Author, Cultural Story Teller, Native Cultural Consultant
Jim Beard is a speaker on
topics such as traditional living and natural spirit teachings. His
topics address many concerns to do with wellness and balance in life. He
is a student of native teachings from Ojibwe Elders, Algonquin language based
people, living throughout the Great Lakes Region of the US and Canada.
The audiences for his presentations vary from youth to elderly.
IAN.
Please tell us about "White Mocs on the Red Road.
JB. Some things in
life happen that one could never foresee. The story you are about to read is
about one of those things. Like most people, my life was pretty well laid out
for me. Growing up in a small town in western New York, going to school,
serving in the military, getting a job, getting married and raising a family.
The typical American dream.
The walk that
follows was so far from my path that I doubt anyone even twenty years ago would
have guessed that it would be how I would spend the rest of my life. My past
wives and family knew me, as did my peers, as a business man and one who was
vested in my community in Southern New Hampshire. Serving on boards of non
profits, going to Rotary, doing Chamber of Commerce functions and running an
insurance agency were a part of what I saw as my whole life. I was a three
piece suit.
What would come to
be was never intended in my mind. In a time of transition, I began to look for
answers about living that seemed to be missing in my life. It seemed as if the
fulfillment of the promise of the American dream was somehow incomplete. I
began to look for something to fill in the missing pieces. As I searched for
that missing part I almost literally stumbled on the first people of this land.
As I began to learn of their continued existence, they led me on an
extraordinary path of understanding. These people who I did not even know still
existed continue to have the gifts of a beautiful culture that respects all
things. The goal for me then became to find those gifts.
With the history
between the original people of this land and the people who have more recently
come here, it can be difficult to gain an understanding of the depth of the
teachings within the culture of the Native American Indian. The trust level is
understandably not there. The oral teachings carried by the Elders are not
openly shared with just anyone who would ask.
The original intent of my quest was to
gain new insight and add it to my existing life. It was not to change my
lifestyle or relationships. What came about began to take me from the life I
had known and to begin an adventure into a different world. I found myself in
transition to a person that I did not know existed within myself. My white
heritage would be enhanced by the ancient teachings that we all once had. I
would learn to wear white moccasins to walk a red road in order to better
understand the original teachings of my own people. The path that I would
follow would give me a new family, a new community to be a part of and a new
identity beyond anything I could have imagined. The life style, values and
dedication of my life would now change for the rest of my time. To all of this
I can only say, miigwich! thank you!
Q.
How long did it take to write “White Mocs on the Red Road?”
A.
In real time about six months. The writing was sporadic over three years.
Q.
What inspired you to write the book?
A.
My children and past wives were my inspiration. I was not attempting to write a
book so much as to write an explanation to my family to help them understand
the path in life that I had taken. The path that led me away from being a
family and business man. I guess I wanted them to understand why Dad went crazy
and that maybe it wasn’t so crazy as it seemed at the time.
Q.
Talk about the writing process.
A.
For me writing is a way to relax. I am very active in all the things I do and I
enjoy every moment of my life. When I am tired and want to chill out I often
find myself writing bits and pieces. Sometimes the bits and pieces become whole
stories and other times they are just a thought or concept,
Q.
Did you use an outline or do you just wing the first draft?
A.
I guess one would say that I winged it. I did some outlining to determine
timelines or to reconstruct conversations that occurred in the writing.
Q.
How is “White Mocs on the Red Road” different from others in your genre?
A. The first sentence of the book is a
question for one thing. “What do you want me to do?” Most fellow writers
advised against that. The book lays out what it takes to find a Native Elder
that will share the inner teachings of spirit and cultural ways of the Native
American Indian. It takes the reader on a journey into the depth of ancient
teachings and ceremony that few, other than native people, have experienced.
There are no books that take someone through that process in detail that I have
found.
Q.
Is “White Mocs on the Red Road” published in print, e-book or both?
A.
The book is in Hard Cover, Paper Back and e-book
Q.
What do you hope your readers come away with after reading your book?
A.
