Window Rock Music Festival

[Marks - the Earth's Sun]

Entries from the DOGSOLDIERZ Guestbook that had me very concerned:

Lisa Samson Sunday, 6/26/05, 9:16 AM

I have been hearing that you guys have been not doing so well at shows. I was going to book you guys but I have gotten calls not to book you guys to how you do your shows. I wanted to witness this for my self at the Window Rock Music fest. And I am glad I didn't book for some shows cause It looked like you guys were drunk. I can't believe I believe in your music and you guys were drunk at your show or at the show. Cussing at the crowd telling them to F off. So i'm spreading the word that you guys are drunks. Taking your clothes off and yelling at the crowd. This is not the first show I heard you guys doing this. So you have lost some fans. My kids were shocked.

From: NN
E-mail: [e-mail]

Cassandra Roanhorse Sunday, 6/26/05, 8:29 PM

What Happen you guy's!!!! Very bad publicity I also saw your show at the Music Fest we wanted to cut you guy's off !! I seen the Gallup independant there and the other's from the media! You guy's shamed us all! The other acts we're up to par and the Klept and Dogsoldier set was a total disaster! THIS WAS A DRUG & ALCOHOL FREE EVENT! Mr. Greybear and other's that booked your act had to speak to the audience and apologize for you action's! This was not necessary! Especially being drunk! You have left a bad image on yourselves!

From: Windowrock


I am left without words... I don't intend to make excuses for this behavior. Unfortunately I was not at the Window Rock Music Festival, maybe things would have been different. I have heard of the different perpectives and accounts of this performance. I apologize to everyone that was witness or effected by this display of shame. I hope that I may one day meet all of you and apologize to you all in person.

I have pondered and thought long and hard over this matter for some time now... and after speaking with my family and discussing it with members of the group I have decided to part ways with the Dogsoldierz. I have always done my best and worked my hardest to represent my people with much respect and honor. I have continued to convince and persuade many that dogsoldierz meant so much more. Now I feel as if I have let all those people, fans, family and friends down.


I have been pushing and pulling to acheive a dream that I felt needed to be realized. I have done what I could to contribute to many great and noble causes, many benefits. Whether it were benefit shows to raise money for someone's education, awareness, getting youth out to vote, or just to rep Native pride. I only practice that which I intend my children to follow. To be proud of their heritage, their culture, their language, their history. I have always tried to live a life that my mother and my grandmother would approve of. I have taken on many tasks that would continue on that path, I have begun work on a Navajo Language cartoon for young children. A youth group that will better their communities through community services and such. I have begun work on a book, a forum of thought and enlightenment. I have done what I could to encourage unity and compassion, respect and dignity, trust and honor. My family has gone beyond what is expected to support causes, events, artists, and persons that we see as gifts to our native people.

So I leave with this... and apology and a message of hope... there are many out there that will bring honor to the Native people, that speak and will carry on the struggle for our cultural identities. I will continue on my path and hope to achieve all my hopes and dreams as SUNZ OF THE EARTH. In the meanwhile you can find some of those voices in artists such as the artists of IN HOUSE RECORDS, TACTILE THE RHYME CHILD, GENO, and many others. You just need to listen to the spirits of the wind... (or you can go the links page I have set up and seek these artists out yourselves.) So in parting I'll say this... may the creator watch over you... "M-A-R-K-S trandsending light" may we all achieve our goals and continue in this native struggle. Together. for the better... MarksintheSand wishing the Dogsoldierz all the best and may we all continue to be the family and friends we all are. T-Hawk you were right stay 20 steps ahead. Double S I will still be there for you whenever you need me to, brothers. War and Slie, keep to the path.

For our fans... please visit the Dogsoldierz music... there you will find ALL OF OUR SONGS FROM OUR PREVIOUS ALBUMS; ROUGH CUTZ AND HORSEPOWER, AVAILABLE FOR YOU TO LISTEN TO. May you all continue to support native music. ~ sincerely Marks

[krisbarney]

you know...these things always seen to happen when something is going good. i don't know those who were involved so i won't go off and bash them. but, when life gives you shit and you're starving in the middle of death valley, you make shit pie. (not the best of examples). but you know marks, as long as you remain strong with the spirit of what drove you to do these things with music(dogsoldierz) and inspire kids and others that there is something better than what we see around the res and throught colonial mainstream america. there is truth in the beauty of our homelands, there is power in the words and actions we choose to remain free. yes, things might not be as they were, but you may find something better in where you go from here.

so you know, there is hope as long as you remain strong with the spirit of this earth.

may you walk in beauty to where you need to go and towards what needs to be done,

kristopher barney

[Marks - the Earth's Sun]

Hey Kris thank you for your many blessing, you are truly a scholar and a poet. Continue your artistic abilities to create beauty and awe with your poetic abilities. Always a friend. MarksintheSand

[Marks - the Earth's Sun]

It has been a while... wow... but after much time and regeneration on my part... MarksintheSand is ready to make a return to the mic as well as to the Window Rock Music Festival and set the wrongs of the past right. I hope that I can count on all of you to be in attendance. wish me will.