NAFPS Forum
General => Research Needed => Topic started by: AClockworkWhite on September 14, 2015, 07:31:41 am
-
Something odd about this person and the things he does.
https://www.facebook.com/martin.v.knifechief/photos_all
IDK what to think. I know people who've spoken with him and the the word "vague" came to mind when they queried him about his tribe and such.
-
He looks to be an active hobbyist / reenactor / collector. In one FB image caption he says the photos seen on a wall are " some Indian relatives photos". He describes his artwork as "native 'folk art' from our plains" and "some sacred symbols of our people". He says his drum art designs come from his "medicine power" visions. He really does need to clearly answer questions about his heritage and tribal affiliation http://www.iacb.doi.gov/act.html
-
He claims Lakota in his actor bio http://oldwestactors.com/biomknifechief.html
-
Name is Martin Versteeg https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:29CT-V31
http://www.peekyou.com/martin_knifechief-ver%20steeg/81930438
-
I ran across him one day and the red flags all went off. I looked into him and saw everything you list pretty much, and the audacity to do things with buffalo skulls in front of non-Indigenous people was the final alert. I knew he was either selling ceremony (anyone who'll do things like that, even fake, are basically advertising) or a faker trying to establish himself. he even has actual Natives dancing in his weird shows.
-
He claims "relocation family from rez to city 1950s" https://www.pinterest.com/knifechief/ - he was born in 1956 in L.A. - so this claim would be about his parents, maybe grandparents, I'll see what I can find records wise.
His parents' surnames are VerSteeg/ Versteeg and Bahmeier.
-
His mother and both her parents were born in Colorado https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VR66-3F9
His father and both his father's parents born in Iowa https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K9WG-F7Bhttps://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V46Q-WT1
Martin's birth info
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V2YL-QGH
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJWK-NFL5 https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:29CT-V31
Martin's parents
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VPTV-XYH
If these records are wrong, Martin can easily show us the correct ones. He should be answering all questions completely since he is selling "native" artwork, ceremony, supposed knowledge, and his own persona.
Yuck - http://m.lajuntatribunedemocrat.com/article/20150619/NEWS/150619841
-
Correction on those mangled links for his father:
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V46Q-WT1
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K9WG-F7B
-
The trade name "Art by Knife Chief" owned by Martin Versteeg and his wife Gale Beckman in Colorado
https://www.sos.state.co.us/biz/TradeNameSummary.do?quitButtonDestination=BusinessEntityResults&nameTyp=TRDNM&entityId2=14481125030&srchTyp=TRDNM&fileId=20071563084&masterFileId=14481125030
-
Interesting. There are two ages listed for him on one... And no mention of Teton/Oglala on any of his records, except for what he's claimed. So, my main concern would be if he is not, then he's fraudulently selling items as Native-made, and it's possible he's unlawfully in possession of eagle feathers, etc. Unless he's bought a tribal allowance/permission of some type. I will get someone I know who has Oglala relatives to ask about him.
Piff, again, you totally rock. I've learned some better record sites for research from you all here. Brutal efficiency comes to mind.
-
Did a quick looksee on his mother and it dead ends with GG grandparents on both sides, Germany and England. So, we know there's no Native blood from that side of the family.
Diana
He claims "relocation family from rez to city 1950s" https://www.pinterest.com/knifechief/ - he was born in 1956 in L.A. - so this claim would be about his parents, maybe grandparents, I'll see what I can find records wise.
His parents' surnames are VerSteeg/ Versteeg and Bahmeier.
-
Looked at his dad's side of the family so far GG grandparents on dad's side from Hollland and on GG grandmother Holland and Iowa. So, I'm going to go out on a limb and say Martin Versteeg aka Martin Knifechief is not Indian.
Lim lemtsh,
Diana
Did a quick looksee on his mother and it dead ends with GG grandparents on both sides, Germany and England. So, we know there's no Native blood from that side of the family.
Diana
He claims "relocation family from rez to city 1950s" https://www.pinterest.com/knifechief/ - he was born in 1956 in L.A. - so this claim would be about his parents, maybe grandparents, I'll see what I can find records wise.
His parents' surnames are VerSteeg/ Versteeg and Bahmeier.
-
I agree with Diana on the genealogy. And we've researched well back earlier than his claim of direct family moving from rez in the 1950s.
-
His full name is Martin Eric Versteeg.
-
Interesting. There are two ages listed for him on one... And no mention of Teton/Oglala on any of his records, except for what he's claimed. So, my main concern would be if he is not, then he's fraudulently selling items as Native-made, and it's possible he's unlawfully in possession of eagle feathers, etc. Unless he's bought a tribal allowance/permission of some type. I will get someone I know who has Oglala relatives to ask about him.
Piff, again, you totally rock. I've learned some better record sites for research from you all here. Brutal efficiency comes to mind.
If you have seen that online or in pereson, maybe someone could call who ever deals with this kind of fraud. My husband contacted the FBI about a white guy selling "authentic" Native art. The artist, who never even claimed he was anything but white, and claimed his art was "more authentic" than any NDNs at the art show they were at, was made to stop his claims or face prosecution.
