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I grew up in South
Dakota, and went to school there most of my young life. In the
late 60’s and 70’s going to school in the Dakotas was an
experience, especially if you got into History. Almost every week
we had a field trip into the Bad Lands or to one of the
Reservations. Wounded Knee was my favorite by far. As a young teen
pictures were the hit. My mother was and is a big fan of the
Native Americans as well, so I guess I have been around the Native
Americans for a very long time. My only regret is that, I wished I
had paid more attention to my surroundings.
In the late 70’s my father retired from the
Air Force and we moved to Idaho. My father loved the out doors and
thought the hunting and fishing would be better. I didn't
understand at the time but that is what he wanted. I always felt
the hunting and fishing were equal in the Dakotas. I guess father
knows best.
I grew to love and appreciate Idaho. There is
just as much History here as in the Dakotas.
In the late 70’s I met my husband who is
one half Native American. Around the early 80’s I was working
as a bar-back in Caldwell. And there I met a man who was having a
few and doodling on a drawing tablet. So I began talking with him
as I was doing some clean-up work, we talked about art mostly and
he gave me a few pointers on drawing. Trees. I will never forget
that, still use that same technique today when I draw.
I was facstinated by the way he was drawing.
Upside down. He was drawing and telling me how he was able
to do so, and gave me three pictures. Waterflower is his name and
he claims to be a Great Grandson of the Great Nay+Pair+Say Indian
Chief Joseph. I never saw him after that. I would very much like
to see this man again and talk with him more. This time I would
like to hear his stories. I would like to be able to tell them to
others, as I'm sure he does. As I have heard stories from others
and their encounters and they have found there vision and purpose
in life. I find that my visions are to be a Story Teller and
Teacher, this is what the Great Mystery has been telling me all my
life. When I look back I can see my path. It was a lesson, a hard
lesson that I learned well, now I use my past as a story to teach. |