This month is Native American Heritage Month, a time to reflect on the origins of our nation and where we are in the fulfillment of the American dream.

MY UNDERSTANDING OF THE NATIVE AMERICAN PLIGHT

While I had some understanding of our past treatment of the Native American, I did not appreciate the depth to which my ancestors, devout Puritans who landed in 1630 to help found Massachusetts Bay Colony, held contempt for those different from them. My research into their actions troubles me.

I would like to share a small portion of the draft of my upcoming novel with the working title, The Refugees. The character, Elizabeth, is my eighth great-grandmother. Whether she behaved as I have portrayed her is unknown.

THE NATIVE AMERICAN—SUBHUMAN?

March 1637

By now, Elizabeth and Cockenoe (a Narragansett Indian who spoke English) had fallen into an easy routine of instructing various groups of Native American women and girls on the spinning wheel. He would quickly set up the equipment for the students, then translate Elizabeth’s instruction on the art of producing thread and yarn.

Initially, his ability to rapidly learn and demonstrate the craft shocked her. She had never considered Indians an intelligent group.

The March morning was raw, and Elizabeth pulled her wheel close to the fire. Two new students, in well-worn skirts and patched cloaks, edged their way into the meeting hall. One woman crossed her arms over her chest and scowled, the other stood stiffly, staring at her. Unease flooded through her. Furthermore, their interaction with Cockenoe baffled her. An unkind smile, a curling lip. Eventually, the women began to slowly work at the craft.

“They do not seem as if they wish to be here,” Elizabeth said. “I would think they would appreciate the opportunity to learn a skill.”

Cockenoe looked at her oddly. “A skill? Mistress Johnson, these women are extremely skilled at making clothing. They tan and fashion deer skins into marvelous garments. The short one is renowned for her porcupine-hair Roach headdresses. Her red ones are in high demand.”

Elizabeth froze. She had never thought of tanning and fashioning hides as a skill. “Why are they here, then?”

The young man stared at the floor, then paced. As he did so, Elizabeth watched anguish spread over his face. Then he sat, staring at the wheel of one of the machines as it whirred.

In time, Elizabeth broke the silence. “I would like to know why they are here. To me, if they do not want to learn, they will make poor students.”

“If I tell you, you must not say anything to anyone. If you do, my master will punish me.”

“You have my word.”

“These women are war captives and are now the property of local townspeople. Their owners want them to have the ability to produce English-style clothing. If they fail to be productive, they will most likely be sold.”

“Sold…. I do not understand.”

“My people who do not bend to English ways are frequently sold as slaves in the Caribbean. I have heard life there is difficult and many die young.”

Elizabeth focused on her work, absorbing Cockenoe’s words. Surely this is not true. I would have heard about it before. However, her dealings with him had not revealed him to be dishonest.

Now curious, she asked, “Are you free to leave after a certain number of years as the indentured servants are?”

A painful expression passed over the young man’s face. “No. My master has total control…. I too, risk being sold if I step out of line.”

“But is not the English life with its stability better than roaming in the wilderness?”

“In the wilderness, I am free to go where I wish and love who I want.”

Elizabeth concentrated on her work, her mind spinning as fast as her wheel flew.

Until she began interacting with Cockenoe, she had considered the natives as subhuman because they did not share her belief in God.

NATIVE AMERICAN FINAL THOUGHTS

Until we can see those different from us as real humans with thoughts and feelings and understand the world from their point of view, we will fail to fully realize the American Dream of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all our citizens.

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