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Caleb's Courage
Robert Cloud North, Sr. (Winnebago/Ojibwe)
Several years ago I was asked by my Indian brother Bruce Pratt if I wanted to meet his nephew, a Pawnee Youth that had underwent chemotherapy for cancer that was found in his knee. This young man was Caleb Tiger. I cringed at the thought of such a young man having to suffer through the cancer initially, and then experiencing the devastating effects of chemotherapy. When I met Caleb, I wanted to cry, but the strength that I felt emanating from him immediately changed my emotions. I thought to myself, “This (Caleb’s strength) is the potential that we as Native People have been endowed with…”
I am not a stranger to cancer and its prescribed treatment. I lost a sister to breast cancer and my wife went through a bone marrow transplant and chemotherapy for a rare blood disorder called Light Chain Disease. In 2003, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer and was faced with radiation therapy and multiple surgeries. Caleb and I became immediate soul mates; he has provided an endless stream of inspiration for me. Last Spring, I invited Caleb to our Indian Church located in the Florida everglades at which time he preached a message to our congregation. A majority of our congregation is made up of youth – and they were mesmerized by Caleb’s powerful and positive message.
In the summer of 2009, we hired Caleb and his cousin Taylor Pratt as youth counselors at our Big Cypress Reservation Boys & Girls Club of the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Both of these gentlemen were a lot of fun to be around, and one could witness the direct result of this in the eyes and actions of the participating youth. Some folks are waiting for our young Indian people to become leaders, some day. I feel that we have strong positive leadership in many of our youth today – we just need to be more sensitive to their needs and provide them with support and guidance on a daily basis. This sensitivity, support and guidance needs to come from family, community, church, our local Boys & Girls Clubs and other strong youth services organizations.
The following article from the Tulsa World further exemplifies the inner strength and patience of this young man - and his powerful relationship with God. Caleb Tiger continues to celebrate life and he leads by example. Our Club youth continue to benefit from Caleb as a person and his remarkable story. We appreciate Caleb for sharing himself and his story in the following article.
Click the link to read the story of Caleb's courage.
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Previous Club Spotlights:
Boys & Girls Club of Bad River, WI
Pojoaque Boys & Girls Club
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Boys & Girls Clubs of Gallup, NM
Kickapoo Boys & Girls Club in Kansas
Pojoaque Boys & Girls Club
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Boys & Girls Clubs of Hawaii
Boys & Girls Club of Aha Macav
Mohave Valley, Arizona
Boys & Girls Club
of South Central Alaska
Penobscot Boys & Girls Club
Indian Island, Maine
Boys & Girls Club of the
Three Affiliated Tribes
Fort Berthold, North Dakota
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