Sometimes you run into interesting people on the road of life

by Gary E. Mitchell

In my younger days, I became an avid baseball card collector and of signed baseballs. I used to go to baseball card shows with my brother Eddie, my nephew Clint and even made my daughter Martie go along with me at times, because that way, we could get 2 autographs instead of one. My other brother Larry did the same in the city of Minneapolis and we would exchange autograph baseballs. I had autographed baseballs from Mickey Mantle, Harmon Killebrew, Ted Williams, Willie Mays, Stan Musial, Johnny Bench, Brooks Robinson and many others. I shook hands with many of those people. I was in awe to see somebody like Mickey Mantle standing in front of me. It's hard to describe what it was to see a great man like that. I thought I'd never experience that again, but did, after I got involved in tribal politics, and ran into some interesting, if not great, people on the tribal political road.

In the 1980's, I had the distinct honor of meeting Roger Jourdain, Wendell Chino, and Joe De la Cruz at different times. They were in the twilight of their political careers, but they still had a bunch of fight in them. Their political delivery was close to the fire and brimstone preachers you once saw in old movies, but their message wasn't about the Lord, it was about Indian sovereignty. They were set in their ways and believed in defending the sovereignty of all tribes and didn't hesitate to voice their opinions on the subject at the local and national level. I guess, you could say they refused to slow-dance in the political fast-lane. I was impressed on how these old tribal leaders stood up for Indian rights. I was a fairly young guy then, and those old guys would go out of their way to introduce themselves and to shake hands with me. That, too, made an impression on me.

First of all I need to identify how I met these leaders. I jumped into the political fires of the Potawatomi Nation in 1986 and have survived until the present year of 2006. I served six years as the elected Treasurer, a six-month unexpired term as Chairman, a four-year term as Vice-Chairman and 2 separate terms as Gaming Commission Chairman. When somebody says you have to have a thick skin to handle politics, rest assured they’re not lying to you. It seemed like the attacks start when you enter that political door and do not stop until you leave. I guess I felt like Woody Guthrie when he said, "I'm going to stick around to see what the hell happens next."

During those earlier years, I finished the unexpired term of chairman after the position opened up because of a political upheaval. I didn't want to take the appointment because I was between college and graduate school and didn't know if I wanted to take time off from that. I also hated the thought of going through another political ordeal.

Eventually I gave in and accepted the position. In less than two weeks, I was on my way to Washington, D.C. for a Tribal Leaders Summit at the White House. There were 322 tribal leaders in attendance. It was a true honor for me to be part of the summit and to see so many leaders in one place. The newspapers said it was the first time a sitting president met with the Indian tribes since James Monroe did so in 1822. That day we rode buses to the White House, from the hotel and took a tour. We were escorted to a large tent in the Rose Garden, which is located on the south side of the White House, and were seated in sections.

After about an hour of waiting, President Bill Clinton, his wife Hillary and Vice-President Gore and his wife came out to sit on the stage.

It was truly a magical moment to see the most powerful man walking out there to see the Indian leaders. The MC announced the agenda. It started with Chairman Wallace Coffey, in his tribal regalia complete with a war bonnet, singing an honor song. It was so impressive to see Coffey sing that song. I felt so proud to be an Indian and be to a part of that event. After this, several speakers spoke about Indian issues and then President Clinton addressed the crowd.

He may have been a much criticized leader, but for me, Bill Clinton was elevated to new heights that day. After all the speeches, he stood there and shook hands with all 322 tribal leaders. Some had on their tribal regalia and others had on business suits. I was in the latter group and still could kick myself for not wearing our tribal gear. Well, anyway, I stood in the line waiting to shake hands with the President and thought, "Oh, he's going to get tired of standing there and leave," but he didn't. I got closer and closer and could see the secret service personnel around him. One guy looked like a man you wouldn't dare mess with. He had that no-nonsense look about him - a cold, hard look with eyes that reminded me of that shark in "Jaws."

I finally made it to the front of the line and could only mutter, "I'm honored to meet you, Mr. President," and shook hands with the President of the United States and just like that, it was over. I know the old leaders in the 1800s met the President before, but as far I know I'm the only Potawatomi leader in modern times to shake hands with the President. Maybe another President will meet with all the tribal leaders again in my lifetime. When we were leaving each leader was given a peace medal, which I still have and hold a place of honor in my home. It was said that Chief Wabaunsee received a peace medal long ago and wore that around his neck for the rest of his life, and I thought of doing that, but didn't.

Back to the tribal road over the years I would meet Congressmen, BIA bureaucrats, and many other tribal leaders. I did the usual photo-ops and have them hanging up next to my children and grandchildren's pictures. Most of those experiences would be from National Indian conferences on gaming or politics, but not everyone was friendly like Chino, De La Cruz and Jourdain. Some people had titles and wouldn't look at you, but not all.

Tex Hall and Cecelia Fire Thunder were of the same mold as those old leaders, but both recently lost their tribal elections in early November 2006 and those meetings won't be the same. I guess their tribes didn't want good leaders or maybe people get tired of seeing the same people in there. I don't know. Who really knows in tribal politics? An elective office, especially in tribal circles, means you are here today and gone tomorrow.

I remember Tex Hall as a very articulate man who stood up for Indian rights. He was a rancher type of guy, right down to a big black cowboy hat and was probably an ex-basketball player, judging by his height. He was a friendly guy, shaking hands and made time to visit for a little while every time I saw him on the national scene. Tex Hall was such a great national leader that he tended to focus on national matters rather than home politicsm which probably cost him. That's too bad though.

Tex Hall was a dynamic speaker, maybe he talked too long at times, but he sure could get his message across. He was what Indian country needs a man who isn't afraid to speak his mind. Hopefully the people who follow him won't sit back and let the government run over and trample tribal rights.

Cecelia Fire Thunder was already an accomplished leader and a renowned speaker at many Indian conferences, but I figure the Sioux weren't ready for a female leader. She believed in her people, women's rights and the preservation of the Indian language, which is very important. I met her in an elevator in Albuquerque, New Mexico and she told me that I looked like I had a lot on my mind. She was right because I was struggling internally with the loss of my dear mother. Fire Thunder, too, was a friendly woman who didn't “put on the dog”, as we say in my neck of the woods.

I guess that's what I liked about all of these Indian leaders I mentioned: they were big-shots, in their own right, with down to earth values and didn't act like they were better than others.

In retrospect, meeting people like old baseball heroes, Roger Jourdain, Wendell Chino, Joe Del la Cruz, President Bill Clinton, Tex Hall and Cecelia Fire Thunder will always hold good memories for me. Anymore, in my old age, I rarely get impressed with anyone, but it did happen to me a time or two.