Thank you for sharing this beautiful essay, Lucinda. Language is a shape shifter and I can’t imagine how difficult it has been for you to explain and defend your truth. Your words have clarity and honesty… the best tools you have to honor your heritage and your brave and beloved father. Keep speaking!
Lucinda, It's so very sad that your father had to go through so much, at such a young age. And it's totally disgusting how the govt took advantage of children, stealing their childhood, even the food from their mouths. What I love about it is your father's resilience and survival of a brutal, horror of a system. What is wrong with people? I'm also sorry to hear people have questioned your birthright. Again, what the heck is going on? The best part is that your mother and father met, turned the page on an abysmal past, and that you are the result of their love. And strong as strong can be!
Thank you, Jeanine. thank you for these kind and insightful words and for allowing me to share something that's been on my mind and heart for such a long time. My third act I hope will be a personal resolution of some things, airing and sharing of some things, remembering things for both my parents and myself and hopefully being a tiny drop in a tidal wave of acceptance and embracing of all people by all people. I feel something is happening in our country toward that end and I hope I'm right.
I love your sharing of stories. They are great and look forward to your getting back to them as you mentioned. Think you may be working on a bigger project at the moment. "Embracing of all people by all people." A beautiful image. And I agree with you, it feels like something Is happening. Reminds me of the movie Network (but that had a sad ending) where the newscaster yells, I'm mad as hell and not going to take it any more. Imho, I believe that's the overall feeling and am praying for a reversal, as think are many. Hopefully our 'ending' will be better.
I enjoyed your thoughts on Pretendian. This is a word often used by Native people toward other native people who are not from a federally recognized tribe; and as you point out, they seem to target individuals with whiter skin who simply claim heritage but do not live in a native community setting. (This is a very simple and loose explanation on my part.)They’ve also used the term “wantabes” years ago. The unfortunate issue here, is that federally recognized Native people are turning on other native people; especially those who only have state recognition. Check out what the OK Cherokee are doing in this regard. I find it horrific and such actions spell out just how assimilated they are into the generic American culture. Power of one tribe over another seems to be what they are seeking. There is no unification. The Cherokee are especially going after Native artists; and went so far as to try and alter the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1991 to ban artists who were only state recognized from participating in art shows around the country. The Cherokee refers to state recognized tribes as “fake” Indians. I am truly saddened by this behavior.
Thanks Kathy for weighing in on this. With your wisdom and knowledge beyond my emotional wreckage. My tribe is certainly not always in line with my values. I've had some interesting conversations with my cousin trying to reconcile ourselves to our past integrate our sensibilities with our tribe's. To say it's complicated is not strong enough. It's just nearly unresolvable. THE INDIAN PROBLEM belongs to us, too. Thanks again
Yes. Identity issues regarding “who is” and “who isn’t” are beyond complicated. There is a faction now going after Buffy St. Marie, Johnny Cash and the like. This concern you have is legitimation. It is so volitile, hurtful and at times (short of tattoos on arms) borders on extremism. In some of the most recent cases it’s all about money. Again. I enjoyed reading and learning about your own thoughts on the subject.
Well said. I'll admit I grew up with the story - my grandfather, the half Indian bastard, adopted by the kind German-Americans. That story so far from the truth. When I did a DNA test, hoping to confirm my Indian ancestors I was woefully disappointed. But the test brought me into contact with my Canadian cousin. The "Indian" great-grandfather (my cousin's grandfather) was a French Canadian who ran a store on a reservation. So when the story was told ans retold, like a decades long game of telephone, the story changed. The truth was my great grandparents were married, it was great grandfather's second wife. When she did shortly after giving birth he gave the baby to a couple in Minnesota who had no children. He had two by his first wife - my cousin's mother and her brother. On one level I sad the not being what I was told but happy that I know the truth.
My dear, sweet Lucinda....I am so very proud to call you my friend. This essay is a masterpiece and needs to be shared world-wide. You have embodied the feelings of every person who is part NDN....myself included. Thank you for being you and for helping us understand what NDN brothers and sisters have to cope with every day. Much love....
Hi Kit. So glad we've connected. I am doing all the things that have trendy terms..."journey" for instance. In my third act, while I still have some juice I'm trying to put some long standing "Issues" to rest.
Thanks for weighing in, Thanks for rekindling old connections. And thanks for supporting Corvairs and Horny Toads. The stories/podcast are coming back soon.
Knew you did, Hal. It's an unfortunate truth sometimes that a few insensitive remarks that sting and cut, stay. As I work this out...in my dotage...I intend to leave behind those stings and only acknowledge the understanding. Thank you for reading and weighing in.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful essay, Lucinda. Language is a shape shifter and I can’t imagine how difficult it has been for you to explain and defend your truth. Your words have clarity and honesty… the best tools you have to honor your heritage and your brave and beloved father. Keep speaking!
