NAFPS Forum

General => Frauds => Topic started by: educatedindian on June 29, 2005, 06:03:09 pm

Title: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: educatedindian on June 29, 2005, 06:03:09 pm
Got a request about him. Opinions? He's a musician most of the time. For me the problem is with his Medicine conference and retreats.
-----
This is the latest "news letter" from John Two-Hawks.  When you have found the time to "check him out" I will be very interested to
know your opinion. :-)
He has two websites:
http://www.nativecircle.com
http://www.johntwohawks.com

-----
May/June 2005 Edition

Hau kola na tiyospaye (Hello friends & extended family),
Welcome to all new Circle members!  Each section of the Circle of Nations newsletter is written 'facing' one of the four sacred winds, beginning with the east, then the south, west and finally the north.  This is to honor the old ways.  It is to teach and to help us to focus and find the center.  I have designed the Native Circle website in the same spirit.  I welcome you all to the Circle....

EAST - Wiyohinyanpata - Yellow (Four Winds)
“Into The West???, the 60 million dollar Steven Spielberg TNT 6-part Series, begins this weekend.  I am very much looking forward to it, even if with a bit of cautious optimism.  I was on the set during the filming with my friend Joseph Marshall, who was the Native American technical advisor for the majority of the filming.  He also plays the lead character in the last episode and narrates throughout the Series.  He is also the author of our new Children’s Book, by the way!  Anyway....  I chatted with Tatanka Means (Russell Means’ son) on set a bit, and talked with Joe (Marshall) a lot about how the ‘telling’ of our side of the history was being handled, and from all I saw and heard it appeared that every effort was being made to portray the First Nations’ people, culture and history in a truthful manner.  I completely trust the expertise and input of Joseph Marshall and the other Indian people I know and spoke with who are involved with the series, it is Hollywood I have a little trouble trusting.  I may be, as I said, a wee bit cautious in my optimistic expectations, but do I have a hunch that this thing is gonna be really great.  I mean really, really great.  Anyhow....

SOUTH - Itokagata - Red (Red Earth)
A word about the Mending Medicine Conference.  You can still register and save $50.00, if you register during the month of June.  The price of the Conference is $175 but if you reserve your space now you can attend for $125, to read about the Conference....

http://www.nativecircle.com/Conference.html
We also have vendor space available for the Conference.  An incredible bargain of $60 for the entire conference.
The Mending Medicine Retreat date has been changed to one week later, Oct 27th, because John will be in Finland performing with Nightwish on Oct 21st.   The retreat is filling up fast, so make sure you get your registration forms into Circle Studios soon.

WEST - Wiyohpeyata - Black or Blue (We are STILL Here!)
NORTH - Waziyata - White  (Words of Wisdom)
Your Oglala Lakota friend and brother,
John Two-Hawks
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: educatedindian on June 29, 2005, 06:21:40 pm
Notice who is presenting at the conference.

"O-si-yo. ? My name is Elizabeth Anne Wilson Schaef, Unega Uwohali Adanv Ageya. ? I am born of the Cherokee (Cha-la-gi) and Irish nations with a little bit of British blood thrown in for spice. ? My clan is the bird clan. ? My roots are in the Ozark hills... My early education was in these hills, fields and streams with my great grandmother, the spirit of my grandmothers and my mother, who are of a women’s medicine line....
My Lakota name is Wian Wamblishka Wakan and my Blackfoot name is Natoiwapaki having been adopted into both tribes. ? I have the responsibility of carrying two pipes: one given to me by an Overhill Cherokee medicine woman and spiritual leader, Lee Piper, and the other given to me by Eagle Bear (Frank Fools Crow) whose wife, Kate, asked me to keep and protect her ceremonial dress....
In spite of initially considering myself a non-writer, the creator has asked me to write books. ? I have published 13 books which have become bestsellers and been translated into many languages. ? Beyond Therapy, Beyond Science and Living in Process describe the healing work I teach throughout the world. ? When Society Becomes an Addict was a New York Times bestseller and nominated for best political book of the year. ? Meditations for Women Who Do Too Much has sold over two million copies. ? My favorite of all my books is Native Wisdom for White Minds. ? I take no credit for any of these books."

But read this.
http://www.consumeralertannewilsons.homestead.com/
This site has been developed to provide education and accurate information about this woman. ? Many people are mislead into believing that she is a credible, professionally recognized, psychologist or psychotherapist. ? They pay her, or her "trainees" ? money to attend ? "Intensives" ? without realizing that she is not a legitimate professional with appropriate experience and training to be able to assist them with very personal issues and concerns. Instead she is reported to use the techniques and practices of mind control and thought reform. These ? techniques and practices are commonly used by cult leaders. ? She has no credibility among feminist therapists, and would not be eligible for membership in the American Psychological Association, or eligible for a license or certification as a psychologist or psychotherapist in a significant number of States in the US. People report traumatic experiences as the result of their association with her."
Also a series of articles there questioning her credentials. I'll ask around cult watch groups about her. ?

And Overhill Cherokees? I asked Vance about them on his group. Those towns were destroyed before the 1750s. It's something used by lots of people making dubious claims, like Chicamauga only even older.
Most of the rest of his conference people are altmedicine types.
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: Dave on July 04, 2005, 03:52:27 pm
Two Hawks is on our beware list of individuals who
misrepresent themselves.  Yes he does know  Joe
Marshall.  Marshall has told me that, although he
knows of Two Hawks upbringing, he doesn’t know if Two Hawks is Indian or not.

Two Hawks might have some NDN heritage somewhere in his background, but he not enrolled as a Lakota, either Oglala or Sicangu.  The disturbing thing about this is that he uses the Lakota ploy as part of his money making endeavors.  I believe that his wife,
Peggy, is from Canada - I don’t know if she has any
Native heritage or not.  

At one point in time it was claimed that Two Hawks was taught by Dennis Eagle Horse and Joe Marshall.  Dennis Eagle Horse flatly states that he is not a Lakota spiritual teacher,  and that the only time he met Two Hawks was when he sold Two Hawks a shirt.   Eagle Horse’s daughter, Jennifer/ Mountain Doe, told us “My father is very upset to hear what John is doing and will be contacting him by phone to discuss it. Please do not spend money doing this and tell others you may know that wish to do it that it is a scam. Lakota spirituality is handed down through the tribe...not taught like this.???

Joe Marshall also has denied being a spiritual
teacher for Two Hawks.  “… he is not the only person who has labeled me his or her "spiritual teacher. I gave a talk to a non-Indian group and several of them later told others that they had been spiritually enlightened by "their spiritual guide," which, of course, was me in their perception. So what do we do? Make disclaimers before we open our mouths each time????

I think that Two Hawks has stopped using the names of the two individuals, and now merely says “spiritual teachers???.  It not as hard to get caught in a lie this way.  

In any case, I would caution anyone not to pay the bigbucks that Two Hawks charges for his “spiritual
retreats??? and to listen  with caution to anything he
might say or write.   He is also involved with
“Manataka??? to some extent.
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: kosowith on July 05, 2005, 10:10:41 pm
Today I was driving home from my daughter's place in Jefferson City, Montana and had to drive by the Boulder Hot Springs - a very old, beautiful, turn-of-the-century spa - now owned and run by Anne Wilson-Schaef - thinking about her reminded me of where I first met her - it was at a AISES (American Indian Science and Engineering Society) conference - she was an invited speaker and on the "A" dinner list.  In fact it was Norb Hill who introduced me to her.  She was there having dinner with Norb, and other AISES elders - (the list includes Vine, Henri, etc) actually I've been told that she does lots of work for them - ?? go figure !!  
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: Delynn Darling on February 25, 2006, 03:17:20 am
It is sad to see people who obviously do not know John Two-Hawks hurling insults and accusations at him that are innacurate and false.  I know him very well, and I can tell you that nothing written here is even remotely close to the truth.   It is always a good bet to avoid passing judgement on people you do not know personally, because without knowing them, how can you really "judge" the content of their character??
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: Dave on February 25, 2006, 04:11:16 am
So, you deny that Two Hawks grew up in Michigan instead of the “Black Hills????  You support his claim that he is Lakota? Have you seen his tribal enrollment card or CDIB?  Okay, who is he enrolled with, the Oglala or Sicangu?  In Lansing City back in 1999 he claimed to be Potawatomi/Oglala.

This is just for starters until you can support your claim that nothing written here is close to the truth, don’t make blanket statements unless you can back them up.  Answer these three questions truthfully and then we can proceed to the other complaints against him.  Sadly, there are too many individuals such as yourself who have been duped by people like Two Hawks. Real American Indians are fighting to preserve and protect their cultures and traditions from those like Two Hawks and his followers.  

Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: Dave on February 25, 2006, 05:09:36 am
Actually,  I should submit that claiming tribal enrollment where none exists for the purpose of monetary gain says all that needs to be said about one’s character - or lack thereof.  
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: Rattlebone on February 05, 2010, 04:38:23 am
I wasn't sure where to put this thread at, and so put it here. This guy claims to be a Lakota Flute player, and seems to be making some big bucks off of what he does.

 I was wondering if anyone had any info on this guy to see if he really is Lakota, or if he is just another fake making money off false claims to being NDN and playing Native flute.



http://www.johntwohawks.com/
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: BlackWolf on February 05, 2010, 10:32:27 pm
His name shows up on the American Indian Heritage Support Center as being associated with a "Jim Two Feathers".  I don’t know if it’s the same person or not. His name appears under individuals operating in Arkansas on the bottom. 


