The leadership of The RedNation is as follows...
The Creator... Of all things is our highest authority... Every decision, every policy of The RedNation is passed upwards and a sign of yes or no is waited upon... Man may make mistakes or allow their own turmoils to interfere, The Creator however only gifts his children with what they most need to live, grow in wisdom and joy...
The Storytellers of the past... These wonderful ancestors watched and listened to all things, they took note and with the Creators guidance made the stories that teach and sustain all the people. Without the Storyteller/Legend Keeper, we would not even know of the Creator, nor any of the wonders in the world, therefore The RedNation is guided by the Storytellers, both the ancestral and those whom are still amongst us...
The Medicine... The Medicine is represented by those self sacrificing, stoic people, both men and women whom gave themselves over to care for the minds, hearts, physical and spiritual health of the people. Through vision questing they guided the chiefs in their decisions, guided the people through the challenges faced be it drought or flood. The medicine people are connected to Mother Earth and to the Creator of all in ways the average person cannot imagine and suffer greatly for their bond. Apart from the challenges of trying to walk in two worlds (modern society often calls this madness, yet still cannot explain the abilities and knowledge of the Medicine People); They also face the day to day responsibility of finding and using the herbal remedies, of keeping the people healthy in all ways and of guiding the people on the Path given by the Creator. The ancestors are still walking among us with their teachings, and the Medicine people of today are still working quietly in the background to guide the people towards the future...
The Ancestors... Our ancestors are actively involved in the running of The RedNation. How you ask, to put it simply, by the shining examples they gave us to follow... The courage of the great leaders, their wisdom in finding a path for the people, the sheer power of their words and actions guides us every day in our actions if we are willing to study, listen and follow the terms they laid down for us... The Following are some of those whom we owe the examples of how to live our lives and how to serve The Creator...
Geronimo, whose strength of conviction even today leaves us breathless, because he followed his vision no matter what. He suffered many heartbreaks because of this, yet remained on the path of the Creator till he made his journey...
Crazy Horse, whom although known for his leading of war parties is best remembered for being a peacemaker. Of all the people he tirelessly devoted himself to peace for the land and the people. He never let us down but was let down too many times by the ‘talking leaves’ and those whom would smoke the pipe without understanding that this was their word and bond...
Cochise, whose name meant having the quality of oak... Strong, reliable and moreso enduring above any hardship, it didn’t matter what he faced, he taught us to endure...
Chief Rain in the Face, this noted warrior whose name carried terror to every part of the frontier, a supreme fighter that showed the invaders that the “Savages” were not to be taken lightly...
Sitting Bull, before ever becoming a chief was renowned as a prophet/ visionary of the people. He became a true ambassador of all native peoples. In latter years many considered him a sell-out to the indigenous people by his participation in the Wild-West shows of Buffalo Bill but in his visions he saw that the only way to keep any of the truth on display so those of true heart could see, was to be out there and to be seen...
Dragging Canoe, was renowned for being someone that if you said “That can’t be done” he would promptly go and do it. To him nothing was impossible, only unattempted. This legendary figure, a large tall man of immense physical strength was ridiculed by many yet he never took this to heart, proving himself a man amongst men by his deeds and actions.
Bennelong, an Australian aboriginal whom served as a translator with the European settlers. He strove hard for peace but sadly had his life ended by drunken sailors whom thought he had stolen the coat he was gifted. He had originally been captured by the English and had learned the language, later escaping but then returning with the thought of promoting goodwill. He travelled to England meeting King George and returned to Australia. He was no longer trusted by the Aboriginal as it was believed he had become ‘white’ and the white wouldn’t treat him with equality. Yet he still attempted to make a peace between the nations...
