The Black Native American Association (BNAA) is an integral part of urban and rural Native American Communities as well as active in many different activities in the Black Community. In terms of Native American involvement we are a member of the Bay Area American Indian Representatives (BAAIR). We participate on various committees such as the Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration and Powwow in Berkeley, California, which replaces the exclusive and insulting Columbus Day. Additionally, we participate and support the International Indian Treaty Council's United Nation's activities for Non Governmental Organizations and the Bay Area's Intertribal Friendship House.

"To Recognize, Stand, and Represent Our African and Native American Ancestors by Celebrating and Supporting the Development of the Black Native American Community and All of Our Relations."

The BNAA developed to its current state after the founders came together at the 1992 annual Silver Star Pow Wow held in Oakland, California, sponsored by the American Indian Film Institute. Although our association was founded in the Oakland-San Francisco Bay Area our intertribal membership includes indigenous peoples from all over the world. We intentionally honor ALL our ancestors. Our Association is an integral part of urban and rural Native American Communities as well as active in many different activities in the Black Community. In terms of Native American involvement we are a member of the Bay Area American Indian Representatives (BAIR). We participate on various committees such as the Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration and Pow Wow in Berkeley, California, which replaces the exclusive and insulting Columbus Day. Additionally, we participate and support the International Indian Treaty Council's United Nation's activities for Non-Governmental Organizations and the Bay Area's Intertribal Friendship House. Each Founder and general member is known for own unique contributions: conscientiously participating in Gourd Dancing, providing services to the low income elderly, building affordable housing stock for low income people(s), providing education to young people, and working to provide higher education for all. One of our founders also participated in the 1995 United Nations World Conference for Women in China where we were able to further interact with indigenous peoples from all over the world. On another occasion the organization participated in the International Multicultural Celebration of the United Nations' 60th Anniversary, presented by United Nations Association-USA, East Bay Chapter, on October 23, 2005 at Jack London Square, Oakland, California. Don Little Cloud was given the honor to perform a Cleansing Ritual in blessing the Circle before the Nations from all over the world enter the grounds carrying their flags. The BNAA Dancers performing Intertribal dancing during the celebration.

One of our members, Billy Trice, Jr, Black Cherokee, is a member of the East Bay Chapter of the United Nations and a strong advocate for indigenous peoples' rights in California.

Some of our BNAA meetings included work sessions to assist persons in completing their traditional regalia honoring all their ancestors, to wear in ceremony and at pow wows. Members also share knowledge and provide traditional instruction in beadwork, carving, weaving, leatherwork, metal-smiting, painting, dancing, songs and drumming. We honor all indigenous music across the world, in a large part that of African and Native American culture. Additionally, we assist those who suffer or struggle with cultural and racial identity issues.

More importantly, some of our members conduct sweat lodge ceremony, Coming of Age, spiritual gatherings for both women, men and youth. We are a very visible and viable part of the Bay Area Native American Community. We were honored when the California State University, Hayward's Hilltop Pow Wow Committee choose Lynn Marie Embry-Nimmer (Black & Tslagi) as the 1995 Head Girl /Young Woman Dancer at the age of fifteen. She was the first Black Native American in the Bay Area to be chosen as a Head Dancer. In 1977 Don 'Little Cloud' Davenport was chosen Head Man Dancer for the Hilltop Pow Wow as well. In 2000 Don Littlecloud was Head Man Dancer for the San Francisco State University Pow wow and Zenobia Embrey-Nimmer was Head Women Dancer at the Mantica Pow wow. We have been invited to participate as dancers at the African Market Place in Los Angeles as part of the Alliance of Native Americans of Southern California's pow wow during the event. Some of our youth have participated in pow wows becoming part of Head Staff as Head Dancers in a variety of categories according to dance styles. We will forever cherish this honor.