Quote
Jim "Two Feathers" May (Eureka Springs, AR, associates with John Two Hawks)


http://www.aihsc.info/ARMO_fraud.htm (http://www.aihsc.info/ARMO_fraud.htm)


Being nominated for or winning a Nammy is really no proof one way or the other as to whether or not someone is an American Indian.  Its more about music, so people can self identify however they want.  Maybe a Lakota could comment on whether or not they know him or his family.
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: BlackWolf on February 05, 2010, 10:35:26 pm
This was interesting.  He has something listed as a Mending Medicine Retreat and the charge to attend is $325

http://www.johntwohawks.com/theRetreatMMesArkansas.html (http://www.johntwohawks.com/theRetreatMMesArkansas.html)


Quote
The Mending Medicine Retreat
with John Two-Hawks
At Little Portion Retreat Center
on More Mountain
in Eureka Springs, Arkansas

October 21st, 22nd, 23rd & 24th, 2010

1. 4-Day Retreat
Mending Medicine Retreat - Eureka Springs
4-Day Weekend Retreat
October 21, 22, 23 & 24, 2010
Offline Registration

Online Deposit & Registration

Retreat Cost - $325

Don't Miss This Very Special Retreat!
This 'Mending Medicine Retreat & Reunion Celebration'
is a special gathering. John Two-Hawks will share his
wisdom and teachings and present a powerful, intimateconcert, and yet what will make it so special is that so
many beautiful people from all the years of retreats and
gatherings will be present! New retreatants will be in
attendance as well, making this a wonderful gathering
of sharing warm memories and creating new ones.
This special reunion retreat celebration will be a time
for peaceful reflection, laughter, self-discovery and
interconnection. Through ancient Indigenous wisdom
and interactive sharing, great personal inner growth,
empowerment and transformation can be realized.
This retreat is about the power of balance, humility,
giving and interdependence. You will find yourself
slowing down, relaxing, and reconnecting with Spirit

Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: BlackWolf on February 05, 2010, 10:49:10 pm
And thats not the only Retreat he charges money for

https://johntwohawks.com/onlineRetreatDeposit.asp (https://johntwohawks.com/onlineRetreatDeposit.asp)

Quote
WE ONLY ACCEPT VISA or MASTERCARD from our Retreatants. Input into the appropriate box the total number of registration deposits you want to purchase, click the Calculate button at the bottom, then fill out the form and click the Secure Payment button! You will receive a detailed receipt of your payment for Retreat registration deposits via e-mail. Upon acceptance of your deposit, you will see a registration form. Please print and mail this form to the address provided. Thanks for registering, and we look forward to having you at the Retreat!


Creative Expression Retreat Arkansas Deposit - $75.00
Creative Expression Retreat Arkansas Full Registration! - $250.00
4-Day Mending Medicine Retreat Arkansas Deposit! - $75.00
4-Day Mending Medicine Retreat Arkansas Full Registration! - $325.00
Mending Medicine Retreat Ohio Deposit - $75.00
Mending Medicine Retreat Ohio Full Registration - $200.00
Flute Discovery Retreat Ohio Deposit - $75.00
Flute Discovery Retreat Ohio Full Registration - $175.00
Flute Discovery Retreat Arkansas Deposit - $75.00
Flute Discovery Retreat Arkansas Full Registration - $250.00
Women of Wisdom Retreat Ohio Deposit - $75.00
Women of Wisdom Retreat Ohio Full Registration - $150.00
Women of Wisdom Retreat Arkansas Deposit - $75.00
Women of Wisdom Retreat Arkansas Full Registration - $250.00
Men of Honor Retreat Ohio Deposit - $75.00
Men of Honor Retreat Ohio Full Registration - $150.00
Men of Honor Retreat Arkansas Deposit - $75.00
Men of Honor Retreat Arkansas Full Registration - $250.00
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: Rattlebone on February 06, 2010, 12:30:48 am
And thats not the only Retreat he charges money for

https://johntwohawks.com/onlineRetreatDeposit.asp (https://johntwohawks.com/onlineRetreatDeposit.asp)


Maybe I should have put this thread in research needed huh? I wasn't sure if there was one about him here already and didn't find one when I did a search.

 
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: BlackWolf on February 06, 2010, 02:12:53 am

He appears to be associated with this website called Native Circle. 

http://www.nativecircle.com/ (http://www.nativecircle.com/)


And he has some writings here.  He has the seal of the Oglala Lakota Nation on the bottom.  I would assume that someone wouldn’t do this unless they were actually enrolled with the Oglala Lakota Nation or at least have an immediate family member who is.  Because that seal represents a Federally Recognized Indian Nation and not just someone with Lakota Heritage. 
http://www.nativecircle.com/issues.html (http://www.nativecircle.com/issues.html)

Here some samples of his writing. 

http://www.nativecircle.com/pppartindian.html"Part" Indian? (http://www.nativecircle.com/pppartindian.html"Part" Indian?)





"Half-breed quarter breed one sixteen....  what do fractions really mean?



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Could you imagine having to carry a card to 'prove' you are
white?  Or imagine that, in order to truly be acknowledged
as an African American, you had to be an 'enrolled member'!
This having to carry a white and/or blue CDIB (Certificate of
Degree of Indian Blood) card is, in my understanding, the very
definition of institutionalized racism.  Good people frequently
share with me that they are 'part Indian', or 'only a precentage
Indian'.  This is a sad testament to the legacy of their beautiful
Indian ancestors.  You see, the U.S. government is responsible
for the invention of the 'Indian blood quantum' lie.  It turns out
that this is quite a convenient way to 'kill Indians on paper'.
And what saddens me, is that most of our Tribal governments
have bought into the 'blood quantum' system which so divides
and separates us from who we are and has deeply damaged
the integrity of our ancient cultures.  We are people, not
fractions.  To those of you reading this who are of Indian
ancestry, I offer you some interesting thoughts...............
In Lakota tradition, we have a ceremony called Hunkapi, or,
the Making of Relatives.  In this ceremony, a person who is
not Lakota is brought in.  After the ceremony is complete it
was fully understood that this person was 100% completely
Lakota.  This was, and still is, the power of this ancient rite.
Somehow, many of us have forgotten the truth and wisdom
of this ceremony.  Many Indians today think the 'amount' of
Indian blood is what matters, when according to our own
sacred rites, it is clear that it is not only blood, but Spirit
which defines the essence of a human being.................

So.... to those of you with distant Indian ancestry who do
not quite know how to define it....  you need not identify
yourself as 'part-Indian'.  Know that you are 'of Indian
ancestry', or that you are 'descended from the (insert
tribe name here)'.  You are 100% descendant of all your
ancestors.  Learn all you can, become who you are.
You are beautiful!  You are Indian.............................."
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: BlackWolf on February 06, 2010, 02:49:32 pm
I thought this was interesting.  He does a performance with a Finish Metal Band.  Towards the end of the performance he starts speaking Lakota (or what appears to be) to the audience. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kL5VjT002DM (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kL5VjT002DM)


And here's a slideshow from his "Mending Medicne Retreat"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJUkziSZ71U (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJUkziSZ71U)
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: Superdog on February 06, 2010, 05:06:59 pm
The 2010 Grammy Nomination is true.

http://www.grammy.com/nominees
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: BlackWolf on February 06, 2010, 06:10:38 pm
He appears to have led what is described as a "Lakota Ceremony" in Arkansas that was part of a World Drum Celebration Day.  On the flyer it's mentioned as the "Four Winds Ceremony".  Does anyone know anything about this ceremony? The ceremony took place in Arkansas.  At this point I think his Lakota heritage is now relevant, and if he is Lakota what the consensus would be from his community ( or alleged community ) in South Dakota on him participating in this ceremony in Arkansas.   

Quote
Many who gathered in the park brought their own hand drums and participated in the ceremony, led by John Two-Hawks performing on the world drum. Two-Hawks said
people representing all walks of life had been invited to place their hands on the drum in the dramatic presentation of the Lakota Indian Four Winds Ceremony. He prayed for wisdom to help us “walk on Mother Earth more respectfully,” and that we would “carry the memory of this moment with us.”

http://www.theworlddrum.com/download_files/tekster_downloads/eureka_springs_one_year.pdf (http://www.theworlddrum.com/download_files/tekster_downloads/eureka_springs_one_year.pdf)
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: BlackWolf on February 07, 2010, 12:30:08 am
Quote
I was given information today that John Two Hawks is Jim Ebury and he comes from Hastings/UK. I was also told that he used to go by twelve Hawks but changed it to "Two Hawks."

Woa Rattlebone, are you serious?  IF THAT IS THE CASE, then we need to work on exposing this fraud ASAP.  From the start I figured out he's not what he claims to be.  I knew he wasn't enrolled with Pine Ridge or the other Rezes, but I also seriously doubted that he was even Indian by the way he conducts himself.  I can't find anything at the moment on Jim Ebury.  There is a John Twelve Hawks I found that is listed as an autuhor of science fiction, but even in the Wikpedia article it says "his real idenity is unknown".  Can you try to find some evidence of this Rattlebone ( that he's from the UK? ).  I'm going to keep looking into it. 


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Twelve_Hawks (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Twelve_Hawks)
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: BlackWolf on February 07, 2010, 12:47:05 am
What's interesting is that if you go to both the "John Two Hawks" and "John Twelve Hawks" wikipedia webpages, they both are very elusive about personal information.  The John Twelve Hawks webpage reports that he's idenity is unknown.  And on the "John Two Hawks" webpage it says that his date of birth is unknown.  It doesn't even list a city or state of birth or where he is from.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Two-Hawks (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Two-Hawks)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Twelve_Hawks (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Twelve_Hawks)

Quote
Date of birth
When is John Two-Hawks born? What date and what year?

That information does not appear to be public. If it is, I haven't found it.Nerwen (talk) 08:40, 4 February 2008 (UTC)
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: BlackWolf on February 07, 2010, 01:59:06 am
I went back to the website of the American Indian Heritage Supporter Center and noticed there is a
Johnny Two Hawks operating in the Eureka Springs, Arkansas area.  It has to be the same person.

http://www.aihsc.info/ARMO_fraud.htm (http://www.aihsc.info/ARMO_fraud.htm)

"Individuals Operating In Arkansas:


The following individuals, who either live in Arkansas or travel to the state for various events, are suspected to either exploit, misappropriate, or otherwise mislead the public on their backgrounds or qualifications.  Not included in this list are the numerous officers and officials of the suspect "tribes" and organizations found in the state.  It is advised that before you have any dealings or associations with these individuals, check their claims carefully and in depth.

