A problem for someone of Native American descent

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Hello guys, I would like to start off saying that I am someone who is of Native American descent. I was raised in a house hold that greatly praised our Native American heritage, and I even went to a Native American charter school. Got to attend pow wows in the area. To honor my heritage, I have a dream catcher over my bed (obviously I don’t believe in what Indigenous stories describes it of doing, it is simply for cultural purposes), and I have tried to fix up a sort of Native American-themed cross to symbolize both my ancestry and religious convictions. Now with all this drama that is currently taking place in the states, there has been a big deal made out of “de-colonization”, and attacks on Catholic historical figures have been made. Christopher Columbus and St. Junipero Serra come to mind. I have to admit, I was not familiar with St. Junipero Serra before this (my apologies), but obviously I have definitely heard of Columbus, and was taught that he was a big bad brute and all that. Upon doing some research on the guy, I’ve come to find out that a lot of things that are said about Columbus have not even been proven to have been true, and archeologists have uncovered evidence that there were in fact cannibalistic tendencies among many Native tribes during Pagan rituals (it is widely believed in Marxist academia that the “Cannibal Natives” was a story made up by Christopher to justify his alleged crimes against the Natives). Overall, once I’ve looked at the other side, I’ve determined that Columbus was actually not a bad man, and I’m also aware of the lies told about St. Junipero Serra. And to be perfectly honest with you, I believe the Conquistadors gave the Aztecs what was coming to them. The Aztecs were BRUTAL, so brutal that some local Native tribes HELPED the Spanish defeat the Aztecs. Now of course I’m not saying everything involving descendants of Europeans and actions against Natives was justified (like the Wounded Knee Incident, Trail of Tears, George Custer, Manifest Destiny, etc), but that there are a lot of lies told about Christians and their interactions with the Natives that minimize and or ignore Native atrocities, and slander the Europeans. I want to be able to help other people of Native American descent, both those within my family and other families, know the actual truth about Columbus, and others, and prove to them that they were not monsters, but I’m worried of being ostracized by them and being labeled something along the lines of the Native American version of an Uncle Tom. Does anyone have any advice or help for me in this situation? Thanks.
 
I would advise you to look up the “Socratic method”. And I do agree that you will be likely be met by some who don’t want to hear what you have to say.

But your point is truthful. In history, there are really few instances, if any at all, where one person was 100% good and right and the others entirely bad and wrong. I think that delineation would only apply to Jesus Christ.
 
Try to approach the topic as prudently and as charitably as possible. It appears that you have done your due diligence and studied up on the topics.
 
If the problem is a perception of Christianity as a “white man’s religion” then you can counter this by pointing to examples of Native American communities making the religion their own. There are Native American Priests, churches which conduct sermons in Native American languages, and even Native American saints (Saint Kateri Tekakwitha is one example).
 
If you read the news articles about Serra’s canonization, there were actually a number of Native American leaders and tribes who supported it and felt he had done good things for their people, such as preserving the culture and standing up for their rights. Perhaps you could read more about their perspective, or reach out to them.
 
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There’s clearly something not quite right about the persistent attacks on Christopher Columbus. From what I’ve read, he never set foot in the territory that is now the United States, only in Central America and a few of the Caribbean islands, including Cuba. It’s quite possible that he lived and died without ever being aware that he had discovered a new continent: his purpose in crossing the Atlantic was to open a shorter sea route for trade with India and China, and he evidently believed that Cuba and the other places he visited were, in fact, part of Asia.
 
Christendonian777 said:
I want to be able to help other people of Native American descent, both those within my family and other families, know the actual truth about Columbus, and others, and prove to them that they were not monsters, but I’m worried of being ostracized by them
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Situation is, no one can have the actual truth about Columbus. He was a human being who did good things and bad things. Columbus is not a Saint, even if he were that would not mean his life is impeccable. The mythology about he and so much of his contemporaries is quite extensive!

What I’d recommend is becoming involved in the amazing Native American Catholic community, celebrating our Faith and your culture. Demonstrating that Native American Catholicism is not a political position.

Some things to read.

http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/cultural-diversity/native-american/index.cfm

http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/cultural-diversity/native-american/resources/index.cfm


 
You are a true American!

You are educating yourself independently about history, and you are drawing your OWN conclusions about what the truth is. You seek the truth because you have the Holy Spirit.

You are also celebrating your religious / cultural beliefs in ways that are meaningful to you. Again, a true American! You have religious liberty in America!

But, most people are invested in some version of history that appeals to them. That version could be a total lie. If you approach such a person with your truth (which could be much more founded on historical fact than their version is), they will probably reject your version, and YOU, as well.

Matthew 7:6

6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

John 8: 32

31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

COMMENT: If we believe on Jesus, he sends the Holy Spirit (The Spirit of Truth) to dwell in us. We seek the truth, and by coming to knowledge of the truth, we overcome worldly things (we are set free).

Speaking the truth is different, and must be done with some discretion. Some people are spiritually prepared to hear truth and be affected by it. Others will attack your truths, then turn to attacking you in turn, verbally, or even physically. Possibly little or nothing is gained by speaking truths to such people, which is why Jesus says “neither cast your pearls before swine…”

If you feel called to speak or preach truth in this world, prepare yourself for rejection, or even persecution.
 
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I don’t have other suggestions for you that haven’t already been shared upthread.

I do, however, want to commend you for what you are doing. Your thread and work is a beautiful example of the great value of these forums. Thank you for being Christ to your Nation.

I have spent time volunteering at Pine Ridge, and, as you suspect, the responses you will receive are going to vary greatly.

I encountered Sioux who think any cooperation with White men is anathema. Others who felt that cooperating with Catholics who built schools and clinics were Uncle Toms.

But others that embraced Catholicism, and found it easy to integrate with Lakota beliefs.

Others still who were PROUD of their new faith, and delighted with the canonization of Kateri.

Whether the Conquistadores came or not, other nations would have. You may enjoy doing some reading juxtaposing the experiences of the northern US states/Canada that were evangelized by Jesuits and those of the Franciscans who did the same in the southwest.

May the words and love of St. Kateri flow through you as you minister to others,
Deacon Christopher
 
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Diaconia said:
You may enjoy doing some reading juxtaposing the experiences of the northern US states/Canada that were evangelized by Jesuits and those of the Franciscans who did the same in the southwest.
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Some French Jesuits were martyred in Canada in the 17th century. St Isaac Jogues was killed by the Iroquois and I believe St John de Brébeuf by the Hurons.
 
They were martyred by the Iroquois (Mohawk), who waged war on the Huron. Many Mohawk converted afterwards, and St. Kateri was the daughter of a Mohawk chief.
 
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