Eddie Spears

Actor| keynote speaker| Model

Lakota Nation

( this article was written by my dearest friend Tricia Cabtree. I do hope all my readers enjoy it! )

“Believe in yourself, anything is possible no matter who you are, or where you come from. Find your path and stay on it, if you want something bad enough, nothing can stop you.” Eddie Spear’s personal Philosophy .

Indigene clothing line by Virgil Ortiz

Eddie Spears is a Native American Indian Actor and Model. He is one the native celebrities that I would love to meet the most.  I would love to sit down with him and interview him.

Nothing but RESPECT will be showed for this flag here on this blog

But unfortunately, I have not yet met him and I am not sure if I ever will. It would be awesome to meet Eddie Spears. I only can write about the basic information about Eddie Spears that is available online.

Eddie and Michael Spears

                Eddie Spears was born November 29, 1982 in South Dakota. Eddie Spears is of the Lakota Sioux Nation. Eddie is from the Lower Brule reservation in South Dakota.  

Indigene Clothing line by Virgil Ortiz

 He is the younger brother of Michael Spears. From the sources that I found on the web I learned that “he can speak Lakota, but has admitted that he is not fluent. He is an avid outdoorsman with hunting, fishing, archery and rodeo experience.

created by Tricia Cabtree

Eddie can dance both the traditional and grass ceremonies of the Lakota.” In his home state of South Dakota he is a dedicated mentor of the youth and also travels nationally as a Keynote Speaker. Eddie and Michael both work hard to bridge the cultural gap between Natives and None Natives.


Black cloud

 Eddie began acting at age 10. His first role was in the 1993 TNT version of Geronimo. Eddie’s character was Ishkiye. In 2002, Eddie played in a Football Drama called The Slaughter Rule. He played the role of Tracy Two Dogs.

Eddie and Michael Spears on a Pow wow

Tracy Two Dogs is the best friend of the main character (Roy Chutney) played by Ryan Gosling. The Slaughter Rule won Milagro Award and the FIPRESCI Prize in the year 2002. In 2003, he played in a TV movie called Edge of American. It is based on a true story of an African American teacher that was hired to teach on an Indian Reservation.

As tracy two dogs in The Slaughter rule

            My favorite movie of Eddie is the movie Dreamkeeper (2003). His character is Shane Chasing Horse; he is a seventeen year old living in Pine Ridge South Dakota. He got in some trouble with some gang members and owes them some money.

 In order to avoid these dangerous thugs, he agrees to drive his grandfather to New Mexico for the All Nations pow wow. His grandfather is a story teller.

created by White Wolf Native

Throughout, their journey his grandpa tells traditional Indian stories that are about love, friendship and wisdom. Shane grows throughout the journey. He started out as an adolescent teenage boy then he grows a mature young man with a strong sense of traditional values.




As shane in Dreamkeeper

   Another film Eddie is in which is my second favorite is Black Cloud (2004).

** Watch now a video created by Avalon-medieval.blogspot.com -scenes from Black Cloud**

This was the first Eddie Spear’s movie that I saw. He is the lead but there are other great people who play alongside Eddie in the movie Black Cloud.

Black Cloud is a boxer and he is a member of the Navajo nation. Black Cloud is a tough guy who struggles with being of mixed blood. Russell Means plays the role of Black Cloud’s boxing coach and Julia Jones plays the girlfriend.

black cloud

Country singer and song writer Tim McGraw also is in the film. Eddie Spears trained for three months with the famous boxer, Jimmy Gambia. This in my opinion shows a lot of dedication on Eddie’s part. It is not hard to see that this man is very dedicated to his work.

 I found a video clip on YouTube. This video is from the making of Comanche Moon (2007). Eddie plays the part of a major historical figure in Comanche history, Quanah Parker. The series did not do justice for the Comanche’s history. The main focal point in the show was mainly on the Texas Rangers. Eddie had a very small part in the series but he still worked hard.

