Beautifully written. "Not everything that is faced can be changed; but nothing can be changed until it is faced." Canadian and American schools have failed to even look towards facing it.
Amelia, I say we should be living under two major ideas of consciousness. Truth and Reconciliation and Environmentalism. The more we discover the truths, and we reconcile with the damage we have done to our indigenous peoples, the more we will be better stewards of our shared environments. This type of shared consciousness would make Trumps far less likely and omnicide far, far less likely.
When the Met announced giving Native American artefacts back to their tribes - I kid you not - some people on my Facebook wall completely lost their sh*t. This one guy - a white, very wealthy luxury real estate attorney who has an office and an apartment in NYC (yes, those are dollar signs rolling in your head), as well as four other homes in sime prime locations, such as Palm Beach, FL and Stafford, CT - went as far as announcing to everyone he was not going to give up his house just because it might be determined to be on Indian land. I blocked him.
A brilliant article. Thank you. We are already in a post-Western world but the white West refuses to acknowledge it. The fight is real. The future refuses to be denied. Decolonization and de-Anglicisation are essential for a more authentic and equal world.
Exactly. I say this as a (non-white) Westerner but the white West needs to start acting like an equal member of a global community rather than its arrogant master.
This reminds me of prehistoric communities in which if one member behaved selfishly or in ways that endangered everyone else they were exiled for the safety and security of the majority. The white West risks being marginalized because of its belligerent attitude towards nations of color, thus proving true all the charges of racism leveled against it.
The school I graduated from (and my kids' current school) had a strong Native American presence, and still does, but I do understand that is unfortunately very rare.
Our graduation ceremony has native drumming and dances, the commencement is in multiple languages, and everyone who so wishes wears traditional clothing with beads and feathers. I'm not an expert, and it's been decades, so I apologize for not remembering the proper words for these things, but my point is that I wish everyone could attend a school as multicultural and inclusive as I did.
Of course, that's why we moved back here, for our own children. There's a really good culture at the school, even though it's in a deep red state.
I'm glad to hear this! I have friends who are Kiowa from Oklahoma. When they graduated (early to mid-1980s) any schools that weren't Indigenous run wouldn't allow any beadwork, eagle feathers, moccasins or regalia. It's great to find out things have changed.
I had never thought of the world of therapy as Anglicized, but you're right! And dress codes in schools??? Mind. Blown! This was an eye-opening article for me. Thank you for sharing!
Heterosexual white American totally with you. History as it's taught is BS and if we don't adopt indigenous values, our consumption culture will finish all of us. Earth and people first.
Wówičakȟe. Uŋčí Makȟá kiŋ tȟokáta wičhóuŋčhaǧe kiŋ uŋkíčikpataŋpi kte héčha. Philámayaye (This is true. We have to save Grandmother Earth for future generations. Thank you—in my paternal language of Lakȟótiyapi) for your allyship, activism and efforts.
Having lived and worked in "Non-White" or multiracial communities, for most of my adult life, I can attest that there is no limit to the growth and re-connecting of the mind that can, and should, be done by people like myself, who were raised in almost totally Euro-centric communities. There are good things about various European cultures, but they are only the tip of the human iceberg.
Being in a loving relationship with an Asian woman, and having another Asian woman as a daughter-in-law has expanded sensitivities even further. It is a beautiful journey.
Philámayaye (thank you in Lakȟótiyapi). Diversity of individuals brings diversity of perspectives, experiences and approaches. It shouldn't be a dirty word, but too many people in power see diversity as a threat instead of an opportunity.
Thank you, Amelia, for opening my eyes. I hadn't thought much about the misogynistic, patriarchal, heteronormative society in which I was raised, despite some awareness of it. I keep discovering anew how much that "society" has warped my views, and I do my best to incorporate that learning into interactions with others. I'm sometimes taken aback by the resistance I encounter; I cannot begin to understand how much more challenging it must be for all BIPOC. Blessings to you, and please keep on writing!
"The best answer I received was from a high school senior who guessed 500 years. The most common answer was 100 years, with a few people guessing just 50 years."
That is shocking. Even without any historical knowledge just shows a complete failure to think critically.
It always amazed me. It's all the product of teaching Columbus, then Indigenous culture instead of the other way around. Without explicitly stating it, people developed the impression that Indigenous cultures were new to nonexistent when Columbus arrived in the Caribbean. Philámayaye (thank you in Lakȟótiyapi) for reading my thought piece.
This is an excellent article, Amelia. I learned some things, and I especially loved the story of how you handled that prinicipal.
