DESERT WIND
Lipan Apache Newsletter
Volume 2, Issue 2
08-08
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLICATIONS
I want to thank you for the time you will be taking to read
this newsletter. It is truly a privilege to compile the
articles that have been submitted to keep you informed about
our tribe. I am excited about all that is going on in our
tribe! I have been an active member of the tribe since 1999,
yet the last few months have brought more activity than I have
seen in the last eight years. Yes, I am excited! Our tribe
is finally moving in the right direction and accomplishing
and doing good things for the people.
Some of you have expressed that you might not want to
receive this newsletter any more. If you do not want to
receive this newsletter or any other tribal news, please
forward this letter back to me and I will make sure to
take you off of our mailing list. At the same time, if
you know any member that wants to be included in our
mailing list, please forward me their names and e-mail
addresses.
Thank you so much for your support. I am here to serve
you in any way I can. If you have any news that you
might want to include in our newsletter, please forward
it to me and it will be reviewed by our publication
committee for approval. Thank you and God bless you.
Robert Soto
Vice Chairman
CHAIRMAN'S CORNER
Greetings,
First I must apologize for having been quiet
for so long, but this is my way. My silence
does not mean that the Council and I have not been hard at work.
As a Nation we must build a strong foundation upon which to grow
and now is the time to share all of the good things that are now
upon us.
Our intent is to address the issues that will craft the framework
that will bring us together as one, and proclaim to the outside
world that we, the Lipan Apache, are here; that we have always been
here, and that we will always be here. There are four points that
we as a serious people must speak to as we move forward with the
acknowledgement process. These four corners are genealogy, history,
participating in the political process, and public awareness.
First of these four is genealogy. We are fortunate to have Kathy Harmon
as the Tribal Genealogist. Kathy is Cherokee and learned her craft at
the genealogy center for the Cherokee Nation in Tahlequah. She is a
very educated and accomplished individual. It is very important that
we have a credible and independently verified Tribal census.
Membership is based on verifiable facts and supported to some
degree by oral history. Some have failed to make the threshold
for enrollment - this does not mean you are not Lipan Apache;
it means we have more work to do in building our archives and
research center so that we may bring those folks into the Tribe.
Our Homeland Administrator, Tom Castillo, has an article on the
website describing how approved applicants can get their
Tribal ID cards and Certificates. Many thanks to Tom and
his family on this effort.
Second up is history. Our Tribal historian, Nancy Minor,
is a well respected and published author on Lipan Apache
history. This particular part of four is one of the most
paper-intensive and factual aspects to our agenda for
acknowledgement. Our research center will have a great
deal of this information for Lipans to come and review.
Third is participating in the political process. We have
made many inroads on this item and we will announce these
details as soon as we can. What I can say is that from the
Federal level on down to State and Local, we have made
many friends who are helping. May Creator bless these
many people for their good and honest hearts.
Fourth is public awareness. Ninety-nine percent of Texans
have no idea who the Lipan Apache are, and the few that
do know about us believe we are but a footnote in past
history. We will be opening a Tribal Museum and Cultural
Center in Sunrise Mall in Corpus Christi on
October 11, 2008.
Our Museum/Cultural Center will tell our story from the day
of Creation to the present time. There is so much to share
and I ask that anyone who wishes to contribute stories or
artifacts, please contact me so I can forward the information
to the Museum committee.
The Cultural Center component of this project will serve
as a research facility and a place to gather to hear Elders
speak, such as Gilbert Tellez, and other special guests.
Again, I ask for your thoughts and ideas on this project
because this is about you, the Lipan Apache Nation, and
now is the time for you to speak.
We will also have a Tribal store where flags, T-shirts,
coffee mugs and other such memorabilia with the Tribal Shield
can be purchased. The Tribal store is how we plan to fund this
project, so please enjoy your time shopping. All of these items
will also be on the website.
Our intent is to move our Nation forward in a good way.
Our next meeting will be August 23rd at our new home in
Sunrise Mall. Meet and greet will be at 11 AM and the meeting
will open at noon. Please bring a folding chair if you wish
to attend because at this time we are limited on furniture.
We will have an open agenda with reports from all of our
officers. Time will be given to those who wish to share
their ideas on the Museum and Cultural Center. I am looking
forward to a full house. See you there!
Bernard F. Barcena Jr.
General Council Chairman
SOME THOUGHTS FROM THE VICE CHAIRMAN
Dear Tribal members:
We are living in exciting times. I know a lot of you think things are
going slow but in the one short year that we have been in existence as
a tribe, we have accomplished more than we ever did as a Band.
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.
We had our humble beginnings but now we have a new direction.
We have a new goals. We have new obstacles to overcome.
Some have seemed impossible and some, with enough time, have
been accomplished.
