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August 21, 2009
Posted by James BlueWolf in: Accountability, Attitude, Children, Current Events, Economic Crisis, Economics, Education, General Topics, Habit Change, Native American, Opinion, Social Classes, Social Issues, Television, The Economy, Uncategorized
 
It’s soccer season and suddenly the circle has come round and my wife and I are re-creating our lives from the early 1980′s. Instead of five children, it’s three children and five grandchildren. But times have changed and where we originally had to scrape and scurry to come up with money to sign them up and buy shin-guards, this year we faced higher signup costs, uniform and cleat costs, shin-guards as well as being asked to buy four balls—one for each child—and all mandatory for participation. The total cost approached $400.00 and we haven’t paid for pictures yet (or the balls). None of our grandchildren could have participated without our support.
It got me thinking. Last year I was amazed at how many times during the year our granchildren came home from school saying they had to have two, three or five dollars for this or that. Field trips required a contribution. Class photos and participation in book-buying or candy sales, fund-raisers and pledge drives all required that we pitch in financially. After all, no one wants their child to be the only one in class with no signatures on the pledge form and who doesn’t purchase a class picture or individual photo? Of course, I don’t want to forget the holidays and events throughout the year–the County Fair, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, birthdays, other kid’s birthdays, school plays, costs to attend High School sporting events, etc. etc. For parents living way below the poverty line, who can’t rely on grandparents support, these costs can be overwhelming. We can provide anecdotal evidence that some families use monies originally earmarked for rent, utilities, clothing or food to cover these costs to protect themselves and their children from embarassment, ridicule or denial of particpation. I know what many of you are thinking–sticks and stones and all that. Rent comes before food, food before entertainment, and to all these superfluous expenditures one should “just-say-no”. After all, aren’t home budgets about deciding on priorities and shouldn’t those who are unable to stick to solid economics be deserving of ruin? That’s representative of the traditionally conservative economic line most of my generation grew up with– “if you can’t afford it, don’t spend it!” Continue reading The Power Of Social Pressure
August 6, 2009
The unthinkable has happened in America. Joe the Plumber, that picture postcard image of middle class, predominately protestant, intensely patriotic Anglo-Saxon Americans–perceiving himself as moral, responsible, and even righteously destined by God to continue in the footprints of his ancestors as a Soldier for God and for the Nation (vigorously defending all its symbols, prejudices, myths and carryover madness), is being forced to come to grips with the necessity of his own assimilation.
And boy does that scare him and piss him off!
He is faced with daily evidence that the world of his forefathers has passed. He is now represented by a Black President, by a Latino female Supreme Court Justice, by ten states with Medical Marijuana laws, by a rapidly changing climate conspiracy, by a depletion of natural resources and reduction in the american standard of living, by an economic refutation of laissez-faire capitalism and the collapse of corporate banking and finance, by a rejection of the American Martial spirit and a turn toward revitalizing diplomacy, by the survival of Rowe VS Wade, by an increasing acceptance of Gay, Lesbian, and transgender lifestyles and by a burgeoning legion of non-white immigrants bent on realizing the American Dream. Continue reading Assimilating White America
April 24, 2009
Posted by James BlueWolf in: Accountability, Attitude, General Topics, Geopolitical Events, Homeland Security, Native American, Politics, Religion, Social Issues, Sociology, Uncategorized
A recent local newspaper reader’s opinion that the contemplation of prosecuting torturers and their superiors for utilizing the fanciful scribbling of a few morally bankrupt lawyers to justify their outrages is a fools errand demonstrates how far down the path toward psychopathic one segment of the American population has traveled. In an examination of the historical record we find this point of view re-occurring time and time again throughout the American experiment always with a record book asterisk that it represents an unacceptable premise and that the American Dream is above that type of behavior—even in wartime. To be fair, the American government has prosecuted—on occasion—its soldiers for war crimes and has certainly encouraged or participated in the prosecution of foreign nationals for war crimes against American military or civilian personnel. Continue reading Prosecuting Our Own Inquisition
April 2, 2009
Author’s Note: Much of the information here was researched and organized by other authors, particularly Bruce Johansen. I am presenting it as an educational tool and not as an entirely original essay. J BlueWolf
Benjamin Franklin And Native Values
Colonial interest in Six Nation treaty accounts was high enough by 1736 for a Philadelphia printer, Benjamin Franklin, to begin publication and distribution of them. The tone of the treaty councils was that of a peer relationship. During the next twenty-six years, Franklin’s press produced thirteen treaty accounts. By the early 1750s, Franklin was not only printing treaties, but representing Pennsylvania as an Indian commissioner as well. It was his first diplomatic assignment. Franklin’s attention to Indian affairs grew in tandem with his advocacy of a federal union of the colonies, an idea that was advanced by Canassatego and other Iroquois chiefs in treaty accounts published by Franklin’s press as early as 1744. Franklin’s writings indicate that as he became more deeply involved with the Iroquois and other Indian peoples, he picked up ideas from them concerning not only federalism, but concepts of natural rights, the nature of society and man’s place in it, the role of property in society, and other intellectual constructs that would be called into service by Franklin as he and other American revolutionaries shaped an official ideology for the new United States.
