David Yeagley is the great-great-grandson of Comanche leader Bad Eagle. 
What does an Indian think about Thanksgiving? What does a white American think? BadEagle.com has expressed the opinion of one Comanche Indian. As we approach Thanksgiving 2010, we note, once again, the most contrasting views of Indian and white opinon.
There is particularly hackneyed article by a white man currerntly making the rounds of internet commentary. “The Aftermath of the First Thanksgiving,” by one Malcome Lagauche (November 14), is such a fine rebuke of the white Christian that it has been published on many anti-American sites, and sites that feel rebuking America is a form of satisfying self-righteousness. Lagauche’s lament is based on the famous, but tired disposition that everything about America is false, pretentious, and immoral. Why? Because of what happened to the American Indian. In the long process of American history, the Indian suffered a continuous, abiding abuse from the white man. Such a position is shared by many a white (and colored) writer at this time of year. I don’t know who is trying to impress whom, but, as an Indian, I’m offended at these obligatory lamentations.
Pocasset tribe members mourn the death of their leader, Weetamoe See: Lagrauche Article 802
To present the American Indian as the image of abuse, as the sin of America’s soul, is the worst possible approach to reality that could be pawned off on the Indian. Yes, it is in the name of righteousness (or, “social justic”) that these theoretical indulgences are continually paraded, but they have absolutely no positive effect on American Indians. That is the cold steel of the matter.
Lagrauche complains that he was misinformed, misguided, and deceived by his education in American public schools about history and meaning of Thanksgiving. Though he is quite right to point out that the Indians who fought against the new white race (the Pilgrims) were patriots of their own nations, he is quite wrong to count their defeat as a fault of the white race, and to forever brand white America as an evil presence in the world. (And, yes, this smacks of anti-Zionism, and yes, Lagrauche’s piece has been picked up by Muslim sites.) We may also note that the “tribes” and “Indians” of modern times to whose ancestors Lagrauche refers are the pretender types, like todays “Wampanoag,” who are mostly black mulatto in plains Indian clothing. Of course, Lagrauche must reference personal knowledge and acquaintance with a living “Indian” leader, like the “tribal leader” of the great Kumeyaay Nation of southern California. Sounds impressive, no? The Kumeyaay nation is a little more than just another California casino “pop-up” tribe, which is suddenly made famous and powerful–through the white man’s vice; but, despite their many tiny bands and reservations (plots), they did not have federal recognition until the casinos moved in. (If I am mistaken on this, I invite immediate correction. The Kumeyaay web pages simply do not address this modern historical matter.) And, once again, they dress in Plains Indians clothing, to authenticate their “Indianness.” All of these casino tribes validate their Indianness through interweaving Plains Indian history, but the fact is, California Indians have an entirely different history, and share no commonality with Plains Indians other than the common plight of the white American nation build on top of them. “Pan-Indianism” this is called–considering all Indians alike. But writers like Lagrauche have no knowledge or mind for this kind of truth. All historical details and facts are dismissed for the greater good of Indian racism. That’s right. To think of Indians as a race is racism. Indians did not think of ourselves as a race at all. We were independent “nations.” We had different languages, religions, customs, and territories.
Inasmuch as Lagrauche’s article is based primarily on the plight of the Wampanoag and Pocasset people, his sole purpose is to affirmed their victimhood, rather than acknowledge any value in the white superiority. Again, he is absolutely right to recognize that Indians were patriots of their own nations. There were not the instigators of war with the invaders. The were being invaded! It was a war of defense.
However, this is not to imply that Indians were peace-loving, tree-hugging effetes. Yet, that is always the position of writers like Lagrauche. Indians are presented as morally, spiritual superior, because they were pacifists, according to this popular anti-American position. I have said this does no good for Indians. I also say it does positive harm. It is a disservice to Indians. What Lagrauche offers is an expression of liberal self-righteousness which not only insults Indians, but denigrates them as well. As most liberal social responses, it uses “victims” to denigrate Western civilization.
Victimhood is a negative moral position to be in. That is the overwhelming psychological fact. In infantilizes, it cripples, and it perpetuates dependence. Are these the conditions of the American Indian? Are these the choice of the Indian? Or, are they the inheritance of a selfish, white liberal stereotyping?
Whatever Indian problems are, and however they developed, the blood of bleeding heart liberals has no healing effect. The elixer of Indian maladies is in the Indian himself. So, no thanks to the doctrine of Lagrauche, and sympathies to the Indians who are suffering from its toxic taint. I say, don’t use me. Don’t pity me. And don’t presume. My object is not to be like you, but to be like I was before you ran into me. And you’d be a lot better off if you imitated what I was then.
You don’t see it, but you’re becoming like me, now, the creature you claim you created. You’re being invaded by a hostile race, with an intolerant religion, and instead of eliminating it forthwith, you’re being a gracious host, just like we were. So, is that why you like to pity Indianis? Is is some vicarious self-pity?
Snap out of it white man! Snap out of your own conceits.
Thanksgiving is not a time for politics, but just a simple agreed upon date to be thankful, formally, for the gift of life, and whatever joys we have found therein. Indian all believe in the Creator. To Him we offer our thanks. White people do the same. So, why becloud the spirits with the inevitable smog of politics? This is a time to forget the ego, not to aggrandize it.
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
And to the Kumeyaay, congratulations on your survival. Remember to thank the white man for his gambling vice. I must tell you, most of the world outside southern California doesn’t know a thing about you. Your story is unique and valid as it is. You don’t need to identify with plains Indians for strength. You are who you are, and that’s more than enough. You’re Indian, and you stayed Indian. I for one am thankful for that.
