Both of my parents were “Oklahoma, born and raised!” and later moved to Texas, so I try to periodically look for OK information. Today, I was saddened to see that an important “Oklahoma Roots” man “died peacefully in his sleep” back during July in Hollywood, California. He always emphasized that he “loved both Oklahoma and L. A.”
A Facebook notation said that “he had travelled the world, speaking of his traditions, experiences, sobriety, and faith as both a Native American and as a Christian.” He is/was the Hereditary Chief and respected member of the Sac and Fox, Iowa and Otoe-Missouria Nations.
Morgan Saginaw Grant was born in Pawnee, Oklahoma, in 1936 and traditionally “raised” with his sister and two brothers by his father and mother on a “close by” farm in Cushing, Oklahoma.
His two Grandfathers, Kirvin and Saginaw, were very “spiritual” men and taught their Grandson cultures, customs, and traditions of THEIR ways of life—including some very special ceremonies/events reserved for viewing by very few! Grandfather Kirvin was a “medicine man.”
As an actor, Mr. Grant appeared in (among other events and projects) The Lone Ranger (with Johnny Depp), Breaking Bad, The World’s Fastest Indian (with Anthony Hopkins), Veep, My Name Is Earl, and American Horror Story.
He early in life attended Ponca Military Academy in Ponca City, Oklahoma, then served with the U. S. Marine Corps in the Korean War, and later was active in the “Powwow Circuit” in California, going about the world and speaking about Native American cultural traits.
During his life, he undertook various types of employment so that the different vocations, his interactions with The Bureau of Indian Affairs, and his “minglings” with various people and areas gave him opportunities to learn about different philosophies, beliefs, and religions.
Lani Carmichael, his official publicist, noted that Saginaw Grant’s motto in life was “to always respect one another and don’t talk about one another in a negative way.” It would be good if we all could keep that in mind as we try to make our ways through and help to improve this world!
Interesting note for conclusion, According to at least one source, Saginaw Grant never expected or really wanted to be an actor as he grew up, but one day in the 1980s, he was speaking at a seminar near San Francisco, when a man approached him with the following words. “How would you like to play a role in a car commercial?” It seems that Saginaw agreed to the role and continued acting ever since that day!
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