A change
Today, I had the enormous pleasure of meeting Winona LaDuke, Ojibwe environmental activist and former vice-presidential running mate to Ralph Nader. I can't even begin to explain how much this meant to me. Ms. LaDuke has been my idol for years. I still remember in 9th grade when I was assigned a report about the person, outside my family, who I considered to be my hero. She was the first person to come to mind, and I begged my mother to buy me her book, "Last Standing Woman." (I still have it; I would have asked her to sign it, but I was mildly embarrassed by how worn it is now.)
She talked to me about coming from a reservation and gave me some great advice. I told her I'm a fine arts major, something which I've always felt guilty about. It feels selfish of me to go into art, when there's so much need for educated and honest professionals on our reservations. I'm also ashamed that I'm focusing on the work of Europeans, while work by my own people goes largely unnoticed. She told me not to feel bad; that I needed to do what made me happy in life. Coming from her, a person who is so accomplished, it was inspiring and exactly what I needed to hear.
I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Maybe now I can stop worrying about disappointing everyone, and start focusing on what I love to do.
She talked to me about coming from a reservation and gave me some great advice. I told her I'm a fine arts major, something which I've always felt guilty about. It feels selfish of me to go into art, when there's so much need for educated and honest professionals on our reservations. I'm also ashamed that I'm focusing on the work of Europeans, while work by my own people goes largely unnoticed. She told me not to feel bad; that I needed to do what made me happy in life. Coming from her, a person who is so accomplished, it was inspiring and exactly what I needed to hear.
I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Maybe now I can stop worrying about disappointing everyone, and start focusing on what I love to do.