"When I see the flower, I think of our people - the Native people. I studied the journals and listened to the stories of generations of American Indians who survived the coming of the white men. We survived the straight cold winds of winter when driving forces tried to eliminate us from the earth. When we were covered with the winter of another culture, our ways stood strong. There are those who say we have lost too much of our ways and assimilation has become our culture. I don't believe that. We are like the prairie crocus - our seeds - the spirits of our ancestors are still among us. We have withstood the hostilities and we will continue to bloom among even the most hostile environment, like the purple crocus.

I am nervous when I look for the crocus because I attach it to our people and culture. I am fearful that some day, like some of the Native medicine, it will not be able to withstand the encroachment. But there it was, in spite of it all, growing and blooming.

Nahwah, little flower. I'm glad you're back."

Get the Story:
DORREEN YELLOW BIRD COLUMN: The crocus stands as a symbol (The Grand Forks Herald 4/13)