Yesterday, Ted had an appointment with the Indian Clinic in
Shawnee. His doctor is young and he is determined to reach
a diagnosis before the V. A. does. Ted is a lot more cheerful now that he has two doctors working on his problem.

I always enjoy the Indian Clinic because you see so many
people who look as though they just stepped out of a
painting. Some of the men still wear the long braid and
they look so handsome. I saw a girl that was the epitome
of an Indian Princess. I imagined how she would look in white buckskin.

Native Americans have gotten such a raw deal. Now they are making pots of money with their casinos and I am glad. They are putting the money in the right place taking care
of their elderly, building houses for those who need them
and renovating homes for the elderly when they need to stay
in their homes. Ted is 3/l6 Cherokee and probably more
because at one time Native Americans could not own property
unless they were half white. He thinks his grandfather
lied so that he could have his own farm.

The white man's diet has been almost as bad as alcohol in the way it has affected Indian Health. Diabetes is rampant
and so is morbid obesity.

Native Americans are people of few words as a rule. The
children are taught to be passive. When I was going from
school to school doing psycho-educational testing, their
teachers were always surprised at how high the children
scored. They made no allowances for their culture.

There appears to be a genetic link to artistic ability also. Ted's mother did beautiful hand sewing and painting
and Ted and his brothers are very creative. Ted carves
and paints when he feels well.

I picked up a brochure while I was waiting on behavioral
health. It was interesting to see that they said that
tales of injustice were told and retold to every generation
so that they were hampered in their ability to cope with
society.