He who takes my bow is not my friend. He who takes away my ability to defend myself is my enemy. If the government takes our guns, it s not because they are trying to help us. It s because they are trying to control us. Since my religious experience of watching that documentary, I ve found myself wondering why Indians have not played a bigger role in the gun rights debate.
Weapons are an integral part of our culture.
In Indian country, it s taken for granted that everyone shoots and hunts. Recently, I visited Indian friends of the Salish-Kootenay Reservation in Montana. It was a few days before a funeral. Extra food was needed for the mourners. Among Indians, the weapon is a symbol of honor.