I became an American young lady as I learned the ways of speaking and dressing to be acceptable in the new society and I soon forgot the native traditions. I came to know the church and the government of the United States of America. By the age of 12, I no longer knew the ways of my native people nor did I remember much about them. I only knew I was doing what was expected of me so that my people would be happy. An English couple came and met with me at the school, he was an officer in the U.S. Army and his wife could bear no children so they asked me to live with them as their daughter. I had been told during class that one day we, the children, would have families come for us if we studied hard and did well with school. I went home with the Captain and his wife to live in a large house in Fort Smith.

I was married to an English man when I reached womanhood. I did not know my husband before hand although he was a friend of my English father who arranged for the wedding. My husband treated me well and provided a wonderful life for me to raise our children in. He owned a large farm house overlooking the river with crop land and grazing for livestock which were tended to by slaves who he took care of in return. I was not allowed to speak to the slaves other then the two who helped in the house. It never dawned on me until lately that some of the slaves may have been relatives of mine from the village of my birth.

During my education I had sworn on the Holy Bible that I would not sin against righteous people. I have lived a long life of 85 years practicing not to sin in the new ways so that I may rejoice in heaven as promised by the teachings and during this time I have carried my native people in my heart but never spoke of them, not even to my children. Now I am at peace as a small part of me remembers more of my youth as I grow ready to pass over into heaven, where father awaits.

This story is fictional but she may of been my great grandmother or yours.

A’oh