| Messages From The First Speaker |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Osiyo My Brothers and Sisters,
When the Great Spirit put us on this earth he did so thinking we would all get
along. All colors of man would be friends with one another and live in peace
and harmony. But then, something happened that caused the people to
divide and fight one another. This something is called hate. Then hate
became taught through words and actions by all men, to the youngers. So
now hate continues to grow.
If you watch the children you will not find this hate. The white children will
play with the red children, the red children will play with the yellow children,
the yellow children will play with the black children and they will all play
together and they will all get along. But then they see and hear things from
the adults against their brothers and sisters that divides them. Maybe these
things incite hate. If we could take some lessons from our youngers we
could get rid of hate.
Sometimes this is hard. Sometimes it can be easy. When you walk down the
road and you come up on a person, a simple smile and a hello as you pass
is a good start. You will find that in most cases that person will smile back
and also say hello. This makes that person feel good, and you will find that it
will also make you feel good.
Now, it is OK to be angry with somebody as long as you don't let that anger
turn to hate. Then in the case of anger, say to yourself, I will not hate. Allow
yourself to get over this anger. But learn to do it quickly. And then forget
about what made you angry. To keep that anger in will develop into hate. Put
a smile on your face, maybe think of a joke someone told you, or something
pleasant that you can remember. You are conditioning yourself to get over
your anger before it can turn into hate.
If everyone can learn to do this, then we can get rid of hate. When we can get
rid of hate then we can begin to love again. I am not talking about a love like
a man loves a woman, I am talking about a love of mankind.
Whenever you need a reminder, watch the children at play. I have done this.
There is no hate in the little ones. There is love for one another. It is us, the
adults, who teach them to hate. Hate is not something they are born with.
They are born with love in their hearts because the Great Spirit put it there. It
is us, the adults, that takes it away.
First Speaker David Crazy Coyote
When the Great Spirit put us on this earth he did so thinking we would all get
along. All colors of man would be friends with one another and live in peace
and harmony. But then, something happened that caused the people to
divide and fight one another. This something is called hate. Then hate
became taught through words and actions by all men, to the youngers. So
now hate continues to grow.
If you watch the children you will not find this hate. The white children will
play with the red children, the red children will play with the yellow children,
the yellow children will play with the black children and they will all play
together and they will all get along. But then they see and hear things from
the adults against their brothers and sisters that divides them. Maybe these
things incite hate. If we could take some lessons from our youngers we
could get rid of hate.
Sometimes this is hard. Sometimes it can be easy. When you walk down the
road and you come up on a person, a simple smile and a hello as you pass
is a good start. You will find that in most cases that person will smile back
and also say hello. This makes that person feel good, and you will find that it
will also make you feel good.
Now, it is OK to be angry with somebody as long as you don't let that anger
turn to hate. Then in the case of anger, say to yourself, I will not hate. Allow
yourself to get over this anger. But learn to do it quickly. And then forget
about what made you angry. To keep that anger in will develop into hate. Put
a smile on your face, maybe think of a joke someone told you, or something
pleasant that you can remember. You are conditioning yourself to get over
your anger before it can turn into hate.
If everyone can learn to do this, then we can get rid of hate. When we can get
rid of hate then we can begin to love again. I am not talking about a love like
a man loves a woman, I am talking about a love of mankind.
Whenever you need a reminder, watch the children at play. I have done this.
There is no hate in the little ones. There is love for one another. It is us, the
adults, who teach them to hate. Hate is not something they are born with.
They are born with love in their hearts because the Great Spirit put it there. It
is us, the adults, that takes it away.
First Speaker David Crazy Coyote
All My Relations,
There has been much controversy about what the American Flag means to
the American Indians. Even nasty arguments have broken out on the Internet
about this subject. Some of us call the flag a rag because it is the symbol of
the Europeans who have done great wrong to the Indian people, and I can
understand that. But, also many of our brothers and sisters gave life and
limb while fighting under the American flag. They did that, not for what that
flag meant, but for the protection and freedom of Turtle Island and our
people. Many people do not know that the percentage of Indian people
serving in the Armed Forces is higher than most all the other ethnic groups.
