"MICHELL HICKS OCCUPIES THE OFFICE OF PRINCIPAL CHIEF FOR NOW BUT THE PEOPLE OF THE EASTERN BAND OF THE CHEROKEE INDIANS DEMAND ACCOUNTABLITY,JUSTICE AND A RETURN TO ETHICAL GOVERNMENT AND WE WILL ACCEPT NOTHING LESS THEN IMPEACHMENT"Follow the developments via http://www.easternband.comTHE WARNING EXPLAINS WHAT HAS HAPPENED HERE IN CHEROKEE NC AND WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF THE EASTERNBAND OF THE CHEROKEE INDIANS. YOU CAN VIEW SEVERAL VIDEOS CREATED BY CONCERNED CITIZENS ON YOU-TUBE. JUST TYPE EASTERN BAND OF THE CHEROKEE AND LEARN FIRST HAND THE ACTUAL CONDITIONS HERE ON THE RESERVATION WITHOUT TRIBAL GOVERNMENT CENSORSHIP
myspace background - GENERATE YOUR OWN WORLDMAP NOW!OUR SYMBOL OF FREEDOM TO BE WHO WE ARE (TO A POINT BUT WE ARE A WORK IN CONTINOUS PROGRESS) The "GREAT" seal of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians (A Nation within a Nation).I am a proud and vocal enrolled member of a very progressive yet assimilated tribe. I work very hard to end tribal governmental corruption. As an advocate for accountablity of our leaders and champion for the protection of civil rights,it is my hope that the people of the Eastern Band will one day soon no longer be afraid of retailiation from tribal government for raising their voices. I'm a strong advocate and lobbyist for Substance Abuse and Mental Health reform especially in Indian country. I'm proud that I'm in long term recovery from addiciton which means I have not used alcohol or drugs in over 7 years (One Day at a Time) and I have regained my life back as a result of hard work and a committment to remain drug and alcohol free.As a clean and sober role model it has allowed me to become a proactive minded community leader. Being a leader comes with responsablity. I hold many views but the voice of the people and community is what guides my actions. As a people, we have many issues and concerns but the present issues we face in Indian country are a direct result of what I refer to as "Our Historical Legacy" which you may have heard it called "Historical Grief and Trauma".The many ills we face as Tribal nations are a direct result of this legacy. We were taught many things during our history. A majority of things we have learned as an assimilated people are positive, however on a historical level,we have learned many things that are contrary to the Native way and have remained in place in the 21st century. This can be witnessed within some tribal governments with certain levels of corruption and clouded visions for the health and welfare of the people. I hope to change this through advocacy,lobbying and another attempt at tribal office.My passions for equality and civil/human rights runs deep. I have altered and will continue to edit my profile to keep my page current. I will be posting blogs as often as possable that will detail my thoughts on tribal politics and current affairs but my main purpose for creating this webpage is to try and spread the message of recovery and provide information regarding addiction. This actual section is to discuss me (how narcassitic is that?)I am a complex person but let me share some of my thoughts with you. I'm a firm believer that the (greatest) injustices and oppressions in Indian country do not come from the Non-Indian world (I expect this to be argued by some of my fellow Native Americans.) I can only speak for for my tribe having lived here on the reservation for the past 7 years and have witnessed first hand what is occuring but not often known off tribal land. Some tribes are good at cosmetics and my tribe is one of them. What concerns me the most is the day to day living conditions especially the mental health and physical wellbeing of people. Tribal politics for many a non-native is uncharted waters. You may get your information from what you may have read in print but often times the reality of things is skewed. Very rarely will you get accurate information as most Tribal nations keep the real issues in-house especially where tourism is important hence the need for good cosmetics. Please do not misunderstand me. I LOVE MY PEOPLE AND TRIBE but I pride myself in facts not fiction and I do not sugar-coat the real issues. I am actually quite blunt (especially when standing before tribal council) yet I do know how to be a diplomat and I try to practice respect in all my endevors but sometimes, when frustration sets in I fall victim to our human condition. I recently made an attempt of entering Tribal politics to bring about pro-active and healthy change by running for the office of Vice-Chief(2007).It was not my time but that has not deterred nor limits me from my vision for the Eastern Band of the Cherokee. My outspokeness and candid words though refreshing,did not get the job done in 2007. It was a great learning experience for me but very unnerving and saddening as I discovered just how deep rooted our fear and apathy truly is. I am already planning and preparing for another attempt at office. If there is one thing I'd like you to know about me it's this: Within every negative situation or outcome, I look