Leaders, Tribes & Family
Contemporary Native Women Profiles
This Month: Rebecca Balog
As a Native woman, you've accomplished much, from working for justice issues in your profession to your writing career. What do you see as your greatest contribution to date?
Today and hopefully 50 years from now my answer will be the same: to actively serve, partner with, and provide liaison referrals to any man, woman, or child seeking asylum from racism, domestic or sexual abuse, homelessness, or poverty. I sit
quietly with a woman or child who has decided to come forth and make changes away from pain. These moments of giving hope for a better life is the most important contribution any first responder and/or support team can deliver.
Another answer is seeing exactly when to not be quiet at all. In this world we live in, a lot of people take care of themselves at the cost of or before others. How can this be? The most useful tool we have is our voice, when our voice is muffled we loose our power and this can affect many generations and entire communities. The ability to facilitate discussions from social settings to formal presentations to writing articles gives me a sense of reclaiming our future. There is power in the people. Protocols of silence can be very dangerous. Where’s the outrage? Well, let me tell you about it…….
You're outspoken, never afraid to air your opinion. Where'd your courage come from, that strength?
Oh, I’ve been afraid. That fear affected my relationships in family, society, and professionally. Courage today comes from that paralyzing silence I carried for so long. I’ve had to learn that. No one should ever be demeaned by abuse, racism, their looks, or by age, or being a woman - especially if women are demeaned by other women. It is so important to cultivate each other with confidence and truth. I was actually told once that I had boundary issues because I said “I care about the staff I supervised” at a job. I was told this by a WOMAN! This is the problem; this is why our nations should return to traditional ways and the world return to simple respect, honor, and dignity. Until then, I will answer the call to speak for others who do not have access to be heard.
A metaphor I use a lot is “Indian Country is a blanket and blankets are woven by women” (primarily). There are soft spots, in the rich tapestry of our many nations, worn thin, and many large empty holes representing traditional ways of life. I remember the women who came before us in such a different time, when they had no voices against the juggernauts of force in our history. And I see the women who in their resolve for change founded the National Council of American Indians in 1926 in Washington DC- like Gertrude Bonnin. Can you imagine? Today, we have great names like Elouise Cobell who has already made incredible changes today which will set a legal precedent in Congress for rest of our lives. The common denominator here is their voice. I can only aspire to their bravery. I appreciate what they have given me as a woman, a Native woman, and as a human being.
What outstanding memories do you have that come from this courage?
First, the reality there is a severe lack of support for the worst crimes against humanity- which are a part of our history and is still occurring today. I have a family memory of a relation crying when she was asked her what nation we belong to. She refused to ever talk about it. I think of her in that way, strong as she put it upon her own shoulders to take the burden of being a native woman when there were no laws to protect her or us. I take that strength, a gift from her, and utilize it today... I have a choice AND a legally protected voice. Times have changed so. And my mother and I speak, dress, pray and dance together now in ways she never could. We have returned to the people. My Czechoslovakian grandmother was born first generation in the United States and is full of love and compassion. I also build courage based on those very special experiences with her. That immigrant family also experienced racism. It’s a conundrum isn’t it? Indigenous or immigrant….. exactly who belonged on this land in the eyes of the “majority” in those times? Let’s just end racism already.
Share with our readers your thoughts about the presence of Native Americans in the media, where they are, and are missing.
End of the bronzer! Ha! Ha! Ha! Bronzer on the silver screen is retired now, right? It is still imperfect but, progress today is pretty darn good. With the recent developments in Native media education for our young adults, Native PR firms and production companies there is a growing market for Native films, music and art. I think it matters when the population being represented has a choice, a voice, and the option to drive the bus.
Second, good press or bad press- there is press. Avatar and the Twilight Series are to name a few larger blockbusters thriving in the general American public. We MUST look at films like RezBomb and upcoming movies like The Rainbow Boy by Norman Patrick Brown. These are just a few movies to look at. Look at the production companies and the actors, Native. Our histories must be told and often do through the conduit of media. But contemporary movies and entertainment media is where we are headed. The days of damsels in distress saved by the bronzer clad Indian man or another re-enactment of Columbus are over (or at least will be a story with lead Native actors and actresses). Seventh Native American Generation (SNAG) is just making waves in California and across the country with social media. We should look towards the aspiring artists and youth to see how they blend media, urban, and rez perceptions of life.
