[KathyM]

It was a long drive to Oklahoma (12 hours), but we made it there in time to have dinner with my friend Brenda. The next morning, my friend was obviously frazzled with last minute details. It was no different from what I used to go through before a big meeting, symposium, or conference.

A journalism student wanted to be there to cover the "personal" side of the Indian story, and wouldn't take no for an answer. I guess she thought there would be some type of ritual - or maybe she thinks Indians shower and levitate into their clothing.

I marched with over 500 Indians to the Capitol. Along the way they stopped to remember and prayed for their deceased relatives. I walked with a very nice Comanche man who had tears streaming down his face, but he held his sign up high.

We headed over to the park in front of the capital, where the event took place. The speeches and prayers were profound, the music and dancing was amazing. The whole time men on painted horses circled the group for protection.

I'm sure none of you heard of this, so here's a news clip of the event. Towards the end of the interview, my friend started to cry. The energy and emotion was so high, it caused the reporter to cry as well.

http://www.kswo.com/global/video/pop...1&rnd=51026466

Needless to say, I'm exhaused - but I'm so glad I was there for my friends.

[Alffe]

What a moving experience to take part in KathyM....your friend is very eloquent...thank you for sharing it with us and for being home, safe and sound.

[Doody]

(((Kathy))) Thank you for sharing.

[KathyM]

Thanks. We met some wonderful people on our trip along with some not-so-wonderful people.

My husband wanted to try the free "down-home" breakfast our hotel advertised, so we headed over to the dining hall before the event. A horse show was in town, so the dining hall was filled with truckers and cowboys. When we entered the room, they all looked up and glared at us. I'm used to the occasional disgusted or fearful look around here, but this was hatred staring at us - it was thick. My husband whispered to me "it's been a while, huh?"

He got his breakfast, and we sat down at a table - with all eyes upon us. While he ate, I sipped my coffee and stared right back at them. I wanted to see who would have the guts to say something vulgar to us, but they held their tongues.

Later that day I was hungry, so we stopped at a restaurant. The hostess glared at us and walked right on by several times. A woman yelled at her to seat us, and they got into an argument over who would seat us. We were tempted to leave, but we wanted to see where it would go. Our food was basically thrown at us, and we were never given any utensils - finally had to take them from another table.

If people could only see how ridiculous they look when they act in such a way towards other human beings.

We watched some of the centennial celebration later that evening. After hearing personal accounts from Indians of domestic/racial/religious violence and theft earlier in the day, it was kind of strange to see so many "settlers" happily re-enacting these events. It was also strange to hear a woman say Oklahoma had the "nicest" people. Considering the circumstances, I assumed she was talking about white people. Certainly wasn't our experience. The only people who were nice to us were the Indians.

Needless to say, we didn't stop at any restaurants on our way home.

[Addy]

SHAME on the narrowminded and ignorant.

KathyM I'm glad for you that you were able to take part in Oklahoma. I know it meant a lot to you and to your friends.

Please give a hug to Mr.KathyM for being there for you, too!

British Columbia, for the most part, celebrates its Indian Heritage. We aren't perfect, not even close - as anyone who follows history and is involved in the present knows. That said, I recognize and celebrate the pride of our country's heritage!