First question: Is anyone here an actual Native American?
Second question: Did you know that there's a low percentage of NDNs who are Christian?
Third question: Did you know that there is a deep feeling of animosity among many NDNs toward (European descent) Christians and many NDNs actually despise the Christian religion?
Fourth question: Has anyone here even considered the residual effects of cultural genocide that still exist among many NDNs because of the Christian based American Indian Boarding Schools?
Historical trauma and International trauma are the perpetual results of the once "Kill the Indian, Save the Man" (European descent) Christian crusade and the horrific cultural genocide still effects many NDNs today. I can provide numerous well documented articles to fully substantiate this fact.
My advise to you, as a direct descendant of the Cherokee and Choctaw of Oklahoma, tread lightly here and have compassion and understanding toward what I shared with you above. I will also ask you not talk about the ancient spirituality of my NDN ancestors if you know absolutely nothing about the spiritual beliefs of any of the tribes. You should also be aware that the spiritual beliefs from each of the tribes varies. NDN spirituality is very sacred and its beliefs are not usually shared with strangers, meaning anyone outside of that particular tribe. NDN spirtuality doesn't evangelize like Christianity.
If you have a calling to evangelize NDNs and share the gospel with them, I suggest you also tread lightly because it is possible that you will be met with some deep animosity and hostility. There are many NDN circles that I'm a part of where talking about anything having to do with Christianity is not allowed or even remotely tolerated. Christianity is called the "
white man's religion" and it is deeply despised. There is also a derogatory name that some NDNs have given to other NDNs who have accepted the Christian religion and that name is "
white man's apple," which means red on the outside, but white on the inside. I have heard this name used to insult NDNs who are considered too friendly with white people. I know how terrible all of this sounds, but it is a result of more than 500 years of cultural genocide NDNs have had to deal with concerning white people and their Christian religion.
Once again, I can provide numerous articles about the Historical trauma and Intergenerational trauma among NDNs, if it is necessary to substantiate the existence of these traumas. I'm sharing this song to give you a sense of what cultural genocide has done to NDNs and how the residual effects of that cultural genocide still haunts NDNs today. Please listen to the song and take its words to heart.