In 1775, Franklin wrote: “Having few artificial Wants, they [Indians] have abundance of Leisure for Improvement by Conversation. Our laborious Manner of Life, compared with theirs, they esteem slavish and base; and the Learning, on which we value ourselves, they regard as frivolous and useless. Having frequent Occasion to hold public Councils, they have acquired great Order and Decency in conducting them… The women …are the Records of the Council…who take exact notice of what passes and imprint it in their
Memories, to communicate it to their Children.” “They preserve traditions of Stipulations in Treaties 100 Years back; which, when we compare with our writings, we always find exact.” Continue reading The Conception Of American Democracy Pt One
March 31, 2009
The use of force has been the main tool of domestic and foreign policy since the arrival of the Caucasian race upon these shores. It is rooted in Roman tradition and is, in fact, the primary building block of the concept of law in western society.
Rather than depending on a cohesive social relationship to guide behavior, Nations that engage in empire building must rely on the threat of force to coerce their peoples to abide by even the most basic moral and social principles. Peoples of different cultures and value systems are hard pressed to be cooperative and share common beliefs and goals without the threat of force to guide their actions. Historically, as evidenced by the writings of the Founding Fathers, depending on our citizens to make thoughtful and reasonable decisions has always been viewed as naive and dangerous. Continue reading The Use Of Force
March 24, 2009
Posted by James BlueWolf in: Children, Current Events, Education, Environmental Issues, Family, General Topics, Inspiration & Motivation, Lifestyle, Native American, Nature/Wildlife, Non-Fiction, Philosophical Genres, Politics, Relationships, Religion, Social Aspects, Social Classes, Social Issues, Sociology, Spirituality, Uncategorized
Of all the words that Traditional People favor, Respect is the one used the most. It implies many things: values, morality, character, compassion, commitment, relationship, and more that is unspoken, but understood. We think it is the foundation of Traditional Life.
It begins with family and extended family, blossoming from an understanding of the importance of each generation’s contribution to the Peoples needs—physical, mental, and spiritual. By acknowledging the importance of each relationship—elder to child, child to provider, provider to elder, etc.—the balance of relatives maintain a civil and structured harmony.
The role each age group plays in the People’s life, with all its complex and interactive relationships and responsibilities, demands there be a formal process of recognizing, approaching, and acknowledging the contributions of each age group and relative. Indians speak in terms of those relationships. Personal names were seldom used, and even today the words which identify relationship within the family structure–aunt, uncle, cousin, brother, sister, grandmother, grandfather, husband, wife—are often used in place of common names. This is a measure of respect descended from the days when personal names were often unspoken, having greater meaning than the simple identification tags Europeans placed upon themselves. A name had Power. To respect that power and the individual who utilized it, our words for expressing relationship were used instead.
Respect extends into relationships in other ways: One does not touch another person or their belongings without invitation. One does not walk in the space between someone and the fire without acknowledgement. One offers only a clean Pipe to another to smoke. One knows that sometimes it is appropriate to be silent and sometimes it is appropriate to speak. One knows when a gift is necessary to accompany a request. Continue reading Cornerstone Words
March 18, 2009
This essay adds to my previous discussion of leadership and government while addressing an issue that could be described as dated but still alive & kicking in Indin Country. We begin just after the Native “occupation” of Alcatraz ended and the Red Power Movement continued in full swing, circa 1970-72.
