American Indians

[dirtywhiteboi]

While washing dishes the other day it dawned on me that I couldnt think of one AI holiday or month. I asked a few friends if they could, and they as well drew a blank. I checked online and found november is supposed to be national american indian heritage month, but when I checked my calender nothing was noted. There is suppose to be an american indian day in september, I again checked my calender, and nothing. I later checked various calenders and found nothing concerning american indians.
Why is this?

disgusteddirt

[Frost]

yeah.. we should have killed Columbus when we had the chance :|

[Toughy]

well to my knowledge, most Native Americans use what some whiteys call Columbus Day as their day.....well at least as a day of protest of the genocide practiced against them

amen to that Frost.........

[deeder]

Amen to Toughy and Frost...(c) (c)..............

Them bastards !!!!!!!!!!!! :@

[FemNLeatherNLace]

*chimes in a Cherokee Amen ;)

[Words]

I've heard of Native American Day; I think it's the 3rd or 4th Friday of September, though I've no idea what it commemorates...

Words

[dirtywhiteboi]

Columbus Day


holiday commemorating Christopher Columbus's discovery of America. It has been traditionally celebrated on Oct. 12 throughout most of the United States, parts of Canada, and in several of the Latin American republics. In the United States, however, since the observation in 1971 of the Uniform Holiday Act, it is celebrated on the Monday nearest to Oct. 12.



well to my knowledge, most Native Americans use what some whiteys call Columbus Day as their day.....well at least as a day of protest of the genocide practiced against them

amen to that Frost.........

[Carson.]

Kinda got to have a calender to have holidays don't ya? Just a thought.

[Princess Jungle]

there shouldn't be a "designated" month for Native Americans..........I celebrate every single day like it is MY day..............But I hear ya, where is it on the calendar??

Princess Jungle
Lakota & Ojibway Nations

[Kitten]

Algonquin, African-Canadian and French Canadian First Nations pagan child weighing in.

Here is some information that I had saved from another discussion board

There are more than 500 Indigenous nations and tribes in the United States alone, with distinctive cultures, languages, histories, and religions. Religious patterns vary tremendously, especially as related to traditional life ways (e.g. wild rice farming along the Great Lakes; nomadic hunting on the central plains; desert mesa top villages and maize farming in the southwest, etc.) and current living situation (e.g. reservation, urban, traditional, assimilated, and blends of these). First Nations' traditions and spiritual practices were persecuted during centuries of colonization of North America. Patterns of discrimination continue. Therefore, many First Nations people are cautious about the sharing of details about their religious practices and beliefs. In addition, many traditional ceremonies are intended for private use

Despite the great variety of spiritual ways, there are some themes that are broadly shared among traditional First Nations peoples. Humans and the many other animal, plant, insect, bird, and spirit beings of earth and sky are relatives. Humans should treat them all with respect. Well-being is nurtured through lifestyles that harmonize with the cycles of human birth through death, and the cycles of moon and sun and seasons. Individuals have their identity within the context of their family, community, and place. Relating with the land in a sacred way is crucial to health. Each Indigenous tradition includes wisdom about the healing and helping qualities of plants and animals and sacred places and spirits in the area of habitation. In addition, Indigenous cultures include specialists of healing, such as herbalists, midwives, shamans, and many others. Many contemporary Native people blend traditional healing practices with conventional health and social service systems.

Native American Church (NAC) ceremony reflect a spiritual practice especially among tribes of the plains and the Dine (Navajo) Nation. NAC is a formal religious organization that embraces the Peyote ceremony as means to guide one on the spiritual path in life. Peyote is a cactus, which used properly, helps practitioners to deepen awareness of the sacred. NAC first formed in the 1890s; it developed as a result of the Indigenous peoples being forcibly resettled in Oklahoma, and thus, sundered from spiritual ties to their land. Two forms of ceremony emerged: the Comanche Half Moon and the Wilson Big Moon. Ceremonies take place in either a tee-pee, hogan (Navajo style round house), or a house and carry on for the entire night. Worshipers sing to the accompaniment of a gourd rattle and small drum, as well as pray, meditate and consume peyote. Most meetings are held to mark a particular event such as a birthday, marriage, or funeral by offering prayer, thanksgiving, praise, and appeals for spiritual guidance. At the heart of each ceremony is the attempt to understand the paradox of suffering amidst the joy of life.

