2001 TNNAC Knoxville Caucus nominees (also available at http://www.tnnac.org/knoxvillenominees.txt) --- 1. Teri-Lee Rhoades-Ellenwood TRIBAL ANCESTRY: Federally recognized - Seneca/Delaware/Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma ORGANIZATIONAL MEMBERSHIPS: Admitted to Pennsylvania Bar, May 1995 PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS: Pennsylvania Bar Association, Member since May 1995 Pennsylvania Minority Bar Committee, Term 5/96 - 5/97 Pennsylvania Civil and Equal rights Committee, Term 5/96 - 5/97 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Founder and Board Member, Oak Ridge Environmental Peace Alliance (OREPA), Knoxville, TN. Now the Center for Global Sustainability. A multi-group task force which addresses environmental problems caused by the nuclear industry. Organized Hiroshima Day at the Y-12 nuclear plant at Oak Ridge, TN. Worked for a positive social change by focusing on economic conversion. Handled public relations with various journalists, politicians, and speaking engagements throughout the country. Assisted with fund raising and membership. May 1988 to September 1992/ EMPLOYMENT: Pro-bono Legal Advisor, Assist persons of Native American descent with legal issues. Staff Attorney. Appalachian Research and Defense Fund of Kentucky, Prestonsburg, KY. Attorney. Teri-Lee Rhoades, Esq, Harrisburg, PA. Part-time private practice. Media Director & Assistant Coordinator, American Indian Movement Project Director, Pennsylvania Association of Native American Indians, Harrisburg, PA Director of Legislative Research, The McFarren Group, Harrisburg, PA Student Attorney, University of Tennessee Legal Clinic. Etc. EDUCATION: University of Tennessee College of Law, Graduated December, 1994 University of Tennessee majored in Sociology with a concentration in Criminal Justice. NATIVE AMERICAN INVOLVEMENT: I have been involved with AIM at various levels since I was in my late teens. Some years I was only able to support through donations, other years through producing literature and talks to educate people on native issues and Leonard and of course attending various functions and protests. My major involvement with AIM has always been the Horse Rides to Free Leonard Peltier. I have been intimately involved with some of the rides, most notably the 1996 ride. I organized, funded, staffed, and performed all the legal duties of the Pennsylvania Association of Native American Indians (PANAI) myself, until I chose a Board. Once the Board was chosen they steered me in my duties. I was the "personnel" in the PANAI office. I oversaw all the daily functions and activities as well as handled all the legal research and writing, and advising the Board. I have done legislative writing on many Native American issues, including, but not limited to funding for federal and non-federally recognized Natives, repatriation, gaming and recognition, feather and game laws and education. I have written on both state and federal levels. However, I have been a stay at home mom for the last 3 years. In Pennsylvania and other states, I have worked hard to bring groups of Natives together with a greater understanding of the issues that affect our various communities. I am not saying that we achieved utopian unity, I am saying we learned to be more understanding. In other words, the federally recognized learned of the different issues facing the state recognized or the non-recognized tribes and visa-versa, as well as urban Indians learning about reservation Indians and Indians who live in Indian territories like Oklahoma and visa versa. Of course Traditional, modern and pow wow Indians learned of each others different goals. We attempted to have all these interests represented on the PANAI Board. I have written educational papers and met with various state and federal senators. The purpose of these educational sessions was to enlighten non-Native politicians about our people and needs. I lobbied successfully to have Governor Ridge declare Native American day in Pennsylvania. I have networked with other federal and state recognized tribes as well as other state commissions. I also researched and wrote grants to support PANAI and to bring funding to some of our member groups. Since graduating from law school, I have assisted various Native people from all over the country with a host of legal problems which may or may not have had to do with their race. Last, over the last three years, I have gone to various schools and other community events to teach about native culture and history. WHAT DO YOU FEEL YOU CAN OFFER THE NATIVE AMERICAN PEOPLE OF TENNESSEE AS AN INDIAN COMMISSIONER? First, I must state what I don't have to offer. I have not been a choice maker before. I have merely helped people make decisions. I have not lived in Tennessee all of my life, but 13 out of the last 18 years on and off. I have not been politically active here. If I was chosen to be a Commissioner, I would accept because I believe the Creator had me acquire the knowledge that I have so that I can be Creator's instrument to assist Native People. I would hope that my experience in organizing and working for a private commission would help the Tennessee Commission to move through political waters easier by benefiting from my mistakes and successes. I would also hope that my experience in trying to help different Indian peoples see each others side of an issue would help calm some of the disagreements within our communities. We can only pray for understanding and try to openly discuss the issues. We all must listen to each other, really hear what the other has to