Lynda

This is forwarded with the permission of the author. As I said to him,
perhaps folks on this list would better understand how we feel about folks
that claim "knowledge" and other bits and pieces of our heritage and
religion if they read it from him.

So, for those that want a better understanding than my writing seems to have
given, please read all the way to the end before you make your judgement.

Also, before you make a judgement, you need to understand that selling
"knowledge" or "history" is frowned upon. If one has "knowledge," one is
suppose to share it. The only "price" should be a place to sleep and a meal
which should be volunteered and maybe a donation or two to cover gas to the
next stop in a traveler's journey. And, yes this is done, still today.

Lynda
----- Original Message -----
> Lynda,
>
> Yes, I would be honored to have you "borrow" this
> piece.
>
> Thank you kindly,
> Richie

> ----- Original Message -----

> Here we go again...

>There was an advertisement for a presentation on,
> "Native American Artifacts and Story Telling," to be
> held today in one of my neighboring communities. My
> sister and I went because we wanted to see who the
> person was and what the presentation was. Wow!

> First off, let me share with you that "Indian Time" is
> alive and well! The presentation started at 10:00 am
> but we didn't get there until about 10:25. Then, once
> we get there, we had to pay a $3.00 fee. So, I'm a
> good egg, paid my money and walked in. Wow!

> The presenter was a white lady with some of her
> "collectables" and she's telling her stories. I won't
> go into great detail on what she said or was saying,
> but I will say this: Typical. How many times do we see
> this happen across the country? How many times do
> we have to stand by and watch as someone from the
> community who collects things and can tell some
> stories of traveling acroos the US and then come back
> and share them as knowledgeable people on Native
> Americans? And, more shaming than ever, get paid for
> it!! Well, here's what my sister and I did the last
> thirty minutes of her presentation.

> First off, when we walked in the room, the look the
> lady gave us could've stopped a train! Talk about
> crossing someone's boundaries. She gave us a look of
> pure disgust, it was then I knew we were welcomed!
> But to her credit, she kept right on talking. As she was
> making a point on something, someone in the crowd
> asked how many Indians there are in America. The lady
> said, "I don't know, I don't really care about
> figures." So, I raised my hand and told them,
> "Depending on the statistics you read, anywhere from
> 1.95 to 2.0 million." That's when I received another
> cold look!

> Now she was talking about the poverty, unemployment
> and economic status of Indian people, but then said
> the following: "But the Navajo are one of the richest
> tribes in America because they mine uranium on their
> land." Up went my sister's hand. She then went on to
> tell everyone and correct the presenter about the
> mining issue. Cold look number two and three! By the
> way, after that response, she no longer called on me
> or my sister.

> When she was finished with her presentation, about
> five or six people came over by my sister and I and
> started to ask us more questions. Don't know if there
> was another cold look, but I did feel a small cool
> breeze down my back. When I was finished talking
> with these people, I went up to speak with the
> presenter. She treated me very nice. We had a good
> conversation, but here's the kicker.

> She told me she has a collection of over 1600 items.
> She said she has been collecting for years and invited
> me over to see it. I told her, "No thank you, I don't
> really need to see what you own. But I am curious, do
> you have any Eagle feathers?" "Oh, no," she said very
> firmly, "It's illegal to own Eagle, Owl or Hawk
> feathers. Besides, they're sacred items. But, I do
> have some spiritual and sacred items that I never
> bring out. Maybe you'd like to see those?" I looked at
> her and said, "If they are in fact sacred and
> spiritual, how did you come about getting them?"
> She looked at me and said, "Well, I bought most of
> them."

> For the life of me I should no longer be surprised at
> these things. But I still get pissed off. Here's a
> lady giving a speech on me and she has no clue at
> all on who I am. Now, before anyone gets their
> underwear all in a bind, let me say this: When I say she's
> talking about me, some people come back on me and
> say there's no way she's doing that. That she's
> talking about the heritage and culture of the Native
> American.

> Well, I got news for you, pal...THAT'S WHO I AM!!!

> Joe Public seems to forget that we're still here and
> still living our lives as close to we can as it was
> before those boats landed. What's more amazing is the
> people in the audience...they're taking all this shit
> as gospel! I was sitting in the hall waiting for my
> sister when one of the ladies in attendance said,
> "Well thank you very much. I learned so much about
> Native Americans today. Things I never knew before."

> I think I'll change my name.

>"Richie Artifact" has a good ring to it. I think I'll
> go on the raod and speak about the life and times
> of the Jewish Community and artifacts from Holland.

> Would you pay $3.00 a head to hear that?

> Me neither.

> Richie Plass
> Warren, Ohio