for the positive because it is always there but often times as human beings, we give up to quickly.Political offices are won in two ways generally. You feed and exploit peoples fears.You tell everyone who to blaim for present circumstances and that you promise that you will do it different. I do not like nor ever will feed peoples fears. I did not fall prey to the blaiming game. During my campaign,I was candid about the reality of our situation here in Cherokee and only talked about pro-active change without making unrealistic promises. Some suggested that I point out the faults of others, but my personal recovery from addiction has taught me that I do not take any another human beings personal inventory. I follow and practice the principals of the 12 steps and I will continue to do so during my political journey and for the rest of my life.While I was campaigning, it was heart-breaking to hear some folks remark that they were not going to vote because why should they bother seeing that tribal leaders don't do what they promise when they get elected. I have also heard this mentioned during this national campaign year. I have voted in every election since I was able to cast a vote. All I can say is if you don't exercise your right to vote, you get what you get. I truly dislike apathy. Apathy is a bitter pill for me to swallow and I work very hard to remove this shroud by remaining vocal even in the face of strong opposition and threats of retailiation when I voice and lobby for accountability of leadership. To the standard United States citizen, you have the luxury of being able to voice your views without fear of retailation from your government. The same does not apply here in Cherokee where retailiation is the normal standard of practice. This is why I am at the present time a proud and active member of a community political action group called "Cherokee Citizens for Ethical Tribal Government" and the fruits of our labors will culminate with a successful impeachment of the present Chief. This will be acheived if the promises of assitance from Federal agencies, certain Senators and Congressional leaders are followed through with. The month of January and February of 2008 will be very interesting and as a people, we pray that our present Chief will be removed by mid-year of 08. But on a national level, please vote for change. Right now I am torn between Hillary Clinton and John McCain as a registered Republican but I am willing to vote outside my party if the candidate is the best choice. I was part of the drug court team here in Cherokee. In Indian country as well as nationally, this alternative to incarceration is the best way to address drug and alcohol related charges. As a result of retailation as mentioned earlier,I now act as a volunteer consultant (privately)and also as a recovery coach. "Advocating for the ending of stigma towards people with addiction" is a passion of mine especially when political sentiment comes into play with regard to common held views of incarceration as oppossed to rehabilitation.This issue of drug interdiction and getting tough on drug dealers is a hot topic of debate. My feelings on this topic are as follows: We need to stop focusing our attention on the supply( The national war on drugs has failed but it makes good press). WE NEED TO ADDRESS THE DEMAND. Elimanate the demand, and like any business or company where there is no longer a need for the product, 2 things will occur. The business either bankrupts or moves to another market where there is demand. We need to move past the criminalization of addicted people. I am in full support of the legalization of "Medical Marijuna" but have strong reservations (no pun intended) regarding legalization across the board but will entertain discussion on the subject.Through the hard work and gift of recovery,I have been appointed to serve on the board of directors and perform the duties of Mid-Atlantic representative, for Faces and Voices of Recovery (FAVOR for short). http://www.facesandvoicesofrecovery.orgFaces is a National lobbying and advocacy organization that advocates for recovery friendly legislation on Capital Hill and regionally. As a regional representative, I am responsable for the states of Virginia,West Virginia and my current state of North Carolina. Adovcacy is a fundemental componant of any recovery movement.If you reside in these areas send me an e-mail at [email protected] to voice your concerns regarding recovery and addiction and how I can help you organize a recovery movement in your area or help your recovery organization network, participate and join the Faces and Voices of Recovery. Together as a national recovery advocacy movement we can and will be heard on Capital Hill or within our own State Governments to raise awareness to the fact that long-term recovery is not only possable but is being experienced by millions. As a Native American,I have been very supportive and active locally in the WELLBRIETY movement first started by the WHITE BISON ORGANIZATION. This movement will do wonderous things within Indian country if only allowed to flourish. All