About the authors of this site
As a statement of authority of this site's topic, we felt a background of the authors is in order.
This site is written as a partnership by two people.
The first author has been involved in Scouting for more than 20 years and has held positions such as Scoutmaster for 10 years (current) Cubmaster, Assistant coach for a BSA Varsity Team, Committee member of a cub pack and an explorer post Vigil OA member, Ceremonial Team advisor for his chapter for over 6 years, Associate Lodge Advisor for over 3 years where he advised on issues about American Indian Culture to both the Lodge and Council. Campmaster for several years, and various other roles within his district and council. He earned the rank of star as a scout. The first author also has a small amount of Native American heritage and has been singing with a Dakota drum for about 14 years. He has been asked to present at countless Scout and community functions on various topics of local Native American heritage. He is extremely familiar with customs, crafts, songs, religion, and history of local Native Americans.
The second author has also been involved in Scouting for about 20 years and has held positions including Assistant Scoutmaster, Campmaster for 17 years, Brotherhood OA member, and Ceremonial advisor for the local chapter for 3 years. He had also earned his Eagle scout as a youth. The second author also has a small amount of Native American heritage and is the lead singer of a local Dakota drum group that has been in existence for nearly 18 years. He has also been asked to present at countless Scout and community functions on various topics of local Native American heritage, specializing in song and ways of life. He is extremely familiar with customs, crafts, songs, and religion of local Native Americans.
Both authors are well known in both the local council and the local Indian community. They are welcome at all pow wows, and are frequently invited to sing with other drums, and attend ceremonies such as the sundance and sweat lodge. They are also frequently involved in community issues. Both authors also have had significant involvement in several different councils, to base their information from.
Both authors highly value the program that BSA offers to boys. This site is not set up to ask that Boy Scouting be shut down, nor any segment of the program inside or out of OA. What this site is intended to address is the inappropriate behavior that is taught and allowed by National regarding the use of Native American symbolism.
The opinions of the authors of this site are strictly their opinion based on experience and exposure to both communities. The first author has made significant attempts over the last several years (as have many other friends) to educate the scouting community on proper behavior regarding Native Americans. With the possible exception of an occasional scouter, these attempts have fallen on deaf ears and failed. Attempts were also made to influence National BSA to adjust their policy in accordance to being politically correct and non-offensive. These attempts have also failed. That is why this site has been established; to bring the issue to the public.
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