Posted on May 27, 2008 - Filed Under ALTERNATIVE INDIAN MARKETING |
On May 19, 2008, Tim Giago wrote an article posted on Indianz.com entitled “Time Magazine snubs Indians again.” Mr. Giago lamented the fact that Time Magazine failed to recognize any tribal members on their yearly list of “The Most Influential People in the World.” Mr. Giago stated that he could name at least 10 tribal members that are certainly deserving of being on the list of “Most Influential People in the World.” Included in his list were Ernie Stevens, Jr., John Echo Hawk, John Yellow Bird Steele, Wilma Mankiller and Eloise Cobell.
Honor Indians Institute agrees that there are at least 10 tribal members that could be listed in Time Magazine’s Most Influential list, but as usual, we get overlooked. Rather than expect Time or some other “national” media to invite us to play in their reindeer games, we decided to make our own list, in our own version of “Time.”
We introduce our own INDIAN TIME MAGAZINE, with our own 10 Most Influential Indians of 2007. If you are wondering why we are doing this 6 months late, remember the title of our magazine!
10. Tim Giago: Member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe of South Dakota. Mr. Giago is a journalist and commentator who is published on a national level. He has led the way for many native and non-native journalists. His opinions can be read on a weekly basis in newspapers throughout the country. He is the inspiration for INDIAN TIME and this list! He was the only columnist to respond to our personal correspondence. We thank him for his kind words, and hope to see him at the University of Nebraska-Omaha this fall.
9. Ron His Horse Is Thunder: Chairman, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. After unsuccessfully spending millions of dollars suing the NCAA over their “Fighting Sioux” mascot, the University of North Dakota found themselves having to seek approval from the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. Chairman His Horse Is Thunder and the Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Council stood firm in their refusal to give UND approval to use the “Fighting Sioux” mascot. Any time you get an entire state begging for your permission to use something of yours, now that’s influence!
8. Dave Anderson: Member of the La Courte Oreilles, Ojibwe Tribe. Also know as “Famous Dave” of the famed Famous Dave Ribs restaurant chain. He makes our list because anyone who makes a BBQ sauce that could even make mutton taste good carries world class influence! I have been known to give an A to any student that shares with the class a large order of Famous Dave’s Ribs!!!
7. Lance Morgan: Member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska. Lance is CEO of Ho-Chunk Inc. Ho-Chunk’s All Native Systems received the United States Department of State’s Small Business Prime Contractor of the Year Award for 2007. Lance was also able to successfully steer through some tribal political barriers, which was probably his greatest accomplishment of 2007. Ho-Chunk Inc. also owns Indianz.com, and Honor Indians Institute is hoping to get a little of that Indianz.com love for 2008.
6. Winona LaDuke: Member of the Mississippi Band of Anishinaabeg (Ojibwe). Ms. LaDuke was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 2007. Ms. LaDuke has been an activist, author, politician, and now entrepreneur. She is the founder of Native Harvest, which offers native wild rice, coffee and syrup.
5. Adam Beach: A member of the Saulteaux Tribe of Canada. Adam Beach, aka, “Victor” blew up in 2007, landing starring roles in Law & Order, Special Victims Unit, and Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee. Adam Beach is on the short list to play me in my upcoming biopic of my experience as a Tribal Court Judge. The tentative working title for the picture is “Law & Order: Tribal Court.”
4. Joba Chamberlain: Member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska. (I can’t believe I have 2 Winnebago’s on my list) Joba Chamberlain exploded on the major league baseball scene when he was promoted to the New York Yankees! Joba was used primarily as a relief pitcher, and he was untouchable with his 100 mph fastball. You know you have influence when Yankee fans chant “Joba, Joba, Joba” instead of “A-Rod” or “Jeter.”
3. Diane Humetewa: Member of the Hopi Tribe of Arizona. Ms. Humetewa was nominated and confirmed as the U.S. Attorney for Arizona in 2007. She was recommended for the job by Arizona Senator and Republican nominee for President, John McCain, whom she worked for during his two tenures as chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee. She is the first Native American and first Native woman to serve as U.S. Attorney for Arizona. If John McCain is elected President, look for Ms. Humetewa’s name to be mentioned for some very influential positions in the federal judiciary and/or Justice Department.
2. Darold McDade: Member of the Te-Moak Band of Western Shoshone of Nevada. Darold McDade was appointed as a 4th District Court Judge for the State of Utah. Judge McDade has considerable influence when 98.7% of the state’s white population has to call him “Your Honor!” Judge McDade is just ahead of Ms. Humetewa because he has the ultimate authority to throw you in jail! Also look for Judge McDade’s name to be mentioned in the years to come for some very influential judiciary positions!
1. Jacoby Ellsbury: Member of Colorado River Tribes, Navajo. Jacoby Ellsbury was a member of the 2007 World Champion Boston Red Sox. They defeated the Cleveland Indians to get to the championship series where they beat the Colorado Rockies for the title. Doesn’t get much better than winning a World Series Championship Ring!
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Comments
I must say this is a great article i enjoyed reading it keep the good work
I enjoyed reading this article - awesome website too.
This article was very interesting and enjoyable. I never knew Joba was part of a tribe. I think that it is awesome that you did this.
I wasn’t aware that Ellsbury was Indian, it must not be mentioned very often. I did know that Joba is part Indian from his fathers side of the family. I know he is also very proud of his Indian Heritage. NAMS TR 11:30-12:45