Some members of our tribe strongly believe in the

Y-Indian program. Some has wrote and expressed

opinions of those beliefs to the Y. I wrote to RJ

Smith, just to get a different perspective to hear,

and wonder why they belive the opposite. This is not

my opinion, as well as the ones expressed by our

friends in the program. These are just opposite

views of the same problem. Enclosed is RJ's reason.

He will make a better point that mabye will make us

understand the other viewpoint. I hope, and wish the

program does not change. It probably will anyway.

Maniboozo

Proud Chief Prairie Nation

Mitch,

Thanks again for the continued support, as usual it was an enjoyable event.  The American Indian Center would like to send you a thank-you themselves, so if you could e-mail a mailing address back that would be great.  

Thanks also for the letters, I'll give full attention to a response later this week.  For now think about this;       the term "O great cheif"- this reduces native people to a Hollywood matinee stereotype, no one ever really talked like that, that is the language of the Hollywood Indian.  What would the next line be? "Me bringum much good toys for papooses."  Language is a powerful tool and gift, but one must realize that it can be a weapon also (and comes with much responsibility).  The more people repeat these terms and terms like them, the more they come to be thought of as truth, wiping away what the real truth may be.  American Indians hold much to be proud of and should be emulated; for their ability to change with the times while handling adverse situations and end up changing for the better.
I ain't even gonna start talking about the term "Redskins"! (think webster's dictionary)
Peace brother,
RJ