Red Foxes Talking Circle

[Red Fox]

O'siyo and good morning, my friends.

 

[jacknife]

O'siyo and good morning, my friends.

morning how is your day so far?

 

[Red Fox]

It's still too early to tell how my day is going.

 

[Red Fox]

It's snowing, very cold and very icy where I live.

 

[Red Fox]

My mother just reminded me on Facebook that 38 years ago today, I came home with them to be their daughter. She left me a very heartfelt message on my Facebook profile to remind me. I know I wasn't the easiest child to raise but my mom and dad loved me through all of my struggles as a teenager and as an adult. I'm very grateful and honored that they are my parents. I told her that and I reminded her of just how much I love her and my dad.

 

[Red Fox]

.http://nativenewsonline.net/current...ime-was-committed-against-57-lakota-students/

 

[Cute Tink]

I'm sincerely asking this question: What does it matter what religion the President of the United States professes? As long as he's fit for the job, it shouldn't matter, should it?

I don't consider any person's religion when I vote for them or not.

However, the fact that so many think that the president should be a Christian (and other politicians as well) and we all acknowledge that they are all liars says exactly what about the kind of person they are?

 

[Edial]

I don't consider any person's religion when I vote for them or not.

However, the fact that so many think that the president should be a Christian (and other politicians as well) and we all acknowledge that they are all liars says exactly what about the kind of person they are?

I truly do not understand why Christians (us) go into politics.
It is impossible to become a successful high ranking politician without being a really great and believable liar.

When you go above the City Council - lying becomes a "job requirement".

Thanks,
Ed

 

[Gxg (G²)]

I truly do not understand why Christians (us) go into politics.
It is impossible to become a successful high ranking politician without being a really great and believable liar.

When you go above the City Council - lying becomes a "job requirement".

Thanks,
Ed

A lot of Christians in politics did amazing things for others - and for some, they were truly able to put others in check in massive ways.

Rev Adam Clayton Powell Jr. of Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem comes to mind since the man was often called the most dangerous man on Capitol Hill for how much he literally challenged the system - more discussed in the following:

• Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mE2m4SNDy0U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riCsrEvYTtw

 

[Red Fox]

http://www.whitebison.org/meditation/

 

[Zstar]

My name is Red Fox, and I would like to welcome you to my Talking Circle. For those who are not familiar with what a Talking Circle is, please allow me to explain. In Native American culture, the Talking Circle is based on respect for others who come to sit within the circle, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, or religion. Within the Circle, the concern for others will begin to take precedence over your own worries in life. It is a way of communication that is quite different than the usual competitive ways of communication out in the world. You will learn to listen. So much can be gained by listening. Is it a coincidence that we have one mouth and two ears? No, not really. It is the mutual respect within the Circle which allows the heart to be shared with each other. What we share with each other can bring healing to our own hearts and bring healing to other hearts as well. Many times it is better to listen than it is to talk.

The purpose of this Talking Circle is to strengthen ourselves and each other. It is open to help strengthen our relationship with our Creator, our families, our friends, and our communities. We are all God's children with varying nationalities and ancestry. We are all equal here, regardless of who we are or where we come from. There are no boundaries of religion or politics within the Circle. I offer an invitation to all through the Circle to come together in respect and in honor. Please understand that we each come from all walks of life, with different religious beliefs and political views. No one wants to be offended nor do we want to offend each other. Let us all make sure we are being respectful of each other and their right to choose their own religious beliefs and their own political views. I believe that respect for others, despite our differences, and listening to what others have to say, without being harsh or judgmental, are the keys to the success of this Talking Circle. Please feel free to discuss the issues or topics you want to, but I ask that you keep the discussion respectful and abide by the rules of this site. I will be sharing stories and teaching others about my Native American culture and heritage within the Circle.

Before I close, I would like to say a few more things. I have spent the vast majority of my Christian walk listening to other Christians tell me that I'm not truly saved because I don't believe or follow the same church doctrine as they do or because I don't worship God the same way as they do or because I don't understand the Scriptures exactly as they do or agree with their personal interpretation of the Scriptures. I have no right to tell someone, who personally professes Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, that they can't possibly be truly saved because they don't agree with me theologically or because they don't worship God exactly the same way as I do. I have spent years being emotionally hurt over such accusations and I have absolutely no intention of being guilty of doing the same thing to other Christians. I am a Native American Christian. I follow Jesus Christ and He is my personal Lord and Savior. So, for the record, I don't worship rocks, trees or animals. I have never set in a sweat lodge or lived in a teepee. I don't practice the ancient spirituality of my Indian ancestors nor do I talk about that spirituality in public. This Talking Circle is not a promotion of Native American spirituality nor is it to be used as a springboard for scrutinizing that spirituality. I will not participate in any criticism against that spirituality or against any other kind of religion. I want to treat others as I would like to be treated.

