the past eight years. Our paths in life have paralleled one another over the past decade in one significant aspect, we both were led by our hearts into the mystical world of the Indigenous people. The some fourteen days spent with Jörg took us through jungles, climbing volcanoes, exploring caves, swimming in rivers and lakes, and most importantly ceremonies and speaking with Mayan Elders was truly memorable.
No, the world is not going to end. Mayan elders told me to expect significant changes though throughout the world. For according to Mayan prophesies December 21st marks the end of era for humankind, as we embark upon a new time of higher understanding and peace. The pendulum swings the other way from a time of materialism to a time of connection with Mother Earth and all our relations. It is a time when Man will reach his full potential and take his place in the cosmic order of things, eternal love, unconditional forgiveness, and equality. It will be those who cling most to materialism and selfish ways who stand to suffer the most in the coming time. For others it will be a time of celebration embracing true freedom and not the illusion of freedom.
Where ever we went I found the Mayan people to be filled with love and kindness. An impoverished third world country held tightly under the grip of U.S. mega corporations bleeding the life out of their economy in agriculture and natural resources, like Native peoples everywhere else they are forced to compromise their basic freedoms for the selfish monetary gains of special interest groups. Add to the equation drug trafficking, it is a miracle they have managed to survive at all. Going beyond their everyday struggles, Guatemala is a country drenched in rich beauty and mystery. And I can truly say it has been the greatest experience of my life to venture deep into Guatemala and savor the abundant beauty that is everywhere. It was truly a great honor for me when medicine Mayan people Juan and his wife Solomae, in ceremony connected me with the fire and waters of Guatemala.
As I willingly made the commitment to help build a bridge between them and North American Native peoples. And the journey is not over as Jörg will come to the U.S. so I can acquaint him with the Native people I have come to love and respect throughout the western United States. And in this way he can make his connection to North American Indians. Then we will accompany each other back to Guatemala and join in the celebrations of the change in the Mayan calendar, saying goodbye to the past and welcoming in a new era.
