THE BLACK CARD, THE REDBONE CARD?
By Gary J. Gabehart
I have a cousin, at least she claims to be (she's never been able to present the genealogy), who insists she is actually Black and not Redbone. She also insists that I, and the rest of my family, is Black as well. She of course does not have any genealogy or any other proof that there is any Black blood in the family other than she wants to be "Black." In fact, DNA studies do not indicate, in any of the lines so far, that there is any recent "Black" blood. (Yes, Ray Bridges, who claims to be Redbone and is a 4 th cousin of mine, says I am a Mexican -- that the Goins were Mexican, and I do look brown, but there is no truth to it -- except, the Goins were Mexicans after being Americans and before becoming Texicans -- Ray is really not very bright).
Yes, you can say "so what, what's the big deal?" There is of course, no big deal, I say everyone needs to be somewhere, but being Black might not be that easy. What do you do to be Black? What does Black look like? If I want to be Indian, I just braid my hair, speak in halting English, eat fry bread and spend my time at Pow Wows. See how easy it is to be an Indian? I gave you the Hollywood image and you bought into it right away. But what do you do to appear Black? Eat ethnic food? Stand in the sun all day?
Now it would seem to me if I was a Black Man or Woman, I might find it some what insulting to have an obviously "White" Woman insist that she is Black, then, on the other hand, I might just blow it off as a crazy White Woman. Personally, I do not care what she wants to be because it does not really affect me directly. But what do you do with a relation who accuses you of being a racist because you refuse to go along with her "Black" plan? What if the Rev. Wright was really White; can he prove he is Black and not a wannabe?
I think there is a need for a "Black" card. Call it a "Certificate of Degree of Black Blood," (CDBB). This card would be proof that you had "Black" blood even if you had no Black features -- this card of course is long overdue. In fact, they need to issue one in this country for Jewish people as well. It would be the "Certificate of Degree of Jewish Blood," (CDJB). This would do away with the wannabe factor and protect various cultures from unknowing contamination...hmmmmm, seems like a 1930-40 German leader had the same idea.
Why a card? North American Indian people carry the card, "Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood," (CDIB) -- I carry one. If it's good enough for Indians, it should be good enough for Blacks, and -- it would protect them from my goofy wannabe cousin and certify all the reverands. It would also create new jobs, the Bureau of Black Affairs, (BBA), and the Bureau of Jewish Affairs, (BJA), or the Bureau of Chinese or Turkish Affairs, (BCA or BTA) and Congress would have new money streams for raises. Finally, everyone in the country would know who they "really were." But, could they prove their blood?
What if the Rev. Jesse Jackson's, Rev. Al Sharpton's and others - Barrack Obama and the Rev. Jeremiah Wright could not prove being Black? What would you have to "prove to be Black?" How many people would be left out because they could not prove it? You know, there are plenty of folks out there who look Indian, and want to be Indian, but they are not -- and there are plenty of real Indians who just can't prove it either. The same applies to Black's, but we could classify them as Wannabe's, Mulatto's, "free people of Color" or others, if they could not prove their blood. That way, they would have some place in the new world order.
These cards would also put the race baiters out of business (well, I'm just saying that because it sounds good), what if the race baiters could not prove their race? Does this all sound bizarre? Is it bizarre that North American Indians carry a card to prove they are Indians?
So what do you say to a cousin who insists you are Black and calls you a racist because you question her comments? Of course, she can always change back to White or Indian in the blink of an eye -- thus the wannabe. Any ideas? Some people's kids!
Best,
GARY J. GABEHART, Mishiho (Mish-eh-ho)
Mishiho@aol.com
Friday, July 17, 2009
Daily Nebraskan
Powwow begins celebration of Native American Month
Amy Nichols
Monday, November 19, 2001
Updated: Saturday, November 29, 2008
Michael Modrcin/DN
Marcella Gilbert, 40, dances during the University of Nebraska Inter-Tribal Exchange powwow Sunday in the Nebraska Union Ballroom. Gilbert is a member of the Lakota Tribe and has been dancing in powwows since she was very young.
The drummers started, thump, thump, thump, thump. Three dancers entered the crowded room dressed in brightly colored, native clothes adorned with beads and feathers.
