By Lee Longhorn

BIXBY, Okla. — It’s hard to imagine that the amount of money I spent to go see “The Hunger Games” twice was roughly the same amount of money my mom spent to take my brother and I to see James Cameron’s “Titanic” once when it was first released. I don’t mean to sound older than I am but everything keeps getting expensive. Growing up, going to the movies was one of my favorite past times. Nowadays, I have to choose between topping off my gas tank or going to see a flick. Thankfully, I learned the art of budgeting and financial planning at an early age.

It’s been a century since the ill-fated Titanic set sail and sunk to the bottom of the Atlantic. I find it even harder to believe that it’s been 15 years since we first met the star-crossed lovers Jack and Rose on the big screen. Kate Winslet will always be my first Hollywood love crush. I thought she was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. The other day, I saw an advertisement for the newly released "Titanic 3D" movie and I began thinking about growing up in the 90s.

When most hear “the 90s” they often reminisce about the Rugrats cartoon, pogs, Super Nintendo or anything else of that nature. I think of those things too but not as much as I think of the experiences I had growing up in the 90s.

The other day, I was looking up a Creek word and when I found it I realized that I should know more of the Creek language than what I learned in the later years of my life. When I was young my cousins and I would stay with my Shawnee grandparents and my grandmother would teach us Shawnee words. Growing up in the Creek culture the 90’s had us surrounded by fluent speakers who were elders and knew very little English. Now, these people are gone, including my own Shawnee grandmother.

At an early age I’ve always been surrounded by one of my multiple cultures. For those of you who are new to this blog, I direct you to my earlier works (especially my blog on blood quantum and fractions). Now that I look back, I think I could have understood and learned more than what I have. I say that because in the 90s there were a lot more active members in certain communities, and there were quite a bit of elders that would have educated and reassured us in the knowledge that we needed to learn to continue the traditions, culture and practices.

In June 2002, my dad once asked me what I knew about the Seneca-Cayuga culture and their Green Corn ceremony. I told him what little I knew. I remember distinctly how he told me that this year, I should follow the Chief around to see what other tasks he does and what all goes into the sometimes week-long ceremony. Being 14 at the time I brushed off what he said. Sadly, that same year was the last year that I attended the Seneca-Cayuga Green Corn ceremony. It wasn’t too long after that but the Chief passed away and his duties were passed on to someone else. I missed out on a great educational opportunity. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I could have experienced, but didn’t.

I look back at what a blessing the 90s were in regards to culture and traditions. I remember there being several other youngsters with me when we had to participate in certain parts of the traditions and ceremonies but now there are all but a few. Some of the ones that I grew up with no longer participate but there’s always a seat waiting for them upon their return. That’s the way we are taught; to never question them but always welcome someone back.

In a way, the 21st century has brought about a movement of individuals who haven’t been brought up in a particular culture to be educated and invited to participate. An interesting aspect is that we lose some but there are others willing to fill in the space they left.

There had to be a reason I fell in love with Kate Winslet in Titanic. Perhaps she was speaking to me directly. I guess her and I made a promise to people that we truly love and care about. She made a promise to Jack and I somehow made an unspoken promise to my parents and those who have supported, encouraged and spent time with me while growing up. I have promised to “never let go” and continue doing what I do and never give up what was taught and what I practice. It’ll be a hard task but it’s worth it in the titanic scheme of things.