spiritdogs

I am a blue-eyed blonde who sat on my Grandpa's knee at the age of ten and was told of my First Nations ancestry. That was in 1960. I have always respected all my ancestors and their very varied histories and religions - I really am a Heinz 57. But, I was always drawn to the people my Grandfather told me about. Theirs was a secret past, given only to my mother and me. I know little more than I did then about the Grandmother who was responsible, even after much searching, but I know a lot about the history of the times. For a very long time, I wanted to dance, to honor her, and the others who were silenced in their time by hatred. But, I was afraid that my looks would make others think I was playing at something I'm not. That was until I met Fire Woman. Fire Woman was a redhead, and a Penobscot. She told me that when she was young, people considered her lucky because she could "pass" as white. She never wanted to. She told me that it didn't matter what color my eyes were, it only mattered what was in my heart, and that she thought I should go ahead and dance for my Grandpa and the ones who came before him. Last year, with the help of this respected elder, I finally did. Fire Woman's daughter did me the honor of letting me go into the Circle for the first time wearing her shawl. Fire Woman is gone now, but the Powwow where I first met her was held today, and I really missed seeing her there. I will never forget her wisdom and kindness. I plan to keep dancing for Grandpa, and for her.