LET OUR PEOPLE GO
52Indian Reservation
I Had An Awesome Dream Last Night
I was in a camp down by a river, in a valley. Along the river were huts that Native American Indians lived in. These Indian's were very white skinned and the women didn't wear any clothing. They didn't have any pubic hair at all, nor underarms either. They did have hair on their heads. long, dark hair. I was taken through one of their shops where they hand made their rugs and sold them to people that would come by the area. These rugs ranged in size from small throw rugs to large room sized ones and they were of many bright and beautiful colors. I felt them to feel the quality and color of them. I saw one girl working behind the main area and she peeked out and smiled at me. She was working on a rug and she came out and showed me how they put them together.
We all sat on benches in rows that were pointed to the front of the room. There stood a woman that was going to have a baby.
The women all gathered around her and they laid her on the ground on her side in a fetal position. She didn't know she was going to have twins. The first one that came was a boy and it was a hard delivery for the woman. When the second one was ready to birth she said that she was cold and she died. The second baby was a girl.
The First Thanksgiving
This dream promted me to think of all that has happened to the American Indians. When Columbus came over to the Americas they saw what a great opportunity it would be to move people to this new land. After trying to establish a colony or two the clonists were faced with some very hard times. The didn't know how to grow food or even which ones would grow. What was good to eat and not poisonous was also difficult to live with.
With the help of the Indians who saw their struggles they managed to learn what the land was good for. The Indians helped with the first Thanksgiving. It was a good time for all becasue the colonists learned what to plant, how to plant it and cultivvate it and make meals form the produce. The Indian's were thankful that they could help them and they got their rewards too.
Native American Ten Commandments
Native American Ten Commandments:
1. The Earth is our Mother, care for her.
2. Honor all your relations.
3. Open your heart and soul to the Great Spirit.
4. All life is sacred; treat all things with respect.
5. Take from the Earth what is needed and nothing more.
6. Do what needs to be done for the good of all.
7. Give constant thanks to the Great Spirit for each new day.
8. Speak the truth; but only of the good in others.
9. Follow the rhythms of nature; rise and retire with the sun.
10. Enjoy life's journey, but leave no tracks.
Cherokee Wedding Prayer
Now you will feel no rain, For each of you will be shelter to the other.
Now you will feel no cold, For each of you will be warmth to the other.
Now you will feel no more lonliness, For each of you will be a constant companion to the other.
Now you are to Go now to your dwelling place, To enter your days of togetherness. wo bodies, But there is only one life ahead of you.
Native American Trives Throught The United States
Suppression Of An Entire Culture
This dream got me thinking about how those religions came over and decided that the people that lived here had no rights until they were converted into believing and living the same as they did.
For fear that the Indians would have an uprising they corraled them like horses and put them on reservations and then left them there for some time
These people had this land way before anyone else and it was their land. During the first Thanksgiving they shared with us their land and helped us to survive. Now they were to be corralled like wild horses so the religions and government could keep an eye on ther=m. There is no easy way to say this, but we screwed them. Those religions who want power over the people just wanted poswer and nothing else. They destroyed an entire continent. Not only did they corral these people's but they brought with them all kinds of diseases that wiped alot of them off the face of this earth.
Those same religions are still doing that today. They don't have a clue as to how to share or get along with each other. They haven't a clue as to what love really means. It was Rome who started all this stuff. Rome wants to conquer the whole world. The didn't get it by land, but they are still trying to get it by religion. The killed for it and now most pay for it through tithing and what not. When are they going to Let God Take Care of Things? When are they going to rid the United States of Reservations? When are they going to FREE the people who this land belongs too?
Are they still that afraid that the Indians will come back? I sincerely hope that they do and they bring all their wonderful and beautiful culture with them.
Other Stories about American Indians
- A Cherokee woman's prophecy.
My Great Grandmother was a Cherokee Indian. Her name was Almeda Gabbard. I never met her but my father told me many stories about her life. She was very devoted to God. She prayed on a hillside between two... - Julia Morning Glory
Heavenly Blue Morning Glory - Photo credit: Dennis Wood There was no way that my brother Dennis, could have known when he recently posted the pictures of his heavenly blue morning glories -- that the center...
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Comments
Yes it is sad. The thing is, when the last ones are gone--that will be it--there is no coming back..............all for the love of G--
Stupid greedand fear!!!
Unfortunately greed and fear are so much a part of us that it will probably happen again....and again....and again....
Wow--what a great dream! Do you have any idea what it means? I was especially intrigued by the part about the mother dying after her son was born, and before her daughter arrived--I wonder if it's because so many Native Americans perished in a male-dominated world. Maybe a new era of female energy will bring greater hope for peaceful coexistence? Who knows.
