Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee is a book I have attempted to complete on two different occassions. I have never been able to finish it. I don't believe I even got half way through the book. I do plan to finish the book one day. I would also love to visit the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, where the Wounded Knee Massacre took place. As a Native American myself, this incident matters to me and I consider the land to be sacred ground. I am from the Lumbee Tribe. We are located in the southeastern part of North Carolina. Thank goodness, my people were never made to live on a reservation, but many of my ancestors were not able to own land, they were sharecroppers. My grandfather on my mother's side was a sharecropper all of his life, but worked hard to send 7 of his 10 children to college. He always wanted his children to get an education and own land. Owning land was a great and an important accomplishment. Many of the tribes out west are still struggling tremendously. Many of the Native Indian churches in my area travel out west and help build churches and witness to the Indians on the reservations. I would also love to work with these projects.
Lakoto Pine Ridge Indian Reservation(please watch)
The story of America... the struggle to own land and to become educated. I appreciate your story and would like to commend you on writing from your heart. The video was heart breaking yet a great touch.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing your Lumbee heritage. Native American and Lumbee pride is rich in our region, and I see it reflected in many of my students. Though I know movies are never as good as the original manuscripts or real-life events they are based on, a few years ago I did watch HBO's 2007 made for television version of "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee". I found it to be hugely moving, I cried through many of its scenes and cringed at the violence that occurred during the massacre. However, if you would simply like to finish and get the full impact of the Dee Brown's unabridged text, iTunes has the Audiobook version for download ($21.95). It has a running length of 14 hours and 21 minutes, but if you have an iPod you could listen during your free moments going to work, lunches, or even on your computer while you work. Thank you so much for your blog this week and video, I really want to research more about the Wounded Knee Massacre and re-watch the HBO movie with more insight to the event.
ReplyDeleteSince I am not a digital native, I did not even think about the Audiobook version to download. You gave me a great idea. Thanks. Maybe I can finish the book quicker than I expect.
DeleteVery moving video Wanda. I couldn't help but to think of the rural areas of Mexico as I was watching it. My husband's parents were missionaries in the Indian Reservations of Arizona and New Mexico for many years. They made many friends there. They struggled financially and endured the scorching heat of the summer months as well as the freezing temperatures of the winter months. They never complained about it because they loved it and were faithful to their mission. My husband, on the other hand, was a child at that time and does not have fond memories of it.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I added information on Dysgraphia, a learning disability, to my blog. Check it out.
Wanda, I am so glad we did not have to grow up like the Native Americans in this video. I hope you make it out west so you can share your experiences with me.
ReplyDeleteHi Wanda...I find this onfo quite interesting and am glad you thought to share it. I have a common thread of connection in that my grandparents were sharecroppers as well. Isn't it amazing how we can all prosper from the roots of our beginnings? The advancement of technology makes it possible for us to remember and reflect without having to encounter the same level of hardships.
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