DESERT WIND
Lipan Apache Newsletter
Volume 3, Issue 1
02-09
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLICATIONS
We are officially going into our second year as a tribe. A lot of
exciting things have happened since we organized the tribe.
For now the best two ways to communicate news is either through
the website or through e-mail. So for now I urge you to do one
of two things. If you know a tribal member who has an e-mail address
but is not getting any news, asked them to submit their e-mail to me,
Robert Soto, so that they will be placed on our mailing list.
The second thing you can do is whenever we send any type of news,
make a copy of the newsletters and give them to your Lipan Apache
friends and family members who do not have access to e-mail.
We need to continually keep communicating. Until the tribe develops
the means to mail personal letters, the best way we can communicate
is through the computer. Let us help you keep informed. If you ever
have any questions please feel free to call Robert Soto at
956-686-6696 or e-mail at Robtsoto@aol.com.
If I do not answer
please leave a message on my answering machine and I will call
you as soon as possible. As Vice Chairman and Director of
Communications, I am here to serve you.
CHAIRMAN'S CORNER
Dan'zho,
I hope that all is well with all who read this.
Recently myself, Robert Soto and Juan Solis represented the
Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas in a cultural exchange with the
State of Coahuila and the Federal Government of Mexico. The
conference was held January 9-10, 2009 in Musquiz, Coahuila Mexico.
I cannot express properly with words, the great feeling of
welcome that we experienced. To be welcomed into a land where
our ancestors lived and worshiped was overwhelming. We were
welcomed by caring and wonderful hosts who were anxious to
form the links of friendship that were lost. We were treated
as if we were long lost relatives.
While there we were able to walk the mountains where our ancestors
walked. We were taken to the headwaters of the Sabinas River and
taken to the old camp area where the N'de gathered before they
would go into Musquiz.
To walk in the mountains where our ancestors walked. To drink
from the waters where the women gathered to take water for
the Tribe. The feeling was exhilarating. To smell the air and
feel the touch of generations past. All these moments of past
recollection mixed with current reality made us as one with our
ancestors. I write these words hoping that all who read them
feel the feeling we had.
Also attending with us were Nancy Minor and her husband David,
David Gohre, Bill Larew and Jose Medina Gonzalez Davila.
Without these individuals the cultural exchange would not
have been possible. David Minor was a great guide for us
on the road; David Gohre did a fantastic job of translating
and without him I would have been completely lost. Bill did
a wonderful and highly emotional rendition of Mckenzie's
Raid at Remolino. To hear and feel his words brought tears
to many eyes. Nancy ("The Professora") Minor who was a
Shining Star provided historical commentary that brought
two peoples together. And finally, Jose Medina, a most
gracious host and guide. The work that he is providing
is invaluable.
While in Musquiz all of us spoke many words and
many words filled with feeling and beauty were exchanged.
We wish to thank all the many friends who shared their time and knowledge.
We give a special thanks to the Mayor of Musquiz and his representatives.
The meal at El Presidio on Saturday was most excellent.
Each of us was overwhelmed by the Musquiz Cultural Center. What a
beautiful home for people to gather in and celebrate all the wonders
around them. We all felt the magic that can only come when all things
are right, and within this home we felt all things were right.
For Yolanda and Silvia, beauty follows where you walk and light
shines from the path upon which God leads you. All of the blessings
our peoples have shared in the past will once again blossom in the
heart of Musquiz and with the Soul of Coahuila. This coming together
of the Lipan Apache in the Santa Rosa Mountains is the fruit of your labors.
Hopefully we will celebrate this Friendship once again very soon.
Bernard Barcena
Chairman, Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas
WORDS FROM OUR VICE CHAIRMAN
Sometimes things happen in life that do not seem fair. People
step on your toes or hurt you in many ways. As I look back at
the last year I have had the opportunity to see a lot of good
things happen from a bad situation. I believe that nothing in
life happens by accident. So when we were dismissed from the
band, God the Creator directed us to start the tribe.
