Wasichu…

As you enjoy Thanksgiving this thursday with family and friends let me ask you to consider rounding out your perspective about this holiday.  First off, it’s my personal favorite.  I love the meal, the community, and the relative lack of commercialism.  Cool.

I’ve also made it a personal tradition of mine to read more about the Native Americans.  Each Thanksgiving, I try to take the time to read a book that widens my understanding of these people that came before us “wasichu.”   Wasichu was the Lakota word for “white people.”  It’s alternative meaning was “the one who steals the bacon.”

I’m currently reading Sitting Bull, by Bill Yenne.  Here’s a little taste from Sitting Bull’s perspective…

“I do not want anyone to bother my people.  I want them to live in peace.  I myself have plans for my people, and if they follow my plans, they will never want.  They will never hunger.  I wish for traders only, and no soldiers on my reservation.  God gave us this land, and we are at home here.  I will not have my people robbed.  We can live if we can keep our Black Hills.  We do not want to eat from the hand of the Grandfather.  We can feed ourselves.”

I would heartily recommend this book and the following:

Mayflower, by Nathaniel Philbrick.  

Undaunted Courage, by Stephen Ambrose

The Real All Americans, by Sally Jenkins

Blood and Thunder, by Hampton Sides

These are all well written stories about the Native Americans and the forming of our country.  These stories have had a humbling effect on me.  And, that’s exactly what I need!

Go to Amazon and read a piece about them.  AND, if you’re curious, pick one up this Thanksgiving season to read and reflect upon.  

I hope that you and your family have a great Thanksgiving together.  We have so much to be thankful for.