Interview · South Dakota · Sidney Byrd · OSEU 6
Themes: Language & revitalization, Kinship & family, Education & learning, Boarding schools & assimilation, Spirituality & ceremony, Values & generosity, Listening & observation, Intergenerational learning
Learn About questions
What did Grandfather mean by telling him he would be living in an entirely different world?
What does it mean that “white man would number like the starts in the sky and sands on the seashore”?
In what ways did Sid feel like he was being dressed as a woman when they chose clothing from the mission?
What kind of clothing had Sid been wearing up until this point?
Why would a train seem like a “black monster”?
Why was it important to Grandfather for Sid to learn the language and ways of the white man?
Why did Grandmother encourage him to notice the moon and the stars?
Learn From questions
Have you ever been in a place of fear meeting a new group of people?
What is it like to be in the minority? Or, what is it like to always be in the dominant group?
Have you ever had to dress in a certain way to fulfill a role? What was the experience like?
Has there ever been a time that you have been on a steep learning curve to understand a new idea or way of being? What was that like?
Transcripts
Leaving Home - Sidney Byrd - OSEU #6
Watch this interview on YouTubeBut those old grandfathers, I went back to the cemetery and I see the names of all the old grandfathers and grandmothers who endeared themselves to me. And then grandfather was, called me, Hakusha, grandchild, one day you're gonna become a man. And when you become a man you're going to live in an entirely different world than the world that I lived in. Many changes will take place. We can no longer live as we once did. The old ways are gone. We can no longer recapture them. So it's important that you learn his ways because he's many.
He numbers like the stars in the sky and the sands in the seashore and he's here to stay and he's going to multiply. In order for you to take your rightful place with honor and dignity, it'll require you to go to school and learn his ways. It'll be difficult but you learn his ways and ultimately you'll benefit by going away to school. Are you prepared, grandson? I never argue with my grandfather. Yes, grandfather, I'll do things that you are wise and you decide what is best for me and I'll do my best.
So they outfitted me with clothing from the missionary box they got. I thought they were trying to make me a woman. They gave me something look like bloomers. I never knew knickers before but they look like bloomers. I got my first store-bought shoes. I've been wearing moccasins. Grandmother cut my hair. I had long hair. Those shoes were stiff and hard and noisy and they took me to the railroad station. I never saw so many white people in all my life. I'd never been anywhere. Suddenly a huge black monster came.
It seemed clanging and I'm gonna ride this thing. I was fearful. I never. On the lapel of my coat was a piece of paper with my name and destination. Grandfather said, Tlacoxa, we're going to be separated for a few years. They'll be lonely and difficult years for you but do your best. Never give up. Do your best. Ultimately you'll benefit but do your best. Learn these ways. Learn the language. If you learn the language, the other things will come easier. And he held me and he offered a prayer. Go my grandson.
And my grandmother with tears coming, she held me. We never kissed. She just held me. Tlacoxa, when you see the stars and the moon, these will be reminders that we'll be praying for you. You pray for us. Do your best. Make us proud because one day you're going to take your place in this world and if you learn the ways of the white man, you'll have an advantage that we never had. Go, my grandson and we'll be praying for you.
Pray for us.
Resource text
OSEU 6: INTERVIEW WITH SIDNEY BYRD 03a
WoLakota Project
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Source materials
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Additional source transcripts
Leaving Home
Leaving Home - Sidney Byrd - OSEU #6
But those old grandfathers, I went back to the cemetery and I see the names of all the old grandfathers and grandmothers who deared themselves to me. And then grandfather was, called me, Hakusha, grandchild, one day you're gonna become a man. And when you become a man you're going to live in an entirely different world than the world that I lived in. Many changes will take place. We can no longer live as we once did. The old ways are gone. We can no longer recapture them. So it's important that you learn his ways because he's many.
He numbers like the stars in the sky and the sands in the seashore and he's here to stay and he's going to multiply. In order for you to take your rightful place with honor and dignity, it'll require you to go to school and learn his ways. It'll be difficult but you learn his ways and ultimately you'll benefit by going away to school. Are you prepared, grandson? I never argue with my grandfather. Yes, grandfather, I'll do things that you are wise and you decide what is best for me and I'll do my best.
So they outfitted me with clothing from the missionary box they got. I thought they were trying to make me a woman. They gave me something look like bloomers. I never knew knickers before but they look like bloomers. I got my first store-bought shoes. I've been wearing moccasins. Grandmother cut my hair. I had long hair. Those shoes were stiff and hard and noisy and they took me to the railroad station. I never saw so many white people in all my life. I'd never been anywhere. Suddenly a huge black monster came.
It seemed clanging and I'm gonna ride this thing. I was fearful. I never. On the lapel of my coat was a piece of paper with my name and destination. Grandfather said, Tlacoxa, we're going to be separated for a few years. They'll be lonely and difficult years for you but do your best. Never give up. Do your best. Ultimately you'll benefit but do your best. Learn these ways. Learn the language. If you learn the language, the other things will come easier. And he held me and he offered a prayer. Go my grandson.
And my grandmother with tears coming, she held me. We never kissed. She just held me. Tlacoxa, when you see the stars and the moon, these will be reminders that we'll be praying for you. You pray for us. Do your best. Make us proud because one day you're going to take your place in this world and if you learn the ways of the white man, you'll have an advantage that we never had. Go, my grandson and we'll be praying for you. Pray for us.