Native
Yes, I am native and yes I am so damn proud of it, it makes me cry. My Great-grandma came from Vancouver Island as a little girl when her parents passed away and my Great-grandfather’s family took her in. I come from a long line of compassion and caring for others that are not your blood.
Have you watched the 30days recently on FX? It was a visit to the Navajo rez. OMG, here I just left a general meeting and watched the men come home from a special fishing trip and then I come home to that show. I had already told my Hubby and my Dad that I was going to get more involved. There is no choice, it is my culture, my family heritage and my right. It is me and all that came before me and all that I now raise. It sickens me to bring my kids up not knowing our heritage. That alone made me want more after our general meeting this weekend. I do not know my heritage as it was wiped out in the last 50 years when our long house was torn down and our fishing grounds destroyed. But now after watching the show, i want way more. I want my culture I’ve never known, I want to help rebuild respect. I have that power to help rebuild and I need to use it.
I have the power to help rebuild and I would be neglectful NOT to use it. I’m so thankful that my husband feels the same way. I’m thankful that he knows how important a culture is. He has no culture either as there were no traditions in his family. You can see and feel my culture. I’m thankful that he came up with me this weekend also. You can’t escape the culture when you walk the main drive. We walked the main drive when the men where coming home from fishing as well as they wave at us perfect strangers.
I know my power is to help and help I will.
