We live in a competitive world, but traditionally we are not a competitive people. Our heritage is to share our wealth. Our heritage is humility. Our ancestors shared their belongings and food when times were good and knew they could depend on others when times were bad. Having a ?giveaway? and sharing your wealth is not uncommon with Native American people who have been honored in some way.
But there is a difference between humility and hurt. I remember being called an ?apple? when I went on to college. ?Red on the outside and white on the inside.? ?You think you?'re better than we are.? ?You act like you?'re white.?
In the Spirit of Medicine features the essays of Dr. Arne Vainio, an enrolled member of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe and a family practice doctor on the Fond Du Lac reservation in Cloquet. His essays on life, work, medicine, and spirit are published in News from Indian Country and you can find the link to this story here.