50 years ago on the 100th Anniversary of the colonization of Canada, 1967, every wrestling match for me was a reenactment of Custer's Last Stand. I really enjoyed finishing off my last opponent at the Canadian National Exposition, Canadian-USA Wrestling Championship, in Vancouver! In fact, I brutalized and pinned three opponents in a row to win the Championship.
My opponent, in this picture taken by my beloved father, in the final match, did not stand a chance. I channeled all my rage, anger and hatred about colonization and the challenges of being a "mixed-blood" into all my athletic training, since I was 12. I knew before I wrestled this final opponent that I would pin him. That was because I knew I had lifted more weights than he did, I had physically trained harder than he did, I had practiced my wrestling moves more than him, and I wanted to win more than he did! And I did!
50 years later, on Canada's 150th Anniversary of colonization, I realize that we are all Members of One Human Family and that the Hurt of One is the Hurt of All and the Honor of One is the Honor. To be frank, during my many years days of playing football and wrestling I took a great pleasure in physically, emotionally and mentally hurting and humiliating every opponent I faced, as much as possible.
There were only two times, out of more than 180 wrestling matches, that I did not compete with that sense of hatred, revenge and vengeance. That was against Joe Hoptowit of the Yakima Nation and Vernon Six Killer of the Pawnee Nation. I just could not wrestle them with that same consciousness.
I payed a very heavy price emotionally, physically, spiritually and mentally for this unresolved trauma until, through the kind Grace of the Creator, I was able, over time, to release this pent-up, intergenerational rage, anger, hatred and deep-seated desire for revenge. I still have a ways to go, but the ultimate goal is clear!
If I had my life to do over again I would never participate in any athletic competition whose purpose was to hurt another member of our Human Family. Yes, the Hurt of One is the Hurt of All.
Shunkmanu He Me Yedo!