I also served in the U.S. Army. I served under the American Flag just like
everyone else did. But I did not serve under it just because it is a symbol of
the United States or this Government. I fought under it for the thousands of
Brothers and Sisters who shed their blood or gave their life on some
battlefield in some far away land. Many of who were Native American. I did it
for the Code Talkers from all the Tribes and Nations who laid their lives on
the line for that flag. I did it for a nearly forgotten Puma Indian boy who
helped to raise that flag on a hill top on an Island called Iwo Jima, who was
later stabbed and left dead in a creek bed. I did it for the thousands of our
people who gave life and limb for that flag.
So what does that flag mean to me? Well, here is what I see when I look at
that flag. To me, the white stripes represents the purity of Turtle Island before
we were Invaded. The red stripes, the blood our people shed for Turtle
Island. The stars represent the many nations that once lived here and are
now gone and there are many more than there are stars. The blue patch, the
oppression our people of Turtle Island endures since the invasion of our
land.
So, do I fly the flag? You bet! Proudly!
First Speaker David Crazy Coyote
There has been much controversy about what the American Flag means to
the American Indians. Even nasty arguments have broken out on the Internet
about this subject. Some of us call the flag a rag because it is the symbol of
the Europeans who have done great wrong to the Indian people, and I can
understand that. But, also many of our brothers and sisters gave life and
limb while fighting under the American flag. They did that, not for what that
flag meant, but for the protection and freedom of Turtle Island and our
people. Many people do not know that the percentage of Indian people
serving in the Armed Forces is higher than most all the other ethnic groups.
I also served in the U.S. Army. I served under the American Flag just like
everyone else did. But I did not serve under it just because it is a symbol of
the United States or this Government. I fought under it for the thousands of
Brothers and Sisters who shed their blood or gave their life on some
battlefield in some far away land. Many of who were Native American. I did it
for the Code Talkers from all the Tribes and Nations who laid their lives on
the line for that flag. I did it for a nearly forgotten Puma Indian boy who
helped to raise that flag on a hill top on an Island called Iwo Jima, who was
later stabbed and left dead in a creek bed. I did it for the thousands of our
people who gave life and limb for that flag.
So what does that flag mean to me? Well, here is what I see when I look at
that flag. To me, the white stripes represents the purity of Turtle Island before
we were Invaded. The red stripes, the blood our people shed for Turtle
Island. The stars represent the many nations that once lived here and are
now gone and there are many more than there are stars. The blue patch, the
oppression our people of Turtle Island endures since the invasion of our
land.
So, do I fly the flag? You bet! Proudly!
First Speaker David Crazy Coyote
Brothers and Sisters,
There are many Native people who can not prove that they are Indian. Not
just Cherokee people. But just because they can not prove that they are
Indian by the rules of the white man, does that mean that they are no longer
Indian? Of course not. Indian people did not carry a card or have papers
before the white man came that said they were Indian. The Indian people did
not say I am 1/4 Cherokee and 1/2 Mohawk and 1/4 Heron. They said, I am
Indian. This quantum measurement was made up by the white man and it
has now caused Indian people to use it against their own people.
Black Elk of the Sioux said, if you have one drop of Indian blood in your
veins then you are Indian. We as Indian people need to come together and
forget this quantum measurement that divides us as a people. It is doing just
what the white man intended it to do, destroy the Indian people. And we as
Indian people are allowing this to happen. Until we as Indian people can
forget this and come together and work together for the Indian people we
will continue to suffer. It is only when we come together and realize that
there is power in numbers, will we be able to make a change for the
betterment of all Indian people.
First Speaker David Crazy Coyote
There are many Native people who can not prove that they are Indian. Not
just Cherokee people. But just because they can not prove that they are
Indian by the rules of the white man, does that mean that they are no longer
Indian? Of course not. Indian people did not carry a card or have papers
before the white man came that said they were Indian. The Indian people did
not say I am 1/4 Cherokee and 1/2 Mohawk and 1/4 Heron. They said, I am
Indian. This quantum measurement was made up by the white man and it
has now caused Indian people to use it against their own people.
Black Elk of the Sioux said, if you have one drop of Indian blood in your
veins then you are Indian. We as Indian people need to come together and
forget this quantum measurement that divides us as a people. It is doing just
what the white man intended it to do, destroy the Indian people. And we as
Indian people are allowing this to happen. Until we as Indian people can
forget this and come together and work together for the Indian people we
will continue to suffer. It is only when we come together and realize that
there is power in numbers, will we be able to make a change for the
betterment of all Indian people.
