Having completed our American History studies, we decided it would be a good end-of-year, end-of-co-op activity to visit our local Indian Museum. I was expecting the museum to focus on tribes local to our area, namely the Abenaki. I was wrong! This museum covered all tribes of North America. I was impressed! Unfortunately, we couldn't take pictures in the museum, so I only have pics from outside.
Some things we learned about Indians surprised and delighted us. Everything they made, everything, even the most boring, utilitarian item, was decorated. A quote from a young male Indian said that his "mother's hands created beauty all around him." He said that it was her way of showing her love and care for her family. Not just to provide the necessities, but to bring beauty to them in the process. I, also, feel the desire to do this, but I have sometimes felt a bit frivolous in doing so. For sure, we need to be prudent and not go overboard in the quest for beautiful surroundings, which could lead to overspending and materialism, but I now realize that it is a mother's privilege and, yes, duty, to bring beauty into her family's life. If we want to lead our children to Christ, who is Truth, Beauty, and Goodness, we must surround them with these very things. Native Americans, who are sometimes portrayed as 'savages' or 'heathens', understood and lived this so well.
Their beadwork was incredible! They used brightly colored, glass, seed beads to adorn their clothing. How much time and love went into this intricate work. I wish I had pictures to show it. We also learned that the beads came from Czechoslovakia, and were traded to the Indians by Europeans.
We also discovered that their philosophies of life were very pro-life and completely compatible with Catholicism! They had deep respect for all life, human and otherwise. If the hunters brought in some food, it was shared by everyone in the tribe: old, young, feeble, those who couldn't hunt and those who did. In fact, if a hunter was seen taking a rabbit or other game for himself, without sharing, he was severely punished. They respected and cared for the weakest among them.
They believed that all living things were connected to each other (of course, they are) and thus, were incredible stewards of the earth and natural resources. They wasted nothing.
They worshiped God as they knew Him. Of course, we, who know the True God, would commit a sin if we adopted the Native Americans' spirituality, but they showed genuine reverence and love for the God they knew.
I came away inspired. We would do well to imitate some of the Native Americans' ways.