For other Big Picture followers, if you're interested in learning more about Native American/Canadian culture and issues, the Friday episodes of John Fugelsang's podcast usually has Simon Moya-Smith and Julie Francella talking about these very things. I've learned a ton from them, and heard stories I hear nowhere else.
Philámayaye for all the feedback. 💛🤍🖤❤️ I also have my own Substack—Auntie Mavis' Musings. Here's my first piece, which gives some insight into my background.
Amelia, I love seeing your comment in your native tongue. Google Translate doesn't handle it, which is a statement in itself. The loss of tongues is a reflection of our loss of diversity. One of the lessons our amazing planet teaches us is the essentialness of diversity. I have never bought into this culture. I knew from my mid-teens it was wrong, destructive and hollow. I have participated reluctantly, as little as possible. I am greatly pleased to be connected with you.
My Sisters and I get a chuckle every time a social media platform tries to offer a translation for our Lakȟótiyapi posts.
So far the in-app translators have identified our language as Turkish, Urdu, Croatian, Hungarian, Romanian and Czech. At least it's sticking to one geographic region more or less.
Beautifully written. "Not everything that is faced can be changed; but nothing can be changed until it is faced." Canadian and American schools have failed to even look towards facing it.
"Look away, look away, look away," rules the day.
And when they do face it, they face the most comfortable of the uncomfortable truths. They have not the time or inclination to face it deeply.
Philámayaye (thank you in Lakȟótiyapi) for your kind words.
You are most welcome
Amelia, I say we should be living under two major ideas of consciousness. Truth and Reconciliation and Environmentalism. The more we discover the truths, and we reconcile with the damage we have done to our indigenous peoples, the more we will be better stewards of our shared environments. This type of shared consciousness would make Trumps far less likely and omnicide far, far less likely.
When the Met announced giving Native American artefacts back to their tribes - I kid you not - some people on my Facebook wall completely lost their sh*t. This one guy - a white, very wealthy luxury real estate attorney who has an office and an apartment in NYC (yes, those are dollar signs rolling in your head), as well as four other homes in sime prime locations, such as Palm Beach, FL and Stafford, CT - went as far as announcing to everyone he was not going to give up his house just because it might be determined to be on Indian land. I blocked him.
Philámayaye (thank you in Lakȟótiyapi) for your support.
A brilliant article. Thank you. We are already in a post-Western world but the white West refuses to acknowledge it. The fight is real. The future refuses to be denied. Decolonization and de-Anglicisation are essential for a more authentic and equal world.
Philámayaye (thank you in Lakȟótiyapi) for your kind words. We are people of the global majority which some people are struggling with.
Exactly. I say this as a (non-white) Westerner but the white West needs to start acting like an equal member of a global community rather than its arrogant master.
This reminds me of prehistoric communities in which if one member behaved selfishly or in ways that endangered everyone else they were exiled for the safety and security of the majority. The white West risks being marginalized because of its belligerent attitude towards nations of color, thus proving true all the charges of racism leveled against it.
And In 1492 . .
Uh, the Guesser who said 50 Years?
any thoughts on How they got here . .
like Maybe from Saucers .. after NASA made
a special Offer . .if they'd Teach us how
to Shift into Time Travel top gear.
Columbus Sailed The Ocean Blue .
# to Where a Motel not Yet in sight . .
Philámayaye (thank you in Lakȟótiyapi) for your poetry. Brilliant as always John.
The school I graduated from (and my kids' current school) had a strong Native American presence, and still does, but I do understand that is unfortunately very rare.
Our graduation ceremony has native drumming and dances, the commencement is in multiple languages, and everyone who so wishes wears traditional clothing with beads and feathers. I'm not an expert, and it's been decades, so I apologize for not remembering the proper words for these things, but my point is that I wish everyone could attend a school as multicultural and inclusive as I did.
Of course, that's why we moved back here, for our own children. There's a really good culture at the school, even though it's in a deep red state.
Philámayaye (thank you in Lakȟótiyapi) for your allyship. I'm going to guess Arizona or South Dakota?
Oklahoma, actually.
I'm glad to hear this! I have friends who are Kiowa from Oklahoma. When they graduated (early to mid-1980s) any schools that weren't Indigenous run wouldn't allow any beadwork, eagle feathers, moccasins or regalia. It's great to find out things have changed.
I had never thought of the world of therapy as Anglicized, but you're right! And dress codes in schools??? Mind. Blown! This was an eye-opening article for me. Thank you for sharing!
Philámayaye (thank you in Lakȟótiyapi) for reading my thought piece.