I am proud to serve with this council. The people I serve with
are willing to sacrifice to make sure the tribe survives. Not
too long ago, I got a call from Bernard, our tribal chairman.
He had gotten a call from someone outside the tribe accusing
him of embezzling money from the other group. After all they
asked, "Where are you all getting the money to run the tribe?"
First of all, it is none of their business where the money has
come from. But I am here to tell you that while there have been
some small private donations from other tribal members, most of
the moneys have come from the council members themselves, not
expecting anything in return but given just for the satisfaction
of knowing that the tribe will continue to exist. As I said, I
am proud to serve on this council which is committed to helping
the tribe succeed.
We are officially a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Any
donations given are tax deductible. If you wish to help,
please feel free to write your checks to The Lipan Apache
Tribe of Texas and mail them to:
Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas
PO Box 261110
Corpus Christi, TX 78426
I want to thank you for your support and trust. Better things
are yet to come. Please be patient with us as we work together
for the sake of the People, our Lipan Apache people.
God bless,
Robert Soto
Vice Chairman
HOMELAND ADMINISTRATOR
Hello to all our people,
These are exciting and historically important times for the Lipan Apache Tribe.
I am honored to be in the mix of things which are currently happening and
those which are “in the making” for the Tribe.
Too much time has passed with our people dispersed and divided from family
and friends. It is time for us to support one another and do for the Tribe
in the name of all of our Ancestors who were once a collected people.
I hope everyone’s thoughts are “What can we help the Tribe with”, as
opposed to “What does the Tribe have to offer me”. Benefits from the
Tribe will come, but first we must assure that the Tribe has the
strength of its people behind it.
We have survived because our Ancestors knew that in order for us to
continue as a people, they had to split up and mainstream with the
rest of the population and when the time was right, come back together.
I believe the time to come back together is now. I’m sure it is pleasing
to our Ancestors to know that we are still here and that their decisions
ensured this.
Our ancestors helped one another in the past by having everyone
pitch in and do what they could for the betterment of the people.
Some made bows and arrows, some tanned skins, some hunted, others
stayed to protect the village, still others took care of the horses
and livestock, and the list goes on. Today the needs of our people
have changed; we are now a 21st Century people. To ensure that our
Ancestors’ ways are never forgotten we must come together and
provide for the Tribe at the present time with present day needs.
I hope we will all welcome the Tribe’s requests for help when asked.
I would like to thank everybody who has and will contribute to the
causes of our Tribe. It is very important that our Tribe continue
in the exciting direction which we are taking. I am sure that our
Ancestors are also pleased as they see that we are working together
for the betterment of the Tribe.
May the spirits of our Ancestors guide you in a good way,
and,
May the Peace of Creator be with you.
Tom Bear Claw Castillo
Homeland Administrator
BUSINESS REPORT
Business reports normally center around money. In this case,
the story line is the shortage of funds.
The Tribal Museum and Cultural Center will need approximately $22,000.00
to open the doors. The General Council has acknowledged that this will
be a deficit if we fail to find all of the money. The General Council
also has acknowledged that if you stay on the porch where it is safe,
then you have not lived. The Lipan Apache choose to live.
Basic costs involve capitalizing the Tribal Store, building Museum displays,
office equipment, and setting up the research center. A full financial
report and statement will be available at the next meeting on August 23rd.
The Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas is a 501(c)3 and as such donations
made to the Tribe are tax deductible. There are different levels
of giving with acknowledgement.
We will have a plaque acknowledging donors at the left hand entrance
to the Museum. Only those who donated prior to the opening will
have their names etched on the plaque.
The top level of gifting is one thousand dollars or more and those
families, businesses, or individuals will be known as Founding Benefactors.
The next level is five hundred dollars and those families, businesses
or individuals will be known as Founding Patrons.
The third level is a one hundred dollar gift and those families,
businesses, or individuals will be known as Founding Friends.
We have pledges of about $7,000.00 at present, but that leaves about
$15,000.00 more to find. This is your Museum and Cultural Center
and will only come to fruition if you believe that the time is now
to tell the story of the Lipan Apache and if this is the time for
the Lipan Apache to come together. Our accounting records are open
and are fully reported at each general council meeting.
Only those who contribute prior to the opening of the Museum will
be inscribed on the plaque of Founders. There will be many names
listed and it would be good if as many Lipan Apache who can help,
do help. This is your time to stand and be counted and this is a
good thing.
We have heard from other Nations who will be donating computers,
office equipment and money. It is very heartening to know that
the American Indian Community at large supports the Lipan Apache
Tribe of Texas.
Please contact William Larew for your information packet on how
to be an active supporter of your Museum and Cultural Center
at blarew@lipanapache.org or 361-985-1381.
This is your time and the time is now.