First Speaker David Crazy Coyote
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Many Blessings |
Osiyo Brothers and Sisters,
As I look back, I knew a world where people didn't lock their cars, or their homes. On hot summer
nights they sometimes slept out on their front porches to stay cool, or they slept at night with
their doors and windows open, and no body bothered anyone.
Children at school said the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag and yes they said a little prayer.
Children were, maybe not "religious", but they were spiritual and they believed in God according
to their faith, whatever that may be, and no body bothered anyone about it. But, at the demand of
a few, our government removed these things from our schools and in some cases, from the lives
of some. This was something that the majority believed in, but because only a few objected, our
government bent to their demands.
This was a world where if someone got sick, their neighbors came to their aid and helped them.
Everyone helped each other. If there were crops to get in, the neighbors came together and got
the crops in for them. If their barn or house burned down, the neighbors came together and
rebuilt it. But now, because of these lost teachings, that our government deemed important
enough to take from us, if your home burns down, your neighbors are no longer likely to come to
your aid and help you rebuild. They are more likely to come into your burned out house to take
out whatever valuables they can salvage for themselves.
When the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer was removed from the school, children were no
longer taught patriotism and many lost their spirituality, and in time they lost respect for their
school, their country, the law, their teachers, their parents and people in general. So now, they
are living in a world where they are no longer taught respect, morality, love, and for many,
spirituality.
Now we live in a world where we have to lock our cars, our homes and everything that can be
locked. We now live in a world of greed which I attribute to the actions taken by our government
to satisfy the whims of a few. In so doing, our government has created a monster that may take
centuries to tame, if at all. And with all the harm these actions have created, they still have not
realized the wrong they have done. They have taken these steps to a higher level by not allowing
religious scenes in our public parks at Christmas time, prayer in public places, and now it is
against the law to wish someone "Merry Christmas", they now want you to say "Season's
Greeting's." In school we had Christmas pageants, Christmas plays, not any longer, they are
now called Winter Plays, etc. Christmas vacation for school children is now called Winter
vacation.
They now want to do away with our Constitution. Remove "In God We Trust" from our money.
Take away your right to own firearms. To speak out. To protest peacefully. Even to smoke a
cigarette. And much, much more. We are the wealthiest county in the world, yet, we have people
that are hungry, we have people with no home to live in, we have people with no decent clothes
to wear. We have people who are freezing to death in the winter because they have no heat. I as
well as many, many other people would like to know why this is being allowed to happen to our
people, many of which are military veterans. They have served in our armed forces and put their
lives in jeopardy to protect this country and this is the way we thank them for their service! I for
one am ashamed. I am ashamed that there are people in this, the wealthiest country in the world,
who have to live like that. I am ashamed that our veterans are being treated like this. I am
ashamed that our government does nothing to come to these peoples aid.
I talk to many people through email's on the Internet. I talk to people all over the world. I have had
people from other parts of the world that say they used to have great respect for the United
States. But they no longer respect the United States for the great country that it was. They tell me
that the United States is doing things that they do not like. Some have even told me that they fear
the United States. I have not talked to anyone who lives in Italy that likes the United States. They
tell me they love the people of the United States, they would love to visit the United States
because of the people, our parks, history, etc., but they fear our government. I have heard this
from people of other countries too. I tell them we have a beautiful country, there is much to see
and experience here. I am awed, as I travel this country, at the beauty of our land.
As I look back, I realize that there was once much more beauty to be admired. The landscape, the
birds, the rivers and streams, and the animals that roams the lands. I now realize that much of
this has disappeared and in their place I now see trailer parks, subdivisions, wind farms, strip
mines and the like. Our beautiful land, birds and animals are going by the way side in the name of
"progress." Now "progress" is infringing into our state and federal parks. We are now permitting
oil drilling in our federal parks. We are now allowing logging, the removal of our beautiful trees,
from our parks. These are lands that belong to the people of the country, yet we have no say
against the rapeing of these public lands. The Native American Indian people have a saying that
seems to hold true, it goes like this: "When all the trees have been cut down, when all the
animals have been hunted, when all the waters are polluted, when all the air is unsafe to breathe,
only then will the white man realize you cannot eat money!" I hope the people who run this
country will wake up, before it is too late and correct the wrongs that are being done to this land,
the waters, the animals, the birds and the air, and the people, before it is too late. It has come to
the point now where it seems that the word "progress" means "greed!"
