North American Indigenous Image Awards gaining status

2011 Native American Indigenous Image Awards - April 29
Young
photographer
authors book on
Az Native people
See page 3
Vol. 17 No. 3
April
2011
Vincent Craig Tribute
to be held at Hondah
Casino on May 13-14,
see details
See page 4
UMass professor
helps preserve
Navajo and other
Native languages
See page 10
Arizona Native Scene FREE
Serving Phoenix, Gila River, Salt River, Fort McDowell, Tonto Apache and parts of Navajo Country
Havasupai School
looking for funds for
class field trip
To Whom It May Concern:
The Havasupai Elementary School
is planning an end of the year field trip
to San Diego. Due to the traumatic
affects of persistent flooding in our
canyon home we strongly believe
the children deserve a rewarding
experience. They have continued their
education uninterrupted regardless of
the persistent aggression of Mother
Nature.
The reason for this memorandum
is to lobby any monetary donations
you may be able to contribute to the
Havasupai Elementary School, C/O
Havasupai Tribe, PO Box 10, Supai,
Arizona 86435.
On behalf of our community youth,
I extend my gratitude beforehand. If
you have any questions or comments,
you may direct them to my office.
Signed, Bernadine Jones
Chairwoman, Havasupai Tribe
Arizona GOP passes
Tea Party special
license plate
STATE CAPITOL–House Minority
Leader Chad Campbell released the
following statement on Tea Party
license plate bill (SB 1402), which
was sent to the governor:
“Arizonans are sick of the
shenanigans. Here again is another
wasteful bill that Republicans, who
control all of state government, passed
on behalf of their special interest
friends. It’s a waste of taxpayers’ time
and money, and it’s a waste of state
government. We’re all fed up with
the way those in control are abusing a
government that is supposed to work
for Arizona families, that is supposed
to be honest and effective. A bill to
give a special license plate away to
raise money for the Tea Party is not
something that will help this state dig
itself out of a recession, help families
get jobs, help schoolchildren get a
better education or help businesses to
grow."
North American Indigenous Image
Awards gaining status
Award nominees,
Hollywood casting
call, and special
awards announced
for the 2011
North American
Indigenous
Image Awards in
Albuquerque
Runway Beauty Calendar
models stand for a photo
at the 2009 NAIIA
Photo by Mihio Manus
Albuquerque, NM – With much
anticipation from the American Indian and
Canadian Aboriginal Arts and Entertainment
industry and fans, the Award nominees, in
multiple categories, have been announced
and released this week for the 2011 North
American Indigenous Image Awards event
(NAIIA 2011). The NAIIA 2011 event is
hosted and sponsored by the Hard Rock
Hotel & Casino Albuquerque. NAIIA 2011
is taking place on Friday, April 29, 2011 in
Albuquerque.
Award nominees fall into fourteen (14)
categories including: Oustanding Actor
(Film or TV), Outstanding Actress (Film or
TV), Outstanding Feature Film, Outstanding
See page 5
Wenona Benally
Baldenegro exploring
run for Congress
Wenona Benally Baldenegro, a Navajo,
announced that she is exploring a run for the
U.S. House of Representatives in Arizona’s
Congressional District 1 as a Democrat.
Seven of the twenty-one Indian Tribes in Arizona are currently
located in Congressional District 1.
Wenona was born in Gallup, NM and raised in northern Arizona
on the Navajo Nation. She is a Harvard-educated attorney who
also received her Master’s degree in Public Policy from Harvard
University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. She is an
alumnae of Arizona State University and Barrett, The Honors
College. For the past 10 years, Wenona focused her career on
formulating policies and laws at the tribal, state and federal levels
promoting economic and community development.
Photo by Loren Tapahe
At the 28th Annual Phoenix Indian Center Silver and Turquoise
Ball, guest were treated to pageantry of Native dance by the
Yellow Bird Indian Dancers on April 9, 2011 at the Talking
Stick Casino and Resort. See page 3 for more photos.
Construction in Indian Country Conference - April 25-27
2—Arizona Native Scene
Spotlight News
Phoenix Indian Center Silver and
Turquoise Ball a success
Miss Indian
Arizona
50th
Anniversary
happening
this year
Sweetie Cody is crowned
Miss Indian Arizona 2010-2011
Photo by Roberto A. Jackson
Celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year, the Miss Indian Arizona
Scholarship Program will highlight the former titleholders at a Banquet which
will be held on October 7th. The Scholarship Program will be held at the
Chandler Center for the Arts, Chandler, AZ on October 8th. The Pre-Show
begins at 6:30 pm and will feature special presentations by former Miss Indian
Arizona titleholders.
Sweetie Cody, the reigning Miss Indian Arizona will be featured as she
crowns the 50th successor. Sweetie is of Diné descent, a graduate of Winslow
High School and currently attends Mesa Community College. Her Royal
Court includes, Jessica Ruiz, 1st Attendant and Kelly Rose Sehongva, 2nd
Attendant.
The Miss Indian Scholarship Program is handled under the auspices of the
Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona through the establishment of the Miss Indian
Arizona Association, a non-profit charitable group made up of Indian women
from all walks of life representing many tribes. Many others lend assistance
and generously contribute their time, effort and finances year after year in
order to promote the program. The Association is headed up by Executive
Director, Denise Homer, President Patty Ferguson Bohnee and Vice-President
Daris Laffoon.
The Miss Indian Arizona Association strives to produce a specialized,
colorful, entertaining and educational program to the general public. The
dress, songs, dance, stories, wisdom, humor and the living essence of the
Indian people of Arizona is brought to life by the participants in the program.
Miss Indian Arizona serves as an Ambassador of the Indian and non-Indian
people of the State of Arizona, she travels throughout the state, visiting cities,
reservations, schools, hospitals and special events sharing her knowledge and
customs.
Over the past 50 years more than 600 young Indian women have participated
in the program and 55 have held the Miss Indian Arizona title. Many of the
title holders have gone on to hold titles as Miss Indian America, Miss Indian
Nations and Miss Indian World but more importantly they have pursued
leadership roles as Tribal Chairwomen, Vice-Chairwomen, President of the
National Congress of American Indians, Tribal council members, tribal gaming
officials, and careers as Educators, Recreational Directors, Civil Engineers,
Tribal Judges, Doctors, Public Relation personnel and “MOMs”.
Statistics show the American Indian community suffers the highest dropout
rate of any people in the United States. The goal of the Miss Indian Arizona
Association is to increase the number and amount of educational scholarships
it presents to participants in the program in order to meet the full yearly needs
of a student.
To learn how to promote the Miss Indian Arizona Scholarship Program or
for more information, contact Denise Homer at [email protected]
or visit the Miss Indian Arizona website at missindianarizona.com.
Arizona Native Scene
Loren Tapahe, Owner and Publisher
P.O. Box 4950, Mesa, AZ 85211
602-448-0260 • FAX: 480-610-9480
Photos by Loren Tapahe
TOP—VIPs gather for a quick photo at the 2011 Phoenix
Indian Center Silver and Turquoise Ball held at the Talking
Stick Casino and Resort on April 9, 2011. Left-to-right
are Arvin Trujillo, Navajo Nation; Cano Sanchez of Clan/
Destine who performed during the event; Patti Hibbeler,
Phoenix Indian Center CEO; Linda Arnold, Pinnacle
West and PIC Board President who was presented with
a blanket for her work with the Center; Theron Arnold,
Freddie Bitsoie, Chef who oversaw the preparation of the
meal that was served at the event; and Robert Roessel,
Salt River Project and Board Member.
RIGHT—Kevin Duncan of the Yellow Bird Indian Dancers
performs the hoop dance.
Sinema bills aiding veterans, disabled
STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX – Arizona
State Sen. Kyrsten Sinema’s (D-Dist. 15) bills
supporting Arizona veterans and Arizonans with
disabilities went to the governor Monday night
for her signature to become law after being
approved in both chambers.
“I am honored to give back to Arizona’s
service men and women who risked their lives
for us,” said Sinema. “I’m also proud that I can
aid Arizonans with disabilities by helping to
protect them from crimes of opportunity.
Sinema’s SB 1283 protects parents who receive
temporary orders from the Armed Forces in child
custody cases. The bill:
• Prohibits a court from modifying parental
rights or parent-child contact until 90 days after
the deployment ends.
• Prohibits a court from considering a parent’s
absence caused by deployments a sole factor
supporting a change in circumstances.
• Allows a deployed parent to provide testimony
by electronic means.
EMAIL YOUR PRESS RELEASES TO:
[email protected]
or Fax to (480) 610-9480
Subscriptions ONLY available to museums, schools,
and businesses. Advertising rates sent upon request
or for immediate assistance, call 602-448-0260.
