Post by Totems4jt on Jul 16, 2008 16:43:26 GMT -5
Jay Tavare
Oct 5, 07 - 4:25 PM Answer for Ma'iingan
Hi Jay
I have been having a hard time in school lately because I am Native American. Everyone tells me that I am not native because my skin is to light and that I can’t speck my native language. I was wondering if you ever got ridiculed or humiliated in this way and what should I do about it?
Email = latshaj@mhs-pa.org
Location = PA
Jay writes...
Nesh Ta Gol Teh Ma'iingan. Within your letter exists one of the most important life lessons. Yes I was singled out at school just like you but because I was dark and different. But I got even with them by working extra hard, getting stronger, smarter, and faster so when they faced me on the track or a game or school test, I blew them away.
Now you must answer this question for yourself, when you look in the mirror... Who do you see? Being an America Indian is not the color of your skin which by the way you can tell your smart- ass friends that most of the first nation people of the Northern America (as in our Canadian brothers), are whiter than white folks. My Mohawk buddy has light eyes. As early as 1800's there were blue-eyed Cherokees as they had intermarried with all people who came to America. Nowadays the stereo type Indian must have long straight hair and bronze skin and no facial hair but the truth is there were over 1000 nations at one time in Turtle Islands, with different looks, speaking even more languages!
In each tribe there was variation of looks, which has changed over the last 100 years as the tribes were put in the same reservations and the bloods mixed.
What I am trying to say to you my friend is that feel your Indian roots in your heart and walk it with your soul. I go as far to say the harsh times you are going through is the Great Mystery helping you to find yourself. Dig deep. Let the pain motivate you and rise against your critics, as I have done all my life and live your life as you see fit. Learn your language and your history, that is a must. Even if you are not fluent learn some of it.
After all do you not want to be an Indian?
The ironic part is, if your school buddies who say you are not Native are from European descent then they are no longer the true German or Dutch or English or Irish or Spanish people they came from either and I bet they can't speak their language either, or know about the Europian cultures... so what?
Never allow anyone else to define you...
It is your actions in life and not your ancestery that defines you.
You are what you feel and you feel what you think...
So think what you want... and be it.
Nant lass...
Stay strong.
JT>
____________________________________________________
Deer
Oct 5th, 2007 - 4:55 PM Re: Answer for Ma'iingan
THANK YOU JAY! I am so over the ignorance of those who sterotype all Natives as dark haired, darkeyed, with bronze skin, and long straight hair.
____________________________________________________
Running Red Fox (Forum Hostess)
Oct 5th, 2007 - 6:22 PM Answer for Ma'iingan
Congratulations Ma'iingan, we hope Jay's words can be of help & comfort to you.
Jay, thank you for your response
RRF
Forum Hostess
___________________________________________________
Alison McDaniel
Oct 5th, 2007 - 7:32 PM Re: Answer for Ma'iingan
Great, heartfelt question and fantastically deep answer. I especially like the 2nd paragraph. Made me laugh. Hard. This is a great piece to be shared with many others who need this kind of advice and wisdom. Well done and thank you, Jay, for sharing this advice, wisdom and experience with us. It will certainly benefit many.
___________________________________________________
Kelly
Oct 5th, 2007 - 8:42 PM Re: Answer for Ma'iingan
Wow, that one was powerful. It was brave to ask such intimate question and what an answer! What a mind you have Jay and how you express yourself in words is so powerful. Thank you to both.
___________________________________________________
Christi
Oct 6th, 2007 - 1:57 AM Re: Answer for Ma'iingan
Hi Ma'iingan,
All that's left to say is thank you so much to you, and Jay.
___________________________________________________
Shay
Oct 6th, 2007 - 10:36 AM Re: Answer for Ma'iingan
Hi Ma'iingan I wish you well in your studies and all that you do. I'm sure Jay's answer will be a great help to you.
Jay, thank you for such a wonderful answer that would apply to anyone. Thanks for your time and sharing.
Shay
___________________________________________________
Seania
Oct 16th, 2007 - 9:47 AM Re: Answer for Ma'iingan
What an awesome reply Jay. So true. I agree with you. As you know, I have been told I am whiter than a ghost, yet I have Eastern Cherokee running in my veins. I have even been visited by ancestors in my dreams, which started me on my quest to find out for sure. Though I have temporarily put this quest aside due to finishing my Bach degree, I will pick it up once again. In addition, I have found a website so that I may learn the language. And I can't wait. Have already started.
It is true that it is in your heart. We all belong, we are all part of, even though we may look, think, and act differently. In the beginning and in the end, we all are the same.
