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  These White Preppers were different from the predominance of the non-Indian population, for they understood what it would take to thrive in a new post-electrical Arizona. Daniel and his Grandfather shared their visions of the end of technology’s rule of this land with their prepper friends who also knew of the coming disaster. The Prepper Clans agreed, and they also were not sad to see the end of the Federal Government. Both, The People and the Prepper Tribes got along well and had agreed to cooperate when the modern world finally came to its end.

  For nearly fifteen years, hundreds of young Apache, Hopi, and Navajo youth were drawn, no, that’s not exactly right. It was more like they were in some way compelled to attach themselves to Daniel Two-Dogs. They just knew that they must form a new Unified Tribe of all the local groups. They knew, without being told that Daniel must be their new Tribal Chief, along with his Grandfather Taza Geronimo who served as both an elder of the Tribal Council and the new Tribe’s Medicine Man.

  This band of Chiricahua, Hopi, and Navajo, along with those of the other smaller tribal groups were the brightest, and most fit. They followed the commands and training of both Daniel and his Grandfather without question. Early on, the predominance of those drawn to Daniel were the young men and women still of High School age. They were directed to study hard and were guided through a computer-based Home Schooling program to ensure they gained an excellent White Man’s education. Though these young men and women did not live on Daniel’s Ranch during the winter months, they were required to submit to Taza their weekly progress reports and all quizzes and test results.

  Summers were spent working on Daniel’s Ranch and learning the history of their people. Each young man and woman dedicated their lives to excellence in the degree fields which would lead to governance, education, the sciences, medicine, military training, and the myriad of other occupations needed to form, and run, a new country.

  All these things had been seen and prophesied by Taza Geronimo years before their time came to be.

  These dedicated young men and women listened to, and learned from, their Chief, how to live in harmony with the Earth and to farm the land along Beaver Creek that was flowing just below the magnificent cliff dwellings of Montezuma’s Castle.

  Thirteen years earlier, Daniel, then twenty-two, married, but became a widower when both his wife and daughter died in childbirth only two years later. Daniel never again questioned his grandfather, who had warned him that this union was not the one destined for him.

  Just two years later he met, and married, a young Navajo woman while studying at Arizona State University; this time with the blessing of his Grandfather. His bride, Gwen Owl-Eyes, named for her large wide-eyes which, even at birth, portrayed high intelligence and curiosity. Now, ten years later, she had blessed Daniel with two sons, ages six and eight. They were named Hunter and Tracker.

  Daniel was an honor graduate of Arizona State University, attaining a Bachelor of Science Degree, with majors in Arid Agriculture, and equine ranching. He minored in Political Science, and Public Speaking. His Master’s Degree, also from Arizona State was in City Administration and Management.

  Daniel and each member of his Tribe, both male and female were required to serve for a period of three years in the U.S. Military. Daniel spent his military time in the 1st Battalion of the 10th Special Forces Group, rising to the grade of 1st Lieutenant, with specialties in tactics and combat medical aid. Several of his followers finished college before entering the Army and also became Officers through ROTC. During his two year term with the 10th, Daniel spent time in deployments to Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

  This life course was not chosen by Daniel, but by the Great Spirit and guided by his grandfather, a Medicine Man, who received many visions sent by the Great Spirit. These visions told him that the Earth would undergo a significant cleansing which would allow “The People” to reclaim their ancestral lands and return to a time when The People could once again live in harmony with the Earth. One particular vision showed Taza the path young Daniel Two-Dogs must take to fulfill his own destiny and that of The People.

  Daniel’s parents scoffed at the old man’s Peyote driven visions, which resulted in the young child being unable to thoroughly learn from his grandfather, until his parents were killed in an automobile accident near Jerome, Arizona. Daniel was orphaned at the age of eight and his grandfather was granted custody. From that point on Daniel became immersed into the world of the Apache Medicine Man, and the path he must take to be ready to fulfill his own destiny as the founder of a new Nation that would come to be named; The People.

  Taza knew that his grandson’s destiny of uniting diverse tribes of the Southwest would take many years and that it would also take a terrible toll on this fine young man.

  From his youth, Daniel was taught how to deal with the White Government in Washington. He took advantage of every benefit, educational, and otherwise, that was offered, and available, from the U.S. Government. These benefits gave him access to Higher educational scholarships and funds to support him while attending University. Upon graduation he applied for, and received, a governmental grant to purchase the stock for his horse and cattle ranch.

  Daniel immersed himself in his studies, turning down offers to join several fraternities. This tall handsome Indian, Daniel Two-Dogs, was well thought of and considered friendly, but very serious about his studies. Daniel’s grandfather had warned him not to fall into the White ways, for this was not to be his path.

  Daniel had no qualms about using the White Government’s money to further his education and finance his ranch. He also held a deep resentment for that same government, which seemed hell-bent on keeping the predominance of the Native American peoples in poverty, and on the Rez. The handouts given to his people had ripped the heart and spirit from so many members of the Indian Nations and left them as little more than orphaned wards of the state.

