Charging Eagle
By Tatsiana Chypsanava
Tatsiana Chypsanava
Team Cox
STORY SUMMARY
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John Hendricks, a 60-year-old Lakota man, was born on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in North and South Dakota, but was raised by his Irish father in Liberty, Missouri. A bad accident in 2010 left John with a badly broken leg, and he has been on federal disability ever since. After caring for his elderly father, who passed away four years ago, John fell on hard times and was evicted from his father’s mortgaged house. He soon found himself living on the streets.
He now lives in a rickety trailer in the woods on the outskirts of Excelsior Springs. In an effort to reclaim his Native American heritage he began thinking of his grandfather, whose name was Charging Eagle, and he hopes to emulate some of the old ways. The rural setting allows him to fish and hunt to put food on his table while relieving some of his stress.
He survives “with the help of a few old friends who let me stay on their property.” Other new friends have stepped up to bring him groceries, give him rides to Excelsior Springs and to the laundromat or supermarket. These “new friends help me keep my sanity,” he said. John hopes one day to move to a home that would still allow him to live close to nature and keep his way of life.
John Hendricks’ home near Excelsior Springs, Mo., on Sept. 21, 2022. Three years ago he found himself on the streets after being evicted from the house he shared with his late father.
John Hendricks sleeps in on a cold, rainy day in Excelsior Springs, Mo., on Sept. 23, 2022. He says he hasn’t turned his lights off since three men attempted to break into his trailer in 2021.
John Hendricks and his cat, who he rescued a few years ago, in their home in Excelsior Springs, Mo., on Sept. 21, 2022.
John Hendricks playing two harmonicas while also playing his favorite blues on his phone, in Excelsior Springs, Mo., on Sept. 22, 2022.
John Hendricks feeding his two cats and their kittens in his trailer in Excelsior Springs, Mo., on Sept. 21, 2022.
John Hendricks makes arrowheads from glass bottles and plates in Excelsior Springs, Mo., on Sept. 20, 2022. He used to sell them as souvenirs.
John Hendricks carries water from the nearby tap at the friend's property where he parks his trailer in Excelsior Springs, Mo., on Sept. 20, 2022. He does not have running water.
John Hendricks fishing in the nearby Fishing River in Excelsior Springs, Mo., on Sept. 21, 2022. He enjoys fishing and used to work as a fisherman in Alaska.
John Hendricks catches and releases a carp in Excelsior Springs, Mo., on Sept. 21, 2022.
John Hendricks opens a can of salmon for his cats in Excelsior Springs, Mo., on Sept. 22, 2022.
John Hendricks sits next to his trailer in Excelsior Springs, Mo., on Sept. 21, 2022.
Brian Kratzer, Co-Director
Alyssa Schukar, Co-Director
Hany Hawasly, Technical Director
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