The map is hard to read, but it shows that my Dakota and Ho-Chunk ancestors lived in these lands.  There is no doubt about it.  We know this from oral tradition, and we can also learn about it from maps rendered by the Europeans who migrated here. 

Every now and then I am stunned, literally stopped in my tracks about some things.  For instance, my son's school, Century High School, ISD 535.  There are dishonorable men at this school.  They lied to my son and to me and to my husband.  They are not living up to their charge relative to his 504 plan/law.  One man is twisting the law so that the school will not have to do anything to equal the playing field for my son so he can participate in extra curricular activities.  Last season, they invited him to  play up a level, but didn't tell him that there were two practice times each day.  He only attended the afternoon session.  After two days of this, Coach Houghton called our house to say that my son never showed up for practice.  This was not true.  My husband, along with my son, spoke to Coach Drew because Coach Houghton was busy.  My husband said that our son has ADD and he often misses general announcements, it would help if you just check with him to see that he understands your expectations of him.  Coach Drew said yes.  My husband then said Coach Houghton called our home and said our son missed practice, he didn't.  He didn't understand that there were morning and afternoon practices.  Coach Drew said no problem,  he saw our son at practice and he would talk to Coach Houghton.  Later, in a serious meeting, wherein I stated that my son was being held to a higher or different standard than that of his peers, after more inconsistencies by these men, Coach Drew recanted his story and Couch Houghton prevailed; our son never attended JV practice.  My son was hurt.  I was mad and my husband was in disbelief that grown men would lie. 

Since my son has his heart set on being a Century Panther, I attempted to have 504 accommodations added to his plan that specifically addresses extra curricular activities.  The school would not budge.  NO they wouldn't add anything.  Why?  Ms. Molly Murphy said, "What will you do if we don't live up to the accommodations?"  I would call Ms. Strabala-Backus, my son's advisor and we would discuss how we can improve upon the accommodations or change some things.  Again, Ms. Murphy, "We know you still have some animosity from last soccer season, so I am asking you, what will you do if we do not live up to the accommodations?"  Oh, I get it!  The school is afraid that we might sue them.  Ah, I understand.  "We would sue, naturally.  That is all we care about.  We don't care about our son.  We just want to sue you. Honestly!  Is that what you are afraid of?  Is that why you won't add any accommodations so that he can have an equal opportunity to play sports to the best of his ability?"  Ms. Murphy, "I resent that!" 

Oh really? You're offended, how do you think we feel?

After another serious meeting, the principal wants it understood that if we play ball that there will be no suing.  My husband said, "You can not take away our due process, however we would like to work together so that my son can participate in extra curricular activities.  Confident of their position to thwart our efforts, the school district pulls out an expert on IEP and 504 plans, I think from their lower torso, because he was not very knowledgeable at all.  He didn't know that 504 plans are to be written by the school for the student to show what the school will do to level the playing field for my son.  You know what they get federal dollars for?  No, he said that he had 11 years of experience working with 504 plans and nothing would be added that would address my son's ADD.  No they would not add any accommodations that had an adult tell my son directly, changes that were made to the practice times, event line ups that directly involved him.  Uh, that is what happened before and look where it got us.  No, just tell the coach that he has  ADD and he will respond. 

Uh, no, that is what we did last time and he ended up lying.  Hello?

They sent a revised 504 plan using some of our suggestions, but omitting the school's responsibility in the plan.  Instead it spoke of things we can do as parents, things my son could do as a student, but nothing the school would do.  SAD.

I contacted the MDE compliance office and Adele was in total agreement with my take on 504 plans, and she spoke with Mr. Bakken from the lower torso of ISD 535, and he did not heed her advice.  SAD. 

Now it is on to the MDE-OCR.  Complaint has been filed.  Oh, and what is our resolution to this whole affair?  Is it money like the mighty Europeans thought?  No, it is that Century High School will add accommodations so that my son can play sports; Century will sponsor an information night for parents of students with IEP and 504 plans who want to participate in extra curricular activities; and lastly, that the school district will be required to view two presentations on system racism and persons with disabilities.

