Ta-li Ta-wo-di   a-le   U-s-di A-li-so-qua-lv-di

Two Hawks and Little Bear

Today is my father’s 67th birthday. My father was born on a reservation is Arkansas. He served in the military during the Vietnam War. He went on to be a police officer. He had six biological children and became a step father to three more children. He has been an active member of the Maidu Native community and American Indian Education Program for the past 30+ years. He has worked hard to give his children more opportunities; and worked two jobs to put my older brother and I in an art academy from junior high til our high school graduations.  Just want to note a thanks to my father for providing me with both his mother’s traditions and supporting my love for performance art.