It angers and upsets me to think of how harshly the Indians were pushed off the land when the settlers arrive. I noticed you spoke of "religion" as if it's a force in and of itself, capable of thought and action ("religions came over," "religions who want power... destroyed an entire continent," etc.) and I think it's important to remember that all these actions were performed by PEOPLE who wanted power, and religion was simply one of the vehicles used to get their way. Unfortunately, religion is still being used to justify immoral actions by manipulating people's fear of death and the unknown, and their longing for community, yet there are also many religious groups that fight for civil rights and work to alleviate poverty and improve social conditions around the world.
So, I don't think "religion" is the culprit, because it's too varied of a concept. In my view, the evil at play in the new world is the same as the evil of our times--a single-minded focus on acquiring more wealth and power at any expense, along with with a complete lack of respect for life and mother Earth.
Great hub!
Melissa, I have no idea what that dream meant. I have had a series of strange dreams like that for the last three nights. One was that I was directing students into the school on the first day and most were going to take their papers in and there were some that were not to go to that school..........
Then another one was my husband agreed to take a lady to someplace and she had three kids with her, the oldest was a teen boy. He said that he didn't want her kids with her, please don't brign them. She thought he didn't mean what he said becasue he said please. I had to tell her that he didn't want them in the car for a reason. She aksed why and I just told her she had to aks him that question. Oh and I alwoke hearing the children playing outside my window-only there are no children to paly outside the window of my house.
Strange dreams.
That was an amazing dream Lady Guinevere. I wonder what prompted it, and what it means.
The Native American Ten Commandments, and the Wedding prayer are very beautiful. We would all do well to take them on board, and use them to guide us. Modern man has been far too greedy with the Earth's resources, and we've ignored the natural rhythms of the planet to our own detriment. The native Americans lived a life in harmony with nature, and it is a great pity that so many of their ways and traditions have been lost, as we had much to learn from them.
Thank you for posting this hub. I've enjoyed reading it.
You are wlecome. I have no idea what prompted that dream. I wasn't thinking about indians or even watching a program on such. Same with the other dreams----no conncetion.
Well I have much sympathy also for the Indians of past times...but I have seen what they do with the new houses we build for them...also have seen some very rich tribes build the most beautiful new structures I've ever seen...they are allowed to do anything they want whilst we pay for it...Here they have failed on loans and the tax payer pays..
We all struggle today in this world...so let's ALL cooperate and get along....Why if everyone is so "Believing" do we seperate each other with the past...things done are done and today is today...learn from mistakes...grow up...be responsible for each action you take...care...love...be truthfull...on and on...
I also like their 10 commandments and their wedding prayer..Is another way of thinking but seems them same to me...just worded differently..God Bless this Mess...Nice hub got me going for sure...yikes hope i haven't stepped on any toes here...G-Ma :o) hugs
There were tribes all over Australia too, and our white man diseases killed most of them off.
Our aboriginals are now in very small numbers and few tribes or languages are left intact. What a shame this is to mankind, I hope we can learn to do better.
Lovely hub, thank you.
Earnestshub,
Exactly. New is not always better and moving out those who orginially lived in a place is not conducive to the planet or humanity.
G-ma, Thanks for coming by and I am sorry to hear about your puter problems. A comment on leaving things behind and going on--well it would be nice if we could do this but this kind of activity is still going on in the world. Some group will always do this in the name of some God or something. I believe we all were put here in our own rites and lives that we live--no matter where, what language, how we live or what religion. This planet is a diverse colorful one and I myself would like to keep it that way.
On other thing that I wasnt to address is the problem that g-ma has seen about the Indians not being financially educated--that is the white peoples fault., They left them there on the reservations (THAT ARE STLL THERE) without any help. Now if you ask me the religions and other groups that pride themselves on being fishers of men failed misserably for this group of peoples. They never taught them about finances or anything--there is the problem. I hear that on most of these still around reservations the way they make money is alcohol and seling of cigs. What a life and we did nothing to foster education of their people's. Don't get me wrong they tried to teach the Whiteman's ways to these peoples, but that was all they did. We had so much to learn from them and what did we do--we squandered it.
Why are there still reservations? Why did we not help them more when we had the chance? Hey this is happening all over the world, we want things our way and not the natural way.
Well they still have the same abilities and chances as everyone has...they go to any school they want ...they have all the technology anyone else has at their disposal..there is no reason not to learn...this is 2008 not 208...yet they demand to live the way their ancesters have. Killing whales and over fishing all the waters..gambling in states that it isn't..allowed,selling dangerous fire works that mame people...they don't seem to want to follow any of the Human rules of today.
But not all are that way...We have one tribe here that has done wonders...and so I can see it can be done..they don't look back and demand the old ways ..they are going forward and using all the newest advances..they have built a school a museum, a whole new life for themselves...and it is as it should be...We all have the same opportunities if we use them ....