addiction issues aside for a moment. For Native Americans, I hold the view as taught by Tribal elders, that alcohol and drugs have/had no place within our tribal communities. Yes, I ignored this fact/teaching and suffered with an addiction issue for many years but through the wonderous gift of sobriety, I have come to the understanding that as a true Native American, drugs and alcohol have no place in our lives. To learn more about the wellbriety movement check out http://www.whitebison.org I have always loved politics (bet you couldn't guess that). I'm what I would call a product of the 80's and was influenced and involved in many of the political movements back then. I spent most of my time questioning the direction the government was heading. However, as I grew older and revisted some things and thoughts, I was actually fond of Ronald Reagan. I was very involved with the anti-nuke movement(in California)as well as a one time member of greenpeace. I also at one time was an active member with AIM (American Indian Movement) but soon came to the realization that I was more about pro-active change then pointing fingers and blaim (of course holding this view makes me somewhat unpopular with some fellow Native Americans) and I have been subjected to name calling as a sell-out but of course I place no power in labels because I know who I am. I spent several years as what I would call a closet socialist. Having read the communist manifesto (Karl Marx)I feel in love with the elimination of class status and equality for the masses however knowing the human condition as I do,true marxism could never exist as envisioned by Karl Marx and Fredrick Engels. I AM NOT A COMMUNIST........ Big difference in ideology if you look at it under a microscope. Marx/Engels had it right, Lenin perverted it and created the Soviet Union where no one but those in power have rights (sounds like our present tribal government)..................................You might be interested to know that Native American communities (historically) were the entity of true socialism even before the manifesto was published.The Europeans learned much from Native people and also taught us many positive and negative things but your life is what you make of it and I do the best I can with mine. I am a very complex person. I am always watching and thinking. Some would say that I'm reserved. I often do keep what I'm thinking to myself. I'm not overly private (because if I were then politics would be out of the question and I certainly would not have a myspace profile). Of course it's a shame that free expression of thought on websites such as this can cost you a job or entrance into a university because people love to pass judgements. Sounds like discrimination against free thoughts and expressions..................... I was not born on the reservation. I was actually born in Chicago and raised in the big cities. I'm what you would call an "urban Indian". Like many families,as a child I experienced divorce. My Mother remarried and then I was adopted by a wonderful man who legally became my Father and I love this man dearly.This wonderful man, the love he provided and the values he instilled in me, has made me what I am today once I made the decison of becoming clean and sober (I Love Ya Dad). I have meet and have established(somewhat) a relationship with my biological Father. He is a full blood Cherokee and also a good man and has done some wonderful things in Indian country and with our tribe back in the day. We are still working on getting to know each other. My Mother is both Seminole(Florida),Spanish,Irish,Polish as is my understanding and my love for her is without questions. Some would say that I'm putting out to much info about myself. I would say "why does it matter?" The whole idea (at least on my end is the hope that maybe something written in my profile, may reach the eyes of someone who may relate and who is trapped in addiction and may reach out to me for help or just someone to relate to that has been where they have been). I'm not ashamed of who I am or what I have accomplished. What I'm saying here in this profile is all the things I would say or divulge in public. Unlike some in politics, I have no desire to have skeletons in my closet. I will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it. "I'm a continous work in progress" I am a Native American living in the 21st century with dreams of the future and I have a vision for the Eastern Band of the Cherokee that will include returning us back to the status as the principal people where everyone will have rights.I am very proud of my heritage but I do not wish to become a prisoner of the past. As Native Americans, we are an assimilated people though we may not wish to admit it. This assimilation has both pro's and con's. I will not forget our tragic history but I will also not blaim the present anglo culture for the misdeeds or transgressions of (their) ancestors. To do so is racism in my eyes and of course this view I hold will be very unpopular among some of my fellow Native Americans. I have said it many times and I will