Last month, while my partner and I were living on the warm springs reservation, we’d often eat at the local tribal restaurants, not just for the food, but for the experience of community.
One evening at dinner, I took notice of a grandson and his grandfather who sat close by. After they sat down, I sensed an immediate disconnect as the grandson whipped out his phone to scroll through Instagram and Facebook. I empathized with the Grandfather’s look of disappointment and dis-connect while his grandson smiled from the connection his device brought him. As the phone sat open on the table and full of the grandson’s attention, the grandfather sat looking around the room, attempting to talk to those around him about his day. His stories and conversations filled the room with laughter and intrigue, while the grandson continued to scroll.
Witnessing this particular interaction really stuck with me, and afterwads I thought about the times I used to spend with my Nanuk. Back then, cell phones were too big to carry around in your pocket and the only way to connect with people was face to face or the landline at home.
I remember mostly spending my time at the dinner table as I watched my Nanuk bake bannock and boil caribou bones to feed us the “buddock” fat.
I remember her stories of being displaced from the land and moving into “boxes” and sensing the pain in her voice as she looked back fondly on her life on the land.
After witnessing the grandfather and grandson’s disconnection, I remind myself of the importance of community and connection that was once deeply rooted in our culture. To give someone our full attention is to love – because Love & Attention mean the same thing. What we give our attention to, feeds their love and nurtures its existence. I love my partner, my friends and family and will always aim to feed them with the love and attention they all deserve, without the distraction of my phone.
I will always carry this traditional way of loving no matter how modernized I become.
– caroline blechert
tea&bannock 
Reblogged this on Auntwheezie's Blog and commented:
I see far to much of this kind of disconnect. Most of what I see are parents with their cell phones out and their children calling for them to help, play or just talk to them with no response from the parent until the child raises their voice. Or walking through the mall staring at their cell while their child is crying or running around causing others inconvenience. Put the phones away the children are only young once. Teach your child manners and keep the phone put away while interacting with others.
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Miigwech.
If possible, would you post this on facebook? Many, many should be reminded of the great gift of our time, and undivided attention.
mireille
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Hey – we have a facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/teaandbannock/ – where we post snippets from our blog posts 🙂 feel free to like our page.
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Paying attention is essential for us all. I don’t know if it is love but I’m pretty sure without it, there is no love. Really good post particularly in light of our times.
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