Remain Close To The Great Spirit

There are an incredibly vast number of amazing and diverse cultures all around this planet. We at Gypsy Rose have been fortunate enough to experience some for ourselves, and have grown our business through respecting and embracing other people’s cultures. And while our travels have taken us across continents and oceans, we hold the same respect for the native cultures of our own country, the U.S.A. It is this passion for respect, understanding, and coexisting with people of all walks of life that inspired us to spotlight the Native American nation for this season’s catalog.

We are by no means experts on the history or rich culture of the American Indians, nor are we speaking on behalf of any tribe. We simply have a deep respect for the people who called this land home for thousands of years before Europeans stepped foot on its shores. We have embraced this opportunity to better educate ourselves, and in this process we’re even more inspired to continue to learn about Native American history and culture, and in what ways we can help support them in these modern times.

Prior to the arrival of the Europeans, most Native American tribes lived peacefully, in harmony with nature and all living creatures. Their way of life was built on a foundation of Respect; Respect for Mother Earth, for the Great Spirit, for their fellow man & woman, and for individual freedom. Traditional Native American cultures are very different from contemporary U.S. society. For example, they live as a tight-knit society, with emphasis on the importance of “We”, family and community, rather than on the “I”, or single individual. They live in harmony with all of nature and are respectful of others, rather than attempting to control or manipulate the people and world around them. In the Native culture, sharing and giving are valued more than getting and keeping, and materialism is viewed as selfishness. So much of their culture is centered around Respect and Harmony, from their social interactions to their spiritual practices. Living as a community and taking care of one another and the Earth is how they thrived peacefully for thousands of years.

Tragically, the American Indians’ peaceful way of life was violently disrupted with the arrival of European colonists. For centuries, the natives of this land were treated as savages, and were put through hell on Earth at the hands of the European settlers, the American colonists & federal government. To say the treatment of the Native Americans was an atrocity is an understatement. What they went through, how they suffered, is a true black mark in the history of all humanity. Thousands of years of lineage and proud & honored traditions were wiped out during the building of the United States of America. Natives were slaughtered; they were banished & exiled from their homes and villages, then relocated to swamp lands and dry deserts. They had no rights. They were not even recognized by the US government as a race until the late 1800’s. Through the 20th century they continued to stand up for their rights and freedoms. They have been fighting for their own existence and preservation of their heritage for centuries. Even today, in these modern times of the 21st century and in the wealthiest & most powerful nation in the world, Native American people are struggling to survive in their tribes.

Historians believe that over 90 percent of U.S. land was once inhabited by tribes. Today, approximately 2 percent of the U.S. is considered tribal lands. Even today Native Americans are still negotiating with the federal government to reclaim their lands. (Many tribes wish to acquire more land as a means of achieving economic prosperity, but corporations & individuals claim they are the rightful owners.) Sadly, many Indian reservations in the U.S. today are experiencing serious decay within their societies. Dire poverty, high unemployment rates, overburdened and understaffed social, medical, and educational services, and a severe lack in communication & transportation infrastructure are burdening the reservations to their breaking point. To help these struggling reservations, some incredible and wonderful non-profit organizations have been formed. While these charities help make a huge difference in the lives of many American Indians, there are still giant steps to be taken, and much help is needed. It is important to be aware of and informed about the hardships the Native Americans are enduring in modern society, and it’s good to know that there are ways we can help.

The Native American people, their heritage and their lifestyles, inspire us here at Gypsy Rose in countless ways. Their philosophies of Respect, Harmony, and Coexisting peacefully as well as their strength, perseverance and cultural pride in the face of severe adversity humbles us and teaches us. There is so much more to the history and culture of these incredible people than we could ever write in a few short paragraphs. We hope that you find yourself as intrigued and inspired by the American Indians as we are. We encourage you to seek out more knowledge, to get involved, to bring awareness, and to lend a hand in helping to preserve and cultivate their precious & amazing way of life.

Want to help? Check out these sites, for starters!

Native American Heritage Association: www.naha-inc.org

American Indian Relief Council: www.nrcprograms.org

Native American Advocacy Program: www.naaplakota.org

The 10 Indian Commandments

• Remain close to the Great Spirit

• Show great respect for your fellow beings

• Give assistance and kindness wherever needed

• Be truthful and honest at all times

• Do what you know to be right

• Look after the well being of mind and body

• Treat the Earth and all that dwell thereon with respect

• Take full responsibility for your actions

• Dedicate a share of your efforts to the greater good

• Work together for the benefit of all mankind