Frank LittleBear’s life mission can be summed up in a word – understanding.
A lecturer, musician, artist, and author, LittleBear has dedicated his life to researching and explaining the Native American histories and customs. But through his lectures, he espouses an appreciation of all races and cultures.
A member of the Northern Plains Cree Nation of Canada and Montana, LittleBear spoke on campus recently as part of the year-long diversity lecture series hosted by the college Diversity and Educational Equity Committee.
“People don’t understand (cultures) and may not take the time to learn,” LittleBear said, encouraging people to get involved in their own cultures and share that knowledge with others to create a dialog. “Many young people (of all races and creeds) do not boast about their culture enough.”
LittleBear leans heavily on the wisdom and teachings of tribal elders and older family members in his own presentations. Quoting his grandfather, he said, “It takes more effort to discriminate than to accept.” And he borrows a saying from his grandmother to encourage cultures to not dwell on past injustices and find new directions with “don’t worry about history; worry only about the truth.”
Although he grew up “off the reserve,” LittleBear became interested in his culture at an early age and explained Native Americans build identity and reconnect to the past through prayer, song, and ceremonies much like other cultures.