Finding Common Ground

Finding Common Ground

A Documentary Synopsis & Trans-Pecos Pipeline Solution Outline

By:  Oshawanna – Blackfoot Tribe

As the people of the Big Bend, in order to see into our future we must take a look into the past so that we may learn lessons from those that walked before us. For the decisions we make today will have impact on many generations to come in the future. To look into the past is not to blame others or to finger point, but rather come together as ONE people to solve all problems of the Big Bend together. As Marfa so proudly displays is to become PAISANO (A New Culture of People).

But we must be willing to take an EAGLE’S view in order to look down and see all the problems as a whole for all way of life here in the Big Bend. To learn to live in BALANCE with the land. Which is to bring equal proportion to all elements, to keep or put something in a stable position so that it does not fall. As WE THE PEOPLE, we have given this responsibility of BALANCE to our State & Federal Governments.

As I chose to take the EAGLE’S view and looked into the past in order to see into the future and to find “COMMON GROUND” for all the people of the Big Bend this is what I saw………..

As the first people of this land whether it be the Native Indians, Mexicans, US White settlers, or the Foreign Irish, German or Spaniard settlers; the one thing they all had in common were the wild HORSES and BURROS. For they are truly the living symbol of the historic indigenous and pioneer spirit of this great land.

Humanity made a great leap forward when Horse was domesticated, a discovery akin to that of fire.  Before Horse, humans were earthbound, heavy-laden, and slow creatures indeed.  Once humans climbed on Horse’s back, they were as free and fleet as the wind.  They could carry burdens for great distances with ease.  Through their special relationship with Horse, humans altered their self-concept beyond measure. Horse was the first animal medicine of civilization.  Humanity owes an incalculable debt to Horse and to the new medicine it brought.  It would be a long walk to see one’s brother or sister if Horse had not welcomed the two-legged rider upon its back.  Today we measure the capacity of engines with the term “horsepower”, a reminder of the days when Horse was an honored and highly-prized partner with humanity.  [1]

The policy of Congress is that (they) shall be protected from capture, branding, harassment, death; and to accomplish this they are to be considered in the area where presently found, as an integral part of the natural system of the public lands.

With all that being said, unfortunately for the wild horses & burros of the Big Bend, they are finding themselves trapped on fenced private land where there is not enough forage or water to sustain them. As well as not enough land acreage to allow for healthy genetic breeding. As animal health scientists of A&M & Texas Universities have studied their DNA, believe they are currently being managed for extinction.

Having recently witnessed a situation in Marfa, TX where a young mustanger had rounded up some of these wild horses from a private ranch was I able to see the first IMBALANCE of the Big Bend range. To see these amazing creatures of this land in such distress spoke to the very core of my soul. To see the young horses split from their mothers, but to also learn that these horses were being sold for cents on the dollar at a meat plant in Presidio for European markets was more than I could bare.

Fortunately for the majority of these 8 horses were bartered for by a local indigenous tribe for their safety & protection. But to see that imbalance showed me many more. For example, local ranchers are having a hard time surviving in the cattle business these days due to past over grazing of the land by cattle, there are just not enough rich grasses to feed large herds any more.  So many local ranches have resorted to allowing expensive sport hunts of wildlife on their land.  Due to the killing of the more aggressive wild life, it has allowed for higher than normal populations of horses & burros which otherwise would be part of the food chain for the bobcats, etc. Also when these larger herds of wild horses get trapped on private land, they can destroy a small natural spring’s water production for the entire ranch. 

Today water is truly our most precious resource here in the Big Bend which is necessary for the survival of all. Most importantly, I finally understood the belief and teachings of my native ancestors that we are truly connected to Mother Earth as ONE & if the “Range” is not managed as a whole, then it is all in danger including all plant life.

