Welcome to the Sweat Gazette Fall 1998 issue

Taking Lessons From Bugs By Josephine Fire Lame Deer

It is important that people learn about how things take time. We live in a world where we have come to expect instant everything. "Just add water", and we think we should get real mashed potatoes. It just isn't like that. not if what you want is real.

It is so sad. Nobody believes in washing and peeling the potatoes. Nobody wants to take the time and boil them. Nobody wants to take the time to mash them up and put in all the butter, milk and love. We don't put all the wonderful things into our potatoes... or our lives anymore. We want to be able to "just add water".

I see a lot of people going through things with their egos. They move through life in this way. It is common to want to save time and cut corners.

They want to leave out steps that are important to creating the balanced life. they think they are the exception. They think they do not need to follow the steps.

As an example, I have had people come to me and ask if they can run
lodges. These are often good people. I can see that it may be possible for them
to follow this dream. However, before they can run lodges in a good way, there are many steps they must take. One of the most important things I tell them is; that it will take at least four years before they will be ready. It may take even longer. I have seen it. There have been people who have waited sixteen years before it was time for them to run their first lodge.

Those who have come to me motivated by their ego do not want to hear this. They will go someplace where they get the bucket in a week. There is nothing

for me to do. I do not wish anything bad for these people. I do hope that through pouring water they learn good things. I am concerned that in going so fast they may stumble very hard.

I have seen people decide they are going to run down the RED ROAD.
They charge full speed ahead. They hit the dirt. They bite the dust hard. The injuries they receive to body, mind and spirit may be powerful. Some of those folks just leave the RED ROAD. They think it is just not the way for them. Instead of learning the real lesson, which is:
DON'T RUN ! ! !

It is like my grammas used to tell me, "take lessons from bugs". The grammas told me to try and be more like a bug. We need to learn ot walk as slowly as possible. We need to take the time to savor every tender blade of grass and every delicate bloom placed on the breast of our Mother the Earth. It is the journey, not the destination.

Some people think they are trying to sincerely do a good thing. The problem is, they do not want to take the time to learn all the needed lessons along the way. They want to be able to do good, but they would rather do a little good now than wait and learn. If they would wait, the potential for doing even greater good is present. When they rush, the potential for hurting themselves and others increase. Sadly, the only reason to rush is the ego.

Do they think they are deserving of more respect because they lead a lodge? No! Are they special because they are a Sundancer or they carry a pipe? No! All these things bring more responsibility but not instant respect. I was raised to believe that you do not demand respect. You do not expect respect. Change your focus. You need to respect all people and all things; then respect will come to you.

If you come to me and ask if you can run lodge, Sundance, carry a pipe, go on vision quest, because you think it will give you more respect, you have come for the wrong reason.

Most of us have some kind of wound that mom or dad left on us when we were little ones. I have to be gentle with them. Perhaps it is the little one still inside demanding recognition and respect. I tell them stories they can relate to themselves. I give them baby steps to take.

So, if because of your wounds and your ego you have been acting like an elephant barreling through the Savannah, you may have done a lot of damage. You have stepped on a whole lot of bugs. You have missed a whole lot of things... lessons... along the way. It is true, in your big fat elephant world you have a lot. How much more you would have if you chose to live like a bug.

So, you ran someplace where you were allowed to pour water in one week. You may have done some good for people. You may have learned many things. However, how much more good could come through you had you followed all the steps before running lodge. Your lodges may have hurt people. People may still be hurt.

It is not too late. If a person comes to me after trying to go too fast, we will start again. I will help them not to step on anyone with their big elephant toes.
I will help them ot be like little bugs. I will share with them the path to see, taste, touch, and feel what is needed. Creator always forgives a person who is truly repentant.

When they come again and say, "Okay, this time I will follow the steps." They have not said these words to me. They have said these words to the Creator. I am the one listening to them, but the words have reached the Grandfather's ears. Now we begin.

Do not be ashamed to be little and weak. It is how we all start. Just
because the body has grown big, do not think the emotions, mind and spirit have followed. Recognize, as children of the Creator, we have multiple levels needing nurturing to grow. Seek each day to walk in a good way...
Slowly... on the RED ROAD.

Written by Joey edited Kreshia

press button to play

Proposition 5
The Indian Self Reliance
Initiative

By Corine GreenSky

On November 3, 1998 California will decide the fate of California Indian casinos and more importantly Indian Sovereignty.

Since 1988 Indian casinos in California and over 20 other states have provided many tribes with jobs that take Indians off public assistance. The revenues provide decent housing, clean water supplies, better education and health care for the people. California Indian gaming provides more than 15,000 jobs to both Indians and non-indians. More than 30,000 jobs are supported by Indian gaming in California communities around the state. Indian casinos have created a bit of controversy in our community, but no on can argue that it has helped Indian people on the road to economic recovery and self reliance.

Now. the Big Nevada casinos and Governor Wilson are working to take over the gaming occurring at numerous locations on California Tribal lands. This proposal is called the Wilson/Pala act. If this proposal passes, it would be devastating for the Indians of California, severely damaging the economy of the communities where Indian casinos are located. Perhaps most important of all:
It would challenge Indian Sovereignty ! !

The Wilson/Pala Compact would limit tribes to using a single electronic gaming system that is not even available at this time. It would also limit the number of machines each tribe could have to use. It would prohibit the Tribes form keeping the video gaming machines they already have in use. This would take away up to 3/4 of the revenues California Tribes currently receive from Indian gaming, drastically reducing funds available for health, education and housing. Many jobs would be lost and many casinos would be shut down.

The alternative to this proposal is PROPOSITION 5. It is called the Indian self-reliance Initiative. Over 75 California Indian Tribes are in coalition against the Wilson/Pala Compact. Prop 5 allows California tribes to keep the types of gaming they currently have running. This will save nearly 50,000 jobs and share of the cash benefits of gaming with all Californians.

Prop 5 will:

Limit gaming to tribal lands and allow other tribes to have

limited casinos with gaming terminals.

Share revenues with non-gaming tribes to support housing,
education, healthcare and economic development programs.

     Dedicate a portion of the net revenues to support emergency
            medical service for all Californians concentrating on regions
            where Indian casinos are located.

Place into law new regulatory health/safety standards for
casinos.

Protect taxpayers by requiring Tribes with casinos to reimburse
the state for regulatory costs.

Too many times in the past big special interest groups and the government have used their power to take away the land, resources, and rights of our people. Now as we empower ourselves with economic growth and self-reliance, we are having to scramble once more to save what little we have created. Proposition 5 is pivotal. A natural consequence would be the challenging and possibly defeating what is left of our sovereignty. If there ever was a time to vote... it is now.

For more information contact Californians for Indian self-reliance at:

P O Box 252039 L.A., California 90025-8928