A conversation with author/historian, Bethany Dillon

About the Author: My name is Bethany Dillon, author of War-Torn: A Look at Warfare

in North America Before European Influence. I have written this book to honor my good friend

and teacher Danny J.. Hoskins as well as all of my friends, teachers and guides who have been a

blessing to my life of 23 years. While I am part Lakota Sioux and have spent some years sharing

a home, and way of life among some of the most amazing people of the Navajo nation, it wasn’t

until I met Danny J. Hoskins I started to delve into Native American history, culture, dance,

games and warfare in depth and started looking into my own culture more thoroughly. He was

my first teacher in Martial Arts and teaches Native American Warrior Arts here in the U.S, a

very effective martial arts system he leads where he has taught me about the weapons, warfare,

wrestling, games, hunting, dance, and history of the indigenous people of North-Central and

South America. While I love training Native American Warrior Arts, I do love all forms of

martial arts and have since meeting him began exploring a number of different Martial

disciplines and began working with a number of talented martial artists. Aside from martial arts I

enjoy historical research, studying law, learning languages, writing, the outdoors, doing

volunteer work and target practicing with my 9mm pistol and shotgun. My goal is to continue

being a historical researcher and writer but also pursue a lifestyle of helping victims of crime as a

victims advocate, counselor, and paralegal. I have many more books I hope to have out in the

future and am thankful for every day I get to spend doing what I love.

First, thanks for talking with me. Second, your book War-Torn: A Look at

Warfare in North American Before European Influence, a fascinating topic, what got you

interested in this area?

You’re welcome. It is an honor to shed light on this topic and I am delighted to answer

any questions you have. What got me interested was a number of things. First was having spent

my early childhood among the Navajo people for the majority of my early life and having

participated in their ceremonies, dances and culture. Experiences which I shall never forget and

am most grateful for. The second was my Sioux lineage on my father’s side and having met

Master Danny. J Hoskins who is a leading expert on the subject of Native American Warfare. I

have known him for a number of years and he has encouraged me to research all aspects of

Native American life. While researching I noticed a lack of knowledge on the subject of Native

American Warfare. Particularly warfare before first contact. Everything available to the public

on the subject is often exaggerated, biased and stereotypical. Methods of war used after the

emergence of white settlers have been assumed to be methods that have always been used, and

historical accounts by often racist white explorers, soldiers etc have formed the basis of our

understanding of warfare in modern day America. Historical artifacts, oral histories, regalia,

artwork, and even pottery have left clues as to the way warfare was originally practiced among

the Native Americans, long before whites have left their impressions, opinions and beliefs.

Another aspect that got me interested on this topic was my Grandfather who had

lived his whole life facing discrimination because of his race and due to this fell into depression,

poverty and despair. He felt inferior and defeated and always wanted to be a cowboy like John

Wayne rather than be in his own red skin. Everybody respected and admired John Wayne, never

the Indian. An impression years of the cinema cowboys and Indians have left on him. In films

the Indian is often portrayed as inferior in intellect, stoic, unskilled in warfare, weapons and

strategy, charged head on into battle with no plans and lacked in comparison to the white man in

sophisticated language, religion and culture. In fact, the Native Americans were exactly the

opposite of cinematic stereotypes. It was my wish to let others know who may be experiencing

the same animosity that their ancestors were unparalleled in their strength, in warfare, in life, and

as a people and that no one can take that strength away from them as courage and bravery are

eternal. As a victim of multiple crimes in the past, I am aware of the damage people can do to

your self-esteem, hope and strength. By exploring the trials my ancestors and those long before

my time have endured and battled in life it has also given me hope and a strong spirit to triumph

over difficulties and strength to endure future battles.

Most people have images of “the noble Savage” in mind when they think of the American

Indian, but you are able to shine a light on a less than savory side of things. What examples

can you offer to open our eyes just a bit to the realities?

Most people today think of the Indian as having either been entirely hostile with no

regard for life or entirely peaceful and spiritual. The reality of Native Americans is that they

always waged war though like every people loved and adored life, the creator and creation.