Eddie and Michael Spears

He did as much research as he could on Quanah Parker. The life of Quanah Parker is very important to history. It was a shame that this show had a very small role for the character of Quanah Parker.



As Quanah Parker in Comanche Moon

 Eddie went beyond for such a small role. He wanted to learn as much as he could about Quanah Parker. This is a very good quality in Eddie Spear’s personality.



Working on Native wind on the reservation.


He was a mentor at the second annual HatcH festival in Bozeman, Montana in October 2005.  Eddie’s father, Patrick Spears, is the president of the Intertribal Council on Utility Policy which is also known as COUP. 

Eddie is an intern for COUP. While the Spears brothers were working on their roles in TNT award winning series Into the West, they collaborated with Pat and TNT to promote Native Wind Energy. Eddie was the in the Native Wind promoting video

As Red lance in Into the West

As I said in the beginning of this article that Eddie’s Personal Belief is, “Believe in yourself, anything is possible no matter who you are, or where you come from. Find your path and stay on it, if you want something bad enough, nothing can stop you.”

Bury my heart at Wounded knee

Even I have never met Eddie Spears in person; I believe that he does live up to his personal beliefs and he is true to his traditional values and culture. My other opinion of him is that he is dedicated and works hard with great passion. He has contributed a lot to his community with his work with the youth, participation in POW wows, and his involvement with COUP and Native Wind Energy.

ttp://eddiespearsactor.com/

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0817353/

http://www.nativeenergy.com/pages/june_8_2005/64.php

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Spears

Tokala Clifford

Actor

Lakota Nation

 Have you already watched the movie Dreamkeeper? Tokala is  part of Blue Bird woman story playing the role as Red Deer. He is simply awesome on it and the movie is enchanting. Another movie that I really liked his acting is “Rez Bomb”, not so enchanting but necessary, besides it´s a movie that portraits the reality of the youth on the reservation ( Pine Ridge ). In fact, Tokala is an amazing actor and just prove it more and more in each movie he works.

Tokala as Red Deer in Dreamkeeper



Tokala is an  American actor from Crazy Horse’s people, the O’uh’pe band of the Oglala Lakota ( Pine ridge reservation ) and grew up there. His Lakota name is Tokala Hehaka Sapa, because of this he has also been credited as Tokala Black Elk. (Tokala has also been credited as Gerald Tokala Clifford.) 

What I thought very important to mention here is that Tokala was one of the youngest people ever to represent a government before the US Senate  when he represented the Oglala Sioux Tribe at the age of 13.  He has been active in efforts to assist Lakota youth by increasing their awareness of their native language & culture .

 

 In addition of this article I am posting a video Which Tokala talks about the importance of saving the Wild horses, and a text about it that he has posted to  spread the situation What I believe that must be seen by everyone and thru it we can see how awesome person he truly is!! If you want to know a little bit more about Tokala Clifford you should visit my friend´s blog Avalon-medieval.blogspot.com .

As little wolf in Bury my heart at Wounded Kee

There is much more to be showed about him, but for a while it´s all I could get it under his allowance  which he just answered me “he would be honored with it”, but I say Tokala, I am the one who is honored with the opportunity to make the article.  

As Chilik in Rez Bom

Help Save America's Wild Horses.

por Tokala Clifford, sábado, 3 de julho de 2010 às 20:58

Over the past five hundred years, a sacred being has roamed the wild areas of North America.
From the moment they were first seen by my people, Lakota, we knew that these creatures had the power to connect a person with their soul.

Whether we call them Indian Ponies, American Mustangs, Spanish Bards, Mountain Ponies, or simply Wild Horses, one thing is clear... They are so ingrained into what America is, and how America came to be what it is today... That it is simply amazing to learn that they are strategically being eradicated from US Public Lands.

