A Life Full of Living A Life Full of Giving

[paleant]

"These Mountains Are Our Sacred Places", written by late Hereditary Chief John Snow, and now this scholar of a man has gone to his last camp in the sunset and is in the rhelm of the Creator amongst the Sacred Places of which he wrote, and felt so deeply and passionately about.

Late Chief John Snow was not only a leader, Chief to the Wesley/Goodstoney Band for a near 30 years, in his entire leadership his reach went beyond his band and always encompassed the well-being of all Stoney people, all Indian people, and being the humanitarian he was, all people.

As a leader of his nation and when not a leader of his nation, the late Chief John Snow was a most formiddable man, very gentle, but with the wit of a fox, he dealt with great strength with and against all for the improvement of life and rights for Indian People, and oh so he loved to laugh and tell a good joke.

As political correctness was introduced, and the term for Indian was suggested to be "Aboriginal" Chief John Snow, retorted to First Nations, and if asked in person, as the late Elder Albert Lightening, Chief Snow would give the same answer; "I am an Indian". His choice would have been for his people to be "First Citizens", for they are. However, Chief Snow always said he was an Indian with the greatest of pride for himself and for all Indian people.

No one person had a greater impact on my life than the late Chief John Snow. Always held in the greatest of esteem, it was always a pleasure to work with and spend time with this incredible human person. Much to learn, but much to laugh about, and lifelong lessons shared.

Tho' the ways of the political world destroyed his leadership, and declawed him as a tiger; he continued to love his people; and he so continued to fight for his people. He read constantly, and was an avid reader of the late Vine Deloria Jr.; a collegue who passed away in 2005. His excitement at what Vine Deloria Sr., would write was finding truth in powerful worlds, yet poetically and astutely written. If one were to ever consider the myth of the Bering Strait, let him read what Vine had to say. John Snow knew Vine Deloria Sr., with his theological, legal and scientific background was a formidable force of movement for all Native people. John was always reading one of the latest books, always thrilled with the writings, and the impact of such writings.

Late Chief Snow had a deep love for family, and togetherness of nation; perhaps in his passing his great love for both will nourish, and the people he so loved will understand his life sacrifice was for all of them, and not for he, for he was as he would put it, just a little Indian.

May the Creator be present in the hearts of all those he touched, may His Sacred Fire continue to burn, may his thoughts of the robin singing in the spring, and the nest it builds continue to have eggs every spring, may strawberries always bloom, and may there always be first medicine abountiful for all peoples, may the mountain sage continue to grow in sacred places, and may there be those who will know where to find it, how to pick it, and how to pound it, may his medicine wheel be not forgotten for it represents the four corners, the four winds, and all people. May the many many people who met him through the Indian Ecumenical Conference and all of the many many memorable places he went remember him for his wonderful talks, and his great humor, and the fact he was a very honorable host.

May the Pow Wow people remember him as his Nakoda Labor Day Pow Wow, was always one of the best, and he loved to watch his people dance, and he loved to watch all join together and dance. His pride was in his people. His love was in his heart for who he represented. He was one of the best warriors, and yet he was always kind to his opponents.

All said and done, Chief John Snow was an Indian, but he was a humanitarian, who wanted his people to have their rights, and thus he gave his life working towards this goal. The man John Snow Sr., so admired was Nelson Mandella. Need one say more? Chief John Snow Sr., was a spearhead in bringing back the rights of the Indian person to practice their traditional lifestyle and reintroduce their culture into their societies. No one person could blend the belief system of the native north american person with the teachings of Christianity as this man could. He just could not find the devil in his cultural belief system, and so in his footsteps you dance and you sing at your powwows; he was one of the driving forces behind your powwow, so continue to dance and sing, and he will always watch over you.

May the Creator grant him peace, may tears not hold him from his last camp of peace, and may his legacy of brilliance and self-sacrifice open the hearts of fellow leaders and all people of all nations. I pray the people of the Wesley / Goodstoney Band and the Stoney Tribe will experience such cohesive leadership as John Snow tempered towards. Perhaps through his passing accountability will fall where it should. As a leader he was an eagle; nothing can compare to what his vision was, and how far he took his nation in a brief period of time.

May peace be amongst John's children, John Jr. Peter, Tony, Billy, Rachel, Gloria and Tasha; his grandchildren, and those few people he drew close to his heart. Alva, his beloved wife will be there for him, as will his father Tom, his mother Cora, his brothers, sisters, and his other family members who passed before him. May they have courage, may they have peace amongst all, and may they know we all share the same legacy, and all require support, so be brave and honor your heritage, honor your parents with your lives. Live, and be happy.

