Dineh Warrior/Brother of the Big Mtn. Survival Camp Passes into the Spirit World

To All Our Relations, my Brother/Fellow-Warrior. Your footpaths and prayers on the LW2 will always be remembered.

My favorite image of the Bro which reminds me so much of the busy and intense times at the Survival Camp.

"Brothers at the 'Camp' were like the Last of the Dineh, Dog Soldiers.." -One of Willie's last comment:

Willie joined the resistance outpost at Big Mountain in the early 1980s when he came out from the Bay Area with some non-Indian supporters. He got along with all the brothers and sisters of any nations and nationality. He always enjoyed leading the songs when we gathered around the drum. He never talked bad about anyone EVEN if 'we' talked negatively (in front of him) about someone else. He never delayed himself for a detail that needed to be carried out and was always willing to be up front at the frontline. "It is hard to be an Indian!" back in the 80s and it is still that way, today. Willie was the bodyguard for all the traditional elders at Big Mountain and he was loved as a Son by them as well. Willie was Willie, but he brought about that nice, calm atmosphere to the Camp kitchen and to the bunkers. We will miss many things besides your warrior spirit like the best fried bread that you use to make.

Now, you are with the brothers who left us also and who have served as warriors for the Sovereign Dineh Nation. Most of all, you are now with your two uncles that you often talked about and whom you most admired, but were suddenly and tragically Killed in Action in Vietnam during the American invasions. We will do our best to continue our fights for Dineh Liberation. --Haa'goh'ne'h, Sh'k'si' (Chief Loner on behalf of SDN Patrol)

On the Longest Walk 2 of 2008, Willie was an inspiration to everyone on the walk especially to the young ones. He was there for the young ones that came to this spiritual walk and who were somewhat new to their own Indian World, and Willie gave guidance to them about 'what it means to be an Indian.' Beside being a Sun Dancer, he was Keeper of the Drum and he taught these young people how to sing the songs. He was so happy and energic during the Longest Walk 2, and he looked forward to returning to help the indigenous nations, Sun Dance again, and return to Big Mountain where he most felt the elders needed his help. --Mitakiye Oyasin, (Patty)

***Hear Willie during the Longest Walk 2 of 2008: http://www.earthcycles.net/journal/index.php?14

(Recorded by www.earthcycles.net on the Longest Walk in Miwok's Shingle Springs, Calif.)