Selling the sacred...at what cost to us?

It's been an epidemic among the native community for years; sweat ceremonies for $2500, vision quest for $4000, Naming ceremonies for $500. It seems there is never a shortage of scammers, frauds, culture vultures, plastic medicine men, shame-ons, con artist, and charlatans. But, what are we as true Indigenous people doing when it comes to our sacred ceremonies? Are we inviting those who share our culture and traditions, or are we mixing with pupils of new age philosophies? Are we conducting ceremonies for the right reasons or for showing of to non-Native how much we know of those sacred ways? We become the exploiters when we allow such people to learn of our ceremonies without teaching them the proper respect for those ceremonies. Without proper respect, we lose our traditions and ceremonies to those who would profit off them or mix them with eastern religious teachings or far worse. Every culture has deep respect for the spiritual traditions of their people, and have for centuries stressed proper protocol and procedures for carrying out these sacred tasks. Most of all the stress the importance of respecting those ceremonies that they hold most sacred of all. We need to do the same, or we will continue to have these people take advantage of our own people. When we facilitate our own exploitation by letting New Agers partake of our ceremonies without teaching them the importance of not mixing beliefs with our sacred teachings, then we have no one to blame but ourselves. All of us need to do our part in keeping our teachings in a undiluted form and teach proper respect- for with Knowledge comes a great responsibility.

Playing Indian- the trend continues...

First to all, Happy New Year; I hope that all find success and happiness in your endeavors. Last year was a banner year for controversy and scandal, especially among the Native scene of who was NDN or not, who was a self proclaimed medicine man, those with "Indian" names, blah, blah, blah...yada, yada. My gripe of the new year has become an epidemic for scorns of years by those who seek to so call "honor" Native culture- I am talking of Indian Hobbyists. What is an Indian Hobbyist, you say? A Indian Hobbyist is someone who dress and perform traditional dance in order to recreate the authentic Indigenous experience of the First Peoples. These people seek the authenticity of this land before the occupation by AmeroEuropean settlers. This type of activity has been popular since the early 1950's. By 1960 you could find a slew of "Indian Hobbyist" pow wows in almost every corner of the US. They even started a Newsletter in 1954 for other hobbyist to get information on pow wows, crafts, how to obtain authentic eagle feathers, and how to articles on making warclubs and hairpieces. Tourism has been the biggest factor in making these hobbyist organizations popular, having those members "playing Indian" to boost sales at RV parks, Curio stores, and other public events. These people hurt the reputation of "authentic" Indigenous cultures who respect the traditions of there people. We don't play Indian, we are Indian! These hobbyist have no clue what our people suffered to retain this knowledge of our own cultures, the real meaning behind our traditions and ceremonies, or the spiritual connections of our dances and songs. They don't have respect for the Regalia we wear, buying thousands of dollars worth of "authentic Native dress" to prance around in and display there "knowledge" of traditional Indian Dance. We even have some Native American organizations who invite such "Indian Hobbyists" to participate in their pow wows. This is a big problem for our Indigenous communities, and we need to shun such people from participating in our events for they do nothing to honor our people. These hobbyist are nothing more than exploiters of the Indigenous cultures that have survive near extinction to keep their traditions intact. Natives don't exploit their own culture, and neither should we enable others to do so. So please, ask any "Indian Hobbyist" to stop "Playing Indian" for it's time to grow up.

New Look for 2009

Hello my fellow onlookers of Apache del Rio's website... this is the new look for our blog for 2009. I apologize for not posting here that much, but we will tackle alot of issues here in 2009, so look for our first blog of the year in January.

If it sounds too good to be true..?

It never ceases to amaze me the amount of those who want to be the primary "chief" of all things Native in this area. You have people who only want to control the very being of what is "Indian" because they have some misguided sense of anger, frustration or obligation to one's people. What is even sadder is Urban Indians attacking other Urban Indians for not being traditional, not having a connection to their ancestors or their people. But they sit high and mighty on land they purchased from the blood of their ancestors, watching cable TV, wearing commercial clothing and eating commercially processed foods, while using the Internet to blog about how the rest of us should be more connected with our ancestors. What is the purpose of attacking people because they feel they should have "native" sounding names? What help is this to your ancestors, and why would you dishonor them by this shallow attack on Native society? People talk about how EuroAmerica society keeps trying to divide our people and how there are those who side with them by forming nonprofit Organizations, organizing pow wows for tourists and taking on Native sounding names. But isn't the biggest enemy to the Indigenous community self-hating Natives? I am not talking about Native people who want to be Emo, but those people who divide their own. They have a warped sense of righteousness that they thinly hide behind terms like "radical" or "just" behaviors. I just don't see how natives of today are hurting our ancestors, since we are the representatives of our ancestors, by taking on "Native" names or following the red road to the best of their ability. I heard that taking on a name like Two Bears from Baca or Ravenhawk from Guillermo is just falling into the control of EuroAmerican "colonizer" attitude, but isn't telling people that they can't keep those names the real "colonist" attitude? Assimilation policies were made "to kill the Indian to save the man", and was to strip any type of identity the Native people had to their former way of life. Unfortunately, among the Native community this still continues even with our own people. If you really feel that we need to do away with taking on Native names, teaching society about Native Americans, or having a cultural Identity- then do yourself a favor and stop speaking the oppressor's language of English! That would stop alot of this from happening.