Arthur Medicine Eagle Sonier (Travels nationwide, has been associated with Manataka)

Dennis Black Hawk (Hoffman) (Cherokee Village, AR area)

Johnny "Two Hawks" Hill (Eureka Springs, AR area)

"Chief" Robert Woableza LaBatte (Travels nationwide, has been associated with Manataka events)

Warren Big Eagle (Travels nationwide, attends New Age fairs, has been associated with Manataka events)

Lyman Weasel Bear (Has been associated with Manataka, but scammed them on a “Sundance”)

Mary "Thunder Woman" Grimes (Operates out of Texas)

“Grand Chief” Robert Grimes (Son of Mary Grimes, Fox, AR)

“First Lady” Starr DaVee Grimes (Wife of Robert Grimes, Fox, AR)

“Sparky Shooting Star” (Works out of South Amherst, MA)

Suzanne Day (Fox, AR)

Rick "Wind Call-er" Porea (Little Rock, AR) (Associated with the fake Ocali Nation and Manataka)

Erick Gonzalez, AKA Omeakaehekatl (Fake Mayan priest, travels nationwide, associated with Manataka)

Anita Mimms-Ganglauf (North Little Rock, AR)

Valerie Goetz  (Bigelow, AR)

S.D. Youngwolf (Winslow, AR)

Jim "Two Feathers" May (Eureka Springs, AR, associates with John Two Hawks)"

Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: BlackWolf on February 07, 2010, 02:07:12 am
It looks like its the same person because it has him listed as "Johnny Two Hawks Hill" on the AIHSC site, and on his Medicne Retreat Website page it list his wife as Peggy Hill.

http://www.johntwohawks.com/theRetreats.html (http://www.johntwohawks.com/theRetreats.html)
Quote
Retreats

Our Retreats are great for anyone who is looking to grow and learn, connect and discover, reflect and replenish, to be inspired and moved and to realize your full potential in this life. The Retreats are led by John Two-Hawks and Peggy Hill, and most of them take place atop More Mountain in the ancient Ozark Mountains of northwest Arkansas, with spectacular views and plenty of natural space for self renewal and quiet. Other Retreats are held in various sacred places and locations throughout the U.S. and are also led by John Two-Hawks and Peggy Hill.
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: Rattlebone on February 07, 2010, 03:12:01 am
Quote
I was given information today that John Two Hawks is Jim Ebury and he comes from Hastings/UK. I was also told that he used to go by twelve Hawks but changed it to "Two Hawks."

Woa Rattlebone, are you serious?  IF THAT IS THE CASE, then we need to work on exposing this fraud ASAP.  From the start I figured out he's not what he claims to be.  I knew he wasn't enrolled with Pine Ridge or the other Rezes, but I also seriously doubted that he was even Indian by the way he conducts himself.  I can't find anything at the moment on Jim Ebury.  There is a John Twelve Hawks I found that is listed as an autuhor of science fiction, but even in the Wikpedia article it says "his real idenity is unknown".  Can you try to find some evidence of this Rattlebone ( that he's from the UK? ).  I'm going to keep looking into it. 


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Twelve_Hawks (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Twelve_Hawks)

I will have to ask my source if they can provide me with any additional information. They seen that myself and some others were discussing this individual on Facebook,  and they let me know they had know him.

 However on the link above you provided, when you scroll down it says

"Information

The following information comes from the few published sources.

John Twelve Hawks is his "adopted" name, but in the Spiegel interview he states he is not an American Indian. In the Spiegel interview he talks about visiting East Germany before the fall of the Berlin Wall. In the USA Today article, his response to a question about religion began with, "When I was in my twenties..." and when an editor asked him whether the "realm of hell" could be compared to current conditions in Iraq, Hawks replied "it's more like Beirut in the '70s". In the Spiegel interview and in the London Telegraph article, Hawks states that he drives a 15-year-old car and that he does not own a television. [3] These personal facts and a description of JTH's unique lifestyle were confirmed in the 2008 Joseph Mallozzi Weblog interview.[4]

The SFF World interview indicates that Twelve Hawks lived in a commune and learned about literature by stealing books from a restricted university library and then returning the books the next day. In the same interview, he states he wrote The Traveler after passing through some sort of personal crisis. In the interview in SFF World Twelve Hawks claims that he has "no plans to go public" regarding his identity. [5]

In the audiobook version of The Traveler, there is an interview with John Twelve Hawks where he mentions that he has been practicing martial arts for years.

According to Twelve Hawks' agent, Joe Regal, "He lives in New York, Los Angeles and London", and The Traveler sets its story in all three of these locations.[6]"


 So if the person mentioned in this link is the same, then it is saying he has admitted before to NOT be American Indian.
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: BlackWolf on February 07, 2010, 04:04:23 am
Quote
So if the person mentioned in this link is the same, then it is saying he has admitted before to NOT be American Indian.

John Two Hawks was also discussed briefly on Indianz.com.  They pretty much figured out he was a fake, but I don't think they found out his true identity.  The key is to link the two if they are one and the same.  On the John Twelve Hawks wikipedia talk page, "his true identity" is a big topic in itself.  I'm also wondering about the Johnny Hill name.  I guess he could have had a legal name change over here but we can see if we can link that with the other name you mentioned ( Jim Ebury from the UK).  Maybe somehow we can check the marriage records and/or other public records of Johnny Hill and Peggy Hill if that even exist and see if we can find his place or birth. That Johnny Twelve Hawks is very careful about giving out his identity.


Quote
Both John Twelve Hawks and his American publisher state that he has never met his editor and that he communicates using the Internet and an untraceable satellite phone, usually employing a voice scrambler. All biographical information about his background is based on five sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:John_Twelve_HawksPublicity stunt? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:John_Twelve_HawksPublicity stunt?)

Yeah. I keep thinking that someone, someday, is going to discover that Twelve Hawks's real name is "Grisham" or "Meltzer". . . . --Michael K. Smith 16:03, 19 October 2006 (UTC)
He's probably a Pseudonym of one of the authors on doubleday, that way it would have been easier to get it published--Nk70 18:10, 13 April 2007 (UTC)
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: bls926 on February 07, 2010, 04:37:55 am
You were given bad info, Rattle. John Two-Hawks is not James Ebury from Hastings, U.K. Ebury made a comment on Two-Hawks' facebook yesterday. If you follow that comment to James Ebury's facebook, you can see they aren't the same person.


John Two-Hawks
http://www.facebook.com/pages/John-Two-Hawks/51561668078#!/pages/John-Two-Hawks/51561668078?v=wall

James Ebury
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?v=wall&id=100000614294817#!/profile.php?v=info&id=100000614294817
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: BlackWolf on February 07, 2010, 05:08:34 am
If that's the case then I guess we're back to Johnny Hill.  I think either way, he's a fraud and should be moved to the fraud section.  He was listed on the AIHSC site, he's making a lot of money at his retreats teaching Indian ways and spirituality, and he's doing so called Lakota Ceremonies in public. He's so arogant he's even got posters of himself for sale.

 http://www.johntwohawks.com/theJTHPosters.html (http://www.johntwohawks.com/theJTHPosters.html)

Although it hasn't been confirmed yet, I doubt that he's know at Pine Ridge, Rose Bud, or Standing Rock?  And Is there a Lakota here that can comment on his speaking Lakota in that Rock Video at the end?  This man is'nt just a flute player that claims Indian heritage and isn't enrolled, he seems to be scaming a lot of people and misrepresenting Lakota people. 
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: critter - a white non-ndn person on February 07, 2010, 06:28:51 am
It would be hard to find public records of a marriage without knowing the state they were married in.
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: BlackWolf on February 07, 2010, 04:40:53 pm
Critter said
Quote
It would be hard to find public records of a marriage without knowing the state they were married in.

I guess you could start with Arkansas or other places he was known to have been.  It just seems stange for someone to be important enough to have a Wikipedia page, yet know one can find information on where he was born.  And he himself seems not to not want to give that information out.   I mean he's a public figure at this point.
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: BlackWolf on February 07, 2010, 05:06:54 pm

bls826 said
Quote
You were given bad info, Rattle. John Two-Hawks is not James Ebury from Hastings, U.K. Ebury made a comment on Two-Hawks' facebook yesterday. If you follow that comment to James Ebury's facebook, you can see they aren't the same person.


This is the comment James Ebury left on John Two Hawks facebook page.  I guess we can conclude that James Ebury goes by the name Jim Two Hawks and is from the UK?

Quote
James Ebury good song. jim two hawks uk.
Yesterday at 6:03am
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: bls926 on February 07, 2010, 06:05:50 pm

bls826 said
Quote
You were given bad info, Rattle. John Two-Hawks is not James Ebury from Hastings, U.K. Ebury made a comment on Two-Hawks' facebook yesterday. If you follow that comment to James Ebury's facebook, you can see they aren't the same person.


This is the comment James Ebury left on John Two Hawks facebook page.  I guess we can conclude that James Ebury goes by the name Jim Two Hawks and is from the UK?

Quote
James Ebury good song. jim two hawks uk.
Yesterday at 6:03am


I can understand why someone got confused, with the way James Ebury signed his comment. I think it's safe to say Ebury is just another Brit in love with all things Indian; maybe even fancying himself Indian, at least in his heart. He wouldn't be the first and unfortunately won't be the last.
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: BlackWolf on February 07, 2010, 06:12:01 pm
bls926 said

Quote
I can understand why someone got confused, with the way James Ebury signed his comment. I think it's safe to say Ebury is just another Brit in love with all things Indian; maybe even fancying himself Indian, at least in his heart. He wouldn't be the first and unfortunately won't be the last.

That could be.  But its interesting that they both use the name "Two Hawks"  It appears he ( James Ebury ) is telling John Two Hawks "Good Song" and then signing his name as Jim Two Hawks from the UK.
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: critter - a white non-ndn person on February 07, 2010, 06:58:55 pm
Critter said
Quote
It would be hard to find public records of a marriage without knowing the state they were married in.

I guess you could start with Arkansas or other places he was known to have been.  It just seems stange for someone to be important enough to have a Wikipedia page, yet know one can find information on where he was born.  And he himself seems not to not want to give that information out.   I mean he's a public figure at this point.

Except it is broken down by counties.  I've not seen where a person can search an entire state for vital records. Need at least the name of the city or county. 

Probably easier to search on his wife's name, since his name, "john two hawks" may not really be registered anywhere. If can find info on his wife, may be able to search in a 'back door' sort of way..  again, would be easier with city info.. 
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: BlackWolf on February 07, 2010, 07:20:08 pm
Quote
Probably easier to search on his wife's name, since his name, "john two hawks" may not really be registered anywhere. If can find info on his wife, may be able to search in a 'back door' sort of way..  again, would be easier with city info..

Thats true Critter. John Two Hawks is probably not his real name.  I'd like to find out if there is a Lakota "Two Hawk" family that knows him.  If he ( John Two Hawks ) so careful about giving out his private information, one can assume that he knows how to cover his tracks. 

