I have been reading over a book that Buffy has for the kids class work next year. It is about native American tribes all over the American continents. What kills me is each time it seems to be the same tune. Settlers or explorers come in to the country and make friends with each tribe. After a period of time they turn and attack the native Americans, kill some and take others into slavery. All of the stories are the same.
Then you want to know how the story ends? The US government shoves them in little areas of land after degrading and humiliating them. Now as the tribes sit many have no pride in who they are or were. The teenage suicide rate is horrid. The alcoholism rates are high. The gangs, drugs and violence have engulfed these once self sustained people.
These same tribes helped settlers in times of near famine and death. They couldn't sit by and watch man starve to death. What do we do now? We sit and watch a unique and wonderful people group die off. Who will help these people? I have only been on two reservations in the US and both were in need of help.
1 comment:
I am an artist and fascinated by the beauty of the native american
beliefs. we are going to do art within a book, I have Bury my Heart
At Wounded Knee.... I want to capture the depth of their emotions
and the wrath they feel. your thoguhts were beautiful. They were
here first and tortured because of our selfish gain. They need help.
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