Thai Nights

The overwhelming sadness and some joy that I described in the previous post has changed in subsequent years. Though the deadly problems in Native American communities particularly on the reservations still exist—grounded in the historical neglect, maltreatment and betrayal by both Federal and local governments (the Bureau of Indian Affairs is one of the darkest disgraces in American history)—there has been progress, not swift, but there has been progress. More importantly, Native American culture has enlarged and brightened its image on the horizon of American culture at large. Among the many arts advocates and organizations, one that is especially strident is NativeVue—Film and Media Connection (www.nativevue.org). With a growing presence on the internet, NativeVue is a multimedia explosion of news, reviews, articles, blogs and forums that tout and support a wide range of Native American talent and creativity. Created and shepherded by the tireless Carole Levine—she evidently eats and sleeps on her keyboard—NativeVue even beats its drum and rings its bell loudly in Myspace. A brave Bravo! This is where hope thrives.