Service
Statement
Sober Indian Riders is
a family oriented group of sober American Indians and
People whose primary goal is to have fun and share the
sober lifestyle and ride motorcycles. You don't have to be
a biker to be a member. You don't have to own a bike. The
only requirement for membership is that you live sober
lifestyle and like motorcycles and People that ride them.
There are no gender, race, or recovery program requirements
for membership.
Sober Indian Riders is an Indian Club. The membership body
offers fellowship to ALL NATIONS in recovery from alcohol
abuse and or drugs. We are not a recovery program or a
religion in itself. We do not endorse one recovery program,
religion or religious denomination as superior to another.
However, the influence of American Indian Traditions,
Customs, Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and a
Higher Power is strong within our Indian Club. Members are
encouraged to take whatever steps necessary for them to
live a sober and legal lifestyle. We are to be
self-supporting via events hosted, dues paid and sales of
Sober Indian Riders merchandise to its membership. We may
accept unsolicited contributions as long as there are no
requirements or conditions imposed upon Sober Indian
Riders.
Our purpose is to nurture a family atmosphere of All Indian
Nations and the People who love life and to ride. We
believe in our traditions and work towards living in
harmony as our ancestors did. Always remembering the price
our relations have paid so that we can live Free. Free to
express ourselves, Free to unite, and Free to carry on the
old and new teachings that will tell generations that are
coming that we have a right to live our way of life and
that no one can deny us. Creation has given us the covenant
duty to watch over our land-earth and to speak our
languages and to practice our heritage in order to keep
alive the very essence of who we are as indigenous people.
We carry this message as we travel and ride united to the
different campfires throughout America and abroad to build
friendships, meet people, and share with other circles the
spirit of life. Each of us is a stepping-stone on the
pathway to wholeness. As we walk together along the red
road of the cycle of life - towards death and rebirth
together, through love, respect and caring, we can find in
the wholeness of time the strength to complete the circle.
That's the way we're going to make change and reach the
person that may have the desire. The road being taken is a
long one, with gentle slopes and steep mountains to climb
before we reach it's end. Many pathways link the health of
the community and the individual. Let us strive to purify
our paths and to share the kindness it brings us. The
purpose of this is to unite and promote good fellowship
among the people. To preserve and foster Native American
cultural values that assists in recovery. Wisdom is the
virtue that is held in highest esteem. Indian societies
attribute wisdom to members who have consistently
demonstrated adherence to Indian values and who possess
visionary qualities to lead. Leadership qualities inherent
in individuals endowed with wisdom transcend traditional
concepts associated with leadership, such as personality
traits or charisma. Central to the qualities possessed by
the leader is the notion of spirituality, a condition that
is neither learned nor certified, but is attained through
the workings of a higher power or being. Indeed, it is wise
individuals who sustain Indian culture and whose vision
enables Indian societies to endure.
Sober Indian Riders is open to anyone. The only true
requirement is a desire to live a sober lifestyle. It is
the hope that friendships will form and support will begin.
That is what our chapters are built on. You are free to
join a chapter. No particular brand of motorcycle is
required. Sober Indian Riders is an Indian Club. Therefore,
as an Indian Club, we cannot enter into affiliations,
coalitions, federations etc, as a motorcycle club would.
However, Sober Indian Riders accepts its responsibility to
help support bikers rights organizations as best it can on
the National level. Sober Indian Riders respects all
traditional motorcycle clubs and in no way means any
disrespect to any of them. The Sober Indian Riders
membership is urged to use judgment with regard to wearing
any support items. Misunderstanding can easily happen as we
travel across the country and from event to event.
We have no boundaries and claim no territories. We use the
established Indian Reservation, geographical boundaries and
State lines purely as an organizational tool to help us
better keep track of the membership. The chapters have
names that tend to reflect recovery or inspire; they are
also numbered to help keep track of them. They have no
meaning in regards to claiming any territories or
establishing boundaries.
There are no mandatory events, we are indeed an Indian Club
and highly encourage our members to get together. The
chosen leader will try to coordinate one or more events per
year; however, we encourage local runs. Chapters are
encouraged to plan fun get together and rides to various
places as often as they want but should never pressure
members to attend. We are about fun.