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Molly Brant is very typical of the difficulties in identifying true facts in research materials printed about Native women. There is no question that Molly was by far the most powerful and influential woman in the Mohawk Nation. She single-handedly is credited with maintaining British loyalty throughout the Iroquois Confederacy.

Her date of birth is given as both 1735 and 1736. Her Mohawk name was either Gonwatsijayenni, Degonwadonti or Tekonwatonti depending upon your resource. She died in Brantford, Ontario, Canada in 1795, OR in Kingston, Ontario, Canada in 1796. There is even disagreement over whether she was Mohawk or Iroquois.

We do have some fascinating facts about Molly that are not in dispute. She was born to a Mohawk father and an Iroquois mother in Conajoharie, New York, the older sister of the famed Mohawk leader Joseph Brant. Following the death of her natural father, Molly's mother married an Iroquois man who had been given an English name - Nicklaus Brant - and thus the English last name. She apparently had an uneventful childhood, and received an education that was unusual for any woman of that time period.

It was at the age of 17 that Molly's destiny began to take shape when she met William Johnson, a famous British trader who later became Superintendent of Indian Affairs for the British Indian Department's Northern District. Johnson was clearly quite taken with Molly for, by the time she was 23, she had moved into his home and was fulfilling all the duties of wife, political consort, and hostess of his considerable estate. She went on to bear Johnson 9 children.

Some accounts hold that Molly and Johnson were married in Native tradition, but it is established that they were never married in a white ceremony. Even though she was considered only Johnson's mistress by white leaders, she was nonetheless accepted as their peer and equal. Her skill as a diplomat was admired by the political leaders of the day. Her grace and dignity as a hostess made the Johnson estate a major destination to visitors from this country, Canada and Europe who could find an excuse to"stop by". In return for her hospitality, Molly received many gifts of every type and description. The personal items such as clothing, she carefully packed away. Other items were proudly displayed for all to see.

Never shy, Molly used her considerable influence with the British to see that her people were well cared for. In times of disagreement, it was she who traveled into the villages and met with the Sachems (chiefs) to urge their continuing loyalty to the Crown. So effective was she that provisions were made by the British to support her financially for her entire life! Her yearly pension even exceeded that of her famous brother.

Prior to his death in 1774, Johnson had the foresight to make a will which left all of his wealth and property to Molly. Additionally, he set out political appointments for the children and for Molly's brother, Joseph. As the armies of the American Revolution drew closer to her home, Molly knew that word of her loyalties to the British were too well known for her to be safe there. She gathered her worldly goods and moved into Canada. Even so, the invading armies reported digging up several barrels of dresses which had been left behind......buried in the backyard.

Molly remained safe in Canada until her death. Even there, her efforts to keep the Iroquois loyal to the British never weakened. Molly Brant's life, and her influence over events of her time, are indeed legendary.

She is also listed in 100 Native Americans Who Shaped American History.

By: Julia White

Actor Adam Beach has plan to back First Nations films and TV

CBC News

One of Canada's most prominent First Nations film stars has a plan to get more aboriginal stories into movie theatres and onto the airwaves.

Adam Beach, the Manitoba-born actor most recently known for his role on Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, has announced he is setting up a new film company and will take a high-profile role in a new internet cable company.

He announced details Wednesday at an aboriginal economic development conference in Winnipeg.

His new company will produce feature films created by First Nations filmmakers.

He has also been hired by a new internet cable company to head its aboriginal division and will start reviewing proposals for the network in January.

"The content will be delivered by [everything from] an individual on the corner of a street telling us his life to the biggest politician we have complaining about the government, but the world will now hear our voice," he said.

Beach also has teamed up with rapper Ice-T, who also starred in Law and Order: SVU, to get more coverage for First Nations music.

"We're going to make the first native American pop star," he said, drawing whistling and clapping from the crowd of nearly 700.

Hebron Sinclair, a 19-year-old from Pinaymootang, in the Interlake area of Manitoba, was excited about the prospect of working with Beach.

"Holy Cow! Now I've got to get involved in this," he told CBC News. Sinclair creates hip hop music under the name Junebug.

"I've got to do something … that's like another open door for me."

Beach plans to leave Law and Order: SVU at the end of the season to concentrate on these projects.

Beach is also known for his recent performances in films such as Flags of Our Fathers, Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee and Windtalkers.

A hero’s welcome for Whitehorse

By: Karen Francis

WINDOW ROCK — An injured soldier who recently arrived home was given a hero’s welcome Thursday evening at the Navajo Nation Veterans Memorial Park .

U.S. Army Pfc. Jason Whitehorse, a graduate of Gallup High School, will be the recipient of two Purple Hearts. The Purple Heart is a combat decoration awarded to members of the U.S. armed forces “who are wounded by an instrument of war in the hands of the enemy.”

Though he was still on crutches because of injuries sustained in Iraq on March 27, he rode in with the Navajo/Hopi Honor Run motorcycle riders from Shiprock.Whitehorse, 19, arrived in Albuquerque on May 10, where his mother, Lorene Yazzie, awaited him.

“It feels pretty good,” he said about being back. He added about the bike ride from Shiprock, “It was nice seeing all the scenery on the way here.”

His plan now, he said, is to “spend some time at home and try to see everybody before I head back to my station.”

Get the rest of the story here: http://www.gallupindependent.com/2008/May/051708hero.html

Indian, military ceremonies, funeral set for fallen soldier

Associated Press

PARKER — Funeral services for a soldier from the Colorado River Indian Tribe who was killed in Afghanistan are set today in Parker.

A religious service for Pfc. Ara Tyler Deysie was held in the town's Mormon church Sunday afternoon. His casket was then taken through town on a firetruck to the Cry House next to the tribal cemetery.

After being placed inside the Cry House in an elaborate ceremony, military guards were to stand guard through the night.

American Indian and military ceremonies and his burial will be held this morning.

Deysie, 18, was a member of the 101st Airborne Division. He died May 9 in Afghanistan's Paktia province when his patrol was attacked with rocket-propelled grenades.