I would like to speak about what it is like to be a Native American in today's Colonial society of North America.

    First, I will have to explain that full blood Native American are called "Bloods", while half breeds or mixed race people are called "Breeds". Breeds are shunned by both societies, because of their tainted blood. Bigots exist everywhere, it is a sign of a small mind and a closed heart. Their only claim to fame is that they can destroy a thing. I do not hate bigoted people, I feel sorry for them as they will never evolve into a true human. Trapped in their ever decreasing world until they disappear.

    I will not speak for the Bloods and Breeds that live on the Reservations, for that is their story. I will speak from being a Breed living in this predominantly White society. I can pass as a white and have been asked why I choose to live as a Native. My answer is that I choose to live true to my spirit no matter what.

    A Bird would not live as a fish, just because society says that it is the correct thing to do.

    I will try to explain my reasoning. Native American are raised differently than other people.  From the very start we are taught acceptance of self. Acceptance of the gifts given to us by the Great Spirit. We are taught that diversity is something to be praised and celebrated. That there is no shame in being different. Only those that have adopted the ways of Colonial society have forgotten this.

    Native American parents would not dare to change the spirit of their child, to do so would invite the wrath of the Great Spirit. Yes, even before the first European set a foot upon Turtle Island, we believed in a divine being that controls the universe. This divine being is called Waken Tanka, the Creator, the Great Spirit or the Great Mystery of Life, depending on the tribe or nation.

    We are taught that the Earth is our Mother, that we should never take advantage of this relationship. Mother Earth gives us nourishment for the body. That to foul the soil, water or air is to diminish that nourishment. We are taught to think of the future children for seven generations before we make a decision to alter Mother Earth.

    We are taught that all things have a spirit. To a Native even the rocks and plants have a spirit or soul. I have to laugh at the Scientist, in the past twenty years they have found out that every object vibrates at its own rate, something that we have known for centuries.

    In Native cultures the family is the most important resource. We are great believers in an extended family. If you are lucky enough to be adopted into a Native family, you will find a home filled with laughter. When a child is born the Aunts and Uncles help raise the child. A child is never discouraged and never belittled for being a child. When a family member becomes old we do not send them off to live in a Nursing Home, we take care of them. We honor our elders, for they are the repository of the tribal stories.

    We are taught respect and honor. That it is better to walk away from an argument, with someone who has a closed heart. We know that words and deeds have a energy of their own. A word said in anger will return one day, bring darkness and despair.

    In Native society if you wish to curse someone, you would say that they are stingy, for we are taught to share with the infirm and disabled. In the years gone by before a Chief of a tribe sat down to eat, he made sure that all the people of the tribe had food, for this was his responsibility. To a Native the welfare of the tribe comes before the welfare of the individual.

    We are taught that life experiences are neither good or bad, that such experiences are tests of the spirit. The old adage "That which does not kill you, only makes you stronger" has served us well.

    So for me being a Native American allows me to be connected to all things and to walk in beauty. I will Leave you with this quote.

"If today I had a young mind to direct, to start on the journey of life, and I was faced with the duty of choosing between the natural way of my forefathers and that of the...present way of civilization, I would, for its welfare, unhesitatingly set that child's feet in the path of my forefathers. I would raise him to be an Indian!"--Tom Brown, Jr., The Tracker