The first one carried the staff, the second carried the American flag, and the third carried the Nebraska state flag.
The other dancers followed, dancing clockwise around the center drum. The UNL powwow had begun.
The powwow, sponsored by University of Nebraska Intertribal Exchange (U.N.I.T.E.), was part of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln celebration of Native American Month. It was held on Saturday and Sunday in the Nebraska Union.
The powwow is a combination of a religious and social gathering. It begins with a prayer, followed by a flag procession to honor the tribe and the United States.
The staff is an old tradition and usually consists of an eagle feather and other religious objects.
Chief Jake Swamp of the Wolf Clan of the Mohawk Nation gave the invocation in his native language and then gave a speech in English. He said everyone should always be thankful for the good things in their lives.
"That's what we're trying to teach people, to be thankful each day," Swamp said.
The first dance was a victory dance for our troops overseas. "The United States is our country," said emcee, Xavier "Sonny" Delapass, "We fight together anywhere."
"This dance is for our people in Afghanistan," said Delapass, "We will win the war."
No one could start dancing until the head man and head lady dancers started. The head man dancer was Brandon Stabler from the Omaha tribe. The head woman dancer was UNL graduate Misty Thomas from the Santee tribe.
The rest of the powwow was a mix of traditional dances and intertribal dances where everyone is allowed to participate. One of the dances was a veterans' dance to honor the veterans of any war. The families of the dancers also participated. One family danced in honor of their father, a veteran, who recently died.
The Indian two step, a partner dance, gave everyone a chance to dance and for those who aren't American Indian, a chance to learn actual steps to a dance.
The princesses were introduced to the crowd. The job of a princess is to go to various powwows to represent the tribe or organization she is elected from.
Freshman English major Regina Grant, this year's princess of U.N.I.T.E., was taught by her dad's family how to dance.
Grant, a member of the Omaha tribe, has been dancing since before she was two years old. Grant said she enjoyed dancing because she's been doing it so long that it is a big part of her life.
"It reminds me of where I come from," Grant said, "There's a lot of people here who know a lot about the culture."
The powwow ended in reverse of how it began, with the removal of the staff and flags.
The reason for the month-long celebration was to introduce people to the American Indian culture.
"These events are important for everybody," said UNL history professor, Dennis J. Smith, a member of the Assiniboine tribe.
"It is important for non-Indians to educate them and introduce them to the cultures. It's also good for Indian people. Some don't know about their own tribal culture. This makes them more cultural and more knowledgeable."
Amy Nichols
Monday, November 19, 2001
Updated: Saturday, November 29, 2008
Michael Modrcin/DN
Marcella Gilbert, 40, dances during the University of Nebraska Inter-Tribal Exchange powwow Sunday in the Nebraska Union Ballroom. Gilbert is a member of the Lakota Tribe and has been dancing in powwows since she was very young.
The drummers started, thump, thump, thump, thump. Three dancers entered the crowded room dressed in brightly colored, native clothes adorned with beads and feathers.
The first one carried the staff, the second carried the American flag, and the third carried the Nebraska state flag.
The other dancers followed, dancing clockwise around the center drum. The UNL powwow had begun.
The powwow, sponsored by University of Nebraska Intertribal Exchange (U.N.I.T.E.), was part of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln celebration of Native American Month. It was held on Saturday and Sunday in the Nebraska Union.
The powwow is a combination of a religious and social gathering. It begins with a prayer, followed by a flag procession to honor the tribe and the United States.
The staff is an old tradition and usually consists of an eagle feather and other religious objects.
Chief Jake Swamp of the Wolf Clan of the Mohawk Nation gave the invocation in his native language and then gave a speech in English. He said everyone should always be thankful for the good things in their lives.
"That's what we're trying to teach people, to be thankful each day," Swamp said.
The first dance was a victory dance for our troops overseas. "The United States is our country," said emcee, Xavier "Sonny" Delapass, "We fight together anywhere."
"This dance is for our people in Afghanistan," said Delapass, "We will win the war."
No one could start dancing until the head man and head lady dancers started. The head man dancer was Brandon Stabler from the Omaha tribe. The head woman dancer was UNL graduate Misty Thomas from the Santee tribe.