say. I would like to help reshape the legal structure of the Commission. IO would like to see better more substantive legislation written. I would gladly utilize my experience in writing similar legislation to correct some legal points and to assist the Commission in redrafting some sections of the pending legislation. Personally, I've lived as a non-reservation India, urban Indian, on reservation, and in Indian territory (Oklahoma) and have seen some of the different issues that affect different Natives in different areas. I by no means am an expert on all walks of Indian life, I can only speak from persona experience on some issues. --- 2. John Wright Hedgecoth TRIBAL ANCESTRY: Tsalagi ORGANIZATIONAL MEMBERSHIPS: East TN Indian League EMPLOYMENT: Currently disabled due to fibromyalgia & osteoarthritis. Past jobs include certified welder & design engineer. Income from Veteran's Disability Pension. EDUCATION: Crossville Tech Center - combination welder diploma Crossville Tech Center - drafting/AutoCad diploma NATIVE AMERICAN INVOLVEMENT: I haven't had the opportunity to be involved in Native affairs in a public way until recently. My involvement up to now has consisted of learning and growing spiritually. My father taught me many things on long walks in the woods. Always pass by the first three or four plants that you're hunting before you pick any. Always put the ginseng seeds into the hole that you dug the root from and always give thanks for what you're given. One of the most important lessons he taught me was to give back in equal or greater amounts than I had received. I've had many, many blessings, and it is time to give back. WHAT DO YOU FEEL YOU CAN OFFER THE NATIVE AMERICAN PEOPLE OF TENNESSEE AS AN INDIAN COMMISSIONER? To be called upon to represent a people brings about a mixture of thoughts and emotions. There are the feelings that come with the nomination: honor, pride, and excitement. Then the reality of the responsibilities of the position sink in and those emotions stand out in stark contrast. There is the travel, the time away from family & expense. In studying the emotional highs and lows, I find balance. Balance in the travelling to meet with you, to talk and find out what concerns you have that I can bring before the full commission. Balance in the expense to bring these concerns to the attentions of those who are able to do something to affect change. The first duty of a warrior is to serve the people and to be able to serve makes all worth while. This is the first time I've been able to be this actively involved in Native affairs, but I feel qualified to be able to understand the needs of the community as a whole. I've seen times of plenty and then there have been some very lean times as well. I have seven children so diplomacy and tact are terms with which I'm familiar. I've been a laborer and I've worked in the front offices as a design engineer, and I've felt blessed with any position I've held. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I've seen life from many sides and I have a unique perspective in that I can see things as they are and not from a one-sided angle. --- 3. Tommy Veal TRIBAL ANCESTRY: Chickasaw/Cherokee ORGANIZATIONAL MEMBERSHIPS: Indigenous Intertribal Group EMPLOYMENT: self EDUCATION: High school NATIVE AMERICAN INVOLVEMENT: President/founder of I.I.C. created to preserve the rights of American Indians in this state. WHAT DO YOU FEEL YOU CAN OFFER THE NATIVE AMERICAN PEOPLE OF TENNESSEE AS AN INDIAN COMMISSIONER? --- 4. James M. Yellow Eagle TRIBAL ANCESTRY: Cherokee ORGANIZATIONAL MEMBERSHIPS: Intertribal Association of Gourd Society of Cal. President of East Tennessee Intertribal Association League EMPLOYMENT: Carpenter, 28 years in moves as prop maker, special fx EDUCATION: 4 years college NATIVE AMERICAN INVOLVEMENT: Since the early 80's & late 70's I have been active in the Native American Community in Cal. And West. In coming to Tenn 10 years ago, I have done what I could to promote the Native American Community in this area. I have been involved and still actively involved in the Road Fight in Townsend, TN. I have run blockades in the 4 corners area. Taken food to the Rez. I teach those who want to learn what I have been taught, and I still try to learn more every day. I look to God our Creator, my elders and ancestors to teach me. WHAT DO YOU FEEL YOU CAN OFFER THE NATIVE AMERICAN PEOPLE OF TENNESSEE AS AN INDIAN COMMISSIONER? I come with a dedication to my God and Creator, to my people, to ancestors, to the children of the future. I believe that past should not be turned into a 3 ring media show just to get my name in the news, or for political or personal gain. I believe that person that get this post must speak the "voice of [the] people." We must not have a defeatist attitude, but remain steadfast in hor or her convictions to defend and protect our people, customs, heritage, history & to change laws, for the betterment of our People. I have remained steadfast, even with death threats. It was once said a good leader must first be a good follower, and I believe this. I am not here for myself, but to serve my God and my people. COMMENTS: 20 years ago, I was given ceremonial pipe by my Cherokee elders in Cal. 12 years ago, I was given a ceremonial pipe by elders from the six nations of the Iroquois and call the peace keeper. This has become my way of life. --- other delegates: 5. Archie Russ 6. Jackie Rivers 7. Linda Veal 8. Corbett Ellenwood 9. Awwatokitoe Davis 10. Rahkweesheh Miller 11. Daniel 4 Eagles Russell 12. Nikki Crisp 13. Judy Wichert 14. Robert Jones 15. Theresa Burt |