by Suzi Taylor
From the 1998-99 4-H Clover Project Selection Guide

Role Model: Derek Knows His Gun

Derek Knows His Gun was only a junior high student on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation when he found himself mixed in with the wrong crowd.

"We just drank and smoked and hung out," he said.

But after this period of trouble, Derek was able to realize he was heading down the wrong road. He credits his spirituality and faith with helping to turn things around.

"I got into Jesus and just left all of those things behind," he said.

Derek got involved with youth groups and clubs--the Indian Club at school, the Northern Cheyenne Youth Tribal Council, the Boys & Girls Club, and many others. Later, he joined 4-H, which he heard about from Emma Harris.

Derek quickly became a 4-H ambassador, traveling to the Western Regional in Tucson for Youth-Adult Partnership training and serving on a committee in Washington, D.C. He attended state-wide trainings with other ambassadors, where he apprised the group of events and issues in his home community. He worked with younger kids and served as a role model--a self-motivated young man who had decided to make life better for himself. Derek graduated from Colstrip High this year, and is headed to the University of Montana to study journalism. His goal is to continue on into law.

This summer he participated in the Dull Knife Tribal College school-to-work program, where young people are introduced to various job sites in areas that interest them. This summer, Derek worked with lawyers for the tribe.

Derek says that on the reservation, people who are outspoken are sometimes ridiculed, making it difficult for kids to find the motivation to excel.

"You can't be afraid to get involved. You can't be afraid to step out and speak out," says Derek. "It's hard at first, but the reward is far greater. I still know my Cheyenne culture. I know my traditions. I know all about my heritage. It's just been great."

Because of his success and self-motivation, Derek was selected to speak at the recent Governors' Summit for Youth. The meeting, held in Billings June 14-16, was an opportunity for youth and adults to work together and set concrete goals for helping youth in Montana. Derek's speech was part of the Kids Speak agenda, in which five Montana youth related their life experiences related to the five Summit goals.

"The road may be blocked," he told an audience of over 1300. "But you can always find detours around it to get back on the right track."

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