Heterosexual white American totally with you. History as it's taught is BS and if we don't adopt indigenous values, our consumption culture will finish all of us. Earth and people first.
https://geoffreydeihl.substack.com/p/imagine-an-earth-first-policy
Wówičakȟe. Uŋčí Makȟá kiŋ tȟokáta wičhóuŋčhaǧe kiŋ uŋkíčikpataŋpi kte héčha. Philámayaye (This is true. We have to save Grandmother Earth for future generations. Thank you—in my paternal language of Lakȟótiyapi) for your allyship, activism and efforts.
Having lived and worked in "Non-White" or multiracial communities, for most of my adult life, I can attest that there is no limit to the growth and re-connecting of the mind that can, and should, be done by people like myself, who were raised in almost totally Euro-centric communities. There are good things about various European cultures, but they are only the tip of the human iceberg.
Being in a loving relationship with an Asian woman, and having another Asian woman as a daughter-in-law has expanded sensitivities even further. It is a beautiful journey.
Philámayaye (thank you in Lakȟótiyapi). Diversity of individuals brings diversity of perspectives, experiences and approaches. It shouldn't be a dirty word, but too many people in power see diversity as a threat instead of an opportunity.
Diversity is the key to unity. Enforced conformity is only going to render our species sterile.
Powerful article. I’m sharing.
Philámayaye (thank you in Lakȟótiyapi) for your support of my writing.
Fantastic article. Admirable!
Philámayaye (thank you in Lakȟótiyapi) for your kind words.
Thank you for the unvarnished truth.
I grew up in upstate NY in an
area rich with Mohawk and
Iroquois history. As a teenager, I started reading
and learning, on my own, in
our public library about the
real Christopher Columbus,
those bigoted Pilgrims.
I've never stopped reading
and learning and passing
on the knowledge of truth.
Please keep speaking truth.
Thank you, Amelia, for opening my eyes. I hadn't thought much about the misogynistic, patriarchal, heteronormative society in which I was raised, despite some awareness of it. I keep discovering anew how much that "society" has warped my views, and I do my best to incorporate that learning into interactions with others. I'm sometimes taken aback by the resistance I encounter; I cannot begin to understand how much more challenging it must be for all BIPOC. Blessings to you, and please keep on writing!
Philámayaye (thank you in Lakȟótiyapi) for your willingness to hear from different perspectives. It's a wonderful gift.
"The best answer I received was from a high school senior who guessed 500 years. The most common answer was 100 years, with a few people guessing just 50 years."
That is shocking. Even without any historical knowledge just shows a complete failure to think critically.
It always amazed me. It's all the product of teaching Columbus, then Indigenous culture instead of the other way around. Without explicitly stating it, people developed the impression that Indigenous cultures were new to nonexistent when Columbus arrived in the Caribbean. Philámayaye (thank you in Lakȟótiyapi) for reading my thought piece.
This is an excellent article, Amelia. I learned some things, and I especially loved the story of how you handled that prinicipal.
For other Big Picture followers, if you're interested in learning more about Native American/Canadian culture and issues, the Friday episodes of John Fugelsang's podcast usually has Simon Moya-Smith and Julie Francella talking about these very things. I've learned a ton from them, and heard stories I hear nowhere else.
Philámayaye (thank you in Lakȟótiyapi) for your kind words. I also have my own
Substack—Auntie Mavis' Musings—where I reflect on and explore Indigenous North American history and issues.
Very moving and insightful piece of writing. Obviously came from the heart, with passion.
Too many people in US and around the world just can't accept a simple truth.
Philámayaye (thank you in Lakȟótiyapi) for your kind words.
Philámayaye for all the feedback. 💛🤍🖤❤️ I also have my own Substack—Auntie Mavis' Musings. Here's my first piece, which gives some insight into my background.
https://open.substack.com/pub/auntiemavis/p/my-early-lesson-in-racism-and-hypocrisy
Amelia, I love seeing your comment in your native tongue. Google Translate doesn't handle it, which is a statement in itself. The loss of tongues is a reflection of our loss of diversity. One of the lessons our amazing planet teaches us is the essentialness of diversity. I have never bought into this culture. I knew from my mid-teens it was wrong, destructive and hollow. I have participated reluctantly, as little as possible. I am greatly pleased to be connected with you.
My Sisters and I get a chuckle every time a social media platform tries to offer a translation for our Lakȟótiyapi posts.
So far the in-app translators have identified our language as Turkish, Urdu, Croatian, Hungarian, Romanian and Czech. At least it's sticking to one geographic region more or less.