This is written to say Chief John Snow was a human being first, a husband, a father, a grandfather, a Chief, a friend, a writer, and all then all of the achievements he acquired. He was human, and may all who threw sticks at him, and pointed fingers, have them all pointed back, for he was honest, forthright, and carried the load. As the Great Spirit once told horse, it will never be heavier than this, as he laid the eagle feather on the back of the horse. A humble man passed, pride did not make him fall, love for his people did.

Miss you I will not' for you will always be with me my friend, and never forgotten.

Paleant "Medicine Woman"

My name - your gift to me.

May the Grandfather Spirits Be With You Always.

Now perhaps as the Eagle, you may trust in the wind.

[Hawk_FeatherJY]

What a beautiful way to remember some one so special. May the spirit of Chief John Snow all ways feel honored as all his kindred remember him. Thank you for sharing.

[paleant]

What a beautiful way to remember some one so special. May the spirit of Chief John Snow all ways feel honored as all his kindred remember him. Thank you for sharing.

Thank you, for reading my post, yes, a good friend, a very good person, and deserving of so much to be said about him. Thank you for reading, and may you find your Apache roots. Be proud, and keep looking. paleant

[Hawk_FeatherJY]

Thank you, for reading my post, yes, a good friend, a very good person, and deserving of so much to be said about him. Thank you for reading, and may you find your Apache roots. Be proud, and keep looking. paleant

Thank you much. thats nice of you to say. I did find out bout a week ago that my kids, on there father's side, great great grand parents were full blood Sioux (GGGrandpa) & 1/2 Cherokee(GGGrandma) I was very happy to here that cause I intend to get them involved with there heritage.

[paleant]

Heritage - Culture

It is very important that you do. In Canada, all cultures that have come here have retained their cultures, and have a place to go back to except for war torn places and political upheaval; however they have connected with others of their culture and continue with their cultures.

Encourage your children and grandchildren to read, as now there are good authors. One of Chief John's favorite writers was Vine Deloria Sr., however, one of his other favorite stories, which you can access on the net, is Black Elk Speaks, by John Neidhart. The most important story in this book is called "The Vision". It must be read many many times to understand it, and also, sometimes you must ask others what was it that happened. There has been controversy over the book, as the author John Neidhart was not native, however; no non-native could have experienced what Black Elk experienced. Another very wonderful man was Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce Indians. He wrote some beautiful poems, and letters which were documented and I believe they are also on the net. The rebirth of the Indian Nations Culture is incredible, as in Canada they were so punished if they even spoke their language, and yet it survived, as it was meant to. Regardless of all technology today, and all great developments, words spoken many years ago by Native Elders haunt the pressure of great development. What you do to the earth, you do until yourself; and slowly the world starts to recognize these things that are true. I am always amazed, every country with indigenous peoples have a special fruit or plant; notice that they are all being marketed. The old ways, will not be forgotten, and there will always be teachers somewhere. Get your grandchildren out to the powwow trails, get them dancing, get them connected to the earth - mother earth. Let them know their heritage and be proud. All people should be proud of who they are, and all people should love themselves very very much. If this could be, we would have a happy world.

Thank you for your post.

[Hawk_FeatherJY]

It is very important that you do. In Canada, all cultures that have come here have retained their cultures, and have a place to go back to except for war torn places and political upheaval; however they have connected with others of their culture and continue with their cultures.

Encourage your children and grandchildren to read, as now there are good authors. One of Chief John's favorite writers was Vine Deloria Sr., however, one of his other favorite stories, which you can access on the net, is Black Elk Speaks, by John Neidhart. The most important story in this book is called "The Vision". It must be read many many times to understand it, and also, sometimes you must ask others what was it that happened. There has been controversy over the book, as the author John Neidhart was not native, however; no non-native could have experienced what Black Elk experienced. Another very wonderful man was Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce Indians. He wrote some beautiful poems, and letters which were documented and I believe they are also on the net. The rebirth of the Indian Nations Culture is incredible, as in Canada they were so punished if they even spoke their language, and yet it survived, as it was meant to. Regardless of all technology today, and all great developments, words spoken many years ago by Native Elders haunt the pressure of great development. What you do to the earth, you do until yourself; and slowly the world starts to recognize these things that are true. I am always amazed, every country with indigenous peoples have a special fruit or plant; notice that they are all being marketed. The old ways, will not be forgotten, and there will always be teachers somewhere. Get your grandchildren out to the powwow trails, get them dancing, get them connected to the earth - mother earth. Let them know their heritage and be proud. All people should be proud of who they are, and all people should love themselves very very much. If this could be, we would have a happy world.

Thank you for your post.

Thank you for all the input. I will get those books & start with my little ones first.