(1) My father did not love my mother and why he married her I do not know? She had 2 strikes against her, she was Native American and she was a woman. I'll give you 2 examples of my Father's racism. My husband is part Polish so my father proceeded to tell him he was basically a white nigger. My brother married a Mexican woman and my father refused to acknowledge her. My father's family never adjusted to my Mom...EVER. Interestingly enough when you ask my father where his family is from he refuses to answer though I know, he is Black Dutch and part Cherokee. How is that for irony?

I believe love is never having to say you're sorry, just joking. I believe love is understanding everyone has faults and loving them regardless. "To err is human, to forgive, divine."

(2) You have to understand that being Native American when my Mother was growing up was not a popular thing to be. They did not live on the reservation and tried to pass as white so they did not speak the language and on another note their language was basically taken from them along with their Gods. Read about the Indian wars. Also, my father refused to take us around that side of the family so our only Native American influence was from our Mother and that was pretty limited.

When my children were in middle school one of their assignments was to explain their heritage and make a family tree. You should have seen their faces when I started telling them about my Mom's side of the family. I have taught my children they should never be ashamed of who they are and that they have some interesting blood running through their veins.

I absolutely believe all cultures should be kept alive. Native Americans are a big part of Americana and her history, our own Constitution is based on many of their teachings. Some cultures honor their ancestors and I believe Americans should too.

When minority cultures are discriminated against because of who they are or where they come from it only stands to reason they would honor and be proud their heritage because that is their only identity.

We keep our history alive by speaking about it.

SG