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| The official page of the Matinecock Indian Tribe of Long Island, NY |
What better topic to revisit than that of the American Indians?
Disturbing, however, is the fact this story is not totally past history...it is tied to history, yes, but it is also right here, right now, in America, in New York City.
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| The official page of the Matinecock Indian Tribeof Long Island, NY |
Without further ado, here is their story as a documentary...heart warming and heart wrenching...
The Lost Spirits is a documentary following the lives of a Native American family living in Queens, New York. In recent years, many conflicts have plagued their tribe and stirred up controversy within the town. It began with the removal of their family cemetery to build a road in the 1930′s. The artifacts and burial items mysteriously went missing. The acres of land they used to own was snatched by the government for back taxes, and the remaining land is landlocked by the surrounding owners. The Barron family, members of the Matinecock and Montaukett tribes, could never seem to get their voices heard. This film is to show people who they are, what happened in their lives, and the future of American Indians in Little Neck, New York.
Read MORE about Montaukett Indian Nation who 103 years ago, were declared by a New York State Judge as being “extinct.” Guess what? They are still here!
Be sure to visit Rebecca Taylor McFarland @A Misbehaved Woman. In her own words,
Ageless, timeless, mysterious, wandering Child of The Universe. Residing in the barren desert town of Lost Causes, NM - much to my distress & dismay. I like to share bizarre bits of news mixed with a hefty dash of snark. There is never much rhyme or reason to what I post & no way to predict what mood might strike my sun-soaked brain so you'll just have to go with the flow or find another arroyo to hike in. Whatever tickles your tarantula.
In the story, Maggie is a victim of an abusive childhood that has left its share of scars running deep much like those of the Indians. The healing process is slow, but possible, as scenes unwind amid an atmosphere of hope. Her salvation: the building of a teepee, a place of solace, a place of warmth away from the cold, painful memories. Cold in the sense of uncaring, painful from physical abuse.
Marilyn Armstrong has a remarkable sense of humor which she intertwines throughout her book. What obstacles did Maggie face that led her to attempt building a teepee? What obstacles did she face in building the teepee? After all, the Indians were nomadic, they had to be able to put up and take down their teepees quickly. So, how hard could this be?
Maggie's past is laced with tough decisions, some of which led to positive results, others not positively directed. The paths crossed, the lessons learned, the camaraderie gained will have you crying as she tries so hard to be accepted and laughing as she attempts to build the easy set-up, take-down dwelling place of the Indians.
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| Marilyn never leaves home without her camera! |
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