  Even in Daniel’s youth, his grandfather knew that this young man would grow up to see the heart of the Native Americans returned to his people. Those who were unwilling to lose the White Man’s handouts would be left to their own fates, but those who were willing to regain their self-respect and their stolen lands would form the backbone of a new Nation of The People, stretching from Arizona to New Mexico, Southern Canada, and into Northern Mexico.

  CHAPTER TEN

  5 April 00

  Cottonwood City Jail

  Cottonwood, AZ

  On March 29th, our sun spit out a Coronal Mass Ejection blast of plasma that crashed the world’s electric grid. Chief Daniel organized thirty young men working on his ranch to quickly take control of the food and fuel resources on the Rez that he felt this small band of The People could hold.

  Chief Daniel personally led a ten-man mission to annex a Walmart store that unfortunately had six stranded Department of Public Safety Officers (State Police) who were able to successfully repulse the attack and capture Chief Daniel’s party. He was taken to the Cottonwood city jail. At the time it was thought that the power would soon return, and these renegade Indians would face a trial. The arraignment was to be completed as soon as order was restored. The authorities, not wanting to incite riots, attempted to keep Daniel’s location quiet, fearing violence from the natives if the word of his incarceration got out.

  The Rez Tribal Police (RTP) Force, like every other police force in the world, was significantly reduced in number when Officers failed to show up for work due to transportation failures, or familial responsibilities.

  Those Apache, Navajo, and Hopi, Rez Tribal Police (RTP) officers quickly joined Chief Daniel’s Force, who, like the rest of the Chief’s band took to horseback. It was the Rez Tribal Police Force that learned of Daniel’s location in the Cottonwood City Jail.

  After it became apparent that the power would not return any time soon, it quickly became apparent that the residents of the Arizona desert would have to evacuate. The jailer had informed Daniel that the town was being abandoned, and so was Daniel,
along with his criminal band of renegades. He and ten of his followers sat stoically on the floor of their cells. They had already begun to sing their death songs.

  The Jailer released the other Prisoners in the jail, but Daniel Two-Dog’s and his men were left to die.

  In the late afternoon of April 5th, a large group of armed Braves, accompanied by the Rez Police, arrived at the jail, intent on freeing their Chief, and brothers. The band was heavily armed and prepared for battle, but instead, found only their leader, and his ten men, locked in lonely cells. The keys were quickly recovered. Chief Daniel and his followers were freed.

  The Chief then declared that the Apache Reservation and all lands once owned by the Apache, Navajo, Hopi, and the smaller Tribes were then, and forever, to be solely for The People.

  That evening a meeting was scheduled for all The People in the Central Highlands of Arizona. It was to be held in the main meeting hall of a casino owned by the Apache and Navajo Nations. The casino was called Cliff’s Castle.

  Word had already begun to spread, and Indian ranchers readily joined Chief Daniel’s force, providing horses, and even some old pickup trucks which would still run.

  Daniel’s grandfather stood before approximately one hundred and fifty men who represented the majority of the local tribes, from the Apache, Navajo, and Hopi. He reminded his audience of his epic visions, which had been shared across the Rez for many years.

  Speaking in English, the old Medicine Man thanked the Great Spirit for allowing The People a second chance to honor the Earth and to bring it back into balance. He said, “My friends, I speak to you in English tonight, that we might all more easily understand what is said.

  As all of you know, I have had many visions of this day and have asked you to prepare for this new world which has finally arrived. Sadly, most of our people have not done so. That failure will lead to many hardships and unnecessary deaths among our tribes. This also have I seen. Our numbers are small, and they shall grow even smaller before we are again able to spread across the lands of our forefathers. That day has not yet come, for this is but the dawn of a new age. I tell you of our future and the hardships to come, for this has been shared with me by the Great Spirit.

  “The White Man’s world is now in total decline. His numbers also are shrinking very quickly. The White Man will leave our lands as they have grown far too dependent upon a constant flow of trucks to bring in the perceived necessities for their existence. Those Whites who wish to stay will not be allowed to do so, with only one exception. These lands are ours, and on this day, we begin to take them back.”

  After a round of approvals, the Medicine Man continued, “In a vision, I was made aware that there are a few Whites who were also visited by the Great Spirit, who foretold them of this coming upheaval and renewal of the Earth. These Whites are to be spared, unless they make war upon us, for the Great Spirit’s has shared this vision with them. If they can survive on their Prepper lands, then we shall live in peace with them. We will soon contact these Prepper Tribes to reinforce the friendship we have known for many years. They shall be offered full citizenship in our new nation and they shall be welcomed as full members of The People. I urge you to hold no anger or bitterness with this class of White Men, for we must remember that the Great Spirit has blessed them with His vision. From this moment forward, if these Prepper Tribes wish it to be so, they shall now, and forever, be a part of The People. This, I say to you, and this, you must embrace.”

  Those in attendance sat utterly silent at this revelation by the Great Medicine Man, Taza Geronimo, for the Great Spirit had chosen him to advise their new Chief, Daniel Two-Dogs. So, it was pronounced, so it would be done.

