06/15/2022
ATTENTION : PLEASE READ COMPLETE POST !!!
I, Brooke Wolf Runs with Pony Taylor, have been given the blessing of my elders Gil Cryinghawk, Penny Painted Pony, and Wendy Walks Soft to be the voice of the Nimham Mountain Singers (NMS) and the Annual Daniel Nimham Intertribal Pow Wow and the authority to answer all questions and address all concerns about Gil's passing, the NMS and the Pow Wow.
In our grief and to honor our traditions, we have remained scarce on social media and public events, and have purposefully chosen not to speak of Gil frequently as to aid him on his Spirit Walk.
Gil was battling cancer caused by exposure to Agent Orange while serving during the Vietnam War. His wife Penny, sister in law Wendy, daughter Erin, son DJ, future daughter in law Haley and I were doing our best to support him, love him and respect his wish of privacy.
Ultimately, complications from contracting Covid-19 were too much for his body and Gil crossed over in February 2021.
Gil was very clear with us regarding his wishes, how they were to be carried out and by whom. Alicia "Stardancer" Briley was never mentioned or part of any of his wishes. Ever.
Gil's family and the NMS are aware of Alicia and have asked her repeatedly and privately to respect Gil, the NMS, and the Pow Wow.
We have told Alicia she has no right to act or speak as an authority about Gil, the NMS or the Pow Wow.
We have told Alicia that the NMS retains the sole right to post, copy, distribute or archive any media for use regarding the NMS and the Pow Wow, as we are the sole coordinators and creators. Nobody else has permission and cannot do so without the expressed written consent of NMS. All media artists are given credit and recognized for their artistic work.
We asked Alicia to let Gil's family mourn privately.
Our tradition is to honor our elders. Alicia has ignored the wishes of Gil's widow and family. She has repeatedly used Gil and the NMS as a means to elevate herself. She has never asked our permission to do this, post photos or speak about Gil, the NMS or our Pow Wow.
To be clear, Alicia "Stardancer" Briley is not and has never been a member of the NMS or coordinator of the Pow Wow. She was a dancer who came to our Pow Wow and NMS gigs as a fan. Alicia was never a student of Gil's. Gil has only ever had 1 student in his lifetime, which was sealed by ceremony over 25 years ago.
Gil's family chose to turn their backs on Alicia for the pain and offense she has caused since Gil's passing. Alicia has ignored Gil's family's wishes and never apologized or tried to rectify what she has done, despite being told repeatedly that it was hurtful.
We recognize many people mourn the loss of Gil Cryinghawk. We are thankful for your heartfelt condolences and respecting our wishes to mourn Gil privately in our tradition, without publicizing your grief to ingratiate yourselves. We are blessed by your compassion, love, empathy and respect.
Brooke Wolf Runs with Pony
Secretary/Treasurer: Nimham Mtn Singers Coordinator: Daniel Nimham Intertribal Pow Wow
