As I sat there and ate my lunch, my first intuition was to move my self to a table in which two elderly men sat. But, I stayed where I sat and visited with some young Native guy about his some of his experiences in California. As i sat and listened to this other Native, I could not help but wonder why he needed to continually say that he was bored and that he needed to move back to Cali. As if Cali. was going to solve all his problems and make him not " bored " anymore. As soon as our conversation started it had ended, that fast. He was on a mission, it seemed as if my gesture of good thoughts did not phase him, he was not impressed by old people and the Native ways, they were not the answer he need in life. So, away he went-looking for what he desired.
So, I sat there at a table alone. Wondering if i should include myself with the elderly men that sat behind me. What the hell, i grabbed my plate and silverware and moved myself to their table.
" Aaniin " i said. That's a friendly gesture meaning hello or hi. Both elders looked at me and said hi and hello. Old white Bird asked me where I was from. I replied St. Croix., Wisconsin and that I was enrolled in White Earth. He asked me who my relatives were in White Earth and I said the Wadena's and Durant's. He than said he was a White bird and that he had some relatives in Bad River,Wisconsin. I asked him if he was related to the White birds in Cass Lake,Minnesota. He sarcastically replied " hell No " those White birds are from Canada or something. But it seems like there was some type of history in the past with the Cass Lake White birds and the White birds he was originating from.
He than went on to say that most of his relatives passed through Sandy lake, Minnesota and that they traveled the old water ways. I told him that was great knowledge to know and have and that nobody really has that type of information anymore. He than surprisingly said " History is no good- it doesn't get you anywhere and you have to make a living. " Shit- I thought, this elder is really brainwashed into the American life form.
So, I continued to eat my lunch and listen to other Shinobs converse. As I listened, i could tell that old White bird was trying to direct certain comments to me and that he felt threatened by my presence. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't there to prove anything-but I happen to threaten people a lot in my life. My Great G-pa termed it once as " Being strong in the Traditional way of thinking and discipline."
But it was time to leave, my professional business was finished and I got to eat lunch with some elders. What a splendid day. As I was getting ready to leave, I grabbed my Jacket, pipe bag and work bag. My pipe bag is made from an Otter pelt and has leather fringes. As, I was ready to leave out the door, I heard someone say;" where did you get your otter ? " I said that it was my pipe bag and someone gave it to me years ago. Not to my surprise it was Old White bird and he than said " your lucky those old people that use to be around here never saw you put your pipe bag on the ground, they would have had your hide. " I than replied " you know I asked my grandpa about that once, when my brother had a pipe bag made from an otter. I asked my Grandpa- is it okay that my brother puts his otter pipe bag on the ground-is that disrespectful? NO, NO, NO. My grandpa went on- THINK ABOUT AN OTTER-HE SWIMS, EATS FISH AND ROLLS AROUND IN THE MUD, DO YOU THINK IT IS DISRESPECTFUL TO HIM IF YOU PUT HIM ON THE GROUND?
What I did not really think of, at that particular time, was that my Grandpa was instilling me to think and think wisely on all matters in my life regarding Spirituality and not so important events.
So, when it came to Old White bird and challenging me, in the form of a threat, I replied what my Grandpa gave me and let Old White bird have some new knowledge. As I left, I told the rest of the group-Thank you and hopefully I can have this experience again.
GaBeK
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