Lucinda, It's so very sad that your father had to go through so much, at such a young age. And it's totally disgusting how the govt took advantage of children, stealing their childhood, even the food from their mouths. What I love about it is your father's resilience and survival of a brutal, horror of a system. What is wrong with people? I'm also sorry to hear people have questioned your birthright. Again, what the heck is going on? The best part is that your mother and father met, turned the page on an abysmal past, and that you are the result of their love. And strong as strong can be!
Thank you, Jeanine. thank you for these kind and insightful words and for allowing me to share something that's been on my mind and heart for such a long time. My third act I hope will be a personal resolution of some things, airing and sharing of some things, remembering things for both my parents and myself and hopefully being a tiny drop in a tidal wave of acceptance and embracing of all people by all people. I feel something is happening in our country toward that end and I hope I'm right.
I love your sharing of stories. They are great and look forward to your getting back to them as you mentioned. Think you may be working on a bigger project at the moment. "Embracing of all people by all people." A beautiful image. And I agree with you, it feels like something Is happening. Reminds me of the movie Network (but that had a sad ending) where the newscaster yells, I'm mad as hell and not going to take it any more. Imho, I believe that's the overall feeling and am praying for a reversal, as think are many. Hopefully our 'ending' will be better.
I enjoyed your thoughts on Pretendian. This is a word often used by Native people toward other native people who are not from a federally recognized tribe; and as you point out, they seem to target individuals with whiter skin who simply claim heritage but do not live in a native community setting. (This is a very simple and loose explanation on my part.)They’ve also used the term “wantabes” years ago. The unfortunate issue here, is that federally recognized Native people are turning on other native people; especially those who only have state recognition. Check out what the OK Cherokee are doing in this regard. I find it horrific and such actions spell out just how assimilated they are into the generic American culture. Power of one tribe over another seems to be what they are seeking. There is no unification. The Cherokee are especially going after Native artists; and went so far as to try and alter the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1991 to ban artists who were only state recognized from participating in art shows around the country. The Cherokee refers to state recognized tribes as “fake” Indians. I am truly saddened by this behavior.
Thanks Kathy for weighing in on this. With your wisdom and knowledge beyond my emotional wreckage. My tribe is certainly not always in line with my values. I've had some interesting conversations with my cousin trying to reconcile ourselves to our past integrate our sensibilities with our tribe's. To say it's complicated is not strong enough. It's just nearly unresolvable. THE INDIAN PROBLEM belongs to us, too. Thanks again
Yes. Identity issues regarding “who is” and “who isn’t” are beyond complicated. There is a faction now going after Buffy St. Marie, Johnny Cash and the like. This concern you have is legitimation. It is so volitile, hurtful and at times (short of tattoos on arms) borders on extremism. In some of the most recent cases it’s all about money. Again. I enjoyed reading and learning about your own thoughts on the subject.
Well said. I'll admit I grew up with the story - my grandfather, the half Indian bastard, adopted by the kind German-Americans. That story so far from the truth. When I did a DNA test, hoping to confirm my Indian ancestors I was woefully disappointed. But the test brought me into contact with my Canadian cousin. The "Indian" great-grandfather (my cousin's grandfather) was a French Canadian who ran a store on a reservation. So when the story was told ans retold, like a decades long game of telephone, the story changed. The truth was my great grandparents were married, it was great grandfather's second wife. When she did shortly after giving birth he gave the baby to a couple in Minnesota who had no children. He had two by his first wife - my cousin's mother and her brother. On one level I sad the not being what I was told but happy that I know the truth.
My dear, sweet Lucinda....I am so very proud to call you my friend. This essay is a masterpiece and needs to be shared world-wide. You have embodied the feelings of every person who is part NDN....myself included. Thank you for being you and for helping us understand what NDN brothers and sisters have to cope with every day. Much love....
Hi Kit. So glad we've connected. I am doing all the things that have trendy terms..."journey" for instance. In my third act, while I still have some juice I'm trying to put some long standing "Issues" to rest.
Thanks for weighing in, Thanks for rekindling old connections. And thanks for supporting Corvairs and Horny Toads. The stories/podcast are coming back soon.
I have always accepted and never questioned that you are NDN. Anyone who takes the time to know you I'm sure feels exactly the same. Be well.
Knew you did, Hal. It's an unfortunate truth sometimes that a few insensitive remarks that sting and cut, stay. As I work this out...in my dotage...I intend to leave behind those stings and only acknowledge the understanding. Thank you for reading and weighing in.