The first question I asked myself was “Why are these animals not being protected on the public lands of the Big Bend? Why are Federal BLM horses showing up at this meat plant? But the next few questions I asked myself came straight from my heart. What am I teaching my children & grandchildren if I choose to do nothing?  What kind of example am I setting for my all my children as a steward of their generations to come? And it was with those questions that my EAGLES journey soared to a new height.

On a Federal Level, public lands are mostly managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) or the National Parks & Wildlife. On a State level, they are managed by the Texas Parks & Wildlife. In Texas the “PUBLIC LANDS” are held in the “TEXAS TRUST FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS” for the COMMON GOOD OF THE PEOPLE with the TRUSTEE of said TRUST being the LAND COMMISSIONERS OFFICE. It is the public land domain which even carries over 10 miles off the Texas coast that allows them the ability to claim “EMINENT DOMAIN” to drill off coast and well as inland. With the oil & gas mineral interest alone being well over a billion dollars a year for our CHILDREN and their educations.

IMBALANCE #2 – With over a billion dollars a year why are our children coming out of that educational system with absolutely no life skills? But rather insecurity issues due to the peer pressure that system creates as well as stifled creativity due to all the “busy work” rather than teaching our children to find their passion in life.

IMBALANCE #3 – As a Native American Indian who was cured two years ago from Cancer by herbal medicine, why am I not able to access herbal medicines from the “PUBLIC LANDS” under the INDEGENOUS LAND RIGHTS or most importantly teach this knowledge & belief system to my own children or others? Why are the college students of Austin, TX suffering with an epidemic of syphilis when the cure is a plant that grows in the Big Bend?

I hope with my examples to show that there is truly no “COMMON GOOD” for all involved here.  Our TRUSTEES have failed all of us which is what I will refer to as LACK OF FIDICIARY RESPONSIBILTY. Which is grounds for legal suit. I personally say I ‘NO LONGER CONSENT TO YOUR BROKEN SYSTEM AND YOUR FIRED!”

But the real question we must all ask ourselves is are we willing to take back the RESPONSIBILTY for ourselves which will require hard work for all involved. The responsibility of teaching someone how to grow a garden versus giving them food stamps? Why are 1 in 5 children in Texas going to bed hungry at night?

Stealing horses is stealing power” was a statement made frequently in historical native America and a reference to the esteemed role which Horse played in the native cultures. In understanding the power of the Horse, you may see how to strive for a balanced medicine shield.  True power or wisdom found in remembering your total journey.  Wisdom comes from remembering pathways you have walked in another person’s moccasins.  Compassion, caring, teaching, loving, and sharing your gifts, talents, and abilities are the gateways to power. In allowing all pathways to have equal validity, you will see the power and glory of the unified family of humanity.   This is the gift of the Rainbow Warrior or Warrioress.  The “I” has no place in this whirling Rainbow that comes from the Great Mystery and is replaced by the universal “we”.  All colors of the rainbow and all pathways are honored as one.

Apply this knowledge and reclaim the power you have given away by forgetting to come from compassion.  Untangle yourself from the present situation and understand that every human being must follow this pathway to power before galloping upon the winds of destiny.[2] As it is written in native prophecy the “Rainbow Tribe” is where the white man and the Indian live in peace, balance and harmony upon the earth, a tribe of many colors.

As I look back on the original people of the Big Bend, I admire their bravery for they were all truly legendary people. Having lived in the Big Bend for 2 years now, I find a similar story for a lot of us which is the “Land Brought Me Here!” Maybe if we too all stood up to be the legendary people we were meant to be and started with those here in the Big Bend for (they) who have no voice would be a great start of bringing BALANCE back to this land.

Having spent time with these amazing animals, I feel that rather than us saving them in reality they will save us. And bring emotional healing for our ancestors past which we all carry within us. We cannot change the world overnight, but we can allow change to begin within all us if we choose. Truly the only limits we have as people are those limits placed on us by others. And if just by chance if we could document our journey then maybe we can help others in the world take back their POWER and balance & peace back to the world.

[1][2]  Medicine Cards  Sams & Carson  Pub. Bear & Co.