JACK PINE PEOPLE

After returning from a visit to my home reservation I was troubled by intense feelings of despair, and a sense of never wanting to go back again. What I had seen and heard while there triggered a pessimistic attitude that things are never going to change nor can they. I am certain I am not the only person with feelings of frustration toward my home land and my people. A lady recently shared a vision she had received from God; that people were driving aimlessly up and down the streets, including Christian people, and gigantic birds, looking like pelicans, would swoop down and devour individuals from off the streets. People die every week in my home town but even more tragic are the living who have lost their souls to prolonged overwhelming depression. Empty eyes stare straight ahead hoping to score some fry bread. Iron bars strangled grip enclose with grief, despair, and overwhelming depression. It is a cycle of fatalistic abandonment due to historical experience of continuous disappointment and prolonged overwhelming depression that has become a prison to our reservation people. Its more serious than you think. We are Jack Pine people. The Jack Pine never grows straight and tall because of the continual beating of hurricane force winds and frigid weather. Jack Pines stays close to the ground, crooked and twisted. Jack Pine may be very ancient in age but has never reached a state of maturity. What's worse is that we think it is normal! That's the way it is and we have settled for a life of abuse and misuse at the hands of our dysfunctional leaders, whether they be secular or religious. The problem with fatalistic abandonment and accepting dysfunction as normal is that unresolved issues such as grief, stress, and trauma manifest in ways that are harmful to a person's and societies' well being. It is a downward spiral that only lends itself to infestation of demons and devils and all sorts of oppression. Unfortunately, long term abuse and misuse experienced at the hands of historic leadership, both tribal and federal, has eroded hope into a state of disappointment and faithlessness. Indian people have fallen into the web of iniquity and idolatry by creating a baseless hope that the state will be their ultimate agent of redemption. We have been beaten down like an abused wife until we think we deserve a good beating and that we are unworthy of anything more than what we have. Until the people throw off the blind mans mantle and abandon themselves to Jesus and take personal ownership of their futures I am afraid there is little hope for recovery. However, in spite of my pessimism I still hold on to hope; not in the government, not in the tribal council, but in the hope that God has created my people for His purposes, that there is a redeeming value in the Blackfeet people that is worth saving. God created us for a purposes and for His pleasure.

Weve Been Duped

Iraq is not the main issue; while the world, the citizens of the USA and American Christians have been obsessed with events in the Middle East a more sinister plot is being unveiled. Have you ever wondered why the Iraq war has dragged on for so long, especially when we consider the awesome military might of the United States? How a small group of under equipped rag tag Arabs holds the greatest military might the world has ever known to a stand off? It is becoming crystal clear that the Iraq war is serving as a diversionary tactic in order to mask the objectives of the Internationalist's agenda. We have been duped by a wolf in sheep's clothing! George Bush will go down in history as the president who sold us down the river. Not only that, Bill Clinton's fling with Monica Lewinsky will be nothing in comparison to Bill and Hillary being in bed with the Bushes. Remember when Bush number one stood up and declared the invasion of Iraq the beginning of a "New World Order?" Under our noses the Internationalist's agenda has been perpetuated by the Clinton's and the Bushes, the next phase to be executed by Hillary who has already been anointed by the Bush/Clinton club to be the next president of the United States. Conservatives were astonished and could not understand why their super hero George Bush came out for amnesty for illegal aliens, and why he failed to secure the southern border with Mexico. It became crystal clear when I saw Vicente Fox, former President of Mexico, on television trying to sell his new book. Fox revealed, that in a secret meeting, he, President Bush, and the Canadian Prime Minister agreed to establishing a North American Union. That is the reason for Bush's stand on immigration, and that is the reason for unmarked Mexican trucks being allowed to enter the US without inspection and to travel the North American Super Highway. Last week Bush pushed for the United States Justice System to come under International jurisdiction. Not only that but the International Trade Agreements, NAFTA, CAFTA, and so many others have served as that giant sucking sound of American jobs and industry going over seas. All of this going on while the sovereignty of the United States has been sold down the river by a bunch of traitors. Can't you see? If it wasn't for our obsession with the war it would not have been so easy. Americans, wake up!

