Welcome to the Rez...A Pictorial

I want to begin the first of my series of peoples around the globe who are in need, starting in our own country. Our Original People, the American Indian. Invisible to nearly every person living in the United States, unless you live on a Rez, or you are an activist for the rights of American Indians.

Tonight I shall let the pictures tell their own story and with any luck within the next few day I shall write a story to go with the pictures of what I know of Reservations (for I was an activist at one time) across our nation...our hidden people...OUR ORIGINAL PEOPLES...Please just look and ponder. I have also attached one link at the end that has a map of all the Reservations in the United States, 304...! There will also be a link to a youtube video of American Indian Activist & Actor, Russell Means. He is incredible. He will E-D-U-C-A-T-E you about the facts, if you can watch an hour plus video. I highly recommend...Here are just a few pictures of Reservations across the United States...

Brother, you say there is but one way to worship and serve the Great Spirit. If there is but one religion, why do you white people differ so much about it? Why not all agreed, as you can all read the Book? ~Sogoyewapha, "Red Jacket" - Senaca~

"Lose your temper and you lose a friend; lie and you lose yourself."

~Hopi ~

"We who are clay blended by the Master Potter, come from the kiln of Creation in many hues. How can people say one skin is colored, when each has its own coloration? What should it matter that one bowl is dark and the other pale, if each is of good design and serves its purpose well." ~Polingaysi Qoyawayma, Hopi ~

The American Indian is of the soil, whether it be the region of forests, plains, pueblos, or mesas. He fits into the landscape, for the hand that fashioned the continent also fashioned the man for his surroundings. He once grew as naturally as the wild sunflowers, he belongs just as the buffalo belonged....
Out of the Indian approach to life there came a great freedom, an intense and absorbing respect for life, enriching faith in a Supreme Power, and principles of truth, honesty, generosity, equity, and brotherhood as a guide to mundane relations.
You have noticed that everything an Indian does is in a circle, and that is because the Power of the World always works in circles, and everything tries to be round..... The Sky is round, and I have heard that the earth is round like a ball, and so are all the stars. The wind, in its greatest power, whirls. Birds make their nest in circles, for theirs is the same religion as ours....
Even the seasons form a great circle in their changing, and always come back again to where they were. The life of a man is a circle from childhood to childhood, and so it is in everything where power moves.
 
-Black Elk (Oglala) 1863-1950

Quotes courtesy of angelfire.com

Russell Means Youtube Video: WATCH THIS, I PROMISE YOU WILL LEARN A GREAT DEAL, AND YOU WILL BE SHOCKED AND AMAZED AT WHAT THIS WELL SPOKEN AND WELL EDUCATED MAN HAS TO SAY..PAZ

http://youtu.be/-LA-S64QY3o

Musical Selection:

Oldest Indian Tribal Song

http://youtu.be/5keuovs2NVM

Until we all meet again I send all of my love from my heart. Always, Maria

Maria Juarez Beam   I also recommend a movie "Smoke Signals":     PAZ Y AMOR...

http://www.republicoflakotah.com/2008/usa-indian-reservations/