Friday, November 26, 2010

I'm Grateful: American Indians

Yesterday while I was making my corn pudding and warming the sweet potatoes I started thinking about that famous story all Americans learn in school about the first Thanksgiving. How Squanto helped the fledgling colonists against his better judgement get through those first years as Americans and today we celebrate this with a great dinner with all of the trimmings.

The American Indians are a beautiful people. The first images of them are some of the most beautiful photographs in existance. We can't go back and change what our forefathers did to them, but we can honor and celebrate their culture and support initiatives to restore to them the diginity and respect that they deserve. We can honor our earth, respect the land, and work toward bringing back so many animals from near extintion. Most importantly, we can practice the principals that they tried to teach us so long ago. This might be the greatest tribute of all.

Photobucket


Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket
Garfield Jackson

Photobucket
Little Wolf, Cheyenne

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket
Pawnee Warrior

Photobucket

For more absolutely beautiful photographs of early Native Americans (and all of the history, stories, and culture of this great people) visit First People. I'm just going to warn you: this site might actually blow you away.

14 comments:

Lois Evensen said...

We have just spent several days in Cherokee, NC, one of our favorite places to visit.

If you visit the Cherokee Museum there and you'll learn from them what those wonderful people went through when the Europeans arrived.

Claudia said...

beautiful pictures of proud people - they owe our respect

Char said...

powerful portraits for sure

Sharon said...

Wonderful selection of images, Erin! My people have some Sioux in the genes.

The first peoples surely suffered under the hands of our ancestors. We owe them gratitude, appreciation, and support. Thanks for posting the link to First People and thank you for your lovely blog.

Ann Kroeker said...

When I was little, I was so enamored of Native Americans that I desperately wanted to discover that I was even a tiny bit Native American.

Turns out I'm of exclusively Western European descent.

But one time, when I was in 6th or 7th grade, my dad introduced me to his distant cousin, and somehow she (but not Dad) was distantly related to Chief Joseph.

That's as close as I ever got.

Mariella said...

What a beautiful post Erin...perfect for thanksgiving I suppose...thanks for sharing!

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

This post was a great tribute in and of itself. Thank you.
xoRobyn

Deb said...

Very striking images and very thoughtful post. Will be checking out the link.

LaVonne said...

Thank you Erin. :) Loved it.

Cindy said...

Very powerful portraits, strong and proud. I will check out the site. thanks. take care.

Myrna R. said...

Lovely photos Erin. Thanks for taking the time to post them.

Torhild said...

I like your post. Been to a "pawaw" and had a great time. Lots of stuff to bring on to our future generations

Unknown said...

What a beautiful collection of photos. This has by far been my favorite post Ive seen over the Holiday.

Douglas Dahl said...

Erin, Yes, beautiful pictures. Reminds me of when I lived in New Mexico. The story of Squanto and the pilgrims is one of the most amazing stories of God's providence in US history. The Pilgrims and their decendents lived over 100 years in peace with the local tribes.

Related Posts with Thumbnails