Those of you who know me are aware that I am part Blackfoot. Grrrrr....
OK this is the very last time I ever word it that way! Why do I feel the need to explain my fair skin? My Mother was 1/2 Blackfoot and half Swedish/Norwiegian. My Father was 1/2 Hopi and 1/2 Scottish. So I have light skin for a Native and I feel like people look at me odd when I say I'm Blackfoot. Reality is I AM Blackfoot 100%, that is where and how I was raised. My blood is mixed and I am proud of my European heritage (Yay Vikings) but I am Blackfoot. I know nothing of my Hopi people other than what I've read and the same with the rest. So instead of concerning myself with wether or not people "believe" me I will Honor my Grandmother's and Grandfather's and only state I am Blackfoot from now on!
I'm done Rambling now!
This morning I recieved an email from my sweet friend Christy @ Kronicles of a Konader
This is the link that she sent me: Native legal update
Simply put One church felt compelled for reasons unknown to offer a sincere apology to the Lenape tribe, One of the first affected by the European invasion.
I do not know (nor do I care) what motivated them to offer a 400 year past due appology but I can say that reading this and then going to my tribal site and reading what my people were saying, it brought me to tears. My tears were of both sorrow and hope. Sorrow because I know how my people still live and hope for the future of all Native Americans. these people did not personally create the wrongs but they took the initiative to step towards righting a very long legacy of wrongs.
I try very hard to not make my blog a Native Rant space, nor do I want or expect pity, or apologize from ancestors of those origional invaders. However this is a subject that is very personal and I cannot help but be overly passionate about it. So I will do my best to make this a one time spewing of my Native heartbreak and just get it out.
I know how a lot of American's view or have been taught of the Native American's mainly those living on Reservations. They are told that we are given all of this "free" stuff from the government, that we live off of the government and cling to pity, that we build casinos and proudly take white gamblers money to live high on the hog. LMFAO Pardon my language but that is a gianormous crock of bullshit!
This is where I come from
(picture taken Spring 2009)
This is not an exageration but a current lived in government provided home on my tribal reservation.
(Above picture taken last fall 2008)
This is what the US government has so generously given my people. (about 30 years ago)
(Picture taken spring 2009)
This is one of the nicest houses on the reservation. Not paid for by Government funds.
It is embarassing to me that this is home. This is where I am from.
I am not embarrassed to be Blackfoot by any means, I am a proud Blackfoot woman.
I will not show the school or library because those pictures have some of my family in them and I do not care to make them public.
The government gives so little funding to reservations that most reservation educated children whom have graduated High school have the equivelant of a 6th grade US non reservation education.
There are no free chacks handed out to families, no free vehicles, yes we get that fabulous moldy government cheese! Woohoo!
Casinos are not on all reservations nor are they a cure to Native poverty, but you do what you have to to provide for your people. Casino's have brought more money to the Blackfeet and more drugs, and alcoholism and more stereotypes.
For me personally ,as well as what some of my relations living on the reserve are saying, this is a step toward removing the curtain that has hidden true reservation life from the American public. This is hope for change in government policy. (Native Americans still must register and inform Indian agency of where they live and travel) A step toward possibilities of a decent future and maybe even religious freedom. (Many of our religious ceremonies are outlawed by US government)
I have a new twinkle of hope!
I leave you with these pictures of The Blackfoot reservation and what my tribe has preserved through many battles, treaties and plain stubborness!
May the stars carry your sadness away,
May the flowers fill your heart with beauty,
May hope forever wipe away your tears,
And, above all, may silence make you strong.
