Fuck yeah! My dad was a Sargent in the army. He loved America. I thought he was a walking paradox, am Indian Sargent. But then when I saw the vets carrying the flags at the first powwow I went to as an adult, I got it. They would die to protect their families. And we have land holding our family stories and blood going back thousands of years. Why would we burn that? America is one thing. The U. S. Is another.
My first job after arriving in Abq 1985, was tutoring Native public high school students. They Hated having to go to tutoring. If a kid was a no show, no pay for me pretty broke. Later though as high school Gifted Teacher had remarkable times hearing about dualies, rodeo…my South Valley kids for their project mostly worked agriculture. Other Gifted Sped classes all went to Attorney offices, etc.
There was a young man my first year named Sean Nez. He really had talents and gifts. Rode and loved all things Rodeo. And, I used to watch him draw cowboys on horse back. He would start with the cowboy’s HAT and quickly work down to the horse, etc.
He was a Senior who graduated with accolades. All he wanted to do after he left high school: USMC.
My wife says I am ‘neuro divergent’ and that I either am poetically concise or rambling on. Meant to add, That first ‘tutor’ job working with Native Administrators showed me several folks who acted more Anglo than Native.
My mother in law (deceased-see ‘Opposed to September’), was head librarian at Navajo CC now Diné College; much evidence witnessed on visits of that heartfelt patriotic (before this word sucked into Satan’s anal regions) fervor.
The other thing to remember is that Native Americans hold political positions all across the political spectrum—from far left to far right. But the public image of Natives—generated by the Native left and promoted by the white left—is that Indians are uniformly of the leftist activist class. That's not even remotely true. I'm by far the most left of my extended family and I'm greatly outnumbered by my conservative kin.
One of the last surviving NM Code Talkers recently passed. So many New Mexican Pueblos have taken heavy losses to the too many wars.
New Mexico it would seem to me, should be a place where Native Americans calling this place home, could feel safe and fairly treated. Sadly, not so. A Better life here than Florida (Seminoles are not just the FSU football team.) for sure, however they are not treated well in ER’s (witnessed), by state and local LEO’s, or media (unless touristy).
This bar tale takes me straight back into INDIAN KILLER.
Your phrase ‘ambiguously ethnic dude’ gave me pause for lol’ing; also recalling SNL’s
When it comes to Native death in war, we must remember that Natives volunteer for military service in incredibly disproportionate numbers. As this essay points out, Natives are incredibly patriotic. The United States flag is honored at powwows alongside the eagle staff.
It’s been a few years since I’ve read some of your work, but my goodness, what a fun and refreshing way to dive back in. It’s so neat to see you here on Substack. Thank you for the fun story and for the laughs!
Jesus! You always just break my heart, Mr Alexie. And I always come back for more. Thank you for excellence in every way.
( I can't tell you how often I hear that haunting question in my head, "Hey Victor -- what about your dad?" My little life is summed up in that question.)
Thank you, Sharron. It's always amazing, flattering, and mystifying how a line of dialogue that I wrote 27 years ago can hold such lasting meaning for people.
I. Love. This. I wanted to punch all the crackers from the word go, honestly. Get outta here with that white boy far left ‘anti racist’ hoopla. I love the irony in this piece. Also reminds me of my wild hitchhiking days. I remember one time hopping a freight train from Portland to Tacoma Washington. Once there I got a bus to Seattle. I walked down and sat in the very back. There was a dark-skinned Native American guy across from me. We caught eyes, smiled, and soon we were sitting side by side, taking secret pulls out the tall boys of beer we’d both hidden in our packs. He told me stories about his life all the way to Seattle. Once there I bumped into a guy who gave me acid...but that’s another story for another time.
As a man born in central Minnesota where three major ecosystems come together, my blood like the waters here (and a friend of Jay Rollins how I found my way here), I think America could use more Native American Studies like this.
Fuck yeah! My dad was a Sargent in the army. He loved America. I thought he was a walking paradox, am Indian Sargent. But then when I saw the vets carrying the flags at the first powwow I went to as an adult, I got it. They would die to protect their families. And we have land holding our family stories and blood going back thousands of years. Why would we burn that? America is one thing. The U. S. Is another.
"America is one thing. The U.S. is another." That is a great way to put it.
ASSumptions never good. I was a NM newbie then but…Much under many mesas since 1985.
My first job after arriving in Abq 1985, was tutoring Native public high school students. They Hated having to go to tutoring. If a kid was a no show, no pay for me pretty broke. Later though as high school Gifted Teacher had remarkable times hearing about dualies, rodeo…my South Valley kids for their project mostly worked agriculture. Other Gifted Sped classes all went to Attorney offices, etc.