In many ways, I feel in my heart that this was all in God
the Creator's eternal plan. As a tribe, we have had the
opportunity to do things and accomplish things that would not
have happened otherwise. I feel that three things make us
different. First and foremost, the Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas
is committed to our God and Creator. As a council, we commit
each day in prayer and we pray for each other. Secondly, we are
committed to our people. We as a council are here for the membership
of the Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas. Thirdly, we are committed to the
tribe as a whole. This does not mean that if you are not a member of
our tribe that you are not Lipan Apache. No one can ever strip from
you your God-given right to be who God the Creator has made you to be.
But as a tribe with its membership, we are wholly committed to its membership.
By membership we mean those who have done their paperwork as required
by the Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas.
We have a good tribe. We have a good council.
We have a great membership. Let us work together
as one and see great things come to pass in our tribe.
We are here to serve you.
God bless,
Robert Soto
Vice Chairman, Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas
FROM NANCY MINOR:
Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas Historian
The Rio Grande is Just a River
The Lipan Apaches have always been a trans-national people,
crossing back and forth across the Rio Grande. Many families
have stories about relatives in Mexico or about the time
when their families lived in northern Mexico after the Indian
Removal from Texas in the 1850’s. The Tribe has a history
on both sides of the border.
One reason why the ancient Lipans migrated into Texas
from the north was because they were looking for a
homeland. They claimed a homeland around San Antonio
by 1750 and called it “Many Houses,” or Ki-aah-hii.
But a conflict arose among the bands. Several chiefs
wanted to bring their people into missions, but the
majority of chiefs did not want to do this because
Lipan contact with the Spanish priests and mission
Indians brought epidemics to the Lipan rancherías.
One group, led by chief Bigotes, wanted no contact
with Spanish missions or missionaries. This group,
the Big Water band, moved permanently across the Rio Grande
into Coahuila in 1751. There they found abundant buffalo,
deer and cactus tunas. They were initially welcomed by
Spanish settlers. The Lipans called their secondary
homeland in Coahuila Naa-ci-ká, or “Circular House.”
Part of the process of the Lipan People reclaiming
their history, heritage and culture is acknowledging
that the ties between the Lipan Apaches and the people
of both Texas and northern Mexico are strong and enduring.
The Lipan People are not “re-discovering” their history
in these borderlands. They are re-establishing ancient
relationships.
FROM JOSE MEDINA:
Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas Anthropologist
My name is Jose Medina, I am working on my doctoral dissertation
in Social Anthropology in Mexico. My research is based on the
culture and traditions of the Lipan Apache, a field where there
is still a lot for me to know and learn. During the last few months,
I have been honored to share thoughts and experiences with members
of the Lipan Apache Tribal Council. Not only have this time has been
one of the most important periods of my life, but it has also taught
me that there is still a lot for me to know, to learn and to do.
I am grateful in my heart and honored to be able to share
projects and experiences with members of the Tribal Council.
One of such is the rescue of the Lipan Apache cultural
heritage both in Mexico as in Texas. Every experience and
conversation that I have with the Tribal Council members
reminds me that there is still a lot for me to learn, to
understand and to do in benefit of the Lipan Apache Tribe.
When I introduced myself to the Tribal Council members, as
part of my dissertation research, I gave them my word on
being honest, respectful, and to be open of heart and mind.
This promise is not only my bond with the Council, but with
the entire Lipan People.
I have committed my work, research and efforts to support the Tribe
in any way I can. My family, my roots, my heritage is in Coahuila,
part of the Lipan Ancestral Homeland. The Lipan People are part of
the history of Coahuila, but every day it is more evident that they
are still part of the present. As you know, Lipan Council Members
visited Musquiz, Coahuila, for a cultural presentation. I will be
forever grateful to be able to witness this historical event: not
only the return to the Ancestral Homeland, but also to see the
tears of joy of the inhabitants of Coahuila as they saw that the
Lipan were still alive. Despite terrible acts in the past, the
people of Coahuila and the Lipan had strong bonds of friendship,
bonds that came alive and stronger again.
