Do all Reservations have dark sides like my own?

[priestessashe]

Merin, I definitely agree that we are coming into a new age of consciousness. It is about time! hehehe. I definitely think Al Gore, as scary as he is, had a good idea making the Inconvenient Truth. It was an incredibly sad movie and I had a hard time watching it but it really set hard on my psyche and even though I try to be an environmentally conscious person, I imagine that it affected people who aren't as inclined to be so conscious even more than it did myself since I knew over half of the topics he was addressing already. I cannot even think of how traumatizing it would have been for someone who did not know about all those things, or barely any.

Rebel, thanks for the info about account deletions. I had mentioned it because I had read a post in the general forum by a member who had already been deleted but before their account was deleted they said they did not know what they could say, for they were walking on thin ice or something. I imagine it was political.

Also, I agree with George Carlin. That statement simply means, to be and in my opinion, that pretty much the earth will consider the human race nul and void if we do not do something quick to right the wrongs we have done on the face of it. It is not something to be taken lightly and I am getting more into Direct Action (you should look it up if you don't know what it means). A simple definition would be when a group of people find something out about society or politics that they don't like, they don't really plan they just take action right then and there, no if's and's or but's...they just do it and I think that's what we need in the U.S. now more than ever when it comes to environmental issues.



I love these forums, they are really fun!

[rebelyell08_PREV (deleted)]

`Hey great photo!
And I am so glad that I wasn't the only one who thought Al Gore was spooky.
Yes, i seen that too about the comment on being on (thin ice?) and the account was deleted. But I think that girl was going through a bad time with some guy or something like that so she left(if it is the same one I am thinking about anyway.) The environment is, probably hopeless due to rampant greed I would say, as it is now. I know there's good people who care and want to do all they can to change things. But look at what people basically value? At the people they admire. Until people can start valuing other human beings I think it is hopeless.

[priestessashe]

`I think many people value others. I think they need to value themselves. Ultimately, if one does not care about themselves, then really, what else could they possibly care about? Nothing.

I have always thought that self-love is the gate to divine happiness and the key to more love than you could have ever thought existed. The cosmos is a large and, to our knowledge, most infinite space. Why not use it to recycle energy and love instead of just straight up sucking it from the land (it's resources), other living beings, and even humans!

Rock on, sis.

[rebelyell08_PREV (deleted)]

`Humans as a form of energy? We talkin' the Matrix here, or the human vampires who "collect" (consume) emotions to fill up thier souls?

[priestessashe]

`Hahaha, I have never seen it as a weird concept that humans are a form of energy...heat energy! We are also mostly water as well. You should watch "What the Bleep (#@%!) do We Know?"...even reading it would be much preferred. I will not explain it at all on this site, for I do not think everyone is ready for this kind of information.
I am an extremely agnostic person, but when things are proven using science, it's hard to refute it, you know what I mean?

[bootycall4u_PREV (deleted)]

`Why can't we be friends?
I seen you 'round for a long long time
I really 'membered you when you drink my wine
I seen you walkin' down in Chinatown
I called you but you could not look around

I bring my money to the welfare line
I see you standing in it every time

The color of your skin don't matter to me
As long as we can live in harmony

Why can't we be friends?


I'd kinda like to be the President
so I can show you how your money's spent

Sometimes I don't speak too bright
but yet I know what I'm talking about
I know you're working for the CIA
they wouldn't have you in the Mafia

[merinass (deleted)]

priestessashe wrote: `Hahaha, I have never seen it as a weird concept that humans are a form of energy...heat energy! We are also mostly water as well. You should watch "What the Bleep (#@%!) do We Know?"...even reading it would be much preferred. I will not explain it at all on this site, for I do not think everyone is ready for this kind of information.
I am an extremely agnostic person, but when things are proven using science, it's hard to refute it, you know what I mean?

If you think about it we are made up of all five elements.

Earth- We need minerals, iron, zince, copper, maganese, etc in our bodies to live and these are found in the soil most everywhere.

Water-well as you said we are made up of over 70% water.

Fire- We generate our own body heat and have physical energy that allows us to move on this plane of reality

Air- We breath oxygen in and have to have it too in order to live and we exchange air with other living creatures

Spirit- the force behind everything we do..

[johnmarlon (deleted)]

In comparison to the general U.S. population, every reservation or community suffers in areas of negativity, far more than outsiders will ever know. I grew up in Minneapolis and the projects on the southside are known as "Little Earth", aka the Indian projects to outsiders. This place is Native run and was formed when native people had a need to live together in a vast city landscape, back in a time when the people needed each other in such a large city. Today, this is one of the most dangerous places you can be on the Southside. Natives fighting natives...gangs...makes me wonder how they can call themselves natives and be proud at the same time.

