[_redbird_]

Here is a picture drawn by one of the Indian brothers doing time in Oklahoma prison. There are some great artists locked up. I have several pieces of artwork and a few dream catchers, etc.

[colleeng47]

That's a beautiful drawing, RB. Thanks for posting it. It doesn't surprise me to find there are many artistic people in prison. The artistic mind doesn't usually do well in society, so if their talent is not channeled in a positive way, they can and do turn to illegal behavior.

I sub in the public schools, both here and in NJ. Oftentimes I find the most disruptive kids are the ones with a lot of artistic talent. It always amazes me. My own son who has had some problems is a very talented artist.

[Goodpasture]

What a tragedy that a society that can do so much must warehouse such divergent and talented thinkers simply because there is no system in place to allow for the growth of hope and the positive development of such talent. If there is one thing that will outlast all the positive advances society today makes, it will be the everlasting shame that our brightest and most talented are often incarcerated.

[colleeng47]

Originally Posted by Goodpasture

What a tragedy that a society that can do so much must warehouse such divergent and talented thinkers simply because there is no system in place to allow for the growth of hope and the positive development of such talent. If there is one thing that will outlast all the positive advances society today makes, it will be the everlasting shame that our brightest and most talented are often incarcerated.

Okay, I'm climbing on my soapbox now. As long as the public schools feel that everyone is blessed with the same brain, talent and ability, there will be problems with those who don't "fit" the mold. In the classes I took for my Education degree, what became apparent is NOT EVERYONE HAS THE SAME ABILITIES. Not every child can master Chemistry and Trigonometry. On the other hand, not every student can draw or take apart and put back together machines. The schools are determined to make every student a rocket scientists, so more and more kids who don't fit, either get into trouble and get thrown out of school, or simply drop out because school doesn't speak to their particular bent.

My own personal experience with my son is an eye-opener. He is a very talented artist and thoroughly enjoyed his art classes. In his junior year, he screwed around and took off too many (1-1/2) days to pass Physics. He got a "c" in the class, but because of his "over" absences, he got a "no pass." Also, NJ has state tests and Scott didn't do well in the math section. So, in his senior year, they took away all his art classes to give him physics again and a remedial math class. He hated school, was bored to death, and ended up getting into all sorts of trouble, so we pulled him out of school and he's getting ready now to take the GED. I BEGGED the school to give him his art classes back, but they wouldn't do it. So Scott became another high school dropout which everyone in education claims is becoming a major problem. Hello! Not all kids can do upper level math and science, nor can they see the benefit of it for the career they see for themselves.

Off my soapbox now. Sorry for the rant.

[_redbird_]

**(Partial) List of Native American artists from Oklahoma.

* Troy Anderson (1948 - ), Cherokee, painter, sculptor
* Fred Beaver (1911 - 1976), Creek, painter
* Woody Big Bow (1914 - 1988), Kiowa, painter
* Mars Biggoose (1943 - 2000), Ponca, painter
* Archie Blackowl (1911 - 1967), Cheyenne, painter
* Acee Blue Eagle (1907 - 1959), Creek & Pawnee, painter
* Blackbear Bosin (1921 - 1980), Kiowa & Comanche, painter, sculptor
* Parker Boyiddle (1947 - 2007), Kiowa, painter, sculptor
* Bruce Caesar (1952 - ), Pawnee, Sac & Fox, silversmith
* Sherman Chaddlesone (1947 - ), Kiowa, painter
* Mirac Creepingbear (1947 - 1990), Kiowa, Pawnee & Arapaho, painter
* Mel Cornshucker Cherokee, sculptor
* Woody Crumbo (1912 - 1989), Potawatomi, painter
* Bill Glass, Jr. (1950 - ), Cherokee, sculptor
* Gina Gray (1954 - ), Osage, painter
* Enoch Kelly Haney (1940 - ), Seminole & Creek, painter, sculptor
* Benjamin Harjo, Jr. (1945 - ), Seminole & Shawnee, painter
* Allan Houser (1914 - 1994), Chiricahua Apache, sculptor
* Vanessa Jennings, Kiowa, beadwork
* Mike Larsen (1945 - ), Chickasaw, painter, sculptor
* Merlin Little Thunder (1956 - ), Cheyenne, painter
* Stephen Mopope (1898 - 1974), Kiowa, painter
* Doc (Joyce Lee Tate) Nevaquaya (1932 - 1996), Comanche, painter, flute maker
* Charles Pratt (1937 - ), Cheyenne, Arapaho & Sioux, sculptor, silversmith, stone carver
* Harvey Pratt (1941 - ), Cheyenne, Arapaho & Sioux, painter, sculptor
* Bill Rabbit (1946 - ), Cherokee, painter
* Traci Rabbit (1969 - ), Cherokee, painter
* Austin Real Rider (1941 - ), Pawnee, sculptor
* Robert Redbird (1939 - ), Kiowa, painter
* Bert Seabourn (1931 - ), Cherokee, painter
* Connie Seabourn (1951 - ), Cherokee, painter
* Willard Stone (1916 - 1985), Cherokee, sculptor
* Virginia Stroud (1951 - ), Cherokee & Creek, painter
* Robert Taylor (1951 - ), Blackfeet & Cherokee, painter
* Dana Tiger (1961 - ), Creek, Seminole & Cherokee, painter
* Jerome Tiger (1941 - 1967), Creek & Seminole, painter
* George "Woogie" Watchetaker (1916 - 1993), Comanche, painter, dancer
* W. Richard “Dick” West, Sr. (1912 - 1996), Cheyenne, painter
* Kevin Nelson Brock (1961 - ), Choctaw, Sculptor,Painter,Mobiles,(kinetic)

