NAFPS Forum

Something odd about this person and the things he does.
https://www.facebook.com/martin.v.knifechief/photos_all
IDK what to think. I know people who've spoken with him and the the word "vague" came to mind when they queried him about his tribe and such.

He looks to be an active hobbyist / reenactor / collector. In one FB image caption he says the photos seen on a wall are " some Indian relatives photos". He describes his artwork as "native 'folk art' from our plains" and "some sacred symbols of our people". He says his drum art designs come from his "medicine power" visions. He really does need to clearly answer questions about his heritage and tribal affiliation http://www.iacb.doi.gov/act.html

He claims Lakota in his actor bio http://oldwestactors.com/biomknifechief.html

Name is Martin Versteeg https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:29CT-V31
http://www.peekyou.com/martin_knifechief-ver%20steeg/81930438

I ran across him one day and the red flags all went off. I looked into him and saw everything you list pretty much, and the audacity to do things with buffalo skulls in front of non-Indigenous people was the final alert. I knew he was either selling ceremony (anyone who'll do things like that, even fake, are basically advertising) or a faker trying to establish himself. he even has actual Natives dancing in his weird shows.

He claims "relocation family from rez to city 1950s" https://www.pinterest.com/knifechief/ - he was born in 1956 in L.A. - so this claim would be about his parents, maybe grandparents, I'll see what I can find records wise.
His parents' surnames are VerSteeg/ Versteeg and Bahmeier.

His mother and both her parents were born in Colorado https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VR66-3F9

His father and both his father's parents born in Iowa https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K9WG-F7Bhttps://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V46Q-WT1

Martin's birth info
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V2YL-QGH
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJWK-NFL5 https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:29CT-V31

Martin's parents
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VPTV-XYH

If these records are wrong, Martin can easily show us the correct ones. He should be answering all questions completely since he is selling "native" artwork, ceremony, supposed knowledge, and his own persona.

Yuck - http://m.lajuntatribunedemocrat.com/article/20150619/NEWS/150619841

Correction on those mangled links for his father:

https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V46Q-WT1

https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K9WG-F7B

The trade name "Art by Knife Chief" owned by  Martin Versteeg and his wife Gale Beckman in Colorado

https://www.sos.state.co.us/biz/TradeNameSummary.do?quitButtonDestination=BusinessEntityResults&nameTyp=TRDNM&entityId2=14481125030&srchTyp=TRDNM&fileId=20071563084&masterFileId=14481125030

Interesting. There are two ages listed for him on one... And no mention of Teton/Oglala on any of his records, except for what he's claimed. So, my main concern would be if he is not, then he's fraudulently selling items as Native-made, and it's possible he's unlawfully in possession of eagle feathers, etc. Unless he's bought a tribal allowance/permission of some type. I will get someone I know who has Oglala relatives to ask about him.

Piff, again, you totally rock. I've learned some better record sites for research from you all here. Brutal efficiency comes to mind.

Did a quick looksee on his mother and it dead ends with GG grandparents on both sides, Germany and England. So, we know there's no Native blood from that side of the family.

 
Diana

Quote from: Piff on September 14, 2015, 11:05:20 PM
He claims "relocation family from rez to city 1950s" https://www.pinterest.com/knifechief/ - he was born in 1956 in L.A. - so this claim would be about his parents, maybe grandparents, I'll see what I can find records wise.
His parents' surnames are VerSteeg/ Versteeg and Bahmeier.

Looked at his dad's side of the family so far GG grandparents on dad's side from Hollland and on GG grandmother Holland and Iowa. So, I'm going to go out on a limb and say Martin Versteeg aka Martin Knifechief is not Indian.


Lim lemtsh,

Diana

Quote from: Diana on September 15, 2015, 03:35:22 AM
Did a quick looksee on his mother and it dead ends with GG grandparents on both sides, Germany and England. So, we know there's no Native blood from that side of the family.

 
Diana

Quote from: Piff on September 14, 2015, 11:05:20 PM
He claims "relocation family from rez to city 1950s" https://www.pinterest.com/knifechief/ - he was born in 1956 in L.A. - so this claim would be about his parents, maybe grandparents, I'll see what I can find records wise.
His parents' surnames are VerSteeg/ Versteeg and Bahmeier.

I agree with Diana on the genealogy. And we've researched well back earlier than his claim of direct family moving from rez in the 1950s.

His full name is Martin Eric Versteeg.

Quote from: AClockworkWhite on September 15, 2015, 03:07:13 AM
Interesting. There are two ages listed for him on one... And no mention of Teton/Oglala on any of his records, except for what he's claimed. So, my main concern would be if he is not, then he's fraudulently selling items as Native-made, and it's possible he's unlawfully in possession of eagle feathers, etc. Unless he's bought a tribal allowance/permission of some type. I will get someone I know who has Oglala relatives to ask about him.

Piff, again, you totally rock. I've learned some better record sites for research from you all here. Brutal efficiency comes to mind.

If you have seen that online or in pereson, maybe someone could call who ever deals with this kind of fraud. My husband contacted the FBI about a white guy selling "authentic" Native art. The artist, who never even claimed he was anything but white, and claimed his art was "more authentic" than any NDNs at the art show they were  at, was made to stop his claims or face prosecution.