Well, Knowledge and understanding of the past can help to understand why these things are. The strength of our culture keeps us standing, and our culture defines us more than anything.


"The only thing we need is: food, shelter, and social interaction".

Thats my statement on energy. People always want more than that, yet thats all we ever strived for back in the day. It bothers me when people rely so much on more than those three things. It makes me understand how many native people can continue to live in what is called poverty.

[priestessashe]

johnmarlon wrote: In comparison to the general U.S. population, every reservation or community suffers in areas of negativity, far more than outsiders will ever know. I grew up in Minneapolis and the projects on the southside are known as "Little Earth", aka the Indian projects to outsiders. This place is Native run and was formed when native people had a need to live together in a vast city landscape, back in a time when the people needed each other in such a large city. Today, this is one of the most dangerous places you can be on the Southside. Natives fighting natives...gangs...makes me wonder how they can call themselves natives and be proud at the same time.

Well, Knowledge and understanding of the past can help to understand why these things are. The strength of our culture keeps us standing, and our culture defines us more than anything.


"The only thing we need is: food, shelter, and social interaction".

Thats my statement on energy. People always want more than that, yet thats all we ever strived for back in the day. It bothers me when people rely so much on more than those three things. It makes me understand how many native people can continue to live in what is called poverty.






I must say, wonderfully put. I suppose my question should have been: Are there any redeemable reservations...anywhere? Your hometown sounds pretty much identical to mine. I do not imagine that there is much difference from rez to rez. I can also say that when you go to the projects of detroit, compton, bakersfield, and LA in general you will see the same exact stuff. I know that it isn't just on native land that this stuff happens. It's an epidemic and I believe the media is responsible and just the communities not being there for the children and the children getting into things they shouldn't get into.
I have always been of a mind to believe, as well, that it takes a community to raise a child, so if children are acting out in this way, I blame the WHOLE community for that is how I see things.
And I won't refute anyone's realities. I think it is important for people to have their realities and I never want to take that away from anyone. Though, I do know what I believe and if you feel it is your heart so deeply, then I do not think it is possible to refute yourself.
The world is in peril and there is a lot to do. We will figure it out. Every philosopher and great mind who has walked this earth always has had hope for humanity, for really, if we can get ourselves into these messes we can certainly get ourselves back out...right?

[johnmarlon (deleted)]

I'm not sure I like the stance of blame. The best we can do is lives our live in the best example we can so as to encourage our children to follow. The idea of the world in peril isn't a healthy subject to think about too much, I've figured that out recently because it's something I used to think about too much and used as an excuse one too many times.

I know deep within myself that the native way of life will still be around if our creator chooses to begin the world anew. Our way was the first, and it will be the last standing.


Also, I'm in disagreement about your reference to a "whole" community. I'm not sure how to explain it but there's a negative tinge to it somewhere that I pick up on. Not to say your being negative, just the thought to me seems..not wrong..just..I'm not sure...just not something that I would say I guess.

[priestessashe]

`Let's look at it from this perspective:

When children are born, they are usually born to one or two parents, yes? Or if not parents, then a legal guardian or two who act as such. Growing up in a household or community of one or two, the child only gets one or two ways of life. They only get one or two opinions on things and one or two different experiences on all different things in life. Why? So only those two people can give this child what it needs? No.
You should read The Kin of Atta (a.k.a. The Kin of Atta are Waiting for You). This book recounts Native life from a metaphorical stance. When natives roamed free of oppression in North and South American, do you honestly think that only one or two people (the mother and the father) raised this child alone?
The moment a child is born into tribal life, it does not belong solely to the mother and father. The child belongs to the whole tribe. The kids take the baby when it is old enough to sit up and play with it, love it, tell it stories, dress it up, show it their way as they know it so far and the babe is only returned to the mother for milk.
If you talk about Native life, then you should know its ancient validity to its fullest. Going back to this child in tribal lifestyle, as it grows, it learns from other children, other adults, and observes each and every single tribal member's way of life (not just its mother and fathers) and it then becomes an extension of a WHOLE community and not just two people. I think it is important for children to know ALL walks of life so that they may make their own choices.
And though our people still have as much of our culture as we can, we do not really incorporate that. That is an ancient, unspoken tribal normality. Children never BELONGED to their parents or anyone. They belonged to the whole tribe.
I still believe that is relevant today and its a very large part of our culture.
I do not think that is negative, really.
Another example would be our indigenous groups here in Cali, where I live. There is a group called the Brown Berrets here and they are a nonviolent indigenous group that helps keep kids of native, latino and generally indigenous blood off the streets. Before they had this organization, the streets of this place were filled with children with guns and Santa Cruz was the murder capital of the continent, really. They created this organization which runs off money from the community and they create skate parks, reg parks, and even football and soccer organizations for the kids to play in leagues and such. After this was created, guess what? Crime was nil to zip here among children and especially among children of indigenous blood which is where the epidemic started in the first place.
Now, also, I think I must clarify that when I say community, I don't mean dropping your kids off at some scary dude's house and going to work, definitely not. I am talking about the ancient ways. I speak of communities, eco-villages, co-ops, sustainable living centers, etc (they exist and the numbers of them are growing) where people are trying to live sustainably. People will bring their closest friends, family members and loved ones to live here and build and bridge their community and lifestyle and all the kids are raised by each other and the community itself. I think its beautiful and I do not think, but I KNOW it is the way our people did it before this time of strife.
And I suppose I shouldn't blame the communities, but there is definitely a lot that communities can do. It takes much more than two people to raise a soul! That is why parents all over the world stress and lose their minds, for they aren't meant to be taking care of their children 24/7! The community is meant to help. That is what community means! It has changed with times, but the word itself means the same thing its always meant: people helping each other and creating a balance so that everyone does their fair share and all is well.
And again, our people did not solely raise their children. Communities did. It has changed so much and people have forgotten the old ways...
But that is why I am here; I am here to bring back what is forgotten. And again, you should read The Kin of Atta. Very Beautiful book. One of my favorites! :)