Dull Knife, a true hero, a chief of the old school. Among all the Indians of the plains, nothing counted save true worth. A man’s calibre is measured by his courage, unselfishness and intelligence. He stated “Do not forget the mongrel in spirit false to the ideals of his people, our trustfulness has been our weakness and when the vices of civilisation were added to our own we fell heavily”. As a child he saved his little sisters life when a herd of buffalo stampeded to water. When his tribe was caught by heavy winter storms, he led a relief party from over a hundred and fifty miles away to save his people. In battle his brother in law was severely wounded and under heavy fire he led a rescue and was wounded twice. This man’s heroism cannot be denied and this courage is a part of what guides us, courage in the face of all challenges...
Chief Joseph, when his people were ordered off their lands, faced with a huge force of invaders he and his other chiefs led his people on a long march towards Canada outwitting a force of over two thousand soldiers over a period of many months. He and his people were betrayed by the people of another tribe for money yet this did not stop Chief Joseph from avoiding capture and continuing to lead his people. After a five day battle in freezing conditions, with no food or blankets Chief Joseph surrendered to save the lives of those remaining. He is accredited with the following speech when he surrendered, "Tell General Howard I know his heart. What he told me before, I have it in my heart. I am tired of fighting. Our chiefs are killed; Looking Glass is dead, Too-hul-hul-sote is dead. The old men are all dead. It is the young men who say yes or no. He who led on the young men is dead. It is cold, and we have no blankets; the little children are freezing to death. My people, some of them, have run away to the hills, and have no blankets, no food. No one knows where they are—perhaps freezing to death. I want to have time to look for my children, and see how many of them I can find. Maybe I shall find them among the dead. Hear me, my chiefs! I am tired; my heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever."
We must also remember the amazing women whom showed such wonderful qualities of life, love, strength. The legendary Beloved Women of the Cherokee, the Medicine Elders, the Matriachs of many nations also guide our daily life...
Nancy Ward, a prophet and seer of the people. When her husband was killed in battle, she took up his weapons and fought with courage to defeat their enemies. She so impressed those whom witnessed this, they made her a chief and gave her the title of ‘Beloved Woman’. She held the White Swan Wing, an artefact that was old when she lived and was a healer and speaker of wisdom known throughout all the nations. Her reputation for upholding the word of The Beloved Creator and speaking the truth still is remembered amongst the people as an example to the young. The White Swan Wing is currently held by one of our Medicine elders...
Sacajawea, whose name is alternatively spelled Sacagawea or Sakakawea, is another well-known Native American woman. She was born to the Shoshone tribe known as the Agaidika or “Salmon Eater”. Sacajawea was only 12 when she and other young girls were kidnapped by a group of Hidatsa men, after which they were taken to a Hidatsa village. She married a French trapper named Toussaint Charbonneau, with whom she has a son named Jean Baptiste. She was known for accompanying Meriwether Lewis and William Clark in their Corps of Discovery of the western part of the United States in 1806. Sacajawea's face now appears on the dollar coin...
Floyd Hand: He was a prophet in his own time. He seen in vision how the paths of the people could very well take a good path and finally come together and grow strong again as one Nation of many combined Nations for Survival of knowledge and spirituality, Or) a very fatal path by which all would parish and their customs, ways and knowledge would pass away with them forever, because of their choices.
Please do not consider this list as being complete as it is far from it, in fact we will be adding more as we go as well as adding more to these stories of our ancestors so that our history is not lost. We invite people whom remember the stories and legends of their people to submit the names and stories of those ancestors whom they have grown up hearing of so that we may add these memories to this site. Also we would ask in what way the example shown by these elders that affects your life today...
There are also many living Medicine elders involved in this project from tribes extending from the tip of South America through to Alaska, the Pacific Islands, Australia, Papua New Guinea and even Africa. Their names are not listed here as the purpose of this site is not to promote the individual, but to promote the spirit and heart of the people. Also by not offering the names etc of those still living, we are not making them the target of those whom would attempt to reduce them and offer insult. The medicine is the heart of the people and must be protected at all costs. If the medicine is harmed, the heart of the people is damaged...