As I look back, forest land that I once hunted has now been turned into farm land. Forests that
were once home to the animals and birds are now gone and these birds and animals have no
place to live, or food to eat, because these forests provided their food as well as their home. That
is why you find so many animals dead on our highways, because they are in search of food and
a place to live and survive. We are ruining their habitat, poisoning their water with pollution,
destroying their food supply. All in the name of "progress!" What we do to them, we also do to
ourselves!
Little by little our beautiful landscape is becoming an eyesore. Little by little we are ruining the
water and air. Little by little we are killing off the birds and the animals. And, little by little, we are
killing ourselves!
First Speaker David Crazy Coyote
As I look back, I knew a world where people didn't lock their cars, or their homes. On hot summer
nights they sometimes slept out on their front porches to stay cool, or they slept at night with
their doors and windows open, and no body bothered anyone.
Children at school said the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag and yes they said a little prayer.
Children were, maybe not "religious", but they were spiritual and they believed in God according
to their faith, whatever that may be, and no body bothered anyone about it. But, at the demand of
a few, our government removed these things from our schools and in some cases, from the lives
of some. This was something that the majority believed in, but because only a few objected, our
government bent to their demands.
This was a world where if someone got sick, their neighbors came to their aid and helped them.
Everyone helped each other. If there were crops to get in, the neighbors came together and got
the crops in for them. If their barn or house burned down, the neighbors came together and
rebuilt it. But now, because of these lost teachings, that our government deemed important
enough to take from us, if your home burns down, your neighbors are no longer likely to come to
your aid and help you rebuild. They are more likely to come into your burned out house to take
out whatever valuables they can salvage for themselves.
When the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer was removed from the school, children were no
longer taught patriotism and many lost their spirituality, and in time they lost respect for their
school, their country, the law, their teachers, their parents and people in general. So now, they
are living in a world where they are no longer taught respect, morality, love, and for many,
spirituality.
Now we live in a world where we have to lock our cars, our homes and everything that can be
locked. We now live in a world of greed which I attribute to the actions taken by our government
to satisfy the whims of a few. In so doing, our government has created a monster that may take
centuries to tame, if at all. And with all the harm these actions have created, they still have not
realized the wrong they have done. They have taken these steps to a higher level by not allowing
religious scenes in our public parks at Christmas time, prayer in public places, and now it is
against the law to wish someone "Merry Christmas", they now want you to say "Season's
Greeting's." In school we had Christmas pageants, Christmas plays, not any longer, they are
now called Winter Plays, etc. Christmas vacation for school children is now called Winter
vacation.
They now want to do away with our Constitution. Remove "In God We Trust" from our money.
Take away your right to own firearms. To speak out. To protest peacefully. Even to smoke a
cigarette. And much, much more. We are the wealthiest county in the world, yet, we have people
that are hungry, we have people with no home to live in, we have people with no decent clothes
to wear. We have people who are freezing to death in the winter because they have no heat. I as
well as many, many other people would like to know why this is being allowed to happen to our
people, many of which are military veterans. They have served in our armed forces and put their
lives in jeopardy to protect this country and this is the way we thank them for their service! I for
one am ashamed. I am ashamed that there are people in this, the wealthiest country in the world,
who have to live like that. I am ashamed that our veterans are being treated like this. I am
ashamed that our government does nothing to come to these peoples aid.
I talk to many people through email's on the Internet. I talk to people all over the world. I have had
people from other parts of the world that say they used to have great respect for the United
States. But they no longer respect the United States for the great country that it was. They tell me
that the United States is doing things that they do not like. Some have even told me that they fear
the United States. I have not talked to anyone who lives in Italy that likes the United States. They
tell me they love the people of the United States, they would love to visit the United States
because of the people, our parks, history, etc., but they fear our government. I have heard this
from people of other countries too. I tell them we have a beautiful country, there is much to see
and experience here. I am awed, as I travel this country, at the beauty of our land.
