Red Foxes Talking Circle

[Red Fox]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Z8lXnIpii8

 

[Red Fox]

This is an issue that is very close to my heart.

Native Youth Take on Mascot Issue at South Dakota School

 

[Red Fox]

"But each of us must find out for himself or herself what their gift is, so that they can use it in their life." --Jimmy Jackson, OJIBWAY

The old people say, everyone has a song to sing. This song is the reason we are on this earth. When we are doing what we came on this earth to do, we know true happiness. How will we know our song? Pray. Ask the Great Mystery, "What is it you want me to do during my stay on earth?" Ask. He will tell you. He will even help you develop yourself to accomplish His mission.

Great Spirit, help me find my song and let me sing it.

Elder's Meditation by White Bison

 

[Red Fox]

I am very happy about this.

S.P.I.R.I.T. Society to Protect Indigenous Rights & Indigenous Treaties

 

[Red Fox]

For those who are interesting, I'm going to be starting a blog here on this site soon. I'll post the link here in the Circle after I start it.

 

[smaneck]

I'm not entirely sure how I feel about this. This oil is already traveling through our country but it is being sent by rail which may be even more dangerous.

I am very happy about this.

S.P.I.R.I.T. Society to Protect Indigenous Rights & Indigenous Treaties

 

[Red Fox]

I'm very thankful and happy for President Obama's veto because this pipeline would have crossed many tribal lands.

 

[Zstar]

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.

Thank you for the welcome and letting me sit here a while and talk about Jesus! I understand about the mixtures of peoples and beliefs here, that's what I love about CRW. I'm not here a lot just to post a topic or comment every now and then. I think your a good writer, the phrase below caught my attention. I like the idea too of us all acepting each other and getting along even though we believe differantly.

"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."

Jesus is like a Blood Brother to me, it's difficult to describe the bond I feel. My beliefs are differant than Christianity though because I have a Zoroastrian foundation believing Mary is descended from Zoroaster, one reason why the Magi visited Jesus - not sure how traditional Christans would take this and uncomfortable to disclose this to just anyone, my Christianity is solely centered on the Gospels - the teachings of Jesus. I like to research who the Magi were and what led them to Jesus Christ before there was even a Christianity.

Thank you again for letting me sit with you a while, your a good writer keep up the good work!

 

[LoAmmi]

Zstar,

You don't believe that Mary was Jewish then?

 

[Red Fox]

Well, I'm honored and glad to have you here with us in our Circle, Zstar.

 

[Red Fox]

I have so much to do and not enough time to get it all done, so I'm on Christian Forums instead... Yes, I'm being very productive...

 

[CaDan]

This is an issue that is very close to my heart.

Native Youth Take on Mascot Issue at South Dakota School

I'm now very curious about how these things--weird versions of "Indian" mascots--came to be.

 

[LoAmmi]

I'm now very curious about how these things--weird versions of "Indian" mascots--came to be.

There are a few of them out there that are fine though. The Florida State Seminoles have the support of the Seminole tribe to use the name and I can't imagine telling a group that they cannot lend their name if they choose to do so. That said, I don't like the Washington NFL team name and I remember my high school had a lot of controversy because they called themselves the Indians.

 

[Red Fox]

Although I believe Seminole nation mentioned has every right to give their permission for the usage of their tribal name, I, however, humbly disagree with their decision. I don't believe that any race of people, no matter who they are, should be used, least of all, racially stereotyped for a mascot of a sports team. The term 'redsk*in' is highly offensive and it's a derogatory, racist slur. It holds the same connotation as calling an African American a nig*er. The word redsk*in refers to the scalps of my NDN ancestors. We are American NDNs, not American mascots. We don't deserve to be dehumanized and racially stereotyped and discriminated against or have our sacred culture exploited for the sports entertainment of Americans. Our people have suffered enough humiliation, derogation, exploitation, and cultural genocide in this country to last us future generations to come. There is absolutely NO honor in exploiting our people by using our culture to mock and humiliate us through NDN mascots for sports entertainment. But sadly, America has been exploiting our culture and racially stereotyping our people for years.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hJFi7SRH7Q

 

[Red Fox]

I AM AN AMERICAN NDN, I AM NOT A MASCOT.

I am proud of who I am and who my people are and who they were. I am proud of my NDN culture.

I am the descendant of warriors who survived genocide. I am not a mascot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mR-tbOxlhvE

​

 

[Red Fox]

Native peoples may be a small minority, but their history poses a fatal challenge to triumphalist narratives of the US.

The story of Native American dispossession is too easily swept aside, but new visualisations should make it unforgettable.

US must not forget its history - The Invasion of America

 

[Red Fox]

If you really want to know what it is like to live on the REZ, watch this video on Pine Ridge Reservation. It will break your heart.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fsd2n-ril4

 

[Red Fox]

As I have clearly demonstrated, I am very proud of my NDN culture. But I also want to make sure I have balance in my life. I remind myself that I need to learn about other cultures to keep myself compassionate toward other people. With that in mind, I want to give each of you an opportunity to share your pride in your own culture. Please share what you are proud of your culture for. It is time that I listened rather than talk. I am listening.

 

[smaneck]

If you really want to know what it is like to live on the REZ, watch this video on Pine Ridge Reservation. It will break your heart.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fsd2n-ril4

The Pine Ridge Reservation is about the most impoverished place in the United States. Not all Reservations are like this, however. The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians own and operate an impressive portfolio of businesses in the State. Yes, one of them is a casino, but they have a lot of other businesses as well, employing well over 5000 people . Not bad for a tribe of about 10K. The estimated the spin-offs from these businesses have created jobs for 15,000 people.
It sort of cracks me up when the tribal chief Phyllis Anderson, ends the commercial for their casino with her heavy southern drawl saying, "Las Vegas, with Sweet Tea."
If you have seen the movie Mississippi Burning you will know that it was the Choctaw who told the FBI where the bodies of the four civil rights workers slain in Philadelphia, Mississippi were buried. Now the Chocktaw practically own the town, being the largest employer.

Someone raised the question as to how many African-Americans have Indian blood. Quite a few, in my observation as a professor at a historical black university (Jackson State.) Whenever I see an African-American student with high cheekbones I ask them if they are part Choctaw. Turns out, they usually are but they are surprised I could tell.

 

[Red Fox]

Thank you, smaneck, for your response. I truly appreciate your insight on this issue. It means a lot to me.