Geronimo great Apache warrior

“I was born where there were no enclosures.” –Geronimo

The name Geronimo was given to him by the Mexican Army after they suffered a major battle during the Mexican holiday: St. Geronimo Day. The birth name of Geronimo was Go-Yah-Kla.

Goyahkla (Geronimo) was a naturally gifted hunter, who, as the legend goes, as a boy he swallowed the heart of his first kill in order to ensure a life of success on the hunt. To the Apache tribe Goyahkla ( Geronimo) was the essence of the best and most skilled Indian warriors, he was fearless, clever, ruthless, and honorable as a man of his word. Goyahkla (Geronimo) proved time and time again that he was the most famous Apache of them all, even among white men he was held in high esteem.

General Nelson Miles wrote in his diary:

“He is one of the brightest, most resolute, determined -looking man I have ever encountered.”–General Nelson Miles

At the tender age of seventeen Goyahkla (Geronimo) fell in love with a beautiful Apache girl named Alope. The two young lovers were married and had three children together. One day while out on a trading trip, Mexican soldiers attacked the camp where Goyahkla’s (Geronimo’s) family were set up. Goyahkla’s ( Geronimo’s) mother, wife and three children were all killed in the attack. Goyahlka (Geronimo) was enraged and he rounded up two hundred Apache warriors and for the next ten years he hunted down and killed each one of the Mexican soldiers that had a hand in the killing of his family.

U.S. Paratroopers of World War II saw the 1940 movie GERONIMO the night before mass training jumps and as they fell from the sky they all shouted

G-E-R-O-N-I-M-O!!!!

Goyahkla was born on June 16th 1829 and he died on February 17, 1909.

I wrote this article for Yahoo and it was first published on October 31, 2013 to honor Native American Heritage Month.

Charles Micheaux

Atlanta*

Rebecca O’Connor : American Indian Heritage

“Respect this homeland’s ancestors and don’t pet the fluffy cows.”

November is Native American Heritage Month and so I wish to share with all of my friends on Twitter this very fascinating American Indian woman-Rebecca O’Connor. To often we don’t see our American Indian sisters and brothers, but what is even worse is when we don’t hear them. Rebecca is someone I truly admire and I’m glad I found her on Twitter. She’s very smart,with a great sense of humor and she’s a strong human rights activist. I have learned much from following her so she was someone I really wanted to interview as we celebrate Native American Heritage Month.

Rebecca, thank you, for doing this interview.

Q.) So, as an American Indian woman what do you hope for?

A.)It’s a simple fairytale, hope; that altruism rises like the Phoenix.

Q.) If you could have a gigantic billboard anywhere in South Dakota, with any thing on it, what would it say?

A.) Respect this homeland and don’t pet the fluffy cows.

Q.) As a girl who were your heroes?

A.) Nadia Comaneci and Tom Carroll.

Q.) What is your greatest accomplishment?

A.) Learning to love myself and finding my voice.

Q.) What’s the best investment you’ve ever made?

A.) My college education as well as my daughter’s.

Q.) What are your thoughts about Leonard Peltier?

A.) Leonard Peltier’s imprisonment is no different than Brittney Griners.

Q.) What’s your favorite quote?

A.) “If you’re silent about your pain, they’ll kill you and say you enjoyed it.”–Zora Neale Hurston

Q.) When did you first get involved in politics?

A.) I have always paid attention and taken voting seriously. My parents taught us the importance of being informed and being involved. I’m not obsessed but will do research before I vote.

Q.) What is your ambition for 2023?

A.) Besides getting a payroll clerk certification, I’ll continue helping the homeless and be be an ally to our beautiful diverse people.

You can follow Rebecca O’Connor on Twitter @NoAppleIndian

Charles Micheaux

Atlanta*