Zitkala-Å a

'A wee child toddling in a wonder world, I prefer to their dogma my excursions into the natural gardens where the voice of the Great Spirit is heard in the twittering of birds, the rippling of mighty waters, and the sweet breathing of flowers.' Zitkala-Å a, from 'Why I am a Pagan', 1902.Zitkala-Å a is an enduring legend and icon for women from many different cultural backgrounds and all those oppressed by the system of 'white supremacist capitalist patriarchy', a term coined by the black american feminist writer bell hooks. She evokes love, sentience and inspiration in her readers, and draws attention to the plight of the Sioux peoples since the tragedies of the nineteenth century. What we all must realise is that this was not just a tragedy for the Sioux, but a loss for the world, for this was one of the most evolved cultures on this planet. Evolved, balanced and with a deep reverence for Mother Nature. Respect to all Sioux and may the Sioux heritage be kept alive!