Bill Larew
Tribal Administrator
FROM THE TRIBAL HISTORIAN
A call for family pictures! It’s time to show the world the faces of
the Lipan Apache community. The Council would like to put together
family notebooks for each group of descendants from the historical
Lipan Apache tribe and we need copies of your family pictures. The
older the better. Do you have pictures of your grandparents? Also,
we need pictures of you, your parents, family and children. The family
notebooks will be kept at the new Museum so that people can see not
only how the old ones lived, but the faces of the modern Tribe.
Pictures can be scanned and emailed to me through the Tribe’s
website, or can be photocopied and mailed to me. I will be
glad to help, so just let me know how I can make it easy
for you to send copies of your photos.
Many of the elders and other Tribal members have begun to write down
their memories and their family’s oral histories. I am very grateful
for their efforts and thank each one. The memories you carry from
your childhood are priceless. I encourage everyone to do this.
It will not only bless the Tribe, but will be a blessing to your
family and to those who come after.
The Council has been contacted by a young anthropologist from
Mexico City who is writing his doctoral dissertation on the
modern Lipans of Texas. José Medina González Davila will be
contacting some Tribal members throughout the summer in order
to conduct interviews and the Council encourages your participation.
His study will be another way in which tribal culture can be
preserved forever.
Nancy Minor
Tribal Historian
NEWS FROM THE PEOPLE
NDE DAA POW WOW
On March 8, 2008 our annual Nde Daa Pow Wow was held at the
Lark Community Center in McAllen, Texas. There were about
sixty dancers who all came together as one people to support
our pow wow which is put on each March by the South Texas
Indian Dancers Association. (The South Texas Indian Dancers
Association, or STIDA, was started by the Soto family back
in 1971, in an effort to preserve who we are as Lipan Apaches.
In 1988 we started allowing other people from other tribes
to join and be part of organization.) We had a total of
fourteen vendor spots filled up. Our drum was South Wind
which was headed by Carlos Gonzalez, a Ponca Indian from
Harlingen, Texas. Various members of other organizations
joined Carlos and sang like there was no tomorrow. I will
be sending some pictures to our webmaster so you can meet
some of the people who helped with the dance.
I want to thank all who came and supported our efforts to keep
who we are as Lipan Apaches alive. Many of our Lipan Apache
brothers and sisters came and joined us in March. Our next
pow wow will be the 19th Annual South Texas (Way South) Pow Wow
on October 24-25. I will include more information in the next
article.
Thank you for your support.
From the South Texas Indian Dancers
TRIBAL MEETING
There will be an open invitation General Council meeting for
all Lipan Apaches on August 23, 2008 at 11:00 am at:
Sunrise Mall
5858 South Padre Island Drive
Suite #95
Corpus Christi, TX 78412
Corner of Airline and South Padre Island Drive
Please bring your own chairs since it is an empty building
at this time. Also, you are welcome to bring snacks to
share with everyone who comes. At 11:00 AM we will
gather informally just to get to know each other and
snack on the food provided. The business meeting will
begin at 12:00 PM. If you have any questions please feel
free to write me at robtsoto@aol.com or call at 361-985-1381.
Hope to see you all there.
Robert Soto
Vice Chairman
19th ANNUAL SOUTH TEXAS (WAY SOUTH) POW WOW ANNOUNCEMENT
We are excited! Our 19th annual pow wow is just around the corner.
The South Texas Indian Dancers Association would like to invite
you to the Nineteenth Annual South Texas (Way South) Pow Wow that
we will be hosting this October 24-25. It will be at the
Lark Community Center and Library, 2601 Lark Ave, in McAllen, Texas.
Our head staff will be:
The pow wow will be held at the Lark Community Center
and Library at 2601 Lark Ave. in McAllen, Texas.
Our head staff will be:
| Head Man Dancer- | Mike Russell from Mission, Texas |
| Head Lady Dancer- | Orena Monahan from San Jose, California |
| MC- | Gary Kodaseet (Kiowa) from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma |
| Arena Director- | Bob Woolery (Cherokee Osage) from Sedalia, Missouri |
| Head Gourd Dancer- | Frank Padrone (White Mountain Apache) from Johnson City, Texas |
| Southern Drum- | South Wind - Robert Zuffante, Head Singer from St Louis, Missouri |
| Northern Drum- | Eagle Point - Robert Bass, Head Singer from Austin, Texas |
We will have a special appearance by Actor Uzziel Martinez,
a Yaqui Indian from Los Angeles, California performing his
one-act play called "A Comanche Remembers". We will have
about fourteen vendors and a lot of fun. Saturday afternoon
we will have a feed for all dancers, vendors and pow wow participants.
