IN PRAISE OF AMERICAN INDIANS

I don't know what your experience may have been with American Indians, or Native Americans as they like to be called, but I doubt that it has been in depth.
     Here's mine, having worked with them for years.
     They deeply value old folks, Indians venerate elderly tribal members to almost an exalted position within the tribe. They often seek them out, listen to their words and revere them for their " wisdom's."
     Younger Indians face modern day pressures left far behind by older, mature, elderly Indians and often they seek guidance from these council members. They, having traveled these trails of tears and often give advice in shedding their own tears to the young people. Tribal Councils often are peopled by seniors and they usually have the last word on what happens on the reservation.
       The old ones, they say, we stay on the reservation to stay close to them. That is a good thing, Many have told me.
      Another family quality not found outside the Indian Reservation is their habit of having children at home, at the dinner table at a certain time. No excuses, no lateness - home, supper. Mom and Dad.
If one of the children are absent at the proper time, it's a major problem. I've known Indian fathers in their trucks, riding up and down darkened roads, checking other houses looking for their " strays."
     Their community means the world to them. When they make a decision that affects them all, they meet in a large open house called a Hogan, Long House, Kiva Room, or other names depending on the tribe. Chairs are placed around the edges of the room and everyone in all the families sit in chairs,      The chief sits in the large chair by the door and conducts the meeting. He carries a big, very ornate, tribal stick, or truncheon. While holding it, he talks about the subject at hand and the decision that must be reached by the whole tribe. When done, he hands the stick to the first person on his left who begins to speak his mind for as long or as short as he wishes.

     The process takes a long time, going from person to child, to person around the entire room. When done, they decide. The whole community must be on the same page or they do not move on the subject they discuss. Total agreement, total uniformity.
     These are some of the warm and wonderful aspects of the Native American peoples that I've observed in the decade I've worked with them in Oregon.
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