Where do you see hope today for First Nations people? What most troubles you?
My hope is the elimination of fragmentation. An elder spoke during the 2008 National Conference of American Indians with Barak Obama “We need to work together, this person is asking for this over here, that person is asking for that over there, we should all be equal with our issues, work together and get something done.” My heart and mind were rejoicing. I really had to contain myself. From the East Coast to the West Coast the nations share one common denominator, the future. We do not have to work against each other to accomplish our goals. Let’s just get things done and work together for those changes. No matter for urban, rural, rez, federally recognized or not. Listen. Learn. Advocate with your voice with members in your communities. Social media is amazing use it and find out what is happening, talk about it. I often spend time at the Carlisle School grounds. During my time there, just last week, in walks an Apache man visiting these grounds for the first time. We talked for over two hours. He was adopted and discovered in his thirties he was Native; then he found his birth parents on reservations. There were a million ways to fragment our people I into oblivion. And it almost worked. There should be NO INDIAN LEFT BEHIND.
If you could gather a group of young women together, what would your message be to them as they contemplate the future?
Speak to your Grandparents. It is incredibly difficult to know where you’re going until you figure out where you’re from. I know first hand through my decade of working with people who have very little that you can do just about anything you want to. Find that balance between the contemporary lifestyle and the cultural lifestyle. You are a WOMAN - no one can ever take that away from you. You are important and have choices. You are not born to just survive. When you realize this, ask yourself, “if I could have a life of my choice….what would it be?” Ladies, it is possible to get very, very close to that very thing.
What about young men?
I would say the same thing. I do realize the world is quite different for young men. There are different challenges and far less services available to them. Young men find support in networks within groups of other young men. Some find safety in gangs and fuse with drugs and alcohol. Native young men can become inspired by other men who get a little mad about the history and issues today. I met a young 17 year old Ute man, Adriano, who marched across the nation. He was a force to be reckoned with. He followed his father’s footsteps as a fierce warrior who fought for his people- by using his words. He was actually an incredibly sweet man. I know he is going to be a leader to his nation, just like his father.
On a different note, what does a glorious afternoon look like for Rebecca Balog?
I can answer this with a quote.
What does the future hold for you?
I’m in the midst of my education for culturally competent family therapies with sociology and psychology. I have three children, four godchildren, and a constantly growing family of nieces and nephews. My future is theirs.
Fifty years from now, what's the legacy Rebecca Balog will have given the people?
I asked the people to remember some women and children will not survive. I know what it’s like to survive domestic violence, substance abuse, attempted rape, and racism. I’ve felt powerless, broken and confused. I’ve been afraid. I then made a choice to take a stand for others; it was so electrifying I just wanted to place other women’s fingers on the pulse of that electricity. I’ll be fighting for others and slinging my native pride until the end of my days.
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Balog has provided testimony before human rights and diversity organizations; is a trainer in mental health and domestic violence/sexual assault volunteering, and a speaks on domestic violence, intergenerational trauma, mental health, and Native American history as well as current issues of racism, human rights and sacred sites. She joined thousands of other First Nations People in the Longest Walk 2 through Banner Graphic: www.firstpeople.us
Biography:
Rebecca Balog
Balog is currently an advisory board member of the PA Immigration and Refugee Women’s Network, a board member of Whisper n Thunder, and the Pocono Native American Intertribal Association, a member of the YWCA Racial Justice Committee, and the Community Responders Network against hate crimes. She also performs with the Red Vision Dance troupe and is an award winning Fancy Shawl and Women’s Northern Traditional dancer. She volunteers her time with local grassroots organizations focused on urban youth and artistic expression.
Balog is motivated by the experience of her relations, who hid in fear 15 miles from the Indian Industrial School of Carlisle until the early 1930’s. Her family history, entwined in racial adversity, extreme poverty, and fear resulting in the abandonment of her native language, traditions, and nation, inspires her to remain dedicated to the pursuit of fair education, safety and security of minority women and children across the earth. She and her family reside in
