The Native Americans.

Not Indians.

I want to start off by saying I was born and raised in Southern Africa, Rhodesia to be precise, ( now Zimbabwe) and also went through high school in KwaZuluNatal, South Africa. Then my life changed and I emigrated to the United States of America in 1980, and settled in Northern California, first in the San Francisco Bay Area, and them moved into the Sierra Nevada mountains near Sacramento. The reason I mention Africa is because my heart and soul is still in Africa, with all the iconic tribes that I remember so well, Zulu, Batonka, Ndebele, Khoisan (Bushman) , Xhosa, Himba. But I just realized that I was 20 years old when I came here to California, and I’m now 66. I’ve spent more time in America than in Africa, and the Native American tribes are just as iconic and identifiable here than the African tribes I lived with. Now I attend Native American pow wows and events and sell beads to the craftsmen with which they make their dance regalia And jewelry. My wife Jme has native blood running through her veins, as does my son and grandson, so I am immersed in the tribal culture. The native Americans are so welcoming and gracious, historically and presently, even though they have been persecuted genocidely yet they allow me to come in with open arms. Like the elders tell me, it’s my attitude towards them that make me a welcome member of their society, not my blood. I’ve been all over Northern California, in Yosemite, where the Miwok live, and lived in Jackson and Pine Grove, also their traditional areas.

And I live in Browns Valley where the Maidu tribe lives.

I have traveled extensively through Arizona and New Mexico, where the Navajo, Hopi, and Apache live.also Utah, where the Ute live.

I’ve been to their reservations, trading posts, eaten their foods, (Indian tacos, mmm), bought and wear their jewelry and collected their artwork - Kachinas, blankets, trinkets. I’ve learnt some of their language. My favorite movie is “dances with wolves`”`~by Kevin Costner. I love their culture, it is icon.

And they aren’t Indians, they are Native Americans, as they like to say at every chance they can. By attending the local pow wows, I am learning all about then, not just the local tribes, the Maidu and the Miwok, but the Apache, Navajo, Comanche and the Cherokee. Through my wife, I’m learning about the Obijwe and Chipewa, who live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and Canada. In Canada Native Americans are known as the first people.

Through my grandson, we are both learning about the Aztec nation who come from Southern Mexico.

All these tribes, or nations, come to the pow wows we attend, to dance, and strengthen their community ties with each other, and educate each other , especially the children. And they are open to admitting outsiders into their society, like me. All it takes is a positive attitude, respect and love.

Their acceptance of outsiders is well know, for example where escaped negro slaves were taken in by Native Americans and they became members of that tribe, or captured white settlers who became members of the tribe, especially children. Blood lines are not important.

So after 45 years, my heart and soul is with the Native American nations I live amongst. The African tribes are fading in my memory, a fond memory, but the nations of the tribes here in the U.S. are now a part of my life .