Volume XIII Fall 2001 Issue #1

REMEMBERING JACK

By Marjane Ambler

Shock waves reverberated through tribal college communities across the nation on Memorial Day weekend. Jack Barden is gone. Jack was one of the founders and the first of three initial staff of the Standing Rock Community College in 1973, now known as Sitting Bull College. He worked with the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) since its inception in 1973, helping to develop higher education programs in Native communities across the nation and in Canada, including Alaska. Most recently, he helped the colleges develop the infrastructure for information technology, including the AIHEC Virtual Library.

The tribal college veterans are getting older now. They work with a passion that wears out human bodies, keeping atrocious travel schedules. Many have been doing this work for 30 years or more, but they still feel the same urgency, battling to keep their doors open, to serve more students, to get more degrees accredited, to help another tribe or Native community to build their own institution. For the most part we have been lucky. Several of our leaders have survived heart attacks in the past year as well as other serious diseases.

Although Jack held a Ph.D. and spoke Russian fluently, he chose to be “Jack,” never Dr. Barden. He and his wife, Jean Katus, made their home in Fort Yates, ND, on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation, where he was fondly called “The Oldest Hippie on Standing Rock.” A non-Indian of Irish descent, Jack received his Indian name (Wapaha Waste-Good Warbonnet) at a sun dance at the Sitting Bull campsite. He practiced tribal values and regularly attended traditional spiritual ceremonies. 

He frequently shared his cross-cultural knowledge with the readers of the Tribal College Journal (“Building on cooperation,” Vol. 3, N.1; “For good measure,” Vol. 5, N. 4; In the spirit Vol. 6, N.2; “Ways of knowing,” Vol. 4, N. 3; “Cultural perspectives and the nature of science,” Vol. 10, N.1; with Carol Davis, “How to develop a tribal teacher education program,” Vol. 11, N.2). 
Jack’s giant, generous heart gave out at the age of 61. His ashes were scattered over the North Dakota prairie that he so dearly loved with Felix Kidder, Isaac Dog Eagle, and other traditional spiritual leaders officiating. To honor his memory, friends may donate to the Jack Barden Scholarship Fund c/o AIHEC, 121 Oronoco St., Alexandria, VA 22314.  The following tributes were received:

Dr. Carty Monette, president, Turtle Mountain Community College: Dr. Jack Barden was the person who kept abreast of new ideas. In a respectful way he always nudged the tribal colleges toward taking the next step. Jack has left his mark in our strategic and long range plans, in data collection processes, in technology, accreditation, and in many proposals. Through his work Jack helped to cement the mission of the tribal colleges to the needs of tribal communities, particularly through his work to promote tribal systemic change in K-12 mathematics, science, and technology. With his many talents and abilities, Jack could have been a rich man. Instead, like many great leaders, he remained humble. Although Jack was a non-Indian, he lived and practiced the teachings of love, respect, courage, and generosity. We will all miss him.

Dr. Wayne J. Stein: I have lots of very good memories of Jack, but the one that sticks in my mind is Jack helping me teach my daughters to fish. He got the biggest kick out of teaching them all his tricks for getting the wiley walleye to bite on their bait. I can still see him laughing at the girls' war stories of our fishing adventures. He and my second daughter, Danelle (now a mother and college student), had a special friendship because he would sit and listen to her stories, almost all of which were made up. He was the first adult friend she had (other then her parents) who gave her unconditional respect and love. I will always remember Jack as laughing. 

Dave Staudt, project manager for the Advanced Networking Project with Minority Serving Institutions (AN-MSI): Jack’s exceptional charm worked wonders with the diverse group of people making up the AN-MSI Project. Over 20 people from the African American, Hispanic, and Indian communities sent messages to our listserve immediately upon hearing the sad news. We’re not into popularity contests in this project, but there’s no question who’d have won if we were. Jack and I often recalled a lunch we had in Washington almost three years ago. We talked about our shared vision of getting all the organizations trying to help improve conditions in Indian Country to work together, instead of each doing their narrow-vision thing without regard for other efforts. We agreed that we were slowly beginning to turn the corner, and that a spirit of trust and cooperation was beginning to emerge. Of course he wouldn’t say so, but a large part of our progress was due to his efforts to bring people together and to get us working towards common goals. We’ll continue these efforts, dedicated to reaching his vision of the way things could be. 

 Larry P. Aitken, former president of Leech Lake Tribal College: I remember when I first thanked the AIHEC presidents for allowing Leech Lake Tribal College to become a member. Jack said my words were inspiring and gave him new vigor to continue in the movement. I was both surprised and honored by his expression….He had given so much and seen so many things change yet he made a new member feel important. I will miss him and I pray that his spirit finds it way to the Spirit World. 