HE WHO LIVES BY THE SWORD

I would like to share a revelation that up until this point in time has been hidden. With the rise of Islam and the Spirit of Antichrist we are beginning to see and understand prophetic scripture more clearly. In the book of Revelation 13:10, "He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity, He who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword." Jesus reiterates this prophetic word in Matthew 26:52, "He who lives by the sword will die by the sword." This word must be understood in context with Revelation thirteen which is speaking of the rise of a one world government under the rule of Antichrist. Revelation says, he was given authority over every tribe, tongue, and nation. In addition, it was granted to him to make war on the saints and to overcome them. I have identified the Islamic Antichrist system as the beast from evidence in Rev. 13:1 thru 3. First of all, this system arises out of the sea which represents a group of people that rises from throughout the vast sea of humanity. The "Nation of Islam" is identified as the worldwide following of Islam throughout the world. It is estimated that Islam is nearing one and a half billion people worldwide, and is one of the fastest growing religions in this century. Revelation identifies the beast as a leopard, a lion, and a bear; these were all world empires that ruled in the middle east at some point in history. The beast takes on all of the characteristics of these past world empires, and is given authority from Satan himself to rule with an iron fist. The ten horns on seven heads represents, nations and governments of Islamic world; one of the heads was mortally wounded, but was miraculously healed which caused the world to wonder with amazement. I believe this wounded head is Iraq, and in the near future we will see Iraq miraculously restored and become a prosperous and powerful nation. Islamists believe that Al Mahdi will arise out of Iraq, so this may be the seat of the Islamic Caliphate. Then in verse four a statement is made, "Who is like the beast, and who is able to make war with him?" We can see paralytic fear already operating in the nations of the world. In the United States the spirit of liberalism exudes a pacifistic philosophy, and the cry of Democratic politicians promotes weakness. The false prophet of Iran, Aqmad Amadinejad, is the mouth speaking great things, and blasphemies, leaving the nations quaking in his aftermath, and saying, "Who can make war with the beast?" Islam has been at war with Christianity since its inception, but in these last days will be given authority to rule over them (God help us). Verse seven says, "It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them." Who do you think grants him the power? The nations of the world, or the United Nations will act, much as they did when they gave the U.S.A. authority to invade Afghanistan. It is not clear whether "the saints" refers to Christianity or Israel, or more probably both. Here is the revelation of "the Sword"; I believe the United States is going to lose its sovereignty because we have as a nations chosen to use military force first. In other words, we live by the sword and so we will die by the sword. Forces are at work in our country right now to undermine our sovereignty, both from the left and the right. I was watching late night TV and I saw an Islamic organization with the ACLU and Homeland Security promoting the Islamic agenda. The right wing is working hard to bring our nation under the umbrella of the Internationalists. I do not have a good feeling for the future of our country. Now these movements I have mentioned are working toward bringing us into captivity, and they are being aided by the prophetically blind right wing Christian Coalition. Now, what choice do we have? Either live by the sword, or go into captivity of Islam? I believe there is another option. As I have said in my other blogs, this warfare is spiritual in nature and so must be dealt with on the spiritual level. The third alternative is to empower Holy Spirit filled evangelists to go into all the world and preach the gospel of the Kingdom of God. Islam must bow to the name of Jesus for He is King of Kings and Lord of Lord's. We must be willing to give our lives for this cause.

THE INDIAN LEADERSHIP VOID

Where has Tribal leadership disappeared to? During the last century Native American leaders have looked a lot more like General George Armstrong Custer than like the great Chiefs of the past, leading our people to our "Last Stand"! Our modern Indian chiefs lack prophetic insight and strategic vision that is necessary to position our Indian Tribes in a competitive position for today's world. While Black leaders command the media, Asian leaders economics, and Hispanic leaders liberal politics, our Native leaders maintain the "Victims Complex" for Indian people. We are the Commanders of the Welfare Syndrome! Indian leaders fail to grasp principles of leadership that can leverage the advantages that are inherent to Indian people and Indian reservations. Tribal councils consistently seek for a messiah to turn things around on the reservations. The last half century they put their hopes on liberal politicians who would bring home the bacon, back in the seventies it was energy development, then the gaming messiah got everyone excited. We Indians are always hoping for "de claim, de claim". I think Sitting Bull had it right. He was prophetic, he had strategic vision, he was able to leverage power, and his ambitions was for the good of the people and not personal. Indian leaders need to transition from a local (tribal) worldview into a global vision. Tribal leaders need to escape from a victims mindset into an attitude of empowerment. That means trust and responsibility. If we don't do it for ourselves we will find ourselves in museums. "If the blind be the leaders of the blind, both will fall into the ditch!"