[johnmarlon (deleted)]

priestessashe wrote: `Let's look at it from this perspective:


And again, our people did not solely raise their children. Communities did. It has changed so much and people have forgotten the old ways...
But that is why I am here; I am here to bring back what is forgotten. And again, you should read The Kin of Atta. Very Beautiful book. One of my favorites!



I was raised in the sort of environment your speaking of, although not as large and strong of one that once existed. A good example is how people refrain from allowing their children to visit relatives based on the fact that those relatives live a negative lifestyle. Not many people would expose their children to an environment where people are drinking and smoking, yet native people will...Why? because family is family no matter what. I can understand why some people choose to self raise their children, I can't say it's wrong and I don't believe it is, mainly because of todays society..

What I was getting at was your reference to a community as a whole being the blame.

[priestessashe]

`I think it is the community that should be to blame. Like I said, that is the DEFINITION of community. If they aren't communing, then what in the world should it be called? 'Bunches of people living on top of eachother who don't know each other and could give a fu*k about each other?'

I like that better. A child is ALWAYS a product of how they were raised; ALWAYS. Do not use the word community if it is not relevant. It is kind of a paradox to say "The communities are not to blame for our children's suffering" (the community includes their parents). You cannot spell community without 'Commun' (Commune).

Definition of Community: 1. a social group of any size whose members reside in a specific locality, share government, and often have a common cultural and historical heritage.

That is the very first definition. Communities were originally developed for people to help one another (especially with child-rearing) and I already covered the fact that no one's going to take their kid over to someone's house who is a shady being, really. At least not a rational person. I know you know this stuff, but the community thing is where you are getting ---- up. We just live in different places and have different ideas of what a community is. Yours is patchy and no one knows each other outside your family and you probably don't trust your neighbors.

I moved to Northern California where there are sustainable eco-villages and communes where people live and help one another. They share food, living facilities, chores, and child-rearing. I think that is the way it should be. Small living communities all over the world that function as tiny eco-communities and they even grow their own vegetables, herbs, and gardens and all help out.
It was NOT like that on my reservation and I still do blame the community and not just the parents as a result of what is happening to the kids on our land. They don't even try to get a few parks or recreation and money is slowing being cut from every program at their schools, etc. Do you seriously think it is NOT the community to blame? In the entire united states, school systems are what their communities make. Anywhere you go where there is a good public school, it is because there are a lot of rich parents pumping money directly into the PTA. When you do not see that, it is because the community is either poor or they don't care. Do you think the government supplies that much money to school systems? No. The communities run most of that stuff. Why do you think towns have mayors? Why do towns have judges? Why do they have police systems? For nul? No. So they can help each other. And when children are suffering as a whole in a town, I still believe it is the community's fault and I will not budge on that.

Thanks for your input though.

[johnmarlon (deleted)]

priestessashe wrote:
Do you seriously think it is NOT the community to blame?



Personal opinion? no, I do not believe a child's community is specifically the blame, and yes I do understand the concept of community. I used to be quite familiar with incorporating blame into parts of my lifestyle, with age I have come out and have now seen the world in a different light.

Well, lets just say we hold very different concepts of this community thing. I'm not very good with words, I guess it's just your frustration and attitude towards it all that had me saying anything about it in the first place.

[priestessashe]

`Richer sub communities = the key to the wonderful world of 'no child being left behind' methinks.