(Taken from the Spiritual Diversity and Social Work Resource Centre's website. )

Native American Church website: http://www.nativeamericanchurch.com/

A history of the Native American Church: http://www.csp.org/communities/docs/fikes-nac_history.html

[DebonairMoon]

As strange as this may seem, even to me, and I've worked here 25 years ..

The Federal Government has Native American Heritage month. I get emails about the goings on for celebration on the post where I work.

But I'm with Frost and Toughy ...The whole subject gets me in an uproar...the horrible things that have gone on with the blessing of our government, or even at the hands of our government with regards to Native Americans..

my 2 cents.

[dirtywhiteboi]

Do we not celebrate women's history month, are there not a million and one varieties of women????? Did we not just celibrate black history month, are there not a million and one varieties of blacks??? I think this goes a bit further than its a tad to difficult to narrow down so lets just skip AI's altogether. The US can face what it has done to african americans, but it has YET to face what it has done to the american indian!

dirt



Algonquin, African-Canadian and French Canadian First Nations pagan child weighing in.

The practices of first nations peoples are so diverse that it would be nearly impossible to have a calendared "holiday" or holy days that encompass all of the beliefs and traditions.

Here is some information that I had saved from another discussion board

There are more than 500 Indigenous nations and tribes in the United States alone, with distinctive cultures, languages, histories, and religions. Religious patterns vary tremendously, especially as related to traditional life ways (e.g. wild rice farming along the Great Lakes; nomadic hunting on the central plains; desert mesa top villages and maize farming in the southwest, etc.) and current living situation (e.g. reservation, urban, traditional, assimilated, and blends of these). First Nations' traditions and spiritual practices were persecuted during centuries of colonization of North America. Patterns of discrimination continue. Therefore, many First Nations people are cautious about the sharing of details about their religious practices and beliefs. In addition, many traditional ceremonies are intended for private use

Despite the great variety of spiritual ways, there are some themes that are broadly shared among traditional First Nations peoples. Humans and the many other animal, plant, insect, bird, and spirit beings of earth and sky are relatives. Humans should treat them all with respect. Well-being is nurtured through lifestyles that harmonize with the cycles of human birth through death, and the cycles of moon and sun and seasons. Individuals have their identity within the context of their family, community, and place. Relating with the land in a sacred way is crucial to health. Each Indigenous tradition includes wisdom about the healing and helping qualities of plants and animals and sacred places and spirits in the area of habitation. In addition, Indigenous cultures include specialists of healing, such as herbalists, midwives, shamans, and many others. Many contemporary Native people blend traditional healing practices with conventional health and social service systems.

Native American Church (NAC) ceremony reflect a spiritual practice especially among tribes of the plains and the Dine (Navajo) Nation. NAC is a formal religious organization that embraces the Peyote ceremony as means to guide one on the spiritual path in life. Peyote is a cactus, which used properly, helps practitioners to deepen awareness of the sacred. NAC first formed in the 1890s; it developed as a result of the Indigenous peoples being forcibly resettled in Oklahoma, and thus, sundered from spiritual ties to their land. Two forms of ceremony emerged: the Comanche Half Moon and the Wilson Big Moon. Ceremonies take place in either a tee-pee, hogan (Navajo style round house), or a house and carry on for the entire night. Worshipers sing to the accompaniment of a gourd rattle and small drum, as well as pray, meditate and consume peyote. Most meetings are held to mark a particular event such as a birthday, marriage, or funeral by offering prayer, thanksgiving, praise, and appeals for spiritual guidance. At the heart of each ceremony is the attempt to understand the paradox of suffering amidst the joy of life.