THE BOOK OF HEAVEN STORY

My wife Traci's Grandfather was the son of the last Assiniboine Chief Redstone. They are members of the Assiniboine clan known as the Wadopana or Canoe Paddlers. The Clan name came from the story of early Assiniboines warriors who went on a long journey across the sea in round hide boats. The warriors had been selected by the Medicine Man who had a vision in which the Great Being (God) appeared to him and gave him instructions to take a long journey to the land of other human beings. The long journey was harsh and they encountered harsh conditions surviving attacks by sea monsters and camping on islands that dotted the great sea. After many days, the party arrived on shore and saw other human beings, but their faces were covered with hair like on their heads. During the night the Great Being visited the Medicine Man and said, "You have arrived at the end of your journey. These people you see will not harm you but will help you and your people live better." After many days, the party returned to their people but when they arrived they found no one in sight. The people had feared the party had been killed on their journey and that these were their spirits. When a spokesman finally came forward he discovered that these were indeed the loved ones they had sent. The Medicine Man spoke up, "It is I and my four young men, we have brought our people good words, we have brought friends who will teach us many new things." These types of stories are common among the Native people. Long before the White Man arrived Native prophets and holy men had received visions and dreams of a new race of people who would come. Many of the visions were of the "Book of Heaven", and others were of Holy Men coming to teach the people how they may better serve the Creator. The hearts of the Native people were being stirred to receive the message of the Son of God and His gospel. Among the Plateau Tribes in the northwest the influence of prophetic visions was especially strong. Many of the tribes like the Spokanes, Nez Perces, Salish were so desperate to see the prophesies fulfilled they gathered around the coucil fire and made plans to travel to the land of the White Man to get the Book of Heaven and to bring missionaries to teach the people. A Spokane Prophet by the name of Siimxnotylmilakobok received many of the earliest recorded revelations; among them was the vision of the Book of Heaven which would teach the people how to better serve the Creator. A Pondera Prophet by the name of Shining Shirt received visions of Black Robes who would come and teach them the right way. It was these types of prophesies that fueled the expectations of the western tribes. In 1831 a delegation of Nez Perces warriors set on a journey to find the Book of Heaven. Two of the party were killed by attacks from hostile tribes, and four arrived in St Louis and began to inquire about the Book of Heaven. Because of their strange language it was difficult to communicate and so they were brought to Captain William Clark, of the Lewis and Clark expedition. The Discovery Expedition had been rescued from starvation and assisted on their journey by the Nez Perces. Lewis and Clark promised the tribe that after them men would come with the Book of Heaven. The Native party weas put in contact with the Catholic church and came away disappointed when their request for the book and their Macedonian call was rebuffed. During the winter two more of the warriors died in St Louis leaving two to carry the sad news back to their people. Captain William Clark reported that the delegation had inquired about the White Man's Book of Heaven and had requested missionaries to come and teach them the right way. In departing they made this speech, "We came to you aver a trail of many moons, from the setting sun. You were the friend of our fathers who all have gone the long way. We came with our eyes partly opened for more light for our people who sit in darkness. We go back with our eyes closed. We made our way to you with strong arms, through enemies and strange lands, that we might carry much back to them. We go back with arms broken and empty. Our people sent us to get the White Man's Book of Heaven. You took us where they worshipped with candles but the book is not among them. We are going back the long sad trail to our people. When we tell them, after one more snow, in the big council that we did not bring the book, no word will be spoken. One by one they will rise up and go out in silence. Our people will die in darkness and they will go the path to the other hunting grounds. No White Man will go with them, and no Book of Heaven will make the way plain. We have no more words." The picture of the Bible on the healingforthenativesministries.org home page is an authentic 1832 Bible from St Louis. The incredible story of how this Bible came to us in 1999 is a supernatural story of how God never forgets His promises. I received a revelation in the fall of 1998 to hold a camp meeting on the Agnes Vanderberg campsite on the Flathead Indian reservation; this revelation was confirmed by three native brothers who came to visit me. The purpose of the camp was to call together Native leaders to hold a council on how to reach our Native people with the gospel of Jesus. In July of 1999 we set a gospel tent up at this traditional campsite. This was the first time a Christian event had been held on this traditional native ground where tribal members go several times a year to conduct jump dances and sacred ceremonies. You could sense the ominous presence of evil spirits and spiritual strongholds. We began to pray over the land, and as we prayed over a sweat lodge the largest ugliest toad I had ever seen jumped out of the lodge. This was the beginning of many spiritual battles we would go through on this ground. We had just set up our cook tent when an older Ford pickup with tepee poles on top pulled into the camp. A man jumped out and approached a group of us with greetings. He explained to us how the Holy Spirit told him to come to this camp and asked if he could camp with us. I said, if the Holy Spirit had sent him he was welcome. As we talked I noticed he had a leather pouch hanging on his side with a bible in it. I inquired about the book and he said, "This is an 1832 Bible from St Louis." This statement almost floored me! I asked, "Do you know the story of the natives seeking a bible in St Louis." He answered that he was not really familiar with it but that he was retracing the journey of Father DeSmet and he knew the Indians had gone to St Louis. I told him the story, I shared above, and how the Indians returned heart broken and empty handed. I also explained that our campsite was on traditional Salish ground and that they were one of the tribes who had desperately sought for the Book and for missionaries. I asked, "Why do you think an 1832 Bible from St Louis would come to the land of the Natives who were searching for it over a hundred years ago." The Holy Spirit fell upon all who were there, and Brother Jeff Sindelar fell on his knees and with tears said, "Brother, I believe God wants me to give you this Bible." You must understand that this Bible had been in his family for over one hundred years. His family had settled in St Louis at the turn of the nineteenth century and this Bible was one of their most precious possessions. This Bible was in St Louis when the Indians were there searching for the Book of Heaven. For Brother Jeff to give me the Bible was a tremendous sacrifice. I asked the Lord, "Why Me?" I believe this was a prophetic message from God that He has not forgotten the Native people. Even after one hundred and sixty seven years He was answering the cry of the Native people. I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness for the Church of America to return to her original mission to the Native Americans. During this campmeeting there were several manifestations of angels. The unique thing about these angels is that they were all dressed in Indian regalia and had horses. As the services increased in intensity these angels would gallop around the tent like a whirlwind. On the last day of the meetings the Lord instructed us to command these angels to return to their reservations and to prepare them for revival. Now it is up to the Church of America to respond to the call of God to fulfill the mission He originally sent them to do. Why should God give us another mission if we have not obeyed the first?