After Alcatraz, the buzz of the “Movement” polarized communities. The labels Traditional and Progressive were coined. To understand what these two terms represent we need to understand, in a general way, the processes of original tribal leadership and government.
Traditional leadership was often based on service and the inherent qualities, talents, and character of those who most effectively provided that service. So the best hunters were often followed or depended on to lead the hunt. The most daring and resourceful warriors were given the opportunity, by the power of their ability, to lead during battle. The most visionary and spiritually oriented people were expected to oversee the spiritual welfare and ceremonial life of the Peoples. The most proven and effective healers were expected to provide their Power and skills to care for the sick and injured. Native abilities, talents, and superior character rewarded and encouraged.
Continue reading Traditional Vs Progressive
March 11, 2009
Posted by James BlueWolf in: Business, Business Management, Current Events, Economic Crisis, Economics, Education, Family, General Topics, Geopolitical Events, Governance, Politics, Social Issues, The Economy, Uncategorized
Much of this article was written prior to the current fiscal crisis–today there are extended unemployment benefits that did not exist before for some people, however the bulk of the article–partially completed- still applies to our current needs in workforce development.
Many California citizens are currently struggling, or working, without a safety net of support after having lost, or being in danger of losing, their employment. A significant number are in danger of falling, or have already fallen, into an abyss where lack of support entities and services, re-training or vocational education programs, and lackadaisical business development planning are causing them to lose their homes and livelihood without the resources to relocate to areas that offer a greater opportunity for financial stability and basic life support.
Here are a series of anecdotal cases to frame the discussion. Continue reading Employment Issues
March 6, 2009
Posted by James BlueWolf in: Accountability, Business Management, Current Events, General Topics, Governance, Inspiration & Motivation, Native American, Politics, Social Issues, Sociology, Uncategorized
“(Indigenous) Power…means prestige translated into action…no one ordered anyone else around. Issues were argued to consensus, and if agreement was not reached, the matter was dropped. Even when the chiefs attained “one mind,” an appeal was made to the people to comply. Those who disagreed simple went their own way.”
William N. Fenton
In days past, we looked first to our complete survival. We had to have mothers, hunters, warriors, spokesmen, peacemakers, decision-makers, singers, and clowns—the elements of society and culture. In each of those honorable pursuits, there were those who excelled; those with natural ability. Indigenous People often utilized the merit concept of leadership.
Hunters, fighters, scouts, planners, speakers, or storytellers, were recognized by the People for their abilities, and were followed because of those abilities. They were natural leaders. If they lost those abilities, or dishonored their positions, people simply refused to follow them anymore. From earlier essays we remember that Thomas Jefferson observed, “Their leaders influence them by their character alone; they follow, or not, as they please him whose character for wisdom or war they have the highest opinion.”
Continue reading Leadership
March 4, 2009
This post is in response to a request from Bob Ellal
“The Iroquois had long done things in common, and having reached one mind, they act. It was abandoning this principle of unanimity, Wright thought, which led directly to the loss of their lands. Scattered on reservations, they were dealt with separately and were forced to act independently of each other… Life on the reservation was a new ball game with new rules.”
(Reverend Asher Wright) according to William Fenton
“The (Seneca) ability to speak with “one voice, one mind, one heart,” was what contributed to the power of the confederacy—and it was not “until their councils were divided by bribery and Whiskey… and they adopted majority rule, that their power declined.”
Asher Wright, according to William Fenton
The U.S. Government has always needed specific representatives of Indian Tribes, i.e. “Chiefs”, to act as formal representatives of our Peoples. If they could not find someone who seemed to fit that bill, they just picked someone who seemed to have some status or recognition. In the early decades of the last century, when it became apparent that at least some of the Tribes would survive, and sensing that they would soon have to be made citizens, the government began looking at other methods of centralizing Indian political organization.
