Where Did My Family Come From
And explore the impact of our ancestors
Natalie Goldberg’s Writing Down the Bones Deck prompts — Where did your family come from? When?
This will be a shortened version. According to ancestry, I am over half Native American. Then, I have ancestry from England, Scotland, and a much smaller percentage of ancestry from France, Germany, and even minor percentages from a few other countries, including Iceland.
I am enrolled at White Earth Nation, and my enrollment states I am removal Fond du Lac, which means I have a lot of relatives in both White Earth and Fond du Lac reservations in Minnesota. My mother's side of the family came from Fond du Lac. My great-grandmother came from Fond du Lac.
Natalie Goldberg’s Writing Down the Bones Deck prompts — At first, when I hear “Where did your family come from?” I want to write, “The moon.” So this is the level where we can have fun with this topic.
But this topic also gives us a chance to explore the impact of our ancestors. Some struggled; some caused great harm. These issues are uncomfortable. Our world is out of balance. By the willingness to be honest, we help even the equation. Don’t generalize or mash situations together: that leads to bewilderment and impotence — — and unclear, confusing writing. Make your words give clarity to our history and suffering. Stay specific with what you know. Dive in. Write fully; explore your own responses, reactions. Ask questions.
I was told that our people came from the East in search of food growing on the water. That was a message that someone had received along with the message of what was coming with Columbus. Not everyone left, and others stopped along the way, before getting to where the people were told to go.
Today, people believe that food growing on the water is wild rice, and that is where I am living. At least it continues to grow on water for now. There is a constant struggle to keep it growing on the water, and another reason why water continues to be important ceremony for me.
This is where I will be off to after writing this. Water ceremony, every Sunday at 9:00 a.m. around the country.
About the Creator
Denise E Lindquist
I am married with 7 children, 28 grands, and 13 great-grandchildren. I am a culture consultant part-time. I write A Poem a Day in February for 8 years now. I wrote 4 - 50,000 word stories in NaNoWriMo. I write on Vocal/Medium daily.
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Lalam
Some words annoy me because I don't like the sound of them, don't like the implications, or don't like the way they are used or overused. In the days when I used to read film reviews, I learnt to hate the word 'coruscating.' The first time I read a film review that talked about a 'coruscating script' I had to look the word up, which was irritating. Why do intellectuals have to rub their smug aren't-I-oh-so-clever shit into our ignorant noses? That is a rhetorical question, btw, as we all know why.
By Raymond G. Taylor21 days ago in Writers
Comments (6)
I wish I knew more about my mum's side of the family. My daughter and I were just talking about this yesterday. I know I am of British descent, with Scottish and German roots; however, Mum has never offered up much else for any of us to go on, and I don't want to push.
Loved reading this. It’s such a powerful mix of personal history and tradition.
Oh wow, that sure is fascinating!
I just love this <3 I love that you've been able to keep so much of your family history alive. My family is so interracial, and history was lost along the way.
A moving reflection that bridges heritage, identity, and responsibility. Your connection to land, ancestry, and ceremony feels both deeply personal and universally resonant. Thank you for honoring the past with such clarity and honesty.
You sure do have an interesting family profile. Good job.