LOL. How bout , how native is your white world?

[hywalker]

You know, after looking back at today's conversation, what I say about dine culture isn't a matter of representation. It's education. If I've learned something, what's wrong with sharing that as long as the information is correct? What difference does it make where you get the information as long as you get it? I said it in the spirit of sharing something about dine culture. I hoped I was adding to what Injunboy had said. If I'm wrong on ANY fact, I would hope someone would quickly correct me. Sorry to go on and on but I don't want anyone even remotely thinking of me as a wannabe or fraud or any of these people you've all shared your displeasure and hatred for.

where i could be wrong, but from the natives i have met and have had the pleasure to get to know, i get the feeling they want to be the teachers of their own culture and what parts they wish to share. and to try to teach a ndn his own culture is just suicide lol. and personally the best way i've dodged the wannabe brand is i dont preach or teach anything about my wifes tribal culture. My wife and her family have taught me a great deal about their culture, i use the information to avoid doing something really stupid when in kiowa country, doesnt always work lol but never say die.

[Hwii Siziinii]

You know, after looking back at today's conversation, what I say about dine culture isn't a matter of representation. It's education. If I've learned something, what's wrong with sharing that as long as the information is correct? What difference does it make where you get the information as long as you get it? I said it in the spirit of sharing something about dine culture. I hoped I was adding to what Injunboy had said. If I'm wrong on ANY fact, I would hope someone would quickly correct me. Sorry to go on and on but I don't want anyone even remotely thinking of me as a wannabe or fraud or any of these people you've all shared your displeasure and hatred for.

[Hwii Siziinii]

actually, my parents moved us out here when I was 10. I took everyone by surprise when I started taking navajo language classes. For someone who stubbornly held on to his east coast roots, that was one from faaaaaar left field.

[hywalker]

It started with a woman with me too. She's looooooong gone but I still look at it as a blessing that seed was planted and has grown into what it is today.

that certainly explains alot, mainly how a new jersy fellow winds up in the desert lol

[Hwii Siziinii]

It started with a woman with me too. She's looooooong gone but I still look at it as a blessing that seed was planted and has grown into what it is today.

[hywalker]

I truly Understand what you are saying and my other tries his best at letting people know what been done. There are many more Non_Natives who do feel the same way............just no enough to make and impact what what people want to hear or do about it. The 122 years ago lyching of a fourteen year old Native Boy is still waiting for the gov`ts apologies for thinking they had the right murderer and the lychers got away with murder. Premier(former)Mike Harris not remembering saying anything about the Native been shot. Yet if it were the other way, then what happens.............

u r exactly right on the fact that not enough, and certainly wont happen fast enough for how long natives have been waiting for justice. but even if i change 1 persons opinion a week i am working towards the goal. i know most of us pigment challenged individuals are not welcome by many nor our opinions lol but am i supposed to sit there and watch my wife fight for ndn rights without getting swept up in it myself? I fight for what i believe in and i believe the ndn's deserve severely better treatment than they've had to date.
Not all white ppl are here to take your culture. some of us appreciate it cause it caught our heart, with hwii it seems the dine culture has captured his heart, with me it was a kiowa woman lol. either way our heart is in the right place (even if we step on our u know what now and then)

[Hwii Siziinii]

that's ok; I wrote a few books here today. Yeah, I spread the word to the non-native as well. That's a hard road too because people usually look at you with that 'are you done yet?' look but, hey, I'm from New Jersey. You get my opinion whether you want it or not! :) Awareness classes is a good idea. Drawing people to them... The culture classes, so I've been taught, are important so people understand who they are. I just help by spreading the word. I usually stay on the sidelines with the opinions, but I'm not sure what got into me today. I just feel strongly on the subject and use whatever forum I can to get the word out. Where I work, they have different Diversity Interest Groups (DIG), including a Native American group. The idea is to raise awareness of the group (native, asian, black, gay, single parent, etc). Sadly, I've yet to see a Native group event. I constantly feed them fliers and info on all the native events I'm aware of. But, that kind of group, is what I think Hy's talking about (right?). I like to keep myself as knowledgable as possible on native culture so I can share this. In fact, my culture teacher encouraged me to share all the info I've acquired over the years with non-natives as well. Good idea. Thanks for bringing that point up, hy.

[marie_popcan@hotmail]

now see, the gov. lies against the natives, the rights of ndns to keep their soverienty, frauds. these are the places i think a non native can not only discuss but participate. maybe i'm wrong (lol) but i still believe the only way to change the way the gov. is treating the natives is to sway the general publics view. ppl living away from ndn communities need a general education on the fact that not only do ndn's still exist (yes there are some we meet that are suprised to see a real ndn) but that the ndn is being sh*t on. I'm certainly not talking bout culture classes, more like awareness classes. being mad and thumbing your nose at the average cracker walking down the street i dont see as helping your cause. hwii, maries other, and the rest of us whites who's lives seem to be wrapped up in the ndn world for whatever reason should be out spreading the word to other whites, i personally dont hold to white guilt for the past (sorry) but if i was to turn my back on the injustice still in action today i would be no better than my forefathers in what they did.
egads , i've written a short story again lol

I truly Understand what you are saying and my other tries his best at letting people know what been done. There are many more Non_Natives who do feel the same way............just no enough to make and impact what what people want to hear or do about it. The 122 years ago lyching of a fourteen year old Native Boy is still waiting for the gov`ts apologies for thinking they had the right murderer and the lychers got away with murder. Premier(former)Mike Harris not remembering saying anything about the Native been shot. Yet if it were the other way, then what happens.............

