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Native resilience under adversity. Living with the past and wondering Where the answers Will come and, from who?. Commissioner of Indian Affairs , 1887
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Native resilienceunder adversity Living with the past and wondering Where the answers Will come and, from who?
Commissioner of Indian Affairs, 1887 “This language which is good enough for a white man or a black man ought to be good enough for the red man. It is also believed that teaching an Indian youth in his own barbarous dialect is a positive detriment to him. The impractibility, if not impossibility, of civilizing the Indians of this country in any other tongue than our own would seem obvious.”
“Nowadays we undoubtedly ought to break up the great Indian reservations, disregard the tribal governments, allot the land in severalty (with, however, only a limited power of alienation), and treat the Indians as we do other citizens, with certain exceptions, for their sakes as well as ours.” Theodore Roosevelt, The Winning of the West, Vol. I. 1889
These quotes about Indians from American leaders span from 1823 to 1889.
When their lands are destroyed in the name of progress their suffering is obvious; alcoholism, chronic disease, infant morality and unemployment are, more often than not the effects of forcibly assimilated into mainstream societies. When tribal people are evicted from their homelands.
When native peoples were torn away from the lands that inspiredtheir creativity for their songs, dances, myths, and memories;deep depression often follows.
The creative touchstones by which they know themselves; the ceremony rituals representa holistic component in their ways of interpreting the creation of life.
WITHOUT THEIR HOMELANDS, THE FABRIC OF THEIRIDENTITY COLLAPSES.
When natives dance, sing, connect with naturethey are celebrating their connection to each other,and to the earth.
Solutions to the problems, are the recognition of land rights, for whichsurvival has campaigned for over forty-years, is simple.To value the Life of those, who are yetto be born.
I have built my house on the earth and mychildren and grandchildrenare happy around me. I have built our churchon the earth and our naked feet have made the earth hard as we dance.
Tohono O’odham Poverty RateFamilies w/Children44.3%Extreme Poverty RatesTohono O’odham20.7%National Average4.0%
Tohono O’odhamRanks 3rd on thelist from national staticsSan Carlos, Pine Ridge, then Tohono O’odham
1. What role do you play in your community?2. Are your eyes open or closed?3. Are you willing to be the change?4. Does the next generation matter to you?
Mary Garcia Tohono O’odhamTraditional singer/healerMaryf1902@hotmail.com