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O'siyo Brothers and Sister!
Several times over the past fourteen years this
newsletter has been distributed I have cautioned readers to be very
careful about taking to heart things they read and hear about our people
and our nations from sources other than elders of those nations. The
mainstream media, for the most part, has a source and agenda that, at
best, has little or no connection to native people, and at worst, is
actively interested in demeaning native people. The internet has some
valuable information and some pure garbage.
Unless you have a sure way to filter the truth from these sources take
small doses with a great deal of suspicion. The only sure filter I know
of is elders.
This weekend I was witness to a classic example of what can happen if
you cannot be 100% sure of your source. The source in question was a
book acquired at a state park located on a former tribal ground. It was
soon quite evident the book was full of errors that reduced the
importance of tribal contributions and shifted credit for those
contributions to the dominant society. A speaker used that source book
as a basis for sharing information about the culture with the audience.
As chance would have it, elders from that tribe were present, and much
offended by this spread of wrong information about their people. This
particular incident turned out as well as it possibly could - the elders
were willing to get past the unintended insult and use the situation as
an opportunity for education.
Clearly had those elders not been present, or if they had simply turned
their backs and left - hundreds of people would have been "taught," at
an Indian event, a history that was factually incorrect and that reduced
a great Indian Nation to a society in need of European "civilization" in
order to govern their own lives. As the elders explained, the only way
to appropriately share Indian tradition or stories, is by learning them
in the old ways - by word of mouth from a traditional person who then
gives permission for them to be repeated. This is how the truth of our
People has been protected for centuries, and how we can go on protecting
it.
Dohiyi Ani Oginalii
Gary Smith (*,*)
wotanging@bellsouth.net
P. O. Box 672168 (`-') gars@nanews.org
Marietta, GA 30006, U.S.A. ===w=w===
http://www.nanews.org
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CONTENTS LIST OF ARTICLES IN
VOLUME 14, ISSUE 026
FOR ARTICLES GOT TO
WOTANGING IKCHE-Native American News
- Soldiers Welcomed by Navajo Nation Honor Riders
- Harper: Swimmer Needs to Face Trust Failures
- Hoeven Adamant About Stopping Land Transfer
- Mohave Facility Won't Be Reopened
- Expansion of Alaska Native No-Bid Deal Debate
- Tribes, Government in $226 Million Dispute
- Cherokee Tribes Meet at Mother Town
- Secluded Reservation Promotes Healthy Lifestyles
- Hopi: Bill Divides 2 Tribes
- Rare Disease Stalks Oklahoma Choctaw
- VA To Expand Coverage for Traditional Ceremonies
- Petition Seeks to Outlaw Abortion at Pine Ridge
- Virginia Tribes Press for Recognition Measure
- Halting Sexual Violence Should Lead Agenda
- George Joe: Battle Lines Drawn Over Farmington
- Yellow Bird: Meth New Threat In Indian Country
- Jodi Rave: Ulali Carries On Singing Tradition
- Giago: Bill Gates Should Look In His Own Backyard
- Yellow Bird: Sun Shines On Sacred Ceremony
- Jodi Rave: Stories Teach How to Treat the Earth
- Atenco's Agony: Mexico's Other Campaign
- Canada Wants Delay to Key Aboriginal UN Treaty
- Mining Scars Run Deep
- Nisga'a Enter Deal to Study Offshore Oil
- Ottawa Plans Talks on Property Rights on Reserves
- CN Seeks Injunction over Indian Blockades
- A Matter of Jurisdiction, Justice
- Red Lake Teen Sentenced for Threats
- Extradition Politically Motivated: Graham
- Native Prisoner -- Sheriff Closes Jail
-- Whiteclay Protest
-- Native ADA to be Hired
- Rustywire: For the Love of an Indian Woman
- Lee Goins Poem: Silent Conversations
- Verse: Hawaiian Book of Days
- Truth: False Claims on Tribal Ties
- Tribal Leaders Tackle Issues, Praise Warriors
- Aboriginal Solidarity Day Draws Crowds
- Meet the Dream Keepers
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