The Department of the US Government that is in control of the fate of these majestic animals is the same Department of the Government that certifies Public Land for Mineral Extraction. The Federal Bureau of Land Management. In other words, the same guys that approve companies like Haliburton International to do things like open pit mining and chemical slurry processing. The horses are in the way of business. So they are rounding them up with helicopters and running them into holding pens, where they are "processed". They are given a mark and any that don't get adopted after three showings, or any that are deemed Un-Adoptable, are then sold to be slaughtered for either European Restaurants or as dog food.

This is not fiction. These wild symbols of freedom are being slaughtered in real life.

When Wild Mustangs are no longer running free somewhere, it is my belief that something pure and innocent will be dead forever.

Please don't let anyone convince you that a mine for kitty litter is more important than a living breathing symbol of what is good about America. These horses have no voice, they need your help just as much as the wetlands of our gulf coast need your help. So please make sure and add a line or two about the horses and visa versa about the oil spill when you talk about these issues with your elected officials.

Tokala´s filmography.

2010 Search for the World's Best Indian Taco (short) (completed)
Deedra's Brother

2008 Rez Bomb
Chilik

2007 Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee (TV movie)
Little Wolf

2007/I Imprint
Nathaniel Stonefeather (as Gerald Tokala Clifford)

2005 Into the West (TV mini-series)
Black Coyote

– Ghost Dance (2005) … Black Coyote

2004 Reservation Warparties (short)
JR (as Gerald Tokala Clifford)

2003 DreamKeeper (TV movie)
Red Deer (as Gerald Tokala Clifford)

2002 Skins
Black Lodge Boy (as Gerald Tokala Clifford)

Hide  Show  Self (2 titles)

2010 American Indian Actors (documentary short)
Himself

2010 Wild Horses and Renegades (documentary)
Himself

Pow wow etiquette

Let´s have more information about Powwow! I can say that there are so many things to be learned about it and eventhough I think we will be able to understand exactly what it is if we are there....

The Gathering of Nations Pow wow – placed in Albuquerque- New Mexico -  usually presents the contest for Miss Indian World, which many native womem goes to represent their different tribes and traditions....They must compete in different areas as Tribal knowledge, dancing and about their personality.

Also there is The Indian Traders Market Which offers exhibition of Native American artifacts, over 800 artists usually take part in it...It must be a wonderful shopping experience....Of couse, there is also all variety of typical native food, including the fry bread ( the most famous one )

In addition, I am listing below the Pow wow etiquette ...For people who has never been to one, learn the appropriate way to behave once there:

1.Pay attention and listen to all instructions given from the Master of Cerimony.

2.Remember that the Native´s clothings are called "Regalia", never refers it as a costume, and never touch it, respect it please.. If you feel the necessity to do it, ask permition first for the dancer. Respect the dancers space!

3.Certain items of religious significance should be worn only by those qualified to do so. Respect the traditions.

4. No Alcohol or drugs are allowed at Pow Wows.

5. If taking pictures, asked the dancer first. Remember common courtesy and ask permission. Group photographs are usually alright to take, but you might want to ask the committee first. The MC will let you know when it is not possible to take the pictures. If you are going to use the pictures for something commercial ask the dancer if is it okay first, if it is for personal use, offer to send a copy.

6.The dancer harbor is always blessed, do not walk or run into it. It is prohibited.

7.Never record the native american drum without permission of the head singer.Remember to show respect and consideration.

8.Remember that in each area you travel to and visit, things can and will be slightly different than your area. Different groups and have different customs and methods of doing things. Different is not wrong, just different. Be respectful of the uniqueness of each area.

Now my readers can be ready for a Pow wow!!!

Some of the websites I´ve visited to make this article:

http://www.powwow.com/

http://www.gatheringofnations.com/

http://www.bluecloud.org/

http://www.powwow-power.com/

Virgil Ortiz ( Em Português )

Estilista | Artista Plástico

Nação Cochiti Pueblo

Este artigo talvez seja uma das maiores novidades do circuito “native” para meus leitores Brasileiros. Virgil Ortiz gentilmente me autorizou a realizar este artigo.