As I look back, I realize that there was once much more beauty to be admired. The landscape, the
birds, the rivers and streams, and the animals that roams the lands. I now realize that much of
this has disappeared and in their place I now see trailer parks, subdivisions, wind farms, strip
mines and the like. Our beautiful land, birds and animals are going by the way side in the name of
"progress." Now "progress" is infringing into our state and federal parks. We are now permitting
oil drilling in our federal parks. We are now allowing logging, the removal of our beautiful trees,
from our parks. These are lands that belong to the people of the country, yet we have no say
against the rapeing of these public lands. The Native American Indian people have a saying that
seems to hold true, it goes like this: "When all the trees have been cut down, when all the
animals have been hunted, when all the waters are polluted, when all the air is unsafe to breathe,
only then will the white man realize you cannot eat money!" I hope the people who run this
country will wake up, before it is too late and correct the wrongs that are being done to this land,
the waters, the animals, the birds and the air, and the people, before it is too late. It has come to
the point now where it seems that the word "progress" means "greed!"
As I look back, forest land that I once hunted has now been turned into farm land. Forests that
were once home to the animals and birds are now gone and these birds and animals have no
place to live, or food to eat, because these forests provided their food as well as their home. That
is why you find so many animals dead on our highways, because they are in search of food and
a place to live and survive. We are ruining their habitat, poisoning their water with pollution,
destroying their food supply. All in the name of "progress!" What we do to them, we also do to
ourselves!
Little by little our beautiful landscape is becoming an eyesore. Little by little we are ruining the
water and air. Little by little we are killing off the birds and the animals. And, little by little, we are
killing ourselves!
First Speaker David Crazy Coyote
| Prayer Blessing "May the warm winds of heaven blow softly upon your house, May the Great Spirit bless all who enter there, May your moccasins make happy tracks in many snows, And may the rainbow always touch your shoulder." AHO! |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| It Is Time To Prepare Now! |
Brothers and Sisters,
I do not want to scare anyone with what I am saying here, but hard times are coming to all of us soon. So
I am urging all of you to start preparing for these times now. I already have been preparing.
We are experiencing devastating weather, tornado's, floods, fires, etc. These things will continue to
happen and happen in places that have not experienced these things in the past. As we have seen
from Katrina, our government is not competent enough and capable of helping us, so we must help
ourselves. In so doing, we need to buy a few extra things to be stored away for this purpose. Things
like canned foods, including meat, milk; drinking water; medicines and first aid supplies, bandages,
alcohol, etc.; a small fire extinguisher; flashlights and batteries; battery operated AM/FM radios and
extra batteries; candles and matches; blankets and bedding; tent; long sleeved shirts and bluejeans;
extra socks and good walking shoes and boots; clothing for all weather conditions; sunglasses; hats;
insect repellent; sun screen and anything else that you think you will need. Do not forget a can opener.
Paper cups, Paper plates and plastic eating utensils makes things easier. These things should be
stored in a high but cool area in case of a flood. If you are in an area where a flood is doubtful, then in
the basement in case of a tornado. I have my stuff stored in metal foot lockers in my basement. You can
buy large plastic storage containers with lids for this purpose.
You need not go out and buy all this stuff at one time, but you can pick up a few items at a time. I have
stored enough to last my family for a month. But I did that so that I had plenty to be able to help another
family member, a friend or neighbor. Normally I would suggest storing enough to last your family for a
week or two. But the idea is to be prepared for just about anything. Be sure that you rotate these items
about every month to keep them fresh. Try to use only canned foods and milk. Boxed and packaged
items can collect moisture and ruin. Put clothing, etc. in plastic bags or containers to keep them dry and
fresh.
You know your area, store supplies for your needs for your area and weather type. You are not
planning for a war, you are planning for a natural disaster. Store items needed for that purpose. You will
not need guns, hand grenades and bazookas. But you can buy a couple hand held games or a board
game to help pass the time until you get an all clear. Baby wipes work great for a quick wash up and will
help cool you in hot weather.
Crazy Coyote
I do not want to scare anyone with what I am saying here, but hard times are coming to all of us soon. So
I am urging all of you to start preparing for these times now. I already have been preparing.