Everyone is welcome to our pow wow. Come and experience the sounds
of the past in the present. For information, feel free to contact
Robert Soto (956) 686-6696 or Betty Russell (956) 205-2344.
| Schedule for Pow wow: |
| October 24 | Grand Entry 7:00 PM |
October 25 | Exhibition dance 10:00-11:30 AM |
| Exhibitions by various artists 11:30-1:30 PM |
| Uzziel Martinez "A Comanche Remembers" |
| Sayani- Jorie and Christine West, American Indian Music Group |
| Flute Concert by Robert Soto |
| Gourd Dancing 1:30-3:30 |
| Sayani- Jorie and Christine West 5:00-5:30 |
| Gourd Dancing 5:30-6:30 |
| Uzziel Martinez "A Comanche Remembers" 6:30-7:00 |
| Grand Entry and Pow Wow 7:00-11:00 PM |
To help pay for the expenses of the pow wow, we put on a raffle
with some good quality American Indian items. You do not have to
be present to win. We have four items for raffle:
1. Baby Pendleton
2. Traditional Shawl
3. Beaded Cross necklace
4. Kachina Doll
The price is just $1.00 per ticket. Make all checks to South Texas
Indian Dancers Association or S.T.I.D.A. and mail to:
Robert Soto
1913 Camellia Ave.
McAllen, TX 78501
Make sure and let us know how many tickets you want and include your name,
mailing address and phone number so we will know where to send the prize
if you win. Thank you so much for your support.
THE BUFFALO ARE STILL COMING
Throughout the years I have heard phrases like, "Nothing in life comes easy,"
"It take blood, sweat and tears to succeed," "There is no free lunch," or
"If at first you don't succeed, try, try again." These are some of the
thoughts that have come to my mind as I have struggled to start the buffalo
farm. I have purchased two buffalo but finding a place for them has
not been easy. There were some circumstances that prevented me from
putting the buffalo on my Mom's land as originally planned. The City
of McAllen is rapidly growing and what used to be farmland has now become
a small farm surrounded by four subdivisions and three schools. So after some
research, the buffalo will be placed on a small parcel of land on a beautiful
farm that I will rent about ten miles northeast of McAllen. I will be
starting on the corral next week and prayerfully, within the next two to
three weeks, the buffalo will have their new home. Keep this project in
prayer. I feel that this is an important project as we seek ways to get
back some of our traditional ways. Prayerfully, the next pictures will
be of the buffalo in their new home. I am praying that this humble beginning
will be the start of a greater dream to come. Thank you so much for your
support and prayers. God bless.
Robert Soto
Vice Chairman
UPCOMING POW WOWS
Aug. 30-31 Bandera 4th Annual Intertribal Pow Wow, Bandera TX 830-370-1085
Sept. 6-7 WTNAA Exhibition Pow Wow, Lubbock TX 806-786-0360
Sept. 6-7 16th Annual Four Winds Pow Wow, Killeen TX 254-423-1846
Sept. 20-21 Eagle Mountain Annual Pow Wow, Springtown TX 871-231-1818
Sept. 20 Gulf Coast Tia Piah Gourd Dance and Pow Wow, Pasadena TX 281-448-8435
Sept. 20 Annual TIHA Fall Pow Wow, Burnet TX 956-653-3116
Sept. 27-28 9th Annual Permian Basin Intertribal Pow Wow, Odessa TX 432-889-2693
Oct 11 Temple 2008 Intertribal Pow Wow, Temple TX 254-613-4585
Oct. 18 Gulf Coast Tia Piah Gourd Dance and Pow Wow, Pasadena TX 281-448-8435
Oct. 17-18 Sound of Thunder Weatherford TX 214-789-9130
Oct. 24-25 19th Annual South Texas (Way South) Pow Wow, McAllen TX 956-686-6696
Nov. 1 Austin Pow Wow, Austin TX 512-414-0159
Nov. 15 Houston Pow Wow, Houston TX 832-242-5455
Nov. 15 5th Annual Learning the Traditions St. Mary’s University, San Antonio TX 210) 736-3702
Nov. 15 Gulf Coast Tia Piah Gourd Dance and Pow Wow, Pasadena TX 281-448-8435
Dec. 20 Gulf Coast Tia Piah Gourd Dance and Christmas Party, Pasadena TX 281-448-8435
Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas, Inc.
General Council
Bernard F. Barcena Jr. - Chairman
Robert Soto - Vice Chairman/ Department of Publications
Joe Castro - Secretary
Juan Soliz - Treasurer
Victor Cornejo – Council Member
Joanna Soliz - Council Member
Bill Larew - Tribal Administrator
Bobby Gonzalez - Tribal Counselor
Kathy Harmon as the Tribal Genealogist
Nancy Minor Tribal Historian
Linda Walking Woman - Web Master
Contact Us:
Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas
PO Box 261110
Corpus Christi, Texas 78426
361-985-1381
Hours of Operation: Mon-Fri 9 A.M to 5 P.M.
http://www.lipanapache.org/
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