BEING INDIAN part 1

BEING INDIAN IS...trying to search for tradition and truths of life when alcoholism and drugs poison the path to the answers.
BEING INDIAN IS...trying to talk to elders about the "old ways" and having them want to talk more about the rising price of cigarettes.
BEING INDIAN IS...going to school when you're young and having the teacher skip over the Indian chapter in the history book.

Native American elder Angaangaq in Berlin with Oona 2009

BEING INDIAN IS...seeing others forget the true meaning of Thanksgiving.
BEING INDIAN IS...having others make jokes about your heritage and culture.
BEING INDIAN IS...living in two worlds.
BEING INDIAN IS...knowing the word, "Indian", is not your true name.
BEING INDIAN IS...being called "Chief" or "Tonto" by patronizing non-Indians.
BEING INDIAN IS...being human, with human thoughts and feelings like your non-Indian brothers and sisters.
BEING INDIAN IS...being constantly on the alert for the government's tactics that will annihilate you and your tribe.

photo of the Unified Confederation of Taino Nation flag

BEING INDIAN IS...holding onto a piece of paper treaty that was signed, but never honored.
BEING INDIAN IS...being told of the ten commandments, but see the white man subscribe to them only when convenient and in his favor.
BEING INDIAN IS...having non-Indians look at a barefoot Indian child that laughs, thinking he or she is poor.
BEING INDIAN IS...knowing alcohol doesn't make you Indian, just drunk.
BEING INDIAN IS...seeing elders die and the language & customs with them.
BEING INDIAN IS...seeing Mother Earth destroyed by those who don't know Her.
BEING INDIAN IS...seeing history books tell you Columbus discovered America.

BEING INDIAN IS...hearing others think all Indians wear war bonnets.
BEING INDIAN IS...having the government treat you like a prisoner of war.
BEING INDIAN IS...seeing the government spend billions of dollars abroad,but fail to honor the Indian treaties.
BEING INDIAN IS...sad,
BEING INDIAN IS...hard,
BEING INDIAN IS...crying,
BEING INDIAN IS...laughing,
BEING INDIAN IS...forever!

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