Standing Strong
Page 8
With a shocked look on her face, Rhonda stopped chewing the mouthful of food she had been working on.
“You mean there could be more of these Black Snakes slithering around?” she said, almost choking. She got a glass of water, filled it, and washed the bite down.
“Yes, I’m afraid so,” Grandma replied. “But you know what we have now that we didn’t have before?”
“What’s that?” Rhonda asked.
“An experienced young leader who knows how to plan and coordinate opposition to environmental injustices and an army of motivated people willing to carry out those plans,” the elder said.
“Oh yeah, and just who is that young leader you’re talking about?” the teen asked as she took another gulp of water.
“You, silly,” came the response.
Totally surprised by that reply, Rhonda almost choked on the water.
“Me? What do I know about it?”
“Child, come over here and give me your hand,” Grandma requested, echoing the words she spoke to the girl when they first met.
As Rhonda put out her hand and the elder took it, that feeling of warm energy enveloped the girl, that same feeling she felt at their first meeting.
“You are no longer that depressed girl with no future who tried to take her own life all those months ago,” Grandma said in a quiet, gentle voice. “You are a whole new person, and I watched as you became that whole new person.”
Rhonda’s eyes began to tear up as the elder continued.
“That new person has seen and felt the worst the world could throw at her,” the elder said. “That new person has gained new knowledge and felt a new connection to the earth and other people. And that new person didn’t hesitate to use her own body to shield defenseless elders against a violent force. That new person is a Water Protector forever.”
Tears trickled down Rhonda’s cheeks as she felt acceptance she’d never experienced before. But that feeling was interrupted by another thought, and the girl withdrew her hand from the elder’s. Reaching for a paper towel hanging from a rack under the nearby kitchen cabinet, the teen dried her eyes.
“You have more confidence in me than I have in myself,” Rhonda said. “But there’s one little problem I’ve got to face.”
“What’s that?” Grandma asked, even though she already knew what the girl was going to say.
“I am pretty much homeless right now, so where would I plan and coordinate this opposition from?”
Again, echoing her first words to Rhonda, Grandma said, “If you wouldn’t mind keeping an old lady company, I’d like to invite you stay with me at my house on the rez for as long as you like.”
Rhonda was speechless.
“You could operate the headquarters of the International Council of Native Youth from there, you know, and reach out to other Native youth.”
Rhonda still couldn’t speak.
“And you could carry on your work as a Water Protector from there too.”
Rhonda was overwhelmed by the generosity of Grandma’s invitation, her unconditional acceptance, and the confidence the elder had in her.
“Water Protector,” Rhonda repeated out loud. “I like the sound of that. If someone asks what I do, I can say I’m a Water Protector. That’s my job title, my mission in life. I am a Water Protector forever.”
With excitement in her voice, Rhonda sat down at the RV dining table and began recording Water Protector ideas, plans, and to-do lists on her smartphone. At that moment, Grandma knew the future of Native communities would be in good hands.
RESOURCES
To find out more or to get involved with the real-life Water Protectors or with Native American environmental protection, contact the following organizations:
Indigenous Environmental Network:
ienearth.org
The International Indigenous Youth Council:
indigenousyouth.org
Water Protector Legal Collective:
waterprotectorlegal.org
To find out more about Native American suicides or to contact someone who can help with suicide prevention, contact the following resources:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
1-800-273-8255
MentalHealth.gov/what-to-look-for/suicidal-behavior
The Indian Health Service Suicide Prevention Programs:
ihs.gov/suicideprevention
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration:
samhsa.gov/tribal-ttac/resources/suicide-prevention
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
GARY ROBINSON is an award-winning writer and filmmaker of Choctaw and Cherokee descent. He has participated in the production of over one hundred Native American educational and informational television projects documenting the history, culture, and contemporary issues of indigenous peoples. His passions include writing books, making videos, and creating digital content and multimedia stories that bust stereotypes, correct misinformation, and dispel myths about American Indians. For more information, visit his website at tribaleyeproductions.com.