Randy Twofeathers

My mother is half Cherokee and Quilla from Tuckaseeggee North Carolina, a small village at the foothills of the Smokey Mountains. Her grandmothers name was Hassletine Walkingstick from Cherokee. After being chased out of Jackson County by the Klan, her family settled in Newark New Jersey where she marred a Police Officer (German/Irish), my father. After their divorce I spent a good part of my childhood years living in Tuckaseeggee, where I developed a loving respect for the land and the ways of the my mothers people. Returning to New Jersey I found solace as a Boy Scouts keeping my contact with the spirits in the land, sky and waters. Growing up without a formal faith, I tried to keep the beliefs of my ancestors. As the third generation Police Officer I delt with the worst and the best in people, especially with youth. Today I am still with the Boy Scouts of America as a Commissioner and get to bring out the best in kids. In spite of the controversies with the Boy Scouts of America, the over all propose and it's value to our young boys and girls across our country is be on the politics of today. I enjoy sharing my heritage and beliefs with Scouts and Leaders as a teacher of Native Lore. I love sitting around the fire passing my pipe with my brethren of all colors, sharing each others beliefs. (The only time I feel equal to them when it come to religion). They truly accept my belief that the Great Spirit is God, just of a different name.There are two members of the web who I feel particularly close to. First the turtle, he is strong and unnoticed among his peers, self-sufficient and has along life. He is my guide into the next world. Second, the rattlesnake, who reminds me of the danger in my word. He strikes only when provoked, but just being near him is provocation. As a boy in Tuckaseeggee I was constantly reminded by my mothers brother of the dangers around our home, none more than the rattlesnake. Today I have symbol of both around my home, the turtle to reminded me of my path, and the rattlesnake to keep me diligent along the way.Growing up between the white and red worlds, I'm sometimes lost, not knowing exactly where I stand with the Creator. My sisters both found their way, one is Roman Catholic and the other is Born Again. I however never found my place in my white world, and yet I am not as close to my red side of family as I want. I may not be very religious, but I am very spiritual. So I look to the words of wiser people then myself from both worlds as a guide.Let everything I do be my religion, and everything I say be my prayers…