Blessings,
Sea~
Oct 5, 07 - 4:25 PM Answer for Ma'iingan
Hi Jay
I have been having a hard time in school lately because I am Native American. Everyone tells me that I am not native because my skin is to light and that I can’t speck my native language. I was wondering if you ever got ridiculed or humiliated in this way and what should I do about it?
Email = latshaj@mhs-pa.org
Location = PA
Jay writes...
Nesh Ta Gol Teh Ma'iingan. Within your letter exists one of the most important life lessons. Yes I was singled out at school just like you but because I was dark and different. But I got even with them by working extra hard, getting stronger, smarter, and faster so when they faced me on the track or a game or school test, I blew them away.
Now you must answer this question for yourself, when you look in the mirror... Who do you see? Being an America Indian is not the color of your skin which by the way you can tell your smart- ass friends that most of the first nation people of the Northern America (as in our Canadian brothers), are whiter than white folks. My Mohawk buddy has light eyes. As early as 1800's there were blue-eyed Cherokees as they had intermarried with all people who came to America. Nowadays the stereo type Indian must have long straight hair and bronze skin and no facial hair but the truth is there were over 1000 nations at one time in Turtle Islands, with different looks, speaking even more languages!
In each tribe there was variation of looks, which has changed over the last 100 years as the tribes were put in the same reservations and the bloods mixed.
What I am trying to say to you my friend is that feel your Indian roots in your heart and walk it with your soul. I go as far to say the harsh times you are going through is the Great Mystery helping you to find yourself. Dig deep. Let the pain motivate you and rise against your critics, as I have done all my life and live your life as you see fit. Learn your language and your history, that is a must. Even if you are not fluent learn some of it.
After all do you not want to be an Indian?
The ironic part is, if your school buddies who say you are not Native are from European descent then they are no longer the true German or Dutch or English or Irish or Spanish people they came from either and I bet they can't speak their language either, or know about the Europian cultures... so what?
Never allow anyone else to define you...
It is your actions in life and not your ancestery that defines you.
You are what you feel and you feel what you think...
So think what you want... and be it.
Nant lass...
Stay strong.
JT>
____________________________________________________
Deer
Oct 5th, 2007 - 4:55 PM Re: Answer for Ma'iingan
THANK YOU JAY! I am so over the ignorance of those who sterotype all Natives as dark haired, darkeyed, with bronze skin, and long straight hair.
____________________________________________________
Running Red Fox (Forum Hostess)
Oct 5th, 2007 - 6:22 PM Answer for Ma'iingan
Congratulations Ma'iingan, we hope Jay's words can be of help & comfort to you.
Jay, thank you for your response
RRF
Forum Hostess
___________________________________________________
Alison McDaniel
Oct 5th, 2007 - 7:32 PM Re: Answer for Ma'iingan
Great, heartfelt question and fantastically deep answer. I especially like the 2nd paragraph. Made me laugh. Hard. This is a great piece to be shared with many others who need this kind of advice and wisdom. Well done and thank you, Jay, for sharing this advice, wisdom and experience with us. It will certainly benefit many.
___________________________________________________
Kelly
Oct 5th, 2007 - 8:42 PM Re: Answer for Ma'iingan
Wow, that one was powerful. It was brave to ask such intimate question and what an answer! What a mind you have Jay and how you express yourself in words is so powerful. Thank you to both.
___________________________________________________
Christi
Oct 6th, 2007 - 1:57 AM Re: Answer for Ma'iingan
Hi Ma'iingan,
All that's left to say is thank you so much to you, and Jay.
___________________________________________________
Shay
Oct 6th, 2007 - 10:36 AM Re: Answer for Ma'iingan
Hi Ma'iingan I wish you well in your studies and all that you do. I'm sure Jay's answer will be a great help to you.
Jay, thank you for such a wonderful answer that would apply to anyone. Thanks for your time and sharing.
Shay
___________________________________________________
Seania
Oct 16th, 2007 - 9:47 AM Re: Answer for Ma'iingan
What an awesome reply Jay. So true. I agree with you. As you know, I have been told I am whiter than a ghost, yet I have Eastern Cherokee running in my veins. I have even been visited by ancestors in my dreams, which started me on my quest to find out for sure. Though I have temporarily put this quest aside due to finishing my Bach degree, I will pick it up once again. In addition, I have found a website so that I may learn the language. And I can't wait. Have already started.
It is true that it is in your heart. We all belong, we are all part of, even though we may look, think, and act differently. In the beginning and in the end, we all are the same.
Blessings,
Sea~