Culture equals identity. When a culture disappears, so does
a people.
Many of us fail to realize what that would mean for us, for
our families. Think of the family recipes, the customary songs and
dances, the familiar expressions, the holiday traditionslost.
Native Americans make up less than two percent of the total
American population. Keeping their culture alive remains a struggle.
This is a struggle that demands attention and deserves a voice.
A voice shouting for cultural preservation. Calling on their past
to build the future.
Lakota. Dakota. Nakota. All dying languages. Currently, only
about 2,000 people speak them.
When languages die, so do many of the cultural ideas. Language
offers the world insights into the nuances of the people who speak
it.
The three wordsLakota, Dakota, and Nakotahave
the same meaning, an alliance of friends. They represent
geographic as well as linguistic distinctions. We know the three
groups as one nation.Joseph Marshall, The Lakota Way.
If the young Lakota people learn their language, they would
learn the peaceful, respectful, and connective ways of the culture.
Many elders believe this could be the key to restoring the beauty
of the Lakota ways.
These are not the only languages threatened by extinction. There
are more than 562 Indigenous tribes in North America experiencing
the same vulnerability. These languages must be savedwithout
them our world becomes far less remarkable.
For young Native Americans, understanding and utilizing their
language promotes a cultural identity and ultimately a place in
this world.
To aide in this journey, we work to develop avenues for the
development of these languages: opportunities to experience the
language, to learn it, and to use it.
Storytelling
Young people may find their place through listening to the stories
of the Lakota elders.
Creating connections with the past requires an open mind. We
must discover pathways for young and old to share stories and pass
them on to the next generation.
I knew growing up that at some point I was supposed to
be the things I learned in the stories: compassionate, honorable,
and brave, and so forth. I knew this because the storytellers lived
the lessons they imparted in their stories, and practiced what they
preached: they were compassionate, they were honorable, and they
were brave and wise.Joseph Marshall, The Lakota Way.
If young Native Americans turn to the stories of the past, they
will see the world through the eyes of their elders. Many elders
say the Lakota are losing their way of life. The stories reinforce
those values and remind the people of the kind of life they should
lead.
A life of humility, respect, and generosity.
Ceremonies
Wacipis. Inipis. Yuwipis.
Powwows. Sweats. Sundances.
History shows that these ceremonies have long been misunderstood,
even feared. These are intricate pieces of cultural life for the
Lakota.
Other customs like naming ceremonies, feathering ceremonies,
and giveaways also remain a steadfast part of life for many tribes.
In order to honor and promote cultural awareness, not only for young
Native Americans but also the outside world, these traditions must
be kept alive.
Watching a Dakota woman weave in and out of the circle of dancers,
as she carries a concentrated face, moves the viewer to wonder about
her innermost thoughts. Her deft flick of her shawl brings more
awe and beauty.
This is the celebration. She has found pride in her people and
in herself. She has found her identity.
This is the identity that will heal a nation of peoplean
identity of self-worth. A feeling that will create a shifting tide
to inspire young and old to follow. We intend to participate in
these ceremonies, to display our unity in the effort to revive the
power of self-esteem.
Artwork
Look at the art, and you will know the soul of the artist.
An artist sits carefully preparing the porcupine quills for
execution. Each is dyed to perfection, flattened, and woven into
its place with intricate precision. It is an art form that is uniquely
Native American and one that shows the patience and creativity of
a people using the land to provide adornment.
The Lakota are known for artwork that displays cultural traditions
and societal values. Many Native Americans carry on their ancestors
customs through beadwork, painting, sculpture, and ledger art.
The preservation of this artwork is a beautiful way to celebrate
the culture itself. By offering opportunities to learn the craft,
we can assure that it is preserved.
Inspiring Native Americans to share their talents with the world
generates a valuable opportunity to create for and connect with
others, ensuring their way of life will thrive.
Celebrate
Native Hope celebrates culture to give voice to the past and
present artisans and elders who have kept these vibrant customs
alive.
It is the duty of young Native Americans and others to protect
these traditions and to make certain that this spirit will live
on to the next generations.
Through sharing the stories, experiences, and talents of these
people, Native Hope commits to aiding in this imperative quest for
a rich, cultural identity.
An identity that will flourish, creating a strong, confident
people.
These people will be richer because they have looked to their
past to preserve their future, and they will raise their voices
in celebration of who they are and all that they hope to become.
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