Chuck Cadotte facts for kids

Chuck Cadotte is an American powwow dancer and a teacher of powwow dance styles. He is a member of the Dakota Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. Chuck works hard to help Native Americans living in cities connect with their culture. He teaches traditional Native American dances through the Soaring Eagles dance group. He also gives traditional blessings and joins rallies to support Native American land rights and their right to govern themselves (called sovereignty).

Early Life and Tribal Connections

Chuck Cadotte was born in 1951 in Bismarck, North Dakota. He is a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. This tribe faced many challenges. The US government did not keep its agreements (treaties). The tribe's people were forced to move from their homes. Their natural resources and ways of making a living were harmed when the Oahe Dam was built and flooded their land.

More recently, the tribe fought against the Dakota Access Pipeline. This was part of the "No DAPL Standing Rock movement." They wanted to protect their natural resources. The United Nations spoke about this. They said that US security forces used too much force during this time.

Living on the reservation taught Chuck to be humble. He learned to respect his elders. After high school in 1970, Chuck moved from the reservation. He said there were "no jobs on the Rez." His house had burned down, and his siblings had also moved. His brothers joined the army and Navy. Chuck moved to Los Angeles.

In 1976, Cadotte moved to San Diego. He has lived there ever since. He has been an active member of the Native community there.

Community Work and Activism

Chuck first saw the challenges between the US Government and Native American self-governance when he was part of the Standing Rock Lakota Tribe. His tribe was forced to move from their land. This happened when Lake Oahe was flooded. It destroyed the plants and animals that the tribe relied on for food.

In 1971, Cadotte visited his cousin in San Francisco. He was shown the Alcatraz occupation. He said this was his first time seeing Native American activism.

When he moved to San Diego, Cadotte found ways to help the Native community. He got involved with the Sycuan Inter-Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation program. This program helps Native people with disabilities find jobs.

Cadotte has run an arts and crafts business for 23 years. Through this business, he has traveled to many powwows. He sells his arts and crafts there. He has also taught arts and crafts for California Indian Education. His involvement grew when a tribal member asked him to teach traditional dances.

Cadotte also takes part in blessings and cleansings in the Native Community. For example, he helps open powwows with a blessing.

Soaring Eagles Dance Group

The Soaring Eagles dance group started in 2010. Chuck Cadotte is the main teacher. He teaches Northern Traditional dances to Native American children who live in cities. These children want to learn this style of powwow dancing.

Cadotte teaches classes on Wednesday evenings. They are held at the Normal Heights Community Center. Students from kindergarten to 12th grade can join. Parents can also take part. This helps them connect with their cultural roots. Soaring Eagles helps keep Native American culture alive. It also helps urban Native Americans stay connected to their identity.

Standing Rock and Water Rights

As a member of the Standing Rock Tribe, Chuck Cadotte spoke for his tribe. He joined rallies in San Diego in 2016. More than 1000 people demonstrated to support the No Dakota Access Pipeline Movement.

Members of the Paiute tribe shared their story. Their water was taken for Los Angeles. This left their land dry. They were forced to move. When Chuck heard this, he understood how the US government used its power to take and move water. Chuck's own family was forced to move because of the Oahe Lake flooding. This was his first experience with the government taking water.

The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner reported on the Dakota Access Pipeline protests. They pointed out that US security forces used too much force. They also noted that the US government did not keep its agreements with Native American tribes. It also failed to provide access to resources and opportunities, as promised in international agreements.