By Racey Rodne
A couple of years ago, a client told me at the end of their case, “Remember, you are your ancestors’ dreams.” I said “thank you” in the moment, but as I reflected more and more, I thought, "There is no possible way that I could be my ancestors’ dreams."
I have struggled to envision my ancestors proud of me while I navigate our modern-day society. I complain about traffic, waiting in line for coffee or a restaurant, or a brewery beer that wasn’t what I expected.
In fact, I have learned about my ancestors my entire life. Specifically, I learned about Kiowa Chief Satanta.
Satanta was my fourth great-grandfather. Satanta had a son named Spottedhorse, who had a son named Price Spottedhorse, who had a daughter named Ada Spottedhorse (my grandmother).
Satanta was a Kiowa war chief who was also known as the Orator of the Plains because he was an excellent public speaker. Satanta led the Kiowa to protect their way of life. Some of his most famous quotes are:
"I don't want to settle. I love to roam all over the prairies. There I feel free and happy, but when we settle down we grow pale and die.”
“A long time ago this land belonged to our fathers; but when I go up to the river I see camps of soldiers on its banks. These soldiers cut down my timber; they kill my buffalo; and when I see that, my heart feels like bursting; I feel sorry."
Satanta lived with a passion for his people that eventually led to his death in 1878.
(Left: Kiowa Chief Satanta)
“You are your ancestors’ dreams.”
This comment has puzzled me for years, and I still do not have a solution. I am not living my life with an ounce of the passion Satanta had. The only way I have some amount of peace with this thought is in the moments where, as an attorney, I pursue my goals with drive, advocate for my clients, fight for the values I believe in, and being present in the things that bring me joy.
In those moments I think, while I still may not be my ancestors’ dreams, I might be getting a smirk out of Satanta and my other ancestors.
Racey Rodne is a Partner at McEllistrem, Fargione, Rorvig & Moe, P.A. whose focuses on all types of personal injury cases including: car accidents, wrongful death claims, slip and falls, dog bites, sexual assaults, burns, and other injury/insurance disputes. Racey is heavily involved with the Ramsey County Bar Association serving in multiple roles throughout the RCBA. He is also a member of the Minnesota American Indian Bar Association, Hennepin County Bar Association and Minnesota State Bar Association.