Post by mdenney on Jun 14, 2007 1:03:16 GMT -5
Mdewakanton Notes
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
By Scott Richard Lyons
1. The Question
A funny thing happened at the 2007 Minnesota Mdewakanton Dakota Oyate Annual Convention. We asked ourselves who we wish to be. In the long run, this may be the most important question we will ever ask.
We already know who we are. We are the lineal descendents of the 208 Mdewakanton who pledged not to fight in the 1862 war against the Americans, who were in return promised land with hopes for a better tomorrow, but who were ultimately betrayed. We are the inheritors of that betrayal.
We know who we are through the pain it caused, although we feel this common injury in our own particular ways. Some of us live in perpetual poverty initiated by the federal government’s unfulfilled promises. Most mourn the sad, difficult lives endured by our ancestors in the aftermath. Many of us wonder who – even what – we are today. We know who we are by our shared historical trauma.
Let me offer an example: my great-grandmother, Mabel Leith, whose mother Sarah Dow and grandmother Mary Rock were both listed on the 1886 census. My father tells me that Grandma Mabel always used to talk about her “promised land.” It was coming any day now, she always insisted, and it would improve everyone’s lives.
Meanwhile, Mabel lived a hard life, frequently on the move following jobs at a time when her skin color and gender prevented career stability or upward mobility. To survive in the Twin Cities, for a time she put her beading skills to work for the Minnetonka Moccasin company. Her love of family led her to unions with men who were often unkind. One family story tells of a time when Mabel lived alone in remote northern Minnesota and walked over forty miles in the middle of winter to get medicine for her sick baby. The next morning, her baby was dead. Hard years.
But Mabel persevered, kept her dignity, and showed strength. When I was a baby, she used to watch me while my parents were away at work. She called me “Chaske.” One day she fell down some stairs and broke her ribs, but she stayed and cared for me through all that pain until help arrived several hours later. I have often wondered what it feels like to lift and rock a baby when one’s ribs are broken.
Grandma Mabel never saw her promised land; her ship never came in. Today, four decades after her premature death, I ask myself what it might mean to see that promise finally fulfilled.
The Wolfchild case is a question of justice asking how the federal government should rectify a terrible mistake it made in the not-so-long-ago past. This original mistake was not made in regard to individuals but to the “Loyalist” Mdewakanton and their descendents. Mabel Leith was one such descendent. So am I. So are you.
This legal question will be answered one way or another and then the government will wash their hands of us. My question is, what will happen to the Minnesota Mdewakanton Dakota Oyate at that point?
Will we continue as an oyate or say goodbye as plaintiffs? Will we rebuild what was taken from our ancestors – as Mdewakanton Dakota – or follow our own pursuits as individuals? Will the identity that presently unites us become more meaningful or less?
Mdewakanton Notes is a blog that will address these kinds of questions, all of which add up to one big question: who do we wish to become? Barbara Buttes asked me to write this blog after our public discussion at the 2007 convention on the Rosebud Sioux Reservation. It was a good talk raising a number of important issues, and I think Barbara said it best: “What we ultimately want to become is up to the people. It’s up to us.”
We know who we are, but who do we wish to become? That’s the question. It’s up to no one but ourselves to answer, so let’s start talking. Please contact me with your thoughts at srlyons@syr.edu, and check back every week or two for new postings. Pidamyapi!
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Chris Roath (unverified): Thanks for sharing. I am sad that my
grandmother missed seeing this lawsuit
succeed. However, my kids, grandkids are far-removed from our issues of concern. I'm sure LOTS of LDS are in
that category. Long term objectives
will be tough. If there were a negotitated settlement, it would be great to split monies into a general fund for the future.
June 13, 2007, 12:18 PM (UTC -4)
---------------
Scott Lyons (unverified): Carl,
Good "meeting" you too! I have a photo of "Uncle Walter" (as my grandmother Leona still calls him) and his wife dressed in powwow regalia. They both look very regal!
How about dropping me an email - srlyons@syr.edu. I'd write to you but can't see your email address here.
Scott
June 12, 2007, 12:11 PM (UTC -4)
------------
Carl Leith (unverified): Hi Cousin
My grandfather Walter Leith, who also descends from Sarah Dow was Mabels older brother
Grandfather Walt is listed with Sarah on the census
my Father Chris Leith is currently enrolled at Prairie Island
nice to meet you..
i'm pretty optimistic about the Minnesota Mdewakanton and winning this lawsuit this will provide more opportunity for the future of our young
opportunities our ancestors never had
the problem is lack of communication amongst ourselves
as long as we have the time, we should attempt to establish a way of communicating with eachother and discuss what our options are
June 11, 2007, 08:44 PM (UTC -4)
-----------
www.freewebs.com/oyate/blog.htm?blogentryid=1583106#topBox
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
By Scott Richard Lyons
1. The Question
A funny thing happened at the 2007 Minnesota Mdewakanton Dakota Oyate Annual Convention. We asked ourselves who we wish to be. In the long run, this may be the most important question we will ever ask.