In the late 1920’s, in order to further “civilize the savages”, a sample constitution was drafted and present to Tribes. It featured a General Council (the People), an elected tribal chairman as spokesperson, and a tribal secretary for keeping track of meetings and decisions. Suggestions for determining who was eligible for membership, and what the guidelines for voting might be, were included. Thirty percent of the eligible voters became the original guideline for a Council quorum for decision-making. Suggestions for frequency of council meetings, elections, and other procedures were detailed.
Continue reading Native Government
February 25, 2009
My father was in education for fifty years as a teacher, counselor, psychologist, and administrator. Today he is fond of saying that today’s education systems are obsolete, irrelevant, impractical, and socially dysfunctional. Three of my younger children were labeled as having “disabilities”–and all graduated with minimal reading, writing, and math skills. This, despite [...]
February 24, 2009
Posted by James BlueWolf in: Family, General Topics, Inspiration & Motivation, Mental Health, Native American, Philosophical Genres, Relationships, Religion, Social Aspects, Social Issues, Sociology, Spirituality, Uncategorized
Once, the oldest grandparent down to the smallest child on this continent was filled with Spirit. They saw magic and mystery everywhere in the natural world. They demonstrated their reverence for life in every act they performed, and in every word they said. Spirituality was not a religious activity limited to attending church [...]
February 19, 2009
Posted by James BlueWolf in: Business, Economics, Education, Environmental Issues, General Topics, Geopolitical Events, Governance, Inspiration & Motivation, Native American, Philosophical Genres, Politics, Social Aspects, Social Classes, Social Issues, Sociology, The Economy, Uncategorized
I do a lot of criticizing modern western civilization and its time that I began to write a little bit beyond the doom and gloom. Yes, I believe the civilization is headed for crisis beyond our present comprehension, and yes, I also believe that the suicidal adherents to nationalism will eventually cause the [...]
February 12, 2009
Posted by James BlueWolf in: Children, Current Events, Education, Family, General Topics, Legal, Mental Health, Native American, Philosophical Genres, Politics, Social Classes, Social Issues, Sociology, Uncategorized
The discipline of children is a controversial topic today. I recently saw an article describing the negative effects of corporal punishment on children– likening it to child abuse. It said that it teaches violence, destroys self esteem, and generally demeans both parent and child. This is just another example of the twisted values [...]
February 4, 2009
Posted by James BlueWolf in: Current Events, Economics, Education, General Topics, Geopolitical Events, Governance, Native American, Philosophical Genres, Politics, Religion, Social Classes, Social Issues, Sociology, Spirituality, Uncategorized
Appearances And Assimilation
The majority of Europeans who came to our shores were folk predisposed to judging things at face value. Obsessed with image and appearance, and convinced absolutely of their moral, social, cultural, and spiritual superiority, they could not see beyond their perceptions of primitivism and savagery they [...]
February 3, 2009
Posted by James BlueWolf in: Current Events, Economics, Education, Environmental Issues, General Topics, Geopolitical Events, Governance, Native American, Philosophical Genres, Politics, Social Issues, Sociology, Spirituality, Uncategorized
In the summer of O8, after numerous years of discussion over Mascot issues and general problems between Native and non-Native communities locally, I wrote this article. Reading it now, it seems a little disjointed, but it is a way I can familiarize readers with my general philosophies so I don’t have to rely on [...]
January 28, 2009
Some of today’s posts, and recent events in my life–including an impending 59th birthday– have caused me to reflect, again, on mortality. How we relate to, react to and perceive death has very much to do with how we relate to, react to and perceive life. Today, I’ll start and end the blog [...]
January 28, 2009
An effort to compel Americans to take refresher courses in American history and government has never come to fruition but the more newspaper comments I read, the more I think it’s a good idea. Especially when I read comments about the outcry that might occur should the California State Supreme Court rule against [...]
January 27, 2009
Posted by James BlueWolf in: Communications, Education, General Topics, Geopolitical Events, Journalism, Native American, Philosophical Genres, Politics, Social Issues, Sociology, Spirituality, The Writer's Corner
I’d like to start my blogging with a few pieces to let you know who I am and why I think what I think. I have lived an unusual usual life. I have lived through periods when I literally did not know what year it was, what was popular on the radio [...]
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