The rest of the powwow was a mix of traditional dances and intertribal dances where everyone is allowed to participate. One of the dances was a veterans' dance to honor the veterans of any war. The families of the dancers also participated. One family danced in honor of their father, a veteran, who recently died.
The Indian two step, a partner dance, gave everyone a chance to dance and for those who aren't American Indian, a chance to learn actual steps to a dance.
The princesses were introduced to the crowd. The job of a princess is to go to various powwows to represent the tribe or organization she is elected from.
Freshman English major Regina Grant, this year's princess of U.N.I.T.E., was taught by her dad's family how to dance.
Grant, a member of the Omaha tribe, has been dancing since before she was two years old. Grant said she enjoyed dancing because she's been doing it so long that it is a big part of her life.
"It reminds me of where I come from," Grant said, "There's a lot of people here who know a lot about the culture."
The powwow ended in reverse of how it began, with the removal of the staff and flags.
The reason for the month-long celebration was to introduce people to the American Indian culture.
"These events are important for everybody," said UNL history professor, Dennis J. Smith, a member of the Assiniboine tribe.
"It is important for non-Indians to educate them and introduce them to the cultures. It's also good for Indian people. Some don't know about their own tribal culture. This makes them more cultural and more knowledgeable."
Dancers deliver dignity
By NICK GEORGIOU, LAREDO MORNING TIMES
05/24/2008
There's a lesson to learn from rabbits, and many other animals, for that matter, said Emma Ortega, a Native American storyteller of the Lipan Apache tribe.She said a rabbit can be viewed as sweet and mild, but plant a vegetable or flower garden in its territory, and it'll ravage it.
"The rabbit teaches us opposites," she said. "How do we see it? Do we see it with laughter, or do we see it with anger?"
It's important to remember that the people encroached upon the rabbit's territory, not the other way around, Ortega said.
For years, she has been participating as a storyteller in Laredo's Memorial Day Pow-Wow, which kicked off Friday night at the Laredo Civic Center, 2400 San Bernardo Ave.
Xavier Delapass, a Comanche and founder of the American Indian Council of Laredo, said the purpose of the intertribal event is to educate, sing, dance, and buy and sell Native American crafts.
It's also a time to see old friends, he said.
The participants, from tribes such as the Comanche, Apache, Sioux and Shawnee, perform numerous dances, including the grass, straight and fancy dancer.
The Head Man dancer at this year's Pow-Wow is Lucio Jimenez from the Kickipoo tribe, and the Head Lady dancer is Kathy Dodd from McAllen.
"No man goes into the arena until he goes to dance, and no lady will dance until (Dodd) dances," Delapass said.
Providing the drum music for the two-day event are the Huisache Creek Singers, a drum group that started 37 years ago, said Roberto Soto, a member of the group and a pastor in McAllen.
"Anyone is welcome to enjoy the dance," he said.
The special guest at the event was a Chiracahua war chief and former Navy Seal.
"He's a man to be respected," Delapass said.
Next year, he said he hopes to get Miss USA 1984 to be the special guest at the event.
"I want to try to make it a bit more flashy for people," he said.
Also at the event were about 20 vendors, which shows the event's growing success, Delapass said.
"You need to be dedicated to this and make it a success," he said. "We haven't had this many vendors in five or six years."
The Pow-Wow also used to feature competitions, but Delapass said he stopped doing it because he doesn't believe in competitions.
"Where there's money, there's greed," he said. "We do this, a friendly and brotherly pow-wow. Back in the old days, there was no competition. You dance for fun."
Delapass said he started the intertribal Pow-Wow and the American Indian Council of Laredo in the early 1990s to unite the local Indian people and honor his grandfather, Theodore Roosevelt Delapass, who served in the Army and fought in World War II and Korea.
The Memorial Day Pow-Wow continues today from noon to 10 p.m.
Admission is free.
(Nick Georgiou may be reached at (956) 728-2582 or by e-mail at nickg@lmtonline.com)
©Laredo Morning Times 2009
By NICK GEORGIOU, LAREDO MORNING TIMES
05/24/2008
There's a lesson to learn from rabbits, and many other animals, for that matter, said Emma Ortega, a Native American storyteller of the Lipan Apache tribe.She said a rabbit can be viewed as sweet and mild, but plant a vegetable or flower garden in its territory, and it'll ravage it.
