For many very good reasons our local community, much too-often, is consumed with the exhaustive
process of our never-ending challenges for "recognition". Recognition that we merely exist and that our ancestors were here pre-settlement era and that not every single inhabitant was ethnically cleansed from the region. Uncovering the unpopular, but even more accurate account that our surviving American Indian communities both assimilated with the incoming european settlers and remained hidden in plain sight. 

In the fever of our recognition movement for equality and acknowledgement, the result is an intense tunnel vision that sometimes blocks out the view of our greater surrounding community and at a greater level the country as a whole.

With the recent events of social injustice in Dallas, Baton Rouge, and Minnesota the result further splinters our national view and strains our emotions. Especially in ways that have us searching for common ground allowing us to move in a more positive direction for ourselves, community and country.
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The social fabric of our country is changing at such a head-spinning pace that we struggle daily
for a glimpse of clarity, helping us move to a place where everyone is represented, feels
acknowledged and heard.

For decades our community has battled for mere recognition of existence and basic civil rights. As a result, we must not allow the process to callus our hearts and cause us to become withdrawn from the issues of those with a similiar burden around us.
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As our surrounding communities now rush to the banks of the river, we assume a natural
position as guides and facilitators of the River we have co-existed with for generations. As sons
and daughters of the river, we have an understanding of the tide, we understand when to launch
our vessels and when to remain calm and move forward.

We've been navigating the river for so long that we take for granted our experiences and
understanding of the currents and the tide, we know when to anchor in place and when to
paddle, we understand that all that come to the river and banks are not enemies. We know how
to work with those that gladly work with us in order share resources and prosperity as the
creator intended. Regardless of origin our true friends always reveal themselves.

We celebrate our differences from our neighbors and believe our cultural identity and pride is a
necessity, it must be preserved and respected just as we respect all others. History
demonstrates that only when we sit down with each other and meet in the middle does dialogue
and understanding begin.

It's no secret that there are deep divides within this country but we must never forget that our
community has a very long and rich history of working together with others to share, learn and
grow.

It's these innate qualities of our people that continue to benefit us today. There any many of our
neighbors that are in a state of panic as they see the water of the River rise and our story shows
they will make many impulse decisions that will not only hurt their chances for survival but also
harm the relations of true friends who share the river bank.

The mainstream of this country is just now understanding the river is a very powerful living thing,
it's rising tide will continue to ebb and flow, it's energy never contained or controlled by any
group or individual.

Remain steadfast and watch as others panic and jump into the waters just because the tide is
now quickly rising, trust your understanding of the river, how it lives and breathes, take the lead
in navigating and help move forward to prosperity for all!