I did a site visit to the elementary school on the Pine Ridge reservation a few years ago. There had been a light snow and the roads became quite slick. We were to stay in a B&B down a muddy lane. The rental car skidded off the road. Two women in heels - we started back to the main road. We looked toward the nearest habitation - a yard with a growling, barking dog and one of those high mounted lights. Just then a pick up truck stopped. The woman said climb in, I'll take you to my house in town, we'll get a chain to tow you out. It's a good thing you didn't head for that house. She was a faculty member at the community college and we learned a lot about the issues of education on the reservation. We ended up staying in a motel in town, a ramshackle place. Whites lived in town for the most part because originally the Natives were not allowed to buy houses there but their housing clustered around the edges.

The next day we visited classes - some teachers tried to bring Native culture into the teaching but it seemed still an after thought. Only one teacher had a Native background. The principal told us a real problem for him is that the Nebraska line is very close and the town there is mostly bars and caters to the Native people. He has many times gone to the town and brought back one of his high school students that he had high hopes for making it. He didn't seem successful often.

We owe these fellow neighbors and citizens a lot - and they don't seem to be near the top of the waiting list for resources.

Zoe

-----Original Message-----
From: Ellie Stock via OE
Sent: Nov 4, 2016 4:01 PM
To: dialogue@lists.wedgeblade.net, oe@lists.wedgeblade.net
Subject: [Oe List ...] Standing Rock; Native American month; Song: Red Cloud, music

Hi folks,

The National American Indian Museum and Cultural Center in Washington, D.C. has designated November as Native American Month. Other groups have done the same. Some faith communities have designated specific dates, and some are recognizing Columbus Day as Native American Day. Regardless, this year, with the events at Standing Rock, this past summer and now fall, have become a kairotic moment for Native Americans--and perhaps for the nation, for indigenous peoples globally, for and the larger earth community--as their primal story of being relatives with Mother Earth and all its creatures--animal, vegetable, mineral--eclipses the narrative lies of corporate and governmental greed and power--a false story that has led to the disruption and destruction of Earth's eco systems and people.

As we stand with the Water Protectors at Standing Rock, we join them in proclaiming and being the ancient story of being one with the Earth, Our Common Home.

Four years ago I shared with the list serve the song "Red Cloud Appeared in a Dream"--different Sioux Tribe but the same story. It was written in honor and remembrance of the First Nation Peoples whose legacy and presence still implore and challenge us to honor, care for and live in harmony with Creation and each other, walking lightly on Earth's sacred space. In light of Standing Rock, I thought I'd resend it.

Red Cloud was an Oglala Lakota Sioux Chief in the 1800s-early 1900s who defended his people and land against the continual encroachment, plundering and broken treaties by the U.S. government, military, and economic interests. He was the only one to defeat the US military in what was called Red Cloud's War (although the US started it) 1866-68 when the US built forts on Lakota land. He was a leader before, and contemorary of Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull, Big Foot and others and outlived them, dying on the Pine Ridge Reservation in 1909. Today, Pine Ridge is the poorest community in the United States. Some statistics indicate its poverty rate and hopelessness level lower than Haiti. Similar patterns of political oppression, economic exploitation and religious legitimation (Borg) continue to be US policy toward populations in this nation as well as other nations. Such behavior, especially our attitude toward the earth, is coming back to haunt us.

Ellie Stock

elliestock@aol.com

RED CLOUD APPEARED IN A DREAM

Red Cloud appeared in a dream—

no warning, no words,

head unbowed, spirit free,

crying out, silently.

“Creatures beware!

What was done to my people

is turning back on your league.”

Red Cloud appeared in a dream—

defender, protector of

life, land, and liberty.

Prophesy, warrior chief,

bold truth declare

midst treaties broken and breached,

victories and tragic defeats!

Red Cloud appeared in a dream—

same vision for Earth,

for its fate, flowing tears:

mountains gone, rising seas—

critters take care—

dying rivers, chopped down trees,

lands grabbed by power’s rampant greed.

Red Cloud appeared in a dream—

eyes open and wise—

lasering poverty,

violence and disease,

heartbreak’s despair,

shattered lives and families.

Is this how Life is to be?

Red Cloud disappeared from a dream—

his wisdom still heard,

his presence lingering,

call for justice and peace—

no time to spare—

seventh generation to reach

to build Earth’s new community.

ejhs/8/05/12