state it again "THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO KEEP US DOWN AND OPPRESSED ARE OURSELVES" but this is not to say that we should forget the trauma our ancestors experienced. It is time to move past being victims and become agents of pro-active change especially on our reservations if healing is to begin and take hold in our communties. If we are to survive as a sovereign people,this can only occur with forgiveness,trust,and unconditional love. We are all members of one race folks----(HUMAN)........................... and we must move beyond this learned helplessness that exists.Here I am up on my soapbox lobbying/advocating for recovery and change..............................STRONG SYMBOL OF NATIVE PEOPLE AND OUR NATION AND ALWAYS ON GUARD WHEN DEMOCRACY IS THREATENED.RE-EDIT THE BELOW SECTION 6.20.08 (JUST A NOTE TO MYSELF WHILE WORKING ON UPDATING MY PROFILE)Well, our elections have concluded 9-6-2007 and change was not in the cards. The incumbant Chief was re-elected with only a 30 vote margin but you must be made aware that he stole the election and violated peoples rights in the process and continues too.Our Tribe cannot afford a repeat of the previous 4 years. Economic development has occurred(but at to high a price in health and wellness),THE TIME FOR IMPEACHMENT HAS NEVER BEEN SO CLEAR AND WILL BE CALLED FOR VERY SOON ONCE EVERYTHING IS IN PLACE.**** Please check out www.easternband.com for the "REALITY OF OUR SITUATION"......................... LOVE THIS PHOTO AFTER ALL THEY ARE OUR FUTURE SEEING THAT WE ADULTS HAVE MESSED IT UP SO FAR.......................The "Red Road to Sobriety" is a path I hope all my fellow Native Americans who struggle with drug addicition or alcoholism will begin to follow..... The use of Drugs and Alcohol is not the Native way. When we lift that bottle and place it to our lips, it does not give to our spirit, IT TAKES. Well as you can imagine some of my friends say I'm too serious and that I should lighten up every now and then. I'm trying. I proudly served my country and left the military honorably (How I do miss it) PLEASE SUPPORT OUR TROOPS no matter what your political views are. After all if it wasn't for them, where would we be? I have resigned myself to the fact that our troops need to begin coming home. As a Republican I supported the war in the beginning but as a veteran I now see politics clouding the judgment of all concerned at the expense of our service men and women. Just like Vietnam, We expect our troops to fight with one hand tied behind their backs because politics is preventing a quick end to this war. GET IT DONE OR BRING THEM HOME....................ALWAYS ON GUARD TO PROTECT MOTHER EARTH............. I'm a very proud veteran of the United States Coast Guard and US Navy. I am generally laid-back. I pride myself in being a team player. I'm a very confident person but in reality I'm just a little kid at heart sometimes. Now just because I'm a Republican dosen't mean I'm close minded LOL. I respect the Democratic party and their views but can they say the same for my party? I have issue with my own party and will gladly point it out but it never fails that when I get into a debate with some Democrats (especially Liberals-- now I have issue with them "But I remain open-minded") but they just want to talk about my party and our faults. Can't wait to see McCain and Hillary go at it. Yes, I'm calling for McCain to represent my party and Hillary to represent the Dems. I actually like Hillary because she reminds me of Maggie Thatcher. I feel she will be great with domestic issues and remain tough regarding foreign situations. She's a tough woman.This is why I love tribal politics because we do not emphasis political ideology. We are one nation (tribe) one people but we struggle with ethics and integrity but I hope this will change following our elections in September.I'm very proud of my (people) and with some of our Tribal government and will speak for those who are afraid to for fear of retailiation or who are just plain scared or lost in apathy. I appreciate beauty and people who are not afraid of self-expression. I love the finer things in life and work very hard to succeed. I also do not neglect the smaller things life has to offer. Beauty is not just external. Internal beauty is the best of all. I'm hoping to meet as many new people as possable. That's the only way too learn new things and broaden ones mind. I'm already in need of a 12-step support group for a myspace addiction (LOL) yet it is comforting to know that free speech is being practiced and self-expression uncensored (to a point)Well that's just some things about me. As times permits, I will periodically change items from time to time. Thanks for taking the time to get to know something about me. I look forward to getting to know you if you decide to send me an add request or I do as I look through the hundreds of profiles. It is interesting to see the wealth of diversity and self-expression. We truly are a wonderous race now if we could only all get along..... Utopia, what a concept.......................