And if he is somehow connected to "Twelve Hawks" (which we don't know yet), then that woudn't be so easy to prove.  This article talks about John Twelve Hawks ( the author ).  Even if Twelve Hawks isn't the same guy, it seems Two Hawks is going out of his way also to not give absoloutly any information about his family, where he's from or any other personal background.  So the possiblity that they are one and the same isn't really so far fetched.  I've not been able to find anything so far on Two Hawks other then all the well publized info on his Nammys, CD's, involvement with retreats, interviews, etc.  Two Hawks doesn't say a word about his brothers, sisters, hometown, highschool, former jobs, etc,etc.  Maybe someone else will have more luck.

http://www.usatoday.com/life/books/news/2005-06-27-traveler_x.htm (http://www.usatoday.com/life/books/news/2005-06-27-traveler_x.htm)
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: BlackWolf on February 07, 2010, 08:15:11 pm
Here’s some excerpts from an Interview he did.  He claims one of his relatives went to the Carlisle Indian school in Pennsylvania.  Assuming that’s the case, then his relatives should be documented there.

http://www.beyondearcandy.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=119&Itemid=120 (http://www.beyondearcandy.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=119&Itemid=120)


Quote
There’s an old story among my own family, one of my relatives went to the  Carlisle Indian School in Pennsylvania. Actually, several of my relatives, ancestors went there. But one of them in particular tells the story about an old man who was in the classroom and taught him after the class was over that our people have been here since the beginning of time. There wasn’t a mass migration of all of us that came over. So that’s an old concept. For Tuomas to kind of be able to grasp that concept, to me, it’s a spiritual thing.


He also seems to be implying that he speaks fluent Lakota.  That tells me that he should then have a mother or father that was a fluent speaker, and I would assume that one of them has to be known in a Lakota Community somewhere.

JTH: I had to, because Tuomas wrote it and used words that don’t exist in the Lakota language. Our language, the Lakota language, is a language of concepts. The oration at the end is, of course, is the poem that Tuomas wrote, so to translate that, I had to tune in to what Tuomas was trying to say, the concepts, what they mean, not the literal words, but what was he trying to say, figuratively expressing with his heart, what did he mean by this. So, the meanings were easy to translate into Lakota. For instance, where he uses the word, “caribou” I use the word for “elk”, ok, which would be more accurate in the context of what he’s trying to say,
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: BlackWolf on February 07, 2010, 08:19:09 pm
Quote
He also seems to be implying that he speaks fluent Lakota.  That tells me that he should then have a mother or father that was a fluent speaker, and I would assume that one of them has to be known in a Lakota Community somewhere.


Note:  This wasn't part of the quote.  I added that by mistake of what I wrote.
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: BlackWolf on February 08, 2010, 12:00:23 am
John Two Hawks has also written books on Indian Spirituality and is making money off of it.  He has books for sale on Indian Wisdom, traditional teachings and Spirituality.


Come to the Fire: An invitation to enter into the Sacred
http://www.nativecircle.com/CometotheFireBook.html (http://www.nativecircle.com/CometotheFireBook.html)

Good Medicine
http://www.nativecircle.com/goodmedicinebook.html (http://www.nativecircle.com/goodmedicinebook.html)


http://www.nativecircle.com/wisdom.html (http://www.nativecircle.com/wisdom.html)
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: bls926 on February 10, 2010, 01:55:02 am
Does anyone know for a fact that he is not Lakota? Before we label him a fraud, I think more investigation is needed. It seems that Two-Hawks has been doing what he does for quite a few years and has been accepted by many. He performed some of the music in HBO's Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee. There's pictures of Two-Hawks with Adam Beach on his website, as well as pictures with Lakota and Mvskoke. This doesn't necessarily prove he's Native, but it's something to think about. Yes, he conducts seminars and has written some questionable books, but that doesn't make him a fraud either. I know of enrolled Lakota who aren't above selling a ceremony or two from time to time. It isn't right, but it doesn't make them frauds. I think we should know, without a doubt, that someone is lying about who and what they are before we call them a fraud.
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: BlackWolf on February 10, 2010, 02:28:47 am
bls926 said
Quote
Does anyone know for a fact that he is not Lakota?

I can’t say I’m 100 percent sure, but all the Lakotas I’ve talked to seem to think so (that he's not).  So, I”m not saying 100 percent beyond the shadow of a doubt that he’s not Lakota, but from what I’ve found out so far HE IS NOT of Lakota blood. 


I said this in the other thread about him.
Quote
This man is a fraud presenting himself as something he is not.

 I stick by these words.  If by some slight chance, he is of Lakota heritage, then he’d still be a fraud in my book.  He’s someone that shows up every now and then in Lakota communities, etc. but he’s traveling around presenting himself as an authority on Lakota cultural and traditions.  This can be seen in his interviews and by his behavior.  I”ll recap what he’s been doing.  Charging and making a lot of money from his "Medicine Retreats", he's got the official seal of the Oglala Lakota Nation on his website,  he’s in public performing what he calls are Lakota Four Winds Ceremonies, and he's written books on Indian Spirituality and is making money off of it.  In that sense he’s a fraud and I stand by that statement.   

And like I said, although I’m not 100 percent positive, from what I could find out, he’s probably not of Lakota heritage.  If someone can lead me to believe otherwise, then I’d concede he can call himself Lakota.  But as of now, and from what I can see, and from what I’ve been told by more then one person from various Lakota communities, this man is not.
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: Rattlebone on February 10, 2010, 02:35:45 am
 Has anyone seen this man come out and say anything about the conditions up in the Dakota's, or know if he has given any of that money he has made claiming to be from those people to them in their great time of need?

I doubt he has,and I doubt if he did it would be from his heart, and just be another issue for publicity.

 I too have seen Lakota people speak of him, and they say they believe him to be a fraud.
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: critter - a white non-ndn person on February 10, 2010, 03:23:41 am
It takes a cold heart to travel around in comfort while your people suffer.  Even if not this disaster happening, now, I mean, at any time .. to not give to help your people is incomprehensible to me.  I cannot understand it except to say they have no sense and no heart. 

As per the fraud thing, even if it turns out he has Lakota in him, he is exploiting the culture by making money off of it.. and doubly creating insult if he is not funneling that profit back to the people he came from.  Just my o.
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: BlackWolf on February 10, 2010, 04:09:13 am
Critter said
Quote
As per the fraud thing, even if it turns out he has Lakota in him, he is exploiting the culture by making money off of it.. and doubly creating insult if he is not funneling that profit back to the people he came from.  Just my o.


Thats true Critter.  He's a public figure representing the "Lakota" people on the world stage, so if he is a Lakota man as he claims, then he should be brining attention to the plight of "his people".  Why not give back to the community that he hails from?  Its good that he's a proud "Lakota" and keeping up the Lakota language and Traditions, but why not do that at home.  And since he's a fluent Lakota speaker, maybe he should help out in teaching the language to Lakotas that aren't fluent like he is. 

Does he beleive that he is too good for his Lakota brothers and sisters now that he's world famous and traveling around the world teaching about "his Lakota people"?  He's of Lakota blood right, and has a Lakota family from one of the Lakota communities in probably Pine Ridge, Rose Bud or Standing Rock.  I think he should be using  his Rock Star Status in a positive light and help out "his Lakota community". 
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: critter - a white non-ndn person on February 10, 2010, 04:35:02 am
Right, and it would be nice if these people were called on the carpet about it right in front of their followers and events.. they should be shamed.  Although, I'm doubtful they'd really care about it, do what they have to to recover their 'image' and then go on with business as usual.

It's really quite sick, that a human being can go about in such a way .. use "their people" as a commodity for comfortable living.. while "their people" are starving and/or going without heat..  Sick.
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: BlackWolf on February 10, 2010, 05:31:52 am
Here’s an idea.  How about brining his Mending Medicine Retreat back home to Pine Ridge?   


http://www.johntwohawks.com/theRetreatMMesArkansas.html (http://www.johntwohawks.com/theRetreatMMesArkansas.html)

https://johntwohawks.com/onlineRetreatDeposit.asp (https://johntwohawks.com/onlineRetreatDeposit.asp)

Surely that would help out the economy there.  He could pocket half the money that he charges the white people Lakota ways, and the other half he can donate to his fellow Lakotas who don’t have money to heat their homes.  Then everyone wins!  And also, I’m sure there are some up and coming  Lakota boys  and young men that could use his spiritual advice right?.  And maybe he can also give some free sessions of his Mending Medicine Retreat to his Lakota Brothers who have problems with drug addiction.  Why not help them out? He can have them sit in on his Medicine Retreats for free! 

And also, He really ROCKED OUT in Finland and seems to have a lot of fans all over the world!  How about doing some sort of a benefit concert at home in South Dakota. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kL5VjT002DM (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kL5VjT002DM)

He has all those Finish people captivated with his poem in Lakota, while he ignores his own people at home.  Lets give back to the community!




Also, next time he does his Four Winds Ceremony, I think he should do that at home on Pine Ridge.  He would at least be giving his people the opportunity to be noticed by the News Media. They seem to notice him doing it in Arkansas.   If he can do it in Arkansas, he can surely do in Pine Ridge South Dakota.
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: earthw7 on February 10, 2010, 02:56:37 pm
I wonder what his real name is because there are no Two Hawks in Pine Ridge.
I did find Two hawk on the Lower brule rez
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: earthw7 on February 10, 2010, 05:35:59 pm
I wonder what a Lakota Indian Four Winds Ceremony is ???
Because we don't have anything called that.

If he is Lakota then he would be on the rolls or his parents would be.
If his parents were flurnt speakers we would know their names.
Like i said no Two hawk come up in Pine Ridge.

he looks white so he must have white blood in him.
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: flyaway on February 10, 2010, 06:36:50 pm
I emailed Tho Hawks and asked about these retreats and what all was being taught, also question who his Elders and/or teachers were, this is what I got:
John sent you a message.

--------------------
Re: Medicine Retreats

Hello 
We appreciate your interest in the Mending Medicine Retreat.  A deeper connection is what the retreat is all about.  It is about finding balance and meaning in your life, and a deeper spiritual connection.  John practices his Lakota spirituality privately, so inipi and canupa teachings are not a part of the retreat.  We hope this does not disappoint you.  We assure you the weekend is a very special time to connect with good people and reconnect with your life vision.  You can read more about the Mending Medicine Retreat, and all our other retreats at: http://www.facebook.com/l/e3ae1;www.johntwohawks.com
Thanks again for writing!  All the best to you and yours.
The JTH Web Team
--------------------
Nothing about him personally. HMMM
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: critter - a white non-ndn person on February 10, 2010, 07:50:24 pm
Well, I looked. Doesn't really say what they do..  why give such an elaborate write up of the guy, claiming he's carrying all this from his people.. well.. then why isn't he doing these things with his people..  does Lakota have home/land in Arkansas? Maybe he's just walking a fine line by not teaching/selling 'ceremony' but teaching/selling some who knows what and claiming it's worth the price cuz he's Lakota?  