Sinema’s SB 1464 (amended onto SB 1080)
makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor for intentionally
making a false or fraudulent report of adult abuse
or neglect to a social worker who is required by
law to report the information. Currently there is
no penalty for making a false report to a social
worker who is required to report the information
to a law enforcement agency.
“If someone who is caring for that person
makes a false report to a social worker who is
assigned to check on the vulnerable adult, they
should be held accountable,” Sinema said. “It’s
the right thing to do.”
2011 Sinema bills signed into law:
• HB 2410 (substituted for SB 1223): Grants
in-state tuition for honorably discharged veterans
without requiring them to wait for one year's
residence in Arizona.
• SB 1101: Protects grieving family members
at funerals from protest activities by requiring
protest activities to occur 300 feet away from the
funeral site.
Articles can not be reprinted without the written
consent of the publisher. All editorials are not
necessarily the opinion of the newspaper nor the
publisher. Unsolicited material and photos will not be
returned unless a return envelope with return postage
is supplied. All rights reserved. Member of the Native
American Journalist Association. Call (602) 448-0260
for information. Copyright 04/07/2011.
Arizona Native Scene—3
Vincent Craig Memorial News
www.nativescene.com
Vincent Craig
"Celebration of Legacy,"
Memorial to be held in
Whiteriver May 13th
By the Craig Family
A one year Memorial in honor of the
beloved Navajo songwriter, performer, artist
and cartoonist Vincent Craig will be kicked
off Friday, May 13 at Hon-Dah Casino with
an evening of entertainment performed
by Native musicians and comedians Paul
Ortega, Charlie Hill, Keith Secola, Drew
Lacapa and others.
The official memorial will begin with The
Vincent Craig Walk Against Cancer early
Saturday, May 14 – the one year anniversary
of Craig’s death and will continue with
ceremony, feast and entertainment that will
last throughout the day and into the night.
While many groups and performers have
already committed themselves, Knifewing,
who is bringing his sound system and will
perform with Native Stars, is certain that as
word gets out, many more performers will
want to join in.
“The purpose is to bring family, friends and
fans together to bid the traditional Apache
mourning period of one year farewell and
to acknowledge that Vincent will always
be with us as we celebrate his legacy,” said
his wife, Mariddie Craig, White Mountain
Apache from their Whiteriver, Arizona
home.
“All of us will always miss him, but the
closure of the first year is very important
to all who loved him, especially the family
who endured much in the past year. It was
not easy, but here we are.”
“We remember our loved one who passed
on and we take this time to thank all who
helped us with prayers, encouragement,
support and just being there. Indian Country
and the different churches acknowledged
and prayed for my late husband's recovery,
but that was something that was beyond us
all since the Creator had something else in
mind for Vincent.”
In his cartoons, stories, and songs, Vincent
Craig created a pantheon of characters who
continue to live on in Indian Country and
who will always be remembered: Mutton
Man, Rita, Chizzy, Joe Frybread, Billy
Beans…
The Walk Against Cancer will begin at
7:00 AM Saturday when participants gather
at the Craig home in the Whiskey Flats
4—Arizona Native Scene
neighborhood of Whiteriver. After a prayer
by LDS church leader Tinker Nez at 7:00
AM at the Craig home, participants will then
walk one mile to the tribal Memorial Hall,
built in honor of all veterans and dedicated
to Apache veterans.
“Vincent Craig was a very dear friend
of mine,” said Ellis Tanner of Ellis Tanner
Trading Company in Gallup, New Mexico,
who is scheduled to speak. “Anytime that
I had anything that needed to be done for
Native Appreciation Day, or any event on
the reservation, all I had to do was pick up
the phone and Vincent was there. He cared
a great deal about the youth of the Navajo
Nation. I sure do miss him. I still can’t
believe he’s gone.
“This Walk Against Cancer is fantastic.
It gets really frustrating when I see cancer
take away a lot of my friends – especially
Vincent. We need to do whatever we can
to get cancer eliminated. In this day and
age, we should be able to find a cure and
eliminate it.
“That cure won’t come soon enough for
Vincent, but he’ll be with us on that walk
– just like he was at the funeral. I know
he was there; I could feel him there. He’s
our guardian angel now. He watched over
us when he was alive and now he is in the
heaven, watching over us all he can.”
Tanner has many memories of Vincent,
but his favorite came during a Trading
Company sponsored performance when,
unbeknownst to Vincent, Tanner had hidden
a cache of Big Hunk candy bars back stage.
Soon, the fans requested “Rita.” Just after
Vincent began to sing, “All my boys threw
candy bars into the crowd,” Tanner recalls.
“Everybody was screaming and hollering.
It really caught him off guard. I looked in
his eyes and he looked in mine. He really
appreciated it. And I really appreciated
Vincent Craig. For him – please come and
Walk Against Cancer.”
Those who wish to pre-register for
the walk are invited to contact Jessie
Gushoney at (928) 338-2519, or by email
at [email protected]. There is a $10
registration fee.
After the walkers reach Memorial Hall, a
wreath will be placed at the site.
The Memorial will then move to the
Hon-Dah Casino & Resort, 18 miles North
of Whiteriver, where a special program in
remembrance of Vincent will be held from
11:00 AM to noon. The local veterans group
will conduct the flag raising ceremony and
Tribal Chairman Ronnie Lupe will give the
opening remarks.
Acknowledgement will be given to
the many family and friends who helped
the family during Vincent’s illness and
afterwards and to the thousands of wellwishers and fans who left messages on
Vincent’s Facebook and My Space fan
pages.
A traditional Apache barbecue will be
served from noon to 1:00 PM. Glorianna
Dayaye, a cattle owner with the North Fork
Livestock Association will be the head
cook.
After the feast, Knifewing and Native
Stars will begin the afternoon entertainment,
which will continue until about 10:00 PM.
Ortega, Hill and all the performers from
Friday night will return for the celebration.
There will also be many local Apache
performers, such as Joe Tohonnie, Ramon
Riley and First Born, among others.
“Vincent was on Native Stars,” Knifewing
noted. “More than anything else, he was
considered to be family among all the
performers. They will do whatever they
possibly can for his family, because he was
family.
“Vincent was one of the closest of people
to us all. His death really hit hard. It rang out.
It had a strong impact on all the performers
and on the audiences. He was definitely
family.”
Knifewing expressed his admiration for
the way that Vincent could connect with
and electrify an audience and enjoyed
performing with him, but he also liked to
just sit with him in a car in a parking lot
with Vincent somewhere and just talk. They
talked not only about music and performing,
but about many other things as well.
“He had been a police officer and I had
been a police officer. We would share our
stories.”
Knifewing notes that while Native
See next page
Local News
www.nativescene.com
Vincent Craig
From page 4
performers used to be considered kind of a novelty
act by the mainstream, this has changed. He and
the other Native Stars have performed nationally
with major stars and have gained access to the best
musical equipment out there.
“We’ll come out and we’ll pull together and we
will do everything we possibly can. Our sound and
production will be as good as it gets. This is going to
be incredible!”
Popular cowboy singer and songwriter Michael
Martin Murphy also shared the stage with Vincent. "I
was honored to know Vincent Craig,” Murphy said.
“I was always overwhelmed by his natural charisma
as a performer. He was compelling on and off stage,
because he was a consistent Bright Spirit that brought
people to him like a magnet.”
“Vincent was a truly a man of great character, and a
brilliant artist. His greatness was in his ability to frame
the struggle and pride of being a Native American
with humor and entertaining positive thoughts.
“Vincent Craig's art and music was epic in scope,
ultimately revealing spiritual meaning in the foibles
and triumphs of life. What other people saw as
tragic and unjust, Vincent saw as part of the Human
Comedy; he seldom took the path of anger, choosing
as often as possible to Walk in Beauty. He was a
"man's man", yet a sensitive artist.”
“He was a protecting husband, a strong and loving
father, a loyal friend to untold numbers of people, a
soldier, a cowboy­—a Warrior for Freedom and Right
Action- a man who always made sure everyone
understood that a life of working hard for the good
things and justice, and serving others with cheer
and grace, is far more desirable and rewarding than
falling into a life of evil and degradation."
Updates will be posted on Vincent’s Facebook fan
page as the date draws near.
“The list of those we want to thank is endless,” said
wife Mariddie: “Ellis Tanner, Tom Arviso of Navajo
Times, Loren Tapahe of Phoenix, WMAT Tribal
Chairman Ronnie Lupe, and Vice Chairman Timothy
Hinton, Sr.; WMAT Tribal Council, Tribal Court
Staff, WMAT KNNB Radio Station, Knifewing and
Native Stars; Radmilla Cody, Charlie Hill, Keith
Secola, Drew Lacapa, Paul Ortega, the Plateros,
to name a few... Keith Basso, Overseas Aircraft
Support, Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly, the
Fort McDowell Tribal Council and community,
James and Ernie the comedy duo; the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at Pinetop/Lakeside
and Fort Apache; the list is endless...
