Cowboys and Indians

Author

Louis Joseph
September 17, 2023

Cowboys and Indians

This week I wanted to discuss one of our childhood games, Cowboys and Indians. This game has deep historical roots, reflecting the fascination with the American frontier aka the wild, wild west during the 19th century.

As a child, it was a form of innocent play that drew inspiration from popular cowboy and Indian-themed movies, comics, and television shows. However, these portrayals often painted a one-sided, distorted picture of Native peoples, emphasizing conflict and misrepresenting our diverse cultures.

 Why does It matter today?

In our modern society, where cultural sensitivity and inclusivity are paramount, it's time to rethink the game and its potential impact on young minds. Rather than discarding it altogether, we can use it as an opportunity to educate children about Native history, cultures, and challenges. Here's why it's relevant today:

By teaching kids about the diversity and richness of Native cultures, we can help instill respect for different ways of life from an early age. We can encourage children to imagine themselves in the shoes of Native characters in the game can promote empathy and understanding. We can use this game as an opportunity to address and challenge harmful stereotypes and misconceptions about Natives.

 How can we transform the game?

To make Cowboys and Indians a relevant and educational activity for today's kids, consider these transformative steps with a new approach. Provide children with books, documentaries, or online resources about Native history and culture. Promote role reversal, where children take turns being cowboys and Indians, allowing them to gain different perspectives. Inspire storytelling during play, where characters have backgrounds, motivations, and personal stories, promoting imaginative and empathetic engagement.

Cowboys and Indians can be more than just a game, it can be a valuable tool for teaching children about diversity, empathy, and cultural awareness. By reimagining this classic activity and infusing it with educational elements, we can help shape a more inclusive and understanding generation, where appreciation for all cultures and backgrounds is woven into the fabric of their childhood games.

If you don’t know, now you know, a Native.

First the Land…..Now the IHS Fund

For months, state and federal law-enforcement officials have been investigating a Medicaid scam in which hundreds of fraudulent sober-living homes in the Phoenix area have recruited Natives from across the West. Working with rehab facilities, the businesses charged the state millions of dollars for addiction services they didn’t provide, according to authorities.

Several thousand Natives, some from as far away as Montana, might have been lured to the Arizona homes, according to officials. Instead of getting help, some reported rampant drug use and drinking in the homes and little in the way of rehab.

Others told authorities that they were barred from contacting friends or relatives, some of whom had no idea where they were. Several Tribal members told The Wall Street Journal they were offered payment by the operators of the homes to recruit other Natives.

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“They had one requirement…….. only natives.”

According to Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, the amount of Medicaid reimbursement money the state paid out to facilities under the billing code used for substance-abuse treatment jumped from $53 million in fiscal year 2019 to $668 million in fiscal year 2022. While those totals include payments to legitimate operators, Mayes said it was the extreme growth that signaled to authorities something was amiss.

“This is one of the biggest government scandals in the history of the state of Arizona,” Mayes said in a written statement to the Journal.

An elderly Native woman who was addicted to fentanyl went on the record to say that the sober home she had lived in would bring residents to a rehab clinic where people openly used drugs outside before heading in for treatment.

The woman said the owners of the home paid her $100 a day to recruit more people to live there. They had one requirement.

“Only Natives,” she said.

Navajo leaders launched an effort last spring to help locate and move affected tribal members to legitimate facilities, sending health workers and tribal police to Phoenix to assist.

Louise Erdrich- Ojibwe

Louise Erdrich, born on June 7, 1954, in Little Falls, Minnesota, is a prolific and revered writer whose novels and poetry have become landmarks in contemporary American literature. Her unique ability to blend Native and Western storytelling traditions has earned her a place of prominence among American authors.

Erdrich's literary journey was profoundly influenced by her mixed heritage, with Ojibwe and German ancestry. Her childhood was spent in Wahpeton, North Dakota, near the Turtle Mountain Reservation, where she developed a deep connection to her Tribal roots and the landscapes of the Midwest.

After graduating from Dartmouth College, Louise Erdrich embarked on a path that combined her passion for writing with her cultural heritage. She co-founded the independent bookstore "Birchbark Books and Native Arts" in Minneapolis, which became a hub for Native literature and cultural exchange.

Erdrich's debut novel, "Love Medicine", introduced readers to her remarkable storytelling prowess. The novel, which weaves together the lives and histories of several Ojibwe families, received critical acclaim and marked the beginning of her exploration of interconnected characters and narratives.

Her novels, including "The Beet Queen," "The Bingo Palace," and "The Plague of Doves," have garnered numerous awards, including the National Book Critics Circle Award and the National Book Award. Her writing has been lauded for its lyrical prose, vivid characterizations, and profound exploration of complex themes such as identity, family, love, and the enduring impact of history.

Louise’s commitment to portraying the lives and experiences of Natives with authenticity and respect has made her a champion of Tribal voices in literature. Her work challenges stereotypes and enriches the understanding of our cultures and histories, while also delving into the universal human experiences that transcend cultural boundaries.

Beyond her novels, Erdrich is also a talented poet, and her poetry collections, such as "Jacklight" and "Original Fire," reveal her ability to evoke powerful emotions and paint vivid images with her words.

In addition to her literary contributions, her advocacy extends to environmental and social issues. Her deep connection to the land and her concerns about environmental degradation are recurring themes in her work. She is also an advocate for Native causes, including education and cultural preservation.

Louise’s life and work epitomize the enduring power of storytelling as a means to bridge cultural divides, illuminate shared human experiences, and inspire empathy and understanding. Her legacy as a literary pioneer continues to enrich the tapestry of American literature and contribute to the ongoing conversation about the importance of diverse voices in the literary landscape. Her impact on literature and her dedication to exploring Indigenous experiences and culture through storytelling serve as a lasting testament to the transformative power of literature and the enduring value of cultural heritage.

If you enjoy our memes don’t forget to follow on Twitter now known as X.com, Instagram and Tik Tok for more exclusive content. The profile links are listed below. @LouistheNative on all platforms.

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