(Taken from the Spiritual Diversity and Social Work Resource Centre's website. )

Native American Church website: http://www.nativeamericanchurch.com/

A history of the Native American Church: http://www.csp.org/communities/docs/fikes-nac_history.html

[Kitten]

:| Uhhmmm...I didn't have a "point"; I was just sharing information for those who are interested in the Native American Church.

However, I was giving this as a possible "reason".

"First Nations' traditions and spiritual practices were persecuted during centuries of colonization of North America. Patterns of discrimination continue. Therefore, many First Nations people are cautious about the sharing of details about their religious practices and beliefs. In addition, many traditional ceremonies are intended for private use...

Two forms of ceremony emerged: the Comanche Half Moon and the Wilson Big Moon.

... Most meetings are held to mark a particular event such as a birthday, marriage, or funeral by offering prayer, thanksgiving, praise, and appeals for spiritual guidance. At the heart of each ceremony is the attempt to understand the paradox of suffering amidst the joy of life."

So, no "national holidays" because of persecution, privacy concerns and a religious practice that is personal. If you don't see those as "reasons", I guess we're coming at this problem from very different points of view.

*shrug*

[Toughy]

dirt......

Columbus Day has EVERYTHING to do with First Nation peoples.....it celebrates the beginning of the near extinction of a Nation of many millions of peoples.

And just in case you didn't know, there are protests by First Nation people in Washington, DC every year on Columbus Day.

[FemmeLovinBoi]

there shouldn't be a "designated" month for Native Americans..........I celebrate every single day like it is MY day..............But I hear ya, where is it on the calendar??

Princess Jungle
Lakota & Ojibway Nations

Couldn't agree with you more. (y) And I don't acknowledge or celebrate anything to do with Columbus. (n)

Cherokee boi here (h)

[Toughy]

in case I am being misunderstood....

I DO NOT celebrate Columbus Day......

We used to take the AIDS Memorial Quilt to Washington DC over the Columbus Day 'holiday'......I remember conversations with First Nation peoples about bringing The Quilt to DC on a day they find righteously offensive. I was in charge of security for the events. After discussion with Elders of the tribes involved in the DC protests, they allowed us to bring The Quilt during their weekend of protest.

Elders and Shamans agreed to bless the land we laid The Quilt on. It is the only time that we allowed any organized spiritual/religious blessing of The Quilt in DC. The Catholic Archdioese of DC wanted to bless The Quilt ....we refused.

damn I rambled off topic sort of.......

[FemmeLovinBoi]

Toughy, no misunderstanding here. I undertood what you were saying. (y)

[RopeBurner]

November is Native American/First Nations Heritage Month, usually commemorated by films about and by Native Americans are on your local PBS station. Here out west, Columbus Day is referred to as Indigenous People's Day, there are protests and pow wow's here.

You're right, the U.S. is not ready to face its hand in the genocide of Native people's of this land. However the recent opening of the Native American museum in Washington D.C. at least doesn't pretend we were all happy that the boat people arrived.

LGBTI Native Americans refer to themselves as Two-Spirits. Here in the S.F. area we will be hosting the 17th Annual International Two-Spirit Gathering. You do NOT have to have a tribal card to attend. You can find out information about this Gathering at: www.baaits.org (and you'll save money if you register before April 1st). It will be held after the S.F. Pride Parade and Dyke March, and we will have the largest contingent of Two-Spirit people in a pride parade ever. This Gathering was held last year in Montana and travels between the U.S. and Canada.

Rope-- [Co-Chair of BAAITS-Bay Area American Indian Two-Spirits]
Apache

[Nativegrl28]

Greetings,
I'm from South Dakota and during the time the late governor Mickelson was in office, I believe he helped make it official here in the state to change columus day to Native American Day. There are 7 reservations here, and he really made it a point while in office to include the native voice. At the time, I didn't give a crap about stuff like that. But now that Im older, I wish I had payed attention. My voice would have been heard. I've read up on a lot of the "unjusts" done to my ancestors, and even though I still get mad and upset thinking about things, we are no longer living in that time. What was done is done, and now we Natives need to learn to look forward and not the past. We still need to remember our heritage and pass that along before it is forgotten. Oh yeah, there is an ad on the local radio station with a native speaking about how the native americans could have killed the expedition off, but they didn't, instead they were friendly, and how they help them with food, clothing, and other supplies.

