Interview with Elvis medallion presenter

More on the subject I covered in Elvis Received Sioux Medallion:

A Short Interview with Monique BraveWhen the unused CBS film from 1977 emerged onto the fan scene a decade or so ago, one of the unexpected elements was a backstage presentation that took place prior to Elvis’ concert at Rapid City, South Dakota on June 21, 1977. The mayor of the city was on hand to present Elvis with a plaque for being the first artist to perform in the new Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. (The mayor can’t have made much of an impression, since at the start of the show Elvis asked the audience “Somebody told me that it’s a new building or something, and I was the first person to perform here. Is that true?”)

But also making a presentation to Elvis on the occasion (and making much more of an impression) was young Monique Brave, who gave Elvis a Medallion of Life on behalf of the Sioux Nation. Elvis seemed quite taken with Monique saying how pretty she was, giving her a kiss on the cheek, asking one of his aides for a scarf to give her, and posing for two photos with Monique and her mother. (The poor mayor didn’t get a photo, a scarf or a kiss.)

Many who have seen the footage of the presentation have wondered about Monique, where she is today, what her memories are of the meeting, and how she felt when Elvis died only a few weeks later. Well, about six months ago I set out to locate Monique and did, in fact, manage to do so. We have communicated a handful of times since then via E-mail and I asked her a handful of questions, most of which were answered, if only briefly. Monique seems to be a person of few words; possibly she feels she doesn’t have much to tell. She certainly has a very full life and is very busy. On top of this she has recently had to change workplace and has had her youngest child hospitalised for a time. Despite all of this, we managed to compile a short Q&A session as shown below.

Monique, thank you for being willing to answer a few questions for us.

Firstly, is it safe to assume you have Sioux Native American heritage?

Yes I am an enrolled member of the Yankton Sioux Tribe.

Could you tell us a little about your life prior to 1977?

Well, I was 10 years old in 1977, so not too much going on as a 10-year-old. I was working at a fireworks stand in Yankton, SD with my Aunt Cathy when I heard that I was going to meet Elvis. At 10 years old I was more interested in selling fireworks than meeting Elvis.Comment:  For more on the part-Native Elvis, see Chippewa Elvis Impersonator and Elvis in Flaming Star.

Elvis received Sioux medallion

From Memphis Memories Productions:This special story was recently shared by Rockin' Ron Cade during a broadcast of the Elvis & Friends Radio Show.

On June 21,1977, Elvis was on the road for what turned out to be his final tour. On this particular date Elvis had a show in Rapid City, South Dakota. Backstage, the Mayor presented Elvis with a special award for being the first artist to perform at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. While I am sure Elvis appreciated the award from the Mayor, he was really touched to his heart by the presentation to him by a little girl named Monique Brave. She gave Elvis a Medallion of Life on behalf of the Sioux Indian Nation.Comment:  For more on the subject, see Elvis in Flaming Star.

Chippewa Elvis impersonator

Chippewa performers

Tribe to be well represented at Norsk Høstfest

By Andrea JohnsonThe Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa will have a greater representation this year at the Norsk Høstfest, said Les Thomas, a member of the tribe's tourism board.

Tribal members Tom Patton, of Finley, and Taylor Dayne Falcon, of Belcourt, are both set to perform daily during Høstfest.

Patton has been an Elvis Presley impersonator for about three and a half years and will be performing Elvis standards from the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s and changing his costumes to best represent how the performer looked at the different stages of his career.Comment:  For more on Indians and Elvis, see Flying Elvi at Pojoaque and Navajos Love Elvis.

Below:  "Elvis impersonator Tom Patton, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa tourism board member Les Thomas, and singer Taylor Dayne Falcon pose Friday. The tribe will have a large cultural display at the Norsk Høstfest starting later this month and tribal members Patton and Falcon will be two of the daily performers." (Andrea Johnson/MDN)

Elvis in Flaming Star

Flaming StarFlaming Star is a 1960 western film starring Elvis Presley, based on the book Flaming Lance (1958) by Clair Huffaker. A dramatic role, it is said that Elvis Presley gave one of his best acting performances as the half-breed "Pacer Burton." The film's working title was Black Star. It was directed by Don Siegel.

Plot

Elvis Presley plays Pacer Burton, the son of a Kiowa mother and a Texas rancher father. Along with his half-brother, Clint, the four of them live a typical life on the Texas frontier. Life soon becomes anything but typical when a nearby tribe of Kiowa begin raiding neighboring homesteads. Pacer soon finds himself caught between the two worlds, part of both but belonging to neither.Comment:  I haven't seen this movie. But judging by the poster, Elvis must've been a singing half-breed. <g>

For a detailed look at this movie, see Flaming Star--20th Century Fox 1960. For more on the subject, see The Best Indian Movies.