From:Jim Hickinbotham
Date: Sun, 16 Nov 1997 18:04:20 -0600
Subject: Thoughts

This is one of those days upon which I have reflected on the past and Future of my People. It is a burden to know that within a generation there shall be no Chahta of full blood. But this speaks of a physical existance, not of the Spirit of my People.

GrandFather charged us to live as Brothers and Sisters with all the Peoples of this land. We ourselves turned away from what we knew in our hearts was true and right. Mother cries for us now as we seem like the last ember, glowing in the ashes of the Council Fire. Soon, the Peoples will disappear, leaving an unsure legacy.

What then, shall we leave? Should we leave behind the image of Hollywood? Or perhaps the pitiful ignorants of children's story-books shall be our remembrance. Maybe we shall leave much more or much less, our best intents are yet unfulfilled, carried on uncertain winds.

But yet the Visions come to us and our children. Can it be that there is something yet passed on in the thinnest of blood lines? Why do the hearts of our children yet seek the Wisdom of the GrandFathers? And yet many others turn away, seeking the way of the European. The European, the white, is not of himself bad or without honor. It is that his honor is that of his own people and not a path which parallels ours. Those who removed us from our land, our birthplace followed yet the dictates of their hearts and souls. Their moralities and ours, as it were, were at cross-purposes. We share only the commonality of seeking the survival of our races.

It is therefore paramount that we seek the Face of the Creator, that we know His will, for in only that have we hope. Only there do I find surcease of this burden in my heart and release of the pain of my soul.

I know only that I must pass on what was bestowed upon me, that these things will not utterly be forgotten. Who will receive these things, will receive them...I know not to whom the burden passes. I has been evidented upon me by my Creator that the gifts given to me were loaned, only to be passed on to as many as would take them up.

We so many times talk about the education of those around us, that they would understand the ways of our Fathers. The example of those ways in our own lives will teach them more than our feeble abilities. We must live truly the ways of our Fathers, it is what makes us what we are and our only sure inheritance.

We must continue our prayers, making offerings to Grandfather, seeking His pity, that he would teach us. These are the things we do that these people might live, we must never forget that we are indeed ALL related.

LET IT BE SO.