My ancestors roamed this lands freely.  They skirmished with other tribes at times, but there was honor, at least on our part, even with other tribes.   It is sad to see that these lands, my land, at least according to Corbell, are in the hands of so many dishonorable European people and they still see fit to treat us with little dignity.  To think that we will accept their rule of law or at least their interpretation of the law, which is twisted in their favor, and give up our due process, as long as they toss a few crumbs our way. 

I don't think so!

My gram, a full blooded Dakota woman who was exiled to Crow Creek and then to Niobrara and then to Santee, always told me that I was just as good as any white person, and I was no better than anyone else.  Be good.  Be honest.  Don't be afraid of hard work and don't let anybody push you around.  Don't fight.  Test their laws that they are so fond of and see where it gets you first.  Don't ever give up.  These were your lands first!

Amen, Gram.

My Choka did what he could to negotiate terms with Europeans, but when they were "crooked" as my grandparents would say, my Choka let my Gram take it from there.  She spouted off the law and was not afraid to speak her mind.

Thank you for your example!

I think GOM would be no different.  She was a  Peace Chief, but she was tough!  She did what she could for her people and so will I.  My people are my family and I will do what I must.

A descendant of Glory of the Morning, Vera DeCora Kingbird, my mother.  Father Henry Decorah and Edna Rave and Marie Edith Crow.  

I often wonder what our ancestors must think about the powwows of today.  I am sure that they revel in the fact that we can all gather together and visit, that we can compete or skirmish one another, and that so many people native and non-native come to see the gathering.  Yet, I can't help but wonder what they would think about the prize money. Scoffing at the same old winners, same old judges, all in beautiful regalia, powwows are all about the money, I said, "Powwows today seem to be all about the prize money.  You don't see hundreds of dancers at a traditional powwow."  Irritated with my comment, my mother said, "There are a lot of people out there who don't work, who can't get jobs.  They have degrees and everything.  There is a pharmacist out there, dancing.  You shouldn't say anything, if you don't know how it is for them!"  Not giving up, I countered with, "Do the same people have to win all the time? How is that helping the many people out there that are out of a job?"

When I was a young girl, I traveled to many powwows with my grandparents.  We went to Tama, Sisseton, Winnebago, Lake Andes, Crow Fair, Des Moines, Sioux City, Black River Falls and so on.  The reservations gave all the people breakfast, lunch and supper.  I still remember the old melmac powwow dishes that we used.  There was well water for everyone and a place to camp, no fee, with an electrical hook-up if you wanted it.  The MC wasn't crude or vulgar.  They talked and talked all day, telling of the news in Indian Country or telling clean jokes.  They would visit with people on the mic, announce who was here and where they came from.  We had contest dances that would NOT monopolize the entire powwow because we had the green corn dance, the snake dance, and others that helped us young ones learn how to do these time honored dances.  There were give aways to honor someone, a princess contests, and other special dances.  At the end of it all, if you didn't place in the contest, the hosting tribe would give you #100 pounds of potatoes or some money to get home on.  Now that was classy.

Little golf carts to transport you to and from your car is nice, but giving everyone something so they don't go away feeling bad or have a little money to get home on...well, that was classy.

Black River Falls, when they have a traditional powwow, well that is as close to the old ways as I can remember.  They feed you, sing the thank you song after every meal.  Someone is always feeding someone or honoring someone for something.  Water and electricity are there for anyone to use.  They have social dances and it almost makes me cry when I see the young ones trailing behind the long line of dancers.  They are teaching them the ways.  Once they had the gourd dance.  I remember doing that as a kid.  An older woman handed me a gourd and boy did I scrub.  I passed it off to another kid, but the older woman took it from me.  I guess it was up to her to decide who was going to dance.  BRF always had a round dance too.  Now that is old time.

I would say that GOM would enjoy the big gatherings, the contests, the magnificent over the top regalia, but she would insist that everyone learn the dances and go home with a little something to help them along their way too.  I am grateful that BRF, the Ho-Chunks have not forgotten the old ways.  Pinagigi!