“Vincent's fan mail on the website also received
thousands and thousands of well wishers, we thank
them also.”
“It was an honor to know Vincent Craig, he was a
Blessing and brought us joy. He roamed around native
lands as the famous "Mutton man", blessing us with
laughter, teachings and some of his great songs.... We
will miss him dearly! Excellent inspiration song "I
believe in You!" - Kirkson Tsosie, in a comment left
on Vincent Craig’s Facebook fan page.
Craig Family Contact:
Mariddie Craig, 928-225-6306
Emerald Dahozy-480-543-8151
[email protected]
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Vincent-Craig-FanPage/328863484726
PIMC to undergo renovations
PHOENIX—In a letter on March 23, 2011 to "Patients of
PIMC:" John Molina, MD, JD, Chief Executive Officer,
Phoenix Indian Medical Center announced renovation plans
for the hospital. The dates the renovations will occur at May
13 through May 30, 2011. The following areas will be under
renovation: electrical infrastructure replacement; central
sterilizer replacement; air handler unit (AHU) replacement;
and emergency department renovation.
The letter stated, "The Phoenix Indian Medical Center
Leadership team is working hard to keep our operations in
line with best business and medical practices so that we may
deliver safe, high quality patient care in the most costeffective manner, as well as provide access to care and safety
for patients and staff during this period of time."
The public or patients are asked to contact the Public
Affairs Specialist, Roberta Arthur at 602-263-1576 for the
latest information.
NAIIA set for April 29
Album Single, Outstanding Blues Jazz
Album, Outstanding Hip Hop Rap
Album, Outstanding Country Album,
Outstanding Comedy Performance,
Outstanding Magazine and more.
Nominees for Outstanding Actor
include: Gil Birmingham for his role in
“Eclipse”, Gary Farmer for his role in
“Good Neighbors”, Zahn McClarnon for
his role in “Medium”, Chaske Spencer
for his role in “New Moon”, and Noah
Watts for his role in “Search for the
Worlds Best Indian Taco”. Excitement
is unraveling as two (2) Twilight Saga
actors are going head-to-head for the
NAIIA Outstanding Actor Award: Gil
Birmingham (Eclipse) and Chaske
Spencer (New Moon). This is creating
much buzz on social networks and in the
media.
Outstanding Actress nominees include
the following great talent: Kaniehtiio
Horn for her role in “Mohawk Girls”,
Crystle Lighting for her role in “Search
for the World’s Best Indian Taco”, and
Georgina Lightning for her role in
“Older Than America”.
Oustanding
Feature Film award nominees include:
Barking Water, Older Than America,
and Pearl. In the area of music, the
following works are up for Outstanding
Album Single: “The Storm” by DOC
feat. Spencer Battiest, “Don’t Make Me
Love You” by Victoria Blackie, “Soul
Back Jack” by Desiree Dorion, “What if
We Could” by Eagle & Hawk, and “The
Original 2 Step” by Chase Manhattan.
“The NAIIA Awards show is different
from other current Indigenous Awards
shows.” comments Christine Means,
Co-Founder and Executive Producer
of the NAIIA event. “The NAIIA
awards are not a people’s choice
awards program. These awards are not
a popularity contest. The winners are
reviewed and chosen by a professional
Phoenix Indian Medical Center on 16th Street and
Indian School Road, Phoenix.
From page one
selection committee composed of
seasoned industry professionals.” For
a complete list of nominees, visit www.
indigenousimageawards.com.
In addition to the fourteen exciting
NAIIA awards, a special 2011 NAIIA
Honorary Award will be presented to
Adam Beach in recognition of his broad
body of work and his contributions
in advancing the art of screen acting
for contemporary Indigenous peoples
across North America. Quote from
Adam here…..
The NAIIA Executives are also pleased
to announce an exciting new feature of
the NAIIA 2011 event. A Hollywood
Casting Call has been arranged and will
be taking place in conjunction with the
NAIIA Awards on Thursday (4/28).
Rene Haynes who does majority of
the casting of Indigenous people for
Hollywood comments “Rene Haynes
Casting is very excited to pair up with
the North American Indigenous Image
Awards to help promote Natives in the
arts. Our upcoming casting call will give
many aspiring young Native American
actors the opportunity to read for the
fun and exciting upcoming feature film
CROOKED ARROWS (about the great
sport of Lacrosse!).” For details on the
April 28th casting call - or to learn about
auditioning via video submission, please
visit the film's all new web site which
will be launching this weekend: www.
crookedarrows.com”.
The NAIIA event is the must-attend
arts & entertainment awards show
for Indigenous North America. The
multitude of American Indians and
Canadian Aboriginals in the arts and
performing arts require an avenue
where talents will be recognized. This
is a venue to recognize, elevate, and
advance Indigenous peoples careers
and aspirations and also an opportunity
Krista Thompson
accepting the award for
the NAIIA 2009 Calendar
of the Year for "Women
of the Navajo."
for growth and recognition at the
international level. NAIIA is the event
to see and be seen.
General admission ticket price is $20.
VIP tickets are $75. And VIP Tables
are available starting at $500 (table of
8). Proceeds from the event benefit a
student scholarship fund at the Institute
of American Indian Arts (IAIA).
Sponsorships are available for the event.
For more information on sponsorship,
contributions, or general information,
please contact Christine Means at info@
indigenousimageawards.com or call
505-717-2085.
NAIIA, Inc. is an American Indian
owned 21st century advocacy non-profit
organization that seeks the advancement
and accomplishments of American
Indian, Canadian Aboriginals, and
Indigenous Peoples in the arts, media
and entertainment industry by creating
an avenue for international recognition.
Arizona Native Scene—5
6—Arizona Native Scene
State and Local News
www.nativescene.com
Photo by Loren Tapahe
www.annicabenning.com
Friends and sponsors to Annica Benning's book "Arizona: Nations and Art," (left-to-right) Cyd West, Review;
Melissa Lempke, Facilitator; Bill Faust, Jr, Faust Gallery, Mentor; Lt. Governor GRIC Joseph Manuel, Joe Madrid,
Sponsor; William Faust, Sr., President, Sponsor, Lovena Ohl Foundation; Annica Benning, Author; Geno Talas,
Hopi Veterans Affairs, Director, Hopi Code Talkers Memorial, Mentor and Review; C. Renee' Lorents, Sponsor,
Peabody Western; Karol Como, Sponsor, Wells Fargo Bank; Melissa Upshaw, Facilitator; in the back: Sandee
Templin, Wells Fargo Bank, Sponsor.
Young talent making a difference in Arizona
Story by Loren Tapahe
After three years of effort, which began in
March 2008, a 16-year old Annica Benning
took time on April 8, 2011 to thank all her
friends, mentors and sponsors who helped
make her dreams come true. A dream that
benefited over a million people in Arizona,
according to one state senator.
It all started when she was 13-years old
and in the 4th Grade. Because she admired
then Governor Janet Napolitano's "Books
for Kids," program, Annica began her own
version of gifting books to students.
She organized a used-book drive as a
4H project and collected over 2,000 books
which she donated directly to children.
During that time, she was also interested in
Native Americans so she compiled a report
on the subject. Rather a draft of a book,
which contained a photographic journey
and written report on the diverse Native
American people of Arizona and their art.
The book contains photos of the Native
people of Arizona and their art, images of
culture and history of the first people of
Arizona, and Native American veterans.
Annica's new found love for Native
American art worked out intuitively with
her hobby as a photographer.
"Off she went," as her mother Adi puts it
whenever asked about her daughter's new
found passion.
"She decided to write this book as she
wanted to do something meaningful and
educational for the children of Arizona,"
said Adi.
"Her hope is to inspire imaginations,
promote early literacy, understanding, and
community service," she said.
Her draft took on a whole new direction
in early 2010 as Annica decided to find a
publisher to print 5,000 copies of her new
book in, titled, "Arizona, Nations and Art,"
so all 4th Grade classrooms, schools and
public libraries in Arizona could receive
a copy. She wanted all the people and
especially students her age to learn about
the Native people.
That happened two years ago in February
2010 at age 14 with the help of the Ohl
Foundation, who stepped forward to cover
the printing of the book. Annica and her
mother took care of distributing the books
by mail or in person.
But she wasn't done.
Annica decided each 4th Grader needed
a copy. A copy to call their own and that
they could take home to keep.
She found out that 56% of 4th Graders
are economically disadvantaged and may
not be able to afford to buy her book even
at the price of $1.00.
