Word Smith: Indian Summer
It is impossible to be politically correct, respectful and honest all of the time. No matter what you say today, it seems, someone will hate you or be thoroughly offended by what you say. No one is satisfied with partial answers. However, partial answers, if meant to reveal deeper truths, are better than misinformation and lies.
Below are some pictures of great and small Native American Indians, indigenous plants, and cultural traditions. All of the images were collected from the internet, from publicly available sources. For thousands of years the ancestors of the Native tribes were living in what is now called American. They were here, living with the land, long before any of the pale-faced Caucasians arrived on the continent.
The pictures below are NOT posted as social commentary, but rather for thoughtful reflection and introspection …
Indian Summer
“Pictures are worth a thousand words … ”
Question: Is that Indian with a Dot or a Feather?
Answer: Feather
Answer: Dot
More Expressions with Distinctive American Indian Focus
Indian Summer
Indian Princess
Indian Giver
Indian Paintbrush
Indian Spirit
Indian Guide
Indian Apolis
Indian Taco (Fry Bread)
Indian Chief
Cowboys & Indians
Indian Horseman
Indian Family Portrait
Indian Bride
Indian Brave
Indian Reservation
Indian Tea
Indian Pueblo
Indian Athlete
Indian Ceremonials
Indian Papoose
Indian Mother
Indian Headdress
Indian Corn
Indian War Paint
Indian Peace Maker
Indian Motorcycle
Indian Corn Silo
Indian Petroglyphs
Indian Runner
Indian Cliff Dwelling
Indian Kiva
Indian Village
Indians Posing
Indian Pottery
Indian Warrior
Indian Storyteller
Indian Dancers
Indian Eagle Dancer
Indian Kachina
Indian Parade
Indian School
Indian Drum
Indian Moccasin
Indian Ruins
Indian Games
Indian Trading Post
Indian Peace Pipe
Indian Blanket
Indian Pow-wow
Indian Silversmith
Indian Sandpainting
Indian Medicine Man
Indian Statue
Indian Friends
The professor, Robin Wall Kimmerer, is an enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi. On the notion of Indian Giving she explains: “the expression … derives from a fascinating cross-cultural misinterpretation between an Indigenous culture operating in a gift economy and a colonial culture predicated on the concept of private property. When gifts were given to the settlers by the Native inhabitants, the recipients understood that they were valuable and were intended to be retained. Giving them away would have been an affront. But the Indigenous people understood the value of the gift to be based on reciprocity and would be affronted if the gifts did not circulate back to them. Many of our ancient teachings counsel that whatever we have been given is supposed to be given away again.”
(from Kimmerer’s Braiding Sweetgrass)
Henry E. Hooper 