Cutter said to me, “I’m part Indian.”
I’ve heard that statement so many times
from gringos that I’ve concluded I’m probably the only white man in
North America who can’t claim to be part Indian!
But when you think about it, that’s a
pretty positive comment on the improving race relations in our country.
White men in the early part of this century did not brag about being
part Indian. It also appears that Indians are having a renewed sense of
ethnic pride. That’s a good thing.
I can understand the indignation
regarding Columbus Day, although I’m not in favor of changing it. The
battle’s over. Columbus won. And I question their objection to
professional sport teams names like the Cleveland Indians, the Atlanta
Braves and the Cincinnati Redlegs. Personally, I think it’s silly. But, I
guess there’s a pen rider somewhere who takes offense at the naming of
the Dallas Cowboys. I do believe Indians are entitled to the extras they
receive in their reservation treaties, like fishing rights and tax
breaks.
Most of the Indians that I know
personally are cowboys. Just regular people with families and horse
trailers, jobs and a little cow savvy. They live in places like
Farmington, Winner, Ft. Belknap or Pawhuska. They go to rodeos, haul
hay, attend high school basketball games, vote, go to church, shop at
Wal Mart and saw Dances with Wolves.
Yet many urban citizens have no contact
with reservation Indians. Therefore they depend on childhood Hollywood
memories and the stereotypes created. Sometimes we embarrass ourselves.
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