Grand Sachem Chief Rolling Cloud also known as (AKA) John E. Hamilton was President and founder of the National American Indian Defense Association, Inc est. 1939. He was also Grand Sachem (tribal leader) of the Mohegan-Pequot People from 1933-1988.
It is appropriate for us the pay tribute to one of the most noteworthy Native American Activists and Leaders of our time. John E. Hamilton, a man who, prior to the establishment of the Native American Gaming Industry and long before being Native American wa fashionable, dedicated his life to protecting Native American People and Rights Issues across the country for well over half a century.
Because of the Grand Sachem's position and the importance of keeping records, and presiding over tribal meetings, the Mohegan People received federal recognition. John Hamilton AKA Grand Sachem Chief Rolling Cloud was also the official land claims representative and represented and/or advised the Mohegan, Pequot, Stockbridge, Brotherton, and Munsee Tribes among many other tribes across the Nations in land claims cases. Many times, his duties required him to travel to Washington to speak on Capital Hill and the Indian Land Claims Commission on behalf of these issues.
He was the Mohegan Chief who lead the effort for federal recogntion. In 1978, it was John Hamilton's name and seal that appeared on the Letter of Intent to petition the BIA for recognition of the Mohegan People.
At this point, I would like to share a few of the events in the life of John Hamilton as quoted by a news reporter, "JOHN HAMILTON, TIRELESS WARRIOR FOR THE U.S. INDIANS".
During the first quarter of the century, John Hamilton AKA Grand Sachem Chief Rolling Cloud worked the Western Range and a dozen states and Canada as a cowboy. When he was alive, he could show you scars that he bore from Rattlesnake Bites. He was also a lover of the arts, a pianist and composer with his own orchestra. However, the main focus of this page is John Hamilton's life as a Warrior, Grand Sachem, and President of the National American Indian Defense Association. As an activist, he made amny requests to variou U.S. Presidents over the years such as Truman, Eisenhower, Nixon and others.
John Hamilton also asked for the aid of the Nation for the American Indian Movement (AIM) in their battle for justice at Wounded Knee. He said "Get behind the Sioux at Wounded Knee put an end to this terrible situation that our Brothers and Sisters are going through".
In his lifetime, he had visited over 270 Indian Tribes in the Nations to report on the disparities and injustices being suffered by our Native American Brothers and Sisters, Grandmothers and Grandfathers and Children to help to improve these conditions for our people. He also promoted food and clothing drives to be given to the various reservations in need over the years. John Hamilton's persistent efforts also led to the proclamation of the First American Indian Day in Connecticut in 1941, which is still recognized.
As Grand Sachem, John Hamilton had the authority to adopt into the tribe at his discretion. He truely believed in the making of relatives, which as you know is one of the gifts of the Buffalo Calf Woman. Undoubtedly, Grand Sachem Chief Rolling Cloud's most controversial adoption was that of Patricia Hearst who had been kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA). Miss Hearst, daughter of newspaper tycoon Randolph Hearst (who had been a long time supporter of Native Americans) was given the name of BRAVEHEART. Once Miss Hearst was adopted into the tribe, John Hamilton requested the SLA to release Miss Hearst because they were no longer holding a white woman hostage, but were holding an American Indian. After her arrest, he requested amnesty for her from the President of the United States. He was thanked for his efforts by the Hearst Family and later went on to perform the wedding ceremony for Miss Hearst and her betrothed, which was covered extensively by the news media, including a picture and story with John Hamilton performing a Native American wedding ceremony in full regalia (buckskins and headdress) in LOOK MAGAZINE.
John E. Hamilton AKA Grand Sachem Chief Rolling Cloud is descended from Alice (Story) Hamilton AKA Princess Bright Star (his Mother); Mary Tracy Fielding Story (his Grandmother) and Clan Mother of the Mohegan-Pequot Nation; Sampson Occum, a Mohegan Indian Preacher connected with the founding of Dartmouth College; and Uncas, the First Grand Sachem of the Mohegan Tribe in the 16th century.
In closing, I would like to state that I will always uphold the honor and dignity of Grand Sachem Chief Rolling Cloud, my Father, A Great Warrior. Furthermore, I will try to walk in his footsteps to lead our tribes and protect their God-given inherent rights to be recognized as Native American Indians. I will vigorously strive to promote the cultural and economic upward mobility of our Native American People for the goals of Independence and Freedom. Also, to aid the Native American People across the country who are still in great need and are suffering with the genocide of NON-RECOGNITION being placed upon them by the U.S. Government and to share our culture with people everywhere to create a better understanding of our Native American Indian People.
Grand Sachem Chief Moigu Standing Bear
President of the National American Indian Defense Association, Inc. est. 1939
"Protecting the Rights of American Indians for over 60 years"
Links to other sites on the Web
Confederation of the Mohegan-Pequot Page
Mohegan Tribe and Nation Page
Mohegan Princess Page
Grand Sachem Mohegan Page
Chief Watching Crow Page
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