8 responses so far ↓
1 David Yeagley // Nov 22, 2010 at 10:54 am
From the Kumeyaay web sites (which are many) I did run across this one page, from the Viejas Band: Tribal Sovereignty.
Under “Recognized Indian Tribes,” there is an implied acknowlegement that federal recognition came through casino opportunities.
While many California bands had become so small and neglected by the second half of the 20th century, they ceased to exist, the Kumeyaay bands did not all suffer that fate, at least not as badly as other California bands.
2 Thrasymachus // Nov 22, 2010 at 11:39 am
Happy Thanksgiving!
The White Man’s collective, universal guilt complex is starting to become mawkish and lugubrious. I wonder if the same thing happened in Ancient Rome at the time of its fall? Perhaps the Roman political class began preaching the outrageous wickedness of the Roman civilization and its military conquests.
I, for one, do not glory in wars; neither do I shrink in horror from them. To make war is a part of human nature, for better or for worse. To make peace treaties and sacred agreements is also a part of human nature.
In any war, people suffer on both sides.
Among the Boy Scouts — traditionally White — there has long been great respect for the American Indian. This is because the Indian was a warrior, not a victim. I think that this attitude has been the general historical white opinion of the American Indian — he was a worthy foe.
My concern is that the treaties made with Indians in the past be fully respected, as our honor requires and morality dictates. The Liberal position would rob both Indian and White Man alike in forcing both societies to abandon their historical identities. Liberalism is destructive of nations and peoples and cultures.
3 Pamela K. // Nov 22, 2010 at 11:47 am
I have made the acquaintance of a man who is a Comanche Indian and a Christian from Oklahoma who refused to be photographed before his tribal nation’s casino. He does not gamble and although the casino seems to be bringing economic relief to his people, he believes that promoting gambling is wrong. He is right. The Bible roundly condemns participating in gambling or other forms of usury. In his letter to the Hebrews, St. Paul admonishes us, “Let your character or moral disposition be free from the love of money, greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions.” Hebrews 13:5. The Lord Himself reminds us to ask God, “Give us this day our daily bread.” Matthew 6:11.
Money will not solve the problems facing American Indians. These are people who have been rejected, scorned, abused, and forsaken. I believe many American Indian tribes labor under a spiritual curse, invoked on them by the United States Government, which abused and humiliated the native people, which broke every treaty they ever made with the Indians, and by the people who came and took their land and their way of life away from them. This would explain the unprecedented level of horrific poverty and despair, alcoholism and sexual abuse, prevailing on Indian reservations today.
The period of displacement, or the American Indians being forcibly uprooted and exiled from their ancestral land, was followed by a “conversion movement” conducted by primarily misguided, “religious-minded” missionaries. Their plan to “kill the Indian, save the man.” produced a bitter harvest. Their missionary work, bereft of the leading of the Holy Spirit, was instead conducted in a spirit of legalism, religious pride, and self-righteousness. The results, therefore, produced an adverse effect which has caused deep hurt, suspicion, and division throughout the native communities for many years now.
God loves his native children and He has not forgotten them. As believers, we are called upon to fast and pray for our brethren, and to ask the Holy Spirit to touch the hearts of people within the Indian communities of America. We need to ask the Lord to raise a mighty army of brothers and sisters, baptized in the Holy Spirit, to return to their people and not only break down the spiritual strongholds that have prevented revival there, but to witness God’s love and mercy, healing and forgiveness.
“The poor and needy are seeking water when there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst; I the Lord will answer them; I the God of Israel, will not forsake them.
I will open the rivers on the bare heights, and the fountains in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pond of water, and the dry land springs of water.
That men may see and know and consider and understand together that the hand of the Lord has done this, that the Holy One of Israel has created it.” Isaiah 41:17-18, 19
Thanksgiving Blessings!
4 Thrasymachus // Nov 22, 2010 at 11:56 am
Yes, Self-Righteousness in the “white man’s disease,” regardless of the form — historical or present — that it takes. Gambling shows lack of faith in God that He will provide.
Wherever Whites have violated historical treaties with the American Indian, I am in favor of whatever remedial steps can be taken.
But their is no universal white guilt. Liberals want to blame Whites for all the evils in World History. This kind of social justice gospel is at odds with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus is our righteousness, not our social do-gooding.
5 David Yeagley // Nov 22, 2010 at 12:54 pm
It is a challenge to consider that the God of the bible is not the white man’s God. He is the creator of all nations. My notion is that, whatever nation seeks Him, that nation will be blessed.
Cultural accoutrements are not the measure of God. Indians are quite free to seek the Creator presented in the Bible–who alone claims to have created all nations. That alone is enough of an invitation! There is only one God who claims such a claim. That in itself is utterly amazing. How did deceptive, deceived, and confused mankind (and his ally the Devil) ever spend so many centuries with so many gods, and not one of them claims to have created all Nations, and all ethnicities, and all races?
Do we want to write that off as the peculiarity of Jewish internationalism? Their history I think would deny such a write off, despite their “problems” with internationalism.
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7 mhtyler // Nov 23, 2010 at 2:41 pm
David, its been far too long since I visited your site. I intend to recommend it to others. It is always a breath of fresh air.
Mark
8 World Spinner // Nov 23, 2010 at 5:13 pm
Pre-Thanksgiving Meditation…
Here at World Spinner we are debating the same thing……
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