A Most Unexepected Compliment

[Riverkilt]

So this afternoon the clients are doing a closure group with each other and staff since they graduate from 60 days of residential treatment tomorrow.

A young Navajo man I've worked with off and on at another agency since he was in the juvenile court system, but he's now 20 years old and with me through the adult Superior Court system, tells me he respects me for wearing the kilt and honoring my cultural heritage.

He pointed out some things that the Navajo culture and Scottish culture have in common (booze and wool).

It was a most unexpected, and welcome compliment.

And wonderful to hear.

Of course I'll be kilted for the graduation cermony tomorrow.

[CopperNGold]

Respect is earned, Ron, so you're definitely doing things right. Have fun at the ceremony tomorrow.

[CDNSushi]

He pointed out some things that the Navajo culture and Scottish culture have in common (booze and wool).

It was a most unexpected, and welcome compliment.

And wonderful to hear.

Of course I'll be kilted for the graduation cermony tomorrow.

That is cool. Well, wish him all the best from the rabble, and may he have have much less of the former and much more of the latter.

[Whidbey78]

I've gotten similar comments from the Lakota around here. My wife teaches on the Rez and drags me to functions on a fairly regular basis, so I get it then too.

Nice to see that the sentiment isn't localized to one tribe.

[Laird_M]

Well done Ron.

Nice to see other cultures respecting our traditions and cultures.

[Jay]

Well done Ron.

Nice to see other cultures respecting our traditions and cultures.

IMO, they need to if they expect to have their own respected.

[Laird_M]

IMO, they need to if they expect to have their own respected.

Very true, but some, alas, don't see it that way...

[Riverkilt]

Well, for what its worth, the agency I work for is owned by the Navajo Nation and all their treatment is focused on Traditional Navajo culture - often teaching it to those that missed out on it growing up. So respect for "their own" culture is constant in the program and includes extensive Navajo cultural education, cultural based counseling, and weekly sweat lodge. Of course the staff doing it all are Navajo with extensive knowledge of their culture.

So I'm guessing the respect for the kilt and Scottish culture - or rather the observation that I am respecting my culture, came from that awareness of the importance maintaining things cultural. Navajo people were also prohibited from speaking their language, dressing traditionally, and prohibited from practicing their traditional spiritual beliefs by a conquering power. Another similarity.

Not to start a historic thread - just to point out that the young man's comments were sincere and based in respect for all cultures.

[Tobus]

He pointed out some things that the Navajo culture and Scottish culture have in common (booze and wool).

LOL, I find it interesting that those are the two things he chose to point out. And not the other, more obvious, commonalities. Like tribal/clan similarities. Native American tribes have always seemed to share a sense of brotherhood with the Scots, even back during colonial times.

I was also unaware that the Navajo were big into wool production. Huh, ya learn something every day...

[MacMillans son]

I was also unaware that the Navajo were big into wool production. Huh, ya learn something every day...

Tobus, I think you're going to smile when you think about this....."Navajo rugs"