"The rabbit teaches us opposites," she said. "How do we see it? Do we see it with laughter, or do we see it with anger?"
It's important to remember that the people encroached upon the rabbit's territory, not the other way around, Ortega said.
For years, she has been participating as a storyteller in Laredo's Memorial Day Pow-Wow, which kicked off Friday night at the Laredo Civic Center, 2400 San Bernardo Ave.
Xavier Delapass, a Comanche and founder of the American Indian Council of Laredo, said the purpose of the intertribal event is to educate, sing, dance, and buy and sell Native American crafts.
It's also a time to see old friends, he said.
The participants, from tribes such as the Comanche, Apache, Sioux and Shawnee, perform numerous dances, including the grass, straight and fancy dancer.
The Head Man dancer at this year's Pow-Wow is Lucio Jimenez from the Kickipoo tribe, and the Head Lady dancer is Kathy Dodd from McAllen.
"No man goes into the arena until he goes to dance, and no lady will dance until (Dodd) dances," Delapass said.
Providing the drum music for the two-day event are the Huisache Creek Singers, a drum group that started 37 years ago, said Roberto Soto, a member of the group and a pastor in McAllen.
"Anyone is welcome to enjoy the dance," he said.
The special guest at the event was a Chiracahua war chief and former Navy Seal.
"He's a man to be respected," Delapass said.
Next year, he said he hopes to get Miss USA 1984 to be the special guest at the event.
"I want to try to make it a bit more flashy for people," he said.
Also at the event were about 20 vendors, which shows the event's growing success, Delapass said.
"You need to be dedicated to this and make it a success," he said. "We haven't had this many vendors in five or six years."
The Pow-Wow also used to feature competitions, but Delapass said he stopped doing it because he doesn't believe in competitions.
"Where there's money, there's greed," he said. "We do this, a friendly and brotherly pow-wow. Back in the old days, there was no competition. You dance for fun."
Delapass said he started the intertribal Pow-Wow and the American Indian Council of Laredo in the early 1990s to unite the local Indian people and honor his grandfather, Theodore Roosevelt Delapass, who served in the Army and fought in World War II and Korea.
The Memorial Day Pow-Wow continues today from noon to 10 p.m.
Admission is free.
(Nick Georgiou may be reached at (956) 728-2582 or by e-mail at nickg@lmtonline.com)
©Laredo Morning Times 2009
2nd Battle of the Alamo pt2
# 1 -- OUR WORLD
By Gary J. Gabehart
Our world, the Indian world, is not the world of John Wayne, Naked Gun, Iron Eyes Cody or "tu tybo" Larry Keels (only mention this creep is going to get). Nor is it the world of 20th Century Westerns or the dime store novels which came before the talkies. Without a doubt Hollywood, and the ignorant media, will continue to portray us as the ugly bogey man, as that is what counts when $$$ dollars are at stake.
Indians are likely your grandparents and their great grandparents if you are reading this. But perhaps you really never thought about it even or you are not North American Indian related.
Now you will note that I will use "North American Indian" in this blog and not the wimpy politically correct folks "Native American." If Chris Columbus found it necessary to coin the word Indians during his search for Hindustan, too bad, it has stuck -- I'm an Indian -- North American Indian!
And you better know right now that the business you heard for years and which is still taught in our schools today, that Chris named us "Indians" because he was looking for India and thought he had found it -- IS WRONG. India was not called India in those days, it was called Hindustan. His reference was to a people with manners of the clergy "El In Dios."
Now I don't spend my time at "Pow Wow's." This would be like the white guy spending his time at "Bar-B-Q's." Originally, this was a religious gathering known as Pau Wau. But today, it is simply known as a Pow Wow or a gathering of the people -- that's right, just like the white guys Bar-B-Q.
When my father grew up in Oklahoma, it was against the law for Indians to gather together in a group (1930) -- they had to sneak off just to have a party and eat some Bar-B-Q, fry bread or the things that Mexicans later made famous as "Mexican Food." Excuse me, you thought tacos and tortillas were Mexican food? Not hardly.
At times I am asked what my "Indian Name" is and I reply "Gabehart." Oh, you mean the Indian family name? It was "Pushshukke." What does that mean? I don't know, what does the surnames Smith and Jones mean?
