Margaret Behan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Margaret Behan
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| Red Spider Woman | |
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Margaret Behan blessing a 350.org event
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| Arapaho/Cheyenne leader | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 4, 1948 Clinton Indian Health Center |
| Children | 3 |
| Parents | Harry Behan and Daisy Behan (nee Fletcher) |
| Education | St. Patrick's Mission School, to age 10. Concho Government Boarding School to age 13. Chilacco Government Boarding School, Jr. College in Weatherford, Oklahoma and Brigham Young University |
| Known for | The Founder and CEO of the privately incorporated organization "Cheyenne Elders Council". |
| Nickname | Maggie |
| mentioned in Father Powell's "Sweet Medicine" | |
Margaret Behan is a talented Native American artist. She was also a member of the International Council of 13 Grandmothers, a group of wise women from different Indigenous traditions around the world.
Contents
Early Life and Heritage
Margaret Behan was born on July 4, 1948. She is part of the Cheyenne Nation of Oklahoma through her mother's family, specifically the Kit Fox Clan. Her father's family is half Northern Cheyenne and half Arapahoe from the Rabbit Lodge. Margaret was one of eight children. Her parents worked as migrant farmworkers, moving to find work in different places.
Before Margaret was born, her family held a special traditional ceremony. She is also a fourth-generation descendant of someone who survived the Sand Creek Massacre, a very important and sad event in Native American history.
Family Life
Margaret Behan has a large family. She has three children, eleven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Becoming an Artist
Margaret Behan's journey as an artist began when her mother-in-law noticed her beautiful beadwork on a pair of moccasins. She suggested that Margaret might enjoy working with clay. Margaret loved working with clay so much that she decided to become a full-time artist in 1982. Her artwork has been featured in several books about folk art. She later moved to Taos, New Mexico, because the clay there was perfect for her art.
The Cheyenne Elders Council
Margaret Behan founded "The Cheyenne Elders Council" in 2007–2008. Her goal was to help her people heal and grow stronger. She noticed that young Cheyenne people needed more guidance and traditional teachings from their elders.
Margaret created "the T’sistsistas’s Sacred School" in her own home. She believes it is important to teach young people about their Cheyenne identity, pride, traditional ceremonies, and language.
In October 2011, Margaret Behan was interviewed by AARP International Magazine, sharing her important work with a wider audience.
Gathering of Grandmothers
In July 2012, Margaret Behan hosted the 11th Gathering of the International Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers. This special event was held near the Northern Cheyenne Reservation. Riders who were remembering the Northern Cheyenne Exodus of 1878 shared their stories.
The gathering was set up like a traditional Cheyenne camp, with thirteen teepees, one for each grandmother. It was a powerful event where people came together to share stories and promote healing. Even descendants of historical figures like General George Armstrong Custer and Brig. Gen. Anson Mills attended and offered apologies to the Northern Cheyenne people.
