Opinion

Ivan Star Comes Out: 'Civilization' aims to alienate Native America

Monday, February 20, 2017

Ivan F. Star Comes Out

What does ‘civilization’ really mean for Native America?
By Ivan F. Star Comes Out
Native Sun News Today Columnist
nativesunnews.today

There are people who think I am the most native person around. Reality is I’m not as native as our ancestors were. In fact, my native ancestry was nearly removed from my consciousness by the Euro-American’s blasphemous need to make me into their image. Christianity and this new government collaborated to “civilize” me and called it “education.”

The sad part about this process is that it was successful. I dropped out of that “education” process after ten years but the damage was done. I went home loving the “Indian fighter, John Wayne and all he represented in western movies. I was completely unaware of my own world view and the kinship system was obliterated. I was a member of a people colonized politically, economically, and consciously.

Although most have gone the way of these white men, some of us chose to hang on to whatever is left. As a result, we moved from being punished for speaking Lakota to actually “teaching” it in the classroom. Although this has not produced language speaking students in 40-years, many consider it progress. For whatever it is worth, I believe it is an act of defiance. We have to examine this situation.

Anyway, we became underground participants in a resistance movement. We continued speaking our ancient language. Although I had to relearn my culture, I am now engaged in transmitting my re-acquired knowledge to the youth in my family. I do it despite the fact that they are often disinterested.

I do it because this Euro-American society is racially bigoted. It has alienated native America, period. Resisting this ongoing enervation and destruction is the most natural act any human would do. All I want simply is to experience freedom and contentment. I want to be happy with who I really am.