The picture above is of my old friend Thomas Banyacya, a Hopi Elder (in the other world since 1990), who spent his life travelling around the world, and eventually speaking at the United Nations - about the oncoming global environmental threats that are now staring in our faces/consciences.
I got involved/educated in American Indian issues through him and the passage of Public Law 93-531 - another (like many before) assault pitting indigenous people, US established tribal councils and the US Government - against each other via "divide and conquer", an old, tried and true method to wear people down to where they will agree with you.
Thomas left a profound impact on my life. It completely changed, and I've been working my heart out, to the best of my ability, which is by no means enough, to do my part in protecting our mother and helping indigenous people retain their lands and their culture.