Guilt Is Not The Goal

BIG presents its second Children’s Cultural Book Program, which will celebrate Native-American culture and history, on Saturday, June 24, 10:30 am, in the Sprague Room of the Bandon Library.  The Berry Song by Michaela Goode will be the focus of this celebration.

Creating a feeling of guilt is not the goal.  Developing knowledge, understanding and cooperation toward a better world is the actual goal.

We can be proud of much in the United States’ past as the first multicultural/diverse democracy in history.  From the first European contact with the Americas, however, individual acts, government policy and established systems were built on theft of Native lands, and have often denied equality of opportunity and have been unjust.

One recent movement to contribute to our knowledge, suggests an event occurring today acknowledges its presence on historically Native land.  For example, such an acknowledgement here in Bandon would recognize the city’s location on land inhabited by the Coquille Tribe.

Our Native American fellow citizens, however, suggest that even more important than a perfunctory “acknowledgement”, is understanding and cooperation.  In other words, celebrate with those of us who trace their heritage back millennia on these Pacific shores.  Work together today to move into the future by receiving their knowledge so as to make all of our lives more peaceful and abundant.

BIG hopes our Children’s Cultural Books Program is just one of many efforts throughout our area, state, and nation to build on knowledge of the past to move us forward as we listen to each other, build relationships, and work together for a healthier Earth and community.