Dear Native American,
I can’t pretend to imagine what you’re going through, what you have to deal with every day. I have no idea what you must be feeling right now. But I know that things will get better, and there is never a good reason to end your life.
I don’t know what you believe about religion or higher powers, but whatever you believe, it is your right in this country to believe whatever you want, Christian, Native American beliefs, or atheist. Just because your beliefs are taught as myths, it doesn’t change that you believe them.
Your people have done so much for this land. You were here first, before Columbus, before the Vikings, before the Chinese. Nobody can take that history away from you. Your people mastered the land and learned how to live within the ecosystem. You built mounds and tents and terraces out of what you had to work with. You had the “green” idea mastered before anyone thought about it thousands of years later.
I’m sorry for all the things this country has done to your people. Early America killed the Native Americans out by the thousands. They forced their ways on you. They forced you to work for them. They made you walk and die on the trail of tears. And then they forced you into little reservations. But there is nothing we can do to change that now, except look at the things in our history.
The Native Americans also did a lot for this country. During both world wars, your languages became more valuable than any weapon. Your language was a code no enemy could break.
I myself have gone through some tough times. My mom walked out on me when I was six years old. Can you imagine? Your own mother forgetting about you, leaving so she won’t have to deal with you. Ten years later and not so much as a letter or a phone call.
But I got through it. And it made me a much stronger person because of it. Now I hardly ever think about the bad times, I only look at the good memories, and I look forward to the better things to come.
I know I can't understand what you've gone through with your mom, at all, but I did loose the only sister I had when I was 3. It was when I was younger and still think about it. I wish that I had known her so I could tell people of how much of a great person she was and how much she meant to me. I don't get all of your pain but I'm so glad it's made you such a strong person.
ReplyDeleteStoff I agree with what your trying to say here, we cant understand what Native Americans go through, but we can sure help them go the right direction and lead them. I like your blog and how deep your thoughts are about Native Americans
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