Some teachings arrive quietly, in unexpected places—like a YouTube video about an old baseball stadium. When Mentor George shared this reflection, I could feel the deeper meaning behind it. His words remind us that destruction is easy, but restoration—whether of a building, a language, or a way of being—demands vision, patience, and heart.
Recently, I watched a YouTube video from CNBC about Bush Stadium in Indianapolis. The city no longer saw value in maintaining the stadium and planned to tear it down. But while they dismissed it as obsolete, a group of developers saw potential. They purchased the stadium for a single dollar and invested $14 million to transform it into 138 luxury apartments. This story illustrates a powerful truth: preservation takes time and effort, but the results are far more meaningful than destruction.
To me this story holds a deeper parallel to Indigenous experiences. For generations, government institutions and religious organizations took the path they saw as the easiest—dismantling Indigenous communities, languages, and cultural practices instead of learning to coexist. The impact of that destruction still reverberates today, and rebuilding is far more challenging than the original harm ever was.
But there is hope. And hope requires strength. It means holding onto the belief that government policies will continue to evolve in support of Indigenous rights. That those living on Indigenous lands will develop deeper respect for Indigenous ways of being. And that cultural preservation efforts will continue to grow, rather than fade away.
We are witnessing a shift. More people are recognizing the importance of Indigenous languages, traditions, and histories. But just as Bush Stadium’s restoration required commitment, so does the work of cultural reclamation. It isn’t the sole responsibility of Indigenous people—it is a collective effort that demands:
Mutual respect between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.
A deep understanding of history and its continued effects.
Active solidarity in the pursuit of meaningful change.
Long-term dedication to a just and equitable future.
George’s reflection is a reminder that restoration isn’t immediate, and it isn’t easy. But the work of preserving Indigenous cultures, languages, and histories is worth the effort. Just as visionaries saw potential in an abandoned stadium, we must see the immense value in Indigenous knowledge and ways of being. The path forward is not about quick solutions—it is about the steady, deliberate work of building something enduring, something just, and something truly worth preserving.
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