A House Divided...

First, I would like to apologize to everyone out there who visits our website for not keeping up with this forum, for I lost my password and needed to retrieve it. My apologies.

In recent days, I have heard some comments from different associates on various subjects. I would like to discuss the subjects that have been brought to the forefront. I heard negative comments concerning Intertribal groups, Nations who have divisions of policy, who has authority in Spiritual matters, the list goes on. It seems we have more to complain about a present than what we have to compliment or celebrate. I find that to be very counterproductive of what we are trying to do- which is to bring our people together in peace and heal the hoop of Mother Earth. So now, let's break this down point to point in order to understand why we all need to support one another in a unified effort.

The comment was made that there is no accountability in Intertribals. True, Intertribal Organizations consist of many Nations and cultures under one unified group, but there is an accountability present. I think one believes that there is a mixing of cultures and traditions among alot of Intertribal Organizations, and that may be true to a small degree. I for one don't mix other members traditions, customs, or culture into my own. I've heard of others outside Apache Del Rio who go to Lakota Sundances, and run Lakota sweats, and do Tepee Ceremonies but are a different nation. Before you ask about our accountability, where does yours lie? I am accountable to my people, The Lipan Apaches of Texas, but am responsible to be a shining example to the members of Apache Del Rio. Responsibility is Accountability.

Another comment was that the ongoing friction between the Lipan Apache Band and the Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas would keep any of these from Federal Recognition because they were considered "splinter groups." I think this is just confusion on what a splinter group is, for the definition would be, "...a faction or sect that has broken away from its parent organization; group of members of a political party or of a similar organization who have decided to create their own organization." This is not the case entirely. The Lipan Apaches are neither an organization, nor a political party. The reasons for the two groups is just difference of opinion- it has happened before with us and the Navajos. If that were the case, the Navajos would have their recognition stripped of them because the are a splinter group of Apaches. So to avoid the confusion, this is Robert Soto's explanation of the contradicting titles,"...Someone asked me why we chose to change the name from Band to Tribe. Since it was my suggestion to begin with that the council voted and accepted, I suggested it because the word 'band' noted a small group of people. Traditionally, the Lipan Apaches were divided into fourteen bands. Some of us know what band we came from and so we try to keep those traditions as best as we can. So historically we were a tribe divided into fourteen bands. When we were known as a band, I felt we were narrowing the direction of our people to one or two small groups. The word 'tribe' denotes community, or the whole. The name 'Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas' now lets the people of the world know that we are a tribe, fourteen bands working together as one." So to conclude, this would not be grounds to say they have splintered- just wishful thinking on the Lipan Tribe's part. We are not concerned about recognition, the BIA has the deck stacked against us for far too long. The only way Native Nations will gain sovereign status as a whole is to abolish the Bureau of Indian Affairs.


There were comments floating around about myself putting down ceremonies and customs of sovereign nations. I assure you I have the utmost respect for all sacred traditions, customs, and ceremonies as well as objects of spiritual importance to my people and other nations. I heard one statement that just made me wonder what makes any person think like this, "Where does he/she get here authority to perform a ceremony?" Who indeed! I for one have always said that no man has authority over spiritual ceremonies. No one needs to ask any individual for the right to have a sweat, or perform any ceremony that has been given to our people freely. The Creator gave us our ceremonies and belief systems, and I for one do not want to put myself in his position of judging who has authority to pour water, heal, sing, etc. No one is master of Native spirituality, and there is no one Chief except Yusn himself, or whomever you call him.

Sometimes we all believe we are the only people who act like "Indians" in this present day. We are the only one's preserving our traditions while using modern day blankets to cover our sweats instead of buffalo hides, or keeping it real while mixing other religions or customs into our own and stating others are just being "new age." We all at times think we are the supreme authority when it comes to knowing what it takes to be a "real Indian." Truth of the matter is we are all still learning in this life. The cycle of life goes from infancy to old age, but goes back to infancy. We need to look at life through a child's view, always humble with no judgement of who is right or wrong. "A house divided can not stand...", this is an old saying but a true viewpoint. If we keep making comments about everything a person or group is doing wrong, what support are we offering to help them correct it? Do we feel confident we are in the right? My father in law was a professional painter and contractor, and he taught me alot about houses. Without the load bearing walls in a house, the structure would collapse onto itself. Our people are those walls and we are the house, without our communities, we would simply collapse from the world's pressures. So, we need to rely upon the strength of our own people, and the indigenous relations of Turtle Island. Without our support, we all suffer the collapse of our way of life.