Before the whites emerged, they warred amongst each other and did things that no man should

have to endure by their brothers as all people of the earth have done. No different than any other

culture were the cruelties expressed by Indian upon Indian though not all people were cruel just

as you, the reader are not cruel. Where mankind has gone so too has warfare, violence and

bloodshed, hardship, tears and toil. The Native Americans are not left out of such hostilities.

Even in the coldest and remote places on earth, weapons have emerged and histories have

been kept among the elders of great heroes and villains, of great tragedies and triumphs but also

of birth and renewed life. Too often today we fall victim to stereotypes, prejudiced accounts and

false impressions that have today began to manipulate our opinions and have even mislead the

majority of researchers. While some of the time this is done unintentionally, people have worked

towards denying cultures their history of militarism. A part of genocide that has yet to die out

and a form of colonial oppression whose time should come to an end.

I know from experience, it's hard to write a book. So many projects get started and not

finished in life, what kept you going?

What kept me going through this project was my eagerness share this knowledge with

others. Never before has anyone dared to challenge modern ideas of the Native American warrior

and as a practitioner of Native American Warrior Arts I felt others truly should know that Native

Americans knew what they were doing in regard to battle, warrior training and weaponry.

What first interested you in Indian Warfare in particular?

I think the fact that it is the least explored mode of warfare. Especially before white contact.

Is there a particular tribe that interests you more than the others?

The Inuit interests me the most as nearly every scholar believes they did not participate in

warfare at all due to the harsh conditions of the arctic. By researching, talking with elders and

analyzing historical artifacts, I have learned the opposite is true.

What is one of the lesser known warfare tactics or weapons you speak of in your book that

you can tell us about today?

The fact that women participated in warfare is a topic least explained. Many warrior

women have fought alongside the men either with or without approval and have fought just as

skillfully, sometimes earning status as war leaders and sitting among the councils of men. Some

of these include Buffalo Calf Road Woman, Dahteste, Lozen, Woman Chief (Pine Leaf) and

Running Eagle. A tactic I do not speak of is the plains Indians use of dummies in battle. By

dressing branches with their clothing they would hide in an obscured position and lift the bait

into sight. Thinking they have spotted an enemy, soldiers would waste their arrows or bullets in

later days destroying what they believed to be the enemy being careless. Once the enemy ran out

of ammunition they would rush from their hiding spot and attack with full force.

How old were you when you published the book and at what age did you start writing it?

I was 22 when I started writing it and 22 when I published. It took me around three months.

I believe you were home-schooled, as I was. I found this gave me a lot more freedom to use

my study time as I was interested and not as dictated by the government run system. Do

you feel like this gave you more time to study your passion/interests than would have been

granted in public school system?

Absolutely. I feel like I have been more inspired to learn since being home schooled and

appreciate knowledge more than others normally would who were at my age. As a child I studied

in my free time and was not restricted by social norms or tight schedules which made life less

stressful and learning fun.

I know I don't, but I love to ask other home schoolers, do you have any regrets about not

going to school in the traditional sense?

Not at all.

Are you working on another book?

I am working on two projects right now which I hope to have finished sometime next year.

Do you have any other unusual or interesting hobbies?

I enjoy carving, playing the Native American flute, Tinglit drum and practicing my Atlatl and

Bow and Arrow. I enjoy journaling, weight lifting and looming.

What is something you would love to try, but haven't yet?

Traveling. I have never left the United States.

What advice to you have for our readers to get started in writing a project? Where to start

researching? Getting published? Anything at all to get them going right now.

My advice is to do a project because and for somebody else. Inspiration is short lived when it is

self-serving. Go to a public library before the internet for research, go to a museum, don’t be

afraid to interview people and try out self-publishing before getting into a big publishing

company. They can be timely, and costly but if your goal is to reach a larger audience then big

publisher is the way to go. I self-published on Amazon which is very simple and easy to do. Just

be sure to get your work edited by a professional and one that can be trusted.

Thank you so much for your time; it’s been an honor.

You’re very welcome. It has been an honor for me as well. Thank you.