Rez Talent

Posted Up: September 15th 2001

Rez Talent, the life and beauty of NATIVE People. "Take it for what it's worth, and decide where to go from there," is my advice to those out there wondering about what it is they actually possess.

All kinds of talent is available out there. Look at the rez. Let's look who came from a rez. There's this Jim Thorpe Fella, Billy Mills, Sherman Alexie, John Trudell, Gary Farmer, Black Lodge, Sharon Burch, Ulali, and the list goes on... These reservations and reserves are full of people that have ability, and desire. Yet, very few times are those with such promise actual live up to the potential they possess. Actually, it's kinda weird. Those who are on the verge of living their long sought after dream are sometimes met with mixed feelings. Some are mad, because they start to focus on what it is they want, and put other people's needs behind their own. Because of doing so, those who feel they should be held in higher regards, may talk down about that person striving for theirs. It's not always that way though. There are some who like seeing someone go for what they know. Some people are supportive all around. These people who want more than just to stay in one spot are often met with decisions that may just decide more than they think. To know that, and weigh all your options is a hard task to do. What is at stake to do one thing, and meet with the consequences associated with that decision can be nerve racking. But, to make it past all that and succeed makes the rewards much sweeter.

Look around the rez you live at. I'm sure you know a pretty good artist, model, poet, writer, baller, runner, athlete, actor, speaker, or someone that's really creative in various areas. I mean, are they a li'l off the wall? Are they somewhat different than some others? It would seem that these answers would most likely be yes, but with everyone it can vary. It doesn't actually matter what the answer is, because they still have something special. If they realize what they have, good. But, if they don't realize it, then that's a li'l scary because what happens when they do? They'll probably propel themselves further than they thought they could.

Okay, the areas to see talent are all around. Someone may not even realize they're a natural computer wizard, carver, skier, skater, or whatever... It may take them a li'l amount of time to do something that the ordinary person might spend a hefty amount of minutes or hours. Just by accident, someone may realize that they have some sort of talent. But, what's done about it? Maybe nothing, or maybe something. To do something might be hard, because it's not very likely there's a specific school readily available to hone those skills. The rez isn't a place where people usually look for that something special they (non natives) want or need for a project. Maybe for art, they might. For jewelry, they might too. For music, not likely. For athletes of some sort, they'll probably pass. For models, they see beauty, but don't do much about it. For actors, usually they happen by accident. But, to look at the rez as a source of talent should be a given, even if you aren't a native yourself. Or maybe not, because you have to know what you're looking for. Once you know exactly what you want, the search begins.

Let's say that you are original. Let's say that you are one of a kind, or something that you're doing is. Now, you gotta put up with those who claim you aren't. You gotta put up with someone who's trying to denounce your status. Your hard work, your long time in doing this, and now someone is trying to say it's not all you. Why? Who knows, but usually it comes with the territory. For any person who generally accepts and acknowledges what you did and what you put into doing it, there's going to be someone or some people who are going to contest it. When this happens, accept it. As a matter of fact, cherish it. I recommend this because here's this someone who's totally devoted in their efforts to make you look bad. They do all that, and yes, it's because of you. Just as much as it's meant to make you look bad, it's showing how far you came up.

"Why aren't those with talent sought after on the rez?" Well, it's not really certain, other than many times it's hard for someone to leave a tight knit group of people they've grown up with. Not just the immediate family, but the extended family members also play important roles in growing up. You got that, then add in the elements of alcoholism, abuse, incarcerations, suicides, car wrecks, and other usual rez drama, you got a volatile situation. Sometimes, that's what brings these talents out more, or just the opposite. These can also suppress what could have been. Motivation, or suppression are things to expect from all the downfalls and obstacles set in the paths of those trying to travel beyond their own boundaries.

As I've stated before, "The talent pool definitely runs deep, it's just a matter of opening up the flood gates." - It's all beautiful.......

Posted on 04 Jun 2006 by Windreamer