MyDreamWalk

Wednesday, May 18th, 2011

From Where the Shy Stands, I will fight No More Forever

These painful words were spoken by Naz Perce Chief Joseph as he and his dying band of Native Americans finally gave up the fight. Once again, the dishonest white man won a very unfair fight.

 

I too, but in a much calmer environment, fight my way up a big hill, walking east from Coulee Dam in to the little town of Nesplelen. The air and wind now are exhilarating and God praise, traffic light.

Indian Friends

I meet three local Indian men. Calvin says he is from the Nespelen tribe. A little fellow sitting next to a dilapidated barn who calls himself Man proudly announces that he is Okanogan. “They gave us the name Colville. One good thing, now all the tribes get along”

“Fell off a pick-up truck”, Calvin tells me. “Smashed my skull wide open. I started walking when my auntie told me “Where you going boy your head is falling off.” Calvin only has one leg.  A thin prosthetic limb is propped up against a wooden fence. Normally it’s fixed to his knee. “I come up here to watch the cars go by. Ain’t nothing to do at the retirement home. My toes hurt all the time” he continues. “I ain’t got no leg but I can feel the nerves left from those toes whenever they start pinching”

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