The BNAA won a "Special Recognition Award" at the 1994 Annual Black Cowboy Parade in Oakland, California and performed traditional intertribal dances during a Black History Month celebration. We were among the presenters at the La Pena Cultural Center benefit for the Indigenous Peoples Day Pow Wow in 1995. As part of Black History Month the BNAA participated in an Indigenous Peoples presentation that focused on Black Indians at the Oakland Museum in February of 1996. Our group marched in the City of Oakland's Holiday Parade and received rave reviews and television coverage. During Black History Month, February, 2008, at the Oakland Museum of California, the BNAA participated in "The Afro-Caribbean and Black Native American Presence in California " at the James Moore Theatre. The event was held in conjunction with the exhibition "Trading Traditions: New Cultures". Lonny Shavelson, co-curator/photographer lea a discussion along with Don "Little Cloud" Davenport representing the Black Native American Association, with dancing exhibition by BNAA members. We have marched in Veterans' Day parades in the San Francisco Bay Area, representing the Native American and African American warriors. From October 12 through November 18, 1996, we were included in an exhibit titled "Native Americans: What Are We Doing Today" at the Oakland Public Library. In November 2006, BNAA was featured as part of Black Heritage month at the Oakland Public Library, with members lecturing on Black Indians. We have been featured twice in the Oakland Tribune Newspaper, first as " Black Native Americans Learn 'Hidden' heritage," secondly (in October 12, l998) entitled " Common Ground." We also co-sponsored the music group, Ulalli, to perform at the New Upper Room in Oakland, California. We've been included in literary anthologies such as "The Native American Experience" and "Black Indians. A Pictorial Essay of a Secret Heritage;" in a film documentary by Maligned Maynard entitled "Real Indians" shown at the 21st American Indian Film Festival, and in a video film, "Re-Memories" currently under production by Suresha Hill of Novato, California.

Some of our members are featured in several books:

  • Valena Dismukes (Photojournalist), Red & Black Connections.
  • Lonny Shavelson, Trading Traditions.
  • David Arv Bragi, Invisible Indians

    Recently we were highlighted in a video documentary "Black Indians, an American Story," by Riche-Heape Films,Inc. narrated by the actor James Earl Jones, a Cherokee. Two of our founders, Bonita Roxie Aleja Sizemore and Don Little Cloud, were recipients of the National Bojack Humanitarian and Lifetime Achievement Award at the Southern California Motion Picture Council's Award Ceremony in Studio City, California. Don Little Cloud was also honored with the Eagle Emmy Award by the National Native American Honorary Society.

    We have also lectured at various colleges in Northern California, including:

  • Holy Names, Oakland, CA: "Native American Spirituality".
  • Solano Community College, March 27, 1999 : Booker T. Washington Day.
  • Marin Community College, April 14, 1999: "Crossing over into the new millennium - bridging our cultural diversity."
  • Berkeley City Community College, 2006
  • San Francisco State University Native American Student Union. 2006.
  • City College of San Francisco, 2007.
  • University of California Berkeley, 2008.

    On March 17-19, 1999, three artists from our group: Queen T'hisha, Thomas Phinnesses and Micah Fitzpatrick had art works featured at the " YOU & ME" Multi Cultural & Multi Ethnic Art Exposition held in U-C Berkeley's Martin Luther King Building's Tan & Oak Room. The event was sponsored by Doug Howerton , Artistic Director, I - Pride Representative. In October 1998 we enlisted Radmilla Cody, Miss Navaho Nation'97-'98, to serve as Head Woman Dancer at the Berkeley, California, Indigenous Peoples' Day Celebration. In April 2000 Don Little Cloud and Radmilla Cody were invited to speak on "Living and Negotiating Multiple Identity" at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, sponsored by the African-American and Native American Student Union's; RED & BLACK: "Eating out of the same pot" symposium.

    In August 19, 2007, Harry Jordan, Cherokee, and Don Little Cloud Davenport were invited to participate in the National Story Corps Initiatives to ensure that the voices, experiences, and life stories of African Americans preserved and presented with dignity. Their interviews were recorded as part of the Griot Initiative and achieved at the Smithsonian's National Museum of African History & Culture (NMAAHC) in addition to the American Folk life Center at the Library of Congress. Both Don and Harry spoke on living dual identity. Harry Jordan is a role model for other Black Indian Fathers in the positive way that he nurtured his young son and others of the Seventh Generation.