This was a much larger task, as 82,000
copies would be needed to be printed to
reach her goal. The cost, $82,000, she
needed to raise by a certain time due to one
funder requiring matching funds.
Through tireless efforts, along with her
mother Adi, they found the money.
The Gila River Indian Community
stepped forward as well as Peabody
Energy, Sole Sports Running Zone, Swift
Transportaion, Hurly Transportation,
MacDonald's Co., Heard Museum, Wells
Fargo Bank, and Walnut Canyon Press,
plus private personal donations.
Annica's book has been praised by
many Tribal representatives and literary
organizations.
The Hopi Nation included Annica and
her book in their testimony before the
senate to recognize the contributions of the
Hopi Code Talkers’ Bill SCR 1009.
Senator Albert Hale (D-Dist. 2) said of
Annica's book: "By honoring this young
woman, we honor her initiative to chance
the Arizona school curriculum to include
an accurate picture of Native Americans.
This young woman brings undertstanding
of Native Americans and their place in
American history. Taking a different and
unique look at Native American history,
cultures, and how people are perceived
through the educational process.
Annica has portrayed Native American
Warrior Heroes with dignity and the respect
they deserve. Her book is a reference
source that can dispel stereotypes and
misconceptions.
This book contains the only printed map
that correctly identifies Native American
lands.
Annica's effort goes beyond just
producing a book.. through her book the
beauty of Native American artists, lands and
cultures will be shared with every family...
reaching approximately one million people
in Arizona."
Through Annica's project, she has
received numerous awards in the literary
world, even receiving the Miley Cyrus
Youth Service of America Award in 2010.,
which also entails spending a day with
Miley Cyrus promoting volunteerism.
Her book, Arizona: Nations and Art was
a Western Writers of America Spur Award
finalist in 2010 as well.
She has received the National Education
Association Young Leaders in Literary
Grant Award; Arizona Governor's Service
Volunteer Award; Congressional Gold
Award; Prudential Spirit of Community
Award; Semi Finalist for "Film Your Issue";
Rotary Youth Leadership Award; Azteen
Magazine 100 Top Hot Pick (person); and
was nominated for the Native American
Recognition Days Friend of the Native
American Community Award.
A lot of awards for a 16-year old. And
she's not even officially graduated from
high school yet.
Friends and her mother wonder what's
next for Annica.
Arizona Native Scene—7
Your One Stop
Tobacco Shop,
Food Mart
& Grill.
Steak Sandwich on Fry Bread
Including Cigarettes,
Cigars, Hookahs,
Pipes, Accessories,
Cold Drinks & Great Food!
Now Open for Breakfast & Lunch!
EN
O
PH
Riggs Rd.
IX
Lunch Special: $6.00
Akimel
Smoke Shop
& Grill
10
HOME-STYLE FRY BREAD & COMBOS
Steak Sandwich, Fry Bread or
Tortilla with Potatoes & Green
Chile... Yum!
N
N
O
CS
8—Arizona Native Scene
TU
Featuring Native Foods:
We use Navajo Pride Beans, Flour
and Potato Products
Riggs Rd. Exit, East of I-10
Phone 520-796-2171 Store Hours: 6am-9pm
Grill Hours: 8am-4pm
2011 HEADlining cAst
HEAD MAn: Buck Spotted Tail, Rosebud, SD
HEAD lADy: Leah Omeasoo, Hobbema, Alberta, Canada
HEAD young MAn: Hiram Gleason, Newcomb, NM
HEAD young lADy: Charish Tohay, Anadarko, OK
HEAD nortHErn DAncE JuDgE: Leon Thompson, Satus, WA
HEAD soutHErn DAncE JuDgE: Randy Frazier, Oklahoma City, OK
HEAD nortHErn DruM JuDgE: Adrian “YoYo” Cross, Frog Lake, Alberta,
Canada
HEAD soutHErn DruM JuDgE: James Reeder, Logan, UT
ArEnA DirEctors: Randy Medicine Bear, Loveland, CO
George “Cricket” Shields, Shawnee, OK
AnnouncErs: Sammy “Tonkei” White, Anadarko, OK
Dennis Bowen, Sr., Tuba City, AZ
Vince Beyl, Bemidji, MN
Ruben Little Head, Lame Deer, MT
(Roving Host) Jason Whitehouse, Madison Hts, MI
invitED DruMs: Midnite Express, Minneapolis, MN
Cozad, Hog Creek, OK
Wild Horse, North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada
Cedar Tree, Sevierville, TN
Hail Creek, Taos, NM
Ghost Canyon, Fort Hall, ID
ALL DRUMS WELCOME!
Miss inDiAn WorlD ‘10: Dakota Brant, Six Nations, Ontario, Canada
2011 contEst DAncing
Over $200,000 in Cash & Prizes to be Awarded
32 Categories - Elder’s 70+, Golden Age 55-69, Adults 19-54
$2,000 First Place All Adult Categories (19-54)
TOTAl Drum Prize mOney: $50,250
$10,000 First Place “WOrlD ClASS” northern Singing
Contributions by JT Seaboy, 2010 Head Northern Singing Judge
$5,000 First Place “SOuTHern CHAllenGe” Singing
Women’s Back-up Singing - No.&So. Styles - $1000 Winner Take All
Maximum of 6 Registered with Drum
Hand Drum Singing Contest (Saturday Afternoon)
Men & Women Combined (No Age Limits) – 1st Place: $500
Sponsored by Gathering of Nations Website
A FAir COnTeST FOr All DAnCerS & SinGerS!
Miss Indian World Traditional
Talent Presentations
N E W LO C AT I O N :
HArD rOCK HOTel & CASinO ABQ
Sponsor of miss indian World Program
Thursday, April 28, 2011
11000 Broadway SE, Albuquerque, NM (at Isleta Pueblo)
I-25 South, exit Broadway SE. follow to Isleta Pueblo
Doors Open at 6 pm. Show Starts 7 pm in the HRHC SHOWROOM
Hosts: lisa meeches (Canadian TV Personality) Winnipeg, Man.
& Jason Whitehouse
PErforMAncE: Derek miller, Juno & Native American Music
Award Winner (Six Nations, Ontario, Canada)
Show Starts at 7 pm Sharp!!
Tickets Sold at Door: $12 • Doors Open at 6 pm
Advance tickets www.gatheringofnations.com
Miss Indian World Contestant Applications, Go Online at
www.gatheringofnations.com or call (505) 836-2810.
An enCHAnTinG eVeninG FOr All WHO ATTenD!
croWning of Miss inDiAn WorlD: Saturday Evening 7:30 pm
Host HotEl: Hard rock Hotel & Casino ABQ
877-475-3827 • www.hardrockcasinoabq.com
2011 trAvEl AccoMMoDAtions
nativo lodge (Heritage Hotels & resorts) – (505) 798-4300
Ask for the Gathering of Nations Powwow Rate $79
Holiday inn & Suites Airport – (505) 944-2255
Host Campground: isleta lakes – (505) 244-8102
soutHWEst AirlinEs 1-800-i fly sWA
Official Airline of the GON & Miss Indian World
2011 sPEciAl contEsts
MiDnigHt sPEciAl –“suPEr sHAWl” – WoMEn’s fAncy
1st Place: $1,000 & Trip for Two to las Vegas (3 days)
Winners must be prepared to begin travel May 1-3
or trip is forfeited. For more details go to
www.gatheringofnations.com
MEn’s grAss DAncE sPEciAl
Sponsored by Buck Spotted Tail & Family
1st: $1000 + Jacket • 4 Cons.
WoMEn’s “olD stylE” JinglE sPEciAl
Sponsored by Leah Omeasoo & Family
1st: $1500, Jacket, Blanket • 5 Places + Blankets • 5 Cons.-$200
MEn’s fAncy DAncE sPEciAl/
Honoring JEff toEHAy (fAtHEr of cHArisH)
Sponsored by Charish Toehay & family
18-34 Mens Fancy Dance-Northern/Southern Combined
1st Place: $700 + Pendelton Jacket • 3 Cons.-$100
35+ Mens Fancy Dance-Northern/Southern Combined
1st Place: $700 + Pendelton Jacket • 3 Cons.-$100
Each contestant will receive a monetary gift from the family.
$2000 sMoKE DAncE sPEciAl
Sponsored by Miss Indian World, Dakota Brant & Family
All Adult Men/Women Smoke Dancers
1st $1000 + Jacket • $1000 in Consolation Prizes
tEEn Boy’s fAncy sPEciAl
Sponsored by Hiram Gleason & Family
1st $500 2nd $400 3rd $300 4th $200 5th $100 • 5 Cons.
