"Sharing One Skin": Jeannette Armstrong

In the article, “Sharing One Skin” by Jeanette Armstrong, is telling the beliefs of the Okanagan people. Many of these beliefs are much like the ones we have in our own Pueblos. They see their land as their own bodies, and always know how to treat it with respect. Everything on the Earth has a reason for it’s being. Traditional teachings are what makes them, them. Armstrong explains some of their beliefs, like the one about “People without hearts”. Many Pueblos have the same saying, and just to always be mindful of how you treat someone, because you never know someone’s true intentions. Lastly, the Earth and land means everything to the Okanagan people. They view everything on Earth as useful, a way to survive, and their own way of life. “A fire that is not controlled can destroy” is really an outstanding quote to what this whole article is about. This quote explains how once someone starts overthinking, we can not stop until something else crosses our minds. If overthinking does not stop, we tend to take our minds some place else and it may cause the situation to be even bigger than it should be otherwise it will just stay in the back of our minds. 

High Country News: "How place names impact the way we see landscape": B. Toastie

Memories and stories are connected to our land as described by B.Toastie in the article, “How place names impact the way we see landscape.”, gives us a good example of our certain sacred places, and the way they get their names based off of events that took place there. Names impact the way we see the landscape is always behind the story and how they were created. Our Ancestors left many stories, teachings, and knowledge in every sacred place. Memories are stories that can be passed down if told right. Nothing can ever go unheard of, because nothing is ever kept to anyone, it will always be around, acknowledged or not. “The stories provide a sense of belonging.” This quote stood out the most because now there is confirmation that everything really does have a purpose. 

"And then I went to school": Joe Suina

The short story, “And I went to school” by Joe Suina tells a story about his own experience with going to school, and what came out of it. At first Suina felt comfort in being with family, attending traditional events, and just being a kid. Later on, Suina explains the “Whitemen” ways and how it took some time getting used to. Suina started adapting to the ways of the white men, started learning more and more English, stopped participating, even started being embarrassed of his own lifestyle. At the end, Suina understood that everything was changing. He just wanted to be home and to be back with family, but was still encouraged to attend school to get a better education and a better life in the future. “I realized that life would never be the same” played a big role in this story, because in reality, nothing is ever meant to stay the same, things change, and life goes on. 

My connection to this topic is that I have family who have experienced being homeless and that has given me an up close and personal connection with them and their story. With my connection, and knowledge of those family members, it had nothing to do with drugs and alcohol in the beginning. With their time out there, in end of it, that is what they turned to because they felt like they didn’t have any family who cared. These family members were pushed away from their own siblings, were disowned by their immediate families, or either fell into something they shouldn’t have. Personally my mom’s side of the family have always treated/cared for these certain family members. 

Another reason for my interest in this topic is because no matter what, I was always taught to see them as people and nothing less. My family always taught me to care for everyone, and to help out every once in awhile. They’re just in a situation that is just a bump in the road, and to always pray that they come out of it and get well soon, sick or not, or just in general to stay safe.