Wed 1 Nov 2006
Duke, Lama Norbu, John Many Voices, Joseph Many Horses
It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Duke Joseph Big Feather Schallmo on October 31, 2006. Duke was the Leader of the: Two Feathers Medicine Clan; Intercessor of the All My Relations Sundance - sharing the vision of the Condor and the Eagle; Roadman for the Native American Church of North America of the Cowlitz Indians and the Four Directions Lodge and our Western Hemisphere Affiliates; and a Dog Soldier.
As part of the Earthkeeper family, as well as the Sundance family, we are ever grateful for Duke’s support. We can still hear him entering the Earthkeeper’s Dance Circles saying, “Happy…Happy…Joy…Joy!!!”
It is with great reverence that we share Duke’s photo’s taken at the Earthkeeper Dances.
We have posted photo’s from folks at this website: photoshow.comcast.net/watch/It4pP6ne (Click: watch, full screen, turn on the volume and wait for advert to finish.)
Fly High Duke!
Hugs, Dave, Tracy and Janisse
P.S. - Added INFORMATION:
Raven has posted photo’s as well at photoshow.comcast.net/watch/VF2Bn7as
Also, a Photo Show with focus on Sundance has been posted at www.photodex.com/sharing/viewalbum.html?bm=116995 . When site comes up - click on left box under All My Relations. When presentation is loaded, click anywhere in black box to start. Make sure your sound is on. I understand Mac users cannot access, so I posted one that does not have the same Sundance music track at photoshow.comcast.net/watch/xz6EU8mn with additional pictures added to this one.
If you’d like to leave thoughts, memories or memorial to Duke, click comments, found above photo, and follow directions. We will forward messages to the family.
November 2nd, 2006 at 7:36 am
Uncle Duke, I love you so much.. take care of my daddy up there, I’m pretty sure that you still owe him a kiss. You have taught us all so very much and you will be missed. I’ll keep the boys in line at Sundance, no worries. Listen up, cuz i’ll be singing for you.
November 5th, 2006 at 8:28 am
Very nice Tracy, thank you!
November 6th, 2006 at 7:56 am
I was fortunate enough to attend the funeral/wake services. What a beautiful send-off to our beloved Uncle Duke. The eulogies were well-spoken and thanks to the kind words and songs, I feel a sense of closure. For those who don’t know me, my name is Adam. I’m one of Duke’s many children and best friend to Douglas Crying Wolf. I’m trying to find a copy of any of the eulogies written for the ceremony. If anyone knows how I can get them, I’m trying to compile a cd/dvd of images and music for a tribute to Duke. When complete, I’d love to pass it on to all who request it. If possible, I’d greatly appreciate any information, pictures, or videos anyone has with Uncle Duke. Thank you all for the love you’ve shared…..Adam Poirier.
Adam91280@yahoo.com
November 8th, 2006 at 7:15 pm
Duke was my Uncle and him and my Dad were good friends well over 40 years ago before I was even born. Duke, you were my Uncle, a second father, my confidante, my inspiration to dream outside of the box and my teacher. You are greatly missed but somehow live on inside of me and a little in all of us. There really can only be one Uncle Duke. Danielle was right to say he created a “starburst” and that does not happen often.
Love, your niece, Crow Woman
November 18th, 2006 at 6:56 am
I was one of those asked to speak at Duke’s Funeral. Many have requested a copy of the eulogy which unfortionately does not post on this web site in an acceptable format. Anyone who would like one has only to email me and I will reply with it as an attachment. I completed it after the funeral adding some of what others said and much more. Because of the photos the MS Word version is five pages long and 10 megabytes. I therefore converted it to a low resolution PDF file that is only 187k. Even modems can handle that. The medium resolution PDF file is about 1.6 megabytes so if would prefer that one please specify it in your email. The high resolution PDF file is more than double that again being right at 4 megabytes. Just specify Low, Medium or High resolution and I will respond in kind.
In loving memory of my friend Duke - Mel Thomas
November 23rd, 2006 at 10:16 pm
Thank you for the beautiful tribute to my uncle, He was my mother (jomary Wildflower Copeland)’s best friend and is again with her. My daughter Stephanie little feather was baptized by Duke at the first All my relations sundance and I am greatful that she had this opportunity!! He blessed our lives in so many ways and will continue. We will miss you in life
December 7th, 2006 at 6:47 am
I knew Uncle Duke for so long, and going to that funeral was hard for all of us. Dianne, and my little sister have attended the Sundance for a long while now, and I am glad I had gotten a chance to meet somone like Duke. He was my Uncle, my teacher, and my friend. He taught me so much, and left me with so much more. He gave me my name, as well as helped me out with a lot of my problems. Uncle Duke was there for me when no one else could be. His disliking for chocolate pudding always used to make me laugh, and when Jason and Nathan would goof off with him. I never forget one second of my times with Duke. I love him and I miss him.
Aho Mitake Oyasin.
January 23rd, 2007 at 1:15 pm
Duke, you guided me, taught me and loved me. What you have given me stays with me and is shared with all my relations. I struggled with life and you shared your wisdom, I felt alone and you gave me a family and all my questions you inspired me to seek the truth. Every sound I utter, all the words I speak, your voice speaks with me.
My Godfather, teacher, mentor, brother veteran, and friend your spirit lives in me.
Aho Mitake Oyasin
Steven
December 3rd, 2007 at 2:44 pm
Dear Duke,
If you, or someone you know is reading this, I am desperate to contact Kent Porter, our fearless leader. Or Robert Bebe. Please contact me at the e-mail above. It is somewhat a matter of emergency. It will be good to hear from you honored brother.
Crowshadow
January 16th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Duke was my dad and it was a great pleasure knowing/living with him he was the coolest person anyone could ever know he was a fountain of knowledge i loved this man with beat of my heart and it was a great loss for us all and it will be hard to live without you dad but iam sure ur up there in heaven having fun,, ill be up there sure enough and when i do you better have one of your famous burgers,,
March 26th, 2008 at 10:19 pm
hey Uncle, i cried over my chanupa the other daay. I was thinking about how much i miss your loud ass mouth and how weird everything at the Dance was without you. Hope you are irritating someone up there…give Dad some shit for me. Miss you
May 12th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Uncle Duke what can i say to you now that you are not here, but in spirit you are with me every step ogf the way. You were my Brother, Friend and Uncle. WE sure did have some good times sitting in the hosue and talking to each other. But you also got under my skin sometimes when you teased meBut that was all in fun though i know that much. You have taught me many things that i would not have known about being Native American. You taught me how to have patienes and not to back down to anyone. You whee there when i needed to talk and you listened and gave me a few answers. YOu became a big part of my life after i met you in 2001 after i lost my mom and better half. You filled that spot of emptness also. I do and will miss you very much and i thank you for what you have done for me and are still doing for me in spirit. untill we meet again My Big Brother, WaDo
Pam