There is still a lot for me to know, to learn and to understand.
I kindly ask for your help, and I will be obliged with your support.
Can you share with me your family’s stories, traditions, and way of
life? Do you have relatives that live in Mexico? Can you share with me
if you still have traditions or customs that your ancestors and
relatives taught you and that you carry out on your present life?
Rest assured that all you share with me will be received with an
open heart, mind and with the highest of respects.
If there is anything I can do for you, anything you want to
share with me, or something you would like for me to do,
I will be more than glad to do so. My commitment is to help
the Tribe in any way I can, and as long as God and the Tribal
Council Members allow me to do this, the Lipan People has my
word I will.
José Medina González Dávila
anthropologist@lipanapache.org
jmgonzalezdavila@yahoo.com
FROM BILL LAREW:
Tribal Administrator
Keep it Going
The Museum and Cultural Center is the corporate home of the Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas.
There are quite a few things that happen at the museum or at the “Apacheria”
as some have come to call it. First and foremost, the museum is the first
real and permanent interface the public has ever had with the Lipan Apache.
There have been pow-wows and other events, but it is here where the general
public can browse through the exhibits and learn about the past, as well as
the present and future intentions of the Lipan Apache.
Many folks come to discover their heritage, and this is
quite a rewarding experience.
Our corporate records are housed in the offices at the museum.
This sounds wonderful, and it is. It has taken a long time to
iron out all of the kinks in getting this up and running as it
should be. We have made some mistakes along the way, but I
believe we now have a finely tuned team to complete the
enrollment process and continue with the mission of creating
a touchstone for all Lipan.
We have hired Sandra Mendoza as executive assistant
to the Tribal Administrator and she is doing a phenomenal
job in record keeping and office organization. Sandra hired
in at $7.00 per hour. She could make fifteen to twenty on
the open market, but she would rather be a part of history
than anything else.
Computers, office equipment and supplies,
electricity, stamps, employee wages all cost money.
We need fifty sustaining donors. What this means is we
are asking fifty people to pledge $20.00 per month
to help maintain the Museum. If you can pledge more
per month, that would be great.
Finally, we have all the right people in the right
places. We need your help to keep this going. Why
let the Texas history books tell your story when
you can do a much better job?
Please contact Bill Larew or Sandra Mendoza to find out
how you can be a sustaining member of the Tribal Culture
Center and Museum. The need is urgent and each and every
person is being asked to share what they can on a monthly
basis to keep this special place alive and well.
Contact info:
Sandra Mendoza 361-985-1381 or smendoza@lipanapache.org
FROM SANDRA MENDOZA:
Executive Assistant to the Tribal Administrator
D’ZHO
My name is Sandra Mendoza. I wear a few hats over at the
Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas Museum & Cultural Center.
I am the Executive Assistant to the Tribal Administrator,
William Larew. Another is Tour Guide at the center,
sharing what I have learned with the visitors, explaining
that the Lipans were invisible for a while but have returned
to regain their rightful place in history. As receptionist,
I answer the phone when you call in for information and updates.
I am pleased to get to know many of you I've only met through
your files. Lately a new hat has been added. I have been
assisting with the files of you the members and prospective
members. It is a learning experience and the files are
very special to me. I will make sure that no files
leave the Center and that they are properly kept.
I believe that those files are our link to the history of
the Lipans and are to be respected and maintained. It is
an honor and privilege to be allowed to work with them.
My hope for the future is that more of you share your
knowledge of your Lipan heritage with the museum, our
community and me. I want the center to be a necessary
source for the school children that are our future.
If anyone has any special gift to share about the early
life of Lipans, please call me so we might set up a story
time, craft time, even a recipe time on a Saturday afternoon.
FROM TOM CASTILLO:
Homeland Administrator
Da Nzho,
Wonderful things are happening with the tribe and I am happy to announce another!