[hywalker]

My other is the same way about having to stay on the side line. Fustrates him as all are about the gov`t and their promises to the Natives. Thank-you for 365.

now see, the gov. lies against the natives, the rights of ndns to keep their soverienty, frauds. these are the places i think a non native can not only discuss but participate. maybe i'm wrong (lol) but i still believe the only way to change the way the gov. is treating the natives is to sway the general publics view. ppl living away from ndn communities need a general education on the fact that not only do ndn's still exist (yes there are some we meet that are suprised to see a real ndn) but that the ndn is being sh*t on. I'm certainly not talking bout culture classes, more like awareness classes. being mad and thumbing your nose at the average cracker walking down the street i dont see as helping your cause. hwii, maries other, and the rest of us whites who's lives seem to be wrapped up in the ndn world for whatever reason should be out spreading the word to other whites, i personally dont hold to white guilt for the past (sorry) but if i was to turn my back on the injustice still in action today i would be no better than my forefathers in what they did.
egads , i've written a short story again lol

[Hwii Siziinii]

And, really, all I'm doing is echoing the same thing others have said, about losing the culture and the language. Repeating someone is not speaking for them. My experiences have been largely with the Dine. If no Dine chooses to say the same thing here on this thread and I do, that does not make me their representitive.

[marie_popcan@hotmail]

No, not at all. I'm not out there trying to be 'The Voice of the Navajo Nation' or anything. People who know me and what involvement I've had in the language programs, encourage my involvement. Nobody's asking me to speak for them. I don't want to and certainly don't want to give anyone the impression that I am. My participation has developed my interests and concerns for the programs. I just try to relate my experiences. I think that's what I mean by being encouraged to speak up. I've stayed on the sidelines for almost four years now for fear of coming off as a wannabe and I felt that my earlier posts in this and it's related threads had made it clear as to where I stand. Maybe I said something today I shouldn't have said. I admire and care about the native culture and enjoy being around it. I try to stay on my side of the line at all times. This was the first year I ever went into the circle at a pow wow and that was to throw a few bucks on a blanket or drum and once to shake hands with about 50 vets. I don't feel I should be out there to dance unless someone personally invites me out there, even though inter-tribal means everyone. If I didn't feel comfortable with my involvement here with the dine and also on this site, I wouldn't say anything. I'm very interested in Hy's threads because he's somewhere I could be later down the line and I should pay attention to his experiences and learn from that. Again, I'm sorry if I came off as trying to represent the dine. I'm a bilagaana and always will be.

My other is the same way about having to stay on the side line. Fustrates him as all are about the gov`t and their promises to the Natives. Thank-you for 365.

[Hwii Siziinii]

No, not at all. I'm not out there trying to be 'The Voice of the Navajo Nation' or anything. People who know me and what involvement I've had in the language programs, encourage my involvement. Nobody's asking me to speak for them. I don't want to and certainly don't want to give anyone the impression that I am. My participation has developed my interests and concerns for the programs. I just try to relate my experiences. I think that's what I mean by being encouraged to speak up. I've stayed on the sidelines for almost four years now for fear of coming off as a wannabe and I felt that my earlier posts in this and it's related threads had made it clear as to where I stand. Maybe I said something today I shouldn't have said. I admire and care about the native culture and enjoy being around it. I try to stay on my side of the line at all times. This was the first year I ever went into the circle at a pow wow and that was to throw a few bucks on a blanket or drum and once to shake hands with about 50 vets. I don't feel I should be out there to dance unless someone personally invites me out there, even though inter-tribal means everyone. If I didn't feel comfortable with my involvement here with the dine and also on this site, I wouldn't say anything. I'm very interested in Hy's threads because he's somewhere I could be later down the line and I should pay attention to his experiences and learn from that. Again, I'm sorry if I came off as trying to represent the dine. I'm a bilagaana and always will be.

[kiowakat]

It's taken quite a bit of encouragement from some of my Dine friends to speak out.

like are these dine encouraging you to speak out, why??

Are you saying Dine poeple can't speak for themselves??

it's okay to like somebody's cultural but don't act like it's yours to represent hwii

[Hwii Siziinii]

Well, I guess I need to be back on the sidelines then... I certainly am not a wannabe and am very sensitive about being seen as one.

[hywalker]

I just base it on my observations and knowledge I've aquired over the years. I absolutely do not claim to be any kind of expert and I'm not trying to speak for anyone. It took this long to feel comfortable to start voicing my opinions on these subjects. It's taken quite a bit of encouragement from some of my Dine friends to speak out. I don't want to be overstepping any lines or boundries. And I certainly don't want to offend anyone. This is something I've been around and seen for myself and heard people voice these opinions. Again, I know, on the whole, I don't know jack. But if I can contribute in a positive way at all, then I want to.

giving opinion on tribal cultures after only a few yrs (or many yrs even) is a huge mistake commonly found in wannabe society. we dont need to add to the confusion.