Words Of Wisdom From Two Talented Native Americans!
Second Time Around - First published in Native Unity, Sept. 7th, 2003
One, old and well established in Hollywood. The other, a beautiful, young female who is making waves in Tinsel Town’s Native community.
Who can deny that Floyd Westerman is, truly, the “First Native” of American film. Natalie Noel is the talented columnist for the “The Glitter Report” in NEWS FROM INDIAN COUNTRY. Their words of wisdom. which appeared in Natalie’s New Year’s column of this year, are well worth repeating.
“When I first arrived on the sunny shores of LaLa land, Floyd said something to me that I will never forget. I paraphrase.
“Natalie,” he said to me. ”In 50 years there will be no more Indians!”
“Why Floyd, what do you mean?”
“We will do to ourselves what the white Europeans have never been able to do. We will annihilate ourselves with backbiting, finger pointing, blood quantum demands. We, not the white man, will bring about the end of the Indian”
“That was nearly five years ago and I had no idea what he meant,” wrote Natalie. “But I listened closely, as one always does with Floyd, and I remember his words. Now, I understand.
“There are so precious few of us, in Hollywood, in the US, in Canada, in the world. Why do we insist on slamming each other, hurting each other, slandering each other? You’re not Indian because you have no card, because your tribe is only State recognized, because you don’t have black hair, you’re not from the ‘rez’, you have blue eyes, your Mother or Father wasn’t Indian, you don’t look/seem/act/Indian.
“What are we doing? Not just to each other but to ourselves as a family, a community, a people? Are we really, out of ignorance, jealousy or just plain meanness going to toll the death knell for ourselves? We must consider this quietly in our hearts, with our Maker and within our own conscience. Where are we going?
“Let’s use the power of our words and creative energies for the good. Let us better our lot in this world on this troubled planet in this time of need. Let us not waste our precious gifts of breath and time on slander, attacks and ugliness. It is beneath us and there is no point. Unless we wish to end all that we’ve inherited, all our ancestors died for, unless we wish to end ourselves, right here and now.
”Words of wisdom from two very talented, astute NativeAmericans. Words that must be heeded and implemented in the lives of those adhering to the mission of “Native Unity”.
NATIVE UNITY - A place for Native American Peoples to solidify their tribes to make a positive impact on the cultural, social, economic and political fabric of American society and a place for non-Natives to better understand the ways of the American Indian.
For news and information on Native American and First Nations actors, go to Annie's site at www.NativeCelebs.com and follow the threads.
One, old and well established in Hollywood. The other, a beautiful, young female who is making waves in Tinsel Town’s Native community.
Who can deny that Floyd Westerman is, truly, the “First Native” of American film. Natalie Noel is the talented columnist for the “The Glitter Report” in NEWS FROM INDIAN COUNTRY. Their words of wisdom. which appeared in Natalie’s New Year’s column of this year, are well worth repeating.
“When I first arrived on the sunny shores of LaLa land, Floyd said something to me that I will never forget. I paraphrase.
“Natalie,” he said to me. ”In 50 years there will be no more Indians!”
“Why Floyd, what do you mean?”
“We will do to ourselves what the white Europeans have never been able to do. We will annihilate ourselves with backbiting, finger pointing, blood quantum demands. We, not the white man, will bring about the end of the Indian”
“That was nearly five years ago and I had no idea what he meant,” wrote Natalie. “But I listened closely, as one always does with Floyd, and I remember his words. Now, I understand.
“There are so precious few of us, in Hollywood, in the US, in Canada, in the world. Why do we insist on slamming each other, hurting each other, slandering each other? You’re not Indian because you have no card, because your tribe is only State recognized, because you don’t have black hair, you’re not from the ‘rez’, you have blue eyes, your Mother or Father wasn’t Indian, you don’t look/seem/act/Indian.
“What are we doing? Not just to each other but to ourselves as a family, a community, a people? Are we really, out of ignorance, jealousy or just plain meanness going to toll the death knell for ourselves? We must consider this quietly in our hearts, with our Maker and within our own conscience. Where are we going?
“Let’s use the power of our words and creative energies for the good. Let us better our lot in this world on this troubled planet in this time of need. Let us not waste our precious gifts of breath and time on slander, attacks and ugliness. It is beneath us and there is no point. Unless we wish to end all that we’ve inherited, all our ancestors died for, unless we wish to end ourselves, right here and now.
”Words of wisdom from two very talented, astute NativeAmericans. Words that must be heeded and implemented in the lives of those adhering to the mission of “Native Unity”.
NATIVE UNITY - A place for Native American Peoples to solidify their tribes to make a positive impact on the cultural, social, economic and political fabric of American society and a place for non-Natives to better understand the ways of the American Indian.
For news and information on Native American and First Nations actors, go to Annie's site at www.NativeCelebs.com and follow the threads.
posted by Bobbie Hart O'Neill @ 7:45 PM
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