In order to carry out the objectives as stated on the
Lipan Apache Tribe of TX Mission Statement, which could
be found in the Tribal By-Laws, our Chairman (Bernard Barcena)
has created the Language Preservation Committee. The committee
consists of general members of the Tribe and is chaired by the
Homeland Administrator (myself). The committee also consists of
David Gorhe (Tribal Linguist) as our Consultant for the committee.
The committee had its first meeting January 24, 2009 to set forth
goals and objectives needed to assure the preservation of the
Lipan Language. The committee also discussed issues which needed
to be resolved to carry out these goals and objectives.
Minutes of this meeting can be found on the Tribal website:
www.lipanapache.org
If you feel you have any information, Ideas, or input
for the committee which you would like to share, to
help with the preservation of our language, please
contact me at:
Homeland@lipanapache.org
Your input is very important us and our project to preserve the Lipan Language.
More to come...............,
Tom Castillo
Homeland Administrator
COUNCIL MEETING TO BE HELD
Our next Council meeting will be held on February 28, 2009 at the
Lipan Apache Cultural Center at the Sunrise Mall in Corpus Christi.
The meeting will start at 12 noon. All are welcome to come.
Bring your own chair as seating is limited. Hope to see you there.
A lot of exciting things are happening in our tribe and this is your
opportunity to come and share your opinion. If you have any questions,
feel free to call the tribal office at 361-985-1381.
Dates For 2009 Council meetings:
The following are the dates for the 2009 council meetings. According to our by-laws,
we are required to have four council meetings a year. Put them in your calendar
so you can remember when we meet. Ten days prior to the council meetings we will
sent out a notice either through the Dessert Wind or Dessert Breeze. The dates are:
February 28
May 2
August 22
December 12
The meetings will be held at our cultural center in Corpus Christi unless
announced otherwise. Hope to see you there. God bless.
Robert Soto
Vice Chairman
NEWS FROM THE PEOPLE
REMEBER OUR WARRIORS
I have quite often thought about the meanings of words. expressing
one's thoughts in a way that conveys the real essence of what you
wish to say, What you wish your listener to understand.
The expression I wish to lay before you, is the heartfelt definition
of the word "WARRIOR". For me this word brings the image of an individual
whose internal driving force causes him (or her) to serve others
selflessly and without regard to their own personal being. Moral
courage, sense of duty and commitment to family, ancestors and their
nation are just a few of the attributes of these people.
The N'de have a great history of true Warriors. At the museum we
have a display dedicated to Five great Chiefs of the past:
Poca Ropa, Cueglas, Magoosh, Flacco, and Costallitos. As
leaders and warriors these honors come to them because of
their deeds and not some self ascribed virtue.
Our recent past has many names of those who have served in
battles over the course of the 20th century. On our Council
sits Juan Soliz, a Viet Nam veteran; also the Headman of our
Elders, Gilbert Tallez who also served in Viet Nam. Also
Eddie "Twoclouds" Zermeno, Phillip Cornejo and many, many
others. These men have carried that spirit into the world
of achieving peace in service to the people.
Today I wish to honor three young men who have that spirit
burning within them. First is Jason Rodriguez who is in his
fourth tour in Iraq. The flame that burns within him has been
passed from generation to generation. Next is Jason Pompa, son
of Pete Pompa and grandson of Jose Pompa and nephew to Dolores Pompa,
currently serving his second tour of duty in a lonely desolate outpost
in Afghanistan. These two warriors whose sacrifice and sense of
duty to their people bring great honor to the old ways.
Warriors come in all sizes and when Creator chooses one to serve,
the age of the warrior does not matter. Adriel Arocha is such a
Warrior. When the Needville ISD said to him "Cut your hair and
be like the rest of the boys". Adriel stood firm and had only
one word for the school bureaucrats and that word was "NO".
Adriel at age 5 understands that words mean things. When he
said "No" there was nothing left to say . His deeds and
desire to be N'de won the day and he kept his hair.
I have asked the loved ones of these young men to include
a short note to these young men.
