Thread by @VinceSchilling

Here is an analogy in a #thread about what it is like - in one way - to be a Native American.

Imagine you are in a private library. On the far wall, you see two old, large books.

One of the books, decorated & ornate is titled 'Truth' the other is non-descript and has no title.

The beautiful book titled 'Truth' is filled with illustrations, and thousands of authors have helped write it.

The back jacket is filled with amazing and positive reviews.

World leaders applaud the book.

Teachers use the book in schools.

No one says bad things about it.

The untitled book is covered with dust.

It appears as if it has not been opened.

As you look through it, everything is unfamiliar.

Except, you have heard the words from your family. The words are comforting and speak of the values that you hold dear to your heart.

You look back at the book titled 'Truth'

The stories are filled with people who don't look like you.

Though they do terrible things, they are called innovators, explorers, and leaders.

At the top of each page, it reads, "learn these pages to succeed in life."

You go back to the untitled book.

As you read and feel comforted, people appear, telling you the words you are reading are wrong, untrue, not supported by real facts contained in the book titled 'Truth.'

They threaten, scold and admonish you.

You think "Maybe they're right."

The untitled book is about you, your family, your ancestors.

It is your real and true history.

The book titled "Truth" is about people that have nothing to do with you.

It is the book we are forced to learn in school.

It is history.

And dear world, though you have named this "beautifully-decorated" book "Truth" -- it is NOT real history.

The untitled book is making its way into the light.

We are learning our real history.

We are all becoming more empowered every day.

Search for your own real truth.

Because I have conducted research by talking to Native historians, adhering to tradition to uphold sacred histories.

I have been told my sources are not valid.

Because words from a mouth - do not equate to words on a piece of paper by some definitions.

But let me end by saying this:

People have told me sacred oral histories are not as relevant because they have not been written down.

Though our traditions are not written, our sacred traditions remain intact.

But many who wrote it all down, have lost their own cultures.