BAcK-uP singing contEst (Friday Afternoon)
Northern and Southern Categories
For Girls 16 yrs & Younger – 1st Place $500
Sponsored by Raelyne Sanchez In Honor of Ualani Pacheco
MEn’s trADitionAl: “giving BAcK to tHE circlE”
Sponsored by Tim White Eyes & Family
Winner Receives Money + Beaded Vest + Quilled Outfit
Total Prize Money: $6,000
www.gatheringofnations.com
Arizona Native Scene—9
Navajo Language News
www.nativescene.com
UMass Amherst linguist recognized for preserving Navajo
and other Native American languages
Submitted by
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
AMHERST, Mass. – As middle and
high school students across the Southwest
celebrate their access to Navajo language
classes this spring, the University of
Massachusetts Amherst community is
celebrating Margaret “Peggy” Speas,
professor of linguistics, as a 2011 Spotlight
Scholar, in recognition of her 20 years of
work to preserve North American native
languages, in particular Navajo.
As the Navajo Times reported this
month, for example, about 3,200 of the
10,516 students in Farmington, New
Mexico schools are Native American,
and the district spends about $2 million a
year on its 14-year-old bilingual program,
which teaches Navajo and Spanish at every
grade level, K-12.
UMass Amherst’s Speas is a founding
member of the Navajo Language Academy
(NLA), a non-profit group formed in the
1970s to promote research and teaching
of the Navajo language. She did much
10—Arizona Native Scene
Although Navajo is the
of the legwork for the
most widely spoken of the
incorporation and has
threatened Native American
served continuously on
languages, there are only
the board, including two
100,000 or so native Navajo
years as president. The
speakers left and fewer than
academy has hosted Navajo
5 percent are children under
linguistics workshops for
age 5, says Speas. Historical
language teachers and
and social factors behind
scholars every summer
this include a school system
since 1997.
that punished children for
This year, Speas was
speaking any language but
nominated by her peers
English into the 1960s, says
as a Spotlight Scholar
Speas. Consequently, several
for her research, creative
generations of parents were
achievements
and
Margaret Speas
reluctant to bring up their
contributions to her field.
children speaking Navajo.
“I have nothing but
praise for Dr. Speas,” said Lorene Legah
As fewer children became fluent at home,
of Diné College, Window Rock, Ariz., and schools on and around the reservation
current NLA president. “She has made instituted classes in Navajo as a second
valuable contributions to our Navajo language. Speas has co-taught at NLA’s
teachers, has been a steady advocate annual summer workshops that gather
for our organization, and remains as an Navajo language teachers to share ideas
integral part of NLA. Her enthusiasm for about teaching and studying the intricacies
linguistics is evident from her support and of Navajo grammar.
Additionally, Speas worked with
from her published works.”
Evangeline Parsons-Yazzie, a native
speaker and professor of Navajo at
Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff,
on an introductory Navajo language
textbook that has since been honored as the
official textbook of New Mexico by former
Governor Bill Richardson.
“We’re pleased that Peggy is being
recognized for her scholarly works,”
said John McCarthy, chair of the UMass
Amherst linguistics department. “She is
a highly valued colleague to campus and
especially to the Navajo nation. Peggy has
been an important contributor to the field
of linguistics and a scholar with a welldeveloped conscience.”
Speas recently co-organized and UMass
Amherst hosted the 16th annual Workshop
on the Structure and Consistency in the
Languages of the Americas. She joined
the UMass linguistics faculty in 1989
and brought to the program her specialty
in syntactic theory and her passion for
linguistics in education.
More information at: www.umass.edu/
umhome/spotlightscholar.
Navajo News
www.nativescene.com
President Ben Shelly testifies at Tribal Energy hearing
Washington, D.C.—At the House
Committee on Natural Resources on
Friday, Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly
testified before the Subcommittee on Indian
and Alaska Native Affairs. He joined other
tribal leaders to voice their concerns about
obstacles that delay energy development on
Indian lands.
During his testimony President Shelly
told the Sub-committee the Navajo Nation’s
prosperity comes from the people and land.
“The key to our prosperity and self
determination is our people and our land,”
said President Shelly. We hold significant
renewable and non-renewable natural
resources, including coal, oil and natural
gas. The Navajo Nation is resource-rich
and we want development of our resources,
nevertheless we have been held back for
many reasons. I feel that there is too much
red tape on our projects.
Subcommittee Chairman Don Young
said in his opening statement, “Regulatory
obstacles such as the Bureau of Indian
Affair’s approval of Rights of Way, the
Bureau of Land Management’s approval
of Applications for Permit to Drill, and
National Environmental Policy Act red tape
are unjust to tribes.”
He also reported that 56 million acres of
Indian Lands in the Lower 48 States and 44
million acres of Native Corporation lands in
his state of Alaska, Native American have
enormous potential to contribute to the
energy security of this country.
President Shelly also testified the Desert
Rock Energy Project planned to utilize
modern coal technology.
“Desert Rock will be one of the newest
and cleanest coal generating plants in the
country,” he said. “It will provide one-third
of the Navajo Nation’s entire budget and
allows us to head towards the path of selfdetermination.”
Desert Rock Energy Project’s permit
was remanded by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency in 2009 and is currently
under appeal by the Navajo Nation.
In his closing statement, President Shelly
reaffirmed the Navajo Nation stands against
Uranium Mining.
“We are asking Congress to do everything
possible to continue the scientific research
regarding the health impacts of uranium
and put all federal agencies attached to the
World War II efforts on notice to remediate
continued hotspots on the Navajo Nation,
to deal with this legacy of government
sponsored uranium mining,” said President
Shelly.
Rep. Young concluded, “We need to
ensure that federal environmental laws do
not impede energy development in Indian
Country. I look forward to working with my
colleagues on the Committee and tribes to
identity unnecessary laws and regulations,
and to write necessary legislation to allow
tribes to pursue energy self-determination.”
U.S. EDA invests to support tribes in job growth, Navajo included
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Commerce
Department’s Economic Development
Administration (EDA) today announced
$717,000 in grants to support business
development and job creation in the Navajo
Nation of Window Rock, Ariz., the Campo
Band of Mission Indians of Campo, Calif.,
and Little Big Horn College of Crow
Agency, Montana.
“Native Americans have been among
the hardest hit by these tough economic
times,” said U.S. Assistant Secretary of
Commerce for Economic Development
John R. Fernandez. “These EDA grants will
help alleviate hardships such as the closing
of Reservation coal mines and create livingwage job opportunities to serve the local
community.”
These grants include: $450,000 to the
Navajo Nation of Window Rock, Ariz., to
help design a 30,000 square foot Ganado
Shopping Center. The Shopping Center
will be home to a supermarket and several
retail shops, advancing local business
development and job creation.
Tony Perry, The Navajo Nation’s Director
of Project Development for Economic
Development, said “The EDA grant to
design the Ganado Shopping Center is the
critical plan needed to provide jobs and basic
services in this under-served community.
Future development allows The Nation to
capture sales leakage to nearby border towns
and offer opportunities to entrepreneurs in
creating long-term economic stability.”
$200,000 to the Campo Band of Mission
Indians of Campo, Calif., to fund a local
economic development strategy and
development plan for an existing renewable
energy zone on the Campo Reservation. As
part of the project, the applicant will procure
a Tribal Energy Resource Agreement
(TERA) with the U.S. Department of the
Interior.
“The wind project and the CREZ (Campo
Renewable Energy Zone) will attract new
commercial activities related to renewable
energy development and operations and spur
economic growth on the Reservation,” said
Monique La Chappa, Tribal Chairwoman,
Campo Band of Mission Indians.
$67,000 to the Little Big Horn College
of Crow Agency, Montana, to conduct a
cost study, preliminary architectural report,
and environmental assessment of the
LEED-certified Education and Technology
Training Center (ETTC) to serve Crow
Tribal members.
“The ETTC will provide a direct pathway
to training and skill advancement that will
result in direct employment with energy
projects such as the Absaloka mine north
of the Crow Reservation and in the research
and development of 100% synthetic jet
fuels produced from the future Manystars/
Crow Tribal Coal To Liquid Plant,” said Dr.
David Yarlott, Jr., President of Little Big
Horn College.
The White House partners with Native
Americans to build sustainable and
healthy native communities. The American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act continues
to impact the lives of American Indians
and Alaska Natives, including through
important projects to improve, rebuild,
and renovate schools. In 2009, the White
House announced a consultation process to
improve communication and coordination
between the Federal Government and tribal
governments.
TUBA CITY, Ariz. -- The Arizona Indian
Gaming Association's newest member,
Joshua Lavar Butler, To'Nanees'Dizi (Tuba
City) Council delegate, was recently
appointed by the Navajo Nation Council -just before the tribe broke ground on its first
casino in Arizona.
