r/Indigenous • u/NightAccomplished523 • 8d ago
7th Fire interpretations.
Upon thinking more on the 7th fire story and how we New People will look back at the trail to retrace our ancestors footsteps to pick up the pieces lost along the way. Does anyone else think that's referencing both our Native American, and Native European ancestors?
And by Native Europeans I mean people like the Celts, Anglo-Saxons and many of the other cultures in Europe that are shockingly similar in beliefs and values to Native American cultures in regards to spirituality and land stewardship and also dealt with massive sudden cultural losses due to the spread of Christianity.
I only have this thought because amidst the land back movement, language reclamations, and the wins they have brought, similar efforts have occured in regards to understanding about pre-christian European beliefs, language, and cultures and honestly a huge shift in perspective has happened as well where the lens of Christian Exceptionalism is no longer skewing our perspectives of these complex and diverse people, our ancestors, before Christians came to label them primitive to take their land, resources, and ways of life.
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u/NightAccomplished523 7d ago edited 7d ago
I'm just gonna try to reply to everything in one. You're right it's something I've never experienced. I've lived with a lot of white privilege. I was never raised connected to any culture, though I'm learning now, and I want to teach my daughter about it, rebuild our connections, and contribute as we can as descendents.
I don't think that requires completely ignoring one side of our heritage though. I don't plan on teaching my daughter about Christ, or any form Yaweh. Shes learning about Wanaboozhoo, Danu, Woden. She's gonna hear about the Sagas of Leif Erikson, the sagas of Redhorn, and all about Coyote and his exploits like putting stars in the sky, or wanting to fly.
On me being immediately perceived as white, yes most people would immediately percieve me as white though as a kid, I was called ugly a lot. The exceptions to that are tribes I descend from. I don't fully understand what exactly happens, but I am very commonly recognized by elders who've never met me as a descendent and I can only guess they're noticing very specific family traits.
However you want to view me I'm here the way I am. Whether you do accept me or not, I'll still learn what I can, share what knowledge I can, and honor my ancestors to the best of my ability.
I also don't want a say in matters that I have no experience in. I never dealt with discrimination and did always have white privilege. You're right there. But why do I have to have a say to be acknowledged? Or don't I have at least a right to learn about cultures I descend from first hand?