DAVID O. MARKS JR. Born to David and Betty Marks in August of 1954, David Jr. was raised to know his Native heritage. As a youth, David served on the Junior Council along with many other children of M.N.I. counsel members. As with most young people, David grew away from his heritage to start his life and family. He also joined the Army and served in helicopter supply for the 101st. He still attended various functions when possible, but not to participate. In 1992, David Jr. returned to his Tribe to begin his journey on his Red Road. He began by joining the Twigh Twee Drum. Later that same year, his father became incapacitated by a stroke. David Sr. wanted to continue to be as active as possible, so with his sister Diana, they began to attend counsel meetings with their father. Soon David Jr. became his father's alternate on the M.N.I. counsel. The resurgence of the Longhouse traditions began about this same time. David Jr. joined Men's Counsel and started attending longhouse after it was built. In 1993, M.N.I. Chief Ray White passed away and David attended the first of many Native American funerals. He became more intensely aware of the growing need to revive the old customs and traditions. David attended the first longhouse ceremony with his son Christopher, nephew Michael Marks, and cousin Aaron Siders as well as many others. David renewed his marriage vows to his wife in 1994 in a Native American ceremony. In late 1994, a burial site was discovered in New Lenox, Illinois. David, along with many of the men and women of M.N.I. went to the blessing and reburial of these remains. In April of 1995, David lost a Native brother, Kevin Russell. The loss affected the entire Drum and Men's Council. A very special event occurred in October of 1995. David became a grandfather for the first time. He was very active with his granddaughter during the next few years. She was with him during the reconstruction of the longhouse in 1996. All during this time, David was attending Pow Wows all over Indiana and some in Illinois, representing M.N.I. in the best possible way. He learned many things cultural, Spiritual, and traditional during this period. People such as Uncle Frank Bush, Tick Bush, Dancing Feather, and Wapshing helped David walk his Red Road.. David Sr. suffered additional strokes and retired from M.N.I. counsel. David Jr. took his seat as representative of the Turtle Clan, but not Clan Chief. Things continued in this way with David turning to his father frequently for guidance. By this time, David's youngest son, Rick, was old enough to join Men's Council and the Twigh Twee Drum. David was never as proud as when his father, his sons, and himself sat and drummed at the Twigh Twee. In 1999, a life changing event occurred. David Sr. had a final stroke which left him brain dead. David and his family had to make the decision to stop life support for his Dad. With the death of his father, came the news that he was chosen as the new Turtle Clan Chief. New responsibilities came to David whether or not he wanted them. Life continued on the Red Road. In January of 2001, time had come for David to delve into the West for introspect. With the death of his second grandchild, time had come to re-evaluate what was important in life-his Red Road. David slowed down and stopped going to so many Pow Wow�s. In 2003, David's elder sister, Cindarilla passed away. This brought his own mortality into question. In the next few years, more grandchildren came and David bought his retirement home. His journey down his path was uneventful. The year 2004 brought many changes. The death of his grandmother, the loss of a friend, and the death of his sister-in-law weighed heavy on David. The restructure of his beloved Twigh Twee brought the changes in his life and tribe to light. Things change, times change and now in 2006 is the time for the Miami Turtle Clan to change. The time has come for drawing together to bring about the conservation of our traditions, culture, and Spirituality. David is now bringing all that he knows to his Clan. (However much that may be.) It is his wish that the Turtle Clan will come together to preserve that which makes us who we are- our culture. |
