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And now I see in this thread the whole Indian Health Care Bill.
Anyway…yeah that bill is important but I can sorta see it being screwed with eventually, just like every other health bill that has ever passed. Not dissing the bill or the vote, but know that health care always gets messed with in some shape or form with amendments, ratifications, etc. But it’s a step that I was actually glad to see get back off the shelves.
I also know of the whole Hawaiian soveriegnty issue as well. My friend is always talking about it.
But again, my friend said then, as she did now, that the only thing I could really do to help was to support her by spreading the word because she still doubts Hawaii will ever be soveriegn again as I mentioned earlier, and was what I was talking about above as well. She is displaced and a little bitter over it all as anyone would be, and she has written congress numerous letters about so many things that has happened in the mainland to her. Even getting an ID for the state she lives in took a few years…not a drivers license, but just a state ID when she is actually a U.S. citizen.
I just read yesterday in the AARP Newsletter that a Choctaw woman in OK that has cancer was cut off her Medicaid benefits because she could not prove US citizenship. She was recieving benefits in the past but because of some immigration law that recently passed, her benefits were stopped until she can prove she is a US citizen. She says that after her next treatment she has to drive 90 miles to get a certified birth certificate in order to have her benefits back. The article goes on to state that because of this law, 13% of Oklahoma citzens are being affected since they are NA, and most cannot prove their citizenship. It just sometimes amazes me that Natives, whether in Hawaii or here on the “mainland” are still displaced. These things are very sad to me.
Quote from Steve-o:
BQ is what messed everything up because it is a government thing, not a native thing…although I do know some have wound up adopting the policy.
Steve,
I could not agree more, the government sets the rules and in order for NA groups to comply, they end up breaking up familes and causing hard feelings amongst all NA. It is certainly “Not” for the betterment of a people. Keeps Native Americans weak, because they cannot come together, which may be the point, eh?
Thanks for sharing your friend’s story, it is sad, but sounds she stands strong!
Shirley
This whole discussion sounds like a much more vocal one some time back on the forum. I am proud of my heritage or at least I better be because it has made me who I am physically speaking. Now it is up to me to be the man I ought to be and that is going to depend on my concept and obedience to God our Creator ! There is a Pride that goes before a fall and a Haughty Spirit before destruction. Do we need to remind ourselves that long before European “Invader’s” came to these shore (many of these were actually refugees themselves fleeing from pride filled and blood thirsty neighbors) there were proud, racist tribes of natives who “INVADED” other Native tribes and literally wiped them out just because of Pride and Greed. They killed every man, woman, and child because they were not (exactly just like them), and for what they could take or steal after the murder and pillaging. Wake up, this has been the history of mankind all over this entire earth since almost the beginning.
Here are the real facts: Creator God has made of ONE BLOOD–ALL NATIONS ! Aren’t you glad that if you were dying from blood loss that within reasonable truth any person’s blood can save you from death.
Perhaps there are some out there who would be so PROUD and Obstinate they would refuse transfusion. So Be It, refuse the knowledge Creator God has given to mankind and die if your life is so unimportant. ! This discussion has the smathering of racism and forgive me for saying stupidity. Use the good brain Creator has given you and me. I no more chose to be white, or african, or native american than any of us did. That was the choice of Creator God. Now if He did not determine your birth and your presence here on earth or at least some of believe that He didn’t we could just end this discussion and go on our own self destructive benge. Not to get Religious , but why am I to believe all Native Americans believed in Creator and worshiped Him ? If they had they would not have done the things to each other they did and then held celebrations for their “Victories” when they had accomplished no less autracities than those committed by any (white man, african man or asian man or middle eastern man) did I leave anyone out. We are what we believe and how we live and what we do, period ! I can no more deny who I am which is my total make up of generations of peoples on this earth than I can denyCreator God who is Supreme, Almight, and in absolute contron and has permitted me to exist. My unique make up makes me unique and special in His eyes and gives me a unique opportunity to live a fulfilled and responsible life in my life span given. There will never be a solution to the wrongs of the past, present or future until we are willing to turn to our Creator and God, know it is not His desire that any of us perish or destroy others in our selfishness and discover His perfect will for each of us.