Maenette Kape'ahilokalani Benham: In Hawai'i, we have an 'olelo no'eau (saying), "E lei kau, e lei ho'oilo i ke aloha." It means, "Love is everlasting." There are many people we meet during our journey on mother earth; if we are lucky we are blessed with the spirit of special people. Jack Barden was such a special soul! As a writer and collaborator, he shared with both emerging and seasoned scholars his knowledge and passion for the work of tribal colleges and universities. As both a leader and community servant, he shared his commitment and love for all native and indigenous people. As a friend and mentor, Jack challenged us to envision an engaged and powerful future so that we might transform our realities. Aloha mai e, Jack, go softly in the breath of na akua to paradise. Aloha Pau'ole. 

Jamie Robertson, interim president, Leech Lake Tribal College: I met Jack the year Leech Lake Tribal College was admitted to membership in the American Indian Higher Education Consortium—1993. Jack's grin said all that was needed, but he confided at that time just how much he loved being a part of the tribal college movement. He didn't use that kind of stuffy expression though--he always said what he thought in a less officious and much more engaging way. He was one who didn't care at all about the official title available to him because of his academic achievements. His demeanor, and his dress, and his sunny outlook all reflected his dislike of hierarchy. But tenacity, and caring and competence were all virtues he brought to the tribal colleges and universities of North Dakota and the nation. 

Barbara Bratone, senior director of resource development, American Indian College Fund: Jack Barden read my mind--over and over again. We would meet outside of meeting rooms and exchange pleasantries and small talk. Small talk with Jack though was accompanied by a sense that he knew what you were experiencing--he knew the difficulties, frustrations, and satisfactions that came with involvement with tribal colleges and their "cast of characters." He knew because he had traveled the same road many, many times and had every intention of staying on course. His commitment set a standard and a powerful example of how one individual can make a difference. 

Schuyler Houser, president, Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe Community College: Jack has been an immutable part of this universe for as long as I can remember life in tribal colleges -- a pole star from whose constant location I figure out where I am. He's been a good teacher and colleague and a great friend, without ever forcing or intruding. A member of the clergy once spoke to me of "the ministry of presence," and I could never figure out what she was talking about. Jack showed me. I'll miss him. 

Ramon Harris Director, Technology Transfer Project Executive Leadership Foundation: Jack, you have chosen to confront us with a test of our spiritual belief. We grieve our loss of physical contact, even though we celebrate your spirit. You have given and will continue to give us a sense of purpose, commitment, and humility. We will strive to remember that our purpose is greater than our own needs and honors those that have preceded us. In that effort, we honor you and all that you have achieved and envisioned. We will speak of you and to you in the present. Your spirit will continue to live through those whom you have touched and will touch. For this wireless connection is far superior to anything that we may develop and use in this physical existence. So, be gentle (if you can) as you continue to influence our intentions and practices. We will see your humor and get your message. Thank you for sharing and being a part of our lives. 

A poem by Tom Davis:

Jack Barden

He'd put tobacco in his silver case,
Then feed tobacco on thin paper
As he rolled a cigarette.
He wouldn't listen to the criticism
That follows smokers like smoke these days.

"My old Dad lived to ninety-nine,
And he smoked like a dragon
Most of his life," he'd say.
"I've got my father's genes."

But now he's dead too young,
Pot bellied, silver bearded, gravel voiced,
A man who spilled words on paper
As if all he had to do
Was shake them from his sleeve
And let them fall into their perfect sentences.

I've known the substance of him:
Always around the edges at AIHEC meetings,
But still a part of the heart
Of debates, projects, plans, ideas, dreams,
And the great song a movement sings
When it's after remaking the world.
A man with a constant spirit
Communing with his computer, 
The tribal colleges, the young, the old, 
A pheasant strutting in a yellow field. . .

A follower of the sun dance,
When prayers were said
He'd clasp his hands behind his back and concentrate.
He sought the red road's balance
With shining eyes and laughter
Buried in a bark belying the gentleness
That made him a true man.

In the great woods of Minnesota he once sighed,
"I like trees, but I feel like I'm in prison here.
I need an endless sky to feel alive."

Let the cranes dance in fields by the river.
Let the moon rise ghostly in the river's mist.
Let the sun blaze in an August sky.
Let the miles go on and on to the horizon.

For Jack Barden is gone; my friend is gone.
-- by Tom Davis, May 27, 2001