Night Sky Watcher

Indian Boarding Schools: Cultural Assimilation & Destruction

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Her name is Yoshooni. (spelled the best I know) She has been a grandmother, teacher, life line. She saw her children taken away by boarding school agents and one of her daughters committed suicide. Non-Native people do not realize that family is heart, not necessarily blood. She took me to her like a grand-daughter and began teaching me the things she wanted to teach her own daughter. She is one of my heroes for surviving through the hell of the B.I.A. and stories of Heweeldi. To be "invited into and accepted by the people as one of their own" I have been told means so much more than blood quantum. I have been told that acceptance by a Native people proves more loyalty (my turquiose strand) than most blood Natives. I also have been given a coral strand because of being a "peace giver". Coral is made in the ocean and Natives believe that the current of the ocean in the corals makings carries on through the stones. The white shell strand is for truth and purity of heart. Received that one by sharing my late son's story and my own stories in order to help others get out of abusive relationships and hopefully to educate parents in what their rights are when their child is suicidal and no one will listen. I learned alot of what I share now having gone through the experiences first hand. Suicide and domestic violence are just two of the things that I will fight for and I take it personal. Leonard Peltier for being able to survive a wrongful conviction due to FBI and government coverups and fabricated evidence through intimidation and murder of the Lakota people. Radmilla Cody for being able to overcome domestic abuse (like myself) and go on to be one of the most beautiful voices in Dineh' music. All the kids that have come across my path since Oct. 2000. Many of which have overcome life's battles that no one should ever have to go through. I applaud anyone that lives the Native way honestly and fully. I have been blessed with teachers and guidance given by the Elders. A hero to me is one who fights the fight without just talking about it. A hero to me is someone that lives their heart and not their 'desire' to be something they are not and collects material things to feel important. Black Bear who I am proud to call "Uncle". Master potter and artist. Google Black Bear's Den....you will enjoy. My heros are the people that died at Wounded Knee during ceremony, Sand Creek Massacre, Yahoo Falls and ALL the survivors of the broken treaties and promises. My heros are the ones that have the guts to stand up for themselves in spite all adversary's that they come across. I share personal things with only one person. He has told me continually "shields up" because he is aware of who and what I am. I will continue to pray over cedar smudge for people to open their minds, not to take things personally unless they have a reason to and to become more accepting of the many different races, creeds and origins of what makes up this United States. Racism should not exist anymore but it unfortunately does. So to be a hero to me, you have be willing to accept people for who they are and not by the label given to them out of that racism.......

Executions of Dakotas in Mankato

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