Thank you for listening. May your time here be blessed and may it be an encouragement to you. Regardless of who you are or what you believe, you are welcome here. Please take a few moments to introduce yourself to the rest of the Circle. I look forward to meeting new people and connecting with old friends here.

"Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do
to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect." Chief Seattle

​

Sounds interesting! My ancestors are Blackfoot and Cherokee! "In Native American culture, the Talking Circle is based on respect for others who come to sit within the circle, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, or religion. Within the Circle, the concern for others will begin to take precedence over your own worries in life. It is a way of communication that is quite different than the usual competitive ways of communication out in the world. You will learn to listen." I would like to talk about Jesus, and listen to others veiws here concerning Him whom is the basis of christianforums.com - the idea we all are here. My spirituality is centered on Jesus, He holds a special place in my heart.

 

[Red Fox]

Sounds interesting! My ancestors are Blackfoot and Cherokee! ... I would like to talk about Jesus, and listen to others views here concerning Him whom is the basis of christianforums.com - the idea we all are here. My spirituality is centered on Jesus, He holds a special place in my heart.

Welcome to my Talking Circle, Zstar. There are many different people here representing various religious beliefs, not just Christianity, that is why it's in this forum. Therefore, talking about Christianity isn't a dominating topic within our Circle. You are welcome here but I ask that respect is shown to those within our Circle who believe differently from Christianity. I hope you understand and I hope you will stay. I look forward to talking to you further.

 

[MehGuy]

Sounds interesting! My ancestors are Blackfoot and Cherokee! "In Native American culture, the Talking Circle is based on respect for others who come to sit within the circle, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, or religion. Within the Circle, the concern for others will begin to take precedence over your own worries in life. It is a way of communication that is quite different than the usual competitive ways of communication out in the world. You will learn to listen." I would like to talk about Jesus, and listen to others veiws here concerning Him whom is the basis of christianforums.com - the idea we all are here. My spirituality is centered on Jesus, He holds a special place in my heart.

Cool. I wonder how many people here have Native American blood.

This thread does kind of depress me though. While I look white and would never face discrimination, I have always wondered if my Grandfather did. Would sadden me. I guess I really never knew much about the Native American POV, and this thread has helped open my eyes about some of the horrid things they go through.

 

[Red Fox]

Cool. I wonder how many people here have Native American blood.

That's a good question.

This thread does kind of depress me though. While I look white and would never face discrimination, I have always wondered if my Grandfather did. Would sadden me.

I'm sorry. One of the main reasons why I started this Talking Circle was to educate non-native people about my people and my ancestors. I talk a lot about my people and my ancestors, so non-native people will not forget them. I talk about the atrocities, social injustice, racial discrimination, and cultural genocide committed against my people and my ancestors in this country, so that their hardships, their sacrifices, and their struggles to survive as a people will not be forgotten or ignored. I am very proud of who I am. I am very proud to be NDN, to be Cherokee and Choctaw. I consider it a great privilege to honor my people and my ancestors in my personal life and through my activity online. I want my voice, their voices, to be heard. Our people have suffered through centuries of genocide, racial discrimination, forced removals, forced assimilations, and cultural genocide. But we are still here and here we will remain, a proud people.

I guess I really never knew much about the Native American POV, and this thread has helped open my eyes about some of the horrid things they go through.

I'm honored to hear this. Your message touches my heart. Thank you.

 

[Gxg (G²)]

Cool. I wonder how many people here have Native American blood.

This thread does kind of depress me though. While I look white and would never face discrimination, I have always wondered if my Grandfather did. Would sadden me. I guess I really never knew much about the Native American POV, and this thread has helped open my eyes about some of the horrid things they go through.

Some of it is interesting to consider when it comes to the extensive ways that Native American culture is not really seen as truly impacting SIGNIFICANT American events. I'm actually reading one book that has been fascinating to me on the topic - known as "American Revolution in Indian Country" by Colin G. Calloway

​

​

There's also the history of Native Americans in the way they actually helped at multiple points to help the American Revolution be possible..as well as the Civil War.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbSJRmrRm60
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MXvA_cLK6U

American Indians and African-Americans were extensively involved together in Civil War Battles - especially in what was then Indian Territory and is now Oklahoma. It is unfortunate, of course, that people on all sides forget the history for what it was

 

[Gxg (G²)]

Cool. I wonder how many people here have Native American blood.

This thread does kind of depress me though.

