Another thing is, people lose perspective. It is a cultural trait in America to think in terms of very short time periods. My advice is: learn history. Take responsibility for history. Recognise that sometimes things take a long time to change. If you look at your history in this country, you find that for most rights, people had to struggle. People in this era forget that and quite often think they are entitled, and are weary of struggling over any period of time
Winona LaDukePost office closures in the Dakotas and Minnesota will impact many communitiesโ but the White Earth reservation villagesโ and other tribal towns of Squaw Lakeโ Ponemahโ Brookston in Minnesotaโ and Mandersonโ Wounded Knee and Wakpala (South Dakota) as well as Mandaree in North Dakota will mean hardships for a largely Native community.
Winona LaDukePower is not brute force and money; power is in your spirit. Power is in your soul. It is what your ancestors, your old people gave you. Power is in the earth; it is in your relationship to the earth.
Winona LaDukeWhat we all need to do is find the wellspring that keeps us going, that gives us the strength and patience to keep up this struggle for a long time.
Winona LaDukeIt's time to respect the treaties our ancestors signed and care for our land, water, and cultures so that they remain healthy for our future generations.
Winona LaDukeOne of our people in the Native community said the difference between white people and Indians is that Indian people know they are oppressed but donโt feel powerless. White people donโt feel oppressed, but feel powerless. Deconstruct that disempowerment. Part of the mythology that theyโve been teaching you is that you have no power. Power is not brute force and money; power is in your spirit. Power is in your soul. It is what your ancestors, your old people gave you. Power is in the earth; it is in your relationship to the earth.
Winona LaDuke