Dear Ms. Taylor:

I realize the delicacy in using a Native American theme in this day and age,

but I urge you to reconsider the National Y's decision in this matter. In

our program (run out of the Buehler YMCA in Palatine) we use the theme in a

very respectful manner. We have eliminated the "How How" greeting and "war

paint" as inappropriate since it perpetuates an outsiders view of Indian

Culture. On the positive side, we emphasize the reverence that Native

Americans hold for nature and the importance of these cultures on the growth

of the United States.

Our annual holiday event involves donating presents and food to a

Chicago-based Native American organization and we have gone camping with

members of that same tribe.

It is our fervent belief that by exposing our sons and daughters to these

traditions, we foster diversity and crumble stereotypes.

Personally, this program has been the greatest things that has ever happened

between my daughter and myself and I will be quite sad if future generations

of dads and daughters do not get to share in the experiences that we have

enjoyed. Without the Native American theme we are no different than the "Me

and My Dad program" that is run out of area "J's" and I fear, much less

attractive than girl scouting. From discussions in our nation and from

reading e-mail postings, it seems clear that there is not a groundswell of

support for scrapping more than 75 years of tradition.

Thank you for your time

Sincerely,

Ed Friman

Cherokee Sachem

Prairie Nation

Buehler YMCA