We are experiencing devastating weather, tornado's, floods, fires, etc. These things will continue to
happen and happen in places that have not experienced these things in the past. As we have seen
from Katrina, our government is not competent enough and capable of helping us, so we must help
ourselves. In so doing, we need to buy a few extra things to be stored away for this purpose. Things
like canned foods, including meat, milk; drinking water; medicines and first aid supplies, bandages,
alcohol, etc.; a small fire extinguisher; flashlights and batteries; battery operated AM/FM radios and
extra batteries; candles and matches; blankets and bedding; tent; long sleeved shirts and bluejeans;
extra socks and good walking shoes and boots; clothing for all weather conditions; sunglasses; hats;
insect repellent; sun screen and anything else that you think you will need. Do not forget a can opener.
Paper cups, Paper plates and plastic eating utensils makes things easier. These things should be
stored in a high but cool area in case of a flood. If you are in an area where a flood is doubtful, then in
the basement in case of a tornado. I have my stuff stored in metal foot lockers in my basement. You can
buy large plastic storage containers with lids for this purpose.
You need not go out and buy all this stuff at one time, but you can pick up a few items at a time. I have
stored enough to last my family for a month. But I did that so that I had plenty to be able to help another
family member, a friend or neighbor. Normally I would suggest storing enough to last your family for a
week or two. But the idea is to be prepared for just about anything. Be sure that you rotate these items
about every month to keep them fresh. Try to use only canned foods and milk. Boxed and packaged
items can collect moisture and ruin. Put clothing, etc. in plastic bags or containers to keep them dry and
fresh.
You know your area, store supplies for your needs for your area and weather type. You are not
planning for a war, you are planning for a natural disaster. Store items needed for that purpose. You will
not need guns, hand grenades and bazookas. But you can buy a couple hand held games or a board
game to help pass the time until you get an all clear. Baby wipes work great for a quick wash up and will
help cool you in hot weather.
Crazy Coyote
 |
 |
 |
 |
| First Speaker David Crazy Coyote Deffenbaugh |
| Visit My Private Website At: Dave's Website |
| When all the trees have been cut down, When all the animals have been hunted, When all the waters are polluted, When all the air is unsafe to breathe, Only then will the White Man discover that they cannot eat money. Cree Prophecy |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Sometimes people
have things in their
lives that are
preying on their
minds. Maybe they
are hurt, when their
minds are clouded
with problems and
hurt, they say and
do things that they
do not mean to do
and say. The best
thing to do is to give
them some space
and pray really hard
for them. They may
not even realize
that they have hurt
you. Sometimes we
get caught up in our
own problems that
we fail to see the
wrong we are doing
to others. Pray very
hard and put it in
the hands of the
Great Spirit.
David Crazy Coyote
have things in their
lives that are
preying on their
minds. Maybe they
are hurt, when their
minds are clouded
with problems and
hurt, they say and
do things that they
do not mean to do
and say. The best
thing to do is to give
them some space
and pray really hard
for them. They may
not even realize
that they have hurt
you. Sometimes we
get caught up in our
own problems that
we fail to see the
wrong we are doing
to others. Pray very
hard and put it in
the hands of the
Great Spirit.
David Crazy Coyote
When We Hurt
That is a shocking line to read. You think it is terrible that someone would even think of such a thing. Yet, that is
exactly what is being done every day to graves of the First People of this country. The Native Americans, the
people you probably call Indians. But no one seems to give it a second thought, if you are white.
I am Cherokee, Potawatomi and German. I am a mixed blood Indian. I follow my Cherokee roots. So I am a mixed
blood Cherokee Indian. I find that statement just as appalling as you do, yet, it is happening every day to Indian
people from almost all the Tribes in America. And to the white people it seems to be OK. But if the Indian people
wanted to do something like that, we would be savages, criminals and we would probably be arrested and thrown in
prison or killed. Yet, white people do this to our cemeteries everyday and it seems to be OK, why?
Is it not true that there are certain times that you want to go to the cemetery and visit the graves of your Mother,
Father, Grandmother, Grandfather, Aunt, Uncle, Brother, Sister, or maybe an ancestor, perhaps a Great-great-
great-Grandmother that you have heard so much about? They are all there, in your cemetery. But, if we want to go
to our cemetery to visit our family member, instead of a grave, we find a house where the grave used to be. Think
of how you would feel if you went to the cemetery to visit the grave of your Mother and my house sat on her grave.