Ed
I do not even feel like I should have even had to explain what I had said earlier, but figured since “I” was actually the one who was attacked here, that maybe I should.
To me the whole thing sounded like who was “more Indian” anyway, based on “What do you do? What have you done? I want to know who walks the freakin’ Red Road?…. (It is a good day to die??? Whatever)” I woke up today and thought I shouldn’t even have explained myself at all because all I said is that I do not and cannot dis-own my ancestry, nor would I want to, then the Missouri tag team decided to double team me and say ” Red Road ” crap all over the place.
I actually told my friend that they are becoming who they hate which is the term you used…”Racist”…and she agreed with that one too.
Perhaps I should have just said…
“From where the sun now stands I will fight no more forever’, and they would have still believed I was walking with them on the Red Road. Whatever…whatever…I said what I said because I thought the whole idea of dis-owning who you descend from is stupid IMO. I get attacked for it and decided against my better judgement to defend myself against things I never even said. I too think the whole thing is just rediculous with the smell of racism attached however.
Some of the discussion here has also implied that have been mixed because some ancestors must have cohabitated with our Native mother’s out of greed and lust because for sure these Native women could not have loved these “European’s” or these White men would never have loved these Native women ! That was not said specifically but that would certainly have to be the conclusion since no European could ever be sincere or good ( however you would interpret those terms) and no Native woman would ever forsake the absolute goodness of being Native by marrying a non native. That implication is absolute senile and without knowledge and wisdom of the ways of man with woman anywhere in the world.
Google and look up a letter John Rolf wrote to the then governor of Virginia in regard to his love and purposal to make Pocohantas his wife. If you will,” the Lady of his life.” This man had to deal with two cultures in America, the English and Native American , hence his explaining to the Governor of Virginia his position that would not and could not denounce his committment to her, his love for her and his belief this is a God driven and God controlled relationship that has to be sealed in Marriage. He also knows the day would come he would have to return to England to a third culture–the most difficult of them all–The English Royal Society and the acceptance of his wife . What this man wrote of this Native woman and prospective wife should be read by every man no matter in what culture they find themselves. Not only should they read of such sanctity in the union of a man with a woman they should profess it to their own wives and prospective brides. This became a mixed marriage between a Native Woman and a White man but nothing more beautiful could have expressed the desire of our Creator for His children, His creation. He pronounced His creation good and I have no right to hate, despise or deny any of it. I can grieve over the inhumanity of man to man and I can spend and give my lifetime to do my best to walk otherwise and give myself to shield and succor the suffering and the overtrodden but I am not given permission by Creator to hate any part of His Creation or renounce it. If there is vengence to be met and justice to be answered to then He say’s vengence belongs to Him alone and not to me. The main reason is because He is Creator God and has privy to every intimate detail of what really happened when you and I do not possess such wisdom and knowledge and in this present life can only see in part and not the whole.
Ed
Steve-o,
I thought you we replying to my usage of Red Road…it is why I felt I needed to respond, sorry. I will just shut up now…and many are probably saying, “its about time!” lol:D 😮
take care,
Shirley
Ed,
I know all about the letter. My wife is a descendant of Pocahontas in some way. Her uncle traced the family back to Jamestown era Virginia. And I definitely know about intermarriage because my lines are chock full of it, which is why I said what I said, that which got blown completely out of proportion.
Shirley,
I wasn’t replying to your usage, or anyone’s usuage. I have seen it used here quite a bit on other threads & I just ignore it. But if these folks were truely walking on what they call the “Red Road” & was following their God/Creator, then they would realize that your God, my God, your next door neighbor’s God, etc., is all in the same and “One God” and they wouldn’t be so quick to judge, put words in my mouth, and cast stones.
I tend to follow the Buddhist belief that we are “Human Beings” first and foremost and everything else is secondary. I agree with that statement but am not a Buddhist. So being a human being means being native, white, black, purple, green, etc., really isn’t that important in the grand scheme of things. When it is our time to die, does being one race or another gaurantee anything when we cross over? Nope. Each one of us walks on our own road in life, I just choose not to call it Red. That just sounds so cheesy to me. It’s life’s road, plain and simple. I know plenty of natives who get up everyday and live their lives and never say I am living the Red Way or walking the Red Road…if they did they would sound like something out of a B Movie. They get up every morning and do like we all do when we get up every morning. They go through many of the same things we do on a daily basis, and go through some things we don’t. But each person on this planet has a different “road” to travel. Judging people because they don’t walk on the same “Road” is a bit childish to me.
