Freedom, Liberty and Justice: A Basic Native American Right

 

Yes, I know that is in the American Constitution too.  Have you ever seen those shirts and posters that say “Fighting Terrorism since 1492” and then there is a picture of Sitting Bull in his war paint?  It’s a statement from a people who hold negative feelings.  It was not that long ago that African Americans and Indians had to use the back door not the front, that we could not walk as equals in America because our skin was not pink.  Our people, the old ones and some middle aged ones, still remember this.  They hold hatred for the White people they feel took our way of life and our land.

 

I say it is time to let that hatred go.  We are a conquered people and we should own that.  As conquered people we should be like the Japanese. They are also a conquered people, but they are doing it with style.   Did you know that Japan owns much of the United States?  Ever hear of Sony, Honda, Toyota, etc, those Japanese companies invested in real estate here in the United States?  They may not have won the war but they are certainly kicking American financial butts.  So yes, we Native Americans are a conquered people, so let's use that casino money and reinvest in our people and real estate here in our ancestral lands.  Let's buy our heritage back!

 

Stop drinking and drugging, and abusing.  It is time to use our liberty, and hold our heads up because we are the Native Peoples of this land.  Our spiritual way is a great way of life; embrace it once more.  You do not have to have Red skin to embrace this way.  It was foretold that the children’s children of our conquerors would embrace our spiritual ways while the parents looked on in wonder.  That is happening right now.  Let go of our negative feelings about those who conquered our people.  That is a past generation's burden, not ours. Okay, so they gave us firewater. We gave them tobacco; I think that makes us even. 

 

We hold ourselves back; let's stop doing that and move forward into a future that embraces all the peoples and share our spirituality with those who want to learn.  Let's send a message to those who would steal our sweat lodge for money that they are not welcome in our lodges.  Only those who would follow the good Red road are embraced into our spirituality.  Lets own our Freedom to choose how to live, Lets stand up for our Liberty to become educated, own property and have a voice.  Lets find the justice our people deserve by standing up and being proud of who we are.

 

Our peoples are from great nations, such as the Sioux, the Black Foot, Crow, Caddo and many more. The Code Talkers in World War II stood next to the White people and served our new nation.  I know it was not popular to be a Native American until Kevin Costner made "Dances With Wolves", then everyone had some Indian in them because at long last it was cool to be Native.  That movie began to heal our nations, and the prejudice that we had felt for decades started to ease. It helped but wasn’t a magic cure. You know what? It's still cool to be free, Native, and have the liberty, and freedom to walk in the front door. Take pride in yourself, your nation and follow our good, wide Red road in style.

 

Walks With Thunder