Brian "Mike" Anzel Myers

Brian Anzel “Mike” Myers, Segwalise “He Marks the Path”, Wolf Clan of the Cattaraugus Seneca Nation, age 76, began his journey to the spirit world on Sunday, June 8, 2025 in Fargo, North Dakota.

Brian was born on July 18, 1948, to Geraldine (Jemison) and John Myers.  Mike was a powerful figure in life that fought legendary battles across Turtle Island and around Mother Earth. He was a brilliant man filled with ancestral knowledge. A true Indigenous Encyclopedia and Teacher and Historian, his teachings were invaluable. Mike inspired so many people from so many places.  Brian’s life work will echo out far beyond his lifetime. Since 1976, he had been a Grand Council appointed member of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois Confederacy) Land Rights Committee which has been charged with the responsibility of addressing Confederacy land issues throughout their homelands in the U.S. and Canada. In 1977, Mike was hired by the Institute for the Development of Indian Law in Washington, DC, to act as the coordinator of Indigenous delegations to the first Non-Governmental Organizations of the United Nations conference on “The Issues of Discrimination Against the Indigenous Populations of the Americas”. This work led to his being actively involved in the development of international rights and standards pertaining to Indigenous nations and peoples. He was one of the original co-authors of the recently passed “International Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples”. Mike worked for Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe as the Director of the Tribal Development Division with responsibility for designing and implementing culture-based development strategies in all non-gaming areas of development. In his former position as program Director for Red Lake’s Family & Children Services he wrote the guiding document “Developing an Anishinabe System of Care” and designed the “Mino Bimaadiziwin Treatment Program – A Juvenile Wellness Program”. He was a published author beginning with “A Basic Call To Consciousness”, Akwesasne Notes (1977) “Traditional Teachings” North American Indian Traveling College (1980) and “The Power Within People” Tribal Sovereignty Associates (1986) as well as numerous articles and papers for publications and conferences. In addition to his non-fiction work, Mike wrote several children’s stories, short stories, and his first novel. As a community organizer and developer, he has worked with numerous Indigenous nations, communities and organizations throughout North America, Hawaii, Nicaragua, and Mexico. From 1988-1990, he was the Program Director of “The Seventh Generation Fund” an Indigenous foundation and technical assistance organization. During his tenure, the Fund developed a holistic community-based training program to assist local organizers and developers in conducting long term, culturally based planning, implementation and development.

Brian is survived by: his wife, Birdena “Birdie” Lyons; children: Awhenjiosta (Ira Johnson) Myers, Shagoweheh (Jordon) Myers, Deiohnegatek Myers, Logan Cloud, Landyn Cloud, Leigh Cloud and James Koutsky Jr; grandchildren: Janine, Bobbi, Robyn, Jack, Holly, Cody, Lyle, Layten, Westyn, Avielle, Carlee, Jett, Avis, Wyllow and Lakasha; four great-grandchildren; sister, Annie Myers; many nieces and nephews, adopted children and grandchildren, other relatives and ceremonial brothers and sisters.

He is preceded in death by his parents; grandmother who raised him, Carrie Dora Jemison, Seneca Wolf Clan; and siblings: Paula Myers and Wayne Forbes.

A traditional wake will begin at 10 AM on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at Mike’s home, 6662 164th Street NW, Cass Lake; and continue until the service at 10 AM on Thursday, June 12, 2025 with Artley Skenandore as spiritual leader. Pallbearers will be Terry Janis, Larry Olson, Randy Finn, Richard Jones, Dalton Wake and Drew Wilberg. Burial will be at the Bena Cemetery in Bena, MN. Arrangements provided by Whispering Pines Funeral & Cremation Service of Walker & Hackensack, MN.

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