I never said a thing about the “Red Road” until it was said to me in this thread…so no, I was not taking a stab at you Shirley when I said it. I just find it is a very overused, highly mis-understood term that most natives will balk at because they now label it a “Twinkie Term”. So if the Missouri tag team, or anyone else, decides to get mad over that, they need to take it up with the natives who labeled it a “Twinkie Term” and not me because I really don’t care one way or the other about this whole “Red Road” crap anyway. It definitely is not a deciding factor as to who is “Truely” native and who isn’t anyway.
red road
Welp. I picked up that term from a nifty little meditation book a friend gave me. Was quietly advised that the term red road offends some elders.
My understanding is that some of them are not fond of horn tooting, either.
there’s 2 wheat pennies
from a stalk of green corn
;~)
So, much for shutting up!:mad:
oh, the offences…far too many to count:( …
There is no doubt that even this post may offend some. As I explained however, I speak from what is in my heart…guess what? It may be an offence to some, blasphemy to others, or even an faux paux to certain NA groups.
Sorry, however I am who I am and will continue to speak my heart…I will not wear these fetters.
But, as not to offend the Elders any further I shall obstain from the term here (I won’t even say the word), or maybe my thinking it is an offence…can’t win.:(
Shirley
sammarroq wrote: So, much for shutting up!:mad:
oh, the offences…far too many to count:( …
There is no doubt that even this post may offend some. As I explained however, I speak from what is in my heart…guess what? It may be an offence to some, blasphemy to others, or even an faux paux to certain NA groups.
Sorry, however I am who I am and will continue to speak my heart…I will not wear these fetters.
But, as not to offend the Elders any further I shall obstain from the term here (I won’t even say the word), or maybe my thinking it is an offence…can’t win.:(
Shirley
Hi Shirley, Hey, I see no reason for you to feel bad or have to not say what you feel in your heart. Though we’ve never met face to face and only crossed paths here on the SaponyTown forum, I feel you are a pure-hearted person with a beautiful spirit. Nothing wrong in saying what’s in your heart my sister-friend;) After all, a rose by anyother name is still a rose, is it not? Also, a verse of a song came to my mind today and it is~~We are only dancing on this earth for a very short while~~ Are we not? Take the good, weed through the rest and follow your path–simple as that! Peace ~^~Greydove:)
Shirley, that was only meant as an fyi, same as how it was told to me.
May not apply to every NDN everywhere.
I’d rather you didn’t shut up. I like you and what you share.
I had to step away for a few and take a deep breath…sorry to vent…again.
I appreciate everyone’s posts here…even in our differences of opinion we can find oneness.
I like this forum, because for the most part here, people are genuinely searching for their roots and “not” judging one another. If we used our strengths together, to build one another instead of tearing each other down…well, just think of the possibilities:)
Shirley
beeleaf wrote: Shirley, that was only meant as an fyi, same as how it was told to me.
May not apply to every NDN everywhere.
I’d rather you didn’t shut up. I like you and what you share.
Thanks Bee,
Likewise here, I enjoy your posts as well:)
Shirley
Greydove wrote: Hi Shirley, Hey, I see no reason for you to feel bad or have to not say what you feel in your heart. Though we’ve never met face to face and only crossed paths here on the SaponyTown forum, I feel you are a pure-hearted person with a beautiful spirit. Nothing wrong in saying what’s in your heart my sister-friend;) After all, a rose by anyother name is still a rose, is it not? Also, a verse of a song came to my mind today and it is~~We are only dancing on this earth for a very short while~~ Are we not? Take the good, weed through the rest and follow your path–simple as that! Peace ~^~Greydove:)
Hi Greydove,
Thanks, well this old heart has been beaten and bruised, but is still untamed. I am not a confrontational person, but if it is something I am passionate about, well then that recessed type A personality awakens.
Shirley
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