Why not just be a positive role model for those who are seeking their path among the Red Road, is that too much to ask? We need to bring our people together in unity and a common purpose, not start blaming everyone for what transpired 519 years ago. Our ancestors already shed blood during this period, so the argument of dishonoring their memory is somewhat moot. What has happened has happened for a reason whether it be good or bad. We are being asked now by our ancestors to move forward and learn the "white man's ways", so we can level the playing field and use their knowledge against them. I am not saying that those who wanted to keep the EuroAmerican hordes out of Indian land are wrong, might doesn't bring peace- and neither does pacifism. Strength of the people is what made Nations great, so if a person's view sound like a credible argument, I ask you to take another look at what you would consider as truth.

One man Dog and Pony show

I been talking to my close Native friends about all the events that we have going and have to get ready for, and we all talk in some fashion about individuals who like to dominate over certain events. The most popular response I get when we discuss this line of thought is, "..it is a team effort, not a one man job." Why do so many of us in this Native society have the behavior pattern to be domineering? Why does it seem everyone wants to be a Chief, but not the Indian? Sorry for the stereotypical statement, but the words hold true.

Seems today everyone wants to be the leader, but in order to lead what does one have to do first? One must learn to follow! Let's put it into a way that we all can relate- You go to your favorite Indian store, Wal Mart, and purchase a RTA Entertainment center (for those who don't know, RTA stands for ready to assemble.) to display your brand new Plasma screen. You take everything out of the box, and low and behold- no instructions. Being the master builder you are, because no one can put this together better than you, you press on and put every piece together in a logical order. Now you are finished, and the piece looks more like a bookcase for the disturbed and some pieces are still remaining. If only you had a guide to follow?...Hmmm.......

Projects are never easy for one person to handle, especially with no guide to follow. I remember the old saying, "Two heads are better than one." We must be willing not just to lead, but follow a framework for any endeavor we undertake. We not just need to be commanding, but we also need to be humble in receiving other viewpoints, criticism, along with differing ideas and opinions.When we work together, more gets accomplished, and we all share in the aftereffects of our labors. Leave the the "me only" attitude to the Dog and Pony.

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.

Witte Museum- Give Back Our Ancestors

I recently attended a protest against the Witte Museum, an institution that has been around San Antonio since 1926. They had obtain a collection of Native American remains in 1928 from Seminole Canyon located near Del Rio, TX. These bones have been in dry storage for years until a St. Mary's Native American Student Association member photographed the remains during a pow wow held by United San Antonio Pow Wow Organization at the Witte. A plan of action was instituted, and we are now asking the Witte out of common courtesy to give the bones back over to the Native community for reburial.

The argument that the Witte has given our community is that the bones are not related to any of the Texas Indians tribes, because they were here long before any tribe developed in this state. The validity of this argument is ludicrous at best, and completely out of context with regards to common sense. One would never say such statements regarding their own heritage, then why make inflammatory remarks against any Native group? If we would go digging up the Museum employees' Great Great Grandparents stating we are doing so in the name of scientific research, we would be locked up for grave robbing- not to mention having to give the remains back for reburial at our expense. Not only do they claim their crime was done in the name of science, but they use the very laws that were enacted to protect our burial grounds from being exploited on our people. For any group to get back the bones, a Federally Recognized Tribe must lay claim to the remains and prove a connection to them. I wish that was true to the money the Federal Government asks from us in the lieu of Income Taxes- at least that's what I think.

The Witte, just like the Bureau of Indian Affairs, keeps using the laws to circumvent their treachery against the Native people and will keep dong it until the Federal Government steps up and actually enforces their own laws and treaties that they themselves have broken by deceitful means. So to be courteous to the Texas Native community- do the right thing Witte and give the remains back without spewing legal doubletalk.

Respect-the lost art of humanity

I was taking my children to school this morning, as I do every morning, and I proceeded to escort them to breakfast in the school cafeteria. As I await my children to emerge from the food line, the school's custodian proceeds to ask some students to vacate the premises so other students can use the space to eat. The 8 young men proceed to talk back and refuse the custodian's request, as to challenge his authority over their actions. I then proceeded to intervene , as well as a teachers aide, to support the Head Custodian's request for the young men to leave and head for class. They finally picked up and left after the confrontation, only to have 2 of the young men come back and complain to a parent who proceeded to give me ugly stares.

This is a prime example of what I have been preaching about for years with school district officials- parents refusing to take responsibility for their child's actions and leaving the schools to deal with disciplining their children only to be criticized when it is not fair in the eyes of the parents. This kind of problem could be easily solved by one word- R-E-S-P-E-C-T , just like Aretha belts it out. Respect is a two way street, in order to receive respect one must practice it!
Parents no longer discipline their children for two reasons- first, for fear of Government agency interference (Child Protective Services seems to have a lot of time on their hands going after people who spank rather than people who have histories of beating their children severely); and secondly, they feel since they send their kids to school, it is the responsibility of the school to deal with their children indiscretions while in their care. So what have we derived from this attitude? Parents are the blame for how children act at school, not the schools or other environments such as video games or the media. We are the foundation for our children to learn morals and manners, so why do we turn that over to people who know very little about our children? So, respect your children by teaching your children to respect others.

