I am very devasted to share that Dr. Frank Dukepoo, of the Hopi and Laguna tribes, suddenly passed away this week. Frank has devoted efforts to helping Native American youth realize that they can succeed in education, science and school. He solely developed and supported the Native American Scholarship Association comprised of over 2,000 straight "A" Native American students. He represents unselfish mentoring and modeling of what every leader can be. He is Teacher. Mentor. Scientist. Father. Brother. Son. Uncle. Nephew. Friend. Colleague. Comedian. Magician. Miracle. Leader.
He has mentored many wonderful and talented youth throughout our community. He has been a leader and a model for people of all ages. For those of you who have had this honor, he cherished these experiences.
Frank had a special gift of translating complicated genetic theory into easy to understand concepts. He unselfishly gave up his personal interest in his own research so that he could devote his time and efforts to work with Native American communities to help them make informed decisions about genetic research. He provided leadership and guidance to community members, students, and professionals on how to respectfully retain cultural values, how to make informed decisions about genetic issues while retaining respect for the local community's cultural values.
My family and colleagues have had the honor and pleasure of working very closely with Frank this last year on our "Genetic Education for Native Americans" project (of which Frank agreed to become a co-investigator this last summer). Frank provided clear direction on what and how we needed to go forward developing this project to best assist Native communities. Frank closely worked with many tribal communities. He gave his time, energy and enthusiasm to help increase the communities' understanding of complex scientific issues. Likewise, he diligently worked to help scientists and professionals understand cultural issues. He combined his special gift of making information understandable with both humor and "magic." No magic can come close to his own personal magic and enthusiasm. He has been a blessing to our communities and did much to help us all.
I wish to share with you that Frank was videotaped earlier this month. Rick, my partner of 22+ years, has already begun developing a special Memorial to Frank that will be on our Web site soon. This Memorial will include excerpts of his transcripts from this video. His tape shares his vigor for life, education, and respect for our many diverse communities. We believe that Frank would want everyone to enjoy his wisdom, his humor and his intelligence.
We pray for Frank's family for their loss in this world. We understand that the Spirit World needed Frank now. We cherish the blessings that Frank's love of culture, life, education, and science bestowed upon all of us. He will always be honored by all of us who loved him. We know that he is with the Creator and is at peace. We love you Frank.
Linda B.
I just saw a healthy and vigorous Frank a few weeks ago. He was enjoying his new initiatives and really contributing to education. He was doing great things for Genetic Education for Native Americans. The High School Honors Program will miss him greatly as will all of us. Frank was scheduled to be a keynote panelist here tonight on his favorite topic of recent times so I am very dismayed because of my missed opportunity to talk and work with him one more time.
David Burgess, PhD
Boston College
Dept. of Biology
This is indeed sad news for all of us. I am shocked. Frank was to stay at my home and do something with a community-based organization in San Antonio the first week of December. I have known Frank a long time. This is sad news.
John F. Alderete, PhD
Department of Microbiology
Unv of Texas Health Science Center-San Antonio
Friends and Colleagues: I am very saddened by this news. I felt honored to meet Frank in Golden and witness what a strong effective and compassionate man he was. I join you in feeling the depth of his loss – for the program and especially for the many people whose lives Frank touched to so profoundly.
Lorraine Pillus, PhD
Dept. of Biology
Unv of California at San Diego
Lorraine's words describe well my own feelings. I felt honored to meet Frank and have often thought and spoken of some of the lessons we learned from him at the meeting, lessons that went well beyond the science of genetics. I am deeply saddened at the news of his sudden death. I can only begin to imagine the sense of shock and loss that those who worked closely with him as well as his loved ones are experiencing. My heart goes out to all of you at this difficult time.
Alice Bradley, MA
Partnership Program Manager
Rocky Mountain Cancer Information Service
Colorado Springs, CO
He will be missed greatly by everyone but especially all the kids he encouraged and inspired to pursue their talents. He was a wise and insightful man, and I am so fortunate to have had the opportunity to meet him at the GENA gathering....he gave us all much to think about.