-
If you become aware of any market activity that you believe may be in violation of the Act, similar to or different from the following examples, please contact the Indian Arts and Crafts Board either online or at:
Indian Arts and Crafts Board
U.S. Department of the Interior
1849 C Street, NW MS-2528-MIB
Washington, D.C. 20240
Telephone: (202) 208-3773
Toll Free: (888) ART-FAKE
Fax: (202) 208-5196
There are helpful examples on this web page of what is potential fraud, also access to online reporting http://www.iacb.doi.gov/file.html
-
He may already have the attention of the IACB. Not to mention the feds for possessing migratory birds. They're starting to actually prosecute people who fraudulently sell Native crafts and F&G are raiding big time these days.
-
Ha ha I was just looking through all my bookmarks and opened the IACB stuff.
-
(http://i62.tinypic.com/2lvmq91.jpg)
"Winter Snow at Night" is the title of this black and white painted Deer Skull with Antlers which is signed and dated by the artist, "M V Knife Chief 1992". See third photo. Also says "Lakota Soiux". Knife Chief describes (phonetically) the title in Lakota Sioux language as "Tatanka Wakin Ya Hotompi."
http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/painted-deer-skull-antlers-signed-25873035 (http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/painted-deer-skull-antlers-signed-25873035)
Some images from his Facebook page:
(http://i60.tinypic.com/9gdc3b.jpg)
His caption for above: "lakota warrior dance drum /four corners"
(http://i59.tinypic.com/73e8ee.jpg)
-
Interesting. There are two ages listed for him on one... And no mention of Teton/Oglala on any of his records, except for what he's claimed. So, my main concern would be if he is not, then he's fraudulently selling items as Native-made, and it's possible he's unlawfully in possession of eagle feathers, etc. Unless he's bought a tribal allowance/permission of some type. I will get someone I know who has Oglala relatives to ask about him.
Piff, again, you totally rock. I've learned some better record sites for research from you all here. Brutal efficiency comes to mind.
Public records databases (consisting of voter records, utility records, phone directories etc.) sometimes mistakenly combine the info on two different people into one, especially when the names are similar. Also records can be mistakenly combined for various people of the same extended family.
Records sometimes are transcribed a variety of different ways. The same record may be indexed one way on ancestry.com, another way on familysearch.org.
Occasionally an individual themselves may use differing birth dates for records.
Martin has weighed in himself in conversations about frauds:
Submitted by Martin KnifeChief, Mar 6, 2007 18:47
Time and time again, I see these people who say they are "medicine men". One that charges money is not. The medicine men of my growing up years may ask for a donation of tobacco, a blanket or other items but not mazaska (money). These people who pop up and have a following are cultists. For some reason, they have a power that draws people in. Our world is the world of mountains and plains, not New York high rise!! We do not teach that any place is where the Creator resides....and certainly there is no power in a high rise in New York for a Lakota!! A sweat lodge should always be connected to the earth. It must be done as our ancestors have said. One cannot have such a ceremony in a high rise, covered in plastic and duct tape! This man has found a captive, needy, audience, willing to pay for his services!! He should be given the black feather and told to stop!! Hecitu welo!!
http://www.newagefraud.org/smf/index.php?topic=1225.0 (http://www.newagefraud.org/smf/index.php?topic=1225.0)
Does anyone know of this James Ecoffy that Martin lists on his own bio:
I'm not from around here.Teton Lakota...Oglala/Hunkpapa. Relocation family from rez to city 1950's. Brother family James Ecoffy Oglala
https://www.pinterest.com/knifechief/ (https://www.pinterest.com/knifechief/)
---
I could embellish my nickname to Piff the Brute. :) Especially when it comes to white baby boomer aged frauds. I'm glad to help, Diana and Loudcrow and others do great work too. Together we are all able to bring the light of reality to the murk that frauds try to spread.
-
As for his family being relocating from the rez to California in the fifties is total baloney. Records show his Iowa family moving to Long Beach in 1935 and 1940 census shows them in Venice California.
Nicholas Versteeg in the 1940 United States Federal Census
Name:
Nicholas Versteeg
Age:
42
Estimated birth year:
abt 1898
Gender:
Male
Race:
White
Birthplace:
Iowa
Marital Status:
Married
Relation to Head of House:
Head
Home in 1940:
Venice, Los Angeles, California
Map of Home in 1940:
View Map
Street:
Pickford Way
House Number:
10921
Farm:
No
Inferred Residence in 1935:
Long Beach, California
Residence in 1935:
Long Beach, California
Resident on farm in 1935:
No
Sheet Number:
3B
Number of Household in Order of Visitation:
78
Occupation:
Salesman
House Owned or Rented:
Owned
Value of Home or Monthly Rental if Rented:
4250
Attended School or College:
No
Highest Grade Completed:
High School, 4th year
Hours Worked Week Prior to Census:
40
Class of Worker:
Wage or salary worker in private work
Weeks Worked in 1939:
52
Income:
2700
Income Other Sources:
No
Neighbors:
View others on page
Household Members:
Name
Age
Nicholas Versteeg 42
Eva Versteeg 42
Bobbie L Versteeg 21
Bellie Versteeg 9
-
Found out this guy lives in my neighborhood from his postings on Nextdoor yesterday. So relieved to find all the hard work that was done here to research his lineage. Its 2017 and still cultural appropriation exist. Attached see the profile image that screams white guy. How to say something with dignity and grace without looking like I was to start a fight.??