" APSAALOOKE FOOT SOLDIERS "
Martin Grelle

Click on the picture and enjoy the link. WoW.

All of them are wonderful, Roger. I am so impressed with these master works.

Thanks for the link,

Miguel

P.S. Sorry for the digression, Myrna.

Hi Roger,

Thank you for your wonderful post, you can't find a better spot to post this artist and his wonderful Indian paintings.
I thought I would give some news of how things are with some of our Indians.

Good Men, Dirty Oil, and Sacrifice: Raising the Bar for Leadership

Gyasi Ross

August 08, 2013

People see me with my son often. We play sports, we walk hand-in-hand, we talk as friends, I sometimes have to talk to him as dad-to-son with an authoritative tone as well. As a result of my parenting and having a professional-type job, many of these folks assume that I’m a “good man.” I certainly try to be—my family raised me to value service and family.

I work hard on it. I have many, many examples of how powerful fatherhood is and can be within Native communities. I see that fatherhood—whether because of its presence or it’s absence—literally changes communities and Nations. For Native men, fatherhood is the definition of love. It is our investment into the future. And that’s good.

But it’s not enough. There’s more to being a “good man” and I don’t deserve that title. Not yet at least. I’m learning that lesson as I get older.

As I go through life, my expectation of what a good man does grows. I realize that sometimes Native people’s thoughts on what constitutes a good man is too low. There’s more to it. Our standards are too low.

Historically, in order to be venerated and recognized as a leader within our communities, there had to be more than simply pulling our weight and/or taking care of our kids. That was expected—that’s the bare minimum that was expected. In fact, deadbeat dads were shunned and publicly shamed in many communities.

You didn’t get no props for that. You needed to do more.

Every once in a while we get reminded that there are powerful Native men who are doing more than the bare minimum. There are Native leaders—elected and unelected—who add to the “Present Father + Holds Down a Job = Good Man” equation. They add “Service,” and “Altruism” and “Risk.”

The Nez Perce (Nimiipuu) Tribal Council recently showed that they are willing to sacrifice for their people in the face of fire. They didn’t just lead by going to a meeting or some conference (Note: they do that too; have you ever seen Brooklyn in a suit?? AYYYY!!)—they are leading by example. These are the men that I want to be. Some years ago, oil developers waged war on the sanctity and sacredness of our homelands. Many of our leaders caved in—go to Montana, North Dakota, many places in Canada—and you’ll see the ugly, brutal and sacrilegious results of our Councils choosing temporary economic boosts in exchange for permanent scarring of our sacred lands and waters. Many Native people feel helpless while their councils are literally giving away the farm and poisoning the waters for future generations.

The Nimiipuu Council not only said that they would not sell out their homelands, they also went and got directly involved. As a megaload moved through a highway within Nimiipuu territories on its way to further destroy Indigenous Earth in Alberta, a slew of Natives—including most of the Tribal Council—went and protested on the road. They were arrested, but as is the case with true leaders and good men, that did not dissuade them. Indeed, they are planning another protest tonight.

From Salmon Blog:

"Please join Idaho Rivers United, Friends of the Clearwater, Fighting Goliath, activists and lovers of all things wild for this not-to-miss Middle Fork Clearwater Wild and Scenic River rally today, August 8, at 7 p.m. Pacific. We'll meet at 5695 Highway 12, which is at mile post 77.4. You can park in the driveway at 5695 Highway 12."

If you’re in the area (north central Idaho), please join them. If you’re not, please send some prayers and good thoughts. This is what we all should be doing. This is what “good men” do. Having a job is cool and being a dad is necessary, but that’s just the bare minimum. Native people’s relationship and willingness to sacrifice for the benefit of the larger group AND our homelands is a big part of what makes an Indigenous person “Indigenous.”

Thank you Nimiipuus for helping me to better understand that.

Read more at http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2013/08/08/good-men-dirty-oil-and-sacrifice-raising-bar-leadership-150796

It's great that the spirit to see their world protected.

You have to understand the councils for doing deals when so many native american live in poverty. Short-term gain is understandable.

For proud people it is so hard to bear.

My prayers are with all native americans who refuse to be swept aside or accept the irradication of a wonderful civilation.

Hi Roger,
Thanks for your kind words about our Indians This was posted today Look at the smile. I can't remember seeing a smile like this on an Indian ever, beautiful. Hopefully the pride is coming back, let's hope so.

Clifford M. LaChappa, Chairman: NMAI’s Meet Native America Series

Dennis Zotigh

August 09, 2013

In the interview series Meet Native America, the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian invites tribal leaders, cultural figures, and other interesting and accomplished Native individuals to introduce themselves and say a little about their lives and work. Together, their responses illustrate the diversity of the indigenous communities of the Western Hemisphere, as well as their shared concerns, and offer insights beyond what’s in the news to the ideas and experiences of the Native peoples today.

Please introduce yourself with your name and title.

Clifford M. LaChappa, chairman of the Barona Band of Mission Indians.

What responsibilities do you have as chairman?

I consider my main responsibility to be providing for the general welfare of all tribal members, including children, who are the future of our people. Our Tribal Council also manages the band's various businesses and departments.

How did your life experience prepare you to lead your band?

Culturally, our people have always looked after one another. When the opportunity to engage in high stakes bingo and ultimately casino-style gaming came along, I was on the tribal council, and we saw it as an opportunity to help look after our people, especially our elders and youth. In addition, my years in college taught me the basics of running a business. I spent 26 years at a local utility company. I started as a laborer and worked my way up to management, thus developing my business leadership skills.

Who inspired you as a mentor?

Viejas Chairman Anthony Pico, a U.S. Army paratrooper in Vietnam and distinguished advocate for tribal sovereignty who has led his people with honor and dignity for many years.

Where is the Barona Band of Mission Indians located?

Rural eastern San Diego County, California.

Where was your band originally from?

Prior to the creation of the Barona Indian Reservation, our people lived on the Capitan Grande Reservation, which was established by the federal government in 1875. Long before living on a reservation, our ancestors traveled across Southern California in tune with the seasons and what nature provided.

Does the Barona Band have a functional, traditional entity of leadership in addition to your modern government system?

Tribal elders are respected for their knowledge and wisdom and are often consulted on custom and tradition.

What is a significant point in history from your band that you would like to share?

As with all Native people, there are many significant points in our history, but one that changed our path not too long ago was when the City of San Diego purchased our original reservation in 1932 to build a water reservoir. Our people were removed from their land and forced to find a new home. With the guidance of then Chief Ramon Ames, our people pooled their money together and purchased what is today known as our home, the Barona Indian Reservation.

Approximately how many members are in your band?

There are approximately 500 members, with approximately 300 over the age of 18.

What are the criteria to become a member of your band?

Our membership requirement is through blood quantum. Each member is required to have one-eighth Barona blood.

Is your language still spoken on your homelands? If so, what percentage of your people would you estimate are fluent speakers?

Over the last 20 years, with the economic success of our people, we have had the privilege of protecting our language through the creation of a 297-page dictionary. Our goal is for all of our tribal members to become fluent speakers, and with that in mind we provide language classes for our community.

To read the full interview with Barona Band of Mission Indians Chairman Clifford M. LaChappa visit the NMAI series here.