30 Days episode

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Hello. I was wondering if anyone had seen the 30 Days Episode Life on a Reservation. I just saw it this morning on reccomendation of a Navajo friend of mine, as I'm headed to a reservation at the end of the month to volunteer. He felt it would help me in terms of what to expect as far as condtions. I'm glad I watched it. Though I was made sick, sad and angry by a lot of what I saw, and heard. It's disgusting to think that valued water is being wasted to feed the frivilous needs of the wealthy in the big cites, while those who truley need it are made to eek by with what's left, and distressing to see a grandmother unable to communcate and share things with her own grandchildren because of the language barrier. Yet, I was was made happy by the pride that was shown and the courage to hold onto and fight for everything that makes them who they are. I was moved to tears when the host made an effort to speak with the grandmother in the Navajo Language. Anyway I wondered what those who saw it have to say. Even those who haven't seen it are welcome to share too. Bascily I'm looking to start a discussion. Not necessarily on the the show, or soley on the Nation protrayed but on what was shown, and anything else that may not have been. All I can say at the moment is that watching this has only made my desire to do something, and to work towards solutions that much stronger.

[lookadinee (deleted)]

`I loved the show and have been sharing it with all my non-native friends for I have been, surprisingly, one of their first Native American friend from the SW region. It touch me deeply because the topics presented were just so true and I loved Masaani (grandma). The elders have so much knowledge that we can't learn from books but I was like some by having an english-influenced childhood which caused that communication barrier with Shimasaani (my grandma). Don't get me wrong though, I did spend much of my FREE time (school vacations) at Grandma's house helping with farming, sheep herding, and just being a rez kid (using imagination to fulfill a day)! Those are some great, unique memories because what American child can say they helped with feeding the lambs, kids, horses, participated in ceremonies, and did some sheep herding. Now as an adult I'm surrounded by technology where as back home your always asking "Can you hear me now?" or just back in harmony and with the essentials for everyday life.

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`Yes. My friend has also shared that episode with other nonNative friends. It touched me deeply as well. I couldn't help but get the feeling while watching it, that they were trying to regain balance and yet are continually kept in such a way that keeps them from fully standing. Mostly in an economic sense but other areas too. I too loved Grandma. I could see when she was talking about how she really wanted to be able to talk and share things with her grandchildren that she was crying or on the verge. I felt so terrible I honestly would have given her a hug if I could have. I did not know my grandmother for very long as she died when I was ten. Still I'm greatful even for that amount of time knowing that we could talk and understand each other. I totally agree, The elders have vast amounts of knowledge. THey are like liveing history books, and have so much in terms of untapped information to offer. My mom has an aunt who is almost 99 years old. She remembers a time when horses were used for transportation, and has lived through so much. THough her body is frail, she still is as sharp mentally as you or me and could tell you about most anything that she experienced. Yes they are great, and unique memories. I can certainly say that I did not have those experiences as a kid. THough I think I might have enjoyed those things. I still would:) LOL Horses however are the execption though. I started at eleven and rode up till a couple of winters ago. A horse related injury and lack of money, sort of made me stop for the moment. I'd love to get back into it, learn a differnt style, maybe someday get my own horse, and live a quite life on a small farm with only the essentials for everyday life:)

[lookadinee (deleted)]

`I wish they could do more of those stories about different reservations because it would be some great knowledge to feed the rest of our Nation. I miss learning about the many different tribes through this Great Nation after moving off the rez in 6th grade. I remember we use to have like a "Culture Class" that taught us about our neighboring tribes that I would not have ever known about other than from what my family would say. These days I try to self-educate from reading indian country today or searching for individual tribal sites or even wikipedia, haha. Especially being this far away I've learning about the local tribes and their current pains. It is amazing how tribal issues are different depending on the location and how much Uncle Sam has influenced their downfall from being unique. It always makes me want to question: "I sure hope other tribes are learning from these situations..."

[dinewalking_PREV (deleted)]

`things like this never make it to the national media. only word of mouth or documentries such as you speak of, show what is truly happening to the holy lands. they (Corporate Amerika & Amerika itself), want to destroy the holy lands of "Black Mountain." with their machines of destructions they want rip open our Mother's belly for greed & nothing more. this is the land of our birth, our Mother's belly & how can we let her suffer. Dine' code talkers basically won the war in the pacific for the Amerikas & yet the Amerikas dishonor them in this way. Our brothers & sisters & i am talking about all 1st Nations Peoples, were not forced to fight for this so called land of freedom. Everyone of us volunteered because of what we thought was a just cause & for our own freedom. my heart is heavy from the lives i took & for being deceived to fight in a unjust cause. but as long as i live with Diyin' breathe in me, i will stand for the cause of Dine' & give my life for my Dine'taa.

