Comments on: Two Sides to Every Story

By: Dus10 D

Dus10 D — Tue, 29 Nov 2005 16:52:00 +0000

While I recognize what happened in early America, and that I have Native American ancestry, there is no point in being apologetic about it. No one living during that time is alive today. No one living today was a victim of those actions, and no one living today committed those actions. Why should people who are innocent apologize for something that was not of their making? They shouldn't. That is my only gripe. We should learn the truth, and embrace it. America was great in those days, from a certain perspective. America is much better today, because we have learned from the mistakes of our past. While America is not perfect, I would not call any other nation my home.

Peace be apon you.

By: Ken Grandlund

Ken Grandlund — Mon, 28 Nov 2005 18:05:00 +0000

(response)

Windspike- Bury My Heart is one of my library keepers, and I've read it several times. I guess having some Indian blood running through my veins makes it both harder to stomach but important to read and know what happened.

Hope your holiday was thoughtful and good.

Snave- Thanks for the compliments. And I agree that the native people in this country do have much to offer if we only listen to them. They thrived here long before the white man ever did.

Shea- Agreed. Some things do never change. Especially when those doing the conquering think they are on a mission from God.

Harvey- Can they be undone? No. Can they be addresses and mended? Yes. Thanks for the comment.

By: harveyg

harveyg — Mon, 28 Nov 2005 04:43:00 +0000

Well said as usual.

So many fences to mend!! One has to wonder if Indian-American (or African-American) injustices will ever (or can ever) be undone.

By: SheaNC

SheaNC — Fri, 25 Nov 2005 08:18:00 +0000

Ah, those traditional American values: Overwhelm and conquer. Crush indigenous cultures beneath the bootheel of colonial expansionism. Thanks is given by many… for being victorious. Some things never change.

By: Snave

Snave — Thu, 24 Nov 2005 07:41:00 +0000

We could learn a lot from our native peoples about many things, including such things as forest management. When the pioneers came to this part of Oregon, they were greeted not with clear skies, but often with smoky horizons caused by fires, set on purpose by the native folks for the purpose of keeping the forests healthy by burning away the tinder-like underbrush. As the settlers took over, the native approach to forest management dwindled until we adopted the "preserve the forest at all costs" strategy of the past 50 to 60 years. As a result, the forests in this area are choked with underbrush, the trees are unhealthy and susceptible to infestations, and when fires occur, they tend to be huge. The native Americans' familiarity with the ways of nature was not something the settlers were able to understand. It's a shame the two had such a hard time meeting in the middle. Natives used the land, but they respected it and proved good stewards for centuries. It only took the settlers about one century to mess a lot of things up.

Ken, I like reading at your blog because you write intelligently, with great eloquence. I agree with you and with Windspike, there may be nothing more important than living in harmony with the Native Americans. How to begin to reconcile? I suggest starting by respecting the Native Americans' historical culture as well as their recent struggles for identity.

However we go about it, you are right to suggest that we are all in it together, here in America. There should be room at the Thanksgiving table for everyone!

By: windspike

windspike — Wed, 23 Nov 2005 23:49:00 +0000

I tried to start reading "Burry My Heart at Wounded Knee," twice and couldn't get past the opening pages for the tears. I suppose they didn't call it the "trail of tears," for nothing. History, is powerful and palpable, but if forgotten a waste.

Doomed to repeat our mistakes, I suggest we work to remember, however painful it may be so that we don't repeat.

You are right Ken, when you say there are other issues to reconcile these days, but perhaps none more important than a reconciliation with the Native Peoples of our continent.

Blog on.