Every once in a while we get reminded that there are powerful Native men who are doing more than the bare minimum. There are Native leaders—elected and unelected—who add to the “Present Father + Holds Down a Job = Good Man” equation. They add “Service,” and “Altruism” and “Risk.”

The Nez Perce (Nimiipuu) Tribal Council recently showed that they are willing to sacrifice for their people in the face of fire. They didn’t just lead by going to a meeting or some conference (Note: they do that too; have you ever seen Brooklyn in a suit?? AYYYY!!)—they are leading by example. These are the men that I want to be. Some years ago, oil developers waged war on the sanctity and sacredness of our homelands. Many of our leaders caved in—go to Montana, North Dakota, many places in Canada—and you’ll see the ugly, brutal and sacrilegious results of our Councils choosing temporary economic boosts in exchange for permanent scarring of our sacred lands and waters. Many Native people feel helpless while their councils are literally giving away the farm and poisoning the waters for future generations.

The Nimiipuu Council not only said that they would not sell out their homelands, they also went and got directly involved. As a megaload moved through a highway within Nimiipuu territories on its way to further destroy Indigenous Earth in Alberta, a slew of Natives—including most of the Tribal Council—went and protested on the road. They were arrested, but as is the case with true leaders and good men, that did not dissuade them. Indeed, they are planning another protest tonight.