I have no clue what he's doing.  It is confusing to me.  Perhaps he is confused himself then.  By stating in email that his spirituality is private and he doesn't teach it, then what is he teaching/doing/selling ?  If nothing spiritual, then why all the hoopla and adjectives about his being Lakota and the carrier of his people's traditions?  That type of propaganda is usually reserved for the selling, to gain customers, it's a marketing ploy.  So, the question remains, what is he selling?  A day in the woods?  Or his concert at the end of it?  The trip into the medicine wheel?  Didn't I read on here somewhere that the Med Wheel is not ndn?  If that's the case, then this guy _is_ being fraudulent..  by selling something as ndn that isn't.. and misrepresenting.  Otherwise, he's just exploiting people..  as I said, I am confused.. and I think this guy is too..

http://www.johntwohawks.com/theRetreatMMdaytonOhio.html

Retreat Description
This 'Mending Medicine Retreat' takes place at the Bergamo Center, in Dayton Ohio.  In a quiet, serene setting, the land itself will beckon you to enter the stillness, and you will find yourself slowing down, relaxing and reconnecting with Spirit.  John Two-Hawks, an Oglala Lakota man who carries on the ancient spiritual traditions, heritage and culture of his people through ceremony, teaching and song, will take you on a journey into the sacred wisdom of the Medicine Wheel. Through ancient Indigenous wisdom and interactive sharing, great personal inner growth,  empowerment and transformation can be realized.  This retreat is about the power of balance, humility, giving, self discovery and interdependence.  So come and experience the healing power of Mending Medicine.

Retreat Info

$200* for Fri, Sat, Sun
 Includes: 3 meals,
Fri evening reception
4 teaching sessions,
and an evening concert
by John Two-Hawks

*Does not include lodging
Lodging is available on site at The Bergamo Center
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: Rattlebone on February 11, 2010, 12:57:34 am


And also, He really ROCKED OUT in Finland and seems to have a lot of fans all over the world!  How about doing some sort of a benefit concert at home in South Dakota. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kL5VjT002DM (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kL5VjT002DM)




 That was the longest eight minutes and forty seconds in my life. I can't see how any self respecting Lakota person could act so stereotyped, twinkie, and cheesy for this guy to be the real thing.
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: BlackWolf on February 11, 2010, 05:43:03 am
Rattlebone said

Quote
That was the longest eight minutes and forty seconds in my life. I can't see how any self respecting Lakota person could act so stereotyped, twinkie, and cheesy for this guy to be the real thing.

I agree with you Rattlbone. And did you see the last 3 minutes of the video where he speaks Lakota to the audience!  It’s like the dude thinks he’s Crazy Horse or something speaking to his warriors before some great battle.  All I know is this.  If Two Hawks is some great Lakota hero as all his fans in Europe think he is, then how come no one knows much about him in his alleged community in Pine Ridge?  Surely as a great Lakota speaker and Musician, he would have been involved in gatherings and speaking engagements out there. That’s all well and good that he has fans all over the world that admire him and he’s all famous now with his rock videos.  But you have to ask yourself why actual Lakota people don’t know who he is?

I’ve talked to a Lakota person from Pine Ridge about him and they never heard of him or his "Two Hawks" family.  And this person, I might add is someone that is actually involved in the community there.  Someone else pointed out that there’s no known "Two Hawks" family from Pine Ridge.  I did hear from one Lakota person that actually did hear of him.  But they said that they heard of him because they heard of people complaining about him. This is the reason I have doubts about his bold claims.  From what I heard, he’s been out there to Lakota communities and he probably learned a few things from Traditional people, but that’s about it.  Also, as someone else pointed, out, they never heard of that supposed Lakota Four Winds Ceremony that he performed for the Media in Arkansas.
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: BlackWolf on February 11, 2010, 07:21:28 am
I don't really have anything againts Nightwish though or their music.  They all seem like very talented musicians.  I can't really blame them either, because they're just looking at things from a musical perspective.
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: BlackWolf on February 13, 2010, 02:24:09 am
More on John Two Hawks.

http://www.northlr.org/calendar-of-events/Birthday-events/FORMS/MASTER%20PLAN%20rvsd.pdf (http://www.northlr.org/calendar-of-events/Birthday-events/FORMS/MASTER%20PLAN%20rvsd.pdf)

Quote
John Two-Hawks, a world renowned
Native American flutist, singer, performer, and recording artist, is an Oglala Lakota healer who carries on the ancient
spiritual traditions of his ancestors through ceremony, teaching, and music.

Quote
Regarded by many as an Elk Medicine Man, Two-Hawks is a gentle spiritual soul
whose vision is for the mending of the sacred hoop of humanity and the healing of the delicate circular balance of the
natural world of our Mother Earth.
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: bls926 on February 13, 2010, 02:56:56 am
We still don't know if John Two-Hawks is Lakota or not, so I won't call him a fraud. However, the things he says and does definitely qualify as exploitative.

Quote
. . . Oglala Lakota healer who carries on the ancient spiritual traditions of his ancestors through ceremony, teaching, and music

Quote
Regarded by many as an Elk Medicine Man, Two-Hawks is a gentle spiritual soul whose vision is for the mending of the sacred hoop of humanity and the healing of the delicate circular balance of the natural world of our Mother Earth.


A healer, an Elk Medicine Man . . . Who would talk this way about himself? It's probably written by his PR people or his agent (Peggy Hill, who doubles as his wife). Who would let this be published? Who would think this was good PR? Conjures up visions of rainbows and crystals.

From things I've been reading about Two-Hawks, it seems he caters to middle-class whites. Desperate housewives wanting to get in touch with their spirituality. Is what he's teaching in these retreats accurate? True to Lakota tradition? Even if it is, why is he sharing with the new age crowd?
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: Unegv Waya on February 13, 2010, 03:25:08 pm
"I don't really have anything againts Nightwish though or their music.  They all seem like very talented musicians.  I can't really blame them either, because they're just looking at things from a musical perspective."

True, Black Wolf, that the band likely does not ask to see someone's enrollment card.  They only look at the credibility of the music and take for granted that the person is genuine.  At least that's how I've seen it work.  Sometimes those assumptions cause trouble when no offense was intended.
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: bls926 on February 13, 2010, 05:40:37 pm
"I don't really have anything againts Nightwish though or their music.  They all seem like very talented musicians.  I can't really blame them either, because they're just looking at things from a musical perspective."

True, Black Wolf, that the band likely does not ask to see someone's enrollment card.  They only look at the credibility of the music and take for granted that the person is genuine.  At least that's how I've seen it work.  Sometimes those assumptions cause trouble when no offense was intended.


Unfortunately, the same can be said for Dick Wolf and all those involved with HBO's Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee. Does everyone just listen to the music? Not only should they have asked for proof of a connection to the Lakota people, they should have looked at some of the other things Two-Hawks is involved in.
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: Defend the Sacred on February 17, 2010, 09:54:11 pm
It seems that Two-Hawks has been doing what he does for quite a few years and has been accepted by many. He performed some of the music in HBO's Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee. There's pictures of Two-Hawks with Adam Beach on his website, as well as pictures with Lakota and Mvskoke. This doesn't necessarily prove he's Native, but it's something to think about.

As far as I am aware, HBO's Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee was not an NDN-controlled project. A non-NDN friend of mine was a member of the production team, and won an award for his work on the film. He probably worked with Two Hawks, but would have no idea if he was NDN or not - only whether he could play what they wanted. Mainstream, for-profit productions run by nons usually have no clue as to who is legitimate, and often don't care as long as they fit the bill for the services they're looking for. It's art, but it's also a business.

Just because some NDNs get hired for a project doesn't mean there is any priority or consciousness about hiring NDNs for other jobs on the production. And most performers I know - NDN and non - will smile and pose for a picture with anyone who asks: it's part of the job.

Quote
Yes, he conducts seminars and has written some questionable books, but that doesn't make him a fraud either. I know of enrolled Lakota who aren't above selling a ceremony or two from time to time. It isn't right, but it doesn't make them frauds. I think we should know, without a doubt, that someone is lying about who and what they are before we call them a fraud.

I've been thinking about the semantics here. On NAFPS we have often used the terms "fraud" and "exploiter" interchangeably. Many people are both. I do get the distinction you are making here, but not everyone does. Someone may be full-blooded, enrolled, traditionally trained... and be lying to outsiders that it's OK for them to sell ceremony, or change ceremony, or use their past reputation as a ceremonial person to exploit people.

Someone may have been given some ceremonies in a legitimate manner, but not others they claim to teach. They may be selling things they made up, and using their "real NDN" reputation as a way to defraud and exploit people.

So when someone calls someone else a fraud or an exploiter, we need to look at the context. Most exploitation involves some degree of fraud.
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: hornet on March 25, 2013, 07:30:27 am
There has been some new development in this case.
After some first doubts, some members of the fan forum of the Finnish metal band have done some research. Details can be read here:
http://www.nightwishforum.com/index.php?/topic/1026-john-two-hawks/

Summary:

1) He is lying concerning his Lakota abilities. He does NOT speak Lakota. There are several sources in the thread for this.
I, and every Lakota language learner with only basic knowledge, can second that. All he does is translating English texts word-by-word into Lakota using a dictionary. That does not turn out too well since the word order in Lakota is the other way around compared to English. His pronunciation is wrong and his grammar knowledge nonexistent.

2) He is not enrolled with the Oglala Lakota tribe or any other tribe. He himself admits that, and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Executive Committee Pine Ridge confirms it and says that there has never been an Oglala family by the name of Two Haws (see post by member mojo on page 3, click on "spoiler").

