We know Native women are tough. I’ve seen it in my Mom, cousins, and sisters. And we also know some Native women can work over a man any day of the week. I’ve heard it, and seen it. Our tribal warfare history talks about the “hefty” Quechan women who killed men in battle… and if you saw or heard the women in our tribe, you would know they are descendants of women who could fight. The real Wonder Women, the true “Amazons.”
I love hanging out with all my cousins, but honestly, they scare me sometimes. One of my female cousins used to always sleep outside under the stars on our rez with all the snakes and scorpions. I remember as a kid admiring how tough she was for doing that. But my sisters could be a little tough and scary at times too. I had a bladder infection when I was 8, and constantly had to use the restroom. My sister scared the bus driver into waiting for me as I ran off the bus to use the restroom in our house. It wasn’t always in my defense though, because one time they both jumped on top of me and gave me a wedgie till my underwear broke. But my sisters were like that; aggressive when they needed to be.
And in some ways, knowing how rough my sisters and cousins were, I knew I probably shouldn’t marry a woman from my tribe for the fear of getting beat up… and plus we’re all probably cousins because the tribe is so small.
I’ve been saddened, amazed, and challenged by hearing of all the #metoo stories this week. The strength and the resiliency is nothing short of amazing when I hear what some women (probably most) have endured regarding sexual harassment and assault. It’s been a topic on my mind for the last few years, and admittedly probably should have been on my radar much sooner. But as I know women in our tribe have undoubtedly have faced sexual harassment, violence, or assault I still see them as those warriors. Women warriors who can fight, and the stories I’ve heard from my family and friends are proof of that. I only hope that the strength they have displayed to tell their stories is something that my daughter will adopt in her life. At the end of the day, I think it means I need to make sure Luna is one of the “hefty” Quechan women who could fend off any enemy.
In junior high school there was a band of Native gals who were so tough, one older one came up behind me and put me in a half Nelson until she ‘put me out.’ I didn’t take it personal (however my pride took a body blow).
Later on in high school, I deleloped a negative taste for the aggressiveness like yourself and mostly dated white gals lol.
Still, like you I also admire the courage and strength of many of our Native women. I finally settled it all and married a mixed blood. 😉
@PatMatt that’s crazy bro. Glad it worked out in the end lol
I like the comment about Vanessa “when I think about it, she’s indigenous too” more people need to realize us Mexicanos/Chicanos are mostly an indigenous people. Like almost all tribes on this continent we have been mostly stripped of our language and pieces of our culture; but that doesn’t make us any less First Nations. Praise God that there is still enough left of our history and culture that those of us who want to can still research and find out a lot about it. Mexicah Tiahui
@Mando, for sure. I’m joking a bit in most of my writing, but in reality Mexicans are Indigenous. Just a little removed from those roots at times. It’s good to be reminded.