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Show THE ZEPHYR/JUNE-JULY AMERIC The N INDIAN writer takes issie with comments 2006 STEREOTYPES made in last issue's FEEDBACK By Karen Hastings In the December/January issue of The Zephyr, I wrate a long story called “Westward Ho! Christain Soldiers.” It received some strong criticism from reader Lloyd Pierson of Moab in the April/May edition. Both my story and Lloyd ‘5 response can be found online in the sa Feedback ission, but because Zephyr archives. The following eSSay And to briefly touch on the dietary use of dogs that so upset Mr. Pierson; a close reading of the journals of Lewis and Clark will show the “white” Corps of Discovery also ate dogs and beaver tails and found both a delicacy. _ I found the description of Indian women as chattel very thought provoking. of the nature of the subject, I chose to give it a more prominent location....JS In the I was most interested in the letter from Mr. Lloyd M. Pierson and his “view” of the 1800's, indeed throughout most of history (until very recently for some) many women (yes, even white women) were chattel! In the 1800s few white women owned property, they and rationalize the actions that were taken against hese people. Mr. Pierson alluded to stereotypes such as: women before me, clean, cook, wash, make clothes, raise children, gather and preserve treatment American Indians received from white “C hristians”. I am constantly amazed at the neverending use of stereotypes to describe American Indians in an attempt to defend - savage warriors - thieves squaws laz Indian princesses ignorant and stupid were subservient to male figures, were often “sold” into marriage for power or profit, and could not vote. They performed “camp” duties as many of us still do today! I, as did all food, plant gardens, and when my family moves “camp”, I pack. J also helped educate my children into “our” cultural ways, was mindful of their physical and emotional (here read spiritual) health, and helped family and friends when necessary. This is everything the Indian woman (here read “squaw”) did inher village. We learn only about Pocahontas and Sacajawea, the stereotypical “Indian Princesses”, not the everyday Indian woman. could anyone believe the life of a trapper’s wife was better for them? In what way? Mr. Pierson references the Plains Indians because that is the concept many of us have of the American Indian. This misconception is taught in our schools and enforced in the cowboy and Indian Westerns that come from Ho llywood. A fleeting mention of the American Indian in the classroom is usually done around Thanksgiving. After this brief and less than enlightening “chapter” is finished, the children are left to believe the Indians are gone; there are no more Indians. How The Wounded Knee Cemetery near Pine Ridge, South Dakota. Hollywood gives us our visual conception of the 4 merican Indian. The Western movies portray an image of Indians; frozen in time as savage warriors. Actors and directors depict Indians as blood-thirsty savages wearing war bonn ets, their faces painted, waving spears and rifles as they squeal and holler their way to rape and pillage the “poor” white settlers. This depiction satisfies Mr. Pierson’s notoriety” theory when in truth, a young Indian male of the Plains nations would have just as likely sought a vision quest as war exploits. The “notorious” label came from the treatment they received at the hands of the: white European. Inadequate and less than truthful know ledge of the American Indian cements beliefs that are far from the truth. Most of American society today believes in the “reel” Fh Indian, not the REAL Indian. : Mr. Pierson mentions the introduction of the horse in North America and how it changed the life of the American Indian. Horses were obtained by American Indians in several ways. Some were left behind by the Spanish when they r eturned to Mexico, some strayed, and indeed, some were stolen by Indians. The Indians a juickly understood (these people were not ignorant and stupid) how these animals could benefit them in their lifeways, began using horses for hunting, moving their camps, and, yes, for warfare. It is less than honest to say horses were obtained mostly by theft. My neighbor’s car was recently stolen. Do you suppose Indians did it? Another black mark against the American Indiz ns according to Mr. Pierson is that of intertribal warfare. Of course, there was intertribal l warfare. Prior to white settlement of the West American Indians also saw the Plains as a “breadbasket” for their people. The Plains provided a huge trade network for the Indians ;; from Texas north to Canada and from the Mississippi River west. Indian nations jockeye d for position in this huge area and as whites settled the eastern seaboard, the Indians o f that area were pushed, relentlessly, westward. The eastern Indians encroached on oth ler nation’s lands and into their trade networks. Overlapping territories rather than the tired ar d clichéd belief of.“man’s affinity for warfare” caused much of the fighting that often oc curred between nations. It is also true various tribes did ally with Europeans, fighting othe r Indians. Much like the Allied Powers and Central Powers in World War I, the Axis an d the Allies in World War II, or the Coalition of the Willing in present day Iraq, every warring group has its “allies.” These cohesive groups form for perceived benefits; territoy 'y, resources, or religion. This is hardly a trait that can be attached only to the American In dian. | was most interested in the letter from Mr. Lloyd M. Pierson and his "view" of the treatment American Indians received from white "Christians." | am constantly amazed at the neverending use of stereotypes to describe American Indians, in an attempt to rationalize white behavior. We also must recognize the importance and status many tribes placed on their women. The women within the Iroquois, Cherokee, and Hopi (to name only. a few) tribes owned land; women in the Iroquois nation chose council leaders, and many nations are matrilineal and matrilocal, holding women in high esteem. I’m not quite sure what Mr. Pierson meant when he wrote, “The Indians really had little to offer the general welfare other than some plants they used.” Perhaps Mr. Pierson does not know that many Indians cultivated much of their food. They grew maize, squash, beans, sunflowers, cotton, and tobacco. What they did not grow they gathered. They used plants as anesthetics, antibiotics, medicines, dyes, and soaps. To imply that American Indians only contributed tobacco, datura, and peyote is ludicrous. Yes, these plants were used in their rituals and ceremonies. And Moab’s Oldest Legal Brewery! Meet me at MeStiff’s... EDDIE MCSTIFF’S Restaurant & Microbrewery 57 S. MAIN in the WESTERN PLAZA 259-BEER Take Refuge H ere! this is offensive? How? Do Christians not partake of the body of Christ through the communion wafer and drink the blood of Christ in the form of wine? Now there’s a thought to ponder! The religious beliefs of American Indians, whether using hallucinogens or not, are sacred. Their rituals and ceremonies are as spiritually meaningful to them as the rituals and ceremonies are to whites when they “consume” the body of Christ. BITING MIDGE VICTIMS! We serve the beverages that will make that godawful itch become a distant memory. OUR GUARANTEE!!! oo oe This may be alittle Stiles GNAT HYPERBOLE. * oa |