Honored Elders & Veterans Page

EUGENE BLACKBEAR SR. (center left)
Eugene Blackbear Sr. is a Northern Cheyenne and member of the Bowstring Clan. He is the oldest living Cheyenne Sundance Priest, an arrow Priest and a Native American Church roadman. He was born in Watonga, Oklahoma in 1930 by his parents Paul and Minnie Blackbear. His Geat Grandfather, Stong Bow, was a survivor of the Sand Creek Masacre in 1864. His grandmother, Two Moons, was at the battle of Little Big Horn. He is well respected in the Native American Community throughout the United States and abroad. He may also be recognized from his the key role he played in the recent film "Last of the Dogmen" as Cheyenne Chief Spotted Elk.

RICHARD "NA-TE" LUNA (far right)
Richard "Na-te" Luna is a Chiricahua Apache and his parents had lived by the Cochise stronghold near Wilcox, Arizona. They were of the subgroup of Chokenen Cochise clan. Later they lived at the San Carlos and White Mountain reservation in "Hondah" in Arizona. He is fluent in the Apache language and began dancing while a young boy. Na-te served during the Korean conflict with the 82nd airborne, U.S. Air Force and was injured while in the completion his Military service. On April 18, 1974, he was recognized as "an Unsung Hero" for distinguished service in the Military and as a Civil Engineer.

IGNACIO M. DE LA VEGA [Mantai] (far left)
Ignacio M. De La Vega, is Chiricahua Apache and was born and raised in the San Antonio, Texas, area. He is credited with over 25 years of service in Texas and the United States as a Licensed Private Investigator. He served as a Sergeant in the 36th Infantry Division and the Texas 1st Brigade during the Viet-Nam era and recieved an Honorable Discharge. He is a Historian of the Native American Culture and his research invlolves all aspects of the Native American Life. Ignacio M. De La Vega is the society chairman of the Alamo Gourd Dance Society of San Antonio Texas.