About Valerie

Alpha Version

~v la fh~

Chn Segwet (Who I am)

I was born into the Coeur d'Alene Tribe from my mum's side. I'm also a descendant and have strong ties to the Okanagan Band in Vernon, BC from my dad's side.

I grew up on the Coeur d'Alene Reservation and have 5 brothers and 3 sisters. Once upon a time when I was in high school I left the rez and went to Chemawa Indian School. Being one of the new girls in school, I was immediately assigned to kitchen detail. It was then when I met a certain Lakota from the Sicangu Oyate of South Dakota. He and his twin were making their way through the dinner line when I slammed mashed potatoes in their plates. Earlier that evening my room mate told me they were "saying things" about me. Needless to say, I didn't really feel like being nice when I met them. We eventually worked things out and spent our high school years sometimes as friends and sometimes as more. After high school our paths crossed again. We eventually got married and were fortunate enough to have 3 handsome sons. Although we grew up together, after 22 years it turned out that we both had different paths to take. I won't say it was an easy thing to go through - major life changes never are - but I will say we had a good life together for the most part and in looking back I have no regrets. He is now back home with his people, and I am here with mine. We both remain committed to raising our sons the best way we can without the usual bitterness that drenches a break up.

What I do when I'm not waiting tables

Ok, I don't really wait tables, but I do hold a steady job. Career-wise, I've actually done a lot of things. Right now I have a high interest in computers and information technology. I have a technical degree from North Idaho College and I am a Microsoft Certified Professional. I'm the Director of Information Techonology (IT) for my tribe, and I have 15 of the geekiest nerds work for me. Well, maybe they are not the geekiest, but each one is pretty damn smart. Together we use our collective knowledge to move the tribe forward in technology to improve the way tribal people conduct business. Our specific focus is in the arena of networking, telecommunications, GIS, wireless technology, and bringing broadband to the rez.

Oh yeah, I guess I should mention that in a past life I was elected to serve on the Tribal Council and served my people for one term of three years. It was a very rewarding experience, and I think every tribal member should serve their people at least once in that capacity. If I were king, it would be mandatory.

Hobbies

One of my favorite hobbies is Web Programming. I learned how to program without the use of HTML editors, and usually do my programming using pure HTML & Notepad. However, in the interest of time I do cheat occasionally and resort to commercial HTML editors.

Other interests: I love music, at least most of it except country and oldies.... I really have to question anyone who deliberately listens to this cry baby crap. My choices are usually rap, hip hop, or anything energetic. As far as movies go, I can watch Lord of the Rings over and over. I bought the complete set so I can have a LOTR marathon where I can watch all three movies OVER and OVER until everyone hates me....ahahahahahhaha.....

And then when I get tired of that, there is always the Silmarillion... I can stay engaged for days in these epic tales of irony, fate, love, tragedy.... very awesome book. It is much deeper than LOTR and not for everyone, so you must be a serious JRR Tolkien fan to take it to this level.

Other things I do to unwind: Beginning in the Spring, and all Summer long I attempt to make the world more beautiful by planting flowers & trees, but living on the rez doesn't exactly lend itself to this effort. However, I think my neighbors will testify that I do try. I also go to Pow wows & cultural gatherings; occasional football games (high school), local professional boxing matches; and thanks to my kids, I'm forced to watch hours on endless hours of cartoons. I can't really get into the Fairly Odd Parents or South Park, but I love Johnny Bravo and Cartoon Network Adult Swim. That has to be some funny shit!

Chn twe. . . (Where My Moccasins Have Taken Me)

*Patriotic & nomadic by nature, I served this country for 10 years in the US Army and Army Reserve. While in the military, I served at the following duty stations:

Ft. Lewis, WA - I was assigned to the Headquarters Battery of the 1st Battalion, 52nd Air Defense Artillery at North Fort... This was one of my favorite units. Our mission was to shoot shit out of the sky.... with our big ole missiles. Our motto: "If it flies, it dies." One of my trips to South Korea was with this unit. We were there for Team Spirit (a huge military exercise). The worst part of the exercise? Setting up camp on smelly rice paddy's... The best part? Shopping! The Koreans have the best embroidery, mink blankets, eel skin bags, and genuine imitation copies of any item you would want....If you go to Korea and don't go shopping, you're wrong! I also went to Yellow Stone with this unit. We helped save Yogi Bear when Yellow Stone was burning down. Fighting wild fires is physically demanding, but we were in good shape before we left. Our fitness routine included the usual push-ups, sit-ups, and running 2 miles a day. But we also had to run at least 5 miles every Friday, plus we went on 12-mile road marches with 40 lb ruck sacks once a week.

Giessen, Germany - My assignment in Germany was not all that glamorous... I worked in a Postal Unit... sorting mail... loading trucks.... sorting mail.... loading trucks... (yawn). A far cry from shooting shit out of the sky. I began hating Valentines Day and other holidays when people sent mass amounts of cards. Lucky thing for me this assignment only lasted 9 months. My poor brain probably would have shriveled up from doing such mindless work. I tried working different parts of the post office: the certified room, the registered room, canceling stamps.. boring! Every bit of it..... Not long after I got there "the Wall" came down. That was a trip - all those east Germans driving around in their little itty bitty 2 cylinder cars loaded with their entire households. The things I loved about Germany: being able to afford my own BMW, driving as fast as I wanted on the autobahn, castles, bratwurst, and pomme frittes mit gravy!

Dhahran, Saudi Arabia - This was another one of my favorite assignments. I worked in the Information Management Division with the "General Staff." High echelon shit. This was during Desert Storm. This assignment left a lasting impression with me about the possibilities with Information Technology. For some reason I had my own vehicle when I was there (a Mitsubishi Pajero). This gave me lots of mobility in my off time, so of course I had to try to see as much as I could while I was there, and meet as many people as possible. I know it wasn't supposed to be a social event, but I just couldn't help myself.....Sometimes I think being born to the rez has dulled my senses to impending danger. Anyway, I was able to scan some of the more social pictures from there if you want to take a look...

I also went to Korea with another unit for another exercise, and have traveled to lots of states for training purposes. When they say "The Army is not just a job, it's a trip," they mean it.

*Patriotic in a Native sense: devoted to defend the homeland of my ancestors.

Outside Al-Kobar shopping center... Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. Even during war time I find a way to go shopping (go figure)

You can't trust freedom when it's not in your hands

When everybody's fightin'

for their promised land...

Civil War
Guns n' Roses

website by v la fh, Š2000

This site updated ~~daily~~ ~~frequently~~ ~~sporadically~~ on Indian Time.

Free Hit Counter