Bear's Den: "Christmas is much about being… an Indian Giver"
David Walks-As-Bear
December 19, 2009
Now, many in the Progressive Movement – Obama´s sort – seem to think that American Indians were, and are socialists. Hmm, well, maybe to a degree – but nowhere near how they insinuate. They liken the traditional American Indian ´giving´ to their new slogan of ´Sharing the Wealth´. Now, when they say this (the Progressives), it always means forcefully taking from some to give to others. But the fact is that traditional American Indians didn´t do this – uh-uh. Anything they did was voluntary. They weren´t socialist – not by a long stretch. So, this somewhat erroneous application is one often given by some college professors and others in this Progressive movement who state that American Indians were so inclined to total socialism. Nah, trust me – they weren´t. The American Indian culture, however, tribe to tribe and nation to nation – honors a giving nature. Heck, giving has always been, and remains, a basic tenant of who we are. Yep, yep, and while Indians do love decorating stuff – especially at Christmas – you´ll probably never see a wigwam with a hammer and sickle on its sides… know what I mean?
Traditional Indians view philanthropy pretty much as it is derived from the original Latin philanthrōpia. The word is from the Greek, philanthrōpos, which means, literally, "loving people". Um-hmm, and Merriam-Webster´s Dictionary defines it as:
1: goodwill to fellowmen; especially: active effort to promote human welfare.
Right. And this kind´a fits with the modern version of philanthropy. It´s akin to some rich dude, or dudette, donating a smidgeon of their coin, and thereby being a benefactor to those in the community. Sure, and maybe the philanthropist donates a new wing to a hospital. Usually, they get a little something back for this gift, too. It´s the trade or exchange, the completing of the circle, as it were. Boy… that sounds kind of Indian to me, eh. Yes´um, it does, because in this case, often the new hospital wing will be named for him or her – the said philanthropist – see what I´m saying? And they did this… of their own free will, eh – nobody forced them to do it. In return, they got a good feeling and helped those around them. And, Indian giving is very much the same, in a different venue. Ahh. Remember that phrase "Indian Giver", eh. I´ll come back to it.
For traditional Indians, giving isn´t about a social form of wealth distribution – nope. It´s simply about loving and caring for your fellow man, woman and child. If someone had more than what they needed to survive, it was common sense that they would share some of it with their extended family or those in the village who were less fortunate, due to illness or the loss of a hunter, etc. We are all connected and, therefore, all dependant upon one another. The Life Circle shows this clearly, and the Creator has taught us this… since the beginning. We love, honor and respect those around us. They are but another part of who we all are. Sounds a little Christmassy… hmm? You bet´cha, and I´m sure that everybody´s heard that saying "Jesus is the reason for Season" – right? Well, this whole ´giving´ thing that we´re a chat´n about… well, it dovetails nicely here. That´s because American Indians were one the easiest races upon the Earth Mother to crossover to Christianity. Yes´sir, and that´s because the belief systems between the two are so dang close.
Traditional Indian religious beliefs match up pretty closely with those of Christianity. And, while we hadn´t heard of the carpenter´s kid in Bethlehem, we were always big on pine trees, fires in the hearth, stringing popcorn, roasting chestnuts and other stuff that parallels the season of Christmas. The best parallel is that of… giving. Yeah, the fact is, traditional Indians probably have the closest mindset to Christians in this regard. No doubt about it, the overall emotions of the holiday season were ones that Indians were already familiar with when that lost Italian dropped-anchor down in the Caribbean in 1492. So was the practice of giving. And, the Christian gospel that those funny-looking Europeans brought with them was easily accepted by the feather-wearing two-leggeds on shore. Sure, sure, particularly the story of Christmas, eh.
Christmas is all about the feeling of brotherly love – right? Well, Indians gave to those in need – anytime – not just around December 25th. And the process depended on the spirit in which the gift was given, much more than the actual value of the physical item being passed. The receiver gave the giver something in return, too, in the same way but in a sometimes… different… manner. The concept of circular giving is pretty important for those who hold strongly to the Creator. Uh-huh, and that´s the standard model, #302, traditional American Indian. Traditional Indians believe that gift-giving should always be ongoing; always sharing, helping and protecting. Heck yeah, and so the recipients of gifts are expected to continue the gift… by giving to others… in some way or fashion, until eventually, the circle is met and complete. It´s our way of honoring the present and future generations of the people – clan members and our friends – heck, even… the past. Oooo. Can ya hear those chains clanking in old Ebenezer´s bedroom… those of the ´Ghost of Christmas Past´?
Now, all of this said, it stands to reason that a culture so inclined toward gift-giving would place a high value on the process, eh. So, Indians of old especially viewed giving in terms of power, status and recognition – a little like the modern-day philanthropist does, eh. The big shot donates money for a cause and he expects recognition, status in the community and power… by virtue of this status. This is where I bring that "Indian Giver" phrase back in, eh. You´ve probably heard this one before, huh? When you were young, some kid gave you something, and then… took it back. You or others called that kid an "Indian Giver!" Well, this derogative term came about when white guys – generals and politicians – met with Indian chiefs for peace or treaty talks the first times. The red dudes showed up bearing gifts of respect that they passed to the peaked looking fellas. The white guys just took the fine beaver pelt gift, and mumbled, "Hmm" and added a "thanks" with raised eyebrows. Being unfamiliar with just how important this gift-giving and ´exchange´ was in the Indian culture, and that it was supposed to be mutual, they didn´t reciprocate and give the Indians anything in return. That… disrespected the scarlet guys. Well, okay – if these pasty-looking two- leggeds didn´t respect them, then they… didn´t respect the white ones, either. They grabbed their just-given gifts back, and the term "Indian Giver"… was born.
Now, it´s worth it to note that this little misunderstanding wasn´t about wealth – not at all. Jeeze, wealth in the traditional American Indian culture didn´t used to be, and for many, is still not… measured by net worth – uh-uh. It´s done by a combination of stuff. Character – good, bad, easy-going or hard to get along with – was weighed along with material stuff like horses, furs and weapons. But, above all of those, positively, was the two-legged´s spirituality. It was, and is, the primary element in determining wealth; the adherence to the Master of Life, protecting those you´re charged with protecting and giving, in some way or form, to anyone that we can. If you had this one nailed – you were truly flush, eh. Heck, Chiefs were, and are, chosen for their ability to take care of the people. They share their wisdom and anything they can for others; all is done within a spiritual guideline. So, there you have it, an Indian take on the spirit of The Nativity. Yeah, but to my mind, Linus said it best in "A Charlie Brown Christmas". He said, "Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth… peace, and good will toward men. That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown." Uh-huh, I agree. Christmas… Indian style.
To all of you "Peanuts" out there… Merry Christmas!
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David Walks-As-Bear is an Inter-Tribal Elder and Kispoko Shawnee Indian. He works as a private game warden and detective and is a novelist and syndicated newspaper columnist living in Northwest Michigan. Contact him at The White Lake Beacon: 231-894-5356 or visit his website at: www.Walks-As-Bear.com