"I thank the Council for having the
confidence in me to represent the entire
Navajo Nation on the Arizona Indian
Gaming Association," Butler said. "The
Navajo Nation is a newcomer to Indian
Gaming, but we have made great strides
in such a short time and strong advocacy
is greatly needed in order to protect our
interest within this industry -- even more
than ever."
As the 22nd Navajo Nation Council
recently passed its 90-day milestone, Butler
joins the AIGA as its newest executive
committee secretary, and pledges to represent
the Navajo Nation as it works to diversify
economic development in the state.
"We must also work to diversify economic
development on the Navajo Nation, and not
just focus on the gaming industry," Butler
said. "We must look at tourism, arts and
crafts, and helping small business owners
get established within the local economy of
our new gaming areas."
The AIGA serves as a clearinghouse, and
educational, legislative and public policy
resource for tribes, policymakers and the
public on Indian gaming issues and tribal
community development. It is a non-profit
organization and has a membership of 19
tribes representing 90 percent of Indian
people living on reservations in Arizona.
Yavapai-Apache Nation Councilwoman
Linda Evans has served on the AIGA
executive committee for nearly a year and a
half, and she welcomes Butler's initiative to
help move the association's efforts forward.
"He will be a valuable asset to the
organization due to his knowledge in the
public relations industry," Evans said. "As a
former communications director, he knows
the news media and will help the association
in the decision-making process. He's a good
candidate to not just represent the Navajo
Nation, but all of Indian Country in this
state."
As a newcomer to the gaming industry,
the Navajo Nation is able to strengthen selfsufficiency and independence, depending
less on the federal government for
handouts. Butler states that while gaming
isn't the answer to all the nation's economic
problems, the nation needs to focus on the
benefits of employment and job training.
Current unemployment rates on the Navajo
Nation are soaring past 50 percent and
approximately 75-cents of every dollar is
spent off the reservation, Butler said. His
plan is to keep those dollars on the Navajo
Nation.
As Navajo adds more casinos to its
enterprises, Butler stated that he plans to
address social problems that may arise due
to gambling on the reservation.
"As an advocate for the health and
well-being of our Navajo people, I have
an agenda to also promote and bring much
more attention to the negative impacts of
gaming, such as neglect, domestic violence,
alcoholism and gamblers addiction," said
Butler.
Butler was appointed to the Human
Development sub-Committee of the Navajo
Nation Council. This committee will
eventually act as the oversight committee
for the tribe's Divisions of Social Services,
Health and Education. The Navajo Nation
Council has also formed a gaming task force
to assist in gaming compact negotiations
and other related matters.
U.S. EDA Invests to Support Native
American Tribes and Job Growth Efforts in
Arizona, California, and Montana
Navajo Councilman Butler named to state Indian Gaming group
Arizona Native Scene—11
Spotlight News
www.nativescene.com
Sacred Tobacco — Ho-Chunk Nation wants military
authorities to stop confiscating it
Reprinted by Permission
by American Legion Magazine
By Philip M. Callaghan
February 1, 2011
W
hat is it that makes tobacco such
a sacred object in the spiritual world of
American Indians?
"It's not an item that we smoke at
our leisure," says Wilfrid Cleveland,
president of the Ho-Chunk Nation in
central Wisconsin. "It's a blessing from the
Creator. He gave us this tobacco to use in
our ceremonies, to ask Him for guidance."
Sacred tobacco, Cleveland says, is no
different from crosses, rosaries, Bibles or
any other important religious objects. Most
Ho-Chunks carry it with them, or keep it
near them, in small pouches. When they
join the military, their sacred tobacco goes
with them.
"From the beginning of time, we had
our ceremonies, and we were in unison
with the Creator and the things around us,"
Cleveland says. "The harmony that we live
in with creation - part of that is our sacred
ceremonies, and our elders offer tobacco to
the Great Spirit for safekeeping our young
ones going off to war."
Because sacred tobacco has a greenishbrown color - and usually looks quite
different from the processed, chemicaladded version packed into cigarettes - it
is sometimes mistaken for marijuana.
Over the years, several American Indian
servicemembers have had their tobacco
pouches confiscated by military authorities.
The contents are tested and determined
to be perfectly legal but are almost never
returned to the individuals.
The Ho-Chunk Nation wants the
Department of Defense to stop taking its
sacred tobacco.
Robert Mann is a veterans service officer
for the Ho-Chunks, and works closely
with three American Legion posts in the
area: 442, 556 and 129. Whenever a tribal
member's tobacco is confiscated in boot
camp, during personnel inspections, or just
before overseas deployments, Mann usually
becomes involved. He thinks that some
DoD personnel simply don't understand
the importance of sacred tobacco in the
Ho-Chunk belief system.
"You'd have to compare it to something
that's precious to you," Mann says. "Let's
say you carry a Bible. This Bible means
an awful lot to you, and you carry it at all
times. And somebody walks up and says,
‘You can't have that,' and takes it away
from you with no explanation.
"You think about our young warriors
when this tobacco is given to them, and
12—Arizona Native Scene
they're told what to use it for, and why it's
there. Then it means much more to them,
and they hold on to it tighter." So when
a drill sergeant or an inspector takes the
tobacco away, Mann says, "they're taking
a part of their life from them."
Mistaken for Marijuana. Since Aug.
11, 1978, the American Indian Religious
Freedom Act has been on the books to
protect tribal rights "to believe, express,
and exercise" their traditional religions,
including "access to sites, use and
possession of sacred objects, and the
freedom to worship through ceremonials
and traditional rites."
Less than a month after the 1978 law was
passed, Marine Corps Pfc. James Pettibone
had his sacred tobacco confiscated at Camp
Lejeune, N.C. In a statement he wrote last
year for the Ho-Chunk Nation's records,
Pettibone explained that his tobacco was
taken "because it resembled an illicit drug."
One question put to him at the time was,
"Is this that wacky tobacco you smoke to
go on the warpath?"
"Thirty-two years later," Pettibone wrote,
"we are still dealing with wars that our
sons and daughters have to contend with;
thirty-two years later, our kids die and are
still being stripped of their sacred tobacco
pouches."
Among Ho-Chunks serving in the
military, tobacco confiscation is infrequent.
But it happens often enough to remind the
tribe that some members of the armed
forces continue to violate federal law, and
remain ignorant about American Indian
beliefs.
In 2009, Marcus Carriaga had his
tobacco confiscated by U.S. Navy customs
when his Marine unit deployed to Qatar.
Mann believes that most such incidents go
unreported.
James Greendeer, who joined the Marine
Corps in 1959, thinks the use of marijuana
by troops in the Vietnam War caused
military authorities to become suspicious
of sacred tobacco. Greendeer says he never
had problems overseas with his tobacco or
another sacred item he took from his Deer
Clan's war bundle.
A former veterans service officer for
the Ho-Chunks, Greendeer believes that
marijuana use in the military is "why our
Native Americans are being denied to have
the sacred Indian tobacco. It's been more
restrictive since the Vietnam era."
The Ho-Chunks never felt the need
to explain their religious beliefs to the
military or any other federal agency. "We
never made a loud commotion about who
the Ho-Chunk people are," Mann says. "We
just passed along the traditions down to our
children. But now we see that, because of
the drug problems the United States has,
they are more scrutinizing."
A Warrior's Protection. The importance
of sacred tobacco to Ho-Chunks, especially
for those going to war, can be difficult
for others to grasp. When an Army drill
sergeant forced Pfc. Conroy Greendeer
Jr., to surrender his tobacco pouch at Fort
Sill, Okla., in 2003, he poured the sacred
material on the ground, called it contraband,
and told Greendeer he had no rights that
permitted him special consideration.
Recounting this incident in a Dec. 29,
2003, letter to Secretary of the Army Les
Brownlee, then-tribal president George
Lewis wrote that the Army's actions "have
dishonored the traditions of the Ho-Chunk
Nation. American Indian warriors have a
long and illustrious history of sacrifice and
service in the armed forces of the United
States, and the extremely serious nature
of this incident has the potential to affect
all Indians who serve in the United States
military."
According to DoD, American Indians
historically have the highest rate of military
service per capita compared to other ethnic
groups. Many Ho-Chunks have died in
combat overseas, defending a country their
ancestors once warred against. One of the
tribe's fallen warriors, Cpl. Mitchell Red
Cloud Jr., received the Medal of Honor
for his actions in the Korean War on Nov.
5, 1950. Stationed on the point of a ridge
right in front of his company's command
post, Red Cloud was the first to face an
onslaught of Chinese Communist troops
charging from a brush-covered area less
than 100 feet away.
Firing into the oncoming enemy wave
with his automatic rifle, Red Cloud delayed
the assault and gained time for his company
to defend itself. When Cpl. Red Cloud died
for his country, his sacred tobacco was with
him.