We already know who we are. We are the lineal descendents of the 208 Mdewakanton who pledged not to fight in the 1862 war against the Americans, who were in return promised land with hopes for a better tomorrow, but who were ultimately betrayed. We are the inheritors of that betrayal.
We know who we are through the pain it caused, although we feel this common injury in our own particular ways. Some of us live in perpetual poverty initiated by the federal government’s unfulfilled promises. Most mourn the sad, difficult lives endured by our ancestors in the aftermath. Many of us wonder who – even what – we are today. We know who we are by our shared historical trauma.
Let me offer an example: my great-grandmother, Mabel Leith, whose mother Sarah Dow and grandmother Mary Rock were both listed on the 1886 census. My father tells me that Grandma Mabel always used to talk about her “promised land.” It was coming any day now, she always insisted, and it would improve everyone’s lives.
Meanwhile, Mabel lived a hard life, frequently on the move following jobs at a time when her skin color and gender prevented career stability or upward mobility. To survive in the Twin Cities, for a time she put her beading skills to work for the Minnetonka Moccasin company. Her love of family led her to unions with men who were often unkind. One family story tells of a time when Mabel lived alone in remote northern Minnesota and walked over forty miles in the middle of winter to get medicine for her sick baby. The next morning, her baby was dead. Hard years.
But Mabel persevered, kept her dignity, and showed strength. When I was a baby, she used to watch me while my parents were away at work. She called me “Chaske.” One day she fell down some stairs and broke her ribs, but she stayed and cared for me through all that pain until help arrived several hours later. I have often wondered what it feels like to lift and rock a baby when one’s ribs are broken.
Grandma Mabel never saw her promised land; her ship never came in. Today, four decades after her premature death, I ask myself what it might mean to see that promise finally fulfilled.
The Wolfchild case is a question of justice asking how the federal government should rectify a terrible mistake it made in the not-so-long-ago past. This original mistake was not made in regard to individuals but to the “Loyalist” Mdewakanton and their descendents. Mabel Leith was one such descendent. So am I. So are you.
This legal question will be answered one way or another and then the government will wash their hands of us. My question is, what will happen to the Minnesota Mdewakanton Dakota Oyate at that point?
Will we continue as an oyate or say goodbye as plaintiffs? Will we rebuild what was taken from our ancestors – as Mdewakanton Dakota – or follow our own pursuits as individuals? Will the identity that presently unites us become more meaningful or less?
Mdewakanton Notes is a blog that will address these kinds of questions, all of which add up to one big question: who do we wish to become? Barbara Buttes asked me to write this blog after our public discussion at the 2007 convention on the Rosebud Sioux Reservation. It was a good talk raising a number of important issues, and I think Barbara said it best: “What we ultimately want to become is up to the people. It’s up to us.”
We know who we are, but who do we wish to become? That’s the question. It’s up to no one but ourselves to answer, so let’s start talking. Please contact me with your thoughts at srlyons@syr.edu, and check back every week or two for new postings. Pidamyapi!
-----------------
11:30 AM (UTC -4)
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Post Comment Permalink
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Name:
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(comments 1-4)
------------
Chris Roath (unverified): Thanks for sharing. I am sad that my
grandmother missed seeing this lawsuit
succeed. However, my kids, grandkids are far-removed from our issues of concern. I'm sure LOTS of LDS are in
that category. Long term objectives
will be tough. If there were a negotitated settlement, it would be great to split monies into a general fund for the future.
June 13, 2007, 12:18 PM (UTC -4)
---------------
Scott Lyons (unverified): Carl,
Good "meeting" you too! I have a photo of "Uncle Walter" (as my grandmother Leona still calls him) and his wife dressed in powwow regalia. They both look very regal!
How about dropping me an email - srlyons@syr.edu. I'd write to you but can't see your email address here.
Scott
June 12, 2007, 12:11 PM (UTC -4)
------------
Carl Leith (unverified): Hi Cousin
My grandfather Walter Leith, who also descends from Sarah Dow was Mabels older brother
Grandfather Walt is listed with Sarah on the census
my Father Chris Leith is currently enrolled at Prairie Island
nice to meet you..
i'm pretty optimistic about the Minnesota Mdewakanton and winning this lawsuit this will provide more opportunity for the future of our young
opportunities our ancestors never had
the problem is lack of communication amongst ourselves
as long as we have the time, we should attempt to establish a way of communicating with eachother and discuss what our options are
June 11, 2007, 08:44 PM (UTC -4)
-----------
www.freewebs.com/oyate/blog.htm?blogentryid=1583106#topBox