Peace, Love and Light

[CalypsoTheNymph]

Very interesting thread ,dirty, ... and insightful too ......

Cherokee/Creek here .... My papa was 1/2 Creek ......... looked it too ......

;) ;)

[dirtywhiteboi]

Thanks lilly!

hope you're feeling better

dirt




Very interesting thread ,dirty, ... and insightful too ......

Cherokee/Creek here .... My papa was 1/2 Creek ......... looked it too ......

;) ;)

[nightwolf]

My answer to this threads opening question is 'cultural & racial genocide'.

Did you know that even though Abraham Lincoln (sorry spelling?) was involved in African American emancipation ...before he became president he was apparently very outspoken in his views agreeing with the army in which he served,that the "redskin" needed to be basically wiped out.i just heard this the other day in a very interesting television documentary on the American 'Blackfoot' tribe & their horrendous history with the whiteman.
i was stunned at the continious unrelenting outright slaughter of these people even under white flag surrender conditions ...& after the Braves were gone ...killing the women children & babies too ...i just sat & wept.

nightwolf

[TenderKnight]

part Cherokee here..

I too feel out right anger and yes, rage when i really sit and THINK about the Native People of this land, and how they have been treated by the settlers and the national government, even to this very day.. *sighs*

mmm.. I am dating a woman of the Lumbee tribe, and my mother has been in deep study of shaminic practice.. It is so fasinating to me, how native cultures have all kind of shared thier spirituality, meaning that the places they go, (i.e. the other world, or the Under World, Middle, Upper, the dream world, however you want to put it).. It really shows how connected we all really are.

mmmm.. My thoughts are skattered right now, but i will keep an eye on this thread.

Thanks to all for posting, have enjoyed reading, so far.

Tony

[femmegirrl]

Choctaw Nation here..good to know that there are many of us here...

[luvin61]

I thought Id peek in here,,Im 1/4 cherokee ( North Carolina Cherokee Indian Nation),,I wish there was a National Holiday for Native Americans :(

[GentleAngel]

I'm a third Native American ~ Blackfoot and Cherokee....And I'm very proud of my Native American Heritage....
It is appalling that there is no Native American Holiday !!! After all the horrible things that have been done to Native Americans, You'd think there could at least be one day to honor our heritage....If november is supposed to be national american indian heritage month then WHY isn't it on the calander ???

[dirtywhiteboi]

Why is it not on the calendar? Why during that month is there no special commercials or shows or interviews commemorating this???? You get it for black history month, now we're seeing it for women's history month.

wtfdirt


I'm a third Native American ~ Blackfoot and Cherokee....And I'm very proud of my Native American Heritage....
It is appalling that there is no Native American Holiday !!! After all the horrible things that have been done to Native Americans, You'd think there could at least be one day to honor our heritage....If november is supposed to be national american indian heritage month then WHY isn't it on the calander ???

[tokarojn]

Tuscarora Nation here....part of the Iroquois speakers that fled NC when they were gathering up our brothers and sisters of the Cherokee Nation. My ancestors settled in the Susquehanna Valley of Pa. where I was born in the middle of the Appalachian Mts.

I so glad to see so many of us 2spirits here.

