Page 28 - 1st Anthology 2011

I guess when you have children, you have priorities while you have life. You brought your
children into the world and you have to help them grow up. You can’t just bring them up

in the world and expect them to grow up on their own. You can send them to their
granny’s, if they still have grannies.

I like to do more stuff for my children but it didn’t turn out that way. It’s something you
can’t get rid of love for your children, no matter what. If your children beat you up, you
can forgive them and ask them what has brought them to do that.

I miss that one that just passed away. He was a big help to me and I depended on him for

everything. He helped by telling me what to do. He had good thoughts, the only thing he
had never dealt with was the people. He said that would only cause more trouble.

He said mom you better do something with your beadwork, take it to the museum. He
said take it to the girl there and tell them what you want to do with it. She’s an honest
person. I know who he’s talking about. I think he bought a buckskin dress for his little
girl. He never told me, I could have finished the dress. I was doing it to give that girl a
chance to go on the parade. She wanted to go on the parade so badly.

We managed to find moccasins and belts with my beadwork. We managed to dress her
and her horse. I told him, you should have told me. You know I’ll do anything for my
children. He said you got too many to look after. I said I could do it, as long as I’m in good
health. I’ll do anything for your children. It means something to me. It means something
to wear buckskin clothes.

I’m thinking of making a buckskin vest for my grandson now. He wanted a whole outfit
but he knows I couldn’t do it. I’m just going to make him a full beaded vest with
moccasins. I made four purses, for my three girls and my oldest son. There’s only two I
haven’t made anything for. I want to do it before I lose control over my hands. Otherwise
your hands shake.

All I like to see is those who are doing well like Bruce Starlight. His wife, she would cook
and she would bring me a plate at the Calgary Stampede. I can never forget that. That’s a
real Indian way.

My message to the young people is, I just wish people would help each other more. Not to
give them money or anything like that, or not talking about a bottle of wine. Talk about
how you survive, and help your fellowmen because there are lots of things young people
don’t know. Harley’s boys they know how to butcher a moose or a deer and lots of the

boys don’t know. That’s one of ways to survive is how to get food. Teach them if they
don’t know how to hunt for deer.

27