Many people think that America does not have its own traditions and culture because it has a very short history which has rapidly changed. Those who are familiar with the theory of traditions know that this statement is false. The theory suggests that any culture practiced for at least 100 years or for three generations is activity which is historically significant and valuable for that country. Therefore, America has traditions, since this country has developed over a span of 400 years. 

The importance of maintaining this culture is why I have created the American Intangible Cultural Heritage, a registered non-profit organization (Illinois Secretary of State File # 6667-292-1). Its goal is to find historically significant events and activities, document them, and educate others about them through reenactments and activities, thereby preserving them for the next generation. I have always been very interested in the transmission of history and culture. At the UN, UNESCO exists to ensure international cooperation in the development of laws and resources for the preservation of designated sites.

As the American Delegate to the World Martial Arts Union, I have wanted each year to promote uniquely American performing arts and martial arts in their exhibition, development, and relevance to the world community. In 2010, I formed the American Intangible Cultural Heritage as a State of Illinois non-profit organization.

​For the last 4 years, I have held gatherings at my home to accomplish this goal – by inviting several local and a few regional or national performers of American arts, inviting special guest performers from Korean and other international communities, inviting as many people as possible to watch and participate, and teach them American martial arts through a festival of games (tomahawk throwing, atlatl launching, American-style horseback riding).

I look forward to furthering this mission especially by understanding and researching the Korean method for registering and preserving its cultural treasures and through training and supporting performers to attend WoMAU events.
  • The Soldier Canyon organization was created to help those in need of cultural preservation. Our native heritage is losing its language, identity and way of life. We are here to offer what assistance we can provide.  Our main focus is on the younger generations and helping them to cope in today's fast-paced technological world.  We provide ways to help them find their own identity and uniqueness as a native people.  Providing native skills such as traditional dancing and native weapons skills such as Tomahawk throwing, Knife throwing, and atlatla. Generating interest in their ancestral ways, helping them keep in touch with their past, and developing physical and mental decision making skills.
  • Soldier Canyon has provided many overseas trips for youth to attend the martial arts festival in Chungju City, South Korea.  Only a few have accepted the challenge and attended the festival.  They immensely enjoyed the experience, which they will carry with them for a lifetime.  Others will be recruited in the near future to witness this grand affair.
  • Soldier Canyon teaches and puts on demonstrations for youth in weapon throwing.  Safety and self-confidence is stressed to each participant.  We have taken them out and gathered targets from pine trees, made supports to hold up the targets, sharpened the “hawks” and knives, and many participants have left with a deep respect for their ancestral ways.
  • Soldier Canyon realizes the importance of the Jicarilla Apache language.  It is being lost and few are retaining the language.  We volunteer our time twice a year to teach beginning through advanced Jicarilla language classes. A movement is present among the youth to retain their language.  It is a long-term mission, but with great people helping, it will not fade away quickly.
  • Soldier Canyon has helped those wanting to learn how to make their own dance  and ceremonial clothing, how to identify plants in the wild and in each season, and how to hunt and fish. We have gone out and killed animals and taught how to skin the animals and which parts to eat and preserve.  Skinning, and tanning the hides for rawhide and leather.