The Journey...

I went to a museum today. It traced the history of South Dakota from prehistoric times to the present. There was a display of the varied rock formations that can be seen in the area. Prehistoric fossils, stories of the earliest natives, settlers and their hardships, etc.

It was fascinating. I was most attracted to the displays of the Plains Indians. There were artifacts of all sorts, including some of the most intricate bead work and quill-decorated clothing items. There was a tipi with a hologram of an elderly woman talking about the ways of the natives.

Other displays showed the progress of the white settlers in the area. Clothing, hats, guns, and other things that were important to the settling of America were on display. There was a lot of information about Custer and the Battle of the Little Big Horn. 

Interestingly, there was a story blanket done by Sitting Bull's nephew, depicting the battle from the Native American point of view. Regardless of one's view, it was a tragic incident among many tragic incidents.

And there was a huge painting depicting the doctrine of Manifest Destiny view link . In it, a woman, representing America, holding a school book and floating above the scene, is overseeing the settling of native lands. Homes and railroads and telegraph poles and fences and livestock replacing open spaces, and bison, and tipis, and the old ways.

The museum is called “The Journey” and I felt like I went on one. A journey through the past, as seen and recorded by those historical people who lived it. In one room, there was a statement that stopped me in my tracks.

I had to go over to the children's table and “borrow” a piece of paper and a purple crayon: I wanted to remember what I read. And here it is, for you to read, too:

The Wicoti

We lived a balanced life. For us, it was a time for providing for our families. We hunted the buffalo and other animal relatives who gave themselves to us for food.

We engaged in our sacred ceremonies to renew the cycle of the days, the moons, the seasons, and the energy of the universe.

We made alliances with our surrounding nations, and at times engaged in conflicts with the Kiowa, the Pawnee, the Crow, and others over territory, over horses, or our honor.

Our men were protectors of the people. Our women were the centers of our families and lodges. They reminded us of our values and our honor, beautifying our clothing and our lodges.

Our strengths were our own, and our errors were of our own making. We lived our testimonial:

MITAKUYE OYASIN.....we are all related.