 When I think about the youth of today, I thank Creator that I am not facing what they face. I come
from a time, when the lines of right and wrong and good and evil were clearly marked. A time when staying outside
on a summer night to catch fire flies or play hide-go-seek carried no danger. A time when trust in my teacher was
assumed. A time when it was no big deal to walk to the neighborhood store to spend my allowance. A time when my
curfew was to be judged by the time the street lights came on. Such simple things, seem very special in the wake
of today.
Our young,
are forced into needing wisdom beyond their years. Trust, simplicity, and safety are no longer part of their lives.
These words have become dormant. Our youth must be taught to form a hard crust around themselves. A crust of protection.
It is their only hope of existence. This crust must be a strong one. One that will protect them from so many things
that bombard their very safety.
However this
crust has its cost. For you see, we parents have not figured out how to help form this crust and still allow the
soft wonders of Creator to seep through. Those wonders that are all around free for the taking. How do we parents
turn our babies into turtles? How do we teach them when to duck into their crusts? Its a hard thing. As my generation
fades from this earth, I find that the new generation is caught in an almost hopeless battle. This new generation
does not come from the time of catching fire flies, and tends to lack softness to pass on. And my generation lacks
enough crust to insure safety. It seems to be a time of learning for the whole world.
Native American
children face all these things and more. They have the heavy burden of saving an entire race, culture, and way
of life. Their blood has been robbed of purity. Their role models are distant and few. Their culture has been scrambled
in the need to maintain in what is now. And their "source pool of knowledge" is fading quickly.
 Yes, my friends, to be an Indian child today is a heavy
burden indeed. However, it is not to late. The Native American culture is still alive. Its heart beats strong.
Its teachings are still alive in that heart beat. Parents of Indian children still have access to that "source
pool." It is up to us to lead our children to the pool. To arm them with the weapons of honor, culture, respect,
tradition, pride and education. Allow our babies to form an outside crust, but implant in their soul who they are,
where they came from, and why they must learn these things. Whisper stories of long ago in their ears, show them
the reasons that sacred items are sacred. Take them to POW WOWS, sweats, and ceremonies. Have them spend time with
an elder, show them how to pick sage, feed them fry bread and wild rice and charge them with the responsibility
of preserving these things. Stress to them, the importance of educating themselves, not only with their heritage,
but in school.
I believe
that the combination of these things will keep us all alive forever. Send out into this crazy world an Indian armed
with knowledge of both worlds. Don't let them lose who or what they are, but instead teach them how to be Indian
in a non Indian world. Its the least we can do.
Peace Laz |
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