by Dr. George Blue Spruce
This column is a place where members can help each other foster the resilience that has sustained Indigenous people. In this issue, we present a message from AISES elder and 1990 Ely S. Parker Award recipient Dr. George Blue Spruce. This is Part I of two installments. Look for Part II of the wise words of Dr. Blue Spruce in the next issue of Winds of Change.
Being a blue spruce means being resilient. A blue spruce tree is a Tannenbaum, an evergreen. Resilience requires having a strong foundation — strong and deep roots. It means staying flexible enough to thrive under all weather conditions, good times and bad times, easy times and hard times. Just as my last name, Blue Spruce, represents an evergreen tree, one that can survive in excessive heat or freezing cold, we must remain steadfast in our goals and desires.
Finding solutions to challenges often takes looking at things from a different viewpoint.
I was fortunate to have parents dedicated to me and my siblings and who cared a great deal about our educations. Though they themselves did not have the opportunity to attend college, and were forced to attend Indian boarding school in Albuquerque, N.M., they understood the value of having a college degree in the white man’s society. Having a degree is even more important now and will open many doors to a career path.
My siblings and I also grew up near many extended family members who not only shared their stories about Pueblo life, culture, and history but also who inspired us to stand tall and believe in ourselves. I think those early days I spent with many cousins, aunts, and uncles helped strengthen my foundation so I could better meet the challenges ahead.
Thriving or succeeding under extreme adverse conditions is accomplished not by ignoring the situation or pretending it doesn’t exist, or even being stoic and trying to figure out things on your own. Finding solutions to challenges often takes looking at things from a different viewpoint, reaching deep within yourself to unlock your fears or concerns so you can move forward successfully. I found that connecting with others who are facing similar challenges can be a great source of strength. As a blue spruce, you can’t change the past, but you can continue to strive upward and stay hopeful for the future.
For more on Dr. Blue Spruce, see his profile in “AISES People.”
Main Photo by istock; portrait courtesy of Dr. Blue Spruce