by Chief Mark Quiet Hawk Gould
To All My Relations and Supporters.
This has been a long seventy six year journey with many pleasant memories. We can fixate on the atrocities, but it serves us well when we live with the lessons that came with those atrocities. Those before us were hard working, family orientated, God loving, Tribal citizens that ensured our survival. I am truly blessed, for the past forty years I have had the privilege of watching families working together to restore the balance of our family unity. Since 2012 we have been under attack by the New Jersey state government trying to break our spirit. Not because we did something wrong but because they wrongly think we might want something (casinos) that we have proven we believe is against our spiritual values. We must continue to help one another like our families before us; support our youth and help them to advance; teach our history, teach survival, teach respect and spirituality. These are the values that were practiced, not just taught.
Whatever happens in the courts, whatever the verdict, we hope will come soon…we have won! The families had to live a secret life and now the truth is known by all. Picture all of those that are looking down on us, they are proud and smiling. That is worth more than any tribulation that we have suffered.
Remember, family first. Keep your knees bent, your hands raised high and your head bowed. We will survive only with the mercy and help of the Creator. (Thank Him for the blessings that He has already provided.) Our suffering has once again made us stronger.
This has been a long seventy six year journey with many pleasant memories. We can fixate on the atrocities, but it serves us well when we live with the lessons that came with those atrocities. Those before us were hard working, family orientated, God loving, Tribal citizens that ensured our survival. I am truly blessed, for the past forty years I have had the privilege of watching families working together to restore the balance of our family unity. Since 2012 we have been under attack by the New Jersey state government trying to break our spirit. Not because we did something wrong but because they wrongly think we might want something (casinos) that we have proven we believe is against our spiritual values. We must continue to help one another like our families before us; support our youth and help them to advance; teach our history, teach survival, teach respect and spirituality. These are the values that were practiced, not just taught.
Whatever happens in the courts, whatever the verdict, we hope will come soon…we have won! The families had to live a secret life and now the truth is known by all. Picture all of those that are looking down on us, they are proud and smiling. That is worth more than any tribulation that we have suffered.
Remember, family first. Keep your knees bent, your hands raised high and your head bowed. We will survive only with the mercy and help of the Creator. (Thank Him for the blessings that He has already provided.) Our suffering has once again made us stronger.
