Yellow Wolfe’s letter…
Tankaheh Soaring Hawk,
Or should I start with "Greetings Gerald"!
You do realize that your Indian Name, title as Medicine Man, and beloved
Pawnee Nation will all be a quaint memory if this initiative passes.
Having Native American blood in me, allows me to speak
from a closer perspective. This program celebrates the Native American
culture, and gives a bit of "good" press to my brethren. Does
it please all of Gitchie Manitou's children? No, and nothing ever will
please everyone. Many of the Elders of the Council of the Three Fires are
happy when they see our organization showing positive aspects of the Native
American culture. They are afraid that people will see our culture for
what a few have done to ruin it. Just recently several of our
"Brothers" ejected members of our tribe to secure larger revenues
from the casino interests the tribe holds. If the Y-Indian Guide Program
is abolished, what will people remember Native Americans for?
I am not the only one in the Indian Guides with Native
American bloodlines. The Stepping Stones Nation has four individuals with
Native parentage. Do not allow yourself to be blindly lead down this path
under the guise of "sensitivity". Visit some Native American
sites on the web, and send an email to a few addressees listed there. Ask
them for yourself. Of course, we would like to see our culture become
more accurately portrayed. In the Stepping Stones Nation, I lead the
initiative to get rid of some "insensitive" terms, but I realized
that it wasn't done to make lite or ridicule my culture. No one should be
persecuted for ignorance, and a basically good program should not be dismantled
for it either.
You may still not agree with my position on this subject,
but I hope I have shed some light on what native people think. Ignorance
is easy to find on both sides of the river. I will not email you again if
you wish it so, but if you find out things are different than you perceive, you
may forward this to people who misunderstand what is happening. May
Gitchie Manitou guide you and keep your family strong. What language
family does noonway come from?
e'tokmite'k
Yellow
Wolf
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and the response….
Ya`eh`eeh Yellow Wolf,
You speak from your heart and with much wisdom so
your words demand respect.
I am not sure that I disagree with anything that you
have said my friend, your words are all true.......it is that I conclude differently.
Many of the people agree with you while other
indigenous descendents do not. For me....I am
a great-great-great-grandchild of European immigrants that wreaked great
misery and countless sins against your people. I humbly submit that it is arrogant
for me to judge what is politically correct or not and what is properly
sensitive or not....it is enough for me to know that it is disturbing to many.
I will miss my Indian name and my
Medicine Man title of both the Pawnee Nation and Algonquin Federation....but
hoping that the Great Spirit gives the wisdom to be a good Chief next year to
both groups.
I have a great affinity and respect for the ways of the
Native American. Their and your notion of harmony with the universe that
surrounds us is the right path. Indigenous peoples' sense of family and
community are examples for all peoples to follow. All people should know and
remember this about the Native American people. All should read the words and
know the wisdom of Black Elk, Chief Joseph and many others.
It is a shame that this program, beloved to us both, has
not been over the years a program that teaches and honors the value of the
people, in practice, not words, across all Tribes, Nations, and
Federations......not just the precious few. It is shameful how the culture of
the people have been distorted and mocked through the length of my 49 years.
It is wrong that so many things of the past have brought
us, and this program, to where it is today.......but these things can not be
separated.....and that fact breaks my heart.
While change may be the only constant in the
universe.....change is not without a price. There will be no joy in the
inevitable change in this program for either me or my daughter, but I will take
pride in the lesson that can be learned from it. To support a sense of pride
and independence in those peoples and children of the Great Spirit that this
program offends (however harsh that view may be) will mitigate the price I will
pay.
What will be left? You and I and other leaders, our
children, and the essential aims and purpose of the program. A program that
builds a bond of friendship, one-on-one, between Parent and Child that will
last a lifetime.......and the lessons and stories and examples that we provide
them......and while perhaps in a different voice...the sound of harmony.
We may not agree with each other on this subject, but I
hope that I have shed some light on what at least I, who only speaks for
himself, think. Understanding can be found on both sides of the river, although
not easy to find. While we may never speak together, although I hope we do, you
may forward this to people who understand differently what is happening.
I hope that the Great Spirit finds you and yours warm and
safe and enjoying the true gifts of the seasons solstice. Those of love,
inner-beauty, joy, family, friends and life.
Noonway
Gerry Soaring Hawk Braun
Ps. Encourage youth. Keep a promise. Find the time.
Forego a grudge. Forgive an enemy. Listen. Think first of someone else. Laugh a
little. Gladden the heart of a child. Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of
the earth. Speak your love. Speak it still once again. These are the
words of Ohiyesa.
PSS. I do not know what language family noonway comes
from. It may not even be authentic although it is considered a spiritual word
in throughout our Federation.