Wow I am surprised at myself...usually I don't voice my opinion on such matters...Just forgive me if I have offended anyone...is simply my experience and MY feelings....Thanks for allowing that...G-Ma :o) Hugs
Voice you opinions. It is our experiences that we learn from, not by other's experiences.
They still feel cheated from their past. The Whiteman ripped it from them. The reservations were in ares that thoe Indians didn't know about. Yes, they have the same advantages as us and they abuse some of it, but how would you feel if you were in their shoes?
How would you feel if some governement took you away form your home and put you someplace else that didn't have anything and expect you to just survive there? Tradtions are taught through generations and so is the anger. As long as there are reservations (which is a constant reminder of the inhumane way their ancestors were and are treated) they will find it hard to get past their past with the Whiteman.
So whay are there still reservations--I mean the whiteman have crippled their way of life so bad that thre really is little left of them--so why the reservations to keep them coralled? It makes no sense as to why they are still around in today's world. What message is that conveying those that are left and the new generation that have been "assimulated" like the BORG.
Well I am told they want them called reservations like their elders. The ones i see are better then some other people get to live in.Maybe here it is different then other states...of that I am not sure...
Why do we call neighborhoods neighborhoods...?what difference is it what it is called? The difference being to do what today is required to do...Forgive and forget and get on with life...make the elders Proud..we were all pulled away from something somewhere sometime....Stop whining and get "er done...
God Bless...G-Ma "o) hugs
I guess I'm more with G-ma on this. Hugs :)
Aren't we all here to learn our own lessons and explore our own ways? I guess reservations are not ghettos, there are no electric fences and guards with machine guns. If one does not want to live this lifestyle, s/he is free to go.
And who are we to judge that those who like this lifestyle are more wrong than ourselves?
Great hub btw, thank you LadyG! :)
lol G-ma. I love your saying get er done!!
Thank Misha for stopping by and your comments.
Great Hub, and I too have always felt it wrong how the Native Americans were stripped of their lands by force, especially when they worked so closely with nature, unlike the white man.
This still goes on today. I added a link about a story of a girl who wasn't welcome in either culture. Think about this as we celebrate the 4th of July--Independence Day 2009. Think about who and where we got our precious land from to begin with. Do they get an Independence day?
Oy vey..
Stop perpetuating the whole "white man vs indians" thing. Yes, there are reservations that are amongst the poorest communities nationwide - but by whose scale? Oh right, Oprah. She's an expert, I bet. Surely people who grow their own, who make their own, whose focus is not how huge their house made of glass is, but rather how rich their culture remains are poor, poor poor, right?
Independance day, you mean the fact that this country broke off from England? YES. In the spirit of the day's celebrations, every person living in the United States can celebrate.
Everything else is just transfer of angst from parent to child. Even though I'm part Shinnecock Indian, I would NEVER shoulder blame for the actions of people who died hundreds of years before I was born. Why? Because the blame is not mine to accept. Do I think the things that happened to the Native Americans was acceptable? Nope. That doesn't mean that I've got to feel bad for the rest of my life because I have white skin.
Wow. I bet the Native Amnericans that are still stuck in Reservations feel really special that you feel this way. BTW I did not get any of this information from Oprah. I wrote this hub a good while ago and thought that if we were going to re-hash the wars that were fought getting this country we might as well re-hash what is still going on with the people we robbed this land from.
I am white too. I don't feel bad for them. I want the reservations dismantled and let those people FREE. Until that happens we and they are never going to be totally FREE from persecutions like your and G-ma Johnson. Forgiveness is everthing and so is precious FREEDOM. We fight for our freedom across the seas, but we cannot or will not give Freedom to the very people this land is all about.
Why is that so difficult?
Where in my comment was there persecution, LG?
Read the hub on the link about Julia Morning Glory. I never mentioned persecution either.
"Until that happens we and they are never going to be totally FREE from persecutions like your and G-ma Johnson."
THAT was your comment, you typed it less than 10 minutes ago.
Feel free to explain how you think my comment was one of persecution.
Lady Guinevere, wouldn't it be wonderful if the reservations were a thing of the past and all native Americans had the ranges they needed to support their traditional way of life?
Wouldn't it be wonderful if people didn't equate the word "reservation" to the concept of "detainment camps" or "concentration camps?" Nobody's holding a gun to these people's heads and telling them they can never leave the reservations. The majority of people born on reservations do leave them.
Gamergilr, I did NOT say your comment was anything like persecution. Where do you feel the need to twist my words.
Aya is right, It would be wonderful.
