GERARD F. DERAPS
An alert to all Pow Wow Events held in Southern and Northern New England-Be on the alert and protect our children!
The following information pertains to four individuals known to frequent pow wows held in Southern and Northern New England. This includes the states of Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and also includes events held in Canada.
Pow Wow organizers in these states must be on the alert for these registered sex offenders whose crimes were against children. They are known to frequent pow wows in Southern and Northern New England and Sundance which is held in Canada annually.
You may believe your children are safe to roam the pow wow grounds, but this is untrue. With convicted predators in attendance at these events no child is safe. It is our responsibility to protect our children, first and foremost.
My Two Beads Worth has received some complaints from friends of these individuals, who do not think they are a threat. As most people know today, through education and outreach from law enforcement agencies, these individuals are always a threat to our children.
Many law enforcement agencies today notify the community in which the offender (s) live so they are aware of the potential danger to the children living in the area in which the offender lives after release from prison.
The following information is verifiable at the links provided. The information also includes charges, convictions and how many offenses ocurred.
Known at pow wows as Jerry or White Elk claims to be American Indian, but there is no proof of this claim.
Link to State Registry Listing of Sex Crimes Committed by Gerard Deraps
Convicted 6/30/1986 632-A:3, III Felonious Sexual Assault (Victim under 13 y.o.)
James Brown a/k/a Jimmy Young Wolf
It must be noted especially regarding James a/k/a/ Jimmy Young Wolf Brown - who is well-known in pow wow circles in Maine and New Hampshire that there has been continual efforts by his friends to insist he is not a child offender and he was a victim in this case, rather than the offender. James Brown is a good-looking man, who does not look like he is in his 40's. His offense was with a minor when he was in the position of a teacher (an authority figure) with the individual he assaulted.
The blame is placed on his victim by some of his supporters and friends. This man is around young girls and women all the time. He is especially attractive to young women and girls because he's considered good looking, has long hair, wears white buckskin regalia at pow wows and is often seen smudging people prior to dancing in the circle. It is a well-known fact in pow wow circles that young girls and women often go to these public pow wows hoping to meet "a nice guy." He is one of the most dangerous predators because of his unassuming appearance, his ability to make young girls and women feel comfortable - after all - he is conducting a ceremony at the pow wows - encouraged and/or permitted by pow wow organizers.
This is extremely offensive to many native people that a man convicted of such a crime is permitted to conduct what we consider a sacred ceremony. It is equally offensive that he is part of a drum group that often visits schools and/or performs in public. Our Drum is considered sacred too. However, he is in attendance at pow wows that are called Intertribal and which are often organized by non-natives. Some pow wows - not all - but some, are not safe places for your young children or young daughters. A young girl of 14-16 years of age, for an example, may appear to be older by virtue of her body's maturity, but she is still a 14-16-year-old and is in no way capable of dealing on an equal or legal level with a man in his 40's.
Pow Wow organizers do have a responsibility to ensure that the public is safe at these events and a moral and spiritual responsibility to show respect at all times for our ceremonies.
Link to James Brown's Criminal Convictions
Link to Brian Weymouth Offenses
Recent a 39-page comprehensive report was compiled regarding the sexual and physical abuse of indigenous women and children - you can read this report HERE With the attitudes I have encountered in attempting to present facts only so that people will be aware and in a better position to watch their children at public pow wows and gatherings, it is no surprise at how serious this problem is. Of course, sexual abuse is not limited to the Indigenous community by any means. More often than not, the victim knows the predator, who is often a trusted family member of friend of the family; someone that many people would never consider could possibly commit such acts and assaults on children and young women. It's the old ignorant attitude of blaming the victim. We have come a long way in trying to change this way of thinking, but we certainly have a long way to go, until the day comes that people will stop blaming the victim for such crimes. Certainly everyone deserves a second chance if they have done their "time" but with sexual assaults and abuse, it's not as if they stole a car. When the offender made the decision to assault someone they knew would be an easy target, that decision changed the lives of everyone involved with the victim and the offender. This is the offender's responsibility - no man or woman has the right to be excused for taking advantage of a child or woman in such a way. No means no and we do not harm children in this way. That's the bottom line.Pow Wow Organizers and others who are concerned about the safety of our children are encouraged to print this out and make copies of it as information regarding the men listed above who frequent pow wows. If you are a pow wow organizer and/or attendee at these events and you know of a sexual predator who attends these events regularly, please send the information to Publisher It is not required that you provide your name, but you must provide enough information so it can be verified on one of the state's Sexual Offenders Registry.
Last updated on July 20, 2007