Wild New Jersey - Wild Ideas by Karen Siletti

September 2002
Interview with Beverly Friend

Native American Speaker and Craftsperson

Born in Newark, New Jersey, Beverly Friend is of Cherokee heritage, and a life-long resident of the Garden State. She is the protegee of the late James "Lone Bear" Reevey, a Leni Lenape Indian and former director of the New Jersey Indian Office. Beverly studied with Lone Bear for years, and credits him with encouraging her to continue his work by teaching Native history and culture as a full-time vocation.

"Our history is your history," says Beverly Friend. "Most people think America is only a few hundred years old, and that American history isn't much older than that. But you have to study the history of the continent for the last 10 thousand years to truly understand Native American history and culture. We are here to help you learn and understand."
According to Beverly, a Pow Wow provides the opportunity for people to meet with Native Americans and see that each nation has its own culture, its own manner of dress and song. The most common misconception about Native people that Beverly would like to see rectified is that all 'Indians are alike,' or, 'if you meet one Native American person or a group of Native people, you’ve met them all.'
"That’s incorrect," she said. "I think it's important for people to know that there are many Indian nations in this country, that all Native Americans are not from one culture, one spirituality.
It's the same as saying all European people are the same. We know that Italians and Germans and the French have many differences in their cultures. You can classify them all as European, but they have very different languages, different histories, a different system of governance, and different cultures."
A Pow Wow can be a very spiritual experience because you can have a better understanding of the bonds between the Native peoples and the land," Beverly said. "You can learn how Native peoples live with the land, respect the land and the wildlife, and come away from the experience thinking about how you can help preserve Mother Earth, how you can do something in your own way, and help preserve the land for future generations."

Beverly Friend presents educational programs on Native American history and culture for schools, libraries, corporations and other organizations. She can be reached at 973-762-7722.

Copyright © 2002 K.L.Siletti

Budd Lake Pow Wow Set for September 20-21-22.
The Tenth annual "Return on the Indian Spirit will be held at Vasa Park, Budd Lake, New Jersey. Traditional dancing, crafts, wildlife exhibits, native foods, and more.
Native American Contributions to American Culture.
A brief discussion of the Albany Plan, the "Three Sisters," and Code Talkers.