Gamergirl, there is nothing holding back those in the ghettos either and they can walk away and some do. What is the difference? Thre is a big differnce. Those who are n the reservations are trying to keep their traditions and color alive. Wouldn't it be great if they could do that in peace and knowing that they are a FREE people. They can't and why...........money.....the fear of the white man that they may come back and threaten our lives and take back their land.......you bet-- they should. Stealing is stealing period. No not a real gun, but that of supression and that is real through taking their traditons away, making them do as we want them to do, making it difficult to get help and support, making them have our religions and customs and a whole range of other things.
This is in answer to Gamergirl:
Yes, but do they get to hunt bison when they leave? There's no question that individuals do have a choice, and many have good lives as ordinary Americans. It's the culture and the lifestyle of the old ways that are very difficult to recapture, though.
I'm not of native American stock, and this isn't about ethnicity. Wouldn't it be great if each of us had the choice to lead that simpler life that is only possible when there are wide open spaces?
LG: Did you read what you typed before you tell me I'm twisting your words? Let me show you again so you see your own words three times. You said:
"I want the reservations dismantled and let those people FREE. Until that happens we and they are never going to be totally FREE from persecutions like your and G-ma Johnson."
If you cannot explain why you seem to think I am persecuting people who live on reservations (who do so by choice, and are not in the least forced to live there, not a single one of them is FORCED) then I would thank you not to make outlandish statements with no backing.
Aya- I agree, it is very difficult to recapture old ways, industrial spread and urban absorption of rural land being what it is. The thing is, the choice to lead a simpler life on open land and the like exists, and is there for those who choose to take it. Myself, I'll stick to my cement foundation, vinyl siding and blacktop road, I like it. :)
Gamergirl. What I meant was that you don't seem to care and just turn your head away ignoring the problem even exists. Denying something doe not make it go away for those who are going through it. Just as Aya says, the culture is torn apart and yet all you could say was that they have choices. They didn't need to melt into our culture that we brought here. Why can't we just allow them to be who they are and what they stand for. We could learn so much from them, yet the religions and the culture that those who came here before us prevented that. Why can we not just say that we are sorry and allow them to flourish again as a peoples? Why must they be just like us who came from other parts of the world?
You don't understand, LG - there is a HUGE difference between accusing someone of persecution and assuming that someone is ignorant. Please choose your words more wisely if you do not want to believe people twist your words. I shouldn't have had to show you three times what you said for you to explain yourself better.
As for turning my head, ignoring the supposed problem, that's so far from the truth - and you read only what you wanted to from my statements to Aya.
The culture is torn apart - but that is not what is being discussed here. What is being discussed is that the simple way of life, not that life is ever simple, is out of reach now. Even for the folks of the reservations. Since when is granting entire tribes of people hundreds of thousands of acres of land a measure of oppression?
Have you ever looked at the information regarding the actual practiced religions of modern day Native Americans? Do you know how many churches and alternative religions are worshipped on and near reservations by the folk who live there? The number of Native Americans who retain their ancestor's forms of worship dwindle on their own, without any intervention from people outside their lands.
You have no idea what I care about or am passionate about - so feel free to assume you know very little about me and when I make a logical comment on a Hub or forum thread, remember that you barely know me and should make as few assumptions as you can - just like you want people not to make assumptions about you.
One time when I was working at FEMA, I got into a discussion like this with a co-worker. It was about African Americans, not Native Americans, but the argument was the same. This man was trying to tell me that African Americans have no one to blame but themselves for the disadvantages they face because "We all have choices." Our supervisor, a very wise African American man, stopped him in his tracks by saying, "Yes, we all have choices. But we do not all have the same choices."
Anglo Saxons and those who profess to be "Christians" have a history of ranging all over the world like the Borg assimilating everyone (Resistance is futile!) rather than learning from the cultures we encounter. What a different nation and different world it will be if and when we become able to learn from others rather than assuming manifest destiny over all that we survey.
I would like to edit that to "some who profess to be Christians" - not all! :D
Also, just noticed G-Ma's comments regarding what Native Americans "do to" the house the government builds for them. I also learned while working at FEMA that these houses are often woefully inadequate for two reasons. First, they are often not well-built for the terrain and tend to have all kinds of problems as soon as bad weather strikes. In the Dakotas a lot of them have a problem with mold setting in and staying forever.
Another problem is that this housing often doesn't fit with the culture. Many Native Americans prefer to stay in traditional style housing, so they end up using the "provided" housing for storage and living in a traditional style home.
Thank You Justmesuzanne.
t.keeley says:
12 months ago
Wow...I've always been fascinated by the native americans. I have some blood not too far back, and we live within an hour of an old burial ground/resrvation type national park. There's evena museum and stuff. I grew up in MI and the pontiac tribe, etc. was a vital part of our history and we visited many a historic site for them as well. It's a sad thing it is, watching those who were here first sort of just die away in supression.