Our dear and respected friend Kenny Smoker, director of Health and Wellness at Fort Peck, has a quote at the end of each email he sends: “It does not take many words to speak the truth."-Chief Joseph, Nez Perce
Our nation was founded on words. The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, these are all weighty documents that are pivotal pieces in United States history. They are full of words. As important as they are, take a moment and contrast these documents with Chief Joseph’s brief saying.
Since before a democratic union of the states in America was even a thought, there were many words and many injustices. Some of these transgressions have been resolved with wars, programs, politics, and media coverage. However, one of the most glaringly obvious injustices that America has ever been subjected to is the treatment of the Natives; our first people. Like most of our nation’s misdeeds, there are programs that attempt to right the wrong, but what our first people need is not more programs, politics, or words, they need action. It’s time we begin to heal one of the oldest wounds in American history.
It does not take many words to speak the truth, and actions speak louder than words.