Carol Walton MS, CGF
Division of Genetics
Children's Hospital
Denver, CO
This news is difficult to believe. Like John, I am shocked and terribly sad. I only knew Frank for a little while, and I was looking forward to working with him. His skill and the heart that he put into his teaching are rare and will be missed.
Mark B. Dignan, PhD, MPH
Professor, Department of Health Behavior
Unv. of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health
Dear Linda:
Please know how grateful I am to you for making sure I got the shocking and truly sad news about Frank. I am simply stunned. What a beautiful and decent human being he was and I am honored to have known him. He will be in my prayers. In my minds eye, I can envision him soaring as a great eagle to the Creator, can't you? I met Frank through Francis Collins and considered him one of God's gifts to me these past few years. We spent several days together at a workshop during which he was instrumental in helping me let go of some old, unhelpful notions - replacing them with a much more universal and liberating perspective. Frank taught me the value of simplicity over complexity - something that I am now trying to put into practice. We also discussed how one can embrace serenity and remain passionate. He was a treasure. My hope is that he did not suffer and that his passing was peaceful.
Thank you for your kind words. I am doing well.
With warm personal regard, TJD
T.J. Dunlap
Intercultural Cancer Council
Linda
I'm devastated as well....I did forward the message today to the network . Frank taught me a great lesson after the research conference at NIH in august. You know how he always says "no excuses!" to the kids. well, he and I were leaving the meeting and I was exhausted, had lots of bags, it was hot, and I wanted to grab a cab to the airport, which would have cost about $50 dollars. I asked Frank if he wanted to share a cab with me, and he said that he preferred to take the subway. He invited me to join him . It was a hard decision for me, as I really was exhausted and a cab would be much easier....but there stood Frank, giving me a choice. I finally after much fuss and thought, decided to go with him on the subway, and I am so grateful that I did. Not only did I answer his charge for "no excuses", but I got to spend 1 1/2 hours talking with him about his perspectives, hopes, dreams and ideas about how we can best help Indian students and be mentors. He was so inspirational and kind, and so supportive and enthusiastic that I will cherish the time spent with him forever. I still remember as we said goodbye the smile on his face, and how much he encouraged me to continue the work with the Indian researchers and the other things that I do, no matter what challenges face me. He taught me a great lesson that day about cherishing every moment, and that sometimes making sacrifices makes all the difference in the world. If I would had took the easy route via the cab, I would have missed this wonderful time with him, which I will cherish forever. . . Yvette
Yvette Roubideaux MD MPH
Deputy Director, Center for Native American Health
University of Arizona ; Tucson AZ
-also-
President, Association of American Indian Physicians (AAIP)
Oklahoma City, OK 73108
Folks, SACNAS (Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science) would like to establish a scholarship for a Native American student going on to pursue graduate education in the sciences named for Frank. As you may know, Frank was one of the founders of SACNAS and was putting his hat in the ring to run for Board next month. My best to all, David
David Burgess, PhD
President, SACNAS
Fellow Researchers,
Frank's contributions to education, science, health and research are far and wide, and will be recognized for many years to come. His ready sense of humor and words of wisdom will be missed . Would the Network like to establish [or contribute to] a fund for researchers in Frank's name Please take a moment of silence to remember a great leader.
Respectfully,
Francine C. Romero
Northwest Portland Indian Health Board
Thank you for sharing the beauty of the ceremony. Frank was certainly a shining light for so many students, myself included. I always looked forward to asking his opinion of any lesson we were preparing and will miss his insight. I hope that we can continue to deliver the messages that he was so dedicated to. If there is an effort to keep his student honor society going could you please let me know? I would really like to help keep that program going for him. . . Lynne
Lynne Bemis, PhD
Genetic Scientist; Medical Oncology
Unv of Colorado Health Sciences Center
We, at the Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN) were very sadden to hear about the passing of our friend and technical resource person, Frank Dukepoo. He had been a supporter of the work we do and had been a speaker at our Protecting Mother Earth gatherings on the topic of genetic research and need for bio-safety protocols. We last seen Frank at the IEN gathering this past June 1999 at Mt. Taylor, New Mexico. Our prayers go out to his family and relatives. Keep us informed of the details of his memorial and memorial scholarship fund.
