"Indians have heard fine words and promises long enough. They are right when asking for deeds." John F. Kennedy

"The Palestinian and Native American cause are identical." This statement summarizes days of discussion between Rob Burdette, an MCC worker in Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota and myself, during SPI 1997.

Upon my return to Bethlehem, MCC agreed to sponsor a trip for Palestinians to visit the Native Americans at Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota. The delegation included four people from the Wi’am Palestinian Conflict Resolution Center, including myself, an educational programmer and youth coordinator.

The indigenous Native American people ruled the continent for thousands of years. In 1492 Columbus "discovered" the " New World," and instigated the suffering of the indigenous population. Now the Native Americans are searching and seeking to redefine their identity, language, culture, and spiritual beliefs. Since the days of Columbus treaties were not fulfilled, confiscation of the land continued. Their most sacred places were defiled. The people are drowning in alcohol, drugs, and sexual abuse as a result of injustices that have been done since 1492.

I believe that true spirituality means rectification of soul and body rather than torturing what God creates. I practice my Christianity from the depth of my heart. I felt the peacefulness and the power of prayer when the Medicine man prayed for us. The image of the 'savage Indian' that was created by American films has created false perceptions and instilled the enemy mentality against those people. Our faithfulness to these hospitable, generous, and respected people need to be attended to in delivering and preserving their words

I can not forget one of the most wonderful people I have ever met, Ted Means, an employee of the Poriuqine health clinics and an activist for Native American causes.. Ted stated, "We are the poorest of the poor. We want our land back. They continue to bargain with the Black Hills, which are the most sacred places for us." When asking him about the future he said, "If there is no change, there is no future; change is difficult and I am not afraid of change. Changing is essential for the sake of coming generations. And accepting this way of life, in this bad situation means we are committing a slow suicide." He added, "We are the masters of survival. At the local level we must start with the grass-roots. We need to change the thinking. Spirituality is a part of our solution. We must put an end to the concept 'to be an Indian is to be less than human. Do I need to be a white man to survive? We would like to discuss the treaties that have never been fulfilled."

Philomene Lakota, a teacher in Lakota Oglola College commented, "Without returning to our culture, tradition, values, and spirituality we will not survive". Greg White Thinker Lakota, a land owner association member, said, "We don't know where to start and what to do; this land is hard to raise crops or plant seeds in it. The land treaties are not fulfilled and we are in a dire need to reach a solution. Sometimes we feel tired, but we know that the coming generations must live in a better way without problems."

Along our travels we visited special sites and visited with many marvelous people. The Pow-wow, dancing circles, the singers, and the drum voices, are still echoing in the Pine Ridge Valley and in the reservations of Palestine. The echoes are the true evidence of the greatness of the Lakolta people.

Saliba Tawil attended SPI in 1997. He works with the Wi’am Centre for Conflict Resolution in Bethlehem.