Cultural Identity Theft

We all seen the commercials about "Identity Theft" and read or seen news programs on the subject. People have been plague with some serious problems financially due to this so called "victimless" crime. But there is another crime that does just as much harm as someone using your personal information for monetary gain- it's called Cultural Identity Theft.

Cultural Identity theft has been rampant since before Financial Identity theft was even conceived. Some people think it is okay to portray themselves as Native Americans- sometimes at sporting events, other times as holistic healers. Others claim Native blood through dreams or other inaccurate histories or information.It seems to be an ongoing plight for our people that others see an opportunity to make profit off a community that was decimated by years of oppression and disease. Far too many "plastic" Indians are popping up all over the Americas charging for sacred ceremonies, sweats, and traditional regalia items- along with mixing other Nation's ceremonies together with New age, Wicca, Christianity, Hindu, Kabbalah, and other Eastern philosophies. This is downright an abomination against our people and the Creator who gave us these sacred rights, and no one should benefit financially through abuse of such rights. These ceremonies were given freely, and they should be receive in such a manner. This is a crime, and it should be dealt with as a crime- no outsider should ever be allowed to charge money for a gift that was given out of love for the people of Turtle Island.

If you been a victim of Cultural Identity Theft- speak out about it. We have the power to stop this crime from taking anymore victims- we been victimized enough for over 500 years.

Giving is sharing our culture

I apologize to my blog readers for being away for awhile, but this was on my mind recently. Of course, the Council met last week to discuss business and to inform our members that we used funds to help some of our community members out of some binds. One of our members mentioned that "we should help our members first rather than strangers..." and that we did not know these people. I found this attitude in almost every organization I have come across, and it always is the "Me First" syndrome.

Giving should never be about what you can get from another, or about keeping resources to your self. Giving is from the heart and a reflection of the Creator's love for his people. He gave freely to the Indigenous community- visions, teachings, animals, medicines, and creation itself and the guardianship over it. This goes back a long time, as tribal members refused the acquisition of material goods- even the Chief, the poorest of all his people, gave freely and without asking for anything in return. In the modern time we live in, we deal now with con artists and scams that harm and take advantage of Native generosity, but that should not deter us from honoring our commitment to the Creator in giving from the heart. If we keep the "Me First" attitude in our thoughts, then we become no better than those who came to oppress our people, and we dishonor our ancestor's memory along the way.

Native Americans and Mexicans- Why the controversy?

Seems like wherever I go in this state I hear the same things over and over again. We recently (Running Waters & ADRIT) were asked to go bless a park for a event that was upcoming in the near future, and were given the details of what was to be done. The next statement rang in my ears like a bad note from a out of tune piano, as the person requesting our help said they didn't want "any Azteca or Mejican drumming" at the event. I was not surprised by this statement, but I was disappointed in this particular relation as to their attitude against those of the southern land.

First of all, Native American is a misnomer (America was a name given to this land by a demented mapmaker named Amerigo Vespucci, because those who "found" the "New World" failed to name it.) given to the people of Turtle Island (both North AND South) by the United States. Because of this, most Indigenous people have a warped definition of Native, thinking being Native American means being from the United States. Native Americans encompass all Indigenous people of North America and South America, as well as the Caribbean Island area. This attitude toward our brothers to the South could be likened to the movies seen in Hollywood- when we talk about Mejicans (pronounced meh-shee-kan, not meh-hee-can) it is almost like the line by Charlton Heston in Planet of the Apes where he says "Damn you dirty apes, damn you all to hell." We need to rethink the way we perceive Aztecan/Mejican culture, because immigration is not just affecting the Mexican Nationals, it is affecting Native Peoples who enjoy the Dual citizenship of both countries- like the Tohonom O'ahdam, the Kickapoo, Lipan Apaches, etc. The Aztecan culture has survived its share of atrocities just like every other Nation here today, and they must be shown the same respect in order for our people to live in harmony and strength when the time come for the 5th world to manifest. I for one embrace our brothers to the South, and I see their culture just as important to my learning as my own Lipan heritage. We are all related by our actions to Earth Mother and the Creator, only division is the teaching of the EuroAmerican social order which is out of balance of what we are taught by our elders. Respect is the most important quality we have, and we must respect all Indigenous peoples- Mejican or not.

Keep Him In Your Prayers

Our brother, Rey Rios, is still recovering from an aneurism he suffered last week. We are so relieved that he is still here with us. Everyone needs to continue to pray for his recovery. I believe that so many prayers went out for him, it has helped him to survive and continue to gain strength.

Rey is one of the Council Members of Apache del Rio Intertribal Organization and he is also the Head Dancer for Danza Azteca de Yanaguana Tejatzlan. I know that we are all missing his company and looking forward to his return home.