So, citing forum member shoshone:
Quote
I can believe that Mr. Two Hawks might have some Lakota blood in him--but he admits he's not enrolled. So legally, he is NOT Oglala, and marketing his music as such actually breaks the law:

http://www.iacb.doi.gov/act.html

Hornet
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: Superdog on March 25, 2013, 08:38:25 pm
The topic migrated over to another forum.  The original poster in this thread enlisted the help of David Little Elk and posted the e-mails.  Basically, he says the same thing.  The poem at the end of Nightwish's song "Creek Mary's Blood" is basically gibberish with a few Lakota words.  The name JTH gave Tuomas is also improperly translated.  David also relates that JTH came to him to learn Lakota about 6 years ago, but David refused him because of his questionable heritage and because he didn't want to pay for his language lessons.  He doesn't seem to be a fan....


http://www.tuomas-holopainen.com/en/forum/15-other-music/87094-john-two-hawks?q=/index.php/en/forum/15-other-music/87094-john-two-hawks

Followed up by a short blurb on another site explaining the highlights of the whole situation:

http://www.dark-domain.co.uk/2013/01/john-two-hawks-denies-allegations-that.html
"Thursday, 17 January 2013
Nightwish collaborator denies allegations that his Oglala heritage is false

John Two-Hawks issues a statement denying claims that his Oglala Lakota heritage is false.

John Two-Hawks, an American flutist has issued a statement for the first time in response to allegations that claim he is a fraud.

Two-Hawks has built his career on the premise of his Oglala heritage. This recently came into question when members of the tribe were introduced to Nightwish, a symphonic metal band he had worked with in the past.

Upon listening to a song he contributed to, a young member of the tribe and fluent Lakota speaker found that the lyrics Two-Hawks supposedly wrote in the language were “nothing more than absolute gibberish.” This was later confirmed by David Little Elk, a certified Lakota language expert.

In addition to this Little Elk stated that he was approached by Two-Hawks six years ago for lessons in Lakota, but declined to teach him because of his supposed false Native American identity and his refusal to pay.

In his statement Two-Hawks defends himself saying “My full legal name is John Two-Hawks. It is a proud family name that goes back many generations. It is not unheard of in Lakota country.” The Oglala enrolment office which keeps records of all members as far back as 1800 was unable to trace the name Two-Hawks.

The flutist claims to be well known and culturally recognised in Lakota Country. A Yankton Sioux responded to this saying "Sure, he's well known in Lakota country... as a fraud!"

The inaccuracy of his lyrics sparked online discussion which Two-Hawks labelled slander, demanding all posts to be removed.

By Jacob Ovington "
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


However, no official word from Nightwish on this topic...yet.

On a side note, just watched a youtube performance of Creek Mary's Blood with JTH performing....
My review:  Cheezy (with a capital Cheese).  The "Hey yahoo hey yahoo hey yahoo hey" singing takes the Cheese Cake...  ;)

Superdog
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: hornet on March 25, 2013, 11:34:32 pm
I am waiting for some Nightwish reply, too. Might take a while though, that is quite something to chew on.

The name, yes, first of all, it should be the other way around, so it would be "Wolf Shadow" instead of "Shadow Wolf". "Šungmánitu thánka / sungmanitutanka" has to be at the end. This is almost the only example where the Lakota word order is the same as in English, connecting two nouns, and again he messes up.

Hornet
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: Superdog on March 26, 2013, 12:16:43 am
An article reviewing a concert he performed at Pittsburgh State University for Native American Heritage Month.  More than once the author decides to call him a member of the Oglala Nation, but some of John's own words are pretty revealing of some (more) major bs'ing he is doing:

http://www.morningsun.net/news/x35741617/Native-American-flutist-John-Two-Hawks-comes-to-PSU

"In 1890, the United States government banned the use of flutes and other religious items by Native Americans. But facing fines and prison time, some brave natives hid their articles of faith for nearly 100 years, and because of them, men like John Two Hawks are able to continue traditions that are thousands of years old............"

" Standing more than six feet tall and with long, thinning dark hair, Two Hawks casts a striking figure on stage. He started playing the flute more than 20 years ago at festivals, or what he calls his ‘Throw me a bone days.” The U.S. government had passed the Native American Religious Freedom Act on 1978, and he was one of just six people who knew how to play the Native American flute after families began to bring their ancestral instruments out of hiding.

“For many years brave people hid their flutes, and it’s because of them I’m able to stand here today,” Two Hawks said."



WOW....some whoppers there....

While it's true assimilation efforts after 1890 did discourage or ban Native religious practices, it's not true that flutes were in hiding until 1978.  In fact, the library of Congress has several recordings of flute players (Kiowa, Lakota, Osage) date back to around 1940.  There were definitely more than six people and John definitely wasn't one of them.  Another fact, Native music was somewhat of a rage from 1890-1920 in mainstream America as American composers struggled to make the "American sound" and borrowed (or sometimes coopted and rearranged) melodies and musical themes from Native peoples (called the "Indianist movement").  There was no outright ban on flute playing. 

I've also seen him misstate his relevance in regards to Native flute.  In his words, he is one of the ones most responsible for making Native flute famous....apparently Doc Tate Nevaquaya, Kevin Locke, R. Carlos Nakai, Tom Ware and others weren't doing enough...

Another article from the same performance:
http://psucollegio.com/2012/12/if-dreams-had-music/
".....Two-Hawks says his performance is always a combination of constants and the vibe of the stage and the audience. He wears an elaborate arrangement of clothes and jewelry on stage. The centerpiece is a black jacket stitched with the emblem of a leader in the Delaware Nation, a close friend of Two-Hawks, Bill Two-Horses. His jewelry is red and blue, and highlighted by a ring reflecting Two-Hawks’ motto on the good and bad aspects of life. The negative blue is always oriented toward him.
“I’ll take the ‘blue’ day and give the ‘red’ day,” he said. “That is our (Lakota Sioux) custom, our culture, to give of yourself and to make sacrifices......”


His website is now selling "Master classes".... ::)

Superdog

(just a quick p.s.  I noticed the link to the Creek Mary's Blood vid posted earlier wasn't working.  Here's another one that does work...Earthw....prepare yourself first ;):  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjl57sGAtjU   Highlights are the first 50 seconds, 4:07..the "hey yahoo"s, 6:55 the poem he translated so badly.....cheesy dancing throughout...)
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: earthw7 on March 26, 2013, 01:04:19 am
Ok now this is too funny, Flute were never an item use in spirituality of the Lakota
a flute was used for wanting a young woman for courtship and marriage.
The date for outlawing our ways was 1885 of course that did not include flute,
plus there was more than six people just on my reservation who played the flute in the 1960s.
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: loudcrow on March 26, 2013, 02:59:14 am
John Allen Two-Hawks Hill, age 45
Currently lives in Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Also lived in Owosso, MI, Ovid, MI, Corunna, MI
and Hannibal, MO
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: Epiphany on March 26, 2013, 03:17:41 am
John Allen Two-Hawks Hill, age 45
Currently lives in Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Also lived in Owosso, MI, Ovid, MI, Corunna, MI
and Hannibal, MO

Born Sept 25, 1967. Wife is Peggy. If anyone comes across the name of at least one of his parents, please let us know. I've been looking for a family obit that might help, other public records, so far no luck. 
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: Diana on March 26, 2013, 04:19:20 am
John Allen Two-Hawks Hill, age 45
Currently lives in Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Also lived in Owosso, MI, Ovid, MI, Corunna, MI
and Hannibal, MO

Born Sept 25, 1967. Wife is Peggy. If anyone comes across the name of at least one of his parents, please let us know. I've been looking for a family obit that might help, other public records, so far no luck.

Epiphany, I read an another form that John 2 Hawks said his legal name is John 2 Hawks. Maybe he had it legally changed. that may be something to look into.

Diana
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: Epiphany on March 26, 2013, 05:50:02 am
Thanks Diane, yeah that is my thought too, he's had his name legally changed. He is John Two-Hawks in county assessor records, with Margaret Hill, I'm assuming that is his wife Peggy.

Looks like he is John Allen Hill originally. I could email him a "Hey! Who are your people?" but doubt I'd get an honest answer.  Finding name change record would be great, an obit or other leads on parent names would be would very helpful. I'm looking at the public records ancestry.com has too, even with his full birth date not having much success yet.

Quote
John Two-Hawks is a gentle, humble man who credits his late mother and father - who were Lakota and Potawatomi

http://www.johntwohawks.com/theEKit.html (http://www.johntwohawks.com/theEKit.html)

Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: Epiphany on March 26, 2013, 05:36:01 pm
A note on Jim Two-Feathers, he is a different person than John Two-Hawks. They do events together. Will start a separate thread on him.

http://www.rquickphotography.com/Events/The-World-Drum-Comes-to/3763154_xnKqHQ#!i=216564192&k=QvTJhJm&lb=1&s=A (http://www.rquickphotography.com/Events/The-World-Drum-Comes-to/3763154_xnKqHQ#!i=216564192&k=QvTJhJm&lb=1&s=A)
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: Superdog on March 26, 2013, 06:14:43 pm
Couple more vids...this one is the same Creek Mary's Blood performance from Nightwish's End of an Era DVD, but includes John playing one of his own songs (called Stone People) as a prelude to the Creek Mary's Blood performance.....I see where the "Hey yahoo hey"s come from now... ::)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeDHWn0DE_0

And behind the scenes rehearsal and backstage footage.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89fsOMciUy0

Also a few interviews John did (which the Nightwish forums quote in their takedown of John's misunderstanding of basic Lakota syntax and grammar):

http://www.beyondearcandy.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=120
http://www.beyondearcandy.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=119&Itemid=120

Honestly...reading the interview etc...in a way I feel bad for the band.  But then again, when you just do an internet search to find a musician to fill in the concept for your song...you don't really know what you're gonna get...so, it's hard to be too sympathetic.  Ultimately, the band and JTH have gotten years worth of mileage out of this song and performance.  Now, their biggest fans have found out there was a lot of bs they were selling...gotta be embarrassing. 

Superdog
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: Epiphany on March 26, 2013, 11:01:21 pm
Much credit due to Superdog's ongoing research.

John A Hill's paternal great grandparents are all white in census, all of their respective parents listed as white also. If he has heritage on his father's side, it is distant.

So the facts don't match his claims:

Quote
John Two-Hawks is a gentle, humble man who credits his late mother and father - who were Lakota and Potawatomi

His father has passed on, don't know if his mother has. Her birth surname is Gerstenberger.
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: loudcrow on March 26, 2013, 11:51:37 pm
Great work, Epiphany!
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: Epiphany on March 27, 2013, 12:09:14 am
Great work, Epiphany!
Superdog gave me some great behind the scenes clues & leads, we done good. :)

John A Hill's father's obit is here http://miserybay.usanethosting.com/sjindy/archives/obits/000729.shtml (http://miserybay.usanethosting.com/sjindy/archives/obits/000729.shtml) - scroll down for John H Hill. Note the "John A. (Peggy) Hill of Arkansas" included as a surviving child.

Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: Superdog on March 27, 2013, 01:06:23 am
Ok...here's some things I've found out.  Basically, I just took information from JTH's website or from the transcriptions of the interviews I've been reading and checked some of it out.

Honestly, I'd never ever heard of John Two Hawks before he showed up here in this thread.  My first impression of him came from the youtube video of his performance with Nightwish.  Some things stood out even back then.  Appearancewise I felt he was tanned dark (not natural, you can see the tanline at his hairline in several still shots and in the video), his hair appeared flat ironed or treated.  The behavior on stage was another clue...the stoic looks, holding out arms in grand poses...the bad dancing.  And the singing...wow...it's obvious to me he doesn't understand what he's doing when he makes up these "chants" he uses...(Hey yahoo hey anyone?)  What I've found is he's a master of manipulating gray areas of information...saying enough to not necessarily lie, but leaving out details that are definitely misleading. 

John Two Hawks was born John Allen Hill in 1967 and went to high school in Ovid, Michigan.  This is certainly information that can be confirmed.  In several interviews, John stated he was formerly the front man for two metal bands named "Embraced Wisdom" (he joined as a teenager and supposedly toured nationwide and sold out convention centers) and the harder thrash metal band "Kingdom Glory".  What he doesn't say (and what you could guess from the names) is these are Christian rock bands.  Which led me here:

The Argus Press, Owosso, MI (Jan. 14th, 1988) pg 12
http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1988&dat=19880113&id=OF0iAAAAIBAJ&sjid=7akFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1230,921175

Christian Rock at Owosso Baptist Church

"The Christian rock group "Embraced Wisdom" will be performing in concert at Owosso Baptist Church....."
"...Band personnel are:  Ben Sexton of Owosso, drums; John Hill of Ovid, lead vocals......"

 
JTH went to high school at Ovid-Elsie High School as John Hill.  This is another blurb about an upcoming comedy being performed at his school during his junior year:

The Argus Press, Owosso, MI (November 15, 1984) page 8
http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FFwiAAAAIBAJ&sjid=AasFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3026,1326983&dq=john-hill+ovid&hl=en

O-E Juniors to Present Comedy Play

".....The cast includes.....John Hill as Luigi Lanconi......"


And for those that need visual confirmation, here's his high school yearbook picture.  Ovid-Elsie High School class of 1986 yearbook page 7, John Hill (upper right corner of page):

http://clinton.migenweb.net/CCHS/Yearbooks/OV/1986OEHSeniors7.PDF

Notice the curly hair....knew it was straightened... ;)

From there we were able to figure out his relatives, parents, and paternal grand parents and even a little further.  Epiphany has already reported on what we found there.

Superdog


Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: Superdog on March 27, 2013, 03:09:33 pm
Some more I found along the lines of manipulating gray areas.  One of JTH's other projects is folksy bluesy rock band named The Badlanders.  On itunes their CD "of dirt and dreams" is listed as being released on October 23rd, 2008.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/of-dirt-and-dreams/id295275973

Here's the official website:

www.thebadlanders.com

A lot of the regular fluff you'd see from a commercial musician, but (like all JTH websites) very cleanly written to not name him specifically as a Native artist...merely of "Native blood" and music has "Native inspiration".  All in all, a quick glance at the site...nothing wrong really.  It's basically an advertisement get you over to his flute website...but it looked ok.

Until I looked here:
http://www.thebadlanders.com/Shows.html

There's a small line that the musicians are presently in the studio and not on tour, followed up by two huge advertisements for the CD's debut parties:

"The Debut CD Release Concert!
The Official 'of dirt and dreams' CD kickoff!
Get ROCKED and MOVED
at the Nokia Theater
New York, NY
7:30pm
$150 at the door, $120 IN ADVANCE
or Buy Two Show Tickets in advance for only $199.99!
ORDER YOUR ADVANCE SHOW TICKETS ONLINE NOW"

And:

"The 2nd Debut CD Release Concert!
An Official 'of dirt and dreams' CD release Event!
  Get ROCKED and MOVED again
at the Staples Center
Los Angeles, CA
7:30pm
$150 at the door, $120 IN ADVANCE
or Buy Two Show Tickets in advance for only $199.99!
ORDER YOUR ADVANCE SHOW TICKETS ONLINE NOW"


The things that stand out: 
1.  The CD was released in 2008...why are they selling tickets for an event 4 1/2 years old.
2.  Outrageous prices for a concert...any concert...
3.  There is no date listed for either party either on this page or the order page
4.  The locations..."Nokia Theater, NYC" and "Staples Center" in LA....This is JTH...not Jay-z

This is much more than fluff...this is dishonest.  The Nokia Theater in NYC is in Times Square.  The naming rights were bought in 2010 so now it is named The Best Buy Theater, but at the time of the release would've been Nokia.  The info states it seats about 2100, but a search through tour sites and bands associated with Nokia Theater as well as searching for terms associated with The Badlanders or their CD title turned up nothing.  Same thing with Staples Center (which seats more like 20,000).  It's obvious these "debut concerts" are lies...sure looks cool, but they weren't true.  To top it off....they make it look like you can still buy tickets....

https://thebadlanders.com/onlineorderBLtickets.asp

You can enter all of your personal information including credit card info (it says only Visa/Mastercard accepted, but they don't ask which card you are using) and then submit it to them for an event, that even if it did happen, is in the past.  Shady dealings....


Superdog
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: Mahekun on April 03, 2013, 04:27:18 pm
I can't help but add that as a graphic designer, I'm cringing, CRINGING at his album cover.

Some people think having image editing software automatically makes them a designer. It's a 3 year college program for a reason.
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: Sparks on October 03, 2013, 11:00:02 pm
Seems John Two-Hawks has been visiting Scandinavia:

Quote from: https://www.facebook.com/events/557082327690660/
Music and Wisdom with John Two-Hawks
   Gaia Garden in Sweden

JTH comes to Sweden! This will be a special experience featuring healing music and wisdom to feed the soul. Get your tickets here!

The Beautiful World Tour
Gaia Garden
Sweden
4:00pm - 7:00pm [28. September 2013]
TICKETS: $49 USD (300 SEK)

Coming events: https://www.facebook.com/johntwohawks/events
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: Sparks on October 03, 2013, 11:37:54 pm
For Wikipedia, this kind of bio is unusual and quite amazing in its laconic shortness:

Quote from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Two-Hawks#Background_and_early_career
Background and early career
For the authorized biography, click here: http://www.johntwohawks.com/biography.htm

The "authorized biography" is very vague. No Lakota or other NDN claims, only once is "Native heritage" mentioned, no further details.

I have been asked about this artist by Norwegian friends who recommend him, I am so uncertain what kind of response I should give.
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: Epiphany on October 04, 2013, 02:22:22 am
Quote
Visionary John Two-Hawks is a gentle, humble man who credits his late mother and father - who were Lakota and Potawatomi - for teaching him that the most important life lesson is to be kind.  He has also learned throughout his life about the power of respect, honor, humility and wisdom and the importance of perspective.

http://www.johntwohawks.com/press-kit.htm (http://www.johntwohawks.com/press-kit.htm)

His claims of NDN heritage are still on his site. Public records show that his claims are not true.



Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: Autumn on October 04, 2013, 04:08:03 pm
He's pathetic and ridiculous, IMHO.  He seems to be pulling in huge crowds according to his videos, but he's not going to change his role-playing.
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: Epiphany on October 04, 2013, 04:58:16 pm
He's pathetic and ridiculous, IMHO.  He seems to be pulling in huge crowds according to his videos, but he's not going to change his role-playing.

I agree, he's pathetic and ridiculous. He's a white dude playing NDN dress up, lying about his heritage, all for attention and money.
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: Epiphany on October 05, 2013, 11:09:20 pm
JTH's father is John H Hill. John H Hill's parents names are noted in his obit http://miserybay.usanethosting.com/sjindy/archives/obits/000729.shtml (http://miserybay.usanethosting.com/sjindy/archives/obits/000729.shtml)

John H Hill http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=19980313 (http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=19980313)

His father Allen B Hill http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=19980312 (http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=19980312)
His mother Florine Bond http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=15657808 (http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=15657808)

John H. Hill's parents (JTH's grandparents) are both white, born in Michigan, in the 1940 census: https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/K42P-LJC (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/K42P-LJC)

(Interesting side note: Allen B. Hill's (JTH's paternal grandfather) occupation listed on full 1940 census is musician)

Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: AnneLa on June 08, 2014, 05:14:07 pm
I am from the town he used to have a 'Native American' shop in, he used to claim Lakota and Potawatomi heritage but was always vague on quantum percentage. It became quite fishy a few months in... I first knew for sure it was about a living when I noticed he had dropped the Potowatomi claim on his website. I suspect he was a bit delusional, not intentionally misleading originally... As he was shown it could not have been true he should have admitted it and moved on instead of continuing to swindle.

He used to claim to be an ordained Christian minister also, has anyone found more on this?
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: Superdog on July 16, 2014, 06:48:46 pm
He used to claim to be an ordained Christian minister also, has anyone found more on this?

Considering he was the front man for two Christian rock bands, I wouldn't say it's impossible.  But no, I haven't seen any info to confirm that.

Superdog
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: Superdog on November 25, 2016, 06:32:07 pm
Seems John Allen Hill has said "screw it" to the Indian Arts and Crafts Act.  This seems like a pretty clear violation:

http://www.johntwohawks.com/about.html

"John Two-Hawks has earned Grammy® and Emmy nominations, Platinum Album awards, had his signature brand of music featured in Fox Searchlight movies, HBO films and programs by The History Channel.  He is a veteran Native American Flute virtuoso and music visionary who has always set new trends and broken new ground in music genres.  From collaborating on platinum selling music fusion projects which melded Native American flute and vocals with symphonic heavy metal, to contributing his music on Emmy award winning film scores which teamed native flute, voice and percussion with symphony orchestras and choirs, John has always enjoyed exploring the limits of what is possible in music composition and performance.  He has toured the world and performed for audiences as large as 12,000.  A remarkably gifted musician, composer and vocalist, Two-Hawks' signature brand of Native American, World, and New Age Fusion music is known and loved by millions around the world.  John, whose Lakota name is Siyotanka (Big/Great Flute), belongs to the Oglala Lakota community, and it is from this cultural lineage that the soul of all his music is born."

IACA requires truth in advertising.  John used to do a good job of using language that dances around any claims that he's actually Native, however this claim of belonging to the Oglala Lakota community seems to be another in his long list of untruths.  Business must've took a dip after the Nightwish debacle became public knowledge. 