~featthers

[dirtywhiteboi]

Wovoka

Born: 1854? (1856 and 1858)near Mineral County, Nevada now Esmeralda county
Died: October 4, 1932 at Walker Lake, Nevada

Wovoka a Paiute, mystic Indian, also known as Jack Wilson, who worked as a ranch hand for David Wilson after being orphaned at the age of fourteen. He had a Christian upbringing

At about the age of thirty, Wovoka began to weave together various cultural strains into the ghost dance religion. In 1870, a Paiute Indian named Tävibo prophesied that all whites would be swallowed up by the earth. Dead Paiute Indians and all others would come back to life free in a land of material wealth, spiritual renewal and immortal life

It is not known for sure but some believe Tävibo was Wovoka 's father

Wovoka in 1889, experienced a dream like state in which he saw the coming of the Indian Messiah. The Ghost Dance was a prominent part of Wovoka 's dream

One instruction portrayed in the Indian Messiah dream: The Paiute Indians were to live peacefully with the white 's till the coming of the Indian Messiah

The Ghost Dance, which Wovoka taught, spread throughout Nevada and the North Plains

The Ghost Dance religion was feared by the whites and the U.S. government as it was viewed as a method to incite the Indians to band together and rebel against the reservations

The Wounded Knee Massacre executed by the U.S. 7th Cavalry on December 29, 1890 was the method chosen to squelch the Ghost Dance

The brutal killing of Big Foot's band at Wounded Knee was wicked proof that whites were not about to vanish, and that the end of the world was not at hand

With the Ghost Dance religion dead, Wovoka a Paiute, mystic Indian lost face and lived as Jack Wilson until 1932.

Ghost dance chant (kansas 1889)
"Soon the earth would be covered with dust,
and a new earth would be born.
All nations of Indians long dead would
come back to life. The white man would
disappear and the buffalo would return"

Ghost dance(patti smith)

What is it children that falls from the sky ?
Tayi, taya, tayi, aye aye.
Mannah from Heaven from the most high,
Food from the father, tayi, taye aye.
We shall live again, we shall live again,
We shall live again, shake out the ghost dance.

Peace to your brother, give and take eat,
Tayi, taya, dance little feet
One foot extended, snake to the ground,
Wave up the Earth, one turn around.
We shall live again, we shall live again,
We shall live again, shake out the ghost dance.

Stretch out your arms now dip and swing,
Bird of thy bird, tayi, tayi.
The oe of the shoe the ou of the soul
Dust of the word that shakes from the tail
We shall live again, we shall live again,
We shall live again, shake out the ghost dance.

Here we are, Father, Lord, Holy Ghost,
Bread of your bread, host of your host,
We are the tears that fall from your eyes,
Word of your word, cry of your cry.
We shall live again, we shall live again,
We shall live again.

What is it, Father, in your eye,
What is this wisdom, eyes of God,
That makes me feel just what I need.
You used to fly me the way to speed.

What is it Father that turns to the right
What is it Father in your holy light
What is it Father that shakes from your hand
What is it Father that turns me around
What is it Father can you tell me when
Father, will we live again
We shall live again
We shall live again
We shall live again
Shake out the ghost

Ialwaysplayedtheindianasakiddirt

[redfeather51]

Im only part AI, Algonquin nation, but i know that within my family most have chosen to hide this part of themselves. They feel the other people look down on them for what we are. My grandma taught me most of the traditions and I have been learning most on my own, if there is a holiday or month I've never heard of it

[Galant_1]

-a gentle smile....

[GentleAngel]

Why is it not on the calendar? Why during that month is there no special commercials or shows or interviews commemorating this???? You get it for black history month, now we're seeing it for women's history month.

wtfdirt

Yes....I completely agree with you....it's as if american indian heritage month is completely ignored....
GentleAngel

[GentleAngel]

This is a poem that I wrote this morning and I wanted to share it...

My ancestors spirits

Are calling to me

Reminding me

Of all that used to be

When the earth was treasured

and animals roamed free



oh spirits

I hear your cries

Tears are flowing

From my eyes



I try to understand

Why people no longer

Respect this land

In my dreams I am taken

To a place that has not been touched

By a human hand



A beautiful meadow

Filled with beauty and peace

A circle of nature

Surrounded by trees

That is where my ancestors

Come to me

In the center of this circle we meet

Around a fire we sit

And we speak

By GentleAngel (a) Sunday, March 06, 2005

[FemmeLovinBoi]

This is a poem that I wrote this morning and I wanted to share it...

