Reuben was born in 1974 in New Mexico. A native of the Mescalero Apache Tribe, he is an 8th generation grandson of Geronimo, an Apache leader and medicine man best known for his fearlessness. Reuben grew up mainly in Michigan, and spent much of his adulthood in Ontario, Canada. His life has been steeped in Native American culture with powerful influences from his mother and maternal grandfather. Among many things, Ruben learned strength and perseverance from his family, and that, “If you love with all your heart, everything will fall into place.”
Rueben learned to speak 47 different Native American languages while traveling to ceremonies and pow wows, and talking with many elders. He developed a passion for Native American crafting – acrylic and water color painting, drawing, sculpting and carving, drum making and jewelry making. Ruben is a born teacher and enjoys presenting workshops and lectures on Native American culture, as well as teaching his crafts. Rueben has a daughter, Autumn, born of the Eastern Cherokee band, who now lives in Georgia. She is named after a sacred prayer place in North Carolina.
Like most people, Reuben’s life has been flecked with challenges. After a 15 year battle with diabetic neuropathy, Reuben underwent amputation of both lower legs. He struggled with addiction. Armed with family values of strength and perseverance, he spent many years in a wheelchair and he achieved sobriety for 19 years. Then, last Christmas, after a 3-month string of sudden deaths of close family and friends, he relapsed.
Reuben says there are no words for “goodbye” or “giving up” in his native language. “Life brings you challenges and I’m not quitting life – I want to live it,” he said. “God gave us the ability to choose.” Following his relapse, he chose to start a new life in Marquette. He entered a treatment program in February 2023. From there, he entered a sober living home with a support system that is helping him get back on his feet – literally! Recently, he was fitted with two prosthetics and is now able to walk again.
It was on his new prosthetic legs that Rueben walked into St. Vincent de Paul in mid-June after his house manager referred him there for financial assistance with his rent. “It was a much needed miracle,” he said. He was welcomed by a St. Vincent de Paul volunteer who, learning of his heritage, began conversing in Ojibwa. He immediately felt at home. He received financial assistance for a month’s rent as well as some food from the Pantry. “The help with my rent is a one-time thing,” he said, “but I will continue to go back to the food pantry and shop at the Thrift Store for clothes while I get back on track.”
Rueben’s goal is to remain at the sober living home for at least a year, to get a job and to work toward self-sufficiency. At this point in his recovery his income is limited to $83/month from the Department of Human Services, the sale of a few of his paintings, and a good deal of help and support from community organizations like St. Vincent de Paul. He is working to get food stamps and to re-acquire personal documents such as his state identification card and birth certificate – items necessary to get a job. He is getting involved by preparing meals at the recovery center and helping out with Native American programming at various places in the community. He would like to enroll in the Native American Community Services program at Northern Michigan University in the future and continue his passion for teaching and crafting.
“I strongly believe that God led me here to Marquette and showed me the way,” said Rueben. “Now, it is my turn to be the next generation of strength for others.”