No doubt the North American tribes got a bad deal, not the least of which is the wretched lands they got in exchange for giving up their customary hunting and fishing ranges.... and the imposition of a corrupt foreign culture happening simultaneously with the disruption of their native ways.
Just a few nights ago I went to hear Sherman Alexie speak here in Portland, and it was one of the most entertaining talks I've heard in a long time. He asserted that you do the most for your quality of life by willing to leave behind your traditional ways and learn other things, then by going back and choosing the traditions that you wish to keep. His personal philosophy sounded very....young....to me, but the audience was young too, with a large proportion of high school students. As a First Nation person who'd made the break from his tribe enough to become a successful novelist in America, he was in a unique position to tell young people that they can do what they need to do, still, if they have the guts. At least he did, and he had no special advantage. And though his tribe may not be proud of everything he is and does, he is proud of them and builds the stature of natives in the larger world.
Not sure what relevance that has but it wanted to come out. =-] He had a serious pottymouth too, but I think that was part of his attempt to build rapport with the youth.
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timeasmymeasure
Re: Beer and evolution
Date: 2013-03-18 12:45 am (UTC)Just a few nights ago I went to hear Sherman Alexie speak here in Portland, and it was one of the most entertaining talks I've heard in a long time. He asserted that you do the most for your quality of life by willing to leave behind your traditional ways and learn other things, then by going back and choosing the traditions that you wish to keep. His personal philosophy sounded very....young....to me, but the audience was young too, with a large proportion of high school students. As a First Nation person who'd made the break from his tribe enough to become a successful novelist in America, he was in a unique position to tell young people that they can do what they need to do, still, if they have the guts. At least he did, and he had no special advantage. And though his tribe may not be proud of everything he is and does, he is proud of them and builds the stature of natives in the larger world.
Not sure what relevance that has but it wanted to come out. =-] He had a serious pottymouth too, but I think that was part of his attempt to build rapport with the youth.