WE ARE

Hello. Clara. The overlapping of cultures in the definitions of Hispanic and Mexican is confusing, if one thinks of the history of the Native peoples from Navajo land southward. The mix of African tribes, Spanish invaders, and the various tribes and nations in what is now in Mexico, makes for a long look into identity. A number of Native people up here on the East coast, refer to the so-called Hispanics as Spanish speaking Indians and relate to them as such.

So, the conversations my wife and I have, for example, with Central Americans, often gets them telling Jan the tribes they come from. For us, Native people it breaks down the barriers American whites create and we can get into each others families and stories, and ceremonies and parties.

Well, I am not making an indictment against you. Our way is to let us tell each other who we are, and acknowledge our ancestors, as you have done. You just gave me an opportunity to flesh out my thoughts as simply as possible, with clarity. Thank you. - Gregory E. Woods, Keeper of Stories 4/14/17