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`You know my sentiments, Seeyouma.

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`I wish more light would be shed on this myself. I mean this is something you don't see in mainstream news. THe only way to find anything is to go to sources that are sympathetic to the issues and problems the Native American people are faceing. It's seems nothing is sacred. Not even the sacred sites as Dinewalking/Seeyouma points out. It's not just sites sacred to the Navajo people, but other sites seen as sacred by other Native Nations. Yet the Native people are made to suffer these horrible desecrations of these sacred places. And for what? More chemicals, metals, or some posh resort for the few who actually have any money to spare. For some reason it seems to be more than ok to destroy these areas but think of suggesting the same thing for a simple church, mosque temple, or heavon forbid the Vatican and suddenly that idea is unthinakble, cause for outrage. Yet when any Native Nation or Native group stands up, their feelings, and beliefes, seem to not be worth the air it takes to voice them or the paper they're printed on. I mean is it just me or does it all reek of double standards? People need to be made to realize and understand that the Native American people are human beings with hearts, feelings, worries, dreams, and goals just like everyone else in this world. THey are not mascots, or play things to be used for advertisements or other whims of schools or corperations. For crying out loud it's the 21st century and things need to start changing. We need to all come together, but in a peaceful way. This mindless, wanton disregard for a people, and for their sacred and holy sites has to end.

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`I have this thought Actually two thoughts I wonder what people may think. The first one is something I suggested last night. To get a group together share things and just get everything out in a way where both sides are able to see just how the other feels. While still being respecful so none are hurt. THere's been too much hurt already and those wounds need to be healed. Maybe it could work for the government as well. I'm not meaning one or two sessions that last a whole day, but rather sessions and meetings that met one or two times a week, for a few hours. Nothing formal, just talk and let things out. I had heard of it being done successfully in Washington State. THe group was called Twisp I think. Though I couldn't tell what that stands for. Just remember the name. It was so successful that the group was still meeting after five years and that friendships had grown. Anyway, The other thought I'd had, was to get as many of the senators, governers, and the like to stay on a reservation for a while to see what's really going on. Take away their toys and gadgets, their nice houses, and make them live the way that most who live on reservations do. Maybe then they might be reseptive to what all the Native Nations are trying to say. I wonder if any one in the goverment would take that challenge though. Anyway their just thoughts. What does everyone think? Any suggesstions or other ideas are welcome too. Just thought I'd throw some ideas out.

[lookadinee (deleted)]

`Hi yall,

Dinewalking: You do make some very good points and it's disturbing that our issues don't make national news often enough to give other insights to our way of life currently which almost seems no different then 20 years ago.

horses06: I remember contributing to Native acknowledgment events during Nizhoni Week back at UNM and pretty sure they still do it. But those were such small events with organizations to contribute in volunteers and funds. I only wonder what organizations would help contribute to such an suggestion and who would select which government officials to ask and the most interesting is where would they stay? It would be great if an organization was already out there to help with this process or find out who have attempted and what resulted...

Interested,
Look'aa'dine'e

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`Hello Lookadinee. It is as you and Dinewalking say. It is disturbing that the issues Native Americans face don't make the news as much as they need to or should, so as to give people more insight on the matter. THe Native American people it seems have simply been swept under the rug. That rug needs to be thrown asiide for everyone to see what's been done and what's still going on there. Yeah, the thing is those events tend to be a small scale version of what they could or should be due to being held in a campus setting. I would have been intersted in doing those types of events while I was in college, but I'm in an area that doesn't seem to do those things. At least it never happened in my school or any of the others close to me. I do not know whether an organization would or could contribute help for my idea. Maybe there are a few that might, but it almost seems like the gauntlet needs to be thrown down, a challenge issued directly to the government. Esepcailly for those officials who aren't sympathetic to the Native American people or who are just simply blind to what's going on. I think though if any families on the reservations accepted this idea and allowed them to come and stay with them for a while that they should be compinsated in some way. If families aren't intersted or simply wary of allowing government officials into their homes, maybe those officials can be put up in some other sort of houseing on the reservations but still be shown and allowed to experience these things that are going on. If I knew I had the kind of support needed for this, I would try and organize my own organization/foundation and work towrds makeing things better. Starting with those weekly meetings I've metioned in the past. At least in a local community setting to start .THe trouble is, I don't really have any experience in starting something like this up, nor do I really know where to start, who to talk to as far as getting people to work with as well as the necessary funds together. It seems you are interested Lookadinee. If I could get more people interested and at least willing to try that would be a start.