In Vietnam, Andrew Thunder Cloud
carried a pouch of tobacco given to him
by his grandfather, who taught him about
its purpose and how to use it. "Before you
leave for Vietnam, go down to the ocean
and put tobacco in the ocean for the Water
Spirit," his grandfather advised. "Tell Him
that you're going to be crossing the water
and that you want a safe journey. When
you get to the country that you're going to,
put tobacco on the ground and offer it to
God ... you're at the playground, and you're
going to go play with the enemy. Ask Him
to ensure your safety."
Thunder Cloud was a Navy corpsman
whose tour in Vietnam lasted from January
1967 to March 1968. His tribal elders
told him to use his tobacco "when I was
going into something difficult, or to use the
tobacco when I returned from something
that was difficult. And thanking God that
I had made it through that ordeal safely.
So that's what I did. I don't think I overdid
it, but I found myself using my tobacco
frequently."
When Thunder Cloud finished his
Vietnam tour and arrived in Okinawa, his
sacred tobacco was confiscated, tested
and never returned. He asked an officer
to put his tobacco into a fire, instead of
just throwing it away. "He said, ‘Will do,
Doc.' Whether he ever did or not, I don't
know. But I tend to think the colonel was a
man of honor. I'd like to think he kept his
promise."
Enforcement and Education. If the
sacred objects of American Indians are
already protected by federal law, why
doesn't the military enforce zero-tolerance
of confiscations that are clearly illegal?
Every Monday morning, in front of the
tribe's administrative building, the U.S.
flag is raised while Ho-Chunks sing songs
that honor their warriors. "Some of them
never came back. Some came back, but
they were different from before because of
what they witnessed, what they did in the
war," Cleveland says. "So every Monday
morning, we raise the flag."
The Ho-Chunk president says it's
frustrating that, given the wartime sacrifices
his nation has made, legally protected sacred
objects are still confiscated. "We understand
the mindset of this society that dominates
us, and it has no real consideration for what
(a warrior) is carrying with him and the
sacredness of it."
In 2009, William Goodbear was upset
when he heard that two Marines from his
tribe had tobacco pouches taken away when
they returned from Iraq. So he approached
Ray Lopez, who was commander of Post
129 in Black River Falls, to pass a resolution
that would call for a policy change.
"He carried through, and got something
passed on the district level," Goodbear
says. "So maybe on the state level we can
do something about this."
David Kurtz, adjutant of The American
Legion's Department of Wisconsin, thinks
the key to solving the issue is education.
DoD has to do a better job in teaching its
own people that sacred tobacco is not a
controlled substance.
"It's got to be a priority of leadership to
penetrate down to the drill instructors, to the
NCOs, get down to where the rubber meets
the road and educate them," Kurtz says.
"The military has so many administrative
procedures to deal with somebody who
enlists with different medical needs, or if
they have different religious beliefs. It's a
question of willingness to accommodate
these beliefs."
See next page
Spotlight News
www.nativescene.com
Sacred Tobacco
A Great Place to Work!
From page 12
Kurtz doesn't see any good reason why
the military can't solve the problem. He
refers to a 1996 executive order signed by
President Bill Clinton, protecting American
Indian sacred sites, as an example of the
federal government's commitment to
resolve such issues favorably. Perhaps
another executive order is needed to
finally drive home the message that sacred
tobacco is not to be confiscated. Or maybe
another amendment, as the Ho-Chunks
recommended in a 2004 resolution that
urged Congress to "include traditional
tribal practices relating to the carrying of
sacred materials by Indian members" of the
military.
"Does it mean a congressional
investigation?" Kurtz asks. "Is that what
it would take to impress the leadership in
DoD?
"Sexual harassment, sexual assault,
substance abuse, drinking - these things
have been sufficiently emphasized by the
leadership, and have penetrated to the boots
on the ground that these kinds of behavior
are not tolerated," Kurtz says. "That same
type of emphasis, making these sacred
objects a priority, will solve this problem."
For God and Country. Whether or not
DoD decides to train its personnel more
effectively, Cleveland wants to see another
federal law passed that would specifically
protect "our items that we feel are sacred
to us, when our young men and women are
making the ultimate sacrifice and going out
to war for the United States."
Mann says sacred tobacco is linked
to a warrior's spirit, and that spirit lives
on forever when a Ho-Chunk is killed in
action. "This is part of our belief system. It
is very sacred to us. Trying to explain this
to people who don't understand is really
hard, because you have to live this life to
understand it."
Whatever one's religious beliefs and
whatever objects a servicemember holds
sacred, they need to be respected by
military authorities, Kurtz says. "As
veterans, as Americans, we respect each
other's beliefs.
"So if we're going to associate with
our brothers and sisters in all branches
of the services, from all races, colors and
creeds, it starts with those words: ‘For
God and Country.' That's the beginning
of camaraderie, and that's what we're all
about."
Sitting in a large room with many
photographs on the walls depicting HoChunks who have served in war, Mann
holds up his pouch of sacred tobacco and
says, "If you take this away from me right
now, I'd be hurt. And I would cry, because
it's part of my life."
Whenever the military confiscates a
pouch of sacred tobacco, it hurts that
person not only mentally, but spiritually,
Mann explains. "That's what I think a lot of
people don't understand, the spiritual part
of a Native American's life. We're a very
spiritual people, and that spirituality goes
real deep and far.
"So when you take this tobacco away, it's
taking a part of our life. It's like you took
a knife and stabbed that person. You might
as well have done that, because what you're
doing to that person is hurting (him)."
Philip M. Callaghan is media marketing
director for The American Legion.
The Maricopa Community Colleges, are
lifelong learning institutions with great
facilities, and full benefits. Job opportunities
exist in faculty positions (part-time and fulltime), management, technology, support
staff, facilities and other areas.
For additional information, employment opportunities and application, visit us online at:
www.maricopa.edu/hrweb
or visit Maricopa Community Colleges District Office
2411 W. 14th Street, Tempe, Arizona 85281, 480.731.8444
ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED ONLINE.
MCCCD is an EEO/AA Institution.
Twenty Fifth Annual
POW WOW
at Arizona State University
April 22, 23, 24, 2011
ASU Band Practice Field, Sixth Street & Rural Road, Tempe, Arizona
Friday
5:30 pm - Gourd Dance
7:00 pm - Grand Entry
Saturday
11:30 am & 5:30 pm- Gourd Dance
1:00 & 7:30 pm - Grand Entry
Sunday
11:30 am - Gourd Dance
1:00 pm - Grand Entry
• HEAD STAFF •
HOST NORTHERN DRUM……...……Stoney Park, Exshaw, Alberta
HOST SOUTHERN DRUM…………...Sizzortail, Shawnee, Oklahoma
MASTER OF CEREMONIES………...Sammy Tonekei White, Anadarko, Oklahoma
CO-EMCEE…………………………….Dennis Bowen, Tuba City, Arizona
ARENA DIRECTOR…………………..Darrell Goodwill, Fort Qu’Apelle, Saskatchewan
HEAD JUDGE…………………………Tahnee Baker, Tempe, Arizona
HEAD GOURD DANCER. . ..………..Harold Kenton, San Carlos, Arizona
♦ CONTEST CATEGORIES ♦
MEN’S (18 - 49 yrs)
Northern Traditional
6 and under
Southern Straight
Prairie Chicken Dance
Grass Dance
GOLDEN AGE
Fancy Dance
50 years and over WOMEN’S (18-49 years)
Northern Traditional
Men’s and
Southern Traditional
Fancy Shawl
Women’s
TINY TOTS
Jingle Dress
TEEN BOYS’ (13 - 17 yrs)
N & S Traditional
Fancy Dance
Grass Dance
JUNIOR BOYS’ (7-12 yrs)
N & S Traditional
Fancy Dance
Grass Dance
TEEN GIRLS’ (13-17 yrs)
N & S Traditional
Fancy Shawl
Jingle Dress
JUNIOR GIRLS’ (7-12 yrs)
N & S Traditional
Fancy Shawl
Jingle Dress
Tiny Tots Pow Wow - Saturday, 7:00 to 7:30 pm
DRUM
CONTEST
Sound
System will
be provided
Committee
will NOT
provide
chairs.
