"The white people, who are trying to make us over into their image, they want us to be what they call "assimilated," bringing the Indians into the mainstream and destroying our own way of life and our own cultural patterns. They believe we should be contented like those whose concept of happiness is materialistic and greedy, which is very different from our way.
We want freedom from the white man rather than to be integrated. We don't want any part of the establishment, we want to be free to raise our children in our religion, in our ways, to be able to hunt and fish and live in peace. We don't want power, we don't want to be congressmen, or bankers....we want to be ourselves. We want to have our heritage, because we are the owners of this land and because we belong here.
The white man says, there is freedom and justice for all. We have had "freedom and justice," and that is why we have been almost exterminated. We shall not forget this."
From the 1927 Grand Council of American Indians
8 comments:
A beautiful picture to remember, because there are few. Photo for the story.
TRUTH
REALITY
ORIGINAL INHABITANTS
What they have expressed is completely endorsed by me. Now the whole world seems to be a homogeneous assimilation. Where is the diversity? What an excellent message you have posted today!
I wish you happiness and love always,
Susan
wise words - the entire world should go by them!
loveNlight
Gabi
Wonderful! We do forget all too easily.
so true, leovi, far too few - wonderful to see you!
yes, dear susan, sadly so - almost a vanilla creme - too sad - but not too late to change! so happy to have you come by - your visits always make my day - and are missed when not here! ;)
peace and love -
amen, gabi!!! amen!
yes, we do, don't we, trish - at least on some level or other -
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