Incredible story. This is on a much smaller scale, but one of my big regrets is not getting more of my parents' stories before they were gone. Like you said, there's no one I can ask. You also said you were lucky enough to meet Ted Kooser (and you were!)--I was lucky enough to meet you as a guest lecturer in the University of Nebraska MFA residency in summer 2012. I am taking an extended break from the program, but your IED lecture/technique has stayed with me. I agree with Ted, the work you are doing for your tribe may be more important than any poem you write, but you are helping those of us who write try to find our personal language. Thank you and I wish you Godspeed saving as much of the Mojave language as you can.