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From: Jackie Doty <>
Subject: [Q-R] "Blackrobe": Accepting For What It Is.
Date: Sat, 18 Jan 2003 10:25:23 -0600


My reason for bringing the movie into discussion was because I felt it gave
an accurate picture of the hardships endured by all the people in that wild
and beautiful land. It was not meant to give a preferential attitude
toward either the missionaries or the natives. Actually, it was the
excellent cinematography that impressed me.

Having spent two years of my life living on an "Indian Reservation", I know
full well what the plight of the "original people" was, and remains so to
this day. What a mess we whites made of their lives. The sin is grievous.

As it turned out, I could hardly stomach the government workers from the
Bureau of Indian Affairs. They were, with some exceptions, a bunch of nasty
rednecks who utterly despised the very people they were there to help.

The treatment of Native Americans in Oregon was similar to the teatment of
black people in the south. One community, Burns, Oregon, bragged of its
pride in that "no d--n Indian had ever graduated from their high school."

My husband and I both took the time to read the treaty the tribe had signed
in 1855. The words of Chief Simtustus were enough to bring one to tears.

The good. This tribe had some great leaders and still does. They never
squandered a penny, established scholarship funds for the children and built
a gorgeous resort long before gambling came to the reservations.

If any of you really want to take a fantastic vacation, go to Kaneetah
Resort on the Warm Springs Reservation in Oregon. There you will find the
beauty of the high desert coupled with the luxury of gourmet meals, golf,
natural hot springs, horseback riding, and fly-casting. Be sure to visit
the museum...great!
Jackie

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