Letter to the Editor

Is it true that I have to fear your people?

 

It was several years ago, I was on a day long trip driving to a forgotten destination just beyond the Red Lake Reservation. I had never even heard of Red Lake before that trip, but being Caucasian I'd been warned by not one but 4 people not to cut through Red Lake although it would shorten my trip. The warnings were so clear, and really scared me when it came down to it. Which one stands out the most is that if anything happened to my car while cutting through the reservation land, I would never be seen again. That the hate for white people is so intense that my death would be meaningless and assured. I traveled that route regardless, calm, and wishing that my voice was strong enough to help Native's in anyway it could.

 

My people came from England and initially settled in Brainerd, my great-great-great grandfather took in a Native American family when the white people were trying to rip their families apart, when they were forging forth with their plans to make Indians white. He hid them as they were forced to relocate, and one of the Native children died near the same time one of his younger children also died. They were buried side by side. This is a story that I love. Knowing that my family has deeply rooted regard for Native peoples and respect for their cultures.

 

When I began college three years back, I wanted so badly to study Native American History, and wanted so badly to come to work and live on reservation land. My then boyfriend, a Lakota who has disowned his people ( which was one of the reasons we broke it off, because if I wanted children who would know their culture wholly) told me not to bother, Native's don't want white people around. "They just don't want you there". So I changed majors, accepting it as truth.

 

When Jeff Weiss broke, I cried for days. As the stories surfaced about all that he had experienced came to light, I cried even harder. I've kept the newspaper articles, and know that some are biased and engrossed with lies, but I never want to forget that child's face, or that of the other children that died that awful day.

 

Last summer, I spent most of my time traveling to powwow's and can't even begin to tell you or express how much more I respect the Native Culture and admire the pride, even at times envying the beauty of the spirituality that my culture lacks. Am I Christian? No. Do I believe there is a God? Yes. But I sure don't believe that my people have acted upon what he wishes. People close to me tell me all the time that I am prejudiced against my own race, this is not true. I am angry at my people for so many awful deeds that cannot be undone.

 

At those powwow's there was a drum group from the Red Lake Nation, your most popular of course, and I am working on their CD collection as I write, I found a connection at the American Indian Magnet School Powwow I just brought my daughter to last weekend, because I want my children to know the truth about the history of Native Americans and have even argued with their schools that they will not read the white mans account of native history in the books that the schools choose, instead they will learn the truth, not the lies in history texts written by white so called scholar in California.

 

My purpose in writing to you, is that, is hate for the white people so bad, that white people who regard and respect you, must forgo any connection to your tribe?  Can I forget those warnings, and someday see and experience your traditions and tribe for what it is? Is it true that I have to fear your people, and that your people have to hate me, when there is nothing I would rather do then stand on your behalves?

 

Sincerely,

Jennifer Pointon

 

 

 

Jennifer,

 

Aside from some—which goes both ways—there will always be barriers among ‘all’ races of people.  There is no getting around that—although great strides have been made over the years to close the racial divide.  Certainly I cannot speak for all Native people in the world, nor my own tribe in general, but I do feel that most do not outright ‘hate’ white people—or other races as well.  The feelings are probably more ‘uncertainty’ than anything else—or simply ‘having a difficult time trusting.’  This mistrust has probably been passed on through centuries of time from our forefathers who were forced to learn things the hard way—or with their blood.  Then again, it is difficult to trust ‘anyone’ unless you know them personally, develop an understanding of their lives or have lived in close harmony with them.

 

I am not sure exactly what all the ‘warnings’ you’ve received were about, but in visiting another area no matter who lives there, one has to take note of their surroundings because different people live in different settings with different lifestyles.

 

As for fearing Red Lakers, I cannot speak for everyone here, but I do know there are many non-Indians who live and visit here all the time and if they had fears, I’m sure they wouldn’t be here. 

 

One suggestion I have is that perhaps visiting with some of those non-Indians who live or visit her regularly might answer some of your questions—especially those that have lived here most of their lives.  The Other Store in Redby is one example of non-Indians living here a very long time.

 

You might also wish to see a good Pow Wow in July and August in Red Lake, and another one in September in Ponemah.  We always welcome visitors at these celebrations, and I’m sure you wouldn’t have any trouble making new friends.

 

 

Michael Barrett

RLNN

 

 

P.S.  You can find a lot of information on www.rlnn.com also, as the site has thousands of pictures, articles and other information involving Red Lake.