Tom Goldtooth
Indigenous Environmental Network( IEN) National Coordinator
Dear Friends -
It is with great sadness that I share news of the unexpected death of Dr Frank Dukepoo of the Hopi and Laguna tribes. Frank passed away last week at his home in Flagstaff and was buried yesterday (Sunday) on the Hopi Reservation.
Frank has been an active member of the Indigenous Peoples Coalition Against Biopiracy since 1993, and a founding board member of the Indigenous Peoples Council on Biocolonialism - the newly-created nonprofit organization organized to assist indigenous peoples in the protection of their genetic resources, indigenous knowledge, cultural, and human rights from the advances of biotechnology.
Frank has been a treasured colleague, mentor, advocate, and friend of the IPCB throughout the years. We will miss his leadership, his insight, his brilliance, his humor, his magic, and his tireless dedication to protect the interests of Native peoples, especially the youth. His life has been a gift to us all from the Creator, for which we are thankful. We'll miss his gentle Hopi spirit, and warrior's heart, in the struggle against injustice. I know he is counting on us to carry on the work he was so deeply committed to, and we will.
In sympathy and spirit ,
Debra Harry, Director
Indigenous Peoples Council on Biocolonialism
Linda,
I think it is wonderful that you were able to interview Frank before his passing away. He was truly a leader for all people. I am glad to have known him as a role model.
All my best,
Wilfred Denetclaw Jr
Assistant Research Anatomist
Dept of Anatomy
University of California at San Francisco
I was so very sorry to learn that Frank has left us for the Spirit World. Although I did not know him personally, I have long heard about his work - and more vitally, about the wonderful man he was - the many gifts he brought to others, and his willingness to teach/mentor others. He will be deeply missed by many. The Great Spirit, for whatever reason, chose to take him from us now. It is all the more reason for those of us who can to continue in his footsteps - to give of ourselves to the vital work that must be done and to give of ourselves to others so they too may learn and grow and teach
My deepest sympathy goes out to all of you who knew and worked with him to those who were his friends as well, and to his dear family. Khari
Khari La Marca, MPH, MA
Outreach Program Manager
University of Wisconsin
Comprehensive Cancer Center
Linda B, Thank you so much for keeping us informed about what has transpired in the past week regarding Dr. Dukepoo. He certainly touched many hearts and we wish his family well. I will definitely contact his daughter to see how I could make a contribution to honor his legacy. He was a great mentor to many, young and otherwise, and leader in many respects. Thanks, too, for representing many of us who could not come to the service or the celebration of his life.
Lillian Tom-Orme
Native American Cancer Research Liaison
for the National Cancer Institute
Huntsman Cancer Institute
Salt Lake City, UT
Frank Dukepoo was a dear friend of mine. I have met him in March of 1998 at a national conference on genetics and minority issues named: "The National Dialogue on Genetics". Frank was one of the presenters. We were all taken by his articulation, and charisma. His dignity and resourcefulness, but above all, his just argument
I have been blessed to be among his many friends ever since. He came to visit me at Howard University, a day before Thanksgiving last year. I saw him for the last time, in May when I visited Phoenix. He drove all the way from Flagstaff to meet me. He might have known that there will not be another time.
I will miss Frank. His wisdom, kindness, and profound ability to give others-- are among some of the things that I will never forget about him. As his colleague, and friend, I will ensure that his advocacy lives on. With great sorrow for his untimely departure, and in celebration of his life and legacy.
Here is to you Frank
Ilana Suez Mittman
Howard University
Washington, D.C.
Greetings
I would personally like to offer my condolences to the family of Frank Dukepoo and his IPCB friends and colleagues
I had the opportunity and pleasure of meeting Frank Dukepoo at a meeting of native people concerned with the Human Genome Diversity Project in Albuquerque a few years ago.
As the only native person acknowledged as a Dr of Human Genetics - then and probably still today, I was struck by his intelligence and compassion for his work. Even more inspiring was his courage and fortitude in the face of the professional ostracism by his academic colleagues for protecting the dignity of Native Peoples from genetic piracy.
To all those that are touched by his passing, let the arms of love and compassion surround you and help stand you up at this time to continue his good work.. Skana (Peace),
Raeann Skenandore
Oneida Nation