What did my family do for a living? You mean when they were not skinning White guys? They were ranchers, stock raisers, law-enforcement personnel, gun-fighters, Texas Rangers, Ministers, you name it. They did every pioneering job known to man.
Indians were real people who did not wear feathers in their hair. They had blood in their veins and lived in small Indian towns with Grandparents, Parents, Aunts and Uncles, cousins and second cousins. When an Indian village was burnt, a whole town or city for that matter was destroyed.
What did my Great-Great Grandparents wear? What did your Great-Great Grandparents wear? They wore cloths, most of it home spun, some of it store bought. It was that way back into the 1700's for my family. But let me tell you this, my family out of the Northeast did not likely jack around in loin cloths unless they were sun-bathing.
Next issue, more about ITCAI.
Best,
Gary J. Gabehart, Mishiho (Mish-eh-ho)
Mishiho@aol.com
By Gary J. Gabehart
Our world, the Indian world, is not the world of John Wayne, Naked Gun, Iron Eyes Cody or "tu tybo" Larry Keels (only mention this creep is going to get). Nor is it the world of 20th Century Westerns or the dime store novels which came before the talkies. Without a doubt Hollywood, and the ignorant media, will continue to portray us as the ugly bogey man, as that is what counts when $$$ dollars are at stake.
Indians are likely your grandparents and their great grandparents if you are reading this. But perhaps you really never thought about it even or you are not North American Indian related.
Now you will note that I will use "North American Indian" in this blog and not the wimpy politically correct folks "Native American." If Chris Columbus found it necessary to coin the word Indians during his search for Hindustan, too bad, it has stuck -- I'm an Indian -- North American Indian!
And you better know right now that the business you heard for years and which is still taught in our schools today, that Chris named us "Indians" because he was looking for India and thought he had found it -- IS WRONG. India was not called India in those days, it was called Hindustan. His reference was to a people with manners of the clergy "El In Dios."
Now I don't spend my time at "Pow Wow's." This would be like the white guy spending his time at "Bar-B-Q's." Originally, this was a religious gathering known as Pau Wau. But today, it is simply known as a Pow Wow or a gathering of the people -- that's right, just like the white guys Bar-B-Q.
When my father grew up in Oklahoma, it was against the law for Indians to gather together in a group (1930) -- they had to sneak off just to have a party and eat some Bar-B-Q, fry bread or the things that Mexicans later made famous as "Mexican Food." Excuse me, you thought tacos and tortillas were Mexican food? Not hardly.
At times I am asked what my "Indian Name" is and I reply "Gabehart." Oh, you mean the Indian family name? It was "Pushshukke." What does that mean? I don't know, what does the surnames Smith and Jones mean?
What did my family do for a living? You mean when they were not skinning White guys? They were ranchers, stock raisers, law-enforcement personnel, gun-fighters, Texas Rangers, Ministers, you name it. They did every pioneering job known to man.
Indians were real people who did not wear feathers in their hair. They had blood in their veins and lived in small Indian towns with Grandparents, Parents, Aunts and Uncles, cousins and second cousins. When an Indian village was burnt, a whole town or city for that matter was destroyed.
What did my Great-Great Grandparents wear? What did your Great-Great Grandparents wear? They wore cloths, most of it home spun, some of it store bought. It was that way back into the 1700's for my family. But let me tell you this, my family out of the Northeast did not likely jack around in loin cloths unless they were sun-bathing.
Next issue, more about ITCAI.
Best,
Gary J. Gabehart, Mishiho (Mish-eh-ho)
Mishiho@aol.com
2nd Battle of the Alamo pt1
INTER-TRIBAL COUNCIL OF AMERICAN INDIANS
The Inter-Tribal Council of American Indians, formed in 1993 at San Antonio, Texas, below the parapets of the Alamo, by Gary J. Gabehart, Dr. Judy New Bell Eagle, Xaxier Delapass Sanchez, Capt. Daniel L. Gabehart, Tomas Tobares, Erwin DeLuna, and Tammy Gabehart, is a Historical/ Educational Organization protecting the North American Indian heritage of Texas and its cultures. ITCAI is not affiliated with other Indian organizations. Collectively, ITCAI is known as "the Indian at the Alamo."
