reservation connections in sd

[leroyleroux]

Originally Posted by _redbird_

Not too many Native's on these boards, so take my reply with a grain of salt. I live in Oklahoma, and have been refused service twice back in the 60's in our small town because I am Native American.

I have been called a dirty **#$)@#&@#, etc, and had things thrown at me as I walked down the road by a car passing me by white people. Do I think all whites are narrow-minded and racists? No.

Do I think all Natives are poverty stricken drunks? No. A lot has changed since the 60's. And there are plenty of mixed bloods to go around in Indian Country.

Most people relate horror stories about Natives/Rez life because they are forever etched in their minds. But for every horror story about a Native, there are just as many about how we have been mistreated by anglos. Don't get hung up on the actions of a few~by either side.

I think a person is judged by what is in their heart and don't let a few horror stories define the experience before you get there. Don't let anyone on this board tell you where NOT to go in life.

Good post.

[xube]

Aho I am Ponca from Nebraska and have relatives in Pine Ridge, Rosebud, Yankton-Sioux and Santee Sioux reservations...and even a few Cherokees from Oklahoma....and three daughters who are part Turtle-Mountain Chippewa....I was in Pine Ridge this past summer...saw amazing things...young men and women riding horses..mostly bareback like when I was a kid...no drunks..and over 10,000 people at the Oglala Nation Pow Wow.......they need teachers with big hearts and vast souls...and who use those rather than their minds to teach and learn....as do all children...your daughter will grow up with the strongest humans on this earth and will be surrounded by the knowledge of the spirits....so go to Santee....visit Niobrara...drive up to Marty or even Wagner...then on to Rosebud and St. Francis...maybe even check at the tribal colleges for a job...and then on to Pine Ridge..or upto to Kyle....or maybe even further north to Eagle Butte....
or even upto Standing Rock....and if by then you have not felt the place to stop...go over to Turtle Mountain....Belcourt has a wonderful school and college....but as an earlier writer said...prepare for winter....and make sure you and your daughter live within walking distance to the school....some have housing for teachers on site....good luck, welcome to the world of the ancestors and aho

[greendog67]

Thank you Redbird...................it has been a long, long road to where I am standing now and this is something I have carried with me for many years. I have reached a place that I feel I have to make a decision and it was in fact my 15 year old daughter who said, "Mom if this is where you feel you need to be then do something about it".

I have seen many things which I could have done better not knowing but I believe everything that happens in life makes us who we are and we each have our own path to follow. I spent several year in social work, My own marriage to my youngest daughters father taught me many things that I still do not rest with but it was and is part of me now and part of my daughter. He was a kind man but unfortunatly fell into the statistics of many native populations. He writes her often but it has been difficult.

I have native american friends and have found that just as much racism exist between different tribes as what continues to exist here in the south between whites and african americans...............somewhere in all of this we have to learn but things seems to move in opposite directions.
In spite of the way things look I will be in Pine Ridge this summer doing volunteer work, tlaking with the school and hoping to learn so much.
I cannot explain what it is that calls me there.............I only know that I have to go.

I would really like to talk with you more and thank you so much for your thoughts.......it means more than you will know.

greendog

[greendog67]

Thank you Xube.......I have been trying to make this decision for many years..........even before my daughter and in many ways her presence has strengthen me and perhaps my yearning to go.

We will both be in Pine Ridge this summer. I have been keeping up with the events in the dakotas these last few weeks through the Kili radio station and from a friend in the Standing Rock area so I do understand my need to go during winter also. This will be a learning experience for both of us but one that I hope will give strength to the meaning of this life.

Thank you again,
greendog