These young men epitomize the finest virtues of the Lipan Warrior.
Both Jasons had taken pledges to defend and to serve and both are
honoring those pledges in Afghanistan. Adriel said "NO" and stood
firm and never wavered.
As Chairman of this Tribe and Leader of our People,
it is my responsibility to call attention to those who
have that understanding of the way of the Warrior. This
is not an honor given lightly for if it were it would dishonor
all the Warriors in our nation's past.
Jason Rodriguez, Jason Pompa, and Adriel Arocha are Lipan Apache
Warriors and shall be recognized as such from this day forward.
Bernard Barcena
Chairman, Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas
NDE DAA EXHIBITION POW WOW
March 14, 2009 will bring our Annual Nde Daa Exhibition Pow Wow.
NDE DAA means The People Spring Pow Wow. A long time ago when
I was a small boy, my Apache family would gather together
in the early part of spring and celebrate the coming of
spring by meeting in a wooded area and harvesting cactus.
The children would play while the women cleaned the cactus
and the men would harvest the cactus and prepare the food
for a long's day festivity. As time moved along we stopped
meeting in the wooded area that quickly disappeared with
population growth. But about fifteen years ago, we decided
to celebrate the coming of spring by dancing. It is for
this reason that we call our pow wow The NDE DAA Exhibition
Pow Wow. As we celebrate, we remember those who celebrated
the season before us and pray that the celebrations will
continue throughout the years with those who follow us.
The pow wow will be held at Joy Plaza, located at 2200 Industrial Dr.
in McAllen, Texas. Our staff is in place:
Head Man Dancer..... Dallas Russell, Lipan Apache
Head Lady Dancer.....Melony Padrone, White Mountain Apache
Head Gourd Dancer....Frank Padrone, White Mountain Apache
Master of Ceremonies....Erwin De Luna, Pueblo/Navajo
Arena Director.....Danny "Cookie" Villarreal, Apache
Drum.....South Wind - head singer Carlos Gonzales Ponca
Pow Wow schedule:
Doors open at 10:30 AM
Gourd Dance 11:00 AM
Grand Entry 1:00 PM
Gourd Dance 4:00 PM
Feed 5:00 PM
Grand Entry 6:30 PM
Closing 10:15 PM
The pow wow will start at 10:30 AM and will end at 10:30 PM.
If you need any information please contact Robert Soto at
956-686-6696 or e-mail at robtsoto@aol.com or Betty Russell
at 956-205-2344.
For vendor information call Robert Soto at 956-686-6696
or email at robtsoto@aol.com.
There will be limited seating so we recommend you bring
your own chairs. Everyone is welcome to our pow wow.
Come and experience the sounds of the past in the present.
Robert Soto
The South Texas Indian Dancers
BUFFALO FARM DREAM CONTINUES
I have not had a chance to write for awhile about the
dream of the buffalo farm, so here's the latest news.
Due to some complications the buffalo could not be
put on the land that I worked so hard to clear.
So the last six months have brought an endless search
for a new place to build the buffalo corral and to
establish their new home. Well, after a six-month search,
I have finally found a place where the buffalo will
make their new home. Work on the corral will resume
and prayerfully be complete within the next four to
five weeks. Keep me in prayer as I will be spending
many hours to establish what we pray will be the
future of our buffalo farm. The dream continues
and so I covet your prayers and support.
Robert Soto
Vice Chairman
NEW CULTURAL CENTER/MUSUEM PLANNED
The next few months will also bring another exciting event for our tribe.
I have been given free use of a house in a prime area of McAllen, Texas
to open a small museum/cultural center. It is my prayer that the museum/cultural
center will be a center not only for our Lipan Apache people, but also
a place where Indian people can come together and learn and just to meet.
The center will consist of a museum where we can reflect and exhibit what
it means to be Lipan Apache in the Rio Grande Valley. The cultural
center will feature a meeting room that will house not only an educational
center, but will also be the meeting place for The Native American
New Life Center and for The South Texas Indian Dancers Association.