    Members of our group have been adopted as extended family members in some of the families in the Native Community. One of our members, Stephanie Lindsey, from the Blackfoot and Powhatan tribes, served on Friendship House Board as Secretary. She also served as the House Manager for the Intertribal Friendship House will over 9 years of dedicated service. Our membership has grown from original five hundred listed on the BNAA membership list to well over two thousand. The time has come. A small example of the importance of groups like this may be best described by an eleven year old Black Native American girl who lives in a foster home. After her foster mother brought her to the Mills College Pow Wow where she interacted with us and the youth in our group she exclaimed, "Now I don't have to dance alone anymore." We were and are humbled by her remark which validates the importance of us fulfilling our responsibilities as the Seventh Generation-for all of our relations…

    We are a very visible and viable part of the Bay Area Native American Community. We were extremely honored when the California State University, Hayward's Hilltop Powwow Committee choose Lynn Marie Embry-Nimmer (Black & Tslagi) as the 1995 Head Girl/Young Woman Dancer at the age of fifteen. She was the first Black Native American in the Bay Area to be chosen as a Head Dancer. Additionally, in 1977, Don 'Little Cloud' Davenport was chosen Headman Dancer for the Hilltop Powwow as well. We will forever cherish this honor.

    The BNAA won a " Special Recognition Award" at the 1994 Annual Black Cowboy Parade in Oakland, CA and performed traditional intertribal dances during a Black History Month celebration. We were among the presenters at the La Pena Cultural Center benefit for the Indigenous Peoples Day Pow Wow in 1995 and participated in an Indigenous Peoples presentation at the Oakland Museum in February of 1996.

    From October 12 through November 18, 1996 we were included in an exhibit titled "Native Americans: What Are We Doing Today" at the Oakland Public Library.

    We have been featured twice in the Oakland Tribune Newspaper, first as " Black Native Americans Learn 'Hidden' heritage," secondly (in October 12, l998) entitled " Common Ground." We also co-sponsored the music group, Ulalli, to perform at the New Upper Room in Oakland, CA.

    We've been included in literary anthologies such as "The Native American Experience" and "Black Indians: A Pictorial Essay of a Secret Heritage" in a film documentary by Maligned Maynord entitled "Real Indians" shown at the 21st American Indian Film Festival, and in a video film, "Re-Memories" currently under production by Suresha Hill of Novato, CA.

    Two of our founders, Bonita Roxie Aleja Sizemore and Don Little Cloud, were recipients of the National Bojack Humanitarian and Lifetime Achievement Award at the Southern California Motion Picture Council's Award Ceremony, Studio City, CA.

    Additionally, on February 28 1999 Zenobia Emery-Nimmer, Bonita Roxie Aleja Sizemore and Don Little Cloud, received the Bo Jack Hollywood and the Stars award for their outstanding contributions as inspirational leaders and role models for both Native and non-Native Americans, given in the memory of Buddy Joe.

    We have also participated at various colleges including: · Holy Names, Oakland, CA: Native American Spirituality · Solano Community College, March 27, 1999 : Booker T. Washington Day · Marin Community College, April 14, 1999: "crossing over into the new millennium - bridging our cultural diversity "

    On March 17-19, 1999, three artist from our group: Queen T'hisha, Thomas Phinnesses and Micah Fitzpatrick art works were featured at the " YOU & ME" Multi Cultural & Multi Ethnic Art Exposition which was held a U-C Berkeley's Martin Luther King Building's Tan & Oak Room. The event was sponsored by Doug Howerton , Artistic Director, I - Pride Representative.

    In October 1998 we enlisted Radmilla Cody, Miss Navajo Nation'97-'98, to serve as Head Woman Dancer at the Berkeley, California, Indigenous Peoples' Day Celebration.

    An eleven-year-old Black Native American girl who lives in a foster home may best provide a small example of the importance of groups like this. After her foster mother brought her to a Pow Wow, where she interacted with us and the youth in our group, she exclaimed, "Now I don't have to dance alone anymore." We were and are humbled by her remark which validates the importance of us fulfilling our responsibilities as the Seventh Generation-for all of our relations.