Most important, the realization that they must pursue their dreams. What came
to be for me was not what I thought I was after yet it is the best gift any man
could ask for. I know who I am. I know where I came from and I know where I am
going. Every moment in life is a gift and I have been gifted the way to live
it.
Q.
Where can we go to buy “White Mocs on the Red Road”?
A.
The book is available through all online outlets. Amazon.com, Lulu.com, Barnes
& Noble, ibookstore and direct from the author at
Q.
Tell us about your next book or a work in progress. Is it a sequel or a stand
alone?
A.
What is in this book tells of the pivotal experiences of a progression through
the teaching of my Elder over twenty or so years. I am presently writing on
several subjects and more than one book will come. One writing is about
Rangering on Mt Monadnock in New Hampshire. Another tells of travels with my
Native brothers and sisters but in a novel format rather than a biographical
way. I will always be writing and who knows what will come. I look forward to
writing and can’t wait to see what comes myself.
Q.
Any other links or info you'd like to share?
White
Mocs on the Red Road ~ Walking Spirit in a Native Way by James B. Beard aka
Noodin
Man or Spirit
It was still dark
out. I thought I heard something outside
my tent and awoke with a start. What was
that I wondered? Then I heard a crackling
of a fire and saw light on the side of my tent.
The crackling was close. That is
my fire! I had put it out last night so
how could it have started up with no wood.
I heard someone pick up a piece of kindling and put it into the
fire. It couldn’t be the kids?!
“This is my camp!”
I said, in as strong and firm a voice as I could muster. “Can I help you?” I tensely waited for a response.
A quiet, yet also
strong, male voice came back. “Are you
looking for someone to tell you about the Iroquois people?”
“Yes I am.” I answered.
“Why don’t you come
out and we can talk?” Said the voice
from outside my tent.
I quickly put on my
pants and shirt, thinking to myself, this can’t really be happening. Who is this guy and what have I gotten myself
into this time?
As I came out of my
tent I looked up at the man standing on the other side of the fire. He was tall, about 6’2” and had a strong
solid looking build. His hair was black
with gray streaks and hung loosely over his shoulders and down his back. Even with the gray in his hair he didn’t look
much older than his mid forties. His
jeans were weathered and he wore an old sweatshirt with a faded picture of
whales on it. The features of his face
were unmistakably Indian and he had a proud and contented look about him. He looked to have a quiet and gentle demeanor
and to be very much at peace with himself.
“I knew you were
coming.” he said. “I had a dream two
weeks ago that you and your children would be here and would camp in this
place.”
I was taken back a
little. How could this man find us out here?
I thought, what did he mean, he knew we were coming?
“I brought coffee,”
he continued, and handed me a cup of Dunkin Donuts coffee. The coffee was hot, fresh and strong. No
sugar added. It was just the way I like it.
I went over to my
car and took out a red wrap of tobacco to give him. I wanted him to see that I was aware of the
customs of the Native people.
“I brought
tobacco.” I said, and handed a cloth wrap of tobacco to him.
He took it and
said; “I know.”
What is this? I
thought. This isn’t believable.
He invited me to
sit down and he sat on the other side of the fire. He put a donut bag down beside him, and said,
“My name is Maize and I am from the Cattaraugus Reservation over by Lake Erie.”
He looked up at me
and straight into my eyes, yet somehow deeper.
“Why do you ask about us?” He
said.
I thought to
myself; well that is cutting to the quick of it.
I answered; “I want
my children to know the truth about Native American people.”
He didn’t say
anything for a moment and looked back at the fire. Then he slowly looked up, looking me straight
in the eyes again, and asked more slowly; “Why
do you ask about us?”
I told him that I
want to understand spirit teachings of the people. What I have found about my own ancestors
doesn’t give me what I am seeking and I am looking to the Indian to see if what
I seek is there.
Now I had said
it! I am seeking an understanding of the
spirit teachings of the Indian. I have
felt drawn in this direction as I have become aware of the Indian over the past
year or so.
He
answered; “There are those who are Indian in heart, which must be why I heard
you. I will talk to you and your
children. Wake them and ask them to join
us. I brought donuts for them. I will smoke this tobacco you gave me tonight
when I get home.”