My ancestors spirits

Are calling to me

Reminding me

Of all that used to be

When the earth was treasured

and animals roamed free



oh spirits

I hear your cries

Tears are flowing

From my eyes



I try to understand

Why people no longer

Respect this land

In my dreams I am taken

To a place that has not been touched

By a human hand



A beautiful meadow

Filled with beauty and peace

A circle of nature

Surrounded by trees

That is where my ancestors

Come to me

In the center of this circle we meet

Around a fire we sit

And we speak

By GentleAngel (a) Sunday, March 06, 2005

Very nice GentleAngel. (f)

[GentleAngel]

Very nice GentleAngel. (f)

Thank You FLB

[redfeather51]

That is Absolutely beautiful

[TheFrozenNorth]

Interesting thread here dirt.

Now I seen much reference to Columbus Day here, and yes I agree that often times it is used as a day of protest for those members of the Native Community who choose to do so.

I grew up not celebrating Columbus Day, not because of my Inupiak heritage, but simply because in Canada they don't celebrate it, and Thanksgiving falls on that day.

Now, all the angst against non-natives I see is no different than the thinking of the Anglo's who perpetrated that near genocide 500+ years ago.

You would think that in 500 years time we would have learned to be better than that, we would have learned to reclaim our proud heritage, and rise above that. But no, every city I have lived in in the US as well as Canada I see many tribal members wallowing in despair and willing victims of society.

What was the native peoples revenge....building casinos and taking the "white man's" money.




I as an inuk (native) refuse to buy into the despair, the angst, or the mass capitalism that my people have become.

I am native, and I don't need some fucking commercialized day to commemorate my heritage.

We were a people who celebrated our lives, our existance in EVERY day, therefore every day is a native holiday for me.

INUK ISSUHUNGITOK!! (Native Forever)

~Frosty

[GentleAngel]

That is Absolutely beautiful

Thank You redfeather51

[GentleAngel]

Interesting thread here dirt.

Now I seen much reference to Columbus Day here, and yes I agree that often times it is used as a day of protest for those members of the Native Community who choose to do so.

I grew up not celebrating Columbus Day, not because of my Inupiak heritage, but simply because in Canada they don't celebrate it, and Thanksgiving falls on that day.

Now, all the angst against non-natives I see is no different than the thinking of the Anglo's who perpetrated that near genocide 500+ years ago.

You would think that in 500 years time we would have learned to be better than that, we would have learned to reclaim our proud heritage, and rise above that. But no, every city I have lived in in the US as well as Canada I see many tribal members wallowing in despair and willing victims of society.

What was the native peoples revenge....building casinos and taking the "white man's" money.




I as an inuk (native) refuse to buy into the despair, the angst, or the mass capitalism that my people have become.

I am native, and I don't need some fucking commercialized day to commemorate my heritage.

We were a people who celebrated our lives, our existance in EVERY day, therefore every day is a native holiday for me.

INUK ISSUHUNGITOK!! (Native Forever)

~Frosty

I understand what you’re saying…and I do think that we should celebrate our Heritage every day….I don’t think that I need a certain month or a day to celebrate my heritage…
However…it is my thought that if there is a National American Indain heritage month…and this month is used to educate people on the past and current trials and triumphs of the American Indian (as they do for African Americans)….only good can come from this….it is education that fights ignorance and racism…. A less ignorant and more informed country can only help people to live in peace, love and harmony….
Just my thoughts…

GentleAngel (a)

[dirtywhiteboi]

To ignore it, is to not hold people accountable for what I would go so far as to deem, crimes against humanity. Like any minority, there were great, strong intelligent artistic american indians that will not be remembered in history because to acknowledge them, is to acknowledge what has been done to them(genocide). As well as admit we americans today are living, breathing, prospering in a country that technically doesnt even belong to us.

