July 20, 2022

Rocky Boy’s Agency, Montana

Chippewa Cree Country

Stone Child College, Box Elder, MT
NAC-SNM had the privilege and joy to honor Chippewa Cree Nation’s esteemed brave leaders and warriors who have left their mark on the history of the Native American Church and the community of Chief Rocky Boy’s reservation.

The Program.

Mike Burgess (Comanche) kicked off the program with a few remarks.  He introduced the American Legion Post that posted colors and Mr. Vern Gardipee who rendered the flag song.  This was followed by an invocation rendered by Francis Eagleman.  Mike then introduced Theodore Russette III, Vice-Chairman of the Chippewa Cree Tribe, who made opening remarks and thanked all in attendance and acknowledged the honorees.

Leo Dayish, President of the NAC-State of New Mexico and youngest son of Frankie Dayish, shared NAC-SNM’s incorporation story, his late father’s vision, and how his father advised and led the organization for five decades.

Joshua Seaton, President of the Native American Church of Rocky Boy’s Reservation, Montana and grandson of Robert Murie, offered remarks about their chapter.  He provided a fulsome history of William Denny Sr who brought the Native American Church to Rocky Boy in 1934.  He shared that William Denny was told by the elders that whenever the Sacrament is used in a prayerful way it would help their people.  Josh Seaton noted that the co-founders of the NAC of Rocky Boy’s Reservation (incorporated in February 1980) were William Denny, Jr., Robert Murie, Francis Eagleman, and Videl Stump.  He said the main goal of their organization is protecting and preserving the Medicine for our children and grandchildren.

Joshua expressed thanks to the NAC-SNM for honoring his grandpas – who he said are very instrumental persons in the community, they have traditional knowledge and  songs, name giving way, pipe way, and they always remain humble.  He said they are not boastful, remain active, and are good role models ~ someone to look up to.

At the close of chapter presentations, the NAC-SNM appreciated the co-founders and the current leadership of the NAC of Rocky Boy’s Reservation President Joshua Seaton, Vice-Pres Thomas Limberhand, Secretary Wilma J. Tyner, Treasurer William Lodgepole, Jr., and Sergeant at arms Gilbert Tyner.

Terry Dayish then presented Snapshots of the Past and Present of the NAC, which highlighted NAC challenges and successes during the 1800-1900 period and thru the 1960s-1990’s leading up to the AIRFA 1994 Amendments passage.  He also highlighted the current challenges facing the church, such as the “decrim movement” and the protection and preservation of the sacred Peyote Gardens in Texas.

NAC-SNM had the privilege and joy to honor Chippewa Cree Nation’s esteemed brave leaders and warriors who have left their mark on the history of the Native American Church and the community of Chief Rocky Boy’s reservation.
Mike Burgess
(C) 2022 NAC-SNM
Color Guard
(C) 2022 NAC-SNM
Francis Eagleman
(C) 2022 NAC-SNM

Theodore Russette III
(C) 2022 NAC-SNM
Joshua Seaton
(C) 2022 NAC-SNM
Terry Dayish
(C) 2022 NAC-SNM

The Honoring.

Of import, the recognition over the last year in different parts of the country is not so much about listing leaders in the Native American Church but more about saying thank you and building a resource to familiarize the NAC community with some of the most important and influential Native American Church leaders of our time.  This writer had the privilege of sitting with and listening to a few notable NAC roadmen and leaders on Rocky Boy’s Reservation on July 16, 2022 – the story follows.

Earl Arkinson
Earl was joined by his wife Elaine and his family members at Stone Child College.  Earl shared a word in the Cree language that captures the concept of honoring people while they are with us, and he expressed gratitude for these opportunities in his lifetime.  He thanked the creator, thanked the grandpas, and thanked the sacrament Peyote.  He thoughtfully recounted a few times that brought him joy when folks made good gestures.

EARL ARKINSON & LEATHAN DAYISH
(C) 2022 NAC-SNM
Earl shared that his family sponsored a giveaway during his first term as president of NACNA for which he was thankful.  “During my second term elected as NACNA President in Macy, Nebraska, your late father Frankie Dayish, rolled a Peyote and gave it to me, and then he fanned me off with an eagle feather.  I will never forget that,” said Earl.  He also mentioned that the Matheson family gave him a war bonnet during a Peyote meeting in the morning time – at which time they acknowledged him as a leader and a chief.  He further shared, “In my third term in Mayetta, Kansas, the late Archie Hoffman gave $1,000 to the NACNA in my honor.  I miss my late brother—he was a good brother.”  Earl said he met a lot of good people in this Peyote way of life.  He feels really humbled in his heart and says thank you.