There was a young man my first year named Sean Nez. He really had talents and gifts. Rode and loved all things Rodeo. And, I used to watch him draw cowboys on horse back. He would start with the cowboy’s HAT and quickly work down to the horse, etc.
He was a Senior who graduated with accolades. All he wanted to do after he left high school: USMC.
My wife says I am ‘neuro divergent’ and that I either am poetically concise or rambling on. Meant to add, That first ‘tutor’ job working with Native Administrators showed me several folks who acted more Anglo than Native.
That assumes there's a right way to be Native and there isn't one.
Yup. I know similar stories. And I also know the stories of Indians who joined the military to escape the dysfunctions of the rez.
My mother in law (deceased-see ‘Opposed to September’), was head librarian at Navajo CC now Diné College; much evidence witnessed on visits of that heartfelt patriotic (before this word sucked into Satan’s anal regions) fervor.
The other thing to remember is that Native Americans hold political positions all across the political spectrum—from far left to far right. But the public image of Natives—generated by the Native left and promoted by the white left—is that Indians are uniformly of the leftist activist class. That's not even remotely true. I'm by far the most left of my extended family and I'm greatly outnumbered by my conservative kin.
One of the last surviving NM Code Talkers recently passed. So many New Mexican Pueblos have taken heavy losses to the too many wars.
New Mexico it would seem to me, should be a place where Native Americans calling this place home, could feel safe and fairly treated. Sadly, not so. A Better life here than Florida (Seminoles are not just the FSU football team.) for sure, however they are not treated well in ER’s (witnessed), by state and local LEO’s, or media (unless touristy).
This bar tale takes me straight back into INDIAN KILLER.
Your phrase ‘ambiguously ethnic dude’ gave me pause for lol’ing; also recalling SNL’s
‘ambiguously gay duo’, Batman and Robin.
When it comes to Native death in war, we must remember that Natives volunteer for military service in incredibly disproportionate numbers. As this essay points out, Natives are incredibly patriotic. The United States flag is honored at powwows alongside the eagle staff.
Wow
Such a great glimpse! So full of intentions gone bad. Can’t let go of the irony of the role of alcohol in this story!
Thank you, Dee.
It’s been a few years since I’ve read some of your work, but my goodness, what a fun and refreshing way to dive back in. It’s so neat to see you here on Substack. Thank you for the fun story and for the laughs!
Thank you, Justin. I'm happy you found my Substack.
Haha! This is fabulous. Thanks for the laugh and the think.
Thank you!
this is such a great piece!!
Thank you!
Jesus! You always just break my heart, Mr Alexie. And I always come back for more. Thank you for excellence in every way.
( I can't tell you how often I hear that haunting question in my head, "Hey Victor -- what about your dad?" My little life is summed up in that question.)
Thank you, Sharron. It's always amazing, flattering, and mystifying how a line of dialogue that I wrote 27 years ago can hold such lasting meaning for people.
I dare say it is why we read.... and why we write.
Hilarious and yet troubling. Reminds me of similar, though deadly serious, scenes in Silko’s Ceremony.
That is a great novel.
Great story!
Thank you!
I. Love. This. I wanted to punch all the crackers from the word go, honestly. Get outta here with that white boy far left ‘anti racist’ hoopla. I love the irony in this piece. Also reminds me of my wild hitchhiking days. I remember one time hopping a freight train from Portland to Tacoma Washington. Once there I got a bus to Seattle. I walked down and sat in the very back. There was a dark-skinned Native American guy across from me. We caught eyes, smiled, and soon we were sitting side by side, taking secret pulls out the tall boys of beer we’d both hidden in our packs. He told me stories about his life all the way to Seattle. Once there I bumped into a guy who gave me acid...but that’s another story for another time.
The Black Snake of Wounded Vanity
https://blacksnakeofvanity.substack.com/
My heavy drinking days coincided with my introduction to contemporary poetry and fiction. It was a self-destructive and glorious time.
"self destructive and glorious." Yes. Very well stated.
Based on what I've read of yours, I think you've also been in that place at various points in your life, yes?
Oh yeah. Big time.
This is the most enjoyable post I have read so far in 2023.
Wow, thank you!
As a man born in central Minnesota where three major ecosystems come together, my blood like the waters here (and a friend of Jay Rollins how I found my way here), I think America could use more Native American Studies like this.
Amen!!!
Thanks!