You Are The Magician
You are powerful and wise - beyond what anyone can see.
Deeply complex, you have the resources to connect to the spiritual and material world.
You posses the knowledge to manipulate your life and the lives around you.
You also have a great healing power, should you choose to use it.
Your fortune:
You have unhidden powers that you have yet to tap into.
Soon, you will better understand how to use your intellect and intuition.
Believe it or now, you will discover how you can manipulate yourself and others for good.
You are at the beginning of a path of spiritual enlightenment. What Tarot Card Are You?
You Are a Dreaming Soul
Your vivid emotions and imagination takes you away from this world
So much so that you tend to live in your head most of the time
You have great dreams and ambitions that could be the envy of all...
But for you, following through with your dreams is a bit difficult
You are charming, endearing, and people tend to love you.
Forgiving and tolerant, you see the world through rose colored glasses.
Underneath it all, you have a ton of passion that you hide from others.
Always hopeful, you tend to expect positive outcomes in your life.
Souls you are most compatible with: Newborn Soul, Prophet Soul, and Traveler Soul What Kind of Soul Are You?
Your Brain's Pattern
Your brain is always looking for the connections in life.
You always amaze your friends by figuring out things first.
You're also good at connecting people - and often play match maker.
You see the world in fluid, flexible terms. Nothing is black or white. What Pattern Is Your Brain? "Abusive alcohol intake can affect your brain power" better to abstain then gamble.........
Your Five Factor Personality Profile
Extroversion:
You have high extroversion.
You are outgoing and engaging, with both strangers and friends.
You truly enjoy being with people and bring energy into any situation.
Enthusiastic and fun, you're the first to say "let's go!"
Conscientiousness:
You have high conscientiousness.
Intelligent and reliable, you tend to succeed in life.
Most things in your life are organized and planned well.
But you borderline on being a total perfectionist.
Agreeableness:
You have low agreeableness.
Your self interest comes first, and others come later, if at all.
In general, you feel that people are not to be trusted.
And you're skeptical that anyone else really feels differently.
Neuroticism:
You have low neuroticism.
You are very emotionally stable and mentally together.
Only the greatest setbacks upset you, and you bounce back quickly.
Overall, you are typically calm and relaxed - making others feel secure.
Openness to experience:
Your openness to new experiences is high.
In life, you tend to be an early adopter of all new things and ideas.
You'll try almost anything interesting, and you're constantly pushing your own limits.
A great connoisseir of art and beauty, you can find the positive side of almost anything. The Five Factor Personality Test
You Are Somewhat Machiavellian
You're not going to mow over everyone to get ahead...
But you're also powerful enough to make things happen for yourself.
You understand how the world works, even when it's an ugly place.
You just don't get ugly yourself - unless you have to! How Machiavellian Are You?
I edited my profile with Thomas Myspace Editor V3.6 !
This profile was edited with Thomas' Myspace Editor V3.2b
This profile was edited with Thomas' Myspace Editor V3.2b
