Author Topic: Martin Versteeg AKA Martin V. KnifeChief  (Read 16113 times)

Offline AClockworkWhite

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Martin Versteeg AKA Martin V. KnifeChief
« 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.
« Last Edit: September 16, 2015, 02:48:32 am by educatedindian »
I came here for the popcorn and stayed for the slaying of pretenders.

Epiphany

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Re: Martin V, KnifeChief
« Reply #1 on: September 14, 2015, 05:12:52 pm »
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

Epiphany

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Re: Martin V, KnifeChief
« Reply #2 on: September 14, 2015, 05:16:19 pm »
He claims Lakota in his actor bio http://oldwestactors.com/biomknifechief.html

Epiphany

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Offline AClockworkWhite

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Re: Martin V, KnifeChief
« Reply #4 on: September 14, 2015, 10:29:45 pm »
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.
I came here for the popcorn and stayed for the slaying of pretenders.

Epiphany

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Re: Martin V, KnifeChief
« Reply #5 on: September 14, 2015, 11:05:20 pm »
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.

Epiphany

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Re: Martin V, KnifeChief
« Reply #6 on: September 15, 2015, 12:39:15 am »
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

Epiphany

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Re: Martin V, KnifeChief
« Reply #7 on: September 15, 2015, 12:50:45 am »

Epiphany

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Re: Martin V, KnifeChief
« Reply #8 on: September 15, 2015, 01:35:58 am »

Offline AClockworkWhite

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Re: Martin V, KnifeChief
« Reply #9 on: September 15, 2015, 03:07:13 am »
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.
I came here for the popcorn and stayed for the slaying of pretenders.

Offline Diana

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Re: Martin V, KnifeChief
« Reply #10 on: September 15, 2015, 03:35:22 am »
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.

Offline Diana

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Re: Martin V, KnifeChief
« Reply #11 on: September 15, 2015, 03:51:30 am »
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.

Epiphany

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Re: Martin V, KnifeChief
« Reply #12 on: September 15, 2015, 04:02:05 am »
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.


Epiphany

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Re: Martin V, KnifeChief
« Reply #13 on: September 15, 2015, 04:07:56 am »
His full name is Martin Eric Versteeg.

Offline debbieredbear

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Re: Martin V, KnifeChief
« Reply #14 on: September 15, 2015, 04:33:37 pm »
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.