$1.00 off Admission with Donation of a Food or Hygiene Item for our Native American Troops
Arts & Crafts Spaces Available:
• Native American Artists Only
• Proof of Enrollment Required
•Fee for 12’x15’ Booth Space:
$300.00 – Pay by March 27, 2011
$350.00 – After March 27, 2011
Deadline: Friday, April 15, 2011
Food Booth by Committee ONLY
Admission:
Adults
$10.00
Students $7.00
3-day Pass - $20.00
☻No Charge for
Spectators Under 6,
and over 60 years
Singer & Dancer
Registration: $10.00
For More Information:
Call 480.965.5224
Email: [email protected]
URL: powwow.asu.edu
Host Hotel:
Hampton Inn & Suites
$79.00 per night
480.675.9799
Sponsored by: ASU Pow Wow Committee, Post Office Box 248, Tempe, Arizona, 85280
Co-Sponsors: ASU Office of the President,
ASU Office of the Vice President for Educational Outreach & Student Services
ASU Student & Cultural Engagement, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community of Minnesota
Tonto Apache Tribe, Yavapai Prescott Indian Tribe, Casino Arizona
Sac and Fox Nation of Missouri, Gathering of Nations
Alcohol and other drugs will not be tolerated. Not responsible for accidents, thefts, damages or short-funded travelers.
Arizona Native Scene—13
Calendar of Events
April 9
Phoenix Indian Center Silver
and Turquoise Ball and
Fund Raiser at Talking Stick
Resort on Indian Bend Road,
SRPMIC. Call 602-264-6768
www.phxindcenter.org
April 22-24
25th Annual ASU Pow Wow
ASU Band Practice Field
powwow.asu.edu
April 23 - Sat. 9:00 AM
ASU Alumni Annual Spring
Breakfast with special guest
speaker the newly appointed
Special Advisor to the ASU
President for American Indian
Affairs Diane Humetewa.
ASU Karsten Golf Club
1125 E. Rio Salado Parkway
Tempe, call 480-917-2153
April 25 - 27
Construction in Indian Country
International Conference. Wild
Horse Pass Hotel and Casino,
Chandler, AZ. 480-727-3105
http://construction.asu.edu/ciic
email: [email protected]
April 27
Native American Youth
Coalition Meeting/Potluck
presented by NDNS4
Wellness, American Indian
Prevention Coalition
4520 N. Central, Phoenix
For info, contact Kerry at 480338-7092
www.nativescene.com
April 28 - 30
Gathering of Nations Pow
Wow, Albuquerque at the
University of New Mexico
Basketball Arena, "The Pit."
www.gatheringofnations.com
April 30: 10:00 AM -12 Noon
Spring Storytelling with John
Salabye at Native American
Community Service Building
4520 N. Central Ave., Phoenix
Call Freddie at 602-264-6768
or email fjohnson@
phxindcenter.org
May 2 - 7
Bylas Alcohol Awareness
Week, Bylas, AZ
Featuring James & Ernie
on May 6 at 6 PM with JR
Redwater and LeAndra Bitsie.
Call 928-475-3050.
May 4 & 5 at Noon to 1 PM
Brown bag luncheon guest
speaker Robyn L. Interpreter.
Estate planning, real estate,
land title, business, and federal
Indian law and tribal law.
Native American Community
Service Center, 4520 N.
Central, Phoenix.
May 6 - 8
18th Annual Red Road
AA Convention "Steps to a
Spiritual Awakening"
Sandia Courtyard Hotel
Albuquerque, NM
Call 505-220-1729
June 6-7
Arizona Indian Education
Association 2011 Parent
Conference, "Empowering our
Native Families", Glendale
Community College
480-731-8744
June 13-17
Society of American Indian
Government Employees
8th Annual National Training
Conference, Tulsa, Oklahoma
www.saige.org or contact:
[email protected]
June 28 - July 1
Living Well Traditionally
Youth Camp at Chauncey
Ranch, Mayer, Arizona
$50.00 per child for ages 9-14
years old. Physical exams
needed plus registration
at Native Health, 4520 N.
Central, 3rd Floor, Phoenix.
602-279-5262, ext. 3411.
Valley Indian Organizations:
AIPCoalition: 602-241-1600
Heard Museum: 602-252-8840
ITCA 602-258-4822
Native American Connections
602-254-3247
Native Health: 602-279-5262
Phx Ind Center: 602-263-1017
PIMC: 602-263-1200
Pueblo Grande Museum:
602-495-0901
_______________
Social Security offers online tools
Social Security Administration now
offers several new online tools to
communicate with our customers. SSA is
enlisting community support in educating
tribal communiies about Social Security
programs and the wealth of information and
tools available online.
Comprehensive information is provided
to the community by integrating information
about Social Security benefits and services.
SSA ask that tribal officials add a link
on your tribal website to our website,
www.socialsecurity.gov. By linking to our
website, you will have immediate access to
tools specifically designed for retirement
planning and our other online Social
Security services.
SSA representatives are available to
meet with tribal representatives and/or
send you materials to 1) promote the use of
online applications for benefits; 2) promote
business services online; 3) promote the
use of online benefit planners; 4) promote
the use of the Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQs).
Any questions? Please contact Social
Security Administration, Kimberly Yellow
Robe, American Indian Public Affairs
Specialist at (866)964-1941 ext.14050 or
email at [email protected].
SAIGE announces Youth Track
The Society of American Indian
Government Employees (SAIGE) is the
only national non-profit organization that
advocates for American Indian and Alaska
Native government employees. SAIGE will
host their 8th annual training conference,
“Service, Honor, Respect: Strengthening
our Cultures and Communities,” June
13-17, 2011 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at the
Cherokee Hard Rock Hotel.
As part of
the Training Conference, SAIGE will also
host the annual Native Youth Track. This
program is designed to provide Native
students an opportunity to learn about
careers within the federal government, to
participate in professional and personal
development workshops and training,
and to network with Native American
professionals. SAIGE encourages Native
youth to realize their potential to become
leaders in their communities and schools,
continue their education by obtaining a
college degree, and ultimately, to seek a
career in the government sector in one of
the multitude of civil service professions.
Federal agency representatives attending
the conference have the opportunity to
meet students, participate as exhibitors, and
promote career opportunities within their
respective agencies.
BRONCO
HOMES
NEW – USED – REPOS
1-2-3-4-5 Bdrm Homes
Trade-ins
Welcome
GOOD CREDIT
BAD CREDIT
OR NO CREDIT
NO RISK QUALIFYING
FREE GIFT
$ CARD $
with
Purchase!
Over 100 Homes
in Inventory
Model Close-out
Easy Qualifying
All Applications Accepted
Drive A Little
Save A LOT
2849 E. Main Street, Mesa (Lindsey & Main Street)
1-800-487-0712
14—Arizona Native Scene
Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community
Foster Care Program
The Foster Care Program is searching for interested
Native American families/individuals to train and
license for foster care. Can you provide a safe and
loving home for a child in need? If Yes, please call
Avarae John, MA for eligibility and requirements
or more information at 480-362-5645.
The SRP-MIC Foster Care Program will be
celebrating Foster Care Month in May and would
like to extend a great appreciation and gratitude to
our current foster parents, who are committed to
the health and well-being of our children and our
Community.
Arizona Native Scene—15
8 TH A N N U A L
CONSTRUCTION IN
INDIAN COUNTRY
INTERNATIONAL
CONFERENCE
APRIL 25-27, 2011
NEW WILD HORSE PASS HOTEL AND CASINO | CHANDLER, ARIZONA
PRESENTS
TRIBES & INDUSTRY: PARTNERING
FOR ECONOMIC REBOUND
UP-TO-DATE TOPICS RELATED TO THE HOUSING, HEALTHCARE, EDUCATION,
GAMING, HOSPITALITY, AND RETAIL INDUSTRY, INCLUDE:
// ECONOMIC RECOVERY
STRATEGIES
// EXPLORING INDIGENOUS
MATERIALS
// FINANCING AND FUNDING
YOUR PROJECTS
// TRIBES AND BONDING
// COMPANY MENTORSHIP
CONFERENCE FEES
EXHIBIT FEES
$545 American Indian by 04/15/11
$595 American Indian On-Site
$800 Exhibit
$645 Industry by 04/15/11
$695 Industry On-Site
$150 Per Golf Player
GOLF MIXER FEES
$1,500 Golf Corporate
Sponsorship
HOTEL INFORMATION
// CULTURAL PRESENTATIONS
// CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS
// CHANGE ORDERS AND
MUCH MORE!
GOLF MIXER*
APRIL 25, 2011
WHIRLWIND
GOLF CLUB
SPONSORED BY
NEW WILD HORSE PASS HOTEL & CASINO
5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd.
Chandler, AZ 85226
Call: 520.796.4900 for reservations
Or visit: www.wingilariver.com/wild-horse-pass
Discounted Rate: $110 single/double
Cut off date: April 17, 2011
Be sure to reference the “Construction in Indian
Country Conference” to get your discounted rate.
* ADDITIONAL
FEE APPLIES
SPONSORSHIP
OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE.
REGISTER BY APRIL 15
AND SAVE!
FOR MORE INFORMATION: WEBSITE: http://construction.asu.edu/ciic EMAIL: [email protected]
16—Arizona Native Scene