Superdog
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: Schecter on September 29, 2018, 08:48:56 pm
I have the answers to a lot on this subject If anyone is still wondering.
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: Sparks on September 29, 2018, 11:00:57 pm
I have the answers to a lot on this subject If anyone is still wondering.

Yes, I am still wondering, because this guy still has followers and admirers in Scandinavia.
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: Sparks on September 30, 2018, 02:55:55 am
For Wikipedia, this kind of bio is unusual and quite amazing in its laconic shortness:

Quote from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Two-Hawks#Background_and_early_career
Background and early career
For the authorized biography, click here: http://www.johntwohawks.com/biography.htm

The "authorized biography" is very vague. No Lakota or other NDN claims, only once is "Native heritage" mentioned, no further details.

The Wikipedia article http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Two-Hawks does not exist anymore.

The biography page at http://www.johntwohawks.com/biography.htm does not exist anymore.

The latter has probably been replaced by these two pages, from which I quote the following:

Quote from: https://www.johntwohawks.com/about.html
John, whose Lakota name is Siyotanka (Big/Great Flute), is of mixed ancestry but he has never been mixed up about his personal ethnic identity.  He has always been honored to belong to the Oglala Lakota community, to have deep connections with the good people who know him there, and it is from this cultural lineage that the soul of all his music is born.

Quote from: https://www.johntwohawks.com/personal-background.html
John Two-Hawks - Personal Background

John Two-Hawks, Oglala Lakota Native American Flute Player, Musician, Actor, Speaker and Activist


The Journey of John Two-Hawks from humble beginnings to world renown
Early Life.... Names and Identity....
John Two-Hawks is the first-born child of a young, soft spoken father and a spirited teenage mother.  Both John’s mother and father were of mixed heritage, thus imparting Lakota, Anishinabe, Irish and French bloodlines, but it is John's Oglala Lakota blood and culture that has always been his identity.  Like so many American Indian people of mixed ancestry, John is not enrolled, nor did he grow up on the rez, but he is involved and connected to the Oglala Lakota community on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.  John's legal surname, Two-Hawks, goes back several generations to a maternal ancestor, thus it is not the name he was born with, but it is a family name he is honored to carry on.  John's traditional Lakota name is Siyotanka (she-oh-tahn-kah).  It means 'Big/Great Flute', and was given to him by a beloved and respected Oglala Lakota Elder.  This is the name that means the most, and is his true identity as an Oglala Lakota man.  And yet, his journey back to that identity is rife with the familial legacy of confusing, winding and convoluted paths of forced assimilation, hidden heritage, mixed marriages, family secrets and broken homes which are too often the reality of Native people with mixed ancestry.  Paper does not always tell the whole story.  John has spent his entire life learning, and he is humbled and honored to have been welcomed back and shown so much by such wise and knowledgeable Lakota Elders, relatives and friends.  Throughout his youth and up to the present, Two-Hawks quietly listened and learned old songs and traditions, and he holds those lessons closest to his heart.  Invited in 2013 to participate in the Chief Big Foot Memorial Ride, John is humbled to have made that 135 mile journey of spiritual sacrifice on a horse with his Lakota relatives and friends.  Being a Big Foot rider is one of the great honors of his life.  Two-Hawks also stood with his people again at Standing Rock, another great honor.  It was in his mid-twenties that his activism began, as he spoke on Native contemporary and historical culture at universities and schools, working to educate students, breaking stereotypes and correcting misinformation about First Nations people.  John spoke publicly about the 'Indian mascot' issue, and sat on community discussion panels with other prominent Native leaders at public schools to address it.  The National Coalition on Racism in Sports and Media even wrote a letter in the 1990s commending him for his work on that issue.  Two-Hawks continues that work to this day.  In the end, John is just who he is - the sum of all his parts and experiences... nothing more, nothing less.

Two-Hawks' parents were both lovers of music, and encouraged him very early in his life to explore his musical gifts.  He began playing the guitar and singing at age 5.  Both of John’s grandfathers were remarkable musicians who played literally dozens of different kinds of instruments, so he comes by his musical talents naturally.

Is this a different self-description than earlier?
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: educatedindian on September 30, 2018, 12:36:25 pm
Hill is doing a lot less ceremony selling than before. But he is still selling a "medicine retreat" on his homepage.

Found this page.

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http://www.wikiwand.com/en/Once_(Nightwish_album);
Controversy
On 5 January 2013, a member of the Nightwish forum discovered the alleged Lakota language spoken in the song "Creek Mary's Blood" is not actually Lakota, only spoken gibberish, and stated that John Two-Hawks is a fraud.[37] There are other claims that John Two-Hawks broke the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990 truth in advertising law by "advertising his music as Native American, and himself as a Native American artisan." John Two-Hawks denied these claims and said that the poem spoken in Creek Mary's Blood has a lot of errors, even though he had a "fluent friend" check to see if the poem has no errors. John Two-Hawks also said that he is Native American though he is not in any Native American tribe.[38] The Nightwish forum member went on to post a correct translation of the spoken poem in "Creek Mary's Blood".[38]

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Also his IMDB admits he's not Native. These are usually closely monitored and controlled by the person or their management.

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1234690/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm
Birth Name   John Allen Hill
Height   6' 4" (1.93 m)
Mini Bio (1)
John Two-Hawks is a Grammy and Emmy nominated recording artist whose music has been featured in movies by Fox Searchlight, HBO, and The History Channel. He plays multiple instruments, but is best known for performing and recording Native American-style Flute Music (though he is not Native American himself). His music was featured in the HBO movie, 'Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee.'
....- IMDb Mini Biography By: Factchecker
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: Sparks on September 30, 2018, 01:11:32 pm
Quote from: https://www.johntwohawks.com/personal-background.html
John Two-Hawks - Personal Background

John Two-Hawks, Oglala Lakota Native American Flute Player, Musician, Actor, Speaker and Activist

That second line I cannot see directly on the page I linked to. But when I copied and pasted the whole page to edit for an excerpt, it came up as shown in my quote.

I think this is meant to be ambiguous. I guess most people will remember it as a fact that John Two-Hawks is an Oglala Lakota Native American. But if confronted he may say something like: "No, I didn't claim that. I just said I am a player of the "Oglala Lakota Native American Flute"?
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two-Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: Sparks on September 30, 2018, 01:27:48 pm
John Two-Hawks has a blog which, it seems, has not been mentioned before in this thread:

https://www.johntwohawks.com/blog — containing several claims of being Lakota, e.g.:

"… our Lakota community …"; "In our Lakota way …", "… the future of our Lakota diet …".
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: Schecter on August 28, 2019, 08:50:31 pm
Ok, what unanswered questions do you have about John? I may have what your looking for.
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: RedRightHand on August 28, 2019, 09:34:48 pm
I don't recall if any of us have posted this, but one of the things Hill / Two Frauds does to try to get an "in" with Natives (and those who innocently want to support Native efforts) is he goes to Native events that are open to the public and films them. He then makes high-quality videos of these events, and misrepresents them as "Native videos".

Then he posts the videos on Facebook, maybe on YouTube and Vimeo, too. They are posted under his fraud name, or other Native-sounding project names. They get shared. As they are passed around by both nons and Natives who want footage of themselves and their friends, people unwittingly follow him on social media. This makes people consciously or unconsciously assume he is either Native, or accepted by Natives, when really all he did was post a video.

Then he uses these contacts to promote himself.

It's all part of the scam. He's still a non-Native exploiter, using any contact with Natives to make money off his misrepresentations of Native cultures.
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: Sparks on August 28, 2019, 10:43:07 pm
The quoted 'Controversy' part has been completely removed from that page:

http://www.wikiwand.com/en/Once_(Nightwish_album) (http://www.wikiwand.com/en/Once_(Nightwish_album))

Controversy
On 5 January 2013, a member of the Nightwish forum discovered the alleged Lakota language spoken in the song "Creek Mary's Blood" is not actually Lakota, only spoken gibberish, and stated that John Two-Hawks is a fraud.[37] There are other claims that John Two-Hawks broke the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990 truth in advertising law by "advertising his music as Native American, and himself as a Native American artisan." John Two-Hawks denied these claims and said that the poem spoken in Creek Mary's Blood has a lot of errors, even though he had a "fluent friend" check to see if the poem has no errors. John Two-Hawks also said that he is Native American though he is not in any Native American tribe.[38] The Nightwish forum member went on to post a correct translation of the spoken poem in "Creek Mary's Blood".[38]

I found the same version here, although without references to footnotes:

https://alchetron.com/Once-(Nightwish-album) (https://alchetron.com/Once-(Nightwish-album))

Quote
Controversy
On 5 January 2013, a member of the Nightwish forum discovered the Lakota language spoken in the song Creek Mary's Blood is not the real language, only spoken gibberish, and even made claims that John Two-Hawks is a fraud. There are other claims that John Two-Hawks broke the Indian Arts Act of 1990 law by "advertising his music as Native American, and himself as a Native American artisan." John Two-Hawks denied these claims and said that the poem spoken in Creek Mary's Blood has a lot of errors, even though he had a "fluent friend" check to see if the poem has no errors. John Two-Hawks also said that he is Native American though he is not in any Indian tribe. The Nightwish forum member even posts the real translation of the spoken poem in Creek Mary's Blood.
Title: Re: John Allen Hill / John Two Hawks / John Twohawks
Post by: Diana on December 31, 2021, 07:33:26 pm
Here's a prime example of this John Allen Hill insinuating himself in the Big foot memorial ride. It looks like he even pretends to have actual family there with the captions of his pictures. This is absolutely appalling.


https://m.facebook.com/johntwohawks



I don't recall if any of us have posted this, but one of the things Hill / Two Frauds does to try to get an "in" with Natives (and those who innocently want to support Native efforts) is he goes to Native events that are open to the public and films them. He then makes high-quality videos of these events, and misrepresents them as "Native videos".

Then he posts the videos on Facebook, maybe on YouTube and Vimeo, too. They are posted under his fraud name, or other Native-sounding project names. They get shared. As they are passed around by both nons and Natives who want footage of themselves and their friends, people unwittingly follow him on social media. This makes people consciously or unconsciously assume he is either Native, or accepted by Natives, when really all he did was post a video.

Then he uses these contacts to promote himself.

It's all part of the scam. He's still a non-Native exploiter, using any contact with Natives to make money off his misrepresentations of Native cultures.