No, not an Indian Giver! Seriously!!!!

In this age of “political correctness” I am really going out on a limb with a subject such as this.  However, since I am more than 1/8 Native American (sorry Elizabeth Warren), that should give me some right to discuss the subject of “Indian Giver”.  Here is the definition I found on Wikipedia.

“Indian giver” is an American expression, used to describe a person who gives a “gift” and later wants it back, or who expects something of equivalent worth in return for the item. ^[1] It is based on cultural misunderstandings that took place between early European explorers (like Lewis and Clark)^[2] and the Indigenous people with whom they traded. Often the Europeans would view an exchange of items as gifting, believing they owed nothing in return to the Natives who were generous with them, while the Indigenous people saw the exchange as a form of trade or equal exchange, so had differing expectations of their guests. ^[2]

The phrase is still in colloquial use to describe a negative act or shady business dealings.

The phrase originated, according to researcher David Wilton, in a cultural misunderstanding that arose when Europeans first encountered Native Americans on arriving in North America in the 15th century. Europeans thought they were receiving gifts from Native Americans, while the Native Americans believed they were engaged in what was known to Europeans as bartering; this resulted in the Native Americans finding European behavior ungenerous and insulting.^[3]

Interested in reading about my experience with an “Indian giver”.  If so, tune in next week when I share Part 2 on this topic.  In the meantime, please don’t judge me too harshly until you hear (as Paul Harvey would say) the rest of the story.

In closing for now, I wish you each a beautiful week and ask that you appreciate and love those you hold dear.  Next Saturday we will be attending a Celebration of Life service for my wonderful, kind, and very generous long-time friend of 44 years, Coleen Fiebiger. She was diagnosed with that dreaded pancreatic cancer just a few months ago.  Knowing she is with Jesus is sustaining Jerry and me during this rough patch.  Cofie (as we often called her) was anything but an Indian giver.  She did much of the decorating in our home, often shopping with me and for me to make this a cozier, welcoming habitat. Also, today is Veteran’s Day so a shout out of thanks to my husband and all the other brave men and women who have served our nation as they put their lives on the line. God bless you each and every one! With a very serious heart, I hope to remain your friend!