I understand, from a historical stand point, why the colonizing of America was so devastating and horrific for natives. However, when I see things in modern day about "get off our land," I get a little upset. I was born here. As were my parents. (1/2
Asked by Anonymous
(2/2) as were there parents, etc. Many Americans do not have a set culture, I know I don’t. America is our home. If we were to “get off your land” where would we go? Not to be cliche, but shouldn’t we all try to live as harmoniously as possible?
It may be hard to understand if you do not have emotional connection to any place other than your own home but the land is sacred to many Native peoples. For example, the Sutter Buttes here in Yuba City/Sutter area are sacred. ‘estom yann (the Sutter Buttes) are a sacred mountain range that Maidu and Nisenan people would make a religions journey to because they thought they would be closer to the Creator. We still consider them sacred and are not even allowed to be on them at all. They are “owned” by the city and is closed to the public. We cannot go their for our traditional practices. Can you imagine your people telling you stories about this place and other nearby places that meant everything to your people but are now off limits? This is just one story out of a million of similar accounts. Not only are we sharing our spaces but we are taken away from something that is part of making us who we are.
Not to mention Native peoples and First Nations people are still being oppressed TODAY in many ways by you settlers. We are being oppressed by people who would even keep us out an away from our homes. It is unacceptable.