Many years ago I read, “Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee.” It tells America’s history from the perspective of First Nations People.
Although this book is not the focus of my post, there is a particular line of thought that struck a chord with me and has remained with me to this day. I’ll probably jumble it all up but please bear with me.
When our European ancestors took away everything that spoke to the very essence of who the natives of this land were, I believe their spirit was broken.
Proud warriors and hunters were placed on reservations, given whiskey in trade and eventually made dependent on our governments for food and basic necessities.
Now I don’t know if the book indicated the following or if it was a conclusion that I came to, but could it be possible that the high percentage of alcoholism in today’s First Nations people is related to what happened historically?
Could it be that alcoholism was passed down from generation to generation? Could it be that it helped to forget the shame that was associated with losing everything that made a man a proud warrior and hunter? Could it also be that this shame can be a part of someone’s life today without them even being able to explain why they feel shame?
This concept is one I’ve examined from a personal point of view many times over the years. When I react in anger to certain situations, or when I panic in other situations or feel shame, or keep repeating behaviours and don’t understand why, could it be that I am reacting to a long forgotten circumstance experienced by one of my ancestors? For example, did something make one of my ancestors angry and then because they were angry, their children learned anger and so on, but the original cause of the anger is not known or passed down? Make sense? Good! 😉
Because of this, I’ve taken a great interest in my family history. Specifically, I’ve taken a special interest in the history of the women in my family. So…I’ve decided to write the stories of four generations of women in my family. Michaela (my daughter), Diana (yours truly), Margot (my mom) and Ruth (my maternal grandmother).
I’m not doing research or interviews, I will merely tell the stories, snippets if you will, as I know them, as I have experienced them, as they have been told to me. I will be intentional about not embellishing or softening the stories and I will write them with no judgment in my heart. The stories are what they are; neither good nor bad.
I want to tell these stories in part, because I think they will help us understand our whys and because I want to keep them alive for future generations. They may or may not appear consecutively because I want to check in with my ladies (and me too) to make sure that what is shared is ok before I hit publish.
I’m excited about doing this and I hope you’ll come along on the journey and share some of your stories as well…
~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~
Have you ever repeated a behaviour without knowing why?
artsifrtsy said:
I love this idea. I think it’s good to explore and understand what makes us tick.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Lorri! I already have my first post queued up for Wednesday!
Diana xo
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Jean said:
I saw the Canadian Cree aboriginal singer, Buffy Ste. Marie sing a song Bury my Heart at Wounded Knee or something similar. She sang some incredible songs with tremendous energy…as a 70 yr. singer on stage. It was here in Calgary.
Has your daughter written for your blog?
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dianasschwenk said:
She’s a pretty awesome lady that Buffy!
No, my daughter has never written a piece on my blog. She’s actually not even writing on hers – too bad, because I love the way she writes!
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Jean said:
It may take time to find her voice. Or maybe she has not yet revealed much of it yet.
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dianasschwenk said:
Or the time is not right, I don’t know. I guess it’s her gift to share when she chooses. 🙂
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Professions for PEACE said:
Wow Diana! This is wonderful. I look forward to your stories of you and the women you share ancestry with. I love how you included that the stories will come after you’ve ‘checked with’ yourself included. As you feel ready, I’m looking forward to each sharing. Hugs to you, xo Gina
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Gina! I’m looking forward to writing them. Maybe one day my daughter will add to it and her daughter after her. 🙂
Diana xo
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Patty B said:
I am also looking forward to reading your stories. I have started a journal a while ago to help me heal from my fathers alcohol problem, he was a loving caring father – but his problem caused issues in our family, anyway it has helped me to not only heal but to understand him as well.
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dianasschwenk said:
That’s wonderful Patty. My mother broke this cycle for our family. We never had to live with a parent who drank excessively, but she had 2 parents who did so.
Peace to you,
Diana xo
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Patty B said:
I thank God that I was able to break the cycle too. It is a difficult thing to go through, for both the child and the parent that is addicted.
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dianasschwenk said:
amazing! Good for you Patty!
xo
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Jennifer's Journal said:
At the same time, the plight of our first nations people has always been a sore spot for me. Before anyone should judge, they need to imagine what it would be like to walk in their shoes (or moccasins).
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dianasschwenk said:
I wouldn’t even have a clue on how to undo the damage. I do personally believe that healing will come from within; that there are leaders within First Nations that can and already do inspire their people and maybe, just maybe can unite with great inner strength and pride under a movement like idle no more and/or stand up for our planet in regards to the environment and respecting our lands. Think about it. What other group of people can unite under such a banner? Who else can teach us as effectively, these values?
Diana
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Jennifer's Journal said:
Healing from within is the only way to undo the damage. And you are right, if there was ever a group of people who have reason to create a movement to protect the environment and to voice these concerns, it would be the First Nations.
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dianasschwenk said:
and they would be the most effective!
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Jennifer's Journal said:
I look forward to your stories, Diana. I know they are going to be awesome reads. Yay!
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dianasschwenk said:
(smiling) I’m not sure about awesome, I do hope they will be enjoyed by my ladies though!
Diana xo
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sedge808 said:
‘given whiskey in trade and eventually made dependent on our governments for food and basic necessities.’
yikes.
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dianasschwenk said:
I know. Not pretty. War and world domination hardly ever are.
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Sheryl said:
I’m looking forward to hearing the stories of the women in your family. Historically the voices of women have often been lost–and it’s wonderful that you’ll be telling some of their stories.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Sheryl! It should prove to be interesting, to me anyway! 😉
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joannerambling said:
What a great idea, I would love to read such a book as I am fascinated by family history so I think it is a wonderful thing you are going to do
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Rose Hall Media Company said:
We wish more people would capture their heritage-stories! Brava for you!
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dianasschwenk said:
(Takes a bow) Thank you very much!
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russtowne said:
I look forward to the stories, Diana.
Russ
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dianasschwenk said:
Me too haha! Thanks Russ.
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cyclingrandma said:
I look forward to the stories!
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Lisa – me too! 😉
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bulldog said:
Oh I do look forward to this … lets get started, please… sharing my past in my book has been a bit of an eye opener, so I will enjoy the stories from others…
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dianasschwenk said:
learning the past is always an eye opener! It answers so many questions. Would love to hear some of your stories too!
Diana xo
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