Things will get better

This December ends yet another year. Thinking back to 2008 events I sometimes wonder what the future holds for us. I try to think in a positive way and when I think of the tribulations we have faced this past year I try to think of solutions. We can sit back and complain of what is happening to our families, to our young and to our elders or we can think of ways that we might help to improve our way of life.

This week was especially a trying time for me when I heard there are at least 50 reported violent crimes a week. Young adults who I considered role models for our teens were part of this violence. It wasn't only these young adults who were a disappointment but to hear that their parents were involved in trying to justify the violent actions of their children and their vindictiveness was even worse. I remember a time when parents corrected their children.

I didn't get away with much when I was growing up. If my parents or grandparents heard that I had done something wrong I heard about it and I felt ashamed for my misbehavior. They wanted me to grow up to be a good person. It is not a matter of taking sides but a matter of improving our way of life. Our tribal officials are also accountable and hold the responsibility of developing law and order codes that include stalking and gang violence.

When I was growing up and things were at their worst my grandmother, Julia would say, "Things will get better." She really believed that they would. Her encouragement and positive attitude gave me hope. My grandfather, Homer would talk about our history and that we had survived the worst that came our way, this gave me faith and hope. He would say, "We, Lakota are a strong people, we have values that gave us emotional strength, we know who we are, and this is what helps us thrive. This is what we need to teach our children - our history, pride in our Lakota identity, and right and wrong behavior." The strength that we accrue from these lessons makes us true Lakota.

The great Chief Sitting Bull said, "Take what is good from the Whiteman and leave the rest behind." We are a tribal people, let's get rid of the foreign gang mentality.

Although we have set backs, like the high suicide rate of our young people, gangs, and the lack of laws that protect us I still look forward to the coming new year with hope and faith. Just as my grandmother said, "Things will get better." But we have to work at making things better. It doesn't just happen. We cannot escape life's tribulations. Our history tells us that we were law-abiding people; laws were enforced by a respected warrior society known as Akicita. Our families were strong and wanted the best for us. We can live by those time-tested Lakota values that will sustain us all.

Let's find ways of giving our children hope and help them set goals this coming new year. This is a completely different world than what it was when us grandparents were growing up. Education is the key. This does not mean only wasicu education but includes Lakota spiritual education, our own history, our own tribal values, our language and learning to be true Lakota. Place family first, show your children you love them. In your new year resolutions find ways in which you can help your children grow and be responsible for their behavior.. Teach your children that they are tribal members. Ensure that their futures holds promise by teaching them right from wrong.

Mistakes are learning tools from which a person grows and learns to become a better person. Be grateful for those who have entered your life and have given your life meaning Mitakuyepi Have a wonderful new year!