| APACHE KNIFE

You have noticed that everything that an Indian does is in a circle, and that is because the Power of the World always works in circles, and everything tries to be round....The Sky is round, and I have heard that the earth is round like a ball, and so are all the stars. The wind, in its greatest power, whirls. Birds make their nest in circles, for theirs is the same religion as ours....Even the seasons form a great circle in their changing, and always come back again to where they were. The life of a man is a circle from childhood to childhood, and so it is in everything where power moves.

"All things in the world are (naki-two). In our mind we are two -- good and evil. With our eyes we see two things....things that are fair and things that are ugly....we have the right hand that strikes and makes for evil, and the left hand full of kindness, near the heart. One foot may lead us to an evil way, the other foot may lead us to a good. So are all things two, all Naki."

Robert Naki-Bésh Redfeather, being ( Mashgalé Ndee ) Mescalero Apache in 1980 sought out his relatives on the Mescalero and other Indian reservations in South Eastern New Mexico and Arizona. Redfeather was trained by his Grandfather in survival, and Nagondzoog (old term) Means War/Fight/Guerrilla Warfare, Nagon³kaadí Means War/Fight/Combat -- the unique Apache brand of guerrilla warfare. Both of these were made famous by the Apache realm of powerful War Chiefs such as Mangas Coloradas, Cochise, Victorio, and Geronimo, who was a Bedonkohe Apache Leader. In addition to his native culture, Robert Redfeather has been training in the martial arts for 43 years and is an 8th degree Black Belt. He has also been honored and inducted into several Hall of Fames across the country. Now with all this knowledge and life experiences, Redfeather is honored to pass it on through "Apache Knife Training Courses". He is also happy to pass along the history and traditions of his family and heritage, the Apache people. Redfeather, who teaches not from theory but from his life experience, is known for his training of our U.S. Military Troops, Police Officers, Native Americans, and anyone who has a desire to learn.

The Apache Knife: A Way of Life

Yes, an Apache always has a lot of different blades on him for multiple uses. He'll holster them in different places and deploy them at different times. In close-range fighting, Apaches preferred the knife over any other weapon. Warriors and women alike always carried a knife, whether they used it around the camp, or for combat. In using the lance, war club, knife or empty-hands, the Apache warrior was extremely aggressive, but never to the point of recklessness. The Apache strategy in battle centered on overrunning and completely overwhelming the enemy. This tactic worked well (before firearms), as the Apaches were generally outnumbered. One warrior would most likely face several opponents. If the odds were too great, or if a chance for the entire war party to escape unharmed presented itself, the warriors would gladly retire. For life was, and still is, quite dear to the Apaches. The legendary skills and endurance of the Apache warriors have been documented through the testimonies of the soldiers who fought them. They even referred to them as the ‘tigers of the human race’ as they were deemed most ideally adapted to fighting in their rugged homeland. Warriors wore a shirt, breechclout, and moccasins normally reaching above the knee; they carried a rope, blanket, water jar, fire stick, rations of mescal or jerky, and their weapons. The Apache might employ a shield, bow, arrows, lance, club, Knife, and during the Apache Wars, a gun and cartridge belt. They also blackened their weapons to camouflage them. The Apache attitude toward pain was altogether different from that of the Mexicans and Americans. Pain was a fact of life and to endure it stoically and silently was the sign of good character. From early on, boys were taught how to endure pain. The Apaches, in contrast to the Plains Indians, applauded courage but derided heroics; their numbers were too few for flamboyant risks and needless loss of life. Stealth and caution were encouraged. However, when the Apache was wounded or cornered, there was no more ferocious adversary.

One of kinship. Daaats’i nihitiin iishjaa’ ashleeh akoo hozhoniyee’,
"May our journey together become beautiful."

Enjoying another beautiful day on the Rez.
Robert Redfeather member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association P.R.C.A.
Western States Indian Rodeo Association W.S.I.R.A.

LAS VEGAS, NV NFR RODEO 1994

Age 40 Age 04
ONCE A COWBOY ALWAYS A COWBOY.
"FAILURE IS ONLY TEMPORARY- QUITTING IS WHAT MAKES IT PERMANENT!"

04, DEC.2003

Robert Redfeather and Ronald Howard

Ron Howard at the American Cinematheque for The Missing

Acclaimed director Ron Howard was on hand for a screening of his new film, The Missing, at the American Cinematheque in Hollywood, CA. The Cinematheque is a non-profit organization dedicated to showing movies from all genres on the big screen. Their home base is at the classic Egyptian Theatre on Hollywood Blvd. Their guest of honor was Howard, who was on-hand for a mini tribute to his career as a director.

The 8th World Martial Arts Union

Apache Scouts showing the U.S. Cavalry the art of Nagonlkaadi
U.S.A. Apache Knife Team 2004

One Cowboy To Another.
Redfeather and Too Slim's Mercantile
enjoying each others company at the Grammy party.

ACTION MARTIAL ARTS MAGAZINE'S
HALL OF FAME AND SPIRIT AWARDS BANQUET 2003
Bob Wall, Robert Redfeather, Eric Lee
Cynthia Rothrock, R. Redfeather, Don Wilson. Congratulates Robert Redfeather for his induction as
Outstanding Contributon to the Martial Arts as a Grandmaster.

1. Masters Hall of Fame has inducted R. Redfeather as the Pioneer Award of the year 2000.
2. Has Inducted R. Redfeather into the International Hall of Fame as the Master Instructor of the year 2001.
3. WORLD HEAD OF FAMILY SOKESHIP COUNCIL has inducted R. Redfeather into the International Hall of Fame as the Distinguished Master of the year 2002.
4. World Wide Masters Arts Hall of Fame HAS INDUCTED SHIGONG AS GRANDMASTER OF THE YEAR 2002
Alexandria Bay, New York