A primeira vez que vi o trabalho de Virgil Ortiz foi através de umas fotos promocionais dos irmãos Spears vestindo sua linha de roupas “Indigene” e fiquei fascinada pelo pingente Revolt, alias sou até hoje.

Como naquele momento eu já estava envolvida em pesquizas sobre o mundo nativo norte Americano, fui saber quem era o criador daquela fantástica linha de roupas e joalheria, tão originais e simplesmente um deslumbre.

Meu primeiro pensamento foi: Minha nossa!! Um estilista entre eles, que sensacional!! E posso garantir que ao conhecer um pouco mais suas criações podemos ver o quão talentoso ele é. Tenha a mais absoluta certeza que ele merece todo o reconhecimento que tem.

Na minha humilde opinão ( e que aqui neste blog é a que manda!! ), o povo indigena sempre foi muito criativo e talentoso em sua arte, fico louca com qualquer arte native e Virgil conseguiu levar essa arte há um outro nivel, o que é ao meu ver totalmente inspirador. Por isso decide fazer artigo para mostra-lo ao Brazil .

Eddie Spears - Coleção Indigene

Também passo o link de seu website para que possam conhecer melhor suas coleções. Em breve haverá um logo de VO permanente neste blog para que todos meus leitores o visitem com mais facilidade e em seu website terá a ferramente de tradução para o Português!!!

 Caso alguém fique louco também com suas criações seus produtos podem ser vendidos através do proprio site.

Michael Spears - Coleção Indigene

Porém, algo especial também sobre Virgil Ortiz é que além de sua agenda professional ele trabalha na criação de oportunidades para crianças e sua comunidade em geral o que reflete o legado de seus antepassados, bem como também promove uma sensibilização global da cultura Pueblo ( que é sua nação Indigena). Virgil ainda vive e trabalha em Cochiti Pueblo, Novo Mexico.

John Gibbs - Coleção Indigene

"...Eu tenho algo muito importante a fazer enquanto estou aqui. Eu quero preserver minha cultura e inspirar nossa juventude a realizar seus sonhos ..."

 www.virgilortiz.com

Pow wow celebration!!

Certainly among American people ( native or non native ), Pow wow celebration is well known, but for people from another countries like me, it might be something knew.

Personally I haven´t been to one yet, thus I´ll write based on researches and friends clues. If someone wants to add or correct some information, please feel free to email me. sandra.padmaprem@gmail.com

Pow wow is a Native festival for celebrations, social gatherings, dance and hand drum competitions where art and culture can be found and it´s a way to keep native culture and tradition alive.

Also it´s a time for sacred beliefs to be renewed and shared!! It´s called Wacipi in Dakota Language and the term powwow is traced from Alonquin Language. There are public and private ones.

David Midthunder performing

There are several different stories of how it started, none of them is considered the correct one, they are only possibilities. Some believe its origin come from  Southern Plains tribes and it was originally a spring event to celebrate the seasonal renewal of new life.  In the Dakota/Lakota tradition, the celebration was also a prayer to Wakantanka ( the Great Spirit, Grandfather or Great Mystery).

Another belief is that when the Native Americans were forced onto reservations the government also forced them to have dances for the public to come and see.

Michael Spears performing hand drum

The circle represents the circle of unity, the cycle of life. Almost all natives activities – not just in the U.S.A but for all native peoples, have the circle with the same representation. Another important thing to learn is that the clothing worn by the dancers are not called “customes” but “regalias”, and some of them have special meaning.

Powwows are still very much a part of the lives of many Native Americans around the state and country , all places where there are native tribes , and are held , at several locations  during peak periods, from June until September, but may be during all over the year , depending on the place.Many families "go on the circuit', camp out and enjoy the traditional activities.

The most important Powwow is in New Mexico called “ Gathering of Nations “.