Greetings

[G_j]

Washtay!

Thanks for starting this group. I am of Scottish background with no Native American blood that I know of. I've had an interest in Native issues and culture most of my life. At a time I was very immersed in activism revolving around Native American Rights, especially the Big Mountain situation. As a partial introduction I'll post the little rant I gave in the other thread:

....one of the aspects of my interest in Native American culture, history, spirituality, rights issues etc. is that these are the peoples and cultures that originally developed and lived for thousands of years on this continent. The land I now call my home is the same land with the the same plants, animals, geography etc. (although sadly diminished) and I truly love the beauty, the spirit(s) of this land.
The roots of oneness and connection to the natural world are the roots of the original peoples. In a sense, understanding these roots is a journey to 'home' for me.

The dominant culture, of which I am a part, severely damaged the "sacred hoop" of life on this continent. I think we are suffering to this day from the imbalance.

There is a huge controversy over whites as "wanna-be" Indians.
There is a line of respect that needs to be acknowledged by those from the dominant culture. At the same time there are many who recognize the imbalance and great emptiness in our culture.
For me this is a larger issue that effects us all.

peace..

[mandyky]

1. Welcome!

I know I can be driving down an unfamiliar road and see a flat or meadow that would have made a perfect "village" site. The land speaks to me like that, even though I wasn't raised in the culture.