I am nearly buried in the avalanche of ads this time of year as
I open The Dispatch: promises of
”
Presidential Savings, Savings to Feel Good About!
”
come raining down on me in honor of Presidents’ Day.
I am nearly buried in the avalanche of ads this time of year as I open The Dispatch: promises of “Presidential Savings, Savings to Feel Good About!” come raining down on me in honor of Presidents’ Day. I do enjoy having the day off to commemorate Abraham Lincoln’s and George Washington’s natal anniversaries. However, Americans are still working way too many days compared to employees in other modern industrial nations. We work nine weeks more each year than our colleagues in Western Europe. I’d like to propose that one more much-needed holiday be added to our calendar. Maybe Gilroyans can lead the way. I propose that it’s high time we choose one of the original Americans, a truly “native” American’s birthday to celebrate. And why not? Columbus has his day; Washington and Lincoln have theirs, and now even Martin Luther King has a holiday. But where is a day for honoring even one of the accomplished Native Americans that make up part of this great country’s history and heritage?
I’d like to cast my vote for the electrifying Shawnee Chief, Tecumseh, whose name means “Shooting Star,” an American Braveheart. He traveled from the Gulf of Mexico to Canada, convincing tribe after tribe to set aside their individual differences while uniting them into the Free Indian Confederacy, creating a great coalition of Native Americans larger than the entire Federal Union at the time. A great orator, he negotiated constantly with his white counterparts, driven by a vision of unity and freedom, by diplomacy, if possible-by war, only when necessary.
Now only meriting a small paragraph in “American” history text books, this peacemaker and prophet mastered the tactical strategies of generals of legend, such as Hannibal and Alexander the Great, and was once commissioned a Brigadier General in the British Army. He worked tirelessly caring for the weaker members of his tribe (at the age of 15, he rescued a woman being beaten by her husband). He prayed before every meal, studied Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” and fell in love with a white woman. His warriors were not allowed to harm civilians; this, at a time when white leaders summarily ordered the massacre or torture of every Indian captured, almost without exception.
So admired was Tecumseh in our nation’s past, that a famous Civil War general was named for him: Tecumseh was his true first name. Since his priest refused to baptize the future general as “Tecumseh” without a Christian name, “William” was chosen. Thus, Tecumseh Sherman became William Tecumseh Sherman. His friends and siblings, however, continued to call him “Cump” as was his preference.
In the final battle for his peoples’ freedom, Tecumseh’s voice could be heard soaring above the gunfire, rallying his men, telling them to stand firm and strong. James Knaggs, a soldier in the battle, wrote that Tecumseh “yelled like a tiger.” Tecumseh was wounded over and over, but kept on fighting. With blood pouring from his knife wounds, and a bullet lodged in his chest, he continued to shout encouragement to his men. After 30 years of fighting for freedom, he lost his life for his people at age 45. His body was never found. No other Native American ever did so much with so little against such heavy odds.
I for one hope we haven’t become so superficial that Presidents’ Day has simply become a day about finding the best sale. I hope we haven’t forgotten our past and the amazing caretakers of this place we call home.
How long until we dedicate a day to honor great Native American leaders? Presidents’ Day – sure, great idea. But what about Great Chiefs’ Day?