  Taza Geronimo continued, “Though our history with the White Man has often been a bitter experience, we shall not take revenge upon any of the White Men, or the Black-White Men. My visions have shown to me that without supplies coming to their stores they will find it impossible to stay among us. We must give them sixty days before we force them out.

  A new wind blows across our lands, a wind that shall return the Earth to its former glory by the grace of the Great Spirit. This wind may also bring the winds of war. This, the Great Spirit has only granted hints as to our struggle to leave the womb in a rebirth of the Earth.

  I have also seen a vision of our lands once again flourishing with abundant water running from the streams and rivers that have, for so long, been dry. This, I tell you will happen within one year, as the Great Spirit provides us with a land of plenty which we must manage for Him.”

  Taza Geronimo was spot on with the revelation of this vision, for without the many millions of people in such cities as Phoenix, draining the water, this life-giving resource once again filled the creeks and rivers of the Prescott Basin. On July 8th, the Monsoon rains began to fulfill Taza’s vision. The most massive aquifer in North America lies under Arizona.

  “The very first thing we must do in our own homes will be to remove the trash from our villages. We are The People, fill your hearts with pride, and elevate yourselves from squalor, for we, The People, will not live among filth. There will be no more White Man’s money or electricity. His handouts are finished, and we shall be better for it. Now, my friends, I shall introduce my grandson, Chief Daniel Two-Dogs.”

  There was little applause, and none was expected as the Native American Indian has always been defined by his stoic demeanor. Chief Daniel did not take offense.

  As he walked onstage, there was an audible gasp as they saw how Chief Daniel was dressed. His face was painted for war, but it was his clothing that shocked the audience. He was wearing a tan-colored, camouflage uniform, complete with a tactical vest, over a traditionally beaded war vest, and carrying an AR-15 Assault Rifle. He did not wear the feathered War Bonnet of a Chief, but wore instead, what the White soldiers call a “boonie hat.”

  “My friends, the very first thing I wish to tell you is that we shall no longer allow ourselves to be called, Indians, or Native Americans. We are, and always have been, “The People!” We will, of course, continue to proudly carry our tribal names, but as a united group, we are not Apache, Navajo, or Hopi. We are “The People!”

  “In our tortured history with the Whites, we fought amongst ourselves as often as we fought the White Invaders. Their technology and ever-increasing numbers made them impossible to defeat; this mistake, we must not make again. I say to you, teach your children the old ways and the language of your tribes, but we will speak English when in Tribal Council, or speaking with our friends of other tribes.”

  This brought a groan and a rising murmur of dissent among those present, but in deference to their Chief, they quieted when Daniel raised his hand for silence.

  Daniel smiled and told the group that separate languages was a part of what had kept them fighting amongst one another, and since they all spoke English it only made sense to speak that language. English is the language not only of the Whites, but it is also the language of how things work.

  “I see you wonder at my dress. My friends, I have no intention that we should all return to loin-cloths and spears. We must strive to become a modern nation while retaining the honor and traditions of our ancestors. This, I promise you, will be a daunting task, but if we are to survive and maintain our sovereignty, then, I believe, we must complete that work. We will not be raiders, terrorizing each other, for we are to be united. We are The People!”

  Those listening applauded this promise of family among all the tribes of The People.

  “From the depths of my heart, I would love to tell you that we must immediately return to the old ways, the ways of The People before the White Man invaded our lands. I have high hopes that many will choose this path when our trials and battles with Mexican invaders are but memories. We all know that the old hatreds between our people and the Mexican will again rear their ugly heads. It is my hope that I am wrong in this assessment, for the Great Spirit has not shown to me this fighting, which I fear must come. Let us not sta
rt these fights, but should they come, then we shall finish them.”

  Chief Daniel then told of those hints granted to both his grandfather and himself that showed possible future battles with Mexican drug cartels, and perhaps, even remnants of the Mexican Army.

  “Beginning tomorrow, I intend to send emissaries to each of the tribes of Arizona, New Mexico, Western Texas, and northern Mexico telling them of our rebirth as a single people, The People. They will be asked to send wise men to The Verde Valley, here in Arizona to fully establish a new Confederation of all the tribes.

  “This path holds many traps, for, while we must establish government, we must continually work to avoid the evil pitfalls which are the brothers of government. We must not lose our focus on the goals of a prosperous and peaceful nation for all The People.”

  Now his followers shouted for joy at the prospect of a proud new beginning for, not only the Apache, Navajo, and the Hopi, but all tribes, to be united in the common goal of victory and success. These wise men knew that intertribal fighting would only lead to their own destruction.

  Following his speech of unity and direction for The People, Daniel met with Tribal Chiefs in attendance and asked them to produce a list of their college graduates, bookkeepers, farmers, ranchers, and a hundred other professions.

  The Chiefs would maintain their positions and would function just as mayors within the body politic. Daniel’s leadership was thusly cemented among the ruling Tribal Council Members.

  Tomorrow, April 6th would indeed begin to put Daniel’s education to work.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Prepper Tribes