Thursday, January 3, 2008
# 2 -- REMEMBERANCE, THE BEGINNING
By Gary J. Gabehart
In 1993, I led an Indian group composed of Dr. Judy New Bell Eagle (Comanche), Xavier Delapass Sanchez (Comanche), Tomas Tobares (Lipan), Capt. Dan Gabehart (Chickasaw) and Erwin De Luna (Navajo). Our mission was simple, recognize the role that Indians played before, during and after the Battle of the Alamo. Our group? The Inter-Tribal Council of American Indians, Inc. (ITCAI).
Little did we know, that opposing groups, many of them simple fruitcakes, bed bugs, carpetbaggers and con artists would morph out of the ground in an attempt to usurp our groups mission. Of course, some groups, such as the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, were legitimate and there were a few others. But still other goofy groups, such as the group of pseudo Indians led by Raymond Hernandez, who could never make up his mind about what kind of Indian he was, and Richard Garay his partner played to the weak minded. Hernandez and Garay, the latter who was to become a convicted child molester, represented a group called the "American Indians of Texas at San Antonio Missions" or some such name, performed made up rituals in front of the Alamo bordering on lunacy. The only thing not present during their performances were popcorn vendors and Raspa stands.
Since those days, there have been many other people who have surfaced to claim the winning of the "second battle of the Alamo" in order to make a living from what they read in the newspapers -- making false presentations to civic groups as the person(s) who made it happen. One such individual, an attorney, who had no such involvement with ITCAI, drummed his presentations to whom ever would accept them as the brains behind the movement -- brains behind the movement?
So what did ITCAI attempt to do? First, to close one or two streets that crossed the Alamo fort where the battle took place and which carried mega tons of vehicle traffic each day; and second, recognize the Indian burials at the Alamo. Did we attain our goals? Yes, after months of political nonsense, posturing for the camera's, newspapers, radio and television, National Magazines, and -- the agenda's of all these other folks, we closed one street and recognized Indian involvement at the Alamo.
How long did it take? Looking back, it seems like years and years now. The media had a heyday, the politicians got their licks in, the legitimate opposing groups made their points and the fruitcakes found their warm puppies. Was it worth the energy? You bet it was, after the smoke of the second battle cleared, San Antonio, with the help of the media, had recovered what once was a dimly remembered past.
If you've never spent time in San Antonio, you would probably have never been exposed to the rich Spanish and French culture of the area or the historic events that occurred there. The Alamo is but one site of interest and unless you are a history buff, you probably would not see the humor in a tourist questioning "how did the hundreds of defenders all fit in the Alamo" or lamenting as to "why did they build the fort in the downtown area?"
One thing you have to understand is that Indians were just not talked about in San Antonio, if anything, they were all in Oklahoma. To deep rooted Texian's, there were no Indians in Texas, only Whites, Mexicans and a hand full of Negro's. Indians were those folks such as Iron Eyes Cody who were just passing through, and the local North American Indians, along with the Mexican Indians, kept their heads down. All that began to change after ITCAI came along in 1993.
As I have said, the media had a heyday, Indians were now new to San Antonian's, and it was a slow news day, week, month and year; there was a feeding frenzy to come if just one Indian popped his or her head up, and most of it was a result of the lack of Indian icons. Where had all the feathers, bows and arrows and bones in the noses of aborigines gone, certainly not in the Daughters of the Republic of Texas [DRT] gift shop with the rubber tomahawk's, plastic arrow's and gaudy Tom-Tom's. Indians were the forgotten people.
Although ITCAI used few icons beyond Texan dress and business suits, they did use some, such as, a large council drum, a flint tipped arrow as a scepter or pointer and when the DRT banned arrows from Alamo property as a lethal weapon (must have been the lack of a rubber stick'um tip), finally, a cedar tree staff taken from the Texas hill country.
NEXT: THE BATTLE BEGINS!
Gary J. Gabehart, Mishiho (Mish-eh-ho)
Mishiho@aol.com
The Inter-Tribal Council of American Indians, formed in 1993 at San Antonio, Texas, below the parapets of the Alamo, by Gary J. Gabehart, Dr. Judy New Bell Eagle, Xaxier Delapass Sanchez, Capt. Daniel L. Gabehart, Tomas Tobares, Erwin DeLuna, and Tammy Gabehart, is a Historical/ Educational Organization protecting the North American Indian heritage of Texas and its cultures. ITCAI is not affiliated with other Indian organizations. Collectively, ITCAI is known as "the Indian at the Alamo."