dirt



I understand what you’re saying…and I do think that we should celebrate our Heritage every day….I don’t think that I need a certain month or a day to celebrate my heritage…
However…it is my thought that if there is a National American Indain heritage month…and this month is used to educate people on the past and current trials and triumphs of the American Indian (as they do for African Americans)….only good can come from this….it is education that fights ignorance and racism…. A less ignorant and more informed country can only help people to live in peace, love and harmony….
Just my thoughts…

GentleAngel (a)

[GentleAngel]

To ignore it, is to not hold people accountable for what I would go so far as to deem, crimes against humanity. Like any minority, there were great, strong intelligent artistic american indians that will not be remembered in history because to acknowledge them, is to acknowledge what has been done to them(genocide). As well as admit we americans today are living, breathing, prospering in a country that technically doesnt even belong to us.

dirt

Thank you dirt....I agree... to ignore it is to keep people in the dark about the horrible things that were done...and also about the Great things in history that American Indians have done...
History should be remembered and told accurately...
All of the great,strong,intelligent,and artistic American Indians should be honored and remembered...

GentleAngel

[redfeather51]

I'm so happy tohear others opinions,I"ve always been proud of my heritage, but so many in my family are not . Never realy could talk about it or expess my feelings til now. Thak all of you at B&F
May the spirits of the fore fathers walk beside you always

[FemmeLovinBoi]

I understand what you’re saying…and I do think that we should celebrate our Heritage every day….I don’t think that I need a certain month or a day to celebrate my heritage…
However…it is my thought that if there is a National American Indain heritage month…and this month is used to educate people on the past and current trials and triumphs of the American Indian (as they do for African Americans)….only good can come from this….it is education that fights ignorance and racism…. A less ignorant and more informed country can only help people to live in peace, love and harmony….
Just my thoughts…

GentleAngel (a)

I agree GentleAngel. To ignore it and say, "it happened a long time ago" is to, well, simply "ignore" what happened to our people and hold no one accountable for it. I won't ignore it no matter how long ago it happened and I won't ignore what is STILL happening today.

[crazy4bois]

I belong to the Rosebud Sioux Tribe in South Dakota, and my mother was extremely active in protesting Columbus Day, here in Colorado. She was also active in AIM for the longest time. It was kind of surprising, since I wasn't raised on the reservation where I was born, and so I didn't grow up knowing that much about my own heritage. It's only been within the last couple of decades that I've learned more about my Native American heritage. It's been difficult for me growing up in a 'white' world, yet feeling displaced from who I am and where I belong. There's been times where I feel like I fit into neither world.

I had wanted to start some kind of thread before, wondering if anyone else was from an actual reservation.

The battle regarding Columbus Day, here in Colorado, is still going on strong every year. My mother was arrested before, and I have no doubt that her name is on the Governor's list of insurgents to watch out for.

There are all kinds of programs in schools for Blacks and Hispanics, along with all their holidays and celebrations, and there is a great lack of them for Native Americans. Maybe that's because we as a whole, have gotten so used to being last in the scheme of things, so we don't speak out as loudly as other minorities. We were the last to be given the right to vote, and for decades, we have been used to being corralled on Reservations, when this whole country used to belong to us. My ancestors were the original 'americans', and the government has done little in the way of reparation after trying to drive us into extinction. English is supposed to be my second language, while my first language, Lakota, is practically non existent, except by the elders who refused to have their language beaten out of them by the Catholics and other so called Christians.

I don't live in the past, and expect the government to 'owe' me, although the Black Hills was stolen from my tribe. I refuse to wear Black Hills gold as my own personal protest against the battle still going on over my tribe trying to get their land back. I can get in an uproar about the whole unjusticeness done to Native Americans, but there will come a day when we will rise in all our greatness once more, and we will be strong and stand as a whole. The 7th Generation is when we as a people will be healed.

[Toughy]

no one is a complete human until all are complete humans........

do no harm, do as you will