Gabriel's Stand (44 page)

Acknowledgments

To Robyn Gaskill, my spouse and favorite librarian; and to Michelle Halket, the creative director of Central Avenue Publishing, for their invaluable editorial assistance; to my readers, among them Dr. Trevor Melia, philosopher of science, and Attorney George Benatatos, defender of liberty, each of whom provided critical support and encouragement; and to my astute readers, among them Ellen Ekstrom, (author), Dr. Gwen Dewar, (anthropologist), Alexis Stephens, Lisa Key and Renee Early, and to the many other valued readers who must remain unnamed here - you know who you are: Thank you for reviewing the early manuscripts of this book with me.

To William H. D. Fernholz of Boalt Hall Law School , my alma mater; and to the other organizers, scholars, lawyers and jurists who joined with me as I participated as a judge in the Jessup International Law Competition a few years ago. That experience prompted my own research into the scope of the Treaty Power of Article VI of the U.S. Constitution. The Treaty Clause contains a loophole, one never closed by the Supreme Court. The realization that some group, country, international agency or movement (like the Gaia fanatics depicted in Gabriel's Stand) might someday exploit Article 6 to attain a vise grip on political power and public policy is a scary prospect. U. S. Senators take heed.

To the Shoshone-Bannock Indian Festival, sponsored the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes in Fort Hall, Idaho, a wonderful annual event that has deepened my respect and affection for our Native American brothers and sisters over several decades. …And to the Idaho Museum of Natural History in Pocatello, especially for its role in hosting and augmenting the Smithsonian traveling exhibit, Native Words, Native Warriors by adding the names and stories of Native American Fort Hall residents.

I make no claim to a unique standing with our Native American neighbors, just a great admiration for a great people. I have even greater expectations for their future contributions to this country. Gabriel Standing Bear may be a fictional creation (as are some of the evolving Native American customs that my novel depicts), but men and women of Gabriel's character are real. Brave people, imbued with sturdy moral integrity, are standing among the Native Americans
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right now - examples to us all.

Jay B. Gaskill, From Idaho & California