Very Interesting
This is an oral history by Taowhywee, Agnes Baker Pilgrim, the Oldest Living Member of the Takelma Tribe, one of the Conferated Tribes of Siletz. It combines her life story with the story of what it is like to be a First Nation person over the last 90 + years. It was very interesting to hear what it was like to grow up in the 1920’s and 1930’s in a society that was marginalized in the US. Her parents were strict and pro-education, and this benefitted Taowhywee. She had a lot of varied life experiences, including a stint as a bouncer in a bar! She talks about how one night her husband and one of her sons showed up at the bar drunk, and she threw both of them out. Her husband had a drinking problem, and would get violent. She finally got away from him, but it was vague as to whether he ever changed his ways and returned to her or if he was gone for good. She has traveled the world, and has met many spiritual leaders, including the Dalai Lama. Her thoughts on issues such as drugs and alcohol, education, and women’s rights are very interesting. I was surprised by her take on sports teams using First Nations images as mascots, which goes against the current views. She said she is not offended by it, because she views it as a compliment. Her feeling is that it is showing that the First Nations people are fierce and strong. She rambles a bit at times, and does occasionally repeat herself. However, this was recorded over about a half dozen sessions, and it does not appear to have been scripted, and so that might be expected. It reminded me of "Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years," which was an oral history of the two African American sisters who were 101 and 103.