Norbert S. Hill, Jr.

 Oneida Tribe of Wisconsin

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Tribute to Lillian Roybal Rose

 

I met Lillian in Colorado in the early 1990s. I attended one of her Re-Evaluation Diversity Training workshops in Fort Collins, CO, and was blown away by her message, her power, and her presence. At the time, I worked as the Director of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society in Boulder, Colorado, and arranged for Lillian to present several workshops to the AISES community during the 1990s. Lillian’s renown quickly spread via “moccasin telegraph” and telephone calls, resulting in multiple requests for Lillian’s workshops throughout Colorado and New Mexico.

Lillian was immediately able to connect with all sexes, ages and races using her own background stories, clear insights, and calm, commanding voice. Her empathy and concern allowed her to relate to participants, both individually and collectively. I had an individual awakening within a group experience.   She taught American Indians that life could have real meaning. She was able to transmit the concept of empowered leadership to me and others.

 She gave language to experience. When I could name the pain in my life, I could understand how to incorporate it and move forward. I learned that when one is able to help oneself, one is able to help others. Lillian taught me about internalized oppression and made me feel the pain and vulnerability of being marginalized. An intense experience was an exercise called The Power Walk where one had to walk across a room if a condition applied to you. The plight of being the only person in a large group for whom a fact or situation applies has to be experienced to be truly understood. The exercise also taught the power of inclusion, support and having allies. These are qualities which knit people together at a human level.

Lillian has had a tremendous impact on my life. Her stories about her family and her childhood replay in my head when I see racial inequity, hatred, and discrimination. I hear her story about the boy with pink hair when I become defensive about accusations. I see the results of internalized oppression in chaotic tribal meetings. I hear her voice as I try to promote the healing that must precede the ability to build a sustainable community. Once you hear Lillian, you cannot un-ring the bell!

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            Norbert S. Hill, Jr.

            Oneida Tribe of Wisconsin