An Indian Thing in Packrat

…Still here. I’ve been silent because of the Very Important Case; it’s out in the public but I’m just very careful because it is still a pending matter. Friday we brought some prestigious help onto the team, which took all afternoon for interviews and decision; I stayed late in discussions with S and the chief about the merits of our choice, and all that invigorated me. It’s one of the things I do in my job that makes me love it and feel that I’m lucky to be who I am and where I am at the moment that I’m here.
…My nephew died last week. Heavy hearts all around. During the evening ceremony we all reflected on seeing him helping out at those very activities, how he was kind hearted and never had a bad word to say about anyone. He had integrity, stepping down as a clan leader when he fell off the wagon but always there to help when needed (others have argued as to who should be his clan’s leader and refuse to attend when they weren’t chosen).
…My nephew’s funeral rites followed our traditions, and I thought about how, in the Very Important Case, we are basically having to justify our way of worship in the arena of a foreign mindset. Ours is different and yet in what has historically been described as a melting pot and a country based on religious freedom, we have to make someone understand based on their reasoning and not ours.
…Some peoples want to keep a distinct identity.
…I had a visitor last week. He was sincere in his beliefs, but I question his teachings and his teachers; the more he talked, the more red flags went up for me. Not every tribal religion is the same, but some of us are close enough that I can recognize what doesn’t belong. I looked up the man’s teachers and feel justified in my opinion, although I know who to contact in the tribes for an opinion from someone who knows their traditions and beliefs. The man is a wannabe. Unfortunately, every tribe from hundreds of years back has had those tribal members who will say and do anything to be considered knowledgeable and spiritual leaders, and they make it hard for legitimate tribal representatives to untangle the truth from the tales.
…I’ve been fighting this kind of thing ever since I started this job almost 20 years ago. When I first began an elder from another tribe told me, “From now on, it’s all uphill.” It has been, but the torch I’m carrying is burning in my heart.
…It’s especially important now to hold on to traditional beliefs and fight to protect them - I have a niece to teach.
…Hi ho! Hi ho! It’s off to work I go!