Native Values Matter with Community Policing

Julia Wades in Water and Police Chief Wades in Water
Montana State University Library, Special Collections 

Whether or not it's the buzzword of the day, many tribes traditionally practiced some form of community policing. A society or clan might have special enforcement or judicial privileges, but other members of a community would help set the norms, identify negative behavior, and help to find solutions when asked.

Julia Wades in Water, of the Blackfeet Nation, was hired as a policewoman in 1905 by her husband, Police Chief Wades in Water. The couple took their roles as elders and protectors of Blackfeet tradition very seriously. Wades in the Water was a member of the traditional Crazy Dog Society, which according to Blackfeet historian Curly Bear Wagner, were once the sole "police force" and remained a "very important organization."

As the first Native female police officer in the nation, Julia Wades in Water served her community for 25 years, managing the detention facility and assisting with female suspects. While her husband pioneered diversion tactics like making "troublemakers" provide restitution and do community service, Julia sustained many warm friendships among the Blackfeet and the non-Native people of northern Montana.  This pioneering law enforcement couple were deeply invested in maintaining the values and safety of their community, and Blackfeet of that era remember them warmly for all their contributions. 

We like to focus on the great partnerships that support community safety for a reason; successful partnerships (with top level buy in) represent the investment a community is making to turn things around for itself. Just like in the old days.

For Sam, From All His Relations

His “contemporary traditional Indian art” is iconic, showing people who grow like trees from their deep roots into the stars; people who are proud, strong, protective of their community of life and filled with humor and compassion. In a thousand ways, these people are just like Anishinabe artist and activist Sam English, who transformed from alcoholic despair into one of Native America's most highly regarded artists. Thirty years after embracing sobriety, the diabetes he has fought for a decade has taken its toll. Sam's energy to continue producing his extraordinary works of art is exhausted.

Sam’s gratitude for his recovery and recognition inspired him to give generously of his time and artwork to causes that support Indian Country’s recovery from historical trauma. In the PBS documentary Colores, he says, “My being an artist gives me the freedom to be involved with community. It gives me an opportunity to interact with my community. That gives me the energy to be creative about my community. It’s given me access to life, to be able to do this. To have people look at my art and like what I do, that grounds me. Reminds me of where I came from. Reminds me that I have a contribution to make to my community.” Indeed, there is hardly a single cause—from domestic violence and child protection, to alcoholism and diabetes—that Sam English has not given to and created art for.

Today Sam’s community, including Anglos, Hispaños and Indians, is just waking up to the fact that he has reached the time of his much-deserved retirement. In retirement, as during all the years of his working life, an artist's income is totally dependent on selling his art. Planning for the future, Sam has salted away paintings over the years in the hopes that they would provide a steady income in his golden years.

The collected paintings of Sam English constitute an unparalleled treasure trove of public art, created by the Native artist in cooperation with countless government agencies and non-proft organizations, as well as many original pieces. True to his legacy in community activism, each image makes a strong statement about Native American strengths and how we can help each other to build a better future. 

Sam hopes that selling his life’s work will provide him with an adequate retirement income, but he is hoping to find a single buyer for the collection, like a large museum, a tribe, or a private collector.

As a man who never turned away from an open hand or a good cause, it's up to us—all his relations—to step in for him, by helping to find a buyer for his magnificent life's work. Some of us might know acquisitions directors who might take up the cause. Some of us might be able to write letters to the Heard, NMAI, tribal leaders or private collectors and let them know how important Sam's art is to you.

Sam said of his art, “I want Indian people to look at it and say, ‘Hey, this is a good rendition of who we are and invokes all the things that make me feel good about myself.’” Anyone enjoying Sam’s art, or his company, is inspired both to feel good and to do better for each other.

Recommending Sam's art to your friends with money: Free

Sam English coffee table book: $47.98

Sam English signed Tribute to Wilma Mankiller: $335.00

Original Sam English paintings: Price available on request

Helping Sam create the retirement he deserves: Priceless

Traditional Native Values: Saying No To Drugs

Social scientists from Arizona State University are making waves with their research on how spirituality and religion are leading factors in preventing urban Native youth from using drugs. As Indian Country Today reports, middle school children who have strong Christian or traditional Native traditions in their homes are more likely to reject offers to try a drug.

At Lamar Associates, we have appreciated for years how important it is to weave Native traditions and spirituality into all the work we do. Because Indian Country is who we are and what we do, our tailored training programs always honor this perspective. Our religions and spirituality and our sense of family and community are not only intertwined, but they are critical keys to healing our people, whether they are living on the reservation or in a city.