traditions of assimilation...

[Heather Souter]

Kihchi-marsii pur uuma!  Ni-nishtuuhteen.
Thank-you for this!  I understand....

I will reflect on what you have shared.  There may be parallels in our
community....

Eekushi.
Heather

On 2/23/08, Rrlapier at aol.com <Rrlapier at aol.com> wrote:
>
> The quote below defines the key difference within our community.
>
> In a message dated 2/21/2008 9:59:58 A.M. Mountain Standard Time,
> Paul_Lewis at SIL.ORG writes:
> Whether the "other" less-powerful group is categorized in theological terms
> (sinful) or socioeconomic terms (primitive, undeveloped, backwards, etc.)
> the same dynamics of power and domination are at work.
> Those individuals seeking greater economic opportunity -- gave up most BF
> culture and language on their own -- it became viewed as "backward." If you
> spoke the language or had an accent (as a second language learner) it meant
> your family did not own a TV or a radio and you were "poor." The hallmark of
> not being poor was speaking English.
>
> [Back in the day there were two economic groups in our community, the
> cowboys and the Indians, -- most people wanted to be cowboys. So that meant
> giving up most BF practices, language, etc. It also meant giving up your
> horses (the old definition of wealth) and start raising cows (the new
> definition of wealth).]
>
> So those individuals that did not care about being poor were usually the
> fundamentalist Christians and the Catholics. Thus they maintained their
> language and maintained most BF cultural lifeways (NOT religious practices).
> However, because they are/were fluent in the language and came from
> culturally knowledgeable families. These individuals are very knowledgeable
> about BF religious practices, songs, rituals, etc. And they will talk to you
> about these practices, in a very academic, nonpartisan way.
>
> Once again, it is my experience, that the most helpful people, the most
> knowledgeable people in our community are from these groups.  I have never
> been proselytized or told that this information is "sinful" -- because these
> individuals are very culturally BF, they are respectful to the individuality
> of people (a very BF belief).
>
> Rosalyn LaPier
> sorry, a not so long historical answer
>
> P. S. Let me rephrase something, some of the Catholics maintain both
> religious practices, Christian and BF, they viewed them as compatible. There
> are many "traditionalists" who are also devout Catholics.
>
>
>
> ________________________________
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> Living.