Porthole

To know a native... ᏩᏙ (Wado)

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30-Day Blogging Challenge ON HIATUS  (13+) WDC's Longest Running Blog Competition - Hiatus #1786069 by Fivesixer

I am writing this prompt today from the current and ancestral home of the Anishinaabe people. In your entry today, research and write about the indigineous and native peoples who lived on the land where you currently reside. If you are in the United States, take time during your Thanksgiving meal to thank your ancestors and the indigenous people of your area.

I have roots that go back to various parts of Europe. Some I have visited. Some influence me even now; but, I don't live there.

My grandparents had roots in Pittsburgh and Tioga County PA, Baltimore and Jamestown, New York but I haven't lived there.

My parents grew up in Jeannette, Pennsylvania and Okmulgee, Mvskoke Nation (part of Oklahoma)... I've visited but never lived there.

I was born on Seneca land but, although much later in life I knew Senecas, I never learned the language and culture although my town had a Seneca name and the culture was all around it, albeit invisible to most.

I had a Mohawk landlady for 5 years. I implicitly respected her... which if you know anything about Mohawks is a wise decision.

I lived in the land of the Cherokee. I learned a couple phrases but ᏩᏙ (Wado) is key. One gives thanks. There is no word for goodbye. I was a guest of a Choctaw and knew Quapaw, Chickasaw, Kiowa and Peoria.

When I was homeless in Kansas, 25% of the shelter was Native... Hunkpapa, Ponca...

In Montana I live on Salish land. I know how to say lemlmtsh (three syllables: lem.lmt.sh. The 'm' in 'lmt' is 'vocalic'). Again 'thank-you'.

Here, I know the decendents of Salish, Blackfoot, Crow and Little-Shell. I suspect I know many more.

I pity the people from Indiana, a place named for people that were banished from their lands. Only 0.2% now are Natives. Most will never know a Wyandotte, Shawnee, Potawatomi, Miami... but that won't stop them from opposing Native rights. In salute to Indiana's KKK legacy (1920):

"If it ain't White it ain't Right"

Thinking 'kind thoughts and prayers' falls on deaf ears of those you sought to exterminate or still demean and seek to eliminate (Here's pointing at YOU, Governor Noem of South 'Dakota').

Give thanks? Only if you sincerely mean it.

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