A Conversation With Everyday Elders

This week I start my conversations for the book I am writing.

I have a possible seven people on the docket for interviewing

That's really what it is, although a conversation sounds better

I decided to write Unsplash about what shows up - in a letter

~

Note in the photo it is summer, a picnic, I prefer this and

when I type in Native American Women Elders, this is the result.

No grey hair, do they know about baby elders? I will take a stand.

okay, you are right, many will color their hair. I will consult

with others before I get so judgy and make a demand.

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My first conversation will be with a former co-worker

She is eighty and was one of the very best worker

that I have known in my life. She is a strong advocate for

our Native American people and I stood up for her four

separate times for her outspoken advocacy, with the director.

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When she was a girl she was taken to boarding school

her mother was taken to a boarding school and it was cruel

as Dakota, Lakota, and Nakota were the languages spoken

and they were all expected to learn English, and worse then

her mother spoke Michif. A combination of softspoken

Ojibwe, Cree, and French. Her mother was no fool

her girl would only speak English as she didn't want her broken!

~

It will be important to hear more from her as our conversation at work

was more of what we needed to do for our people and the homework

needed to do that work. She has five children and each of them

are professional, doing the work with our people, and they are a gem.

~

All everyday elders are my focus, living today as everyday women

Men are important too, just not for this story, next will be the men.

Just kidding. One of these stories, I'm sure may be enough

as I am a writer and I like writing about other stuff

and hope to write some fiction at some point

how much time do I have to speak to elders to pinpoint

just how great I find them, they are so tough!