Thursday, January 3, 2008
# 2 -- REMEMBERANCE, THE BEGINNING
By Gary J. Gabehart
In 1993, I led an Indian group composed of Dr. Judy New Bell Eagle (Comanche), Xavier Delapass Sanchez (Comanche), Tomas Tobares (Lipan), Capt. Dan Gabehart (Chickasaw) and Erwin De Luna (Navajo). Our mission was simple, recognize the role that Indians played before, during and after the Battle of the Alamo. Our group? The Inter-Tribal Council of American Indians, Inc. (ITCAI).
Little did we know, that opposing groups, many of them simple fruitcakes, bed bugs, carpetbaggers and con artists would morph out of the ground in an attempt to usurp our groups mission. Of course, some groups, such as the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, were legitimate and there were a few others. But still other goofy groups, such as the group of pseudo Indians led by Raymond Hernandez, who could never make up his mind about what kind of Indian he was, and Richard Garay his partner played to the weak minded. Hernandez and Garay, the latter who was to become a convicted child molester, represented a group called the "American Indians of Texas at San Antonio Missions" or some such name, performed made up rituals in front of the Alamo bordering on lunacy. The only thing not present during their performances were popcorn vendors and Raspa stands.
Since those days, there have been many other people who have surfaced to claim the winning of the "second battle of the Alamo" in order to make a living from what they read in the newspapers -- making false presentations to civic groups as the person(s) who made it happen. One such individual, an attorney, who had no such involvement with ITCAI, drummed his presentations to whom ever would accept them as the brains behind the movement -- brains behind the movement?
So what did ITCAI attempt to do? First, to close one or two streets that crossed the Alamo fort where the battle took place and which carried mega tons of vehicle traffic each day; and second, recognize the Indian burials at the Alamo. Did we attain our goals? Yes, after months of political nonsense, posturing for the camera's, newspapers, radio and television, National Magazines, and -- the agenda's of all these other folks, we closed one street and recognized Indian involvement at the Alamo.
How long did it take? Looking back, it seems like years and years now. The media had a heyday, the politicians got their licks in, the legitimate opposing groups made their points and the fruitcakes found their warm puppies. Was it worth the energy? You bet it was, after the smoke of the second battle cleared, San Antonio, with the help of the media, had recovered what once was a dimly remembered past.
If you've never spent time in San Antonio, you would probably have never been exposed to the rich Spanish and French culture of the area or the historic events that occurred there. The Alamo is but one site of interest and unless you are a history buff, you probably would not see the humor in a tourist questioning "how did the hundreds of defenders all fit in the Alamo" or lamenting as to "why did they build the fort in the downtown area?"
One thing you have to understand is that Indians were just not talked about in San Antonio, if anything, they were all in Oklahoma. To deep rooted Texian's, there were no Indians in Texas, only Whites, Mexicans and a hand full of Negro's. Indians were those folks such as Iron Eyes Cody who were just passing through, and the local North American Indians, along with the Mexican Indians, kept their heads down. All that began to change after ITCAI came along in 1993.
As I have said, the media had a heyday, Indians were now new to San Antonian's, and it was a slow news day, week, month and year; there was a feeding frenzy to come if just one Indian popped his or her head up, and most of it was a result of the lack of Indian icons. Where had all the feathers, bows and arrows and bones in the noses of aborigines gone, certainly not in the Daughters of the Republic of Texas [DRT] gift shop with the rubber tomahawk's, plastic arrow's and gaudy Tom-Tom's. Indians were the forgotten people.
Although ITCAI used few icons beyond Texan dress and business suits, they did use some, such as, a large council drum, a flint tipped arrow as a scepter or pointer and when the DRT banned arrows from Alamo property as a lethal weapon (must have been the lack of a rubber stick'um tip), finally, a cedar tree staff taken from the Texas hill country.
NEXT: THE BATTLE BEGINS!
Gary J. Gabehart, Mishiho (Mish-eh-ho)
Mishiho@aol.com
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