Stand up for WHO you are!

Tomorrow we speak on the steps of the capitol building in St. Paul, MN about unity.
I am Blackfoot Indian and my memories of peace and freedom are painful. There was a lot of pain coming down the DNA line into my family, not to mention the shame of the heritage that I felt in my bones and cherish, despite that pain.

My aunt told me her mother told her when she was 15 years old to keep that part of our family a secret because it would not be good to tell of the past connection, even though the blood of Natawista Iksana, Blackfoot Indian daughter of the chief flowed her veins. For that frontier diplomat was her great grandmother. Alexander Culbertson, Natty's husband was a skilled peacemaker for many years in Montana, loved by whites and Indians alike.

These two together brought the hope of community to a land torn by fear and the stealing of much which the traditional indigenous people felt was to share. A lot of water under the bridge now. A lot of prejudice, and the pain that judgement brings.

Let's start talking about community now, how we are together here for a reason and what to do now to work together to save ourselves from all this mess. It's important for us, it imperative for the future and our children. AND THAT'S WHAT GETS ME UP IN THE MORNING, THE HOPE OF THE FUTURE FOR THE CHILDREN! Namaste' Dr. Su