Essie Parrish
Kashaya Pomo Spiritual Leader
An Oration in Front of The Center Pole
Strawberry Festival: May 4, 1972
“These things we do, they
speak of who we are, and the families we’re from, and about our relatives too.
We are not just one person; we are many. In just one, there is the whole
tribe, and our ancestors too. White people call this “history” or
“tradition”, or something like that. I heard it said in the white
church that a man is known by his works. This is true. I was educated about this by the Spirit in my dreams, and it’s true.
People from different
places will know about us by what we do; the things we say; how we act to each other; and how we act around those people when
we are among them.
Always do what you
can. Learn all that’s in you, and bring it out for the people to see, especially
the children so they won’t give up along the way.
Show the white people
who we really are. Show them that we have minds too. Our people have talents. People think because we’re
not like them, we’re not smart. But, they’re not like us; are they
dumb too?
When our Heavenly Father
created us, He gave us our minds too, not just our bodies. He gave us a great
gift when He gave us our minds. Because our minds come from His, it’s special;
it’s sacred. Our minds are sacred, and we have a duty to it. Never forget this. Always do your best because we can. Our teacher is the First Teacher and the Leader of all the Teachers. So don’t say you can’t. Don’t hide your
talents. Bring them out of your minds for everybody to see.”
