Maybe I’m just a sucker for these types of things… but I found myself so touched by the history and lives of Native Americans.
I was first moved when Ralph explained the symbols on the teepee—the colors especially. The teepee is outlined in circles created by the colors white, yellow, red, and black. Why? Because this is how the world describes themselves and others, by colors. I’m yellow, you’re black. I’m red, you’re white. Ralph enlightens us, “Yes, our identity is deeply rooted in these colors. We cannot have them prevent us from interacting with those who are different from us. The colors work together to form the circle. We must work together to form the world.”
That’s beautiful isn’t it? The world will be so much better if we work towards better it by breaking down walls and allowing ourselves to shine through others.
Another thing that I absolutely loved…
Every year, Ralph and his clan hold a huuuuge pow wow. They invite the public to participate with them. Not just that, but they invite people from many many cultures to join in and dance with them. This pow wow is a big celebration and an opportunity for Sudanese, Vietnamese, Irish, Thai, Cambodian, Indian, and etc. to dance together.
We are all different, that is what makes it beautiful.
We all work and play in harmony while embracing our similarities and differences, that is what makes a work of art.
Ralph briefly shared the heartbreaking history of Native Americans. He doesn’t dwell too much on it though. He acknowledges the horrible treatment that his people endured. Yet he tells us that we only need to know the history so that we can prevent it from repeating.
This is why he hosts the Pow Wow every year—so others can learn about his people’s past and work towards preventing anything like that from happening again.
How beautiful.
your's truly
Trinh
To learn more about Ralph Moisa and the White Eagle Pow-Wow please go to http://www.whiteeaglepow-wow.org/1.html.
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