By Lee Longhorn

Happy New Year. I know I am a little late but it seems like no one says it any more after the first of January.

It was during this new part of the year that I heard something that reminded me of things we often don’t say or hear enough outside of our communities, and that is support.

On the first Friday of 2012, I was laid off from my job as a reporter for the Muscogee Nation News. By noon that day, I had packed everything up, and despite all my internal instincts, left without another word or action. At lunch, I began to realize that everything I had worked for and done seemed to be all for nothing. I felt like a failure.

Sitting behind me was a former representative on the National Council. I had met this individual in last year’s election. After my former boss bought my lunch, I decided to do the same for the former National Council member.

After I paid, my accomplices decided to visit with her. We chatted with the council member for a bit and she thanked me for her lunch and then the conversation turned to the events of less than two hours earlier, my employment layoff.

I’ll always remember her words. Prior to being on the National Council, she too, had worked for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and she told us that she was also laid off.

She spoke a lot, offering uplifting words and meaningful anecdotes, but what kept me proud that day was at the end of her message. She looked my co-worker and me in the eyes and proudly told us “You weren’t a failure; you are not a failure, and you’ll never be a failure.”

I wrote down those words. I look at them weekly to remind myself.

The times that we sometimes face, we often forget that there is someone who is always there to lift us up and pat us on the back. Not long after I posted about my recent dismissal, came a flood of messages from friends and family.

Often times, I have found that in the American Indian communities, support can always be found. Within any college campus with a large American Indian student population, professional organization, grass-roots community and even neighborhood, there is always support coming from someone.

I see it all the time from one American Indian to another.

An American Indian high school student once told me that they were somewhat nervous about attending college. I told them that whichever institution they choose, there will be an American Indian faculty or staff member there to offer constant support and acceptance.

It is in my opinion, that despite skin color, political affiliation, sexual orientation, social status or education, there is always an American Indian individual who you can always rely on for support and acceptance.

To those who continue to offer this, I thank you.

Lee Longhorn is a regular contributer to Reznet News.