Holidays

Posted Up: November 7th 2000

Ah yes, the holidays. I did write my li'l 2 cents on that subject, and here it is. Take as you wish, but these are only my thoughts, and nothing to base your beliefs on, or challenge whatever you may believe.

I've written about a variety of subjects that involve natives in one way or another. A handful of people got at me, and most probably don't worry about things I'm doing. Still, I'll keep on doing what I do. If it's getting any recognition, good. If not, oh wells.

Since presently, this is what some folks refer to as the holiday season, I'll try and tackle that. You got Halloween that just passed, Thanksgiving that's on its way, Christmas that has it's share of feelings or memories, and then finally the New year comes on in. How are things for natives though? What does it mean to natives to think about the holidays in the last 3 months of every year?

Halloween is probably a bonus for us because heck, you get free candy for just saying one brief statement; "Trick or Treat!" Not only that, but you get to put on a mask or make-up to hide your identity. Haunted houses and other things are also incorporated into this Halloween thing too. So, maybe Halloween isn't a bad holiday to take part of in this 'holiday' season. Maybe the only flaw of Halloween is that some kids and even grown ups, choose to dress up as an, "American Indian?" They get the whole stupid headdress of feathers, dumb war paint, and have something like a spear or bow and arrow? As their fun, they parade as this persona or image that isn't close to what they're trying to portray. It's definitely an insult to see this, but as much as it is, we can't dwell on something petty like that.

Now, there's this thing that takes place in November known as 'Thanksgiving?' Supposedly, it was an event that took place centuries ago. Now, some people are saying that historically, it never took place? But, from this native's point of view, this holiday is like a slap in the face for natives. It was said to have been a feast where natives offered food and pilgrims gave thanks for natives saving their lives. Okay, that's all fun and games, but how did thanks get shown later on from these, "I'm in your debt, forever," pilgrims? Oh, let's expand our living areas by taking these native's hunting grounds, ceremonial spots, and homes. Let's force our beliefs on them, because we know ours just did us so well in surviving the harsh winters and rough terrain. It's nothing I would like to take part in, and don't. Natives might still have big meals and stuff, but the concept we celebrate isn't so much the same as others who think this holiday is great and wonderful.

Okay, get through the November thing, and about 4 weeks later you got something called Christmas. A day to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, originally. Jesus Christ, part of something called the bible? Well, it's celebrated by many folks, and then you got another group, Jewish people, that haven't been swayed to believe that. Natives, haven't been brought to praise and worship this person, originally. No, that had to be forced on us through generations of tactics like boarding schools and reservations. Not only those things, but also different, not so presentable ways too. If that's not enough to ramble on about, you got this whole Santa Claus bit. It's something made up to get things to be nice for a brief part of the year. Saint Nick was an actual person, but I don't know that whole story. Yet, they have these romantic images of flying reindeer, little elves, and someone decked out in a red suit with lots of presents. Again, why would natives celebrate this holiday? I don't get in the whole Christmas spirit, but if funds allow, I will get presents for some people.

Now, you got this new year's thing. That's by the calendar standards though. Some tribes based their 'calendars' on the moon's cycles and weather. So, not every year is started on a specific date. Not all things were at the same time. For my part, the native New Year is around the last Sunday (or something like that) of December? I just know it's not on the first day of January. But, for the whole New Year’s Eve and things like that, January is still the accepted date for most natives. Even for me, even though I know traditions don't agree with it.

Conclusion: The holiday season isn't the same for natives. Know it or not, natives have different opinions and standards on these holidays. We don't celebrate for the same reasons. We don't do the same things sometimes in celebrating. Yes, you will see those who do go and go by the books and have open minds for what the ideals of these holidays are supposed to stand for. Me, I'm not one of them, and don't expect me to be jolly and thankful for things that historically haven't been all too pleasant for a native.

Posted on 04 Jun 2006 by Windreamer