BROUGHT TO YOU BY SNOWWOWL.COM-NON-COMMERCIAL NATIVE AMERICAN EDUCATIONAL WEBSITE
WE NEED LEADERS....NOT TAKERS December 16, 2007 Spirit Hawk ^i^
Protecting sovereignty and preparing the next generation for leadership are some big challenges our people face.     Tribal governments are challenged by evolving economic development strategies, protection of tribal sovereignty, demands for tribal program partnerships and the raising of a new generation of leaders.     As our tribal governments evolve, our ability to sustain our leadership must also be strengthened.
	"Leadership is not only by example, but also involves compassion of learning and understanding. Being able to navigate tribal business and political structures is a must. Our leaders should be able to address the funding of tribal government operations or programs. They should be able to find ways to:
Provide for the general welfare of the tribe and its members Promote tribal economic development Improve tribal economy and self-sufficiency Be able to deal with issues to create jobs and career opportunities Generate funds to make up any budget short falls the Tribe is facing Generate funds to help us preserve our culture and language while protecting ancestral lands and the environment.
	As a People we need for tribes to move toward a resurrection of our spirituality."
There's a need to "redefine sovereignty for ourselves."     Sovereignty is usually defined only in terms of its non-Indian legal basis.     To quote Eugene Begay, "We are seen as different and we are different."     American Indians have a special legal relationship with the United States government.     Moreover, Begay asserted, "The way of life for Native Americans is different."    Tribes have worked to maintain their sovereignty because American Indians want to maintain their traditional ways.     Begay related, "We're not a part of the melting pot. We are a proud people."     Tribal leaders face complex challenges.     Tribes still must struggle with poverty and its associated issues, such as Indian youth involvement in gangs and drugs.     To help their people survive, tribal leaders must be willing and able to come up with creative solutions that work.     Many people do not understand this, creating conflict and misunderstanding.     There is a lack of accurate information about American Indians in mainstream educational institutions.     Schools generally do not teach about traditional American Indian values and beliefs, or about the legal and historical basis of tribal sovereignty.     Often times, questions that non-Indians ask about American Indians reflect cultural, legal and historical misunderstanding.     As a tribal council member, Begay related "We're continually asked by non-native people 'why don't you want to bring wealth and possession to your people?,' and 'Why do you continuously pursue and promote the treaties from so many years ago?'"     Questions of this sort reveal ignorance about the relationship between Indian tribes and the U.S. government, and differences in values.     This ignorance could be reduced if more schools taught accurate information about American Indians.     These are all things our leaders must be aware of and understand fully.     We are losing our great leaders every day.     Men like Floyd Red Crow Westerman.     A man who not only knew the issues, but was our peoples voice in so many of them.     A man whose heart and love of his people were greater than any personal gain imagined.     A man who knew the importance of things such as Ceremony, Traditions and Spirituality, as well as being aware of the many problems faced by our people on a daily basis.     He sought solutions in every avenue he could and asked nothing for himself.     I ask, who will replace him in the void his passing has left behind.     Who will replace our other good leaders as well?     They are passing on people, no one lives forever.     I've tried to list some of the things a leader must be able and willing to deal with, and I'm sure I missed a lot.     But knowledge and skill mean nothing without a true heart.     A heart that holds the whole of his people and their welfare inside.     We need leaders that know the value of truth and hard work, and who truly listens to the cries and needs of The People.     A leader that puts the needs of all before the needs of himself.     Who will guide us back onto the true path the Creator intended for us and who can lead as an example that all can be proud to follow.     Leaders that will concentrate on the things of true value to us and who will toss all else aside.     There are oh so many who would like you to think they possess such knowledge and traits.     They offer solutions that sound good but that has no real foundation to build a solid solution on at all.     They speak loudly to gain attention, but rarely have anything new nor productive to say.     They are in it for power, money or fame and if something does not lead to one of those things for them then they fast lose interest.     Never mind that there are those that suffer as a result.     They will tell you what they think you want to hear, simply for the sake of gaining your trust.     They do not really give...because they are too busy taking!     We once had great leaders.     There is no reason we shouldn't be able to have them again.     But in order for that to be possible we need to open up our eyes.     We need to see into the hearts of those who wish to lead.     We need more like Floyd.     With him what you saw was exactly what you got.     I know there's more out there like him.     We just need to pay attention to them and quit wasting our efforts on the greedy, the false, the sell outs and those who think they know things but don't have a clue.     People in it just for their own gain.     We need people who can, and will, lead us.     Not those who drag us down, push us aside or simply ignore us.     Yes we need leaders, but we must understand, we can not survive if we just follow blindly.      So says, Spirit Hawk ^i^
<~>+<~>+<~>+<~>+<~>+<~>+<~>+<~>+<~>+<~>+<~>+<~>+<~>+<~>+<~>
To Contact Spirit Hawk with your comments, questions or suggestions - Email: spirithawks@hotmail.com
<~>+<~>+<~>+<~>+<~>+<~>+<~>+<~>+<~>+<~>+<~>+<~>+<~>+<~>+<~>
RETURN TO SPIRIT HAWKS CONTENTS PAGE