Smoke Signals 3
DECEMBER 15, 2001
Motivational Speaker Inspires, Demands Native Pride
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Howard Rainer visits Grand Ronde,
Sheridan as part of the first annual
National Native American Recognition Month.
By Alana YellowMoon and Wolf Runner
Motivation is his business. Motivating young people his passion.
Taos Pueblo Tribal member and traveling motivational speaker Howard
Rainer is a unique man with an extraordinary mission in life to get
young Native Americans to take pride in who they are and to stand up for
themselves. Rainer wants young people to see that they can make a dif
ference in the world he wants the world to be a better place.
On November 16, 2001, Rainer made several stops to visit hundreds of
students from area schools at Sheridan High School and Chapman Middle
School. He also visited the Governance Center of the Confederated Tribes
of Grand Ronde where he spoke with several dozen members, Elders and
teachers "during this first annual Na
tional Native American Recognition
Month. Ji.
Besides being an inspirational and
motivational speaker, Rainer is a
teacher at Brigham Young Univer
sity with their Native American out
reach programs. Rainer is also a pho
tographer and poet.
Raiher's visit was to inform, remind
and involve the young people, espe
cially the Native American students.
He said the time for healing is over;
young people now need to empower
themselves with positive energy.
Rainer wants Native people to move
on, to find their value in the world,
to hold onto and build from their
dreams. He advised his audiences
that holding onto past mistakes and
aggression will only hinder and hold you back. He told us that staying in
a state of anger and self-pity only generates negative energy and that
makes it very difficult to move forward.
Rainer asked several young Native students from Willamina to share
proud moments and thoughts, and to tell everyone what it meant to each
of them to be Native American.
These students told us they were proud to be Native American. One
student said, "Native Americans ARE somebody." Others said that being
Native American is a positive thing and the characteristic stereotypes are
not true. Another student pointed out the need to be proud of where you
come from and to respect each other's heritage. All said they were proud
to be here representing their Tribes. The student speakers included: David
Holmes, Andrea Childers, Letisia Ayala, Ray Duran, Wendy Mercier, Janel
Lara, Amanda Thomas, Amanda Garza, Sheena Johnson, Kyle Kearl,
Christina Lara and Teresa Henry.
Rainer shared that sometimes being Native American, "You may feel a
little intimidated, but don't let that stop you from reaching your goals."
He told the students if they have a goal and stay focused, they have some
thing to hold onto.
"College is not for wimps," said Rainer. "You have to be able to read
efficiently, especially if you want to succeed in the world. Everything is
possible when you see your vision."
Rainer doesn't want children to put their dreams on hold by allowing
others to discourage them. He said that many young people get lost in
senseless bad habits or negative peer pressures. Many Natives may allow
others to discount their importance with a destructive comment.
He told of his younger days when teachers tried to put him in a special
education class just because he was Native. Using his own life as an
example of how he allowed discouragement from others to influence him,
he shared how the only thing he wanted to be was an artist, but teachers
never recognized his work, except to
call it "quaint." Despondent, he
stopped doing his art. It took him 25
years to be able to come back to his
true passion, his dream and his natu
ral talents as an artist.
Rainer is now a self-published, re
nowned poet and photographer of five
books of his own works, including
"The Journey of Celebration - Road
to Inner Happiness," "Proud Mo
ments: Generation to Generation,"
and "A Song for Mother Earth'?.
Rainer involved the high school se
niors when he asked them to join him
in front facing their classmates and
teachers. He asked each to tell the
audience what they wanted to be in
life. He was excited about their many
v
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Mi ' Wi 1 1
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A He Walks With Pride -
Motivational speaker Howard Rainer, a
Taos Pueblo, addressed a group of lo
cal adults and young people at the Grand
Ronde Tribal Governance Center during
a recent visit. Rainer is a poet, photog
rapher and thoughtful, compassionate
and strong-willed speaker who has dedi
cated himself to motivating young Na
tive Americans.
4 Surrounded - Rainer chal
lenges every group he speaks to. He
asks them to look at themselves and to
be real with their self-evaluations. Most
of all, he asks people to be proud and to
stand tall, with confidence.
Photos by Peta Tinda
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He Gets Personal Rainer tells Tribal Social Services' Case Manager
Sheila Danzuka that every choice she makes will affect the outcome of her destiny
while Duane HusseyShawn Lorenzi, Dodie McKenzie, Travis Stewart and Vikki
Bishop look on.
positive choices and planned directions. Several seniors were steadfast in
their life plans, such as becoming a veterinarian, an engineer or a high
tech professional. One plans to become a singer, another a stay at home
mom. Rainer was impressed with how many had already selected their
colleges and majors. He also reminded the students how important it was
to remain drug and alcohol free, clarity of mind being crucial in keeping
true to one's path.
His crucial messages were delivered with care and humor.
"We all have the power to create a positive environment for ourselves
and the world around us," said
Rainer. "We need to listen to our
dreams, speak to each other, interact
and listen to what each other has to
say. We need to be aware of how we
make others feel and to respect each
other and ourselves."
Rainer said that so many have lost
their relationship with Creator and
their spiritual path, that no wonder
they have lost their connection with
themselves and their dreams.
"One's spiritual base is probably the
most important and the most empow
ering connection any of us can have,"
said Rainer. "With a strong spiritual
relationship, we gain empowerment
and we can become messengers of
empowerment." B
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