I am a 54 yr old disabled
Vietnam Vet. I am half Scotch-Irish and half Aniyunwiya.
My wife, of 34 years, and I live on 7 acres outside of
Branson, Missouri. We have 3 children, 2 girls and a
boy, all of which are grown. Our youngest is in her 11th
year in the Navy.
I have been an Aniyuhnwiya
Story Teller for several years. I'm also somewhat of an
artist and carve canes and walking sticks as well.
Due to the issues facing our
Native Peoples I have recently taken to writing in hopes
of shedding some light on the many problems faced.
Poverty, drug and alcohol abuse, a suicide rate more
than double any other race's, and gang life that draws
in our youth are problems we can't afford to ignore.
We were once a strong and proud
People. I firmly believe we can be again.
A return to spiritual and
family values is a must.
Our traditions, our ceremonies,
our ancestors and our sacred places should be treated
with the respect that they deserve.
We should not ask this, we
should not wish for this....we should demand it!
Lets give our youth something
to be proud of and show them we have not lost our
hearts.
And where our youth are
concerned, it would do well for you to remember....They
are the future of our People.
Without them there is no
future.
