We have the Blackfoot Indians here in Idaho. Some of them live in the Blackfoot reservation. The Blackfoot are not just in Idaho. They are a large nation that covers a lot of territory. I went to have a chat with Long Standing Bear, a Blackfoot Chief. I drove up to the reservation and stopped in the Museum across from the casino. I asked to see Long Standing Bear. I was told that he did not live in Idaho but that I might be able to find a chief in the little town below the casino. I went into a curio shop and talked to Paul. I said, "Are you a chief of the Blackfoot Nation?" ? Paul: Who is asking? Hack: Taylor Jones, the hack writer. Paul: I'm a chief then. Hack: I understand that you don't believe in original sin. Paul: We believe in the beauty and strength of our own being. Forget the foolish belief that you and your fellow human beings were born evil. Those who would control you all the days of your life on earth perpetuate the belief. Hack: That sounds similar to what is on your official web site, http://www.blackfoot.org/. Paul: I'll be darned. Hack: Anything on truth and honesty? Paul: Live a life of truth and honesty. This makes you a person of quality and dignity. Truth and honesty are the kind of leadership qualities that attracts others. Hack: That sounds verbatim to me. Paul: Is that a swear word? Hack: No, Paul. It means it's exactly what is on your official web site. Paul: Oh, okay. Hack: What do you have to say about respect to the elderly? Paul: Give honor and respect to others regardless of age and situation in life. This quality makes you and others worthy of honor and respect, which makes others, feel worthwhile and fulfilled. Honor and respect empowers others so they can win the day. They will return it to you fourfold. Hack: Paul! Is that a card you have under the counter? Are you reading from a card? Paul: We have to be ready for tourist. Do you expect us to memorize everything? Hack: I guess you have a point, Paul. What about the good earth? Paul: Honor the earth and all that exists. Be strong in this belief and practice it throughout your life because it makes for a world of kindness that binds all the good things of life together in a circle of harmony. Hack: You make me feel so humble, Paul. Paul: Be humble but not timid. To be humble is to connect yourself to the stars and the entire universe and makes you aware there is something unique about life that is to be enjoyed without fear. We are people from the stars and because of it we are sacred. Hack: I wonder how the Blackfoot people learned that they were from the stars. We know now that there was no life until stars went supernova and spread the heavier elements around to collect as planets. We are literally made of the elements from dead stars. It's amazing that you Blackfoot people have always known that. Paul: We know all that? Hack: It sure seems so. Paul: Could you write that down for me? Hack: Sure, Paul. What about the dreams Indians have? What do they mean? What about the White Buffalo? Paul: Help others realize that life is a beautiful dream. Dreamers are the butterflies of life and help others to realize their dreams. You can look up the other stuff on the Internet. Hack: Well, have you seen the White Buffalo? Paul: I got up there too late. It had changed color. Hack: Does that matter? Paul: No. Be humorous and help others to enjoy life and the life of others. Humor makes you attractive. The humorous person has many guests and the one who is invited everywhere because of the joy they bring to the gathering. Hack: Here's a joke. A salesman chased a fast-running chicken into a farm yard. He asked the farmer why the chicken could run so fast. The farmer said he had a lot of fast-running chickens and it was because they had three legs. The salesman asked if they were good eating. The farmer said, "Don't know. Haven't been able to catch one." ? Paul: Hear about the three Indian squaws that couldn't get pregnant? They went to the medicine man. He told the first to sleep on a deer hide, the second to sleep on an elk hide, and the third to sleep on a moose hide. After nine months the squaw that slept on the deer hide told the medicine man that she had a fine new son, the squaw that slept on the elk side said the same. The third squaw, who slept on the moose hide was about to report when the Medicine man said, "You had twin sons!" ? They were amazed and asked how he knew that. The Chief said, "The sum of the squaw on the moose hide is equal to the sum of the squaws on the other two hides." ? Hack: I saw at http://www.native-languages.org/blackfoot.htm that there are two current Blackfoot languages, the old and the new. Paul: The gift of language is a miracle and it is meant to be used to live a life of harmony, joy, love, and respect. Never be afraid to talk matters over with those you disagree with or those you love. Use it well and use it often. Hack: Well? Paul: What was your question again, White Man? Hack: It seems that the qualities you describe are worthwhile for everyone. Paul: What is described here is leadership and happiness in the broadest sense. These are the qualities that make for a great father, grandmother, mother, teacher, grandfather, lover, traditional leader, friend and a great human being. Best of all you can add to this list. Hack: Would you put that card away. How about some lunch? Paul: How about buying a deer or elk hide? Hack: Okay. What have you got for $20.00? Paul: Well, I guess I'll take the lunch. How about a wind chime for your squaw and bracelets for those 32 grandkids of yours? Including lunch the total was $185.48. The End |
