"Historically, Native people valued relationships. Today in tribal communities, we have hundreds of relatives related by blood and not. Some we know well; others, we know only by name; and many, we don’t know at all.

Some people we know too well. With them, we are champion grudge-holders. Ask yourself, “Have I been holding this grudge since 1975? 1998?” Even holding a grudge from last week is too long. What happened to creating and maintaining strong, healthy relationships with our relatives and community members?

Our ancestors lived by values of generosity and compassion. Certainly, they got angry at one another, but they then practiced forgiveness. When letting go of resentments was hard, they talked to someone or were doctored in a ceremony. Forgiveness heals but resentment morphs into hateful attitudes and actions. Grudges kill relationships. They kill families. So, too, they kill good community efforts for social change."

Get the Story:
Jay LaPlante: On Forgiveness: Let the Grudge Go for Community Change (Indian Country Today 11/24)