Bein NDN

[robby]

in my own eyes, being indian is having no one to pass the teachings of my grandfathers', the younger generation is more interested in theirselves instead of others.

the white man has stores, our children forgot how to garden
the white man has houses, our children forgot how to build our lodges,
the white man has cars, our children forget how to ride a horse
the white man has cell phones, our children forgot how to listen
the white man has education, our children forgot what is important to the people
being indian is having no one to talk to, because the children aren't interested

[suthernwaterbird]

Indians Forever



You can change it never

For Indians will always ride

Forever......

Being Indian Is...

Being Indian Is......feeding anyone and everyone who comes to your door hungry, with whatever you have.

Being Indian Is......knowing to duck or hide when you see the cops from a mile away, even when you were a kid!

Being Indian Is......being broke all year long because you try to make every Pow Wow, gathering, and ceremony... Being Indian Is......loving frybread and soup.

Being Indian Is.....knowing history started before 1492.

Being Indian Is......full of acronyms that affect your world (BIA, CIB,etc)

Being Indian Is......losing your job after the grant ends.

Being Indian is ......getting to go to a conference because you work for a new grant program.

Being Indian Is.......knowing how to snag and then lie about it.

Being Indian is.......knowing all the quick remedies to get rid of hickies.

Being Indian Is......playing outside, unsupervised on the REZ til 3:00 am.

Being Indian is .......either borrowing or lending money to your NDN brothers and sisters at least once a week.

Being Indian is......having people ask if they can touch your hair or take your picture or how long have your been growing your hair...and so on...

Being Indian is......to be asked constantly if you still live in tee-pees or ride horses every where you go.

Being Indian is......worrying about diabetes.

Being Indian is......knowing why the REZ car in "Smoke Signals" as funny!

Being Indian is.......knowing why in "Smoke Signals," the line "do you have your passports?" is funny!

Being Indian is......knowing how to barter or trade for things you need and things you don't!

Being Indian is.......having more cousins than trees have leaves.

Being Indian is......laughing with your friends so much your facial muscles hurt.

Being Indian is......singing 49 songs using a garbage can for a drum or

remembering the days.

Being Indian is......road trips cross country, back home OR just because!

Being Indian is......knowing your treaty rights, and political JURISDICTIONS!

Being Indian is.......having the strength to move your family at any given moment, and making it.

Being Indian is......reading about your ancestors and relations in an anthropologists paper.

Being Indian is......knowing someone in Pawhuska, Anadarko, San Carolos, Browning, Pine Ridge or Window Rock and hoping to make friends with a dividend Indian from California.

Being Indian is.......losing your job because you're different or think your different

Being Indian is......having a song come to you at the oddest times. A-ho!!!

Being Indian is......celebrating the buffalo hunt, or the ripening of the corn, Indian days or the time of year!

Being Indian is.......not a part time thing.... ALL DAY, EVERY DAY!

Being Indian Is.......PRIDE

Being Indian is.......BEAUTIFUL

Being Indian is.......FOREVER

So If your NDN and proud of It pass this on!!



And If your Not Then the hell with You!!