She dances, then speaks of the cancer her doctor said would kill her six months ago - now she has the support and prayers of the Native community
Saturday, October 24, 2009 at 1:51AM ;)
Mildred Martinez, Tsimshian from Metlakatla, (left) had been dancing strong at AFN's Quyana Alaska Friday night, but then the dancing stopped and she told the crowd about her fight with cancer. What started out as breast cancer had migrated to her spine, into which a metal rod was inserted, and then two tumors went to her brain.
In February, her doctor told her that her situation was hopeless, that it would be futile for him to treat her further and that she should just go home and prepare to die, because she would not make it past April.
Yet, here she was, six months past the deadline her doctor had given her, dancing with a group of Tlingit and Haida dancers from Juneau.
She spoke of how she had not given up just because her doctor said she was done, but had fought on and had found a physician in the Lower 48 who believed she could still make a fight of it. He began to treat her and so she is still here.
"Everyone has the right to fight for their life," she said.
Her fight is not over. Although she still lives, the cancer is still with her and she will soon travel Outside for chemo treatments.
Martinez expressed her faith in God, and stated her belief that He will help her through this.
;)
Out in the crowd, hands lifted up in prayerful support.
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Her fellow dancers gathered around her and sang, "How Great Thou Art."
;)
When the song ended, the box drummer returned to his drum. The booming sound that he created was one of power and strength.
;)
After she danced down from the stage and moved in traditional style toward the exit, a hand reached out to her. It would not be the only one.
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She danced toward the exit.
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Before stepping through the exit into the hall, she received a hug.
;)
She joined in (back row, far right) with her fellow dancers as they waved through the TV cameras to their relatives and friends down in Southeast Alaska, and to well-wishers in every part of Alaska.
So many people who this morning did not know who she was now pray for her. In the Alaska Native community, that means a great deal.
As for me, I am in the same situation I was last night, but it is even later, I am more tired, my headache is worse and there is simply no way I can even look at the bulk of the day's take.
It seems a small matter. It will all hold. The pictures of all these people that I have been meeting and photographing will be there for me to run another day.
Reader Comments (9)
That cancer. It hits many of us. I pray that God continues to bless M. Martinez, Tsimshian from Metlakatla. Thanks for sharing her story with us.
Bill, thank you for posting this, people like Martinez are real inspiration to keep going. I wish she out beats cancer with the chemo.
Quyana, Bill -- my prayers have been added. I never thought I'd say this, but thanks to Sarah Palin, I have learned SO MUCH about Alaska and so many wonderful people there. I also feel like so many of you up there have become my good friends.. even though you don't even know me.... Out of the bad in any situation, comes also great good.
It is interesting that Alaska Natives pray to a god that the representitives of that god do everything in their power to destroy the native cultures.
fantastic photos! thanks so much for covering this.
Jay, you are stereotyping. Your words are not true of all Christians. I can say this is a fact because I am one, and I know what is in my own heart.
I too enjoyed reading about the courage of Mildred, and am glad that she found the same support in her community that I found in my own, a world away.
Jay -- those are not representatives of the God of my faith, those who attempt to destroy not only Native Cultures, but all people who get in their way in their quest for revenge or power or riches. My God IS great, and one who LOVES all people of all faiths of this world. There are many Judas's in this world, but they don't speak for either me or those of my faith. My faith tells me "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
My prayers are also with Mildred. Your pictures have much love in them, and they remind me of the quiet but almost tangible love I always feel in the Native community.
Sadly, many people use God's Name in vain - to make excuses or rationalize their own bad behavior. It's not for me to judge the state of their souls, but it is my task to make sure my own actions personify what I believe in, to the best of my ability. That is the God who is Love, and who excludes and oppresses no one.
Taking the Name in vain is not, as many people think, swearing. It's using our identity as God's followers to justify, support, or reinforce an action that God would have nothing to do with.
What a wonderful story of an incredible lady and her journey supported by her faith/belief and her culture - thanks for sharing Bill!