There are certain points where it gets depressing indeed - although I'd probably argue it can be limited.

For as important as Native American culture is - if that's ALL one is focused upon when it comes to the negatives and there's never any discussion about culture outside of that, what can occur is that others may assume "All who are non-Native are assumed to NOT Know the horrible things happening in Native American experience and that's the only narrative that matters"....and thus, it can become one-sided rather than a real exchange where others share mutually with differing cultures - a real Circle.

There's nothing wrong with being proud of one's culture so that others remember what people went through - just as it would be with any other ethnic group (i.e. Aboriginal, Black, Jewish, Greek, Coptic, etc.). However, if one only shares on their own culture and never asks on others in their own, that can be a point where having pride in your culture can end up giving the impression that others having pride in their cultures is not valued.

 

[Red Fox]

I can't quote your post directly Gxg (G²).

There are certain points where it gets depressing indeed - although I'd probably argue it can be limited.

Perhaps but it isn't limited in my life or in the life of my children. It is an intricate part of my life, one that I find great satisfaction in doing so. It's very common within my culture to share our stories with our children and with non-native people, so our culture, our way of life, our history, our languages, and our heritage, or anything else having to do with our existence, will all be preserved and will never be forgotten. If someone asks me not to talk about anything having to do with my culture or my people, they might as well have asked me to stop breathing. It's not just a part of who I am, it is who I am. It is a part of who I am physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I commune with God through it and I relate to the world around me through it I spent many years of my earlier life denying its existence, because some non-native people made me ashamed of it. I promised myself I would never do that again, not for anyone, no matter what.

For as important as Native American culture is - if that's ALL one is focused upon when it comes to the negatives and there's never any discussion about culture outside of that, what can occur is that others may assume "All who are non-Native are assumed to NOT Know the horrible things happening in Native American experience and that's the only narrative that matters"....and thus, it can become one-sided rather than a real exchange where others share mutually with differing cultures - a real Circle.

I don't just focus on the negatives of my culture. I talk about Pow Wows, I share the stories of my people, I talk about current events in NDN country, and I share my personal experiences as an NDN Christian, in this thread and in other threads. And I don't assume that all non-native people don't know about the horrible things happening in the NDNs or that it's the only narrative that matters. I know better than that. Perhaps I don't see it but I have never thought of this Circle as being one-sided. There are many different people here, from different faiths and walks of life. They are more than welcome to share their cultures or their personal beliefs here within this Circle. I welcome the diversity. I chose this forum, because I wanted that diversity and I wanted people of other faiths to feel welcome and accepted here in this Circle. The only one-sided conversations I have participated in on this site have been with other Christians, who continuously shun and show disrespect, even contempt of people of different religions, not to mention other Christians who believe differently than they do.

There's nothing wrong with being proud of one's culture so that others remember what people went through - just as it would be with any other ethnic group (i.e. Aboriginal, Black, Jewish, Greek, Coptic, etc.). However, if one only shares on their own culture and never asks on others in their own, that can be a point where having pride in your culture can end up giving the impression that others having pride in their cultures is not valued.

I have asked many non-native people about their own culture, where they come from, and what their own people are like. I have talked to many non-native people about it on this site, on other social media sites, and in real life. I think that their culture and their people are just as invaluable and important as my own. The only difference is, I talk about mine a lot more, because I identify very strongly with my own. I didn't grow up in the NDN culture. I grew up in a culture where I heard many derogatory and racist remarks made against "those stupid drunk Indians," and how terrible and savage they were, incapable of any kind of human emotion, and how they deserved to be treated like animals. My adopted father's mother spent the vast majority of her life denying her NDN blood, because she was severely persecuted for it when she was a young girl. I will not, under any circumstances, be made to feel ashamed of who I am ever again. I will talk about who I am, where I come from, who my people are, where they come from, what they have been through in the past, and what they are still suffering through today. As I said, someone might as well ask me to stop breathing than to stop talking about my NDN identity and who I am within it.

 

[Red Fox]

"We've got to learn what's going on today in the world, and we've got to get an education so we can survive." --Jimmy Jackson, OJIBWA

Indian people have the ability to adapt. In these modern times, we Native people must walk two roads. We must get educated so our people don't lose. We need lawyers, doctors, nurses, foresters, scientists, educators, carpenters, welders. These skills are needed to help the people. While we are learning we need to remember to keep our culture, learn our dances, sing our songs, learn to speak our own language and maintain our culture for future generations.

Great Spirit, let my education never lack the meaning and value of Indian spirituality.

Elder's Meditation by White Bison

 

[Red Fox]

 

[Red Fox]

O'siyo and good morning, my friends.