When my housemates and I stepped off the plane in Rapid City, SD for the first time (off a prop-engine airplane I might add, very different from some of the oceanic flights I have taken), we were greeted by Jimmy, one of the JV's from this past year. He was on his way out, starting a new chapter and phase in his life (shout out to Jimmy here for leaving us with a good bit of food to start!!). It was good to meet someone who had been through the experiences that we were all about to enter into, especially as we were first arriving. Overall it was to talk with him, hear some of his thoughts and experiences, and begin to shape our own, more concrete ideas of what was to come.
One thing he said, however, I couldn't quite understand. He asked us if, during Orientation, the presenters and Program Coordinators would present something, only to qualify by saying - "This doesn't really apply to y'all out in St. Francis." Our placement moved offices, and were are now based out of the Detroit province for the first time, so no one really had too much of an idea of what we were walking into.
"Last year," Jimmy said, "during Orientation, any time we heard some advice, or some statistics, we were aways the exception. Things are way different out on the Rez than anywhere else in the country."
Well, I had no idea what he was talking about. Besides, I was still just overwhelmed by the beauty of the landscape to give any real in depth thought to what he meant.
Yesterday, however, gave much needed context to Jimmy's words. After our Orientation yesterday, as well as our experiences over the last few days, I think we can safely assume that we are completely unprepared. it's to take what we think we know and throw it out the window - make room for new truths to come in.
What do I mean by all this?
Examples. During Orientation, we did a whole exercise on how to speak with people. The idea was that eye contact, steady and encouraging, was the best to show the person speaking that we are engaged, that we are listening, that we want them to go on.
No so on the Rez. Among the traditional Lakota, such constant eye contact is considered rude. They would think that we are just staring at them the whole time! Instead, you are to look away, nodding to show attention, only occasionally glancing at the person and making eye contact. This is a sign of respect. Also, in mainstream American culture, it is rude to not face someone when they are talking - it is best to assume a posture that leaves one open, providing good body language that invites further discussion. It is the opposite for traditional Lakota. To face directly at a person is a confrontational pose, and is taken as a threat.
Another big difference is the handshake. In American culture, you are expected to give a firm handshake, to really let the person know you are there. Numerous times I have heard that a person's handshake can show what type of character they have. In Lakota, to firmly grab someones hand would be to crush it, to aggressively take what they offer in peace. Handshakes out here are extremely gentle, just placing your hands together almost in the lightest of embraces. It is a sign of gentleness, of trust for the other person. The same goes for voices. They are soft, gentle, like the light breeze that passes over the area most of the time, just lighting on your skin for a minute to cool you off and refresh your spirits.
I came into this year have been on the Navajo Rez in NM, have taken a class on Indian culture and philosophies, and so I guess to be really honest, I thought that made me pretty knowledgeable compared to most folks - and I guess it does. But in reality, compared to the people whose way of life it is, whose culture it is, whose lives it is - I don't know anything. It's time to throw out all my book smarts, all the things I've read, all the things I think I know, and just experience it, just listen.
How many people can say the have the opportunity to hear this straight from the people who live it and love it?
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