The Huisache Creek Singers will make the cultural center their practice room.
We also plan to have a center for our Indian youth and others where they
can come and learn about who we are through monthly lectures or craft seminars.
The center will also house a resource center with a couple of computers
that will be used in historical research and language preservation of our People.
How can you help? I could use your help with the physical development
of the Center. If you desire to donate either time, funds or articles
for display you can contact me, Robert Soto at 956-648-8129 or E-mail
me at ROBTSOTO@AOL.COM.
I want to thank George Villarreal, a Mescalero Apache and longtime
friend for his generous donation to use this facility.
Thank you for your time.
Robert Soto
SPECIAL SERVICE TO BE HELD IN HARLINGEN
A special service in honor of the late Rafael Flores, member of the
Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas who recently went into the land of Eternal
Summer as referred by our people, will be held on February 21 at the
Dios Es Amor Church north of Harlingen, TX. All of our Apache people
are welcome to join us. Pastor Robert Soto will be conducting the
service and will take his American Indian Drum group to sing some
songs and help with the service. The service will start at 6:00 PM
with a dinner. At 7:00 PM the drummers will start singing and the
service will begin.
Dios Es Amor Church is just east of Combes, TX. To get there, take US 77 to
FM 508 east towards Rio Hondo. Go about two and a half miles.
The church is on the left hand side of FM 508. If you have any
questions feel free to write or call me at 956-648-8129.
Everyone is welcome.
POW WOW DATES
Feb. 21 Gulf Coast Tia Piah Gourd Dance and Pow Wow, Pasadena TX 281-448-8435
Feb 21 FWIS 4TH Annual Senior's Pow Wow, Killeen TX 254-423-1846
Feb. 27-28 Karankawa Lodge Indian Lore Weekend and Pow Wow, Mathis TX 361-643-8937
March 7 Annual Waco Intertribal Pow Wow, Waco TX 254-867-4814
March 7 UT Arlington NASA Scholarship Pow Wow, Arlington TX 817-272-2729
March 7 TSTI 3rd Annual Pow Wow, Waco TX 800-792-8784
March 14 NDE DAA Exhibition Pow Wow, McAllen TX 956-686-6696
March 21 Honoring the Animals Pow Wow, San Antonio TX 210-902-2735
March 28 Red River Intertribal Club Benefit Pow Wow, Wichita Falls TX 940-782-7747
March 28 28 TIHA Spring Pow Wow, Galloway Hammond Recreation Center, Burnet TX Info: tihasmokesignal@yahoo.com.
April 4 Southwestern University Pow Wow, Georgetown TX 512-639-4931
April 4-5 Pow Wow Big Spring, Big Spring TX 432-263-3255
April 17-18 32nd Texas Gulf Coast Tia-Piah Annual Pow Wow New Caney TX 281-842-8972
April 18 Fiesta Pow Wow, San Antonio TX 210-736-3702
May 22-23 16th Annual Memorial Pow Wow, Laredo TX 210-461-4798
June 5-6 41st Annual Alabama-Coushatta Pow Wow, Livingston TX 936-563-1120
June 12-13 TIHA 53rd Annual Summer Pow Wow, Galloway Hammond Recreation Center, Burnet TX Info: jjamesuta@hotmail.com. Traders contact: don@donaldadrefkecpa.com
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
Bill Larew - Tribal Administrator
Bobby Gonzalez - Tribal Counselor
Kathy Harmon as the Tribal Genealogist
Nancy Minor Tribal Historian
Tom Castillo - Homeland Administrator
David Gohre - Tribal Linguist
José Medina González Dávila - Tribal Anthropologist
Victor Cornejo – Council Member
Joanna Soliz - Council Member
Linda Walking Woman - Web Master
Contact Us:
Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas
contact@lipanapache.org
956-648-9336
Hours of Operation: Mon-Fri 9 A.M to 5 P.M.
http://www.lipanapache.org/
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