**Source: List of Native American artists from Oklahoma - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

One of my favorite artists of all time, Blackbear Bosin painted this one below:

[Goodpasture]

One of the really big tragedies in todays society is the lack of a military option. Back when dad was a kid, a teen ager who was getting into trouble would be told by the judge to either join the army or go to jail. I know lots of men like that who came out of the army as productive citizens.....they just needed a little bit of seasoning and age put on them. Today they go to Juvie hall and come out hardened criminals, and the army won't take them because of the lack of education. Like it takes a HS diploma to march in a straight line, shoot a rifle or paint rocks around the commanders house.

No, this is an issue that is going to have to be addressed. We are going to have to have alternative interventions so we don't lose the promise of our young peoples future.

[_redbird_]

If you are ever in Santa Fe, NM, stop by Institute of American Indian Arts.

They have a museum with student artwork. They have some of the most beautiful artwork I have ever seen. My cousin went to school there and made some incredible beadwork.

Institute of American Indian Arts

On the subject of incarceration. There are a lot of Indians doing time in OK.

As of January 31, 2008

INMATE INFORMATION

Total Inmates 25,141

Ethnicity Count Percentage
Caucasian 13,584 54.0%
African American 7,563 30.1%
Native American 2,226 8.9%
Hispanic 1,644 6.5%
Other 124 0.5%

Demographics continued As of January 31, 2008
PROBATION CLIENT INFORMATION
Total Probation Clients 27,666

Ethnicity Count Percentage
Caucasian 17,313 62.6%
African American 5,305 19.2%
Native American 2,033 7.3%
Hispanic 2,033 7.3%
Other 982 3.5%

PAROLE CLIENT INFORMATION
Total Parole Clients 3,660

Ethnicity Count Percentage
Caucasian 2,178 59.5%
African American 1,007 27.5%
Native American 164 4.5%
Hispanic 271 7.4%
Other 40 1.1%

DEATH ROW
Ethnicity
White 40 males, 1 female
Black 30
Hispanic 2
Native American 5
Other 0
Total 77 males, 1 female

[Goodpasture]

One of my best friends on the Picuris Pueblo was a Winnebago. He met his Tewa wife at the Santa Fe school. It was funny....she was the typical short, square pueblo woman, he was big square and 6'4" tall, but they made a good couple. I was surprised that Terry was never allowed to become a member of the tribe. His son was introduced to his grandfathers Kiva, his wife became principle chief, but he was always an outsider.

[_redbird_]

Trailer of new Native American film.

Tribal Alliance Presents:

OLDER THAN AMERICA
a film by Georgina Lightning

A woman's haunting visions reveal a Catholic priests sinister plot to silence

her mother from speaking the truth about the atrocities that occurred at a

Native American boarding school. A contemporary drama of suspense,

Older Than America focuses on the lasting impact of the cultural genocide

that occurred at such schools.


"Older Than America" a film by Georgina Lightning

[_redbird_]

This looks like a good movie out on DVD. It is in Cherokee with subtitles in English.


YouTube - Trail of Tears: Cherokee Legacy Native American Indian