Hello,
I grew up in South Dakota, not far from one of the state's nine Native American Indian reservations. As a child, “the reservation” was an ominous place. We didn’t talk about it much, and we did our best to avoid it. Unless, of course, we could shave an hour or two off a road trip by passing through.
I realize now that I never really understood what life was like for thousands of Native Americans living so close to me. All I knew was what I had heard—they were poor, and many were alcoholics. But that was about it.
I consider myself socially informed, but somehow the devastating reality of Native American life had slipped past me. I thought I knew, but I had no idea.
Approach an average little girl on the reservation and ask her about her dreams, what she wants to do and be when she grows up. You might be surprised that she has very little to say. That's because life on the reservation has stolen her most valuable treasure: her hope.
Native Hope, as the name suggests, believes that hope is at the foundation of real change. Hope opens the door to possibility and dreams. If we are going to see changes in the culture, it’s going to start with hope.
Please join me in supporting this important cause.
Rod Arnold
Contributor, Native Hope
No comments:
Post a Comment