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Monday, May 31, 2010

A Tribute to Native Americans

I received a convo today from Joni Stinson, http://www.etsy.com/shop/jstinson, that my little crocheted-baby-moccasins-in-sage-0-6-mo, were included in her very special Tribute to Native Americans.



Joni started this thread (which is now on Chapter 3) inviting people to do a search of Native American or Native American Inspired items and list their favorites or to list one of their own items) and promote any item listed throughout various Etsy shops which give tribute to our first settlers in this country. The title of this great Tribute is called “Walking with the Wind”.

“Walking with the Wind is to have the wind at your back…helping your journey along.
We each in our own way help others on their journey…We become the wind.
Helping others either through words, support, praise, or just being there to listen:
"Walking with the Wind is to have the wind at your back ....helping your journey along.

Anyone who follows Joni’s blog, http://www.jstinson-trailoftreasures.blogspot.com, knows her passion and dedication to her heritage, which she continually shares with all of us. Joni, who is Creek-Cherokee, has given us so much history of her tribe’s customs and the plight of still so many Native Americans who live in poverty. Her jewelry is just one example of her love of heritage; these are a few examples of her beautiful Indian jewelry.






I was also thinking how befitting it is to receive this honor today when we are celebrating the many American soldiers who fought in wars throughout history to make this country what it is today. What many people may not realize is that from the beginning when the first pilgrims arrived at our shores, our survival was at the hands of Native Americans who taught the settlers how to survive. Also, how many of us realize that during the Civil and Revolutionary Wars, the Cherokee’s played a very important part in these wars fighting for the Union, along side of the American soldiers who were fighting against the South who wanted to separate and form their own union. The only way American soldiers (known as pioneers) knew how to fight was face to face combat, each side standing in opposite lines shooting at each other. The Native Americans (known as the warriors) found the white man's strategy of standing still and allowing people to shoot at them, or lob artillery shells at them quite curious. It was the Cherokee’s who taught the many soldiers the tactic of sneak attacks while hiding in trees or sneaking through the dense wooded areas, completely surprising their enemies. This tactic was one of the main reasons that the North was able to defeat the South. So let us also remember those many Cherokee warriors who gave their lives fighting to help save our country from the British, who were helping the Confederate soldiers.

16 comments:

jstinson said...

Pam! You have brought tears to my eyes..some of joy and some of sadness. The ones for joy are due to the Native American Forum Thread which you have so generously supported from the very beginning. The tears of sadness are for our Warriors, past and present. If only we could find ourselves in a world without war, what a wonderful place it could be. My Father, Creek-Cherokee, was a volunteer WWII Marine and served in the South Pacific theater. So thank you for this wonderful blog. I am humbled and so honored.

Granniegirt said...

What a beautiful tribute to the Native Americans... This was wrote from the heart....

It made me cry...

Pamela Baker said...

Joni, isn't it sad how we owe so much to Native Americans, yet so many people have no idea of how much they have and still do contribute to our cultures.

Julie G. said...

I was thinking the same thing about our Native American Indians today! What a great blog and reminder, we were not here first. The Indians have given us so much, they are a treasure trove of knowledge... natural health remedies, common sense, love and respect for this great land of ours and it's people, survival, to fight and to stand up for what is right. Great American Heroes. Thanks for honoring them on this special day.

Heart said...

Pam, Thank You for the tribute to Native Americans! , (and to Joni's thread) It is a blessing for the rest of us that NA cultures have persisted in spite of so much early effort to eradicate them.

Karynlee Awianidv said...

Tear in my eyes too! Cherokee and other Native Americans are unsung heros---contributed quietly, even when others spoke ill. The Red Road is such a challenging and beautiful road of balance. Thank you so much for re-membering those often forgotten---sharing the family we truly are.

Zuda Gay Pease said...

Well said, Pammy!

yankeegirl said...

Lovely tribute on this important day of remembrance.

Brenda said...

Lovely post...The Native Americans did so much for white colonists that we've forgotten...it's about time that the pendulum is swinging the other way.

BeadedTail said...

What a lovely tribute to Native Americans Pam! Thanks to you and to Joni for bringing more awareness to the Indians - of which I am proud to have a heritage of!

circleinthesand said...

What a beautiful tribute to a very special group of friends!!!

Jean Levert Hood said...

How beautiful, Pam!!

Joni is such a wonderful lady. I've learned so very much from her and so appreciate all that she does to keep us informed on Native American issues. I love her blog, too!

She's helped me with correct terminology and kept me from making mistakes on my blog. Her giving and tender heart is beautiful.

Splendid Little Stars said...

great post! thanks!

Judi B said...

Wow, Pam -- what a wonderful tribute! Very worthwhile reading and pondering -- and giving thanks!

Mamta Motiyani said...

What a wonderful tribute to the native Americans, Pam. It was educationl to read your story.

Anonymous said...

This is terrific Pam. Thank you for the post.