Let us believe
neither half of the good people tell us of ourselves, nor
half of the evil they say of others.
J.
Petit Senn
Go Forward With
Courage
When
you are in doubt, be still, and wait;
when doubt no longer exists for you, then go forward with
courage.
So long as mists envelope you, be still;
be still until the sunlight pours through and dispels the
mists
-- as it surely will.
Then act with courage.
Ponca
Chief White Eagle (1800's to 1914)
VIEWPOINT : Getting alcoholism right in Indian Country
By
Mike Eshkibok, Grand Forks Herald ND
Published Monday, March 05, 2007
GRAND FORKS - It's true that alcoholism and drug abuse have
caused terrible problems for many North American Indians.
But it's also true that great numbers of Indians can drink
socially (or not drink at all) and not incur serious
problems. For the media, striking a balance between those
two facts is central to "getting the story right."
Alcoholism's prevalence among Indians not only has caused
enormous physical and emotional problems. It also has led
to stereotyping, including in movies as recent and popular
as "Flags of Our Fathers" and "Apocalypto." These powerful
films depict Indians in a violent or stereotypical way,
suggesting that all Indians are afflicted with drug and
alcohol problems.
Like all stereotypes, this one is inaccurate because it
ignores the uniqueness of each individual. One might expect
a more balanced portrayal of Indians in the world of
science; but unfortunately, scientific inquiry - with its
emphasis on defining and solving problems - has not focused
on the vast number of Indians who maintain sober and
productive lives.
Then there is the fact that science and the media have
focused on Indians living on reservations, even though for
decades, the federal government enforced an assimilationist
policy that removed Indians from their lands and made their
coping mechanisms illegal. Before European colonization
started, Indians were relatively unaffected by alcohol.
Although some tribes produced weak beers or other fermented
beverages, these generally were used for ceremonial
purposes. The distillation of more potent forms of alcohol
was unknown.
When European colonists suddenly made large quantities of
distilled spirits available, the Indians had little time to
develop legal, moral and social procedures to regulate
alcohol use. Traders found that providing free alcohol
during trading gave them an advantage in their negotiations
with Indians. Extreme intoxication was common among the
colonists, and was a powerful example for the social use of
alcohol among the inexperienced Indian population.
Thus, history may have sown the seeds for the prevalence of
alcohol abuse among today's Indians. Early demand, no
regulation and strong encouragement likely helped form a
"tradition" of heavy alcohol use passed down from
generation to generation, which has led to the current high
level of alcohol-related problems.
But remember: A "high level" does not mean 100 percent or
anything close to it.
Today, educated American Indians themselves must keep this
in mind, as they study and testify about the alcoholism
rate on reservations, said Monique Vondall-Rieke, director
of the Native Media Center at UND.
And "it's important to set the record straight,"
Vondall-Rieke added.
"When you come from a race of people who have been
annihilated, assimilated and culturally stripped of their
lifestyles, you are bound to have these social problems and
other pitfalls. These social ills are historically proven
to be a direct result of the negative attitudes people have
taken toward American Indians. I believe we need to address
the public relations at home in each American Indian
community at the same time we try to help mainstream media
to 'get the story right.'"
Unfortunately, stereotypes are all that most Americans use
to define Indian people, said Donna Brown, assistant
director at UND's American Indian Student Services.
"To dispel stereotypes, people need to take it upon
themselves to visit organizations such as the schools,
colleges and hospitals on Indian reservations," Brown
added.
"They would find that life is not all negative, and that
Indian people have goals and hope for the future, just like
everyone else."
A personal note: When I was young, I did not know that I
suffered from alcoholism, because all of the whites and
Indians I knew drank like I did. Today, I have not taken a
drink in 25 years. This has made me more aware of alcohol's
effects and consequences, and I know today that the answers
to my problems lie within me and with the God of my
understanding.
I found my answers through Alcoholics Anonymous' 12-step
program. There are a lot of similarities between AA and
American Indian culture, especially the parts about sharing
and living in the present.
Fighting an addiction can be a lonely journey. Spirituality
is the best way I know of to overcome any addiction.
As mentioned above, great numbers of Indians can drink
socially and not incur serious problems. But for those
Indians who can't, going back to their own culture and
traditions that allowed us to survive for tens of thousands
of years would be a move in the right direction. To sum up,
what we are saying is this: "Walk a mile in my moccasins
before you criticize me."
Eshkibok, an Ojibwe Indian, is a doctoral student at the
UND School of Communication.
Son of Tall Man
An
American Indian shares his strength, hope, and experience
Volume 32 Issue 9 February 1976 AA Grapevine
I PROUD TO be son of Tall Man, American Indian, and member
of AA for many moons. We all one as Great Spirit walks
through AA like sun walks through day. This first story I
ever write. Sorry for mistakes. Love has no words to spell
or lines to start and stop. Our language has few words to
say many things.
