Welcomed as a Brother by Native Peoples

[Burly Brute]

So, I'm in Tucson at a week long conference of addictions professionals - kilted for comfort. A presenter this morning, a Native American lady, pointed over to me and said, "I saw a brother over here in a kilt - he knows Scottish people were colonized too."

Her presentation was on decolonization of the mind - for Native Peoples to go back to their old ways for healing.

The conference is heavily attended my Native American therapists so it was pretty special for me. Realized I have Navajo, Hopi, and Apache friends there with me.

And, nice to be recognized as a descendent of a colonized culture with parallels to Native American experiences. Yes, many threads about this before and many books on it.

Just felt great to have it pointed out in front of 500 folks.

This is very thought-provoking, and I have meditated on the spectrum many a nights. Really cool event, glad you shared it with us.

I have subtly been trying to integrate this reality within my workplace (federal gov. affiliated) but it has not come to fruition just yet. Perhaps if I lobby it as a way to increase awareness in general for native peoples. I don't know, who knows! Haha.

Thanks Ron!

-Zach