Pretty upsetting isn’t it? That is how we feel too!
When you bury your dead, they are buried with their wedding rings, watches and other jewelry. Maybe you put little
mementoes in the casket to be buried with the loved one. We do that too! Sometimes these things to us are sacred
items. Sometimes we put other items with our dead too. Things that we intend to be with the body forever. Just as
the things you place in the casket with your loved one are intended to be with the body forever. We would never
think of digging up your family graves because to us burial grounds are a scared place not to be molested in any
way. Burial grounds are cemeteries. So why is it OK for white people to molest our burial grounds? Why do you
see nothing wrong with this? Why do you take the things we intend to be with the bodies forever? I do not
understand the thinking in this.
Some Tribes bury their dead in mounds, while others do not. These mounds hold the bodies of our dead. Yet,
people think it is OK to bulldoze these mounds out to build over. To do so is molesting that mound, that burial site,
that sacred place. Think of how you would feel if someone ran a bulldozer through the cemetery where your family
is buried, destroying everything in its path. Now you would not know where your loved one is buried. The
headstone destroyed nothing to mark the grave. Now even the grave is lost forever. Now you feel upset, hurt, and
angry. That is how we feel.
Please leave our sacred sites alone. Stop destroying our burial grounds.
exactly what is being done every day to graves of the First People of this country. The Native Americans, the
people you probably call Indians. But no one seems to give it a second thought, if you are white.
I am Cherokee, Potawatomi and German. I am a mixed blood Indian. I follow my Cherokee roots. So I am a mixed
blood Cherokee Indian. I find that statement just as appalling as you do, yet, it is happening every day to Indian
people from almost all the Tribes in America. And to the white people it seems to be OK. But if the Indian people
wanted to do something like that, we would be savages, criminals and we would probably be arrested and thrown in
prison or killed. Yet, white people do this to our cemeteries everyday and it seems to be OK, why?
Is it not true that there are certain times that you want to go to the cemetery and visit the graves of your Mother,
Father, Grandmother, Grandfather, Aunt, Uncle, Brother, Sister, or maybe an ancestor, perhaps a Great-great-
great-Grandmother that you have heard so much about? They are all there, in your cemetery. But, if we want to go
to our cemetery to visit our family member, instead of a grave, we find a house where the grave used to be. Think
of how you would feel if you went to the cemetery to visit the grave of your Mother and my house sat on her grave.
Pretty upsetting isn’t it? That is how we feel too!
When you bury your dead, they are buried with their wedding rings, watches and other jewelry. Maybe you put little
mementoes in the casket to be buried with the loved one. We do that too! Sometimes these things to us are sacred
items. Sometimes we put other items with our dead too. Things that we intend to be with the body forever. Just as
the things you place in the casket with your loved one are intended to be with the body forever. We would never
think of digging up your family graves because to us burial grounds are a scared place not to be molested in any
way. Burial grounds are cemeteries. So why is it OK for white people to molest our burial grounds? Why do you
see nothing wrong with this? Why do you take the things we intend to be with the bodies forever? I do not
understand the thinking in this.
Some Tribes bury their dead in mounds, while others do not. These mounds hold the bodies of our dead. Yet,
people think it is OK to bulldoze these mounds out to build over. To do so is molesting that mound, that burial site,
that sacred place. Think of how you would feel if someone ran a bulldozer through the cemetery where your family
is buried, destroying everything in its path. Now you would not know where your loved one is buried. The
headstone destroyed nothing to mark the grave. Now even the grave is lost forever. Now you feel upset, hurt, and
angry. That is how we feel.
Please leave our sacred sites alone. Stop destroying our burial grounds.
| I want to build my house on the graves in your cemetery! |
| By David Deffenbaugh |
I have a dream:
Someday we in
America as well as
the world, will live
in unity in a world
that will be
colorblind to race.
Where all men will
truly be equal in
the eyes of their
peers and where
the people of
color will be seen
in the eyes of
others as just
another man.
David (Crazy
Coyote)
Deffenbaugh
Someday we in
America as well as
the world, will live
in unity in a world
that will be
colorblind to race.
Where all men will
truly be equal in
the eyes of their
peers and where
the people of
color will be seen
in the eyes of
others as just
another man.
David (Crazy
Coyote)
Deffenbaugh