I was born a Maliseet Indian on reservation in Canada,
oldest of thirteen children. Was altar boy at church on
reservation. Had first drink in young teens, but was scared
of my father, so didn't drink much then. Now think I was
alcoholic from first drink. Never forgot magic in
firewater.
When I was twenty-one, my cousin come home from U.S. Army
on leave, just before Pearl Harbor. I stay with him at
aunt's house in Maine. That night, we drink beer at
taverns. He had bottle of hard stuff. He gave me many
drinks from bottle. Next thing I know, it was next day.
First time I have blackout, but not last. My aunt had sharp
words for me about drinking. I not listen to old woman.
I hear about Pearl Harbor and join Canadian Army, December
13, 1941. Could not run away from problem. Soon found wet
canteens serve drinks to Indians in uniform. Went overseas
on beer. Soon change to hard stuff. Then many blackouts for
next two years. God must watch over me. Got into no
trouble. Came home just before D Day. Met father (Tall Man)
at fork in road--one way to reservation, other way to State
of Maine. We went to booze joint in Maine. Remember only
first two drinks. Then I black out and get home four days
later. Now I slide down mountain fast. Take many pledges
but break them.
I get arrested on VE Day, again on VJ Day. Judge say I go
to jail next time. So I change counties in Maine. When
counties run out, I move to Connecticut. Climb on water
wagon for few months. Build houses for some cops--ha-ha.
Soon I drink beer. Then hard stuff. Then I find jails in
Connecticut, too. Cops say for me to call them, they get me
out. I think they sorry they tell me this. Next two years,
I call them many times. Last time in jail, I have two black
eyes. Cops now sick of me, so they buy me one-way ticket to
Canada. Pack my clothes and put me on train.
My brother and me find work on turnpike in Maine. I stay on
wagon forwhile, but miserable. Then I drink again, but more
miserable. I want to stop this bad life, but where to turn?
Last time I drink, I go to room. Think about kill myself.
Then went on bridge to jump. By grace of God I stop, think
two things: This would kill good father and mother; then
remember boys talk about Indian fellow who been sober three
years. I hear about AA, but think it religion. I have a
religion. But now I change if it bring good life.
I find Indian fellow. We talk long time. Tell him I want to
get awayfrom bottle and misery. How he do it? He say he
take me to AA meeting. I go with him to first meeting, in
small town in Maine. My sponsor say men who talk speak
truth. Then I know we walk same trail. This was July 15,
1954. Have not take drink since.
I hear men say, "One day not drink. Not try no drinks for
Lent or forlife. Just one day." This sound easy, so will
try. They say call friend before I buy drink. Talk and
meetings make me feel good. So I jump quick from First Step
to Twelfth Step to help my brother, living with me. Two
weeks later, he come to AA meeting. Came to believe. Have
not drink since. We both happy. After six months, we move
to Bridgeport, Conn. Find same AA, same Spirit. Year later.
I go to Canada to carry message to Tall Man, but he not
listen to son. He old, sick, want to he alone with bottle.
Miracles happen all time in AA. Two years later, brother
take Tall Man to first AA meeting, September 1957. Tall Man
was blind, but soon he see. He stay sober. Start group on
reservation, and carry message, help start other groups all
over Maritimes and New England. He was old, but now he grow
young with new life in AA, and travel all time.
When he speak from heart, big men cry. Words of truth and
love are strong medicine.
Tall Man die September 1970, a sober, peaceful, happy man.
Maine newsletter (Boomerang) say: "With tireless devotion
and humility, this venerable Indian gentleman traveled
thousands of miles humbly pleading for sobriety. He planted
many seeds, and it will be many moons before another rises
to walk in his shoes." Tall Man now see Great Spirit in Big
Group in sky.[1]
To find work, I have travel much. At every place, I find AA
group first. I keep it simple, go to many meetings, carry
message to those who listen. To me, program is spiritual. I
feel Great Spirit at all meetings and when talk to AA
friends. I know peace. "How?" they ask me.
I say, "Just let it happen." This sober Indian say to sick,
red-eyedalcoholic who want good medicine: "Put cork in
bottle. No drunk hopeless if he want to follow sober guide
along right trail. Go to AA meetings. Listen, not just hear
noise. Get sponsor and phone numbers. Call friend in AA
when bad thoughts come. Let group spirit of love and
understanding protect you. Take my hand. Walk with me up
Twelve Steps of AA to peace."
To Indians, I say: "Don't be afraid to join AA. I once hear
people say only Indians crazy when drunk. If so, AA full of
Indians. Join the tribe!"