Who Told You

Who told you you can only belong to one American Indian Tribe? I am an enrolled member of the Blackfeet Tribe, but my Dad is Cree, and I am also Gros Vent re. My kids are enrolled in the Haida Tlingit Corporation, but they are also Blackfeet, Cree, Gros Vent re, and cannot qualify to be enrolled in a recognized American Indian Tribe. However, my kids were raised on the Blackfeet Indian reservation and they identify with and claim the Blackfeet tribe as their heritage. As a Tribal member I have always taught my kids that they are Blackfeet, and as my children, they can lay claim to their cultural heritage. We as Indian people have been duped into discriminating against our own people. Our ancestors would never cut their children or grandchildren from their heritage because of blood quanta. In the early days of drafting our tribal constitution our leaders innocently bought into blood quantum requirements for enrollment, and institutionalized the one tribe requirement. This requirement was done ignorantly by tribal leaders in order to protect tribal sovereignty. What they did not realize was that down through the years tribal mixing would become a common occurrence. Their original fears became obsolete as blood quantum requirements and the one tribe policy became threats to tribal populations. It has been statistically proven that eight out of ten American Indians are of mixed blood, and in the near future nine out of ten will be of mixed blood. Its a fact of life we must deal with. When are we going to wake up and understand that blood quantum and one tribe requirements were a part of the assimilation effort to get rid of Indian reservations. In todays world what is going to protect tribal sovereignty is increasing and large populations. We must compete with other minorities and growing immigrations populations. Numbers and votes are what will get attention. Power comes from larger tribal roles protected by language, borders, tradtons and culture. Blood Quanta Intertribal and interracial mixing was common among Native American tribes making it difficult to clearly identify which tribe an individual belonged to. Bands or entire tribes occasionally split or merged to form more viable groups in reaction to the pressures of climate, disease and warfare. A number of tribes practiced the adoption of captives into their group to replace their members who had been captured or killed in battle. These captives came from rival tribes and later from European settlers. Some tribes also sheltered or adopted white traders and runaway slaves and Native American-owned slaves. So a number of paths to genetic mixing existed. In later years, such mixing, however, proved an obstacle to qualifying for recognition and assistance from the U.S. federal government or for tribal money and services. To receive such support, Native Americans must belong to and be certified by a recognized tribal entity. This has taken a number of different forms as each tribal government makes its own rules while the federal government has its own set of standards. In many cases, qualification is based upon the percentage of Native American blood, or the "blood quanta" identified in an individual seeking recognition. To attain such certainty, some tribes have begun requiring genetic genealogy (DNA testing).[28]. Requirements for tribal certification vary widely. The Cherokee require only a descent from an Native American listed on the early 20th century Dawes Rolls while federal scholarships require enrollment in a federally recognized tribe as well as a Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood card showing at least a one-quarter Native American descent. Tribal rules regarding recognition of members with Native American blood from multiple tribes are equally diverse and complex. Wikipedia.com/American Indian/Blood Quanta

