With that, I will begin to express something I strongly believe
in, and that is "Freedom of Expression", and to me, that is
everyone's afforded constitutional right and although at times
there is some effort to control our Freedom and Rights, the
people still maintain that right to voice their concern and or
expression on various matter's or issues, politicial, civil
or just regarding every day activities.

Historically, Indian people were deprived of the right to voice
their concern surrounding their treaty issues, mainly due to
the fact that at one point in time, not many of our ancestor's
were able to speak English or understand much of anything about
just what the treaties were actually all about, which lead to a
lot of land being stolen through gradual encroachment and other
so-called legal acts of oppression.

As soon as Indian people began to develop some form of educational
respect, of learning to read and write, it then became very obvious
that in fact they had not been told the entire truth of issues
surrounding their treaties and today, the battle to retain their
Sovereign Treaty Right's, is an on-going battle.

I am a Sun Dancer, and yearly I make my trip over to the Cheyenne
River Sioux Reservation for the Sun Dance and within this unique
and sacred ceremony, I find that much of what I have achieved in
modern technology/society, has no value or place and quietly, I
learn through the ancient customs and beliefs of a people, that
if in fact any of our ancestors had not spoke up or decided to
express their concerns and interest, that much of the Indian
Culture and Beliefs would have been lost forever.

True, the preservation and protection of our ancient customs and
beliefs cost our ancestor's dearly, and through beatings, torture
and even murder, our ancestors endured, so that we, our ancestors'
future generations, would have a heritage, a culture and our
sacred ceremonies, and in that we, the descendants of our ancestor's
must make the same sacrifice for our next generation of people,
if they too are to be afforded the same right's to have and carry
on the ancient customs and beliefs of our people.

We can no longer just be the "Silent Minority", but be a people
like our ancestors, who spoke with their heart, soul and mind.
For within the confines of our spirit, lies the soul of our
ancestors who gave of their selves so that we may be able to
carry on a way of life that has a value greater than all of
the so-called desired wealth in the world.

True, we may not have a piece of paper that states how intelligent
we are, nor do many us have years and years of edcuation, nor
do many of us boast that our ways, means and objectives are always
right, because when we speak, we speak with our heart, with our
soul and with our mind, but always, we talk from within our heart.

Wait. Wait and watch, the good will come. Be patient. Simple truth,
a truth that has been a value of our people for a very long time,
but what I am stating here, is that such patience is good, and
very strong, there is a time that we can speak our peace. There
is a time that we can promote our heart to where such words are
indeed a reflection of times gone by. Times of a people, who did
what they could to save a rich and valuable way of life for us,
their descendants.

In these modern times, yes, there are so many available activites
that need our attention, and all the while, debates, racism and
other issues are becoming faded, and are slowly passing away, and
no effort being arrived at to assist any manner of trying to
freely express opposition or agreement, simply because it is ever
so much easier to sit, read and watch.

Flaming, degrading, defamation of character, slander, all have
their place, however, if that is all that one thinks they need
to do, to rock the boat, then their time is of no value, for
such activity can not out weigh what is in the heart, and there
are many people whose hearts are ever so strong, whose hearts
are filled with life and respect.

I suspect, that many people find it far easier to sit and watch
others make some effort to address various issues, and maybe that
is easy, and maybe it will save us from making a foolish remark,
or writing a statement that has no value, only if we find
such expression foolish or of no value, then it is us that is
leaving the door open for people to walk in and on us, but if we
reach into our hearts, and learn from self respect, then our
expression will gain a freedom and our rights will be guarded
by a value greater then words and that will be that in which
comes from the heart, and it is called life.

I thank this list for allowing me to voice my concerns and
interest, and although I am not always right, I would hope that
together we can share in our values to make that in which is
wrong, right.

(c) Larry Kibbey - December 1998