Wow... we really got some energy going here. phew!! Let's not get too far away from the topic of mascots depicting native cultural images and symbols and how this practise negatively impacts native people, in particular to Kathy's post.... their negative impact on some native university students.

Nobody here would support deliberate acts of injustice but not everyone here will agree that the mascot issue is significant enough to be considered an injustice.

I suspect we all can appreciate how it feels to stand up for something we do believe strongly about. What that passion, compassion, hope, faith feels like. What it takes out of one to give that much of themself to something they believe in. Or to stand next to someone for their beliefs. To show the empathy and unity that builds bridges and nations. It's what we are all called to do as citizen's of our countries. As members of families, as employees of corporations. As servants of faith. Speak out and stand beside one another when it matters to the least among us.

Kathy... not everyone is going to see the issues like you do... that's why it has taken the students repeating their stories again and again. What's to be noticed and respected is their patience and persistance. Their faithfulness to their heritage and their ancestors and their beliefs to go back again and again to tell their stories. All the more valuable your standing next to them. You can share your strength.

That means you have to take good care of yourself so that you can spare some of your strength to give to them. You need to know your limits and keep your perspective. Don't let your heart be broken as it has been before. Just know you are in the right place at the right time doing what you believe in your heart to be the right thing. The pace of change, the outcomes of any actions are secondary. Its the unity and the harmony of that unity that will echoe into the next issue and the next issue and the next.

It's always awesome to see people follow and act on their passions and convictions. To care enough about something, anything to be involved. To not be apathetic but to speak out and participate in making our schools, our neighbourhoods, our towns and our countries better places for everyone.

I admire what you are doing Kathy. You do sound tired and sad though. Matters of the heart do that to us. Just remember these kinds of changes always take time. Time for people to understand the implications. Time for people to see why it matters to anyone and why in the end it needs to matter to everyone. Meanwhile people like you and the students patiently and persistently repeat the message until change happens. The work of change agents is tedious, heartbreaking and endless.

Take good care Kathy. Please keep us updated as things unfold. My thoughts and positive energies will be with you all. May they not need to sacrifice so much to get the education they deserve.