Francis Eagleman, Sr.
“Why do you want this information?” was the first question that Francis asked the Task Force when they requested his bio and photos to use when honoring him.  That question caught the attention of Terry Dayish.  As the Task Force gathered information, we learned that Francis was a combat veteran during Vietnam War ~ then that question made perfect sense!  In introducing Francis Eagleman, Terry shared that military personnel, specifically a United States Marine, is trained to have a questioning attitude – it is embedded in the essence of a military person, and that is why Francis asked the question.

FRANCIS EAGLEMAN & LEATHAN DAYISH
(C) 2022 NAC-SNM
Thank you, Francis Eagleman, for serving our country in a war that was not popular.  We acknowledge the sacrifice that you made and experiences that you had as a warrior on the battlefield.  We are indebted to  the elders who prayed for you before you left to serve our country and the Medicine went with you and brought you home.  We are thankful that you persevered and came home.   Today, Francis is a resource of comfort and guidance to tribal members – young and old seeking compassion and help, and carries responsibilities that only a veteran is able to perform.

When Francis Eagleman took the mic to share words with the audience, he thanked his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and extended relations who are with him today.  He shared that he married Evelyn in 1971 and they had six children; 18 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.  His wife passed on June 19, 2014 and he is thankful for the life they had together and their children.  He said, “I am living the prayer of the elders.  I am 80 years old, and I enjoy my life with my family, siblings, and extended family.”

Francis hosted the NAC prayer service at his home.  He extended a warm hospitality and shared good words with all.  At dawn on Sunday morning, he along with comrades Terry Dayish (USMC) and Leathan Dayish (US Army) raised the United States Flag in remembrance of his father who served in the U.S. Army Air Corps.

Robert Murie
In introducing Robert Murie to the audience Leo Dayish stated, “this next gentleman does not need an introduction in his home community.”  Leo proceeded with sharing that Robert Murie has dedicated myriad talents for research and language to gather, compile, and record the legacy of Rocky Boy forefathers.  As an instructor at Stone Child College, he teaches and inspires others to keep the native language going for generations.  He is a key figure that is perpetuating the NAC way of life for all.  In the 1970s he worked with elders in the community.

Both Leo and Robert recounted their recollections of Robert and his family traveling to Tree Meadows in September 1992 at the invitation of Franke Dayish to join in prayer and be part of the uncompromising approach to secure and protect the Native American rights for the sacramental use of Peyote.  Robert said he was thankful for having known Frankie Dayish.

ROBERT MURIE & LEATHAN DAYISH
(C) 2022 NAC-SNM
Leo noted that Robert’s powerful and impactful messages as a public speaker spans five decades, and the audience had the opportunity to hear Robert speak at the honoring.  Robert said, “Thank the good Lord, mother earth, all the children, and the Holy Sacrament that brought us together today.  No words can express the full extent of gratitude that we feel about this honor.  Makes me feel good and so happy.”  He noted that his father is Pawnee and his mother is Cree.  He said he has lived most of his life in Cree country.  He shared that his wife Sandy passed 10 years ago.  They enjoyed the NAC together for many years.  They raised six children together and today have many grandchildren and great grandchildren.  His mother passed at age 86 and had 13 children.

In Memoriam tributes Sam Windy Boy, Sr. and Frankie Dayish.
Joshua Seaton expressed thanks to the NAC-SNM for honoring his great grandpa Sam Windy Boy, Sr. and the Windy Boy Family. He said the Windy Boy family has been instrumental in the community, in our school systems, and our way of life.  In their remarks, Earl Arkinson and Robert Murie both recollected their interactions with Frankie Dayish and were appreciative that their paths crossed.

SAM WINDYBOY JR, HAZEL DAYISH, JOY AVILA & LEATHAN DAYISH
(C) 2022 NAC-SNM
The Next Gen Team gifted the honorees and Leo Dayish rendered a Native American Church song in their honor.

The work continues.

Holding true to remaining active and committed, Earl and Elaine Arkinson were headed to Canada to participate in an NAC gathering, Francis Eagleman was making plans to travel to Washington DC to attend to Vietnam Veterans Memorial affairs, and Professor Robert Murie was preparing to head back into the classrooms at Stone Child College for fall semester 2022.  Like I said, living legends!

FRANCIS EAGLEMAN TIPI GROUND
(C) 2022 NAC-SNM
As the NAC-SNM delegation prepared to depart Rocky Boy’s Agency to head home our Chippewa Cree relatives graciously extended prayers for a successful commemoration event on July 30-31, 2022 on the Navajo Nation at Tree Meadows, Shiprock, New Mexico. A special thank you to Joy Avila, Dolores Brandon, Earl Arkinson, Michael Burgess, Vice-Chairman Russette – Chippewa Cree Tribes, Mary Top Sky, Francis Eagleman and family, Robert Murie and prayer service principals, and the NAC -SNM Next Gen team for making this cherished event possible.