I am a Sicangu Lakota from the Aske Tiospaye born and primarily raised on the Rosebud Reservation. I am 25 years old married and have a beautiful daughter. In Lakota thought and philosophy there is no individual only the community and what is best for the whole. Even through the genocide that has happened in North America this idea or way of life still exists today it may not be as evident as it was 100 years ago and it is hard to see underneath all that has happened during the fight to survive, none the less it is still here. With that, I am but a mirror of my family, growing up I was able to see and experience some of the greatest gifts we have to offer thru my grandparents. My grandfather had a fond affliction for the four legged people (who we now refer to as animals) he would talk with them and always showed them respect and gave them the dignity they deserved. Often in his travels he would see a dog walking along the road and he would stop to visit with him/her he wouldn’t talk in a condescending manor but rather a caring and thoughtful way. From this I learned early to show respect to all of creation. My grandmother was equally as kind and caring I remember at one time she had a baby porcupine come and stay with her no one knows where it came from or where it went but it just came by to visit as “she would say”. One of my favorite memories about my grand mother is watching her every morning. She would wake up before the sunrise to pray and then she would cook breakfast and braid my hair during this time she instructed in Lakota what it was to live with respect and compassion. Both my grandparents planted early seeds from their own lives into me and my siblings, seeds of traditional values and accord along with a sense of hope and guidance during our struggles even today.
I am young in age but I carry a strong pride and reasonability to my oyate both human and none human. I grew up riding horses and getting a first hand experience in both distance riding and fast riding at an early age. When I was 12 years old my uncle showed me how to make my first ash bow. I still have the bow today it is in accordance with traditional style Lakota bows, sinew backed and under a yard in over all length. I later learned the skill of brain tanning Buffalo hides to make robes a art rather than a skill I still practice to this day. Although I was born in Rosebud I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to travel thru out the United States and Europe. At one point in which I had the amazing opportunity to live in a Franciscan monastery for a brief period. From my experience of traveling and seeing other cultures and experiencing life from a vast aria of differences, it only reinforced my desire to reconnect with my Lakota ancestry from all aspects spiritual, cultural, social and economically. Today I try to find balance in the dominate culture while still staying true to my family so that life will continue in a good way for generations yet to come. |
