Letters:  Rez Sav (Undercover)

The premise for this writing is to address the a few items. First of all I am a native that has lived almost his entire life amongst the invaders or our land. Yes let’s use the proper terminology here and not white wash pardon the pun and call a spade a spade err well you know what I mean.

Having been in the trenches these many years and having a lighter complexion that most of my native peers I have been able to subsist amongst the non-native society and hear them divulge thoughts I might not otherwise be privy too.

An example of this was a Professional Walleye Tour fisherman once told me about the lakes that are great for fishing in Northern Minnesota. Knowing the lay of the land I immediately asked about the big crooked hour glass looking one (Red Lake). One that he had omitted! Well, that’s Red Lake and you don’t want to go there! He replied. Really why not it looks big and could be a lot of fish in it. I asked. Yeah but you could get killed up there or beat up or have your stuff taken from you etc etc. He conveyed real fear!

Another time I was counseled to do a menial farming task but do it like a white man. Not having heard that before I had to ask what that meant. What I found out was that it implies that a person of color would not do it to the satisfaction of a typical white supervisor. So all the natives, blacks, Mexican and your average worker at 7-11 would foul up even the easiest of tasks. I guess that’s why they give out those big blocks of cheese because they anticipate we will lose our jobs and not have any food.

Another personal note is that I am a huge Viking fan. I have been my whole life. Now however I look back over the years and really regret appreciating portions of the era of the vaunted “Purple People Eaters”. It’s unimaginable for me to think that I could feel  this way. For who amongst us does not recall with some fondness any one of those games.  But times are a changing and so has my view at least of the coach from that by-gone era. Now I look at Bud Grant in a much different way.

I am not a revisionist and their success under this man cannot be argued. True they never one the big one but just making it multiple times is an achievement in and of itself. No my disdain comes from his meddling into an area I truly hold sacred. Simply stated this land is our inheritance. Our ancestors communed with Mother Nature and even many of our native ways of life include yea demand our respect for the land.

Trying to come between the people and their land can cause a lot of problems. The Middle East demonstrates this point. Bud’s ignorance is further compounded by the fact that he financially supports the move to “take back” the lands and allow every hunter and fisherman access. The lands that are but small remnants of what truly belonged to the indios (godly) inhabitants.

A big kiss my natural a-- to you Mr. Grant. I burn my Viking memorabilia with your image on it and no longer consider you a wonderful part of my childhood. Oh I attended college with your son too. I believe a multi-generational sensitivity class is just what the doctor ordered. If you were as smart as you try to be there would be at least one ring with a Viking on it! Save what little respect we have for you and shut your pie hole before a “Redskin” shuts it for you. I have a $100.00 that says the elder from Ma Kwam Bay whose about the same age would whoop Bud’s a-- from one side of the end zone to the other. I’m Audi 5000.    

Rez Sav (Under Cover)