Jesus, the 12th Imam

Out in the world we are being led as lambs to the slaughter. In my past blogs I identified the true nature of Islam, as the spirit of Anti Christ, and challenged Christianity to make a commitment to the evangelization of Muslims worldwide. There is a Muslim extremist jihad underway which aims to destroy western civilization and establish an Islamic caliphate. As it was created, as it has existed for 1300 years, and as it exists now, Islam is an evil political ideology empowered by spiritual darkness, the goal of which is a world wide Islamic Caliphate. An Islamic Caliphate is a world wide reign of Islam. The overwhelming majority of Muslims around the world embrace Islamic law or Shari’a as divine and authoritative. This law mandates a world wide Islamic Caliphate as a reality in the here and now, and is the underlying motive of most Muslims. Shiite writings describe events surrounding the return of the Mahdi in apocalyptic terms. The Imam Mahdi believed by Shiites to have disappeared as a child in A.D. 941. When the Mahdi returns, they contend, he will reign on earth for seven years before bringing about a final judgment and the end of the world. According to Shiite tradition, Imam Mahdi will appear on Judgment Day to herald a truly just government. The 12th imam will prompt a global battle between good and evil (with striking parallels to biblical accounts of "Armageddon") resulting in an Islamic Caliphate. Even more controversial is Iranian President Ahmadinejad's repeated invocation of Imam Mahdi, known as "the Savior of Times." Surprise, surprise! Ahmadinejad and all of his evil cohorts are going to be surprised when they discover that the next caliphate is going to be under the rule and reign of Yeshua, the Son of God. The Bible in Ephesians 1:10 declares that in God's economy and under His management of the culmination of times that Jesus would sieze the headship bringing all rule and power under His dominion. The interesting thing about this passage of scripture is the use of the word caliphate in the original Greek language. The bible uses the Greek word "kapale" which means to strike on the head, seizing the head. The picture we are given is that of Jesus seizing the spiritual headship. In the spiritual realm, Jesus is laying hold of the ruling spirits, the Prince of the power of Persia, throwing them down and taking the headship as Chief, or the ruling authority. His dominion, Daniel 7:14, is an everlasting dominion, and all peoples, nations, and languages will serve Him. Yes there will be a caliphate but it will be under the rule of Yeshua the Son of the living God, and not the usurper of authority, Allah.

Reservation Myth Busters

We hear tribal politicians campaign on the slogan of change, but in reality nothing ever changes. Things on the rez go on as usual, just the faces around the council feed trough change every two years. The promises of change vanish as soon as the new council is sworn in. Change is just a myth! Here is a list of popular myths on the rez:

• Myth #1 The Tribal Council is the primary creator of economic development on the reservation. Myth Buster 1: In reality reservations operate under a communist economic system. Under communism everything is created for the state and by the state. This type of system operates under the assumption that individual Indian people are too dumb to do anything on their own. Most councilmen believe that it is the duty of the Tribal Council to create new business owned and operated by the Tribal Council. They believe that if the tribe can create new tribal businesses it will translate into jobs for the people. Unfortunately this logic usually ends up translating into minimum wage jobs for the Indian people and fat paychecks for consultants and high roller executive types.
• Myth # 2 Indian people are dumb and lazy and can't be trusted. Myth Buster 2: I was once asked if I would rather be dumb and ugly or poor and lazy? Not a very good choice, but it does reveal some of the choices Indian people are handed. It is true, the economic climate on reservations for individual Indians is very dismal. We have been handed the short end of the stick as far as economic opportunities are concerned. However, I have worked with and met some of the most talented, hard working, intelligent, friendly people on the planet, if only they were given the chance to excel. I believe Native people are a sleeping giant waiting to be unleashed. We should never allow our disadvantages to become our prison. We can defy the odds and become a prosperous people if we are willing to rise to the challenge.
• Myth # 3 There are no opportunities on the reservation. Myth Buster 3: We have been programmed to believe that opportunity is created by the tribal council. We take all of our best ideas and present them to the council and hope they will embrace and approve our schemes. Not! Opportunity comes out of creativity! You are limited only by your imagination and your willingness to take a leap of faith. Some of you are sitting on million dollar ideas.