At the time of my brother’s death in 1994, a relative by marriage who was working on a Native American Indian reservation in New Mexico, flew home for the funeral. In his luggage, he carried a bottle that contained water from the Pacific Ocean. His instruction from the Medicine Man was to dump the water into the Atlantic Ocean, and bring him back water from the Atlantic Ocean. In this way, the seas would be joined, presumably in kind of a global unity. So, in the midst of my grief, I was dragged off to visit the Atlantic Ocean in the dead of December for this rite of symbolic passage.
I have much to learn about Native Americans. Their previous mistreatment and poverty are within my awareness. Their sacred hunting grounds were wrested from them. In the most egregious act of hatred toward Indians, a forced march occurred under the Indian Removal Act of 1830. On the infamous, “Trail of Tears,” 1/2 million tribal members of the Cherokee Nation and others were relocated to Oklahoma from Georgia, to be resettled there permanently. Taking nothing with them, except for their clothes, many perished along the way due to smallpox, other illnesses, and malnutrition. You can well imagine that children and old people were most affected. We can thank our former president, Andrew Jackson, for that situation. The Cherokees had a nickname for him, “Jackson, the Devil.”
Today, Indians are still crammed onto reservations. The country will take their sons for military duty, and see them die on foreign soil. The rest of the Indian population lives in abject poverty and poor housing, without proper care or education, and given nary a thought by most other Americans. It’s mindboggling to think that in the 21st century we have not yet solved the human problems for which we need solutions.
Alcoholism is very prevalent on the reservations. Along with that comes spouse and child abuse. The frustration for all is enormous.
No, we just don’t hear much about the Indians or “Native Americans,” any more. Some people felt justified in putting them (the savages) “in their place” because they wanted what they had. Now, native languages are in danger of dying, Indian culture is not what it once was, and certainly, their lives are not on a par with other, more affluent Americans.
To learn how important a bottle of Atlantic Ocean water would be to a medicine man was quite astounding. Haven’t the Indians always made a stab at friendship with the white man, ever since Plimouth Rock? Like any story, there is always another side to it. I’m no expert on Indian affairs, and I am knowledgeable about certain brutal incidents inflicted by the Indians here in New England and Canada. Consider the situation in Deerfield, Massachusetts.
I’m just happy to learn that some of the beliefs and values of Native Americans have not yet been corrupted by modern culture. Let’s hope we can capture some of their spirit, wisdom, and ways before those beliefs are lost to history, just like that of the Anasazi tribes of the Four Corners area.
Patricia Cummings, http://www.quiltersmuse.com
Recently, at a major conference, one of the speakers mentioned the book, “1491.” She said that she was all enthused about the possibility of reading it until her friend told her it was “crap.” She read it anyhow, and, if I am remembering this story correctly, she said that it was the beginnings of yet another myth. I would quote her exact words, if I could locate my copy of the journal proceedings, which I cannot do, at the moment. Whenever brand “new” historical information is presented, it’s best to be extra cautious, and skeptical of every word. Sometime, it would be interesting to read the book for myself. Apparently, it is enjoyable reading. Thanks for your thoughtful note. I’m sure I have much more study to do when it comes to Native Americans and their roles in the past and in the present. Thanks. ~ Pat ~
Pat, find the book “1491″….it is about new archeological theories about the Native Americans’culture and massive ecological impact (yes, it was positive)on our “virgin continents” of both North and South America.
Your respect and reverence will only increase…